Royal 5 Seconds of Summer Imagines

#3 Prince!Michael: Sneaking Out of the Castle

http://abundance-of-casualties.tumblr.com/post/112467123544/3-prince5sos-sneaking-out-of-the-castle

Michael has been taking responsibility in attending his lessons like he promised. You would stay up with him as he studied and demanded night snacks or for you to help him review. As of recently, you noticed that he looked a bit stressed out. He never brought it up or complained so you felt like you didn't need to ask. You slightly regret not intervening in Michael's business when one of the head servants came looking for you. "(Y/N), this is bad, this is really bad!" "What is it? Prince Michael doesn't have class today you know, he has every right to hide in the castle and do what he wants," you said while washing the dishes. "Yes, if he was in the castle!" "What?" "We checked everywhere, the prince is missing!" he says frantically. You stood there shocked and dropped what you were doing to check the usual places Michael could be hiding. You stopped at the garden, and he wasn't there. You tried catching your breath trying to process everything. "That idiot!" you thought to yourself. "(Y/N), do you think he has gone to the village?" the servant asks. "That could be the only place...I'll be right back, please cover me for my duties," you said while while getting ready to head out. Servants and guards insisted on coming with you, but you turned down the offer knowing that Michael would be rebellious if they came along. You made your way to the village and wondered where Michael could have wandered off to... 

Michael snuck out of the castle after he ate breakfast. He felt that he overworked himself and decided it was time for him to have some fun. He managed to sneak out with a disguise and has been exploring the village since. He was brought to the village once when he was young, and you had permission to let him come with you during your errand. At that time, Michael found his love for music at a small pub. He wasn't allowed to go in, but he head the music from outside and felt inspired. Now that Michael was 18 he knew he could enter the pub. He tried to find it but ended up lost with everything else in the village. He took another break to eat lunch and ask for directions if anyone knew the place. He loved the food that was in the village rather than the castle. Luxury was great, but to have it everyday became sickening. He broke off a piece of bread and dipped it in his soup before putting it in his mouth. He felt a shadow over him and saw you glaring down at him out of breath. He almost choked on his food and quickly swallowed it down with some water before speaking. "What are you doing here?? How did you even find me!?" he asks. "I've taken care of you for how many years? Prince Michael, I know you really well," you said bluntly. He looked away slightly flustered and continued to eat. "I don't want to go back," he says. "I know, but-" "I mean, I'll go back, but first let me find something," he says. "Find what?" you asked before sitting down. "A pub, this music pub that I saw when I was younger when you first got me out of the castle," he says trying to describe it. "Hmm...I think I remember where it is, but..." you said hesitating your answer. "But?" Michael questions. "The business isn't doing well anymore. Not many people go there, and eventually, the pub will shut down," you said simply. "What?" Michael says standing up. "Take me there," he demands. You lead him through alleys and turned a few corners till you were at a busy pub street. Every pub the two of you passed were full of villagers already having beer in the late afternoon. You led Michael towards the end and stopped at the pub from his memory. Michael stared blankly trying to process the image in his head. "It's all...Beat down," he mumbles. "Hey, it may be beat down, but it's all I got," the owner says while sweeping the dust outside. "What happened to this place?" Michael asked. "It was so full of music, and it was all lit up..." he says with his voice fading. "Just how old were you? This place hasn't had any business for 5 years running," the owner says before heading back inside. Michael insisted to keep asking questions, "Just what happened?" "Business as usual, then the talent started to suck, one bad bar fight, temporary close, then rivals struck while the iron was hot," the owner says and leans against the counter. Michael looked around and saw the small little stage with untouched instruments. "Pri– I mean Michael," you said trying to keep his identity low key. "We should be going home soon," you said following him to the stage. Michael picked one of them up and tuned it by ear before playing a note. It was a stringed instrument, and he started to strum a melody that you would hear often in the castle when he had his music lessons. Michael played for a moment, and little by little customers were curious and filed in. When Michael stopped, the two of you took notice of the amount of people that settled down. "Some talent you got there, not that bad... This is actually the most customers I've had in years. Thank you for your few minutes of playing. This is just enough. Thank you," the owner says handing Michael a small pint. "It would suck to have this place go down," Michael says sipping his beer. "If you want, you are always welcomed to play. I'd be happy to pay you in beer for now," the owner says. "That sounds like a deal," Michael says smiling. On your way back to the castle, you were trying to process the events of today. "(Y/N), thanks for helping me find that place! Next week let's go again.." "Again??" "Hey, at least I'm telling you this time!... Did you get in trouble?" "No, but I was given the task to find you. That performance was amazing though. I never knew you could play like that Michael...Prince I mean– I-I mean Prince Michael," you stuttered frantically. "It's just a name," he mumbled before stopping in front of the castle to look at you. "You can call me that outside the castle if you like. Actually, I order you to since we will be sneaking out again," he says, and you tried to think of a response. You let out a sigh and nodded your head to his order before opening the door for him.