Castiel is running late. So, by his standards, he's sort of on time. He's always late. It's his thing.

It's Saturday, and that means it's reunion day! That exclamation point was to mislead you into thinking that he isn't completely dreading this. The reunion starts at two and goes until eight because the author is still in high school so has obviously never been to a high school reunion and doesn't know how long they last. She also doesn't know where they are, so let's assume it's at the school even though it probably shouldn't be.

At the moment, it's two thirteen. Castiel is already almost fifteen minutes late, not including the fifteen minute drive to the school. Sam picked Gabriel up already, so theoretically, Castiel could just not go. He doesn't really want to go, and it's not like there's someone policing him or anything. He could go get ice cream in secret or something. But he promised Charlie he'd go; they haven't seen each other in person for years, and he's hate to miss her while he's up here. So, he'll go to the reunion. Fun. Not.

Castiel drives his rental car up to the high school slowly, dragging out the trip by only a minute or two before he finally arrives. He has to park sort of far away, but whatever. More time to kill walking.

He's basically mobbed by people the second he walks in the door. He's used to this, of course, but it's still rather unnerving, especially without a bodyguard here with him. He gives them all a small smile, hoping they can't see how much he wishes they'd leave him alone, and looks around for a familiar face.

He knows as soon as he sees the arms waving that it's Charlie, and pushes through the crowd to get to her. They share a friendly hug, and Charlie starts talking immediately.

"I can't believe you made it! It's been way too long. When did you start working out? Man, you're jacked! Anyway, I can't believe you're here! How long are you staying? This better not be the last time I see you."

"'Bout a week longer," Castiel tells her. "Then it's back to New York for me."

"Then we're gonna have to hang out this week again, when we're not surrounded by people. Hey, speaking of people, where's the rest of the group? I haven't seen 'em yet."

Castiel shrugs. "Wanna go look?"

"Damn straight I do," Charlie replies.

The two walk around the school for a few minutes, with Castiel awkwardly hiding his face to the best of his ability while still looking casual. They find most of their high school clique at once, though they aren't all standing anywhere near each other. Sam and Gabriel are chatting with Garth and Kevin in one small group, Donna, Harry, and Ed are chatting together not too far away, and Dean is standing at a distance from all of them, talking to none other than Crowley.

"Go," Charlie whispers, shoving Castiel towards Dean and Crowley. "Go win back your boyfriend."

"Looks like he's busy," Castiel observes. "I'll just wait." By that, he means he'll try to avoid Dean and any serious conversation they should probably have about how they parted last until the end of the day. Can't be too hard, right?

"Go," Charlie repeats with another shove towards Dean.

Knowing there's no point in fighting this because this rainbow here always gets her way, Castiel sighs and walks over towards Dean. The older boy doesn't see him approach, too caught up in his conversation with Crowley to notice. He catches part of the conversation as he comes into earshot of them.

"I swear, the second I get the cash, I'm out of there," Crowley says.

"It can't be that bad," Dean protests.

"Trust me, it is. I'm telling you, my mom's a witch. I can't wait to move out. I'll never have to see her again."

Castiel seems to catch their attention at once, just by sort of standing there awkwardly. He gives Dean a small, almost hesitant smile, and Dean returns it with one that appears relieved.

"Hey, Cas," Dean greets him.

"Hi, Dean."

"Hey, Castiel, you came!" Crowley says with what appears to be a kind smile. Since when is Crowley kind? Apparently, a lot can change in five years.

"Well, it was my high school," Castiel reminds him.

"I know, but I figured you'd be busy, writing and recording and all that stuff. I'm sure that takes a lot of your time."

Castiel shrugs. "Not really." He has a lot of free time, actually, but he'd rather not spend it talking to Crowley, of all people.

As if reading his mind, Dean says, "Hey, Crowley, can you give us a few minutes?"

"Yeah, sure," Crowley replies, but it's clear he doesn't want to. "See ya later." He walks away, giving Dean and Castiel their space.

"So," Dean says when they're alone — or as alone as they can be in a place as crowded as this. "How're you? Anything fun going on lately?"

Castiel shrugs. "Not really. Taylor and I finished writing our duet, so we'll be recording that soon. Not sure what's going on with Rick yet, though."

"Rick?" Dean repeats, waiting for clarification.

"Oh, right, I never told you. Rick Springfield called me. He wants to do a duet with me."

"Seriously? Dude, that's awesome!" Dean seems just as excited as Castiel himself when he got the news. "You're meeting Rick Springfield?"

Castiel nods, excited again just because Dean is, too. "Yep! I can't wait! Knowing me, I'm gonna say a bunch of really stupid things, but I'm gonna meet Rick Springfield!"

"Cas, that's awesome! You're gonna have to tell me everything. And I mean everything."

"Well, I'm gonna have to rant about it to someone, and I don't think my brothers even know who Rick Springfield is, so you're definitely first choice," Castiel tells him.

"Awesome!"