☬♛ PART EIGHT ♛☬

"Soon."

Sebastian clung to that word like a man drowning, gasping for air that wasn't there.

But how long was soon? A week? A month? How long would Alex keep him waiting, keep torturing him with these fleeting moments that never amounted to anything?

And worse-how long could he endure it?

Because every time Alex touched him, every time his fingers lingered just a second too long, every time his voice dropped into that low, careful tone-Sebastian felt it.

The restraint.

The war.

The way Alex wanted him just as much as he wanted Alex.

And yet, Alex continued to pull away.

_________________________________________

Prince Gabriel was growing impatient.

The courtship had gone on for weeks now, and while Sebastian had not rejected him outright, neither had he accepted him.

One evening, Gabriel cornered him in the gardens. The moonlight turned his golden hair silver, his expression unreadable.

"You are playing a dangerous game, Sebastian."

Sebastian smirked, plucking a rose from a nearby bush. "Am I? I thought we were merely dancing."

Gabriel exhaled sharply. "I have been patient."

"Yes, you have," Sebastian said lightly, twirling the rose between his fingers. "And I do so love testing a man's patience."

Gabriel grabbed his wrist, not hard enough to hurt, but firm enough to make a point.

"You may tease me all you like, but I am not a fool," Gabriel murmured. "I know where your heart lies. I see it every time you look at him."

Sebastian tensed.

Gabriel's eyes softened-just slightly. "I do not like losing, Sebastian. But I dislike being used even more."

Sebastian said nothing.

Gabriel released him, stepping back. "I will make this easy for you," he said, voice quiet but firm. "This is my final offer. Accept me, and I will give you the world. Reject me, and I will leave."

Sebastian inhaled slowly.

"I will have my answer by the next full moon."

And then he walked away.

Sebastian stood there, staring at the rose in his hand.

The next full moon.

He had less than two weeks.

_________________________________________

That night, Alex entered his chambers as usual, moving with his quiet efficiency.

Sebastian watched him, gripping the rose stem so tightly the thorns bit into his skin.

"Gabriel has given me a deadline," he said, voice casual. "By the next full moon, I must choose."

Alex didn't react. "Then you must decide, My Prince."

Sebastian exhaled sharply. "I already have."

Alex stilled.

Sebastian smirked, stepping closer. "And yet, you continue to make me wait."

Alex swallowed but said nothing.

Sebastian reached up, sliding his fingers along the front of Alex's coat, feeling the steady rise and fall of his chest.

"Tell me, Alex," he whispered, "if I accepted Gabriel, would you stop me?"

A flicker of something in Alex's eyes.

"Would you let another man claim me?"

Silence.

Then-

"I do not have the right to stop you."

Sebastian's smirk vanished.

His hands curled into Alex's coat, his patience shattering.

"Damn your 'rights,' Alex!" His voice was raw. "Do you love me, or do you not?"

Alex inhaled sharply.

Then, in a move so sudden, so unexpected-

Alex grabbed his wrist, yanking him forward.

"You are cruel, Sebastian." His voice was hoarse, filled with something dark and dangerous. "You demand words I have no right to give, but you already know my answer."

Sebastian's breath caught.

Because yes-he did.

But it wasn't enough anymore.

"Then show me." His voice was barely a whisper.

Alex exhaled sharply, as if fighting something deep within himself.

Then-

His hand rose, brushing against Sebastian's jaw.

Sebastian leaned into the touch, heart hammering, waiting-*begging-*for Alex to finally, finally break.

But instead, Alex's hand slid to the back of his neck, pulling him in-

And pressing their foreheads together.

Not a kiss.

But something just as desperate. Just as intimate.

"I am yours," Alex murmured. "I have always been yours."

Sebastian's eyes burned.

"Then stop running from me."

Alex exhaled shakily.

"One more night," he whispered. "Give me one more night."

Sebastian clenched his fists.

He wanted to argue. To demand more.

But something in Alex's eyes stopped him.

So instead, he nodded.

"One more night."

But after that-

Alex would not be allowed to run.