Fame Crazy (Sequel to Strings Attached)

Chapter 89

A/N GUYS I JUST BINGE WATCHED THE FIRST SEASON OF GALAVANT AND OMC TIM OMUNDSON HAS THE BEST CHARACTER IN ANYTHING EVER (except SPN's Gabriel and I refuse to believe there is anyone that can beat him in anything)

Dean gets Castiel alone about an hour later, sitting on his bed in the room he used to share with Gabriel. They sit for a few moments in silence, which Dean breaks.

"You're really going back to New York in a few days?"

"Yeah," Castiel replies. "I'm gonna look for a plane ticket tonight."

"And you're just going to leave your family in ruins behind you?"

Castiel sighs. "Dean —"

"So not only are you leaving your dysfunctional family when they could probably use the help, but you're also leaving me, huh?"

"It's not like that."

"Really? Because that's what it looks like," Dean tells him. "You've seen our attempt at a long distance relationship. It didn't last long. And that was before we were both somebodies. It can only get harder. You really want to try that again?"

"We could make it work," Castiel insists.

"Funny, because that's exactly what we said last time, and it didn't happen," Dean reminds him. "I don't want to risk losing you again. I don't know if I could handle it."

"Then come to New York with me," Castiel suggests. "My place is more than big enough for two — or three, with Misha. You can come live with me, and we won't have to worry about losing each other again."

"Why don't you come live with me in Massachusetts?" Dean counters.

"I don't know anything about Massachusetts other than that I'm supposed to hate your baseball team. I'm not a Massachusetts kid."

"That's exactly how I feel about New York," Dean replies.

"Well, if we can't do long distance and neither of us want to move, what do you want to do, Dean? Cuz we're just about out of options."

"We can both stay here," Dean suggests. "At least until I have to go back to Massachusetts for football."

"But —"

"You're already here, Cas. It's going fine now. Why leave?"

"Because I can't write with people breathing down my neck!" Castiel hisses. Realizing how harsh his voice comes out, he adds gentler, "I'm sorry, I just... I'm trying, Dean. I really am. But I've been building this wall around myself for years, and I can't just tear it down like that. It's hard enough letting you in. I don't think I'm ready to let everyone else in, too."

Dean puts an arm around his boyfriend comfortingly. "Alright, how about this? Deal with your family for now. There's only a few months until I have to leave, anyway. But you and I can go house-slash-apartment shopping and find somewhere in the area to stay together, at least while we're in Sioux Falls. Okay?"

Castiel nods. "Mm hmm." He rests his head against Dean's chest. "I like that idea." A house for just Dean and him. It doesn't get much better than that.

~~

Claire returns from school at the usual time, but she comes home alone. She grabs a large, family-sized container of chocolate frosted Oreos and sits down at the kitchen table. Dean snatches a few before she gets the chance, and she sends him a jokingly dirty look before taking one of her own. Castiel averts his eyes, silently repeating it's not worth it, it's not worth it, over and over in his head. God, dieting is hard. Why do chocolate Oreos have to have so many calories?