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Chapter Text

It all started at the Melbourne Climate Conference. Henry was having a grand old time, greeting people twice his age from countries he did care to remember until he walked in. Alexander Claremont Diaz. Henry, of course, had heard of him as the newly appointed first son of the United States, but he didn’t prepare for him to be so handsome.  

Henry, trying his best to stay professional, decided to keep his distance. He didn’t want to run the risk of embarrassing the two of them in front of all the most important people across the world. 

The newfound stress of the incredibly attractive man on the other side of the room, along with everything else that has gone on in the last few months was all exhibited as a cold attitude toward everyone nearby. 

This, as you can imagine, did not serve Henry well when Alexander Claremont Diaz made his way to Henry and introduced himself with a nervous tremor to his voice. 

“Hi, I’m Alex,” he said, holding his hand out to Henry, teeth on display in a strikingly beautiful smile.

In response, Henry (regrettably) avoided Alex’s hand with a piercing glance as he leaned over to Shaun. 

“I need to get out of here,” Henry whispered, knowing he just ruined everything when Alex’s smile faded. 

Shaan led Henry to a quiet room where he spent the rest of the evening, sinking in his own thoughts and anxiety.

–

Three and a half years later…

– 

Despite the rough first impression, Henry has continued to nurse a massive crush on Alex Claremont Diaz for years now, and yet, he has had to upkeep the haughty act around Alex in fear of being outed, which has, unsurprisingly, led to an unrequited endearment.

Years of distant pining and collecting ACD news cover photos into a file on his computer, and Alex still thinks Henry hates him. 

It was now Phillip’s wedding, and Henry had been in charge of keeping watch of the cake, given that he had no interest in talking to anyone. So Henry stood by the massive cake, drink in hand, focusing on keeping his back straight and avoiding eye contact with everyone until Alex Claremont Diaz stumbled over to him. 

The very clearly drunk Alex started to make conversation, but to no avail as Henry gave nothing but the occasional side eye and uninterested insult in response. 

“It was great to see you,” Henry said, walking away so he could compose himself in private.

“You, too, Your Majesty,” Alex said in a mocking tone.

“Actually, it's ‘Your Royal Highness,’ ‘Your Majesty’ is reserved for the king,” Henry explained, trying not to embarrass the two of them.

“Oh, thank you for the etiquette lesson,” Alex said, not without sarcasm.

At that point, Henry had enough and stuck his finger to Alex’s very incredibly firm chest, “You are desperately in need of one.”

“You know what?” Alex started, clasping his hand over Henry’s shoulder, covering his suit jacket with cake frosting. Henry was aghast, and the two both started to try and clean the fabric, Alex muttering apologies.

While it was all a blur, Henry knows for sure that by the end of their dispute, they ended up on the floor with a £75,000 cake all over them. 

–

Two days later…

–

The day of interviews and photos went fine. Subtle insults and faked smiles, but fine. Prolonged glances and bit-swollen lips, but fine. 

After making his way to his room after the day, Henry collapsed on his bed in a sigh. 

“That man will be the death of me,” he said into David’s fur. 

Henry pet David for a minute, soaking in the first calm of the day, he got up to grab an ice cream, just to find that he was out.

Frustrated, Henry threw his head in his hands. After such a long day he can’t even enjoy a cornetto?

Then, Henry remembered the castle usually kept the guest kitchens stocked, so he decided to head to where Alex was staying. Henry knew he could still be awake, but decided cornettos were worth the risk.

Henry snuck to the guest quarters, and was about to open the door to Alex’s kitchen when he heard a muffled conversation. Henry froze, holding his breath, shoulders immediately finding a home next to his ears. He was about to turn around and give up on his quest, but the mutter of his own name made him stop. Henry decided to quietly compose himself and slide into the room, as not to alert Alex, where he was sitting talking on the phone to whom Henry can only assume is Nora. 

“He’s just so insufferable,” Alex complained, making Henry’s heart drop in sorrow. 

“Yeah,” Henry said, making his presence known, “You’re not exactly a walk in the park either.”

At the sound of Henry, Alex stood in shock, “Did you just overhear my conversation?”

“Yes, he said insufferably,” He responded, reaching to the refrigerator to grab his long awaited cornetto.

The both of them went back and forth for a minute, before Alex, in what was likely true frustration, grabbed Henry’s hands in a swift movement (that made the blonde swoon) and posed them for a photo, before typing out a caption to post on social media.

“‘Nothing goes better with leftover cake that ice cream with my good pal @PrinceHenryYUCK.’”

“Prince Henry UK ,” he corrected.

“‘#imtaller, Geotag Kensington Palace’ and posted,” Alex narrated. “Ah, 14,000 likes in two seconds, not my record, but whatever.”

Alex unwrapped his own ice cream, “Don’t worry, Your Majesty,” he said before taking a bite and continuing with his mouth full, “you're dealing with a professional,” he finished with a still ice-cream-full grin that made Henry break character and chuckle.

“You’re mad,” Henry said before turning around and leaving without a second thought, realizing too late that he forgot his cornetto. 

–

Later that morning…

– 

Alex accompanied Henry to the children’s hospital he usually visits, and the atmosphere seemed to be getting to Alex – Henry caught him leaning against a door frame looking at Henry with a fond look, quite unlike Alex.

He must’ve been under the influence because he held Henry’s stare for a few moments too long before Henry forced himself to look away.

A bit later, Alex and Henry were making their way to the exit, leisurely walking side-by-side, making pleasant conversation for what was probably the first time ever. 

However, their epiphany was cut short due to a sound eerily similar to a gunshot from somewhere in the building that caused one of Alex’s secret service agents to shove them into a supply closet where they lay practically on top of each other, going right back to their typical bickering. 

The two struggled to find a comfortable position, muttering comments and yanking limbs away from the other. 

Once the two settled with Alex’s back to Henry, he noticed the tag on Alex’s jacket.

“Santal 33,” Henry noted, smiling inside at the shared liking, “Makes sense.”

“What do you mean by that?” Alex asked defensively.

“It means you have good taste, Alex,” Henry reassured.

“Oh. Thanks,” Alex turned around to face Henry, “And why do you dislike me?”

Henry furrowed his brows – So Alex didn’t hate him? He thought Henry hated him?

“Climate Conference in Melbourne, first night party,” Alex said. 

Oh shit, did Alex pick up on Henry’s attraction? Does he know? Henry looked over to Alex, breathing heavily and glancing over at Alex to gauge his reaction.

Alex went on to recall the night they met, in which Henry had acted particularly distasteful toward him. 

Henry, inwardly cringing at his previous actions, thanked whatever gods were out there that Alex didn’t notice Henry’s crush, and he tried his best to explain his actions from that night without revealing his secret. 

“You’re right, I’m sorry I was a prick to you. It’s no excuse, but I was a prick to everyone in those days. My father had died a few months before, and the palace insisted on parading me around,” Henry explained. “For the record, I-I didn’t say ‘get me out of here,’ I said ‘I need to get out of here,’ which is a different thing entirely.”

“Oh,” Alex said, reconsidering his own actions, “Well now I feel like I need to apologize.”

But before he could, Amy opened the door, relieving the small room of their emotional tension. 

The boys lifted themselves up and walked out of the supply closet, brushing themselves off. Before proceeding to the exit, Alex and Henry shared a glance, feeling a shift in their relationship.

Henry clenched his jaw, teeth grinding as anxiety filled his thoughts. 

If Alex could find out Henry liked him, everyone could. Very few people are more dense than Alex. Hell, someone probably knows already.

Chapter Text

That night, Henry once again fell in his bed, exhausted, but with new anxieties. 24 hours ago, Henry was sure that Alex hated him, but after today’s events, he’s not so sure. The mutual stares, the smirks, their conversation.

Every feeling Henry has felt about Alex came unraveling all at once. The attraction, the hatred, the empathy, the worry, the love.

Could Alex know? Does Alex hate him? Does Alex like him? Does Alex even care past their PR obligations?

Henry, realizing it was half past 12 A.M., took a deep breath and did a body scan like his therapist had recommended.

He started from his toes, relaxing his muscles before moving up to his legs, doing the same. He continued to release the lasting tension in his body bit by bit until he got to his head. Henry unclenched his jaw and eased his furrowed brows.

With his body finally at rest, Henry focused on clearing his mind. He tried to focus on a repeating word, or count backwards from 100, but with no success. Everything seemed to turn back to Alex.

As if it weren’t stressful enough, in the mix of fears, Henry’s father popped into his head.

Arthur Fox was an incredible man. Strong and proper, and seemingly under control of every thought. Henry had always looked up to his father, as any young boy would, but when Arthur died, he felt that his James Bond training wasn’t complete.

For years – still, even – Henry was lost in a mix of grief, anger, confusion, and royal pressure. He may not be the crown prince, but he was still held to standards that tore his identity apart.

When Alex made his way into the picture, Henry’s fight of flight response kicked in and he felt hopeless as he feared their proximity would lead to his outing.

Processing these emotions caused a tear to slip down Henry’s face that he didn’t register until it began to soak in the pillow case underneath him.

–

Two days later…

–

Having left his bed only a handful of times, Henry finally gathered the courage to face the outside world. He decided to stop by a quaint coffee shop he often liked to visit. It was almost never crowded, so he wouldn’t have to face many people.

Henry slipped on a sage green hoodie and a pair of trainers. He ran his hand through his hair and opened the back gate to the palace.

Henry made his way down the street, only having to walk a few blocks before arriving at his destination.

He walked in, smiling at the barista he often saw there, and ordered a simple mocha. As he waited, Henry received a few short stares from unbelieving customers in the shop, he was grateful they gave Henry his space.

Once Henry was sipping on his drink and slowly becoming more caffeinated, he decided if he wanted any relationship with Alex – platonic or not – he’d have to make the next move to erode Alex’s negative association with Henry, so he decided to reach out.

Months ago, Pez gave Henry Alex’s number in case he ever gathered the courage to talk to him, so he already had Alex’s contact ready to send a message to. Trying to brainstorm an inviting text, Henry went scrolling through his computer file of news covers with Alex in them, until he found a photo of Alex with a woman at some event, hand in pocket.

An idea sprouted in Henry’s head, deciding to tease Alex and continue their usual banter.

Henry sent the photo with an off handed message about wanking that he hoped Alex would find more funny than creepy.

Thankfully, after explaining who he was, Alex did find Henry’s text funny, and responded with an equally unhinged message a few days later.

The two began to go back and forth in playful joking with one another for days, which turned into weeks.

–

Two weeks later

–

Henry sat on Bea’s bed recanting everything to her about Alex. About how funny he was, how charming he was, and how wrong Henry was about Alex. He felt so comfortable with the other man Henry found himself rambling on about Lord Byron, which was a tell-tale sign he was falling hard for Alex, and Bea knew it too.

That night, while he was watching Bake Off with David, Henry’s phone started to buzz with an incoming call from the man himself, and Henry’s heart rate picked up, cheeks flushing.

Henry dug his hand out from under David and went to pick up the phone before overthinking it.

“Hello?” Henry said, voice groggy, but to no response.

“Helloo? Alex?” Henry said a bit louder.

“Hi, sorry, I’m here,” Alex finally responded.

“What’s up?” Henry asked, popping the ‘p’ only to receive a gobble.

“Alex, seriously, are you okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine, I just have a turkey in my room…”

“What??”

“Yupp, exactly as it sounds,” Alex said, clearly tired.

“Good god, man. What have you done?” Henry asked, genuinely curious.

“So, there's this American tradition where the president pardons a turkey before Thanksgiving,” Alex explained.

“I don't understand. Don't you have to commit a crime to be pardoned?”

“Don't look too closely at it. Anyways, I found out that they keep the turkey in a luxury hotel suite the night before the ceremony. I mean, can you think of anything more wasteful?”

“Oh, perhaps this conversation?” Henry answered sarcastically as Paul Hollywood gave a baker a handshake on screen.

Alex continued to explain his situation, while Henry went further to tease him.

“Have I surprised you in any way?” Alex asked, out of the blue.

Yes, in a lot of ways.

“Nope. You are just as ghastly as I imagined,” Henry replied, to which Alex gave a laugh that made his heart flutter.

Henry, processing the time, decided it was best for the both of them if they hung up and got some sleep.

“I’m hanging up on you now,” the blonde said.

“No, I’m hanging up on you!” Alex argued in response.

“Fine, have it your way,” Henry said in a jokingly irritated tone. “That’s what the big red button is for…”

Alex huffed a laugh, which Henry took as a win, and Alex hung up after saying goodnight.

After the disconnecting tone rang, Henry let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding.

At this rate, Henry was going to be proposing to Alex the next time he sees him in person.

Chapter Text

Henry spent hours trying to coordinate his outfit for Alex’s New Years party, unsure on whether he should dress more formally or casually. He eventually opted for his typical suit, but when he went to grab his favorite silver tie, he remembered his conversation with Alex and his lack of color, so he decided to pick his one colorful tie, a shiny copper that surely made a statement.

Upon arriving at the party, Henry immediately felt on edge. He knew there was going to be a lot of people, but he didn’t take into account how chaotic it’d be. He’s used to the type of parties where everyone has a tux and a royal title. This was, to say the least, something Henry expected out of an American high school film.

Pez seemed more comfortable, and helped Henry navigate the crowd to find Alex. When Henry finally spotted the man in all his glory, his heart flipped, cheeks warming. The two brits shuffled their way over to Alex, Nora, and June. 

“Oh look who it is!” Alex announced, beaming. “Nice tie! Rocking the orange!”

“Orange?” Henry teased, “You must be colorblind, this is obviously copper!”

“You’re so annoying,” Alex responded with an unconvincing smile.

Henry turned to introduce Pez to June and Nora, “This is my best mate, Percy Okonjo, who, Nora, has been begging me for an introduction since the wedding.”

“Miss Holleran, you are the most exquisite woman I have ever seen in my life,” Pez complimented. “I would love to procure for you the most lavish drink in this establishment.”

June crossed her arms as she and the other two boys watched Nora and Pez flirt.

“Well it is an open bar and a free-ish country, so only the secret service can stop you,” Nora replied, grabbing Pez’s hand and leading him to the bar. Boy, does Henry wish he could hold Alex’s hand like that. 

The remaining three stood in awkwardness for a second, Alex and June seeming to communicate telepathically before June rolled her eyes and nodded, walking away.

Alex then suddenly threw his arms around Henry, making his stomach knot, “I’ve been drunk since Christmas,” Alex said rather loudly into Henry’s ear, making the blonde wince and smile, “You’ve got to catch up.”

Henry happily followed Alex around the party for what was probably hours, listening to over exaggerated stories and laughing at his horrible jokes. Henry felt like they were the only two people in the world, the room slowing down around them. Henry felt truly happy for the first time in a while. Alex was sitting next to him, just radiating some otherworldly positivity that made Henry feel warm inside, and he soaked it up.

Their merry moment was interrupted, though, as a woman in a slim silver dress threw herself next to Alex and introduced herself. 

Henry’s anxiety spiked again when she reached her hand out to shake his own. “Have we met?” She asked.

Henry must’ve looked bewildered. She didn’t recognize him? “Um, Henry,” he said, introducing himself.

“That’s Henry,” Alex said as well, and a grin grew on his face when the song changed, “Oh my god, we have to dance, come on!” 

The girl immediately got up, dragging Alex with her, but he stopped, “Are you not going to dance?” he asked Henry.

Henry shook his head, “You go ahead.” 

“Alright, be right back,” Alex figured, running down to the dance floor.

Henry watched as Alex danced smoothly like he was born to admire Alex, and, frankly, Henry would be perfectly content to sit there and watch Alex for the rest of his life.

Henry was down bad, that was for sure.

Henry made his way to the bar to get a well-needed drink, and leisurely sipped on a whole bottle of wine until Alex came tumbling back over to him.

“You don’t dance?” Alex asked, grabbing a drink from the bar.

“Ballroom lessons didn’t exactly cover this,” Henry explained, finding himself having to yell over the music.

Alex laughed and leaned down to grab Henry’s hips, “It’s all in the hips,” he said, making Henry stiffen blush like crazy. “Loosen up!”

Then, as the song changed, Alex, along with almost every other person in the room, erupted into cheers, “This is the song of my childhood!”

Alex then went on to pull Henry into the crowd, wine still in hand, and Alex guided him to dance. 

Henry, probably focusing on the lyrics more than he should, almost spit out his drink. “I’m sorry, did he just say ‘till the sweat drops down my balls? ” Henry asked, drawing a chuckle out of Alex.

“Yeah,” Alex answered, head tilted up, body swaying with the tempo, looking absolutely divine.

Then, all of a sudden, the crowd began to squat down all around them, and Henry looked around to find Alex was still standing up, looking at Henry with some love-drunk grin. 

The unbreaking stare Alex gave Henry made him freeze in his tracks, and in that moment, Henry decided he couldn’t live another second without Alex looking at him like that, but they were once again interrupted by everyone in the crowd jumping back up for the countdown to New Years. 

Henry and Alex had seemingly migrated closer together, now face to face, and everybody started to yell. 

For just a moment, Henry felt blissful, he was in front of Alex, counting down the seconds to the new year, but as soon as the clock struck 0, a group of girls around them pulled Alex into kisses to celebrate, and Henry’s heart sank. 

He doesn’t exactly know why. It’s not like Henry expected Alex to kiss him, no, that would be absurd, not only is Alex straight, but he is a prince and he can’t be seen kissing a man. Nevertheless, a part of Henry still felt disappointed. 

Suddenly overwhelmed, Henry decided he needed air, and made his way to the exit of the tent.

He pushed past drunk, cheering people, guard up as he was shoved between the crowd. When Henry stepped out into the bitter cold, he shivered, but continued. He wandered around the yard, before spotting a cove of tall pines that seemed cozy. 

He studied at the bark of the tree, wondering what it’d be like to be a tree, no titles or social pressures. 

Fireworks in distance, Henry kept his gaze firmly on the tree in front of him, until a familiar voice spoke up behind him. 

“What are you doing out here?” Alex asked, a shiver in his voice.

Henry shrugged, “Wanted to get some air,” he replied.

There was an anxious beat before Alex spoke again. “Did I do something wrong?”

“ No, no of course not. You’re perfect,” Henry wanted to say, but instead of answering, he asked his own question. “Do you ever wonder who’d you be if you were an anonymous person in the world?”

“I was an anonymous, working-class kid for most of my life. And then my mom became president,” Alex responded. “Who would you be?”

Henry took a breath. “I-I’d be a writer. Live in Paris…” He said, and continued before overthinking it, “I’d certainly date more.”

Alex chuckled, “Yeah, ‘cause it’s so hard for a prince to get a date.”

Henry sighed, mildly frustrated that Alex wasn’t picking up on what he was trying to say. “The people I date don’t interest me, and the people who interest me, I can’t date.”

“Oh my god, Henry, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

At that, Henry swiftly turned around, “Christ you’re as thick as it gets,” and pulled Alex into a kiss that absolutely destroyed Henry. 

He held Alex there for a beat, but Alex then melted into the kiss, which felt all too real to Henry, and he immediately pulled away. 

Looking at Alex’s shocked, beautiful face, the weight of Henry’s actions suddenly came crashing down on him. 

Oh SHIT. Holy FUCK. God DAMMIT. Why did Henry do that? Alex is sure to hate Henry now. He’s going to out him, and accuse him of assault. Henry just ruined his life, why couldn’t he have just contained himself?

“I am sorry,” Henry said, trying to express his guilt so hopefully Alex won’t try to sue him, and, with that, he moved to walk away, hand brushing up against Alex’s chest. 

Henry rushed back to the tent to gather Pez and leave as soon as possible. Head in his hands, he smacked his forehead and pulled his skin down his face. 

After quickly navigating the now slower crowd, Henry got Pez and dragged him out of the venue. 

Pez seemed to understand the urgency, Henry will explain in the car, he just needs to leave right now. 

Once safely in the car, Pez looked at Henry with a questioning look, “Any specific reason why you had to tear me away from Nora that urgently?”

“I kissed Alex,” Henry said, staring at his shoes.

“Oh shit.”

Chapter Text

“You kissed Alexander Claremont Diaz ?” Pez said, eyes wide, trying to process the new information.

“Yes,” Henry said, head hanging low in his hands.

“What happened?” 

“He and I were dancing, and there was this moment where we were, like, connected somehow, and he was looking at me in this way that made me feel like I was on fire, in a good way,” Henry tried to explain. “I got really overwhelmed, I left to take a walk outside, and Alex followed me. When he found me we started talking about, like, if we weren’t famous, and I tried to come out to him, and when he didn’t understand what I was getting at, I just turned around and… kissed him?”

“How did he respond?”

Henry hadn’t really thought about how Alex actually responded, just how he expected him to act.

“Well, he froze up when I first went at him, then after a few seconds he seemed to soften up a bit?” Henry recalled, “But I stopped before I could go further. He looked thoroughly shocked.”

“I mean, I can’t say I blame him,” Pez said. “If the seemingly straight Prince of England kissed me, I’d be surprised too.”

Henry only groaned out of frustration in response. “What do I even do now?”

Pez crossed his legs and rested his hand on the back of Henry’s still hunched over back.

“Well, tonight, we are going to go back to our hotel, sleep off some of this alcohol, and tomorrow we’re going to fly back to London,” Pez reassured. “We’ll figure things out from there.”

Henry sighed and sat up straight, “Thank you, Percy.”

Pez rolled his eyes, “You know I don’t like to be called that. You’re welcome, though. This is what friends are for.”

The two sat in silence for the rest of their short ride to their hotel and made their way into the building.

Standing in the lift, Henry gave Pez a look of unbearable anxiety that he hoped Pez would pick up on. Fortunately, Pez did, and offered a soft look of sympathy in return. 

“Don’t worry, mate,” He said, “I’m gonna help you get through this.”

And with that, the lift arrived on Pez’s floor, and he gave one last pat on Henry’s back before stepping out to his room. 

Left in silence, Henry left out a long breath, “God, why did I do that?” 

Henry dragged himself out of the lift when he reached his floor, and opened his room with a satisfying throw of the door. Upon walking inside, he pulled out his tie and flopped aggressively on the bed with a groan. 

After a minute of dead silence as Henry contemplated his life choices, Henry sat up and shrugged off his suit jacket and trousers. 

Henry curled up at the head of the bed and wrapped his arms around his knees, trying to lure himself to sleep, but without success.

He tossed and turned, restless in his thoughts about what Henry’s actions could mean for him and his newfound relationship with Alex. They were just starting to get along and Henry had to go and ruin it. 

–

Later that morning…

– 

Henry and Pez had just made it on their plane, settled in comfortable chairs, and buckled up when the latter broke the silence. 

“Mate, how did you sleep?” Pez asked.

“I didn’t,” Henry said with a sigh, gazing out the window. 

“I figured as much.”

Henry side-eyed a smug Pez, and threw his head in his hands for what felt like the millionth time in the last 10 hours. 

“How am I supposed to face Alex again after this?” Henry muttered.

“Well don’t resort to absolute agony,” Pez instructed. “There’s still hope. You’re his plus-one to the prime minister’s dinner in a few weeks.”

“Oh god, I forgot about that! Why did I have to do this right before I’m obligated to be in his presence so soon?” 

“Look at it this way, in three weeks, Alex will have surely processed that night, and you’ll both be in the proper headspace for you to apologize,” Pez explained. “And in the very slim chance that Alex is mad at you, this’ll give him time to cool down.”

Henry paused for a moment, thinking through the possibilities of how that party could go, “You’re right,” He said with a sigh.

“I often am,” Pez concluded with a grin.

“We just need to figure out how I’m going to start that conversation.”

“With words, presumably.”

“Oh, ha ha, Pez,” Henry mocked, “I’m being serious.”

“So am I!” Pez exclaimed. “Listen, you don’t know for sure how Alex is going to react, we can’t even guarantee he’s going to let you speak to him, so the only thing you can really plan out is what you’re going to say to get that ball rolling.”

“Okay, so do I just start right off the bat with an apology?”

–

Approximately three weeks later…

–

Henry spent what was likely too long in the washroom at the prime minister’s party. He was far too nervous to face Alex. They’d been on a messaging blackout since New Years, and that didn’t help Henry’s anxiety at all.

Henry took a deep breath. He had to go out there eventually, so it was now or never. He smoothed out his suit and opened the door, immediately flooded with the noise of the venue. 

He put on his best smile and continued on to the main entrance of the party. 

Henry didn’t immediately see Alex right away, but when he did, talking to Amy on the side, his heart fluttered. Henry tried his best to keep his composure, but inside he was burning with desire. How could he? He was there to apologize to Alex, and here he was, the butterflies in his stomach dictating what he does. 

Luckily someone came up to Henry and asked how his Philip and Bea were, which was a welcoming distraction to his internal feelings. 

The save was interrupted by Amy, though. Alex’s secret service agent, “Your Royal Highness, could you please follow me to the Red Room?” 

Flustered, Henry agreed, wondering if Alex was meeting him there to confront him.

Sure enough, when he stepped into the Red Room, Henry found an awkward Alex standing in the corner. Immediately, Henry rushed to explain his actions on New Years.

“Look, I owe you an explanation. My behavior was appallin-”

“Shut up, stop talking,” Alex said, grabbing Henry’s face and kissing him, making Henry’s head spin. 

Henry instinctually pulled back, he couldn’t process what was happening while Alex’s face was on his own, but Henry quickly resumed their makeout. 

Alex leaned Henry on a table, not-so subtly grinding on Henry, forcing a grunt out of them both. Henry clawed at the table, looking for purchase, but unfortunately, before they could go any further, Amy walked in to return them to the party. 

“Alright fellas, time’s up,” Amy said, “We got to get back to – Oh god.”

Amy rushed to give the two privacy as they quickly composed themselves. 

Henry and Alex and Amy a thankful yet awkward glance as they walked out. 

Leisurely strolling around the venue, trying to act as normal as possible, Alex leaned over to Henry. 

“Are you still…?” Alex asked, hoping Henry wouldn’t make him help spell it out. 

Henry smiled, “Like Stonehenge.”

He saw Alex grin from the corner of his eye, “Your Royal Hardness,” He said, making Henry snicker. “Or Big Ben.”

“Nelson’s Column?” Henry suggested with a scratch of the head. 

“There you are!” President Claremont said, startling the two men. 

“Hi Ma.” Alex said awkwardly. 

“Prime Minister, this is my son, Alex,” President Claremont said.

“It’s good to see you and His Royal Highness on better terms and not on the floor,” the Prime Minister said, sarcasm clear in her voice. 

“Yes, Prime Minister. Henry and I are much happier against walls,” Alex said, cupping Henry’s ass to emphasize his point, making Henry gasp. What if someone saw? Oh god, being around Alex sure is humbling.

“Is everything alright?” the Prime Minister asked Henry.

“Yes! Uh, very excited to be here,” Henry answered, hoping his reply would be enough. 

Henry peered over at Alex to find him absolutely grinning at his own joke. 

President Claremont, after giving Alex a piercing glance of her own, nodded the two off. “Hopefully we’ll get through tonight without any more scandals from these two,” she said to the Prime Minister. 

“The night is young, Ma,” Alex said, grin still wide. 

President Claremont left with that, having enough of her son. Henry let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. Is Alex trying to kill him? 

Without another sparring glance, Alex spoke up with confidence Henry couldn’t fake, “Okay here’s what we’re gonna do.”

“Yes, tell me,” Henry said, trying not to sound too desperate.

“You’re going to stay 500 feet away from me for the rest of the night,” Alex explained, nodding at someone absent-mindedly.

“Sensible plan,” Henry responded, simultaneously relieved and disappointed.

“I’m not done,” Alex interrupted with a grin.

“Of course you’re not.”

“Then, at midnight, you’re gonna come up to my room on the second floor of the residence where I am going to do some very bad things to you.”

Henry’s heart skipped a beat and his breath caught in his throat, pausing to process their new plan, before a wide grin grew on his face. 

How is he supposed to survive the rest of the evening knowing what’s in store for him?

–

Approximately two hours later…

–

At 23:56, Henry hurried to finish up the conversation he was in with the Prime Minister’s husband, which took far too long, and he bolted to the lift. 

Henry got to Alex’s door at 00:01, and shook his hands in anticipation before knocking.

When Alex opened the door, Henry almost dropped to his knees right there. Alex looked absolutely divine. Tie undone, shirt unbuttoned, and hair perfectly messy. 

“You’re late,” Alex said, eyeing Henry up and down and a voice deep and rich that made him weak. 

Henry, without another word, pulled Alex into a surging kiss, making his heart swell.

“To be clear, this changes nothing between us,” Henry said, half kidding.

“I was about to say the same thing,” Alex said, picking up that Henry wasn’t serious.

Alex worked to shrug Henry’s jacket off, and Henry pushed Alex onto his couch. 

“No you weren’t,” Henry said, lowering himself on top of Alex, feeling up every inch of the man he’d longed for. “That’s impossible.”

Alex, in response, ground his hips up against Henry’s, making them breathe heavily. 

“So, when did you start to…” Alex started.

“Fancy you?” Henry finished. “Melbourne Climate Conference, first night party.”

Alex huffed a laugh, “Wow, you had a lot going on that night.”

“Tell me about it,” Henry said, chuckling.

“I really thought you hated me,” Alex said.

Henry shook his head, unbuttoning Alex’s shirt, “I hated how good you looked.”

With that, Henry slid down, running his hands down Alex’s stomach, and unzipped Alex’s trousers. 

Alex let out a groan when the constraint of his tight trousers was released by the satisfying glide of the zipper.

Henry’s first instinct was to immediately start to mouth at Alex through his pants, but he was well enough in the head to look up at Alex for consent before continuing. When Henry received an enthusiastic nod, he grinned and resumed his adventure. 

Henry grabbed Alex through his pants, feeling his hard on. 

Henry slowly pulled down the waistband of Alex’s pants, and felt like he was going to drool at the sight. 

Henry started at the base, pecking the soft skin, before moving up Alex’s shaft, savoring the reactions he drew out of the man above him. 

“Oh god, Henry,” Alex said, eyes clenched closed and mouth agape. 

At that, Henry made his way to the tip, giving it its own soft kiss and then wrapping it around his lips, pausing for a moment to gauge Alex’s reaction. 

Seeing only positive, Henry sucked. Hard. Putting as much pressure on Alex’s tip as he could. 

Alex bucked his hips and moaned out, low and rough. 

Henry continued, fitting more of Alex into his mouth, wrapping himself around Alex.

Now, Alex wasn’t small – not at all. Henry had seen bigger, but he definitely struggled to fit all of Alex in his mouth,  but when he got as far as he could, he pulled off and stared at Alex, stroking him while he caught his breath. 

“You are good at that baby,” Alex said with a smile, hands gripping onto the cushion beneath him.

Henry noticed and took Alex’s hand and put it on his own head, letting Alex grab his hair, “I’m far from done, love.”

With that, Henry went right back wrapping his lips around Alex, and this time, he rose up almost all the way before sliding back down, still trying to focus on sucking. Henry slowly built a rhythm, bopping up and down on Alex.

In the midst of sucking Alex off, Henry entered this state calm, feeling completely content. He was in the middle of giving head to his dream guy of 3 years, and Alex liked him back. Henry spent years anxious over whether Alex could ever think of Henry as anything other than a rival, and it all led here, to Henry happily around his dick, and Alex enjoying it. 

Henry continued to slide up and down Alex’s shaft with vigor, as he reached down and grabbed himself to stroke. 

Henry felt amazing. He knew he always loved giving head, but everything felt tripled when it was Alex he was sucking off. 

Henry evened out his strokes to match the pacing of his mouth, making him double his efforts. 

Alex clearly appreciated his labor, bucking his hips more and breathing as if he had just run a mile. 

Henry felt lost in his own pleasure, loving the feel of Alex in his mouth, until Alex started to tap on his scalp and try to string together a warning that he was close.

Henry continued with them both, making his own eyes roll back. 

Alex came first, with Henry following closely behind. Henry felt amazing, Alex still in his mouth, and still pressed against himself. He reluctantly pulled off Alex with a pop, grabbing a tissue and spitting the cum out. Sighing contently, Henry leaned his head against Alex’s calf, absolutely exhausted. 

Alex, feeling similarly, smiled down at Henry, and smoothed the blonde’s hair out a bit. “Come back up here, baby,” and Alex did, completely compliant. “Let me get you off, to return the favor.”

Before Alex could, though, Henry chuckled. “I’m afraid that ship has already sailed.”

“Wait, you mean you…?”

“Oh yeah, you are hot as fuck. How could I not?”

Alex mirrored the smile, “Well you’ll have to let me next time.”

Henry’s heart fluttered. Next time? Alex wanted there to be a next time? Henry grinned, propping his head on his hand, staring at Alex in all his glory for a moment. 

“What’s that?” Henry asked, gesturing to the key around Alex’s neck. 

Alex smiled and held the key, “A key to my family's house in Austin. I started wearing it when we moved here.”

“You know, I don't… think I've ever owned a key in my entire life,” Henry said, thinking through his life.

“No such thing as a locked door when you're a prince, I suppose,” Alex said, laughing off-handedly

“Well, you'd be surprised,” Henry responded, smiling.

Alex looked at Henry through his eyelashes before taking a breath. “Just to put it out there…”

“Yes?” Henry said, patient for a reply.

Alex adjusted on the couch, clearly struggling to think after their previous activities. “I guess you could say I'm… bisexual. Yeah.”

“Noted,” Henry said smiling, seeing Alex peer at him expectedly. “Ah. Just to put it out there, I am… as gay as a maypole.”

Alex laughed, eyes crinkling in a delightful manner.

“What?”

“I have no idea what a maypole is,” Alex admitted.

“Maypole. Right.”

“Are they known for their homosexual tendencies?”

Henry laughed, “Oh, oh, God, yes. Notorious.”

  “Yeah?”

“Notorious for it.”

Alex paused again. “I wouldn't mind doing this again,” He said, grabbing Henry’s hand, making him feel warm inside.

Henry’s head spun thinking through the possibilities the future held. Henry wanted to throw caution to the wind and propose right then and there, but he had the crown to upkeep. Henry couldn’t bear to imagine the things that could happen if word got out that Henry and Alex were dating.

“Me neither,” Henry said breathlessly. “We just have to keep it very casual, of course.”

“Oh. Obviously,” Alex said. “The press and all.”

“I just can't afford for you to fall in love with me,” Henry said, anxious of what could come.

Alex only scoffs in response, “Oh!”

Henry, realizing how bigoted he sounded, went to correct himself, “Okay, wait a minute. No, that's not what I meant when I-”

“Get over yourself, Your Majesty,” Alex said, shoving a pillow into Henry.

“It's ‘Your Royal Highness.’ I don't know how many times. I have to tell you that,” Henry said, shoving the pillow back to Alex and hovering over him, feeling lost in Alex’s eyes.

Reluctantly, Henry forced himself away from Alex, worried he would never leave if he let him go any further. “I should probably get going.”

“I guess I'll see you…” Alex said, clearly sad.

“You know, I was thinking…” Henry said, thinking aloud. “There's this charity polo match in Windsor next month that my mate Percy's foundation organizes. I, uh… I was wondering if you might want to be my guest.”

“Oh,” Alex said, uncomfortable. Of course. How stupid of Henry, he really shouldn’t have assumed Alex would want to do anything outside of sex. “Um… I don't know how to play polo.”

Oh, Alex was confused. Seeing the opportunity, Henry chose to tease the gorgeous man. “Damn. Well, I suppose that will be all right, seeing as you won't be playing. I will. You'll be watching on the sidelines.”

Henry took great pleasure in watching the realization on Alex’s face turn into embarrassment. “Great. That's probably safer for everyone.”

Henry laughed. “Yeah, agreed.”

Henry took one last look at Alex, smiling fondly at the man he adored so much, and finally out loud. It physically hurt to leave Alex after their night, but Henry knew he had to. 

Henry, after closing the door to Alex’s room, left out a content sigh. He hadn’t felt happy quite like that night in years – maybe ever. 

–

One month later…

–

Henry was warming up on the field when he laid his eyes on the man he woke up for. It had been a month since he last saw Alex, and somehow he managed to grow 10 times hotter in the last 30 days since Henry saw him. 

He could barely focus on the match when Henry knew Alex was looking at him. It was all a blur, that is until he saw Alex run almost headfirst into him. 

“Oh, hello,” Henry said.

Alex looked shocked, and they both stood, frozen, seeing each other for the first time in a month. 

Henry broke the silence, “I was coming to find you, actually.”

“Yeah, hi. Here I am.”

“Here you are,” Henry parroted breathlessly.

Alex, at that, looked past Henry’s shoulder, “There’s, uh, cameras. Three o’clock.” 

Henry glanced over to his right, seeing a swarm of reporters. “Right.” 

Alex looks over at Henry, trying to communicate telepathically like he does with June. Alex grinned and Henry immediately understood what he was trying to say.

Henry escorted Alex to the supply shed where he knew no one would be. 

Alex, knowing what was about to go down, flashed Henry a gorgeous smile and unbuttoned his blazer. 

Alex pulled Henry into a searing kiss, who was gripping Alex’s hair, making him moan into Henry’s mouth. Alex, motivated, started moving South, planting kissing down Henry’s jawline to his collarbone. When Henry’s shirt got in the way of Alex’s adventure, he frustratingly switched to a new activity and had Henry hop up onto the table in the shed. 

Henry felt amazing, like Alex was worshiping him. He pulled down Henry’s trousers, and after glancing up at Henry for consent, Alex tugged out Henry’s length from his pants. Alex spit in his hand and began stroking Henry. From where Henry was, it looked like Alex was having a staring contest with Henry’s member.

Alex eventually looked back up at Henry, searching for something in his face.

“I’ve never done this before,” Alex admitted. “Can you help me?”

Henry smiled, throwing his hand over his mouth out of pure adoration. “Oh god. Yeah, I can help.”

An impossibly wider smile grew on Alex’s face, budging up, eager to learn. 

“What are you trying to do?” Henry asked, “Do you want me to teach you to give head?”

“That one, yeah,” Alex said, hand still on Henry. 

“Okay. Where do I begin…” Henry said, throwing his head back, studying the ceiling. “Start with your tongue, lick the head a bit.” 

Alex obliged, sticking his tongue out and licking the head in one big swipe, making Henry groan. 

“Now, if you are ready, you can fit the whole head in your mouth,” Henry instructed, Alex following suit. Henry moaned in response, but quickly winced, “Mind your teeth, dear.”

Alex, apologetic, attempted to frown, but unsuccessfully, making Henry chuckle.

“That’s it. Now, you can go deeper, you can suck it a little,” Henry said before Alex did exactly that and made Henry moan out, slapping a hand over his mouth to muffle himself. 

“Fuck, that’s – you’re doing really well,” Henry said under his breath.

Alex doubled his efforts. He wasn’t able to take more than a couple inches in his mouth, but he made up for it, sucking with vigor, wrapping his tongue around the length. Alex popped off for a moment to catch his breath, licking up the sides of Henry’s member. 

“How’m doing?” Alex said, pecking up and down Henry’s erection.

“Amazing, love,” Henry said, enveloped in the feeling.

With that, Alex resumed his previous task, bringing Henry steadily closer to release. 

Henry ran his hand through Alex’s hair, gripping it from the back, making Alex groan around Henry, sending vibrations up his prick. 

“Fuck, Alex, that’s it,” Henry said. “I’m close.”

At that, Alex sucked harder, and Henry glanced down to see Alex pumping his own fist under the table. 

Henry could hear Alex come first, he felt the man below him hum, eyes squeezing shut, and a moan on Henry’s length. 

Alex, now with an extra hand free, pumped the parts that his mouth could reach, and Henry felt heavenly. He came with a moan, Alex still around him. 

Alex slowed down and popped off Henry’s member, fetching a pack of tissues from his pocket, and he spit into the paper before wiping up his own cum from the floor beneath them. 

Henry sat, breathing heavily as Alex stood up to throw the tissues away and returned back to Henry, his head falling on the blonde’s shoulder. 

Henry chuckled and wrapped his arms around Alex, resting his own head on the man in his arms.

“That was amazing, thank you,” Henry whispered into Alex’s shoulder.

“Really? You’re not just saying that?” Alex asked.

Henry smiled, how did he deserve this man? “Yes, I really enjoyed that.”

Alex smiled back, meeting Henry in a lovesick kiss. 

Walking out of the shed, Henry smiled, glancing over to Alex who was fixing his outfit.

“Are you hungry?” Henry asked, running a hand through his hair. 

“Yeah I could eat,” Alex answered, smiling at the blonde. 

“Alright, let me get changed into more suitable clothes,” Henry said, nodding over to the main building. “You find Shaan and I’ll meet you in the car.”

“You’ve got to make sure you have appropriate attire,” Alex said in a horrible rendition of a British accent, making Henry grin.

“I’ll see you in a minute,” Henry said, shaking his head. 

Henry ran off to change as quickly as possible. He ran into some of his team mates who gave him high-fives as he rushed to the changing rooms. 

Henry slipped out of his trousers and inspected his pants to ensure there weren’t any stains from his and Alex’s previous activities. 

Confirming that he was good, Henry changed into his typical suit and dashed out of the building to meet Alex. He had time to make up for, and he wasn’t going to waste a second now that Alex is here with him. 

Once he found the car, Henry practically sprinted to see Alex, but tried to slow down upon reaching the car so as not to seem too desperate. 

Henry swiftly opened the car door and slid next to Alex. Henry whipped his head around, checking to make sure no one was around, before pulling Alex into a surging kiss, wrapping his hand around Alex's neck, relaxing at the touch of the man he loved. 

“I just realized I didn’t say hello earlier,” Henry said, pulling back with a smile.

“Well, hi,” Alex said, smiling back, making Henry feel warm inside. 

When the two arrived at the cafe, they walked in with leisure, not a care in the world for time. Henry ordered something he couldn’t remember, and Alex got an espresso and a croissant, saying it was only fitting given they were in Paris. 

They sat down in a sunny patch of the cafe, and Henry spent far too long admiring Alex in a halo of sunlight around him as he spoke. 

“There’s been something I’ve been dying to ask you,” Alex said with a grin plastered on his face. Henry’s mind flickered through what Alex could possibly want to know – probably not anything deep.

“Which other famous boys have I shagged?” Henry asked, trying to predict Alex’s question.

Alex laughed, “There’s two things I’ve been dying to ask you.”

“Alright, let's start with the first.”

“Do you have a last name?” Alex asked, genuinely.

“I have several, actually,” Henry sat up, “The official family name is Mountchristen-Windsor, and my father’s surname was Fox, so my full name is Henry George Edward James Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor.”

Alex whistles in surprise, eyes widening, “And here I thought Alexander Gabriel Claremont-Diaz was a mouthful.”

Henry laughed into his drink and looked up at Alex through his eyelashes, “He is.”

His joke made Alex laugh whole-heartedly, his eyes crinkling in a way that made him sparkle. 

“Come on, let's head out,” Alex said as Henry finished the last sip of his cappuccino.

Henry and Alex walked out of the cafe onto the busy street, where people seemed to immediately recognize them. Their security teams shielded the two from the paparazzi, but by the time Henry and Alex were safely in the car, they agreed they should go someplace quieter. Amy knew of a garden that her old colleague loved, so they decided to take a walk there. 

Upon finding the garden, Alex and Henry started to stroll around the place, enjoying the not-quite hot air around them. 

Alex was the first to speak, “Does anyone in your family know about you?”

Henry glanced over at Alex. “My sister Bea’s the only one I’ve told. My mum probably suspects, and my brother Philip is completely oblivious.”

“What about His Majesty, the King?”

Henry sighed, stopping in his tracks to face Alex. “Grandpa is a cold, hard realist,” He said, looking down, fidgeting with his ring. “He sat me down on my 18th birthday and told me not to let any selfish desires reflect poorly on the crown.”

“That’s some bullshit,” Alex said, clearly trying to be supportive, but failing. 

“It’s my life.”

“Doesn’t mean you have to accept it,” Alex said, making him think.

“I was four years old when I realized that everyone in my country knew my name, but I would never know theirs,” Henry said, still fiddling with his ring. “Prince Henry belongs to Britain. Henry Fox has to belong to himself, or else… he'll vanish.”

“Can't he ever belong to someone else?”

“Only momentarily.”