Word count: 857
Regulus has to be careful. It feels strange to sneak around in the palace, in his own home, but he knows his father has eyes everywhere. All it would take is the wrong person seeing him and figuring it out, and then the king will know. Regulus wonders if commoners have to undergo such scrutiny, if they have to spend so much time stressed over making the wrong move.
He pushes the thoughts from his mind as he finally sneaks into the room, locking the door behind him. Right now, he doesn't want to think. All he wants is a few glorious, stolen moments with his lover.
James Potter, one of his father's most-trusted soldiers, sits at the table, his legs kicked up, a grin on his face. "Your Highness," he calls.
Regulus rolls his eyes. "It's a miracle you haven't gotten yourself into trouble," he says, shaking his head. "Do you behave so sloppily around my father?"
With a smirk, James climbs to his feet, making his way closer, dangerously close to Regulus. It's enough to send a shiver down the young prince's spine. "Oh, you know you're the only one who can make me so sloppy," he teases, leaning in and pressing a kiss to Regulus' lips.
It's such a beautiful thing. Regulus wonders if he'll ever get tired of kissing those lips, of feeling James' strong body against his, of the adrenaline that comes with this forbidden love.
Except he knows he can't let it last. Isn't that the very reason he came today? Seeing James is nice and all, but, just this once, he has to be a prince and do what is right. "Father has arranged my marriage."
James makes a face, and Regulus has a sneaking suspicion the soldier already knows. Undoubtedly, the king has sought counsel on the most strategic match, and James is one of the finest strategists in the kingdom. Guilt ties Regulus' stomach into knots. How miserable that must have been for him, to have to help pick the perfect bride for the man he doesn't seem fair at all.
"You know I have to. After Sirius gave up his right to the throne… What would my father say if he had a second son to betray him?"
James sighs and shakes his head. "Hold my hand."
"What?"
"Just… Do it."
Regulus does as he's told, lacing his fingers with James. How is it possible that even something as innocent as holding hands makes his heart flutter? Even the smallest touches are like magic.
"Run away with me," James says. "I'm in love with you, and I want a future with you."
Regulus swallows dryly. People don't just run away for the sake of love. That's the sort of thing you hear in fairytales. This is real life, and he has a duty to his family. He's a prince.
There are a thousand excuses that run through his head, and they all sound so logical. Maybe he almost means some of them, but, for the most part, they're all there to drown out the truth: Regulus is terrified.
"It's a reckless thing to do," Regulus says, his voice tight and barely above a whisper.
"I'll be reckless if it means I'll win."
Regulus wonders what it must be like to be so brave. One look at James, and he knows his lover means every word of it. He will take any risk if it means being able to spend his life with Regulus. If he's honest, Regulus wishes he could be the same.
In the end, the idea of giving up the throne like his brother, of not having the life of luxury he's grown accustomed to… It scares him more than he can put into words. He wants to believe that he's some brave and noble prince who can protect his kingdom, but, if he's honest with himself, he's a coward who can't even stand up to his own father.
"Reg?"
He looks up, his heart sinking to his stomach. Why does James have to look so handsome with that messy hair and those beautiful hazel eyes? It's so unfair, and it makes this harder than it should be.
"You should marry someone who isn't above your station," Regulus says, and he stands a little straighter, putting as much force into the words as possible. "Did you really think this would actually work out? I'm a prince. You? You're nothing."
The words kill him to say, but he has no choice. If he hurts James now, it will make things easier in the long run. Regulus can resume his safe little life, never making big decisions, never having to worry. He'll be a safe little coward, never daring to be anything more than what his father expects him to be.
He pretends not to notice the hurt in James' eyes. "Right. Well, good to see where you stand, Your Highness."
And with that, James turns on his heel and stalks out. As Regulus watches him go, his heart breaking with each passing second, he feels like he's watching his future slip through his hands.
