I'm gonna break down these walls I built around myself

--Walls,
All Time Low

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The building was purple. Sam's gaze flicked over the walls, noting the change in color. It had been white at the start of the week, vacant and dark on the inside.

Now, business was booming. He could barely hear the sound of music coming from the place over the chatter and the sharp ding of the bell overhanging the door.

Sam pursed his lips. Taste for Paradise was such an odd name for a little cafe.

Curiosity getting the better of him, he walked up the sidewalk, stopping in front of the door. Above it was a large, swirling sign that read the name in teal and gold. The door itself was stained black, decorated with little drawings of cake and candies.

Smiling lightly, he tugged on the handle and slipped inside. His eyes widened as he took in the sight, his mouth twisting into an even larger grin. He couldn't help but admire the place.

The inside was even more colorful and welcoming than the outside was. Couches and curving, blue and purple tables decorated half of the room, people lounging around, smiling and laughing. The walls were the same purple color, the cakes and candies that were featured on the door hung up in golden picture frames beside teal quotes. Sam guessed most of them were lyrics or from the owner's favorites, since there was no connection between them and no names cited.

On the other half was a counter that waved across the room in black marble. Yet again, the teal carried over into the delicate-looking wood that held it up. The walls here were stocked with assortments of sugar as well as the huge menu selection that had his mouth watering.

The colors were different from what he was used to, bold and vibrant, but they were nice. It was good to see something so full of excitement and energy, something that appealed to people. Even if they didn't quite work together in Sam's opinion, he loved it.

Music played over the sound of people. As Sam stood there, he could make out the familiar tune of Intoxicated by The Cab. He closed his eyes, listening to it. This place even has good song selection, he mused in his head.

"Haven't seen you before," chirped a man's voice, dragging him abruptly back to reality.

Sam turned to face the speaker, who was leaning over the counter with a small smirk on his face. Eyes like sunlit honey bathed in whiskey shined mischeviously, slightly curled golden hair trailing to the nape of his neck.

Sam's eyes were drawn to the red sucker he had dangling from his light pink lips. The man seemed to catch on to this, because the smirk he wore only grew.

"Figured I'd try it out," he replied, hands in his pockets. "I live not very far from here, so to have one I like close would be nice."

The man nodded, making a sound of understanding. "I can get behind that. Can I get you anything?"

"Yeah." Sam looked up at the menu, scanning the colorful chalk. "What do you recommend?"

Grinning like the Cheshire Cat, the man said, "I'll make you my specialty. It's not exactly on the menu." He laughed. "What's your name, stranger?"

"Sam. Sam Winchester."

A flash of recognition crossed the man's eyes and his eyes widened as he straightened his back. "As in Dean Winchester?" he asked.

Sam nodded, tilting his head. "Yeah. My older brother," he told him, confused.

"Deano's dating my little bro." He smirked. "Crazy small world." He held out a hand. "They call me Gabriel."

The Winchester shook it. "Novak, then. You don't seem anything like Cas," he commented. "I wouldn't have known you were brothers if you hadn't told me."

Gabriel shrugged, twisting his sucker between his fingers. "Most don't. We're both adopted."

"Gabe!" shouted a girl from the back, drawing away their attention. "We're backing up and you talking doesn't help much!"

The shorter man chuckled and called back, "Yeah, yeah, Anna!"

He turned back to Sam, grinning. "I'll go make that drink up for you," he said. With a wink, he disappeared into the back room.

Sam nodded and, noticing that there was a line forming, he stepped to the side awkwardly. He rubbed the back of his neck, leaning on the counter with his ankles crossed.

"Hey, Sammy!" bubbled a girl from the other side of the counter.

He jumped, eyes darting over to her. Sucking in a breath, he murmured airily, "Hey, Charlie."

She smirked, tilting her head, red hair falling to the side. "Scare you a little?" She snickered. "Such a pansy."

Sam pulled his signature bitch face. "Right, because a pansy would have a sixpack and be studying advanced mathematics in his college freshman year."

"Touche." Charlie tapped her nails on the black marble. "So, it's been a year and a half since we graduated, and this is the first time I've seen you..." She trailed off, raising her eyebrows as if hinting.

"You want to have a movie marathon, I assume?" Sam guessed.

She squealed, clapping her hands. "Oh, you little mind-reader!" she exclaimed. "How'd you know?"

"Considering that we never left each other's side in high school," Sam said, smiling lopsidedly, "I think I know you pretty damn well."

She made a sound of agreement. "True. You free this weekend?"

Gabriel was suddenly sliding into position, shoulder to shoulder with Charlie. "Hey, no fair. I was going to ask," he pouted out, glaring teasingly.

Sam felt his face going red. Up until now, he'd felt at ease here, if not slightly uncomfortable due to the newness. He was flustered; why, he didn't know.

Charlie saw and smiled devilishly. "I see you've met my Sammy," she cooed, sending Sam a sly glance and making him feel even warmer than he was at Gabriel's comment.

The shorter man blinked, eyes flashing with something Sam couldn't catch. "Your Sammy?" he echoed.

She nodded. "Yep. Sam and I go way back," she continued in the same tone.

Sam decided that he'd better reign Charlie in. He got the sense that she was trying to help him, even though he didn't know how she was, but he couldn't let her mess with Gabriel's head at her vague implications.

He leaned over, cupping a hand over Charlie's mouth, her smug expression melting into annoyance. "We were best friends in high school," he explained uncomfortably. "The two of us kind of lost track of each other when I left for college."

Gabriel's face flashed with understanding and he nodded, passing Sam's drink to him. "I moved here with my family right after I graduated. I never got to meet anyone my age here properly."

Sam took it, eyeing the soft blue and red swirls that accompanied lemons. Atop the liquid sat sprinkled whip cream. It looked appetizing. Taking a sip, he marveled at the sweet taste.

"It's not like you missed anyone," Charlie told Gabe. "They were all rude idiots, anyways." She sent a glance at Sam. "Except for Sam and a few choice others, of course."

The Winchester shrugged, scooping some of the whip cream into his mouth. "I never liked people," he stated. "What's in this?"

Gabriel grinned, perking happily. "It's my secret lemonade recipe. Raspberry, to be specific. Blue and red with whip cream because I can."

"It's really good," Sam praised. "How much do I owe you?"

"On the house," the whiskey-eyed man said, waving a hand.

Sam smiled, feeling himself blush. "Thank you," he murmured sincerely, looking down at the drink.

"For a cute and sweet guy like you?" Gabriel laughed. "Any time."

Charlie, who'd been watching the exchange, was looking as if she'd watched the best movie of her life. Her eyes shimmered and suddenly she was pushing Gabriel towards the cash register.

"Gabe, I think it's time you got back to work," she mused. "Wouldn't want you to be fired from your own shop, now would you?"

"I literally can't be fired and you know it, Charles," he retorted teasingly. "But I'll let you catch up with Sam like the awesome human I am."

Her lips pursed and with a roll of her eyes, she gave him one last shove. He laughed heartily and began to walk off. Sam watched him do so until he stopped and looked back. "See you in here again sometime?" he asked hopefully.

Sam bit his lip and nodded, and Gabriel disappeared into his work. A twinge of disappointment bit at him, but he pushed it aside, deciding that he'd have to come back in tomorrow during lunch.

He was so lost in thought that when Charlie practically screamed his name in his ear, waving a hand in front of his face, he jumped backwards. She shook her head, smirking.

"Sammy, Sammy, Sammy," she cooed. "Not wise to fall in love in a cafe. So cliche."

He went crimson. "I'm not!" he defended.

Charlie snorted. "Sure you're not." She raised an eyebrow. "Tell me more this weekend. Movie marathon at my place?"

Sam sighed. "Text me the address."

***

Sam didn't stop the day after. In fact, he avoided the cafe all week. His guilt, and even more so his interest and curiosity, was eating at him, but he couldn't bring himself to go back. Not yet.

Gabriel... When Sam really turned his thoughts over, Gabriel was what wanted him to go back. The man was different from everyone around here. He had an air of mischief and kindness he'd had yet to see from this town.

Apparently Dean could tell he'd been distracted, because Friday night came and his brother was eyeing him with a look that held far too many emotions and thoughts for Sam to count. Leather still on and dark blonde hair out of place from riding, he tapped on Sam's forehead to get his attention.

What's been driving you nuts? he signed. Sam went to tell him nothing was, but Dean held up a finger to stop him. He continued, Don't you care say nothing. It's my job as your brother to listen and brotherly shit like that.

Sam chuckled. "You know that cafe? The new one?"

Dean nodded, face morphing to show his confusion.

"There's a guy that works there," he began, feeling the blush that appeared when he talked about Gabriel return again.

Is he cute? Sweet? Extremely manly? Gay? Bi? Dean questioned, eyes sparking with interest.

"Yes, very, maybe, and I'm not sure on the last two," Sam answered, knawing his bottom lip. "He made me his signature drink, which isn't on the menu, and gave it to me on the house." His voice had gone soft near the end, a smile creeping up on his face.

Dean grinned and clapped. If he could use his voice, he'd probably be screeching worse than Charlie. He made gestures for fireworks and a crowd roaring.

Sam put his face in his hands, laughing. From the time they were little, Dean had always been overly enthusiastic when it came to anything involving his baby brother. It had only gotten worse through the years. Sam couldn't say he didn't enjoy the goofball that was Dean, though.

You must go and have cute little babies, Dean signed when he'd sort of calmed down. Well, that depends on how fatherly he'll be. Think he'll make a good dad?

Sam's eyes widened and he choked on air. "Dean!" he scolded, embarrassment overwhelming his tone. "I barely know him!"

The blonde pouted. Cas wants kids with me, he signed defensively.

"That's good, Dean," Sam replied. "I'm happy that you and Cas will be ecstatic in your lives when you get hitched and ride off into the sunset on your bike, followed by a trail of dogs and children." He rubbed his face tiredly. "Gabriel and I have barely met. I only know that he's Cas's brother. Not much else."

Dean paused. Cas's brother? The short trickster one?

The younger brother nodded slowly. "Uh, yeah," he confirmed. "Why?"

He's so... tiny. Dean wrinkled his nose. Haven't said a word to him, though. I haven't met any of the family yet, actually. They left for their mission a bit before I met Cas.

Mission? Were they spies or something? Sam would have to ask later.

Cas and Gabe's parents will be back around June, though. Dean ran a hand through his hair. Meeting them is going to be so nerve-wracking.

June. That was a month or two away. So if Sam did end up manning up and talking to Gabriel, he'd have time to prepare himself for that meeting.

Sam groaned and tried to clear his head. What was he thinking? He needed to slow down. So far Gabriel was an adorable acquiantance. He couldn't think beyond that at the moment.

His phone went off in his pocket, blasting Toxic Valentine by All Time Low. Charlie's ringtone, upon her request, for some reason.

Charlie:
You coming? I have
the popcorn set out,
ready to be popped.

Sam looked up. "Guess I'm going to Charlie's earlier than I thought," he muttered, stuffing his phone into his pocket.

Tell me all the details, Dean signed enthusiastically.

"Maybe the two of you ought to have been siblings," he mused, half smiling.

Dean stuck out his tongue and flipped him off. With a roll of his eyes, Sam picked up his bag and bounced out the door to his car.

● Status: Unedited

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Hey! So, in case you skipped the weird intro thing, I'm Gabe. Average music obsessed chick with her nose in her phone and headphones around her neck.

Anyway, I'll try to update frequently, but I'm a busy person, so it'll be a bit between updates.

I'm stoked to be writing this. If you have comments, comment. Spam me with comments. I wanna know your thoughts.

If you're pumped for the story, click that little vote button to let me know, and stayed tuned in for the next chapter. Ciao, humans!

--Gabe