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The bumping bass of whatever trendy song is playing over the haphazard speaker system is making it hard for Henry to hear the girl he is talking to. He sat next to her on the lumpy couch in hopes to catch a break from the intense party and noticed she had a Jane Austen shirt on. Conversation flowed and he found out her name was Alyssa, and she too was her group’s designated driver.
“So who are you with then?” She asked when Henry told her he was a designated driver as well. Henry hoped his intuition was right when he replied, “My boyfriend.” She did have a shaggy haircut and was wearing an Austen shirt, after all.
He was right, Alyssa just smiled and nodded. “Is he a rugby fan or is he just here for the party?” She asked.
The party was a celebration for the team’s continued winning streak, and its true that even with this fact a lot of the people here were just here for the party. It was what an American college kid would classify as a “rager”, and even if Henry didn’t particularly take to this sort of environment, he could appreciate its novelty and would always be there for Alex.
Henry laughed a little bit to himself. “He’s on the team actually. Alex Claremont-Diaz?” Alyssa gasped and playfully shoved him, “Shut up, you’re lying.” Henry shook his head. Alyssa grabbed, “Oh Tessa is gonna be so bummed! She came to this party just to see him and try and hit on him. She’s one of the girls I came with.”
That caused Henry to laugh louder. Surprisingly, Henry wasn’t a jealous person. He was used to the constant moves that got made on Alex and even took a bit of pride in knowing that he was the one Alex came home to. Alex was too nice of a person, and even if he knew someone was coming up to talk to him just for the sake of hooking up, he still held a conversation with them and got to know them. Henry’s told him he’s leading people on, Alex says he’s just being cordial.
Either way, it wasn’t a surprise that there were people here just for Alex. Henry was on the school’s YikYak and saw all the posts.
Alyssa and Henry continued chatting and people-watched from the sofa, and were doing so when a girl came running up to Alyssa. She threw herself onto the couch, her red Solo Cup’s liquid sloshing out. “Alyssa!” She wailed, loud enough for Henry to hear her. “I’m devastated. I can never return here!”
Alyssa sat up straighter, and Henry leaned in too to see if there was any kind of threat. “What happened, Tessa?” Alyssa asked, and Henry remembered this was the friend who was interested in Alex. He didn’t want to assume, but he figured he knew what happened.
“Alex!” She cried. “I met him, I did. We were in the kitchen, he was taking a break from beer pong. And he was so nice!” She hung her head and Alyssa looked over her body to Henry. Henry shrugged apologetically and Alyssa smiled. “Well then what? That doesn’t sound bad,” Alyssa continued.
Tessa sat up and straightened her tube top. “That’s the point! It was so great and he was so nice and he talked me for so long just to tell me he was taken! I can’t say I’m surprised though, he deserves it. Whoever he’s with must know they are with the finest man on campus. I need them to know that.”
Alyssa rubbed her back and said, “I’m sure they do.” Then, Tessa finally looked over at Henry, the third person on the couch. “Who’s this?” She asked.
“I’m Henry,” He gave a small wave. Tessa looked him up and down. “You’re hot. Are you single?” Henry shrugged unfortunately. “No, and otherwise gay.” Tessa groaned and laid back against the couch. “Where are all of the hot, single, straight men?”
“There’s plenty on the rugby team, just not Alex, I’m afraid,” Henry offered in consolation. “I could get you in contact with one of them?” Tessa raised a brow, “How would you do that? Are you on the rugby team?”
Now seemed a good as time as any to break the news, so Henry started, “No, actually I’m dating-” But he didn’t get to finish because the man of the hour Alex came out of the crowd and stood in front of Henry.
“Babe,” He exclaimed. “I’ve gotten hit on like five times now, this has got to be a record for one party. Someone even asked me to be their third! But I told them no can do because I’ve already got someone so they would have to be looking for a fourth as well. They said no to that.”
Henry was admiring his boyfriend as he said this, even in the low lighting with his hair half-stuck to his forehead because of sweat, Alex was dazzling. He was chatty by nature, but alcohol made him even more so.
“I’m happy for you,” Henry smiled as he took Alex’s hand. “But next time, before you offer me up for a foursome, I’d appreciate if you’d ask me first.” Alex nodded with vigor, “I understand. Sorry about that, but you know I’d never do anything without you.”
“And I’m very glad for that. Are you having fun?” Henry asked, and Alex danced a little while still holding Henry’s hand. “Fuck, baby, yeah I am. Fuck, wait are you? We can go, and have some fun alone,” Alex sent Henry the most conspicuous wink known to man. That resulted in him getting a reprimanding look. “I am actually, I’ve made a new friend. This is Alyssa and her friend Tessa-”
As Henry directed his attention towards the two he saw Tessa with her mouth agape. “You’re the one dating Alex?” She asked incredulously.
“Oh hello again!” Alex smiled. “Yes this is the love of my entire life. I don’t understand how people don’t know this. You come to basically all of my games and we are literally always together. I think I would die if I was away from you for more than two hours. I’d be a puddle on the floor. Or maybe I’d disintegrate. Or maybe float away. Whatever, all I’m saying is that I love you, Henry and I want to be with you for the rest of my life and I swear that I will make you the happiest man on this earth if you just let me.”
By the time Alex had finished his monologue, there were tears in his eyes and his voice wavered. “Oh Alex, I know,” Henry placated. “But you better officially ask me in a better establishment than a fraternity house.”
Alex nodded sternly again. “Oh I know, trust me I have it plan-” He couldn’t finish his sentence because of a yell coming from the other side of the room. It was one of his teammates, Stephen. “Diaz! Get your ass in here, it’s your turn!”
Alex groaned and yelled back, “It’s Claremont-Diaz, asshole! And give me a minute, I’m talking to Henry!” Alex turned his gaze back to Henry, “Sorry, I have to go, but see you soon. God I love you so much, you’re so sexy.” He quickly leaned down and gave Henry a peck on his mouth. “Bye!” He said, and then dashed away.
Henry watched him go, and then turned back to the girls still sharing the couch with him. “Sorry about that, he gets very affectionate when he’s drunk.” Alyssa shook her head in disregard, “No worries, y’all are cute.”
Henry saw Tessa looking at him with some assertion. When he caught her eye she said, “Who was that guy who yelled at him? Is he on the rugby team and is he into girls?” Henry laughed, “Yes on both accounts.”
——
The party could still be considered in full swing when Alex decided he wanted to leave. “Wanna spend time with you,” was what Alex gave as reasoning. Henry obliged, said farewell to Alyssa who was kept there by 4 other girls, and made his way out of the house with Alex.
It was past midnight as Henry checked his phone, and that could be seen as they stepped outside to dark skies and felt the chill in the air. The music was softer out here, yet Alex was humming the tune to himself. The pair walked with their arms interlinked, but Henry had to disengage to take Alex’s car key out of his pocket.
Henry didn’t have a car in the states, as he could rely on public transport and also didn’t initially know how to drive on the right side of the road. He never felt the need to get one, but once he started dating Alex, Alex quickly decided Henry needed to at least know how to drive an American car. Which was true and fair, and essential for moments like this. So after a crash course in a superstore parking lot, Henry got his American driver’s license.
“What do you want to do when we get home?” Henry asked as they both got into Alex’s Bronco. Alex sighed as he did his seatbelt. “Get in our bed and be as close as humanly possible to you. Like I want your molecules directly next to my molecules.”
Henry smiled at Alex’s statement. “Can do,” he said. “But it will have to be done after we take showers. That house was not very clean.” Alex groaned, “Ugh, you’re always so smart and reasonable which is so hot. But c’mon, don’t you see how reasonable it would be to shower together?”
The thought did cross Henry’s mind, but he didn’t know if Alex would be able to handle it. Even after two years of dating, it was agreed to never do anything sexual if any party was under the influence. It was safer, and didn’t leave room for anything unintentional. Henry knew Alex would never do anything in any state if Henry said no, but he also knew getting in the shower together was like giving setting a feast out for a hungry person.
“Hands to yourself?” Henry asked? “Yes sir,” Alex responded. “Absolutely no funny business. I just want to lay next to you as quickly as possible.” Henry nodded, “Well alright then.”
The drive from the chosen party house to Alex and Henry’s apartment wasn’t long. They lived together, but only started to this year. They got a two bedroom as well, just to give each person their space if they so needed it. They both knew they were all in, but didn’t want to actually be too all in too quickly. There was only one bathroom though, because they didn’t feel the need to get one with two. The apartment they had was relatively close to campus, and made for a good commute for classes and practice.
Once the pair arrived at their place, they made quick work of cleaning up and getting ready for bed. Alex stood by his statement, and seemed to attach himself in every way possible to Henry once in bed. Alex was basically on top of him, but Henry didn’t mind at all, he relished in the fact that he had someone to do this with. Alex was out like a light, but not before murmuring an “I love you so much,” to Henry.