Fame Crazy (Sequel to Strings Attached)

Chapter 77

Castiel doesn't care that it's nearing winter time. It's still about sixty degrees, and that's warm enough to go outside. Misha has been driving him crazy, being as energetic as he is, and Castiel has given up on calming him down. Instead, he puts his guitar in the trunk and heads to the park, where he can play in peace. Now that his tour is over, he can finally get back to playing for fun. He's missed that.

He gets a text a few minutes into his guitar time. He hesitantly pulls out his phone, though he'd like to play his guitar without any distractions.

Dean: Are you free rn? Can we hang out?

His final concert ended yesterday, and it's only been less than twelve hours since he's seen Dean, but he can't complain about too much Dean Bean because such a thing doesn't exist.

Castiel texts him the park name before returning to his guitar. It's a few minutes later that Dean arrives. Castiel catches him out of the corner of his eye, but he doesn't announce his presence, so Castiel doesn't say anything. He wouldn't know what to talk about anyway.

Eventually, Dean says, "This sounds way too good to be the same four chords over and over."

"Five chords and thanks," Castiel replies, finally looking up but still playing the guitar.

"Wait, five?" Dean repeats. "D minor, E minor, C, A minor, and...?"

"E."

Dean facepalms. "Oh, right. It just looks too much like the A minor."

"And here you see someone who doesn't play enough guitar," Castiel says as if narrating a safari.

"I can't deny that," Dean replies. "Especially by your standards. I love how your idea of getting out is exactly what you do inside, by the way."

"Well, Misha was driving me crazy," Castiel replies. "I love him to death, but he can be really annoying."

"Misha?" Dean repeats, though Castiel isn't sure if he's questioning the name or who he is.

"Oh, right, you don't know Misha yet." Castiel glances around, then says, "I'll introduce you two later. I think you'll love him. Everyone does."

Dean raises an eyebrow but doesn't question it. "Okay...?"

"Anyway, what's up?" Castiel asks.

"Nothing, really," Dean replies. "It's pretty boring around here. I don't even have Adam anymore, cuz he's too busy studying." He rolls his eyes, as if a Harvard student shouldn't have to study.

"Sam too, I'm guessing?"

Dean nods. "Yep. Honestly, it was kinda rude of them, both going to an Ivy League school. I feel so left out."

"You poor child," Castiel deadpans.

"Gee, thanks for the sympathy," Dean says sarcastically. "No, but right now, you're basically all I've got, so you better be kinda fun."

"Unfortunately for you, I'm leaving in a few days," Castiel tells him. "What's today? Monday? Yeah, I'm leaving on Wednesday."

"To where?" Dean asks.

"Home."

"Why don't you just stay here?"

"Because I'm living at a hotel. It's kinda boring." Plus, his piano's back home, and he's still trying to teach himself to play it. Maybe he can use it during his tour next year if he gets a bit better.

"Please?" Dean asks. "I need someone to talk to. You could stay at my place if you don't like the hotel."

Castiel pauses. Well, there's really no reason not to. It's not like he has anyone waiting for him back in New York. He kind of regrets moving there in the first place.