strings attached ; firstprince

chapter eight

Taking a deep breath, Alex lowers his hand but doesn't step back. He gazes into Henry's eyes.

"I love you, Henry."

The room remains silent, the weight of their emotions hanging in the air. Henry's inner turmoil is evident, but there's also a flicker of something that resembles forgiveness in his eyes.

Finally, Henry speaks, his voice a whisper, "I don't know how to trust you again," he says, his eyes searching. "However, giving you up this week has been torture. I don't think I could willingly put myself through that again."

"I'll spend every day proving to you that you can trust me again," Alex promises, offering a small smile to ease the tension. "We'll take it one day at a time, Henry, and no matter what you decide, I'll understand."

A long silence hangs between them, Alex's chest tightens with the anticipation of what Henry is thinking. Henry's expression is almost impossible to read and Alex feels like he might be sick if the silence goes on any longer.

Finally, Henry's voice breaks the silence, his words a whisper in the quiet of the room. "Okay," he says, uncertainty and hope warring in his eyes. "I... I want to try," he admits, but Alex's heart drops as he adds, "As friends."

Alex feels his heart shatter in his chest. He gulps and nods, a weak "okay," escaping his lips as he recollects himself. He resolutes to friends being bearable; he'd rather have Henry as just a friend than not have him at all. Alex swallows, looking back up at Henry and nodding again.

"I'll do whatever you need, Hen."

"Thank you," Henry's voice waivers as he gives Alex a firm nod in return and a small smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes.

"Of course," Alex responds immediately because fuck, Alex would go to war for this man.

"I should get going," Henry says, his eyes searching Alex's face. Alex doesn't want to watch him go again so soon.

"I'll walk you," Alex offers immediately.

Henry nods in agreement with a hint of a smile, and they leave Alex's dorm together, walking side by side down the dimly lit hallway.

As they reach the building's exit, Henry turns to Alex with a soft smile. Alex can barely see his face with the dim lighting from the stairway. "How about a walk? I could use some fresh air."

"A walk?" Alex raises an eyebrow with a hint of amusement. "At nine pm?"

"Are you coming or not?"

Alex chokes out a laugh. "Lead the way then."

They step out into the cool night, the moon casting a gentle glow on the path ahead. It's a quiet night, and the air is crisp and invigorating. They walk side by side, the rhythm of their steps as they have small talk about how the previous week has been for the both of them.

Henry walks without any clear direction, and soon they find themselves walking past a playground, surrounded by tall trees and the soft rustling of leaves. Alex's eyes catch onto the swings.

"We fucking have to go on the swings," Alex declares, beelining straight for the pair of swings that sway gently in the night's breeze.

Alex turns his head back, Henry following slowly behind with a roll of his eyes. "Do we?"

Alex settles onto the swing with a wide grin, the chains creaking softly as he begins to sway back and forth. He holds onto the swing's chains, the metal cool to touch. Henry takes the empty swing next to him, mimicking Alex's movements. A soft, almost nostalgic laugh escapes Henry's lips as he watches his own feet dangle in the air.