Angel Noir: [3] Bring Your Own
Nov. 12th, 2015 03:51 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Master List||Chapter Two

“Dean?” Sam called out the second he stepped in the front door of the shop. “You in the back?”
“Yeah!” Dean called back, focusing on the computer before him. For the first time in a few weeks, he’d had a slow day and had sent the rest of the guys home early. Sam himself had apparently arrived earlier than Dean had told him to. Dean punched a few more figures into the computer and looked up to see Sam in the doorway. “Just finishing up payroll,” he offered in explanation and finished punching in Ash’s hours.
He collected the papers and slid them into his file cabinet, always impressed with the system that Bobby had come up with, and was glad the older man had taught Dean everything he knew about cars and running an auto shop. Dean knew he wouldn’t be where he was now if it weren’t for Bobby…
“Okay, I’m good. I already sent the guys home, so we can leave early if you’re ready.”
Sam nodded, ripping Dean’s jacket from back of the door and carrying it out of the shop for him. He waited, patiently, while Dean shut off all the lights and locked the shop up, stripping out of his coveralls and putting them in Baby’s trunk. Sam raised an eyebrow while he watched Dean, handing over his jacket.
“What?” Dean asked, slipping his arms through the sleeves and shrugging it over his shoulders. “What’s the look for?”
“Just… can’t believe you put your greasy uniform in your baby,” Sam commented, snorting at Dean’s pointed glare.
“I have a bag in the back. Unless you’re offering to buy me a washing machine to have at the shop, I don’t really have a choice. Have to bring it home Friday to wash it.”
“Gross, Dean! You wear the same uniform all week? No wonder you’re single. Any hottie that comes into the shop can’t get past you’re freaking stench!” Sam wrinkled his nose and ducked out of the way when Dean threw a punch at his arm.
“No, asshole. I have a few sets. They’re already in the bag!” Dean rolled his eyes, but pulled the hem of his shirt out to give it a good sniff when Sam had turned around. Sam, however, caught the tail end of Dean’s self inspection and barked out a laugh.
“Dean, I would let you know if you stank. You think I would do that to you?”
“Keep walking, Sammy. Or next time you get drunk I’ll leave you at the bottom of the stairs.”
Sam rolled his eyes but kept quiet, falling in step with Dean as they walked down the street. “Think Benny is gonna be there tonight?” Sam asked after a moment, causing Dean to nearly trip over his feet when he turned to look at Sam.
“What? I don’t know… why do you ask?” He side-eyed Sam, watching as his brother rolled his eyes throwing him a look that encapsulated ’Seriously?’ perfectly.
“Oh, I don’t know Dean. He was there last week looking for you, but you were too busy making sure I didn’t drown myself in another beer. It’s okay, you know, if you want to leave with him.” Sam caught Dean’s eyes and shrugged. “I know I blew you off a few times for Jess… and I mean, I get it. If you-”
“Sam, we’re not talking about my sex life. Got that?” Sam snapped his mouth shut, sighing. “Plus… Benny and I are over.”
“Yeah, this isn’t high school Dean. You’re an adult, casual sex is a thing, you know.”
“Right, again. We’re so not talking about my sex life.” Dean shoved Sam, maybe a little harder than necessary, as they rounded the corner to the block. He nudged Sam, getting his attention and pointing at the Angel Noir sign, glad he had something to change the subject with. “This is that fru-fru bar I was telling you about. Wonder what the sign will say today…”
“Don’t know… looks like they’re writing it now, though.” Dean followed Sam’s gaze and stared appreciatively at the figure that was bent over on the sidewalk. The man’s ass looked perfect in tight black jeans, showing just a bit of skin from where his shirt had ridden up, and Dean smirked when he caught Sam eyeing him, knowing exactly where his mind was going. “Dude, he’s probably as old as Crowley,” Sam hissed and Dean shrugged.
“Doesn’t mean his ass isn’t great,” Dean fired back. The man straightened, the cotton t-shirt he wore falling back over the exposed skin of his lower back, but stretching nicely across well-muscled shoulders. He was thin, but if his arms and shoulders were anything to go by, it was from keeping up with a workout routine. The man raised an arm, running his fingers back through his messy, black hair and showing a flash of a tattoo across the back of his arm.
Then, the man turned, and Dean swallowed hard. Yeah, so not Crowley’s age. The man smiled as they approached, deep blue eyes flashing and he crossed his arms over his chest.
“Good evening! You boys coming to visit Angel Noir?” he asked, his voice deep and warm, sending a chill through Dean’s body.
“No, not tonight.” Sam smiled at him, shaking his head. “We’ve already got some plans. Looks like you guys are doing well though… you just opened up?”
“Yeah!” the man answered, licking his lower lip and Dean followed the motion, glad Sammy was doing the talking. Dean Winchester was smooth, always calm and collected, but right then and there he wasn’t positive if he would’ve been able to get any coherent words past his lips. “It’s been about… three months now? I’m Castiel, Owner and Friday night’s bar keep.” The man laughed, holding out his hand for Sam to shake, then turning his attention to Dean.
“I’m Sam, and this is Dean,” Sam responded, and Dean was glad his body reacted on instinct. He gripped Angel Noir’s holy-fucking-hot Owner’s hand, hoping his hands weren’t sweaty as he shook it before quickly pulling his hand back. “It’s nice to meet you, Castiel. We’ll have to stop by sometime, check the place out,” Sam continued.
“Yeah, of course! Door’s always open! Well, from noon to two, anyways.” The man’s cheeks flushed a bit, and he tore his eyes away from the brother’s as the bar door opened, a pretty brunette stepping onto the steps.
“Castiel, I need the keys! We’re out of Jose!” Dean felt Sam stiffen beside him, but he only had a moment to analyze it before Castiel’s hand was on his arm -- warm, heavy and so very much there that Dean started.
“That’s my cue. Enjoy your night!” Castiel turned and left them standing in front of the sign, Dean feeling the residual heat against his arm from the man’s touch. Beside him, Sam snorted, and Dean turned to him about to tell him off.
“We don’t serve women, you must bring your own… Dude, that’s actually pretty freaking funny.” Dean blinked once, then looked down at the sign, glad his brother was finding the sign amusing and hadn’t noticed Dean’s lack of finesse. “And dude? Way to drool all over the hot bar owner. Words? What are words? I’m Dean Winchester, I don’t need words!” Sam mocked.
“Fucker,” Dean swore, nearly tripping over Castiel’s bar sign as he bolted after Sam who was already three steps ahead of him. He threw a glance over his shoulder, making sure that the bar owner hadn’t stepped back out and seen Dean nearly take out his hard work, before tearing his attention away and back towards his brother who was already at The Pit’s door.
When he slid into the seat beside Sam, accepting the beer from the waitress Bela, he couldn’t help but wonder how someone like Castiel could own a bar that was so… so… grandmotherish? The dude had paintings and flowers as his decor, bars were supposed to have records and vintage liquor bottles… Or, if you were Crowley, pin up posters from the goddamn dark age! Dean lifted the bottle to his lips, taking a huge sip, and wondered if maybe he was judging the place too hard…

Castiel made his way back into the bar, his hand still tingling from where he had touched… Dean, was it? He thought that was what the other man said, but he was too busy looking into the most alluring set of green eyes he had even seen. He tossed Ruby the keys and turned to look back out the window just in time to see Green-Eyes trip over his sign. Castiel chuckled as he saw the man quickly right himself and look back towards the bar to see if anyone was looking. Could Green-Eyes have been checking to see if he was watching?
Castiel shook his head slightly, smiling as he made his way to his office. He had plenty of time before he had to take over at the bar, so he could work at his own pace going over payroll and any other paperwork he needed. Castiel tried to do his paperwork, but his mind kept wandering back to his brief encounter with Sam and Dean… He was now sure that was their names after playing their conversation over and over in his head instead of actually focusing on the bills before him. He had really wanted Dean to speak, but it seemed as if he had a hard enough time shaking Castiel's hand... He had even tried patting Dean’s arm and telling him to ’enjoy his night’ to get the man to produce some kind of words, but still he got nothing. Not one word. Hell, not even a syllable! Why was that? Castiel wondered, biting on the end of his pen as he leaned back in his office chair. He always thought he came across as very friendly, definitely not at all intimidating. Hell, he couldn't have been anything close to intimidating to those two! They were both bigger than him, Sam by quite a bit, and he noticed them going into the dive bar down the street which was know to cater to a rougher sort of crowd.
Castiel jumped as he heard a knock on his door, pulling him from his thoughts of green eyes and a nice body. Ruby was smirking at him. She walked in and sat down in the chair across from his desk, crossing her legs and placing her elbow on her knee, leaning forward to rest her chin in her hand. “So Castiel, who were the two hotties you were talking to while you were fixing the sign for the day?”
“Ohh… Umm.” Castiel played it off as if he was trying to remember their names. “I think... Sam and Dean? Maybe?” Castiel replied in a fake, unsure tone. The look on his sister's face read,’I am not buying it’.
She grinned wide and devilishly, almost purring, “The taller was was hot as hell, but I’m betting it's the other one who has had you daydreaming in your office for the last three hours, hmmm?”
Castiel jumped, looked down at his watch and ran his hand through his hair. “Fuck!” Ruby giggled, got up from her seat and walked to the door, spinning on her heels when she reached it.
“You’ve got an hour ‘til it's time for you to join me and Gabe at the bar.” She smiled at her brother who looked disgruntled, refusing to meet her eyes.
Castiel grumbled, “So much for being able to take my time with payroll and paperwork.”
Ruby smirked. “That's what you get for spending your time thinking about cute boys.”
Castiel resigned, no longer trying to hide it, but curious about something Ruby had said. “How did you know?” he asked, sliding the papers into a manilla folder and meeting his sister’s wide brown eyes. “How did you know which one of them I was thinking of?”
Ruby shook her head and stared at him for a minute before letting out a short laugh. “Really Castiel? You're my brother! I know what gets your engines revving.” She wiggled her eyebrows, clearly something she had picked up from hanging out with Gabe.
Castiel crinkled his nose. “Couldn't you have worded that differently?”
She rolled her eyes, still smirking. “Probably... but where's the fun in that?” She slapped her hand on the door frame, signaling she was leaving, and Castiel wadded up a piece of paper, tossing it after her and hitting her in the back of the head with it.
“Not cool baby brother!” Castiel could hear her laughing the whole way down the hall until she opened the door that led out into the bar, her laugh being drowned out by the sounds of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s ’Sweet Home Alabama’.
Castiel sighed and looked down at his laptop and began typing furiously, pushing all thoughts of green eyes from his mind. He didn’t know how the hell he managed, but an hour later he had finished the week’s payroll, managed to file his billing, and even started on the liquor order for next week’s delivery. Straightening his shoulders, he shutdown his computer and locked his office behind him before walking down the hall to the front of the bar.
Ruby and Gabe waved him over, both of them happy to see him coming out from the doors, and Castiel cringed inside knowing that the only reason they were that happy to see him was that they had to be slammed. Sure enough, they were swamped. This had to be the most packed Castiel had ever seen the bar since they’d opened, and it was still early! Only 8 o’clock. The evening crew from the hospital hadn’t even gotten off shift yet… Swallowing his nerves at the prospect of really being on his own while Gabe and Ruby were busy with their own customers, he hurried over and made his way around the bar, diving head first into the first order. There was absolutely no time to think of bright green eyes or muscles wrapped in a smooth leather jacket, and for that he was thankful.
Castiel was good at a lot of things; working under pressure was not one of them. As customers continued calling out their orders, talking over one another at the bartop, trying to carry on conversations and orders and refills and pick ups… He was getting more and more flustered and he wondered how the hell Gabe and Ruby kept their cool?! He had already managed to spill two drinks all over himself and fucked up countless others. The orders just kept coming and coming and although he knew that was good for his business, for fucksake he needed a break! That was not looking like a possibility in the foreseeable future, and he couldn't leave Ruby and Gabe while they were this busy.
As more people entered the bar, making their way over to the bartop to order, Castiel could feel himself quickly hitting his maximum stress level. He couldn’t even see the front door over the group of people crowding around the bar, shouting out their drink orders or waiting on their drinks and the drinks that he had down last week, he found himself stuggling with now. He was getting ready to try mixing the third Blood and Sand --It’s Orange juice, Castiel, not freaking cranberry-- and the woman who ordered it was looking about as red as her drink should have, if it were in fact in her hand, when Gabriel came over and took the cherry brandy bottle from his hand. He stared, wide eyed at his friend.
“Cassie, go take a break. Take a breather, step outside, get some air... you look like you could use it. Ruby and I got this.”
Castiel shook his head, but handed over the martini glass all the same. “I can't leave you guys when you are swamped like this,” is what he said while his mind screamed, God yes! Yes! Yes! take a break! Get the fuck out of there and do not look back!
“Man, Ruby and I have cleared the bar when it was more packed than this... This,” Gabe waved his arm at the crowd of people, “ain't nothing… You were just in your office at the time doing your officey things and didn't get to see us at our pure awesomest!” Gabe continued as he mixed the lady's drink in a under thirty seconds, when Castiel had spent the last ten minutes struggling with it. “You’re getting stressed and burning out man. It's only your third week tending bar and a crowd like this can be overwhelming to newbie such as yourself. It ain't shit to pros like me and Ruby.”
Ruby picked that exact moment to walk by and fist bump Gabe and Castiel noticed she didn’t even have a hair out of place, the perfect epitome of calm. “Damn straight, my other brother!” she said with a huge grin. Castiel blew out a breath, wondering again how the hell they could be so calm and enjoying this when where so many people screaming orders at them, so many things to remember! Insane. They were completely insane. That had to be it, no other way to explain it. He decided then and there he would be getting them, and the few staff that had the night off tonight, some much needed help after this night from hell was over.
“Glad to know you two are so modest.” Castiel smiled, relieved they were giving him an out. It didn’t matter if they were insane or not, because truth be told, he was getting ready to scream and start busting liquor bottles. He was pretty sure that would look very unprofessional, no matter how much better it would make him feel. Instead, he whispered a “thank you,” in Gabe’s ear and squeezed Ruby’s arm as he slipped out of the side of the bar and back towards his office.
“No problem, Cassie! Take your time! Like I said, Rubes and I got this!” Gabe called after him while tossing a bottle into the air, catching it behind his back. Before him, the crowd started cheering.
“Fucking show off,” Castiel muttered, grinning as he made his way past the crowd. Relief washed over him, knowing that soon he would be far away from the mass of customers and outside taking a much needed breather. Ruby caught his attention before he was full free and gave him a knowing smile.
“Seriously, take your time Castiel. Don’t worry about me and Gabe, okay? We will have the bar cleared by the time you get back. Now, go outside and get some air, clear your head. You may be my boss, but that’s an order from your big sister!” He smiled at her, blowing her a quick kiss before finally slipping into the hallway and almost running towards the back door.
Once he was on the back steps he took a deep breath, breathing in the crisp night air and letting it cool his overheated skin. He took a seat on the bottom step, running his fingers through his hair for what had to be the thousandth time in the past few hours. He felt slightly disappointed in himself that he couldn't handle the crowd better and that he had fucked up so much tonight. He knew Ruby and Gabe were not mad or disappointed in him and, like Gabe had pointed out, it was only his third week tending bar and that was one hell of a crowd to try to take on for anyone, never mind being so new to bartending.
Castiel was a perfectionist though, and it killed him that he crashed and burned under the pressure tonight's crowd put on him. The professional side of him was very pleased to see his bar thriving so well, and only after three months. He had been worried at first when he and Ruby had decided on creating a comfortable space, something different and so much like home compared to most every other bar they’d ever gone to, and to see that it had paid off and that word-of-mouth had definitely been in their favor? It was impressive and he could at least be proud of that in this moment. He needed to try not to be too hard on himself. He snorted to himself, knowing that was always something Ruby and Gabe bitched at him about, and probably would tonight after closing… But he just couldn't help it. He wanted to be perfect at everything he did --ignoring the fact that it was unreasonable and and an unfair goal to bestow on oneself. It was just the way he was hard wired.
Castiel sighed and his fingers found their way into his hair again. It was times like these when his nerves were wrecked he wished he still smoked.... He shook his head and wrinkled his nose, Nah… Can’t do that to Ruby… Nasty habit anyways… He sighed, chewing on the inside of his lip when something else occurred to him. Sex though? Sex was a good stress relief, sure as hell beat a cigarette, and he sure could use some stress relief. Castiel smirked to himself and for the first time since he had started tending bar that night and his thoughts drifted once again to green eyes.

Dean twisted the bottle in his hands, feeling the cool beer sloshing up the side and cooling his palm. He had only had three beers so far, but he just wasn’t feeling it tonight… Sam had finally decided to take a break from drinking Crowley out of all the booze in his bar and was instead sitting with his back towards Dean, flirting with some red-head who claimed her name was Abaddon. Yeah, right. Dean had snorted at that one, resulting in Sam tossing him a dirty look and turning his back to him.
Crowley kept throwing the pair of them interesting looks and that in itself made Dean decide that Sam could do a million times better, even if it was just for a one night thing. Sam didn’t need to be where Crowley wanted to be. Shuddering, Dean drowned the rest of his beer, sliding the empty towards the edge of the bar for Crowley to pick up.
He spun on the chair, contemplating on if he wanted to play some pool when he caught Benny’s gaze from across the room. The other man had his hat pulled way down, looking at Dean from underneath the brim with a smirk on his face. Well, decision made. Dean looked back at Sam, but shook his head. If Sam needed to know where he went, he could always text him.
“Evening, Dean,” Benny grinned as Dean slid over to him, pressing his back against the wall beside Benny, shoulders touching. “Sam seems to be… on the rebound?”
“I don’t know if you could call it that,” Dean snorted back, reaching for the glass in Benny’s hand and taking a sip of it before handing it back. “That’s not rebound… that’s…” Dean trailed off, the two of them looking at the woman in her high leather boots, black spandex pants, and tight red blouse. “I don’t even know what to call that.”
“Desperate?” Benny offered and Dean laughed his agreement, looking away quickly when his outburst drew the attention of the woman in question and Sam. “Sam seems to be doing better anyways, better than last week.”
“Yeah.” Dean nodded his head, glancing over at Benny and seeing the other man was looking at him carefully, though Dean couldn’t read his expression. “Slow going. They were together for almost eight years, you know? Now he’s living on his older brother’s couch…”
“Sam’s a good guy, he’ll get through it. Still working with his law degree?” Benny asked and Dean nodded.
“Yeah, he’s a legislative analyst?” Dean shrugged when Benny raised an eyebrow. “He like… researches proposed and current laws, reevaluates them and comes up with reports on how it affects the state and the people. Basically, Sam is embracing his nerdom and pours himself over law books day in and day out, just like when he was in school. Only now, he’s getting paid for it.”
“I could never deal with that shit,” Benny laughed, shaking his head, and Dean had to agree. Sam explained it better, and Dean was more than a little impressed at the amount of work Sam put into doing what he did, but for Dean? Cars were what spoke to him, not musty old law books and politicians.
“So…” Dean said after a moment, breaking the comfortable silence that had fallen over them. “You seemed to be looking for me last week..?” He glanced up at Benny, surprised to see the pained look on his face.
“Yeah, I was.” Benny nodded his head, taking a few seconds to finish off his beer before turning his attention back to Dean. “I, ah… I’ve got someone now, brother…” Even in the dim light of the bar, Dean could see the flush that crept over Benny’s cheeks. A second of silence passed between them before Dean realized that Benny was waiting for him to speak.
“Oh, oh! Man, that’s great! Really, I’m really happy for you.” Dean reached over, squeezing Benny’s shoulder, glad when the other man relaxed underneath his touch.
“Good, I mean…” Benny released a breath and a nervous laugh. “I mean, I know we didn’t work out… but you’re still important to me, you know? Was freaking out all week about how I was gonna tell you…”
“Dude, Benny, you can always talk to me. We were friends first, right? Still friends, even if I do know what you look like naked.” Dean smirked and Benny smacked him for his trouble.
“Winchester, this is why we woulda never worked out. You’re too much of an asshole.”
“No, I’m just too pretty for you, Benny,” Dean fired back, relaxing back against the wall. They were quiet for another moment before he sighed. “I’m done drinking… Not feeling it tonight.”
“Well, wanna go for a walk or something? Get out of here while Sam finishes up whatever the hell he’s doing?” Benny offered and Dean smiled, grateful.
“Yeah, let’s do that.” He let Benny lead the way, trying a few times to catch Sam’s attention as he made his way to the door, leaving unsuccessful. “Walk around the block a few times?”
“Sure, then I’ll be turning in… I’m, ah, going hiking in the morning…” Benny trailed off, the blush on his cheeks now perfectly seen in the streetlights and Dean stopped short, staring at his friend.
“Hiking? You’re going hiking? On a Saturday? Before noontime?!”
“Shut it, Winchester.” Benny punched his arm, tugging Dean forward as he started to walk. “Her name is Andrea…”
Dean’s cleared his throat, wondering how the hell he’d missed that Benny was interested in both sides of the playing field during the three years they’d been friends. “She must be pretty special if she’s getting you to go hiking,” Dean said, covering up his surprise.
“Yeah, she… She’s pretty great. If things go well… I really want you to meet her. If… I mean, if you’re okay with that.” Benny tossed him a careful look and Dean’s stomach flipped for a second, dread filling him at the prospect of their relationship turning into this --awkward and tip-toeing around one another. Dean took a deep breath and smiled, meeting Benny’s eyes as he said, “Man, I would love that. Make sure she’s good enough for you.” Benny smiled back and Dean added, “Just want you to be happy man.”
As they rounded the back alley, Benny wrapped an arm around his shoulders, pulling Dean close into his side. “That’s all I want for you too, Dean. Now we’ve got to find you a nice gal or fella of your own.”
Dean smiled, looking up and his heart skipped a beat as he saw the Angel Noir’s bar owner standing up from the back step of his bar. He looked up, meeting Dean’s eyes in surprise, then darting over to Benny and his arm around Dean’s shoulders before giving them a smile and slipping through the backdoor.
“Yeah,” Dean said, shoving the uneasiness he felt at the look the man had on his face before he’d disappeared into the building. He turned his attention back to Benny, giving him a wide smile and pulling him further down the alley. “Sounds like a good plan to me.”
Chapter Four

“Dean?” Sam called out the second he stepped in the front door of the shop. “You in the back?”
“Yeah!” Dean called back, focusing on the computer before him. For the first time in a few weeks, he’d had a slow day and had sent the rest of the guys home early. Sam himself had apparently arrived earlier than Dean had told him to. Dean punched a few more figures into the computer and looked up to see Sam in the doorway. “Just finishing up payroll,” he offered in explanation and finished punching in Ash’s hours.
He collected the papers and slid them into his file cabinet, always impressed with the system that Bobby had come up with, and was glad the older man had taught Dean everything he knew about cars and running an auto shop. Dean knew he wouldn’t be where he was now if it weren’t for Bobby…
“Okay, I’m good. I already sent the guys home, so we can leave early if you’re ready.”
Sam nodded, ripping Dean’s jacket from back of the door and carrying it out of the shop for him. He waited, patiently, while Dean shut off all the lights and locked the shop up, stripping out of his coveralls and putting them in Baby’s trunk. Sam raised an eyebrow while he watched Dean, handing over his jacket.
“What?” Dean asked, slipping his arms through the sleeves and shrugging it over his shoulders. “What’s the look for?”
“Just… can’t believe you put your greasy uniform in your baby,” Sam commented, snorting at Dean’s pointed glare.
“I have a bag in the back. Unless you’re offering to buy me a washing machine to have at the shop, I don’t really have a choice. Have to bring it home Friday to wash it.”
“Gross, Dean! You wear the same uniform all week? No wonder you’re single. Any hottie that comes into the shop can’t get past you’re freaking stench!” Sam wrinkled his nose and ducked out of the way when Dean threw a punch at his arm.
“No, asshole. I have a few sets. They’re already in the bag!” Dean rolled his eyes, but pulled the hem of his shirt out to give it a good sniff when Sam had turned around. Sam, however, caught the tail end of Dean’s self inspection and barked out a laugh.
“Dean, I would let you know if you stank. You think I would do that to you?”
“Keep walking, Sammy. Or next time you get drunk I’ll leave you at the bottom of the stairs.”
Sam rolled his eyes but kept quiet, falling in step with Dean as they walked down the street. “Think Benny is gonna be there tonight?” Sam asked after a moment, causing Dean to nearly trip over his feet when he turned to look at Sam.
“What? I don’t know… why do you ask?” He side-eyed Sam, watching as his brother rolled his eyes throwing him a look that encapsulated ’Seriously?’ perfectly.
“Oh, I don’t know Dean. He was there last week looking for you, but you were too busy making sure I didn’t drown myself in another beer. It’s okay, you know, if you want to leave with him.” Sam caught Dean’s eyes and shrugged. “I know I blew you off a few times for Jess… and I mean, I get it. If you-”
“Sam, we’re not talking about my sex life. Got that?” Sam snapped his mouth shut, sighing. “Plus… Benny and I are over.”
“Yeah, this isn’t high school Dean. You’re an adult, casual sex is a thing, you know.”
“Right, again. We’re so not talking about my sex life.” Dean shoved Sam, maybe a little harder than necessary, as they rounded the corner to the block. He nudged Sam, getting his attention and pointing at the Angel Noir sign, glad he had something to change the subject with. “This is that fru-fru bar I was telling you about. Wonder what the sign will say today…”
“Don’t know… looks like they’re writing it now, though.” Dean followed Sam’s gaze and stared appreciatively at the figure that was bent over on the sidewalk. The man’s ass looked perfect in tight black jeans, showing just a bit of skin from where his shirt had ridden up, and Dean smirked when he caught Sam eyeing him, knowing exactly where his mind was going. “Dude, he’s probably as old as Crowley,” Sam hissed and Dean shrugged.
“Doesn’t mean his ass isn’t great,” Dean fired back. The man straightened, the cotton t-shirt he wore falling back over the exposed skin of his lower back, but stretching nicely across well-muscled shoulders. He was thin, but if his arms and shoulders were anything to go by, it was from keeping up with a workout routine. The man raised an arm, running his fingers back through his messy, black hair and showing a flash of a tattoo across the back of his arm.
Then, the man turned, and Dean swallowed hard. Yeah, so not Crowley’s age. The man smiled as they approached, deep blue eyes flashing and he crossed his arms over his chest.
“Good evening! You boys coming to visit Angel Noir?” he asked, his voice deep and warm, sending a chill through Dean’s body.
“No, not tonight.” Sam smiled at him, shaking his head. “We’ve already got some plans. Looks like you guys are doing well though… you just opened up?”
“Yeah!” the man answered, licking his lower lip and Dean followed the motion, glad Sammy was doing the talking. Dean Winchester was smooth, always calm and collected, but right then and there he wasn’t positive if he would’ve been able to get any coherent words past his lips. “It’s been about… three months now? I’m Castiel, Owner and Friday night’s bar keep.” The man laughed, holding out his hand for Sam to shake, then turning his attention to Dean.
“I’m Sam, and this is Dean,” Sam responded, and Dean was glad his body reacted on instinct. He gripped Angel Noir’s holy-fucking-hot Owner’s hand, hoping his hands weren’t sweaty as he shook it before quickly pulling his hand back. “It’s nice to meet you, Castiel. We’ll have to stop by sometime, check the place out,” Sam continued.
“Yeah, of course! Door’s always open! Well, from noon to two, anyways.” The man’s cheeks flushed a bit, and he tore his eyes away from the brother’s as the bar door opened, a pretty brunette stepping onto the steps.
“Castiel, I need the keys! We’re out of Jose!” Dean felt Sam stiffen beside him, but he only had a moment to analyze it before Castiel’s hand was on his arm -- warm, heavy and so very much there that Dean started.
“That’s my cue. Enjoy your night!” Castiel turned and left them standing in front of the sign, Dean feeling the residual heat against his arm from the man’s touch. Beside him, Sam snorted, and Dean turned to him about to tell him off.
“We don’t serve women, you must bring your own… Dude, that’s actually pretty freaking funny.” Dean blinked once, then looked down at the sign, glad his brother was finding the sign amusing and hadn’t noticed Dean’s lack of finesse. “And dude? Way to drool all over the hot bar owner. Words? What are words? I’m Dean Winchester, I don’t need words!” Sam mocked.
“Fucker,” Dean swore, nearly tripping over Castiel’s bar sign as he bolted after Sam who was already three steps ahead of him. He threw a glance over his shoulder, making sure that the bar owner hadn’t stepped back out and seen Dean nearly take out his hard work, before tearing his attention away and back towards his brother who was already at The Pit’s door.
When he slid into the seat beside Sam, accepting the beer from the waitress Bela, he couldn’t help but wonder how someone like Castiel could own a bar that was so… so… grandmotherish? The dude had paintings and flowers as his decor, bars were supposed to have records and vintage liquor bottles… Or, if you were Crowley, pin up posters from the goddamn dark age! Dean lifted the bottle to his lips, taking a huge sip, and wondered if maybe he was judging the place too hard…

Castiel made his way back into the bar, his hand still tingling from where he had touched… Dean, was it? He thought that was what the other man said, but he was too busy looking into the most alluring set of green eyes he had even seen. He tossed Ruby the keys and turned to look back out the window just in time to see Green-Eyes trip over his sign. Castiel chuckled as he saw the man quickly right himself and look back towards the bar to see if anyone was looking. Could Green-Eyes have been checking to see if he was watching?
Castiel shook his head slightly, smiling as he made his way to his office. He had plenty of time before he had to take over at the bar, so he could work at his own pace going over payroll and any other paperwork he needed. Castiel tried to do his paperwork, but his mind kept wandering back to his brief encounter with Sam and Dean… He was now sure that was their names after playing their conversation over and over in his head instead of actually focusing on the bills before him. He had really wanted Dean to speak, but it seemed as if he had a hard enough time shaking Castiel's hand... He had even tried patting Dean’s arm and telling him to ’enjoy his night’ to get the man to produce some kind of words, but still he got nothing. Not one word. Hell, not even a syllable! Why was that? Castiel wondered, biting on the end of his pen as he leaned back in his office chair. He always thought he came across as very friendly, definitely not at all intimidating. Hell, he couldn't have been anything close to intimidating to those two! They were both bigger than him, Sam by quite a bit, and he noticed them going into the dive bar down the street which was know to cater to a rougher sort of crowd.
Castiel jumped as he heard a knock on his door, pulling him from his thoughts of green eyes and a nice body. Ruby was smirking at him. She walked in and sat down in the chair across from his desk, crossing her legs and placing her elbow on her knee, leaning forward to rest her chin in her hand. “So Castiel, who were the two hotties you were talking to while you were fixing the sign for the day?”
“Ohh… Umm.” Castiel played it off as if he was trying to remember their names. “I think... Sam and Dean? Maybe?” Castiel replied in a fake, unsure tone. The look on his sister's face read,’I am not buying it’.
She grinned wide and devilishly, almost purring, “The taller was was hot as hell, but I’m betting it's the other one who has had you daydreaming in your office for the last three hours, hmmm?”
Castiel jumped, looked down at his watch and ran his hand through his hair. “Fuck!” Ruby giggled, got up from her seat and walked to the door, spinning on her heels when she reached it.
“You’ve got an hour ‘til it's time for you to join me and Gabe at the bar.” She smiled at her brother who looked disgruntled, refusing to meet her eyes.
Castiel grumbled, “So much for being able to take my time with payroll and paperwork.”
Ruby smirked. “That's what you get for spending your time thinking about cute boys.”
Castiel resigned, no longer trying to hide it, but curious about something Ruby had said. “How did you know?” he asked, sliding the papers into a manilla folder and meeting his sister’s wide brown eyes. “How did you know which one of them I was thinking of?”
Ruby shook her head and stared at him for a minute before letting out a short laugh. “Really Castiel? You're my brother! I know what gets your engines revving.” She wiggled her eyebrows, clearly something she had picked up from hanging out with Gabe.
Castiel crinkled his nose. “Couldn't you have worded that differently?”
She rolled her eyes, still smirking. “Probably... but where's the fun in that?” She slapped her hand on the door frame, signaling she was leaving, and Castiel wadded up a piece of paper, tossing it after her and hitting her in the back of the head with it.
“Not cool baby brother!” Castiel could hear her laughing the whole way down the hall until she opened the door that led out into the bar, her laugh being drowned out by the sounds of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s ’Sweet Home Alabama’.
Castiel sighed and looked down at his laptop and began typing furiously, pushing all thoughts of green eyes from his mind. He didn’t know how the hell he managed, but an hour later he had finished the week’s payroll, managed to file his billing, and even started on the liquor order for next week’s delivery. Straightening his shoulders, he shutdown his computer and locked his office behind him before walking down the hall to the front of the bar.
Ruby and Gabe waved him over, both of them happy to see him coming out from the doors, and Castiel cringed inside knowing that the only reason they were that happy to see him was that they had to be slammed. Sure enough, they were swamped. This had to be the most packed Castiel had ever seen the bar since they’d opened, and it was still early! Only 8 o’clock. The evening crew from the hospital hadn’t even gotten off shift yet… Swallowing his nerves at the prospect of really being on his own while Gabe and Ruby were busy with their own customers, he hurried over and made his way around the bar, diving head first into the first order. There was absolutely no time to think of bright green eyes or muscles wrapped in a smooth leather jacket, and for that he was thankful.
Castiel was good at a lot of things; working under pressure was not one of them. As customers continued calling out their orders, talking over one another at the bartop, trying to carry on conversations and orders and refills and pick ups… He was getting more and more flustered and he wondered how the hell Gabe and Ruby kept their cool?! He had already managed to spill two drinks all over himself and fucked up countless others. The orders just kept coming and coming and although he knew that was good for his business, for fucksake he needed a break! That was not looking like a possibility in the foreseeable future, and he couldn't leave Ruby and Gabe while they were this busy.
As more people entered the bar, making their way over to the bartop to order, Castiel could feel himself quickly hitting his maximum stress level. He couldn’t even see the front door over the group of people crowding around the bar, shouting out their drink orders or waiting on their drinks and the drinks that he had down last week, he found himself stuggling with now. He was getting ready to try mixing the third Blood and Sand --It’s Orange juice, Castiel, not freaking cranberry-- and the woman who ordered it was looking about as red as her drink should have, if it were in fact in her hand, when Gabriel came over and took the cherry brandy bottle from his hand. He stared, wide eyed at his friend.
“Cassie, go take a break. Take a breather, step outside, get some air... you look like you could use it. Ruby and I got this.”
Castiel shook his head, but handed over the martini glass all the same. “I can't leave you guys when you are swamped like this,” is what he said while his mind screamed, God yes! Yes! Yes! take a break! Get the fuck out of there and do not look back!
“Man, Ruby and I have cleared the bar when it was more packed than this... This,” Gabe waved his arm at the crowd of people, “ain't nothing… You were just in your office at the time doing your officey things and didn't get to see us at our pure awesomest!” Gabe continued as he mixed the lady's drink in a under thirty seconds, when Castiel had spent the last ten minutes struggling with it. “You’re getting stressed and burning out man. It's only your third week tending bar and a crowd like this can be overwhelming to newbie such as yourself. It ain't shit to pros like me and Ruby.”
Ruby picked that exact moment to walk by and fist bump Gabe and Castiel noticed she didn’t even have a hair out of place, the perfect epitome of calm. “Damn straight, my other brother!” she said with a huge grin. Castiel blew out a breath, wondering again how the hell they could be so calm and enjoying this when where so many people screaming orders at them, so many things to remember! Insane. They were completely insane. That had to be it, no other way to explain it. He decided then and there he would be getting them, and the few staff that had the night off tonight, some much needed help after this night from hell was over.
“Glad to know you two are so modest.” Castiel smiled, relieved they were giving him an out. It didn’t matter if they were insane or not, because truth be told, he was getting ready to scream and start busting liquor bottles. He was pretty sure that would look very unprofessional, no matter how much better it would make him feel. Instead, he whispered a “thank you,” in Gabe’s ear and squeezed Ruby’s arm as he slipped out of the side of the bar and back towards his office.
“No problem, Cassie! Take your time! Like I said, Rubes and I got this!” Gabe called after him while tossing a bottle into the air, catching it behind his back. Before him, the crowd started cheering.
“Fucking show off,” Castiel muttered, grinning as he made his way past the crowd. Relief washed over him, knowing that soon he would be far away from the mass of customers and outside taking a much needed breather. Ruby caught his attention before he was full free and gave him a knowing smile.
“Seriously, take your time Castiel. Don’t worry about me and Gabe, okay? We will have the bar cleared by the time you get back. Now, go outside and get some air, clear your head. You may be my boss, but that’s an order from your big sister!” He smiled at her, blowing her a quick kiss before finally slipping into the hallway and almost running towards the back door.
Once he was on the back steps he took a deep breath, breathing in the crisp night air and letting it cool his overheated skin. He took a seat on the bottom step, running his fingers through his hair for what had to be the thousandth time in the past few hours. He felt slightly disappointed in himself that he couldn't handle the crowd better and that he had fucked up so much tonight. He knew Ruby and Gabe were not mad or disappointed in him and, like Gabe had pointed out, it was only his third week tending bar and that was one hell of a crowd to try to take on for anyone, never mind being so new to bartending.
Castiel was a perfectionist though, and it killed him that he crashed and burned under the pressure tonight's crowd put on him. The professional side of him was very pleased to see his bar thriving so well, and only after three months. He had been worried at first when he and Ruby had decided on creating a comfortable space, something different and so much like home compared to most every other bar they’d ever gone to, and to see that it had paid off and that word-of-mouth had definitely been in their favor? It was impressive and he could at least be proud of that in this moment. He needed to try not to be too hard on himself. He snorted to himself, knowing that was always something Ruby and Gabe bitched at him about, and probably would tonight after closing… But he just couldn't help it. He wanted to be perfect at everything he did --ignoring the fact that it was unreasonable and and an unfair goal to bestow on oneself. It was just the way he was hard wired.
Castiel sighed and his fingers found their way into his hair again. It was times like these when his nerves were wrecked he wished he still smoked.... He shook his head and wrinkled his nose, Nah… Can’t do that to Ruby… Nasty habit anyways… He sighed, chewing on the inside of his lip when something else occurred to him. Sex though? Sex was a good stress relief, sure as hell beat a cigarette, and he sure could use some stress relief. Castiel smirked to himself and for the first time since he had started tending bar that night and his thoughts drifted once again to green eyes.

Dean twisted the bottle in his hands, feeling the cool beer sloshing up the side and cooling his palm. He had only had three beers so far, but he just wasn’t feeling it tonight… Sam had finally decided to take a break from drinking Crowley out of all the booze in his bar and was instead sitting with his back towards Dean, flirting with some red-head who claimed her name was Abaddon. Yeah, right. Dean had snorted at that one, resulting in Sam tossing him a dirty look and turning his back to him.
Crowley kept throwing the pair of them interesting looks and that in itself made Dean decide that Sam could do a million times better, even if it was just for a one night thing. Sam didn’t need to be where Crowley wanted to be. Shuddering, Dean drowned the rest of his beer, sliding the empty towards the edge of the bar for Crowley to pick up.
He spun on the chair, contemplating on if he wanted to play some pool when he caught Benny’s gaze from across the room. The other man had his hat pulled way down, looking at Dean from underneath the brim with a smirk on his face. Well, decision made. Dean looked back at Sam, but shook his head. If Sam needed to know where he went, he could always text him.
“Evening, Dean,” Benny grinned as Dean slid over to him, pressing his back against the wall beside Benny, shoulders touching. “Sam seems to be… on the rebound?”
“I don’t know if you could call it that,” Dean snorted back, reaching for the glass in Benny’s hand and taking a sip of it before handing it back. “That’s not rebound… that’s…” Dean trailed off, the two of them looking at the woman in her high leather boots, black spandex pants, and tight red blouse. “I don’t even know what to call that.”
“Desperate?” Benny offered and Dean laughed his agreement, looking away quickly when his outburst drew the attention of the woman in question and Sam. “Sam seems to be doing better anyways, better than last week.”
“Yeah.” Dean nodded his head, glancing over at Benny and seeing the other man was looking at him carefully, though Dean couldn’t read his expression. “Slow going. They were together for almost eight years, you know? Now he’s living on his older brother’s couch…”
“Sam’s a good guy, he’ll get through it. Still working with his law degree?” Benny asked and Dean nodded.
“Yeah, he’s a legislative analyst?” Dean shrugged when Benny raised an eyebrow. “He like… researches proposed and current laws, reevaluates them and comes up with reports on how it affects the state and the people. Basically, Sam is embracing his nerdom and pours himself over law books day in and day out, just like when he was in school. Only now, he’s getting paid for it.”
“I could never deal with that shit,” Benny laughed, shaking his head, and Dean had to agree. Sam explained it better, and Dean was more than a little impressed at the amount of work Sam put into doing what he did, but for Dean? Cars were what spoke to him, not musty old law books and politicians.
“So…” Dean said after a moment, breaking the comfortable silence that had fallen over them. “You seemed to be looking for me last week..?” He glanced up at Benny, surprised to see the pained look on his face.
“Yeah, I was.” Benny nodded his head, taking a few seconds to finish off his beer before turning his attention back to Dean. “I, ah… I’ve got someone now, brother…” Even in the dim light of the bar, Dean could see the flush that crept over Benny’s cheeks. A second of silence passed between them before Dean realized that Benny was waiting for him to speak.
“Oh, oh! Man, that’s great! Really, I’m really happy for you.” Dean reached over, squeezing Benny’s shoulder, glad when the other man relaxed underneath his touch.
“Good, I mean…” Benny released a breath and a nervous laugh. “I mean, I know we didn’t work out… but you’re still important to me, you know? Was freaking out all week about how I was gonna tell you…”
“Dude, Benny, you can always talk to me. We were friends first, right? Still friends, even if I do know what you look like naked.” Dean smirked and Benny smacked him for his trouble.
“Winchester, this is why we woulda never worked out. You’re too much of an asshole.”
“No, I’m just too pretty for you, Benny,” Dean fired back, relaxing back against the wall. They were quiet for another moment before he sighed. “I’m done drinking… Not feeling it tonight.”
“Well, wanna go for a walk or something? Get out of here while Sam finishes up whatever the hell he’s doing?” Benny offered and Dean smiled, grateful.
“Yeah, let’s do that.” He let Benny lead the way, trying a few times to catch Sam’s attention as he made his way to the door, leaving unsuccessful. “Walk around the block a few times?”
“Sure, then I’ll be turning in… I’m, ah, going hiking in the morning…” Benny trailed off, the blush on his cheeks now perfectly seen in the streetlights and Dean stopped short, staring at his friend.
“Hiking? You’re going hiking? On a Saturday? Before noontime?!”
“Shut it, Winchester.” Benny punched his arm, tugging Dean forward as he started to walk. “Her name is Andrea…”
Dean’s cleared his throat, wondering how the hell he’d missed that Benny was interested in both sides of the playing field during the three years they’d been friends. “She must be pretty special if she’s getting you to go hiking,” Dean said, covering up his surprise.
“Yeah, she… She’s pretty great. If things go well… I really want you to meet her. If… I mean, if you’re okay with that.” Benny tossed him a careful look and Dean’s stomach flipped for a second, dread filling him at the prospect of their relationship turning into this --awkward and tip-toeing around one another. Dean took a deep breath and smiled, meeting Benny’s eyes as he said, “Man, I would love that. Make sure she’s good enough for you.” Benny smiled back and Dean added, “Just want you to be happy man.”
As they rounded the back alley, Benny wrapped an arm around his shoulders, pulling Dean close into his side. “That’s all I want for you too, Dean. Now we’ve got to find you a nice gal or fella of your own.”
Dean smiled, looking up and his heart skipped a beat as he saw the Angel Noir’s bar owner standing up from the back step of his bar. He looked up, meeting Dean’s eyes in surprise, then darting over to Benny and his arm around Dean’s shoulders before giving them a smile and slipping through the backdoor.
“Yeah,” Dean said, shoving the uneasiness he felt at the look the man had on his face before he’d disappeared into the building. He turned his attention back to Benny, giving him a wide smile and pulling him further down the alley. “Sounds like a good plan to me.”
Chapter Four