#DCPF Previews

[deancaspinefest]

2023 Pinefest Posting Schedule

Under the cut, you’ll find the full posting schedule for this seventh round of the Dean/Cas Pinefest, along with links to each preview.

Happy pining, everyone!

Tuesday February 14 | Everywhere Wednesday February 15 | The Devil You Know (Who Also Knows You) Thursday February 16 | Other Worlds Than These Friday February 17 | The barista and the bookshop Saturday February 18 | Hunter's Throne Sunday February 19 | Marigold Monday February 20 | won't you stay with me, my darling, when the war starts in my heart? Tuesday February 21 | Depth of Field Wednesday February 22 | Dear Western Red Cedar #2409 Thursday February 23 | You Could Save Me (from the way I tend to be) Friday February 24 | straw house, straw dog Saturday February 25 | Life After Loss Sunday February 26 | Don't forget me when I'm gone Monday February 27 | On Wayward Tracks Tuesday February 28 | The Fool, Fish and Rocks Wednesday March 1 | Something in the Air Thursday March 2 | stay in my arms (if you dare) Friday March 3 | Everything's Fine Saturday March 4 | Djinn & Tonic Sunday March 5 | Buzz Monday March 6 | My Turning Page Tuesday March 7 | Breaking Bonds Wednesday March 8 | The Emoji Guy Thursday March 9 | When I Knew You Friday March 10 | Faith and Magic Saturday March 11 | Fall A Little Further Sunday March 12 | The Waiting (is the hardest part) Monday March 13 | Unbeknownst Soul Mate Tuesday March 14 | Lucky Mud Wednesday March 15 | Lavender Pines Thursday March 16 | Devil on the Dirt Friday March 17 | Maybe Next Time Saturday March 18 | r/Relationships Sunday March 19 | West Monday March 20 | carving deep blue ripples Tuesday March 21 | the long hill home Wednesday March 22 | when the stars align Thursday March 23 | My Body is a Cage Friday March 24 | Whisper My Name

Previous Rounds on Ao3:

2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017

[deancaspinefest]

The 2024 Pinefest Posting Schedule is here!

Under the cut, you’ll find the full posting schedule for this eighth round of the Dean/Cas Pinefest, along with links to each preview. Posting season begins on pie day -- March 14th -- and will run for 34 days, with one team posting every day.

Enjoy the previews, and make sure to check out the links to everyone's other work while you're waiting for their pine-scented posting day!

Happy pining, everyone!

Thursday March 14 | following the light Friday March 15 | One Drop, when What You Need is the Ocean Saturday March 16 | Of Dust, Gunpowder and Holy Water Sunday March 17 | Books, Pies, and Roommates Monday March 18 | A Fairy Tale Cliche! Tuesday March 19 | All in Honesty Wednesday March 20 | Another Kind of Memory Thursday March 21 | Not our kind of thing Friday March 22 | Different Currencies Saturday March 23 | In The Dog Days Sunday March 24 | Whatever Makes You Happy Monday March 25 | Significant severe Tuesday March 26 | all that we intend Wednesday March 27 | Something Happening Somewhen Thursday March 28 | Two Princes Friday March 29 | Broken (The Worst Is Over Now) Saturday March 30 | Well, I Never Been To Heaven Sunday March 31 | The Reel Deal Monday April 1 | A Fabulous Evening's Apocalypse Tuesday April 2 | Foxfire Wednesday April 3 | Super Double Bus Thursday April 4 | Suddenly I See Friday April 5 | Lavender Fireflies Saturday April 6 | Heartland Flyer Sunday April 7 | Something Blue Monday April 8 | Wouldn't It Be Nice Tuesday April 9 | If Only You Return to Me Wednesday April 10 | all out to sea Thursday April 11 | Dear Father Friday April 12 | Opposites Distract Saturday April 13 | Faking It? Sunday April 14 | Given to Fly Monday April 15 | Take The Long Way Home Tuesday April 16 | A Glacial Pace

[deancaspinefest]

2022 Pinefest Posting Schedule

Under the cut, you’ll find the full posting schedule for this sixth round of the Dean/Cas Pinefest, along with links to each preview.

Happy pining, everyone!

Monday February 14 | Chance Encounter Tuesday February 15 | Summer Camp Chitaqua Wednesday February 16 | No team today :( Thursday February 17 | Sequitur Friday February 18 | Time of the Season Saturday February 19 | Against The World Sunday February 20 | No team today :( Monday February 21 | Rock & Roll and Feathers  Tuesday February 22 | An Angel's Tale Wednesday February 23 | Rosa Damascena, or, A Rose by Any Other Name Thursday February 24 | Mr. Fix It Friday February 25 | life was a willow Saturday February 26 | Sunflower Sunday February 27 | many the miles Monday February 28 | It's only teenage wasteland Tuesday March 1 | The Laundromat Wednesday March 2 | Dancing in the Moonlight Thursday March 3 | No team today :( Friday March 4 | Baby Steps Saturday March 5 | Sincerely Yours Sunday March 6 | Dare You To Move Monday March 7 | The Legend of the White Light Tuesday March 8 | take me home Wednesday March 9 | time will bring him back to you Thursday March 10 | Another Life Friday March 11 | Don't Have a Harp (Found Something Better) Saturday March 12 | time on our side, take me there Sunday March 13 | a certain slant of light Monday March 14 | No team today :( Tuesday March 15 | Maledictus Hereditas Wednesday March 16 | Maybe It's Our Turn Thursday March 17 | With the closing of one door Friday March 18 | Fire and the Flood Saturday March 19 | A Rainforest Of Pine Sunday March 20 | Long Haul Monday March 21 | The Prince and the Guardian Tuesday March 22 | Fallen Wednesday March 23 | Myosotis Sylvatica Thursday March 24 | A Five Step Guide

Previous Rounds on Ao3:

2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017

[deancaspinefest]

The Laundromat

Author: one_more_offbeat_anthem | Artist: kireadraws Posting on Tuesday March 1

Cas Milton is really good at managing things. He managed being abandoned as a child and then placed in an abusive home. He managed his adoptive father going to prison when his aunt and godmother finally surfaced. And now, at twenty-five, he's managing going to college and while working the graveyard shift at Chaney's 24-Hour Laundromat in the icy town of Leadville, Colorado. Life is manageable until one night a man covered in blood shows up at the laundromat, and instead of calling the police, Cas decides to handle it himself. Except this guy, one Dean Winchester, can't exactly be handled. Against all odds, he and Cas form an unsteady friendship, and for once, Cas has someone to talk to about everything he's managing. The only problem? Cas doesn't really know who Dean is. And as it turns out, he doesn't really know himself, either.

Keep reading for a sneak preview!

Between Rowena’s early wake-up phone call (and her version of “good news,” which really means “news that will make you want to hit something”) and spending an hour trying to conjugate in Spanish with Meg, Cas is flat-out exhausted by the time he gets to Chaney’s. The attendant before him, Sylvia, is already gone, not even exhaust fumes left behind, so Cas checks everything in a zombie-like state, emptying the trash and almost spilling it all over his feet before giving up after sweeping half the building. He does get out his books and try to do homework, working through that dreaded language credit and the current unit of his child psychology class (The Impacts of an Unstable Household. Cas can tell you all about that, no vocabulary flashcards required), but before long he’s nodding off at the desk. “You really shouldn’t sleep on the job.” Cas’s eyes snap open to see another face inches from him and he tries to push backwards but ends up spilling himself out of the chair. Once he’s sprawled on the floor, no longer cross-eyed, he sees that it’s Dean. Dean Winchester. Cas still has Dean’s wallet in his backpack. “I think I left something here last night,” Dean continues. “But I could take whatever I want, huh? Are you going to punch me in the face again?” Cas glares at him. He hopes it’s murderous. “I’m just messing with you.” Dean offers out a hand to help Cas up, and Cas reluctantly takes it. Standing up, Cas realizes that he and Dean are almost exactly the same height--Dean’s just got a couple of extra inches on him. The other man seems to relish in that, though, drawing himself up so he can just barely look down at Cas. “Can I have my wallet back?” “Your wallet?” Dean smirks. “I know it’s here, and I know you found it. Seeing as I definitely dripped blood on the floor last night, and it’s all gone. You  cleaned it up. You’re thorough like that.” “You don’t know me.” “I could get to know you.” “Why?” “Why not?” “You’re not going to get your wallet back like this.” Cas crosses his arms. Dean definitely figured out that his wallet was in the front pocket of Cas’s backpack as soon as he walked into the room, but he’s still fronting, acting like he needs Cas to give it back. “I didn’t just come back for the wallet.” Dean smirks. “Let’s talk.” “Fine.” 

 [continue reading on Ao3 on Tuesday March 1]

[deancaspinefest]

time on our side, take me there

Author: s7jacket | Artist: Aubrey Berkholtz/LilBatti Posting on Saturday March 12

There’s an ex-angel shaped like a human in the hallways of the bunker, and Dean doesn’t have a clue what to say to him. Because the thing is. The thing is. Dean is in love with him. Dean has been in love with him for a long goddamn time, in fact, and dealt with it about as well as he’s dealt with everything else in his life. But sorting out all of that is one of many items on a long, long list that Dean has been putting off.  Like, Dean has to come out to Sam. And Dean has to deal with the fact that he’s been a hunter first, person second for the entirety of his adult life, which hasn’t really left a lot of time for soul searching. And Dean has to make peace with a father who wanted revenge more than he wanted his sons, and yet still found the time to mess them both up. All of those tasks seem insurmountable, so Dean focuses on what he can do. He drives, he hunts, he watches cowboy movies with Cas. He figures it out, bit by bit.

Keep reading for a sneak preview!

There’s an ex-angel shaped like a human in the hallways of the Bunker, and Dean has no clue what to say to him. It’s been a funny couple of months—funny weird, not funny ‘ha ha’, no matter how hard Sam tries to get Dean to see the bright side of things. Four months ago, almost to the day, Cas fell from Grace again, for good this time, and his reaction to being human has been… mixed. Dean, for all that he is trying to be empathetic to Cas’s situation, is at a loss—how do you comfort a being who, once, could move mountains, and now struggles getting the lid off the peanut butter jar if Sam’s the one who closed it last.

There’s also the not-inconsequential awkwardness of Dean’s unflinching gladness at having Cas around, because Dean has finally got what he’s always wanted—a Castiel who stays. But John always used to tell Dean to be careful what he wished for, and Jagger said you can’t always get what you want, and Dean is learning that. Learning that there’s a Cas who exists outside of being Dean’s best friend, and he isn’t always easy to be around.

So Dean buys him jeans that fit and makes his favourite meals, just to prove to him that being human (that Dean is worth sticking around for. Gives him a bedroom; takes him to Target; buys him books upon books about anything he wants. Listens to him talk into the early hours of the morning, tracing the candlelit lines of his face with hungry eyes, trying to convince himself that Cas won’t disappear at any moment. Teaches him to play Snap, entire body jolting when Cas’s hand burns on top of his. Lets Cas choose the movie, sometimes.

Purely so Cas doesn’t get bored, of course.

Dean isn’t good enough at lying to himself to convince himself that’s true because, see, the things tripping him up are threefold. One: Dean has wanted to keep Cas since the moment he met him, and loved him nearly as long. Two: since Cas fell from grace, he’s close enough to brush with his flame-hot fingertips but still just out of reach. Because of the third thing, Dean muses, which is that there is no possible world in all of creation where Cas wants Dean and Dean deserves him.

Not that Dean would bring any of this up, of course. These are musings to be kept hidden, deep down inside, and never shown the light of day. The place he keeps the pain of missing Charlie, a wound that’s still raw and weeping; where he shoves down the perfect family home and white picket fence he’s always wanted, back before his Dad stole that fantasy; where the memory of that first time Cas disappeared into black sludge in the reservoir stays, only to be brought out in dreams long past midnight.

No, Dean can’t share any of this with Castiel. He can share his company and his interests, and does so gladly. He can share his home with wide open doors, and beg Cas in actions if not in words to stay.

And time. He can gift Cas his time.

 [continue reading on Ao3 on Saturday March 12]

[deancaspinefest]

Fire and the Flood

Author: Desirae | Artist: lotrspnfangirl Posting on Friday March 18

Family duty sent Castiel Novak home for his estranged uncle’s funeral. While helping clean out the home office, Castiel comes across an old contract, between his uncle and Castiel’s high school sweetheart, Dean Winchester.  A contract stating that unless Dean leaves town, Castiel would have to forfeit his inheritance. Castiel and Dean had plans. To travel, write, get married, and have a family. Instead, Dean had inexplicably disappeared without a word, leaving Castiel behind, brokenhearted.  And now he knew why. When Castiel’s Aunt Amara reveals that she knows where Dean is, the successful Sci-fi writer is determined to seek him out and to hear his side of the story. Even if it’s fifteen years too late. To say Dean is shellshocked when his one true love walks back into his life is an understatement.  Leaving Castiel was the hardest thing Dean ever had to do, even if it had been for his own good, and he couldn’t be sorry for it.  The only question was, would Castiel forgive him anyway, for a second chance at love?  

Keep reading for a sneak preview!

“Dean-”

“Nope.” Dean didn’t give Charlie a chance, picking up a stray coffee cup and plate from a window seat table. He brought it back into the kitchen area, wordlessly handing it over to Krissy. Krissy was seventeen and worked a few afternoons a week after school as a dishwasher and busgirl. She was also Dean’s adopted daughter. Sort of.

“We have to talk about this,” Charlie’s voice was excited, and Krissy looked up from the drying rack, coming to join them at the kitchen island. “No, we don’t, Charlie, so back off.” “What’s going on?” “Nothing,” Dean said sharply even as Charlie shouted, ”Castiel Novak was just here!” “Wait, what, are you serious? Yikes, Pops, what did you do? Did you fangirl? Oh, my God, did you faint?” Krissy asked, looking torn between concern and amusement. “No, I didn’t faint,” Dean said, irritated. “Did you get his number, at least?” Krissy demanded. “Yeah, Dean, did you get his number?” Charlie piggybacked obnoxiously, and Dean felt a low-grade craving for a cigarette that pissed him off. Instead, he made himself a large coffee with cream and two shots of caramel. It wasn’t the same as nicotine, but it took the edge off. Dean had developed a lot of vices over the years, ones he’d worked hard to give up, but they were gonna have to pry coffee, pie, and bacon from his cold dead hands. Dean took a deep sip of the rich, sweet brew and sighed, feeling the gaze of his best friend and his kid resting on him. “He asked me to dinner. So. We're going out to dinner. Just to talk, calm down, you magpies,” Dean said when a chorus of chatter erupted between the pair of them. Charlie sighed. “ Isn’t it romantic that after all these years, your childhood crush is here to woo you?” “He’s not here to woo me, Charlie,” Dean said, and Krissy snorted. “Good, cause if he sees that shrine you have of him in your den, he’d be filing a restraining order,” the teenager smirked. “Shaddup,” Dean said, standing up to poke his head out onto the floor, noting that Jesse seemed to have everything covered for now. “Trust me. I’m sure he’s not here to woo me. “ “How are you so sure, Dean?” Charlie asked. “Why else would he go out of his way to track you down and ask you out?” “For one, he’s engaged to some doctor,” It was bittersweet but so fitting. “For two, he’s pretty much a celebrity. And for three,” Dean continued before either one of them could chime in again, “because I lied to you.” Twin gazes of confusion stared back at him. “Castiel wasn’t just my childhood crush,” Dean sighed. “ He was my first love, and I ran out on him.”

 [continue reading on Ao3 on Friday March 18]

[deancaspinefest]

Fallen

Author: Chi Yagami | Artist: bihuntersandgayangels Posting on Tuesday March 22

Once upon a time during the days of old, an angel with dark feathers cursed a human child, and ever since, black wings have become a symbol of the Fallen - angels who curse newborns instead of blessing them.

Burdened with ebony feathers, Castiel has never tried to bless a child. He knows humans will fear him. But with a push from Gabriel, Castiel attends his first Blessing, and everything goes exactly as he suspected - the humans believe he is there to curse the child. But brave little Dean Winchester begs to have Castiel curse him instead of his baby brother. Although well-intended, Castiel bestows Dean with a forbidden gift.

In doing this, he forever alters Dean's timeline.

Keep reading for a sneak preview!

Once upon a time during the days of old, in a faraway land, there lived a king and queen. For years, they had wished for a child, and, finally, a daughter was born. A holiday was proclaimed in her honor across the kingdom, and everyone was invited to attend in honor of the princess's birth. Everyone, high and low, came from far and wide. From the country... and the skies, as was tradition.  Being a royal celebration, twelve angels were invited, each with a different blessing to bestow upon the child. However, a thirteenth angel, uninvited and spurned, arrived at the castle with ill intent. His name was Lucifer, and he wore dark robes and bore giant, black wings. As revenge, the angel had not come bearing a gift... but a curse. The princess fell into a permanent sleep upon her sixteenth birthday... and she never awoke.

Despite thousands of years having past, with Lucifer having fallen from Heaven as a result of his actions, the story is well-known among angels and humans alike. Angels with black wings are feared and detested. Even birds with dark plumage are said to bring bad luck on the day of a child's birth. “You know the story as well as I do, Brother,” Castiel argues for fifth time.  “How can you still insist upon this ill-advised arrangement?” His brother, one of hundreds, is to attend the birth celebration of a child in two days. Gabriel, the social creature, has other plans made and now holds conflicting obligations. “Cassie, I fail to see the problem here,” the other angel responds, uncaring. “You have always wanted to bestow a gift upon a human, and here I am, offering you the chance on a silver platter.  How are you still arguing?” “I have said it before, and now I say it again – quit calling me 'Cassie'. It's Castiel,” he replies, frustration growing.  “And you know as well as I that I will be removed from the premises as soon as I arrive. I can't exactly hide the color of my wings!” Gabriel rolls his eyes. “Look, these people...” He grabs the invitation scroll from where it has been sitting innocently on the table between the two. “The Winchesters, they aren't exactly royalty, all right?  Not even Joneses.  John Winchester is war veteran who works as a mechanic.  His wife comes from a more prominent family – if you're counting peace officers.” “Which means the gift should be special, a Blessing from a true angel,” Castiel argues grumpily, but his brother expectantly ignores him. “And what are you then, Twix in a Snickers wrapper?  These are nobodies from nowhere – in Kansas of all places. You're not Blessing the Queen of England.”   “What is your point, Gabriel?” “My point, Cassie,” he contends, throwing an arm around his younger brother, “is that these parents are lucky to have you. They should feel grateful an angel even bothered to accept. It's not like the old days, when invitations were rare.  Now, it's as if every human has enough wealth to call upon us. We're busy as it is.” Castiel shrugs away from Gabriel.   “I still think you should go, considering it was you who officially accepted.” Gabriel winks. “Sorry baby bro, but Queen Kali of India invited me to the ceremony for her sixth child. There's no way I'm missing that!  She knows how to throw a party.” “Exactly, you were present for her first five children. I think you can spare a day for the celebration you already committed to beforehand.” “Castiel.” Gabriel rarely uses his full name unless he is completely serious. He claps the younger angel on the shoulder. “We've been brothers for ages, and we've been close for decades. I've noticed you, Castiel.” Gabriel's eyes stare into his with affection, and a little pity. “You have watched many of our brothers and sisters receive assignments for Blessings. You've seen others, like me, be specifically requested.  You have watched and yearned for years... since the practice began, probably. No one here is stopping you from accepting an assignment. But you've never even tried.” Castiel lowers his eyes to the floor, knowing his brother speaks the truth.  He had accepted his dark-colored wings and their unfavorable perceptions on principle.  He knew, from the beginning, that humans would not welcome him into their homes.  Castiel never received an assigned invitation... but he never requested one, either.  He has merely watched – and wanted – in silence. “That fairytale is ancient,” Gabriel continues. “Do some humans still fear dark wings? Yes, they probably do. But you know what?” Glancing back up, Castiel meets his brother's kind smile. “A lot of humans don't follow religion these days, but they still join in on the festivities. Events like Christmas and Blessings are celebrated by a variety of believers and non-believers alike. I bet there are some humans who would love to be Blessed by an angel, any angel, even one with black wings. Once they meet you, and you explain things, I'm sure everything will run smoothly.” But of course, things do not run smoothly, contrary to Gabriel's prediction.

[continue reading on Ao3 on Tuesday March 22]

[deancaspinefest]

take me home

Author: stayawake | Artist: mybelovedcas Posting on Tuesday March 8

The thing is, Dean has known for a long time that he's in love with Cas. Now that Michael is dead and things have settled, Dean is slowly realizing that maybe he can have the things he wants. Not only that, but maybe he deserves them too. Post 14x14 Ouroboros. Dean rents a lake house for him, Cas, and Jack.

Keep reading for a sneak preview!

Dean pulls him into another hug. “Sam just needs time alone. But he’ll come back. Family always comes back.” “Okay,” Jack says again. He holds onto Dean just as tightly. “Can we still go fishing?” “Of course.” Dean smiles, letting go and taking a step back. “Actually, what if we made a little vacation out of it?” “Vacation?” Jack asks, perking up. “Yeah,” Dean says, feeling just as bright. Cas is smiling softly at him and Dean thinks he could live off that smile for a hundred years. “Rent a little lake house. Teach you a thing or two about chopping firewood.” “I would like that, Dean,” Jack smiles. “Good. Go start packing.” Jack gives both of them one last smile before darting out of the kitchen. Dean chuckles as he watches him go and then turns back to Cas. “Dean, if this is too much of an inconvenience-” “It’s not like we have much else going on,” Dean says, cutting off Cas immediately. “Besides, I want to do this. I want good things for him.” And you, Dean thinks. I want you to have good things. I want you to have the things you deserve, the things you want. You sacrificed everything and I wish I had more to offer you. But Dean doesn’t say any of that. Maybe one day he’ll find the courage. Cas smiles. “So do I.” “Then it’s settled.” Dean walks over to the doorway of the kitchen. He taps his fingers against the wall and hesitates before looking back at Cas. Maybe this is the first step toward repairing things. Maybe this is the first step toward something new. Nothing’s broken, but things are definitely not where they’re supposed to be. Dean can feel it, deep in his gut and pulling at his chest. Things are supposed to be different. He can feel the tectonic plates of his whole world shifting around and he knows. He knows he knows he knows. He looks at Cas and thinks we’re supposed to be something more to each other. Maybe one day they will be.

 [continue reading on Ao3 on Tuesday March 8]

[deancaspinefest]

many the miles

Author: dothraki_shieldmaiden | Artist: cheelow Posting on Sunday February 27

After Dean's little brother moves to Stanford, leaving him behind in their hometown of Lawrence, Kansas, Dean feels a little untethered. The obvious solution is to go on semi-regular trips to Stanford to see Sam. The problem is that the drive to Stanford is long, and Dean's not quite as young as he used to be. Pushing through the twenty-five hour drive isn't really an option. Enter The Carriage House, an AirBnB located halfway between Lawrence and Palo Alto. The price is right and the location is perfect. There's just one snag, and that comes in the form of Castiel Novak, the owner of The Carriage House. Castiel is smart, funny, and one of the hottest guys Dean's ever seen. Unfortunately, he's taken. Nevertheless, Dean and Castiel embark on a friendship that spans the miles between them. As their friendship deepens, Dean realizes that Cas is everything he wants, but the persistent question nags him: what if he's not everything Cas wants? 

Keep reading for a sneak preview!

As the jogger draws even closer, however, Dean is mortified to realize that he's  turning into the driveway. Shit. Shit. He’s not sure of the rules of AirBNB hosts meeting their guests, but he’s almost certain that being caught perving on someone is rude in any circumstance. Dean tries to quickly duck inside the Impala, but luck is never on his side. The jogger raises a hand towards him, and Dean is forced to wait as he closes the space between them. Don’t look at his chest, don’t look at his chest, Dean chants, but he can’t help darting his eyes at the naked skin in front of him. The jogger is still catching his breath, and his chest heaves as he pants. Sparse, dark hair dusts over golden skin. As Dean watches, a single drop of sweat slides from the man’s collarbone and past a dusky nipple. “You must be Dean,” the jogger says, either ignorant of or ignoring Dean's internal crisis. “I’m Castiel. I would shake your hand, but.” He gestures towards himself with a self-deprecating twist of his mouth. “That’s fine,” Dean blurts out, shoving his hand forward without a second thought. He immediately winces at his eagerness, but it’s not like he can yank his hand back now that it’s out there. One of Castiel’s eyebrows climbs up his forehead, but he doesn’t hesitate to shake Dean’s hand. His skin is slightly clammy with sweat, but his grip is strong, and his fingers curl easily around the back of Dean’s hand. It’s just a fucking handshake, Dean scolds himself. Get a grip. But he’s tongue-tied in a way that he hasn’t been since he was sixteen, and that doesn’t look like it’s changing anytime soon. Focus, Dean warns himself, wrenching his brain back to the task of listening to Castiel instead of focusing on the chapped skin of his lower lip. “I hope everything was all right for your stay,” Castiel says. He gestures carelessly towards the garage. "Hope you found everything to your liking." “No, it’s great,” Dean hurries to say. “It looks just like the pictures.” “Oh. Well, that’s good.” Castiel’s smile is small and polite, like something given to passing strangers on the street. “What made you decide to become a host?” Dean blurts out the question before he can stop himself. This time, Castiel’s other eyebrow joins its brother in the creep up his forehead, but he doesn’t look irritated. If anything, his expression is intrigued. Dean tries not to pay attention to the small purse of his lips. “The apartment above the garage was there when I bought the house, but I didn’t know what to do with it. It was Luke’s idea to finish it and turn it into an AirBNB as a way of earning some extra money. My boyfriend,” Castiel says, answering Dean’s unasked question. Castiel’s chin lifts slightly in mild defiance. His eyes flash, challenging Dean to have a problem with what he just said. Dean’s brain is too caught on the word boyfriend to worry about his supposed homophobia. Euphoria and despair war within him. Euphoria: Castiel has a boyfriend, which means he’s open to the idea of dating a man. Despair: Castiel has a boyfriend, which means he’s taken.

 [continue reading on Ao3 on Sunday February 27]

[deancaspinefest]

life was a willow

Author: big_wet_cas_eyes | Artist: Leah Posting on Friday February 25

When Dean’s favorite author becomes a regular at his bar, Dean knows he’s done for. He never could have anticipated the intense feelings that blossom for the talented Castiel. There’s just one thing standing in his way of being with Castiel the way he truly wants: Castiel is waiting for his soulmate. Dean has spent his entire life hating the concept of soulmates. He just wants to live his life without the universe intervening. If the only way he can keep Castiel in his life is by swallowing his feelings, then that’s what he’ll do.

Keep reading for a sneak preview!

Castiel has a routine. Every Sunday evening, he pours himself a glass of wine and writes Hello, soulmate on his left forearm. Just to check. Because after you meet your soulmate, anything you write on yourself should appear on their skin.

Every week, without fail, he writes his message.

Every week, without fail, it's never returned.

He's been doing this for years. Before then, he wanted to rely more on fate to find them. He dreamed of what it would be like to wake up one day with a soulmate message on his arm. But he waited and waited and waited and then he got scared that his soulmate was waiting on him.

There are rare cases of one soulmate ignoring the other, but Castiel can't let himself consider that possibility. That his soulmate knows he's there and just doesn't want him. It's easier to tell himself he just doesn't have a soulmate yet.

It's harder to think about the fact that he might never have a soulmate at all.

Nobody really knows what triggers the soulmate connection. Sometimes it's when you first hear their name. Sometimes it's when you meet for the first time. Sometimes it happens after you bump into them on the street. Physical touch almost always does it. That first contact, whatever it may be, sparks the connection. Castiel has been holding his breath waiting on that connection for far too long.

His Sunday night looks a little different this week. On Wednesday, he met the most intriguing man. Dean was smart, funny, beautiful… and he didn't believe in soulmates. Castiel can't help but hope, though. He can't stop himself from fantasizing about what it would be like if Dean was his soulmate. He nearly tested the connection that very night, and he would have if he hadn't told himself long ago that he wouldn't ever deviate from his routine. Still, he counts down the hours until it's finally time to write Hello, soulmate across his forearm, hand shaky with hope.

Which is why he feels more disappointed than ever when the message once again goes unanswered.

 [continue reading on Ao3 on Friday February 25]

[deancaspinefest]

Don't Have a Harp (Found Something Better)

Author: Carrieosity | Artist: thevioletcaptain Posting on Friday March 11

He was human. He was hunted. And now, to Castiel's shock and dismay, he found himself completely on his own--kicked to the curb by the one person he'd believed would stand with and support him. Not only did Dean not consider him worthy of his friendship (let alone any deeper bond), but apparently he wasn't even worth Dean's respect. How else could Castiel interpret the ludicrous "advice" he'd been given about how to survive on his own without starving, freezing, or being killed (again)? No, Castiel decided. If he was to be on his own, then he'd do things his way, and his days of following Dean Winchester's instructions were done. It was time to put the past behind him and forge his own path. He was a strategist, after all; his wits hadn't disappeared along with his grace. And, then, "Soldier of God" was far from the only skillset he had under his belt. 

Keep reading for a sneak preview!

By the time he reached Topeka and climbed off the bus, Castiel had gone from confused to annoyed, and he was well on his way toward, as Dean would have phrased it, pissed off.

“This is a stupid plan,” he said to himself. Anger muffled and soothed the urge to self-flagellate. If Castiel followed Dean’s instructions, used the money he’d been given to reach some desolate outpost, he’d have nothing left when he arrived and no good way to earn more. Really, a single counterfeit ID is meant to suffice for settling in for an extended stay in a new location? Dean had many flaws, as all humans did, but stupidity was not an accusation anyone could legitimately level at him. At least, Castiel had never truly believed so before now.

Thoughtless, though. Castiel recalled the spartan yet abundant spare beds and blankets in the bunker and added “inconsiderate” to his assessment. Inconsiderate of his needs, anyway. The realization hurt, particularly because typical of Dean’s flaws was his compulsion to protect and tend to the needs of those close to him, to the point where Dean’s own needs went unmet. If Castiel’s loss of his grace meant he’d somehow also fallen out of favor enough that Dean no longer felt moved to try his usual nursemaid routine…

“And yet he’s still telling me what to do,” Castiel said aloud. He found himself chafing at the idea of obediently following Dean’s instructions, no questions asked. Because he was finding that he had questions, and the further he came out of the initial shock of being kicked out of the bunker, the more those questions multiplied.

“This is barely a plan at all,” he grumbled, glaring at his phone as though it was a direct window toward Dean’s face. Dean, who had saved him, only to throw him back into uncertainty and homelessness. Dean, who called him family, and then didn’t even take time to research safe new locations for him beyond a vague cardinal direction. Dean “I need you” Winchester, who ultimately hadn’t cared that Castiel needed him, too.

Indignation boiled in his veins, making his skin flush hot and his jaw clench. He didn’t realize his fingers were starting to curl into fists until a tiny cracking sound came from the case of the phone held in his hand. It felt…good. He squeezed harder, imagining the phone—his only real connection to Dean, the bunker, and the period of his life spent as “The Winchesters’ pet angel”—snapping and fracturing into useless bits.

And why not? Why, if he was essentially on his own anyway, should he preserve this placebo of security, which would serve only to let Dean Winchester issue more of his orders disguised as helpful suggestions? If he was being cut loose, then why shouldn’t he make the final break, rather than cling to the tenuous hope that someday he’d be allowed to come crawling back?

The sound of air brakes interrupted Castiel’s thoughts. He looked up to see a bus pulling up, the words “DENVER, CO” illuminating its window. Castiel knew enough to know that Denver was certainly not “Bumfuck.” It would be crowded, busy, full of activity, and packed with travelers and visitors of all kinds. Dean would hate it, Castiel thought.

It took only a bit more pressure, and the phone snapped in two with a satisfying crunch. Castiel tossed the halves into a nearby waste can, then strode to the ticket kiosk. Purpose lent him energy that he hadn’t felt in weeks.

 [continue reading on Ao3 on Friday March 11]

[deancaspinefest]

Long Haul

Author: justholdingstill | Artist: mybelovedcas Posting on Sunday March 20

Quarantine is a bitch and lockdown is worse, but Dean's got new neighbour with a balcony across from his who's about to make things a lot more interesting. 

Keep reading for a sneak preview!

Little does Dean Winchester know: today is his lucky day. On a normal day, he starts at the garage at eight AM sharp, which means that six days a week he leaves home before seven thirty, which means that only rarely does he ever get to observe the building complex stirring to life around him. He’s been learning that it’s nice just to watch Mrs. Aguirre puttering on her own patio, watering her mini jungle of plants, deadheading her begonias while she sings to them in her rasping voice. He’s learned that Mr. Benson down the hall likes to begin his day by listening to opera with all his windows open. He’s learned that the Adeyemi twins downstairs regularly perform some kind of combative, bed-jumping jiu-jitsu drill as a precursor to getting dressed in the morning, much to the exasperation of their parents. He’s learned, for better or for worse, that Jody and Donna, veterans of the night shift, sometimes have a shockingly creative and energetic pre-dawn sex life, about which they are not audibly shy. And, on this particular Thursday, he’s learning that he’s got a new third-floor neighbour he’s never seen before, situated directly across the courtyard from him. Better yet, the new neighbour is hot, the kind of hot that’s scruffy and windswept and maddeningly casual about it, the kind of hot that makes Dean’s mouth dry in a way that has nothing to do with the liquor. Best of all, he’s doing yoga on his balcony in the sunshine in nothing but a pair of soft, slim-fitting navy boxer briefs. Which, hell yeah. Hot Guy is not only hot and bendy, but he’s hot, bendy, tattooed and mostly naked. Score. This is the best thing that’s happened to Dean in at least a month. Maybe longer, if he’s being genuinely honest, because he wasn’t exactly burning it down out there before the rest of the world started coming apart at the seams. Hot Guy seems singularly focused on his practice--stretching slowly but intentionally into each each movement, each pose flowing smoothly and serenely into the next, his eyes mostly closed in concentration as he moves through a routine that seems like second nature to him--so Dean’s fairly certain he hasn’t taken notice of Dean out-and-out ogling his downward dog. He’s gonna count that as a blessing, because the dude’s got these thick, lusciously-muscled thighs that strain the legs of his shorts and make Dean want to weep at their absurd perfection; he couldn’t tear his eyes away if his life depended on it, and don’t even get Dean started on his arms. Dean’s fairly certain he hasn’t noticed, that is, right up until Hot Guy brings the routine to a close, eventually rouses himself out of the little nap he takes at the end, stands to roll up his mat, and then turns to shoot Dean what is unmistakably a wink accompanied by a little wave before he heads back inside. Fuck Dean’s life gently with a chainsaw.

 [continue reading on Ao3 on Sunday March 20]

[deancaspinefest]

Dare You To Move

Author: hisbrokenrainbowwings | Artist: girlinthemirrorbluenight Posting on Sunday March 6

Castiel Novak is a former boy band member turned rock star who has been hiding his sexuality for years by fake dating his best friend, Meg Masters. His only place for true connection is on an anonymous Discord server where he falls in love with another member who knows nothing about Castiel Novak's music. That member is Dean, a comfortably out bisexual car mechanic from Lebanon who has a not-so-subtle crush on Castiel Novak after a chance encounter when they were teenagers. He is in love with Clarence, his buddy from the Discord server he and his adopted sister Charlie set up years ago. Dean has no idea the man he's in love with is actually the musician he adores. When Lebanon is picked as the new setting for Castiel Novak's latest video, both Cas and Dean have to confront their pasts and try to build a new future together.

Keep reading for a sneak preview!

Dean was sure the piercings and the tattoo sleeves of colorful monsters didn’t quite give the “ready to settle down” vibes his dates were looking for. Those, combined with his “take me or leave me” mentality towards dating, made him a tough pill to swallow. None of his other dates had ever made him feel like anything more than a fun detour before they found their serious love. Cassie had been the closest, but even she had moved on eventually, pursuing her dreams as a reporter in New York City when she got tired of Dean’s shit. Of course, there was Clarence, but even if Clarence ever managed to meet Dean in real life, he’d run for the hills just like everyone else. Castiel’s songs made him feel like he could be someone other than Dean Winchester, son of the town drunk, doomed to be stuck in Lebanon forever. He saw Castiel and it made him think of Los Angeles sunshine, of freedom, of a life he only occasionally let himself daydream about. A life he’d rather be living than this one, but one he didn’t really have the guts to pursue. Can’t fail if there’s no realistic way to try in the first place. Of course, it helps that Castiel is ridiculously hot, he thought to himself as Castiel offered that incredible jacket to Meg in the video and the audience got a glimpse of his biceps. In some ways, Dean Winchester was a simple man. As the video ended, the feed turned back to Chuck, Castiel, and Meg. Meg and Castiel gazed at each other as Chuck turned to the camera, eager to reveal Castiel’s exclusive announcement. “For years, Castiel’s fans have shown up for him -- getting plane tickets to big cities for concerts or camping out at malls to get signed CDs. This time, he’s decided to bring the party to you!” He paused for dramatic effect, and Dean and Charlie leaned forward in anticipation. “Castiel’s next video ‘Let Me Adore You’ is about small town sweethearts, so he’s heading to Everytown, USA to film it!  He’ll perform a concert to premiere the single, and the video will be filmed in this mysterious town. This time, you will be a part of the story!” Charlie leaned over to Dean, not taking her eyes off the screen. “Holy shit, Dean! What if it’s somewhere close by? Even if it’s a couple states over I’m sure we could dri --” Dean shushed her by throwing his pillow at her head. “He’s still talking, hold on!” Chuck, taking an eternity, turned to Castiel. “Should we tell them? I think we should tell them.” Castiel smiled indulgently, but Dean could see the impatience behind it. “And the lucky town about to be touched by an angel is … Lebanon, Kansas!” Dean’s brain short circuited. 

 [continue reading on Ao3 on Sunday March 6]

[deancaspinefest]

Myosotis Sylvatica

Author: angelshotgun | Artist: Clara - AnotherStep Posting on Wednesday March 23

Dean Winchester is a businessman, paying the bills on Family Business Bistro and Bar as well as the debts left by his late father. With money tight, he turns to rodeo riding as a way to win a little extra cash - but when he’s thrown by rodeo’s greatest bull, he falls right into the lap of Castiel Novak, the closeted son of a megachurch leader. And to make sure that Dean gets the medical care he needs after that incident, Cas adds Dean to his insurance plan… as a spouse.

Keep reading for a sneak preview!

“No hospital,” Dean said clearly, shaking his head slightly and then wincing. “I’ll be okay.”

“Son, you need a lookin’ at,” Jeff interjected. The audience they’d amassed murmured, nodding in agreement. One woman pulled her phone out to call for emergency services.

Dean tried to stand up, supporting himself on an arm that was clearly broken, and fell back. “Can’t afford to, to doctor,” he managed before passing out.

“Okay,” Cas said, realizing that, since Dean had landed by him, everyone was figuring that Dean was his problem now. Many people were leaving, the rodeo having finished when Red Rock was led out of the arena, once more docile after the irritation was removed from his back. “Meg, we’re driving him to the hospital.”

Meg finished writing her number on Ruby’s arm, and spun her car keys. “Gotcha. I’ll pull up as close as I can get, and Jeff will help us put him in the backseat. Right, Jeff?”

Jeff agreed, and the plan was soon executed. Dean lay, legs awkwardly bent into the footwell, across the backseat. There was a ragged towel under his head to stem the bleeding from the sluggish cut there, and his broken arm was, courtesy of Cas, laid carefully across his chest to keep it from being jostled too much.

Meg, with Cas in the passenger seat, drove slowly enough that Dean wouldn’t be bouncing around back there like a ping-pong ball, but they still reached the emergency room drive in record time, and Dean was transported onto a gurney. Cas tried to follow him, but an orderly stopped him with a sympathetic but firm “Sorry, you’ll need to wait out here. I have some paperwork,” and she handed him a large clipboard.

Cas filled out everything he knew about Dean - his name, and how he got hurt, nothing else. Then he came to the section on insurance information.

Dean had said he couldn’t afford a hospital visit. That meant he probably didn’t have good insurance, or any insurance at all.

And Cas had brought him here. He needed treatment, of course, but Cas didn’t want to be responsible for putting the poor man in debt.

Trying not to think about what a bad idea it was, he scribbled down his own insurance information and pointedly avoided thinking of the phrase ‘insurance fraud’. Or the one ‘easily discovered lie’.

“He’s in a recovery room,” the same orderly told Cas, an anxious hour later. “He’s going to be just fine. Do you have that paperwork for me?” Meg, who had been tapping away furiously on her phone while Cas wrote, handed her the clipboard.

Cas, realizing that he may have just made a monumental mistake, barely restrained himself from confessing and taking the clipboard back. Instead of thinking about that, he asked “Can I go see him?”

The orderly’s brow creased. “Well, it’s after visiting hours, so family only is allowed.”

Cas, who seemed to be developing a habit of saying things with absolutely no reason to, blurted out “He’s my husband!”

 [continue reading on Ao3 on Wednesday March 23]

[deancaspinefest]

It's only teenage wasteland

Author: FollowingButterflies | Artist: avalonlights Posting on Monday February 28

At 30 years old, journalist Dean Winchester has carved out a life for himself in New York. He's happy, he has friends and a job he loves. He hadn't given Angel Creek, Texas a single thought for over a decade, right? Ok, he's lying to himself. Over the years he's thought non-stop about the town and the boy he left behind. Everything changes when he sees Castiel Milton again for the first time in twelve years. 

Keep reading for a sneak preview!

“Ok but hummus destruction aside, it's no big deal," Dean said as his order was called out. He raised a hand by way of thanks, grabbed his coffee and began to make his way out of the coffee shop, definitely not looking as he pushed open the door. He caught the shoulder of a man walking into the coffee shop, nearly upending his coffee onto his shoes. “Oh shit. Sorry man,” Dean muttered, barely glancing back at the stranger he’d bumped into as he tried to keep his phone cradled against his ear. “No, it's quite alright.” A voice said. Dean stopped as a chill ran through his veins. For a moment he thought that his mind was playing tricks on him. It wouldn’t have been the first time, not even the first time that day. He swore he knew that voice. Laughter spilt from lips in the middle of the lazy summer heat. Coy smiles being exchanged and shoulders knocking together. Sparkling, deep blue eyes and creek water dripping from dark, messy hair. Plump lips capturing Dean’s own as they fell together, so fast and so in love. Dean’s heartbeat quickened as he turned back, his eyes locking with those cerulean eyes he had not seen in twelve long years. It was as if all the air left his lungs as the other man stared back at him, surprise written across his perfect face. “Dean? Dean, are you still there?” Sam’s tinny voice said from his phone. “Sam, I’m gonna have to call you back,” Dean said, hastily hanging up the phone. He didn’t even want to blink, he was too afraid that this was a dream. A wonderful, heartbreaking dream. “Holy fuck. Is that... What are you... Cas? Is that really you?” he stammered out, heartbeat thumping away so loudly he was amazed that the whole of New York couldn’t hear it. This couldn’t be real. He couldn’t be standing there in front of Dean looking even more incredible than he had when they were eighteen. This had to be some fucked up dream. Right? “Hello, Dean.” Castiel Milton said, his voice warm like home.

 [continue reading on Ao3 on Monday February 28]

[deancaspinefest]

An Angel's Tale

Author: seidenapfel | Artist: Athena Posting on Tuesday February 22

After being Dean’s roommate for over a decade, Castiel can’t go on like this anymore. He leaves their shared home and flees to Europe for a year, no longer able to deal with his feelings for his best friend in such close proximity. Left behind heartbroken and grieving, Dean distracts himself with Charlie’s favourite fantasy book series. Intrigued by the tale of an angel and a hunter, Dean stumbles into the realms of fandom and fanfic. For the first time since high school, he picks up his drawing utensils, and, not before long, signs up for a fandom big bang. Dean is thrilled to be paired with his favourite author. Chatting reveals that Dean isn’t the only one who is head over heels in love with his best friend. In jest, they make a deal: They confess their feelings to their friends, and if that doesn’t work out, they’ll try their luck with each other.

Keep reading for a sneak preview!

“Stay with me a bit?” Dean whispered. Jeez, he needed to stop. If he went on like this in his sleepy state, he could blurt out anything. But, hell, he couldn’t stop listening to Cas. “Whatever you want, Dean.” There was a smile in Cas’ voice. It lifted Dean’s spirit a bit. Eventually, Dean got up and managed to open the door. For once, he didn’t bother with his shoes, leaving them where he slipped out of them. Shedding his jeans and flannel, he fell down on his bed in his remaining clothes, not taking the trouble to change. Sometimes he wondered if he could risk sneaking into Cas’ room, bathing in his friend’s scent that still lingered there. But Dean hadn’t sunk that low. He still had certain standards. Cas was still on the other end of the line. Dean could hear him typing. In the background, birds sang and leaves rustled in the wind. Snuggling into his pillow, Dean laid his phone next to his head. “You outside?” He yawned. “Did you say something?” “Yeah, sorry. Didn’t mean to disturb you.” “Dean, if I wanted to be on my own, I’d have terminated your call already.” Dean couldn’t help but smile at that. Cas wanted to keep him company. Maybe ... No. Bullshit! Dean cursed his sleepy brain. They were friends. That was all. Cas didn’t like him like that. “Are you in bed now?” “Yeah.” “Maybe I should end the call and let you sleep.” No! “Nah, I like listening to you working. It’s nice.” Nice? Dean cringed. Harrumphing, he repeated his earlier question, “You outside?” “Yes. I walked to this castle that local legend assigns to Sleeping Beauty. They even call it Sleeping Beauty Castle or Dornröschenschloss”–Dean chuckled at Cas’ pronunciation of the strange word–“There’s a wildlife park next to it that also has a museum about its history. It’s one of the oldest wildlife parks in Europe, being founded in 1571. I found a silent place where I can work on my paper. Since the museum also covers the Brothers Grimm’s visit to the forest, the Reinhardswald, and the animals featured in their fairy tales, I’ll meet with someone from their staff later today.” Cas was in total nerd mode and Dean loved to listen to him. Hell, Cas could read him the phone book and Dean would have drooled by now. Closing his eyes, still listening to his friend, Dean pictured Cas as Prince Charming and drifted off in the realm of dreams. +++++ On the other end of the line, Castiel only stopped talking when he heard even breathing and silent snoring through his phone. “Good night, Dean,” he whispered, wishing he could change places with Dean’s phone. What wouldn’t he give for being allowed to lie next to Dean, seeing his best friend and the man of his dreams sleeping peacefully.

 [continue reading on Ao3 on Tuesday February 22]