bound by the book

Link to Guide and Muses

[boundbythebook]

the muses

Red White and Royal Blue: Alex Claremont Diaz Henry Fox Mountchristian Windsor

Sherlock Mycroft Holmes

[loveindomitable]

Alex frowned. That didn’t sound like the Beatrice he had known. Then again, he supposed he hadn’t known Henry’s side as well as he might’ve thought he did. “That’s … awful. I’m sorry, Henry. You don’t deserve that. I always assumed you two were close.” He wondered if there was more to it that Beatrice wasn’t telling Henry, but then, what did he know. “It’s safe to assume the same of Philip, yes? He always was an ass, if you don’t mind me saying, I know he’s still your brother.”

[boundbythebook]

Henry's lip quirked into a regretful smile; he wanted to shrug, but he stopped himself. "I don't think she was particularly amused that I abdicated," He explained. "Not that I blame her. We've always been rather close, the two of us against everyone, and I think she sees it as a treachery... at least, that's my guess." He snorted at the mention of Phillip, biting his lip to stop the urge to chuckle. "Actually, Pip helped me get out. After... everything, he knew how much I was struggling, and he promised to help me get away, though with the understanding that once I left, that was it."

[boundbythebook]

❛  whatever happens, keep the lights on.  ❜ | to henry from philip

"What do you mean?" Henry's eyes were wide and blue, his lower lip trembling slightly. "What do you mean whatever happens? What could possibly happen?"

[loveindomitable]

“That’s generally how coffee works. It stars off slow and then all at once until you can’t get enough of it.” Maybe he could end up making one of his own specialties for Henry one day. In another lifetime, he’d be making coffee for him every morning, but that wasn’t really a thought for now.

“That sounds nice. I might take you up on that offer when even the library gets a little too noisy. There’s only so much the librarians can do about that, after all.” Alex couldn’t help it as a snort escaped his nose and he shook his head, a soft smile playing at his lips. “June? She’s doing good, finally kicking it off in her journalism career. Once your mother’s presidency doesn’t affect you so much, that tends to happen. She’s also writing a book, though she refuses to tell me what it’s about. June might be more stubborn than I am. How is Bea, by the way? Do you see her much?”

[boundbythebook]

Henry's expression shifted, turning a little sad and wistful when Bea was mentioned, taking a sip of his coffee as an excuse to bide himself a little more time before answering. "Bea and I haven't talked since I was restricted to my rooms, after the emails leaked," He admitted, quietly. "Ive reached out once or twice but I got an email back from her, asking in no uncertain terms that I leave her be... i think she's rather upset with me in all honesty. I did reach out to her equarry to check she's alright and Monique has confirmed, Bea's fine, she's just... not interested in being in my life."

[loveindomitable]

Alex had noticed the blush and it made him feel something that he hadn’t felt in awhile. “And I thought you were more of a tea guy. New York coffee has rubbed off on you too, huh?”

“That’s good to know. I’m glad you’ve gotten into something you enjoy alongside school. I may have to stop by that shop more often, those books ended up being very useful after all.” Alex chuckled a little, smiling as he nodded. He was surprised things were so light between them now, but he would take it over the snapping. “As if we don’t have enough as it is, but yes. I see what you mean. Perhaps we could all learn a thing or two from your side of the pond as it were.”

[boundbythebook]

"To be honest it started off as a way to keep awake, but now it's become a necessity," He admitted with a soft chuckle, taking another sip of his coffee.

"You're always welcome. We have a few nooks in the shop I've carved out for people who want to study or just read, so there's that option too if you need somewhere where you won't be bothered," He explained, then laughed quietly. "I never thought I'd hear you admit that! Truly, a moment for the ages," He teased, lifting his cup in mock celebration. "And what about you? You mentioned your sister - how is she?"

[loveindomitable]

Alex snorted softly and rolled his eyes. “How’d you know? Did you see me in a magazine?” Yes, this was how their first meeting should have gone, not the way it had done. And neither should the drama have occurred afterward, but they were where they were now. “Oh trust me, I know. You inherited his looks, but did you get his charm, too?” It was ironic really, the Bond movies had been some of Alex’s favorites growing up. And Arthur’s Bond even more so. He wondered if he’d approve, of him and Henry, part of him would like to think the man was rooting for them, watching over Henry to make sure he ended up okay.

“Honestly, more. Bad habit. Homework and essays keep you up longer, you know. Coffee helps. That sleep schedule is worse than ever though. Still, can’t quit the coffee, it really is quite good if I’ve made it or someone else.” He gestured to the one in his hands, that he couldn’t stop drinking every once and awhile as they spoke. “Yes, I could see you cooped up here with your laptop and books. The music is softer, quiet and peaceful. Feels fitting that I’d end up finding you here eventually, though if fate is real or not, I found you at your shop of all places. I should’ve known you would’ve started a bookshop. Does it get very busy?”

[boundbythebook]

"Only three or five," Henry teased right back, feeling himself relax in a way he hadn't done since.. well, since before the email leak. "Stick around long enough, and maybe you'll find out," he promised with a grin, hoping Alex wouldn't notice the way he blushed at the compliment to his looks.

"Alex," Though he couldnt' exactly blame him. "I'm not one to talk, after... everything, when I moved here, it's become a habit for me, too," Henry confessed with a soft laugh, rolling his eyes at the man's next words. "Not far off the mark," He admitted, chuckling at the mention of his shop. "It does at the weekend. We're only small so we've just got a select number of books in, but our customer base is pretty loyal," He explained, feeling quite proud of that. "I though it was my duty to bring some culture to America, you know?" He added, unable to help but tease some more.

[loveindomitable]

"If you're trying to boost my ego, you really shouldn't, you know." Alex lifted a brow, surprised, but understanding. Had Henry really fully abdicated then? He must have done. "Well then, it is very nice to meet you Henry Fox. Isn't that the name of the famous James Bond actor?" His mouth quirked up a little, hoping that Henry didn't mind the teasing. "Then we should make it a plan, yeah?" Alex chuckled a little at the thought, knowing there were a few like that where he worked. "I don't know if you know, but I work at a more ... let's say popular coffee shop nearby, we have our regulars too, Maybe I should've actually gotten a job here instead, it seems much more ... local here if you ask me."

[boundbythebook]

"I have to try now?" Henry teased back, half aware he was possibly flirting but unable to help it with Alex. It was just something about the man, chuckling, he extended his hand for Alex to shake. "Nice to meet you too, Alex Claremont Diaz." He listened as Alex spoke, nodding. "Call it a crazy coincidence, Fox is a fairly ordinary surname, but... in regards to the actor, I've heard some people refer to him as a total babe, you know." he teased back.

"I didn't know, but I bet you make an amazing coffee, considering how much you drink... or do you drink less these days?" He asked, with only a hint of teasing to his voice. "And that sounds good, actually. I think its one of the reasons I like it here... I'm not very good with busy places these days so this is kind of more my vibe," He confessed quietly.

[loveindomitable]

Alex wondered if there was more going on that he didn't know about, but he wasn't going to pressure him for answers right now. In a way, he was glad they were talking normally, that they had both aired out their grievances and were now a little more content than before.

"Hey, don't give me that. I'm really not that smart." Alex wasn't ready for that conversation, but Henry had put it out there. "These look delicious. Thank you, Henry," Alex said with a smile when he returned with their treats. He couldn't remember the last time he'd sat down with someone like this and knowing it was Henry, well ... right now it was feeling a little bit better than before. Alex sipped at his coffee and took some bites of the brownie, groaning a little in delight. He wiped off his mouth with a napkin and said, "You're right, that is worth craving for. This might have to be my new coffee place too, no offense to my other one, of course."

[boundbythebook]

“If you’re not smart then God help the rest of America,” Henry retorted with a gentle smile and roll of his eyes. “And of course, it’s my way of saying thank-you. By the way just so you know, I’m not a Mountchristian Windsor anymore here, just Henry Fox.” He explained, then giving a grin at the way Alex groaned. “In that case, we’ll definitely be seeing one another again, because quite literally it’s become my regular haunt,” He admitted with a chuckle. “Even know the barista by name now, and they know my order… which is slightly awkward but it’s good.”

[loveindomitable]

"Right, well, let's just say I don't know many royal families except yours and they seem pretty unfair." More than unfair, downright cruel. Though Alex wasn't going to say that right now.

"Oh, you can argue with me. Doesn't mean I won't prove you wrong, however," Alex replied with a teasing smirk. He was glad they weren't being in disagreements like earlier, glad that they were having a semblance of normalcy. "A macchiato sounds fantastic and something chocolate? I've only been here once, so I take it you know the menu more than I do."

[boundbythebook]

“You might not be wrong about that.” Henry admitted, though he really didn’t want to talk about it, and he was grateful when the subject changed.

“I wouldn’t think to argue with you, I may not be as smart s you, but I would like to think I am smart enough to now that,” Henry quipped with a soft chuckle and a shake of his head. “Okay then, a macchiato and something chocolatey coming right up.” Henry grinned and moved to the counter, ordering a macchiato for Alex and an espresso for himself, along with two double chocolate brownies, bringing them over. “Here we are. The most chocolate you’ll get here.” He tease with a smile. “Let me know what you think ; I’ve been craving these since last time.”

[loveindomitable]

"Just so you know, it's not normal for anyone to be used to being yelled at." Alex was pretty sure if Henry told a therapist that, they'd have a lot more to say on the subject than Alex did, and he still felt not happy with knowing the fact that Henry had been treated that way.

Snorting softly, Alex folded his arms across his chest saying, "And I stand by what I said. Peppa Pig holds a patriarchy on it's own that is just ridiculous for children to be seeing. Have you seen how they act on that show?" Knowing he shouldn't go into a rant now, Alex smiled a little, soft in the way that he used to with Henry. "Anyway, we still haven't gotten any coffee or cake. I remember you promising me both."

[boundbythebook]

“Generally speaking, I don’t think most royal families are normal,” He admitted with a weak chuckle, and a half shrug.

Alex’s words though had him laughing softly and Henry held his hands up in submission. “And as before, I am not arguing with you, I agree… I know better than to argue with you, anyway.” He chuckled at Alex’s comment and stood. “Alright… what do you fancy? My treat, to say thank you for coming.”

[loveindomitable]

Alex blinked over at him, once more surprised by Henry. He'd been so sure he'd upset him earlier, but maybe he was wrong. Either way, he found himself nodding anyway, knowing deep down that it was better to get the truth out there than not.

"So am I. She's been a rock, I still need to think of some way to pay her. Though, I'll warn you if you two cross paths again it might not be a great time." To say that June had been pissed for him was an understatement, Nora too. Though Nora was the more sensible one out of the three of them and he was sure she'd be the one to talk them all down from their anger. "Do you really doubt that I won't want to see you again? I said before I don't want to lose you again, if that's as a friend or whatever, I'm not letting you slip away so easily. I think you'll find that one thing that hasn't changed about me is that I'm still rather stubborn."

[boundbythebook]

Henry nodded - he had expected that, and though he hadn't told Alex yet, he expected a similar reaction if he ever had the guts to get back in touch with Pez. "That's okay. I'm used to being shouted at, so if she needs to, I can take it." He promised, not wanting to sound deprecating, but it was the truth. A small smile crossed his lips then, and he chuckled quietly.

"Rather stubborn? I seem to remember you having a fight with Nora about Peppa Pig for some ungodly reason - just because you refused to back down." He pointed out, smiling at the memory.

[loveindomitable]

"It's not that ... it's just ...," he sighed, trailing off and shaking his head gently. "I've already said too much to upset you and I don't want to say too much more, but if not for my sister, I'm not even sure I'd be in school. I don't know what I'd be doing period. So when I say it's all I've had, it's because it was ... is. Losing you made me feel ... lost in ways I can't describe. And I'm not telling you that to upset you, but to make you see what I mean by saying that. You've been through your hell already and I'm sorry for that too, we've both been through it. And to whatever end, we're here now. So I suppose, maybe it's the universes way of trying to get us to see things too, I dunno."

Alex lifted his shoulders in a shrug, realizing he was rambling, but also hoping he was getting his point across without hurting Henry, because that wasn't his intention, not really.

[boundbythebook]

He wanted to reach out and take Alex's hand, he really did, but Henry didn't know how that would be received and he didn't want to push his luck. "For the record, you haven't upset me. I've always been sensitive but its just gotten worse." he said, hoping to ease any guilt Alex might be feeling.

Henry listened as Alex spoke, biting his lip "Well... I am glad you have your sister. Truly. She was always very kind and I'm glad she was there for you." He said, offering a slight smile. "As far as the universe is concerned... I don't know that I believe in fate any more, but if this means that I get to have you back in my life, even if its just for today, I"d go through it all again."

[loveindomitable]

"You'll get through it. You were always smarter than you gave yourself credit for." Actually, Alex always thought Henry would go into literature, considering her knew he went to university in the UK for that. He supposed everyone changed their minds. Alex ducked his head, feeling his cheeks heat more than he would like them to be. "Thank you, Henry. That means more to me than you know. I pushed myself with school because it's all I had but ... I hope if anything to continue to make you proud. I hope to one day protect people for like what you've been through. No one should have to go through that, not because of their families."

[boundbythebook]

For much of his life, Henry had planned to go into literature, but after the last two years, something inside him had snapped. it had been one of the many things he’d lost through his family’s decisions, and Henry was glad Alex hadn’t brought it up.

He smiled a bit as the American ducked his head, voice softening. “You do know you’re wrong, don't you? It’s not all you have. You have yourself, Alex. Your beautiful, wonderful, intelligent self, and I am so sorry if what my family has done has made you doubt that. But you are special, Alex… and I know that you’re going to make everyone proud. You’ve already made me very proud of you."

[boundbythebook]

Even his own sister thinks he’s being foolish. Henry sighed deeply, blue eyes straying from Bea to the phone then back again before he ducked his head, turning away slightly. “It doesn’t matter, Bea. Doesn’t matter how interested I am or how much I - -“ he cut himself off, gulping a breath. “Nothing can ever come of it. You have to know that.” he felt a little like he might throw up, anxiety curdling in his stomach, as he thought about Alex.

[soulwaned-arch-deactivated20260]

❛❛  oh  i  have  to,  hmm?  ❜❜      she  watched  him  look  at  the  phone.    it  pained  her  to  see  her  brother  like  this,  to  see  him  anything  less  than  happy.      ❛❛  hen  ...  i've  seen  you.  the  way  that  you  smile  when  you  talk  about  alex  or  think  about  him  -  i  can't  remember  the  last  time  i  saw  you  like  that.  stop  denying  yourself  what  you  really  want:    HIM.  ❜❜        

[boundbythebook]

henry sighed deeply, looking at the phone before forcing himself up off the bed and moving over to the window seat, looking out to avoid looking at his sister. did he miss Alex? Of course, every day. But it was better for Alex like this - at least, that was what Henry kept telling himself. "And what if I do, Beatrice?" He asked, voice low. "What then? Grandpa will never allow it - Phillip will never allow it, so what is the point? Much better to break Alex's heart now rather than giving him hope and breaking it later."

[loveindomitable]

Alex looked down at his hands, them beginning to fumble together slightly. He wondered if Henry knew he didn't entirely mean no to the relationship, but he felt they had talked on about it enough now that they could each have time to think about it. It confused his heart and his head to hear of Henry's love for him, even knowing the truth he knew now. Alex knew one thing for sure, he just needed that time to think it through. Maybe he should see a therapist after all, June had sometimes been suggesting one.

"There's really nothing we can do about that now except move forward." If he had known about things, he would've torn the world apart just to make sure that Henry was safe, but he didn't have the chance to do that and never would.

Blinking over at him, hearing that Henry was going to school for medicine was surprising. But not so far fetched. He remembered what he'd been like at that hospital all those years ago. "That's amazing, Henry. I'm sure you'll make a brilliant doctor. That's a lot of dedication and hard work to keep up with, but you'll do the good I know you want to do." He wondered if he was going to the same school he was, likely considering NYU was nearby there. "I'm almost done with those. One more semester and I'll have my degree, that is if I pass. Law has been a shit ton of work, but you know what that's like. So long as things go according to plan, the law firm I'm apprenticing for plans to hire me on next year too."

[boundbythebook]

Henry smiled a little, offering a shrug. "Well, we don't know if I'll pass yet." He reminded quietly. "As you say it's a lot of work, and a lot of my classes are online unless they need to be because of security," He shook his head - Alex didn't need to know all of that, especially when they weren't together. "If I had to bet on anyone, it would be you. The fact that you've managed to continue studying through everything is amazing, and I don't doubt you'll pass... but even if you don't, you're still amazing and I know you'll take the bar again if you're truly committed to it," He added with a smile. "It probably doesn't mean anything but I'm proud of you. You've... always been a great source of inspiration for me."

[loveindomitable]

Alex nodded. He hasn’t said all of that to make Henry feel guilty. In fact, it was just the truth. Would he get better? He hoped, in time. He didn’t want to disturb Henry’s peace anymore than he already had done. “I am not entirely sure what I want there in regards of a relationship. It would be …,” Alex sighed and trailed off shaking his head. “I really loved you, you know. I always will. I think I just need some time to sort things out in my own head first.” Alex wanted to reach out and take Henry’s hand, but he resisted. He was sure that he meant it, that he would need time. “You’re in school? What are you there for?” Alex found himself asking that instead, curiosity peaking and wanting to know what Henry has been up too

[boundbythebook]

Clearly, it had been too long for them to work as partners or lovers, but perhaps they had an opportunity to become friends again, if Alex would allow. Henry bit his lip and nodded. "That's one thing I never had to doubt when it came to us, was how you feel, and I - I love that about you. You've always been very honest, and I really value that. Even if its hard to hear, at least I know its how you really feel." He explained with a soft smile.

"And in case you wondered, the same is true for you. I love you more than I can say, and I'm just... I wish things hadn't gone the way they had after the leaks but I unfortunately had very little say or power there." He shook his head with a sigh. "Whatever time you need, Alex. I'm patient, i can wait.. even if at the end of it all you decide its too much."

He relaxed a little when the mention of his classes came up, and ducked his head, a bit embarrassed. "Medicine. I - when I moved here I was going to get in contact with Pez to see if I could help with the charities, but then i realised I don't really have anything to offer... and I like helping people. So I'm at collage to study medicine and we'll see how it goes... how are your studies?"

[boundbythebook]

"not exactly talking too much, but i was getting worried that you'd run out of breath," henry chuckled, taking Alex's cheek in his hand and brushing their noses together. "Though I am delighted that you're so invested in your studies. i hope you don't think it too rude of me...?"

[hstoryhuh]

❛❛  are you kidding?  ❜❜ alex  shook  his  head,  his  nose  brushing  against  henry's  with  the  action.      ❛❛  definitely  not  rude,  ❜❜      he  managed  as  a  smile  appeared  and  he  wound  his  arms  around  henry's  middle  to  pull  him  closer  (  like  he  wasn't  close  enough  already  ).      ❛❛  might  be  my  new  favorite  way  to  get  me  to  be  quiet,  actually.  ❜❜    

[boundbythebook]

Henry went willingly as Alex pulled him closer, leaning into the weight. He'd always worried about being too clingy, too much, but with Alex it had always been different; his partner seemed to crave closeness just as much as he did. "Noted, darling. " He chuckled quietly, the soft rumble vibrating through his body. "I thought it might be high time we go for a walk with Davey, if you would like?"