Author's Note: Revision on 3-24-2018

Enter Castiel Novak

Suits.

Castiel hated suits and nine out of ten times he hated the man that was wearing the suit. He stood in his modern office and stared into the mirror. Today he was wearing a deep navy suit, with a white button up and a maroon tie. He straightened out his tie, adjusted his cuff links and shook out the sleeves.

Suits. Always suits.

He fitted his smart watch on his left arm and returned to his desk. He started thumbing through the file. Raphael insisted they meet with a… Zachariah Adler of Meta Angel… whatever the hell that was. He flipped to the next page. Zachariah seemed to be their CEO. Judging by their file, they were looking for consultant work… as well as a future partnership. Castiel frowned and thumbed to the next page. They didn't even seem to have half as many companies as Novak Industries…

He glanced up at the clock on the wall. 1:57PM. He inwardly groaned. It was hard to believe he had just pulled into Lawrence Kansas at 10AM that morning. Just enough time to drop his stuff off and head straight to the office. He'd have time to unpack later… Perhaps he could convince Gabriel to take Balthazar out tonight and give him peace and quiet his first night there…

There was a light knock at the door.

"Come in." He responded gruffly.

"Mr. Novak?"

He looked up. "Ah, Miss Bradbury. What can I do for you?"

She smiled brightly. "They're ready for you in conference room A."

He nodded. "Thank you." She shut the door with a soft click behind her and Castiel gathered up his things. He took one last glance in the mirror and took a deep steadying breath. Alright, here goes nothing.

Castiel confidently strode down the hall on the top floor of Novak Industries. He entered conference room A and found all eyes turned towards him.

"Mr. Novak," An older gentleman with white hair stepped forward with an outstretched hand. "Zachariah, it is a pleasure to meet you!"

Castiel shook his head and nodded. "Zachariah." He let go. "Let's get started."

-[]-

Two hours later and a handful of bullshit goodbyes later, Castiel shut the door to the conference room leaving himself and Raphael alone. He straightened up his tie and waited expectantly for his brother.

Raphael cleared his throat. "I believe that they could be of great use to us Castiel."

The young CEO mulled over the meeting they had just had. Sure, they could easily go into the Meta Angel firm and help them with all the issues they were having, but forming a partnership after that? He furrowed his eyebrows. Something about Zachariah didn't' sit right with him. "I don't know, Raphael. You didn't feel as though their CEO seemed… shifty?"

Raphael frowned. "Listen Castiel, I know that you think you have a 'gift'." He held up his fingers with air quotations. "But your judgement has been wrong before." Castiel glowered. Leave it up to Raphael to point out all his shortcomings. "More than once." He added. "I just think it would be in the company's best interest to consider what Meta Angel could mean for us."

Castiel narrowed his eyes and tilted his head slightly. "Raphael, I cannot juggle starting this company in Kansas as well as consulting with Meta Angel-,"

"I'll do it." He interrupted eagerly. He cleared his throat. "I will consult for them."

Castiel conceded, "Fine, but I will be checking in."

Raphael glared. "Fine." He swept away from the conference room slamming the door behind him.

Castiel ran a hand through his hair absentmindedly. Of course, things were always tense between Raphael and him. The eldest Novak had become increasingly bitter at his little brother. Which, Castiel could admit was completely understandable considering that their father had chosen to hand his company over to him instead of Raphael.

His phone rang, and he pulled it out of his pocket. "Hello?"

"Cassie dearest," He rolled his eyes.

"Balthazar…"

"Are you almost done at that awful job of yours. I think we should get a drink tonight to celebrate your first night in Kansas! I've met the most interesting man today – he owns the only club in town and has put us on his VIP list."

Castiel sighed. "Balthazar, I would rather stay home and unpack-,"

"One drink Castiel."

He stared at the door, his frustration growing when he thought of Raphael.

"One drink."

-[]-

Castiel Novak did not get inebriated

He didn't know how many times he had told this to his brothers, but they didn't feel the need to listen. It didn't matter what type of alcohol; the point was simple. Alcohol prompted Castiel to do things he normally wouldn't do. Five things to be exact, and five different types of alcohol. Whiskey provoked Castiel to confess his feelings. Beer made him friendly and in some cases flirty. Tequila made him take his clothes off. Wine made him deeply reflect every life decision he had ever made and vodka… well vodka made him a clingy needy mess.

And yet here he was.

Thursday night at 3AM or rather Friday morning at 3AM, Castiel found himself stumbling back into the diner with Balthazar tripping over him as well breaking out into a fit of giggles.

"Cassie…" He snickered. "I can't… can't believe how many people lost their shit over you tonight…" He muffled a laugh again and stood up straight, mustering up a serious face. "Mr. Castiel Novak. Billionaire." He bowed. "It is an h-h-h-onor…pffff-," He broke into another fit of laughter and Castiel followed.

"I tried to tell you Balthazar that I would have much rather stayed home tonight. I am not one for crowds." He tried to reprimand his older brother, but found that his smile gave him away. As socially inept as Castiel seemed to be, he couldn't help but have a major soft spot for most of his brothers. Sure, it made him a sap, but he really couldn't help it.

He locked the door to the diner behind him and started for the kitchen. Food. He needed food.

"Still, I can't believe all those women and even some men threw themselves at you and you completely ignored all of them!" Balthazar followed him into the kitchen waiting for an answer. He threw himself onto the counter top as Castiel rifled through the refrigerator.

"They only 'threw themselves at me' as you so crudely put it because I'm Castiel Novak, billionaire." He pulled out a handful of ingredients and made his way to the pantry. "I am not really into someone who is after my money."

Balthazar was standing at the music control system right on the inside of the kitchen door, putting on one of Gabriel's recent playlist over the loud speakers. "I'm just saying," He returned to his spot on the kitchen counter. "You could have had a one-night stand. I would have slept down here for you, love."

Castiel snorted. "One-night stands are not really my thing Balthazar." He cleared his throat trying his best to concentrate despite how drunk he seemed to be on his task at hand. He began putting all the ingredients into a giant mixing bowl. "Unlike you, I do not feel the need to try and bed everything that moves."

Balthazar rolled his eyes and held up his phone scrolling through different screens. "At least I have a sex life Cassie, when was the last time you got laid?" He looked over pointedly at his younger brother. "Or even had a relationship?"

Castiel shrugged as he went to work on four pie crusts. "I am not one for relationships. You know as well as I do, that my position at Novak Industries is demanding."

Balthazar snorted. "Yeah that stupid company has forced you to give up pretty much everything that actually makes you happy." Castiel said nothing. Even if a part of him felt that what his older brother said was true, he refused to let himself believe it. Acknowledging it would only be confirming the fact that Castiel was indeed miserable. "When was the last time you picked up a guitar, mate?" Balthazar's voice was small.

Castiel froze his movements. "Balthazar…" He chided wearily.

His older brother pressed on. "Come on Cassie! It used to be the five of us- Perdition !" He said dramatically. Castiel rolled his eyes and flipped on two of Gabriel's ovens. He leaned with his back against the stove staring pointedly at his brother. "Gabriel used to kill it on the drums, Lucifer used to shred on back up guitar," He waved his hands animatedly. "Not to mention his screams were incredible!"

"Balthazar-,"

"I didn't think I was too bad on bass myself. And you Castiel," He playfully punched him lightly on the shoulder. "You've got some pipes kiddo! Trust me. I know mate, it's what I do for a living."

Castiel felt the corners of his lips turn up slightly and knew it was giving him away. "My pipes are of no importance Balthazar. My career lies with Novak Industries."

He turned away and put the pies he had made into the ovens and set the timer for 40 minutes. "Cassie?"

"Hm?" He stood up and turned to Balthazar.

"Why do you always make pie when you're trying to sober up?"

Castiel chuckled and felt himself blush. "It is the only thing I know how to make and if I start making it, it forces me to concentrate and start to sober up."

Balthazar clasped a hand on Castiels' shoulder. "I still think you should consider playing guitar again. I saw that you brought it with you." It was rare to see such a light and soft smile on his older brother's face. "You gotta do what makes you happy." His hand fell to his side. "I'm going to try to sleep this off. Think about it Castiel. Really."

Balthazar turned away and the younger Novak waited until he heard his bedroom door shut. He glanced at the timer... 20 minutes… He jogged up the steps and into his room, carefully shutting the door behind him. He glanced around at the opened suitcases, the haphazardly made bed and the guitar case leaning against the corner. He ran a hand through his hair. He rushed forward grabbing the guitar case and threw it open. He pulled out his black acoustic guitar and ran his fingers over the strings tentatively. He hadn't touched his guitar in a few months… He looked back into his case and noticed his leather-bound notebook that he kept all his thoughts or potential lyrics in.

He placed his guitar on his lap and sat at the foot of his bed, his knees pulled up and began strumming the few minor chords he'd had stuck in his head for the past two weeks. He quietly sang a few lyrics…

"And my secrets are burning a hole through my heart and my bones catch a fever. When it cuts you this deep, it's hard to find a way to breathe…"

He absentmindedly strummed a few more chords and let his mind wander. He missed this… After a few more minutes he placed his guitar back in its case and began stripping off his navy suit. He had ten more minutes till the pies were done, enough time for him to squeeze a shower in before he'd head back to the office. He started mentally scolding himself for picking up his guitar in the first place.

He was Castiel Novak, CEO of Novak Industries.

Not Castiel Novak, the Soldier, lead singer of Perdition.

Not anymore.