Chapter Text
That night over dinner, Rich and Loki discussed with their lovers what had happened with the Guardians. It was met with amazement by Gabriel ("Really? You actually spoke to the Cosmos! That's amazing!") and confusion by Kit (“But, I envisioned it being, well, ya know—stars and things…”). The news about his burgeoning telepathic abilities was still reeling in Rich’s mind; he needed more time to process it, and Loki didn’t say anything when Rich left it out of the conversation. The trickster himself was trying to put it all together as well, and he didn’t fault Rich for it. They both needed time to come to terms with the situation before sharing it with Kit and Gabriel.
After eating, the quad settled in their room for the night. Rich had noticed Gabriel giving Loki quite the stink eye when the pagan god's attention was elsewhere, but didn't comment on it. He also noticed that the archangel made a point of curling up with Kit with his back to them.
Gabriel and Kit both fell asleep rather quickly, despite their nap earlier in the day. Loki laid against the headboard of the bed, propped up against his pillows with Rich lying on his chest. They weren’t quite ready to sleep themselves.
"I'm glad that we're all together again,” Rich whispered.
Loki ran his hand up and down Rich’s back lazily. "Me too."
"What did you do to Gabriel?"
Loki’s hand stopped moving. “Huh?”
"He's been throwing you some grouchy looks."
"So I guess he's figured it out then,” Loki smirked, continuing his rubbing of Rich’s back.
Rich shifted against Loki, enjoying the feel of his hand. "Care to elaborate?"
"Gabriel is also known as the angel of fertility, of pregnancy, childbirth. He's...sensitive…to everything that goes along with that,” Loki explained quietly. He brought his hand up and massaged the back of Rich’s neck, smiling at the soft sigh it caused.
Rich’s eyelids fluttered shut, and he tried to keep his mind on the conversation despite Loki’s ministrations. "And because of this…?"
"You ever heard of 'sympathy pains?'"
Amber eyes snapped open. "You were teasing him about it, weren't you?"
"And it looks like he just caught on,” Loki said, a smile evident in his voice.
"You know he hates being teased,” Rich said, though he couldn’t help but smile a little himself.
"It's hard not to, with how bratty he is." Loki looked over at their angel, body lax and breathing evenly in and out. "I'm still getting used to seeing him actually asleep. He looks so innocent and vulnerable. Even though he's the oldest of us all, he's also the most childlike too."
Rich absentmindedly played with Loki’s tie. "We're gonna have to tell them about what I'm gonna be going through and everything, ya know. No secrets, remember?”
Taking his hand, Loki pulled Rich closer to him. "If I know you, and I do, you’re trying not to freak out about all this. I think we’re all trying to keep ourselves together after what we’ve been through. This is one of those times that I think we can get away with postponing for a bit. For the good of us all.” He kissed the top of Rich’s head. “We'll work it out, and don’t think it’s all on your shoulders to keep everyone together, Baby. I’ll help carry it for you."
"I don't want to have to stay here for too long,” Rich said, pushing himself up to bring his face level with Loki’s. “I want us to go back home, to be a family.”
Loki slipped a hand onto Rich’s cheek and drew his face towards his. "I know you do, Baby. I want that too. We all do."
"Will you help keep me together, Loki?" Rich asked. “Will you hold me?”
"You never have to ask me to do that,” Loki said, then brought their lips together in a soft, wet kiss. Rich fell against him, and both kept their gasps and moans quiet, mindful of their sleeping companions next to them.
Rich took Loki’s other hand and placed it on his groin, silently begging for his touch. Loki released his lips and whispered, “Keep your face against my shoulder, Baby.”
“I-I will,” Rich agreed.
Loki’s hand made quick work of Rich’s belt and fastenings, and soon he had Rich’s length in his hand. He slowly moved his palm up and down the smooth skin, and the human moaned into the pagan’s shoulder.
“Move against me, Rich,” Loki said. “Move your cock in my hand.”
Rich complied, and was glad that he was stifling his sounds of pleasure because he moaned louder with the increased friction. It was so good! Loki always knew how to touch him, how to twist at just the right spot, to roll his thumb at the head, to smear his precum to add slickness to the glide.
He bit into the cloth of Loki’s suit jacket when his prostate was hit with a jolt of delicious sensation. Oh! Loki was using his magic! Yes! Yes! He would cum soon! He curled his hands tight on Loki’s lapels, puffed air quickly through his nose.
Let go, Baby… Cum all over my hand… Let me feel you… he heard in his mind.
Loki…
He jerked and spilled into his lover’s still moving hand and continued moving his hips, unable to stop. Loki milked him from both outside and within, giving Rich as much pleasure as he could take.
It was only when Rich whined “Too much...” that Loki slowly stopped. He kissed the side of Rich’s sweaty neck and took his hand from the human’s flagging, sticky cock. Rich was completely spent and blissful, just like he wanted him to be.
Loki had also come undone from Rich’s muffled cries and hot cum on his hand. Only his forever lovers could make him go over untouched like that. He brought his hand up and gave in to the temptation to lick it clean.
Rich watched him with half-lidded eyes, enjoying the sight.
“Gabriel would love to see that,” he said, sounding drunk.
“He’d love how you taste right now, too,” Loki replied. He lightly touched Rich’s nose and they were both cleansed from their releases and dressed in pajama bottoms.
"I love you,” Rich said, smiling sleepily.
"I love you, my amazing human." Loki rolled him over towards Gabriel and Rich wrapped his arms around the archangel. Loki tucked himself behind the human and laid his hand on his side. "Rest. I'll watch over you."
“Hello, handsome.”
Rich’s eyes had been barely open when he heard the sound of Gabriel’s voice. He blinked widely and smiled warmly at the sight of his angel’s face lying close to him on the same pillow.
“Have you been watching me sleep?”
Gabriel lifted a finger and trailed it down the side of Rich’s face. “Maybe.”
Rich’s eyes fluttered shut. “Hmm…”
The angel leaned forward and touched their lips together. “Missed that. How are you? Did you sleep well?”
Rich opened his eyes. “I did.” He leaned up and nodded at Kit, who was facing towards the wall still asleep. “Is she…?”
"I’m getting a little better at keeping her nausea at bay, so she’s OK."
"How?"
"You don't wanna know,” Gabriel said, making a face.
"Oh,” Rich said, rubbing a hand up the archangel’s arm.
"Oh?" Gabriel almost echoed.
"Well..." Rich said, not quite knowing how to broach the subject.
"Ah. Loki told ya, did he?" Gabriel shot a glare over Rich’s shoulder at the still sleeping trickster. “Hmmph.”
Rich’s eyebrows drew together in concern. "It's not a bad thing, is it?"
Gabriel focused on the question. "I'm not sure. I've never done this before."
"You don't think it'll get too bad, do you?" Rich found himself in protective mode, which was still a new thing for him. He wondered if this would happen more often from now on or not.
"Again, I don't know." Gabriel smiled. "But, if it helps with her and the little munchkin on the way, it'll be a small price to pay. And you and Loki will be there to help too, right?"
"Yeah." Rich let his eyes drift over to Kit once more. "Yeah,” he said again. He moved his eyes back to Gabriel. “Look at me, acting like a worried first-time parent already.”
“Hey, we’re all acting that way. Sorry that I’m just exacerbating it by being what I am,” Gabriel said, dropping his gaze.
“I love that you’re who you are, Gabriel,” Rich said, kissing him. “I know that it’s not ideal, but in a way, it makes me feel like Kit’s not alone with what she has to go through.” He frowned. “Does that make sense?”
Gabriel curled a hand around Rich’s neck. “It does. I’ve actually had the same thoughts myself. I just hope that you guys can put up with the both of us.”
“We’d never not put up with you,” Rich assured him.
They kissed again, and Rich quietly crawled out of bed to the bathroom. Gabriel followed silently after him.
"We're gonna need a new place,” Gabriel said once they were finished with their morning routine. They leaned against the side of the vanity, talking quietly, not wanting to disturb their still sleeping lovers.
"Do what?" Rich asked.
Gabriel wrapped his arms around Rich’s torso. "The house, Rich. It's in shambles.”
Rich stiffened. "Oh, y-yeah, I remember."
"Hey, shhh." Gabriel held Rich tightly. "It's OK. We need a bigger place anyway now, right?"
"You’re right. I wouldn’t want to live in that same house anymore to begin with,” Rich admitted.
Gabriel leaned his head on Rich’s shoulder. "And it won't take long to make it how we want it with me and Loki helping, right?"
Rich smiled. "I'm so lucky to have you guys."
"We’re the ones who are lucky to have you, my wonderful Mr. Speight,” Gabriel said, pulling back to level his face with Rich’s.
“Yes, you are.” Rich kissed Gabriel deeply. “Hmm, I’d love to call you that someday.”
“What? Wonderful?" Gabriel said, kissing Rich softly along his jawline.
Rich nuzzled his neck. “Mmm, no…” he hummed. “Mr. Speight...”
Gabriel drew back in surprise. “D-Did you just propose?”
Rich paused in the middle of kissing down Gabriel’s throat and smiled. “Heh, yeah. I guess I did.”
“Are you serious?” Gabriel tilted Rich’s head up. “This isn't just on a whim?”
Rich took Gabriel’s hand. "It wasn't planned if that's what you're asking." His grip tightened when the archangel’s face fell. "No, don't misunderstand. I've always thought about getting married someday, of exchanging vows with you all.” He met the archangel’s eyes and held them. "Can you honestly tell me that you haven't?"
"Well, there was that one time in the bunker, when you were upset about the thought of us never being seen together in public,” Gabriel remembered. “I wondered about us having rings, and if that would help and give you a sense of belonging to us. Not sure if that counted, though."
"Rings..." Rich clasped their hands between them and contemplated them. "We'd need to get those wouldn't we?"
Gabriel’s mouth nearly fell open. "You really are serious!"
"Of course I am!" Rich said, snapping his head up and staring into Gabriel’s eyes. “I love you!”
Gabriel’s own eyes lit up. “Well if you are, you need to ask us all together!"
He pulled Rich from the bathroom back into the bedroom. He motioned with his finger towards Loki while he went towards Kit.
“Sweetheart,” he whispered to her, caressing her face softly. “Rich has something he wants to ask us.”
Kit moaned and rolled over. “Go away, Gabriel. Early,” she grumbled.
“It’s just a question, hon. You can answer it then sleep as long as you want,” Gabriel promised.
She opened one eye. “You owe me.”
“Anything you want.”
Loki, meanwhile, was giving Rich an unamused glare. However, he huffed and sat up. “After last night I figured you would’ve slept later than this, or at least let me sleep later.”
Rich looked chagrined. “If it wasn’t important…”
“Very well.”
Gabriel pounced on the bed and landed in between Kit and Loki, who complained when he pulled them in close to him. Gabriel just chuckled, knowing that they’d be over their morning grumpiness shortly.
Rich sat before them and took a deep, steadying breath. He gazed at each of his lovers in turn, going over their faces, feeling his heart swell as memories and special moments filled his mind.
He held out one of his hands, and Gabriel laid one of his own within it. Loki and Kit were puzzled at first, but followed suit.
Rich cleared his throat.
“I want to ask you all something.”
“OK…” Kit said.
Loki tilted his head in mild concern. “Just ask us, Rich.”
Gabriel’s eyes twinkled, but his face was calm as he said, “Go ahead.”
"I've made a lot of choices in my life,” Rich began. “Some good, some bad. I like to think that they've all had a major purpose, and that purpose was you three."
Kit’s hand began to tremble. “Rich?”
"I wouldn't change any of them, regardless of what has happened to me. I know that you all went through a lot because of some of the decisions that I've made, and I'll never be able to apologize enough for them. But there is one that I'm making right now, and I hope that you all agree with me on it."
He covered their hands with his free one and held them tightly.
"Will you marry me?"
Loki and Kit were stunned.
Gabriel choked out, “Rich, that was…” He tackled him to the bed and whispered in his ear, "I'm glad I waited for you to say it that way." He proceeded to cover Rich’s face in kisses and shouted "YES!" over and over again.
Loki swallowed past a lump in his throat. “Are you certain?”
Rich sat up with Gabriel plastered to his side. "I am, Loki. I want you to be my husband."
"I hate saying no to you,” Loki said, smiling broadly. He crawled forward, giving Gabriel a look that made the archangel scoot over to give the trickster room to take Rich into his arms. He kissed the human tenderly and said, “I'd be honored to wed you, Rich."
"Can we?"
They all turned to Kit. "Can we though?” she said. “We won't be able to be together this way back home. We can't just call ourselves married there. They won't accept us. We'd be living a lie..." Tears welled up in her eyes and cascaded down her face.
"Sweetheart, don't get upset." Rich made his way to her and held her close. "We could—"
Gabriel spoke up. "We could get married here, and then on Earth you and Rich could get married."
"What? NO!" Kit exclaimed.
"No, he's right,” Loki said.
"How?” Rich asked, keeping his arms around Kit.
"Listen," Gabriel said. "We all look the same. We can basically be Rich too. You'd be married to us regardless. We can still all be seen together, just not all at once."
Rich went over Gabriel’s words. "You mean, like take turns?" He frowned. "I don't think I like that."
"Gabriel is right,” Loki said. Rich met his eyes. “We would all still be married whether or not the people of Earth acknowledged it. They could never take that away from us.”
Rich’s heart bloomed with love at his trickster’s words. “I love you,” he whispered, then turned to Kit and gave her a loving smile. “So what do you think, Kitty? Can I ask you to marry me twice?"
Kit looked at him wryly. "Why? Trying to make an honest woman out of me or something?"
He threw back his head and laughed. "Darlin', I've always thought of you as an honest woman. It's one of the reasons that I love you."
"You smooth talker you,” she said, shaking her head and smiling. “I guess I've no choice then."
"Wait!” Gabriel shouted.
The others turned their heads towards him in surprise.
"Will you guys marry me?" he asked with a cheesy grin.
"Hey! Marry me too!" Kit called out.
Rich dropped his head to Kit’s shoulder, doubling over in laughter. "Yes, you idiots."
Not to be outdone, Loki snapped, "You all better marry me or there will be hell to pay!”
Many more hugs and kisses were exchanged after promises of marriage were given between the four lovers. They were all full of jubilation for what was to come, but eventually Kit needed to lie down again. Gabriel mirrored her actions as well.
Rich mentioned that he was hungry, which made the two groan and cover their faces with the sheets. Loki gave Rich a small smile, and Rich wondered what to do.
“What about we bring you something back that’ll be easy on your stomachs?” Loki suggested.
Gabriel peeked over the sheet. “Toast?”
“If that’s what you want.”
He ducked back down, and Rich heard him whispering to Kit. Gabriel then raised his head up once more. “Applesauce?”
Rich couldn’t help how endearing the archangel sounded and looked. He wanted to crawl back onto the bed and cuddle him. “That’s all? Will it be enough?”
Gabriel lowered the sheet further down until his whole face was exposed. “Rich, if we eat too much right now, it'll be worse. Trust me.” His expression and voice were quite different from before, like he wasn’t being affected by Kit’s condition anymore. It was odd.
Loki patted Rich on the back. “You’ll get used to it,” he whispered.
“I heard that,” Gabriel said.
The human and pagan god took their leave, leaving their lovers to rest quietly.
Rich smirked at the amount of sugar Loki stirred into his coffee. He would have usually scolded him about it, but after everything that they had gone through, he figured that Loki deserved to indulge himself for the time being.
“You’re right,” Rich said, taking another bite of his omelet.
Loki sipped his coffee. “About?”
“Marrying Kit on Earth. You and Gabriel can masquerade as me if I’m...well...’” He lowered his eyes and set his fork down on the edge of his plate. “If I have to end up coming back here if something happens.”
“Rich.” Loki set his cup down. “The Guardians are going to help you control these abilities. And I’m going to help you, too.”
“I’m sorry,” Rich said, looking up. “I’ve been a boring human being for a majority of my life. Then this.” He pointed casually at the side of his head. “It’s a lot to take in.”
Loki went to smile, but stopped to regard his human from across the table. “Rich, did you…”
“Did I what?”
Sighing, Loki slid his hand over and touched the arm Rich had braced on top of the table. “You didn’t ask us to marry you to distract yourself, did you?”
“What?!” Rich grabbed Loki’s hand with both of his own. “No, Loki! I would never do that!” He tightened his grip. “Sure, it came from nowhere, but it’s been on my mind for a while now.”
“I’m sorry, Baby,” Loki said, standing and leaning over the table. “I didn’t mean to sound like I doubted your sincerity.”
Rich copied Loki’s actions. “I understand why you asked. Gabriel wondered if it was a sudden decision too.” He brought himself closer and brushed his lips against Loki’s.
Loki smiled against Rich’s mouth. “So Gabriel knew?”
They jerked apart when a voice called out, “You’re awake!”
Standing at the entrance to the pantry were Richard and Gabe. The angel was bright-eyed, calm, and had a hand wrapped casually around his boyfriend’s waist. Richard was grinning at his creator and the trickster.
Rich smiled back as he and Loki sat back down. “You’re out!”
“Sure am!” He and Gabe walked into the room.
“How are you guys?”
Gabe gazed around the room. “Better, much better, thanks.” He turned his head and gave Richard a fond look. “We both are.”
Loki glanced at Rich. “I agree.”
“The Boss filled us all in on everything,” Richard said to Rich, his voice holding a note of sympathy. “No rest for the wicked, huh?”
Rich kept his face from showing how he felt about that. “Never. You guys hungry?” he asked, implying that he’d rather not talk about it.
Richard smiled. “Famished.”
“Help yourselves,” Loki said. He pointed to the counter. “The covered dishes are for Gabriel and Kit though.”
Gabe made his way towards it. "My alter-ego keeping watch on the mother-to-be?"
Rich and Loki shared a knowing look. "They're not feeling well,” Rich answered.
"Gabriel is sick?" Gabe asked, pausing mid-stride.
"You could say that,” Loki said.
"Huh,” the angel said and continued to the counter.
"The Boss say when everyone else can go home?" Rich asked, directing the question to Richard.
"They’re optimistic about Rob and Cas getting out sooner rather than later. They’re made of sterner stuff apparently.” Richard watched Gabe pick over the food on the counter with a suspicious eye. “The others…well, they’re being monitored still I think."
"How are Misha and Robbie?" Gabe asked, piling a plate with breakfast pastries. He ignored the exasperated sigh of his boyfriend.
"I saw them yesterday afternoon and a short while this morning. They had a few choice words for me at first about keeping this all from them. Once that was out of their system, we talked things through. I'm glad that Gabriel and Loki had given them the rundown already, because I'm not sure if I would have been able to keep it together if they had freaked out on me."
Gabe turned around, his plate full of food. “Maybe when they formally meet Cas and Rob, it will be better."
Rich could only guess how much sugar the angel was about to ingest, but to each his own. "Perhaps, but it won’t be pretty. They didn’t exactly have the best of first impressions, ya know."
"We'll be there during it, and Misha mentioned that he wants to meet Castiel already,” Loki said calmly.
Rich folded his arms in front of him. “I hope so.”
Gabe set his plate on the table. Rich saw him exchange a look with his boyfriend before turning to address him. “Hey, uh, Rich?” He waited until Rich had his attention before continuing. “Sorry about your hands.”
Rich started at Gabe’s statement. “Uh, Gabe, there’s no need to apologize. Look.” He raised both his hands to the angel. “See? They’re right as rain,” he smiled.
“I just needed to say it,” Gabe said, tapping the top of the table with one finger.
Rich appreciated Gabe’s words, more than the angel knew. However, he also knew that it hadn’t been Gabe’s fault that he had hurt and tortured him. There was no reason for Rich to be angry at him. It would be senseless to; it would serve no purpose. “Gabe, don’t feel guilty. I don’t blame you. There’s nothing to forgive.”
“Do you really mean that?” Gabe’s eyes lifted from the table. “Really, Rich?”
“Why would I lie to one of my best friends, Gabe?”
Gabe raced around the table and drew Rich up into a hug. “Thank you,” he said against Rich’s shoulder. “Thank you.”
Rich patted his back as he returned the hug. “Hey now, it’s OK. Not too tight, or our guys will start to get jealous, yeah?”
“Thank you, Rich”
“Yeah, thanks, Baby.”
Kit and Gabriel both took the trays of food from their lovers carefully and set them upon their laps. Rich watched them worriedly, not liking their pale complexions. He noticed that Gabriel ate in sync with Kit, and their expressions differed only slightly with each bite and swallow.
This was his first exposure to the archangel's pseudo-pregnant behavior, and from Rich's knowledge of pregnancy in general, he knew that it wouldn’t remain the same throughout. "Is it getting more intense?" Rich asked him.
Gabriel paused with his toast halfway to his mouth. "Well, uhh…” He put his food back on his plate, and Rich saw his hand twitch when Kit went right on eating with her own meal. "I guess? I'm echoing her, and I experience what she feels." He laid a hand on Kit's thigh, and she reached out and gripped it, setting her spoon down in her bowl of applesauce. "It's hard to explain in words," he finished.
Kit leaned her head on Gabriel's shoulder. "I'm sorry, honey."
"No sweetheart, it's not your fault," Gabriel assured her, kissing the top of her head. "It's just how it is. I don't resent you for it. I'll gladly endure it for you."
Loki sat on the edge of the bed near them. "Regardless of how difficult it gets, you’ll have me to help you," he promised.
Gabriel flashed him a heartfelt smile. "You're turning into a sap, Grumpy."
"This 'sap' will still gladly put you in your place, brat."
"There's my favorite grumpy face!" Gabriel teased.
Rich stepped in before they could start a snarking war. "That's right! You do have experience with expectant mothers, huh Loki?"
Loki smirked. "In spades."
"I guess we lucked out in that regard,” Gabriel remarked. He went back to eating his toast and Loki rolled his eyes.
Crisis averted.
Kit smiled knowingly at Rich. "We are lucky to have such wonderful fiancés."
Rich's heart warmed at the word "fiancés." Yes, he could call them that now.
"Say, how about we start planning our wedding while we're here?" he asked his three fiancés.
Kit used a napkin to clean her hands and mouth. "That soon?"
"We're here aren't we? And I know that we all won't go back on it." His face fell a little. "Right?"
Loki reached forward and pulled Rich over to stand between his legs. He placed his hands on either side of the human’s hips and looked up at his face. “Never, Baby. Never.”
Wedding plans began in earnest. Ideas were tossed about for a couple days until Kit finally declared, "That's it, I’m going to delegate! This is, after all, my area of expertise!"
She asked each of her boys a few pointed questions, jotted them down, and spent the next hour or so mulling over what she'd written. Gabriel, Loki, and Rich were wise enough to wait patiently until she finished.
"OK, here's what we're gonna do." She handed Rich and Loki a piece of paper. "You go take care of this, and Gabriel and I will handle the rest."
"Why do I have to—" Gabriel started to say, but snapped his mouth shut at the glare Kit shot him. "I mean, I'd love to help!"
Rich and Loki quickly made their escape, but as soon as the barrier shut behind them they were met with the faces of Cas and Rob.
"Uhh, hi?" Rob said anxiously.
Rich took a moment to find his voice. "H-Hi." Cas nodded to him in greeting. "You guys just return?"
"We were brought back a couple hours ago. We have been...made aware of what has occurred in our absence." Cas sounded despondent and kept his eyes trained on the floor. "The Guardians suggested that we come to you."
"Why?" Loki asked.
"She, well..." Rob blew air out his cheeks. "She said that Misha and Robbie were here..."
Rich and Loki glanced at one another. "Oh," Rich said, looking back. "I see."
Cas raised his eyes. "I'm not sure if this is a good idea."
"I'll go talk to them first, but you know that you can wait until you feel that you're ready, right?" Rich was prepared to help his friends in any way possible, but not if it was too soon, despite what the Guardians had said. “You can take a few days, adjust to being back out in the world again, ya know?”
Rob shook his head. "I'm scared shitless, but Robbie needs to know how sorry I am. I've had all that time in the Ether to think over what happened, and to get better. He needs a chance to get better too."
"Cas?"
The seraph was looking at the floor once more.
"Cas?" Rich asked again.
"It's different for me. While I am better, I still feel guilt for the things I felt towards you all. Misha. Gabe." He slowly raised his head. "You.” His eyes misted over. “What if my performer rejects me?"
"Reject you? I could never reject you, Cas."
Cas started and whirled around to see Misha standing across the path at the entrance to the alcove he was sharing with Robbie. "M-Misha?" the seraph stammered.
Misha smiled kindly. "The one and only."
Robbie’s head appeared above Misha’s shoulder. "Did you say Cas? Who are you—?” His eyes settled on the group standing outside. "Oh." He stared for a moment at Rob then uttered, "Wow."
"Can we talk?" Rob asked nervously to his performer.
"Uh..." Robbie’s eyes met Rich’s, who nodded encouragingly. “Sure, I guess.”
Rich motioned for Misha and Rob to wait with Loki and he walked towards his friends’ room. Once he entered, he saw Misha and Robbie already sitting next to each other on one of the beds.
Robbie was twisting the bottom of his shirt with his hands—classic nervous Robbie behavior. Rich was worried most about how he would react with Rob so close to him once more. Misha appeared to be more collected, however. He sat with his hands placed palm-side down on his thighs, and he kept his eyes on Rich as he walked into the room.
"We don't have to do this now," Rich began. His eyes moved from Robbie and Misha and back again. "I can tell them that you both need more time."
"I'm fine as long as I don't have to do it alone," Robbie said in a voice that was much stronger than Rich expected. "Misha and I have had a good while to go over everything together."
Misha patted Robbie's leg. "It was, and still is, hard, ignoring the temptation to have our memories erased." He turned to Rich. "I thought that this was all some sort of drug-induced stupor for the longest time. Even after Gabriel and Loki helped us get through the initial panic, I felt that way. Your coming to see us helped a lot, but being here"—he sighed and moved his eyes about the room—"it's a lot."
"You could've come to me whenever you wanted, Misha."
"I figured that you were dealing with your own crap, Rich."
"Heh, that sounds like you, putting others first," Rich smiled, appreciating his friend's kindness as always. "Let me return the favor: Do you need more time still?"
"That's up to Robbie," Misha said, tilting his head towards their friend.
Robbie smiled. "Like I said, don't leave me alone."
Rich nodded in understanding. "Alright. Let me go tell them."
He called the others in, and Cas and Rob sat on the other bed opposite Misha and Robbie. Rich and Loki stood by the wall near the ends of the beds.
Surprisingly, it was Robbie who started the conversation by tentatively saying, "So..."
“So,” Rob said back. He leaned forward, keeping his eyes on the humans across from him and clasping his hands together. “Uh, first, let me say that you don’t have to be afraid of us. We won’t hurt you… We're free of what was done to us.”
Rich carefully observed Robbie and Misha's reactions to Rob's words. Robbie's eyes shot to him, and Rich nodded. Yes, Rob was telling the truth.
Misha shrugged. "I'm not afraid at all to be honest. However, I am concerned about Cas," he said, moving his head to look at his character.
Everyone's attention also went to the seraph, who fisted his hands into the fabric of his pants.
Despite speaking softly, Cas' voice carried throughout the room. "I just want to say I'm sorry." He stood abruptly and went to leave.
"Hey wait!" Misha said, getting to his feet and hurrying towards him and stretching out his hand. "You don't have to do that, Cas!"
Cas halted and turned halfway. "I should. You have no reason to forgive me."
Misha dropped his hand. "Cas," he said sadly. "You were hurt too."
Rich glanced at Robbie and Rob and saw them both watching with the same expressions on their faces: Sadness. Compassion. Understanding. Maybe they would make some progress today. Painful progress, but progress all the same.
He focused his attention back to Misha and Cas. The seraph had turned to face his performer, and Misha was trying to get him to understand.
"None of us escaped unharmed." Misha tried to catch Cas' gaze.
Cas refused to let him. "I could've tried harder."
Loki spoke up. "Against an insane Guardian?" The trickster folded his arms and gave Cas a Yeah right look. "Cas, no one could do that."
"He's right, Cas," Rob said. "I tried to do that so many times I lost count." His face and voice filled with regret as he turned to Robbie. "I fought against it as hard as I could, I promise I did. But the Hate..." He squeezed his eyes shut.
"I know you did," Robbie said. Rob opened his eyes and listened. "I-I felt it, I think. It was like a dream. The memories are really vague."
"Me too," Misha said, and sighed when Cas finally looked directly at him. "Cas?"
Rich and everyone in the room jumped when Cas raised his voice and shouted, "How can you just act like it was nothing?!"
Misha raised his hands in front of himself. "Cas," he said placatingly. "We're not. I know that you're hurting. We're all hurting. But we all need each other to heal. We can't do it alone."
Cas put out an arm and leaned heavily against the nearest wall. "It's not that simple.”
Rich reached blindly for Loki's hand, needing the comfort of his touch. He knew that if he didn’t have Loki, Gabriel, and Kit, he’d be lost. He wasn't cut out for this. Rich’s heart went out to all four of them, it really did. He would always be here for his friends, but God he wasn't strong enough for this.
You're not going to do it alone either he heard Loki say.
Thank you.
Rich and Loki looked on as their friends slowly talked. There were more outbursts, some in anger, some in pain and remorse. Tears were shed by them all, and at one point Rich sent Loki for water.
Towards the end, the performers were sitting close by their respective characters and speaking quietly. Not all wounds were completely healed, but it was a good start like Rich had hoped. He was exhausted, but glad that he had been there to support them all, and glad that Loki had been there to support him. There was still a ways to go, but trust was established. Perhaps they could find their way together.
Loki leaned over. “We’ll have to get to our list tomorrow. You’re almost dead on your feet.”
Rich ran a hand through his hair. “As usual, you’re right.”
Misha looked up from where he was speaking with Cas and addressed everyone. “We’re going to have dinner together. You guys all want to come with?”
Rob and Robbie happily agreed, but Loki shook his head. “Rich is tired. I think he’s going to head to our room and I’m gonna grab something to take back.”
Misha looked a bit disappointed, but nodded in understanding. “It’s all right. We have been here for a while.”
Rich squeezed Loki’s hand. He really was glad that he had him there by his side, and that he was willing to stay by his side during this whole psychic mess. But Rich knew that the trickster couldn’t do it all on his own, and that he needed to share his situation with the other members of their quad soon. Thank you.
The corner of Loki’s mouth curled up into a small smile. Of course, Baby.
Loki and Rich went out first thing after breakfast to tend to their errand, promising Kit that they wouldn’t return until it had been taken care of. Which was how they found themselves at the Bunker, standing in front of a very surprised Sam and Dean Winchester.
"Wait, you guys are engaged? And you want me to officiate?" Sam asked after they explained the reason for their visit.
“And you want me to be one of your best men?” Dean added.
Rich nodded, amused at the brothers’ reactions. “That’s right.”
"Wow, I just... Wow!" Sam ran his hands through his hair and looked between them both. "But why me?"
"We want our vows to incorporate English, Enochian, and Old Norse. You're pretty versatile at languages. And"— Rich grinned and motioned to include Dean—"you were both very accepting and happy for us when we told you about everything. That meant, and still means, a lot."
“Not to mention that you helped save our asses recently,” Loki smirked.
"We want Jack to come too.” Rich looked around the library. “Where is he anyway?”
Dean smiled. “He’s off at Jody’s with Claire, probably making her jealous with his tales of heroism.”
“Well to make up for it, tell Claire she’s also invited,” Rich chuckled. “It’ll be at the Summit.”
“How’s Cas?” Sam asked. “And everyone else? We get daily updates from the Guardian, but we figured that the message we got from Cas would’ve been a bit more, well, detailed.”
Dean huffed. “No kidding. ‘I’m out. Don’t worry’ doesn’t really tell us much.”
There was a brief discussion about the other’s current health and conditions, and Rich told them the main reason for the talk between Misha, Robbie, Cas, and Rob the day before.
Sam exhaled softly. “That would explain a little about Cas’ message.”
“A little?” Dean said. “You know how Cas is, Sam. Always taking everything upon himself.” He faced Rich. “Did it help, the talk?”
“He was talking freely at the end,” Loki assured him. “And this morning he was looking much less stressed during breakfast.”
“Good, that’s good,” Dean said. He placed his hands on his hips. “So, when’s the big day?”
Rich found Loki’s eyes. “Well…”
“Let me guess: still up in the air?”
“Still working out other details, actually.”
“Well, until then, just know that you’re always welcome here if you need a break from all the hassle. You’re family, guys, real or unreal,” Sam said.
Rich was touched. "Yeah. Same to you. Come visit us whenever you want. Door's always open."
"Just knock first,” Loki said.
Dean chortled. "Ha! I hear that!"
Rich and Sam shared a glance and shook their heads in exasperation.
The faint grunting and moaning issuing forth from Richard and Gabe’s room made Gabriel pause before he opened his and Kit’s alcove. He glanced down at the woman by his side and quirked an eyebrow.
“It seems that they are more than feeling better.” He raised the barrier and stepped aside for her to enter before him. He had been more attentive as of late, not that he’d never been before. Each day the symptoms that resonated between them became a bit more stronger, and he was determined to make the remaining months of Kit’s pregnancy as comfortable as possible. He also planned on making sure that Loki and Rich did the same.
“Were you and our boys that way at first?”
Gabriel followed her inside and waved the barrier closed. “Did we let every passerby know what we were up to?” He stroked his chin, remembering the trysts he, Loki, and Rich had had the last time they were at the Summit. “I’d say more than likely.”
Kit snorted then grinned mischievously as she sat on the bed. “Did that include shouts of ‘daddy’?”
Sputtering, Gabriel replied, “No! And I told you we only did that—”
Kit laughed. “I know, when you three were in your ‘screwing each other’s brains out like rabbits’ phase.” She shook her head. “Kinky boys.”
Gabriel grinned lewdly. “Well, it’s fun to be kinky. And,” he pointed at her playfully. “I seem to remember someone being a peeping tom.”
“That wasn’t all me, and you know it!” Kit protested, gathering her notes that were spread across the end of the bed. “And if memory serves me correctly, you got off on it.”
“I bet you got off on it later too,” Gabriel purred back. Kit kept her head down as he sauntered over and sat next to her. “You never told me what you did after.”
She slowly raised her head, her features gone pensive. “I worried all night that you would tell Rich and Loki about it and kick me out.”
Gabriel blinked at her words, surprised at the sadness in her voice. “What? Really?” He cupped her cheek. “Oh, sweetheart, no, we would never have done that.”
She touched his hand. “I know that now. It’s OK.”
He leaned in and kissed her. “Ya know,” he said, rubbing his forehead against hers. “I’d love for you to watch us again sometime.”
Kit huffed out a laugh. “Are you an exhibitionist, Gabriel?”
“Only for you.”
She pecked his lips. “We’ll save it for the honeymoon.” She patted his hand and pulled away. “Which we’ll never have if we don’t finish this,” she added, indicating the papers in her lap.
“I thought we were almost done with them!” Gabriel pouted.
“We are, but we need Rich and Loki for the last one.” She pointed to the bottom of the list.
Gabriel read Kit’s loopy handwriting. “I see what you mean. It’s something that needs to be done with all four of us, huh?”
"Couldn't we just wait until after to worry about it, though?” Kit said. “It won't take long to find a new house, right?"
“Are you wanting to put it off for some reason?” Gabriel gave her a confused look. “It’s something that we’ll kinda need to have, Kit.”
Kit shook her head. "Not at all. But I don’t see a reason for us to go back and forth between here and Earth just for it. We can stay here, get married, then worry about it once we go back.”
Gabriel crossed his arms. “And here I thought you liked getting things done ahead of time.”
"I do, but this is one that can wait until the last minute because of advantageous resources." She trailed her eyes up and down his body. “You’re just one of them.”
He shivered. “Oooo, I love it when you talk all worky.”
Kit laughed. “‘Worky?’”
Gabriel ran a finger up her thigh. “It’s sexy.”
She set aside her notes and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I'll have to dress in my 'worky' clothes for you sometime."
He lowered his head and kissed her. "Oh, Kit-Kat, the things you do to me,” he groaned. He pushed her down carefully to the bed and pinned her arms to either side of her head. "I love you.”
They turned their heads sharply when the barrier raised. Loki and Rich strolled in, both stopping when they saw the other half of their quad on the bed.
“And what’s going on here?” Loki smirked.
Gabriel nipped at Kit’s neck, drawing back a little when their desire echoed one another. Well, this was an unexpected, yet pleasant turn of events. He was going to have fun with this aspect of their connection. "She's teasing me with images of the kinky kind."
Rich and Loki sat on the end of the bed. “Teasing is always a good thing,” Rich said playfully. The sight of the papers lying beside them made him smile. “Sam and Dean agreed, by the way.”
“Oh, they did?!” Kit started to pull her arms from Gabriel’s grip, and the archangel grumbled and let go. She slid out from under him and found the appropriate list. “Well, that leaves the last item then.”
“Which is?” Loki asked.
She handed the paper to him. “That.”
Before Loki had even read it, Gabriel said, “She wants to wait until after."
But Loki didn’t say anything until he finished reading. “Why?” he asked, handing the paper to Rich.
Kit waited until Rich had read it also. "Well, it's not really that urgent at the moment, is it? And you and Gabriel can just snap it all together, right?”
Rich smiled. “I like that idea,” he said to the archangel and trickster god. “It would save a lot of time, too.”
"You're gonna start taking her side in everything, aren't you?" Gabriel said, amused.
"Not everything, but she's not my PA for nothing."
“Glad to see that I still have employment.” Kit picked up the other papers and stacked them neatly on the bed.
“I wouldn’t dream of making you quit, Darlin’.”
Gabriel leaned back on his hands and admired his family. He loved it when they were all together. Kit and Rich talked about how she’d work from home for a short while, but Loki grew quiet and withdrawn. He didn’t like that; it was always a bad sign when it came to his trickster.
“Sugar?” Gabriel asked. Loki turned to him. “What’s wrong?”
Rich and Kit stopped talking at Gabriel’s words, attuned to his worried tone of voice.
“Loki?” Kit furrowed her eyebrows. “Are you OK?”
Loki pressed his lips together. “It’s nothing.”
“Don’t pull that crap on me, Loki,” Gabriel said. If Loki was trying to deflect, something was most definitely wrong. “You went from being my lovable Grump to sad Grump pretty fast just now.” He held out his hand. “Come on, Sugar. Tell us. Please?”
Loki trained his eyes on the bedspread. “I—”
“It’s about me.”
Loki, Gabriel, and Kit weren’t expecting Rich to speak. He had his attention on Loki’s face. “I know you would never admit it, but this was causing you stress, Loki; I’m sorry.” His eyes went pained. “I shouldn’t have kept quiet about it for so long.”
“What’s he talking about?” Kit asked worriedly. Gabriel’s heartbeat quickened at Kit’s question, then sped up even more. Her own pulse was increasing and affecting his own. “Is something bad going to happen?”
He reached out and pulled her close. “Calm down, sweetheart.” He pressed her head against his shoulder and rubbed her back. “Come on, easy, easy.”
Rich’s eyes widened. “Do I need to go get the Boss?” He made to get up from the bed. “Oh hell, I didn’t mean to—”
“No,” Kit said and turned her head slowly towards Rich. “I’m fine.”
Loki took Rich’s hand. “Gabriel’s got her, Baby, right Angel?” Gabriel hugged Kit tightly to him and nodded. “He’ll let us know.”
“With a quickness,” Gabriel promised.
Rich hesitated, but finally relaxed back on the bed. “Alright.” He cleared his throat, and Gabriel adjusted Kit in his arms so she would be more comfortable. “I guess I’ll explain.”
"You know how the Ether was in my body for a while, how it gave me temporary powers,” he began.
Gabriel winced as a sharp spike of anxiety shot through Kit. “What happened to your mind,” she said, shaking in his arms. “It’s bad, isn’t it?”
“Kit…” Gabriel had no idea if their connection was two-way, but he attempted to send comfort through it to her. “Shh…” Maybe if he tamped down on his own worry, it would work.
It must have done something, because she took a deep breath and asked, “Wh-What’s going on, Rich?”
Rich’s eyes met Gabriel’s, who nodded; Kit was fine, for the moment. “It is my mind that I want to talk to you about.” He quickly crawled up the bed to cradle Kit’s face within his palms when her face crumpled. “Shh, Darlin’. It’s all right; the Boss and B have talked it over with me. I just need to stay here for a while and it’ll be fine.”
“How serious is it?” Gabriel asked. “If the Guardians have gotten involved—”
“It’s like what the Guardian told us before,” Loki said. “His mind has been enhanced. He’s gained telepathic abilities.”
Gabriel was nearly struck dumb. “I… What?”
Rich had sat back and was holding Kit’s hands tightly. “I can, well, sorta ‘hear’ what people are thinking.” He made a face. “I need training, though, because it makes me feel like shit when it happens.”
Loki cleared his throat.
“I, uh, also apparently can move stuff around, so that makes it even worse.”
“Oh, Rich.” Kit leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him. “I’m so sorry that you have to deal with this because of—”
Rich hugged her tightly. “No, Kitty, don’t,” he said, interrupting her. He pulled back and kissed her softly. “I love you. I’d do anything for you. For all of you,” he added, sharing a look with Gabriel and Loki. “Don’t feel guilty, OK?”
“Can we at least help you?” she asked. “Make it easier for you, somehow?”
Rich kissed her again. “Just knowing that I’m gonna have you three by my side forever helps more than you know, Kitty.” He moved his gaze to her abdomen and smiled affectionately. “My family.”
He then took her hands once more. “You are my reason to keep going. I didn't have much of one until you guys showed up."
A burst of love and affection radiated from within Gabriel, and it was amplified by Kit’s own deep emotions. How could he have ever regretted going to Earth all those years ago and meeting Rich face-to-face? He would be so incomplete if that had never happened…
Kit, her eyes wet with emotion, drew Rich forward and kissed him. “You’re mine too, Rich. Just promise me that you won’t push yourself too much...”
Rich kissed her softly on the cheek and placed his hand on top of Gabriel’s. “I promise.”
“You’ll take care of yourself.” Loki’s statement was not a request.
“And listen to us,” Gabriel added.
An air of relief filled the room, and Rich’s face radiated with it. “Of course I will.”
Kit reached up to rub her fingers on Rich’s cheek. “Would it be OK if I mothered you when you need it? Ya know, for practice?” She smiled cheekily.
Rich laughed and kissed her again. "I would absolutely love that, Darlin'."
“One more stipulation,” Loki said, making his way onto the bed. He pulled Rich from Kit’s grasp and sat him on his lap.
“What is it?” Rich asked.
Loki cut his eyes over to Kit and Gabriel before speaking. “Do not leave me alone with them for days on end. I love them, but I know what’s coming.”
Gabriel and Kit cried out in mock outrage.
Rich tilted his head back and laughed heartily. “Alright, I won’t leave you to be overwhelmed by them, scaredy-cat.”
“Hmph.” Loki pushed him to the bed. “You’ll take back those words in time.”
“I know.”
“Brats. The lot of you,” Loki said in exasperation as he leaned down and captured Rich’s lips.
Gabriel rolled Kit beneath him as well. He caught Loki’s eye for a moment before they both began ravishing their human fiancés.
Rich and Kit moaned and groaned under the archangel and trickster’s onslaught. Kisses, caresses, licks, sucks. Clothes disappeared quickly, tender words of love were whispered. Gabriel and Loki went back and forth between them, never stopping, never ceasing contact.
It was most intense between Gabriel and Kit. The sensations were doubled whenever they touched. Pleasure bloomed within their bodies and shot across their nerves until they gasped for air. It was almost too much.
“Take me Loki,” Rich finally begged. He was sprawled beneath Loki, legs wrapped around his waist. “Please!”
“Whatever you want, Baby,” Loki kissed him. “Gabriel.”
“Kit,” the archangel said to the woman beneath him. He had her legs around his own waist. “Wanna make love?”
Kit was trembling. “Do you have to ask?” She reached out a hand to Rich, who grasped it firmly.
They were both covered in sweat, eyes dilated with pleasure. Their breaths were halfway harsh, and they gazed at their lovers with trust and adoration.
“Please…” they both whispered.
Gabriel and Loki both moved at the same time.
Slow, smooth, torturous thrusts. They kept a maddening, even pace, drawing out low moans and wails from the humans on the bed. Gabriel was just as loud as Kit, and it increased Loki’s desire all the more.
Rich and Kit half-turned and wrapped their arms around each other, kissing passionately through the never-ending movements of their lovers.
Loki slid an arm around Gabriel’s waist. “Come here.” Gabriel complied and they crashed their lips together. “Needed to taste your lips, Angel.”
“I love you.” Gabriel leaned his head on Loki’s shoulder. “I love you,” he said to the humans on the bed before them. He straightened and grasped Kit’s hips firmly, speeding up his thrusts and moaning each of their names.
Loki increased his pace. “So beautiful… Love my gorgeous, beautiful angel and humans.”
Kit and Rich were mewling into each other’s mouths, holding one another tightly. Their faces were contorted in bliss, and Gabriel and Loki were completely enthralled.
“A little more, Loki,” Gabriel rasped. “So close…”
“Do it, Angel. Tip them over…”
The room resounded with shouts of everyone’s names. Moans and groans of ecstasy. Heavy breathing and gasps. After several long moments, it was followed by the rustle of blankets and the padding of feet to and from the bathroom.
It grew quiet. The lights were dimmed, the temperature cooled. A few soft sighs and words broke the silence.
“I love you all, too,” Kit whispered.
“And I love you, Kitty...Loki...Gabriel...”