i like your shoelaces (thanks! i stole them from the president)

Chapter 7 is up!

Summary:

“Yeah, yeah. Call it what you want, amirite?” Charlie shoots him a saucy wink. “Ohhhh you know what, you can take photos of this for the prom!” Dean raises an eyebrow. “Uh, Char?  I regret to inform you that we are adults who haven’t attended high school in years…” “Oh please, you of all people who lives on that godforsaken fucking website and you’re not hip to Tumblr prom, of all things?” Charlie puts her hands on her hips. “Um,” Dean says awkwardly. He literally has no idea what she’s talking about and quickly realizes how suspiciously odd that really does seem. “I haven’t been online much lately,” he offers. Charlie peers at him questioningly. “Yes you have,” she retorts. “You have your little green thingie activated. I can seeeeee you!” she drops her pitch on the last sentence to mirror the spooky, haunting sound of a cartoon ghost. “Erhm. Well, I’ve been online but not really - online online.” Dean stumbles over his words, feeling the blood rushing to his ears. He hopes Charlie doesn’t pry further. Being Charlie, she - of course, does.

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President Castiel Novak accidentally comes out as bisexual.

Instead of clarifying the matter, he's strongly advised to keep up the appearances: find a man to fake date for a while.

He accepts on one condition, he'll only fake date his college best friend, Dean Winchester who was happily bi back then.

Minor problem? Dean's now a custodian at a fast food restaurant.

i like your shoelaces (thanks! I stole them from the president)

Chapter 5 is up!

Summary:

He hits the send button before his senses - common or otherwise - cause him to change his mind, then leans back into his leather chair to gaze upon the ceiling. He shouldn’t be doing this. The entire point was to stay away from Dean, disengage in any contact or communication. Then again, this isn’t Castiel Milton, President of the United States. It’s just Tumblr user @ fishpotato58, writing some silly words under the guise of good old internet anonymity. Well - not full anonymity - because Cas realizes suddenly that in his Tumblr green-ness, he forgot to toggle the “anonymous” option when sending Dean the ask. This is further underscored when he looks back at his laptop screen and sees that there’s a tiny number one winking at him ominously from the smiley face that denotes he has - a direct communication. Specifically, a direct communication from none other than Tumblr user @ sluttypumpkin

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i like your shoelaces (thanks! i stole them from the president)

Chapter 11 is up!

Summary:

“No farces,” Cas holds up both hands placatingly. He hesitates because once again that’s not entirely accurate, and Hannah’s sharp eye immediately clocks that something is wrong. She taps her finger on the documents. “I’ve seen this proposal before, and I know you’ve already indicated the terms are far from agreeable. So tell me, why was Crowley so sure of your imminent support? What’s going on?” Cas’ shoulders droop, and suddenly the burden of the past few weeks, and the stress of all of the falsehoods and machinations - not to mention the deep, increasing burn of simply missing Dean already - come crashing down, all at once. “Fine,” he says defeatedly, dropping to a chair and letting his face fall into his hands briefly before managing to lift his gaze to meet Hannah’s concerned eyes. “I’ll tell you. I’ll tell you - everything.”

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i like your shoelaces (thanks! i stole them from the president) UPDATE

New chapter will be out this week; work has had me ENTIRELY underwater! But if you want to know how it's going, well -

(that's also a hint at a brand new POV being introduced in this chapter; enjoy)

Catch up on the story so far here !

i like your shoelaces (thanks! i stole them from the president)

Chapter 8 is up!

Summary:

“But we're getting off track - well, slightly. See, the contents of this don’t pertain to one of my candidates, Mr. President - Cas.” Crowley opens the folder, laying it on the desk where Cas was just sitting. “No, no. This is very specifically regarding a candidate that happens to be yours. And in more ways than one.” Cas looks down at the photograph on his desk. Dean Winchester’s green gaze stares back at him. But the picture isn’t the one of Dean’s license from his application. It’s a snapshot of him much looser and relaxed. Messy hair. A toothbrush jauntily clenched in his teeth. Cas knows this photo. He’s memorized every pixel of it. Before deleting it from his phone weeks before. Crowley laughs - a mean, low sound. “Yes, yes. It’s sinking in, isn’t it? I know about your little midnight snack out in Lawrence, Kansas - the stink of the Pirate Pete’s where he works is all over that sad, dated trenchcoat of yours.”

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i like your shoelaces (thanks! i stole them from the president)

Chapter 6 is up!

Summary:

Still. The unexpected absence after a prolonged period of consistent contact hits Cas square between the brows, leaving a Dean-shaped hole carving across his chest. He can actually feel the sensation of missing him, slowly seeping into his skin and permeating his bones. If - as noted previously, Tumblr user @fishpotato58 is merely not suave or mysterious, it appears that human President of the United States Castiel Milton may be so gone on Dean Winchester that he might be considered lost entirely. If so, Cas decides he’ll take that corruption. Even if it’s not something he can ever have on a permanent basis.

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i like your shoelaces (thanks! I stole them from the president)

Chapter 4 is up!

Summary:

There’s a splatter of toothpaste and saliva as the toothbrush drops to the ground by Dean’s feet.  He stares at the screen slightly dazed as the tingle of embarrassment rises at this express nod to Dean’s loose lips the night before - the once fuzzy memory of which is quickly becoming much sharper and clearer. Apparently the lethal combination of whiskey, sex, and Cas’ easy, open demeanor quickly led to conversations Dean usually avoids like the plague. Fuck, he told the dude a lot. Not in detail, but enough generally that he’s definitely experiencing the hot prickle of morning-after shame on the back of his neck. Though - it’s kind of nice that Cas remembers it all and still chose to leave his number. Dean shoves the self-flagellation away for a brief moment. His eyes go to the drawer of his nightstand where he keeps the newspaper with the ad for the political advisor position.

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i like your shoelaces (thanks! i stole them from the president)

Chapter 3 is up!

Summary:

“I - uh, don’t do this often,” he murmurs, darting his eyes away from Dean’s and fiddling with his hands. His demeanor is so different from the stern, commanding bedroom manner he espoused just minutes before that Dean is jolted out of his own self-deprecating thoughts immediately. He presses his lips together briefly, then pats the spot on the bed next to him. “Talk to me,” he says - trying to keep his tone calm and reassuring. Cas crosses over to him, still a little hesitant, but sits down. Dean scoots closer, enjoying the bump of their hips, the warmth they exude when touching - even through the encumbering fabric of Cas’ pants and Dean’s boxers over their skin. Cas looks at him with that intense gaze again, then says forthrightly: “You are a very generous lover.” “Oh, dude - what -” Dean sputters, ears immediately flushing with heat. “You can’t just say that to a guy, Cas!”  

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i like your shoelaces (thanks! i stole them from the president)

Chapter 2 is up!

Summary:

Cas’ hand is immediately at his back, steady. “Careful,” he says, voice low and quiet. And Dean, who doesn’t explain himself to anyone, somehow feels the need to say, “I’m good, promise.” He quickly covers up the odd intimacy of the last word by adding: “Not gonna swoon on you this time.” Cas stares at him, keeping his palm pressed against his back, then slowly raises just one brow.  “Are you implying I’m not swoonworthy?” This is approximately the point in the evening where Dean doesn’t just contemplate that he may be in trouble. He’s absolutely certain of it.

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i like your shoelaces (thanks! i stole them from the president)

Chapter 14 is up!

Summary:

Cas wonders if Dick is truly obtuse enough to think his words carried such weight that Cas is going to cut Dean out of the equation right then and there. He supposes, in some manners - that’s exactly what he’s doing, at least when it comes to the formula of their personal relationship. Removing any variable that leads to the possibility of Cas being with Dean as an outcome. Zero-sum game. Crowley is watching Cas with nascent curiosity, for once seeming surprised instead of satisfied with what’s presently unfolding. Cas’ eyes drop back to Dean’s. He looks puzzled, but something shifts slightly in his expression when their gazes connect. It’s only incremental, but Cas swears Dean’s eyes grow just a smidge warmer. That doesn’t matter. They’ll be filled with hate for him soon enough. Cas opens his mouth, prepared to come clean.

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i like your shoelaces (thanks! i stole them from the president)

Chapter 13 is up!

Summary:

It’s not appropriate to keep alcohol in one’s professional office,” Cas says, before hypocritically permitting himself a hearty swig out of his own portion of liquor. He winces at the burn - both from the bourbon and Meg’s scathing expression. “So.” “So,” Meg says flatly. “What the fuck are we going to do?” “I’ve already explained that my intention is -” “Your intentions are terribly slash not-at-all planned and a clear indication that something is very wrong with your noodle.” “There’s nothing wrong with it,” Cas sputters, feeling like a chastised child. “It’s a perfectly good noodle.”

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i like your shoelaces (thanks! i stole them from the president)

Chapter 11 is up!

Summary:

He pauses, and then the words tumble out without his intending to say them: “I don’t know that he really - likes all of this. Being President, I mean.” It’s probably the truest, most honest thing he’s said to Dean about himself all day - but the man stretched out by Cas’ side doesn’t seem very impressed. “He doesn’t like it? He’s in a position to actually make a difference for so many people, and he doesn’t like it? No wonder he’s on the hunt for an advisor. What a waste of leadership for our great nation. Well - now I’m glad I never had the opportunity to vote for him.” Cas squirms, slightly uncomfortable. “Well...I think he’s - possibly, he’s a little bit lonely.” Once again, the words come out without his own volition and once again, the truth behind them rings just a little too loud. “We’re all fucking lonely,” Dean spits out bitterly. “That’s why social media sites are so popular, because we’re a world of sad, lonely people - just looking for someone who can see us.” Cas stares at him quietly. I see you. 

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i like your shoelaces (thanks! i stole them from the president)

Chapter 15 is up!

Summary:

“Are you feeling lightheaded?” Cas asks, worry rising in his chest. “Not at all!” Dean’s response is terse, his tone slightly higher in pitch than normal. “Feeling great. Feeling good. How are you?” Cas stares back at him in confusion, and Dean drags a hand across his forehead. “Maybe I am a little bit lightheaded. It’s not every day you get patched up by the President.” “Don’t worry about that right now,” Cas replies - in part because he’d also prefer not to be reminded of his position and the role it’s played in their entire dynamic, unbeknownst to the man he’s currently ‘patching up.’ “Pretend I’m a doctor instead, if that makes things feel less strange.” “A doctor, eh? Okay, Doctor Sexy.” Dean’s mouth immediately snaps shut as Cas’ own eyebrows dart to the top of his forehead. “I - let's pretend I didn’t just say that. Maybe I’m delirious. Probably running a fever. There a thermometer in that kit?” His words again give Cas pause for real concern, and he holds two fingers up to Dean’s forehead, hesitant to cover more skin than that with his touch for the sake of whatever proprietary measures they actually have left. Dean’s face flushes bright red.

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i like your shoelaces (thanks! i stole them from the president)

Chapter 10 is up!

Summary:

“Anyway, like I said - it’s not anything you could have disrespected by making a silly comment, and the dude’s pretty damn understanding. Don’t think he’d care if you were hitting on me.” “I was doing nothing of the sort!” Cas raises his hands, brow furrowing. Okay, Dean’s allowed Cas a few inches on the ‘trust what he’s saying’ gamut - but he’s absolutely not letting this one slide. “Mhhhmm, okay. Y’know the last time someone looked at me like that, Cas - I got laid.”

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i like your shoelaces (thanks! i stole them from the president)

Chapter 16 is up!

Summary:

The gravelly voice at Sam’s shoulder knocks him out of his mental self-flagellations. He clears his throat, straightening slightly. “Ehrm, yes Mr. President.” The leader of the free world squints his impossibly cerulean eyes in the direction of Sam’s brother, and Sam’s professionally trained mind automatically notes that they linger on Dean just a millisecond too long for a supposed stranger who claims to have only met him mere hours ago. “The prior episode was significantly shorter, as I recall.” Sam bites down a smile at Castiel Milton’s formal, carefully articulated manner of speaking. Politicians. Still, the emotion twitching just at the corner of the President’s mouth belies something stronger than a proprietary level of concern for one of his constituents. 

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