Warnings: Rated M...for reasons
Destiel, Mild Sabriel because I have a thing for them.

Circling the City

Sequel to "Corner of the Universe"

Chapter 1

"Oof, sorry man."

A shorter, golden eyed man looked down at the ground where not one but both of his lollipops had fallen from his lips to shatter on the icy concrete side walk below. He gave a little mewling whine and glanced up at the buffoon who'd run into him only to stop short. And by short he meant… he had to keep craning his neck just to meet the other's apologetic hazel eyes.

The taller man noticed that it was not one but two lollipops on the ground and quirked a brow at the shorter. "Were you eating both…? At the same time?"

"Oi." Gabriel snorted and stuck a finger in his face. "I don't judge you for being 7'2" so don't judge me for having two at a time. Besides, have you ever even tried it? Don't knock it till you do." He waggled his brows, but somehow managed to look totally serious.

The taller man found himself grinning, and lifted his fingers from the books in his rather over encumbered grasp as if the digits could fend off an attack from the other. "6'4" He corrected with a shrug. "There's a street vendor over there." He said, gesturing with wide shoulders at the little newspaper stand at the corner of the street. "They usually have candy… I'll get you something to replace what I broke. Sorry for running into you." He smiled warmly.

The golden eyed man just sort of stared at him for a moment. "I think I'm in love."

"Sorry?"

"Nothing. That sounds fair to me." The pair headed off down the street. "I'm Gabriel."

"Sam." The taller offered, glancing down at his new companion.

"Nice to meet you Sam."

"Even after I broke your lollypop… sorry, pops?" He smirked.

Gabriel snorted. "You're making up for it." They reached the little stand and the golden eyed man spent a solid five minutes picking through the available candy before he finally decided on a ring pop taking an equivalent amount of time to choose which flavor he wanted as if it was the most important decision in the world.

Sam couldn't remember the last time he'd had a ring pop. Normally he saw small children go about with them, ending up red lipped and sticky fingered. Yet, the thought of this man being so intent on having a lollypop that he'd settle for a ring version of the candy, he was finding rather endearing. Sam hoisted his pile of books onto the edge of the counter and offered over the money required for not one but three of them. He handed a second one to Gabriel and stuck the other in his pocket for later.

Gabriel was grinning up at him like he'd made his entire year.

"I did break two." Sam explained with a chuckle.

The shorter of the two nodded. "That you did. So Sam without a last name. Where ya headed with all those books? Isn't it a little late for school papers?"

"Winchester." The taller replied, collecting his books again and stepping back to set off. "And yeah, Winter Break… but I have a dissertation in the spring, better to start reading now then leave it for later."

"Ah! NYU?" Gabriel asked.

"No, Stanford."

The golden eyed man blinked. "Stanford? What the hell are you doing in New York?"

"My brother and I used to travel before I went back to school… we decided to take a road trip for old time's sake while I had the time off… ended up here. He seemed really interested in coming back. Not that I'm complaining. New York's pretty great."

"So… you're wasting a perfectly good road trip to study?" Gabriel quirked a brow judgmentally and stuck the green and red ring pop into his mouth.

Sam snorted. "Not wasting… utilizing. You sound like my brother." He chuckled.

Gabriel shrugged but didn't seem displeased.

"Besides… the New York library… it's huge… why wouldn't I take advantage of a place like that while I was here?"

"Fair enough. Cassie would love you. Can't keep his nose out of a book long enough to convince him to see a movie." He shook his head like it was the world's greatest tragedy.

"Cassie your boyfriend?" Sam wasn't sure why he'd asked and regretted it the moment he did. But it was too late to take back.

Gabriel eyed him with a smirk but shook his head. "Brother. I'm headed his way now actually. He's got a little coffee shop a few blocks down from here. Best tea and pastries in the city if you're interested in joining."

Sam smiled warmly. "That sounds great actually. I'd like to put these down, rest my arms for a bit. Last time we were in town my brother and I found a great little place not far from here. Maybe it's the same one."

The two men walked in easy conversation for the time it took them to reach the warm little café. The front was decked classily with garland and white Christmas lights. A small wreath on the door chimed with little bells when Gabriel pushed it open and gestured Sam into the room in front of him.

Sam looked around appreciatively. It was the exact same place as last time. Though it had only gotten more comfortable if possible given the Christmas decorations, the distant sound of holiday jazz, and the soft permeating smell of coffee, cinnamon, and spice.

"This is totally the place."

"Well find a seat kiddo. Ill grab us some drinks. What do you want?"

Sam glanced at the man. "I can get my own." He assured him, rearranging the books in his hands so he didn't lose the top one which wobbled precariously.

Gabriel snorted. "Please Sammy… I'm in with the owner remember?" He winked and Sam grinned. "Ok… ah… peppermint tea… if he's still got it." Sam wandered off to find a little booth where he could set his books down and slide into the plush seat with a sigh, unwrapping his scarf and pulling off his coat as he settled in.

"Cassie Cassie Cassie! I think I'm in love. I've certainly struck gold. Did you see him?!" Gabe all but squealed when he bounced behind the counter to greet his brother.

"I can't say I did." Castiel said not glancing up from the order he was filling. "I'm a bit busy as I imagine you can see."

"Then stop for a moment and look."

Castiel did look up but it wasn't where his brother was directing but rather at the customer whose order he was working on. "Excuse my brother. He's excitable."

The woman only grinned and said that it was fine. Gabriel gave a very put upon sigh and managed to wait in relative silence until Castiel was done. Finally the younger, taking his sweet time because he knew how much it was killing Gabe, turned to his brother and gave him an expectant you've got two minutes sort of look. Gabe's smile widened impossibly and he moved aside wrapping an arm about Cas' shoulder and pointing not so subtly. Sam thankfully was looking out the window to the snowy street beyond and didn't see it.

"His name's Sam Winchester. He goes to Stanford but is in the city with his brother for break. He broke my lollypop and bought me one to make up for it… well two. Oh, and he wants peppermint tea. And I'll take that hot chocolate only you can make…. Cassie?"

Castiel's stomach had dropped away when he'd looked over at Sam. It was him… the man who'd been with Dean over a year ago. He remembered because one, you didn't just forget Dean, and two; Sam was memorable enough on his own. He blinked when Gabe poked him in the arm.

"You ok man? Look like you've seen a ghost."

"No… yes… I'm fine. You said he was in town with his brother?"

"Yep. They're taking a road trip he said. Ended up here. Apparently his brother really wanted to get back to the city? I dunno. Hey… how's about that order now?"

Cas turned away to start on the tea and coco trying to busy his hands which threatened to shake in excitement.

No he scolded himself. Dean is not here to see you. It's been over a year. It's just a coincidence.

Cas had called the number Dean had left in his kitchen once, a few weeks after their little encounter. It had gone to voice mail and Castiel had been too nervous to try again. He'd never gotten a call back and had figured that Dean had either moved on or just didn't care. He didn't mind really. He'd never asked for anything more than that night, Dean had certainly made it clear that this wasn't going to be the start of a forever. They both had lives… lives that apparently kept them on opposite sides of the country. Castiel had thrown himself back into work after that, but with a lighter outlook on the world. Whatever happened, Dean had been something good, bordering on perfect in his life, even if just for that one night. He held on to the memory like a precious object, taking it out now and then to inspect and enjoy before replacing it gently back behind glass walls where it wouldn't bother him or get damaged.

"Hellooooooo?" Castiel snapped up out of his thoughts to look at his brother. Gabriel quirked a brow. "What has gotten into you?"

"Nothing… here." He handed over the tea and coco with a smile. "Four bucks Gabriel."

Gabriel let out a little whine. "But Cassieeeee."

Castiel snorted. "I am not taking on the cost of every date you bring in here." He said holding out his hand with a grin. Gabriel tried again but Cas just stared at him till the man forked over a five and wandered away with a grumble.

"Sorry bout the wait… Cassie's in a mood."

"I can still hear you Gabriel." Castiel responded loudly from the counter, not bothering to look over his shoulder at his brother as the other man sat across from Sam, sliding the tea towards him.

Sam smiled and glanced over at Castiel then back at Gabriel. They bickered like he and Dean. It was kind of refreshing. "Hope everything's ok." He offered.

Gabe shrugged. "I'm sure it is. But who knows with Cas… I'll ask him about it later. For now… I'd like to know more about you." He blew on the coco in his hands.

The two picked up their conversation like it had never been interrupted. Sam told him about how he'd finished up his undergrad and was now in Law School. Gabe talked about work and the city. Sam thought it was amusing to find that the rather bubbly eccentric man actually had a serious job. Gabe teased him saying he'd probably thought he was some bum off the street trying to pick up hot young men by eating lollypops. Sam flushed but laughed.

About an hour or so later his phone buzzed and he opened it with a finger held up to Gabe in apology.

"Hey. Yeah. No ran into someone. Sure… dude no… I don't even want to … yeah ok. Yeah, we're at a little shop… um… same one as last time. Right… the one on Fifth. Ok, see you soon." He flipped his phone closed and glanced at Gabe. "Sorry. That was my brother. I was supposed to meet up with him after the library. He's going to swing by if that's ok with you."

"That's fine. Though I might have to chase him off if him coming by means you're not sticking around…" Gabriel winked.

Sam chuckled and they bounced right back in to conversation.

A/N: Gonna make you suckers wait this time instead of putting it all in one chapter.

But yeah, due to popular demand and BLATANT PEER PRESSURE I've elected to write a sequel to "corner of the universe" which was initially supposed to be a one and done kind of thing. But you would not have it would you... bossy little readers. I do so love you though. Im splitting this up into a few chapters. Probably 3.

As always please reveiw! I really adore it when you review... seriously... it makes me write faster. This is a proven fact.