Castiel pushed open the glass door, the cheery jingle of the bell sounding above his head. The warm air and aroma of fresh coffee wafted over him. His glasses steamed a bit from the temperature change coming in from the chilly autumn day into the cafe. He wiped the lenses on the sleeve of his wool peacoat. He put his glasses back on and unraveled his bright blue tartan scarf, leaving it draped on his neck.

"Excuse me," a gruff male voice said behind him.

Castiel quickly moved out of the way; he was still on the threshold and was blocking the cafe entrance. "Sorry."

The man walked past him and looked back with a smile. It was a brilliant smile with white teeth and green eyes. Castiel blinked and smiled back. He couldn't help watching as the stranger went up to the counter to order his coffee. The man was clad in a light tan jacket, plaid shirt, faded blue jeans and work boots. He had light brown hair that was cut short and spiked up in front. He walked with a bowlegged but confident swagger. Castiel watched as he paid for his coffee and flashed that same smile to the barista. Now he was headed back towards Castiel. Their eyes met for a second, and the man nodded, and moved past to the exit. A rush of cold air hit Castiel as the door opened and closed.

"Hey, you going to stand there all day, or what?" A petite red haired woman was smirking at him. She wore purple converse hightops and a purple plaid shirt, paired with black jeans. Charlie was Castiel's best friend. They both worked at the community college; Castiel was a professor in the math department and Charlie taught computer science. Castiel had needed help with his course website and his colleague had recommended talking to Charlie. That was a couple of years ago. Now they regularly met the coffee shop near campus, The Last Drop, to chat and catch each other up on their respective lives.

Castiel blushed. "Oops. Sorry. I, uh, got distracted."

Charlie laughed. "I'll say. You were standing there for 5 minutes just staring at that guy."

Castiel smiled. "He just had a really great smile."

"Sure, sure, a nice smile." Charlie joked playfully. "You going to order your usual and come sit down or what?"

"Oh, like you never get mesmerized by a pretty face," Castiel shot back.

"Fair enough." Charlie agreed. "But usually I'm not standing there blocking a door. Now go get your coffee."

Castiel went over to the barista and ordered a double espresso. After perusing the display case, he picked out a poppyseed scone. He picked up the cup and pastry and then joined Charlie at their regular table.

"So, I was thinking about Halloween," Charlie said as soon as Castiel sat down. "You're free right?"

Castiel rolled his eyes. "You know I have no plans. But yes, I'm free, what are you thinking?"

"Party. At one of the clubs downtown. Pandora's Cube." Charlie grinned.

"Seriously? We're too old for that." Castiel complained.

"Come on, Cas. You're not even thirty yet. What are you talking about?" Charlie took a sip of her latte.

"I hate clubs." Castiel persisted.

"I know, I know, but we're both single this year, and I figure it will be good hunting grounds."

"Yeah, for you." Castiel muttered.

"Oh come on, Castiel, it'll be fun! You love dressing up!" Charlie put her hand on Castiel's arm. "I don't want to go by myself, and everyone else is busy. Ok, well, there's that party that Meg and Ruby are throwing, but ugh, it'll be all couples."

"Yeah, no thanks." Castiel nodded.

"You never know, maybe that guy you were ogling on the way in will be there!" Charlie added.

"No way. He doesn't look like he goes to clubs. And what if he's a student?" Castiel shook his head.

"Cas, do we look like we go to clubs? And we have tons of adult continuing ed students at our school. You'd be excluding half the eligible men in the area if you're that picky. " Charlie said, sneaking a bite of Castiel's scone.

"Good point." Castiel conceded. "And why don't you ever buy your own scone?"

...

The day before the party, Castiel and Charlie were still trying to decide what their costumes should be. Charlie kept arguing for matching ones, but Castiel wasn't that into it. In the end, he gave in since he didn't have any ideas anyways. When they got to the costume store, it was pretty slim pickings since Halloween was only days away.

"I told you we should have figured out what we were going as sooner." Charlie griped.

"That's not my fault, I'm not the one that wanted to get matching costumes. Looks like we'll just have to go with whatever is leftover."

Charlie picked through a pile of skimpy women's costumes including french maids, kitty cats and witches, and found a cowgirl costume and a pair of angel wings. Then she rummaged through the men's section and found corresponding costumes.

"Cowboys or angels?" Charlie asked Castiel.

"Blech. I don't like either." Castiel whined. "Can't I just stick a headband with a pair of horns on my head or something?"

"Stop being a downer and pick one." Charlie insisted, holding out the costumes in both hands.

"Ok, ok. We can go as angels." Castiel finally said. "I do not want to wear those fake chaps and a crappy cowboy hat. At least with the angel costumes I can just wear my regular clothes."

"Angels it is." Charlie put back the cowboy costumes. "Looks like I get white wings. The men's costume is 'Dark Angel'. Ooooh!" Charlie snickered.

"Yeah, yeah. Haha. At least I already have a black pants. I'd have a harder time finding white pants to match."

"I have a perfect white dress to go with mine, and crazy platform boots too!" Charlie said excitedly. "We are going to be so hot. Oooh, and makeup. I'm doing your makeup."

"Makeup? Seriously?"

"Why not. If we're going to go, we go all in or not at all. And you're being a bummer again."

"Ok Charlie. Only because I love you." Castiel grumbled. Charlie gave Castiel a hug and then went to pay for the items.

...

The next day was rainy, with the forecast calling for continuing rain through the night. Castiel was meeting Charlie at her apartment and they would get ready together for the party. Castiel had brought over a bottle of RumChata.

"Thanks Cas. I love that stuff, tastes like cinnamon toast crunch!" Charlie accepted the bottle. She poured glasses for herself and Castiel.

"Cheers!" Charlie said to Castiel, clinking his tumbler. "Happy halloween, and happy hunting!"

"Same to you, Charlie." Castiel answered. They both sipped their drinks.

Charlie had laid out their costumes on her bed and put a tray of makeup on the vanity. Castiel sighed as Charlie sat him in front of the mirror. She looked at him critically, her dark green eyes meeting his blue ones in the mirror.

"Ok, so what are you wearing with the wings?" Charlie asked Castiel.

Castiel gestured at the black t-shirt and jeans he had arrived in.

"No. That does not work. Let me see..." Charlie went to her closet, flipping through the hangers. "Aha! This would look great, you have to try it on!"

Charlie held out a mid length black dress, sleeveless, with a drapey cut. Castiel shook his head.

"Charlie, you know I don't wear dresses..."

"Cas, it's a costume! I think the dress with the wings will make the costume have this Grecian god vibe. It'll be totally smoking."

"I guess..." Castiel hedged. Charlie put the dress in his arms. She pointed to the bathroom.

"Go. Put it on. If it looks bad, you can wear your shirt and jeans. I'm going to change into my stuff here." Charlie commanded.

"Yes sir." Castiel said reluctantly. He held the dress gingerly in one hand and the wings in the other hand. He looked at himself in the bathroom mirror. He had left his glasses at home and worn contacts, so everything looked bigger. His reflection without glasses always startled him, and he felt naked without the frames on his face. He hung the dress up on the shower rod and undressed. Then he slung the dress over his head and pulled it down to adjust. It only came down to his thighs; Charlie was petite and much shorter than him. The dress had an elastic waist in the middle and the top was tight on his chest; again because Charlie was smaller than him.

"This is just embarassing." Castiel told himself. He looked in the full-length mirror behind the door. As ridiculously small as the dress was on him, it wasn't completely horrible. The top portion showed off his chest, which wasn't overly muscular, but was far from flabby. The short hem showed off his legs, which were toned and sculpted by his regular running and biking. He thought the black color made him look extra pale, but otherwise, it wasn't the worst piece of clothing he had ever worn. He did feel a bit exposed though, and that made him feel vulnerable. Next, Castiel unwrapped the wings from the plastic bag they were packaged in. The wings were covered with turkey feathers that had been dyed black. A few feathers detached and fell on the tiled floor. Castiel shrugged the arm bands on and looked in the mirror again. He laughed, it was very goth avenging angel, and he supposed it would work for the party. He adjusted the wings so they were centered, and went to show Charlie.

Charlie was wearing her wings and a white dress with a similar cut, and she had put on her vinyl white platform boots. She was doing her makeup in the mirror, but when Castiel came in she looked up.

"Wow!" Charlie exclaimed. "That, looks awesome! Well, you aren't going home alone tonight!" Charlie winked at him. Castiel blushed.

"I feel a little awkward. What if I need to sit down?" Castiel wondered.

"Haha. Welcome to a woman's world." Charlie quipped. She finished up her makeup, threw on a ton of glitter, and stood up for inspection.

"Hot. Totally hot. You aren't going home alone either." Castiel noted. "I love the boots. Do you have an extra pair for me?"

"Nope. On your own for the shoes. Your feet are way bigger anyways." Charlie said. "Now sit your butt down here."

Castiel sat down in front of the vanity. "Please. Not too much, Charlie."

"It's Halloween, Cas. You're allowed to go nuts. Anyways, I won't put more than you want. I think you do need a bit of eyeliner though."

Castiel sighed. "If you must." He sat quietly and allowed Charlie to apply the eyeliner. Castiel observed his reflection. "I look like some emo goth kid."

Charlie said, "No you don't. Now a bit of lip gloss - don't worry, very neutral, subtle shade." Charlie gently painted Castiel's lips. Castiel noted that they didn't look too different in color, maybe a little pinker, and definitely shiny.

"Ok, last thing, glitter."

"Nope." Castiel refused. "I don't want anyone thinking I'm supposed to be a winged sparkly vampire."

Charlie laughed. "Good point. Ok, let's take care of your hair." She grabbed a dollop of styling mousse and started mussing Castiel's hair. Satisfied, she stood back and let him have a look.

Castiel didn't quite recognize himself with the makeup and the artfully messy hair. He had to admit he looked good: his eyes looked huge and his lips were full and pouty.

"Thanks Charlie." He got up and went to get his shoes. When he came back to the bedroom wearing the black sneakers, Charlie took a look and shook her head.

"Cas. Those totally ruin the whole look. I can't have you wearing those." Charlie stated. She went back to her closet.

"But your feet are smaller than mine, " Castiel protested.

"I think these might work," Charlie brought out a pair of gladiator sandals with laces that could be tied on the calves. "They are a little big on me, and plus they are open so it should give you extra space."

"I'll try them. Go all in and go home right?" Castiel surrendered. He took off his shoes and slipped on the sandals. They didn't tie as high on Castiel as they were intended to, but the look complimented the rest of the outfit. Charlie nodded her approval. Charlie grabbed a glittery white clutch off her vanity.

"Away we go!" She smiled at Castiel, "Let's have the best night ever!"