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Alex has always loved Henry’s competence. Whether it’s playing polo or the way he blows Alex’s mind and body, Henry is competent at pretty much everything he does.
He’s also just as competitive as Alex is.
They both love to tease each other and compete. Sometimes at silly things like who can unpack the groceries fast, but other times, more specific things like who can beat the other in a race around the block.
So, it’s no surprise that when they take to slopes that after a few runs, Alex teases Henry, “Bet I can beat you down to the bottom of the hill.”
“Oh, love, I’ve been doing this a lot longer than you have, I highly doubt you’d beat me.”
“Even more of a reason for you to take me up on it,” Alex says, a smile on his face.
Henry lets his eyes search Alex’s eyes for sincerity before he smiles and says, “Alright, love, first to win five runs gets a reward.”
“You know that I’m always planning to suck you off no matter what, so that’s an easy bet.”
“Good. Then, game on.”
Their bet is concluded just as they reach the top of the slopes, and they both take off down the hill. They race down the hill, Alex keeping an eye on Henry, while trying to urge his skis to go faster.
He’s neck in neck with Henry and they’re so close to the end as he swerves to avoid a little bush, Henry apparently swerves the wrong way because Alex quickly becomes the winner of round one.
“Yes!”
“That hardly counts,” Henry huffs. “I simply needed a warmup.”
“Shouldn’t your warmup have been the first few rounds? Before the bet?”
Henry hums. “Perhaps I wasn’t prepared for the bet. Therefore, this was a warmup.”
“You can pretend it was only a warmup but I’m still counting it.”
“Fair enough.”
***
Alex is feeling great at the idea that he starts off at 1-0 score.
He’s sure that despite Henry’s usual competence that he can win this easy.
He’s confident that he gives Henry a second head-start.
For the early part of the hill, he’s pretty close to him – literally tied despite the early start, but then it all goes downhill (pun not intended). Henry pulls ahead, by a second, then two, then five, and before Alex knows it, he’s at the bottom of the hill waiting with a fake bored smile and pretending to look at his watch.
Alex huffs when Henry offers, “About time you arrived, I was beginning to think you got lost.”
“Haha, very funny. I’ll get you on the next one.”
***
He doesn’t.
Or the one after that or the one after that.
It’s 1-4 and Alex is both turned on by Henry’s ridiculous competence and frustrated that he’s losing – big time.
He needs to win the next one or he loses the bet.
“You sure you don’t want to concede now?”
“Not a chance,” Alex says, focusing on the ride as they make it to the top. “I’m definitely due for a win.”
“Sure, sure.”
He doesn’t respond as they reach the top and take off down the slopes.
He gets an early lead, which is encouraging as he pushes to go faster down the hill.
“Come on, come on,” he yells to himself as he finally reaches the bottom and gets the win!
“Yes!”
Henry arrives moments later with a grin. “Suppose you were due for a win.”
Alex narrows his eyes at him, but Henry kisses his forehead, and it melts his suspicions.
“4-2, love. Need at least one more run.”
“It’ll probably be at least another three. Because I’m going to win.”
“Of course you are, love.”
***
Turns out, Alex is right.
He barely squeezes on the last run to tie, but he manages it.
“Last one, baby.”
Henry hums. “And I’m going to win it, but you’ll come in second, of course.”
Alex laughs. “Coming in second is the same thing as coming in last when there’s only two.”
“Still second.”
“Yeah, yeah, you’re going down, baby.”
“Sure thing.”
They reach the top and take off.
It’s a tight race as they swerve their way down the hill.
They keep sneaking looks at one another as they race down the hill.
It’s a close one – almost there.
“Come on, come on.”
“Almost there!” Henry yells beside him.
He inches forward and makes it there just a second before Henry does and cheers, “I win!”
“I don’t know, love, it was a bit close – maybe we don’t count that one.”
Alex laughs. “Not a chance. I want my reward.”
Henry smiles. “I’m kidding. I’ll gladly give it to you.”
“Good. Then let’s go back to the hotel so I can collect it.”
“Gladly.”