Anonymous

Chapter 17

"So, Castiel," Charlie says at lunch that day, "are you going to prom this weekend?"

"No," he replies. "I'm not into that type of thing."

Charlie scoffs. "What? But it's prom! It's gonna be so much fun!"

"I think we have different ideas of what fun is," Castiel says.

"I think you underestimate prom, brother," Benny says. "I'm not saying you have to go, but it would be worth it if you did."

"I don't think so," Castiel says. "I'll probably stay at home and watch Marvel movies all weekend instead."

Dean has to physically bite his tongue to stop himself from saying anything about that. He's wanted to talk a lot during this lunch period and has always managed to persuade himself not to, but Marvel? Come on! It's like the gods want to him screw up!

"Oh, you know who loves Marvel?" Charlie says with a grin. She nudges Dean's shoulder playfully. "This guy."

Dean shrugs awkwardly. "It's pretty good."

"Really?" Castiel's eyes seem to light up at that. No wonder the guy has a secret Marvel blog. He really likes those movies. "What's your favorite movie?"

Iron Man

"Captain America's pretty good," Dean lies. Sure, Chris Evans is hella hot, but he'd rather watch Iron Man or Thor instead. Unfortunately, his anonymous tumblr has claimed Tony Stark, and Castiel loves Loki, which means those two trilogies are out, and Captain America is the only original series left to pick from.

"It's never been my favorite," Castiel says. "The Thor movies are better, but to each their own, I guess."

"Yeah," Dean says, purposely cutting the conversation short.

Castiel doesn't think anything of this, of course. He barely knows Dean, after all. But Charlie and Benny, both of whom have known Dean for over a decade, look at him like he has six heads. He takes every opportunity to talk about Marvel, so the fact that he's barely talking about it now, especially with another MCU geek, is probably really weird.

When it becomes clear that Dean won't say anything more, Charlie says, "Well, I think you should come to prom anyway. I know it may seem boring, but it's really fun. We went last year and loved every moment of it."

"I really don't —"

"Just come for an hour," Benny says. "We can go as a group. You can bring your other friend, too. Trust us, it's gonna be great."

Castiel hesitates, then nods. "I guess. But if I'm bored after an hour, I'm leaving. I'd still pick Marvel over a school dance any day."

"Deal," Benny says.

Charlie grins. "Let the promming commence!"