"stuck in the moment" - prince series oneshot

- that night

"What do you think this is?"

Albert's eyes rose from the floor as he blurts out the question, his torso lying within Charles' arms.

"What do you mean?", the blonde questioned. Albert merely let out a sigh, and shook his head.

"It's nothing," he said, heading towards the kitchen carrying their empty mugs.

The night was quiet, but it was also deafening for nothing to disturb their ears. The pair had stumbled upon each other a few hours prior and decided that it wouldn't be a bad idea to watch a movie they never got to finish when they were children. It was a teenage coming of age story, but their parents quickly stopped them from watching it. They figured they should seize the opportunity while they could as they're away from home.

Charles wouldn't admit it, but he's been waiting for this moment for a long time.

"Silly," was Albert's response to Charles' suggestion.

"You wouldn't turn it down, though."

"You know me too well."

Eventually they found themselves in each other's arms, trying to cave in from the air conditioned room. It was normal, they thought. They always did this when they were younger.

Though, compared to back then, it felt warmer. It was... homey?

It was because of them being way older than they used to, of course. Well, that was what Albert thought before he lifted his head to face Charles halfway through their movie.

Was it the television screen that was showing love letters written in red paper, or was it Charles' face? He couldn't make it out, though Albert convinced himself that the former would be better and make more sense.

Bringing back a bowl of popcorn, Albert walked back to the sofa where Charles was supposed to be... supposed to. The American was gone, and Albert was left all alone.

It took a while for Albert to realize that he had been standing in the same spot for a good two minutes. The movie paused, and he felt time stopped as well.

Then his mind wandered to the reality he didn't want to face.

Is this how it's going to feel like when Charles finally gets married to Carla?

He knew Charles wasn't enthusiastic about it, though a part of his heart hesitated. For the amount of time they used to spend together, it wasn't irrational to say that its possible for Albert to read Charles' mind, but in the end its all hypothetical... right?

Enough, it's all going to end one day. They'll still be friends.

But if he was so sure about it, then why did he feel as if something was taken away from him?

Suddenly, footsteps were heard from behind him. Before Albert could get in his fighting stance, his face was covered with fleece blankets, with a flushed Charles throwing the pile at him.

"If you wanted to know the answer, it's..." the blonde mutters without the ability to finish it immediately.

Albert couldn't help but have high hopes, and with that he crushed them immediately. There is no, absolutely no way for Charles to be in-

"-love."

A deafening moment of silence passed by until Charles decides to open his mouth to break it again.

"I'm sorry, its not the right time. I know that I'm not supposed to-"

"... Me too."

"... Excuse me?"

"I love you too."

Charles exhaled in relief. He never thought that this time would come. While he gets flooded with internal joy, he doesn't realize the individual in front of him has started to have tears falling down his cheeks.

When he did, though, he quickly wiped them off, and left a kiss on wherever the teardrops have left a trace on.

"I-I never thought it would be possible, I always thought you already harbored feelings for Clara."

"For once, I want you to actually believe whatever prophecy you receive on what I think," Charles says at the stuttering boy in his arms.

"But... you're betrothed to her."

"I never had a say."

Wait... what? All that time he smiled through his disagreement...? He didn't want to fight?

"I don't want to cause any harm, especially not to you, Albert."

"Me? Why me?"

"Because they know how I feel! I used to never be afraid to show my feelings, until... Urgh!" Charles felt a weight fall onto his crown. He didn't want to remember, yet, whenever he tries to confront his fears, his strength never seems to be enough.

His mind falls into a void, until he feels Albert hold his hands, whispering, "It's okay," and sweet nothings to calm him down.

Albert.

Albert was enough.

"They- I decided one day to tell them how I wanted to be with you when we were still twelve, and they just... hit me... and I just-" Charles confesses, holding back his sobs.

"There, there... I'm here..." Albert reaffirms the boy.

For once, the worried half of the pair is Charles.

For once, he admits, yes, he doesn't want to agree.

For once, he admits, yes, loving Albert is okay.

And for once, he wants to stay in the moment, and make it last forever.

"We'll find a way, Charles," Albert reassures.

"Yes, together," Charles replies.

And in the moment, he finds out that Albert is, and always has been, his forever.

And forever is where he belongs.