Dean and Cas have been good friends ever since Charlie introduced them. Best friends, even. So what if more feelings might lurk beneath the surface — it’s not like either would ever act on them and risk the good thing they already have.
But a few brief nights together during a shared heat/rut cycle threaten to jeopardize that delicate balance. Especially when they each find out life changing news shortly afterwards.
Keep reading for a sneak preview!
“You got any New Year’s resolutions you gonna make?”
His breath clung to the air. He could feel the cold in his gums, and he briefly considered going back inside. Braving the cold was worth getting Cas to himself, so he stayed put.
“The usual,” Cas said. “Run at least one marathon this year. Maybe two if I stay healthy.”
“Pssh, Cas, you’re doing it wrong. Your resolution’s not supposed to be something you’re gonna do anyway. It’s supposed to be something ridiculous that you can brag about for a few weeks before you lose interest.”
“So what’s yours?”
“Gonna learn how to paint.”
“Twenty-two, twenty-one, twenty!”
Between the alcohol and the beautiful cityscape before them, peppered with snowflakes and all aglow for New Year’s, Dean was feeling a little reckless.
“You mind if I kiss you?” Dean asked as he looked down at Cas’ lips. Chapped as always, but so damn tempting… “Y’know. For uh… for New Year’s. When the ball drops.”
Cas swallowed and Dean watched his adam’s apple bob. He wanted to sink his teeth into the meat of Cas’ neck and claim him right then and there. Not the first time he’s had that thought about his best friend, but it was especially hard to ignore the temptation right now. He knew he should’ve stopped after that third beer…
“Okay.”
“Ten, nine, eight…”
“Yeah?” Dean perked up, unable to hide his excitement.
“It’s tradition, isn’t it? Wouldn’t want to break with tradition.”
“Nope, we sure wouldn’t.”
“Especially not with my inadequate New Year’s Resolution.”
“Yeah, you should probably try to cover your bases, just in case.”
“Three, two, one…”
The apartment erupted into cheers and a cacophony of party poppers and noise makers. Dean barely heard it, his heart was beating too loudly. Cas leaned in a little and Dean forgot all about the chill. His world was nothing but blue eyes and the soft brush of lips…
They broke apart shortly after. He’d never felt drunker in his life, but he was pretty sure it wasn’t just the alcohol at this point. Oh no no no, it was something way more powerful than that.
He’d done it. After all these years, he’d kissed Cas.
The last thing he clearly remembered from that night was leaning in for another taste…
I have never done a challenge fest before, and it was SO MUCH FUN. This is the art I made for @saltnhalo AMAZING fic, Little Blue Dragon. I’m so grateful to have gotten a chance to be a part of it - she’s truly an amazing writer and painting dragons is a challenge I never thought I would be able to do properly.
This year, the Pinefest family collectively produced 1,391,542 words of glorious pining, and 94 gorgeous pieces of art! If you haven’t caught up, you can find the rebloggable masterpost of masterposts right here, or check out the ao3 collection.
Before we wrap up for this round, we just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who participated in the second Pinefest. As much behind the scenes work as we do, ultimately the success of this challenge comes down to all of the authors and artists whose outstanding talent and generosity make this fandom such a wonderful place to be.
So thank you, sincerely, for all the wonderful things you’ve created ♥
We can’t wait to see you all again in the next round! Barring any major schedule changes, sign ups will open in early August--keep an eye on the blog for updates :)
Castiel Novak was sheltered growing up and is used to doing what everyone else wants, from taking suppressants, to working a job that he despises. But everything changes the moment that he follows the most tantalizing scent he’s ever smelled, and he collides with the source, literally. Their impact causes the Omega to drop the engagement ring box he’s holding, kneeling down to retrieve it on bended knee, to Castiel’s horror. Confused, Castiel runs away from the Omega after jumping to conclusions.
Dean Winchester, a bakery owner, has always wanted a family and a home, but every Alpha he’s ever scented has been a major turn-off. Until his Alpha runs right into him while he’s picking up something for Sam’s fiancee. Despite having waited for his mate for his entire life, Dean panics when he begins to believe that Cas is too good to be true. How will things change when Dean also learns that the Alpha may not be able to give him the family he’s always wanted?
Life keeps trying to throw them together but, like two ships in the night, they evade each other until they’re both so miserable they have no choice but to communicate and try to decide if their bond is something worth deepening.
Keep reading for a sneak preview!
Today the air feels much cooler on Cas' flushing skin than the previous day, especially when that exquisite scent assaults him yet again. It seems to be much stronger and wafting from a side street, where the wind gently rolls between two buildings, a calmer air that gives his feet a clearer direction to take than yesterday.
He barely registers what he is doing, his instincts and his nose guiding the way. The stronger it gets, the more he looks around frantically, so he isn’t looking where he is going when he collides with a very solid body.
There is so much going on, all at once, for Cas to process. Most overwhelming is that he is completely wrapped up in spiced apples and whiskey. Dazedly, he looks down at the man who has dropped to one of his knees to pick up a small black-velvet box that he must have dropped upon their impact with one another.
“Oh my gosh, is he proposing?” Cas vaguely hears one person say before a hush settles, passerbys slowing and then stopping to see what the commotion is about.
The ring box has popped open and the man is frowning at its contents. Cas registers a flash of a camera somewhere in front of him, people are murmuring, and then narrowed green eyes lift up...
Cas comes crashing back down to his senses when he realizes that the most wonderful scent that he’s ever known is coming from a person. It wasn’t a shop, or a bar, or some thing he was scenting. The man is the source. The man who is still squinting up at Cas as he snaps the ring box closed and rises to his feet unsteadily.
Two years ago, Dean walked away from Castiel after discovering his biggest secret—that he’s a witch. Since then, Dean’s spent his days hunting alone, filling the emptiness inside with sex, booze, and the next case.
When he gets a desperate call for help from Castiel, Dean doesn’t hesitate to go. But things in the small Maine town aren’t what they seem, especially when he comes face to face with Castiel, who insists he wasn’t the one to place the call.
Dean’s been given an opportunity to fix his past mistakes, but it means working alongside a very bitter Castiel, and Benny, a local deputy with knowledge of the supernatural, to figure out what’s plaguing Newport and why it all seems fixated around Castiel.
Keep reading for a sneak preview!
Cas lets the anger dissipate from his face and points towards the tiny kitchen table. “Your clothes are over there. I washed your shirt and jacket late last night. You’ll need someone to stitch your shirt up for you though.”
Dean remembers he’s shirtless and, for both his and Cas’ sake, goes and puts them on. He doesn’t have to turn to feel Cas following his every move, and he wishes more than ever that things weren’t like this between them.
“So, that spell or whatever you just did… didn’t sound like typical Latin,” he says, hoping to fill the silence that’s crept between them.
“It’s Sumerian,” Cas answers simply. “Your wounds were so severe that the healing spells I would normally use would have been ineffective in treating them. I had to use something stronger.”
Dean makes a noise of agreement and nods. He’s clearly lingering, but Cas is the one who called him out of the blue, so he figures Cas should be the one to finally break down and tell him what’s going on.
“Dean… why are you here?”
That wasn’t what he was expecting to hear.
“Come again?” Dean asks.
“Dean, we haven’t spoken in over two years. Then, out of the blue, you show up at my place of work nearly bleeding to death with Benny begging me to save you.” A pained look crosses Cas’ expression again briefly, and Dean is taken back to that night two years ago, wondering how Cas must feel experiencing the same thing all over again. “I don’t know how you found this town, or found me, for that matter, but I have a right to know why you’re here.”
There’s anger seething underneath the surface of his skin. He didn’t just drive all the way to Maine for Cas to act like this.
“The hell are you talking about, Cas? You’re the one who called me!” He feels his fists clench tight and his body go rigid with anger. “You called me up, scared the hell outta me yelling about some monster, and then I drove all the way over here just to get attacked by whatever the hell that thing was!” To further prove his point, Dean whips his phone out and pulls up the text message from Cas. “Look, this is from you!”
Dean sees it. A brief flicker of shock and confusion in Cas’ eyes. Cas hides it quickly and tilts his head while keeping his expression impassive and even. “Dean, that’s not my phone number.”
Good news for everyone who likes their Destiel fic with a healthy dose of yearning: previews are here!
Under the cut you’ll find links to thirty-seven Pinefest fic previews, along with a handful of art previews--though most of our artists are keeping their work completely under wraps until their posting day.
Once posting begins on March 3, we’ll start adding links to each masterpost, too.
2017 Ao3 collection
2018 Ao3 collection
March 3 - If Love Was a River - preview - masterpost
fic by loversantiquities | art by subtextiel
March 4 - Heroes for Ghosts - preview - masterpost
fic by pantheonofdiscord | art by maiglöckchen
March 5 - The Scent of Magic - preview - masterpost
fic by dr-dean | art by cenedrariva
March 6 - Winchester 275 - preview - masterpost
fic by mittensmorgul | art by whichstiel
March 7 - It Starts With a Kiss - preview - masterpost
fic by jhoom | art by ricketyjukeboxer
March 8 - Like Curving Colour
fic by robotsnchicks | art by dogsled
March 9 - Attention Interest Desire Action
fic by procasdeanating | art by exceptcas
March 10 - ‘Connections’ with Castiel
fic by bluemasquerade | art by delicious-irony
March 11 - Turn the World to Gold
fic by teacass + superhoney | art by thevioletcaptain
March 12 - Cat-and-Mouse… And Cat
fic by paperann | art by dmsilvisart
March 13 - Whispers in the Wind
fic by cenedrariva | art by purzelndesbaeumchen
March 14 - Ships in the Night
fic by thetwistedwillow | art by pbj*fish
March 15 - Find Our Way
fic by youaresunlight (puppycastiel) | art by miggles-scribbles
March 16 - Dig the Devil’s Blood
fic by carrieosity | art by correlia-be
March 17 - From Sea to Shining Sea
fic by mscaptainwinchester | art by cryptomoon
March 18 - A Wonderful Mess We’ve Made
fic by flightoftheseraph (seraphwrites) | art by shadowpaintedrose
March 19 - Merger in the Woods
fic by tobythewise | art by spnheart
March 20 - Clay
fic by dogsled | art by blusart
March 21 - Pining Sickness, or; Murder with One Stone
fic by athaclena | art by imtoobiforyou
March 22 - Because This Moment Simply Is
fic by ilovelucey | art by dreym
March 23 - Winding Roads, Blinding Lights
fic by grumpyphoenix | art by frosted-astronaut
March 24 - None today :(
March 25 - Breaking the Rules
fic by legendsofsnark | art by dreamsfromthebunker
March 26 - The Rigged Mandela Effect
fic by starespressos | art by starmouse123
March 27 - Love Has a Quiet Voice
fic by casloveshisfreckles | art by correlia-be
March 28 - Genie in a Bottle
fic by thepopeisdope | art by missaceriee
March 29 - The Great Escape
fic by deaneatscake | art by kuwlshadow
March 30 - Pies and Prejudice
fic by cassiebobassie | art by wheres-cas
March 31 - The Sacredness of Tears
fic by ladyofthursday | art by dmsilvisart
April 1 - The Shape of Regret
fic by halzbarry | art by throughxthexice
April 2 - Raining at Sunset
fic by livinginthequestion | art by maiglöckchen
April 3 - Good Things
fic by fallenandthefaithless | art by cryptomoon
April 4 - Somewhere We Belong
fic by zaphodsgirl | art by imtoobiforyou
April 5 - Picture Perfect World
fic by pherryt | art by dogsled
April 6 - None today :(
April 7 - Little Blue Dragon
fic by saltnhalo | art by elliottranstrex
April 8 - The Shop on the Corner
fic by cascase | art by bs-acorns
April 9 - So Make it Count
fic by atomicdetectivehideout | art by boopliette
April 10 - Highway 9
fic by ellispark (solo author)
After Sam and Dean are arrested, Castiel is left alone and scrambling to find them. He knows they’re locked away in a government facility, and he’s still able to hear their prayers, but no matter how he tries Castiel can’t seem to track them. He chases leads and even attempts to hunt on his own, but Mary is AWOL, Crowley refuses to help, and Castiel’s options are running out.
Weeks pass, Castiel’s hope dwindles, and through it all Dean prays, keeping them connected. His voice is comforting, frustrating, and occasionally annoying, but in his solitude Castiel comes to cherish it. But then one day, without warning, Dean stops praying, and Castiel is forced to confront some uncomfortable truths about his feelings.
Keep reading for a sneak preview!
Castiel parks the Impala at the head of the road, then retrieves a machete from the trunk. There are a tiny set of initials inscribed into the wooden handle, and Castiel takes a moment to trace his thumb over the roughly-carved scratches. The work is neat, but juvenile. There’s an unexpected pang in his chest when he thinks about how young Dean must have been when he put them there.
A noise up the tree-lined driveway draws his attention, so Castiel shakes away his thoughts and closes the car’s trunk quietly. He starts moving down the road, mindful of his footfalls, until the old stone ruins come into view. There’s flickering firelight coming from inside; someone is clearly using the building. He slows his steps and grips the machete tighter.
“Hey Cas. You awake?”
Castiel startles. Dean’s usually asleep this time of night.
“What am I talking about. You’re always awake. It’s just that it’s after midnight – I think – and I can’t sleep.”
“Dean, this isn’t the best time,” Castiel hisses, then he rolls his eyes. Talking to himself isn’t terribly practical right now.
“I was just thinking, maybe you can talk to Mom for me. I’ve had a lot of time to think in here, obviously, and I keep thinking about how bad she and I left things.”
“Can we please talk about this later, Dean?” Castiel whispers, moving forward to put his back against a tree trunk. He cranes his neck around the tree and spots several figures moving back and forth in an open area of the ruins. There’s a low stone wall surrounding them and they’re all silhouetted by the fire, so Castiel can’t make out any details.
“But just do me a favour, man. Let her know I get it. Her needing time away, needing space – I shouldn’t’ve come down on her so hard for that.”
Castiel briefly abandons his spying and leans his head back against the tree. He closes his eyes and listens, blocking out every sound that isn’t Dean.
“Y’know, I’ve spent my whole life thinking about her, this – this myth of a perfect, flawless mother, but somewhere along the line I kinda forgot she was a person. That’s not fair. And y’know. . .”
He trails off for a moment, and Castiel just breathes.
“Okay look, there’s actually a whole mess of crap for her and me to unpack here, so. . . maybe don’t try to tell her all that. No offense, buddy, but you’ve got some work to do with the whole ‘communicating human emotions’ thing.”
“True,” Castiel murmurs.
“But just tell her I get her needing to leave. And I don’t blame her.”
He’s silent again, and Castiel nods to himself. “I’ll tell her.”
“‘Kay. I’m gonna try to sleep again. Good talk, buddy.”
“Goodnight, Dean,” Castiel says softly. He takes a moment to refocus, gently thumping his head against the tree a few times, but then he squares his shoulders and looks back around at the ruins.
