The soft hum of Dean's snores reverberated around the small hotel room. Castiel lay next to Dean, one arm draped over him and their feet intertwined, and his breaths steady, despite the fact that he had no need for sleep. Quiet moans echoed from Sam's bed, and Gabriel knew he must be caught in a nightmare.
Gabe sat with his knees pulled up to his chest, chewing on his thumbnail. His knee nervously bounced and his head swarmed with possible ways to get Lucifer back into his cage. After Sam let the bomb drop that he could just let Lucifer in, Dean went on a rampage, nearly slaughtering Gabe for ever suggesting that he and Sam "play their parts". Cas was able to reason with him saying they "needed Gabriel to receive the key to Lucifer's cage", and talked Dean down from his murderous rage.
A bubble of anger swelled through Gabe as he thought of how he was merely being used. "My whole life all I've ever been is a pawn…" He muttered to himself. "That's a lie, Gabriel," Castiel responded from Dean's bed, his profound voice strangely quiet. Gabriel jumped at his voice, his feet falling out from under him and slapping the floor with a loud crash. "Don't try to defend them, Castiel. Besides you wouldn't know, you always were God's favorite," Gabriel replied bitterly. Castiel slowly untangled himself from Dean and walked to stand in front of Gabe. "I believe we need to have a talk outside," He said wrenching his arm toward the door.
The cold Oregon air nipped at their exposed skin, but neither seemed to notice. "I do not see why you think that all of our brothers and sisters only used you. You are- I mean were an archangel, Gabriel. You were feared by many and respected by all. At least you were until you left…" Cas said, his tone icy. Gabriel clenched and unclenched his fists as he listened to Castiel rattle on. "You think I left voluntarily?! You think I chose to forsake my family and surrender being an ARCHANGEL to become a filthy atrocity?!" Gabriel exploded, rising onto his toes to scream in Castiel's face. His face contorted with rage and tears streamed down his face. "I never wanted this to happen, Castiel. And, yes, our family did walk all over me. I was constantly summoned to every beck and call! Someone couldn't figure out how to bring music into the world? OH BETTER CALL GABRIEL!" He ranted pacing the sidewalk.
Castiel stood there sheepishly, his arms crossed over his chest and his eyes searching the light white of the snow-covered ground, "I never knew this was how you felt, Gabe. I'm sure our family didn't mean to take advantage of you. They might have only needed your help, er, extremely often." Gabriel scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Don't even, Cas. Nobody cared about how I feel! Not even you! You didn't care about anything except serving a non-existent father. I learned everything I know from Lucifer, he practically raised me." Gabriel seethed. "Don't you dare speak of our father that way, Gabriel. Do you hear me? He gave us life and without him we would be nothing. He is the powerful and all-knowing. He is more heroic, more reliable than you or your precious Lucifer can ever be." Castiel stood inches from his face, his voice challenging. Gabriel gulped, but refused to back down. He felt sweat collect in his hands and his brain clouded over. What are you doing, Gabriel?!He thought. You NEED Castiel. No matter how many times you tell yourself you're completely independent, it's not true. "Lucifer was nothing compared to God. He disobeyed and paid the price. He deserves to be shoved in his cage. Where he belongs." Cas said inching even closer, "You aren't having second thoughts about our plan are you, Gabriel?"
The sudden pounding of feet echoed throughout the desolate parking lot. "What is this about me needing to be in my cage again, Castiel? As I do recall, you also disobeyed. Do you not deserve to be shoved in there with me?" Cas's eyes widened and his jaw dropped, his battle stance failing him. Gabriel turned his head ever so slowly. "Lucifer," Castiel said, his voice suddenly hoarse. "OH and look here! Hello, Gabriel. Long time, no see. How's Hell treating you?" Lucifer laughed breaking into a wide smile. His vessel was deteriorating, small patches where he had begun to burn were present everywhere. "Now back to the matter at hand. I'm not going back in my cage."