#I also like the idea of dean just being entranced by the halo or playing with it bc it’s stars lol

[wigglebox]

Starry Eyed Surprise 💖💫

[lineart included in Destiel Doodles coloring book]

[tinkdw]

14x01: watching notes / mini meta

This episode is just like one long tick list of previous meta and I love it even if the actual ep itself was slightly bland with a few niggles, the thematics are so exciting for what it means for the show overall and the characters we love. Here’s my watching notes / mini meta short versions of the themes, (previous longer meta’s on each theme are linked with x or underlined sentences). Here we go!

I called the Angel wings, yay!

Opening song: shot down in flames by AC/DC. A song about unrequieted romantic feelings. Lmao. OK, good start...

- Dean screaming at Sam “all I see is everything we’ve lost” - cuts to just Cas dying. OK. Thanks for clarifying that meta from last year up for us Dabb ;)

- That freeze frame tho. Even shortened it’s still terrible. Stawp.

- Cut to Sam in the car, this is like the one with Rowena where it went from the opening song to her in the car and I love it, please do more. Oh, bonus if we can get one where Dean does it and he looks at the camera like he’s on the office and switches it from something rocky to, like, Miley Cyrus :p

- The point of the Jamil scene, whilst in itself it is divisive and has offended some viewers (and I do not condone that but I write meta so here is the meta), was clear re: Michael. Showing that Michael essentially is that asshole who doesn’t care how much you redeemed yourself and now are trying to do good but says you want selfish things and remembers that one time you did something wrong 8 years ago and won’t let you get past it. He also enjoys putting words in others’ mouths and judging them from above because he somehow thinks he is some all knowing, all judging clever clogs (and better than Gabriel, pfft he doesn’t even know our Gabriel but just assumes he’s better, ok then...). He’s a self absorbed, self assured, arrogant, genocidal, doesn’t give a shit about humanity wanker with a chip on his shoulder having inherited some power from his daddy he doesn’t know what to do with and has only shown so far that he can balls it up royally but somehow thinks this time, this time it'll work cos he’s oh so intelligent and right. Oh look, Michael is Trump.

- “A better world”. Well I’ve talked about that a lot previously, how this links to the other extreme end of the MoL, essentially we have the MoL at one end telling us the world can only be better if you remove anything supernatural and Michael at the other saying it can only be better if you remove anything natural. Longer meta on these and how they also link to John and the season 1 onwards black/white to grey area progression here: x and x  Dabb is really hammering home the grey area / balance themes in the middle for endgame and I love him for it.

- DEAD MANS BLOOD BULLETS what a great idea! I’ve not seen anyone comment on this yet but honestly, this is up there with salt hoolahoops and exorcisms saved on your phone ;)

- Sam “chief” Winchester. I’m living. I mean let the dude take a nap but the concept and symbolism of him as the leader, taking charge of the hunters and the bunker, Mary as his lieutenant, everyone looking up to him with respect because of what he has done and who he is rather than out of fear or duty... I can’t express just how much I love this and am grateful it’s as blatant as it is.

- Castiel gets kidnapped and used as “bait” (yes there’s like 5 layers of symbolism here and I hate/love it) and the whole thing with Sam telling them there’ll be no king of Hell goes down in Detroit. Yeah sure tell me Dabb doesn’t care about mirrors and previous canon references, parallels and subversions ;)

- I just can’t even with Sassy!Cas *rolls eyes* *uses “GOD” as a blatant blasphemy* is just so human, being so done when Kip makes his stupid OTT grand entrance whilst Cas is calmly sat in front of the fire pit and then tells him he’ll burn him to ash. YES MY SON.

- “Joined at the... (Dick)”. Yes Kip I get you, everyone does, literally everyone thinks they’re boning, cos duh, but you see they could actually have an ounce of happiness within the chaos if they weren’t so bloody miscommunicative and self hating that they haven’t even admitted their feelings let alone touched each other yet below the shoulder. But yes, please, do join the hoards of characters on the show who assume they are a couple. 

*Tink stares into the camera*

- The less said about Michael’s puny ass winged ‘twuform’ the better. Yes it looks like a pigeon with disproportionally tiny wings, yes it looks like Dean bent his halo (lolz) but aside from the humour there’s nothing good about this.

- Michael: Dean said yes for love. Ah yes. The power of love. I love to be reminded that this whole show’s premise since the pilot is love. Thanks Satan.

- Michael thinks Anael is everything Cas is. “The rebel, the Angel who doesn’t like playing by Heaven’s rules” I mean jeez, like a hammer to the face much! Well, Danneel said she did want to play Castiel so ;) x and x 

- Tbh I also got massive self reflection vibes here off the next part on performing!Dean and I just love how all this comes out of Dean’s own mouth, it’s just so symbolic. Every time Michael says something it seems to be a reflection on John or Dean or daddy issues of some sort.

Re: Performing!Dean: “You pretend to care about these things... pretty things, but that’s all it is, pretending. These trinkets, they don’t make you happy they just pass the time, they’re not what you really want”. *Tink stares at all of the meta on Performing!Dean repression by overcompensating, especially with sex to pass the time and try to alleviate his mood with women, especially since season 7, every time Cas is gone and he’s pining*.

- What do you really want? This basically works for both Dean and Cas (and Sam too to be fair but he’s not been mirrored previously so I’m going with the symbolism here being most relevant to Cas mirror Anael and Dean whose literally saying it through a veil): “love, to belong, to have a place a home a family... it’s very very human”.

- *Cough* blatant easy link and exposition of endgame Human!Cas and Nonperforming!Dean. *sends Dabb a giant fruit and donut basket*

- Cleary the theme of season 14 is “what do you want” just as season 13′s was “who are you”. Excellently linked themes.

- Sam is just going around all episode fixing other peoples issues and taking no time for himself, he needs a friend and a nap.

- Jack is actually not doing badly considering and I’m so happy they made him sad and angsty without being an annoying whiney teenager (I do have an issue with how Claire was made into this and am annoyed with the m/f difference but sigh, clearly they were trying to do something better with WS. Sigh again).

- I actually kinda loved the Sam / Nick scene. Since it was clear Mark P was coming back (literally why Satan) I made peace with it and expected Nick and I hope they continue with it as well as I think it started. Mark’s little gestures of itching and wincing really helped with the overall feel here so through gritted teeth I say kudos. Jared steals the show though at his own minute facial expressions and the deep meaning of this scene for him, I’m sure he enjoyed acting this immensely as he’s always cared a lot for the Sam/Lucifer storyline and it’s closure. Obviously it’s got implications for Michael!Dean so let’s see what happens. Sam was amazing obviously, man, I just... really hope Bucklemming don’t fuck this up as Nick’s likely their play thing. Fingers crossed, it’s off to a good start.

- If they really do follow through on this really cack-handed obvious “we can kill Michael by stabbing Dean and save Dean” story then I’ll be really fucking disappointed. This is lazy and too obvious, it also negates all the possibility for the Dean/John mirror from 2x01 with John angry at them for not killing him to kill Azazel and thus leading into Dean’s blatantly exposed self worth arc throughout the season while he struggles to feel worthy of being alive at the potential expense of the world, with his family telling him he does deserve to be saved (>...>). I mean... I just can’t really get my head around this not happening? Or it being so frankly badly written if it is? It feels more like a red herring to me, like, a giant red herring. If it doesn’t happen like this and they just stab Michael with the shittyretconblade then I’ll be shocked. Though I’ll be less shocked if it’s in the Bucklemming episode and I’ll attribute this to their shitty writing and Dabb really having zero fucking says in his own show anymore and the whole thing going downhill moving forwards. So either way it’s bad. So fingers, toes and everything crossed this isn’t what happens.

- The fact that Cas knew Sam would come save him gives me so many happy feels whereas I feel only a few seasons ago he would have said he’s not worth saving / why would Sam bother. He trusts Sam and he believes Sam loves him. Happy Tink.

- “He just told you he’s a demon?” “Yep”. I love Sassy! Sam.

- Bait. It’s kind of what you’re for isn’t it? I just... That was so hilariously triple, quadruple, whatever, entendre... bait for the audience, bait for the Winchesters, bait associated with fish as Castiel usually is, just, it made me laugh out loud and @bluestar86 looked at me like I’d gone nuts but I loved the cleverness of it. Though also fuck you Cas is more than bait ;) I mean Dabb knows that he loves Cas he’s being tongue in cheek but yeah, this made me chuckle big time.

- Michael has been to see Kip and it again hopefully will be a continuation of the theme of Michael being so black and white he turns grey people black or white. I’d love to see an opposite where his asking this question of what do you want actually makes someone choose to do the right thing.

- Mary “I have to think about the good Sam, because if I don’t I’ll just drown in the bad, for Dean’s sake I can’t do that, we can’t do that”. Wow. Mary ploughing on, seemingly cold to others until she’s probed, revealing her internal emotional struggle, forever threatening to overflow and the actual drive for her actions that in full circle are what makes her come across as uncaring. If this isn’t Mary’s whole arc since her resurrection in one sentence. If it ain’t also a massive TFW mirror. IN ONE SENTENCE. GOD I LOVE ANDREW DABB OK?!

- Bobby re-emphasising the family theme to Jack in the impala, reminiscent of Jack telling the Winchester’s they are his family in the impala last season.

- Equating Sam to Beyoncé for his glorious physique, hair and overall legend / icon status is just A. Brilliantly hilarious and reminding us how great Sam is but also B. So cool to give zero shits that Beyoncé is a woman and is just as capable of being a role model for a guy. Kudos Dabb. C. I just imagine Cas looking on like but I’m Beyoncé! ;)

- The fight scene is just too embarrassing, that knife flip between Mary and Sam is so 80’s bionic man and more wires like, my dudes, my guys, stawwwwwwp. I’m also annoyed tbh that Maggie is for some reason a young, relatively helpless and hapless girl rather than being an AU survivor and hunter. Like, why even bring her from the off no questions asked while questioning Jack, if she’s so helpless she’s hiding and gormless to the point Mary had to actually ask her if she knows how to stab someone. This is weird and I hope they’re going to show her developing cos urgh. wtf.

- Cas is “still breathing” after fighting like a human and being all bloodied up like a human without healing himself. straight into the #human!cas tag. 

- Callbacks to Crowley and as @bluestar86 said Kip just reminds us of another demon dude from 14x08 and this is totally true, “Barthamus call me Bart" and “Kipling call me Kip”. What’s next, “Judas call me J”?. 

- Sam’s “enough!” 

is the best moment of this episode hands down and I am excite for this symbolism for his character growth. I don’t personally think this is at all him declaring he’s King or Regent, he’s just asserting his very puny human authority, albeit as the one time could have been ruler but he isn’t and doesn’t want to be, and regardless the demons fear him for who he is as Sam Winchester not as a potential king. 

BOOM> Sam Fucking Winchester amiright?!

He’s feared by demons because of who he chooses to be as a person and he’s respected by humans for who he chooses to be.

It’s a total mirror opposite.

It’s a bookend. 

I LOVE it.

DAMN DABB.

- Cas supporting Sam, the only one who really asks how he is, is such brother / best friend goals. Sam being honest about his feelings and the opposite mirror of Cas deflecting from his own when Sam asks how he is in return is painful. Please Cas, tell us what you want.

- “Sunshine”. OK but literally the whole point of that scene was Bobby calling Mary sunshine while flirting with beer bottles. Nothing else happened. It’s like Dabb is literally wielding a Destiel subtext hammer and bashing it into canon in new and interesting ways every moment he can at this point when they’re not even in the episode or scene. I’m reminded of David/Violet. I wanted Mary/Bobby Destiel parallels and we got it in episode 1. Excellent.

- Cas and Jack have their deeply meaningful mirroring scene about feeling human whilst both sporting mirroring injuries from mirrored wounds and both being punched in the face. (Dabb loves mirrors so much I may send him a fruit and donut basket with a great big mirror inside too for shits and giggles). 

Cas and Jack’s scene is yet more exposition that neither are valid due to their powers but valid and loved for who they are. 

Just as Sam is feared by demons and respected by humans for who he is not due to any demon blood or destiny. 

Just as Dean is loved and will be saved by his family because of who he is not how useful he is as a tool.

I’m reminded of my tag #season who we are 13 because that was so set up in that season from Dabb’s own premiere, showing just how much he does hark back and have a clear and consistent thematic overview of his story. 

You may by this point see why I’m quite so done with the Dabb bashing on SM this week? How it’s totally inconsistent with the actual canon of the show? That he clearly knows exactly what he’s doing thematically even if he’s not so hot on small details and Bucklemming/Singer take turns dumping a turd into his and the others writers’ pot of gold every now and again? Yeah, thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.

- LET SAM SLEEP 2k19!!!

[javocjovian]

A Very Supernatural Christmas Party, Chapter Eight

As you may know, I’ve decided to write a fic for million Christmas December Supernatural Prompt Challenges. The challenges include:

Gabriel’s Monthly Challenge @gabriel-monthly-challenge, @archangelgabriellives, @ttttrickster, @archangel-with-a-shotgun, @warlockwriter, @archangelsanonymous, and @revwinchester

spnfanficpond’s Weekly Episode Writing Challenge @spnfanficpond @mrswhozeewhatsis

Supernatural Amino’s Holiday Prompt List and their Hunters Writing Club Challenge - December.

You can find me and this fic on AO3 Archive of Our Own

I’m also on Ko-Fi

If you’d like to read this chapter directly on AO3, here’s a link: A Very Supernatural Christmas Party - Chapter Eight

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8

A Very Supernatural Christmas Party

Summery: Metatron’s annual Christmas parties are the stuff of legends. As in, no one has ever been able to stop Gabriel bitching about how terrible they are. This year, Gabriel decides to ask one of the Winchesters to go as his date. Guess which one. Castiel has a similar idea, but things don’t go as planned. Meanwhile, Sam, Dean, and Charlie discover the true meaning of Christmas. Spoiler: it’s shopping, and a lot of booze.

Ships: Destiel, Sabriel, the rest are surprises!

Characters: Sam Winchester, Dean Winchester, Castiel, Gabriel, Charlie, Metatron, and a whole lotta angels later

Chapter Eight Summery: Sam, Dean, Castiel, and Gabriel head to the Christmas party at last. With a little help from some old friends, they manage to make it a night to remember.

Chapter Eight

The Christmas Party

“Welcome, one and all, to my five-thousand and twenty-fourth annual Christmas party. I am delighted to see all of your smiling faces. Your gracious host of the evening is I, Metatron, the Scribe of God. But enough about me… Before we begin the festivities, I’d like to a read a passage from one of my favorite books. No, no… it’s not the Bible… a passage from a book I didn’t write… hehem.”

Metatron began to read aloud. The Christmas Party was being held in what looked like an old Gothic cathedral made out of ice and dazzling crystals. Stalactites hung delicately from the ceiling, and a grand chandelier lit up the banquet hall. Despite the wintry wonderland around them, the room was warm and cozy. Blue flames were lit in white fireplaces, and tall, fully decorated Christmas trees flaked the entrances.

Angels filled the marble dance floor, all holding drinks and staring off into space as Metatron performed his quote. He was on a stage a foot above the other angels, speaking into a microphone. He chuckled to himself after a joke, cuing the angels to laugh.

The crowd was dotted with short, curly-haired cherubs holding appetizer and drink trays. They were all wearing green elf costumes. Metatron himself had on a red suit, cotton topped hat, and a false, white beard.

“So, let us toast to the spirit of Christmas, and to the New Year to come.” Metatron gave a wide, self-indulgent smile, then lifted his champagne glass to the glimmering ceiling. He took a great breath, then stopped. There was a commotion in the hallway outside the main doors, causing every head to turn.

“I told you, we should have taken a left when we crossed the arctic circle.”

“Oh where’s your sense of adventure? The caribou were cool, right?”

“You mean the large, angry deer? Oh yes, very cool.”

The crowd of angels began to stir. Metatron’s smile twitched as he tried to talk over the murmuring, “So! As they say… let us be unheeded, happy...”

“Besides, I like to be fashionably late.”

“What, precisely, is so fashionable about being late?”

“Stow it you two, hurry up!”

“Stow it all three of you! Who cares if we’re late? Like you said, Gabriel. Metatron’s a great big...”

Metatron’s voice rang even louder, “...and near to the wild heart of life!”

“...bag of dicks.”

The double doors creaked open and the crowd’s voice died at once. Sam, Dean, Castiel, and Gabriel stood in the archway, frozen in the gaze of over a hundred angels.

Metatron glowered at them.

“Well. That’s awkward.” Dean muttered. He spotted the bar and tried to slip away, but Castiel grabbed him by the arm.

“Winchesters! And the Archangel Gabriel. How kind of you to join us.” Metatron said, his voice dripping with sarcasm, “A little late, aren’t we?”

Castiel tilted his head.

“Late?” Gabriel scoffed, grabbed a shrimp stick off of a nearby cherub, “A wizard is never late. He arrives precisely when he means to. Shove that up your stocking. Come on, Sammy.” He popped the shrimp in his mouth, grabbed Sam, and made his way into the murmuring crowd with Sam muttering apologies left and right.

Castiel sighed and let Dean lead him after Sam and Gabriel.

Metatron cleared his throat loudly, causing the room to silence again, “Like I was saying, a toast!” His warm smile had returned, with just a flicker of annoyance.

The angels lifted their glasses in unison. Castiel and Dean scrambled to grab glasses off a moving cherub. Gabriel was handing Sam some he’d already swiped.

(“I don’t need three!”)

Metatron sipped his champagne and smacked his lips with relish, “Good stuff! Now… may you all have very Merry Christmas Eve! Huzzah!”

A band began playing music from the stage, and chatter broke out among the crowd. Angels all drifted back to their partners and friends, although there was a halo of silence around Sam and Dean. Neither of them seemed to notice or care.

Sam was staring at Metatron as he joined the revelry.

“Is he… Santa Claus?” Sam asked.

Gabriel just finished chugging his last glass of champagne, “Yup. He does that every year. You gunna finish that?” He asked Dean.

Dean handed him his champagne instantly.

Castiel was trying to drink his, but he kept tasting it and frowning, “There’s too much air in mine.”

Dean took Castiel’s glass and passed that to Gabriel, too, “It’s called carbonation, Cas.”

Sam laughed.

“Alright, well, if you guys need me, I mean... us, we’ll be at the bar.” Dean grabbed Castiel and led him through a gap of angels. No one stopped them, they just stared as Dean and Castiel passed.

Gabriel sneaked his five or six empty glasses onto a passing cherub-elf, then offered Sam his hand. It took Sam a second to realize what he was doing.

“Oh! Um...” Sam glanced around.

“Don’t worry about them.” Gabriel nodded over his shoulder, “Metatron might have told us not to invite humans.”

Sam took Gabriel’s hand, “What? Why?”

Gabriel feigned thought as he put an arm around Sam’s waist, “Probably so the Winchesters wouldn’t find out and crash his party.” Gabriel grinned.

Sam smiled, “Nice tricks, Trickster.” He put his hand in Gabriel’s and danced with him to the music.

“I’m impressed, Sam.”

“What? I took a ballroom class with my ex.”

Gabriel gave Sam a flirty look.

The stares they were attracting gradually shifted from stares of alarm and concern, to stares of curiosity and interest. Several other angels joined them, dancing to the music with their fellows.

“So.” Sam started, trying not to notice the audience, or how good Gabriel looked in his suit and tie. Even his hair looked nice. Did he use product? “...Um.”

“Riveting discussion, Sam.”

“Shut up.” Sam looked at him. Gabriel’s smile was infectious, “I’ve been thinking.”

“Go on.”

“You know how I said, no tricks? No… funny business.”

“Yeah.”

“Well, you’re pretty much all tricks and funny business...”

“Gee, thanks.”

“No. What I mean is…” Sam took a breath, “All that stuff is what makes you, you. And... I like you.” Sam looked at him, “So, I take it back.” Gabriel was silent, “You should just be yourself.”

“You do realize what you just said, right?” Gabriel clarified.

“Yeah.” Sam smiled resignedly.

Gabriel grinned at Sam. As the music reached a crescendo, Gabriel spun Sam around and kissed him. Sam’s laughter melted away. They shared a kiss under the mistletoe and tinsel decorated icicles, savoring the taste champagne on each other’s lips.

“I don’t feel right leaving Sam and Gabriel.” Castiel was saying to Dean as they made their way through the crowd. It was easy, all the angels were giving them a wide birth.

“They’re both consenting adults.” Dean said, “Plus, Gabriel’s an Archangel. Not even Metatron’s dumb enough to mess with them.” Dean said, making fearless eye contact with a few interloping angels. For a brief moment he saw a ray of hope, a beacon of angelic light shining ahead: the bar. They were a foot away when someone stepped into their path.

“Hello, Castiel.”

Dean and Castiel stopped.

“Oh.” Castiel said, “Hello, Hannah.”

Hannah smiled politely, then glanced down at Castiel’s hand, which was currently being held by Dean, “I… just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas.” She regained her composure.

Castiel nodded stiffly, “Yes. Thank you. And you as well.” He inched to the right, trying to allow Dean to keep moving.

Hannah inched to the left, blocking him, “Um, I also wanted to say, congratulations.”

“For what?” Castiel looked confused.

“Bringing a human here. After what Metatron told us, I mean, it was brave of you.”

Dean rolled his eyes. He inched next to Castiel, making himself completely visible in front of Hannah.

Hannah chose to ignoring him, “There are some here who will not appreciate Metatron inviting you, but, I want you to know that I do. Appreciate you. Coming here...”

“You done?” Dean asked flatly.

Hannah glanced at Dean, “Yes. I suppose.”

Castiel nodded awkwardly, “Right. Well, thank you again. We’ll just… be going.”

Dean pulled Castiel away and walked roughly past Hannah. He stepped on the foot of an angel wearing a fast food uniform without even noticing. He only stopped when they reached the bar, grabbing onto it like a life raft.

“How did I let you convince me to come to a party where no one understands basic human principles like leaving me the Hell alone?” Dean sat on a crystal barstool. It was oddly comfortable.

Castiel sat numbly beside him.

“You alright, Cas?”

Castiel glanced at him, “Yeah. Of course. Sorry.”

“Don’t be.” Dean muttered, “I get it.”

“Get what?”

“That angel back there. Hannah?” Dean explained, “She has the hots for you.”

Castiel looked taken aback, “No she doesn’t.” He scoffed.

“Right. Well you weren’t the one getting the death glares back there. If I wake up dead tomorrow, I’m telling you, it’s her.”

“That’s not funny, Dean.”

“Can I take your order?” A tall, square jawed angel asked. He was wearing a black dress shirt, a grey suit vest, and red and green bowtie. He had a string of Christmas lights draped over his broad chest that he clearly was trying to pretend wasn’t there.

“Hey, I know you...” Dean started.

“Yes, aren’t you Gadreel?” Castiel squinted at him.

Gadreel took a deep, calming breath, “Can I take… your order?”

“Yeah. Uh, do you take Mastercard here or is it just Disney Bucks?” Dean asked.

Gadreel sighed, “It’s an open bar.”

“Wow.” Dean glanced at Castiel, impressed, “That was a mistake. I’ll have your top shelf whiskey good sir, and don’t bother with the ice.”

Metatron was making his way through the party, stopping to greet each and every angel. He clinked glasses together, even though noone but him seemed to know why, and dropped phrases like, "And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” As he passed a confused looking Hannah, he noticed Gabriel and Sam dancing.

“Metatron! Good to see you. I was hoping I could have a word...” Hannah had stopped him, but Metatron kept walking.

“Uh… yes, yes. Merry Christmas to you, too.” He said distantly. He left her in the crowd and marched up to Gabriel, “Gabriel.” He snarled quietly, standing in Sam’s shadow.

Gabriel pretended not to hear him. Sam followed his lead, continuing to waltz.

“I thought I said no Winchesters!” He hissed after them, following them back and forth awkwardly to the music.

“No, you said no humans. And seeing as how Sam and Dean have been dead, reborn, turned into vampires, etc, I hardly think they qualify.” Gabriel winked subtly at Sam. Sam grinned.

“You know perfectly well what I meant. I told you, explicitly…!”

Gabriel swept Sam around and glared over his shoulder at Metatron, “Then maybe you shouldn’t have lit my pants on fire. By the way, nice castle, Elsa. Ciao!” And with that, he slid gracefully back into the dance. He plucked a Christmas rose out of a vase and put it between his teeth. Sam cracked up.

Angels filled in the space between Metatron and Gabriel, leaving Metatron fuming and muttering to himself.

Dean had been keeping an eye on the confrontation from the bar, but it seemed Gabriel had taken care of it. Dean felt his big brother instincts relax a little, so he turned back to Castiel, “So Cas. I’m not sure which one of us is getting more death glares, you or me.” He sipped his whiskey.

Gadreel had made Castiel the ‘house special’ which was a red and green cocktail with a cherry and mistletoe sprig on top. Castiel just kept staring at it, “It’s probably because I rebelled against Heaven, killing hundreds, and you were the sword of Michael, whom you sent to Hell with Lucifer.”

Dean stared at him. He didn’t need to say it.

“Subtly. I know.” Castiel sighed.

Dean sipped his drink. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Hannah approaching the bar. Dean put his drink down.

“So, Dean. I...” But he never finished his sentence. Dean had put his arm over the back of Castiel’s stool, leaned over, and kissed him. Castiel stared in surprise. Deciding he wouldn’t question it, he kissed Dean back, tasting the whiskey on his tongue.

Dean saw Hannah change direction mid step. Dean smiled into the kiss. He felt Castiel kissing him back and decided to make it a formal affair. Gadreel cleared his throat, but when neither of them stopped kissing, he walked away to serve someone else.

“Well well well. Someone gave that squirrel wings.” A low, raspy voice cooed from behind them.

Dean and Castiel broke apart to see Crowley at their side, watching them in approval. Dean immediately reached into his suit jacket.

“Dean.” Castiel stopped him.

“Yeah, Dean.” Crowley said, “Can’t kill me here. In case you didn’t notice, we’re surrounded by Heaven’s choir.”

“So what the Hell are you doing here?” Dean sneered.

“Yes, why are you here?” Castiel repeated.

“I was invited, obviously.” Crowley said, sipping a red martini.

“By who?” Castiel challenged.

An arm slipped around Crowley’s shoulders, and the figure of a distracted, British angel swooped into the picture, “Yes, yes, of course I’m on Instagram! Message me later.” He said to a group of angels passing by before turning to greet whoever Crowley was dragging him over to greet.

Balthazar looked at Dean and Castiel in surprise, “Well! I wasn’t expecting to see you here!”

“You?” Castiel’s brow came together in confusion, “Balthazar. You brought… Crowley?”

“Oh yes.” Balthazar began, leaning on Crowley who was looking immensely smug, “It’s a funny story, you see, we met up at a banquet for the Purgatory Orphans Fund, dreadfully boring by the way, would not recommend, anywho, one thing led to another, and we’re getting shitfaced in my hot-tub and f...”

“Okay! Okay, nope no no no.” Dean interrupted.

“...ing like rabbits.” Balthazar laughed to himself, “Great night. So here we are.”

“Yes.” Crowley sipped his drink fondly, “Here we are.” He raised his brow at Castiel, who was looking nauseous.

Much to the delight of both Crowley and Balthazar, Crowley seemed to be unnerving every angel around them even more so than the Winchesters. Metatron kept shooting Balthazar mutinous looks, but even he was staying away from them.

“You are such a devil, you know that?” Balthazar murmured to Crowley.

Crowley smirked, “Already aware of that, darling.” He purred.

“Darling. I love it.” Balthazar said briskly.

“What’ll you have?” Gadreel appeared in front of Crowley and Balthazar.

“Oh I’ll have whatever Cassie is having. That looks delightful.” Balthazar said.

Dean and Castiel exchanged reluctant looks, both sipping their drinks in silence.

“I must say.” Balthazar leaned in to speak just to Dean and Castiel, “I brought Crowley because… oh thank you, Gadreel. I thought it would piss off Metatron...” Balthazar glanced around quickly, spotting him glaring in the distance, “And I think it’s working.” He smirked. There was a twinkle in his eye.

Dean considered this. He downed his entire drink then, to Castiel’s surprise, said, “I can appreciate that.”

Balthazar nodded, “I knew you would.” He clapped Dean on the shoulder, “Great seeing you two gents, really.” He took his drink and let Crowley lead him back into the crowd.

Castiel sighed deeply, “I will never understand Balthazar’s antics.”

Dean allowed himself a smile, “I dunno. I think he’s got the right idea. Any chance to mess with Metatron...”

“Dean.”

Dean looked over at him, “Yeah?”

“I’m glad you came here with me.” Castiel said honestly, taking Dean’s hand, “I don’t know how I would have gotten through this without you.”

Dean licked his lips in thought, but he chose not to say anything. He rubbed Castiel’s hand, leaned over, and kissed him.

Back on the dance floor, Gabriel and Sam had taken a break. Angels were coming by to say hi to Gabriel, including a young man wearing a fast food joint uniform.

“Alfie! Good to see you.” Gabriel gave him a one armed hug.

“It’s Samandriel.” He reminded him, “Sam, good to see you.” He shook Sam’s hand formally, “I see you aren’t following the rules as usual, Gabriel.”

“Rules are for squares.” Gabriel said.

“Yes, well.” Alfie glanced around quickly, then whispered, “I’m glad someone is bringing a little life to this party.” He gave Sam a small smile then walked away.

Soon, other angels were following Alfie’s lead, coming over to say hello to Gabriel and gawk at Sam. If Sam didn’t know better, he’d think we was Gabriel’s trophy date. But Gabriel’s pride wasn’t coming from challenging Metatron, it was coming from Sam being there with him, so Sam was happy to play along. He made sure to put his arm around Gabriel whenever Metatron was looking, and whisper sweet nothings into Gabriel’s ear as Metatron passed. After a few more glasses of champagne, Sam and Gabriel were truly having a ball. Finally, Gabriel suggested they get something more substantial to drink, and they joined Dean and Castiel at the bar.

Sam froze when he saw Gadreel.

“What? What’s wrong?” Gabriel asked suddenly.

Sam shook his head, “Nothing, I just… I feel like I know him.”

Gabriel ordered for them while Sam caught up with Dean.

“Did you see Metatron? He’s pissed.” Sam smiled.

“Yeah, this is actually kind of awesome.” Dean squeezed Castiel’s hand.

Castiel seemed to have finally relaxed, and was sipping his frozen drink contentedly.

Gabriel passed Sam a green mojito and sat beside him.

“So did you see Crowley’s here?” Dean asked.

“What?” Sam looked around wildly, reaching into his jacket.

Gabriel stopped him, sharing a knowing look with Castiel.

“Yeah.” Dean huffed, “Balthazar brought him as his date.”

Gabriel gave a shout of laughter, “Oh… that’s genius.” He smiled fondly, “I love that angel.”

Sam gave him a look, so Gabriel leaned in and nuzzled him affectionately. Sam laughed and pushed him off.

Soon, a group of angels from Castiel’s old garrison came by to say hi, and Castiel introduced them to the group.

“Sam, Dean, this is Uriel, Hester, and Inias.”

“Yes.” Uriel said, “And Anna is over there with Hannah.”

Castiel and Dean both looked over to the two women chatting by the stage.

Sam looked away.

“Good. Good” Castiel nodded awkwardly, “Tell her I say hi.”

“I’ll call her over.” Uriel said, oblivious to Castiel's trepidation. He caught the redhead’s attention and waved her over.

Dean was looking anywhere but at Castiel.

Anna came over, smiling at him, “Hello Castiel. And… oh! Dean.” She stared at him.

Dean pretended to just notice her, giving her an overly politely smile, “Hey. How are you, Anna?”

Castiel couldn’t help but notice how beautiful Anna looked in a long, purple dress. He kept eyeing Dean.

“And, Sam! How are you?” Anna gravitated towards him.

“Hi Anna. You look nice.” Sam swallowed, “Say, Gabriel, weren’t you just asking me to go do something that’s nowhere near here?”

Gabriel looked at him, “You mean go make out in the coat closet? Hellz yeahs, let’s go.” Gabriel took his drink and dragged Sam off.

Anna’s gaze fell back to Dean. She bit her lips, nodding awkwardly, “Right. So.”

“Dean’s my date.” Castiel told her brusquely. Dean nearly facepalmed, “He’s here as my date.” He clarified unnecessarily.

Anna nodded again, “Right. Well. It was good seeing you, Dean.” She smiled at him, then left with Uriel, Hester, and Inias.

Dean stared at Castiel.

“W...what?” He asked.

Dean grinned, “Smooth.”

“She was… flirting with you.”

“Yeah, probably because we hooked up on her last night on Earth.”

Castiel paled, “Exactly.”

Dean set his drink down, looking oddly smug, “Don’t tell me… are you jealous?”

Castiel’s eyes widened, “You were jealous of Hannah.”

“Yeah, because she wants to jump your feathers!”

“And Anna wants…!”

Dean cut him off, “Wanna go make ‘em both jealous?”

Castiel faltered, “What? How?”

Dean glanced around, “Come on.” He took Castiel by the hand and led him away from the bar. Soon they were weaving into the crowd of dancing angels. Dean caught Anna looking away, so he held out his hand for Castiel.

Castiel stared at it.

“Take my hand, Cas.” Dean muttered, “And put your arm around my waist.”

Castiel did so, then was surprised to find Dean pulling him close. He led Castiel into a slow, simple dance, moving in the time with the music and the other angels around them.

Castiel relaxed a little, “I didn’t know you could dance.”

“I can’t. Not really anyway. Just follow my lead.”

Castiel did as Dean said. He couldn’t take his eyes off of him. Soon, Dean and Castiel had both forgotten about Anna and Hannah, and were dancing happily together, joking and smiling.

“Hey.” Sam appeared beside them with Gabriel. He was retying his tie hastily.

Dean eyed him knowingly, “How was the coat closet?”

Sam grinned sheepishly, “Good. How’s Anna?”

“Who?”

Sam smiled, then let Gabriel lead him into a dance.

As Sam and Dean danced with their angels, they both noticed Balthazar and Crowley on the other side of the marble dance floor, doing a kind of tipsy funeral march. They had just gotten done talking with Naomi, who was now giving Balthazar a dark look. Her date, a clean cut angel Sam thought was named Bartholomew, sighed.

For once, Sam didn’t mind Crowley being there. He shared a look with Dean, who seemed to feel the same way.

“Alright everyone!” Metatron had gotten back up on the stage. The music quieted, and everyone turned to look at him. Metatron was back in full swagger, gazing out over his adoring (sort of) audience, “According to Greenwich Mean Time… it is now midnight, December 25th! Merry Christmas!” He cheered.

There was a general cheer and clapping from the crowd. Fireworks of red, green, silver, and gold lit up the high ceilings, their lights dancing like the aurora borealis.

“Merry Christmas, Sam.” Dean said.

“Merry Christmas, Dean.” He smiled back. Then Gabriel was taking Sam into a passionate kiss, and Castiel followed cue, kissing Dean under the mistletoe.

Once midnight had struck, the party became a bit wilder; Or at least as wild as angels could get. The band picked back up, playing upbeat, jazzy Christmas music, while Sam, Dean, Castiel, and Gabriel traded spiked eggnog shots. Even Balthazar and Crowley joined them. Soon, Dean was leading the angels in toasting to the New Year, something Metatron had been trying to initiate for ten minutes.

Metatron glared at Gadreel, who blatantly ignored him. He’d taken off his Christmas lights and given them to Gabriel, who had put them over Sam’s head. Crowley chuckled in approval. Even Anna and Hannah stopped looking away whenever Dean and Castiel kissed. By the end of the night, the two ladies were holding hands and dancing together. Even Alfie was sharing a dance with a short angel named Ambriel, whose glasses were slightly skewed from laughing too much.

Dean had his arm around Castiel, and Gabriel’s hand was permanently fixed in Sam’s back pocket.

The party finally winded down by sunrise. The castle seemed to glow in the morning light and one by one, the blue fireplaces flickered off. Gabriel and Castiel offered to take a now tipsy Sam and Dean back home.

“Nah. How about you send us to a beach somewhere. That sounds better than Kansas.” Dean slurred.

“Here here.” Sam agreed, “We can get more Christmas trees.”

Gabriel grinned, and even Castiel gave a rare smile.

“Yes... been enjoying the unusual cold spell in Kansas I sent for you?” Metatron had appeared between Sam and Dean. They both stared at him, sobering up instantly.

“You… you did that?” Sam sputtered.

“I did.” Metatron grinned proudly, “I thought maybe you boys could use a little Christmas cheer for the holidays.”

“You realized that made the news right? ‘Global warming crisis in Kansas, USA’.” Sam laughed.

“I call bullshit.” Dean added, “You just wanted to snow us in so we couldn’t mess up your party.”

Metatron frowned, “Yes… but I can see my efforts have gone to waste.”

Gabriel and Castiel both a step forward.

Metatron raised his hands in mock defensive, “I’m not here to make war. Just to wish you all… a Merry Christmas.”

Dean considered him for a moment, then held out his hand to shake, “Good party, Metatron.”

Sam, Gabriel, and Castiel stared at him.

Metatron took his hand hesitantly, “Thanks. Maybe I’ll relax on my no humans rule next year. You hall do seem to have quite the Christmas spirit.” He admitted.

Sam smiled, “Sure thing.”

Metatron walked away, leaving the four of them to their conversation.

“So. You guys ready to get out of here?” Gabriel asked.

Sam and Dean shared a quick glance.

“Yeah, but...” Dean started.

“Just… one more thing.” Sam nodded at Dean.

They both got up and disappeared into the crowd, leaving Gabriel and Castiel in curious silence. After a few minutes of chatting with Gadreel, they reappeared, and Sam, Dean, Castiel, and Gabriel left with the rest of the departing crowd.

“It really is beautiful out here.” Castiel said as they stepped out into the cold, polar sunrise. It was a frozen tundra of sparkling white ice and snow; A beautiful, alien world. The castle behind them now looked like nothing more than an igloo. Sam idly wondered if a survey crew would ever stumble upon it while searching for penguins.

“What do you say we go find those caribou?” Gabriel grinned.

“No.” Dean said firmly, “Let’s go home.”

“By the way, what were you guys doing back there before we left?” Gabriel asked curiously.

Sam and Dean exchanged looks, “We’ll tell you about it later.” Sam said.

And with that, Gabriel and Castiel poofed them all back to the bunker for a warm, festive, Christmas morning.

Back at the castle, Metatron and Gadreel were cleaning up. The place was littered with empty glasses, mistletoe, tinsel, and other miscellaneous rubbish. Metatron still had on his Santa hat, but he’d removed the beard. Gadreel was wiping down the bar when he called out for Metatron.

“Yes, Gadreel.” He sighed.

“Someone left something behind. It has your name on it.”

Metatron glanced at him in confusion, “What?” He went behind the bar to see what has happening.

Gadreel handed him a large, wrapped gift with a green bow on top signed, “To Metatron. Merry Christmas. From, Santa.” Metatron chuckled to himself, “Ohoho… a secret admirer perhaps...”

“It says… from Santa.” Gadreel corrected him.

Metatron rolled his eyes, “Go clean something, will you?”

Gadreel dropped his rag and walked away.

Metatron set the package down on the bar and opened it greedily. His face fell. It was some sort of Santa look alike. Before Metatron could figure out how it worked, music roared through the castle, magically magnified as if by angelic means.

“Feliz Navidad! Feliz Navidad!”

“What on Earth!” Metatron hollered, “Gadreel! We’re under attack!”

The music shook decorations and icicles off the ceiling. Liquor glasses shattered, icy pillars cracked, and Gadreel was no where to be found.

“Winchesters!”

“I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas! I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas!”

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8

Chapter Eight Prompts:

Here are the prompts for this chapter.

Gabriel Monthly Challenge AU/Trope - Fake Dating for the Holidays

Amino’s Holiday Prompt List 8. underneath the mistletoe 13. igloos 14. the North Pole 24. Santa Clause and/or his elves 30. fireworks

If you’d like to read this chapter directly on AO3, here’s a link: A Very Supernatural Christmas Party - Chapter Eight

Thank you all for reading! 

It's not quite the end - I plan on posting at least one more chapter. My last prompt is 'Happy New Year!' so I intend on making it a very happy new year for Sam, Dean, Cas, and Gabe.

Enjoy! And Happy Holidays!