whynot: etc: oh deer (applied phlebotinum)
Las ([personal profile] whynot) wrote2010-03-28 02:15 am

'Personal Space Invasions' - SPN - Dean, Cas, Sam - PG

Like a big FUCK YOU to recent non-events, LJ has been runnething over with Castiel:

1) CASTIEL COMMENT-THING PARTY. Come on in, the water's fine! Full of angel cooties, just like we like it. Just one of those underwater angel cootie parties, you know how it is!
2) [livejournal.com profile] gid_hanasheh - If you have ever wondered, "So what if [livejournal.com profile] deancastiel but poetry?" then here is your answer.

A nice side effect of #2 is getting me to poke around for more of Arkaye Kierulf's poems. Spaces is pretty breathtaking. Then I poked around people's poetry saves on delicious, and found 'Maybe I Need You' by Andrea Gibson, which gave me chills.

Anyway, here is one of the things I wrote for the aforementioned Castastic shindig. The prompt was "Castiel gets cursed/blasted with hug!pollen/trickstered into needing hugs ALL THE TIME or else he'll die." Then I fucked it up because I am completely inept at keeping crack separate from angst. I am not as sorry as I should be.


Personal Space Invasions
Supernatural. Dean, Cas, Sam. PG. Spoilers for 5x14. ~1000 words


Dean is on hug detail tonight, and all he can think about is Sam. "I can take care of myself," Sam said before he left, but Sam always says that. It's the end of the world and Sam is going after demons, and Dean still can't get Sam's bloodstained mouth out of his thoughts, the way Famine had screamed, the stink of sulfur.

Takes a monster to know a monster, maybe. Takes one to gank one.

My brother is not a monster, he thinks worriedly.

"Dean."

And Dean looks down at Castiel, who is half-draped upon him, his usual coat and tie and blazer hanging on a nearby chair. Dean leans back against the headboard, and lifts his eyes to Jeopardy on TV. A woman asks, "What is citric acid?" and he knows that Cas is looking at him like he's reading Dean's thoughts again. Dean doesn't mind it so much anymore. Maybe he's getting too used to it. Dean thinks that life would be a lot easier if he could read his brother's thoughts even half the time these days.

"You're tense," Cas says, before reaching up and brushing his fingers against Dean's temple, and he feels the warm shiver of grace bloom across his skin, seeping into his mind and into the darkened cracks, like unexpected sunlight.

"You don't hug very well when you're tense," Cas says.

"Fuck you, hug slut," Dean replies, but he shifts down closer anyway, until Cas can comfortably rest his head in the crook of Dean's shoulder, and together they watch Alex Trebek announce the daily double.

+

Two towns back, no one hugged Castiel for five whole minutes and he didn't die, so everyone figured the trickster was probably bluffing. Off Team Free Will went on their separate missions -- Cas to find God, Sam and Dean to find the devil, their separate not-so-excellent adventures.

They weren't even ten minutes en route before Cas materialized in the backseat, breathing in harsh gasps and blood trickling from his nose, and Dean nearly ran them off the road.

"Dean," Cas managed, with obvious effort, and Dean jerked the Impala to a stop, the clumsiest pulling-over of his life, and nearly kicked Sam in the face as he scrambled into the backseat.

"Dean, woah!" Sam yelled, then, "Cas, are you--?" Then, "Shit," and so on. There were a lot of things to yell, but Dean didn't waste his breath on any of them; just dove straight for Castiel, tackling the angel against the backseat, knocking the wind out of him, making him cry out in pain, in relief, and Dean felt Cas's arms around him, gripping tight, a sound ripped from Cas's throat halfway between a sob and a moan.

"I got you," Dean rasped. "I got you, it's okay," lying there in the backseat in a tangle of limbs and quickened heartbeats, maddened panting, melting into each other with relief. Cas's fingers would leave bruises on Dean's shoulder and the back of his neck, and Dean relished the pressure of it, the proof of life. His own arms were ironclad around Cas's waist, fists bunched in his coat. Dean rested his head on Cas's chest and realized he was shaking, unless it was Cas shaking, unless it was the car humming around them as Sammy climbed into the driver's seat and eased them back onto the road, smooth as anything.

"I can't--" Cas choked out. "I can't--" and breathless, bleary, Dean lifted his hand to touch Castiel's mouth, a gesture here meaning 'shut up' and 'it's okay', and they fumbled and shifted around all awkward in the backseat until they found the least uncomfortable position. It involved Dean's cheek pressed against Castiel's neck, how warm he was; it involved Cas's fingers in Dean's hair, his other hand curled around Dean's arm, which was still wrapped around the angel, taut, tense.

"You guys okay?" Sam asked.

"I'm fine," Cas said.

Dean said, "Just drive."

+

Sam returns some time past midnight, dirty and bruised, and Dean's heart rises to his throat. "Sammy? You good?"

"I'm good," Sam says vaguely. A passing glance at them, and then his brother disappears into the bathroom.

Dean hears the shower turn on, and then he exchanges a look with Cas.

When Sam comes out of the bathroom, he heads straight for the empty bed and collapses onto it, moaning holy shit does he ever hate demons, goddamn. Dean banters back and forth with him, interrupting Cas's attempt to engage Sam in a real conversation about the next apocalyptic omen, but Sam is distracted and distant and eventually claims exhaustion. "I am ready for some fucking sleep, guys," Sam sighs.

Castiel untangles himself from Dean's arms, and slips into Sam's bed.

"What's up," Sam mumbles into his pillow, already drifting.

"I've been hugging your brother for hours," Cas says. "I'm giving him a break."

Sam mumbles something Dean can't hear, then lifts his arm and Cas shifts closer. His brother drops his arm around the angel, and then contracts, clutching Castiel to his chest. Being hugged by Sam is a little like being vacuum-sealed. Cas doesn't seem to mind, though. With his head tucked under Sam's chin, he looks like a child, content to be engulfed.

Dean keeps the TV on low volume, and when he finally hears his brother snoring, he looks over and meets Cas's eyes.

Cas shakes his head, and Dean breathes out in shaky relief: no demon blood in Sam, no taint of hell in his little brother, who is definitely still his little brother, and not a monster at all. Fuck. It tires Dean to feel this grateful. It's too much, it implies too much.

My brother is not a monster, he repeats and repeats, so caught up in the silent litany that he doesn't realize Cas is no longer in Sam's bed until he feels his own bed dip.

"Dean," Castiel whispers, and Dean says his name too. The angel slides under the covers, and Dean turns towards him, already reaching out. Already pulling Cas to him, this routine of fitting together; Dean knows exactly where his arms go, and Cas knows exactly where to rest his head, and - just like that - they are knotted together, again.

"How long do you think before this hug curse wears off?" Dean asks.

"We'll have to wait and see," Cas replies, and Dean closes his eyes.
ext_38905: (Default)

[identity profile] qthelights.livejournal.com 2010-03-28 06:53 am (UTC)(link)
...okay well that's just painful and adorable all rolled into one. *hearts*

[identity profile] twoskeletons.livejournal.com 2010-03-28 11:29 pm (UTC)(link)
hearts baaaaack

[identity profile] mumblemutter.livejournal.com 2010-03-28 09:07 am (UTC)(link)
Okay, that was way too lovely for words.

Cas shakes his head, and Dean breathes out in shaky relief: no demon blood in Sam, no taint of hell in his little brother, who is definitely still his little brother, and not a monster at all. Fuck. It tires Dean to feel this grateful. It's too much, it implies too much.

Oh Team Free Will. Oh Dean. Oh Cas. OH YOU.

PS. I love it when you bookmark poetry on delicious! You might have noticed. :-D That Arkaye Kierulf stuff is amazing.

[identity profile] twoskeletons.livejournal.com 2010-03-28 11:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks! I def went through your poetry tags. That's how I found the Gibson poem. Arkaye Kierulf, why does he not have anthologies out yet.

[identity profile] xaara.livejournal.com 2010-03-28 01:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, it's cracky and sad and sweet and generally awesome.

Also, I love how your gen manages to be TOTALLY DEAN/CAS. *cough*

Also the second, this: Being hugged by Sam is a little like being vacuum-sealed. Perfect.

[identity profile] twoskeletons.livejournal.com 2010-03-28 11:37 pm (UTC)(link)
My diabolical plan is to always make my gen Dean/Cas. But this prompt kind of makes it hard not to be!

Thanks :)

[identity profile] trinityofone.livejournal.com 2010-03-28 03:31 pm (UTC)(link)
I love, love, love how in character this is and how true you keep everyone's emotions; it makes it not cracky at all. And I guess the show has made me a hug slut too, because I would not mind if this happened in canon: I want to see all these embraces. Yes, please.

[identity profile] twoskeletons.livejournal.com 2010-03-29 12:21 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you! Sometimes I angst when I should crack and crack when I should angst, so I'm glad it worked for ya. :)

And yes: moooooore huuuuuuugs.
shanaqui: River from Firefly. ((Yosuke) So cute)

[personal profile] shanaqui 2010-03-28 03:41 pm (UTC)(link)
All together now: awwwwww.

[identity profile] twoskeletons.livejournal.com 2010-03-29 12:23 am (UTC)(link)
XD <3
ext_22293: ([merlin] her smile is)

[identity profile] anjali-organna.livejournal.com 2010-03-28 03:46 pm (UTC)(link)
I love how even your crack fics aren't really crack at all, but make complete and utter sense.

[identity profile] twoskeletons.livejournal.com 2010-03-29 12:27 am (UTC)(link)
It's fun to crack the angst and angst the crack? :) Thank you.

[identity profile] entangled-now.livejournal.com 2010-03-28 03:49 pm (UTC)(link)
This is a beautiful thing! Hugs as emergency medical attention are awesome.

[identity profile] twoskeletons.livejournal.com 2010-03-29 12:30 am (UTC)(link)
Thanks!

Haha, especially when there is no other option. ;)

[identity profile] mulder200.livejournal.com 2010-03-28 03:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Wow! I am impressed how you made crack into angst but good job.

[identity profile] twoskeletons.livejournal.com 2010-03-29 01:23 am (UTC)(link)
Thanks. :)

[identity profile] aliassmith.livejournal.com 2010-03-28 03:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Loved this like woah. Perfect.

[identity profile] twoskeletons.livejournal.com 2010-03-29 01:23 am (UTC)(link)
Thanks, man!

[identity profile] kaylbunny.livejournal.com 2010-03-28 04:01 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh wow. You could have easily made this crack but instead it's a little sad and definately in character and I love it.

[identity profile] twoskeletons.livejournal.com 2010-03-29 01:24 am (UTC)(link)
I think it would've been harder for me to keep it crack, haha. I just overthink things, and hugs 24/7 would complicate everything!

Thank you :)

[identity profile] blue-fjords.livejournal.com 2010-03-28 04:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Awww, that was sweet! I loved the mix of angst and crack, a perfect blend. And the image of Dean lunging over the backseat to give Cas a hug? Awesomesauce! I also loved Cas hugging Sam and assuring Dean about the blood. Lovely.

[identity profile] twoskeletons.livejournal.com 2010-03-29 01:25 am (UTC)(link)
the image of Dean lunging over the backseat to give Cas a hug? Awesomesauce!
Yay! That part was, uh, really fun to write. XD

Thank you so much!

[identity profile] willow-fae-20.livejournal.com 2010-03-28 04:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Being hugged by Sam is a little like being vacuum-sealed. Cas doesn't seem to mind, though. With his head tucked under Sam's chin, he looks like a child, content to be engulfed.

I can haz Sammy-Hug nao? PlzKayThnx.

This was adorable (see above quoted section) and a little scary (when Castiel went off on his own only to return minutes later bleeding).

[identity profile] twoskeletons.livejournal.com 2010-03-29 01:26 am (UTC)(link)
I can haz Sammy-Hug nao?
Get in line! ;D

Thanks!

[identity profile] ivesia19.livejournal.com 2010-03-28 05:30 pm (UTC)(link)
I love how this isn't just pure fluff but has a deeper thread.
Of awesome.

[identity profile] twoskeletons.livejournal.com 2010-03-29 02:47 am (UTC)(link)
I confess, I am terrible at fluff. Things like this happen instead.
Thank you :D

[identity profile] hugglewolf.livejournal.com 2010-03-28 05:30 pm (UTC)(link)
*hugs boys* They just kind of take this in their stride and I love that. And the bit where Cas appears in the back seat and Dean just jumps back their because he *knows*....made all after shivery and scared and...just wow.

[identity profile] twoskeletons.livejournal.com 2010-03-29 02:48 am (UTC)(link)
and Dean just jumps back their because he *knows*...
This is how I ship with the fire of a thoooouuuuusand suns. Gosh I love them.

Thanks.

[identity profile] oywidapoodles.livejournal.com 2010-03-28 05:35 pm (UTC)(link)
What an awesome prompt XD

This is ridiculously adorable.

[identity profile] twoskeletons.livejournal.com 2010-03-29 02:49 am (UTC)(link)
It definitely captured my imagination!

Thanks!
ext_267113: (Default)

[identity profile] juanitatequila.livejournal.com 2010-03-28 06:05 pm (UTC)(link)
ALL THOSE HUGS. :3

KEWT!!

[identity profile] twoskeletons.livejournal.com 2010-03-29 02:50 am (UTC)(link)
ALL THOSE HUUUUUUUUUUUUUGSjfkldsjlfldkjs

Show needs more on-screen hugs, man!

[identity profile] aenissesthai.livejournal.com 2010-03-28 08:16 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm very impressed! The prompt was pure crack, but what you've done with it is so much more. I was really struck by the reality within the curse construct--the dual themes of Dean being worried about Castiel and yet torn about what Sam was doing while dealing with the demons and Sam's humanity or lack thereof. Very nice continuity with the end of My Bloody Valentine: Sam and Dean don't just 'get over it' like nothing happened.

Two observations I have to make: the 'emergency hug' in the back of the Impala morphed into an act of urgency and sensuality reminiscent of sex, incidentally making Castiel's "I'm fine" remark at the end into a hilarious understatement. The next observation is on your refreshing lack of exposition; you trust your readers to make all necessary connections, and as a reader, I find that enjoyable.

I have questions, sure--is this curse inflicted by the trickster or does he just pop in to explain it? Is it Gabriel or some other trickster, since you don't capitalize trickster? On the other hand, who else but an archangel would have the power to inflict a curse on an angel, powered-down or not?--but the fun thing is that I can mull over these questions and all possible permutations of the answers, and it doesn't take away one iota of the delightful main plot.

[identity profile] twoskeletons.livejournal.com 2010-03-29 03:06 am (UTC)(link)
<3 Oh gosh! Thank you very much! What it really comes down to is that I overthink things, haha, and I was all, "Hmm, hugs are definitely awesome, but they would be such an inconvenience when you're trying to stop the apocalypse!" Then this ficlet happened. The OP was nice enough to not bonk me on the head for angsting her crack. XD

morphed into an act of urgency and sensuality reminiscent of sex
You saw what I did there! I, uh, kinda love writing about non-romantic/sexual things in a sensual way. It's how I cheat at shipping, because I don't porn a lot, but I can sure as hell try to make desperate life-saving hugs sound like carsex.

It was inflicted by a trickster (whether it's Gabe, I'm less sure on), as per the prompt. I am maybe relying too much on the prompt to provide the necessary exposition, which might have worked for the commentfic party format, but maybe less so for an actual post to a comm, come to think of it. Hmm. So I appreciate that you can enjoy this ficlet even without the exposition! Because this fic is pretty much the reaction/aftermath of the prompt, and I just wanted to write about the fraught touching, dude. ;)

[identity profile] anniehow.livejournal.com 2010-03-28 09:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Angsty hug curse FTW!

[identity profile] twoskeletons.livejournal.com 2010-03-29 04:22 am (UTC)(link)
HUGS O' ANGST GALORE! :D

[identity profile] fearlessfan.livejournal.com 2010-03-28 09:32 pm (UTC)(link)
This was really, really great - every element works well in the story. The characterization is great, the pacing is wonderful, and I love the way you capture the relationships between all three characters. In particular, I thought you did a great job writing Sam's return to the motel room - I was as anxious as Dean about what Castiel would discover, the sign of a truly effective writer.

Wonderfully done! I really enjoyed this, thank you for writing and sharing it.

[identity profile] twoskeletons.livejournal.com 2010-03-29 06:16 am (UTC)(link)
Aww wow, thank YOU so much! That's great to hear, I'm glad you like it. :D

[identity profile] psycocatgirl.livejournal.com 2010-03-29 02:39 am (UTC)(link)
Awwww! Hug curse is kind of awesome and adorable, despite the inconvenience I'm sure it's causing the boys (though they don't seem to mind that much). Hehehehe. Love this! <3

[identity profile] twoskeletons.livejournal.com 2010-03-29 06:20 am (UTC)(link)
Thanks, dude! Haha, whether they mind or not, there's not much they can do about it anyway, so they just have to deal. HUGS FOR EVERYONE AND NO BUTS ABOUT IT. :D

[identity profile] layne67.livejournal.com 2010-03-29 05:59 am (UTC)(link)
Lol hug curse! I didn't see that one coming I just thought that they were pretty ... huggy :DD

Nice one, I enjoyed that :)

[identity profile] twoskeletons.livejournal.com 2010-03-29 06:22 am (UTC)(link)
Haha, I included the original prompt in the author notes. I wonder how crazy you thought I was, reading this without knowing what prompted it. XD

Thanks.

[identity profile] starlurker.livejournal.com 2010-03-29 05:59 am (UTC)(link)
What should be cracky turns sweet and dark at the same turn. Lovely!

[identity profile] twoskeletons.livejournal.com 2010-03-29 06:25 am (UTC)(link)
Hee! I kind of have a soft spot for dark crack...?

Thanks!

[identity profile] godofstrife.livejournal.com 2010-03-29 02:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Man, I don't know whether to crack up or to go sad!face on this fic, but I assure you, my confusion? It is most enjoyable. I also totally recced (http://community.livejournal.com/rec_hymenated/36967.html) this.

[identity profile] twoskeletons.livejournal.com 2010-03-29 07:11 pm (UTC)(link)
!!! Thank you so much! Oh gosh, I am very flattered. I wholly support your confusion! :D

[identity profile] inksheddings.livejournal.com 2010-03-29 03:17 pm (UTC)(link)
This? Is awesome. I don't know how you managed to blend the sheer cracktasticness of huggy-angel-Castiel with Dean's concern for his brother but, as I said, this is awesome.

[identity profile] twoskeletons.livejournal.com 2010-03-30 01:23 pm (UTC)(link)
The question is... how could I not?! ;)
Thanks very much!
jerusha: (dean/sam/cas awesome)

[personal profile] jerusha 2010-03-29 03:18 pm (UTC)(link)
My heart is glowing with a warm, squishy feeling now. I loved it.

[identity profile] twoskeletons.livejournal.com 2010-03-30 01:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Awesome! Thanks :)

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