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The Team Free Will Guild were on yet another adventure after having slaughtered some evil hags who were kidnapping women. You’d think they could catch a break, but because they were pretty well-known for getting the job done well, they could not. There was always someone who needed saving, and people who were willing to pay good money for them to do the saving. This time, they were on a mission to ensure that the Princess of Enderlo was escorted safely from the castle to Mt.Ceracia where she was making a peace treaty.
“We’ve been on this quest for over 30 minutes, and there hasn’t even been a good kill yet. These horns aren’t just on my head to look pretty,” says the young teifling, Claire, frustrated as she leads the group clearly still looking out for any potential threats. Charlie would normally comment that there hadn’t been opportunity to steal anything either, but she was currently trying to impress Princess Adriana. So she refrains.
“There’s more to life than killing, miss barbarian,” the princess says a bit amused.
“I guess that’s true,” Claire replies, “There’s food, money, and ale too.”
“I’m not sure that’s what sue meant,” says Castiel next to her.
“How can I not think of anything funny to say? My clan used to call me ‘The Elven Entertainer’ for goddess’ sake!” whispers Charlie to Dean as they take up the rear.
“I know right? Normally, I’m suave, but I can’t think of any good lines, and I can’t even show her how good of a fighter I am because we haven’t gotten the chance to fight anything!” Dean whispers back.
“Hey, back off. I call dibs.”
“Uh, no. I call dibs.”
“Pretty sure me saying it first is the definition of dibs.”
“How do you even know she likes women?”
“How do you even know she likes men?”
“Touché”
“So what we normally do?”
“Flirt till someone gets somewhere?”
“Yeah pretty much.”
“Deal.” They shake on it.
Meanwhile in the middle of the group with Princess Adriana is Eileen and Sam. Princess Adriana keeps glancing at Sam with a pleased smile much to Eileen’s chagrin.
“You’re very brave,” says Princess Adriana to Sam despite the whole party being responsible for her safe travels.
“Our guild is pretty talented. We’ve been through a lot together. They’re like a second family to my brother and I,” Sam replies oblivious to her flirtatious intentions.
“If anyone’s brave, shouldn’t it be the ones in the front?” says Claire still annoyed at the lack of enemies.
“Well, of course you’re all brave,” the princess backtracks.
“You think Sam is brave, you should get to know his older brother,” Dean says coming up to the front allowing Sam and Eileen to fall behind a little.
“Oh, hello. Are you the brother that Sam is so fond of? He’s a caring, sensitive soul. I can tell.”
“Little too sensitive if you ask me, but I’m working with him.” Sam rolls his eyes.
“Dean’s such a flirt,” Sam signs with an amused look on his face to Eileen, now both behind his brother and the princess.
“With their similar taste in women, I’m surprised that Charlie isn’t-“ Eileen’s signing gets cut off by Charlie moving through them and on the other side of the princess. “Nevermind.” Sam laughs looking at Eileen with a smile. They look into each other’s eyes for a bit in a comfortable silence. He wonders how he was friends with her for years without realizing how breathtaking she was inside and out. Granted, he supposed his daddy issues and his then-recently dead girlfriend would do it, but still. She was a breath of fresh air in a gross, murky swamp. (Sam is not a poet.)
Despite Charlie and Dean’s attempts to impress or flirt with Princess Adriana, she seemed to have no interest and would glance back at Sam every so often wondering how she could convince him to stay in touch with her, or just stay with her (and touch her) in general. Sam, meanwhile, knew that Dean and Charlie were distracted. So he kept a closer watch on his surroundings. After a while, Princess Adriana decided she’d like a rest.
“You know, I could carry you and we could keep going, if you’d prefer to get there faster,” says Dean.
“No thank you, I’d rather rest against a nice tree,” says the princess.
“If you’re tired, I’ve been told my lap is a good pillow if you need one,” Charlie says.
“I’d rather sit, thank you.”
They all rest for a bit. The princess immediately sits next to Sam when she sees him sit. Charlie, Dean, and Eileen watch from afar as the princess continues to flirt with him.
“I don’t understand why she’s chosen Sam when there’s two much more eligible bachelors-“ Charlie coughs. “Slash etts over here who are clearly interested,” says Dean.
“Does Sam even notice her flirting?” Eileen signs.
“Sam barely notices anything that’s not in a book,” Dean says/signs.
“Sam notices 3 things in life,” Charlie begins saying/signing to Eileen, “Books, magic, and you.”
“Me?” She signs incredulously.
“I know you’re deaf, but I didn’t know you were blind too?” Eileen rolls her eyes.
“He notices us all the same,”
“Sam has never once noticed when I cut my hair, got a new weapon, or when I’m excited about something. He notices all 3 with you every time.” Eileen looks to Sam happily talking to Princess Adriana.
“Well, it looks like he’s noticing someone else now,” she signs and walks away to rest on a tree far away from Sam, Dean, or Charlie. Sam notices her walking away from Dean and Charlie looking upset. Thinking that they’d done something to upset her, he extracts himself from the conversation and heads over to her. Dean and Charlie were more than happy to keep the princess company, seating themselves on either side of her.
“Hey,” Sam signs, sitting next to her. She knows it’s petty, but she ignores and turns away from him. He knots his brows in confusion getting in front of her sight again. “Eileen? Is everything ok?”
“Why are you here?” she signs.
“I saw you walk over her seemingly upset and wanted to make sore you’re ok.” She sighs.
“I’m fine. Don’t let me take you away from your new lady friend.”
“My what?” He says/signs with a laugh.
“The princess? The girl who’s been flirting with you the entire trip whom you seem to enjoy right back?” she signs incredulous that he hasn’t noticed.
“Has she really?”
“You’re clueless.”
“Wait, is that why you’re upset?” She stays quiet and still. “You think that I like her?”
“Don’t you?”
“No.”
“You can’t tell me you haven’t thought about it.”
“I really can,” he starts taking a deep breath to prepare himself for the next words, “My mind is busy with other things,”
“Like what? This quest has been boring as hell.” Sam laughs.
“Like you.” Eileen stares. “Eileen, you’re always on my mind; when we’re in battle, when we’re chilling at the tavern, even on a boring, uneventful quest.”
“You’ve never mentioned it.”
“Because being rejected by you is far more terrifying than any of the monsters or cults we meet practically on the daily.” They stare at each other for a moment. “I like you.” He finally signs. She smiles.
“I like you too,” she signs back. As they’re about to lean in, Princess Adriana calls out loudly that she’s ready to keep moving.
“Just us two seconds!” he yells to her.
“What-“ He cuts Eileen off by wrapping an arm around her waist and kissing her. She melts into it, kissing him back. When they pull back, she has a smug smile on her lips. Take that princess.
“Finally!” says Dean.
“Took him long enough,” says Charlie.
“Think this means she’ll get the hint and go for one of us?”
“Surely.” They look towards the princess who has clearly moved on as she is now touching Castiel’s chest. Dean and Charlie groan. Castiel, confused as ever moves forward down the path encouraging the rest of the party to continue with their quest.
Despite half the party being more preoccupied than usual, the rest of the question goes without a hitch. They got paid and are now celebrating at the nearest tavern at the corner table of the room.
“Can you believe that Cas was even more oblivious than Sam?” Dean says/signs to Charlie, Claire, and Eileen. Cas and Sam roll their eyes.
“I thought she was just being friendly,” says/signs Castiel, “How was I supposed to know she wanted to sleep with me?”
“I don’t know; maybe when she said, ‘if only I had a man as warm as you to keep me from freezing in my cold bedroom.’” replies Charlie.
“It’s very cold in the mountains during the winter where she’ll be staying for the next few months as part of the treaty. Naturally, she’s not used to the climate, her room won’t be any better, and body heat is the most effective heat source.” The party laughs at his response.
“Alright, give the man a break. Let’s make a toast to family, to these guys getting their heads out of their asses, a job well done, drinking the night away!”
“Too long. To family!” says Claire.
“To family!” says Team Free Will.
End