Chapter Text
“Close your eyes, Henry.”
“I’m not going to fall for that again.”
“Baby,” Alex giggles, trying to hide the excitement in his voice, hands gliding from his neck to his eyes. “It’s not going to be like the last time. I swear,” he assures, even though Alex is grinning like an idiot.
There’s something different about his smile. As a matter of fact, there has been something different about Alex the entire day. All of this excitement is trying to bubble out of him. Henry assumed it was for Jane’s birthday party, because Alex had talked about it constantly for weeks.
Alex was the one who suggested doing a horse and space theme party, searching for different party decorations online for days. He paid Amy’s wife to bake Jane a cake with an astronaut girl riding a horse. Henry even knew Alex’s birthday present for her, because just last week he asked if it was okay to buy them tickets to visit the Space Center in Houston.
All leading up to today, Jane’s birthday. They planned that for Jane’s sake, Henry would keep her away from the house so June, Nora and Alex could decorate it. Alex would pick them up in the afternoon when the party was ready and surprise her. But just at the last minute, June asked Henry to pick up more confetti from the store, so Alex took Jane until they were all ready.
“You’re gonna like this surprise, I promise,” Alex continues. He suspects his surprise is affiliated with Jane’s birthday party. Maybe Henry should have checked the decorations before he left, but now it’s too late.
“Fair enough,” Henry sighs. He might as well accept his fate. Alex gives him a reassuring look as he stretches his hands over his face.
“Keep your eyes closed. I’ll just open the front door.” One pair of hands disappear, and he hears keys jingling, the door unlocking.
There’s odd charged tension when Alex guides him inside.
“That’s it. Take one more step forward.”
“Love, you’re very sweet but I’ve been to my own house –” Henry starts, but his sentence is cut off by a soft giggle nearby. It’s too low of a giggle to belong to Jane, and the vocalisation of it seems awfully familiar.
“Just turn around and you’re in the living room.”
“Alex, I do know where my living room is.” As soon as he says it, his knee bumps into a lamp, being moved there for some reason, because normally it shouldn’t be so close to the wall. “Son of a –”
In that very second, Alex’s hands slip away, and a bright light fills up the room.
“Surprise!”
Henry flinches upon the sight, not believing it at first. His entire family is standing by the living room with the biggest smiles on their faces: his mom, Bea, Percy and in the corner: Philip and Martha with their tiny new-born baby in her arms.
“Wait, what?”
Jane rushes to wrap her arms around Henry’s legs, wearing a brand new purple dress he hasn’t seen before, pigtails with rainbow hair ties and a headband that says ‘Birthday Girl’ in glittery letters.
“We surprised you, daddy,” she giggles.
“You sure did, love.” Henry lifts her up from the ground, giving her half of a hug before he’s being squashed by his entire family. There’s laughter and tears overlapping, while he’s pulled him into a bone-crushing hug.
“We missed you, Henry.”
“I missed the most,” Catherine sobs into Henry’s neck.
“Mum, no more crying. You already cried putting up the cake,” Bea jokes, hand stroking Henry’s shoulders.
“I can’t believe you’re all here.”
“Alex’s idea,” Bea answers, with a chippery tone. “He helped a bit with the planning.”
Henry turns his neck to see Alex, beside Elena, watching them with a massive proud grin on his face. Henry’s heart is overflowing with happiness, so much happiness he couldn’t ever know having inside of him.
“A bit?” His brows scoot up, offended. “If it weren’t for me, all of you would have arrived with different flights in different days, not to mention –”
“Allright, allright,” Bea laughs, stopping him. “Alex helped a lot. Better?”
“Mmh,” he hums in agreement.
Henry can’t contain the warm chuckle in him, when his family pulls away from the tight hug. He looks at each of his family member with fondness, and can't stop the tears wetting his eyes.
“Crying is strictly forbidden,” Bea deadpans determinedly, pointing at Henry.
“Thought it only applied to mum.”
“Applies to all of us,” Bea argues.
“Not to mention crying is very unattractive,” Percy quips. Henry takes a closer look at Percy, who’s wearing an all white hoodie and sweats, very unlike him. “I know what you’re thinking, Hazza. I look utterly horrific. I can’t be blamed, having less than 24 hours to plan the outfits.”
“You need at least 2-3 business days,” Henry jokes.
“At least,” Percy agrees, Henry opening his arms to give another hug to Percy.
“Rather clingy, aren’t you?”
“Oh, shut it. You missed me.”
“Not in the slightest,” Percy laughs warmly, patting his back.
“Okay. No more crying. Let’s have some cake, shall we?”
“Cake, cake!” Jane claps her hands excitedly. Percy gives a soft nod to him, before eyeing Alex with approval eyes. Catherine stays beside him, her hand around Henry’s waist, giving him another squeeze.
“I’m so proud of you, Henry,” she whispers.
“What did I just tell you?” Bea’s eyes widen, seeing the tears that fog up on Henry’s eyes.
“No. More. Crying.”
“Okay, okay. I’ll try my best.”
Bea gives him a happy smile. “You better.”
“Come along, then. Time for cake,” Philip says with a fond smile. Behind in the kitchen, Henry catches June lighting up a birthday cake. Alex helps her to carry it to the living room, all of them singing happy birthday to Jane.
He promised Bea he wouldn’t cry, but the sight makes his eyes blurry with tears again. They planned Jane’s birthday nearly a month ahead in great detail, and Alex never mentioned anything about inviting his family. The thought would have never occurred to him, not this soon anyway. Henry planned to go visit London latest by the Christmas holidays, so the surprise totally took him by surprise.
Seeing his entire family, happily singing Happy Birthday to Jane, makes him a bit emotional. Jane blows the candles, and Henry feels a hand hooking around him. Alex pulls him hip to hip with a happy smile on his face. He doesn’t say anything, not needing to. This is all Henry ever wanted, causing him to be speechless in the moment. Catherine helps to cut a slice of the birthday cake to Jane, but she lifts her eyes up to Henry. Her eyes drift to Alex for a second, before back to Henry, with the kindest smile on her face.
He knows Alex has already gotten his family’s approval.
Catherine resumes to cut slices of cake for everyone while June pours fruit punch into his finest glasses. Elena and Jane seem to enjoy the cake the most, it being filled with mainly sugar and candies. Percy starts his usual yapping about everything Henry missed about his work gossip, until Bea complains about his lengthy story. They start bickering if they were siblings, Henry starting to clear up the living room table from the dishes.
“No need,” Alex says, sweeping the pile of plates from his hands. “I’ll take care of these. You should spend time with your family.”
Henry’s eyes soften. “Thank you, Alex.”
“Ahem,” Philip’s voice coughs nearby. “I was wondering if you wanted to meet someone.”
Henry turns his gaze to Philip, with a small baby boy in his arms.
“Hi,” Henry waves at the baby, who can barely keep his eyes open.
“Want to hold your nephew?”
Henry nods. Philip gives him to Henry’s arms, carefully taking him and holding his small head.
“Meet Arthur,” Philip says proudly. Henry looks up to his brother. He promised himself he wouldn’t cry anymore.
“You named him after dad?”
“I think he would have liked it.”
“I know he would have,” Henry says, looking at the small boy in his arms. The resemblance to Philip is uncanny, but he can see glimpses of Martha in his eyes. “Such a handsome boy, isn’t he?”
“I’m sorry,” Philip says genuinely, that catches Henry off guard. “I was too distracted with Martha’s pregnancy and preparing ourselves with Arthur’s birth, that I didn’t – I should have realized your situation much sooner. I’m truly sorry, Henry.”
“Philip, it’s okay.”
“It isn’t okay. I haven’t been able to sleep since, though, Arthur helps with that too,” he chuckles, but quickly gathers himself. “I’m never going to forgive myself for not seeing how unhappy you were, Henry. How can I call myself your brother, when I didn’t see how bad things were for you?”
“To be honest, nobody knew. I didn’t tell anyone, because I didn’t want you to worry about me,” Henry reveals, staring back at baby Arthur, opening his blue eyes to stare at Henry. “I sometimes think how different things would have been if I left sooner, if I told you, or if I never met him in the first place. I used to stay awake at nights thinking about all the what if’s, until I realized none of it matters.” Arthur coos and babbles, Henry gently stroking his chubby baby cheeks. “Besides, if I had done things differently, I wouldn’t have met him.”
Philip gives him a warm smile, but his eyes drift behind him. Henry looks over his shoulder to see Alex animatedly chatting with Percy and Bea while drying the plates.
“I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone quite like him,” Philip says.
“Me neither.”
“He cares a great deal about you.”
“I know.”
Philip turns his eyes back to Henry. “I know you will be very happy here, Henry, both you and Jane. I do hope that eventually things will go back to normal.”
“They already have. This past month.. it’s been hard, but at the same time, I’ve never been happier,” Henry says, smiling at Philip. “I’ve also started going to therapy. It’s helped a lot.”
“That’s very good. I’m proud of you, Henry.”
“What are you two hens gossiping about?” Bea lurks in, eyes invested at their conversation.
“Nothing that concerns you, dear sister,” Philip says back.
“Jane wants to start opening her presents,” Bea says, pointing back at her, already shaking and listening to the presents by the couch.
So they walk back to the living room. Jane’s eyes are big and bright when she starts opening and tearing the gift wraps from the presents in haste. It’s mostly horse themed clothes and new toys, Catherine buying her new set of headphones, Percy giving her a horse embroidered hoodie and jeans.
Alex gives her a letter, tearing the letter with a confused face, until she reads the tickets. “Space.. Center.. Houston?” She slowly reads, and when she understands, her eyes lighten up. “Really? Can we go, daddy?”
“Of course we can, honey.”
“Can we go tomorrow?”
“It’s not that close, love, so we’ll have to plan it in advance, but I’m sure we could go in a few weeks.”
Jane giggles joyfully, jumping to Alex’s lap to give him a hug. The sight melts Henry’s heart, and his mother and Bea aww in unison.
“Thank you, Alex.”
“You’re welcome, honey,” Alex says, patting her back, eyes drifting to Henry. “Now won’t you go open your dad’s present?”
Jane leaps off his arms to Henry. He lifts the last unopened present from the floor, Jane messily opening it. She opens the box, taking out a helmet. Her blue eyes study the soft covered helmet for a second.
“Here,” Henry says, taking the small paper from the box. He shows it to her, her eyes reading the text.
“Horse.. riding?”
“Yes, horse riding lessons. There’s a horse farm not too far away from here, a teaching course for young children –”
“Oh, daddy,” Jane squeals, dropping the helmet to throw her arms around him. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
“You’re welcome, honey. I knew you would like it.”
“I got a horse!”
“Well, actually, no...”
“Let her have this, honey,” Catherine chuckles, and they all watch how she starts running around the living room with the horse helmet on her head. The energy and joy that bubbles out of her is so infectious, and Jane is so energetic that she can’t seem to sit down. She and Elena start a game of tag around the house, Jane never taking off the helmet.
They spend the afternoon catching up, Henry’s heart full with the sight of his family in his living room. He knew he had talked about missing his family with Alex, but he never imagined him organizing them coming here and surprising them for Jane’s birthday.
“Totally see why you moved here,” Percy’s teasing voice says, sitting on the arm of his chair. His eyes linger on Alex, rummaging the kitchen to find tea cups.
“I met him after I got here.”
“But it’s not a bad sight to look at, is it,” Percy says. “Speaking of which, I would like to know how the two of you met.”
“I also want to know that story,” Bea joins, leaning her head from the couch. Henry looks back to the kitchen, seeing his mom helping Alex prepare the tea, saying something that makes Alex smile and briefly glance back at Henry.
“Well, it was a pure coincidence. I was driving to Austin with Jane, and the car broke down. He was the one who found us and gave us a ride to Chestnut Creek.”
“You can’t expect me to believe that’s the story,” Percy huffs in disbelief.
“Sounds very romantic,” Bea comments with a dreamy voice.
“I mean, we did have a rocky start because Jane got into a bit of a fight with his niece, but since we wanted them to become friends, we needed to spend time together. He was also my neighbour and teaches at the same school, so we sort of had to meet each other. Alex is.. very spontaneous and charismatic, there was something very irresistible about him. And he has the kindest heart I’ve ever witnessed.“
“He’s also rather good looking,” Percy teases. Henry jostles him with an elbow to the ribs, falling off the chair. “Oi! What was that for?”
“Anyway, you know how it goes.”
“You’re right about his heart. When he called us and suggested this, I knew he was a good man,” Bea says. “And the moment we met him, the way he spoke about you, we all knew how much he loves you.”
“I know that very well,” Henry smiles. He can’t seem to tear his eyes from Alex, who’s pouring tea into a line of cups. He slowly moves his eyes back to his sister. “He’s helped me a lot these past weeks, helping me move on the whole thing with Ben, starting therapy. It’s helped me a lot to process everything that happened.”
“I’m really proud of you, Hen.”
“Everyone keeps saying that,” he answers, looking at his hands. “I don’t know if it’s true.”
“You need to talk about these things,” Percy joins, suddenly with a completely calm tone, sitting beside Bea. “Sometimes it’s much easier to talk with a stranger than with the people you love.”
“It’s always been easy to talk with Alex,” Henry explains, eyeing back at him, spreading biscuits to a plate. “But he suggested seeing a therapist, and when I got past the first awkward sessions, I started to realise all of my bottled-up feelings about everything I went through with Ben. She made me realise that just because they might never fully go away, doesn’t mean I can’t move on.”
“She’s absolutely right,” Percy agrees, adjusting his hoodie collars.
“We were so worried about you,” Bea says, offering her hand to Henry. “We knew it was the right thing for you to move here, but having you and Jane so far away.. I think mum worried the most. We knew it wasn’t easy, especially with the whole incident with Ben… but I think moving to Austin was the right choice. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this happy, Hen.”
“I don’t think I would have survived without Alex. He’s been so wonderful, not just with me, but also with Jane.” Another glance, Alex is laughing at something Catherine said to him. “He cares so much for her, it’s almost like he’s treating her like she’s his own daughter.”
“Soon enough she’ll start calling him daddy too,” Percy cracks a joke: Henry is used to his offensive jokes, and part of him is grateful how he can change the very serious topic in a matter of seconds. He’s actually missed Percy’s dreadful remarks. Bea nudges him with her elbow. “Ow! What’s with you two? I’m only speaking facts.”
“Shut it. Can’t you see we were having a moment?”
“I’m just saying that she probably hears the way Henry calls him daddy, so –”
“God,” Henry interrupts him with a gasp, gesturing him to shut his mouth when seeing Alex and Catherine walk with servings of tea.
Jane and Elena start a game of hide and seek, while the rest of them enjoy a cosy evening with tea. It doesn’t go undetected the way his family responds to Alex when he brings the tea and biscuits, when he starts talking how Henry convinced him to drink tea instead of coffee, when he plunges off the couch to go brew them another set of tea.
“They’re already really fond of you,” Henry says when he steps into the kitchen. Alex stares at the bubbles increasing inside the kettle, ignoring him. “You don’t need to do this to impress them.”
“I’m not impressing anyone,” he replies, eyes slowly off the boiling kettle.
“So the reason you kept going on about your love for tea is not to impress my very British, tea-loving family?”
Alex spins around, leaning against the counter, arms crossed. “Absolutely not. I’m actually offended that you think I would do something like that.”
“So you’re not doing this to please me?”
“Why would I want to please you in any way?”
“You did last night,” Henry jeers, Alex trying very hard to resist a grin containing his glee. “You seemed more than keen to do that, if I recall correctly.”
“Your memory isn’t what it used to be.”
“Is that so?” Henry leans in, Alex straightening his back and pushing himself against the counter. “Maybe I should remind you.”
“Your family is right behind us,” he notes, eyes drifting behind him. Henry shakes his head amusedly, opening his arms to welcome Alex in. Alex immediately hugs him back, arms around him.
“Thank you,” Henry whispers devotedly to his neck. It results in Alex stroking his back, burying his face in his chest. He feels a faint press of his lips on his jawline.
“Here I was thinking what’s possibly taking the tea so long,” Bea’s taunting voice says behind them. They don’t pull away from the hug, simply turn to look at her. “But I suppose I got my answer.”
“Give it five more minutes,” Alex mutters, hand pulling Henry against his chest.
“I’m not letting your canoodling ruin my second cup of tea.”
“She has a point, you know.”
Alex gives Henry a long look, his expression softening a fraction. “Hm. I guess you’re right.” Alex gives him a peck on the lips, steps back from the embrace to take the kettle. He exchanges a look with Bea, before walking back to the living room.
Henry lets the happiness fill in his heart, enjoying the cosy and intimate night with his family. He doesn’t know when he’s going to get this again. Bea says they’ll be staying over the weekend, but it’s not nearly enough time with them. When he asks about if they booked a hotel, Alex explains that they can stay over at his house and June’s if necessary. Since Alex spends most of his nights at Henry’s, his house is more than prepared for them.
A couple hours later June disappears to make their beds ready, his mother and Philip and Martha going to stay at Alex’s house. Bea decides to use his guest bedroom, which leaves Percy who says he’s more than fine using the pull-out couch in Henry’s living room.
Henry would love nothing more than to continue the evening, but once he tucked Jane to bed, he starts to see the drowsy eyes and long yawns. The flight from all the way to London, and the traveling to Austin, has taken its toll for everyone.
“I’ll walk them over,” Henry says to Alex when Philip is halfway through the door. Martha already left a couple hours ago to put baby Arthur to sleep. Alex takes his keys from his pocket, throwing them to Henry without a second thought.
Henry guides them to Alex’s house, showing the way to their bedrooms. Martha is already asleep in Alex’s bedroom, next to a crib they borrowed from June. Henry has never been much of a hugger with Philip, so it surprises him when he comes to hug before wishing good night.
He knows Philip will always feel partly to blame for the situation, but Henry hopes that one day he can convince him that it wasn’t his fault. He smiles when he closes the door, guiding Catherine to the guest bedroom.
“He’s a keeper,” his mom whispers to his neck, when she pulls from a hug. “I’ve never seen you like this, Henry.”
“I’m very happy.”
“I can see that.”
“I’m so happy all of you are here, even if it's just for this weekend.”
“I know it would be too much to ask you to move back,” her eyes look down, conflicted. “Seeing how happy you are here. You and Jane. She’s just started school, has friends.. I couldn’t possibly ask you to leave all that behind. I can see you have built a great life here.”
“We could come spend Christmas in London, stay until New Year’s,” Henry suggests, Catherine smiling.
“I like the sound of that.”
“I’m sure Jane would love it too.”
“Alex would be coming too, I assume?”
“I’ll have to talk with him, but I’m sure he would love to.”
“I’m so happy for you,” his mom says, giving him another hug.
“Mum, please. I need to get back.”
“Allright, then. See you in the morning. I love you.”
“Love you too, mum. Sleep well.”
Henry walks out of Alex's house, with a happy dwelling in his chest. He looks how the sun dips below the horizon, pink and orange sky reflecting off the roof of the houses. He’s certain he’s never felt this much happiness within a day.
“...how lucky you are,” Percy’s voice says, Henry stopping his steps by the doorway. He leaves the door hanging open.
“You mean Henry?” Alex’s voice asks. Henry freezes in the hallway. “I know that.”
“There’s very few selected people who deserve him,” Percy continues, voice hard.
Alex lets out a relaxed chuckle. “I already got the big sister protection from Bea. I can assure you –”
“I’m not Bea,” Percy cuts off firmly. “I want to know what your intentions are with him.”
There’s a moment of silence. “My number one priority is Henry’s happiness,” Alex says, voice severe. “I only want what’s best for him and Jane. As long as they’re happy, that’s all that matters to me.”
“Even if they wanted to come back to London?”
“I love Henry,” Alex declares, without hesitation. “If going back to London is what makes him happy, then by all means, he should move back to London.”
“Hm.”
“Though I think we both know that’s not what he wants.” There’s another moment of silence. “Have I passed your test now?”
“He’s right,” Percy finally says. “You’re very persuasive.”
“He said that?”
“Oh, wipe that stupid grin off your face. I’m still not convinced.”
“Never thought you would interrogate me this way.”
“I’m not that easily convinced like his family. Just because you paid for the plane tickets doesn't make me automatically like you.”
Alex paid their plane tickets.
“If you don’t like me, that’s fine, as long as Henry –”
Henry purposely closes the door louder than usual, to make them hear he’s back. He hates to eavesdrop on their conversation any longer. He paces to the kitchen, finding Percy leaning on the island, Alex doing the dishes. In fact, the entire living room is cleared out from trash and dishes.
“Everything okay with the beds?” Alex asks over his shoulder.
“Yes, thank you. They settled in well. I hope Arthur won’t keep them awake.”
“I still think he should have named him differently,” Percy comments, straightening his back.
“Well, it’s their child. They are entitled to name him as they please.”
“You deserved to name your next child after your father.”
“It could very well be a girl,” Henry points out.
“I didn’t know you wanted more kids,” Alex notes, drying a teacup in his hands. Percy’s slow, dramatic gaze turns to Henry.
“I’m.. not sure. Possibly.”
“What are you talking about? You always talked about wanting a big family.”
“Pez,” Henry scoffs, giving him a hard look. He innocently shrugs his shoulders.
“What?”
“No, that’s cool,” Alex says, taking another teacup and wiping it dry.
“It is?”
“Totally. You sometimes forget I’m a teacher too, and I’ve always wanted kids. I would love to have a big family.”
Henry shares a long, warm look with Alex until Percy starts coughing loudly. “Need a glass of water, Pez?”
“No, it’s fine,” he suddenly stops the coughing. “I should tuck myself in, long trip and all that. If you guys want to get it on, just say the word. I have noise-canceling headphones with me.”
Henry stares at his best friend with a frown. “Anyway,” he clears his throat. “I’ll go check on Jane.”
He gives Percy a final look before disappearing upstairs. He carefully creeps her bedroom door open, seeing her calmly sleeping in her bed. She has collected her birthday presents around the bed, but she hugs her horse helmet in her sleep, which makes Henry smile from ear to ear.
He never thought he could have this much happiness booming his chest.
“I’m sorry about Pez,” Henry says when they settle in for bed. “He’s always been like that.”
“That’s fine. He’s one interesting character, though.”
“Yeah, I know. And about the kids... I didn’t mean it.”
“Oh, you didn’t? Huh.” Alex rotates onto his back on the bed. “I meant it.”
It takes Henry aback for a moment, watching Alex stretch his arms on the bed. “You did?”
“Absolutely.”
“Don’t you think it’s rather early to talk about kids?”
“Hm. I dunno. We’ve never been that subtle about our feelings, have we? But if this topic makes you feel uncomfortable..”
“No, no. It’s okay. I just meant.. we’ve only known each other for two months.”
“Jane thought we were getting married just after a few times we met,” Alex recalls with a grin on his face. “I would say we were never really casual to begin with.”
“She was only six, Alex.”
“Truth does come from children’s mouths,” Alex babbles on, but suddenly rolls further on the bed with a serious look. “I didn’t mean that we should get married. Not that I don’t want to, I’m.. god, sorry. All I meant was –”
“Alex,” Henry whispers, stroking his cheek.
“Sorry. I just meant that I want us to have a future, a future we both want, whatever that might be. Because I want to have a future with you, Henry. You and Jane.”
“I’m not sure what will happen in the future, but I do want that, one day,” Henry admits. “As long as I have you, as long as we’re together, that’s all that matters to me.”
“God, I love you so much,” Alex declares, looping an arm around Henry.
“I love you more.”
Henry has never been in love. At least not in the way he is in love with Alex. All the crushes and relationships he had before, were nothing compared to the love he has for this man. He can never fully understand the love Alex has for Henry, just as intense, possibly even more. The thought sometimes scared him, that there was a chance that Alex loved him more than he did.
But Henry knows he’s going to spend the rest of his life proving Alex wrong, and he’s going to start from this very night.
They spend the weekend with his family, catching up with everything that has happened. He notices his mom talking about everything except one certain word. Every now and then, he sees the concern creeping on her or his sister’s face, but it’s not there longer than a few seconds.
Henry knows why his mom doesn’t mention what happened, and he’s somewhat relieved. Henry doesn’t want to dwell in the past. This weekend has proved that he longs for the upcoming days, the future he wants to have with Alex. Alex doesn’t mention the word kids or marriage again, but he can’t get that thought out of his head. Because the moment he sees Alex holding baby Arthur in his arms, with the most gentle and kind smile, Henry knows it’s something he wants. He shares a look with Martha, they never really had much to say to each other, but in her eyes he sees the same realization.
Alex is the one. The one.
It might be long in the future, it might take years when they’re ready for that, and they most definitely need to have a serious discussion about it – but Henry knows he wants it. He never thought a future like this could even be an option, a possibility for him. Now, with Alex and his family here, he sees it, crystal clear.
One day he wants to marry Alex, one day he wants to have another child with him, he wants Jane to have a big, loving family around her.
That’s all he ever craved for.
“No crying,” Bea tuts when they pull back from the flurry of hugs.
“I’m not,” Catherine assures, even her eyes wet prickling with tears.
“As much as I would love to stay, “ Philip points out with a baby bottle in his hands. “The flight boards soon.”
“I hate to leave you, Henry,” Catherine’s voice trembles, but her eyes catch something behind him.
“I know, mum, and I wish you could stay, but it’s going to be okay. I’ll be fine.”
“I know you’re going to be well taken care of,” she smiles, eyes behind him. Henry takes a look and sees Alex waiting by the car, leaning against it with a warm smile on his face. He wanted Henry to have a moment alone saying goodbye to them. “I know you and Jane will be very happy in Austin.”
“We could come to London when we have a weekend off, before Christmas.”
“Hen, it’s fine,” Philip chips in, taking Arthur into his arms. “We know you’re safe and happy here. It’s more than fine with us.”
“You have built a happy life here in Austin,” Bea joins with a cheery smile. “You deserve to enjoy that. You deserve this, Henry.”
“Thank you, Bea. Really, that means a lot.”
“You guys are so emotional,” Percy complains behind them, adjusting his coat with a pile of passports. “Your bags are all checked-in, by the way. You’re welcome.”
“We really have to get going,” Philip clears his throat.
“Pip’s right, and I want to check the duty free skincare products, though I am not holding my breath for Texas’s selection.”
“Allright. Off you go then.”
“How dare you,” Percy huffs, but comes to give Henry a hug. “I gave him my protection speech, so don’t worry,” he whispers to his ear. “If he ever gives you a hard time, just give me a call. I’m only one plane ticket away.”
“Appreciate that, Pez. Now go or you’ll be late.”
His mother gives him a last hug and kisses his cheek, Henry waving at them, watching them go through the gates to the line for the security. He stays there for a while, before he turns around and sees Alex.
“Come on,” Alex gives him a comforting smile, opening his arms for him. “Let’s go home and have a nice cup of tea.”
“You know just the right words,” Henry mutters into his neck.
“You’re gonna love it. I have upgraded my selection of teas.”
Henry snort-giggles, holding back a smile. “You can’t stay things like that in public, Alex.”
“Why not?” He arches his eyebrows curiously, catching Henry’s gaze. “Oh. You mean – oh.”
Alex adds to say something, but Jane taps on the car’s window. “Allright, let’s get going. I bet Jane’s hungry.”
Henry gives him a smile, patting Alex’s ass before hopping inside the car. Alex is left speechless, blinking his eyes a few times when he gets back to reality.
They drive back, the house feeling quiet and empty without Henry’s family. It doesn’t stay quiet more than twenty minutes, when June brings Elena over so she can go for her book club. Elena and Jane start chasing each other, creating a game similar to tag. Henry’s halfway relieved, because oddly enough, he finds comfort in the sounds of happy children laughing and giggling. Alex helps him prepare dinner, with flirty glances and innuendos that fortunately go past the girl's innocent minds.
It’s not until very late that night, way past midnight, Henry can’t sleep. Lucky for him, Alex is always happy to help with his insomnia.
”Alex, you…” Henry pants into the shell of his ear. He lets out a frustrated moan, Alex completely ignoring him, stroking his cock even faster inside his underwear. The pressure starts building up, slow and steady, in his stomach.
Alex’s mouth wanders down and starts to leave marks on his hips while his hands work slowly at Henry’s pajamas bottoms. He’s pushing up against Alex, trying to get some sort of friction, when his thumbs dig into Alex’s hips, pulling him toward him, Alex sliding a wet tongue against his underwear. Henry’s fingers curl in his hair as he tries to control thrusting against him, but he glances at Alex, with the sexiest look on his face.
”You’re driving me crazy, baby,” he growls with annoyance, hand sneaking inside his underwear, pulling him out. A gurgling noise is the best Henry can do to answer, when his lips place gentle kisses where his hands were seconds ago.
Alex plants a quick kiss on the red tip. ”God,” Henry groans, letting him be pushed against the pillows, head falling back against them.
He likes this eager, desperate, yearning side of Alex. Having to suffer the entire weekend without sex, does make a man desperate. His lips drag across his tip, amazed, every touch of his makes a fire aflame, ready to explode inside of Henry.
They’re breathless, sweaty and Henry is clenching himself tighter around him. His hips roll of their own accord, eyes slipping shut and a deep whimper spilling out of him. Alex clutches at his thighs, nails digging in and Henry’s hips begin to roll against him, harder and more insistently than before, pulling a hiss from Alex.
“Henry,” Alex chokes out, hand dropping to squeeze Henry’s ass. “Do you want to –”
“Yes,” he stops his sentence short with a desperate whine.
Alex presses his open lips on the spot of his neck he knows Henry is weak for, darting his tongue out to lick lightly at the heated skin. Henry tosses himself around the bed, coming on top of Alex. He sees the split second of disorientation on Alex’s face, until his face melts into a loving smirk.
One of the things Henry grew to love was Alex letting him be on top, to be able to feel Alex's cock in him. This very angle, slotting himself in place and hearing Alex slip out a growl deep from the base of his throat, riding his ass to make Alex buck himself against him – makes Henry go utterly feral.
He drops his head, brushing his lips against the side of Alex's neck, not really able to reach but not caring: not when Alex is sucking at the skin over his collarbone and whimpering, humming, doing something that makes his whole body vibrate.
Arms tightly around Henry’s waist, so his nails sink into his skin, causing him to thrust harder. Fastening the bouncing speed, Alex leans into him, burying face into his neck. He slips his mouth lower, wrapping his lips around Henry’s earlobe, smiling around it when Alex gasps loudly and thrust his hips up against him in a jagged jolt.
“Henry,” Alex whines, rolling his shoulder up to nudge Henry’s head away from his heart. “Henry.” He stares deep into his eyes for one second before kissing him again, hard and needy, when he feels a hard thrust – finding a spot that makes Alex let out a moan mixed with gag.
“So c-close,” Henry gasps, panting hard, thrusting deeper. “I’m so – god, I can’t –”
“Baby.” That single word, four letters and two tiny syllabes seemed to always be Henry’s undoing. Alex pulls Henry’s face against him, kissing him sloppily yet hard, tongue sliding to the back of Henry’s throat. Alex moans into his mouth, hands curled all the way around his ass cheeks, fingertips pressing sharply into his inner thighs.
It’s like Henry has tunnel vision, only focusing on Alex. His eyes roll back and his hips slam forward, an orgasm ten times more intense than any before rockets through him. The tension and stress that Henry has been carrying for the last weeks, probably the last six months, finally releases.
He blinks away the tears fogging his vision, burying his mouth into the side of Alex’s neck, trembling all over as his release plays itself out, seeming to take hours. He’s only dimly aware of Alex’s body practically convulsing under him the same way.
Henry collapses against Alex, every bit of his weight pressing him into the mattress. His chest heaves beneath him, feeling a heartbeat slamming, maybe it’s his own, he isn’t entirely sure. Alex is still whining a little, with every few breaths, soft little sound of mingled awe and contentment. He can feel one of Alex’s hands stroking very gently up and down his side, until Alex takes his face, kissing him deep and slow.
Alex smiles vibrantly. He’s a blurred image of fluffy hair and scrunched eyebrows and flat mouth. A mouth that was just on him. His cheeks pinken, and Henry likes that color on him.
Henry makes his life goal to achieve Alex to look this happy every day.
The sun sits heavy across the back of Henry’s neck as he glides up the hill of Chestnut Creek, the hill where he can see all the way to his home. To his left and right, he sees children flooding out of their houses for games of tag, a flock of children drawing all over the sidewalks in bright-colored chalk. He turns his head past the school building, a child screeching “Cannonball!” and the pool’s water splashes loud. All signs of the summer vacation starting for the children, enjoying their well-deserved freedom.
Henry gets to sit fifteen minutes, enjoying the sounds of summer, when he sees Alex climbing up the hill. He’s in a pair of tropical-print board shorts and plain blue T-shirt, but his hair’s impeccably swoopy and bounces as he half-jogs to him. He always managed to make his casual outfit look absolutely stunning, and he claimed he never styled his hair but it always looked perfect.
A giant smile wrinkles in his face. “Hey, Henry.”
“Hi, love.”
“What are you doing here?” he asks, when he kneels to sit beside Henry. He hugs Henry for a considerable amount of time, like they didn’t see each other just two hours ago when they visited Ellen’s restaurant, because Alex had been helping out on the weekends. “June said she saw you walking this way.”
“Just thinking.”
“Highly dangerous,” Alex jokes, rubbing Henry’s back in soothing circles. He keeps his arm looped around Henry, smelling like summer’s heat and thin layer of something else: strange combination of caramel and bananas.
“My mom made maduros,” his voice says, showing a bag in his hand. “She’s testing them for the restaurant. I’ve eaten so many that I can’t tell the difference between patch one or patch twenty-one.”
Alex pops one in his mouth, then scoops out one for Henry. Henry opens his mouth, his hand staying there to rub his cheek when he swallows the piece.
“They’re good.”
“You wouldn’t last an hour,” Alex laughs genuinely, hand lowering. “She smacks me whenever I don’t describe her maduros as ‘pieces of heaven’ or ‘this one needs just a sprinkle more caramel’.”
His lips twitch upward. “Can’t really blame her. She’s a woman who wants to ensure her food is high quality.”
“That she is.” He pops two more pieces in his mouth before wiping the grease on his shorts. Alex slouches against Henry’s shoulder, head into his. “We better get going. Mom said the dinner shouldn’t take much longer.”
“Well, I know it’s not wise to upset your mother, especially when food is involved.”
“I suppose, but..” Alex coughs into the crook of his elbow. “Five more minutes won’t hurt.” Between the minimal space separating them, hands locked, Henry drinks the beautiful landscape in front of him. His gaze doesn’t seem to focus on the sight for a long time, when he turns over to Alex. The sight is much more beautiful than anything else.
“Come on, love. I heard Percy just arrived. He if anyone won’t forget if we’re late,” he softly nudges Alex.
“For someone with more bags than anyone should carry, he is one punctual dude.”
“My goodness. If you value your life, don’t ever let him know you called him a dude,” Henry cracks a joke, helping Alex up from the ground.
“Duly noted.”
Alex drives them to the park with the pond: the very same place where they shared their first kiss. It's a memorable place for him, because they’ve shared a date or two here, and plenty of weekends with Jane.
A hint of smoke lingers in the air with the smell of barbecue oil filling up his nostrils, no doubt from the grill set by Alex’s family. Crickets have begun their evening orchestral performance, and a bird screeches above him. Charcoal clouds gather in the sky over the park, but there’s a golden glitter reflecting off the lake’s surface. It belongs to none other than Percy, wearing a silver-sequined jacket that glows like a beacon in the park.
“Mate, aren’t you hot in all that?” Henry asks, gesturing to his jacket. Percy twirls once, the hems of the jacket fanning out in a dramatic swirl.
“Fashion demands sacrifices,” he smiles confidently. “Que guapo, no?”
Next to him, June smacks patties onto the grill next to stuffed vegetables. “He’s completely useless,” June grumbles annoyedly, filling a patty over the grill. “Tell me that you at least brought the BBQ sauce I asked for?”
“Good day to you too, sis,” Alex taunts with a roll of eyes.
“I asked you one thing, Alejandro.”
“Gez, calm down, Bug,” he waves his hand, lifting up a tote bag. “I’ve got it right here.”
“Thanks,” she says, taking the tote bag from his hands. Jane runs behind the grill with Elena, past the round wooden picnic table, in a carefree giggle.
“Jane sweetheart, stay close.”
“Yes, dad,” she giggles, widely waving at Elena.
“You need a hand there, June?”
Most of June’s hair is piled on her head, but a few pieces fall around her face like black vines. She has tossed her light purple scrubs with sunflowers against the sundeck chair, she just came from a shift at the hospital.
June has been volunteering at the hospital ever since the incident last year, and there’s wordless respect between them. Henry has always loved June, the way she’s around Jane, how Elena and Jane have become inseparable for the last year.
“I’m good,” June faintly smiles. “But thanks anyway.”
“Don’t be offended, babe. The women of the Diaz family never want anyone to interrupt their cooking.” June focuses on scraping the grill before whipping another set of patties on the grill.
“Speaking of which, mom should be here any minute now,” June lifts her head up from the grill, dark grease all over her forehead and cheeks. “Need to get my hands on her maduro recipe.”
“Good luck getting that. Mom’s convinced they’re gonna be the next top-seller at the restaurant. So there’s no way she’s giving you the recipe.”
“Have a little more faith in me, dear brother. I’ve gotten recipes out of her before, this won’t be any different.”
“Whatever.” His hand tugs at Henry, who looks at the table clearing. “You’re gonna love this, baby. It’s a Claremont-Diaz tradition to start summers here.”
June’s head perks up, ponytail swinging. “It is?”
“Yeah, obviously. We do this every summer when the school closes.”
“Obviously,” June tries to repeat the same tone.
“Should we set up the table?” Henry suggests, ignoring the sibling’s secrecy.
“Sounds good. I’ll get the plates.”
“Yohoo!” A distant voice calls. It’s Ellen, carrying a big pile of a picnic basket that’s overflowing with snacks and drinks. Oscar follows closely behind, with a warm smile. ”Sorry for being late, kids.”
Elena runs to her, Ellen giving her a side hug as she puts her picnic basket down. “Oh, hi there, sweetie. How are you?”
She lifts her head up, hugging Ellen’s leg. “Did you bring maduros? Uncle Alex says they’re delicious.”
“Does he now? Hm. Yes, I do think I got a few with me,” Ellen rummages a bagful from the basket.
“Mija, we’re saving them for after dinner,” June calls from the grill. Elena’s head slouches down with disappointment.
“Your mom’s right. Let’s save them for dessert, yes?”
“Okay,” Elena sighs reluctantly.
“Come on, boys. Let’s settle the table ready,” Ellen calls for them. Henry helps them fill the picnic table with too much food, Percy getting chased by Elena who wants to touch his jacket, and Alex taking Jane to a piggyback ride around the clearing, that’s too much of an adorable sight. He misses moments like these with his own family, because they can’t visit Austin as often as he’d like. He’s just pleased that the Claremont-Diaz family has accepted him as part of their family and Jane and Elena treat each other like sisters. He never thought that in less than a year of being here, he could enjoy cosy days like this in Austin.
“So when are you two moving in together?”
Henry tries to focus on cutting the hamburger for Jane to ignore Ellen’s comment.
“Mom,” Alex lets out a whine.
Ellen clicks her tongue as she takes a sip from her orange soda. “Amy tells me that the lights in your house are barely on, even for one day a week. I’m just saying it would be better, financially, to only have one house. I mean, what’s the point of having a house if you aren’t there?”
“Ma, just admit you’re the one who’s stalking me instead of putting blame on Amy,” Alex grits between his teeth, biting down a filled paprika, so most of the fillings fall to his plate.
“Your mother does have a point, mijo,” Oscar agrees, sharing a look.
“Mom stalks everyone,” June quips, slurping from her soda can. “And I do agree with them. It would be nice to know if I will need to bring Elena to your place or Henry’s. More often to Henry’s, it seems.”
Alex makes a face, showing his tongue. “Not you too, Bug?”
“Aren’t you living together already?”
“No,” Alex says.
“Sort of,” Henry says at the same time. Alex whisps his head to his direction, frowning, his brows nearly touching each other. “I mean, Ellen does have a point. Financially speaking, it doesn’t make sense to pay for electricity or water for a house you aren’t living in.”
“Exactly,” Ellen agrees with a pleased smile, but it doesn’t decrease Alex’s eyebrows. “And why wouldn’t you want to live together, since you already are?”
Alex scoots his gaze to Jane, who seems to be in her own world of imagination. She and Elena don’t pay any attention to the conversation, rather playing with their dolls on the corner of the table.
Henry knows she’s the reason he’s hesitating. They never officially talked about moving in. All of it happened so naturally, Alex just never left his home, because every night he stayed over. Now the mere thought of Alex spending the night at his own house seems impossible.
They didn’t need to talk about it. It felt so normal to have Alex around every day. Having to spend a day when Alex wasn’t there, was pure torture. So it wouldn’t exactly change anything if they made it official.
It was ridiculous that there was a thought in Alex’s head, thinking Jane wouldn’t be okay with him moving in, when he was already there every day. He was there when she woke up, made breakfast, and came back from school together. She had already gotten used to the everyday routines of them spending the days together.
Alex rubs his jaw with a thoughtful face. “I think mom should be more interested in what happens in June’s house than mine,” he says while licking his fingers clean from the sauce. “Like how Mr. Gomez’s son keeps visiting there every day.”
June’s eyes perk up with surprise. “Alex, don’t you even –”
“Rafael?” Oscar is suddenly very invested in the current conversation.
“It’s nothing, dad. I’ve asked him to do some repairs in the kitchen, that’s all. You remember when I said I wanted to do small renovations.”
“Every day?”
“That’s what a remodelling job is, Alex.”
“I’m not sure I recall you mentioning this, mija,” Oscar continues. “You should be more open about the people you’re dating. Me and your ma are more than fine with it. Aren’t we?”
“Why, yes,” Ellen agrees, but has a confused look.
“We’re not –” she emphasizes on each word, with heavy eyes. “dating.”
“June, sweetheart, it’s okay,” Ellen assures, but she scruffs her nose, jumping off her seat.
“You guys are unbelievable.” She storms off to the grill, starting to intensively clean it with a sponge.
“Should we –” Henry suggests, eyes in her direction.
“No, she’s always been like that,” Alex answers, rolling his eyes. “Always the dramatic one.”
“She’s the dramatic one?” Henry laughs, getting a weighty look from Alex. “All I’m saying, it explains where Elena gets her attitude from.”
“Nice save, baby,” Alex cackles, nudging his side with his elbow.
Summer evenings in Austin are a wonder. Like everything moves in slow-motion. The birds have quieted down, and even the cicadas that Henry grew to love are more subdued than usual. The heat is hotter than he’s used to, but there’s a light breeze pressing its way up from the south, guiding pink and purple clouds across the dimming sky.
Henry can’t believe that in a few more months it's been a year since he came to Austin with Jane. He was terribly scared and stressed the first weeks, but now those memories are only a faint memory in the back of his mind, getting more hazier by each day he spends with Alex. He has new, much better memories with him: Laughing until his sides hurt, long all-night conversations, sunrise tea runs to the local store when they run out of tea, museum dates and cosy nights cooking together with Jane.
It was never about the fancy dates, the dinners, just enjoying each other’s company and making each moment count. Making Henry feel safe, making him forget his past, making him move on. It doesn’t erase the fact what happened, or how he has recurring nightmares about that fateful day, or days when he is swallowed by his bed – but when those happen, he has Alex. Alex is there, he calms him down in ways Henry can never fully understand, how his simple presence takes his mind off the bad thoughts, flooding with a wave of safety. That in Alex’s arms, he’s safe.
The espresso machine hums on the first official evening of the summer, the radio’s soft discussion lapping in the background. Heat radiates from the concrete of the driveway, so even in a tank top and shorts, Henry feels like he’s melting.
Alex’s barefeet tap on the kitchen floor, arms coming to hug him from behind.
“You do realize this is the first time in months we’ve got the house for ourselves?” Alex’s words whisper to his ear, his breath making his neck ticklish. “Jane and Elena are having a sleepover to celebrate the summer vacation. Percy is also at June’s.”
“Our house?”
“Well, I know we haven’t exactly talked about it...”
“It’s what this is, isn’t it? You’re here everyday, we do everything together. You barely go to your own house. Your mom had a point at dinner.”
“I guess so.”
“Alex, I’m more than fine with it. Jane is too. We could just, you know, make it official.”
“I do like the sound of that. “
“Alex, I love you,” Henry replies, in all seriousness, looping his arms around Alex’s neck. “You have quite literally changed my life for the better since I came to Austin. I can’t picture my life without you in it, so of course I want to spend my life with you.”
“Woah,” Alex steps back a bit, with a troublesome smile on his mouth. “You sounded like you were about to propose.”
“One step at a time, love.”
Alex chuckles, leaning in to rest his forehead against Henry. “I love you so fucking much,” he whispers, arms tightening around Henry’s back.
Henry immerses himself in this. This moment right here. He craves for the soft, gentle moments with Alex. Those are the moments he’s loved most this past year – the way being with Alex is so easy, so natural. Loving him is the easiest thing in the whole world, and he couldn’t imagine doing anything else. Henry can imagine loving him for the rest of his life.
Henry lifts his eyes to meet Alex. “Most things are awful,” he answers, Alex adorably tilting his head, confused. “But you are good.”
“I can’t promise to love you perfectly,” Alex whispers back, a hand creeping on his back, to rub his shoulder blades. “But I can promise to love you endlessly.”
“You’re such a hopeless romantic,” Henry chuckles, the laugh coming from deep in his soul. They laugh together for a moment, Henry burying his head to the curve of Alex’s neck. He plays with his hair, planting a kiss to his jawline.
Henry settles in the embrace, hands pulling Alex’s face into him. He kisses him right there, in their kitchen, just the two of them against the world. He’s used to the mess of having his daughter running around in their legs, sometimes with Elena, not having a moment of peace or privacy. They have set a rule not to mess around when the girls are around, so it limits their intimate time together. The only exception is date nights, or sleepovers like this night. So Henry knows he wants to take every possible enjoyment of tonight they have together, just the two of them.
Alex detaches himself from his lips and relocates to the expanse of Henry’s neck, hanging his head back for better position. Alex directly moves to the spot, both knowing very well the spot makes him squirm in pleasure. Henry stifles a moan while he expertly works the skin there, sucking, nipping and licking until he can hardly stand it. A hand pressing hard against his back, while another one trails down to cup the curve of Henry’s ass.
“Henry,” a soft moan manages to escape through Alex’s lips, the sound shooting straight for Henry’s groin, where his trousers start to feel ridiculously restrictive and unnecessary.
His mouth opens, tongue licking his ear, nipping it.
“The bedroom,” Henry stutters, knowing that if he doesn’t say it now, they’ll end up on the kitchen counter or the newly bought couch. As much as he desires for those counters, he can’t do it for the sake of Jane.
“You mean our bedroom,” Alex grins.
“Idiot.”
“Come on, baby,” Alex cackles, quickly moving Henry to the bedroom, tossing Henry to the bed. Alex looms over for a second before he’s wrapped around him, kissing Henry hot and hard. His arms embrace him, opening his buttons, while Alex’s tongue finds its way back for Henry’s neck. Lips on his neck, then pressing lips to Alex – falling into a kiss too intense for his knees to bear. Alex leans hard into him, raising his hands to pull at the neck of Henry’s shirt, stretching it so he can kiss a trail down his chest, just a few inches, more and more.
“God, it’s been too long,” Alex whispers, voice dark and horny, kissing the boy slowly and heavily, a finger lowering to Henry’s belt buckle.
Henry has a hard time focusing on his thoughts when a warm finger slides inside. “It hasn’t been that long.”
“Eleven days, eight hours and thirty minutes.”
“You just made that up. At least the hour – ah,” Henry’s sentence is cut off by a sharp moan when Alex’s hand fists around his cock.
“Let’s make up for the lost time,” he pants heavily in return. Henry moans in desperation, hearing himself groaning. Alex tugs his trousers away, pushing Henry roughly against the mattress. Henry’s hands in his curls, ruining it – his lips against him, Alex’s cock undeniably pressed to his hips, against his own erection and everything else feels electric, magical.
“I love you,” Henry murmurs against his hot skin.
“I love you,” Alex’s words echo in return, but the real answer is given by his hungry and craving lips. Alex leaves no space between them, kissing Henry. Hard. Hot. Lips pushing, wet and open.
Henry reacts very eagerly as Alex strokes his chest, Alex getting rid of his own clothes with the help of Henry’s eager hands, undressing him in record time. Alex has a massive smile when his tongue trails down his stomach, to the curve of his abdomen. Henry stares at him, how Alex hands rub on his leg, mouth planting a kiss to the inside of his thigh.
Alex looks up, in between his legs, staring at him.
“Don’t make me wait any longer,” Henry commands, impatiently. Alex keeps his eye contact on him, when his hand lands on his cock.
“Someone’s impatient to start,” Alex teases, massaging his hardened cock, Henry letting out a ragged groan.
“You’re such a bloody tease,” Henry pants. Alex’s lips stay on his inner thigh, before moving closer, finding the spot Henry so impatiently waited for. “Oh, god.”
Henry’s hand grips a fistful of Alex’s hair, grasping, his fingers digging deeper when Alex's head goes deeper. Next of Henry’s pleading phrases seem to consist of ‘Don’t stop’ and ‘Alex’ repeating over and over.
“Now.”
“Too eager, my love,” Alex whispers with a mischievous smile, hand reaching out for a condom he skilfully puts on.
“You’re –” Henry let out a groan, eyes locked with Alex. Henry takes his face, pulling him into a devouring, hot kiss. “Fuck.”
Henry moans into Alex’s mouth between the kisses, hand on his lower back, guiding him in between his legs. His hips start to slowly move, and Henry finds himself gasping loud profanities again. Alex thrusts his hips, deliberately, the boy under him moaning in heightened pitches, repeating the motion over and over.
“Never..” Henry pants, as the steady rhythm continues, wordlessly encouraging him to do it again. “Never let me wait this long.”
“Never,” Alex agrees, voice cracking with a moan. Each thrust is deliberate, deep. His breath faster, getting closer in a matter of minutes.
Henry wants to treasure this moment forever.
“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to love anyone else the way I love you,” Henry says, out of breath, droplets of sweat on his rosy cheeks. Alex kisses him, sloppily, before he pulls out.
Alex looks deep into his eyes. “I’m going to love you forever, Henry Fox,” Alex says back, with a dashing smile that melts Henry’s heart.
For the longest time, Henry can’t wait for the future. He used to be so scared to think about his future, because he didn’t know if there was anything to look forward to. Now he has Alex, right here with him, and he’s never felt this excited. All the things they can share and experience together.
All the things they can explore. New feelings. New beginnings. The trajectory of his life changed the moment he arrived in Austin.
Henry gave his heart to Alex a long time ago, but he can still hear it bang on the walls of his chest when he’s close. It wants to betray him, begging to crack his chest open to break free, run to Alex, to rest where it has always belonged. His heart has dreamed of his hands, of the warmth they offer, of the way they cradle around his heart like something sacred, something worth keeping. So it’s not a wonder he gave Alex his heart, praying him to be gentle with it, hold it like it belongs to him, in every beat, he will hear it whisper Alex’s name. If he listens closely, he’ll hear the world altering love Henry has for Alex.
And Henry is okay with that for the rest of his life.