The Man Behind the Curtain
Author: @friendofcarlotta
Pairings: Castiel/Dean Winchester; Jessica Moore/Sam Winchester
Tags: Inspired by The Lives of Others (2006), Communism, Cold War, Mutual Pining, Long Separation, Second Chances, Significant Character Death
Summary: 1984: Castiel Novak is an officer of East Germany’s secret police, one of the best at interrogating enemies of the state. With thousands of people illegally crossing East Germany’s closed borders each month, draining the country of its workforce, his task is more important and righteous than ever.
But one day, Castiel meets celebrated playwright Dean Winchester. Dean is handsome and compelling, but Castiel isn’t at all sure that he is as loyal to the people’s government as he claims. To prove his suspicions, Castiel launches an operation to install surveillance equipment at Dean’s apartment.
From that day on, Castiel spends long days and nights listening in on Dean’s life, and unexpected emotions soon rear their head. As doorways to doubt begin to open, Castiel must decide if he's willing to save the man he is falling for — from the government he is meant to serve.
Sneak Peek: The final item on his checklist is the plain wooden chair where the prisoner is going to sit. Its seat is covered with a thin cushion, designed to conceal a specially treated cloth that will absorb the prisoner’s scent. After the interview, it will be retrieved and stored in a sealed jar to preserve that scent. It’s a useful and ingenious system for finding fugitives with the aid of State Security’s specially trained dogs.
Approaching footfalls echo in the corridor outside, traveling toward Castiel’s domain. Two distinct sets of footsteps: one sure and precise, a military cadence, the other stumbling and unsure.
Castiel takes a seat behind the desk and turns on the recorder as he awaits the knock. When it sounds, he calls, “Come in.”
The door opens, but Castiel doesn’t look up to acknowledge either the prisoner or the guard. He is holding a pen and studying the open file in front of him, though he received it yesterday and could recite its contents by heart. Psychology matters: he wishes to be perceived as a busy man who cannot be bothered to observe idle courtesies.
“Sit down,” he says, curt and to the point.
Still he does not look up, but he can see enough to tell that the prisoner has obeyed him.
“Hands tucked under your thighs, palms down,” he says, pretending to write a note in the margins of the file. Palms sweat when prisoners are nervous. Another tool to help strengthen the scent imprint.
The prisoner hesitates briefly, but then he follows the instruction.
Satisfied, Castiel raises his eyes off the file and nods to the guard in silent dismissal.
“Well,” Castiel says, not quite smiling, but keeping his face open, conversational, his hands folded on the desk in front of him. “What would you like to tell me?”
