Whether Gabriel (and it was still odd to think of this stranger as Gabriel, seeing how only one angel had ever possessed that name, and it was not the one before him) believed him or not, it was hard to say. Still, at this point it seemed like the tension between them had eased slightly, which meant that they could move on, if nothing else.

There was still a lot for them to discuss. They could compare all sorts of aspects of their garrisons and their siblings, but there wasn't any time for that now. Idle conversation, even if it was related to Heaven, wasn't an option when he could begin turning into something at any moment.

Thankfully, Gabriel grabbed for his good shoulder rather than the one that was still trying to heal. If he'd done that, Castiel wasn't sure he would have been able to stop himself from flinching, and he already was coming off as weak enough at this point.

Gabriel might understand, how difficult it was to be stripped of power, to be so close to human that it was almost unbearable. But now wasn't a time for baring feelings, either.

"No, I think I'll be fine for the moment. Kratos should be coming along soon, and then we can discuss what to do next. We might have to relocate for the surgery, if the healer I've recruited fails to show up." He could understand why Rapunzel might be unable to move after healing whoever else she was aiding tonight, but he had to hope that she wouldn't exhaust too many of her skills before she got to him.