Chapter Text
Dinner was a difficult affair for Dean. Despite the food tasting delicious, and the entertainment being one of the best they’ve ever had, Dean could only focus on Lord Voronoy.
Dean watched as the Lord engaged in an animated conversation with the Lady sitting next to him. She leaned in, her posture indicating she was as enraptured with Voronoy as Dean.
“Were you listening, Lord Lionheart?” Dean turned and looked at the lord sitting next to him. He had figured out in seconds that he was sitting next to Kevin, and felt terrible that he might be the easiest of the eight lords and ladies to guess.
Dean nodded, knowing that Kevin would not be able to get him to talk and prove him wrong.
“It’s tough to have a one-sided conversation.” Kevin leaned in towards Dean. “Who are you that your voice can’t be heard? Benny?”
Dean’s head jerked forward in disbelief, and he shook his head rapidly.
“Hey, it’s okay if I figured it out.” Kevin’s barely disguised voice dropped down to a whisper. “It’s me, Kevin.”
Dean pointed to himself then pointed at his head, hoping Kevin would get the meaning behind the gesture. However, before Kevin could confirm, Charlie’s voice blanketed the tent and pulled everyone’s attention to her.
“Ladies, Men, and Gentlethem.” Charlie extended her arms regally, as though she were expecting a hug. “As we open the floor to dancing and socializing, I have one request of my visiting guests.” She looked to the tables directly in front of her. “If you would be so kind, to lead the first dance of the evening. Your dancing partner is directly across from you.”
Dean’s head whipped from Charlie to Lord Voronoy. He was already standing, his head pointing directly at Dean.
“As is custom, you’ll start the dancing off the bassadance, then the rest of my amazing subjects shall join in with Country dances. We want all to feel welcomed here.” Charlie brought her hands back together, and sat in her chair, waiting for Dean and the rest of the Lords and Ladies to take the floor.
Dean walked and stood next to Lord Voronoy. “My Lord Lionheart, I apologize, but I am only familiar with the man’s part of this dance. I can attempt the female part if you wish.” Dean shook his head and curtsied, to which the raven-masked man smiled. “You know the female part, and are not offended to dance it? I am more intrigued than before.” The Russian accent sent a shiver down Dean’s spine, and he nodded in confirmation.
Lord Voronoy took Dean’s gloved hand into his and stepped into the first position while waiting for the music to start. Dean followed suit, his eyes never leaving the mask of the man next to him. The song started, and Dean smiled upon hearing a beautifully slowed down version of Ramble On. He followed the oft-practiced steps, his lessons where Charlie took the male part, finally paying off.
Dean found himself twirled into Lord Voronoy’s arms per the next movement of the dance. The man’s chest was incredibly firm, and the way that his arms were wrapped around, Dean gave off an incredible sense of being safe.
“You dance this so wonderfully.” The Lord’s voice was soft and warm in Dean’s ear. “I do hope you will tell me the story of how you learned this part.”
Dean carefully looked over his shoulder, wary of their masks colliding together, and stared at the man. His heart was beating harder and faster. His breath hitched, and he reluctantly spun out of Voronoy’s arms. In the movement, his eyes landed on Charlie, who was giving him a questioning look with a knowing smile.
The song came to an end, and each pair bowed or curtsied to their partner. Dean quickly walked off the floor and headed to Charlie. He ignored Voronoy calling after him and climbed up the riser to address the queen. Dean leaned in closely, “I don’t know what you’re up to, but I can’t do this.”
“Lord Lionheart, are you accusing me of pairing you with someone interesting?” Charlie winked exaggeratedly. “I would never do such a thing.”
“I’m leaving, Dot can protect your ass.” He stood up, saluted Charlie, and nodded to Dorothy.
Dorothy got up from her throne and followed Dean out of the tent. “You know we’re leaving her vulnerable right now.”
“What don’t you two understand about ‘I don’t want to move on!’” Dean hissed. “I may not be happy, but there is no other person for me, and I won’t lose him.”
“Then, you need to act, Dean.” Dorothy chided. “This whole thing? Charlie did it for you. We could have had our regular campout.”
“I don’t do fancy. I don’t do masks. Why did she think this would make me happy?”
Dorothy stepped up to Dean and pulled him into a hug. “You should know better. We thought you figured it out.”
“You what?” Dean tilted his head to the side. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Go talk to Lord Voronoy. Get to know him. Please.” Dorothy looked back at the tent. “You trust us, right?”
Dean hung his head and nodded.
“That’s the Dean we love. Come along, Lord Lionheart. You have a role to play.” Dorothy looped her arm through Dean’s and walked him back to the tent.
Upon entering, Charlie marched up to them. “Lord Lionheart, there has been a special song request put in for you. If you wish to make up for your sudden outburst, you must go dance it with Lord Voronoy.” She looked back to the dance floor and smiled. You’ll know what the song is once it starts playing. We’re at Country dances with an open invitation for all to dance, so there won’t be a spotlight on you.” Charlie leaned in closer. “Dean, I would never do anything to hurt you, and I’m sorry if you thought that.”
Charlie offered her hand to Dorothy and led her back to the dais to retake their thrones. Lord Voronoy stood next to Dorothy’s seat and leaned in once they were seated. As they spoke to the Lord, he looked up and offered the softest of smiles, and Dean, for a moment, lost himself in the beauty of it. Dorothy dismissed Voronoy, and he stepped off the platform. He held his head high and started walking towards Dean, stopping in the middle of the dance floor.
The first notes for Iron & Wine’s cover of Time After Time started playing, and Dean froze. His lips parted slightly as he looked at Charlie and Dorothy, who motioned with dual nods towards the Lord. Dean turned to look at Voronoy, who had extended his hand out towards him. Dean took one more look at Charlie, who gestured with her hand open and palm facing up, for Dean to join him.
Dean walked to Lord Voronoy and took his hand. He looked to the floor, dropped his voice to a soft stage whisper. “Forgive me, my Lord. This song has a lot of meaning to me.”
“I know, Dean. It’s why I requested it.” Dean’s head snapped up. The Russian accent was gone, and the only voice that could send more shivers down his spine replaced it. “May I have the honor of this dance?”
Dean’s heart stopped, and he reached with his free hand to the raven mask. He slowly pushed it up to find the blue eyes that stole his heart so long ago. “Cas?”
“Hello, Dean.”
If you're lost, you can look, and you will find me, time after time.
“You’re supposed to be with–”
“Gabe and Mike at our mother’s?” Cas shook his head. “I told Charlie it was a weak lie, but we couldn’t come up with a better reason for why I wouldn’t spend a weekend with you.” He placed Dean’s hands on his shoulders and his hands on Dean’s waist. “She could never pull me away from you.”
Dean pulled his hand back and lifted his own mask. “You’re here, though. How? Why?”
“You know why, Dean.” Cas turned his head to look at Charlie, Dean following his gaze. “To quote her, she couldn’t deal with any more ‘man angst’ from either of us.” Cas let go with one of his hands briefly and softly cupped Dean’s cheek, moving his head so they were face to face again. “I didn’t believe her either at first.”
“Believe what, Cas?” Dean tried to keep his face as neutral as possible.
“That you love me.” Cas moved his hand under Dean’s chin as he started to look down. “But you proved it when you stormed off the dance floor.”
Dean’s face twisted in confusion. “How so?”
“You didn’t know it was me. And it made you uncomfortable that you found me attractive and alluring.”
“You are so full of yourself, Cas.”
Cas leaned forward and softly pressed his lips against Dean’s. It was brief and fleeting, and Dean found himself chasing after Cas as he pulled away. “But you love me. Just like I love you.”
“Cas…” Fear filled Dean’s eyes. “We can’t go back. This? If I lost you…”
“If you fall, I will catch you, I'll be waiting, time after time.” Cas sang along with the song, his eyes lighting up. “Then we communicate, we don’t hide from each other anymore.” Cas moved his hand back to Dean’s cheek and ran his thumb to wipe away a tear Dean didn’t realize he had shed. “Because I refuse to lose you.”
Dean rushed in and fiercely kissed Cas, his secret no longer needing to be hidden away.