Archive of Our Own

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“You know, I just want to clarify again that I did nothing wrong,” Alex Claremont-Diaz announced. Though that statement did little toward even earning him the slightest acknowledgement from the royal guards walking him to god knows were. He was being led by the arms, one man on either side of him; both of whom seem to have stopped listening to his rambling ages ago. Probably since midway through the carriage ride.

The visual would have been a rather funny one for Alex, had he not been directly in the center of it. Long black cloak swooping behind him as he was whisked along by men not nearly as broad as he was. The hood of his cloak had slipped off hours ago, leaving his dark curls a bit disheveled, bouncing along with every step. None of his personal belongings had been removed and so pouches filled with bottles and tools strapped to his thigh and belt jingled in time with their steps. A heavy jeweled necklace hanging against his chest adding a similar clinking noise.

“If this is about that guy’s barn,” Alex continued, fluttering long dark lashes and giving his best innocent eyes to both guards, “I did not set it on fire. I…did set his chicken on fire. Just one chicken, and he’d already beheaded it. I was just trying to ruin his dinner, I had no way of knowing the chicken was going to run into the barn. I can’t control animals. But really, the guy deserved it, h-”

“Mister Claremont-Diaz,” one of the guards finally spoke, “Might I recommend you not to implicate yourself in any events that His Royal Highness isn’t already aware of.”

“As in the prince?” Alex guffawed, “So this is about some kind of crimes against the crown? That’s bullshit, I haven’t done anything to the crown. No one’s even asked me to kill The Queen in like a year- not that I would ever accept,” he continued, “Wait, which prince, there’s two. The one that looks like he’s allergic to sun or the one or the one with the nice ass? Mind you, I’ve only seen his ass from a distance as he waved to the crowd in the most obnoxious way possible, but I saw when he turned ar-”

“We are here, Mister Claremont-Diaz.”

“Oh, we are?”

Once the three men had come to a halt, hands were removed from Alex’s arms as the men stepped to the corners of an open garden. In the center sat one of two men Alex had anticipated seeing. Prince Henry. His preference, if he was honest. Henry had a better reputation among the public, even on the outskirts of towns where Alex tended to keep his business. A bit solitary, but kind and fair; women, and sometimes men, often gushed about his looks. And even if Alex would never admit it on principle- royalty got enough praise- he secretly agreed. Tall, broad, blond hair always kept neat, light eyes, and high cheeks. His skin was pale enough he seemed to have a soft flush most of the time. Perfectly pouty lips, much more like the type that belonged on a woman; and a beautiful one at that. A mole at the corner of his mouth, begging one’s attention to those lips. Though now he seemed a bit more drained than Alex had ever seen him. He seemed to lack warmth in his face, even hand seemed paler- and in Alex’s opinion, compared to his own tanned skin, one of the royals somehow looking paler than usual- was strange. Henry’s eyes looked almost empty, dark circles beneath them; and he looked frailer than Alex remembered. Especially compared to sporting events that had shown off the Prince’s sturdy physique. Maybe he’d been ill? Perhaps that was what this was all about.

“So,” Alex began, straightening his clothes, fluffing his cloak out behind himself as he stepped closer to the Prince, “It’s the one with the nice ass,” a guard shot him a warning glance, but he chose to ignore that. “Henry, right?”

“You will address His Royal Highness as Prince Henry.” One of the guards spoke from somewhere behind Alex, and he could have sworn he saw the prince sigh heavily.

“Thank you, that’s quite enough,” Henry announced, closing a book that had been resting on his lap. “I asked you to bring him here, not drag him like a prisoner. Perhaps we offer a bit more hospitality to our guest.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

It was hard for Alex not to respond to that, and he certainly couldn’t stop himself from making a questioning expression, “Hey, I’m just glad you told ‘em to bring me alive,” he chuckled, “So, Prince Henry, what can I do ya for?”

There was a long pause before Henry looked at the guards surrounding them, apparently more than Alex had noticed upon walking in- there had been more pressing issues; like standing in front of a prince. The blond waved a hand, “Leave us.”

Incredible how two words could clear out an area. Alex would never get used to the sort of power royalty held with words alone. That was a kind of magic he couldn’t even begin to grasp, something vastly different than his own. He watched as several guards stepped out from behind large rose bushes, trees full of fruit, shaped hedges, and rows of wildflowers. Each man carefully filing back into outer halls of the castle, which Henry seemed to watch as intensely as Alex did.

“You may be aware that my father passed away a few months ago,” Henry began, causing Alex to snap to attention. “I’ve heard stories of you and the miracles you work. Turning stone and ore to gold and precious gems. I’ve heard of you healing bones, plague, making fire from nothing, turning a pile of scrap into something functioning,” he leaned in closer as he spoke, “Is what they say about you true? I’ve heard you can command the dead, read my fortune, or that the planets tell you about the future of those around you. Are they lies?”

For a moment, Alex pulled back instinctively, as if the other man may jump from his seat, “If you’re insinuating that I had something to do with your fath-”

“Of course I’m not,” Henry interrupted, “I want you to bring him back.”

“You… what?” Alex fumbled, “You want me to bring him back from the dead?”

“Yes, sit, please,” the prince patted the bench beside himself, scooting closer to the edge to make more room for Alex. He waited until the brunette had done so before turning his entire body to attention, “I’ve heard stories of your abilities,” he continued, “That you command the dead. That you’ve fought for Generals in the colonies with armies of the dead. Is that t-”

“That’s a gross over exaggeration,” Alex interrupted, “I uhm, I wasn’t on our side. Your side? Our s… doesn’t matter. I was helping fight against colonization… well yours anyway. I was born in Nueva España. The last thing I wanted was the English territories getting too close to our borders. Spain is bad enou-”

“I don’t mean to interrupt,” Henry began, while doing so, “But I’m not questioning your loyalty to the crown. It’s of little importance to me. What matters to me is that you…did what the stories say? You commanded armies of the dead? I’ve heard whispers of it from those in the colonies still in contact with us. Advisors and explorers come back to council with my grandmother. They speak in whispers of the man from the south, the witch, sorcerer, who raises our dead and uses them as soldiers.” His eyes seemed to grow wider, fascinated, intrigued even as he kept his gaze locked on Alex’s face, “When I heard you were in England, I couldn’t believe it. I assumed surely it must be a trick, someone pretending to be you- I can’t for the life of me understand why you’d be here?”

“Well,” while clearing his throat, Alex fiddled with his cloak a bit, “I was actually trying to get to Spain, you were a middle ground, it’s just taking me a minute, you know? Not everyone wants a witch on their ship, bad luck and all that.”

“Were you intending a coup d'etat? An assassination?” Henry asked, leaning forward, “Do you intend to barter with them for the freedom of your land? I think that’s noble-”

“Uh, no offense but let’s go back to the topic,” Alex stammered, hoping that his discomfort was less obvious to the prince than it felt in the back of his throat, “What makes you think that I can bring your father back? There’s a big difference between what you’re talking about and what you’re asking, you know that right? Alchemy, necromancy, everything I do- is a fine science. It… has to be exact. Obviously, I can be more careless when I’m mostly just trying to scare an enemy. But you’re asking me to… recreate life, not just make a corpse move.”

“You’ve never done it then?” Henry asked, “I will pay you, any amount. I will fund any research you need, handsomely. You will live in the palace, eat in the palace, share our resources. The library is yours, my scholars are yours; I can get you any elements you may need. Please,” with a pause, he reached over, carefully resting one cool hand on top of Alex’s much warmer one. Slender fingers wrapping around and curving against the brunette’s palm with a light squeeze, “I will give you anything you ask, Alexander. You don’t know how important this is to me, how essential it is; for my survival. My father… he was the only one who...” there was another pause as the prince dipped his head down, as though ashamed of something, “Please. If you need Spain conquered, I will do my best to ensure it happens. I will give you anything.”

It was a fool’s errand, and Alex knew that, but Henry did make it sound convenient. He could use the money, especially if it was coming out of the royal family’s pocket. The access to the library and whatever materials he might need was just as tempting. While he had sympathy for Henry’s plight, he could probably do something about it. Death was still fresh; he could practically smell it on Henry. All the needed was a bit more time to process it, when the time came, Alex could offer a séance or something like that; read some tea leaves. A small simple spell that would bring Henry peace once he’d had time to process it. In the meantime, Alex could use the resources to plan- the rest of the perks just happened to also be very pleasant.

“Alright,” Alex nodded, “I’ll work on it. I’d like my lab to be in the same place as my sleeping quarters. It’s probably best for it to not be in the main castle, I wouldn’t want any chemicals to bot-”

“Anything,” Henry nodded, “You can have the entire basement, I’ll have someone prepare it immediately,” he nearly whispered, before using both hands to squeeze one of the brunette’s then. “Alex, thank you,” he added quietly, “I will remain indebted to you as long as I live. You will always have favor in my court; I’ll be sure of it.”

“I uhm, thanks.”

The praise seemed strange, like a feeling Alex felt he’d not earned yet. He’d do something worthy of it eventually; not that he was much better at accepting it once he’d done something for someone. Usually more than happy to take payment instead of the unending gratitude. He’d gotten used to the juxtaposition of what he did, the extreme difference in responses. A parent falling at his feet because they believed he’d saved their child from death when a doctor couldn’t. Maybe he had, or maybe his medicine was just better. It wasn’t as though he could stop death forever. That felt more highlighted by the nights he ran from flames and pitchforks by those who believed his magic had been a gift from the devil instead of years of hard work and research.

Alex had learned over the years, if there was such thing as a devil, it certainly didn’t need to use him as a vessel. Not when monarchy, war, famine, and the cruelty of man existed. He was simply someone who tried to provide a little relief where he could.

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It only took a matter of hours for someone to tell Alex that his new quarters were ready. Not only that, but he was led down by Henry himself. Moving might have been a task had the prince not informed Alex that royal guards would fetch the rest of his few belongings from the tavern he’d been staying in. There wasn’t much, so he didn’t mind allowing it- very little that anyone could rifle through. But it was strange to walk into the basement of the castle, a large expanse that had been cleared and visibly cleaned. There were no windows, but enough lighting, and it appeared as though more lanterns had been hung from the walls. A bed had been placed at one end, made for one person clearly but outfitted with sheets that looked much too clean and expensive for where they’d been placed. In the center of the area a large worktable sat, filled with papers, candles, lanterns, ink wells and pens. After a bit of open space, it was clear that the opposite half of the basement held dried food and wines, but there was more than enough space for Alex to work and live.

“We’ll get you anything else, you only need tell me once you know,” Henry explained, nodding as he turned his attention to Alex. “I apologize for the storage on that end, but you’re welcome to any of the fruits and wines you like. I… would say the same for the meats but I’ve no idea what’s ready to be eaten and what’s not- if you know, you’re welcome to that as well,” he explained, nodding while biting into his bottom lip. He looked as though he were waiting for a task, expecting to be told to fetch something else.

“Uh, no this is…more than enough for now, thank you,” Alex nodded. “Once your men bring back my journals and grimoire I’ll get started.”

“Perfect, ehm, would you like more clothing? They’re upstairs finding you a wash basin and chamber pot, as well as a mirror. Those will come down shortly,” Henry said, seeming to rush through the list before reaching into a jacket pocket. He pulled out a coin purse, before pressing it into Alex’s palm- while seeming like he both yearned for and was terrified of the contact, “This is to get started, let me know if you need more, and obviously once you finish there will be more,” he exhaled, locking hopeful eyes on Alex’s face, “Are you sure you don’t need anything else? Would you like a meal now? Supper will be around five; you’re welcome to join us, or someone will bring a plate down to you if you’d prefer not to do so.”

“Did I just get invited to dine with the queen?” Alex couldn’t help but sneer, shaking his head, “Thank you, but I’ll pass,” he nodded, unable to not notice the weight in his hand once Henry had finally managed to retract his own, “Uh, no, plenty of clothes in my things, why? Does it make you uncomfortable that I’m in leather while you’re in satin?”

“Oh! No!” Henry answered, a bit too quickly, pale cheeks heating to a soft pink; just bright enough to amuse Alex. “No, of course not, you’re welcome to dress however you like,” he swallowed hard, before stepping back once with a slight nod. “I uhm- the meal, of course. I’ll make sure food gets brought down to you then. Uh, wine or ale?”

“Hm?”

“Do you prefer wine or ale,” the prince asked quietly, fumbling with a golden ring on his pinky finger. “With… your meals?”

“Wine, thank you,” Alex murmured, “Are you scared of me?”

“What? No,” Henry nearly gasped, “No, not at all, just a bit…excited. Forgive me,” his head almost jerked in an effort to break the eye contact, “I will uhm, leave you to it then, but I’ll come back by this evening to make sure you’ve gotten everything you need.”

“Okay, thank you, your majesty,” Alex hummed, fighting a grin. He did make note of the fact Henry didn’t even bother to correct him before rushing up the steps and out of the basement. That didn’t bode particularly well for the prospect that the prince was not afraid of him. 

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Adjusting to doing research in the castle was a new experience for Alex. It was certainly much easier than hunting for a library that would allow him in for the right price of gold or tracking down another researcher. The latest information was at his fingertips, and if it wasn’t already in the castle, Henry had it for him in a matter of days. There was a very obvious set of disapproving stares from guards whenever Alex walked into the castle library; but none of them ever tried to stop him. It was more as though they believed he shouldn’t be there, like they were waiting for him to do something worthy of being kicked out of the palace.

It was, however, impossible not to grin every time Alex caught wind of Henry scolding guards on his behalf. Each ‘Lord Claremont-Diaz is our guest, and you will treat him with the same dignity and respect you would any other guests’ that echoed its way down the halls made Alex absolutely preen. He wasn’t sure when ‘Lord’ had been awarded to him, but he didn’t hate the sound of it.

On that same sort of token, Alex didn’t see much of Henry beyond check-ins from the prince. He wasn’t sure if perhaps Henry didn’t want to come off as nosy, or pushy; maybe he was genuinely afraid. For whatever reason, he appeared no more than once a day, if that. Occasionally popping in in the evenings to bring Alex a dessert and a cup of coffee. That was something he’d not gotten used to yet, dessert every day. That must be one of the perks of being royalty- the tea would take some getting used to; not nearly as good as coffee.

But the lack of appearances from Henry was why the first time the blond made his way down to the basement without an obvious reason it caught Alex off guard. He’d signaled his arrival with a soft knock before stepping inside slowly, peering around the wall of the stairwell before speaking.

“Hello, I hope I’m not disturbing anything.”

“No, you’re not,” Alex shook his head, quickly setting down a pair of bow spectacles and looking up from his book, “Also, you don’t have to knock, Your Highness, this is your castle.”

“Yes, well, it is your quarters, it would be rude to barge in without warning you that I’m about to do so. Also, please, when we’re alone- just Henry. It’s perfectly fine with me. Admittedly, I grow weary of the airs every person must put on when meeting me,” the prince explained. He fully descended the stairs now, walking closer to the worktable where Alex sat.

“Alright, Henry, you still don’t have to knock,” Alex hummed with a playful wink. That should help the image he was maintaining, shouldn’t it? No work done in hiding, no secrets the prince couldn’t be privy to. Those were the behaviors of someone who had no intentions of misusing the crowns resources for their own gain, “What can I do for you this evening? I’m afraid if you’ve come to ask for updates on the research, I don’t have anything for you yet. Got a few more of these to get through,” he said tapping a stack of books on the desk. Hopefully the one about gunpowder bombs may go unnoticed.

“Oh, no, no I didn’t come for that,” the blond said, looking flushed as he spoke, “I would never rush you. Though, I did come to ask if it’s possible I might procure you to make something else for me in the meantime, if it’s not too much trouble?”

“Of course,” Alex nodded, “I mean, provided it’s something I can actually conjure up, but there’s not much I can’t if I have the materials for it. What do you need?”

“Erm,” Henry’s expression for a moment, looked as though he’d just now realized he would have to make his request out loud to have it fulfilled. “I’m in search of a… lubricant of some sorts. For… intimate purposes.”

“Ah, it’s big, huh? I get it, sometimes you just need things to be a little slicker down there so everyone’s having a great time. It’s happened to me be-”

“I beg you to not,” Henry exhaled, clearing his throat as he averted eye contact. “One of my advisors brought back something for me once, from the East, somewhere in Asia I believe. And that was lovely, but I’ve run out and I’m afraid if I keep nicking oil from the kitchen someone is bound to notice.”

“Mhn,” Alex was fighting a grin, doing his best to take this as seriously as it seemed to be for Henry.  He supposed he shouldn’t be surprised by the ‘elite’ having a different viewpoint on sex than himself. Afterall, it was sort of thing he’d heard the upper class admit to participating in with disdain dripping from every word. “Well, I can absolutely get something together for you. Would you prefer a perfume or a lack of scent?”

Another wave of silence took over the prince, who seemed entirely caught off guard to have options, “Well, I’m sure you know more about this sort of thing than myself. Whatever you think is best and safest for everyone, of course.”

“Understood,” the brunette nodded, “I’ll have it ready for you in about two or three days, check back night after next?”

“Yes. Uh, thank you, Alex, I appreciate it.”

“No problem, Henry.”

Henry remained at the end of the table for a moment longer than necessary, the tension thick between them. Silence hung in the air, punctuated only by the faint crackle of the lantern flame. Alex watched him, uncertain if the prince would say anything else or simply slip away into the night.

Finally, Henry took a careful breath, seemingly steadying his nerves before managing a tentative smile, one that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “If you ever need anything, Alex,” he said quietly, “The offer stands. Not just the materials but…” he faltered, words trailing off. The admission hung unfinished, suspended between hope and resignation. Without waiting for a reply, Henry turned and ascended the stairs, leaving Alex alone once again with the echo of silence filling the room.

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Exactly two nights later, Henry returned, just as Alex had instructed; not knocking at the door this time. The sound of the heavy wooden door creaking alerted Alex to the presence of a visitor before he ever heard soft padding along the stone steps. He quickly moved from where he’d been reclining, grabbing one of his books and opening it, standing near his worktable. Nothing could be done about the fact that he was clad only in trousers, but it was late after all, could he be blamed for being comfortable as he ‘worked into the night’.

“Alexander?”

It was Henry’s voice, making the brunette look up from his book with a soft ‘hm?’. The prince stood at the foot of the steps, clad only in his nightshirt. He was barefoot and holding a lantern, which really wasn’t necessary considering Alex’s space was already well lit. Though he could imagine Henry slipping through the halls of the castle sneaking between shadows led only by the light. A thought that was almost endearing. Of course, any endearment Alex felt was promptly overshadowed by the look of Henry’s garment. Although it was only nightclothes, it looked like luxurious fabric, cut lower than his daytime shirts for comfort, but the neck, sleeves, and even trim had thread embellishments and slight ruffling. Alex would never get over the unnecessary lengths rich people went to, to display their wealth.

“Can I help you with something?” Alex asked, closing his book as though it took a great deal of effort to pull himself away from his studies.

“Erm,” Henry was fidgety, Alex couldn’t recall having seen it so obviously until now, “Well, perhaps,” he began before clearing his throat. He lifted his head, sticking his chin out just a bit, it made him look oddly proud for a man without a crown on, “I was wondering if you’d finished the uhm-”

“Oh, the lubricant,” Alex nodded, stepping to the side of his table and picking up a glass bottle, “Yeah, it’s done, just add it to my tab,” he said with a wink. He took a step closer and reached out to offer it, only to watch Henry stare at his hand, as if he might bite.

“Lovely,” the prince said in a hushed voice, finally extending a hand to take it, still rather timidly. “Thank you.”

“Not a problem,” Alex hummed, shooting a wink at the other man, “Remember it doesn’t do anything to prevent pregnancy, just makes everything smoother so, ya know, do whatever rich people do to avoid that.”

“Right,” for a moment, Henry just stood there in silence; entirely unmoving. “Alex,” he managed in what seemed as though it might have been fleeting bravery. “Would you be interested in trying it with me?”

“Wh- what?” Alex snapped to attention, looking up just in time to catch Henry. It was a quick subtle movement, light eyes snapping from Alex’s body and back up to his face. Clearly, he hadn’t been paying enough attention until now- because suddenly he didn’t know how he’d ever missed it. The poise, the lack of scandals or pregnancies. Whispers of superhuman self-restraint that suddenly seemed less incredible if Henry wasn’t interested in women at all. He supposed it had just never occurred to him that a prince could be gay. Unfortunately, it made the royal bit a little more tolerable; it also explained how Henry hadn’t seemed unnerved at all by Alex’s flirtations.

“I apologize,” Henry offered quickly, ducking his head and taking a step back, “Forgive me, that was incredibly out of line. You are not only employed by me, but I am your prince. I should know better than to put you in a place where you must choose between obligation and your own will. The power imbalan-”

“Henry, shut up a second,” Alex held up a hand as he spoke, tilting his head, “I didn’t even know you were into men,” he explained, “Or into me.”

“Christ man, I have eyes,” the blond whispered.

“Yeah, well, you guys aren’t exactly known for your tolerance of other races. Didn’t know fucking them would be on the agenda. But if you think for one second that you’re going to colonize this ass-”

“Please,” Henry nearly winced, “You make it sound so crude. Also, I… that’s not what I meant when I asked if you’d be interested. I uhm-”

“Oh, you’re more of a lock than a key,” Alex offered, unable to fight a grin as he saw Henry’s cheeks heat to a bright pink even in the candlelight. “Well, I’m glad you’re putting that ass to good use.”

“Oh, fuck me,” the blond mumbled.

It was terribly unprincely, and Alex couldn’t help but snicker at the frustration. A wide grin spreading over his lips as he watched the way Henry shuffled in place and shook his head, running a hand through his hair, incredibly flustered. “Well, you did just ask me to,” the brunette dragged his teeth along his bottom lip, “I mean, I’m down, if you’re really into that. The whole…power dynamics thing aside. I think you’re hot, I’ve been flirting with you on purpose, so. You want to?”

“God yes,” Henry gasped in a hushed voice. “May I?” he asked gesturing toward Alex’s pants.

“Uh? Oh, yeah, sure okay.”

As soon as Henry had permission, he rushed forward, placing the lantern and the bottle of lube on the table. His hands immediately pressed into Alex’s chest, making the brunette chuckle before he was caught in a starving kiss. There were only a few inches between the two men, easy enough to lean into the starved mouth trying to press a tongue into Alex’s lips already. His own hands fell to the blond’s sides, pushing into soft love handles as he felt himself moved backward. Just enough so that Alex’s backside rested against the edge of the table, no place to back away from hungry hands. Why would he though? Long soft fingers moved over his torso, groping at his pecs, almost scratching through the hair on his chest. He felt Henry sigh into his mouth as those fingers traced over the shape of his muscles. Tender lips, full and pouty already breaking from Alex’s mouth to move along his face. The kisses trailed across his cheek, and he was confident he felt Henry’s tongue drag along the short facial hair. Kisses and teeth dragging along his jaw before that starving mouth moved along his neck. Willingly, Alex tilted his head to the side, biting back a groan as he felt the other man suckling at his earlobe.

It was just so much all at once, as if he’d finally given grace to a need Henry had been fighting since they met; and maybe he had. His hands began to slowly bundle up the nightshirt Henry was wearing, he intended to pull it off, but those lips were moving across his chest, wrapping around one of his nipples and making his skin prickle as he felt a wet tongue tease sensitive skin.

“Fuck, baby,” Alex groaned, “You really like how I look, huh? You got a thing for pretty, brown boys?” he asked as playfully as he could muster while fighting another moan.

“I’ve got a thing for you,” Henry answered breathlessly, looking up with one of the most earnest expressions Alex had ever seen. He moved those kisses lower, nuzzling his face into the hair along the brunette’s stomach, eyes fluttering as he dragged his lips along toned form, pausing to kiss when he seemed to afford himself the time. “You’re like an Adonis,” he breathed, slipping onto his knees; effectively breaking the hold Alex had on his nightshirt.

There’s an undeniable ego boost that comes with the realization a prince has gotten on his knees in front of you. To watch him undo your pants and shamelessly nose into the pubic hair beneath them before he even bothers to tug them down. Pressing kisses everywhere he can reach, even though the worn leather. One of Alex’s hands tangled into blond hair as the realization hit him. A laugh getting caught in the back of his throat between moans as he felt Henry wrap lips around the outline of his shaft beneath the trousers.

“You need help getting those off, sweetheart?”

An audible moan left Henry as he looked up, “No, I just… want you so badly I can hardly think straight,” he clarified before finishing untying the pants. He tugged them down to Alex’s ankles then before sighing heavily at the visual before him; no longer looking anywhere except Alex’s cock. “Fuck, you are magnificent,” he breathed, one hand cradling the other man’s shaft as though it were something holy.

“Most people just say, ‘hung like a horse’,” Alex teased, licking over his bottom lip before stepping out of his pants, kicking them behind himself. “But thanks, sweetheart, didn’t know the Prince of England sucked dick.”

“Well, technically, I’m the spare.”

That might have been the closest thing to a joke Alex had heard Henry make thus far, and it may have made him feel something close to impressed if those lips hadn’t wrapped around his cock moments later. Because obviously the Prince of England very much did suck dick; and often, judging from the skill. And Alex? He was presently much more focused on making sure he didn’t moan loud enough to alert anyone what was going on. One hand combing through the other man’s hair as he felt Henry sink lower. The tip of his cock hitting the back of the blond’s throat.

“Fuck, baby, you’re good at that,” Alex panted, biting back a moan with a low hum. “Can you look up at me, sweetheart?”

Asking that may have been a mistake, because the very moment light eyes fluttered upward, Alex swore his heart stopped. Tears welling in the corners and dampening blond lashes as Henry looked up. Never hesitating to sink back lower, lips wrapped around Alex’s base as he swallowed around that cock. His gaze was more than hungry, starving even, as if the very act was sustaining him in some way. It was something between holy and completely vulgar, a prince on his knees like that, clad in nothing but his nightshirt; swallowing Alex’s cock like he’d been born to do it. One hand on the brunette’s thigh, the other cradling Alex’s balls, kneading them gently. Every bob of his head resulted in a low moan, vibrating lightly against sensitive skin.

“Holy…shit,” with a deep breath, Alex had to lift his own head up; averting his eyes. If he didn’t, he’d have finished on the spot, and that certainly was the sort of first impression he wanted to make. “Mhn, baby-” he paused between gasps, “Baby, come here, come on, I need that ass, let me fuck you,” he encouraged, gently tugging at Henry’s hair as if that might help the situation to move more smoothly. He assumed that made just how close he was to completely crumbling less obvious.

Despite not seeming to be in a great hurry, Henry pulled back; the break of suction making a loud pop echo in the room as Alex fought another moan. But the blond got to his feet, dragging his cheek along Alex’s body as he did. His lips trailing a short line of dampness before he stood up entirely; pulling off his nightshirt and dropping it beside them, “Was it nice?”

Alex chuckled in response before he spoke, how dare Henry even ask that? Did he really need praise when Alex stood in front of him, completely erect, cock still throbbing with need. Had he missed the way Alex’s skin prickled as Henry’s lips ran up his stomach the way they had? “Yeah, incredible,” he whispered, stepping forward. Now it was his turn to pull Henry into a kiss, one hand on the back of the blond’s neck as he pushed his tongue into the other man’s mouth instantly. Henry’s tongue tasted like Alex- he’d kissed enough lovers after they’d had him down their throat to know. Secretly, he relished the taste, perhaps even more so now, because it was on the tongue of a prince.

“Please,” Henry murmured, hands resting on the other man’s chest, “I just want you to bend me over something, anything. I need you, Alex. I need you to fuck me; hard,” he pleaded into the kiss. Not much longer after it had begun, pressing his body into Alex’s, their cocks brushing together at the closeness.

It wasn’t that Alex hadn’t been with men before, he had, plenty. But this felt different somehow. Perhaps Henry was more experienced than the ones he’d been with. He had no way of knowing really. Only now that he was suddenly crushingly aware that he hadn’t noticed how beautiful Henry was until this moment. The high cheeks and pink plush lips, swollen from having been used. How he looked both delicate and masculine, soft skin, curves near his waist on a broad build, strong thighs and wide shoulders. He could have likely had anyone he wanted, of either gender, but here he was begging Alex to fuck him.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Alex couldn’t help but over emphasize, just to see if he was corrected. But no snide remark ever came, only a low moan as he grabbed the blond by the back of his neck and pushed him across the top of a nearly empty worktable.

Both of Henry’s hands instantly gripped the opposite side of the table, arching himself in place just to put on more of a display. That might have been comical given his title if the title in question wasn’t presently making Alex’s cock so hard he was impressed he had the higher brain function to walk over and grab the lube before returning to his place behind Henry. He uncorked the bottle, applying some to the tips of his fingers only to pause as he watched the blond reach back and rest one hand on each cheek; spreading himself even more open.

Between those rounded cheeks, where Alex was expecting to see a tight muscle instead, he saw a small opening already waiting for him. Slightly gaped open and presently fluttering almost entirely closed before relaxing back to a hole wide enough to take at least two of his fingers with no struggle. Perfectly pink pale skin, surrounded by light hair that only shown on certain flickers of the candles near them. He’d never seen anything like it, not before he’d done anything to cause it anyway. So, if he was a bit awestruck could he really be blamed? Here was the Prince of England, bent over Alex’s worktable, inside the castle, presenting him with a gaped hole that was begging to be filled. He swallowed hard, feeling his own cock twitch in anticipation, certainly dripping precum by this point, not that he’d notice given his current state.

“Are you going to fuck me or not? What are you waiting for?” Henry panted.

“I uh, sorry I was just… were you uh… is it... always like that?” Alex asked, barely able to make logical sentences, let alone string together something proper to say.

“What? No,” the blond sounded ever so slightly defensive at that, “Are you... do you not like that? Most men I’ve been with are thrilled at the prospect of the opportunity to treat me like any common whore in a brothel.”

“And are you?”

“Am I what?” Henry’s tone suggested he was dangerously close to looking up to make eye contact.

“Are you happy with that? To be treated like that? Is that how you want to be treated?” Alex asked, setting down the bottle of lube to run his fingertips along the small of the other man’s back. He meant for it to be soothing; considering he was asking questions with answers he wasn’t entitled to knowing.

“I just want to be fucked, I don’t care how, christ- I barely care by whom,” Henry’s attitude was more frustrated now, somewhat antsy, “I was just grateful to have a man who looks the way you do, who was willing. He placed both hands on the table now, leaning up a bit to look over his shoulder, “So if you’re willing, do it please, if you’re not tell me so I can go find someone who is.”

“Can I kiss it first?” Alex asked.

“What?”

“You heard me, can I put my tongue in there first? I think it’s super fucking hot, I just want to fuck you with my tongue first,” the brunette shrugged, “Shame for you to have it waiting like that and not have a warm tongue kiss it hello first.”

“Well, I’m… amendable to that,” Henry murmured, leaning back across the table. He reached back again, both hands carefully spreading himself open, “Sorry, I was just-”

“Insecure, didn’t know princes could do that,” Alex completed, “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I still think you’re hot, even if you’re a little harlot. Honestly, maybe hotter,” he added before leaning down. One hand rested on Henry’s thigh and the other gently lay over the top of Henry’s own resting on his ass. He didn’t hesitate to lean in, pressing his tongue into that opening, pushing it as deep as he could.

It was sloppy, Alex didn’t bother to make it any other way. Nuzzling his face between those cheeks, wrapping his lips around that rim, pumping his tongue steadily. He allowed himself to drool, letting it run down his chin as well as Henry’s skin- and it must have been appreciated. Because after only a few moments, one of the blond’s hands reached back, tangling into Alex’s curls and tugging. Then both men were moaning in unison, Henry’s more like a desperate whimpering as he pressed back into Alex’s mouth. Meanwhile, Alex noises rumbled down in his chest low, a spike of electricity running up his spine at the feeling of his hair being pulled. It was almost ironic, something that he’d done not only because he wanted to-  but also to calm down- was doing nothing to stop his cock from throbbing between his thighs. But who could blame him really, with those fingers pulling his curls, or the way Henry moaned at each flick of his tongue.

“Oh, g-god- damnnit, Alex!” Henry gasped after a few moments, “Please, give me something bigger, I’m begging you,” his voice was dangerously close to a dry sob, “Please put that cock in me.”

“Needy little thing, aren’t you?” Alex asked, standing back up straight. He moved to grab the lube, opening the bottle and dabbing some on his fingers once more. This time he slicked up his own shaft, taking his place back behind Henry as he watched the blond reach back to spread himself open again, “When was the last time you got some dick, huh?” he teased.

“If I answered that I fear you’d view me differently,” Henry said quietly, looking back over his shoulder, “But you should know I never get enough, certainly rarely as big as what you’ve got, and even rarer from men who look like you. I’m not even sure I’ve ever seen a man who looks like you before.”

“I don’t think I’d view you different, sweetheart. Nothing wrong with getting what you want,” Alex hummed, taking his shaft in one hand and lightly tapping it between the blond’s cheeks, almost entirely just to listen to the sticky hollow sound it created, “Ready?”

“Christ, that’s obscene, but yes, I’m ready.”

“It’s rude not to knock before you go inside,” Alex teased, he couldn’t help it. Call it nerves about the prospect of actually putting his cock in a prince or something else, but he did feel a bit jumpy. That didn’t stop him from resting his free hand on the other man’s lower back, admiring the way his palm and fingers spanned nearly across the entire space. His opposite hand guiding his tip into Henry. He pushed gently, exhaling a low curse as he felt that tight heat accept the stretch, “Fuck, that’s it, baby,” he cooed, fingers stroking along the blond’s spine as he listened to breathless moans of what sounded like satisfaction. “Just like that, take that big dick for me,” slowly Alex pressed deeper, until his hips were flush with the other man’s ass, resting his hands on Henry’s sides. “That’s all of it, sweetheart. You got the whole thing inside of that pretty little hole, feel good? That hit the spot?”

“You’ve no idea,” Henry moaned immediately, “It’ll be even better once you start moving, which- please, do.”

“Can’t deny a prince, I suppose.”

Alex was confident he’d heard Henry groan in disapproval of that phrasing, but it seemed cut short as he pulled his hips back and thrust forward suddenly. Instead dragging something like a dry sob out of the man beneath him. At first, he did keep the motions slower, shallower, working up to a steady pace, eyes locked between them. One hand moving to rest between where Henry’s held himself spread, Alex’s thumb tracing along the blond’s rim wrapped around his own shaft.

“You look so pretty with this dick stuffed in you. So pink and stretched out, you’re a perfect little slut, aren’t you?”

“Yes,” Henry’s voice was hushed, desperate and obscured between constant moans, “God yes, l-love being a slut for you.”

“Yeah? You take it so good, baby,” Alex answered through gritted teeth, because frankly there wasn’t much left of his higher brain function to think of anything better. Not when he had that tight hole stretched around his cock, clenching on almost every stroke. A delicious warmth that he could feel gently tug back his foreskin with every push deeper. Each thrust exposing every sensitive nerve ending to just how wonderful it felt to be inside of this man. The one time he’d dared to look up he’d seen light eyes cast over Henry’s shoulder locked on him, pleading and desperate. Delicate brow contorted by pleasure, high cheeks pink, plush bottom lip tugged between teeth. It was hard enough to focus on the task at hand while making sure it didn’t end much too early. But how was he to resist pulling back until his cock slipped just barely free of that warmth, pushing back in directly after only to hear the obscene squelching noise or feel that tight squeeze around his sensitive tip. The urge to repeat the motion was much too strong for him to deny. Half for the pleasure he felt, but also to hear the strangled frantic whimper Henry made each time he did it.

“Harder, please, I need it harder.”

“As you wish,” mentally Alex cursed himself for saying that out loud instead of thinking it. He’d have preferred to keep at least a shred of composure about this whole thing. One hand reached around the front of the blond, wrapping around Henry’s shaft and stroking slowly. There had to be some sort of mitigation for how close Alex felt to his own orgasm- especially if he was speeding up. His free hand slid up and gripped the other man’s shoulder, strong muscle beneath his palm; maybe Henry was tougher than he looked.

How tough he was didn’t presently matter though, because with every stroke of Alex’s hand he felt the way Henry clenched against him. Beginning to thrust faster only seemed to make it worse, at least it made the sounds coming from the blond louder. He did his best to stifle his own groans, watching the way Henry used both hands to grab onto the table now, practically mewling at the up kick in pace.

“Please, fuck, y-yes, just like that,” Henry gasped, “C-can you aim j-just a bit t..oh-fuck!” It was strange to hear that posh accent curse that way. Or to be anything other than perfectly poised, mostly because Alex couldn’t recall hearing even a harsh word from Henry until this moment. But he was pressing his body into the table, white knuckling the opposite edge, both while constantly rolling his hips backward into every one of Alex’s thrusts like he needed it more than air. “A… bit.. more downward? P-please?”

“Yeah, baby,” Alex panted, still stroking the other man’s cock, but if he whisked one leg upward to rest a foot on the table did he lose imaginary casual points for wanting to do the best he could? The angle was a bit off-putting, harder to get the hang of, especially with the other half of his body leaning downward to keep his hand in place but that allowed him something to focus on besides trying not to finish in the next ten seconds.

On the next downward stroke, Alex could tell he hit his mark. That was of course if the way Henry cried out, covering his own mouth with one hand, clenching against Alex’s shaft, and throbbing in the palm wrapped around his own cock- was anything to go by. And Alex very much assumed it was. Unfortunately, that strong of a reaction did as much for Alex’s fighting resolve as it did his ego. He only made it a few more moments before reaching his peak, biting into his bottom lip as he spilled into that tight heat. Throbbing inside of the blond as he rode it out, hips slowing to more of a deep stroke despite his hand never stopping the way it worked Henry’s cock. Cursing under his breath, he rode it out, waves of pleasure making his muscles feel rigid as he tried to perform to the best of his abilities.

Thankfully, Henry seemed to follow suit, maybe Alex had been doing a spectacular job- he chose to believe that. But the man beneath him was a mess of trembling and moans, shaking against the table as he spilled onto the floor below with an audible dripping sound, dampening Alex’s fingers slightly. That wasn’t even accounting for the way Alex felt Henry’s cock twitch, or his hole flutter with what seemed like one hell of a muscle spasm. Must be some kind of sign it was good for Henry; it felt incredible to Alex, anyway.

“Fuck, baby,” the brunette panted, “I’d apologize for making that more of a sprint than a race, but you finished right behind me, so I think we’re okay,” he teased, putting his foot back on the floor and gently slipping himself out of the other man. His eyes locked where he'd just been, waiting in anticipation for the view that came seconds later. In time with the way Henry laughed, blissed out and satisfied; Alex watched white begin to pour out of swollen pink skin. Covering that abused rim in a sheen as Alex quickly moved a hand forward to retrieve what otherwise would have dripped to the floor. Scooping his fingertips along Henry’s balls and upward, over his taint and gently across that hole. “You want a taste?” he asked instinctively.

With a surprising amount of strength for someone who’d been crumpled earlier, Henry turned around, slipping back down onto his knees in front of Alex. He lifted his chin up with the same amount of pride the prince usually displayed, but much more submission than Alex had seen. His lips fell apart, tongue half out as he leaned up on his knees, stretching himself toward those slick fingers. Just as silently as Henry had moved, Alex reached his hand down, gently pressing his fingers against that warm tongue. He watched with hungry eyes as soft lips wrapped around his fingers, sucking them clean in a way that was far too slow and thorough, before Henry pulled back and sat on his heels.

Light eyes still cast upward as the blond caught his breath, he licked his lips before speaking, “Would you like me to suck your cock clean?”

“Do you know how fucking weird it is to have a prince ask me that?” Alex asked with a laugh, “I uhm, no not this time, thank you, I’d feel bad,” he answered after a moment before extending his hand.

Henry’s expression was almost confused as he rested his hand in Alex’s, standing up and keeping questioning eyes on the other man, “You tasted wonderful,” he nodded, smiling shyly with a look that was almost boyish. For a moment, he didn’t look like a prince at all, just a young man getting up to something he likely had no business doing, “You’ve no idea how many men can’t hit that spot. You were incredible.”

“Yeah? You’re not so bad yourself,” Alex shook his head, but mostly to hide the flush in his cheeks from the genuineness of the compliment. “I’d be down to do it again sometime, just ya know, for the record or whatever.”

“Wonderful to know, I’d be thrilled to,” with a sheepish lip bite, Henry took a step backward picking up his nightshirt and pulling it back on, “I… assume you won’t mind if I take this with me?” he asked, picking up the bottle of lube.

“Oh no, not at all,” Alex shrugged, before ducking forward, “But,” he began, only to make sure Henry didn’t turn away first. He leaned in quickly, one short dive to press a kiss go the blond’s cheek in a somewhat playful way, “Have a good night, sweetheart, don’t forget your lantern.”

For a moment, Henry stood there, at the end of Alex’s table. His cock not even entirely flaccid yet beneath that thin fabric. His lantern in one hand, the lube clasped in the other as he smiled fondly in Alex’s direction. He looked beautiful like that, Alex thought, the kind of man someone could fall in love with. Not stuck up or cold, someone warm and playful. Suddenly he understood the fanciful wishes of girls he’d grown up with wanting to marry a prince.

“Goodnight,” Henry whispered, before finally turning to pad back up the stairs.

As the door clicked shut behind Henry, Alex let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. For a few moments, he simply stood in the quiet, savoring the lingering heat in his skin and the afterglow that left the workshop feeling softer somehow. He ran a hand through his curls, glancing down at the faint traces of their encounter. Stains on the floor, light pink marks on his skin that would fade by morning; but feelings that he suspected would last much longer. There was something dangerously intoxicating about the night, the way the boundaries between prince and commoner, duty and desire, seemed to blur until nothing remained but the undeniable pull between them. Alex wondered, not for the first time, just how much trouble he’d landed himself in. Tonight though, like most others he’d done something reckless, he found he didn’t mind at all.

꧁✮..࣪ ☾🔮☽ ࣪..✮꧂

Now a new train of thought took over Alex’s mind. But was it really so bad if he spent the next few days thinking about that night with Henry? He didn’t think so. Accuse him of daydreaming about a prince at best, pining over one at worst. But it was hard not to think about the simple uninhibited need he felt coming off Henry. That accompanied by the way Henry had brought him dessert the next night; acting completely normal aside from what seemed like one small break in resolve. A brush of their hands had made the blond gasp quietly, cheeks heating to pink before he smiled, wished Alex a good evening, and quickly made his exit. There was something endearing about it, puppy love or just a hopeless romantic nature that lived inside of Alex unfed and unnurtured, desperate to show itself. He secretly hoped that wasn’t the case.

Wishes for the emotions being fleeting or not, Alex was thoroughly distracted. As he tried to research, read, or take notes, instead he found himself drawing sketches. He wanted to make something for Henry, something to blow his mind, to do something for him that a man could never do. Reach all the right spots and do it sensationally. Alex had seen plenty of designs for sex toys; things meant for gratification when one was alone. He’d heard stories of putting bees inside of a tube for a pleasant vibrating sensation. While bees didn’t exactly seem like the easiest or safest thing to do. But he could design a model that worked off energy. He just couldn’t quite figure out a way to channel electricity without his own abilities.

The thoughts gnawed at him until he allowed the second half to go. It would simply have to work by his own touch- if he was honest, the idea of the toy being more fun if he was present did have a draw for him. Maybe it was ego, or he just liked the idea of no one else ever being to do that for Henry again, unless he found another alchemist. But clearly it had been hard enough for him to get his hands on Alex. So, Alex gathered scrap steel, set up his circles, gathered any ingredients he needed, and within the span of a few spells and about half an hour he had a brand-new toy to show off.

Alex had created a plug of sorts. The shape of a slightly curved finger, thicker, bulbus at one end and flared at the other. No shape of the parts meant to be inserted large enough to be uncomfortable, just enough to provide stimulation. The base much too large to allow for it to be lost or hard to remove. Being metal that wouldn’t tarnish made it reusable, good for cleaning, and presumably long lasting. The final touch was… Alex’s literal touch. Leaving Alex grinning like a child as he channeled energy into the toy that bounced about in his palm as though it were enchanted. Well, he supposed it was, but it stopped just as quickly with the same tap of two fingers. It was the sort of thing that had him giggling, murmuring to himself about this being the best thing he’d ever done. A bit ironic from a man who’d made gold before, but he was proud regardless.

Having finished his creation and thoroughly excited to show it off, Alex made the rare trip of venturing out of his quarters. He did make sure he looked presentable first, pulling a black linen shirt over his head, but not bothering with proper shoes besides some boots he slipped on. There were still some stares as he stalked his way through the halls of the castle, the occasional flirtatiously curious glances from maids. He presumed all of that had to do with the fact he was a tall brown man with messy curls, dressed in all black and leather pants walking through the pristine halls of white marble more than anything. There were surely whispers of the prince keeping a new alchemist in the castle, and it was likely his appearance made it obvious it was him. But none of the guards even tried to stop him, not until he found himself outside of the bedchambers.

“What business do you have here, sorcerer?”

Somehow that man had made it sound like a slur, which Alex would choose to ignore based entirely on how excited he was, “I need to talk to Hen- Prince Henry about something. Something that I’ve been working on.”

With an expression very much like he resented allowing it, the guard stepped back, pointing to a door at the end of the hall. “On the left just there, go nowhere else.”

“Gotcha,” Alex nodded, unable to fight a smirk. There was a small glee in doing things that the royal guards, and likely the royal family, begrudged him doing. Henry at some point must have made the orders clear that Alex was allowed to visit him at any time. He should do it more often, for spite. Once he’d made it down the hall and to Henry’s door, Alex leaned forward and knocked; he was polite after all.  “Henry?” he called against heavy wood, “Uh, sorry, Your Highness? It’s me, Alex.”

A few moments afterward, the doors opened inward, producing Henry standing behind them. It was midday but he was still in a robe and house slippers, looking as neat and handsome as ever though. “Yes?”

“Don’t get too excited, it’s not anything related to what I’m working on,” Alex began, suddenly nervous he might have chosen a bad time. “So, if you’re busy, I can come back.”

“You’re fine, I’ve just had a bath,” the blond offered, smiling politely, “Come in,” he said, stepping back and allowing Alex to walk inside before closing the doors. “Also, I don’t think I’ve extended the invitation to you, but you’re welcome to have a bath if you like. They can be quite nice. My grandmother thinks I take far too many, but well, you know-”

“You gotta smell pretty for your numerous and frequent lovers, I get it,” Alex teased, “But for the record, it’s insane to me you just called the queen ‘grandmother’, and that you’re talking about baths like a hobby.”

With a head tilt, Henry blinked a few times quickly, “Do you not enjoy baths?”

“I don’t typically live in a castle,” Alex said nonchalantly, waving his hand, “So, I usually hop in a river; not scared of the river spirits.”

“Mhn, I can’t imagine a man like yourself would have any reason to be,” the blond hummed, before quickly correcting, “I meant someone who dabbles in the sorts of practices that you do, not-”

“Relax, I know,” Alex sneered playfully, “I figured out you weren’t racist a little while ago, the jury is still out on everyone else here. Anyway,” he paused, waving another hand and reaching to untie a pouch from his belt, “Do you want to see what I made you?”

“Of course,” Henry nodded, “I’m incredibly intrigued.” He watched in wonder for a moment as Alex pulled out his newly crafted device, “I’ve… no idea what that is, it looks obscene, I know that,” he admitted, “Something like a cross between a finger and a cock, only in statue form. Have you made me a statue?”

“Well, I can explain, or I can show you,” Alex grinned, biting into his bottom lip as he held the toy between two fingers by the base. “So that depends on you, are you up for some uh- illicit behavior?”

“You dog,” Henry laughed, “I’m always up for it,” he mused, letting his gaze wander a bit lower than Alex’s face. He made it obvious, eyes traveling down and resting on the exposed bit of skin along the brunette’s chest. The deep V-shape in the shirt that should have been tied higher, but wasn’t, and instead showed off the curve of rounded pecs and dark chest hair there. “I was beginning to wonder if you came dressed like that to tempt me.”

Thankfully, daylight coming in through curtains made it a bit harder to see red rushing to tanned cheeks, and Alex simply cleared his throat in response. He very much hadn’t left his shirt undone for that reason, but the idea that he’d been unknowingly sexualized by Henry for the entire time he’d been in the same room wasn’t an idea he was unfond of. “Is it safe for us to uh… you know, here?”

“Ah, I can lock the door,” the blond chimed, padding his way to the door and turning a key in the lock before turning back around.

That may have been the first time Alex had really taken the opportunity to look around the bedroom. It was certainly one of the most luxurious spaces he’d ever been in. Spacious yet carefully arranged for quiet display of status. Tall windows framed by heavy brocade curtains let in the warm sunlight, illuminating a grand four-poster bed with carved head and footboards, draped with fine linens and embroidered pillows. The walls were adorned with subtle tapestries, each depicting scenes from the royal family’s history, while an ornate fireplace sat opposite the bed, its mantle crowded with small mementos; silver-framed portraits, pressed flowers, and a delicate clock that chimed softly on the hour. A pair of plush armchairs were set near the hearth for reading or private conversation, and a broad writing desk stood beneath the window, its surface littered with books, half-written notes, and a scattering of ink pots. Gilded candleholders provided gentle lighting, reflecting off the polished hardwood floors softened by thick, woven rugs. Despite the opulence, the room felt lived-in, against all odds. As if the coldness of royal decorating had been worn down into the kind of place where a prince might shed his royal facade and simply be himself for a few quiet hours.

“Alright, we’re alone,” Henry announced, interrupting any psychoanalyzing Alex may have launched into with a minute more alone with his brain. “Should I undress?”

“You should,” the brunette purred, snapping to full attention with a grin quickly forming back on his face, “You should also tell me where the lubricant is.”

“Oh, just here,” quickly Henry shuffled over to his bed, opening a drawer and pulling out the bottle of lube. He walked over to Alex then, offering it to the other man with a coy smile, “Now undress?”

“Yes.”

As if thrilled by the opportunity, the blond took a step back, undoing his robe and tossing it aside. He made each movement just a bit too slow, keeping his eyes locked on Alex’s with a grin plastered on his face. It was endearing to watch how he slipped his shoes off, tugging the long nightshirt over his head and throwing it on the end of his bed before taking that single step closer to Alex again. It was enough to make the brunette chuckle quietly, shaking his head as he fought a smile.

“You’re enticing enough without giving me a little show, you know?” Alex teased, “What’s the word you Brits love so much? Bellibone?”

A genuine giggle erupted from the blond, shaking his head, “Bellibone? No one's said that in at least a hundred years, and it was almost exclusively used for women. How’d you even learn that word? It can’t be something said in the colonies.”

“I just figured you’d be into it,” Alex hummed, not elaborating beyond that. Stepping closer then, opening the bottle of lube and getting a bit on his fingertips. He placed the bottle and cork on the nearest table, applying the slickness to the metal toy in his hand before opening his arms, “Come here, get in close.”

“Oh, that’s going in me,” Henry whispered, clearly having just realized. Though he didn’t hesitate, stepping closer and wrapping his arms around the brunette’s waist. He even tilted his chin up to place a gentle kiss on Alex’s lips.

“It is, don’t worry, you’ll like it, I promise,” Alex mumbled against the other man’s lips. He wrapped both arms around Henry, grinning already as he felt a half hard cock against his thigh. First, he slipped his still sticky fingers between those rounded cheeks, brushing over the tight muscle between them, “I’m going to be gentle, okay?”

“Alright.”

Carefully, Alex pushed one slick finger into the other man, pumping it slowly as he pressed kisses to Henry’s lips. It was perhaps a touch more intimate than it should have been. Deep languid kisses in time with the way he slowly worked one finger before just as tenderly pressing a second one into the blond. The way Henry sighed and moaned quietly into the kisses didn’t really help the intimacy of it all. His fingers curling into the loose fabric of Alex’s shirt, pressing their bodies closer together. But for a few moments, Alex allowed himself to bask in it, taking his time and enjoying every mewl or clench against his fingers.

“Okay, I’m gonna be easy with this too,” Alex explained, carefully pulling his fingers out of the other man. “But it should feel good, just try and relax.” With a hum of approval, Alex moved the toy into place, pressing the tip against Henry’s skin before he began to push it in.

“It’s cold,” Henry giggled, not at all seeming upset by that fact. But he broke into a sharp gasp and then high-pitched moan as the toy pushed into him. Both hands reaching up and grabbing Alex’s shoulders, squeezing tightly, “Oh… my god,” he panted, “That presses into the perfect spot...”

“Mhn, sure does, and now, for my next trick,” Alex murmured, resting one hand on Henry’s head, ruffling it some, which earned him a mild grumble but did create static. He reached his other hand to press fingertips gently against the base of the homemade plug, and bit back a laugh as he felt it begin to vibrate beneath his touch. If his calculations were correct, he should be able to break contact and- just as he lifted his fingers from the metal base, the sounds coming from Henry made it obvious the vibration had not stopped.

Noises that were a mess, unending and constant moans and whimpers as Henry trembled like a leaf, almost falling against Alex immediately. Hips bucking in place as he bit into one clothed shoulder to stifle a yelp; and Alex could feel warm wetness sliding down the outside of his pants. Henry’s cock throbbing in the same spot where he felt that sensation, the blond’s fingertips digging into his arms like it was necessary for survival. That first orgasm had come quicker than even Alex had been expecting.

“Oh my god, o-h oh my g-od, shit, oh f-fuck, christ….Alex,” Henry gasped, his voice trembling just like the rest of him. “I… I-”

“I’ve got ya,” Alex hummed, wrapping his arms around the other man to support Henry’s weight. “I won’t let you fall.” He did however reach behind himself, putting the cork back in the bottle of lube and grabbing it before he picked the blond up, “Come on, lets go to your bed, it’ll be easier there.”

Despite still trembling, Henry seemed more than happy to be lifted, and just as content to writhe into his own mattress once Alex laid him back on the bed. Knees coming together as his hands tangled into silk sheets, head falling back as he arched in place. He was entirely erect now, his cock glistening a sheen of white at the tip, twitching along as he squirmed in place. Goosebumps had prickled up all over pale skin, face, neck, and shoulders flushed a light pink.

“I…what is this,” Henry’s voice was almost pleading, “Is this alchemy? It- fuck, it doesn’t stop, it’s so good,” he swallowed hard, before trying to speak again, “It’s…like it’s moving inside of me, p-perfect spot, I… I think I’ll come again soon,” he breathed between moans.

“I made you something to play with,” Alex said proudly, pulling off his own shirt and dropping it on the floor. He sat the lube on the mattress and began undoing his pants, pushing boots off before he pulled them down. “Admittedly I rushed a bit, so you’ll need me to start and stop it, but I like the idea of you needing me,” he teased, though the playfulness seemed to be lost on blissed out ears. “But now is when we’re gonna play,” he explained, “Because you’re gonna do something nice for me now,” he hummed, crawling onto the mattress and hovering above Henry, leaning down to press soft kisses along the curve of the other man’s neck, “You’re gonna let me feel that big dick of yours. Don’t worry, I’ll prep myself for you.”

“Alex…I can’t.”

“You don’t want to, or you can’t?” the brunette hummed, “Because there’s a big difference.”

“I… I’ll give you anything you want,” Henry gasped, “But I can’t, I’ll never be able to, I can ba-fuck- maintain a shred of lucidity right n-now.”

“Don’t worry, baby, I’ll help you,” Alex nodded, picking up the lube and opening it. He got some on his fingers before closing it back, already reaching behind his back and pushing one finger into himself. “You look so fucking pretty squirming around. Does it feel good?”

“F-feels wonderful,” that answer was obscured by moans and whimpers. Henry’s eyes fluttering open as he looked back up with a desperate expression, “You’re so handsome, I can’t b-believe you made t-this.”

“I can’t be handsome and smart?” Alex teased before pushing a second finger into himself, giving a low groan as he kept pumping them, “You know I haven’t done this super often, but your dick is just so pretty,” he whispered, kissing along the other man’s chest gently, “I want to have it in me, have you fucked someone before?”

“Only once,” Henry whined, swallowing hard as he instinctively arched off the bed, cock throbbing against his stomach as clear precum leaked onto his stomach. “B-but he wasn’t as attractive as y-you. I’d do anyt-thing you wanted me t-to.”

“Great,” the brunette grinned, unable to resist biting into one of the other man’s pecs. It was hard enough to leave a mark, making Henry cry out as his thighs trembled. He’d pushed a third finger into himself, nuzzling his lips against the spot he’d bitten. Secretly, he hoped for it to linger, the maids to see a bruise there as they dressed the prince. Someone, anyone to know that a stranger had laid claim to the man shaking beneath him. “Alright, baby, come on, get up on your knees. Don’t worry, if you can’t fuck me, I’ll ride you.”

As soon as he’d finished speaking, Alex slipped fingers out of himself, getting a bit more lube before closing the bottle again, and reached down to wrap his hand around Henry’s shaft. It resulted in an immediate jolt of the blond’s hips, jerking against the mattress. The second stroke causing Henry to spill over his own stomach and Alex’s fingers as he writhed in place. Biting into his bottom lip so hard Alex expected to see blood as he arched in place, clawing at the sheets.

“Oh sweetheart,” Alex hummed, “That must be so good, huh? Come on, be brave,” he cooed, stroking the other man’s length a few more times to slick up the skin before sitting up on his knees. “Here, come on, get behind me,” he offered, turning his back to Henry and reaching one hand back, “You can put your weight on me if you need to, I can handle it.”

“You’re insane, do you know that?” Henry gasped, grabbing Alex’s hand and slowly getting to his knees, but he did move behind the other man, panting hard as he rested one hand on the brunette’s hip. “Bloody gorgeous, but absolutely mental.”

“I’ve been called worse,” with a grin, Alex shifted his hand to gently take hold of Henry’s hip, as if that might help stabilize him, “You got it, sweetheart?”

“No,” Henry answered instantly, tone not sounding nearly as playful as he clearly meant it, “I feel like I’m going to collapse any moment and as though witchcraft may actually be the devil’s work.”

“Thank god I don’t do witchcraft, right?” Alex teased, “You’re making whole sentences though, proud of you, baby. You’re getting used to it.”

“Is that what you call it?” Henry laughed, before seeming to find the strength to move. He used one hand to carefully guide himself into the brunette, before immediately hissing at the feeling, “Christ, that’s sensitive, and you’re- fuck- so tight.”

“Yeah? Put it all in, baby,” Alex encouraged, tugging at Henry’s hip shamelessly, “Come on, balls deep, sweetheart, you’re doing such a good job.” Despite how even his own speaking was, he shuddered at the feeling of fullness washing over him. Warm, thick, stretching him out, and brushing against the most wonderful places already. “Fuck, just like that,” he groaned, “You’re so fucking thick- knew that dick would be amazing.”

“D-don’t…” Henry began, shuddering as he started to roll his hips into long deep strokes, “Get u-used to it,” he gasped, pressing his face into Alex’s shoulder before sinking his teeth into warm skin to stifle a whine despite resting both hands on the brunette’s hips as he continued his pace. His weight was mostly against Alex, but he was holding up so far.

“I won’t, Your Highness,” Alex moaned, as sarcastically as he could manage while resting one hand on the mattress for stability. Pushing his own hips backward into each thrust, “Just like to dabble sometimes, shit! You’re so fucking deep,” he groaned, eyes fluttering as he felt his own cock throb between his thighs, clenching against the other man’s thick cock- which presently felt as though it was in his stomach.

“I- Alex, my g-god, you’re going to make me come again,” Henry whined, pressing his cheek between Alex’s shoulder blades, his teeth nipping at the skin closest to him. But he persisted, seeming to try and align his thrusts with the way the other man pushed back into his hips.

“Do it, fill me up, baby. But fuck me hard first, I want you to really go for it, come on, fuck me how you like to be fucked. Show me just how obedient you can be,” Alex hissed through gritted teeth, “Lived your life like that, haven’t you? Following palace orders…rules, s-show me,” he gasped, “What kind of self-control you can have when it actually fucking matters to you.”

“You really are an absolute menace,” the blond panted. But he placed one hand on the back of Alex’s neck, pushing him a bit more forward, the other resting on his hip before speeding up to a punishing pace. “Could have just told me you needed my cock this b-badly,” he mumbled, words seeming to bounce slightly with every ram of his hips. There was force behind it, as though he’d found a renewed determination- one that Alex hadn’t seen before now.

This time it was Alex who had to bite back moans, eyes rolling back as they closed, fingers tangling in the mattress as he tried not to move from the slightly bent over position he’d been pushed into. Mostly because- well, the angle was incredible. Every thrust seemed to slam right into the perfect spot before sliding deep enough to create a dull ache in his gut. The sensation was dizzying, his body naturally pushing against the intrusion, causing waves of pleasure to radiate up his spine as Henry actively fought against it with every slam. Muted clapping sounds filled the room, pants and moans from both men; only growing louder as Henry’s hand slid up Alex’s neck and tangled in dark curls before pulling hard. For just a few minutes, it was absolute bliss, complete euphoria. Even as Henry’s hips stuttered and Alex felt warmth flooding into him, he could only shudder at the fullness, biting back a rather embarrassingly high-pitched moan.

“Alex,” Henry panted, “I don’t think I can come again, no more, I w-want to, but..” Despite verbally admitting defeat, the blond’s hips kept rolling forward, as if determined to prove something. Perhaps, Alex liked to think, proving how much it mattered to him.

“That’s okay, baby,” Alex nodded, gently pulling forward so that cock slipped out of him. He hissed quietly, feeling his hole clench against nothing at the sudden emptiness- he could have probably taken a gentler route to avoid that. But he turned around and pulled Henry into his arms quickly, one hand moving down to press his fingers against the base of the metal toy. Within a few seconds, the vibration stopped, and Henry physically relaxed into the brunette’s arms, almost slumping there. “Oh, I know, baby. You did such a good job,” Alex cooed, stroking his fingers through blond hair and pressing kisses to Henry’s temple. “Thank you for trying so hard for me.”

“Let me make you come,” Henry panted defiantly, despite not moving yet. “Let me finish you off. I have n-never, not gotten a man off. I’m not about to start today.”

“Okay,” swallowing hard himself, to regulate his breathing, Alex nodded slowly, “How do you want to do it?”

“I want to show you something now,” Henry said, pulling himself back to sit up on shaky knees, “May I?”

“I’m not going to say no to being taught how to fuck by a prince.”

Despite rolling his eyes, Henry took hold of his own cock, which by this point was half-flagged; though he didn’t seem to find that inconvenient. He took Alex’s shaft in the opposite hand, carefully brushing their tips together in a way that seemed more like a warmup or prelude that Alex very much didn’t need.

“Alright, tell me if you’re uncomfortable at all,” the blond instructed.

“Got it.”

The answer had come more like a whisper, mostly because Alex was entirely focused on watching whatever Henry was doing. He watched the other man stroke along his shaft, carefully pulling back the foreskin to expose a glistening tip. Just the sensation alone making a drop of precum bead along Alex’s slit. With a thumb and one finger, Henry also pulled back his own foreskin, pressing his tip against Alex’s gently. Carefully he pushed his own foreskin forward over the head of Alex’s cock, making the brunette immediately inhale sharply and bite back a low groan. It was almost embarrassing how much he loved the blanket of warmth and new tightness against such sensitive skin. He was confident he saw Henry smile, but it didn’t stop the blond from carefully tugging Alex’s foreskin back down so that it covered his own already encompassing the head of Alex’s cock.

“Here,” Henry instructed gently, taking Alex’s hand and placing it, “Thumb just here,” he said, guiding the brunette to rest his thumb over his own foreskin. “Wrap your hand around it, good, just like that,” he purred. “Now you can stroke gently, as long as you keep a gentle pressure with your thumb, we’ll stay connected like that. And you can still come inside of me, if you think about it.”

“That’s so insanely fucking hot,” Alex panted, dragging teeth against his own bottom lip as he slowly moved his fist; keeping his thumb in place. A low groan rumbled in his chest as his lashes fluttered lightly, this was something entirely new and incredibly erotic. The sensation was wonderful, every nerve absolutely electric with the slick warmth he currently felt. But there was a simple sort of intimacy in this, unable to move too fast or sudden, holding both he and Henry in his palm, and feeling the way the other man’s half-hard cock still leaked precum; just significantly less than Alex did. “It’s not too much for you?” he asked after a moment, “Like you’re not too sensitive?”

“I’m alright,” Henry spoke breathlessly, his eyes hardly pulling away from the view between them. As if he were just as enthralled as Alex by an act he’d been the teacher for. “Does it feel nice? I suppose not as nice as my arse, but-”

“No,” Alex interrupted, shaking his head and glancing up briefly. His hand still slowly working his own tip, electricity creeping up his spine at the sensation of it all against his own palm. His hardness, the way Henry’s cock seemed so pliable to his every touch. Each stroke forward seeming to push it back, only to feel it press back against his own tip on the next backward tug, “No, it’s fucking amazing. I- I didn’t know we could do this, anyone could do this.”

“Mhn, it’s quite nice to me too,” the blond hummed, reaching one hand outward now, resting it on Alex’s chest. He drug his fingers through the chest hair there with a smile, “I hope you won’t mind if I blatantly sexualize you while you do this?”

Another spike of electricity ran through Alex, making him visibly shudder as his skin prickled. Nipples pebbling beneath Henry’s touch as he shook his head, “No, no I don’t mind at all, fuck, I love how you touch me,” he moaned, head falling back a bit as he tried to focus on working his hand in the same steady slow way. “I feel like I’m gonna come… so fucking fast, baby.”

“Do it,” Henry encouraged, pawing over the other man’s pecs, squeezing one before shamelessly tweaking the opposite nipple, “Come inside of me, I want to feel it. Love when you come for me, darling.”

That bit of encouragement was all that was needed for Alex to reach his peak. Somehow more intense than he’d expected, making his hips jerk as he tried to bite back a rather high-pitched moan. Hand releasing the grasp he had on himself and Henry, white spilling onto the mattress beneath them immediately as he did.

“Good boy,” the blond purred, leaning up and grabbing Alex’s jaw in a firm grip.

While the dominance was unexpected, it certainly wasn’t unwelcome. Making Alex hum into the kiss he was pulled into, feeling a strong grasp on his jaw that slid down his neck and chest, shamelessly touching over his body. He took a few minutes to melt into it, slipping his tongue into Henry’s mouth, only to feel it met with resistance, the other man’s tongue forcing it into submission as Alex’s eyes rolled back behind closed lids. He moaned into that kiss nearly constantly until it was broken, left shuddering again once air filled his lungs. The euphoria of the orgasm fading away between the last few pecks he stole from those plush lips- the ones that had begun to consume many of his thoughts. Somehow, Henry never ceased to amaze him.

“You should let me give you a bath,” Henry was the one who broke the silence of the room once the kissing had stopped. Leaning over closer to Alex before pressing one kiss to the top of the other man’s shoulder. His fingertips gently trailing up and down warm skin where their bodies were intertwined. As he spoke, he let his eyes wander up slowly, flashing a hopeful glance.

Henry looked almost dreamy like that, Alex thought, someone who ought not to be a prince.  Or maybe he looked exactly like one, in a brief moment of freedom that he didn’t often find himself in possession of.

“You want to give me a bath? There has to be some kind of rule about princes not being allowed to bathe commoners.”

“The only rule is that the prince gets to do whatever he wishes with commoners,” Henry said flatly before pulling himself half up, resting on one elbow. “Say yes.”

“I mean, I’m not going to say no to whatever kind of bath a prince gets,” Alex hummed, stretching out where he lay, thighs even trembling a little bit in a relaxed blissed out way.

“Perfect, stay there,” the blond murmured, leaning in and pressing one quick peck to Alex’s temple, as if that would ensure he obeyed, before crawling out of the bed.

For the next half hour, Alex lay in a bed bigger than he’d ever known could possibly exist and watched Henry work. He’d offered to help, and quickly been shut down, so there was nothing to do besides observe. The way Henry dragged a wooden basin from the corner of his room and lay a cloth down inside of it. Only to then lug in bucket after bucket of hot water, biceps straining despite the fact he made it look like easy work. A display of strength and broad shoulders stretching beneath loungewear and a luxurious robe. Light hair flopping all about, messy from their previous activities. Sweat beginning to glisten Henry’s brow as he carried in a tray of oils, perfumes, flower petals, and even milk. Bottle after bottle added to the warm water until the entire bedroom smelled like an apothecary.

Finally pleased with his work, the prince nodded, before walking back to lock his door again. “Alright, the only thing left to add to the bath is you, come along,” he instructed, before taking hold of Alex’s hand and tugging him out of the bed.

It was easy work, pulling a chuckling Alex along, holding his palm as he stepped into the bath basin before taking a seat. The fit was a bit tight; legs pulled up into a crouched sitting position instead of stretched out. Not exactly cramped, but strange and new. Though he couldn’t imagine it was easier of a fit for Henry, they were near enough to the same height. It couldn’t be described as unpleasant; warm, silky against his skin, it smelled lovely and luxurious. All of that only heightened as Henry knelt beside the tub, taking a cloth and dipping it in the water before beginning to wash over Alex’s shoulders slowly.

“You know, I’m impressed you did all this heavy lifting, considering how you were shaking once you came. Also, you never took out that pl-”

“Stop talking,” Henry’s voice was calm, but stern; very much like a prince. “You don’t have to fill the silence because you’re uncomfortable. You can simply be; relax.”

That was easier said than done, but Alex nodded, before relaxing into the warm water. He closed his eyes, letting his shoulders go limp under the careful touch of the blond. The silence lasted about five minutes, before he simply couldn’t bear it any longer, “You know, my brain basically never shuts up,” it was quiet, barely above a whisper, as if respecting Henry’s request as much as he could.

“Mhm, that’s alright, I’m sure it’s part of what makes you brilliant,” Henry murmured, slipping his cloth covered hand beneath the water to wash over the brunette’s back and stomach, moving over his thighs. Impressively, he didn’t seem anything less than professional, it was as if he’d done this before.

“You’re sweet,” Alex sighed, before looking over at the other man. His head lulling to the side in a calm, dreamy way. He didn’t even notice just how much he was relaxing until that moment in fact- it was enough to make him chuckle.  “Why did you want to do this? Like is this something you do for all your hookups?”

“No,” the blond began, his tone less stern now; less sure. “I’ve never done it before. You just…seemed like someone who’d not been taken care of as often as you should be. So,” for a moment he paused, washing lower along Alex’s legs, “I wanted to spoil you a bit. Besides, you’re perhaps the only man I’ve ever been with to make me finish more than once.”

“So, you like the plug?” Alex asked with a grin. He chose to ignore the rest of what Henry had said; finding it easy to convince himself it was for the sake of the prince’s ego. Afterall, it must be more embarrassing for a prince to switch places with a commoner. If those words were true, it meant nothing besides that Alex was overworked, he didn’t take enough breaks- at least that was noble.

“I’m fond of it. May I keep it?”

“Yeah, you can,” the brunette chuckled, “Next time we play with each other I can turn it on again for you. Or the next time you want to play with it, you can come see me, you know where I am.”

“I could be amendable to coming to see you,” Henry said with a little smile, “Are you going to let me wash those lovely curls?” he asked once he’d finished washing over Alex’s body.

“Well, I can’t really say no to a prince, can I?” Alex teased before smiling up at the blond. “Be careful though, I’m not house trained, might end up shaking water all over your room like a dog,” he teased.

“You wouldn’t dare,” Henry murmured, leaning over to pick up a pitcher he’d brought in earlier. Carefully he dipped it into the water and gently positioned Alex’s head before pouring the warm stream through dark curls. His fingers following the water and combing through the wet strands. “You’re beautiful, you know?”

“Mhn, so are you,” the brunette hummed; eyes closed and head back as he basked in the light scratches to his scalp. “Pretty little prince, look like you were made to be shown off.”

“Oh, come off it,” Henry tsk’d. He placed the empty pitcher down in favor of a small bar of soap; rubbing it through the other man’s curls along with his opposite hand. “I don’t think I’m unattractive, but I certainly can’t take myself to bed, can I?”

“Is that your way of confessing you don’t play with that pretty dick alone, your highness?” Alex teased without opening his eyes.

Henry ignored the question, “But you… it’s like you radiate it; beauty, I mean. As if you were made from the gold and magic yourself. You look like your lips taste of the elixir of life, like your power runs hot in your veins. You’ve the sort of face I would spend my life falling to my knees for, and that’s without going into the rest of you,” he murmured. Falling silent then, he leaned forward and pressed one gentle kiss into the brunette’s shoulder, “You’re incredible; like my poems and novels have come to life.”

“Your knees, hm?” Despite his quickening heart, Alex’s tone was steady. He’d practiced for discussions with tyrants and how to debate with war generals, never did he guess that sort of thing would be beneficial now- like this. “A prince, who can command armies, rule a country, to his knees?”

“I’ve no head for war,” the blond murmured, picking up his pitcher again and beginning to rinse Alex’s curls. His fingers combing carefully through each snag, “And I’m the spare.”

“Still, you make me sound awfully powerful.”

“You’ve not the slightest idea how powerful you are, not really.”

“Mhn, is this about the alchemy thing? Because I’m pretty sure I know what I’m capable of,” Alex chuckled, if only to keep himself from purring at the feeling of soft fingertips massaging his scalp.

“It wasn’t, actually,” Henry quipped as he finished his task of rinsing. Though he picked up a bottle of scented oil, tapping a few drops onto his palm and rubbing hands together before beginning to comb his hands through damp curls.

The feeling was soothing, but the scent was both familiar and unfamiliar to Alex. So much so that he couldn’t help but forget how he’d intended to pry more into Henry’s vagueness, “What’s that oil?”

“It’s a perfume, but there are oils in it to make it linger on skin. I believe it was some sort of wood, leather, myrrh, and cinnamon. I love when men smell like cinnamon,” Henry offered that last bit of information with a grin before wiping what remained on his palms along Alex’s shoulders. His own face followed suit, pressing one gentle kiss into the brunette’s neck as he inhaled deeply. “Lovely, it mixes with your body well, you should take it with you. It’s much more suited to the taste I prefer to smell on someone else than myself.”

Since Henry had stopped touching him for the moment, Alex turned to glance at the tray, eyeing bottles as if trying to decide which one it might be. Likely the ornate bottle that was still currently open; glass encased in silver, with a matching silver screw top sitting beside it. “I don’t even want to think about how many families could have been fed for the price of what that costed.”

“Mn, likely not as many as if you spent your time making gold for the poor as opposed to working for princes,” the blond shot back with a grin.

Funny. That was funny, Henry was funny. Yet another thing that surprised Alex more than he'd like to admit. “Okay, easy there, Your Highness,” he sneered while shaking his head as he did his very best to suppress a smile.

With a hum, the prince stood, smiling as he picked up a towel before extending a hand to Alex. “Come on then,” he encouraged, helping the brunette out of the tub before wrapping the towel around warm perfumed skin. “You should stay here, come to dinner with me.”

“I’ll stay with you till dinner,” Alex agreed, “But I’m still passing on dining with the Queen, no offense.”

“None taken,” Henry mused, rubbing the towel along the other man’s limbs, “But I’ll make you suffer my fate eventually.”

“You’ll have to exile me to the towers first.”

“Careful, I just might.”

“Can I ask you something?” Alex asked while allowing himself to be dried off, eyes watching every move the other man made. Henry only hummed in an affirmative way, like maybe he knew what was coming. “Do they… know? Your family.”

“My sister does,” Henry began, “I think my father did, but even if he didn’t he made it apparent he wouldn’t have cared. Mum seems oblivious, as does my brother.” After a short pause, stepping back and walking to take a nightshirt out of one drawer, he continued speaking. “Grandmother… certainly knows but she’s made it apparent to me that it’s not allowed.”

“Not allowed?” Alex laughed, “What the fuck does that mean?” he asked, allowing Henry to slip the nightshirt over his head. He’d indulge wearing the prince’s pajamas while they spent the next few hours in bed together. “Are you like… not supposed to live?”

“Precisely,” the blond nodded, straightening the nightshirt on Alex, tying it where it ought to be, “Otherwise I’ll be the one exiled to the towers,” he hummed with a smile.

Even if it seemed like a joke, Alex was on some level aware it wasn’t. But the way Henry seemed to dismiss it before guiding Alex to the bed didn’t really offer much room for continuation of the conversation. Not that he was sure what he’d have said anyway. It was one of the first times he’d ever considered that maybe Henry’s life hadn’t been any easier than his own. Trapped in a place where he was doomed to be an outsider, at least Alex felt as though he had the free will to leave. Briefly, he wished he had something prophetic to say, something comforting or inspiring, maybe a way to convince Henry to live his truth no matter what. But the words never came, so instead he wrapped his body around the prince, tangling their limps. Willing the heat of his body to convey something his mouth couldn’t; that he understood, sympathized, wished for better for Henry. The way the blond nuzzled into him gave the slightest inclination that maybe he appreciated the gesture. 

꧁✮..࣪ ☾🔮☽ ࣪..✮꧂

After that, days in the castle became a bit of a blur. Alex spent his hours studying everything the royal library offered him access to. He learned of war, strategy, chemistry he’d struggled to find records of before his time here. Every so often he’d present Henry with a gift, a small ornament or golden accessory. Those things seemed to keep the prince satiated, or at least amused; as did the nights when Henry slipped into Alex’s chambers and dropped his nightshirt at the door. He’d never been particularly pushy about what Alex was working on before, but the more time that passed the more it seemed to fall by the wayside. Henry almost seemed contented to spend his nights beneath Alex, or on top of him, or in front of him, or- well, every position and place that it was possible for the two men to cram themselves into.

But as one month turned to three, and Alex began nearing the end of books he could study, he found himself in the library late in the night. His candle and the moonlight his only guide as he flipped through books, searching for something he’d not seen before. Maybe part of him hoped to find a secret wealth of information, a reason to spend more time here. He’d not admit to himself that he’d grown fond of Henry- not yet. It probably just had something to do with the fact he hadn’t fucked anyone else in three months. Having someone twice was a rarity for him, three months of the same person? That would be enough to break any man’s non-monogamous streak, he was confident. Afterall, who wouldn’t bask in the magnificence of having a prince as a lover? There was an undeniable ego boost about it, to say he was the one pushing royalty to its knees.

Fanciful ideas of spending the rest of his life wasting away in a castle in England aside, Alex had intended to get elsewhere eventually. Soon he’d have to wrap things up, break things gently to Henry, perhaps offer a communication with the spirits. Maybe an idea on how to do that might fall in his lap in this library, or how to end up in Spain with a bottle of poison in that King’s chambers.

Neither of those things happened before the library door opened, only to reveal the prince standing at the top of the stairs. He watched Alex for a moment, tilting his head before taking near silent steps downward and toward the table the brunette was sitting at. He ran his fingers along Alex’s shoulders, tangling tips in curls before glancing over the books splayed out on the table.

“You can’t sleep either?” Alex asked, tilting his head though he barely cast his gaze at Henry, like he was trying to play it casually.

“I hardly ever sleep these days,” the blond answered, resting his lantern on a table as he made no effort to hide his focus on the other man. “What about you? Working late, or just bored?”

“Well, I was originally intending on getting into some trouble,” Alex half lied, “But now that you’re up, it’ll be a lot easier to do that. Quick question,” he asked with a grin, “No one else is awake, right?”

“Just the guards. A few of the maids probably.”

“Mhn, right, next question, and this is related. You ever fucked on the throne?” the brunette grinned, very much expecting to be scolded- as he immediately was.

“Must you be so crass? -”

“Insane from someone who curses like a sailor the minute he has a dick in his ass.”

“That answers that question,” Henry sneered, rolling his eyes, “No, I’ve never had sex on my throne, or any other throne. That would be incredibly inappropriate.”

“Yeah, but also kind of fun, right?” Alex pondered, and honestly? It was bait. He didn’t expect it to go anywhere or do anything besides offend the honor of some dead royals who might be haunting the library. It was certainly much easier than explaining what he’d actually been contemplating, “Like, I know you get tired of them telling you what to do all the time, mostly The Queen, but haven’t you ever wanted to do shit like that out of spite? You know, the very thing you’ve been told not to do, in the one place that it would be the most forbidden for you to do-”

“I love doing things out of spite,” it was Henry’s turn to interrupt now, “Are you up for a romp in the throne room?” There was a mischievous air to his voice, playful and showing a hint of excitement that Alex hadn’t seen before now. It felt like every time the two of them were alone together he got just a glimpse more of what Henry might really be like beneath all of those royal airs. Unfortunately, he found it incredibly endearing and tempting. 

Alex lingered, unspeaking, for a moment of silence in the quiet of the library, a rare sense of belonging warming him from the inside out. Or perhaps that was simply the thrill of doing something he ought not to be, and the unlikely connection that had sparked between him and a prince. He couldn’t help but smile thinking about how in a place built on centuries of order and tradition, the two of them had managed to carve out something uniquely their own. Every stolen moment was unpredictable, genuine, and beautifully unorthodox. Perhaps tomorrow the walls would close in again, responsibilities would reclaim their hold on Henry. But tonight, in the warm glow of flames on these old walls, Alex allowed himself to hope that this might just be the beginning of Henry understanding some things were worth breaking the rules for.

“I fucking love doing things out of spite,” Alex agreed, no longer fighting a wide grin as he picked up his lantern, “I’m gonna teach you some rules are meant to be broken, Your Highness.”

“Are you?” the blond hummed, picking up his own lantern, and beginning to pad up the library stairs. “We’ll need to take the way that goes past the guards, so you’ll need to follow me.”

“Yeah, that’s like the entire point of alchemy,” Alex shrugged, following perfectly behind like the prince’s personal puppy, “Knowing exactly what the rules are, so you know exactly how to break them and put them back together.”

“Mhn, well,” Henry said softly as he opened the door, “One rule you can’t break is that you need to be as quiet as possible if we’re sneaking about, so teach me the rules later.”

Silently, Alex sneered, leaning forward and gently pressing a kiss to the back of Henry’s shoulder as if to say he understood. He padded along behind the other man wordlessly, almost syncing their footsteps together. Who would think his many years of escaping bad decisions would come in handy in a palace? Though following a prince into the throne room was hardly the same as hiding from a chemist whose products he’d proved useless or scaling a barn because the farmer had woken up and heard Alex with his daughter- or son. Alex would presume there was less risk in this, if they got caught, Henry wouldn’t let anything happen to him, he knew that. And how was a prince supposed to be faulted for wandering the halls of the castle he lived in?

“Alright,” Henry whispered, before pushing open a large door- that somehow made no noise as he did. He opened it just wide enough for Alex to slip past, gesturing for him to walk through before following behind. Just as carefully he closed the door in place behind them, and turned to face the brunette, grinning as they stood behind the raised pedestal where five thrones sat. “Come on then,” he instructed, walking around to the front.

From the head on view, it was much more vast, something that made Alex fight a smile; simply in awe. One large throne sat in the center, and two smaller seats on either side. It was evident where the center power lay, and yet he could perfectly envision Henry sitting polite and proud, chin out in that way he did, in one of the smaller chairs.

“Which one is yours?”

“Ah, here,” the blond hummed, walking to one seat at the end and tapping the arm of the chair gently. He made a show of sitting down, back straight as he lifted his chin- just the way Alex had pictured. If he had been clad in anything besides a nightshirt and robe, it might have had the desired commanding effect. “Does it suit me?”

“Maybe,” Alex shrugged with a smirk, “I’m not sure I feel any inlaid desire to obey you or anything,” that was a lie, though it had very little to do with the throne. “Where’s your crown?”

“There, in the case,” Henry said quietly, pointing to a very clearly locked box. “I don’t have the key with me b-”

“You know I can open that right?”

“You’re more than welcome to,” Henry nodded, very clearly trying to fight a mischievous smile. It wasn’t working very well, cheeks bunching up as he showed more teeth and gums by the second, “Mine’s the one with sapphires.”

“Ah, should have guessed. Is it because they match your eyes?” Alex teased, walking over to the case. He pressed his fingertips against the lock, waiting until he heard the mechanism click before gently opening the lid. Carefully he pulled out a golden crown, fairly simple in adornment, only three gems, but delicate and detailed in shape.

“No, it’s based on rank. Grandma has diamonds, mum has pearls, Pip gets rubies, I have sapphires, and Bea gets emeralds. The erm, the price of them, coincides with our order in line for the throne.

“That’s kind of fucked up,” Alex said nonchalantly, before closing the case back and making his way toward Henry. He made a show of it, walking slowly and holding the crown out in front of himself; as though it was something precious. “So, technically we should be fucking around with the diamond crown?”

A short, amused laugh came from the blond before he shook his head, “And how would I explain it if something happened to that one?”

“I dunno, some wastrel broke in and ravished the place,” Alex tsk’d, in the very best posh accent he could manage; which wasn’t great. He stopped short of the other man by a few steps, smiling as he watched Henry laugh. “So how would I get a crown?”

“Ah, well, I suppose you’d have to marry a prince, become a princess,” Henry nodded, smiling as he stood up. He willingly closed the gap between the two of them, taking the crown out of Alex’s hands, “Would you like that? To be my princess?”

Alex shrugged, making a sound that suggested he didn’t have strong feelings on the matter. “Eh, could be hot, maybe, if I didn’t- you know, hate the entire existence of a monarchy.”

“It’s a bit antiquated,” Henry agreed gently, before lifting the crown and carefully placing it on the nest of dark curls. He pressed it into place, making sure it was snug before leaning back in the throne to admire his work. Head cocked slightly as he smiled fondly, humming, “You make a lovely princess.”

“Yeah?” Alex grinned, trying his best to ignore the swelling feeling in his stomach. For now, he decided to ignore what the cause of it might be. Because having genuine feelings for Henry, or being so deeply aroused by the idea of garish overstated power based on nothing but birthright? He couldn’t decide which was worse. “Well, I promise to be a virtuous and noble princess for my prince.”

“How righteous of you,” the blond nearly gasped, as if flattered by the idea alone. With a hint of that mischievousness Alex had seen more tonight than any other time, he leaned back once more, half melting into his throne. He was lax and confident now, swinging one leg over an arm and relaxing back into the corner- less regal and more like a hedonistic caricature- hot, in Alex’s opinion. “You know, a princess’ duty, like a queen or king, is to her country first. She must serve her country before she serves her husband; it’s her job to help guide him to do what’s best for the people.”

“That’s a lot of responsibility for a princess, sounds like a lot of servitude,” Alex purred, taking the final step up the pedestal so he stood in front of the blond. “Is it a lot of work?”

“Mhm,” Henry murmured in a flippant way, pushing himself forward while resting one hand on the armchair he leaned against. His opposite hand reached forward, stretched out as he wordlessly placed three fingertips on Alex’s shoulder. He applied pressure before speaking again, chin out again- but this time the confidence seemed genuine, “Show me how well you can serve.”

It would have honestly taken less effort for Alex to fall to his knees; so, he did. Slipping down in front of where Henry sat splayed out, already reaching to undo that elegant robe as he allowed space for the blond to move to a more natural sitting position, facing forward. The silence in the room seemed to hang heavy with anticipation, neither man daring to speak; as if that might ruin the moment somehow. Outside the night was just as quiet, not even a breeze whistling through cracks in the stone. Moonlight shining through the large stained-glass window behind the thrones being the only witness to the way Alex pushed up Henry’s nightshirt and took a half-hard cock in one palm. He stroked slowly, following with his mouth moments later. Bobbing his head in a languid way, almost as if basking in it, Alex sucked hard but no faster- even as Henry’s hand came to rest at the back of his head. Instead, he cast his eyes upward, locking them on the blond; his prince, in play and in truth.

The glow behind the stained glass seemed to cast an aura behind Henry, glowing faintly golden in the dark room. It felt fitting to Alex, as he watched the blond throw his head back in pleasure; fingers tangling in curls at the back of Alex’s neck. Still, he didn’t move faster, each bob of his head slow and timed, cheeks hollowed out as he kept dark eyes locked on the other man. A quiet hum as his tongue playfully dipped beneath Henry’s foreskin made the blond groan, pressing the back of a hand to his mouth. Alex considered that a compliment. He allowed his tongue to tease for a moment longer before he dipped back down low again, until his lips were wrapped around Henry’s base. The tip of that cock in the back of his throat, making his eyes water as long lashes fluttered.

“It looks like you have… love hearts in your e-eyes,” Henry panted, his hand dragging forward to gently cup the other man’s chin. “Is that some of your magic?”

Alex had to pull back to breathe anyway; he may as well answer. But it didn’t mean he moved quickly, sucking hard as he lifted his head up until the other man’s cock popped free. He was catching his breath, wiping his damp chin with the back of his hand as he shook his head, “No, it’s the reflection,” he said pointing upward, “The moon in the stained glass.”

“Oh, right,” the blond murmured, cheeks flushed as he nodded, “Of course, my mistake,” he seemed much too embarrassed for a simple misunderstanding, almost flustered as he shifted in place. Like maybe he didn’t want to be ‘caught’ being too fond of the idea it may not have been an illusion. “Well, it is rather hard to pay attention to anything else when you’re being such a good princess, like that.”

With a grin, Alex shrugged, “I know my way around a dick, and pretty much anything anyone’s got down there. Want me to keep going?” he asked, one hand slowly stroking Henry’s shaft as he leaned forward to press gentle kisses to the velvety tip, “You’ve got such a pretty dick, I feel like you don’t get it kissed enough.”

“That’s…sweet,” Henry managed, brushing curls away from Alex’s forehead where the crown had pushed them down, “But I have a better idea,” he nodded, “I think my princess belongs on her throne, why don’t we switch?”

“Whatever my prince commands,” Alex whispered, standing up in place then, and taking a step back so Henry could stand.

“So obedient,” it was a hushed, but still inherently sexual sound. Somehow, Henry speaking like that shouldn’t catch Alex by surprise, but it did. A touch of that royal authority, it just felt strange to hear it used for these kinds of activities. Once Henry stood, he slipped off his robe, lying it across the throne like a covering. “Sit,” he commanded, “Undress first, everything, take it off.”

“Yes sir,” Alex answered instinctively, a grin on his lips as he almost sauntered to the side. Turning to watch every move Henry made as he pulled off his shirt and dropped it. He slipped off boots next and pushed them aside with each foot. While untying his pants, Alex’s smirk grew much wider, as Henry opened the case for the crowns. Hurriedly pushing pants off and leaving them on the ground, Alex rushed forward to take a seat where the blond had been previously. Expensive silk was already much cooler in the palace night air; the feeling was new against his skin, but something he could get used to. He watched silently as Henry carefully took out the diamond crown and placed it securely on his own head, Alex’s teeth digging into his bottom lip, “My king,” he said breathlessly.

For maybe the first time since Alex had met him, Henry looked proud- genuinely proud. It wasn’t a mask put on in front of those who expected him to be something he wasn’t. He looked like a real, living, human being. A man who was slipping off his nightshirt as he walked closer with more elegance than humans were meant to have, at least in Alex’s opinion. Dropping the thin fabric behind himself as he walked across the throne room appeared more like a metaphorical transformation than the mere act of undressing. Clad in nothing except the diamond crown atop his head, he walked up the stairs to stand in front of the other man, jaw cocked ever so slightly with just enough confidence to make something in Alex’s stomach stir.

“That crown suits you, Your Majesty,” Alex broke the silence with the sort of reverence in his tone that he ought to use more often when meeting royalty. The only difference was he didn’t respect the monarchy. What he did respect was that Henry crawling onto his lap as he did moments later, with the queen’s crown still situated perfectly on his head. It might just be the biggest ‘fuck you’ Henry was allowed to give to the expectations placed upon him. Right here, alone with Alex like this, there were no rules or limitations. Henry was allowed to be whatever he liked, and there was a silent understanding of that between both men.

“Mhn, thank you, my queen,” Henry purred, arching his back instinctively as Alex’s hands moved to rest on his hips. He leaned in close, brushing his lips over the brunette’s with nothing between them except silent noises of anticipation. Quiet panting and sighs of need before he spoke again, “I want you inside of me.”

“As you wish, my king,” it was the second time Alex had used that phrasing; ‘as you wish’. The first time it had been a jab that tasted far too serious in his own mouth, but now he meant it. This version of Henry, fearless, uninhibited, rebellious- Alex would do anything for him.

Still brushing his lips over the brunette’s, Henry reached one hand behind himself and with a careful tug pulled out the metal toy Alex had left him with not so long ago. He shamelessly placed it on the empty throne beside them, and Alex swore he caught a shameless smirk at the act.

“Oh, you little harlot, you’ve had that in the whole time?” Alex asked with an amused laugh.

“I figured that wherever I found you this evening I’d end up wanting you in a hurry, I didn’t want to wait. It’s much easier for me to take cock after putting that thing in once I’ve opened myself up,” the blond explained, as if Alex needed a lesson on the matter. “Which means you can give it to me now.”

“Yeah? Are you sure?” Alex asked, despite spitting on the tips of his fingers, and reaching around to gently spread Henry with one hand. His slick fingers massaging over that slightly open hole as he kept his eyes locked on the blond. “I don’t wanna hurt you, baby.”

“You won’t,” Henry whispered. With a smile on his lips, he spat on his own fingers, much the same way Alex had, as if mimicking the gesture. Only he reached back to gently slick up the tip of the other man’s cock before sitting up on his knees.

It was a seamless motion as Alex’s hands kept Henry spread, and Henry slowly lowered himself onto Alex’s hard cock. Both men exhaled in unison, sighs fading into low moans as Henry sank down entirely. He wrapped both arms around Alex’s shoulders and began bouncing in place, not too fast or hard yet, but a steady motion. Certainly, enough to pull hungry moans out of the other man as Henry bit back quiet hums and little whimpers. Alex’s face cast up to the man on top of him, hands loosely around Henry’s waist as he watched in awe. He could see the same reflection of the stained glass heart in Henry’s eyes, and it was hard not to imagine it meant something more. Maybe it did, or he just wanted it to. Those questions could be left for later, when he wasn’t presently being ridden by a prince.

“You’re so good for me, such a perfect queen for your king,” Henry murmured, one hand tangling in the curls at the nape of the brunette’s neck- careful not to disrupt the placement of Alex’s crown. “I missed your cock,” he confessed, breathing it low like a secret.

“I live to serve my king,” Alex couldn’t help but play along, even as a smile spread across his face. One hand moving up the blond’s stomach, cupping one pec as he shamelessly kneaded tender skin in his palm. “Did you?” he asked, honestly just seeking praise, “I imagined you’d have a whole harem of men waiting to fuck you.”

“I do not have a harem, nor a bedc-chamber- which is the correct w-word,” the blond almost argued back, despite still bouncing in place as though it were his entire life’s purpose. “But even if I did, I didn’t s-say I missed cock. I said I missed y-your cock. Which is a different thing ent-entirely.”

“Oh,” Alex whispered, leaning forward, pressing kisses into the curve of Henry’s collar bone on every other upward movement. He was content to wait until each lift of knees placed his mark back in front of him once more, “So you’ve still been getting dick, just not big enough for you?” he teased as though he weren’t brushing his lips across the blond’s skin with the sort of intimacy he ought not show with a casual fling.

“Not anything enough for me,” Henry panted, shaking his head as he drug his nails along the backs of the other man’s shoulders, “No one feels the way you do,” he whispered, “No one satisfies me as you can, I’ve stopped looking for them to. Sometimes,” he paused to swallow hard, biting back a slightly louder moan on a particularly heavy bounce, “They leave me feeling emptier than before. But never you...”

“Of course not,” it was impossible for Alex not to tease, to play along, “You need your queen to satisfy you, don’t you, my king?”

“Alex,” Henry’s voice was low and strained, arms wrapping around the brunette’s head as he tangled both hands into dark curls; sending the crown on Alex’s head toppling to the side. Thankfully for both men, it bounced off the back cushion, falling into one of the thrones beside them. Though it didn’t seem to catch Henry off guard at all, as if he didn’t notice or care. Instead, he only pulled Alex closer, pressing warm cheeks into his own chest in a sort of mock hug, “Please.”

“Please what, baby?” Alex’s voice was more frantic than he recognized. His arms wrapped tightly around the other man, “Does it hurt?” he asked for reasons he couldn’t identify. Afterall, Henry was still bouncing in place with no signs of stopping anytime soon; panting into dark messy curls as he pressed his face into them. “What do you need, baby? Just tell me, I’ll give you anything,” he panted in a half groan; and god help him, he meant it.

“Alex,” this time it sounded more like a dry sob, a broken sort of plea. Like a man who’d never had to beg for anything in his life might just be learning how to try. “I need you, please.”

“Baby, I’m inside you,” Alex answered instantly, shaking his head as he looked up. His hands moved to cup Henry’s face despite how difficult it was considering the blond was still moving, “I’m literally inside of you right now. You have me. I don’t know what else to do for you, I can’t help you if you don’t tell me. Come on, sweetheart, you’re freaking me out a little,” he admitted.

“I’m sorry, I-”

“Don’t apologize, just say whatever it is you’re thinking, say it out loud. Please?”

“I just-” slowly, Henry began to shift his movements, rolling his hips as he pressed his body closer into Alex’s. “Hold me,” he murmured, “Touch me, hold me, lo…” he paused for a moment, pushing his face into the crook of the brunette’s neck. Henry’s crown now tumbling to the ground beneath them, thankfully at least landing on the plush carpeting of the pedestal. “I want it gentle, I w… I need to feel every inch of you. I’m tired of chasing something,” he nearly whimpered, “I just want to belong to something, someone, feel as though I’m doing something right, just for a few minutes. Please.”

“Henry, baby,” Alex breathed. His arms slipping up the blond’s sides, locking him in place as he kept Henry as close as possible. His hips slowly grinding upward to match the gentle pace Henry set with his own movements, “I’m here,” he kissed the words into the curve of the other man’s neck, dragging his nose and lips along the shape, “You’re perfect,” he panted, letting his lashes flutter closed against Henry’s cheek, “You’re doing the best you can, you try so hard, every day. You get up and you choose to try. To be good, to be true to yourself; you’re good.”

Soft mewls came as the result from every shift of Alex’s hips. Henry’s fingertips clinging so tightly to the other man’s skin that his knuckles were turning white. He allowed silence after Alex finished speaking, pressing their faces together until their lips met again in the center. Sighs and quiet moans into one another’s mouths, a stark contrast to the way Henry’s cock dribbled precum against Alex’s skin, or the way Alex felt himself throb against the fluttering muscle squeezing constantly. The room felt smaller like this, warmer from their body heat, silence only broken by their sounds and the quiet patter of rain falling against the windows.

Henry’s orgasm seemed to catch him off guard, a surprised gasp followed by a breathless laughing sort of moan. He kept rolling his hips, only laughing harder until he felt Alex spill into him moments later. Honestly, Alex was thankful on several accounts. First being that it was relieving to hear that familiar laugh, a small respite in the tension of Henry’s earlier mood. Second, and less importantly, was that he’d been awfully close to his own peak and he'd have hated to ruin the moment by doing something like finishing too fast. His own low groan pressed into Henry’s cheek as he continued nuzzling against the other man, pressing kisses there while trying to catch his breath.

“I don’t think I’ve ever come first,” Henry mused, as if to break the ice.

“Yeah? Was it good?” Alex asked, one hand reaching up to gently stroke fingers through damp blond hair. “Do you feel better?”

“Yes,” Henry whispered, tilting his head to the side, offering a few kisses in return along Alex’s jaw. “Thank you for that, I needed it,”

“You’re welcome.”

After the intensity of the beginning of this tryst, there was a gentle quiet that settled between them here in this room. Henry lying against Alex’s chest, their bodies still tangled together. Alex found his breathing gradually slowing, syncing with the soft rise and fall of Henry’s chest. For a moment, neither man spoke; there was only the muted sound of rain outside the window and the distant crackle from a dying fire in another hall. Alex‘s hand moved slowly, tracing idle patterns over Henry’s shoulder and back; their skin damp but comfortable sharing body heat. Mapping out the geography of warm skin he ached to know more about. The touch was absent-minded, affectionate in a way he’d rarely allowed himself with anyone. That kept happening with Henry, he blamed the opportunity to do something like this more than once as opposed to leaving town shortly after. In a quick glance, he caught the subtle smile that flickered across Henry’s lips. A silent acknowledgment, perhaps, that something real and unspoken had shifted between them; Alex liked to imagine so, anyway.

Eventually, Henry broke the silence in a low, hopeful voice. “You know we don’t have to leave right away? It’s still early night, no one will look for me till morning,” The words hung in the quiet, tentative but genuine.

Alex offered a lopsided smirk in response and pressed his face into the other man’s shoulder, letting his arm drape casually over Henry’s waist. “Yeah, I guess you’re right,” he replied, voice soft as if afraid to disturb the peace of the moment. “You could come back to mine, if you want.”

At the offer, Henry tensed slightly, enough Alex could feel it beneath his palms, “Oh, I-” he pulled back just enough to make eye contact, cheeks a slight pink color, “I don’t know, if I’m down there for too long I’m going to start plundering and asking questions. And that’s rude of me, I shouldn’t stick my nose into things I’ve not been invited to.”

“Oh, I don’t mind if you look through shit, what are you gonna do, steal my recipe for gold?” Alex laughed, shaking his head as he brushed strands of hair out of the other man’s forehead. With a little shrug and a smile, he tilted his head in a fond way, “You scared you’re gonna touch a potion and it’s gonna turn you into a frog? Because it doesn’t quite work like that.”

“Well, no,” Henry admitted, “But… I mean you’re working on something important. I feel guilty enough for distracting you as much as I do. If I expect any progress from you, I can’t keep dragging you away from what you’re doing.”

Never in his life had Alex ever felt guilty for lying to the rich- much less something even close to royalty. But suddenly he felt as though he’d done something deplorable. Overwhelming culpability swooping into a pit in his stomach he hadn’t known existed just a few minutes before. This had been different when he believed Henry might finish his mourning before he realized Alex was incapable of completing his task.

“Henry,” the brunette began slowly, taking one of the other man’s hands in his own. “You know, there’s a reason that the men you hired before me failed.”

“Of course there is,” Henry chuckled, “They were frauds. They couldn’t do the sorts of things you can.”

Alex would sooner be pushed off the roof of this castle than continue this conversation. Especially if where he landed involved something sharp and preferably deadly. “No, it’s because it’s impossible.”

“What?”

“It can’t be done, Henry,” Alex said as gently as he could manage. “It’s imp-”

“No,” Henry interrupted, practically leaping up from where he had been resting, already stepping to the side, fumbling as he tried to find his nightshirt to pull back on, “No, you said- you said you could do it. You told me that you’d brought back the dead before, you said… Alex, you said you’d done that...”

“What I’ve done is necromancy,” the brunette said, trying his best to sound calmer than he felt, “Reanimating a corpse. There’s no soul in there, Henry, it’s a whole body, but it’s rotting just as much as it was in the grave. It can’t think, it’s not human; I know that’s not how you want to see your father.”

“You don’t know shit,” Henry hissed, voice cracking as he lifted his chin, already beginning to shake his head, “So you won’t even try? You’re not a fraud, just a coward then?” 

Inhaling deeply, Alex looked away just for a moment; jaw tight as he tried to summon a filter between his brain and mouth that he’d never had, “That’s not what it is, Henry. I don’t want to do something that’s going to fuck you up more. I love you enough to tell you what you’re asking for isn’t going to work.”

“I don’t want you to love me!” Henry half-yelled. His tone was desperate, demanding, sounding more like a prince than ever- but one that was teetering on the edge of falling, “I want you to bring him back! I want you to do what I hired you to do!”

A loud clap of lightening and rumble of thunder interrupted the men for a moment. Causing both men to go silent, two sets of eyes moving upward to the stained glass at the back of the room. A very evident crack running through the heart in the center of the portrait- fitting, Alex thought, even in the moment. He’d only wait until later to have a good laugh about the irony of it all.

“I can’t do that,” Alex answered finally, his voice low and stern, “There’s… there needs to be a soul in that body. For it to speak, for it to think, for it to love you; otherwise, it’s a shell. I can’t make a soul, I can’t pull one out of the ether, no one can. That’s not something man is capable of, not yet, maybe one day but n-”

“So why did you tell me you would work on it? Why did you accept this job? Not an hour ago you just told me that the point of knowing what the rules were was how to break them. Break the rules for me, I’m ord-” Henry paused, inhaling shakily before exhaling slowly, “I am asking you to. You speak to me of love, why won’t you do the one thing I ask of you? Did you only agree to this because you wanted to fuck me? Because you could have, I’m notoriously easy; you’ve seen that. You didn’t have to lie to me just to do that. It certainly would have wasted less of my time.”

“I-”

For one of the first times in his adult life, Alex found it hard to speak. It felt like being a teenager again, listening to every person who’d questioned his choices about what he’d chosen to study. The same air knocked out of him while being able to anticipate the chastising coming no matter how well he explained himself. The familiar sinking feeling in his stomach whenever he was presumed to be a con-artist because of the color of his skin. It was a self-fulfilling prophecy that as soon as he’d reached a point in his life where he was willing to commit the crimes he’d always been accused of; that it should feel like one. Divination had never been his strong suit, but his intuition had usually been better. He could feel friends pulling away before they suddenly seemed unavailable, seen the mistrust in someone’s eyes before they’d banished him from their town. Years of being both too much and not enough for almost every person had taught Alex to pick up on subtle shifts. An edge of disappointment in his parents’ voices, a sense that he’d been the source of an argument between them- or any two people, really.

All of this felt different, Henry felt different. Because if he was honest with himself, Alex still didn’t feel remorse for taking gold that the royal family had stolen from the people they colonized, or the civilizations they’d overthrown. But the sound of Henry’s voice cracking, the glint of moisture shining over light eyes, tight jaw and balled fists; that ached. It crawled into his guts and gnawed there, twisting and burning beneath his skin the same way misused magic did.

“Speak, alchemist, go on,” Henry demanded, “I am so very eager to hear whatever silver-tongued explanation you can offer for yourself.”

“I… I thought I could stall long enough for you to realize that disrupting the natural order of life and death is… foolish,” Alex admitted, breaking eye contact. “That you’d settle, and I could offer to reach out to your father in the afterlife, maybe you could have a conversation with him, and it might bring you peace. That you’d… complete the grieving process on your own.” It sounded like a less intelligent plan when he said it out loud; hindsight being twenty-twenty allowing an almost immediate prediction of the rebuttal.

“How would I possibly do that while maintaining hope that I’ve hired a man who can bring back what I lost?” Henry snapped, “How would I grieve something I believe I haven’t fully lost? Hm?” There it was, Alex saw that coming. “First you love me,” the blond continued, “Then you intended to help me through the grieving process?” he asked laughing, “How desperate are you to avoid the gallows you imagine I’ll send you to?”

“It’s not about that,” Alex murmured, sitting on the edge of his seat and resting elbows on his knees. He couldn’t pull his eyes away from Henry anymore- he looked different like this. Smaller somehow, standing in nothing but his nightshirt, expression more defiant than Alex had ever seen it. Less like a prince and closer to a child pretending to be brave when confronted with his worst fear. Was that it- was Henry’s worst fear that Alex might fail? “I don’t care what you do with me. Order my death if you must, if it’ll make you feel better, as long as I know I didn’t hurt you the way that it would if I obeyed you. Sometimes the greatest kindness you can do is spare someone from themse-”

“Oh, come off it,” the blond scoffed, shaking his head, “Spare me the philosophical mockery of it all,” for a moment he paused before looking away. It was as if he couldn’t stand to watch Alex anymore. “There is nothing that will make me feel better. The only man who had the capability to do so refuses to do it; for ‘kindness’ sake, no less. Keep your kindness, keep your love as well, I’ve no use for any of it.” The words came out as a hiss before Henry raised one hand slowly, pointing toward the door, “Out. Get out, get your things and get out. I want you gone by sunrise; leave not a trace of yourself. Make it so that you’ve never existed to me. If there’s some magic you can provide to ensure I forget about you entirely, please do so. Unless of course that would be unkind to me, also,” acid seemed to bleed into his tone as light eyes fixed themselves on Alex once more, “I wouldn’t want to compromise your morality. Naturally, so important to you that you’ll bed me as often as you can before I learn you’re a charlatan.”

“Henry.”

“Right, that was my fault too, wasn’t it? Too easy, dropped myself in your lap; well that you’re right about. Forgive me, I was too enamored with the prospect of having found a savior in you. That was my mistake for being daft enough to believe the stories,” Henry hummed, nodding as he watched, seemingly unaware that Alex’s lack of movement was caused by the feeling of crumbling in place, “The irony of it all, is you’ve proved them right, you know? Everyone who ever told me that allowing myself what I wanted would be my undoing. I was simply too strong-willed to believe that someone so beautiful could possibly hurt me in the short period I allowed myself to belong to him. I thank you for that lesson, if nothing else. Goodnight, Alexander, I do sincerely hope you never understand how I feel.”

Even as Henry walked out of the room, Alex found it impossible to move from his seat. His body seemed to weigh thousands of pounds, anchoring him to that throne, eyes moving over his discarded clothing and the mess they’d made. It was a strange feeling, something like loss; maybe for what he could have had with Henry, or the belonging he’d felt. Then the guilt seeping into him, making every bone ache. How dare he feel loss when the whole point of this was that Henry had suffered a greater one- that was how Alex felt anyway; what his mind told him. In a way, he’d ruined it before it had even started. Set himself up for failure, sabotaging a chance at an easy life as a prince’s advisor because he hadn’t been honest enough. Though, in hindsight, it felt like more had just walked out of the room.

Minutes or maybe hours later, Alex finally drug himself to his feet. He pulled his clothing back on first, before fixing everything in the room back in the place it had been. Each crown placed back in their case; the lock slipped back into place. He picked up the toy he’d made, steel no longer warm from Henry’s body, and slipped it in one of his pouches. All that remained as a trace of them was Henry’s robe, lying across the throne as fine silk shone between cracks of lightning. It was losing warmth as quickly as Alex felt his own body doing, though the latter was likely more from his mood than the coolness of the room. The choice was hard; dare he leave it? Leave evidence of them in this room, or take it- steal one more thing from his prince? Alex lingered, his fingertips grazing the silk as he debated. The robe, that last tangible piece of Henry, seemed to hold the coldness of the night and its secrets, a testament to the intimacy they'd shared in shadows. He finally reached out, folding it carefully and tucking it under his arm- not out of greed, but a desperate need to keep some part of Henry close. One thing soft to remember him by when the castle's echoing halls felt like a distant past. As he turned to leave the throne room, the faint sound of the rain outside mingled with heavy silence within, and Alex allowed himself one last look at the throne where he'd been both servant and beloved. Memories of pink marks on his own skin, light bruises left on Henry, both would linger long after dawn chased away the traces of their rebellion. There was nothing he could do about those now, though. 

꧁✮..࣪ ☾🔮☽ ࣪..✮꧂

Alex found a tavern on the outskirts of town. One willing to offer him a room for weeks at the time, who had no opposition to an alchemist stalking its halls. He’d gotten a room first, placing the bags of his belongings in a chest too heavy to lift. There wasn’t much in the room besides that and a bed, but Alex didn’t need much more.  He had precious little to steal besides trinkets, memorabilia, and some materials, but it didn’t stop him from creating a lock for that chest that had no key- the kind only he could get into. The sun was coming up by that point, his clothes only half damp from the rain, but the pub downstairs was still alive with drunks who’d not noticed the sun’s glow coming through the windows. Not a bad idea, honestly, he could probably use a drink.

It was a strange comfort; the anonymity of a crowded room filled with strangers who cared little for titles or names. The tavern’s low ceiling and smoky air offered a kind of sanctuary Alex hadn’t realized he’d been craving. He chose a seat near the back, where the glow of lanterns was dim and conversation muffled by the hum of rain on the roof. As he ordered a drink, the feeling of Henry’s robe in his bag felt heavier on his hip than the coins he left on the table. Each time he glanced at it, memories flickered- moments of intimacy, laughter, and heartbreak, all condensed into a single piece of fine silk. Here, surrounded by the mundane clatter of mugs and the chatter of locals, Alex wondered if he would ever leave that behind, or if some part of him would always be searching for the colors he’d seen in a prince’s eyes.

The time of day must have had a bearing on the influx of patrons, because around Alex’s second drink the pub had mostly cleared out. On his third order, there was a new bartender, a scrappy older woman who’d insisted he slip the hood off his head and onto his shoulders before she got him another ale. Alex complied, he wasn’t that drunk yet, but he couldn’t help but fight a sneer hearing something muttered about sorcerers and thieves as he walked back to his seat in the corner; cloak flowing behind him as he walked. As the sun began to fill the windows, casting a fog of dust through its beams that shined into the dark room, a new cast of characters filled seats. Night workers filing in along with a few women with rather low fitting, cheap bodices. Nothing Alex hadn’t run into while staying at any tavern he had before.

But despite how early it was in the day, Alex didn’t even have a chance to finish his third drink before a woman placed her palm on the table only inches from his drink. Her opposite hand rested on the back of his chair as she leaned in. The sickly medicinal smell of what might be perfume or herbs filled his nose before Alex lifted his head to make eye contact with her. She looked as though there was just as much of a chance of her telling him he needed to leave as much as what he knew was coming- honestly, he respected it.

“You look a ways from the ports; what business you got in London, master?” she asked in a charmingly cockney accent. It wasn’t so different from the ones he’d heard farmers developing in the more southern colonies once he’d gone north of Nueva España.

“You assume I’m a trader?” Alex asked, before picking up his cup, preparing to take a sip.

“Or a criminal,” the woman answered, “Either way, I imagine you gots a full coin purse on your hip, yeah?”

With a little chuckle, Alex nodded, “I appreciate that you didn’t go straight to criminal.”

“Wouldn’t care if you was,” she shrugged, “All the same to me, darlin’, and you’re a real pretty one. Let ya do whatever ya want to me for a shilling. Normally charge two, but when they look like you it’s hardly a job.”

Trying to suppress another lighthearted laugh, Alex inhaled deeply, “Well, that’s flattering, I’m sure you tell all potential customers that, and it works, I’m sure.” A thought occurred to him a few moments after he spoke; why not? Why not say yes? It might make him feel better or at least give him something to do with the loose, warm sensation filling his muscles. “But you know what?” he continued, finishing off the last few gulps of his drink, “I’ll take you up on it, and I’ll still pay you two shillings.”

“Look at that,” the woman laughed, “Humble and a looker!”

Admittedly, Alex enjoyed having someone’s hands on his body. It made his brain go fuzzy for just a few minutes to have warmth pressed against him and lips crushing into his own. An immediate tangling of hands into clothes, barely making sure his room door was locked before tongues slipped into mouths and slender fingers found the tie of his pants. There was only one problem with all of it. No matter how much he’d loved a quick fling in the past, it didn’t feel the same now. It wasn’t that he didn’t know this woman’s name, it was that she didn’t taste like Henry. There was no prickle of blond stubble brushing against his own facial hair. He couldn’t smell citrus, fresh linen, or tea. The hands on his body felt too small, struggling to span over his skin. The feeling of her body against his own wasn’t nearly as sturdy, too soft- not muscular or broad.

Everything suddenly felt overwhelmingly wrong, a voice in the back of Alex’s head screaming, ‘it’s not right, because it’s not Henry’.  And he must have been drunk because it crashed into him like the weight of a ship anchor, nearly enough to crumple him to the floor. He only narrowly escaped that by stumbling back and falling to sit on the edge of the bed, already breathing hard.

“What’s wrong, love? Are ya alright?”

Alex wished she hadn’t asked that, why did she ask? He’d been fine until she asked if he was. The genuine concern in her voice made him feel pathetic, made his face hot and his eyes wet. Breathing shaking as he inhaled deeply before cracking into something close to a sob down in his chest. Before he knew it, a body was next to his own, arms wrapped around him as his face was pressed into the crook of the woman’s neck. She stroked his hair, shushing him quietly like a mother might. Briefly, he wondered how pitiful he must seem to her, or maybe she was used to men being one wrong word away from a breakdown. That would be very much like some of the men he’d grown up watching- so tightly wound and so emotionally stifled that the smallest thing could set them off. Only he’d usually witnessed anger, maybe this woman was just grateful he was crying instead of screaming.

A thousand thoughts raced through Alex’s head like that, one behind the other. Regret and guilt flooding into his veins and making him ache deep in his bones. He never should have lied to Henry- or well, bent the truth like he did. At least he could have been honest before tonight, if not with Henry, with himself. He could have admitted that he was beginning to have feelings; starting to feel safe. Somewhere deep inside he knew that if things had ended badly, he’d be the one left broken up about it, and he’d done nothing to save himself from it.

“Stupid,” Alex sobbed into skin already dampened with his own tears, “I’m so fucking stupid, I’m sorry, I never should have agreed to br-”

“Hush up now,” the woman holding Alex did effectively stop him from whatever rambling he was about to break into with three words, “You cry about whatever ya need to if you want, I’ll listen.”

For some reason, Alex couldn’t help but chuckle, shaking his head as he slowly pulled his body back, wiping his nose with the back of his hand, “This kind of thing happen often?” he asked, rubbing both eyes with his palms.

“More often than ya would think.”

“Makes sense,” Alex hummed, “More men are more willing to undress with a stranger than talk about their feelings with the person they should actually be talking about them to.”

Instead of responding to that the woman simply nodded, crossing her arms and giving Alex a knowing expression.

“There’s… not much to tell,” he began, “I met someone, I liked them, I felt safe with them, but I lied to them. And now they hate me, I think, so kind of fucked myself over on that one.” He paused, voice thick and heavy with regret, searching the woman's sympathetic eyes for any hint of judgment. “I mean, it's my own fault, isn’t it? I thought I could handle whatever happened at the end; but losing him hurts more than I thought it would. I care more than I thought I would.” Alex’s words lingered in the quiet of the room, mingling with the distant sounds of laughter drifting up from the tavern below. He ran a shaky hand through his hair, trying to piece himself back together, but the ache of Henry’s absence gnawed at him, sharper than any mistake he’d made before. For a moment, all he could do was sit quietly, letting the reality of what he'd lost settle in his bones. It all felt too heavy for him to worry about keeping an air of pretending he hadn’t been talking about a man. Still too raw to hide the guilt he felt.

“Have you tried apologizin’ to him? Telling him ya know what ya did? That you’re real sorry about it?”

“Mhn, I’m not sure this is the kind of lie someone comes back from. I mean, I meant it for the best, really I did. I thought I could help in the long run but,” Alex paused and sighed, swallowing a lump in the back of his throat, “I overestimated my own ability, I guess. Or maybe I was just being an idiot about the whole thing.”

“Well,” the woman began with a little nod of her head, the sort that spoke of quiet understanding more than words ever could. “I don’t think it makes ya stupid. It just means you’re human, love. We all do things we regret, sometimes for good reasons, sometimes for the wrong ones. But caring ‘bout someone, letting yourself care, well, that’s brave. Hurts like hell sometimes, but it’s brave, and sometimes it’s all we got.” She reached out, gently squeezing Alex’s arm in her palm, as if she knew he needed grounding against the storm inside his chest. “If he’s worth missing, he thinks you are too. And maybe one day he’ll think you’re worth forgiving too. And if not, you’ll find ya way, even if it takes a while. Ya got a heart that’s still beating, and that’ll have to be good enough for right now.”

For some reason, that pulled a chuckle out of Alex, maybe it sounded like something his mother would say- or he just missed home too now; always a possibility. But regardless, it helped, making him nod with a deep inhale, “Yeah, you’re right,” he hummed. “Thank you, and for what it’s worth,” he added, reaching into his purse pouch before taking out a few coins, “I’m adding in a tip for the therapy, thanks again.”

“Ya didn’t get nothing out of me, ya know? Some of the easiest money I’ll make all day.”

“Are you saying no to a tip?” Alex asked with a grin.

“Absolutely not,” the woman quipped, taking the coins with a playful snatching motion, “Just sayin’ ya come across as a braggart is all,” she teased before slipping them into a pocket of her dress.

Alex spent the rest of the morning in quiet contemplation after she left, the tavern slowly waking in the pale dawn. Though the ache hadn’t lessened, he found a strange solace in the woman’s words, letting their simple wisdom settle somewhere deep inside. It didn’t erase his regret, or the sharp edges of guilt, but it dulled them enough that he could breathe without feeling like he was drowning. He traced the rim of his mug, staring into the last dregs of coffee he’d brewed in his room as the world outside grew brighter and busier, wondering if forgiveness- his own or Henry’s, was a thing that could ever take root in the cracks left behind. For now, he would simply exist and hope that the path forward would make this feeling harder to remember, even if just a little at a time.

꧁✮..࣪ ☾🔮☽ ࣪..✮꧂

The next few weeks staying in the tavern were easy enough for Alex, it was a more mundane existence than he’d had in the castle, but more survivable than he’d expected. The ache lingered, persistent and raw. Nights stretched into days, each one marked by Alex’s attempts to distract himself. He sketched new alchemical designs, tinkered with minor spells, but nothing quite pulled him from the heavy shadow Henry had cast over him. Every time laughter echoed from the tavern below, he imagined what it might have sounded like if Henry were seated beside him, teasing him for his quirks, challenging him with clever retorts and soft smiles. Sometimes, Alex caught himself reaching for the folded silk robe, the fabric cool and smooth beneath his fingers, and he wondered if it was possible to ever completely let go of someone who had made him feel so seen.

Such a strange thought to have about a prince, especially one he’d spent more time undressed with than in conversation. But it had been in the quiet things, the banter or the easy conversations. Even the way that Henry looked at him with curious eyes and a sort of awe; not like he wished Alex would stop rambling, but like he could listen forever. A trait that Alex was entirely sure he’d ruined by dropping the big secret that he couldn’t bring Henry’s father back. That only made the feeling worse somehow. What a shame to have seen that expression for the last time when he had no idea it would be.

Yet even as Alex went about his days with the loss twisting through him, he found himself unable to let go of hope entirely. The nights were worse, curled up in the bed with that robe wrapped around his body, pressed against his cheek. He pictured Henry’s face, the tremble in his voice, and the way he’d looked so small when asking for something Alex could never give. But beneath the remorse, there was a stubborn spark, a belief that perhaps, in time, wounds might heal. He hoped that the love he carried, however unspoken or unfulfilled, might one day be understood; even if forgiveness remained out of reach. For now, Alex clung to the memories that still glimmered behind his eyes; laughter in candlelight, the shared warmth of bodies, the fleeting sense of belonging he’d found in the arms of a prince who, for a moment, had seen him as more than an alchemist or a means to an end. At least it felt like Henry had, anyway.

The weeks wore their toll on that belief though. It wasn’t so much that Alex gave up thinking Henry had felt something like he did, but more that he accepted dwelling on that would never allow him peace. For his own sake, and for the sake of whatever goal he’d had in mind while coming to England, he had to convince himself it had been one-sided. That he was the only one who felt the attraction; or that he’d imagined the tenderness. Training himself to have that mindset made it easier. Mornings started out rough, barely making it through a cup of coffee before the emptiness seemed to gnaw at his stomach. But a meal and making something to sell at the market would distract him enough as long as he filled the gaps with a pep talk that he was an idiot for believing a prince would ever care so much for him. Only then did it slowly become easier.

By the end of his first month staying in the tavern, Alex had nearly forgotten all about holding hope that he might find some kind of retribution with the prince. In fact, he was quite close to heading to port and finding his way on a ship heading toward Spain. He hadn’t exactly made a reputation for himself in this part of town yet, but he wasn’t interested in spending enough time here to make one. That was part of the reason why it caught him off guard when he dragged in one evening only for the bartender to motion him closer to the counter.

“I’ve already eaten if t-”

“Someone’s looking for you,” the barkeep interrupted, “Man came in askin’ about an alchemist,” his voice was low and gruff, as if he was inadvertently asking if Alex had gotten himself in trouble. “Didn’t look like the normal pay up sorts, though. Told him you were gone a few nights back anyway.”

“Oh,” Alex hummed, instinctively reaching into his purse to pull out a coin and flipping it over onto the table with one thumb, “Thanks, keep doing that.”

“I ain’t doin’ it for a pay off,” the man warned, “I don’t want you bringing no trouble into this place, you hear me? Keep your tricks in your bag.”

“Love that as a euphemism too,” Alex winked, putting on a disarming smirk, “Don’t worry, as far as I know, I haven’t pissed anyone off.”

Somehow Alex felt like he shouldn’t have been surprised when he walked into his room only to see a man already sitting on the edge of the bed. He was wearing a cloak with the hood up, making it impossible to see anything besides the fact that he was flipping through one of Alex’s journals. Instinctively, Alex closed the door behind himself, locking it in place as he watched the other man freeze in place. He made a mental check of everything that could be used as a weapon. If he could get his hands on some metal, he could probably turn it into a knife within a matter of seconds- too slow if this man already had one. The same list was dividing in two, trying to run a check of everyone he could have possibly pissed off in the last month, maybe before? But the man didn’t move, and Alex darted a hand into the coin purse at his hip, pulling out a handful of gold. Running two palms together and brandishing melted gold into a knife with just a few whispers under his breath. It was a crude design, but he was in a rush, he’d prefer not to have to use it anyway.

“What do you want?”

“Well, regardless, I would hope there wouldn’t be a need for weaponry,” a familiar voice hummed.

Far too familiar of a voice, in fact, one that sent ice up Alex’s spine, making warmth pool into his stomach as his heart crept into his throat. He watched with disbelieving eyes as Henry reached up, pushing the hood off his head and leaving messy blond strands tousled in its wake.

“What are you doing here?” Alex asked, voice barely above a whisper.

“Don’t worry,” Henry sighed, closing the book on his lap before setting it aside on the table where he’d found it. “I won’t trouble you for very long, but I would like to talk first, if you’re amendable.”

The knife immediately clattered to the floor, Alex’s hands trembling slightly as he forced himself to breathe steady. The sight of Henry sitting there- real, alive, and impossibly familiar in the flickering lamp light, pulled at every wound he'd spent weeks trying to close. But he wasn’t the only one hurt, and that made this harder. Why had Henry come? To remind him of the damage he’d caused? For a moment, neither man spoke; the silence between them bristled with things unsaid, with longing and regret. Alex finally nodded, lumbering his way to the lone chair across from the bed, "Alright," he managed, voice hoarse with uncertainty, "I'm listening. Say whatever you need to say."

Henry hesitated, eyes locked on Alex's as if looking for a sign; it was hard to tell if he found it or not. But he took a slow breath and began, "I spent a long time trying to be angry at you. I wanted to be furious; to believe you did all of this to hurt me or to take advantage. But after some time, I realized I wasn't mourning just my father anymore. I was mourning you, too." He paused, toying with a ring on his pinky finger nervously. "I let myself believe you could do the impossible because I needed hope. I needed someone to promise me things would be alright. Maybe that was unfair, expecting you to carry that weight. I can't help wishing you'd trusted me enough to tell me the truth before it came out the way it did. But regardless, the way I behaved was unacceptable, I was harsh and unnecessarily cruel. I came to apologize, Alex."

Listening in silence, Alex’s muscles tense beneath his shirt, the sting of shame resurfacing. Anything he might say in response felt trapped in his chest, caught at the back of his throat. Breathing felt just as hard, but thankfully he could focus on that because Henry kept speaking moments later.

"I still don't know if I can get… past it all, my father’s death. I’m not sure I know how. But I wanted you to know that I never hated you. I just needed time to realize that what was going on between us was real, even if the reason you were in the castle wasn’t.” For a moment, the quiet between them felt nearly sacred, filled with optimism and the possibility of healing, however slow or uncertain. Henry glanced away, voice trembling but firm, "If you're willing, I’d like to see if we can find our way forward. Not as prince and alchemist, but as two men who happen to be in the middle of a whole mess of things and… maybe still want something more. I know you have business in Spain, and I know that my title keeps us from having a formal…public relationship, but it doesn’t mean we can’t have something- on our own terms; just the two of us. I don’t know what that would look like yet, but I know that trying to get through this without you was much lonelier than trying to get through it with you."

The words lingered in the air, and Alex felt the beginnings of something flickering inside him again, fragile but persistent. He took a long steadying breath, feeling the weight of relief and trepidation settle in his chest. Searching Henry’s face, seeing the sincerity etched in every line, and for a moment, let the hush stretch between them; gentle, not tense. “I want to try,” Alex said softly, voice thick with emotion he didn’t bother to hide. “I have no idea what comes next, but I know I don’t want to walk away from you. I didn’t want to then and I don’t want to now. Whatever it means for us, we can figure it out together. I think, if we’re both willing to try, maybe that’s enough,” he finished with an almost timid smile; as if pleading with the universe to let them have a chance.

“I want to try as well,” Henry added quietly, his own expression, though a bit shy, was lined with a smile, “I missed you,” he offered after a moment, “More than I thought I would, admittedly. I had no idea how much I’d gotten used to having someone in the palace that I could just… be Henry around.”

“Yeah, I missed you too,” this time, Alex’s smile was more genuine, “And I’m not gonna lie I definitely missed having someone bring me meals and try and suck my dick at the same time,” he added with a playful shrug.

“Oh, you obtuse fucking asshole,” Henry inhaled deeply before sighing- but it wasn’t mean or sincere at all. The eye roll and smile gave it away. He still stood up moments later, taking a few short strides to bridge the gap between them.

Before Alex even knew what was happening, Henry had pulled him from his seat and shoved him up against the wall, kissing him hard. Hands pinning his shoulders to the rough wood as their lips locked into something that could only be described as starving. Both men pressing against one another- though for now Henry was winning any sort of competition they may have had. His thigh pressed between Alex’s as he swallowed the moans that poured out from the brunette’s chest. Long lashes fluttering as Alex tried his best to gain a bit of control; hands grabbing at Henry’s hips, pulling him closer. Just as Alex went to break the kiss for a gasp of air, sharp teeth found his bottom lip, tugging it hard, making him moan in something more like a whimper.

“You smell good,” Henry panted, moments after Alex’s lip snapped back into place. “You kept the perfume I gave you?”

“Is that really what you’re thinking about right now?” Alex panted, laughing while he shook his head, “You feel how hard my dick is against your thigh, don’t you?”

“Don’t worry,” the blond purred, “I’m getting there,” he added before running his hands over Alex’s shoulders, undoing his cloak and letting it fall. Moments later his fingers toyed with the already untied neckline of the other man’s shirt, “I do hope you have some lubricant in the room somewhere.”

As soon as Henry had finished speaking, he pressed his thigh just a bit tighter between Alex’s legs, resulting in a low groan in the brunette’s chest. His chin lifting just a little as his lashes fluttered.  It was as if his body was reminding him it hadn’t been used this way in what suddenly felt like far too long. Electricity crawling up his spine as he felt soft fingers slide under his shirt and begin to trace along his sides, working up to his chest. Henry’s lips on his neck, making Alex’s head fall to the side instinctively, his own palms digging into the blond’s sides. 

“Fuck, baby,” Alex gasped, “Yeah, I uh- I should have some lubricant around here somewhere. If I didn’t, I could pull something together pretty quick.”

“Good, because it always felt so good with you,” Henry murmured, his voice low and sultry. Each syllable making Alex arch farther against the wall, and he visibly basked in it. Plush lips pulled into a satisfied smile as his hands kneaded over the brunette’s pecs, “Do you think the lubricant was part of the reason? I’m sure it helped, hm? Got to have something to make it go smoother when you’re taking something that big,” as if to emphasize his point, Henry’s thigh pressed entirely into the other man’s hard-on, “I hope you don’t think less of me, for missing this part of you almost as much as the rest of you.”

The insinuation was almost funny, as if Alex could think about anything right now. Not when his cock was straining against the leather of his pants, aching for just the slightest amount of friction from the warm pressure of Henry’s thigh. “Uhuh, yeah, baby,” he murmured, swallowing back a moan as he felt the other man begin sucking at the tender skin of his neck. His hips rocking against that thigh between his own, knuckles turning white as he tried to pull Henry impossibly closer.

“Do you have any idea what I just asked?” the blond teased with a chuckle, “Or are you too busy humping my thigh?”

“Uh-uh,” Alex managed in a gasp, shuddering as he felt soft lips trail along his jaw. His own mouth hanging open in silent wanting, he couldn’t even articulate how badly he wanted a kiss, that was how gone he was. And the way Henry was talking to him hadn’t helped at all; smooth confidence, self-assured, slightly condescending. If he’d had any more brain power he could have thought of a half dozen dirty metaphors about kneeling to the crown, but as it stood all he could do was rock his hips in place, nearly whimpering at every brush of pleasure.

After what felt like minutes to Alex, between kisses and a breathless laugh, Henry finally relented and pressed a gentle kiss to Alex’s lips. As if he’d known exactly how badly it was needed, almost teasing as his hands wandered lower, tugging insistently at the waistband of Alex’s pants. “You’re impossibly distracting, you know that?” he murmured against the other man’s mouth, the corner of his lips curling with a mischievous smile. “Every time I think I’m capable of restraint, you do something, and I lose all sense of decorum. I’d intended to hold you gently and now look at us.” His words were warm and edged with longing, each posh vowel vibrating between them in the small room. It was somehow intimate, something just for them, like a reminder this was as much about seeking one another’s comfort as it was desire.

‘You can hold me gently afterward.’ Had Alex managed to say that out loud? He didn’t think he had, considering that Henry hadn’t responded, and was instead dragging his tongue along the opening in Alex’s parted lips. He had to say… anything, whatever he could get his brain to make come out of his mouth. Grabbing at Henry and rutting against that thigh weren’t enough, he needed more; whatever he was allowed.

“Can I suck your dick?”

It was so sudden, amid the desperate kisses and touches, that Henry laughed. He actually laughed at the request. Brat. Shaking his head in an amused way and smiling, Henry finally spoke, after he’d had his little chuckle about it. “I’m amendable,” he said so calmly it was nearly an affront to the way that Alex was practically mewling and grinding against him. “But I was thinking about sucking you off as well, so what do you say we give doing it together a go, you ever done that?”

“No? Yes? Wait, no. I- I don’t think so,” Alex sputtered through gritted teeth before his head fell back, “Fuck, Hen, stop teasing me.”

With that not quite gentle plea, Alex leaned forward, as if intending to change their positions. But Henry had the advantage, as well as the broad strength apparently, because he gave Alex another firm shove, effectively pinning him against that wall. “Stop rushing it,” he demanded, “We will get there, but you’re a bit too eager, and I want to enjoy this.”

At that moment, if Henry had told him to jump off the roof of the tavern, Alex just might have. There was something deep inside of him he hadn’t known was there till this exact second. Being physically restrained, held against that wall, shoved around- and not just by anyone, by a prince; his prince. Like a well of warmth that simmered in Alex’s stomach, threatening to make a mess of his pants. All he could do was groan softly, nodding as his hips instinctively jerked forward, “Okay,” he agreed in a whisper.

“Good boy,” Henry hummed, and the tone in his voice insinuated he was very aware of the shudder it pulled from Alex when he said it. He let his hand move upward, running through dark curls before falling. Lingering at Alex’s neck, thumb tracing slowly along the edge of his jaw. The room was filled with the soft hush of their breathing and the distant sounds of tavern life below, yet everything between them felt suspended, charged with anticipation. Henry’s gaze flickered, searching Alex’s face for any sign of hesitation, and finding none. Slow, deliberate, he leaned in, brushing his lips along Alex’s ear before speaking in a tone that was both commanding and tender, “Let yourself enjoy this, darling. No need to rush, I've got you.”

The reassurance was grounding and intimate, weaving through the tension in Alex’s body and inviting him to surrender to the moment. Alex closed his eyes, letting Henry’s words settle through him. He relaxed into the gentle authority, fingers curling loosely at Henry’s waist as he allowed himself to simply feel. The heat of Henry’s body pressed close, the teasing press of muscle, the subtle scent of cinnamon lingering on the air between them. “You’ve got me,” he repeated, “I trust you,” came after, swallowing hard and inhaling a shaky breath, “I missed you so bad.”

“I missed you too,” the blond answered immediately, “Let me show you how much, let me take care of you, again. I longed for that. So, here’s what we’re going to do,” he began, pulling back suddenly. He seemed aware of just how much of a switch that was for Alex, hands finding the other man’s seconds later, tugging him closer. “Come with me, closer to the bed, just like that,” he instructed. Guiding every step of the way, clearly making it a point to show just how much he did have Alex. “We’re going to undress, and get in your bed, and then we can have a taste of one another, hm?” he asked, toying with the hem of Alex’s shirt as the two men stood in place.

“Yeah,” nodding Alex inhaled sharply and exhaled deeply, “Yeah, that sounds really good, I like that, good call.”

“Good,” Henry said quietly, his hands beginning to slowly pull off Alex’s shirt, dropping it once he had, “If you don’t like anything I’m doing, I want you to tell me, can you do that for me?”

“Yeah, but for the record I like everything you’re doing,” the brunette panted, “Like… you’re… god, you’re doing amazing. I’m so hard I can barely think straight.” He shuddered, feeling the air of the room across his bare chest; it was hardly cold enough for that, but it didn’t matter. The sensation of Henry’s fingers dragging across his skin was enough, “I like you being in charge.”

“Well, I’m glad,” Henry purred, his fingers dropping lower to begin undoing the belt around Alex’s waist. He was careful of the various pouches and satchels; untying the leather before beginning to pull it off. A soft gasp left his lips as he did, watching the way silk wound around Alex’s belt and into a specific bag holding what didn’t wrap around the span of his waist. “Is this…”

“Your robe, yeah,” Alex admitted. “You left it in the throne room that night. I didn’t know if I was supposed to leave it there or get rid of it like the evidence it was. Honestly, I think part of me just wanted to keep it for myself, you know, something to remember you by? I haven’t let it out of my sight since. It doesn’t smell like you anymore but… it still made me feel closer.” He had no idea why he was spilling his guts about it, but it was like his brain had no desire to try and stop the words from leaving his mouth.

“I’m glad you kept it,” the blond smiled, glancing up as he carefully laid the belt and robe aside on a table. “I wondered if you did, or if it ended up in the trash somewhere, maybe burnt in some sort of metaphorical severing or...spell or something.”

“Those aren’t the kind of spells I do,” Alex chuckled, shaking his head, “I couldn’t have gotten rid of it even if I’d wanted to. I just… I don’t know, couldn’t stand the idea of it,” he murmured. But the pause in their touching had allowed him to gain just a bit more control over his own body. Both hands moving up and undoing Henry’s cloak, sliding it off broad shoulders and letting it fall.

Beneath the cloak, Henry was in much more ordinary clothing. A dark linen shirt, much more suited to something Alex would have worn, riding pants, and boots. It made sense he’d have taken a horse out here; a carriage might have drawn too much attention.

“Did no one realize you were Prince Henry, like… really?” Alex asked, trying to fight another sneer. “You don’t… look that different.”

“Perhaps to you,” Henry quipped, standing up a bit straighter and smoothing his shirt a bit before lifting his chin- so regal in the low lighting. “But without the embellishments I’m really just another blond man on the streets of London.”

“Yeah, I guess you are,” shrugging, Alex rolled his eyes playfully, “Fuck, I have really basic taste, don’t I?”

“Oh, shut up, you menace.”

This time, Alex didn’t have a chance to retort before Henry’s lips were on his again. One hand holding his jaw in place as the other trailed down his stomach. Slender fingers slipping into the waistband of his pants, tugging to loosen the tie. Thankfully, Alex had enough of his head about him to use his own hands. Both moving to slide under Henry’s shirt, successfully untucking it first and running his hands upward. He hummed against those soft lips as he felt fabric bunch on his own wrists, palms resting on the blond’s shoulders as if begging for a reprieve to fully remove the garment. It took a few minutes before Henry indulged him, eager tongue slipping between Alex’s lips and exploring until both men were breathless. Only then did Henry pull back, long enough for them to breath and Alex to tug his shirt off. 

There was an almost electric need in the air now, every brush of skin against skin carrying the weight of weeks apart, of longing and regret, but also forgiveness slowly blooming between them. Alex’s breaths came a little faster, and he let his hands wander, tracing over the planes of Henry’s chest and sides with a reverence that spoke to how much he’d missed this closeness. Both men caught themselves sharing small, almost bashful smiles between kisses, reminders that, despite everything, there was still tenderness to be found here. In that quiet, Alex pressed his forehead to Henry’s, letting the moment settle, grounding himself in the reality that this second chance was as fragile as it was precious.

“I’m really glad you came to me,” the brunette whispered, voice rough but warm.

“Me too.”

The magnetism caught them once again after Henry spoke, lips finding one another as what had been tender kisses before turned hungry. Fingertips digging into soft skin as they tried to pull themselves physically as close as possible. Henry’s hands back to their greedy tugs at Alex’s pants- which seemed as though it was a real struggle for him to get any real leverage over. Alex found Henry’s riding pants much easier, pushing the fabric down his hips and letting it bunch around his ankles. Given his renewed sense of self-control, Alex seized the opportunity, pushing Henry back into the mattress before lifting one foot at a time. He pulled off each boot, dropping them aside as he tugged the rest of the blond’s clothes off. One hand around a slender ankle as he pressed one playful kiss to Henry’s toes, if only to listen to the way it made the prince laugh.

“Very sexy,” Henry cooed, pushing his leg straight and pressing his toes against Alex’s chest, “Get those goddamned pants of yours off and get in this bed immediately.”

“I thought you were struggling with those,” Alex teased, stepping back to slip his own pants and shoes off. But he was far too eager to pretend to waste any time doing so. Almost immediately slipping into the bed on top of the other man, pressing their bodies together as he went in for another kiss.

The sheets beneath them bunched and twisted as Alex lowered himself, their skin heating with every new point of contact. The air was thick with desire and the kind of affection that had only sharpened during their time apart. For a moment, everything outside the small room faded away, leaving nothing but the soft sounds of breath and the gentle tremor of laughter mingling with longing sighs.

Alex paused just long enough to brush his nose along Henry’s cheek, whispering, “Slow, this time? I want to feel all of you,” his words colored with both need and a softness that was almost overshadowed by the gruffness of his voice.

Henry’s hands found his back, fingers splayed wide, holding fast as if to promise he wasn’t going anywhere, not now. The rhythm between them was unhurried and deeply intimate, both men reacquainting themselves with every curve, every scar, every memory mapped onto skin. It wasn’t just hunger driving them this time- it was relief, forgiveness, and the unmistakable warmth of something that felt like a new beginning.

Their bodies tangled together with a careful, deliberate tenderness that spoke of everything they hadn’t said. Alex let his hands roam, rememorizing the familiar terrain of Henry’s back and shoulders, the small shudder as his fingertips grazed sensitive skin. Every movement was a wordless apology, a promise that this time, he wouldn’t rush, wouldn’t take for granted the closeness they’d managed to reclaim. Henry’s lips found Alex’s jaw, tracing gentle kisses down his neck, and Alex closed his eyes, giving himself over completely to the warmth of the moment. The feeling of a few days stubble against his skin making the brunette shiver himself. Every graze and brush of Henry’s jaw against the bare parts of his face and neck sending electricity through his body. Light heat of minor irritation that he might be lucky enough to see in a mirror hours after this. Proof that it had happened, that it was real, this was something that could be his; just his.

When they moved together, it was with an unhurried synchronicity, savoring each sigh and moan. In the hush of the room, a sort of safety bloomed between them, fragile but somehow tangible. And for the first time in weeks, Alex allowed himself to believe that love- however imperfect, might be enough. Until now, it had felt like something others were allowed, but not him. A thing that seemed to come freely to those around him; people who didn’t fight to charm. Maybe he had been the only person alive to ever be so keenly aware when his friends or lovers were losing interest; deciding somewhere along the way that it was best to leave before he was left. But none of that mattered here, any feelings of isolation or being the only one like himself faded away between every touch or kiss. Henry’s lips melted away every fear and insecurity he’d ever felt burn his skin. Dragging his tongue along invisible scars that Alex had almost become convinced everyone could see. It was possible that was true, and Henry simply had the same ones; knew how to kiss them.

After what felt like hours, and very well may have been, Henry placed one hand on Alex’s hip. His chin tilting up and grazing his face against the brunette’s both men’s lashes fluttering at the brush of lips and slight friction of stubble raking against Alex’s slightly longer facial hair. One hand pulling at Alex’s hip before finally the blond spoke, “I need you,” he whispered between their closeness, “Stay on top, just switch the direction you’re facing.”

Clearly, Henry was still maintaining his control of the situation, but Alex wasn’t going to complain about that at all. In fact, the tone of his voice even while whispering like that had made goosebumps prickle on Alex’s skin. But he nodded, stealing one final kiss before leaning up and turning so he was facing Henry’s feet instead. He situated himself a bit better, so knees wouldn’t be in the way of anything the blond was doing, before carefully lowering himself into place; resting on his elbows above Henry’s hips. “This good, sweetheart?”

“Perfect,” Henry breathed, his hands sliding up and down Alex’s thighs, almost as if he couldn’t wait to begin touching, “Are you alright with me touching you here, a bit?” he asked, letting his hand trail just a bit higher, one finger sliding between the brunette’s cheeks, “I know you said you dabble, but…doesn’t mean you’re in the mood to dabble tonight.”

“Are you asking to top me?” Alex asked, unable to keep from whipping his head over his shoulder to look back at Henry- which didn’t work well at all given their position. So, it was more like shifting and extending his neck to try and make eye contact until Henry finally popped his ass once, hard enough to make him stop squirming.

“Heavens no,” the blond nearly scoffed, “I’m never going to offer to do that unless you’re desperate for it,” he explained, “I was asking if you minded my tongue and fingers here,” he reiterated, using that one finger to gently tap the between the other man’s cheeks.

“No, I don’t mind,” Alex murmured, a smile on his lips as he dipped his head down, kissing along Henry’s hips, brushing his nose gently through soft blond pubic hair. Briefly he wondered if it was conditioned, some of those fancy oils he’d seen Henry use. Even though the prince smelled a bit more human and less like a flower garden today, didn’t mean Alex put it past him to have done before he left. Maybe it was just because he was blond and didn’t have curls, admittedly Alex didn’t exactly have a frame of reference for that- especially not straight pubic ha-

Any internal dialogue Alex was having, which was a lot, was immediately cut short as he felt Henry take his cock in one hand, pull it back gently and begin to suckle at the tip. That was enough to jolt him into action, nuzzling his lips against Henry’s shaft; trailing gentle kisses as he made his way toward the tip. His tongue snaking out to tease sensitive skin before he took the head into his mouth. For now, Alex’s hands rested on the bed and Henry’s thigh, keeping himself steady as he just took more of the other man’s cock into his mouth before lifting his head up and beginning to suck gently. It was hard to focus on the task at hand though, especially with Henry’s mouth on him; feeling the blond’s tongue slide beneath his foreskin and tease the head of his cock. Almost in an imaginary race he was trying to keep up in, Alex immediately mimicked the gesture, the tip of his tongue dipping beneath Henry’s foreskin and swirling little half circles there. He moved the hand from Henry’s thigh to gently cup the other man’s balls, kneading them softly between his fingers.

But it seemed like no matter what Alex did, Henry stayed a step ahead. One of his hands resting on Alex’s ass, kneading the tender skin as he propped up on his opposite elbow. Head bobbing slowly as he sucked, fingertips dipping between Alex’s cheeks and gently massaging the tight muscle between them. The sensation of both things enough to make the brunette feel chills running down his spine. He could only hope that Henry was less aware of the goosebumps prickling on his skin or how he tried to fight off shivers. Taking the opportunity to bob his head lower with each dip, taking the tip of the blond’s cock into his throat. At least choking on something disguised how frequently he was trying to hold back moans, and it gave him something to focus on besides the way pleasure was quickly building.

Despite the new task at hand, it only took a few minutes before Alex pulled back, panting softly. The hand he’d had on Henry’s balls replacing his mouth, stroking the slickness his saliva had left behind. “Baby,” he panted, trying to chuckle, as though it were more lighthearted, “If you keep that up, you’re going to make me come, and it’s way too soon for that.”

Slowly, almost agonizingly so, Henry pulled back, sucking hard and creating an audible pop as his lips broke the seal on Alex’s cock. “Hm? Oh,” he purred, “Prep me then? Can you do it from this position? I can lift my hips up?” he offered, spreading his legs a bit wider and lifting his bottom half slightly.

“I mean… I could do it from here, but I do need to grab the lubricant,” Alex murmured, “And you can…put your hips down,” he laughed softly, just pushing the blond’s hips back into the mattress, “Just keep your legs spread, uh… does it have to be this position?”

“Yes, I want your arse in my face,” Henry said flatly, giving Alex’s ass another pop before squeezing supple skin, “Just use spit for now, we can get the lubricant before you fuck me.”

Alex laughed quietly at that, shaking his head as he settled into position above Henry, the warmth of the bed and the closeness between them grounding him in the moment. He let his hands wander, squeezing Henry's thighs affectionately, then leaned down to press slow, deliberate kisses over each curve. “Whatever you want, baby, I’m just here to serve,” he whispered, and he took a steadying breath before spitting onto his fingertips. Leaning down to balance himself on one forearm as he used his hand to gently expose the other man a bit better, before finally massaging between Henry’s cheeks with slick fingers.

At the same time Alex felt that tight muscle beneath his fingertips twitch, he also felt both of Henry’s hands on his own bottom. Spreading cheeks wide before the feeling of a warm tongue probed at the same place he touched on Henry. The sensation of hot breath, stubble against tender skin, and the way Henry groaned softly, all making Alex’s lashes flutter slightly. He leaned his head forward, spitting downward and gathering as much of the saliva as he could on his fingers before pushing one into the other man. Finally, something made Henry gasp out as desperately as Alex felt. He pumped that one finger slowly, taking his time to feel slippery skin loosen before he nudged in a second finger. Eyes locked on his own work as he felt Henry desperately try and push the tip of his tongue into him. That clearly wasn’t enough for the blond, because moments later he pulled his face back just enough to spit against Alex’s rim, massaging the saliva in with two fingertips before pushing one finger into Alex much the same way. Only as he pumped that one finger his tongue followed suit, licking around the digit in a way that could almost be described as desperate.

“You’re so fucking dirty,” Alex panted; never in his life having been so disappointed to not be able to see what someone was doing to him. Especially when Henry’s only response came in the form of tilting his head to the side and biting into one hairy cheek. It made the brunette laugh, scissoring his fingers slowly inside of the other man, “Don’t worry, baby, I fucking love it. Can’t wait to stretch this tight little hole out with my dick.”

“Now who’s filthy,” the blond groaned, before pushing a second finger of his own into Alex. He massaged his fingertips in place, curling them, seeming to brush against the perfect spot intentionally with each movement. “You’ve got a gorgeous fucking ass,” he panted, before replacing his mouth back near his fingers. His tongue tracing that slightly stretched muscle, kissing gently between the licks.

“So do you, sweetheart, c-can’t wait to fuck you,” even if stuttering his way through that wasn’t great for Alex’s ego, it wasn’t like he could do much better with those delicate brushes to his prostate. That also wasn’t worlds less stimulating than what Henry had been doing to his cock- so there was only one solution. He carefully pushed a third finger into the blond, curving his own fingertips, trying his best to aim for the same spots inside of Henry.

After a few moments, it seemed to work, making Henry moan out, his hole clenching against Alex’s fingers as his hips jerked slightly. Okay, so maybe Alex was doing a bit more than brushing his fingers against the right spot- but it served Henry right, he couldn’t be the only person allowed to drive the other insane. Massaging the spot that made Henry cry out like that, Alex leaned in, pressing soft kisses along the blond’s shaft as he kept working his fingers in and out of the other man. Henry’s thighs were trembling beneath Alex, and he’d given up on trying to lick around his fingers. Instead, pressing his face into one of Alex’s cheeks; occasionally biting into the skin there and groaning against it. Secretly, Alex hoped he'd end up with marks from it, even if he wouldn’t be able to see them.

“Do you want me to fuck you, sweetheart?” Alex hummed, dragging his tongue along the underside of the other man’s cock. Unable to keep from smirking now that he finally felt he’d regained a bit of the upper hand. “Are you ready to have something bigger inside you?”

“You’re insufferable,” Henry hissed through gritted teeth, without an ounce of fire behind it. “Yes,” he managed after another moment, “I want you to fuck me,” between pants and slight squirms, he carefully slipped his fingers out of the brunette before swatting the other man’s ass hard. “Get the lubricant,” he instructed, as if that might disguise how desperate his voice sounded.

Alex grinned, slipping his fingers out of Henry and shifting his weight slightly before crawling off the bed to rummage through the side table where he kept his supplies. The bottle of lubricant was easy enough to find, cool and heavy in his hand as he turned back toward the bed. He caught Henry’s gaze- hungry, expectant, but softened by the kind of trust that only came after everything they'd shared. Alex paused, savoring the moment, and then offered the bottle with a gentle but coy smile. “Here you go, darling,” he murmured, voice low and husky, “How do you want me? Since you’re in charge?” he teased.

Taking the bottle, Henry sat up on his elbows before pulling himself into a sitting position. He swung himself out of bed, before gesturing back at the mattress, “You, lie back, on your back, get comfortable, I’m on top.”

“You know, you’re kind of hot when you get that whole royal authority thing going on,” Alex teased as he got back onto the bed. Just as he was told, he rested on his back, head on the pillow, placing both hands behind his head with a rather self-assured smirk.

While opening the bottle of lubricant, Henry got a bit on his hand; stepping closer to the bed. “Mhn, I gathered that when I had you against the wall and you almost made a mess of your trousers.” With a grin of his own, he wrapped one slick palm around the other man’s shaft, stroking slowly to coat it with the lubricant.

“Okay, rude,” Alex started, before inhaled sharply at the touch that followed. “You didn’t have to bring that up.”

“Why not?” the blond hummed, stopping his touch just as quickly as he’d started. Shamelessly using the remaining lubricant on his fingers to reach back and wipe between his own cheeks. “I quite like you when you’re about to start begging,” he murmured.

Once the bottle of lubricant was placed back on a side table, Henry crawled on the bed, straddling the other man’s waist and already settling into place. One hand behind his back, taking hold of Alex’s cock as he leaned up on his knees. Light eyes were almost dark, maybe it was the lighting, or he were genuinely conjuring some masterplan. Whatever the cause, Alex assumed it had something to do with how Henry slipped down onto his cock with no hesitation. Exhaling sharply and tossing his head back with fluttering lashes. Both palms moving to rest on Alex’s thighs as he relaxed into the position. His body arched to a curve as he began rocking in place, starting to build up to a slow bounce. But the way Henry moved, slow and intentional, face contorted with pleasure, spilling constant moans and mewls from his lips. It was obvious he was enjoying every moment, each stretch and brush against sensitive skin. Alex didn’t even have to look at his cock to know- though his eyes couldn’t resist a glance downward. Unable to fight a grin at seeing pale pink skin glistening with precum, so hard that most of the tip was exposed; foreskin pulled back. Twitching slightly in place no matter how Henry moved, instead synced up with the way that tight heat clenched against Alex’s shaft.

It was absolutely fucking beautiful. Henry was beautiful, soft beneath Alex’s palms; pale skin reddening with the hungry grabs and greedy kneading of every plush curve. Those strong thighs straining as Henry did break into a slight bounce. A whole cascade of muscle hidden beneath love handles or a soft stomach and chest. It was like Henry was the best of both words, delicate and masculine in a way that drove Alex wild. Maybe he was biased at this point, having spent too many nights dreaming of stubble burn from kisses given by the most doll-like lips he'd ever seen. None of that mattered to him now, the only important thing was in this room, rather graphically speared on his cock presently. And Alex was a pillar of pride, a feeling blooming in his chest that could only be described as something like euphoria. It was enough to nearly take his breath away, not that much was left between his own groans; low, husky, and in time with every movement from the man on top of him.

“You feel so fucking good,” Henry whispered, body curving to an almost impossible shape as his knuckles went white squeezing Alex’s thighs. “I’m not sure I ever noticed before,” he admitted. “I knew you were good but…I was so numb to everything…”

“And you’re not now?” Alex asked, voice softer than he’d expected. One of his hands moving to run along the blond’s thigh, giving it a light squeeze in return, as if sharing as much contact as he could in the moment.

“Not right now, right now it’s just you.”

Alex wanted to say he understood that everything racing through his mind was just Henry, over and over. He had a half dozen prolific things he could say, romantic poetics threatening to crawl up from the back of his throat any moment.  But instead, Alex reached up, his thumb tracing slow circles over the softness of Henry's hip as he let the moment linger in silence. He wanted to say something- anything to capture the way his heart felt stretched open, raw but grateful. Instead, he just whispered, “I’m right here,” letting those words stand as his admission, his promise. The way Henry’s body moved above him, every sigh and gasp, felt like a confession in a language only they spoke. Forgiveness, desire, and love, all blended together amid the low moans and pants. For now, Alex let himself surrender to it, trusting that whatever came next would be exactly what was meant to.

Ironically, what came next was Henry gently taking one of Alex’s hands and resting it flat on his own stomach. With the angle Henry had leaned back into, bouncing in place, there was a noticeable bulge beneath the skin. One that Alex immediately knew was caused by his own cock, a realization that made him groan out in a shaper almost whiny way. His head falling back as he did his best to stop his hips from instinctively jerking forward- he managed to keep it to a small thrust.

“You’re so deep,” Henry whispered, humming quietly as he began rolling his hips a bit more deliberately.

“Holy…fucking shit,” the brunette hissed through gritted teeth, “It’s so fucking deep, baby,” he gasped, fingertips dragging down Henry’s stomach before he tangled both hands in the sheets. “S-sweetheart,” he panted after a moment, “Can we switch positions? Can I be on top?”

“Oh? Is this not enough for you?” Henry’s tone wasn’t even vaguely offended, hardly serious at all. Much more condescending, as if he’d been waiting for this moment to happen and now that it had he was reveling in it. “What’s the matter, love? Do you need more? Do you need to pound this tight little hole yourself?”

The questions literally made Alex’s face twitch, he was aware of it, trying to gain some control before he locked eyes back on the other man. Jaw tight and lips pulled back into a smirk somewhere between threatening and playful. Maybe if the answers had been less obvious, he could have denied them- but as it stood, there wasn’t a chance. “Yes,” he said finally; keeping his voice impressively steady considering the way Henry was rocking on top of him. “Yes, I need to bend you in half and pound that pretty little ass out. Is that allowed, Your Highness?”

In a rather sudden display of…something that caught Alex off guard, Henry leaned forward. His entire body pressed against the brunette’s chest as he ran his hands along Alex’s arms and wrapped both hands around the sides of the other man’s neck. It wasn’t tight, or anything even like choking. But his thumbs slid up both sides of that Adam’s apple, before taking their place on each side of Alex’s lips. His face moved closer, hovering centimeters above the brunette, tips of noses touching, hot breath against Alex’s lips. All of it combined with the way those hips never stopped rolling dizzying circles down against Alex’s cock was enough to make his eyes nearly roll back. It was intoxicating. Henry’s lips hovered so close that Alex could feel each exhale, the intensity between them building; woven tight with need. For a moment, neither man moved, eyes locked, Alex’s fingers carefully tracing gentle lines over skin- mapping the tension between them written in soft pink handprints. Alex’s heart pounded with anticipation, every nerve attuned to Henry’s next move; drunk on the feeling of it all. He let his hands slide up, cradling the prince’s face, his thumb brushing softly across a flushed cheek.

“You’re so fucking beautiful, you know that?” the brunette whispered, voice thick and husky with lust. “Let me have you, baby. I want to show you how much I missed you.”

Slowly Henry’s expression softened, a sly smile flickering through his features as he pressed their foreheads together. “Then take me,” he murmured, barely above a breath, “I want to feel every inch of you, Alex. Show me I’m yours, and you’re mine.”

Nodding slightly, Alex leaned up, stealing one final kiss before wrapping his arms and legs around Henry. He flipped the both of them over- while managing to only knock himself into the tavern wall; he’d take it. Henry laughed beneath him, and it was hard to resist, laughing along, especially with how clumsily their legs had gone flying, his cock slipping out of Henry, and sheets a wreck beneath them. But none of it was enough to deter Alex from moving his body between Henry’s thighs. He slipped into place, his hands resting on the backs of the blond’s thighs and pushing them upward. Their lips meeting as Henry wrapped his own arms around his legs, locking them behind his knees.

For another few minutes, the two men were trapped in that position. Nothing but heated kisses, Alex’s cock resting against Henry, positioned perfectly in place, resting between the blond’s cheeks. His hips slowly rocking as mouths opened and tongues danced together. Low groans from each man echoing into the kisses from the sensation of Alex’s shaft rubbing against such a delicate place; teasing both. One of Henry’s legs lowered a bit, wrapping around Alex’s waist, as if to trap him in place. The now free hand tangling into dark curls and tugging gently, but still enough to make the brunette moan a bit louder, lashes fluttering as he felt a greedy tongue explore more of his mouth. Alex’s pulse hammered beneath his skin, caught between hunger and a kind of worshiping awe as every brush of Henry’s fingertips over his scalp sent another shiver through him. The world seemed to shrink to just this bed, the warmth between tangled sheets, and the low sound of their breathing. Their mouths met constantly in a kiss more languid than the one before. It was the kind of closeness Alex had once convinced himself he was undeserving of. Now, with Henry beneath him, he let himself believe it might last. Every slide and press of their bodies spoke, quietly, something new taking root in places wounded by longing.

It was Henry whose hand dipped between them, leaving Alex’s curls only to wrap around his shaft instead. Carefully he guided the brunette’s cock back into himself, allowing the push of Alex’s hips to do the work while he only offered direction. Both men gasping as the tip finally slipped past tight muscle, groaning into each other’s mouths once more with the rhythm of Alex’s hips. That was the point where any sort of composed sensuality the two had shared began to slowly crumble. The resolve to be passionate and tender replaced by teeth cutting into lips and nails scratching down backs in only a matter of seconds.

Both of Henry’s legs were wrapped around Alex’s waist, ankles locking together at the small of his back. One hand tugged dark curls hard, the other was set to marking bruises along his shoulder and arm. Even Alex, giving up supporting himself with both hands to rest one on the other man’s stomach. He kneaded over the soft rolls of skin made by Henry’s position before sliding his palm upward. Fingers wrapping around one mound of the blond’s chest, squeezing that pec shamelessly as he tried to chase Henry’s lips. It was a losing battle with how quick the thrusts were getting. Something like a puppy chasing his tail, as if he weren’t directly responsible for the way the blond bounced beneath him. He didn’t stop either, only a slight change in pace away from punishing slams up into that tight heat. Not that Henry seemed to mind, he’d given up kissing Alex at all, just pulling the brunette closer in the wake of that lost cause. Now his teeth found Alex’s neck, marking the skin where his shoulder curved up into his throat. Tender flesh turning purple almost instantly- he wasn’t being gentle. Hisses from Alex only seemed to drive him onward, that hole clenching against Alex’s cock with every push of his hips. Quite like Henry was trying to pull him deeper, keep him inside, or from pulling back at all. It was euphoric and elating, like melting into absolute bliss, high on the feeling of being wanted so badly either could scarcely speak. Just moans and yelps at the occasional bite or slam of hips, growling and hissing at the feeling of pain blending with pleasure.

Wet skin burning from the body heat, waves of pleasure radiating through limbs, and a chorus of sounds half this country wouldn’t believe their prince was capable of making. Alex drank it all like a parched man in the desert; his tongue dragging along Henry’s jaw, over the few days’ stubble, savoring the prickle. His teeth grazed the blond’s ear, sucking gently at the lobe as he felt Henry’s hands slide to the backs of his thighs. That didn’t last long, they moved upward quickly, cupping Alex’s ass and squeezing the skin. Gently pressure pulled him closer, as if silently demanding that the pace become…more. He swore he heard whispers of ‘faster’ ‘deeper’ ‘harder’ into the dip between his collarbones. The place where Henry’s tongue was presently lapping sweat while kneading Alex’s ass like his life depended on it.

“That good, baby?” Alex finally managed, voice trembling just as much as the man beneath him.

“Yes,” it was the first time in several minutes now that Henry had looked up. Tilting his chin up, locking eyes on darker ones. “Don’t stop.”

“Won’t.”

The sight beneath Alex was one he couldn’t have imagined before this moment. He’d pulled his head back just enough to really get a good look at Henry’s entire face. Blond hair disheveled from all they’d been doing. Pink lips swollen and damp from all the biting. His cheeks were flushed, eyes almost glazed over with a hunger Alex couldn’t recall seeing before this very moment. The angle he’d left his head at meant that heavy golden chains on Alex’s neck hung against the prince’s jawline. Casting contrasting warmth against pale skin, drawing attention to every freckle and pink tone highlighted by the heat. Almost as if he were aware, Henry lifted his chin up, catching one chain between his teeth and holding it there. Light eyes locked fiercely onto Alex as he shifted his hands just a bit. Fingers sliding between the brunette’s cheeks, sliding up and down there- clumsy with the movements of Alex’s hips. But once he could manage, Henry gently pushed one finger back into the other man, immediately curling it to press into that sweet spot he’d found so easily earlier.

Really, it should have been impressive how fast he managed to do it given their current position. But Alex couldn’t think about that, all he could think about was blinding pleasure running through his body. Searing heat running up his spine and threatening to melt his brain out of his ears. He simply nodded with approval, lips falling open as his lashes fluttered; only to feel a second finger stretch him open just a bit more seconds later. Two pads pressing into Alex’s prostate, massaging in what felt like little circles. Like a goddamn switch inside Alex that Henry had managed to tap into; making his hips stutter for just a moment.

“You’re gonna make me come,” Alex grunted, eyes still fluttering as he tried his best to steady his pace again. But the combination of Henry’s fingers inside of him and that heat squeezing his cock every other thrust was doing absolutely nothing for his sanity. Every inch of his skin prickled in a way that made him acutely aware that he was pressed entirely against the blond.

“So… come.” Finally, Henry dropped the chain that had been in his mouth, to speak. His opposite hand let go of Alex’s ass, though he never slipped out the opposite fingers.

Slender fingers traveled up Alex’s side, down his arm, finally taking hold of the hand that had been resting on Henry’s pec. Had he really never moved it from there? Alex didn’t have time to ponder just how caught up he might have been because Henry pulled his hand upward and toward his own mouth. Plush lips wrapping around two of Alex’s fingers and sucking in an absolutely sinful way. The occasional scrape of teeth against callused skin as hungry eyes fluttered up to lock on Alex’s. He was a mess of hollowed cheeks, heavy breathing and wanton noises muffled into the brunette’s fingers. Suddenly and clearly intentionally squeezing Alex’s cock as tightly as he could manage. Making every shift of hips just a little less fluid.

Each thrust drove them closer to the edge, their breaths mingling as they pressed together with greedy need. Alex’s world shrank to the feeling of Henry beneath him- his prince, his undoing, his home. In these moments, there was no past to regret nor future to fear, only the dizzying present where affection and desire blurred together. When Henry’s moans rose in pitch, desperate and pleading muffled by Alex’s fingers- the brunette responded with a gentle, reassuring touch.  His thumb brushing tenderly along Henry’s cheek, their eyes met, just briefly, and in that gaze was a silent agreement. No matter what storms awaited outside these walls, here, in this tangled union, they were enough for each other.

Maybe it was that sort of romantic edge to the whole situation that pushed Alex over the edge. His orgasm crashing into him hard enough to make his hips stutter, jerking in place as he felt all of his muscles spasm. Moaning out, feeling pleasure wash over him nearly in unison with the warmth he felt spraying across his own stomach. Henry’s head turned to the side, leaving Alex’s fingers lingering in the air as he was presently too distracted to do anything about it. He felt those thighs at his sides trembling, the man beneath him shaking before Henry went limp. Fingers slipping out of Alex, ankles unlocking and falling to the mattress; entirely spent. Alex’s hand followed suit, resting atop the prince’s head, gently stroking blond hair as he let his head fall, pressing kisses to Henry’s cheek. Both men breathless, but Henry chuckled quietly, as he’d done a few times with Alex. An entirely blissed out sound, completely satisfied and exhausted, like he couldn’t believe what he’d just allowed himself to have. -If Alex had his way though, Henry would be allowed that kind of pleasure much more often.

Untangling their bodies slowly, Alex moved carefully. Leaning up first, stretching across the bed and to the side table there. He plucked Henry’s robe from the surface and dragged it back, before falling flat on the mattress beside the blond. “Come here,” he whispered, opening his arms.

Henry didn’t answer, only humming in response before turning to the side and curling his body into Alex’s tossing one arm over the brunette’s as though utterly exhausted; and he just may be. Delicately Alex tossed that robe out in the air, letting it fall and lay across Henry’s body, almost like a blanket in the quickly cooling room. His own body much too warm for him to worry about finding a blanket to cover up with yet.

“That was good,” Henry whispered finally, voice sounding hoarse. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too,” Alex murmured, turning his head slightly before pressing a soft kiss into the other man’s sweaty temple. “I’m glad you came and found me. I think I dreamed about it once or twice, but I never thought you would.”

Henry was quiet for a long moment, his breathing slowing as he let himself relax against Alex’s body. The silence wasn’t uncomfortable, but rather full of all the soft things neither of them needed to say aloud. Finally, he shifted, just enough to brush his nose against Alex’s jaw, and spoke with a sincerity that felt rare even now, “I think I wanted to find you even before I knew it. I kept telling myself it was better to forget, but every night I’d close my eyes and remember how it felt to just… be with you. No pretending, no titles. I suppose I hoped you’d still want me, even after everything.”

Alex’s arms tightened just a bit, grounding both of them in the warmth beneath Henry’s robe. He hummed quietly before answering, pressing a second kiss to tousled blond hair. “I think I’d always want you,” he said honestly, voice rough but gentle, “Even when it’s hard; maybe especially then. You’re the first person who made me believe I could have something real. And maybe we’re both idiots, but I’d rather try being idealistic idiots together than play it safe alone.”

“Will you come back to the castle with me then?” Henry asked, his voice edged with hopefulness, “Be my alchemist like you were before? Princes have alchemists. We can start there until you figure out what you’re going to do about Spain, and until I figure out what I’m going to do about being a gay prince?”

Chuckling, Alex nodded, his hand rubbing the other man’s shoulder gently as he smiled so hard it pulled the muscles of his cheeks, stinging just a bit, “Yeah, that sounds like a good first step, sweetheart. But can we work on that in the morning? It’s pretty late.”

“I’m not going to say no to sharing a bed with you, even if it’s just for tonight,” Henry whispered, as if sharing some great secret.

With a few final kisses against Henry’s face, Alex let his hand rest gently against the blond’s back. Feeling the steady rhythm of breath, the slow return to a calm that had been missing for too long. The quiet between them was heavy with promise, the kind that lingered after confessions and forgiveness had been exchanged. For once, Alex didn’t worry about what came next, didn’t let his mind race ahead to all the possible ways things could go wrong. He just let himself exist in this moment, the warmth of Henry’s body pressed close, the silk of the robe soft beneath his fingertips. Soon, with any luck, it would smell like Henry again. A kind of magic returning to the fabric he’d held onto in hopes of finding just a glimmer of something there. As soon as the moon began shining through the window on the opposite side of the room, Alex felt coolness begin to wash over him. Tugging a blanket from the side of the bed to pull over he and Henry’s bodies. There was nothing here but the softness of their breathing and the warmth of their bodies; it was perfect. For a moment before sleep took him, Alex wondered if maybe, this was exactly what love felt like; fragile, but worth holding onto- worth fighting for. It was a nice thought; one he decided he would accept as truth.