Caretaker (Gabriel, Ketch)
Who: Gabriel, Ketch, the brothers make a brief appearance What: A deal is made Word Count: 1131 Warnings: None Note: This is a canon divergent fic. This is also a BroTP for me, and I plan on any future prompts staying rated E for everyone. Also, this whole two-a day isn’t my normal, but I’ll ride it while I can :)
In the end, the brothers agree to let Ketch stay. It is unspoken that none of the three truly trust each other – even if Ketch thought he deserved at least some trust by now for being forthright about his dealings and you know, actually bringing Gabriel back to them – but he could reluctantly admit that if their roles were reversed, he would be as skeptical as well.
“I will go with you,” Ketch said when Dean announced his intentions to start the rescue mission. Dean started to protest that someone needed to be there for a rescue mission due to the time constraints when Gabriel threw in his own opinion on the matter.
“Mmph! Mmph!” Gabriel moaned as Sam was busy trying to remove the stitches from the archangel’s mouth.
“Hold still, Gabriel,” Sam said. “I don’t want to accidentally cut you.”
Another whine escaped.
“It’s okay, Gabriel,” Ketch said trying to keep exasperation out of his voice. “He truly only wants to help.”
Gabriel eyed Sam wearily, but settled.
“Weird, man,” was Dean’s only comment as Sam finally finished cutting the bindings.
Gabriel moved his jaw experimentally, but otherwise said nothing, eyes still just flitting between all three men.
Sam put the scissors on the table, which Ketch promptly moved closer to Sam and farther away from Gabriel. He had a hunch it would be best to keep any and all sharp objects away from the archangel for the time being.
“No,” Sam said as he turned his attention back to Dean. “I’ll go with you. We’ll wait until we can locate Cas, then we’ll go. Cas has been to the other world too, he can open the portal just fine.” He glanced at Ketch. “For some reason, Gabriel seems to listen to what Ketch says. Cas can watch Ketch while Ketch watches Gabriel.”
“Why don’t we just let Cas watch Gabriel?”
Gabriel shook his head.
“Did they get along…before?” Ketch asked. Having an angel watching over Gabriel wasn’t the worst idea, but he couldn’t say he necessarily trusted the Winchester’s pet angel, and apparently Gabriel didn’t either.
“It was…strained,” Sam allowed.
“And rightfully so!” Dean said. “Gabriel was the one that sent Cas who the hell knows where when we were trapped in TV Land!”
“And yet you think it’s a good idea to have him watch Gabriel?” Ketch asked incredulously. He didn’t know the backstory there, but it was bloody common sense that you don’t give positions of power to people formerly abused by the person in need of watching. He may not know the full story, but Castiel’s own reputation when it came to dealing with the Host of Heaven was as colorful as the Winchester’s own. He’d be cautious too.
“Castiel wouldn’t do anything. He’s not that kind of guy,” Dean said defensively.
“And yet you think Gabriel is in a mental state to appreciate that or trust in that?” Ketch again asked, no less incredulous than before. The Winchesters were thicker than he thought possible.
Gabriel heard the raising voices and tried to make himself smaller in the chair.
“I am sorry, Gabriel,” Ketch said as he glared at the brothers who were busy glaring back at you. “We are not mad at you, promise. It’s just a difference of opinion.”
Another slow nod.
“So like I said,” Sam said turning the conversation back around. “What if we have Castiel watch Ketch and let Ketch watch Gabriel? Castiel has been there. He can always mount the rescue mission that we hopefully won’t need.”
Ketch bit back a huff of amusement at the thought of the Winchesters actually getting it right on the first try. Still, while it certainly wasn’t Ketch’s idea of a good time, having some extra fire power just in case Asmodeus’ goons came sniffing around wasn’t a horrendous idea.
“I am willing,” Ketch said.
“It don’t matter if you’re willing,” Dean said. “Those are the terms.”
Ketch opened his mouth and then just shut it again. Some fights weren’t worth having.
“Fine. I accept.”
Dean looked at Sam. “Let’s go find Cas. Daylight’s burning.”
The brothers left the room.
“Well then,” Ketch said. “Since we’re going to hunker down for a while, why don’t we clean you up?” Ketch offered. “How do you feel about a bath?” The archangel didn’t exactly smell, but the grime and dried blood that clung to the skin wasn’t doing the host any favors.
*
Caretaking wasn’t something that the Men of Letters taught at Kendrick’s. To the contrary, they’d taught that the best thing to be done for Gabriel would have been to simply eliminate him, as he would have been considered too compromised to ever be of value again.
The Arthur Ketch of two years ago would haven’t even thought to question that notion. Now though, as he watched Gabriel hesitantly sink into the only tub in the whole bunker – thankfully there was a tub, even if it was metal and it had to be filled by strategically positioning it under the shower to fill it. It was slow, it was tedious, but it made for a bath that was warm enough to not be jarring to the skin, but not so hot as to irritate damaged skin. He’d found what passed for a soft washcloth in the bunker and lathered it up with soap from his own stash. The archangel deserved any small luxury he could get.
“Do you wish for privacy?” He asked.
Gabriel grabbed onto Ketch’s sleeve and shook his head.
All right. He’d stripped down to his boxers and undershirt, not wanting to get his suit wet. When he was done, he turned to find that Gabriel had removed his clothes. The already diminutive archangel seemed even smaller without the rags that were covering him. Even through the grime, Ketch could see the bloom of bruises under pale skin. Either Gabriel’s grace was more drain than he thought, or the angel had retreated so far into the host’s form that he’d forgotten how to use it.
He helped Gabriel into the tub. Gabriel managed to wash his body, but Ketch still dutifully helped wash his hair. He was efficient, but gentle, having had to watch far too many wounds of his own. He was happy to note that color seemed to return to Gabriel the longer he washed.
“There we go,” he said as he finally helped him out of the tub and wrapped him in a robe that Sam helpfully dropped off while Gabriel was in the bath. “I dare say you already look more presentable than either Winchester.”
A small smile formed on scarred lips.
Gabriel spoke for the first time since the stitches had been removed.
“Thank you.”
Ketch found himself unexpectedly smiling back in return.
“You’re welcome.”
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