You have no idea of how giddy I'm feeling right now. Anyways, chapter 8 is up!

I do not own the characters, just the plot.

Beta read by more-profound-bond

Anything else I'm missing? No? Carry on then

The following month had been completely hectic to say the least. Between classes and grading Castiel had barely found time for himself. Not that he was complaining; actually, he was quite pleased with the results so far from his students. His classes came and went fine and he felt glad up until now none of his students were falling asleep during them.

He hadn't had the chance to think about other things or find a space to visit book stores until the end of the month. Autumn was already upon them and it could be seen outside with the warm colors in the leaves and the chill breeze Castiel woke up to every morning. But that first October weekend he had planned a 'stay at home' evening with a nice blanket, a cup of hot chocolate and some classical music in the background. He would finally get a chance to read something; he was in a nostalgic mood for something French. But just when he was about to settle down, he was dragged out of his comfortable chair by the insistent knocking against his door.

"Gabriel?" he asked perplexed when he saw who was on the other side, his brow frowning in concern. "Did something happen?"

"Why must you always take out the worst in situations?" Gabriel smiled, letting himself in "There's no fire or emergency going on, well, aside of your evening plan of staying indoors."

Castiel sighed; he knew where this was going. "Wherever you think you can drag me to, I will say no."

"Come on, you don't even know what is it about." Gabriel pouted "It will be fun!"

Castiel tried to ignore his brother's babble. Last thing he wanted to do was attend to some party; he had attended Gabriel's office parties before and they always ended up as something embarrassing.

"Point is, I'm inviting you to a party and you can't say no."

Castiel blinked, he had really zoned out of the conversation, "And why not?"

Gabriel rolled his eyes while fiddling with a candy bar wrapper in the process. "Because my dear brother, you are good at book chatting. Come on! Just for a couple of hours, please? I swear I will not cause you any source of humiliation."

Castiel stared at his brother, eventually sighing in defeat. "Fine, I'll go get ready then."

Gabriel smiled in victory, "Don't take long!" he said and took a big bite of his candy. "And thanks!"

Castiel was not fond of parties, not of any kind. They were loud, immensely crowded and even if he had a topic to talk about, he was usually laid back by more outgoing and charismatic people; it had been like that since he was a teenager; that and of course his lack of preference for alcoholic drinks. But he had agreed to go for just a couple of hours and really hoped this time Gabriel wouldn't do anything stupid. Even if it was an office party, Castiel already knew some of his co-workers. There was Balthazar in publicity and Raphael in business but that was as far as he knew and as far as he would prefer to know (the situation under he met them was not the best of his memories). Not to mention the first times his brother had tried to set him up and had ended in awkward failures (he had liked Balthazar but he wasn't what he was looking for at that time). He changed into something between casual and formal, a dark blue dress shirt and dark pants. In the end he followed Gabriel to his car, already missing the warmth of his living room.

Castiel walked behind Gabriel the whole way from the parking lot to the reception room where the party would take place, noticing the subtle elegance that was put into the decoration.

"So? What do you think?" Gabriel nudged his side and gave him a drink. "The public department didn't want much of a fuzz but you know how Balthazar can be when you give him an open way, although it looks quite classy if you ask me." Castiel just nodded at his brother's babbling, playing with the amber liquid in his glass. He let Gabriel walk around and greet the oncoming guests while he looked around. He would have preferred to read the books that they were celebrating but perhaps he could take a small glimpse to them, not like Gabriel would mind.

"Cassie!" he suddenly found an arm wrapping around his shoulders on his way to the table "How long since we last saw each other?"

"Hello Balthazar" Castiel looked at his side, where the blond man was leaning into his shoulder. "I don't think it has been a long time."

"Since New Year's dinner Cassie? That is almost a year!" Balthazar exclaimed, giving Castiel's shoulder a squeeze "You've moved here and not once visited the office or given a call."

"I've been busy," Castiel mumbled, looking to his sides. It wasn't that he detested Balthazar, but he really didn't want to create a scene in a crowded place.

"Gabe has mentioned about it, giving classes, am I right?" Balthazar took a sip of his drink. "Trying to educate the youthful minds."

"Ah yes, literature teacher actually," Castiel answered. "Balthazar I would prefer if you stop using me as a column to lean on if you don't mind." He tried to pull away from the awkward embrace.

"Oh come on Cassie, don't be a spoil sport." Gabriel showed up beside them, "Balthy I think that beautiful woman over there is a reporter, isn't that your area of work? Go get us some good reviews."

Balthazar laughed and waved at them, walking to the other side. Castiel just let out his breath, eyeing Gabriel with scorn marked in his expression.

"I'm sorry about that Cassie" Gabriel smiled apologetically. "You know how Balthy can get, but it won't happen again," he patted Castiel's shoulder in sympathy. "He even said he would be nice tonight."

"I understand but I did tell you I did not want to cause some kind of scenario," Castiel sighed; he was ready to find an excuse to take his leave when he looked at the door, locking eyes with the person who was just entering.

He recognized those green eyes and the firm jaw, the short dark blond hair and the broad shoulders. He felt his body going numb, his breathing increasing and his hands fidgeting. Of all possible places to encounter that man and it had to be in the only place he never thought of it happening.

Dean Winchester looked marvelous that night and Castiel couldn't explain whatever emotions were running down his body because, the man wasn't alone. He was with a taller, good looking man and Dean seemed to be grasping the man's arm and whispering something. Castiel could feel something like disappointment starting to form in his mind, thinking that there was no way Dean would be alone with how he irradiated his warm personality.

But just as he was about to retreat in defeat that he saw Dean's eyes looking at him and what seemed to be a smile forming in his face. Castiel blinked, surprised that maybe the quick assumption he had made was mistaken. He didn't understand why his feet moved on their own towards Dean. Maybe he had started to believe in the happy coincidences; maybe it was a possibility from the fates, a chance for him to know that man that had appeared in his life more than once.

It was just when they were a few steps away from each other that Castiel felt his surroundings changing. Suddenly, there were only two people in the room. Him, and Dean Winchester, the man with beautiful green eyes and a warm smile.

"I should start to believe in happy coincidences" Castiel said, breaking the silence.

"I would like to think of this as a pleasant surprise" Dean added.

"A fortunate event?"

"A serendipity."

Castiel smiled; he felt at ease when talking with Dean, to come up with something crafty and at the same time simple yet perfect for their situation. However, as soon as they talked, the world around them started to move again, even if some didn't pay attention to the two men at the center, another pair of eyes had taken notice.

"I just never thought I would find you in a place like this."

"I could say the same." Castiel shrugged, "But my brother is responsible of my presence here, I would really want to ask yours."

"Of course." Dean rubbed the back of his neck. "How could I miss the similarity in the last name," he smiled at Castiel's expression and looked around for a quick moment before pointing at one of the doors that led to another part of the hotel "Say…" he started, "Want to take a walk and talk? This place is getting crowded"

"I would really like to do that" Castiel said as both walked towards the hallway, ignoring the crowd behind them.

Reviews are appreciated! Look for an update soon in the week!