#dean has a cowboy thing

[milk-artwork]

Wip, not sure If ill finish it tho

[runandhideguys]

the guy who plays Judd in 911 lone star being dean's siren tracks actually

[a-eo-iu]

also I've been thinking about Des my oc Des (short for Destiel) and about the song Os Anjos by Legião Urbana (a song about an angel being so so tired from all the evils of humanity) and about DTA Castiel (a fallen angel who is disillusioned with humanity) (and about how even in canon both Dean and Cas are very jaded and sarcastic guys), and I think I'm having some Thoughts about what to make of Des's personality

[howsdeanshole]

sam accepts that dean and cas’s “profound bond” is just cas liking dean more but they’re both best friends with cas and he’s working off that assumption a long time because he has his own shit going on. but. there’s a room in the bunker dean and cas have been having movie nights in, without him. and cas says he sleeps sometimes now but his bed is made with hospital corners like dean does but the one time they asked cas to help clean up he simply left the room to “look into something important” so does cas actually sleep there? does dean make his bed…? how did cas know to find the colt under deans pillow? and then cas dies in a way that leaves a body and he thinks okay maybe the more profound bond thing was a two way street. because dean wanted to wrap cas’s body himself and carry it himself and scatter cas’s ashes himself and he barely said anything the whole time. but dean will put this away just like all their other losses and they can get mom back. but when cas comes back from the empty and dean is dean again after that frankly too fucking close call, sam thinks. thinks: ok. it IS a big win! he’s glad too! and then. there’s the photo of cas in the cowboy hat in deans wallet that sam saw on accident when he needed to grab a 20 for gas. why do dean and cas rearrange their legs under tables whenever sam walks in? so many things in sam’s life demand his attention but he frankly hadn’t given much thought to dean and cas once he came to terms with the fact that cas was family. but maybe he should have because one day he’s gonna burst into deans room with news and cas is going to be balls deep in his brother with his thumbs on deans tongue and his teeth in deans shoulder and he’s going to think “…i tried to take him to the clam diver”

[cuddlytogas]

So I accidentally almost got into an argument on Twitter, and now I'm thinking about bad historical costuming tropes. Specifically, Action Hero Leather Pants.

See, I was light-heartedly pointing out the inaccuracies of the costumes in Black Sails, and someone came out of the woodwork to defend the show. The misunderstanding was that they thought I was dismissing the show just for its costumes, which I wasn't - I was simply pointing out that it can't entirely care about material history (meaning specifically physical objects/culture) if it treats its clothes like that.

But this person was slightly offended on behalf of their show - especially, quote, "And from a fan of OFMD, no less!" Which got me thinking - it's true! I can abide a lot more historical costuming inaccuracy from Our Flag than I can Black Sails or Vikings. And I don't think it's just because one has my blorbos in it. But really, when it comes down to it...

What is the difference between this and this?

Here's the thing. Leather pants in period dramas isn't new. You've got your Vikings, Tudors, Outlander, Pirates of the Caribbean, Once Upon a Time, Will, The Musketeers, even Shakespeare in Love - they love to shove people in leather and call it a day. But where does this come from?

Obviously we have the modern connotations. Modern leather clothes developed in a few subcultures: cowboys drew on Native American clothing. (Allegedly. This is a little beyond my purview, I haven't seen any solid evidence, and it sounds like the kind of fact that people repeat a lot but is based on an assumption. I wouldn't know, though.) Leather was used in some WWI and II uniforms.

But the big boom came in the mid-C20th in motorcycle, punk/goth, and gay subcultures, all intertwined with each other and the above. Motorcyclists wear leather as practical protective gear, and it gets picked up by rock and punk artists as a symbol of counterculture, and transferred to movie designs. It gets wrapped up in gay and kink communities, with even more countercultural and taboo meanings. By the late C20th, leather has entered mainstream fashion, but it still carries those references to goths, punks, BDSM, and motorbike gangs, to James Dean, Marlon Brando, and Mick Jagger. This is whence we get our Spikes and Dave Listers in 1980s/90s media, bad boys and working-class punks.

And some of the above "historical" design choices clearly build on these meanings. William Shakespeare is dressed in a black leather doublet to evoke the swaggering bad boy artist heartthrob, probably down on his luck. So is Kit Marlowe.

But the associations get a little fuzzier after that. Hook, with his eyeliner and jewellery, sure. King Henry, yeah, I see it. It's hideously ahistorical, but sure. But what about Jamie and Will and Ragnar, in their browns and shabby, battle-ready chic? Well, here we get the other strain of Bad Period Drama Leather.

See, designers like to point to history, but it's just not true. Leather armour, especially in the western/European world, is very, very rare, and not just because it decays faster than metal. (Yes, even in ancient Greece/Rome, despite many articles claiming that as the start of the leather armour trend!) It simply wasn't used a lot, because it's frankly useless at defending the body compared to metal. Leather was used as a backing for some splint armour pieces, and for belts, sheathes, and buckles, but it simply wasn't worn like the costumes above. It's heavy, uncomfortable, and hard to repair - it's simply not practical for a garment when you have perfectly comfortable, insulating, and widely available linen, wool, and cotton!

As far as I can see, the real influence on leather in period dramas is fantasy. Fantasy media has proliferated the idea of leather armour as the lightweight choice for rangers, elves, and rogues, a natural, quiet, flexible material, less flashy or restrictive than metal. And it is cheaper for a costume department to make, and easier for an actor to wear on set. It's in Dungeons and Dragons and Lord of the Rings, King Arthur, Runescape, and World of Warcraft.

And I think this is how we get to characters like Ragnar and Vane. This idea of leather as practical gear and light armour, it's fantasy, but it has this lineage, behind which sits cowboy chaps and bomber/flight jackets. It's usually brown compared to the punk bad boy's black, less shiny, and more often piecemeal or decorated. In fact, there's a great distinction between the two Period Leather Modes within the same piece of media: Robin Hood (2006)! Compare the brooding, fascist-coded villain Guy of Gisborne with the shabby, bow-wielding, forest-dwelling Robin:

So, back to the original question: What's the difference between Charles Vane in Black Sails, and Edward Teach in Our Flag Means Death?

Simply put, it's intention. There is nothing intentional about Vane's leather in Black Sails. It's not the only leather in the show, and it only says what all shabby period leather says, relying on the same tropes as fantasy armour: he's a bad boy and a fighter in workaday leather, poor, flexible, and practical. None of these connotations are based in reality or history, and they've been done countless times before. It's boring design, neither historically accurate nor particularly creative, but much the same as all the other shabby chic fighters on our screens. He has a broad lineage in Lord of the Rings and Pirates of the Caribbean and such, but that's it.

In Our Flag, however, the lineage is much, much more intentional. Ed is a direct homage to Mad Max, the costuming in which is both practical (Max is an ex-cop and road warrior), and draws on punk and kink designs to evoke a counterculture gone mad to the point of social breakdown, exploiting the thrill of the taboo to frighten and titillate the audience.

In particular, Ed is styled after Max in the second movie, having lost his family, been badly injured, and watched the world turn into an apocalypse. He's a broken man, withdrawn, violent, and deliberately cutting himself off from others to avoid getting hurt again. The plot of Mad Max 2 is him learning to open up and help others, making himself vulnerable to more loss, but more human in the process.

This ties directly into the themes of Our Flag - it's a deliberate intertext. Ed's emotional journey is also one from isolation and pain to vulnerability, community, and love. Mad Max (intentionally and unintentionally) explores themes of masculinity, violence, and power, while Max has become simplified in the popular imagination as a stoic, badass action hero rather than the more complex character he is, struggling with loss and humanity. Similarly, Our Flag explores masculinity, both textually (Stede is trying to build a less abusive pirate culture) and metatextually (the show champions complex, banal, and tender masculinities, especially when we're used to only seeing pirates in either gritty action movies or childish comedies).

Our Flag also draws on the specific countercultures of motorcycles, rockers, and gay/BDSM culture in its design and themes. Naturally, in such a queer show, one can't help but make the connection between leather pirates and leather daddies, and the design certainly nods at this, with its vests and studs. I always think about this guy, with his flat cap so reminiscient of gay leather fashions.

More overtly, though, Blackbeard and his crew are styled as both violent gangsters and countercultural rockstars. They rove the seas like a bikie gang, free and violent, and are seen as icons, bad boys and celebrities. Other pirates revere Blackbeard and wish they could be on his crew, while civilians are awed by his reputation, desperate for juicy, gory details.

This isn't all of why I like the costuming in Our Flag Means Death (especially season 1). Stede's outfits are by no means accurate, but they're a lot more accurate than most pirate media, and they're bright and colourful, with accurate and delightful silks, lace, velvets, and brocades, and lovely, puffy skirts on his jackets. Many of the Revenge crew wear recognisable sailor's trousers, and practical but bright, varied gear that easily conveys personality and flair. There is a surprising dedication to little details, like changing Ed's trousers to fall-fronts for a historical feel, Izzy's puffy sleeves, the handmade fringe on Lucius's red jacket, or the increasing absurdity of navy uniform cuffs between Nigel and Chauncey.

A really big one is the fact that they don't shy away from historical footwear! In almost every example above, we see the period drama's obsession with putting men in skinny jeans and bucket-top boots, but not only does Stede wear his little red-heeled shoes with stockings, but most of his crew, and the ordinary people of Barbados, wear low boots or pumps, and even rough, masculine characters like Pete wear knee breeches and bright colours. It's inaccurate, but at least it's a new kind of inaccuracy, that builds much more on actual historical fashions, and eschews the shortcuts of other, grittier period dramas in favour of colour and personality.

But also. At least it fucking says something with its leather.

[amor-ad-nauseam]

Somethin’ stupid

Pairings: Sam Winchester X reader

Summary: You get hurt on a hunt and in taking care of you, Sam reveals a hidden talent and maybe even some hidden feelings…

Word count: 2.1k

Tags; Sam and reader have a crush on each other, fluff, no use of y/n, Sam x fem!reader, carheartt!Sam

Requests are open

part two

You never realized just how cold it got in Montana until you were here, wrapped up in Sam’s carheartt with his hands on your waist.

Well, one of his hands was on your waist, the other was digging through the pocket of his jacket for the motel room key.

“Sorry,” Sam chuckled awkwardly as his hand accidentally brushed over the small gap of exposed skin between your jeans and top.

This is definitely not what you had imagined when you envisioned his hands on you.

“It’s fine, really,” you replied with that sweet consideration he adored.

His left hand fumbles uselessly between the two of you- desperately searching for the key. He was embarrassed, beyond embarrassed. You had gotten injured-stabbed in the thigh on a hunt when he should’ve been protecting you. On top of all of that now he now has you out in the cold because he can’t find a damn key.

He eventually manages to get the key between his fingers but much to his dismay he couldn’t quite manage to pull it from the pocket due to the precarious position the two of you were in: Your left arm swung around his shoulder, his right hand on your waist and his other wedged between the two of you.

Sam was far too kind to let you slip from his grasp, no matter how many times you told him you were fine. So, you take matters into your own hands. “Here, lemme just-“

You shift your weight to your injured leg, giving him just the right amount of room to fish the key out.

His smile of triumph quickly falters once he hears your hiss of pain. He instinctively tightens his grip, reeling you back into him and closing the gap between your bodies; Sending your heart beat racing.

There’s a stillness for the moment. You staring into his eyes and he into yours. Sam couldn’t help but notice how beautiful you looked in this moment. Your normally neat, pulled back hair now wild and lovely with the cool night wind whipping through it. Your cheeks and nose were this beautiful shade of pink from the cold and all he wanted to do was reach out and cup your divine face in his hands.

“Sam,” you say, your voice just above a whisper. You never realized just how much green was in those pretty hazel eyes.

He tries to speak but not a thought -well, not a thought aside from professing his love(which he thought to be a terrible idea)- comes to mind.

Instead he blinks, searching your face for something- anything. Even a slight muscle twitch that would let him in on what you were thinking.

“The door.”

“Right,” he nods, clearing his throat and breaking the moment. He felt so stupid.

As the key turns in the lock you mentally curse yourself. Why the hell did you say that? That was the worst thing you could’ve possibly said.

He helps you limp your way into the motel room, the whole time not daring to look at you. And you do the same.

“Come on, there ya go, atta girl.” Sam grunted, gently setting you down on the bed.

Aside from your royal fuck up a minute ago, maybe this whole thing (getting stabbed included) wasn’t too bad. After all, you did get to hear sam say “atta girl” and if you were being honest, you liked it.

While Sam went to go dig out the med kit from his duffle bag you found yourself zoned out staring at his muscular frame. His hair, god it was perfect. Whose hair looks that good after spending the better half of the night in an abandoned building? It was practically witchcraft.

“Last time we let Dean pick the motel,” Sam chuckled.

“Hm?” You questioned, Sam’s voice snapping you from your train of thought.

“The whole uh, “Wild West” theme,” He smiles, gesturing to a cowboy hat hung just past his head.

“Right,” you chuckle dryly. “Definitely not letting him pick again.” You hadn’t really noticed the room; you were a bit preoccupied.

“I mean seriously,” Sam said, sitting next to you. “Where’d they get all this stuff? Cowboy furnishings?”

You giggle at Sam’s joke and lay your leg in his lap. Wine colored blood had pooled at the epicenter of the make-shift bandage (the torn sleeve of Deans FBI suit.)

The room was just large enough to comfortably accommodate two queen sized beds, separated by a thin wooden divider. On the far end of the room there was a pull-out couch with a cowboy hat pattern dancing across the leather; that same pattern reflected on the small sofa chair across from the head of your bed.

“Wild West express?” You reply while looking around the room- not wanting to lay eyes on that nasty wound. Sam chuckled and you somehow find yourself right back where you started- staring straight at him. God, he was a sight for sore eyes. His smile was enchanting.

The room had this homely atmosphere, whether that was due to Sam’s presence or the warm lighting was a mystery to you. The lights seemed to perfectly reflect on his face, illuminating those stunning hazel eyes and giving his skin a warm honey glow.

While Sam worked on disinfecting your wound he replayed the scene over and over again in his head. You were right there, mere feet from him and yet you still got hurt. Sure you’ve been banged up worse, not to mention the other bruises all three of you sustained on this hunt alone. But this time, this time was different. You’d need stitches, the stab was a few inches deep and wide with jagged edges. He cringes as he threads the needle. This was his fault.

His eyes snap to your face after the first nonevent of the needle through your skin. Your jaw was clenched tight, eyes large and pointed toward the ceiling, attempting to breathe through the pain. Guilt fills him at the very sight.

“Should’ve drank.” You grunt out, your hand balling into a fist as your eyes squeeze as tight as a camera shutter. Your head falls forward, your wind-whipped hair forming a curtain over the sides of your face. Even in pain, somehow, Sam thought you were the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen all wrapped up in a brown carheartt.

“Almost done.” He says gently, tying a knot and cutting the thread.

You let out a hefty breath, throwing your head back against the bed frame and sinking into the mattress with relief.

Sam’s hand slips to the underside of your knee, gently raising it. “God-“ he breaths, the new angle allowing him a better veiw of just how bad it was. “If I was there I could’ve-“ he sighs. “I’m sorry.”

You tilt your head in a dog-like manner of confusion. “What? Sam, this isn’t your fault.”

The pain had mostly subsided, fading to a feeling of dull pressure - more uncomfortable than anything really.

“Regardless. You got hurt on my watch.”

“Sam, c’mon. Don’t be so hard on yourself,” you frowned. He was too sweet for his own good.

The both of you knew this was a losing battle. You had this conversation a dozen times over during the car ride alone.

Sam goes back to silently wrapping your thigh in gauze while you decide to let your eyes wander around the room. Eventually you land on a wooden guitar propped up against the sofa chair right across from you.

You gasp and before Sam knows it you’re on your feet foot, the roll of gauze dangling from your thigh.

“What are you-“ he calls your name in an exasperated manner. “I wasn’t-“

You spin on your heels and reveal yourself to be holding a guitar with a beaming smile on your face.

“Oh no- oh no no no no.” Sam shakes his head.

“Pleaseeeee,” you beg, giving him the most puppy-dog eyed look you can muster.

“That’s not going to work on me,” he grins. “Now c’mon, sit.” He pats the space next to him and reaches out to take your hand. “Gotta finish patchin’ you up.”

You fold your arms over your chest with smugness he knew all too well. “That’s not gonna work on me,” you replied, looking from him to the guitar.

“Dude, I haven’t played since like, college.” His hand falls limply to his lap with a sigh. “Now c’mere before you make me regret ever getting drunk around you.” Sam attempts to make his voice sound serious but fails to hide the smile on his face and the amusement in his voice.

“Oh please,” you said through laughter at his expression. He looked adorable trying to be serious. “Just one song.”

Your laughter, it was contagious. Being around you was like the best high. “No.”He laughs, and he doesn’t even know why. “Okay, okay, how bout this?” He adjusts his position a little, trying to shove down the laughter. “You let me finish bandaging you up and I’ll play one, and I mean one, song?”

“Orrrrr, you play a song and I’ll let you bandage me up.”

“You can’t be serious. y’know you run the risk of infection the longer you don’t let me wrap it?”

“Then you better get to playing guitar-boy”

You smile and simply hold out the guitar to him.

Slowly, a scheming grin spreads on his lips, his large hand grabs the guitar and your wrist in one fail swoop. He attempts to get you seated back on the bed again but you’re too quick.

“Ha! Not gonna get me that easy!”

You giggle as you slip from his grasp. He watches as you run off do this weird limp-hopping thing off into the bathroom, the unfinished gauze swinging from your leg like a pendulum.

If he really wanted, he could easily stop you but he was more interested in seeing where this would go.

A few years ago, while Dean was off flirting with the bartender, you and Sam were in the back of the bar like a couple of wall flowers.

That’s the night you started to look at him differently, to feel things for him differently. That’s the night you started to like him; and it only grew from there. Admittedly, you both had a bit too much to drink. You told each other things nobody else knew. During the conversation he talked about his college days; how he smoked weed a few times (you couldn’t stop laughing at this) and played guitar like a proper hippie. (This also, much to his dismay, made you erupt into drunken laughter).

“You alright in there?” Sam calls from the room.

“Y-yeah! I’m good.” You shout back. You quickly tie off the end of the bandage and waltz back into the room only to discover Sam in the sofa chair, guitar in his lap.

You press your hand to your chest and make a show of having an aghast expression. “Is that what I think it is? Sam Winchester! Strumming the guitar?”

“Yeah, yeah,” he rolled his eyes. “I’m just tuning it is all.”

“Uh huh,” you reply, packing up the first aid kit.

Sam’s fingers work the strings of the guitar, playing around with a few notes here and there, tuning, plucking strings. But at the playing of a few specific chords, your ears perk up in recognition.

You immediately race limp-jog? Over to the bed and perch yourself upon the edge. Sam smiles at your eager face.

“I figured one of us outta hold up our end of the deal.”

You just smile and shake your head.

And there you were. Staring into Sam’s eyes, doing a mixture of humming and singing along while he played your favorite song on guitar.

“…hmm hm hm… we pop into a quiet place and have a drink or two…”

He would hum and sing along with you, a slight hesitation every time the main part of the chorus would appear.

“…But then I go and spoil it all by saying somethin’ stupid like-“

As if the lyric held far too much weight to sing.

“I love you…”

Eventually, you began to drift off. Sinatra always put you to sleep. He knew that. Sam’s eyes don’t leave you for a moment. You were reveire incarnate. Half asleep, head on a pillow and lazily humming along.

“…But then I go and spoil it all by saying somethin’ stupid like…”

Your chest slowly rose and fell with every soft slumbering breath. Warm lighting over your skin. Tranquil and mesmerizing as a sunset.

The lyrics come out a statement more than anything else. A truthful, unsung whisper.

“I love you.”

[honeyryewhiskey]

wanted: birthday boy

or, surprise, dean! you're dressed up like a cowgirl and he gets a matching outfit cos he's a western-loving FREAK cw!! flirty fluff, kissing, dean & his boyish charm when he's excited 1k words

As his bedroom door clicks shut behind him, Dean stops in his tracks, his eyes growing to the size of saucers as they take in the sight before him. You, standing there with your hands on your hips in the outfit you’ve been saving for today—a perfectly put-together, six-piece cowgirl ensemble. For a long moment, he just stares, frozen as though he’s forgotten how to breathe.

“Whoa,” he finally exhales, the word low and drawn out, his gravelly tone vibrating through the quiet room. It sends a flutter straight to your stomach. His gaze roams, starting at the boots that hug your calves, up past the denim and snug leather chaps, the crisp black blouse with a few buttons popped, finally landing on the hat perched just right on your head. A boyish, sweet smile spreads across his face, lighting him up as a soft laugh escapes his lips.

“Damn, sweetheart,” he murmurs, his voice flustered, matching the pink rising beneath the freckles on his cheeks. “You trying to give me a heart attack on my birthday?”

Your smile widens as you do a playful twirl, the fringe on your chaps swishing dramatically. “You like it?”

The answer is written all over his face. Excitement radiates from him, washing over you in warm, sweet waves. Dean always looks at you like you’re the most precious thing he’s ever found, as he’s quite clingy with the things he adores. But this has him looking at you starry eyed. 

“Like it?” he echoes, the words barely above a whisper as he steps closer, his boots scuffing against the floor. His gaze dances across all the fine western details. His hands find your hips, gentle as he runs his fingers along the line of your belt. His eyes popping as he traces the outline of the large buckle, until his hands settle firm on either side of you. 

With careful precision, he dips his head to place the softest kiss on your lips, mindful not to topple the stetson. “I love it. You look like you just walked off the set of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.” 

You tilt your head coyly, your arms looping around his neck. “I thought you might appreciate it.”

“Appreciate it?” He lets out a low whistle, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “this is the best damn birthday present I’ve ever gotten.” 

One of his hands slides upward, fitting perfectly between your neck and jaw, his thumb brushing over your bottom lip. The gentle touch from heavy hands, the way he can’t stop looking you over, it makes your nerves prickle and your heart skip a beat. He exhales softly, settling his wandering eyes onto yours, “and I haven’t even unwrapped it yet.” 

Your cheeks heat at his words, and with a grin, you pinch his ear that’s been bright pink since he walked into the room. Normally, that earns you a halfhearted scolding—his signature grumbled “quit that”—but not this time. He’s too distracted, staring at you like a lovesick puppy. 

“Well, don’t get too comfortable, cowboy,” you tease, slipping out of his hold, your lips curving into a playful smile. “You haven’t even seen the second part.”

Dean’s brows lift, and a cheeky smirk takes over his face. “Second part?” he echoes, his voice tinged with curiosity and bubbling anticipation.

You cross to the bed, where a garment bag is draped over the comforter. Dragging the zipper down, the sound fills the room, mingling with his soft gasp as you reveal the surprise inside: a matching cowboy outfit. A brown duster coat, well-fitted jeans, chaps, a shirt that mirrors your own, and the perfect finishing touches—an antique bolo tie and a Stetson hat.

Dean’s jaw practically hits the floor. “No way,” he breathes, stepping forward to touch the fabric like it’s sacred. “You—are you serious?”

“Serious as a snake in a sleepin’ bag, sugar,” you quip, voice laced with a dramatic southern drawl as the smile on your lips grows wider at his googly-eyed reaction. “Figured we couldn’t roll into Deadwood without looking the part.”

Dean stares at the outfit for a moment as he takes in the details of your gift. The matching outfits with traditional details that only someone like him would notice and appreciate. A trip to the town he’s been talking about visiting for ages, but never goes because there is always something to hunt, someone to save. When his head turns back to you, his expression softens. “You did all this for me?”

“Of course I did,” you shrug, like it’s no big deal, but the look in his eyes—almost childlike in their admiration—sends a shock right through your chest. Stepping closer, you cup his jaw, tugging him down close enough to place a kiss on his cheekbone. “I love seeing you happy—even if it’s because you’re a huge freak for cowboys.” 

Dean lets out a soft laugh, shaking his head as a crooked smile pulls at his lips. He catches your hand as it drops, pressing a kiss to your palm before letting it go. “You’re somethin’ else, you know that?”

Mhm,” you hum, watching the excitement buzz it’s way through his body again as he fidgets with the outfit again. “Well, go on, Eastwood. Try it on.”

He grabs the hat from the outfit and plops it on his head, adjusting it with a practiced flick of his fingers. His brows set in dramatic stoicism, “how do I look?”

You bite your lip, savoring the moment to soak in the sight of him in that hat—looking utterly, undeniably Dean. Pretending to consider, you tilt your head and smirk. “Like you just stepped out of an old Western.”

“Good,” he nods, his smirk growing with pride at your compliment. “Y’know, I’m thinkin’ maybe we skip the road trip and just…” he shrugs, his smile shifting into that familiar, mischievous challenge. “...stay here. You, me, these outfits—" He trails off, the thought lingering in the air between you. His eyes drop to the expanse of skin peeking out of the few popped buttons of your shirt, His teeth sink into his bottom lip as if he’s trying to stop himself from saying more.

ou arch a brow, crossing your arms, though it does little to break his momentary distraction. His gaze doesn’t waver, not even when you adopt a scolding tone. “Dean Winchester, are you seriously suggesting we bail on your birthday plans after I went through all this trouble?”

“Not bail,” he says quickly, finally meeting your eyes with a boyish grin that’s all charm. Before you can protest, he pulls you into his arms, the lazy smirk on his face deepening. “Just…postpone. Maybe by a day. Or two.” His voice dips, that playful, magnetic lilt curling around each word. “You look too good in that outfit, Sweetheart. How am I supposed to think about anything else?”

Your cheeks burn, though you try to hide it with an exaggerated eye roll. “You’re impossible,” you mutter, feigning exasperation, but the smile tugging at your lips betrays you.

“And you’re irresistible,” he counters smoothly, leaning in to brush his lips against yours, not enough to kiss—just enough to make your pulse quicken. It’s one of his favorite games, waiting for you to break first, his unspoken question hanging in the air. 

“Fine,” you murmur against his lips, your resolve melting. 

The hum of satisfaction in his throat is warm and low, and then his lips press into yours—always a little rough at first, always setting loose a swarm of butterflies in your stomach. He pulls back just enough to smirk at you, the teasing glint in his eyes unmistakable.

“But only for an hour,” you warn, your voice stern as you poke a finger into his chest. “Then we’re hitting the road.”

“Deal,” he chuckles, his hands sliding up to cradle your face, his thumbs brushing gently along your jawline. He leans in again, and this time, the kiss is softer, slower, carrying a sweetness that makes your knees weak.

chat all i want is to play dress up with this idiot fictional man, BRRAAAHH anyways hbd, dboy<3 i almost forgot to post this whoops lol

[supernotnatural2005]

'Giddy up Cowboy' (Drabble)

Paring: Dean x Reader

Summary: The power of impression leads to wondrous things.

Word Count: 822

Prompt: ‘Character B tries to impress Character A’

Warnings: Dean riding a mechanical bull 🥵🥵

AN: This is another square completed for my @jacklesversebingo 24 card. It's a short one I know but, I think it fit perfectly for this prompt 😄

Read the follow up here

Main Masterlist

Bingo Masterlist

“Don’t you just love a man who knows how to ride one of those things?" You sigh dreamily, watching man after rugged-looking man try their damnedest at riding the mechanical bull.

There was just something so downright sexy about watching a guy flex his thighs and roll his hips in time with the sway of the machine. If you didn’t know any better, it seems as though you may have discovered a new turn-on for yourself.

“Um, not really Y/N.” Sam chuckles before taking a drink from his beer. You smack his arm in jest because he knew you were being rhetorical. You cease, however, when your attention is soon re-captured by another man stepping up for his turn. 

Meanwhile Dean frowns at you, his eyes glancing between you and the men making complete fools of themselves, in his opinion. Not one of them had been able to stay on for a full minute. There was nothing impressive about that, so he couldn’t see as to why you thought so. 

‘Because you just hate the fact she’s gawking at other men.’ Came the niggling voice in the back of his mind. A voice that hadn’t shut up about you for months now. 

Again, the new guy was flung from the machine, this time before even 30 seconds were up, and Dean scoffs. Apparently it was loud enough for your attention to turn to him. 

“What? You think you can do any better, Winchester?” You tease, and he rolls his eyes. 

“I think even Sammy here could do better than these goons.” Dean sasses back, and Sam frowns, knowing that wasn’t meant to be a compliment. You squint your eyes at Dean, too suspiciously for his liking, and he distracts himself with a pull from his beer. 

“Then why don’t you hop on? Show these goons—"you imitate his deep voice, "what you’ve got?” You challenge him playfully, almost like you didn’t believe he would. 

Fine, he thinks stubbornly. Maybe this time you’ll actually notice me; comes that voice again. 

You had been a casual hunting partner with the boys for a few months now; your knowledge, skill, and witty humour brought a fresh new light into their lives, and they both enjoyed having you around. Dean maybe more so, for other reasons. 

Finishing the rest of his beer in one big gulp, he stands from the table with a cocky smirk. “I’ll show you how a real man does it, sweetheart.” Sam cringes at his brothers statement, and Dean has to admit it was a cheap line, but it got that smile out of you. The one that made your eyes shine.

As Dean pays the operator, he looks over at you one last time and sends you a wink before he steps up onto the mat and effortlessly mounts the bull. He blows out a breath, suddenly nervous. He couldn’t make a fool out of himself now, not with the mouth he’d given you. 

Dean gives the guy a thumbs up once he’s situated, his heartbeat pounding in his ears. His only thought; she’s watching, like a mantra in his mind. He hears the whirring of the machine spark to life, and no sooner as it did, does the bull begin to rock. 

At first, it’s a gentle forward and backward motion until it begins to spin. Dean clenches his knees tighter and rolls his hips, matching the same motion as the bull. He holds his left arm out for balance as the bull begins whipping around at a much faster pace. He grips on for dear life, the cheer from the crowd gathered drowning into nothingness as he puts all his concentration into staying on. 

It feels like a lifetime before he finally hears the operator announce he’d broken the 90 seconds before the bull gradually begins to wind down to a stop. An eruption of cheers, mostly from the women in the crowd, surrounds him as he hops down. Even some of the guys who’d failed shake his hand impressed as he steps off the mat. He nods politely as he pushes his way through, ignoring the women trying to get his attention—his eyes only searching for you. 

You’re standing at the back of the crowd, having moved to get a better view, your smile dazzling and eyes alight with wonder. 

“So. Was I better?” Dean asks, a little breathless from his effort but also incredibly curious. You take a step closer to him, your lips pulling up into a smirk as you come toe to toe. His breath hitches as you place a hand on his chest, and he’s certain you can feel what the simple action does to his heart. 

“You did great! But I think I can ride him better.” Your eyes glisten with mischief as you lean up on your toes to whisper in his ear. 

“And I’m not talking about the bull.” 

Read part 2 here.

AN: Again, I know it was a short one but I have much more planned for the rest of my squares, maybe a series in the works 👀 As always I really appreciate any feedback! Let me know what you though 💕

[zepskies]

Hey can you reccomend me your favorite dean x reader au series where dean isn’t a hunter ❤️

Ooh interesting!

So far I've only written one Dean AU: Smoke Eater. But off the top of my head, I have read a few...

Dean Winchester x Reader AU Stories:

(Many of these are on my SPN Fic Rec List.)

Hold On I'm Coming (firefighter!Dean) - @ravengirl94

Dust (Cowboy!Dean)

Dean Winchester Masterlist - @waynes-multiverse - She has a few Dean AUs to check out. I haven't read them all, but I love everything I've ever read of hers!

The Widow - @pink-sparkly-witch - She also has a firefighter!Dean story that I haven't gotten a chance to read yet: The One That Got Away.

The Guest House (Mechanic!Dean) - @deanwritings (In Progress)

Night Falls (FBI Agent!Dean)

Feral (Alpha!Dean/ABO) - @luci-in-trenchcoats - But she also has several other Dean AUs on her Dean Winchester Series Masterlist.

Carry On (Alpha!Dean/ABO) - @acreativelydifferentlove

You're Home (Alpha!Dean/ABO)

Iron Heart (Alpha!Dean/ABO) - @kittenofdoomage

Taste (Alpha!Dean/ABO)

Big Wide World (Alpha!Dean/ABO)

The Dangers of Hope (Endverse!Dean) - @dean-winchester-is-a-warrior

Things Learned and Unlearned

That's How It Should Be (Sheriff!Dean) - @rizlowwritessortof

I can add to this list as I'm able to read more stories! ❤️ This is now included on my SPN Masterlist for future reference.

[angelsdean]

I SPY: Dean's Birthday Bash Aftermath Edition

I spy with my little eye,

a hotdog

5 poker chips

a cowboy hat

2 Freds

salt and pepper shakers from Eileen

a bandana

2 candles

Robert Plant

a friendship bracelet from Jack

2 feathers

a voucher for *mini golf from Claire

5 bottle caps

a Scooby Snack

9 game cards

and a naughty bingo scratch-off from Gabriel, on Cas' behalf (Cas has no idea) "what the fuck, dude?" "just some ideas spice things up!" "we have plenty of spice, thank you very much!"

Did you find them all?

[zoom / open in a new tab for quality]

[destielgaysex]

pacing my room season 13 destiel.. oh my god cas didnt even know how dean reacted when cas died.. cas thinks dean doesnt believe in cas' ability to care for and protect jack. cas thinks dean inviting himself along means dean doesnt trust cas.. he thinks he is protecting dean by rejecting him tagging along.. but dean thinks .. oh. cas is leaving me again. dean thought cas was dead and gone forever this tim. dean killed himself and was okay with staying dead.. dean didnt believe in anything anymore.. dean couldnt make himself move past cas dying this time.. cas dying almost broke dean this time.. dean JUST got cas back. he dressed cas up as a cowboy and they spent time together. then the next episode cas is leaving.. and they both dont understand. the miscommunication that has been the crux of their entire relationship hasnt changed.. they dont even know they are talking in circles around the same thing. they love each other so much it kills them

[starnana7]

every time I remember that the hit show supernatural made God, the literal God from the Bible, canonically bisexual but couldn’t do the same with a random guy who hunts monsters it actually makes me feel physically ill.. like blasphemy is okay but we draw the line at making the main character a little bit queer because it would “upset the heterosexuals men”? okay ig… and it’s so funny to me that they tried SO bad to make dean like really really straight and macho and a manly womanizer (I mean dude has literal porn brain and is obsessed with cars and is a film nerd) And still is the number 1 bissexual boy.. I mean no one that into cowboys is 100% straight 🙄 and if they actually wanted him to be that much of a cishet guy WHY would they make him have a codependent homosexual friendship with his best friend for more than a decade ?? and we have so much subtext to corroborates it that it’s actually insane.

and it’s also rlly funny to me that sam would be the most obvious choice for a queer storyline. like i’m not sure this is true but i heard somewhere that he actually was supposed to like be lgbt and that it’s implied in the show he’s pan bc he basically have sex w/ everyone and doesn’t care (like monsters and stuff). i wholeheartedly disagree bc sure he hited a demon and a werewolf and a kitsune and God knows what more But it still were just women and for me he’s still just straight 💀 we do have gabriel however and i would say that’s a valid argument but i don’t actually like them together because of the whole torturing-sam-every-tuesday-over-and-over-again but it’s still a good take ig. again this is just my opinion But anyways doesn’t matter my point Is that sam always felt like a freak and wanted to be normal and like was more open minded and “less-macho-toxic-behavior” than dean. he was a theater kid and talked about his feelings and all. STILL THO dean went and become The bissexual icon (Not Sam, Dean!!). and the fact that he was more manly actually only emphasized to his sexuality (and him being closeted) and sam being the straight one, and bare with me here. as sam winchester once wisely said “well you are kind of butch they probably think you're compinsating.” (to dean asking why people always assumed they were gay) and like this is so true, sam always felt comfortable in himself and like his nerdier and less cool strong man personality. But dean, oh, dean, no, no, no. and it could all be linked to john. we know how much dean wanted to gain his father approval and respect, all he ever wanted was for john to be proud of him. so he’d listen to the same music as john, same clothes… and so on. but when we really see a glance of him, we realize he’s actually much more “““girly””” (sorry for the term i lacked a better one) than he shows, Especially when compared to sam—who’s supposed to be the more girly one (again sorry for the term lol) or whatever. dean canonically likes taylor swift, chick flick films, actually liked when a woman made him wear underwear, the bailarinas shoe were “speaking to him” in that one ep of cursed objects, and so on. and every time he makes fun of sam for doing something not-manly-enough (like drinking lemon water or drinking from tiny coups) he eventually goes and do the same thing 😭 and i’m 100% sure that the writers just thought “haha funny scene this really straight deadly man does something not so convencional/more feminine(?) haha comedy relief time!!” but it actually just made him have a whole perfect queer background developed in the series. specially with the fact that He Does Overcompensate. why is he always flirting with women, why is he so butch and scary, always talking about straight sex and so on? because he’s really just deep in the closet. and it makes so much sense with john being his father, with him having to hunt two lesbians nuns in his 17 bday, always having to be strong and macho and cool and perfect—and therefore straight. even without cas, dean really does immaculate the bissexual experience and i’m so sorry but this is just true.

and now pointing to the subtext that i mentioned in the first paragraph (lol i can’t believe i’m making a whole rant as to why dean winchester is a confirmed bisexual), that whole confession to that priest where he says he wants experience new feelings, new people, FOR THE FIRST TIME. that always that the show mentioned a gay couple it ALWAYS focused on dean—not sam, DEAN. the gay hunters, the gay couple on the bar that the cupid “made”, the two cosplayers partners… the fact that every time that dean liked something it was borderline fangirl (gay) obsessive (the dr. sexy episode, that wrestler fighter). he Had a gay thing—and was all flustered about it. he flirted with a guy throughout charlie. THE MALE SIREN. the male siren like after that ep i was 100% convinced that man was not straight. he had a hot demon sumer with crowley?!!! and it’s so funny to me that not one of these things involves castiel, so if they really wanted to make dean be that straight why would they do that?? and only to dean, not even once to sam. Like. and not to mention all the homoeretic tension with benny??? sam never had a male best friend like that.. all of that and i didn’t even entered on destiel. Because this then really just confirms that he is Not straight. even if he wasn’t In Love with cas, they had something going on and the fact that if cas was a girl it would 100% be canon and filmed and Everyone would ship—and I really mean everyone—it just makes me go fucking insane. they could’ve had it all. the fanfic episodes, the parallels between dean and cas and “real couples”, ruby and cas duality and the fact that sam indeed had a relationship w/ her. Anyway i’m a # bi dean truth believer and i know this bc same boy # happy pride month to my fav bissexual boy in the whole world

also to anyone that says that “destiel” was unrequited love yes it kinda of was but only bc dean was so deep in the closet, he did love cas. he was indeed a bissexual man. i’ll die on that hill.

[your-unfriendlyghost]

love the ‘P.M. Curtis’, I think author Pony au’s are fun

Thanks, me too lol

Speaking of which, I like to h/c that he gave everyone fake names w/ like a similar vibe, since everyone in the book is still alive and around Tulsa and Pony doesn’t want all that info to be totally public. (Like how in the semi-memoir “On the Road”, Jack Kerouac called himself “Sal Paradise”, Neal Cassady became “Dean Moriarty”, LuAnne became “MaryLou” and Carolyn became “Camille” etc… )

Darrel “Darry” Curtis -> Ronald “Ronny” Connor

Sodapop Curtis -> Coca-Cola Connor

Ponyboy Curtis -> Ponyboy Connor (I’m sorry it’s too distinctive I can’t think of any alternative other than “Cowboy”, but that’s got a totally different vibe yk)

Steve Randle -> Mike Abel

Keith “Two-Bit” Mathews -> Lance “Two-Cents” Wiliams

Dallas Winston -> Dean Marlboro

Johnny Cade -> Tommy Hale

Pony meant well with the whole privacy thing, but everyone who knows of any of them and has read Pony’s “The Outsiders” can very clearly tell who’s who. Dally thinks his fake name is kinda cool, Steve hates his, Sodapop thinks his is too boring and “Cherry-Cola” woulda been cooler (It would’ve, but he’d get mixed up with Cherry), Two-Bit forced Pony to leave in a version of his nickname and also do just one “L” in “Wiliams” to mimic the one “T” in “Mathews”, and Darry thinks his makes him sound like Ronald McDonald and doesn’t like it. Johnny’s the only one without a complaint.

I also like to h/c Steve and Dally weren’t allowed to read it. Dally because Pony didn’t want him to know he killed him off in the book, and also sorta because he knew it was vulnerable stuff in there and Pony didn’t want Dally to know he’d been…yk psychoanalyzing him basically. And then on the other hand, Steve can’t read it mostly because Pony likes to annoy him

[m-y--p-a-s-s-i-o-n-s]

Supernatural Fanfics

Title: Couples Costumes

Rating: E

Words: 4k

Summary: Dean and Cas are attending a Halloween party with all their friends, and Dean has decided on the perfect outfits for them.

Title: Whatever This Is Between Us 

Rating: T

Words: 2.3k

Summary: Dean discovers just what kind of relationship the 2014 versions of himself and Castiel have, and maybe he can discover something about himself too.

Title: Drinking Buddies

Rating: T

Words: 2K

Summary: Crowley went to Bobby's to die, but instead the hunter might have just saved his life.

Title: Drawn To You

Rating: E

Words: 5.7K

Summary: Dean is a stripper at 'Crossroad Cowboys' and gets called in to work a hen's party. Dean's expecting all women in the party, but then there is a blue eyed man in a trench coat with them and Dean is instantly drawn to him. When the ladies pay for the guy to have a ride with Dean on the mechanical bull it's clear that the attraction is mutual, is either of them willing to do anything about it though?

Title: Within Blue Gaze

Rating: T

Words: 1.5K

Summary: When Dean is transported to 2014, he spends some time with Cas catching up on the last five years. During that time he discovers something that changes everything, is he ready to pursue it though?

Title: Under the Versatility of a Dream

Rating: T

Words: 942

Summary: Their dynamic has changed now that they’re free from the cage, Adam tries to hide how he feels, but Michael figures out a way to help his human get what he needs.

Title: Under the Storage Shelf 

Rating: M

Words: 1.1K

Summary: From the first moment Lu laid eyes on Balthazar he knew that he wanted much more than to serve the man drinks at the bar.

Title: Coming Home to You

Rating: T

Words: 3.1K

Summary: Dean likes to bring home a gift for his boyfriend from his business trips, this time is no different, he just needs to find the right time to give it to him.

Title: Earth is a Place in Heaven

Rating: T

Words: 1.4K

Summary: After Dean dies in the final episode he spends a lot of time in Heaven thinking about Castiel, who he never expects to see again...

Title: Human Things

Rating: E

Words: 1.5K

Summary: When Adam and Michael are released from the cage they head to Earth and Adam takes a little time do some human things, Michael wants to help.

Title: The Things That Really Matter

Rating: T

Words: 3.4K

Summary: When Dean is zapped forward to 2014, he learns an important lesson, but its not the one Zachariah wanted him to learn.

Title: Forever

Rating: T

Words: 570

Summary: What happens if Dean never got rid of the 'Mark of Cain'?

Title: Dean's Angel

Rating: T

Words: 865

Summary: An alternate scene in ep 11x18 "Hell's Angel" where Crowley smokes into Castiel's vessel to convince him to eject Lucifer, and things go a little different than he expected.

Title: First Day

Rating: E

Words: 14K

Chapters: 9

Summary: It's Lu's first day at a new school as a Math teacher and he instantly falls for the French teacher, Balthazar, who has an affinity for skinny jeans and v-necks. Balthazar's ex shows up and wants to get back with Balthazar, will he go back with his ex or stay with Lu?

Title: Two Worlds

Rating: E

Words: 9.1k

Chapters: 6

Summary: Castiel is nobody in high school and Dean is the captain of the football team. When Dean asks Cas to help him study, their two worlds start to merge, but can they become one?

Title: Coffee Beans & Motor Oil 

Rating: E

Words: 14.6K

Chapters: 10

Summary: Dean meets Cas at his favourite coffee shop where Cas has just started working after moving into town a few days previous. They hit it off immediately, Dean asks Cas on a date and it all unfolds from there.

Title: Wings 

Rating: T

Words: 1K

Summary: Castiel's back is itchy, could it have something to do with his wings?

Title: Under The Wooden Staircase

Rating: G

Words: 301

Summary: Bobby sets a trap for a crossroads demon but Crowley turns up instead.

Title: Under The Stars

Rating: G

Words: 327

Summary: Sam and Gabe make a plan to get Dean and Cas together on Christmas eve.

Title: Under The Roof Of The Impala

Rating: G

Words: 385

Summary: Dean and Cas find themselves under mistletoe and Cas makes his move.

Title: Acceptance

Rating: E

Words: 25.4K

Chapters: 17

Summary: Dean & Cas are 3 months into their relationship & living in a house with Sam when Bobby calls them to come & check out his new overfriendly neighbour. Things become a bit mysterious & Dean doesn't like what he finds.

Title: Winning Over Hearts

Rating: E

Words: 12.6K

Chapters: 11

Summary: Castiel returns from a holiday at Gabriel's house with Gabe, that night Sam is invited over for dinner and it is love at first sight for Gabe, not so much for Sam. Gabe has two weeks to win Sam's heart, but will he be able to?

Title: House Hunting 

Rating: E

Words: 1.2K

Summary: Dean is a real estate agent and Cas is a nurse. Cas comes to look at a house to buy and they flirt and christen the master bedroom, but Cas buys the house in the end.

Title: Guessing Games

Rating: E

Words: 15.3K

Chapters: 10

Summary: Sam and Dean are in high school and make deals to ask out their crushes and dates ensue. John isn't too happy about his sons having boyfriends.

Title: Stuck In The End

Rating: T

Words: 471

Summary: Set in 2014, based on things we saw in 'The End', basically Cas is high and ends up crying and Dean comes in to comfort him.

Title: Birthdays

Rating: M

Words: 666

Summary: Dean decides Cas needs a proper birthday, so they celebrate and Dean gets Cas a nice gift.

Title: Understanding

Rating: T

Words: 537

Summary: Dean and Cas had a fight which leads to them understanding their feelings.

Title: A Small Misunderstanding

Rating: G

Words: 548

Summary: Cas walks in on Dean hugging another man and quickly jumps to conclusions.

Title: Truth Or Dare 

Rating: T

Words: 2.2K

Summary: Gabriel wants to play truth or dare, and Dean and Cas find out things about each other that changes their relationship for the better.

[zmediaoutlet]

Happy Wincest Wednesday! Do you think Sam and Dean are into roleplay? We know Dean has a certain... appreciation for cowboys. What other kinds of scenarios might they get up to?

aw, bud! happy wincest wednesday to you! if you were not anon I would send you a fun ask but instead I send you this big wet alcoholic aunt smoochies, muah muah muah--

Here's the thing, tho. I think Dean is into roleplay. I think Sam actively suffers through the misery of being soulmated to this absolute, ridiculous dork.

Roleplays that Dean has suggested and Sam has, horrified, either flat-out denied or done in such a half-assed way that Dean just gives up and they either have boring regular sex or they fully end up watching Beverly Hills Cop 2 instead:

definitely cowboys at least once. I mean they retained the outfits in that s7 episode. Sam briefly attempted some authentic frontier gibberish and Dean just gave up.

doctor: Dean's Dr Sexy crush continues unabated, and Sam was actually in the white coat for a pretext, and they ended up in an empty room and Dean tried to get Sam to do porn doctor talk but he was so honestly hot for the white coat that they just fucked regular styley and forgot

sex pollen: Dean, Star Trek nerd, attempted to get Sam to go with him on the whole pon farr thing. Sam, genuine actual nerd, thought too much about how that would even work on a societal level and Dean gave up and they just watched Wrath of Khan.

pirates: immediate no-go after Dean said 'arr' and Sam went 'are you kidding', and also realized that Dean thought he was the pirate and that Sam was the trapped maiden or whatever and went, wait, hang on, not a chance in fucking hell--

So it doesn't go great for Dean. Once, though, Sam admits that, maybe, um, like, it could be kind of interesting if they, uh, maybe--

and by the time Dean gets Sam to spit it out he's so hornt about the prospect of Sam actually going for something that they just fuck about it early, but then later, when the timing's right, Dean knocks on Sam's bedroom door wearing that one red shirt and Sam sits up with his heart in his throat and he pulls on the sling that they'd saved from ages ago, because you might need a sling, never know--and Dean feels almost queasy when he crawls on top of Sam in the bed and says Sammy, you forgot to paint the trap, except that Sam's hard as a rock and already breathing weird and, you know what, maybe it's not for always, but he can think of some asshole things to say with the black echoes of a demon's memory and Sam, it turns out, will go with this roleplay very easily indeed.

[follows-the-bees]

Changing Channels analysis (cause this episode is so good!)

Let's first talk about Dean and how he relates to TV — and how that also relates to his sexuality!

Near the beginning we see Dean, mouth open, straight on staring at a dramatic medical show. From a character analysis, we see a couple things. Television has shaped so much of Dean's life and how he relates to it and uses it to relate to other people.

Dean uses these tv references to relate to others. But sometimes he tries to hide his viewing habits. During this scene, Dean tries to play off watching the show as a fluke, but even before the facade is lifted later on, he mentions: "I think it's based on a book," this tells us that Dean knows more about this show than he's letting on.

Later on, when Dr. Sexy makes his appearance, Dean is starstruck: blushing, first afraid to look him in the eye. He doesn't seem as fixated on the female doctor, the one notably in the elevator in the first scene. In fact, that character is obsessed with Sam.

It is Dr. Sexy Dean is obsessed with, the one where Dean can't put up the facade, who looks down blushing and sees that his shoes are not his usual sexy cowboy boots. For many people, this is one of the loudest Dean being bi episodes.

Moving on to a slightly related note: Cas

This episode is only a few after Free To Be You and Me and The End. If we take into account Dean and Cas' friendship by the time CC aired, Dean and Cas have become better friends. They worked a case together spending a lot of time together. Then Dean saw Cas in another world follow him to the end — a su*cide mission. And he realizes not only what Cas would do for him but his feelings about Cas may be deeper than he originally thought.

Throughout this entire episode he worries about Cas. He brings up Cas many times, worried about where he is. (At least 3 times it's brought up) And near the end, when they figure out who the trickster really is, one of the first things Dean does is threaten Gabriel to bring Cas back.

Dean was worried about losing Cas. He had to experience it in The End and I don't think he was ready to lose him again.

During the Japanese game show, the host also calls Cas "pretty boy angel" leading to a series of facial expressions on Dean's face. These expressions can be read as Dean realizing that Cas is pretty. Another example of both Dean's bisexuality and his feelings about Cas. Cas is also part of the reason Dean figures out who the trickster really is.

When Cas comes back for the second time and the trickster shows up, the trickster shows his cards. Cas says "if it is the trickster," then Gabe recognizing Castiel, and being so adamant about the apocalypse, Dean figures it out. I love this moment because sometimes SPN capitalizes on making Dean dumb for laughs, but this is a moment of Dean's brilliance. Also notable is that Gabriel is aware of who Castiel is. Castiel was not a worker bee angel, he led a garrison, he was tasked with getting the righteous man out of Hell. Gabriel and Cas are one of the few angels to fall and choose humanity over angels.

Cinematography

I wouldn't be me if I didn't mention the amazing cinematography that SPN can have. Angel fire shots are always so pretty and can cast a sinister light on the subject. This episode goes from a light-hearted sitcom to once of the biggest reveals of the season.

The light wallpaper and bright lights turn into a dark and dreary wet pipe factory matching the tones of the reveal. Sam and Dean were not aware of their roles in the apocalypse fully until this episode. They knew that Dean started the seals and Sam releasing Lucifer, but not about being vessels. Out of a sense of guilt and duty, the boys are trying to stop the apocalypse in their own way. But now they have this heavy weight on them, not only are they vessels but their fate is for one of them to kill the other. Even with this knowledge, Dean says no, they won't kill each other. Their siblingship is strong here even after the short break up of a few episodes here.

While CC starts off as a fun romp, when we look deeper, it is full of great character analysis of the TFW. I love it.

Original post here