RWRB Oneshots

Interview Part 1 (Interview scene pre-relationship) 5156w

TW: Mention of School shootings, panic attacks, trauma etc

This Oneshot is a follow on from "Alex has a PTSD attack during the Hospital Scene" however it is not necessary to have read it before reading this one.

It's based around a school shooting during Alex's childhood and how it affects him in the future (mainly during the hospital scene when there's 'gunshots' and how this affects his relationship with Henry after)

It was the day after the hospital visit and Alex had slept just as shit as he had the first night. Kensington palace was full of history, coated in it from the ancient portraits, carved furnishings and fancy bedspreads atop a rock solid bed.

It could hardly have been considered comfortable. Alex had no clue how Henry managed to sleep here.

Only when I can't sleep.... Which is always.

The words come back to him unbidden. It was irritating how easy he found it to relate to the prince. Sleepless nights were something he could relate to, though Alex's were intentional. Working himself to the bone and drinking coffee till the early hours. Sometimes it was for the sense of accomplishment or as June would say 'a fire under your ass for no damn reason' and others it was to keep the nightmares at bay.

But that's not exactly the information an interviewer wants to know. Alex is starting to think he should have taken Henry up on that 'practice interview' last night with the way that Shaan is grilling him in the back of the SUV.

Alex should probably blame some of his queasiness on his nerves or even on yesterday's panic attack, however, he chose to blame it all on this morning's appalling breakfast spread – what kind of garbage country eats bland beans on white toast for breakfast? He can't decide if his Mexican blood or his Texan blood is more offended.

The bacon was crispy at least, though it didn't come in strips with lots of tasty fat. Henry had been quiet though. In truth Alex hadn't expected him to be there, he had assumed breakfast would be a solitary affair but it seemed the prince was taking advantage of having company and met him in a small – yet still fancy – dining room.

They hardly spoke, passing comments about the day and Shaan had joined them halfway through. He had spread out a horrifically large pile of document folders, each one was leather bound, monogrammed and dyed a dark blue.

Shaan had thumbed through the files, listing the events of the day and the security details in a monotone voice but there was enough inflection and pointed eye contact to suggest private jokes and knowing understandings between the Equierry and the Prince.

Now he was sat beside Henry who was swarmed by a cloud of attendants and stylists. One adjusted his hair with a fine-toothed comb. One holds up a notepad of talking points (Alex didn't get prewritten talking points). One tugs his collar straight. From the passenger seat, Shaan takes a yellow pill out of a bottle and passes it back to Henry, who readily pops it into his mouth and swallows it dry. Alex decided he doesn't want or need to know.

Okay, he wants to know. He wants to know that there's someone else in this political minefield struggling like he is. Even if today seems to be a good day.

If Shaan would stop judging his answers to the practice questions that is.

"When did you and Prince Henry first meet?" Shaan queries when they're 15 minutes out.

"Rio Olympics." Alex doesn't hesitate to answer but something does twinge in his chest. "June, Nora and I were representing my mother's campaign at the summer events and we ran into Henry at the–" He turns to Henry in a planned move. "Swimming?"