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1-
It’s a rainy fall, football Sunday at the White House and Alex is pumped to say the least.
Being from Texas, naturally Alex was a Dallas Cowboys fan from birth. They’re playing the Philadelphia Eagles, one of their rival teams, and the gang has ordered pizza and wings and he just loves days like this. And even better yet, Henry is here.
Alex knows Henry doesn’t know shit about American football but he enjoys the food and looks all cute pretending he does and Alex likes explaining it to him and god, he’s just so cute.
So that’s how they found themselves gathered around the television in the main room, Alex in the middle of the couch with Henry to his left and Nora to his right. His dad was in the armchair to the left and even his mom and Zahra were in and out of the room. Various secret service agents were scattered through as well, doing their jobs but Alex knew some of them were invested in the game.
“My fantasy draft is going to be fucked this week if the cowboys don’t win,” Alex said while stuffing a piece of pizza into his mouth.
“Good, maybe I’ll beat you then,” his dad had chimed in. He was a Cowboys fan as well but he didn’t have as many of their players on his fantasy team to help him out this week and he was up against Alex in the pool.
Alex swallowed and stuck out his tongue at Oscar. He grabbed his beer off the coffee table and took a swig.
“What’s fantasy football…?” Henry asked, curled up into a half makeshift ball in the corner of his side of the couch, head resting on the arm of the couch, and pressing his foot into Alex’s thigh. Alex was glued to the TV and answered him nonchalantly without glancing over.
“Sorry babe I haven’t gotten to explaining that to you yet. You basically select your own team of players and score points when they do well. You play against one person in your pool a week and then there’s a final winner at the end. Maybe you’ll know enough about football next season to join our league- FUCK, c’mon!” Alex said, pausing his rant when the Eagles scored a touchdown.
“I saw it coming Alex, but it’s only the 3rd quarter so maybe they’ll come back,” Nora chimed in, focusing more on her plate of wings than the game.
The gang spent the next little while of the game conversing and yelling when their team did or didn’t do well. Alex was so lost in the excitement of the game that he hadn’t payed much attention to Henry next to him, who had grown increasingly quiet.
It was the 4th quarter now and the Cowboys were down one touchdown, if they scored they’d be tied. Dak Prescott had thrown an almost 99-yard touchdown causing them to tie the game and Alex, Nora, and Oscar all flew out of their seats.
“YES! Oh my god, let’s fucking go! Did you see that Henry? Holy shit!” Alex cheered, whipping around to look at Henry.
“Oh,” Alex stopped. “You’re not even watching.”
Henry was still curled up in his little ball, one arm outstretched to slightly hang off the couch and his mouth slightly parted as he slept. His face was pressed against the arm of the couch and his little huffs of breath were blowing away his few strands of blonde hair that fell into his face.
“You would fall asleep during one of the greatest touchdowns of all time,” Alex groaned, plopping back down in his spot on the couch and leaning over to kiss Henry’s cheek.
Nora looked over and laughed. “Dude, no way. How can he even sleep in all of this ruckus?”
“Must’ve been tired, I guess,” Alex chuckled, turning his attention back to the game.
When Henry woke up later, Alex never let him hear the end of it.
2-
Alex, Henry, Nora, and Pez were on their way back from a long weekend down at the lake house.
It was a Monday afternoon, and they had decided they were going to go swimming before they left for the drive back. They were only driving to the airport but it was about an hour and a half away. After an early morning and a long day drinking in the hot sun, to say everyone was wiped was an understatement.
Nora was driving this time, offering since Alex drove on the way down. Pez was in the passengers seat, somehow munching on some chips and nodding his head along to the music.
Henry and him had the backseat and Alex had crashed 20 minutes into the drive. He doesn’t really remember when but the next thing he knew he was startling himself awake as his head fell to his chest. He snapped his head up and blearily opened his eyes, glaring at Nora who was looking at him through the rear view mirror.
She laughed. “I saw that.”
Alex rolled his eyes and returned a playful smile. He turned to look at Henry, who to Alex’s surprise, was also knocked out. Alex wanted to laugh. Henry’s head was tilted all the way back against the head rest, his mouth wide open, and he was snoring, loud. Alex doesn’t even think he’s ever heard him snore that loudly.
“What the fuck..,” Alex mumbled, leaning over to get a closer look at Henry’s face.
“He’s been doing that the entire time. Fell asleep like 15 minutes after you did, it hasn’t even been that long, maybe half an hour total, but he’s out,” Nora laughed.
“He used to snore all the time as a kid, anytime we had sleepovers I wanted to strangle him,” Pez chimed in, turning around in his seat. “That shit’s annoying,” he said, but clearly he was joking.
“I’ve never seen it,” Alex said, rubbing his hand up and down Henry’s arm that was laying down by his side.
Alex could wake him up, get him into a more comfortable position, because god his neck must hurt. But he looked so peaceful and Alex knew he must be tired so he let it be. Instead, he leaned over and rested his head in Henry’s lap, content in falling back asleep.
3-
Henry had asked Alex to go on a walk outside of Kensington Palace, literally five minutes ago. Five.
Alex had told him yes, that he would run to the bathroom and meet him outside. Five minutes later, Alex walks out to find Henry laying in the grass a few yards away.
“Hen! I put David on his leash and decided to bring him,” Alex called out, jogging over to where Henry was laying.
When Henry did not answer, Alex got a little worried. What the hell is he doing? Alex jogged a little faster.
“Henry?” He called again.
When Alex got to him, he found him laying on his back, arms folded above his head, chest rising and falling at a steady rate. He had sunglasses on so Alex couldn’t see his eyes, but he didn’t need to.
“Are you seriously asleep right now?” Alex laughed. He was in disbelief. “You asked me to come out here and walk 5 minutes ago!”
Alex was cackling and David was wagging his tail, sniffing Henry. Alex whipped out his phone, taking a photo of Henry and texting it to Bea. He had ran into her on his way out, telling her they were supposed to be going on a walk.
Alex, 2:44pm:
Walk’s going real well 😭
I’m literally so confused
As he sent that picture and went to take another one, David licked Henry’s face. Henry jumped right as Alex took the second photo and Alex could cry with laughter.
“What the hell,” Henry muttered, sitting up fast and wiping his hand across his face.
“Baby…,” Alex could not catch his breath to stop laughing. “Literally what is going on, oh my god, I’m gonna cry,” Alex continued laughing.
Henry glared up at Alex. Alex could see a hint of a smile on his face even if he was trying his best to give Alex a mega pouty face. Alex leaned down and squished his cheeks.
“Maybe we should ditch the walk,” Alex laughed.
“It was just comfy…,” Henry mumbled, pushing himself to his feet.
Alex died of laughter once more.
He quickly sent the second picture to Bea.
Alex, 2:47pm:
Rude awakening. I’m literally crying
Bea, 2:49pm:
oh my god😭😂 that’s hilarious
They proceeded to talk about it all night.
4-
They were at a restaurant with a few of Alex’s friends from college. One of the couples, Brian and Lacy, he had met while they were already together in college. The other one was his freshman year roommate, Justin, and his girlfriend Katie. They decided to all get together for dinner one Thursday night, as Brian and Lacy were visiting the area again for the weekend.
The couples were sat at a table for six, facing their significant others. It had been a great time introducing Henry to his friends, getting to watch him relax and be himself, interacting with them and laughing at his friends for being so intrigued that Henry is quite literally a Prince of England.
It was a later dinner, sure, but it was still only 8:00pm. They had drank wine, and ate pasta, and now Alex could see Henry in the dim lighting, sitting across from him, struggling to keep himself awake.
He sat with his head on his hand, the first red flag in Alex’s opinion, body angled slightly so he was turned more towards the other folks in the conversation. Alex could see the slight slump to his eyes and the way he would blink himself awake every few seconds. Alex didn’t draw attention to it, not wanting to embarrass him, and tried his best to continue the conversation.
It was when Alex turned to look at Henry ten minutes later, who was sitting there with his eyes literally closed now, and his mouth slightly parted, head still resting on his hand, that Alex decided to kick him.
Henry yelped and jumped, quickly sitting back up. “Sorry, I…hit my leg on the table,” Henry mumbled.
His friends seemed to laugh it off and continue their conversation. Henry glanced at Alex who gave him a sympathetic look.
Alex turned back to the conversation once more, continuing to watch Henry out of the corner of his eye. Henry ran a hand threw his hair, and Alex knew he was beating himself up about it in that pretty little head of his. Eventually, Henry leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms and smiling along with the conversation like nothing ever happened.
It was another ten minutes later when Alex watched Henry’s head fall forward and snap back up, that he excused himself to the bathroom.
“I’ll be right back,” Alex said, standing up. “Gotta use the restroom. Come with me, Henry?”
The half wine drunk group at the table “ooh-ed” and Alex rolled his eyes playfully, laughing it off. “Get the checks while I’m gone,” Alex had said, as he grabbed Henry’s hand once he stood up as well.
Once they were in the bathroom, Alex sighed and grabbed Henry’s waist.
“Tired, love?” Alex asked him.
Henry hummed. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I keep getting lost in the conversation and then..boom,” he imitated a little explosion with his hands, “you’re kicking me awake. Which hurt, by the way.”
Alex laughed and led him to the bathroom sink. “Couldn’t risk you falling into your plate of food.” Alex winked at him.
“It wasn’t that bad!” Henry exclaimed.
“No, but, it’s still funny to think about,” Alex mused. He wet his hands and turned to Henry, splashing his face lightly and patting his cheeks.
“Alright, it’s go time. This should wake you up. Let’s get a little pep in your step,” Alex laughed, leaning into to kiss Henry’s shocked face.
“Wow, what a miracle worker. I feel so much better,” Henry said flatly, smiling back at Alex.
Alex kissed him again, grinning, grabbed his hand, and dragged him back out to the table. Henry had managed to survive the next 20 minutes as they got their checks and said their goodbyes. Maybe Alex made fun of him when he fell asleep on the car ride home.
5-
Alex LOVED when Henry was so relaxed that he could be himself. Like really, fully, authentically himself.
Alex had learned so much about Henry in these moments. He sees it the most when Bea’s around. He’s hilarious for one. He always has something witty to say, he can always keep up with the conversation and banter and Alex loves that about him. He loves watching Henry too. Watching him interact with others and the way he laughs and grins from ear to ear. Alex just loves him so much.
They’re at Kensington Palace, visiting Bea for the weekend. Nora and Pez had come along too. They were sat around some stupid trivia game, which Henry and Pez were very invested in. They were on the same team and they were laughing and joking and Alex was so content to just sit there and watch Henry, be Henry.
Bea noticed him and nudged his side. She gave him a sweet smile. “I love seeing him like this too. I’m glad he lets other people see this side of him now,” She said.
Alex smiled. “Me too.”
A few more hours passed, until everyone seemed to get a little tired and settled into the living room to relax. There was soft music playing in the background. Nora and Bea sat on the floor, painting each other’s nails and gossiping about who knows what.
Pez was passed out in the arm chair.
Alex sat with his legs outstretched on the couch, Henry in the same position in front of him. Alex had his arms wrapped around Henry’s upper body. Henry was a heavy weight against his chest and Alex sighed, nuzzling his face into Henry’s hair.
“He’s asleep, you know,” Bea said, looking up at Alex.
“I figured,” Alex replied, smiling softly.
“He never sleeps anywhere or in front of anyone. He’s always so guarded. It’s nice to see him so content with you,” Bea continued, giving Alex a warm smile.
“Really? I mean I know he doesn’t sleep well at night, but he falls asleep randomly like all of the time,” Alex said.
“Huh…yeah that’s not like him,” Bea said, shrugging and turning back to her conversation with Nora.
Alex pondered that for a little while. Henry has told Alex about the insomnia and they’ve had many a 3:00am conversation, but most of the time Henry slept like a baby. If anything, he was a deeper sleeper than Alex.
Alex shrugged and pressed a kiss to the back of Henry’s head, then laid his own head back on the couch, closing his eyes and smiling.
+1-
They were laying in bed watching Divers, Dive-Ins, and Drives, Alex’s pick by the way, he just had to show it to Henry, when he decided to ask Henry about it.
They laid side by side, holding hands and snuggled up under the blankets as they stared at the TV screen across the bedroom.
“Do you sleep well at night?” Alex blurted out.
“Here? Yeah, why?” Henry replied, eyes still on the screen.
“I don’t know, just curious. I remember you saying that first night we were on the phone together that you’re a world class insomniac, but I don’t really see it all that often. Except when you call me when you’re back in England,” Alex went on.
Henry shrugged. “Sometimes I have trouble sleeping, but I don’t know…not when you’re around.”
“Oh?” Alex quipped, running his hand up and down Henry’s arm.
“I feel…safe when you’re here,” Henry stated, turning his head to look at Alex. God, Alex loved those gorgeous blue eyes so much. “I guess my body just feels okay to fall asleep.”
Alex smiled. “I love you so much.”
Henry giggled. “I love you too, darling.” Henry stretched out his neck and planted a kiss on Alex’s forehead.
“You’ve fallen asleep in the weirdest fucking places,” Alex laughed.
Henry giggled again. “Oh, I know. When I was a kid I would do the same thing. Pretty much only when Bea was around though. Sometimes Philip when we were really little…but..ya know,” Henry said, waving his hand in dismiss and continuing. “My dad would tell me the funniest stories. I would fall asleep at the dinner table, during haircuts, sometimes during royal events,” Henry laughed, “got in trouble for those ones.”
“Oh my god, I can’t even imagine!” Alex laughed.
“Yeah..it was not pretty,” Henry giggled again.
“Stop giggling, it’s too cute,” Alex threw a hand over his heart and gasped, “I can’t take it.”
Henry’s giggles continued and Alex’s heart swelled. Henry squeezed his and snuggled further into Alex’s warmth. Alex was happy to be this safe place for Henry and he would do anything to help him stay this relaxed for the rest of the world, but Alex smiled at the thought of these perfect little vulnerable Henry moments being reserved all for him.