A Choice

[low_key_angel]

"So that's how you end this Sam." Lucifer has never looked quite so smug as he laid out his proposal. "Have sex with my brother and I'll make all of this go away."

"Lu, don't do this."

"He can do this my way Gabriel, or he can watch you die."

Gabriel turned away from the ruined face of his brother's vessel. He was willing to give up ending the world for the sake of breaking his heart, of destroying any chance Gabriel might have had with Sam. Tainting every future interaction with this.

"Sam.. just go. You don't have to do this."

Comments

Sam makes some of the best faces, man.

[worldfelldown]

"I'd love that." He doesn't know if they'll actually get to do it, but... he would love it if he did. Learning things most people wouldn't ever get to lay eyes on, spending his time in pleasant company. It all sounded amazing, really...

"And Dean would probably love that way too much."

Re: Sam makes some of the best faces, man.

[low_key_angel]

It was at least something to shoot for. A pleasant what if to carry them through what was going to be a terrifying and dark time ahead.

"Then you're on. After this? It's a date."

One they might not live to see, but it was a nice idea. "Maybe I'll sneak out a book or two before then."

[worldfelldown]

They might not live to see it, no, but it actually brightens Sam mood for the moment -- a feat that he thought would've been impossible when he first went to meet Lucifer and accepted those terms. At least... this wasn't so bad between them. It was possibly Gabriel was good at hiding it, but it seemed like he hadn't... broken whatever was between them too much, that he hadn't hurt the angel.

Sam was kind of sick of hurting people close to him.

He took another swig of his beer as his eyes turned up tot he sky. "It's going to be weird, getting used to you being able to just zap things in and out, you know."

[low_key_angel]

It's enough that Sam wants to even be around him, that he can say something to lighten his mood a bit. Gabriel grinned easily, leaning until his shoulder rested lightly against Sam's. Just a faint press, something warm and grounding while they looked up at the sky.

"Gonna have to get used to it I guess. My carrier pigeon retired about thirty years ago. So it's just little ol me."

[worldfelldown]

Sam didn't mind the contact, strangely enough. It probably shouldn't feel comfortable after earlier, with those memories lingering in his head and still too fresh to really push aside, but it was. He leaned in a little bit closer and took one more swig from his beer, finishing it off.

"I think you'll be better than a carrier pigeon anyway."

[low_key_angel]

A touch turned the empty bottle into a bright eyed wren that perched on Sam's finger for a moment before fluttering into a nearby tree.

"I have my moments."

And as much as he'd like Sam to stay close, he was human and that meant sleep. "Go get some rest, Sam. I'll keep watch out here tonight."

Keeping watch also meant dispelling any nightmares that might threaten Sam's rest.

[worldfelldown]

Sam's eyebrows raised at the sudden, tiny bird that was perched on his finger for just a moment before he shook his head and laughed under his breath. "Show off," he teased playfully.

And sleep. Right. He wasn't sure how much he could unwind for some sleep, but he really should try. "Yeah..."

He wanted to remind Gabriel that he didn't have to sit watch, but... he knew he'd likely do it anyway. Felt nice to have someone else watching his back anyway. He smiled briefly and leaned in to nudge the angel's with his lightly.

"Good night. See you tomorrow?"

[low_key_angel]

A friendly eyebrow waggle in return. Show off? Him? Probably. But it made Sam smile and after everything they'd been through? Kinda worth it.

The nudge gets a smile that's far less flash and a lot more Gabriel. "Good night Sam. I'll be here when you wake up. If Dean is nice I'll even bring donuts."

It was enough that Sam wanted him around, even knowing that he was in love with him, that he'd do anything for Sam. He could keep his distance and treasure those small gestures for what they were along the way.

[worldfelldown]

It felt strange to be smiling at all. He can't remember really, the last time that he did... at least a real smile and not one done out of politeness or just humoring along.

He couldn't really be angry with Gabriel, not over loving him. It might have made things awkward, pushed them into something neither of them wanted tonight (at least not like that), but it still wasn't exactly a bad thing. It wasn't bad to care about someone... it was possibly not a smart idea to care about a Winchester though. People tended to die when that happened.

Slipping to his feet, he gave one more smile and nodded. "If you bring pie, it might brighten his mood even more," he called back as he headed inside.

With any luck, Dean was just as worn out as he was and they could just crash for the night.

[low_key_angel]

Well in fairness, Gabriel wasn't exactly the poster child (angel) for smart decision making.

"Pie and donuts, you got it." He answered back with a smile of his own, watching the door swing shut behind Sam.

Gabriel wanted nothing more than to follow Sam in, to hold him, shelter him while he slept. But he could do this too, stay outside and and protect the two brothers while they slept. Raising one finger in the air, he traced a sigil into the air, watching it flash brightly before vanishing. A quiet, dreamless sleep for both Sam and Dean tonight.

"Good night Sam."

I love you.