One thing he hadn't thought of when he decided to go to Los Angeles was that he hasn't seen Gabriel in months. He's leaving two days before Gabriel comes back from California, and it's far from the same part of the state. He can't say he regrets it, though. A birthday release is perhaps the best thing he's ever thought of, and he's not letting that go. Not with this album. Not with this first single.

Dean manages to get a ticket on the same flight, so they're able to fly down together and hang out, with Misha tucked in with the luggage. Just like the last time they flew together, Castiel has to calm his boyfriend down because he's still not big on flying, but once they're in the air, he seems okay. Not happy, but okay. Castiel still keeps an arm around his shoulders throughout the first half hour until it falls asleep and he has to move it to wake it up.

He's vaguely aware of all the pictures people take at the airport in South Dakota, but it doesn't really phase him. They're mostly subtle, and he only has to stop to talk to fans eight times, which may seem like a lot, but not for him.

Los Angeles is a different story. Someone must have tipped off the media, because he's swarmed by paparazzi practically the moment he steps off the plane. Part of him wants to duck his head and make a run for it, but he knows that's not what the people want, so he's willing to spend an extra few minutes walking like a normal person. He waves at the cameras, a smile plastered on his face. He sees fans begging for his attention, and he gives a few of them passing high fives, but nothing more than that, or he'd be there all day.

Dean makes sure to stand right next to him when he asks somewhat quietly — which is really a normal voice in a loud room — "Does this happen everywhere you go?"

"Pretty much," Castiel replies. "Does this not happen to you?"

Dean scoffs. "This? No! Cas, this is insane. How do you get anything done like this?"

"I usually give myself at least an extra hour when I do anything in public, just in case," he replies. "You get used to it eventually. It's kinda weird, going to Sioux Falls and not having to worry about it."

"Why would you ever leave Sioux Falls to put up with this?"

Castiel shrugs. "It's kinda cool, meeting fans, and I know it means a lot to them, so I just kinda roll with it. You'd get it if this happened to you a lot. I see people on Instagram talking about how I waved at them on the street once, or made eye contact at a concert. Even something simple like that means a lot to them. I want to at least acknowledge all my stans at least once in my life, whether it's online or in person."

"That is never, ever, ever going to happen," Dean tells him.

"Like, ever," Castiel adds, joking around with the Taylor Swift song, but Dean doesn't get the reference, so he moves on. "No, probably not, but I can try, you know?"

Dean smiles slightly at that. "You really do care about them, don't you?"

"I owe them for everything I have," Castiel replies. "Of course I care. This luggage claim, right?"

Dean pauses for a moment, then nods once. "That it is."

They're stuck waiting for about fifteen minutes before the luggage starts pouring out. Thankfully, Castiel put bright red duct tape on all the handles, so it catches his eye easily, and he doesn't have to look at every single one to roll by.

Per usual when he flies, his time at the luggage claim is seen as free time, and he meets quite a few fans. Some of them talk to Dean, too, and some of them ignore him. There is one extra cute moment, more than just the typical fifteen-year-old girls fangirling.

A little girl, no more than five years old, runs up to him. "You're Castiel Novak!"

"I am," he replies with a grin. Little kids are adorable. It's an undeniable fact. He kneels down so he's closer to her height when he asks, "What's your name?"

"Danielle."

"Hi, Danielle!"

She gives him a hug, which is awkward because he's crouched on the floor, but she does it anyway. He chuckles and hugs her back gently.

A woman comes up to him, holding a little boy's hand in hers. He's probably about eight, wearing a Patriots jersey. Castiel glances at Dean, but he's still looking for suitcases and doesn't notice.

"I'm sorry about that," the woman says apologetically, taking Danielle's hand to pull her away.

"It's fine," Castiel assures her.

"Mommy, Mommy, it's Castiel Novak!" Danielle squeaks, pulling on her mother's arm.

She does a double take when her daughter says that, and realization dawns on her face. "Oh my god, really?"

He nods, trying to hide the amusement he feels, seeing her demeanor change like that when she realized it was him. That seems to happen a lot.

"Oh my god," she breathes. "We're huge fans. Danielle's been listening to your music literally since before she was born. This is insane. What are you doing in California?"

"Visiting friends," he lies, because he's definitely not telling anyone about his new album yet. Once one person knows, everyone does.

"Is that Dean Winchester?" the little boy asks suddenly, eyeing him.

"It is," Castiel replies. He reaches over and swats Dean on the shoulder lightly, getting his attention. "Dean, I found a mini you."

"What —" Dean trails off as he turns around to see the boy in the Patriots jersey. He grins and holds a hand out for a high five. "Nice shirt, kid."

The boy gives him a high five, seeming very proud of himself. "You're the best quarterback ever!" he gushes. "You're even better than Tom Brady!"

"Well, I wouldn't go that far," Dean replies, even though statistics show that it's marginally true. "Do you play?"

He nods vigorously. "Yeah! Me an' my friends play all the time an' I'm always on the winning team!"

"I bet you're gonna make it to the big leagues, huh?" Dean asks.

"One day, I'm gonna be on your team!" he says confidently.

"You're definitely gonna outplay me," Dean tells him.

"And one day," Danielle adds, looking up at Castiel, "I'm gonna sing with you!"

"I'll bet," he agrees. "You and I are going to be the most iconic duo there is."

"Like you and Taylor Swift but cooler!" she adds.

He chuckles. He knew a lot of teenagers know about his personal life, but he's yet to meet a kid this young who knows him from anything but his lyrics until today.

"Just like me and Taylor," he agrees with an approving nod.

"And I'm gonna be in wicked awesome music videos like you and sing wicked awesome songs like you and just be wicked awesome like you!"

Castiel can't help but laugh at that. He can really hear the New England side of her coming through.

"And you're gonna win all the awards because you'll be the best singer out there," Castiel tells her.

"And even Bela Talbot will love me!"

"Yeah, I bet she will," Castiel lies. Bela obviously doesn't like anyone whom society deems better than her, and that includes Castiel, and would include Danielle if she followed in his footsteps.

"You probably have somewhere to be, don't you?" the mother asks, not giving him time to respond before answering for herself, "Of course you do. Can we just get a picture?"

They take a few pictures, and for once, Dean isn't forgotten about in them. He's still beaming as they walk away, and Castiel has a mental I-told-you-so moment.

"He actually knew who I was!" Dean says proudly. "I actually found a Patriots fan in California!"

Castiel laughs. "And he's so cute and tiny!"

"And probably a really bad football player judging by how small he is, but there's still hope for him," Dean adds. He randomly reaches over and grabs one of their suitcases that Castiel would have missed.  "And now we've got it all."

Castiel clears his throat and looks at him expectantly.

Dean gives him a confused look, then realizes what he means. "Except Misha."

Castiel nods. "'Kay, good, carry on."

"My wayward son," Dean adds.

"There'll be peace when you are done," Castiel continues.

"Lay your weary head to rest," Dean adds.

Castiel points at him, telling him to join in for, "Don't you cry no more!"