#DCPF Promos

[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]

2021 Pinefest Posting Schedule

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

Saturday April 10 | Dean Winchester and the Stolen Tupperware Sunday April 11 | The Last Resort Monday April 12 | I’d Cross The Stars For You Tuesday April 13 | When We Were Young Wednesday April 14 | The Heart Won't Lie Thursday April 15 | Surprises Friday April 16 | Desert Rituals Saturday April 17 | The Hunter and The Wildcat Sunday April 18 | Side Effects Monday April 19 | Killing in the Name Of Tuesday April 20 | deeper than all roses Wednesday April 21 | Renovating Hotels and Hearts Thursday April 22 | Apartment 15 Friday April 23 | Murder Ballads Saturday April 24 | exile Sunday April 25 | Ex-HunterCorps-Machina Monday April 26 | And If Thou Wilt, Remember Tuesday April 27 | Coming Up Short Wednesday April 28 | Standing Where the Lightning Strikes Thursday April 29 | God's Exiles Friday April 30 | The Natural Sequel of an Unnatural Beginning Saturday May 1 | All This and Heaven Too Sunday May 2 | The Space Between Monday May 3 | With You 'Til the End Tuesday May 4 | Placements, Trusts, and Evaluations Wednesday May 5 | a lesson in blue (it's in his eyes) Thursday May 6 | NO FIC TODAY Friday May 7 | More Than One Ace to Play Saturday May 8 | By Your Side Sunday May 9 | Before Our After Monday May 10 | It's the End of the World (As We Know It) Tuesday May 11 | The Remembrance of It

Previous Rounds on Ao3:

2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017

[deancaspinefest]

Dean Winchester and the Stolen Tupperware

Explicit | ~32k | Posting on April 10 Author: MalMuses | Artist: Nioell

Eternally single, professor Castiel is quiet, nerdy, and keeps to his research. The one indulgence that he allows himself is spending hours on YouTube bingeing the vlogs of a handsome, reckless archaeologist. Hunter styles himself as a bit of an Indiana Jones type, and he reminds Castiel of the adventurous, free person he longs to be. Plus, he’s super hot. Imagine Castiel’s surprise when he meets the new archaeology professor at the Humanities potluck. This is his chance—he is finally in the same room as Dean “Hunter” Winchester! Unfortunately, the best interaction shy, awkward Castiel can manage is to steal his new colleague’s Tupperware.

Keep reading for a sneak preview!

Drifting back toward the food table to dispose of his cup, Castiel decided to try and slip out before anyone else attempted conversation with him, for everyone’s sake. He stepped aside to let Garth, one of the TAs, squeeze past him next to the dessert table. As he waited, Castiel looked down and saw that there was a lone slice of golden, sugary apple pie sitting in a big, round Tupperware container. Dean said he brought pie, Castel’s brain unhelpfully provided. Tempted, and seeing no one else reaching for it, Castiel decided to help himself to the last slice of the delicious-looking, clearly homemade pastry. It was a traditional apple pie with a touch of cinnamon, and the smell of it made Castiel’s mouth water in comparison to the rubbery chicken and green bean casserole he’d begrudgingly chewed through earlier. Biting into the pie, Castiel couldn’t help but let out a pleased moan. The pie was fantastic. He’d humiliated himself multiple times in front of his crush and coworker, but a pie like this made the day seem like less of a disaster. Opening his eyes once he’d finished slowly savoring the mouthful of pastry, Castiel blushed again as he realized that Dean was looking straight at him from across the room. He was sandwiched between Lisa and Lydia, who were both chatting animatedly, but his gaze cut through the crowd to land on Castiel. Bad enough that Dean probably thought that Castiel was an obsessive weirdo, now he was drooling all over the man’s baked goods. Poor Dean probably thought he had finally escaped him, but here he was, loitering in his eyeline. Feeling his flush grow more intense, Castiel dropped his eyes down to the table. He should go. What he wanted, of course, was to talk to Dean again—have some kind of excuse to approach him and apologize for his awkwardness, see if maybe they could start afresh. But he had no good reason to interrupt Dean when he was having a good time with the adoring ladies of the staff. Sighing, Castiel glumly swallowed down the last of the delicious pie and began to move the Tupperware off to the side, out of the way. He looked down at the container in his hands. He could…no. No, he couldn’t. “Accidentally” taking Dean’s Tupperware home so that he’d have an opportunity to stop by his room on Monday to return it was utterly insane. Another few seconds passed while Castiel endured a staredown with an inanimate object. Oh, what the hell.

[continue reading on April 10]

[deancaspinefest]

When We Were Young

Explicit | ~42k | Posting on April 13 Author: FriendofCarlotta  | Artist: Aggiedoll

2006: Castiel Novak, a new transfer student at Franklin College, strikes up a friendship with popular senior Dean Winchester. He quickly falls in love, but Dean is still coming to terms with his sexuality, so Castiel resigns himself to pining from a distance. Just as Dean and Castiel’s relationship begins to change, everything falls apart, and Dean leaves town without so much as a goodbye.  

2019: Dean hasn’t set foot in his old college town in more than a decade; not since the day Cas, the love of his life, broke his heart. When Dean finally returns to Franklin College for a job interview, he finds that Cas never left. Will the two of them be able to clear up the misunderstanding that tore them apart?

Keep reading for a sneak preview!

“Cas?”

The word emerges as a croak, shaky and scraped, but really, Dean thinks, it’s a miracle he’s managed to say anything at all.

Twelve years. Twelve long, lonely years of nothing but nameless warm bodies in his bed to help him forget the memory of those blue eyes. Those same blue eyes are staring back at him out of a face that’s got a few more lines carved into it, but is still so familiar that every muscle in Dean’s body aches with the need to touch it.

“What are you doing here?” Cas asks, his throaty rumble even deeper than Dean remembered. From anyone else, the question would seem rude. From Cas, it’s an expression of genuine curiosity, an invitation to sit and talk. That’s just the way he is. Or used to be, when Dean knew him.

Where does he even begin?

“I, um.” Dean realizes he’s still frozen just beyond the doorway to the coffee shop, clutching a mug in one hand and a small plate in the other. “I’m here for a job interview.”

Cas’ eyebrows rise to meet his hairline. He’s made more of an effort to tame his bedhead than he used to, back in college, but it’s still a lost cause, random dark strands sticking out all over the place. Dean clenches his jaw to keep from asking if he can smooth them down.

“A job interview?” Cas says, with that familiar, puzzled head tilt of his. “Here?”

Before Dean has a chance to respond, Cas looks back and forth between Dean and his table, an embarrassed tint to his cheeks. “I’m so sorry, Dean. I’m being rude. Please, have a seat.” He falters, eyes darting to Dean’s face, then back down. “If you like, I mean.”

If you don’t show, I’ll know why, and I just want to say, I get it.

The line pops into Dean's head out of nowhere. He worked on that letter for hours, polishing every word, and it still comes back to him at odd times.

“Uh. Sure.” He swallows down the memory as he lowers himself into the chair opposite Cas.

It’s been twelve years. If Cas wants to sit here and catch up like they’re nothing but old college friends who lost touch, Dean can do that. He will do that.

[continue reading on April 13]

[deancaspinefest]

Surprises

Mature | ~20k | Posting on April 15 Author: TessAlyn | Artist: Dmsilvisart

From the Badger Herald, February 7th, 2018:

Sigma Zeta Gets a Baby Brother: UW fraternity adopts its youngest member in history By Jesse Cuevas, Staff Writer

Dean Winchester didn't expect to start the semester as a part-time dad, but when his friend unexpectedly became guardian to a newborn baby, he and his fraternity brothers didn't hesitate. They immediately converted their spare room into a nursery and invited Castiel Novak and his nephew Jack to stay with them.

"Cas has a single dorm," Winchester, a senior and kicker for the UW Badgers football team, explained. "We thought, 'There's no way in hell he's gonna be able to raise a kid in that tiny space.' Then one of us went, 'We've got tons of room. Why doesn't he just move in here?' So that's what we did."

Keep reading for a sneak preview!

“You damn fool,” Missouri bellows, smacking Dean with a throw pillow. “Just wait until I call your mother!”

“Ow!” Dean yelps, putting up his arms to protect himself. “Sam, make her stop!”

“Missouri, please,” Sam begs. “Just let us explain.”

“Oh, now you want to explain?” Missouri cries, whirling on Sam. “I get a text from Dean at nine-thirty at night asking me to bring baby stuff over, and when I ask him what the hell for, he just says ‘long story.’” She lifts the pillow and starts whacking Sam with it instead. “A long story? Nothing long about it! You knock up some poor girl and now you’re a baby daddy, end of story!”

“Damn it, Dean!” Sam yells. “You didn’t tell her?”

“I was gonna explain when she got here!”

“Dean Winchester, I am ashamed of you!” Missouri shouts, taking a fresh grip on the pillow. “Your mama raised you better than that!”

“Will you stand down, you crazy woman?” Dean yells back. “It’s not my baby, it’s Cas and Gabe’s. Hit them instead!”

“Please don’t,” Cas says. He’s sitting on the sofa, Jack cradled in his arms.

Missouri turns on Cas, who shrinks back in his seat. “It’s your baby?” she says skeptically. “You can’t be more than eighteen, boy.”

“I’m twenty-one,” Cas says, indignant.

“That ain’t much better, honey.”

“It’s our brother’s baby,” Gabe pipes up, and proceeds to explain the situation for what feels like the hundredth time tonight.

By the time he’s finished, Missouri has put down the pillow and is sitting next to Cas on the couch, eyes filled with tears. “You poor sweet thing,” she says, patting Cas’ arm.

“Now do you see why I didn’t want to explain over the phone?” Dean says, annoyed.

“You still could have given me a little more detail,” Missouri snaps. “You damn near gave me a heart attack with that text.” She turns back to Cas with a sigh. “And you got no family?”

“Not really,” Cas says. “Our mother won’t want anything to do with this. Our brother Michael is married and has three children of his own already. Gabe’s father lives in Hawaii with his third wife, and my father is… well, it’s complicated.”

Gabe snorts. “Let’s just say our mom sure knows how to pick ’em. Frankly I’m amazed Luke’s the only one who’s produced a child out of wedlock. That’s why I always wear two condoms when I'm doing the deed.”

“Dude,” Dean groans. "TMI."

Missouri stares at Gabe for a second. “Tell me he ain’t raising this child,” she says to Cas.

“As little as possible,” he replies dryly.

[continue reading on April 15]

[deancaspinefest]

a lesson in blue (it's in his eyes)

Mature | ~41k | Posting on May 5 Author: saltyravenclaw | Artist:  jununy

Dean expected this school year to be just like every other; a copy-and-paste one-two-three of the past six he'd spent teaching History to high schoolers. The same boring, repetitive staff meetings, the same classroom and classes, watching new faces come and old ones go. Weekends spent grading assignments or movie-marathoning with Charlie, happily debating Star Wars or Game of Thrones (and once, She-Ra. It was pride month; they were drunk.)

What he was NOT expecting, however, was the new science teacher to be so....intriguing.

His name was Castiel Novak, he taught earth and environmental science, and he was possibly one of the best--and strangest--people Dean's ever met.

For one thing, he wore sweater vests, slacks, and a damn trench coat, even in summer. He's a total dork for plants and animals, told really bad jokes, and had a rather extensive coffee mug collection.

Oh, and another thing: he's rather--scratch that, really--attractive.

And he was right across the hall from Dean. Or, the one where Dean falls for the teacher across the hall, and Castiel owns a snake named Marcy.

Keep reading for a sneak preview!

Standing in the doorway was, presumably, Castiel Novak. 

Messy, black hair stood  in every direction, curling behind his ears and sweeping in every which way. Strong, angular features with a hint of scruff around the edges of his jawline contrasted with his eyes; blue, based on the overhead lights, sloping downwards at the edges, giving him a permanently sad, somber expression. 

 He was young, probably Dean’s age or just slightly older, but his sweater vest and slacks ensemble made him look ten years greater than what he probably was. He stood awkwardly in the doorway, one hand in his pocket and the other still resting lightly on the door.

“Uhm—You’re Dean, correct?” he asked in a deep, hesitant rumble.

Well, that was unexpected.

“I—uh—yeah!” Dean said, standing hastily from his desk and hurrying around, managing to hit both his knee and hip on the corner. “Hi—ow--yeah, I’m, I’m Dean. Winchester.” He added quickly, holding out his hand and smiling.

The man—Castiel—smiled back and shook his hand, his grip firm. 

“So you’re teaching Earth Science,” Dean said, putting his hands in his pockets and leaning against one of the chairs. 

Castiel nodded, looking around Dean’s room.  “I’m taking Ms. Mildred’s old position, across the hall.”

Dean grinned. “She told me she was done after this year. Ready to retire.”

To be honest, her retirement probably had something to do with Jo finding a used condom in the locker rooms. Or the spitball contest after third lunch in the boy’s bathroom. Or nearly fracturing her hip at the annual Faculty DodgeBall Tournament on the faculty's last required school day (why Mildred would even want to participate, Dean didn't know. School spirit?)

Dean cast around for something to talk about. “Did you meet Mildred, before she moved out?”

Castiel nodded. “Yes, she made me a tin of cookies and spent a lengthy amount of time telling stories from working here.”

Dean chuckled. “Yeah, she did the same thing to me when I first started here. Sat me right down and rattled off  'round fifty different things about teachin'."

Castiel smiled. "She gave me a binder, along with the dessert tin."

"Yeah, most of the stuff in there's outdated." Dean sighed, remembering the two-inch binder he'd been gifted. He still had it; there were some good recipes slipped between some of the pages.

"That explains the section about typewriters," Castiel mumbled.

[continue reading on May 5]

[deancaspinefest]

And If Thou Wilt, Remember

Explicit | ~60k | Posting on April 26 Author: Carrieosity | Aritst:  Jeanne de Valois

They'd done it, actually defeated and banished Chuck. Dean's adrenaline-fueled pulse hadn't even had a chance to fully stop thundering in his ears when, to his horror, Castiel's brilliant smile slipped from his face and he dropped, lifeless, to the ground. No way was this going to be the end of this story, though. If he could literally face down and beat God, then no ridiculous bargain with some kind of shadow monster (all-powerful Entity, his ass) was going to stop Dean from finally having what he'd wanted for so long. A little spellwork, a little help from Billie, and a lot of pointless protesting from the rest of the gang, and then Dean was off and hurtling into the Empty in hot pursuit. But when were things ever as simple as he'd hoped they'd be? Getting into the Empty and finding Castiel would be the easy part; the road home would be another sort of journey entirely.

Keep reading for a sneak preview!

Dean immediately made to lunge toward Castiel, dropping to his knees, but the Entity stepped between them before he could get far. When Dean glared, it chuckled and flashed red eyes at him. “You should be thanking me, speck. I could have stood back and let this little adventure be over before it began, you know.”

“Dean,” he muttered. “Dean Winchester. Knock it off with the ‘speck’ business.”

“You think I don’t know your name? I’ve been all through Castiel’s meager little thoughts and memories, you know. I’ll call you what I like. Right now, I’ll call you stupid. Trying to wake a dreaming angel, especially here, is a bit more complicated, and a lot more deadly, than you seem to expect.” Flashes of teeth too sharp to be human showed between its lips as it smirked.

“Angels don’t sleep,” Dean said, mostly to himself, as he recalled all the many times Castiel had made that point clear. He’d never had to wake Castiel before; it wasn’t something he’d ever needed to consider. “They don’t have dreams.”

“I promise you, here in this place, he does. They all do. But angel dreams aren’t built out of pink clouds of cotton candy fantasies, floating gently through the amygdala. Angel dreams are just as illogical as your own, but theirs are powered by grace. The angel’s dreams will pull you in, drown you in celestial energy, and tear you to messy little pieces before you can scream.” Red eyes gleamed again, brighter. “Just thought you should know.”

Dean felt the muscles in his jaw tighten as he ground his teeth. /So that’s the catch. Didn’t take long for it to find Billie’s loophole./ Trying hard not to let any doubt show on his face, Dean pushed his way past the Entity, letting his shoulder knock hard against it as he did. He heard another smothered chuckle, but it was only background noise to the clamor of competing thoughts racing through his head.

I can’t back down now. Even if I wanted to…how would I begin? It only now occurred to Dean that, without Castiel’s help in figuring it out, he had no real idea about how he would go about leaving the Empty. Some part of him had assumed, he supposed, that the Entity would just fling him out, but it didn’t look like that would be happening. More fun to see me die than see me gone, Dean thought. And now that some of the adrenaline was fading a bit, the reality of his likely impending death was starting to become more obvious.

[continue reading on April 26]

[deancaspinefest]

exile

Explicit | ~50k | Posting on April 24 Author: dothraki_shieldmaiden | Artist: cheelow

Dean Winchester's life used to be perfect. He spent his days hunting the supernatural beasts of the world with his brother, Sam, and his boyfriend, Cas Novak. Then his brother quit hunting to set up the Men of Letters bunker and Cas decided that he had better things to do, and Dean's perfect life shattered. Two years later, Dean moves from hunt to hunt and tries not to remember everything he's lost. It's not a great existence, but he's managing. At least, that's what he thinks. Then he takes a job at a resort in South Carolina, where he sees a familiar face. Forced to fake a relationship with Cas in order to work the case, Dean has to battle his own emotions as well as suspicious employees, and a growing threat from within the resort. Something evil is there, and it might not wait until Dean and Cas figure out their feelings for each other before it acts.

Keep reading for a sneak preview!

The sign for Oasis is elegantly simple: just a plain wooden board in front of a long, paved driveway. Majestic oaks line either side of the drive. The background of the sign is painted a creamy, soothing white, while the letters are painted gold. Something in Dean scoffs at the sight, but some other part of him is caught in a wild, desperate yearning for the world which that sign promises. He pushes that feeling away and drives down the long road. He’s on the look out for potholes, but the road is surprisingly smooth. The Impala travels easily down the road until a mid-sized cottage looms on the horizon. Dean pulls into the parking lot, noticing the numerous other cars already present. It’s a struggle to find a parking place amidst the other sedans and mid-sized SUVs, but he finally finds an empty spot at the very end of the lot. Gravel crunches underneath Dean's boots as he walks towards the cottage. Several people mill around on the porch, making hesitant small talk. Their eyes rest on him as he bounds up the steps. The air around the cabin has the excited buzzing of pre-vacation. On one end of the porch there’s a pile of luggage, and there’s a small table of drinks and snacks set up just inside the cabin. Dean enters, looking for someone official who can answer his questions, but she finds him first. “Good afternoon,” a woman trills. Her long, reddish-brown hair hangs over her shoulder, almost unnaturally straight. Her smile is just a little too wide and enthusiastic, and her eyes would fit the description of dazzling. Even her bright, floral sundress screams enthusiasm. In the sight of such earnest customer service, Dean’s hackles rise. The woman doesn't pause in delivering her spiel, either uncaring or unaware of Dean's discomfort. “We at Oasis are happy to welcome you to our couple's retreat, and we look forward to enjoying your company for the next two weeks. Can you give me your and your partner’s name so I can check you off of our list?” “Hold on,” Dean says. It was a long drive, and in the face of the hostess’ unrelenting good cheer, he’s overwhelmed. “I think there’s been a mistake. I just need to ask a few questions--” He glances around the cabin, hoping for a distraction. At this point, he almost hopes to see Sam’s elusive hunter. He might not enjoy working with others, but they could at least provide the distraction he needs to get out of this situation with a little bit of his credibility intact. “There’s no mistake,” the hostess chirps, inflicting the full force of her smile upon him. “Now, please, yours and your partner’s name?” Dean blinks. His not-so-carefully rehearsed script vanishes as though it never existed, and he wants nothing more than to escape. The hostess blinks at him, as though he hasn’t done anything strange by staring blank-faced at her for the last thirty seconds. Dean looks around the room, hoping for some kind of salvation. He finds it in the form of a messy head of dark hair and a broad set of shoulders. Dean blinks, not believing his eyes. His heart jumps into his throat, and his blood starts pounding in his ears. After all this time, after their last parting, to see him /now/, on a hunt… “Your partner’s name, sir?” The name tumbles out of Dean’s mouth before he can stop himself. “Cas?”

[continue reading on April 24]

[deancaspinefest]

The Space Between

Mature | ~80k | Posting on May 2 Author: darkheartinthesky  | Artist: Lady Random Box

His mom is back from the dead, Lucifer's expecting a child, and Castiel has just told him there were seven archangels, not four. Why is his life so complicated?

Things get more complicated when Gabriel unexpectedly returns from the dead, claiming to be on Team Winchester in the fight against the devil and his son. He tells Dean the truth about the seventh archangel, the one without a name, uprooting everything Castiel thought he knew about himself.

As Dean struggles to navigate his relationship with his mom, the feelings he's harbored towards Castiel come to the surface, who is now trying to piece together the missing parts of his life.

Dean wonders if he can ever hope to fit into Cas's life the way Cas fits into his.

Keep reading for a sneak preview!

“There were seven, originally,” Cas says. “Our great brothers, Michael, Lucifer, Raphael, Gabriel, Ramiel, Saraqael.” He lists them off mechanically, like he’s repeating a list once forced to memorize.

“That’s only six.”

Cas nods. “The seventh's name has been lost to time No one’s sure what happened to him. It was before my time.”

It’s crazy to think there was a time before Cas. Dean’s never given it much thought, but it just seems so obvious that Cas has always existed; like all angels, he was crafted by the hands of God. Cas is old. Dean thinks he must have seen Everest grow from a pebble to a mountain, the Grand Canyon from a crack to what it is now. He’s older than some of the stars in the sky. The fall of man in every shape; from the Garden, from Rome, how many have societies collapsed and rebuilt under Cas’s watchful eye? How many souls passed through the gates of Heaven and Hell, since that first fish pushed itself breathless onto shore?

Castiel is ancient, and the face Dean is looking down at right now isn’t even his real face. Dean forgets that sometimes. Forgets that underneath the trenchcoat and snark, rests a beast that’s one thousand feet tall, with a voice that’ll make Dean’s brain melt out his ears if he hears it, possessed of knowledge Dean will never fully be able to comprehend.

And here that beast is now, laying in a motel bed, wearing pajamas that are at least two sizes too big.

I love all of you, uttered by the same tongue that once agreed with Dean that all angels were heartless sons of bitches.

“That’s sad,” Dean says. Only a few weeks ago, he forgot himself. How must it feel to be forgotten by everyone, even the creatures that are supposed to remember everything?

“It’s unfortunate. But, angels, we’re not taught to be sentimental. Emotions are not important. So many angels were lost in Lucifer’s Fall. Their names, too, were forced to be forgotten. Utterance was considered a betrayal.”

Dean’s not very sympathetic to the plight of the angels; again and again, they’ve proved themselves to be exactly what Dean thought: dicks with wings. They toyed with the lives of his family long before he was conceived. They’ve tortured Cas for stepping a single toe over the line, called him back when they want something, only to  give him the boot again. So, the angels, Heaven, it can rot for all Dean cares. But he still feels a pang of grief for this poor, nameless archangel, lumped in with those who stood behind Lucifer. Another reject from the heavenly popular crowd.

What happened to you? Dean wonders.

[Keep reading on May 2]

[deancaspinefest]

Apartment 15

Mature | ~34k | Posting on April 22 Author: fallenandthefaithless | Artist:  Solstheimart

Since moving back to Sioux Falls Dean's life had become a monotonous cycle of work and trying not to give up. Nothing exciting ever happened and nothing ever changed, not even the winner of game night. And then the apartment across the hall was suddenly leased.

Keep reading for a sneak preview!

It was a relief to finally reach the fourth floor and he wandered the hall almost blindly as he struggled to pull his keys out of his pocket. He turned the final corner and swore as his foot caught on something hard and he fell forward. By some miracle he managed to catch himself against the wall and leaned there catching his breath for a moment.

“What the fuck?” Dean twisted around and saw that he had tripped over a cardboard box. A quick glance around the hallway revealed dozens more like it stacked against the walls and scattered on the floor. In his exhausted state it resembled a minefield more than his hallway and he couldn’t figure out how he was going to cross it to his door.

Across the now crowded hallway the door to apartment 15 stood open for the first time in Dean’s memory. He had lived here for three years and had never seen anyone in there. But now he could make out a deep voice from within and he fought back a groan.

If he had a new neighbour that he was expected to try and act like a real human being around then it would definitely need to wait until tomorrow. Which meant navigating this hallway without ending up on the floor. He pushed off from the wall and started treading past the mountains of boxes and had almost made it when his elbow knocked against one of the stacks and almost brought the whole thing down on him. Instead, a single box toppled from the top which Dean managed to catch but the force of the box sent him staggering into his apartment door.

Well, he thought, at least he made it across the hall. The box in his arms wasn’t overly heavy and looking down he could make out the name Jack scrawled in large childish letters on its side. He was just starting to straighten up when a deep, gravelly voice reached his ears and he looked up to lock eyes with his new neighbour.

Holy shit.

[continue reading on April 22]

[deancaspinefest]

The Remembrance of It

Mature | ~20k | Posting on May 11 Author: Tossukka | Artist: dmsilvisart

As a teenager Castiel felt invisible, and one boy made him feel seen. It’s been years since he last saw Dean, and when they accidentally meet again, their friendship quickly sparkles back to life. But just because they had a romantic relationship a decade ago, doesn’t mean Castiel is going to fall in love with Dean again now, does it?

Keep reading for a sneak preview!

Castiel heard the doorbell ring and went to open the door. Finding Dean on the other side never failed to make Cas smile, but this time the expression on Dean’s face made the smile drop from Cas’ face.

Dean looked like he was about to cry.

“Hey, Cas. Sorry, I can’t come in. My dad just told us half an hour ago that we’re leaving the town. I told him I had to return the book to you, so here it is.”

“Dean? You’re leaving? Now?”

Cas was trying to process the words.

“Yeah, I’m sorry. I don’t… I can’t really change his mind, you know? You understand, right?”

Dean’s words were rushed and desperate, and Cas noticed his hands shaking a bit.

“Yes,” Cas said and took the book. “Of course.”

“I would leave an address or phone number if I knew where we were going. Cas, I…”

They stared at each other for a moment.

“I really want to kiss you, but my dad… and your parents…”

“I get it,” Cas said, gently. He wanted to reach for Dean’s hand but he could hear John Winchester blasting the horn of the car. “Thank you. For everything.”

“This is stupid. I don’t want to go,” Dean said and wiped a tear that threatened to roll down his cheek.

“You need to. I… I will miss you,” Cas said instead of the words he actually wanted to say.

“I will miss you too,” Dean said. They both heard Sam open a window and shout that Dean should come already.

“So… bye.”

“Goodbye, Dean.”

Cas looked Dean walking to the car and getting in. Almost the moment the door was closed, the car roared to life and drove off. Cas looked after it for several minutes after it had disappeared. Then he looked at the book at his hand. He loved the story, but now it felt like he could never again enjoy it, because it would always remind him of Dean.

[Keep reading on May 11]

[deancaspinefest]

More Than One Ace To Play

Teen | ~53k | Posting on May 7 Author: Cozaure | Artist: Aggiedoll

Cas, a 3rd-year biology student, is an introverted and very anxious guy. Full of insecurities, he doesn't need to add one more thing to worry about in his life (and certainly not his potential "asexuality"). However, one day, he meets Dean at a poker night his roommate Balthazar is hosting.

Dean is Cas’s exact opposite: easy-going, confident, funny… and also, very flirty. They keep bumping into each other around the campus and, somehow, every time Cas is with Dean, all of his worries seem to go away…

However, when Cas learns about Dean’s reputation as “the master of one-night stands”, he is certain that they are DEFINITELY ABSOLUTELY not compatible. Or, are they?

Keep reading for a sneak preview!

No one seemed to notice Cas, so he quickly ran to the kitchen, relieved that he wouldn’t have to socialize. He opened one of the high cupboards, looking for bread to prepare a sandwich.

“If you’re looking for the pizza, there are still some pieces of it in the living room, but you better hurry up, we just began to eat the last one!”

Cas startled, bumping his head on the door of the cupboard that was still open.

"Ouch," he grunted before quickly turning around.

The guy from the couch was standing in the kitchen doorway, two empty bottles of beer in his hands. Cas brought his hand to his head, rubbing his skull, grimacing a little with pain. The guy quickly put the bottles on the table and reached towards Cas.

“Sorry, man, I didn’t mean to startle you! Are you alright?”

He raised his hands towards Cas’s head, before stopping his gesture, uncertain. They looked at each other, the guy trying to probe Cas’s expression, as Cas was trying to come to his senses. He’d never seen that boy before, he wasn’t one of Balthazar’s usual friends. Cas dropped the hand that was still on his skull and brushed past the boy’s shoulder. That’s how they both realized how close to each other they were standing, and the guy took a step back. He was still looking at Cas.

“Are you okay?” he repeated.  

Cas blinked.

“Ye… Yes, I think so.”

“Good. I’m sorry, I didn’t think you would hit your head…”

“No… No worries, I’m still half asleep, it’s not your fault.”

The guy smiled.

“Oh yeah, that explains the bed hair.”

Cas blushed and ran a hand through his hair, looking at his feet, suddenly aware of his sleeping outfit: an old, worn shirt, plain sweatpants, and bare feet. He usually liked wearing button-down shirts, fancy crew-neck pullovers, or nice polo shirts, even when he was with his friends, and he almost felt naked. In comparison, the guy was wearing a casual outfit, nothing fancy, but it made him look cool and at ease: blue jeans with an open plaid shirt over a dark t-shirt. He was wearing a metal pendant hanging from a leather string, and Cas wondered briefly what it represented.

“Sorry, I didn’t think I’d run into anyone… Which was stupid, because obviously I knew you were all here, and I…” Cas began to say, very embarrassed.

“Hey, it’s cool, man”, the guy interrupted him. “Don’t worry, it looks good on you.” He winked and Cas felt himself blushing furiously.

“You must be Balthazar's roommate?”

“Yes. I’m Castiel.”

The guy frowned. “Castiel?”

“Maybe Balthazar referred to me as “Cas”? That’s what my friends call me”.

“”Cas” sounds right”, the guy nodded. “I’m Dean, by the way. Dean Winchester. Nice to meet you!”.

[continue reading on May 7]

[deancaspinefest]

I’d Cross The Stars For You

Explicit | ~40k | Posting on April 12 Author: allmystars | Artist: AnSchiArt

At twenty-eight years old, Dean’s standing on the edge of his life, ready to jump into everything he’s ever wanted.

He’s a talented mage with a promotion in his sights and a family who loves him. Great friends, a nice apartment, and a niece he adores—life should be good.

Great, even.

But it’s not.

There’s this pit in his stomach—an ache in his chest that feels too much like loneliness and not enough like wanting to do anything about it.

So, he gets by.

Until he doesn’t.

Until there’s an accident of cosmic proportions in his classroom, with him right at its centre, that puts him in the hospital and changes everything.

Until he looks in a mirror and blue eyes appear in place of his own.

Keep reading for a sneak preview!

I think I might tell a story.

Or maybe I’ll let the story tell itself. Either way, it will be told. It might be a good one, or maybe not; that’s up to you to decide, but this story comes to me through careful happenstance and many a late night ramblings.

Hmm, maybe I shouldn’t tell it; maybe I should let the man who lived it speak the words… But I’ll start.

It was years ago—centuries, maybe���in a world not unlike our own, but also different in every way imaginable. A story of how the universe was torn apart, then put back together again, all in the name of love.

It started with a Tuesday afternoon—hot and sticky. A normal, Kansas, late summer-early fall day.

And the story goes like this—

***

That not-quite summer glow outside Dean’s classroom window speaks of another three or four weeks of this weather, endless and dragging, and so goddamn hot he could melt. The oppressive kind of heat that keeps the Tracks of Summer playlist on the radio, the California beaches full and thick with the magic of strangers, and tends to trick one into thinking winter won’t ever come. Dean hates the summer, but more than that, he hates the way it has to end.

“First, draw your casting circle in front of you.” Dean watches his students as, one by one, they raise their hands, fingers pointing into the stale, two-o’clock-on-a-Tuesday, classroom air, and draw their best estimation of a casting circle. Not bad, actually—for a bunch of fourteen-year-olds. Dean whips up his own, smooth edges glowing in the dull rays of sunlight streaming through the windows as it hangs, suspended at eye-level.

They’re doing minor spells today, but still, if they cast wrong by even the smallest degree, the effects could be disastrous. In his four years of teaching, and twenty-eight years of life, Dean’s seen his fair share of miss-cast spells.

[continue reading on April 12]

[deancaspinefest]

By Your Side

Explicit | ~23k | Posting on May 8 Author: Desirae | Artist: Solstheimart

No one ever told him that grief felt like fear- C.S. Lewis. Well, Castiel didn’t wholly agree with that statement. For him, it was more like anger, guilt, and numbness, all trying to jamb into the same doorway. After his wife’s death, widower Castiel Novak decides to move in with his best friend from college -and co-worker-Dean Winchester. With his friends’ help, amidst movie nights and long talks, truths are revealed that change the trajectory of Castiel’s life in a terrifying and exhilarating way. In a supportive and judgment-free zone, Castiel goes on a journey of self-discovery and acceptance and learns that, indeed, good things do happen.

Keep reading for a sneak preview!

'cause I'll be by your side wherever you fall In the dead of night whenever you call And please don't fight these hands that are holding you My hands are holding you “I’m sorry for your loss.”

The phrase was beginning to lose meaning. Castiel had heard some variation of the well-meaning platitude more times than he could count over the last few days.

“I’m sorry for your loss.”

Another paper-dry hand grasped his own, patting the back consolingly.

“She’ll be greatly missed.”

The words had bile twisting in his stomach. The feeling of a steady hand at the base of his spine and the spicy scent of his best friend’s aftershave was the only thing saving Castiel from regurgitating the Starbucks tea and muffin Dean insisted he eat that morning. He had done so, under duress, in the funeral home parking lot.

“Hang in there, buddy. Nearly done here,” Dean spoke into his ear reassuringly. Ignoring the goosebumps brought on by the warmth of his breath, Castiel’s eyes shifted down the line of people waiting to pay their respects. There were only a handful of people left in the funeral home. April’s mother sat sobbing quietly on the red velvet loveseat reserved for the grieving family. Her sister sat next to her.

April’s father had never been in the picture.  Castiel supposed he should be comforting his mother-in-law, but Diane Kelly had never been a big fan of Castiel’s, and he could safely say the feeling was mutual.  

“I can’t believe I have to do all of this again tomorrow,” Castiel found himself muttering, and again he felt the soothing presence of Dean’s hand at his back. Castiel turned to find green eyes filled with sympathy staring back at him.

“You won’t be alone, though,” Dean said firmly, and Castiel swallowed down the relief that reared up the words. Of course, he wouldn’t. Castiel had been humbled to learn that when Dean Winchester was your best friend, you never had to face anything alone. Even when it meant Dean gritting his teeth through his plane phobia to travel back to Castiel’s and April’s small Michigan town.

Castiel clung to the words and Dean’s side for the rest of the day. And when it was time to go back to the motel, Dean binge-watched Doctor Sexy MD with him on Dean's Chromebook until Castiel’s eyes burned and he had no choice but to drift off to sleep. He didn’t dream that night, which was a small blessing.

[continue reading on May 8]

[deancaspinefest]

It's the End of the World (As We Know It)

Mature | ~60k | Posting on May 10 Author: tiamatv | Artist: Deathbycoldopen

The year is 1996, and Dean’s stuck in Kankakee, Illinois while Dad's on a long-haul hunt. It's not too bad. He’s even got a friend, now—even if Cas is a weird, gawky loner kid who gets way too intense about his sci-fi novels and doesn’t know how to stop staring. Just business as usual. Until his dad comes back, and it isn’t. The year is 2011, and the shadows known as ‘angels’ and ‘demons’ are falling from cracks in the sky, raining death, destruction, and monsters where they pass. When the Joint Task Force asks for their help in stopping the end of the world—John Winchester, his sons, and a ragtag band of hunters—well, that's just business as usual, too. Until Dean meets the cold blue eyes of their team liaison—Dr. Castiel Novak.

Keep reading for a sneak preview!

“Yes, I’m aware of your efforts,” Castiel interrupts, coolly, and he—probably because he’s not an idiot—lowers the fancy knife back into the padded sheath and closes the box over it. “But I’m sure you understand—” “Understand?” Dean’s lips peel back from his teeth. “Seriously?” And Dean’s had enough of his cooler-than-fuckin’-thou attitude. If this asshole is the one who claims he’s out to watch their backs, they’re in trouble. “Fuck you, man. Fuck all of you, and—” “Stop,” John Winchester says—not even raising his voice. Dean’s dad never did need to raise his voice to make anyone mind. Not even Gordon, who Dean’s pretty sure has a death wish, says anything after that. Castiel Novak, in the silence, inclines his chin at all of them as if nothing fucking happened at all, and locks the box with a soft click, straightening to tip the handle up into his hand. Yeah, that pleased, proud curve of his lips earlier was definitely just Dean’s imagination. “Please get changed and return your uniforms to Joshua for calibration. Simulation in the morning at oh-nine-hundred, and briefing will be at fourteen hundred hours tomorrow, as always,” he says, low and firm and cool, and turns to leave. “God, what a fucking cold fish,” Gordon mutters—loud enough that Cas must be able to hear him. But Cas doesn’t turn and he doesn’t react, pulling the case behind him, its wheels whirring like a skateboard. No, some part of Dean still wants to say. No. (Cas never did react. It didn’t mean that it didn’t hurt with it. He sat at a corner table by himself for what must’ve been months, and didn’t so much as attempt to make a single damned friend in their high school. He tried to stumble himself home bullied, even bleeding, and didn’t blink, and didn’t bat an eye. But the moment Dean invited him in, Cas was there, all hopeful quiet smile and makeshift fishing rod and comic books in his backpack to share.) But this guy isn’t Dean’s Cas anymore. Dean can’t exactly deny what Gordon said. It’s half of why he’s still so mad. The other half, though? What the fuck is wrong with Dean that some tiny, weak, goddamned part of him still wants to protect Cas? This asshole needs protecting about as much as Dean’s boots. It’s not like he even really matters, right? He’s just doing his job. That’s all they are to him. The silence that follows when no one contradicts Gordon doesn’t get a reaction out of Cas, either, and the door to the gear room closes quietly behind him.

[continue reading on May 10]

[deancaspinefest]

With You ‘Til The End

Mature | ~20k | Posting on May 3 Author: bodyandsoul | Artist: thevioletcaptain

After the Empty takes his best friend – the best friend who just confessed to loving him – Dean is so far from ok that he couldn’t find it with a map. Riddled with guilt for Cas’ choice and still unable to accept his own feelings, Dean hits rock bottom at full speed, Winchester style. Sam is furious with Dean for wasting Cas’ sacrifice and it’s his relentless dedication to getting his stubborn older brother to acknowledge it that ultimately helps Dean turn his life around. Finally able to trust Dean won’t do anything reckless with the knowledge, Sam shares that he thinks he’s found a way to get Cas out of the Empty. Dean is ready to do whatever it takes, but a rogue piece of rebar has other plans for him. Dean might be dead now, but he isn't giving up on the plan; a rescue mission where he doesn't have to worry about dying isn't exactly a bad thing... Taking Jack up on his offer to help, Dean gets Cas free and into their well-earned slice of heaven to recover. After decades wallowing in denial about his sexuality and spending the better part of the last ten years keeping Cas at arms length, Dean finally has the opportunity to tell Cas everything he's been holding back. The stakes couldn't be higher - there's a second chance at a happily ever after with Cas on the table, and this time Dean's playing for keeps.

Keep reading for a sneak preview!

“Cas is gone,” he said finally, the words hard to say with stiff lips. He brought the cup up to his lips, needed his other hand to steady it against a sudden tremor. What the hell was wrong with him? “So you said.” Jack’s footsteps echoed as he entered the library. A couple of thuds, likely books being set down, a soft scrape as a chair shuffled around. A sigh, one that sounded about as worn as Dean felt. Poor kid. Dean stared into the ripple of coffee in his cup, feeling guilty—hello, old friend. He wasn’t the only one who had lost someone. Sam had lost Eileen on top of losing Cas, and yet he was sitting there calmly trying to help Dean through his grief like Dean was the one who had lost a significant other. It was…well, it was almost like Sam was the caring big brother, instead of Dean, wasn’t it? He’d probably made sure Jack was ok yesterday, checked on him this morning. Take care of Sammy, Dean. He had to do better, didn’t he? “Before he…went, Cas said some…stuff.” Way to go, champ. Emoting like a real grownup there. Fortunately, Sam was well versed in Dean Winchester emotional constipation. “What kind of 'stuff'?” he prompted carefully. “He, uh—” Dean cleared his throat and took another swallow, fingers tightening around the chipped ceramic. “All kinds of stuff, y’know? That—” Jack dropped something that made enough noise to draw Sam’s gaze away long enough for Dean to knock back the rest of the coffee. He rolled the empty mug between his palms as he propped his elbows on his knees. Sam called him back to attention. “Dean.” “Yeah, yeah, I’m getting there.” He took a breath and pushed the words out. “He, uh… He made a deal, he said, with the Empty after the thing with Jack? But it didn’t—It said it would only take him when he was at his happiest, ‘cause it’s a dick like that.” Shit, his throat was closing on him. He swallowed hard, lightly banging his head back against the doorframe behind him. “He…fuck, Sam, he said all this crazy stuff. And he said it knowing that would bring the Empty in time for it to take Billie out, too. He fucking smiled while it took him after he…told me he loved me.”

[continue reading on May 3]