Strings Attached

Chapter 100

"Favorite artist goes to..." The man doing the People's Choice Awards — Castiel feels bad forgetting his name — pauses dramatically. "Castiel Novak!"

The crowd erupts into applause. Castiel laughs, amazed as always that this many people like his music. He's always in shock when someone chooses his songs, or him in general, for an award.

He walks up on stage to take the award, but the author doesn't watch the People's Choice Awards, so if this isn't how it goes, don't judge. He beams with joy as he looks out into the audience full of people that love him, for some reason. He waits for them to quiet down before speaking.

"Is this real life?" Castiel asks. "Three years in a row, guys. This is crazy. I'm gonna do thank you's now, because I'm so original," he jokes. "I want to thank my family and friends, of course, for being so supportive. A special shoutout to my brothers, Lucifer and Gabriel, for making this possible, because without them, this thought never would have crossed my mind. Thanks to Charlie Bradbury, who's always near her phone, because I know I can always count on her when I'm stressed out, or if I want to procrastinate doing something I probably shouldn't procrastinate."

That line earns some laughs.

"Thanks to Jim Michaels and Eric Kripke, who have always believed in me, even when I was sure I wasn't going to make it here. And, of course, thank you to everyone out there. Thanks to everyone who voted for me, thanks for everyone that didn't rig the vote so I would definitely lose, and thanks to everyone that isn't throwing tomatoes at me right now, because I like this trench coat."

Boom, more laughs. Castiel grins. He really does like this trench coat. It was too cold not to wear it, though that may be on account of the fact that he's sick today. Of course, he's still wearing a suit underneath it. So many layers!

"Okay, now this one is the most important one of all," Castiel says. "Thank you to everyone who worked on The Bee Movie."

Boom, laughter. Again.

"I'm sure most of the people that just laughed have no idea where that came from," Castiel observes. "But real talk. I am so, so grateful for all of you who have ever bought my songs or clicked like on my music videos or hit vote for me for an award. You don't realize how amazing yet is when I see people that actually like me and my music, people that take their time to listen to my songs when they could be doing something else. Standing up here tonight, I see so many people that have supported me, and even if I've never had the chance to meet you, I'm so, so grateful you came with me on this crazy ride that is my life.

"I don't know if you guys watch this every year or not, but if you do, you know that I had no idea what I was going to say until I and up here. I never write really heartfelt speeches because I never actually think I'm gonna win anything, so how am I doing so far, guys? Good?"

He lets the audience tell him he's doing good.

"Great, because I don't know what else to say. I'm sure I'm forgetting, like, twenty million different people right now. Um... Oh, Hailey! Or, uh, MusicAddict2001 on Twitter. She was my first fan and first internet friend, so shoutout to you. I'm glad you decided to virtually come with me everywhere. Okay, am I forgetting anyone? Probably. Um... Well, screw it. I'm out. Thank you guys so much!" He waves at everyone as he walks off the stage.

~~

"Dammit, Castiel!" Jim hisses in his ear during a party with Jody Mills. She always has one after the People's Choice Awards, and Castiel goes every year, even if he usually can't find Jody herself through the crowds of celebrities, many that he doesn't even know. "I told you to write a speech. Hell, I watched you write a speech! What happened?"

Castiel shrugs. "I don't know. Didn't like it."

"But you wrote a speech! You can't just make one up on the spot every time! You write one for a reason!"

"I know, I know. But it's not the same. It's too rehearsed, too fake. I like doing them from the heart, and it doesn't take a piece of paper to thank people. Besides, I didn't miss anyone, per usual. It worked out fine."

"Yeah, this time, but pretty soon, you will miss someone!"

"No, I won't. I know who I want to thank."

Jim groans. "I'm gonna go find Kripke, see if he can knock some sense into you." He walks away, and Castiel suddenly finds himself all alone. He frowns. Who is he supposed to talk to now?

"Castiel Novak," a familiar voice says from behind him. "Artist of the year once again. Who woulda thunk it?"

Castiel turns around slowly. No way. It's not... It can't be...

"Dean?" he says softly.

Dean grins. "Heya, Cas. Long time, no see, huh?"

"Dean, what're you — what're you doing here?"

"You're not the only one who's friends with Jody," Dean replies. "Plus, I knew you were gonna be here. I had the day off, so..." He shrugs. "Here I am."

Castiel is very rarely speechless. In the last few years, his charisma has skyrocketed, a much needed boost. But right now, he is speechless. It's Dean. What does he say to that?

"So, how are you, Cas?" Dean asks.

"Uh, fine," Castiel says. "I'm — I'm fine."

Dean sighs. "This is why I wasn't sure if I should come. It's all awkward, just like I was afraid it would be." He pauses, the adds, "Wait, it's not awkward because... You don't have a boyfriend already, do you?"

Castiel shakes his head. "No, I'm — I'm still single. I'm just trying to wrap my head around... You're here? You're really, really here?"

Dean nods. "Yeah. I don't know if you heard, but I went pro. I finally had the money to fly up here again."

"Yeah, I knew you went pro," Castiel tells him. He's the quarterback for the New England Patriots, replacing Tom Brady after he retired. That was pretty big news, for some reason. Castiel couldn't have missed it. "Congrats on winning the Super Bowl," Castiel adds.

"Thanks. Congrats on winning Artist of the Year."

"Thanks."

There's an awkward silence, which Dean has to break again. He takes a couple steps towards Castiel. "I'm sure this is a long shot, but Cas, I've missed you. Really. I never meant for this to happen. I just got swamped with school and sports, and you were here being Bon Jovi 2.0, and it just didn't work. But now... I don't know if it'll be any better, but maybe...?"

Castiel closes the gap between them with one large step and presses their lips together. He wraps his arms around Dean's shoulders, resting them loosely around his neck. Dean wraps his around Castiel's waist, holding him close as if these four years of not talking never happened. They stay like this for what has to be at least five minutes, and when they finally stop, they don't pull apart.

"I missed you, too," Castiel murmurs. "I never wanted to lose you, Dean. I tried to keep us together. I really did."

"Then take me back now," Dean suggests. "Please."

"Of course I will," Castiel replies. "I love you, Dean."

"I love you, too, Cas."