mightbebi (mightbebi) wrote in madisonvalley, @ 2024-02-28 16:47:00 |
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Entry tags: | !closed, !log, alex claremont-diaz (mightbebi), henry fox (gayasamaypole) |
Who: Henry and Alex
Where: Alex’s Apartment
When: Valentine’s Day
What: Valentine’s Dinner
Status/Rating: Completed gdoc/PG-13/Mild R
Warnings: Partial nudity and a lot of Shakespeare
Henry: For it being Valentines Day and on a Wednesday, Henry had his students pick love stories and pick their favorite passage and why it was there favorite. During the class time, Henry had a discussion about modern romance books vs. the old romance books. At the end of the class, the students all dropped off their papers to grade. Henry had promised Alex that he would bring over a few to read over. After he had put everything in his messenger bag, he locked up the classroom and left. Heading into the bakery, he had picked up a chocolate covered strawberry cake that looked absolutely delightful. He paid for it and then headed to Alex's. Once he had arrived, he stood at the door and knocked.
Alex: He should feel ridiculous, but honestly he was amusing himself too much as he prepped dinner wearing nothing but heart boxer shorts and an apron to feel anything but anticipation for Henry's reaction. When the knock came he picked up the glass of wine he had already poured and waiting for him, and went to open the door with one of his trademark smiles. "How was work sweetheart?"
Henry: As Henry was standing at the door he held onto the box and waited for Alex to open the door. He wondered what Alex would be cooking. He was hoping that he would be dressed appropriately. When he saw the door open and saw Alex in the boxers and apron. His eyes bugged out and he let out a giggle. “Wow! That’s….that is quite the outfit. Love it.” He said as he walked in and gave Alex a kiss. “Work was alright. Have many papers to grade though.”
He leaned in to kiss Henry, then offered him the glass of wine in exchange for the cake box. "IS this not what we discussed?" He teased, him in nothing but an apron, okay technically he was in more than an apron but he wasn't going to do anything around a hot stove bare assed. "Dinner is going to take a little while, so you can grade papers at the kitchen table while I cook."
Henry: “Duly noted. But I didn’t expect to be greeted at the door with you like this.” He said taking the glass of wine and going over to the table to set his bag down. “I have to say you look hot in that and should do it more often when I’m around.” He said with a smirk. “Brilliant. It does smell delightful in here. But I’m not sure I’ll get any grading done with you being a distraction. In a good way…”
Alex: "We spend a lot of time at your place, I'd rather not give the boys a show." Or scandalize them, not that he thought them unlikely at this point to be unaware of the fact that he and Henry slept together, but still. "I've barely started the sauce, so its all onions and garlic in here right now that always smells good." There were also some other things roasting in the oven too, tomatoes and feta and peppers. It would all eventually go in the blender together. "I can always put on clothes if I'm that distracting." He went back behind the counter so really all that was visible was his shoulders and arms, his shoulders and arms weren't too distracting right?
Henry: “We don’t have to spend all our time at my place. We can go back and forth. It’s not like Charlie is a toddler and needs 24/7 monitoring.” He said with a smile. “It does smell incredible.” At least Alex could cook, Henry has been trying and almost could make a decent meal. He shook his head. “No…no you don’t have to. I like this look.” He said as he put his glass of wine on the table and then got out some of the papers and began to read them. “I hope that I get more than different nonsense words for rhyming with orange. I swear I never laughed harder.”
Alex: "I don't mind that we spend time there, it just limits how often I wander around half dressed outside the bedroom." He has this awkward as hell mental image of one day running into Nick in the kitchen, both of them in their boxers. Because let's be honest, he and Nick are the two most likely to be in the kitchen at two am. "Roasted tomato and feta sauce with lamb meatballs and chickpeas." "Should be good," he hoped. He was sort of making it up as he went along. He was a decent enough cook that he could do that and things were usually edible. "Once the meatballs are started and the sauce is blended it all has to go in the oven for a while to finish." That they could fool around on the couch was left unspoken but absolutely an option.
Henry: "Well, we can go back and forth. Unless you prefer my place all the time. Although, it wouldn't be fair either." Henry always wanted things to be fair between them but as long as they were happy, that was all that mattered. He then laughed, "I mean, the house is big enough, but I get your point. I don't think they would want to see what is under there. And we don't want to scar anyone." He nodded, "Wow, that all sounds amazing." He got up to replenish his wine as he put his arm on Alex and gave his shoulder a kiss. "Oh? So would that be the part where we then would sit on the couch and I would read you some of the stuff my students read then? Maybe you could help with pointers." He said with a smile. He went back and sat down as he started to go back to reading. "Typical one that everyone seems to pick. Romeo And Juliet. I at least hope that it is a decent paper."
Alex: He didn't care so much about fair, but he did like having his own space. He'd never lived on his own until he'd come to Madison so this was, like a rite of passage for him. "If what you want to do with me once we're on the couch is read excerpts from Shakespeare I won't stop you." He was sauteing onions and garlic, and once it was translucent he added it to the ground lamb with the spices and bread crumbs and egg and mixed. Started to roll it into meatballs. "They should lose points for picking anything where everyone dies."
Henry: He did enjoy being at Alex's and going back and forth. He found himself being happier than ever here with him and having a ward that he could look after. If only his family knew how happy he was. He had a life and it was his choice and he didn't have to worry about making a whole country happy. "Well, I think I have an idea or two. Besides, you love it when I read poetry or anything in my voice. We could cuddle while I read some passages." He said giving him a smile. "Well, as long as they make valuable points, I can give them full credit. Even with tragic love stories, there can be some points made. And some of these students really take it seriously which I love."
Alex: "Okay but Romeo and Juliet is an awful love story. There's no build up. I prefer Twelfth Night. 'My father had a daughter loved a man, As it might be, perhaps, were I a woman, I should your lordship.' Damn Bill get on with your transgressive love story." Okay, Viola wasn't trans but she spent most of that play in love with Orsino, and dressed as a man and Orsino absolutely fell for her in that guise he didn't care what the scholars said about it. The meatballs went into the same pan he'd sautéed the onions in and started to brown, and the roasted tomatoes and feta and other things came out of the oven into the blender.
Henry: "I do agree, but I did say that any romantic love story, even the tragic ones. And they all think that Romeo and Juliet is so simple and it's not. If only they knew what they went through and how sad and tragic it was. We did have a full discussion on it, but some of them just did not get it at all." It was a sad tragedy when Henry put in more work with his teachings than his students did with the learning. As he put some feedback on a few of the papers, it appeared that one of his students did their paper on comparing and contrasting love stories from modern movies and books to the old movies and books. "Okay this one is interesting. He studied both Little Women and then a modern day book called Dear John. I have read that book I have to say they are quite interesting. This might actually be a paper that I'd like to know more of." He said to Alex. "I just want to get through a few more and then while the food is cooking, you and I can do the couch and I can recite all the romantic poetry you want. Or even quotes from the greatest pieces of literature." He said looking at him. He was really hot in that apron and boxers.
"You have another, fifteen, twenty minutes before it'll be ready to go in the oven." And he would leave him alone to let him review papers for that time, browning meatballs, the chickpeas going on the sheet pan in the oven, and the sauce getting blended. Eventually the crusty roasted chickpeas went into the deep frying pan with the meatballs and the sauce went on top, the roasted feta getting crumbled over the top. He covered it and put the whole thing in the oven. Then he cleaned up the counter and loaded the dishwasher so that there was no mess to be dealt with after dinner and leaned against the counter to sip his wine and watch his boyfriend.
Henry: "Duly noted. I shall concentrate so that way I can have your undivided attention." He said as he gave him a smile. Turning around in his chair he began to read and give feedback to some of the papers. Some of the students were actually brilliant with their depictions while others just needed some much needed work. He sipped wine and let Alex do what he needed for dinner, finally he put the pen down and sighed. "Okay, I think that is enough for today." He then stood up and went and wrapped his arms around Alex. "How's the chef doing?" He said planting kisses on his back and shoulders. Henry was happy with their relationship and where they were going. Plus, Alex's outfit was really hot.
Alex: "The chef is done," he turned so he was facing Henry, leaned back into the counter and looped his arms around the other man's neck. "At least until the timer goes off in..." He tipped his head so he could see the oven timer, "about twenty seven minutes. If you wanted to entertain him for a while..."
Henry: “Oh? Well, then.” He said as he planted a kiss on his lips. “I better get to reading then.” He said laughing. Taking the lead and taking Alex into the living room pushing Alex on the couch and straddling him. Kissing him on the neck. He then began to recite some quotes in between kisses. “Love is not love. Which alters when it alteration finds, Or bends with the remover to remove: O no; it is an ever-fixed mark, That looks on tempests, and is never shaken”
Alex: "Bringing out the big guns," His fingers flexed at Henry's waist and he tipped his head back against the pillows baring his neck. He let his hands drift along the planes of the other man's back. It was possibly hotter that he was barely decent and Henry was fully dressed, but that didn't stop him from pulling at the fabric of his shirt so he could touch bare skin along the waistband of his trousers.
Henry: Smiling through the kisses “I thought I’d start off on a high note.” He continued on. “Hear my soul speak: / The very instant that I saw you, did / My heart fly to your service”. He felt Alex’s hands as he ran his own hands thorough Alex’s hair. Helping Alex and he didn’t mind at all. He took off his own shirt but still kept his trousers on. Pressing his lips on Alex’s with passion. Saying more lines of Shakespeare, “Love looks not with the eyes but with the mind, / And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind”
Alex: "Pretty sure the instant you saw me you thought I was a pain in the ass," he arched under Henry, laughing because even back then all the way at that climate conference there'd been something. Why else had they hated each other so much. And he would not quote 10 things I Hate About You while Henry was spouting Shakespeare. He slid his hands up over Henry's chest to his shoulders as they kissed and pulled him closer to murmur in his ear, "I do love nothing in the world so well as you—is not that strange?" Two could play this game.
Henry: "Hey, don't ruin the moment. And besides, did I tell you that I fell for you at the climate conference. The whole time I had a massive crush on you." He said as he went back to kissing his neck. "Love starts as a feeling, But to continue is a choice; And I find myself choosing you. More and more every day." When Alex was now reciting things, he looked at him with a smirk. "Say now, this wasn't part of our plans. The plan was for you to be in that very attractive apron and boxers and then I would be in this position reciting all the love quotes in my voice." He said chuckling. "Am I expected to be in my boxers now? I mean I don't have an apron." He said in a teasing tone.
Alex: "Oh right, sorry. I'm just supposed to lay here and look pretty." Though he wouldn't argue against Henry in his boxers. Or the loss of the apron, it was absolutely an impediment to being able to get as close to his boy friend as he wanted to be. He arched back slightly, shifted so his knees bracketed Henry's hips and ground up against him, "I do like the voice."
Henry: He laughed at that remark. "Well, you are really good eye candy." He said as he looked at Alex in the eyes. "You are beautiful. And I'm not even just talking about your body. I am also talking about your soul." He touched his heart and he was definitely speaking from the heart as well. He knew he was being corny, but he always spoke the truth. He gave Alex a nice smirk. "It's the accent isn't it? Everybody loves the accent."
Alex: "The accent is pretty hot," he admitted with an answering smirk, hands coming up to frame Henry's face, tangle loosely in his hair. "But it's you. It's the corner of your mouth." He brushes his lips over the spot, the way it pinches when Henry is trying not to give himself away, but Alex knows him well enough now that he can see it. Wants to kiss the tension away when he sees it. "It's this spot here," he drifted his fingers over the curve right at the dip of his waist below Henry's ribs that had nearly been his ruin their first time. Remembered so clearly wondering how on earth he'd ever thought he was straight. He flattened his palm on the blondes chest and let himself feel the steady pulse there. "It's your heart. You're a fucking miracle sweetheart."
Henry: He didn’t do anything but look at Alex. His beautiful eyes and eyelashes for days. He was Alex’s and Alex was his. “I like to think that your eyelashes are the most beautiful I’ve ever seen.” He caressed his cheek. He softly kissed Alex on the lips. Not afraid to be vulnerable with him. He was the only one he felt that he could be vulnerable with. He was not nervous and he could be himself around him. Watching as Alex did his thing and then he mentioned his heart. And he couldn’t help it he chuckled as some tears began to swell in his eyes. “I love you so much. You are my savior. You saved me from a lot, mostly from myself and have shown me what I truly am. You Alex Claremont-Diaz have a heart of gold.” He said still caressing his cheek and smiling down at him.
Alex: "And an ass that doesn't quit," sweet, romantic moment officially over. He angled a kiss against Henry's palm then pulled his head down with the hand still in his hair. "Dinner is going to be ready soon, so if you could kiss me before the timer goes off that would be great." Of course dinner would be ready soon enough that really, he should probably be trying to cool things off and not heat them up. Oh well. He'd never had much will power when it came to Henry on top of him on couches.
Henry: Laughing, “Well, that too.” He said as he put his forehead against Alex’s. He nodded, “I can manage that.” He said as he placed his lips on Alex’s and ran his fingers through his hair as he kissed him with passion. They really shouldn’t have started all that cause by the time that the timer would go off, Henry would have already been excited but…they would just have to continue afterwards. With Alex, Henry was at Alex’s will.
Alex: Like they weren't already excited. Besides, they didn't really do this all that often just make out on the couch. Before Madison they hadn't really had the time or luxury always to draw out their time together like this and just enjoy being together. Alex tightened his hold on Henry and pulled him a little closer, body to body and returned the kiss. Really he could kiss this man for hours, learning new things about him (and obscure British sports) while he did so. Of course they didn't have hours, and inevitably as his palms were curving around Henry's glutes and his lips were trailing open mouthed along the tendon of his throat the timer on the oven rang. He groaned, "Fuck."
Henry: Henry was kissing Alex with hunger as he would let out tiny moans of pleasure. Running his hands through Alex's hair, they haven't really had a make out session in a long time and Henry was actually enjoying it. Tonight was turning out to be perfect, just spending this time together was great. Wrapping his arms around Alex's neck as he could feel his lips being swollen and loving it. He didn't speak or do anything, he just wanted to be close to Alex. And then he heard the ding of the timer as he pulled his lips apart. He was out of breath for a second as he smiled. "Saved by the bell I guess." He said as he got off of Alex's lap.
Alex: "Depends on your definition of saved," he didn't move at first, and probably looked comical on the couch in his boxers, apron askew, obviously pleased to be there. He took a couple deep breathes and got up, he'd worked hard on that meal and it would not be ruined just because his boyfriend was hot. "Pour us fresh glasses of wine while I serve us plates?" He managed to sound remarkably normal as he headed to the kitchen to do just that.
Henry: He laughed, “Well, not in that sense. But if we kept going we probably would have burned the place down.” He said with a smirk. “Besides, we do have lots of times when we can have mad passionate sex.” He said as he grabbed Alex by the waist when he got up and pecked him a kiss. “Love you.” He then nodded, “yes, I can do that.” He said as he got a couple of glasses and poured the wine. He then went and put his shirt back on. “Thank you for the lovely gift of the apron and boxers. I wouldn’t oppose to you still wearing it but if you need or want to change into clothes I won’t object.” He said with a smile.
Alex: “I love you too,” and he was right they had Al the time in the world. He paused, holding plates and glanced down at his clothes (or lack of them). “Do you need or want me to put on more clothes?” He was teasing but he was also sincere, he could absolutely go pull on some jeans. He put the plates on the table which was already set with everything else and then lit the candles.
Henry: He stood there laughing and looked him up and down. “I mean, I don’t mind it at all. I just want you to feel comfortable. But if you are comfy by all means don’t change.” He said as he winked at him. Putting the wine and glasses on the table he looked at Alex. “This smells delicious. This is the perfect Valentine’s Day date.” And it was the truth. No worries about presents or awful reservations, just the two of them spending time together at Alex’s home.
Alex: "Especially once mom was in the White House, my folks always did something quiet at home on Valentine's Day." Too much pressure out in public, particularly when you were in a relationship scrutinized by the press and the public at every turn. "Papi always said he wanted to have dinner with Mom, not President Claremont." Henry would understand the difference between the public and private persona better than most. "Not that, that's a thing here really but its still... I think people are more themselves when we're on our own or with people we're close to."
Henry: “It is peaceful and we can be ourselves. There isn’t a crowd and I don’t have to fight people off of you.” He said with a smile. “I do like it when it’s just us two.” And it was the truth. After having to be around a lot of people all the time back home he just wanted to have Alex’s time with themselves. In the quiet. “I understand that completely. It’s why I can be myself around you. I know that you want to be with Henry Fox and not Prince Henry. And if it weren’t for you, I would have completely lost myself.” He sighed. “Here, there are no labels, I can be Henry Fox here and I can do what I want and not have to worry about disappointing people or a whole country.”
Alex: "I don't think you have to worry there either," Alex said after consideration, chewing thoughtfully. "I know it does worry you, I know you don't think your family or the world sees you... or will love you when they know you. But I know you and they will." It didn't really matter since they weren't there but Alex thought, if they were, if Henry took a chance at home... he thought that he'd be surprised to find how many people loved him no matter what. "And if they don't we'll sic Zahra on them. She's terrifying."
Henry: Taking a bite of his food, he began to think. He was taking Alex’s words to heart right there. “I don’t think my family other than Bea would actually accept me for who I am. To everyone I’m the Prince of England. A heartthrob who can’t live life the way I want. They would never love me the way that you do.” He said as he took a drink from his wine glass. Trying to hold back tears. He didn’t cry at all, which was odd of him since he was an emotional person. But he didn’t want to ruin anything. He then laughed. “Yeah she is pretty scary. I mean when she caught me in the closet at that hotel…I thought she was going to kill me.”
Alex: "Bea and the rest of the British people will be enough, your grandfather and Phillip can get over themselves." If they couldn't love Henry as he was, they didn't deserve to know Henry for who he was. "She would never have killed you, that would have absolutely cause an international incident. She would have killed me. One hundred percent. Mom would have worn a veil at my funeral, wept on CNN. Won in a landslide."
Henry: Okay, at that point, he nodded as he felt his eyes well up. Alex really had thing to make him cry and they were happy tears. "Yeah, well, Phillip and my grandfather have always been about tradition. Why do you think my mother is the way that she is. She made her own choices and honestly, I think I'm more like her than I think." He took Alex's hand. "Thank you. You have no idea how much you make me happy and just the way you put things into a perspective. I used to think that it was hard that I belonged to Britain, until you came into my life." Then he dried his eyes as he laughed. "No, I would have never let it happen. I would be your knight in shining armor to protect you from her. Plus, I don't think she would kill you. I think she has a tough exterior but a heart of gold. She could have gotten us into so much trouble but she didn't."
Alex: "She didn't make you tell my mother. Or sit through an ethics lecture." He teased, but Henry was right, he was pretty sure she was on their side even if she'd never admit it. "You belong to yourself Henry, and me if you're willing. No one else."
Henry: “So you see? She may be terrifying but I think she was always on our side.” He said as he moved his chair closer to Alex’s. He took his hand and continued to eat. “This is fantastic by the way. You should become a chef.” He said with a smile. “Of course. Alex, I belong to you. You have my heart and everything.” He said looking at him.
Alex: "Wouldn't be as much fun if it was my job, besides about half the time it's terrible." Really things did not always end up tasting this good. "Ditto baby, you know that right?" He could get sappy if he needed to but he didn't think they needed to.
Henry: “I mean, I guess that’s true. Besides, you being in a law firm is absolutely sexy.” He said with a smirk on his face. Although this meal was cooked to perfection. “Of course I know. Or at least I know now.” He said with a smile. “I love you. And so grateful to have you in my life. I don’t even know where my life would be without you in it.” He said caressing Alex’s cheek.
Alex: He laughed, mostly because legal work in Madison was pretty routine and as lowest man on the firm totem pole he wasn't doing anything exactly high powered but hey if Henry thought it was hot he'd take it. "Boring, and far less covered in cake." he covered the hand on his cheek with his own and squeezed lightly. "Obviously."
Henry: “Hey, why are you laughing?” He said with an airy laugh. “I mean I find lawyers very sexy. And if I ever get a lawsuit I can have the best boyfriend represent me. Maybe one of my students will sue me for bad grades.” He said laughing. “Oh man, I smelled like sugar for days.” He said, “And you were so drunk. I mean I know we ruined my brothers wedding but it will always be memorable to me.” He said finishing his meal. “Speaking of cake….ready for dessert?”
Alex: "I appreciate that you find lawyers sexy, because it benefits me. And I sort of wish we were sleeping together back then, I bet you smelled incredible." And don't tempt him, because he would want to smear cake on him and test it for himself at some point. "Phillip totally deserved whatever he got, but I do sort of feel bad about ruining Martha's cake." He pushed back from the table picking up his plate. "How about I clean up the dinner things and you cut us cake?"
Henry: He laughed, “I mean I did not have complaints. It took a lot of showers to get the smell off of me.” He laughed. “If only we got along back then.” He said with a smirk. Even if he did have a crush on Alex during the climate conference. “Yeah poor Martha. But that cake was massive. No way would it have been gone by the end of the party.” He said shrugging. He nodded as he went into the kitchen and started to cut up the cake that he had bought. “Did you want more wine or anything sweetheart?” He asked
Alex: "We were not ready for each other back then," they would have fought like two cats in a bag (as his abuela would have said). "Maybe they were planning on dishing cake out to the masses, like Marie Antoinette." Alex was clearing the table, rinsing and tucking dishes into the dishwasher and putting the leftovers away as they talked. "Another glass of wine would be great."
Henry: “No we weren’t. I mean just thinking about everything and the notorious cakegate makes me laugh.” He said as he was thinking about it. “But the fact that we got to know each other and become friends….that’s when I saw the true you.” He went and poured a couple more glasses of wine for them and cut the cake and put them on the two dessert plates. “Ahhhh the famous let them eat cake reference.” He said nodding. “Perhaps…or they just wanted to show off like my brother often liked to do.”
Alex: "I'm glad someone gets a laugh out of cakegate. I was this-close to ending up in Guantanamo." Alex joked. As it was he'd been on lockdown until they'd shipped him over to do their first public appearance together. "The false reference," he noted as he wiped down the counter and closed the dishwasher. "Do we want to take dessert into the living room?"
Henry: “Oh…..I was not laughing about it then. I got into so much trouble with my family. It was ridiculous and so much explaining to do and the lashing I got from. It was brutal.” He said shaking his head. “I can laugh about it now because it was hilarious if you go back and think about it. Just not in the moment. Plus, it did bring us together” He nodded, “Yes, the false statement. But if you think about it. If it was in fact true, it would still be just as famous.” He said as he put the cake and wine on a tray. “I think that is a lovely idea.” He said as he headed into the living room and set the tray on the coffee table and took a seat on the couch.
Alex: "It was pretty funny in retrospect," he agreed, and it had been like a comedy of errors. Like one domino getting knocked over that took the whole cake down. He blew out the candles on the table, and flipped off the lights so the only light was the soft glow from the lamp by the couch and went to join Henry. It should feel odd wandering around having this normal meal and conversation in his underwear but it wasn't, maybe because he was so comfortable with Henry. "It might be more famous. Didn't she say brioche? Seems even more out of touch to not know your subjects don't even have bread."
Henry: “Hey, it is quite hilarious if you take away the consequences.” He said giving Alex a look. And besides, if it weren’t for that happening they wouldn’t be here today and Henry wouldn’t have known where he would be. So he thanked that incident. Watching Alex come in and joined him. Handing Alex his glass of wine and his plate of cake. He put his legs on top of Alex’s and snuggled into him. This was nice. “That she did. I think there are so many interesting things in History that perhaps never happened but historians want to make it interesting to readers.” He said as he took a bite. It was actually really good.
Alex: "Since the consequences ultimately ended up with a kiss under a laurel tree and a truly spectacular blowjob in the room that was once Nancy Reagan's office." Which might have exorcised the woman once and for all. Maybe. He met the look with one of his own, arm draping over Henry's legs as he sipped his wine. "I don't mind them so much." He picked up his fork and stole a bit of cake from Henry's plate with a soft smile, this was the perfect way to spend their first real Valentine's Day together. The last one they'd been... he didn't even know what. But not this. Not in love. "And a ton of interesting things that did happen that they completely ignore. Most of them queer."
Henry: “I mean a whole disaster ended up turning into a good thing.” He then laughed. “It was a great time. I just didn’t know what came over me. When Amy caught us in that red room, I about died from embarrassment.” He said as he sighed a happy sigh and remembered everything. Watching Alex steal a bite from his plate he smiled at him. Taking a drink from his wine, he set it down and just cuddled into Alex. This was the most perfect Valentines. “This is nice.” “That is true. Lots of rumors about which royalty was gay or bisexual. It’s interesting to go down the line. Many of them had to find ways of entertaining.”
"We're just lucky it was Amy, any other member of my detail would have dropped a dime on us to Zahra." Or to their boss, which was the same thing. But he and Amy had an understanding. He stole another bite of cake and stroked his fingers through Henry's hair, it was nice. Sort of reminded him of that night at the DNC before the whole hide in the closet debacle. "Or even just how much it didn't matter. Like in ancient Greece or Rome. No one cared. But they also tried to make Achilles and Patroclus just good friends. Who were buried together. Really? You're going to comment on how Achilles lamentations were like those of Hector's wife and than he mourned to the point of madness... but sure they were just best buds. Okay Homer."
Henry: “Imagine if it were Shaan.” He started laughing at that moment. “I mean, Shaan does know about me but still awkward.” He said smiling as he closed his eyes when Alex stroked his fingers through his hair. It felt nice. Them just sitting there with dessert and enjoying each others company felt great. Henry still had his eyes closed until he heard some type of annoyance in Alex about the history talk. He decides to try and distract him. So he straddled him and put his arms around his neck. “Hey…..hey….its history. It’s not like we can go back and change it all. I get that it is very frustrating but that was how it went back then. Let’s change the subject cause clearly this is stressing you out.” He said laughing.
"I do not want to image if it were Shaan. I still have nightmares from Zahra barging into my hotel room while I was bare ass naked." Which was arguably way worse than Amy in the Red Room. "At least you'd gotten partially dressed by the time she found you." He could not imagine what would have happened had Henry still been nude when he'd tumbled out of the closet. It had been enough of a metaphor as it was. "I'm not stressed," he argued, catching Henry as he climbed onto his lap, setting his glass aside and wrapping his arms around him as he sat back against the arm of the couch. "I just wonder sometimes... what history is going to say about us. Back home. You know?" He leaned up to kiss his boyfriend and smiled, "But you're right there's better things to worry about right now."
Henry: “It wasn’t easy. I kept hitting my head but at least I was talented enough to get dressed before Zahra could see my bum.” He said with a chuckle. Looking down at Alex he nodded, “Ohhhh. Cause you sounded annoyed or stressed out about it. I just thought you could use the distraction.” He said running his hand through his hair. “Well, I’m sure that history would tell the truth. It’s about time that the world gets used to a gay prince. I either stuck around or I could have seen myself abdicating from the throne. Because in all honesty, I would always choose you over the crown. Because when people do read about my life in future history books, I want you to be included.” He kissed him back. “Oh really? Like what?” He said with a smirk on his face.
"She saw more than my bum." He told him wryly into the kiss, though honestly it wasn't like it was the first time. Some things were better left in the vault. “I want to be included too." He played his fingers along the waistband of Henry's trousers, and let his lips wander across his jaw to that spot behind his ear. "What time you have to be home. Since it is a school night."
Henry: He laughed, “I sort of figured that. But I don’t think she cared. She was more worried about other things.” He then nodded, “Well, if we were back home you would definitely be included. Because you would be part of my history and my present and my future. And I’ll make sure that historians know that were weren’t brothers or friends.” He said smirking. Liking what Alex was doing. He ran his hands through his hair. Alex knew his sweet spot. He gulped. “As long as I can make it to my first class I don’t have a curfew. And I’m pretty sure Charlie can handle himself. Why do you ask?” He said softly.
"Just getting a sense for if this is more of a quickie on the couch sort of evening," he slid his hands lower and pressed closer as he dragged his teeth over the other man's skin, nipping lightly. "Or if I should bust out the Lana del Rey." He was never, not going to give Henry a hard time about calling it making love, even if that was what it had been.
Henry: He nodded, “Noted….” He then leaned in towards Alex and whispered in his ear. “Well, it’s not a school night for me. I don’t have class until at least 10:00 tomorrow morning.” He said as he kissed Alex’s jawline. He then laughed. “Well, it just depends on how long the song would be.” He teased back as he knew what he was saying.
"I do still have to go to work in the morning," he said regretfully but not before nine so it wasn't too early, and he wasn't going to kick the man out. He sat up bringing them even more flush against each other and wrapped his arms around Henry's shoulders to kiss him. "But I don't need to be tucked into bed for hours yet."
Henry: “Yeah, I know. Too bad it’s not the weekend.” He said as he placed his lips on his. “I mean, we don’t have to have sex every single time we have a home date. We can cuddle, talk, I don’t want to tire you out and you end up being late for work in the morning.” He said with a smirk. Even though he was half telling the truth. “I just enjoy being around you.” He said caressing his cheek.
Alex: "I know," he tipped his head into the caress. He appreciated the sentiment, loved that they could be like this, quiet and gentle as much as they could be wild and frantic for each other. Loved that Henry cared as much about his career, such as it was, as he did. Maybe more. "And I love you for it."
Henry: “I just don’t want you to be tired that’s all. As much as I want to ravish you. We have a lot of times for that. It’s not like you’re a one night stand for me or anything.” He said looking at Alex. “I know that I said I’d have to go at midnight but I’m sure Charlie will be okay if I stayed the night. I can always go home in the morning and shower before work.” He said with a smile.
Alex: "Midnight, it's like I'm dating Cinderella." It warmed something inside him that he was obviously more than a one night stand to Henry, as though that wasn't obvious after the first few months of illicit sneaking around. Even when they weren't defining things. And neither of them were even close to admitting they were more than friends with benefits, let alone in love. "You run off and I will chase you down." It was a promise, not a threat.
Henry: “Well, unfortunately my clothes won’t turn into anything ratty and my vehicle won’t turn into a pumpkin.” He said laughing. He knew what he had said and he meant it. Something about Alex, he really was in love with this crazy man. He knew they weren’t exchanging gifts but…”Well, then I guess I should just stay put then.” He said with a smirk. “I know that we promised each other no gifts. But…I want to give this to you. As a promise that you will never have to chase me.” He said as he took off his signet ring and gave it to him. “I don’t need it anymore anyway. And you will know that you’re stuck with me.” He said give him a quick peck on the lips .
Alex: "I already knew," but it was still a beautiful gesture, leave it to Henry to take his breath away. And out do him with a non gift, gift. He took the ring, it was like one of the last bits of home Henry had and he was giving it to Alex and it was enough to make his heart burst. He closed his fingers over it and leaned in to kiss the other man, "I love you, so much."
Henry: He watched as Alex took the ring and in all honesty he didn’t need it. In this place, he had his house but Alex was his home. Ever since being in Madison Valley, he never saw the need to play with it. Kissing him back he smiled. “I love you too. You are my home Alex.” He said looking into his eyes.
Alex: He still wore the key from his family home in Austin around his neck, it wasn't about home though it was about remembering his roots. Remembering that blue collar kid of a dirt farmers daughter and an illegal immigrant even while he was in the White House. Or kissing a prince. "I could make a Happy Gilmore joke right now, but you wouldn't get it and it would ruin the moment." He kissed Henry again, longer and slower than before, with more heat but less urgency.
Henry: Liking that this was a sentimental moment. He did in fact find his home with Alex. They were continuing to be together and there was really nothing to be expected from the other. It was pure bliss for him. So he smiled when Alex mentioned ruining the moment. “Well, you are right about that. Because I have never seen that movie.” He said as he returned the kiss letting his tongue slide in and out.
Alex: "You're not missing much, even if Adam Sandler is a national treasure," his tone is ironic enough that is pretty clear he's not serious about this. Then he's done talking and is focused on returning the kiss, meeting Henry measure for measure and breath for breath without pressing for more just enjoying the moment and the feeling of coming home.
Happy Valentines Day indeed.