Archive of Our Own ^beta

Sam saw the notification of the email Charlie had sent him hours ago, but he read the subject of it, and he was pretty sure he would rather read it when he was on his own, or at least after he had drunk a few beers. His brother and him were on the road, heading back to the bunker after a random hunt, some ghosts to burn… nothing out of the ordinary. 

As soon as he arrived, he opened the message, ready to face it.

From Charlie :

Subject: OMG THE SUPERNATURAL FANDOM IS WILD

Saaaaam!!! Okay before you get mad, I know you and Dean told me not to read anymore Carver Edlund books and I swear I didn’t, but last night I kind of… got lost on the internet and I sort of… ended up on a fandom website.. turns out the Supernatural fandom is pretty active ;) anyway, I know Dean and you both hate talking about it – and believe me, I get why – but I had to share this. 

People write fanfiction. I repeat, people write fanfiction about your life. I- I can’t even express my thoughts, yes a few – many – of them are super weird, but some are… really,, really well written and okay, I’m gonna stop there, I just thought I’d let you know.

Inform Dean if you dare :)

PS: I sent you links to various fanfictions that I liked, beware of the second one, it’s sad.

Love youuuuu

Charlie xx

What the Hell ???

Sam knew that the Supernatural books had a… fandom, and discovering it was already weird enough but learning about fanfiction, it was… wow. People really did that? What would they be writing about? Their life was already filled enough with dealing with demons, angels and all sorts of monsters that he couldn’t imagine what else people could add.

The thought of informing his brother came to his mind, but he quickly forgot about it, not ready to face once again a Dean pissed off about ‘douchebags-that-can’t-live-their-own-life’. He closed his laptop, finally deciding to ignore the information as he went to the kitchen, trying to find something to eat.

Dean had cooked, Sam could smell it from the corridor, the smell becoming more present as he entered the room and his eyes fell on Cas, sitting at the table. The angel turned his head and smiled softly at the taller man. Sam took his place in front of him, not even bothering to ask his brother what was  for dinner, he could now recognise the smell of Dean’s hamburger anywhere.

After a few minutes, Dean sat next to Cas, giving a plate to Sam, “No pickles, don’t worry,” then, turning towards their friend, he asked, “You sure you don’t want anything, Cas?”

“Yes, Dean, thank you, I’m fine,” answered the angel.

The younger brother blinked as he bit into his burger. 

Would they write about Dean and Cas? Or me? 

“Sam! You there?” said Dean, waving a hand in front of Sam’s face.

The hunter shook his head and only murmured a ‘yes’ before going back to his thoughts.

Okay, wait, what could possibly be in the fanfictions? Love stories? 

Instantly, an image of Jessica appeared in his mind. It always did when it came to dealing with something love-related. He didn’t feel pain anymore when he thought about Jessica, or at least way less than what he used to, but he still missed her. So much. All they could have been, all he would’ve done for her. He still felt guilty. Obviously, he couldn’t help it, but he moved on. She still kept a huge place in his heart, but he didn’t feel like going out with another woman was cheating on her anymore.

Lifting his eyes and noticing his brother and the angel arguing about some movie, Sam took his plate and stood up. 

Both men in front of him looked at him, a worried look on Dean’s face, he immediately reassured, “I’m fine, I’m just gonna finish it in my room, I got some…reading to do.”

Dean narrowed his eyes but said nothing, he was used to his nerdy brother acting all strange. On the other hand, Sam didn’t really know if he wanted to read those fanfictions, but he was sure that he had questions. Would they talk about Sam? How was he pictured? He knew about the weird ship that existed between him and his brother – ew – but he wondered whether there were other ships? Dean and Cas?

He shook his head, trying to erase the image from his mind. He’d rather not imagine this. Really not.

When he got into his room, he put the plate on his desk and opened his laptop, finally answering his friend.

To Charlie :

Subject: Re: OMG THE SUPERNATURAL FANDOM IS WILD

Hey Charlie,

Okay, first of all, know that I won’t talk about this with Dean, it’d be too… awkward, plus we’re still trying to forget the theories we saw once.
Anyway, fanfictions? Really Charlie??? I mean what could people add to our lives? 

Sam xx

Only a few seconds passed before he received an answer:

From Charlie:

Subject: Romance in the team free will ;)

Don’t worry, you might not want to tell Dean but I assure you that at some point I’m gonna tell him, I can’t wait to see his reaction to a few stories lmaoo

And romance Sam, they add romance. I mean, some of them. Some follow your actual life – like hunting, monsters etc. – and others are… completely different. Like… some take take place in another year, you’re all normal human beings, there’s no angel, nothing…

C xx

To Charlie :

Subject: Re: Romance in the team free will ;)

Seriously? Romance?

Between who??? And please,, please please, don’t remind me about the whole Dean/Sam thing. I’d rather burn my eyes than read that again.

S xx

From Charlie :

Subject: Read this.

Sam, I can’t tell you everything. Some things you gotta learn by yourself.

Again, I’m sending you a few links to some fanfictions I liked. I mean… it’s really weird to read them because you know… I know you guys, and for you it’ll be… even weirder.

Maybe try to imagine that as a totally independent story and not some… novel about you, Dean and Cas?

To Charlie:

Subject: Re: Read this.

I don’t know Charlie, I’ll let you know okay? 

Maybe I’ll start one and depending on what I think, I’ll read the others okay?

From Charlie :

Subject: Re: Re: Read this.

YESSSS 

LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK !!!

Love youuu

PS: say hi to Dean and Cas from me!

Sam laughed softly as he started eating his burger again. The idea of reading fanfictions never appealed to him, he was a bit scared of all the weird stuff he could find, but he had no idea that people would actually be so involved to invent a whole background story in another period.

He clicked on the first link, not sure about what he could find. Charlie had put a few comments above each link, and this one said, “this story one is long as hell, it takes place during  WW2, and um… Cas is an officer and Dean a medic… you’re in it too don’t worry, but yeah the story is mainly Destiel.”

He laughed at the word, remembering the first time he had heard it, at that musical performance in a high school. Taking a bite out of his meal again, he started reading, not sure at all about what to expect.

“2nd October, 1943

Dear Sam,

The worst has happened – I’m now officially in Britain. It’s not so bad, really. We got off the Queen Mary yesterday, landed in Scotland and then had to get straight on a train all the way down into England… because, apparently, we weren’t sick and tired enough of cramped quarters. It was only ten hours or so though – you’d barely get out of Kansas for that!”

Sam blinked at the writing. He didn’t know it would be so good. He kept on reading, his burger turning cold as he forgot it, too involved in the story. Reading his brother’s name each time was way too weird at first, even more so when he knew that it was actually his brother and the feeling came back when he started reading Castiel’s name.

He had to admit that the story was actually well written and he liked all the details. He had finished the first chapter in an hour and read the encounter between his brother and his friend. He wasn’t sure if he really wanted to continue it. Of course, he was into the story but he knew where this was going and he realised he would inevitably look at Dean and Cas differently after that.

He gave a quick look at the clock, 9:47 pm. How? He hadn’t even felt the time pass. Damn, Charlie could have warned him that the story was addictive. He took his laptop in one hand and the now empty plate in the other hand and started walking back to the kitchen, where he put the plate in the sink. At the same time, he put some water to boil, and sat on a chair, his eyes not leaving the screen.

Dean was working with Cas but he was arrogant and yeah, that was pretty accurate. He shrugged as he heard the water whistling and poured it in a mug with a small bag of tea. He sat more comfortable in his chair, his hands warming as he held his mug. He was smiling now, the same feeling of addiction spreading through his veins as when he started a new show.

At some point, he walked back to his room, where he finally looked at the time. It was two in the morning. Damn. He always tried to go to sleep early so he could go on a run in the morning but he couldn’t move his eyes from the story. He had studied the Second World War at school but this was way different, it was a perspective he had never even imagined. He had to admit it was well documented and very well detailed.

The hours kept passing as he continued his reading, allowing his body to take a break when his brother and his friend finally had an honest-to-God conversation.

The break turned into a five hours nap, and Sam could’ve sworn he dreamt of the Second World War this “night” and as he woke up, his first thought was to continue his reading. He decided to go for a shower first and slowly realised how weird his situation was. Reading fanfiction about him, the people he knew and actually wanting to read it. Was he now a part of the Supernatural fandom? Would he… live things differently? At least he avoided reading any explicit scene between his friend and his brother…

A few dozen questions followed him as he sat at the war room’s table, in front of a cup of coffee and a note saying, “Rise and Shine sleeping beauty! Cas and I went to the grocery store. Call if you want anything. PS: you snore!!” A soft smile appeared on his face, his whole life almost looked normal now. He had a home, lived with his brother and an angel – this part was slightly less normal – and they’d even go to a grocery store like  regular people. 

He sighed as he noticed the hour – half past eleven – and headed back to his room. He stood there, observing the furniture for a few seconds, unsure of what to do or even which clothes to wear. He was certain that they wouldn’t have a new job to deal with today and he had time for himself to… rest? Watch a movie maybe, or even continue a show. He put on jogging and an old sweater as he sank back into his bed, his laptop between his hands. 

He couldn’t believe that he was spending his time reading fanfiction. He tried to reassure himself, to tell himself that it was a historical story rather  than a fanfiction but when it came to Dean and Castiel having sex he had to skip. This was becoming too intense and intimate for him.

He heard a knock on the door while he was starting the last chapter, lifting his eyes from the screen for the first time in a few hours. He saw his brother with a worried look on his face.

“You okay there Sammy?” he asked. “You know people are usually out of bed in the afternoon.”

The afternoon?

“Yeah, I… uhhh … I’m reading,” answered the younger brother.

“Reading?” repeated Dean narrowing his eyes and walking into the room. “In your whole life, you never ever stayed in bed this late. You’re sure you’re not sick or something?”

“No, don’t worry I’m… I’m fine,” said Sam, smiling softly.

Dean’s brows frowned, slowly nodded and walked next to his brother’s bed, and after sitting next to him, he continued, “Okay, well, I was thinking maybe tonight I could make lasagna and we could do a movie night? You, me and Cas,” then smiling he added, “it’s been a while since we last did that.”

“Yeah um, I just… need to…” tried Sam, his eyes going back and forth between his brother and his laptop. “I just wanna finish reading first. You know, get it over with.”

“Yeah sure, you’ll be ready by eight?”

“I will, Dean.”

Hoping his answer had satisfied Dean, Sam was a bit anxious to see his brother settle on the bed next to him. 

His surprise grew even wider when Dean asked, “What are you reading anyway?”

“Um…” started Sam, pushing back a certain want to run away, “Charlie sent me some… stories and told me they were good so I thought about… giving them a shot.”

“Hmm…” replied Dean, closing his eyes, “What kind of stories?”

Find something. Anything. Anything else.

“History stuff, about… the Second World War,” replied Sam slowly.

Beside him, his brother just hummed, not even talking anymore. Dean’s eyes still closed, Sam realised that Dean fell asleep. He knew his brother worked a lot lately and he didn’t want to prevent him from resting, especially when it happened so suddenly.

Instead, the taller man took his computer cautiously  so as to not wake Dean and stood up. He left his room and headed to the war room, happy to find it empty, so he could finish reading the novel. He sat there for quite some time – he didn’t even bother checking the time – and he finally got there. 

The end.

He blinked for a few seconds and lifted his eyes from the screen.

Holy crap.

He remembered this was a fanfiction on his brother and his friend but even he had to admit that as he read it, the characters started to… have a life of their own, and he didn’t associate them with the people he shared the bunker with. He didn’t move from his seat, unable to form any thoughts that wouldn’t be linked to the story he just finished.

He had been shocked to see how good the story was written, and the few parts he was mentioned in did feel quite strange, even more so when he read about Jess. Jess and him.

It took him a few minutes before he realised  he had to email Charlie. 

To Charlie :

Subject: oh my god

Okay Charlie, I just finished Ninety-One Whiskey and… wow. I wasn’t expecting this. At all. It is so… I’m speechless right now.

Wow.

The answer came quickly after that.

From Charlie :

Subject: I told you !!!

I TOLD YOU YOU’D LIKE IT !!!!

No joke, Ninety-One Whiskey is truly one of the best fanfictions I’ve ever read. If you want, can I recommend another one? I mean I sent you three but… a different one is way better.

To Charlie :

Subject: I surrender

Okay come on, send me the better one. I’ll try to read it soon, but I think I’ll need time to recover from this one I mean… wow.

From Charlie :

Subject: good luck 

KFNSDKLFNDSJD 
Okay so here is the link to a fic called Twist and Shout. It’s really good believe me. Like… really good. It’s pretty intense though, so be ready, and when I say “be ready” I mean it like… you’ll probably cry in the end and don’t even try to deny it, I know you will. 

Good luck.

Let me know.

I can’t believe you’re gonna read this. Wow.

To Charlie :

Subject: Re: good luck

Okay okay, maybe I’ll start it tonight. I’ll let you know.

Sam xx

This was weird. Sam knew it was. After all, he was reading made up stories about his brother dating his angel friend, he couldn’t have predicted it. He still didn’t know whether he would read the other fanfiction though. Yes, it was obvious Charlie had good taste since he enjoyed Ninety-One Whiskey, but it was probably the exception. 

Dinner time came quickly, or at least, it did to Sam. His thoughts were still focused on the story he had just read and he barely noticed when Dean – who woke up half an hour ago – put a glass of water in front of him.

“Come on Sammy, the lasagna is in the oven,” started Dean, “We gotta decide what movie we’ll watch tonight.”

“Um… yeah, I don’t know,” answered the younger man, “I’m a bit tired so I think I’ll…”

“No no no,” cut Dean, “You spent your whole day in your room, tonight we hang out all together, alright?”

“Okay,” sighed Sam.

“Great,” mumbled the other hunter before closing his eyes, “Now Cas, come here please, we’re having a movie night with lasagna. You like those.”

“Hello Dean,” said a well-known voice behind the two brothers. “Sam.”

“Cas,” smiled Dean, “Just in time,” he added with a smile.

Sam’s eyes flicked between the two men, and he couldn’t help but remember all the small details from the fic. All the lingering stares, the smiles. He knew it was all there before but now it all had a new look. Sam knew that it probably didn’t mean anything, after all, those fanfictions were only based on what was written in the Supernatural books and only he knew what actually happened between his brother and the angel.

And right now, he had to admit that he could understand why some people could think that there was something more. 

The three friends were done with dinner in an hour, and Sam was cleaning the dishes while his brother prepared the popcorn and Castiel waited in the Dean-cave. The younger brother couldn’t help but send short glances at his phone as if he was drawn to it. After all, Charlie had sent him a new link and… this was weird. The whole situation was… weird.

They finally reunited in the Dean-cave, and while Sam sat on the armchair, Castiel and Dean chose the couch. 

Like every other time.

Sam should definitely stop reading fanfictions, he himself was in those stories and reading about the life he never had with Jess wasn’t the healthiest thing he could do.

The movie, Captain America: Civil War, started and Sam was ready for the usual fight with Dean, who was Iron Man’s biggest fan. 

This time, it was during the fight between the two teams that Dean shrugged and smiled, “I love Iron Man.”

“I actually prefer Captain America,” answered Castiel easily, not moving his eyes from the screen. 

On the other hand, Sam could clearly notice the difference in the air as soon as the angel said that, and he saw Dean turning slowly to face Cas, a shocked look on his face.

“Wait Cas… you’re… team Captain America?” finally asked the hunter.

“Yes, I suppose,” replied the angel glancing at the human, his brown frown, unaware of the conflict he had just started.

Sam chuckled softly when Castiel resumed before any of the brothers could speak, “I think Captain Rogers has his good reasons. It is vivid that Barnes plays a very important role in his life, and most definitely because of the love he has for him, he is willing to give up on everything and fight the world. That’s what you do for love, it is very relatable I suppose.”

Silence fell on the room, and Sam could swear that Dean was blushing, his mouth open, trying to find a good argument to oppose Castiel, in vain. 

After some awkward seconds for Sam and Dean – Castiel was back to  being focused on the movie the next second – the younger brother stood up, and after clearing his throat, he announced, “I’m gonna sleep guys… See you tomorrow.”

He didn’t wait, and instead prepared himself a cup of coffee to take with him into his room. After pulling on his pyjamas, he opened his laptop and went back to the email Charlie had sent  him, to find the link to the story. 

This was weird.

But after all, those stories weren’t his actual life, they were telling the stories of people with whom his family shared names. 

At least that was the only thing he had found to reassure himself. Maybe this fanfiction wouldn’t be as good as the one before, after all, Ninety-One Whiskey was probably one of the best stories he ever read, actual books included. 

He checked the time, 11 pm , and started reading.

It was all so painless falling in love with Dean.

After that, Sam’s eyes never left the screen, except when he skipped the explicit scene between Dean and Cas. It was something to read about a love story and to put a barrier between it and his life, but reading about his brother having sex… He couldn’t.

The story itself was good, different obviously from Ninety-One Whiskey, here there was no slow-burn and the characters were attracted to each other immediately. 

But the betrayal came quicker than he realised and what had seemed like a happy and lovely story soon turned into a story spreading pain and suffering. Okay, so… separation wasn’t easy, but if they broke up halfway through the story, they had the rest of the story to make up.

An hour and a half later, they did make up. Or didn’t. They… Sam’s vision was blurry as he wiped off tears from his cheeks. He closed his laptop and let himself fall in his bed. There was no sleeping anymore. All Sam could think of was the Vietnam War, AIDS, the beach, and ’Can’t Help Falling in Love’. Oh God… he hated Charlie. 

Sam took his computer and walked to the war room. The bunker was silent, Dean and Cas were probably sleeping, and he sat in the first chair, opened his emails and started typing.

To Charlie:

Subject: I hate you

Oh my God, Charlie, I can’t… I hate you so much, oh my god. HOW COULD YOU? Seriously I… I don’t even know what to say. This was truly heartbreaking. I can’t even put into words what I’m feeling. Why didn’t you warn me??? You said “you’ll cry” and that’s so far from what I’m going through. This… seriously I can’t…

Why the hell did I read it?

I hate you

Suddenly, Sam heard a noise of someone walking into the room, the hunter quickly brushed the tears off his face as his brother walked, his face filled with curiosity.

“Sammy?” asked Dean, “What the hell are you doing up? It’s like… two in the morning.”

“Yeah, I know,” started the taller man, “I just… I just wanted to…”

He stopped talking as the lump in his throat appeared again, filling his eyes with tears.

“Sammy, hey, what’s going on?” said Dean, stepping next to his little brother, putting a hand on his shoulder.

“Do you…” tried Sam as he caught his breath, “Do you dig Elvis?”

“What?” answered Dean, startled.

“Do you?” repeated the younger brother locking eyes with Dean.

“Uh… Yeah…” hesitated the elder brother wrapping his arm around Sam’s shoulder making him stand up, “I guess I can dig Elvis. Sammy are you…”

Tears came back, stronger this time, Sam didn’t even know why he was crying, this was a fake story, his brother was alive and so was Castiel. They weren’t in the 70s anymore and… and Sam was crying, hiding his face in Dean’s crook as he stroked his back, soothing him.

“Shh Sammy, it’s okay,” whispered Dean slowly, “You mind telling me what happened?”

Finally pulling back, Sam started speaking again, “Nothing just… a really sad story okay?”

“And what does this have to do with Elvis?” asked Dean cautiously as his brother was sitting again in front of his computer. 

“Nothing just… Nothing. I promise, I’m fine Dean,” he added, seeing the worry in his brother’s face.

“Come on Sam, let’s put you to bed,” resumed Dean trying to make him stand up again.

Sam sighed, resigned and finally answered, “Okay, but first I just gotta send this email to Charlie.”

The taller man quickly added a short sentence at the end of his email, “Dean actually digs Elvis” before hitting send and following his brother in the corridor. 

Arriving in front of the door of Sam’s room, Dean turned to face his little brother in the eyes, and asked again, “You sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah,” sighed the younger hunter, “I guess I’m just tired.”

Sam didn’t give Dean any chance to intervene again and entered his room immediately. He let himself sink onto the bed, wrapping himself in the warmth of the covers. The hunter felt like he hadn’t slept in weeks, and while he knew he had dealt with worse in the past, the sorrow still burned through his stomach.

His eyes finally closed, allowing himself some rest. He had a dreamless night and it probably was better this way so he wouldn’t have to deal with the possibility of Twist and Shout themed dreams. 

Sam suddenly felt two strong hands shaking him awake. It took him a few seconds for his eyes to get used to the light, but he finally recognised Castiel standing next to his bed.

“Hello Sam,” he said, his voice as deep as usual, “are you feeling better? Dean told me that you weren’t well last night.”

“Ugh,” groaned Sam as he held an arm above his face, “Yeah Cas, I’m fine thanks, I was just…“

“Reading sad stories about characters sharing our names?” proposed the angel smiling softly.

His voice caught in his throat, Sam glanced at Castiel before trying to ask, “How did you-“

“I needed your computer to do some research,” started Castiel raising his hands as a sign of peace, “and the page was already open. I just read the beginning before realising what it was. I didn’t know you read fanfictions,” he added with his signature head-tilt.

“What? No! I don’t… okay I do, but I just started,” exclaimed Same sitting up in his bed, “Charlie sent me a few links and I thought, “hey, why not?” so I read a few and that’s it.”

The angel nodded quickly and Sam resumed, his face filled with concern, “Wait, you didn’t tell Dean right?”

“No,” replied the angel, his brows furrowed, “do you think he would be against it?”

“I don’t know I just… we both don’t like this whole Supernatural fandom thing,” started the hunter, “and I was clearly not expecting to appreciate the fanfictions, but turns out… turns out they’re pretty neat and very very well-written.”

Castiel’s face broke in a smile as he joined Sam on the bed, sitting, his back to the human.

“Sam, can I ask you something?” murmured the angel.

“Uh yeah sure, what?” asked the hunter, passing a hand in his hair trying to handle his mane.

“Why do you think those people write about Dean and me?” asked Cas after a few seconds of silence.

This couldn’t be happening. This just wasn’t possible. Sam was stuck in some kind of bad dream. How was he supposed to explain to an angel why some actions he did could’ve another meaning?

“Well,” started Sam glancing quickly to Cas, “People have read the books, so they know our life, or at least they do up until the first apocalypse… and I guess they just have… a big imagination maybe?”

After a few seconds of silence where the human thought he was saved and stood up from his bed, Castiel started again, “But do you think that Dean and I behave like a human couple?”

“Uh… I… I don’t know man,” hesitated Sam now facing Castiel, “I guess people… interpret your relationship however they want, and maybe you did say some stuff in the past that could make people think that you… really appreciate Dean.” 

“Like what?” asked Castiel, standing up and tilting his head.

The two men stared at each other for an instant before the human replied, “Cas I don’t know, I just read like… two fanfictions and one of them broke me, and it’s… 11 in the morning, and I just woke up,” Sam added sighing, “Can we talk about it later?”

“Of course,” nodded the angel, suddenly stepping out of the room, “See you later, Sam.”

The hunter sat again in the bed and held his head in his hand, before grabbing his computer that was on the ground – Castiel probably had put it here as he came into his room – and opened his emails again.

From Charlie :

Subject: Re: I hate you 

I am so sorry Sam, omg I told you !!!! How are you feeling today? A bit better I hope? I guess not though… I needed more than a night to recover and omg… Dean does dig Elvis then. What about Cas ?

Stay well bitches

To Charlie :

Subject: idk

I am exhausted – mentally, emotionally and physically after two nights of reading – but yeah the pain’s still here.

I don’t know about Cas. By the way, I forgot I left my computer in the war room and this morning Cas read the beginning of Twist and Shout… he came into my room and asked if I thought that he and Dean behaved like an actual couple… what the hell has my life become?

Anyway, I think I need a break from your fanfictions.

From Charlie :

Subject: Re: idk

Yeah, I understand the need for a break howeveeeerr taking your mind off of Twist and Shout would be better than letting you at your pain :)

And omg!!!! I LOVE CAS, THIS IS TOO FUNNY and by the way what’s your opinion on it? Like… do you think that he and your brother could…. You knowwww?

To Charlie :

Subject: Re: idk

Please don’t. I mean I wish all the best to Dean and Cas, I love both of them a lot but come on, don’t make me imagine that… it’s awkward enough when there’s an explicit scene in one of the fics so…

And by “taking my mind off of t&s” you mean send me new links I guess?

From Charlie:

Subject: Re: idk

You know me so well :))

Of course I’m gonna send you new links!! Here, have the link for one called ‘Angel Cookies’ written by noxsoulmate. I LOVE this one so so much !! I swear I don’t have many more after this one actually… so enjoy ;)

PS: I get what you mean, don’t worry bitch

Another one… Sam wouldn’t read it. Actually, he will never read another fanfiction again. It’s better this way. Putting new clothes on, he walked to the war room where he found Dean, a plate with a hamburger on  it and a beer, doing some reading on his laptop. Looking for a new case with no doubt.

Castiel who was sitting in front of the older brother, glanced up at Sam when he entered the room and returned to his reading – on an actual book this time. Everything was fine. After all, Castiel wouldn’t tell Dean about the fanfiction. And Sam could move on with his life.

Dean’s eyes finally let go of the screen and stared back at Sam, his brows frowned in a suspicious look.

“Feeling better Sammy?” he asked.

“Yeah, don’t worry,” replied the younger man, “And it’s Sam,” he added, taking the seat next to Dean.

“Sure Samantha,” smiled Dean, “mind telling me why you were crying last night, Cas told me you were doing some intense reading but I don’t buy it,” he said, as Sam turned to Cas who deliberately ignored him. “You don’t cry, you never do, so what’s the matter?”

“Uh, I told you, I was tired,” tried Sam as he finally caught sight of Cas’ eyes, he pled for help

“Dean,” intervened the angel rescuing the younger man, “do you think our behaviour is similar to one of a couple?”

Dean choked on his beer as both brothers were fixing the angel. Silence fell over them. This wasn’t happening. This couldn’t happen. A deep red blush started appearing on Dean’s cheek as his mouth fell open. 

“Excuse me what?” said the elder hunter.

Castiel’s head tilted – as usual, – he resumed, “Well, I found some stories written by fans of the books “Supernatural” and it appears that in many of them, we are together, so I started wondering if I ever made you feel like I was expecting something similar to a romantic relationship from you. Or actually, if any of my  behaviour ever made you feel uncomfortable?”

Dean blinked, and Sam’s eyes were going back and forth between the two men, amazed by what was happening before him. In his whole life, he had rarely seen his brother this flustered and blushing this violently, maybe after all that he wasn’t imagining things, and the fanfictions weren’t all false.

“Cas,” tried Dean clearing his throat, “you… you gotta stop spending so much time on the internet.”

Castiel kept his eyes locked with Dean as he stated, “you didn’t answer my question, though,” with an impenetrable look on his face.

“I… no Cas, we are not in a… relationship, and we don’t behave like a couple, and you don’t make me uncomfortable,” answered Dean, focusing again on his computer’s screen. “If you’d make me uncomfortable I would tell you, okay?”

“Thank you, Dean,” replied the angel, glancing quickly at Sam. 

“Anytime buddy,” he replied, taking another sip of his beer, definitely not raising his eyes.

Out of nowhere, Sam’s phone rang and as he checked, the name CHARLIE appeared on his screen. Glaring at his brother, he answered the call.

“What’s up bitches? How are you feeling today?”

“I’m fine, thanks Charlie,” mumbled Sam, ignoring the questioning look on Dean’s face. “So… what’s up?”

“Are you on speaker?” asked the redhead woman playfully.

“No, I’m not,” groaned Sam, taking Dean’s beer and drinking a sip as he ignored the frown of his brows.

“Great, so just so you know, the pain will disappear at some point, then, also to let you know that I’ll be in town tomorrow, maybe tonight if I drive fast, so I’ll definitely pass by!!” she said, her voice getting higher with excitement.

“That’s awesome Charlie!! I can’t wait to see you,” he looked at Dean who mouthed, is she coming? To which Sam nodded, before resuming, “and Dean and Cas will be really happy to see you too!”

“Oh I bet they are,” she chuckled before adding, “tell your brother that I’m gonna give him some reading recommendations.”

“Charlie I swear if you-“

“Calm down Samantha, I won’t tell him, chill,” laughed Charlie, “plus if you go down, I have to go down with you and I’m not doing that.”

Sam shrugged in his chair and replied, “Yeah sure, anyway, see you tomorrow, be careful on the road okay?”

“Yes mom,” she sighed, “Bye bitches!”

As soon as Sam hung up, Dean asked, “Is Charlie coming?”

“Yep,” answered the taller man, “She said she’ll be in town tomorrow.”

“Awesome,” beamed Dean to his brother, “I’m gonna make lasagna, she loves those,” he added as he got back to his laptop.

There was something odd in this situation, how easily Dean was going back to his stuff and how long Cas’ wondering gaze lingered on Dean. But after all, Sam had been the one to bring up Cas’ behaviour with Dean to him, so he could only blame himself for all of the possible awkward moments.

After lunch, Sam went back into his room, his mind still stuck on Twist and Shout, and still stuck on the heartbreak he had felt. Somehow, he had succeeded to separate himself from the story, as if the characters written were just casually wearing the same names as everyone around him. 

But he had to move on, because if reading fanfiction made him feel weird at first, then mourning a character who is still alive in real life made even less sense. Therefore, he spent his whole afternoon in his room, watching movies after movies, until 8 pm when Castiel knocked and entered his room to let him know that he and Dean would go out to have a pizza together.

There must have been something on Sam’s face, because he stopped and stared at the hunter, before asking:

“Is there something wrong?”

“No, no no no,” replied hurriedly Sam standing up and facing Cas. “It’s very nice, on the contrary, you guys… have a good evening,” he added with a smile.

They are not dating, they were stories. It’s not real.

“Sam, are you sure you’re okay?” asked again the angel, stepping closer.

“Yeah, of course, I am,” he answered, “I guess I just rarely see Dean going out with anyone so that’s… it. I’m not used to it.”

“Not used to… your brother going out to eat pizza?” slowly repeated Cas, tilting his head.

“Well, he doesn’t bring people usually,” retorted the taller man.

“I see,” nodded Castiel, already turning to leave the room. “Is that…” he started as he reached the door, “Could this – I mean Dean and I eating pizza – be part of what is interpreted as, if I understood correctly, ‘couple material’?”

Sam’s brain shut off for a second as he processed what was happening. Usually, the angel wouldn’t stay this much on the same subject. Yes, he had obsessed over stuff in the past, like bees but seeing him being curious as to why people shipped him and Dean was something else.

“I don’t know,” slowly answered the hunter, “Maybe, but Cas,” he continued quickly, “It doesn’t matter what people think, alright? The way you act has the meaning you give it. So it’s ‘couple material’ only if you want it to be.”

The angel nodded as he blinked slowly to think a bit more about what his friend had just said.

“So,” he resumed suddenly, “If I do want to make it ‘couple material’, will Dean know?”

Sam had spent the last few days reading fanfictions. He had spent the last few days reading Dean and Castiel falling in love. Reading others’ reactions to it, reading the way themselves, they realised it was love. And at this exact moment, Sam was struck by what Castiel was saying.

“Cas,” questioned the long-haired man, “Do you want it to be ‘couple material’?”

“I do like the idea of that, yes,” stated the angel. “I am just unaware of what Dean’s… reaction could be. I wouldn’t want to impose anything on your brother, of course, and I surely don’t want to ruin our friendship over something that could be easily avoided.”

“Cas, that’s…” tried Sam, his mouth agape, “That’s amazing, I mean seriously, it truly is. I… okay,” he continued as he focused, “What do you plan on doing?”

“Well, I am aware of how most animals court each other,” started the angel, “ but humans remain something very different since it always involves feelings, which, as you know, I am new to. Therefore, I suppose I cannot do anything but hope that Dean returns my sentiments.”

“Yeah,” blinked Sam, “but humans too have something similar to the court that animals do. I mean, we don’t do the same stuff, but you can still make a move on Dean… if you want to, of course,” he added quickly.

The angel in front of him slowly nodded as he considered what Sam had just said. 

“What do you imply by ‘make a move on Dean’?” asked Castiel.

That was getting a bit awkward, giving Cas advice to hit on Sam’s brother, but after all, if that was how the dark-haired angel felt, then Sam might as well help him. Maybe  all those lingering stares and touches Sam witnessed in the past had indeed held meaning. 

There was an actual chance that Dean returned the feeling. In the last few years, Sam had seen his brother acting in a different way depending on the people he was around, but around Castiel, and now that he thought about it, Sam must admit that it was evident how much the angel meant to his brother.

“I don’t know,” hesitated Sam, “it’s not the same for everyone, but basically it’s acting or saying stuff that would make the other person know that you… love them.”

“And how would one do that?” asked Castiel.

“Caaaas!”  yelled Dean across the bunker. “You better get your ass back here if you truly want that pizza!”

As his footsteps approached Sam’s room, the angel locked eyes before leaning in and whispering, “Thank you, Sam.”

Dean suddenly appeared next to the angel and resumed, “What’s going on here? One of you broke something?”

“No, Dean,” sighed the younger brother, “We’re just talking.”

“Okay, well,” continued the blonde man, “Charlie just texted me. She should arrive during the night, so be sure to be awake, and let me know when she’s here,” he added as he turned away.

“Why?” asked Sam, “Are you planning on not coming back home tonight?”

Dean immediately stopped in the corridor, and as he slowly faced his brother again, he stuttered, “Uh… Yeah, we are, but we, uh… we could, uh…” he glanced at Cas before continuing, “We might be late, so in case we aren’t back, be there to welcome Charlie, okay?”

Sam smiled as he quickly nodded. The angel in front of him followed Dean’s footsteps, and in a few seconds, the bunker was empty again. 

The hunter slowly walked towards the war room and opened his laptop when he received a phone call.

“Hello, redheaded girl,” smiled Sam.

“Hi Gigantor,” laughed Charlie, “Just to let you know that I stopped at a gas station half an hour away from the bunker. I’ll be there soon, so prepare the hot chocolate.”

“Okay, Char, see you soon,” replied the hunter.

“See you bitch!”

Sam hung up as he walked towards the kitchen to prepare his friend’s favourite beverage. It was a long time since he last saw Charlie, and even though he was very happy to see her again, there was a (small) part of him that feared that she might tell his brother about his late night readings.

He, in fact, had to wait only for thirty-five minutes before the hunter heard the bunker door open and a very familiar voice yelling, “Hey bitches, where are you?”

“Charlie,” exclaimed Sam as he hugged the redhead who let her bags fall to the ground. “How was the road?”

“Boring, as always,” replied the woman, “but you know me, I have my special Spotify playlist to keep me company.”

“I know, I’m still waiting for you to share it by the way,” chuckled Sam as he grabbed the bags and headed to the corridor that led to the numerous rooms in the bunker.

Even though Charlie didn’t really live with the hunters, she still decided a long time ago that she would have her own room that no one but her was allowed to use. 

Therefore, Sam led his friend there, and as Charlie sat on the bed, she started, “So, tall man, tell me where are the other two?”

“Uh, they’re not here,” slowly answered Sam, “they’re out. Having pizza.”

Charlie frowned her brows before resuming, “And they went… without you?”

“Yes, I guess they wanted some time alone.”

None of them talked, but as their eyes met, Charlie and Sam burst out with laughter, incapable of containing their emotions.

“So,” continued the woman, “How are you feeling after Twist and Shout? Still devastated?”

Sam’s smile fainted as he replied, “Still am… I just… it’s hard to believe I got this attached to… a fanfiction.”

“Yeah, I know, it did the same to me,” replied Charlie as she followed Sam out of the room, “But still, even though it’s weird that these stories are about you, if we take that off… the stories are very good.”

“I’ve read only two so far and I must admit I am surprised,” confirmed the tall man.

The two friends made their way back to the war room, where Charlie had previously left one of her backpacks, and where Sam had prepared the mugs of hot chocolate.

“By the way, I know we talk about the fics, but what about Dean and Cas?” asked the redhead.

“What about them?” 

“Well, I don’t know, first you tell me that Dean does dig Elvis, then you talk about Cas wondering whether his and Dean’s behaviour is the one of a couple, and now they go out together to have pizza when we both know how much food means to your brother?” stated Charlie without even breathing, “I mean, sorry for saying but are we actually sure that the stories can’t become real?”

“Well…” hesitated Sam.

“There is a ‘well’?” smirked Charlie as she leant on the table.

Sam sighed,  “Cas came into my room earlier and asked me if this night out with Dean could be considered as “couple material”, and when I told him his actions only had the meaning he gave them well…”

“What did he say?” pressed the woman, her fingers holding tight to the mug in her hands.

“He asked how he could make his behaviour … actually “couple material”, finished Sam.

“No way!!” exclaimed Charlie straightening up.

“I’m telling you what happened, I swear,” added Sam, his smile spreading wider.

“This is so so amazing,” shouted the woman spreading her arms in the air, “I mean the fics are neat, but if they truly become something, that would be mind-blowing.”

The two friends fell silent as they both drank their hot chocolates until the hunter cleared his throat and continued, “And you know, I think Cas isn’t the only one interested in what they could become,” added Sam innocently.

“What are you trying to say?” asked Charlie curiously.

“Well, earlier today, Dean was curious as to why I was down, and Castiel knew that it was because of a fic, and he also knew I didn’t want Dean to know,” explained Sam, “And he brought up the fact that people wrote stories about them being together… I swear I never saw my brother blushing this hard.”

“Wait, Dean blushed, like actually blushed?” repeated the redhead, her mouth agape, “You mean, actual blood that went straight up to his cheeks because he was… flustered?”

“Mmm hmm,” nodded Sam, leaning back on his chair.

In front of him, the shock hadn’t left Charlie’s face yet, and it took her a few seconds before she moved on to another subject.

“So, will you read the fic I sent you earlier?” she asked.

“Uh… the one called Angel Cookies? I don’t think so. Istill need time to.. you know… recover,” grimaced Sam as his mind reminded him of the late afternoon, beautiful California weather. 

“Yep, understandable,” smiled the woman. “You know, in the two fanfictions that you read, you were in it as well… wasn’t this… very weird? Or awkward?” she then asked.

“Uh,” hesitated Sam after taking a sip of his beverage, “It was a little bit… deconcentrating in the beginning, yes. I mean, after all, I was reading about myself, so yes, definitely weird. But then as I started to… separate myself from the story, it was okay,” he finished.

Charlie looked at him before asking, “What about Jess?”

Sam clenched his jaw, he should have known that sooner or later this question would come, and even if time had passed and he was okay now, he still felt guilty and sad when the conversation turned to Jess.

“This part was… surprisingly fine to read. I mean… it was good to see that in a certain way she was remembered,” he said, smiling softly.

“What was she like?” asked Charlie.

“She was a very beautiful person, not just outside but her… just her…” wondered Sam out loud, “She was funny and clever, and she kept on stealing my t-shirts and then pretending they were hers. She loved to bake, she used to bake cookies every weekend.”

“Dean would’ve loved her,” murmured Charlie.

“Yeah, actually, he met her once only, but he said he liked her. Of course, if he had tasted the pie she made, we would’ve fought each other to keep her.”

Charlie chuckled as she drank her hot chocolate when a light passed in her eyes.

“You know, there is actually a lot of fanfic where you and Jess are together… It’s very sweet.”

“It truly is,” whispered Sam, “Actually, at first it was deranging a bit to see what people thought we could have been, and you know I love Dean, and I love the life I’m living, but sometimes I imagine where I would be in my life if Jess were here, and it’s nice to see I’m not the only one.”

“I understand,” nodded Charlie, “You know there are probably other fanfic you could read where you are written with Jess.”

“Eh… I don’t know,” shrugged Sam, “It would be weird to read a story about me, I mean… weirder than to read one about my brother and his best friend falling in love.”

“True,” laughed Charlie, “Well anyway, there’s another fic you have to read, it’s based on a movie, Indecent Proposal, I don’t know if you watched it…” she said as she opened her laptop.

“Uh, yeah, I did,” replied the hunter, “A long time ago, but wait, is… Dean the millionaire or the one who is… bought?”

“Your dear brother is the one bought, but you know, it sounds bad, but it isn’t I swear, come next to me,” she added as she moved back to the chair next to her.

“Charlie, I told you, I don’t feel like starting a new one,” sighed Sam who sat anyway next to his friend.

“I know, I know, but look,” she mumbled as she quickly typed on her computer, “here, Indecent Proposal by Darmys.”

“Charlie, I won’t-”

Sam was interrupted by the sound of the door being slugged open by his angry brother, followed by Castiel.

The taller man immediately glanced at Charlie, who instantly closed her laptop and took her drink in her hands, both friends pretending that the last 10 minutes never happened.

“Deaaan,” exclaimed Charlie standing up to greet her friend, “How are you?”

“Fine, and you? How was the road,” replied Dean as he hugged her back.

“Long,” sighed Charlie, moving to hug Castiel as well.

“Why did you come home so soon?” asked Sam, “Not that you had to… be out for the… whole night but, it’s just… early, and I… did something happen?” he finished his stuttering.

“No,” replied Dean, his eyes still angry.

“Yes,” replied Castiel at the same time.

The two friends stared at each other, and after Castiel’s usual head tilt, Dean added, “nothing important okay, now can we just enjoy Charlie’s presence and move on?”

“But Dean,” tried Castiel.

“Cas, I said nothing happened, okay?” Dean interrupted.

“Dean,” warned Charlie, holding him by the shoulders, “speak now.”

Before the hunter could deny once more, Castiel stepped closer and started, “we got kicked out after Dean punched someone.”

“What? Why? What happened?” asked Sam standing up.

“Nothing,” groaned Dean as he closed his eyes.

“A man came to us and called us, what was it, Dean?” asked Castiel while turning to his friend.

Dean clenched his jaw as he rolled his eyes, doing his best to avoid answering the question. Sam had seen his brother doing this in the past, but now he had no idea what could have possibly made his brother so angry that he would lose his temper.

“I’m not sure but it was something like… fags?” resumed Cas, “I am not sure of the meaning but I suppose it was an insult. That led to us being kicked out, and the other man as well.”

“Oh,” whispered Charlie, her grip immediately softening on Dean’s shoulder. “I see.”

Sam’s eyes were fixed on his brother, who was staring at the floor, still not talking. As he stepped closer, the taller man asked, “Are you… okay?”

“Yeah sure, we’re fine,” retorted Dean as he raised his head and put on a fake smile. “So, can we move on now? I don’t know, Charlie’s here, what do you say? Movie night?”

After a quick glance between Sam and Charlie, both friends nodded and the redhead stated, “okay but we’ll watch Just go with it.

“What? No Harry Potter this time?” asked Dean, surprised.

“Nope, for once I want to appreciate Jennifer Aniston,” stated Charlie as Dean tilted his head in approval. “Plus, I have the movie on my laptop, so you can’t avoid it,” she added with a smile.

“Okay,” sighed Dean, “Let’s go to the Dean cave, I’m pretty sure I still have popcorn there.”

“Great,” said the redhead as she clapped her hands in excitement.

The four friends settled in the Dean cave, Sam choosing the armchair, while Charlie was putting the popcorn into the microwave as she said, “Dean, put the movie on, my computer is already linked with the TV.”

“Okay,” replied the hunter sitting on the sofa and opening the laptop on the table before him.

Sam realised Charlie’s mistake too late. While he was just standing up – and Charlie was turning, her face marked with horror – he saw his brother’s face changing and his smile vanish as his eyes read what was on the screen.

“Dean, is everything okay?” asked Castiel from the other armchair he was sitting on.

“What in the Hell,” murmured Dean, his eyes opening wider.

Neither Sam nor Charlie dared to move, too scared to be the one who will be the victim of Dean’s anger. 

Slowly, Dean raised his eyes to meet with his brother’s, as he repeated, “what in the hell is this?”

“Dean,” tried Sam, smiling awkwardly as he closed the laptop, “it’s uh… nothing… we… it’s not important,” he added, pleading Charlie with his eyes to help him.

“Yeah, Sam’s right,” she intervened, “It’s just some weird stuff we found on the web earlier, nothing to worry about, let’s just… move on,” she finished with the same smile as the taller man.

“Oh no,” replied Dean, pointing at the computer, “this? This isn’t nothing. What even is it? Indecent Proposal, a fanfiction, seriously Sam?”

“Charlie is the one that sent me the link, she started it,” exclaimed the younger brother.

“I didn’t force you to read them!” replied the woman.

“Hey!” interrupted the older hunter standing up between the two friends, “what are you? Four years old?”

“Uh,” tried Castiel as he joined Dean, “Is this the fanfiction that made you feel down lately?” he asked, looking at Sam.

Charlie did her best to contain her smile, as Dean glared at Sam whose face was turning red in embarrassment. There was no possible way that he would get out of this situation safely.

“You knew about this?” asked Dean, turning to his best friend.

“Well, your brother informed me that he had read some, so yes,” simply stated Castiel while Dean faced his brother.

“Oh, so you told Cas and not me?” he exclaimed.

“It was accidental,” intervened the angel, “I used Sam’s computer and the page was still on, I just wanted to know why people would think that and if you and I could be a good couple.”

Dean’s cheeks turned red as, flustered, he replied, “we do not make a good couple, we aren’t even together!” 

Behind the elder hunter, Charlie snorted, before staring at the ground under the angry look on Dean’s eyes.

“Got something to say?” he asked abruptly to the redhead.

“No, no,” answered Charlie, shaking her head.

Stepping closer to Dean, Castiel started, “Dean, if I believe what Sam told me earlier, it appears that some of our behaviour, what we say or do, can be very common in friendship but can as well be interpreted as couple material.”

“Couple material?” repeated Dean, who was definitely lacking air. “We are not a couple material Cas.”

“Well, think about it,” replied the angel, tilting his head, “we both did sacrifice ourselves for each other and despite I know that this could be interpreted as a friendly behaviour, if we take a look at some websites, it appears that – in the books, at least – we share some long stares and lingering touches, and I rebelled against Heaven for you,” Cas started to hesitate, “and felt for the first time, for you,” he finished, his eyes locked with Dean’s. 

While Dean tried to swallow, Charlie and Sam’s eyes were going back and forth between the two friends standing in front of them.

Sam had read Dean and Castiel fall in love two times already, and yet he couldn’t have imagined the two of them getting together for real. There was something unsaid in Castiel’s eyes, Sam noticed, and he was certain that the angel was doing his best to make Dean understand, to at least make him face what is between the two of them.

Dean’s blush hadn’t faded yet, and it took him a minute before he asked, “on what kind of websites do you go exactly to read stuff like that?”

“I found most of it on Tumblr,” replied the angel innocently.

“And what is that?” exclaimed Dean.

If it weren’t for Dean being mad, Sam would find this whole situation rather funny and if he had to be honest, he would admit that seeing Dean mad was even funnier. There was something so comical in the way that they were having such a wild conversation about something like this.

“Uh,” started Charlie clearing her throat, “it’s actually a cool website where-”

“I didn’t ask you,” interrupted Dean, “I asked the angel, here.”

“As Charlie said, it is a “cool” website for fandoms mostly,” replied Castiel, “and apparently many people on this site do think we are couple material.”

Dean squirmed a little bit; eyes stuck on Castiel as his freckles disappeared with his blush.

“Well,” he mumbled, “It doesn’t matter what people think. What matters is the meaning we give to our actions, alright?”

Silence fell on the group, none of them talking and Cas’ shoulders fell slightly. Sam was glancing at the angel, hoping for him to make his move since apparently it was now or never, but the silence was growing around them until the younger brother cleared his throat and said, “Cas… you might want to tell him now.”

“Tell me what?” roughly asked Dean, his eyes going back and forth between Sam and Castiel.

After a short nod from the taller man, Cas started, “well, I do want our behaviour to be considered as… “couple material”,” he finished with air quotes.

What Sam thought was a deep silence earlier was now even worse. No one dared to move, Sam glanced at Charlie, whose mouth was open wide in shock, as he tried to process what was happening. What was actually happening.

Dean’s face was a mix of so many intense emotions, it was impossible for the younger Winchester to guess what he was thinking. Shock was obvious, but there was something else for sure.

“Are you saying…” started Dean, frowning his brows, “that you… want to be with me.”

The moment before Cas’ answer felt like forever, until he finally stated a simple, “yes”.

Charlie stared at Sam quickly, her eyebrows raising in happiness, or at the very least, surprise. Her eyes showed how fast her mind was working to imagine every possible end to this situation when Dean spoke, “okay then.”

No one had moved yet, and while Sam had his brows frown in disbelief, he noticed Charlie’s face going from happy to mad, before she stepped between the two men, and turning to Dean, she said:

“Oh come on, Dean! You can’t just say “okay” to this! You should… I don’t know,” she stuttered, “try to express your emotions, maybe?”

“And what do you want me to say?” retorted Dean.

“I don’t know, maybe that you share the feeling,” suggested Charlie.

“And why would I do that?” countered Dean, crossing his arms.

“I don’t know, maybe because it’s true?” stated Sam as he stepped next to the redhead woman.

“And how could you possibly know that?” asked Dean, doing his best to avoid the actual subject.

“Well, Cas pointed out a very good list of why we all think that,” stated Charlie as she shrugged.

“Yeah, well,” hesitated the older hunter, “maybe I don’t want to say anything in front of you,” he replied as he stared at the two friends.

Cas laid his hand on Dean’s shoulder as he intervened, “Dean, you don’t have to say anything at all, as I said to your brother earlier I do not wish this to interfere in our current friendship,” he continued. “And if you do not reciprocate, I wouldn’t mind, I assure you.”

“Wait, I didn’t say I don’t reciprocate,” replied Dean hastily, as his eyes widened in fear.

Sam got it instantly, his brother was scared to let this opportunity go and he was scared to lose Cas. He was scared that he wouldn’t have this anymore. That he wouldn’t have all the trust, the faith, the one Dean had in Castiel but the one Cas had in him as well. 

Sam, Charlie and Cas stood still as Dean’s word floated between them when Castiel finally cleared his throat.

“So are you… reciprocating?” he asked cautiously.

“Yeah, of course I am,” affirmed Dean while staring at the floor.

A soft smile started to spread on Cas’ face as the realisation hit him, his eyes filled with light and adoration. 

Cas slowly nodded, “okay then.”

Charlie’s mouth agape, she turned to Sam and the hunter smiled excitedly, delighted to see his brother facing his emotions for once in his life.

“Can we put the movie on now?” Dean said, to cut through the lingering silence.

“Uh.. yeah, sure,” smiled Charlie sitting in the armchair.

Sam immediately sat on the other armchair, letting the couch for Dean and Cas, while Charlie put the movie on from her laptop.

Sam and Charlie both glanced at the two best friends repeatedly until, after thirty minutes and a short and knowing nod, they stood up, and left the room, as Charlie said, “I gotta show Sam a new video-game, good night bitches.”

“‘Night,” mumbled Dean without raising his eyes.

Beside him, Castiel didn’t move either, the two friends silent for once, after all those movie nights where Dean would talk and talk, telling Cas as many anecdotes about the film as he could.

They both stood still, their arms not even touching. When another thirty minutes passed, Castiel murmured, “it is obvious that the two characters will end up together.”

“What?” asked Dean, turning to face Cas.

“The characters,” repeated the angel, “they obviously… love each other, and probably… avoided, well, facing their feelings, but now that they’re about to lose one another, they can’t escape it.”

“Very cathartic,” smiled Dean shyly.

“You think so?” wondered Cas, tilting his head.

Dean’s smile grew wider and his eyes sparkled, “don’t you see the similarity?” he asked.

“Well, we were forced to face this… situation, but you would never lose me Dean,” replied Cas laying his eyes on Dean once more.

“And neither would you,” stated the hunter surely.

The angel nodded shortly, before looking back to the screen of the TV, on the other hand, Dean’s stare didn’t leave Cas’ face. His features were soft, enlightened by the movie, and the human couldn’t bring himself to look away.

Dean had always felt for Castiel, but never allowed himself to think that he could actually have something with his friend. Never daring to hope that an angel could love him, the Hell torturer.

“Cas”, whispered Dean after a few minutes.

“Yes?” asked the angel looking at his friend, “is everything alright?” he added when he saw the look on Dean’s face.

“Yeah, I… I just…” stuttered Dean, “I really reciprocate, you know,” he said, and the man was grateful for the darkness hiding the blush that was back once again.

Castiel smiled once more, his hands now softly brushing against Dean’s who, with sudden confidence in him, intertwined his fingers with the angel’s.

Maybe Dean’s heart was doing wild things in his chest, and maybe the hunter was doing his best to not have a giddy smile in front of Cas, but it took him a second to realise that he didn’t have to hide anymore.

“You’re pretty,” said Castiel fondly.

Dean instantly squirmed as his eyes fluttered. He wasn’t used to being complimented and definitely not with a word like that, not with a word that was for ladies as his father would say.

“You truly are Dean,” repeated the angel, locking his eyes with Dean again, “you are the most beautiful being to ever exist.”

“Come on man, that ain’t true,” shrugged the hunter.

“Dean,” murmured Castiel, putting his  hand on Dean’s cheek, “I witnessed the creation of life and saw many things, but, and I say this with my whole being, nothing could ever compare to the brightness of your soul, to the good that’s in you.”

“If you say so,” mumbled Dean, looking down.

“I wouldn’t lie to you,” smiled the angel, letting go of Dean’s face.

The hunter’s eyes went back to  Cas’ as his jaw went cold, and the feeling of emptiness had never felt stronger on his skin.

“I know,” nodded the human, tightening his grip on Castiel’s fingers, “I know.”

The two men kept on staring at each other, the movie passing behind them while they ignored it. Dean was back to being a teenager, all flustered because of someone, the blush never leaving his face as he did his best to not look down under Cas’ gaze.

Castiel’s thumb brushed Dean’s palm and the hunter leaned in slowly, his eyes questioning the angel who nodded quickly.

In a second, Dean’s lips were on Cas’, softly pushing against them, as he raised his hand to put it on the angel’s cheek. 

The moment seemed stuck in time, and Dean could swear that the movie had gone silent as Castiel opened his mouth under him. Dean’s tongue was brushing on Cas’, hot and warm, while the angel whimpered at the touch.

It was all the hunter needed to gain confidence, wrapping his other hand around Cas’ neck to hold him steady. Castiel didn’t have a lot of experience but he definitely was a fast learner, and the brush of his tongue against Dean’s combined with his hand disappearing under the hunter’s shirt was driving Dean crazy.

The hunter was craving more, he knew he was, but he also knew that too many of his past relationships had relied on physical stuff only, and he didn’t want this to be the same. Maybe he cared too much, maybe Cas was the one – no matter how frightening this thought was – but Dean was ready to do anything to make it work.

Dean slowly pulled back, and rested his forehead against the angel’s as both men tried to catch their breath.

“Cas,” breathed Dean, “Cas, Cas, Cas.”

“I am here,” replied the angel slowly.

“Yes you…” tried the hunter, “yes,” he gave up, wrapping his arms around the smaller man.

Cas held him back, pulling him closer and hiding his face in the crook of Dean’s neck, enjoying the warmth and the smell of the hunter. The angel softly stroked Dean’s back as he felt the human relaxing into the hug.

The movie was still on when they both pulled back. They tried to watch the ending, this time cuddling – even if Dean would never admit he’d use the word – and sharing at times, lingering kisses and loving stares.

They didn’t notice when they fell asleep, didn’t care to miss the ending of the movie and really didn’t care to fall asleep on the couch of the Dean-cave as long as they could be close to each other. 

“We should go to bed,” murmured Dean as he felt his eyes closing slowly.

“Hmm, hmm,” hummed Castiel mindlessly without even trying to move.

Dean’s head on Cas’ chest, and the angel’s arm wrapped around Dean’s shoulders. The two men fell asleep this way after pulling a cover over the top of them. For once, Dean’s sleep wasn’t interrupted by nightmares, and morning came by fast on the sleepy couple. 

It was seven in the morning when Sam woke up. As he entered the kitchen, he immediately noticed his brother missing. After all these years, Dean always did his best to wake up early, or at least that’s what he said each time he would be up because of a bad dream.

Today was different, and Sam was convinced that something had happened between his brother and his friend after he and Charlie had left them alone the previous night. 

He walked to his brother’s room and knocked, waiting patiently for Dean to open the door. But that didn’t happen. Slowly, Sam half-opened the door and immediately noticed the lack of people in the bed.

His brows furrowed  in confusion, he walked to the Dean-cave, and as he opened the door, Sam saw on the sofa the two men cuddled against each other. Dean’s hand laid on Cas’ shoulder as his head was still resting on the angel’s chest.

Sam smiled softly as he watched the two men sleep through the morning. Seeing the bliss on Dean’s face was something that made Sam very happy after all those harsh years that the brothers had been through.

He blinked, remembering how it all started with Charlie’s email and how now, fanfictions had turned real, making Dean and Castiel fall in love once more.