This is a two-parter, one part centered around Cain, the other around DG. Starts off non-pairing but by the end there are hints that they're together, of course. I do not own Tin Man and am merely a fan.

MISTAKES A PLENTY
o n e
'the fool'

He didn't like him.

The Queen must've seen something in him -- the way he treated DG, his background and family -- there had to be something that made her approve of this. And DG? Who knew what she saw in him?

Wyatt Cain simply did not like the man the princess was to marry. He couldn't have told you why, for even he didn't know. The two did seem happy when together, and he treated her like the royalty she was -- he was, to put it in the best way possible, perfect for her.

But Cain was an adult, he knew how to act in these situations. He kept his mouth shut, faked politeness when around the bastard, and told DG he wished her all the best with him. Even today though, the day she and he would be joined in holy matrimony, Cain meant none of it. Part of him was trying to plan a way to sabotage the wedding, but of course, the rational side of Wyatt Cain always won. So instead -- he kept his mouth shut, he faked politeness, and as he walked to DG's room to gather her, he came up with the nice things he would say when he saw her. He was to escort her to the gardens, where it seemed all of the O.Z. had shown to witness the wedding.

He knocked lightly on her bedroom door, sighing deeply through his nose and squaring his shoulders. He brushed imaginary lint from his jacket as he waited, and after a moment or two, the door opened. He expected it to be DG's handmaid, but was surprised to find the princess herself opening the door. And she was a sight to behold.

Her hair hung loose over her shoulders in soft waves, a crown of white daisies on top of her head. Her gown, white of course, was sleeveless, clinging to her torso and hips, where it then flared out and had almost a bell-like shape as it reached the floor, completely hiding her feet. She didn't seem to notice the way his eyes drank her in as she fussed with pulling on her thin and lacy white shawl.

He quickly blinked, mentally wiping his expression from his face. He bowed his head slightly, giving a tip of the hat. "Princess," he said, offering a little smile.

Her own grin was huge, lighting up her whole face, and she placed her hands on her hips. "How do I look?" She asked.

"Beautiful," he said. "It's a nice dress."

She made a slight face and started pulling at it -- he quickly averted his gaze as she all but pulled her chest out of it trying to right it. She was as brazen as always, not embarrassed at all -- as if she didn't see anything wrong with that. She shrugged one of her shoulders when she looked at him again.

"It's a bit itchy, if I can say so myself," she said. "And this...thing," she plucked at the shawl, "Is annoying as Hell."

He gave her a smirk but found he couldn't open his mouth -- he feared if he did he would say something he regretted. Of course, leave it to DG to notice this. Her brow furrowed, and yet she still managed to look stunning.

"Mister Cain?" Her wide eyes bore into him and he had to look away again. "Are you alright?"

"Fine," he answered. "Are you ready?"

She stared at him again, lips pursing, and he tried to keep his face indifferent -- he didn't know she was so good at reading eyes, though. Her expression turned serious, and her hands slowly slipped away from her waist.

"Say it," she said. "I know you want to."

He didn't blink. "I don't know what you're getting at, Princess," he said.

More silence as they continued to gaze at each other. She swallowed visibly, and for a moment he thought she was leaning towards him -- he swore he must've imagined it.

"I won't do it," she said. "If you say it -- I won't."

And Cain was faced with one of the many hardest decisions of his life. He nodded, licking his lips. "I know," he said.

Her eyes searched his face for a long time, and he remained as impassive as he could. He wished he could tell what she was thinking, but he'd never been good at that when it came to women. Time seemed to stretch on forever, an infinite amount of minutes ticking by, and he knew it was probably only one or two at the most. She nodded herself, and slipped an arm in his.

"I'm ready, Mister Cain," she said. "We can go now."

And still, she searched his face, expecting something. It pained him more than anything, but he said nothing, glancing away from her, and started leading her down the hall. That part of him, the irrational one, was yelling at him -- the horses were right outside, take her away from here. She's wearing her wedding dress, take her into town and marry her. Take her.

But the rational side of Wyatt Cain always won. No matter how much it hurt.