Chapter Text
Sam sighed as he settled into bed. His head hurt and his lip throbbed. The fact that he’d broken Lucifer’s nose the only thing making him feel better. Dean had left hours ago on a date with Cas and was unlikely to be back that night since Cas had his own place. That left Sam with absolutely nothing to do. He opened up his phone to flip through his contacts, not sure if he should both er trying to hang out with anyone. Jess would only fret over him if she saw his face. Cas was obviously busy. Brady would only want to go out and get drunk. He settled for shooting a text to Jo, but she was out of town with Ash. He gave up and settled into a more comfortable position on the couch, the bruises on his chest pulling painfully as he shifted, and found himself looking at the pictures he’d snapped of the coffee cups over the last few weeks .
Do you believe in love at first sight, or should I walk by again?
I hope you know CPR because you take my breath away.
Aren’t you tired from running through my dreams all night?
Did it hurt when you fell from Heaven?
And his favorite so far, the one from the day before . I’m not drunk, you’re just intoxicating.
He enjoyed flirting with the barista. Gabe was the name written on the name tag pinned to the gaudy green uniform shirt. Gabe. He liked the sound of it, the way it rol led off his tongue. Decision made, he decided to ask for his number the next day . He was thinking of borrowing the Impala and taking the brunette out to his and Dean’s favorite diner on the outskirts of town. Then maybe going out for a drive in the country. Sam dozed off imagining a night with the cute brunette.
“Sammy, why you sleeping on the couch?” Dean asked, when the slamming door startled Sam awake. Light streamed through the windows. He was surprised to have slept through the night without any nightmares. That hadn’t happened in such a long time.
“Are you just getting home?”
“ You weren’t even awake.” Dean grinned. Sam was happy to see his brother so happy and he could attribute most of that to Cas . Introducing them was one of the best decisions Sam had ever made.
“Is that a hickey?”
“Fuck off, Sam.” But there was laughter in his voice.
“I’m off to get coffee.”
“Gonna go flirt with your new boyfriend?”
“Excuse me?”
“ Cas said someone’s been feeding you pick up lines.”
Sam sighed. “He didn’t even know what a pick up line was until I explained. You really need to get him into this century. Seriously, how can he be so clueless?”
Dean shrugged, “From what I understand, his brothers babied him a lot. I haven’t actually met most of them.”
“Well, if they’re like Lucifer then that’s probably for the best.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Better I guess. My chest still hurts, I think I’ve got a bruised rib or two, but my face is mostly healed.”
Dean merely nodded. A few bruised ribs weren’t anything to be concerned about. They’d survived a hell of a lot worse from their father growing up . It was one of the things Sam still had nightmares about. That and Lucifer.
He changed his shirt and headed out towards the coffee shop with his bag over his shoulder. Unfortunately Gabe wasn’t standing behind the counter. A thin man with a shit eating grin stood there in his stead. His name tag read Balthazar.
“Heya Lover boy.” The man spoke with a condescending British accent. “Gabe couldn’t make it in today, but he left something for you.”
He waved a cup with familiar writing before he set about making his order. He handed it over with a chuckle.
Samsquatch ,
Your lips look lonely, would they like to meet mine?
“Does he do this with everyone?” Sam asked, handing over cash and dropping his change in the tip jar.
“Not in the least. He’s a flirt sure, but nothing like this.”
“Really?”
Balthazar looked up from the counter he was wiping down. “I’m not one to lie to spare anyone’s feelings, especially not someone I don’t even know. But I do care about Gabe, so don’t you hurt him.”
“I don’t plan to.” Sam was startled by the sudden intensity of the conversation.
“No one ever does, but it still happens. The thing is, he’s got too big of a heart for his own good. He cares far more than he’ll ever let on. Just don’t yank him around, alright?”
Sam nodded. The bell dinged above the door announcing the arrival of a group of girls. Balthazar went to wait on them and Sam found a corner table to study for his upcoming exams , but his thoughts were consumed by his conversation with the Brit.
***
It was late and Sam rubbed a hand over his eyes. Exams were hell, especially when he hadn’t slept. He’d woken up three times the night before screaming and eventually given up trying. Now he was facing a double shift at the auto shop since Bobby was out of town. It was promising to be an awful day. He nearly walked straight by the coffee shop since Gabe didn’t usually work Tuesdays, but he needed the caffeine.
He was standing in line when he noticed the familiar golden hair seated at a corner table, back to him. He grinned, a plan forming in his mind. The Brit he’d spoken to earlier in the week was working the register.
“Red eye, extra sugar and whatever his favorite drink it.” He pointed to the corner and the Brit rolled his eyes.
“Diabetes it is then.”
He watched the man make up hot chocolate and drown it in caramel before topping it in whip cream. “He seriously drinks that?”
“On a daily basis.” Balthazar grimaced, setting both cups on the counter.
“Can I borrow that marker?”
Balthazar raised an eye brow in judgment before handing it over. He tilted his head to watch what Sam was writing. I seem to have lost my number, can I have yours?
“That’s horrid.”
“Like his were any better.” Sam rolled his eyes but took the cups, heading over to the corner.
“This seat taken?” He asked, holding out the cup.
“Well, I’m. . . oh. Sam. Hi.” He stuttered out, slowly taking the cup. His eyes scanned over the cup and a grin lit up his face. It made Sam’s breath catch to be the cause of that look. He gestured to the empty seat at his table. “I was actually waiting for my brother, but I like you better.”
“How can you drink that?” Sam asked as he watched Gabe sip at the drink.
“Like this.” He took a giant gulp before gasping and sticking his tongue.
“Hey, it’ s probably hot.”
“No shit.” He scrunched up his nose in an adorable way.
“If you’re not doing anything Friday could I take you out?”
Gabe looked up a t his with wide eyes. “Well, I. . .”
“Sam! I am surprised to see you here.” Cas interrupted, making Sam want to smack his head onto the table in frustration.
“Cassie, you’re late.” Gabe grinned. Sam put two and two together with a shocked gasp.
“Tell me Cas isn’t the brother you were waiting on.”
“Yeah, why?”
“Oh, this is the barista you’ve been flirting with.” Cas inserted knowingly. “Lucifer definitely won’t let this alone.”
“Lucifer?” Gabe looked between them confused. Sam subconsciously touched his bruised ribs. “He did that to your face, didn’t he?”
Sam nodded.
“Because you’re the guy he’s obsessed with who dumped him.”
Sam nodded again.
“And that’s why Dean wanted to kill him, because you’re Deano’s little brother.”
One more nod.
“So now my brother and your brother are going to want to kill me for going out with you on Friday.”
Sam grinned. “Really, you’ll go?”
“If you don’t mind that I’m related to that prick.”
Overjoyed, he held out his phone for Gabe to put his number in. “I’ve got to go to w ork, but I’ll text you. And Cas , can you not mention this to Dean until I have a chance to tell him myself.”
“When will that be?”
“After I get the Impala for Friday.” Sam grinned, a new spring in his step as he left. So m aybe the day wouldn’t be so bad after all.
Fin