There was a time when Sam could never get him to shut up. Times when Sam just wanted to strangle that tiny man’s throat because all he would do was talk. It had been annoying, ever present, and Sam would often just wish for night to come so he could sleep and not have to listen to the constant yapping about “roles” and “fate” and “destiny” and shit he frankly didn’t care about. Hell half the time sleep didn’t even save him from that because sure enough there the angel would be, continuing a one sided conversation which Sam had given up responding to a long time ago.

And then after one particular nasty fight, which had both Dean and Castiel fighting against the archangel, he had stopped talking. Sam had noticed right away, the eerie silence consumed the space next to him that usually had been filled with Gabriel’s voice. And at first Sam had rejoiced, inwardly of course, and had even sat in the passenger seat with a smug smile on his lips while Gabriel had sat silent, almost coiled up into himself, right behind him.

But then Sam slept dreamless and he woke feeling empty and lonely. He realized quickly that he missed the archangel’s voice, missed his constant banter on how they were all stupid and were going to die and how he was just going to laugh and laugh because obviously he had told them so. He missed Gabriel even though the archangel was still with them, still sharing the small spaces of the impala and the multiple motel rooms they ended up in across the country.

So one day, he decided to sit in the back with the archangel instead, giving up his seat in hopes that he could get Gabriel to talk to him again. Dean had shook his head and Castiel had happily taken the vacant spot next to Dean as Sam slid into the back, his legs cramped and his head touching the ceiling of the car. Gabriel didn’t pay him any notice so Sam pulled out his cell phone.

So is it just me, or is it really quiet in here?

A few seconds later a soft ping echoed in the impala and Gabriel was reaching into his pocket to pull out his phone. He flipped it open and read the text message before raising an eyebrow at Sam as a small smirk began to pull at the left corner of his lips as Sam merely stared forward. A few moments later, Sam’s phone gave a loud whoop! and he flipped his phone open to see a replying text.

I thought you liked silence.

Sure- if I like going insane. The archangel let out a small huff of air that could have been taken as a snort which is what Sam decided to interpret it as.

Well according to the rest of the world, you already are insane. Sam gave a loud snort of his own which had both Dean and Castiel eyeing him strangely from the rearview mirror. Sam just slipped lower in his seat, his knees pressed in the bench in front of him as he texted his reply.

I hardly think you count as the rest of the world.

If this is your attempt at cheering me up, it’s horrible.

Sam frowned slightly at that and was about to reply when his phone sounded with another whoop! to which Dean growled from the front, “Dude, phone on silent.” Sam ignored Dean and read the text instead.

But thanks anyways. Sam smiled, looking over at Gabriel who was staring out the window at the passing scenery.

So I’ll see you tonight?

Sure thing, babe. Sam let out a loud laugh which had Dean chucking an empty cup at him and Castiel’s eyes darting between him and Gabriel from the front seat. Sam playfully threw the cup back at Dean, hitting his older brother in the back of the head who instead of getting angry decided to laugh. Just as Sam was putting his phone back into his pocket, it went off with another whoop! He pulled the phone out and flipped it open, shooting a glance at the archangel sitting next to him who was once again talking.

If you tell anyone about this, I’ll kill you. Just so you know. Sam only smiled, closed his eyes, and listened contently as Gabriel’s voice filled his ears but instead of the despair that had tinged his words before, there was only hope.