Chapter Text
Henry’s walking through the college’s main quad when he’s stopped in his tracks and almost drops his textbooks in surprise. He gapes at the sight in front of him. There’s Alex, set up at some kind of booth and there is a long line formed in front of it. Curious, Henry gets a better grip on his books, shuffles over to the right, and attempts to read the signs that are plastered on the front of Alex’s stall.
There’s a prominent sign over the top and in large red letters, it says KISSING BOOTH. Henry ignores how his heart sinks a little as he notes how many people are lined up, waiting for their kiss. He can’t say he’s surprised by the substantial crowd in the queue because, let’s be honest, who in their right mind would give up a chance to kiss Alexander Claremont-Diaz?
He watches Alex as he talks to a group of girls at the front of the line, charming them effortlessly. Henry’s breath catches in his throat as he watches Alex laugh, throwing his head back, his curls swinging over his forehead, and his face lit with a bright smile. His warm laugh carries across the quad and Henry can’t help how he smiles at the sound. His gaze traces down Alex’s neck to his wide shoulders, noting how the first few buttons of his shirt have been left undone. Henry’s eyes feast on the glimpse of collarbones and the smattering of dark chest hair that are visible due to the open collar, his heart skipping a beat at the sight.
His mouth suddenly dry, Henry swallows and drags his eyes away from Alex, noticing the other signs posted around the booth. He spends a moment reading and can’t help the incredulous expression on his face. It seems that not only is Alex charging people for the chance to kiss him, but he’s going to offer feedback. The signs explain that, for a minimal fee, Alex will kiss his customers and rate their technique. He’ll give advice on how to improve their “macking mojo and smooching style.”
Henry’s attention is drawn back to Alex when he smiles at the first person in line. The woman glances back at her friends, appearing a little anxious and reluctant. They wave her forward and she walks closer to Alex, who has an encouraging look on his face. “Don’t worry,” Alex assures her. “I don’t bite. Well, unless you ask for that.” He winks and lets the woman step even closer. She sets her money down on the table before standing on her toes to reach Alex’s lips. She braces her hands on his chest, but Alex’s hands stay at his sides. He allows her to initiate the kiss. Alex looks like he’s concentrating and is actually dissecting her technique.
Sure enough, when she pulls away from Alex’s lips, he has a thoughtful look on his face, and he seems to weigh his words before speaking. “Overall, not bad,” he tells her gently. “You were nervous, and the kiss was a bit timid because of it. I think if you were more comfortable, it would feel natural to you. Remember, don’t ever kiss someone just because you think it’s expected. Make sure you want it too. Kissing someone is supposed to be fun.” She nods, a shy smile on her face and giggles before running back to her friends.
Henry continues to stand there and watch Alex work his way through the line, unable to look away from the spectacle taking place. He listens as Alex gives helpful feedback like “too much tongue” or “go slower” and even “watch your teeth” when one of his customers gets a little too eager.
The line has thinned considerably when Pez approaches, a vision in a lime green jumper, leather pants and with an intrigued glint in his eye. “What is dear Alexander up to now, Hazza?” Pez asks, moving to stand close to Henry and watching with wide eyes as Alex beckons his next customer forward. “It seems to be causing a bit of stir.”
Henry explains the situation quickly, not wanting to be distracted from the display for too long. “Alex is offering advice on kissing techniques for a fee,” Henry comments, watching as Alex peels an overzealous kisser’s hands off him as they had started to head for his ass and taps the nearby sign that says HANDS OFF THE BADONKADONK.
“What are you waiting for then, Hen? Now’s your chance!” Pez encourages, an enthusiastic sparkle in his eyes. He nudges Henry with a pointy elbow. “You’ve been wanting to kiss that boy since the day you met him. And, as far as I’m aware, you’ve never had any complaints about your snogging skills. You could show your strumpet what he is missing!”
“He’s definitely not my strumpet,” Henry sighs and shakes his head, though he knows Pez is right. Their first meeting, as disastrous as it was, has never been able to stop the feeling that blossoms in his chest when he looks at Alex or has prevented Henry from falling head over heels in love with someone who detests him. Since the very first time that Alex had called him smug and entitled, his eyes lit with fire and his face flushed with anger, Henry has always wondered what it would be like to kiss Alex.
“Well, he certainly won’t be with that attitude!” Pez exclaims. He looks at Henry and narrows his eyes. “Besides, didn’t you say that he doesn’t seem to despise the very ground you walk on any longer? I am almost positive that just the other day, you were rhapsodizing about how Alexander had laughed at one of your jokes and even smiled at you. I remember you throwing yourself over the settee in romantic anxiety– “
“PERCY!” Henry exclaims, avoiding eye contact with the two people nearby, who are eavesdropping with curious faces turned slightly towards him and Pez. He pinches his nose and sighs; being friends with Pez is certainly never boring. “Please let me maintain at least a semblance of dignity.”
“Hazza, that ship sailed her maiden voyage many moons ago,” Pez states, looking at him pointedly. “Take advantage of the fact; go and get your kiss!”
Henry hugs his textbooks tighter against his chest and contemplates the line in front of the booth. The queue has thinned considerably and Henry wonders how Alex would react to seeing him in line. Henry thinks about kissing Alex, and it certainly isn’t the first time he’s imagined what it would be like to press his lips to Alex’s, to have his arms wrap around Henry’s shoulders or to reach out and touch Alex’s stubbled jaw. He sighs and must admit, Pez has a point. Henry may never have this opportunity again.
He takes a deep breath, sticks out his chin and thrusts his books into Pez’s arms. Pez scrambles to catch them, watching Henry with an expectant expression. Henry exhales and wipes his sweaty palms on his pants. “No risk, no reward,” he mutters and walks over to the booth before his courage fails. He hears Pez whoop with delight as he takes his place in line.
Henry fidgets with his signet ring, twisting it on his finger as he waits for his turn. Time seems to be in some sort of paradox; it is passing both too slowly and not quickly enough. Shoving his hands deep in his pockets, Henry glances back at Pez who throws him a thumbs up and waggles his eyebrows suggestively. He sighs at Pez’s antics and turns back to the stall, listening as the person in front of him receives their feedback.
The customer moves away and Henry steps up to the booth, his heart beating a frantic rhythm in his chest. When Alex spots him, his eyebrows shoot up in surprise and there’s something in his eyes that Henry can’t decipher. But before Henry can speak, Alex’s expression changes; the corner of his mouth curls up in a smirk and he looks like every bad decision that Henry’s ever made. One eyebrow raises in a question; Alex’s scrutiny causing a nervous flutter in the pit of Henry’s stomach.
“Looking for some pointers, Fox?” Alex drawls, his eyes dropping down to Henry’s lips. His deep brown eyes glint with something dangerous as he meets Henry’s gaze with a challenge. “Come closer and let me teach you a few things.” Alex winks and well, Henry reacts the way he’s wanted to since that very first day.
Henry’s not really sure what comes over him, but he doesn’t bother to speak. He steps closer and reaches out for Alex. He digs his hands into his dark curls and pulls Alex’s mouth down to his. Henry crushes their mouths together in a hard kiss, both of his hands holding Alex’s head as he moves his lips against Alex’s. Henry feels it when Alex relaxes; his shoulders dropping, and his large hands grasping Henry’s waist, pulling him in. They bump together before settling, their bodies aligning and slotting into place, fitting in each other’s space like they were meant to be this close. Alex’s lips soften against his, opening slightly and Henry can’t stop himself from brushing his tongue against Alex’s, holding back a groan at the touch.
He’s not sure how long they kiss for; all Henry knows is his grip in Alex’s hair, the heat of Alex’s lips on his, and the small moan that he hears when Alex sinks deeper into the kiss. The noise startles Henry out of a daze as he remembers where they are. Pulling away, he stares at Alex’s stunned face; the colour high on his cheeks, his eyes half-lidded and his mouth still parted as he catches his breath.
Alex blinks his long eyelashes at Henry. His voice is deep and raspy when he speaks. “No notes,” he says, a heat in his eyes that Henry feels in his bones.
Henry releases his hold on Alex’s curls and looks around at the crowd that has formed. Someone wolf whistles and a smattering of applause begins as Henry steps back from Alex. He feels a blush rise on his face and he swallows anxiously. The crowd noise gets louder in Henry’s ears as he realizes what he’s just done. He kissed Alex, in the middle of a busy quad with an audience. Henry feels the sudden urge to escape. He can’t be sure, but he thinks he might feel Alex’s hands tighten on his hips as he turns and walks quickly away. Henry doesn’t look back at him as he leaves, afraid of what he might see on Alex’s face.
He marches quickly towards Pez; thankful his long strides eat up the distance with little delay. Luckily, Percy doesn’t hesitate to follow, reading Henry’s expression without difficulty. Henry makes his getaway and doesn’t let himself look back at Alex, so he doesn’t see how Alex’s eyes follow his retreat or how his fingers trace his lips, a thoughtful look on his face.
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A few days later, Henry is in the small bookstore just off campus. He lets his fingers trail over the spines of the books on the shelf as he walks between the stacks, not looking for anything in particular but enjoying the quiet atmosphere and the smell of baked goods from the in-store café.
A title has just caught his eye when there’s a voice behind him. “Henry Fox,” a deep voice calls and Henry stiffens. He knows that voice all too well. “You’ve been a hard man to find.”
He turns and finds Alex walking towards him, his eyes intent on Henry and a serious expression on his face. Henry swallows nervously, his hand dropping from the book to fidget with his ring. Henry’s been dreading this conversation and has successfully avoided crossing paths with Alex up to this instant. He supposes his luck had to end at some point. He sighs and pulls out his wallet, withdrawing a crisp bill. After sliding his wallet back in his pocket, he holds out the money to Alex. “I suppose you were looking for this?” Henry offers.
Alex stares at Henry’s outstretched hand in confusion. “No, Henry,” he says, shaking his head. “That’s not why I’m here.” Alex steps closer and Henry lets his arm fall back down.
“Oh. But I didn’t pay you for your feedback. At-at the Kissing Booth?” he asks softly, trying not to flush at the memory of their kiss. Alex is standing very close, and it’s making his head spin. Henry leans against the bookshelves, his head bumping into the books behind him and licks his suddenly dry lips. Alex watches the movement like a hawk seeing prey and Henry shivers despite the heat of Alex’s body against his.
“I’m not looking for payment, Henry. I needed to find you because…” Alex pauses, his face searching Henry’s as he grips the shelf behind Henry’s hips with both hands, caging him against the bookcase. “Because I needed to reassess the situation and to get more data.”
“I’m sorry? More data?” Henry blinks as he tries to understand, his thoughts a murky mess as Alex’s cologne wafts up from his skin, smoke and spice invading his senses. His hands are in fists at his sides as he tries not to reach out and pull Alex closer. The bill in his hand makes a crinkling noise as it gets wrinkled in his tight grip.
“I had so many bad kisses at that Kissing Booth, Henry,” Alex explains as he leans forward, his nose brushing Henry’s and his hand cradling Henry’s jaw. He leans back to look in Henry’s eyes. “Wasn’t sure if yours was that good or if I’m remembering it wrong. I think another attempt is required. I need to kiss you again.” Alex’s thumb brushes his bottom lip and Henry can’t help the small gasp of air that escapes.
“I’m amenable,” Henry breathes, and he surges forward to meet Alex’s mouth with his. Henry’s arms pull him closer and Alex slots a thigh between his legs as he licks into Henry’s mouth. Their kiss becomes frantic quickly and Henry wonders if Alex has been thinking about this as much as he has. But all thoughts leave his head when Alex moves his leg against Henry’s groin, the friction delicious and sending a flash of heat up Henry’s spine.
The loud groan that Henry can’t hold back is muffled against Alex’s mouth and he can’t help but move his hips, feeling suddenly desperately hard in his jeans. His hands find their way into Alex’s hair unbidden, and he tightens his grip on the dark curls, as Alex presses into him, his own hardness against Henry’s hip. His tongue tangles with Henry’s, the fire between them burning them both. They make out against the books, hard and messy, and Henry feels dizzy with how good it feels.
When Alex begins to pull away, Henry chases his mouth, unwilling to let this moment go. But feeling lightheaded, he has to pause to catch his breath. Henry rests his head against the books behind him and looks at Alex. They are both breathing heavily, and Alex’s hair is a tangled mess from Henry’s hands, his lips reddened and slightly swollen from Henry’s kisses. Alex is staring at him, a small smile on his face.
“So,” Henry begins, reaching up to brush a curl off Alex’s forehead. Alex’s eyelashes flutter with the gentle touch. “Did you have any feedback for me?” Henry waits for Alex’s answer, his heart in his throat.
Alex’s grin lights up his face and he chuckles. “I think repeated experimentation is necessary,” he tells Henry, reaching for his hand and slotting his fingers between Henry’s in a tight grasp. “And maybe we should throw in some variables. Like getting one of the muffins and a drink from the café? Maybe a movie?” He kisses the back of Henry’s hand and looks at him with a hopeful expression.
Henry laughs, the happiness he’s feeling bubbling out of his chest. He squeezes Alex’s hand three times quickly before pulling him in the direction of the café. And if he blushes at the look the barista gives him when he hands them the very wrinkled bill, well, only Henry and Alex know why.