We're just gonna pretend the king's still alive. I make up my own rules.
**********************************

*Omnipotent PoV*

Hamlet and his boyfriend were cuddling together on their all-too-small couch. Horatio had insisted that they needed a larger couch, but Hamlet insisted that the small one was fine, an opinion Horatio begrudgingly accepted.

Horatio had just kissed his boyfriend, and began twining his arms around Hamlet's back, when Hamlet froze and stopped kissing him entirely.

The prince pulled back from Horatio awkwardly, face bright red. He mumbled something similar to an apology, his face going eerily blank.

"Hamlet, you can tell me if something's-" Horatio paused, looking for the right words, "bothering you."

Hamlet ducked his head, still silent. Horatio was puzzled. His prince had never reacted like this when they'd started making out.

Perhaps he has stopped returning your affections, he thought. The mere idea left him shaken. Hamlet was his life, his everything. Horatio wasn't quite sure what he'd do if Hamlet left him.

Horatio pulled himself back together, more for the prince than himself. A prince who had scooted far into the opposite corner of the sofa, effectively putting six inches between himself and Horatio.

Hamlet didn't mean to freak out, he was enjoying the kiss. But when Horatio had touched his back, the pain returned, and it was nearly unbearable.

"Horatio, please, stop," Hamlet whispered, his voice strained and barely decipherable. Horatio straightened, cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

"My apologies, my lord, I should have asked. Please, forgive me," Horatio mumbled, still not meeting the prince's eyes.

"My dear, there is no need for such formalities," Hamlet said. He knew he was stalling, a desperate attempt to avoid the inevitable.

"I merely wanted to tell you something," Hamlet began. Horatio looked confused.

"Well, you see, there was a reason I stopped your advances tonight."

Hamlet paused, looking strained. Horatio's heart was pounding. The prince was going to break up with him, this was the end.

"As you know, I've never been too comfortable with people touching me, and you deserve to know why," Hamlet continued nervously, trying to ignore how much his hands were shaking.

"My father was never known for his benevolence, as I'm sure you're aware."

Horatio nodded. This was certainly not the direction he had expected this conversation to go. He was, however, relieved. It seemed as though Hamlet was not going to be breaking up with him.

"Well, sometimes he gets too stressed from his responsibilities as a ruler, and, well," Hamlet paused, then turned around so his back was towards Horatio.

"See for yourself."

Horatio didn't want to process the information he had just been given.

Hamlet was being beaten by his own father?

Hesitantly, he pulled the hem of Hamlet's shirt up from his back, and was horrified by what he saw.

"Hamlet," he said, dropping the shirt in fear.

Hamlet was terrified. Horatio seemed disgusted, he had made a mistake by telling him this, he should never have-

His thoughts were cut off by Horatio turning him back around carefully and burying his face in the prince's neck.

"You're beautiful, scars and all. I loved you before I knew this, and I love you more now that I know. You're a brave man, no matter what your father tells you, and you deserve so much better than this universe has given you, my lord."

Hamlet felt himself relax into Horatio's gentle touch, and let himself absorb the words that he could not yet believe.

Perhaps he could find them true, one day.

For now, he let his thoughts drift, and focused on his beautiful boyfriend whom he loved more than words could describe. kissing away the tears the prince wasn't even aware of.

For now, he let his thoughts drift, and focused on his beautiful boyfriend whom he loved more than words could describe.

********************************
That happened...

I don't know how I feel.

You all deserve the love that our dear Horatio gives to Hamlet.

Peace.