"Well, now I'm just insulted. We both know I can keep better appearances than you ever could." It was banter, nothing more. He was just letting words fall out of his mouth at this point, keeping his brother engaged to make him focus on something other than his body's weakness. Balthazar knew a bit about keeping pain at bay by way of distraction.

A part of him wanted to be there to help, though, in case Gabriel needed something to lean on. In any other circumstance, Balthazar would've have made sure the archangel was alive and leave at that. It was different now, so very different. Besides, if Gabriel was gaining some power back, it would only be beneficial to assure he finished the trip to the City safely.