Henry loves this part. The giddy energy, the swapped grins. Alex climbs on top and begins to devour Henry's skin. He licks Henry's collar bones, making careful work over every groove. His hips buck up into Alex, he can feel his bulge rubbing up against Alex’s. He runs his hand through Alex’s hair, tugging a little. Alex takes the hint, capturing Henry's lips. ‘I need you so much, baby.’ Henry gasps into the next kiss, his eyes feel prickly. His hands gather around Alex’s neck, his thumbs stroking the sensitive spot behind Alex’s ears. Alex starts to laugh, the air hot on Henry's face. ‘You asshole!’ Henry shrugs, blinking his glossy eyes. Alex pinches at Henry's waist, making him squirm underneath him. He slaps Alex's chest lightly. ‘Okay, okay. No more tomfoolery.’ Alex squints at him and shakes his head. ‘Tomfoolery… who are you?’ ‘Just a posh twit who has a soft spot for American boys who have eyelashes that should be registered as weapons.’

Eventually, Cal returns to the others with a flick of his tail, satisfied with his royal introduction. Alex climbs up to sit on the top rail, legs swinging, feet thudding softly against the wood. “So …” he says casually, eyes jovial, “gonna tell me which window you escaped through?” Henry’s lips curl into a smirk. “And have you bar it up? No way.” Alex chuckles. “I’ll figure it out. Bet you left something hanging—rope, sheet, enchanted scarf, whatever you used to escape.” Henry lifts a brow. “If you say so.” He has no intention of revealing his secret. No mention of the lower level, the hidden door, the unused windows with their easy latches. Some secrets are too sweet to surrender. And besides… he likes having a bit of freedom. Alex tilts his head, watching him for a beat longer. He knows Henry is hiding something more than just the name of his kingdom. But for now, he lets it be. For now.

‘You looked, dare I say, happy.’ The word almost startles Henry. Happiness has barely been a concept in his life. There are moments of light, laughing with Percy or dueting with Beatrice but mostly his heart has been wrapped up in shadows. Until now, he supposes. Beatrice puts a hand on his knee, her nails are a violent red colour that their Grandmother definitely disapproves of. ‘Feel it Henry. Don't run away from it.’ Henry looks at his sister, her eyes close to filling with tears. Christ, she looks so much like their mother. Before she cut ties with reality anyway. ‘I’ll try.’ He takes Bea's hand, kissing her knuckles like their father used to do. She smiles, a tear dribbles down her cheek and it feels all too bittersweet.

Alex can't fucking believe it. Mr Doesn't Know Other Colours Aside Grey Exist is scuttling in, stopping their lecture mid sentence as the door crashes behind him. He hears a slurry of groans and sighs around him, looking back a couple of rows to see a couple of girls practically melting over their desks. Alex rolls his eyes. I mean he gets it, he's objectively handsome. In a classic beauty standard kind of way. The blonde hair and impeccable waistline will probably do for most women. Maybe some men, he supposes. ‘Do you mind if I sit here?’ His questionable train of thought is interrupted by British vowels in what he presumes is a cashmere sweater.

They unload the gear and Anna gets her s’more, of course, immediately befriending Bob, who’s been hunting here for years, and working all her magic to try to extract his best trade secrets.  Pat knocks into Travis’s shoulder as they both watch them chattering animatedly. “She’s a pistol. Knows her stuff, too. She excited for tomorrow?” “She is. She’s hardly stopped talking about this trip since we met with you. Thank you again, I know working with a kid so little isn’t most guides’ idea of a good time—” Pat shakes his head. “Nah, fuck that. She’s great. It’s awesome to meet a kid so young this excited about hunting. Must be raising her right.”  Travis feels warmth spread through him. There’s not anything more important to him than being a good dad. Hearing from a relative stranger that his kid is amazing, that he’s doing a good job, feels incredible. 

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Henry goes back to Alex to fight for them. Or for closure. He'll figure out which when he gets there.

His limbs feel the pressure of the water as he slips into a spin. His body is contorted by ripples from the other dancers, as if they're keeping him in line. He can't see anything resembling an audience but he knows he's being watched. Henry has been watched his entire life, why should that change in his dreams? He pushes a leg out into the dark expanse, aiming for the next position. Suddenly a body jostles into him, setting off through the water. He kicks his feet to reach the body. The familiar warm brown gaze greets him. Henry gulps, now he feels the wetness that surrounds them. Why is Alex here? He doesn't belong here, he sticks out amongst the darkness. Henry grips his face. He's smiling but there's no life there, a puppet brought to life. Alex, love, can you hear me? Henry slaps his cheeks lightly but there's no response. The little light he has is dying out, he looks up to see a myriad of dancers surrounding them. Their black tutus dissolve into a cloud of ink and swallow them up despite Henry's silent cries.

‘Do you remember Nora? That gorgeous woman who stole my heart in the spring?’ Henry groans, holding his face in his hand. ‘How can I forget? If I hear one more soliloquy about her, I'm going to shove you into the front row during your solo.’ Percy gasps dramatically. ‘You wouldn't dare, darling.’ ‘Can you get to your point?’ Percy softens his eyes and gives Henry's shoulder a squeeze. ‘The lovely Nora is close friends with June and Alex. She's actually joining them in a-’ 'Percy.' ‘She can give us an in. I'm sure they'll want someone who can show them Paris, who better than us?’ Henry nibbles his lip, Percy has a sparkle in his eye as he sips a glass of red wine. That sparkle usually means trouble. He looks back to the curly haired man, Alex. He's smiling, laughing at something his sister has said. It’s so warm, he practically glows. So hot it might just burn Henry if he's not careful. ‘Alright then, you're on.’