Chapter Text
Gabriel's POV:
Sam tensed at his alarm, slamming his hand on it, silencing it from alerting him to the reality of the day before him, Work. Sam groaned, burying his face into the shoulder blade of a half-naked man pressed against him. Sam mumbled a string of curse words as the man in his arms rotated to nuzzle back into him, the man’s hand sliding into Sam’s pajamas, but Sam grabbed his wrist, forcing him to pull his hand out. He pressed kisses to the name on the man’s knuckles. Samuel.
“Don’t tempt me.” Sam pressed a kiss to the man’s shoulder.
“Can’t blame a man for trying.” The man turned, eyeing his soulmate's face. The man’s eyes slid to the name on his chest, sliding his fingers over it. Gabriel.
The word was so crystal clear now. Gabriel could remember trying over and over to make out the man’s name on his knuckles. A reality every person shares.
Every person is brought into this world with a soulmate...or well, their name. Somewhere on your body, the name of a person you have never met.
When you are first born, the words are a smudged mess of black, looking more like an ink spill or an artist painting his views of the world.
The older you get, the closer you get to meeting your soulmate; the words become clearer and more readable. The day you meet your soulmate is the only day you can finally see the world crystal clear for the first time in your life.
Of course, the words fade over time due to constant interaction with your soulmate, and one day, you will no longer see the name. Many people over the age of thirty-five no longer have the name. Of course, there are always exceptions.
Gabriel felt Sam pull away from him with one kiss before he went to take a shower. Damn he hated Sam to leave, but he did like to watch him go. Gabriel got up, moving to get dressed. He would get in the shower later.
There were only a few exceptions to why someone would have their name still there after age thirty.
The first: They just haven’t met their soulmate.
However terrible, sometimes...life isn’t kind, and some people don’t meet their soulmate till their deathbed, finding out it was the new nurse who started that day.
The second: Their soulmate died.
Sometimes, they are born, and they never get to watch it slowly become clearer, because their soulmate has already passed. Terrible, but stillborns, accidents...they happened.
The third: They were never going to meet their soulmate.
It was rare, but sometimes life is too cruel to put your soulmate in the same place on the same day, and they go their whole life never meeting them. Or hell, maybe one was in a coma somewhere...unaware of the world around them. You could be helping care for a coma patient who was your soulmate and never knew...sad.
How do you know if one of these terrible fates was to happen to you, you ask?
It is universally felt that if you haven’t found your soulmate by age twenty-five…? You’ll never meet them.
Gabriel and Sam were both twenty-two and met when they were fourteen. When Gabriel took a tumble down the stairs of a history museum that Sam was also attending with his school. Gabriel sat up, seeing stars...and a clear name on his knuckles. Inseparable ever since.
Gabriel walked down to get the newspaper and the mail, and the dog, fast asleep in its dog bed, didn’t stir. It was fine, Gabriel knew the dog adored Sam more than him anyway.
Upon reaching the legal age of consent and finding your soulmate, you are mandated by the government to move into their residence and will be issued a key. In the event that neither party owns property, as was the case with Sam and Gabriel, the government will provide a home.
Which was one of your perks of finding your soulmate, as well as the allowed perks? Two years together eventually got you a provided car….and five years later? Well...You were given a child.
Every person in the world was given their first child. This included orphaned children who were adopted to provide homes for children in need. If anyone desired more than one child afterwards, they simply had to apply or have their own.
Gabriel wearily sifted through the mail he had retrieved from the mailbox.
Gabriel and Sam, a couple for over five years, eagerly awaited the news that they could pick up their child. It could be any day now, and they were getting a little stir crazy from excitement. Gabriel paused at a postcard, worn from the adventure to their mailbox. He recognized the handwriting almost instantly, it came from Sam's brother, Dean.
Sam couldn’t stand him.
Gabriel stared at the postcard, contemplating whether to discard it before Dean had a chance to spoil Sam's good mood. It’s not that he didn’t love him, it’s just…they were so mismatched.
Dean was a free spirit who wasn't confined by the conventional expectations of life.
Dean, at twenty-five, had never finished high school or held a real job. Despite never having found his soulmate, he still talked about meeting them one day as if it were a realistic possibility. His only possession was a car, which he used to travel the country with. Unlike Sam, Dean preferred to live a carefree life without responsibilities…even if that meant he had to freeload, though he would call it a sleepover.
Whenever he needed money, he would sell his photography or whatever else he had on hand. Gabriel and Sam frequently gave Dean gifts, which Dean would often trade for other items -- unbeknownst to Sam. The exception was camera equipment, which Dean cherished and would protect at all costs. Aware of this, Gabriel would often send Dean unwanted or unnecessary items. Sam remained oblivious, and Gabriel saw no harm in this; they were throwing them away anyway, and Dean could use it to make a little cash. Sam's perspective was that it was similar to feeding a dog scraps at the table: it would only encourage the behavior and lead to more begging.
Sam loved his brother, but he just hated how he was…
Gabriel’s eyes widened as he read the card. He glanced up, hearing a car lock and someone calling his name. Cursing under his breath as he bolted inside to see Sam pouring himself some coffee and Gabriel slammed the door shut behind him.
“Gabriel, it is too early,” Sam mumbled tiredly.
“...Don’t be mad.” Gabriel choked out.
“Why?” Sam raised an eyebrow as his eyes moved to the door, just as rough knocking made him glance up. “Oh no.” They both said nothing, as the doorbell rang repeatedly till the ringing stopped. The couple glanced at each other, before they looked panicked towards the back door, before they could make a movement towards it. Dean had already burst through with his bags.
“BABY BRO!” Dean laughed, setting his stuff down, as Sam sighed, irritated as Dean hugged him, not noticing his irritation. Sam lightly patted his back during the hug before Gabriel was snatched up in a hug. “Miss me?!”
“Every day…?” Gabriel gave an awkward smile to Sam.
“Got a real job yet?” Sam crossed his arms.
“I have a real job.” Dean hummed, picking up his camera around his neck. “I sold TWO of my art this year. Aren’t you proud?” Dean was totally oblivious to his brother's patronizing words.
“...And how much have you made on your ‘art’ this year?” Sam asked.
“...Um.” Dean pondered that. “...three hundred.”
“Thousand?” Sam spoke.
“Hundred,” Dean repeated slowly as Sam raised an eyebrow.
“...This entire year you made...three hundred dollars,” Sam spoke with a sigh as Dean hummed, moving to take a seat.
“Yeah. I know. I made more than last year.” Dean took a seat on the kitchen bar, taking off his leather jacket, his fingers moving to trace the name on his inner elbow.
“You made nothing on your art last year,” Sam stated.
“Yeah. I know.” Dean scoffed. “It’s so much better.” Dean hummed like it was obvious, missing Sam’s death glare as Dean looked at the blurry name he couldn’t make out.
“So...have you figured out what the name says?” Gabriel tried to change the subject.
"I think it's...custel? Or Eeadel," Dean stated, eyeing the obviously unflattering name on his inner elbow bend. "Or maybe Gabriel?” Dean playfully winked.
"He's taken," Sam spoke as Gabriel eyed his husband, rolling his eyes.
"Ladies, there is enough of me to go around," Gabriel winked as Sam playfully elbowed him.
"Whatever it is. It's getting clearer, I know it." Dean hummed.
"It looks the same as always, Dean," Sam said while washing the dishes from last night. "Same as always."
"What a killjoy," Gabriel commented as Dean's smile faded, looking sadly at the words. Sam turned, shoving the dish back into the sink roughly, turning to face them.
"I just want him to be realistic. At his age? Twenty-five? There might be a chance he will never meet his soulmate." Sam spoke softly at those words as Dean traced the name softly.
“...” Dean said nothing for a long time as he stared sadly at the name.
"I've got to go to work." Sam sighed before tossing the rag away before grabbing his keys, and leaving Dean to the silence of his words. Gabriel sighed sadly, watching Dean look down at the name.
“...Don’t listen to him...he’s just sad we haven’t gotten our child yet.” Gabriel touched Dean’s shoulder, but he gave a sad smile.
“Mind if I hit your shower?” Dean asked as Gabriel nodded.
“Help yourself to everything as always...unfortunately, with the baby room being...made, you will have to sleep on the couch,” Gabriel said.
“It’s fine.” Dean gave a soft smile. “Thank you.” Dean went up the stairs without another word as Gabriel gave a sad sigh, watching him go.
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Castiel's POV:
The coffee shop worker snickered once the rather angry-looking man had turned away with his coffee. The frown on his always angry-looking face just made it hard for him in normal interactions, but the name on his forehead? Big, blotchy and IN THE MIDDLE OF HIS FUCKING FOREHEAD made his life a living hell.
The man grumbled a string of curses as he took a seat next to his coworker...acquaintance, Balthazar, who held his own coffee, his eyes sliding over the name on the man’s face.
“Do you have to stare every time?” The man spoke. The man? Castiel Novak, a thirty-five-year-old workaholic with no desire to find his soulmate or make friends. He found himself with late hours and a happily quiet home, not meant for the common life of soulmates and children. Even if he was, he wasn’t exactly... the friendliest man. He was cold. Logical. Full of rage. Hard to love...Good because he fucking wanted to be left alone!
"I wonder what your soulmate's name is." Balthazar eyed Castiel's forehead as Castiel frowned, annoyed.
"I'm pretty sure it says 'dick' because that would be my fucking luck. Being stuck with that on my forehead FOREVER." Castiel grumbled into his coffee as Balthazar shrugged.
"Maybe it's not your soulmate's name, but your warning label." Balthazar chuckled, and Castiel took a sip of his coffee, eyeing him. Balthazar was one of those unlucky events. Balthazar had found his soulmate...but lost him. They weren’t together for more than six hours. Balthazar mentioned before the man he barely knew...died. Balthazar said he never cried. He didn’t even attend the funeral...he didn’t know him...but Balthazar claimed...he still felt...like he was missing something.
Balthazar subconsciously rubbed at the name on his wrist, rubbing at his scarred wrist before a coffee was placed before his empty one. Balthazar glanced up at the owner of the hand, the man smiled softly.
“On the house.” The man spoke as Balthazar blinked up at the Cafe owner. Benny Lafitte was thirty and single, from what Castiel could tell. The man had a name on his neck, but the name had been tattooed over a long time ago, the ink starting to succumb to the name underneath. Anna. He would get it done soon, fixing the dove and rose on his neck to cover it. With tattoos over the names, it was always a tedious and expensive thing, so people rarely did it.
“Thank you,” Balthazar said as Benny walked away. Balthazar hesitated before taking a sip. Balthazar slid his lips over the coffee lid as Castiel glanced at the clock.
“He likes you.” Castiel pointed out.
“He has a name,” Balthazar commented, not looking at him. Anna.
“He covered it up for a reason.” Castiel started grabbing his coat, he slid it on his coat. “I really don’t care what you do, but if you are going to pretend his advances aren’t happening, then let’s go to a different coffee shop. I’m tired of it.” Balthazar glanced up at his squinting, his eyes annoyed at Castiel.
“You are a dick.” Balthazar scoffed. “No wonder your only friends are dead trees,” Castiel said, eyeing nothing before he walked away.
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Dean's POV:
Dean came down the stairs to the argument on the phone. Dean blinked, seeing Gabriel yelling into it.
“What do you mean you lost our paperwork? My soulmate and I have been WAITING for our baby! It’s been two weeks since our anniversary! Our neighbors just got their baby, and their anniversary isn’t till next month!” Gabriel sighed in frustration. He was silent as the voice spoke. “...Oh…I understand...Goodbye.” Gabriel hung up sadly, as Dean eyed him. The obvious eavesdropper now knew what was happening. Gabriel came clean. “They said they lost our paperwork...and because we missed our anniversary, we will need to wait till next year to get one-”
“Bullshit,” Dean spoke, grabbing his coat and grabbing a coke from the counter Gabriel hadn’t opened yet. “Where’s the nearest orphanage?”
“On Tatum,” Gabriel spoke as Dean started out the door. “Shit- Dean!” Gabriel grabbed his house keys and followed after him. It wasn’t too far from here, and Dean knew his way around to get there quicker. “Dean!”
Dean burst through the doors as a woman behind the desk glanced up at him, looking unimpressed.
“Can I help you?” The woman asked.
“No, but you can help them. They are five years in and want a baby.” Dean leaned against the desk as the woman eyed him.
“We will deliver the baby on the date-” The woman started, but Dean touched her chin, smiling at her, and which blush appeared on her face.
“...I know it wasn’t you, beautiful...but someone lost their paperwork...and some...terrible person wants them to wait till next year.” Dean cooed. The woman kept glancing at the name on her wrist. Just to check...six times.
“T-That’s terrible.” The woman blushed.
“I know you…” Dean glanced at her name tag. “Sarah...and you wouldn’t let this injustice happen...in fact. I know you will fix up our paperwork and let my brother-in-law in the back to pick one out.”
Gabriel looked surprised, they never got to pick it up. It was random. Race. Gender. It didn’t matter. The government just picked a baby born that week and gave it out. The woman hesitated.
“You...can do that...for me?” Dean winked as Sarah blushed. She quickly nodded, grabbing a stack of paperwork on her desk. She eyed Gabriel.
“Come with me,” Sarah said before walking into the back. They followed quickly past the desk. In the back room was a nursery of newborns. “Be quick about choosing. My boss will be back any minute from lunch, if you haven’t gone by the time he does... No matter how cute you are, I’m saying you broke in.”
Sarah left them alone as Gabriel walked the room, taking in the sleeping babies who were well cared for. No older than maybe a couple of days.
“Well?” Dean spoke as Gabriel eyed the children quickly.
“I don’t…” Gabriel choked out.
How did you decide?
“Go with your heart,” Dean said, and lined up the shot to take a photo. Watching Gabriel as he walked through the nursery. He stopped when his eyes fell on a newborn little girl. He touched the little card on her basket.
Name: UNASSIGNED
Birthdate: August 31, 2016
Race: Indian
Status: ABANDONED IN HOSPITAL
Delivered to office: September 3, 2016
Dean snapped a photo as Gabriel scooped up the young girl, who fidgeted slightly at the touch. Gabriel looked down at her lovingly, as Sarah came back with the car seat they normally have with the baby.
“Find one?” Sarah asked, as Gabriel nodded. She moved to him, taking the baby, she unattached and uncaringly placed the baby into the carrier. Sarah made sure the baby was secure before handing him the normal paperwork. “Once you decide on a name, please send us the paperwork.”
“Yes.” Gabriel choked in disbelief as she placed the baby carrier into his hands.
“You need to go now,” Sarah said as she ushered them out the door, shoving her phone number into Dean’s hand before she slammed the door, leaving them outside. The slam started the baby, who whimpered and started to cry.
“I-It’s okay, baby,” Gabriel spoke, trying to calm her as Dean walked down the steps. Gabriel scrambled for his phone, dialing Sam’s number as he tried to keep back all his emotions.
“S-Sam?!” Gabriel choked out before Sam could speak.
“Gabriel? What’s...wrong?” Sam spoke, surprised by the emotion in his voice. “Are you okay?”
“We...We got her. We got her today. T-They just dropped her off.” Gabriel shook as he touched her face.
“W-What?” Sam held his breath.
“She’s beautiful, Sam.” Gabriel choked out. “Beautiful black hair, and the cutest little button nose...She’s so beautiful.”
“I-I…” Sam choked out with happiness. “I-I’m on my way home. I’m coming right now.”
“I-I’ll send you a picture-” Gabriel smiled, shaking.
“N-No, I want to see her in person.” Sam breathed, taking a happy breath. “I love you so much, Gabriel.”
“I love you, too.” Gabriel smiled.
“I’m on my way,” Sam said before he happily hung up. Gabriel wiped his tears, looking down at the calmed baby who blinked at him tiredly.
“Ready?” Dean hummed as Gabriel nodded.
“Thank you, Dean,” Gabriel said while Dean turned to face him. “I’ll tell Sam how you did this for us...We won’t forget it.”
“Nah. It’s okay. I don’t need any credit for doing the right thing.” Dean shrugged, shoving his hands into his pockets.
“Dean-” Gabriel sighed.
“I told you, just go out and get what you want, that’s not something worth praise, I just helped you do that.” Dean hummed, facing Gabriel as he walked backwards into the crosswalk. “You need to learn, Gabe, Life is full of surprises, and you never know when one's going to hit you-”
"DEAN, LOOK OUT!" Gabriel shouted as he finally looked up. Dean turned at the sound of screeching tires, attempting to stop, but instead, he slammed hard into the hood of the car. He slid up toward the windshield, but he didn't hit it hard enough to break the glass. He then fell off the car. "DEAN!" Gabriel rushed to his side as the driver exited the vehicle.
“My car!” The man groaned at the damaged hood.
“Dean, are you okay?” Gabriel asked.
“I think I hurt something.” Dean started rubbing his leg, his head was spinning.
“I-I’ll call an ambulance!” Gabriel pulled out his phone as the man rubbed his car affectionately.
“Hey asshole! You hit me with your car! You could at least make sure I’m okay!” Dean snapped as the man moved toward him angrily.
“You jumped IN FRONT of my car!” The man yelled. “This is an EXPENSIVE old car! You ARE going to pay for the damages, your fat ass did to my car!”
“What?! You motherfucker! How dare you?! You hit me! I’m going to sue the shit out of….” Dean blinked, staring at the clear name on this asshole's forehead. Dean. Dean slowly looked down at his inner elbow, the name clearer than day. Castiel.
The man noticed as well, the two were blinking at each other.
Dean’s soulmate. The person he was waiting for so excitedly...was this guy?
“...But he’s such an asshole-” Dean mumbled, his eyes rolled into the back of his head, and his body fell forward. The man didn’t attempt to catch him as Dean’s head hit the ground with a harsh thump.