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Sam laid in bed praying. Realistically, there was nothing he absolutely needed to pray for, and no one to answer his prayers. Gabriel had died not long ago by the hands of an archangel from a completely different universe, and although it was for a good cause (and possibly to redeem himself, even though he had already redeemed himself several times), Sam couldn’t help but feel it was not his time. He’d seen Gabriel die multiple times, not including the times he faked his death without Sam seeing it firsthand. Gabriel even recalled to Sam the time he’d tricked his older brother into believing he was dead by creating the illusion of scorched wing marks on the ground.
That’s why Sam couldn’t believe Gabriel was truly dead - and that’s why he was currently praying to him, hoping he would answer.
The sound of flapping wings forced Sam to open his eyes, but he was disappointed to see Castiel instead of the angel he was hoping to see.
The dark-haired angel stared at Sam with a look of worry, and Sam directed his attention to a corner of the room where Castiel was out of his field of view. He was hoping that if he didn’t acknowledge Castiel, the angel would go away on his own.
“Sam,” Castiel started, “why are you praying to Gabriel?”
Sam didn’t answer immediately, “Cas, you can’t tell me you believe he is actually dead.”
“That’s what you and Dean told everyone, so that’s what I believe.”
Sam sighed, “Okay, yeah, that’s what we said, but I’m not entirely sure if he even did die.”
“I would think witnessing his death would be enough to infer he’s dead.”
”Yeah, but I’ve seen him die multiple times and come back each time. So why would this time be any different?”
“An archangel blade would make a difference.”
“Cas, the same thing has happened before!” Sam exasperated, practically jumping out of bed. “Lucifer ‘killed’ Gabe with an archangel blade and he’s still alive! Why wouldn't he use the same tactic on the Alternate Michael?”
“I’m not sure, I didn’t see him die. But, I think it might be reasonable to assume the worst and believe he’s dead.”
“Believe he’s dead?- Cas, why would I do that when there’s even a possibility he’s alive? He might still be in the alternate universe trying to run away or fight Michael!”
“Or, he’s in The Empty sleeping peacefully. Which one would you rather believe?
Sam frowned as he fixed his posture.
Castiel sighed, “I’m not trying to make you sad, Sam, but I’m just telling you what you need to hear. His death was out of your control, and if he is alive, his life is out of your control, too. You need to come to terms with that.”
Sam furrowed his eyebrows as he climbed back into bed. “Okay, yeah, Cas. I can try.”
Castiel’s face softened, “I know what he meant to you, Sam. But it’s for the best.”
Castiel flew off with a single flap of his wings. Sam covered his eyes with his hands and leaned back onto his bed.
“Gabe, if you can hear me: please. Please come back to me.”
As Sam’s eyes threatened to water, another flap sounded in the room and Sam lowered his hands from his face.
“You called?”
Gabriel was missing his usual devious smirk, and instead looked purely tired. Tired and happy to be alive.
Sam jumped to his feet and hugged Gabriel as tight as humanly possible. Gabriel stumbled back, caught off guard by the shift of weight caused by the Winchester launching himself at him.
“Woah, no need to tackle me, Samosa.”
Sam kept his hands on Gabriel's shoulders as he pulled away. “Don’t scare me like that ever again.”
“Will do, Sam. Trust me.”
Sam sighed to himself and lowered his head. This time, Gabriel was the one to initiate the hug.
“I didn’t want to scare you. It’s just that you and the ‘somehow more douchey’ Michael obviously forgot about how I’m the closest thing to a Trickster that an angel can get to.”
“How’d you even get out?” Sam asked, pulling away just enough to look into Gabriel’s eyes. “The rift closed after Dean and I entered.”
“Hey, a Trickster never reveals his secrets.”
Sam unwrapped his arms from around Gabriel and punched him in the shoulder as a warning. Gabriel just laughed it off as he rubbed where Sam hit him.
“I escaped through the rift before anyone else did. The Gabriel you saw fighting Michael was just a clone.”
“So, that wasn’t you talking? What you said about running away on Earth, was that fake?”
Gabriel’s nonchalant expression dropped ever so slightly, “That was still me talking, Sam. Well, not me me, not my body, but it was still me talking through the clone. I’m done running away.”
“You’re gonna to stay here and fight with us?”
A nod was all Sam needed. Sam smiled as he placed his hand on Gabriel’s shoulder.
“Thank you. Gabriel. You don’t know how happy I am to see you alive.”
“I can imagine,” Gabriel smirked.
Sam raised his eyebrows as a smile crossed his face.
“And what exactly is that supposed to mean?”
“Whatever you want it to mean, Sammy-o.”
Sam hesitated before leaning down and closing the distance between him and Gabriel. Their lips met and Sam felt a surge of energy rush through him.
Sam wished this feeling could last for an eternity. It was as if they were meant to be together, and Sam did not want this moment to end.
When Sam finally pulled away, he was left breathless. Trying to calm himself down, Sam could still make out the lingering aroma of honey and tulips that he now knew Gabriel’s lips tasted of.
Sam stared down at the archangel, who gave Sam another genuine smile that Sam wished he could see all the time.
“I was hoping that’s what you wanted.”