Prince Eaton Galaway was a firm figurehead of power and justice for his kingdom. The king and queen would always say that they were proud of what their omega son had accomplished. He would ascent to the throne when he turned eighteen just like any other alpha prince would and choose himself a queen or king to rule at his side.

The media and his subjects loved him, his fierce golden eyes burning bright as the sun as he governed what would soon be his. You could see Prince Eaton strolling the streets of his kingdom, helping people when they asked for it and laughing with the men building roads as he helped them carry rock and wooden beams to their destination. He was a people's king, and his rise to the throne was much anticipated.

Prince Eaton had been groomed for kingship his whole life, the royal blood in his veins choosing what his life would become before he had even taken his first breath. He knew that he didn't have a choice, so he never voiced what he would prefer or refused what the royal court asked him to do.

He made himself take joy in his people and bask in the freedom he didn't have. He hid his will and opinions deep within himself and locked them in a box, burying them deep so no one would ever find them.

He was strong.

He had to be.

So he was.

The servants roaming the palace halls bowed reverently to him as he walked down the corridors, a hushed 'your highness' leaving their lips as their eyes met the polished marble floors beneath them as he passed.

He didn't feel seen.

Eye contact with a prince was forbidden, and so was approaching one if he didn't approach you first. You weren't allowed to touch a royal without permission from said royal first, and above all, you must not interfere with a royal's personal space unless granted the allowance to do so first.

So many don'ts and Eaton was forced to memorize them all.

His birthday was in three months, so naturally kingdoms from all over the globe were sending their offspring of both sex to the Saltayva kingdom for Eaton to choose form. He would meet each one personally, the men and women sent arriving with a firm goal of what assuredly their parent's voices ringing in their ears; to win Eaton's affection and become the next queen or king of Saltayva. From pale to dark, girl to woman to boy to man, they all came and tried to win Eaton's heart.

Eaton wanted to keep it though.

He didn't want a marriage of political advantage, he didn't even yearn for a marriage of love. He just wanted someone who would stay beside him and be there for him when he needed a hug, and in turn, he would be that person for them. He did want to fall in love, but he wanted the fall to be gradual, something he didn't even notice until there it was. He wanted something pure, something real and not rushed because he needed to produce an heir.

The alpha females and males that visited him tried to force their dominance over him, promising him comforting words of attention and providence. The omegas were shy in their approach, offering him sweet gifts of flowers or bracelets that he accepted gratefully with a kiss on the hand or cheek. He appreciated all but still declined the offers.

He could see that quite a few of the young royals from around the world would be willing to make an alliance with him when he was crowned, and he was happy to know that he had forged a kinship with the young blue-bloods. They were all kind, and Eaton was sure that they would all find somebody someday, but it wasn't him.

There were a few betas, but Eaton saw them all the same and declined when they offered their hand. Status didn't matter to him, but the person behind the status just wasn't right. Not yet anyway.

With his birthday drawing closer his parents admonished him roughly, his father sneering at him angrily while his mother just looked on, a disappointed gleam in her eye as she glanced at her only son.

"Just pick one." His father growled, his strong alpha aura seeping from his seething pores and making Eaton's stomach clench painfully. His mother rose and placed a hand on his shoulder, his aura drawing back a little when his thought process was broken.

"Now Reginald," she chided, casting a withering look toward Eaton. "Don't be irrational. Of course, we want Eaton to be happy." She said the word with such contempt that Eaton fought the urge to lower his head in shame. He always felt like this when he talked to his parents. Useless and bratty. Expecting too much when he already had so much.

He knew that he wasn't now that he was older, but it still stung. If only just a little.

He wouldn't be forced to spend his life with someone he wouldn't cherish, or be cherished by that someone in return.

His parents -his father especially- thought that since he was an omega that he was weak. That he couldn't handle the throne even though he was a pure royal. The night ended late for Eaton, his jaw aching from where his father had grabbed him roughly and announced to him that he had three more days before he would just pick someone himself.

Eaton had wanted to cry. And he did, but he waited until he had nodded solemnly to his father and bowed, wishing them both goodnight with a forced 'good night, your Majesty' before he turned on his heels and resisted the urge to run back to his room. He smiled at the guards posted every few pillars and shut the heavy iron door to his bedroom behind him quietly, his eyes watering and running over silently as he let his sorrow run free.

Her sobs were quiet, hushed by the heavy flakes of snow dancing to the ground outside as a few met the torches blazing from the castle walls and hissed as they were extinguished. His back hit his door and he slid to the ground, hand clamped firmly over his mouth as his tears wet his cheeks.

He was alone.

Carols could be heard drifting up from the servants quarters a few levels below him through the half-open window, he always left it open despite the cold so he could hear them singing. It was a week till his birthday, which meant it was a week till Christmas.

Eighteen years ago the papers had headlined 'The Royal Christmas Miracle'. That was him. But his parents had blamed him for ruining their holiday. It wasn't Eaton's choice to be born on Christmas, but he had been punished for it to the point that he had never uttered another word about his birthday past the age of five.

His parents were old fashioned, and despite the equality act passing years ago they still felt as though he, an omega, was unworthy to be a royal. And even worse still, they hadn't been able to have any more children after Eaton due to his mother's health.

There was a soft knock on his door, and Eaton hiccuped pathetically as he tried to steady his voice so he could answer.

"H-Hello?" His voice shook, so he wiped vigorously at his eyes and cleared his throat, tossing on a blank look before calling out 'yes? Come in' to whoever had been knocking. It was Tuck. Eaton cracked a smile despite his mood, shoulders slumping out of their forced position in exhaustion as he took a few steps back and fell onto his bed.

Tuck Selor was Eaton's advisor and the closest thing to a friend that he had. He came from a good family and Tuck adored Eaton. They were good together politically, on paper, and in real life.

"I just wanted to see if you were alright."

His voice warmed him and with his father's warning still fresh in his mind Eaton blinked in astonishment, pushing himself up so he was supported by his arms and cast his gaze over Tuck. He had never considered him as an applicant for his affection, but the more he thought it over he didn't really see anything that would discount him the legibility to do so.

Tuck's question registered in his tired mind, and he nodded his head. His cheeks were still hot from crying and he could feel his nose crusting up as it did when it would start to run. His nose twitched at the thought unconsciously, a silent sigh slipping past his lips as he allowed himself to fall back to the bed.

"Tuck?" He asked softly, voice raw and not rising above a whisper. Tuck was there in an instant, standing before him but not touching him as he stared at him intently.

"Yes, you're highness?"

Eaton swallowed thickly.

"Have you ever... considered... affection between us?"

There was a long pause. Eaton could almost see Tuck's puzzled face as he mulled over Eaton's question.

"No, your highness, I have not considered it. Although I am considering it now."

Eaton's lip twitched upwards, his eyes flicking up to meet Tucks as he sat; his eyes meeting the brass buttons of Tuck's jacket before he rose to his knees and reached up to loop his arms around Tuck's neck.

He pulled him down slowly, allowing time for Tuck to back out and making it very clear as to what he was doing. Tuck's knee knelt on the bed in front of Eaton's, his weight making the bed dip as their lips touched delicately.

It didn't feel wrong.

Living as friends and colleagues for so long, however, didn't let it feel all the way right either.

They pulled away wordlessly, their eyes meeting for a second time before they both fluttered shut and met together for another kiss.

This one was more passionate, Tuck's hand tentatively reaching up to grasp at Eaton's slender hips as he pushed more firmly against his lips. Eaton returned his enthusiasm, fingers playing with the hair at the nape of Tuck's neck as he shyly opened his mouth for Tuck when the alpha asked.

They were fire together, and they both felt the pull as they looked at each other for what felt like the first time. It was explosive, and the years they had spent as friends paid tribute to the affection and fondness flooding through the both of them.

There was no doubt in either's mind. They were meant to be one, and Eaton had made his selection. His heart was no longer his, and he was okay to let it go.

--

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Eaton asked softly, bright gold cloak heavy around his shoulders as the golden chains swung from his neck and belt as he moved. His eyes met Tucks, his garb much lighter than Eaton's but no less grand. He stepped forward, intertwining his fingers with Eatons before he smiled and reached to cup the shorter man's cheek.

"Yes. I want us."

Eaton smiled back, fighting back the emotion that threatened to climb up his throat. Tuck continued.

"I want to rule by your side, to lead our people into a better future with you. That is what I want. When Elder Jophrey took me in I was so completely alone. I didn't know where I came from and I didn't know what my life would be. I was scared that it would just be me my whole life. Then I met you. I know you have your parents-"

"I don't have parents. I have a king and queen that I respect because I must. They will not stand in the way of our future."

Disregarding his attire, Eaton pulled Tuck close and embraced him, whispering a 'thank you' into his ear before he pulled away and smoothed out the fabric of his shirt.

Snow was dumping from the sky, the chill in the air seeming to hold itself back and stay silent as Eaton and Tuck -along with the guard- made their way toward the cathedral. The coronation was to be held there, and Eaton had insisted that Tuck be a part of the ceremony much to the outrage of his parents. This was the beginning of the new age, one that would mark the change for the better in their kingdom.

Eaton was King. And Tuck was there right alongside him. The crowds cheered and praised their new king, bowing and showering the new monarchs with gifts and pressed flowers.

King Eaton then sent the crowds home, urging them to celebrate with their family and be merry in the light of the new age.

Tuck and Eaton returned to the palace, fire blazing in the hearth as they shrugged off their heavy cloaks and fell into a chair. Their lives were never going to be the same after this, but they were happy with the choice they had made.

Tuck turned to Eaton, taking in the crown still resting atop his head and smiling.

"Merry Christmas, you're Majesty."

"Merry Christmas, Prince Tuck."