A/N: I woke up at almost noon, an idea just suddenly pops in my mind, and I proceed to NotePad, only to type this helplessly crying within less than 15 minutes. Seriously, I was possessed. Well, no other explanation for that. And this is just so not me.

Anyways, Schneizel/Kanon ahead. Fangirl to your heart's desire. Don't blame me if I'm angsty today.

.

.

Always one step behind.

He walks one step behind his prince, he stands one step behind his highness, and will forever do so.

.

They never walked side-by-side. It was symbolic in a way that shows what could never ever be. The aide shall merely be an aide - he may be a close confidante, in private and public business (that he chuckles at), the only best friend he could be, the most trustworthy and loyal person for the prince himself - but he shall only be an aide.

.

The prince loves him - that he got assured of.

"More than anything else, even." - that the prince himself said.

.

But love doesn't change anything. It only complicated the situation.

It brings more feelings to suppress, more feelings to hide from prying eyes.

For their love was nothing. It can do nothing, it can show nothing to the world. Their love wasn't needed. And perhaps it will never be needed.

For it can bring shame to royalty - it was forbidden.

It can bring a whole family's integrity to shambles - it was that wrong.

For their responsibilities for once were burdens so heavy, and their feelings for once were just downright wrong.

.

They keep loving though, behind locked doors and closed curtains. Even if there was no use for their feelings, they wouldn't bring it to a stop. It was a game of pretend when they bolt the doors locked and drape the curtains closed. The game starts, and for once they pretend that they were equals. They weren't prince and aide. They were simply themselves, moving in rhythm, in sync with the other, as equals amongst hungry kisses and heated touches. For once they give in to ardor and for once they were free. In the four corners of a room that no one else would dare pry open, they play pretend and for once everything was right.

.

When that game ends, they pick up discarded robes and fix themselves, stand beside each other in front of the doors that lead to suffocation, share one last gesture - a hand running down pink locks, lips pressing against sculpted handsome cheeks - and share a smile so agonized that it wasn't a smile in itself but a moment wherein they tell each other that their freedom was over.

.

They open the door and the prince steps out first, and the aide falls one step behind and will remain doing so until their next game of pretend.

.

But no, they knew better. This was another game in itself. A game to pretend that they were simply aide-and-prince, best friends since forever, master-and-advisor. That there was nothing more than that. That there was nothing wrong in the world, that they did not share those affectionate gestures and passionate pleasures. That they were perfect sons of royalty and that they didn't break a single rule in their entire life.

.

The games continue.

.

.

They pretend that they weren't doing anything wrong, yet one moment they share a forbidden affair, and the next they go back to that never-ending masquerade of lies.

.

.

They keep walking that way. The aide one step behind, never walking directly beside his prince, symbolizing that there was something that could never be.

A/N: FUCKYOU,MIND!YOUMAKEMECRY!!!!

And where is Kanon's oh-so-ever-pretty name in the character list?!?! Waaaaaiiii, nooooooo....~

Ahem. Thanks for reading. And tell me what you think. :D