Union Jacked

Three

AN: Okay yall I know I suck I promised updates so long ago. Also I was trying to write chapters that matched the book chapters, but its too much at once so I will be breaking them up more.

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Henry woke up the next morning with regret heavy in every muscle. He really should have gone to sleep earlier last night. He could've saved himself both the exhaustion he's currently suffering and the embarrassment he'd never stop feeling over his "I didn't know you wore glasses comment." Seriously, that was a thing you was a.) appropriate and b.) helpful to say out loud? Henry thinks, angry at himself. Henry took a deep breath and then let it go. It would be fine, because it would have to be fine. At least he hadn't taken Pez's terrible advice and asked Alex why he hated him. This he could brush off, that there would be no coming back from.

Regret wasn't the only thing on Henry's brain that morning. As the minutes stretched on, the regret was slowly and persistently replaced by another familiar feeling: dread. The day ahead of him was bleak. First, he had to face the press and give an interview. Then, the cancer ward. As much as Henry loved visiting those kids, it certainly took a toll on him emotionally. And all of this while pretending to be Alex's best mate. Was it too much to hope that he'd somehow offended Alex enough last night that he just left? Henry knew it was but part of him wished it was a realistic possibility. Unforgivably though, there was another part of him that would not be satisfied until he laid his eyes on Alex. It was going to be a long painful day.

It was still early though, so Henry decided to look closer at the papers Shan had left for him on Tuesday. In his panicked state, he hadn't actually read any further than the first page. Flipping through the stack of papers, one packet catches his eye. At the top of the page he sees the words "ALEX GABRIEL CLAREMONT-DIAZ FACT SHEET." And oh, Henry is in trouble. He already knows a lot about Alex from reading every article about him and watching all of his interviews, but he has a feeling that this sheet might contain some new information.

It starts out basic enough, information on his family and Nora which he already knows. Thankfully, she is listed as a friend and brief ex-girlfriend, not a current girlfriend. The thought that may have gotten together again ha crossed his mind because he'd seen some rumors about Alex sneaking off to her hotel room and then neither brought a date to the wedding. Not that it matters if Alex is single, it's not like he'll wake up one day and realize he wants Henry. Alex is the sun and Henry is a depressed coward. He could never feel the same for Henry. Still, knowing this doesn't stop the feeling of relief that overtakes him.

Further down, the fact sheet gets a bit more interesting. Under hobbies, whoever made this sheet lists "harassing elected officials, causing international incidents (clearly), adding to my collection of gray hairs, and never shutting the fuck up." It's a shockingly honest assessment of Alex, though it doesn't give Henry any new information. He can't imagine anything remotely true made it on to his fact sheet. The truth betrays that he is not exactly the strong, toxic masculinity soaked heir that he's supposed to be.

"Favorite book: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire or one of those political history anthologies he claims he doesn't obsessively reread.
Favorite music: Always claims it's some cool indy band of the month and we all pretend we don't hear him blaring Hall and Oats daily. Anti-Swifty but he's probably just a misogynistic ass."

Well, that's certainly interesting. Who wrote this fact sheet? Alex must have is own version of Shan who lacks a filter. It's truly ironic that they have the audacity to disparage Alex for "never shutting the fuck up" and then giving this document to the prince of another country. That's hardly the most interesting thing that Henry gleans from these answers though. It appears that Alex also wears a mask and he's been slipped a rare glimpse behind the facade. His heart hurts for him. If anyone knows the toll keeping up appearances takes on person, it's Henry. Who knows what else might be hiding under the mask. He wonders vaguely if this is the reason he didn't know about his glasses. He also wonders if he should start trying to educate him on his incorrect Taylor Swift opinion, but that would probably do more harm than good.

After that the rest of the sheet is fairly boring. "Favorite food: Texas BBQ. Best Memory: His mother winning the presidency. Life Goal: Youngest Senator ever elected." This is all fairly standard drivel that shows up in all of his interviews. Still, Henry soaks it all up because it's appearance on this sheet means that it must be true. It makes him wonder where the line is between his public persona and the real Alex. Where do they match up and where do they split? It's not a simple as tracking the divergence of public Henry and real Henry. Essentially, anything Henry does in public is not the real Henry. It's easy to keep track of. But when the lines are blurrier, he imagines it must be exhausting finding the right balance of genuine and marketing.

With that, Henry realizes he's out of time and the dread sinks back in, accompanied by the nervous excitement that always takes root when he'll be seeing Alex. With a sigh, Henry stands and marches towards what's sure to be his doom.