Chapter Text
The small smile that curved the corners of the baristas mouth as he ducked his head was only but a tiny indicter of the joy he was feeling at the moan of pleasure from his patron after the first sip of the beverage he had just handcrafted.
"Damn Cas, what the hell did you make? I think you've converted me." Dean asked taking another sip and closing his gorgeous green eyes in ecstasy. Castiel had to tear his away for a moment and concentrate on the next drink in his beverage queue before he could respond. Dean making noises of pleasure, while captivating did not help him maintain his focus and often caused him to forget how to speak.
"It's um, my own favorite when I am feeling a desire for a sweet beverage." Castiel finally responded.
"It's a blended teenage girl drink covered in whipped cream. But I swear on my car man, I'm debating if I'm willing to go up a pant size drinking this son of a bitch everyday."
"I am glad you enjoy it Dean." Castiel replied as Dean drank again and continued his happy noises. Castiel was thankful at this moment his job required him to wear an apron as his appreciation would be terribly visible otherwise.
"I think I finally understand the reason behind the name of this place." Dean commented.
"Cafe Erotica?" Castiel replied distracted by the orders in front of him.
"This shit is like porn."
"That is not true Dean." Castiel said distractedly as he handed out his next completed beverage. "Porn you have to take care of yourself. But I can take care of you here." Castiel realized his words the second they left his mouth. Dean did a half spit take, half coughing fit.
Castiel could not look up and meet his eyes. His brain had frozen so he stared intently as he free poured a cappuccino handed it to an older regular named Betty. She was chuckling softly, having heard his comment. She winked at him as she accepted the drink.
Castiel was preparing to turn back to Dean, to face the consequences of his thoughtlessness. Dean will now see how much Castiel has been lusting over him. There was no way he could salvage this. He would now be the creepy barista who hit on him using a terrible porn analogy. Dean will quit coming in. All because Castiel had a big mouth and an even bigger crush.
But before he could turn another barista came out from the back room. "Castiel, Gabriel wishes to speak with you."
Castiel calmly walked away from the espresso bar as the other barista took his place and he made his way to the back without braving a single word or look at Dean. He was a coward.
...
"Okay Cassie as half owner and half brother I need some input." Gabriel asked from his desk as Castiel approached. "I'm thinking of promoting Ruby as our evening supervisor since Anna flew the coup. Thoughts?"
"I am an idiot." Castiel muttered as he fell into the chair beside his half brother.
"Not the thought I was going for but true." Gabriel said turning with a grin, which quickly shifted into a concerned expression when he saw his brothers face. "Shit Cassie, what happened?"
"I just indicted to a customer that I would take care of them sexually."
"Oh my god!" Gabriel said jumping up and embracing his brother. "You really are my brother!"
"Gabriel please, this is quite serious!" Castiel said as he tried to disentangle himself from the hug. "I have most likely made a customer very uncomfortable. I find it very likely that we will lose their business."
"Hold up, what exactly happened?"
Castiel quickly explained the interaction between himself and Dean and when he had finished Gabriel was laughing.
"I got to hand it to you, I never thought you'd get the balls to act on your little crush."
"This is not funny Gabriel. I was very inappropriate."
"Yes you were, and that makes me proud." Castiel opened his mouth but Gabriel interrupted. "Listen, I know you're embarrassed but at least now it's out there. What did he say back to you anyway?"
"I uh, I may have come directly into the back before he had time to properly respond."
"Hold up. You mean to tell me you dropped that delicious one liner and walked away?" Castiel nodded and put his face into his hands. "So you don't really know how he took it?"
"How can he take it as anything other then uncomfortable?" Castiel replied sitting up. "I am certain he is not only straight and most likely in a relationship but also very much out of my sphere of social influence."
"Come again? But this time without the extra smarticles."
"He is out of my league Gabriel."
"How is it that I got all the ego and you got all the low self esteem?"
"You had a mother who loved and accepted you whereas I had Naomi."
"Ah yes, the stone-hearted, cold-as-death bitch herself."
"Gabriel, may I remind you that even with her faults I prefer not to speak disrespectfully of my maternal parent."
"That's fine bro, though I am still trying to figure out how dear ol' dad was able to pop you in that oven."
"Gabriel."
"Alright, alright." He said holding his hands up in mock surrender. "How bout we get back to business? Ruby, supervisor or not?"
Castiel bit his tongue at the question. While he owned half of the shop, it was not a known fact among the baristas. He worked part time as a barista himself to help save on labor and as a writer (with a book series that was only mildly successful) he enjoyed the income he received from the business. But Castiel let Gabriel manage the shop and tried not to sway his decisions. It was his pride and joy and while Castiel was not a fan of Ruby himself, he trusted Gabriel and his decisions surrounding the business.
"I am sure whatever course of action you decide will be best."
"How'd I know you'd say that?"
"Because it has become repetition."
"Damn straight. Before I can promote anyone though I need some help, so I've messed with your schedule around so you'll be working some evenings to help me cover until we get all this mess sorted out."
Castiel sighed, he now understood the reasoning behind his being summoned. Before he could respond to Gabriel's request his brother began speaking again.
"Listen, you've just wrapped up your latest book. You got a break and you hate being idle, it's totes a win, win."
"Totes?" Castiel questioned.
"It's a thing, trust me." Gabriel reassured him, Castiel sighed and let his brother continue on too worried about the mess he made with his favorite green eyed customer to refuse any of Gabriel's requests.