In Supernatural, however, the two male protagonists—Sam and Dean—are already coded within the text as being in a loving (if fraternal) relationship. The fact that they are brothers allows a freedom to engage in and display both emotional and physical intimacy with eachother that is prohibated in non-related pairs. Their mutual devotion is constantly reiterated via both their dialogue and their emotional behavior (embracing in times of stress as in “Mystery Spot,” fighting and reconciling with strong emotional language, discussing their emotional need for eachother-albeit in often stunted ways, as in “Shadow” [1x16]). It’s hardly a stretch to read the characters of Sam and Dean in Supernatural as lovers instead of brothers—something that occurs even within the text (they are mistaken for a gay couple in both “Playthings” [2x11] and “Something Wicked” [1x18) suggesting that their fraternal connection displaces the homoeroticism of Sam and Dean’s relationship onto a more platonic level where the “romance” is merely symbolic, excusing any infringement on the boundaries of hetero-centric mainstream media heroes.