Work Text:
As soon as the door closes Henry rolls his eyes at Alex, who is sitting across from him at the desk in Alex's beautiful office.
"You didn't read it, did you?" He asks with a sigh.
It shouldn't bother him, if anything he should be impressed that Alex was able to sound so convincing about a manuscript when he probably never even touched the final version.
Alex doesn't look up from where he's furiously typing a work e-mail on his iPhone, (since his computer died early today).
The phone still has a cracked screen even though Henry knows the money Alex made from Henry's debut novel alone, aka his previous work, should be enough to cover the expenses of a brand new iPhone, at least.
But then again Alex and he did go on a pretty expensive Hawaii trip to celebrate their first success story.
And they both donated money to charity. Henry to cancer research and Alex to share the meal.
Henry smiles as he stares at the framed picture on the wall, it's a picture of Alex and Henry side by side as Henry is holding his debut bestselling paranormal queer romance novel. Henry has a soft smile on his face and Alex is beaming proudly at him.
Henry's eyes fall back on the real Alex, who is shotgunning yet another coffee from a dark blue thermos cup with a print of a sky filled with stars on it. Henry got the recyclable to-go coffee cup for him as a thank you after Alex took him stargazing to see Orion at the beach because Henry had a panic attack after reading a bad review.
While shotgunning the coffee Alex continues to furiously type an email, despite it being diner time and them having just finished a rather long and intense meeting.
Is that man ever not working?
Henry truly doesn't know, but it would explain Alex's truly horrifying caffeine addiction.
One of these days he might just write a book where the beloved main character dies of caffeine poisoning, maybe that will finally be the thing that makes Alex understand why he should slow down on the espresso shots and enormous iced coffees, because he usually just laughs Henry's concerns off.
But then again, Alex probably won't read the book, just like he didn't read the final version of the manuscript he just went to war for.
As if on cue Alex speaks up.
"Read what, H? Did you send me another idea? After our meeting last night, because I had a lot of work to do today, but I promise you I will get to your pitch as soon as possible. I am excited to see what your brilliant mind came up with now. I can look at it after our celebration dinner date. How many words is it?"
Henry sighs. "No, My manuscript, Alex. The manuscript you just claimed is one of the most well-written novels of this decade, even though you never even read it."
Alex frowns and finally looks up at Henry. "Excuse me?"
Henry bites his lip.
Alex scoffs. "You're serious? What the hell, H? Of course I read your manuscript, did you forget that I'm litteraly your litterary agent? And that my sister is your editor? Plus, I care about you, even if it wasn't my literal job, which it is by the way, I'd have still read it, both because you're an incredible writer and because that's what anyone who doesn't have trouble reading would do if someone they care about wrote a book. "
Henry waves him off. "Sorry, I just thought you were laying it on a bit thick because you were all like;
"I'm calling it right now this book is never going out of print. Henry made history with this masterpiece And I'm willing to go to war for this book. If Henry's book doesn't get the recognition it deserves from this publisher, then we'll go to someone who will recognize the potential of this novel. I bet you wouldn't be able to look me in the eye and tell me you're second guessing if you're the right publisher for us, if you had actually read my client's manuscript. We are aware that this book isn't light-hearted and has a completely different tone and genre from Henry's debut novel, excuse me, his bestselling debut novel, but we are not going to apologize for that. I guarantee you, sir, that if you were as talented as Henry and you were able to write breathtakingly well-written stories in completely different genres, then you would too. It would be a waste of talent if we limited Henry's writing to one genre. So yes, the public loved Henry's queer parallel romance debut novel. I'm currently working through a possible movie adoption deal for crying out loud, but the public will also love this brilliant, creepy, breathtakingly well-written psychological thriller. If you don't want to publish this novel, don't apologize to us, apologize to yourself because you'll miss out on yet another global bestseller. In fact, if you still want this deal... the deal just went up. Because I won't let Henry tolerate this kind of disrespect and as a businessman, I know we could get a better offer elsewhere. Because everybody knows Henry's first novel was a huge success. We'd already be gone if we didn't value staying loyal to one publisher. So if you still want to be a part of this success story. We now demand 10% more and we demand a guaranteed deal for a 3rd book in whatever genre Henry pleases to write. The man is a hopeless romantic, I promise you, there will be more romance novels. But I stand by his decision to write this psychological thriller/crime novel first, because he'd have been a fool to let this idea go to waste. Do we have a deal?"
Alex smiles. "I know what I said, sweetheart. I was there."
Henry smiles back when he really thinks about how Alex went to war for him, how protective he always is off Henry and how highly he praised him.
He would have fallen in love with Alex on the spot, if only that hadn't happened ages ago
Then he shrugs himself out of it, yes the words were sweet.
That is the the problem.
Henry is proud of his story, he is, but he's humble and self-aware enough to acknowledge it doesn't deserve the praise Alex gave it.
He respects the hell out of Alex and he wouldn't normally call him a liar.
But it's simply not realistic that anyone would talk that highly about Henry's psychological thriller/crime romance novel.
He trusts Alex with his life, he really does, but that doesn't change the fact that he wasn't being realistic when he praised Henry's thriller like he's the next Stephen King or Holly Jackson.
He sighs. "I am not trying to offend you, but I just felt like you were exaggerating a bit. And I figured the only reason you could mean everything you said was that you didn't read the final product of my second manuscript. I know you read my debut novel, more than once. I know you read the the arch, pitches, drafts and poison outline of my second novel more than once and I know you reread and loved the finished product of my debut novel... so I just thought.. that maybe you assumed you'd love this new story just as much. Because if you truly read it... I don't think you'd speak that highly of it."
Alex rolls his eyes at him.
“Of course, I read it, H. Yes, I read your pitch for the story and we've had conversations for it, but of course that's not enough to base my opinion on. So of course I read it, I gave you fucking feedback for it, I used those expensive markers you got me for Christmas and send it back to you looking like a rainbow vomited over a bunch of papers. Which you know because you used many of my suggestions. And yes I read the final version of your manuscript too, before I agreed it was ready and could be send to your editor. And yes you reread and re-edited it then, but ofcourse I reread it to before I send it to the publisher. So not only did I read it, I read it multiple times. Like I am litteraly contracted to do. But that doesn't mean I lied. I meant every word when I said that You wrote a incredible, well-written, psychological thriller, that Is frankly to die for, with witty dialogue, a clever plot twist, and a swoon-worthy unexpected romance, with lots of neurodivergent, Poco and queer representation, a strong female character, and an interesting plot. I get that you're nervous, I get that sharing writing always feels personal, and I get that you have high expectations to live up to... But I'm honestly offended that you'd think I'm lying. Not just because that would be a fireable offense and because representing a manuscript I never read is... beyond stupid, not to mention illegal, which is why frankly it just doesn't happen, ever. But also because I don't like the fact that you think I'd be able to look you in the eye and lie to your cute face like that.”
Henry blushes. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. I just didn't expect such high praise. I spent years on my debut novel and I wrote this second novel in a few months, plus it's a completely different genre than the queer sci-fi/paranormal romance novel I wrote first."
Alex smiles softly. "I know, and if you keep up this pace, you're going to make history, my man. I'm proud of you, you know? You delivered something of great quality in a short amount of time. And this way we will be able to keep your fanbase interested. It's best to hit them with a sneak peek for your second novel before the hype of your debut novel has completely died down. And thanks to your awesome agent, who will always go to war for you in any and all ways both professionally and unproffesionally... like you fucking know, you're already guaranteed a 3rd book deal."
Henry snorts. "And an anxiety-inducing deadline, I'm sure."
Alex squeezes his knee. "Yes, but we both know that if there is anyone that can pull it off it's you . And just like the last time, if you ever need a little writersblock cure, in the form of company, you just say the word and I appear like a very sexy problem solver."
Henry grins. "That is my favorite part of the writing process', he whispers.
Alex smirks at him.
"Same, just let me finish this e-mail and then we should walk to the restaurant if we still want to make our reservation, which is at 8 pm. And don't even fucking try to pay, it's my treat, remember? We need to celebrate, we're about to make history, again ."
Henry grins. "It's a date.'
Alex smiles at him and then continues to type his e-mail.
Afterward he puts his phone away, grabs his coat, and leads Henry to the door.
Before he locks his office he leans in and whispers in Henry's ear, "When you think about it, it's not that hard to believe your secret lover has good taste is it?"
Henry blushes and if it were possible he'd kiss Alex right then and there, but they can't risk anyone finding it out they're dating now.
Because even if they like to think it's not true they are engaging in a major conflict of interest and if anyone found out it would mean that Henry has to get a new literary agent and he prefers the one he now gets to wake up next to every morning.