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From
Google: platonic soulmate is a deeply profound, non-romantic, and non-sexual best friendship that mirrors the intimacy and commitment of a soulmate connection. It is characterized by instant recognition, unwavering support, absolute trust, and the ability to be one's true self without judgment. These bonds are often considered lifelong partnerships.
Characters belong to Casey McQuiston
It’s just a gag.
June knows it means nothing, it’s just a ritual, a silly game Nora and Alex play every year to titillate onlookers, to make headlines. It doesn’t mean anything.
But knowing that doesn’t make June’s heart stop its plummet to the floor or the rush of cold dread unfurling in her stomach or the red hot jealousy that stains her cheeks red when she sees Nora in Alex’s arms.
Because even though she knows Alex and Nora were over ages ago it doesn’t make the knot of uncertainty any looser. Because what if they decide to give it another go? What if they decide to do what everyone expects them to do and try again. Alex and Nora are a beautiful couple and June has read countless headlines and articles dissecting their every move and coming to the conclusion that of course in the end Alex and Nora will get back together. The ultimate power couple of the Claremont campaign.
June is startled from her own spiralling thoughts when she catches Henry’s eyes and she sees her own heart breaking in his face. The Prince’s face crumples for just one second and Alex is laughing and smiling and completely oblivious to his turmoil and then Henry is turning and getting swamped in the crowd.
June is following him an instant later, she doesn’t think she’s just a creature of instinct. She just needs to get out. She thinks she’s heard Alex calling Henry’s name but it’s lost in the cacophony of noise. She keeps the tall blond frame in view as she manoeuvres through the crowd. There’s literally only one other person who perfectly understands what June is feeling right now and she needs to be there with him.
She loses him in the crowd; it’s easier to move when you’re tall and by the time she forces her way through the door to the outside is closing. She catches it and then shudders when she finds herself outside tramping through snow in a party dress and high heels. She grits her teeth and plows on until she reaches Henry, standing alone beneath the branches.
“H-Henry” she says softly, teeth chattering and in a moment he whirls and she sees the redness of his eyes. He’s a gentleman first though and when he sees her he instantly shrugs out of his jacket and wraps it around her.
“Here,” he says, his smooth, rich voice a little jagged. “It’s freezing out here, June”
It really is but the cold feels good. Refreashing.
“What are you doing out here?” Henry asks and June slides him a long look.
“Probably the exact same reason you’re out here.”
“Ah,” Henry says, “Nora and Alex.”
June nods. Henry lifts up his arm and she allows him to wrap her tightly against him. Its a very intimate gesture and one that is sure to be front page news if anyone sneaks a picture but right now she and Henry are both in a very lonely, depressed boat and she doesn’t care if tomorrow she has to defend a friendly hug to the press and her mom. Henry needs a hug. And so does she.
“They do this every year,” June says against his shirt. “It’s just a thing they do. It’s a joke.”
“Hmm” Henry says. Yup. They both feel the exact same then.
“Knowing that should make me feel better,” June continues. “But it doesn’t.”
Henry’s big hand squeezes her elbow conspiratorially.
“I shouldn’t have come. It was a foolish thing to do. I don’t belong here. It was Pez’s idea”
“I like Pez,” June offers tentatively and Henry smiles. A real one and it makes him devastatingly handsome. But sad, ever so sad. It reminds June of one of the period dramas PBS show a lonely figure standing on the moors after being rejected by the heroine. Only she didn’t know if there could be a happy ending for Henry.
“He likes you. A lot.” Henry confides. “And I do too.”
June nudges him playfully. “If we have to be at the reject table I’m glad to share it with you.” She says and means it. Henry looks into the middle distance and when he looks back his eyes are very blue.
“Do you ever wish you could just be a normal girl, an ordinary person on the street?”
June laughs, “only every day since my parents decided to run for elected office.” And something in her heart lifts when she sees Henry’s eyes warm with complete understanding.
“I’ve been a source of scrutiny since six months before my birth to right this second” at June’s questioning stare he adds. “That’s when the speculation began about me: six months before my birth. Would I be a boy or girl and what prospective noble would be right for me to marry. What name i should have and how much controversy would there be if that name wasn’t a long dead monarchs”
“Damn,” June breaths. “That sucks balls.”
“It really does,” Henry says.
“I’m not like Nora and Alex,” June says and she can’t quite believe she’s saying this out loud. She can’t say this to Nora and Alex because they wouldn’t understand at all.
“The campaigning and politics it’s in their blood. It’s why they work so well together. They want this life and they’re willing to give up everything and everyone for it.”
“And you’re not.” Henry says softly and June could cry at at last being seen. Really seen and understood.
“I want a life in Paris,” Henry says. “To be a writer maybe with a little apartment where no one knew me but my writing.”
“Is there room for one more?” June asks. “Do they still have lavender marriages?” She frowns mockingly at Henry when he chokes.
“What?”
“C’mon Henry neither one of us in this conversation is straight and be both know it.”
For a minute she thinks she’s gone too far. That she’s crossed some line and Henry will close back up and become Prince Henry again and she’ll be left here alone with a bleeding heart. But he doesn’t, his smile is trembling and a little hesitant but it’s there.
“I would lavender marry you in an instant June Claremont Diaz”
“Better keep that under your jacket, your royal highness in case someone catches that on film and we end up actually having to go through with it. I’m sure the monarchy would love you marrying a half Mexican girl”
“Far better then if I were to marry a half Mexican boy,” Henry’s voice is choked with emotion. “God I’m such an idiotic fool. I thought….i don’t know what I thought but I know it’s wrong.”
June hugs him. It’s against protocol but she cant not. Henry is hurting and June can’t stand there and pretend he’s not just to fulfill an ancient rule.
“Tomorrow Nora and Alex won’t even remember it happened.” June tells him and it’s true. But it doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt still. She’s had a wonderful time with Pez but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t want Nora with every fibre of her being, it doesn’t mean her heart doesn’t break everytime she remembers she and Nora can’t be together because it’ll be just another thing her mother has to answer for. It doesn’t mean that everytime her articles are stripped of any credibility and nuance so that they fit a message co signed by the White House she doesn’t want to scream.
“I just feel so-“
“Trapped?”
June wriggles out from under Henry’s arm so she can fully face him. She takes his hand in both of hers.
“Ok let’s be friends. Like real friends”
“We aren’t already?”
June rolls her eyes. “You know what I mean. Have you heard the term platonic soulmates?”
“Uh, no?”
“Well it’s like traditional soulmates but without the sexual or romantic parts.” June says. “I just…no one’s ever got it,
Y’know. How mad our lives are and how horrible. But you do. I can tell you all this and you understand. Nora and Alex can’t.”
Henry swallows deeply. “I’d like that. To be platonic soulmates with you.”
“And I don’t think you’re off base with Alex I just think-“
“What do you think, bug?”
June whirls at the voice. Her brother stands against the tree, his face shadowed but there was a dangerous edge to his voice and June realises what she and Henry must look like holding hands and gazing intently into each others eyes. She almost laughs but there’s nothing funny about the look on Alex’s face. June recognises the look on a flash of understanding. Alex is jealous.
“Alex-“
“So when’s the wedding?” Alex asks genially though his eyes and mouth are sullen.
“There will be no wedding,” Henry says, “June and I were simply talking-“
“And holding hands in the snow under a tree. Pretty scenic. Does Zahra have to write up a press release?”
“Oh, god, you’re being an idiot not to mention blind!” Henry snaps.
“Oh really?! I catch you out here with my sister after midnight, and she’s wearing your jacket and I’m being idiotic?”
“Yes! Completely!” Henry bites out. “If you stopped for one second to think-“
“I know what I saw-“ Alex interrupts. “I’m oh so sorry I ruined your big romantic overture-“
“My god you’re as thick as it gets!” Henry snarls and one moment he’s standing beside her and the next he’s taken Alex’s face between his hands and is kissing him passionately and June decides she’s seen her brother kiss fee too many people tonight and turns on her heel and leaves before she’s scarred for life.