deancaspinefest

[deancaspinefest]

Congratulations to all of the incredible artists and authors who participated in the eighth round of the Dean/Cas Pinefest!

Over the past month, 34 authors and 23 artists teamed up to share a collective 1,420,869 words of pine-filled fic and 117 works of art. The talent and artistry of this fandom absolutely floors us every year, and we're so happy that you're all still here sharing your wonderful creations with us 🌲 

With that in mind, we'll definitely be back for more! An official announcement for the 2025 Pinefest -- our ninth year -- will come sometime in July. Follow us here on Tumblr to make sure you don’t miss out on any details!

Under the cut, you’ll find links to every fic & art masterpost from the 2024 round, and you can also check out the collection on Ao3. Make sure to let the authors and artists know how much you enjoyed their creations with a like, kudos, or best of all, a reblog, rec, or comment!

following the light

One Drop, when What You Need is the Ocean

Of Dust, Gunpowder and Holy Water

Books, Pies, and Roommates

A Fairy Tale Cliche!

All in Honesty

Another Kind of Memory

Not our kind of thing

Different Currencies

In The Dog Days

Whatever Makes You Happy

Significant severe

all that we intend

Something Happening Somewhen

Two Princes

Broken (The Worst Is Over Now)

Well, I Never Been To Heaven

The Reel Deal

A Fabulous Evening's Apocalypse

Foxfire

Super Double Bus

Suddenly I See

Lavender Fireflies

Heartland Flyer

Something Blue

Wouldn't It Be Nice

If Only You Return to Me

all out to sea

Dear Father

Opposites Distract

Faking It?

Given to Fly

Take The Long Way Home

A Glacial Pace

All caught up on this year’s crop of pine? There are 694 more works of art and 219 more fics to be found in the previous seven Pinefest rounds -- and if you're into numbers, you can find a full breakdown of this and past year’s stats here!

Until next time… happy pining!

[deancaspinefest]

Following the Light  |  Explicit  |  20,847

Author: LoversAntiquities | tragidean

Artist: Jollyrolls

Almost a year to the day, and Castiel is still sick. After months of blackouts and near misses, Dean has managed to find a way to quell the spells and drag Castiel back from the proverbial abyss. However, when Castiel progressively gets worse and Dean’s voice is no longer enough to keep him conscious, Dean sets out to find every faith healer in the country in the hopes that one of them might shed light on what’s happening, and how to prevent it.

Only, Dean and Castiel find out more than they bargained for—and that the solution, apparently, has been right under their noses the whole time.

Link to fic  |  Link to art

Pairings: Dean/Castiel

Warnings: None

Tags: Roadtrips, Hurt/Comfort, Sick Castiel, Faith Healers, Getting Together, Post-Season 11

[deancaspinefest]

One Drop, when What You Need is the Ocean   |  Mature  |   47,442 

Author: Baileys | Artist: sidewinder

Cas disappears after leaving once again to help the angels.  With God gone, Mary defected to the British men of letters, and the other major players all on their best behaviour, Dean tries to carry on as normal, hunt the things and save the people.  But the longer time goes by without so much as a text, the more his worry spirals.

Then, just when all hope is lost, like the supernatural yo-yo he is Cas is back.  Only something or someone has siphoned off grace he didn’t have to spare.  As they embark on yet another case together, it’s a race against time to stop whoever it is from finishing the job and removing Cas from Dean’s life for good.

Link to fic  |  Link to art 

Pairings: Dean/Cas, (Eileen Leahy/Sam Winchester)

Warnings: No Archive Warnings ApplyTags: Alternative Season 12, Hurt/Comfort, Case Fic, Hurt Castiel

[deancaspinefest]

Of Dust, Gunpowder and Holy Water  |  Mature  |  104,940

Author: melancholictearz  |  Artist: kireadraws

Castiel is a vampire hunter tracking the creature that doomed the rest of his family to damnation. He crosses paths with Dean Winchester, a cocky outlaw wanting to escape from his mysterious past.

They travel together all around the West to fulfil Castiel’s revenge, at the cost of Dean’s life… But what happens when Dean comes back wrong from the dead and has become one of the bloodthirsty creatures Castiel always swore to kill?

Link to fic  |  Link to art

Pairings: Dean/Castiel (background Meg Masters/Bela Talbot)

Warnings: Temporary Character Death, Canon-Typical Violence

Tags: Western - Alternate Universe, Slow Burn, Hurt/Comfort

[deancaspinefest]

Books, Pies, and Roommates |  Explicit |  27,731

Author: seidenapfel | Artist: Kit Shay

Everything seemed easy when Castiel landed a job in Lawrence as a literature professor at KU. He even found a place to stay with his cousin in Topeka. But the daily commute quickly gets on his nerves and he begins looking for a room in town. When he finally lucks out on a house, it comes with a catch. His mysterious landlord/housemate works and lives in Topeka during the week, and will only be at home for the weekend while Castiel is back at his cousin’s to honor a promise he made.

When Dean walks into his favorite pie shop, the new sales assistant takes his breath away. Steve is gorgeous, and part of the owner’s family. Dean doesn’t even mind that he picks up Gabriel’s stupid moniker for him. After all, Deano has one syllable more, and Dean will do anything to hear Steve’s voice just a little bit longer.

Though, as breathtaking Steve might be, he isn’t Angel. If only Dean’s book-loving best friend weren’t a mystery in himself — a guy who Dean has only met online, but who has slowly taken his heart away. And it seems that Dean isn’t alone in his feelings.When the lines blur and fantasies merge three guys into one, disappointment and heartbreak seem to be inevitable.

Link to fic  |  Link to art

Pairings: Dean/Cas (blink and you miss a minor mention of Rowena MacLeod/Sam Winchester)

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tags: Two Person Love Triangle, Misunderstandings, Idiots in Love

[deancaspinefest]

A Fairy-Tale Cliche!

.A Fairy-Tale Cliche!  |  Mature  |  54,170 Words

Author: @butterflyslinky  |  Artist: @coydahlia

True Love was never in the cards for Castiel. He is, after all, a Changeling raised by Cave Trolls, raised in the Court of Storms, where tender emotions are not encouraged.

True Love was also never in the cards for Dean. They may be under a curse that can only be broken by True Love’s Kiss, but nymphs don’t tend to settle for one person for life.

Too bad none of their friends will listen to that logic.

Link to fic  |  Link to art 

Pairings: Dean/Cas (Sam/Eileen, Charlie/Gilda, Gabriel/Meg, one-sided Boris/Dean)Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence, Attempted Rape/Noncon, Slavery, Abuse, Minor Character Death, Major Character Injury, Thoughts of Suicide

Tags: Fantasy AU, Nymph!Dean, Human!Cas, Nonbinary Dean

[deancaspinefest]

All in Honesty  |  Teen  |  24k

Author: @golby-moon  |  Artist: @twinone1221

It’s been years of watching Dean and Cas dance around their feelings and at this point, Sam’s losing hope that they’ll ever take that step and talk things out already. One well-placed spell from Rowena makes Dean and Cas incapable of not talking, but even that doesn’t get them together. Will Sam ever be able to help the morons he’s forced to live with get together already, or is he destined for a life of perpetually being stuck between them as some sort of bizarre marriage counselor that neither seems aware the other also talks to?

Link to fic  |  Link to art 

Pairings: Dean/Cas

Warnings: Brief Implied/Referenced Child Neglect, Brief Implied/Referenced Rape (April), No Major Archive Warnings Apply

Tags: Oblivious Cas, Oblivious Dean, Matchmaker Sam, Sam POV, Truth Spells, Castiel and Dean Winchester Become Incapable of Not Using Their Words ™

[deancaspinefest]

Another Kind of Memory  |  Explicit  |  45,174 Words

Author: FriendofCarlotta  |  Artist: Aggiedoll 

Since a traumatic incident six years ago, Castiel Novak’s face has been disfigured by a scar. He’s resigned himself to being someone people can barely stand to look at, let alone love.

Except his heart doesn’t seem to have gotten the message. When Dean Winchester takes over the convenience store down the street from Castiel’s bookshop, Castiel falls helplessly in love with his new neighbor.

To make matters worse, Castiel’s sister Anna is also interested in Dean. Believing that Dean could never love him, Castiel decides to help Anna win his heart instead.

Link to fic   |  Link to art 

Pairings: Dean/Cas (Sam/Eileen, Dean/Anna, Charlie/Dorothy, Jesse/Cesar, Carlos/Anna, Donna/Jody, Millie/Ada)

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tags: Inspired by Cyrano de Bergerac, Small Town AU, Bookstore AU, Love Letters, Misunderstandings

[deancaspinefest]

Not our kind of thing | General Audiences | 20,386

Author: achwieloustig

Artist: jollyrolls

Dean and Sam are on their way to a hunt in Philadelphia when Cas joins them. They decide to work the case together which is convenient because Dean is definitely not at the top of his game. While figuring out (and repressing) his feelings regarding Cas he just can’t concentrate on the case. A case that starts as their usual hunt and ends with them dealing with a completely different kind of evil: human criminals.

Link to fic and art

Pairings: Dean/Cas

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Ratings: General Audiences

Tags: Mutual Pining, Case Fic, Accidental Cuddling, Sharing a Bed

[deancaspinefest]

Different Currencies

Different Currencies  |  Explicit  |  26,233 Words

Author: @tea_or_die  |  Artist: @hexentaenzerin

Castiel had a job, a boyfriend, and a roof over his head this morning. Now he’s jobless, single and being evicted. When an offer comes from his best friend that could literally be life-saving, can he afford to let a little thing like

feelings

get in the way?

Link to fic  |  Link to art 

Pairings: Castiel/Dean Winchester

Tags: Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics, Mutual Pining, Top Castiel/Bottom Dean Winchester, Alpha Castiel (Supernatural), Omega Dean Winchester, Alpha Castiel/Omega Dean Winchester, Knotting, Masturbation, Angst, Angst with a Happy Ending

[deancaspinefest]

In The Dog Days | Mature | 22,300 words

Author: @hectatess Artist: @reverieofforgotten

One day deputy sheriff Castiel Novak is out on his usual run, when a guy comes up to join him. They hit it off, and before the day really starts, he has a new running buddy called Sam.

Fast forward a few months, and Sam comes running into the office, all upset because his brother is missing! To top off this eventful day, Castiel finds a dog without a collar.

Link to Fic | Link to Art

Pairings: Dean/Castiel, Bg Sam/Gabriel, Bg Jody/Donna

Warnings: No Archive warnings apply

Tags: Canon Related, shifter curse, Civilian Winchesters, Witchcraft, Mentions of abuse and child trafficking (Magda Jack Claire), Mutual Pining, dog!Dean, Cop!Castiel, Happy Ending, Even for Lucky, Castiel & Sam Winchester Friendship, Gabriel & Dean Winchester Friendship

[deancaspinefest]

Whatever Makes You Happy |  Explicit |  27, 629

Author: Rex_Writes 

Artist: KitShay 

An aspiring songwriter, Dean Winchester spends his days in the local coffee shop, which just happens to be run by the most gorgeous man he has ever seen, Castiel Novak. This gorgeous man becomes his muse, songs flow out of Dean’s pen with the speed of a rushing river. Unfortunately, just like getting his songs heard, Castiel is just another thing Dean can’t have. He’s had his heart broken by a straight guy before and he can’t go through that again. Thankfully, Dean meets Lee Webb who is an amazing singer, AND he’s actually interested in Dean.  Will Dean stay with the man who’s a sure thing or will he risk everything for whatever makes him happy? 

Link to fic  |  Link to art 

Pairings: Dean/Cas (Dean/Lee Webb, Jo Harvelle/Charlie Bradbury)

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply 

Tags: Alternate Universe-Coffee Shop, Songwriter!Dean, Coffee Shop Owner!Castiel, Dean Winchester is an idiot, First Kiss, Angst with a Happy Ending

[deancaspinefest]

Significant Severe  |  Explicit  |  21,700

Author: Tossukka  |  Artist: girlinthemirrorbluenight

A TV meteorologist Castiel Novak believes storm chasers who livestream their adventures online must only be looking for adrenaline rushes from dangerous situations. When an attractive storm chaser Dean Winchester and Castiel meet at their shared alma mater’s alumni event, they end up arguing over the issue. To show Castiel the realities of his work, Dean invites Castiel to join him on a chase for a few weeks. Castiel is intrigued, and unexpectedly, his employer agrees to let him count it as field work.

After their disastrous first meeting, Castiel expects to share a civil but distant working relationship with Dean. And yet, in the volatile atmosphere of the tornado season, both the storms and Castiel’s attraction to Dean grow more intense day by day.

Link to fic  |  Link to art 

Pairings: Dean/Cas, minor Jody/Donna, mentioned Charlie/Dorothy, past Dean/others, past Cas/others

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply, past minor character death, severe tornado damage, injured people (no graphic descriptions), alcohol use, storm related trauma

Tags: Enemies to friends to lovers, human AU, storm chaser Dean, meteorologist Cas, road trip, alternate universe – scientists, Mutual pining, Dean and Cas need to use their words

[deancaspinefest]

all that we intend  |  Explicit  |  66,386 words

Author: dothraki_shieldmaiden Artist: NeverSleepUntilFive

When Dean Winchester met Castiel Novak in college they were both headed for amazing things: Dean was a rising star in the art world while Cas was a promising medical student. Now, thirteen years and one marriage later, none of those dreams have come true. Cas works twelve hour shifts as a nurse while Dean works as a mechanic, his art supplies wasting away in a dusty room. With his marriage to Cas on rocky ground, Dean starts to feel like he made a mistake all those years ago.

A chance encounter and a hasty wish land Dean in another world – one where his art career is skyrocketing him to fame and fortune… And one where he never married Cas.

Now Dean has to make a decision – whether to go back to Cas and his mundane life, or whether to stay… and lose Cas forever.

Link to fic  |  Link to art 

Pairings: Dean Winchester/Castiel, Castiel/April Kelly, Background Sam Winchester/Eileen Leahy

Warnings: Infidelity (not between Dean and Cas)

Tags: Wishes, Artist!Dean, Doctor!Cas, Established Relationship, Married Dean and Cas

[deancaspinefest]

Something Happening Somewhen  |  Rated T  |  20,364 words

Author: allthismusic

Artist: eggchef

Dean is 24 years old, and a quiet night at a California dive bar turns into a near death experience turns into a trip through time thanks to the stranger he meets in the bar. When he lands in the bunker twenty years into his future, he finds out who the stranger is — and what his relationship is to Dean’s own older self.

Dean’s not sure what he thinks about this at first, but when Cas takes him back to his own time (accompanied by the older Dean, who is determined to make sure that nothing they do in the past screws up their lives in the future), he gets to know the angel, and he gets a glimpse at a future he never would’ve dreamed that he might be able to have.

Link to fic  |  Link to art 

Pairings: Dean/Castiel 

Warnings: N/a

Tags: Time travel; established relationship (but also not); Stanford era / post-canon

[deancaspinefest]

Two Princes |  E  |  24,619

Author: andimeantittosting  |  Artist: Jay Valq (jayjayverse)

When Prince Castiel of Eden discovers his father’s deepest secret, he expects a far worse punishment than an arranged marriage to Dean of Winchester, who is only recently restored to legitimacy and is second to his younger half-brother in the line of succession. Though the courtiers of Winchester are suspicious of Castiel, he and Dean become allies and fast friends, until the unthinkable happens and the young crown prince falls deathly ill.

Link to fic |  Link to art (AO3 Link)

Pairings: Dean/Cas, implied Sam/Rowena, implied Amara/Rowena

Warnings: No archive warnings apply, minor character death

Tags: Alternate Universe - Medieval Fantasy, Arranged Marriage, Rescue Mission, Unsubtle Metaphor for the Empty

[deancaspinefest]

Broken (The Worst Is Over Now)  |  Rated: T  |  45,229

Author: Trenchcoat_Paradigm  |  Artist: P3ngu

Dean almost couldn’t believe it when he saw that huddled body swaddled in a tan trenchcoat sitting in the middle of the dungeon floor. Cas was back. After months of searching, digging through the archives to find a way to drag his ass out of the Empty, they had finally done it.

But something was wrong.

This wasn’t the Castiel that smiled up at him with a tearful goodbye after revealing his true happiest moment. This was a wild, snarling beast of a man, warped and twisted, feral thanks to the damage of the Empty. A man who would probably rip out Dean’s throat rather than confess his love.Even when Dean breaks through that wild exterior, he discovers that Castiel still thinks he’s trapped in the hell that is the Empty. That nothing around him is real.

Dean just has to get through to him.

Link to fic  |  Link to art

Pairings: Dean/Cas, Sam/Eileen 

Warnings: None

Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Fix it fic, Angst With Happy Ending, Castiel/Dean Winchester First Kiss, Human Castiel.

Submitted by: Trenchcoat_Paradigm