Red, White & Royal Blue Stories

• Learning to Love • Henry § Alex •

𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒐
• ———— •

It was a drizzly day in the busy streets of London, the blaring horns and the curses of strangers falling distant the further Henry walked across the damp pathways of the graveyard. He had an umbrella balanced over his head, drifting back and forth in the gusts of wind.

The graveyard itself was huge; and full. Stones were lined up close beside each other for rows and rows, seemingly stretching on for miles. There were a few other people dotted around, most notably the group of teenagers adorned in black taking selfies while sitting on some older gravestones.

Henry ignored them, because quite frankly he couldn't care.

It took five minutes for him to reach his destination; his fathers grave. Long grass curled around the edge of the stone, some moss had begun growing in small patches, but other than that it was in fine condition. He bent down and scooped up the old, wilted flowers from his last visit and replaced them with new ones, purple orchids, his father's favourite.

He tossed the old flowers into the black bag he had brought, letting it hang by his side as his eyes flickered back up to the grave, his father's name glaring back.

Arthur Fox.
A loving husband and father.

"Miss you, dad" he frowned, squeezing the handles of the bag.

The brief moment of peace was abruptly broken by a strong slam of wind, knocking the umbrella to the side and flipping it inside out almost immediately.

"Oh Jesus Christ!" He exclaimed, frustrated, pointing it towards the ground and trying to tug it closed when he noticed flicks of dirty water staining the shins of his white jeans.

"Fucking hell" he groaned, finally wrangling the umbrella shut and firmly pressing it against his side, analysing his jeans and noticing he must've flicked the water up with his shoes as he walked.

"My god, I need a bloody chiropractor" he said miserably, brushing back his wetting hair.

"Hey, are you alright?" A sudden voice came from his side. Henry brought in a deep breath, slowly letting it out. He didn't need this right now. With a tight-lipped smile he turned to face the stranger, feeling his heart drop into his ass.

Holy shit. He was hot. Chocolate hair hanging in soaked ringlets, framing his face beautifully. Smooth, golden brown skin, and deep, concerned coffee-coloured eyes he knew he could grow lost in for hours.

He willed away a semi at the unexpected, unnecessarily attractive man appearing in his life way too abruptly.

"I'm... fine" he found himself after a moment, gripping the umbrella tighter. "Perfectly fine. I'm Henry, you are?" He held out a hand, the man reached forward and shook it strongly. Henry just about avoided biting down on his lower lip.

"Alex. London weather is terrible" he tossed his eyes towards the clouded sky, Henry followed briefly.

"Nothing new" he shrugged, more focused on the southern drawl attached to his words. Henry realised in that moment he'd do everything to get this man's number. "You're not from around here, are you?" He continued conversation.

Alex looked back at him, smiling. Henry's heart thundered. "How'd you guess? I'm from Texas. Came here to study at Oxford University" he answered, "I'm in law"

"Fascinating," Henry said, not at all interested. "I'm studying English currently, in the midst of a gap year," he said, wondering when he should slip in for his number. He seemed content in his presence; relaxed, charming. It's a possibility he may ask first. Henry would adore that. A huge turn on; men who make the first move.