Work Text:
You came out the blue on a rainy night
No lie
I'll tell you how I almost died
While you're bringing me back to life
Henry looks down at his phones caller ID, New York City Police Department. His stomach immediately drops as he picks up within the first ring, "Hello?"
"I'm calling from the police department. Are you Henry Fox?"
"God, what did he do now?" Henry groans in frustration.
---------------
Alex knew of Henry before Henry knew of him. Everyone knew of Henry in high school because he was one of a number of kids who were being bullied. Henry was pretty quiet, a writer, had somewhat feminine mannerisms and that's all bullies needed to attack like sharks to blood.
Henry just went with it. He just figured it was something he'd just have to deal with until he graduates in four years and he'll never have to be around people this horrible again but then he met transfer student, Alex halfway into freshman year. About six months into the insistent bullying.
He's walking to his next class when the guy who loves to make his life a living hell knocks the book he's reading out of his hand and trips him but before Henry can even catch his balance to stand back up, the guy who tripped him is being pushed up against a locker and kneed in the balls, "I've watched you pick on this kid for the entire month I've been here. What the fuck is your problem?" The curly headed brunette seethes through his teeth.
"Claremont-Diaz, don't start!" The security guard warns walking over as if they know something about Alex everyone else doesn't. Alex let's go of the kid and trips him as he scurries away, "Dickhead"
Henry is standing there startled and confused, clutching his book. Before he can find the words to say thank you or ask why did you do that, Alex looks his way, "Stand up for yourself," he says and then he walks off.
..
After that day, he hears the murmurs about Alex around school. Everyone's talking about him.
He came here from jail
I heard he killed someone from his last school
Those bullies won't be able to do that anymore with him around
That blond kid that's always getting shoved around for being gay, I heard Alex helped him
He put someone into a coma
Henry didn't know what was true about Alex but every time he saw him in the hall, he gave him a polite smile, acknowledging his appreciation for Alex protecting him.
But unfortunately it doesn't keep the bullies down for too long because about five days later when Henry is walking to class, someone calls him the f slur and slaps the back of his head. Everyone who's around just watches as usual and Henry wishes Alex was around but he can't really rely on someone after one rescued moment.
But during lunch time when Henry is munching on his sandwich, Alex walks into the lunchroom dressed in his black jeans, black t shirt and leather jacket. He walks straight up to Henry and bends down to meet Henry at eye level. Henry hears a couple people at his table quiet down so they can be nosey. "I heard someone was being homophobic to you earlier. Is that true?" Alex asks
Henrys heart flutters, staring blankly at him, blinking repeatedly, "I uhh--you don't--"
'"Is it true?" He asks once again without a hint of hesitation.
"Ye--y-yeah" He stutters. "But they always do that. Really it's--"
"Is the same guy that bothered you before?"
Henry shakes his head, "One of his friends"
"Where is he?" Alex asked looking around the room.
"You don't have to do anything. Really" Henry insists
"I'll just talk to him. Point him out for me" Alex says.
"Alex--"
"I'll just talk to him" He smiles and for a second, Henry believes him.
"He's back there." Henry points. "With the blue sweater" Alex strides over to the table without another word. He looks back at Henry and points to the guy to make sure. Henry shyly nods, curious what Alex is going to say but he doesn't expect what happens next and maybe his own naivety is to blame.
He watches Alex tap on the guy's shoulder. The guy turns around and Alex swings and punches him in the face, the entire lunchroom silent watching blood splatter from the guy's nose, "What the fuck was that for?" He yells holding his head back to stop his running nose.
"Stop being a fucking bully or I'll do it again" He walks off and walks by Henry without stopping, "Come with me."
"Huh?"
He nudges his head to the door, "Let's go."
Henry clumsily gathers up his lunch he packed from home, his backpack and scurries after Alex, unsure where they're going. They settle in a nook by a window on the third floor.
Henry takes a bite of his sandwich that's nearly done, "You said you were gonna talk to him, not hit him." He says. Not upset, just out of acknowledgement.
Alex shrugs, "He's as asshole. Why should I talk to him? He got what he deserved."
"You don't have to fight people for me, Alex."
"I enjoy putting assholes in their place. If they don't bully people then I won't have to fight anyone." He gives the cockiest smile like he's opting himself out of what he's been doing.
Henry guess that's true. He looks out the window and asks what he's been hearing about the past couple of weeks, "Is it true you came here from jail? And put someone in a coma?"
Alex chuckles, "Is that the rumors about me?"
"Yeah"
"No they're not true, I just transferred from another school. I got into a bad fight and fought a lot so they kicked me out."
"But clearly nothing has changed" Henry points out.
"I'm trying. I don't want to be a dick but they're asking for it. If I get transferred again, it is what it is. I'm not gonna let people get away with it. Why don't you stand up for yourself?"
"What am I supposed to do? I can't fight"
"Say something back so they know you're not scared. If you let them walk all over you, they'll keep doing it."
Henry shrugs, "I was just dealing with it. I didn't have a choice"
"You shouldn't have to deal with it. Why do they even do it? Because you're gay?"
Henry's brows furrow, "How do you know that?"
"I don't know. They called you the f slur so I thought that's what it was."
Henry shakes his head, "I mean I am but I've never told anyone here. They're just assuming."
"Well you or anyone else don't have to worry about them bullying as long as I'm here. They won't get away with it."
"Thank you." He smiles shyly. "Why do you care? I mean you don't even know me."
"No but that doesn't mean I can't defend innocent people. And I've dealt with my fair share of bullying in middle school. And so has my sister and when I got to 8th grade, I wasn't going to tolerate it and people eventually got the point. If they bothered me or my sister, they were going to get punched in the face so they stopped. Simple as that"
"Wow. I--yeah I don't know if I can do that. Even if I could fight, it would eat at me that I hurt someone."
Alex chuckles. He found Henry's resistance to violence endearing. "Well eat or be eaten."
"But you're here now'" Henry glances up at him with a shy smile. The beating sun shining bright on his hazel green eyes, "so hopefully I'll be okay."
..
Alex and Henry become quick friends. After everyone watched Alex's show in the lunchroom and knew the two were friends, they never bothered Henry again. But that doesn't mean they didn't continue going after other people and Alex didn't stop protecting people. Alex gets into his first actual fight a couple weeks later when one of the guys is tired of Alex constantly interfering and dragging them down the pedestal.
There had been talks that the two were gonna fight after school. "Alex, please don't. I don't want to see that." Henry begs when they sit outside for lunch by the water nearby.
Alex eats his bagel completely unphased, "You don't have to watch."
"But I don't want anyone to hit you."
"I've been hit many times. I'll be fine. I'll just put him in his place and then we can go to yours and watch a film. Or I'll meet you there if you don't wanna wait for me."
Henry swallows the lump in his throat. Henry loved being around Alex, he loves how close they became so fast. How much they care about each other but Alex was so reckless, the complete opposite of Henry and it scared him, "What if you get really hurt?"
Alex shrugs, "I've been jumped before, Henry. Multiple people against one and I'm alive. Just trust me alright. I'll be okay."
"I---okay but I really wish you didn't fight." He sighs.
You knew who I was when you met me, Alex thinks but continues eating his bagel in peace.
Henry doesn't stay for the fight. When he gets out of school and spots a crowd forming down the street, he walks the opposite way. He loves that Alex defends people. He just hates that Alex can get hurt in the process.
About an hour later, there was a knock on his door. He abandons his homework, runs to it and swings it open. Henry immediately notices a dark mark near Alex's cheek and his cut up knuckles, "Get in here. Henry groans pulling him in by his wrist. Henry sits Alex down on the couch. After getting some supplies, he sits directly in front of him on the coffee table. He gives Alex an ice pack for his face, picks up his right hand and begins to clean his knuckles.
"How was it?" Henry asks.
"I knocked the shit out of him. He got a few hits in but nothing I couldn't take."
Henry shakes his head, "You're insane, you know that? I can tell fighting gets you excited."
Alex laughs, "Maybe I did it so you can take care of me."
Henry chuckles and blushes, "Shut up. Can we make a deal? When you fight, can you do it off school property. I don't know if I can make it another 3 years if you end up getting kicked out."
"Deal."
..
Henry was growing attached to Alex very quickly. They had only known each other for a little over two months and they spent every weekday together. Even when they didn't have school, Alex wanted to come over but Henry was usually hanging out with his sister or his mom. Henry knows that Alex's parents are rarely home, they're deep into their work and so usually Alex and his sister, June don't spend much time at home either. They spend most of their days with their friends.
Henry feels like he never gotten so close to someone or learned so much about someone so quick. For someone who veered toward violence, he didn't expect Alex to be so soft and silly and also so open. He had no problem saying what was on his mind or answering any of Henry's curiosities about his past. He was an open book and Henry appreciated that.
Henry also realizes he's starting to have feelings which does scare him a bit. He doesn't want to ruin their friendship by bringing it up and there's also no secret that alot of people at school are attracted to Alex. He's made out with a number of them at times but Henry has no idea how Alex would feel about him. He knows Alex is bi but there's no guarantees. And Henry doesn't want to lose their friendship by bringing it up so he doesn't.
He doesn't say anything for an entire year, 3/4 of the way into their sophomore year. They continue to spend time together like they usually do. Baking, watching movies, cuddling. And Henry doesn't say a word. But then that's when Henry's nightmare happens. Alex gets a girlfriend.
Henry has never tried so hard to fake a smile so much than when Gracie would hang out with them or Alex spoke about her. It was a dagger in his heart, each and every time. He thinks he allowed them to get too comfortable because they'll even make out around Henry. Alex strangely loves when all three of them are together, always saying he wants his two favorite people to hang out, always inviting the other when it was supposed to be a two person hang out. And on top of that, Henry hasn't gotten a cuddle since they've been together. he doesn't want to lose Alex but it hurts so he start cancelling on him.
When Alex texts, I'm on my way or Gracie and I are gonna pop over, he makes up some lie about why they can't come.
Are you mad at me? Alex texts one day after he's been cancelling consistently for a couple of weeks.
No
Are you sure? Feel like we haven't hung out outside of school in so long???
Yeah well you're busier these days
No I'm not? I've been texting you when I'm about to come over and you're the one always saying you're busy
Maybe I don't want to see or talk about Gracie 24/7
Henry, I know I have a little less time but I still want to hang out with you. And be around you. Just because I have a girlfriend doesn't mean I don't care about you anymore or want to spend time with you
I guess
So can we hang out this weekend?
I'll think about it
..
They talk about it when Henry comes over that Saturday. Henry tells Alex he doesn't really have a problem with him or his relationship, he just doesn't want Gracie constantly around. He wants hang outs like they used to have and he can hang out with his girlfriend another time. Alex is super receptive to it and they clear the air, "Come cuddle me now" Henry pouts from where he's sitting across the couch.
Alex laughs and tugs on Henry's legs to lie him out on the couch and climbs on top of him, 'Did you miss my cuddles?"
Henry narrows his gaze and pokes Alex's dimple, "Idiot"
...
It comes out when Henry's drunk. He doesn't mean to. He and Alex started drinking recently so he's still getting the hang of the rules: no mixing, let the alcohol settle for a minute, drink water throughout, etc. It's just that Alex is a bit tipsy himself, venting about why him and Gracie have been arguing a lot lately. And Henry can't take it anymore. He's been so fed up with being Alex's sounding board about his relationship.
"Please stop talking about her. God Alex, it's so frustrating. It never ends."
"What. I--
"I don't want to hear about the guy I like and the relationship problems he's having with someone else." Henry doesn't even realize what he's said when he says it.
Alex's eyes light up surprised, "You like me?"
Henry blushes and desperately tries to pretend like he's not humiliated, "I'm drunk. Sorry. I didn't mean--
"Don't lie to me. Do you like me?"
"Alex, stop. You have a girlfriend."
Alex holds him by the chin and lifts his head up, "Just tell me."
"Yes and so what? It doesn't even matter." He waves his hand defeated.
"It matters to me." Alex insists as he stands up off the carpeted floor, "I'll be right back"
Henry looks up at him helplessly, "Where are you doing?"
But three seconds later, Alex is out the front door. Henry spirals for the next hour. He thinks about the friendship he's about to lose because of a crush, how he should have never said anything, how much he hates alcohol and will never drink again. But when the end of the hour is approaching, the front door opens and Alex comes back inside. He stomps over to the living room, he pulls Henry up from the couch and kisses him. Henry almost sinks into it. He almost gives in but is quick to pull back, "Alex, you can't cheat on--
"I ended it. That's where I went. To end it before I kiss you"
Henry's eyes shoot open and he lightly slaps his chest, "You--that's so mean, Alex."
"Gracie and I were on the verge of breaking up anyway. I know who I want, Henry. I've wanted you and I didn't think you were into me but if you are then..."
Henry smiles softly and leans up and kisses him. His first kiss and it absolutely knocked him off his feet.
..
Henry experiences all of his firsts with Alex and he enjoys every moment of it. What Henry had discovered soon after he and Alex started sleeping together was that post fight Alex turned him on and also was exceptionally good in bed. There was something about Alex's rage, his pronounced muscles, his body filled with energy and adrenaline that made every touch and emotion so much more heightened and intense. Henry hates that, what that does for him. It's so fucking good and he can't even be too upset anymore when Alex fights because he knows he's about to get something out of it. And of course it doesn't help Alex lessen his want to fight because he know it will turn on his boyfriend.
After they graduate, they go off to separate colleges. They make it a year and a half long distance but decided it wasn't the best. It wasn't working and they were mutually holding each other back and not diving into the college experience because they constantly wanted to be in their rooms facetiming each other. But it was never meant to be permanent. They discussed how much they loved and each other and supported the other's personal journey but they wanted to reconnect after they graduated.
And so that's what they did. When they graduate two and a half years laters, both of them decided to move to New York together. It took them a couple months to get back together, making sure they were still compatiable, still in love and had the same dreams for their future. Their connection was still the same, Alex was still the same as he remembered and that was becoming a growing problem for Henry. Alex has never lost his violent streak. It's less hot and protective, more dangerous now that Alex can actually get arrested and in a lot of trouble now that they're of age.
It doesn't happen as frequently as it did when they were in high school. But it still happened and that wasn't okay. They don't argue much but when they do its because of a unnecessary confrontation Alex had.
They have an entire blowout two years after living with each other. They went out to a bar as they frequently do and someone was hitting on Henry which Alex has never taken lightly to.
Alex tries to be civil. He tries, okay but he's not going to be disrespected or ever for a second allow someone to think they can have Henry. He walks up to them, wrapping his arm around Henry's waist protectively, "Sorry man, he's taken."
"You can still share"
"We're not into that"
"Then he should stop dressing like it's an open invitation"
Henry looks at Alex and is about to say something to calm him down but Alex swings before Henry can even open his mouth. And Alex doesn't stop with a single punch. He knocks the guy out in a couple of hits and Henry drags him out of the bar before they call the police, "What is your problem, Alex?"
"My problem??" He asks incredulously, "Did you not fucking hear him?"
"We'll talk at home." He says dismissively, waving down a cab, "Let's go before the cops get here."
When they're in the cab, Henry huffs, "You can't keep doing this, Alex. You have to let things go."
"I'm not going to let people disrespect you."
"Then talk to them!! Scream if you have to, Stop using your fists."
Alex sucks his teeth, "You act like you didn't know who I was before. You know this about me and still wanted me."
"We were kids, Alex!!" He defends. "But you're a grown ass man now. And I still didn't like it. I liked that you protected me but I never liked you fighting."
"That's not true."
"Fine. Sometimes I liked it but we were 16 when I found it hot.You're 23 now. Enough is enough."
"So what do you want me to do? Someone disrespects you and you want me to sit back ?"
"Yes. Or you can say something with your words. You take it too far every single time."
"Fine. Next time, I'll sit back and let whoever flirt with you and make demeaning remarks."
Henry rolls his eyes, "God Alex. You're so stubborn."
...
The first time Alex gets arrested, he's 24. "I understand him but he---his temper is so short. He worries me that he's gonna get more than just a couple of hours one day." Henry says on the phone to his mother.
"Have you spoken to him about that?"
"We've been having this conversation since the day I met him. Nearly 10 years ago. He's just so set in his ways." Henry sighs.
"Hopefully this is the reality check he needs that this can't continue. It'll be okay, Henry. Talk to him. Tell him he has to stop his violent outbursts or you won't stay with him."
"But I love him."
"But your relationship is hurting you, it's not good for you, Henry. You need to choose yourself."
He sighs. "I'll talk to him."
When Alex gets out after five hours and comes home at 6am, Henry is asleep in his bed. His body gave up on him and was tired of crying so he passed out around 4. But he wakes up when he hears the shower running. When Alex opens the bathroom door clad in his towel, Henry is stood right there with folded arms,"You're back."
"Mhmm"
"Can we talk?"
"Yeah but can we talk later? I haven't slept and I can barely keep my eyes open."
Henry nods and watches Alex walk off to their bedroom. He lets him sleep and wakes up around noon. Henry has a hot meal waiting for him that Alex devours. The talk goes well. Henry doesn't say anything Alex doesn't agree with and Alex agrees he took it too far and is going to stop.
And he does. He's learning to curb his anger and his protective streak a little bit. He might get in a couple arguments here and there but that's it. He stopped going to bars as much since that's usually the problem.
But that non-violent streak lasts for a little over a year and things boil over when Alex is at an event with Henry. Alex noticed the guy who has his eye on Henry all night. He doesn't indulge it though, Henry doesn't even notice. But Alex overheard him when he was getting a drink at the makeshift bar.
"I just have to get him away from that dude, fuck him real quick. Throw him around a bit like he should be."
"He's clearly not single. Why do you think he'll say yes?" One of his friends ask.
"He doesn't have to. I like when they resist."
It takes everything. Absolutely everything in Alex not to kill the guy. He swallows it for now and goes back to Henry. Since Henry has known Alex for a decade and can read him unbelievably well, as soon as Alex comes back to him, Henry looks up at him with concern, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing"
Henry of course doesn't believe him so he takes matters into his own hands, "Should we head home? I'm tired anyway."
"Yeah let's go." They interlock hands and leave the venue. But once they get outside, Alex drops Henry's hand, "I want to get us some food. I'll put you in a cab and come home in a bit."
"Are you sure?" Henry asks. Alex hasn't had any altercations in a year but that doesn't mean Henry doesn't worry. It takes more than a year to rewrite thirteen years of behavior.
"Of course baby. There's a ramen place down the block. I'll get us something."
"Okay." Henry kisses him before he hops in a cab. "Be good."
As soon as the cab turns a corner, Alex storms back in, his focus merely on the asshole. He spots him immediately and speeds over, "Hey man. I think someone's asking for you outside." He gestures to the exit.
The guy furrows a brow but clearly doesn't think twice about it. He follows him and Alex can't even wait until they're out of the building which probably was his first mistake but once they're in the the hall, he swings. "What the fuck did you say you were gonna do to my boyfriend?"
"What?"
What did you say??" He yells
"I didn't say shit!!!" The guy yells back, shoving Alex away from him.
"You will never touch him. Don't ever say some shit like that." He punches the guy hard enough to get him on his back and punches him until he blacks out and Alex had been so in the zone in his anger, he hadn't even noticed the people standing behind him or people tugging on him to get off or yelling to stop. He had no idea and as soon as he stands up and tries to leave, there are handcuffs being placed on him. "Get the hell off of me, you should be arresting the dick that was thinking about raping my boyfriend. He's clearly done it before to people. Fuck, let me go. I didn't do anything!!!" And before he knows it, he's in the back of a police car and all he could think about is Henry in bed waiting for his ramen and for Alex to come home. Henry was going to kill him.
--------
Henry couldn't sleep. Alex still wasn't home. It had been three hours and Alex wasn't answering his phone. He immediately called June and Alex's mom. Since she's in politics and has connections with people in positions of power, he's hoping she'll find out what happened but before she does, he gets the phone call.
"Alex Claremont-Diaz is in custody for knocking someone out cold."
"Fucking---God, Alex." He bites down on his bottom lip trying to stop himself from bawling on the phone with this officer. "When will he be released?"
"He'll be released on $500 bail. The soonest is 12pm tomorrow."
"Okay." He hangs up, throws his phone aside and cries into his pillow until sunrise. He couldn't sleep if his life depended on it. He felt like a zombie, he had thrown up twice, he felt awful. He barely had the capacity to update Alex's family but around 10, he works up the energy to shoot his mom a text
I got a call from the police. he was arrested. I'm getting him at noon on bail. thanks for looking. I'll tell him to call you later.
On his way over to the station, Henry is feeling so much. He's angry, pissed beyond relief. Sad that he can easily lose Alex to prison if he continues to be like this. Disappointed, for the umpteenth time. He doesn't know how their great night turned into this. He walks inside the precinct and up to the barricaded window, "Hi. I'm here to bail out Alex Claremont-Diaz"
Henry waits about thirty painful long minutes until the doors open and Alex is walking out in last nights clothes.
The exhaustion and regret is written all over Alex's face, "I'm sorry baby." He says immediately as soon as he sees Henry.
"I don't want to hear it." And he walks off, exiting the building.
Alex rushes after him, steps behind, "Henry, I'm sorry. I am."
He whips back to look at him, "What the fuck happened?" He yells. "What the fuck happened that you had to stay overnight and I had to pay $500 for?"
"At the event last night, I heard this guy talking about you. Basically saying he was going to assault you."
"And so you lied to me? You sent me home so you can go back and fight him?"
"I--
"Stop. I don't want to hear it."He says walking off to the car and hopping in the driver's seat.
"I was trying to --
"I said I don't want to hear it. Seriously Alex. Stop talking to me."
Alex sighs, and stares out the window. Their ride home is filled with an achingly uncomfortable silence. "Thanks for bailing me out." Alex eventually says.
Henry doesn't say a word. When they arrive at their apartment, Henry walks upstairs, tells Alex to call his family, goes to their guest bedroom and slams the door shut. He lies there trying not to cry anymore. He lies in bed for about an hour with his racing thoughts until he sees a piece of paper slide under the door. He gets up and opens the note from Alex.
I love you and I'm really really sorry. I know I fucked up big and you were probably worried last night but I couldn't let him get away with the shit he said. You're my world and I will always protect you. I'm sorry for lying. I'm so sorry. Please talk to me
Henry stays sheltered in the room for about another hour before walking out into the living room. Alex pipes up from the couch, " Hey, I made you some food. I'm sorry, baby."
"Im not hungry." He says sitting on the couch "We need to talk."
"Yes let's talk! I--I know I fucked up. I obviously didn't think the police were going to show up and I know I shouldn't have beat him up anyway but baby, he basically said he was going to sleep with you whether you wanted it or not. I- he deserved it. But I know I shouldn't have. I need to be better and focus on our future."
Henry takes a deep breath before speaking, "Alex, I know they said something shitty and probably deserved it but I frankly don't care. I don't care because when you're in a bloody jail cell and I'm here alone, it doesn't matter! You're trying to protect me and just hurting me in the process. You can be protective without being violent. If this happens again, I'm leaving. No questions asked. If I get another call like the one I did last night I'm moving out and that's it."
"Okay. Okay It won't happen again" Alex says definitively and apologetically.
Henry had heard that plenty of time by now. "I'm serious, Alex. This is it. I'm not going to build a life and a family with this version of you." They've been talking about starting a family in the next couple of years. "I don't want my children to have a father who is constantly in jail because he couldn't control himself. Or think the way you behave is okay. I will leave if it happens again. Your mom will bail you out and I will not be here. I'm not dealing with it anymore."
It hurts to hear Henry say he doesn't want Alex as his kids father but he knows he needs to do better. "I know Henry. It's done I promise. I'm sorry."
Henry nods, "I'm going to sleep. I haven't slept in over 24 hours." He says going off to their bedroom
"Okay, I'll sleep in the guest bedroom for now." He offers and Henry doesn't reject the proposal. "I love you"Alex calls before he hears the bedroom door close.
Henry sleeps the entire day and wakes up around midnight. He's a bit disoriented but feels well rested. When he gets up, he walks outside the room and sees Alex watching TV on the couch. "Hey, did you have a good sleep?"
Henry nods and opens the fridge, "There's some food in the oven I made" Alex says from the couch.
"Thanks"
Henry walks into the living room with his food and plops down next to Alex, "I'm sorry again."
"I'm done talking about it. Just don't let it happen again." Henry says and leans up and gives him a kiss and Alex knows they'll be alright.
...
The next day, Alex signs up for anger management classes. It's hard dropping what he's been so used to. He knows the protective streak is hard to ignore because of all the times he needed to defend June from assholes when their parents weren't always there. They needed to protect each other but Alex can't hold onto this hurt child version of himself or he's going to ruin the life he has now.
When Alex has been in the class for exactly a month, Henry takes him out to dinner because he's proud of him for taking the initiative and completing 30 days.
They go out to a bar after a dinner. Henry is reluctant but Alex wants to and needs Henry to trust him. And Alex behaves. He behaves when drunken guys annoy him. When the bartender looks a little too long at Henry and gives Henry a free drink.
"I'm not interested." Henry says politely declining the drink. "This is my boyfriend." Henry looks to Alex shooting him a smile and sees him swallow his frustration and starts tapping his finger tips into the palm of his other hand to calm him down. Alex developed several techniques throughout the month to calm down his rage. This was one of them.
Henry hops off the stool and scoots in between Alex's legs and squeezes his thighs, "Please relax. I love you."
"I love you too"
"Kiss me." Henry puckers his lips.
Alex leans in and kisses Henry's soft lips. Henry gently separates Alex's anxious hands and wraps them around his waist. Alex smiles in the kiss and pulls Henry closer to him. They get lost in each other's touch and lips and colliding tongues. When Henry pulls back, he pecks Alex's lips once more, "I'd really like you to take me home and fuck me." He whispers against his lips. And so Alex does.
...
Three months later during Thanksgiving, Henry's family and Alex's family come to visit them in New York. They've met only a handful of times throughout the years the two have known each other.
Henry is in his apron most of the day cooking for everyone. Alex is beside him trying to help mainly because he doesn't trust Henry to season enough. "Henry, my Mexican dad and grandmother are coming. That's not enough seasoning"
"Alex for the love of God, get out of the kitchen and go shower. I've been cooking for us for years and you haven't complained."
"That's because I'm half Mexican. My dad and grandmother were born in Mexico, baby. It's different. They don't have my white washed pallet so add more seasoning."
"Fucking hell Alex, fine. Just go shower." He waves him off.
"Let me watch you add it first and then I'll go."
"An absolutely headache with you everyday" He mutters under his breath and adds more seasoning and then looks up at Alex, forcing a smile, "Happy?"
"Very." He leans over and kisses him and goes off to shower.
.
Their families show up around 4 is the evening. Alex made sure the house was spotless and Henry had all the food ready and prepared in trays for their family and although he knew Alexs family would love the food, he hoped his own family would too and it wasn't too much for them.
They spend most of the evening chatting and everyone catching up in their small conversations. They eat dinner around 7 and the family is impressed with the food. Even Alex's grandmother was smacking her lips, impressed with the taste. Henry takes all the credit. After dinner, they all play some games together. Ellen gives a squeeze to Henry's leg who's sitting beside her when the first round ends, "Can we chat?"
Henry is taken aback but nods and Ellen leads the way into the kitchen. "Is everything alright?" He asks.
"I hope so. I just wanted to ask how have things been. We've spoken but I just wanted to make sure after that night that Alex spent in jail. He told me the conversation you guys had after and I wanted to check in to see how you felt. How you two were doing."
"We're doing good. I think the anger management classes are helping him a lot. I think he knows he can't keep acting like that for his own sake but also if he plans to start a life with me, he has to stop and he hasn't had any altercations really since. There's been like two screaming matches sometimes with people who try to cross him but I know it'll take a minute and if he needs to yell to not hit someone then that's fine for right now. And I know he doesn't fight to fight, it's usually people who deserve it to be honest but we're adults now. He's getting a lot better and has ways to deal when hes feeling frustrated. And that's all I needed was him to try."
"I'm glad you're so patient with him. I know he feels like he had to raise his sister a bit since me and his dad worked so much. And he's trying to deal with letting go of that protective instinct that can stray violent. I don't know, I know it's a lot so just thank you for choosing my son."
"Of course. I mean I love him. I've always loved him and I want to be with him so as long as he's trying, then I'll always choose him. I feel at home with him and yeah--were thinking about having kids soon." He shares with tinted cheeks.
"Ahhh really?" Ellen squeals. "When? Oh my god!!!"
He chuckles, "We don't want to tell anyone yet until we figure it out but some time within the next two years. It's a long process but we're going to start properly researching and everything next year."
"Ugh Henry." She holds her hand fondly to her heart. "That's so exciting. I really hope things are good for you both and you can raise children together"
"Thank you." He smiles. "I think----"
"What are you guys talking about in here?" Alex interrupts, swooping in and wrapping his arms around Henry's waist.
"None of your business." Henry says and leans up to peck his cheek, "What's up?"
"Nothing, we're on round two. Are you guys still playing?" He asks looking between them.
"Yeah yeah." Henry says as he and Ellen are turning to head out of the kitchen but Alex tugs Henry back, "Is everything okay?" He asks when they're alone.
"Yeah, she just wanted to chat and catch up." He smiles.
"Okay." Alex nods as he caresses Henry's soft face.
"I told her we're thinking about starting a family soon."
"What if this time next year we have our kid with us for Thanksgiving. Isn't that crazy to think about?" Alex says.
"I can't wait to have little babies running around here." Henry looks up at him fondly and pecks his chin.
Alex presses against Henry's lower back, pulling him closer, "I love you so much. I'm gonna get you pregnant."
"Baby!" Henry chuckles at the exaggeration and slaps Alex's shoulder. "Stop with the fantasies. And I love you too." Henry leans in, wraps his hand around the back of Alex's head and pulls him down for a kiss. It's pretty intense, deep and suggestive and Henry can't help but wrap a leg around Alex's waist. The brunette pushes him up against the counter, pressing their crotches together as Henry deepens the kiss and tugs on Alex's hair, small whines escaping both of their lips.
Alex very reluctantly breaks the kiss, "Fuck, you're gonna turn me on. We need to stop "
Henry nods and stands up properly. He gives Alex's hair before giving him one last kiss. He grabs Alex's hand and pulls him out of the kitchen, "Come on, let's keep playing so I can beat your ass."