Changing Channels

12

Silence engulfed the warehouse. Everything had turned into a stare-down between Gabriel and the two male Winchesters. (Y/n) was too busy trying to figure out her emotions being mixed with the archangel's. It wasn't exactly comfortable.

"So, guys... now what?" Gabriel cut through, bringing sarcasm out. "Stare at each other for the rest of eternity?"

Dean's face scrunched up. "Well, first, you're gonna bring Cas back from wherever you stashed him."

The archangel raised an eyebrow. "Oh, am I?"

"Yeah," Dean replied, narrowing his eyes. "Or we're going to dunk you in some holy oil and deep-fry ourselves an archangel."

(Y/n) made a strangled sound in the back of her throat, grabbing Sam's attention. She moved her hand up to scratch it, showing that it was allergies or something that itched in the back.

Gabriel's upper lip twitched in annoyance as he brought his hand up, snapping his fingers.

Everyone turned to see an even-more beat-up Castiel panting heavily.

"Cas, you okay?" Dean asked in concern, looking at the angel's bloodied face.

"I'm fine," Castiel replied flatly, facing his brother. "Hello, Gabriel."

Gabriel smiled. "Hey, bro. How's the search for Daddy going?" His smile fell as he thought of it. "Let me guess- awful." He made a few faces when his younger brother didn't respond.

"Okay, we're out of here." Dean tapped his sister's shoulder and moved his hand to her back, forcing her forward. "Come on, Sam."

The archangel watched them leave, a bit confused. "Um... okay... Hey, guys-" No one turned around, though (Y/n) did try to. "So-- So, what? Huh? You're just gonna-- you're gonna leave me here forever?" He gestured at the holy fire.

Dean turned around. "No. We're not- 'Cause we don't screw with people the way you do. And for the record..." he took steps toward the archangel but stayed in front of the door. "This isn't about some prizefight between your brothers or some destiny that can't be stopped. This is about you being too afraid to stand up to your family!"

After making his point, Dean smashed the glass that protected the fire alarm, then pulled it. Gabriel looked up at the water as it began to pour on him. "Don't say I never did anything for you."

(Y/n) moved from Dean, pretending to go talk to Castiel, who was staring at the archangel. But she was just there to watch her soulmate for a moment, though she knew she had an idea they would see each other soon.

"Come on, (Y/n), no need to raise your brothers' suspicion," Castiel finally said after finishing his glaring contest with his brother.

-

"All that stuff he was spouting in there, you think he was telling the truth?" Dean asked aloud, pulling the keys out to Baby.

"I think he believes it," Sam replied honestly.

Dean threw his hands in the air. "So, what do we do?" Sam shrugged. "I'll tell you one thing-- Right about now, I wish I was back on a TV show."

"Yeah, me too," Sam replied. He turned around to his twin, who was hanging around Castiel with a troubled expression. "(Y/n)? You coming?"

The youngest Winchester shook her head. "I have a couple of questions about this, and I think only Cas can answer them." The angel nodded slowly. It was true. "I'll be back at the motel soon."

Sam and Dean eyed one another then slid into the car. There was lots of information missing in her words, and both men knew that.

-

Castiel flew himself and the hunter to the nearest bar. She mumbled something about needing a drink before they discussed anything further. The first thing the hunter did was apologize. After what Gabriel pulled on the angel, they were seeing each other again.

"Thanks for bringing me here, Cas," (Y/n) said to the angel after they slid into an empty booth.

The angel nodded, shifting in his seat. "I want to be here for this, there are a few things that need to be discussed together." (Y/n) knew he was referring to her brothers finding out about the bond.

Gabriel entered the bar a few minutes later. He waltzed over to the table and slid into the booth spot next to his soulmate. When the hunter gave him a look and gestured to his back, he smiled a bit. "My wings aren't out all the time, sugar. That'd be mighty awkward for you." He met his brother's eyes and nodded. "Castiel."

A waitress approached the table before the needed conversation was brought up. Castiel asked for water, Gabriel asked for a strawberry daiquiri, and (Y/n) asked for a margarita on the rocks, half salt around the glass. After leaving, the hunter started the conversation.

"This is partially about something extra with our bond, and telling my brothers." The archangel sighed, knowing this would be coming sooner or later. "I was feeling anger and certain emotions that you might have been feeling..."

Gabriel drummed his fingers against the table, nodding. "Forgot to mention that. Our emotions are linked together, you feel a certain way, I'll feel that way and vise versa." He paused when the drinks arrived, and he took a long sip of his. "And we can hear each other's thoughts as well... so... that's probably better than calling or praying- which you shouldn't do anyway."

Castiel cleared his throat. "We should get to the point of your brothers. No doubt they're questioning why we're not back yet."

"I want to tell them." (Y/n) cut in, staring down at her drink. "I mean... I've been lying to them about how I've been feeling for three years..."

The other two angels nodded in agreement, though Gabriel was more hesitant and nervous. There was also an edge to her tone, to which her soulmate zoomed through her thoughts. "You're afraid of their reaction." (Y/n) took a slow sip of her drink, looking away guiltily. "They wouldn't leave you like that. Your brothers may occasionally be dicks, but I don't think they'd tell you to leave."

Castiel tapped his finger in front of the hunter, gaining her attention. "If you're going to tell them, I'll be by your side just in case things get out of hand. And I would wait for Gabriel to come in as well, get it through their heads before calling him to the motel."

The plan was set. (Y/n) and Castiel would return to the motel, and the hunter's secret would slip out.