Author: Sunny_Side_Up || @ishipdestiel
Artist: jellyvolcano ||
Rating: Explicit
Archive Warnings: Major Character Death, Major Depictions of Violence
Word count: 12.4k
Tags: Hitchhiker Castiel, Salesman Dean Winchester, Blood and Gore, Exsanguination, Mentally Unstable Dean Winchester
Summary:
Castiel is a down-on-his-luck attorney with nowhere to go but up, after his family abandoned him. Dean is the kind stranger who picked him up from the side of the road and is giving him a ride all the way to California and claims to not want anything in return. But you know what they say, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Excerpt:
Sitting by the side of the road in the middle of Kansas desert with all of his earthly possessions in a single bag, Cas has to turn his head away each time a vehicle passes by. The wind from each passing car stirs up dust that he tries and fails not to breathe in. He's in the middle of one such coughing fit when he notices an old black car start to slow down, then pull over just ahead of him. Not getting ahead of himself, Cas sits, patiently awaiting whatever questions the driver might have for him in order to possibly get a ride. Anxiety flutters low in his stomach, reminding Cas that not everyone has good intentions. A bowlegged, extremely handsome man gets out of the car and starts walking back toward him. Cas tries not to get his hopes up, people have stopped, then refused to take him in the past. “Need a ride?” The man asks, standing a few feet from Cas, looking down at him with emerald green eyes, long eyelashes and perfect pink cupid’s bow lips. The man is wearing a brown leather jacket over a plain white T-shirt, faded jeans and brown work boots. His light brown hair is short and spiked up in the front. “Name’s Dean,” he offers suddenly, with a shy smile. There’s something about it that settles Cas’ stomach, something he trusts. Cas grabs his bag and stands up. “Castiel, but you can call me Cas.” He probably shouldn’t have given his real name, but it’s too late now. Dean nods. “So, where are you headed, man?” Cas shrugs. “As far west as you're willing to take me.” It’s said casually, as if Dean’s response isn’t potentially life-altering for him. Dean seems to take in Cas’ disheveled appearance, contemplating him for a moment before he answers with, “Well then, you’re in luck ‘cause I’m headed to California.” Cas is a little shocked that this man happens to be driving right where he wants to go, but he shrugs it off. “That’ll work. I mean, if you’re really willing to let me ride that far with you?” he asks, hopefully. Dean is the one who shrugs this time, with a confident smile as he tucks his hands in his jeans pockets. “Sure, why not?”
Posting date: August 1st, 2026
