### Shenanigans

[21st_sacrament]

[If Henry's good at anything, it's falling into a routine, no matter how small.

He brings the plate and mugs back to the kitchen when they're done, the only remnants of their snack left in crumbs and coffee drops. He rinses them out, sets them aside to dry, and not for the first time fiddles with his hands as he looks at nothing in particular.

Sometimes he wonders if he's still acting more like a host than a boyfriend, even when he's got a very nice young man sitting in his bed waiting to spend another hour or two curled up with him before he has to go.

It feels like forever since he's done this (it might as well have been) and maybe he's a little self-conscious. Of his attentiveness, of his interest, of the way his hand palms the curve of his waist--

Shut up, Henry.

He rubs at his face, fingers pressing circles into his eyes before he listens and heads back into his bedroom to take a seat besides Alex again.]

Comments

[waywardshepherd]

[ if alex has any complaints about henry's behavior, he's not voicing them, which is because he doesn't have any complaints about it, and if he knew what the other man was thinking, he'd probably just tease him more about worrying way, way too much as he always seems to do. then again, he wouldn't entirely be able to talk; there's still moments where he'll second-guess himself about something or other despite everything, and considering he'd started off barely touching henry until the guy had fallen asleep on him? yeah, not much room to talk at all.

but he doesn't know those things, so he'll continue to enjoy henry's presence and hospitality without a word for once, since he's probably more than a little tired of the teasing.

when henry comes back in, alex is reading, which can't be a surprise at this point in time. he glances up from the book, gives a small smile, an arm automatically going around henry's waist and pulling him close. it's really nice to have someone he can just hold, lean against like this. bonus points that henry's a sweet guy too. ]

[21st_sacrament]

[...oh. Henry lets himself lean in in return, cheek pressing into the curve of his shoulder. Alex having a book out is no surprise and he doesn't mind, Henry's already spent an afternoon just like this resting his eyes while Alex reads and sits with him. It's quiet and warm and safe and by now it's no secret that Henry likes to be held, enough that he'd been a little disappointed and confused in the beginning when Alex seemed to keep his distance. But one day it shattered like nothing and Henry lets out a deep hum, curling in a bit closer, hands resting loosely on his own stomach.

Not for the first time he's grateful Alex likes these quiet moments, where Henry doesn't have to talk, and all he has to do is listen if Alex wants to. It's not that he can't or won't in return... but it's always been easier for him this way, actions over words. Taking care of him and resting against him and feeling the soft heat of his body sinking into his own skin.

It quiets his brain down for a moment and he doesn't worry about being boring or dull or uninteresting.

He turns his head up a bit, his breath might be tickling Alex's neck.]