The little town was all decked out for Halloween, streets lined with grinning jack-o’-lanterns, strings of fairy lights, and makeshift haunted house displays on nearly every corner. Kids in costumes darted around, shouting and laughing, while parents and teens crowded booths selling caramel apples and hot cider. The air was crisp, carrying a hint of wood smoke and fallen leaves.

Castiel wandered through the bustling festival beside you, his usual stoic expression a mix of curiosity and faint confusion. In true Cas fashion, he wore his trench coat over a borrowed orange sweater you had convinced him to try on for “festive spirit.” His blue eyes scanned the costumes, taking in every detail, visibly puzzled by some of the more unusual choices.

“Is that supposed to be a… zombie cheerleader?” he asked, brow furrowing, as you passed a booth where a girl in a tattered skirt held her plastic pumpkin bucket with pride.

You couldn’t help but chuckle, nudging his arm. “Yeah, Cas. It’s Halloween. They’re supposed to look scary—or at least try to.” You pointed to a particularly elaborate vampire costume. “See? People dress up as monsters to have fun. It’s harmless.”

He nodded, though he seemed skeptical. “Strange. People spend the rest of the year trying to avoid monsters.” He paused, glancing at the haunted house attraction across the street, where a group of teenagers squealed as a man dressed as a vampire lunged at them. “But they’re actually enjoying this.”

“You’d be surprised what people enjoy,” you replied with a grin. “Some people love getting scared for fun.”

Cas tilted his head, watching the revelers closely. “I don’t understand it, but if it makes them happy…” He turned his gaze back to you, a soft, almost amused smile creeping across his face. “Are you sure this is… what you call it? Fun?”

“Of course it’s fun! Halloween’s just an excuse to be a little ridiculous,” you said, nudging him again. “Come on, let’s find something for you to wear. Maybe a pirate hat? Ooh, or devil horns!”

He gave a slow nod.