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Before Alex walked through the front door of the Brownstone he lives in with Henry, he could hear music blasting. Normally it would be him playing music like this, it’s a nice change.
He pushes the door open grinning, spotting Henry dancing round as the music plays.
Ales slams the door shut behind him, places the shopping bags on the floor, and leans back against it.
Even the bang of the door doesn’t ring louder than the music, this allows him to stand watch Henry dance for a while before being noticed. David makes an appearance, seemingly the only one to notice his arrival. In his attempt to meet Alex he is stopped and scooped up by Henry. But he’s not much of a dance partner and squirms his way out of Henry’s arms. He scampers back off to his bed before Henry can abscond him again. He shoots David a smile before allowing his eyes to fall upon his boyfriend.
He watches Henry sway with the music, letting his eyes roam across the body of the man he loves. Watching how his muscles shift and flex with every movement. Watching as the music flows through his body. Alex knows this body, he has explored it in more ways than one, but he’ll never stop being marveled by it.
As soon as Henry catches Alex’s eye his smile brightens and he dances over to his grinning boyfriend.
Alex laughs watching Henry sway towards him, "hi love."
"How long have you been standing there gawping at me?" Henry smirks before lifting Alex’s chin to bring their lips together.
"Not long enough," Alex admits as their lips break contact.
"Did you like the show?" Henry smirks.
"Mmm very much," Alex dawls. It’s not often Henry behaves this carefree, he still isn’t used to it. He has loved watching Henry settle into this place, their home , and allow himself to be his true unfiltered self within it.
Henry pulls him into a tight hug. "I missed you." he whispers through brown curls.
"I was only gone an hour,” Alex chuckles.
"A very long hour," Henry argues, pouting. They used to go much longer being apart, but now they’re so used to being together even an hour can feel like an age.
"Next time we'll starve then," Alex smirks, causing Henry to roll his eyes. Alex reaches for the shopping bags, "now help me put this away."
Henry pulls his hand away before he can grab them. "Dance with me."
"The food..." Alex starts to protest.
"...can go away later. Dance with me" Henry repeats.
Alex allows Henry to lead him towards the middle of the room.
Henry drags Alex around the floor, pulling into the hold of and leading a formal dance that was taught to him as a child.
.
'Crucial education for a prince' his grandmother would say. He can almost hear her words echo round his head, ‘you’ll never get the hand of a respectable woman if you cannot dance properly’ or ‘you must practice, your future wife will appreciate your dancing abilities’.
At the time he could never imagine repeating the dance and enjoying it. He tried not to imagine the stuffy ballrooms and nameless women that would be presented to him. The thought of being trapped with some women who expected so much more than a dance terrified him. Fulfilling his expectations and bringing a woman into a loveless relationship was the only future he saw for himself. But actually being able to be with, to dance with someone he chose, to dance with another man. He couldn’t be happier.
.
He can practically see his grandmother recoil, this definitely isn’t what she imagined either. Henry smiles imagining about his grandmother's reaction. He can’t believe he is no longer scared of that. No longer living in fear of what she would do, Henry won’t let her do anything.
Alex doesn’t have to be brave enough for the both of them anymore.
Alex laughs trying to keep up. He’s had some ballroom training but he’s still nowhere near as good as his boyfriend. They both chuckle as Henry tries to lead, Alex sorely undermining his skills. Not even a professional could tame him, but Alex’s laughter is more important to Henry than his dancing skills.
As the song changes he pulls Alex tight to his chest, resting his chin in the curls on Alex’s head, giving up on the formal steps entirely. Just holding him close and swaying to the rhythm of whatever song is playing.
They dance far too slow for the song playing, but they are mostly just enjoying the comfort of being in each other’s arms.
Alex shifts in Henry’s arms, leaning back and looking up through his lashes at him. “What’s gotten into you?” He smiles.
“Nothing love.” Henry tries to dismiss.
Alex stills, “really, baby, you can tell me anything.”
“I just still can’t believe this is my life, our life.” Henry explains, pulling them over to the sofa, “that we get to just be, that we get to just hold each other with no prying eyes, no rush to be anywhere. Just to take our time together and do what makes us happy.” His eyes are wet by the time he has finished. Alex knows the expectations Henry had growing up, he knows that Henry never thought he would get to choose love. He just hopes that he can continue to give it to him and remind him that he deserves this, and that he is proud to be the person who makes Henry so happy.
“Well you better get used to it, because I’m not going anywhere.” Alex tries to sound threatening but he doesn’t sound anything other than fond.