Fic - Sa Chúirt na Banríona
Dear Dei!,
When I first heard about these birthday festivities I immediately thought...Shakespeare! And, what would be the core of the story...the epic love of Sam and Dean of course! Who else would I write slashy, schmoopy Shakespeare fic for? So here's to you, hon - I hope you have a fantabulous birthday and know how much you're loved! :)
<3 Wee
Title: Sa Chúirt na Banríona (In the Court of the Queen)
Author:
weesta
Pairing: Sam/Dean
Rated: PG (come on...you know me ;)
Warning: Unless kissing and hand-holding need to be warned for, we're good
As silently as possible, Sam made his way through the heavy undergrowth of the forest; there was no way he wasn’t being watched or that his approach was undetected but the illusion that he had a chance of success was part of the game, so the path forward was unbarred. However, Sam could feel the path close in as he passed and knew there was no exit behind him. The only way out was through.
This should’ve been a simple salt and burn. But wasn’t that the assumption they usually worked under? Yearly disappearances in Jackson, Michigan caught Sam’s attention. It was the right time of year and they were “in the area”, so why not go just a little further north and make one more corner of the country safe for regular folks? It didn’t hurt that Dean’s newfound, and poorly disguised, fondness of LARPing and all things Moondoor made this gig right up his alley. Not that a summer Shakespeare festival on the University of Michigan campus was on par with a weekend in Moondoor, but all that mattered to Dean was getting to look like a bad-ass in a tunic and tights and waving a big sword.
Frankly, Sam couldn’t complain about either of those things.
But now, as he fumbled through the unnaturally silent forest in the Cedar Bend Nature Area, Sam mentally kicked himself for getting distracted and missing the pattern within the pattern. Yes, it was true that there were yearly, unexplained disappearances during the Shakespeare festival; but it wasn’t until too late that Sam realized that the disappearances always happened during the week that A Midsummer Night’s Dream was performed, even when it wasn’t on the event schedule. It was always young men who vanished; their loved ones sadly displayed photos of their strikingly handsome sons/husbands/lovers; so the monster had a “type”. However, the fact that the missing men were all first-born sons wasn’t something that was noted in police reports. When Sam put that together, that’s when he realized they were in some serious trouble because by that time, Dean was missing.
Shakespeare festival, first-born sons, impromptu performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream…in retrospect it all made sense. Friggin’ fairies!
The quality of light changed on the path before him and Sam slowed his approach. Although it was close to midnight and dark under the trees where Sam traveled, the glade ahead was unnaturally bright with silver moonlight. Sam paused to catch his breath and survey the area. To the untrained observer or oblivious hiker who might stumble upon the glade it looked like a scene from A Midsummer's Night Dream had been restaged; moved part and parcel from the festival to the forest. But Sam knew what he was looking for and he could see more.
The motes of shimmering light wafting on the edges of the clearing were not drifting bits of dandelion fluff, they had direction and purpose. The giggling sylphs flitting from tree to tree were not children up well past their bedtimes. The clothing worn by the mingling troupe of beautiful beings sparkled with moonlight not refracted by sequins and glitter, but by diamonds and gold. This was truly the Faerie Court.
Sam could see a handful of human men mixed in among the fair folk, but not the one he was looking for. Finally, as though responding to an unseen signal, the crowd parted and Sam had a clear line of sight to the seat of the Faerie Queen...and Dean standing next to it.
Sam's heart did a flip in his chest. Dean looked fine, if detached - almost like a sleepwalker. Titania, the Faerie Queen, sat on her couch idly stroking Dean's arm while she accepted wine from a winged servant. Then she slowly turned her head until her gaze rested directly on Sam.
Sam knew this mission was a gamble; there were simply too many factors in play. Clearly Dean wasn't in his right mind but it was impossible to determine if his compliance was the result of a spell that was imposed on him, or because he had ingested food or drink offered to him by the faerie. If it was the former, there was an outside chance that Sam could break the spell and they could fight for their freedom; if it was the latter, they were doomed before he even began.
Sam hoped that Dean's former experience with fairy folk made him so hostile toward them that he wouldn't accept any sustenance from them, no matter how enticing it seemed.
There had been very limited time to do research before putting a plan together. Sam knew that the Fair Folk were bound by their word, but were clever in the choices they presented. They were amused by humans, but fickle in their attention. And the mood of the Queen was mercurial; any misstep could earn her ire and have dire consequences. As the ease of his approach indicated, the Queen knew he was coming...it was what he did from here on out that would determine the final outcome.
A glance at his watch told Sam that the hour had come; it was midnight, the veil between worlds was at its thinnest – it was now or never. Sam straightened up and stepped out from behind the tree where he was hidden. He tugged once at the tunic he was wearing and adamantly refused to be self conscious in the outfit he had chosen. Like Dean, Sam was wearing a costume of fair authenticity (approved by Charlie) meant to allow them to mingle at the festival and gain access to backstage areas. Sam figured that if he had to approach the fairy court he might as well dress like he meant business.
Sam strode down the aisle created by the parting of the court directly toward the Queen. He tried to will Dean to make eye-contact and searched desperately for any sign of acknowledgement that Dean knew he was there; but there was nothing. Sam ignored the horrible sinking feeling in his gut and moved forward with his plan.
A few feet shy of the Queen, Sam halted and made what he hoped was a courtly bow; it wasn’t exactly a skill he’d been trained for. Sam really had no idea what the hell was expected in terms of manners or speech, but he hoped that he showed enough respect not to piss anyone off. Raising his eyes from the floor, Sam looked to the Queen. She appeared interested and slightly amused; he hoped that was a good sign.
Sam placed his right hand over his heart and bowed his head slightly again, “My Lady Queen…” He could feel his heart hammering in his chest and it struck him how different this was from the first time fairies took an interest in Dean The last time Dean had been abducted by fairies, not only had Sam not gone looking for him, he spent the night hooking up with some hippie chick. That simply wasn’t possible this time; this time Sam’s heart and soul were in it, and he wasn’t letting go of his other half without a fight.
Sam straightened and looked directly at Titania. “…I’ve come for my brother.”
The Queen smiled slightly. “How very direct. How brave.” Again she stroked Dean’s arm, but her eyes remained on Sam. “You are very unusual mortals.”
Sam wasn’t sure how to respond and was pretty sure anything he said could be twisted against him, so he let his original statement stand for itself. The Queen rose gracefully from her gilded couch and gently brushed her knuckles against Dean’s cheek. He was as unresponsive to her touch as he’d been to Sam’s approach – Sam hoped that was a good thing.
Titania stepped down from the slight rise and approached Sam. He worked hard to hold his ground; it wasn’t easy, the Queen’s presence was palpable. She was alluring and magnetic. Her face was perfect model of otherworldly beauty. Her hair fell in shimmering silver waves around her shoulders and down her back. Her eyes were dark, in stark contrast to her pale skin and Sam was surprised to realize that as she drew near he had to look up to maintain eye contact.
“You’ve come very far to retrieve your brother…and he has resisted the sweetest enticements to join us.” Sam’s heart leaped in his chest; they still had a chance!
The Queen circled Sam, speaking in a low melodious voice. Out of her direct focus, he felt like he could breathe a little easier, but then she touched him – trailing her fingertips across his shoulders as she moved – it was electric. “But I’m sure you know you cannot come into my realm, my court, with demands.”
The Queen finished her circuit and walked away from Sam. As she returned to her seat, motes of fairy light shimmered around her making sure each hair on her head and each fold of her gown was perfectly placed. Once again she stroked Dean’s arm before she settled, but now Sam had an inkling of the power his brother was trying to resist.
“No lady, not with a demand, but a request for a boon,” Sam took a deep breath, he knew he was skating on very thin ice. “I only ask for Dean to be returned to me and safe passage out of the forest for the two of us.”
Titania’s brow began to take on a stormy look and Sam silently prayed that the lore he read was right; being able to track the fairies to their court gave Sam the right to request a favor, almost like demanding a leprechaun’s gold. Most mortals who were lucky or foolish enough to make it this far were usually tricked out of the reward they requested and left to spend the rest of their lives telling tales of a fantastical night in the realm of the Fey to the bottom of a bottle, overwhelmed at having glimpsed something mystic but being denied access ever again. But Sam wasn’t searching for gold or everlasting youth; all he wanted was his brother.
Now the ball was in the Queen’s court. She knew as well as Sam that he was well within his rights to seek a prize having gained access to her realm, but she didn’t like being surprised or made to look a fool in front of her people. She clearly didn’t want to give up her latest acquisition.
Titania raised her chin, but her eyes were steady on Sam. “You shall have what you seek, mortal, if you can prove your claim.”
Sam was expecting this. He hoped he was ready for whatever challenge she presented.
The Queen turned slightly towards Dean. Her gaze drifted to caress him. “Though he resists me now, he came so easily to my call.” She turned her gaze back to Sam. “Will he come to yours?”
Titania flicked her hand toward Dean. He sighed heavily, his eyes closed and his left leg gave out underneath him.
Sam cried out, “Dean!” and surged forward to break his fall, but there was no need; the motes of light that had attended the Queen now cushioned Dean’s descent and arranged him between the couch and the Queen’s bejeweled, satin gown, leaning against her leg. Sam continued his forward progress until his was crouched at Dean’s side, surprised that none of the other fairies in attendance intercepted him. Sam looked at the crowd warily, but none seemed inclined to intervene, though they appeared to be very interested in the proceedings.
The Queen laid her left hand gently on the side of Dean’s head, her fingers idly playing with his hair. Sam was always amazed by how young Dean appeared in his sleep, but here he seemed not only youthful, but revitalized. Though his skin was pale, he didn’t look sickly; the creases in his brow and eyes brought on by worry had melted away. Under the magical moon Dean was beautiful – a prize worthy of a Queen.
Titania leaned slightly closer to Sam; again he felt her magnetic presence, but now instead of amusement, there was challenge in her eyes. “If you can wake him, he is yours.”
Feeling the weight of all the observers, Sam felt foolish trying to wake Dean. It was hard enough to rouse Dean on a good day with coffee in one hand and a breakfast sandwich in the other, let alone when he was under some sort of spell. Sam knew where this was going, he’d read enough fairy tales from Grimm to Disney, but tried shaking Dean and calling his name first. Sam wasn’t really expecting anything, but was disturbed by the utter lack of response – there wasn’t even a flicker of movement behind Dean’s closed eyelids.
Sam took a deep breath and tried to center himself. Not wanting to touch the Queen, but needing more contact with Dean, Sam curled his right hand around Dean’s neck and let his thumb trail Dean’s jawbone from his chin to his cheek. Sam closed his eyes and leaned his head against Dean’s.
“Please, Dean…I know you’re in there. You need to come back to me.”
Sam could feel the attention of the crowd intensify. He kept his eyes closed so he could block them out. He wouldn’t be distracted from his purpose. This wouldn’t be the first time he’d kissed Dean awake, but it would certainly be the most public.
Sam breathed out as he moved his face lower and tipped Dean’s head back. He slid his left hand around Dean’s right side to stabilize himself. “Dean,” Sam breathed against Dean’s lips, “you have to come back to me.”
Oh so softly, Sam pressed his lips to Dean’s.
Sam shifted his weight until he was seated in the soft grass on Dean’s left side. With more stability, Sam pushed a little further into the kiss, urging a response from Dean. Over the years Sam had learned to demonstrate great patience in this endeavor knowing it would reap grand rewards in the end.
Pulling away Sam opened his eyes to examine Dean’s face, praying for a telltale sign that he was regaining his senses. But there was nothing. Breathing Dean’s name over and over, Sam reverently kissed his eyes, the bridge of his nose and his cheeks before returning to his lips. Were Dean’s lips open slightly in anticipation? Sam’s heart thrilled in his chest.
Leaning in, Sam pressed his mouth against Dean’s once again. He didn’t think he imagined pressure being returned from Dean’s side. Without warning, Sam felt fingers carding through his hair. It was the gentlest of touches, sensual and inviting. It sent electric shocks through his entire nervous system. In his mind, Sam could see what the Queen was offering – never ending youth, endless summers, safety and Dean. It was deliciously tantalizing and almost the perfect distraction…
But the Queen didn’t realize Sam didn’t like to share.
With almost inhuman effort, Sam pulled himself up to his knees and brought Dean with him – away from the couch, away from the intoxicating presence of the Queen. This time Dean definitely responded; his hand slipped around Sam’s waist and fisted in his shirt. What started out sweet and persuasive became demanding and possessive. When they finally broke apart, Dean blinked to clear his vision. He brought his hand up to rest against Sam’s face. Then tucked his head into Sam’s shoulder and breathed out, “Sam.”
Sam wrapped his arms around Dean, and since he was just about there, pulled him the rest of the way into his lap. A little cuddling couldn’t hurt at this point. Sam looked up to gauge the Queen’s reaction to Sam’s victory. He was overwhelmed to realize that she not only wasn’t angry, she looked almost indulgent. It seemed that the lore was right; the faerie had a soft spot for romantic mortals.
Figuring it was best to strike while the iron was hot, Sam got to his feet pulling Dean along with him. He kept his fingers intertwined with Dean’s to demonstrate possession of his prize.
“Yours was the call he was waiting for all along, it seems,” stated the Queen smiling softly as she rose. “Though I am loath to lose my prize, you have won the challenge and are free to go.” With a gesture a path opened up through the forest, back the way Sam had come.
The Queen approached them. With her right hand she touched Dean’s face; with her left she stroked Sam’s hair. “If you leave now, you may never return to my court.” Again the unspoken promise of safety overwhelmed Sam, and could feel Dean trembling with reaction beside him. But their clasped hands between them grounded Sam. He squeezed Dean’s hand hard and Dean squeezed it just as hard in return. Simultaneously they took a step back.
Titania let her hands fall, disappointed. “So shall it be.”
Together Sam and Dean bowed and turned to take their leave. The quality of light changed as soon as they stepped beneath the trees, but the path was smooth and straight before them.
“Is this one of those times where we’re not supposed to look back?” asked Dean.
“Let’s not take the chance,” answered Sam.
“Because now that I’ve said it…that’s all I want to do. Look back.” But out of the corner of his eye Sam could see that Dean resolutely kept his eyes forward.
“Yeah, I brought you back from being a fairy zombie…I don’t know what I could do for a pillar of salt.” Sam joked.
“You could lick me,” Dean suggested. Although Sam wasn’t looking at Dean’s face he could hear the smug smile in his voice.
Sam snorted, and felt some post-confrontation hysteria well up in his chest. “Well at least you can’t call me ‘Princess’ anymore Sleeping Beauty. Or would you be Snow White?”
“I would be awesome, that’s what I’d be,” was Dean’s rebuttal. Sam snorted again. They walked along in silence for a bit. Sam couldn’t think much past the feeling of Dean’s hand in his and overwhelming relief that they made it out.
The natural sounds of the forest started to return as they walked further and further from the fairy glade. It was about half an hour later when the path opened up before them leading directly to the isolated parking lot where Sam had parked the Impala. Sam thought she had never looked better.
Sam released Dean’s hand expecting him to walk around to the driver’s side. But instead, with his hand on Sam’s back, Dean steered Sam toward the hood of the car. Dean turned Sam around and gave him a little push so he was semi-seated on the Impala.
Sam looked up and Dean was much closer than he expected. “That was some kiss back there, Sam.” He slid his hands up Sam’s thighs to his hips. Dean’s face took on a cocky expression. “Who taught you to kiss like that?”
Sam laughed and rolled his eyes. Then Dean’s gaze turned hungry and he pushed himself between Sam’s legs. “I think it’s time I returned the favor.”
An instant later they were intertwined. Dean was demanding, possessive; Sam welcomed it all and pulled him closer. This was what he was after when he went into that glen – Dean active and pushy and cocky and desperate…and all his.
When I first heard about these birthday festivities I immediately thought...Shakespeare! And, what would be the core of the story...the epic love of Sam and Dean of course! Who else would I write slashy, schmoopy Shakespeare fic for? So here's to you, hon - I hope you have a fantabulous birthday and know how much you're loved! :)
<3 Wee
Title: Sa Chúirt na Banríona (In the Court of the Queen)
Author:
weesta Pairing: Sam/Dean
Rated: PG (come on...you know me ;)
Warning: Unless kissing and hand-holding need to be warned for, we're good
As silently as possible, Sam made his way through the heavy undergrowth of the forest; there was no way he wasn’t being watched or that his approach was undetected but the illusion that he had a chance of success was part of the game, so the path forward was unbarred. However, Sam could feel the path close in as he passed and knew there was no exit behind him. The only way out was through.
This should’ve been a simple salt and burn. But wasn’t that the assumption they usually worked under? Yearly disappearances in Jackson, Michigan caught Sam’s attention. It was the right time of year and they were “in the area”, so why not go just a little further north and make one more corner of the country safe for regular folks? It didn’t hurt that Dean’s newfound, and poorly disguised, fondness of LARPing and all things Moondoor made this gig right up his alley. Not that a summer Shakespeare festival on the University of Michigan campus was on par with a weekend in Moondoor, but all that mattered to Dean was getting to look like a bad-ass in a tunic and tights and waving a big sword.
Frankly, Sam couldn’t complain about either of those things.
But now, as he fumbled through the unnaturally silent forest in the Cedar Bend Nature Area, Sam mentally kicked himself for getting distracted and missing the pattern within the pattern. Yes, it was true that there were yearly, unexplained disappearances during the Shakespeare festival; but it wasn’t until too late that Sam realized that the disappearances always happened during the week that A Midsummer Night’s Dream was performed, even when it wasn’t on the event schedule. It was always young men who vanished; their loved ones sadly displayed photos of their strikingly handsome sons/husbands/lovers; so the monster had a “type”. However, the fact that the missing men were all first-born sons wasn’t something that was noted in police reports. When Sam put that together, that’s when he realized they were in some serious trouble because by that time, Dean was missing.
Shakespeare festival, first-born sons, impromptu performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream…in retrospect it all made sense. Friggin’ fairies!
The quality of light changed on the path before him and Sam slowed his approach. Although it was close to midnight and dark under the trees where Sam traveled, the glade ahead was unnaturally bright with silver moonlight. Sam paused to catch his breath and survey the area. To the untrained observer or oblivious hiker who might stumble upon the glade it looked like a scene from A Midsummer's Night Dream had been restaged; moved part and parcel from the festival to the forest. But Sam knew what he was looking for and he could see more.
The motes of shimmering light wafting on the edges of the clearing were not drifting bits of dandelion fluff, they had direction and purpose. The giggling sylphs flitting from tree to tree were not children up well past their bedtimes. The clothing worn by the mingling troupe of beautiful beings sparkled with moonlight not refracted by sequins and glitter, but by diamonds and gold. This was truly the Faerie Court.
Sam could see a handful of human men mixed in among the fair folk, but not the one he was looking for. Finally, as though responding to an unseen signal, the crowd parted and Sam had a clear line of sight to the seat of the Faerie Queen...and Dean standing next to it.
Sam's heart did a flip in his chest. Dean looked fine, if detached - almost like a sleepwalker. Titania, the Faerie Queen, sat on her couch idly stroking Dean's arm while she accepted wine from a winged servant. Then she slowly turned her head until her gaze rested directly on Sam.
Sam knew this mission was a gamble; there were simply too many factors in play. Clearly Dean wasn't in his right mind but it was impossible to determine if his compliance was the result of a spell that was imposed on him, or because he had ingested food or drink offered to him by the faerie. If it was the former, there was an outside chance that Sam could break the spell and they could fight for their freedom; if it was the latter, they were doomed before he even began.
Sam hoped that Dean's former experience with fairy folk made him so hostile toward them that he wouldn't accept any sustenance from them, no matter how enticing it seemed.
There had been very limited time to do research before putting a plan together. Sam knew that the Fair Folk were bound by their word, but were clever in the choices they presented. They were amused by humans, but fickle in their attention. And the mood of the Queen was mercurial; any misstep could earn her ire and have dire consequences. As the ease of his approach indicated, the Queen knew he was coming...it was what he did from here on out that would determine the final outcome.
A glance at his watch told Sam that the hour had come; it was midnight, the veil between worlds was at its thinnest – it was now or never. Sam straightened up and stepped out from behind the tree where he was hidden. He tugged once at the tunic he was wearing and adamantly refused to be self conscious in the outfit he had chosen. Like Dean, Sam was wearing a costume of fair authenticity (approved by Charlie) meant to allow them to mingle at the festival and gain access to backstage areas. Sam figured that if he had to approach the fairy court he might as well dress like he meant business.
Sam strode down the aisle created by the parting of the court directly toward the Queen. He tried to will Dean to make eye-contact and searched desperately for any sign of acknowledgement that Dean knew he was there; but there was nothing. Sam ignored the horrible sinking feeling in his gut and moved forward with his plan.
A few feet shy of the Queen, Sam halted and made what he hoped was a courtly bow; it wasn’t exactly a skill he’d been trained for. Sam really had no idea what the hell was expected in terms of manners or speech, but he hoped that he showed enough respect not to piss anyone off. Raising his eyes from the floor, Sam looked to the Queen. She appeared interested and slightly amused; he hoped that was a good sign.
Sam placed his right hand over his heart and bowed his head slightly again, “My Lady Queen…” He could feel his heart hammering in his chest and it struck him how different this was from the first time fairies took an interest in Dean The last time Dean had been abducted by fairies, not only had Sam not gone looking for him, he spent the night hooking up with some hippie chick. That simply wasn’t possible this time; this time Sam’s heart and soul were in it, and he wasn’t letting go of his other half without a fight.
Sam straightened and looked directly at Titania. “…I’ve come for my brother.”
The Queen smiled slightly. “How very direct. How brave.” Again she stroked Dean’s arm, but her eyes remained on Sam. “You are very unusual mortals.”
Sam wasn’t sure how to respond and was pretty sure anything he said could be twisted against him, so he let his original statement stand for itself. The Queen rose gracefully from her gilded couch and gently brushed her knuckles against Dean’s cheek. He was as unresponsive to her touch as he’d been to Sam’s approach – Sam hoped that was a good thing.
Titania stepped down from the slight rise and approached Sam. He worked hard to hold his ground; it wasn’t easy, the Queen’s presence was palpable. She was alluring and magnetic. Her face was perfect model of otherworldly beauty. Her hair fell in shimmering silver waves around her shoulders and down her back. Her eyes were dark, in stark contrast to her pale skin and Sam was surprised to realize that as she drew near he had to look up to maintain eye contact.
“You’ve come very far to retrieve your brother…and he has resisted the sweetest enticements to join us.” Sam’s heart leaped in his chest; they still had a chance!
The Queen circled Sam, speaking in a low melodious voice. Out of her direct focus, he felt like he could breathe a little easier, but then she touched him – trailing her fingertips across his shoulders as she moved – it was electric. “But I’m sure you know you cannot come into my realm, my court, with demands.”
The Queen finished her circuit and walked away from Sam. As she returned to her seat, motes of fairy light shimmered around her making sure each hair on her head and each fold of her gown was perfectly placed. Once again she stroked Dean’s arm before she settled, but now Sam had an inkling of the power his brother was trying to resist.
“No lady, not with a demand, but a request for a boon,” Sam took a deep breath, he knew he was skating on very thin ice. “I only ask for Dean to be returned to me and safe passage out of the forest for the two of us.”
Titania’s brow began to take on a stormy look and Sam silently prayed that the lore he read was right; being able to track the fairies to their court gave Sam the right to request a favor, almost like demanding a leprechaun’s gold. Most mortals who were lucky or foolish enough to make it this far were usually tricked out of the reward they requested and left to spend the rest of their lives telling tales of a fantastical night in the realm of the Fey to the bottom of a bottle, overwhelmed at having glimpsed something mystic but being denied access ever again. But Sam wasn’t searching for gold or everlasting youth; all he wanted was his brother.
Now the ball was in the Queen’s court. She knew as well as Sam that he was well within his rights to seek a prize having gained access to her realm, but she didn’t like being surprised or made to look a fool in front of her people. She clearly didn’t want to give up her latest acquisition.
Titania raised her chin, but her eyes were steady on Sam. “You shall have what you seek, mortal, if you can prove your claim.”
Sam was expecting this. He hoped he was ready for whatever challenge she presented.
The Queen turned slightly towards Dean. Her gaze drifted to caress him. “Though he resists me now, he came so easily to my call.” She turned her gaze back to Sam. “Will he come to yours?”
Titania flicked her hand toward Dean. He sighed heavily, his eyes closed and his left leg gave out underneath him.
Sam cried out, “Dean!” and surged forward to break his fall, but there was no need; the motes of light that had attended the Queen now cushioned Dean’s descent and arranged him between the couch and the Queen’s bejeweled, satin gown, leaning against her leg. Sam continued his forward progress until his was crouched at Dean’s side, surprised that none of the other fairies in attendance intercepted him. Sam looked at the crowd warily, but none seemed inclined to intervene, though they appeared to be very interested in the proceedings.
The Queen laid her left hand gently on the side of Dean’s head, her fingers idly playing with his hair. Sam was always amazed by how young Dean appeared in his sleep, but here he seemed not only youthful, but revitalized. Though his skin was pale, he didn’t look sickly; the creases in his brow and eyes brought on by worry had melted away. Under the magical moon Dean was beautiful – a prize worthy of a Queen.
Titania leaned slightly closer to Sam; again he felt her magnetic presence, but now instead of amusement, there was challenge in her eyes. “If you can wake him, he is yours.”
Feeling the weight of all the observers, Sam felt foolish trying to wake Dean. It was hard enough to rouse Dean on a good day with coffee in one hand and a breakfast sandwich in the other, let alone when he was under some sort of spell. Sam knew where this was going, he’d read enough fairy tales from Grimm to Disney, but tried shaking Dean and calling his name first. Sam wasn’t really expecting anything, but was disturbed by the utter lack of response – there wasn’t even a flicker of movement behind Dean’s closed eyelids.
Sam took a deep breath and tried to center himself. Not wanting to touch the Queen, but needing more contact with Dean, Sam curled his right hand around Dean’s neck and let his thumb trail Dean’s jawbone from his chin to his cheek. Sam closed his eyes and leaned his head against Dean’s.
“Please, Dean…I know you’re in there. You need to come back to me.”
Sam could feel the attention of the crowd intensify. He kept his eyes closed so he could block them out. He wouldn’t be distracted from his purpose. This wouldn’t be the first time he’d kissed Dean awake, but it would certainly be the most public.
Sam breathed out as he moved his face lower and tipped Dean’s head back. He slid his left hand around Dean’s right side to stabilize himself. “Dean,” Sam breathed against Dean’s lips, “you have to come back to me.”
Oh so softly, Sam pressed his lips to Dean’s.
Sam shifted his weight until he was seated in the soft grass on Dean’s left side. With more stability, Sam pushed a little further into the kiss, urging a response from Dean. Over the years Sam had learned to demonstrate great patience in this endeavor knowing it would reap grand rewards in the end.
Pulling away Sam opened his eyes to examine Dean’s face, praying for a telltale sign that he was regaining his senses. But there was nothing. Breathing Dean’s name over and over, Sam reverently kissed his eyes, the bridge of his nose and his cheeks before returning to his lips. Were Dean’s lips open slightly in anticipation? Sam’s heart thrilled in his chest.
Leaning in, Sam pressed his mouth against Dean’s once again. He didn’t think he imagined pressure being returned from Dean’s side. Without warning, Sam felt fingers carding through his hair. It was the gentlest of touches, sensual and inviting. It sent electric shocks through his entire nervous system. In his mind, Sam could see what the Queen was offering – never ending youth, endless summers, safety and Dean. It was deliciously tantalizing and almost the perfect distraction…
But the Queen didn’t realize Sam didn’t like to share.
With almost inhuman effort, Sam pulled himself up to his knees and brought Dean with him – away from the couch, away from the intoxicating presence of the Queen. This time Dean definitely responded; his hand slipped around Sam’s waist and fisted in his shirt. What started out sweet and persuasive became demanding and possessive. When they finally broke apart, Dean blinked to clear his vision. He brought his hand up to rest against Sam’s face. Then tucked his head into Sam’s shoulder and breathed out, “Sam.”
Sam wrapped his arms around Dean, and since he was just about there, pulled him the rest of the way into his lap. A little cuddling couldn’t hurt at this point. Sam looked up to gauge the Queen’s reaction to Sam’s victory. He was overwhelmed to realize that she not only wasn’t angry, she looked almost indulgent. It seemed that the lore was right; the faerie had a soft spot for romantic mortals.
Figuring it was best to strike while the iron was hot, Sam got to his feet pulling Dean along with him. He kept his fingers intertwined with Dean’s to demonstrate possession of his prize.
“Yours was the call he was waiting for all along, it seems,” stated the Queen smiling softly as she rose. “Though I am loath to lose my prize, you have won the challenge and are free to go.” With a gesture a path opened up through the forest, back the way Sam had come.
The Queen approached them. With her right hand she touched Dean’s face; with her left she stroked Sam’s hair. “If you leave now, you may never return to my court.” Again the unspoken promise of safety overwhelmed Sam, and could feel Dean trembling with reaction beside him. But their clasped hands between them grounded Sam. He squeezed Dean’s hand hard and Dean squeezed it just as hard in return. Simultaneously they took a step back.
Titania let her hands fall, disappointed. “So shall it be.”
Together Sam and Dean bowed and turned to take their leave. The quality of light changed as soon as they stepped beneath the trees, but the path was smooth and straight before them.
“Is this one of those times where we’re not supposed to look back?” asked Dean.
“Let’s not take the chance,” answered Sam.
“Because now that I’ve said it…that’s all I want to do. Look back.” But out of the corner of his eye Sam could see that Dean resolutely kept his eyes forward.
“Yeah, I brought you back from being a fairy zombie…I don’t know what I could do for a pillar of salt.” Sam joked.
“You could lick me,” Dean suggested. Although Sam wasn’t looking at Dean’s face he could hear the smug smile in his voice.
Sam snorted, and felt some post-confrontation hysteria well up in his chest. “Well at least you can’t call me ‘Princess’ anymore Sleeping Beauty. Or would you be Snow White?”
“I would be awesome, that’s what I’d be,” was Dean’s rebuttal. Sam snorted again. They walked along in silence for a bit. Sam couldn’t think much past the feeling of Dean’s hand in his and overwhelming relief that they made it out.
The natural sounds of the forest started to return as they walked further and further from the fairy glade. It was about half an hour later when the path opened up before them leading directly to the isolated parking lot where Sam had parked the Impala. Sam thought she had never looked better.
Sam released Dean’s hand expecting him to walk around to the driver’s side. But instead, with his hand on Sam’s back, Dean steered Sam toward the hood of the car. Dean turned Sam around and gave him a little push so he was semi-seated on the Impala.
Sam looked up and Dean was much closer than he expected. “That was some kiss back there, Sam.” He slid his hands up Sam’s thighs to his hips. Dean’s face took on a cocky expression. “Who taught you to kiss like that?”
Sam laughed and rolled his eyes. Then Dean’s gaze turned hungry and he pushed himself between Sam’s legs. “I think it’s time I returned the favor.”
An instant later they were intertwined. Dean was demanding, possessive; Sam welcomed it all and pulled him closer. This was what he was after when he went into that glen – Dean active and pushy and cocky and desperate…and all his.