Chapter Text
'Shaan, can you please put an appointment in my diary?'
'Certainly sir, what is it for?'
'A reminder to kill Alex for getting me into this mess.'
Shaan tried to hold back a smirk as he stepped back, tapping away on his tablet.
'Personally I think the blue glitter really brings out your eyes, sir.'
This terrible idea had started like most of Alex’s did, a seedling planted by the most chaotic of the chaos demons; Nora. Their brownstone had become a beacon in New York, a flame for the super six to stream towards. A flying visit would call for copious amounts of takeout and at least a few bottles of wine (and a couple of scotches) by the end of the evening.
One such night most of the gang is gathered in the lounge. Alex is in one corner of the couch, his arm strapped around Henry who is laid leisurely on his chest. June has taken the other end of the couch, Nora sits on the floor, laying her head back onto June’s lap. She pretends that she doesn’t like it when June strokes her hair but she’s practically purring. Pez is slumped in the giant bean bag he conveniently bought as a housewarming gift (one of way too many), his limbs splayed out.
‘You choose June, I chose last time and apparently not everyone is into the cinematic masterpiece that is The Big Short.’ She huffed. Only Nora would enjoy a film about a financial crisis. Alex snorted a laugh.
‘Well I’m too tired to make such an important decision. Pez, you’re up!’
June quickly swigged back the last of her wine. Pez swiped through his phone for a moment before a grin came upon his face.
‘I did not know the UK had their own version, we’re watching this immediately!’
After a couple of taps, the familiar drawl of RuPaul Charles was booming from the television. June, Nora and Alex whooped in half hearted unison. Henry’s brow furrowed momentarily, he sat up slightly so he could whisper into Alex’s ear.
‘What exactly are we watching?’
Alex gave him a sympathetic smile before grabbing his phone from the arm of the couch. He showed Henry the google results for RuPaul’s Drag Race. Henry pushed his lips together tightly as he gave a nod. How on earth had he missed this? He hated how much his life had been filtered before Alex, like the palace had a child lock on the popular zeitgeist. He had found slivers where he could, Bake Off and Priscilla Queen of the Desert. He had his father to thank for Priscilla. And now as he saw the queens entering the show, he smiled. His father would have absolutely loved this.
‘These British queens are fucking fierce. Can we go to a drag show next time we’re in London?’ Alex requested, batting his ridiculous eyelashes at whoever might fall under his spell.
‘Of course! We can get those kimonos on the go again, you’ll fit right in.’ Pez bellowed, always excited by anything remotely on the ridiculous side.
‘I need to see this in person, me and Nora are in. Right?’ June booped Nora’s nose with the bottom of her wine glass, she was a lovely mixture of tipsy and drowsy.
‘My favourite people humiliating themselves in front of gorgeous drag queens? Oh fuck yes.’
Alex grabbed a cushion and threw it at Nora, who quickly pulled out the bird in response. Henry had settled back onto Alex’s chest, his ears recognising the chatter around him but the images on screen had him more enthralled.
Drag was an art form, that was always obvious to Henry.
‘Damn, Dame Joanna Lumley as judge… They’re not messing around.’ Pez commented with an impressed pout. Nora sat up right, flinging June’s hand of her hair with the move.
‘Henry, you could totally be a guest judge! That would be insane!’
Before Henry can truly comprehend what Nora’s said, Alex’s eyes are already lighting up like a kid high on Halloween additives.