#!samjess

Stripes and Stitches by tiamatv [T, 16,500 word count] Rating: T Summary: Castiel bared the unmarked skin of his left forearm, shoving his sleeve down to the elbow. “There. Does that answer your question?” he asked, irritably turning his hand from front to back and wiggling his fingers. “No, I do not have a soulbond, and no, this is not an Offering. Why is that where everyone’s mind goes? I just like to knit.”

I knew that sooner or later I’ll have a chance to read and rec a fic that deals with recent global pandemic realities. I’m really happy it is this one. The story starts with Dean and Cas sharing a quite moment in Dean’s closed bakery and we learn quite a lot about the specifics of this particular soulmate AU.The world building and attention to detail in this fic is truly amazing. All little stories about their siblings getting soul marks are equally hilarious and sweet. But the main course, of course, is awkward accountant slash master craftsman Cas and retired vet, bakery owner Dean. Both men are pining so hard it’s not even funny, but neither of them will make the first move because reasons. And then the world goes into a lock down. Can you guess what will happen? 

The second part in Stripes verse, Stripes and Sweets [NC-17, 13,500 word count] gives us Dean’s POV on the beginnings of their friendship, the Big Event and then picks up where the first part ended aka the date. Notice the rating change!

Quarantine content warnings - self isolation, social distancing, making and wearing masks. 

If you enjoyed the fic, please drop by the archive (AO3) and let the author know with your comments and/or kudos! And if you found our recs useful, let us know by Liking and/or Reblogging our posts! Sharing is caring <3

Suggested further reading (links go to our reviews)

you can find more soulmate fics on our Bonded tag!

Just Your Heart, In Exchange For Mine by noxsoulmate - read it for a flirty bakery owner Dean, his loyal customer Cas, and the secrets they both keep;

Looking For Group by athaclena - read it for a bakery owner Dean carrying torch for his online friend while lusting after his customer (two people love triangle)

Cinderwings by bendingsignpost [ @bendingsignpost on tumblr] Rating: M Word Count: 182,000 Summary: Under the cover of a masquerade ball, Castiel has five nights to recover the key to his people's freedom. The world has changed greatly in the six centuries since their banishment into the void, but the task isn't impossible. Unfortunately for Castiel, this is going to involve talking to people - especially the Knight Prince who has taken an interest in Castiel and his "costume" wings.(Destiel Cinderella AU)

You have no idea how excited I am to rec this fic! We all know that rich world building, suspenseful plot, unique cultural misunderstandings and oodles of yummy destiel feels is more than enough for a great fic. But there’s also so much more. Angel Castiel trying to understand human body language and how to use it for his own agenda is amusing in and of itself. But when you add to it Castiel’s struggle to restrict his wing language from oblivious humans and the very tactile Prince Dean, you get a true winner among wing fic. On top of all that, this story is told with very eloquent prose. Many times I had to pause and savor a particularly lovely turn of phrase or linger over a sentence with so many emotions packed in just couple of words.

The fic is tagged as a Cinderella AU and, indeed, it borrows some of the most iconic moments from that famous fairy tale -  secret identities, a royal palace and extensive dancing, the importance of midnight, the lost not-a-slipper-thingy that is essential to track down the mysterious guest the prince has fallen in love with. But these are only building blocks in a cleverly subverted fairy tale fusion laden with canon parallels. The fic itself is an action packed, character driven story about deception and the sacrifices Cas and Dean are ready to make for their families. This is so not a story about a sweet natured orphan being noticed by a prince. Quite the opposite, Castiel is a seraph on a mission and his strategist and tactician skills are on full display here. He knows his target and that his time is limited, now, if only Prince Dean would stop being so distracting and wouldn’t make Cas to question his loyalties. The amount of destiel flirting -- er, I mean Dean flirting and Cas trying to make sense of human facial expressions-- in this fic is to die for. Also, I had the pleasure of reading one of the longest, sweetest and still very plot relevant kissing scenes ever in this fic. There’s so much I could say about this story, but I’ll save you time and just tell you to read it immediately. Your day or weekend will be better for it!

Fanworks inspired by this fanfic at destielfanworks (other fanworks by title)

If you enjoyed the fic, please drop by the archive (AO3) and let the author know with your comments and/or kudos!

Suggested further reading (links go to our reviews)

Not Part of the Plan by scaramouche [ @no-gorms on tumblr] -  read this super epic fic for intricate political plot, arranged marriage shenanigans, culture clashes, betrayals and separations,  but most of all, for Dean and Cas falling in love and fighting for it despite every expectation posed on them, and winging it as they go. If you have already read NPOTP, be sure not to miss recently posted timestamps.  

True as It Can Be by whelvenwings [ @whelvenwings on tumblr] - read it for a contemporary take on classic fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast, for Dean trying to understand creature Cas and for an amazing twist on the classical curse.

find more fics about strategist Cas on this ask and fics that highlight Cas’ otherness on this ask. We also have a wing!fic tag! 

This is a follower submitted rec and, as such, we cannot guarantee that the tags are 100% accurate. From bulletin #173: 

Let It Be Me by queenannabethwinchester (orphan_account) [NC-17, 127,000 word count]

recced by anon

This is a follower submitted rec and, as such, we cannot guarantee that the tags are 100% accurate. From bulletin #170: 

Alexandria by tikistitch [T, 74,200 word count]

recced by @antisocialarchives​

Fantasy AU. Castiel De Angelus is a bladesmith finishing his apprenticeship in a sleepy seaside town and caring for his two younger brothers. But when he runs afoul of the new territorial governor, Metatron, he finds himself shanghaied and forced to serve at a remote desert fortification run by the boisterous Winchester family. This ancient outpost, carved out of a mountain by the legendary Men of Letters, is part of mankind's last line of defense against the mysterious desert-dwelling monsters known only as the Enemy. But the real enemy might just be the Winchesters's scheming rival, Lucifer. This one is pure Saturday afternoon serial: think Indy Jones meets Dune with a dash of Road Warrior and just a pinch of Kitchen Nightmares.

This is a follower submitted rec and, as such, we cannot guarantee that the tags are 100% accurate. From bulletin #167: 

Silence Falls by TheIttyBitty [NC-17, 47,800 word count]

recced by ltleflrt

Imperfect Proposals by Fallen_Angel_Meg Rating: light NC-17 Word Count: 111,000 Summary:  Dean Winchester has a dream of being a successful architect- one that may or may not be out of his reach. So when he receives a promising job at Designs of Divinity, a reputable architectural firm, he is beyond happy. It's everything he could ask for. Sure, he may only be the assistant of Castiel Novak, a well known architect and project manager, but he doesn't even care. It's a start. It isn't until he starts working for Castiel that he realizes the guy isn't exactly who he thought he'd be, and his dream job turns into a living hell. Dean decides he's had enough when Castiel denies him time off to attend his brother's wedding. But just when Dean thinks it can't get any worse, he finds out that he's being forced to marry Castiel to keep him from being deported. Fan-friggin'-tastic. Based on the movie The Proposal. 

Destiel crossover fics are sought after by many and yet a good fusion is hard to find. Here’s a perfect example of a fusion fic done right. Every change the author made to the original setting of a fluffy rom com The Proposal actually improved the story, I kid you not. Such changes like - from book editors in the movie to architects in the fic, from visiting granny’s birthday to road tripping to Sam and Jess’ wedding, from sharing a couple of chaste kisses to having a couple of steamy nights.  And don’t even get me started on Cas’ character development - from arrogant boss with rusty people skills to deeply scarred man falling in love for the first time and being terrified by it. The fic has plenty of original scenes where “pretend fiancees” Dean and Cas have to convince Dean’s family and friends of their epic love story, and they succeed effortlessly. And the ending, of course, the ending is completely different from the movie and so, so much better. In true destiel fashion, this fic is an emotional roller coaster till the very end and I absolutely loved it!