My Henry

Untitled Part 8

Its late the morning of the 26th when Alex's phone rings, it's Henry.

"Hello Alex, I was wondering if you would have dinner with me, at the Brownstone tonight?.. if.. if of course you don't have plans." he sounds uncertain, nervous.

"That depends, Alex says, are you going to cook?"

Henry huffs a little laugh and tension leaves his voice "Rude! I'll have you know my cooking skills are progressing quite nicely, but no I have organised a chef, so you'll come? Say 8?"

"I'll be there" Alex says.

Its 7.50, Alex is early, he had to leave his apartment before he changed his clothes again, half his wardrobe is strewn over his bed.

He had cycled through a half a dozen outfits before settling on a soft, deep green knit over an open collared shirt and tailored black trousers. He was uncertain if pending emotional doom required a tie.

He has walk this street a dozen time before he stops to stand in front of the heavy wooden door of the brownstone, inhaling and exhaling deeply, rubbing his palms along his trousers trying, and failing to calm his nerves.

He raises his hand to knock when the door opens and there is Henry, so beautiful that Alex forgets momentarily how to speak. David running circles around his legs.

Alex bends "Hello Davey, beautiful boy" and rubs the beagle down his side, He looks up and meets Henry's eyes "Sorry, I'm a little early", Alex says and pauses to take Henry in, the sleeves of his shirt are pushed up to his elbows, he looks nervous around the corners of his eyes but he smiles at Alex a warm open smile, steps aside and allows him in.

Alex removes his coat and hangs it on the same hook it has hung on for the past 3 years, the house looks exactly the same and Alex is not sure how that can be. He was certain that everything would some how be rearranged.

Henry leans in to kiss Alex softly on the corner of his mouth, breath ghosting over his lips; "You look gorgeous, can I get you something to drink? Scotch?".

"Glenlivet rocks, right?" He says and hands Alex the tumbler, and Alex takes a large sip draining the glass, welcoming the burn.

"I want you to know I heard everything you said to me, and that I will do everything in my power to prove that I am in this, 1000%. I want this, us, completely, no more running away, no more letting my insecurities drive the bus. I am in this body and soul, if you will still have me"

"Are you sure? Alex asks, looking directly in to Henry's eyes, uncertain he is able to trust what is being offered but desperately wanting to.

"Yes" Henry states firmly.

"No more running?"

"Never again"

"You've said that before", Alex counters.

"I swear it" Henry answers.

"And Eduardo? What about him?"

"We are friends, nothing more, I promise"

"No more secrets, whatever is worrying us, everything, good or bad on the table?"

"Yes"

"When things are tough you will stay and fight? You and me against what ever life throws at us?"

"Yes, you and me" Henry's answer is clear and determined, his eyes resolute.

Henry moves slowly into Alex's space and stops looking down at his full red lips and back to his warm brown eyes, hesitant. He wants to kiss him with every fiber of his being, to feel his warm mouth under his, to feel his skin but he is frozen, terrified that he is unable to read the expression there.