#dean/cas pinefest

[samanddean76]

Chapters: 7/7 Fandom: Supernatural (TV 2005) Rating: Mature Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Castiel/Dean Winchester, Castiel & Gabriel (Supernatural) Characters: Castiel (Supernatural), Dean Winchester, Gabriel (Supernatural), Sam Winchester, Alastair (Supernatural), Lilith (Supernatural), God | Chuck Shurley, John Winchester, Mary Winchester Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, season four au, Hurt Dean Winchester, Protective Castiel (Supernatural), Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Angst and Hurt/Comfort, Love, Rescue, Research, Hurt Sam Winchester, Protective Gabriel (Supernatural), Mental Anguish, Implied/Referenced Character Death, Castiel and Dean Winchester Falling in Love, Castiel and Dean Winchester Have a Profound Bond, Constantine References, Angel Castiel (Supernatural), Dean Winchester is Tortured in Hell, Dean Winchester's Soul, BAMF Castiel (Supernatural), Borrowed grace, Hell Is Never Going To Be The Same, First Time, Castiel/Dean Winchester First Kiss, Eventual Happy Ending, Dean/Cas Pinefest 2024, Art by xfancyfranart Summary:

Dean Winchester is living a plain, ordinary, and boring life. Until one day a new student shows up in the little town of Spain, SD. It’s love at first sight, but then an unimaginable tragedy happens, and Dean is left alone in his misery. Or is he a student attending Oxford University on a full athletic scholarship who finds a familiar face in his coxswain? Or is he hiking in the desert and attempting to save a known stranger? Or is he a traveler who stops for the night at a cheap motel and finds the pizza man of his dreams? Or is he none of those things? Just an unwitting victim of fate and destiny?

Castiel had led the assault on hell, in order to save the righteous man and prevent the first seal of the apocalypse from being broken, lest hell should be allowed to reign on earth. In the aftermath of his disastrous mission, he is being held captive by Alastair, and his image is being used in a final, determined attempt to break Dean.

But the profound bond that Castiel feels towards the pure soul won’t allow him to go down without a fight, and he makes a desperate prayer to his very old friend to set in motion a chain of events that might save him and his beloved mortal, or possibly, doom them for all eternity.

@xfancyfranart​ @deancaspinefest��

[eggchef]

so stanford era dean, an older version of him, and some angel from the future walk into a motel... (click to read Something Happening Somewhen, an amazing time travel fic written by the equally amazing allthismusic for the @deancaspinefest !)

[deancaspinefest]

Take The Long Way Home

Author: sidewinder | Artist: caught-a-dragonfly (Sarah)

Posting on Monday April 15

Two months ago, the world didn’t end. But for Dean Winchester, who fully expected to sacrifice not just his life but his very soul in order to stop Amara? The celebration has been clouded by the disappearance of his best friend, Cas—the friend he’d started to realize meant more to him than he’d been willing to accept until now. The last anyone’s seen of Castiel was when he was banished from the bunker by Toni Bevell. The Brits swear they don’t have him. Neither Heaven nor Hell claim to know of his whereabouts. All of Dean’s calls, texts and prayers to the angel have gone unanswered, and Dean can’t help but worry that a "Winchester win" has once again come at a terrible price. One day hope finally arrives in a lead from an unexpected if not always trustworthy ally. However finding Cas might end up being only the first step in saving him—not simply from the forces holding him captive, but from the prison of his own mind.

Keep reading for a sneak preview!

As Dean approached the galley, he saw the light on there already, meaning he wasn’t the only early bird up and about today. His mood brightened with a momentary spark of hope—Cas rarely slept, and when he was around the bunker, he usually enjoyed hanging around in the kitchen to read or watch cat videos and shit all night on one of their laptops. But Dean’s bubble of hope burst when he saw it was just his brother, sitting there in his sweatpants and a ratty old t-shirt, chugging a disgusting-looking green smoothie. Sam was no doubt ready to head out on his morning self-imposed torture session—that is, a five-mile run looping around the bunker to Lebanon and back.

Kid seriously had to be the devil’s vessel if he found that kind of physical torment enjoyable.

“Hey,” Dean grunted at his brother.

Sam looked up from his laptop at Dean and nodded. “Hey. You’re up early.”

“You too. Couldn’t sleep?”

“Rarely do.”

Yeah, that was something they had in common. “Anything up?” Dean asked on his way to fill the coffeepot with water. 

“Not really. Just restless, I guess. I found a case, maybe. Not that I was looking for one,” Sam added quickly. “But while I was searching for any signs of Cas, or Lucifer, I came across a news story about some strange deaths in Wichita. It’s not far from here, and—”

“If you wanna go hunt whatever it is, go for it,” Dean cut him off. “Take mom. I know she’s itching to get out of here and do somethin’ other than stare at our ugly mugs all day.” 

“Dean—”

“No, Sam. I mean it. Until I know where Cas is, I just can’t. My head’s not in the game.” A distracted hunter was a dead hunter. That was the rule their father had drilled into them as soon as they each could carry a weapon, and learn about the things that went bump in the night being real. A week ago, Dean had let Sam talk him into going on a “milk run” hunt to clear out a small vampire nest near Toledo and he’d nearly lost his neck thanks to not fully concentrating on the job at hand.

“Okay, I get it.”

“Do you?” Dean snapped. “Cas has been missing for two months, Sam! We have no idea where he is, if he even—”

Dean cut himself off. He couldn’t say it. Not out loud.

If he even survived.

(continue reading on Ao3 on Monday April 15)

[xfancyfranart]

Time for my @deancaspinefest collab!! 😍 For this one, I got paired with the awesome @samanddean76 whose summary caught my eye in the claims gallery right away and gave me chills.

Their fic has everything: Dean being stuck in hell and caught in a horrible dream that has that classic, not quite right, looming feeling of dread where you're only dimly aware of not being awake; among many others, an encounter with Pizza Man Cas; BAMF!Cas saving Dean from hell and cradling his soul; Dean finally being allowed to CRY a lot of real tears ffs - and so much more. It provided so many prompts I've always wanted to draw anyway, so I did.

Crying Dean, my beloved. If you know me or even have worked with me before, you know that I'm both strong and horrible at my deadline game. (Many apologies go out to @samanddean76 for cutting it so close multiple times, thanks for being patient with me through this whole thing!! 😂) But I actually painted this Dean just a few hours ago and I'm so, so happy with him - I feel like I haven't captured his essence in ages, but now I'm finally close again... 🥺

Without further ado though, please give Well, I Never Been To Heaven a read!

Summary:

Dean Winchester is living a plain, ordinary, and boring life. Until one day a new student shows up in the little town of Spain, SD. It’s love at first sight, but then an unimaginable tragedy happens, and Dean is left alone in his misery. Or is he a student attending Oxford University on a full athletic scholarship who finds a familiar face in his coxswain? Or is he hiking in the desert and attempting to save a known stranger? Or is he a traveler who stops for the night at a cheap motel and finds the pizza man of his dreams? Or is he none of those things? Just an unwitting victim of fate and destiny? Castiel had led the assault on hell, in order to save the righteous man and prevent the first seal of the apocalypse from being broken, lest hell should be allowed to reign on earth. In the aftermath of his disastrous mission, he is being held captive by Alastair, and his image is being used in a final, determined attempt to break Dean. But the profound bond that Castiel feels towards the pure soul won’t allow him to go down without a fight, and he makes a desperate prayer to his very old friend to set in motion a chain of events that might save him and his beloved mortal, or possibly, doom them for all eternity.

P.S. Here's an alternative banner. BYE! :D

[king-of-moose]

Faking It

One of my contributions to this years Pine Fest

You can find the awesome "Faking it" fic here by the amazing GhoulsnHalos if you want to read the story of two actors who are madly in love with each other (or are they???)

It was so much fun drawing for this lovely fic, and trying something a little different.

The masterpost can be found here

[golby-moon]

I have zero self-control when it comes to creature!cas in any form so I saw a selkie!cas option for the @deancaspinefest and all other thoughts ceased to exist uh

I tried a mix of two styles for this fic's art by combining my usual thick black outlines with the crayon pen on Flipaclip to create layered colors, as per my author's request. this let me do almost like a children's story book vibe here but I think that's just the name of the pen talking. either way look seal Cas hdhfndi (and my attempt at drawing a boat but ignore that as well as the weirdly tiny credits)

here's Dean rescuing Cas who looks like he just woke up from a nap or something there. Dean's expression looked better before I erased half of it to make room for Cas' head and I'm now unsure what face Dean's really supposed to be making beyond exertion meets determination. I originally had a lighter blue sky here (as well as in the banner) but the author assures me the sky in Scotland only comes in grey, which has the added bonus of making this whole atmosphere a little more tense

it took me forever to get a decent angle for this one it was just weirdly impossible for no reason and I only got this after trashing six other partially complete sketches and it still looks kinda weird but it was unexpectedly impossible trying to get a view where you can see Dean and Cas. also just now realizing that the pipe on the showerhead leads nowhere oops

*obligatory image of Dean falling in the water while marine flavored creature!cas saves him (or, well, looks at him ig)*

still very bad at drawing water but an attempt was made though Dean's pose could be better and Cas looks too small to really be able to swim Dean back to shore. let's just ignore...all of that uh. I intentionally made Dean's outfit here symbolic and all that. in the other pics, he's wearing reds and greys but now he's wearing a tan not unlike Cas' trench coat (albeit darker) and his flannel is a mixture of blue and green, representing both the ocean and ofc him and Cas (desitle colors gjkdhdgf) because I'm weak and Dean was pining for so long that he subconsciously starting wearing Cas Colors ,_,

so yay style experimentation and double yay for Dean and Cas being dumb again 🎉

the fic this is made for is called "all out to sea" by @s7jacket for the deancas pinefest bang

(04/10/24)

[galakitty]

won’t you stay with me, my darling, when the war starts in my heart? | Art Masterpost

Link to Fic

Written by @hisbrokenrainbowwings | AO3

Illustrated by @galakitty

This fic is so sweet and very heartfelt, and it was tough trying to pick which scenes to illustrate because there were so many possibilities! I ultimately decided after reading (and rereading) the story that I wanted to portray some key steps along the path of Cas and Dean’s relationship.

I wanted to capture the sweet shyness of their meeting at the beginning of the story, and the moment I read the tag Dragon!Cas, I KNEW I had to draw him. My author’s mention that Cas had iridescent scales created an interesting challenge for me, and the fantasy setting she created allowed me to have fun and run with my ideas.

I’m so very pleased with how these pieces turned out, and I absolutely loved this fic to bits! There are a lot of beautiful scenes I didn’t draw, but I hope I was able to depict even a fraction of my adoration in these works. Hisbrokenrainbowwings has been a delight to collaborate with, and I appreciate her wonderful work!

[nioellarts]

It’s finally @deancaspinefest posting time! :D

I had the pleasure of working with the amazing Hectatess this time around and had lots of fun creating the art to go with their beautiful story. Go check it out here:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/45547300/chapters/114608326

And check under the cut for more art ^.^

[deancodedcastielenby]

My first Pine Fest posts today! I got to work with @butterflyslinky on their Fic "Everything's Fine". Check it out below!

Link to the fic!

[alexiescherryslurpy]

Art post for Pinefest

I loved working on the art for this fic , it’s an amazing read by mittensmorgul

Story on ao3 here

Art on ao3 here

@mittensmorgul

[seidenapfel]

2024 in Review

In 2024, I posted 17 fics, ranging from 334 to 27,731 words. Although I feel I joined too many bangs this year, only six fics were bang collabs. Addionally, there were eight art collabs as well. I haven't counted the art pieces, though. However, it probably felt that much because there are nine collabs I'm currently working on for 2025. So, if you like my fics and art, please subscribe to me on AO3 for fics and art, and/or follow me on Tumblr.

Making a List, Checking it Twice (Rated: E | Word Count: 1,369)

Summary: Dean forgets a naughty list in the kitchen. There's only one person/angel who can have found it.

The year started smutty with my first fic for the 12 Days of Smutmas.

Heating Up a Snow Cave (Rated: E | Word Count: 2,907)

Summary: Caught in a blizzard, Cas and Dean have to find a way to warm each other up.

My second fic for the 12 Days of Smutmas.

You Ain't Him (Rated: T | Word Count: 840)

Summary: “Dean?” Dean winced. No. It couldn’t be. His entire body started to tingle as the gravel voice vibrated through him. A voice he thought he would never hear again. This wasn’t happening. He was gone. He was—

A little birthday fic for Dean Winchester.

Books, Pies, and Roommates (Rated: E | Word Count: 27,731)

Summary: Everything seemed easy when Castiel landed a job in Lawrence as a literature professor at KU. He even found a place to stay with his cousin in Topeka. But the daily commute quickly gets on his nerves and he begins looking for a room in town. When he finally lucks out on a house, it comes with a catch. His mysterious landlord/housemate works and lives in Topeka during the week, and will only be at home for the weekend while Castiel is back at his cousin’s to honor a promise he made. When Dean walks into his favorite pie shop, the new sales assistant takes his breath away. Steve is gorgeous, and part of the owner’s family. Dean doesn’t even mind that he picks up Gabriel’s stupid moniker for him. After all, Deano has one syllable more, and Dean will do anything to hear Steve’s voice just a little bit longer. Though, as breathtaking Steve might be, he isn't Angel. If only Dean's book-loving best friend weren't a mystery in himself — a guy who Dean has only met online, but who has slowly taken his heart away. And it seems that Dean isn't alone in his feelings. When the lines blur and fantasies merge three guys into one, disappointment and heartbreak seem to be inevitable.

Pinefest ( @deancaspinefest ) is always one of the highlights of the year and this year @kitshay claimed my fic and created some beautiful pieces. Besides, I had a great time writing this two-person love hexagon.

Maybe not yet, but eventually (Rated: T | Word Count: 1,032)

Summary: Screaming, Dean wakes from a nightmare, trapped inside his memories.

This is the first of several time stamps this year. This one was for my 2021 DCBB fic Maybe not a comedy (according to Jack), but he likes the happy ending that can be read as a standalone.

Setting Sail (Rated: T | Word Count: 334)

Summary: 1805: Nodding at Lieutenant Davies and Midshipman Alfie, and leaving command with Lieutenant Hester, Castiel walks towards his cabin when he sees him.

Another timestamp, this time for my 2022 Regency Big Bang fic Forty Shillings on the Drum. Written for the Tumblr May Trope Mayhem. Can be read as standalone.

Maybe not magnificent, but damn awesome (Rated: T | Word Count: 1,137)

Summary: Movie nights aboard the Impala have become something of a routine after they reunited Sam with his family on Terra. Once a week, Charlie picks some classic movie from back in the days, and their little found family comes together in the living room.

Timestamp number three, once again for my 2021 DCBB fic Maybe not a comedy (according to Jack), but he likes the happy ending. Another entry for the May Trop Mayhem. Should work as standalone.

Filling the Empty Space in My Heart (Rated: T | Word Count: 5,035)

Summary: After Cas let himself be taken by the Empty, Dean's life continues in a blur. Only Jack keeps him going, who has turned himself into an actual four-year-old boy after defeating Chuck and giving up the majority of his powers to stabilise Heaven. However, Dean knows he isn't good enough to raise a nephil. Jack needs his dad. And there might be one way to bring him back. Even if it leads Dean back to Hell, and beyond.

Inspired by an art piece for the DCRB 2024 where I ended up empty handed, and written for the Profound Bond Gift Exchange as a gift for @thecadenceimperfect. With art by me. I later wrote a smutty timestamp as well called:

A Place to Stay (Rated: E | Word Count: 3,157)

Summary: After getting back from the Empty, Dean’s entire body tingled, too edgy for his skin. He barely paid attention to the others and couldn’t stop fidgeting since he had returned to the library and joined them once again at the table. Cas’ presence was electric, pulling him into its orbit. Dean felt it in every fibre of his being as he slumped down on the chair next to him. Echoes of Grace pulsed through him, and for the first time since Cas pulled that stupid stunt and let himself be swallowed by the Empty, Dean felt alive.

TFW 2.0: Siren Adventures (Rated: E | Word Count: 4,727)

Summary: After Charlie and Sam's plan to save Cas and Dean goes sideways, Charlie doesn't give up. There must be another way. When she finds help in an unsual ally, the future is suddenly starting to look brighter.

My Crack in the Chassis catch ( @crack-in-the-chassis ) for @notreallyaroad 's fic TFW: Just Add Water. At first, I claimed for art, but due to the special kind of bang, we agreed for me to write an alternate ending / fix-it as well.

A Part of Me Shall Still Remain (Rated: T | Word Count: 6,918)

Summary: In 1805 Commander Castiel returns home after long years at sea. The Battle of Trafalgar has left him a broken man. For years, he shuns society and withdraws to his estate, until a scandal involving Sir Castiel’s disgraced cousin and a young noblewoman shakes the ballrooms of London and Bath. It introduces him to a doomed woman, who not only does approve of his deepest secrets, but who also does give birth to a child that will alter the commander’s life forever.

My fic for the Dadstiel Bang ( @dadstielminibang ) with stunning art by @twinone1221. This fic is set in the verse of my 2022 Regency Big Bang fic Forty Shillings on the Drum, but can be read as standalone. I had two other collabs for the Dadstiel Bang, both art.

Everlasting Fall (Rated: E | Word Count: 3,136)

Summary: Tendrils of Grace trickled from Dean’s fingers as his hand ghosted along Castiel’s flank. Gasping, Castiel shivered and Dean smiled. “You like that?” Stripped of their combined Grace for the night, Castiel gives himself over to Dean, ready to be taken apart.

Another timestamp because after demon and angel smut, I wanted to write some Grace kink. Set in my Calming the Weather verse.

That's Purrfect (Rated: T | Word Count: 1,262)

Summary: Castiel would do anything for him. He would level entire civilisations for Dean Winchester, or dress as a cat — it didn’t matter as long as Dean was happy.

Another Halloween fic to add to my annual tradition, and the only fic I managed to write for Suptober this year.

Highly Professional (Rated: E | Word Count: 25,565)

Summary: On his first day of college, Dean feels like a fish out of water. After years of working his ass off with several jobs at once to fund his brother’s studies, his family and friends have decided to pay him back. That’s how he finds himself panicking in the lecture hall. Thankfully, a fellow student distracts him. She promptly becomes a good friend, and Dean has no idea how badly he will need her. The moment he lays eyes on his physics professor, Dean is lost. Castiel Novak seems like the man of his dreams. And when the professor’s son appears from under the podium, several lives take an unsuspected turn.

My fic collab for the DCBB 2024 with wonderful art by @sasanka-27. I started this fic for the Dadstiel Bang, but changed it for the one I ended up with.

Your Own Personal Heaven (Rated: T | Word Count: 3,004)

Summary: After arriving in Heaven, Dean's nursing a beer in the crowded and snowed-in Roadhouse when the door opens and Cas enters. Crowding him, Dean makes out with him in front of everyone present, believing that he is stuck in his personal Heaven and none of it is real.

I haven't shared this Christmas fic on Tumblr before because I was too busy with bang collabs and the holidays. Inspired by a prompt by @macy2me.

It's a Stabby Life (Rated: T | Word Count: 4,370)

Summary: Dean Smith’s life as Director of Sales and Marketing at Sandover seems perfect. If there weren’t the dreams, and his new colleague. When he runs into Castiel and accidentally stabs him with a knife in the cafeteria, the guy walks away as if nothing happened. Maybe it didn’t and Dean is simply overworked. But then it happens again, and again, and Dean’s perfect life slowly falls to pieces.

The first of two fics for @deancas-stabfest. @arlington-chamber-of-gay claimed it an created beautiful pieces for the stabs. I had never written Dean Smith before, so this was really fun.

Gonna Find Out Who's Naughty or Nice (Rated: T | Word Count: 8,859)

Summary: During a case involving an entire coven of witches, Dean tries on a Santa hat. Nothing seems wrong, until he can’t remove the hat. Jingles start following his every step while his body changes. Slowly at first, then faster and faster, until he can’t hide it any longer from Sam and Castiel: Dean is transforming into Santa, and there seems to be no way back.

My Stabfest collab number two is the last fic for this year. This time, I claimed a wonderful art piece by @masoenart. It was the second collab with @masoena this year after our collab for the Midam Bang during the summer where our roles were reversed. One reader called this fic Christmas horror. I just had a lot of fun writing it.

Art Collabs

(you find the links to the fics when you follow the links to the art, either on AO3 or Tumblr)

Destiel Pinefest 2024: Art for 'Given to Fly' by MittenWraith, colalb with @mittensmorgul [art on Tumblr]

Bottom Cas Big Bang 2023/2024: Art for 'Raising Kids, Finding Love, the Family Business' by Mydestielbabies_67, collab with @spnisthewayoflife [art on Tumblr]

Dadstiel Mini Bang 2024: Art for 'Make a Wish' by Avonlady, collab with @avonlady42 [art on Tumblr]

Art for 'Always Memorable' by golbygloom, collab with @golby-moon [art on Tumblr]

Crack in the Chassis 2024: Art for 'TFW: Just Add Water' by notreallyaroad, collab with @notreallyaroad [art on Tumblr]

Midam Bang 2024: Art for 'Breaking Light — A Future Earned' by Masoena, collab with @masoena [art on Tumblr]

DCBB 2024: Art for 'Marriage of Heaven, Hell & Humanity' by draechaeli, collab with @draechaeli [art on Tumblr]

Stabfest 2024: Art for 'Monsters and Men' by FriendofCarlotta, collab with @friendofcarlotta [art on Tumblr]

Over the summer, I also posted several sketches I drew in my sketchbook.

And I posted some photos taken at PurCon which ended up my most shared posts of the year.

[thevioletcaptain]

Day one of the @spnficrecfest called for rec lists featuring fics set in a specific season or era, so here are five of my all-time favorite Purgatory era Dean/Cas fics! I'm also including fics which deal with the immediate aftermath of Dean & Cas' time in Purgatory, as I consider those to be part of the era as well :)

The Legend of the White Light by EllenOfOz | Explicit | 50k Angsty, pine-filled alternate season 8 fic with a happy ending! This was written for the Pinefest a few years back, and it quickly earned a place on my favorite Purgatory fics list. (Warnings: graphic depictions of violence, explicit sexual content)

Ritual by takadainmate | Teen | 10.8k This is a really unique fic that follows Dean, Benny, and an extremely changed Cas through Purgatory. I don't quite know how to describe this one without spoiling it, but... possibly sentient lightning wants Cas dead? Just go read it, it's strange and lovely. (Warnings: none)

Just After, But Before by cymbalism | Explicit | 8.7k As the title says, this fic is set just after Dean and Cas escape from Purgatory -- and unlike the show, they get out together. It's a short and sweet hurt/comfort fic, with Dean looking after Cas after the journey through the portal leaves him weak and injured. (Warnings: explicit sexual content)

What Fun It All Would Be by 8sword | Mature | 22.5k A Purgatory fic that deals with the fact that Dean's half-Amazon daughter Emma must be there, and a really inventive and twisty one at that. When you start reading you're going to be confused. Stick with it. Enjoy the journey -- but mind the tags, and be prepared for pain. This one doesn't have a happy ending. (Warnings: graphic depictions of violence, major character death, body horror, supernatural "drug" use)

Tales of Brave Ulysses by snarklyboojum | Teen | 55.9k This one is just beautifully written -- one of those fics that, despite not having re-read it in a while, I can still picture specific moments perfectly in my mind's eye. It's not an entirely happy ending, but it is a hopeful one, and there's some Where the Wild Things Are stuff in there that's especially fun. (Warnings: graphic depictions of violence)

...AND A BONUS SIXTH FIC:

Redemption Road by multiple authors | Explicit | 652k Technically, this sprawling, slow-burn, round robin masterpiece was written long before Purgatory ever appeared on screen, with fans starting the project during the hiatus between seasons six and seven. The central story follows Dean as he tries to bring Cas back to him after he's been driven to megalomania by the monster souls he consumed during season six. Seeing as a significant part of the story takes place in Purgatory, and it's still one of my all time favorite fics 13 years after it was published, it gets an honorary place on this list. (Warnings: graphic depictions of violence, explicit sexual content)

Check under the cut for links to all of the rec lists I make for this fest! I'll update with new links as I post them :)

Day One - Purgatory Era Day Two - Dean's Canon Kinks Day Three - Long Fics Day Four - Alternate Universes Day Five - Rare Pairs Day Six - Case Fics Day Seven - Tropes Day Eight - Gen Fics Day Nine - Vintage Fics Day Ten - Coda Fics Day Eleven - Mystery List

[deancaspinefest]

Another Kind of Memory

Author: FriendofCarlotta | Artist: Aggiedoll

Posting on Wednesday March 20

Since a traumatic incident six years ago, Castiel Novak’s face has been disfigured by a scar. He’s resigned himself to being someone people can barely stand to look at, let alone love. Except his heart doesn’t seem to have gotten the message. When Dean Winchester takes over the convenience store down the street from Castiel’s bookshop, Castiel falls helplessly in love with his new neighbor. To make matters worse, Castiel’s sister Anna is also interested in Dean. Believing that Dean could never love him, Castiel decides to help Anna win his heart instead.

Keep reading for a sneak preview!

“Hey,” Dean says. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. Just… wanted to say hi.”

“Oh. Hi,” Castiel says, one hand fluttering nervously down his face and across his hair in an attempt to ensure he’s looking presentable. The tips of his fingers catch on the ugly, jagged ridge of his scar, and he remembers that “presentable” stopped being an option six years ago. He clears his throat and arranges his face in the polite mask of a consummate customer service professional. “Anything I can help you find?”

“Um.” Dean looks uncertain now, as though it’s a question he wasn’t expecting — despite the fact that it’s easily the most predictable question one could be asked in a bookshop. “I don’t know. I was just gonna browse, I guess.”

This is the point in a customer interaction where Castiel would usually withdraw, because “I’m just browsing” is universal bookstore code for “leave me the fuck alone.” But Dean doesn’t give any sign of wanting to walk away. Instead, he simply hovers in front of Castiel’s armchair, eyes gliding aimlessly (and somewhat helplessly) across the shelves to his right.

“What sort of things do you like to read?” Castiel finds himself asking, because it’s impossible not to take pity on a grown man who is capable of looking so bashfully lost.

“Anything,” Dean says. One of his hands flies to the back of his neck, rubbing at it. There’s something terribly endearing about the gesture — perhaps the fact that it makes him look like a boy who’s been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

Belatedly, it occurs to Castiel that it’s his turn to speak. His prolonged silence appears to have made Dean nervous, because he’s speaking again, a little too quickly to be altogether natural. “I know that sounds stupid. Like those people who say they like all kinds of music — which I don’t, by the way, just to be clear. Big classic rock fan. Zeppelin, the Stones. Metallica too, which I guess is classic rock these days and fuck, that’s kind of depressing. But, yeah. Anyway. Pretty much anything. Love Vonnegut and Kerouac, but I’ve read just about all their stuff. I’ll read sci-fi, horror, mysteries… actually, I guess I should say I read all kinds of fiction. Non-fiction kinda puts me right to sleep. My brother, Sammy, he’s a big fan though. Crazy about true crime for some reason.” Dean blows out a heavy breath. He abruptly seems to realize he’s scratching at his neck and lowers his arm back down, fingers twitching as if unsure what to do with themselves now. “You probably didn’t need to know all that, huh?”

“No, this is helpful,” Castiel says, getting up. “I’ll show you the layout of the store so you can see which shelves you might be most interested in.”

Somehow, Dean’s shyness makes him feel more at ease. When he first laid eyes on Dean, he thought someone as handsome as Dean must be a smooth and confident conversationalist. But he doesn’t seem to be, and somehow, that makes it easier for Castiel to hold up his own end of the conversation.

Or maybe it’s just that Dean doesn’t know how to talk to someone like Castiel. He wouldn’t be the first one.

(continue reading on Ao3 on Wednesday March 20)

[hawkland]

Art masterpost: Soup Mates Story by @baileys101/Baileys Art by @hawkland/sidewinder

Are y'all sick of me this week yet? I know it's been back to back to back posting of pretty much everything I've been working on all summer the last few days. I'm really happy to be able to share these pieces at last for the @destielsoulmatebang, working with @baileys101 once again for the first time since this year's Pinefest.

It's kind of funny that, two days in a row, I'm posting art for stories involving multiple realities/universe versions of Dean & Cas. But I'm just drawn to that kind of story, I guess, where there's a mixture of canonverse and "what if" to draw upon.

I had some different, elaborate plans originally but what ended up taking shape were three separate Cas pieces of scenes/moments in the story that really stood out to me. The first is more or less direct from canon, the tablet scene from "Goodbye Stranger":

Artistically this was a really fun challenge of reserving the white as much as possible and just painting the negative/dark spaces. There's no added digital effects here, not even any metallic/shimmer watercolors that I sometimes use.

Next I really wanted to do a piece from the Purgatory section of the story, when Dean catches Castiel looking out from the cave entrance where they've taken shelter. I always love painting Cas/Misha's profile and this is one of my favorites that I've done to date:

Lastly a piece I was working on the other weekend at my table at SPN Charlotte and jokingly described to folks as "my sad wet Cas". Isn't he just the poorest little meow meow?

Speaking of the Charlotte convention, I just have to include this photo of when Rob Benedict stopped by my table and was contemplating the portrait of Chuck I did for the story banner (and actually the Purgatory and tablet pieces are on display right above him so you can see the original size of the paintings!)

Thank you to Baileys for being such a lovely partner once again! I hope you all enjoy the story...and now I've got to hunker down and get my November art postings finished and ready to go!

[dolgoyangi]

Dear Father | Art masterpost

Author: Salamitsunami1 | Artist: dolgoyangi (hi, it’s me)

Here it finally is!!! My Pinefest collab with @destielpiebitch 🥰

I can't even begin to tell you how extremely happy I am I picked this fic!! I had been literally talking about priest Cas with a friend a couple of days before claims, and it was THE hardest thing ever to keep quiet about the story 🤣

It has been a delight to work with Sam during these few months, she has been so incredibly lovely and patient with me and I really hope my art can do her amazing work justice 🥰

There's SO many good scenes in this fic, I literally wanted to draw all of them but unfortunately this annoying thing called 'real life' kept me from doing that. (rude.)

But anyways, please go read this masterpiece! You will not regret it 💜

Dear Father

Summary:

It’s 1973, and it’s the middle of spring, and each passing day is warmer than the one before it. The troops are returning from Vietnam in droves, and the American shores they stumble upon are just a little more accepting of homosexuality than the ones they left all those years ago. But Father Castiel Novak has never even stepped foot out of Salvation, let alone out of the Midwest, and as the only priest in this very small town, he’s determined to remain in the closet until his very last breath. Things take a turn when Salvation’s newest resident confesses to having urges for other men. Dean Winchester wastes no time in asserting himself as both intolerably arrogant and an ungodly temptation, and Castiel’s only defense is to keep his distance. Despite his best efforts, a friendship still ensues, and it’s a very slippery slope then, with things going from bad to worse when Dean offers his self-proclaimed good hands to help bring Castiel’s family home back to life.

[ladyknightskye]

LOOK AT THE PRETTY ART.

LOOK AT IT.

I am so happy with all of it, I really am!

[Pinefest2023] Art for Hunter's Throne

link to fic | Author's AO3 page | Author's Tumblr

Here are my art pieces for my author @ladyknightskye's fic 💕

- First meet -

Dean in a laced brocade wedding dress! What else can I ask for!! Drawing Dean's face with makeup was so very difficult for me (hell I cannot even do makeup on faces in real life let alone Dean's pretty too-difficult-to-draw face) but at least I got the brocade feeling hopefully :D

- Trueform -

I wanted to draw Cas in true form for so long but never had the courage/inspiration to do it. Thanks the fic for giving me the chance! Had so much fun drawing Cas' eyes, skin, scales, and claws 🤣 Also I drew six wings for the first time! And Dean is all powered up :D

- To my author, fellow artists, and mods -

I want to say thank you to Skye. She always gave me positive feedback and helpful detailed information, encouraging me through the scenes I had never drawn before. Please go reading the fic it was so much fun!

Also, thank you to all my amazing fellow artists! I saw so much talent and got very helpful advice and heartwarming encouragement in the channel, I am so happy to be in the same event with you!

And to all mods, you are amazing! I couldn't believe my eyes when the promo materials were released - each fic had header pics handpicked regarding the fic theme and content, and even two versions for Tumblr and Twitter! Thank you for being super friendly, responsive, and helpful, and thank you for all your time and effort you put into this lovely event!

(I will say these again in my other post :D)