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[lordfuckleroy]

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"Prince Henry Belongs to Britain. Henry Fox has to belong to himself or else he’ll vanish" art credit code credit

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Action - OMG THEY WERE ROOMMATES

[internationalrelations]

[So he was living with Prince Henry. Not too long ago he would've considered this some cruel twist of fate intent on driving him insane by sticking him with his arch nemesis. Now though, now he knew that was wrong. It was a cruel twist of fate intent on driving him insane by sticking him with the source of his sexuality crisis.

But whatever it was fine. Because whatever Henry was, he was Alex's friend. And a familiar piece of home in a very unfamiliar world.

Anyway, it was morning, not crack-of-dawn morning, but early, and Alex was up and about in the kitchen. Living in the White House meant he didn't get much chance for it, but he was a decent cook, comfortable enough in a kitchen. And since he was relatively sure that Henry was not used to fending for himself, well, he thought it only right that he look out for the prince too.

So breakfast was in process. The entire apartment smelled of coffee and bacon and something sweeter and distinctly cinnamony -- French toast that he was pretty proud of himself for because it looked and smelled amazing, if he did say so himself.

And he did.

The sound of music accompanied the noise and movement of cooking, and if Henry were to look into the kitchen, he'd see the First Son dancing in front of the stove while he flipped toast in the pan.]

[lordfuckleroy]

[ And thus Henry was still oblivious to this, he was failing perception rolls left and right. He did notice that Alex seemed a bit jumpy but he almost attributed this to an anxiety that seemed to evidence itself outward as opposed to internalized such as Henry managed to find himself percolating within like a tea kettle.

Minus the whistling of course.

Henry was far enough from the kitchens at the palace that he did not smell breakfast normally. But it came through his sleep and he blinked his eyes blearly before he threw the covers back and started to head out of his room. He followed the trail of cinnamon before peeking around the corner, and saw Alex what they called 'busting a groove'. He put his hand over his mouth to prevent himself from snickering.

Not that he was any different in his black pajamas and his touseled hair. ]

[internationalrelations]

[He was dancing like nobody was watching, Henry. Except there was someone watching. Not that Alex knew this, and not that Alex would know this until he turned around, full hip-swaying with a now full plate of French toast he was going to cover and hope to keep warm until--]

...ah! Fuck! Henry!

[Startled, he jumped and only just barely managed not to fling the plate at the ground in reflex.]

How are you so quiet? You scared the life out of me. [Fussing, but he held up the plate and smiled.] But good, you're up. Are you hungry? I made breakfast.

[Now that he on the back end of that sudden adrenaline surge, he took in the sight of the other man, still sleep-rumpled and in his jimjams. Kind of adorable, kind of endearing.]

[lordfuckleroy]

[ Was there anything cuter than that? Henry was head over heels in love with Alex but he was very good at hiding his inner volatile emotions, he lunged forward to help catch any flying plates and found himself a little bit closer to Alex and found himself holding back by the doorframe once disaster had been averted. ]

It is a boon of my birthright, Alex. [ He said this tongue-in-cheek but there was a sparkle to his blue eyes that shimmered like the hue of the english channel on a reasonably sunny day. ] I am hungry, and you surprised me. I thought that with what I was smelling.. that I may be having a stroke? Also a realm of possibility with the fact that I endure quite a bit of stressors as well. ]

I will graciously accept your offer of breakfast.. and you made coffee as well.

[ He'd slept through the night, which was indeed rare. ]

[internationalrelations]

Strokes make you smell burnt toast, not perfectly browned gourmet-as-fuck French toast. But, understandable mistake.

[Alex quipped, while he tried to pretend he wasn't entirely caught up in Henry suddenly being closer and those eyes looking at him like that. When exactly had he gone and fallen this hard? Fuuuuck him.]

So go on, sit down. I've got bacon too. And some fruit I cut up. How do you take your coffee? Sugar's on the table, but I like milk too.

[Welcome to his morning yapping, Henry. He clearly had already had a cup or two.]

[lordfuckleroy]

Mmmmmm...

[ The assent came and then he ventured a bit further into the kitchen to peek, much like a curious cat would upon some strange marvel, and well-- he had never been cooked for by anyone other than someone who was out to impress him, and he was pretty sure that was not Alex's end game.

A glance at the plate of french toast, longingly might be added and then he moved to sit at the table and then clasped his hands together as he endeavored to be very patient.]

You are a man of many surprises, it appears.

[internationalrelations]

Am I?

[Alex queried as he set the French toast down and bustled around to grab up the milk, syrup, and the cinnamon since well, a dash in coffee was good and he'd probably sprinkle a little more on the French toast.

Henry would probably notice that he'd set two places as well, so clearly he'd intended on the prince joining him -- or at least hoped that he would. He snagged the coffee pot last, filled a mug for Henry and refilled his own before going to join the other man at the table.]

Bon appetite. [French with a Spanish accent? French with a Spanish accent.]

...you should let me know what you like to eat, you know. I can pick up whatever at the market.

[lordfuckleroy]

You know that I do not expect you to always cook for me, Alex.

[ Because he did not want anyone, including and especially Alex to think that he required it as a part of some princely tithe. But the french toast did look amazing and he did spear a few slices. ] Also you will allow me to take care of the dishes afterwards?

[ See? He was not so princely that he was above such thing as dishes washing. ] Well, I suppose I like a traditional british breakfast-- eggs, a rasher of bacon, some tomatos.. I am not too fond of beans or blood sausage but the tomatoes are absolutely a must.

[internationalrelations]

Huh? I mean, I like cooking, so it's not like I mind it. We're roommates, right?

[He snagged himself some bacon and french toast and dusted the latter with extra cinnamon before a splash or two of syrup.]

But okay, deal. You wash, I'll dry. [He grinned as he added.] We can make a chore chart if you want, but then I'm gonna expect little gold stars for taking out the trash.

[Alex looked vaguely skeptical for a moment. Tomatoes were fine, but they did not scream breakfast to him. ...though salsa was mostly tomatoes, and salsa was delicious on eggs.] Tomatoes... weird, but okay. At least you didn't say beans-on-toast. [Could be worse, clearly.]

[lordfuckleroy]

Most self-respecting british men would say that beans-on-toast are a necessity, however fortunate for you that I have not had very much respect for myself in a long time.

[ He teased and then he dug in, the french toast was actually.. delicious? He was surprised, and that caused him to look up at Alex with furrowed brows. ] How did something like this come out of you?

[ This was clearly not said properly but that was because he was surprised; out of all of Alex's lists of accomplishments-- this was not one that he expected. ]

[internationalrelations]

Very fortunate. Beans are fine. Toast is fine. The two together is an unholy union that should never exist.

[So speaketh ACD.

He blinked at that question before pursing his lips into a pout. Wow Henry sound just slightly less shocked.] Hey. I'm a decent cook! ...not that I've really had much chance to since Mom got elected. Growing up though, June and I would help mom and dad in the kitchen most nights. And then when they split up, well, at that point it was just June and me a lot. So I got a lot of practice.

[lordfuckleroy]

I do not mean to cast aspirations on your abilities, just I suppose that it was not something that I would expect? Sure it is to be expected of me, though arguably I do watch the Bake-Off like it is my religion however to be honest, I was never encouraged to help out in the kitchen, there has never been a point in my life where I was 'normal'.. not like you.

[ He took a sip of his coffee, no sugar-- but a dash of cream ]

Which is why I want to pretend I am normal here in this place we have landed ourselves in, so perhaps you could teach me some things in the kitchen.. might as well commit fully to the bit, yes?

[ And he would not mind knowing how to make this french toast. ]

After all, it is not fair that I should always have you cook.

[internationalrelations]

['Do you ever wonder who you'd be if you were an anonymous person in the world?' The memory of New Year's Eve rushed to the forefront of his mind as Henry talked about pretending to be normal. So even if he opened his mouth to start quipping that Henry being normal would take a hell of an acting performance because, well, this was a chance for the prince to not be, well, the prince.

So instead of joking, perhaps surprisingly, Alex just nodded.]

Yeah, definitely. I can teach you how to cook. We'll send you back to England eventually with my abuela's tamale recipe. You'll be unstoppable.

[And then, a little more thoughtfully.] Anything else you want to do for normal?

[lordfuckleroy]

[ Henry gave a smile, it was one of thsoe smiles that was all mouth, and he did smile with his entire being and it transformed him from a stoic prince into something more, into something made of light and warmth.. unlike the cool Prince that he played so very often for the public. ]

Oh I do not know if I would be allowed access to the kitchens, our cooks is very guarded of their territory.

[ But nevertheless. ]

But I will take whatever knowledge I can get.. [ And probably become perfect at it.. though not without a bit of trial and error. ] Well, going outside without having to consult or coordinate with Shaan will be nice, I have given him a vacation and likely he won't know what to do with himself?

[internationalrelations]

[Those sorts of smiles were devastatingly attractive on Henry. It was like looking directly into the sun, just as warm and just as blinding. Alex could feel the start of heat rising in his cheeks, and he cleared his throat and tried to cover it with a sip of his coffee.]

Ha. Fair enough. They don't let me near the kitchens at the White House either. Amy says her life is hard enough without me having access to knives.

[He nodded in understanding though.]

Shaan's resourceful. He'll figure something out. ...I think I might owe him an apology, actually. I think I hit on him a little. ...and I'm pretty sure I started stripping at one point.

[Fuck that casino okay?]

[lordfuckleroy]

Wait.. what? You hit on Shaan?

[ Okay he had been mid-bite of his french toast and he felt the sudden urge to choke on it. He had not even dared to hit on Shaan perhaps because it would have been awkward since Shaan was his own Equerry. Ah, Alex-- doing what he did not have the balls to do.

Envy. ]

That casino was horrible.

[ Says the one who had turned into a robot, and he'd hated it. Hated the feeling of numbness. He did not feel horrible, but he did not feel good either.. just devoid of everything. ] You certainly are brave, how did he take it?

[internationalrelations]

He was magically shirtless. I was magically drunk.

[What was he supposed to do at that point in time, Henry? There was no other option. Alex lifted a shoulder in a shrug.]

And Shaan's hot.

[Yeah okay, definitely not straight. Probably should've figured this out sooner. ...somehow this is totally Henry's fault. Well, Henry was the source of Alex's sexuality crisis, so yeah. Totally his fault. For also being hot. Like, insanely beautiful. And smart and funny and ugh. Fuck him entirely.

Wait. Henry asked a question.]

I think he was actively praying for the sweet release of death at the time.

[lordfuckleroy]

Wait-- did you just say my Equerry is hot?

[ He was almost a little bit shocked by this, perhaps because he did not expect Alex to just come out and say something like this, and maybe it was because he was so used to his own rather insular way of being that it felt almost like the voicing of something.. anything. ]

Well alright, so he is attractive, I suppose.

[ No suppose about it, there was even a telling little trail off as he busily put his coffee in front of his face and hastily drank. What Alex knew that Henry didn't think he knew, but that was from a round about guessing especially after the kissing thing. ]

[internationalrelations]

Yeah, I did. Because he is. Not like I'm crushing on the dude or anything... [That was someone else entirely who happened to be sitting across the table from Alex. Anyway.] Just appreciating the facts.

[Alex opined readily, as casually as he could manage it. Because yeah, Henry sure did just almost half admit something there, didn't he? The missing time between them suddenly felt extremely loud, and Alex wasn't sure if he should press his luck here.

Fuck it.]

I've... sort of been doing a lot of thinking a lot on stuff like that lately. Er, attraction and sexuality stuff, I mean.

[Smooth as fuck, Alex. You're so not nailing this. Get it together.]

[lordfuckleroy]

[ Ah yes, well that that was absolutely valid. The fact was that Shaan was very nice to look at, it was utter logic and a half; he could have no idea that Alex had a crush on him, also the whole 'not like I'm crushing on a dude or anything' made it sound very American bro. He took a sip of his coffee.

Nodding as he did so.

Until the big 'fuck it' moment came, with which the next words registered and he started to all but choke. ]

Oh?

[ Was that truly all that Henry could say about it, he reached to shove more bacon in his mouth to chew as he processed this. ] What brought these thoughts on, was it Shaan?

[ Could not blame him if it was.. was Shaan Alex's type? ]

[internationalrelations]

[Come on now Henry he said he wasn't crushing on the dude. He was, in fact, very much crushing on a dude. Except well, calling Henry a dude sounded a little blasphemous somehow? It was probably against some rule of royal protocol or something.

But for a moment as Alex watched Henry over the brim of his own coffee mug, as he heard that Oh? and little else, he started to wonder if this was a bad idea. Thankfully Henry spoke again and Alex was given something to react to take his mind off the anxiety spiral he was teetering on the edge of. He laughed.]

What? God no, like I said, he is not the guy I'm crushing on. That's someone else.

[Oh god oh wait. He'd just admitted to a crush out loud that made it real and exceptionally embarrassing. He was too old for crushes. Fuck.]

Anyway. Not the point. Except it is sort of the point? Because, yeah. I guess that's what's -- that's who's -- got me thinking... [That someone else. Who was currently rather aggressively eating bacon across from him.] I think, maybe, I... might be bisexual. Am. Yeah, am. ...am bisexual.

[lordfuckleroy]

Oh well...

[ Henry was fumbling for things to say-- what was appropriate in this situation and the whatnot. It was true that Alex was far more forthcoming and candid in these matters, he rather thought that the man had epiphanies every day much like this.

The Prince was not used to it. And he did not think that it could possibly be him that the other man was crushing on, that would be ridiculous right? ]

Felicitations, I suppose?

[ That sounded just as wet noddle, and only because this was.. he'd never had a breakfast conversation like this ever in the history of ever. ] How did you.. how did this come about?

[internationalrelations]

[If it helped this was Alex's first time coming out over breakfast too. ..and his second time coming out total, and the first time had been to Nora who he was certain had known way before he did and had half argued him into actually wrapping his head around it, so did that actually count?

He didn't know. He also really did not know what to make of Henry's reactions here.]

Sorry... you probably didn't want random confessions with your French toast. I knew I should've gone with the orange juice.

[Hahaha. Funny, right? This was fine. Everything was totally fine. He considered the question. How had his life come to this? The actual proximate cause of his bisexual awakening and ongoing crisis, sitting in front of him innocently asking how it came about -- and Alex couldn't even be pissed at Henry about it because he was from the literal past.]

Umm, I guess it sort of started on New Year's? Or well, it escalated then anyway. He [You] kissed me... like kissed kissed. And by the time I could remember my own name again, he'd [You'd] fucked off and since then he's been pretty much all I can think about.

[...except he also knew Henry had been all he could think about for months before New Year's Eve so really, the whole thing was a mess.]

when you roll a nat 20 on intelligence

[lordfuckleroy]

[ Henry listened patiently to the confession as it came, every nuance of the story. Perhaps painfully aware that this probably was not about him, even though he wished it was. What he would've done if he had been the cause of Alex's inadvertant bisexual awakening. But as the story carved itself out, he started to see a pattern, up and to including the patent avoidant behavior that felt...

Very much like his own?

Had he kissed Alex? Had he? How utterly idiotic had he to do so? Especially considering that before Henry had automatically assumed that Alex was straight, especially with the media peppering pictures of Alex frolicing on florida beaches with girls here and there.

Did he dare ask? Did he dare? ]

Alex.. do I know him? [ Bracing himself for confirmation. ]

damn Henry

[internationalrelations]

[Alex couldn't help it. He laughed, maybe just a little bit delirious with how absurd this whole conversation was. This hadn't been his plan for breakfast. He really had just intended on having a meal together and then going off to stew on his unresolved sexuality issues as he had since Henry left him standing in the snow underneath the stars.

And how Henry was asking if he knew him. How was that not funny? It was totally funny and not funny at all and he could feel his heart racing as he looked at Henry at that question. He couldn't lie to him about this. So his options were subject dodging and making a run for it or just coming out with it.]

Yeah. You know him, pretty damn well. As much as any of us really know ourselves anyway. I have a philosophy professor who'd probably have something to add about that but... [A shrug of one shoulder as if he weren't ready to explode in a million points of anxious energy, like a swarm of bees in human shape on the verge of reverting to a swarm.]