Strings Attached

Chapter 77

By some magic, he manages to avoid getting hit by every ball, though that's probably just because he's standing in the very back corner and not worth the effort. He notices some glances from Crowley, but he ignores them.

While Castiel is hiding, Dean is being the team hero. He's standing front and center, making him a prime target, and yet somehow, he hasn't gotten out yet. For a whole fifteen minutes, Dean is catching balls and getting people out, until finally, it's down to him and Castiel. How the hell did this happen? Castiel literally hasn't done anything yet, and doesn't plan on doing anything, either. He'll just let them get him out. No big deal, right? Except, he realizes, Crowley and co. are still in on the other team. Was this on purpose? Dammit!

It takes all three of them to get Dean out; they all have to throw a ball at once for him not to be able to catch them. As Dean walks to the "out" area, he glances behind him to see who's still in. He mouths "Good luck" to Castiel, the only remains player, before walk off. He looks composed, but Castiel can see a trace of nervousness in his movements as his gaze flickers between Castiel and Crowley's group.

Crowley walks over to Azazel and Alastair and whispers something to them. They both nod once in consent, and Crowley returns to his original spot, ball in hand. Then, before Castiel can process what's happening, Crowley whips it at him. Instinctually, his hands shoot up, hoping to save himself. And, somehow, he catches it.

Crowley sends him a death glare before walking off to the out area. When Alastair and Azazel exchange a look, Castiel knows he's in trouble now. And then, before he realizes it, there's a ball slamming into his face.

He doesn't make a sound, instead just walking over to the gym teacher and ignoring the boys. The teacher seems mildly concerned, but with Castiel's calm attitude, it's hard to think this is anything horrible.

Castiel sniffles once before asking, "Can I go to the bathroom? I think I have a bloody nose."

The teacher nods. "Yeah, sure. Go ahead." She waves a hand dismissively, and Castiel walks off, grabbing his hoodie as he does. He stands around the bathroom in the locker room for a while, well past when his nose stops bleeding. He's in no hurry to go back out there, so until the fifteen minute bell sounds, he hides out in the bathroom. He decides he should probably go then; that's when everyone starts getting changed, so there's no reason to hide when he could be hanging in the big gym.

Castiel purposely avoids looking at everyone, not out of fear but because it would probably seem like he's checking them out. Being openly gay, even by accident, is hard. He finally escapes, standing right next to the door to leave so he can get out of there quickly. Unfortunately, it doesn't help him when Crowley approaches him.

"This is gonna be a fun class," Crowley says in a low voice. "I can tell."

Castiel doesn't respond. Whatever Crowley wants to do, he can do without Castiel's prompting.

"How's your face?" Crowley asks.

Castiel shrugs. "Fine?" he replies uncertainly. Since when does Crowley care?

"Then I guess we'll have to try harder next Friday."

Well, fuck.

"Aw, what's the matter?" Crowley asks teasingly. "Your face hurts now? You gonna write an essay for the paper about why we shouldn't be allowed to play dodgeball?"

"I got you out today," Castiel reminds him. "I say we should play dodgeball everyday."

Crowley glares at him. "You think this is funny? Are you forgetting who I am, and what I can do? I may have gone easy on you last quarter with your new celebrity status, but that's over. You're back to being a nobody, and I'm back to being on top. So you watch yourself, you hear me?"

Castiel nods silently. He's really not in the mood to have the crap beaten out of him. Thankfully, Dean comes up to save him.

"Crowley, I told you to leave him alone," Dean growls.

"Relax, Dean," Crowley replies. "We were just chatting about how much fun this class is going to be. Right, Castiel?" He gives Castiel an innocent smile, but Castiel knows better than to believe this is over.

"Uh, yeah," Castiel replies. "Yeah, that's — that's it."

Dean looks skeptical, but seems to believe it, or at least enough not the push it. "Alright... Hey, Cas, we've got a game tomorrow. You wanna come?"

"What time?" Castiel asks.

"Starts at three," Dean tells him.

"Oh, can't," Castiel replies. "Sorry."

"Why?" Dean asks curiously. "You doing something tomorrow?"

"Did I not tell you? The bet I lost with Lucifer?"

Dean shakes his head. "No, but now I have to know."

Castiel glances at Crowley, who's inconspicuously eavesdropping on their conversation. Yeah, no thanks. He turns back to Dean.

"If it goes well, you'll be the first to know," Castiel tells him. Except Lucifer, who will probably insist in coming with him.

"And if it doesn't go well, do I still get to know?" Dean asks hopefully.

"Sure," Castiel replies. "It's nothing really interesting, though. If it doesn't work out, there's really nothing to talk about." But if it does work, it could be a huge game changer.