He saw the man from the desert again. Only this time he could see him clearly. He was closer, and this time there was no heat distortion coming off the sands to distort his vision. Probably because it was night. That was probably why it was so cold too. Dean had heard somewhere it could get almost cold enough to freeze at night in the desert, even though during the day the air itself practically scorched skin.

Dean was standing at the top of one of the tall dunes in the middle of the desert. They were alone. Just the two of them. Dean's bare feet sank a little into the cold sand as he walked towards the man. He thought he should be afraid, but he wasn't.

The man was so still, he didn't seem to be alive. Dean could feel the cold air blowing across his bare chest but not even a hair on the man's head fluttered. It's like he was untouched by everything. His eyes, they were the most striking blue eyes he'd ever seen, and they were laser focused on Dean. Intense. They made him shiver from that intensity. He could feel them on him like a caress over his skin.

The man's long silver white hair shown in the moonlight like spun silver, falling over his shoulders nearly to his waist. His skin was almost deathly pale, and seemed to glow as well. Ethereal. He reminded Dean of a ghost. Like if he tried to reach out and touch him he would just vanish like mist. Yet when Dean finally stood in front of him Dean knew he was real. His skin practically vibrated from the intensity of standing so close to him.

Dean stared at the man, something like awe in his expression. He felt frozen in place when the man lifted his hand, moving so slowly he barely seemed to move at all, until his fingers touched Dean's face. Dean shivered at the cold, the touch icy, and his flesh breaking out into goose bumps but he didn't pull away. In fact he leaned into the touch, something halfway between a moan and a whimper pulled from his throat as the man tugged him close. Flush with his body. More cold, so cold it practically burned.

When the man's lips covered his own it poured down his throat, choking him, freezing him from the inside out. But still Dean didn't try to pull away. Accepting the cold. Accepting the kiss. Craving it in fact. Moaning again in bliss as he kissed the man back. Feeling something inside of him break and he didn't care.

***

Dean startled awake with a gasp. The dream shattering and falling through his mental fingers like shards of glass, cutting, and impossible to piece together. Dean shook his head, trying to clear the disorientation he felt away and rubbed his eyes. Shivering a little even though he didn't feel cold, and not understanding why.

When Dean finally dropped his hand and looked around the room he was a little surprised to find it dark, surprised to have obviously slept as long as he had. Ok, so maybe Samuel did have a small point that he'd needed rest. He did feel a lot better now. He felt a lot less tired than before, even though his muscles still felt a bit stiff as he pushed himself up and got out of the bed.

Not that he was going to be admitting either to Samuel, that he'd been right, or that he was still a bit sore. He didn't need the angel telling him, "I told you so." Samuel was too smug for his own good half the time already.

Dean yawned and stretched his arms above his head to work out the kinks as he made his way out of the bedroom to the bathroom, taking a good long piss before his bladder burst. When he was done he headed towards the living room, not surprised that the light was still on in there, though he was surprised that along with Samuel's laptop now there were stacks of ancient looking books covering the coffee table and the sofa. Some of them still covered in a layer of dust.

Samuel wasn't in the living room at the moment, though Dean didn't have to go looking for the angel because he heard Samuel moving around in the kitchen.

"What's all this?" Dean called as he pushed a couple of the books out of his way on the couch and flopped down.

Samuel had been chopping onions when he mentally checked on Dean and was swept into his ward’s dream. The instant he felt Cain’s presence, with unseeing eyes, he stabbed the knife into the wooden chopping board, so hard, it stood on end. The urge to go inside and shake Dean awake grew by the moment and it took everything he had to clamp down on it and see what the dream was about, and whether Dean could fight Cain or would fall under his spell as most mortals would.

Cain’s outer beauty as seen by Dean had Sam gripping the counter, especially when Dean walked toward the monster, one step at a time across the desert. No, he wanted to shout into Dean’s mind, he wanted to come up behind him and pull him away, but there was a chance Cain would say something... something they needed to know to either keep Dean safe, or trap the monster.

As Dean neared Cain, Sam felt Dean’s surge of need as he leaned in and accepted the kiss of Cain. As pleasure and pain coursed through Dean, Samuel screwed his eyes shut, leaning forward on his forearms, and balling his fists against the counter. Control... he struggled for it like he had not had to in a long time, biting his lip and trying to quell his rising anger and other feelings he did not want to name, although his underlying fear for Dean was normal.

As soon as the dream stopped, Sam pulled back and took a few deep breaths. A stream of Dean-worthy curses escaped his lips, and when he looked down, he saw he’d destroyed the knife he had been using to chop the onions. Still fighting for control over his emotions, he didn’t go to Dean, even when he knew his lover was awake.

A short while later, just as he put the casserole into the oven, he heard Dean moving around in the living room. When he put the question to him, Sam walked to the door and stood in its frame, arms crossed. “Research. You’re supposed to be in bed.” He wondered if Dean would tell him what he’d dreamt, but the part of himself that he was trying not to acknowledge... that part of him said that Dean would try to keep it from him.

“What kind of research?” Dean asked, completely ignoring the angel’s latter comment that he should be in bed. He turned his head to look back at Samuel standing in the doorway of the kitchen, arching an eyebrow slightly at the angel’s posture and expression. Sam looked like he had a two by four shoved up his ass… he looked like Gabriel.

The young man almost snorted at that thought as he pushed himself up off the couch and approached his lover. Completely ignoring Samuel’s anything but come hither stance as he wrapped his arms around the angel’s waist. Leaning up a little to plant a kiss on Sam’s unsmiling lips.

“What’s got your panties in a twist?”

Samuel managed to be non-responsive to the kiss but Dean’s flippant question sent the blood pounding to his temples. His fingers immediately curled around Dean’s biceps in a vice like grip, and without warning, he turned and had Dean pressed up against the wall.

His eyes were dark, a cool wind kicking up around them as he dipped his head and brought their lips together in a hard, brutal kiss, taking back what was his. Pushing his tongue inside Dean’s mouth, he wanted to replace the cold, he wanted to reach clear down inside him... to brand him as his, and remove all memories of Cain’s presence. His rage burned out of control until the mental thought that told the truth about his feelings slipped out. Not his. Mine.

Pulling back just as suddenly, seeing Dean’s swollen lips, Sam released him and hung his head, blinking the darkness out of his eyes. “I’m sorry... I...” Getting a hold of himself, he forced himself to look at Dean. “Did I hurt you... you need to be in bed.” His nostrils were still flaring, but there was no other sign of his earlier anger.

Dean gasped in surprise when Sam’s hands suddenly came up on his arms, gripping him hard enough to leave bruises on his skin and making him wince. However that was nothing when the angel turned him around and shoved him hard up against the wall, Samuel’s eyes as black as coal and Dean felt the change in the air surrounding him. He felt the cold cold, saw the rage in his lover’s eyes, and for the first time he might have been really afraid of Samuel. When normally Sam’s lips covering his own made him burn with desire and cling to the angel, right now Dean’s first instinct was to get away.

The kiss wasn’t even really a kiss. It was hard, almost brutal, bruising, Sam’s tongue practically forcing its way into his mouth, not asking permission but demanding it, claiming him, and Dean grunted in discomfort when he felt Sam’s teeth catch his lower lip hard enough to draw blood. In the middle of his confusion and not a little fear, though at this point for himself or for Sam he wasn’t sure, he heard his lover’s mental growl.

Not his? What the fuck?

Thankfully before Dean could really start freaking out Sam released his mouth if not his arms, letting the young man draw in a much needed breath. He stared at the angel with wide eyes. Watching the darkness fade from them did nothing to alleviate his confusion. Neither did Sam’s apology, really.

Dean automatically shook his head, though he still felt a bit numb with shock, when Sam asked him if he’d hurt him. Even as he denied it, the simple truth was that Sam had. His lips were swollen and ached, his arms still held in Sam’s tight grip didn’t feel too good either. Though on one hand he didn’t feel any more sore than after a really long all night bout of lovemaking with Sam, but this hadn’t been anything like that.

Once again Dean ignored Sam’s comment that he should be in bed.

Lifting his arms were a little difficult considering Sam still had a hold of them, but he managed to touch Sam’s face with both of his hands. Framing it gently between them he let his concern for Sam flow over their bond even as it mingled with just as much as confusion of what had just brought that on.

“What is it? What’s wrong?”

As Dean’s confusion, pain and concern... concern for Sam filtered across their bond, Samuel’s shame doubled. What had he done? How could he have treated the one he loved the way he had? He knew Dean’s history only too well and it practically killed him that he’d practically abused him the way so many other had.

Slowly decreasing the pressure on Dean’s arms, he turned his face slightly into one of Dean’s palms, kissing it softly. “Sorry... so sorry,” he whispered again, his feelings flooding their connection.

An angel should never act in anger. An angel should never hurt a human without cause. An angel should not fall prey to feelings of jealousy. And yet he’d done all that. Broken all the rules. Yes, he wasn’t infallible, but falling in love, holding one human dear over all others... it was forbidden, it was the beginning of a slippery slope which he was only now beginning to understand.

And yet, he wouldn’t give it up. Not for anything. Maybe not even to save his own soul.

Dean was waiting for an answer, and Sam knew his answer was not a good one. There was no good answer, no excuse. Eyes locked with Dean’s, he replayed the images he’d seen in his mind, of Dean kissing Cain. “I... I couldn’t take it. I know it wasn’t you, I know what he did... I know he made himself beautiful and irresistible, but even knowing all that, when I felt you want him...” his voice was anguished. “Forgive me. Please... never, it will never happen again,” he vowed, leaning his forehead down against Dean’s.

Dean felt the angel’s shame over what Sam had done and it tore at his heart. He gently caressed Sam’s cheek, trying to offer his lover a reassuring smile. If nothing else, reassuring the angel that he was fine, even though it didn’t feel, and probably didn’t look, very genuine. The repeated apology again not really easing his mind. Not that he was afraid of Samuel, not really, even though in the last few minutes he’d come very close, but he was afraid. He was afraid of what had brought all of this on, made Sam act that way, and he relaxed only a little when the angel finally released his death grip on his arms.

When Samuel’s eyes finally met his, a small chill ran up Dean’s spine. Not liking what he saw there, and definitely not liking what Sam showed him a moment later. Dean gasped, his eyes growing wide as he saw himself and that… man… he’d seen before. Cain. The man kissing him, and himself responding…

No, that wasn’t him. It couldn’t have been, but it was. The images Sam showed him piecing together enough of the glass shards of the dream he’d woken from that he couldn’t possibly deny it. It made him feel ill, and dirty, and cold… Dean shivered, and when Samuel leaned in closer to him his arms came up around the angel’s shoulders, holding on to him tightly as though he were afraid something would rip him away from Sam if he didn’t.

“I didn’t… I would never want him. I don’t know why… I don’t want that, Sam, you have to believe me…”

"Shshsh, you've done nothing wrong," Samuel whispered, closing his own arms around Dean, but almost too gently, like he was made of glass. "I know what you want," he was able to give a smug smile, kissing him lightly then pulling back to look at him.

"He used to be one of us. He fell, but he can still show the face he used to have, the one you saw... it is beautiful." Just as all angels were, particularly to humans. "He must have been very busy, seeking... searching you out. He sent you that dream, testing you... testing his powers over you."

Sam's jaw clenched as he fought off another bout of jealousy. "If it happens when you are awake, you have to shut him out immediately. He will try to see through your eyes, and he will try to lure you." Sam took a breath. "I'll teach you the words to cut off any such attack but if you don't employ them quickly..."

No, it wouldn't come to that, because they were going to find Cain before Cain got to Dean. He lifted Dean up in his arms, prepared to ignore any protests and carrying him to the sofa where he could rest. "The best... the safest thing would be to go to Gabriel." He knew Dean would hate the idea. "Just for a few days, until Cain is stopped. I'll be there with you." He put his hand on Dean's shoulder, warmth and reassurance emanating from him, hoping to calm his lover. "His place is a hub for angels, there will always be an army around you. Say 'yes.'"

Sam’s reassurances that it wasn’t his fault didn’t do much to ease Dean’s mind. Especially when he felt like he had failed. He’d been tested and failed. He couldn’t block Cain out of his mind. Let the… fallen angel… demon… whatever he was actually kiss him. He’d enjoyed it… and then he hadn’t even remembered it until Sam had shown him. So, yeah, he’d screwed up pretty damn big.

He could still feel Samuel’s… jealousy… seeping over their bond and his feelings of guilt and failure only grew. He managed a slight nod when the angel explained to him that at least there was a way he could fight it, Sam only needed to teach him how.

Before he could say anything else however Sam was lifting him up into his arms in a friggen bridal carry and Dean immediately began protesting. Damn it, he didn’t need to go back to bed. He didn’t even want to after what had happened. But Sam was only bringing him over to the couch… he could have walked by himself though. Dean gave Samuel a slightly dirty look when the angel set him down for carrying him around like some friggen damsel in distress.

Then Sam dropped his next bomb and Dean couldn’t stop from groaning aloud at that idea. Was Sam fucking serious?! Gabriel’s?! He would MUCH rather take his chances here than to have to endure that bastard’s company for a few DAYS. He almost asked Sam what made him think they could even catch Cain in a few days, since it had been nearly a year since Sam had first been attacked by Cain. He wasn’t fucking staying at Gabriel’s for the rest of his life!

But then Dean remembered his idea from before. If it really was a “hub” for angels, maybe it would be the best place… Maybe Michael would even be there and he could talk to the angel in person, see what he thought, and arrange to see if they could get Cain using him as bait. It would certainly be less risky if there were an army of angels around him at the time…

Dean heaved a heavy sigh.

“Fine… on one condition, you swear to make it up to me when we get home.”

Dean’s heartfelt groan only drew a quelling look from Sam. This wasn’t a game, this was life and death... Dean’s, and Samuel took that very seriously. He no more wanted to be under Gabriel’s roof with Dean than Dean did. Being torn between the two of them in short increments of time was bad enough, but days on end ( if they were lucky and got Cain that quickly)... that would be a nightmare.

His lover’s quick capitulation almost scared Sam, but he put it down to Dean’s having felt Cain’s power and being mature about the options that they had. His demand, on the other hand, was no surprise.

Smiling, Samuel shook his head. “You know I don’t swear, but I have a feeling that after a few days of sleeping apart, I’ll be more than happy to make it up to you over and over and...” He sent Dean a mental image of that was very unangelic, of himself bending Dean over the chair, then over the table... then having him in the bathtub, with water splashing all over the ground.

Dean ignored Samuel’s reproachful look, something he had a lot of practice at. Snorting softly when Sam said that he didn’t swear. Uh huh, he’d heard the angel swear plenty of times. Samuel had quite a colorful vocabulary when he wanted to. Sometimes Dean would still have to ask him what the hell something even meant. Which kind of ruined the impact when Samuel was trying to scold him for something.

He grinned however when Samuel agreed to make it up to him anyway. Dean licked his lips, his breathing growing a little heavier at the various images, promises, his lover sent him across their bond.

Dean scooted closer to the angel, cupping the back of Samuel’s neck and letting his fingers slide through the soft hair as he tugged his lover a little closer.

“You know, you could always start now.” Dean suggested in his best “melt-an-angel” voice.

Samuel smiled at Dean's antics, which usually worked on him. But not when Dean's health was at risk, never then. "I could," he nodded, kissing him tenderly, but pulling away before Dean easily sucked him into a heated kissing session or more. "But you have got to rest. And what you're suggesting is the opposite of what you need."

Seeing a wicked light enter Dean's eyes, Samuel immediately got up as if scorched. "Behave. It's not nice to tempt an angel," he said pointing at his wicked lover. "I'll pack, you … sit tight."

Before Dean could offer any argument, he was out of the room. Efficient as ever, he had a small duffel bag packed for Dean, including clothes and some weapons. He didn't need anything for himself, but he tossed a change of clothes in with Dean's stuff. Everything else he might want or need would be available at Gabriel's.

"Ready?" Still not enamored by the way Dean was looking at him, he muttered, "remind me to douse you in holy water some time." Bending, he easily picked Dean up by his waist and carried him to the door. "Don't worry, no one will see. Promise." Smiling, he took him down and out into the street, before launching into the skies.

A very short time later, they landed on the roof of a large, round building, surrounded for miles by grass and wild flowers. The roof was arranged like a courtyard, with beautiful fountains, benches and flower pots. Seeing the question in Dean's eyes, Sam explained. "This place doesn't exist in the human realm. That way, it is easily and quickly accessible from everywhere."

He'd only just set Dean down when the doors flew open, and several angels, including Gabriel glided out to meet them. Each one greeted Sam with a hug, though some, including Gabriel gave him a light kiss. Patience. As a few curious angels stared at Dean, Sam raised his hand, "if I hear even one joke about Raphael, I… mean it." Whew, he'd just averted a near swearing.

There was much laughter, and he was quite sure comparisons were being made whether they were shared with him or not. "And is Raphael in?"

Gabriel shook his head. "He hasn't returned from his mission. I expect it to last a few more weeks. Welcome, you've been missed," he slapped Sam on his back. "You know I always have a special place for you."

Rubbing his neck and looking down, Sam cleared his throat. "We appreciate your hospitality. I hope interconnecting rooms won't be a problem."

Gabriel stiffened. He liked to keep Samuel close when he could, and had slept with him on a few occasions. Close companionship and comfort among angels was completely acceptable, and they hadn't been behind closed doors. Though he knew his feelings ran far beyond chaste, he would never act on them, he told himself. Fighting them put him on the side of right.

"Thank you," Samuel put one arm around Gabriel's, knowing the angel had not given his agreement but taking it for granted, and another around Dean, as he walked with them toward the entrance. "We need to plan. Cain made contact with Dean."

As they entered, Michael walked up and greeted them, letting out a breath of relief to see that Gabriel and Sam were no longer at odds. But when Gab told them in clipped tones where their quarters would be and to meet in the blue conference room, before walking away, he revised his opinion. "Get you settled, then meeting?" he asked as they walked through a wide corridor flanked by pillars. Gabriel's home looked much like an ancient Greek or Roman palace, complete with bathing pools and beautifully inscribed walls.

Dean stared at Samuel, his mouth agape, when the angel pulled away from him ordering him, ordering, to “sit tight” while the angel went to pack. Was he fucking serious?! Apparently he was, because Sam simply left him sitting there staring after his lover as though Sam had lost his fucking marbles.

Ok, Samuel was taking this whole nurse maid thing a little too fucking serious. He felt fine for god’s sake! Well, except for the fact that he was horny and his lover was giving him a serious case of blue balls, he felt fine.

Dean wasn’t above pouting, and he definitely was doing that and then some by the time Samuel returned. However Dean was quickly going from just annoyed at Sam’s behavior to really pissed off. He practically glared death at the angel for his “holy water” comment, not amused in the least. He just couldn’t fucking believe it. Samuel was taking him to Gabriel’s where they wouldn’t be able to fuck, kiss, touch, or even really look at each other for days, or even weeks, and Sam wasn’t even going to make out with him before they left?!

“I can walk, god damn it!” He snapped when Sam picked him up again but of course the angel ignored him completely. As they flew Dean made sure that Samuel knew just how pissed off he was, not hiding his displeasure in the least over their bond.

However the young man couldn’t hide his surprise when they arrived at their destination practically as soon as they took off. He knew Sam could fly really fucking fast when he wanted to, but Dean couldn’t imagine anywhere in the San Francisco area that looked like this…

Dean merely grunted at Sam’s explanation, still not ready to forgive his lover yet. Oh sure, now you put me down. He sent irritated over their bond when Sam finally set him down on his feet when the other angels came out of the building to greet them. Dean didn’t bother to ask how they had known they were coming. Not much surprised him about angels anymore.

Dean didn’t bother to watch Samuel’s “greetings”, especially with Gabriel, knowing it would just piss him off more, he was right, and the sour look on his face really didn’t dissipate as Sam spoke for both of them. He expected the other angels to ignore his presence entirely, and he wasn’t sure he appreciated the “joke” at this point in time. Apparently he’d become an inside joke among all the angels regarding his looks. He was already starting to doubt his decision to let Sam bring him here.

When Samuel put his arm around him, Dean pulled away. If the angel wasn’t going to touch him in their own home, he didn’t get to here. The only thing that seemed to be going right was that Michael was here, so at least Dean wouldn’t have to wait to talk to him and to suggest his plan. Better sooner than later in his opinion, the faster they could get out of this place the better as far as Dean was concerned. He supposed he’d talk to Michael later when Samuel was otherwise occupied. Dean had no doubts that Gabriel would see to that soon enough.

When Dean practically knocked the arm he was putting around him out of the way, Sam gave a soft sigh. Control your anger. Please. We can’t afford to make mistakes, here.

Resigned to the possibility that Dean might not restrain himself, and would give them away, Samuel made peace with the idea. He’d rather make sure Dean was safe, then to risk him just to protect his own guilty secret. Though he had wondered more often than was healthy, just why love should be outlawed for angels. Stupid rules...

Glad that Michael was there, as the three of them walked into the quarters assigned to himself and Dean, he said as much to the other angel. “I hope you’ll be spending a lot of time with us, Dean seems to have taken a liking to you and none of the others.”

Michael grinned. “That’s because I’m the charming one.”

“And you don’t look like someone is holding a peace of cheese under your nose each time Dean appears.” Course Samuel was thinking of Gabriel.

Laughing, Michael spread his wings out, then folded them away. “I’ll show him the sights.”

“Take him to the tranquility pools.” Not that I’m expecting miracles for you. Please, please Dean, relax.

“I will.”

Samuel disappeared to his room and took a quick tour, then came back. “I’ll go get some of the boring background out of the way, you two come in an hour. Unless you want Gabriel’s company sooner,” he flashed Dean a smile, knowing his answer before it was given.

Dean cast Samuel a withering glare when the angel had the nerve to tell him to control his anger. After what Sam had pulled back at their apartment, and he wasn’t even thinking about how the angel wouldn’t even kiss or touch him, treating him like he was made of glass, except when he was slamming him up against the wall and bruising his lips with his mouth because he was jealous. Fucking hypocrite…

Besides, even if the other angels picked up on the fact that he was pissed off at Sam it wasn’t like they would know why. For all they knew he was pissed off because Sam had brought him here in the first place, to Gabriel’s, who everyone knew hated him and he certainly had no love for the angel in return. Which was true, in a way, so he wouldn’t even be lying if he was asked, which he doubted anyone even would. He was just a lowly human after all. Not worth the attention of any angel.

Worry about yourself. Dean snapped back at Samuel when the angel told him to “relax”. He barely resisted the urge to remind Samuel that he wouldn’t be pissed off right now if it wasn’t for him, so the angel better just fucking deal with it. Dean didn’t bother to take a look at “his” room like Samuel, not really caring what it looked like. He was certain it would be as gaudy and over the top as the rest of this place looked. He wasn’t surprised in the least that Gabriel’s home looked like this, the fucking stuck up prick wouldn’t live anywhere else except a fucking palace far away from lowly humans.

Dean didn’t answer Sam’s comment about Gabriel’s “company”, he just turned and walked back out into the hallway, waiting for Michael to join him. At least this much was going right. So he could talk to Michael about his plan and maybe they could even present it to the other angels at this meeting, no waiting around which was just fine with Dean. The quicker they got down to business so he could get the fuck out of here the better.

Samuel didn’t argue anymore because he could feel Dean’s high emotions and was afraid to escalate the situation here, where any outburst would be before so many eyes. He feared that in his anger, Dean would let something slip and that was not a mistake he could afford.
*
Michael lead the way out, shaking his head and smiling at Dean. “You’re really wasting your anger on Gabriel. Either he won’t notice, or if he does, it will provide him with a measure of satisfaction. After the meeting, you will likely be able to avoid him most of the time, his palace is so large no two people ever have to meet.”

Thinking that would please Sam’s temperamental ward, he looked over at his face and realized Dean would not be that easy. “This place was the best choice for your safety, whether you enjoy Gabriel’s company or not. Samuel was right to bring you,” he said.

They walked out of the building and through a large outdoor garden that was really a courtyard. The colorful flowers bloomed and the grass was plush and well groomed. Once they reached the other side, they walked past some pillars and entered into another outdoor area. “The pools of tranquility. They’re each a different temperature,” Michael told him. “You can enter any of them if you want. The water will help you relax and also accelerate your healing.

Not really knowing how to answer Michael’s comments regarding him “wasting” his anger on Gabriel or how this was the “safest” place for him Dean said nothing. Or perhaps he just didn’t trust himself to answer at the moment until he’d cooled down a little. He might just blurt out exactly why he was mad and it had nothing… well mostly nothing… to do with Gabriel at the moment. Not to mention how he hardly felt “safe” in the home of an angel who wanted him dead, if Gabriel’s actions in the desert were anything to go by.

At least by the time they reached the pools of “tranquility” Dean had shoved down most of his anger deep inside where it would turn into a bitter disappointment more than anything by the time he saw Samuel again. He shook his head at the angel’s offer to get inside one of the pools. Thanks, but no thanks, he liked to bathe in private unless it was with his lover.

“I’m healed enough.” He stated simply, turning to Michael. “I did want to talk to you about something though. I had an idea, how to maybe flush Cain out into the open so you guys can take him down. I didn’t want to bring it up to Samuel because he seems to think I’m made of glass.”

Dean sat down and made himself comfortable on a bench, expecting Michael to join him. Deciding he had really nothing to lose right now he launched right into his idea.

“Samuel mentioned that if Cain knew I could see him, see the things he’s trying to hide, that he might try to come after me. After the dream I had tonight… well, that seems like a pretty good possibility now and we might be able to use it to our advantage. I know he was the one who almost killed Samuel a year ago, and if he’s stayed off your guys radar this long there’s no telling how long he can keep doing it. But if he’s interested in me enough to come after me himself then we’ll know where he’ll be and we can set up some kind of trap. Use me as bait to lure him out and then you guys can smite him or whatever. What do you think?”

Michael adjusted his robes and sat down, extending his long legs and turning to look at Dean. He wished the boy would listen and take to the waters, because there was no hiding the fact that he was wound up. He liked Dean well enough, but it was a credit to Samuel that he could deal so well with the temperamental human twenty four seven. Michael knew he kept Sam hopping.

As Dean Told him about the dream, something that Michael was already aware of, Michael nodded in agreement with Samuel’s belief that Cain would come after Dean again. “He’s very difficult to find, always has been a wily one. And now with this cloaking ability,” he shook his head, extremely worried, not just for the safety of Dean and Samuel, but for the world.

When Dean mentioned being the bait, Michael nodded and shook his head at the same time. “You know, that is a plan worthy of Gabriel himself. I am sure it has run through his mind already, and that they are battling over it now.” He was quiet a moment, concentrating, then wincing. “Yes, that is exactly what they’re doing right now.”

He locked gazes with Dean. “I agree with you and Gabriel on this. We don’t have many choices, and we need to catch him… if his cloaking abilities are proliferated, there will be a lot more at stake here than a few lives.” His bright blue eyes sharpened as he thought about what they ought to do. “Samuel is skilled enough to keep this matter in a state of argument for days on end, and that’s what he will do to block Gabriel’s attempts to plan. If we go in there with our own plan, it will be a fait accomplie , there won’t be anything to argue about and everyone will see it is the right way to go about this. But Samuel might smite you,” he said with a grin. Then more seriously, he added, “you know there is history between Sam and Cain. Samuel was Cain’s replacement.”

Dean frowned a little, not quite sure how to take Michael’s words that his plan was “worthy of Gabriel himself”. What exactly did that mean? He knew the other angels had a much higher opinion of Gabriel than Dean did, but he still couldn’t see how that was a good thing.

Sure, he already knew that the other angel would gladly hang him out like a worm on a hook without a second thought, and probably not even lift a finger to reel him in before it was too late, but that certainly wasn’t his plan. That’s why he wanted to ask Michael’s opinion on it before he did anything. Dean certainly wasn’t interested in dying, or worse, the brief glimpse he’d gotten of hell was quite enough for him thanks very much.

Somehow he wasn’t all that surprised to hear Michael say that Gabriel had in fact already thought of that plan… or that they were already arguing about it. It was just like the fucking bastard to think of using him as bait and not even ask him first if he would be willing to be it. If Dean himself hadn’t already been considering it he would have taken great pleasure in telling Gabriel to go fuck himself. Too bad that for once they actually agreed on something.

Dean nodded as he listened to the angel explain what they should do to get the ball rolling on the plan. Michael was right, they needed to do something about Cain sooner rather than later. This was their best option, no matter how much Samuel might not like it.

“I can handle Samuel.” Dean said with an offhanded shrug. Yeah, he had no doubt in his mind that the angel would be pissed off to high heaven, no pun intended, but he would just have to deal with it. Dean had made up his mind, he wasn’t a child that needed to be told what to do, and he was going to do this.

The young man raised an eyebrow slightly when Michael mentioned the “history” between Cain and Samuel.

“I didn’t know, no.” He said, shaking his head. Dean wondered what exactly that meant. Despite living with, and having sex with, Sam for a year he honestly knew very little about Samuel’s past, not to mention angels in general. He probably knew much more than the average person, sure, but he certainly was no expert. He guessed he just assumed that Samuel was always… well… Samuel. Which he supposed was kind of a dumb idea since Samuel was thousands of years old, was there really any way someone could be the same person after all that time? “What do you mean replacement? You guys have ranks or something?”

“When someone from our ranks falls, a human is elevated. Usually, the human has some dealing, some connection with the angel that has either fallen, or died. There’s no rule, but it seems to happen that way. The assumption is that the replacement has some of the same qualities as the we’ve lost.” He ran his hand through his long hair. “In the case of an angel who has fallen, usually they hold a grudge against their replacements. Then there is the baggage from their pre-ascension relationship. As you might guess, it can get messy. I suppose it’s a blessing that not too many of us fall.”

He got up off the bench. “Come, let’s hold our own round table so we have something to present. Samuel is gaining ground with his arguments and Gabriel is getting incensed.” As they walked back through the garden, they spoke some more and Michael mentally call a meeting in one of the small conference rooms. By the time he and Dean arrived, the other four angels were already there.

After introducing Dean two of the angels that he didn’t yet know, he launched into an explanation. Dean then told his story and made it clear he was volunteering. After initially being a little aloof, the angels warmed up to Dean and planned openly, listening respectfully to his view point.

And hour later, the tight group marched into the large conference room and were announced.

Samuel had the floor... he’d had it for quite some time. When he turned and saw Dean surrounded, saw the resolve etched in each of their faces, a cold gust swept through the room.

What have you done? Eyes locked to Dean’s, Samuel allowed him to feel the depths of his fury at the betrayal. No, I forbid it. I absolutely forbid it, Dean.


Before they could get any further with their silent non-discussion, the room broke out into argument. He raised his hand, shouting, “under no circumstance will my ward be used as bait. It is unacceptable. Unacceptable!”

“Silence. The floor is mine, I said silence,” Gabriel raised his voice and stood up. “Samuel, you will calm down or—“

Dean was still feeling a little overwhelmed about everything that Michael revealed to him about Samuel, well, not in so many words most of it was implication, but the implications alone were astounding. That Samuel was once human, as human as Dean. Dean had always kind of assumed Samuel had always been an angel, "born" an angel, however angels were born, he'd never asked. He also couldn't help but wonder if all angels were once human as well or only a select few. He wondered if it was because Samuel was once human that he was… different. Thought of humans differently than other angels did. Like Gabriel who seemed to despise them, well maybe he didn't despise all humans, just him, Dean had never asked.

The other implication that Michael made, that Samuel had probably known Cain hundreds of years ago when Cain was an angel and Samuel was human was another pretty big bomb. Dean couldn't help but wonder if Samuel had been like him to Cain. If Samuel had been Cain's ward… maybe even more?

As much as Dean wanted to ask Michael more questions about Samuel's past, he knew they had other things they had to deal with right now that were more important. Like trying to convince the other angels that his plan to lure Cain out of hiding by using himself as bait was the best option, enough to override the huge protest that Samuel was definitely going to make.

Dean nodded when Michael suggested they speak to some other angels first before heading into the meeting where Samuel was and followed him out of the garden. Dean made sure to be on his "best behavior" when Michael introduced him to the other angels. He could tell they didn't think much of him at first, but they were willing to listen, and after Dean explained his plan not only were they cooperative but Dean would go so far as to say friendly to him. Maybe it was just Gabriel who was the asshole among angels after all.

The young man couldn't deny the knot in his stomach when they eventually headed off to the meeting room where Samuel and the majority of the angels were already gathered, planning… arguing was more like it. Dean could hear his lover's voice even on the other side of the thick wooden door before it was opened. He met Samuel's eyes when they were ushered inside and even without the noticeable drop in the room's temperature and Sam's words echoing through his head he could tell that his lover was pissed.

Dean clenched his jaw and lifted his chin in defiance and determination. He had to do this. He was going to do this. He could make his own decisions, god damn it. Samuel couldn't forbid him to do shit.

The young man stepped forward and swallowing his pride he addressed Gabriel respectfully.

"Gabriel, can I say something?" Dean asked, though he barely waited for the angel to look in his direction much less give him the "OK" before he continued.

"I know the situation with Cain is getting worse. I know the cloaking he is using is keeping you from finding him. I saw him in Egypt and none of you did. He knows I saw him and tonight he came to me in a dream. He knows I can see what you can't. I know he's going to come after me at some point the only question is when and where."

Dean paused only briefly, not giving anyone a chance, not even Samuel, to interrupt him.

"So I can try to hide out here for the months or even years it might take for you to find him or we can use his 'interest' in me to our advantage. If we can encourage him to come after me himself, set up a situation he can't refuse, when he shows himself you can catch him and send him back to hell, or whatever you're going to do with him. I know its dangerous, but I am fully willing to take this risk if it means stopping Cain."

While Gabriel was not at all pleased with the arrogant manner in which Dean had taken the floor, as if his voice should have equal weight with the other angels’, the end effect suited his plans completely and completely overshadowed the clever arguments Samuel had been making to the contrary.

Nodding, Gabriel started to clap in approval. Others started to follow suit, clapping until the sound was a dull roar echoing in the room.

“No... stop that, stop this. This NOT decided,” he tried to shout over the din, his eyes darkening like coal. “We do NOT hide behind humans we are sworn to protect. That is NOT the right order of things. We...”

But his words were lost... drowned out by the majority’s decision. Every swear, every curse that had ever fallen from Dean’s lips reverberated in Sam’s mind. Turning on his heels, he strode right past Dean and out of the room, the door slamming shut behind him as if pushed by a strong wind.

Michael’s eyes were cast down. He knew Samuel would be angry with him. He was his closest friend and the thought that Samuel would shut him out hurt, but they all knew there were times when

Immediately, Gabriel called together a small council to hammer out the details and decide on the best strategy for laying the trap Dean had suggested.

Even as prepared as Dean was for Samuel’s inevitable anger at what he had done did not make it any easier when the angel stormed out of the meeting room without even so much as looking at him. It hurt. It hurt a lot. But Dean walled off that hurt, keeping it to himself, and not letting it leak over their bond. He deserved it. He deserved Samuel’s anger, and Samuel deserved to be angry with him.

He could only hope that when the angel was done being angry with him that Samuel would be willing to forgive him. Maybe he would even be willing to see that this really was the best option they had right now. Cain had to be stopped. They had a real chance to stop him sooner rather than much later, and that could save a whole lot of peoples’ lives.

Dean wasn’t any happier really at being hung out like a worm on a hook than Sam was, he certainly didn’t want to die doing this, but they simply didn’t have very many options right now. With a sinking feeling in his gut he began to wonder if this was the reason why humans and angels were forbidden to fall in love. Because it was too difficult not to place the safety of the one you loved above everyone else. Not to be willing to… sacrifice… them if needed to save billions of others. He wondered if he wasn’t Sam’s lover, if he was just his “ward” and nothing more if Samuel would be more willing to sacrifice him.

Dean forced those thoughts away, he was sure he’d have plenty of time to deal with them later. Right now he was too busy paying attention to listening to the angels plan to carry out his idea of a trap. Thankfully none of them asked him to leave, considering he was the “worm” he would have argued he had a right to know what was going on, and that would have just wasted time.

Unfortunately after a couple of hours Dean began to feel exhaustion creeping up on him and various aches and pains in his body began making themselves known, reminding him of how Samuel had insisted on that damned bed rest for three days. OK, so maybe he wasn’t as healed up as he originally thought. He stayed however as long as he possibly could, until he began to literally waver on his feet, and he finally had to concede defeat and turned to Michael.

“I need to lay down.” He whispered softly, a little ashamed at having to admit his own weakness.

Although Samuel’s protest and departure left a somber cloud over the room, the angels had work to do. Views were given on the best ways and places to lure Cain to Dean. When arguments broke out over whether he could be kept safe under certain situations, quite a few of them thought he ought to leave the room. However, Michael stepped in and barred any mention of throwing the human who would put his life at risk out of the room.

When Dean finally admitted his need for rest, Michael ushered him out. The plans were coming together, though they would be at it for the rest of the night and would like then have to coax Samuel into approving. Sighing at the thought, he walked with Dean.

“You have won many of us over this night. Not only for offering yourself, because believe me, many… including Gabriel … believe you did that in order to speed your redemption, but because you stood up to both Gabriel and Samuel. You, my son, have walked where angels fear to tread,” he said, grinning..

They passed many doors as they walked the long marbel hall, and he nodded at one of the doors, “Samuel is in the chapel, praying for patience and assistance in holding his temper, not doubt.” Again, he cracked a decidedly unangelic smile, and stopped in front of Dean’s door. “Rest well, you will need your strength tomorrow.” In the way of the angels, Michael leaned in and kissed Dean lightly on the mouth. “And try to keep out of trouble. I now understand the meaning of ‘trouble magnet.’” With that, he walked away.

As Dean walked beside Michael down the long hallways that would take him back to his and Samuel’s rooms, he couldn’t help but be surprised and touched by the angel’s praise. Michael’s opinion meant a lot to him, not only because he was one of the few angels that had always treated him with a measure of respect, but because he was Samuel’s friend.

Despite the situation between him and his lover, Dean was pleased to hear that he had “won over” some of the other angels at least. Not that he was really surprised to hear that many of them thought he had only done it to try to “buy” his way into heaven, but he really didn’t give a fuck what they thought. That wasn’t the reason he was doing this. That wasn’t the reason he had decided to become a hunter. He was doing it because it was right, and it would save people’s lives. Even if his efforts didn’t make a difference of whether or not he was damned when he died, he’d still do it.

Dean couldn’t help but laugh softly when Michael pointed out that even other angels were reluctant to stand up to Gabriel and Samuel. Even as his heart ached a little more as they passed by a door and Michael indicated Sam was inside. Dean wanted nothing more than to stop there and go see his lover, try to explain, ask Sam to forgive him, but he knew that was a bad idea right now. So he continued to follow Michael, stopping outside “his” room.

“Thanks…” Dean began, and was surprised by the unexpected kiss. Maybe he should have been used to it by now, seeing Samuel and Michael kiss and hug in greeting and farewell all the time, but he simply wasn’t prepared for it. He also wasn’t prepared for the slight flush that stained his cheeks afterwards, despite how chaste it had been.

Michael’s “warning” to keep out of trouble and calling him a trouble magnet didn’t really surprise Dean one bit, no doubt Samuel had referred to him that way to the other angel. Dean sighed and rolled his eyes a little, giving Michael a little wave goodbye before he opened the door and went inside.

Dean made his way wearily over to the bed, his exhaustion bone deep by this point and he didn’t even have the energy to undress himself before he flopped down on top of the covers. As much as it hurt he resisted the urge to contact Sam over their link before he closed his eyes, not even to tell him good night, or more importantly, that he loved him. He simply wasn’t sure if Samuel would want to talk to him at all right now.

It was to those despairing thoughts he slipped off to sleep to.

Hours later, Samuel had gone back to the meeting. He wasn’t about to allow others to decide Dean’s fate. If he were to be used as bait, then Samuel would do his best to make sure he was as safe as possible.

The battle of wills between himself and Gabriel was wearing. They clashed over every idea, with Sam taking the conservative routes and Gabriel wanting to use Dean as a disposable being. As things got heated, there were veiled insinuations. Samuel pointing out that it appeared as if Gabriel was intentionally trying to put Dean in the most precarious situations and that he must have another agenda, one that targeted the human. Gabriel was equally vocal about Samuel’s too close relationship with the human, his over emotional state when it came to dealings relating to Dean.

After the plan was mostly set, Samuel strode down the long hallway, trying to put as much distance as he could between himself and the room in which they’d just put together a plot that would put Dean right in the eye of danger. It had taken everything the angel had to keep the curses from pouring out of his mouth, and now he had a throbbing headache... something else he’d never had in all the years before Dean..

His steps faltered as he approached Dean’s room, which connected to his own. He walked in, and stood over his lover’s bed, looking down at his features... so innocent in sleep. He was still hurt by the betrayal. Perhaps it wasn’t a betrayal, but by Dean’s having gone to the others, having circumvented him like that.

Taking a deep breath, he leaned over Dean, bracing his hands on the bed. Love and worry were a lethal combination. He was sure he would get no sleep, but he was glad Dean was getting rest. Lowering his head, he kissed his forehead, lingering slightly to breath in his familiar scent. Fighting the urge to climb into the same bed, he pulled away. Why do you test me so?

Turning on his heels, he walked through the adjoining door, leaving it slightly cracked and took a book to bed. It might relax him... might.

Dean’s dreams hadn’t been completely restful. He still didn’t sleep very well when he wasn’t sleeping with Samuel, but at least they were just normal nightmares this time and not visits from terrifyingly evil former angel’s.

He was exhausted enough that he’d slept through most of the bad dreams however. Though at one point they shifted abruptly and suddenly all he could feel was the warmth, comfort, and love he craved. The light brush of soft tender lips across his forehead making him sigh in contentment. But then it was gone just as abruptly as it had come, leaving him feeling colder and even more alone.

When Dean opened his eyes he felt a momentary sense of panic not knowing where he was, not recognizing the room, and most importantly that he was alone. The feeling died quickly however as his memory returned to him and he realized he remembered he was in Gabriel’s home (ugh) and that was the reason why he was sleeping alone too. Well, one of the reasons…

The other reason was because he had pissed off Samuel royally for going behind the angel’s back. He wondered what Samuel was angrier about, the fact that he had made plans that would put him in danger but maybe have a chance of catching Cain, or the fact that he hadn’t told him first. Of course even if he had asked first Samuel would never have “let” him do it. That was the whole reason why Dean had gone to Michael.

Dean sighed softly, turning his head and seeing the light on through the crack in the door that led to Samuel’s room. Well, at least the angel had come back. He honestly wouldn’t have been surprised if Sam had asked for a different room away from him.

The young man’s heart twisted at that thought. He wasn’t sure how long he laid there, biting his lip in indecision. The desire to get up and close the distance between them warring with his fear of what Samuel might say to him. He wasn’t sure if he could deal with a heated argument with his lover right now.

He almost didn’t realize some part of him had apparently made the decision for him while he was still thinking about it before he was standing just outside Samuel’s door, out of the shaft of light, his hand hesitating over the door knob. Hopefully if Sam didn’t want him there it would be clear enough from Sam’s expression within the first two seconds that Dean could back peddle and return to his own bed before the angel even realized he was there.

As he carefully pushed open the door he couldn’t help but remember a similar instance, a year ago now, the first time he had asked to sleep with Samuel because of his nightmares. He had been so unsure, so afraid of being turned away, but Sam never had.

There was always the first time…

As per was usual for Samuel, when he was troubled, he threw himself into reading. This night was no exception. Concentration had to be forced though, just to prevent additional worrying, or other strong emotions, that might flood his bond with Dean and wake up his lover.

His good intentions aside, Sam heard the door move slightly. Even though he didn't look up, he felt Dean's presence with every fiber in his body. He didn't have to rely on the bond to tell him Dean was unsure... that he was hesitating... that he was hurting. The last was something Samuel couldn't allow, he never could.

Without looking up, he lifted the blanket up in invitation. A few heartbeats later, Dean was inside the bed, and he dropped the cover over him, though Sam stayed lying on top of the covers, still looking at his book for a time.

He took a breath, tried to makes sure he had a grip on his emotions, then he turned, putting his palm on Dean's forehead, trying to keep his lover calm because if they let their emotions rule them now, it could be explosive.

His gaze locked with his love's and seeing the questions in them, he shook his head. "I can't stand the thought of you ..." His voice shook with emotion, even as he worked hard to suppress it. "If something happens to you, I..." Things started to rattle inside the room. Samuel closed his eyes. "I can't do this... can't do it here, now. Sleep now."

He felt the bed move and shook his head again. "Don't touch me... if ..." He mentally showed him an image of them kiss. "I won't be able to stop, and we just cant... not here Dean. Can't."

Dean knew his heart had to be beating so hard with trepidation that even if the sound of the door hadn’t given away that he was there, Sam probably would have heard that instead. When Samuel didn’t even look up at him however Dean bit his lip hard, feeling his eyes beginning to burn in spite of himself, and he took a hesitant step back. Ready to return to his own bed where he wouldn’t bother his lover, and try his damndest to keep the tears that were threatening to fall inside. He wasn’t a girl or a child, god damn it.

He’d known Sam was angry at him. He’d known this was a bad idea to start with. He’d known that Sam probably didn’t want to see or speak to him right now. It was just stupid to feel so hurt and disappointed now knowing all that…

When Samuel suddenly lifted up the side of the covers, even though he still didn’t look at Dean, the young man’s heart did a little flip and he felt a little weak kneed with relief and hope. Though he still entered the room and approached the bed a little hesitantly, maybe expecting Sam to change his mind, and didn’t start to relax a little until the angel arranged the covers comfortably over him.

Dean knew his eyes had to be filled with nervousness and uncertainty when Samuel finally looked at him, and the young man’s heart clenched a little painfully at Sam’s expression. Not to mention his words. Dean wanted to reply, he wanted to reassure the angel that nothing was going to happen to him, he had even opened his mouth to do that, but the threatening rattle of objects around the room quickly silenced him.

So he merely nodded slightly when Sam told him to go to sleep, he didn’t want to upset Sam more, so he’d just do what the angel said. Though when he tried to push himself up, just to give his lover a gentle good night kiss, to show Sam how much he loved him, Sam’s almost harsh order not to touch him was like a vicious slap. Dean felt tears crowding once more behind his eyes before he could stop them, but he nodded again anyway even though Sam still wasn’t looking at him.

He rolled over, putting his back to Sam so the angel wouldn’t have to look at him and as close to the edge of the bed as he could without falling off. Dean closed his eyes more to keep in the tears than any real desire for sleep anymore. It was strange how he felt more alone now with Sam less than a few feet away from him than he had when he’d been in the next room.

Tomorrow, this youth… his ward, his lover, the one man that meant everything to Samuel, the one thing, person, that Samuel could not afford to lose, could never replace, could not live without… would face an enemy so strong, so wily, so devious, so evil, Dean could not even comprehend it. And yet Samuel was curse with that knowledge. Cursed, and literally tortured by it.

Playing bait for Cain, that was as dangerous as volunteering to go to hell. Why couldn’t Dean understand? Why didn’t he get the depth of his love for Dean made it impossible for him to be happy, cautiously optimistic or even just nonchalant when Dean placed himself in the eye of the storm like he was doing now? Didn’t Dean know him yet?

The answer was that he knew him too well. So well that he’d known Samuel wouldn’t countenance his plan. So well he’d gone behind his back to others. His ward had gone to others. And now, he was a pawn for others. The tables started to rattle, the items on top of them shifting and threatening to fall to the ground.

Gritting his teeth, Samuel prayed for serenity. It took some time, but he’d regained some of it before he allowed himself to think of the emotions coming from Dean. He felt Dean’s anxiety, his despair.

Then he felt something worse… the depth of his loneliness.

Dean, I know you don’t understand. I am sorry. For everything you are feeling, I am sorry. For being unable to hold you now, I am sorry. God help me, I cannot change this.

As he put his head back against the headboard, a stream of Dean-worthy curses ran through his mind. Rarely had he felt this impotent, this powerless, and an angel with all of his years did not like it.

Sam's words whispered in his head did nothing to comfort Dean, as he was sure that they did nothing to comfort Sam either. Not understand? Perhaps not. But Dean didn't need to completely understand to know what Samuel was feeling, because the angel never had been able to lock him out of his mind and Dean was doing nothing to shield himself from the waves of emotion coming from Sam. The young hunter didn't need to hear the rattling of various objects around the room in response to Sam's strong emotions, he could feel them loud and clear.

He could feel all of Samuel's anger, all of Samuel's fear, all of his frustration, and all of his despair. He could feel every dark emotion that the normally quite serene angel never felt except on rare occasions. At least, not to this degree. Not nearly to this degree.

Sam thought he was going to die tomorrow, Dean suddenly realized. The angel wasn't afraid something might happen to him. Samuel was certain of it. So certain of it Sam was acting like he was already dead, already mourning him…

That certainly did nothing to promote any confidence in Dean at the angels ability to keep him safe while he was hanging out on that hook… but it was too late to back out now. It wasn't as though he cared if they thought he was a coward for having second thoughts. The reason why he couldn't back out was the same reason he'd thought up this crazy plan to begin with. Cain needed to be stopped. Even if it cost him his life…

Well, fuck it. If this was really going to be his last few hours on Earth, if this was going to be all the time he had left with Samuel, he sure as hell wasn't going to spend it like this. Dean rolled over to face Sam and pushed away the covers. He grabbed Sam's damned book out of the angel's lap, tossing it carelessly onto the floor somewhere, and straddled his lover's hips. His hands braced on the headboard on either side of Sam as he pressed their chests together, using all the strength he could to pin his lover there. While it certainly wouldn't be enough to stop Sam if the angel was determined to shove him away Dean wasn't going to let Sam do it without a fight.

"If you're so damned certain I'm going to die tomorrow, what do you care if anyone finds out we're lovers?" Dean stated matter-of-factly before crushing his lips against the angel's.

Though he felt Dean shifting around, changing positions, Samuel kept his eyes glued to his book. His emotions were unnaturally high, and he knew he would not be able to carry on a conversation that did not lead to a bad place between them. He didn’t want their last words to be hurtful, painful, or twisted the way Dean sometimes twisted the meaning of what he said. No, he wouldn’t allow any more misunderstandings. By morning, he would have his emotions under control, and would tell Dean what was on his mind.

The bed moved again, then the book he’d been gripping like a shield was torn out of his hand. Jaw clenched, Samuel started to look up when Dean straddled him, basically trapping him against the headboard. Eyes locked with Deans, his nostrils flared slightly as his breaths deepened. Didn’t he understand? This was not the place. Not the time.

Their gazes clashed. Battled. Sam started to push Dean and became aware of how tightly he was holding onto the headboard. He opened his mouth to chide him, to remind him where they were, why this could not be, when Dean spoke first.

Words spoken so casually about dire matters, ripped the Angel’s insides. His lover’s death... even he himself had not put that thought to words, because he could not contemplate it, did not wish to face it.

Fear for Dean was choking him, almost terrifying him... it made him weak. Too weak to fight Dean anymore. When his lover’s mouth sank down over his, the right thing was the furthest thing from Samuel’s mind. The tension that had been like a powder keg between them suddenly exploded, shattering Sam’s control.

Sam cupped the back of Dean’s head, holding him in place as he kissed him back with a hunger born of fear, or love, or a need that ran so deep it scared the angel. As their mouths crushed together, Sam’s tongue battled Dean’s, tasting him, savoring him, treasuring him. He wanted this... wanted it for all time, and if he couldn’t have ‘all time,’ then he wanted every moment Dean had, without his life being cut short.

“Dean...” Lifting his body, he writhed against his lover’s form, moaning as his stomach contracted and wave after wave of desire and pleasure broke over him. “Don’t you die on me, don’t you fucking die on me,” he ordered, tears slipping down his cheeks.

For a moment Dean wasn’t sure that Sam was going to give in. Why he was even worried he wasn’t sure, because when had Samuel ever truly denied him anything? If he pushed hard enough, Sam always gave in. If he hadn’t, then they never would have become lovers in the first place. They wouldn’t be here, now, like this. And no matter how painful it sometimes was, especially when they argued, he wouldn’t trade this for anything.

Samuel’s mouth opened beneath his own, and Dean wasted no time thrusting his tongue inside, exploring every inch. Their tongues tangling and fighting together for control of the kiss Dean moaned into the angel’s mouth as Sam’s hand cupped the back of his head, drawing him closer, rather than shoving him away. His lover’s fingers almost bruising tight.

Sam arched beneath him and Dean thrust back, and Dean barely realized when his hands left the headboard to clutch at the angel’s shoulders instead. Rubbing his growing hardness against Samuel’s stomach, feeling his lover’s answering desire pressing against his ass every time he rocked his hips against the angel’s body.

Sam’s whispered demand made a choked sound escape his throat and he clung to the angel even tighter if it was possible. His fingers running through the angel’s hair, practically tugging on the soft strands but his lover didn’t seem to mind.

“No. You can’t get rid of me that easy.” Dean reassured with all the conviction he could muster. Kissing away the tears that slipped down Samuel’s cheeks. Uncaring about the ones that covered his own. “I won’t let anything take me away from you, ever.”

Then trying to diffuse some of the pain and tension they were both feeling, Dean added with playful grin.

“Though you might regret that… when I’m old and grey and not any fun in the sack anymore.”

Samuel didn’t know how Dean did this to him, drove him to the brink, dragged him down paths no angel should take, made him so crazy that he forgot about the risks, forgot everything but Dean. Somehow it had always been so, from the first cry of help he’d heard in his head, to the time he’d allowed him back into his house, accepted his dangerous career, and now. In the house of Gabriel.

Each promise of survival given between kisses intensified Sam’s fear for his lover, reminded him of how frail humans were, and that it was rare for David to eradicate Goliath, when Goliath happened to be a fallen angel. Can’t lose you. Nothing would be left of me. Nothing.

Without loosening his grip on the back of Dean’s head, Samuel wrapped his other arm around Dean, dragging him closer as he bent his knees slightly behind Dean, supporting his back. He wanted his lover, wanted him so bad, with every fiber of his being. The thought of losing him, or never tasting him again, of never hearing his voice, or smiling at his cocky comments, or burning up like this, together, calling each others’ names until they exploded, it knifed him in the heart.

Dean’s joke made him want to weep harder. I want to see you old and gray. Suddenly, this wasn’t enough. He wanted to be inside his lover, needed to prove to himself Dean was still here, his lover was still here. Mentally telling him to lift up, he pulled Dean’s shorts down to his thigh. Then lifting his own hips, even with Dean riding him, he managed to pull his light blue cotton pants down midway on his thighs.

Then they were skin to skin, and he was drawing Dean closer again, his cock throbbing and pulsing against Dean’s ass, the hard knot of Dean’s arousal pressing tantalizingly against his stomach, rubbing against it, sending little electrical thrills through the angel. “Love you Dean. Love you always. Never want to let you go. Not now, not when you’re old and gray, not ever.”

Dean’s smile slipped off his face when his “joke” only seemed to fill Samuel with more despair. He hated feeling such sadness, such fear, coming from his love. He wished there was something he could do to ease it, but short of promising to stay locked up hidden away here forever where he would remain “safe”, even while Cain burned down the world around him, he didn’t know what would.

I’ll never leave you. The young man swore again, even in his heart he knew he couldn’t keep that promise forever. Because even if he didn’t die tomorrow, or on a hunt sometime in the future, or in a car crash, or whatever, one day he would become old, one day he would die, and nothing was ever going to stop that. One day something was going to take him away from Samuel, whether he wanted it to or not. All he could promise was that he would never willingly leave the angel and he would fight tooth and nail against anything that did try to tear them apart.

The next kiss he gave Sam was soft yet deep. Full of promise, longing, reassurance and love. He didn’t want this moment over quickly. He wanted it to last forever. He wanted Sam to touch him forever, kiss him forever, and make love to him for the rest of his life. He kissed Samuel like he planned on staying in his arms for all time. Here, always…

When Sam eased him up a little, Dean did so without hesitation, moaning in approval when he felt his shorts being slid down, exposing him for his lover. Dean remained up on his knees just long enough for Sam to do the same, and then he let Samuel pull him back in close. He moaned wantonly, tilting his head back and arching against his lover, rubbing his hard leaking cock against the firm planes of Sam’s stomach. Pushing back and down as Sam’s hard hot cock slid between the cheeks of his ass, over his hole, like a brand. Burning him and leaving him aching for more.

“Never…” Dean echoed, running his palms over Samuel’s shoulders, up his neck, and into his hair again. Tilting the angel’s head back a little as his mouth fastened to the side of his throat, kissing and biting and sucking on the soft flesh, marking Sam as his own. Want you in me. Fuck me. Love me. I’m yours. Always…

Yes. Yes. Yes… Yes, Dean. Sam answered each of Dean's vows, holding him, kissing him as fiercely, as wildly as he was fucking him, pulling him close and allowing him to pull back slighty, helping him rock against him. His cock pulsed and throbbed deep inside his lover, claiming him, proof of the angel's complete capitulation to this one boy… one man who'd gotten under his skin, like no man should.

The taste of tears mingled with joy. Joy in what they had, what they shared. It might be a sin, but for all the hours Samuel had contemplated the matter, he had found their love to be pure and true. Special. Special enough to break all the rules.

He raised his hips, dragging Dean down over his rock hard cock, sounds breaking from him as his lover's body squeezed tight around him. Struggling for breath, burning for his lover, now and forever, Samuel never felt the approach of other angels.

The door opened. "By all that is holy… or in this case, uhholy," Gabriel ground out through clenched teeth, eyes on the writhing figures on the bed. "Tell me, am I imagining things now, brother Michael?"

Michael averted his face but could not help but listen to the lovers' breaths and moans, now stayed. He didn't answer, but his shoulders hunched and he whispered Samuel's name in his head. What have you done...

Samuel whipped the sheets up over them, holding it protectively over his lover, eyes meeting Gabriel's. "A moment of privacy." When the archangel failed to move, Samuel asked again. "Please."

“God, yes…” Dean groaned when Samuel’s flesh finally penetrated him, pushing deep, filling him completely. So hot. So hard. So perfect. There was no more foreplay. No more hesitation. As Samuel devoured his mouth, swallowing his moans of pleasure, the angel fucked up into him and Dean rode his lover with just as much desperation and abandonment.

His fingers dug into the angel’s strong shoulders, the muscles in his thighs strained as he lifted himself up and dropped down, taking his lover deep into his body, meeting Sam halfway again and again. The angel’s cock hitting that sweet spot inside of him with every hard deep thrust and Dean only moaned louder, clutched Sam tighter with his hands and with his body, never wanting to let the angel go. Never wanting to be parted from him…

He didn’t hear the door open, he didn’t even hear Gabriel’s words, too focused upon Samuel to think of anything else. Which was why he instantly stilled when he felt the sudden shift in the angel’s mood. The sudden alarm, fear even, though the worst was the shame…

Dean’s head snapped around to the doorway where the two other angels stood just watching them, and while on one level he was certainly embarrassed about being caught in such a compromising position, not to mention worried by what he felt coming from Samuel, at the forefront of his mind was anger. Anger at the intrusion surely, and by Gabriel no less. Didn’t angels fucking know how to knock! But more than that he was furious because of the interruption of something so precious, so important, so sacred between himself and Samuel.

The young man didn’t really care about the sheet Samuel wrapped around him, not like he had much dignity left at this point. But when Sam, rather more politely than Dean thought he should in this situation, asked the other angels to leave and Gabriel simply stood there looking at them (at least Michael had the decency to look away) Dean exploded.

“Get the hell out of here, you fucking pervert!”

Dean’s shout echoed and reverberated in the otherwise silent room. Arm still around him, Samuel’s fingers dug into his skin, partly meant to stop him from another outburst and partly to calm him.

Gabriel's blazing gaze turned to Dean for a split second, his beautiful face marred by an expression of pure hate, before his piercing gaze turned back to Sam.

The silence stretched. Samuel never looked away from Gabriel, silently asking the angel to give them some privacy.

Gabriel barely nodded. “Three minutes,” he said in clipped tones, turning his heels and stalking out. Head slightly bowed, shoulders hunched, Michael followed.

Samuel knew that if his friend looked up, sadness would be etched in his friend’s face. The instant the door closed. Sam rolled them over, braced himself on one elbow and moved his hand over Dean’s cock, grasping it firmly. One minute to come, two to talk. He wasn’t leaving Dean like this, not if it was their last time.

Melding their mouths together, he kissed him hard, pumping his cock, single-mindedly fucking him faster and faster, as if they hadn’t been interrupted. Love me. Love me like they don’t matter. White hot heat spread through Sam’s system, burning all thoughts out of his mind, making it impossible for him to think for the moment of anything but this… what he shared with Dean.

Dean felt Sam’s fingers digging into his skin and that was probably the only reason why he didn’t say anything more. Though that didn’t stop him from glaring back at the angel who had barged in on them, not even flinching when Gabriel threw him the most hate filled glare that he ever had… and that was saying a lot.

Only when the other angels finally turned and left did Dean begin to relax a little, however Michael’s demeanor worried him more than he wanted to admit. Of course Dean hadn’t forgotten all of Sam’s warnings that they had to keep their relationship a secret. Of course he hadn’t forgotten how Samuel had told him it was a sin for angels to love. But Sam had never gone into any kind of detail just what might happen if they were ever caught. Dean had foolishly never asked…

He was regretting that now. Just as he was regretting for pushing Sam, knowing the angel had never been able to deny him anything, and ignoring Samuel’s warnings… He just never thought that someone would just walk in on them without any warning. What the hell were Gabriel and Michael doing here at this time of night anyway without even bothering to fucking knock on the door?!

Before Dean could say anything, to ask those questions or even apologize to Sam for what he had done, the angel had flipped them over. Dean landing on his back on the bed with an oomph, the only sound he managed a gasping moan as Samuel grabbed his cock and drove into him. Fuck. While he would have sworn that having Gabriel barge in on him and Sam having sex was one of the quickest ways to completely kill the mood, Samuel was quickly proving him wrong.

Dean could do little more than wrap his arms around his lover, clutching on to him as though for dear life, as Sam fucked into him hard and fast. Lifting his hips, wrapping his legs around the angel’s waist, allowing Sam even deeper into his body. How Samuel had even kept his erection through all that was a mystery, and how Dean could even think about anything except Fuck. God. Yes. Harder. was an even bigger one.

The young man was arching beneath the angel, clutching to Sam, and moaning like he was in the sleaziest porno. Maybe a vindictive part of him trying to be as loud as possible, not caring about how Gabriel and Michael were probably just on the other side of the door listening. Wanting Gabriel to hear and know he’d never have Samuel like Dean had him. Mostly though, he simply didn’t care what they thought. He didn’t care about anything except Samuel and making sure that his lover knew how he was affecting him. Making sure that Sam knew just how much he loved him. If he had to scream it at the top of his lungs he would. Hell, he wanted everyone to fucking know, and he didn’t care.

“Samuel… Love you… fuck, yes… I love you!” Dean all but screamed as he came. Forever. No matter what. Forever…

Dean’s sounds, his words, the desperate way he clutched his shoulder, the rebelliously loud pronouncements of his love emblazoned themselves forever in Samuel’s mind. Samuel didn’t care… didn’t give a ‘flying fuck’ anymore, either. They already knew, so one more piece of knowledge about how good it was between them would do nothing, change nothing. He would have his last moments with Dean and wouldn’t waste them on regret or fear. “Love you. More than anything. More than life. More than Him,” he answered, careening out of control with his lover… his life.

Samuel came hard, almost violently, deep inside Dean, groaning out his name, kissing him like it was the end of the world. His lover’s hot cum coated his hand, and his stomach, and was still coming in spurts. Nothing, nothing could ever compare to this… the feeling of completeness when he was inside Dean, body, and mind. So in synch, so focused, so secluded in their own world. “Love you… Dean, always,” he whispered, brushing his mouth Dean’s cheeks, tracing his jaw… memorizing him as the heat they’d generated subsided.

He gave Dean a moment to catch his breath, then spoke again. “I have to go. I have to make sure Gabriel does not cut me out of tomorrow. I need to be there when you face… but I have to convince him.” He kissed Dean’s throat and pulled slightly away, staring into his eyes. “I – will – be – there. No matter what.” A breeze kicked up in the room as he made the vow.

Dean moaned helplessly at the feeling of Sam coming inside him was so fucking hard and hot it felt like his insides were burning. His lover kissing him till he couldn’t breathe, and Dean didn’t even care. Nothing ever felt more perfect than this. Nothing ever felt more right… even now… as Sam touched him, held him, whispered to him… as though it would be for the last time.

He was still panting hard when Samuel spoke, but the angel’s words made his breath freeze in his chest. The realization had barely flickered in his mind before Dean’s whole body went cold and numb even as it still vibrated with the pleasure they’d shared. It was dizzying going from such heights of pleasure to sudden gut wrenching fear. His fingers were no longer digging into the angel’s muscles in need, but simply to keep Sam here, with him. Like Samuel would be torn away from him forever.

Cut him out? Tomorrow… tomorrow when he would be used as bait to lure out Cain… Alone? Without Samuel? Gabriel… he wouldn’t… would he? Surely the angel as much of a bastard as he was, wasn’t completely heartless? What was Dean thinking? Nothing would make the other angel happier than to see him dead. Surely more so now than before… and Samuel… what would happen to Samuel? He was more worried about what would happen to Sam than about what might happen to him tomorrow.

A sin… that was what Samuel had called it, what they were doing… a sin for angels. Would Sam be punished? Would they even ever be allowed to see each other again? If Sam thought they wouldn’t even let him be there when Dean was facing off against Cain… No… That couldn’t happen… The idea of never seeing Sam again… Never touching him again… Never loving him again…

Dean’s hold tightened around Samuel even more, refusing to let the angel pull away from him.

“I’m sorry. You were right. I shouldn’t have… What’s going to happen? You have to tell me… Please, Sam…” Dean didn’t mean tomorrow. He didn’t even really care about tomorrow.

Dean’s fears, his worries came at Samuel in waves. If only he could push them aside and reassure him, if only he could tell him they were silly, that he should forget them. If only. He wrapped his arms tighter around his lover, his wings unfurling and forming a second protective envelope over him. If he could hold him forever, keep him… Samuel closed his eyes as his heart contracted.

“No… no Dean, no apologies,” he whispered, brushing his temple with his mouth. If anyone had done wrong, it was him. There were not laws that applied to humans, just angels in this. “Stupid rule.” His fingers dug slightly harder into his lover’s flesh.

Hard questions, one’s he didn’t know quite how to answer. If Dean was risking his life tomorrow, he couldn’t have him worrying about what would happen to them. His mind had to be focused on survival. Swallowing, breathing in his lover’s familiar scent, Sam strove to give him an answer, one that wouldn’t send him around the bend. Yet.

“I will have a meeting with Gabriel now. I’ll convince him to allow me to be a part of tomorrow. Dean, if you do not see me… if you do not hear my thoughts telling you to go, I want you to promise to … you refuse to go and you demand protection as a ward of Samuel. They cannot force you,” he said, his voice getting a bit thick with emotion. “If I am there, then… if you have not changed your mind, then…” He wanted Dean to take it back, to refuse to help regardless. The angels would find another way to trap Cain. But Sam wouldn’t pressure him now. He’d tried and failed before, and guilting him now would not be the right thing to do.

He knew Dean wouldn’t let it go at that. “The rest is up to Gabriel. We will learn his verdict soon, but don’t think about that now.” He wasn’t about to detail the past punishments that had been meted out for similar failings. “Dean, be brave... brave for me,” he said, pleading with his lover.

Dean felt the soft feathers of Samuel’s wings wrap around him, almost like a protective cocoon, shutting out the rest of the world. The young man ran his fingers gently down the beautiful pristine feathers. He’d always loved touching them. Seeing Sam as he truly was…

He nodded faintly when Sam told him not to apologize. No. He wouldn’t apologize for loving Sam. Not ever. He didn’t mean that. He only meant right now. For getting them caught like this when Samuel had warned him. But because he’d been too damned stubborn… too damned needy…

“Very stupid.” Dean agreed, not only meaning the ‘rule’ they’d broken together. At least his voice only came out a little choked.

Gabriel… The idea that his lover’s fate was going to rest in the hands of that cold hearted bastard made Dean feel almost physically ill. Samuel warning him if he did not see or hear from the angel tomorrow only worried him more. Because so far the only place Samuel had been able to go where Dean couldn’t hear his thoughts was when he’d flown into that hell gate… Dean did not like what that implied, not at all.

“I promise.” Dean said, and he meant it. He might have gone to Michael with his plan to lure out Cain behind Samuel’s back, but he would not try to face him without his lover there. If only so that it would force Gabriel to allow him to see Samuel again. If Gabriel wanted Cain that badly, if he wanted Dean to cooperate, then he would let him see Sam again, god damn it.

Don’t think about it now… Dean almost wanted to laugh at that. How could he possibly not? When just the thought of letting Samuel go… knowing he might not see him tomorrow, or ever again…

“Let me come with you?” Dean blurted out, already knowing Samuel’s answer but he had to try anyway. “If you’re going to be… punished… I’m just as much to blame. More even…”

Dean's quick agreement eased some of Sam's fears. Thank you.. He knew Dean was savvy enough to work it so that he absolutely would not help the angels unless they met their end of the deal.

Samuel immediately shook his head 'no.' "I don't think there will be punishment yet. Please... don't think about that. Dean, I have lived thousands of years... I have flown through the fires of hell. Remember that, before you waste your time worrying about me."

Reluctantly, he unfurled his wings and kissing Dean one more time, gently untangled himself from his lover and got up. He ran his hand through his hair, eyes still drinking in the sight of Dean, still flushed and warm from their lovemaking. "The sight of you will only antagonize him further. I need him in as ... good... mood as possible."

He snorted at that and strode to the bathroom, continuing to speak as he cleaned himself up. "Just remember, you are not at fault, don't let anyone treat you as if you are. Some will resent..." he sighed, knowing many would resent it. They'd blame Dean for his absence from their ranks.

Returning, Samuel quickly dressed, and leaning down onto the bed bracing on his hands, walked forward, bringing his face close to Dean's. "I'll see you in the morning." I am only a thought away. Leaning in just a little more, he kissed him lightly and pulled back.

Forcing himself to turn his back on his ward, his lover... his life, Samuel walked straight backed out of the room, pulling the door shut behind him. He'd expected Gabriel to be in Dean's room, but was surprised to find him waiting outside, in the hall. Eyes clashed for a moment, before he lowered his and followed the ranking angel.

Dean made a face at Samuel’s assessment regarding him wasting his time worrying over his lover. Like Sam had any reason to talk, since all the angel seemed to do was worry about him. He wished the angel would worry half as much about himself as he worried about Dean. Perhaps because Samuel had lived those thousands of years, he thought himself invincible or something. He wasn’t. Dean had seen that quite clearly, he didn’t know why Sam refused to. However Dean wasn’t about to start an argument with Sam over it now of all times.

Later… if there was a later…

The young man felt his heart squeeze in his chest when the angel’s soft feathers began to unwrap around him, leaving him feeling strangely cold even before Sam actually started to pull away. Dean forced himself to release his hold around his lover. Even though he wanted nothing more than to cling to Sam and refuse to let the angel out of his sight. Samuel had asked him to be brave however, and he wouldn’t cling to the angel like a scared child. Even if he was more scared for Sam than himself.

Dean nodded slightly in understanding when Sam refused to take him along. He knew it was a really really long shot to begin with, but a part of him had still hoped. Samuel was right though. Even though he almost snorted as well at the angel’s comment about Gabriel being in a good mood. Yeah right… but as much as Dean hated to admit it he knew that Gabriel did care about Samuel a lot. Loved him even… Dean wasn’t sure if that would make this better or worse right now. Dean had watched enough television to know that jealousy made people do really bad things sometimes…

Dean’s eyes never left the angel, even as his lover went into the bathroom to clean off the signs of their lovemaking from his skin. Even that was almost painful to watch, and Dean could say he honestly didn’t care about the resentment other angels might feel towards him. He didn’t care what they thought of him. But he also knew that none of them could blame him more than he already blamed himself right now for what was happening. He didn’t, couldn’t, regret loving Samuel… but he did regret not listening to him… if he’d only listened…

When Sam came back to him, kissing him softly, and promising to see him in the morning Dean forced a small smile to his lips though he knew he wasn’t fooling either of them. He did try to shield his despair and guilt from Sam however, not wanting the angel to worry about him right now. Then he watched Samuel walk proudly to the door, without turning to look back at him once, and shut the door behind him… Dean felt it would have been similar to someone shutting the door to his own tomb.

Dean closed his eyes and swallowed hard, turning into the spot that was still a little warm from Samuel’s body heat and clutching the angel’s pillow close to him. Breathing in its scent deeply. He would see Sam again. He would god damn it! And he was not going to fall apart like a little girl. Sam needed him strong right now. Needed him to take care of himself. He wasn’t a child, damn it.

The young man thought about keeping his mind connected to Samuel’s as he often had when the angel had gone off into battle, being able to see, hear, and feel everything the angel felt. But he didn’t know if Sam would want him to, or if it would distract him, or if him “being there” even in that small way would only make things worse. There was no way he was going to go to sleep now. No matter how exhausted his mind and body might be, he’d never stop worrying about Sam long enough to get any kind of decent sleep.

That didn’t leave him much to do… Still Dean forced himself to get out of the bed where he and his Samuel had made love… maybe for the last time. He returned to his room, found some clothes in bag Sam had packed for him, and put them on. Once he was dressed he spent a good fifteen minutes pacing around his room, feeling like he was going mad inside his own skin.

No one said he had to stay in here. Samuel hadn’t told him not to leave. It probably wasn’t a good idea to leave, but he wasn’t a prisoner. He also… couldn’t stop thinking about why Michael and Gabriel had come here in the first place. Had it been some kind of sting operation just to catch them in the act? Or was it something else and just really bad timing all around?

Dean knew that he was probably the last person Michael wanted to see right now… but he had to know. So he left the room to look for Michael.

The Angels didn’t need to be connected to know that Gabriel and Samuel were meeting. The volatile emotions of both angels had the big villa shaking at times. If not for its construction, plaster would be sprinkling from the ceilings, destroying the paintings and marble pillars might fall. Nothing dampened some of the sounds that reverberated through the building though.

Face edged with sadness, Michael walked out and went to the reflective pools. He sat on the very bench that he and Samuel’s... lover... had fashioned the plan to capture Cain. That plan, he had a notion that the reason they had come to this was that plan. Samuel had been so upset. He was a wise angel, even if he.... the only reason he’d be caught in a compromising position here, of all places, was he was emotionally spiraling out of control.

The shaking of the ground seemed only to emphasize his point.

Hearing footfalls, he looked up to see Dean walking toward him in the dark. The pain on that young man’s face, reflected in his expressive eyes, he could see why Samuel had no choice but to take him as a ward when he was in need. As for the rest... he did not like to judge.

It took all of Dean’s willpower not to search out Samuel instead of Michael. Not to open up the link between them to know what the hell was going on. Feeling the vibrations in the walls, the fucking floor was bad enough. If he didn’t know better he’d be afraid the two were going to actually kill each other.

So much for Gabriel being in a “good” mood…

Dean wondered if he had gone with Samuel to this “meeting” if the other angel would have tried to kill him. Directly. No longer just wishing him dead. Or taking advantage of a situation where he could be killed and not intervening, like in Egypt. But Gabriel literally striking him down where he stood.

Dean wasn’t sure he wanted to think about that. The idea that a former angel, Cain, was already out to get him was bad enough. He didn’t want to think about a real angel also trying to kill him. Though judging by Samuel’s last words to him, once news got out about him and the angel, many more angels might feel about him just like Gabriel felt…

Maybe even Michael. What if Michael hated him now? Wanted him dead?

That thought hurt a surprising amount, and was only one of many reasons why Dean’s footsteps faltered when he finally found Michael. Sitting on the exact same bench by the pools where they had talked hours before. Talk about ironic…

When the angel looked up at him, Dean stopped walking. Their eyes met for a long time, but he couldn’t read the expression on Michael’s face. Eventually Dean cast his eyes down at the ground, shifting uncomfortably from foot to foot. He cleared his throat but his voice still seemed to stick in his throat when he spoke.

“I can leave…”

Michael’s gaze remained on Dean, watching him, waiting for him to approach or speak. His offer didn’t take the angel by surprise. The fact that he ventured out, past the other angels who had no love for him, that did. It spoke of the same bravery he’d seen in the youth when he’d volunteered for the mission.

“As you wish. But not on my account,” he answered eventually, patting the space next to him on the marble bench. “One thing I’ve learned over the centuries is that when you’re feeling alone, it helps to be close to someone who is close to the person you’re missing.” That went for angels as well as humans.

Michael took a deep breath, shaking his head as the ground shook once more. “That was Samuel. And that... that’s Gabriel.” He knew the difference, even if the human didn’t. “This is going to take hours.”

Dean waited, practically holding his breath, for the angel to respond. It seemed to take forever, though he knew realistically it could have only been a few seconds. When Michael finally did reply, the young man looked up almost cautiously and felt himself go a little weak with relief when the angel patted the space next to him on the bench, no sign of anger in his eyes. Dean hadn’t realized until now just how much Michael’s opinion of him meant to him. More than just because of the fact that he was such a good friend to Samuel. He had started thinking of the angel as a friend as well.

Offering the angel a hesitant smile, Dean approached and took the offered seat. Though he didn’t relax completely. How could he when he felt the fucking ground shake again?

The young man winced when Michael confirmed that the cause was Samuel... then Gabriel... he didn’t want to ask how the angel knew. He knew the answer wouldn’t be comforting in the least. Still he had to know...

“What... are they doing?” Dean practically whispered. This... seemed a lot more serious than a “discussion” and if Michael confirmed that Gabriel and Samuel were fighting. Like really fighting, not just with words or something, then he didn’t know what he was going to do. He didn’t think he’d just be able to sit here though. If Gabriel hurt Sam...

Michael gave a dry laugh. "Shouting. Posturing. It's a good thing everything is fixed in the building." Searching the youth's face, he saw worry. "Samuel can take care of himself. Even against Gabriel, you cannot," he said, in case the human got any ideas. He was impetuous, and a handful... just as Sam had described him. But whereas it had made Michael laugh back then, now he felt only sorrow for the both of them.

The angle ran a hand through his long dark hair, piercing blue eyes now looking into the waters. "Have you changed your mind? About tomorrow? It would be understandable," he said, looking back at the human.

He could feel waves of emotional turmoil coming from him, so he put his hand on Dean's back, radiating feelings of peace, but not taking any information from him. If he was to be assigned to someone else, Michael would volunteer. For his friend Samuel, as well as for Dean.