Chapter Text
Sam blinks. Does so again, just for good measure. When the wings sprouting from Dean's back don't disappear with that, Sam pinches himself. The arm stings, but the things are still very much there. Way too real.
"What the hell", he whispers, part in horror, part confusion. Sam knows for sure Dean had not been like this an hour ago, when he had left to get dinner. He doesn't know if he dares go closer. What if Dean had been hexed? Taken over as a vessel by an angel? Because it had to be something of the sort, right?
"Castiel. Could use some help here, man."
Sam hates how his voice trembles ever so slightly, but can you really blame him? His older brother has grown wings without warning. Huge, light brown wings. Ones that twitch and flutter as Dean sleeps on, like they're trying to prove they are real.
So when there's a soft 'whoosh' behind Sam, the man feels a tiny bit better. Cas knows what's up, he has to. Castiel doesn't greet him, just immediately walks up to Dean and crouches next to the bed. The sight would be funny, was Sam not so freaked out.
"He wasn't like this earlier. I don't...", he starts, trailing off softly because Castiel definitely isn't listening to him.
No, the trenchcoat-wearing angel just has his blue eyes locked on Dean's wings. Sam is used to the intense looks, the way the angel stares at Dean every time they're in the same space. The silence keeps stretching on, though, and frankly makes him uncomfortable. He wants to say something. Castiel beats him to it.
"I can't sense any of my siblings having possessed him."
The words should have Sam feeling relieved. They don't, since Castiel looks troubled. Not in his usual way, either. "So...?" he prompts. Because if Dean isn't being used as a vessel, then what? Sam isn't sure he wants to know.
"So consider this a little payback for the holy fire. And the sprinklers. Really, leaving me there? What am I, a date being ditched in the rain after a nasty breakup? So rude."
Gabriel's tone might be playful, casual. When the archangel locks eyes with Sam across the room, though, the human thinks he gets a glimpse of the celestial being's actual mood. There is anger in those golden eyes. Dialed-back version, maybe, but it's there below the surface all the same.
"I could do so much worse than this little trick, Sammy. You're lucky I'm kinda growing on you two. Especially you", the archangel goes on, waving a hand in Dean's general direction.
Sam opens his mouth. Closes it because he has no idea what to say to that. Not getting any audible objections, Gabriel gives him a grin. "Great. You have fun." With that, the archangel is gone. The silence is broken by Castiel a moment later.
"I can watch over him. You don't need to worry, Sam. I do not think Gabriel made this permanent."
And Sam believes him, somehow. Lets himself actually breathe, calm down. He nods, clearing his throat.
"Yeah. Um. I think I need a drink. Just... Call, if you need me?"
With a nod from the angel, Sam leaves the room to go have that drink. Or several. He deserves it.