Friday, early evening

"How is Claire feeling?" Dean asked, looking over to Castiel as the two set up the area outside Dean's RV.

"Mom said she's been fine," Castiel said as he unfolded a canvas chair. "It seems she went through the worst of it with me at 2AM Thursday morning. But after she puked a couple times and sipped a glass of mint and honey tea, she fell asleep next to me on the couch. Mom said Claire didn't have a repeat Thursday night, so whatever bug she had, Claire seems to have recovered now."

Dean smiled as he poured charcoal into the grill. As much as he had been looking forward to getting to know Claire better over the weekend, there was a part of him happy to have Castiel for himself in the evenings again. Well, a couple parts were happy. He headed into the RV for a folding table and when he came out, Castiel was sitting back in a chair, eyes closed. Dean opened the table near the grill and then walked over to his… boyfriend? Lover?

He walked behind Castiel, leaned down, kissed Castiel's forehead and then began kneading his shoulders and the nape of his neck. Castiel sighed deeply. "Babe, as wonderful as this feels, if you don't stop, I'm going to fall asleep," Castiel murmured.

"Hey, bitches!" a cheery voice called out. Charlie walked into the semicircle of chairs, setting a canvas bag onto the table. She hugged Dean. "Hello, handmaiden."

"Your Majesty," Dean replied, kissing the top of the red head.

Charlie stepped out of Dean's envelope and waved to Castiel. "Good to see you, Castiel. You look like you were dangled over a Sarlacc pit for a few hours."

"Was up with a pukey Claire at stupid-early o'clock Thursday morning," Castiel said, eyes still closed. "Then made sure everything was ready for the weekend, and then drove for 7 hours."

"Aww, poor Cassie," a voice called out. Gabriel, Meg, and Ash came closer, setting their own bags on the table. Hugs and kisses went around, except for Castiel, who didn't move but to wave a hand in a general direction. "Deano, my man! I've got some bratwurst for the grill tonight, including some with cubes of cheddar in them, some with buffalo mozzarella, and some with Stilton in them for those of us who like stinky cheese."

Everyone but Ash made a face at that announcement. Dean spread the charcoal on the grill and lit it. He went into the RV to wash his hands and when he came out, he had a variety six-pack of bottled beer. Ash opened his cooler and removed a couple bottles of mead. Friday night at the faire began.

Several hours later, the coals were mostly gray ash, the brats were a greasy smear on paper plates, and there were significantly more empty bottles of beer than full.

"Hey, Gabe, Castiel," Charlie said, leaning forward in her chair, "how do you guys decide who goes up against who in the joust, and who gets knocked off their horse?"

"Well, now you're asking for trade secrets, Red," Gabriel answered with a laugh. "Actually, we have colored stones to decide who rides against who, and then we do an old-fashioned round of rock, paper, scissors to figure out who goes ass over teakettle off the horse."

"We had to switch to a randomized system because of Lucien," Castiel interjected. "He'd decided his persona was too good to lose. We thought otherwise."

"And how do you get those awesome explosions of wood?" Ash asked. "I know there's some trick to it, because the squires are always trading out a lance right before the pass when it happens."

"Pasta," both Shurley brothers said in unison. And then they both burst out laughing at Dean, Ash, and Charlie's expressions.

"The top yard of the lance is a thin shell of balsa wood that's partially filled with dried spaghetti and linguine," Gabriel explained. "Balsa breaks easily, and the pasta goes flying, looking like splinters of wood."

"No fucking way," Ash started giggling and then doubled over laughing hysterically.

Charlie was chuckling as she stood, grabbing Ash's hand and pulling him up to stand. She offered a hand to Meg, who took it with a smile as she stood. Gabriel took the hint and stood as well.

"We've all got busy days ahead of us, I think sleep is a good idea," Charlie said. She smiled at Dean and Castiel. "Good night, guys."

The group trooped towards their own tents and Dean and Castiel cleaned up from dinner, making sure all the coals were doused before heading into the RV. Before Dean had a chance to step up to the sink to get the few dishes done, Castiel pulled him close and kissed him slowly, one hand resting at the back of Dean's head as he deepened the kiss, the other hand skating along Dean's jawline. Dean set his hands at Castiel's waist and he slid his tongue along Castiel's lips, who obliged and parted his own lips and sucked Dean's tongue into his mouth.

Dean reluctantly stepped back after a minute. "I need to get those damn dishes done, and it'll go much faster if you're not trying to distract me."

Castiel smiled softly and headed toward the bedroom. "Understood, chéri. I'll leave you to it."

It took Dean only ten minutes to get the dishes washed, and he shut the light in the main area of the RV. When he stepped into his bedroom, it was to find Castiel in his bed, stripped to a pair of purple boxer briefs, lying on his back, one hand under his head, partially covered by the blanket… sound asleep. Dean smiled softly, changed into a pair of shorts and slid into bed, reaching over to shut the light. He lay on his side, backed up against Castiel, who rolled onto his own side to spoon Dean, pushed his knee between Dean's legs, and wrapped an arm around Dean's waist. Dean closed his eyes and sighed happily.


Saturday, early morning

There was a delicious solidness against Dean's entire back, and as he woke, he smiled and gave a small wriggle of his backside. He was greeted with a groan and then a nose and lips and goatee nuzzling at the nape of his neck. He sighed and arched his back, ass pressing against a growing hardness.

"Dean," a low voice rumbled that made Dean's cock twitch and take notice.

"Yes, elskan?"

"Get me the lube from the nightstand," Castiel said as he pulled the elastic waistband of Dean's shorts down. Dean leaned over and grabbed the bottle of lube from the nearby drawer and handed it back to Castiel. He heard the cap snap open and he slid his top leg further up in anticipation after shucking off the shorts.

Dean moaned softly in pleasure and hissed at the touch of a cold lube-covered finger, but he tilted his pelvis to give Castiel even more access. Castiel took advantage and slid a second finger into Dean, stretching him carefully.

"Gods, Cas, is this going to be another slow fuck?"

"Do you want it to be?"

"No," Dean answered, grinding his ass against Castiel's hand.

"Good," Castiel slid his fingers out and kissed Dean's shoulder. "Can you reach a condom from the nightstand?"

Dean snagged a condom from the nightstand drawer, opened the package, and handed the condom back to Castiel. Seconds later he groaned in pleasure, feeling Castiel's cock fill him. "You feel so fucking good."

"So do you, mon chérie," Castiel murmured as he began to rock into Dean, hand on Dean's hip for leverage.

Dean quickly realized that this time he was in a better position to control the tempo, and he took full advantage. He ground against Castiel and rode his cock, increasing the pace as both men neared their release.

"Dean…" Castiel growled and his chest rumbled against Dean's back when he came and Dean came soon after, body shuddering. The two men lay close as they came down from their orgasm.

All in all, there were worse ways to start one's day.


Saturday morning

Castiel tugged the saddle girth on Ladyhawke one final time and glanced over at the queen as she made her way over to her ride, deep in conversation with Lucien.

"Planning on giving that smith a difficult time again, Lucien?" she asked.

Lucien smirked and shrugged. "Maybe. Probably."

"Why do you give him such a hard time?"

"Because I can, Ruby. And it annoys the hell out of my brother," Lucien said as the two came up to Castiel and Ladyhawke. "Right, baby bro?"

"It doesn't affect me one way or another," Castiel said, shaking his head. "Plus, Dean can handle himself."

Gadreel came out of the paddock, leading Gaston, Alfie had Scheherazade's lead in one hand and a stepstool in the other hand, Oren came out with Navarre, and Hannah was leading Isabeau. Zachariah, Uriel, and Joshua were each leading two horses for the rest of the progress participants. Gabriel and Michael came out of the costume tent, buttoning up their doublets.

Lucien took the stool from Alfie and set it by Scheherazade, and then helped Ruby mount the Arabian side saddle while Alfie held the horse's bridle. Ruby adjusted her skirts and sleeves and waited as the other participants mounted their own horses. Balthazar and a couple other Horde members led the way to the starting point, while the mounted members ambled along. Once assembled at the front gate, at 10:30 on the dot, the drummers began drumming and Queen's Progress began.

The progress made its way around, pausing at a few stalls to engage the owners, pausing to interact with some of the acts featured at the faire, and as it went along, members would give a regal wave and nod to faire guests. Gabriel and Castiel quietly discussed the different bratwurst from the night before and what type of sausage had been their favorite overall this summer, and Lucien and Ruby managed to flirt with each other even as they waved and nodded to guests.

Before long, the progress made its way to the smithy, and Dean stepped out of his stall.

"Your Majesty," Dean said with a bow. "You do us a great honor with your visit."

"Smith," Ruby said, looking down at Dean. "And how is business today?"

"We do a brisk business, Your Majesty."

"Selling baubles and trinkets," Lucien interrupted.

"Actually, we seem to have a run on knives today, my lord," Dean said, turning to Lucien. "As a matter of fact…"

Dean reached into his kilt and removed a leather sheath with something bone-handled secured into it. Lucien scowled. "You come armed before your queen?" he yelled.

"You are armed as well, my lord," Dean said matter-of-factly.

"I am a knight of the realm, you are but a mere laborer. Besides, a knife as a gift to your queen?" Lucien sneered. Dean straightened and rolled his shoulders.

"Actually, I was going to present it to you," Dean said, and then walked over to Ruby's right hand side and offered the knife and sheath to Michael. "But I think Lord Michael will appreciate it more."

Gabriel laughed as did several guests who were watching the exchange. Lucien bristled and Navarre siddled to the side.

"You play a dangerous game, smith," Ruby cautioned. Dean simply shrugged and bowed, then stepped to the side, signaling the progress could get on its way again. He winked up at Castiel as he plodded by. Castiel simply gave a slight shake of his head.

Dean made his way back to his stall, and sold three Bowie knives and two kid coifs.


Castiel sighed, looking down the length of the list. It would figure he'd joust against Lucien at the first bout, and it would figure he'd be the one going off the horse. He reached down for his lance, adjusting the hold and made sure his shield was secure in his other hand. The squires backed away and Ladyhawke pranced in anticipation. Balthazar called the riders to ready, the flag dipped, and the horses launched into action. Lucien's lance caught Castiel's shield square on and Castiel swayed in the saddle, but didn't fall. Guests cheered, the horses turned, and they were off again. Lances swung down, Castiel kicked off the stirrups, and when Lucien's lance hit, Castiel went flying off Ladyhawke and landed in the dirt with a thunk on his stomach. As he slowly stood and remembered how to breathe, he could hear yelling and as he turned, he could see Lucien bearing down on him on over 1,200 pounds of solidly muscled horse. He dove to the side, under the log divider of the list, but smashed his right shoulder against the wood with a loud crack just as Lucien and Navarre thundered by.

The crowd cheered and Lucien wheeled Navarre around for another charge, while Castiel writhed on the ground, clutching his right shoulder. Alfie and Oren ran out, waving their hands at Navarre as he closed in on Castiel, and Navarre came to a sudden stop, rearing up on his hind legs, forelegs pawing the air. The two squires got a hold of Navarre's bridle and led him and Lucien off the field while Balthazar and Rafael ran over to Castiel.

Both men knelt by Castiel and Rafael gently took Castiel's helm off. Castiel was grimacing in pain and muttering curses aimed at his brother. Balthazar glanced around. The whole exchange wasn't part of the show, but the audience didn't know this.

"We've got to get you standing, Castiel," Balthazar said softly. "You're going to have to wave and smile at the guests, and then Rafa can see to your shoulder."

Castiel muttered a very unchivalrous invective and he held his left hand out. "Help me up then," he growled.

Balthazar grabbed Castiel's extended hand and Rafael pushed from the back, and finally Castiel was back on his feet. The crowd cheered, he gave a grimacing smile, waved his left hand as his right arm hung at his side, and the three left the tourney field and headed for the medical tent. Anna was waiting for them and she helped Castiel out of his armor.

"Can you lift your arm so I can get the hauberk off you, Castiel?" Anna asked, with a worried look on her face.

Castiel began to raise his arm, but stopped and dropped his arm with a yell of pain. "Maybe we can take the other side off first, and then the right sleeve last?" he asked hopefully. But the hauberk wasn't loose enough to allow for that.

"I'll go send Alfie to fetch Dean, he should have cutters in his gear, right?" Balthazar asked. Castiel was in too much pain to argue, he simply nodded and Balthazar ran out of the tent to send Alfie on his mission. The weight of the chainmail was compounding the pain from his injury, Castiel squinted at Rafael.

"Can I at least lie down until I can be cut out of this, Rafa?"

Rafael nodded and he and Anna helped Castiel lie back on the cot. Then they waited for Dean to arrive with cutters.


Note: This chapter took a bit of a different direction than I originally planned. But I think it's going in a pretty good direction! Let me know what you think! Leave a comment, leave some love!