Naturally that wouldn’t stop Sam. His smile turns fond as he slowly drags his hand down his chest, letting it come to rest on his hip. Okay. They can do this. A way to remain connected that no one, not even a mainiac goddess, could come between. Traditionalists would call it taking a mate, but in Gabriel’s mind? He’s been Sam’s long before this.

“Remember to breathe, kiddo.” Gabriel sucks in a deep breath he doesn’t really need, slowly drawing up his grace, letting it unfurl and fill his vessel until warm light flared behind his eyes. He doesn’t want to hurt Sam, to cause him pain, but the end result would be worth it for both of them. A permanent reminder of what they meant to each other.

Power pours down his arm, through his hand and into Sam. Past flesh and muscle and bone, sinking deep into him, curling tendrils of grace around his battered soul, etching his true name into Sam’s very being and carving Sam’s into his. A link forged with power and affection and everything that they’d endured together.

Hang on Sam. Almost there.