Dore dake kimi wo aishitara

It wasn’t relevant to the plot SO IT WASN’T SHOWN. But Dean is UNABLE to not show his love AT LEAST through physical acts, if not more. AND CAS goes on quests and tries to bring home a win for Dean every time he feels like he failed Dean because that’s how he can convince himself that he deserve Dean’s love, THAT’S HOW Cas can convince himself that he deserves what he wants most of all.

Hallmark-esque movie style AU, where the Winchesters are farmers and have nothing supernatural ever going on. Sammy went off to pursue his dreams of becoming a lawyer in the city, and during the weeks to Christmas/New Year he goes home to visit Dean.

His boss/coworker, Castiel Novak, who's never really had family/close friends (a workaholic) is annoyed that he can't reach Sam but luckily found an address and goes to insist there's a case they need to work on.

Bonus points if Castiel finds Dean chopping wood shirtless in a barn during a snowy day/night.

Cas is a city man, first time in the countryside. He doesn't want to be here; every relative he's had has only ever told him horror stories about places like this. The smell, the people, the mannerisms, all of it was things that went against Castiel knew and grew up with. "Ruffience," his aunt would call them, along with other more colorful language

But this is an important case. He has a duty to his client, and he needs Sam Winchester to look through all the new evidence with him. He's frustrated with the man for up and leaving at such an important time (It's really not, they have another few weeks)

Every person he's asked in the small town uses phrases Castiel couldn't fully understand. The folks seem to know "the Winchester boys" and keep asking Castiel what he wants with "The Moose." Whatever that means

So here Cas finds himself, wandering through someone's property because he has no idea where this "Cabin in the Woods" is, but has a vague idea where he might find it

And instead, he finds a man who should be on the cover of a magazine, playing lumberjack

And boy, he plays it well

Dean Winchester, town sweetheart and resident menace to bakeries, is confused as to why there's a dorky lil dude in a trenchcoat sneaking around his side of the woods

"Not for nothin'. stranger, but last person I caught sneakin' around these parts got shot." He throws out an easy warning

He doesn't expect the scruffy lil dude to tilt his head and ask "By who?"

"What?"

"If people often get shot here, you should probably chop wood somewhere safer"

"... huh?"

"In fact, perhaps you should've informed the authroities-"

If we lean even further into the hallmark movie tropes you could have Cas hate christmas because he's never had anyone to celebrate it with and he usually just works from home during the holidays anyway.

So he learns the true meaning of christmas via the Winchesters and their friends and family

Cas slowly learns to loosen up - he starts in his full suit and coat, then ditches the coat, rolls up his sleeves, and eventually ends up borrowing Dean's clothes by the end.

Hannah, Cas's secretary, wont stop making passes at him (nobody knows he's gay) and she's very persistent with her messages and calls. There's a big miscommunication mix up where Dean thinks she's already his girlfriend and that Cas is clearly straight and he has no chance.

Cas is still trying to get his work done while he's staying in the Winchester's spare room, but he can't stop looking through the window and watching Dean brush down the horses. He keeps sneaking snacks to them and telling them not to rat him out to Sam for it. Cas can feel himself falling for him.

They do that thing where Dean teaches Cas how to chop firewood by standing behind him with his arms wrapped around, so he can grip his hands, guiding him into the motion.

and of course, we CAN'T forget about the cooking scene. It's a hallmark classic

Cas wants to help Dean in the kitchen, but has never cooked or baked anything for more than one person in his entire life.

It gets super messy, and they have a little food fight in the kitchen that ends with Dean pinning Cas's flour-covered hands to the counter. They're both laughing and out of breath, staring at each other. Then Sam interrupts, and they pretend it didn't happen

Dean, in the very beginning, thinks Cas is some snooty, silver-spoon city boy who thinks he's too good for a little dirt under his fancy shoes. And through the story, he learns that Cas is passionate about his job and dedicated to his clients. His clients are not just a single person, but organizations that help the environment, that the case is important because it could save lives in the long run

When Dean is caught admiring a particular pair of panties in the window at VS/PINK he tries to lie and say he was going to suggest Cas look in this store for something for his girlfriend. This is how he finds out Cas is not actually dating her, but planning on replacing her soon because of how uncomfortable she makes him with all the flirting (and this was really the last straw, the whole making 'hot lumberjack Dean' think they were dating thing). This is also how Dean finds out Cas is gay and Cas develops the sneaking suspicion Dean actually wanted those panties for himself. (Queue Cas' actual wet dream of 'hot lumberjack Dean' in the panties he was caught looking at in the mall and all his guilty weirdness the following day.)

Bonus points if Cas is stuck in town because of snow or car trouble or something equally cliche. Hallmark movies are all about that.

I can't decide which would be funnier - Sam being oblivious while Cas and Dean flirt and fall in love, then catching them making out and losing his shit cuz he doesn't know either of them were gay/ bi.

OR

Sam knowing they are both gay/bi and practically dieing trying not to laugh at both of them thinking they're at all subtle with their obvious crush or sneaky when they start fooling around. He loves them both, suspected this might happen if they ever met, and pretends not to notice anything is amiss. Acts oblivious when they jump apart or make up terrible excuses to be alone at the same time. Meanwhile he's texting Jess and Charlie with updates and they're all gossiping the whole time.

I say this with so, so much care: Real queer shit written by real queers can and will sometimes make you uncomfortable. That's one of the defining features of weird, independent queer media. And weird independent media more broadly. Art that comes from true individual passion and authenticity has edges and bite to it that mass market corporate products intentionally do not. Has a rawness that can offend.

Which world will you choose to visit this round?

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*Dean working on the impala, Cas sitting closely and watching*

Cas: How did you learn to fix engines?

Dean: Oh, my dad taught be the basics but it was Bobby who really showed me the ropes. It’s easy once you get the hang of it. Hey, you wanna try?

Cas: Try what?

Dean: Well she’s due some fresh tyres. I could show you how to change ‘em?

Cas: *blushing madly* You- you want to teach me a skill of your lineage?

Dean: …weird fucking way of putting it, but yeah pretty much.

Cas: :0

*Dean and Cas outside a bar at 2am leaning on the impala, Dean a little tipsy*

Dean: hey look! You can see the stars out here!

Cas: Oh, yes, they’re one of my favourite angelic creations.

Dean: You know when you properly ‘died’ for the first time I saw the North Star that night and named it Cas then when I missed you I could go out and pray to the star as if you were listening.

Cas: Dean, are you saying you- Dean did you worship me as a false idol?!

Dean: Huh, yeah technically I guess I did.

Cas: : O

*Sam Dean and almost human Cas having a movie night, Dean making them watch Dogma to critique the angel lore*

Sam: Okay, I’m turning in.

Cas: The film isn’t over for another twenty seven minutes Sam.

Sam: Don’t care, too tired.

Dean: Cas it’s okay, let him leave. Although you look tired too buddy, you wanna call it?

Cas: I’m fine. I want to see the end of the story, if I am asleep at the end you may wake me and tell me to move.

Dean: Or maybe I’ll just be the one watching over you for once.

Cas: Why would you do that? I am not your charge Dean, it is not your responsibility to-

Dean: Dude I wasn’t saying that out of responsibility, I’m happy to make sure you’re safe just whenever.

Cas: *teary eyed* You… are offering me safe rest, freely and without expectation??

Dean: *so confused* Yup, again gotta work on your phrasing but still. Yes.

Cas: I love you too.

Dean: *stunned but secretly overjoyed* Not the way I thought that would happen but alright then. I love you Cas.

I haven’t watched the confession scene from beginning to end in a hot minute (because I just couldn’t drown in my feelings atm), but after watching it last night I need to point something out that punched me in the face. Maybe someone has already noted this, but I’m noting it again because Jensen deserves ALL OF THE RECOGNITION! 

This man! THIS MAN! Is such a good actor and knows Dean Winchester so well, that I am so angry that people still say his acting in 15x18 is “homophobic” or “toned down.” 

This man FULLY played into the “Dean is in love with Cas” side of their relationship. Like: 

Right before this moment, Jensen is playing Dean processing. He’s outright said: a lot of shit was happening and being thrown at Dean, and then he has his best friend simultaneously sacrificing himself and confessing his love for him. THAT on top of the world ending. It’s a lot. 

But look at the subtleties of Jensen’s acting. The shift. He says, “Cas, don’t do this.” And then turns around to see the Empty coming already. LOOK AT HIS FACE WHEN HE SAYS CAS! LOOK AT IT! Dean is scanning Cas’ face not in a processing way… in a this-is-my-last-moment-with-you way. You can literally see Dean’s walls crumbling in the instant he utters Cas’ name. 

Look at Dean exhale at the very touch of Cas’ hand. Dean is tense in this moment, trying to figure out how to proceed. Cas steps forward, and he’s holding his breath. Cas touches him, and his shoulders relax and he sinks into the weight of his hand.

That is the “What?” of a man who thought his love/best friend was stepping forward to kiss him. Everything in Dean’s body language is saying: I don’t what’s going on, but also is this happening? This is going to happen. This is happening. So when Cas says, “Goodbye, Dean.” Dean is like: wtf what? You’re not going to kiss me. 

It’s not a “What? You’re sacrificing yourself? What? You’re dying?” He knows that already! The dialogue right before this confirms Dean understands the consequences of what Cas is doing. He turns around and sees the Empty coming for Cas. It’s already over. 

He’s saying “What?” because he wasn’t expecting Cas to abruptly say goodbye and throw him to the side. Cas stepped forward and placed his hands on Dean, and it confused him. It wasn’t the “Goodbye” that confused him. It was the action! 

Jensen literally played Dean fully prepared for Cas to kiss him, and then confused when, instead, Cas abruptly says Goodbye and throws Dean to the side. 

The way Jensen breathes in this scene reminds me of 13x06 when Cas is holding his breath and scanning Dean’s face to figure out what Dean was going to do as he is walking forward to greet Cas. 

You can tell they chopped up the scene when you watch what aired, and Jensen confirmed they cut out parts of his reaction and what he played into it. But, even still… you can see EXACTLY what Jensen was doing.