Chapter Text
The first thing he registered was the intense pain shooting from his back to his wings. He opened his eyes, seeing nothing but darkness. The moon wasn't shining. The sky was blanketed with clouds.
His skin prickled with cold, and his head pounded. He forced himself to stand, ignoring the screaming protests of his wings. He heard the sound of his brothers and sisters shouting and crying for help. He tried to reach out to them, but could barely even stand, let alone use his powers.
He thought it rather stupid that an all-powerful archangel was this helpless. Still, he knew where he needed to go. He needed to reach the Winchesters. He tried to fly but barely made it two miles before his strength faded.
He knew there was only one thing he could do. Pray and hope one of his siblings would help him.
"Hey, Cassie. If you can hear me, I need a bit of help." He waited for a few seconds, then sighed in defeat. He was about to call to another of his siblings when the fluttering of wings behind him caught his attention.
"Hello, Gabriel." The deep voice spoke. Gabriel turned around, a smile on his face. It dropped once he saw his brother's cold glare.
"I uh, guess this is a bad time to make a joke?" Gabriel grinned sheepishly.
"Very. Why did you call?"
"Like I said, Cassie, I need help. I don't know where I am, or what I'm going to do. I was hoping you or the Winchesters could help me."
"It is not safe for you, brother. Or any other angel for that matter. I am the only one who is not hated."
"Hated? Why would I be hated?"
"The Apocalypse is over, but Sam and Dean have grown to hate angels ever since. Even you. They see your death as a 'job off their list'. Sam seems to hate you more than Dean though."
"Oh." Was all Gabriel replied. He remembered everything he'd done to the Winchesters. But, surely they wouldn't still be holding a grudge?
"I should be taking you to them, and allowing them to either kill you or send you away."
"Then why aren't you?"
"I have seen the deaths and enslavement of many of our brothers and sisters. I do not think I can handle another."
"Take me to them." Gabriel requested.
"I told you I can no-"
"Yes, you can. And you will. Please, Castiel." Castiel sighed in resignation.
"Very well. But do not say I did not warn you."
Castiel flew himself and Gabriel to the Men of Letters Bunker. Castiel opened the door and went inside, Gabriel following closely.
"Sam. Dean," Castiel called out. The brothers snapped their heads up from whatever they were doing and looked from Castiel to Gabriel.
"What's he doing here? Alive?" Dean growled.
"He does not know. He woke up in a field a few states from here, and requested that I bring him here."
"Why?" Sam asked, his voice void of emotion.
"I do not hold the answer to that." Castiel turned to Gabriel, and Gabriel cowered and slunk to the ground.
"I...Well...Funny story is..."
"Just spit it out!" Dean yelled impatiently. Gabriel flinched.
"I have nowhere else to go. I thought maybe you could help me."
"And why would we help you?" Sam sneered. Hearing those words from the man he loved made Gabriel wince, and his heart hurt.
"Because you guys are supposed to help those who need it! I need help!" Gabriel almost yelled.
"Doesn't mean you deserve it." Dean shrugged.
"Look, I know I've done some shitty stuff to you two."
"Damn right."
"But, I hoped I could make it up to you. I'm not much use at the moment, but maybe I cou-" He was cut off by a violent cough that wracked his body. Blood discharged from his mouth, and Castiel was by his side in an instant. Gabriel thought he saw concern in Sam's eyes, but it quickly faded.
"Sam, Dean. Please. Allow him to heal, and then we'll decide his fate." Castiel pleaded. Dean pinched the bridge of his nose before sighing.
"Fine. He can stay. But Sammy is looking after him. I'm not having anything to do with that sonuvabitch."
"What? Why me?" Sam complained.
"Cause he was your little crush. Not mine." Dean muttered hurriedly. Sam threw him a bitch face.
"Whatever. Hopefully, he'll heal quickly. Then we can get rid of him." Sam towered above Gabriel, offering a hand to him. Gabriel took it, allowing Sam to pull him up. Castiel gave Gabriel a look of sympathy, then followed Dean.
"You'll be staying in one of the spare rooms," Sam grumbled.
"Thanks," Gabriel said, not bothering to be cocky. Sam hmphed, and led Gabriel down the hallway into a room. It was standard but warm.
"I'll bring you some food," Sam said and left the room. Gabriel sighed and sat on the bed. Why did Sam hate him so much? He had died for him. He stood up to Lucifer, even though he knew it was hopeless. Yet, Sam didn't seem to care. The sound of a bowl on the bedside table uprooted him from his thoughts.
"Pumpkin soup. Dean made it."
"It's not poisoned, is it?" Gabriel asked, trying to smile, but it hurt.
"I don't know. Try it and see." Gabriel picked up the warm bowl and put a spoonful of soup into his mouth. It wasn't poisoned as far as he could taste, but it was very pleasant.
"My compliments to the chef." Gabriel chuckled lightly.
"Look, Gabriel, as much as I appreciate the fact you died for us, that was then. This is now. Dean thinks I'm over-reacting with my bitterness. But things haven't been easy. I hope you can understand." "
Do you want to talk about it?" Gabriel asked, all traces of joking gone.
"Not really. But, I will say that things got bad after you died." With that, Sam left Gabriel to eat. After he finished, he crept into the kitchen and put the bowl in the sink. He sped back to his room and flopped onto the bed. A wave of exhaustion washed over him. He crawled into the sheets and curled up into a ball. He fell into an uneasy slumber.