A Love in Secret

Prince Eirik lay curled on his bed, his body racked with silent sobs.

The moonlight filtered through the tall windows, casting a pale, ethereal glow across his chambers, but the prince found no comfort in its light.

Each tear that fell from his deep purple eyes felt like a piece of his soul being torn away, leaving him hollow and cold.

He clutched the edge of the blanket as though it could anchor him to some semblance of stability.

But nothing could hold back the tide of despair that washed over him as the news of his impending marriage to Prince Kaelix of Zephyros, it sunk deeper into his heart.

The thought of leaving behind everything he knew, everyone he loved,especially Sadiki, was almost too much to bear.

A soft knock echoed through the room, hesitant but deliberate, and Eirik's heart leapt in his chest. It was a sound he had come to recognize, one that signaled safety, warmth, and love. He didn't need to respond; the door creaked open just enough to allow the man he longed for to slip inside.

Captain Sadiki stepped into the room, his tall frame casting a long shadow across the floor. His face, usually stern and composed, was now etched with concern as his eyes searched the dim room for the prince.

When his gaze found Eirik huddled on the bed, his heart clenched with sorrow. Without a word, he closed the door behind him and crossed the room in a few swift strides.

The moment their eyes met, Eirik bolted from the bed, throwing himself into Sadiki's arms.

The captain caught him effortlessly, pulling the prince close as if afraid he might shatter.

Eirik buried his face in Sadiki's chest, his tears soaking into the dark fabric of the captain's uniform. His sobs, muffled against Sadiki's body, broke the silence of the night, filling the room with the sound of his grief.

"Sadiki, I can't… I can't do this," Eirik choked out between sobs. "They're sending me away. They're taking me from you."

Sadiki's heart ached at the sight of his beloved in such distress. He gently stroked Eirik's long white hair, trying to offer what little comfort he could.

"Shh, my love, I'm here. I'm right here," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. He guided Eirik back to the bed, sitting down and pulling the prince into his lap, cradling him as though he were the most precious thing in the world.

Eirik clung to Sadiki, his tears continuing to fall as he sought solace in the captain's embrace. The steady rhythm of Sadiki's heartbeat beneath his cheek was a small comfort, a reminder that for now, at least, they were together.

Sadiki's thoughts drifted back to the day he first realized he was in love with Eirik.

It had been a warm spring afternoon in the palace gardens. He was guarding the prince during one of his leisurely walks, a duty he performed with the utmost dedication.

Eirik had always been kind and gentle, his delicate beauty a source of admiration for all who knew him.

But on that day, as Eirik paused to admire a blooming flower, his face lit with a soft, serene smile, something shifted in Sadiki's heart.

From that moment, his feelings for the prince went beyond mere duty and loyalty. He found himself captivated by Eirik's grace, his warmth, and the quiet strength that lay beneath his delicate exterior.

For months, Sadiki kept his feelings hidden, knowing the danger of such a love. But he couldn't hide the way his eyes softened whenever he looked at Eirik, or the way his heart raced whenever the prince was near.

It wasn't until the night Eirik kissed him that Sadiki realized his love was returned. They had been sitting in Eirik's chambers, discussing some mundane matter when the prince's gaze lingered on Sadiki's face a moment too long.

Without a word, Eirik leaned in and pressed his lips to Sadiki's, a shy, tentative kiss that spoke of longing and fear.

It was a moment that would forever be etched in Sadiki's memory, the moment when the world seemed to stop, and all that mattered was the love they shared.

From that day on, they had been inseparable, though always in secret.

Their love was a delicate dance, a whispered confession in the dead of night, a stolen kiss when no one was looking. They knew the risks, but the thought of being apart was unbearable.

Now, that unbearable thought had become a cruel reality.

Eirik's sobs had quieted, but he remained nestled in Sadiki's embrace, his breathing still uneven.

Sadiki kissed the top of his head, holding him as if to shield him from the world's cruelty. "I wish I could change this, Eirik," he murmured. "I wish I could keep you here, safe and with me."

Eirik sniffled, looking up at Sadiki with tear-filled eyes. "I don't want to leave you," he whispered, his voice trembling. "I don't know how to face this without you."

Sadiki's heart broke anew. He gently wiped away Eirik's tears with his thumb, his touch tender and filled with all the love he couldn't put into words. "You're stronger than you think, my love. We'll find a way through this. I promise."

Eirik nodded, though his heart remained heavy. He settled deeper into Sadiki's embrace, finding solace in the warmth and strength of the man he loved.

Sadiki held him close, his arms a protective cocoon against the darkness threatening to engulf them both.

As the minutes ticked by, the emotional exhaustion began to take its toll on Eirik.

His eyelids grew heavy, and his breaths evened out, though the occasional sniffle still escaped.

Sadiki rocked him gently, humming a soft tune, hoping to lull his beloved into a peaceful sleep.

Eventually, Eirik's eyes fluttered closed, his body relaxing fully against Sadiki's chest. Sadiki looked down at the sleeping prince, his heart swelling with love and sorrow. He brushed a stray lock of hair from Eirik's face, marveling at his delicate beauty even in sleep.

But as much as he wished to stay like this forever, Sadiki knew the dawn would come, and with it, the harsh reality they would have to face.

The room was silent, save for the soft sounds of Eirik's breathing and the occasional rustle of the bedclothes.

Sadiki's thoughts drifted to the future, to the uncertain path that lay ahead. He knew he had to be strong, not just for himself but for Eirik. The prince needed him now more than ever, and Sadiki vowed to protect him, no matter the cost.

As the first light of dawn began to filter through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room, Sadiki leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to Eirik's forehead. "Sleep well, my love," he whispered, his voice filled with a mix of hope and despair. "I'll always be here for you, no matter what."