fic: Out of Wilting Petals, Love Blooms [Part 3/3]

[wolfish_willow]

Masterpost
Part 2B



Part Three

His hands were warm where they were wrapped between Gabriel's as he was led into a room he'd yet to explore in his two months living at the castle. The corridor was quiet, no objects shuffling around them as far as he could tell. It was exciting; the prospect of seeing something new. When Gabriel first asked him to follow him along a different path in the castle, telling him he'd gotten Sam something, Sam had been more than a little nervous.

The end of the hall was bright. Light shone in from a windowed wall to the right of the large, unfamiliar door Gabriel stopped them in front of. Amber eyes sparkled with anxious excitement and Sam felt all of his worries melt away, a smile forming on his face in response to his friend's enthusiasm. Just as Gabriel's hands touched the handle of the door he stepped back, shaking his head as though he'd forgotten something, only to tell Sam to close his eyes.

"Come on," Gabriel had cajoled, "You don't want to ruin the surprise do you?"

With a put upon sigh that was belied by the smile still painted across his face, Sam closed his eyes as requested. The snick of the handle turning made his ears twitch but he kept his eyes shut tight, even when the light visible through his eyelids flickered, cool air hitting his face; what he guess was his friend making sure he wasn't cheating. Then his hands were being taken, held easily in Gabriel's larger ones as he was led slowly into the room, feet shuffling slightly to prevent himself from tripping.

The room was dark compared to the hallway by the window. He strained to hear anything that might hint to what the surprise was, but all was quiet beyond the patpatshuffle of their feet over the floor. The air around them was musty, like it hadn't been in use for some time. It was an almost familiar smell. First, because the castle had a seemingly endless amount of rooms that weren't very often in use - but there was something else to it he couldn't quite put his finger on.

Cold air prickled the skin of his hands when Gabriel released them, moving away from him, though Sam couldn't tell what direction his friend went in. "I'm opening my eyes now," Sam threatened, tongue caught between his teeth as he waited for a reaction.

"Nice try, now shut up and let me surprise you," Gabriel scoffed.

"Fine," Sam sighed, hands on his hips while he waited. Just as he was about to start tapping his foot and see what Gabriel's reaction to that would be, the swish of curtains being drawn cut through the air. Light flashed through his eyelids again, brighter than it had been outside the door and Sam had to fight to keep from bouncing on the balls of his feet in anticipation.

"I'm opening my eyes now?" Sam asked hopefully.

Gabriel chuckled, the sound close to Sam - and he hadn't even heard the pad of feet on the ground. "I dunno, think you can handle it, Sammy?"

Groaning, Sam reached forward until his fingers came into contact with one of Gabriel's solid arms and hit him with the back of his hand. "Dude, you're the one who brought me here."

"You know, that really hurts, kiddo," Gabriel mock-pouted and Sam could just imagine the look on his friend's face, bottom lip poked out absurdly, amber eyes wide as though trying for an innocence they'd probably never truly held. "I'm not so sure you deserve anything as awesome as this if you're gonna hit me."

"Come on," Sam whined, rubbing the spot he'd hit just moments before in apology. "There, all better, see?"

"Yes, I see," Gabriel sighed, smile clear in his voice. Sam supposed he was pretty entertaining to his friend right now.

"Good, because I can't. Now let me open them," he huffed, though his lips were still turned up at the edges.

The room was quiet around them while he waited for a response. Gabriel was torturing him and waiting on purpose, Sam knew, just knowing that Sam wouldn't look until he was given the okay. His friend had been too nervous-excited for Sam to actually want to ruin the surprise.

"Alright, now," Gabriel finally breathed and Sam didn't hesitate before opening his eyes, blinking against the light shining through the glass window on the other side of the room. When he'd finally adjusted to the brightness, Sam looked around and his jaw nearly fell the floor at the sight that met him.

There were two levels - though the second seemed to go on forever, up and up and up - and he turned to find a cherry wood staircase, which led to the second story, near the door they entered through. The walls, all but the one with the window, were covered in books. Shelves upon shelves; more books than he'd seen in all of his life just on the bottom level and Sam hadn't thought that was possible. It even blew Anna's bookshop away - and the thought of her and his old town didn't twist his heart in his chest anymore. The covers were all different colors and sizes, like a paper and leather rainbow; some that he recognized as books he'd read before coming here. But most were unfamiliar and a thrum of excitement shot through him, fingertips itching to pick one up and flip through its pages. This must have been where all those random books Gabriel - and there was no doubt in his mind it had been Gabriel anymore - had left around the castle for him came from. And in the time he'd been living here he'd read a lot, but looking at the seemingly never ending stacks up the walls - he even saw several ladders on wheels on both levels, different sizes to reach whatever the reader would need - it seemed he hadn't even put a dent in the collections.

"Oh my God," he choked out, word catching and getting nearly stuck in his throat. Sam took off around the room, barely noticing Gabriel's relieved and amused chuckles behind him, trying to take in as much as he could. Climbing the stairs two steps at a time, Sam pressed up against the ornately carved railing and looked at the room from the second level.

"I take it you like it, then?" Gabriel's familiar rumble of a voice wafted up into the space between them and Sam smiled down at him, eyes wide and full of mirth. He shrugged a shoulder nonchalantly. "It's alright, I suppose."

Gabriel rolled his eyes and muttered something like "You're worse than me" but Sam was too busy to listen, pushing off the rail to run his hands over the books on the wall behind him. A book beneath his fingertips was one sensation he would never get enough of, Sam knew. Even being given all those books since he’d been living here hadn't been able to ebb the thrill he felt each time he held a new one in his hand.

A smile stretched across his face - one he was sure he wouldn't be able to get rid of - and Sam hurried back down the stairs before he got too distracted and started climbing one of the tallest ladders up the stacks. Gabriel was watching him and he stood in front of his friend, breathless - from all the rushing around, he was sure. "I was wondering who left all those books for me."

Gabriel shrugged his massive shoulders. "I don't know what you're talking about, kiddo."

Shaking his head, Sam reached out a hand and placed it on his friend's arm, fingers curling in the sleeve of his shirt. "Thank you," he said seriously, not wanting to joke about this anymore. He'd wanted to thank the person leaving him those books since he found the second one in his room and though he’d occasionally entertained the hope that Gabriel might have left them for him, he hadn’t believed it actually could be. But it was and he wouldn't allow the man he'd come to call friend make that into less than it was.

"You're welcome," Gabriel rumbled, amber eyes more serious than Sam had seen them since he saved Sam from a pack of wolves. Gabriel cleared his throat and Sam took a step back, letting go of his friend's arm, hand dropping to his side.

Suddenly remembering why they'd walked this way to begin with, Sam's brow crinkled. "What was the surprise?" He'd gotten so distracted by the room and the books and the ladders that Sam had forgotten all about Gabriel telling him he'd gotten him something.

Gabriel shifted on his feet, claws vripping over the rug, though Sam knew they never actually damaged any of the floors in the castle. It was something he'd seen the man do before, always when he was nervous about something, and it never failed to amaze him that someone as big and intimidating and smart as Gabriel could get nervous over showing him something or whether or not Sam decided to join him for dinner - which he did every night now unless so preoccupied with his books that he didn't hear anyone telling him it was ready.

"This," came the answer, Gabriel's arms outstretched at his sides. Sam looked around the room with furrowed brows. "What, the room? Come on, dude, seriously - "

"You like it, don't you?"

Nodding slowly, Sam looked up at Gabriel curiously. "Of course I like it. Reading's always been... I went to the bookshop in town every day that I could."

"That's why I'm giving it to you," Gabriel said simply, like it was normal to give someone an entire library out of the blue. Then again, they were living in a castle where coat racks and cellos and wardrobes moved and talked on their own. And Sam had never quite been normal himself.

His own library, this massive room, stacked with more books than he could possibly read in his lifetime and Gabriel was giving it to him. Sam felt the sudden urge to do something crazy, like hug Gabriel, and felt his cheeks heat up just a little at the thought. "I... I don't even know what to say," he said, voice shaking with a breathy laugh.

Gabriel smiled down at him and Sam felt himself returning it without a thought. "Now before you go off and revel in your geekiness," Sam scoffed but couldn't argue the point, "I have one more thing for you."

"You don't need to - "

"This is something I want you to have," Gabriel interrupted, turning to the large table standing in front of the window - plenty of light to read in, Sam mused - and picking something up. Sam hadn't noticed it before, even when looking down on the room from the second story. It was a hand held mirror, small in Gabriel's enormous claw. But when the other man was in front of him once more and gestured for him to take it, it was bigger than he'd thought and heavy in his hands. One hand gripped the handle, the other cradling the back, Sam curled his fingers over the top as he looked at Gabriel questioningly.

"You've been here for some time now," Gabriel started and Sam nodded, noting how his friend was shifting nervously again, "I know that... I handled everything wrong the night you came here and this... can't make up for that but..." Sam swallowed thickly, looking back down at the mirror in his hands for a moment before meeting Gabriel's earnest eyes once more. "It's not an ordinary mirror," he continued with a one shoulder shrug and a ghost of a smirk on his lips and Sam knew it was because nothing was ordinary in this castle, "It can show its holder anyone they want to see, no matter where they are, no matter how far away."

With wide eyes, Sam locked them on the pearlescent mirror, mind working overtime to try and process exactly what it was he was holding in his hands. "Anyone?" he asked, voice shaking embarrassingly.

"Yeah, Sammy," Gabriel answered quietly, voice as soft as Sam had ever heard it. "It doesn't make things better, I know, but - "

Sam was the one to cut Gabriel off this time, surging forward to wrap his arms around his friend, mirror clutched in a tight grip. "No, it's. It's perfect," he assured, stepping away and swiping at his rapidly tearing eyes before he embarrassed himself further. "Thank you."

Gabriel nodded, eyes wide and Sam found himself wondering when he'd last been hugged. By anyone. His brother always acted like he was too macho to hug anyone but if Sam ever needed it - like right after Jake or Ruby - he'd been there. Sam realized that Gabriel had been alone in the castle for who knew how long before he came around, no one to offer even that small comfort to him. But Gabriel was smiling softly down at him now and Sam was glad he was able to do that for his friend even if he hadn't realized what he was doing.

Looking down at the mirror again, Sam's stomach filled with butterflies and he gestured towards the door behind him. "I'm just gonna..."

Gabriel nodded in encouragement, though Sam could still see the sadness lurking behind those amber eyes. If he'd had any doubt that this man was changed from the one he'd met that night so many weeks ago, the knowledge that Gabriel felt remorse for how he'd treated Sam, and Dean, wiped it all away. Sam rested his hand over his friend's arm one more time, squeezing it lightly to emphasize his words, "Really. Thank you."

Then he turned and hurried out of the library and through the castle, intent on getting to his room and putting the mirror to use.

***

"Show me my brother, Dean," he told the pearly mirror. "Please."

The reflective glass almost immediately began to swirl, beaming an emerald green Sam had to squint against. A moment later and the light receded until it was only outlining the mirror's border, circling the image shown to him.

It was Dean. His Dean. His brother that he hadn't seen in what felt like a lifetime. He was sitting in Ellen's tavern, a pint in his hand, alive and healthy looking. Sam let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding, invisible weight lifting from his shoulders as a knot of tension released at the knowledge that Dean got back to town safely. He remembered the lump on his brother's head that night, how he'd hoped it would get looked at and from the image he'd been given, Dean had gotten help.

Something wet dripped onto the mirror and Sam blinked in confusion, causing another tear to fall. It slid down his cheek and he sniffed, setting the mirror down on his nightstand right beside the neat stack of books from Gabriel. In a flash he was up and getting one of the smaller, soft towels from the bathroom to wipe the mirror off before the tear left a mark. A towel would have to do until he could get something meant for the glass of a mirror. But by the time he got back, the drop was gone, as though it had never been there in the first place. With an incredulous shake of his head, Sam sat back on the edge of the bed. He would never get tired of being surprised by the magic in this place.

A soft knock on the door brought him out of his magical musings and Sam wiped at his eyes before calling out a shaky, "Come in." Nancy shuffled through the door in a flash of purple, brown eyes smiling. One long look at him, though, and they widened in concern. "What's wrong, Sam?" she asked, usually timid voice loud in the quiet of the room. "Are you okay?"

He nodded with another quick swipe at bloodshot eyes. "I'm fine," Sam assured. "Just a little overwhelmed at the moment," he continued when she sent him a disbelieving look. The smile he sent her seemed to quell some of Nancy's worry, though, and she made her way onto the nightstand, where she normally stood by his books when they talked in his room. Her eyes widened at the mirror sitting beside them and Sam chuckled at the sight she made.

"Where...?" she started, question trailing off when she focused back on Sam.

He shrugged one of his shoulders, a soft smile gracing his face. "Gabriel gave it to me earlier." Nancy gasped but Sam barely noticed, "Told me he knew it couldn't make up for everything. Taking Dean away is what he didn't say, but I know what he meant." He was quiet for a moment, thinking over his next words before looking at Nancy with wide eyes. "He's changed hasn't he? Gabriel. I mean, he isn't the same person he was before he saved me."

Brown eyes searched his face before she nodded slowly, top bending forward like no ordinary bottle could. "He has. He's different when he's with you, Sam."

"I guess," Sam ignored the warm swell of emotion at her words, "Maybe he just needed a friend." Before Nancy could protest about what Gabriel really needed - something Sam couldn't let himself think about yet, he continued, "I did. I needed a friend. It's kind of nice... living in a place where I'm not odd."

He cleared his throat, suddenly uncomfortable under Nancy's curious gaze. "What - What did you need, by the way?"

"Dinner's nearly ready," she told him as she hopped off the stand and to the door. "I'll see you downstairs, Sam."

The door shut quietly behind her and Sam looked down at the mirror again, a soft smile on his face once more, before he got up to find something nice to wear to dinner.

***

Gabriel sat across from him, eyes darting around the room. He seemed to look everywhere but at Sam and Sam realized abruptly that he was still nervous about the mirror and what he'd said earlier.

"Hey," Sam greeted with a smile. He felt better after the quick shower he'd taken before pulling on the maroon button down and dark pants Bela left sitting out for him on his bed. His eyes were no longer bloodshot from crying and he was almost positive his smile wouldn't dim anytime soon.

He got a nod in return, amber eyes meeting his warily, like he was waiting for the explosion he apparently expected. When Gabriel saw his smile, though, a tentative stretch of lips finally graced his face and Sam could practically see the tension melting from his large frame until he was no longer strung so tight or sitting so straight. "Heya Sammy," Gabriel rumbled, smirking.

Sam rolled his eyes and shook his head with a put upon sigh that spoke of just how much he had to put up with here. Before they could say anything else, trays of heavenly smelling food were rolled out. Steaming dishes were placed in front of them, a creamy soup to start and Sam heard his stomach growl before he felt it. Gabriel chuckled, but he wasn't doing any better and they both dug in with little fanfare, sounds of clinking spoons and small, pleased groans filling the air.

Most of dinner was spent in comfortable silence, the two of them enjoying the food and the company. Just as they were finishing off the dessert - a delicious, fresh chocolate pudding - Sam looked across the table. "I used the mirror today."

Gabriel's eyes snapped to his. "That's why I gave it to you."

Sam nodded. "I just... wanted to thank you again. Seeing Dean was... Just, it meant a lot," he said seriously.

His friend looked pained and Sam knew it was because of his part in Sam's living here and hearing Dean's name spoken aloud like it hadn't been for so long. But he refused to take the words back because they were true. It did mean a lot. Gabriel had given him peace of mind when he put that mirror in Sam's hands.

He stood, dessert finished and bowl empty in front of him. Instead of walking out of the room from his side, Sam stepped around and walked the length of the room until he was at the head of the table. Gabriel's hand was warm beneath his palm and Sam squeezed his fingers lightly over the furred appendage, trying to convey his thanks in any way he could. The shine of Gabriel's eyes told him his message was received and Sam gave one final squeeze, sending a little wave before he turned and walked out of the dining room.

***

Impala was getting restless in the stables and Sam hadn't been out to run with her for a couple of days. The library and magic mirror were more distracting than he'd realized and Sam had spent most of his time in the new room - his new room, exploring the stacks and climbing the ladders he'd been dying to climb since he first saw them.

But the horse needed to run around and Sam found that he'd missed the fresh air, the crisp feeling of it as it filled his expanding lungs. The sun was bright, but it was still chilly and his cloak was wrapped tight around him even as he ran alongside Impala. He hadn't been sick again since he'd come here and he didn't plan to be anytime soon.

They stopped at the gate in the front of the castle. It looked so much less ominous and intimidating in the light of day, when the sun's rays penetrated the tree line and shone over the castle. Still, this wasn't a place Sam cared to spend much time in after his experience in leaving that first night and he patted the horse's side. "Come on, Impala. Let's go for another run, huh?"

As he was turning, movement caught his eye just before he heard footsteps. His head whipped to face whoever was walking toward the gate, fleeting thoughts of his brother coming back for him flashing across his mind. When he realized who it was, though, he staggered a step further from the gate separating them. Blonde hair bright in the sunlight, Luc sent him a devilish smirk as he came closer.

"Wha - How? What are you doing here, Luc?"

It felt like a lifetime since he'd last seen Luc and it still wasn't long enough. Not nearly long enough. He looked the same, blue eyes still cold and yet fiery when they locked on him. Sam gave a full bodied shudder at the look Luc sent him, stepping back once more as the blonde reached the gate.

"I came to bring you home, of course," he said, voice as smooth as ever. Arms held almost casually behind his back, the man's eyes looked Sam up and down, smirk morphing into a leer. "You look good, Sam."

"How did you find me?" Sam demanded, glaring and pulling his cloak tighter around himself. He wanted to believe that the gate wouldn't let Luc in, that its enchantment would somehow allow it to know that Sam didn't want this man here. But Dean had managed to get onto the grounds somehow, as had Impala and himself. There was no guarantee that Luc wouldn't barge right through and while Sam was sure he could keep the man off him, he'd rather not get into that situation at all. Sam realized he had taken being away from Luc for granted now that he was faced with the man who had always made his intentions toward Sam more than clear.

"Dean sent me here," Luc said, glossing over Sam's question like he hadn't heard him. Just like he'd always done back in town, like whatever Sam had to say didn't matter. It probably didn't to him. “Raved on and on about how he couldn’t find you and needed help.”

Shaking his head, Sam scowled in disbelief. "You're lying. Even if Dean was looking for me, he wouldn't have sent you."

Luc only smirked, bringing his hands out from behind his back and Sam's eyes widened at the object held in the man's grasp. The bow his brother made, just as he remembered it, with its intricate carvings and the iron trigger which thankfully wasn’t cocked. "How else would I have gotten this, if Dean didn't give it to me?"

"I don't know and I don't care. I'm not going anywhere with you. Ever," Sam told him, voice hard as he narrowed his eyes angrily at the man through iron bars.

Luc shrugged his shoulders, starting a casual pace just beside the gate. "What would your brother think, Sam?"

Sam's brow furrowed, confusion halting any answer or retort he may have given. Luc's smirk widened into a twisted smile and he paused, facing Sam once more. "What would he think about you and your new friend?" he sneered, eyes flitting to the castle for a brief moment before meeting Sam's again. "The two of you looked rather cozy earlier."

Sam tensed, but didn't - wouldn't - give any other indication of how those words affected him. The last time he and Gabriel had been out of the castle was when he'd started another impromptu snowball fight, the day after Gabriel gave him the magic mirror and if Luc saw them, he had to have been hanging around the castle for days, maybe longer and nobody knew it. Or if they did know, he hadn't been told. But it didn't matter what Luc said, what he thought. He may have only come to the castle to save his brother - something he'd succeeded in doing - but he valued the friend he'd found in Gabriel as well as Castiel and Nancy and the other inhabitants of the castle. He didn't even mind Crowley all that much when the cello had finally let go of his grudge - mostly.

"What of it, Luc?" he demanded. "I don't really care what you have to say about any of this. And Dean would... understand," he added softly, but no less sure. If he ever saw Dean again, Sam knew his brother see his side of things once he listened to what Sam had to say. Because Dean was his brother, they were family. And that was what family did. Especially the Winchesters. "I'm still not going anywhere with you."

"Then I guess I'll just have to go back to town. Maybe get some people together and tell them all about this Beast. They really have the right to know just what lives so dangerously close to home, don't you think? And once they hear all about how Dean was right, that you've been held captive for months... You can imagine, I'm sure, what they'll want to do about that."

Sam swallowed hard, heart in his throat, eyes wide. 'You wouldn't' was right on the tip of his tongue, but Luc would. And Sam knew it. If Luc spread his lies, the townspeople would take his word for it and then Gabriel and the entire castle would be in danger. His friend might be able to scare off a pack of wolves but Sam couldn't expect him to be able to take on an entire town's worth of angry men; especially if the men thought they were defending their homes and their families. "Don't," he choked out. "You can't do that."

"I suppose you're right. And I wouldn't need to, if..."

"If what?" Sam asked quietly, already knowing what Luc wanted.

"If you come back with me. If you finally stop denying me what I've wanted since I first saw you."

He closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose between his forefinger and thumb. But there wasn't any choice, was there? If Sam let Luc go and the man followed through, telling the town his exaggerated description of Gabriel, anything that happened after would be Sam's fault. There was no way he could allow Luc to do that to his friend. Straightening just enough to look Luc in the eye, shoulders hunched slightly forward by the new weight resting atop them, Sam sighed out, "Give me the day. I need... I need the day to get ready and," he swallowed past the lump in his throat, "I can't just leave in the middle of the afternoon. If I leave when everyone's in bed, it'll be longer before they realize..."

Cold eyes held his and Sam wanted to step back from the hard look, but there was nowhere for him to go.

"No running off to tell your Beast friend anything, Sam," Luc warned, and Sam shook his head. He already knew he couldn't chance it. Not when he had to protect them as much as he could.

"I swear I won't," he promised, clutching his cloak between white knuckles.

"You have until tonight. Start walking back to town, I'll find you," Luc instructed, face twisted but victorious and Sam could only nod. He turned, Impala following him, when Luc called out, "And Sam?"

He looked back over his shoulder in question.

"Don't make me wait."

***

With a deep breath, Sam stretched his lips into what he hoped passed for a real smile as he entered the dining room. Gabriel was there already, standing by his seat and Sam felt his smile grow slightly more genuine when his friend held the chair out for him and helped to scoot him in. "Thanks."

Gabriel sent him a small grin back before moving to his seat at the head of the table and Sam's chest clenched because he wasn't being given the usual smirks and banter tonight. Gabriel was acting differently. Softer, almost. How he got when Sam was sick or when he was being completely genuine, like when he gave him the magic mirror. Only this time he wasn't trying to make up for anything, this time he was just having dinner with Sam and making it feel special somehow. Sam hated himself, knowing what he was going to do when the night was over, knowing he wouldn't be here anymore. Wouldn't get to see his friend ever again and it was remarkably like what he'd felt when Dean had been taken from him only not. But he couldn't put his finger on what made this different.

Blinking, Sam forced the water building behind his eyes to stop. Determined to spend what would be his last night in the castle he'd come to call home, with the one's he'd become so close to, as best he could. There wasn't time or need for his ridiculous tears. Their meal hadn't even been brought out yet.

***

"So," Sam started quietly. The suggestion bouncing around in his head sounded silly even to himself, but there wouldn't be another chance to spend this time with Gabriel and he wouldn't be around long enough to feel embarrassed about it later, he knew. "I was thinking we could do something different tonight."

Gabriel turned sparkling amber eyes on him, bright with interest in whatever Sam had to say. A complete contrast to Luc's cold blue eyes, the interest in them enough to make Sam shudder. "So are you going to make me guess or what, Sammy?"

Sam blinked, mentally shaking himself and steering his thoughts as far from comparing Luc and Gabriel as he could. With a shrug, he stopped them in front of the main room of the castle. "This book," he said, holding up a well-worn book he'd set on the table before going to dinner that night, "Is one of... Well, it's pretty much my favorite book. I'd just bought a new copy of it from Anna's shop the day before Dean left and when I found it in your - " at Gabriel's pointed look he amended while trying not to think about what would come of it after tonight, "my library I had to read it again."

"What did you want to do, kiddo?" Gabriel asked softly and Sam knew, just from the encouraging look in his friend's eyes and the tone of his rumbled voice, that he wasn't going to be teased over what he wanted to ask. It certainly made it easier to get the words out, even if he wished they could have had more nights where Gabriel was so open and real with him before now.

"Maybe I could read it to you?" he suggested, upward lilt making it come out more like a question than he'd planned. The fire crackled, loudly in the quiet of the castle. His ears felt strangely hot, even as he knew there was no reason to be embarrassed about this, but Gabriel finally put him out of his misery with a small nod. "Sounds good, Sam," he said quietly.

The small of his back was warm under Gabriel's paw, skin tingling just slightly beneath his shirt at the touch. He let himself be led further into the room. Gabriel took his usual spot in the large seat, where he'd sat when Sam tended to his wounds, surrounded by beings who'd been strangers to him at the time. There was no way he would have guessed back then how close he'd become with all of them, how they would make him feel like he fit somewhere, not as 'Dean's brother'; just being Sam. He settled on the floor, leaning against Gabriel's legs and back against the seat. The fire blazed at his front and heat seeped in from where he was connected to his friend; Sam could almost let himself relax completely and wholly before remembering why he was trying to make tonight more special than so many of their previous dinners and evenings spent in each other's company.

With a look up at Gabriel who appeared as relaxed as Sam knew he could feel if he didn't know where he was going later and was smiling down at him, Sam cracked open the cover of his book and started to read. It was a challenge, keeping his voice from breaking the way it fought so hard to, but he held all the negative emotions inside and away. He would deal with them later. The moment, there and then - Gabriel listening intently, making Sam feel like he could just be - was all that mattered.

"The sun was already sinking into the deep green of the hills to the west of the valley..."

***
Gabriel,

I'm so sorry I'm breaking my promise again. You and everyone in the castle have done nothing but make me feel welcome for so long. But I have to leave. I only hope that you can forgive me for this someday. I'll always be grateful for the friends I found in all of you and I wish I could stay here. It's just not possible right now.

Please look after Impala for me. I know I don't have the right to ask anything of you after this, but I can't take her with me and she's come to love the grounds of the castle probably even more than I have.

I'm sorry,

Sam

Every time he tried to write out what he needed to, the letters looked crooked and sloppy; unlike his usual handwriting. The lighting was dim in his en-suite bathroom, but Sam couldn't write it in his room. Not when he wasn't sure Bela was truly sleeping or just playing the role as a wardrobe, silent and watching. His cheeks were wet from the few tears he'd let fall, shoulders and hands shaking with the effort to keep them locked inside while he prepared to leave. Eventually, though, the letter was finished and legible enough. And Sam knew he couldn't make himself go through another attempt at writing it.

Swiping at his face and glancing as quickly in the mirror as he could to check that he looked somewhere close to presentable, Sam walked out of the bathroom and grabbed the shoulder bag he'd left hanging by the door; packed when he was sure no one in the castle was around and Bela wasn't paying him any mind. There wasn't much he needed to bring with him, but there were some things he couldn't let himself part with - the mirror, for one. He knew he didn't have any right to take it with him, but it was the only way he'd be able to check up on Gabriel and his friends in the castle when he knew he would never see them in person again. There was a book from his - Gabriel's now - library, to remind him of everything his friend had given him. The clothes from his first night at the castle were tucked away in the bag as well, and that was all he could let himself bring along.

He took a brief moment to turn and take in his room, the maroon and gold canopied bed that was more comfortable than any bed he'd ever slept in before. The cherry wood dresser and nightstand, both still piled with books read and yet to be taken back into the library. With a deep, shaky breath, Sam placed his newly folded letter on the bed, Gabriel's name scrawled on the top. There was no more time to delay, no way to stall that wouldn't risk him getting caught so he walked quietly out of the room and as quickly down the corridor leading to the stairs as he could. He only hoped the suits of armor slept along with the rest of the castle.

The fire in the main room had died down, glowing embers and ash all that was left. It was only the second time Sam had seen it when it wasn't roaring. He bit his lip, remembering sitting in front of its warmth just hours before, reading to Gabriel. But dwelling wouldn't do him any good and he fled past the room to the front entrance - barely pausing to pull his cloak from its hook in the wall - and beyond, making sure to close the door as quietly as possible before hurrying through the grounds, toward the stables.

Impala huffed at him and Sam tensed at the sound, though they weren’t close enough for it to reach the castle's sleeping inhabitants. "Hey girl," he whispered, pressing his face into the side of her head and wrapping her in a hug. "I need you to stay here and look after him alright? I don't want Luc to think he can have you, too." She wasn't happy when he pulled back, tail twitching in irritation and she shifted on her hooves, restless. Sam wished he didn't have to leave her behind, but he couldn't risk taking her with him.

He left her with one last pat, rubbing his hand over smooth fur, and left the stables in the direction of the gate. It was the only part he worried might give him trouble as he knew it opened and closed on its own at times. But the wrought iron metal door gave easily under his hand when he pushed his way past it, slipping through and pressing it closed. Gripping the strap of his bag with white knuckles, he walked in the direction of town, just as Luc instructed, forcing himself not to look back.

***

Moonlight illuminated the path through the forest well enough that Sam was able to see where he was going. Snow crunched softly beneath his boots and he tightened his cloak against the chill wind occasionally breezing over him. His eyes were wet but beyond the tears that slipped through while writing his letter to Gabriel, none fell down his cheeks. He wasn't sure how long he had been walking down the path when Luc finally emerged from the shadowed trees, lantern glowing just bright enough for Sam to see the triumphant smirk etched on the man's face.

"Hello Sam," he purred, sidling up next to Sam until they were pressed together. Sam's lips turned down in a frown but he kept himself still, knew there was nowhere for him to go but with Luc now. "Luc," he greeted coldly, fighting the urge to shudder when a warm hand slipped past his cloak and settled firmly on his lower back, fingers spread wide. Luc pushed him forward slightly, leading Sam and keeping him close. Keeping his eyes forward, he watched the small flame's light flickering across the trees beside the path, reflecting off the snow still covering the ground - though not as thick as it had been the first time he'd run away.

The forest was quiet around them - no howling wolves or scurrying creatures - and Sam wasn't interested in breaking the tense silence. Luc looked him up and down more than once, fingertips digging into the flesh of his back and Sam bit his lip to keep from reacting. But the further they walked from the castle, the heavier his steps felt; feet like lead and he couldn't help the small, slow look over his shoulder, through he knew the castle wouldn't be anywhere in sight.

"You're never going back there, you know." Luc's voice was casual even as he shifted his grip from Sam's back to his waist and manhandled Sam against a tree, bark scraping the cloak wrapped around his back. His bag slipped off his shoulder, falling to the ground unnoticed as Sam swallowed thickly - reminded of the last time Luc had him pinned to a tree and knowing there would be no getting away this time - but nodded. It wasn't a fact he needed thrown in his face, but there was no denying its truth. "No second thoughts here, Sam. You're mine. Stay with me or I go after that Beast, just as we discussed earlier." As though Sam had had a choice or say in their so-called 'discussion'.

How was it that this had happened to him twice in his life? Being put in yet another position where he had no choice but to offer himself - his freedom - over to someone else? But Sam knew he would do it again. When Dean had needed him, Sam did what he had to do. This time was no different. He would do anything to protect the ones he loved... - loved?

He loved Gabriel.

The realization was enough to send him reeling, but hardened his resolve and allowed him to keep from flinching away from the gentle, unwanted, caress of fingers against his cheek.

Luc stood in front of Sam wearing that horribly smug smirk on his face. The man - which Sam thought was a generous characterization - looked at Sam and it was clear in the triumph behind cold blue eyes flickering in the lantern light that he knew he'd won. He'd gotten what he wanted. When the knowledge seemed to sink in, Luc's hand moved from stroking over Sam's cheek to gripping the side of his neck. Luc's thumb traced circles behind Sam's ear as his fingers tightened in a possessive grip, pressing him further into the tree. It took all of Sam's will power to keep from shuddering at not only the thought of Luc possessing him, but also the unwelcome tangling of fingers in the hair at the nape of his neck.

"So," Luc's voice grated at Sam, the knowing and mocking thick in the man's words, "We still have a deal then, Sam?"

Sam closed his eyes, tilting his head slightly away from Luc and nodded, ignoring the acid churning in his stomach as he did so. The fingers in his hair tightened as Luc forced Sam to face him.

"That's not an answer, Samuel. You know what I want. I need to hear you say it."

Sam didn't do anything for a long moment. His chest felt tight and water gathered beneath the lids of his closed eyes as the full ramifications of what was happening hit him. It was all too much and Sam all of a sudden wasn't so sure he could do this.

"Alright, then; I guess that Beast of yours just became fair game..."

Sam's eyes flew open at Luc's words; didn't even notice that the other man had released the grip in his hair. He'd nearly let himself forget why this was so important, why he could - would - get through this. He gripped Luc's upper arms firmly in his hands and swallowed thickly before hanging his head in defeat.

"Yes. We've..." he cleared his throat. "We've got a deal."

Something crunched in the distance, like a twig being snapped and Sam's ear twitched at the new sound in the previously silent woods. Sam lifted his head - memories of the dangers that lurked in the forest flashing through his mind - and just as Luc was leaning in, eyes intent on his lips, Sam's eyes widened at the blur of fur before Luc was ripped roughly away from him. Furious amber eyes looked Sam over while he stood frozen, breath knocked from his lungs at the sight of Gabriel standing over him, saving him again.

Luc recovered quickly, scrambling up without either of them noticing until Sam heard the click of the iron trigger on Dean's bow being cocked. "Watch out!" he warned and Gabriel turned to watch Luc even as he dodged out of the way. Sam saw his friend's body jerk like he'd been hit but it must have been more surprise at the weapon than being injured because Gabriel didn't fall or double over. He stood taller, growling low and deep, standing protectively between Luc and Sam. Luc didn't give Gabriel a chance to do anything more before he was gone, taking off in the direction he'd been leading Sam. Toward town. Where he would tell everyone about Gabriel.

"What are you doing?!" he yelled, pushing angrily off the tree. He stalked in front of Gabriel, breaths panting out in white clouds. "You should have let me go. Do you have any idea what you've done?" Balling his hands into fists, Sam pounded them against Gabriel's chest in his frustration. "He's going to come back, do you understand that?" Tears blurred his vision but he didn't let them fall. "You should have let him take me." His voice cracked and the dam finally burst, hands fisting the material of Gabriel's cloak as he sagged into him.

"I'm sorry," he choked out, voice thick with tears. They fell fast down his cheeks when Gabriel's arms wrapped around him automatically, hands warm even through his cloak where they rubbed his back in soothing strokes. "I'm so sorry I broke my promise again but Luc, he. He was going to tell the town all these lies about you and I couldn't let him sic the whole town on you. I couldn't."

He felt the rumble of Gabriel's voice against his cheek where it was pressed into his friend's chest and it was more soothing than it had any right to be. "Hey, hey, hey, calm down kiddo," he breathed calmly into Sam's hair and Sam relaxed further into him at the soothing tone.

"They're going to come after you now," he sniffled, trying to pull himself together.

"You think I don't have a few things up my sleeves?" Gabriel's smirk was as clear as ever in his words and Sam huffed a laugh. Just standing with Gabriel, hearing him act like it was any other night, eased some of the tension knotted in his gut and Sam released his hold on the cloak to wipe his face dry. Gabriel chuckled at him and stopped rubbing on Sam's back to grab hold of his wrists gently and pull them away from his face. "Can't go anywhere with you," he scoffed with a teasing roll of his eyes as he used the edge of his cloak like he had a month before, cleaning off tears instead of snow.

He sent Gabriel a shaky smile and pulled away when his face was dry, grabbing his fallen bag. He'd forgotten all about it in light of Gabriel showing up. It was lying haphazardly, opened and Sam picked it up and glanced inside. A relieved sigh broke through when he saw the mirror and his book still tucked inside.

Then there was a large, welcome hand on his back, turning him around. Sam let himself be pressed into Gabriel's side as his friend led him back the way he'd come. They had a fight to prepare for, but for now he was content to let his friend's warmth seep through him. Everything could wait until later.

Including the knowledge that he was apparently in love with Gabriel.

***

"Show me Luc, please."

Gabriel rolled his eyes at Sam and Sam nudged him in the side with his elbow. "Just because I have manners," he scoffed.

The spark and glow of the mirror stole their attention and Sam gripped the mirror's handle tighter in his hand.

They were sitting in the west wing. Sam hadn't been back to the room since his first night in the castle, but Gabriel was adamant about using it to figure out their strategy. The first step was to find out what the townspeople were doing, how they were reacting to Luc's lies. It had been hours, the first part of their time back in the castle spent with Castiel and Nancy fussing over Sam again, making sure he was alright. Nancy was the one who alerted Gabriel to his little disappearing act when she went in to sleep on his dresser for the night. It was awkward, hugging a large perfume bottle, but there hadn't been any other way for Sam to thank her at the time.

The sun was peeking over the sky, dawn on the horizon but the room was still dark, torches lit to pierce the shadows left. The mirror's green glow filled the room with its brightness for a moment, though, before just the rim glowed around the image of Luc. His eyes were wide and wild, a convincing show of being terrified by what he'd seen. He gestured madly, in telling whoever he was with whatever lies he'd come up with about how dangerous Gabriel was. Then Sam saw what he was holding and his eyes widened even as he shoved the mirror at Gabriel to free his hand.

His bag was on the ground beside him and he grabbed it, rifling through the few items occupying the small space. The book was there, as were the pants he'd been wearing the night he first came to the castle. His shirt, the one he'd worn the day he went looking for Dean, was gone. In Luc's hands. And he was using it to tell - Dean.

Dean's hand took the shirt from Luc's and Sam breathed out a, "No," before his brother's face joined Luc's in the mirror. There was a familiar, enraged, protective glint causing Dean's green eyes to spark to life. Face set in determination, Sam watched helpless to do anything as Dean led Luc out of his work room and in the direction of the town.

Gabriel's steadying hand on his back refocused his attention and Sam looked up at him, the image in the mirror sparking one last time before fading out. "How can you be so calm about all this?" he asked uncomprehendingly.

Gabriel shrugged. "You think this is the first time we've had to deal with people finding out about us?" He still wore a casual smirk but his eyes were full of stories, history Sam had yet to hear and knew he wouldn't right now. "We'll deal with this, people tend to run away when inanimate objects start fighting back." He finished with an amused smile and Sam shook his head, chuckling quietly.

"That would probably be pretty affective," he agreed. The hand moved from his back, leaving it strangely cold and Sam tried to ignore the reason behind that. He hadn't yet let himself think on his revelation earlier, didn't know what to do about it. And right before his whole town came to rid themselves of a Beast was the wrong time to bring it up. There was also the underlying fear that he was alone in his feelings.

But now wasn't the time for that.

"So what do you need me to do?"

***

The castle was unusually quiet and still, much like the night before. Castiel and Crowley led most of the enchanted inhabitants to the front of the castle and the main room with its blazing fireplace was cluttered by what looked like some of the most random assortment of items Sam had ever seen. He nodded to the coat rack and cello as he walked past, having just come in from checking on and apologizing to Impala one last time for the night. Passing the group of enchanted objects, Sam climbed the stairs and followed the corridor to the West wing.

Gabriel was sitting at a small round table, watching the glowing rose Sam remembered nearly touching. It was wilting; down to barely any petals compared to the last time he'd seen it, but it still floated and shimmered beneath the glass case. He still didn't know the rose's significance, barely even noticed it when they'd come up to plan earlier, but his friend continued to stare at it even as Sam walked into the room and stood beside him. Sam rested his hand on Gabriel's shoulder and gave him a small smile when his friend looked up, eyes wide like he hadn't heard Sam come in.

"Everyone's ready downstairs," he told him, squeezing Gabriel's shoulder once before letting go. Gabriel nodded in acknowledgment.

"You should wait in your room, Sam," Gabriel said and Sam shook his head.

"We went over this already. I'm not gonna just hide while you take care of the problem I brought on you."

"What will it take to get through that Cro-Magnon skull of yours, Winchester? None of this is your fault and we can handle it." Gabriel stood, towering over Sam much like he had in the tower, amber eyes glittering in the rose's ethereal glow. "Don't make me lock you in there, Sam."

Sam glared up at him defiantly, jaw set. "You're not doing this alone. If you don't want me up here, then I'll help the others downstairs. But I'm helping."

Gabriel released a rumbling sigh, shaking his head with a small smile on his face. "Anyone ever tell you you're irritatingly stubborn?"

Sam smirked, "It's kind of a family trait."

"Alright then, kiddo. Guess we're doing this together," Gabriel finally conceded.

"You're damn right we are."

"Shut up before I change my mind."

***

Gabriel wasn't wrong about people running away when faced by things they would never have imagined could move, let alone attack, on their own. Sam watched most of it from the top of the stairs. The men made their way slowly and quietly into the castle - he hadn't thought they would know how to be quiet, but they were better than he'd given them credit for. Gabriel was still in the west wing, keeping an eye out from the balcony there in case any stragglers tried to find another way into the castle.

The moment Castiel gave the signal, chaos erupted. Each object found a person to fight against, backing them out of the castle however they could. It didn't take much; most of the men weren't prepared for anything but the one beast, he was sure - Luc hadn't seen any of the enchanted objects when he'd been spying and if Dean had tried to warn them, they obviously hadn't believed him.

Sam turned from the scene when the last of the men he'd seen were driven out, intent on getting back to Gabriel as fast as he could. He felt a smile twitching the corners of his lips - Gabriel had been right, they did know how to handle this situation - as he walked down the corridor. The door to the room was open and Sam pushed his way in. Gabriel was still keeping watch at the balcony, his back to Sam. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, a calloused hand clamped over it, stifling the alarmed sound that startled out of him. He was pulled back into a solid, familiar chest as another figure stalked silently past them, fingers held over smirking lips in an unheard "Shhhh". Luc crept into the room, Sam locked in Dean's hold - his brother had always been the one to win their brotherly scuffles before and now was no different.

"Calm down, Sam," Dean hissed quietly in his ear. "We're getting you out of here."

Sam shook his head and tried calling out to Gabriel, to warn him. Lifting a hand to peel Dean's fingers off his face, Sam yelled, "Watch out!"

The sudden noise in the otherwise silent room took Luc by surprise long enough for Gabriel to turn around, growling dangerously as he dodged the arrow shot haphazardly at him.

"Sam, what the hell!" Dean hissed behind him and Sam turned to his brother. "I don't know what the hell Luc told you, but he was lying," he said, still struggling to get out of Dean's grip on him.

"You alright there, kiddo?" Gabriel rumbled, eyes never leaving the newly loaded crossbow pointing at him again.

"Oh, you know. Just peachy," Sam called back.

"Enough!" Luc shouted, the loudest Sam had ever heard him. His cold eyes were wide and wild, his arrogantly handsome face twisted as he scowled angrily at Gabriel. Dean refused to loosen his grip on Sam, still trying to protect his baby brother and Sam understood the reasoning, but he hated being stuck watching this and unable to stop it. "You think you can just take what's mine, what belongs to me?" he sneered and Sam tensed, nearly snarling at the implication. Gabriel snarled for him, glaring down at Luc.

"He's not an object, but you? You are a great big bag of dicks."

Sam almost laughed, but then Luc smiled and pulled the trigger, arrow zinging through the air and straight into Gabriel's side. "No!" he yelled, struggling in earnest while Gabriel roared in pain, so much like the night the wolf bit into his arm and somehow so much worse. His friend bent forward but never stopped glaring at Luc and he lunged for the man while Luc rushed to reload the bow a second time. Finally breaking free of Dean's hold, Sam threw himself into Luc and pushed him out towards the balcony. The crossbow skidded across the ground as the man lost balance, head bouncing against the stone floor as well.

With Luc down, Sam came to an abrupt stop in front of Gabriel, who had curled a large hand carefully around the arrow’s shaft to stem the bleeding. "Can't take you anywhere," he joked weakly while trying to get a look at the damage. Gabriel chuckled but it morphed into a low, warning growl, eyes locked on something behind Sam. He turned to find Dean picking up the bow, brows crinkled in confusion as he pointed it at Gabriel.

"Dean, put it down," Sam pleaded, holding a hand out toward his brother.

"What the hell is going on here?" Dean demanded gruffly. "I try and find you for weeks and then Luc brings back my bow and the shirt you were wearing the night this asshole took you from me."

"I told you, Dean," Sam started quietly. "Whatever Luc said, it was a lie."

"That still doesn't change the fact that this thing," he glared at Gabriel over Sam's head, "kept you locked here for two months."

"No it doesn't. But he's... Gabriel's changed Dean. He's not what you remember."

"People don't change, Sam."

Sam shook his head. Everything was out of control. Of all the things they'd planned for, his brother being the one to point a weapon at Gabriel hadn't crossed his mind.

"I need you to trust me, Dean. Please," he begged, taking a step closer to his brother. Dean tensed, but he would never do anything to hurt Sam and that hadn't changed in their time apart. "I promise I'll explain everything, okay? You've just gotta put that down."

The muscle in Dean's jaw twitched but his brother started to lower the bow, eyes intent on Sam. "You bet your ass you're gonna explain - oof!"

Taking everyone by surprise, Luc shouldered Dean to the ground, grabbing the crossbow from shock-slack fingers. The man straightened, glaring at Sam as he aimed the weapon right at him. "I gave you plenty of chances, Samuel. You've left me with no choice," he explained, tone reasonable, as though they were simply discussing the weather. Luc's finger pulled back on the trigger but just as the arrow was released, Gabriel - who had remained mercifully silent during his and Dean's exchange - pushed Sam out of the way and lunged at Luc. The larger man's body jolted as the second arrow struck him just as Luc scrambled back, climbing on the balcony's railing in his attempt to escape Gabriel's massive claws. Luc’s feet abruptly skidded on the thin layer of ice on the rail. The man’s arms flailed in an attempt to regain his balance, to no avail. As if in slow motion, Sam watched with wide eyes as Luc tripped backwards over the rail with a yell, cloak billowing around him.

His mind raced, unsure how to process everything that had happened until a pained huff reached his ears. Dean was pushing up onto his feet, eyes as wide as Sam's, but looking relatively uninjured. Gabriel, however, was on the ground, hand still pressed to the first wound. His other hand was ripping the second arrow from where it protruded from his chest. Sam kneeled down beside him, resting a hand on Gabriel's shoulder. "Why the hell would you do that, you moron?" he choked out.

Gabriel smirked up at him, but Sam still saw the pain underneath. "Sound a bit like Crowley there, kiddo," he teased, coughing wetly.

"Two months here will do that to you, I guess," he answered, rubbing his other hand over Gabriel's hand. "You're gonna be okay. You don't get to do that and then not be okay, you hear me?"

"I'm not sorry," Gabriel whispered suddenly, amber eyes focused dimly on Sam.

"What?"

"I'm not sorry I took your deal," he continued, voice still no more than a whisper. Sam squeezed Gabriel's hand lightly. "I'm not sorry either."

Ever-smirking lips twitched into a soft smile before the spark behind his eyes dimmed further and Sam shook his head. "No," he spit out, shaking Gabriel roughly. Dean stood behind him and put a hand on his shoulder but Sam shrugged it forcefully away and glared down at Gabriel, tears escaping his eyes. This wasn't happening. Not after Sam had finally realized how he felt about him. "You're gonna make me say it aren't you? You never go easy on me, do you?" He huffed a weak, watery chuckle. "Fine. I love you. There, I said it. So you can't leave me you bastard. Don't you dare," he muttered, shoulders trembling against the sobs he tried to hold back.

Suddenly, green sparks of light flashed behind them and Sam turned, wondering hysterically who had activated the magic mirror, eyes widening at the sight that met him. A woman stood just inside the room, glowing rose floating in front of her. Before their eyes, the last shimmering petal fell to the ground at her feet. Sam blinked up at the woman who smiled softly down at him, golden hair falling around her shoulders as she came closer and bent over him and Gabriel.

She touched a delicate hand to Gabriel's shoulder, ignoring Sam's sound of protest, and another to the one Sam held Gabriel's hand in. Eyes glittering unnaturally in the night, she looked at Sam for a long moment before focusing on Gabriel's still form and spoke gently. "I knew he could grow," she said, looking back at Sam. "You helped him become the man he was always meant to be."

"Wha - ?" he began to ask but she shook her head and Sam stopped himself. The hand she had rested upon Gabriel began to glow, so much like the mirror and Sam could only watch in amazement as Gabriel seemed to spark, a radiant glow coming from within, blinding in its intensity until Sam had to squeeze his eyes shut against it. Dean's hand came down on his shoulder again but Sam barely noticed, blinking his eyes open when the light dimmed and the touch on his hand, as well as the body under it, disappeared. Gabriel was no longer lying in front of Sam’s kneeling form and Sam looked around frantically only to find a man - an actual man, with no fur or claws for hands - sitting propped up against the railing of the balcony.

He shuffled closer, ignoring Dean's "What the hell just happened?" in favor of focusing all of his attention on the person just beginning to blink his eyes open. Tentatively, Sam reached a hand out to rest on the man's shoulder and held his breath as painfully familiar amber eyes blinked open. The man smirked, lips stretched naturally and Sam felt his own twitching into an answering smile. "Heya Sammy."

"It's Sam," he choked out, voice thick with tears he no longer needed to shed.

"Whatever you say, kiddo," Gabriel teased, fisting a hand in Sam's shirt and pulling him down until their lips met in their first kiss, his stomach fluttering as he wrapped his arms around Gabriel's shoulders and melted against him.

"I love you," he breathed into soft lips and Gabriel pulled back, cupping Sam's cheek in his hand. His eyes were serious as he whispered back, "I love you, too."

***

The castle was bright like Sam had never seen it, and filled with people, all laughing and smiling and talking to each other. Dean was off to the side chatting with Castiel, whose blue eyes were no less intense now that he was human, standing just shy of Dean's height, with messy dark hair. Crowley and Bela snuck off somewhere together and Sam had no intention or desire to find them during whatever they were getting up to. Nancy was somewhere in the room, flitting back and forth and keeping everybody happy, though there wasn't much that could take the smiles from their faces today.

Sam slipped away from the throng of people, needing to get away if only for a moment. He found himself in the library without consciously deciding where he was headed and let out a breath, a small smile on his face as he looked up at the books. Pushing off the door, he took a step into the room. Sunlight shone through the window and Sam stood in front of it, basking in the warmth and letting it wash over him. His smile stretched into a grin when a hand settled on his hip.

Gabriel stood beside him and pulled him into his side, where he still somehow fit despite the new height difference. Looking down, Sam smirked playfully at his lover. "So..." he started and Gabriel looked up at him, "You failed to mention you used to be... vertically challenged."

The fingers on his hip dug in and he squirmed, nudging the man to stop taking advantage of the knowledge of his ridiculous ticklish spot. "I may not be as tall as you anymore, Gigantor," Sam glared at the new nickname, "But don't forget who wears the pants, Sammy."

Sam rolled his eyes, shaking his head with a scoff and tried to ignore the blush climbing up his neck and coloring his cheeks. "Shut up," he huffed, bumping Gabriel with his hip.

"You love it," Gabriel teased and Sam turned, wrapping his arms around his lover's neck. Bending down until their lips were a breath apart, he whispered, "I love you."

Gabriel smiled, wide and happy as ever as he grabbed the back of Sam's neck and closed the small distance between them. "You too, Sammy. You too."

They pulled apart, foreheads resting together. Eventually they would go out and mingle with their guests. Sam would listen to Dean's teasing every time they kissed and let Nancy fuss over him, and watch Castiel watch everyone else. But for now, the two of them were content to stay in this moment, wrapped around each other for awhile longer. They had time.

END