strings attached ; firstprince

chapter eight

The night air carries a cool bite of a breeze yet Alex's cheeks flush with warmth just looking at the way the moonlight highlights the definition of Henry's face.

"How was London?" Alex asks, his eyes flickering from his feet back to Henry again.

Henry's gaze turns thoughtful as he leans back on the swing, his feet still swaying gently. He sighs softly.

"It's... complicated," he begins, his voice carrying a mix of emotions. "Seeing Bea really helped, but there were family matters that made it challenging."

Alex nods, sensing that there's more to the story but doesn't want to pry. "I'm sorry."

Henry offers a small, grateful smile. "I'm just glad I'm back. It reminded me why I moved in the first place."

They fall into a comfortable silence, the only sounds being the creaking of the swings and the distant chirping of crickets. Alex watches Henry's profile, the moonlight casting gentle shadows on his face, making him look like a piece of art.

After a while, Alex breaks the silence. "I've missed you," he admits quietly.

Henry turns to him, and there's a softness in his eyes. "I've missed you too, Alex." He hesitates for a moment before continuing. "Far more than I care to admit, frankly."

Alex lets out a soft chuckle, nudging Henry's foot with his own.

"It's my irresistible charm."

"Oh, is it?" Henry responds, smirking.

"Absolutely. I'm very hard to forget about."

Henry's smirk falters slightly as he lets out a soft laugh, shaking his head fondly. "Something like that."

Alex senses the change in tension and moves his swing closer to Henry's, bumping him with his side.

"I really am sorry, H."

"I know," Henry gives him a small smile. "For what it's worth, I forgive you." Henry looks at Alex, moving his swing closer ever so slightly.

Alex moves as well, but suddenly his foot slips and where he was holding himself and the weight of the swing is thrusted in the opposite direction, and then hurtling into Henry's side at full force.

"Oi!" Henry laughs, pushing Alex away from him. Alex laughs so hard at this as he's hurtled off the swing and onto the floor. Henry gets up and hovers over him, reaching out a hand.

"Are you quite finished?"

"Hey, you're the one who shoved me!" Alex protests, taking Henry's hand and standing up, wobbling a bit from dizziness. Henry catches his arms, holding him in close proximity.

"Careful, you might fall and dent your ego," Henry says drily.

"Oh fuck off!" Alex laughs, shoving Henry's shoulder. Henry chuckles alongside him, bumping their hands together ever so slightly.

"Shall we head back now?"

"Lead the way, Your Majesty," Alex quips with a hint of a smirk.

"Sod off," Henry scoffs, smiling right back.

They fall into a comfortable silence, walking beside one another in the moonlight. Throughout the walk, their fingers keep brushing and their hands keep bumping and Alex wonders how long he'll be able to be just friends with the man he's so desperately in love with.

As they approach Henry's dorm, Alex turns to face him. Henry smiles softly, which makes Alex want nothing more than to plant a kiss on his cheek—friends do that, right? It's a totally normal thing for friends to do. He's definitely kissed Nora on the cheek.