☬♛ PART TEN ♛☬

Sebastian had won.

Alex had finally broken, finally given in.

And yet-

Nothing changed.

Alex still dressed him in the mornings, still followed him at court, still stood by his side in perfect silence.

As if nothing had happened.

As if he had not kissed Sebastian like a man desperate to breathe.

Sebastian was furious.

Not because Alex hadn't kissed him again.

But because he acted like it meant nothing.

And worse-because Sebastian refused to push him again.

Not yet.

________________________________________

At court, the tension was unbearable.

Gabriel had noticed immediately.

"You seem distracted, Sebastian," he mused one evening, twirling his wine glass. "Surely, it isn't because of me?"

Sebastian smirked lazily. "Oh, but Gabriel, who else could occupy my thoughts?"

Gabriel chuckled, but his sharp blue eyes flickered toward Alex, who-as always-stood perfectly still behind Sebastian's chair.

"Indeed," Gabriel murmured. "Who else?"

Sebastian clenched his jaw.

He hated this game.

Hated pretending.

And hated that Alex let him pretend.

_________________________________________

That night, Sebastian did not wait for Alex to come to him.

He went to Alex.

Slipping past the palace guards, through the servants' corridors, until he reached Alex's private quarters.

He didn't knock.

He pushed the door open, stepping inside.

Alex was there, standing by the window, shirt untied at the collar, looking every bit as restless as Sebastian felt.

"My Prince-"

"Enough."

Sebastian strode forward, slamming the door behind him.

"You kissed me," he hissed. "And then you disappeared."

Alex exhaled. "I did not disappear."

"Then what would you call this?" Sebastian demanded, stepping closer. "You pretend nothing happened, you ignore what's between us-"

"I do not ignore it."

Sebastian froze.

Alex ran a hand through his hair, something raw flickering across his face. "Do you think this is easy for me?" he whispered. "To want you and know I should not?"

Sebastian's chest tightened.

"Then why should you not?" he demanded. "You have already given in. You have already-"

"Because I cannot be selfish."

Sebastian's breath caught.

Alex turned toward him fully, stepping closer, his voice strained. "You are a prince, Sebastian. You have a duty to your kingdom, to your people. And I-" He inhaled shakily. "I am just a man who has loved you for far too long."

Sebastian's heart ached.

"Alex-"

"Do you think I do not dream of keeping you?" Alex's voice broke, his fingers curling into fists. "Do you think I do not ache every time I see you, knowing I can never be enough?"

Sebastian swallowed hard.

"You are enough for me."

Alex exhaled sharply.

Sebastian stepped forward, reaching out, grabbing Alex's collar, pulling him close.

*"I do not care for duty. I do not care for what the world expects of me. The only thing I want-the only thing I have ever wanted- is you."

Alex's hands trembled at his sides.

Sebastian pressed closer, his forehead brushing against Alex's, his voice raw.

"Tell me you do not want this, and I will walk away."

Silence.

Then-

"I cannot."

Sebastian smiled.

And this time-

Alex kissed him first.