Dean searches the lunchroom for Castiel. It's a fairly small school, so he's not too hard to find. He's sitting next to The Jewish Kid™️ that Dean can never remember the name of. The only reason he remembers the guy is Jewish is because people found it hilarious that little ultra-religious Novak's best friend was a Jew.

The only thing at that table that interests Dean at the moment is that Castiel is on his phone. What a perfect opportunity for a nice chat.

smithnwesson: Why do you even sit with your friend if you're just gonna be on your phone the whole time

He keeps his eyes glued to Castiel, not even watching his phone for the response. There's a few seconds pause, and then Castiel immediately looks up, eyes scanning the room. Dean doesn't even pretend not to look at him. They're on opposite sides of the room. Castiel wouldn't notice him.

marvelbutmostlyloki: Where are you?

smithnwesson: In the cafeteria

marvelbutmostlyloki: Well, obviously. But where?

smithnwesson: I've already told you I'm not telling you who I am so you might as well stop asking questions about it

smithnwesson: But on a lighter note at least we've established that we can chat during lunchtime cuz you never know when one of us is gonna be busy otherwise

marvelbutmostlyloki: If I have homework, I'm not going to be on tumblr. Today is a lucky day. I can't promise the rest of the year will be the same.

smithnwesson: Fuck homework

marvelbutmostlyloki: Unfortunately, I would rather not fail my classes.

smithnwesson: Fuck classes too

marvelbutmostlyloki: As someone who plans on going to college, I can't say the same.

smithnwesson: Lucky

marvelbutmostlyloki: How am I lucky?

smithnwesson: You get to go to college

marvelbutmostlyloki: Are you not going to college?

smithnwesson: Not all of us come from rich families

smithnwesson: I'm just gonna work at my uncle's car shop for the rest of my life

smithnwesson: Maybe I'll retire by the time I'm 90 lol

He adds the "lol" at the last second. He probably shouldn't have brought this up, because he's not in the mood for a disheartening conversation. At least that last part makes him seem like a happy person.

marvelbutmostlyloki: That sucks.

smithnwesson: At least I know I'll get a job cuz in this economy that's all that matters

marvelbutmostlyloki: I sincerely doubt that's all that matters. A good job is more important. You should enjoy what you do, and make a livable wage with it.

smithnwesson: Why are you giving me life advice I never follow the advice people give me

marvelbutmostlyloki: In that case, pretend I said the exact opposite of what I did say.

smithnwesson: -_-

marvelbutmostlyloki: Onto a new conversation. You clearly already know my brother. Do you have any siblings?

smithnwesson: Just one pain in the ass little brother

marvelbutmostlyloki: Not a good relationship then?

smithnwesson: I'm totally joking I love the kid like he's my own

smithnwesson: But would 100% deny it if he asked

marvelbutmostlyloki: What a beautiful friendship. I'm glad you're open with how much you love each other. *sarcasm*

smithnwesson: Yeah yeah

smithnwesson: Wait is that not how all sibling relationships work

smithnwesson: What are you and Gabriel like

There's a pause then. It almost seems like he's not going to get an answer, and he's about to apologize for asking when Castiel finally responds.

marvelbutmostlyloki: Not like you two.

smithnwesson: That's nice and vague

marvelbutmostlyloki: I really shouldn't be talking about him or anyone else behind their back, good or bad, especially online, when the messages could be saved and anything I say could be proven.

smithnwesson: Well that's lame

smithnwesson: Who would I even tell

marvelbutmostlyloki: I can't answer that until you tell me who you are.

smithnwesson: ...

smithnwesson: Point taken

marvelbutmostlyloki: Will you please just tell me your name?

Dean hesitates. He can't just keep saying no. He obviously wouldn't admit it's him, nor would he throw someone else under the bus, but he doesn't just want to say no. One of these times, Castiel is goin to give up. He needs something better. How about...

smithnwesson: I'm just your friendly neighborhood bisexual

marvelbutmostlyloki: Was that a Spider-Man reference? I meant to ask last time you said it, but I was a bit too frazzled by this whole situation.

smithnwesson: It was not a Spider-Man reference but it is now

smithnwesson: "I can't be the friendly neighborhood bisexual if there's no bisexual to be friendly with!"

smithnwesson: Sorry I tried but it didn't work very well

marvelbutmostlyloki: DO NOT BRING UP THAT MOVIE.

smithnwesson: Mr. Stark

marvelbutmostlyloki: DON'T YOU DARE.

smithnwesson: I don't feel so good

marvelbutmostlyloki: S T O P

smithnwesson: I don't wanna go

marvelbutmostlyloki: I hate you so much.

smithnwesson: Lol why

smithnwesson: Peter's not even dead

smithnwesson: He has a second Spider-Man movie and everything

But then there's no response. Dean taps his foot impatiently. Did he just offend the guy so much that he's never going to reply? But with a glance at his table, he does seem to be typing something. Sure enough, after a minute or two, it shows up.

marvelbutmostlyloki: But Tony didn't know that. He had just lost his new friend/lowkey crush Strange, and his old friend Rhodey, as well as most of the new Avengers. He had absolutely no idea if his fiancée was still alive, and there was a 50% chance she wasn't. Then he had to watch Peter suffer, with both of them knowing he was going to disappear, too. Peter was just a kid, and he felt responsible for him. He basically was Tony's only son, and he clung on to him like a lifeline until his last moment. Tony had no idea that any of them would come back. It seemed impossible. The worst part of that movie wasn't that people died. It was knowing everyone left would have to go on without them.

smithnwesson: That was deep

smithnwesson: And very excessive

smithnwesson: You're very opinionated, aren't you?

marvelbutmostlyloki: When it comes to Marvel, yes I am.

marvelbutmostlyloki: Although I did write all of that about Tony, which really makes it your job. The fact that I had to spell it out for you makes you such a fake fan.

smithnwesson: Ouch

smithnwesson: I'm sorry that I was too upset that my smol child peter died to think about the emotional trauma it would inflict on my not so smol child Tony

marvelbutmostlyloki: I can't believe you just said "smol child."

smithnwesson: See that's why I'll never tell you who I am

smithnwesson: It would totally mess with my badass mojo

"Dean!" Charlie whines. "Stop ignoring us!"

"Who are you texting?" Benny asks. "I thought we were your only friends."

"Okay, that's not true," Dean says. "In fact, that's actually very hurtful, and because I'm so offended, I'm not going to tell you who I'm texting." And because he'd be embarrassed to admit he's DMing Castiel Novak, especially on the nerdiest website of all.

"Rude," Charlie pouts.

Dean shakes his head in amusement. "Would you feel better if I started talking to you?"

"Yes," she says immediately.

"Okay, hold on."

marvelbutmostlyloki: I think people that say "smol child" are better than badasses.

smithnwesson: Gtg my friends are being annoying and trying to make me do friend stuff

He clicks off his phone and twists to face his friends. "So, what are we talking about?"