Specific:

This was a fic about the boys as hardened versions of themselves. At one point, Sam gets drunk in a bar and tells a producer a little bit about what happened with Jess, and so their lives are now a TV show. Dean (may have been both of them) are really into watching the show, even though they comment on how pansy-ass the TV show version of them is, and how "pretty" they look (none of the scars, etc the real boys have from living the hunting life). One line mentions how the only time Dean actually ever cried was when he had to give up that car. I'm pretty sure this was gen and took place in the early seasons (definitely before S4 at least).

---Found: Thursday Night by oselle

Gen 1:

Kind of similar, but stories where the boys, the hunting world, has a much harsher tint to it. Where they are basically psychopaths. (Though to clarify I'm not looking for AUs where they're serial killers.) Basically stories like Wolfpack by tabaqui, where they're barely less scarier than monsters. It can focus on any SPN character and any pairing and any season, but you get a million bonus points if it's during the apocalypse and has Destiel. (I wouldn't mind fics that have the angels even harsher than they are on the show.)

Gen 2:

Kind of similar to the gen request above, but Destiel fics where Cas uses sex and whatever else is needed to control Dean during S4. Where he really is as manipulative as some of the things he does suggests. Basically fics from S4 when Cas knew the whole time how the Angels wanted the Seals to break. It can end heart-breaking or with Cas turning away from that anyways because he loves Dean. I'm also good with AU versions of this theme (like non-supernatural worlds where Cas manipulates Dean into doing what his family wants him to do.)

As always, self-recs and gender-swapped are welcomed. Thank you!!