Chapter Text
This wasn't Castiel Novak's first time trying to close a deal in a few hours.
However, this one proved to be difficult.
But Cas was determined. And that meant that he would win.
"Listen, I know that you know that we're also in touch with Crowley," Balthazar said, pursing his lips. "But after reviewing these final numbers...well, we'll definitely be seeing you soon, Castiel."
Cas forced himself to smile politely, the only sign of his happiness that he got the deal. It wasn't that he didn't like his job - no, he loved his work. But he'd much rather be working on the foundation side of the company.
Once Balthazar and his associates left, Cas sighed, putting his feet up on his desk and rubbing a hand on the stubble on his chin. He thought about how much time this project would take and muttered to himself, saying something about how it will be good for his lazy associates to have a good, hard project to work on while he was away. After all, his brother was getting married.
His cell rang, and of course, it was his brother.
"Hello, Gabe," Cas spoke.
"Hey, little bro. How are you?" His brother replied in a friendly manner.
"Alright," he said smiling. "How are the preparations going?"
Gabriel sighed. "Well, the wedding planner is a bit of an idiot, but besides that, pretty well."
Cas chuckled. "That bad, huh?"
"Yeah, well, it would be a lot better if you were here," Gabe said.
"...You do know that I will be there by tonight, right?"
Gabe laughed. "I know, I know. It's just fun to make you all uncomfortable."
"Uncomfortable? I'd like to see you even try to dishevel me."
"Really? Well, how about hearing that the hot guy you tried to flirt with in high school, Dan or something, is going to be at the wedding with his brother?"
Cas' face paled considerably. "Dean Winchester is going to be there?"
Gabe chuckled. "You bet. And I heard he was bringing a date, one of Kali's friends. Either way, I'm sure he's still as attractive as ever."
"Whatever, Gabe," Cas grumbled. Desperate to change the subject, he asked, "How's the bride-to-be?"
Gabe's smile was palpable through the phone. "Kali's holding up pretty well. She's really stressed, and the fact that the wedding planner is utterly incompetent doesn't help. I'm honestly surprised that she hasn't fired her yet."
"Wow, that indeed sounds rough," Cas chuckled.
"Are you really not going to bring a date?" Gabriel blurted out after a moment of comfortable silence between the two brothers.
Cas was taken aback. "Oh, uh, no, I didn't - I didn't think-"
"I know you always liked Dean, but you could never get over your impossibly big ego-"
"I do not have a big ego!"
"-and just ask him out. I'm sure he wouldn't be able to resist your charm."
Cas sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "First of all, I don't even know his sexual orientation. And second of all, what help would bringing a date be?"
Gabe snorted. "I don't know. Maybe it'll make him jealous, realize what he's missing."
Cas thought for a moment. Was he seriously considering this? "Well, Meg is going anyway, right? She'd be okay with this, right?"
Gabe shrugged from his side of the wire. "Hey man, I don't know what's going on in that cluttered head of yours, but I'm sure it's no good. Just try not to hurt anyone in the process, okay?"
Cas rolled his eyes. Gabe could be such a big brother sometimes. "I got it. I'll see you tonight."
"See you soon."
Cas hung up and thought. Sure, he had girls and guys alike just drooling over him because of not only his money, but also because of his good looks. Yeah, Meg would be dying for a chance with Cas. She'd be the perfect buffer if he had to meet Dean.
~~~
Dean wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand and pushed himself out from underneath the muscle car he'd been working on.
Bobby walked over to Dean, a smile lighting his features.
"You finished, didn't ya?" He said, clapping Dean on the back and handing him a beer.
Dean smiled. "Yeah, I did. She's a real beauty, isn't she?"
"Yeah. Too bad she ain't yours!" Bobby laughed. Dean rolled his eyes but smiled.
"Yeah, well, I got my own Baby, and she beats all the competition."
Bobby nodded, taking a sip from his own bottle. "You're not wrong."
The smug grin on Dean's face was impossible to wipe off. "I know."
Bobby turned and started to walk away, but looked over his shoulder and said, "I'm about to close up for the day. You mind lockin' up?"
Dean checked his watch. Hours had passed since his lunch break, and yet, he barely noticed the time going by. Huh.
"Nah, I don't mind at all. I'll see you next week, Bobby," Dean replied good-naturedly.
Bobby stopped and furrowed his brows as he recalled it was Thursday. Why wouldn't he see Dean tomorrow?
Dean sighed. "The wedding, remember?"
Bobby's face lit up with excited realization and Dean rolled his eyes. "Hey, that fiery friend of Jo's, Kaley or somethin', is marryin' Sam's friend Gabriel, right?"
Dean nodded. "Her name's Kali. And yeah, Sam and Jo are dragging me along on this ridiculous trip. When they team up to try to get me to do something, God, it's a scary thing, Bobby."
Sam and Jo were both considerable forces to be reckoned with. Together, though? It was impossible to resist them.
"Yeah, I'm sure it is, Dean." Bobby sighed, but a small smile was on his lips. "You take care of yourself, alright? I don't want to hear from Sam that you had a terrible time at this wedding just because you couldn't take a day off of work."
Dean chuckled at his phrasing. "Yessir," he said with a mock salute and watched as Bobby left. He thought about the upcoming four day weekend, and nodded to himself. He could make it through, right? Right.