Chapter 12

They had dessert in the garden; fresh fruit and apple pie. Pie was something the king had not tasted before - his parents had not favoured pastries much, but he found it heavenly. Martin had let him know that it was indeed Dean's favourite pastry. One he could barely live without.

Henry had been taken to the side by the Cardinal to talk about something when John came over. The Cardinal left, leaving the king with this man who was as tall as himself, but even broader, and he had a feeling it was not good cooking that gave him that appearance. his green eyes pierced straight through the king, pinning him. "I might have been away from the country from a while, and away from these youthful pass-times for a good twenty years, but king or no, Dean is my first born, and as a father yourself I pray you understand..." His voice was deep and stern.

"Your warning was loud and clear at dinner," Henry said, "I wish your son no ill will, only the best, in fact. I'd make a liar out of myself if I said I have ever pursued any male before," he looked over John's shoulder at Dean, "Dean is one of a kind. He is so beautiful-"

John really hope the king was not after Dean for his pretty mouth. He'd always thought Dean looked too much like his mother to truly ever be safe, in that regard. Letting him take work as a child had been a non-issue.

"-but what truly caught me was his spirit. So free, and outspoken. He never hesitates to call me a fool if he thinks so... and he has a way of making me see the beauty and pleasure in simple things." He looked back at John, "He is the highlight of my week, Mr. Winchester." He took a breath to steady his voice, "If my attentions are unwanted, I will of course cease my courtship-"

John snorted at the king's words, "If that were true you would have stopped after the fifth gift- if not sooner." Henry flushed. "But I admire your persistence. Mary, Dean's mother wanted nothing more than see me dead, but I won her over eventually," He said with a small smile. "Dean guards his heart well, but I saw how much he looked forward to seeing you, and how much he enjoys your company. Dean has never been a carefree child. After his mother died he literally took over her role to his brother. He was only four at the time..." He looked at Henry, "Now that I know your intentions are pure- as pure as they can be in this matter, I can only caution you; one day you will marry for an heir, and that day you will break his heart. Be kind; he is worth more than being your something on the side; he deserves more. You are to make sure he has a life to return to after you."

Henry stood frozen. He had never even spared a though beyond his desire for the blond boy. Or what his inevitable marriage would mean if he succeeded in his pursuit. "Thank you," he said, "-for reminding me of my duties. I will make sure that Dean has everything he needs and everything he may wish for. Anything I can provide, he will have: I will never leave him on bare ground."

"And by that I also mean his reputation; Dean is young still, but what woman would marry a man who famously favours another mans company?"

"Duly noted," Henry said. "If I may speak with Dean later?"

"Of course." John agreed.

As everyone made to leave later that evening, Henry gently caught Deans hand, "Dean, may I keep you a little while?"

Dean nodded, "Ride ahead, father, I'll be home soon." His father gave a short nod before Chevy reared slightly on his hind legs, kicking off in an instant canter.

"Your horses truly are magnificent," Henry said.

"My answer to breeding Impala still stands," Dean replied with a crooked grin.

Henry let out a brief, nervous laugh, "I did not ask you to stay to talk of horses," he said and took a deep breath, steadying his voice. "Dean, I know I can never take back what I did, but I want you to know that I've come to care for you greatly- as you would know if you ever read my letters-" he added with a small smile. Dean blushed faintly. "I crave your company, your scent and your witty banter. I crave your smile and your laugh..." he trailed off, not knowing quite how to continue. "But I know you have not always enjoyed- and at times loathed mine... and I ... I suppose what I want to say is... if you do not wish to dine with me, you are free to do as you please..." he let out a shuddering breath, "And if you wish, I will leave you be in other matters as well." God, it made his heart hurt even to say those words.

"But..." Dean whispered.

"Of course it will not affect your brother's scholarship-" Henry rambled.

"But what if I don't want you to leave me be?" Dean asked quietly, deathly afraid of assuming anything.

Henry smiled, "Then I will go to the end of the earth for you, fight God for you and make oceans part for you."

"But..." Dean licked his lips uncertainly, "Will you love me?" While he was not certain about what he felt for the king, he could not deny the flutters in his belly, or the heat in his cheeks.

Henry pulled Dean close, wrapping his arms around his waist, "I will love you more than any other, until the day I die and thereafter." He rubbed a thumb across Dean's cheek. Dean leaned into the warm touch. "May I?" the king whispered.

"Yes," Dean breathed against his mouth.

The king pressed a gentle and warm kiss against Deans soft lips. The blonde gasped at the touch and Henry accepted the invite, deepening the kiss, but was no less gentle.

"Katherine," he greeted softly as he entered his wife's chambers, "May we speak in private?" he asked, gesturing to the ladies in waiting.

The queen nodded and dismissed her handmaid. She sat down and studied her husband, "If this is about -"

"It's not," Henry ask, not looking at her. "I have not looked forward to this conversation, and I must admit I am ill prepared."

"Mary -"

"The negotiations to her marriage is going smoothly," Henry cut her off.

"Then what is it?" She asked, "Do you wish to try again?" He shook his head. "For God's sake, speak Henry!" she sighed loudly.

"I... I want a divorce," he said quietly.

Katherine could not say a word. "You wish to divorce me? Henry, I have proven I am capable of carrying -"

"It's not about that," Henry said, "I am in love... more deeply, and madly than I could ever have imagined," he sat down on her bed. "And I do not believe it is fair to either of you to continue this way."

Katherine looked like she was about to cry. "So you have taken another mistress," she stated.

Henry sighed, "No I have not," he said. "I have honoured our vows, and the promise I made to you."

"You have not honoured our vows-" she spat, her every feature radiating with hurt. "And what of Mary?"

"I know I have not honoured our vows in the past," Henry admitted. There was no point in denying it. "And Mary will not be declared illegitimate. She is my firstborn, and will have the titles she thus deserves."

Katherine nodded, relieved on behalf of her daughter, "And what of me? The disgraces queen?"

"You will not be disgraced, my sweet Katherine," Henry stood up. "I wish to present the divorce to the pope, preferably with you by my side, as a friendly parting, as I hope it will be. As a result of different priorities and interests. That we have what we wished from this marriage, and that in honour of our vows, we now wish to go each our separate ways..." Henry trailed off, looking at his wife's tear stained face. "I know It is too much to ask for, Katherine, but I do believe it is the best way. This way, it would be quick. If we fought, it could take years and build needless animosity that I do not wish for," he dried her tears. "I will of course provide for you as a queen should be, and I will support any marriage you should wish. You will have an estate of your choosing here in England, which will remain yours, no matter your marital status, so you can see Mary whenever you please. She can also travel with you, if you please. I have no wish to separate you. I merely wish to see her as well. I think England would be the safest place for her. We can of course discuss that matter more closely later..." he said, realising he was rambling.

"I thought you would leave me on bare ground..." Katherine admitted. "But you surprise me, husband."

"I have not been overly friendly, in the past, Katherine, but -"

"Your heart has been softened?" She asked. "Who is she? Who is replacing me?" Henry had the good grace to blush fiercely, making the queen frown; "You truly are in love," she said.

"I am," Henry replied. This was truly the first time they had ever spoken in such confidence. Perhaps if they had done so sooner, their marriage might have been better for it. "It is... not a woman," he said quietly and looked away.

Katherine just stared at him, "You... have fallen for... a man?" she asked, shocked.

Henry nodded, "And fallen hard I have."

"Brandon?"

Henry laughed, "Oh dear lord no, though I must say they do not get along very well."

Katherine smiled weakly, "I like him already," she joked, trying to gather herself. "What is his name?"

"Dean Winchester," Henry said.

"How did you come to know him?"

"He was a hunter..."

"So this has gone on for a while?"

"Far from it," Henry said, "He wanted nothing to do with me. I sent invitations to dinners, hunt - letters and gifts, he turned them all down... I even gave his brother a scholarship to university just to get his attention," he admitted with no little amount of embarrassment. "He agreed to have dinners with me, here in court- but one of them we ended up cooking ourselves."

"What?" Katherine questioned.

"The cook had broken his arm, and the other one burnt our food, so Dean decided to go down there and say hello, and we ended up both cooking our own dinner under the careful instruction of the Royal Chef."

Had the circumstances been any different, Katherine would have laughed, as it were, she only stared at her husband in disbelief.

"I invited his family - father, brother and uncle, and his father gave me... a reluctant blessing- and a promise of an early meeting with the maker should I cause his eldest any heartache- or aches of a different kind."

Katherine just stared at the man who sat on her bed, fiddling with his own hands. A burning jealousy filled her. This boy had done for her husband what she had tried to do for years. She would agree to a friendly divorce, if only to save her honour. But this Dean she wanted to meat.

A/N this scene felt so corny, but I'm saving the big drama for later. Kath will play her role later on.