Splatter

14. The Bodyguard 2808

To Dean's relief, the outfit he got put into was a plain suit. A very beautifully tailored black suit paired with leather shoes and a white dress shirt that felt heavenly to the touch. The bowtie fastened around his neck was simple but elegant and when Dean looked in the mirror even he did a double take. His face was glowing with excitement and his hair was freshly trimmed and groomed. Dean let all the fuss roll over him like a wave, he had expected to be nervous but as everything was happening all he felt was eagerness to see Castiel. Sam came in just before Dean was due to walk through the spectators, they drank a small flute of champagne together. Sam said a bunch of nice things about how proud he was of Dean and how happy he was for Dean to have found someone he wanted to be with. There was still a tinge of doubt in Sam's voice, he asked Dean again if he was sure. Dean patted Sam on the shoulder and reassured him that he was absolutely certain that Castiel was the one for him, royal or not. Reassured, Sam went to go and sit with everyone else in the embassy's main function room. There were cameras everywhere because the whole ceremony was being televised. The only part that would be kept behind closed doors was the proposal itself. Dean tried to centre himself in amidst the sea of strangers by looking for his friends. They were all seated in the front rows, turning their heads as Kelly guided Dean into the ballroom set up with rows of chairs.

A harp began to play when Dean was met at the door by Bobby, they marched up the aisle together at a sedate pace. Sam stood at the front, facing a trio of Mer. Hannah, Gadreel and Gabriel were all lined up in their traditional robes. They were in different shades of blue, Hannah's flowing gown was icy blue, while Gabriel's was a vivid azure. Gadreel's robes were bright blue, with a hue of aqua green. There were differences in how the attire was laid out and folded over their bodies, intricate details in the designs. Each Mer wore crowns in their hair of pearl, kelp and coral respectively. The fourth representative, Crowley, was standing a little apart from the Mer. He wasn't in any traditional robes, instead he chose to wear a fine suit, but there was a jet black obsidian crown over his temples shaped like horns. Kevin and Charlie were standing on either side of Sam, wearing plain suits similar to Dean's.

Castiel, alone, was seated. It looked like a perfectly ordinary chair but for the first time Dean saw how regal he was. Dean was a little dazzled as he took in the neat fold of Castiel's feet and hands and the composure on his face. Castiel looked other worldly with his eyes downcast and his mouth soft. He looked up when the harp music stopped and his eyes swept over the guests, holding their attention fast. He spared no special look for Dean but Dean stared at him anyway as he stood up slowly. Dean felt his face melt into a foolish smile as he took in Castiel, resplendent in white silk robes, a crown of mother-of-pearl heavy over his brows. The weight of it pushed down on the soft tousle of Castiel hair, leaving dark tendrils to halo his head.

The crowd was silent as Castiel spoke, the camera operators hunched intensely over their equipment.

"I am Castiel, Prince of all Merfolk. Thank you for your attendance. My authority is recognised by an alliance of regional representatives. I acknowledge here Hannah of the North, whose territory extends from Alaska to Russia. I am honoured to be trusted by Gadreel of the South, whose traditional waters are in the Pacific. Also here are Gabriel of the nomadic populations who control the migratory currents and Crowley of the Dead Sea and the dark waters."

Each the allies mentioned bowed to Castiel then sat down. Dean saw that Crowley's bow was barely a dip of the head.

"These are my allies and together we hold sway over the marine trade routes. You all know us, we have been in contact with human civilisation in the modern era since Anna was sent as envoy a decade ago. Here are other Mer you have yet to meet," Castiel nodded in Hannah's direction and she gestured towards the ancillary wall, touching a piece of jewellery on her wrist.