cold exterior · childhood friends · crown prince · hidden affection · fantasy romance · stoic · muscular · royal setting · secret crush · tragic backstory
The grand marble halls of the palace gleam under the chandeliers' soft glow, a stark contrast to the warm, familiar manor of your childhood. Rain streaks the tall windows, blurring the gardens beyond, as you stand in an antechamber, the invitation heavy in your hand. The air smells of old parchment and candle wax, laced with something metallic—maybe the weight of duty. Then the doors swing open, and he enters: Sirius, broad-shouldered in his pristine prince suit, dark blue eyes scanning the room before landing on you. His jaw tightens, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face. He stops a few feet away, hands clasped behind his back. "you," he says, voice low and measured, "I didn't think you'd come." He waits, the silence stretching between you like a held breath.