When in doubt, Salt&burn

All this time, I can't believe You're still coming home with me My mind's a river draped with leaves And you're still swimming through the trees

We are proud to share the art for this round made by the talented @bucketofli. We’re honored and thankful to have it spearhead DCBB 2026💚💙

Come be a part of fandom history and join in on the longest running Dean/Cas bang! Authors, artists, and beta readers of all styles and experience levels are welcome! Schedule | Rules | FAQ | Sign-Up (follow the sign-up link)

We are proud to share the art for this round made by the talented @bucketofli. We’re honored and thankful to have it spearhead DCBB 2026💚💙

Come be a part of fandom history and join in on the longest running Dean/Cas bang! Authors, artists, and beta readers of all styles and experience levels are welcome! Schedule | Rules | FAQ | Sign-Up (follow the sign-up link)

Tagged by @darynidia

Thank you, Dary!

1. Origins of your blog‘s name:

followyourenergy is the name I use for my SPN fandom writing. It comes from a time when I was a bit adrift in my job and searching for the next thing, something that I’d find fulfilling. My life/career coach (no I’m not making that up) suggested that I follow my energy—that is, that I did what was most energizing, that fueled me. It stuck, and here I am. (Also, it was very good guidance that hasn’t steered me wrong yet.) It’s a name that fits my personality.

2. My “I’ll always order this food“:

Thai, specifically panang curry or pad see ew.

3. Overused emoji:

😂

4. Current comfort movie, show, and book:

I…don’t really have a comfort book? Terrible for an author. I don’t reread a lot of things except for my own work, so perhaps it is my own work that is my comfort read (how egotistical of me lol). I think it’s because I write what I like to read. Also, I poured my heart into them, and when I read them, I get that feeling all over again, along with the feelings of connection I had with my readers over our favorite fools. 💙💚 As for movies and TV shows, I don’t watch a lot of them, and I rarely rewatch them. However, I suppose my comfort movies would be “The Princess Bride” and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” and TV show would be “Schitt’s Creek.”

5. Song on repeat:

“The Only Hope for Me Is You” by MCR, and a lot of their other work (the entire Black Parade album, etc.). Also some of ABBA’s work. Music often influences my writing, so it’s usually something that I’m going to use in my work in some way. Look for both of those artists in later fics lol

6. My current hyperfixation:

Reading, I guess?

7. Oddly specific thing that brings me joy:

The feeling of opening my door to a warm day and breathing it in.

8. What smell makes me happy:

Petrichor and greenhouses

9. Something I loved as a kid and secretly still do:

A loved one covering me with a blanket

10. Phone wallpaper right now/lock screen:

Both are photos from my trip to Iceland.

11. Are you an early bird or a night owl:

Early bird, both by nature and because the cats wake me up lol

12. If you work, what is your profession and do you like it:

Without getting too specific about it, I’m a health professional and educator. I adore what I do.

No-pressure tags:

@friendofcarlotta @desiraelovesdestiel

Tagged by @followyourenergy & @darynidia

Thanks, guys~

1. Origins of your blog‘s name:

Well, my name is Desirae... and I love Destiel, lol

2. My “I’ll always order this food“:

I became obsessed with Chicken Schnitzel when I was in Poland, so anytime I see that on a menu, I order it. It has become one of my specialties at home, too. Also, Pad Siam, which is very similar to Pad Thai, but the rice noodles are super wide, and there is no peanuts.

3. Overused emoji:

😂

4. Current comfort movie, show, and book:

My comfort book, gosh, that's hard. It used to be the Harry Potter series, but now that just makes me feel guilty because the author is a tool. Is it rude to say my own Destiel fic, lol? Just kidding. Kinda. My two comfort books that last decade or so, have been Point Pleasant, by Jen Wood (originally a destiel fanfiction by chainedtoacomet, now reworked), and Sweaters and Cigarettes by Mika Fox (also a former Destiel fanfiction by Lemonoclefox.)

My comfort shows are Supernatural, The Big Bang Theory, Raising Hope, and Wings.

My comfort movie is probably Twister, with The Mummy a close second.

5. Song on repeat:

Sky Full of Stars by Coldplay, anything, pretty much anything by Vance Joy. Music often inspires words, so any song that is mentioned in a fic of mine, is one I listen to on repeat, lol.

6. My current hyperfixation:

A Raising Hope rewatch with my 13 year old who hasn't seen it before and the next installment of my LYFA series.

7. Oddly specific thing that brings me joy:

Sitting under the stars in my gravity chair, smoking weed and hookah with my brother, whenever he comes home from Poland to visit.

8. What smell makes me happy:

Petrichor, Blue Mist shisha, & coffee

9. Something I loved as a kid and secretly still do:

Howard the Duck

10. Phone wallpaper right now/lock screen:

My photo op with Misha as Cas.

11. Are you an early bird or a night owl:

Night owl, thank you, insomnia and adhd, lol.

12. If you work, what is your profession and do you like it:

I am a preschool teacher, and I love it.

No-pressure tags:

@blackdog9314 @castiel-left-his-mark-on-me @ellen-of-oz @hitori-alouette @irensupernatural @kageyamaheart @ltleflrt @museaway @nickelkeep @yourspecialeyes @yagmcb67 @zoelilyreads

Anyone is welcome to play!

#tag game

Sunlight

Author: Desirae

Artist: tallula03

Rating: Explicit

Pairings: Castiel/Dean WinchesterMentions of Past Castiel/Others background Gabe/Kali

Length: 22103

Warnings: n/a

Tags: Established Relationship, Artist Castiel (Supernatural), Music Professor Dean Winchester, Cas has endverse vibes, ptsd, recreational drug use, light angst, boys in love, happy ending

Summary: Artist and woodworker Castiel Novak never believed in true love and commitment. Growing up in a religious cult run by his father had drummed romantic notions like that out of his head at a young age. It has been years since Castiel helped put his father away, and no one has has yet to challenge his jaded views of happily ever after. Until he meets the love of his life, music teacher Dean Winchester. And now Castiel is about to do something he never thought he would do. Propose. On a cozy evening at home, Castiel takes Dean on a nostalgic trip down memory lane. With the help of a special photo album with a surprise ring at the end, Castiel and Dean relive the story of how they went from strangers to best friends to lovers.

ART MASTERPOST - THE LIGHT WILL LEAD YOU HOME by Desirae

More than a decade passed since Dean last saw Cas, the boy who spent his summers in Erzla Cove in their teenage years. His best friend, his love. They were inseparable but after an incident they lost each other for years. It all changes when the news goes around in town that someone bought the Keeper's Quarters, next to the lighthouse. Who could the new owner be?

Finding your lost love at the sea side? Making up for past mistakes? Having a chance in a new, happier life? And this is in a town where the legend says the angels came from? All this with beautiful pining. What else do you need?

For the art, the lighthouse was the most inspiring for me. All the art revolves around it. I could draw lighthouses all the time. Although I had to admit I had struggled with one of the art, drawing and redrawing it multiple times. I hope the final artworks can be worthy for this fic. Because the story deserves all the love.

You can read The Light Will Lead You Home here.

@desiraelovesdestiel

@deancaspinefest

Cas

Fucking Misha

West by Desirae (@desiraelovesdestiel) Rating: Explicit Word Count: 28k

When Dean’s grief is loud enough to wake him in The Empty, the entity casts Castiel out, but not without a price. He comes to in a barn in Pontiac, Illinois, with no memory of who or what he is. With nothing but an initial on the back of a photograph, and his heart’s instinct telling him to head west, Castiel begins a journey of self-discovery. Meanwhile, Dean is a broken shell. Rather than live under his brother and Eileen's pitying and concerned gaze, Dean decided it was time to move out of the bunker. With Jody’s help, Dean moves into a small lake house just outside of Sioux Falls, where he can mourn in peace and in his own time. Dean is determined to be better for Cas, even if it’s too little too late. Little does Dean know that it is never too late, as the Cas in Dean’s dreams is doing everything he can, to find his way back home.

Maybe it seems like we can’t get enough fix-it fics and well, maybe you’re right. It’s not our fault this fandom is so amazing and full of incredible writers that provide replacements for the ending that shall not be spoken of. Today’s would-have-been-a-better-ending fic is West by Desirae, a story about After, and how Dean’s grief is strong enough to wake Castiel in the Empty, and the paths they both take to reunite. 

In this fic, Cas returns to the world with no memories, only the pull of longing coming from somewhere West, and from someone he knows has to be important to him. Armed with only an initial, Cas sets off to find answers, while we watch Dean try to move on, by leaving the bunker filled with memories of the life he lost. This story gives us perspectives from both of them, which offers plenty of pining and angsty regret, only to come together wonderfully for them by the end. 

Title: Love in a One-Story Duplex

Author: Desirae

Artist: TwinOne

Rating: Explicit

Pairings: Dean/Cas Jody/Bobby Garth/Benny

Length: 20000

Warnings: undefined

Tags: Mechanic Dean, Translator Cas, Enemies to friends to lovers, Emotional hurt/comfort, Nurturer Dean, Snarky Castiel, ptsd, healing with love and humor, Angst with a happy ending,

Posting Date: November 13, 2025

Summary: When Dean Winchester’s friend and neighbor, Garth, moves out of their duplex, he is not expecting him to be replaced with a cranky, weed-smoking recluse with zero taste in music, but that’s what he gets. But Dean soon realizes there is more behind Castiel’s brooding stare and prickly personality. There is someone worth getting to know. Someone who needs a little TLC, even if he is too stubborn to admit it. Castiel Novak is a survivor. He has survived his parents' tragic death, He has survived being kidnapped and tortured by his own brother, and he has survived living with the constant flow of nightmares that have followed. So Castiel can certainly survive having to live next to an annoyingly cheerful (beautiful) man, with kind green eyes and an unhealthy affinity to classic rock, who is determined to be his new friend. Or, the one where Castiel starts a friends with benefits relationship with his new neighbor, and finally starts to heal his heart.

From Desirae and @mercurialkitty...

Title: Family Vacation

Rating: Mature

Tags: Established Dean/Cas, Post-finale fic, Domestic Destiel, fluff & humor, Bunker fic

Pairing: Dean/Castiel, Sam/Eileen

Summary:

It's been nearly a year since Hastings, since Jack brought everybody back, and Castiel and Sam have hatched a fun birthday surprise for Dean to coincide with their upcoming family vacation. So long as they can convince Dean to time travel on angel airways again.

Excerpt: