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Henry always enjoyed basking in the sun. Back in England, the constant shitty weather quite literally dampened his spirits. Plus, bouncing between spending hours locked inside the palace and ribbon-cutting every business known to man, Henry hardly had time to relax.
So here he was in Florida, dark shades perched on his nose, and an open peach button down with a pair of pale blue cossies. The sun beamed down against his pale skin, leaving what he knew to be a future sunburn.
After Henry and Alex’s slapstick PR stunt in London, Kensington palace thought that the most plausible next step was to parade their spare around the U.S. as well.
Henry remembered quite distinctly his words when he had heard the news, sitting and enjoying his book. This is bloody fucking ridiculous.
So much for reading.
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Alex jumped into the clear, shimmering pool, dark trunks contrasting against the mesmerizing pale blue of the water. In a way, the color reminded him of Henry’s eyes, stark and impossibly blue.
“Are you Alex Claremont-Diaz?”
“Oh–yeah!”
He turned back to find a gaggle of star-eyed children staring at him. A little girl in the front with a blue floral one piece was the one to ask.
“My mom says your mom is the best!” A little boy in navy swim trunks squeaked. Alex laughed.
“I’m glad. Are you guys having fun?”
Alex was never prepared to be recognized in public. But, being recognized in public by children was another story. The infamous “Cakegate” flooding nearly every news station after the tragic events of Prince Phillip’s royal wedding surely had something to do with his sudden popularity.
Getting covered in a super fucking expensive wedding cake in front of a bunch of royals was not the most regal way of being known. Especially when you're the son of the United States president.
“Yes!” One girl replied, quickly pivoting to another topic, "why did that cake fall on you?” Alex laughed, thinking of a way to reply.
“Maybe I just wanted to see what it tasted like.” At that, the girl broke out in laughter, splashing the water up around her. Alex shielded himself from the spray, peering up to see Henry in a lounge-chair not too far away. He smirked, already conjuring a plan.
“You know this guy?” Alex looked between the kids, pointing up at where Henry was reading his book, sunglasses perched on his nose. One of the little girls nodded, “Yeah.”
“Who is he?” Alex looked at her with faux disgust, dark curls drenched and plastered against his forehead
“That’s the prince of England! He’s the coolest prince ever!”
Alex grinned, glad the children knew who he was. He shot one last menacing glare up to where Henry was sitting before shaking his head.
“Oh no! That’s far from true. Everyone, splash her!” Alex watched as the other kids playfully directed the pool water to her, laughing as they went. He joined, sending a few waves. “You get out of the pool. Show me your dad!”
The girl gave her best puppy eyes, face dripping from being splashed. Alex sighed. “Alright, alright. I forgive you. You can stay.” Alex folded his arms over his chest.
Alex was not the most regal person after all.
“How about we race? And, I’ll buy a candy bar for all of you if I lose.” Alex narrowed his eyes like he was proposing a real business deal, watching all of the kids' eyes sparkle, giving squeaks of approval.
“Hey, Henry! Make sure none of these cheaters cheat, okay?” Alex called, bringing his hands to his mouth to direct his voice to the prince. Henry looked up, giving a thumbs up, “Okay.”
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Of course, Alex ended up losing the race. Partially because an entire “shark” came his way and also because they were children and he was expected to let them win.
After congratulating each of the kids with a high five, Alex pushed his soaking dark curls out of his face and pushed himself out of the pool.
“Henry,” Alex paused in front of the blonde to promptly shake his wet curls over him, sending the water onto him, “Can you give me a few bucks? I don’t have my wallet with me.”
Henry just looked at him, smiling, the book pushed down into his lap. His–in Alex’s opinion–impossibly pink lips curved upwards even further. “Fine.”