Chapter Text
Alex and Henry are in the middle of having their first official portraits taken and Alex is buzzing; they finally ditched all the stuffy shit and settled for a shot in the park. Henry is a ball of nerves no matter what Alex has tried so far to loosen some of the tension . Alex knows he’s been told not to kiss him or hold his hand but he doesn’t like feeling Henry’s nerves . He subtly shifted his hand to run his pinky over Henry’s hand and Henry latches on to his hand tightly like a lifeline. Alex gives Henry’s hand a squeeze and can almost see the tension falling off him in waves. Alex has an idea… from his Abuela when he was little. He squeezes Henry's hand once, pauses then squeezes 4 rapid times followed by a pause then three times Henry looks at him and he can tell he knows Alex is doing something on purpose but not sure what. Alex leans in his whispers . “I love you “ in his ear and squeeze Henry’s hand with the same patterns again. Henry tilts his head watching their hands and Alex repeats everything again. “Alex.” Henry questions. Alex checks for be sure the photographer is still talking to his assistant, ignoring them momentarily. Alex looks at Henry holding up their linked hands `` one” he squeezes “I” “four… love “ he squeezed his hand “three… you” and that pinch in Henry smile loosens to his full grin and Henry repeats the pattern back to him with his eyes shining bright. “Four always means love.” Henry says then he taps Alex's foot with his four times. “Playing footsie with me now are you Prince Charming” Alex says way louder than he meant to while laughing and they both start laughing hysterically when Henry calls himself a bloody menace making the photographer laugh.