#pre 2012

It’s always fun to get an outsider’s point of view on Dean and Cas’ relationship, and who better to offer insight than Sam? After all, he’s the one with the front-row seat to all the action-- much to his dismay. This is essentially 3k of his long-suffering commentary on the way Dean and Cas finally get their shit together, then proceed to scar him for life with the results. It’s hilarious and cringeworthy and surprisingly heartfelt, especially because it takes place so early in the canon timeline. Sam and Cas don’t have quite the connection they do now, so Sam’s occasionally still baffled by him, which only makes the whole thing stranger to him. But his concern for Dean’s happiness really shines through, even when he’s being traumatized, and it’s clear that Cas makes Dean happy, so Sam is content to suffer through some incredibly unfortunate timing on more than one occasion.

This story has everything: Christmas, existential angst, a case, good brother bonding, and Dean and Cas getting together. It’s one I’ve read every year since I first discovered Dean/Cas fic, and it never fails to delight me. Dean’s determination to enjoy Christmas is heartbreaking, struggling for some semblance of normalcy in a life that has always been exceptional in both good and bad ways. But since their life is far from normal, he and Sam get caught up in a case-- and a particularly fun one, I have to say, one I would love to see them experience in canon-- and Cas gets called in as backup. After that, it’s inevitable-- Dean has been thinking a lot about his priorities, and Cas is at the top of that list. It’s never easy between them, of course. Dean’s hesitance is completely believable, and his speech admitting his feelings gives me shivers every time I read it. They’re careful and tender and so, so, so in love, and the way they express that love to each other is gorgeously written.

Vacation fics are always a nice way of breaking out of the mold of the show, taking the boys to new and exciting places. Since Cas is still an angel here, they’re able to travel the world with ease, and each section in a new city or country is beautifully and lovingly described. But more than the physical journey, it’s about the emotional journey they all take, but especially Sam. Set just after his return from Hell, there’s an emphasis on his interior struggles that is so satisfying to read without ever overtaking the romantic plot between Dean and Cas. Overall, it’s a quiet, beautiful exploration of the relationships between these three characters we love so much, and despite the earlier canon setting, it’s something I’d still love to see someday.

Oh look, another canon-divergent story that involves Dean teaching Cas about sex! Hopefully, like me, you never get tired of reading variations on that theme. This one starts with the awkwardly humorous situation of Dean walking in on Cas watching porn (again), which leads to some interesting conversations about sexual history and preferences. Dean’s attraction to men and his own complicated feelings about it are given due space and respect, but they’re not easily overcome. Miscommunication abounds, which is unsurprising for these two, but the clear connection and true affection between them underlies all the frustration and angst and makes it all worthwhile in the end. In some ways, it’s a painful reminder of how long we’ve been watching these two dance around each other-- the early season setting feels so distant now, and they’ve come so much further since then. But it’s also a perfect reminder of why we care so much about them and their relationship: because this thing between them is real and intense and life-changing.  

After all these years, after all that they’ve been through, it’s fascinating to go back and revisit the early seasons of Dean and Castiel, whether in canon or in fic. This short but powerful story offers a unique perspective on the matter, as Uriel watches a particular scene from 4x10 unfold and lays out where it will take Dean and Cas. In just these few words, the author touches on the nature of angels, the nature of humanity, and on the looming conflict that will both bring Dean and Castiel together and tear them apart. Maybe most impressively, it also manages to make Uriel seem far sympathetic than he ever appears in canon. It’s a beautiful, thoughtful look at the inevitability of Dean and Cas, told in sparse and striking prose. While the sequels don’t have quite the same uniqueness of perspective, they’re still definitely worth reading, especially if you’re looking for something a bit racier.

There are also a ton of fun cameos from beloved characters (Michael and Lucifer make a short but particularly memorable appearance), lots of delightful banter, and of course, so much wedding planning. And when the misunderstanding is finally cleared up (with one of my favourite lines of fic dialogue ever), the resulting bedroom activities are a perfect blend of sweet and hot. Even knowing what to expect, this is a story to be revisited time and time again.

If you’re ever looking for a short canon fic with loads of porn, some angsty feelings, and a sweet resolution — this is it. The Girlfriend Experience starts with a bang, quite literally, and it’s mostly filthy and hot and funny… until real feelings catch Dean and Cas a little off-guard. It includes self-conscious and mighty talented Dean with a darker past and Castiel, who’s perpetually grumpy but eager in experiencing everything that means to be a human. As usual, our boys have a little bit of trouble talking about important things; also includes an annoyed and tired of their shit Sam, a mermaid, and burgers.

But really, the standout here is Castiel. Castiel, who is still an angel, and who chooses to remain at Dean’s side despite the horrors facing them down. Castiel, who has the uncanniness and the unearthliness he did in his earlier seasons, but who gradually loses some of his armour as the situation becomes more and more dire. There’s a “last night on Earth” urgency to almost all of Dean and Castiel’s interactions, the very real possibility of death bringing some long-simmering emotions to the surface. Come for the zombies, but stay for the absolutely heart-wrenching scenes between these two.