'meaningless fluff' outline, two hours later: CHARACTER is good at UNIQUE ABILITY but it's held back by MAJOR FLAW. They have PROBLEM, which they notice as SYMPTOM. If they do RESPONSE then they will get OUTCOME. In the end, they actually DO/DON'T and this is GOOD/BAD.
Summary: Gabriel is back but in order to really help the Winchesters, he needs a new vessel.
Characters: Gabriel, Dean Winchester, Sam Winchester, Castiel, Arthur Ketch (mentioned), Asmodeus (mentioned), Mary Winchester (mentioned), Jack (mentioned)
Word Count: 983
Warnings: cursing, mention of past torture, angel possession
A/N: So, I read this article about Dean in the coming episodes (there are some vague season 13 spoilers if you read it) and this was the first thing that popped into my head. I couldn’t focus on anything else until I got it down on paper and I’m not convinced that something like this won’t actually happen...
Also, I’m making this an entry into the @gabriel-monthly-challenge for March! One of the prompts was a song called Broken Halos by Chris Stapleton and the chorus really feels like it fits this one. I’m hoping to write another with one or more of the other amazing prompts, too!
New Vessel -
Seen my share of broken halos
Folded wings that used to fly
They've all gone wherever they go
Broken halos that used to shine
- Broken Halos by Chris Stapleton
“I can’t do it.” Gabriel’s voice was firm and steady, despite the fact that he hadn’t been able to use it for much of the past decade. With Ketch’s help, Sam, Dean, and Cas had been able to break him out of the prison Asmodeus had created for him. The brothers had loaded the archangel into the back of the Impala and then driven him back to the bunker where they began to nurse him back to health. It had been slow going but, after they had convinced Gabriel that they were real and not just another hallucination created to torture him into submission, he had started making real progress.
With Sam standing at his side, Dean had just told Gabriel about their predicament. They still hadn’t been able to track down a way to get to Jack and Mary. They had all the ingredients to open the portal except one - the grace of an archangel. They didn’t need all of it, Sam had assured him, and Castiel was willing to share his grace with Gabriel until he had returned to his full power but the recently rescued archangel had still bristled at the idea.
Dean pursed his lips at Gabriel’s response. “You can’t or you won’t?” he asked harshly, all of the men tense as his words brought back flashes of nearly a decade ago when Dean had asked him the same question. Gabriel had stayed quiet that time but now he had an answer.
Sam beat him to speaking, though, and grabbed his brother’s arm in warning, a quiet “Dean,” muttered under his breath but the older man shrugged him off.
“No, Sam, we risked our asses to pull him out of hell,” he said, his eyes trained on Gabriel. “He owes us this.”
Sam was about to respond, likely something about how he had already nearly died for them once, Gabriel assumed, but the archangel spoke up before the younger Winchester could take them all further on the trip down memory lane.
“Can’t.” He stared Dean down, the hunter taking a step backwards under his scrutiny. “Not in this vessel. It’s not strong enough for me to survive with depleted grace, yet.”
Dean looked the weakened angel over and Gabriel could tell he was deciding whether or not he believed his story. The human squared his shoulders and stood up a little straighter, emphasizing the difference in height between him and the archangel in front of him. “If we can find you another vessel you could do it?”
Gabriel arched a brow, interested in where this line of questioning was going, and nodded.
Dean’s lips pursed again as he sucked at his top teeth in thought. “Then, yes.”
Gabriel saw Sam’s eyebrows shoot up at Dean’s words and he knew he had a similar expression on his own face. Even after all these years, humans still had the power to surprise him.
Sam reached for his brother again, this time not allowing his grip to be shaken off. “Dean, what the hell? What are you doing?”
The older Winchester didn’t take his eyes off of Gabriel as he replied to his brother. “We said we’d do whatever it took to get them back, Sam. If this is what it takes, I’m in.” He paused for a minute, waiting for Gabriel to do or say something. When the archangel didn’t move, continued speaking. “Come on, I was literally created for Michael to wear me like a cheap suit. Handling you should be a piece of cake,” Dean prodded.
Gabriel stepped forward and nodded. “If that’s the way you want it. Heck, I’ll even let you out to play when we’re sucking on Castiel’s neck.” Gabriel knew he was antagonizing the hunter but he didn’t care. It was a stupid plan but, if what the brothers had shared was true, it was the only one they had to bring Mary Winchester and Jack back to the world in which they belonged. A nephilim in the hands of Michael - especially a Michael who had claimed apocalyptic victory - was not a scenario that he wanted to imagine. However, that didn’t mean that he wasn’t going to push Dean’s buttons in order to give the human a chance to back out.
Dean’s nostrils flared but he didn’t take the bait.
“I made this vessel for myself and I’ll want it back once we’re done,” Gabriel announced.
Dean almost laughed, a short burst of air escaping through his nose in disbelief. “Oh, don’t you worry, I’m kicking your ass out as soon as this is over.”
“Well, aren’t you just Mr. Hospitality, Dean-o,” Gabriel coldly joked, still trying to alienate the hunter. “Here’s my terms: I’ll do this for you on the condition that you bring me back here to this universe to return to my vessel and that you call off your hunt for Asmodeus. Once I’m back to full power, his demonic ass is mine.”
Dean scoffed at the fact that Gabriel thought he might expel him and leave him behind in the other world. Sure, he wasn’t the archangel’s biggest fan but he wasn’t cruel, either. That was a conversation - or, more likely, a confrontation - for another time, though and Dean quickly replied. “Deal.”
The trio walked to the library, the corridors silent apart from their footsteps. Once they arrived, Dean prayed for Castiel to join them. Gabriel was going to need to top off his grace once they took some from him. Cas would be weakened after that but he would still be able to make sure that Gabriel’s body remained hospitable to host the archangel upon their return.
As soon as Cas arrived, Gabriel sat down in one of the chairs. “I need to hear you say it again, Dean.”
“Yes.”
The room flashed white and Gabriel’s vessel slumped over lifeless in its chair as Dean’s eyes glowed blue with grace.
[Captain America][Daredevil] Training Buddies by Fyre
Title: Training Buddies
Author: Fyre
Word Count: 26k+
Status: WIP
Summary: Sometimes the random guy in the street isn't out to get you. And sometimes, he might need your help in ways you never expected.
My Notes: Friendship fic!!!! I love how Bucky and Matt becomes friends over time, and how Matt is protective of Bucky.
Why this fic needs to be read:
Matt and Bucky training together
Bucky taking care of himself
Matt & Bucky friendship
How Foggy just rolls with things
the way that Matt reminds Bucky of Steve
Ally fights
Awesome fight scenes!
I've internalised a lot of shame around writing lighthearted crack/humour fics. Probably because I was writing them back when I was, like, twelve, and my sense of humour was haha lolrandom when I was twelve.
But—despite my internalised cringing—in fact, my lighthearted writing doesn't cheapen my serious writing, or the other way round! And it's not like one fic can't be both—I've seen people describe the drunk!Eula fic as an almost-humour character study and an almost-dark crackfic, and neither is wrong. Serious!silly and silly!serious are important aesthetics ♥️
Anyway, reminder to self: 'atmosphere' is an aspect of the writing, not the writer.
Summary: Dean thinks that he’s got the best job as the zookeeper. His favorite thing to do is play with the animals, especially the cheetahs.
Written for @spnaubingo, square filled Zookeeper!Dean
Written for @spnfluffbingo, square filled child AU
Pairing: gen!fic
Word Count: 506
Rating: General
Warnings: None
A/N: This is based on real life events that I witnessed and it was just the cutest thing and I had to write about it. That is all. Also, thanks to @nobodys-baby-now for assuring me that this is, in fact, adorable and not dumb like I was worried. Also, also, sorry to my forevers who are getting tagged a bunch today... hopefully you’re enjoying the drabbles, though!
The Bestest Job -
Being the zookeeper was the bestest job and Dean loved it! He got to play with all the animals and got to be in charge of something important. Dean was strolling through his zoo, a wide smile on his face. He walked around, stopping to check in on the various animals, his wide brimmed cap protecting his eyes from the sun. Dean said hello to a few of the zoo’s guests who were eating at a nearby table and then a thought struck him that made the zookeeper take off running.
“I have to let the cheetahs out! I have to let the cheetahs out!” Dean shouted as he ran through the zoo. He held his keys up high above his head as he moved, dashing and dodging his way through excited crowds of people. Everyone wanted to see the cheetahs and they were relying on Dean to make it happen for them. Dean’s zoo had the finest cheetah’s in the world. They were the fastest and prettiest animals Dean had ever seen and they were, by far, his favorite. There were three cheetahs at the zoo that day and Dean couldn’t wait to play with them.
Dean made it to the cheetahs’ enclosure in record time and jammed his key into the lock, flinging the door open wide. As soon as the door was open, the cheetahs ran out. Dean laughed as he gave chase to the cats who were purring and growling at the zoo’s delighted patrons. One of the cheetahs even stopped to let someone pet her before she moved on.
Now that the cheetahs were free, Dean chased them around the zoo, high five-ing the people that he passed. It was the most fun thing to do on a warm day like today. Dean was having the time of his life and he could tell that the cheetahs were enjoying themselves too.
“Dean,” someone called and the zookeeper looked over his shoulder, “it’s time to go, sweetie! Sammy needs his nap.”
Dean took off running again, this time toward his mom and dad. The paper hat he had been wearing flew off as he launched himself into his dad’s arms. His mom leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek before checking on baby Sammy in his stroller. “Say goodbye to your friends.”
Dean waved back at Benny, Gabriel, and Jo, who were all just getting back to their feet after prancing around on their hands and knees while pretending to be the cheetahs. “Bye guys! See you at school tomorrow,” he hollered at his friends.
“Bye Dean,” Benny and Jo called back while Gabriel yelled “Next time, I get to be the zookeeper!”
Dean’s parents walked him and Sam away as Gabriel, Benny, and Jo started arguing about who got to be the next zookeeper and which animals they would have the others be.
The last thing he heard as the door closed behind him was an exasperated Jo asking “How do you even pretend to be a platypus?”
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Created for @spnaubingo; square filled: Prince!Sam
Sam was nervous. He had an official audience with his father, the King, and he wasn’t sure how is father was going to respond to his news. Lawrence was a small country filled with proud people and what he was asking might be interpreted as a slight to the nation. Yet, Sam knew he had to try.
Despite his preference for more casual clothing, Sam dressed in his royal finery, his cloak and crown weighing heavy on his shoulders and brow, both literally and figuratively. He knew his father and the nobles who were gathered in the throne room would appreciate the gesture. It might even placate them some to see Sam embracing his heritage.
It was nearly time. Sam gathered what he needed, slipping the letter into a pocket, and stepped into the hallway. Two palace guards in neat suits snapped to attention. “At ease,” Sam muttered, not much one for all of the formality. He was well trained, himself, and yet everywhere Sam went, there were guards of one sort or another following him. It was one of the reasons he hoped his father would grant him his petition. He knew that he would never be without some sort of entourage but outside of Lawrence, his face was not well known and his status as Prince even less so.
Upon his arrival to the throne room, Sam’s presence was announced. He walked straight to where his father sat, dropping to one knee and bowing his head in deference to the King and remaining in place until his father told him to rise. Sam took a deep, calming breath and got back to his feet. Though he was sure his nerves were displayed plainly on his face, he looked his father in the eye and made his request.
“Father, I have been accepted into a prestigious American university. I ask your permission to attend.”
Tags and drawing info under the cut.
Thank you to @nanika67 and @nobodys-baby-now for your art advice on this one (even though I didn’t take all of it).
Y’all, I’m still learning this art thing. Recently, I’ve been practicing eyes, noses, and mouths and I feel like I’ve improved in those areas. That said, facial proportions are definitely still something I need to work on (Sam’s eyes are way to high on his face... oops)!
This was originally drawn in ink then scanned and colored digitally. My main point of reference was screen grabs/sketches of Prince Hans from Frozen.
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