Author: The Wayward Angel
Story: Skeleton in the Closet
Word Count: 510
Chapter: 3/?
Pairings: None
Spoilers: None
Trigger Warnings: eating disorders, self-harm, homophobia, angst, low self-esteem
Summary: Everyone has secrets, closets full of skeletons. It doesn't matter if you're a jock, or a cheerleader, or a nerd…in the end it's all the same. Everyone is made of the same atoms and molecules and when you peel off the skin and muscle we all look the same inside. Everyone has something to hide. Everyone. *Highschool AU*
Disclaimer: Not even close

Unbeta'd. All mistakes are mine. Please feel free to point out any grammatical or spelling errors.

Skeleton in the Closet
Chapter Three – Castiel Novak

Castiel is not popular, he fades into the background. He's smart, witty, loyal, and brave; but he is invisible. And he prefers it that way. Castiel's parents are super religious, and not in the good way. They do not forgive trespasses and believe that if they do not cast stones then God will forsake them. They are the first to tell a man he is going to Hell but the last to give to the homeless or poor. If they weren't his parents, Castiel might hate them. But they are and he loves them and forgives them because that's what good Christians do.

Cas has been taught since an early age that atheists, animals, homosexuals, and anyone who isn't Christian is going to Hell. But…why would God, the creator of humanity damn his own children through no fault of their own?

Castiel has a horrible skeleton in his closet, one that he would be disowned for. One that his own parents would damn him for. He is gay.

Castiel didn't choose to be gay, he tried so hard for so long not to be, but he is. God made him this way. So Castiel hides it. He doesn't have a boyfriend, doesn't hold boys' hands, and has never been kissed. No one knows, not even his older brother Gabriel. He doesn't want to risk his parents love. He wants their acceptance, and he knows that if he came out, he would lose it.

It kills him inside, knowing that his own parents would hate him if they ever found out. That they would be the first to knock him aside with words of damnation. Maybe his brother and friends would be okay with it, but he won't risk it.

He forces his skeleton as far into the closet as he can, locking it up and chaining it down.

Castiel goes to church on Wednesday night and Sunday morning. He goes to bible study. He prays every night before bed. He thanks God for every meal he consumes. He loves his parents, even with their faults. He loves his brother, even if he thinks he's strange. He does his homework, gets good grades, is polite to everyone he meets. And inside, he's dying, because he's only half a person like this.

But it doesn't matter.

It doesn't.

As long as his parents continue to love him.