The Prince (Lashton au)

Luke

"Ashton, Ashton no!" I scream clutching the young bleeding boy close to my body.

Tears stream down my face frantically as I struggle to control my breathing. I watch as guards run toward us.

But everything seems to be going in slow motion. The seconds fade to hours. Time slows down. I'm sitting on the ground clutching my dying lover in my arms.

His small, petite figure lying cold and limp. As if I am too late.

My heart beats in my chest. The sound drowning out the outer world. Like a forcefield protecting us from everyone else.

"Please don't." I cry out pressing my large hand to his heaving chest.

And that is the last I see of Ashton Irwin as the guards pull me away, leaving him a bloody problem for someone else to deal with.

My body is to emotionally unstable to fight against the guards. And that's how I know, it's time to face my death.

•

You're okay Luke stop crying. Ashton is okay. Someone has to have found him by now.

"Come here you little varmint!" Someone screams as I notice that the cruel words are directed towards me.

I approach the rude guard slowly.

He yanks the hem of my shirt causing a small hole to appear. I let out a muffled choking sound.

"Shut up and come on!" He yells.

He pulls me down the dark way-to-familiar hallway. I struggle in his tight grip.

But I stop as quickly as I've started. What's the point anymore? I am minutes away from my death and nothing can save me.

I mustn't cry. I have to stay strong. They can't find any satisfaction in my death.

By now we have reached the outside of the enlarged castle. The sunlight burns down onto the hanging stage creating a looming shadow on the grass behind it.

I am forcefully pushed towards the wooden object that will enable my death.

20 steps and the faces in the crowd turn towards us.

18 steps and the executioner begins setting up his equipment.

16 steps and the king is on the wooden stage making an announcement.

14 steps and he glances over at me with a wicked smile spreading across his face.

12 steps and I stumble over my feet.

10 steps and I'm being punched in the jaw for the dumb accident.

8 steps and blood is streaming over my lip.

6 steps and I realize how much the sun has set in the short amount of time.

4 steps and my mind averts to Ashton and his angel-like beauty.

2 steps and my attention is brought to the stage.

1 step and I am watching a noose being tied around my princesses neck.

I am pushed into a chair and my wrists are bound to the arms.

I watch Ashton's worried expression as the executioner tightens the rope around his neck.

Tears stream down his face and nothing is okay anymore. Absolutely nothing.

My entire life was built up to the climax that is Ashton Irwin and somehow the resolution of our love story is him dying. But why? That's the question I must ask.

I squeeze my eyelids shut. I cannot and will not watch my beautiful princess be hung. He's been through so much.

"Open your eyes Luke!" The king snaps.

I ignore his demand. Someone slaps the back of my head. I give them no response. I will not open my eyes.

Someone's hands attach themselves to the sides of my head prying open my eyelids. My eyes meet Ashton's but that ruins everything and I break into sobs. The tears come down like rain and I can't stop them.

But it's okay if I cry because in the end it will happen. I can't constantly put on a smile and tell my boyfriend it will be alright. Because that would be a lie and quite frankly, I don't want my last words spoken to him to be a lie. I want him to know how I feel. It's okay to be unhappy.

The executioner begins to count down.

"3...."

Ashton Irwin my boyfriend.

"2...."

Ashton my love.

"1...."

"I love you princess!" I scream as the platform below him falls and he hangs loosely from the rugged rope that doesn't deserve to take away his valuable meaningful life.