After dinner, John made as quick an exit as propriety would allow. Only the Captain of the Guards watched them go, a speculative look on his face. Locke followed John at the proper distance until they were out of sight of the rest of the family and their guards. He did a little skip jump and caught up to John.

"My Prince, I'm sorry if I overstepped my bounds." They rounded a corner and were in the Prince's empty set of corridors. "I deduced that your mother is on your side... Your father is apprehensive about your suitability as a ruler."

"Don't get all starched-up on me again... Locke." He stopped and turned to face Locke. "Please..." Locke cocked his head slightly. "You saved my arse in there, Sherlock. I am so grateful." Locke humbly bowed his head. John slammed himself into Locke's chest and threw his arms around him. After a second or two, Locke slowly drew his arms around John and held him close. (...You can't know how good it feels to be able to hold you like this...)

"John... Johnny, you must know how I feel. I would do anything to protect you."

John was huddled against Locke's chest, crumpling his uniform, clutching at the buttons and braids. "Locke... Sherlock, what am I going to do when I have to marry and lose you?" He leaned away from Locke to look up at his handsome face.

Locke, staring into John's saddened eyes, whispered softly, "You can't lose me. Even if I'm not your Personal Guard, I'll be close by, watching over you... Always."

"Sherlock..." He pressed his face into Locke's chest and tears began to flow.

"C'mon, sweeting, let's get you back to your rooms, before someone sees us." He turned John in his arms and keeping him close, directed him back through the lonely halls to the prince's secluded apartment. Once in private, Locke began undressing John and preparing him for bed. John just kind of stood there, sobbing and helpless.

Locke pulled the covers back on John's bed, pulled a pair of soft pajama pants up onto the boy's hips, picked him up, and placed him on the pre-warmed sheets. John, feeling like a helpless baby, just watched Locke in wonder through moistened eyes as Locke carried out his beyond-the-call-duties. Locke tucked the sheets up around John's shoulders and turned to retreat to his own cot.

"No... please... Sherlock..." John reached out from under the covers and clutched Locke's hand. "Stay here with me. I... I need you. Please lay down with me and hold me some more. I'm... I'm so sc... scared." Even had Locke not felt about John as he did, no feeling being could resist such a pitiful plea.

He turned back to John and began unbuttoning his jacket. Throwing his jacket over a chair, he sat on the side of the bed, pulled off his boots, shed his shirt and uniform pants, and lay down on the far side of John in only his skivvies. Crawling under the sheets, he moved over close to John and slid one arm under the young prince's head and lay the other on his waist.

John flipped himself over on his side toward Locke, their faces mere inches apart. His beautiful eyes were still wet and Locke's heart lurched to see this proud young man so vulnerable. He was astounded and desperately pleased to see John's eyes drift to gaze at his mouth. (...Does he want me to kiss him? I hope so, 'cause I'm going to... God forgive me...)

Locke flexed the arm under John's head, his sculpted bicep lifting the prince's lips closer to his. Locke's hand on John's waist, he pulled John's body against his naked chest. A sharp gasp escaped both boys' mouths, leaving their lips slightly parted. Locke pressed his lips to John's, tasting the slight salt from his prince's few tears. Locke was nearly overcome with need and pressed his lips more firmly to this sweet boy's mouth, his eyes closing slowly.

To Locke's absolute surprise, the prince touched his tongue to Locke's lips. John didn't understand what he was feeling, but he wanted to taste Sherlock, really taste him. He closed his eyes and slipped his tongue into Locke's mouth, the warmth causing funny feelings deep inside. Locke gently sucked the prince's tongue. The prince felt faint when his tummy dropped several "elevator floors."

Locke moved his hand to the small of the prince's back and pressed his stomach to John's. A warm need coiled low in his belly. Things that shouldn't have moved moved... again. (...Stop this now before you go way too far...) Locke lifted his lips and stared dreamily at John's sweet face. John slowly opened his eyes, was still dazed as if under a spell. "My Prince, we mustn't... There is so much more to loving, but... I can't... It's not fair to you, to us. I need you. I want you, but I can't have you, not as 'mine.'"

"Why not?" It was nearly a whine.

"Darling... Surely you know by now that I'm gay..."

"What is 'gay'?" Locke did a classic double take.

"You really do not know?"

"Know what?"

"Gay people prefer the sex and love of those of their same gender. In some society's, we are even allowed to marry. I believe it is legal here, but highly unpopular. I have been ostracized my whole life." He paused and caressed the prince's cheek. "I have always admired you." John lowered his eyes and blushed. "That is why I wanted to be your Personal Guardian. I did not expect to fall so deeply in love with you." He stared into John's eyes. "I did though. I... love you."

John's brow wrinkled. "Am I gay?" Locke's brow wrinkled and he blinked contemplatively.

"I... I hadn't thought of that. Even if you are gay, and your parents accepted that you are, would they not make you marry a rich prince?"

"Not exactly. I must marry when I am eighteen. They would prefer someone rich, but it's not a prerequisite." John searched Locke's face with sweet affection. "I wonder how much it would upset everybody if I married you." Classic double-take again.

"My Prince, as much as I love you, you cannot marry me. I am a commoner, have no money, no future. Your parents would never allow it. I am flattered that you would even consider such a thing." Locke's eyes moistened and he kissed John's lips gently and buried his face in the prince's hair. "Please put that out of your mind."

"No."

"Sir?"

"I am going to be king someday. I will change the country's mind. I will make it all right. I will have you. I will." He lay his head down on Locke's arm. With a little less conviction, he added, "I will marry you."

"Oh, my sweet innocent Johnny." He hugged the prince to his heart, kissed the top of his head. They lay together, their minds whirling, their hearts beating in time together, until they drifted off to sleep wrapped in each other's arms to dream of what might come to be.