Ugh, this is driving me NUTS. Ok, so the fic I'm looking for: It's definitely non-AU. What I remember (and what makes me want to read it again so badly) is the series of kisses between Dean and Cas in this story.
Somehow Dean ends up kissing Castiel (out of curiosity? Because he got over himself and realized his feelings?). However, Cas doesn't respond. At all. Like, he's just going rigid or whatever, which just leaves Dean feeling confused and embarrassed.
When Dean tries again days later, Cas still isn't kissing back. So yeah, two times he's kissed Cas with no reaction, but Dean just doesn't seem to be able to resist. I also don't think they really talk about the thing that's going on between them, it's just general confusion on Dean's side and well, I guess Cas is mostly just clueless.
I'm pretty sure the third kiss is the one that's finally going differently. Like, Cas responding and all.

So basically what I remember are these first kisses. All are initiated by Dean, out of some sort of desire for Cas he hasn't quite figured out yet. I know that all this is embedded in some interesting plot (a case?) but I can't remember what exactly.

Maybe, maybe someone knows which fic I'm talking about here. It was all quite delicious and I'd just love to reread it.

Hello,

Fairly new to reading SPN and feeling a bit overwhelmed in combing through it all. Can anyone help by recommending their favorites featuring hurt/comfort Cas -- hurt!Cas, sick!Cas and the boys (especially Dean) being their awesome protective selves?

Destiel or gen -- but will take any era of the show, AU, de-aged, whatever.

Thank you kindly.