#greymount

crawling up the side of the palace - sized structure reminds him of his padawan days, sneaking in to see the prince who'd caught his eye, SEEKING OUT THE PLEASURES THE JEDI WERE SO PUBLICLY DENIED — though, it typically wasn't storming whenever he chose to sneak in. it was a surprise his master never caught him, and he was even more surprised no one caught him on his way in tonight. alex's heart nearly explodes when he sees henry's form in his bed, and while one might be fooled into thinking he's fast asleep, alex knows his husband well. “ henry. baby. ” he whispers, swiftly walking to his bedside and kneeling. he wants to say so much, and yet he doesn’t know what to say all at the same time. they haven’t spoken in almost a year. “ I'M HERE. i'm so sorry for taking so long. ”

“ you know, i was thinking earlier today. ” he braces himself for a retort, and then continues, eyes still focused on the gently rippling lake. “ that first time we ever studied together, and i was walking you home, and we talked about our parents meeting at college. you were convinced i was on my way to meeting some girl that i’d end up marrying and when you said that i remember thinking that there was no way that would happen to me. i thought it was because i was just so focused on keeping my scholarship, but . . . ” he sighs, and turns his head, chin resting on henry’s shoulder. IT ALL FELT SO LONG AGO. in the grand scheme of things, it really wasn’t. “ i don’t know. it’s hard for me to think about all that and not think of you. i don’t think there could be anyone else for me except for you. ” he clears his throat, and looks back at the water. “ god, i’m talking too much. i should shut up now. ”

“ bad influence or BEST BOYFRIEND EVER? ” alex used to wonder if henry ever skipped before that couple of weeks of ghosting, but now he’s certain he never has. it’s cute, he thinks, squeezing his hand as he looks at him from across their table. he’d wanted to try this place for ages — except it was only open during class. he’s glad henry came with. “ are you telling me shakespeare is better than BOTTOMLESS FRENCH TOAST? trust me, we’re not missing out on anything. i’ve learned more about shakespeare than i ever have before from you than the dude who spent more money than you and i have combined to be an expert in it, or whatever. ” he kisses henry’s fingers before resting their hands back on the table. “ here’s an idea — i’ll read hamlet to you until the cows come home to make it up to you. sound fair? ”

“ i love you. we'll be safe here, i promise. your family and mine won't know we're here, unless you and i decide together. ” he's taken henry to the flower gardens, a place he's certain was hand built for the two of them. “ it seems like you've been sleeping okay. better than before. ” and the color has returned to henry's cheeks, and the life to his eyes. maker, he loves him. “ did i show you the library yet? i've gotta. you'd love it. ”

“ good. when’s the next time you’ll see someone so dashing making potions out in the open like this? ” except the potion was poison, one he needed for his next assignment. some baker. he didn’t know much, just that he’d been paid a handsome price for it. after one more stir, he leaves the spoon in the cauldron he uses, arms crossed over his chest with a smirk. “ has his royal highness never seen an alchemist before? because i’m a terrible one. unfortunately looks don’t translate to skill in this field. ” he pauses, looking to make sure his batch hadn’t bubbled over or turned a nasty shade of green. “ let me guess — you came because you want a redo of that spar? i’ll have to think about it. i’m a busy man, you know. ”

@greymount — ruffnut starter call