Archive of Our Own

It had become one of those traditions that nobody remembered creating. One day, after the chaos of elections, royal cake scandals, international headlines, and history-making kisses, the super six had gathered around a table at Henry and Alex’s Brooklyn brownstone with drinks and a board game. Then a few months later they did it again. And again. And eventually, "game night" became a standing event in Brooklyn.

It wasn’t always all six of them. For example, weather had prevented Bea’s flight from getting out on time tonight. But even when it wasn’t the full group, it was guaranteed to be fun.

"Bea's flight got delayed," Pez announced dramatically as he dropped onto the couch. "She says to tell everyone she loves you and that airports are a crime against humanity."

"That’s actually a good segue, because speaking of humanity…" Nora said.

June immediately grinned.

Henry narrowed his eyes. "No."

June looked delighted. "We haven't even said anything yet."

"You've got that look."

"The fun look?"

"The look that precedes disaster."

Nora reached into her bag and triumphantly pulled out a black box.

Cards Against Humanity.

"The new expansion pack came out."

Henry groaned. "That ridiculous game again?"

"Yes, again," June confirmed.

"It is objectively terrible,” Henry said, but with no bite in his comment.

"And yet," Nora said, already opening the box, "you always play."

"Because all of you bully me."

Alex wrapped an arm around Henry's shoulders. "Baby."

"You do."

"Baby."

"You absolutely do."

Alex kissed his cheek. "Yeah, but you have fun."

Henry tried to maintain his expression for approximately three seconds before giving up.

Because Alex was right. He always had fun. The game itself was absurd. Most of the cards were ridiculous. Half the jokes made him question the future of civilization.

But the people around the table? That’s the part he loved.

There had been a time when nearly every evening of Henry's life belonged to someone else. A schedule. An obligation. A title. Now most nights belonged to him. To Alex. To their home. To the life they'd built.

And if the most important people in his life wanted to spend Friday evening playing a deeply stupid card game while drinking wine and arguing over the rules? That sounded perfect.

"Fine," Henry sighed.

The room erupted in cheers.

"Excellent," Nora said.

"We've broken him."

"You never had him," Henry muttered.

"Sure."

Twenty minutes later everyone had drinks. Cards were shuffled. The new expansion pack had been mixed in.

And Alex had somehow convinced everyone that he should be the first judge…or as he called it, the “Card Czar.”

"Because" Alex announced, "I am uniquely qualified."

"No you're not," June said.

"I absolutely am."

"Why?"

Alex pointed at himself.

"I have leadership experience."

"Jesus Christ," Nora muttered as she, June, Henry and Pez were all dealt their 10 white answer cards.

And when the four of them looked at their cards, it became clear that the new expansion pack would be an immediate success. Mostly because it took less than 10 seconds before someone started laughing uncontrollably.

That someone was Pez.

"What?" Nora asked.

"Nothing."

"You've got a face."

"I don't have a face."

"You absolutely have a face."

Pez clutched his ten newly dealt white cards against his chest like they contained state secrets.

"I simply believe destiny has smiled upon me."

June narrowed her eyes. "Oh God, what card did you get?"

"I cannot reveal that information. My lips are sealed."

Across the table, Henry was already suspicious.

"I dislike this."

"You dislike everything about this game."

"Correct."

Pez looked down at his cards again.

His expression somehow became even more delighted.

"Oh, this is truly extraordinary."

"What is?" Alex asked.

Pez immediately straightened.

"Nothing."

"Tell me."

"No. My card and I have entered into a sacred bond."

"You're insane."

"Possibly."

“Whatever, let’s just move onto the first round.”

Naturally, Alex insisted on making a speech.

"As your elected representative—"

"You were not elected," June shouted out.

"—I promise fairness, justice, and integrity."

"You cheated last week,” Nora argued.

"I prefer the term 'creative interpretation of the rules.'"

“Whatever, Alejandro.”

Alex ignored her and dramatically pulled the first black question card.

The moment he read it, his entire body froze and a big grin formed on his face.

Alex held up the card.

"Guys."

"What?"

"Guys."

"What does it say?" June demanded.

Alex finally managed to read it aloud.

"Hi, my name is Alex, and I'm an addict. It's not the pills or booze for me. It's ________."

“See, this is why I should be card czar – it even has my name on the card,” Alex said triumphantly.

The room immediately lost control.

"Oh no," Nora said.

"Oh this is dangerous,” replied Henry.

"Way too many possibilities," June added.

Alex was still laughing. "This game knows me."

"Unfortunately," Henry muttered.

Everyone selected their answers quickly. Except for Pez. Pez looked like it was Christmas morning. Like he'd won the lottery. Like he'd personally witnessed a miracle. He dramatically added his chosen card face down to the pile.

Alex squinted.

"Pez."

"I have never been more confident about anything in my life."

"Why, what card do you have?"

"You'll see."

"You are being incredibly weird,” Henry added.

"I am about to achieve greatness," Pez declared.

The answers were shuffled and handed to Alex.

He began reading the black card again.

"'Hi, my name is Alex, and I'm an addict. It's not the pills or booze for me. It's...'"

He flipped over the first card and read.

“All the attention being on me.”

Everyone nodded. “That’s reasonable,” Nora said.

Then the second card

“Winning arguments that I started.”

“Also accurate,” added June.

“Baby, did you pick this one?” Alex asked.

June jumped in quickly, “No Henry, don’t tell him, that’s cheating. He’s likely to pick whatever answer you chose.”

“Don’t worry, June. I don’t intend to help him cheat.”

“Aw, baby, I bet you’ll tell me if I bat my eyelashes at you,” Alex said with a smirk and a naughty look in his eyes.

“You are such a cretin. Just read the rest of the cards.” Henry said, but with a smile and a pink blush across his cheeks.

Alex flipped the third card.

“Arguing with trolls on the internet.”

June pointed at that one with a “not mine but that’s a good one,” and Alex grinned and said “strong contender right there.”

Alex continued.

Then he reached the next card.

His eyes widened. He stopped speaking. The entire table noticed.

"What?" Nora asked.

Alex slowly lowered the card. Then looked at Henry. Then looked back at the card. Then at Henry again.

"Oh my God."

Henry sighed. "What now?"

Alex held up the card and read it.

“PRINCE HENRY'S THIGHS.”

Silence.

One second.

Two seconds.

Then absolute pandemonium.

June practically screamed. Nora folded in half laughing.

Pez leapt from his chair with both fists raised. "YES!"

"You played that?" June asked while somehow still uncontrollably laughing.

"I PLAYED THAT!” Pez yelled.

Alex couldn't breathe. "There's actually a card that says Prince Henry's thighs!"

"I can see that."

"A real card!"

"Apparently."

Pez pointed dramatically across the table. "This game understands you, Alex."

Henry dropped his head into his hands. His face was bright red. "This is unbelievable."

Alex was still laughing.

"Pez wins," Alex declared immediately. "There was never any competition."

"I knew it!" Pez shot both fists into the air. "The second I drew that card, I thought, 'Please let there be a black card about Alex.' And then—" he pointed dramatically toward the ceiling. "—the universe provided."

"The universe is deeply disturbed," Nora observed.

Henry, meanwhile, had buried his face in both hands. "I can't believe this."

"Oh, I can," June said between laughs. "Maybe I’m surprised it’s about your thighs, but I’m honestly surprised it took this long to have any ‘Prince Henry’ card in this game."

"There is an actual commercially printed card," Henry mumbled through his fingers, "that says 'Prince Henry's thighs.'"

Alex was still staring at it in complete awe.

"Do you understand what this means?"

Henry looked at him warily.

"I don't think I want to."

"It means I'm right."

"About what?"

Alex held up the card like it was documentary evidence being presented before the Supreme Court.

"About everything."

"There was never any doubt," Nora deadpanned.

Alex ignored her. "For years, everyone has acted like I was exaggerating about how great your thighs are, baby."

"And by everyone, you mean the 3 other people in this room and Bea?” Henry asked.

"I merely appreciated an exceptional feature of my incredibly attractive boyfriend."

June groaned. "Oh my God."

Henry rubbed at his forehead. "Alexander."

"What?"

"You are making this worse."

"I'm proving the historical accuracy," Alex said holding up the card, “And now, I'd actually like to point out that this is peer-reviewed."

"It is not peer-reviewed," Nora said.

"It has been independently verified,” Alex said holding up the card again.

"It has not,” Henry added.

"It was important enough to make it into a globally successful card game."

Henry looked genuinely offended and picked up the box like he was searching for an answer. "Who wrote these cards?"

"I'd like to buy them a drink," Alex said immediately.

"You are impossible."

"No, baby," Alex gestured proudly at the card. "Apparently I'm represented."

June dissolved into another fit of laughter.

"This is honestly the funniest thing that's happened all month."

Alex turned the card toward Henry and gave him a grin that was equally mischievous and adoring. "I mean... " He shrugged dramatically. "They're pretty spectacular."

Henry's ears immediately turned scarlet and he looked to his best friend for help and was met with a grin and nodding.

"Pez!"

Pez looked up innocently.

"Yes?"

"Stop encouraging him."

"I haven't said anything."

"You've been nodding for thirty straight seconds."

"Because your strumpet is making a compelling argument, Hazza."

"There is no argument!"

"There absolutely is," Alex said. "Exhibit A."

He tapped the card.

"Exhibit B."

Without thinking, he rested a hand lightly on Henry's thigh.

Henry looked down at it. Then slowly back up at Alex.

"Are you presenting evidence to the jury?"

"I think the jury has already reached a verdict."

"The jury is biased," Henry replied.

"The jury is unanimous," Alex corrected.

"I object," Henry said.

"Overruled," Nora replied instantly.

"Sustained," Pez countered.

"You don't even know what that means."

"No, but it sounded official."

Alex was laughing so hard he had tears in his eyes.

"I cannot believe this exists."

Henry sighed the long, theatrical sigh of a man who knew he had absolutely no chance of winning.

"I'm never living this down."

"Oh, definitely not," June said.

Nora reached for her phone.

"I feel like this deserves documentation."

Henry pointed at her.

"Don't."

"I wasn't going to post it."

"I don't believe you."

"I was only going to send it to Bea."

"That's almost worse."

Pez leaned toward Henry with a sympathetic pat on the shoulder.

"If it's any consolation..."

"It won't be."

"...history will remember you fondly…"

And then after a dramatic pause, Pez pointed solemnly at the white card.

"…for your thighs."

The room exploded into laughter all over again.

Henry looked at Alex, who was practically doubled over.

"You are enjoying this far too much."

Alex finally managed to catch his breath.

"I really, really am."

Henry shook his head, unable to suppress the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Alex meanwhile looked back down at the winning card. Then at the black card. Then back at the white card.

His grin slowly spread from ear to ear. "Oh."

Henry knew that expression. “Whatever you’re thinking, don’t.”

"Nora was right."

"I usually am," Nora said, taking another sip of wine.

"This needs to be documented."

Henry pointed an accusing finger at him.

"Alexander Gabriel Claremont-Diaz."

Alex was already pushing back from the table.

"I'll be right back."

"Alexander."

Too late.

He was gone.

The room fell silent for exactly two seconds.

June looked toward the hallway.

"...Should someone stop him?"

"No," Nora answered immediately. "I want to see where this goes."

Pez was practically vibrating. "I hope he's doing exactly what I think he's doing."

Henry sighed. "I assure you, you don't."

A loud thump echoed from somewhere deeper in the house. Then another.

A drawer slid open. Something clattered onto the hardwood floor.

June winced. "That sounded expensive."

Henry pinched the bridge of his nose.

"He's in my office."

"Oh boy," Nora said, smiling into her glass.

Another crash. Alex's voice floated down the hallway. "Found it!"

Henry closed his eyes. "...Found what?"

A moment later Alex reappeared, triumphantly holding a silver picture frame over his head like an Olympic medal.

"I knew exactly where it was."

Henry blinked. Then blinked again.

"...Is that...?"

Alex was already setting it on the dining table and holding the two cards from the game against it. "Perfect size."

Henry leaned forward. Recognition dawned. His eyes grew wide.

"Alexander."

"What?"

"That is the frame from my desk."

"Correct."

"The one with my favorite picture of you and David."

Alex hesitated for approximately half a second. "...Temporarily relocated."

The room absolutely erupted. June slid right out of her chair, laughing so hard she had to brace herself against the table.

Nora was doubled over.

Pez actually slapped the tabletop.

"You didn't!"

"I absolutely did."

Henry stared at him in disbelief.

"You took the photograph of you and our dog..."

"I did."

"...out of its frame..."

"Technically."

"...to frame Cards Against Humanity cards?"

Alex looked genuinely confused by the question.

"When you say it like that, it sounds irrational."

"It is irrational you demon!"

"I disagree."

Alex carefully opened the back of the frame. With the concentration of a museum curator handling priceless art, he placed the black card on top. Then centered the white card beneath it.

He adjusted it once. Twice. Tilted his head.

"Nora?"

She wiped tears from her eyes. "It's surprisingly well-balanced."

"Thank you."

Henry looked as though he were questioning every life choice that had brought him to this moment.

"You are framing a joke about my thighs."

Alex snapped the backing into place with a satisfying click.

"I'm preserving an important historical artifact."

"There is nothing historical about this."

"There absolutely is."

Alex proudly turned the frame around.

Inside, perfectly centered beneath the glass, read:

Hi, my name is Alex, and I'm an addict. It's not the pills or booze for me. It's...

Prince Henry's thighs.

Alex held it up with the unmistakable pride of a man unveiling a masterpiece.

The room dissolved into laughter all over again.

Pez stood and applauded. "I've never respected you more."

June pointed at the frame. "I hate how funny this is."

Nora nodded solemnly. "I would absolutely hang that in a museum."

Henry stared at all of them. "I cannot believe I invited any of you into my home."

"Our home," Alex corrected.

"My mistake."

Alex walked around the table and draped an arm around Henry's waist.

"Baby."

"No."

"Baby."

"No."

"I know you're upset."

"I am."

"But don't worry."

Henry looked at him suspiciously.

"I'll buy you a new frame."

Henry simply stared. "...A new frame?"

"The nicest frame in Brooklyn."

"I don't want another frame!"

"I'll even get matching ones."

"I already had a perfectly good frame!"

Alex kissed the top of his head.

"But this..."

He lifted the framed cards again.

"...this was simply too extraordinary not to preserve forever."

Henry looked at the frame. Then at Alex. Then at the people around the table who were all grinning at him.

He tried—truly tried—to stay offended.

He lasted about three seconds.

Then a reluctant laugh escaped him.

"I cannot stand you."

Alex beamed.

"You love me."

"I do."

Henry reached over and looked at the frame again.

"But when David realizes you've evicted him from his picture frame, you're explaining it."

Alex grinned. "I think he'll understand. Dogs are famously forgiving. And Davey loves me, so it proves dogs are also excellent judges of character."

Henry shook his head with an affectionate smile.

"You're lucky you're handsome."

Alex looked down at the framed cards, then back up at Henry.

"I know,” Alex said as he pulled Henry into a loving kiss.

Pez groaned dramatically. "See? The card was right. He's completely addicted."

Alex didn't even hesitate. "Guilty as charged."

Henry rolled his eyes—but slipped his hand into Alex's and pulled him into another kiss.

The rest of the night continued with plenty of drinks, jokes and conversation. Eventually, their guests headed home. By the time Henry and Alex finally climbed the stairs, the house had settled into the comfortable silence that always followed game night.

The dishwasher hummed faintly downstairs. Somewhere outside, a siren drifted across Brooklyn before fading into the distance.

The framed Cards Against Humanity cards still sat proudly on Alex's nightstand.

Henry sighed dramatically. "You actually brought it upstairs."

"I did."

"You are incorrigible."

"I've been called worse."

Henry crossed the room, picked up the frame, and examined it with theatrical disappointment.

"You evicted a perfectly lovely photograph of you and David for this."

Alex slipped his arms around Henry from behind.

"It was a temporary relocation."

"I don't believe you."

"I'll put the picture back tomorrow."

Henry turned in his embrace, one eyebrow raised.

"Tomorrow?"

"Maybe."

Henry laughed softly, shaking his head.

"You know, there are moments when I wonder what goes on in that absurd brain of yours."

Alex smiled. "You."

Henry rolled his eyes. "Oh, that was dreadful."

"It was true."

Their smiles faded naturally into something quieter.

"You know..."

"What?"

"I wasn't joking earlier."

"About what?"

"My addiction."

Henry laughed.

"Oh?"

Alex nodded toward the framed cards.

"I've spent years trying to convince people I'm obsessed with your thighs."

"You've certainly never been subtle."

"And now there's documentary evidence."

"I wouldn't call Cards Against Humanity 'documentary evidence.'"

"I would."

Henry smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling.

"You really are ridiculous."

"I know."

Alex rested his forehead against Henry's.

"But I'm also completely gone for you." His voice had softened. "So," he murmured, "I thought I'd spend a little time appreciating the feature that apparently earned its own card."

Henry's cheeks colored immediately. "Oh, did you?"

"I did."

He pressed a lingering kiss against Henry's jaw before another at his neck, smiling when he felt Henry relax into him. Soon, Henry’s tshirt was removed and he was down to just his pajama pants. That’s when Alex started kissing his way down Henry’s body towards his thighs.

"You know," Henry murmured, "if you're trying to prove the card right..."

"I am."

"...you're succeeding rather spectacularly."

Alex laughed against his skin.

"Good."

 “You truly are addicted to my thighs.”

“Damn right I am.” Alex said as his hand lay around the waistband of Henry’s pajama pants. “Strongest fucking thighs I’ve ever seen. Like marble. Like you could crush a man’s skull between them.”

Henry’s breath hitched as Alex yanked his pants down in one rough motion. His cock was already hard, thick and heavy, but Alex ignored it for now, his hands sliding up the powerful muscles of Henry’s thighs instead.

“Look at you,” Alex murmured, pressing open-mouthed kisses to the inside of one thigh, then the other. The skin was warm, slightly salty, the muscles twitching under his lips. “Fucking perfect. Built for riding me, for fucking, for wrapping around my waist while I rail you into the mattress—”

Henry’s cock jerked, leaking at the tip. “Alex, please—”

Alex nipped at the tender skin where thigh met hip, then soothed it with his tongue. “I’ve been dreaming about this since I read that card. About worshiping these thighs like they deserve.” He gripped them, thumbs digging into the firm flesh, watching as Henry’s hips jerked helplessly.

Henry’s fingers tangled in Alex’s hair, his breath coming in sharp gasps as Alex trailed his tongue up the thick vein of his cock, still not taking him in. Instead, he pressed his face into the warm crease where Henry’s thigh met his groin, inhaling deeply.

“You smell like…” Alex groaned. “…like mine.”

“Fucking take me, then,” Henry snarled, his voice rough with need.

Alex grinned against his skin before finally—finally—wrapping his lips around the head of Henry’s cock, swirling his tongue over the slit. Henry hissed, his thighs trembling, and Alex loved it, loved the way those powerful muscles quivered under his touch, the way Henry’s entire body tensed like a bowstring about to snap.

He took him deeper, hollowing his cheeks, one hand gripping the base while the other slid up to palm Henry’s thigh, squeezing possessively. Henry’s hips stuttered forward, fucking into Alex’s mouth with shallow, desperate thrusts, his fingers tight in Alex’s hair.

“That’s it,” Alex murmured around him, pulling off just long enough to press another filthy kiss to the inside of Henry’s thigh. “Fuck my mouth, Your Highness. Show me how those thighs can work.”

Henry groaned, his free hand slamming against the bed for leverage as he started to move in earnest, his hips snapping forward with every thrust. Alex took it all, his own cock aching in his boxer briefs, but he didn’t touch himself—not yet. He was too busy worshiping, his lips and tongue and teeth leaving marks all over Henry’s thighs, his fingers digging into the thick muscle as Henry fucked his throat.

“Gonna—fuck—Alex, I’m—”

Alex pulled off with a wet pop, stroking him fast. “Come on my tongue,” he demanded, pressing a final, bruising kiss to Henry’s inner thigh before diving back down, taking him to the root.

Henry came with a broken cry, his thighs locking around Alex’s head as his release spilled down Alex’s throat. Alex swallowed every drop, his own cock throbbing painfully, but he didn’t stop—not until Henry was trembling, oversensitive, his hands slipping from Alex’s hair to brace against the bed.

Only then did Alex pull back, licking his lips as he looked up at Henry, whose chest was heaving, his eyes dark and dazed.

“Fuck,” Henry breathed. “You—fuck—”

Alex grinned, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand before pressing one last kiss to Henry’s thigh, right over the faint bruise his teeth had left. “Told you I’m addicted these thighs.”

The air between them was thick with need, the kind that made Alex’s fingers tremble as he continued to trace the defined lines of Henry’s thighs—thick, powerful, royal.

Once he caught his breath and felt he could move, it didn’t take long before Henry was straddling Alex on the bed, his thighs—those thighs—spread wide over Alex’s hips, pinning him down. The weight was delicious, the heat of Henry’s body pressing into him, skin to skin. Alex groaned, hands gripping Henry’s waist, thumbs digging into the sharp cut of his hipbones.

"You’re going to let me ride you, aren’t you?" Henry murmured, voice rough, his cock already hard again and leaking against Alex’s stomach. 

Alex’s breath hitched. "Yes—fuck, yes—"

Henry didn’t need to be told twice. He reached between them, wrapping his fingers around both their cocks, stroking them together in a slow, maddening rhythm. Alex arched into the touch, but Henry tutted, tightening his thighs around Alex’s hips, controlling him.

"Uh-uh. You don’t get to move unless I say so." Henry’s voice was dark, commanding, his British accent wrapping around the words like sin. "You’re mine right now. Isn’t that right?"

Alex whimpered. "Yours. Always yours."

Henry smirked, releasing their cocks just long enough to slick his fingers with lube. He didn’t prep himself for long—just enough to make him gasp, his body clenching around the intrusion. 

Alex was panting, his nails digging crescents into Henry’s thighs. "Henry, please—"

Henry withdrew his fingers, lining himself up. The first press of Alex’s cock against his hole made them both groan. Then—slowly—he sank down, his thick thighs flexing as he took Alex inch by inch, until he was fully seated, his breath shaky.

"Fuck," Alex gasped, rolling his hips experimentally. "You feel amazing."

Alex couldn’t form words. All he could do was grip Henry’s thighs—those perfect, powerful thighs—and hold on as Henry began to ride.

Henry set a brutal pace. He rode Alex like he owned him, his body snapping down with precision, his thighs clenching around Alex. The slap of skin filled the room, mixed with their ragged breaths, the wet sounds of their bodies moving together.

"Look at you," Alex growled.  "You love this, don’t you?"

"Yes—fuck—yes—" Henry was babbling, Alex’s hands sliding up to Henry’s chest, his nipples, anywhere he could touch. Then back down to his thighs. He loved the way Henry’s thighs burned under his palms, the way they tensed and released with every thrust.

Henry sat up, bracing his hands on Alex’s chest, his thighs spreading wider as he fucked himself on Alex’s cock, his own leaking precome onto Alex’s stomach.

The pleasure was overwhelming—Henry’s tight heat around him, the way his thighs flexed with every roll of his hips, the way his cock dragged over Alex again and again.

"Henry—I’m—close—"

Henry’s breath hitched. "Do it. Come for me, Alex."

That was all it took. Alex came with a broken cry, his release spilling into Henry, his body locking up as Henry milked him through it, his thighs squeezing tight.

The sight of Alex falling apart beneath him sent Henry over the edge. He groaned, his cock pulsing deep as he came a 2^nd time, his thighs shaking with the force of it.

For a long moment, neither of them moved. Henry stayed seated on Alex’s lap, his body loose and boneless, his thighs still spread wide, trapping Alex beneath him. Alex’s hands stroked up and down the slick skin of Henry’s thighs, his touch reverent even now.

"Fuck," Henry breathed, finally lifting himself off with a wince. He collapsed beside Alex, pulling him close. 

Later, once they caught their breath and cleaned up a bit, they remained cuddled together closely in bed.

Henry lifted his head just enough to glance toward Alex's nightstand.

The framed Cards Against Humanity cards still sat proudly beneath the reading lamp.

The ridiculous display caught both of their eyes at the same time.

Henry shook his head.

"I still can't believe you dismantled one of my picture frames."

"I said I'd replace it."

"You said you'd buy me a nicer one."

"I will."

"You won't."

"I absolutely will."

Henry looked at him skeptically.

"When?"

Alex considered this very seriously.

"...Eventually."

Henry smiled.

"Exactly."

Alex reached over and switched off the lamp, leaving only the soft amber glow of the streetlights filtering through the curtains.

The frame was still visible in silhouette.

"I still think it's museum-worthy."

Henry groaned.

"Please never say that again."

"I'm just saying..."

Alex nudged him gently.

"... years from now our grandchildren are going to find that thing in the attic."

That made Henry pause for a second. Alex could feel the change in him immediately.

“What’s wrong, baby?”

"You know, I spent so much of my life worrying about saying the wrong thing or doing the wrong thing or thinking I had to maintain some royal image…"

He looked at the frame again and smiled thinking about Alex’s line about their grandchildren.

"...that I never imagined life could become this. Me with you, the love of my life, playing silly games and talking about our future."

“Believe it baby,” Alex said with a light kiss to Henry’s lips, “because it’s you and me.”

“And the people we love,” added Henry. "And apparently a commercially printed card dedicated to my thighs."

Alex burst into laughter all over again. "I'm sorry."

"No, you're not."

"I'm really not."

Alex smiled. "I love you…so very much."

Henry answered without hesitation. "I love you too."

The words had become wonderfully ordinary. Not because they meant any less. Because they had become part of the fabric of their life together. As natural as breathing. As familiar as coming home.

David wandered into the bedroom, gave the framed cards a long, suspicious look, then hopped onto the bed and settled against Henry's legs with a contented sigh.

Henry scratched behind the dog's ears.

"You know," he murmured, "I think even David is judging your decorating choices."

Alex looked at the frame one last time.

"I think he's admiring them."

Henry laughed into Alex's shoulder.

"You're hopeless."

"For you?" Alex kissed the top of Henry’s head. "Always."

Henry closed his eyes, smiling.

"Good."

A few moments later, the room fell quiet once more. The framed cards remained on the nightstand. The photograph of Alex and David waited patiently on Henry's desk downstairs.

Tomorrow, Henry knew he'd probably put the photograph of Alex and David back where it belonged.

Then again...

He looked over at the frame one more time and laughed quietly.

Maybe he'd let Alex enjoy his "historical artifact" for one more day.