strings attached ; firstprince

chapter two

"You mean soccer?" Alex says, blinking innocently.

Pez rolls his eyes, ignoring his remark. "Nora already shotgunned me for her team so it's you two on a team versus Nora and I."

Henry looks between Alex and Pez with wide eyes. "Oh." he says lamely. Pez just laughs and begins to swim towards the sand. Alex raises an eyebrow at Henry.

"Don't sound too excited."

Henry whips his head towards Alex. "Have you even played before?"

"I've played beach soccer once or twice," Alex says. Henry grimaces. "It's not that deep, snookums."

"You don't get how much of a try-hard Pez is when it comes to football," Henry explains. Alex goes to reply but Henry is quick to interrupt. "Soccer."

"Already reading my mind, partner," Alex winks. Henry tries hard to conceal his smile but fails horribly.

"Just, follow my lead. I think Pez needs some humbling," Henry says.

"Yes, boss."

Alex is quick to find out that Henry wasn't lying about Pez's competitive nature when it comes to soccer. Alex has already kissed the sand several times and it's been approximately 5 minutes of playing. Henry isn't happy about it. June's set up of soccer consists of two rocks that represent the goal, one on each end of their playing field. It suffices.

"Boo! You suck!" June yells at Alex from her comfortable spot on the blanket.

Henry surprises Alex when he puts his mouth an inch away from his ear. "Focus."

It sends a tingling sensation down his spine, Alex's eyes follow Henry who is already dead focused on Pez as he is about to start with the ball. Alex follows his lead, locking his eyes on the target. He decides to take this seriously now. Pez starts traveling with the ball, Nora following closely behind him. Alex knows Pez will pass her the ball and give her the chance to score so Alex watches her. The moment Pez kicks back to her Alex pushes hard into the sand and runs fast enough to intercept and kick the ball into the goal.

"What the fuck?" is all Pez says and Henry is smiling at Alex like he is the next risen Mosiah. It becomes decided that the first to five wins and Alex and Henry are determined. For the majority of the game, each team has a turn getting a goal until it becomes four all and the next goal wins. Alex grabs Henry's shoulders, adrenaline coursing through his fingers.

"We got this," Alex whispers closely to his ear. Henry shivers but tries his best to play it off.

Henry starts with the ball, which he handles surprisingly well with his feet. Alex giggles to himself at that thought. Alex sneaks ahead, Nora keeping on him trying to block him from the ball. Henry and Alex make eye contact and Henry flicks his eyes to the left and somehow Alex knows exactly what he's trying to say. Just as Henry looks like he's about to kick the ball, Alex sidesteps to the left and Henry quickly passes it directly towards him. Alex catches the ball with his foot and pivots swiftly to kick it straight into their rock goal. Without another beat, Alex runs to Henry, picks him up by his waist and spins them as he cheers. Henry's hand holds onto Alex's shoulders and his head falls back as he laughs and cheers with him—inexplicable joy.

"Yous got lucky," Pez grumbles, almost drowned out by Alex and Henry's celebratory cheering. Alex finally places Henry back on his feet but quickly grabs Henry's face with both of his hands and places a loud kiss on his cheek. Alex drops his hands, still cheering while Henry turns into a caught off guard flushed mess.

"That was fun, we're a good team," Alex says to him after he ceases his celebration. Henry clears his throat, attempting to regain his composure. Alex pretends not to notice.

"You're not too bad," Henry says to him. Alex raises an eyebrow. "At soccer."

"Have I impressed you?" Alex asks, a smirk on his lips. Henry laughs.

Henry hums in thought. "You're alright... Do you still hate me?"

Alex rolls his eyes, smiling still. "You're not as bad as I thought, I guess. Not totally convinced yet."

"Right," Henry says, feigning offence. "Still haven't proven myself then."

"Guess I'll have to get to know you a bit better then," Alex shrugs, faking a deep sigh.

"Oh bummer," Henry says, just as sarcastic.

They both look at each other for a moment as the silence settles between them, having stupidly big smiles on their faces. Alex feels a little breathless from having such prolonged eye contact.

"Hey guys," June's voice says, oblivious to what she just interrupted. They both turn to look at her. "We're packing up, would be nice if you helped." June pointedly looks at Alex.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming," Alex says, following after June. Alex takes one last glance back at Henry who stands still, already watching him as he walks away. Alex feels this summer may be more interesting than he anticipated.