strings attached ; firstprince

chapter eight

It doesn't take much internal dialogue for Alex to convince himself to lean forward to place a swift, gentle kiss on Henry's cheek. When Alex pulls back, Henry's features reveal a mix of surprise, a slight pink creeping into his cheeks before he breaks into a tight-lipped smile.

"'Night, Henry."

"Goodnight, Alex."

Alex lets go of Henry slowly, backing away before asking, bravely, "I'll see you tomorrow?"

Henry looks at him, letting out a contented sigh before surging forward, grabbing Alex's face in his hands and kissing him fervently. Alex lets out a small noise in surprise but kisses him back eagerly, closing his eyes and melting into Henry's embrace. He gets one hand in Henry's hair, the other resting on Henry's shoulder as they move impossibly closer. Henry pulls back (far too soon, in Alex's opinion) and rests their foreheads together, smiling widely as they both catch their breaths.

"Damn, do you kiss all your friends like that?" Alex says playfully, but it comes out a little breathless. Henry huffs out a laugh, placing a stray curl behind Alex's ear.

"Only the ones I like."

"Hmm, should I be worried then?" Alex teases, a hint of anxiety he tries to hide still clear in his voice.

Henry's smile impossibly softens further. He leans forward, placing a chaste kiss on Alex's lips.

"You shan't worry, love. I happen to like you the most," Henry smiles, stepping backwards and walking back into his dorm as Alex stares at him, his heart hammering in his chest.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Henry says with a small wave as he leaves Alex standing there, dumbstruck and completely, utterly in love.

—

The next morning, Alex is sitting in the campus park on a blanket underneath an ailanthus altissima tree, his back leaning against the trunk. Its leaves have transformed into a vivid shade of orange, adorning the ground around him with a vibrant carpet of sunset-colored leaves.

He cradles his guitar in his lap, its polished wood gleaming in the dappled early morning sunlight that filters through the leaves. As he patiently waits for Henry's arrival, a contented smile graces his lips, and his fingers dance lightly over his phone screen as he sends one final reply to Henry.

Saturday 7:06 am

Alex

Meet me at BU beach?

Henry

You're insufferable.

Henry

Give me 10.

Alex

I'll be waiting princess X

Henry

Suddenly I am unavailable.

Alex

See you soon babycakes

Alex tucks his phone into his pocket, a mix of excitement and nervousness coursing through him. He knows that every meeting with Henry now is so important to mending things between them, he can't fuck it up again.

The campus park is quieter than its usual bustling atmosphere during class hours. Nevertheless, a steady stream of students have returned from their breaks, preparing for the impending new semester. Some are absorbed in their own world of headphones and textbooks, while others chat animatedly with friends.

Ten minutes later of mindless strumming, a familiar figure emerges from the campus path. Henry's steps are unhurried, his expression a mix of fatigue and bemusement. He approaches Alex with a slight smile, he can't help but feel himself smile back at him.