Fame Crazy (Sequel to Strings Attached)

Chapter 54

A/N Is this really only the fourth chapter since they broke up? It feels like forever. I can only write Cas wallowing in his own self pity for so long, so, moving on...

*SpongeBob narrator voice* A few weeks (days? How long until Castiel's birthday again?) later...

"Looking spiffy," Claire says with a teasing smile, eyeing Castiel's outfit.

He looks down at himself. He's just wearing black jeans and a white t-shirt. It's not like he got dressed up for the day.

"Well, it's a bit of an improvement from my typical sweatpants, I will admit," he replies.

"Hey!" Gabriel says excitedly, running up to his brother. "Happy birthday, Cassie!" He throws his arms around the boy, giving him an exaggerated hug.

Castiel pats his back awkwardly. "Thank you? And don't call me 'Cassie.'"

Gabriel chuckes and lets him go. "Whatever you say, Cassie."

Castiel just rolls his eyes, an amused smile on his lips.

"And here you see a Castiel that has survived another year out in the wild," Lucifer stage whispers in an Australian accent.

The three of them look around, but he's nowhere to be seen. They share a confused look.

"You heard that too, right?" Gabriel asks after a moment.

Castiel and Claire both nod. "Yeah."

Castiel pats his back pocket. "Wait, I have my phone. What's he doing if he's not live streaming?"

Claire scoffs. "Dude, seriously? When was the last time you were on social media at all?"

"Couple weeks ago. Why?"

"You weren't supposed to say that," Lucifer tells him, walking out into sight and holding his phone, pointing the camera at the others.

"Why not?" Castiel asks cautiously.
"Reasons."

"Luce hacked all your social media accounts and has been posting random things a lot," Claire explains. "Some of it he signed 'Lucifer,' but some of it he pretended was you and now everyone knows that it really wasn't and you just accidentally exposed your own brother."

Castiel gives his brother a confused look. "Why?"

"Because you're obsessed with the Internet, and not Interneting for weeks would look suspicious," Lucifer replies with a shrug. "Also, Claire, you're spoiling my evil plans and I'd appreciate it if you let me continue to be an evil mastermind planning to take over the world without telling said world about said plans."

Claire just laughs. "You're weird."

"Phase one, complete," Lucifer whispers.

"Um..."

"And exactly how many phases are in this 'brilliant' plan of yours?" a familiar voice asks, his British accent impossible to mistake.

"Worst case scenario, Plan Z has seven thousand fifty-two," Lucifer explains. "Plan A has one. I'm currently following Plan M, so, I'm thinking I have three hundred and eight left."

"Plan M, huh? Does one of these phases involve Hardison dying?" Gabriel jokes.

"Ay!" They share a high five at the reference that absolutely no one else understands.

"It concerns me that this seems to be a normal day for you."

Castiel shrugs. "You get used to it. Hey, Balth. Nice to see you again."