Rekindle - FirstPrince FF ✔️

12

Alex is back in America after the splendid weekend he spent with Henry.

He even gave interviews at two law firms. This was his third interview. He decided to tell in advance that he won't go for cases that have a big shark even if that meant they will keep his pay low.

As soon as he reached home, he called Henry, who didn't answer. He switches on the TV, and Henry is addressing a speech to the children of his queer shelter home. It is a live speech, so Alex knows where his man is.

"Call me after you reach back."

Half an hour later Alex's phone rings and the caller id displays Henry.

"You reached ? That was fast or were the news channels lying about your speech behing live streamed"

"No, I just got in the car after the speech."

"Ohh"

"Did you listen to my speech?"

"Only the last half an hour."

"I will call you back after I reach the palace."

Around an hour later a video call request from Henry fills up Alex's screen.

"Heyy baby." Alex smiles.

"You look so tired."

"You too."

"How did your day go ? Any success with any of the interviews?"

"I gave three interviews today all of them went well but none of them seemed interested in hiring me. They were small law firms and my earlier pay was out of their budget."

"Then go for a bigger one."

"They all want you to be at the top with limelight surrounding you."

"Alex, why don't you want limelight?"

Alex's breath hitches at the question asked by Henry.

"I.. I think I have lived enough in it. Initially even my simple life was in the news but all of it died down after my mom was no more the president."

"Wish I could be away from it too and we could have spent our life in peace."

"I know baby. Hang in there."

"I am."

Alex goes on describing his interviews while Henry tells him about his speech and the kids he met at the lgbtq+ shelters.

Alex finds a new job and Henry falls back into the routine of his public appearances and charities. In blink of an eye around 3 months pass.

Alex is happy because he got to keep Henry longer than he expected. Henry is joyful because Alex is no more aloof and cold while trying to act warm. Alex listens to him like he did earlier as if Henry's words are pearls and Alex has all the time in the world to collect every single one of them. Though on a few days Alex falls asleep on video call because the new law firm he joined has a lot of cases for commoners such a divorce, property settlement, drugs etc. which are handled by Alex. While some clients are pure angels soft with words and actions some of them are demons straight up from hell.

Henry also listens to Alex's client rants though he never tells him the name due to some confidentiality agreement.

***

"Bea what happened?" Henry enters Bea's room with a bowl of ice cream because he planned to catch up on her life and give her his life details. Lately they both have been very busy with their respective partners. He notices her crying. He knows had he entered the room after knocking he won't have seen those tears.

Bea wipes her tears and turns to look at the man standing in her room. "Henry."

"Why are you crying Bea?" Henry grabs a seat on the bed next to her.

"Nothing much."

"Don't lie Bea."

"Vir and I broke up."

"Why? You looked genuinely happy with him."

"I was."

"Then why?"

"Grandma came to know through some hospital staff when I went to meet him there. She asked me to breakup because an asian race with a dark skin colour, someone who is a nobody here wouldn't be accepted as a suitor to the princess. In her words after the stunt I have pulled she is soon going to find an official suitor for me."

"You should have fought for your love Bea."

"I wanted to Henry but then I would become a shame to the crown. Even if I abdicate people still won't let me have a life in peace. They will always hate me. They will always hate Vir for choosing ourselves. Vir might lose everything he has built for himself just because I chose to be selfish."

"Did you tell him the reason for breakup?"

"I did that people of my country will never accept someone who was their slave as their princess husband."

"The world is an unfair place Bea but if you decide to fight for your love I will always be behind you supporting you and cheering you."

"You know it is difficult when I imagine a life without him."

"I can't imagine a life without Alex either."

"But you have.." Bea stops herself immediately remembering the secret she was about to speak is not known to Henry.

"Me what Bea?"

"You have dated for so long my relationship doesn't compare to it."

"No two relationships ever compare Bea. Each couple has their own dynamic. You shouldn't compare your relationships with relationships of other people be it time or type."

***
Henry informs Alex's about Bea's breakup which sends chills down his spine. His past, the fear he decided to let go and find a place in the back of his mind clouds him again.

"Alex, Alex are you fine?" Henry looks at Alex in a concerning way when he spaces out during the video call.

"I am just a bit overworked."

"Are you in any way stressed about future ? Our future?"

'Our future' the words hit Alex hard. Did they have a future ? He knew it was the looming shadow of the past that scared him for both his present and future. No matter how hard he tries to push that away it always finds a way to return back.

"Baby I am feeling sleepy." Alex doesn't answer the question and Henry doesn't push.

"Good night Alex. Sweet Dreams."

"I will dream of you." Alex blows a virtual kiss to Henry before cutting the call.

Alex curls up on the bed as the visual from 7 years return to him haunting him once again. He hated how Bea chose the same fate Henry chose for himself. He sympathized with Vir, a man he met only twice for falling in love with someone that will never be theirs completely no matter how hard they want it or how hard they try.

Alex had jumped into this pool of pain once again. He loved misery when it was inflicted upon him.

He wanted to call June and tell her about Bea but this would only make her more worried for him. He lies their staring at the ceiling wishing sleep would consume him.