Strings Attached

Chapter 77

Castiel's first gym class is on that Thursday, and they fortunately don't do anything because it's the first day and no one brought a change of clothes. Note to self: wear gym clothes to school, Castiel mentally tells himself. There's no way he's getting changed in front of other people, especially knowing who's in his class.

It's like he's got half the football team — what sport are they playing now? Baseball? — with him, unfortunately including Crowley, Alastair, and Azazel. They've left him alone for the last couple months, but they're over their fascination with him after the incident with Hendrickson. Castiel is sure they're just waiting for an opportunity to get back to their old games.

Friday comes, and Castiel goes to school in sweat pants and an AC/DC t shirt covered by his daily hoodie. He hasn't taken that thing off in school ever. Hell, anyone who didn't go to his elementary school probably hasn't seen him without one.

Naturally, Castiel assumes he doesn't have to change. He shoves his backpack in the tiny locker provided, and he knows he's going to have a hard time getting it out of there. Why they so thin, but way taller than necessary? That doesn't make any sense to him. That's ridiculous. Oh well, whatever. Time to go to gym. Unfortunately.

The class is standing around the circle in the middle of the gym as the teacher explains the rules of dodgeball. Yes, she has to explain how to play dodgeball. Though perhaps is a good thing; she's killing time before they have to play.

"Oh, one last thing before I split you up into teams," she adds. "No sweatshirts. Unless you've got one of the tighter, exercise ones, but bulkier ones get in the way, so take 'em off."

This prompts a couple people to remove them, but Castiel just tugs at his sleeves nervously. Dean nudges him subtly.

"What's wrong?" he whispers, noticing his boyfriend's unease.

Castiel just holds out his arm instead, and Dean seems to understand without further explanation.

"Oh..." Dean replies, unsure what else to say.

"Hey, Novak!" The teacher, who is apparently very good with names, snaps. "Were you listening? No sweatshirts."

"Can I leave it on just for today?" Castiel asks hopefully.

"No. Off, now."

Castiel looks to Dean for help, but the boy just gives him a sympathetic shrug. Castiel sighs. Well, here goes nothing. Maybe he won't get too many looks if he takes it off...

He's wrong. He hears a couple soft gasps, not that Castiel expected any less. But come on. It's not as if he's the only person in the world with his problem. Sure, his arms look horrendous, probably more so that most, but still. Could people try to be a little less... them?

Castiel tosses his sweatshirt on the bleachers and hugs himself as if that will help anything. Dean throws him a sympathetic look, but neither of them can do anything about this. Castiel will just have to deal with this for forty three more days.

The teacher divides them into two teams. Crowley, Alastair, and Azazel are all on the other team, and Castiel knows already that that's not going to end well. Thankfully, Dean is on his team. As they're supposed to be walking to their designated sides of the gym, Crowley walks up to him.

"What happened to you?" he asks, eyeing Castiel's arms. "Get into a fight with a grizzly bear?"

"No, it was a tiger," Castiel replies.

"Nah, really. What happened?"

"Nothing worse than what some people have put me through," Castiel replies before walking away. He doesn't realize until he gets to the other side of the gym that antagonizing Crowley just before a game of dodgeball was probably not his brightest idea.