Historical
Triggers: Grumpy Dean
Attending Royal weddings were boring. And long. And Gabriel absolutely detested them. He also was unfortunately bound to attend each and every one that was held. This wedding was no different and Gabriel found himself making up intricate stories based on the stained glass windows that adorned the church. Next to him his brother Castiel sat dutifully watching the preceding and occasionally talking to a rather tall man sat on the other side of him. Bored with his stories he cast a glance over to the man that was whispering to his brother and after a moment he finally placed the man. Prince Samuel from Kingdom Winchester on the West Shore. On Samuel's other side sat his brother and newly appointed King of Winchester; Dean. Quite suddenly the wedding seemed to become more enjoyable.
Dean and Samuel's kingdom bordered Gabriel's own to the west; a nice lush forest between them that offered a large array of game animals. It used to be that the two kingdoms would host a combined hunting tournament followed by a feast once a year. That was until King John descended into madness and paranoia after the suspicious death of his wife and had shut down their borders. Word had spread quickly that the mad King allowed no one in or out of the castle and had even executed castle staff claiming that they were demons of form and were the ones responsible for his wife's death. News of his own death had spread even faster, the man having jumped from the highest tower to 'escape the demons intent upon his life' and landing on the cobble stoned steps of the castle. From there word had been quiet other than the hushed whispers of Dean's rushed coronation as King.
From his position, Gabriel could only see a little bit of Dean; the man's brunette hair was longer than he remembered with it combed to the side and falling just past his ears. He now had a beard that made him look more like a man of the woods than royalty. His cloak was of the deepest black fur and from the little bit that Gabriel could see he appeared to be in mourning rather than attending a wedding. Twice he seen Samuel turn to look at Dean and nudge him before leaning in and whispering something to him. A quick glance at Dean's face showed the man's expression to be stony and his eyes narrowed at the pulpit at the front of the church. Gabriel personally didn't know the couple getting married but it was clear from the glare aimed at the two as they exchanged rings that Dean did and wasn't happy about what was going on.
Unable to stay still any longer, Gabriel gently nudged his brother and subtly nodded in the direction of Dean and Sam; one eyebrow arched in question. Castiel shook his head minutely before turning his attention back to the front of the church just as the priest announced the two standing before him as wedded. As one the entirety of the church stood and applauded as the newly married couple made their way back down the main aisle. Soon they were all heading out of the church themselves and getting into their respective carriages or on their horses to gather for the after wedding celebration.
Gabriel was almost unable to contain his excitement at being able to possibly corner the new King of Winchester and see if any of the rumors that had been bandied about were true. Next to him in the carriage his brother stared silently out the window, his brows drawn in concentration as he stared off into nothingness. Normally Gabriel would have needled and teased his brother to see what had his thoughts so consumed, but right then all of Gabriel's thoughts were of getting either Dean or Sam alone to assuage his curiosity. By the time they entered the great hall everyone was already mingled and dancing had started to take place. The happy couple was nowhere to be seen but Gabriel did spot Dean standing off in a corner; the darkness blending with his fur cloak and making him appear ten times more foreboding than he had looked in the church. Gabriel turned to say something to his brother but found that Castiel had already melted into the mass of people around them.
The people seemed to move out of his way the closer he got to Dean and the last few whispering loud enough to catch Gabriel's attention and he scowled at them. That was another thing he detested about the Royal courts, everyone had an agenda and those that didn't became fodder for the rumor mill. Still scowling he finally made his way to Dean, stopping and deftly flicking his eyes up and down Dean's form. From what he could remember of Dean, the lithe boy had filled out into an intimidating man and Gabriel tamped down on the small thrill that skated down his spine.
"What do you want?" Dean demanded, his voice low and gruff as he bared his teeth in a snarl; and didn't that do things to Gabriel that he wasn't planning on.
"I just wanted to talk. It's been a while since we've crossed paths, you were still a goofy looking kid the last time I seen you."
Dean narrowed his eyes at him and Gabriel held his breath, unsure of what the other man's next reaction would be but hoping that it wouldn't be blood shed. It would be a bad omen on a wedding day if someone were murdered. At least Gabriel would think so, especially if it were him that turned out to be on the receiving end of a blade.
"It has been a while, my brother has been bugging me to restart the yearly hunts." Dean finally uttered; a bit of the stiffness bleeding out of his stance.
"It be a nice change of pace, perhaps we can bring in games of strength as well. Jousting, sword, hand to hand..."
Dean's eyes seemed to light up a bit at the thought of the addition to the games and Gabriel bit his lip at the way the small expression change changed the entire way Dean looked.
"Yes. I will have my brother get with you to set it up." Dean said as he stared off into space for a moment leaving Gabriel to look his fill at the other man.
"I will have my own brother draw up paperwork and we can schedule a time to work out the plans going forward." Gabriel gave a small smile with a nod before speaking again. "So may I ask what had you staring like God himself had offended you during the service?"
Dean's expression hardened again and for a moment Gabriel worried that he'd undone all the work that he'd made in such short time. He opened his mouth to back track but Dean just exhaled sharply as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"Her name is Joanna, she, myself, and my brother were raised together. She was sent off to the courts before my father passed and came back stating that she was to be wed. Neither my brother or I were able to meet with the man before today and I do not have any knowledge of his family to ensure that she will be well cared for."
Dean's expression turned from stony to more of a pout and Gabriel was hard pressed not to be a little enthralled by the boyish expression. He also refused to acknowledge the little flicker of something in the pit of his stomach that said he was relieved that the subject of Dean's apparent ire was not based in a romantic rejection. Their little interlude however was interrupted by Samuel coming up and whispering something in Dean's ear. With slumped shoulders Dean looked back at him and Gabriel was pleased that the other man didn't seem to want end their conversation.
"My apologies, but apparently I am needed elsewhere. I will send a letter to set up the date for solidifying the restart of the hunt and setting up for the addition of the games of strength."
"I will await your word eagerly." Gabriel replied as he gave a slight bow which Dean returned.
As the two brothers departed Gabriel allowed himself to smile; perhaps Royal weddings weren't so bad after all.