FIC: Fairy Verse-Updated 7/6
Jul. 6th, 2010 01:20 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cloudy_versesTitle: Fairy Verse
Author: CloudyJenn
Fandom: Supernatural
Pairings: Dean/Castiel
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: These characters do not belong to me. I am making no profit from this fanfiction.
Warnings: None
Summary: Castiel is a fairy. Dean is a visiting human prince looking for a political marriage.
Author's Notes: Fairies!
There once was a fairy named Castiel.
He was of average height and build and his blue gossamer wings were considered rather plain by his fellow fairies.
It didn't help that he favored a boxy suit and trench coat instead of the revealing shimmering cloaks his friends all wore.
Or that he was the court accountant for the Fairy King.
In short, though a stout fairy with a good heart, Castiel was a total snooze fest.
One day, Castiel's younger sister Anna sat beside him to have a talk. Anna was beautiful and interesting, able to catch a fairy's eye with her lovely red hair or his attention with her light crystalline laughter.
In other words, she was a hottie.
And she was worried about Castiel because he was dull and alone.
"Castiel," she said as she shook out her shining golden wings. "You'll never find a mate if you don't leave the tax room now and again."
Castiel didn't like going out. No one enjoyed talking to him and frankly, he wasn't much interested in typical fairy gossip.
"There's going to be a ball tonight! You should come. I know His Majesty invited you," Anna said.
Castiel frowned. "I don't remember him asking me."
Anna huffed. "There is more to life than numbers, brother. Our king is entertaining visitors from the Land of Humans!" she said excitedly. "Can you imagine? Actual humans here in our very own castle!"
This greatly startled Castiel. Humans were such odd creatures, rough and aggressive beings. And they looked very bizarre with their wingless backs and thick bodies.
"Humans? Here?" Anna nodded. "And not just any humans! It's their own ruler, King Winchester and his two sons." She leans in. "I hear King Michael wishes one of us to marry one of the sons to form an alliance between our kingdoms against the demons."
Castiel scowled. "What has this to do with me?"
Anna grinned. "Don't you want to see our brethren throw themselves at the humans? They all want to be the delicate flower that captures the brutish human heart," she said with an amused eye roll and Castiel found himself smiling too. It did sound like fun.
"Perhaps it might not be so bad," he allowed. Anna squeaked happily and hugged him. "I will see you tonight then!"
And she whirled away before Castiel could change his mind.
******************
That night, Castiel walked to the ballroom without bothering to change his outfit. After all, if he couldn't interest one of his own kind, how could he hope to entice a human?
Anna sighed when she saw his bedraggled appearance, but it didn't stop her from looping an arm through his.
"Come and see the humans! They just arrived."
She dragged him towards a side door where they could peer into the main room without drawing attention.
"There!" She pointed to a large human male dressed in a simple dark tunic. "That is King Winchester."
Castiel examined the man. The lack of wings was even more jarring in reality, but it didn't detract from his appearance. If anything, King Winchester was larger than Castiel expected. Not physically taller than Michael, but with a presence that filled the room.
"Impressive, huh?" Anna remarked. "Wait till you see his kids." S he pointed towards the dance floor where a positively massive human with shaggy brown hair danced a politely distant waltz with Tieriel. "That is the younger, Sam."
"Younger?" Castiel asked in surprise. "He is quite large to be called young."
"Nevertheless," Anna said. "It is so. The older, Dean, stands over there." She pointed to an alcove where another human stood. He held a glass of punch in one hand, but was not drinking. Instead, he watched the crowd closely with a suspicious look in his bright-colored eyes. Like his father and brother, he wore simple tunics that showed a fine physique underneath, a strong muscular body quite typical of this warrior race.
All this Castiel noted in an instant. But he could not process it. All he could feel was a strange falling sensation in his stomach and a weakness around his knees.
The human Dean Winchester was beautiful.
"Are you alright?"
Castiel turned to her and said in a matter-of-fact tone, "I did not expect the humans to be so appealing."
Surprise blossomed across Anna's lovely face. "You like them? None of our kind has ever held your attention and now that humans show up, you are enticed."
She laughed and began pulling on his arm. "We must introduce you to them then."
Castiel tugged away from her. He felt heat rising on his face and suspected he was working up quite the blush.
"Please don't. I'm not a good-"
"A good what? Don't even finish that sentence," Anna commanded. "Maybe you aren't the life of the party, but you're my brother and I love you. So if you like the humans, you're going to meet the humans."
Castiel had a great deal of practice with ignoring Anna when he didn't want to follow her orders, but when she again began pulling him towards King Michael and his guest of honor, Castiel didn't stop her.
He was going to meet the humans.
******************
If there was one thing Dean Winchester hated more than politics, it was parties.
And if there was anything he hated more than parties, it was his father's constant pressure to finally get married.
Combine the two and Dean was pretty much completely miserable.
Dean wasn't stupid. He knew they needed this alliance with the fairy kingdom. The demon attacks of their own borders grew more common and violent as time passed and human strength could only accomplish so much. They needed fairy magic to help repel this evil and the only way they could ever hope to come to an agreement with the stern ethereal creatures was through marriage.
It didn't really matter whether it was Dean or Sam that entered into the marriage agreement, but Dean knew when they left for this journey that it would be him that did so.
Sam was terribly in love with a human girl back home named Jessica. She was the daughter of a powerful count and an excellent match in her own right. Dean could never allow Sam to miss out on marrying for love, not when the girl in question loved Sam back so very much.
No, it would be Dean that brought home a fairy spouse.
Now, if he could just find one that didn't make him long to turn tail and run out the door. Fairies were such a peculiar race. They were all slender and delicate, deceptively weak-looking. Dean knew their magic was more than powerful enough protection against even a caliber of warrior such as himself, who'd been training since he was old enough to walk. But he preferred a more solid figure. He didn't care for the mystical hocus-pocus nonsense. The fluttery clothes and the translucent wings. Each fairy, even their beloved King, seemed little more than a wisp of presence that would melt into nothingness the instant Dean reached out for them.
Sam was having fun at least, Dean thought to himself as he watched Sam twirl a young female fairy across the dance floor.
A few courageous types had asked Dean for a dance, but he'd turned them all down. He was risking a lecture from his father after the party, but Dean was holding out hope that someone would really catch his eye. He'd given himself until ten o'clock. If no one truly appealing turned up, Dean would have to choose the least offensive and begin the courtship ritual.
The thought made him want to sneak out the side door and find a great deal of alcohol.
A few moments later, after the dance music changed to a more stately waltz, Sam appeared at his side and elbowed him.
"You look really off-putting, standing over here and glaring at people," he informed Dean with a grin.
They'd already fought several times in a rather spectacular fashion about the subject of this inevitable marriage. Sam didn't like Dean sacrificing his happiness for Sam, but as Dean finally beat into Sam's thick skull, he had no real happiness to sacrifice while Sam would be giving up an already existing love affair. So it was good to see Sam smiling and teasing him again, since the whole situation had made him so very unhappy.
"I'm trying to discourage the faint of heart," Dean said. "I couldn't marry someone too afraid to approach me."
Sam snorted. "No one's approached you," he pointed out.
"Shut up, bitch," Dean growled, but the corner of his mouth twitched, the evidence of his amusement.
"Jerk," Sam shot back and maybe this was not a happy night for Dean, but no matter who he married, he would always have Sam nearby. The thought calmed the desire to run out, though it did not completely disappear.
The next song passed in relative silence, broken every so often as Sam pointed to this or that fairy and mentioned something positive. ‘That male has pretty eyes' or 'That female over by the refreshment table has a nice figure.' Dean merely grunted now and again. Although he did have to admit that the girl had an attractive backside.
As the piece wound down, a hesitant voice from the left caught their attention.
"Excuse me?" The speaker was a tall female fairy with long flowing red hair and bright golden wings. She was pretty, like the rest of her kind, but again, too willowy and spare to make Dean feel more than admiration for the unreal sort of beauty fairies exuded.
"King Michael advised me to come and introduce myself," she said, her voice light and airy. "I'm Anna."
Sam took her offered hand and gave it a polite kiss. She smiled at him, but quickly turned her attention back to Dean.
"My brother very much wishes to meet you as well. He's a little shy," she said with a bit of grimace before turning and reaching back into the shadows. A quick yanking motion later and a male fairy appeared by her side.
This fairy didn't look like any of his brethren. His body was almost entirely covered by plain dark clothing and his blue wings were nearly opaque. They looked strong and thick. Solid. His hair was nearly black and his gaze was heavy with a kind of intelligence Dean hadn't yet seen among the fairies. All the others seemed to dance through life without a care in the world. This fairy looked as if he had many cares. He slumped a bit and his face was covered with light stubble. He looked tired.
He was gorgeous.
"This is Castiel," Anna said, pushing him forward. Castiel held out his hand to Dean and though he didn't look nervous, a blush crept up his neck.
"Hello," he said. Dean startled again. His voice was gravel rough and deep. It drew a wave of shivers up Dean's spine.
"Hey," Dean answered. He'd always imagined fairies would be cool to the touch, but Castiel's skin was warm. The move wasn't required for males, but Dean couldn't resist lifting Castiel's hand to his mouth and brushing a kiss across it. When his lips touched him, Castiel's breath stuttered briefly. Dean smiled against his hand.
"I am Dean Winchester," he said, making sure to start the sentence while his mouth hovered over Castiel's hand, so the fairy would feel the heat of his breath. Judging by the way Castiel wilted to the side a bit, he wasn't unaffected by the move.
"It's very good to meet you," he said. His little emphasis on the word 'very' did not pass by Sam's attention. Beside him, Dean felt his brother stiffen and then turn to stare at him. Dean smiled. Sam understood perfectly.
Dean had made his choice.
******************
Castiel stood quietly at Dean's side, apparently oblivious to the way Dean stared at his slender blue wings. They stretched up to narrow points before falling again to the floor and unlike the other fairies, they were darkly opaque. The color reminded Dean of the night sky back home in the human realm. He desperately wanted to touch them, his curiosity about their texture pushing him nearly to the point of reaching for them. But he didn't want to startle Castiel. He seemed so innocent, so unaware of his own appeal.
He'd decided to turn his attention back to the dance floor, perhaps ask Castiel if he wanted something to drink, when the wings moved. One long fluid motion from the arched top down to the delicate fluttering tips.
Dean watched, mesmerized, lips slightly parted.
Which meant he missed the smile tugging at the corner of Castiel's mouth.
******************
"You don't have to stand here with me if you would prefer to dance with another," Castiel offered.
Dean studied him. It wasn't a dig for compliments. Castiel genuinely wanted to offer the chance for Dean to escape.
"Why would I want to choose another over you?"
The question made Castiel frown, his head tilting slightly as he considered Dean.
"I'm hardly as interesting as these here," he said, gesturing to the dance floor full of twirling fairies.
Dean felt his blood boil. Someone had told Castiel this, perhaps several someones. He glared at the assembly.
"Maybe my idea of interesting is different to theirs," he growled. Castiel's pretty blue wings flutter with surprise and again Dean longed to reach out to them.
"Oh, I see," Castiel said softly.
Dean moved in closer to him and he knew his stance was aggressively possessive and protective, but he couldn't help it. He knew he was wary of fairykind with good reason.
He'd just have to show Castiel how interesting he really was.
******************
The first thing Dean did was ask King Michael for permission to formally court Castiel. He wasn’t entirely sure how they do this sort of thing in the fairy realm, but a foreign dignitary would never be allowed to marry one of John's subjects without his permission first. So when Anna whisked Castiel away for a dance after she returned with Sam, Dean made his way to the Fairy King.
Michael was far more intimidating than Dean would have guessed a fairy could be. Fairies have what Dean now knew was an unfair reputation as too delicate. Warriors of magic yes, but surely not able to stand up to the brute strength of humanity.
Standing before Michael, looking up into the fairy king's fierce cold eyes, Dean saw how wrong humans really were.
"Excuse me, your Majesty," Dean said politely. John glanced at him with sudden interest. His father could be in little doubt of Dean's intentions.
"Yes?"
Dean paused to swallow back sudden nerves. Michael's massive dark green wings flapped once and Dean jumped slightly. He wasn’t sure, but just in case it was a sign of impatience, he leapt into the topic.
"I'd like to seek permission to court one of your subjects," he said, giving himself a mental pat on the back for not stuttering.
"I see." Michael sounded amused, but his face remained an impassive mask. "May I ask which of my denizens has captured the Prince's eye?"
"Um." He nodded towards the dance floor. "Castiel."
That caused Michael's mask to slip. Just enough for Dean to see his surprise and then suddenly Michael grinned. It almost made him even more terrifying.
"Indeed! Well, that is unexpected."
Dean scowled. "Hardly...your majesty," he added quickly.
Michael laughed.
"I see the courting is a mere formality then," he teased. "King Winchester!" Michael gestured towards John. "I take it this was your plan all along."
"And a good one too," John said, not bothering to conceal his meddling.
"I agree," Michael said, turning back to Dean. "Well, if Castiel agrees, then you have my whole-hearted consent. It's about time someone looked out for that boy."
"Right," Dean said, mind already away on the topic of asking Castiel for what will basically end in their marriage.
"Look there. The dance ends," Michael said and he pushed Dean a little towards where Anna was leading Castiel back to Sam.
"Right," Dean said again. He took a deep breath and steeled himself.
He could do this.
"Hey, can I talk to you for a minute?"
Castiel only nodded, but over his shoulder, Dean saw both Anna and Sam grinning at him like idiots. He glared at them as he led Castiel away to a nearby balcony. The night air flowed over them in a cool breeze. Castiel's wings shivered and closed up around his back. Dean wanted to offer his coat or his arms, but first he had to make their connection official.
"Do you know why we came here?"
"No," Castiel said simply. He was looking out over his homeland with a faint smile. Dean might have taken a moment to appreciate its beauty, but his nerves allowed thought of little else except Castiel.
"My father wants to make an alliance with the Fairy kingdom," he explained. That captured Castiel's attention. Dean kind of wished he would still look out over the countryside. It was hard to think with those dark blue eyes on his face.
"And anyway, the best way to do that is a marriage connection and Sam's sort of engaged, so anyway, it's down to me and I guess what I'm saying is that I was wondering if you were opposed to the idea of being courted. By me."
He winced. Apparently if Dean really cared about the conquest, he became somewhat stupid. He wished he hadn't learned that just now.
Castiel stared at him.
"You...you wish for me and you...marriage connection?"
"Well, yeah," Dean said.
"You don't even know me!"
"Which is why the whole courting thing," Dean said slowly. "So we can get to know each other."
"But there are others," Castiel started, but Dean sighed and stepped forward into his space.
"I don't care about the others, okay? I want you."
He couldn't understand the panic on Castiel's face, the way he stiffened at Dean's closeness. If he didn't like Dean, he could just say no and move along. But Dean knew he saw interest in Castiel's eyes. Knew he saw interest now, buried under the alarm.
"Castiel-"
"No," he stammered. "No, I can't. I'm...I can't. I'm sorry."
And then he disappeared, leaving Dean staring in shock at empty space.
************
Castiel made it all the way back to his small apartment in the central palace before Anna found him. In truth, he was surprised he'd escaped the dance hall without difficulty, but then, only Dean knew what happened between them and he appeared too shocked to move.
Anna's expression of appalled consternation told Castiel he would not escape this conversation.
"Please, Anna," he said because he couldn't help trying. "I don't want to talk about it."
"You turned him down?" She stepped into his path and pressed a hand against his chest. "The human prince asks for your hand and you turn him now?"
He removed her hand none too gently. Of all people, Castiel had hoped he could rely on Anna for support. Finding another truth did not sit well with him.
"You would have me cleave myself to a person I don't know? A member of another species no less?"
Anna sighed.
"It's not...Castiel, this could be dangerous for you," she said.
"Dangerous?"
A strange kind of indistinct fear edged in among Castiel's indignation. Surely Dean wouldn't hurt him. Castiel may not know him well, but he didn't sense violent intent within Dean.
"Come here," Anna said and she steered them both into Castiel's apartment, ensuring their privacy. For the first time, Castiel noticed the worry in her expression as she bit her lip and began to pace.
"Anna, what is wrong?"
"You didn't see King Michael's face when he heard what happened," she said.
Castiel's fear suddenly became very clearly defined.
"The king knows?"
"Of course he knows! He saw you leave and Dean return with that wretched expression on his face. And King Winchester is not pleased either," Anna said.
She suddenly surged into his personal space and grabbed his hands, squeezing them hard.
"I'm afraid of what they might do, especially the human king," she said, distress lacing her tone. "Would it really be so bad to marry Dean? I thought you liked him."
"I did," Castiel said softly. "I do. But I know very little of him. Or of humans. Anna, if I married him, I'd have to leave our kingdom. And what if he grew tired of me? Then I'd be stuck in a foreign kingdom with no one and nothing."
"But he wouldn't leave you," Anna said. "At least you'd be taken care of. I'm just...you've offended the most important visitor we've ever had to our kingdom. So Dean might grow tired of you. What if your decision makes the humans leave? Then we'll never have an alliance against the demons and who knows how many people could die!"
Her hands gripped his so tightly that pain rippled up his arms. Guilt crashed in over his fear and confusion.
"I didn't think of that," he confessed.
"I think you should go back and apologize," Anna said.
For a long moment, Castiel stayed in place and thought. He felt like he was sitting in an cart that careened down a hillside. Before this evening, he'd only been Castiel, a simple court accountant. And now because of one human's preference, he was forced to choose between the safety of his kingdom and the very real possibility to ending up miserable and alone in a strange land.
"Castiel?"
He looked up at Anna. In no way could he justify placing his own happiness above the lives of his fellowkind.
"I'll go back to him now."
************
King Michael's expression was thunderous. And his father's wasn't much better. The two men stood facing each other on either side of King Michael's private study. Dean sat on a soft chair built of wood and leaves, Sam beside him wearing a look of deep concern. Dean knew he should snap out of his distress and focus on preventing a clash between his father and King Michael.
But all he could think about was Castiel's fearful blue eyes.
"What exactly is the meaning of this?" John demanded. "Is this Castiel already attached to another?"
"No," Michael growled. "He's never shown an interest in mates. I assure you, there is none of my subjects who have an interest in him."
Dean's surge of incredible possessive pleasure at Michael's first statement faded under anger at the second. He couldn't understand what so appalled the fairies about Castiel. But his father didn't give him a chance to vent that anger.
"So he objects to my son on principle?"
His voice lowered to that soft calm tone Dean had always dreaded hearing growing up. It meant that shutting down his volume was the only way John could contain his wrath.
"I don't know what he's thinking," Michael said, sounding just as upset as the rest of them.
Of course, Dean thought. Michael may or may not care about Castiel, but what he did care about was the alliance he knew John meant to discuss with Michael the following day.
"But I can assure you that his objections won't stand in the way of your son's happiness," he continued.
"Excuse me?" Dean blurted.
"I was hoping you'd feel that way," John said with satisfaction. He smiled at Dean. "No need to worry."
Dean leapt from his chair. "What the hell are you talking about?" He held up both hands. "Wait, never mind. Don't answer that. I know exactly what you mean."
Perhaps he shouldn't be surprised, but Dean couldn't help himself. He didn't know Michael, but he'd expected more from his father.
"I'm not letting you strongarm anyone into marrying me," Dean said in a firm even tone. "Especially not Castiel. If he doesn't want me, then I'll find someone else."
"But-" John started.
"Dad," Dean interrupted. He saw genuine regret in John's eyes and thought maybe he understood a little better. John had pursued Dean's mother relentlessly. But she had wanted to be caught. Castiel didn't.
"He doesn't want me," he said, shrugging. It hurt to say, but it was nothing less than the truth. "He'd be happier here, so...I'll just find someone else."
"Dean," Sam said weakly. His brother hated the idea of Dean marrying for a reason other than love or at the very least the potential of love.
"Hey, it's okay," Dean said and he smiled carelessly. "He's got a cute sister, you know."
Sam shook his head, but tentatively returned the smile.
"I'll summon her," Michael said decidedly.
Dean nodded. Might as well get this over with now.
****************
The ballroom was empty by the time Castiel reached it again. He knew it was late, but fairies typically kept their parties going until dawn peeked over the edge of the horizon. The fact that everyone was already gone did not bode well.
"Castiel?"
He turned at the sound of a voice to see Liniel, a member of the palace guard giving him a curious look.
"Where is everyone?"
Liniel gestured towards the hallway where she'd been keeping watch. The hallway which was also the path to King Michael's study.
"When His Majesty left the party in anger, everyone thought it best to return to their posts, in case he had need of them."
"And did he?" Castiel asked with some trepidation. Despite Anna's warning, Castiel didn't truly fear physical injury from Michael. He couldn't make the same claim of the human king, but he knew Michael would never allow one of his subjects to come to harm. But what he did fear was losing the alliance.
That couldn't be allowed to happen.
"He sent a member of the guard for your sister, Anna," Liniel said. "They asked me if I'd seen her, but I assumed she'd gone home as well."
"Yes," Castiel said, but his attention was only vaguely on the conversation. There could only be a very few reasons why Michael would summon Anna and none of them were good. If he wanted to convince Castiel to accept Dean's request, he would simply speak to Castiel directly. To summon Anna meant he needed something of her.
Castiel's stomach dropped as he realized what it must be.
"I see," he said very quietly. Liniel gave him an oddly knowing sympathetic look and patted his arm before returning to her watch.
He leaned against the wall and slid down, ignoring the discomfort in his wings when they bunch up under him.
Dean wanted Anna now.
That must be it. Castiel had already lost his chance because of his hesitation and Dean wanted another. His fists clenched on his knees as hurt cut through his chest.
At least he'd been right, Castiel thought viciously. Not ten hours into their acquaintance and already Dean had grown tired of him.
Being right, he found, was very little consolation.
***************
Anna looked confused and uncomfortable when one of the palace guards led her into Michael's study.
"You asked to see me, Your Majesty?"
Her voice was soft and quiet, but strong as well. Dean could see she was spirited, which he appreciated. She would need a great deal of tenacity to survive as the only fairy living in a kingdom of humans. Especially as she would be companion to a man who couldn't give her his whole heart.
Dean thought perhaps he could learn to love Anna in time. He could learn to love many a person if they had something Dean could admire, like Anna's strength.
But she would always been a replacement.
"Prince Dean wants to speak with you," Michael said.
"Alone, please," Dean said. Michael hesitated, but only for a moment.
"If you would join me in the council room, King Winchester," he said. "We could discuss business."
John gave Dean a long searching look, but there was no distress to be found in Dean's expression. He kept the sickening mess of hurt and disappointment pressed down too deeply for that.
"Yes, of course. Sam, you'll return to our rooms, if you please."
Judging by his expression, Sam didn't please at all, but he wouldn't disobey John in front of strangers. Dean couldn't help smiling a little at Sam's indignant huff as he scowled at John and then gave Dean a regretful look. John may say otherwise, but Sam was still his baby boy and he couldn't help coddling him.
"I'll see you later," Dean promised. He had a feeling they'd be up talking about this until morning.
Once the room was empty, Anna made a soft inquisitive noise in the back of her throat. Dean swallowed down his sigh. Time for the show.
"Would you like to sit?"
She graciously joined him on a low blue couch. Her stance screamed discomfort. Dean couldn't blame her. This was awkward as hell. The thought of trying to consummate their marriage made Dean's stomach roil. He comforted himself with the thought that adopted heirs were just as acceptable of biological ones. Maybe they wouldn't have to worry with that part of the marriage.
Not that Anna was unattractive. In fact, she was quite pretty with soft red hair and luminous green eyes. But Dean already felt like he was cheating on Castiel.
Maybe this was a mistake.
He very nearly leapt up from the couch, but Anna touched his arm and leaned in.
"Are you alright, Prince Winchester?"
"I need to get married," he blurted.
Anna reeled back a little and her confusion deepened.
"Yes, I know. I mean, Castiel told me..." Suspicion grew in those big green eyes of hers. "What is this about?"
"Castiel said no," Dean said flatly. "I need to find a fairy spouse. It's pretty important."
She didn't need to be told how important, Dean imagined. All the fairies were aware how vital it was to create an alliance against their demon foes. Marriage made that contract more binding than any number of signed treaties ever could.
"You're asking me?" she asked, her voice breathless not with eagerness, but rather with dismay.
"This wasn't a good idea," Dean said and he stood. "I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking. When Castiel said..." He shook his head. "Forgive me. I'll choose another."
Anna jumped to her feet and fury suddenly crackled across her expression, filling the air between them with tension.
"You're not going after him?"
Dean turned to face her and crossed his arms over his chest, his hurt pouring past the barrier he'd created to hold it in.
"He made himself pretty damned clear about the matter," Dean growled. "I'm not accustomed to forcing people to marry me."
"I didn't say that," Anna snapped, but her expression almost instantly cleared. "Oh no, that's what they wanted, wasn't it? They wanted to make Castiel marry you."
Dean shifted with discomfort. The very idea made his heart ache in a peculiar way.
"They tried, but I'm not interested in that."
"You don't understand," Anna said. She moved into his personal space and grabbed his forearms to emphasize her next words.
"Castiel thinks you're going to go home and learn to hate him. He's never understood his own worth and my fellow fairies haven't helped." Her expression turned chagrined. “I haven't helped. You're the first person I've ever known who immediately saw how wonderful Castiel really is."
Dean boiled with anger at Castiel's idiotic species, but that feeling wasn't nearly as important as his inability to believe he'd ever hate Castiel.
"It wouldn't be like that," he denied. "Even if...I mean, if he decided not to love me, I wouldn't...I'd make sure he was happy as best I could," Dean struggled to say. He wasn't good at expounding on issues of the heart, but this was important to him. Dean wanted a true companion, a friend and lover, but if Castiel couldn't feel that way for him, Dean would do whatever necessary to make him feel welcome and content. Anything at all.
Even if it meant Castiel sought physical comfort elsewhere.
"Well, he doesn't know that," Anna said. "And now he's worried your father won't deal with Michael unless he marries you. He was on his way back to offer himself."
"Out of fear?" Dean asked in alarm.
Anna's expression fell. "I'm afraid that's my fault as well. I didn't know you'd be so nice!"
Dean rolled his eyes. "We'll talk about our mutual distrust of each other later. You know Castiel best. What should I do?"
"You have to fight for him," she said in a scolding tone. "You should...hang on," she interrupted herself. "No, I'm wrong. You have to make him fight for himself."
A strange wicked smile crossed her lips.
"I have an idea."
Dean felt certain she couldn't be trusted, but it didn't stop him from guiding them back to the couch.
"Let me have it."
Next part
Author: CloudyJenn
Fandom: Supernatural
Pairings: Dean/Castiel
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: These characters do not belong to me. I am making no profit from this fanfiction.
Warnings: None
Summary: Castiel is a fairy. Dean is a visiting human prince looking for a political marriage.
Author's Notes: Fairies!
There once was a fairy named Castiel.
He was of average height and build and his blue gossamer wings were considered rather plain by his fellow fairies.
It didn't help that he favored a boxy suit and trench coat instead of the revealing shimmering cloaks his friends all wore.
Or that he was the court accountant for the Fairy King.
In short, though a stout fairy with a good heart, Castiel was a total snooze fest.
One day, Castiel's younger sister Anna sat beside him to have a talk. Anna was beautiful and interesting, able to catch a fairy's eye with her lovely red hair or his attention with her light crystalline laughter.
In other words, she was a hottie.
And she was worried about Castiel because he was dull and alone.
"Castiel," she said as she shook out her shining golden wings. "You'll never find a mate if you don't leave the tax room now and again."
Castiel didn't like going out. No one enjoyed talking to him and frankly, he wasn't much interested in typical fairy gossip.
"There's going to be a ball tonight! You should come. I know His Majesty invited you," Anna said.
Castiel frowned. "I don't remember him asking me."
Anna huffed. "There is more to life than numbers, brother. Our king is entertaining visitors from the Land of Humans!" she said excitedly. "Can you imagine? Actual humans here in our very own castle!"
This greatly startled Castiel. Humans were such odd creatures, rough and aggressive beings. And they looked very bizarre with their wingless backs and thick bodies.
"Humans? Here?" Anna nodded. "And not just any humans! It's their own ruler, King Winchester and his two sons." She leans in. "I hear King Michael wishes one of us to marry one of the sons to form an alliance between our kingdoms against the demons."
Castiel scowled. "What has this to do with me?"
Anna grinned. "Don't you want to see our brethren throw themselves at the humans? They all want to be the delicate flower that captures the brutish human heart," she said with an amused eye roll and Castiel found himself smiling too. It did sound like fun.
"Perhaps it might not be so bad," he allowed. Anna squeaked happily and hugged him. "I will see you tonight then!"
And she whirled away before Castiel could change his mind.
******************
That night, Castiel walked to the ballroom without bothering to change his outfit. After all, if he couldn't interest one of his own kind, how could he hope to entice a human?
Anna sighed when she saw his bedraggled appearance, but it didn't stop her from looping an arm through his.
"Come and see the humans! They just arrived."
She dragged him towards a side door where they could peer into the main room without drawing attention.
"There!" She pointed to a large human male dressed in a simple dark tunic. "That is King Winchester."
Castiel examined the man. The lack of wings was even more jarring in reality, but it didn't detract from his appearance. If anything, King Winchester was larger than Castiel expected. Not physically taller than Michael, but with a presence that filled the room.
"Impressive, huh?" Anna remarked. "Wait till you see his kids." S he pointed towards the dance floor where a positively massive human with shaggy brown hair danced a politely distant waltz with Tieriel. "That is the younger, Sam."
"Younger?" Castiel asked in surprise. "He is quite large to be called young."
"Nevertheless," Anna said. "It is so. The older, Dean, stands over there." She pointed to an alcove where another human stood. He held a glass of punch in one hand, but was not drinking. Instead, he watched the crowd closely with a suspicious look in his bright-colored eyes. Like his father and brother, he wore simple tunics that showed a fine physique underneath, a strong muscular body quite typical of this warrior race.
All this Castiel noted in an instant. But he could not process it. All he could feel was a strange falling sensation in his stomach and a weakness around his knees.
The human Dean Winchester was beautiful.
"Are you alright?"
Castiel turned to her and said in a matter-of-fact tone, "I did not expect the humans to be so appealing."
Surprise blossomed across Anna's lovely face. "You like them? None of our kind has ever held your attention and now that humans show up, you are enticed."
She laughed and began pulling on his arm. "We must introduce you to them then."
Castiel tugged away from her. He felt heat rising on his face and suspected he was working up quite the blush.
"Please don't. I'm not a good-"
"A good what? Don't even finish that sentence," Anna commanded. "Maybe you aren't the life of the party, but you're my brother and I love you. So if you like the humans, you're going to meet the humans."
Castiel had a great deal of practice with ignoring Anna when he didn't want to follow her orders, but when she again began pulling him towards King Michael and his guest of honor, Castiel didn't stop her.
He was going to meet the humans.
******************
If there was one thing Dean Winchester hated more than politics, it was parties.
And if there was anything he hated more than parties, it was his father's constant pressure to finally get married.
Combine the two and Dean was pretty much completely miserable.
Dean wasn't stupid. He knew they needed this alliance with the fairy kingdom. The demon attacks of their own borders grew more common and violent as time passed and human strength could only accomplish so much. They needed fairy magic to help repel this evil and the only way they could ever hope to come to an agreement with the stern ethereal creatures was through marriage.
It didn't really matter whether it was Dean or Sam that entered into the marriage agreement, but Dean knew when they left for this journey that it would be him that did so.
Sam was terribly in love with a human girl back home named Jessica. She was the daughter of a powerful count and an excellent match in her own right. Dean could never allow Sam to miss out on marrying for love, not when the girl in question loved Sam back so very much.
No, it would be Dean that brought home a fairy spouse.
Now, if he could just find one that didn't make him long to turn tail and run out the door. Fairies were such a peculiar race. They were all slender and delicate, deceptively weak-looking. Dean knew their magic was more than powerful enough protection against even a caliber of warrior such as himself, who'd been training since he was old enough to walk. But he preferred a more solid figure. He didn't care for the mystical hocus-pocus nonsense. The fluttery clothes and the translucent wings. Each fairy, even their beloved King, seemed little more than a wisp of presence that would melt into nothingness the instant Dean reached out for them.
Sam was having fun at least, Dean thought to himself as he watched Sam twirl a young female fairy across the dance floor.
A few courageous types had asked Dean for a dance, but he'd turned them all down. He was risking a lecture from his father after the party, but Dean was holding out hope that someone would really catch his eye. He'd given himself until ten o'clock. If no one truly appealing turned up, Dean would have to choose the least offensive and begin the courtship ritual.
The thought made him want to sneak out the side door and find a great deal of alcohol.
A few moments later, after the dance music changed to a more stately waltz, Sam appeared at his side and elbowed him.
"You look really off-putting, standing over here and glaring at people," he informed Dean with a grin.
They'd already fought several times in a rather spectacular fashion about the subject of this inevitable marriage. Sam didn't like Dean sacrificing his happiness for Sam, but as Dean finally beat into Sam's thick skull, he had no real happiness to sacrifice while Sam would be giving up an already existing love affair. So it was good to see Sam smiling and teasing him again, since the whole situation had made him so very unhappy.
"I'm trying to discourage the faint of heart," Dean said. "I couldn't marry someone too afraid to approach me."
Sam snorted. "No one's approached you," he pointed out.
"Shut up, bitch," Dean growled, but the corner of his mouth twitched, the evidence of his amusement.
"Jerk," Sam shot back and maybe this was not a happy night for Dean, but no matter who he married, he would always have Sam nearby. The thought calmed the desire to run out, though it did not completely disappear.
The next song passed in relative silence, broken every so often as Sam pointed to this or that fairy and mentioned something positive. ‘That male has pretty eyes' or 'That female over by the refreshment table has a nice figure.' Dean merely grunted now and again. Although he did have to admit that the girl had an attractive backside.
As the piece wound down, a hesitant voice from the left caught their attention.
"Excuse me?" The speaker was a tall female fairy with long flowing red hair and bright golden wings. She was pretty, like the rest of her kind, but again, too willowy and spare to make Dean feel more than admiration for the unreal sort of beauty fairies exuded.
"King Michael advised me to come and introduce myself," she said, her voice light and airy. "I'm Anna."
Sam took her offered hand and gave it a polite kiss. She smiled at him, but quickly turned her attention back to Dean.
"My brother very much wishes to meet you as well. He's a little shy," she said with a bit of grimace before turning and reaching back into the shadows. A quick yanking motion later and a male fairy appeared by her side.
This fairy didn't look like any of his brethren. His body was almost entirely covered by plain dark clothing and his blue wings were nearly opaque. They looked strong and thick. Solid. His hair was nearly black and his gaze was heavy with a kind of intelligence Dean hadn't yet seen among the fairies. All the others seemed to dance through life without a care in the world. This fairy looked as if he had many cares. He slumped a bit and his face was covered with light stubble. He looked tired.
He was gorgeous.
"This is Castiel," Anna said, pushing him forward. Castiel held out his hand to Dean and though he didn't look nervous, a blush crept up his neck.
"Hello," he said. Dean startled again. His voice was gravel rough and deep. It drew a wave of shivers up Dean's spine.
"Hey," Dean answered. He'd always imagined fairies would be cool to the touch, but Castiel's skin was warm. The move wasn't required for males, but Dean couldn't resist lifting Castiel's hand to his mouth and brushing a kiss across it. When his lips touched him, Castiel's breath stuttered briefly. Dean smiled against his hand.
"I am Dean Winchester," he said, making sure to start the sentence while his mouth hovered over Castiel's hand, so the fairy would feel the heat of his breath. Judging by the way Castiel wilted to the side a bit, he wasn't unaffected by the move.
"It's very good to meet you," he said. His little emphasis on the word 'very' did not pass by Sam's attention. Beside him, Dean felt his brother stiffen and then turn to stare at him. Dean smiled. Sam understood perfectly.
Dean had made his choice.
******************
Castiel stood quietly at Dean's side, apparently oblivious to the way Dean stared at his slender blue wings. They stretched up to narrow points before falling again to the floor and unlike the other fairies, they were darkly opaque. The color reminded Dean of the night sky back home in the human realm. He desperately wanted to touch them, his curiosity about their texture pushing him nearly to the point of reaching for them. But he didn't want to startle Castiel. He seemed so innocent, so unaware of his own appeal.
He'd decided to turn his attention back to the dance floor, perhaps ask Castiel if he wanted something to drink, when the wings moved. One long fluid motion from the arched top down to the delicate fluttering tips.
Dean watched, mesmerized, lips slightly parted.
Which meant he missed the smile tugging at the corner of Castiel's mouth.
******************
"You don't have to stand here with me if you would prefer to dance with another," Castiel offered.
Dean studied him. It wasn't a dig for compliments. Castiel genuinely wanted to offer the chance for Dean to escape.
"Why would I want to choose another over you?"
The question made Castiel frown, his head tilting slightly as he considered Dean.
"I'm hardly as interesting as these here," he said, gesturing to the dance floor full of twirling fairies.
Dean felt his blood boil. Someone had told Castiel this, perhaps several someones. He glared at the assembly.
"Maybe my idea of interesting is different to theirs," he growled. Castiel's pretty blue wings flutter with surprise and again Dean longed to reach out to them.
"Oh, I see," Castiel said softly.
Dean moved in closer to him and he knew his stance was aggressively possessive and protective, but he couldn't help it. He knew he was wary of fairykind with good reason.
He'd just have to show Castiel how interesting he really was.
******************
The first thing Dean did was ask King Michael for permission to formally court Castiel. He wasn’t entirely sure how they do this sort of thing in the fairy realm, but a foreign dignitary would never be allowed to marry one of John's subjects without his permission first. So when Anna whisked Castiel away for a dance after she returned with Sam, Dean made his way to the Fairy King.
Michael was far more intimidating than Dean would have guessed a fairy could be. Fairies have what Dean now knew was an unfair reputation as too delicate. Warriors of magic yes, but surely not able to stand up to the brute strength of humanity.
Standing before Michael, looking up into the fairy king's fierce cold eyes, Dean saw how wrong humans really were.
"Excuse me, your Majesty," Dean said politely. John glanced at him with sudden interest. His father could be in little doubt of Dean's intentions.
"Yes?"
Dean paused to swallow back sudden nerves. Michael's massive dark green wings flapped once and Dean jumped slightly. He wasn’t sure, but just in case it was a sign of impatience, he leapt into the topic.
"I'd like to seek permission to court one of your subjects," he said, giving himself a mental pat on the back for not stuttering.
"I see." Michael sounded amused, but his face remained an impassive mask. "May I ask which of my denizens has captured the Prince's eye?"
"Um." He nodded towards the dance floor. "Castiel."
That caused Michael's mask to slip. Just enough for Dean to see his surprise and then suddenly Michael grinned. It almost made him even more terrifying.
"Indeed! Well, that is unexpected."
Dean scowled. "Hardly...your majesty," he added quickly.
Michael laughed.
"I see the courting is a mere formality then," he teased. "King Winchester!" Michael gestured towards John. "I take it this was your plan all along."
"And a good one too," John said, not bothering to conceal his meddling.
"I agree," Michael said, turning back to Dean. "Well, if Castiel agrees, then you have my whole-hearted consent. It's about time someone looked out for that boy."
"Right," Dean said, mind already away on the topic of asking Castiel for what will basically end in their marriage.
"Look there. The dance ends," Michael said and he pushed Dean a little towards where Anna was leading Castiel back to Sam.
"Right," Dean said again. He took a deep breath and steeled himself.
He could do this.
"Hey, can I talk to you for a minute?"
Castiel only nodded, but over his shoulder, Dean saw both Anna and Sam grinning at him like idiots. He glared at them as he led Castiel away to a nearby balcony. The night air flowed over them in a cool breeze. Castiel's wings shivered and closed up around his back. Dean wanted to offer his coat or his arms, but first he had to make their connection official.
"Do you know why we came here?"
"No," Castiel said simply. He was looking out over his homeland with a faint smile. Dean might have taken a moment to appreciate its beauty, but his nerves allowed thought of little else except Castiel.
"My father wants to make an alliance with the Fairy kingdom," he explained. That captured Castiel's attention. Dean kind of wished he would still look out over the countryside. It was hard to think with those dark blue eyes on his face.
"And anyway, the best way to do that is a marriage connection and Sam's sort of engaged, so anyway, it's down to me and I guess what I'm saying is that I was wondering if you were opposed to the idea of being courted. By me."
He winced. Apparently if Dean really cared about the conquest, he became somewhat stupid. He wished he hadn't learned that just now.
Castiel stared at him.
"You...you wish for me and you...marriage connection?"
"Well, yeah," Dean said.
"You don't even know me!"
"Which is why the whole courting thing," Dean said slowly. "So we can get to know each other."
"But there are others," Castiel started, but Dean sighed and stepped forward into his space.
"I don't care about the others, okay? I want you."
He couldn't understand the panic on Castiel's face, the way he stiffened at Dean's closeness. If he didn't like Dean, he could just say no and move along. But Dean knew he saw interest in Castiel's eyes. Knew he saw interest now, buried under the alarm.
"Castiel-"
"No," he stammered. "No, I can't. I'm...I can't. I'm sorry."
And then he disappeared, leaving Dean staring in shock at empty space.
************
Castiel made it all the way back to his small apartment in the central palace before Anna found him. In truth, he was surprised he'd escaped the dance hall without difficulty, but then, only Dean knew what happened between them and he appeared too shocked to move.
Anna's expression of appalled consternation told Castiel he would not escape this conversation.
"Please, Anna," he said because he couldn't help trying. "I don't want to talk about it."
"You turned him down?" She stepped into his path and pressed a hand against his chest. "The human prince asks for your hand and you turn him now?"
He removed her hand none too gently. Of all people, Castiel had hoped he could rely on Anna for support. Finding another truth did not sit well with him.
"You would have me cleave myself to a person I don't know? A member of another species no less?"
Anna sighed.
"It's not...Castiel, this could be dangerous for you," she said.
"Dangerous?"
A strange kind of indistinct fear edged in among Castiel's indignation. Surely Dean wouldn't hurt him. Castiel may not know him well, but he didn't sense violent intent within Dean.
"Come here," Anna said and she steered them both into Castiel's apartment, ensuring their privacy. For the first time, Castiel noticed the worry in her expression as she bit her lip and began to pace.
"Anna, what is wrong?"
"You didn't see King Michael's face when he heard what happened," she said.
Castiel's fear suddenly became very clearly defined.
"The king knows?"
"Of course he knows! He saw you leave and Dean return with that wretched expression on his face. And King Winchester is not pleased either," Anna said.
She suddenly surged into his personal space and grabbed his hands, squeezing them hard.
"I'm afraid of what they might do, especially the human king," she said, distress lacing her tone. "Would it really be so bad to marry Dean? I thought you liked him."
"I did," Castiel said softly. "I do. But I know very little of him. Or of humans. Anna, if I married him, I'd have to leave our kingdom. And what if he grew tired of me? Then I'd be stuck in a foreign kingdom with no one and nothing."
"But he wouldn't leave you," Anna said. "At least you'd be taken care of. I'm just...you've offended the most important visitor we've ever had to our kingdom. So Dean might grow tired of you. What if your decision makes the humans leave? Then we'll never have an alliance against the demons and who knows how many people could die!"
Her hands gripped his so tightly that pain rippled up his arms. Guilt crashed in over his fear and confusion.
"I didn't think of that," he confessed.
"I think you should go back and apologize," Anna said.
For a long moment, Castiel stayed in place and thought. He felt like he was sitting in an cart that careened down a hillside. Before this evening, he'd only been Castiel, a simple court accountant. And now because of one human's preference, he was forced to choose between the safety of his kingdom and the very real possibility to ending up miserable and alone in a strange land.
"Castiel?"
He looked up at Anna. In no way could he justify placing his own happiness above the lives of his fellowkind.
"I'll go back to him now."
************
King Michael's expression was thunderous. And his father's wasn't much better. The two men stood facing each other on either side of King Michael's private study. Dean sat on a soft chair built of wood and leaves, Sam beside him wearing a look of deep concern. Dean knew he should snap out of his distress and focus on preventing a clash between his father and King Michael.
But all he could think about was Castiel's fearful blue eyes.
"What exactly is the meaning of this?" John demanded. "Is this Castiel already attached to another?"
"No," Michael growled. "He's never shown an interest in mates. I assure you, there is none of my subjects who have an interest in him."
Dean's surge of incredible possessive pleasure at Michael's first statement faded under anger at the second. He couldn't understand what so appalled the fairies about Castiel. But his father didn't give him a chance to vent that anger.
"So he objects to my son on principle?"
His voice lowered to that soft calm tone Dean had always dreaded hearing growing up. It meant that shutting down his volume was the only way John could contain his wrath.
"I don't know what he's thinking," Michael said, sounding just as upset as the rest of them.
Of course, Dean thought. Michael may or may not care about Castiel, but what he did care about was the alliance he knew John meant to discuss with Michael the following day.
"But I can assure you that his objections won't stand in the way of your son's happiness," he continued.
"Excuse me?" Dean blurted.
"I was hoping you'd feel that way," John said with satisfaction. He smiled at Dean. "No need to worry."
Dean leapt from his chair. "What the hell are you talking about?" He held up both hands. "Wait, never mind. Don't answer that. I know exactly what you mean."
Perhaps he shouldn't be surprised, but Dean couldn't help himself. He didn't know Michael, but he'd expected more from his father.
"I'm not letting you strongarm anyone into marrying me," Dean said in a firm even tone. "Especially not Castiel. If he doesn't want me, then I'll find someone else."
"But-" John started.
"Dad," Dean interrupted. He saw genuine regret in John's eyes and thought maybe he understood a little better. John had pursued Dean's mother relentlessly. But she had wanted to be caught. Castiel didn't.
"He doesn't want me," he said, shrugging. It hurt to say, but it was nothing less than the truth. "He'd be happier here, so...I'll just find someone else."
"Dean," Sam said weakly. His brother hated the idea of Dean marrying for a reason other than love or at the very least the potential of love.
"Hey, it's okay," Dean said and he smiled carelessly. "He's got a cute sister, you know."
Sam shook his head, but tentatively returned the smile.
"I'll summon her," Michael said decidedly.
Dean nodded. Might as well get this over with now.
****************
The ballroom was empty by the time Castiel reached it again. He knew it was late, but fairies typically kept their parties going until dawn peeked over the edge of the horizon. The fact that everyone was already gone did not bode well.
"Castiel?"
He turned at the sound of a voice to see Liniel, a member of the palace guard giving him a curious look.
"Where is everyone?"
Liniel gestured towards the hallway where she'd been keeping watch. The hallway which was also the path to King Michael's study.
"When His Majesty left the party in anger, everyone thought it best to return to their posts, in case he had need of them."
"And did he?" Castiel asked with some trepidation. Despite Anna's warning, Castiel didn't truly fear physical injury from Michael. He couldn't make the same claim of the human king, but he knew Michael would never allow one of his subjects to come to harm. But what he did fear was losing the alliance.
That couldn't be allowed to happen.
"He sent a member of the guard for your sister, Anna," Liniel said. "They asked me if I'd seen her, but I assumed she'd gone home as well."
"Yes," Castiel said, but his attention was only vaguely on the conversation. There could only be a very few reasons why Michael would summon Anna and none of them were good. If he wanted to convince Castiel to accept Dean's request, he would simply speak to Castiel directly. To summon Anna meant he needed something of her.
Castiel's stomach dropped as he realized what it must be.
"I see," he said very quietly. Liniel gave him an oddly knowing sympathetic look and patted his arm before returning to her watch.
He leaned against the wall and slid down, ignoring the discomfort in his wings when they bunch up under him.
Dean wanted Anna now.
That must be it. Castiel had already lost his chance because of his hesitation and Dean wanted another. His fists clenched on his knees as hurt cut through his chest.
At least he'd been right, Castiel thought viciously. Not ten hours into their acquaintance and already Dean had grown tired of him.
Being right, he found, was very little consolation.
***************
Anna looked confused and uncomfortable when one of the palace guards led her into Michael's study.
"You asked to see me, Your Majesty?"
Her voice was soft and quiet, but strong as well. Dean could see she was spirited, which he appreciated. She would need a great deal of tenacity to survive as the only fairy living in a kingdom of humans. Especially as she would be companion to a man who couldn't give her his whole heart.
Dean thought perhaps he could learn to love Anna in time. He could learn to love many a person if they had something Dean could admire, like Anna's strength.
But she would always been a replacement.
"Prince Dean wants to speak with you," Michael said.
"Alone, please," Dean said. Michael hesitated, but only for a moment.
"If you would join me in the council room, King Winchester," he said. "We could discuss business."
John gave Dean a long searching look, but there was no distress to be found in Dean's expression. He kept the sickening mess of hurt and disappointment pressed down too deeply for that.
"Yes, of course. Sam, you'll return to our rooms, if you please."
Judging by his expression, Sam didn't please at all, but he wouldn't disobey John in front of strangers. Dean couldn't help smiling a little at Sam's indignant huff as he scowled at John and then gave Dean a regretful look. John may say otherwise, but Sam was still his baby boy and he couldn't help coddling him.
"I'll see you later," Dean promised. He had a feeling they'd be up talking about this until morning.
Once the room was empty, Anna made a soft inquisitive noise in the back of her throat. Dean swallowed down his sigh. Time for the show.
"Would you like to sit?"
She graciously joined him on a low blue couch. Her stance screamed discomfort. Dean couldn't blame her. This was awkward as hell. The thought of trying to consummate their marriage made Dean's stomach roil. He comforted himself with the thought that adopted heirs were just as acceptable of biological ones. Maybe they wouldn't have to worry with that part of the marriage.
Not that Anna was unattractive. In fact, she was quite pretty with soft red hair and luminous green eyes. But Dean already felt like he was cheating on Castiel.
Maybe this was a mistake.
He very nearly leapt up from the couch, but Anna touched his arm and leaned in.
"Are you alright, Prince Winchester?"
"I need to get married," he blurted.
Anna reeled back a little and her confusion deepened.
"Yes, I know. I mean, Castiel told me..." Suspicion grew in those big green eyes of hers. "What is this about?"
"Castiel said no," Dean said flatly. "I need to find a fairy spouse. It's pretty important."
She didn't need to be told how important, Dean imagined. All the fairies were aware how vital it was to create an alliance against their demon foes. Marriage made that contract more binding than any number of signed treaties ever could.
"You're asking me?" she asked, her voice breathless not with eagerness, but rather with dismay.
"This wasn't a good idea," Dean said and he stood. "I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking. When Castiel said..." He shook his head. "Forgive me. I'll choose another."
Anna jumped to her feet and fury suddenly crackled across her expression, filling the air between them with tension.
"You're not going after him?"
Dean turned to face her and crossed his arms over his chest, his hurt pouring past the barrier he'd created to hold it in.
"He made himself pretty damned clear about the matter," Dean growled. "I'm not accustomed to forcing people to marry me."
"I didn't say that," Anna snapped, but her expression almost instantly cleared. "Oh no, that's what they wanted, wasn't it? They wanted to make Castiel marry you."
Dean shifted with discomfort. The very idea made his heart ache in a peculiar way.
"They tried, but I'm not interested in that."
"You don't understand," Anna said. She moved into his personal space and grabbed his forearms to emphasize her next words.
"Castiel thinks you're going to go home and learn to hate him. He's never understood his own worth and my fellow fairies haven't helped." Her expression turned chagrined. “I haven't helped. You're the first person I've ever known who immediately saw how wonderful Castiel really is."
Dean boiled with anger at Castiel's idiotic species, but that feeling wasn't nearly as important as his inability to believe he'd ever hate Castiel.
"It wouldn't be like that," he denied. "Even if...I mean, if he decided not to love me, I wouldn't...I'd make sure he was happy as best I could," Dean struggled to say. He wasn't good at expounding on issues of the heart, but this was important to him. Dean wanted a true companion, a friend and lover, but if Castiel couldn't feel that way for him, Dean would do whatever necessary to make him feel welcome and content. Anything at all.
Even if it meant Castiel sought physical comfort elsewhere.
"Well, he doesn't know that," Anna said. "And now he's worried your father won't deal with Michael unless he marries you. He was on his way back to offer himself."
"Out of fear?" Dean asked in alarm.
Anna's expression fell. "I'm afraid that's my fault as well. I didn't know you'd be so nice!"
Dean rolled his eyes. "We'll talk about our mutual distrust of each other later. You know Castiel best. What should I do?"
"You have to fight for him," she said in a scolding tone. "You should...hang on," she interrupted herself. "No, I'm wrong. You have to make him fight for himself."
A strange wicked smile crossed her lips.
"I have an idea."
Dean felt certain she couldn't be trusted, but it didn't stop him from guiding them back to the couch.
"Let me have it."
Next part
