The Destiel Harlequin Challenge Master Post: 2020 Mega Bang
Participants in the 2020 Destiel Harlequin Challenge completed an amazing 20 fics and 3 sets of artwork! You can learn all about those here!
Spectre (fic by a_dusky_gold, art by aceriee)
This whole thingā¦ this was supposed to be a fucking farce. A way to keep Nicholas Vaught occupied until the deadline heād given Dean would run out, and heād still get the money to send Dad to the Town Hall rehabilitation for alcoholism, because that was the goddamned deal.
There were no such things as ghosts or magic or a Book of Life. Dean knows, okay? He wasnāt the Armyās goddamned Mystery Raider for nothinā; he knows history, he knows artifacts, and he knows that the Book of Life is an ancient myth that is about as real as werewolves or vampires.
āThe Book of Life,ā the man had said. Dean canāt even remember his name.
Dangerous Ground by Amethystaris
Special Agents for the Department of Diplomatic Security, Castiel Novak and Dean Winchester have been partners and best friends for three years, but everything changed the night Cas admitted the truth about his feelings for Dean. And when Cas was shot a few hours later, Dean felt his reluctance to get involved was vindicated.
Can a camping trip in the High Sierras save their partnership?
Honour Undressed by andimeantittosting
Among his friends, Castiel, Lord Milton is everyoneās confidant and, along with his trusted valet, the fixer of problems. But there is one secret Castiel has never shared: he is in love with his valet and has been for years.
Born in the gutters, Dean Winchester was assigned as Castielās batman in the war, and when Castiel travelled home to take up his title, Dean followed him as his valet. To assist Castiel, Dean is not above a little burglary or blackmail. But the one thing he wants for himself is Castielās heart.
When Castielās closest friends become the target of a blackmailer, certain truths come out. But while Dean determines to seduce Castiel, Castiel is adamant that he must resist, for if there is one rule a gentleman must follow, it is never to dally with his servant.
Havenport by BlueMasquerade
Castiel cleared space on his desk by the expedience of sweeping the previous contents to the side. He set the bundle down in the center of the surface and studied the knots in the rope before expertly untying them.
The book was old, its leather bindings cracked and crumbling. He carefully opened the cover to reveal the pages within, each hand cut, the edges beautifully deckled, the text written in pen and ink.
āThis is written in ancient Enochian.ā Castiel looked up, gaze narrowed. āWhere did you obtain a book written in ancient Enochian?ā
āIs that what it is? All I could tell is that it sure as hell isnāt English.ā Mr. Winchester grinned, a dimple flashing in his cheek.
an aching in my heart by contemplativepancakes
When Deanās best friend dies, leaving behind her daughter, Dean knows he has what it takes to give Claire the life she deserves. The problem is, theyāre not related by blood, and Claireās long lost uncle gets called to take her in. Castiel Novak was bad news when he was in highschool with Dean, and judging by his blue hair and tattoo sleeves, nothingās changed. Castiel ran out on his family once before, and thereās no way Deanās going to let that happen to Claire without putting up a fight.
Fools and Fate by Danica_Dust
Castiel Novak fled his coven to escape the rigid, predetermined Fate laid out for him within its confines. Desperate and alone, he took shelter in the city of Sacriloga, forsaking all magic and living off whatever he could steal. There, witches like Cas are hunted. They are feared. And they are burned.
When Jack, a young witch also on the run from his own coven, seeks out Casā aid, however, Cas finds that he cannot reject the boy, leaving him to his sure destruction. Especially after the newest visitor to Sacriloga makes his presence known: the legendary Hunter, Dean Winchester, who has been following Jackās trail.
Sworn to the Men of Letters, Hunters live by one principle: thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. Deanās path was never meant to cross with Cas', but a desperate stunt and a single mistake forces them into an impossible unionāholy matrimony.
The war between the witches and the Men of Letters is an ancient one and Cas' most dangerous enemies bring a Fate worse than fire. Unable to ignore his growing feelings, yet powerless to change what he is, a choice must be made.
A suffocating Fate on one hand. A precarious freedom on the other. And in between, the kind of love that makes fools of us all.
A young magic user who wants desperately to live. A jaded recluse who has forgotten what living means. Theyāre each otherās only chance.
Deanās wild magic is killing him. The mage guilds have given up on him, and itās only a matter of time before he dies in a spectacular, catastrophic bang. His only hope is an exiled wizard who lives in seclusionāand is rumored to have lost his mind.
The years alone on his hilltop estate have not been good for Castiel Novak. After the magical accident that disfigured him and nearly destroyed the village, he drifts through his days, a wraith trapped in memories and depression. Until a stricken young man collapses on his driveway, one who claims Castiel is his last chance. For the first time in fifteen years, Castiel must make a choiceāleave this wild mage to his fate or take him in and try to teach him, which may kill them both. The old Castiel, brash and commanding, wouldnāt have hesitated. Castiel the exile isnāt sure he can find the energy to try.
A Demon Like Him by EllenOfOz
Dean Winchester doesnāt want to be a warlock. The idea of working in a lab, channeling demonic magic into enchanted batteries is not what he wants to do with his life, but itās a dangerous opinion to haveāhis father was a powerful and well-connected warlock, and Dean is expected to follow the family tradition.
His only way out is to fail the demon summoning classāfailure means expulsion from the Warlock College. Despite Deanās best efforts to fumble the summoning, it works. Although not the way anyone expects.
Deanās demon, Castiel, is an incubus, but also a powerful mage on a mission to rebalance the magic that is being stripped from Demonside by warlocks.
Dean must choose: fail out of his final exam and turn his back on becoming a warlock, or help Castiel and graduate. But he doesnāt count on how hot the incubus is, or how close they have become in just a few days.
A Working RelationshipĀ by fangirlingtodeath513
The homes that Castiel Novak designs for Angelic Houses are to die for. Theyāre pristine, perfectly designed and organized, and theyāve caused more than a few bidding wars. Itās the perfect jobāheās organized, good with math, and heās able to pick up on design trends relatively quickly. The only thing that isnāt perfect? His obnoxious older brother, Luke. Castielās been vying for a position on a flipping team for years now, but Luke has never even considered it. When a lecherous gossip reporter overhears an argument, they receive an offer they canāt refuse.
Theyāre invited to compete on Flip Off, a competition where two people flip houses and compete for the highest profit. Castiel wants the leverage a win would bring him, but he also wants to prove himself. Enter Dean Winchester, a contractor with his own team and one thatās blissfully unconnected to Angelic Houses, allowing Castiel to prove himself without any help from the family company.
The undeniable attraction between them certainly doesnāt help matters, but Castiel is resolute in his decision to make a move only after theyāve finished working together. At least, that had been his plan until Dean made him an offer he simply couldnāt refuse.
Crashing In by followyourenergy
Castiel Novak is convinced heās the last unwillingly single person in Lupine Cove. Even Gabriel, his perpetual bachelor brother, has found love. Itās probably because Cas leads the most boring life in existence. Heās a gay man living in a rented, one-room cottage in the same small coastal town he grew up in, just getting by as the owner of the same convenience store he was practically raised in. The most excitement he gets is chatting with the locals or maybe, if heās unlucky, oversleeping and rushing to work. So when a baby is left at the Safe Haven drop-off at the local fire station, he takes the opportunity to step in for the child temporarily, at least until suitable parents, plural, can be found.
Life certainly gets more interesting.
And it gets even more interesting when a handsome man comes crashingāliterallyāinto his life.
Make Me BelieveĀ by GhoulsnHalos
Ten years ago, Castiel Novakās stepfather disowned him, taking from him his place as hereditary heir to the head of the Hunter and Warrior Guild. Now, heās a self-made, and celebrated, master gem and metal smith. Castiel doesnāt believe that the Godās decide your soulmate. Until he designs what can only be a gift fit for his soul mate, who in contradiction to the etiquette, if not the laws of Neffroen, must be a man.
Dean Winchester is convinced that he is a lowly, dumbass, no magic hunter who couldnāt possibly be on the same social scale as a Novak. So, why is it when he spots the jewelled torc in Castielās shop, Dean develops an obsession over the neckpiece and its creator? It can't be anything to do with the will of the Gods, no matter what anyone says, because that's baloney and Dean's not into men.
When Castielās long-lost brother turns up and suggests he ought to challenge their stepfather and that Dean is destined to help Castiel rule the clan, Castiel takes some convincing. The real problem is Dean. Can Castiel with the help of family and friends convince Dean of his place by Castielās side? Can Dean play the part everyone expects of him to help Castiel regain his rightful place in society?
Shielded HeartĀ by JuniperJones
Arthos, the Infinite City, is a place of alien wonders and indescribable beautyāand, most importantly for Dean, itās also halfway across the universe from his abusive ex-fiancĆ©. He came to the city desperate for a fresh start, but he finds himself downtrodden on a world of aloof alien beings with little hope of finding his placeāand a good chance of being kidnapped or killed before he can even settle in.
At least until he is saved by an irresistible alien with piercing eyes and a seductive smile.
Castiel is the living embodiment of temptation, and he makes no effort to disguise his desire for Dean. But when his past threatens to drag Dean into a dangerous underworld, Dean discovers Castiel isnāt who he claims to be. After enduring so much suffering, can Dean bear to take a leap of faith with this mysterious alien? Can he trust Castiel with not only his life, but his heart?
Stumble and Fall by Kitmistry
Castiel was raised to do one thing: serve his country, whether that was fighting a war or becoming an expert spy. But when his lover is charged with treason and executed Castiel defects. He has evidence that can destroy the KGBās entire spy ring in New Mexico, he has names of scientists involved with atomic weapons who send information to the Soviets, and he wonāt stop until he has revenge.
Putting all his trust in the Americans, Castiel finds himself under the protection of U.S. Marshal Dean Winchester, who is too cocky and attractive for his own good, but at least seems to know what heās doing.
When a routine transfer to a safehouse goes horribly wrong, Castiel and Dean narrowly escape with their lives. With the Marshals compromised and Castiel being framed for murder, he and Dean are on the run from KGB and law enforcement alike. They have no one to trust except each other, and nowhere to go that their enemies canāt reach.
The Shots We Donāt TakeĀ by MandalaRose
Still nursing the tatters of a broken heart and trying desperately to stave off the terror of his impending graduation, college senior Cas Novak decides itās time to blow off a little steam. Not just any hook-up will do, however. The last thing Cas needs right now is a distraction. On the lookout for someone he can enjoy a steamy night of passion with before leaving them behind entirely, Cas thinks heās found exactly what he needs in cocky university hockey star and well-known playboy Dean Winchester.
Dean is gorgeous, doesnāt date, and is the singular most infuriating person Cas has ever met. Heās the perfect one night stand...that is, until Dean decides he wants an instant replay of what was supposed to be a one-time event. Will Casā offer of friends, sans benefits, convince the arrogant love āem and leave āem hockey defenseman to find an easier score? Or will Dean wear down Casā defenses and lure the sexy nerd in the dorky trenchcoat back to his bed?
Bullets Over the Bayou (fic by mattzerella_sticks, art by dontbelasagnax)
Everyone wants Castiel Novak to quit the force, including Castiel. But he stays on despite the toxic work environment heās surrounded by. Still believing he can do some good despite the many lines of red tape impeding him. Luckily, a pair of scissors by the name of Dean Winchester drops into his hands, and he finally feels like he can do some good.
Dean Winchester thought he would be in New Orleans for a day or two. Identify the body of his deadbeat father and then move on. No one knows heās here. His mother and brother are blissfully unaware of the danger his father roped him into. With a parting gift of a journal, delivered to him the same day he received word about his father, Dean has become the target of a group of people who want him dead. The same people who killed his father.
Racing against the clock, can Dean and Castiel figure out what is so important about John Winchesterās journal that someone would kill for it?
MasqueradeĀ by noxsoulmate
It had begun as such a good plan; one that benefitted them both. And masquerading as Castiel Krushnic's boyfriend during the weeks of balls, galas, and charity events certainly was no hardship. With the impending end of their arrangement, though, Dean Winchester must admit that behind the mask of an aloof CEO lies a man he could fall in love with. Or maybe, he already hasā¦
The Medium by raths_kitten
Detective Dean Winchester hates it when his Chief sends a medium to consult on his cases. But this time, the murder is closely linked to Castielās world and they both need to work together to solve it.
Any Semblance of TouchĀ (fic by saltnhalo, art by c-kaeru)
Dean Winchesterās lifeās work is protecting the world from the supernatural relics that could destroy it. When an amulet with the power to control the tides is shipped to New York, he must intercept it before it can be used to devastating effects. This time, in order to succeed, he needs a powerful psychometricā¦ and the only one available has sworn off the magical world altogether.
Castiel Novakās gift comes with great risk. To protect himself, heās become a recluse, redirecting his magic into museum research. But with the cityās fate hanging in the balance, and faced with the power of Deanās charm and persuasionā¦
He canāt force himself to say no.
The Love of a Righteous Man by SargentMom573
Five years ago, Captain Dean Winchester defied his father, Senator John Winchester. With his brother Sam, and his spaceship Impala, Dean found his place among a ragtag fleet of pirates and smugglers. Their latest mission left him with a price on his head and a scar on his heart. When a surprise attack separated him from Sam and revealed a Sith weapon, he would do whatever it took to bring his brother back ā even sacrifice his own happiness.
After Emperor Michaelās death broke the psychic link between them, Emperorās Hand Castiel Novak spent years drowning his sorrows at the bottom of a barrel. Mostly sober, three years ago he found a new purpose as the Impalaās Chief Medical Officer, and Sam Winchesterās guide in the Force. And a good friend in the Impalaās gruff but kind Captain.
Dean and Castiel must work together to bring Sam home alive. But when Castielās last mission is exposed, will Castiel complete it and destroy any hopes Dean had for a family? Will Dean forgive Casā horrific purpose before it is too late? And give them both what they really want ā the love of a righteous man.
Dean Winchester swore off love after getting dumped and fired from his job the same day. Badly drunk, he ended up balcony-hopping until a pair of hands snatched him inside a darkened room. But it's no hero, it's someone with deep voice whispering threats with a gun pointed at his back. Deanās too drunk to deal with life but one good look at his hot assailant plus enough beer sold him to his accursed fate. The next morning, he found himself engaged to the most notorious leader of a powerful clan, Castiel Novak.
Married life in the compound for a month was not as blissful so when he could, Dean fought for that freedom. Castiel relented and as Dean tried to put the pieces of his normal life together, getting a bike messenger job and dealing with pain in the ass clients, he now also needs to deal with the dangerous presence of his very jealous and very protective husband watching over him.
Is his life ever going to get back to normal?
