Superman Tonight (14/?)
Title: Superman Tonight (14/?)
Author: lonelyphoenix85
Rating: R overall, mainly for the odd swear-word
Genre: Pre-slash, angst, hurt/comfort
Pairing:Sam/Gabriel pre-slash, implied Dean/Cas
Spoilers: through to Changing Channels (5x08)
Warnings: None
Word Count: 2032 (this part, 29763 total so far)
Disclaimer: It only belongs to me when I'm dreaming! Bon Jovi owns the song, and the rest is property of the almighty Kripke!
Author's Note: Just wanted to say thanks to my awesome beta for this story, of_red_clouds - you're awesome!
Previous Chapters: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13
And now:
Gabriel watched in dismay as Sam fled from the room. He knew it wasn’t because the hunter didn’t care that he was dying - would’ve known that even if he hadn’t been able to hear the younger man’s thoughts as he went.
“Thought we agreed you weren’t gonna bleed all over my floor boy?”
Gabriel looked up at Bobby with a half-smirk.
“Sorry old man, not sure I can help it - make Dean clean the mess up before Cas sees, will ya?”
Gabriel could hear the thoughts racing through Dean’s head. It was dizzying, he almost couldn’t keep up - they seemed to bounce from emergency to emergency, with no time to stop and catch their breath, and it was all hitting the hunter at once.
“Pity Sammy didn’t hang around…had some pretty damn good last words for your brother Dean-o,” Gabriel said with a smirk. Stifling another cough, he continued. “You might wanna keep an eye on him though, after…well, after. Dunno if it’ll work the same, but with angels - bondmates dying, well, it was never pretty for those left behind, s’why bonding was so rare. He starts getting quiet, don’t you dare leave him alone…”
Gabriel broke off in another coughing fit as Dean supported him behind the shoulders with his arm.
“You mean the broken bond’ll make him suicidal?”
“It might…like I said, whole new territory here - it’ll be hard for him at least, and with everything else…yeah, he’ll need wa...” Another bloody cough cut him off, before he continued. “Need watching. Hey, Singer! Wheel your ass over here a minute. Need a favour…”
Gabriel waited as Bobby got as close as he could in the cramped room, then pulled himself a little more upright, putting a hand on Bobby’s leg before looking up at the older man.
“Mind loaning me the chair for a bit? Can’t see Cassie from down here…wanna say goodbye properly, even if he is asleep. I mean, s’not like you need it anymore, right?”
Dean looked vaguely homicidal - a little redundant given the circumstances, really - so Gabriel figured he hadn’t made his point clear enough. Moving his hand, he flicked sharply at the leg he’d been resting it on.
That wasn’t what got Dean’s attention though.
No, what got Dean’s attention was Bobby’s yelp of pain.
What got his attention was the way Bobby pulled his leg back to escape a repeat flick.
The look on Bobby’s face as he realised what he’d just done.
Yup, Gabriel was pretty sure Dean didn’t want to kill him now.
“You…you…did you just…”
“Just because I can’t fix myself up, doesn’t mean I’m useless ya know…hello? Archangel!”
The cocky boast was enough to startle a chuckle from Dean.
Bobby grinned down at Gabriel widely.
“Guess yer not such an idjit after all…” Bobby trailed off before looking at Gabriel more soberly. “Thank you.”
Dean’d never been one for long silences, and so Gabriel broke Bobby’s gaze to focus on the hunter again.
Beyond the hunter’s shocked expression, he saw regret.
Regret that Gabriel was dying, and they couldn’t save him.
A week ago, Dean would’ve said good riddance.
Now Gabriel could see words floating around in Dean’s head, words he would’ve used to describe Gabriel after today.
Ally.
Friend.
Good man.
Whatever he might’ve done in the past, there was no denying that in Dean’s mind Gabriel was all those things now.
Dying really sucked sometimes, Gabriel thought petulantly.
“So, chair?”
Without another word Bobby was out of the chair, grabbing at the wall to catch his balance before reaching down to help Dean lift the Archangel into the empty chair.
Once Gabriel was sat comfortably, Dean edged the chair as close as he could get it to the bed before stepping back out of the way with Bobby.
“Hey bro…so guess we won’t get the fun filled family reunion after all…hopefully when Dean-o explains everything you’ll at least wish we had? I’m sorry about last time you know - I guess I thought I could somehow still stay out of the whole mess…”
Another coughing fit cut him off, and he glanced down to see even more blood on his hand. He wasn’t even sure why he was dragging it out like this - if he’d just stop trying to repair his vessel he’d be dead in a minute or two. Maybe he was hoping Sam would come back? He squashed the thought down and focused his eyes back on his brother.
His brother.
At least he’d been able to save him - at least it’d been worth it.
“Dean…”
He glanced over his shoulder at the hunter.
“Don’t let him blame himself - I knew I was waiting too long, and I did it anyway. It was my decision, and he doesn’t get to feel guilty about one of the only three things I don’t regret doing since I left Home.”
“Three…?” Bobby wondered quietly.
“Your legs would be another of them old man. Sam…Sam is the third, because whatever happens because of the bond, it beats where he was headed before it.”
Turning back to his brother, Gabriel let out a soft sigh.
“I’m sorry I won’t be there to help you - just keep doing what you’re doing and you’ll be fine though kiddo…never seen anything quite like you before, which means Luci definitely won’t see you coming. The little angel who could…”
He trailed off with a wet chuckle, the words coming harder as he felt his lungs flooding with blood. Damn angel blades.
“Excuse us - not interrupting are we? Only we heard you were in a bit of bother…thought perhaps you could use a hand?”
Gabriel’s head snapped up in shock at the voice.
SPNSPNSPNSPNSPNSPNSPN
Sam stumbled over to Bobby’s desk, searching frantically for what he needed.
After a few minutes - *too long, too long!* - he found the book, and flipped to the right page.
He snorted in laughter at what he found. The irony was crippling.
A crossroads demon! And not just any crossroads demon - no, Crowley was king of the crossroads!
Unfortunately there weren’t any convenient crossroads around, but Sam still remembered the summoning ritual his father had used for Azazel all those years ago - it was fairly generic, so it should be a simple case of substituting one name for the other.
Grabbing the supplies, Sam made his way outside. He wouldn’t do it in the house just in case - he trusted Gabriel when he said Crowley could help, but that didn’t mean he trusted Crowley. He’d made that mistake with Ruby.
Besides, it wasn’t the demon he wanted, it was the Angel the demon apparently knew - and he wasn’t even pausing to puzzle that one out, because demons and angels being friends? That was weird even for Sam.
Once he’d set everything up carefully, Sam paused to catch his breath before beginning.
To say he was unprepared for what came next would be an understatement.
After all, who in their right mind would expect two half naked men kissing as if their lives depended on it to drop out of the sky in front of them, regardless of what they’d been trying to summon?
SPNSPNSPNSPNSPNSPNSPN
“Zira?”
Gabriel couldn’t quite figure out when he’d missed a step, but he must’ve somewhere because Aziraphale wasn’t supposed to be in the US, was he?
“Heya Gabe, how’s tricks?” At the second voice Gabriel rolled his eyes.
Maybe he’d just died without noticing, and this was Hell.
Choking back another coughing fit, Gabriel raised an eyebrow at the demon.
“What? It’s been an age! Old friends can’t pop in to say hi now?”
“Old friends can, you don’t…”
“Fine, fine…I’ll have you know I was invited though - you do get into such delightful messes Gabriel! Remember when…”
“Dearest, this isn’t really the best time for reminiscing…why don’t you lend a hand - you owe me a miracle or two anyway, and the youngster on the bed could use a bit of an energy boost. Poor child looks exhausted!”
“But Angel…” Gabriel couldn’t help but smirk at Crowley’s whine.
“Dearest…”
“Fine! Hey, hold on…what do you mean, or two?”
“Well you have been laying it on rather thick with the temptations lately my dear, I think it’s about time to even things back up a bit, don’t you? You wouldn’t want me to have to resist temptation next time, would you?”
“Is he saying what I think he’s saying?” Dean whispered quietly to Bobby.
“I think he might be…”
“Dude, that’s just so many levels of wrong!”
Ignoring the whispers - he desperately wanted to add in his two cents, but now was not the time - Gabriel raised his voice slightly.
“Uh, ‘scuse me? Bleeding to death slowly, but not that slowly guys! Flirt later!”
“Well really! It’s just cream buns dear - he brings the most delicious ones over for tea you see…ever so tempting, but he won’t tell me where he gets them from.”
“Every demon needs his secretsss Angel.”
“Of course dear…now, if you wouldn’t mind?”
Gabriel tried not to laugh - it was quite painful, after all, coughing up blood - as Crowley headed for Castiel grumbling under his breath.
“What do you mean, you were invited, anyway? I didn’t call you…”
“That’s because you’re an idiot. Apparently being an Archangel doesn’t make you immune to idiocy.”
“Sammy…” Gabriel couldn’t keep the shock from his voice any more than he could wipe the grin off his face.
“Okay, if you tell me you thought I ran out on you I’m gonna be pissed Gabe.”
“But I heard you…when you left, I heard your thoughts…”
“Then you weren’t paying enough attention. You didn’t honestly expect me to sit there and do nothing while you bled to death on the floor, did you?”
“I…”
“You did, didn’t you?! I can’t believe you…”
“Samuel, if I may intercede - perhaps this disagreement could wait until I’ve done what you called me here to do? We are rather short of time, after all…”
“Shit, of course! Sorry, I didn’t think…”
Gabriel watched as Dean led Sam out of the way, keeping one hand resting lightly on his brother’s shoulder.
“So, hit me with your best shot, Zee!”
Gabriel was sure he wouldn’t have got quite such an eye-roll for that if he hadn’t followed it up with a rather painful and bloody coughing fit.
“Dear boy, you are quite a mess, aren’t you? Whatever have you been doing to yourself?”
Gabriel winced as Aziraphale placed one hand over his side, and then sighed with relief as he felt the wound finally begin to heal over.
“Long story, ‘Zira - I’ll fill you in later if you guys fancy hanging around?”
“Well I can’t speak for Crowley, but I’d be delighted to visit for a spell.”
“You know I’m in - Gabe’s always a bloody laugh riot!” Crowley interjected from his spot beside Castiel.
The hand moved from his side to his shoulder, and if he hadn’t already been sitting he would’ve collapsed in relief as that wound closed too.
He didn’t blame Sam for calling him an idiot. He should’ve called for ‘Zira as soon as he realised the mess he was in, he wasn’t sure why he hadn’t…it just hadn’t occurred to him.
Cas was safe, Dean would look after Sam and Cas both…that was all that had mattered at the time.
*Winchesters - the ultimate antidote to having any selfish survival instinct, apparently.*
“Thanks, ‘Zira,” Gabriel sighed softly.
“Any time dear boy…any time at all.”
“How’s Cassie?” Gabriel asked the demon backing away from his baby brother.
“He should be up and about within the hour. Kid’s been through the ringer by the looks of his Grace…what you buggers been up to over here?”
“Mikey and Luci are getting rowdy.”
“Again? I thought we dealt with it all twenty years ago?”
“Welcome to The Apocalypse, mark Two. Luci’s out and about, angels are killing angels, demons and humans alike, and we’re the new rebels with a cause.”
“Dearest…”
“Yeah, Angel?”
“I’ve had just about enough of the upper management causing trouble, haven’t you?”
“Bloody right I have Angel.”
Gabriel grinned as the duo turned to face the group, stating in unison
“We’re in.”
Next Chapter
Author: lonelyphoenix85
Rating: R overall, mainly for the odd swear-word
Genre: Pre-slash, angst, hurt/comfort
Pairing:Sam/Gabriel pre-slash, implied Dean/Cas
Spoilers: through to Changing Channels (5x08)
Warnings: None
Word Count: 2032 (this part, 29763 total so far)
Disclaimer: It only belongs to me when I'm dreaming! Bon Jovi owns the song, and the rest is property of the almighty Kripke!
Author's Note: Just wanted to say thanks to my awesome beta for this story, of_red_clouds - you're awesome!
Previous Chapters: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13
And now:
Gabriel watched in dismay as Sam fled from the room. He knew it wasn’t because the hunter didn’t care that he was dying - would’ve known that even if he hadn’t been able to hear the younger man’s thoughts as he went.
“Thought we agreed you weren’t gonna bleed all over my floor boy?”
Gabriel looked up at Bobby with a half-smirk.
“Sorry old man, not sure I can help it - make Dean clean the mess up before Cas sees, will ya?”
Gabriel could hear the thoughts racing through Dean’s head. It was dizzying, he almost couldn’t keep up - they seemed to bounce from emergency to emergency, with no time to stop and catch their breath, and it was all hitting the hunter at once.
“Pity Sammy didn’t hang around…had some pretty damn good last words for your brother Dean-o,” Gabriel said with a smirk. Stifling another cough, he continued. “You might wanna keep an eye on him though, after…well, after. Dunno if it’ll work the same, but with angels - bondmates dying, well, it was never pretty for those left behind, s’why bonding was so rare. He starts getting quiet, don’t you dare leave him alone…”
Gabriel broke off in another coughing fit as Dean supported him behind the shoulders with his arm.
“You mean the broken bond’ll make him suicidal?”
“It might…like I said, whole new territory here - it’ll be hard for him at least, and with everything else…yeah, he’ll need wa...” Another bloody cough cut him off, before he continued. “Need watching. Hey, Singer! Wheel your ass over here a minute. Need a favour…”
Gabriel waited as Bobby got as close as he could in the cramped room, then pulled himself a little more upright, putting a hand on Bobby’s leg before looking up at the older man.
“Mind loaning me the chair for a bit? Can’t see Cassie from down here…wanna say goodbye properly, even if he is asleep. I mean, s’not like you need it anymore, right?”
Dean looked vaguely homicidal - a little redundant given the circumstances, really - so Gabriel figured he hadn’t made his point clear enough. Moving his hand, he flicked sharply at the leg he’d been resting it on.
That wasn’t what got Dean’s attention though.
No, what got Dean’s attention was Bobby’s yelp of pain.
What got his attention was the way Bobby pulled his leg back to escape a repeat flick.
The look on Bobby’s face as he realised what he’d just done.
Yup, Gabriel was pretty sure Dean didn’t want to kill him now.
“You…you…did you just…”
“Just because I can’t fix myself up, doesn’t mean I’m useless ya know…hello? Archangel!”
The cocky boast was enough to startle a chuckle from Dean.
Bobby grinned down at Gabriel widely.
“Guess yer not such an idjit after all…” Bobby trailed off before looking at Gabriel more soberly. “Thank you.”
Dean’d never been one for long silences, and so Gabriel broke Bobby’s gaze to focus on the hunter again.
Beyond the hunter’s shocked expression, he saw regret.
Regret that Gabriel was dying, and they couldn’t save him.
A week ago, Dean would’ve said good riddance.
Now Gabriel could see words floating around in Dean’s head, words he would’ve used to describe Gabriel after today.
Ally.
Friend.
Good man.
Whatever he might’ve done in the past, there was no denying that in Dean’s mind Gabriel was all those things now.
Dying really sucked sometimes, Gabriel thought petulantly.
“So, chair?”
Without another word Bobby was out of the chair, grabbing at the wall to catch his balance before reaching down to help Dean lift the Archangel into the empty chair.
Once Gabriel was sat comfortably, Dean edged the chair as close as he could get it to the bed before stepping back out of the way with Bobby.
“Hey bro…so guess we won’t get the fun filled family reunion after all…hopefully when Dean-o explains everything you’ll at least wish we had? I’m sorry about last time you know - I guess I thought I could somehow still stay out of the whole mess…”
Another coughing fit cut him off, and he glanced down to see even more blood on his hand. He wasn’t even sure why he was dragging it out like this - if he’d just stop trying to repair his vessel he’d be dead in a minute or two. Maybe he was hoping Sam would come back? He squashed the thought down and focused his eyes back on his brother.
His brother.
At least he’d been able to save him - at least it’d been worth it.
“Dean…”
He glanced over his shoulder at the hunter.
“Don’t let him blame himself - I knew I was waiting too long, and I did it anyway. It was my decision, and he doesn’t get to feel guilty about one of the only three things I don’t regret doing since I left Home.”
“Three…?” Bobby wondered quietly.
“Your legs would be another of them old man. Sam…Sam is the third, because whatever happens because of the bond, it beats where he was headed before it.”
Turning back to his brother, Gabriel let out a soft sigh.
“I’m sorry I won’t be there to help you - just keep doing what you’re doing and you’ll be fine though kiddo…never seen anything quite like you before, which means Luci definitely won’t see you coming. The little angel who could…”
He trailed off with a wet chuckle, the words coming harder as he felt his lungs flooding with blood. Damn angel blades.
“Excuse us - not interrupting are we? Only we heard you were in a bit of bother…thought perhaps you could use a hand?”
Gabriel’s head snapped up in shock at the voice.
SPNSPNSPNSPNSPNSPNSPN
Sam stumbled over to Bobby’s desk, searching frantically for what he needed.
After a few minutes - *too long, too long!* - he found the book, and flipped to the right page.
He snorted in laughter at what he found. The irony was crippling.
A crossroads demon! And not just any crossroads demon - no, Crowley was king of the crossroads!
Unfortunately there weren’t any convenient crossroads around, but Sam still remembered the summoning ritual his father had used for Azazel all those years ago - it was fairly generic, so it should be a simple case of substituting one name for the other.
Grabbing the supplies, Sam made his way outside. He wouldn’t do it in the house just in case - he trusted Gabriel when he said Crowley could help, but that didn’t mean he trusted Crowley. He’d made that mistake with Ruby.
Besides, it wasn’t the demon he wanted, it was the Angel the demon apparently knew - and he wasn’t even pausing to puzzle that one out, because demons and angels being friends? That was weird even for Sam.
Once he’d set everything up carefully, Sam paused to catch his breath before beginning.
To say he was unprepared for what came next would be an understatement.
After all, who in their right mind would expect two half naked men kissing as if their lives depended on it to drop out of the sky in front of them, regardless of what they’d been trying to summon?
SPNSPNSPNSPNSPNSPNSPN
“Zira?”
Gabriel couldn’t quite figure out when he’d missed a step, but he must’ve somewhere because Aziraphale wasn’t supposed to be in the US, was he?
“Heya Gabe, how’s tricks?” At the second voice Gabriel rolled his eyes.
Maybe he’d just died without noticing, and this was Hell.
Choking back another coughing fit, Gabriel raised an eyebrow at the demon.
“What? It’s been an age! Old friends can’t pop in to say hi now?”
“Old friends can, you don’t…”
“Fine, fine…I’ll have you know I was invited though - you do get into such delightful messes Gabriel! Remember when…”
“Dearest, this isn’t really the best time for reminiscing…why don’t you lend a hand - you owe me a miracle or two anyway, and the youngster on the bed could use a bit of an energy boost. Poor child looks exhausted!”
“But Angel…” Gabriel couldn’t help but smirk at Crowley’s whine.
“Dearest…”
“Fine! Hey, hold on…what do you mean, or two?”
“Well you have been laying it on rather thick with the temptations lately my dear, I think it’s about time to even things back up a bit, don’t you? You wouldn’t want me to have to resist temptation next time, would you?”
“Is he saying what I think he’s saying?” Dean whispered quietly to Bobby.
“I think he might be…”
“Dude, that’s just so many levels of wrong!”
Ignoring the whispers - he desperately wanted to add in his two cents, but now was not the time - Gabriel raised his voice slightly.
“Uh, ‘scuse me? Bleeding to death slowly, but not that slowly guys! Flirt later!”
“Well really! It’s just cream buns dear - he brings the most delicious ones over for tea you see…ever so tempting, but he won’t tell me where he gets them from.”
“Every demon needs his secretsss Angel.”
“Of course dear…now, if you wouldn’t mind?”
Gabriel tried not to laugh - it was quite painful, after all, coughing up blood - as Crowley headed for Castiel grumbling under his breath.
“What do you mean, you were invited, anyway? I didn’t call you…”
“That’s because you’re an idiot. Apparently being an Archangel doesn’t make you immune to idiocy.”
“Sammy…” Gabriel couldn’t keep the shock from his voice any more than he could wipe the grin off his face.
“Okay, if you tell me you thought I ran out on you I’m gonna be pissed Gabe.”
“But I heard you…when you left, I heard your thoughts…”
“Then you weren’t paying enough attention. You didn’t honestly expect me to sit there and do nothing while you bled to death on the floor, did you?”
“I…”
“You did, didn’t you?! I can’t believe you…”
“Samuel, if I may intercede - perhaps this disagreement could wait until I’ve done what you called me here to do? We are rather short of time, after all…”
“Shit, of course! Sorry, I didn’t think…”
Gabriel watched as Dean led Sam out of the way, keeping one hand resting lightly on his brother’s shoulder.
“So, hit me with your best shot, Zee!”
Gabriel was sure he wouldn’t have got quite such an eye-roll for that if he hadn’t followed it up with a rather painful and bloody coughing fit.
“Dear boy, you are quite a mess, aren’t you? Whatever have you been doing to yourself?”
Gabriel winced as Aziraphale placed one hand over his side, and then sighed with relief as he felt the wound finally begin to heal over.
“Long story, ‘Zira - I’ll fill you in later if you guys fancy hanging around?”
“Well I can’t speak for Crowley, but I’d be delighted to visit for a spell.”
“You know I’m in - Gabe’s always a bloody laugh riot!” Crowley interjected from his spot beside Castiel.
The hand moved from his side to his shoulder, and if he hadn’t already been sitting he would’ve collapsed in relief as that wound closed too.
He didn’t blame Sam for calling him an idiot. He should’ve called for ‘Zira as soon as he realised the mess he was in, he wasn’t sure why he hadn’t…it just hadn’t occurred to him.
Cas was safe, Dean would look after Sam and Cas both…that was all that had mattered at the time.
*Winchesters - the ultimate antidote to having any selfish survival instinct, apparently.*
“Thanks, ‘Zira,” Gabriel sighed softly.
“Any time dear boy…any time at all.”
“How’s Cassie?” Gabriel asked the demon backing away from his baby brother.
“He should be up and about within the hour. Kid’s been through the ringer by the looks of his Grace…what you buggers been up to over here?”
“Mikey and Luci are getting rowdy.”
“Again? I thought we dealt with it all twenty years ago?”
“Welcome to The Apocalypse, mark Two. Luci’s out and about, angels are killing angels, demons and humans alike, and we’re the new rebels with a cause.”
“Dearest…”
“Yeah, Angel?”
“I’ve had just about enough of the upper management causing trouble, haven’t you?”
“Bloody right I have Angel.”
Gabriel grinned as the duo turned to face the group, stating in unison
“We’re in.”
Next Chapter