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Sometimes, he looks back at his life and wonders how they were lucky enough to get here. Life and love with Henry has been better than he could've possibly imagined, a beacon of happiness in a world that sometimes felt so dark. He often looks back with fondness at their beginning, sharing it with others whenever he has the opportunity…
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Of course, they started as feuding sons of their country’s leaders. Cakegate, as it's known now, was the start of something he definitely had never seen coming, despite the fact that he used to sneak off and look at June's magazine just to stare at Henry's picture for more time than he liked to think about at the time.
But their forced proximity had eventually done wonders for their relationship. Coordinating everything, of course, had led to more interactions, and it was in those moments that Alex saw the real Henry and came to like him more and more with each passing day.
New Year's Eve… Alex would never forget it. Keeping tabs on Henry the whole night, making sure he had a good time even though he'd sworn to both the prince and himself that that was the last thing he'd be doing. Kissing Nora, then noticing Henry was gone, wondering frantically what could possibly be wrong.
Then, of course, he'd found the prince in the garden, and their relationship had irrevocably changed. Alex's world had tilted on its axis, the effects irreversible. With Henry by his side, he saw the world differently, was a better person because of having Henry in his life. Even though they'd had to fight tooth and nail for their love, Alex had never regretted any of it.
In the years (decades, though he'd be the first to deny it) since, life and their love had only gotten better and better each day. Alex never got tired of being with Henry- seeing the man come out of his shell, especially after he abdicated, had been one of the greatest joys of Alex's life, second only to falling for him and the day they got married in secret one night at the V&A.
Now they had decades of a life together under their belts, and Alex couldn't be happier. The brownstone, and then the lake house when his papa passed, had been homes full of life, love and joy, things he knows Henry never had growing up, especially once his dad passed.
Once Alex was finished law school, they had looked into adopting. They loved each other fiercely, but they had talked about sharing that with a kid who needed a home, who hadn't been as lucky as them.
Of course, nothing had gone according to plan. They definitely hadn't planned on finding a girl who needed them on their through Alex's work (and the PPOs certainly hadn't appreciated it), but now, Alex wouldn't have it any other way. They had looked into adopting Leia within only a few days of meeting her, and thanks to the little firecracker, their lives had never been the same. Naptime, chauffeuring her to and fro to school and different activities… Alex had loved it all.
Now, Leia was a mama herself, and when little Elena was put into his arms for the first time… well, Alex had been so in love he could die.
And through it all, he's had Henry. Henry, who had fought to be with him openly despite all the obstacles that had stood in their way. Henry, who had largely been Leia's caretaker as Alex adjusted to being a lawyer, helping the world change for the better one case at a time. Henry, who had been the first to suggest they move to the lake house when they had both grown tired of the hustle and bustle of New York, knowing it had always been Alex's favorite place to be. Henry, who knew Alex inside and out and loved him anyway.
Everything had changed except Henry's love for him, and Alex's for Henry, and Alex was more thankful for it with each day that passed, and always would be.