MANHOOD
Dean was so glad that his parents had decided to make his graduation party the following day so he was being allowed to spend that night out with friends.
He took off in his truck making it look as if that was exactly what he was doing but he cut off toward the lake instead.
When he saw no other car there or horse or anything his heart sank thinking he had taken too long. Then he noticed the slight glimmer of candle light in the darkness and he got out of the truck and made his way to the trees around the lake.
He found her there on a blanket surrounded by candles with an array of finger foods and drink. She stepped towards him and the second she touched him he felt himself come back to life.
He wrapped his arms tightly around her and breathed her in.
"I'm so sorry that I hurt you." She whispered.
"I thought you had died, that hurt more than anything. I thought you had died thinking that I hated you."
"I was only days away from having to marry Tobian I was sick so sick just being away from you from thinking about what I had done to you and then I found out about the accident and that was my fault too. I got the invitation and I couldn't stop crying. Anyway my father and Stepheno saw how sick I was getting and that I would never survive my wedding day so they helped me fake my death even at the risk of being executed. Stepheno gave me a drug that simulated death to fool Tobian's doctors and then my father quickly took my body away for mourning."
"When I thought you had died I wanted to be dead too but I stuck it out for my family and because Chris told me that you would never want me to think like that."
"Chris is a smart boy." Arandi sighed against Dean's chest. "I never believed I would be in your arms again."
"I will never let you go again, never."
"You forgive me that easily?" She asked lifting her head to look into his eyes.
"My queen I will forgive you for anything as long as you love me."
"I am no longer royalty, my death moves someone else into my place."
"You are still my queen no matter who says different. So now what?"
"I have to stay hidden, until Tobian marries another, what my father did was a great betrayal. I was hoping that your parents would have a forgiving heart such as yours. If Tobian ever finds out what happened he could have me killed."
Dean's heart beat a mile a minute at the thought that he could lose Arandi again. "We'll talk to them together in the morning, if they don't accept you then we'll move on and I'll keep you safe."
Arandi sighed. "I feel safe for the first time since I left you. Now let's celebrate your graduation."
They sat, ate, and talked enjoying each other's company.
Dean leaned back against a tree pulling Arandi to lay with her back against his chest and he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her neck.
Arandi sighed loudly. "I cried myself to sleep many a night thinking I would never feel you again."
"Did he touch you?" Dean asked in a whisper feeling his insides flip at the thought.
"He kissed me in the hospital and I got worse." Arandi explained.
"I kissed Jeremy." He blurted.
Arandi turned to look at him curiously.
"I was so lost and hurting and he was there even though he knew that I knew how he felt, he still tried to help me. Then one night I just kissed him."
"And then?" Arandi prodded.
"Not as bad as I thought it would be but nothing like kissing you."
"What about Jeremy?"
"I apologized for being so forward but he thanked me said now he didn't have to wonder for the rest of his life what it felt like to kiss me." Dean blushed. "I told him there was no way the he could love me and he said that he wouldn't know until he fell in love with someone else."
Arandi stared at him. "Dean are you saying what I think you're saying?"
Dean thought about it, only realizing now what he probably would have ended up doing. "Yeah I would have gone with Jeremy if I hadn't gotten you back. I would have rather been with someone that thought they loved me and I already knew than to ever date again. Believe me Arandi after you there would be no other woman in my life."
Arandi stared at him again. "I love you Dean Winchester and I think that was the most romantic thing you could have said to me."
Dean laughed and it felt good. "That I would have made a life with a man for losing you?"
"Yeah."
"I love you too Arandi."
They moved in to kiss and soon clothes was slipping off and Dean felt more alive than ever as he slid into her warmth and had her sweet moans in his ears as they made love under the stars and moved the earth.
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Dean had gotten them into the furthest cabin from the house and they spent the night there, making love until they couldn't move.
They had missed each other so much and really Arandi was terrified that she would have to leave Dean again if things got really bad. She was risking everything to be with him.
They cleaned up and then walked hand in hand to face the Winchester parents.
Dean dreaded what they would say and readied himself to argue and defend Arandi. He loved his parents and Sam, would give his life for them at any given moment but this was his life, this was what he wanted and they either accepted it or dealt with it.
He sure didn't expect for his mom to drop what she had in her hands and rush to Arandi and take her into tight hug thanking God that she was alive.
He turned to look at his dad who didn't say a word as Arandi explained the story one more time.
"Of course we'll help you." Mary replied.
"I thought you would hate me." Arandi hitched.
"My dear what you have done to come back to Dean how can we hate you for loving our son so much and we know he loves you." Mary went on taking John's hand.
Dean looked at his dad waiting for the axe to fall. John was a true hard ass and tended to hold a grudge when someone fucked with his family. So Dean's mouth came a bit unhinged when his dad finally spoke.
"If this is what our son wants then we will back him up." He said. "You're risking your life for real coming here for Dean that only shows me that you care very much for him and in this day and age that is very rare. While I still think you are both too young to be so intense, I can't be a hypocrite and say that I didn't walk through my own walls of fire to be with Mary. Nothing as dramatic as falling in love with a real queen but love worth dying for none the less."
"I have no life without him sir and dying for Dean would come without a thought." Arandi replied.
Sam spoke for the first time. "You actually did die for him."
"Yeah I guess I did." Arandi smiled. "By the way Jade will be arriving tomorrow. She had to be extra sneaky."
Sam blushed but smiled huge.
Mary sighed and fell into John's arms. Both her sons had found love and that was a little more than she could handle right now.
"We already have a number of horses coming for the summer so there will be a lot of people coming through, you will have to stay out of sight." John stated.
"I want to help out not just be a burden. I can disguise myself really well and I'm going to have to anyway and so will Jade. We have to be careful for a while."
Dean wasn't too thrilled with the idea of Arandi not looking like Arandi but he would tolerate anything to be with her.
John looked at Mary and she shrugged. "I can't stop you Arandi but if things get bad it will be taken care of the Winchester way."
Arandi nodded and squeezed Dean's hand. "I wouldn't expect anything less."
Mary pulled away from John. "Come on darling you might as well sleep in the house and not the cabins. Let's get a guest room ready for you and your sister."
Dean started to open his mouth.
"No Dean she's not sharing a room with you. It's hard enough pretending my boys are still innocent so don't ruin this for me." Mary chided.
"Yes ma'am." Dean murmured and threw a glance at his dad who was about to keel over from trying not to burst into laughter.
Dean pouted and Arandi wanted nothing more than to kiss it away but she didn't dare in front of his parents.
Instead she gave his hand another squeeze then followed Mary up the stairs.
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John had not been kidding about how busy Winchester Haven got during the summer, they were booked solid straight through to the end of September.
Arandi and Jade helped keep the cabins tidy with Mary but Arandi loved helping with the horses too. There was always new ones arriving but Winchester was the king of the Haven barn. He stood proud and elegant among all the others.
"He's still yours, you know." Dean had said to her.
"No, I gave him to you and he will forever be yours."
"Well remind later that I have to thank you." Dean smiled hotly, leaning in to run his tongue over her plump lips.
"Oh I'll remind you alright." Arandi purred pulling him down hard by the neck.
John clearing his throat brought them back to reality. Both of them beet red.
"Boy if you want your momma to rip you a new one, just keep that up." John snorted.
"It was just kissing." Dean grumbled feeling all of the kid that got caught stealing candy.
John grinned huge. "Son you were wearing her, literally, and I love you and all that but please as your father the last time I saw your manliness was when you were potty training. Do me a favor and go take a cold shower."
Dean wanted to melt into the ground unbelieving that Arandi was actually giggling at the fact that his dad had noticed the very prominent bulge in his jeans.
"Come on dad really?" Dean groaned trying to discreetly adjust himself.
John laughed loudly. "You didn't really expect me to let that one get away did you?"
Dean shot Arandi a glare with little fire and walked away.
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Dean sat on the fence of the riding arena watching two teen girls trying to get the hang of their horses.
Arandi was off talking to their mother and he couldn't get over how entirely different she looked with different color hair and contacts. If he hadn't know it was her he would have been easily fooled.
Her kisses though would give her away every single time.
Dean smiled at her when she looked at him. The days were absolutely fantastic since she had come back and with Jade there too, it was complete.
He knew that Arandi missed her dad but they all knew it was best not to communicate with him for a while.
Things arrived for them every day though under the guise of deliveries for the Haven.
Dean sighed deeply maybe life wasn't perfect but he felt like he had the next best thing. It was getting tiresome having to sneak around just to have sex but he didn't dare risk pissing his mom off. Her temper was just as fiery as John's and ten times scarier somehow.
"You're looking much better." Jeremy suddenly said behind him.
Dean startled nearly falling off of the fence. "Jeremy hey I thought you were off in Hawaii or something."
"Got back yesterday and it was nothing but paradise well almost." Jeremy said lowering his eyes.
Dean felt the heat of embarrassment creeping up his neck. "I am better." He quickly changed the course of the conversation.
"So what's the secret?" Jeremy asked stepping back as Dean slid off the fence.
Dean didn't know what to say. How heartless would Jeremy think he was if he said that he had met someone new already? He studied Jeremy closely and decided then and there that if there was anyone that he could trust it was Jeremy.
"I'll tell you but first I want you to meet someone." Dean motioned Arandi over.
Jeremy watched with interest as the blonde, green eyed beauty made her way to them.
"Jeremy this is Alexis." Dean said. "Alexis I'd like you to meet one of my closest friends Jeremy.
Jeremy studied Alexis curiously. "Nice to meet you."
Arandi smiled. "Likewise." Pure Texas drawl.
"She's the reason I'm better." Dean sighed.
Jeremy shot a surprised look at Dean. "But I thought….you…Dean?"
Dean looked at Arandi. "I truly believe that I can trust him."
Arandi nodded. "Hi Jeremy." She said using her own voice.
Jeremy's blood drained from his face and he stumbled back a step. "What the fuck? You're supposed to be dead."
"As far as all the world is concerned, I am." Arandi said evenly.
Jeremy remained silent for a few minutes just looking as if he was watching a tennis match.
"You can't tell anyone Jeremy." Dean said gently.
"Anything Dean. I can't believe it myself so why would I say anything? Just the fact that you trust me with something so huge. Thanks for that."
Dean nodded and smiled.
Jeremy thought it was the best look on Dean but he'd keep that to himself for the rest of his life.
"So you gave up everything to be with Dean?" Jeremy whispered.
"My whole life." Arandi nodded.
"That's great. I mean that you love him that much. If anyone deserves that type of love it's Dean."
Dean blushed at the mushy undertone.
Arandi punched Jeremy lightly on the arm. "Yeah buddy and I don't share."
Jeremy was the color of a lobster. "You told her didn't you?"
Dean rubbed his neck. "Well yeah why wouldn't I?"
"Because she's your girlfriend."
"Exactly and I don't want to lie to her."
"It wasn't what you think Arandi." Jeremy stuttered unable to meet her eyes.
"Oh so you're not in love with my man and you hadn't dreamed of doing that for years?" Arandi said teasingly.
As impossible as it seemed Jeremy only grew redder.
"I'm kidding Jeremy. Thank you for being there for him." She said and kissed him on the cheek.
"S'what friends are for." He garbled as he kicked at the dirt with the toe of his boot.
A sly grin spread across Arandi's face and Dean gulped. He knew that look and god help them all.
"I bet it was hot to watch but of course no one got to see that, too bad neither one of you has the balls to do it again."
Dean and Jeremy both shot daggers at her.
She grinned huge. "I'm just saying."
"I thought you didn't want to share?" Dean prodded.
"It's not sharing unless you go all the way love now there I draw the line." She started toward the barn to help Dean with the horses left abandoned by the bored teen girls.
Dean looked at Jeremy and then followed figuring that the subject was now dropped.
He grunted in stunned shock when Jeremy shoved him against the wall and crashed their lips together.
The first kiss had been fast but this time Jeremy decided it was now or never and he had to know even if it burned in his heart for all eternity that it would never be his.
Dean couldn't find it in him to resist when Jeremy's tongue slid past his lips. His eyes widened at the intrusion and he feared that the Haven guests would find them like this but everything just sort of fizzled to nothing when he saw the look on Arandi's face.
It was a gorgeous mix of jealousy, what the fuck, and 'fuck that's hot.'
Not to be out done, Dean grabbed fistfuls of Jeremy's shirt and pulled him closer pushing his own tongue into the mix. He wasn't sure how to place the fact that when Jeremy moaned Dean tingled from head to toe.
It was when he felt the hard line of Jeremy's cock that he gently but firmly pushed Jeremy away.
Jeremy stumbled back gasping wide eyed. "I'm sorry fuck I'm so sorry."
Dean looked at Arandi as he wiped his lips slowly.
"Well seems like there are plenty of balls to be had." Arandi broke the awkward silence.
"Dean…." Jeremy began.
"It's ok Jeremy." Dean replied even though he was still shell shocked and more turned on than he would ever, ever admit to a living soul. Although he was pretty sure that the evidence was more than noticeable.
He just would never let anyone touch him in that way but Arandi.
"I need to go." Jeremy said his eyes bright.
"Don't make a deal Jeremy please. It was a dare and we're human man. Alright?" Dean continued placing his hand on Jeremy's shoulder.
Jeremy nodded and swallowed hard. He turned to Arandi. "I didn't mean for it to get that far."
"It's all good dude but now you know right?
Jeremy looked lost for a second then he pulled himself together. "Yeah now I know." He smiled but it didn't reach his eyes.
Arandi frowned. She had only meant it as a teasing little game, she hadn't meant to hurt Jeremy like that. She seemed really good at hurting people unintentionally.
She could see in his eyes that any doubt of the feelings that he had for Dean was gone. He was in love with Dean and this had just cemented the deal to a completely solid formation.
"I'm the one that is sorry, Jeremy." She whispered as she hugged him. "I didn't open that gashing wound."
Jeremy sighed into her neck and Dean felt the unnecessary jealousy thrum straight through him. "You take good care of him, you make sure he's so happy that it sends seismic readings around the world. I never want to see that heartbreaking desperation in his eyes again. One broken heart is enough."
Arandi knew that he didn't mean Dean with the last sentence and so did Dean.
"Jeremy don't man." Dean mumbled.
I can't help how I feel Dean I sure as hell can't change it." Jeremy growled. "It's not your fault, it's not. I knew from the start you were straight and I had all the time in the world to change directions but I didn't so it's on me. The fucking hollow pit in my chest is all on me."
The three stood in uncomfortable silence.
"I'm sorry Dean. My inner drama queen had to make an appearance." Jeremy smiled.
Dean shook his head ruefully. "I know it doesn't mean much but I'm here for as your friend, always."
"It means a lot Dean that you don't ask me to stay away for being the ass that I was all that time and then finding out that I'm gay and then throwing myself at you. You have to be all descent about it and make me fall harder."
Dean blushed crimson. "If it makes any difference at all, I would choose you if I were gay."
Jeremy looked Dean in the eyes reading him. "It makes a difference." He whispered. He started to walk away and stopped without turning around. "I came really to tell you that I'm leaving in a couple of days to California. It's about one of the safest places to be gay. I just wanted to say goodbye. If I had known Arandi was still alive I would have just called."
"Keep in touch and take care of yourself." Dean said turning Jeremy around and hugging him.
Jeremy nodded and walked away rapidly.
Dean stood watching him feeling all types of wrong and Arandi pulled him into a hug.
"I didn't mean for that to go that way."
"I know baby. That poor guy is always getting the bad."
"He'll be ok, there is someone out there for him that will make him happy and he'll forget about you."
Dean nodded but in his thoughts he was confused as to why he didn't want to be forgotten.
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Dean hadn't been able to sleep. His life was going good for once. Arandi was with him and his parents were on his side. Having Arandi was bliss in every sense of the word because she made him content and very, very satisfied.
The things that they had done on prom night had been mere practice for the things they were getting into now. Hell yeah fucking blissed out ecstasy it was. Forever and ever amen.
He was grateful for his youthful stamina and grateful Arandi was a sexual goddess.
He had gone to the barn earlier than usual and gotten as much done as he could before the sun came up.
He rode out on Winchester as the sun began to make its appearance and he felt good. Riding was his escape, nothing was better.
Winchester made it magical the way he moved and jumped. He settled to trot as he headed back to the house, his stomach growling and he was sure everyone was wondering where he was.
He noticed the fancy car heading up the drive and thought nothing of it until it honked and came to stop. The driver rolled down the window and motioned him over.
Dean rode Winchester closer and Dean looked over the car and thought how nice it must be to be able to afford such extravagance. "Can I help you?" He asked politely.
The window in the back rolled down and Dean stared into honey colored eyes of a handsome man. Dean's gut twisted with instincts telling him what he dreaded.
"I am Tobian Rivulet and I am here to take my wife home."
TBC
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Thanks for reading!
I don't know why I felt the need to add Jeremy to this story. He just came to me one day and I added him in. Hey it doesn't always have to be another woman that makes you jealous.