Forbidden Royalty (Huntbastian)

Chapter Six

Warning: Mature Content

     Hunter shfited uncomfrotably multiple times, adjusting every little thing about his bowtie, suit cuffs, a tiny dust speck on his suit jacket, anything really. There was a knock at the door and Hailey, Augustus, and Sebastian came walking in. Sebastian of course went straight to Hunter, placing a sweet kiss on the prince's lips. Being the slightly taller of the two, embraced Hunter's waist from behind and placed another kiss on Hunter's neck. "You guys are disgustingly adorable," Hailey laughed.
     "Well thank you," Sebastian replied. Hunter simply half-smiled and sighed. Sebastian rested his cheek on Hunter's shoulder, and Hailey got the message.
     "Well, I'll leave you two alone."
     "See you soon," Gus said, closing the door behind him and Hailey.
     "Breathe, baby," Sebastian whispered. Hunter sighed and looked at himself in the mirror, Sebastian still holding on to him.
     "Bas, I don't think I can do this," Hunter whispered back. Sebastian let go and turned Hunter around so they were facing each other.
     "You know damn well that you can do this..." he replied.
     "All of those people..."
     "Hunter, we've talked about this..."

     "One of the reasons I started falling in love with you was because you were so courageous. Not afraid of other people," Sebastian admitted.
     "Really?" Hunter asked in surprise.
     "Really. But now i'm starting to think it was only because it was your family."
     "What do you mean?"
     "Well, when it comes to the nation, you seem so scared."
     "My mom and dad spent years trying to make this country as great as it is. Even my grandparents and great great grandparents... It's a lot of pressure."
     "But what do you think made them great?"
     "I don't know...?"
     "Maybe that they weren't afraid of what other people thought? When controlling such a large group of people, of course you're going to have people who disagree with you."
     "Sebastian..."
     "Look, I get it... I can't convince you of anything..."
     "Bas-"
     "Stop it. Hunter. I get it. I'm sorry I've been so persistent about it. I just don't think I've wanted anything more than-"
     "You," Hunter finished. Sebastian searched Hunter's eyes for an explanation to what he meant. Hunter broke the gaze. "You're right. I need to step out of my comfort zone, not be a wimp about it. If this is what you want, then I'll give it to you. Sebastian, you mean the world  to me, and sometimes I feel like you know me better than I know myself. I'm not committing to marriage just yet, but this is a damn good place to start, isn't it?" Sebastian smiled widely before tackling Hunter onto his bed.

     Hunter looked over at his bed, remember the previous conversation the night before. He grabbed onto his father's necklace, and smiled to himself before whispering, almost inaudible to even Sebastian, "I want to make you proud."

**

     The prince and his boyfriend descended the grand staircase together. Many heads turned to look at the pair, who looked like they were in the middle of a comedic conversation. Once they were in the ballroom, they said their hellos to as many people as they could. "HUNT!" Kitty squealed. She practically jumped onto Hunter, as he laughed uneasily. Sebastian gave him a supportive look. "Where have you been?"
     "I was just getting ready."
     "Sebastian? Why aren't you with Princess Hailey? She descended the stairs alone! Everyone was expecting you."
     "I uh-"
     "Oh no matter! I hope you have a great night! If you don't mind, I'm stealing Hunter for a dance!" she said happily. Hunter began to protest, but Sebastian laughed.
     "You go on ahead. I'll see you later!" With Hunter and Kitty dancing, (well, more like Kitty dancing and Hunter awkwardly moving due to his uncomfortability with her) Sebastian met up with Hailey.
     "There you are!" Hailey said happily, taking a step back from the big men with cameras. She whispered into Sebastian's ear, "Please tell me Hunter's still agreeing to do it. I swear to god, I will ship all the way to Indonesia if he-"
     "Don't worry, I trust him," Sebastian answered with a smile.
     An hour and a half or so passed, and with everyone finishing their hors d'oeuvres, the queen of Coronia took the stage with an echoing speaker system. She tapped a fork to her wine glass until everyone settled down. "Good evening Coronia! Welcome to the annual queens's gala, my gala!" she began happily. "Now, it has come to my attention that a certain topic has been coming up a lot, especially with Prince Hunter stating his opinion. But what you don't know is the most important part." She paused to smile at Hunter, who was joining Sebastian and Hailey. "I am fully aware that this is no press conference of any kind, but this new could not wait. Hunter?" Hunter got the cue to move up to the stage and to take the microphone.
     "Since my father's passing, I've been questioning a lot of things in life. I'm sure many of you have noticed my necklace. It's a necklace my father had passed on to me. On each tip of the star is a characteristic that he wants me to have, but he has neglected one important characteristic: honesty." Hunter paushed and took a deep breath at the sight of Hailey and Sebastian. "After the past couple of months, I've learned that I need to be more confident and honest wtih my opinions and feelings. Not just to other people, but to myself as well. Now, I invite Sebastian Smythe to the stage." The crowd murmured as Sebastian walked onto the stage, standing slightly behind and diagonal from Hunter.
     "As many of you know," Hunter continued, "Recently, there has been debate over same-sex marriage here in Coronia. I want to put it out there, that yes, I support the idea. I know not all of you agree, and I respect your opinions. However, when critics shame same-sex couples, I take it to heart. Why do you ask? For the past few months, many of you believed that Sebastian and my sister Hailey have been in a relationship. I'm here to tell you that you are all mistaken." The murmurs were gring increasingly loud, but Hunter continued. "Sebastian was not in a relationship with Hailey. Rather, he and I have been growing close. Very close. We are now in an open relationship." The murmurs turned into loud chatter, and Hunter took a deep breath. He glanced at Sebastian, who nodded in support.
     Hunter's mother raised her hand, and within seconds, the room was quiet once again. She nodded to Hunter who continued, "That being said, in exactly 2 momnths time, same-sex marriage will be legal everywhere in Coronia. On behalf of Sebastian and myself, we are not commmitted to marriage just yet, but this is for the couples that have faced the discrimination, the hate; for the couples who have lived with the fact that they are not allowed to marry the one they love, not able to share marital benefits. This is for them." The murmurs returned, but Hunter smiled, and took Sebastian's hand. "Like it or not, this is who I am. And I would rather have some of you angry with me, then be angry at myself for not doing what's right for me." Instead of the angry yells that Hunter was expecting, the room erupted in applause and cheers. Hunter looked to Sebastian, who looked like he had tears welling up. The prince and his beau stepped back, allowing the queen to take the microphone.
     "Citizens of Coronia and respected guests, I know what my son has said is a lot of information to take in, but I am here to supply more," she began. Hunter looked confused, but the queen simply smiled. "When King Aaron passed, I passed down a necklace to Hunter that his father had made. Each point on the star represented something that Hunter was mde out to be: a soldier, role model, honorable man, father, Hunter's added honesty, and lastly, king." She paused and took a big breath. "I believe he is everything I've listed, and hopefully you see the same." She turned to look at Hunter and smiled before turning back to the room. "I haven't talked to Hunter about this because I wanted this to be a surprise. But, I am not as young and sane-minded as I used to be. That is why, in 1 months time, I will no longer be queen. Prince Hunter will then be King." The room seemed just as stunned as Hunter. There seemed to be an awkward pause before the room full understood what was happening, as they clapped. "It's been a great 35 years, Coronia."