How (thanks to Gabriel) Dean and Castiel raised each other (and Sam)

Chapter 17- The Valley of the Shadow of Death

Castiel dusted off the geodes, then wiped down the shelf with almond scented oil. The store had never looked so clean. He had spent the last two days preparing it for his absence. Each of Brigit’s runes still held, folding layers of protection over the small space. He prayed to her often these days, preferring her more direct intervention to his Father’s proverbial mysterious ways.

“Are you ready?” Sam asked gently.

“Yes.” Castiel set down the rag, turned the sign on the door from Open to Closed.

They descended into the basement. The body lay on the hospital bed, the machines palpating it properly. Castiel had to think of it as just another corpse or he’d have long ago gone mad. As it was, he spent too many hours tending to the abandoned shell.

“Look right to you?”

“He looks-” Castiel began then realized Sam was gesturing to the gateway drawn in chalk across the wall. “Sorry.”

“It’s ok. Just double check me.”

The gateway looked as sound as a door to Hell could.

“Let’s begin.” Castiel picked up the book from the floor where Sam had left it to use as reference. They had both memorized the spell a month ago, but Castiel was taking no chances.

“You guys cannot still be serious about this.” Gabriel lifted the book from Castiel’s hands. “Didn’t anyone ever tell you Hell is a one way trip?”

“You have. Several times.” Sam snatched the book back. “Man up or shut up already.”

“The legions of Heaven are fighting to get him as we speak.” The book gained a pair of wings, pushing itself out of Sam’s hands towards the ceiling. “There’s only loss here for you two.”

“That’s our gamble to take.”

“There is no gamble! House owns the whole table.” Gabriel spat.

“Forty years.” Castiel said quietly. They both turned to him. “That is how long he has been tortured now. Longer than he’s been alive. Forty years of suffering. Of pain. How much longer does he have to hold out to satisfy you that Heaven will not save him?”

“Castiel-”

“Man up or shut up.” Castiel turned his back on his brother’s broken expression. “In vitri, in vitos, in-”

“You’ve got too much baggage.” Gabriel blurted. “You’re gonna lug a meat suit all the way into the Pit? Someone’s bound to notice.”

“You have a counter suggestion?” Sam lifted an eyebrow.

“Always.” Gabriel grinned though it was a pale shadow of it’s usual smarmy glory. “Lie back and think of England, kiddo.”

Gabriel reached out and pressed two fingers to Sam’s forehead. The strong frame folded down towards the floor, gathered loosely by Gabriel before his head cracked against the cement.

“What have you done?” Castiel demanded.

“Given you a fighting chance. Well. Part of one.” Gabriel frowned, then stepped close to Castiel. Close enough that Castiel could smell his caramel and copper breath. “Hold on. I haven’t done this in a very long time. Could be rusty.”

Gabriel closed the distance between them, initiating a kiss. Castiel tried to pull away, but Gabriel’s hands came up quickly and held him still. With an impatient sound, Gabriel pushed in harder and then Castiel felt it. It didn’t taste like caramel or copper. It was blazingly hot, full of milk and honey. It was paradise and molten gold. It was a home left bitterly behind with the sudden promise of return all sins forgiven. Castiel made an involuntary noise though he couldn’t say if it was of pain or pleasure.