Just making it up as I go

If you could choose only one fic for each of the descriptions below, which ones would they be? (Yes, aside from getting to know authors better, I'm also subtly asking for fic recommendations, play along please 🦖)

•One that broke your heart, but piece it together again.

•One that made you laugh out loud really hard.

•One that changed your perspective on things (you can interpret this any way you want).

Hi hello! Yay! I'm not the best reader, but I love it when I do get the focus to read, so I'm happy to rec some of the ones that are on my mind!

Only one for each is tough but...

💔Broke me and rebuilt me 💔

Well, I'm feeling VERY Contender-brained (I'm FIXATED fixated on this fic series again), so I think I'll start with Heavyweight by @dochollidayed / valleydean for the broken heart!

Mostly because it starts in the RUINS of a DeanCas super betrayal/fight. It has that season 6 flavor and this is the kinda fic that gives you high highs and low lows and it is gorgeously written and makes you love boxing too! The era details are to die for...

I need to add it to my Rereadables list now, because I've been overindulging this month, and it's officially joined the club of mega obsession for me.

Brooklyn, 1927. The Golden Age of Boxing. Two years ago, light heavyweight champion Dean Winchester and heavyweight champion Castiel Novak had a secret affair. After a scandal tarnished Cas’ name and stripped him of his title, the two parted ways. Now, with a heavyweight tournament on the horizon, Dean aims to up his weight class so he can compete for the title. He finds unexpected competition when Cas comes out of retirement and returns to New York to fix his reputation. Upon their reunion, the two contenders learn that, outside of the ring, some bruises never really heal.

///

😂Made me laugh till I cried 😂

I'm gonna go with canticles by 2street2car. Not only is it my comfort fic, but it has this ONE part where Dean looks over and Cas looks so so so foolish in that moment that you can't NOT fall in love with him.

This is one of the very first fics I read, AND it's definitely one of those one where you're like, actively falling in love with the characters the whole time. It's early Dean and Cas going on something like a shitty date... in a parking lot.

///

🧐For making me think differently... 🧐

I'm going to throw these two at you. ONE: I said show me something by ilovehowyouletmefall / @angelinthefire. The writer and their writing is Theee Weird-kinda smart and it shows, but what sticks with me the most about this fic is Dean embodying the desires of others in order to sidestep facing his own... and the shape of Cas's unhuman, scary desire. It was just SUCH a cool take on it!

AND it's a thoughtful look at Cas's (imho) controversial line: "I did all of it for you."

TWO: A Communal digging of a very shallow grave (A WIP, and worth your time)- It's really challenged how I think about and sit with Dean's Hell trauma. This fic brings in the concept of DEAN having his own Hell-students, and I think it blew my mind. Also, I realized I was sleeping on Alastair as a concept.

The Art Of Letting Go

Author: @niks-fics

Artist: @lenaarting

Rating: Explicit

Word Count: 36,825

Pairings: Castiel/Dean Winchester

Content Warnings: None

Tags: Top Castiel/Bottom Dean, Dom Castiel/Sub Dean Winchester, Mechanic Dean, Photographer Cas, Shibari, Spanking, Restraints, Edging, Anal Sex

Summary: Dean Winchester has spent thirty-three years believing strength means handling everything on his own.

Agreeing to model for a shibari photoshoot is supposed to be nothing more than an easy paycheck. He expects a few awkward photos, a weird afternoon, and a story to laugh about later.

He doesn't expect the quiet photographer with impossibly blue eyes. He doesn't expect the profound calm he finds wrapped in rope. And he definitely doesn't expect a second phone call that introduces him to a world of trust, vulnerability, and submission he'd never imagined could feel like coming home.

As Dean beings exploring a side of himself he’s never experienced, he starts to realize that maybe strength isn’t always about holding everything together.

Sometimes, the greatest act of courage is learning to let go.

Sneak Peek: People filled the space, some looking exactly like he'd expected — black leather, heavy boots, tattoos, elaborate harnesses. Most didn't. A gray-haired couple sat sharing a bottle of wine. Two women in jeans argued amiably over something on a phone. A man in an expensive business suit laughed as he shrugged out of his jacket.

It looked normal.

Until Dean’s brain caught up to what he was seeing.

A woman quietly fastening cuffs around another woman's wrists. A rope suspension in one corner. Someone kneeling beside a couch with obvious ease and familiarity, his hair being gently stroked by the woman sitting above him.

On one side of a brightly lit stage, a slim brunette knelt over a bench, her ass cheeks red even at a distance. The man next to her raised something before bringing it down on her ass again. The woman cried out, but there was unmistakable pleasure on her face.

On the other side, a man knelt in front of another, hands bound behind his back, naked, his cock standing erect. Dean watched as the standing man’s cock was fed into the other's mouth and held there, the kneeling man’s eyes watering as he struggled to breathe. Dean expected him to panic, to pull away, but the standing man pulled out, letting the kneeling one pull in air, a lazy smile on his lips.

Dean's eyes kept moving, trying to make sense of it all. Leather and denim. Rope and silk. Laughter and moans. Pain and comfort.

He’d spent thirty-three years thinking he knew exactly what the term BDSM meant.

Standing in the middle of Purgatory now, watching one man get face fucked while across the room someone gently tucked a blanket around a partner wrapped in rope, he realized he hadn't had the first clue.

The Art Of Letting Go

Author: @niks-fics

Artist: @lenaarting

Rating: Explicit

Word Count: 36,825

Pairings: Castiel/Dean Winchester

Content Warnings: None

Tags: Top Castiel/Bottom Dean, Dom Castiel/Sub Dean Winchester, Mechanic Dean, Photographer Cas, Shibari, Spanking, Restraints, Edging, Anal Sex

Summary: Dean Winchester has spent thirty-three years believing strength means handling everything on his own.

Agreeing to model for a shibari photoshoot is supposed to be nothing more than an easy paycheck. He expects a few awkward photos, a weird afternoon, and a story to laugh about later.

He doesn't expect the quiet photographer with impossibly blue eyes. He doesn't expect the profound calm he finds wrapped in rope. And he definitely doesn't expect a second phone call that introduces him to a world of trust, vulnerability, and submission he'd never imagined could feel like coming home.

As Dean beings exploring a side of himself he’s never experienced, he starts to realize that maybe strength isn’t always about holding everything together.

Sometimes, the greatest act of courage is learning to let go.

Sneak Peek: People filled the space, some looking exactly like he'd expected — black leather, heavy boots, tattoos, elaborate harnesses. Most didn't. A gray-haired couple sat sharing a bottle of wine. Two women in jeans argued amiably over something on a phone. A man in an expensive business suit laughed as he shrugged out of his jacket.

It looked normal.

Until Dean’s brain caught up to what he was seeing.

A woman quietly fastening cuffs around another woman's wrists. A rope suspension in one corner. Someone kneeling beside a couch with obvious ease and familiarity, his hair being gently stroked by the woman sitting above him.

On one side of a brightly lit stage, a slim brunette knelt over a bench, her ass cheeks red even at a distance. The man next to her raised something before bringing it down on her ass again. The woman cried out, but there was unmistakable pleasure on her face.

On the other side, a man knelt in front of another, hands bound behind his back, naked, his cock standing erect. Dean watched as the standing man’s cock was fed into the other's mouth and held there, the kneeling man’s eyes watering as he struggled to breathe. Dean expected him to panic, to pull away, but the standing man pulled out, letting the kneeling one pull in air, a lazy smile on his lips.

Dean's eyes kept moving, trying to make sense of it all. Leather and denim. Rope and silk. Laughter and moans. Pain and comfort.

He’d spent thirty-three years thinking he knew exactly what the term BDSM meant.

Standing in the middle of Purgatory now, watching one man get face fucked while across the room someone gently tucked a blanket around a partner wrapped in rope, he realized he hadn't had the first clue.

Prism

Prompt 10 for SPNSummer by @winchester-reload

Other art for SPNSummer: How Hawaiian, Breakfast Time

Prism

Prompt 10 for SPNSummer by @winchester-reload

Other art for SPNSummer: How Hawaiian, Breakfast Time

You Catch More Guys With Honey

Author: @xev3n

Artist: @67bunker

Rating: Explicit

Word Count: 43,643

Pairings: Castiel/Dean Winchester

Content Warnings: None

Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Age Gap, Older Sub Dean Winchester/Younger Dom Castiel, Dean Winchester Has A Praise Kink, First Time Sub Dean Winchester, Gentle Dom Castiel, Team Dean Winchester's Red Ass, Top Castiel/Bottom Dean Winchester, Light Feminization, Porn With Feelings

Summary: Dean Winchester, an exhausted and overworked man in his forties feels like he carries the weight of the world on his shoulders.

But when a cocky one night stand with a much younger, quietly commanding Castiel turns into something unexpected, Dean finds himself learning just how good it feels to let go.

Cas is incredibly perceptive, and devastatingly good at giving Dean exactly what he needs, whether it’s restraint, praise, a firm hand, or the kind of care that makes Dean feel truly seen for the first time in years. But old ghosts don’t die easy, and discovering he doesn’t always have to be the strong one is harder than Dean ever imagined.

Sneak Peek: Cas hummed, the sound almost approving, but there was something else threaded through it that made Dean feel oddly.. assessed. The corner of that mouth lifted again.

“You seem like the kind of man who’s used to taking care of things, Dean,” Cas observed quietly. “Making sure everyone else gets what they need.”

Dean laughed, leaning in a fraction. “Guilty. I’ve got a pretty good track record on making sure folk leave satisfied. Thought maybe I could show you what that looks like tonight, if you’re interested.”

Cas leaned forward just enough that the space between them felt suddenly smaller, more intimate, the low hum of the bar fading a little at the edges. His gaze stayed steady, almost gentle, but there was a quiet weight behind it that Dean couldn’t quite name.

“I appreciate the offer,” Cas said, voice dropping into something smoother, “but I think you might be operating under a small misconception, Dean.”

Dean lifted an eyebrow, still grinning, though a small part of him worried he had picked up a signal that wasn’t there. At least Cas didn’t seem the type to react with insult at being hit on.

“Yeah? What’s that?”

Cas’ eyes flicked down to Dean’s lips for the briefest moment, then back up, and when he spoke again his tone was perfectly even.

“I don’t let other people take the lead. Not in bed.” He paused, letting the words settle between them. “If we do this, you’ll be the one following mine. And I promise you, the only thing that will be on your mind is exactly what I put there.”

Coming to you on September 21

The Rookie

Written by @twinone1221 with art by @bucketofli

Rating: Teen and Up

Word count: ~22k 

Characters: Donna Hanscum, Kevin Tran, Jody Mills 

Ships: Castiel/Dean Winchester

Tags: No archive warnings apply, Slow Burn, Firefighter Dean Winchester, Firefighter Castiel Novak, Lieutenant Dean Winchester, Rookie Castiel Novak, Workplace Romance, Friends to Lovers, Mutual Pining 

Summary:  Lieutenant Dean Winchester is pretty sure his new forty-year-old rookie is chasing a midlife crisis that'll last about two shifts. Castiel Novak joins Engine 7 determined to become the firefighter he's dreamed of being for the last twenty-two years.

Somehow, skepticism turns into friendship, friendship turns into something a whole lot more complicated, and one catastrophic fire changes both of their lives forever.

Excerpt: Dean exhaled hard through his nose, scrubbing a hand over his face. Exhaustion sat heavy under his eyes, buried beneath irritation and caffeine and stubbornness. “You have to stop sending in floaters. My team needs consistency, Jody. I need a crew that knows what to do. People I can trust not to freeze up when things go sideways. I need real firefighters.”

“You saying you can’t handle a floater, Lieutenant Winchester?” she asked dryly.

“I’m saying it’s been months! It’s time to hire someone permanent.”

“And I’ve told you I’ve been looking.”

Dean shot her a glare. “You know, most chiefs don’t take months to hire someone new.”

“And most lieutenants knock before barging into my office like a lumberjack with no manners.”

Dean snorted despite himself, sinking further into the chair. “Okay, first off, rude.”

Jody’s mouth twitched faintly, but she reached for the top drawer of her desk before the moment softened too much. “Not to worry. Your prayers have been answered.”

Dean noticed the color of the folder immediately.

“Jody. No,” he said.

“I haven't said anything yet.”

“You got the green folder.”

“I always have folders.”

“That’s a rookie folder.”

Jody slid the file across the desk toward him anyway. “Not just a rookie. You’re getting a permanent rookie.”

Dean stared at the folder like it might explode. “You say it like this is good news.”

“It is good news.”

“For who?”

“For me,” Jody said. “Because now you’ll stop haunting my office every shift.”

“A rookie is barely an improvement from a floater.” Dean grabbed the file with visible reluctance and flipped it open. A clipped ID photo stared back at him, a dark-haired man in a suit, expression serious enough to belong in a courtroom instead of a firehouse.

“At least this one will be trainable.” Joddy shrugged.

Dean frowned immediately. “…You’re kidding.”

“Keep reading.”

He glared at her, but did it anyway. The silence stretched just long enough for Jody to enjoy herself.

Then Dean looked up slowly. “He’s forty-four years old.”

“Forty-three,” she confirmed.

“His birthday is next month.” Dean deadpanned. “What the fuck is this? He’s as old as I am, not the usual rookie age.”

“Pretty sure you are older by more than a year and the academy accepted him anyway so why does it matter?”

Dean scoffed and flipped another page. “Master of Science in Finance?”

“Mhm.”

Dean stared at her in disbelief. “You hired a stockbroker to join my Engine.”

“At least you know he’ll know how to manage the food budget.”

Author: Baileys || @baileys101

Artist: hellion-cat || @hellion-cat

Rating: Mature

Archive Warnings: None

Word count: 11.5k

Tags: Psychological horror, Getting Together, Dean love Castiel, Castiel loves Dean

Summary:

Once again, Castiel is forced to fight for his right to choose. It was never going to end any other way.

Author: Baileys || @baileys101

Artist: hellion-cat || @hellion-cat

Rating: Mature

Archive Warnings: None

Word count: 11.5k

Tags: Psychological horror, Getting Together, Dean love Castiel, Castiel loves Dean

Summary:

Once again, Castiel is forced to fight for his right to choose. It was never going to end any other way.

Carry On, Author presents: Podcast Episode #2: Cheesecakekiss

Do you love fanfiction? Are you curious about how some of your favorite authors make the fics you know and love? You're in the right spot!

In this interview on Ao3, or Spotify, Cheesecakekiss discusses the intricacies of her fic, Walk A Broke Line, her writing process, and how she got into fanfiction and fandom in the first place!

Find Cheesecakekiss on Ao3 and here on Tumblr

Interested in having one of your fics featured on the program? Send a message, or an ask, here on Tumblr to request a slot on the show.

If you are over 18, come join the Discord to discuss the interviews and episodes, or drop a link to one of your fics in the recs and promotions tab!

🎵 Poonyo, Ponyo, Ponyo 🎵

Coming to you on September 17

Megabytes

Written by @cheesecakekiss with art by @hellion-cat & @onowey

Rating: Explicit

Word count: ~60k

Characters: Dean, Castiel, Missouri, Charlie, Garth, Ash, Gabriel, Bartholomew 

Ships: Castiel/Dean, Gabriel/Kali, Sam/Eileen 

Tags: Graphic depictions of violence, Vampire Castiel, IT worker Dean, AU: Urban Fantasy, Oblivious Dean, Bottom Dean/Top Cas, Blood Kink, Biting Kink, Slow Burn, Smut and Comedy, Twilight if Everyone Was In Their 40s 

Summary: Dean Winchester works in IT for Roman Enterprises. It’s underpaid, underfunded, and the only good thing about it is the friends he works with. They make their own fun together, like starting a tally for the kinds of porn people access on the company wi-fi.

Confronting the offenders is a lot less fun.

Especially when it’s Castiel Novak. Dean’s surprised to see his name, even more surprised that he has a vampire kink, apparently. A kink Dean seems to share, given his reaction to the video.

Cas works in accounts. He’s widely considered to be the oddball of the office, never talking to anyone, getting there before the sun rises, leaving after it sets. It probably doesn’t help that he’s a vampire. When he has to hypnotise Dean into forgetting what he saw, it’s a pretty miserable low point of his long existence.

And now he can’t forget him. 

Excerpt: This is quite possibly the most awkward moment of Dean’s life, and he’s led a very awkward life.

Cas breaks it by ducking suddenly, and there’s the sound of a zipper, then rummaging, and Dean peeks to see an unassuming rucksack at his feet. He’s pretty sure it’s the same one Cas takes to the office even. When Cas re-emerges, he’s clutching a portable water bottle, stainless steel, but the kind with a see-through plastic straw that can be flicked out. Which Cas does now, getting his mouth on it, and sucking with the kind of desperation Dean normally has to turn on a VPN to feel comfy watching.

Soft, pink lips wrapped around, cheeks hollowed, drawing deep. Eyes still burning intensely into Dean’s. Large hand squeezing on the metal cylinder.

Wow, it sure has been a very, very long time, hasn’t it? Dean’s brain chimes in cheerfully.

His dick chimes in with the same, much less cheerfully.

“Thirsty, huh?” Dean asks weakly, shifting desperately in his seat, clenching his fist on his thigh.

He’s in sweatpants.

There’s ways to redirect bloodflow, there must be, isn’t there some kind of Buddhist monk thing where you get complete control of your body? Dean can do it, he has to, or he’s trapped here forever. He cannot stand up with a full fucking tent.

Think of Buddha, his mind wails, while he throbs stubbornly between his legs.

Cas lets the straw go, almost reluctantly, teeth grazing the edge as he drops it. The canines look weirdly sharp in this lighting, like they’re peeking out from under his lip, either side of the straw. “Yes,” he rasps bluntly.

There’s a dark red coating the inside of the plastic, clinging on before it drips back down into the bottle.

Dean snorts, starting to feel his boner situation resolve. “Aw, man, tell me they didn’t get you with the sports drink add-on thing.”

Cas cocks his head, eyes narrowing. “What?”

Dean waves a dismissive hand at the bottle. “Whaddathey call that one? ‘Cranberry explosion’? ‘Pummelin’ pomegranate’?”

Heyo I've made art again and it only took me like a month.

Last time I tried to crop my art it got marked mature anyway but I'll give this a shot, full image on bluesky.

Howdy fellow artists, authors and curious people with an insane proclivity to venture down morally dubious and socially side-eyed paths!

We, as die-hard Cockles truthers, due to a series of unfortunate events have been dealing with a drought of the once dashing Cockles stream of contents, leaving us Cockles-deprived and crestfallen. In short, many of us could use a little pick-me-up. We are here because we love Jensen and Misha. We want to forget about all the negativity and bad news and hate, and simply celebrate their love and friendship.

All of that spun the idea of a

🎉Cockles fest 🎉

to lift our spirits and bring back our Cockles enthusiasm (and because why not? There are bangs and fests for anything but Cockles).

That's why we're calling all Cockles truthers, allies, sympathizers or curious observers to create a piece of art or literature, poetry, collage, gifset, a song, a movie trailer, a board game or anything your imagination can come up with, and publish it on your social media starting December 7th and ending on their anniversary, December 14th. When you do, please @ thecocklesproject on Tumblr and tag your post #cockles and #cockles fest 2026.

You can also DM me to join The Cockles Project discord server, where we will have dedicated channels for the fest, so you could brainstorm ideas, share prompts, discuss theories and more.