Happy New Year! :)
The Winchester family owed an elegant, white, four story Victorian mansion with a classic double-fronted stucco façade in Mayfair. The stylish area was located to the east of Hyde Park. Dean arrived about half an hour before sunrise. He banged on the door non-stop until a walrus looking butler opened the front door. The balding gentleman rubbed his sleepy eyes and scowled at the rude and inconsiderate intruder. Once he realized the master of the manor stood on the threshold, Franklin stood ramrod straight and apologized for taking so long in answering the door.
"Master Winchester, what brings you to Mayfair?" Franklin grabbed Dean's leather suitcase.
"Family emergency, Frankie!" Dean jogged up the wood steps of the stairs which were covered by a luxurious crimson carpet. "I need to bathe before I head out!" Franklin carried the suitcase behind the young master.
Dean slid off a wool jacket and plopped his ass on a cherry wood canopied bed. He tugged a pair of comfortable Hessian boots. "This chamber needs to be aired out and the bed linens changed." Franklin swiftly opened the French doors.
"Sorry for showing up out of the blue but it's a matter of life and death." Dean continued undressing while the butler called for a footman to prepare a bath for the master and for a maid to cook breakfast. The frazzled young maid adjusted her mobcap and scurried to do her bidding. She blushed ferociously upon getting a peak at the young master's seminude state.
Dean turned to Franklin. "I need comfortable riding clothes. Have no idea how long I'll be searching for Cas." His heart accelerated as it usually did when Dean thought about Castiel. Turned out he really turned out to be his gypsy prince. He waited for Franklin and a footman to ready a hot bath. Dean thanked the men and motioned for the two to leave and close the door.
Dean entered an elegant marble washing room and strolled to a large Roman tub. He shrugged off fawn colored trousers and slinked slowly into the hot water filled tub. Steam rose and Dean inhaled sandalwood scent. A thick soap cake sat on a porcelain dish. Dean dunked the soap in the water and lathered his sore body with it. He closed his eyes. After breakfast, he would have stable hand prep a horse for him. Dean planned on visiting every inn and tavern in London. Cas and Balthazar had to be in the city. First thing Dean did as soon as he arrived in London was to find the schedule for the next ship with destination to Novakia. It was bound to set sail in two days.
Dean closed his eyes. He barely slept during the sea voyage. Now that he knew Cas' true identity his dreams for the future deflated like a popped balloon. Dean dunked his entire form under the water. Castiel turned 21 within months and would finally be king. Dean wanted to help him remove Michael from the throne at whatever cost. The viper needed to pay for all his wrongdoing. Then Dean will return to the States. He could never fall in love ever again. His heart and soul belonged to the angel, who brought him out of the dark.
Dean sat up, breathing hard and wiping water from his face. He swallowed hard just thinking that he'd never see Castiel again once he departed from Novakia. Sleep evaded Dean during his impromptu sea voyage. He became accustomed to sleeping with his gypsy prince in his arms. The ship bunk was too cold. Dean immensely missed the heat Cas emitted in slumber. The idea of living on his own in the estate's abandoned wing appealed to him. Dean fingered his scar. He shook his wet hair like a wild dog. No, his brothers needed him and he would never again isolate himself from his family.
Dean dressed without the assistance of any servant. He donned a tight pair of fawn colored riding breeches, tall riding boots, a cream colored lawn shirt with a plain cravat and wool jacket. He scarfed down poached eggs, kippers, fried tomatoes and drowned them with tea for breakfast. Dean hated the stuff but the Brits were averse to coffee.
As soon as Dean vacated the mansion, a stable hand held the reins of a majestic white horse at the front iron gate. Dean shrugged a fisherman cap over his tawny hair. He nodded at the stable hand before expertly ascending the horse. He missed his Baby like crazy. She was a black thoroughbred beauty. Dean gently tugged the reins and maneuvered the horse out of the gate which a footman held open.
Dean spent the entire day searching for Cas and Balthazar all over London. He visited several inns and boarding houses, as well as taverns with no luck. His backside began to ache when the sun went down. Light rain drizzled over London. What a shocker! Dean loathed England's constant gloomy weather. The horse cantered at a slow gallop on cobbled streets for three more hours. Tired man and beast arrived outside a tavern named the Cock & Bear. It appeared rustic on the outside. At this late hour hardly any patrons roamed outside.
Dean tied the horse's reins to a post. A bawdy song could be heard from the inside. Dean craved a pint of ale. He made his way inside and Dean froze. Castiel sang and swayed his hips from side to side on the bar counter. The prince was obviously intoxicated. Balthazar stood singing by the bar where his cousin performed for the few patrons.
Dean's eyes landed on a man his size but with a very handsome face. The song came to an end. Cas spun on shaky legs and landed in the stranger's arms. He giggled and stared at the Viking. Dean's blood boiled like molten lava. A growl erupted from his throat. All eyes were on him. Dean's nostrils flared. Castiel remained oblivious while he held on to the blond man's shoulders.
"Uhm Cassie," Balthazar said. Cas finally turned his head and his exotic baby blues landed on him.
Dean crossed his arms and breathed hard. "I crossed the Atlantic Ocean to come to your rescue but obviously you already found a hero."His traitorous eyes locked on the Viking, who remained holding his gypsy prince. Who was he kidding? Dean already lost Cas. He fingered his scar before fleeing the tavern.
Castiel blinked a couple of times. "Let me down!" His heart hammered against his ribcage. His gentle lion was here? Alex released him gently. Cas had trouble walking. Balthy held him but the prince shoved him away.
"Dean!" Castiel found his lover untying the reins of a white horse.
The Winchester ignored the royal. "Wait!" Cas held on to a post. Everything spun around him.
"I was an idiot to come after you, your highness." Dean's manner of speaking was harsh. Castiel flinched.
"Charlie told you the truth."
"Someone had to. You are a stinking coward, Cas, leaving the way you did." Dean swallowed hard. "I thought I meant something to you…guess I was wrong."
Dean ascended the stallion. He pulled the reins and the horse began to gallop away. The rain intensified. Castiel couldn't bear to see Dean ride away from his life forever. Not now when Alex's and Gadreel's relationship gave him hope. He tried running but did not get too far. His coordination flew out the window. The prince fell face first into a puddle.
Dean turned his head and seeing a fallen Castiel broke his already battered heart. He rolled his eyes and rode towards the prince. He jumped from the horse and carried Cas bridal style to the stallion. Dean arranged for the prince to sit in front of him. His long and muscular arms wrapped securely around Cas' torso. Dean closed his eyes and inhaled the man's wintergreen scent. How he missed it! Castiel snuggled backwards. He missed his gentle lion's warmth and touch.
Neither man spoke during the hour ride to Mayfair. Dean rode into the stable. He carried Cas to a bale of hale while he unsaddled the stallion and led the tired animal inside a cozy stall. Dean gently patted the horse's rump and fed it an apple before returning to Cas. The royal dozed off. Dean gently caressed his jaw with a callused thumb. Castiel seemed younger in sleep. His thick ebony lashes brushed against olive skin. His plump lips were slightly parted. He resembled a fallen angel. Dean carried him with ease inside the manor. Franklin cleared his throat but decided to remain silent. The first lesson in butler school is to be discreet with the comings and goings of the master's house.
"Bring us tea," Dean ordered.
"Right away, sir"
Dean laid Cas gingerly on his bed. He removed his clothing and wore a velvet robe. Dean sat on the side of the bed. A feeling of déjà vu assailed him. Someone clearing their throat caused Dean to stand. Franklin handed a tray to the master. "I thought the young man needed a cleansing."
Dean thanked the butler, who left the chamber. He rested the tray on a writing desk. Dean grabbed the warm wet cloths and returned to the bed. He gently wiped dirt from his lover's face and hands. Dean kissed each finger after he cleaned them. "We need to stop meeting like this, sweetheart."
The Winchester remembered finding his gypsy prince unconscious under the deluge of a snowstorm. Now they reunite during a rainstorm. The wind howled outside and the heavy rain pelted against the terrace windows. Dean feared Cas would come down with pneumonia if he remained wearing wet clothes.
He was in the middle of undressing him when Franklin reappeared with a tray of tea and sliced lemons. "I took the liberty of adding honey to the black tea. It performs medicinal miracles." The butler squeezed a lemon slice to sprinkle a few drops in each cup. His eyes evaded the bed. "Is that at all, Mr. Winchester?"
Dean nodded and bade Franklin good night. He returned to undressing Cas. The young man stirred. "Dean," he whispered. "I need you," Castiel's hands felt the empty side of the bed. Dean knew exactly how the prince felt. So he missed him in bed, too. Dean wanted nothing more than to be mad at Castiel for leaving the way he did, but the love he felt for the young man consumed him from head to toe.
Dean sat adjacent to Castiel in the massive bed. He settled the prince in a sitting position on his lap. Dean brought a porcelain teacup to Cas' lips. "Sweetheart, I need you to drink this." Castiel dug his derriere against Dean's lower regions. This boy was going to be the death of him.
He shook Cas' shoulders. "Wake up, sleeping beauty." His eyes moved under closed eyelids. "Castiel!"
The royal opened blood shot eyes slowly. He became grateful for the room not spinning. Castiel licked his dry lips. His mouth tasted like an old wet rag. The chamber was large but not too opulent; decorated in hunter green. A painting of a hunting party hung above a marble fireplace. French doors led to a terrace.
"Here drink this," Dean said.
Castiel obeyed. He sank deeper into his gentle lion's embrace. Cas rubbed his face against Dean's chest. The robe was open at the top. "I missed you," Castiel mouthed against the warm and smooth skin. "Please forgive me for my cowardly ways."
Dean left Castiel alone on the bed. The prince shivered already missing his lover's heat. Dean hated using words to express how he truly felt. He clenched his fists and stared at the flickering flames of the fireplace. "You hurt me and my family. Were those proclamations of love lies?"
"No, I lied about who I truly am, but telling you I love you was meant with my entire being."
Dean heard Castiel's feet padding on the Aubusson carpet. Cas debated whether to touch his gentle lion. Dean Winchester was his weakness. He placed a hand over one of Dean's shoulders. Castiel crept closer until his other hand slid across the taller man's torso. Cas kissed the back of Dean's neck. "Please believe when I say I love you more than life itself. You mean the world to me. That is why I left. I wished to keep you and your family safe." His hold on Dean intensified. The Winchester bit his lower lip and hung his head low.
"Dean, I can't lose you, also. I won't survive it." Castiel rested his face against Dean's upper back.
"Cas," Dean whispered in a cracked voice.
"Please," Castiel peppered kisses on Dean's neck and shoulders. "Forgive me, Dean."
Dean turned and took Cas in his arms. He kissed the top of the other man's head. "We can never be, Prince Castiel of Novakia."
Castiel shook his head and clung tighter to his gentle lion. "I'll help you defeat your monster of a brother, and once you ascend the throne, will be on my way."
"No, I refuse to let you go."
"Blue blood flows through your veins. My clumsy callused hands aren't fit to even touch you." Dean removed his arms from around Cas' form and walked to the other side of the chamber. He scratched his scar and gazed out the French doors.
"I love you and will abdicate the damn throne if it means I can be with you." Castiel joined Dean.
"You're talking nonsense, Cas!" Dean smashed the tea tray to the floor. "Novakia needs an heir to the throne once you become king and last time I checked, I can't give you one. Let's not even broach the topic of us being men." He punched the wall, creating a whole in the wallpaper.
"Dean, there is a solution to our problem." Castiel cupped Dean's face. He checked his lover's knuckles and felt relief upon seeing they did not bleed.
"We are screwed."
"Please join me in bed and I promise to share my plans with you first thing in the morning. My head aches and all I wish is to finally be able to sleep with you at my side." Castiel lay on the center of the bed.
Dean dared not to hope there was a way for him and his gypsy prince to remain together for the rest of their lives. Cas gave him the adorable gummy smile that made his insides turn to mush. "We'll always be together, my love." Castiel beckoned him to bed. Dean turned off a whale oil lamp and disrobed. Cas removed the few articles of clothing he still donned.
Dean rested his tense body next to the prince. Half of Cas' body covered Dean's. The prince reveled in listening to his lover's heartbeat. It was a sound that lulled him to sleep. Dean kissed the top of Cas' head before engulfing him in his arms. For the first time since Castiel left Kansas, the two men finally found sound slumber.
Sun rays peeking through the curtains of the French doors woke both men. Dean yawned and stretched his arms. Castiel gazed at his lion and licked his lips in appreciation. He ran from the bed into the washing room. Dean furrowed his brow. Cas soon returned. "Rinsed my mouth"
He returned to the warm bed. He kissed and nibbled on Dean's jaw. Dean was immobile. This quickly got a rise from the prince. His hands roamed down his lover's muscular and freckled torso. He found what he wanted. Still Dean made no move.
Castiel clenched his jaw. He straddled Dean and ground his growing erection against the taller man. His nostrils flared at receiving no reaction. Cas' mouth was an inch away from Dean's lips. The Winchester grabbed his chin.
"Who was that man holding you last night?" Green locked on blue.
Castiel licked his lips. "Alex Northman, Prince of Skarsgardia and old school chum."
"Sounds pompous and arrogant," Dean said through clenched teeth.
"Are you jealous?" Castiel rubbed his nose against Dean's. "I love and desire only you."
"Still don't like the Viking!" Dean's eyes darkened. Cas was his and no one else's.
"That Viking presented me with the solution for us to stay together."
Dean looked at Cas. "Well don't keep me in suspense."
Castiel shared with his lover about the prince's romance with his head of security. "So I intend to make you my private secretary…in name only of course. No one can comment on why you are always at my side."
Dean resembled a fish out of water with how long his mouth remained open. "But, what about?" Castiel covered his lips with a forefinger.
"Balthazar shares my bloodline. Sooner or later Balthy shall marry and have children. His son will become my heir." Castiel kissed Dean on the lips. This time Dean responded. The lovers kissed ardently.
"This sounds too good to be true." Dean kissed and nibbled one of the prince's earlobes. Goose flesh spread across the younger man's skin.
"Have faith, Dean. Our love is strong and will overcome any obstacles."
"I love you, my gypsy prince." Dean traced the corners of Castiel's exotic eyes.
Dean left the bed for a moment. He returned with a familiar looking container that held the ointment Lisa procured for them. He lay on the center of the bed and watched Castiel prep himself with the cream. The younger man straddled his lion and sensuously began to ride him. The two men couldn't get enough of their skin making contact. Dean playfully slapped Cas' hard buttocks twice for being a naughty boy.
They shared long open mouth kisses while Dean felt at home inside his love. Their lovemaking was slow since the lovers shared a new hope for their future. Dean came first, spreading his seed within Castiel and the prince soon after. Later that afternoon the couple would meet with Balthy, Alex and Gadreel to start devising plans to overthrow Michael. For now they savored being together again and their love stronger than ever.
Thanks for reading!