Chapter Text
Alex didn’t notice him at first.
It wasn’t that the guy was subtle – he had the kind of presence that made people sit up straighter, like some archaic social instinct forced them to acknowledge him. But Alex had better things to do than stare at some pasty British dude with a jawline too sharp to be trusted.
Besides, he was running late. His morning practice had run over, leaving him just enough time to throw on a hoodie over his damp hair and jog across campus to Com 204, sliding into a seat just as the professor started talking about the semester project.
“Paired research presentation,” the professor said. “Due in five weeks. I’ll be assigning your partners.”
Alex exhaled through his nose. Partner projects were a pain in the ass. He was fine working with other people, but Georgetown was full of students who would rather contribute nothing and leech off someone else’s GPA.
Names were read. He wasn’t really listening – until he heard his own.
“Alex Claremont-Diaz and Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor.”
What the fuck kind of name was that?
Alex blinked, then turned to see the guy from before – pale, blonde, obviously European – already looking at him with what could only be described as mild irritation. The expression wasn’t new to Alex. He’d gotten it plenty of times from rich, self-important assholes who thought their last names made them better than everyone else.
Henry barely acknowledged him when they moved to sit together. Alex leaned back in his chair, arms crossed.
“So. You any good at research?” Alex asked.
Henry glanced at him, unimpressed. “I’m competent.”
“Oh, well. Fantastic. I love when people describe themselves like an instruction manual.”
Henry didn’t rise to the bait. Instead, he pulled out a notebook and uncapped a pen, clearly prepared to ignore Alex entirely.
Alex narrowed his eyes. "Alright, what’s your deal?”
Henry sighed, like the effort of existing in Alex’s presence was exhausting. “I don’t have a ‘deal.’ I’d simply like to get this over with.”
Alex scoffed. “Wow, okay. You always this charming, or do you save it just for special occasions?”
Henry didn’t even look up. “Only for Americans who insist on talking.”
“Oh, I insist? My bad, I thought it was called a collaboration.”
Still nothing. Alex drummed his fingers on the desk, studying Henry with growing irritation. It wasn’t just that the guy was acting like this project was a punishment from the gods – it was the sheer audacity of it. Alex had met plenty of people who thought they were better than him, but none of them had ever looked so effortlessly bored while doing it.
“Okay,” Alex said, forcing his voice into something dangerously close to pleasant. “Let’s get one thing straight, Your Majesty – ”
Henry’s pen paused mid-word. His eyes flicked up, cool and unimpressed. “It’s Your Royal Highness.”
Alex grinned, all teeth. “Oh, my bad. Let’s get one thing straight, Your Royal Pain in the Ass – ”
Henry sighed, like he was regretting every decision that had led him to this moment. “Charming.”
Alex leaned back in his chair. “You always this fun at parties, or is it just me?”
“This project is worth thirty percent of our grade,” Henry said flatly, ignoring him. “I’d rather not fail it, so if we could just agree to work efficiently and minimize unnecessary interaction, I’d appreciate it.”
Alex let out a disbelieving laugh. “Jesus. Do you talk to everyone like this, or just Americans?”
Henry gave the tiniest shrug, like the answer was obvious.
“Oh, okay,” Alex said. “I see how it is. I’m not gonna sit here and pretend you didn’t just dismiss my entire existence like I’m some bug on your windshield. If we’re gonna be working together, maybe try acting like an actual human person instead of a – ”
“Irrelevant,” Henry interrupted, snapping his notebook shut. “Are you free tomorrow afternoon to meet?”
Alex’s mouth opened, then closed. He stared at Henry, who just looked back at him expectantly, like he hadn’t just steamrolled the entire conversation.
This guy was unreal.
Alex took a slow breath through his nose, willing himself not to start something in the middle of class. He wasn’t sure why Henry got under his skin so quickly, but he did. Maybe it was the posh accent, maybe it was the way he carried himself like he was born knowing how to wear a suit. Either way, Alex wasn’t about to let him win whatever weird power game this was.
“Fine,” Alex said, matching Henry’s clipped tone. “Library. Four o’clock. Try not to be late.”
Henry nodded once and stood, tucking his notebook under his arm. “Likewise.”
And then, without another word, he turned and walked out of the classroom, leaving Alex fuming in his seat.
This was going to be a long five weeks.