Angel and the Bad Man

Pride Month is a time to celebrate all kinds of love and identity, especially for LGBTQ+ people. While we often focus on stories where queer relationships are clear and openly shown, there's also a lot to be said for love that's felt deeply but not always spoken out loud. We call this subtext, and it's a powerful thing.

A great example of this is the relationship between Dean Winchester and Castiel from the TV show Supernatural. Dean is a gruff monster hunter, and Castiel is an angel. For many years, fans—especially queer fans—saw something much more than just friendship between them.

Right from the start, when Castiel pulled Dean out of hell, you could feel a strong connection. Castiel was always willing to go against heaven itself, even giving up his angelic powers, all for Dean. He believed in Dean completely, even when Dean doubted himself. This deep trust was a huge part of their story.

And Dean? He was known for keeping everyone at arm's length, rarely showing his true feelings. But with Castiel, he let his guard down. Their conversations often had unspoken meanings, full of deep feelings. Dean's fierce need to protect Castiel, his desperate pleas for the angel to stay, and the obvious pain he felt when Castiel was hurting—all of these showed how much he truly cared. The way they looked at each other, the small touches, the way they seemed to gravitate toward one another—these weren't just signs of friendship. They were signs of a powerful, undeniable love.

Fans even came up with the name Destiel to describe this deep, often gay, love story. For many queer viewers, their bond mirrored their own experiences of loving someone in ways that society doesn't always understand or accept. The longing, the deep devotion, and the way they faced huge challenges together really hit home for people who've loved outside the usual boxes.

Even though Supernatural didn't officially make their relationship romantic until the very end of the show (and it was a brief, heartbreaking moment), the subtext had already done its work. It helped countless viewers see themselves reflected in a connection that went beyond simple labels. This gave them a powerful sense of belonging.

This Pride Month, as we celebrate the brave people who live openly and truly, let's also remember the power of subtext. It teaches us that love comes in countless forms and can't always be neatly categorized. Love can be found in a look, in what's left unsaid, in unwavering loyalty, and in the deep bond between two people, no matter who they are.

The story of Dean and Castiel, and the passionate Destiel fanbase, gives us an important lesson: Real connection and love, in all its shapes and sizes, will always find a way to be seen and felt, even if no one ever says it out loud. It reminds us to recognize and value love wherever it exists, and how powerful it is to see ourselves in the stories we care about, even if it's just in the quiet moments. It's a reminder that love is vast, limitless, and truly extraordinary.

Carolina Dean
Team Destiel