[january 28th] bleed this skyline dry

[somatophylax]

After Henry closes his cell phone and sets it on the side table he puts his face in his hands and leans over his legs where he sits on the edge of the bed. He's tired, and he has to think, and this is the kind of vulnerability he would usually only show when he's alone, this silent concession to the possibility he could be overwhelmed"This is just

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[megosalksandros]

Alexander has been quietly reflecting on the situation, hand entwined with Henry's - now he leans over and runs his hands up his lover's back so that he can rub his shoulders comfortingly.

"You did have it on the nose when you said she polarizes people," he says, quiet.

[somatophylax]

Henry sighs, and twists to look over his shoulder.

"It's just when she polarizes them this much. I worry about her. You know, sometimes I forget she's- what, twenty-one? But she is, and I'm not always sure she knows how to-" 'slow down', 'be careful', it would all fit.

[megosalksandros]

"Some people grow up faster than others." Alex's voice is, he hopes, calming. He understands this about Mina - it's how he is, too. But he's ruled the world once already, and he knows better than to get involved in these political games that so destroyed his empire after his death.

"She's safe now."

[somatophylax]

"I know." About both. Henry is calm, mostly, if weary, and worrying. It helps to have someone here to tell him it's all going to be okay, for a change. He pulls his legs up onto the bed and leans back against Alex, eyes closed.

[megosalksandros]

Alexander wraps his arms around Henry, his chest against the other man's back, and he leans down to press his face against his neck. Henry always seems so starved for this sort of touch, he thinks. Not that he himself isn't constantly in need of having his hands all over him, apparently - like Henry might vanish into the air if Alexander doesn't keep his hand laced with his, keep his arms around him, keep his fingertips brushing against him secretly in passing.

He's not afraid or shaken up by Mina's attack, but he is angry. Mina is his friend, his colleague, and he's offended that someone out there thinks they have a right to do a thing like this.

"We're going to have a good day," he says softly, "And everything is going to go smoothly tomorrow. You'll make yourself sick stressing out over it."

[somatophylax]

"At least I don't have to be afraid of doors." He's teasing, of course, and gently, but he's trying to assure Alexander that he's okay without using so many words.

He folds his arms over Alex's, opening his eyes to catch a closeness-blurred glimpse of his face. "We're going to have to be even more careful tomorrow." And clearly, he remains pragmatic above all else.

[megosalksandros]

"Mina and Caius know I'm gay," he says, voice a little flat, but still quiet. He's not annoyed with Henry, but the subject of being closeted out of necessity is one that will always frustrate him - something Henry has likely noticed by now.

"But I promise I won't make out with you in front of any press cameras." Teasing lightly, now. He kisses his neck.

[somatophylax]

"I didn't know you were that close," he says, after a pause that's longer than it strictly needs to be. "They don't know I am, as far as I know." He wonders why the idea of not having it be a secret makes him so...vaguely jealous, somehow. He won't let it bother him.

"...I swear I'd hit you, by the way." He can't actually imagine hitting him under any circumstances.

[megosalksandros]

"They visited my home. I can't... lie to people like that, I guess. I hate it in general, but I don't want to be an activist." He sighs, letting his frustration melt away as he shifts so that he can hold Henry closer.

"Then you'd just have to kiss me more later to make me feel better."

[somatophylax]

"Do you think you're funny?" Henry, by his tone and expression, obviously does. He kisses his forehead, and entertains the idea of being able to touch him in public places. He meant it, though, when he said he was fine with him being in the closet; he's never been big on public displays of affectation, anyway.

"I'm not sure if you know this, but you're not the first person in the public eye to hide their sexuality. Mina doesn't talk about her boyfriend either." This is certainly an interesting time to drop in the 'b' word, Henry.

[megosalksandros]

"That is another reason I felt toootally fine with them knowing," he says, eyebrows raising. "Caius showed up with her and they shared a room. Before his wife died."

In short, neither Caius nor Mina can say ANYTHING AT ALL EVER about anyone else's bedroom habits. And yes, that is an interesting time for the b word - Alex tries not to look overly pleased with it and nuzzles his head against Henry's. "I know. I think that, maybe, like, I know this is an insane idea but I might have a thing about being up front with people."

... Owner and founder of one of the largest global conglomerates, teen prodigy, intense as all hell, dating someone he has known for a week, previous ruler of the known world. Maaaybe, Alex. Just maybe.

[somatophylax]

"I never would have been able to tell." Henry is never sarcastic, nor has he ever been so before in his entire life. But if he was, it'd be at least a gentle sarcasm here. Meanwhile, tension neither of them may have been aware of leaves his shoulders; it's a reassurance of his position here that he wasn't rebuked.

"Maybe we should save it anyway, for a better time."

[megosalksandros]

Alexander draws a hand against Henry's neck and kisses him, firm and comforting. "I don't mind this just being ours," he tells him, hoping that he'll understand. He's in no hurry - well. Now, anyway. He has him, and he trusts him. With everything.

[somatophylax]

"It's just not relevant to what we're doing here," he says, slightly embarrassed to be caught. "I- am awkward, aren't I?" It's a largely rhetorical question. He makes a quietly self-depreciating noise and shakes his head.

[megosalksandros]

"You're beautiful," he tells him, and presses him back so that he's settled atop him, stroking his hair away from his forehead absently. "You can always tell me if something makes you uncomfortable.."

[somatophylax]

Henry thinks of several ways to ruin the moment ('I thought we agreed you were the woman' 'Is this about my hair') and dutifully doesn't voice them.

"Likewise." For both things. "I'll be fine."