theriverscribe:

I saw some meta earlier that speculated on Dean and Cas separating from Sam to go into the alt!verse…and it got my little fic-writing brain thinking (hoping).

Sam’s “dark place” has been with him for a LONG time. Possibly since before the Cage, but it’s been FIRLMY in place ever since then. In the past, he’s been able to compartmentalize–push on for the good of the world and people.

And I think he’s reaching a point where even Mary and Jack’s return won’t “fix” him. Sam doesn’t see the point of it all anymore. His life is just a cycle of trauma with no healing.

BUT Think of the possibilities NOW!

Gabriel being discovered and in need of extreme, long-term healing. Sam staying behind to “guard” the Archangel whom they aren’t sure they can trust. Sam giving Gabriel the patience and quiet he needs. Sam learning to heal and rediscovering his “reasons” in the process.

Sam is an empathetic soul. He longs for connection and understanding, but has lived in isolation most of his life. And even when Dean TRIES, he can’t truly understand–because he’s never spent centuries at the mercy of archangels or been fed demon blood or felt like an outsider/freak his whole life (Dean has a remarkable ability to adapt to social situations and embrace the moment with people in ways Sam never had).

But Gabriel could understand. He’d get it–the loneliness, the trauma, the longing for something just out of reach. Even if we didn’t go into shipping territory, the friendship potential for these two is remarkable.