#pinefest 2025

Fanfic Dreams |  Explicit  |  31,228

Author: seidenapfel Artist: WitchyWorm

After running into Marie and the girls, Dean can’t let go of fanfictions. Digging into them, he can’t escape them. Fic after fic he falls deeper into a rabbit hole as he realises that the fics soothe the cravings of the Mark. And he will do everything to keep it that way. His longing transcends barriers, and at first, Castiel only receives vibes when his yearning resonates and the dreams commence. Endless possibilities open themselves up for him. For them. Missed moments. Alternate universes. All of them have one thing in common: Dean. Lovely, beautiful Dean Winchester, loving him back in every possible way. Yet, every morning, it feels as if nothing has happened. Everything is back to normal — or is it?

My Art Masterpost for “The Royal Runaway” by Tossukka for the @deancaspinefest !!!!!!

Go read this amazing fiction and give love and kudos to the writer.

April art post 1 of 3!

Back again with my first art post for the month of April!

This time I'm here to share some doodles I made for iamianweareme. It's my second collaboration for @deancaspinefest, and let me tell you, The Magic Words (That Make Everything All Better) is really something special. Please go read it and spread the word.

I'll be back soon with more art!

Searching For Burning Feathers  |  M  |  21k

Author: Altiria | Artist: Stonelions

Again and again, Castiel must watch Dean die as the Empty dangles happiness before him, only to rip it away. There is no escape; this is the reality he accepted to save Dean. His fate, his destiny, is to watch Dean suffer while he is forbidden from changing his fate—to stand there as his happiness destroys them.

Dean, meanwhile, makes a drastic choice. He wants his apple-pie life; he wants to be happy… but he wants it with Castiel. He’s sent to the empty, facing down a Castiel who doesn’t remember their real life, while the Empty kills him again and again right before Castiel’s eyes.

All of this, with the simple goal of staying alive long enough for Jack to get them out.

Link to Story  |  Link to Art

Pairings: Dean/Cas 

Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death, Suicide (implied & Referenced)

“The Width of a Circle” Art Masterpost

author: Imogenebynight (@thevioletcaptain)

artist: me :)

Years ago, while investigating a missing teenager, Dean made an account on a blogging platform in the hopes of tracking down the monster that took her. He’d planned to delete the app once they wrapped the case, but one thing led to another, and the next thing he knew he had a surprisingly popular blog on his hands. Over the years, he’s become kind of dependent on the outlet his “Circlr” community affords him, especially when going through hard times. Hard times like now. Because Cas just came back from the dead, and he’s already taking off again to raise Jack in Washington where he’d died not so long ago, hoping to give the kid the time and space he needs to get a handle on his volatile powers. Feeling abandoned and rejected, Dean needs pocket friends more than ever. Cas, meanwhile, has no idea how to raise a teen. Luckily, the internet has directed him to a blogging platform full of helpful advice, recipes, and semi-anonymous people to befriend…

Registration for the 2025 round is now open!

In the eight years since our first round, Pinefest authors have written 253 incredible fics comprising a collective 9.8 million words worth of pining, and artists have been inspired to create 811 gorgeous works of art to be viewed alongside them.

Now, we're excited to announce the opening of our ninth round – and we'd love for you to join us!

Registration will remain open until September 30th for authors, while artists may continue to sign up until December 1st.

Artists and authors will be paired through an anonymous claims process on December 14th, and artists will have 3 months to work on their art before posting commences on pi(e) day – March 14, 2025!

Full details about the challenge rules, requirements, and schedule can be found via the links below, and you can register here.

Until then... happy pining, everyone!

Stairs in the Woods | Rated E | 48,062 Words

Author: Blackhorsedances Artist: kolumander

Folklore professor Castiel Novak and his niece Claire have found the “stairs in the woods”, an urban legend that Novak wants to include in his forthcoming book about urban myths. A simple exploration turns tragic when Claire disappears. In a race against time and the unknown, Novak needs expert help and he needs it fast. Dean Winchester may be retired from hunting monsters, but he’s still saving people. He and his team–IT wizards Charlie Bradbury, Dorothy Baum, Frank Devereaux, and lawyer Sam Winchester–work to find people who have disappeared and return them to their families. The pay’s decent, and it’s less risky than hunting a nest of vamps (usually). Chance, or perhaps fate, leads Dean to Castiel Novak and his missing niece. Dean knows he should avoid getting emotionally involved with the handsome professor, but there’s just something special about him. The closer he gets to Castiel Novak, the more he’s pulled into the web of urban legend that might lead to secrets he’d rather not tell…

Link to Fic | Link to Art

Pairings: Castiel Novak/Dean Winchester