A Decent Proposal

[low_key_angel]

Things had been going surprisingly well the past seven days. Better than Gabriel expected, really. Dean, aka David, was comfortable in the hotel room. He used room service without abusing it, made ample use of the hot tub and soft bed, even going out on his own now and then but always returning.

Gabriel breezed in and out when the mood struck him. Enough to spend time with "David" and get to know him, but also giving the kid some space. There had been fantastic sex on the couch, bed, hot tub and even in the shower but not once did Gabriel try and talk him into something he wasn't game for. Because he was more than just a street hooker. Dean was special. He was smarter than he gave himself credit for. Kinder than he wanted to let on.

They were comfortable in bed, Gabriel with his back against the headboard and Dean tucked in against his side, their legs tangled together. A bowl of popcorn lay on the bed as they finished up another movie. The final day of their contracted week together and Gabriel wasn't ready for it to end. He'd grown used to having Dean in his life, watching that slow, sleepy smile in the morning and the way he grumped before having hot coffee and a shower.

So after the credits finished rolling, Gabriel ran his fingertips down Dean's bare arm. "So. I've been thinking. What would you say to another, slightly longer-term deal?"

One that involved an apartment, better clothes and a sense of normality.

.. well. As normal as you get sleeping with an ex-archangel.

Comments

[low_key_angel]

That pleading note in Dean's voice could undo Gabriel like nothing else. Warm wings folded slowly around him and he kissed his hair gently. "You're his big brother Dean. Sam doesn't hate you, he just misses you."

"I could just keep an eye on him for a few? Make sure he and your old man are okay?" Distance was okay, he could understand that just as well. Family was great and his? Better as long as it was miles and miles apart. Like a few million miles, to be exact.

[lostwaywardson]

"I'd like that. Thank you." It would be good to know they were safe. That was what he wanted, more than anything.

Dean hummed softly when the wings wrapped around him, soaking in the comfort. Gabe had a way of making everything seem so possible. Things that were cold and distant became close and attainable. It made Dean turn his head and eyes the cellphone again, reaching slowly to take it from Gabe's hand. "Think he'd talk to me if I called...?"

[low_key_angel]

"Sure thing. I'll duck out and check on them tomorrow, make sure things are kosher." It'd be tricky peering past the wards John favored, but not impossible. He warded against a lot, but not angels.

Anything was possible for Dean because Gabriel cared about him. Maybe even loved him, even though it was a frightening concept. Everything seemed new and wonderful again through his eyes. Something as simple as a trip halfway around the world and it was like he was seeing Japan for the first time again.

"I think your very rapidly growing little brother would sock you one if you didn't," he countered gently. "But when you're ready kiddo."

[lostwaywardson]

Dean nodded slowly, rubbing a thumb along the edge of the phone. It didn't occur to him to question the how anymore. If Gabe said he could call Sam on this phone, he knew he could. If there was one thing he could safely say he believed in, it was Gabe.

"Thank you. Can I hang onto this a little while? Maybe think of what to say?"

[low_key_angel]

"Sure thing. Take all the time you need, and I'll keep at least one eye on him." Gabriel waited until Dean tucked the phone away before rubbing a gentle hand down his arm.

"You'll figure it out, kiddo. Sammy's your brother. He'll be glad to hear from you, to know you're okay." Gabriel presses a kiss to his forehead. "How about dinner in the meantime?"

[lostwaywardson]

Dean smiled at the kiss and the reassurance. Even at his worst, Gabe could always pull him around. It was something he was coming to rely on.

"Sounds good." He leaned up to brush his lips against Gabe's. "Maybe some ice cream, too, huh?"

[low_key_angel]

It was easy to reassure Dean. Small things to make him smile, to ease the tension in his shoulders and watch his eyes brighten. No miracles, no impossible feats. He didn't have to take him to the moon or across the world. All Dean needed was warm affection and a smile, knowledge that Gabriel had faith in him.

Maybe even loved him. But those were terrifying words, even for an archangel.

So instead he threads his fingers through his hair, kissing him gently. "Ice cream dinner, pie for dessert?"

[lostwaywardson]

Dean didn't tend to think with the 'L' word much. In his experience, the people you loved were the ones that caused the most pain, even unknowingly. As painless as it was to be with Gabe, he never really equated the two. Of course, if asked directly, he'd have to admit that his understanding of the concept was a little skewed, anyway.

He laughed happily at the suggestion, the last of his tension slipping away as he leaned up to kiss Gabe again. "That sounds like a plan! You know me. I never turn down pie..."

[low_key_angel]

To be fair, they both came from fairly dysfunctional families with distant, demanding fathers. Maybe that was why they worked so well together. In any case, Gabriel wasn't one to classify things. He and Dean worked. Enthusiastically bed-wrecking sex, laying tangled up on the couch to watch a movie or even walking around the city, as long as they were together.

.. and Dean was amazingly good at preening through his wings, which always left Gabriel in a completely boneless puddle on the bedroom floor.

"Pie it is. Then a movie or something." A little distraction for the evening. Tomorrow they'd revisit the issue of school and he'd listen while Dean talked things out. Gabriel wouldn't bring up the phone again. He'd simply wait for him to make the decision on his own.