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pragmatic-optimist · 2 months
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I'm just so tired of watching myself and every single other woman tie herself into knots so that people will like us. And if all of that is also true for a doll just representing women, then I don't even know.
AMERICA FERRERA as GLORIA in BARBIE (2023) → for @pragmatic-optimist
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pragmatic-optimist · 2 months
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Alex moves to stand over him, looking down at that soft pink mouth. He feels himself standing at a very tall, very dangerous precipice, with no intention of backing away.
↳ for @nelsonnicholas @sunshinestrand
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pragmatic-optimist · 2 months
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pragmatic-optimist · 2 months
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ABBOTT ELEMENTARY Season 2 Episode 22 “Franklin Institute”
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pragmatic-optimist · 2 months
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Does anybody else have suffer from "I stopped keeping up with this media ages ago but I have an extreme affection for its characters and concept. The writing just started to suck ass"
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pragmatic-optimist · 2 months
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Frosty vibes
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pragmatic-optimist · 2 months
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The longer I live, the more deeply I learn that love — whether we call it friendship or family or romance — is the work of mirroring and magnifying each other’s light. Gentle work. Steadfast work. Life-saving work in those moments when life and shame and sorrow occlude our own light from our view, but there is still a clear-eyed loving person to beam it back. In our best moments, we are that person for another.
-James Baldwin
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pragmatic-optimist · 2 months
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“Academy Award Nominee America Ferrera” just sounds and feels SO RIGHT. 👏👏👏
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pragmatic-optimist · 2 months
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when the lights go out || a firstprince fic
summary: Henry Fox’s career is in crisis and his dating life isn’t faring much better either.  After a chance encounter with a charming man becomes memorable for all the wrong reasons, Henry throws himself into his next assignment: writing the memoir of a beloved C-list actor. Henry, however, knows Alex best for the role he played as his random, awkward one-night stand. Henry enters their professional partnership keen on keeping their relationship just that. But after Henry confesses that their hookup was less than spectacular, Alex concots an arrangement that Henry is unable to resist. In addition to ghostwriting Alex’s life story, Henry will teach him a thing or two about satisfying a man.  As they spend months out on the road together, they must decide if the connection between them is yet another story worth telling.
chapter 3/8 || rated e || read on ao3 *updates every tues. and fri. *
Minneapolis, MN Twin Cities Con Day 1 Henry sits front row at the Crescent Valley panel. Today, the announcement will go live and Alex and his castmates will reunite on this very stage to deliver the news fans have been waiting for. Henry has seen all the hashtags and petitions that have been created online since the show went off the air five years ago. Viewers made passionate pleas, conducted letter writing campaigns, and made countless videos demanding, at the very least, one special to give them a glimpse into the lives of their beloved characters and to see the cast together again. It’s interesting sitting among them now knowing full-well what’s in store.  The energy in the room is off the charts as the Crescent Valley theme song starts to play and the cast files onto stage. Seeing them all in the flesh is a bit disorienting. Henry’s gotten so used to seeing them on his laptop screen, yet here they are all now right before his eyes.  Henry’s gaze slides to Alex and at once he feels centered, but he’s quickly thrown off again seeing Alex and Nora putting their heads together, laughing about something as the moderator reads out everyone’s names. Henry figures it shouldn’t be surprising given their history. All the same, it makes an unnameable emotion swell in Henry’s chest.
He quickly pushes the feeling aside and allows the sheer pandemonium around him to consume him. He finds himself joining the masses and cheering on the cast as they smile and wave at the audience before taking their seats.
The panel goes along much like any other until the end during the Q&A portion. A man steps up to the mic for the final question and though Henry personally has no clue who he is, the audience collectively gasps. From overheard whispers, he learns the man is none other than the creator of Crescent Valley.
Henry looks up at the stage, his eyes landing immediately on Alex. He sees the excitement in his eyes like a kid on Christmas morning.
The show’s creator waits for silence to fall before he speaks.
“Now, I have just one question for you guys,” he says looking at the actors on stage. “Are you ready to step into the world of Crescent Valley one last time?”
“Yes!” the cast says together into their mics as the monitors on the sides of the stage flash with the news.
Crescent Valley returns for a two-hour special this winter!
The eruption from the audience is unlike anything Henry has ever seen or heard before. People are jumping out of their seats, crying, screaming, hugging each other. Through it all, Henry can’t take his eyes off Alex and the cast as they drink it all in, the Crescent Valley theme song playing once more as the perfect soundtrack for the reverent fans losing their ever-loving minds in the room.
There are so many questions Henry wants to ask Alex about this moment, but he knows any hopes for talking about the book or literally anything else today are completely dashed now that the news is out in the world.
~*~*~
Henry’s suspicions were right. Alex's phone had gone off all afternoon with calls and texts from Zahra with interview requests that have been streaming in. On every platform imaginable, #CrescentValleySpecial is trending and Alex’s mentions are in complete disarray. Henry had expected things to get crazy, but this was outright insanity.
He was able to get introduced to the cast after the panel when he went backstage. All his inexplicable nervousness in meeting Nora turned out to be for nothing.
The way she and Alex interacted with one another was more like brother and sister. Whatever romantic feelings they held over five years ago was clearly ancient history.
He left Alex to spend the evening with his castmates though he had been welcomed to join them. It was a sweet offer, but Henry figured blocking out a few hours to work on his notes and configuring the preliminary skeleton of the book would be a wiser use of his time. He checked in with Pez, making sure their apartment was still in one piece and gave his friend an update from the road.
Pez was freaking out about the special just like everyone else online. He wouldn’t let Henry go without him promising to fill Pez in if he caught wind of any spoilers over the next few weeks.
Looking at his document, Henry feels satisfied with the work he’s done this evening. 
It’s eleven o'clock now and according to the tour itinerary, Alex has a signing in the morning followed by a cast reunion photoshoot. He mentally prepares for another day where they won’t get to see much of each other or truly be alone together.
Henry brushes his teeth, studying his reflection in the mirror when he hears his phone vibrate on the counter. He looks down, turning his head to read the text message that appears on his lock screen.
Alex cant sleep. up for another lesson?
Henry spits out his toothpaste and rinses out his mouth before picking up his phone and answering.
Henry Ready when you are. 
Five minutes later, there’s a knock at Henry’s door.
“Hey,” Alex says. 
He stands before Henry in his glasses, wearing checkered navy blue pajama pants and a gray t-shirt. It’s a bit ridiculous how good he looks even when severely underdressed like this.
“Sorry for the late night message. My head’s been buzzing all day and I still feel completely wired. Also, I missed you today. And now I’m realizing I’ve literally sent a godforsaken ‘u up’ text. You would’ve been well within your rights to tell me to fuck all the way off.”
Henry laughs at how quickly Alex gets all these words out. 
“I’m a bit of an insomniac anyway so you’re hardly disturbing me. And besides, I sorta missed you too.”
Alex smiles a little and sways in place.
“Oh, do come in,” Henry says belatedly, stepping aside. He closes the door and locks it behind him.
“What’s next on your syllabus? We’re still on touch, right?” Henry asks.
“Yes, getting to know thy cock.”
A laugh rips out of Henry. “You’re the worst.”
Alex winks and takes a seat on Henry’s bed.
“Okay, so touch and getting more acquainted with what your partner likes,” Henry says. 
He thinks on it for a moment.
“As I’ve mentioned before, this really will be trial and error each time you’re intimate with someone. It’s not unlike when you’ve been with past partners. I’m sure you’ve found that what one person may love, another isn’t too fond of.”
Henry pauses again. 
“I wonder if this might not be better for me to show you rather than explain,” Henry says.
Alex looks confused, his brows furrowed. 
“Like…you give me a handjob or…I give you a proper one this time?”
“Or, option C, I get myself off and you watch,” Henry says plainly.
Alex blanches and Henry takes a bit of pride in being able to shock Alex like this.
“You said you wanted to know what I liked, right? Feels like this could be the best way to do just that.”
“Well, I am a visual learner,” Alex says quietly.
Henry crosses the room and goes into his suitcase, starting to dig around. 
“I think people have a tendency to get wrapped up in the idea of penetration being the only ‘real’ kind of sex,” Henry says thoughtfully. “If you ask me, that’s a very limited scope. There are so many different ways to intimately connect with your partner. Manually is one of them.”
He takes out a small bottle of lube and turns back to face Alex. 
“Whether it’s you getting your partner off or watching them and vice versa, this is another way you can, for a lack of a better term, come together when intimate.”
Alex laughs. “Yes, I have the humor of a middle schooler. Sue me.”
Henry rolls his eyes and steps closer to Alex.
“Can I kiss you? It helps,” he says, not explaining further.
If Alex is confused, he hides it well. He simply parts his legs where he’s seated on the length of the bed and Henry steps between them. He frames Alex’s face, leans in and kisses him straight away. 
The man is a pro at this and after a few moments, Henry can feel that familiar stirring in the pit of his stomach. Alex kisses him hungrily, deepening it and Henry feels his body respond immediately. He kisses Alex for a little while longer before forcing himself to pull away.
Rather than sit beside Alex on the edge, he gets in and lays back against the pillows.
Alex shifts to look at him. Henry tugs off his sweats and boxer briefs. It’s ridiculously easy to feel comfortable being naked in front of Alex and the fact that there’s still more weeks ahead should not thrill him in the way that it does.
He squeezes a small drop of lube in the palm of his hand. He coats his cock, shivering a little at the feel of the substance against his sensitive skin.
Alex’s eyes are wide and unblinking as he watches Henry’s movements.
“It’s the same principle you might have for when you get yourself off. Sometimes you might want it quick and rough, but more often than not, for me anyway, I really like the buildup. I enjoy getting myself worked up and close to the edge before letting myself let go completely. When I’m with a guy, I like it the same way. With teasing too. I can’t get enough of that, if I’m being honest. It drives me wild.”
He demonstrates, slowly stroking himself and circling the tip of his cock. Precome glistens on the head and he smears it with the pad of his thumb.
Henry shivers and practically purrs. 
Alex doesn’t even look like he’s breathing as he watches.
“That first night, you were overthinking it. It made you second guess yourself rather than follow your instincts. If there are moves or techniques that you enjoy, chances are that your partner might like them too. But you’ve got to give them the opportunity to really experience it before jumping so quickly onto the next thing.”
Henry squeezes himself and pumps his hand again slowly along his shaft.
“I actually really like this and you had the basic thought of it when we hooked up, but it felt sort of mechanical. I could feel your hesitancy and it took me out of the moment,” he says gently.
Alex frowns. “Sorry about that.”
Henry shakes his head. “Nothing to be sorry about. Now you know for next time.”
Something flickers in Alex’s eyes and it makes a pleasant chill run down Henry’s spine. The promise of next time. Henry has no clue when their next hookup will be, but the idea of Alex’s hand on him makes him even harder.
His eyes roll shut and Henry lets his imagination run with the fantasy. He pictures this moment now, only it’s Alex’s hand between his legs, pleasuring him, teasing him. He thinks back to that night in Arizona, their first foray into the touch component. 
Alex’s movements in his room were far better than their initial night. It seemed he had really taken Henry’s preliminary feedback into consideration. Since that night in Arizona, Henry had been wondering how things might have gone if they hadn’t stopped at strictly over the clothes, if he pushed their lesson a bit further.
A soft sound falls from his parted lips as his head tips back against the plush pillows as he envisions it. He spreads his legs wider and teases the slit of his cock. Distantly he hears Alex hiss. Henry does too. He’s so aroused and sensitive, even the air in the room makes the sensations more acute.
He bites back on his lower lip as he continues to stroke himself, his freehand massaging his balls. He feels the bed shift and he opens his eyes to find Alex on the bed in earnest, settled on his knees, studying him with rapt attention, his hands balled into fists against his lap.
Henry’s back arches as he stares at Alex, his heart pounding steadily. He gives his cock another firm squeeze on a downstroke and moans. It’s intoxicating knowing he has Alex locked into him like this. Alex’s cheeks are flushed, his eyes hungry and curious.
“Are you hard too?” Henry asks, his breath catching in his throat.
Alex scoffs. “How could I not be? Fucking hell, Henry, look at you.”
Henry smirks as he continues jerking himself off, teasing his leaking slit, his eyes never leaving Alex.
“Touch yourself with me then?” he hiccups. “If you’d be okay with—,”
He doesn’t get to finish his sentence. Alex is already racing to get his pants off. He settles beside Henry, occupying the space on the other side of the mattress. His cock is slick already and Henry whimpers quietly at the sight.
“Think we can get you to come with me?” he asks, turning his head towards Alex. 
“After watching you like this? I’m shocked I haven’t lost it already.”
Maybe it’s just easy banter but Alex makes him feel so desirable, wanted.
There’s a soft sheen of sweat at Alex’s temple and Henry’s eyes track a bead of it slowly racing down the side of his face. Knowing that Alex is this riled up because of him just arouses Henry more.
He watches the muscles flex in Alex’s arm, studies the way his fingers wrap around his own cock and work over the shaft. It’s unbelievably erotic and Henry feels his cock swell as he studies Alex. Alex’s breath is shaky as he watches him in turn.
“See? This can be just as hot. Maybe even hotter,” Henry notes. “Mutual masturbation can really do the trick too. It’s a different way of thinking about touch.”
Alex nods in agreement or understanding as he leans over, lips already searching. Henry kisses him at once. It’s heated and messy and only spurs them both on. The bed shakes as they both work to get themselves off feverishly, the two whimpering and moaning as they go.
Alex’s tongue toys with Henry’s so expertly it makes Henry’s toes curl. It’s too much all at once and Henry’s resolve slips. He comes hard into his fist, gasping into Alex’s mouth.
He rests his forehead against Alex’s as the man reaches his end a few beats later. Henry’s eyes are glued on the sight, his throat dry watching Alex’s release spill onto his hand and stomach. The urge to taste him is overwhelming. It takes every bit of restraint he has not to lick him clean.
Alex’s breaths are shaky as they fan across Henry’s face.
“How’d I do?” Alex asks, voice strained. He pulls back enough to look Henry fully in the face. His eyes are bright and wild and Henry would bet every dollar he has that he looks exactly like this too.
He outstretches a hand, tucking it under Alex’s chin.
“Top marks, Mr. Claremont-Diaz. Ten out of bloody ten.”
~*~*~
Minneapolis, MN Day 2
The excitement for the Crescent Valley special seems to have taken on new life the following day. At the convention center this morning, it felt as if every other person Henry walked past was speculating about the show, shooting off their headcanons and best guesses at what the writers had planned. Much like yesterday, Henry felt like a fly on the wall, a spy behind enemy lines getting intel on the ground.
The cast has been privy to it all. After their signing, they all sat around backstage talking about all the messages they’ve been receiving from fans all over the world. Henry couldn’t wrap his mind around that, a life in the public eye where people from all corners of the earth knew his name and cared so deeply about the work he was doing that they’d invest so much of their time and energy into it.
Henry tagged along with Alex to the cast photoshoot downtown. Once more he was struck by just how different his life was from Alex’s and the way even Alex himself seemed to be two people in one. When the cameras were on him, he could bring forth a version of himself that fit the celebrity bill to a tee. But the second he was off on the sides, away from the spotlight, he was his down to earth self, making jokes and keeping things fun for everyone around him.
Upon their return to their hotel, they head to their respective rooms with promises to see each other again soon. 
In his room alone, Henry feels antsy for reasons he can’t explain. He watches a few episodes of Crescent Valley which is quickly (and still secretly) becoming his biggest guilty pleasure before he decides watching Alex on screen is no substitute for the real thing. He grabs his laptop and leaves his room, marching down the hall to Alex’s.
He knocks twice and stands back, running a hand through his hair, his brows lifting as Alex answers the door, a towel wrapped low on his hips, body glistening with water.
“Sorry, did you text me? I must have missed it.”
Henry shakes his head, mouth suddenly very dry.
“No, I thought I’d swing by, but I definitely should have reached out first. I didn’t mean to catch you at a bad time.”
“Don’t be ridiculous; come in.”
Henry tears his eyes away from Alex’s damp torso, in particular the water droplet that makes its way down from his chest to the towel at his hips.
He steps inside of Alex’s room.
“What brings you by? Missed me already?” he teases, unknowingly hitting right on the truth. 
Alex slips on a shirt, the fabric quickly blooming wet spots from Alex’s fresh-out-the-shower skin.
Henry turns away, letting him get dressed with some modicum of privacy.
“I wanted to share the preliminary draft pages I worked on yesterday. I know I could have emailed them and you could make edits in the doc, but I thought it might be more helpful to go over it together in person so we could talk through any suggestions or changes you might have.”
Alex comes into view from behind him and takes a seat on one of the two single seater armchairs in the room. He’s fully clothed now which is both a relief and a disappointment. Henry switches off the side of his brain that feels the latter.
Rule number one of this arrangement could not be any clearer. The book will always be their top priority.
Henry sits in the chair opposite Alex and sets his laptop down on the round table between them, opening up the document.
Alex pulls the laptop forward and Henry anxiously watches as Alex starts to read. Henry kicks himself then. Maybe he really should have simply shot Alex an email. Watching his reaction in real time is nerve-wracking even though Alex seems to be enjoying it.
“We’ve really been spending a lot of time together, haven’t we?” Alex says, looking over the top of the laptop at Henry when he’s done. “You’ve got my voice down so well. This is actually kind of scary. You see, this is why we wanted you. You’re incredible at what you do.”
Henry laughs and waves him off. “It’s nothing.”
Alex shakes his head. “It’s a gift, Henry. You’re like a shapeshifter. You forget, I’ve seen the samples from your previous works. Each piece is so singular. It’s wild to know you’re behind them all.”
Henry blushes a bit at the compliment. “That means a lot, thank you.”
Alex sets the computer aside.
“You’re always asking questions about me, let’s switch it up.”
Henry laughs. “I’m not the one with a memoir due out, now am I?”
“Hmm, no. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t want to learn more about you. So, tell me. Do you think you’d ever write a book of your own?”
Henry rubs the back of his neck. It’s strange being the one under the spotlight, even in a harmless moment like this where it’s just the two of them.
“I’ve thought about it before. More than that, I’ve made attempts, but I don’t know. I think I’ve gotten so used to losing myself in other people, I’m not sure there’s much of me left.”
Alex searches his eyes.
“You clearly have a voice, Henry. People already pay good money for it. Just imagine when it’s your own stories on those pages.”
Henry smiles. “I’ve started quite a few stories. But ghostwriting, it’s been steady, sure work.”
“But are you passionate about it?” Alex asks and Henry is a bit taken aback by how effortlessly Alex seems to see right through to the heart of the matter.
“That book you had with you that night in New York, the gamer guy. You didn’t look happy at all sitting there with it.”
Henry shrugs. “I was having a bit of doubt around my career when we met, yes. I’m sure these aren’t words you want to hear from the man currently working on your book.”
Alex waves him off. “At least it’s the truth. You should be excited about what you do. Writing is clearly what you’re good at. The way you’re able to voice all these different people, I can only imagine the characters you dream up. I’d hate for you to get a bad association with writing if you keep cranking out books that don’t motivate you.”
Henry frowns. 
“I am excited about working on this one with you,” he says.
Alex smirks. “Well, yeah, that’s because I’m awesome and who wouldn’t want to spend every waking moment with me? I’m a goddamn delight,” he jokes before growing serious again, leaning forward a little and holding Henry’s gaze.
“Can you promise me something, Hen? After you’re done with our book, can you get back to one of yours?”
“Your book,” Henry corrects. Alex jokingly snarls. “But fine, yes. I’ll try with it again.”
“Good because I really think you should go for it for real this time. You’ve got far too much talent to let your words just sit on your laptop or for your characters to only live in your head. The world needs to hear you and know your name.”
“You know, if acting ever stops working for you, you’d make a killing as a motivational speaker,” Henry says.
Alex laughs and closes the laptop.
“We’ll call that plan B. I like keeping my options open.”
He gets up and stretches out on his bed, propping his head up on his hand and looking at Henry.
“It’s much comfier over here,” he says.
Henry laughs softly at the not so subtle invitation, but he gets up and lays beside Alex, staring up at the ceiling. He can feel Alex’s eyes on him, feel the warmth of the man’s body so close to his. Most of all, he can feel the growing tension between them, born out of nothing more than simply being next to each other and sharing space.
Some distant part of Henry’s brain cautions him against this, telling him to somehow scale back this very obvious attraction he feels towards Alex, but at this point, it’s as natural as breathing. He couldn’t help it if he tried.
He turns his head and Alex is right there, bright eyes already fixed on him.
“Since we’re doing things a little differently tonight,” Henry says, “how about we apply that to today’s lesson as well?”
Alex’s brows furrow.
“How so?”
“It’s important to know what your partner is into, how they like to be touched and handled. You’ve been doing really well with that, but I realize, it’s been a bit one-sided.”
Alex shifts slightly, still looking perplexed.
“I like how things have been going.”
“That might be so, but I want you to enjoy this too. These lessons have been about teaching you how best to work with your partner, but you should be able to know how to advocate for what you want as well.”
“Again, for the record, I have in fact been enjoying the hell out of myself. But I get what you mean and I appreciate it.”
Henry nods. “So, with that in mind, if you’re up for it, I’d like for us to focus solely on your pleasure and your needs tonight.”
In the quiet of the room, Henry can perfectly hear the breath that falls from Alex’s lips. To his credit, Alex quickly composes himself and nods.
“Yeah, I’d be alright with that.”
Henry smiles and leans forward slowly, watching Alex’s lips part in anticipation for him before he presses their mouths together. Alex all but melts into him and Henry is right there with his arms circling his waist at once.
They take their time, hands wandering along the slopes of each other's bodies, their tongues savoring each other’s taste. Henry can’t imagine he could ever grow tired of kissing Alex and, distantly, he thinks of the fact that one day very soon, this will all come to an end.
He pushes the thought from mind, opting instead to focus on this present moment where Alex is his alone.
Henry breaks the kiss first, but his lips don’t go far. He peppers a trail of kisses along Alex’s jaw as the man tangles his fingers in his hair.
Henry lets out a soft sound as Alex tugs and presses their bodies closer, rolling his hips forward, rutting up against him. Henry grinds back, stifling a groan at how half hard Alex is already.
“Tell me what you want most right now.”
Alex sighs, tightening his grip on Henry’s strands. Henry can hear the sharp inhale he takes.
“I want you to go down on me,” Alex rasps, breath catching as Henry continues dropping kisses on his skin.
“With pleasure,” Henry whispers against the shell of Alex’s ear, nipping gently on the man’s earlobe. He earns a deep moan in response.
Alex sinks back down against the bed, reaching for his jeans but Henry shakes his head and takes a hold of his hands.
“Allow me.”
Alex mutters a curse under his breath, his brown eyes growing darker still as he nods. Henry lets go of Alex’s hands and the man settles more, his arms folding behind his head as Henry begins to undo his jeans.
“Enjoying the view, are we?” Henry teases.
Alex grins shamelessly and shrugs. 
“A guy could get used to this.”
Henry laughs and places a kiss against his hip before removing the rest of his clothes. He’s hardly a stranger to Alex’s body but still, being faced with it like this makes him a bit speechless.
He runs his hands up the length of Alex’s thighs which the man spreads, a silent invitation to all of him.
Henry curses. Alex merely smirks.
How could it be that one person can be both his salvation and damnation? 
Henry lays on his stomach and skims his fingers along Alex’s inner thighs and feels the instant tremor in the man’s legs, watching how much his cock stiffens almost instantly. A pearl of precome gathers at this tip. Henry’s eager to taste it.
He decides to take mercy on them both and takes a hold of Alex’s cock, giving him a few steady strokes before taking him slowly into his mouth.
“Thank God, I was about to start begging,” Alex huffs.
Henry smiles to himself.
“Damn, should have held out a moment longer,” he teases before sucking softly on the tip of Alex’s cock, still taking his time but giving Alex enough to know he’s not being toyed with.
“Henry.” The name falls from his tongue in a fierce growl.
When those rich brown eyes land on him, Henry hardly recognizes them. Gone is the humor, the teasing.
In its place is something so carnal and exact it pierces right through Henry and leaves him aching for more. He opens his mouth further and takes more of Alex. He closes his eyes and moans, letting his tongue swirl on the underside of the man’s cock. He massages his balls, squeezing them here and there as he goes.
Alex’s hips tip upwards and Henry pays close attention to what techniques get the biggest reactions from Alex.
The man is never shy or unresponsive in the bedroom and now more than ever, Henry appreciates how vocal Alex can be.
He repeats his ministrations, all too pleased to hear every sound his actions coax out of Alex.
He takes him down deeper, his jaw slackening to accommodate. Henry feels his eyes water a little, but he keeps going, a deep moan emitting from him as Alex’s cock hits the back of his throat. 
Alex trembles like never before. Henry half expects him to be levitating, suspended in some other plane of existence entirely. It only makes Henry double down. He can taste Alex on his tongue, feel the early traces of his release. Alex is right there teetering on the edge.
Henry keeps his touches deliberate, the tips of his fingers gently skimming across Alex’s inner thighs once more. 
“Fuck,” the man hisses from above. Henry looks at him, feeling himself harden at the sight of Alex covering his mouth with the back of his hand, his fingers curling into a fist.
Noted, Henry thinks to himself, pleased to discover one of Alex’s weaknesses.
“Wait,” Alex chokes out. 
Henry pulls away immediately and takes the time to catch his breath.
“I want…,” Alex rasps. “Fuck, I don’t want to you to stop, but I don’t want to come like this. I want…I don’t know.”
“More?” Henry asks. Alex nods heavily, his legs trembling.
Henry places a kiss on each of Alex’s thighs before getting up on his knees. 
“I need you to be specific then. More could mean anything.”
Heat rushes to Alex’s already flushed face.
“Well, if we’re keeping with the theme of doing things a bit different…I, uh, I kinda want to try something new. I didn’t put it on the syllabus because we didn’t do it that night and, well, I don’t even know if it’s something you’d be into.”
Alex sighs, picking absentmindedly at the bedding.
“This would completely blow past other steps we should probably take first, but it’d be so…it would be everything. God, this is embarrassing as hell.”
Henry places a reassuring hand on Alex’s knee.
“It’s okay. We can talk about it. What’s going on?”
Alex licks his lips and looks away, still picking away  at the bedspread before catching Henry’s eye again.
“Since you’re down there, I mean, I wouldn’t exactly be opposed to feeling your mouth elsewhere…or your tongue. God, don’t make me say it. Is that specific enough?”
Henry quirks a brow. “I think so,” he says, gently slipping a hand under Alex’s ass, his thumb ghosting over his entrance. Henry stares at him, silently asking.
Alex shivers, eyes fluttering for a moment as a look of relief washes over his face.
“Yeah, I wanna feel you there,” he says as he settles back, taking a breath. “I want to know what it’s like. I've seen videos and I’ve…always wondered.”
Henry brushes his thumb against him again as he nods. 
“Let’s not keep you waiting then, love.” 
Alex’s eyes go comically wide. 
“Seriously?”
“Seriously,” Henry echoes. 
This may indeed be more advanced than where they are in Alex’s outline, but Henry reasons it’s a worthy exception. It’d be a different case if the roles were reversed. He knows what he’s doing here and Henry is a man of his word. This is something Alex has been curious about and he’ll provide a safe space for him to explore it.
Henry grabs a pillow and descends again. He positions the pillow under Alex right on his lower back, giving himself better access. Alex takes a deep breath and swallows hard.
“Doing okay?” Henry asks, lightly stroking Alex’s cock.
Alex nods twice. “Yeah, keep going. I’m ready,” he assures. 
Henry smiles at him before turning his attention to Alex’s entrance. He maintains his hold on Alex’s cock and licks experimentally at his rim.
Alex cries out sharply, his cock twitching, a telltale sign of his arousal at this new development.
“Holy shit. That’s it. Again, sweetheart, please,” Alex sputters.
Henry doesn’t hesitate. He licks again, slower this time before swirling his tongue. Alex huffs out a rough breath. Henry repeats the move over and over, taking his time and letting Alex truly experience these new sensations. 
Alex opens beautifully for him. Henry’s own cock feels heavy between his legs but he ignores it, so focused and devoted to the task of pleasuring Alex as he wants. 
His tongue delves in deeper, gently probing now, and greedily searching. Alex’s whole body twitches. He gets a hand in Henry’s hair and tugs.
“Oh, my fucking god,” Alex chokes out, his legs instinctively trying to squeeze shut. But with Henry so firmly in place, the move merely traps Henry further.
He lets out a moan, knowing the vibrations will only heighten the sensations coursing through Alex. He gets his confirmation as Alex lets loose another curse, his breaths raspy and uneven. 
Henry’s hand continues to pump Alex’s shaft. He can feel Alex’s resolve slipping in the way his cock drips and his walls tighten. But Henry doesn’t let up; he takes these cues as motivation to keep going, to dive deeper inside of Alex, leaving every bit of Alex explored. He can feel Alex’s walls clenching more as he gets more vocal. Alex fucks into his fist, back arching a bit before he thrashes against the bed.
A flurry of curses and moans fall from Alex’s lips. Henry’s thumb encircles the head of Alex’s leaking cock as he rolls his tongue inside him once more. He nibbles softly, smirking as Alex cries out again. Henry could spend hours like this, but from Alex’s sharp reactions, he knows it’s only a matter of time before he breaks.
Henry rolls his tongue faster, squeezing Alex just under the head of his cock. Alex shudders hard and grabs a fist full of Henry’s hair, panting and riding his tongue, begging Henry not to stop. 
It’s a pointless request as Henry has absolutely no intentions of slowing down, let alone cutting things short all together. He strokes Alex again, getting lost inside Alex and sending another moan through him.
Alex slams his other hand down against the bed and makes a choked sound before crying out as he reaches his end. His release coats Henry’s fist, makes a mess of his fingers but Henry doesn’t stop. He carries Alex through his orgasm, delighting in the soft broken sounds that escape his mouth as he rides out the wave. 
It’s only when Alex falls back against the bed and stills that Henry resurfaces. 
He finds Alex still catching his breath, his fixed to one spot on the ceiling, eyelashes and cheeks wet. Henry settles into the spot beside Alex and kisses his shoulder lightly. 
“I’m starting to think you aren’t actually real. Or maybe you're like, some kind of sex god that got put in that bar that night to completely wreck me,” Alex muses, turning his head to face him.
Henry laughs. “I’m going to hold you personally responsible when I inevitably turn into a raging egomaniac.”
Alex shakes his head. “You’d deserve to gloat. Fuck, you’re really a pro at all this stuff.”
A smile works its way onto Henry’s face as he props his head up on his clean hand.
He sucks his index finger into his mouth, eyes fixed on Alex’s as he tastes him. Alex stares in stunned silence for a moment before he curses.
“Years at all-boys boarding schools will do that to a person,” Henry says, picking back up the conversation as if nothing has happened. “I’m glad I could make you feel good.”
Alex shakes his head as if to clear it.
“We can safely add that to the list of things I like,” Alex says. “Shit, that’s officially in first place actually.”
Henry laughs. “Welcome to the exciting world of rimming.”
“I really like it here. I’m moving in as we speak.”
Alex laughs breathlessly and searches Henry’s eyes for a moment, a bit of uncertainty in his gaze the longer he stares. He reaches out a hand and traces the curve of Henry’s bottom lip with his knuckles.
Henry wonders if Alex even realizes how intimate his little touches can be. 
“We’re still doing what I want, right?” Alex asks, lowering his hand. 
Henry can still feel his touch like a phantom sensation on his lip.
He nods slowly, curious what Alex has in mind.
“The night is completely yours, yes.”
Alex looks down between Henry’s legs where his sweatpants do absolutely nothing to hide his arousal. 
Alex clenches his jaw, the muscle flexing. He looks away again, back at Henry’s face. His fingertips ghost along Henry’s inner arm instead now. 
Henry can feel goosebumps rise in their wake. Truly, did Alex not know how much he was making him come undone with these subtleties?
“In that case, I want to watch you get yourself off and when you do, I want it to be on me.”
Henry’s brows shoot up to his hairline.
“Is that too much?” Alex asks.
Henry quickly shakes his head to dispel his worries.
“Not at all. I’m just surprised. I didn’t see that request coming.”
Alex laughs deeply. 
“Hey, man. I haven’t stopped thinking about you touching yourself since that one magical night. You can’t give me an experience like that and not expect me to want a repeat.”
Henry laughs. “I never said I had any objections,” he counters smoothly, already reaching for his waistband and slipping out of his sweats and boxer briefs in one fell swoop.
“In fact, I’d be all too happy and willing to oblige.”
He switches his position and straddles Alex’s waist, settling on top of him, his messy right hand already on his own slick cock. It’s filthy, but Henry hardly cares and judging by how hard Alex swallows and stares up at him, the other man doesn’t mind either.
Henry doesn’t bat an eyelash as he sets a slow rhythm on himself and stares back, anchoring his free hand to the center of Alex’s abdomen.
“This is so fucking hot,” Alex murmurs, rubbing circles against Henry’s thighs at once.
Henry laughs softly before growing serious again, keeping his eyes trained on Alex’s face. He rolls his hips over him, moaning at the feel of Alex’s spent cock against his ass.
The way Alex looks at him, so intent with sheer wonder, it makes it easy to slip up and forget that this isn’t something Henry gets to keep.
“You’re so goddamn gorgeous like this, Henry. Seriously. Shit. So, so beautiful and good for me.”
Henry shivers at that, basking in the praise. He grinds once more against Alex’s cock, biting back on his lower lip.
Alex reaches a hand forward and tugs Henry’s lip free with his thumb.
“I want to hear you when you lose it. Don’t get quiet on me. I want to know how badly this gets to you, sweetheart.”
“Christ, Alex,” he mutters, feeling the command squarely between his legs.
Henry teases his slit, hissing at how sensitive the flesh is. He lets out a moan unabashedly as he trembles.
“Good. Just like that,” Alex whispers and Henry has no clue how the power dynamic has shifted, but he feels so desperate to keep hearing Alex talk to him like this. 
He can see the moment it fully clicks too in Alex’s eyes. That wicked smirk Henry has been obsessed with since day one makes its way onto Alex’s lips.
“You like that, don’t you? Being good for me? Putting on a show only I can see?”
Henry gasps, his hand moving faster along his shaft. His throat feels dry, his heart racing, but he doesn’t let up for even a second. He nods obediently and whimpers in response.
“Yeah, I can tell you do,” Alex continues, rubbing Henry’s thighs again. 
A keening noise slips from Henry’s lips. 
“You like being all mine. Having me watch you. It drives you crazy, doesn’t it? I bet you want me to touch you. But I know you can continue being good for me. I know you can get yourself there. Go ahead. Show me how good you can be, sweetheart.”
Alex’s hands find their way to his ass and grip Henry tightly. Henry arches his back and cries out, his hips rolling once more, cock leaking. He encircles his tip with his thumb, staring into Alex’s hungry eyes as his palm slides up and down his throbbing shaft.
“I’m so close,” Henry pants.
“I know. Let it out. You’ve been so good. You’ve earned this. Come for me. Nice and hard, baby, right on me.”
It’s the pet name most of all that sends Henry careening off the edge. He moans Alex’s name as he comes, his body shaking with the sheer force of it.
His release paints streaks across Alex’s stomach and chest. Henry can feel his face flush seeing just how hard his orgasm hits, the rivulets of his finish thick against Alex's skin. But Alex’s darkened eyes eliminate any fear or concern that this is all too much.
Alex sits up just enough to kiss him. It’s heated and sloppy and Henry can’t get enough of it. He strokes Alex’s cheek as they kiss, moaning into the man’s mouth. It takes every bit of his willpower to pull away.
“Maybe we should add that to the syllabus?” Alex says. “We kinda slipped into new territory there with dirty talk at the end. Are you okay? I’m sorry if I went too far.”
Henry leans in and kisses Alex twice. “Not in the least,” he assures. 
“We’ll call that extra credit, but yes. We can cover that down the line if you want, but I’m telling you right now, you don’t actually need instruction there. As you saw firsthand, it’s another thing I enjoy and you’re damn good at it. Scary good. Don’t be afraid to lean into that with me. It's fully encouraged.”
He smiles at Alex who looks relieved. Henry kisses his cheek. He looks down at the complete mess of their bodies, perhaps more aroused than he ought to be at the sight.
“Come on. Let’s get you cleaned up.”
“Let’s get us cleaned up. Shower with me? I wouldn’t say no to round two in there,” Alex says, wiggling his brows.
Henry shakes his head in disbelief.
“It’s going to be a long night, isn’t it?”
Alex searches his eyes, his head tipping to the side, his curls falling over his eyes. It’s far more adorable than a scenario like this should be, but it makes Henry weak; he knows he can’t resist Alex when the man looks like this. He suspects Alex is aware too as his perfect mouth curls into a smirk and he replies.
“Yeah, but I promise, you’re going to love every second of it.”
~*~*~
Memphis, TN Comic and Fantasy Convention Day 1
“How far are you into the show?” Alex as he sits cross-legged on his hotel bed.
Henry sits at the desk in Alex’s room with his laptop out, taking advantage of the fact that they’re still wired from traveling. They arrived in Memphis a mere four hours ago ahead of tomorrow’s convention. It only gave them enough time to grab a bite and scrub the smell and germs of the airport and Uber off themselves before checking in.
The pace at which Alex hops on flights and gets settled into new cities is mind-boggling, but Henry is grateful that at least this time around, they’re actually in the same time zone from the last city they were in. 
He has to admit, it is exciting. But he can’t help but to wonder what it would be like doing this alone like Alex ordinarily does. 
He makes a note to himself in his document to ask Alex about that at some point.
“Just started series three,” Henry says. “I’ve been live texting Pez. Rather, he’s been ambushing me with messages, asking after my progress. He still can’t believe I’m touring with you. Crescent Valley was so major to him when we were at school. He’d beg me to watch, but I never did and somehow I managed to miss one of the greatest cultural phenomenons of our generation.”
Alex smiles. “You ever think about how differently that night in New York would have gone had you known who I was?”
Henry pauses and considers how to answer. After getting the shock of his life in going to that lunch and finding himself seated with none other than the man he’d slept with the night before who, on top of that, turned out to be a celebrity was (and still remained) hard to fully wrap his mind around.
Henry’s simply glad for the fact that he and Alex have been able to make the most of it, to actually become friends despite the rocky start.
“I have. But I think I prefer the course it actually took. Makes for a more compelling story,” he says. 
Henry falters for a moment.
“If I had recognized you though, do you think you would have still gone through with it all?”
Alex smiles thoughtfully. “It wouldn’t have changed how I felt…or what I wanted with you. I wouldn’t have been able to resist.”
Henry searches his eyes and feels his heart beat a little faster at Alex’s candor as he tries not to think too heavily on the implications of Alex’s words. Whatever the risk might have been, Alex deemed him worth it.
He licks his lips and forces himself to look away, to break the spell of Alex’s eyes.
“Let’s talk about the early days of your career,” Henry says, grabbing his phone and opening the voice app to record. 
“According to your Wiki page, you got your start doing commercials as a child in Austin. Is that true?” Henry asks.
“As you can imagine after looking at me now, I was freaking adorable as a kid. I think I had too much personality and energy to contain inside the house without driving my family crazy. I’ve always felt comfortable in front of people and playing pretend. It seemed like a natural fit. I could lose myself in a role. During the times my parents’ fights got to be too loud, I’d just go into the backyard and dream up another life for myself time and time again.”
Alex shifts on the bed, grabbing a pillow and dropping it into his lap.
“I booked a few local spots and moved on to theater. That opened up a whole new avenue and I think that’s when I fully realized just how much I loved inhabiting a character and getting to work off other people’s energy. With commercials, it was a few lines here and there. You’d film that one day, maybe two depending on the situation and then you’d move on. But with the stage, I got to live and breathe those characters on a daily basis. It was straight up magic.”
Henry smiles.
“What prompted you to then find a bigger stage? A life in California doing television and film?”
Alex mulls it over for a moment.
“I started to feel like a big fish in a little pond. And I don’t mean to sound like an asshole, like theater was somehow beneath me or something. I’ll always love stagework and honestly, I’d love to return to it someday. I just…felt a calling elsewhere at that time as I got older. I felt myself being pulled out there.”
Alex grows quiet for a moment as he travels back in his memories.
“It was an open call for Crescent Valley,” Alex says. “Looking back on it, I honestly still can’t believe that from the thousands of guys who auditioned, they saw something unique in me to say, ‘yeah, that’s who this show needs in this role’. I’ve never been one to believe in fate and all that stuff, but when something life-changing like this happens to you, it’s kinda hard to rule it out completely.”
Henry smiles to himself. The action must not go unnoticed.
“What?” Alex asks.
Henry looks at him and shrugs.
“Nothing. It’s interesting hearing you talk sometimes. You’re a bit of a romantic.”
Alex seems to consider this for a moment.
“Certain things bring it out of me.”
Henry wonders if the same could be said about people.
Henry gets them back on track and he digs further into asking questions about Alex’s career, his foray into film as well. Alex is such a great conversationalist, his stories always laced with humor and interesting asides. It makes Henry all the more excited about working deeper on the preliminary pages and delving further with his voice for these segments. 
They talk for another hour but it hardly feels laborious or tiring. It hardly even feels like work at all. Ultimately Henry puts a pin in their talk when he notes the hour. It’s creeping close to midnight and Alex has an early morning phone interview ahead of the con and Henry wants to work on transcribing this conversation.
“Calling it a night so soon?” Alex says, as if he doesn’t have a busy day ahead of himself.
Henry laughs and swivels around to look at him. Alex is still seated on the bed, but his arms are outstretched behind him. It’s a casual pose, though something in his eyes betrays the effect. 
“Do I sense the next item on the syllabus coming to the forefront with mere minutes to spare before a brand new day?” 
Henry has the document cemented in his mind. He knows exactly what lesson is next.
Oral.
Alex shrugs. “I’m not tired. Are you?”
Henry can’t resist taking the bait. He can pull an all-nighter after this.
“I’ll defer to you. How would you like the practical to go?”
Alex smiles, his expression a bit thoughtful.
“In Minnesota, you were incredible. Bold even,” he continues. “I’ve been wanting to put into practice the things you did to me and I’d love to figure out what makes you tick too.”
Henry is certain his face is red. He can feel warmth flood his cheeks, curious as to how often Alex allows himself to picture it.
“If that’s what you want, then yes.”
Alex looks at him, shaking his head slightly.
“Is it something you’d want?” Alex counters, moving the pillow off of himself.
Henry mirrors his stare.
“Of course,” he says, seeing little use in pretending otherwise.
“Then let me hear you say it plainly. I won’t lay a single finger on you unless I know you want it too.”
Henry’s heart races, beats right up to his throat. He keeps his face as neutral as he can as he speaks though, inside, his mind is a riot.
“I want you on your knees for me, Alex. I want you to taste me.”
Alex breathes a little heavier but he doesn’t say a word as he gets up and crosses the small space between them to where Henry sits at the desk. He settles on Henry’s lap and immediately Henry feels his own cock stiffen in response. Alex’s confidence is extremely attractive. His body can’t help but to react to it.
“I know how much you like the buildup,” Alex says quietly, running a hand slowly up under Henry’s shirt, his palm skimming his bare skin.
Henry shivers. Alex merely smirks.
“I’ll give you what you want. I’ll take my time with you.”
He leans in and kisses Henry, his mouth inviting and all too familiar. Henry feels his body relax further as they kiss. Alex’s thumb rubs against his nipple and Henry trembles in response. He can feel Alex smiling once more against his lips before doing it again on the other side. Henry can feel the delicate skin grow harder, among other things.
From his position on his lap, Henry knows Alex can feel it too.
Alex’s touch is feather-light as his hand brushes Henry between his legs for the briefest of seconds. It’s downright tortuous, but Henry wouldn’t have it any other way. He kisses Alex with renewed vigor, his right hand slipping into the man’s hair and pulling him closer. He opens his mouth to Alex, letting their tongues meet. Alex’s hand slips under Henry’s shirt once more, fingernails scratching teasingly down across his skin. Henry’s hips jerk forward on their own accord.
Alex has learned what he likes so well now, keeping up his promise from before and not rushing matters. Henry deepens the kiss, moaning deeply as his fingers continue curling in Alex’s hair and his tongue ensnares Alex’s.
Henry craves more and Alex seems to understand as he grinds down on him. Henry is almost unbearably hard.
Alex pulls away slowly just then and settles down on his knees, peering right up at Henry through his lashes all the while.
Henry shakes his head in disbelief of how gorgeous Alex looks. There’s something sweet yet tantalizing in his gaze. It completely wrecks Henry already.
Alex undoes Henry’s jeans and slips his cock out. His face feels hot Alex takes a hold of him and licks a languid strip up the underside from root to tip.
“Alex,” Henry gasps, clutching the arms of the chair. 
He hadn’t been expecting this level of assurance from him right out the gate. Henry doesn’t think he will need to guide Alex much—if at all— through this lesson if he’s hitting the ground running like this.
Alex’s face is the picture of innocence, as if he has no clue the kind of frenzy he’s causing to flare up inside Henry now. He repeats the move and Henry thinks he’s prepared for it, but he’s quickly thrown off in the best way as Alex’s lips wrap around the head of his cock and he begins to suck.
Henry’s knuckles turn even whiter as he grips the chair tighter still as he studies the way Alex’s pretty mouth looks wrapped around him.
“Someone’s been doing some studying on the side I see,” he manages to say, his voice wavering.
Alex smirks and it’s so unbelievably sexy to see the mischievous sparkle in his eyes. He slips Henry out of his mouth.
“Oh, you do not want to see my browser history,” he says before taking him in again.
Henry sucks in a breath. “Actually, I think I would rather enjoy a peek at that.”
Alex laughs before sobering up and focusing his attention once more. He pumps his hand along the hilt of Henry’s cock as his tongue swirls around the head. Henry feels overstimulated in a good way, his whole body buzzing as Alex works him over.
Alex plants his left hand on Henry’s thigh and takes in more of his length a bit quickly.
“Nice and slow, darling,” Henry gently reminds him. “You’re doing so well,” he continues, running his fingers through Alex’s curls. 
Alex slows his pace again and sets a rhythm as his head angles this way and that way, moaning deeply as he sucks Henry off.
“There you go,” Henry says softly, cock throbbing at the attention to it. “It’s like your mouth was made just for me.”
Alex glances up at him, eyelashes casting shadows against his sharp cheekbones. Henry can barely handle the sight of his perfect full lips wrapped around his cock. It takes everything in Henry not to thrust forward and fuck into the wet heat of his mouth. It’s a close thing as Alex blinks prettily and takes him in just a bit more, clearly testing his own limits.
Alex’s tongue is relentless, snaking around his length with ease. Henry murmurs continued praise, his body feeling limp as Alex tends to him.
After a moment, Alex slips off of him, but his hand is right there without missing a beat, jerking him off as his tongue laps against one of his balls. 
Henry jerks forward involuntarily. Alex peers up at him, a question in his eyes. Henry merely brushes his curls off his forehead.
“Keep going, love. That feels amazing.”
Alex nods once and licks again before popping one of his balls into his mouth. Henry groans, grip tightening on Alex’s curls as he gently rolling his hips. Alex gives the same treatment to his other ball before getting his glorious mouth back on Henry’s cock.
Henry shudders feeling Alex’s tongue run along his shaft once more. He feels like he could just about explode.
“Alex, I’m not going to last much longer,” he warns, the pressure in the pit of his stomach reaching a fever pitch.
Alex doesn’t break his stride, not even a little. It’s almost as if he hasn’t heard Henry at all. His head bobs as he sucks him off, his tongue brushing here and there. The combination feels so good, Henry can only surrender to it further.
“Alex,” he cautions again more firmly, but the man doesn’t relent. He merely locks eyes with Henry and slackens his jaw a little as he kneads Henry’s balls.
Henry bites back on his lower lip at Alex’s tightening grip, his tongue pressing a sensitive spot just under the head of his cock and Henry loses it instantly.
His body shudders as he comes, a soft laugh falling from his lips. His instinct is to close his eyes and ride it out, but he refuses to deprive himself of the sight of Alex nestled between his legs, dutifully taking him, tasting him as requested.
The sight is downright obscene. Alex swallows down what he can, but his mouth is a mess as Henry’s release drips down from the corners. He can’t look away, especially with how Alex smirks and stares back almost defiantly.
Henry takes a breath as he comes back down to earth.
Alex merely wipes at his lips and chin with the back of his hand. 
“Come here,” Henry says, his voice completely shot as he pats his leg twice.
Alex gets to his feet shakily and perches in Henry’s lap again. He looks to Henry expectantly, searching his eyes. 
Henry cups his face, eyes drifting to Alex’s mouth.
“Was that okay? Should I have done anything differently?” Alex asks, wrapping an arm around Henry’s shoulders.
Henry leans in and kisses him deeply, tasting himself on Alex’s tongue as he explores his mouth. It only drives him madder. Alex gets his fingers in his hair, kissing him back roughly.
“I guess I was pretty decent then if you’ve got no compliments, huh?” Alex remarks in between kisses.
Henry laughs in spite of himself.
“You’re an absolute menace. Did you know that?”
“I’m sure I have no idea what you mean. I’m a goddamn saint.”
Henry rolls his eyes and kisses the tip of Alex’s nose.
“Shall I get you off?” he asks. “You must be like a rock right now.”
Alex smiles. “It’s nothing I can’t handle in the shower.”
Henry makes a wounded sound in the back of his throat at the mental image.
Alex cackles and kisses him, taking a hold of Henry’s hand and slipping it into his pants. Henry shivers as he grasps him. 
It’s just as he suspected. He’s so hard and wet, Henry knows it won’t take much to get Alex to finish. He brushes his thumb back and forth along the man’s shaft. Alex’s eyes flutter at the sensation. He hums softly, lightly combing his fingers through the hair at the back of Henry’s head.
“I mean, I guess you could do it for me. That wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world,” he muses.
Henry laughs and kisses him again, stroking his cock in earnest as they get lost in each other. He can’t get enough of the way Alex responds to him, hips jerking forward, moans pouring from his mouth, goosebumps blooming on his skin all because of him.
Surely, he thinks, they both have lost their minds for getting tangled up in this arrangement. But Henry is so grateful for it. Once upon a time, he used to be the most straight-laced individual in the world. Now that he knows this life of recklessness, he’s not entirely sure he could ever go back completely.
Henry breaks their kiss and begins sucking on Alex’s clavicle.
Alex all out fucks into his fist, soft grunts emitting from him. Henry is obsessed with it all. He bites down on Alex’s collarbone and sucks harder, letting the tip of his tongue skim along the spot he’s bitten.
Alex moans his name and Henry quickens his speed against his shaft, tightening his grip as Alex bucks forward over and over again until his breath catches. He goes flying over the edge and Henry diligently helps him through the aftershocks, kissing up to his neck, along his jawline, and back to his lips.
“Dammit, Henry,” Alex hisses against his mouth, taking a few heavy breaths. “I can’t get enough of you.”
Henry rests his forehead on Alex’s and pecks his lips once.
“Darling, there’s no limit. You can have it all.”
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pragmatic-optimist · 2 months
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i’m just ken being nominated for best original song at the oscars is actually hilarious
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pragmatic-optimist · 2 months
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During a goodwill tour of Europe, Prince Henry rebels against his tedious schedule and disappears into the heart of Rome, seeking reprieve from a life of relentless royal obligations...
Alex Claremont-Diaz, an American journalist living in Rome with a British Monarchy-sized chip on his shoulder, stumbles upon a young man…
Each man keeps a secret to benefit themselves, not thinking how it would affect the other until love gets in the way.
(Thank you @pragmatic-optimist for all your help!)
Chapter One: Sweetness And Decency
Henry leans over the balcony railing and stares wistfully at the festivities overtaking the street below.
Twinkling lights hang between the trees as the sound of live music and laughter floats up to him. Couples dance, loose and easy, sleeves rolled up to elbows while skirts twist around legs and ankles.
It feels like unbridled happiness that Henry has always longed to be a part of, but he knows that he wouldn't know what to do with it if given the opportunity.
He's always been on the outside looking in, hanging back in the shadows as centuries of familial obligations bear down on him. He feels like he could collapse beneath the weight and tumble out of the embassy window. A beautiful prison fit for the king he'll never be.
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pragmatic-optimist · 2 months
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An AU in which Henry and Alex are exes, also Alex is a rockstar who puts a lot of himself into his songwriting. And there’s a happy ending
...every time I play a game like this you come in with something that desperately wants to be a gamefail. I see you.
ONE: The breakup isn't anybody's fault, and that makes it so much worse. If Henry could blame Alex—if Alex had cheated, if he'd let fame get to his head, if he'd started holding the money he was earning over Henry—it would be a lot easier to move on. The pressure of trying to maintain privacy just got to be too much.
TWO: They don't text. They don't call. Clean break. Sometimes, when it's late and Henry's drunk, he pulls up their text thread and just reads through it. Once or twice he could swear he sees the typing indicator flash up for a moment, but it's always gone before he can figure out if it's just his imagination.
THREE: The first time Henry hears Can't Seem To Shake You he's on his knees in a club bathroom, Alex's voice barely discernible through the walls and over the throbbing bass. He almost thinks he can tune it out, but the start of the chorus knocks him straight through the solar plexus, and he ends up leaving the stranger unsatisfied and pissed off, walking home to try to sober up and with the lyrics circling around in his head: But you tell me I'm good and you laugh when you come, and you kiss the taste of yourself off my tongue
FOUR: The obsession with the subject of Alex's latest album reaches a frenzy most commonly associated with Taylor Swift's discography. There are thinkpieces and Buzzfeed quizzes and deep-dive Twitter threads analysing Alex's body language with every semi-famous person he's ever been photographed with.
(Henry appears in exactly one, but it's enough for him to see a noticeable bump in book sales.)
FIVE: It's Pez who first messages Henry when Storm Your Castle is released on streaming. Henry listens to it fourteen times, crying on the floor of his bedroom, and then he picks up his phone, scrolls down to Alex's contact, and hits Call.
[Send me a potential AU and I’ll tell you five fun facts that would happen in a story.]
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pragmatic-optimist · 2 months
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I need it…..
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pragmatic-optimist · 2 months
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You will be okay, love. You have always found a way to keep going. This time won’t be any different.
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pragmatic-optimist · 2 months
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I was getting along with everything fine. I accepted it… and then you happened.
A Walk to Remember 2002 | dir. Adam Shankman
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pragmatic-optimist · 2 months
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Favorite Pacey/Joey Moments Per Episode: 6x23 All Good Things…(Part 2)
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pragmatic-optimist · 2 months
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Some of you can really use this
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