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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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[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? ]