Chapter 1

I love working here. It's so quiet and it smells like my favorite things: books. Everything here is wonderfully peaceful. Before I worked at this library, I'd spend all my time here. May as well get paid for it, I suppose. I work in the small pastry and coffee shop in the corner on the first floor. Just another day going by like usual. It's a bit boring. I've always wondered why people don't come into libraries more often on Fridays. I always have; but like I said before, I'm here everyday, even my days off. I can't get enough. I love the endless worlds I can throw myself into. It's better than the busy streets by far. I'm fascinated with everything from fantasies, to sci-fy's, to mysteries and murder stories. What I love most is the documentaries. They enthrall me more than anything, mainly because it's not made up. These are real things that happened to real people.

"Why are you staring out the window? Weirdo" Gabriel inquired

"I didn't know I was, honestly. I was thinking."

"Well I was starting to wonder when you'd blink. I thought your eyeballs might dry out and shrivel up."

"That's not physically possible."

"It was a joke, mega-nerd." He retorted as he walked to make himself a cappuccino

That was another perk of working here: free coffee.

"Will you make me one too, please?"

"I suppose so, little brother."

"Thank you, big brother." I said with false sincerity

Pulling out the disinfectant spray and a cloth I started to clean the tables, again. I'm not sure how many times I've done this today. It is a Friday, I suppose.

"But Saaaam it's Friday! Can't we go out! You can be my wing man. Well, I don't need a wing man. I can be your wing man!"

I jumped at the suddenly loud gruff voice behind me. When I turned to look I was greeted with the most beautiful person I've ever seen in my life. Gorgeous green eyes, sandy blonde hair, lightly freckled skin and chapped pink lips. Beautiful.

"Dean, I don't want to go get drunk and watch you act like an idiot. If that's what you want to do, then go. I'll catch a cab. Hey, Castiel, how are you?"

Dean.. It almost hurts to pull my eyes away from him.

"Hello, Sam, I'm fine and yourself?"

"I'm okay, just here for the usual: coffee and a stack of books."

"I understand the feeling. This place is..."

"Marvelous."

"Yes, exactly" I beam at him

"It's too quiet." Dean chimed in, "Doesn't it make you crazy, what was your name?"

My heart is in my throat and as for my voice, nowhere to be found. I open my mouth but no sound comes out. I look like a fish out of water, I'm sure of it.

"His name is Castiel, and he enjoys the quiet; like me."

"Oh is that so? Well, Castiel, let me ask you a question; how many times in a week do you see Sam? I figure working in a library, you'd have to be a nerdy geek like my little brother." He scoffed

"Do you mean days or the amount of times I see him in a week? I see him everyday; he more often comes in twice a day, which would mean that I'd see him every time I remade his coffee. So on average, four coffees a session, let's say he comes in twice a day for four days, once for three days...about 44 times a week." I was not only surprised I'd found my voice again but also at what an elaborate answer I'd given. Judging by the looks on their faces they were surprised, too.

"Jeez, you're just like Sam, I was wondering why you'd enjoy spending any time with him. You two are weird. Both of you have books for brains and both are wiz-kids. Sammy, you been sneaking around with this guy behind my back? I think he'd be perfect for you." He laughed

Is he questioning his brother about our friendship? He's implying that Sam and I are in a relationship. He's laughing at us. I can feel the sudden anger rise up and out it goes:

"He's quite an enjoyable person. He's very intriguing and the interests we share are endless. I can see that you and he are not much alike considering he'd rather spend time in the library alone than watch you flirt endlessly with every woman you come across. You'd like to act like you're helping him to find a woman; whilst actually keeping up conversation with him so as to distract everyone from knowing that you're not very good at conversation with anyone else; except for your smart-alec remarks. You really don't have very good people skills, do you, Dean?"

"Woah, someone is uncomfortable in their sexuality. Am I right?"

"Says the womanizer."

I see a very visible blush rise onto his cheeks and tops of his ears. Looks like that one was a button...

"Look buddy, I didn't come here for someone to make assumptions about my life, okay?"

"Neither did I. Think about that the next time you want to joke about someone's interests and/or their sexuality."

I shouldn't have said what I said but the looks on their faces were worth every word of it. Sam's was a dumfounded look like 'I can't believe the quiet, calm, reserved Castiel just spewed everywhere' where as Dean's said 'What the hell is this; an intervention?'

"I, uh, okay. Wanna try this again? Hi, I'm Dean. I'm Sam's older brother." He said as he extended his hand for me to shake it

"Hello Dean, my name is Castiel. I serve your brother coffee about 44 times a week." He took two steps backward and howled with laughter. It was wonderful and confusing. Not even two minutes ago, I was enraged with his words and now I'm high with his laughter and I want to hear it again and again.

He firmly grasped my hand and I felt a surge of electricity. My heart momentarily stopped in my chest.

"Sam! I like this guy! He has balls and a good sense of humor! He'll fit in nicely!"

"Castiel has balls? Is that what I just heard? Someone must've misspoken or I must've misheard because that's bullshit."

"Shut it, Gabriel. Dean, this is my older brother, Gabriel."

"It's nice to meet you, Dean. Hey, Sam, do you want the usual tonight; a coffee, croissant, stack of books and no date?" he said as he poked him in the shoulder

"Very funny, Gabriel, I'd rather sit here than go out to any club or bar. Unlike you, who's stuck here, so ha."

I figured I should offer him something; "Can I get you anything to eat or drink, Dean? We have a lot of coffees and pies and-"

"Do you have apple pie?"

"Yes, we do. Whipped cream or no?"

"No, thank you. Can I get a cup of coffee, black too, please?"

"Sure. Sam?

"Huh? What?"

"Would you like the usual?"

"Yes, please. Thank you."

"I'll be back in a moment. You two have a seat and Gabriel, please don't disturb the guests."

"I'm not disturbing! I'm entertaining! He's such a party pooper."

As I make Dean's coffee and cut him a slice of pie I begin to wonder what he like to do in his free time, other than chase women. Women. It hadn't occurred to me until now, he's straight. It's not exactly a secret that I'm not. There goes that hope. Oh well, I'll survive. I'll just try and be a friend to him. I'd love to spend more time together. Even if I don't get to touch his arms...mmmm...his arms. Gah, stop it Castiel! If you don't you're going to have to take a cold shower! I don't remember making Sam's order, his coffee, three creams, two sugars, or warming his croissant but I've finished. I'm not going to argue but I'm slightly concerned about the haze this man; whom I've met maybe ten minutes ago already has me in.

I walk over to the table with the tray in hand, watching the floor as I go. I'm halfway there when I look up; he's playing with a coffee stirrer in his mouth and he's watching me. I almost trip over my own two feet at the glance of that intense stare. If I didn't know any better, I'd say he was eye-fucking me. He smiled as he watched me recover from what could've been a very bad fall. I finally get to the table and hand Sam his coffee and croissant when I place Dean's pie on the table but as I go to set his coffee down, he raises his hand and takes it from me. His fingers brush mine for only a half a second but I felt that static again. I think he did too, because I could've sworn I heard a gasp.

"Thanks, Cas."

Cas? I don't really like the nickname but I love the way it rolls off his tongue so I don't correct him.

"You're welcome, Dean."