Chapter Text
Gabriel always has been foolish and quick to jump the gun. Shadiel had hoped when he had ended things with Sam that Sam would come and get Gabriel. But, no. Instead, she received a phone call, and the first thing uttered from the other end was;
"Do you know where Gabriel is? The house is totally clean." She hung up immediately and comforted Gabriel. He lamented for a while, then, with a bit of persuading, moved five states away, and opened his own coffee shop. Castiel and Shadiel moved with him and helped him move and run the place. But, of course, bad luck tends to follow them everywhere.
Shadiel wiped her forehead with the back of her hand, feeling rather flushed after a 7-hour shift at the machines. The shop bell dinged again, and a few seconds later, Gabriel ran to her.
"Shadiel, can you take the counter?? Please??" He begged. Shadiel nodded and went up. There, standing tall like he was welcome, was Sam Winchester. Or Douchebag, depending on your point of view. Shadiel crossed her arms, setting her mouth in a hard line. He grinned sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Uhh...Hi?"
"Oh, it's 'hi' now, is it?" Shadiel kept her eyes trained on him, watching every movement.
"Yeah, I guess so. Gabriel runs a nice place."
"Listen to me, Winchester. You don't get to talk about my brother. Order something, then go." He sighed, looking up at the menu.
"What's something that's least likely to put me in a diabetic coma?" He endeavoured to joke.
"I can get a black coffee whipped up for you." Shadiel offered.
"Thanks. That'd be great."
"Cas, one plain black," She yelled over her shoulder.
"Castiel works here too? Family business?"
"If by family, you mean people who haven't hurt Gabriel, then yes." Sam frowned and handed Shadiel the money for his coffee. Castiel came out and glared at Sam.
"Hey, Cas."th
"Hello, Samuel." Castiel turned tail and left.
"Does everyone here despise me?"
"Well, what did you expect? You hurt Gabriel. Look, I'm not supposed to speak about this, but... he waited with Cas and me for a year, Winchester. And you didn't look for him after I hung up. We stayed in Lawrence for a whole year for you to make it up to Gabriel. I don't know what you were expecting, waltzing into here, but if it was a decent conversation, you're in the wrong place. Have a good day." Shadiel dismissed him, and he left, waving goodbye. Shadiel huffed a tired sigh and went into the back of the store, where the workers took their breaks. Gabriel was sitting there, playing with a heart-shaped locket around his neck.
"I can't do it, Shadiel. I can't look at him again." He mumbled. Shadiel walked to her brother and enveloped him in a hug.
"And you don't have to. Cas or I will serve him. That man always has a routine. We'll figure it out, so soon you won't have to see him at all."
"Thanks. I'm sorry if I'm being a bother, but I just can't deal with it again."
"It's your job to be a bother." She chuckled before her face became solemn again. "However, I get it. I'm not going to let him hurt you ever again. I promise." She let him go, disheveling his hair.
"Hey!" He shouted, straightening his hair. Shadiel barked out a laugh, and Gabriel followed soon after. Castiel walked in, carrying a clipboard.
"So, profits today are-Never mind." He walked out quickly, sending the two into another fit of titters.
"I think we scarred him for life. Either that or he thinks we're crazy." Shadiel giggled, holding her sides.
"That ship sailed long ago." Castiel's voice came from the front. Shadiel rolled her eyes lovingly, and Gabriel cleared his throat.
"I better go discuss..business with Cassie. You do whatever." Shadiel nodded and hung her apron up on a hook. She walked out the door and to the library. She saw Charlie sitting with Jo inside the library and waved to them.
"Having fun?" She joked.
"Not really. But Jo wanted to get some extra study in, and I wanted to spend time with her."
"You didn't have to come. It was your choice." Jo pointed out. Shadiel shook her head, a smile gracing her face.
"Oh, by the way, did you two know Sam Winchester is in town?" She asked.
"Sam? No. I thought...after the incident, you'd never see him again." Charlie frowned.
"So did I. But, apparently luck is not on my side. Poor Gabe's distraught. We're working on routines, so he doesn't have to see Winchester, but...I can't tolerate seeing him hurt again."
"Apparently, after you guys left and the house was put up for sale, Sam started looking. Questioned us all. We didn't tell him anything, but he kept asking. Heck, Dean copped the worst of it. Considering, you know, he's still seeing Cas. But, like the rest of us, he didn't utter a word. Didn't talk about you guys anywhere near Sam." Charlie says.
"I might talk with him. Thanks, Charlie, Jo."
"Later, Shadiel." Shadiel exited the library and headed to the garage where Dean worked. Through the doors, she spotted him working on a 1985 Plymouth Voyager minivan. Shadiel gave a short, sharp whistle, getting his attention and a satisfying headbang in the mix.
"Better not think too hard today, Dean." She laughed at him. He flipped her off, half-jokingly, wiping his oily hands on a rag.
"Yeah, yeah. Nice to see you too, kid."
"Hey! I'm not a kid." Shadiel pouted.
"Sure. And I'm not dating your brother."
"Speaking of brothers..."
"Oh boy. I was going to say something, but this came in, and I forgot." He indicated to the vehicle.
"You knew Sam was coming here?"
"Yeah. I'm really sorry. Look, while you're here, there's something else. Sam is actually working in the town. And...uh...he's staying with me." Dean rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. Shadiel's eyes widened, and a scowl set across her face.
"Staying with you? I see. In that case, lock your doors and windows."
"Why?"
"Because when Lucifer finds out, he's going to kill Sam. Literally. It took all of Gabriel refusing to let Luci go to stop him the first time."
"Shit. Sammy's in big trouble, isn't he?"
"You bet your ass he is. I'll do what I can, but it won't be much. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if Mikey also had a go."
"So...should I get solid iron bolts?"
"Try a whole metal structure. I wouldn't be surprised if Mikey dropped a projectile on your place."
"That's right. He's a big government associate, ain't he?"
"Yep. He and Luci do some scary shit. Oh, add salt to your protection." She jested. "In all seriousness, be careful. Sam could get into some bad shit."
"Will do. Send Cas my love." Dean waved her goodbye.
"Yeah, yeah. Sap." Shadiel waved back, heading to the apartment she shared with Gabe and Cas. She unlocked the door, finding Gabriel passed out on the couch. She lifted him, which wasn't very challenging considering she was taller than him and spent her days lifting heavy boxes when it was her turn to restock the shop. She gently put him down on his bed, covering him with his quilt, then shut his door and went back to the kitchen, sitting at the kitchen table. Cas handed her a bottle of alcohol.
"Thanks," She mumbled as she took it. She took a swig and groaned irritably. "I swear, the one time the giant dumbass comes, it's the wrong time."
"I agree. He has quite the habit of appearing at the most inopportune moments."
"You know, as much as I'd love if they'd kiss and make up, life isn't that way. Hell, Gabe may end up hating Sam forever."
"Dean called. He said he is thinking about getting solid steel locks. Apparently, there is the danger of Michael and Lucifer finding out about Sam and dropping bombs and missiles on his house. Or something of that nature." Cas shrugged, giving Shadiel a pointed look.
"Yeah, well, Mikey and Luci can be scary where the family is concerned."
"True. Speaking of which, what are we going to do about this Sam situation?"
"Honestly, there's not much we can do. Personally, I'd spill his guts slowly, then dismember him. But it's not my decision. If Gabriel wants something done, then he can decide. Doesn't mean I won't be getting a few punches in, though, if the obligation arises."
"You know it won't do any good. I don't want you to hurt him, physically, at least." Gabriel's voice came from the doorway, making Shadiel jump slightly.
"Did we wake you?" She asked gently.
"Nah. Couldn't sleep. Nightmares." Shadiel nodded, understanding from just the word 'nightmares'.
"I'm going to get some dinner on. You feel like anything in particular?"
"Not really. Cas?" Gabriel turned his head to Castiel, who shook his head.
"Real helpful guys. I think we have some leftover lasagna if you're good with that?"
"Sounds great," Gabriel said. Castiel nodded his agreement. Shadiel heated the lasagna, and everyone took as much as they wanted. After dinner, Castiel and Gabriel washed up.