Everyone turned to the newcomer, Crowley. Michael glared at his brothers, who had the decency to take a more or less sorry expression. The sorcerer walked towards them, seemingly amused.
"Castiel, I already told you you are going to scare everyone if you approach them this way. Sam ! How about you introduce your friend to me ?"
"Let him go, Crowley" he said, moving to stand before Dean.
"Well... tempting, but no. That won't be possible. He saw my little haven. He's staying with us. I wonder what colour he'll be as a Swan."
"Dean, Bobby, go !"
The two men took to their heels as Sam shouted. Crowley cast his spell, but it was intercepted by Impala with a loud neighing.
"Baby !"
"Shut up and run !"
Bobby and Dean started running between the trees, forcing themselves not to look back. They only stopped when they reached the edge of the forest.
"Sammy ! Baby ! We should have stayed with them !"
"Dean, this sorcerer transformed your brother and other persons into Swans ! You really wanna end up turned into a bird ? Ah, then yes, you can stay with your brother, but they don't look happy back there !"
"I have to save my brother, Bobby ! I CAN'T leave him there !"
"I know. But we can't do anything now, the sorcerer is still there."
They stopped talking, and they heard the sound of hooves growing closer. Impala emerged from the woods, Sam on her back and the hunter's horse beside her.
"Michael and the others are holding Crowley back. Anyway, he won't get out of the forest for a while."
"...Baby ?! What's he done to Baby ?"
Bobby and Sam looked at the mare... who wasn't a mare anymore. A thin but sharp silver horn was now adorning her forehead. The new unicorn proudly raised her head.
"He turned Impala into a unicorn ?"
"My poor Baby !"
"Dean, that's not so bad, she could have been a Swan."
"Like you. We have to break the curse."
"Not sure I can find true love just like that."
Bobby almost made a remark, but stopped himself. If Michael was indeed right, besides the fact this was a bit disturbing because they were brothers, well, the princes shouldn't be rushed. They weren't out of the woods yet (t/n : no pun intended).
This time, Dean and Sam were able to part rather quickly, and agreed not to meet for a few nights, so as to avoid Crowley as much as possible. It was hard, but the younger managed to convince his elder.
The heir therefore moped in the castle for two days, while Bobby discreetly went back near the forest, where he could contact Michael (Lucifer and Gabriel were distracting Sam). The two of them agreed, the two lovebirds had to confess their love, before Dean's 21st birthday, so as not to complicate things with a fiancée. And if it was impossible, they'd try jealousy.
On the third day, Lucifer and Gabriel were at the other side of the forest, gathering wood and cursing their brother behind his back. Especially Gabriel actually (yes I love him. Yes I love making him bitch at his brothers, it really suits him).
"Michael really didn't have another idea ?" Gabriel grumbled.
"Time is short."
"I told you we should have acted sooner, sneaked into the castle to kidnap the prince !"
"...A most interesting idea, but quite risky."
"Since when do you care about the risks ?"
"Since I've learnt not to get caught, for example ?"
"Go to Hell, Lucifer." (Sorry, I had to.)
The latter had the decency to take an offended look, although he was actually amused.
So the two brothers went on with setting the forest on fire.
"A fire ?"
"Don't worry, Lucifer and Gabriel are just trying to distract Crowley."
"Oh, OK. Sam..."
"If you say one more time we have to find a solution, I just leave you here."
"Alright."
Dean looked at his brother, who was quite tensed. He couldn't imagine what it had been to live here, with the two walking catastrophes more or less handled by Michael, a demon, an army of cursed Swans and a blank-faced Swan. Sam had grown more mature and hard. All his innocence had been shattered to pieces after the curse. And Dean would eternally blame himslf for that. On the other hand...
Despite his brother's tension, he also gave off a sort of calm strength. As though he could face everything because he had decided not to be ruled by his goddamned destiny anymore. One could see this strength in his everchanging eyes, so beautiful. And even if Sam was gigantic, a real titan, it wasn't frightening or intimidating. On the contrary, Dean found that comforting and... adorable. He shook his head as the loony idea (t/n : the author wanted me to use this word).
Sam was also quiet, not knowing what to say, thinking about the man his brother had become, so close to him and so far at the same time. For if Sam had obviously changed, Dean had too. All his happiness appeared to have vanished. Oh, he could still smile, but... he also seemed to keep a great suffering, and to refuse to talk about it. And though his eyes were lighting up when he looked at his brother, they were sad the rest of the time. As though he could only wither when he was far from Sam. After all, what were a mare-turned-unicorn, cheeseburgers, pies and one-night stands worth compared to his brother ?
Sam wanted to take his brother in his arms, but refrained. Not that it'd bother im, but... well, he wasn't really sure the warmth he felt when he hugged his brother was quite normal when... well when one hugged their brother. Nevertheless, he wanted to try, to understand what exactly this warmth was. But it would most likely only unsettle them more.
So they spent a long time together, quiet, watching the smoke rise in the sky while drinking a beer (check ! I hadn't put that in the story yet !). They ended up falling asleep snuggled against each other (because it was cold ; at least it was their excuse).
They woke up during the last minutes before dawn. They stared into each other's eyes, and each could see the interrogations of the other.
No word broke the silence, and the sun caressed Sam's hair, making Dean want to do the same, who found himself staring at a White Swan.
The latter pushed his head against his brother's, then majestically flew away. Dean left and didn't see the Black Swan who left shortly after.
The Black Swan didn't stop at the lake like the others, but kept on flying until he reached the very heart of the forest, where an elegant mansion was built (yes, yes, it's anachronical, but you've seen worse). The Swan entered the mansion through a window and landed next to Crowley.
"So ?"
The Swan stared at him with his bright blue eyes.
"Oh right, you're annoying !"
He waved his hand and Castiel regained his human appearance.
"They slept in each other's arms. I'd say they are realising they are in love."
"Argh ! I knew I should have ignored the two other morons. The forest can regrow, not a cursed Swan farm ! If Michael becomes human again, I'll lose all power over this place !"
"We need to prevent them from being together."
"Exactly ! I hope they will remember they're brothers. Hum... In any case, Dean has to declare his love in front of several persons, so at that bloody ball. We have to stack the odds in our favor. Castiel ! Tonight you take care of Michael and his brothers. There is no way they're trying to burn my beautiful forest again. And make sure Dean and Sam can see each other, I want to know exactly what they're up to."
"Won't Michael suspect something if I follow him but you're not there ?"
"Hum. Well, I'm leaving the forest."
"But... why ?"
"Shut up and obey. You'll keep watch on Michael. I have business in another forest, a sorcerer has summoned me."
"Really ?"
"Yes ! The great sorcerer Moriarty ! Shut up now and obey."
Castiel squinted and nodded. Crowley turned him back into a Black Swan.
Castiel landed next to the other Swans, who looked at him like the intruder he was. Lucifer approached him with his head tilted. Altough the Swans could not speak during the day, they could communicate more or less effectively. I here propose you a royalty free translation (thank my french teacher for the phrase) :
"Oh ! The Black Swan deigns to join us !"
"Crowley went to meet with another sorcerer."
"So you're here because you're afraid to be alone ?"
"Maybe."
"Poor Castiel ! That's your fault, because you're a henchman and we aren't, nya nya nya."
Stop, stop ! What the hell is this translation ?! Fire the intern ! You don't use Translate Google for Swan language ! So, where were we ? Argh, they're done talking. So.
The Swans fussed for a moment, but finally accepted Castiel amongst them. Although the henchman was criticized for his obedience to Crowley, they hadn't forgotten he had done it for them, so they made an effort to accept him when Crowley wasn't around.
"Pathetic" Crowley said.
Yes. He's a sorcerer. Yes, he can make himself invisible.
When the evening came, Castiel stayed with Michael Inc., whereas Sam slipped out to meet up with Dean. Lucifer had suggested following them discreetly, but Gabriel had retorted that it was impossible for them to be discreet. They ended up deciding to go wreak havoc in case Crowley came back. Castiel went with them.
Such naivety. The sorcerer Moriarty could very well cope with his enemy the sorcerer Sherlock, and Crowley was of course watching our two lovebirds (I know you suspected that ; I just wanted to fit these names in the story ; so, yeah, getting on with it !)
So Dean was there at the sunset, and his brother soon joined him. Both had spent the day thinking about the other, and their funny feelings when they were together ; the desire to stay with the other, to take him in their arms and never let go.
But there were these two problems. The first, barely negligible, was their brotherhood. Which in any modern society implied that they could be close, but certainly not spend their time longing for the other's arms around them, for the pleasant warmth this gesture caused in them. And there was this goddamned ball, where Dean was supposed to choose a bride. Yet he didn't want to. Tie himself to a single person until his death didn't appeal to him at all. Unless it were his brother.
This thought had slipped in his mind and had nestled there, refusing to get out. He didn't just want to hug his brother anymore, but indeed to kiss him. And that was disturbing. To try and keep his mental stability, he pushed the idea away, not easily. But like the sea on the shore, it kept on coming back, always gaining more ground.
This wave also worked in Sam's mind. But it was fighting jealousy. Indeed, if for the heir choosing a bride was out of the question, Sam was more realistic about the matter. If their father hadn't changed since he was a kid, he wouldn't tolerate Dean remaining unmarried. And this idea easily fought back the wave of feelings that was assaulting the fortress he was trying to build around his heart.
"Hey ! So, how are the ball's preparations going ?"
"Don't talk about this, I had fittings for clothes ! Me !"
Sam laughed.
"Alright, we won't talk about that. So what are we talking about ?"
"About..."
"If you're suggesting finding a way to break the curse, I'm leaving."
"Erm... Alright. As you wish. Baby ! Come here !"
The unicorn came to them, and Dean took his satchel to share the beers, cheeseburgers and pies he had brought.
"You're a nice girl" Dean said, petting his mare.
Since he couldn't take his brother in his arms and tell him about his strange feelings, he was taking care of Impala to try and forget.
The two brothers ate quietly, not knowing what to say, what to do. Then, after a moment, the younger spoke, pretending to look cheerful.
" So, have you found the one you'll propose to tomorrow ?"
"No. No idea. I won't propose to any girl, I don't want that."
"But... Father is going to make you, isn't he ?"
"Doesn't mean I have to help him."
"And you really don't have anyone in mind ?"
"No."
Sam stared at his brother.
"Really ?"
"Really. Want some pie ?"
"Dean."
"What ?"
"Who is it ?"
He couldn't keep his jealousy out of his voice, and this time the heir heard it.
"You're jealous ? You know no one will ever be more important to me than you."
"I know. But I also know that you're the heir to the throne. And that you must have a queen."
"No."
"Sorry ?"
"I won't have one, and that's it. Why chain myself to a single person ?"
They remained silent. No one knew what to say, how to react. The wave became a monster, a wendigo devouring their insides, urging them to snuggle in each other's arms. But as they were preparing to spend another night doing nothing but hopelessly fight against that monster, Bobby arrived, a true saviour. Yes, yes, wait for what's next !
"So that's were you were hiding since the sunset ?"
"Uh... Yes. Apparently. Pie ?" Sam offered.
"It's my pie !"
"I'm not suicidal. No, but thanks for offering, Sam."
"Suicidal ?"
"Dean can't stand it when people eat "his" pie."
"He always offers me some."
"That's a true declaration of love from him."
"Bobby !"
"Tell me that's not true, Dean."
The latter muttered to himself as he finished his pie.
"Are you coming to the ball tomorrow, Sam ? Night will fall early, it shoud be possible." (t/n : I know, it's summer so really illogical, but we can just pretend the sun will set sooner because it wants Wincest to come true)
"I... I hadn't thought about it."
"Come !" his brother replied, staring right into his eyes. "Don't leave me alone with a hord of hens wearing petticoats, giggling and fighting over my heart."
Sam and Bobby burst out laughing.
"They can't be that bad."
"You don't know them."
"Come on, Dean, like the idea of a crowd of women trying to woo you was bothering you."
"Usually I'm the one wooing them, not the opposite."
"Sorry ?"
Bobby held back a smile upon seeing Sam's face. So Dean hadn't said he was quite the womanizer. Actually, jealousy was working. Just a bit more, and the hunter would leave, so as to give them more intimacy. Michael had started to convince him, but seeing them like this made him completely accept it ; Sam and Dean were made for each other, and anyone who refused to see it was blind.
"Well, yeah... I have... uh... a bit of success with girls."
"A bit ? A lot, I'd say !"
"Bobby !"
"No, I'd like to know !"
"There isn't anything to say about it ! Go back to the castle, Bobby ! I'll convince Sam to come tomorrow."
"Alright, alright."
The hunter left, leaving the two brothers alone. Sam was eaten up by jealousy, but he was trying not to let it show. He knew, he knew his brother had to be with somebody else than him. So he forced a smile on his face.
"You have success."
"Yeah well ! I had to pass the time, while you were a Swan."
"That's not my fault."
Sam's dry voice brought Dean back to reality.
"I... I know."
Dean remained quiet for a moment before speaking again.
"I think I should go."
"Why ?"
"We're not going to spend the night not knowing what to say. Besides... besides... Crowley could be around."
"He's elsewhere, according to Castiel."
"You trust him ?"
"Don't judge him too fast. He did that for us."
"Yeah, I heard that."
"All this to say, you can stay."
"Not reasonable."
"You're not reasonable. What is it ?"
"Nothing !"
Dean gathered his stuff and called Impala. Sam stayed frozen for a moment, not knowing what to do, and a choice presented itself. Letting his brother go, accepting that he would be with someone else, or hold him back and express his feelings.
And just before the heir mounted his mare, the younger made his decision. He took his brother in his arms from behind.
"Stay, please."
"Why ?"
"Because I need you. Because I don't want to live without you anymore. Because..."
Sam hesitated for a moment.
"Because I love you."
He kept quiet, waiting for Dean to react, who froze for a moment.
"I..."
The younger pulled away from him and put a step between them.
"I know you won't be able to answer. So, either you stay or you go."
The heir didn't move for a moment. What should he say ? What should he do ? His heart was shouting at him to kiss Sam, but was it reasonable ? Wasn't he supposed to put some distance between them after this declaration ?
This idea shook him and revulsed him. So he turned around, tooked his brother in his arms and kissed him. To exorcise the idea forever. He couldn't live without Sam, he knew very well the state in which he was during the seven years of Sam's disappearance.
Past the first moment of surprise, Sam kissed him back, and in this gesture, they put all the love they felt for each other. Each belonged to the other, and only the other.
Further, behind a bush, Crowley was being his usual voyeur self.
"... Right. Plan B."