Title: Parlay
Author: Lyumia
Rating: Teen and Up Audiences
Pairings: Castiel/Nathaniel, Alexy/Kentin, one-sided Amber/Castiel
Characters: Too many.
Warnings: Swearing, Inappropriate Humor, and peculiar speech patterns. FYI no stinking pirate ever said arrrrrrrrr. First chapter is really slow.
Other Stuff: Historical AU/Prince AU/Pirate AU, French revolution kind of thing... The French always had a problem with a authority. BTW homosexual relationships.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Summary: Nathaniel is a prince seeking to save his kingdom from poverty and crime, while Castiel is a pirate seeking vast riches for his own gain and just so happened to 'kidnap' the prince and his company.
Delicate hands hardened by years of work cautiously worked the worn rag over the dark purple splotching his pale flesh; gold eyes glanced back to meet her smoldering blue, to her he gave a reassuring smile and her scrubbing faltered.
"What ails you?" A deep voice inquired gently, his blond hair shimmering in the candle light, subtle curls tousled from his last... Quarrel.
"You, my lord." The brunette maid admitted, "I worry for your health." Lowering the rag as the prince turned to her- broad shoulders squared proudly despite his last beating.
"Worry not, Melody." Nathaniel smiled, reaching for his shirt that was strewn across his desk.
"Of course my prince, after all you are the general of your father's military, and carry the hope of your people on your shoulders."
"Take care not to use that tongue around his majesty and his subjects." Nathaniel sent her a frown, tying off the last clasp of his coat, securing his rapier on his belt.
"Of course, my lord." She glanced down at her feet, hands nervously fiddling with the folds of her dress.
"Take care." Offering one last smile he left his quarters, the sound of his boots echoing throughout the large hall with each footfall on the white tile, ornate suits of armor, banors and portraits between various columns, much to Nathaniel's distaste.
The castle provided too many places for a perpetrator to hide, so with his generals he instilled training camps for the guards, had triple shifts and all were required to check every nook and cranny on patrol- and he was quite proud of the results.
Approaching his Third General's office gis hand hovered over the wooden door, taking notice of the hushed voices on the other side.
"God... Alexy... We shouldn't be doing this." He heard Kentin's- voice in a soft whisper.
Do what? Nathaniel leaned closer to the door wondering if they wouldn't be attempting something like their last audience with the king... They wouldn't... Commit treason, would they? No, they would never.
"Tell me why not, General Kentin." Alexy's- Alexander's- voice replied in a low purr.
"Because- ah! God... Am I damned for my..."
What was going on?
"Tell me Ken, what God who you ask this to would deny his creations simple pleasures in this miserable existence?"
"What are you two- What the devil?" Nathaniel reeled back at the sight that greeted him once he slammed the door open, heat rushed to his cheeks as Alexy peeled himself off Kentin who had six notable marks darkening the skin oaround his collar bone in neck while he tried to hide his obvious... Arousal.
"Well I am glad my assumption of treason was horridly wrong." He drawled, sending an assuring smile to both who seemed visibly relieved.
The blue haired man let out a laugh, sending a large grin to the brown haired man who was blushing furiously at his state. "I told you Ken," Alexy teased, "our Prince is not one of ill judgment."
"Nay, only a cranky slave driver who won't leave me be about paperwork." Kentin chucked, his green eyes closing briefly.
"In the matters of our kingdom, aye, I would rather play the role of a brute to better the peoples lives than yours." Nathaniel admitted. "I can not speak the same on the battlefield, however."
"Well said my lord, now I suppose there is a reason you come to my office now... Or were you intent on joining?" The bluette teased, earning a sputter and a blush from Nathaniel.
"Alexy you knave!" Kentin squeaked, face burning red.
"He only jests." Nathaniel sighed, shaking his head with a fond smile. "Though, admittedly, such relationships intrigue me."
Fraternization among men in the noble houses were not uncommon, and occasionally Nathaniel would stumble upon two soldiers engaged in scandalous positions during surprise evaluations, much to his men's horror- though most would get off with a scolding about slacking off on duty.
He never understood the church- but as always the law was in the hands of his father in the end.
Kentin raised a brown eyebrow questioningly. "Do you fancy a lad?"
"I always wondered if his majesty preferred subtle curves and boyish features to hard contours and firm torsos..." Alexy humed, pink eyes darting around thoughtfully.
"I would rather not indulge in those queries." Nathaniel grimaced. "Have our business associates sent their word?"
"With explicit promises of future collaboration." Alexy grinned proudly, earning a snort from Kentin. "The slums should be just as rich as a province as his Majesty's land."
"I doubt that." Kentin sighed. "Where there are cities there will always be poor... Least we make it bearable."
"How are our naval efforts?"
"Bleak, if I'm honest." Kentin scowled, sending an appreciative smile to Alexy when the man held his. "Pirates run rampant and our efforts to offer pardons and contracts are most likely sleeping with the sharks."
"Most unfortunate." Nathaniel frowned, adding "they must be the proudest of men... So perhaps I am approaching this the wrong way."
"Nate, you are a godsend, but you can not save everybody from death." Alexy said softly, resting a hand on his shoulder. "Do what you can, least you work yourself to death for an improbable cause."
"Especially now." Kentin nodded, "I hear there's one demon out 'ere, with red hair like the flames of hell themselves, blade soaked in the blood of one thousand men and a ship returned from the depths of the seas."
"Hm?" Nathaniel lifted an eyebrow, Kentin wasn't usual one for rumors and gossip. "Where ever did you hear this?"
"On the seas. My men spotted a few men left for the fishes in the waves. Most had similar accounts." Kentin shrugged, scowling to himself. "One ship sunk three of 'eir's."
"Three ships... Sounds like a pirate." Alexy snorted. "Those men never cease to amaze me. Are our sailors really so incompetent?"
"I imagine, rather than the incompetence of our men, the outlaws are more crafty than we anticipated." Nathaniel chuckle, "or so I'd like to believe."
"Aye, as we'd all like to believe- but I am afraid to report, my friend, that I have once again found my soldiers eloping once again." Alexy chortled, coaxing the other two into laughter. "At this rate, I worry for my brother!"
"How is Armin?"
"Let the dolt drown in his own ship." Kentin grumbled, folding his amrs over his chest.
"Docked in some tropical paradise, sleeping with a bottle of rum and chips(1)."
"Let's hope he managed to keep his wallet this time." Nathaniel smiled. "I'm in the mood for a walk. Would you two accompany me?"
"Of course my lord-" Kentin started, but sent a glare to Alex when the man stepped forward and interjected;
"No," Alex began sarcastically, "I'm afraid I have to decline your offer because my slave driver of a prince gives me too much paperwork." He sighed dramatically, rolling his eyes and playfully tugging on Nathaniel's cheeks- just the way it irked him.
"You need only ask, my dear friend. We'll be there."
(1)Chips- I meant game pieces, but since I'm horridly novice in the terminology of games in the 1600s-1800s, y'all get chips.
Anyways, not every interesting for a first chapter, but I promise later chapters will be more exciting.
Wait, why do I care? I'm posting this for me.