Title: Three Angel Wine
Author: MoonbeamDancer
Artist: mendelian
Art Link: Can be found on my journal, look for the post that says "The Art for Three Angel Wine".
Rating: R/NC-17
Fandom: Supernatural
Pairing(s): Castiel/Gabriel/Balthazar (main), Castiel/Balthazar (past and present) Balthazar/Lucifer (implied), Castiel/Rachel (past), Castiel/Gabriel, Gabriel/Balthazar
Warnings: Bonding, threesome, angelcest, swearing, drunk angels, wing!kink, voyeurism, sex, bondage.
Word Count: 17,332
Disclaimer: No I don't own them, I'm not Eric Kripke.
Summary: AU where angels and human coexist together. Angelic college fic. Four years ago Balthazar and Castiel were involved but a misunderstanding caused Castiel to leave, not wanting to hear Balthazar's explanation. Four years later they meet again, due to Gabriel, can they patch things up and start again with each other or will they start something new with Gabriel?
Author's Notes: Let me start this by saying that this story is all the fault of princess_aleera. It is also written for her, in addition being all her fault, enjoy sweetie. :) And it all started with a comment about angelic strip clubs, back in November of 2011. Seriously, it did. I have no idea how we got from a story about zombies, to angelic strip clubs, to this, but we did.
I want to thank my awesome beta novakev for reading through all of this and making it even better, I could not ask for a better beta, you are so amazing. My artist mendelian, he did an amazing job, go show him some love. Justin for helping with ideas and just being there when I want to talk about the show and pairings and fandom in general.
I hope everyone enjoys reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it. For the purposes of this story, Castiel is 23 (19 in flashbacks), Gabriel is 26 and Balthazar is 29 (25 in flashbacks). I will warn everyone now that it is my first time not only writing a threesome and trio sex, but also one that is all male. So if it comes across as rather sucky (and not in the fun way) that would be why.
I would also like to add that I know jack about wine. I did a bit of looking around while writing this, and more then likely played fast and loose with a lot of it. So if anyone reading this is a wine lover and I screwed up massively, please forgive me.
"Shelve these on the third floor, and then see what Sherri needs up on the fifth, she's in the computer lab." Mrs. Harvelle slid the last of a handful of books onto the book cart and pushed it towards Castiel.
"Probably the printer again or one of the computers needs to be seen by the tech guys." Castiel grabbed the cart and started towards the elevators. Stepping into the car, and making sure to tuck his wings in close to his body, he pushed the button for three and began to look over the books to be put away. "Let's see... mysteries, children's lit, and art history." Castiel slid a book into the correct spot on the cart as the elevator came to a stop.
At 23, Castiel Novak was in his fourth year of school at Angelic University, he was studying to be a research librarian, and part of the curriculum at AU was that he worked in the university's library a few days a week. "Angelic University, it's the gold standard." Castiel sighed to himself as he began to put books away.
After thirty minutes and seeing what Sherri needed, turned out it had been the printer; it was running low on toner. So he showed her a trick to make the cartridge last longer, a least a few hundred pages, and where she could get a new one when needed. Also where to leave a note letting their stock clerk know she had grabbed one, so he knew what was where and how much was needed at any given time. "Such a newbie." he thought, smiling to himself. Castiel had nothing against her, thought she was quite nice for a human actually, but her newness to the lab showed though. Kid learned fast though, she'd be running the lab like her own personal kingdom in no time.
Castiel glanced down at his watch as he rounded one of the stacks on the second floor towards the end of his shift. He'd have just enough time to get back to the apartment, shower, change his clothes and meet Gabriel for pizza and a night of bad monster movies at his place. Three doors over, but still at his place, he had the better tv and snacks. The only place Castiel had him beat was in the movie selection, he had the better monster movies. Gabriel made up for it by having a damn impressive collection of porn. Looking back up, Castiel stopped short and nearly tripped over his own feet hiding behind the corner he had just turned. Poking his head out quickly, he saw that his eyes weren't playing tricks on him.
Balthazar was perusing the books twenty feet away from him, in the small business owners section.
Castiel watched while Balthazar ran a hand over the titles, he seemed to be looking for a certain book... What on Earth was he doing in this section? Let alone at the school? It was when he had selected a book Castiel remembered that Balthazar had talked of owning his own wine shop one day. Castiel yanked his head back around the corner as Balthazar flipped through the book and began to walk towards him. Balthazar walked by, never seeing Castiel, his eyes on the book in hand.
Castiel trailed quietly behind him, watching as Balthazar went down to the main floor, checked out his book and walked out the door and down the steps. A small part of Castiel wanted to go up to Balthazar and say hi, but a bigger part of him knew that doing so would be a bad idea. After all, what would be the point, things hadn't exactly ended on a good note between the two of them.
"Bal, I'm back." Castiel called as he walked into his boyfriend's apartment. "I got the wine sampler. Where are you?"
"In the kitchen."
Castiel removed his shoes and walked towards the kitchen, following the smell of food cooking. Balthazar stood at the stove, still in slacks and his work shirt, feet bare. "Dinner's almost ready." He stirred the sauce and checked on the pasta. "Spaghetti's almost done. What do you think of the sauce?" He offered the spoon for a taste.
Castiel tasted the sauce and smiled. "It's good." He nodded towards the six-pack of bottles of different wines he had picked up. A couple of them would go good with dinner tonight, a couple with dessert and the others were wild cards, but they would be found a use for something. "Maybe a pinch of pepper?"
Balthazar tasted the sauce again. "Maybe, what kind of wine do we have?"
"Two reds, two whites, and two blushes."
Balthazar looked over the mini bottles. Selecting a red wine, he looked at the label. "This one will work, so no pepper, it'll interfere with the taste of the wine." He undid the cap and took a sip, the flavor bursting on his tongue and sliding down his throat. "Come here Cas, you need to try this."
Balthazar took another sip and pulled Castiel close, pressing his lips to Castiel's mouth, letting the wine trickle in. Castiel responded in kind, sucking lightly on Balthazar's bottom lip when the wine was gone. Balthazar smiled and happily kissed the younger angel back, licking at his mouth. The two were happy to ignore everything but each other, when Castiel noticed that something was beginning to burn.
"Balthazar, what's burning?"
"Nothing, stove's off." Balthazar muttered, pressing a kiss to Castiel's neck.
"Are you sure, because I-"
Castiel was abruptly cut off by the smoke detector.. The one in Balthazar's apartment was stupidly sensitive, and the moment anything began to blacken, it went off. The fact that the sensor had a direct line across from the kitchen didn't help matters one bit.
"Fuck! The garlic bread!" Balthazar snapped and grabbed the oven door, pulling out the pan of charred bread and throwing it into the sink, turning on the tap. "Damn, forgot about that."
Both angels twitched their wings to stir the air to get rid of the smoke, Castiel opening a window to help speed things along.
"I motion that any making out be held until after dinner is cooked from now on." Castiel said, stretching his wings.
"I second the motion." Balthazar replied, tossing the now soggy bread, into the trash can and turning off the sink tap.
"Motion passed." Castiel intoned, banging his hand on the kitchen divider. "Next order of business, dessert, what is it?"
Balthazar chuckled and smiled at Castiel, grabbing a couple of plates and handing him one. "Cheesecake, it's thawing in the fridge."
"Motion to skip dinner and go straight to dessert."
"Motion denied, dinner first."
"Damn. Alright then. So the wine was just an excuse to kiss me, right?" Castiel asked.
"I don't need an excuse for that. The wine is for research purposes and kissing you is just fun." Balthazar replied, scooping some noodles and sauce onto his plate.
"For your future store?" Castiel asked, taking the spaghetti tongs and helping himself to dinner.
"Yes. Grab one of the others for yourself, I need a second opinion."
"Mkay, I can do that." Castiel grabbed one of the bottles of blush and they sat down to eat.
center~*~*~*~/center
i"Better to let sleeping dogs lie."/i Castiel thought to himself and hurried to clock out and be on his way home.
After a quick shower and change Castiel knocked on Gabriel's door, movies in hand. Gabriel answered the door in his undone robe and a pair of boxers, dessert pizza in hand. Castiel's heart skipped a beat at this, Gabriel did have nice abs. It was then that Castiel managed to tear his eyes off of his abs to notice that it was a piece of the chocolate pizza Gabriel had in hand. It consisted of chocolate sauce spread over pizza bread, crumbly bits and chocolate sauce drizzled on top. There was also sprinkles, multi colored ones, Gabriel added those himself. According to him, "The pizza place won't add them, they don't carry them."
"You're going to rot your teeth out." Castiel said, stepping in, watching Gabriel take a bite. And close your robe I'm not one of your floozies."
"It's why my dentist loves me." Gabriel replied, shutting the door, and tying his robe shut.
"Sure he does."
"Totally does. What movies did you bring?" Gabriel asked as Castiel sat down and helped himself to the box on the coffee table. Gabriel handed him a soda and sat down himself.
"Um, Plan 9 From Outer Space, Frankenweenie, and if we have time, Species."
"Nice."
"I thought so."
The two ate and watched movies, adding their own dialogue to them.
"Sure, set the town windmill on fire. That'll take care of the Frankendog." Gabriel snorted.
"It's the Bride of Frankendog! That poodle is awfully cute." Castiel snickered at the end.
"I do like the hair." Gabriel agreed.
"Hey Gabe?"
"Yeah Cas?"
"Got something I want to ask you."
"Shoot, hon." Gabriel began to tidy up the table, snapping his fingers the trash went from the table to the trashcan.
"How's dinner at my place sound?"
"Like you really need to ask that. You know I'm in."
Castiel smiled at that. "Good, next Friday sound good?"
"Yeah, around seven right?"
"7:30 I get off of work at 6:30 that night."
"Okay, should I bring anything?"
"Wine would be nice, a white one."
When Friday rolled around Gabriel stopped off at his apartment and dropped off his backpack and picked out a nice shirt and jeans to wear to Castiel's. He had already found out what Castiel was making, tuna steak and a salad; Gabriel said he'd bring dessert. Checking his wallet, Gabriel slid his jacket back on and flew over to the wine shop a few blocks away from the apartment complex. The shop, called Three Angel Wine, was relatively new. It had opened up about a month and a half ago, and the only way that Gabriel had known about it, was the fact that a classmate had turned him onto the chocolate liqueur filled candies. He particularly liked the milk chocolates filled with honey and mint flavored liqueurs. Landing in front of the store, Gabriel went in and steered straight back to the section of liqueur and liquor filled chocolates. Gabriel had filled a paper sack full of the candies, picking up his favorites and some he thought Castiel would like, when he remembered about the wine.
"Crap..." he muttered under his breath and headed to the section with the white wines in it. Gabriel was looking at the bottles, realizing that he really knew crap all about wine, when he heard a cough behind him.
"Can I help you?"
Gabriel turned, "Dad, I hope so. A friend of mine invited me to dinner and asked me to bring a bottle of wine, he suggested a bottle of white wine, but I really don't know what to get."
A little voice began to kick at the back of Gabriel's head, one that insisted that he knew this person, that he had seen him before, but where the hell had it been?
The owner of said voice was an older gentleman, blond, his voice a bit on the whiskey rough side, but still nice, and was dressed in what appeared to be black dress slacks, a white t-shirt, and an unbuttoned cobalt dress shirt.
Gabriel let the little fact that he looked really nice like that just slide away for right now. But that damn voice was still fucking insisting that he iknew/i this guy from somewhere. It was then that he tuned back in to hear the last bit of what the guy was saying.
"... having for dinner?"
"Oh! Um, what was it? Tuna steak, that's it!"
"Ahi or Yellow fin tuna?"
"Is there is difference, he didn't say which."
"Not really for the fish, but it would depend on what it was cooked with." He began looking through the selection of wines. "Hmmm. Let me see that bag..." He plucked the bag of liqueur filled chocolates out of Gabriel's hands and shook a few into his to see what Gabriel had gotten. "Hmmm. Honey, mint and some fruit flavors... I have something in mind, follow me." He put the candies back in the bag, handed it to Gabriel and walked out of the white wine section.
He stopped a few rows over in the reds and selected a bottle. "Here, the pinot noir blush should go well with the tuna. I would recommend..." he stepped over to the end of another isle and grabbed a smaller bottle. "I would recommend the Cheesecake wine to go with the chocolate liqueurs. It'll bring out the sweetness of the chocolate and the flavors of the liqueurs."
"Alright, thanks."
The two headed toward the register for Gabriel to pay, and after he was done, the blond man picked up the book he had been reading before Gabriel came in. It was then, that it kicked in where Gabriel knew him from.
"You're the geek from the library!" Gabriel blurted out.
"'Geek from the library?'" came the dry reply.
"The University library. You're always either in the small business section or over in art, reading something."
"How do you-"
"I'm a Psychology major. I go there to study sometimes when my neighbors are too loud at home. My name's Gabriel by the way."
"Charming. I'm Balthazar." he reached out to shake Gabriel's hand. "You got a last name Gabriel?"
"It's Loki."
"Really? Like the trickster?"
"Yeah, unfortunately."
"Ah, heard that one too many times?"
"Oh yeah, got boring after the second time."
"My apologies then."
"It's alright."
"Hope you and your friend enjoy the wine, I'll see you around again, I'm sure."
"Most likely yes, and I'm sure we will, thank you for helping me pick it out."
"You're welcome."
Gabriel picked up his bags and left, going back home to shower and change.
Gabriel knocked on the door to Castiel's apartment. "Lucy, I'm home!" Gabriel called, letting himself in.
"Come on in! Make yourself at home and 'I Love Lucy' quotes, really?"
"Babaloo!" Gabriel laughed. "Okay, fine. You're no fun, you know that?"
Castiel stuck out his tongue and continued to stir the pan on the stove.
"I love you too dear." Gabriel replied, sitting down on the sofa, pouring the candy out and eating it.
Castiel saw this and snorted. "I told you to get wine we could drink, not eat."
"What? You can drink them, just bite off the cap. Besides, I got normal wine too." Gabriel said, picking up the bag with the wine in it.
Castiel looked at the wine bottles in surprise. "You even got a dessert wine and this blush will be excellent with the tuna."
"I had help."
"Really? Was she a double D or a triple?"
"iHe/i helped and he was a wine snob."
"Oh, so anyone who knows anything is a snob? Does this make you a psychology snob?"
"Damn right it does."
"So you found someone that could translate and iunderstand/i your sugar crazed delirium?"
"Fire bad, tree pretty. Friend serve tuna."
Castiel laughed. "I guess I just have to meet this wine knowing, sugar translating, super snob."
"I'll see when is good for him."
About a week later, Gabriel led Balthazar by the hand down the pier to where they were to meet Castiel. The smell of fresh fish hung in the air along with the other seafood being sold. Pike Place Market was busy today as they passed other vendors and stores. The wares varied from clothing and jewelry to books and household items, but it was most famous for its fresh seafood brought in daily. Gabriel made a mental note to pick up some rather succulent Mahi Mahi on the way home, grilled fish with pineapple sounded wonderful for dinner, considering how well he hoped things went.
"So this friend of yours..." Balthazar asked. "What's he like again?"
"He wants to be a research librarian, he's going for a Ph.D, and is right now working in collections and acquisitions. He'll most likely either be a professional researcher or a law librarian, my money's on research. He's a bit reserved, likes to people watch. He can be funny when he wants, but his sense of humor tends to be on the dry side, get him to relax and he'll loosen up though. Has the best collection of bad monster movies I have ever seen."
It was then that Gabriel saw a familiar rumpled head of hair and called out, "Hey Cas!" He let go of Balthazar's hand to catch up to Castiel. "There you are."
"Cas?" Balthazar thought. i"Surely he can't mean-"/i the thought was cut off as the dark haired man turned around.
Blues eyes met hazel for the first time in four years, both wide in shock.
"I got a new friend I want you to meet, his name is-"
"Balthazar." Castiel stated, staring at the older man.
"Castiel." Balthazar whispered. "It's been so long, how are you?"
"And never mind, you two know each other already... How?" Gabriel continued switching his sentence mid thought.
"Do you remember me telling you about an ex who cheated on me behind my back? That I found him in bed with another man? That was Balthazar." Castiel growled out.
"Cas, it wasn't like that. I loved you, I would have never done anything of the sort to you. I was trying to get Lucifer out, what you saw-"
"Shut up! You do not get to call me that anymore, and I have no interest in hearing any more of your lies."
"Castiel, please hear me out! If you still don't believe me after I explain, I'll leave you alone."
"Cas, listen to him." Gabriel said, quietly watching the two of them.
"You're talking his side?" Castiel asked. "After everything I told you, you decide-"
"I'm not taking any side Cas. But he does deserve to tell you his side of things. If you still don't like what Bal has to say, then he's out of here, and you don't have to deal with him anymore."
"Seriously?"
"Yeah. Do we want to head somewhere more private or look for a quiet spot here?"
"More private would be nice." Balthazar replied.
"That's fine with me." Castiel agreed.
"Alright, it's decided, let's go to my place." Gabriel said.
Gabriel unlocked his door and let the others in ahead of him. "Make yourselves at home, want anything to drink?"
Castiel and Balthazar both asked for water and sat in the living room, Castiel in the overstuffed chair, Balthazar on the sofa, both as far as they could get from the other. Well, Balthazar wanted to be seated closer to Castiel, but he could feel and almost see the "stay away and leave me alone" vibes that Castiel was sending out. The fact that Castiel's wings were also screaming the same thing didn't help either.
Gabriel came back in, handed the other two their drinks and sat on the sofa himself. "Okay, who wants to start?"
"Apparently that wasn't Lucifer in your bed?" Castiel asked, cutting to the chase.
"It wasn't Cas. Well actually he was there in person, but we didn't have sex. At least I'm pretty sure we didn't."
"Oh really? Because the way I remember it, you were half naked and Lucifer looked damn comfortable lying next to you."
Balthazar and Lucifer were old friends, they had met in college and while it had been awhile since they had seen each other, when they met up at a wine convention of all places, they decided to spend some time catching up. They had gotten into a discussion about wine and cheese of all things. Balthazar found it funny that Lucifer now made and shipped his own cheese. Balthazar suggested that they go back to his place, that he had some bottles of wine that would go great with a couple of Lucifer's cheeses.
"Okay, you were right, this goes wonderfully with the smoked Gouda." Lucifer chuckled, "I should have brought the smoked cheddar, it might have worked with this one as well."
"Bring it next time, we'll try it then." Balthazar replied, reaching for the bottle. His grip wasn't as strong as he thought, because when pouring another glass, the bottle slipped and Balthazar fumbled to pick it up, spilling red wine on his shirt in the process.
"Dammit. Okay, Luc. I think this is a sign we've had too much." Bal slurred slightly, looking down at his shirt. And he had worn the nice white button down that Castiel liked too.
Lucifer blinked and peered at the spreading stain on Balthazar. "I think your right." He stood up and motioned for Balthazar to take his shirt off. "I'll help you with that. Take it off."
If they were sober enough to realize what they were doing, they would have stopped and Balthazar would have done everything himself, but drunk logic will prevail... and somehow Lucifer's shirt came off too. Balthazar's pretty sure it was so he wouldn't feel self conscious about being shirtless. Either way, they also managed to get water all over their pants and after some drunken rambling discussion, decided that no pants was a good thing as well.
They staggered down the hallway and into Balthazar's room and onto the bed.
"Lucifer, get out of my bed."
"But it's so comfortable." Lucifer mumbled into the pillow next to Balthazar.
"Don' care, get out." Balthazar muttered back.
Lucifer didn't move, he was already asleep.
Castiel let himself into the apartment, setting his bag on the sofa. It was the middle of finals and he was in massive need of a study break "Balthazar, you in? How'd the wine convention go?" Castiel called, looking around.
There was a thud and a moan coming from the bedroom. "Bal?" Castiel pushed the door open "Everything alright?" He slipped inside and switched on the light. Castiel promptly wished that he hadn't. Lying in the bed was Balthazar and another man. Balthazar was lying on his side, sheets tangled around his waist, the other man's arm around him. Castiel just stood there, mouth open, in the door way, not really believing what he was seeing.
There was another man in Balthazar's bed.
There was another man in Balthazar's bed that he had spent the night in.
There was another man in Balthazar's bed, that he had quite happily spent the night in, with Balthazar.
The nameless blond nuzzled Balthazar's shoulder in his sleep and Castiel's vision turned red. It was then that he saw the mostly empty bottle of red wine out of the corner of his eye and picked it up, throwing it at the wall above the headboard, where it shattered, spraying glass and warm wine everywhere.
The sound of breaking glass is what woke Balthazar up with a start. At first he had no idea what was going on. All he really knew was that he's got a massive hangover and Castiel was pissed off at him and wanting to know what the hell was going on and who the hell was that next to him. By this time Lucifer was awake as well and was feeling no better off.
"He's an old friend, Cas. We met at the convention and decided to catch up." Balthazar muttered, the pounding in his head making him wish his head could become detached from the rest of his body.
"Then why is he in bed with you?" Castiel asked before turning on his heel and storming out the door, slamming it behind him. Both men flinched at the sound and Balthazar hurried to throw on a pair of pants and go after Castiel.
"Castiel! Castiel, wait!" Balthazar yelled, running after Castiel and grabbing him by the elbow, turning him around to face him.
"Please, let me explain."
"No. It's clear to me that I'm not good enough for you."
"Cas, that isn't true."
"Then who was that? What was he doing in your bed?"
"His name is Lucifer, he's an old friend from school. We met at the convention and-"
"You took him back to your place and fell into bed with him, like a drunken tramp."
"No! I mean yes, we had a bit too much to drink, but I didn't want him in my bed. And I'm not a tramp, thank you."
Castiel pulled his elbow out of Balthazar's grip and glared at him. "I don't believe you. I can't talk to you now." Castiel began walking away and took off in a flurry of feathers.
Balthazar watched him leave and then walked back to his apartment. Attached to the bedroom door was a note from Lucifer.
i'Sorry your boyfriend is pissed at us, hope you two can work things out.
-Lucifer'/i
Looking at the mess in the room, Balthazar groaned and turned towards the bathroom for some aspirin and a shower.
A few days later, Balthazar knocked on the door to Castiel's dorm room. He felt silly doing it, but it was better than trying to talk to him on the phone. Castiel opened the door and stood in the doorway.
"Cas, can we talk please?"
"Did you sleep with him?"
"I don't know."
"'I don't know' isn't good enough."
"I swear I don't know. We had too much to drink and I spilled wine on my shirt and Luc tried to help me clean up, we passed out on the bed. That's all I remember."
"You need to leave."
"Cas-"
"You need to leave now."
"Cas please."
"Balthazar. Just leave." Cas shut the door and slid to the floor of his room, trying to stifle his sobs.
"Castiel." Balthazar whispered, leaning his forehead against the door. "I'm so sorry. I know you don't believe me, but I am. I love you."
"I don't care." Castiel hissed through the door. "Please leave. I don't want to hear this anymore."
Balthazar stood at the door for a few more minutes before walking away.
"After that, I stayed away. I wanted to talk to you, to see if I could explain and get you to see things from my side, but every time I tried you didn't want to talk to me. You walked away and you wouldn't take my calls, eventually I just stayed away; you seemed happier without me."
"Happier?"
"Yes."
"I wasn't. Well at the time, I wasn't. Eventually it stopped hurting."
"I'm still sorry about how things ended. Could we start over? Maybe as friends?"
"I-I-I don't know. I need to think about this. I should go."
Castiel got up and started walking towards the door. "We should talk later, but right now I need to think. I'll see you later Gabriel." He let himself out, closing the door behind him with a soft click.
"He'll be alright, just give him time." Gabriel said, watching as Balthazar's face fell, as Castiel left.
"You're sure?"
"Yeah. I'll talk to him in a couple of days, don't worry about it."
Castiel came into his apartment and leaned against the door with a sigh. Balthazar was just three doors away. His past and what he wanted for his future was just three doors away. Castiel could admit to himself that he liked Gabriel as more than a friend and found him attractive. Saying it to Gabriel's face was another thing entirely. Castiel thumped his head against the door and slumped to the floor, legs out in front of him. Castiel studied his shoes, his mind pulling him in too many directions at once. For once, he had no idea what to do.
"Have you given any thought to what Balthazar said?" Gabriel asked later that same week.
"About wanting to start over? Yeah, I have. What do you think?"
"About the whole thing or you two being friends again?"
"Both I think." Castiel whispered.
"I think he's telling the truth. I think he really wants another chance with you and to start over again."
Castiel nodded. "I don't know if I can do this, I really don't."
"Would you like me to be there?"
"I feel really stupid asking this, but could you?"
"It's not a problem Cas. I'd be happy to help you. Though we need to talk to Balthazar and see what he says."
"I know, how's lunch with him sound?"
"Good. Let's go talk to our angel and see what he thinks."
Balthazar was more than happy to have lunch with Castiel and Gabriel. They decided to meet on a Saturday and lunch had been alright, if a bit stilted and strange. All three chalked it up to so much time having passed. Both Balthazar and Castiel kept looking at each other when they thought the other wasn't looking. When they idid/i catch each other's eye, they'd dart away and act like they hadn't been staring at the other. Gabriel watched the other two angels dance around each other, torn between giggling because he found them adorable and giggling because he found the situation funny. Either way he could see that they wanted to be together, to try again. Now the only problem would be getting Castiel to admit it.
After a few dates shared by the three of them, each more relaxed than the one before, Gabriel was over at Castiel's the two sitting on the sofa talking. The subject of the conversation didn't really matter, but Castiel was feeling a little bolder than normal, and he decided to take the plunge.
"I like you Gabriel."
"I like you too, Cas."
"No I mean I like like you. Like boyfriend like you."
"What are you, twelve?"
Castiel stared Gabriel in the eye. "No, I just didn't know how to tell you before is all."
"Why are you telling me now? I thought you wanted to be with Balthazar."
"I do. I want to be with him badly."
"Finally! It's about time you admitted it."
"But I want to be with you too, I want both of you. I think I never stopped wanting to be with Bal, at least a part of me never did. Another part of me wants you. I just never knew what to say or how to say it. Plus I never knew if you even liked men, every time I saw you, you had some girl with you."
"I like other men, it's never really been about the sex of my partner, just that we enjoyed being with each other."
"Oh."
"Yeah, 'Oh.'" Gabriel shifted closer to Castiel on the sofa, leaned over and kissed him lightly on the mouth.
"What was that?"
"It's called a kiss Cas."
"I iknow/i that! What I mean is why?"
"Curiosity mostly. If the three of us are going to try being together, we should know what kissing the other is like. Why, would you prefer that I didn't kiss you?"
Castiel fidgeted for a minute. "Um, no? I just don't know how to fit this all together is all."
Gabriel snorted and stared at Castiel incredulously.
"Shut up. I know I need to talk with Balthazar."
"Try dating him just by yourself too." Gabriel added.
"That too. We actually have dinner set up for tomorrow night."
"Thank Dad! Where are you going?"
"Angelica's over on Fourth."
"Nice."
"Very, and we're going to Alice's Tea Party for dessert."
"Also nice."
"I know."
After some more talking, Castiel walked Gabriel to the door to say good night.
"Good luck with Balthazar, have fun at dinner."
"I will, thanks."
Gabriel smiled and leaned up, pressing another kiss to Castiel's jaw. "Relax. It'll be fine."
"I hope so." Castiel replied, opening the door for Gabriel.
"I know so." Gabriel squeezed Castiel's hand and walked out, tossing a wave over his shoulder.
The following night Castiel was a bit early to Angelica's, so he waited at the bar. He was enjoying a glass of white wine when he heard his name called.
"There you are, ready for dinner?" Balthazar asked, walking up to him.
"Hello Balthazar and yes." Castiel picked up his glass and they were shown to their table.
After they had ordered and their food had been brought to their table, Balthazar asked if he could try the wine Castiel had been drinking.
"Feel free to finish it." Castiel replied, fingers brushing Balthazar's as he handed him what was left of the glass.
"Thank you." Balthazar sipped from the glass. "Chardonnay. Good choice, nice bouquet, nice balance of the flavor. A 2003 if I'm not mistaken."
"I forgot how good you were at wine tasting."
"I'm good at a lot of things Cas, I'd be happy to remind you."
Castiel blushed slightly. "I look forward to it."
"Is that so?" Balthazar grinned.
"Quite possibly. But I need to talk to you about something important." Castiel sipped from his water glass.
"Something wrong?" Balthazar asked.
"I hope not, but it depends on your answer." Castiel swallowed nervously.
"Whatever it is Cas, you can tell me."
"Alright, I'm going to hold you to that." Castiel took a breath. "I like you Balthazar, I really do. But there's someone else."
"Someone else? Who is it?"
Balthazar could see Castiel's lips move, but not hear the name.
"Who is it Castiel?"
"Gabriel. I like Gabriel too. I want to be with both of you."
"You want to date both of us?" Balthazar asked.
"I want the three of us to be together."
Balthazar coughed on his water. "As a threesome? What does Gabriel say to all of this? Does he know?"
"He knows, he kind of suggested us being a trio."
"Really? And you're okay with this? This is what you want."
"I'm not totally sure. I just know that part of me never stopped loving you and part of me wants Gabriel just as bad. I want us to work."
"All three of us?"
"And me and you and you and Gabriel."
"And you and Gabriel?"
"Yes. Is this okay with you? Am I asking too much?"
Balthazar propped his chin in his hand with an amused smile. "If it means I can be with you, then I'm all for it."
Castiel's smile could only be described as blinding.
"Hello Gabriel."
Gabriel jumped in his chair, gasping at the voice in his ear.
"Jeez Balthazar! What the hell was that for?" Gabriel dropped his pen onto the table, so much for studying.
"We need to talk. Somewhere more private, it's about Cas." Balthazar replied.
Oh yeah, so much for studying...
"What about him?" Gabriel asked, not moving.
"He wants the three of us to be together."
And time to find that place that's more private.
Gabriel pushed back his chair and grabbing Balthazar by the collar, pulled him over and into one of the private study carols. Shutting the door and pulling the blind, Gabriel leaned back against the door. "What did he say to you?"
Balthazar told him what happened last night. "I tried to kiss him goodnight, but he said it was too soon and that I should talk to you before we decided how to proceed with things."
"And how do you want to proceed?"
"I'd be happy to have Castiel all to myself, but I want him to be happy and you make him happy. I'm willing to try with you to see him happy. Are you willing to do the same?"
"Without a doubt. How do we go about this, since this is obviously going to be more than a one night stand?"
"We'll figure it out, but I could try kissing you goodbye before I go and talk to Cas."
"Fine with me, and there will be no "try", you'll do it and then we will go talk to Cas."
"So bossy." Balthazar grinned, and slipped closer to Gabriel, hands on Gabriel's hips, pressing him up against the door.
"And you're all talk."
"Am I now?"
Balthazar leaned his head down and pressed a light kiss to Gabriel's mouth. Gabriel smirked and pulled Balthazar flush against him, licking at his mouth. Balthazar smiled in response, letting Gabriel in, sucking lightly on his tongue. Gabriel was not going to be shy about this and he liked that. The two kissed for a few minutes, before pulling apart, Gabriel nibbling lightly on his bottom lip.
"Um, okay. I think it's safe to say that things just might go okay for us." Gabriel rasped.
"Same here." Balthazar rumbled.
"We should go talk to Cas."
"Then let's go talk to Cas."
The two angels left the carol and the library after Gabriel packed up his things. He led the way back to Castiel's.
"Didn't know he was so close."
"Just a few doors down from me." Gabriel knocked on Castiel's door.
"Just a moment." came a call from inside. There was the click of a lock being undone and the door opened.
"Hello Castiel."
"Hey Cas, what's shakin'?"
Castiel let them in and shut the door. "Can I help you two?"
"Perhaps." Balthazar replied.
"We've been talking and we think being a trio could work." Gabriel stated.
"Oh really? What brought this around?"
"Nothing really, might have something to do with that kiss that Bal laid on me in the library though."
"What kiss? When?" Castiel sputtered. They had kissed? And he missed it?
"Earlier today in the library, didn't you hear Gabriel? About 15 or so minutes ago."
"So I'm correct in thinking we're okay with us being together." Castiel stated. For some reason his mind was having trouble wrapping itself around this fact...
Gabriel nodded enthusiastically. "Yep."
"This seems too easy." Castiel thought to himself. His face must have betrayed him, because both Gabriel and Balthazar stepped closer and took a hand of his.
"We're serious Cas. We really want this."
"We want this and we want to be with you."
"Prove it."
"Seriously? Again, what are you, twelve?" Gabriel asked.
"No, I just-"
Gabriel and Balthazar looked at him before turning to each other and kissing in front of Castiel. Gabriel standing up on tip toe, wrapped his arms around Balthazar's neck, purring softly in the back of his throat. Balthazar pulled Gabriel close, arms around his waist this time, kissing the younger angel back with growing intensity before moving down his neck, nipping at the skin lightly, making Gabriel gasp and growl in pleasure.
Castiel's mouth hit the floor at the display in front of him. He had inot/i been expecting this at all. He silently shut his mouth and continued to watch the show in front of him. When they pulled apart Gabriel had a small, but dark, hickey on the left side of his throat and his hair was ruffled, his eyes dark with passion. Balthazar's eyes were the same and his shirt had become rumpled from Gabriel clinging to it and twisting it in between his fingers. His lips were red and swollen.
They both looked at Castiel.
"I think we broke him. You doing okay over there Cas?" Gabriel asked.
"I think you're right." Balthazar replied. "But maybe this will help." Balthazar moved over to where Castiel was and tilted his head slightly before kissing Castiel gently on the mouth. Castiel came to with Balthazar's mouth on his, and Gabriel's lips nibbling on his neck. Swallowing a moan, he began to kiss Balthazar back in earnest. His mouth pressing hard against Balthazar's trying to say with a kiss what he couldn't with words.
"Missed you so much Cas. Wanted you back so bad." Balthazar whispered. "I'm sorry for how things ended between us."
"Me too. Sorry I was too stubborn to listen to you."
Balthazar pulled back and looked at Castiel, his hands rubbing Castiel's back. Castiel's wings fluttered in response. "Not your fault, I should have tried harder to make you listen. Can we start over? For real?" Balthazar knew the answer was already yes, but something inside him just needed to hear it again.
"Of course. I want to start over again with you." Castiel replied softly.
"This is really sweet and adorable guys, but if we could move things along." Gabriel piped up from Castiel's side. "Unless you want me to leave you two alone?" He began to pull teasingly away from them.
"Get back here!" Castiel growled, eyes flashing. "You aren't leaving Gabriel, I wanted the three of us and that's final."
"I love it when he gets all bossy, don't you." Gabriel snickered.
"Sometimes. Mainly I like being in control of him." Balthazar said.
"Then we need a change of venue." Gabriel grabbed one of Castiel's arms and pulled the two of them, down the short hallway and into the bedroom.