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[lordfuckleroy]

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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.]

Re: damn Henry

[lordfuckleroy]

[ Well, that was confirmation enough especially when you brought psychology into it-- and because Henry did enjoy psychology, it felt very freudian in nature. He got up from the table to hurridly zoom to the sink to grab some water, filling up his glass and then downing it. It was because his brain was swimming, sadly it appeared that was not going to help. ]

I kissed you?

[ He sets the glass down. ]

Alright, I kissed you so you know.. or you do not know or I do not know the details because this has not happened for me yet?

[ Much envy to his future self. ]

[internationalrelations]

[Well at least he hadn't fled the room. Or the building. When Henry stood up, Alex half expected that was what the other man was going to do, because that was his last memory of Henry from home was watching him stride off into the night.]

You kissed me.

[He agreed and stood up from the table himself so he'd be at (slightly lower than) eye level with Henry as he continued,] On New Year's Eve. In the snow. Under the trees. You called me thick as it gets and kissed me like you meant it. I saw stars that had nothing to do with the ones in the sky, and you left like the entire place was on fire and then ignored every text and call and email I sent for weeks. So I don't know much of anything except I planned on doing something about it the next time I saw you -- and then that turned out to be some weird multiverse scifi world and you were from the past.

[lordfuckleroy]

[ Oh gods, he really did do it. He knew exactly why he had run away, even though it was to happen in the future-- it was a combination of overthinking and anxiety that melded together to cause him to second guess his actions, also his attraction to the First Son, which well-- look at him. He was a snack of a man, how could he not want that?

He dragged his palms against his face. ] So I am sorry first of all, I am sorry because I know why I did it-- because I was clearly terrified and also anxious, and wondering if I made a monumental mistake. It is likely I also set my phone to mute your texts because I feared I committed a giant diplomatic faux pas, also in our worlds you do not kiss people without things like Non-Disclosure Agreements being brought up.

[ This did not make it right but he felt like he had to explain SOMETHING about this. ]

[internationalrelations]

Right okay, so. One, you can't apologize for something you haven't done yet, like, I'm not a psychopath who's going to hold your future against you. [A breath and he ticked off that one on a finger before moving on to...] ...two, I'm not going to hold it against you at all.

[He was frustrated by the ghosting yes, mostly because he'd been having a slow motion breakdown over all of it in the meantime, but even that he'd settled himself into just catching Henry where the prince couldn't escape from him.]

Three, Henry, I get it. Our lives are various shades of fucked up with people always watching and all the expectations from family and entire fucking countries. You way more than me. You said as much too, that you don't exactly get to date the sort of people you want to date, which at the time sounded cryptic as hell in case you were wondering. Before the kissing. That sort of cleared it up.

Four. [Oh god he was still going sorry Henry.] ...I'd really like to do it again, you know, now that I know it's coming. And with way less running away and ghosting this time.

[lordfuckleroy]

Thank yo--

[ Except he cut off when it sank in the last of Alex's words, the fact that Alex would very much like to kiss him again, would like to make sure that it did not get cut out abruptly... this really made so much sense now, Alex's awkwardness when he'd only known the American as confidant.

But here was the other man and he could feel his entire heart give a rather abrupt thrum. ] You would.. like to kiss me, again?

[ This was the dumbest question on the face of the planet probably, but he had probably gotten his world utterly tipped over on it's axis. ] God damn it, Alex.. I want to kiss you, I've wanted to kiss you since the very beginning.

[internationalrelations]

Yeah. Yup. A lot.

[Alex was happy to answer it, dumb question or not because the answer was very very clear and simple on his end, and that was kind of a relief to finally just come out and say it instead of leaving it as the elephant in the room that only he was aware of.

Then Henry saying he wanted to kiss him too? By far the best Alex had felt since last fucking year. He would have questions about what since the very beginning meant later, but talking more could wait. Alex, yapper extraordinaire, had had his fill of words and was entirely ready for action.

So he acted, stepping forward to trap Henry back against the kitchen counter. one hand settled against the counter to one side, his other lifting to cup at the side of Henry's neck as he leaned in to kiss the prince like he had been dying to for weeks now. (Longer, if he were being honest with himself, but that still would involve some soul searching.)]

[lordfuckleroy]

[ Best not to ask those sorts of questions unless one was prepared to wrap themselves around the consequences of the answers, it would probably not make too much sense considering that Henry had the best poker face in existence, but that was neither here nor there.

What mattered was the proximity of the American against his body, pushing him against the counter.

He was still clad in his own pajamas as he'd not bothered to dress, and he probably tasted of bacon and maple syrup, but his hand moved to rest on Alex's shoulder and he kissed back, this was a kiss that was not going to move anywhere anytime soon, but hey at least Alex had prevented any escape for good measure.

Oh this was nice, it was very nice and his eyes closed of their own volition, perhaps eager to just linger in the taste and the way that his heart made a delighted flutter. ]

[internationalrelations]

[Yeah, no escape this time, Henry. Alex had learned that lesson, though he was pretty certain this time there would be no hasty retreat from the prince. They'd established that they both were into the whole kissing thing, and for once there were no eyes to worry about. No cameras, no secret service or other security, no paparazzi.

Just the two of them and Henry's lips against his own, and it was even better than that first kiss because Alex had the wherewithal to be fully part of it from the start. It was far better than nice. Alex was seeing those shooting stars again, and sighing a soft, contented sound to the kiss. Relief that this was happening, that it hadn't been some weird fever dream, that Henry actually wanted to kiss him, was kissing him.

He drew back just far enough to murmur.] Wow. Yeah, okay, definitely not straight.

[Cleared that one right up. Thank you Henry. Alex stepped in even closer, quite effectively invading Henry's space and trapping him further up against the counter before kissing him again.]

[lordfuckleroy]

[ Not just into kissing, but most importantly kissing each other which was a win on Henry's part. Yes, he enjoyed kissing quite a bit-- there was a bit of the hopeless romantic in him that would've liked to have seen a very wet Henry come to his door a'la Pride & Prejudice and profess his undying love but that was honestly a self-gratification fantasy that he would have in total succession over and over again.

Mouth against mouth, tongue against tongue though just a whisper-- nothing too hot and deep. But just enough to send sparks up and down Henry's spine. And then he pulled backward, slightly dazed and with a heady heavy-lidded look, pinpoints of blue like he was waking up from a long sleep, as if he was sleeping beauty.

A smile at those words. ]

That is nice to--- [ No more words because his lips were taken once again and the castle was stormed, he was pressed against the counter and he could not help but wrap his arms around the waist to keep the other guy right where he was.

Yes, this felt quite nice indeed. ]

[ But

[internationalrelations]

[Rain soaked love sick Alex was indeed in Henry's future. Neither of them knew it yet. All Alex knew was that in his moment he never wanted to stop kissing Henry. He'd kissed plenty of people before but there was something about this, about Henry that made his heart do the funniest things in his chest. Of course it also had things happening further south than his heart, and that would be obvious given the way he was pressed up against the prince -- and the way that Henry's arms around him were keeping him there.

He couldn't help the way his lips wanted to pull into a smile as they kissed, even as he let his tongue brush along the other man's, took the chance to slowly plunder his mouth as if wanting to commit the entire moment to detailed vivid memory.

Eventually the need to take more than a quickly stolen breath had him drawing back just far enough to rest his forehead against the prince's.]

[lordfuckleroy]

[ This defied every single thing that he had thought was true in this world, and that was the fact that Alex was kissing him right now, he was bisexual and attracted to men-- clearly attracted to him. If there was a heaven, it existed in the clouds of Henry's mind especially when that mouth was warm and decadently soft, and he cuddled up into that embrace.

Oh yes, there was that.

The fact that the two of them were reacting as young men ought, with keen horniness. He was trying to ignore it though, because it was still rather rude to bring up your crush's erection right out of the blue. ] I maintain you are ridiculous..

[ He said this breathlessly. ]

[internationalrelations]

Yeah, yeah. But you like me anyway.

[Alex grinned, more than a little smug. Look, he'd been going out of his mind for more than a month now over Henry. And wanting to kiss Henry but not being able to kiss Henry. So Alex would be insufferable for a while about it.

He was also very aware of his own current, erm, state of affairs. And also aware -- which only increased the smugness -- of the fact that Henry was in a similar predicament. Good. With an entirely innocent rock of his hips, he stole another kiss, this one brief, gentle, tender even.]

I could get used to this.

[lordfuckleroy]

I suppose a case can be made for that, yes.

[ Henry murmured in that infuriatingly royal way of his, though perhaps those blue eyes sparkled a little bit deeper though he kept his arms right where they were and then tilted his head to the side in a decidedly playful gesture.

Then came the rock of hips and more kisses, oh.. oh! He leaned in to chase the feeling of lips. But honestly, was that hip roll really so innocent Alex? Look him in the eyes and give him an innocent look, because honestly Henry would not buy it if presented with the case. ] What does this mean? I mean, clearly I am reaping the beneifts of future self's error.

[internationalrelations]

[Alex would do exactly that, fix Henry with his most innocent look, the full unmitigated power of big dark doe eyes framed by eyelashes that had no business existing on a human being. Totally innocent, see? Totally not on the verge of really getting into grinding against the other man right in the middle of the kitchen.]

It means I like kissing you.

[And he liked the arms around him and the playful spark in Henry's eyes, the playful look on his handsome face. He liked all of it more than he was admitting even to himself right now.]

I'd like to do more of it. [A tilt of his head in mirror to Henry's.] I'd like to do more in general.

[lordfuckleroy]

[ Henry did like kissing Alex too, the feel of lips manifesting magic over his own, the way that those eyes sparkled and made him want to follow it. Also the energy between the two of them, he wanted to prolong this, he wanted to savor it. There was much here that he was beginning to see he had the opportunity to do so.

A certain amount of freedom to indulge guilt free.

Like those ice cream bonbons that he would steal downstairs to eat, at three a.m; the way that him and Alex bonded over a single moment, realizing that perhaps they were not so different. ]

I would like to do more kissing, and more of everything in general too; however--- [ He trailed off, and then his hand against Alex's shoulder. ]

You have to buy me dinner first.

[ He was asking for a date, that is one thing that he was not able to do-- not able to go out with a guy in public and not have it be a 'two bros hanging out' situation. ]

[internationalrelations]

What making you breakfast doesn't count? 

[Alex fussed, but it was clear he was teasing. Because he understood what was actually being asked here, what Henry was actually getting at. They didn't live under the same rules in this place that they did back in their own world, in their own homes. No paparazzi, no royal family. Just two anonymous people in a messed up multiversal hub of a world. They might as well make the most of it.]

But yeah. Good. So... let me take you out to dinner? 

[Go out with him. On a date.]

There's gonna be hand holding and really blatant flirting, just you know, so you're prepared. If I'm taking you out I'm doing it right.

[lordfuckleroy]

[ Henry was much too dignified to shove Alex, but perhaps that would come in time (the cake didn't count, that was self defense) and well, breakfast did not count because Alex had made it before everything sort of upended and he discovered how past Henry and future Henry had not gotten on the same page yet.

But yes, Alex was correct in thinking as such. ]

I am not going to deign that with an answer, about breakfast but yes I will go out with you, perhaps if you are lucky.

[ Okay it would not take much for Alex to get lucky, perhaps just a winning smile, excessive amounts of charm-- but he did want hand holding and all that gushy stuff. ]

[internationalrelations]

Oh, I'm lucky. Started the morning off kissing a hot blond.

[The same hot blond who had been haunting his thoughts since that night under the trees. He grinned, far too smug really. Look, could he really be blamed for it.]

So... what about tonight?

[What? He was eager. That was Alex in a nutshell. He made his mind up on things, and action followed immediately. And he's clearly made his mind up on Henry and deciding that he was going to date the fuck out of him. You know, in a totally casual no big deal sort of way.]

[lordfuckleroy]

[ Oh gods, what did normal people do when they were asked out? Do not panic Henry, do not panic.. just be cool and not like what a Prince would say, it's easy peasy-lemon-squeezy, right? ]

I think that I can fit you on my schedule.

[ Except he said it the british way, shed-u-ul because he was a nerd and also it was hard to un-lodge a lifetimes worth of iron scepter from the ass. ]

[internationalrelations]

Oh? Yes? In your very busy shed-you-uhl? I'm honored, your majesty.

[Alex quipped back with a shake of his head.]

I hate that I like you so much.

[No he didn't. He liked Henry more and more. He liked that they challenged each other. He liked that Henry was a huge nerd and the most British Brit to ever drive on the left side of the road.

He also couldn't resist leaning in to steal a final quick kiss.] I'll pick you up at six. Wear something pretty.

[lordfuckleroy]

[ So this was when Henry did playfully shove Alex and then slipped out from between Alex and the counter, tapping him lightly on that forearm, a forearm that he probably could have made a meal of. But well, the british came in the blood-- of course it was the most british of the british; he had years of traditional repression to thank for that.

As well as bodyguards, personal secretaries and other such things.

Oh yes, and also not having a normal childhood. ]

Do not worry, Alex Clairmont-Diaz, I will wear something just for you...

[internationalrelations]

[Alex tripped back with an over exaggerated sway in his movement. Well. There went Henry shoving him again. He minded it a lot less this time. He turned to follow Henry as he went and escaped -- at least he wasn't running for another country and ignoring his messages this time.

He couldn't help a smile at the use of his full name. Well. Official there.]

Good. I've got a few ideas where we can go.

[Oh god oh fuck he was going on a date with the man he'd been desperately crushing on. ...whom he had probably been crushing on since he was like, twelve, and saw this asshole in a magazine. He really ought to do some soul searching on that and how he went so long genuinely believing he was straight.]

[lordfuckleroy]

[ Well firstly, there was less buttercream involved.

Really if it had been fondant, that would've been the true crime-- would it not?

He tilted his head to the side at Alex's words, and did not know if he should be intrigued or scared. Especially when he saw the gleam in that eye, he realized of course that he was clad in only a robe and Alex was looking mighty famished. ] You know that I have.. thought you were gorgeous for far longer than you realize.

[internationalrelations]

[£75,000 for fondant would've been a crime against humanity. At least the monstrosity that they wound up wearing was tasty. That was what it had going for it. It was not lost on Alex that Henry was only wearing a robe. Nope. He'd teased the prince about wearing something pretty, but Henry could be wearing a potato sack and looked gorgeous.

When Henry went and made that admission, Alex could feel a sudden rush of heat flood through him, as if for a moment he was wondering if Henry admitting that meant that somehow the other man could see straight through him to that sticky fingered preteen petting the picture of a blond British boy in his sister's teen magazine.]

Oh? Yeah? How long?

[But that did not mean he didn't desperately want to hear how long Henry has been attracted to him.]

[lordfuckleroy]

[ A soft smile, it was full of vulnerability that shimmered. It appeared that when he was feeling comfortable, his vulnerability knew no real outlet, it was forced inside a locked tower. But here in this strange multi-verse, he felt like he could be free to express himself. ]

Since we first met.

[ Back when he had told Shaan to get him out of there, it had not been directed at Alex-- but because he had a hard time processing his father's death. Even with Alex, he had felt guilty that he was thinking of how handsome Alex was. Especially when he was still in mourning, proof he was alive but also proof that perhaps he was a bad royal. ]

[internationalrelations]

The Olympics? Seriously?

[So here was Alex looking genuinely shocked, given that Alex had been certain that Henry despised him from moment one, given the prince's reaction in that particular encounter. It had been the start of Henry being his nemesis, after all. Not that Henry knew that.

But now they were standing in the kitchen together, and Henry was looking at him with that soft, beautiful expression on his face, and Alex could feel himself utterly melting.]

...honestly I spent a long while really annoyed at how attractive you were. Like, you know, objectively hot and even more objectively infuriating.

[lordfuckleroy]

[ And though Henry was not going to mention love right now, he was halfway in love with Alex's vibrant self, the sparkle in his eyes and everything. Love was in the eyes and there had been moments when those eyes had sparkled with something; perhaps it also did touch upon annoyance too but for the most part he was quite smitten in the most impossible way. ]

I think that the annoyance was highly mutual, there are many times I have wanted to strangle you up to and including the cake incident.. [ But also he wanted to strangle him for how.. yes, hot he was. ]

I am very.. very.. very gay, Alex. The Daily Mail that constantly photographs me on dates with girls, those are so very staged as publicity. Half the time they are set up by the crown when they think that it would be good for me to be seen with a nice girl that is not my sister.

[internationalrelations]

[Don't mind Alex grinning like Henry wanting to strangle him was the single greatest compliment that he'd ever been given. Look, they were clearly mutually attracted to one another, and Alex wanted to make Henry smile that soft, genuine smile that lit up those blue eyes like the sun breaking from behind a cloud, and he also wanted to have extremely disrespectful sex with him. But he also couldn't see that changing the fact that the dynamic between them was something of a sparring match more often than not.]

That... [He wrinkled his nose.] Honestly that sucks, that you have to play pretend for the cameras. [It sucked more that The Crown which was his fucking family, pushed him into that.]

I get. Honestly, Nora kind of called it? [Nora was really the only one whose gaydar functioned at all because Alex was pretty sure she'd also figured him out way before he'd come to his own realizations.] But even if I get it, it still sucks.

[lordfuckleroy]

Wait a minute, Nora called what?

[ That statement had lodged in his brain and would not leave for anything. He had a sneaking suspicion that it was 'being gay' but he had to make sure-- the last time that he had been pegged for gay, that had been Pez who had figured it out when they were at Eton together.

Surreal experience indeed. Really Pez and Nora, and of course June really should meet up-- they all would adore each other. ]

I am uses to it, which I know you will protest to but after time, it just starts rolling off your back.

[ A beat ]

No apology necessary, Sweetheart.

[internationalrelations]

Your being gay and the whole models on yachts thing was staged. ...also my being bisexual.

[And his being more than a little infatuated with Henry. Nora was frighteningly perceptive and intelligent, and trying to hide anything from her was a losing prospect at best. ...fuck he really needed to talk to June about all this too. Cue a pang of missing his sister that was becoming familiar in this place.

And Henry was right. June and Nora would love Pez. Really, the group of all six of them would be a force of nature, he imagined.]

I bet Prometheus is used to the eagle too, but that doesn't make it suck less.

[But yeah okay fine he realized he had a fairly strong opinion on this that was not entirely fair, since he'd never been in any situation even close to what Henry has lived in his whole life.]

Oh no? Always so generous, your Highness.

[lordfuckleroy]

[ He had never told the models on yachts that he was gay, but perhaps they had figured it out? Which was fine, they did have lovely conversations about Bake-Off and EastEnders and also who their favorite member of Take That was. (That may have been absolutely a sign) ]

I think that your friend Nora has far too much power for her own good.

[ This was said with a validly sage nod, especially if she was calling out everyone left and right. ] Dare I say she knows too much?

[ A scoff as he pours himself one final cup of coffee, before he moved on to tea for the rest of the day. ] I tend to be quite generous to my more loyal subjects.. in fact I am but 5 minutes from pulling a Galadrial on you.

[internationalrelations]

She does. Or well, too much for my own good at least.

[Between her and June he was lucky he could get away with anything at all. But he was a go-getter when it came to trouble, so really, it was probably best that they were around to keep him vaguely in check. ...not that they were here. But he supposed Henry and Shaan and Zarah were.

Oh now that was an interesting comment. Color Alex entirely intrigued.]

I am dying to know what that means. Showing me the future in a mirror? Smiling cryptically while you talk into my head? Giving weird parting gifts? Freaking out when I try to give you a ring? All shall love you and despair?

[lordfuckleroy]

Why do I think that it is utterly sexy when you talk nerd to me?

[ He hated it that Alex got that reference, and also hated that it turned him on ever so slightly. Enough that he was putting the previous discussion quite out of his head; if June and Nora came here, they would discuss it. He also knew that he would have to tell Shaan about this whole thing, about dating Alex Claremont-Diaz.

Dating, it was not marriage. But gods, he was the type to want a steady commitment. He was not made for single-serving relationships so he was hoping that this was not the case, this was not just a fling.

That once Alex got to know the real him, he would understand that it was not all just crowns and cheerio's ]

[internationalrelations]

Because you're the bigger nerd, babe.

[They were both nerds. But Henry was clearly the nerdier nerd. Alex had text message conversations about Byronic poetry to prove as much. He was smiling still, amused, playful. Look, the relief in him that this finally came out and that Henry didn't hate him or want to avoid him for the rest of their lives had left Alex awash in something nigh on giddy.

Oh god they were going to go on a date.

Alex was also not the fling type. He might think he could handle casual, but he was a hopeless romantic who would fall incredibly hard, was already in the process of it really, given the way he was looking at Henry who was genuinely breathtakingly beautiful when he let himself actually relax, actually genuinely smile.

He reached out to smooth a hand down along the seam of Henry's robe where it lay crossed over at his chest.]

But that's one of the things I like about you.

[lordfuckleroy]

[ They were the same in that, that they were both hopeless romantics.

Just different aspects of those, Henry was Poetry on Moonlit nights, and Alex was likely the type that would fill a room with flowers or send a giant teddy bear-ogram; the two of them though would compliment that type nicely. ]

You will have to tell me more about yourself because I am at a disadvantage to my future self, so I will have to get to know you all over again.

[ A smile, soft and sweet--- perhaps because he wanted that, wanted to get to know him even if it was over dinner and maybe a nice romantic walk. Or cuddling on the couch they shared. ]

Because while I like much about you, I do not know what makes you tick...

[ A beat.. ]

Aside from chaos.

[internationalrelations]

[That fucking smile. He'd be furious about it if he weren't so smitten and endeared by seeing it on Henry's face. It had an answering smile stretching over his own face before he even consciously realized it.]

Guess you will. Lucky you. I'm a delight to discover.

[And incredibly modest, of course.]

Mm... mostly chaos. But there's a lot more about you I don't know yet too, so don't think you're getting off easy. Like... I don't even know if you like pina coladas or getting caught in the rain.

[lordfuckleroy]

[ It appeared that music, unless it was something patently british-- was not something that he was totally well-versed in so. He was trying to rack his mind for where that came from, and he was not making any sort of valid connections.

This would be the same guy who would be absolutely horrendous at the New Years Party when he was listening to the sound of Alex's high school years. ]

Pardon? It feels like it is always raining in Britain.. and especially London, due to it's proximity to the ocean.

[ Straight over his head. ]

[internationalrelations]

You're making me so sad right now.

[Alex sighed so heavily. Oh he remembered New Year's Eve and Henry's utter bewilderment at Get Low. So like really, he should have seen that coming.]

It's a song. ...about a married couple who are both trying to cheat on their spouse but they just wind up meeting each other. And then they kind of laugh it off. Honestly, it's a weird as hell song now that I think about it. The 70s were kind of fucked up though so I guess it figures.

[He curled his fingers into the fabric of Henry's robe, giving a little tug.] You're cute when you're confused though.

[lordfuckleroy]

How do you laugh off something like that?

[ He was literally perplexed, fucking boomers and their wierd songs, not that he would think that. Perish the thought, this was just the random musings of the jaeger pilot. As it stood, he felt himself being ceremoniously dragged back into Alex's sphere of influence which he was absolutely not displeased by. ]

Also, my knowledge of popular music is not as extensive as yours, I have no doubt about that though you could ask Bea and she would be able to tell you as there are many times she has snuck out to attend parties that she probably should not have. [ And which he covered for her. ]

[internationalrelations]

With pina coladas, apparently.

[No yeah weird as hell song, Henry. Alex did not disagree at all on that account. He smiled at the prince, fingers still playing with the fabric of his robe. He probably ought to leave Henry alone so he could go get dressed and start his day. He had things to do before their date night himself, after all.

But he was drawn to linger in the other man's presence.]

Sisters. [A shake of his head.] Bea sounds pretty great though. I hope I get a chance to get to know her.

[lordfuckleroy]

[ Well this moment had turned loaded and he realized with startling frequency that this was going to be a hell of a time trying to keep his hands off of Alex until their date started. Especially when he was gripped like that. ] You are a menace.

[ Please Henry, tell Alex something that he didn't already know. ] I should not even let you be touching me until the date.. to build anticipation.

[ He was tempted to smack Alex's hand away, but honestly that would be like hitting a puppy and he'd never.. yes shove him, but not smack him ]

[internationalrelations]

Anticipation? You realize I've been losing my mind over you for more than a month, right? The anticipation has been built and had its grand opening already.

[Like seriously, Henry. But Alex released his grip on Henry's robe, spending a moment to smooth out the fabric as he did, looking from his hand at the prince's chest up to those bright blue eyes.]

But fine. We'll let the tension build. Until the date.

[Alex would do his best to menace Henry in the meantime though.]

[lordfuckleroy]

Well let me have a bit of anticipation then, call it a Prince Tax though if I catch you throwing tea into a bay, I will be very unhappy with you.

[ What a perfectly good waste of tea. ]

No throwing tea, if you do-- I shall not give you a single kiss until you have fished them all out.

[ He runs a tight ship here, okay. He does reach over to lightly and delicately-- almost uncertainly, push a lock of curled hair behind Alex's ear though it does not stay there.. of course it would not, it-- like Alex, is made of perpetual energy and motion. ]

[internationalrelations]

Like all Americans, I am constantly resisting the overwhelming urge to dump tea into the nearest body of water. But I'll do my best.

[Alex answered with as much solemnity that he could muster. Henry was -- when he had let some of that perfect public poised prince persona slip -- adorable. What a threat though, being cut off from kisses when he just finally got to kiss him.

He went still at that touch, light and sweet and tender as it was. His heart skipped and fluttered hard against his ribcage. Oh Alex knew he was down bad for the prince already. His expression softened into a smile, and he stepped closer to press a kiss to Henry's cheek.]

I'm going to go for a run. See you at six?

[lordfuckleroy]

It is a date and on my schedule.

[ He turned his head so that their lips could brush, a fleeting tribute of 'no escape' and then he let go of Alex and then drew away. His blue eyes radiated few less worries then they had previously and that was all thanks to Alex, and perhaps even this place. ]

I expect you to be prompt.

[ And then an afterthought.. ]

I know where you live.

[internationalrelations]

Yeah. It is a date.

[Fuck it he was gonna buy flowers while he was out on his run. He was going to give this date his all, since he had the feeling it might be the first real date Henry had ever gone on, rather than a date that would look good for the papers and royal watchers.

Then when Henry turned his head and gave him that absurdly sweet little kiss and Alex melted.

He rolled his eyes for good measure at the I know where you live. Haha very funny.]

I'll be there with bells on.

[Be prepared.]

[lordfuckleroy]

[ Henry only smirked, as if giving Henry a bit of challenge to rise to.

And then he sauntered off into his own room and then shut the door so that he could change and take care of his own chores, such as doing a bit of straightening up and also read the network to see what was going on in the world that they had found themselves within.

Though once he had the door closed, he did lean back against it and allow the entire situation finally settle into him. If he had a pillow close at hand, he would hold it and yell into it like a teen girl.. or something. Dignified be damned. ]

[internationalrelations]

[Alex was the type to rise to challenges when they were set in front of him, and Henry was the most intriguing challenge that he had ever found himself facing. He watched the prince go -- which was not a bad view at all, thank you.

A shake of his head to try to shake himself out of it and he headed out for that run. And flowers.

And other errands he had for the day. Eventually he'd make his way back to shower and get ready for their date, fussing more over what he was going to wear than he likely would ever admit to. In any case, six o'clock on the dot he was knocking on the door to Henry's room, dressed, groomed, holding a small bouquet of roses and baby's breath.]

[lordfuckleroy]

[ So Henry had come back and pretty much overturned the entirety of the clothes that he had, which arguably was not much. He'd gotten some items of clothing from the town as well as from the coliseum. Finally he'd decided on a dark blue button down shirt and khaki pants, stylish but still casual. And then he opened the door.

He scented of soap and water as he did not quite have access to his cologne (though that would be something he would get at a later point in time) and when he opened the door he came face to face with Alex and the flowers.

No one had ever bought him flowers before. ]

Oh...

[ Excuse him for being dumbfounded, Alex.. this was literally the sweetest thing that anyone has ever done for him. ]

[internationalrelations]

[Alex had chosen a pale blue Henley -- buttons deliberately undone because Alex Claremont-Diaz knew what he was about -- and jeans. He smiled as Henry opened the door, tilting his head slightly at that Oh in curiosity. What was that reaction, Henry?

He wiggled the little bouquet.]

These are for you. ...I know it's a little lame, but, well.. yeah.

[He wanted this to be a good first date, damn it.]

[lordfuckleroy]

[ So they could be matching, which let us be real also touched Henry quite a bit. It was true that Alex was exceedingly clever, the sort of clever that made Henry admire him all the more. On a deeper level that wasn't entirely superficial. That Alex had substance behind his style, all the better.

He took the bouquet and then pressed his nose to the blooms, how could he resist. It was such a cliche thing to do, but this felt like a fairy tale of sorts. This could have never happened in the real world, and part of him wondered if this was something specifically constructed by his mind, and that they were dreaming.

Oh no, he was smitten. ]

These are beautiful Alex, let me go put them in water.. [ But in consideration, he leaned in then and brushed his lips against a cheek. ] Thank you, this is very touching and I am trying to decide if I am dreaming at this moment. You may have to pinch me.

[internationalrelations]

[Alex did not bother trying to hide how pleased he looked when Henry actually took the flowers and immediately smelled them. It was beautifully cliche, but then, there was good reason for that. There was something simple and clean and pure about a small bouquet of flowers as a gift. Nothing more complicated than this pretty thing made me think of you and I hope you like them. In the world they both were used to living in with political angles and power plays usually tucked somewhere underneath every conversation or interaction, well, Alex appreciated the parts that were just... what they seemed to be.

So he smiled, nodding -- though that stilled at the kiss to his cheek before melting entirely. Henry wasn't the only one smitten.]

Ha. I mean if that's what you're into, I'm here to help.

[With a helping, or well, pinching hand? Who knew.]

Not a dream though. I'm like ninety seven percent sure of that myself anyway.

[lordfuckleroy]

Well, we can have that conversation about what we are each in to later.

[ Henry said as he moved past Alex to get the flowers into a vase. There was a vase around the little kitchen area, he knew so. He set the flowers aside so that he could fill it with an amount of water that would not drown the blooms and then he placed them in the vase, and arranged then quite artfully.

It appeared that being a prince meant that you were naturally good at flower arranging?

But once that was done and the flowers placed on the counter, he turned around to regard Alex. ]

Well if you should know, I am at your leisure now.

[internationalrelations]

Oooh, can we?

[Promises promises. Alex watched Henry as he fussed over the flowers, feeling that warmth spread straight through his chest. He tried to remember the last time he felt this... this... fucking fluttery about a date. And he can't.

He smiled and nodded, tilting his head towards the door.]

Then let's go. Night's ours.

[lordfuckleroy]

[ As much as he wanted to know what Alex was into.. in graphic detail, the thought gave him palpitations also-- because it forced him to gear into thought of what Alex could be into. Oh yes, that was inspiring several ideas within him, fostering and festering in equal low swoops through his abdomen.

get it together, Henry.

Once he had arranged the flowers to his satisfaction, he turns to Alex and then he offers his arm.. it was a date after all, and one offered their arm. ]

I would like that--

[internationalrelations]

[If it made Henry feel any better, Alex was a corresponding sort of mess, entirely too easily swept up in pretty much everything about the other man right now. And look at him. How could he not be?

He even offered his arm like he was stepping out of the pages of a Jane Austen novel. Alex could have died right then and there, overcome with how absurdly smitten with Henry he was.

Fuck him.

He took that offered arm, though not without shouldering into him gently.]

So I figure we can grab something to eat, maybe a drink or two and then, you know, maybe just walk for a while? While the sun sets.

[lordfuckleroy]

[ That was the singular most romantic thing that anyone has ever done for him.

He was not given the luxury and yet here was Alex, making his first actual male male date something special. No sneaking about, nothing cladestine. Just two men on a date and getting to know each other, perhaps a bit of snogging later. Perhaps a lot of snogging, after all they had determined that they (each other) were fun to kiss. ]

I was not aware that you had such a soul of romance, Alex Claremont-Diaz.

[ Henry said, giving the other man a side eye with those entrancing blue eyes of his. ] But it is nice, it appears you have somehow gotten into my head about everything that I think I first date should be and you decided to make good upon it.

[internationalrelations]

I'm full of surprises, your majesty.

[Alex informed him with a grin. Look. He was surprising himself a little, okay? Henry brought something out in him that was, well, different than he'd felt with anyone else. And that was a dangerous thought to be having.]

Besides, this isn't something you really get to do back home, right? So you deserve someone going all out for it.

[So here he was Henry, really hoping this would be a good dat. ...and that it would involve quite a bit of kissing, thanks. For now though, as they slipped out of their building, he leaned in closer to murmur.]

I'm just getting started.

[lordfuckleroy]

[ Why did that even cause the faintest vibration up and down his spine, that promise and threat within that-- he found himself moving in a little closer and perhaps that was a gift as well, a gift for the other man in the form of trust. ]

Well, I appreciate that-- you are right that I have never had a proper date and that you are willing to go through with it goes far with me.

[ As if he was something to be gone through or endured, that was because he was used to his inclination being pushed underneath the rug/bed and/or in the closet. ]

You will recieve many kisses..

[ probably far more. ]

[internationalrelations]

Oh yes, what a hardship, going on a romantic first date with the most infuriatingly attractive man I've ever met. I am suffering.

[Woe is Alex. He did however, shoulder into the other man again as he settled closer.]

But I will not say no to kissing you.

[Like. Ever. Because Alex was not a stupid man and did not turn away things that he very very much wanted.]

[lordfuckleroy]

[ For other people perhaps Henry would have said 'flattery will get you nowhere' because in such a case it would be a massively predictable ploy. Even when he'd gotten to Eton and was exploring what it meant to be gay, he was fairly certain that many guys went with it because he was a Prince and not because well...

The urge to pander within the circle of the British aristocracy was insanely high.

But he had a feeling that with Alex this was true.. attraction? What did Alex have to gain after all, especially here in this world. It made it far easier for Henry to sink into this, into the very promise of them. ]

Just so that we are clear that consent is very important to me, and if you do not want to kiss me I would never hold it against you.

[ that was likely holding the door open for something smart-assed. But instead he merely said. ] But many things you may be-- a literal chaotic whirlwind of excitement and enthusiasm; but you are not a liar and I know that. [ He had been perhaps even a bit turned-on by Alex's inability to hide the annoyance with him over several functions here and there. ]

[internationalrelations]

[Honestly, Henry? Alex had found Henry so obnoxiously handsome that it truly and greatly pissed him off for the longest time.

"You're beautiful (derogatory)" - Alex Claremont-Diaz, repeatedly, in his own head.

Since that kiss on New Year's Eve though, well, he'd started realizing a few missing pieces that shifted his view on the whole thing and part of why that had always been so deeply frustrating. Bisexual disaster in full bloom, this one.]

I mean, no yeah. Same for you. It's about what you want too, so don't forget that.

[Because the sense that Alex had gotten, after months of traded text and phonecall banter was that Henry seldom actually considered his own wants nearly enough.

But the serious words said, he couldn't help but add,] Will you hold something else against me? If I ask nice?

[lordfuckleroy]

[ It was true, Alex had Prince Henry figured out in that particular aspect. He was too eager putting others before himself, it was because he was lawful good but also because he wanted the best for those that he cared about; he also had strong opinions about duty and family.

Even the ones who ones did not like so very much. It was very Pisces of him, to be sure. ]

Well, I think that is on the table. Holding something against you other than my lips---

[ Do not worry, he remembered this morning and the kisses that they had traded. Eager and slightly messy, but ultimately fufilling-- about how they made him feel, how he had felt Alex to respond to him. ] I think that if the date goes well enough.. that is the plan yes.

[internationalrelations]

[Alex could admire it in a way, that commitment to duty and to what was right. But there was a piece of the FSOTUS that was far too attached to that ideal of freedom, of being more than the world said could could be and fuck anyone who doubted, they'd see. ...he might have a few issues that would be best resolved in therapy, but who had time for that really.

Not Alex Claremont-Diaz. Especially not now when he was on a date that had him feeling full of butterflies and giddiness. And lust. Also there was a whole fuckton of lust.

He shifted his hold on Henry's arm so that he could instead tangle their fingers together.]

It's a good plan. I like it. Straight to the point. [Wait.] Or, extremely not-straight, but still very much to the point.

[Haha he was funny. At least he thought so anyway.]

[lordfuckleroy]

[ Oh god, finger-tangling.. how very forward of the other man, it brought high colour to his fair complexion and he was looking straight ahead, except there was nothing straight about anything he did right at this moment. So perhaps 'gay ahead' might be the better descriptor.

He chuckled as he caught what Alex had said, about the straight thing-- it appeared as if their minds were running concurrently. ]

There has been nothing straight about me since the day I was born.

[ But he laughed just the same, because it was funny and it was true that a sense of humor was a must for him. Thankfully, Alex had that in droves. ] Did my future self tell you my favorite foods?

[internationalrelations]

See? You've definitely got the home court advantage here. [...the homo-court advantage?] This is all new to me. I was pretty certain I was straight until some British asshole went and kissed me.

[He tightened his fingers around the hand of said British asshole playfully. Thanks for being his bisexual awakening, Henry. You really threw him for a loop. Though like Alex was also an idiot because straight guys don't mess around with their male best friend in high school but that was beside the point.

Anyway, he nodded at the question.]

Your actual favorite foods and not the bullshit fact sheet info? Yeah, you mentioned the falafel stand you like near Kensington. And I mean, I already knew about the Cornettos. And the Jaffa Cakes. And a few other horrifying insomnia snacks.

homo court advantage i am dying excuse you

[lordfuckleroy]

[ It was him, he was the British asshole. Though case in point, he had wanted to kiss the other man for the longest time, and so he was glad that he could contribute to a bit of eye-opening on that front. Instead he said almost charmingly. ] Well sweetheart, your world has just opened up quite a bit larger in a way that mine is not.

[ Because Henry had never wanted to kiss girls, had never been tempted. ] You will forgive me though if I only want to kiss men.. only want to kiss you, yes?

[ He thought that Alex could probably handle that? ]

It appears that my unholy desire for american snack cakes were not mentioned?

I'm so glad you get my terrible sense of humor ahahaha

[internationalrelations]

[The pinnacle of British asshole, really. Who, yes, was remarkably charming too because Alex had no real defense at being called sweetheart in that posh honey-smooth voice. He could feel heat rising in his cheeks, but there was a corresponding warmth in his chest.

Especially at only want to kiss you because oh yes, good. He ah. He shared that sentiment right now, thank you. God help him Henry had been all he could think about for a month, and had been preoccupying his mind even before that and he.

Then he just short circuited as the innuendo that Henry dropped next landed. He nearly tripped over his feet, staring for a moment before laughing, ducking his head.]

Wow. How long have you been working on that one?

[lordfuckleroy]

[ Henry caught the way that Alex flushed like a giddy schoolboy at the mention of snack cakes to which cake he raised a brow as he wondered what this man was interpreting that he did not understand. Sorry, Alex-- this was the man you were digging-- he had no grasp over slang, and especially words that could mean one thing far dirtier than expected. ]

You do realize that I meant actual snack cakes, right?

[ Such as ho-ho's, and dingdongs. Also he would not throw a twinkie out of the kitchen, though they were arguably not his favorite. ]

[internationalrelations]

..yeah of course I knew that. [No he did not shut up.] But just so you know, nothing good comes from consorting with ho-hos and ding-dongs. Only shame and regret.

[Look, Henry. That was a perfect innuendo that apparently you just accidentally stumbled into? What a world. Alex's grin turned smug as he added,]

I, on the other hand, am the sort of quality American Snack Cake (TM) who comes with a satisfaction guarantee. Probably.

[He was running with it anyway.]

[lordfuckleroy]

[ The look that Henry gave Alex was in fact not filled with shame and regret but rather judgement, deep abiding judgement over who could possibly not think that snack cakes were the best thing in the world-- this was Henry, and Henry needed a little work on his humor, at least the spicy sort.

You had your work cut out for you, Alex Clairemont-Diaz. ]

I think that we can compromise and say 'both'; you know that I cannot choose between you and chocolate.

[ They could cuddle while Henry ate a Hostess Cupcake, alright? ]

[internationalrelations]

[Wow okay dial back the judging Henry. Alex shouldered into him.]

Yeah, okay, fair. I wouldn't even try to compete with chocolate. That's a losing battle every time.

[Cuddling and cupcakes sounded fine though. But now, he was considering.]

Would you have been in a better mood if The Cake Incident had been a chocolate cake? Was it the vanilla all along?

[lordfuckleroy]

No.

[ He said this with a look shot at Alex, it wasn't meant to be a sexy look but it could easily be conveyed as such. ] Why are you like this? [ Because Alex was cute, that was why-- that was the obvious answer that his mind filled in.. that he was going to fall quite effortlessly into this trap of charm and grace, the dimples that made him seem so playful.

He hated that he was a sucker for the other guy. ] It was a cake at a public event, even if it was the best chocolate in the world, I would have still been very cross with you.

[internationalrelations]

[Annoyed Henry was still sexy. Go figure. Alex just grinned at that question that he had heard many times in multiple languages his entire life. Why was he like this? Blessed by genetics and a great deal of personal hard work and effort.]

Yeah, all right. Still a sore spot, got it.

[Alex rolled his eyes good naturedly.]

You totally forgive me though, right?

[lordfuckleroy]

I do...

[ And there was a fond note to his voice, something that he had been given the opportunity to convey; the fact that Alex was adorable-- he remembered the night they ate ice cream at 3 AM, one of Henry's favorite moments.. a wonderful way to spend a night generally spent in insomnia. The bond that they had forged over the course of their diplomatic reparations-- the friendship between Britain and America saved.

He very lightly nudged Alex before he moved to twine their fingers together, and then like a gallant prince, he picked the hand up and pressed a kiss to the back of it. ]

Even when you are insufferable, I will forgive you-- you know, you can consider yourself absolutely forgiven for the cake incident.

[internationalrelations]

[So ah. That was the first time anyone had ever done anything that heart-stoppingly romantic, and it's such a small gesture really. But Henry kisses the back of his hand and Alex's heart explodes into a swarm of butterflies.

His skin tone makes the blush thar rises not as obvious as it could be, but the stars in his eyes might be a little more obvious. So give him just a second to shake that off and summon up the usual smile.]

I... yeah. Cool, very cool. Thanks.

[Nailing this cool and smooth thing, Alex. Nailing it.]

[lordfuckleroy]

[ Oh yes, Henry understood that Alex was turning into a disaster right here and now, he smiled in that impossibly sexy way that conveyed that he understood exactly where the other man was coming from. He was of course depending on the other man to guide them wherever where they were going.

Hopefully Alex's head was still in this romantic date game. ]

Did I break you?

[internationalrelations]

What? No... I... okay, a little. Yeah. Shut up.

[This man would be a lawyer someday. Eloquence like that could not be learned, okay? You either had it or you didn't.

And Henry knew exactly what h was doing. Seriously, how had he ever thought Henry was so fucking dull and beige. He was wicked and fiery in the way an ember was fiery, a deep and abiding glow more than showy crackling flames. Oh god he was waxing poetic in his head.

He did at least remember where they were headed. It was a casual restaurant, the type where they could sit at at able outside on the terrace and enjoy the relative warmth of the evening.]

That's where we're headed. Look okay?

[lordfuckleroy]

It reminds me of Paris.. or a nice ristorante in Italy.

[ He said with a smile though he did give that hand a squeeze. ] You do realize where I would be happy with pizza, or cheeseburgers and beers with you.

[ And he meant that, he did not need to be woo'd in a manner that was fancy, he wanted Alex to woo him authentically-- but this cafe had a nice vibe to it as well. ] So next time, let me treat you to pizza, hmm? As long as you have no great objection to pineapple on pizza.

[ It would be a shame to have to break up with Alex before they had made it official. ]

[internationalrelations]

Hey I won't say no to pizza. But you know, this is a first time is all. It should be a little special.

[So there. But yeah pizza and beer with Henry sounded pretty amazing actually. For a moment though he stopped in his tracks, putting his free hand to his chest to clutch at imaginary pearls.]

Pineapple? [HORROR. Alex laughed a moment later.] Kidding. Pineapple pizza's great. Though we really should do pineapple and ham together. The full Hawaiian proper. Deal?

[lordfuckleroy]

I am not going to get only pineapple on a pizza, you need something else to offset it, like ham.

[ It was a concession that he was more than happy to make though he did add. ] Or breakfast bacon-- that is pretty good as well. [ A squeeze of Alex's hand, hearing that laugh made it all worth it, didn't it? It was the sort of laughter that filled him with warmth and he realized that there was no going back and that quite possibly he was going to be enchanted with this man for the rest of his life, even as he was equal parts perplexed and confused the man. ]

[internationalrelations]

See? This is a relief that you have decent taste in food. Not going to lie the whole beans on toast thing was a little worrying. ...like worrying about your entire country. That's clearly some national generational trauma that needs to be unpacked. Who hurt your taste buds?

[Look. As both a Mexican and a Texan, Alex believed food should have flavor other than "soggy" which did not count even a little as a flavor.

He stepped forward to open the door to the restaurant for Henry without releasing the prince's hand.] After you, your majesty.

[lordfuckleroy]

I am not the biggest enjoyer of beans on toast, and I have never once enjoyed black pudding but...

[ And this was a hill he would die on. ] I believe that grilled tomatoes belong on a breakfast plate. [ Which was probably not the worst culinary sin ever, after all people put tomatoes in omelets all the time ] And personally, if I am going to admit my deepest darkest food secret it is the fact that the best breakfast I have ever had was at a New York Hotel, which served pancakes with chocolate chips in it.

[ His sweet tooth was a damnable thing, though he gave Alex's hand a squeeze. It was sweet and gentle, and he gave Alex a look that was just as heartfelt, perhaps even a smile with teeth-- not one that just reached his eyes. ]

You are probably thinking that it isn't very princely of me to like junk food. [ Pizza, cheeseburgers, dingdongs.. what next? ]