LOVE STORIES

Tobian lay on the ground trying to focus his vision and push away the pain coursing through his body. His leg was hurt from being caught up in the stirrup and he had scrapes all over his body.

He couldn't believe that Dean would try to save him when letting him be dragged to death by his horse would have been a way to rid themselves of him forever.

He realized now why Arandi had fallen madly in love with the young brave man. He had been instantly attracted to Dean the first time he set eyes on him.

His strong confident posture. His charismatic charm. The smile and sparkling green eyes that could damn a soul to eternal hell.

He watched Dean trying to get control of the horse and gasped when they both went over and out of sight.

He heard the terrified horse's neighs and a pained grunts from Dean.

Tobian pulled himself to his feet and went as fast he could to the incline. He looked down and he could hardly stomach the sight.

Dean may have outdone him today but that didn't mean that Tobian wanted him dead.

Dean lay completely still as the horse struggled to stand and pushed against Dean in its efforts.

Tobian called out to his horse. Its ears perked up and he stood and finally moved away from Dean.

The crew that had been following them to film everything reached Tobian. "Get help now!" He yelled and began to move down the incline even though it caused him great pain.

The crew called ahead telling the other crew at the finish line to send help.

Tobian reached Dean and he instantly felt for a pulse with shaking fingers. He was such a fool. He should have just told his father the truth no matter the consequences and none of this would be happening. He had no feelings for Arandi even though she was everything a man could want.

He had only come after her because his father had said that no king allowed himself to be laughed at out loud by his intended.

As king he should have put his foot down and told everyone to go fuck themselves. Arranged marriages were barbaric in his book and he had no idea why had gone along with it.

Why would he want to be married to someone that clearly loved another?

"You better not die." Tobian hissed. "You cannot tell me that after everything you have been through to get the woman you love that you are going to let death take you from her?"

He was afraid to apply any pressure to Dean's chest or stomach in case of internal injuries so he did the only thing that made sense to him. He leaned in and put his lips to Dean's and blew in air.

At least now he would not have to wonder how those puffy lips felt under his any longer.

Dean gave a slight gasp and a mewl of pain escaped from his mouth. He managed to open his eyes half-mast. "Are you ok?" He whispered.

Tobian stared at him in amazement. Dean was the one that had been rolled over by a horse and slammed into rocks and a couple of trees and he was worried about Tobian.

"You saved my life. I am fine. Can you tell me where you are hurt?"

Dean grimaced. "I think it would be faster to tell you where I don't hurt." He coughed and a spray of blood reddened his lips.

Tobian's heart quickened. That was not good, he was not a doctor but even he knew that was not good. He took Dean's hand. "Help is coming."

"Please tell Arandi I love her." Dean murmured as his eyes began to close and he squeezed Tobian's hand.

"I think she knows that more than anyone but you are going to be fine. You are way too stubborn and strong to let a horse take you out of this world."

The edge of Dean's mouth curled slightly, he moaned with a grimace of pain and his hand went lax and his head lolled.

Tobian was about to panic when suddenly the medics were there as well as Arandi and John.

"Dean please Dean." Arandi was crying.

Tobian felt sick and if Dean died it was all on him. He threw up in the brush and more medics came to help him. He had forgotten that he was injured too and he closed his eyes and for the first time in a long time he prayed.

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Arandi cried until she was spent. Dean had been in surgery for a while to repair a punctured lung and other internal injuries that she had lost count of once she heard that they had lost him twice in the ambulance.

This couldn't be happening. Dean was going to win but his huge giving heart had not allowed him to let another human, not even the enemy be in danger.

He had saved Tobian's life at the risk of losing his own.

Sam looked as if he was about to rip someone to pieces but one of the men from the filming crew had pulled him aside and Sam and disappeared for a few minutes.

He came back looking rather confused and he sat by Arandi and Jade who was trying to console her sister.

John and Mary were close by as well as all of Dean's friends and Stepheno.

"I just watched some of the footage." Sam whispered to them all. "Dean wasn't breathing at the bottom of that incline." He stopped as if he was trying to make sure he believed it himself. "Tobian helped him start breathing again without trying to hurt him."

Everyone exchanged glances.

Arandi stood up confused. Why would Tobian help Dean? It made no sense. She felt herself shaking. She hadn't eaten since breakfast and she knew better than that but just the thought of food made her stomach feel like lead.

"You need to sit." Chris said softly to her trying to lead her back to where she had been sitting.

Her mind was screaming at her. 'What if Dean died? She had to be pregnant because that would be the only way she would have a piece of him and the only way that she could survive.' She never made it to the seat and Chris barely caught her.

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Arandi sat up on the bed that she had been taken to after she passed out and looked around.

"Take it easy sweetie." Mary said soothingly. "Dean is doing well. He came out of surgery fine. You'll be able to see him in another hour or so." She handed Arandi a cup of orange juice and some crackers. "You need to eat. I don't want anything to happen to my grandbaby."

Arandi turned crimson. "How did you know? I'm not even sure that I am carrying."

"Trust me you are pregnant. You already have that glow honey. Though I wish you had waited until you both were a little older I'm still itching to spoil that sweet baby." Mary grinned.

Arandi ran her hands over her still flat belly. "This child will be so loved." She whispered.

Mary smiled and pulled her into a hug.

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Finally getting to see Dean had made her legs feel like they wouldn't hold her very long. He looked gray and so fragile.

Arandi took his hand. "Hey baby I'm here." She whispered kissing his forehead.

Dean hitched a sigh but his eyes remained closed.

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Five days later Dean was sitting up with a bit more his normal color aside from the bruising and cuts.

Seeing him now it was hard to believe that he had almost died saving the life of the man that was trying to take away the woman he loved.

The doctors were thrilled with his progress and were sure he'd be heading home in another couple of days.

John, Mary, Arandi, and Sam were with him at the moment when someone knocked and in walked Tobian. He was wearing a knee brace but still managed to look regal.

"We're going to get some food." Mary said taking the lead to get her husband and other son out of the room.

Dean and Tobian regarded each other.

"I thought I would know what to say once I saw you but the words fail me still." Tobian breathed. "I'm still trying to figure out why you would save me."

"Because it was the right thing to do." Dean rasped. "I was told that you saved me back."

Tobian reddened. "It was the right thing to do."

There was uncomfortable silence for a couple of minutes before Tobian regained his composure. "I'll be leaving back to my country in a couple of days and I just wanted to show you my gratitude and tell you that I'm done listening to my father. I am going home to tell him that I want to live my life my way and that I never wanted to marry Arandi in the first place."

"You didn't?" Dean and Arandi said together.

Tobian blushed. "No, you see I prefer men."

Dean couldn't help it when his jaw dropped open.

"You are gay?" Arandi asked in disbelief.

"Yes and a man of my stature is supposed to be a manly man and I went along with it just to keep the peace but seeing true love, the one that you two share. I want that too." Tobian breathed out. "I want to be the real me and to hell with everything else."

"You could not come to this conclusion before nearly getting Dean killed?" Arandi asked angrily.

Dean reached out for her. "Baby it's ok, I'm going to be fine."

"All the pain and everything that could have been averted."

"It's all done and I'd do it all again to show the world that I love you."

Tobian looked on sadly. How long would it take him to find that type of love?

Dean suddenly smiled. "Tobian, there is someone I would like you to meet."

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Dean held Arandi's hand as they moved off her private jet. His eyes widened as he took in the beauty of the island setting that she had given up to be with him.

"Even this place would have been hell without you." She said as if reading his mind.

"Dean, Arandi!" Tobian appeared to greet them. A huge smile across his well-tanned handsome face. "I am so glad that you have arrived." He said cheerfully.

Sam and Jade stepped up behind the first couple and then John and Mary.

"Oh wow." Mary said in awe.

"Welcome all you. Everyone else is arriving later this afternoon and we will celebrate my union to my love." Tobian nearly glowed.

Dean smiled as he watched a blushing Jeremy be pulled into an intimate kiss. Somehow he had known that Jeremy would be perfect for Tobian.

Tobian had pretty much fallen the instant he laid eyes on the handsome boy and would be eternally grateful to Dean. He finally knew true happiness.

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Dean was just on the other side of tipsy from all the celebrating but he was feeling amazingly alive. It had been just over three months since the challenge.

Arandi was showing a baby bump and Dean couldn't be happier. Well maybe he could be happier but this was well on its way.

Tobian and Arandi's father had collaborated on building houses for Arandi and Jade on Winchester Haven so that they could live there, the place that would always be home to them. Mary couldn't be more thrilled to have her boys close by and new daughters and grandbabies to sweeten the deal. She knew John was just as thrilled even though he tried to hide it.

They would visit Arandi's home often though it was too beautiful to not want to see again. That also meant having to swing by and visit Tobian and Jeremy.

Dean grinned as he watched the couple dancing. They were truly in love and Dean was glad that Jeremy seemed finally content.

"Aren't you the smug match maker?" Arandi chuckled.

"What can I say? I know when two people belong together." He shrugged.

Tobian was laughing hard as he pulled Jeremy over to Dean and Arandi. He bowed gracefully in front of Arandi. "Would you honor me with a dance?"

Arandi glanced at Dean seeking permission and he nodded. He had no reason for jealousy any longer.

Jeremy extended his hand to Dean as they watched Tobian and Arandi get onto the dance floor.

Dean shrugged. What the hell?

"Thank you Dean for bringing this joy to my life." Jeremy said softly.

"You deserve happiness just like everyone else." Dean answered just as softly.

They danced in silence and Dean didn't even flinch when Jeremy pulled him into a kiss and he responded.

"You will always be my first love." Jeremy whispered and then walked away to take Arandi from Tobian.

Tobian in turn came to dance with Dean.

Dean was a bit more sober now but he danced anyway.

"He told me about how he used to pick fights with you just so that you would pay attention to him get you to touch him." Tobian said slowly. "You could have humiliated him or worse when you found out the truth but even in that you were a gentleman."

"I guess I was flattered." Dean shrugged.

"Arandi is blessed to have you by her side."

"I think that I'm the one that is blessed." Dean sighed as he watched Arandi laughing happily while she danced.

This time Dean froze a bit when lips met his but he didn't pull away.

Tobian pulled back with a soft sigh. "Forgive me Dean but I had to see what the big deal was about."

"And?" Dean asked red from head to toe.

"Maybe I should have issued a challenge for you instead." Tobian winked and sauntered back to his husband to be.

Dean stood frozen but couldn't help the smirk. Hell, shit like that could really go to your head.

Arandi began to pull him away.

"Where are we going?"

"I'm taking you away to make love to you on the beach before someone else molests you."

"You saw that?"

"Yeah and so did your mom and dad. Sam too." Arandi giggled.

"Oh fuck." Dean groaned.

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Dean felt so out of place in the huge palace like place that Tobian called home.

"Does your place look like this?" He asked Arandi as they dressed for Tobian and Jeremy's wedding.

"There are many more women in my home so it has more décor." She said still miffed with him because he had fallen asleep instead of making love to her.

"I meant the size of it. Hell I need GPS just to find the bathroom."

"Much bigger. Mostly closets." Arandi said with a roll of her eyes.

"Are you feeling alright?" Dean asked in concern.

Arandi sighed. She could hardly stay mad at him when he was entirely attentive to her every need and whim at all other times. "Just tired and very hungry."

"Baby you just ate like…." Dean cut himself off as the glare came his way. He raised his hands in surrender. "Sorry I forget that you are eating for two." He then reached out and put his hands on her belly lovingly rubbing the growing bump.

Arandi sighed. "You are going to be such a wonderful father."

"Have I told you how much I love you?" He asked caressing her face.

"I would prefer that you show me." She smiled seductively.

"You're insatiable." He smiled back.

"Oh because you mind so much."

"We have a wedding to attend and after the reception I promise I will do my duties of making your toes curl and…." He leaned in and breathed into her ear what he had planned.

Arandi did a full body shudder. "You're such a fucking tease." She groaned.

Dean only wagged his eyebrows and smiled.

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The wedding was beautiful and the place was packed even Chris had been invited and Arandi told him how dapper he looking in his tux.

After the vows were exchanged and everyone cheered the newly married couple, Tobian raised his hand for quiet.

"Thank you all for joining us in this wonderful day but it is not over yet. There is one more wedding to follow at least if things go as planned."

Dean dropped to one knee in front of a startled Arandi. "You are everything that I want and need in my life and I want you to be completely mine before our baby is born. Will you marry me?"

Arandi was shocked and thrilled and only stared at the ring Dean held up to her.

"Arandi?"

"Oh my, yes, yes!" She gushed.

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Some kind of record had to have been broken but in just over an hour Arandi was staring at herself in the dress of her dreams.

Her little sister had been rather sneaky but she knew everything Arandi wanted and Tobian and Jeremy had pulled in a crowd of wedding planners and helpers and the first wedding was completely erased and replaced with the new one. Even the guests had been given the chance to change clothes.

Arandi's father walked her down to Dean and he just stared at her in amazement.

Arandi loved Dean in ways she had thought were only a myth. He was so handsome and beautiful inside and out. She could hardly believe that she had been so blessed. He was about to become her husband and all her dreams were coming to life.

She was always beautiful to him but seeing her in white lace, with pearls and what had to be diamonds glimmering, her hair done in soft curls and eye makeup that accented her eyes, he suddenly felt as if he was marrying an angel. Oh God he was getting married.

Jeremy leaned in close to Dean's ear. "You might want to breathe. Blue doesn't go with your tux."

Dean took in a long stuttered breath. He could hear Sam, Chris, and Tobian chuckling but his eyes were glued on his bride.

He took another breath when she was beside him. Any second he was going to swoon like girl. He managed to stay standing and didn't make an ass of himself. Not completely anyway as vows were exchanged and if anyone asked him what he had said he would draw a blank because the only thing he would ever remember in stunning clarity was how beautiful Arandi looked as she became his wife.

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Dean danced with his mom while his dad danced with Arandi. He was floating, everything was finally going his way. He was married and not too far in the future he was going to be a dad.

"You are going to drift out of here." Mary laughed.

"I'm so happy right now mom and it scares me. I keep expecting something huge to happen that will mess things up."

"Like what sweetheart?"

"Like Arandi realizing she married a dweeb." Dean huffed.

"You are far from a dweeb and she's happy. Just look at her."

Dean turned to look as his new bride and he smiled. She looked absolutely radiant. "I suddenly need to dance with my beautiful bride." He murmured and headed towards her.

A server stepped up to him. "Your highness can I get you and the queen anything special."

Dean laughed. "Oh she's the highness I'm just her….." He trailed off as realization hit him. Why hadn't he thought of it before? His knees suddenly felt weak and Arandi was leading him away.

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"You could've maybe dropped a hint." Dean huffed.

"Oh come on baby King Dean has such a nice ring to it." Arandi poked. "Don't worry I will be there to show you which spoon and fork to use at the right times. You will have to take up fencing and polo but I bet you are going to look hot in those outfits."

"Please tell me you're joking." Dean groaned.

"But I want to see you all sweaty and holding a fencing sword." She purred.

"I never pegged you for the devil's daughter."

"I am horny."

Dean laughed. "If I didn't love you so much. I might just make a run for it but I'll do anything for you to be happy but I'm never wearing a kilt."

"Wrong country my king."

"I'm just saying."

"Don't fret we will be living at Winchester Haven most of the time. We only have to go to my country for three months of the year. My dad will take care of everything else the rest of the year. If anything arises in the meantime we will take care of it as we see fit."

"Don't I get a harem or something?" He teased and his mother had warned him about the roller coaster that was pregnancy emotions.

Arandi looked at him heart broken and ran away crying.

This was not how he pictured his honeymoon.

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"Please tell me you know I was kidding?" He said when he finally found her on the beach.

"Yes but I just…" She heaved a breath and brushed away tears.

Dean pulled her close and wrapped her up in his arms. "You think because you're going to be getting bigger with our child that I won't want you anymore?"

Arandi nodded and buried her face in his chest.

Dean sighed. "I love you Arandi. Nothing about your appearance will ever make that change. The fact that you are carrying my baby makes you even more beautiful. There will never be another woman for me. Or man before you get smart."

Arandi sniffled and giggled.

He deftly lifted her into his arms.

"What are you doing?" She asked as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I'm taking my wife, my queen to our royal room and we're going to enjoy our honeymoon for the next couple of days." He replied huskily.

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"What if they don't like me?" Dean asked nervously as he paced the room.

"They are going to love you." Arandi sighed trying not to get nauseated with all the motion.

"I think I'm going to be sick." He groaned.

"Join the club." Arandi muttered.

"You're sick?" He was suddenly at her side. "Why didn't you say something?"

"You were there if I recall correctly."

"You can't still be sick from this morning? We need to check that out. You should be lying down all this stress and motion can't be good for you or the baby. Where's the palace physician?"

"Dean you're going to hyperventilate."

"I'm not but you…..oh man I'm dizzy."

"Dean breathe baby."

Dean sucked in air.

"Let's get this over with and we'll both take a nap." Arandi said soothingly.

Dean nodded. He took a deep breath and then they walked out onto the balcony of their castle to greet their people.

TBC

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