I've just realized I haven't been putting Author's notes. Sorry about that. I loved this story to first time I wrote it so I'm trying to get it re-uploaded. I hope you guys still like it, or like it if you are reading it for the first time. Please leave me a review and let me know. Love ya xxxx
Chapter 4 Ice and Scones
Gabriel flipped the sign on the café to 'Closed' and slumped against the door rubbing the tiredness out of his eyes. Today had been hell. First having his lifesaver sexy fireman turn up, then some kids had thought soup belonged on the floor to slide in and then Castiel had spent most of the day in the office. Actually as soon as Gabriel had started serving Dean and the other fire fighters, Castiel had made a quick exit to his hiding place. It made Gabriel curious.
"So, Cas, how long have you known Dean?" Just as he expected it caused the whole of Castiel's face and neck to turn red with embarrassment. Something that seemed to happen a lot whenever Dean was concerned.
"He's been coming in here on and off for about three years." Castiel informed him as he sorted the money from the till and checked the receipts. Gabriel and Balthazar shared a cheeky look and walked towards their boss. They both took up a stool at the counter and stared at him. It only took several seconds for Castiel to feel uncomfortable and lift his head to glare at him.
"And exactly how long have you been crushing on him?" Balthazar smirked. If anything Castiel's face went even redder and he ducked back down to the money, opting to just ignore the two idiots in front of him.
"Oh come on! Don't be shy, Cas. We're all friends here." Gabriel added and then stared at him for a moment. It was almost like you could see realization dawning on his face. Like he had just been told the secrets of the universe. "Oh my God!"
"What?" Castiel and Balthazar asked.
"You hate working here!" He snapped and pointed an accusing finger at his boss.
"I do not!" Castiel argued but still refused to make eye contact.
"You do! You're awkward with customers, you hate the stress when the place gets busy, you have no life because of all the hours you work…you've kept this place open because of him!" He pointed to the door, as if Dean was going to magically walk through it.
"That is ridiculous. I enjoy this job just fine." Castiel hissed back at him.
"What's the blind girl's name?" Gabriel asked in a sickeningly sweet voice and rested his head on his hands. Castiel stared at him for a moment, looking more and more angry by the second. Of course he didn't know Pamela's name because Castiel couldn't talk to people. Pamela was one he tried to avoid most of all because her flirty attitude made him all kinds of nervous.
"Go home, both of you. I'll see you on Saturday!" He grabbed the rest of the money and headed into the office. The slamming of the door signalled the end of the conversation.
"That could have gone better." Balthazar sighed and headed for the door.
"Are you kidding me!?" Gabriel practically screamed at him. "The two of them are so hot for each other, you would need the entire fucking fire department to turn the hoses on the heat!"
"What the hell are you talking about?" Balthazar groaned, far too tired for this conversation. "You know what, tell me at the bar, I need a drink to go with this story."
They headed down the street, Balthazar quietly listening to Gabriel ramble on about all the times Dean had sat and stared at Castiel, practically drooling into his burger. By the time they had ordered their drinks, a plan was forming.
?/?/?/?/?/?/?/
3 years ago…
Castiel turned the key in the door and quickly stepped inside the café to shut off the alarm. A blizzard had started outside and he could tell it was going to be a slow day. He switched on the coffee pot, turned on enough lighting to be able to see, but also enough to let the outside world know they weren't open yet. He poured himself a quick coffee and then headed to the kitchen to get started on the counter food. Scones, muffins and pancakes were his speciality. He always liked them being on display so people could both see and smell them when they walked through the door.
He had just got the second batch of scones into the oven when he heard the familiar jingle of the bell above the door. Sighing in irritation, at the person's lack of ability to read the sign on the door, he picked the first tray and headed out of the kitchen. He just got the door pushed open when a dark figure stumbled backwards away from it. Both of them jumped and, to Castiel's ever growing annoyance, the tray slipped from his hands and hit the floor.
"Shit." He huffed quietly and dropped to his hands and knees to clean up the mess. He couldn't wait to get this damn shop up for sale again. He never wanted to admit this to his family. But he just wished he had gone into accounting like his father had told him and then he wouldn't be in this damn hell hole.
"I'm so sorry." A male voice said from above him, as soon as they guy had caught his breath. He dropped down in front of Castiel and began helping to place the destroyed scones back on the tray. "I was just about to call out and ask if you were open, then you just kinda appeared out of nowhere. Are you ok?" Castiel lifted his head to give the man an ear full about how customers shouldn't be behind the counter. But the words died in his throat.
"I…uh…fine!" The last word came out more like a harsh snap, his face glowing red when he grabbed the tray and carried the scones over to the bin, dumping them all in and setting the tray down on the counter. He was till shaking slightly. But not from the scare anymore. The guy was…he was…there weren't words to describe how good looking he was. Castiel was never that good at talking to people in general. Talking to people he found an attraction to was like a high speed train with no brakes. Total fucking disaster waiting to happen.
"Look, I'm really, really sorry I scared you." He peeked over his shoulder and looked at the guy. He was rubbing the back of his neck and looking ten types of uncomfortable. Castiel took a few deep breaths and then slowly turned to face him. Hell, things couldn't get any worse right?
"Its…all right." He offered softly and the guy looked up, unable to meet his eyes because Cas suddenly found his own shoes to be the most interesting thing on the planet. "I just, didn't expect you to be…right there."
"Yeah sorry. I heard all the banging and stuff. Funny enough, I didn't want to scare you by yelling out." He chuckled slightly and then bit his lip, still looking guilty.
"Did you…want something?" Castiel asked, not sure what else to say.
"Oh!" The guy grinned, suddenly remembering that he was supposed to order stuff and not just stand around making chit chat. "Are you even open yet?" Castiel involuntarily turned his eyes to the sign on the door. The guy followed his gaze and groaned. "Right, sign! Should really pay more attention to those. I'll just…pay for those scones and get out of your hair." He pulled out his wallet and then looked at Castiel. It only took him a second to realise the guy was waiting on the price.
"No!" He said a little too quickly. "What else were you looking for? And don't worry, I can sort out the scones." It all came out very rushed and breathless. But at least he could string sentences together now.
"I insist." The man replied with a smile. "I need, uh," He pulled a piece of paper out of his back pocket. "Six plain coffees, two lattes, four teas and…I don't suppose you have anymore food?" He cast a guilty look towards the bin, but Cas could now see him trying to fight off a cheeky smile. As if on cue the oven dinged, signalling the next batch of scones were done.
"The next scones are ready. How many do you need?" He asked as he headed back to the kitchen.
"I'll take whatever you have. Need to feed a small army. And I will pay for those other scones!" He called out as Cas disappeared into the kitchen.
"You don't have to!" Cas called back to him. Only to be met with "I insist!" again.
He got the coffees and teas done as fast as possible, bagged up the scones and then argued with the guy for a few minutes, still refusing to take the money for 'damage control' as the man called it.
"Seriously, it was my fault, just take the money." He pushed the bills into Castiel's hands and then grabbed the bag of scones and the first tray of coffees. Castiel huffed slightly and grabbed the other two trays, following him to the door. A gust of wing blew into the café and caused him to shiver. He had removed his coat and was now only clad in a white shirt and apron.
"Stay here, I'll come back for those." The man smiled and walked over to the car. He had just got the stuff into the passenger seat when he noticed Castiel stepping out into the street. "Hey! You don't take orders well do you?" He joked, grabbing Cas' arm to steady him on the icy ground. He pushed gently and forced him back into the café. "Thanks for the coffees, Castiel." Cas frowned slightly, as the man smirked and tapped his names badge attached to his apron.
"Oh." He said stupidly and handed over the coffees. Once they were secured in the car, the man turned and smiled at him.
"I'm Dean, by the way. Dean Winchester. I know you didn't ask but…I'll probably come back here…it's a nice place…yeah ok." He bumbled out the last few words and then headed to his car. Castiel thought he had never met and cuter or stranger man in his life. He couldn't bring himself away from the door until Dean's car was down the street and out of sight. He then sighed and headed back inside. Having a severely hard time getting the small grin off his face.
?/?/?/?/?/?/?
Present day…
Gabriel had had two beers…ok four…ok he had lost count after the sixth. But who really counts anyway? He and Balthazar were laughing and joking about all the different ways to get Dean and Castiel to admit their feelings for each other. Balthazar had suggested locking the two of them in the office, with soft music and candles. Gabriel had gone for dumping water over Castiel and asking Dean to go help clean him up.
"Why does every suggestion from you have to involve stripping?" Balthazar laughed and rolled his eyes.
"Because every suggestion from you is something that a couple does when they are celebrating their eightieth wedding anniversary." Gabriel teased. Despite all of Balthazar's swagger and charm, he was a real romantic. Gabriel just wished the guy could meet someone with the same charm and tease, as well as being a damn big softy.
"Come on, I'm getting too old for this shit. I need sleep." Balthazar mumbled and slowly stood from his bar stool. They both turned at the sound of the door opening, a rowdy group making their way in. Normally the two men would have definitely made their exit. But Balthazar clamped a hand on Gabriel's shoulder and forced him to sit down.
"What gotten into you?" Gabriel yelped as his ass slammed back against the seat.
"We might not be able to get Cassie laid, you on the other hand..." Gabriel turned to see the red head from the fire station walk in, closely followed by his fireman. His fireman who's name he still didn't know. Shit!
"We're leaving!" He yelped. Far too drunk for this. No way. Not staying. Not even if you paid me to. Just gonna grab my jacket and slip towards the do-
"Hey Gabriel, Balthazar, come play!" He turned at the sound of the voice of his wet dreams. Looking at the kid as he swayed slightly and grinned at them.
Well, he's drunk too. Gabriel thought and tried to make an exit again. Balthazar was having none of it.
"Aww, he wants to play with you" Balthazar teased and then started heading over."We'd love to!" He called before Gabriel could protest.
This can only end badly. Either I am going to make a top rate dick out of myself. Or Balthazar will be a non-virgin sacrifice before morning for embarrassing me.
Gabriel steeled his nerves, grabbed another beer and made his way over to the group. He stumbled slightly and sexy fireman grabbed his arm to steady him. He looked up at the tall kid and grimaced slightly.
Yep, this can only end badly.
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