Chapter 13

The days since their first kiss had flown by, and the rumours about the king having a new lover flew around court. Dean was on a cloud of happiness. He did his morning chores at the stables, then he took the Impala and went to the king's palace

John happily took over Dean's duties, as the joy his son was shining with was something he had longer to see ever since his wife died. Since she was killed. He just hoped the king had taken his words to heart.

But Dean was so immersed in his own happiness, that his friends harsh words caugth him voilently.

"He is the king, famous for his womanizing wasy- would it be so much of a strech that he merely wished for someone more challenging?" Elena whispered harsly."You're only here in the afternoon; Nights and morning the king is free to do as he pleases. I love you dearly, you are a good friend, Dean, so please hear my plea for your wellbeing; do not let the king have you- if he has not already," she took his hand within her own.

Dean looked like he was about to shout in anger; or cry. He was not certain. He had struggled with his own doubt, but having them thrown in his face by a friend was painful.

"Martin agrees," Elena pressed, "He saw himself how the king flirts and plays with you, like a finely tuned violin he makes you sing..."

Dean yanked his hand out of hers and hissed, "The only one who hurts me, is you with your words." With those words he turned and ran all the way to where he knew the king would be; the squash courts.

.

His heart instantly lifted as his eyes caught sight of the dark haired king. But what he saw next nearly made his frayed nerves tear. Henry and Charles were surrounded by well dressed rich women- girls, and they seemd both to be enjoying their company immersely. Without a word he turned, his heart aching.

He had barely made it halfway down the stair before he heard Brandon calling his name. "What?"

Chalred paused at Dean's foul mood. As he looked closer, what to most seemed an expressionless mask, was one of... he was not quite sure, but a negative emotion at best. "The king asks if you would like to join him for a bath- if not, he asks you keep him company with with some light food."

"I..., I can't-"

Charles laughed bitterly, "I don't understnad you, you know. You are blessed with the prettiest face in the kingdom, and what seems to be the undying devotion of the king- although I know he has not reaped the rewards of his efforts, or even sought relief with one of many willing girls in this blessed palace," he paused, "He confessed to me that he loves you more dearly than he does his kingdom... that you hold his heart so compltely, he would willingly, and happily forsake his wife, his mistresses and the Holy roman Catholic Church for your favour...and you throw it in his face."

"I..." Dean stood speechless, overwhelmed.

"You're what?" Brandon whispered harshly, praying no one would overhear them, "playing coy? His majesty is my closest friend since childhood and you're playing squash with his heart-"

"I'm not!" Dean protested, "I... I'm scared." Though he was not sure if admitting that to a man who already thought him lesser than a man to begin with was a good idea.

The boy's soft spoken confession made Charles' anger deflate with such rapidness it made him feel purposelss. "Of what?" he asked cluelessly.

Dean pulled in on himself, "That he'll break my heart," he whispered, revealing one of his most inner fears, "-like he has so many others..."

Realisation dawned on Charled as he watched the young hunter infront of him. Of course. How had he been so thoughtless. The king was well known for showering his conquests with gifts and attentions, but once he caught his prey, he quickly lost interest. "He has never hidden to me that the women he has bedded has been nothing but passtimes; he makes note of their beauty, indeed, but you, he praises yor skill and determination; he craves your company..."

"And that frightens me even more," Dean muttered.

Catching the double-entre Dean suggested so plainly made Charles want to knock both himself and the king upside their heads. Of course. Charles felt horrible. It had slipped his mind what the king had drunkenly confessed. The king has set his eyes upon a young boy- a young man, he corrected himself, who, asides form one disastrous event, would naturally be clueless to such things. And what little he knew spoke nothing of the pleasures such a union could give.

He was certain that admitting that he knew, would do no good. "I do have one such experience myself," he admitted, "-and I swear to you, was I in anyway inclined to favour men, I would spend any and every night with Compton's cock up my arse, because as... vulnerable and broken I felt at allowing any man, even my best friend, do that to me, I've never felt... so close to God... and I'm certain the king will take the upmost care for you."

Brandon's words left Dean both reassured, confused, and blushing fiercely.

~*~

Despite what people thought, there was not a dungeon in the castle. The cellar had been coverted into saunas and bathingrooms, greek style at the very beginning of Henry's reign, to please Katherine, who was used to such pleasures. Henry himself rarely used them, as swimming or cooking himself in hot water was not his favourite passtime.

"The boy is scared," Charles said as the king undressed.

Henry halted, "Of what?" he scoffed. Asides from the obvious.

Charles leaned against the wall, "He's afraid you'll break his heart, quote- like you have so many others, end quote."

"He said that..?" Henry asked quietly.

"Mhm," Charles nodded, "I assured him that, yes, you've had many female companions, but that you never spoke of any of them like you do of him," then he grinned, "And in not so many words, I do believe he is rahter... anxious about..." he paused "-sex."

"Anxious as in-?"

"He's probably heard nothing but stories of hell-intended alter-boy abusing priests, or criminals- and that disastrous interaction of yours..." Charles shrugged, "I told him of my own experience with Compton..." he forced down a blush.

Henry rubbed the back of his head, not knowing what to say. He'd sure done nothing to dispell that notion. "Will he be joining me?" he asked.

"I wouldn't know," Charles said. "Should I make myself scarse just in case?"

"If you don't mind," Henry said. "Please send all but one of the staff away. And the one to leave after assisting Dean. And of course, lay out clean clothes for us both, and clean towels," he added as he sank into the hot oiled water.

"I'm not your maid, Henry," Charles hummed, with an amused smile.

"But you are my friend," Henry smiled back.

It was nealry quarter of an hour, before Dean stepped out from the chaining rooms, wearing the towelled diaper that was custom. Henry wore one as well - for once. He found them very restricting, but he figured he should not push his luck. "Dean," he smiled.

"Henry," Dean greeted. He'd felt so great this morning, but his run in with Elena, and then Charles, had left him a bit shaky.

"Well come on in," Henry said and swam across, "I'd hat for youto get cold."

Dean snorted. The room was literally steamed up with warm air. He took the king's offered hand and let him catch him- even if it made him feel like a damsel- and lower him into the deliciously hot water. The slick slide of skin against skin made his breath catch. Henry ran a wet hand though his hair, slicking the blonde strands back, before he tipped his chin up. Gently he kissed him and nibbled on his lower lip. Dean mewled into the kiss, slightly intoxicated by the surrounding wamth, both liquid and solids.

Dean smiled up at him as they parted. Henry handed him a glass of spiced wine. Dean sipped it and placed it back on the edge of the pool. With a mischievous smirk, he splashed the king. There was nothing like a playful tumble to lighten his mood.

~*~

A/N I realised I hadn't updated this in a while. I'm a little bit stuck on how to make the timeline work with my story. Im seriously considering pulling some major wormholes here, which i very rarely do. I just makes things messy and hard to follow me thinks... so... d yo guys think it's too soon for sex? I''m not quite sure. But ive run out of pre written chapters now, so im open to suggestions and wishes!