VLD Poly Week: Royalty & Rebellion
“Please, Your Highness, just stay back.”
“God Shiro, how many times have I told you not to call me that.”
“Your whole life. So you should know by now I’m not going to stop.”
Matt sighs, and Keith drapes an arm over his shoulder, much to Shiro’s chagrin. They all know Keith does it just to irritate Shiro. Matt loves it, just like he does any time he’s treated like a regular guy.
“It’s alright, Matt,” Keith says with a wink. “We got your back.”
Matt can’t keep the beaming grin from his face. He can count on two hands the number of times he’s been called just ‘Matt.’ He gives into his impulse and drags Keith in for a deep kiss. Keith makes a show of arching into the royal and clutching at his lapels. Shiro rolls his eyes at the spectacle.
“When you children are all finished, we have a council to attend. At this point we’re already fashionably late.”
“Ah, you’re just jealous, Shiro. There’s plenty of me to go around.” Matt makes an exaggerated kissy face at his other boyfriend, and Shiro really should just ignore it, but he comes in close for a kiss anyway.
“But we’re gonna be late,” Keith teases as Matt groans into Shiro’s kiss. They stall for a few more minutes.
It turns out they never actually make it to the council.
Shiro had just reached for the door handle when the gunshots had rung out. He and Keith immediately fall into their training, covering Matt with their body as they draw their guns, eyes alert. Screams start up and the doors bang open. Shiro herds the three of them into a corner to avoid the stampede of panicked people. He’s surveying the scene, taking stock of the survivors and noting any visible signs of blood or injury. He needs to know what he’s dealing with.
“Matt! NO!”
Keith lunges for the determined royal, but Matt evades his grip. Shiro manages to snag him before he charges in.
“Now’s not the time for heroics, Matt! We need to keep you safe!”
In a surprising show of strength, Matt wrestles out of Shiro’s hold.
“You’re wrong, Shiro! This is exactly the time for heroics! The people need me!”
The look only lasts a minute, but to Shiro it passes much longer. He sees the image of the prince grow from a child into a man. Sees the determination settle on his face. Is reminded that at his core Prince Matthew has always dedicated his life to his people. And now he just might sacrifice it for them. Shiro tears his eyes from the prince to watch Keith come to the same conclusion. They both love Matt, but his duty has always been clear. The moment ends and the present comes slamming back.
“Fuck! Fine! Matt get behind me and stay close!”
Shiro flicks off the safety and leads them through the throng of evacuating people. A man is standing at the podium with a gun at the princess’s head. The king is on his knees, but despite the blood on his suit he looks uninjured. Keith comes up beside Shiro and gestures to the single body on the floor, resting in a pool of red. Shiro can make out the rumpled clothes as being those of the butler. A damn shame.
“Looks like he gave his life for the king’s,” Keith whispers near silently.
Prince Matthew stands tall as he approaches the front of the room. Shiro and Keith flank him, both guns pointed at the target. It takes Shiro a second. The man is wearing one of those Anonymous masks, but by the build and outfit Shiro can tell it’s Sendak.
“Put the gun down, Sendak,” Shiro says calmly. "Let the princess go.”
Sendak laughs and shakes the girl in his grasp. She sobs. Matt throws out a hand placatingly.
“It’s okay, Katie. Everything will be fine.
“Sendak, please,” King Samuel says quietly from the floor. “You can have whatever you want. Just let my daughter go.”
“Ha! As if you have anything I could want. Actually, wait, you do. Your death!”
As Sendak rambles on, gloating and boasting, Shiro tunes him out. There’s something not quite right with this picture. Subtly, he catches Keith’s eye and makes a tiny gesture with his finger against his gun. It’s part of their code for situations just like this, and Keith moves forward, lifting his gun threateningly.
“Ah ah ah! Hold it right there!” Sendak shouts, focusing on Keith. “Move and I shoot!”
As Keith attracts Sendak’s attention, Shiro slowly moves around to the peripheral. There’s something more than just a hostage situation here. Sendak is stalling. But for what? Is there a bomb? Is he waiting for backup? Shiro keeps his eyes alert and his steps steady. He sees Matt push Keith aside and get up right into Sendak’s face. Shiro feels his heart stop.
“Let her go you bastard! Take me instead!”
“Matt, no! Get back!” Keith’s trying to pull Matt back, but he can’t keep his gun sighted on Sendak at the same time. Sendak has had enough of Matt’s defiance and has aimed his gun right at the prince’s forehead. Both Katie and the king cry out, and Shiro’s moving, but then there’s a gunshot and a deafening boom and everyone’s thrown back and the lights go out. (end part 1)
For @polyvldnetwork ‘s VLD Poly Week!
Sept 24th: Flowers / Tattoos
Sept 25th: Royalty / Rebellion
Sept 26th: Heart / Soul
Sept 27th: 4 or more
Sept 28th: Broken / Whole
Sept 29th: Beach / Mall
Sept 30th: Free Day / AU
