Waiting in the Wings

by DracoWillHearAboutThis

Summary:

Henry had always known he would end up in an arranged marriage.

He had not expected, though, to end up in an arranged marriage with Prince Alex Claremont-Diaz, who he'd secretly been in love with for the past fifteen years.

Notes:

Hello, my dear readers! This is a WIP that's actually been in my folder for the past months and now I finally had the focus to take it somewhere. Hope you enjoy the first chapter ♡

Edit: I should probably mention that Ellen is a bit OOC here. Also, the kingdom name 'Avalor' is from the Disney series 'Elena of Avalor', because I'm a sucker for Disney and you can't tell me RW&RB isn't basically a Disney movie with NC-17 elements. So. End of ted talk.

Chapter 1

It was a rainy September day when Henry was called into his grandmother's study. He glanced out of the palace windows with a heavy heart as he made his way down the corridors, flanked by staff.

Being called upon by the Queen of England was never a good sign, even if you were her grandson. Especially when you were her grandson. His grandmother liked him to stay out of her sight unless it was for official events or stern, life-altering conversations. This clearly pointed towards the latter. 

Henry took a deep, steadying breath before he stepped into the room. The first thing he noticed was that his mother was present; she sat across from the Queen, anxiously tapping her fingers on her knee. 

Not a good sign, either.

"Henry," his grandmother said, in a voice that was far too kind. It meant that what she had to say was really important, and that she thought it would not go over well. "Thank you for joining us. Please, take a seat. Will you have a cup of tea?"

Henry nodded robotically, taking the other free chair across from his grandmother. His eyes flickered to his mother's as his grandmother poured him a cup of Earl Grey, looking for any kind of clue as to what he could expect from this conversation - her features were grim, though, and they did not give anything away. 

"Here you are," his grandmother handed him the cup. "Would you like milk? Sugar?"

"Just milk, please," Henry said, and he took the offered pot from her hand and added the milk. As he stirred, he looked up at her questioningly. "May I ask what this is about?"

His grandmother didn't answer immediately. She took a sip of her own tea first. Then, she looked out of the window, into the rainy Buckingham Gardens. 

"It's been almost two years since your sister married," she said eventually. "A wonderful ceremony, that one, even though I wished Beatrice would make a bit more of an effort with her husband. Just because it was an arranged marriage, that doesn't mean they can't be happy together."

Henry didn't say anything. Bea and her husband, Albert, could not be more different. He was a born duke who adored yachting and spending time with his rich, royal friends. Bea was a not-so-secret rebel who wanted to leave every royal function as soon as it started. They just didn't compute. Their marriage existed on paper only. 

Philip had been more lucky in his arrangement. Martha shared his penchant for family legacy. They worked well as partners. Bea and Albert never would. 

Henry was pulled out of his musings when his grandmother started to speak again. 

"It is your turn to be married this time," she told him, and Henry forgot how to breathe. 

He'd known, of course, that this was coming. He'd always known that his grandmother would decide who and when he would marry. He just didn't think it would be so soon.

"Now, now, don't look so alarmed!" she scolded him. "We've taken your inclinations into consideration. You will marry an appropriate man; one of especially high standing. The connection will put the country at an advantage. You should feel proud."

A political marriage, then. Henry took a shaky breath. "Who am I to marry?" he asked. 

It was his mother who answered, much to his surprise. 

"Prince Alexander of Avalor," she announced, catching his eyes. 

Henry stared at her, quite speechless. 

"What?" he whispered.

"Avalor is interested in reaffirming its diplomatic bonds with Britain," Henry's grandmother explained. "The interest is mutual. As a team, we have a much better position against Europe."

"But… Alex is in line for the throne," Henry muttered. "Isn't it… sort of unusual to send him off to be married?"

"His sister's due date is next month," she shrugged, sounding unconcerned. "Assuming everything goes well, the line to the throne should be secured."

"But - but I thought Alex was straight!" Henry protested. He vividly remembered the headlines - and photos - all reporting of his relationship with Nora Holleran, granddaughter of the Avalorian Prime Minister and daughter of a multi-millionaire couple, and who now happened to be married to his sister. 

Yes, the Avalorian Royal Family was a bit of a soap opera, and Henry hated to say that he was embarrassingly well-informed. 

"I was assured that he was, uh, versatile ," his grandmother said pointedly. 

Henry flinched. If his teenage self had had that particular piece of information, his fantasies would have been unstoppable. 

The thing was, he'd always had a bit of a crush on the Avalorian Prince. Bea knew it. His best friend Pez knew it. He was pretty sure even Philip knew it, judging from a couple of pointed remarks at an event or two.

Henry, though, had never been able to talk to Alex like an actual human being. Because Alex…

Alex was something else. 

Alex was gorgeous. He had unruly dark curls that never seemed to do what they were told and that made Henry want to run his hands through them. He had warm brown eyes that seemed to set Henry on fire whenever they were focused on him.

And his smile. God, Alex could light up a whole palace with his smile. He was just so full of life .

And now, Henry was supposed to marry him? Was fate playing some sick, twisted joke on him?

"Henry?" His grandmother's voice was disapproving when it filtered through his thoughts again. "Are you listening to me?"

"Yes," Henry blinked. "Sorry."

"You're to be married in December," she repeated. "Shortly before Christmas. The engagement will be announced next week. You will travel to Avalor for the announcement."

Henry nodded, dazed.

"Do you have any questions?" she asked. 

A million, but none that he could direct at his grandmother. So he shook his head. With a sigh, she waved him off. 

"Don't disappoint me, Henry," she warned. "This is important. This marriage has to be a success."

Henry didn't know what to say. It was possible his brain had quite literally short-circuited.

His mother caught up with him on his way out. "I know it's still an arranged marriage," she said. "But he seems to be a good person, and I think you could be very happy with him." The way she was looking at him told Henry that she, too, suspected about his badly-hidden affection for his husband-to-be. He wanted to die.

"Just, take some time to process," she said, gently touching his shoulder. "I really think this is a good thing for you."

Henry kept his mouth firmly shut, afraid what would come out if he'd open it. 

 

Pez was laughing at him. Henry glared at his phone where Pez's tinny laugh had been sounding for the past five minutes, wondering if he should just hang up and block his number. 

"I just - this is bloody perfect -" Pez wheezed. "You get to marry your Prince Charming. "

"Please don't call him that," Henry winced. "I'm pretty sure Alex would throw you into the Avalorian dungeons if he knew."

"Please, I'm too handsome," Pez scoffed. "And we know now that he's bi, so he'll appreciate it."

"I really hate you."

"No, you don't. You love me. Also, can we go back to how your gran set you up with the bloke you've had the hots for since you were eleven?!"

"I am hanging up!" Henry threatened. 

"All these years, we thought she'd choose a boring copy of Albert," Pez continued, ignoring his input. "Ridiculously royal, impossible to be around - you know the gist! And instead, she unwittingly chooses your dream boy for you! This is the royal equivalent of winning the lottery, isn't it?"

"Don't jinx it," Henry whispered. "It's still an arranged marriage." Pez fell silent at that. It gave Henry the opportunity to voice his doubts. "What if he doesn't want to be married to me?" he asked. "What if we end up like Bea and Albert?"

"You'll just have to win him over," Pez said, as if it was the easiest thing in the world. 

"You realise that's the same boy I've continuously failed at talking to for the past fifteen years?" Henry reminded him.

"Well, now he'll be your husband," Pez insisted. "What better way to make him pay attention to you than putting a ring on his finger?"

And Henry had to admit, in some twisted, ethically dubious way, Pez had a point. 

 

"I am both incredibly pissed off and very happy for you," Bea sighed as she walked into his apartment later, handing him a cornetto she'd snatched from the kitchen on the way up and sitting down next to him on the sofa. "I got Alby the Bore and you get the very boy that made you realise how very gay you were."

Henry opened his mouth to object but then closed it again because, well.

"You realise you're the closest to getting a love match since Mum," she muttered.

"It's not a love match," Henry reminded her. "It's a political marriage. We might end up like you and Albert."

Bea blew a raspberry at that. "I'll start sleeping with my husband before that happens," she rolled her eyes. "Honestly. Alex is one of the good few. And you already like him. If you really try, you'll be great." 

Henry bit his lip. He knew what Bea meant. Most royals were, objectively speaking, bloody awful. It was why Henry had been so resigned about his marriage prospects. 

Alex, though, was one of the few shining examples of what it meant to be different and non-conforming to the bullshit going on in royal families. He really cared about things. He was hands-on with his charities. He didn't surround himself with morons. He was smart. He spoke out, even if he attracted criticism with his words. 

If only Henry could get Alex to take him seriously as his husband… it seemed too good to be true. 

"He'll never want me," Henry whispered. 

"You won't know unless you try," Bea pointed out. "Take it from an unhappily married woman? Make the effort. Pay attention to him. Albert and I never bothered, and look where that got us."

Henry bit his lip, unsure what to respond. 

"When will you go to Avalor?" she asked. 

"Friday."

"Good. Make him understand you're serious. It's the only way any of this can work."

Henry couldn't imagine a universe in which he could make a marriage with Alex work. But maybe, Bea was right. Maybe, he just needed to try.

Maybe, he owed it to himself to do so.

 

Henry was welcomed at the Avalorian Palace by Queen Ellen, his future mother-in-law. She proceeded to pull him into a heartfelt embrace and asked him to call her by her first name as she showed him to his rooms. It made Henry's head spin. He'd known Avalorian royals to be more down-to-earth than the British ones; quicker to show affection and to say what was on their minds. It was something else to experience it first hand like this, though. 

"My husband will be unavailable this weekend, I'm afraid," she apologised. "He's with my daughter and her wife, since the date of birth is approaching rapidly."

"Of course," Henry nodded. "Please don't worry about it."

"Alex will be with you shortly," she promised. "He had an appointment for his charity scheduled that couldn't be postponed." There was an edge to her voice that told Henry that she very much disapproved of her son's absence, so Henry quickly injected: "It's perfectly fine. I imagine this wedding will derail his life enough as it is."

She smiled at him. "I can already tell that he's going to adore you," she said. Then she sighed. "Once he lets himself, that is."

Henry didn't know how to interpret those words, so he remained silent. 

She left Henry to his own devices shortly after, and he used the time to unpack, text Bea and pace the room to reign in his building nerves.

When Alex burst through the door more than an hour later, his expression was stormy. 

"Hi," he said, offering his hand for a curt, business-like handshake. "Sorry to make you wait, but my mother didn't exactly give me much of a warning about all of this ." He gestured between Henry and himself, making a face. 

"Don't worry about it," Henry hurried to say. "I know it's a lot."

"I'll be quick," Alex said, his jaw set in determination. "This wedding isn't going to take place."

Henry's heart fell. "Oh?" Henry asked, trying to not give away his disappointment. 

"Nothing against you," Alex shrugged. "You seem like a decent enough guy, especially considering you're hailing from the British Royal Family, which, no offense, is more problematic than I have time to unpack right now -"

"None taken," Henry sighed, "I don't exactly take pride in my family history, if that's what you think."

That made Alex's lips twitch into an almost smile. "Well, kudos to you," he nodded. "But fact is, I won't be roped into an arranged marriage. With anyone. My mother has pulled this together because she's afraid that the Avalorian Royal Family has lost standing with her divorce and the scandal with Nora, June and me. But I'm not going to be the scapegoat of all of that. If my mother and my sister can marry for love, I deserve the same. And frankly, so do you."

Henry sent him a sad smile. "I hope you can talk your way out of it, then," he said, trying to be sincere. "As for me, I'm afraid they'll just choose someone else if the marriage with you falls through."

Alex frowned. "But I don't understand. The love story between your parents is so weird documented -"

"It was the last love match the Queen allowed, and that only unwillingly," Henry shook his head. "She disapproved very vocally. After my father died, she vowed to take reign of our marriages, and she has. Mum has been too grief-ridden to put up much of a fight."

Alex was silent for a long moment. "I'm sorry," he breathed. "And there is no way you can fight it?"

"My sister despises her husband and she hasn't been granted a divorce yet," Henry chuckled. "So my chances are slim."

"Fuck," Alex muttered. 

"Quite," Henry nodded. 

"I'm almost sorry to leave you to your own devices with this," Alex made a face. "But you understand, right? Why I can't accept it?"

Henry smiled tiredly. "I would do the same thing if I could."

Alex never had to know that it was a lie.

 

The public announcement of their engagement the next day felt like a bloody farce now that Henry knew that it most likely wasn't even going to happen.

Alex's laugh was fake and sporadic and Henry, too, barely managed to lift the corners of his lips into a semblance of a smile.

After it was done and Henry was packing his things, he received a message from Pez.

'Why do you look like you want to die in your engagement photos?'

Henry sighed and called Pez. 

"He won't marry me," he told him as soon as he picked up. 

"Shut it," Pez said. "You can't have made that bad of an impression!"

"No, that's not it," Henry sighed. "He won't go along with the arranged marriage."

"Well, good luck talking himself out of it now," Pez scoffed. "It's all over the news!"

"Well, he seems determined," Henry shrugged. "And honestly, if anyone can do it, it's him."

Pez hummed. "I wouldn't count my losses yet," he decided. "Just wait and see. You might very well end up marrying him, after all."

"Yes, and then it will be against his will," Henry snapped. 

"So you'll be in the same boat."

"No, we won't be! You know that!"

"Yes, you will. If you could choose, you would choose to ask him on a date and do it the right way. But your grandmother is taking that choice from you. So don't start feeling bloody guilty for something you have no influence over!"

Henry sighed and nodded. "Fine. I guess you're right."

"Just wait and see," Pez said. "If it happens, it happens. If it doesn't, it doesn't. Simple as that."

 

And so, Henry waited for news from Avalor. He waited for his mother to come to him and tell him that the marriage had fallen through. Alex was nothing if not stubborn and persuasive, after all. He would get his way, Henry was sure. 

But the only news that came were those of a different nature. Princess June had the baby, a little girl named Julia Isabel Claremont-Diaz. Photos of June and Nora coming out of the hospital with their daughter were all over the internet. 

Henry wondered if maybe Alex didn't want to steal his sister's thunder. Maybe he would make the announcement a few weeks after the baby hype had died down. 

But then, wedding plans began rolling in. Request from Avalor for the decor, for Alex's outfit, for their living arrangements…

And Henry didn't know what to think anymore. 

October turned into November. November into December and suddenly, it was only two weeks to the wedding. Then one. Four days. Three.

And then, Alex arrived in London on a stormy afternoon, and Henry just had to talk to him. He didn't care that it was less than twenty-four hours till the wedding proceedings started and that it was, strictly speaking, unlucky - if Alex was still going to make a run for it or if he was going to say no at the altar, he had to be prepared. 

Alex was spending the night in one of the more luxurious guest rooms at Buckingham. He looked tired and defeated when he opened the door. 

"Come in," he sighed, stepping into the room, expecting Henry to follow. Henry closed the door behind himself, taking a look around. Alex had haphazardly thrown his things onto the bed and was sorting through them. He picked up his phone charger and plucked his phone in. "What is it?" he asked. "Is there another change in the schedule? Because if so, I couldn't give a fuck. I haven't bothered learning it. I'm just going along with whatever Cash tells me to do next."

"No, I -" Henry licked his lips, hesitating. "Are you going through with the wedding or not?"

Alex scoffed. "I don't have a choice, Henry. Mum is holding my charities hostage."

"Oh," Henry breathed. "I… God, Alex. I'm sorry."

"It is what it is," Alex shrugged, his face dark. "She says it's the best for our family and country and someday, I'll see that, too. Yeah, fat chance." He threw a pair of sneakers back into his trunk with more force than necessary. "I'm going to go along with her plot but if she thinks I'll be happy about it she can think again. She can live with the knowledge that she sold her son into a loveless marriage."

Henry's throat felt tight. "Alex…" he started, but didn't know how to continue. How did you tell your husband-to-be that you'd like to try to be happy with him when he was angry and determined to spite the people who'd put them into this position in the first place?

"Don't worry," Alex sighed. "I'm not going to punish you for it. We can work as partners, maybe as friends. It doesn't have to be like your sister's marriage. You don't deserve that."

"... Thank you," Henry said softly. 

Alex resurfaced from his luggage and stepped towards him, reaching out his hand. 

"To an amicable marriage?" He offered. 

Henry tried to smile. "To an amicable marriage," he agreed, shaking his hand. 

He tried not to be too disappointed. This was good, right? It could be worse. It meant that they would work together. 

 

The ceremony passed like a flash. Henry had always hated all the eyes on him and this time, it was even worse.

The world had started to spin their love story with the little information their press teams had given: They had known each other from childhood and had grown closer recently, bonding over the shared experiences as princes of their respective kingdoms. Eventually, it had become more. Henry had proposed - Henry's grandmother had insisted on that detail - on a private getaway to Balmoral. 

It sounded so generic and unlike them, but the crowds were eating it up. Alex was popular: He was young, handsome and outspoken. Henry was not far behind on every poll ranking royal's around the world in terms of popularity. He couldn't quite fathom why, since he was far more reserved than Alex, but Pez tended to tease how that just made him appear more mysterious. 

The two of them together made quite an intriguing pair for the interested masses. They didn't seem to care how much truth the story held. They ate the plot they were fed up happily. 

"This is a circus," Alex told him as they were back in the car, making their way to Buckingham Palace after their vows.

Henry barely remembered any of it.

He was married. To Prince Alex Claremont-Diaz. Or Prince Alex Fox-Windsor-Mountchristen, as he was called now. 

"I mean, it was a circus when June and Nora married," Alex continued, bringing Henry back to the present. "But this is another level." He looked back at Henry. "Is this normal for England?"

"No," Henry admitted, thinking back to Philip and Bea's weddings. They had been slightly less overwhelming; or maybe he had just been more present? "I think this is because it's us."

"Perfect," Alex sighed. "So basically, this is our life from now on."

"I guess," Henry agreed. 

When they got up on the balcony of Buckingham palace, they had a full view of the crowds gathering in front of them. It was impossible to see the end. British and Avalorian flags were waved side by side. 

"Your turnout is quite possibly bigger than Philip and mine together," Bea chuckled into Henry's ear.

Henry didn't exactly feel proud of that fact so he didn't return anything. He just sidled up next to Alex and waved, feeling completely out of his element. Eventually, Alex looked over at him, smiling in a way that was clearly supposed to cover up his nerves. 

"I guess we're supposed to kiss?" he asked. 

"That's the plan," he confirmed. 

"Right," Alex nodded, stepping closer to him and finding his elbow with his hand. "Come on then."

Henry leaned in, his heart pounding. When their lips brushed, it was chaste and innocent but it still went through Henry like wildfire. 

The crowd roared around them. Alex pressed just so, to make it a kiss rather than a brush of lips, before pulling away. He flashed his press smile at the crowd and waved again. 

Henry's eyes lingered on Alex's face for just a moment, his heart pounding. Then, he turned back to the crowd and started waving as well, unseeing and entirely too aware of every movement of his husband next to him, and the way his lips still tingled where they'd touched Alex's. 

Chapter 2

Notes:

Hello, my dear readers! I'm so glad you all loved the first chapter so much! I have to admit, I did not expect so many responses, but I'm extremely happy about it! Now I'm back with the second chapter, and I hope you'll enjoy it!

The rest of their wedding was plain awkward and dragged on for ages. Henry noted that Alex was pointedly cold towards his mother, no matter how often Ellen tried to make contact. He spoke to his father, though, for a long, private moment, one of the only ones in which he let his royal mask slip. Henry pointedly averted his gaze as soon as he noticed, not wanting to intrude.

They made their escape as soon as was socially acceptable and they were taken to Nottingham Cottage, their new home. 

Nottingham Cottage was the most private location Henry had been able to negotiate for them. Though it was technically still on the grounds of Kensington Palace, it was a bit more secluded than the rest of the apartments. 

His family had used to live there when Henry was very young before his father insisted upon moving away from the palace. It had been a place of laughter and happy memories. Both Bea and Philip had turned it down as their own homes - Philip had wanted to move into Anmer Hall, away from Kensington, and Bea said she hadn't wanted to "taint that house with her own marriage".

Henry, though, could not imagine the house going to anyone outside of the immediate family; someone who did not remember how Arthur Fox looked while playing hide and seek with his children in the garden. Henry wanted to live here even if the memories were bound to be overwhelming at times.

Alex was quiet when they arrived at the cottage. It was already dark but there were enough lights for them to make out their surroundings. They stepped inside and Henry took in the perfect clash of old and new. It looked just changed enough to not be overwhelming but not so that it was unrecognisable. He was glad Shaan had overlooked the work so closely. It had turned out perfectly. 

"It's less posh than I imagined," Alex said, at last. "I'm glad. I know this sounds weird, coming from a Prince of his own right, but I always hated the pomp."

"Yeah," Henry smiled, catching his eyes. "I prefer simple, too."

Alex's lips twitched into an almost smile. Then, he let his eyes explore some more. His gaze caught on markings on a wooden pillar and he let his fingers trace the letters and lines. 'P', 'B' and 'H'. 

"You lived here before?" he asked, eyes widening.

"Until I was six," Henry nodded, his smile soft. "It's one of the few places I can remember being truly happy."

Alex stared at him, his expression indecipherable and Henry shook himself out of it, clearing his throat. "Sorry," he muttered. "I didn't mean to get emotional."

"Don't apologise," Alex said hastily. "Thank you for bringing me to such a well-loved place. I feel quite unworthy of it, seeing how our marriage came to be." 

"You're still my husband," Henry frowned. "You're a part of my life now, and I'll try to do my best for you."

Alex blinked at him. Then he cleared his throat, averting his gaze. 

“Well, I’m beat,” he said, a bit too loudly. “I’ll be off to bed. Which one is my room?”

Henry shook himself and brought Alex to the bedroom that had been fixed for him. It had once belonged to Philip but had since been renovated and transformed into a neutral bedroom with blue walls and a comfortable queen-sized bed. It was connected to a study, which also belonged to Alex and had once been Bea’s room. Her yellow walls had been replaced with warm creamy colours and shelves were lined with Alex’s books, which had been shipped in advance. 

Alex surveyed the room curiously before meeting Henry’s eyes. “Thank you,” he said. “It’s perfect.”

Henry doubted that very much, for any rooms that weren’t Alex’s own would surely feel far from perfect for him, but he appreciated that he had nothing to criticise. 

“I’ll be across the hall,” Henry told him. “Knock if you need anything. The fridge and freezer are stocked, so feel right at home.”

“Thanks,” Alex nodded, sending him a small smile. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight,” Henry nodded, backing out of the doorway and closing the door softly behind him. He lingered for a moment before making his way to his own bedroom; or rather, his parents’ old bedroom. It felt strange to think of it as his now, but he had insisted upon taking it and changing as little as possible. And when he opened the door, he was hit by memories of his Dad’s laughing face, so strong that it made him waver for a moment. 

The walls were lined with framed photos, most of them old, some of them new - his parents’ wedding day, Bea at three years standing on their father’s feet to dance with him, Henry sitting with him at the piano at four years watching him play, Henry and Pez graduating from Oxford, their last summer at Llwynywermod as a family, before their father got diagnosed. All these memories surrounding Henry in a place where he used to be an innocent, happy child, and for a moment, he couldn’t breathe as he stared at them.

Then, he took a shaky breath and closed his eyes, grounding himself. He wasn’t defined by what he’d lost. He could take these memories and build a life for himself; maybe not the same, but a happy one nevertheless.

He had the building stones. He had Alex. He had his feelings for him. He had the house. He just had to find the glue to piece them together. 

And with that, he forced his breathing to slow and his hands to unbutton his blazer.

 

Henry was already at the breakfast table when Alex emerged from his room the next morning. He was showered and dressed, his curls framing his face softly.

“Good morning,” Henry smiled at him. “Did you sleep well?”

“Tossed and turned,” Alex shrugged. “I don’t usually sleep well.”

Henry made a face. “I know what that’s like…” he nodded. He caught his eyes. “Do you want tea? Coffee? Toast?”

“I’ll just make myself a coffee-to-go, if that’s okay,” Alex said, passing him on the way to the fancy coffee machine that his people had put on the list of must-haves for their living quarters. “I am already late.”

“What for?” Henry blinked.

“I have an appointment about my charities,” Alex explained, working the coffee machine with practised ease. “Now that I’m settled here, I’m starting British chapters.”

“Oh,” Henry nodded. “That makes sense.” He did not comment on the fact, though, that Alex had deliberately set these meetings the morning after their wedding, as if it had been just another chore off his list. “Are you free for lunch?” Henry tried. “I could come to you and we could get together.”

Alex glanced at him, a slight frown on his face. “Sorry, I think I’ll be busy all day,” he said. “Maybe some other time?”

“Sure,” Henry nodded, trying not to show his disappointment.

When Alex left ten minutes later, he sipped his tea, looking out at a free day without his husband. Reluctantly he took out his phone and texted Pez.

‘Hi, are you still in the city?’

The answer came only moments later.

‘Yup, meetings about the foundation all morning. Why?’

‘Are you free for lunch?’

‘Shouldn’t you be chumming it with your husband?’

‘My husband is MIA. Please?’

‘Well then. I’ll pick you up at twelve.’

“Well,” Pez told him over a glass of rosé. Usually, Henry would protest that it was too early to day-drink, but today, he didn’t have the heart. “I think that’s the earliest into a marriage anyone has ever been dumped.”

“It doesn’t count as dumping if you’ve never even been given a chance in the first place,” Henry muttered moodily. He sighed. “I don’t know what to do. He clearly has no interest in getting to know me.”

“Well, you just have to keep trying,” Pez shrugged. “Be persistent. Make yourself available.”

“You mean, be as desperate as I am,” Henry deadpanned.

“No,” Pez rolled his eyes. “Think about it, the boy just moved across the world, into a town where he knows no one but the PPOs he brought. He’ll be lonely soon enough, and if you’re there, offering company… He’ll be stupid not to take you up on it.”

“Great, so I’ll be appealing because I’m the only option,” Henry rolled his eyes.

“You’ll be appealing because you’re loyal and patient,” Pez chuckled fondly. “All real qualities of yours, so you’re not even lying.”

Henry hummed, taking a large sip of his wine. “I feel like I’m trapping him,” Henry muttered. “It feels underhanded and dirty.”

“He’s already trapped, darling,” Pez rolled his eyes. “Might as well make it a nice prison.”

 

Henry tried. He really did. He kept extending invitations for Alex to join him for various meals - breakfast, lunch, dinner - but he always had an excuse ready. Two weeks into their marriage, Henry was 100% positive that Alex was actively avoiding him. 

The only glances he caught of his husband was when he left the house, or when he came home and Alex was already in. Once, Alex had left the door to his office open and sung Spanish songs on the top of his lungs, which had made Henry smile. He had stopped, though, as soon as he’d taken note of Henry’s presence. 

The other times he got to see him was when they had a shared outing. The first one of these was a week into their marriage for the Royal Ballet Gala, which Philip and Martha hosted every year. 

Henry was used to his brother being the centre of attention at this event. He and his wife were Britain’s sweethearts, the couple people loved to see and the one the press loved to write about. He gladly faded into the background.

This year was different, though. As soon as he and Alex stepped out of the car and onto the red carpet, all hell broke loose. Cameras flashed and people were shouting their names - though it was more Alex’s name than his, Henry couldn’t help but notice - and it took them ages to fight their way through questions and pictures and handshakes. At some point, Henry took the liberty of putting his hand on the small of Alex’s back to push them ahead because he was consistently being held up. He knew the cameras would catch the moment (hopefully as a loving display of affection rather than a display of dominance - you never knew with the British press) but he knew that if he didn’t intervene, they’d be stuck for hours.

“Sorry,” he breathed into Alex’s ear as soon as they were through the doors. “I thought you could use a bit of help there.”

“No, thank you, ” Alex hissed back emphatically. “That was insane. Are they always this persistent over here?”

“No,” Henry admitted. “Maybe it’s because we’re newlyweds?”

Or maybe, he thought, it was because they were pretty much the high-profile couple of the century within royal circles. Senior royals did not usually marry senior royals, after all. And Alex was in equal measures popular and infamous on his own - now, as a duo, they were doubly as interesting, Henry would imagine.

He had known it, in theory. He had just not imagined the magnitude of it.

He hoped that it would die down eventually, that they’d become boring soon enough, but the hype only seemed to grow. Every touch between them was photographed. Already books were written about their ‘legendary love story’. Netflix had announced a movie. 

Henry didn’t know what to do with all of this attention. He had always made it a mission of staying well-hidden. Now, he was under the microscope for a love that was fake. 

 

It was about a month into his marriage with Alex when he returned home to find Alex in a phone conversation with his sister June. Alex had not taken note of his arrival - Henry had opened and closed the door the moment June’s daughter had whined through the phone speakers, apparently drowning out all other noise in the house. The door to Alex’s study was open just enough for him to overhear what they were saying, though, and Henry was just contemplating making his presence known when he heard his name.

“Have you been spending time with Henry?” June asked.

“Only when necessary,” Alex sighed.

“Alex,” June groaned.

“Don’t lecture me,” Alex warned.

“I’m your big sister, I’m going to do whatever I want! Especially when you’re sitting in that big house across the pond all by yourself, burying yourself under work and building walls.”

“Bug -”

“Don’t you take that tone with me! We all know what you’re doing, and it’s ridiculous! You don’t make friends easily, Alex, and you’re pushing away your husband, and it’s unhealthy! You’re isolating yourself!”

“I don’t want to be a burden, okay?” Alex muttered. “He’s rearranged his life enough for me. We’re getting along fine. If I cross that line, I might become a burden, and I don’t want that.”

“A burden?” June repeated, sounding stunned.

“You just said it,” Alex sighed, sounding frustrated. “I moved here without a support system. I don’t want him to think he has to babysit me! I want him to know I’m self-sufficient.”

“I don’t think you accepting a dinner invitation will give him clingy vibes,” June said pointedly. 

“That’s not what I meant… I just… I know what I’m like, okay? I know why I don’t have friends, apart from Nora and Liam. Who I both hooked up with at some point, so yeah, I suck at friendships. I am a lot. And if he finds out, he might decide I’m too much, and things will be awkward. And then what? I have to be married to someone who doesn’t want to be near me.” He took a deep breath. “Things are fine right now. We are getting along. He’s kind. I don’t want to risk that by throwing our balance off.”

“Alex,” June said, sounding exasperated. “Have you ever considered that he might like you if he got to know you better? That you’d actually get to be happy? Because he seems like a good person. You could give this a try. And I know you’re angry at Mom, but really, just forget her for a moment. This is about you .”

“He is a good person,” Alex said, very quietly. “But Mom and Dad couldn’t make their marriage work even though they were deeply in love, June. What makes you think I can make mine work when we were forced to marry?”

June was silent for a long moment. Then, the baby started to cry. “Shit ,” she breathed.

“Nice,” Alex cackled. “In front of the baby, too.”

“Oh, do shut up, ” she groaned. “This conversation isn’t over! I’ll call you back!”

“Fine, whatever,” Alex sighed. “Go be supermama. Say hi to my niece.”

“I will. Miss you, baby bro.”

“Stop calling me that.”

“Itsy-bitsy tiny baby bro.”

“I’m blocking your number.”

June laughed as she hung up. Henry stood where he was, frozen in their corridor. Then, he took a deep breath and cleared his throat.

Alex was very silent for a long moment. Then the door to his study opened and he looked out, his face pale, eyes wide.

“How long have you been here?” he whispered.

“A couple of minutes,” Henry said apologetically. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. It just sort of happened.”

Alex just stared at him, horrified.

“For the record,” Henry said, his voice trembling slightly, but determined to get this out before he lost the nerve, “I’m not extending invitations for you to spend time with me because I think it’s my duty. I really want to spend time with you. But if it’s unwelcome, I won’t do it anymore.” He paused, then he added: “And you don’t have to be afraid to be yourself around me. I already like you pretty much. I want to know more about you, if you’ll let me.”

Alex seemed to slump in the doorway, his shoulder leaning against the frame. 

“I didn’t turn you down because I’m not interested in your company,” he said weakly. “I just -”

“I heard,” Henry nodded.

“What if we screw it up?” Alex shrugged, catching his eyes. “What if we end up hating each other, like Bea and Albert?”

“I told you, you being my husband means something to me,” Henry stressed. “I will try my best to be what you deserve. And if it turns out we can’t be friends, then at the very least I promise I’ll be civil. I’ll be a partner to you, like we said we would be. That won’t change.”

Alex studied him with sad eyes. “You’re a really good person,” he breathed. “You deserve for someone to really love you, you know. Not this bullshit.”

Henry’s chest felt tight as he answered: “I’ll settle for quality time with my husband.”

Alex sighed and nodded. “How would you feel about ordering in and watching a movie or something?” he suggested.

Henry smiled. “Sounds perfect.”

Alex smiled back, tentative but with a spark of hope.

Chapter 3

Notes:

Hello my dear readers, glad you're all enjoying this story so much! Your comments really make me so happy! Now, I'm back with the next chapter and Alex and Henry slowly growing closer.

TW for this chapter: panic attack

They ordered Avalorian takeaway - apparently, Alex had already scouted out the nearby Avalorian restaurants and decided on the best option. “It’s not quite the same as at home,” Alex sighed as they packed out their assortment of items - tamales, tacos, enchiladas, carnitas, fajitas. “But it’s close enough.”

“We can feed a small army with this,” Henry observed as Alex laid out the food on the couch table.”

“We’ll just have something to warm up tomorrow,” Alex shrugged, unconcerned. “You have to try these, they get the spices just right.”

And so, Henry found himself munching his way through a feast - with the help of lots of milk because Avalorian food was damn spicy (and Alex had the nerve to laugh at his weakness) - while they watched Star Wars. 

“We’ll have to train you, young Padawan,” Alex grinned as Henry took another sip of his milk. “One chilli after another.”

“Shut up,” Henry rolled his eyes, but when he glanced over at Alex, he frowned. Henry had removed his cardigan because the spice had made him sweat, but Alex sat curled in on his side of the couch, discreetly clutching his sweater. “Are you cold?” he asked worriedly.

“I’m always cold since I moved here,” Alex huffed. “This country is wet and icy and has no sun ever , did you know?”

“Well, say something!” Henry sighed. He got up and went over to the dresser across the room to draw out an old quilt that had been around since his childhood. He walked back to drape it over Alex. “You don’t have to freeze, you know? We can also turn the heating up.”

“But you seem to be just fine,” Alex grumbled, pulling the quilt around himself. “It wouldn’t be fair to you.”

“I don’t mind,” Henry rolled his eyes. He went and turned up the heating just a bit, throwing Alex a pointed look over his shoulder. Alex huffed, but his lips twitched.

“Shut up,” he said. “You have bad taste in Star Wars movies. You don’t get to look down on me.”

“Movie taste is subjective, Alex. I can’t be wrong about my opinion.”

“Oh, you can and you are.”

Henry laughed, shaking his head and sitting back down. Alex was silent for a moment, then he said, a bit more timidly: “This is nice, actually. We should do it again. I mean, if I haven’t scared you off yet.”

“I don’t think that’s possible,” Henry said emphatically. “And I’d like that. My evenings were pretty boring as of late.”

Alex smiled. “Mine too.”

Henry’s heart jumped and he tried to bite down on a silly smile. This was good, he decided. Even if nothing more ever happened between them, this would make him happy. 

 

The next morning, Alex greeted him with a smile and sat with him at the breakfast table - a first. Henry smiled into his cup, stupidly happy. 

“Do you have anything scheduled for today?” Alex asked.

“I’m reading to children in a cancer ward in South London in the afternoon,” he said.

“That’s great,” Alex said. “Maybe we could do that together at some point in the future? It would be good publicity for me to support your cause, right? And I’m sure the kids would like it.”

“I’d love that,” Henry smiled.

“Good,” Alex nodded. “Maybe once the hype has died down a bit, though. The press is insane at the moment.”

“Yeah,” Henry sighed. “You’re right.” He took another sip of his tea. “How about you?”

“I’m off to a meeting about one of my charities in an hour,” Alex said, biting into his toast, which he had just smeared with a large layer of Nutella. 

“The anti-discrimination one?” Henry asked.

“The affordable-education one,” Alex smiled. “You do realise British universities are crazy expensive right?” 

“It’s always been a pet peeve of mine, but no one listens to a British prince when they criticise. Not that I’m allowed to publicly voice an opinion, anyway,” Henry grumbled.

“Well, good thing I’m an Avalorian prince,” Alex smirked. “I can point out weaknesses and get away with it.”

Henry chuckled, shaking his head. “You will be my grandmother’s worst nightmare soon enough,” he commented.

“Her fault for forcing me to marry into this family,” he shrugged, downing his coffee. “Do you have any plans for lunch? Would you like to get together?”

Henry smiled apologetically. “Sorry, I’ve got plans with Pez.” 

“Oh,” Alex’s face fell. “Nevermind. Don’t worry about it.”

“Do you want to come along?” he offered. 

“No, I told you, I don’t need you to babysit me,” Alex shrugged. “I’ll be fine.”

“But Pez has been asking about you for ages,” Henry insisted. “I’m sure he’d love to meet you properly.”

Alex bit his lip. “Promise you’re not just trying to make me feel better?”

“Of course not,” Henry smiled. “Honestly, you would do me a favour. Maybe Pez will finally shut up if you come.”

Alex chuckled. “Okay, then, if you need me to save you.”

“That’s the spirit,” Henry grinned. “I’ll text you the location?”

“Thanks,” Alex nodded. “Looking forward to it.”

 

“I can’t believe you’re finally interacting,” Pez cooed when Henry introduced him to the events of the last twenty-four hours before Alex arrived. “I told you it was only a matter of time!”

“Right,” Henry said, studying him carefully. “Which brings me to my next point: Please don’t embarrass me in front of my husband?”

“H!” Pez called, scandalised. “Babes! I am hurt!”

“Don’t try to set us up or talk about how we are obviously on the path to falling in love,” Henry insisted, ignoring his dramatics. “We’ve only just started becoming friends. You’re going to scare him away!”

“You two are so complicated,” Pez sighed, rolling his eyes and taking a sip of his sparkling water. “Fine, I’ll be on my best behaviour, Your Highness.”

And just as he’d finished the sentence, the door to the restaurant opened and Alex stepped in. Henry’s throat went dry at the sight of him in a suit. He quickly reached for his drink.

“Hi,” Alex smiled as he sat next to them. “Sorry, I’m late. The meeting went a bit longer than anticipated.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Henry said. “Alex, you remember Pez?”

“We’ve met,” Alex smiled. “Nice to see you again.”

“Nice to see you get out of the house when it’s not staged, Alexander,” Pez grinned, toasting him with his water. “Glad you finally decided to grace us with your presence.”

Alex laughed. “Yeah, sorry about turning you down before. I’ve been in my head about it.”

“H explained,” Pez nodded. “I hope you’ve come to realise, though, that you have a spectacular husband and that it would be a waste to avoid him.”

“Pez,” Henry hissed, but Alex was grinning as he agreed. “You’re right,” he said, his eyes meeting Henry’s. “I’ve come to realise that.”

Okay. So maybe Henry was dead and he was actually in heaven. Only that couldn’t be true because no God would be as cruel to have him still pine over Alex after death. 

“Cheers,” Pez chuckled, his expression one of glee as he glanced between Henry and Alex. “Also, Beatrice is dying to spend time with you, Alex. Just so you know. Once she learns that I got lunch with you, she’ll be on your doorstep.”

“I’ll be prepared,” Alex said. “Will be a nice change from long-distance pestering June and Nora.” He turned to Henry for a moment, adding: “June wants me to facetime with you at some point so maybe we can arrange that, too.”

“Of course,” Henry smiled. 

“So,” Pez said, picking up the menu. “Are you ready to order? Because I’m starving.”

“More than ready,” Alex agreed, flicking open his own menu. Henry watched his profile for a long moment before he felt Pez’s gaze on him; his best friend was grinning at him, his eyebrows raised. Henry glared at him and looked at his own menu. He could hear Pez chuckle under his breath, but when Alex asked what was so funny, he had an excuse ready. 

 

“Pez is great,” Alex told him that night over their warmed up Avalorian takeaway and the next Star Wars movie. “I’ve always been intrigued by your friendship. You seem so different.”

“I get that a lot,” Henry agreed.

“But I think I understand now,” Alex continued. “You don’t like the spotlight. Pez absorbs it.”

Henry smiled. “I guess so.”

“I’m sorry you’ve been dragged into the spotlight with our marriage,” Alex frowned. “It must make you uncomfortable.”

“It’s not your fault,” Henry blinked. “Also, it makes you just as uncomfortable. I can tell.”

“I used to be good with the press,” Alex pursed his lips. “But it’s more intense now. I don’t know how to play them. It makes me nervous. Also, the voices are so mixed.”

“You read the articles?” Henry asked.

“It’s a bad habit of mine,” Alex admitted with a grimace. “June and I used to make fun of them together.”

“But the British press is nasty, Alex,” Henry pointed out. “Really, you should only read your own coverage if you have to. I used to do it before Dad’s death, but then things spiralled out of control and I stopped, for my own sanity. I don’t want to know what they’re writing about us right now. It must be a rollercoaster.”

“It is, to be honest,” Alex frowned. “Apparently, I’m both the Crown’s best foot forward and the reason the family is falling apart. No one wanted you to marry me - which is hilarious, under the circumstances - and I’m making you fight with both Bea and Philip. Also, I’m allegedly importing all sorts of expensive Avalorian food, but they can’t even get me Helados even though I asked twice, so yeah.”

“Don’t read them,” Henry pleaded. “Honestly, you’re just torturing yourself.”

Alex sighed. “I’ll try to cut down.” He burrowed himself deeper into the quilt Henry had given him the night before. Henry had turned the heat up considerably today, but Alex still seemed slightly frosty.

“Do you want some hot chocolate?” Henry suggested.

Alex hummed. “If you put in some cinnamon, I’m down.”

Henry smiled and got to work.

 

The following weeks went on like this. They had breakfast together and dinner in front of the TV. After their Star Wars marathon was finished, they went on to rewatch other movie series - Harry Potter (a lot of discussions were had about who was secretly gay for who), Pirates of the Caribbean (with Alex teasing Henry about the British villains), The Hunger Games (when Henry had pointed out how Snow had disturbing similarities to his grandmother, Alex had answered that his mother had behaved a lot like Coin), How to train your Dragon (where Alex had a ted talk about the movies as a window to societies problems - Alex could really talk about analogies if he wanted) and Maze Runner (“If Thomas and Newt and Minho weren’t all fucking I don’t know what. Don’t look at me like that!”). They made their way through London’s takeaway menu and simply got to know each other. 

And Henry was addicted to it. To Alex never shutting up, even if it made him miss half of the movie. To Alex’s constant cursing. To his infectious sense of humour. To everything about him.

Alex also met Bea, on a lunch date in early February. Alex later told him she reminded him a bit of his own sister, which Henry knew from his lips was the highest compliment. He had participated in a FaceTime session with June and her wife Nora once, a week before; it had been chaotic and they had made Alex talk to their daughter so she wouldn’t forget her uncle, but it was clear how much they loved each other. It had made Henry even more determined to integrate him properly into life in London; now that he’d taken him away from life with them , the least he could do was give him a happy one here. 

 

The problematic bit stayed the press and the hype whenever they went out. They had regular outings scheduled together, and whenever they stepped foot out of the car, the world seemed to go a little off-kilter. People screamed like they were rockstars rather than royalty. Cameras flashed. Journalists yelled questions at them. It was overwhelming in a way that Henry should be used to - he was a prince by birth, for God’s sake - yes, this was somehow more and therefore all the harder to handle. 

It was the same for Alex. He could see it in the way his smile faltered sometimes; in the way he shied away from people calling for a handshake or a photo instead of going to meet them because there were so many and they were so loud.

Alex had always cared about the people. Now, they scared him. 

Today, they’d been invited as representatives of the Royal Family for the opening of a new research institute for cancer prevention. Henry appreciated that he’d been chosen for the occasion; what he didn’t appreciate was the public having been allowed access. Alex stood at his side, absentmindedly rubbing his palms over his upper arms as he shivered, clearly cold. Someone called his name and he pointedly ignored it. 

Henry hesitated before moving closer to him and putting an arm around him. Alex froze for just a moment before Henry’s hand gently rubbed some warmth into him. To his relief, Alex relaxed, leaning into him. 

“Stupid, cold country,” he breathed, just for Henry to hear and Henry chuckled. 

Someone snapped a picture. Henry knew it would be on the front page somewhere. 

After they had cut the ribbon and Henry had made a tiny speech, they were free to leave. The problem was that they had to make their way out through the crowd of waiting admirers, and their security was hopelessly underequipped. 

One moment, Alex was by his side. Then, he was swallowed by the masses. 

Henry panicked, but his PPO pushed him on towards the car and inside. It took what felt like an eternity until Alex followed, unharmed but pale and shaken. 

“Hey,” Henry breathed, reaching out for him without thinking. The way Alex melted into his shoulder, trembling against his side, told him all he needed to know. “It’s okay, Alex. You’re okay. Breathe. In, two, three, four. Out, two, three, four. Yes, like that, you’re doing great.”

Henry kept speaking to Alex in a soft voice through the whole ride back to Kensington, and when they reached their cottage, his breathing had gone back to normal. He kept his arm around Alex as they made their way out of the car and into the house. When they’d finally reached their living room, he looked at Alex; he still looked uncharacteristically pale and a little lost. It broke Henry’s heart. 

“Do you need to be alone?” he asked. “Or do you -”

“Don’t go anywhere,” he asked immediately, meeting his eyes with a desperation that threw Henry a little. “Stay close. Please?”

“Whatever you need,” Henry nodded. 

“Can we just -” he gulped, glancing to the couch. “Can we just lie down and watch something? Anything. I don’t even care. Just… I want you there.”

“Of course,” Henry nodded. 

They stretched out in a new position that evening: with Henry’s chest against Alex’s back, Alex’s head on Henry’s folded arm and Henry’s other arm around Alex’s waist. Occasionally, Alex’s fingers found Henry’s hand on his stomach, entwining their fingers. 

It took a while for Alex to calm down. Henry had put on Bake Off, explaining that he found it soothing, but for the first half-hour, he could feel Alex’s heart racing. Then, he slowly melted into Henry’s embrace. By the end of the first episode, his eyes had slipped closed. By the middle of the second, he was fast asleep. Henry considered waking him and asking if he wanted to sleep in his own bed, but he didn’t have the heart. So he just turned off the TV, held onto Alex tighter and closed his eyes as well.

Chapter 4

Notes:

Hello, my dear readers ♡ I'm back with the new chapter! Hope you'll enjoy it!!

Henry woke up with his arms still wrapped tightly around a sleeping Alex. He smiled to himself as he inhaled the scent of Alex's shampoo and marvelled at the warmth of his body. He knew that the moment would be over as soon as Alex opened his eyes but for now, it was his to enjoy and his alone.

When Alex stirred, it was close to ten, according to the clock hanging over the TV. It was a good thing they didn't have any appearances this morning. Alex made a small, sleepy noise before pushing back into Henry's chest, clearly not fully conscious. It made Henry smile. 

When his eyes fluttered open a minute later, he looked confused. He blinked into the still fairly dark room - it was grey and pouring outside - before turning so that he could glance at Henry over his shoulder. 

"Hey," he said, his voice still rough with sleep. "Did we fall asleep here?"

"Yes," Henry nodded. "You seemed exhausted and I didn't want to wake you. Is that okay?"

"Yeah," Alex nodded, a hesitant smile spreading over his face. "Thank you for staying with me."

"Of course," Henry smiled. "You're my husband, Alex."

"Only I'm not, really," Alex shrugged. "You could have left me to fend for myself."

"I'd never do that," Henry frowned. "I told you, I'll be there for you in any way you need me."

Alex chewed on his lip, staring at him. Henry reluctantly released his waist, belatedly realising he was still holding onto him. 

"I'll take a shower," he said. "Do you want to have breakfast together after?"

"Yeah, I'd like that," Alex said softly.

Henry swore he could feel Alex's eyes on his back as he retreated to his bedroom, but didn't dare turn around to meet his gaze. 

He really hoped he hadn't let his crush show too much. It might make things awkward, going forward. But if so, it was too late now.

 

"Would you like to go out for lunch?" Alex asked, fumbling around with his teaspoon. "Bea said something about this great cafe across town -" 

"I can't, Alex," Henry said apologetically. "I'm having lunch with my mother."

"Oh," Alex blinked, falling silent. 

"I'd invite you, but I'd intended for it to be a meeting of sorts," he shrugged. 

"Don't apologise," Alex said quickly. "What kind of meeting?"

"I want to ask them to increase our security," Henry admitted. "Or your security, to be more specific."

Alex stared at him. "You know they're not going to do that," he said eventually.

"Why not?" Henry asked, an edge to his voice. "After what happened at the last event -"

"Henry," Alex said, his voice soft. "I'm an outsider to this family. They're not going to spend more money on my protection than on any other family member."

"You're my husband!" Henry hissed, making Alex's eyes widen at the vehemence in his voice. "You're not an outsider! They wanted you to join this family, so they'd better protect you accordingly."

Alex looked at him for a long moment before reaching out to cover Henry's hand with his. Henry hadn't realised he'd balled his hand into a fist.

"I really appreciate your concern for my safety," Alex said softly. "It means a lot to me. But please be prepared for their refusal. You know how these things work, Henry."

"Since our marriage, the whole family has received more attention than in the past five years combined," Henry ground out. "That should be worth something. They can pay the security from the sales of your official royal family merch alone, I bet."

That made Alex smile, if only a little. "They'll find something's wrong with that if you bring it up," Alex chuckled. "'Attention-seeking Avalorian Prince' and all that." 

"Let them try," Henry hissed, glowering. Alex squeezed his hand.

 

Of course, Alex was right. His mother didn't outright refuse him, of course, and she was sympathetic to his cause, but she told him not to get his hopes up. 

"We all get the same security level," she said gently. "Even me and Philip, who are in direct line to the throne. The only one with a higher level is the Queen. So it will be difficult to up Alex's security, even with due course."

"But he's in danger!" Henry pointed out angrily. "You saw what happened at that event! I'm not going to lose my husband because of some antiquated rules!"

"Henry -" she began, but Henry cut her off.

"I can pay for the additional security," he said. "I have Dad's inheritance! It won't be a problem at all to -"

"You can't buy this kind of security out of your own pocket, Henry," she shook her head. "It's not how it works. It's designated to members of the royal family according to rank."

Henry stared at her. "There's got to be something we can do!" he snapped. "What if Philip suddenly got death threats? They'd up his security, right?" 

"That would be an emergency situation and they'd act according to protocol," she agreed.

"And Alex getting mobbed by people is not an emergency situation?" Henry tried. 

His mother sighed, closing her eyes. "I'll try to broach the subject," she promised. "But don't get your hopes up, please."

 

When Henry returned from lunch with his mother, Alex was out; which was weird, seeing that he'd told Henry he had no appointments that day. Had something come up? Henry considered texting him but decided against it. Alex owed him no explanation. If he wanted to go out, he could do so without reporting to Henry. 

He returned half an hour later with a PPO in tow, who was helping him carry full bags from Tesco. Henry stared, incredulous. 

"Hey," Alex said. "Sorry, I didn't think you'd be back already. I would have left a note."

"Did you go grocery shopping?" Henry asked slowly, following Alex into the kitchen and watching him drop the bags onto the counter before taking the ones the PPO was carrying.

"Thank you for being such a good sport, Cash," he grinned. 

"Never boring with you," he grinned, nodding at Henry before turning to leave 

"You know we have people to do that for us?" Henry said. "Didn't you get recognised in the supermarket?"

"A few people looked at me strangely, but no one came up to me," Alex grinned. "I think they thought I wasn't actually who they thought I was. That tends to happen at places where they don't expect me. In Avalor, I once rode the tube with Nora and all people said was 'He looks just like Prince Alexander!'"

Henry rolled his eyes but frowned at him. "This could have been dangerous," he said softly. "I just went to advocate for more security for you, remember?"

Alex halted in his process of unpacking, grimacing. "Right," he sighed, meeting his gaze. "Sorry. It was a spontaneous decision. I didn't think. I just wanted to cook tonight and we had nothing in the house, so I called Cash."

"You cook?" Henry asked, taken aback. 

"I do," Alex smirked. "My abuela - my grandmother from my Dad's side - didn't grow up royal, and she always thought it was important that we learned to do things on our own. She taught me."

"That's amazing," Henry smiled. "I'm sorry, I wouldn't have guessed, with all the takeout we've been getting."

"I was lazy," Alex chuckled. "We had nothing in the house and while I generally love making lists, I prefer to just go and get groceries myself. The staff never seems to get just what I want."

"Okay," Henry smiled, "so what made you change your mind?"

"I dunno," Alex frowned, meeting his gaze. "I guess I just felt like making an effort."

Something about the way Alex said those words made Henry's heart flutter.

"Do you want to help?" Alex asked. 

"I'm useless in the kitchen," Henry laughed. 

"It's okay," Alex grinned. "I'll ease you into it."

 

Alex's skills in the kitchen were surprisingly good. He made a whole pot of chili con carne, enough for them to eat from the next day, and while Henry had been to Avalor and had been served that exact dish before, something about Alex's version was way better than anything he'd ever tasted. 

"It's a family recipe," he grinned. "Also, it's the kind of dish you best serve at home. It never tastes right in a restaurant."

Henry hummed as he worked on finishing his bowl. They were back on the couch, watching Pride and Prejudice - Alex had suggested it, much to Henry's surprise. Alex had already finished his dish and was now wrapped up in a blanket because he claimed to be cold, as always. 

"You know," Alex said, his voice contemplative as he stared at the screen.

"What?" Henry asked, putting down his empty bowl on the couch table. 

"I always thought I was a bit of an Elizabeth," he said. "Stubbornly romantic. And a part of me still is, I guess. But I am beginning to wonder if maybe I've been too stubborn."

"What do you mean?" Henry asked, looking at him. 

Alex chewed his lower lip before meeting his eyes. "I always thought the only way to a happy marriage was for me to choose my own partner," he said. "Like Elizabeth, I wanted to be the one to choose. We both know that wasn't the case." Henry nodded, his throat tight. "But maybe there's more than one way to lead a happy marriage," Alex tilted his head. "I've been wondering if I gave up before giving us a chance."

Henry's heart was racing. "Would you like that?" Henry whispered. "To give us a chance?"

"I think so," Alex nodded, and he looked so vulnerable as he admitted it that Henry's heart clenched. "I… really like you, Henry. You make me feel safe. I think if we try, we can have something real - something good. And I know we said we wouldn't and if you don't want that, just say the word, but -"

"Alex," Henry said softly, effectively halting his rambling. Henry couldn't believe that he got to see this side of Alex; Alex had always seemed so self-assured about everything. Maybe, though, Henry realised, he had always faked it, and now he let Henry see all the cracks. 

He moved closer to Alex across the couch until he was pressed up against him.

"I'd really like that," he admitted." "I'd really like to try."

Alex let out a sigh of relief. "Oh, thank God," he breathed. "I was so afraid I'd make things awkward."

"Don't worry," Henry smiled. "You couldn't."

Alex just looked at him for a long moment, then he asked: " Can I kiss you? I… I've been wanting to, without anyone watching."

Henry's throat went dry. "Please," he breathed. 

Alex's lips were so soft when they pressed against his. It was the most gentle of kisses, so gentle that Henry thought he would melt at the core. Alex's fingers rested lightly on his neck, fingering his short hair there and making him shiver. 

When they pulled apart again, Alex's eyes were half-lidded but questioning, as if he was afraid Henry would change his mind again. Henry quickly pulled him into another kiss, this one more determined, wrapping his arms around Alex and pulling him into his chest.

Alex positively melted into him.

They just kissed and kissed for so long that Henry lost track of time. Eventually, the end credits of the movie rolled, and they resurfaced, blinking and confused. 

"Well," Henry muttered. "We didn't see much of that movie."

"I only put it on because I knew you liked the story so much," Alex shrugged, smiling sheepishly. "My devilish scheme of seduction worked."

Henry laughed, shaking his head. Alex grinned, wrapping his arms around Henry's waist and resting his head on his shoulder. 

They stayed like that until the credits had rolled and Henry's DVD had jumped back to the main menu. Then, he finally moved to turn the TV off.

"Will you sleep with me again?" Alex asked. When Henry blinked at him, he added hastily: "Just sleep, I mean. It was just… It was really nice to have you around last night, and I'd like to sleep together again. Maybe in a proper bed this time?"

Henry smiled and nodded. He leaned in to press a kiss to Alex's forehead. "Why don't you go to your room and get yourself ready for bed?" he suggested. "I'll join you in a couple of minutes."

"Okay," Alex smiled, looking pleased. He stole a quick kiss from Henry's lips before standing to disappear into his bedroom. 

Henry took his time, putting the dishes into the sink, brushing his teeth and changing into his pyjamas. When he finally felt ready, he made his way to Alex's bedroom. 

Alex was already under a set of soft-looking blue sheets. He was scrolling on his phone but put it down on the nightstand the moment he saw Henry. 

"Hey," he smiled, patting the free spot next to him on the Kingsize bed. "Come join me?"

Henry smiled and slid under the covers. He could feel Alex's warmth from underneath the shared blanket. 

Alex cut the lights before turning to face him. In the sudden darkness, he could just make him out.

"We've been married for three months," Alex whispered, "and this is the first time we share a bed. A bit strange, huh?"

"I'll bet Bea and Albert haven't shared a bed to this day," Henry shrugged. "I'd say we're doing fantastic."

Alex moved closer to him and Henry opened his arms for him to slip inside. Alex fit perfectly against him, like a long-lost puzzle piece finally slid into place. Alex rested his head on Henry's chest and Henry let his fingers come up to card through his curls. 

Usually, it took Henry ages to fall asleep but that night, he was out within minutes, lulled into his dreams by Alex's even breathing. 

 

For the next few weeks, Henry felt like he was walking on clouds. He'd known he was in love with Alex for a while, but actually being with Alex and being in love with him - he wondered if it was possible to come undone from the simple force of his feelings. 

They kept going slow, figuring things out step by step, but they were undeniably together now; not married on paper and trying to be friendly with each other, but married married. 

Alex had moved into Henry's bedroom. They'd spent the first few nights in Alex's room before Alex had stepped into Henry's room for the first time and immediately fallen silent at the sight of all the pictures. He'd spent minutes looking at them before informing Henry that they'd move in here, together. 

Shortly after, Alex had come home with new picture frames for them to fill, and new pictures had joined the old memories. June and Nora with their daughter. A picture of Alex's family at their lake house before the divorce. A picture of Henry and Alex kissing on the balcony at Buckingham Palace on their wedding day. 

And with Alex moving in, Henry could finally shake the lingering idea of this being his parents' bedroom that he'd repurposed - now, it became theirs , and he could finally see it as such.

Alex kept cooking for them whenever he had enough time and energy. Sometimes, they'd do it together. In return, Henry was responsible for the dishes and tea and coffee in the morning. 

They now spend their movie nights cuddled up on the couch, Henry trying to share his warmth with a perpetually freezing Alex as they kept distracting each other from the movie with kisses. 

Henry hadn't known it was possible to be this happy. He wasn't sure what he'd done to deserve this, but he knew he was going to do everything in his power to never let it slip away again. 

 

"You're shagging your husband!" Pez smirked at him, his face triumphant.

"What?" Henry hissed, flushing. "No, I'm not!"

"Don't play dumb!" Pez grinned, holding up his phone screen. It showed a tweet with four photos from their last outing together. In one, Henry had his arm around Alex, pulling him close to his side - the moment after Henry had noticed Alex shivering and had tried to share his warmth. In another, they smiled at each other in a way that looked very intimate, Henry had to admit. In the third, Alex was whispering in Henry's ear.

The last one was taken in a moment that was supposed to have been out of the public eye. Alex and Henry were half-hidden behind a wall, but the camera had still caught them as Alex stood on his toes to press a soft kiss to Henry's lips. 

It was very clearly a moment that had not been staged and Henry looked up at Pez with a sheepish smile. 

"Yeah…" he said slowly. "So… funny story…"

"You're totally shagging him and you didn't tell me!" Pez hissed.

"I'm not shagging him," Henry clarified. "We're not having sex… yet."

"But you're kissing," Pez pointed out, "because that was not a publicity peck."

"No, it wasn't," Henry agreed, smiling. "We're trying. To make things work, I mean. Alex wants us to." He took a deep breath and admitted with a wide smile: "He moved into my bedroom."

"Fuck yes," Pez breathed. "I don't care if it's eleven-thirty, we're drinking to this, Haz!"

Henry laughed, happy and bubbly, as Pez ordered champagne for both of them. When it arrived, Pez lifted his glass.

"To you and Alex," he said. "For finally embracing love and your chance at happiness. I cannot wait for all the shenanigans that will ensue now that this power couple has decided to properly join up."

Grinning, Henry clinked glasses with him and drank

Chapter 5

Notes:

Hello everyone!

Sorry for the late update. I struggled a bit with this chapter. I do hope you enjoy the way it turned out!

Also, I decided to change the rating for this story from Explicit to Mature, since I can't seem to be able to write an explicit scene for my life at the moment. Sorry to everyone who is disappointed about that. Just don't have it in me at the moment. I hope the story is good without it, too.

“I’d like you to come to Avalor with me,” Alex told Henry during one of their movie nights.

Henry blinked at him, taken off guard. “You mean, as a state visit?”

“No, to meet my family,” Alex rolled his eyes.

“I know your family,” Henry pointed out. “We got married, remember? They were there.”

“Yes, but you haven’t gotten to know them,” Alex rolled his eyes. “You only know them as the Royal Family of Avalor, not my family. And they only know you as Prince Henry, not as my husband. I’d like to rectify that.”

“Well,” Henry said slowly, biting his lip. “We haven’t had a honeymoon.”

Alex smiled. “Exactly.”

Henry chuckled and leaned in to kiss Alex softly. “I’ll talk to my family,” Henry promised. “I’m sure I can get us a couple of weeks off.”

“Thank you,” Alex smiled. “Maybe we could go for our birthdays? The weather is always gorgeous there in March.”

“Will I melt?” Henry sighed.

“Oh, definitely,” Alex grinned. “But I’ll bathe you in sunscreen, don’t worry, baby.”

Henry couldn’t help but pull him into another kiss at the nickname, effectively ending their discussion in favour of a long make-out session. 

 

When they arrived at the private airport of the Avalorian Royal Family not two weeks later, June, Nora and Julia were waiting for them. Nora was cradling a curious Julia in her arms as June flung her arms around her brother. 

“About time your husband brought you home,” she whined. “It’s been ages!”

“We’ve been married for four months, Bug,” Alex laughed, holding her close. “That’s hardly a lifetime.”

“For a young mother, it’s two lifetimes!” she scowled at him. “Your niece has learned to sit and stand up in the time you were gone! A few weeks more and she’d have been crawling before you returned!”

“We can’t have that,” Alex smirked, extricating himself to walk over to Nora and pull the baby into his arms. Henry only had a moment to be distracted by the sight - because Alex with a baby did things to him - before June was all in his space. 

“Hello Henry,” she smiled at him warmly and pulled him into a heartfelt hug. “It’s good to see you. I’m so glad you decided to come.”

“I’m sorry to have kept Alex to myself for so long,” he smiled sheepishly. 

“I know it was for a good cause,” she sighed. “You needed to grow into your marriage, and I’m glad it worked. Avalor is not the same without him.”

Henry could not even imagine, to be honest. He had not had the time to consider it, but he had always associated Avalor with Alex’s sunny smiles and his fervent activism. Now that he was absent from Avalor’s landscape, it must be like a gaping hole in the heart of the country.

“Just a small heads up,” Nora spoke up from where she had been chatting with Alex. “Your arrival date has been leaked. People have gathered in front of the palace. So you’d better row up your best smiles.”

“I’ve had a lot of practice in Britain,” Alex scoffed. “Avalor is child’s play compared to that.”

“I wouldn’t be so cocky,” Nora rolled her eyes. “Your approval ratings went up by close to a hundred per cent since the wedding. And you’ve been absent for a while. It’s a madhouse.”

Alex’s eyebrows went up. “That bad?” he asked.

“Worse than you can imagine,” June admitted. “Just to give you an idea: Every time we go out, people ask us about your marriage before they ask us about Julia.”

Alex gaped at her before glancing at Julia. “But she’s the heir! She should be the most talked-about subject!”

“Tell the press,” Nora smiled. “Not that we complain. It takes the heat off us. But now that you’re back, it’s gonna be exhausting for you.”

Alex’s found Henry’s eyes and they shared a loaded look. 

“Well,” Alex sighed, handing Julia back to Nora. “We’d better get it over with, then.”

 

Nora hadn’t been underselling the crowd waiting for them in front of the palace. There were Avalorian and British flags mixed with posters in support of Henry and Alex, or just Alex. They all seemed ecstatic to see their Prince return home. The noise was deafening as they stepped out of the car. Henry stayed close to Alex at all times, a soothing hand on his lower hand, but he could feel the tension in his movement. The crowd was overwhelming; even more so than most of the ones they had handled in Britain. 

They eventually made their way into the palace, and Henry could feel Alex inhale shakily.

“I told you it would be crazy,” Nora muttered, and Julia agreed in garbled baby talk, which made Alex smile.

They all turned at the sound of Queen Ellen’s voice.

“Well, there is our most successful export to date.”

Henry could tell it was meant as a joke, but the humour fell flat between them. She was smiling, but Alex had frozen up, his brows turned down into a scowl.

For a moment, no one spoke. Then, Ellen’s eyes softened. “Alex -”

“Your Majesty,” Alex cut her off stiffly. Henry held back the wince. “I’m glad you approve of my performance for Avalor. I guess I did my job right.”

Alex’s tone was icy and Henry couldn’t help but reach out to touch his elbow. If Alex noticed, he didn’t let it on. 

Ellen looked at him sadly. “Alex,” she began again. “I -”

But Alex turned back to June, not hearing her out. “You’re staying at the palace, too?”

“While you’re here, yes,” June confirmed. 

“Good,” Alex nodded. “Let’s have dinner tonight and catch up. Henry and I’ll go up to my room and rest. It was a long flight.” He glanced at his mother once more. “I assume we are staying in my room? You haven’t turned it into a museum or a gym or something?”

“Of course, you are staying in your room,” Ellen sighed. “You are still part of the family, Alex.”

“Funny,” Alex scoffed. “For you made me feel like I was part of your staff.” He reached out to find Henry’s hand and entwined their fingers. “Let’s go,” he muttered, leading him up the stairs.

 

“So, I’ll take it you and your mother haven’t spoken since the wedding?” Henry sighed as they unpacked. 

“No,” Alex shook his head. “She tried, but I never took her calls or answered her messages.”

“Don’t you think you should hear her out?” Henry suggested tentatively.

“Would you hear your grandmother out?” Alex glared.

Henry grimaced. “My grandmother is homophobic, racist, elitist and highly egocentric, though,” he said finally. “I don’t have any hope that will change. Is your mother really of the same calibre?” 

Alex pursed his lips. “She didn’t use to be,” he admitted. “I thought she was different. That she cared about our happiness as a family - as her children - more than the monarchy, the power.” He shook his head, his shoulders tense. “But would a woman like that really force her son into an arranged marriage, against his will?”

“Maybe she had reasons she didn’t share with you,” Henry shrugged. 

“What reason would justify this?” he snapped. “And if so, why didn’t she trust me enough to be open about it? Why not let me decide for myself?”

Henry just looked at him, and Alex’s shoulders slumped. He sat down on the bed. “I’m sorry,” he sighed. “I didn’t mean to snap at you. It’s not your fault.”

“I know,” Henry smiled. “Don’t worry.”

“I’m not even angry about the marriage,” Alex said. “I mean, I’m happy with you. I’m just angry about the way she forced it, you know?”

“I think you should talk to her about that,” Henry insisted. “You’ll probably feel better after. Maybe you’ll have some answers. At the very least, you’ll have gotten some things off your chest.”

Alex chewed on his lip. Then he nodded. “I think I’ll go find her.”

Henry smiled. “That’s good,” he encouraged. “I’ll keep unpacking while you talk. Unless you want me to be there…?” 

“No,” Alex smiled tiredly at him. “I think I have to do this on my own. But thanks for offering.”

“Always,” Henry promised.

 

When Alex returned two hours later, he looked exhausted and defeated. Henry immediately pulled him into his arms, carding soothing fingers through his curls.

“Do you want to talk about it?” he offered.

“Not right now, no,” he sighed against Henry’s throat. “I want to eat good Avalorian food with my sister and my best friend and I want to drink cocktails and get drunk.”

Henry smiled and kissed the top of his head. “I think that can be arranged.”

 

Only hours later, as Henry was wrapped around Alex in the fine Avalorian silk sheets that covered his bed, Alex confessed: “She said she did it to protect our family, and me.”

“What does that even mean?” Henry demanded.

“I don’t know how much you know about Avalorian politics,” Alex said. “But recently, there’s been a shift towards the - well, they call themself a more traditional movement. They’ve become popular for speaking out against the connection the more progressive, recently leading political party had with the monarchy. You see, that party was the one my Dad used to belong to before he married into the monarchy, and it’s the party Nora’s grandfather, the current sitting PM, is hailing from. They are calling both the monarchy and the currently ruling party corrupt, and it’s been gaining more and more traction amongst the people.”

“Okay,” Henry said slowly. “What does this have to do with our marriage, though?”

“Well,” Alex sighed. “The situation wasn’t helped by all the recent scandals within the Royal Family. My parents’ divorce, my mother’s new marriage. My break-up with Nora and June’s subsequent marriage to her. It was all fodder to the propaganda against the monarchy. Our popularity was falling rapidly, and the opposition was threatening with a petition to abolish the monarchy. And Mum was scared that it would scrape through.”

“I see,” Henry nodded.

“So when your grandmother came knocking with the proposal, she saw an opportunity to get the approval rating up again. But -” Alex held in, silent for a long moment.

“What?” Henry asked.

“She also thought you might have already had feelings for me,” Alex said, his voice very soft. “And she thought I’d be in good hands with you. You seemed kind and like someone who’d take good care of me. Like someone I could be happy with. That’s why she signed the agreement, and that’s why she didn’t tell me about the whole picture. She wanted me to figure things with you out on my own, since she’d already taken so much away from me.”

Henry didn’t say anything when Alex was finished. His heart was racing against his ribcage; so hard, in fact, that he was surprised that he was surprised Alex couldn’t feel it against his back.

Eventually, Alex turned in his embrace until they faced each other.

“I still think her methods were wrong,” he clarified. “I’m unsure what I would have done if I had known the full story from the start. Maybe I’d have agreed to marry you out of my free will.” When Henry still didn’t say anything, Alex asked: “Was she right? Did you already have feelings for me when our marriage was agreed upon?”

Henry chewed on his lips. He knew he should have told Alex. He’d just never known how.

“Yes,” he agreed. “I’ve liked you for a long time.”

“How long?” Alex asked.

“Since we were teenagers,” Henry confessed.

Alex’s eyes widened. “I - really?!” he asked.

“Yes,” Henry breathed out. “But I promise that my feelings had nothing to do with the arrangement. I didn’t ask to be married to you. In fact, no one was more surprised than me when it was brought up.”

“I can imagine,” Alex blinked.

“I would have never trapped you like that,” Henry stressed. “You have to believe me.”

Alex smiled and wrapped his arm around Henry’s waist. “I know you better than that,” he said softly. “You’re the least selfish person in existence. You would have never.”

Henry smiled and leaned in until their foreheads were touching. 

“It does seem a bit like fate, though,” Alex breathed. “The fact that we found each other against all odds.”

Henry smiled. “It does indeed.”

 

They spent a week in Coba, the capital of Avalor. Though Henry had been here countless of times, this time, Alex showed it to him through his eyes; the beach wasn’t just a beautiful piece of nature but became a site for all the stories he had to tell about his childhood. He took him to his school, his favourite restaurant and the ice cream store. He took him to the underwater caves where he had first come out to his dad.

Every new place was a piece of the puzzle for Henry; precious and fragile, like a part of Alex’s soul that he got to hold in his bare hands. 

He also got to know Alex’s family better. June, of course, who reminded him so much of Bea that he was determined to introduce them in the future, but also Nora, who was eager to share with Henry all the embarrassing episodes that Alex would rather like to hide. Julia also warmed up to him, though it was clear to see that her Uncle Alex was her favourite.

Not that Henry could blame her.

Henry also got to know Ellen and her new husband Leo, if only a bit. They had dinner with them once, and though things between Alex and his mother were still tense, they were trying now. Leo, on the other hand, was a sweetheart, completely immune to the tension in the room, ready to joke over it in a way that made even Alex smile. 

After a week, they travelled on to Juaneño, where Alex’s Dad and grandparents lived. It was a very different trip from that point on. The royal facade fell from the moment they stepped into Alex’s grandmother’s house, and they were lovingly fussed over with food. Henry felt a bit out of his element; he’d never had an attentive grandmother like Alex’s Abuela before. His father’s parents had died before he was born, and his mother’s father had passed away when he was three years old. He only remembered his grandmother’s cool expectations. 

Romina Díaz was nothing like Queen Mary, though. She brought Henry lemonade and asked Alex to tell him to stay out of the sun, lest he got a sunburn. Her English was weak at best, and her husband's was even worse, so they communicated mostly through Alex, but they managed to communicate their fondness for Henry even through the language barrier. It made Henry feel helplessly emotional.

Alex’s father was laid back and fun. Henry had been nervous about meeting him, at first - a part of him had wondered if he resented his ex-wife’s decision to marry his son off into British royalty against his will - but he took one look at the way Alex and Henry interacted and seemed to decide it was water under the bridge. 

“If you make my son happy, there’s nothing more I could want,” Oscar told him later, after some Tequila. “And clearly, he feels very comfortable with you.” 

As if to prove his point, Alex had returned at that moment, squeezed himself in next to Henry, arm around his waist, and started ranting about the lack of Helados in the UK. Oscar had exchanged a smile with Henry and Henry couldn’t help but smile back as he’d wrapped an arm around Alex’s shoulders.

 

They spent the last stretch of their vacation in a lake house Alex’s father owned, in Austin. And those days finally felt like a real honeymoon.

For the first time since Alex and Henry had married, it was just the two of them. Security was stationed outside the property. The fridge was stocked with enough food to last them twice over. All they needed was wifi - because Alex couldn’t survive without his phone or Netflix if he tried - and they were good. The outside world could have as well been dead to them.

And so Alex and Henry spent their days focusing on each other. They had breakfast on the terrace. Alex cooked, without haste or pressure. They slept in and spent hours cuddling and making out after waking up, exploring each other in a way they hadn’t been able to with their full schedule. 

Henry couldn’t remember ever feeling this balanced, or this blissfully happy, he reflected as he lay in the shadows of the terrace with Alex dozing in his arms. The breeze was softly ruffling his hair, making it brush against Henry’s shoulder. His skin had darkened from the sun, and it made him look stunning.

He hadn’t seen him shiver since they arrived. Alex clearly bloomed in the sun. 

Henry leaned in to brush a soft kiss against his forehead. To his dismay, Alex’s eyes fluttered open when he pulled away. 

“Sorry,” he whispered. “Didn’t mean to wake you.”

“‘s okay,” Alex smiled sleepily. “Was half-awake, anyway.” He leaned up to catch Henry’s lips in another kiss, soft and unhurried. Henry wrapped his arms around him holding him tight.

“Henry?” Alex breathed against his lips.

“Yes?” Henry asked.

“I want you,” Alex admitted. 

The words went through Henry like thunder through a sun-dried forest, leaving him burning. 

“I want you, too,” Henry admitted.

Alex’s hand travelled up his chest, resting over his heart. 

“Take me to bed,” he demanded softly. “We have a marriage to consume.”

 

Hours later, Henry was the one to almost fall asleep in Alex’s arms; blissed-out, his mind still buzzing and his body hurting in the best way possible. 

“It’s a good thing I cooked so much last night,” Alex mused, his fingers drawing lazy patterns on the naked skin of Henry’s back. “I am too wiped out to cook anything tonight, and no one delivers here.”

Henry only hummed. He was pretty sure he could survive a night or two on Alex and air if he had to. 

Alex leaned in to kiss his temple. “Hey,” he breathed. “I just wanted to say… I decided to forgive my mother.”

With Herculian effort, Henry blinked his eyes open. “Hmm?” he only asked, frowning. He wasn’t quite sure how Alex’s mind had jumped from taking Henry completely apart to food to his mother.

“Well,” he smiled, a bit sheepishly. “There’s sort of no point in being angry now that I’m so happy with the guy she set me up with. I’d much rather let go of the past and focus on my future with you.”

Henry couldn’t help but smile. “I’d like that,” he breathed.

Alex caught his lips in a gentle kiss, and Henry felt his world settle into place.

 

The next morning, they were woken by Henry’s ringtone. Alex groaned, pressing his face against Henry’s back.

“Make it stop,” he whined. “We’re on holiday. You’re unavailable.”

Henry chuckled as he blindly reached out for his phone. Then he blinked at the screen.

It was his mother.

With a sinking feeling, he picked up.

“Mum?”

“Darling,” she sighed. “I’m sorry to do this, but the two of you have to come home.”

“Why?” Henry asked, immediately on the defence.

“The press found you at the lake house,” she said, her tone apologetic. “There are intimate photos of you all over the internet. The Queen demands that you cut your trip short.”

Henry’s heart fell. “We could go somewhere else,” he suggested. “Avalor is big. We could find somewhere more private and -”

“The Queen wants to have a family meeting tomorrow,” his mother cut him off. “She says it’s urgent.”

Henry frowned. “This can’t be because of a couple of photos of me snogging my husband, can it?”

“I don’t think that’s it, exactly,” his mother agreed. “It’s just an excuse to get you home.”

Henry sighed. Alex found his free hand and squeezed it.

“I know it’s not fair,” his mother said. “I wished I could do something. I’m sorry.”

“Right,” Henry muttered. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow for the meeting then.”

After he’d hung up, he turned to look at Alex, who already had a resigned look on his face.

“I guess we’d better pack?” he sighed.

“I guess so,” Henry nodded.

“This is bullshit,” Alex pointed out.

“I know,” Henry nodded.

Alex sighed and leaned in to kiss him. “Remember, though,” Alex breathed. “Whatever your grandmother has planned for tomorrow, she can’t take this away from us. This is ours. No matter where we are or what she does.”

Henry smiled at that. “Right.”

“Come on,” Alex smiled, sitting up. “We still have time for a shower before we pack. I might need my husband’s assistance washing up properly.”

Henry grinned. “Well, I live to serve.”

“You’d better,” Alex grinned at him, pulling the sheets away from him. “Now come on, let’s make the most of our last hours.”

Chapter 6

Notes:

Hello, my dear readers!

I'm sorry for the long wait. Life happened. But I've been on the edge of my seat following the new developments of the movie production, so I felt like sitting down and taking the time to continue this today. I hope you'll enjoy the new chapter :)

As soon as they arrived at the royal airstrip, they were swept away to Buckingham. 

“Well, they’re certainly not wasting any time,” Alex muttered to Henry from the back of the car, his voice wry. “I would have appreciated a shower, though.”

“They’re acting as if someone has died and we’ve got to settle the succession,” Henry sighed, before freezing, his eyes wandering to Shaan in the passenger seat. “Shaan, the Queen -”

“She is perfectly fine, no need to worry, Your Highness,” Shaan assured him. 

Henry nodded, relaxing slightly, before frowning again. “Then I’m afraid I don’t understand the rush.”

“The Queen’s orders,” Shaan said apologetically. 

“Of course,” Henry rolled his eyes.

Bea was waiting for them when they arrived at the palace, ready to pull them into a comforting embrace.

“It’s good to have you back,” she smiled. “Even if it’s basically at gunpoint.”

“Do you have any idea what all the fuss is about?” Henry asked as they followed her down the corridors towards their grandmother’s office. “This can’t be about some photos of me kissing my husband. It’s got to be something else.”

“I have a hunch,” she sighed. “But we can’t be sure.”

“What do you -” Henry began, but Bea had tensed, and then Henry’s eyes found her husband Albert at the end of the corridor.

Right. The time for familiar chatter was over then.

“Henry, Alexander,” he greeted them with a nod as they reached him. “Those were quite some photos. Seems like you had a fantastic honeymoon.”

His words were polite but his tone was laced with something more that made Henry’s eyes narrow.

“Fantastic, indeed,” Alex said smoothly. “Though not as private as we’d hoped.”

Bea, on the other hand, had no patience for her husband’s antics. “If you have nothing of value to contribute, Alby, why don’t you just shut it?”

Albert rolled his eyes. “Charming as always, Beatrice. Makes me remember why we never had a honeymoon.”

“God beware,” she shuddered. 

“Beatrice,” another voice sighed, and they turned to find Philip and Martha approaching. Philip’s expression was as long-suffering as his tone. “Just once, I want to experience an exchange between you and your husband that is amicable.”

“Why don’t you search the internet,” she suggested with a smile. “I believe there is fanfiction.”

Alex covered his snort-laughter with a cough. Philip scowled at her.

“You are a Princess of England,” he reminded her. “You have a duty to your people -”

“I think I fulfilled that duty when I married,” she snapped. “That doesn’t mean I have to make nice with my husband, though.”

“You could at least try to get along,” Martha suggested gently. “Henry and Alex got there. Philip and I did. Why can’t you -”

“Don’t bother, Martha,” Albert sighed. “Beatrice is as stubborn as a mule.”

“And you wonder why I won’t give you the time of day,” Bea chuckled humourlessly. 

Henry reached out to touch her shoulder in silent support and she shot a tight smile at him. 

Finally, the door opened, effectively ending their discussion. Princess Catherine smiled at them, though it didn’t reach her eyes. It was clear that she was worried about the looming confrontation. 

“Hello, children,” she said warmly. “Please, come in. Your grandmother is waiting.”

Indeed, Queen Mary was already seated at the head of a long table, sipping from her cup of tea. It was clear she had already been conferring with her daughter before they had arrived. At the other end of the room, a smartboard was prepared and one of her staff members was clearly waiting for her cue. 

They all greeted her and took their seats, according to succession. Henry and Alex were seated the farthest away from the head of the table, and closest to the whiteboard. The Queen was nothing if not a stickler to the rules. 

“Welcome,” the Queen greeted them with a tight smile. “I’m glad you could all make it.”

As if we had a choice, Henry thought, though he did not speak.

“I’d like to take the opportunity today to speak about our public image,” she told them. “With Henry’s marriage, there has been a shift within the family, and that translates to the people’s perception of our family. As it is, the results for our yearly poll came back yesterday. Jeffrey, if you’d be so kind.”

Alex threw Henry a look that clearly read as: ‘We were called here because of a popularity survey?!’

Henry, though, had a feeling where this was going, and when the smart board showed the results in contrast to those of the past year, it quickly became clear.

 

1. Prince Alexander, Duke of York, 79% (*)
2. Prince Henry, Duke of York, 75% (↑12%)
3. Queen Mary III, 66% (↓3%)
4. Princess Catherine, Duchess of Edinburgh, 64% (↑4%)
5. Princess Beatrice, Duchess of Sussex, 60% (↑6%)
6. Prince Philip, Duke of Cambridge, 52% (↓12%)
7. Martha, Duchess of Cambridge, 50% (↓10%)
8. Albert, Duke of Sussex, 44% (↓4%)

 

“I think we can all see how this is problematic for our family,” Queen Mary said after she had given them a moment to take the information in.

“I’m not sure I do,” Henry said, his voice hard, surprising even himself. Alex’s hand found his thigh under the table, squeezing.

“Don’t be obtuse, Henry,” Philip rolled his eyes. “Alex’s showboating is overshadowing the rest of the family, and this is the result.”

“My what? ” Alex asked, turning to blink at him.

“I was sceptical from the beginning when I heard that we were planning to bring an Avalorian Prince into the family,” Philip sighed. “Your customs are different than ours. We are more reserved. You have to start adjusting and behave as a British royal would.”

Alex gaped at him. “I will always be Avalorian as much as I am now British,” he argued. “You can’t take that away from me.”

“The thing is, Alexander,” the Queen injected. “Once you married into our family, you became British. And we expect you to behave as such.”

Henry’s hand found Alex’s on his thigh, clinging on as he caught his grandmother’s gaze. 

“This is not fair,” he pointed out. “ You wanted him to marry into this family, and now you’re unhappy that he is more popular than you and lash out?”

“Watch your words, Henry,” Philip hissed.

“It’s true, though!” he argued. “Alex has done nothing wrong! He’s gone along with everything you asked of him! Maybe it’s time to consider that the problem doesn’t lie with him, but with your outdated ways.”

“I’ve served this country for forty-seven years,” Queen Mary pointed out, drawing herself up in her chair. “I think I know its heart.”

“And yet, Alex has become more popular in the five months he’s been married to Henry than any of us have been in the past, what, ten years?” Bea said, looking at Jeffrey for confirmation.

Jeffrey seemed hesitant to answer, but when Catherine nodded at him in encouragement, he explained: “The last time anyone in the family reached over 70% of approval ratings was when your husband was still alive.”

A heavy silence hung in the air following his words. Henry’s throat felt tights and he squeezed Alex’s hands a bit tighter. 

“Dad was unconventional,” Bea pointed out softly. “Like Alex.”

“That’s why the people liked him,” Catherine agreed, her eyes focusing on Alex and Henry for a moment. “I think Arthur would have loved to see the effect you two are having on the country.”

“I’m sure,” the Queen said, her voice tight. “Your husband was never a stickler for tradition, either.”

Catherine turned to glare at her mother. “No,” she agreed. “He cared more about his family and the people. I know that’s a hard concept for you to grasp.”

“I’m the Queen,” she pointed out. “I care about its people more than anyone.”

“Then why not listen to their voices?” Bea injected smoothly. “Clearly, they approve of Alex’s public performance. We should encourage him, not admonish him.”

“The problem stands,” Philip insisted. “He keeps undermining us. As soon as he steps a foot out of the door, we are forgotten about. Do you know how often in the past months Martha or I have made important appearances for charities that depend on the attention they get through our attendance, but barely anyone cared because some paper had commented about Alex’s latest outfit choice or had printed a photo of Alex smiling at a child.”

“It’s not Alex’s fault that people care what he does,” Henry hissed. “If you can’t hold people’s attention, why don’t you try to find the problem on your own doorstep?”

“I’m surprised you’re not more bothered by this,” Philip glared. “Obviously, your rise in popularity is only because you're his arm candy. When you're together, everyone only cares about your husband, not you. It’s quite pathetic. I’d be ashamed.”

“That’s nonsense,” Alex huffed, but Henry knew it wasn’t. He’d picked up on it, too. How eyes always went to Alex before they went to him. How sometimes, when he spoke in public, people would be watching Alex in the background or would ask about his husband.

The difference was that he didn’t mind . He’d never liked the spotlight all that much. It was a relief when people didn’t look at him. He mostly just felt bad that Alex had to deal with all the attention. 

“Alex is still, for all intends and purposes, an outsider to this family,” Philip continued as if he hadn’t heard Alex. “He should know his place. Martha knows not to overshadow me. For all the drama in Bea and Albert’s marriage, Albert knows not to overshadow her. Alex doesn’t only overshadow Henry, but all of us, and that as an Avalorian Prince. What kind of message does that send to the people?”

“So I’m British when it’s convenient, but Avalorian when I annoy you?” Alex muttered.

Henry, though, was fuming. 

“If you weren’t so butthurt that people like Alex more than they like you, you would be able to see that this is an opportunity for our family,” Henry hissed. “We’ve been stagnating for years. They’ve called us ‘outdated’. The mood against us has become more and more prominent. But Alex is shiny and new and people adore him. He can turn all of that around if we play our cards right. You could learn from him instead of complaining.”

Philip opened his mouth to argue, face red, but Catherine cut in: “He has a point.”

“Excuse me?!” Philip hissed.

“Look at the numbers,” Catherine pointed to the board. “Henry’s approval ratings went up by a landslide since he married Alex. The other numbers that went up were mine and Bea’s. What do Bea and I have in common?”

“You could both care more about tradition?” he answered, his tone biting. 

“That, too,” she smiled pleasantly. “Also, we have been seen in public with Henry and Alex after the wedding, for private and public outings.”

Henry realised that this was true. 

“You and Martha, on the other hand, are rumoured to be on rocky terms with Alex,” she continued.

“That’s one newspaper that keeps printing that angle,” Philip rolled his eyes. “I hardly think -”

“And yet, your approval rating fell as much as Henry’s climbed. Curious, isn’t it?”

“So what is your suggestion?” he snapped. “We all start showboating like Alex? Make nice with him in public?”

“My God, I’m not showboating,” Alex groaned. 

“Agree to disagree,” Philip said tightly.

“Your idea isn’t half-bad,” Bea hummed, raising her eyebrows at her brother. “You could make nice with Alex in public. It would certainly shut up the rumour mill.”

“That’s rich, coming from you,” Philip laughed. “I’ll make nice with Alex if you make nice with your husband, how about that?”

“That sounds like a good deal,” Catherine smiled, turning to her mother. “How about it, Mum?”

“I’ve lost track of what is happening,” the Queen grumbled. “Between all the grumbling and hissing, my mind wandered off. It was worse than a visit to the House of Commons.”

“Fine, I’ll break it down for you,” Catherine said. “Our proposal is this: The rest of the family makes an effort to be seen more often with Alex and Henry in public so that their popularity is shared. Maybe in the process, some knowledge can be shared from both ends. Also, Beatrice will make an effort to be more amicable with her husband in public.”

“I did not agree to this,” Philip pointed out.

“Neither did I,” Bea huffed.

The Queen, though, appeared thoughtful. “This doesn’t sound half-bad,” she admitted. “I wanted the drama between Beatrice and Albert under control for years.” She looked up to meet Alex’s eyes. “Alexander, do you promise to be open to suggestions from the rest of the family?”

Alex’s smile was tight. “Of course, Your Majesty.”

“Let’s give it a try, then,” she nodded. “So, is there anything else on the agenda for today? I have a meeting with the Prime Minister at four.”

“Actually, now that we’re already gathered,” Henry spoke up. “I’d like to address some security concerns I’ve been having.”

Alex tightened his hand on his thigh and shook his head ever so slightly, but Henry ignored him. Even his mother seemed to plead with him with her eyes.

“We can see in the poll that the hype around Alex is intense,” Henry explained. “I feel that his current security is overwhelmed. I’d like to ask for reinforcement.”

Philip snorted. “Are you joking? We all get the same security. Why should he receive more than any of us? Than me or Mum? ”

Henry took a steadying breath and pushed on. “I told you, his security is overwhelmed. There has already been one incident and I’m worried. I think this could fall under the emergency protocol, at least until the hype around him has calmed down a bit.”

“If you’re worried then this should be proper motivation to turn it down a notch,” the Queen said briskly, getting to her feet. “However, it is not customary to deploy further security on a hunch, Henry. You know this. Now, if you excuse me, I really have to go.”

Henry’s shoulders sank as he watched her leave. Alex’s fingers entwined with his.

“Come on,” he whispered. “Let’s get out of here.”

 

“I’m so sorry about my family,” Henry groaned as soon as they closed the door to their cottage behind them. “There is no excuse.”

“It’s not your fault your brother and grandmother are a giant back of dicks,” Alex shrugged as he kicked off his shoes. “I’m not holding it against you.”

“Still,” he muttered. “The things they said -”

“I’m not made of sugar, sweetheart,” he smirked. “I can take it. I have a thick skin.”

“You shouldn’t have to, ” Henry insisted, reaching out until they were chest to chest. You shouldn’t be attacked by your own family. It’s wrong.”

“This is not my first royal rodeo,” Alex chuckled. “I know how nasty these things can get. Your brother is the legitimate heir and he is scared of me; of you. Popularity with the public in a time when the monarchy is merely ornamental translates to direct power. We are both more powerful than he is right now, and he knows it. He is lashing out.”

“It’s not like he has any real reason to be scared, though,” Henry muttered. “It’s not like I’d ever want the thrown.”

“I know that, baby,” Alex grinned. “You’re the least likely to seize power unless you have to. But if we stay so much more popular than him over a long period of time, the people might get ideas. You know how things escalate. Movements are created without any input from the people involved. I think he’s afraid of that.”

Henry hummed. “No one in their right mind would ever want me to follow Mum. Besides, that’s still ages, if she lives as long as the old hag.”

Alex shook his head and pressed his smiling lips against Henry’s. “I think you’d be surprised how many people would want you as a King rather than Philip,” he whispered. “I would, for one.”

“You’re biased,” Henry accused.

“Well,” Alex shrugged, wrapping his arms around Henry’s waist. “Maybe a little.”

Henry shook his head and let Alex deepen the kiss. 

“What do you say we draw a bath and forget about this horrible afternoon for the rest of the evening?” he suggested. “I still need to wash the plane off me.”

Henry smiled and nodded. “That sounds perfect.”

 

“So, they have us visiting the Royal Opera Gala with Philip and Martha on Saturday,” Henry informed Alex two days later over breakfast. “And a cancer ward with Bea and Albert on Wednesday.”

“Fuck,” Alex moaned. “So they were actually serious about all this crap, huh?”

“Dead-serious, I’m afraid,” Henry confirmed. “I’m surprised they scheduled us for the Royal Opera Gala. That’s Philip and Martha’s thing. They’re going to be really annoyed if the spotlight is on you for too long.”

“Perfect,” Alex rolled his eyes. “And then it will be my fault for not ‘tuning it down’. As if the cameras aren’t on me as soon as I step into sight.”

Henry knew that he was perfectly right and he hated every part of it. He reached out to take Alex’s hand.

“We can cancel?” he offered.

“And make ourselves look difficult?” he scoffed. “No way.”

“It’s a lose-lose situation, Alex,” Henry argued. “We could say I’m sick. I can take the heat.”

“No,” Alex shook his head. “I’m not running away. It’s not like I’m doing anything wrong. We’re going.”

Henry sighed and nodded. 

 

The Royal Opera Gala was a complete madhouse. He had been a couple of times when he was younger, and he hadn’t enjoyed it then: Too many cameras, too many people talking behind his back, judging his outfit, his everything . He had actually been glad when Philip had taken over and his attendance had become optional.

Now, with Alex at his side, it was even worse. It took them an eternity to get across the red carpet with all the attention they were getting. Alex’s shoulders were so tense that Henry was sure he needed a professional massage session to get the knots out after the event. 

It didn’t get any easier once they were inside, though. Everyone seemed to want to talk to them - or rather, Alex, but it would have been impolite to exclude Henry. They asked how married life was treating them, how their honeymoon had been, how Alex was adjusting to England, and complimented his outfit… Henry felt burned out after about twenty minutes, but that wasn’t much of a surprise. Henry was an introvert, after all. What was worrying was that even Alex seemed overwhelmed. His smile was tight, though he answered everyone without fail with his usual charm. When Henry found his hand, though, his grip was one of iron. 

It was a relief when the bell rang through the opera house, signalling for them to find their seat. They found their box and disappeared inside with a sigh of relief.

Alex sat down on the bench in the small room behind the seats for a moment, eyes closed. Henry sat next to him, glad they were out of sight, at least for a few minutes.

“Hey,” he breathed. “Are you okay?” 

“I don’t know,” Alex muttered. “It didn’t used to be so… exhausting? I used to love this part. Socialising. Charming a few rich people into giving for a good cause. Now it feels… suffocating?” Alex took a shaky breath. “I mean, I always knew my place. I always knew using my title to do good was the best way to justify our existence in modern society, and this comes with the territory. But… it felt different before the marriage? Now they’re so obsessed with me and it makes me want to recoil.”

“I understand,” Henry nodded, touching his shoulder. “I couldn’t stand to be in your place, to be honest. Just the second-hand attention is wearing me down.”

Alex nodded and leaned into him. “Honestly, Philip is welcome to it,” he muttered. “If he finds out a way to snatch it, I’m all for it.”
Henry smiled softly, though they both knew that would never happen.

 

Philip came to knock on their door during the break. Alex and Henry had opted to stay put, but clearly, Philip hadn’t gotten the hint. Henry went to answer the door, only letting his brother in reluctantly.

“I hope you’re proud of yourselves,” Philip hissed. “Everyone is talking about you. Most of the people I talk to keep enquiring about my brother and his husband at some point in the conversation. I’m sure the news in the morning will be full of pictures of you and Alex and no one will care about all the work Martha and I have put into this event.”

“Do you think this is what we want?” Henry snapped. “Do you think this is fun for us? That’s it’s not completely exhausting to be under so much scrutiny? It’s not like Alex did anything, Philip. He’s just here. ”

“Must be nice,” Philip scoffed, “to be so popular you can outshine everyone else with your mere presence.”

“You’re so petty,” Henry sighed. “No wonder your approval ratings are so low.”

Philip left without another word. When they were photographed together later, after the play, it was painfully obvious that there was tension in the air.

 

PRINCE ALEX STUNNING IN DIOR SUIT AT ROYAL OPERA GALA

Photos of Alex and Henry stealing the show at last night’s Royal Opera Gala

TENSION IN THE ROYAL FAMILY: IS ALEX DRIVING A WEDGE BETWEEN HENRY AND PHILIP?

Seven times Alex and Henry were couple goals at the Royal Opera Gala

Henry read the headlines with a blooming headache. Then he shut off his phone and threw it onto the couch with a groan. He hated when his brother was proven right about anything.

He still was an arse for suggesting that any of this was Alex’s fault, to begin with, though.

David jumped up onto the couch and snuggled into Henry’s arms and Henry very much appreciated the emotional support, clinging to his puppy.

That’s how Alex found them, halting in the doorway.

“This looks glum,” he commented.

“I looked at the news coverage of last night,” Henry admitted.

“You told me not to do that!” Alex pointed out. “Why are you breaking your own rules?”

“Couldn’t help it,” Henry shrugged. “Maybe I wanted my brother to be paranoid.”

Alex smiled at him sadly and sat on the armrest, fingers carding through Henry’s hair. 

“What do we do?” Henry muttered. “It’s not like we can reign in the press or the public. They’re all over you already. It’s a beast of its own now.”

“I know,” Alex shrugged. “I wished they would understand that I’m not showboating. I could turn up in a sack and not speak for a whole event and they’d talk about how much of a rebel I am. I could not turn up and they’d send out search parties and write speculations of my whereabouts. I wished I was exaggerating, but -”

“It’s sad but realistic,” Henry nodded. “I think Mum was onto something. The only way to get them off your back is to make the rest of the family more interesting.”

“And how do we do that?” Alex asked. “Not to sound rude, but Philip and Martha are the most boring people I’ve ever met. They’re like a cardboard cut of royalty.”

Henry hummed. “Maybe we can start with Bea,” he suggested. “Bea used to be fun. And she’s already on the upswing. If it works, maybe we can get the others to work with us.”

Alex pursed his lips. “Could be worth a try.”

Henry nodded. David nuzzled his cheek. “I’ll ask Bea to have lunch with us before Wednesday. Maybe we can win her over then.”

 

Bea was, as always, easy to convince. She was his big sister through and through. If she saw a way to help him, she was going to jump at it. 

“Also, this sounds like fun,” she smirked over her tea. “What do I do? Go shopping with you? Let my rebel side show?”

Alex smirked at her enthusiasm, but Henry raised an eyebrow at her. “I think we’ll have to think out a more balanced strategy than that.”

“You’re no fun,” she frowned before smiling again. “Can I drag Philip in public? Please?”

“You’re impossible,” Henry grinned and Alex laughed. “We’re trying to make you popular, Bea, come on!”

“But Philip is unpopular,” she reasoned innocently. “Surely -”

“No,” Henry cut her off. “No dragging anyone. Not even Albert.”

“Booh,” she pouted. “Fine. What’s the plan?”

 

On Tuesday, social media was reigned by paparazzi shots of Bea and Alex shopping on Bond Street. For their visit to the cancer ward the following day, they both turned up in outfits they’d chosen together, giving fashion blogs something to talk about. 

It wasn’t the only strategic move they made that day. They were each scheduled to say a few words, but Alex kept his part consciously short.

“I’d like to hand the mic over to my sister-in-law,” he said instead, “who organised today’s outing and who has some exciting news to share.”

Bea and Albert then proceeded to introduce a shared fund for cancer research, which Bea had admittedly been planning for a while and in their strategising, they had decided to include Albert in. Albert had agreed; he and Bea might not get along, but he was always eager to improve his public image. 

Both Alex and Henry were relieved when the public part of the event was over and they could spend the rest of it with the children. Some photos were still shot, but those were done by palace staff, so they didn’t need to be ‘on’ all the time. 

It was the favourite part of Henry’s activism, by a long shot.

 

The headlines that covered their visit to the cancer ward were much more balanced, as Henry was glad to find. Sure, a lot of them were still focused on Alex, but there were also lots of reports about Bea: the fund, speculations about her relationship with Albert, think-pieces on her friendship with Alex, and comments on her outfit. 

This is by far the most attention I’ve gotten since I came back from rehab the last time, Bea messaged him later that day. And for a much better reason, too. Your man is a wizard.

Henry made a face, though he couldn’t help but agree. He glanced at Alex, who was spread out next to him on the couch, texting June. 

“I think it’s working,” he told him.

“Good,” Alex smiled at him, nudging his knee with his foot. “Maybe we can convince Philip to go through a media makeover as well and he can stop being a giant pain in our arse.”

Henry smiled, catching Alex’s foot and running his thumb along the sole. Alex jerked it out of his grasp.

“That tickles, you bastard,” he laughed.

Henry grinned, reaching for the other one, only to make Alex squeak and kick him. They wrestled for a bit until Henry pinned Alex down and kissed him.

“You’re insufferable,” Alex muttered against his lips. “I’m not sure why I like you.”

“You thrive on annoyance,” Henry shrugged. “You get bored easily.”

“I do,” Alex sighed. “It’s a real problem.”

Henry smiled as he caught Alex’s lips in another kiss. They both ignored their phones when they vibrated; there were more important things to tend to.

Chapter 7

Notes:

Hi! So, I was on a roll and wrote the next chapter right away. This one ran away with me a little bit, but I think I like how it turned out.

Warning: Minor Accident, Minor Injuries

At this point of the story, I should also note that Alex's role here does have a slight Diana influence. It wasn't planned that way, but somewhere along it happened. I guess you can only watch so much The Crown etc before it influences your fanfiction. But of course, the story won't take the same turn. Because you won't find unhappy endings in stories I write.

“Absolutely not!” Philip bellowed, making even Martha flinch.

“Pip,” Catherine sighed. “Be reasonable.”

“I am reasonable!” he called. “I’m reasonable enough to see that every time we shared the spotlight with those two in the past month, they stole it completely! So why should I consent to a ridiculous scheme like that?!”

“Because it worked with your sister, for one?” Catherine pointed out, completely unimpressed by her eldest son’s tantrum. 

“And because you’d be required to actually try and make nice with us in our plan,” Alex muttered, just loud enough for Philip to catch.

“I have been nothing but polite to you!” he hissed.

“Even if that were true, Philip,” Henry ground out, “you’ve clearly been just cold enough towards us in public for the press to pick up on it and run away with.”

“The press will see and write whatever they want and you know it,” Philip huffed. “They once speculated about me abdicating to follow Dad’s footsteps and become the next James Bond.”

Henry could see Alex bite down on a smile next to him and he couldn’t blame him.

“The difference is that in this case, they’re dead-on,” Henry pointed out. “So it wouldn’t hurt to try and change the narrative.”

“They’re not wrong, darling,” Martha said softly.

“We don’t need their help!” Philip grumbled. 

“Yes, you do,” Catherine said firmly. “Your approval ratings are on a downwards spiral, Pip, and it’s reflecting negatively upon the whole family. You will work with your brother to rectify that, or I will have to speak with your grandmother and come up with another plan.”

“I think grandmother would side with me,” Philip huffed. 

“Would she?” Catherine asked, raising an eyebrow. “Are you willing to risk disappointing her?”

Philip was silent for a long moment. Henry knew he hated seeming like anything but the perfect heir. 

“Fine,” he muttered. “What do you have in mind?”

 

“I can’t believe this is your big game plan,” Philip muttered, nodding to the polo match happening in front of them. 

“It’s important for the people to see us together,” Henry muttered. “They need to see that we get along. So wipe that frown off your face.”

Philip took a deep breath and relaxed his features, painting on his public smile. 

“I’m not sure what this is supposed to prove,” he murmured.

“Alex and Martha are out for lunch as we speak,” he reminded him. “They’ll be photographed. So will we. It will remind the public that we are a family as well as royalty.”

Philip was silent for a moment, as if Henry’s words had suddenly reminded him, too, of that fact. Henry glanced at his brother’s profile, his eyes hanging on the worry lines etched there. 

Philip had always been under the greatest influence of their grandmother, but it had become so much worse since their father had died. He had lost himself in his role as the second in line to the throne. He’d stopped being their brother and become a figurehead. 

Sometimes, Henry missed the Philip he’d known before all of this.

Philip looked up and met his eyes. “Don’t look at me like that,” he grumbled.

“Like what?” Henry asked, puzzled.

“As if I’m some kind of monster,” he sighed. “I don’t mean to make your life miserable, Henry. I’m just trying to do what’s necessary.”

Henry chewed on his lip, sensing that this might be a window for actual conversation, one he hadn’t had in a while. 

“I know it’s not easy for you,” Henry nodded. “You’re under a lot of pressure. You’ve always been. Grandma has always been hardest on you.”

“I wouldn’t say that,” Philip injected. “She was just trying to guide me so that I could become someone who could lead this country.”

Henry strongly disagreed but he didn’t think saying that out loud would be helpful at that point of the conversation.

“I just wished you’d see that this isn’t easy on us, either,” Henry continued. “I swear Alex and I aren’t maliciously trying to hog attention. Things just spiralled out of control. We’re not happy with it, either. On the contrary. Alex tries not to show it, but he’s developed some anxiety related to all the attention he’s getting. And I wasn’t lying about the security issues. People tend to grab or swarm Alex whenever he gets too close. It’s frightening. I’m genuinely worried.” 

Philip was holding his gaze as Henry spoke, looking thoughtful, and he was grateful that for once, his brother was not interrupting, just listening.

“That’s why we went this to work out,” Henry concluded, gesturing between them. “If we can share our popularity with you, maybe it will take the heat off Alex. It will be a relief.”

Philip nodded, pursing his lips. Then he looked out over the field. 

Silence stretched out between them and Henry tried to interpret the lack of verbal response. Then Philip asked: “Is Alex going to be alright?”

“What?” Henry asked, confused.

“You said he has… anxiety issues?” Philip said softly. “Does he need help?”

Something settled inside Henry at those words and he smiled, just a little. 

“I’m not sure,” Henry admitted. “I haven’t known how to bring it up.”

“If it gets too bad, we can look for a therapist for him,” Philip promised. “The palace staff is discreet. Both Martha and I are in therapy and it never got out.”

Henry blinked. “I had no idea,” Henry admitted. 

“We are not exactly parading it, as you can imagine,” he smiled wryly. “Martha has been battling an eating disorder on and off. I know she wouldn’t mind me telling you under these circumstances, since you’re family, but please keep it to yourself.”

“Of course,” Henry said quickly.

“And I’ve only been going for a couple of months,” Philip admitted. “I have times when I’m struggling with the expectation or with Dad’s death.”

“I know that feeling,” Henry smiled sadly. “Wow, who would have thought we had something in common.”

Philip caught his eyes, his expression surprised and slightly worried.

“I’ve been in therapy for years,” he admitted. “Pretty much since Dad died. I’ve been struggling with depression and anxiety.”

“I’m sorry,” Philip said immediately. “I had no idea.”

Well, Henry thought, you weren’t really around. He didn’t say it. He didn’t need to.

“Not that I would have, I was so focused on everything else,” Philip muttered, making a face. “I guess our family is really messed up, huh? Some days I’m just really mad at Dad for dying and leaving us to fend for himself, even though I know it’s not his fault. And then I’m mad at Mum for taking years to grieve and come back into herself. I guess I’m just angry a lot,” he concluded, looking out over the field again. 

“I get that,” Henry nodded, gulping against the tightness in his throat. “It sucked.”

“Yeah,” Philip smiled wrily. “It did.”

They were silent for a long time, just watching the game. Then, Henry said: “Maybe we can just be angry and sad together from now on, as families should. And stop lashing out at each other. Because if you keep attacking my husband, Pip, I’ll someday break your nose.”

Pip smiled at that, a real smile, which Henry hadn’t seen in a while. 

“You really like him, don’t you?” he observed.

“I do,” Henry confirmed.

“Well,” Philip sighed. “I’ll try to be on my best behaviour then.”

Henry smiled back. “Great. Then let’s get you back up in those rankings.”

“ Please ,” Philip chuckled. “My therapist might actually start charging me more if I keep ranting about our press coverage for much longer.”

Henry laughed, spotting someone taking a photo of them out of the corner of his eye. 

He had a feeling that this time, the coverage would be much more favourable.

 

BUILDING BRIDGES: HENRY AND PHILIP SPOTTED JOKING AT POLO MATCH

Eight photos of Prince Alex and the Duchess of Cambridge looking stunning on their lunch date

FAMILY FEUD BURIED? ALL ABOUT ALEX, HENRY, PHILIP, MARTHA AND THEIR RECENT BONDING

Friendship Goals: Alex and his new BFFs Beatrice and Martha

“It seems to be working,” Henry sighed in relief, lowering his phone to sink further into Alex’s embrace.

“Indeed,” Alex agreed, sprinkling soft kisses up Henry’s neck. “Though these papers are getting ahead of themself. Nora will have something to say about the whole ‘BFF’ business. And as nice as she can be, Martha and I will never click enough to get there. At lunch today we mostly talked about you and Philip, our charities and horses. It was bizarre.”

Henry chuckled. “As long as you can be friendly with her, I’m satisfied.”

“Oh, I’m not complaining,” Alex chuckled. “Not sure how you spent an afternoon with Philip and didn’t kill him.”

“Actually, it was rather nice,” Henry admitted, making Alex twist to stare at him incredulously. “We talked. Like, actually talked. He was a human being, for once.”

“There is a human being in there?” Alex asked, making Henry laugh. “I’d have never guessed.”

“Yeah,” Henry confirmed. “We shared our struggles and worries, and it made us bond, I guess. He apologised. I told him if he kept attacking you, I’d break his nose. It was good.”

“I have trouble picturing all of this,” Alex blinked. “But okay, if you’re happy, I’m happy. I’ll try to be less snappy towards him, I guess.”

“You can be snappy if he is,” Henry grinned. “Don’t let him push you around. He has been warned.”

“Great,” Alex grinned, pressing a kiss to his cheekbone. “I hate being polite to dickheads.”

“I know you do,” Henry nodded, chuckling. “And it’s always so much fun watching you mouth off.”

“It’s one of my charm points,” Alex said wisely. He leaned in to catch Henry’s lips in a soft kiss, effectively shutting him up. “Now, can we stop talking about your brother? You look warm and cuddly and it makes me want to do things to you.”

Henry grinned. “Gladly.”

 

"You know," Pez poured at him across the table. "You've had way too little time for your bestest friend in the world ever since you came back from your honeymoon. I'm starting to take offence."

"Don't say 'bestest', you've been raised better than that," Henry made a face, making Pez cackle. "And yes, I know, I'm sorry. It's not my fault, though. My family has been a handful."

"Your family has always been a handful," Henry shrugged. "That's never stopped you from crawling into my lap to mope about them."

"I don't do that," Henry argued. 

"Yes, you do," Pez smirked. "But I guess now that Philip is your new BFF -" 

"Please, don't," Henry groaned. Pez grinned like the Cheshire Cat. "We tried to make the best out of a horrible situation. Take the heat off Alex. And Philip has actually been decent for the past week, so I'm tentatively hopeful."

"So pigs do fly?" Pez gasped dramatically.

"Apparently," Henry agreed, chuckling. 

"Well, if it's for your hubby, I forgive you," Pez sighed heavily. 

"How gracious of you," Henry commented. 

"How is that going, by the way?" Pez asked, ignoring him. "Judging by the sizzling pics from your honeymoon -"

"Shut it," Henry grinned, before biting his lip, frowning. "Well, Alex and I have never been better, to be honest. But I'm worried about Alex. He makes a brave face but I don't think he's handling the pressure very well."

"I wouldn't blame him," Pez pursed his lips. "People are obsessed. I think it's worse than when your Mum married your Dad, even, and from what you hear, that was a fucking circus."

"I wished Dad was still here," Henry muttered. "So he could tell me what to do. I feel like I'm flailing."

"I doubt that," Pez smiled at him gently. "If I know anything about you, it's that you're going above and beyond to support him."

"I still feel like it's not enough," Henry insisted.

"If you'd like your Dad's perspective, why don't you talk to your Mum?" Pez suggested. "She was his wife. She'll know how he handled the pressure. Maybe she can give you some advice."

Henry perked up. "That's actually a good idea."

"I'm full of them," Pez smirked. "So don't throw me over for Philip."

"Never," Henry laughed. 

 

Henry did follow Pez's advice and searched out his Mum on a day when Alex was out on charity business. She was waiting for him with tea and Jaffa cakes, and it made him smile. 

"Hello darling," she said, pulling him into a tight embrace. "You sounded serious over the phone. How can I help?"

"Let's sit," Henry said, immediately going for the sweet comfort of the biscuit as soon as it was within reach. It made his mother smile. 

"It's about Alex," Henry admitted, at last. "I'm afraid that all the attention he's getting is too much for him and I'm not sure how to help. So I guess I ended up wondering how Dad handled it all, back then."

His mother smiled at him sadly. "I wished I could depart some eternal wisdom about how to protect your husband from the claws of British royalty, Henry. But the fact is, I can't. I was just as helpless as you are." She sighed, her eyes fixed upon a point in the distance, out in the palace gardens. "Your father always seemed to be handling everything so much better than me," she admitted. "Arthur was my rock. He was the one who put his foot down when it came to what was best for our family." She turned back to Henry with a brittle smile. "You remind me of him. More than you know. When I saw you stand up for Alex to your grandmother… Arthur would have been so proud of you."

Henry gulped. His eyes were burning but he refused to cry. 

"I just wished he could tell me what to do," Henry admitted. "He always seemed to have answers."

"Oh, far from it, darling," she chuckled. "He was an actor, remember? He was mostly winging it."

That made Henry smile. His mother's hand found his, squeezing. 

"Talk to Alex," she advised. "Tell him you're worried. Communication is important. He'll tell you what he needs, I'm sure."

"I hope you're right," Henry sighed. "I'm afraid he's trying to be strong."

"Then make it clear to him he doesn't need to be," she smiled. "Your relationship will only get stronger if he can admit to being vulnerable with you."

Henry nodded, but before he could respond, there was a knock on the door. Catherine sighed, getting to her feet.

"I'm sorry. Let me just check -"

But the door was already opening, revealing Shaan. 

"Your Highnesses," he said, "I'm sorry for interrupting, but there has been an incident at Prince Alexander's event."

Henry stared at Shaan, uncomprehending. "What kind of incident?" he asked.

"His vehicle had a minor accident," Shaan explained. 

Henry found he couldn't breathe.

"What do you mean, 'minor accident'?" Catherine said sharply, and Henry was grateful she took over the conversation. "Is Alex hurt? What happened?"

"He was taken to the hospital," Shaan revealed, his eyes on Henry. "They suspect a minor head injury, probably a concussion."

Henry was on his feet before he had chosen to get up. "Then what are we still doing here?!" he demanded. "Take me to him!"

 

His mother ended up coming with him and getting all the details out of Shaan on the drive to the hospital. It seemed like the press had crowded Alex on his way out of the building and into the car, and then, the driver had had trouble driving off because the photographers wouldn't leave. He ended up crashing into a van because his view was obstructed. Thankfully, both the van and Alex's car had gone at very low speed, but still, there had been an impact. 

Henry's phone was constantly buzzing in his pocket. He knew it was most probably Bea, Pez, maybe even Philip, but he couldn't bring himself to look. His mind was in a panicked frenzy.

"Hey," his mother said, touching his shoulder gently. "It's going to be okay. It's probably just a concussion."

" 'Just a concussion'? " Henry repeated, incredulous. "It shouldn't have happened in the first place, Mum!"

"You know that's not what I meant, sweetheart," she said softly. 

"This is exactly why I wanted more security for him!" Henry pointed out, his voice rising. "I knew something would happen! But you all ignored me, didn't you?"

"Henry, please calm down -"

"Don't tell me to calm down!" he snapped. "Would you have calmed down if it were Dad?!"

His mother was silent for a long moment. Henry thought he saw a sheen of tears in her eyes and almost felt bad, but only almost; he was too scared, too worried, too incensed. Then, his mother dropped her hand and nodded. 

They didn't speak for the rest of the drive. 

 

When they arrived at the hospital, Henry jumped out without even waiting for Shaan, his mother or his PPO. All he could think of was to get to Alex.

He almost ran headfirst into a young nurse on her way out.

"Can't you watch out?! This is a fucking hospital,  goddamnit," she grumbled before her eyes landed on his face. "Oh, fuck, she muttered.

"I'm so sorry," he apologised. "I just really need to get to my husband."

"Right," she sighed, looking torn for a moment before turning on her heels. "Well, follow along then, Your Highness. I'll take you."

"Are you sure?" Henry asked, relieved. "It looked like you were on your break?"

"Yes, but I have one more hour and the least I can do after cursing at the Prince of England is taking him to his husband."

"You're an angel," Henry sent her a weak smile. 

"I know," she smirked. "Now, follow along, please, I still want to eat lunch."

And this is how Henry found himself led down the labyrinth of corridors. It briefly occurred to him that Shaan was going to kill him for just running off and following this random nurse in an NHS hospital - Alex's accident had been too far from the family's trusted private hospital, King Edward VII - but he decided that he didn't care much about the lecture he was going to get. He needed to see Alex. That was all that mattered.

Eventually, they reached the wing the nurse was looking for. She led him to the room right at the back, around a corner. 

"Here you go," she said. "Please don't assault any more nurses unless you or your husband are dying."

Henry chuckled. "I'll try. Thank you so much and have a nice break."

"I'll try," she smiled and left him to his own devices.

Henry took a deep breath before tentatively knocking and pushing the door open.

Alex was situated in a single room. He lay in a bed, a brace around his neck and his eyes closed. They only fluttered open when Henry approached his bed, making his eyes wander the room in confusion and panic. 

"Hey," Henry breathed, crossing the distance to his bedside to take his hand. "It's me."

"Oh," Alex breathed, his eyes landing on him. "Good."

Henry smiled sadly, squeezing his hand.

"How are you?" he asked. 

"Concussion and whiplash," he sighed, sounding deeply exhausted in a way that made Henry ache. "They wanted to keep me overnight, but I convinced them that my very attentive husband can better watch me at home. They didn't seem too reluctant to agree. Apparently, reporters have already gathered outside."

Henry groaned. "You'd think they'd leave you alone after they caused your car to crash ," he hissed.

"Can we not, right now," Alex mumbled. "I'm too tired."

"Sorry," Henry apologised, bringing Alex's fingers to his lips and kissing them. "Are you in pain right now?"

"They gave me some pain killers," Alex admitted. "Mostly I just want to sleep."

"Okay," Henry nodded. "You know what, don't worry about a thing.  I'll check you out and get your meds, and then we'll take you home. And you'll rest as much as you need."

"Are you going to spoil me as I recover?" Alex cracked a sleepy smile. 

Henry smiled back softly. "You have no idea, love."

 

It took a couple more hours until Alex was safely back in their bed. He had passed out as soon as his head had hit the pillow, falling into a slumber so deep that he hadn't even reacted when Henry had arranged his body into a more comfortable position and draped the blanket over him. 

Now, he was sitting at his side, watching over him in the dark room - Henry had made it artificially dark by not only shutting all the blinds and curtains but also taking all electric devices with blinking lights or screens off the sockets and covering the slit under the door with a cloth. He was tapping away on his phone under his own blanket, making sure the lights didn't filter out towards Alex.

The news of Alex's accident had filtered out almost immediately, of course. There were pictures on the internet of Alex being escorted into an ambulance. It made Henry feel sick. 

Messages kept popping up from Bea, Pez, Philip and June. He'd given all of them a brief report after they'd returned but was too wrung out to keep up a whole conversation. The only one he bothered to really answer to was June because he felt he owed her that much, with an injured brother across the ocean. 

His attention returned to the headlines popping up in a matter of seconds. 

PRINCE ALEX IN CAR ACCIDENT 

Pictures of Prince Alexander's horrific accident in front of South London School

ROYALTY AND THE PRESS - IS PRINCE ALEX'S RECENT ACCIDENT ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE TOXICITY OF THAT CENTURIES-OLD RELATIONSHIP?

Details about Prince Alexander's condition: A live threat 

Bile was rising in Henry's throat. He glanced at Alex, sleeping peacefully at his side. Then, he opened a message to his mother. 

'Either Alex gets more security, or we're not doing any more public appearances. Good luck explaining to the public why the two most popular royals are abdicating.'

It only took a moment for his mother's call to show up on his phone, even though it was on silent, so there was no sound announcing it. Henry had no plans on waking Alex by taking it, either. He rejected it, and then, for good measure, shut off the device entirely. 

He put it onto the nightstand and lay on his back, staring up at the dark ceiling. 

Chapter 8

Notes:

Hello, my dear readers! I'm back with the new chapter. And yes, for a story that didn't mean to redeem Philip, it has much more Philip than intended. I would apologise but I don't regret it. Hope you'll enjoy it :)

Alex spent a lot of the next two days sleeping, or if not sleeping, resting with Henry in their too-dark bedroom. Every bit of light still made his head hurt, so Henry tried to keep it mostly away from him. When he had to leave the room, he made him wear sunglasses. 

Sometimes, Alex put on the glasses so Henry could turn on the e-reader to read to him. It passed the time and Alex said he found it soothing. 

On the third day, there was an insistent knocking on their front door. Alex had been sleeping and Henry had been set on ignoring it but whoever it was just wouldn't give up, and when Alex turned to his side and groaned at the noise, Henry decided enough was enough. 

It turned out to be Bea.

"Hi," she said, her smile soft as Henry let her in. "I'm sorry to burst in -"

"Can you please keep your voice down?" Henry interrupted. "Alex."

"Sorry," she grimaced. "How is he? I've been messaging to ask, but your phone is turned off."

Henry was well aware. He hadn't turned his phone back on since his message to his mother. He'd only communicated via Alex's phone with Alex's family in Avalor. 

Henry's tone as he answered Bea's question was flat. "Oh, he's fantastic. He can't go to the bathroom without his sunglasses."

Bea’s expression was pained. “I’m so sorry about what happened, Henry. I really am.”

“If you were sent here by Mum, you don’t need to bother,” Henry pointed out, not caring how rude how he was being. “I’ve said my piece and I won’t change my mind.”

“I’m here because I’m worried, ” Bea stressed. “I’m not your enemy, remember? I get that you’re angry and defensive, but I’m on your side.”

Henry didn’t say anything, too wound up to even feel guilty. 

“Listen, everyone feels horrible,” she sighed. “Mum and Philip have been working Grandma over nonstop ever since the accident. I didn’t think I’d see the day that Philip stands up for you, but he’s really come around. He’s been relentless. But you know Grandma and the institution in general. They’re stubborn as mules. You have to give them time.”

“So what?” Henry demanded. “We’re just supposed to pretend nothing happened? Continue as always? Because you can forget that. Alex isn’t stepping a foot out in public without increased security, I won’t let him.”

“I’m not asking you to,” Bea sighed. “Just… don’t do anything drastic just yet. Let Mum and Philip handle it, okay? No talk of abdication until they’re done fighting.”

“What do you care?” Henry snapped. “I thought you’d encourage me! You’ve talked about burning everything down on your way out for years!”

She sighed. “I have,” she agreed. “But I didn’t exactly get much support from anyone but you. But recently… I dunno, you and Alex have revived something within this family? Hell, even Philip is back to being a human being. I’d just hate to lose the two of you at a time like this, when I feel there is finally hope for us again.”

Henry deflated, his righteous anger crumbling to a stubborn sizzling. “Fine,” he muttered. “I won’t engage with any of this until Alex is back to full health. So you have until then to figure it out.”

“That sounds doable,” Bea smiled softly. “But won’t you at least turn on your phone again? We’d all really like to communicate with you.”

“You can reach me via Alex’s phone,” Henry shrugged. “Message only, I didn’t turn on data. But don’t tell Mum and Philip. I’m not ready.”

“Fine,” Bea nodded. “But don’t write them off completely, Hen. They’re trying. I know you’re angry right now and they made a lot of mistakes, but they’re really trying.”

Henry huffed but before he could say anything, the door to the bedroom opened and Alex peeked out, blinking rapidly against the light.

“Bea?” he croaked out. “Is something wrong?”

“What are you doing up?!” Henry hissed, whirling around to cross the distance between them. “Without your sunglasses, too! Are you trying to damage your brain?”

“You’re too protective,” Alex grumbled. “It’s been days. I’m sure it’s fine if I -”

“Back to bed,” Henry said authoritatively, gently turning him around by the shoulders. “I’m sorry, Bea, but this isn’t a good time.”

“I understand,” she nodded. “I’ll message you.” She hesitated before adding: “And please, Henry, think about what I said.”

He made an impatient noise before frogmarching Alex back into the bedroom. 

“You’re ridiculous,” Alex commented before gingerly sitting up against the headboard. “I’m going to go out into the sun just to spite you.”

“That might be hard. It’s raining,” Henry pointed out.

“What?” Alex frowned. “But it was so bright out there!”

“Bright for you, maybe,” Henry said meaningfully as he sat down next to him. “Dark and cloudy to the rest of us.”

Alex groaned. “I hate being injured,” he grumbled. “I can’t lie down anymore. My whole body hurts.”

“I could try to darken up the living room so we could sit there?” Henry offered, trying to calculate how many windows and cracks that made. 

“I want to move,” Alex whined. “Also, I know you’re hiding something from me. What’s up with your family?”

“Nothing,” Henry said quickly. “You want to play with David? Shaan took him to stay with Bea but I could -”

“Baby, stop deflecting,” Alex cut in, sounding annoyed. “Are you fighting with your family because of me?”

Henry let out a long, measured breath. “It’s nothing you need to concern yourself with,” he shrugged. “Not until you’re better.”

“I have a headache, Henry, not a heart condition. You can tell me what the fuck is happening.”

Henry didn’t look at Alex and remained silent. Alex huffed and got up from the bed again. 

“What are you doing?” Henry sighed.

“I’m done with you pampering me,” Alex said, reaching for his sunglasses and storming out of the room. To his credit, he only staggered slightly when the light hit him before pushing on.

Henry grumbled to himself and followed him. He found Alex in the kitchen, making himself a coffee, something Henry had stubbornly denied him for the past couple of days in fear that Alex wouldn’t sleep from the caffeine. 

Resigned, Henry drew at least some of the curtains. It didn’t do much to darken down the light and spacious area, but it helped calm his conscience.

“No TV, though,” Henry pleaded. “The doctor said no screens for a week, remember?”

“Yes, Mum,” Alex snapped, making Henry flinch. He watched him fiddle with the cinnamon, his chest tight.

“I’m sorry,” Henry said softly. “I’m just worried about you. The accident scared me.”

Alex’s shoulders sagged a bit and he looked up at him. “I know,” he said. “And I’m so sorry I scared you, sweetheart. But I don’t need you to shelter me. I’m a fucking adult.”

“I know,” Henry sighed, taking a seat on the kitchen table.

Hesitantly, Alex took a seat across from him, sipping his coffee. Waiting.

“I told Mum that we wouldn’t appear in public anymore unless they increased your security,” Henry admitted. “So things in the family are a bit tense right now.”

Alex gaped at him. “You did what?”

“You can’t tell me it wasn’t justified,” Henry said defensively. “I’ve been asking for months and they ignored me! And now look what happened!”

“I’m not saying that,” Alex said quickly. “I mean, hell, I hate to admit it, but I’m nervous as fuck about going out there again, so I’m glad you stepped in. But do you really think it will help?”

“Bea says Mum and Philip are on our side,” Henry shrugged.

“Philip?” Alex repeated incredulously.

“Yes,” Henry chuckled. “It appears so.”

“Well, I’ll be damned,” Alex shook his head, then immediately regretted it, grimacing. 

“I wouldn’t sing his praises quite yet. He might have just realised how serious I am,” Henry shrugged, trying not to get his hopes up. He’d been burned by his brother too many times. 

“You do realise, though, sweetheart,” Alex said softly, reaching out to take his hand, “they might still turn it down. Nothing could change.”

“Then we’re not playing their game any longer,” Henry said stubbornly. “I don’t care if that means abdication. We’re not doing it.”

Alex blinked. “Are you sure?”

Henry entwined their fingers and squeezed. “I lost my father to cancer,” he said softly. “I had no choice about that. But I have a choice about whether or not I am putting you in danger, and I am not risking your life for their cause - for a family who won’t even meet me halfway. I love you, Alex, and I plan on keeping you. So if they can’t guarantee your safety, we’re out of here.”

Alex smiled. “But what would we do?” he asked.

“Maybe we could go back to Avalor?” Henry shrugged. “And if you’re Mum’s not willing to risk offending Britain that way, we could take my Dad’s inheritance and go somewhere else entirely. Maybe Paris? I always loved it there.”

“You’d really give up everything for me like that?” Alex breathed.

“What is there to cling on to?” Henry demanded. “This farce of a monarchy that tries to preserve an image that’s mostly a lie? A family that’s never fully supported me, not since Dad died, anyway? The one good thing about being a Prince is that I can use my name to do good. Well, that won’t go away with an abdication, Alex. I can still continue doing that.”

Alex smiled. “You’re right.”

“So, let them fight it out, I don’t care,” Henry shrugged. “The result says more about them than it does about me. About us.”

Alex lifted Henry’s hand to his lips and kissed it. Then he pressed another kiss upon Henry’s wedding band. “I’ll be with you whatever you decide to do,” Alex promised “Just, please, no more secrets.”

Henry smiled. “Okay.”

 

It took about ten days for Alex to be relatively back to normal. Twelve days until Henry felt ready to turn on his phone again. 

There were a lot more messages than Henry was prepared for, especially from Philip. It seemed like even after Bea’s visit, he had not ceased his attempts to make contact with him. 

Henry read through the message history with a sense of detachment, as if he was following the conversation of a stranger. It sounded so unlike Philip.

 

Monday, 28th June 2021

 

Henry, I just heard about what happened to Alex. I am so sorry. How is he? Please call me when you have a moment?

5:11 P.M.

 

Text me if you need anything. Martha and I will be over right away. 

6:38 P.M.

 

I assume you’re busy taking care of Alex. Mum called telling me about his injuries. Again, I’m so sorry, Henry. I’m here if you need me. 

7:51 P.M.

 

Tuesday, 29th June 2021

 

Hello Henry, I hope Alex is feeling better. I’m sure he’ll be back to full health soon, with your diligent care.
Mum showed me the message you sent her. She also told me what you said in the car last night.

You are completely right to be angry with us. We didn’t listen to you when you came to us with your worries. We should have supported you in your appeal. 

I know I have been a disappointment as an older brother. But I promise I will make up for it if you let me. 

I will talk to Grandma with Mum. We will get Alex all the security he needs. You have my word. 

Please focus on nothing but Alex’s recovery and leave it to us. 

I love you. I’m sorry. 

8:12 A.M.

Friday, 2nd July 2021

 

Dear Henry, how are you? How is Alex? I hope he is slowly starting to feel better.
We’ve had our first meeting with Grandma today. I wished I had better news, but she is digging in her heels. 

We are not giving up, though. We’ll keep pushing. 

On other news, Bea and Martha took over some of Alex’s appearances. They both made pointed comments about how the press’ treatment of Alex is dangerous and how they need to step back or risk putting him in danger again. It’s all over the news but we think it’s necessary to put it out there. The public seems to be siding with you. Bea informed me there was a tag (?) on Twitter in support of Alex. I’m not sure what that means but I think you do. 

If you feel up to it, we think it would be helpful if you could post a statement on social media to that effect. But no pressure. Whenever you’re ready. 

4:36 P.M.

 

Tuesday, 6th July 2021

 

Hello Henry, quick update: Grandma is still being stubborn. Had a meeting with her today. It was bloody frustrating. Not giving up, though. We can’t lose either of you and she is going to see that eventually.

On other news, Mum and I are thinking we should sue the Daily Mirror. Our research has uncovered that their reporters caused Alex’s accident. They also published a couple of very graphic photos in the wake of the accident. We have been conferring with our lawyers, but we don’t want to make a decision without you and Alex. Please get back to us when you read this.

8:29 P.M.

 

Thursday, 8th July 2021

 

H, Mum threatened to dethrone Grandma in today’s meeting!! You should have seen her face!! You would have loved it.

3:14 P.M.

 

Friday, 10th July 2021

 

Henry, Bea told me she heard from you, and that Alex was feeling better! I’m so glad! Martha sends her love, too!

2:03 P.M.

 

Not to sound too optimistic, but I think we’re getting through to Grandma. Or maybe we’re just wearing her down. But I really think we’re getting somewhere. She seems much more ready to compromise. 

Give us a bit more time, Henry. I swear we’ll make it work.

7:56 P.M.

 

When Henry had reached the message, he stared blankly at his phone, unsure what to think or say. Then, he turned on his wifi for the first time since the accident and went on social media. 

What he found was overwhelming. The photos of the accident made him nauseous and dizzy. But there were also other things. A video of Martha with a set jaw, saying: “What happened to Alex was despicable and we as a family are condemning the behaviour of the press towards him in the strongest possible way. Alex hasn’t been treated as a person for a while now. Rather, he’s being treated as the next story. We urge the press to take a step back and reassess their methods.”

Further down the feed, he found another comment from Bea. “The Crown has always tried to peacefully co-exist with the press. But now, the situation has become sinister for one of our own, and if this situation persists, we’ll have to re-evaluate our cooperation with the press.”

Next, he found a post from Martha and Philip’s shared Instagram account. Clearly, Martha had created it, since Philip’s knowledge of social media was close to nonexistent, but he could recognise Philip’s words in the text.

 

‘The Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor Family is appalled and disappointed
about the behaviour of the British press that led to Prince Alexander’s
accident last week. We fully condemn the way he was mobbed and
how pictures of the accident were later published. We would have
expected a certain level of integrity. Clearly, we expected too much.

Thank you for all the well-wishes directed at Alex. He is currently
recovering under the capable care of his husband. We ask you to
respect the family’s privacy in this difficult time. 

 

- The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge,
1st July 2021’

 

 

Henry startled when Alex said down next to him on the couch. 

“Hey,” he said softly. “So, I just got off the phone with June and Nora, and they told me some interesting stuff. Looks like your family joined ranks to support us while we were MIA.”

“It looks like it,” Henry sighed, lowering the phone. 

Alex smiled, reaching out for Henry’s knee and squeezing. “I’m with you no matter what,” he said. “But I think we should give them a chance. They really seem like they’re trying. And sure, it could still be to cover up that they willfully ignore the danger, but we could be the bigger people and believe in their sincerity.”

“That’s hard for me right now,” Henry admitted. “Especially with Philip, even though he basically took over as our personal attorney, by the looks of it.”

Alex bit down on a grin. “Sorry, this will never not be weird.”

“I know, I know.” Henry sighed, glancing at his phone. “So, you think I should call him?”

“It’s up to you,” Alex shrugged. “But if he really has a cage fight with your grandmother for our sake, maybe you should give him a chance.”

Henry made a face. Alex laughed.

 

Philip took Henry’s call on the first ring.

“Henry!” he said, sounding so relieved. “I’m so glad you called! How is Alex? How are you?”

“Alex is back to normal,” Henry admitted. “I have more trouble with letting him go out again than he has with actually doing it.”

“You’re protective,” Philip said. “It’s understandable, especially with the loss you’ve experienced in the past.” When Henry didn’t answer immediately, Philip continued: “Henry, I… I’m so, so sorry. I should have listened. I should have taken your concerns seriously. We’ve been through the same things. I should have understood why you were so afraid. I should have stood up for you.”

“You should have,” Henry agreed. “Though, to be fair, I didn’t expect you to.”

There was a long silence following his words, and Henry wondered if they had been too harsh.

“I deserve that, I guess,” Philip sighed. “I’ve been absent from your life for way too long. Or, I guess that’s not right. I’ve been an unsupportive presence, too focused on my own bullshit to take care of my family. And I don’t want to be that person anymore, Henry. Please, let me try to do better.”

Henry didn’t know what to say, at first. Then, he blurted out the only thing that came to his mind. 

“Did Mum really threaten to dethrone Grandma?”

Philip laughed, delighted. “You should have been there!” he called. “She went full Scholar Princess on her, you know, the woman we always hear about from stories about when she met Dad but never actually met? She gave her names of which members of the Parliament thought she was getting too senile for the job and told her that if she really intended to let you and Alex go like that, it might be the last straw for them to ask her to retire her position.”

“She didn’t?” Henry couldn’t help but grin.

“She did!” Philip confirmed. “It was so subtle and threatening, I was deeply impressed. Grandma ended the meeting immediately after. She’s been much more willing to find a compromise ever since.”

Henry snorted. 

“We’re going to get that security for Alex, Henry,” Philip promised. “Don’t worry about it. We just need a bit more time.”

“Okay,” Henry said. “And you said something about suing the Daily Mirror?” 

Philip’s voice was tentative when he answered. “If you’re up for it? I think we have a good case.”

“I’m going to talk to Alex,” Henry said. “But I want the bastards to pay.”

Philip chuckled. “I thought so.”

“Pip?” Henry said softly. “Thanks. For doing all of this while I was focused on Alex. It means a lot.”

“I should have been there for you long ago, Henry,” Philip sighed. “Let me make up for it now.”

And slowly, Henry could feel his resentment and bitterness melt away. He felt much lighter.

Chapter 9

Notes:

Yes, another update, two days in a row. I'm on a roll.

This is also most probably the last regular chapter. The next one is going to be the epilogue. Unless I change my mind along the way.

In true fashion, this one is also a rollercoaster of emotions. Some of you might have realised that Henry's first "I love you" was hidden in the last chapter and not really addressed. Well, it will be now. Also, warning for panic attacks, depression, grief and anxiety.

Now, enough talking. I hope you'll enjoy this chapter!

It took another month of Henry and Alex joining ranks with Philip and Catherine to sue the Daily Mirror and campaign indoors for their own purposes that the Queen finally capitulated and agreed to grant Alex the usage of as much security as they deemed necessary. 

“We’ll call the emergency protocol,” she had said. “But only under the condition that we’ll work to reign the hype into a more manageable level.”

Henry and Alex had happily agreed. After all, they wanted nothing more than for this obsession to die down. 

So now, they were scheduled to appear in public for the first time since the accident, which had happened almost two months ago, and to say that Henry was freaking out would be an understatement. He tried to project as much calmness as possible, though, because he knew that, as much as his nerves were tingling, it must be so much worse for Alex.

Alex was suspiciously silent for such a loud person as they got dressed. Henry tried to fill the quiet space of the house with awkward chatter, but when he only received desolate replies from Alex, he quickly stopped.

After Henry was done getting ready, he tried to keep himself busy by checking his emails on his phone. When Alex didn’t resurface from their bedroom, though, he became suspicious. He put down the phone and made his way to the door, only to find Alex standing in front of the mirror, staring blankly at his own reflection.

His face was very pale.

“Alex?” Henry asked softly. “Are you okay?”

Alex twitched and jerked to meet his gaze, his eyes very wide. He didn’t speak, but he was gasping for air. 

“Hey,” Henry said gently, taking a step towards him, his hand reaching towards him, but Alex retreated, like a skittish animal.

“I just need - a minute,” he ground out, and then, he fled to their en-suite bathroom, throwing the door shut behind him.

Henry stood, staring at the door in alarm. He waited, one minute, two. When Alex didn’t reappear, he knocked.

“Alex?” he called. “Is everything okay?” No reply. “Please, sweetheart, I need to know you’re alright?” Nothing. “Can I come in?” Again, nothing, but Henry hadn’t heard Alex lock the door when he’d thrown it shut, so he took a chance, turning the doorknob.

It was indeed unlocked, much to Henry’s relief.

He found Alex curled up in front of the bathtub, hugging his knees to his chest. His face was wet from tears and he was gasping for air. 

“Oh, my love,” Henry breathed, falling to the ground next to him. “Shh, it’s okay. You’re okay. You’re having a panic attack.”

Alex whimpered. Henry’s chest hurt at the noise. 

“I’m here, love, you’re okay,” Henry said, wrapping his arms around him and pulling Alex against his chest. “Try to breathe, in, out, one, two, three -”

“I can’t,” Alex cut him off. “I can’t, I can’t -”

“Yes, you can,” Henry said gently. His fingers found Alex’s hair and carded through it, guiding his head to lie against his chest as well. “I know it feels like you’re dying, but you’re not. Try to ground yourself. What are you feeling right now? My embrace, what does it feel like?”

At first, Henry thought Alex wasn’t going to answer, but after a few gasped intakes of breath, Henry whispered: “Tight. Warm.”

“That’s good,” Henry praised. “Can you smell anything?”

Alex gulped. “Your perfume,” he murmured. “Your shampoo.”

“Very good. How about taste?”

“Coffee. Cinnamon.”

“Yes. Good. And sound? What can you hear?”

“Your voice. Your heartbeat.”

“You’re doing so good love. Now, look around. Tell me what you see.”

Alex blinked against the tears, but Henry noticed that his breathing was evening out. Good. It was working. 

“Towels. I forgot to hang mine up again, I’m sorry.”

“I don’t care about that right now, love. Tell me what else you see.”

“Our dirty laundry. It’s nearly full, we’ll need another wash.”

“Right,” Henry said, smiling at the full sentences. “Are you feeling better?” 

“Yes?” Alex said, gulping. “No? I don’t know? Don’t let go, please.”

“I won’t,” Henry promised, squeezing him tightly. “Do you think you can tell me what this was about?”

“I don’t know,” Alex sobbed. “I should be okay. We have security. It shouldn’t be so scary.”

“Alex, it doesn’t work that way,” Henry argued. “What you went through has been traumatising, and it’s been going on for months. Your anxiety hasn’t just started since the accident. We both know that.”

“I’m sorry,” Alex whimpered. “I don’t mean to be difficult. I wanted to be what everyone needed me to be, but -”

“Alex,” Henry interrupted him, trying to pull away, but Alex was clinging to him too tightly. “You’re not disappointing anyone, least of all me! You’ve been doing wonderfully. And I will never think less of you for being afraid or sad. You have to understand that.”

Alex sobbed into his chest and Henry’s fingers carded through his hair, trying to soothe him.

“I think you might need help,” he said gently. “You know how I’ve been in therapy since my father’s death? I think you might benefit from that, too.”

“But - I feel like I have no reason to feel this way,” Alex mumbled into his shirt. “Like, you’ve gone through some real dark shit. Me? I’m a bit too popular. Honestly?”

“Alex, this isn’t a contest,” Henry said sternly. “Don’t minimise your experiences just because someone else might have gone through worse stuff. You will always find an excuse not to deal with your problems this way.” When Alex didn’t answer, Henry continued: “And from where I stand, you have quite some things to work through. The divorce of your parents? Leaving home against your will to marry a stranger, even though it turned out okay? Being mobbed and torn apart constantly by the press, resulting in a car accident and having to step out to face them again? That’s not nothing, Alex, and you’re allowed to feel the fallout of all of that and deal with it in a professional setting.”

Alex was silent for a long moment. “I didn’t look at it like that,” he admitted, at last. 

“Well, that’s what you have me for,” Henry smiled, kissing the top of his head. “It’s my job as your husband to tell you the hard truths.”

“Thank you,” Alex whispered, finally turning to meet his eyes. They were very red. “I needed that, I think.”

“I should have maybe done it sooner,” Henry admitted. “But something was always happening.”

“I guess it’s never boring with us,” Alex gave him a wry smile.

“Never,” Henry agreed.

Alex sighed, leaning his head against his shoulder again. Henry squeezed him tightly.

“Do you want me to cancel the event?” Henry offered. “I can take the blame if you want. I got sick. Ate something bad. I can easily fake a stomach bug.”

“No, thank you,” Alex shook his head. “Everyone was working so hard for us. I don’t want us to draw heat by being difficult now.”

“Alex, please think about yourself, too,” Henry breathed, kissing his hair. 

Alex looked up to meet Henry’s eyes again. “We can find a therapist after the event?” he checked.

“Definitely,” Henry agreed.

“Then I can fake my way through it,” Alex nodded, sitting up. “Just… help me get presentable?”

Henry sighed and nodded. They ended up ten minutes late, but with Alex’s emergency stack of make-up, they managed to make it look like he hadn’t had a breakdown just recently.

Throughout the whole event, Alex clung tightly to Henry’s hand, never leaving his side. 

The press raved about them afterwards, praising Alex’s outfit and his glorious return after the accident.

No one was ever the wiser that, as soon as Alex was back in the car, he burst into tears. 

 

Shaan, ever the professional, found Alex a therapy place in the matter of a day. The therapist was a half-Avalorian woman who Alex could switch back to his mother tongue with if he felt like it. It seemed to take some of the nerves about accepting the help. 

After his first therapy session, Alex came home and didn’t say a word. He just sank into Henry’s arms and let him put on Bake Off, staring blankly at the screen for the rest of the evening.

It slowly got better after, but the therapy seemed to take as much from him as it gave. Henry knew that was normal, especially in the beginning. The path of healing for mental health wasn’t always straightforward. Sometimes, it got worse before it got better. Sometimes, you had setbacks even though you were doing better. He’d been there. He’d done it all himself. That didn’t make it any easier watching it happen to his husband. 

One day, Alex came back from his therapy and went straight to his old bedroom. When Henry came to check on him later, he found him crying.

“I feel like I’m doing you wrong,” Alex admitted when prodded.

“Why?” Henry asked, stroking his back. “I told you, I don’t mind you being sad. I’d rather you work through it than bottle it up.”

“It’s not that,” Alex shook his head. “It’s… remember when you said you loved me?”

Henry blinked, taken aback by the change of subject.

“I did?” he asked. “When?” 

“When we were talking about the accident,” Alex whispered. “You said you loved me and you planned on keeping me around.”

“Oh,” Henry blinked. “I guess that slipped out. I didn’t even notice.”

“I couldn’t say it back,” Alex sobbed, “even though I think I love you, too, but… I’m afraid.”

Henry gulped, continuing to stroke his back in as soothing a manner as he could. “Why are you afraid?” he asked.

“Because things are pretty shitty - have been pretty shitty since I got here, and you are the one good, steady thing I have. And I’m afraid that my brain is tricking me into thinking I’m in love with you because you’re safe and easy and what I need right now, but what if it’s not the truth? My brain keeps lying to me. I keep having all these thoughts that my therapist points out are just in my head. So how do I know what is true?”

Henry bit his lip, trying to find an answer, but coming up empty.

“And I don’t want to lead you on and say I love you when I don’t know if it’s all in my head, but you’re amazing and deserve to hear it and -”

Alex covered his face with his hand and sobbed and Henry pulled him against him.

“I’m sorry you’re so confused, sweetheart,” Henry breathed. “I wished I could take the tangle inside your mind and straighten it out for you, but I don’t know-how. Just know that I don’t expect you to say anything. Don’t stress about this, please, not on my behalf. I just want you to get better, and if you feel safe around me and I can help, I’m happy to do that.”

“But that doesn’t feel right,” Alex shook his head. “It feels like I’m using you.”

“Alex, we’re married,” Henry pointed out. “You’re not using me. You’re just accepting your husband’s support.”

“But we’re not normal husbands, are we?” Alex pointed out, hitting Henry right in the stomach.

“I thought we were past that?” Henry whispered, after a moment.

“Maybe we aren’t,” Alex shook his head. “I don’t know. At the moment, I’m doubting everything. I’m sorry.”

Henry forced himself to nod, unsure what to say. They sat in silence for a couple of minutes. Finally, Henry asked: “Would you like a bit of space?”

Alex looked at him, wounded. “You want to leave?”

“No,” Henry said quickly. “I just mean… maybe you’d like to go and see your family for a while. Try and get your head sorted. Maybe it will help you find the answers.”

Alex looked at his hands, seemingly lost. 

“Listen,” Henry said softly, wrapping an arm around his waist and squeezing. “I’ll be here for whatever you decide. I’m not going anywhere. You can take the time and think it through. I don’t mind.”

“How can you be so calm about this? What if I come back and decide I want to take a step back from us, be just friends?” Alex asked, sounding like he was just as afraid of that outcome as Henry was. So Henry tried to project all the confidence he didn’t feel.

“Then I’ll have to be okay about that,” Henry said. “But I don’t think you will. I think you love me, too.”

Alex let out a surprised laugh. “When did you become so cocky?”

“I learned from the best,” Henry smiled at him. 

Alex smiled back, tears still hanging on his eyelids. 

“You might not know what’s real anymore,” Henry said, trying to speak it into existence. “But I do. What we have is real, Alex. Take some time, and try to find back to yourself. And then, when you return, you’ll know I’m right.”

Alex leaned his head against Henry’s shoulder. “I hope you’re right.”

So do I, Henry thought.

 

The day Alex left for Avalor, Henry helped him pack. It was a good way to keep himself occupied. Alex was a frantic mess, double and triple-checking whether he had packed everything and Henry had to reassure him every time. 

When it was time for him to leave, Alex seemed close to tears again. 

“Hey,” Henry smiled at him. “It’s okay. You can call me whenever. I’m still here.”
Alex nodded and then, he threw his arms around him, pulling him into an embrace so tight that it cut off Henry’s air. But who needed air, anyway? Not Henry.

“I’m so sorry,” Alex whispered. “You are the best husband. I mean it. When I’m back, I’ll get you an award or something.”

I don’t need an award, Henry thought, rather sadly, I just need you.

When Alex let go, he wiped at his eyes and grabbed his luggage. 

“I’ll call when I landed,” he promised.

“Okay,” Henry nodded. “Say hi to everyone.”

“I will,” Alex smiled. “Watch out for yourself, will you?”

“Same to you,” Henry said. 

Alex lingered for another moment, before sending him another trembling smile and turning for the door. Henry waited before the door fell shut behind him before sitting down heavily on their bed. 

His eyes wandered over all the photos on the wall, hanging on the ones he and Alex had taken in Avalor together before things had gone to shit. 

The tears came to him unbidden and unstoppable. 

He fumbled for his phone and found his conversation with Pez.

 

Are you free?

Sent 2:11

Yes. Why? Is this a ‘fun party invitation’ question or a ‘fire at Kensington’ question?

Sent 2:12

The latter. Alex just left for Avalor without me to figure out whether or not his feelings
for me are real. I need to not be alone.

Sent 2:13

I’ll be there in 20 with whiskey

Sent 2:13

Henry fell back onto the bed, allowing himself a moment to just cry.

 

“You know this is just his anxiety speaking,” Pez told him as he poured him a generous glass. “He loves you. We both know it.”

“Do we?” Henry asked. “I mean, I talked big, but what if I just sent him to rehab from our relationship? How stupid am I? Who does that?”

“Someone who really loves their husband,” Pez said firmly, handing him the glass. Henry had to force himself not to gulp it down in one. “Remember that saying, ‘if you love something, let it go’? You’re like the embodiment of that shit. It wouldn’t be right if he didn’t come back. Karma doesn’t work that way.”

“Karma has never been very kind to me,” Henry pointed out miserably.

“That’s not true,” Henry argued. “It brought you Alex in the first place.”

“And now it’s taking him again,” Henry snapped, downing the rest of his glass and holding it out to Pez again. “Good job, really.”

“He’ll come back,” Pez reminded him. “He’d be a fool to let you go, and Alex is no fool.”

“Looking at it subjectively, though, the package I’m offering is not that great,” Henry sighed. “Arranged marriage with a hell lot of public pressure and the British press hounding him. He might well decide he can do better once he -”

“You don’t think that’s your inferiority complex speaking, Haz?” Pez cut in.

Henry grumbled, accepting another drink. 

“He’ll come back,” Pez repeated. “And you’ll be stronger than ever. You’ll see. My ship will never sink.”

“You’re ridiculous,” Henry shook his head, his lips twitching.

“No,” Pez smirked. “I’m right, darling.”

 

Over the next week, Henry had the worst depressive episode he’d had since he married Alex.

It started with the press getting wind of Alex’s whereabouts. Various outlets started speculating about the state of their relationship. One stated ‘unnamed sources’ claiming that Alex was tired of British palace life and wanted a divorce. Another claimed that Alex and Henry had been fighting non-stop since the accident. 

Fairytale at an end?, wrote the Daily Mail. 

Trouble in Paradise - The End of Alex and Henry?, the Sun.

The Queen tried to order Alex back. Henry told her to go to hell. Philip delivered the message in slightly more friendly terms, but nonetheless firm. 

Alex tried to call him once, but he let it go to voicemail. He never listened to the message. He couldn’t bring himself to. 

And then, two weeks after Alex had left, all of it collided with the anniversary of Arthur Fox’s death. 

Bea, Philip and Catherine tried to make Henry meet up with them. They wanted to visit Arthur’s grave together and then go have lunch somewhere. It was the first time in a while that they were on good enough terms to spend the day together, after all. 

But the moment Henry woke up, he knew he couldn’t leave the bed. All he could manage was to send an apology off to Bea and curl up in bed. 

Henry didn’t know how much time passed until the front door opened. He shouldn’t have been surprised that Bea had asked Shaan for a key. She had never been good at leaving things alone.

Henry drew the blanket over his head and closed his eyes, hoping against hope she would get the hint.

Footsteps approached and stopped near the bed. Then someone gently sat on the empty side of the bed - Alex’s side.

“Hi sweetheart,” Alex said, ever so softly, making Henry freeze. “I’m so sorry I’m late. I forgot what day it was. I got on a plane as soon as I remembered.”

Henry hesitated, then slowly lowered the blanket to stare up at Alex. His curls were a mess and his face was flushed. Maybe he had hurried back home.

“You’re back,” Henry breathed. 

“Yeah,” Alex confirmed, reaching out to smooth over Henry’s hair. “I’m sorry I took so long. But I’m back.”

“Are you… staying?” Henry asked, not quite ready to believe it yet.

Alex smiled softly. “You know, I turned on the TV yesterday,” he said. “And they showed a tribute to your father, and I realised what day it was. And I totally panicked, because how could I forget? I’m your husband. I’m not supposed to forget. I’m supposed to be there for you. I know how hard these anniversaries still hit you. And that’s when I understood - I wouldn’t have panicked like that if I didn’t really care .” Alex leaned in to press a soft kiss to Henry’s forehead. “I love you, Henry. I love the way you take care of me, but I want to be there to take care of you, too, when you need it. I love your lame taste in books and Star Wars movies -” 

“Hey,” Henry protested weakly.

“- and I love that you can’t cook to save your life, but you always make my coffee perfectly,” Alex continued with a grin, ignoring his input. “I love that you always know when I’m cold and are ready to keep me warm. I love that you never make me feel bad about feeling bad. I just… fucking love you, okay? And I’m sorry I was confused, but I’m not confused anymore.”

Henry blinked rapidly, trying to fight in vain against the tears he could feel building, but it was no use. He was already too much of an emotional mess today.

“I love you, too,” he choked out. “And I lied when you left. I wasn’t sure if you’d come back.”

“I know,” Alex nodded, slipping under the covers to pull Henry into his arms. “I knew you were faking it for my sake. I’m so sorry, baby.”

Henry clung to Alex and cried. He cried out the pain of the last weeks, the insecurity and confusion. He cried for his father. He cried just because he felt terrible and he needed to. 

When he ran out of tears, he just let Alex hold him, none of them speaking. Eventually, he admitted: “I was supposed to go out with Mum, Pip and Bea today, but I flaked. I couldn’t get out of bed.”

Alex kissed his forehead. “That’s okay, sweetheart.”

“I feel guilty,” he admitted.

“I don’t think you have to. They understand.”

“I still do,” Henry insisted.

Alex kissed his forehead again. “You want to invite them here for dinner?” Alex asked. “I could cook something quick. It doesn’t have to be a big thing, but you could still be together for an hour or so.”

Henry looked at him. “You don’t need to do that. You just flew in from Avalor -”

“Henry,” Alex said firmly. “I feel fine. I’m asking if you want it or not.”

Henry considered it. “It sounds like a nice idea,” he admitted.

“Okay,” Alex smiled, catching his lips in a gentle kiss. “Call them. I’ll see what’s in the kitchen.”

 

It turned out his family was very eager about the spontaneous change of plans. Philip and Martha had lingered in London, spending the day with Catherine, and Bea had clung to her phone, hoping Henry would still contact them. 

It was the first time Henry had seen their small cottage this crowded. Even Albert had joined them, though Henry was unsure how that had happened. Maybe Bea had actually reached out and asked him? He would have to enquire at a later day. They all spread out on the terrace, as it was a rare sunny day, though Alex wore a jacket that Henry insisted was produced for the winter season.

“I just came back from Avalor, shut the fuck up,” he muttered, but there was a smile on his face.

He had made a quick version of fajitas for all of them, and even Philip, who was usually firmly rooted in the British cuisine, seemed pleased as they dug in. 

They kept their conversation light. No one addressed their father or Alex’s absence. Anything difficult, really. Maybe the atmosphere was too raw. But Henry thought that wasn’t the point. They were together. And they weren’t fighting. 

And that would have meant more to Arthur Fox than anything else.

Chapter 10: Epilogue - Six Months Later

Notes:

I'm so sorry, I know this is super short and took me ages to post! But I've been a bit tied up with travelling through the last month and barely got to write. Anyway, I sat down to finish this today, and it turned out it didn't need that much more to wrap it up.

Anyways, thank you for all your support throughout this story! Your comments meant a lot. I'm glad you enjoyed this story so much.

It was rare for Henry to genuinely smile when he opened social media, but today, he couldn’t help himself. 

CONGRATS TO BRITAINS FAVOURITE ROYAL COUPLE FOR THEIR FIRST ANNIVERSARY!

Henry and Alex - One Year In, Going Stronger Than Ever

Henry and Alex’s first year of marriage in 11 pictures

10 REASONS WHY ALEX AND HENRY ARE COUPLE GOALS: ANNIVERSARY EDITION

Chuckling, Henry clicked on their official anniversary portrait. They’d taken it from their terrace. Henry’s arm was around Alex and Alex was leaning into him, his smile real and radiant - nothing like the fake ones he reserved for the press. 

“Are you online stalking us?” Alex whispered into his ear, making Henry look up. “I thought that was my thing?”

“Shut up,” Henry laughed, feeling bubbly and happy. Alex looked at him, grinning before pressing a kiss to his lips. 

“I can’t believe it’s already been a year,” Alex sighed against his lips. “Time really flies.”

Henry hummed, brushing his lips against Alex’s again, unable to let him go quite yet.

“I’m sorry we have this thing with my charity today of all days,” Alex said eventually, pulling away, much to Henry’s chagrin. 

“It’s fine,” he shrugged. “At least we’re doing it together.”

“True,” Alex grinned. His hand found Henry’s and he pulled him off the couch. “Come on, we have to get ready.”

Henry sighed but followed his husband with a smile.

 

“Where exactly is this event?” Henry asked when their car left London. “I didn’t think it would be so far.”

“Just a little farther,” Alex shrugged. Henry waited for him to reveal further information, but he didn’t. Rather, he’d returned to texting, absentmindedly brushing his thumb over Henry’s palm. So Henry let it go with a shrug, going back to watching the landscape as they passed by. 

Eventually, he started to recognise the route they were taking.

“Are we going to Windsor?” he asked, frowning.

Alex was smirking when he met his eyes. “Figured it out, huh?” he asked. “Thought you might. Hard to surprise you.” 

“I don’t understand,” Henry blinked. “You organised a charity event at Windsor Castle?”

“Oh, I organised an event, alright,” Alex shrugged, looking rather smug. “It’s just not for charity. The castle will be closed to the public for the day.”

“I - what?” Henry asked, totally confused now. 

Alex squeezed Henry’s hand, his smile softer now as he explained: “You know how our wedding was sort of - well, I don’t want to say awful, but that was exactly what it was, let’s not kid ourselves. I was still sulking and the event was more for the press and the public than for us and we weren’t even allowed to fucking kiss in the church - I mean, why did your stupid murderous king split from Rome only to form such a boring religion? - and -”

“Alex, dear,” Henry interrupted him, smiling now, “you’re rambling. Get to the point.”

“Right,” Alex blinked. “So, our wedding was less than ideal, and I thought we deserved a proper one.”

“You did?” Henry asked, unable to keep himself from grinning.

“Yes,” Alex nodded. “So, both our families are currently waiting for us at Windsor Castle.”

“How long have you been planning this?” Henry asked, amazed. 

“A while,” Alex said proudly. “It wasn’t easy, keeping it quiet, especially because Philip is as discreet as a spooked mule.”

That made Henry laugh. “He did talk a lot of nonsense recently,” Henry admitted. “I thought he was trying to cover up Grandma being Grandma again.”

“Well, I’m glad he didn’t give everything away,” Alex rolled his eyes. 

“I can’t believe you did this,” Henry bit his lip, leaning in to catch Alex’s lips in a kiss. “Thank you, love. Really. It means a lot.”

“You deserve it,” Alex said softly. “For being the best husband in existence.”

“You make it easy,” Henry shrugged.

“No, I don’t,” Alex smiled ruefully. “You just make it look easy.”

 

Bea and Pez were there to steal Henry from Alex’s side as soon as he stepped out of the car on Windsor grounds.

“This is so exciting,” Bea exclaimed. “I’ve never been part of a private ceremony like this! Only proper, pompous royal ceremonies.”

“This is so much more romantic,” Pez agreed. “Though we can all agree that Alex can’t do anything low-key. Even for a private wedding, he books out Windsor. I mean, come on.”

Henry laughed helplessly as he let his sister and his best friend drag him into one of the rooms that had apparently been specially prepared as a dressing room for him.

Normally, Henry hated the process of being styled, but with Bea excitedly chittering away next to him and Pez insistently getting in the way of the stylist's work as he provided champaign for Henry, it was almost fun. 

Eventually, Philip and Catherine appeared, both looking sheepish but content. 

“Surprise?” Henry’s Mum chuckled as she pulled her son into a tight embrace. “I hope you are excited. I’m pretty sure Alex is doing this mostly for you, after all.”

“He put a lot of effort into planning, bless him,” Philip said. “And I think it turned out pretty good, if I may say so. And he’s got quite a hand for event planning. If Martha and I ever need help with - um - say, a baby shower, or something, I’ll be sure to ask him for help.”

Henry raised his eyebrows. Alex was right. His brother was far from subtle.

“Anything you want to tell us, Pip?” Henry asked.

“Not yet,” he chuckled. “But maybe soon. Anyway, this isn’t about me, it’s about you and Alex.”

“Right,” Pez nodded. “Also, you’ve got one hour left till the ceremony and you still have your vows to write -”

“You tell me that now?!” Henry asked, gaping at him.

“Oh, I know you, darling, you can write them in five minutes and we’ll all be bawling,” Pez rolled his eyes. “Anyway, there’s paper in the drawer, help yourself. We’ll leave you to it. Call us if you need us.”

And so, Henry was left with the impossible task to bring his love for Alex to paper.

 

The others hadn’t been lying: Alex had outdone himself with the planning.

They were holding the ceremony in the Windsor gardens, and though it was December and cold and dark, it looked spectacular. The staff had put up fairy lights and lanterns everywhere, making the place look magical. Space heaters kept the temperatures at bay and for once, even the rain played along and stayed within its confinement of the grey clouds above. 

Only a small crowd was present, especially compared to their first wedding: Pez and June as best man and woman, Nora with the baby, Ellen, Leo, Oscar, Alex’s Abuela and Abuelo, Catherine, Philip and Martha, and Bea. The Queen was not present, and when Henry asked, Philip assured him he’d had a long conversation with her in which both sides agreed that she’d stay away. Henry decided not to ask for details.

Alex looked amazing; far less princely, more him. His eyes were soft and fond when they met Henry’s.

“Good surprise?” he asked Henry under his breath as the officiant started the ceremony.

“Best one ever,” Henry insisted, squeezing his hand.

Alex’s vows, like him, were all over the place, and it made Henry feel so full of love that he thought he was going to explode.

“I know I didn’t appreciate how lucky I was when I first married you,” Alex said. “I was so busy mourning all the things taken from me that I didn’t see what I was gaining. And I know now how stupid I have been. But I’ve been told my whole life that I can be a tad oblivious, especially when it comes to the important things.” 

Henry smiled and Alex’s family laughed. Alex squeezed Henry’s hand as he continued.

“But my eyes are wide open now, and I know that I have the kindest, most caring and most wonderful husband in the world. And I know that I’ve wavered, but I know with all my heart that I’m never going to love anyone else as much as I love you. So I’ll promise you, here and now - out of my own volition, this time, and completely truthfully - that I’ll love and cherish you for the rest of our days.”

Henry had to gulp hard when Alex was finished. His fingers were trembling in Alex’s grasp but he tried to keep his emotions in check - he knew that if he gave in to the tears now, he wouldn’t get through his own vows.

“Alex,” he breathed. “When I learned that you had been chosen as my husband, I thought it was a mistake, at first - because there was no way I would be as lucky as to get to marry the boy I had been silently fancying for years.” Alex smiled at him, and it gave him the courage to continue. “But I knew just as well that I couldn’t expect you to love me the way I loved you. So I tried to be what you needed: A friend, a partner. The true surprise came when you started to love me back over time. Though maybe, if I had listened to Pez, it wouldn’t have been such a surprise.” A laugh from the crowd. Alex was biting his lip, grinning, and Henry was struck by how beautiful he looked. “I never thought we’d get here,” he admitted. “But I’m grateful each day that we did. I never thought I’d be allowed to love freely. Now, thanks to you, I get to do it each day.”

The rest of the ceremony was a bit of a blur to Henry. All he could focus on was Alex’s eyes and his smile. When finally, Alex pulled him into a kiss, he thanked all the deities that were listening that he was alive. 

 

“Your father would have loved this,” his mother told him, a while later, a soft smile on his face. “Seeing you happy like this…” She took his arm, squeezing it slightly. 

“I wished he was here,” Henry admitted. “It’s times like these I miss him all the more.”

“He is here,” she said confidently. “I know he’s watching over us all the time.”

Henry nodded, smiling back at her. 

 

“Thank you,” Henry said softly as they danced slowly to the soft sounds of Elton John. The sun had gone down a while ago and it made the garden look even more magical in the light. Alex was starting to shiver slightly, but Henry dutifully pulled him into his arms whenever he noticed. “For all of this. It was perfect.”

“You deserve nothing less,” Alex said with determination. “I know we’ve been through a lot in only one year, and I know my mental up and downs don't always make things easy, so you deserved a well-rounded memory like this.”

Henry chuckled. “Our life isn’t always easy,” he admitted. “But you always have to fight for the things that are worth it, don’t you? So I really don’t mind, as long as you are by my side at the end of the day.”

Alex smiled softly. “Same,” he said. “I’d do it all over again if it means we’d end up here. Though maybe, I’d put up less of a fight at the beginning.”

Henry laughed. Alex pulled him closer against his chest. “I love you,” he said softly. “Even though your country is still freakishly cold.”

Henry grinned. “Good thing you have a loving husband willing to warm you up.”

“Good thing indeed,” Alex nodded, leaning in to kiss him.

Notes:

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