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Henry has never really felt at home in the Palace since his father passed away.  In fact, he always felt like it was more of a prison than home.

It wasn’t homey, the love wasn’t present anymore, and it often felt like he was trapped in this cold, unwelcoming place.

Most people would scoff at the thought of a palace being a prison, but it was – to him, anyway. 

A nice prison (nice as in clean and spacious), but a prison none-the-less.  The decorations really weren’t his choice, and there was only so much he was allowed to change.  It always felt cold and unloving, a reminder of the act that he always had to put on.  He’d always been expected to be the perfect prince even in his own home, sometimes, even being in his own rooms wasn’t enough to let him truly relax.  Plus, it had that museum air that Alex likes to complain about. 

So, it’s not really home to him.

It doesn’t matter how many times that his mum and Bea talk about how great it is to have him home when he comes for princely duties.  It doesn’t even matter how long he stays – last summer, he and Alex spent the entire summer at the Palace, and it still didn’t feel like home (although having Alex around helps).

This time, though, Alex couldn’t make it, and Henry felt his absence.  He wished every night to be reunited with his love, but he knew it was only for a short time. 

Hence, being happy that he’s finally going home.

Home to Alex.

The man of his dreams that encouraged him to be himself and loved him no matter what.  The man of his dreams that would do anything for him. 

He smiles as he swings the door open to their brownstone. 

Inside, David, his beagle, comes running up to greet him at the door. 

“Oh, did someone miss me?” Henry teases he kneels down to pet him. 

The answering tail wag is enough of an answer.

He can hear the sounds of Spanish music playing from the kitchen with the smells of a delicious meal be cooked by his favorite person in the world wafting towards him and he can’t wait to greet him, too.

He smiles as he gets up and follows David to said kitchen, where Alex is swinging his around in time to the music.  He’s wearing a kiss the chef apron and a pairing for arse-hugging shorts with nothing else. 

It’s a welcome home sight if Henry ever saw one. 

Alex doesn’t appear to have noticed him, so he’s careful as he wraps his arms around Alex’s waist and kisses the back of his neck. 

Alex tenses at first, before he gets a whiff of Henry (the smell that he still claims is magical) and melts against him.

“Hello, love,” Henry offers as he kisses Alex’s cheek, wishing he could get his lips instead.

Alex appears to be on the same wavelength as he immediately turns around in his arms and wraps his arms around Henry’s neck before kissing him soundly. 

“Hi, baby, welcome home.”

Henry gives him another kiss.  “I love coming home to you.”

Alex laughs.  “Is it my moves, my food or my shorts that entices you so well?”

Henry laughs.  “All three?  Although those trousers are to die for.”

“Wait until you see what I have on underneath.”

Part of Henry wants to take him apart right here (and that part has his hands already flying to Alex’s zipper), even if the other part of him knows it’s probably better to wait.

“Ah, ah, ah,” Alex teases.  “I am working on dinner right now; you’ll get your surprise later after you’ve been a good boy, and you tell me all about your trip during dinner.”

Henry can’t help pulling Alex into a deep kiss before kissing and sucking on his neck for a few seconds.  “Are you absolutely certain that I can’t entice you to let me take you apart right here, love?  We both know I know exactly what buttons to press, it wouldn’t even take very long.”

Alex groans, looking very much like he’s thinking about it, before he pushes back on Henry’s chest.  “I worked really hard on this welcome home dinner; I don’t want it to be ruined because you can’t keep your hands to yourself for an hour.”

Henry pouts and gives him another kiss.  This one light and sweet, just like Alex.

“I suppose that I can manage to keep my hands to myself for a little bit longer, but as soon as dinner is over, you’re mine, got it?”

Alex grins.  “I’m all yours, baby.  Just after dinner.”

“Deal.”

***

Alex loves when Henry comes home from the Palace. 

It gives him a chance to shower him in love, but also, Henry becomes completely insatiable, and Alex… well, he wouldn’t have it any other way. 

Plus, after a night of I missed you – welcome home sex that leaves them both satisfied and content, Henry has taken to rewarding Alex in his favorite way.

Hence, waking up the next morning to Henry’s attempt at breakfast (it’s nothing fancy, but it sure beats beans on toast and as long as it has his coffee just the way he likes it, Alex doesn’t care) being carried by the man himself looking utterly gorgeous in just his underwear (apron left behind in the kitchen) with his hair a mess, but a smile on his face.

“Good morning, love,” Henry offers as he places the try between them.  “I made you a surprise.”

Alex grins.  “Is it a surprise when you do it every time you come home, baby?”

Henry hums and teases, “I can stop if you like – maybe only make breakfast for myself?”

“Never,” Alex retorts, pulling him in for a light kiss.  “I love this routine of ours.  It gives…”

“Coming home energy.”

“Exactly and there’s nothing I enjoy more than knowing you are always coming home to me.”

Henry smiles.  “Always, love.  I’ll always come home to you.”

“I like the sound of that.”

“Good.”