"What the hell was that?" Lucifer demands the second they're offstage.

"What was what?"

"That!" he repeats, gesturing to Castiel's arm angrily. "What happened to keeping that quiet?"

"What happened to keeping Misha quiet?" Castiel fires back.

"That was an accident. Yours wasn't."

"No, it wasn't. But I think five years is long enough ignoring it. I can't do it anymore, Lucifer. You don't know what it's like, seeing more from people who hate me than from fans, and I can only hope you never do, because it will wear at you everyday until it breaks you."

"I can take it."

"No, you can't. I know you want to think that you'll never let the haters dull your sparkle, but once you get to my level, it's just a game of how long you can stay afloat until you finally give in."

"Then it's a good thing I don't have any plans to get to your level," Lucifer replies.

"That's the thing. You don't plan to get here. It just happens. You thrive on making people laugh, so you're going to make it whether you want to or not, but let's be real here. You're weird. It's a fact. And if you don't think people are going point that out every chance they get..."

"I know what I'm in for, Castiel. I've already seen countless people telling me I'm a weirdo. But guess what? I'm still standing. I'm still me. I'm still a total dork who loves stupid movies and will shamelessly burst into song at the drop of a hat. It's not changing me."

"That's what I said five years ago, and I can't even remember how to be the person I was then."

"Well, that's your problem," Lucifer replies. "I feel bad for you, Castiel. I really do. But I'm not you. I can handle a few people telling me they don't like me."

Castiel crosses his arms. He knows Lucifer doesn't get it. No one does. No one has to put up with this on a near daily basis like he does. But there's no point in arguing. Until he experiences it for himself, he's not going to understand how difficult it is. Castiel just hopes his brother will figure out a way to shut the haters down, because he hates the idea that someone could take his Lucifer away from him.

Dean half walks, half run over to the two of them. He just looks at Castiel for a moment, obviously trying to say something, but he can't find the words. Finally, he says, "Why didn't you tell me?"

Castiel lets out a long breath. "Because I couldn't," he says finally. "You and I weren't together at the time. We definitely weren't on speaking terms."

"Fuck that, Cas! I don't care what's going on with us. If the thought of suicide even crosses your mind, you call me, and I will talk to you for as long as you need me to. Got it?"

Castiel nods silently. He hadn't even thought of Dean when he said that. He forgot Dean hadn't known yet, and that definitely wasn't the best way to tell him. He should have told him earlier, had he not basically forgot about it entirely.

"I'm sorry," Castiel says softly, giving Dean a spontaneous hug. Dean puts his arms around his boyfriend comfortingly, holding him close. He presses his lips to the younger boy's forehead.

"I love you," Dean murmurs. "Forever and always."

"I love you, too," Castiel whispers back.

They're so absorbed in each other, they don't notice Lucifer taking a picture of them being all shippy to post on Twitter now that their relationship is public. The best thing about Lucifer is that he doesn't know how to stay upset, especially when ships are involved.