Sonic had a few goals in life as a prince. Save another city, pursue a passion that didn’t bore him to death, and maybe actually start preparing to be king in his future. However, a requirement set by his father if he were to eventually take the throne, is that he would have to find a wife. A princess. He had been searching for someone to at least catch his eye to wed for years, and he was beginning to find it hopeless. He would just have to watch his city go to ruins after having no other to rule it.. no big deal.

Now it wasn’t to say that he absolutely had to fall in love with the woman he had to marry, however, to him, it was important. He had no desire for a cold, loveless marriage. He wanted to gain reciprocal affection from the one he would eventually marry. Except, his desire for love came at a price, and that was because of you. A prince from a rivaling kingdom not far from his. He’d met you at a gala, and had denied his own feelings for months, his brain spouting internalized homophobia while his heart chose a much different route. Except, he couldn’t help it. He loved you, and it felt like a betrayal to his own morals, which, in all fairness, had been beaten in by his father.

And yet, it was hard to deny the fluttering in Sonic’s chest every time your smile reached your eyes, even if it was just for a moment, or maybe your excellent choice in fashion, to which everything you wore seemed to suit you in some way. Perhaps it was how you could do no wrong, at least to him, how perfect and shining you were in his eyes. You seemed to vibrantly glow every time you entered a room he was in. He was completely smitten, and no one else knew. A prince falling in love with another prince was.. unsightly to the public. It was unnatural. And it was eating away at him.

—————

Tonight was the yearly ball hosted by a random kingdom chosen, and Sonic’s had been selected as this year’s presenter. He was still stuck up in his room even after guests had arrived, unabashedly making sure he looked his finest. For the guests. Totally. Not the prince he was hoping, wishing, praying to show up to tonight’s ball. Yeah. He nods to himself in the mirror to reassure his not-so-sure mindset, then begun his descent to the ballroom and foyer.