Fame Crazy (Sequel to Strings Attached)

Chapter 5

Castiel finally wraps up the live stream shortly after that call, leaving him and Dean alone again. Dean, who had been playing guitar for the majority of the live stream, sighs in relief when it's over.

"Thank god. I don't like being quiet."
"I noticed," Castiel replies. "But now you can be loud. Only kinda quiet because we're in a hotel."

"Right, forgot about that," Dean says with a laugh. "Oh, hey, are you going to the reunion next month?"

Castiel tilts his head in confusion. "The what?"

"The reunion," Dean repeats. "At the high school. Ringing any bells?"

Castiel shakes his head. "Nope. But, I mean, you're a different class than me. Plus, I didn't even really graduate there. I was homeschooled."

"Yeah, but it's for anyone who was at the school during my senior year," Dean tells him.

"Why?"

Dean shrugs. "I don't know. Maybe the author is just out of ideas."

"What author?" Castiel asks, confused.
"What are you talking about?"

"You said the author is out of ideas."

"No, I didn't."

"Yes, you did," Castiel insists.

"I think I'd remember saying something about an author."

Castiel sighs. "Fine, whatever. And I'm thinking ixnay on the reunion."

"What? Why?"

Castiel scoffs. "'Why?' Do you remember my high school experience at all? Not exactly something I'm proud of."

"So go back and show everyone how awesome you are now," Dean suggests. "They're going to regret being mean to you so much."

Castiel just shakes his head. "I'm not into 'I told you so's."

"Well, you should be. Go rub it in Crowley's face that you're now a super famous singer guy and he's nothing. No, not even just a super famous singer guy. Artist of the year, three years in a row. Show him how the tables have turned," Dean suggests with a smirk.

"Nah, I'll pass."

"Then come so you can see Sam, Gabriel, Charlie, Kevin, and Garth again."

Castiel hesitates, then sighs. "Fine, but if something comes up — if anything comes up that can get me out of it, I'm not going."

Dean just laughs. "You already agreed. No backing out now. I'll drag you there myself if I have to."

"I have no doubt you would do that," Castiel admits. "Fine, I'll go."

"Yes!" Dean grins. He glances at the clock. "I think the author forgot it's past four in the morning now."

"Who's this author you keep talking about?" Castiel asks, confused.

"I didn't say anything about an author," Dean tells him.

"Then what did you say?" Castiel challenges.

"I think we all forgot it's almost five in the morning now."

"Oh," Castiel replies. "Yeah, definitely. But it's not my fault my sleeping schedule is so screwed up. I'm blaming it on Jody."

Dean chuckles. "Same."

"You want to sleep here for the night?" Castiel offers. "Or day, technically? I've got an extra bed."

Dean agrees and claims the other bed. Castiel had already hung up the clothes that were on it, so it's clear of everything but the covers an pillows. Castiel doesn't bother putting on pajamas before climbing into his temporary bed and closing his eyes to fall asleep. But, as always, he spends the next couple hours tossing and turning, finally falling asleep hours later.

~~

Castiel wakes up to Dean shaking him urgently. He opens his eyes quickly, somewhat aware of his heavy breathing. Dean gives him a questioning, concerned look.

"You were having a nightmare," Dean tells him. "Figured I'd wake you up."

"Thanks," Castiel replies breathlessly, siting up.

"What did you dream about?"

"I don't — I don't remember," Castiel admits. It's true; he usually doesn't remember his dreams, though he often wakes up with a feeling of terror from a nightmare. "What time is it?"

"Three-ish," Dean replies. "Your sleeping schedule is screwed to hell, by the way."

Castiel nods in agreement. "Definitely. Anyway, I'm gonna look up some ropes course places to see if I can find one that'll let me do it with a harness."

Dean facepalms. "Seriously, Cas? You can't actually do that."

"Watch me," Castiel replies with a smirk.

Dean sighs. "You're an idiot."

"I know. You still going to be my camera man?"

"If you're serious about this, then yes," Dean replies. "You're not allowed to do something this stupid without someone you know watching, so I can say my 'I-told-you-so.'"

Castiel rolls his eyes. "Not cool, Dean. Not cool."

"This whole thing isn't cool," Dean tells him.

"Of course it's not cool. It's me."

Dean just rolls his eyes.