SPN: Dean/Castiel PicSpam (For my friend A)
I'm taking a break from studying cellular respiration and photosynthesis to gush all over the chemistry between Dean and an angel named Castiel.
SPOILERS UNDER THE CUT!
There is so much that I love about the season so far: the brother's fierce hug when they're reunited, long held secrets are being revealed along with questions being answered in ways that are both brilliant and plausible, the oddly endearing way that Dean keeps falling asleep fully clothed, Ruby 2.0 who I suspect is really Lilith (keep your friends close and your enemies closer - watch out Sam!), Sam gripping Dean's hand just a little tighter after seeing the hand-shaped burn mark on Dean's arm and oh, by the way, Castiel.
How wonderfully perverse is it to have Dean contend with an entity he barely has the personal resources to believe in? Demons, shape shifters, vampires and werewolves - yeah sure, no problem. An angel who works for another entity that works in mysterious ways - uh, no. Just no. And yet inside of 3 episodes they have neatly squared off and apparently put aside the things they can't change (i.e. God's mysterious ways, Dean's profane sense of humor) to start a relationship that I suspect will profoundly change both of them.
What an absolutely biblical way to prep someone for meeting an angel: put him through hell first then leave him bored and waiting for one thing then show up as an unassuming man who just happens to put on a great light show.
Dean asks Castiel several times who he is but it's the first insanely earnest answer that's like a shot fired over the bow.
"I'm the one who gripped you tight and raised you from perdition." ::flails::
So, of course, Dean stabs him. It's a lot for a guy to take in. Someone, who is not his brother, or any kind of family, saved him and did it apparently in a way that can only be described as intimately.
I can only wonder, after two tries already, what kind of welcome Castiel was expecting. Apparently the one he gets doesn't really surprise him.
Still, he gets right down to business by putting Bobby out of commission and focusing his attention - and by proxy, God's attention - squarely on Dean.
That, in itself, is problematic since Dean reveals later on that he can barely tolerate the kind of attention that a Happy Birthday song can generate so when Castiel tells him that he has the unblinking eye of God on him, Dean isn't eager to believe it.
Again, Castiel cuts to the heart of it - something that Dean can respect even when it's being used against him: "This is your problem, Dean. You have no faith."
Ping!Ping!Ping!PIIING!
Castiel is going to make me love Wing!Fic. Dammit ...
Castiel quickly picks up on the fact that Dean doesn't have a lot of faith in himself either. Something that even being pulled out of "the hot box" can't diminish. Castiel's puzzled observation that Dean doesn't believe he deserves to be saved struck me as a wee heavy handed but I guess it's something that Castiel had to acknowledge and since it meant that he got all up in Dean's personal space to say it then I say carry on, Castiel, carry on.
So ends their introduction. A different variety of sparks fly later on in a late night conversation in Bobby's kitchen.
Just a little side note: I love how the brothers prefer to sleep on a too small sofa and a floor as opposed to the rooms that I'm sure Bobby has available. They break my heart.
This scene is great on so many levels. Castiel deftly debunks several myths about angels (not fluffy or willing to perch on your shoulder), Dean demands - and gets - answers to several questions and both square off to my utter delight.
Dean pads into the kitchen slowly but still shows up with a fully loaded attitude.
Initially Castiel tries to praise Dean for putting the Witnesses to rest but Dean is always suspect of good opinions and loathed to be pacified.
Dean heads him off at several turns that ends with Castiel trying to tell him that the Lord works in mysterious ways and Dean offering to kick his ass for such an unworthy explanation. Castiel tossing his hands up seems to signal both surrender ...
... and a throwing off of the gloves.
Dean circling in closer is maybe not the smartest thing to do but I can't complain about the results.
Misha Collins makes some interesting decisions about Castiel averting his eyes as he tells Dean what they're all really up against. Part of it seems to be a desire to break the news as gently as possible or possibly a preemptive strike to Dean's highly likely disbelief. On a more personal note it might also be that while most humans cannot tolerate an angels true visage that angels like Castiel might also have a hard time taking in the human condition. Dean, in all his beauty and vulnerability, might be heartrending to Castiel - that is, when Dean's not busy pissing him off.
And piss him off he does. Despite Castiel's exhaustion ...
... he steps away from the counter he's been leaning on and lets Dean know that he's someone to be reckoned with.
He also steps all over the toes of Dean's personal no fly zone.
And then when he's too close ...
... he gets even closer. \o/
Now don't get me wrong. I don't like anyone threatening to toss Dean back into hell but I do like him meeting his match. Think Ellen.
I love the stillness of Castiel's face and the way the light shines across his eyes. His quiet voice and the odd pause when he says, "You should show me ... some respect."
And if these wary looks are any indication, Dean, in his own way, will probably tread a little more lightly around Castiel.
I think it's interesting how Dean is either being watched over by Sam ...
... (on his way out to meet up with Ruby) ...
... or Castiel.
I also think it's interesting that while Castiel told Dean that he's not here to perch on his shoulder that perching on Dean's bed seems to be a whole other matter.
And why ask Dean what he was dreaming about when he's already infiltrated his dreams? Perverse much, Castiel? ::is not complaining::
Castiel looks away again when it comes time to send Dean on a bittersweet journey.
Since Dean has already seen what Castiel's two fingers can do to a grown man like Bobby I'm surprised that he doesn't at least try to bat Castiel's hand away. Whether it speaks of trust or just a willingness to be used for some unknown greater good is anyones guess but I'll go with a deep seated want to trust/believe in someone or something.
Castiel sends Dean into the past to stop something and then infuriatingly leaves the details at that. Side note: I get the impression that Castiel is hip to the fact that the tie goes with the shirt but hasn't figured out yet that it's not suppose to just hang there. I keep picturing him slipping it on and off as needed like a useless noose. Maybe Dean could help him with this? ::nervous/hopeful grin::
What a wonderfully subliminal message: The only thing that can come between Dean and Castiel is Jared Padalecki.
Dean driving a Pinto, I think, is going to end up being one of my all-time favorite crack moments.
I strongly suspect that Castiel has never ridden shotgun before in an early model economy subcompact and appears to find the experience noteworthy. I can't wait for Dean to take him for a spin in the Impala.
Dean's "God is my co-pilot" comment only gets a disapproving frown. If nothing else Castiel is going come away from this experience with an acquired and totally inappropriate sense of humor. Amen to that.
By the same token I think Dean enjoys the company. He sure seems to miss it when it's gone.
Despite that, I'm not sure if I was ready yet for Castiel to be comforting or for Dean to accept it.
Back to the future they resume their more familiar dynamic: Castiel unhappily sends Dean out to stop Sam ...
... and Dean finds himself between a rock and a hard place.
Mad, mad props to Jensen Ackles and Misha Collins for always playing their A game. Still early in the game and I so can't wait to see what else they have in store for us. I can't express it strongly enough how much I appreciate that they didn't make Castiel into some quipy caricature and instead gave us an angel from Revelations rather than from the feel good self help bullshit aisle at the local mega bookstore. And yet, their exposure to each other sets in motion so many possibilities.
Huge thanks to leggyslove for the screencaps!
Personal Note: School is going well but I'm not a gifted student so it takes a lot of time and hard work on my part. Consequently, I'm almost entirely out of the LJ loop. If there's something you'd like to me to see or just want to say hey, please feel free to e-mail me at trueenough@gmail.com and I will be ever so grateful. Take care, y'all!