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Ninety One Whiskey
Supernatural Fanfic - Dean/Castiel
In the spring of 1944, the 104th Medical Battalion of the United States Army is disbanded, and its men reassigned to various infantry companies in preparation for their invasion of occupied France. For First Lieutenant Novak, this is less than helpful, as he has so far met his platoon’s designated medic a grand total of twice, and has both times found Sergeant Winchester to be the optimum combination of reckless, arrogant, and downright insufferable so as to make cohesive platoon function near impossible. When the time comes to move out, however, Castiel has to reconcile himself to the fact that men are going to go down and trust in the knowledge that Dean Winchester may well be the only person who can put them back together again. WW2 ETO infantry AU.
Words:401183 complete
In the spring of 1944, the 104th Medical Battalion of the United States Army is disbanded, and its men reassigned to various infantry companies in preparation for their invasion of occupied France. For First Lieutenant Novak, this is less than helpful, as he has so far met his platoon’s designated medic a grand total of twice, and has both times found Sergeant Winchester to be the optimum combination of reckless, arrogant, and downright insufferable so as to make cohesive platoon function near impossible. When the time comes to move out, however, Castiel has to reconcile himself to the fact that men are going to go down and trust in the knowledge that Dean Winchester may well be the only person who can put them back together again. WW2 ETO infantry AU.
Words:401183 complete
1205 pages, ebook
First published September 6, 2016
52 people are currently reading
212 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
May 29, 2021
“‘cause you were saying you didn’t even know what love feels like and i was just thinking, ‘you idiot, you asshole, it feels like this.’”
GOODBYE FOREVER.
GOODBYE FOREVER.
September 24, 2017
Amazing. Incredible. One of the greatest works of art I have ever read in my life.
September 1, 2021
‘CAUSE YOU WERE SAYING YOU DIDN’T EVEN KNOW WHAT LOVE FEELS LIKE YOU IDIOT YOU ASSHOLE IT FEELS LIKE THIS’ IM GOING TO JUMP OFF A CLIFF
August 30, 2021
Sue me with the 'it's not a real book', that fanfic is just too good to be ignored and always get me back on track when I can't read anymore.
I just love Destiel too much to not want to let my inner 14 years old self to manifest itself again a little.
Also, it is so great that I don't even care that it's 1007 pages, and that says something!!
I just love Destiel too much to not want to let my inner 14 years old self to manifest itself again a little.
Also, it is so great that I don't even care that it's 1007 pages, and that says something!!
May 18, 2021
HOLY SHIT
August 28, 2020
ALL THE STARS!!!!
For about 10 years now I have thought that Special Forces by Aleksander Voinov was my favorite book. It has stuck with me for that long. It was an epic love story. It was an epic telling of wartime. It was an epic story But it actually lacks in comparison to this book.
I just about needed to have a smoke every time Captain Novak and Lieutenant Winchester did and let me tell you, that's a lot..
I learned a lot more about history in this book than I ever did in History class because I really cared this time. I learned what webbing was, what a Deuce and a half was, what M1 finger was, what a muslin bag was, and how it really was to be a medic during wartime and a plethora of other things. D Day was a bitch. You will follow these boys all the way from there until Hitler's death. plenty of feelings and sex and the chemistry is off the charts. This book broke my heart in two for all these boys but especially Castiel. There will be losses in this book because it is an accurate description of WW2. The author kept it Historically accurate and in a way it reads to me like a biography.
All I know is that I want everyone to read this book because I don't want them to miss out on this beautiful story and all the feelings it has filled me with. At over 400k words it is a whopper but it took the author 5 years to finish it. IT IS WORTH IT. When the end came I was upset! I wanted it to keep going. I want more of Castiel and Dean. I NEVER want it to end. and YES, btw there is a HEA. so PLEASE. please read this book if you like MM romance.
For about 10 years now I have thought that Special Forces by Aleksander Voinov was my favorite book. It has stuck with me for that long. It was an epic love story. It was an epic telling of wartime. It was an epic story But it actually lacks in comparison to this book.
I just about needed to have a smoke every time Captain Novak and Lieutenant Winchester did and let me tell you, that's a lot..
I learned a lot more about history in this book than I ever did in History class because I really cared this time. I learned what webbing was, what a Deuce and a half was, what M1 finger was, what a muslin bag was, and how it really was to be a medic during wartime and a plethora of other things. D Day was a bitch. You will follow these boys all the way from there until Hitler's death. plenty of feelings and sex and the chemistry is off the charts. This book broke my heart in two for all these boys but especially Castiel. There will be losses in this book because it is an accurate description of WW2. The author kept it Historically accurate and in a way it reads to me like a biography.
All I know is that I want everyone to read this book because I don't want them to miss out on this beautiful story and all the feelings it has filled me with. At over 400k words it is a whopper but it took the author 5 years to finish it. IT IS WORTH IT. When the end came I was upset! I wanted it to keep going. I want more of Castiel and Dean. I NEVER want it to end. and YES, btw there is a HEA. so PLEASE. please read this book if you like MM romance.
January 5, 2022
You know when you see those one-word reviews in the trailers for movies and blurbs for books that just say "Incredible" and "A triumph." This fic is a fucking triumph.
Quotes that jumped off the page and slapped me in the face:
"I realised I couldn't drop you if I wanted to, 'cause you were saying you didn't even know what love feels like and I was just thinking, you idiot, you asshole, it feels like this."
-
“I don't how to react, if not with anger,” Castiel says, and he drops his eyes away from Dean, stares down at the floor. “I've spent too long building myself up to be bulletproof for these men – I can't break now. But you--” He stops himself short, and he takes a deep, slow breath. “You terrify me.” He swallows, and he thinks of all the times Dean has called his bluff, leaned in close and said, tell me you're scared shitless. “I admit it now.”
-
He lifts his head and looks up at Concino, but he stares straight through as his brain spins, tracking the potential outcomes and consequences of a dozen different options. He makes the decision; he disobeys.
-
Castiel swallows. “Thank you.” Dean butts his nose gently against Castiel's hairline. “Any time, sweetheart,” Dean says, and his hand comes up to curl around the back of Castiel's neck. His fingers sweep through the base of his hair, his thumb brushing behind his ear, and fuck, Castiel loves him. Dean's hand is slow and careful, and Castiel is in love with him, and it doesn't feel the way he thought it would. He doesn't feel different.
-
Quotes that jumped off the page and slapped me in the face:
"I realised I couldn't drop you if I wanted to, 'cause you were saying you didn't even know what love feels like and I was just thinking, you idiot, you asshole, it feels like this."
-
“I don't how to react, if not with anger,” Castiel says, and he drops his eyes away from Dean, stares down at the floor. “I've spent too long building myself up to be bulletproof for these men – I can't break now. But you--” He stops himself short, and he takes a deep, slow breath. “You terrify me.” He swallows, and he thinks of all the times Dean has called his bluff, leaned in close and said, tell me you're scared shitless. “I admit it now.”
-
He lifts his head and looks up at Concino, but he stares straight through as his brain spins, tracking the potential outcomes and consequences of a dozen different options. He makes the decision; he disobeys.
-
Castiel swallows. “Thank you.” Dean butts his nose gently against Castiel's hairline. “Any time, sweetheart,” Dean says, and his hand comes up to curl around the back of Castiel's neck. His fingers sweep through the base of his hair, his thumb brushing behind his ear, and fuck, Castiel loves him. Dean's hand is slow and careful, and Castiel is in love with him, and it doesn't feel the way he thought it would. He doesn't feel different.
-
July 9, 2025
this is still the best thing i’ve ever read
Read
August 22, 2024edit: first of all, i literally don't have anything to defend myself with, it hasn't even been four months (may 25th) and yet i reread one of *the* fics, which, ye, please don't ask, i've been crying for the last hour non-stop lmao; i stand by pretty much everything i wrote below, now i appreciate the structure and all the authorial choices even more if you can believe and am definitely impressed by the research done for this story (so many of the published authors could never, sadly); i think about this fic so often it's actually concerning tbh but oh well, it's so good idec lmao
original review: lol if anyone else mocks fics in my presence, im gonna use this fantastic work as an example of how the atmosphere, tension and emotions can be written realistically and exceptionally well, to the point of me finding myself holding my breath for entire chapters
oh how i love my tragic queers
also i just wanna appreciate that despite impressively detailed descriptions of everything (there's a reason it's this long lmao) it was relatively easy to know what was going on, like, i didn't get lost as often as i'd expected lmao
man man mannnnnn MAN.
original review: lol if anyone else mocks fics in my presence, im gonna use this fantastic work as an example of how the atmosphere, tension and emotions can be written realistically and exceptionally well, to the point of me finding myself holding my breath for entire chapters
oh how i love my tragic queers
also i just wanna appreciate that despite impressively detailed descriptions of everything (there's a reason it's this long lmao) it was relatively easy to know what was going on, like, i didn't get lost as often as i'd expected lmao
man man mannnnnn MAN.
May 5, 2021
This is legitimately one of the best DeanCas fics out there and the writing is insane. I'll admit I started skimming over the incredibly detailed war/battle descriptions eventually, but that's not to say they aren't amazing - they're just intense and long and I'm not a very patient person. Other than that, the lovestory unfolds so beautifully and tragically and almost right until the very end you wonder and wonder and wonder whether things will be okay.
September 8, 2018
My rating: ★★★★★
The best fan fiction I have ever read. It's painful but so, so good. The grammar is impeccable. This is definitely a must read.
The best fan fiction I have ever read. It's painful but so, so good. The grammar is impeccable. This is definitely a must read.
January 14, 2023
it’s been a long time since words written on paper made me feel SO MANY EMOTIONS AT THE SAME TIME. talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, SPECTACULAR, never the same
piece of art !!!
piece of art !!!
June 21, 2023
-4.5 stars and book hangover in full force -
Is this fanfic more than 1000 pages long? Yes
Is it perfect? No
Did I want to slap the MC on multiple occasions? Very much
But SO worth it!!! Gut wrenching, upsetting and it sucked me in from the first chapters.
Also, I'm such a sucker for self destructive, icy characters that are big needy softies on the inside, it was inevitable I fell in love with Castiel, no surprise there.
Is this fanfic more than 1000 pages long? Yes
Is it perfect? No
Did I want to slap the MC on multiple occasions? Very much
But SO worth it!!! Gut wrenching, upsetting and it sucked me in from the first chapters.
Also, I'm such a sucker for self destructive, icy characters that are big needy softies on the inside, it was inevitable I fell in love with Castiel, no surprise there.
August 4, 2021
A Love Letter to 91W by Komodobits
Bottled Lightning | adjective
\ˈbä-tᵊld\ˈlīt-niŋ\
Definition of bottled lightning (Entry 1 of 1)
1 : Ninety-One Whiskey
// 91W
[with derision] “It’s a fanfic.”
“It’s just a story.”
Stories and fanfictions are carefully arranged collections of words. Words are powerful. They can better those who read them and take what has been said on board. Words can motivate, inspire and save lives – or destroy them. They are both weapons and salves. Words can shine a light into the dark of the unknown and show us something worth experiencing and knowing that exists far and beyond anything we will ever experience in our everyday lives. These austere little groups of marks on a page can illustrate ideas and places astonishing in their beauty.
They have paved the way for we, the people, to govern ourselves. They can stoke rebellions, help extoll the virtues of personal freedoms and dismantle dictatorships—stop tyrants in their tracks. They specify the concrete terms of lasting peace. Words define our inalienable human rights. They give ideas and emotions visible form. Words facilitate empathy.
They can give a voice to the voiceless—those who can no longer speak for themselves because their brothers in arms maimed, murdered, or worse—abandoned or ordered them to their deaths in battle. Not because their character was criminally immoral, or because they were so ineffective at soldiering they would be the death of others in their platoon, but for nothing more than the gender of their lover.
Words—forged into fiction—enunciate the struggles of the marginalized and the down-trodden. Of two men who love one another profoundly and can’t afford the simple luxury of calling it that for fear of violent intolerance. Of soldiers from whom the Hell of war takes pieces of their bodies and irrecoverably alters their minds: who spend the remainder of their lives walking wounded and skint, whether their wounds can be seen – or not. They move us to change who we are and to remodel the logic we use to frame our understanding and views – of others and ourselves.
Ninety-One Whiskey embodies all of this and more. It is beautiful, charming, poignant, uplifting, and devastating. Unflaggingly brutal, loving, fearful, intimate, insightful, unflinching, terrifying, and unreservedly sexual. It’s a microcosm of humanity, complete with all our nuanced imperfections. It started out as fanfiction, then something happened. It will happen to you, as it happened to me. Somewhere between ‘Dear Sam’ and the final period at the end of the last two-word sentence of the epilogue, it became literature. Classic literature.
A masterpiece told without the mangling, meddling changes inflicted by profit-driven editors and publishers; told without borders or boundaries and given to humanity free of charge. Grace touched down in a human being’s heart and mind, and something miraculous and timeless came into being out of that fertile ground.
According to the beliefs of the ancient Egyptians, something exists only so long as it is remembered. Of those who live in this world, as it is now, who have read it, many will never forget it so long as they live and breathe. But we will die. The world will change. Unless this story exists in more than one place—in more than one form—it will die with us. This story is timeless. Its words will possess as much power for our children’s children’s children as they do for us. Perhaps, even more, depending on how society progresses. When the last of us dies, at the end of all things, when computers can no longer draw power, this story should exist on bound paper somewhere in the rubble as a testament to who we were.
Bottled Lightning | adjective
\ˈbä-tᵊld\ˈlīt-niŋ\
Definition of bottled lightning (Entry 1 of 1)
1 : Ninety-One Whiskey
// 91W
[with derision] “It’s a fanfic.”
“It’s just a story.”
Stories and fanfictions are carefully arranged collections of words. Words are powerful. They can better those who read them and take what has been said on board. Words can motivate, inspire and save lives – or destroy them. They are both weapons and salves. Words can shine a light into the dark of the unknown and show us something worth experiencing and knowing that exists far and beyond anything we will ever experience in our everyday lives. These austere little groups of marks on a page can illustrate ideas and places astonishing in their beauty.
They have paved the way for we, the people, to govern ourselves. They can stoke rebellions, help extoll the virtues of personal freedoms and dismantle dictatorships—stop tyrants in their tracks. They specify the concrete terms of lasting peace. Words define our inalienable human rights. They give ideas and emotions visible form. Words facilitate empathy.
They can give a voice to the voiceless—those who can no longer speak for themselves because their brothers in arms maimed, murdered, or worse—abandoned or ordered them to their deaths in battle. Not because their character was criminally immoral, or because they were so ineffective at soldiering they would be the death of others in their platoon, but for nothing more than the gender of their lover.
Words—forged into fiction—enunciate the struggles of the marginalized and the down-trodden. Of two men who love one another profoundly and can’t afford the simple luxury of calling it that for fear of violent intolerance. Of soldiers from whom the Hell of war takes pieces of their bodies and irrecoverably alters their minds: who spend the remainder of their lives walking wounded and skint, whether their wounds can be seen – or not. They move us to change who we are and to remodel the logic we use to frame our understanding and views – of others and ourselves.
Ninety-One Whiskey embodies all of this and more. It is beautiful, charming, poignant, uplifting, and devastating. Unflaggingly brutal, loving, fearful, intimate, insightful, unflinching, terrifying, and unreservedly sexual. It’s a microcosm of humanity, complete with all our nuanced imperfections. It started out as fanfiction, then something happened. It will happen to you, as it happened to me. Somewhere between ‘Dear Sam’ and the final period at the end of the last two-word sentence of the epilogue, it became literature. Classic literature.
A masterpiece told without the mangling, meddling changes inflicted by profit-driven editors and publishers; told without borders or boundaries and given to humanity free of charge. Grace touched down in a human being’s heart and mind, and something miraculous and timeless came into being out of that fertile ground.
According to the beliefs of the ancient Egyptians, something exists only so long as it is remembered. Of those who live in this world, as it is now, who have read it, many will never forget it so long as they live and breathe. But we will die. The world will change. Unless this story exists in more than one place—in more than one form—it will die with us. This story is timeless. Its words will possess as much power for our children’s children’s children as they do for us. Perhaps, even more, depending on how society progresses. When the last of us dies, at the end of all things, when computers can no longer draw power, this story should exist on bound paper somewhere in the rubble as a testament to who we were.
June 26, 2018
All I can really says is WOW. Great historical read, and that is coming from someone who prefers real world history and the fiction I read to stay separate.
"...and I realized I couldn’t drop you if I wanted to, ‘cause you were saying you didn’t even know what love feels like and I was just thinking, you idiot, you asshole, it feels like this."
"...and I realized I couldn’t drop you if I wanted to, ‘cause you were saying you didn’t even know what love feels like and I was just thinking, you idiot, you asshole, it feels like this."
March 23, 2019
I wasn’t sure I would be interested in a story set in WW2. I was so wrong! I couldn’t put this down. 91W is beautifully written, it feels like you’re there. I laughed, cried ALOT, felt nauseous and scared at times. I can’t wait to read again! Will definitely recommend it to anyone and everyone.
January 7, 2020
This was one of the best works of fiction I've ever read. I know it took the author 5 years to write, and it totally shows. I finished this months ago, and am still feeling my feelings over it hourly.
January 21, 2017
This ruined me. I couldn't stop reading. A lot of pain, but worth it.
October 14, 2019
changed my entire life. not even kidding. this fic was too real and is literally the equivilent to the bible and better.
February 5, 2021
Made me cry! Feb 2021: I tried to read it a second time but I wasn’t enjoying it has much so I decided to leave it like a good memory.
September 27, 2021
I cannot remember the last time I sobbed so painfully
I have never read a story that wrecked me as thoroughly as Ninety One Whiskey
I have never read a story that wrecked me as thoroughly as Ninety One Whiskey
April 29, 2025
This fanfic needs to be published bc I want a paperback
July 12, 2025
this story was so beautiful . the way the writer wrote these characters was fantastic it was so complex and important. the author did a phenomenal job of researching the facts in order to really build the war around these characters. i felt so many emotions while reading this and i am at awe with how talented this writer is. i wanted to put this down so many times because of how intense my emotions were but i couldn't due to how incredible the writing was. i did just cry for a full hour but yolo
November 16, 2025
Il y a une partie de mon âme qui s’est envolée quand j’ai fini cette merveille, je serai éternellement vide après ça… mais omggg que d’émotions
November 3, 2021
**Review includes hidden spoilers**
An amazing work. There is a lot of angst and of pain, but through it the moments of respite, of happiness (or at least of the closest these characters can be to it in such a context) are illuminated in stark contrast and shine even more, rays of sun through dark clouds. Castiel and Dean are compelling characters, flawed, complex, human, and equally compelling is the way their relationship is built.
I have enjoyed the construction of the story, based on Castiel's pov but with Dean's letters as a counterpart, a lot too, and the descriptions of combat remained engrossing, scary, and full of threat, to me, until the very end, which in such a long story I think it is a feat on itself.
There are a number of moments that really stand out, choices the author made that I am really grateful for, among which .
And the ending...
Again, a work that will stay with me for a long time, and that I am very happy to have read, even when it crushed my heart to pieces over and over again (and then put it together, again).
Side note: I've stolen all of Dean's bad (though great to me) jokes and started aggravating my friends with them.
An amazing work. There is a lot of angst and of pain, but through it the moments of respite, of happiness (or at least of the closest these characters can be to it in such a context) are illuminated in stark contrast and shine even more, rays of sun through dark clouds. Castiel and Dean are compelling characters, flawed, complex, human, and equally compelling is the way their relationship is built.
I have enjoyed the construction of the story, based on Castiel's pov but with Dean's letters as a counterpart, a lot too, and the descriptions of combat remained engrossing, scary, and full of threat, to me, until the very end, which in such a long story I think it is a feat on itself.
There are a number of moments that really stand out, choices the author made that I am really grateful for, among which .
And the ending...
Again, a work that will stay with me for a long time, and that I am very happy to have read, even when it crushed my heart to pieces over and over again (and then put it together, again).
Side note: I've stolen all of Dean's bad (though great to me) jokes and started aggravating my friends with them.
January 30, 2022
i created my account yesterday and so far i’ve added about 50 books to my grid. even though i haven’t written a single review yet, here i am writing my very first one since this sh*t right here is the absolute best work of fanfiction EVER. honestly. it’s been 3 years since i came across this thanks to my sister and i’ve gone back to it so. many. times. finishing it is the worst but getting to appreciate it (over and over and again) is fantastic. it’s everything. who knew gay ppl in ww2 would make a 22yo (and then 23, and then 24, soon to be 25) lesbian bipolar girl FEEL so much, huh? well, my dear komodobits were certainly onto something there and i cannot thank them enough for sharing this. not only they managed to fit my favorite couple into an universe i couldn’t possibly dream about them in and make it work, but their writing is just— amazing, really. i love how real it all feels, although it hurts for the exact same reason, and i truly look forward to buying their books someday if it comes to that <3
November 10, 2021
LOL, I had no idea fanfics could be rated on Goodreads.
THE BEST DESTIEL FANFICTION EVER!!!
This fic is more realistic, romantic, and heartbreaking than some published books.
The build up makes the reader feel so in touch with the characters and their setting. Also, the slow burn will kill you; however, it is totally worth it, and so is the extreme angst. The Destiel bits had me shrieking. I strongly believe this fic should be published as a book.
THE BEST DESTIEL FANFICTION EVER!!!
This fic is more realistic, romantic, and heartbreaking than some published books.
The build up makes the reader feel so in touch with the characters and their setting. Also, the slow burn will kill you; however, it is totally worth it, and so is the extreme angst. The Destiel bits had me shrieking. I strongly believe this fic should be published as a book.
December 7, 2018
Only three stars because there were so. Many. Unnecessary scenes.
August 11, 2024
'you idiot, you asshole, it feels like this'
i won't recover like ever, this fanfic crushed my soul and then healed it and crushed it again and i kept begging for it, i am still begging
i won't recover like ever, this fanfic crushed my soul and then healed it and crushed it again and i kept begging for it, i am still begging
January 4, 2025
I have read this fanfiction three times now. the first time, it destroyed me. the second time, I wanted to keep track of how many times I cried... I lost the page but I remember it being in the early twenties. I haven't read this since 2020, but I wanted to go back to my angsty young teenage self and see if I really was right about this being my favorite piece of fiction. so I read it a third time, and I didn't cry as much because as I was reading, I remembered the plot so it wasn't a surprise anymore. but it still hit me harder than anything. if I could meet komodobits in real life, I would tell her how much her fiction has changed my life. (y'all need to check out her other stuff, it's INSANE too.) all the books i've read are nothing in comparison to this book. this is a real book, fanfiction is real fiction. it is so beautifully written and I can't even put it into words, if I could then I would. I was genuinely thinking about this the other day, if I had one wish it would be to make this into a movie, line by line, leaving nothing out. with Jensen and Misha playing them. it would be perfect. this sounds crazy but this book is just so incredible. komodobits, if you're by chance reading this--i love this story and it will always hold dear to my heart.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews