In the shadows

The moon hung high in the night sky, casting a silver glow over the royal castle. Prince Nani sat on the cold marble floor of his room, staring at the knife in his hand. Not for harm—but for freedom.

He took a deep breath, his heart racing as he used the sharp blade to shred his bedsheets, curtains, and anything else he could find. His hands trembled slightly as he tied the strips together to form a makeshift rope. The act was reckless, desperate, and entirely unbecoming of a prince.

But Nani was no longer thinking as a prince. He was thinking as a man in love—a man who could no longer bear the weight of his unspoken feelings. If Sky wouldn’t come for him, then he would go to Sky.

---

Nani tied the rope securely to the window frame, testing its strength before climbing over the edge. His pulse pounded in his ears as he descended. His thoughts were a whirlwind of fear and determination. **This is treason,** he reminded himself. **A prince running from the castle is a crime punishable by death.**

Yet, the thought of Sky's face—his warm smile, his kind eyes, the way he made Nani feel alive—pushed him forward.

He landed softly in the palace garden, crouching low to avoid the guards patrolling the grounds. The scent of roses and fresh grass filled the air, but there was no time to admire the beauty around him. He moved stealthily, using the shadows to his advantage, his heart hammering with each step.

As he approached the outer wall, he froze. A figure stood at the garden entrance.

It was the king.

Nani held his breath, pressing himself into the darkness. The king was far enough, Nani hoped that he hadn’t noticed him yet, and after a tense moment, the king stared at Nani’s direction, sighed, then turned and walked away.

Nani exhaled in relief,  that the king didn't see him, Nani quickly climbing the wall. He scaled it with surprising ease, his adrenaline driving him forward. When he jumped down on the other side, his feet hit the ground with a soft thud.

And then he saw him.

---

A man dressed in black from head to toe stood just a few feet away, holding a rope. Only his eyes were visible, but those eyes—intense, familiar, and filled with emotion—gave him away immediately.

“Sky,” Nani whispered, his voice a mix of surprise and relief.

Sky stiffened, his hands clenching the rope tightly. “What are you doing here, Your Highness?” he asked, his voice low but edged with concern.

Nani stepped closer, narrowing his eyes. “I could ask you the same thing. Why are you here? And don’t give me some excuse about checking on security.”

Sky stumbled over his words, his usual composure faltering. “I... I came to see you.”

Nani raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. “To see me? You could have walked through the main gates. Everyone would’ve let you in. Instead, you’re sneaking around like a thief. Why?”

Sky raked a hand through his hair, his frustration evident. “Because I’m a coward,” he admitted. “Because I couldn’t stay away, but I didn’t have the courage to face you properly.”

Nani tilted his head, curiosity flickering in his eyes. “Face me for what?”

Sky hesitated, his fists clenching and unclenching at his sides. Finally, he let out a shaky breath and looked directly at Nani. “Because I’m in love with you.”

---

The words hung in the air, heavy and raw. Sky didn’t stop there.

“I’m in love with you, Nani,” he said, his voice trembling with emotion. “And I’ve been a fool to think I could ignore it. I tried to stay away, but I can’t. I planned to come here tonight and tell you, even though I know it’s wrong. Even though I know I have no right to feel this way about you.”

He started pacing, his emotions spilling out like a flood.

“I thought about everything—about how I’m just a bodyguard, and you’re a prince. About how stupid it is for me to dream of a life with you. I even thought about... about kidnapping you, just to take you away from all this, to keep you for myself.”

Sky let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. “It’s madness, I know. But I couldn’t stop myself. I don’t expect you to feel the same way, and if you want me arrested for this, I won’t fight it. I just... I needed you to know before it’s too late.”

---

Sky turned away, running a hand through his hair, lost in his whirlwind of emotions. He didn’t see Nani move closer until it was too late.

Nani reached out, grabbing Sky by the collar and pulling him down into a kiss.

It wasn’t a tentative kiss. It was fierce, desperate, and filled with everything Nani had been holding back. Sky froze for a moment, his mind reeling, before he gave in, his arms wrapping around Nani’s waist as he kissed him back.

When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathless.

Nani chuckled softly, his forehead resting against Sky’s. “Does that answer your question, or do you need me to spell it out for you?”

Sky stared at him, his expression a mix of disbelief and joy. “You... you love me?”

Nani smiled, his hands cupping Sky’s face. “I love you, you idiot. I’ve loved you for a long time. I was just too scared to admit it.”

Sky closed his eyes, a single tear slipping down his cheek. “You have no idea how happy that makes me.”

---

Nani stepped back, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Well, what are you waiting for, Sky? You said you wanted to take me away, didn’t you?”

Sky blinked, his brain struggling to catch up. “Wait, are you serious?”

Nani laughed. “I’ve never been more serious in my life. Take me away from here. Let’s go somewhere we can be together, without all the rules and expectations. I don’t care about anything else as long as I’m with you.”

Sky hesitated for only a moment before a determined look crossed his face. He grabbed Nani’s hand, pulling him close. “If we do this, there’s no going back. You’ll be giving up everything.”

Nani smiled, his grip on Sky’s hand tightening. “I don’t care about the crown or the castle. The only thing I care about is you.”

Sky nodded, a fierce determination in his eyes. “Then let’s go.”

---

Together, they disappeared into the night, their hearts beating as one. The road ahead would be dangerous, filled with challenges they couldn’t yet imagine. But for the first time in their lives, they felt free.

And they knew, as long as they had each other, they could face anything.