Podgy. That was what his date last night called him. Gabriel would never admit it out loud but he might just have gone home and eaten half a tub of icecream afterwards, watching Doctor Sexy to ease his mind.
At the time Gabriel had only managed a look of hurt, but all night he had been thinking of witty comebacks that he should have said. Did the French have a name for that?
Shaking his head, Gabriel looked up to the sign with dread. One man calling him fat had made him come here, to this place of horrors that he had never ventured into before.
With a breath, Gabriel pushed through the doors, taking a little look around. It wasn’t too busy and-
Woah. Fitty alert.
"This was a bad idea." Just as Gabriel turns on his heal to get out of there, fitty walks over to him, big dimpled grin on his face.
"Hey. I’m Sam. I haven’t seen you around before, were you interested in starting with us today?"
"Yeaaaahhhhh-but I changed my mind." Gabriel gave an apologetic grin, taking one step back from Sam, closer to the door.
The smile dropped and it’s place was the most adorable puppy dog expression Gabriel had ever seen. “I’m sorry. It’s a bit intimidating at first huh? How ‘bout we just give you a trial today, to see if you want to come back?”
God, the kid sounded so hopeful.
"Okay." Gabriel sighed, and the grin was back on Sams face as quickly as it had left.
The most embarrassing aspect of the day would have been the weighing, had it not been for his stupid mouth only moments later.
'Do you have any goals for this session?'
'Leaving with your number would be nice.'
As soon as the words left his mouth he had watched Sams face turn a bright pink, his eyes wide - ‘oh, I-’ A bit more stuttering from the pair of them, and they continued the session.
By the end, Gabriel was a hot mess. But as he left the gym, hair sticking to his forehead and shirt clinging to his skin, he had the biggest grin on his face he’d had for a while- along with Sams number programmed into his phone.
Quirking an eyebrow in question, Gabriel leaned to the side to look around Sam at the people carrier, clearly unimpressed. “Don't tell me you paid money, like actual, real, money for that thing.”
Sam's arms dropped, his lips puckering as he turned his widest puppy expression to Gabriel.“No.”
Metal clashed against metal, and Gabriel hissed in defeat.
“Let it be known.” Dean called out. “That the mighty have fallen, and in their wake, one shall rise as the Ice. Cream. King!”
Scooping up the treat into his mouth, Dean chuckled as Gabriel attempted to wrestle him, for a spot within the Tub of Heaven for his spoon.
“Long live the Queen!” Gabriel roared in a short-lived victory, pulling the tub from Dean's hands and falling off of the sofa, cackling as his shoveled the softening goodness into his mouth with happy abandon.
Of course, that would be when Castiel and Sam arrived, looking on with amusement.
“Long live the Queen?” Castiel questioned.
“Yeah, long live Gabriel the Size Queen.”
Gabriel choked on his mouth full of ice-cream, and thumped at his chest as he stood, wheezing.
To forgive is not to forget, but to remember without wanting to punish.
Preview
"I see." Castiel seemed almost relieved, causing Dean to be the confused one.
"Gabriel is old. Dean. He is as old as time itself, older in fact then the concept of time, and has spent many centuries amongst humanity. Seen humans at their best, and at their worst, browsed the library of Alexandria and had drinks with dictators lost to time. It is only natural to feel overwhelmed in his presence. When an Archangel forgives you, it is surely a sight to behold." It was weird how Castiel now seemed proud.
"You should not let his forgiveness distract you. It is amazing, yes, but that moment has passed. You should look to the future, not to the past."
"Thanks..."
"You are very welcome, Dean."
Now only if someone could heal his damned hand, he'd already gotten blood on his favorite shirt.
“You can put your things in the bottom two drawers.” had been the first words spoken to him upon entering his 'new' room. Gabriel stood for a moment, eyebrows arched.
“..I'll keep that in mind, for when I actually own something.” The look of confusion on Sams face was adorable.
“You must have something. What about sleeping clothes?”
Now it was Gabriel's time to look confused. Back when he had been living as the Janitor he had lounge clothes – just to be worn around the house before he returned to his plush bed, but he'd never worn anything under the covers before, not even the night he had been with Castiel.
“This” Gabriels hands motioned down his body, and then back up. “Is all I have.”
Dawning realisation slowly appeared on Sams face, followed with a blush. “O-oh. Well, you're welcome to borrow some of mine...”
'Great' Gabriel thought sarcastically 'a midget in the clothes of a giant.' Gabriel had hoped his expression had been enough to quickly dismiss that idea, but much to his dismay a set of nightclothes were thrown his way.
Looked like he would have to work on his death glare if Sam was going to continue to be the worst room mate in all of existence.
“Look, I know that you need someone to stay with you at night, but Cas prefers my room-” oh great Castiel had brought up the subject with Dean
“-Actually-” To no success apparently.
“-And there isn't enough room in mine for the three of us, Cas and I can barely fit in together-” Now that was an image Sam didn't need.
“-Actually Dean-”
“-So maybe we just need to like, hire you someone to sleep with-”
“-I do not believe prostitution is-”
“-to be around while you sleep.”
Sam was at least grateful that Gabriel looked amused, more than anything else. Just because he wasn't an Archangel any more, didn't mean he wasn't a bitch when he was mad.
“Thanks for giving this so much thought, Dean-o, I didn't know you cared.”
1. Show your interest
2. Give/Receive Courting Gift
3. 5 Day Waiting Period
4. Meeting the Parents
5. The Talk
6. Public Knowledge
7. Rivals and How to Avoid Death
8. Apology Gifts
9. Anniversarys
10. Weekend with the Family
11. Unexpected Events and How to Cope
12. Official Relationship
"How hard could Courting even be?" Gabriel muttered, shoving the leaflet into his pocket to avoid the gaze of passers by. "Guess I'll find out..."
Chapter 1 – Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
“Gabriel.”
The voice sounded familiar.
“Gabriel.”
Soft. So Soft. Cool like water washing over his skin, cleaning him, refreshing him. But his body, it felt hot, torn, in pieces and breaking even further, his mind screaming 'danger!'. In between consciousness and unconsciousness, Gabriel was vaguely aware of himself muttering, pleading. But the voice was back. Soft.
“Go to sleep, brother.”
Then blackness.
Sam was worried. Gabriel had been burning up, so he had helped Castiel fill up a tub with water and ice, and it had helped, but... Gabriel was clearly in distress. Now Sam wasn't fluent in enochian, but he knew pleads when he heard them, no matter the language.
'I'll be good.'
'Please, stop!'
'Father, help me.'
They were also a clear indication that something untoward had happened. From Castiel's stiff expression, and his wary glances at the wounds covering Gabriel, he knew what had happened, or at least had a good idea, but wasn't going to share with the Winchesters any time soon.
Helping hold Gabriel as Castiel dried the man with care, Sam took a better stock of the wounds covering the small and pale body. The once soft back was covered with older looking cuts, and fresh burns. The logical part of Sam's mind put the burns down to Gabriel falling from heaven, his wings turning to ashes.
The rest however... well they certainly weren't the type to be self inflicted.
Both Winchesters were ushered out f the spare room, and Sam looked with worry over to his brother.
“What do you think happened?”
“Don't know, but Cas is pretty shaken. Must've been bad, Heaven torture maybe, they're mostly dicks so I wouldn't put it past them.”
Well that made sense he supposed, Castiel had been 'reformed' by Naomi, not to mention it had been done previously as well, when Castiel had first considered helping Dean beyond his orders.
It made sense that the most rebellious angel, next to Lucifer of course, would have more drastic measures used against him. That did nothing to put Sam at ease however.
Angels were devious at the best of times, who knew what they had done to Gabriel to try and get the Archangel back onto their side.
It was a few hours later that Sam heard the starts of movement inside the spare room.
Only then the soft voices rose to shouts.
The Winchester brothers glanced at each other before they both jumped to their feet, rushing to Castiel and Gabriel, fearing the worst. Upon opening the door, they saw something neither of them had expected.
Gabriel was against one of the walls, Castiels arms pinning the shorter man’s arms either side of his head. What was most shocking however was probably the fact that the pair were exchanging heated kisses.
Gabriel let out a small whimper, and that snapped Sam back to attention. He'd never seen the archangel (ex-archangel) so broke before, so needy.
Dean coughed, eyebrows raised.
Slowly Castiel pulled his lips back from his brother, leaving Gabriel panting, soft sounds falling from his lips showing his disappointment at the loss of contact. Sams eyes flickered over Gabriels face, it was clear that he had been crying, red blotches across his face, his eyes puffy. Licking his own lips, Sam's eyes drifted to the well kisses lips of the ex-archangel. He'd very much love to pick up where Castiel had left off-
“Dean. Sam.” Castiel acknowledged them, his hands moving from Gabriels, no longer pinning them agaisnt the wall. As soon as his hands were free, Gabriel shoved at Castiel's chest, attempting to push his brother away from him. 'Attempting' being the key word, Castiel didn't budge at all.
It looked like the archangel really was graceless too.
“Brother, perhaps you would like something to eat, or something to drink?”
Hesitantly, Gabriel nodded his head, his fingers now clutching the front of Castiel's dress shirt.
“Well, uh, Dean makes some mean burgers...” Sam looked over to Dean who nodded his head.
“Got a few frozen, won't take too long.”
Castiel pried one of the hands off his shirt, lacing his fingers with Gabriel's, following the Winchester brothers through the bunker to the kitchen.
“So, Cas. You gonna tell us what happened?” Dean questioned as he pulled out the frozen meat.
“I think it best that Gabriel tell you himself.”
Sam sat down at the table, Gabriel sitting next to Castiel, their hands still together under the table.
After a few minutes of silence, Dean spoke up. “So, does he speak or what?”
“Of course I talk, shit head.” Gabriel snapped. His voice sounded strained, either through little use... or too much screaming.
“Alright.” Dean held out his hands in a defensive manner.
Castiel stood from his seat, and for a moment Gabriel looked panicked.
“Would you like some water?
“...Please.”
This reserved, polite version of Gabriel seemed wrong. Their eyes met for a moment, and Sam smiled, only to have Gabriel narrow his eyes and turn back to watch Castiel.
When they were all settled at the table with burgers placed infront of them, Gabriel sipped his water, then cleared his throat.
“So which of you morons let Meta back into heaven?”
Castiel looked down guiltily, and Dean huffed.
“Team effort.”
“Figures.” Gabriel sighed. “Guess I owe the team my thanks then. Meta didn't know I was being held captive. When he finds out he got rid of me he'll be pissed.” Metatron had basically given away the one person who could break back into heaven. Yes, Gabriel was hardly in a state to do so that very moment, but he would be strong again soon, and then Metatron would have hell to pay.
“Captive?” Sam asked once he swallowed the tasty burger.
“Last Archangel alive and not in the cage, they needed someone to lead them, but needed to know that I wasn't going to up and leave. They were...” a pained look passed over his face. “..preparing me.”
“Care to explain?”
“Dean.” Cas grunted, frown on his face. “I don't think details are necessary.”
“On the contrary, Gabriel has clearly gone through mental and physical trauma, the more we know, the less likely it is we'll accidentally trigger him.” Three pairs of eyes looked at Dean, shocked and impressed at the same time. The elder Winchester just huffed. “Dude. Doctor Sexy.”
All eyes rolled, and everyone's attention was moved back to Gabriel.
“I once heard a proverb, y'know. 'Fools rush I where angels fear to tread'. In this case, I suppose you lot are the fools. No other angel would have dared to have helped me, 'aint that just precious.” Gabriel scoffed. “Angels. Well versed in the art of war, and the skill of torture. Good little soldiers, always following commands. Had to make sure I would be the same, used a mixture of conditioning and torture..” Gabriel's eyes glazed, but Castiel rested his hand on the back of his brothers neck, bringing him back from the dark place he had slipped into.
Gabriel threw a grateful smile his brothers way.
“I know we're talking about what happened when Heaven found you, but what about before that? We came back, saw the ashes of your wings on the floor... you were dead.”
“Oh Sammy.” Shaking his head, Gabriel picked at his food. “From the moment Lucifer stabbed me, I was theirs. A perfect opportunity for them, I wasn't quite dead, in limbo I suppose, the place between Heaven, Hell, Earth and Purgatory. So simple to just pluck me before I arrived at a destination. Reforming me had been Michael's idea, but then he went and got locked up in the cage with good old Luci, and the Angels became desperate...”
There was silence around the table, but Gabriel didn't want their pity.
“Look. Long story short, it was tortured conditioning, and Meta banished us all before any serious permanent damage was done.”
Sam didn't know if he should be worried or hopeful that Gabriel felt he didn't have any 'Serious Permanent Damage'. The Winchester was clearly worried because Gabriel recognised he was damaged, yet hopeful because of the belief it wasn't serious and or permanent.
But then, his mind starting turning.
What if the damage was too much?
What if he couldn't help?
Why did he so desperately want Gabriel to be okay?
This was the man who killed his brother hundreds of times just to teach him a lesson, by all logical reasoning Sam should hate his guts. Shaking away those thoughts, Sam clapped his hand on Gabriel's shoulder, watching as the man flinched.
