#destielaureversebb 2025

[medicatedmaniac]

Exodus 3:2

Author: stayawake @9x20 || Artist: @medicatedmaniac

I had the absolute best time and immense privilege of working with stayawake @9x20 for this year's @destielaureversebb who took my art and made a masterpiece

Do you love priest!Castiel? Maybe a little age difference, religious imagery, and a touch of blasphemy?

🔥⛪🔥 read it here 🔥⛪🔥

[destielaureversebb]

Coming soon for the @destielaureversebb: “Where We Belong” 

Author: quiettewandering @wanderingcas Artist: @eggchef

Rating: Explicit Archive warnings: None Length: 35,000 words Tags:  Alternate Universe - Small Town, Rancher Dean Winchester, Mutual Pining, Idiots in Love, Fluff and Angst Relationships: Dean/Castiel

Summary:  

Castiel never expected to see Dean Winchester again. But when he returns to his hometown in Challis, Idaho after 10 years away, an accidental tumble into a creek on Winchester Ranch throws him back into the path of his unrequited high school love. 

Dean never expected to see his high school crush Castiel Novak again and he certainly didn't expect to find Cas in his creek one Thursday morning. It's an uncomfortable reunion, made even more so when Cas is hired as the accountant to help the failing Winchester Ranch out of the red—and when Dean and Castiel begin to realize that their feelings aren't nearly as unrequited as they previously thought.

Excerpt: 

“I’m taking a walk,” Cas states, like it’s obvious. 

Dean stares, waiting for Cas to go on, but—he doesn’t. The hammer in Dean’s hand lowers an inch. ��Into the creek?” he snaps. 

“That was clearly a mistake.”

“Well this is private property, asshole,” Dean growls. “Or did you miss the fence?” 

Huffing out an impatient sigh, Cas crosses his arms over his chest. He looks way too dignified for a guy that’s soaking wet. “I realize that it’s your property. I grew up around here. I got turned around, and—”

“If you grew up here, then how the hell’d you get 'turned around’?”

Cas’s eyes narrow. “It’s been a while.” 

Yeah. Ten whole freaking years. But Dean doesn’t say that, because Cas doesn’t seem to recognize Dean, and Dean’s not about to be the stalker that remembers a high school classmate who barely spared him a glance in the hallway. 

Instead, Dean gestures to Cas’s wet clothes. “So, what—you fall in?”

Cas’s glare deepens. “Obviously,” he grits out. 

“Why are you lookin’ at me like that?” Dean snaps. “I didn’t put the damn creek in your way.” 

“I’m not—” Cas’s shoulders slump as he looks away. “I’m having a bad day.” 

Dean appraises Cas, then slips the hammer into his back jeans pocket. “Wearing a trench coat for a hike was your first mistake.”

“The hike was a spontaneous decision.” 

Despite himself, Dean runs his eyes over Cas’s body. Under that trench coat is a white dress shirt, which is wet enough that Dean can see the pink of Cas’s skin, contrasted by the dark hair on his chest. Dean’s mouth goes dry at the sight. 

Baby whinnies and flicks her tail impatiently behind him. And, yeah—good fucking point. Settle down, Winchester.

Posting date:  February 8, 2025

[destielaureversebb]

Coming soon for the @destielaureversebb: “Evenfall” 

Author: @Macy2me Artist: polyhymnia @thence-we-came-forth

Rating: Explicit Archive warnings: Graphic depictions of violence Length: 70,000 words Tags:  Inspired by Twilight, Alternate Universe - Twilight Fusion, Non-Canon Angels, Creature Castiel, Hunter Dean Relationships: Dean/Castiel, Sam Winchester/Jessica Moore, Charlie Bradbury/Angela Weber, Jacob Black/Leah Clearwater, Michael/Anna, Lucifer/Kelly, Chuck/Hannah

Summary:  

In the State of Washington, under a near constant cover of clouds and rain, there’s a small town named Forks. Apparently, this is Dean’s home for the next six months. Great. Just when they are close to finding Mary’s killer, John benches Dean to bumfuck nowhere, giving him one rule - look after Sammy. 

When Dean enrolls Sam in the local high school, he has a strange encounter with one of Sam’s teachers, Mr Castiel Novak. His erratic behavior causes Dean to wonder if maybe this is a hunt and there are, in fact, supernatural monsters in Forks. As Dean gets closer to the man, he finds himself unnaturally drawn to him. When Cas saves his life from a runaway van, leaving a large imprint behind that looks oddly like wings, Dean’s defenses start to crumble, and before he knows it, he’s falling hard and fast for the creature he should be hunting.

Excerpt: 

Cas walks away, his back straight, and his shoulders rigid. The air shimmers around him, charged with electricity like lightning about to strike. 

He steps into the light. 

“This is what I am.” 

Two massive wings unfurl behind him, black as the night sky and speckled with shimmering starlight. The feathers move and shift together like a slow dance or the ripples on a pond in the dead of night. And yet, they aren’t corporeal, not completely. Sunlight passes through them, fracturing and splintering at the edges.  

His eyes glow, the outline of Cas’ face pulses and morphs, like he’s being pulled from earth, stuck between here and somewhere better. 

“You’re beautiful,” Dean whispers, afraid that if he says it too loudly he might disappear. 

“Beautiful?” Cas closes his eyes and turns his head away. “These are the wings of a killer, Dean.” 

A branch snaps underfoot as Dean steps forward. He moves up the rock until he’s face to face with the angel. “I don’t care.” 

“It’s your job...” Cas opens his eyes, incandescent and blue, staring back at him. “As a hunter.”

“You won’t hurt me,” Dean says, his voice unwavering. Slowly, he reaches out to touch his wings, but in the blink of an eye, he’s gone. 

Dean spins, his heart hammering in his chest. Perched up the hill, Cas stands, his wings tucked into the shadows. “I have never wanted a human soul as much as I want yours,” he says, pain clear in his voice. 

“I trust you.” 

“Don’t.” 

Posting date:  March 19, 2025

[destielaureversebb]

Coming soon for the @destielaureversebb: “Crash” 

Author: tiamatv Artist: @stonelions

Rating: Explicit Archive warnings: None Length: 16,000 words Tags:  Post-Apocalyptic AU; Based on Mad Max: Fury Road, Angel Castiel, Hunter Dean Winchester, Road Trip Relationships: Dean/Castiel, Past Sam/Madison

Summary:  

Dean drives the war rig across the Wastes, once known as Kansas. He's brought in, and brought down, more monsters than anyone else in the Bunker.

But he's starting to realize that the monsters aren't the ones with fangs, claws, or a taste for hearts.

Maybe he's not as obedient as everyone thinks.

Castiel is Fallen, and in chains. His wings are broken, harvested of his grace. He might be a little mad.

But being a little mad might be the only way he survives.

It might be the only way they all survive.

(A Mad Max: Fury Road AU)

Excerpt: 

He no longer has the grace left to feel the sun. It has been so long since he has been out in it that he doesn't even have the memory of its photons oscillating across his skin.

He has just enough mind to remember his name, and he grips that remnant of his sanity in his fingers, in his teeth. Between his broken alulae. They flutter, and it hurts, but this pain is real and of his own choice, so he does it again, feeling the wind of his remaining feathers moving against his neck.

Castiel. He's Castiel. 

He is an angel. His grace is at such a low flicker he can feel his flesh trying to age, the edges of the mask strapped around his face worn to sticky, raw skin that he does not have the power to waste healing and healing again.

He earned this mask after he bit off the nose of a human who was foolish enough to lean over his shoulder from the front to pluck feathers from his wings rather than approaching him from behind. (The nose tasted very bad. It was a terrible idea. What an awful texture. But Castiel doesn’t regret it.)

He has enough grace left to keep the chafing at his cheeks and the corners of his mouth, the skin worn torn under his manacles, from being anything more than an awareness. It's not pain, unlike in his wings. Just awareness. And perhaps this effort is a waste of his tiny, residual droplets of grace, but he will not let them see his discomfort, and so, he will not feel it.

Castiel is an angel. He is still an angel. 

And when he is free, he will burn them all.

Posting date:  March 14, 2025

[destielaureversebb]

Coming soon for the @destielaureversebb: “Regarding Beasts” 

Author: Altiria Artist: CJ || ColorlessJay @colorlessjayblog

Rating: Mature Archive warnings: None Length:  55,000 words Tags:  Fluff, Eldritch Monster!Castiel, Kid!Sam, War Scenes, John's A+ Parenting, Comedy Relationships: Dean/Castiel, Colette/Cain

Summary:  

“Legend tells of a beast within the woods. A creature that lives where the trees grow taller than the highest castle, and the darkness swallows all light. None dare tread where it walks, for if it catches sight of you, you’re already lost. The beast devours the hearts of young men, its hunger never abating. So beware, young souls, of the forest and its protector, and do not venture forth into the woods.”

Or:

Dean has protected the forest for his entire life, but when he is cursed with memory loss, he wanders into the beast's territory. But the creature has no interest in 'eating' his heart; rather, it would much prefer to capture it instead.

Excerpt: 

“I am Castiel. Seraph of the Forest.”  

“Hi, Castiel… of the forest,” Dean repeated after the guy. “I’m Dean, Human of the village?” 

The feathers on Castiel’s head poofed up again as he shuffled. His wings extended, revealing their full length, while his tail flared out in tandem. He looked at Dean as if to ask his opinion. 

“Cool,” Dean choked. “You, uh… those are huge wings.” Stunning, actually. Dean wanted to touch them, wanted to run his hands all over Castiel—not just because he was a Forest God and meeting one was rare, but because they looked ridiculously soft. 

Castiel’s wings settled down. Was he preening? What did preening even look like? He didn’t know shit about birds.

“Well,” Dean drawled. “I should go… my brother is probably going crazy wondering where I am.” He was painfully late to pick Sam up from school; he had probably gone home alone, frantic and worried. He wouldn’t be surprised if Sam had contacted the rangers to send out a search party. 

Castiel’s head bobbed. “I understand; your hatchling is waiting.” 

“Exactly,” Dean said, half-turned. “So… thanks for everything. I’ll just be on my—”

Talons wrapped around his middle, cutting him off. Dean had barely a second to process before Castiel shoved off the ground, his wings barely making a sound as they beat. 

The forest was below them, zooming at a ridiculous pace, as they raced to the village up ahead. He was in the sky. Dean, the completely mature and level-headed adult he was, screamed.

Posting date:  March 13, 2025

[destielaureversebb]

Coming soon for the @destielaureversebb: “Hello, Goodbye, Hello Again” 

Author: tsujiharu @tsujiharu Artist: ColorlessJay @colorlessjay

Rating: General Audiences Archive warnings: None Length: 19,000 words Tags:  College AU, An Ode to Rom Coms, Meet Cute, Strangers (That Might Be) Falling in Love Relationships: Dean/Castiel, Charlie Bradbury/Dorothy Baum, mentioned Gabriel/Kali

Summary:  

The University of Kansas campus is a lot bigger than the community college Dean attended over the last two years. So how is it possible that he keeps running into the same drop-dead gorgeous stranger over and over and over again?

Now if only he could get the guy’s name.

***

It’s the start of Castiel’s senior year at KU, and he’s ready for one more year of books and assignments before applying for graduate school. But a series of unlikely encounters with a beautiful stranger has him rethinking his plans.

Now if only he could figure out who the man was.

Excerpt: 

His ungraceful grunt is loud enough to be heard over the cracking branches that follow him down. The silver lining is that his back finds the rough tree trunk that catches onto his clothing as he begins sliding down, head first. By the time he’s nearing the tree roots, he’s sliding painfully slowly down to the bottom—

—where he locks eyes with the stranger.

The stranger is looking at him curiously (or is he looking at him judgingly? Dean hopes it's the former), his head cocked to one side. His thick brows are furrowed like he has a question but doesn’t know where to start. Dean doesn’t blame him. He probably wouldn’t know what to say to him either.

“Uhm.” His attempt at conversation is derailed when he looks down (up?) at his feet and sees that the squirrel managed to keep his shoe. “Well, fuck.”

His silent companion still hasn’t said anything, eyes narrowing even further like he’s analyzing the scene unfolding before him. Dean can see him better from down here, albeit his view is slightly warped from being upside down. The guy’s eyes are a bright blue that match the necktie that he wears. Close-up, the tie is even shabbier than Dean thought. It’s poorly tied, too, with the worn ends twisting awkwardly. Absently, Dean wonders if the guy would let him re-tie it for him.

Dean’s wildly intrusive thought is interrupted by a small thunk. It’s Dean’s shoe landing between the two of them. The squirrel, aka Mini Satan, seems to have finally figured out that Dean’s shoe carried nothing of importance to it.

Only then, Dean realizes that he’s still laying upside down against a tree, shoeless foot in the air, like an idiot, in front of this stranger.

Posting date: February 5, 2025

[destielaureversebb]

Coming soon for the @destielaureversebb: “A Sorcery of Starlight” 

Author: @malmuses Artist: Hannah @unfamiliar-reference

Rating: Explicit Archive warnings: Graphic depictions of violence Length: 60,000 words Tags:  Fantasy AU, Gothic Romance, Historical Elements, Supernatural Creatures, Hidden Identities Relationships: Dean/Castiel, Charlie/Anna, reference to past brief Dean/Benny

Summary:  

After a salacious scandal with a stableboy, Dean Winchester’s father declares he must marry or be sent to an asylum. Dean does the only thing he can: he runs away. Disguised as a servant, Dean tends to the reclusive residents of Novak Abbey, a crumbling ancestral home that—according to the spooked locals—is burdened by a dark, unknown curse.

Handsome, intense Lord Castiel, nephew to the cruel Earl of Novak, evokes in Dean a magnetic attraction he struggles to deny. But, between Dean’s hidden identity and a curse that may be more than legend, the path ahead is dim and twisted. Deep in the woods, Dean must untangle truths from tall tales. For the love he desires, Dean will not only have to risk his reputation—he’ll have to survive Novak Abbey.

Excerpt: 

“Is there anything else I can get for you, m’lord? Some fresh tea leaves, or some sandwiches perhaps? Though,” Dean said, indicating the window behind Lord Castiel where the sun was begging to tease the treetops, “I suppose it’s getting a bit late for that. Dinner will be called in a while.”

At Dean’s gesturing, Castiel’s eyes snapped to the window. The sunset was beautiful, dancing fiery orange across the dark peaks of the firs and aspens that thickly separated the abbey from the town a couple of miles away. But when Castiel’s eyes turned back to Dean he did not appear pleased by the pretty sight; his usually piercing blue gaze had an edge of wildness to it as he stood quickly from the chair, his arms making a shooing motion as he strode toward the door.

“We’re done here,” he said, the rumbling Russian curl of his words somehow suddenly all the more pronounced. “You must leave. Now.”

“I—” Dean began fruitlessly. His mouth snapped shut as he was hustled unceremoniously out of the door, the lord’s hand on his shoulder shoving him firmly across the threshold with his tray.

The door banged shut, a metallic click followed, and Dean found himself back in the silent corridor, alone.

Posting date:  March 8, 2025

[destielaureversebb]

Coming soon for the @destielaureversebb: “His for the Holidays” 

Author: tea_or_die @tea-or-die Artist: WitchyWorm @witchy-worm

Rating: Explicit Archive warnings: Length: 30,000 words Tags:  Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Hallmark AU, neurodivergent Dean, friends to lovers, genitals, oral sex, frotting, anal sex, heartache, angst, happy ending, John Winchester Hate Club, planes, misunderstandings, holidays, christmas, snow, ice skating, fluff, smut, drinking, alcohol Relationships: Dean/Castiel

Summary:  MIT grad Dean Winchester is desperately trying to keep his late father’s garage from sinking, moonlighting as a bartender to pay the bills. He’s helping Ellen out again when his high school crush walks through the doors.

Castiel Novak owns a prestigious aviation company, and is only home for the holidays – begrudgingly at that. The last thing he expects when he walks into the small-town bar is to fall in love with the bartender.

Heightened emotions and holiday dread bring the two men close together, but will it be enough? Can they really make it last, or is Cas just his for the holidays?

Excerpt: “Enjoying it?” Dean asks, voice huskier than he’d expected. In the cold air, their breath steams up, mingling in the scant space between them. It would take less than a step to bring their noses together, and he’s having a hard time not closing the distance. Castiel looks just as lust-blown as Dean feels, and he wonders if Cas is thinking the same thing. Dean’s still wavering between pulling back and just saying ‘fuck it’ and moving in when Cas inhales sharply, stepping back so quickly it’s practically a leap. He looks everywhere except at Dean.

“I’m so–”

“Please don’t,” Dean begs softly. His heart constricts in his chest as he desperately tries to armor himself against the heartbreak that’s about to hit. “Please don’t say you’re sorry.” Dean searches Castiel’s face, looking for any sign that he feels this, too.

Castiel swallows hard, followed by a slow exhale. “I have to be honest with you, Dean. I ‘got lost in the moment’ as they say, and I forgot this wasn’t a date. I apologize for my inappro–”

“Cas,” Dean pleads, closing the distance between them, forcing Cas to face him. “Did you want this to be a date?” Dean whispers, soft puffs of warm mist carrying the words to Castiel’s ears. “Do you?”

Posting date:  March 22, 2025

[destielaureversebb]

Coming soon for the @destielaureversebb: “Pink Pony Club” 

Author: @casblackfeathers Artist: @witchy-worm

Rating: Explicit Archive warnings: None Length: 16,500 words Tags:  Pretend Relationship, Sharing a Bed, Mutual Pining, Very Light Angst With a Happy Ending, Go-Go Dancer!Dean Relationships: Dean/Castiel, Anna/Gadreel

Summary:  

Among Castiel’s most cherished destinations is the Pink Pony Club, largely because of its star attraction: a go-go dancer named Dean. Castiel has dedicated a significant portion of his leisure time to observing the dancer’s captivating performances, most of their interactions done from afar due to Castiel’s social awkwardness.

Upon receiving an invitation from his sister for a family vacation before her wedding, Castiel finds himself in dire need of a plus one. That’s when a chain of imprudent events culminates in Dean accompanying Castiel as his fake boyfriend.

Castiel can't fathom how he will endure a two-week charade of a loving relationship convincingly with someone he can barely look in the eye without utterly embarrassing himself, while simultaneously managing his long-nurtured affections for Dean.

Excerpt: 

Dean would always make all the frustrating days and anxieties in Castiel’s life worthwhile. Dean would make even summer seem bearable with his intoxicating smile and alluring personality. Dean — everyone’s favorite go-go dancer in Gabe’s club and the reason so many people vowed to return to the Pink Pony Club. Dean… who Castiel was irrevocably and hopelessly enamored with. Had been for so long, it was a wonder Castiel hadn’t gone mad, forever stuck in this loop, going around and around with all the ways he would never get to have Dean the way he yearned for.

Slowly, the world commenced spinning on its axis again; the music coming up once more as the light dimmed then reappeared. The muscled silhouette danced slowly and sensually to the drag of each beat. Dean’s back was turned to the patrons, one of his legs up on a chair, and a hand on his hip, touching his clothes lecherously. He was all lithe limbs and ample curves, twisting and swaying high on the chair before sitting on it, legs spread wide and inviting.

Several cat-calls could be heard, some people yelling obscenities. Dean sent a sly smile in Castiel’s general direction, and for a moment Castiel’s heart stopped, wondering if Dean had meant to aim it his way. But no, Castiel was covered in shadows, and Dean was nothing but full of light, the entire world adoring him. 

Posting date:  February 12, 2025

[destielaureversebb]

Coming soon for the @destielaureversebb: “Not Safe for Work” 

Author:  Salamitsunami1 Artist: Witchy-Worm @witchy-worm

Rating: Explicit Archive warnings: No archive warnings apply Length:  30,000 words Tags:   Two-Person Love Triangle, Friends to Lovers, Sexting, Top!Castiel, Happy Ending Relationships: Dean/Castiel, Temporary Dean/Cassie

Summary: Castiel’s life is pretty well on-track for someone who’s just turned thirty, if he does say so himself — he’s got a great job at the university, he’s just finished his master’s degree, and he has it on good authority that he’s likely going to be accepted for his PhD next year. Things go slightly awry when he wakes up one morning with a neck so sore and so stiff that he can’t move his head. He’s not sure how he obtained a musculoskeletal injury while writing his thesis, but he is sure that the physiotherapist who will be treating the injury is quite literally the most attractive man he’s ever seen in his life. It only gets worse when Dean turns up as a tutor at the university, which, incidentally, he does at the same time that Castiel receives an unsolicited nude from an unknown number.

Excerpt: 

“I’m gonna take a look at that neck of yours now,” Dean says, taking a step towards the bed, and again. “If that’s cool with you.”

Castiel swallows. “Of course.”

Dean examines him like that, standing close enough for Castiel to smell his cologne and count the freckles on his cheeks and nose, he prods at Castiel’s neck and squeezes his shoulders, there are seconds of painfully uncomfortable eye contact as he frames Castiel’s face with his hands. 

“Look this way,” Dean says. “All the way, as far as you can.” 

Dean turns Castiel’s head to one side by his chin, further and further, extending his neck to an angle that is far beyond what he’s been able to achieve all day, which is enough to send a sharp pain up his spine and into his jaw, which is of course enough to make him wince. 

“Sorry.” Dean lifts into an apologetic half-smile. “Is that sore?” 

“A little,” Castiel says, being very brave about the whole thing. 

Dean continues in this manner, turning Castiel’s head, left and right, up and down, in such tight proximity, with nowhere to look besides at each other. Then, suddenly, he tugs on Castiel’s t-shirt. “Off.”

“What?” Castiel asks, startled. “Why?” 

Dean’s forehead twists. “So I can look at your back.”

“The injury is in my neck.”

“The injury is presenting in your neck,” Dean corrects. “That don’t mean it’s not affecting anything else.”

Posting date:  March 7, 2025

[destielaureversebb]

Coming soon for the @destielaureversebb: “the long haul” 

Author: LoversAntiquities @tragidean Artist: Wellwatersurprise @wellwatersurprise

Rating: Mature Archive warnings: none Length:  10,000 words Tags:  Western AU, Rancher Castiel, Cowboy Dean, 1890s Relationships: Dean/Castiel

Summary:  With an ongoing drought in Texas, Castiel is forced to sell a portion of his herd of longhorns to make ends meet on his ranch. Dean, a cowboy under his employ, agrees to travel with him to Kansas. Only, a few weeks into their trek, something unknown begins to pick off their cattle, and Dean has a sneaking suspicion it may not be the coyote Castiel thinks it is.

Excerpt: 

Dean spares a glance behind them, at the two oxen hauling their wagon at the back, at the thirty longhorns filling the space between them and their horses, everyone following in line without any need for wrangling or pressure. Just a neat, orderly group, no complaints, no wandering off. Even their two calves don’t seem phased by it all. “How do you do that?” he asks.

Castiel looks at him out of the corner of his eye. “Do what?”

“The whole…” He motions to the herd. “I’ve done drives before”—just two, but he knows how they work—“and I’ve never seen them this…”

“Calm?” Castiel snorts a laugh. Quiet, but there. “I’ve always had a way with livestock.”

You’re telling me. With the way they’re behaving, Castiel might as well be their god.

The sun looms. Two miles feels like a lifetime, like at some point, Dean committed some grievous sin and this is how God intends to punish him, by letting him bake under the Texas sky. On the horizon, though, he makes out the shape of what could be a house, or an abnormally large tree with the canopy ripped off. Shade, finally—and more importantly, shelter for the night. “Thank God,” Dean whines and pats Baby’s neck. “I can finally sit down.”

Castiel chuckles and shakes his head. He’s even more handsome when he smiles, something he shouldn't pay attention to or even consider, but out in the middle of nowhere with no one around for miles, he allows himself to indulge, even from a very close distance.

You shouldn't trust cowboys, his father’s voice echoes in his head. But Castiel is probably the best cowboy he’s ever known, and the only one he trusts with his life.

Posting date:  February 3, 2025

[destielaureversebb]

Coming soon for the @destielaureversebb: “Angels of the Red Sand” 

Authors: @valandrawrites, @bleuzombie Artist: kis_ris550 @kisris

Rating: Mature Archive warnings: Graphic depictions of violence Length: 10,000 words Tags:  Space AU, Guardian Castiel, Angst, Angels Are a Species of Aliens Relationships: Dean/Castiel

Summary:  Long before Weyland-Yutani discovered the infamous Xenomorph, employees of the company began to terraform Mars, only to battle another dangerous invasive species - The Grigori. The Grigori consume souls and animate the vessels left behind. They will stop at nothing to find a way to Earth and ravage it of all humanity. Only Dean, Sam, and the Seraph Castiel can stop them - if they can find a way to trust each other.

Excerpt: 

“What’s happening down there, Jimmy?” Dean calls over the comms. “If I don’t get a response, I’m pulling your ass up. Jim?” 

Static sounds in Dean’s ear before he hears Jimmy. “There’s writing,” Jimmy says, voice sounding strangely wistful even with his accent. “It is strange. I almost recognize it, like dream. Stop! Stop lowering.” 

Dean pulls back on the rope, tying it off. 

“Jim?” Vic calls. 

“It… there is something странный… strange… about this writing,” Jimmy’s voice sounds far away. 

“What writing?” Dean asks. 

“Just take some fucking pictures,” Cole demands eyes jumping around the barren landscape. “You have a camera, right?” 

“I say we pull him up,” Vic says. “If there’s writing, it has to be something we need to study. This could stop the whole operation.” 

“Jimmy? Jimmy, we are pulling you up,” Dean calls over the comm. This is exactly the kind of untethered bad feeling Dean has learned to trust. He’s felt off all mission, and something about Jimmy’s reaction to whatever the writing is is just wrong. “We need to regroup.” 

“Wait,” Jimmy grunts, and Dean can feel the wire twisting even through his glove. 

“What the… Jimmy, Stop! Pull him up! Now, guys,” Dean shouts. “Hold on, Jimmy. Stop moving.” 

“There’s something here,” Jimmy says. “The writing. It is… it is glowing. It wants me to take… да… I hear… it is magnificent. I almost have it… almost”

“Whatever it is, leave it there,” Dean shouts. “Don’t touch it, Novak. That’s an order.” 

“Yes, yes, I can do that.” Jimmy’s voice is barely above a whisper. “Will they be able to see you?” 

“Pull him up,” Dean pulls harder, hands over faster. “Get his ass out of there. He sounds like he’s hallucinating.” 

“I’m sure he’s—“ Cole starts. 

“Fucking pull him up now!”

Posting date:  March 16, 2025

[destielaureversebb]

Coming soon for the @destielaureversebb: “Decoherence” 

Author: faren @farenmaddox Artist: @envydean

Rating: Explicit Archive warnings: None Length: 45,000 words Tags:  Rancher Dean, Angels as a Species, Political Corruption, Fantasy Racism Relationships: Dean/Castiel, Sam/Eileen, Benny/Mary

Summary:  

Dean got lost in the woods as a boy and swears an angel helped him get home, even though getting that close to one should have killed him. No one believes him and it nearly tears his family apart. Years later, the same angel crash-lands in his fishing pond, wounded and on the run.

Castiel has dangerous information about a political plot to ruin angel-human relations, and he needs help if he’s going to live long enough to expose the truth. Dean is the only person he knows who won’t die helping him, and the only person Castiel might be willing to die to protect.

Excerpt: 

There was thrashing in the water, and Dean didn’t stop to think about it before he ran at the edge of the dock and dove into the lake. He was a strong swimmer after all the time he’d spent out here, and he reached the fallen figure before more than a few seconds had passed. He reached out and tried to grab hold, then froze up as he tried to figure out what he’d grabbed hold of.

The entirety of the dark mass in the water rapidly started blinking in and out, going from right in front of him and held in his hand, to ten seconds ago when it was still falling right over his head, and also ten seconds ahead already coughing and dripping water on hands and knees over on the dock. Dean’s hand went numb and his eyes spotted with colors he had no idea how to parse. Perversely, it made him grip at whatever was in his hands even harder.

A panicked voice rang out shockingly against the still night, and it boomed with a pressure against Dean’s ears. “Let go!” The glitch of seeing the man in three places at once briefly stopped, and for a moment there was just wide, frightened blue eyes staring at him from inches away.

Dean let go, and the glitch resolved itself into the figure crouched on the dock, coughing terribly. He stared at the angel hacking up lake water to mix with his overturned and spilled beer on the weather-stained wooden boards. Because he had to be an angel.

Dean, struck dumb and still floating in the lake, felt the realization of it set in. Again. It was happening again. He’d seen an angel in superposition, heard its voice outside of human hearing range, and he was fine.

Posting date:  February 25, 2025

[destielaureversebb]

Coming soon for the @destielaureversebb: “as we go” 

Author:  dothraki_shieldmaiden @dothwrites Artist: kcho @marsajar

Rating: Explicit Archive warnings: None Length:  75,000 words Tags:  Fantasy AU, Captive!Castiel, Sellsword!Dean, Sacrifice!Castiel Relationships: Dean/Castiel

Summary:  

The angels disappeared from the world thirty years ago. That's why, when they choose the Aquarian Star to escort a garrison to Stull, Dean is suspicious. But a job is a job, and he needs money to put Sam through the prestigious Academy, so he goes along with the job. The job, however, becomes more difficult when Dean starts to become suspicious of what cargo the angels are really carrying to Stull. And further investigation proves that he is correct: the angels' cargo is a person.

Forbidden from making any kind of contact, Dean nonetheless tirelessly investigates the mystery behind the angels' mission as well as that of their cargo — a man named Castiel.

Excerpt: 

They were right of course — to meddle with angels is to tempt disaster, or worse. Dean knows that. And yet. 

It came when he and Ketch were walking away from the angels. Where he had seen that particular bit of Enochian writing before. It was obscure, almost antiquated, but it formed the basis for a particularly strong binding, meant for witches and demons. The rune that captured Dean’s attention had a particular meaning in that spell. 

Sacrifice. 

Dean swallows down the bitter taste in his mouth, daring to glance over his shoulder back towards the angels. 

Four have taken up positions around the palanquin. They stand at attention, seemingly indifferent to both the night and exhaustion. They glare out at anyone stupid enough to approach. 

Yet another obstacle for Dean to overcome. 

Because in spite of the warnings he’s received tonight, from those who have his best interests at heart, such as Benny and Jo, to those most certainly do not, such as Uriel and Ketch, Dean has no intention of letting this mystery lie fallow. He intends to discover what the angels are hiding from them, and he needs to do it before he reaches Stull. 

Because while he was staring at the palanquin’s cream-colored curtains, he could have sworn he saw something move behind them.

Posting date:  March 23, 2025

[destielaureversebb]

Coming soon for the @destielaureversebb: “Shifting States” 

Author: MaiaGaia @artemis-73 Artist: @rezal-art

Rating: Explicit Archive warnings: 19,500 words Length:  19,500 words Tags:  Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Castiel and Dean Winchester Have a Profound Bond, Self-Sacrificing Castiel, Dreams, Angst Relationships: Dean/Castiel, Sam/Jess

Summary:  For 29 years, Dean has lived an ordinary life with a normal, if dysfunctional, family. That changes when he starts having strange, vivid dreams about monsters, the apocalypse, and a man with piercing blue eyes. In his search for answers, he will go down a path that threatens everything he's ever known.

Excerpt: 

"I hadn't even gotten out of my pajamas when clear as a bell, I heard, 'Dean Winchester is saved,'" Missouri said, "and I saw a grave with a little wooden cross in the middle of a forest, leveled like a shockwave went through it. And then a hand bursting out of the dirt, and you digging your way free."

If Dean closed his eyes, he swore he could feel the dirt deep under his fingernails and the ache in his throat like it'd never known a drop of water. "So, what? Are you seeing my future? Oh, my god. Am I seeing my future?"

"I thought so at first, but... Well, you're not quite the same person I've seen in my visions." She grasped Dean's jaw and tilted his head so she could stare right through him. "You're not as sad. Or maybe sad in a different way?"

"Okay." He brushed her away. "But why now? Visions my whole life then today: boom! My name and me digging myself out of a grave."

"Is this an important date for you?"

He double checked the calendar, but he already knew. Every year, September 18th stuck out to him, even though nothing important had ever happened. He rubbed his bicep, fighting the itch of wrongness that was settling over him. 

"No," he said, "but it...it feels like it should be?"

Ear-splitting, ringing shrillness lanced through his brain. It was white hot, blinding, deafening pain. It went on for so long, too long, far beyond anything a human should feel. He came apart at the seams. For a second and a lifetime, he wasn't a person. He was light and heat and particles.

With a gasp, he was back in his body, crumpled in a heap, his head in his hands and one shoulder digging into the metal handle of the desk drawer. 

Posting date:  March 2, 2025

[destielaureversebb]

Coming soon for the @destielaureversebb: “Classified Unexplained Phenomena (Type B)” 

Author: allthismusic @folkbloodbaths Artist: @bucketofli

Rating: Mature Archive warnings: None Length: 13,000 words Tags:  Ranger!Dean/Researcher!Cas, Sort-of Case Fic, I'm Not Saying It Was Aliens But It Was Aliens Relationships: Dean/Castiel

Summary:  Dean doesn’t expect anyone to believe that he saw a UFO. Hell, he wouldn’t believe it either if he hadn’t seen one when he was just a kid. On the other hand, one not-so-close encounter with the third kind doesn’t mean he isn’t fit to do his job, so he’s not thrilled about being slapped with desk duty for it. But when it turns out there’s more to his new officemate, Castiel, than an inability to organize his filing cabinets, Dean thinks that this might be his chance to finally get some answers. 

Excerpt: 

“X-files,” Dean says. 

“Well, we don’t call them X-files,” Cas says, “This isn’t a TV show. They’re officially categorized as ‘Classified Unexplained Phenomena, type B, documents” but—” 

“Oh, well,” Dean says. Then he shakes his head. “You’re screwing with me,” he says. He kicks himself mentally for not realizing it sooner. Someone at the department’s idea of a joke. But Cas just stares at him, not like he’s been caught abetting a prank, but like he’s waiting for something to click. 

Dean looks at the pile of folders on his own desk, which he could’ve just as easily spent hours sifting through in his usual office, if Bobby hadn’t insisted he do so here. He looks back at the file on Cas’s desk. Something clicks. 

“Classified Unexplained…” he begins slowly. 

“Phenomena, type B, documents.” Cas completes it for him. “Type A documents are connected to a crime. I don’t have access to those.” 

“And type B documents are—” Dean prompts.

“Sightings, encounters,” Cas says, and waves a hand as if to demonstrate the broad range of things the designation could encompass. 

“And you do, what, investigate them?” 

“Evaluate them,” Cas explains. “I used to teach journalism at the college.” 

“Were you interviewing aliens?” Dean asks. He shoves some papers out of the way and leans against the edge of Cas’s desk. 

“My research focus was on the reliability of sources,” Cas says, looking up at Dean. “Especially sources who were making claims that were particularly out of the ordinary.” 

“So, the weirdos telling the National Enquirer that they saw a lizard person in the Albertson’s dairy aisle.” 

“Sometimes,” Cas agrees. “Usually they were more mundane, if still uncommon. Political conspiracy theories, things like that. But sometimes, religious devotees who claimed to have witnessed miracles. And, yes, those who thought they saw signs of the extraterrestrial. So, you see—” he picks up the file that Dean had first noticed and passes it over to him, “transferable skills.”

Posting date: February 26, 2025