valandrawrites

[valandrawrites]

Is this another fic co-written with @bleuzombie? Why yes, it is! Go check out our addition to the Alien franchise with a deep dive into late-stage capitalism. Plus, it's got space suits, Angel politics, Destiel, and some kick ass action. Check it out.

“Angels of the Red Sand" 

Authors: @bleuzombie and @valandrawrites Artist: @kisris

Rating: Mature Archive warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Length: 29,256 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.

Link to Fic & Art

[valandrawrites]

A fun little something @bleuzombie and I put together with @kayliemalinza's amazing art! In the mood for something light with a side of monsterfucking? Check it out.

“Darwin Never Tried This” 

Authors: @valandrawrites and @bleuzombie Artist: @kayliemalinza

Rating: Explicit Archive warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Length:  10,755 words Tags:  Monsterfucker Dean Winchester, Creature Castiel, Weird Biology, If you squint there's plot Relationships: Dean/Castiel

Summary:  While tracking a chupacabra, Dean stumbles upon a clutch of glowing orbs. One stands out—its playful, almost sentient behavior intrigues him. Struggling with loneliness, Dean begins to connect with the mysterious orb and its strange companionship. What starts as innocent curiosity and lighthearted interaction blurs as the bond between man and creature becomes something forbidden.

Link to Fic | Link to Art

[valandrawrites]

Thanks for the tag @dis-plus-fanfic-reblog-writes

This is unreasonably easy for me to do.

All things character - Angel or Jace

All things Actor - John Cena

If you aren't aware of the good this man puts into the world and the dedication he has to fighting toxicity in men and Americans, look it up, he's amazing.

All things gay - Femke Janssen

There is no sexier woman on the planet.

I tag @bleuzombie, @ladyofthe-lake-blog, @entropic-saudade, @avonlady42, @blackhorsedances, @queer-dancing-fandom-nerd, @bowlegsandbiceps, @quiettewandering and anyone else who wants to play. There are more detailed prompts in the original post, but I'm too busy when all my answers are the same :)

Thank you @fandomxo00 for the tag. Sorry, it took me so long to post it. Thanks for your patience. ❤️❤️❤️

Actress/actor obsessions get to know you 🤣 ??

Do whatever and with who you want !!!

Tags: If you wanna take part go for it; if not then ignore xooo @winchesterfields67 @riley-phoenix @trenchcoatimpala @mrswhozeewhatsis @nuggetpool-hi @zatinx @nickelkeep @zepskies @impala-dreamer @valandrawrites @spnexploration @moosekateer13 @holylulusworld @anyreiart @queerwolf79 @malicmalicwriter

2 men that I never lost the obsession for......

Characters:

Duncan MacLeod—immortal Boy Scout

Methos— immortal man who has been everywhere and done everything

Actors:

Jensen Ackles—he oozes talent and has such a heart.

Hugh Jackman—I watched his stuff thanks to the X-men movie.

Runner-up:

Robert Downey, Jr.—I don’t know why. Just haven’t. I have yet to find a movie of his I didn’t like. I love him in the Singing Detective movie and Heart and Soul movie.

2 old character obsession that are nerds

Daniel Jackson (Stargate movie)

The 10th Doctor

2 age-appropriate obsessions (either at the time or now??)

Misha Collins—the more and more I learn about the man, the more I wish we could be friends. I’m not joking.

I can’t think of another one. Mine have rarely been age appropriate tbh >.>()

2 soulmate obsessions

(I’m not entirely certain what this means but here’s what I’m going with…)

Dean Winchester (Supernatural) — I basically ended up marrying an oddly close version of this character

The drag king chick from the l tv show, Bliss (played by Laura Evans)—this character was such an awakening for me. I have been obsessed with wanting to get a much more masculine wardrobe of vests and waistcoats with slacks.

2 obsessions that made you “gay” (you dont have to be a gay)

The drag king chick (actress Laura Evans) from the tv show, Bliss (The Marvellon, episode)

Isabeau from Lost Girl—you have to watch the show to understand. That show is how Supernatural should have been treated.

For the record: I’m pan (I like everyone no matter sex, gender, or identification)

Regrettable, questionable obsessions upon reflection or that I completely split on because of their actor!!

Regrettable obsessions—Legs (Foxfire movie), Lestat and Louis (Interview with the Vampire movie)

Questionable obsessions—Akasha (Queen of the Damned), Edward and Jacob (Twilight)

Obsessions that remind me I’m “gay”

Kaylee (Firefly/Serenity),

Amelia Pond (Doctor Who),

River Song (Doctor Who),

Inara (Firely/Serenity),

The Doctor from Doctor Who

Ones I totally forgot about

Characters:

E. Edward Grey (The Secretary) and Lloyd Dobler (Say Anything)

Actors:

Daniel Bernhardt (Siro in Mortal Kombat: Conquest tv show; an agent in the Matrix)

Chuck Norris

Ones that are specifically about the characters

Deadpool and Logan (the worst Wolverine) from the Deadpool and Wolverine movie,

Dean Winchester, Castiel, and Death (Supernatural the tv series),

Death (Sandman comic and tv show),

the Doctor (Doctor Who), Amelia Pond and River Song (Doctor Who)

[valandrawrites]

Ohh what's this? Sci-Fi Destiel with @bleuzombie? Yes yes, that's what I said. Coming 3/16

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

[valandrawrites]

SIGN-UPS NOW OPEN!

Sign-ups for the SPN Time Travel Mini-Bang are now open for all participants! You are welcome to sign up as a writer, artist, beta, pinch-hitter, or any combination of the four. See rules and schedule HERE for more information. If you have any questions, feel free to shoot us an ask or email spntimetravelminibang@gmail.com.

LINK TO SIGN-UPS

You will be directed to join the Discord server after filling out the form. We hope to see you all there!

[valandrawrites]

My first collab with @bleuzombie is monster porn! Are you excited?

Coming soon for the @destielaureversebb: “Darwin Never Tried This” 

Authors: @bleuzombie and @valandrawrites Artist: @kayliemalinza

Rating: Explicit Archive warnings: Chose not to use archive warnings Length: 10,000 words Tags:  Inanimate Object Porn, Alien Sex, Hunter Dean Winchester, Shameless Smut, If You Squint There's Plot Relationships: Dean/Castiel

Summary:  Dean is a hunter chasing after a chupacabra when he stumbles over a strange clutch of glowing orbs. One of them is different from the others. It responds to him and is almost playful. Dean is lonely and finds himself talking to it, seeking a connection where one can never be. It's all innocent fun and games until it's decidedly not.

Excerpt: 

The tingling warmth grew, centered from the orb, spreading out over all of him. The orb’s light shone a shocking blue for a moment. Not a pulse, a purposeful response. The orb was communicating with him.

“Well, fuck me. We better not tell anyone, or they're gonna wanna put you in a lab and slice you open.” He joked, but the orb lost all color and retracted its loose, hanging body, hardening its shape.

“No, wait. Um, don’t… you don’t have to go. I won’t let that happen, okay? You did me a solid, so I owe you. Thank you for healing me and all, but be careful who you do that for. Someone else might take advantage of that.”

The orb’s little light flickered, blue to white to green, and then the warmth returned as it relaxed against his leg, inching slightly higher. 

Dean hadn’t been touched in so long. Always working alone, always on another mission for the Men of Letters. The gentle touch of another creature, even if it wasn’t human, made him melt. It felt so good to connect. This thing didn’t even know him, but it had been drawn to him since he got there as he had been drawn to it. He knew the way he’d treated this orb wasn’t normal, wasn’t the mission. He was to observe and only intervene if necessary. And even then, it was to kill whatever creature was misbehaving or treading into human areas.

But this little blobby light thing had sought him out, and he couldn’t regret that it had. Seemed like it wanted to connect with someone as much as he did.

Posting date:  February 10, 2025

[valandrawrites]

2024 Recommended Fics - Incomplete List

Here's my start at an end of year round up. If you're looking for a specific kind of fic or trope, let me know, and I'll try to find something for you! I have many, many more I could add, and what I've included is in no particular order.

I didn't list the rating or warnings with this because it just got too long, and honestly, I'm lazy. Read at your own risk.

A. fragilis by eachainn @eachainn

This is quite simply the best fic I've ever read. Do not continue until you read this one!

150 million years ago, an Allosaurus finds a stranger had wandered into his territory and he wants the intruder out.

1878, the middle of what will become known as the Bone Wars between O.C. Marsh and Edward Drinker Cope. Castiel Novak is transporting fossils from the latest dig in South Dakota back to Yale. He has to be careful, because there are people who work for Professor Cope who would gladly take the fossils off of his hands.

Those Who Get in the Way of Peace by ladyofthelake17 @ladyofthe-lake

“Don’t make me an optimist. You will ruin my life.”

Dean Winchester finally has his shit together: business is booming at his auto repair shop, he's eating healthy (okay, he's eating salad with bacon bits), he's exercising (in a cemetery). He's single, but he's claiming it as a good thing. And so what if Sam's not talking to him? So what if his dad is marrying an insane artist? And so what if the priest marrying them is hot as hell with a name that sounds like a sin just to say it — Castiel?

AKA: another Fleabag fic, but maybe it'll have a happy ending. Maybe.

Illicit Ink by allmystars @allmystars-i

Dean Winchester has a secret. He does this thing maybe two or three times a week, and he loves it, don’t get him wrong, but… He’s a camboy, and that’s not exactly something he wants shared around the breakfast table. When Dean decides he needs a change, it’s nothing too drastic, just a tattoo. But the hot-as-sin tattoo artist he gets to do the job might just change everything.

Ground Control to Major Tom by MrsShinigamiDaiko @mrs-shinigami-daiko

Dean Winchester dreamed of being a mechanic all his life, but he never thought he would end up working as a mechanic for NASA and going into space. He is thrust into his first ever space mission after a strange lunar body, dubbed Luna-b I, mysteriously appears in Earth’s sky. Teams of astronauts scramble up to the permanent lunar base and begin analysis to determine if the blue orb is any threat to mankind. Most of the first team is sent home after a few months, nearly all of them having fallen ill with devastating cases of space sickness. As time goes on, it becomes clear that something altogether unnatural is going on here. Dean feels like he’s losing his mind as he and his crewmates also begin to succumb to sickness. He races to figure out what could possibly be the root cause. Is Luna-b I really just some weird, deep space rock that got caught in the Moon’s orbit by chance? Or is it something much more sinister, watching and waiting for the opportune moment?

Pinfall by crowleyo @crowleyo

Cas runs the family diner with his adopted son, Jack. His old high school flame rolls into town and he thinks he can just step back into Castiel's life. Well... He's kind of right.

This Impossible Happiness by FriendofCarlotta @friendofcarlotta

In one universe, Dean Winchester is pushing thirty. He’s just danced at his little brother’s wedding, he likes his job at the garage, and he goes on the occasional hunt with friends and family. He’s also desperately lonely for someone to share his life with. One day, he finds a mysterious package outside his door. It contains a news clipping about an urban legend that just might be real, and a book by Professor Castiel Novak, who happens to specialize in that same urban legend.

In another universe, Castiel Novak’s roadside motel is slowly dying, its business hollowed out by the interstate system. Dean Winchester, the man who asked him to run away together years ago, is only a painful regret these days. Until the day a mysterious letter Castiel doesn’t remember writing brings Dean back to his doorstep.

Out there in the multiverse, a man and an angel look for each other in all the wrong places. In the meantime, they might as well help a few other versions of themselves figure things out.

Then Comes the Rain by someonetoanyone @someonetoanyone-blog - a three part series

“I’m not looking forward to it,” Rowena tells him, as though that will absolve her of anything, “he may have a better solution for this, but the spell requires a smidge of spilled Grace. He’ll need to be hurt for this to work, and — Dean, all joking aside, you may be the only person fit to do this.”

“Oh, this’ll be great — go ahead, tell me why I’m the only one that can get butt-fucked to save the world.”

Mind Your Own Business by BunnyHunter

While the ability to overhear the secret thoughts of the people around him was distracting at best and anxiety-inducing at worst, Castiel had found ways to cope that included a pair of noise-canceling headphones and burying himself in his PhD research. After hearing inner thoughts for his entire life, there were very few things he overheard that surprised him anymore. So imagine his shock when his roommate Sam's brother, Dean, came to stay with them. While Dean may have been able to keep a straight face on the outside, his inner thoughts told a much different story.

Survivalism by bleuzombie @bleuzombie

Genetic engineers Castiel Novak and Dean Winchester are on the verge of a breakthrough in cancer treatment and possibly even a cure, using genetic manipulation and incredibly, shark DNA.

Following a devastating diagnosis of brain cancer, and amid growing pressure from his boss, Dick Roman, for results, Castiel is pushed to an act of desperation. He tests the cure on himself with disastrous and violent results.

He has never been so hungry.

Dean Winchester’s half-way house for orphaned half-monsters (and humans) by foolondahill17 @foolondahill17

What if Dean just kept every kid he’s ever interacted with?

A re-write of season 6 onwards in which Dean slowly collects every conceivable stray that crosses his path.

The eyes of a lamb by naughtystiel @naughtystiel for Shedar

The year is '98 and Spring is approaching fast. For most, the season is a symbol of new beginnings with Mother Nature’s chaste kiss that breathes life into everything once more. It's inspiring, peaceful and beautiful. So, the fact that this is exactly when a certain serial killer loves to strike makes Detective Winchester's blood boil. Two years in a row now, the guy has slipped through his fingers, not leaving a single trace behind. No clues, no leads, just murdered women in the most picturesque places imaginable. And the worst thing of all? Sometimes Dean catches himself admiring the killer's work.

where there is darkness by quiettewandering @quiettewandering @wanderingcas 

When Castiel Milton takes a job to be the new assistant keeper at Whaleback Lighthouse in Kittery, Maine, he expects to live out his new life in quiet isolation. What he gets instead is Dean Winchester: bitter, brash, and, like Castiel, harboring a dark secret. As the spark of attraction between them grows into a flame, the lighthouse walls start closing in—as do the ghosts of Dean and Castiel's checkered pasts.

[valandrawrites]

HOW did I miss the signups for this! I'm so excited!

REVEALS

All the SPN Eldritch ReverseBang art has been claimed! 🥳

Posting will start on April 1st.

Reader, too long the wait? Check out our collections in the meantime, the old and the new

https://archiveofourown.org/collections/The_Eldritch_Discord_Collection

[valandrawrites]

My beloved @bleuzombie has a new story for the @destielnoirbang

“Hello?” A deep voice asks. “I’m looking for Dean Winchester. My name is Castiel Novak.” The man stepping into my office is almost as tall as me and built like a brick shithouse. His eyes are hypnotically blue and if I was the kinda man who gave into romantic whims I could see myself getting lost in those eyes. His hair is dark and wild, like he’s just come from giving a blow job and someone used his hair to steer. He’s ungodly hot and wearing the ugliest outfit I’ve ever seen. I almost wish Tinkerbell was here to make fun of it. Who wears a trench coat anymore? He looks like he walked out of a 40’s mob movie. I can tell immediately that the man is trouble. See, I’ve been in this business long enough to know that the more boring someone looks, the more trouble they bring. And Castiel Novak makes beige look exciting. The guy looks like he gets off to spreadsheets. God, what I wouldn’t give to see what he looks like when he comes… Focus Dean. Focus. I don’t bother to move my boots off the desk as I draw in a lung full of smoke from my cigarette. I ain’t trying to impress anyone. I stare as Castiel pushes open the door to my office, oversized trench coat flapping behind him, looking like filthy sex in the most boring wrapping. He looks adorable as he scowls at the chair in front of my desk. He looks like an angry kitten as he begrudgingly sits down. “Can I help you with something chief?” I draw another drag from my cigarette. “Pretty sure you don’t have an appointment.”

- Winchester: Nightmare Investigator by @bleuzombie, art by @verobatto-messy-art

Available Now On Ao3!

[valandrawrites]

All this art is phenominal!

DESTIEL NOIR BANG

I sadly didn't get to claim a fic in this bang but the lovely authors helped us out with a lot of awesome prompts. I draw two of it. This is the second one:

"Doesn’t it bother you at all that you’re married?" / "What I want to know is, does it bother you?" Dean and Cas making a getaway with a suitcase full of money.

I honestly had so many idea for this one, I think I will draw multiple versions in the future.

@destielnoirbang

Check out my first illustration with another prompt. ;)

[valandrawrites]

@profoundbondfanfic reviewed The Omega Classifieds! I'm so honored, and what a lovely write up. Thanks guys!

The Omega Classifieds

The Omega Classifieds by ValandraWrites || @valandrawrites Rating: Explicit Word count: 73k

Life isn’t easy for a single Omega. Without an Alpha on record, Dean can’t work, can’t mate, and by law, should have been turned over to The Omega Center to be trained and auctioned off for mating. To avoid that fate, Dean resorts to the Omega Classifieds to try and find a mate. The enigmatic and charming Castiel Krushnic catches his eye and maybe his heart, but will he make his claim official before Dean’s luck runs out?

It's not easy being an omega in a world run by Alpha's. But Dean manages as much as he can, even if that means doing some shady work. Not wanting to end up like all other omegas, he risks answering a classified ad that sounds a little strange, but still acceptable. His only stipulation - Sam has to tag along.

Castiel is, of course, delighted and completely ready to introduce Dean and Sam to his Russian family.

Unfortunately, life had other ideas.

As hopeful as it starts, the story takes a darker turn when it is revealed that Dean's Alpha father has abandoned them. But no matter how much each situation Dean finds himself hurts, there is always that hint of hope that things will turn out alright.

Castiel was foolish and, in an attempt to help, he made things worse. He is riddled by guilt, but he does try to help. It takes time and their troubles are far from over when they are finally brought together, but the hope still lingers. It is the main motif of this amazing story.

This tale is not for the faint of heart. It is filled with angst and hurt and it will make you cry. It will grip you tight and not let go. Not until our boys end up in their own version of 'happily ever after'.

[valandrawrites]

More awesome @destielnoirbang art! This bang is so much fun it's ridiculous.

DESTIEL NOIR BANG

I sadly didn't get to claim a fic in this bang but the lovely authors helped us out with a lot of awesome prompts. I draw two of it. This is the first one:

"Cas, sitting at his desk, framed through Dean’s bow legs"

I don't know whose idea was this but I loved it in the minute I read it. So here it is. Cas is maybe a private detective or an accountant of a shady businessman or even has connection to the maffia? Who knows?

@destielnoirbang

[valandrawrites]

Here's my art for the @destielnoirbang! I wasn't able to get paired with a writer, but I chose to make art for the prompt, "A Destiel take on The Postman Always Rings Twice". I haven't actually seen the movie, but when googling I came across a concept art poster on Sotherbys (shown behind the cut) and thought it would be fun to do a Destiel version.

Thank you to the lovely @destielnoirbang for running such a fun bang, and for finding a way to include us unpaired artists!

Here's the original that I referenced. I tried to stay pretty true to the original, but wanted to change the crop to show Dean's face. It was so much fun to work in a bit of a different style and experiment with some new brushes!

[valandrawrites]

And it's LIVE. Bette Davis Eyes is part of the @destielnoirbang. Amazing Art by @kingdumbass I had so much fun with this, it's not even funny.

Check it out on AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/60538558/chapters/154554664

When Dean Winchester takes the case of a missing person named Castiel Milton, he doesn’t realize he is stepping into a web of secrets, danger, and deceit. The dark alleys and smoke-laden gin joints become his hunting ground, and every lead points to a name whispered with equal parts reverence and dread: Angel.

In an era where love between two men is a dangerous secret best kept silent, Dean finds himself entwined with a blue-eyed beauty by an undeniable bond as dangerous as it is profound. The stakes are high, and with each layer of dirt they peel away comes more secrets. Love and loyalty are tested, and Dean and Castiel have to decide if they will risk defying the odds and carve out a path together amidst a world hell-bent on ripping them apart.

Or: The one where gumshoe Dean Winchester meets criminal Castiel “Angel” Krushnic, and things do not go as planned.

Read it now!

Fun period remixes for your enjoyment: Listen to the Noir Soundtrack

[valandrawrites]

Read all these fics! I've been trying to keep up reading them, and every one I've read has been amazing. The talent in this fandom is like none other. Oh, and of course, check out that cyborg fic. Rumor is it's pretty ok. ;)

2024 DCBB Masterlist

Posting for the 2024 DCBB is done and dusted! Thank you to the writers, artists, betas, and readers who make this challenge such a delight to run. We love seeing old familiar names and welcoming new ones as this fandom continues to capture so much interest.

Be on the lookout for @deancasreversebang sign-ups opening soon!

In the meantime, here are links to our 2024 DCBB masterlist in gallery and list formats.

Thanks for another great year!

~Violethaze, diamond, and Aceriee

[valandrawrites]

Look at this art! Look at this fic! Holy shit I know some talented people!

Winchester: Nightmare Detective

By bleuzombie | @bleuzombie Art by verobatto | @verobatto-messy-art

Coming to Ao3 on 12/20/2024

Rated Teen | 5,000 words | No Major Archive Warnings Apply

Dean Winchester is looking for a case. He’s not looking for anything other than a cup of coffee. Until Castiel Novak walks in with eyes bluer than the ocean and a desperate need for his help. How can Dean say no?

[Keep reading for a sneak preview!]

“Hello?” A deep voice asks. “I’m looking for Dean Winchester. My name is Castiel Novak.”

The man stepping into my office is almost as tall as me and built like a brick shithouse. His eyes are hypnotically blue and if I was the kinda man who gave into romantic whims I could see myself getting lost in those eyes. His hair is dark and wild, like he’s just come from giving a blow job and someone used his hair to steer. He’s ungodly hot and wearing the ugliest outfit I’ve ever seen. I almost wish Tinkerbell was here to make fun of it. Who wears a trench coat anymore? He looks like he walked out of a 40’s mob movie. I can tell immediately that the man is trouble.

See, I’ve been in this business long enough to know that the more boring someone looks, the more trouble they bring. And Castiel Novak makes beige look exciting. The guy looks like he gets off to spreadsheets.

God, what I wouldn’t give to see what he looks like when he comes…

Focus Dean. Focus.

I don’t bother to move my boots off the desk as I draw in a lung full of smoke from my cigarette. I ain’t trying to impress anyone. I stare as Castiel pushes open the door to my office, oversized trench coat flapping behind him, looking like filthy sex in the most boring wrapping. He looks adorable as he scowls at the chair in front of my desk. He looks like an angry kitten as he begrudgingly sits down.

“Can I help you with something chief?” I draw another drag from my cigarette. “Pretty sure you don’t have an appointment.”

[valandrawrites]

Code of Silence

By FriendofCarlotta | @friendofcarlotta Art by Rezal | @rezal-art

Coming to Ao3 on 12/13/2024

Rated E | 57,000 words | Graphic Descriptions of Violence

Hollywood, 1955: LAPD Officer Dean Winchester doesn’t mind throwing a punch or fudging the evidence if it means getting wife beaters and cold-blooded criminals behind bars. That approach doesn’t sit too well with his younger brother and colleague Sam, who’s been making enemies at the LAPD with his straight-laced, by-the-book philosophy. Between trying to keep up with the job and looking out for his brother, Dean doesn’t have much time for happiness. Not until he meets Castiel, a handsome escort who is everything Dean never knew he wanted. Unfortunately, Castiel is also caught up in a criminal conspiracy that reaches far into the LAPD itself. To expose the department’s corruption and save Castiel, Dean and Sam will have to put aside their differences — and reckon with a dark secret in their family’s past.

[Keep reading for a sneak preview!]

When he drew level, he chanced a glance over at the other man, who turned when he sensed that he’d become a subject of scrutiny.

Dean’s breath stopped in his throat. The man’s jaw was sharp as a word spoken in anger, his skin pale and clean-shaven. Long, graceful fingers played idly with one of the free Funtime Liquors matchbooks as he waited. His eyes promised mischief and mysteries. Dean wouldn’t have been surprised to learn the man had just stepped out of a movie screen.

Too late, he realized he was staring, and then only because the man’s plump lips had twitched slightly on one side.

Dean cleared his throat. “Merry Christmas,” he said.

“Merry Christmas to you too, officer,” the man returned.

Dean flinched, feeling caught out. Whoever the man was, he was clearly smart if plainclothes didn’t fool him. “That obvious?” he asked.

When Dean chanced another glance at the man, he was still looking back, humor glinting in his eyes. “It’s practically stamped on your forehead.”

Maybe Dean ought to have taken that for the dismissal it likely was, but the bit of humor in the man’s gaze felt almost akin to a smile. Most men wouldn’t smile at someone they wanted gone.

“Haven’t I seen you in a movie?” Dean tried.

The man dropped his head with a low, rough chuckle. Dean fought down a surge of embarrassment. A handsome man in a well-cut suit, five blocks from Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, where all the most glamorous Hollywood premieres took place? It wasn’t too outrageous a guess.

Dean was about to tell the man “never mind” when he caught Dean’s eyes again and said, “It’s unlikely. Unless you happened to pay very close attention to Youth Number 3 in the opening scene of It Came From Saturn's Rings.”

“You were in that?” Dean asked eagerly. This time, there was no fighting the heat on his face. He had a great weakness for science fiction movies, and he remembered seeing a screening of It Came From Saturn's Rings on opening night some three years back. Even working in Hollywood for as long as he had, he’d never stopped being a little starry-eyed about anybody who’d graced the silver screen.

His question got him an interesting reaction: the man’s head tipped to the side, his eyes narrowing, the better to study Dean. For the first time, he seemed to put some actual stock in their conversation. “You’ve seen it?”

“Yeah,” Dean confirmed, embarrassingly pleased to have found this patch of common ground between them. “It was good.”

It hadn’t been anything special, in truth, but the man was smiling in earnest now, one side of those plush lips curving up, and Dean thought he’d do just about anything to keep that smile going.