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Alex stared down at the headlines in front of him with a serious case of deja vu.
Bromance of The Year or Romance of The Year
Behind The Closed Door of Prince Henry and Alex Claremont-Diaz's Friendship
Each one of them was accompanied by a photo of them kissing on the couch in his bedroom on the night of the state dinner, Alex's white shirt unbuttoned and Henry hovering over him with his hair ridiculously tousled as if someone had tugged on it.
Someone did. It was Alex.
Alex swallowed down his satisfaction at managing to ruffle the stoic Prince Henry of Wales and tried to look contrite.
"Darling, this is the stupidest thing you've ever done," Ellen began and Alex simply couldn't help himself.
"Henry is quite brilliant actually."
"Oh, you hear that, Zahra. He graduated to a sex joke now."
"Maybe he needs another talk on birds and bees. Or bird and bird," Zahra said dryly.
"No, thank you!" Alex cut in frantically before his mother got the idea to make a Powerpoint on gay sex.
"When I asked you to fix the damage you did at the Royal Wedding, I didn't expect you to create a bigger scandal to overshadow it," Ellen said, glaring at Alex distractedly as she continued to sign the documents on her desk.
"Henry shoved me?" Alex tried. Neither Zahra nor his mother, sitting across the table, seemed to find it funny. He decided to change his tactic. "You should be more worried that my privacy was violated inside my room!"
"Oh sugar, trust me. I am mad that you were outed before you were ready and somebody is going to pay for it but really, must it be with the monarch of another country?"
"Why not?" Alex shrugged. "Why not Henry?"
"A few months ago, you hated his gut," Zahra pointed out, clutching the decorative pillow with white knuckles.
"What can I say? He grew on me like some kind of mold."
Ellen sat on the couch and snapped open a newspaper, the photo of Henry and him kissing on the front page. It was a good photo, he knew there were more explicit ones floating on the internet.
"On one hand, your relationship with the prince has skyrocketed your approval rating," Ellen paused. "On the other hand, Richards is questioning my policies on international relationships and the White House's security. This is not something I need this close to reelection, darling."
"I know." Alex stood up. "Ma, I won't apologize for Henry but I am sorry that we got caught."
"Oh, baby," Ellen said and pulled Alex into a tight hug. "I'm not mad about you and Henry. I wish that you two could have come out on your own time but the ship had sailed. What we could do right now is damage control." She pressed a kiss on his forehead. "I have about a hundred meetings so Zahra will explain the plan to you."
As soon as his mother left, Alex grabbed a pillow and jumped away from Zahra to protect himself.
She scoffed. "I think you've been punished enough."
"Oookay–" Alex said sceptically.
"The White House and the Palace are releasing a joint statement–" Zahra paused and shook her head. "I can't believe that I'm saying this again."
"Me neither," Alex grumbled and lifted both hands when Zahra shot him a glare.
She continued, "–saying that you and Prince Henry have been in a relationship since New Year."
"Wait! How did you know–"
"That you two kiss on New Year? You do realize that the White House's ground is covered by CCTV, don't you?"
"Fuck!"
Zahra rolled her eyes and slid a file over to him.
"I already have a fact sheet on Henry," Alex said.
"This is the agreement detailing the requirement for your new 'relationship'," Zahra corrected, complete with sarcastic air quotes.
Minimum three (3) joint appearances with the Royal Family.
Appropriate level of public display of affection in accordance of the Royal Family's standard.
HRH Prince Henry will not be participating in any political activities.
A separation statement will be issued in one (1) year.
"This is ridiculous. A year? They're giving me a year to date Henry?" Alex waved the file and Zahra ducked under his arm to get out of the room.
"Be grateful. They offered six months and I pushed until after the inauguration."
"Oh, thank you for letting me have a year of relationship," Alex said sarcastically.
"You're welcome."
"Does Henry know about this?" Alex called out before Zahra could walk away.
"The agreement came from his side."
Alex looked at the paper detailing the next year of his life and took a deep breath before going to pack his luggage. He had a polo match to go to.
Prince Henry and Alex Claremont-Diaz's First Public Appearance as a Couple
"Alex! Here!"
Alex turned and grinned when he saw Pez and Bea waving at him from one of the tables. He waved back, making his way towards them.
"Good to see you, Pez."
"You too, Alex. You know Bea."
"Your Royal Highness."
"Oh shut up! Call me Bea. I've heard a lot about you from Henry, I feel like I've known you forever."
"I'm scared of what Henry's been telling you," Alex said as Bea linked their arms together.
"All good things, I assure you. How handsome you are–"
"How smart you are–" Pez chimed in from his other side as they walked closer to the field.
"How he wishes you would see him–"
"How he wants to do bad, bad things to you–"
"Pez! Bea!" Henry's voice cut them off before Alex could get more out of them.
The two of them started giggling together while Alex was distracted by Henry dismounting his horse.
"Fuck," Alex breathed before he closed the distance between them and pulled Henry into a deep kiss. Henry looked a bit dazed when he finally pulled back and Alex licked his lips.
Henry shook his head slightly. "Did you miss the part on PDA in the agreement?"
"That was the appropriate level. Now show me somewhere I can do the inappropriate level of display of affection."
Henry blinked. "Pez, Bea. We'll get back to you two later. I have something to show Alex."
A mouthful of Henry later, they met back with Pez and Bea for a photo.
Prince Henry and Alex Claremont-Diaz's Romantic Weekend Getaway
Alex reached over the table and took Henry's hand in his. When Henry raised his eyebrows questioningly, Alex tilted his head towards the girl taking their picture with her phone. Henry grinned and lifted their hand, pressing a kiss on Alex's knuckle.
"How many sweet innocent guys have you charmed with that, you rake?"
"Oh, are we counting you among the sweet innocent guys?"
"Of course. I'll have you know, you're the third guy I've been with."
"Really?"
"Once in high school and once with–" Alex made a face. "–Miguel Ramos."
"Miguel Ramos? The guy who took the photos and outed us?" Henry asked incredulously.
"Yes." Alex squeezed Henry's hand in apology. "My mom made sure he'll never work in journalism ever again."
"Remind me not to cross your mother."
Alex laughed at the look on Henry's face and the camera captured the moment.
"How did the King react to the photo?" Alex asked as they walked hand in hand in the garden, the Secret Service and PPO following discreetly behind them.
"Grandpa is a realist. He knew it was too late to deny it so he just gave me a disappointed look. But Philip. Oh, Philip was mad. I've never seen him that purple. I was worried that he'll have a heart attack and I'll have to be king." Henry chuckled. He stopped and turned to face Alex with a smile. "In a way, I am glad that we got caught. I had resigned myself to marrying a woman and pretending for the rest of my life."
"You deserve better than a life of a lie, Henry," Alex said, hurting at the idea of Henry hiding himself behind the royal mask.
"Thanks to you, I am free."
Henry's smile was so beautiful that Alex had to taste it for himself. The kiss was soft and gentle, so different from the rest and something in Alex changed. When they pulled apart, Alex saw the same thing in Henry's eyes.
That night was the first time they made love.
Prince Henry at the DNC, is The Crown showing support for President Claremont?
"Great speech."
Alex paused and turned around. "How the fuck did you get in here?"
Miguel grinned and took a seat next to Alex at the bar. "I have my way."
"Get out of here before I sic the Secret Service on you," Alex hissed.
"Chill, Alex." Miguel took a sip of his drink and Alex tried to convince himself that punching the bastard was not worth it. "You should be grateful to me. There was no way the prince would have dated you publicly if he had a way out."
Alex scoffed. "Unlike you, I don't need to trap someone into dating me." Alex stood up.
"It won't last, you know. People like us do not marry into the Royal Family," Miguel voiced the very thing Alex had always known and feared.
Alex signaled one of the Secret Service and gestured at Miguel. "Throw him out of here and make sure he doesn't crawl back in."
Alex was so enraged that he almost walked right by the man standing next to Amy.
"Fancy meeting you here," Henry said, stopping Alex in his path.
"What are you doing here?" Alex asked, grabbing Henry's hand.
"I was supposed to be in Nevada? The pilot must have taken a wrong turn somewhere."
Alex grinned. "You rebel." He pressed a quick kiss on Henry's lips. "Let's go to my room."
"Oh. Am I being punished?" Henry quipped as Alex ushered him into the elevator with a hand on his back.
Alex raised his eyebrow. "I wouldn't want to encourage you to break the rule. What would the King say?"
Henry leaned closer and whispered, "We are not amused."
Alex burst out laughing.
Prince Henry Visiting Alex Claremont-Diaz's Hometown
President Ellen Claremont Won
"Shower time!" Alex shook his head, splashing Henry with water until Henry pushed him away, laughing.
"God, you're such a cretin!"
Alex lay next to Henry, grinning like a fool as Henry kissed his bicep.
"This time next year will be so different," Alex said, turning to face Henry.
"How so?"
Alex played with Henry's hand as he thought about it. "Well, for one, you will probably be dating some other white, blond, British guy."
Henry snorted and turned them around so he was straddling Alex. "I'm more into mouthy American with fucking eyelashes."
Alex smiled and tugged Henry down into a kiss. It didn't take long before it evolved into a full-blown make-out session.
"Alex, we are in public," Henry hissed when Alex's hand traveled lower.
"Do you want me to stop?"
Henry thought for a moment before saying, "You may continue."
Alex and Henry stood next to the private plane that would be taking Henry back to England, three hundred and sixty-five days to the day the agreement was made. Both their security teams were standing a discrete distance away to give them privacy to say goodbye.
"This is it," Henry began, holding onto Alex's hand tightly.
Alex nodded. "Yeah."
"Thank you," Henry said, tears glistening in his eyes.
"You're welcome." Alex's voice cracked and he tugged Henry into a hug to hide his tears.
Letting Henry go was the hardest thing Alex had to do but he forced himself to. This was what they had agreed on. A year for themselves and what a year it had been.
Alex had learned a lot about himself and Henry. He knew that he'd never find anyone else. Henry had ruined him.
He watched Henry walk up to the plane before turning away, rubbing away his tears.
Henry grabbed him by the shoulder and turned him around, kissing him for the last time. The kiss tasted like tears and goodbyes.
Alex broke. They clutched on each other as if they'd die if they separated.
"I want you to keep this," Henry said, taking off his signet ring.
"Henry, this–"
"Something for you to remember me by." Henry's smile was small and teary.
"As if I could ever forget you." Alex grinned back and put the ring on. "Fuck it," Alex swore, taking off his necklace. "I don't have anything else to give you."
Henry looked at the key in his hand with wide eyes. "Alex, you don't have to."
"You said you never have a key, so here. Just don't break into my house and steal anything. My mom will kill me."
Henry chuckled. "It's not breaking in if I have a key."
"Shut up." Alex pushed on Henry's shoulder playfully. He took a deep breath and said, "Your Royal Highness."
"Mr. Claremont-Diaz."
And it was over.
Prince Henry and Alex Claremont-Diaz Ended Their Year Long Relationship
Princess Beatrice Tying the Knot with Long-term Boyfriend
"Knock knock."
Alex looked towards the door and forced a smile as Nora sat next to him on the bed.
"I brought ice cream."
Alex took the Helados, wishing it was a Cornetto instead. "You're acting as if I just got dumped."
Nora simply raised an eyebrow.
"It wouldn't have worked anyway. He's a prince and I'm me."
"You are Alex Claremont-Diaz, you're handsome and charming and everyone loves you. Henry would be so lucky to have you."
"The White House and the Palace don't think so. The agreement was clear on that."
Nora slapped his shoulder. "Are you really going to let a piece of paper stop you? What can they do anyway? Sue you?"
"Nora–"
"Listen to me." Nora grabbed both his hands in hers and looked at him sternly. "I've never seen you happier than you were in the past year, even with the press hounding you, even with the reelection and being outed without your consent. Every time you came back from meeting Henry, you looked alive. This–" Nora waved at his entire body. "–thing you're doing right now, this is wrong. You looked– halved."
"Halved?" Alex repeated incredulously.
"Like you left your heart in London."
The Royal Wedding; Prince Henry and Ex-lover, Alex Claremont-Diaz's First Meeting After Breakup
Alex twisted the signet ring around his pinky finger nervously, a habit he had picked up from Henry. He poked his head out of the line and grunted when Nora elbowed him on his side.
"Stop that," Nora whispered.
"What if he already moved on? It's been a month."
Nora rolled his eyes but said nothing as Bea and her new husband reached them.
"Alex, I'm so glad you came," Bea said, pulling him into a quick hug.
"As if I could miss your wedding. Congratulations, Bea."
"Thank you." Bea looked back at Henry behind her, smiling mischievously. "And stay away from my wedding cake."
Alex grinned. "No promises."
"Your Royal Highness," Alex greeted Henry, holding out his hand.
"Mr. Claremont-Diaz," Henry nodded and took his hand.
Alex stared. Somehow in a month since they had last seen each other, Henry had gotten more gorgeous. Sure, Henry looked thinner and even makeup couldn't hide those eyebags but to Alex who now could admit, at least to himself, that he had been pining, Henry was a breath of fresh air. Suddenly he could breathe again.
Nora coughed pointedly from beside him. Henry let go of his hand before nodding politely and walking away.
"What's wrong with you?" Alex grumbled.
"Just choking from all the sexual tension."
"Shut up."
Alex kept his eyes on Henry the entire time, waiting for his opportunity. He tried to limit his drinking, this was a conversation for sober Alex, but with every guy flirting with Henry in front of him, his patience was sorely tested.
He was only slightly tipsy when he found Henry alone, Alex looked up, in front of the wedding cake. Of course Henry was in front of the cake, he liked to tempt fate.
"Is it just me or have we been here before?" Alex asked as he approached Henry. He could feel eyes on him, watching him interacting with his ex.
"Well, the cake is smaller, Bea is sensible like that," Henry pointed out, looking everywhere but Alex. Alex gritted his teeth.
Alex snorted. "Probably to avoid another cake-tastrophe knowing we're both here." He took a deep breath. "I miss you."
Henry froze before he visibly relaxed and finally looked at Alex. "I miss you too."
Henry looked tired but fond. Alex wanted to punch him, whether with his lips of fist was still up for debate. "This is stupid. What are we doing, Henry?" Alex decided to go straight to the point. He was tired of pretending that he was okay, that he didn't want to keep Henry forever.
"I don't know what you are talking about," Henry tried to evade and Alex made a mental note. Fist: 1 Lips:0
"Why on earth did we break up?" Alex finally asked the question that had been haunting him.
"We never really dated, Alex."
It hurt. But Alex swallowed the pain and put his heart out for Henry to see."Sure we did. At least on my side."
"Oh," Henry said. Then again, as if a light bulb finally turned on in his head, "Oh... Me too. I-"
"Shut up, stop talking." Alex grabbed Henry's lapel and drew him into a kiss. It was reminiscent of their second kiss in the Red Room, all passion and fire.
Henry was pulling him closer and they bumped into the table behind Henry. They both looked up at the same time at the swaying cake.
Alex tried to steady the table. Unfortunately for him, Henry had the same idea. Must have been true love.
They tripped over each other and could only watch as they laid on the floor, as the cake leaned, teetered, shuddered and finally tipped over them.
"Oh," Bea remarked, laughing, while Pez and Nora gripped each other, trying not to laugh.
Alex and Henry looked at each other, covered in cake on the floor, and started laughing.
"We need to stop meeting like this."
Alex grinned as he wiped the buttercream off Henry's cheek with his thumb, and Henry flushed red when he put it in his mouth. "I'm not sure. I think I enjoy how sugary you are."
"You're a menace. I don't know why I love you," Henry said.
"I love you too." Alex rolled over Henry and kissed him again, buttercream and all.
Cakegate 2.0; True Love Prevails
Covered in Cake and in Love, Prince Henry and Alex Claremont-Diaz are back together
Post-Credit
"I'm so glad that you two love each other," Philip remarked, standing over them with his arms crossed. "However, the Crown will not be paying for your wedding cake."
"Fair enough," Alex said, grinning up at Philip. Henry dropped his head back onto the cake with a groan.