Red, White & Royal Blue One Shots// MOSTLY ANGST

10: Henry+Alex

•Title: "Afterglow"

•Requester:

•Warnings: fighting, talk of mental health

•Inspiration: Afterglow by Taylor Swift

•Type: angst but like not that bad, y'know?

A/N: Okay so this will be really short but I heard this song for the first time since watching the movie and it reminded me of them. These characters being so clearly Taylor coded when the author dislikes Taylor is so funny to me.

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Alex is screaming. His throat hurts. He is standing in front of Shaan, who is refusing to let him see Henry. Alex continues to scream, most of what leaves his mouth being profanities.

"For Christ's sake, Alex," Alex's body deflates at the sound of Henry's voice, "what are you doing?"

Alex drops his arms to his sides as he lets out a breath, "tell him to let me in."

Henry sees the desperation in Alex's eyes. He knows the first son won't be leaving anytime soon unless he allows him entry. Henry nods to Shaan, who steps aside. Alex rushes up towards Henry as the prince begins the walk back to his bedroom.

"I'm going to let you say what you need to say," Henry says when they reach the room, "so you can leave."

Any hope that formed in Alex's heart disappears, "and then what? Then we're over?"

The fact that Henry doesn't respond, just turns with his arms crossed, makes the realization clear to Alex. Henry can't even make eye contact with him.

"Look at me!" Alex's voice echos through the room as he shouts.

"What do you want me to say, Alex?" Henry questions. Alex sighs as tears rush down his face in a fierce stream.

"Tell me that you're still mine. Tell me that we'll be just fine," Alex pulls on his hair desperately, "even when I lose my mind."

Henry sighs, tears running down his face. He knows what he needs to say, "tell me that it's not my fault. Tell me that I'm all you want. Even when I break your heart."

"If you would have let me say it in Texas, you would know that I love you, Henry! I'm in love with you!" Alex exclaims, his voice breaking, "my love was never in question."

"What, Alex? You want me to say that I love you like that changes anything? I'm still a prince! I still can't be with who I love!" Henry exclaims.

"Yes, you can, Henry! I am standing here right now as proof," Alex says, his voice much calmer now.

Henry wipes his tears away, "I do love you, Alex. I do. More than I ever thought I would allow myself..

Alex always thought that hearing these words would lift him up. He always imagined that it would feel like he was floating. However, something causes Alex to feel the opposite-like he's falling.

"That's it, then," Alex says, his voice quiet and breaking, "you love me, but it's not enough."

"Alex-"

"No, I get it. I've always known we're from different worlds, almost literally. On paper, we don't make sense," Alex turns around and heads towards the door.

Henry rushes forward and turns Alex around, pulling him into a deep kiss. He curls his fingers in Alex's hair as their lips move together. When they pull away, Henry rests his forehead on Alex's.

"You, Alexander Gabriel Claremont-Diaz, are more than enough. Don't ever doubt that," he says.

Alex bites his lip as a fresh tear rolls down his cheek. He leans forward and places his head against Henry's shoulder.

"Be patient with me, Alex," Henry says with a desperate voice, "please."

"I would wait forever for you, Henry," Alex says, "as long as you love me."

"I do. I really love you."

"And I love you."

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A/N: Well, this was fun to write. It feels weird publishing such a short one.