Summary:ย Garrulous [adjective]:ย excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters.ย From the Latin, โgarrireโ, meaning โto chatter, prattleโ. Pejorative undertones/negative connotations.
how do you want me? | 2,582 |ย rizcriz
Summary:ย โChrist,โ Henry curses quietly, lowering the camera. โYouโre beautiful.โ
Kneeling on the bed, his ankles crossed behind him, a hand tucked into his briefs, the other carefully weaved through his hair, is Beaโs friend Alex. The light sits on his skin, a delicate shadow of eyelashes fan over his cheeks, and when Henry speaks, he opens his eyes and looks at him from beneath those eyelashes, a careful smirk slipping over his lips. He doesnโt move from the pose, though, as he says, โYouโre not so bad yourself, sweetheart.โ
diamonds are forever | 3,116 | rizcriz
Summary:ย Henry shakes his head. โJames Bond is fictional.โ
Alex raises his eyebrows. โBut . . . ?โ
Gaze slipping to the ceiling, Henry nods once. โIt is not . . .โ He says, making a face as his eyes meet Alexโs again. โDissimilar to James Bond.โ
Alex nods. โSo . . .โ He trails off, the information still processing. Itโs a bit like his mind is buffering as he makes sense of it. Itโs so little information, yet so much all at once. Like someoneโs thrown an encyclopedia at his head and given him a cliff notes explanation expecting him to know it word for word. โThat would meanโIโm dating James Bond?โ He blinks, sitting up straight. โOh my god,โ he exclaims with sudden realization. โIโm a Bond Girl.โย
(see more recommendations below!)
The Library of Alejandro | 5,724 |ย clottedcreamfudge / @clottedcreamfudge
Summary:ย When is a library not a library? When the building is destroyed? When its contents are burned or misplaced?
Ship of Theseus arguments aside, the simple fact is this: the essence of a library is knowledge, and that can never be stopped.
Henry is a librarian. Alex is something else altogether.
Love is Thai food and crepe paper | 6,544 | clottedcreamfudge / @clottedcreamfudge
Summary:ย "Jennifer says, 'love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs'," Henry says, just as the microwave goesย 'ding'ย in an annoyingly accusatory way. Alex glares at it. He's not inย loveย with Henry; they're just goddamn arepas.
Accidentally In Love | 14,919 |ย IBoatedHere / @iboatedhere
Summary: โFuck,โ he swears while David barks from the doorway, his feet tip-tapping against the hardwood anxiously. โItโs okay,โ Henry tells him, โreally, I have it under control and thereโs nothing to be concernedโ.โ
The sharp trill of the smoke detector cuts him off, and David goes flying into the living room, tail tucked between his legs.
Henry sighs and grabs his phone off the counter and quickly dials 9-1-1.
โ9-1-1,โ the operator says as Henry starts after David, โWhatโs the nature of your emergency?โ
โI canโt be certain,โ Henry begins, โbut itโs entirely possible that thereโs about to be a fire in my kitchen.โ
henri | 4,068 |ย smc_27
Summary:ย After his entrรจe he looks up, sees a hot guy in chef's whites using a spatula to lift a ribbon of shiny chocolate up off a table in the kitchen, then let it fall and drizzle down again.
The chef looks up. Alex locks eyes with him. Only looks away to read โHenriโ in fancy black embroidery over his heart.
Fire Under Your Feet | 12,110 |ย aforgottennymph / @aforgottennymph
Summary:ย โYou didnโt.โ
Pez beams down at him. โI didn't do what, darling?โ
โTell me you didnโt get stuck in a tree just to call the fire department here.โ
โI didnโt get stuck in a tree just to call the fire department here.โ
Henryโs shoulders slump in relief. โOh goodโโ
โI got stuck in a tree just to callย Alexย here. Semantics.โ
Or; Alex is a firefighter and Pez is the best matchmaker around.
Waiting on the ground to come and catch me | 1,125 |ย kiwiana / @kiwiana-writes
Summary:ย โYouโre gorgeous when youโre flustered.โ Alex grins as though this isnโt a completely devastating thing for him to say, wrapping a hand around Henryโs neck and pulling him in for a deep kiss. When he pulls back, he doesnโt go far, his breath ghosting across Henryโs lips. โTo answer the three half-questions you managed to get out, it feels good. LikeโโAlex arches his back not unlike a particularly content cat, his face relaxing into a lazy, seductive smirkโโreally,ย reallyย good.โ
One touch (but you felt enough) | 1,781 |ย kiwiana / @kiwiana-writes
Summary:ย He lasts exactly one beer and three and a half songs at his favourite gay bar before he has to hide in the bathroom. Why the fuck did he think aย clubย would help with the whole never-ending-headache situation? He pulls a handful of paper towels out of the dispenser, wetting them under the cold tap before pressing them to his forehead with a loud groan, leaning back against the wall and letting his eyes slip shut. The bass is still thumping through him, but itโs not quite as tooth-rattling in here as it is on the dance floor, which is some relief, at least.
Summary:ย "This isn't about the jumper," Alex growls eventually, because he canโt leave well enough alone, fumbling with Henry's belt buckle with hands that aren't shaking, exactly, but are perhaps shaking-adjacent.ย
Also, it's kind of about the jumper.ย
He'd just looked so soft and vulnerable in it, and just... hot. He's always hot. But there's this weird dissonance between the "hot" that Henry is in public and the "hot" that Alex gets to see; that shoot had blurred the lines in weird ways that made Alex's stomach twist. He doesnโt know how to explain it without sounding insane and possessive.
white teeth to a red wine stain | 2,098 |ย smc_27
Summary:ย Alex is used to this. Well, notย this, specifically, but the general practice of using a heat clinic and letting them pair him up with whatever willing, able, and consenting omega needs a partner at the same time he does.
(Im)patience is a Virtue | 2,125 |ย clottedcreamfudge / @clottedcreamfudge
Summary:ย "Why don't you want to fuck me?" Henry just about manages to avoid spluttering Earl Grey all over the coffee table, but it's a close thing. Alex is staring at him, looking kind of annoyed.
"Excuse me?" He's never refused Alex aย thingย in his whole adult life. Also, he very much wants to do that, but Alex hasn't said anything and usually Henry can't shut him up; he'd assumed Alex would bring it up when he was ready.
Which appears to be now.
Iโm Not That Innocent | 2,442 |ย everwitch / @everwitch-magiks
Summary:ย โAugust & Juneโ was a smash-hit Disney Channel show that ran for seven godforsaken seasons. Now that it's finished, Alex is on a mission to prove he's more than just some Disney kid. He canโt wait to get cast in something cool and edgy, or maybe even something sexy? Heโs a real adult now. It's about time the world learns as much.
But when Alex can't get cast in fuckingย anything,ย he realizes his image needs an update, stat. And after a couple failed attempts, there's only one thing for it.
Or: gay porn sensation Henry Fox has an unbelievable day at work.
Run, Don't Walk | 2,640 |ย clottedcreamfudge / @clottedcreamfudge
Summary:ย Henry loves sex. He loved sex even before he was with Alex, although there's something to be said for the level of precision and intimacy acquired through years of learning each other's bodies. He's liked being filled from the first time he ever experienced the feeling, and he doesn't think he'll ever love anything quite as much as he loves getting fucked.
But this?ย Thisย is giving him pause for thought.
in the same room at the same time | 3,415 |ย HypnosTheory / @hypnostheory
Summary:ย โShould you be drinking if youโre trying a new medication?โ
Henry shrugs. โI was told I can have a glass of wine with dinner.โ He finishes his glass and sets it on the table, smiling at Alex with a warm little sparkle in his eyes. โAlthough it may cause sleepwalking, so you might want to check that the front door is locked.โ He reaches up and flicks open the top button of his shirt. โJust in case.โ
Alex chuckles, standing up to clear their plates. He presses a kiss to the top of Henryโs head as he passes the man. โDonโt worry, Iโll hold you close all night.โ
It started out with a kiss | 4,221 |ย clottedcreamfudge / @clottedcreamfudge
Summary:ย "Guess we're watching the new ones then."
Henry sighs. "The commonality that binds us; the visceral aversion we have to episodes one through three."
"And our thing for Ewan McGregor with a beard," Alex adds, flopping onto the sofa and grabbing the remote. "I'm mostly straight and all, but Obi-Wan is like... the exception that proves the rule."
"What's Han Solo then?" Henry asks drily, sitting down himself and pulling his knees up to his chest. "Chopped liver?"
"Han Solo is a universal constant, and has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with my sexuality," Alex says firmly. "Anyone with eyes and a libido would suck him off if he asked nicely, okay. No, you know what? He wouldn't even have to askย nicelyโโ
safe and sound, i think i'll keep you around | 4,799 |ย anincompletelist (soldouthaz) / @anincompletelist
Summary:ย The camping trip was supposed to beย relaxing.
And it ends up that way, sort of. Just not in the way Alex anticipated.
I really hope I can get him alone | 6,140 |ย clottedcreamfudge / @clottedcreamfudge
Summary:ย โAlex, come here and meet my brother.โ
Then Henry sees who Bea's brought with her and all the breath leaves him again.
Jesus Christ โ did his sister bring some kind of cowboy wet dream stripogram to Thanksgiving, just to piss off Gran? The man is obscene, and Henry wonders briefly if he takes private bookings.
Hide and Sneak | 6,795 |ย clottedcreamfudge / @clottedcreamfudge
Summary:ย Henry shouldn't be here; 'here' meaning the flat he shares with his friend and unrequited crush, Alex, who is irreversibly straight and likes to walk around in his boxers like some kind of sexy torture device.
Alex, unlike Henry,ย isย meant to be here, and here is where he is.
On their sofa in the living room.
Jerking off.
drink me | 8,736 |ย demigodbeautiies / @jackwolfes
Summary:ย โTell me you didnโt drink the entire bottle,โ Henry groans.
โWas I not supposed to?โ Alex asks, voice thick.
Or: Henry finds his vague attempt at bloody peace and quiet disturbed when the sole object of his affections has, to no one's surprise, made some stupid decisions with magic and sex potions.
Summary:ย Basically, what it boils down to is this; Alex isย mostly soberย when he says - to a group of people he barely knows - "Yeah, I might be a little queer, but who knows? I'd kinda like toย experimentย though, y'know?"
This statement, which is actually something he's thought about a lot, is met by general bobbing of heads, in the kind of bros-trying-to-be-chill way that usually happens when a bunch of straight guys are trying very hard to be non-toxic. That is to say, it's kind ofย awkward,ย but they get mad props for trying.
The only person whoย isn'tย nodding is Henry, Pez's best friend and the only known gay man in this circle of people. Alex has no clue about the others, but he knows Henry's gay because Pez once introduced him as, "the most handsome man in all of Christendom โ and before you ask, no we've never shagged, which is a damn shame. Not for lack of trying on my part, of course, but Henry's one of those gays who thinks it's bad manners to get drunk and have an inadvisable fumble with your best friend for larks."
Summary:ย Getting into an argument with someone in the airport lounge had probably been a mistake, in hindsight; Alex knows this. But with so many fucking delays and the fact that the signal on his phone is currently making it about as useful as two paper cups joined by a piece of string, heโs kind ofย on-edge.ย Itโs notย entirelyย his fault that he snaps.
Attractive people with perfect hair who take the last almond croissant before Alex can get to it probably just need to understand this. Alex is at the end of his tether, and he will not be swayed by, โWell, Iย wasย here first,โ in a British accent so smooth it could butter bread.
Making a List, Checking it Twice | 18,677 |ย LolaLand (Lola_di_Penates) / @welcometololaland
Summary:ย When Alex lands a job house-sitting for an international man of mystery, heโs more than a little intrigued. According to Nora, the owner of the Brooklyn brownstone is a spy. According to June, heโs a prince. Alex is convinced his employer is a fifty-year-old man who loves tartan and ugly, porcelain homewares.
Also, Alex might be flirting with his boss via a handwritten grocery list. Just a little bit.
somehow i'd get by | 29,386 |ย anincompletelist (soldouthaz) / @anincompletelist
Summary:ย Henry should have known, probably, that accepting a job offer from Pez would have its nuances. Itโs his own fault that he hadnโt asked more questions, that he hadnโt regarded it as a red flag when heโd had to sign several veryย thickย NDAโs at the onboarding, when Pez had smiled so big and so secretively when they went out to celebrate afterward that Henry had to physically look away from it. Though heโs new to the city, heโd thought that working as an accountant wouldnโt offer all that many opportunities for any sort of overly odd, eclectic jobs.
So heโd shown up on his first day at the provided address, a big, nondescript brick building in front of him with a duffel bag full of his sign-on papers, his computer, and a framed photo of his dog, David, ready to take up its rightful place on yet another boring, blank desk.
Heโd made it all of two steps inside the door before realizing that heโd just accepted a contract working for some kind of sex club. Heโd stood his ground despite the burning flush that bloomed on his cheeks and then, miraculously, heโd stayed.ย
Bluebonnets and Polo Mallets | 37,376 |ย chamel / @cha-melodius
Summary:ย โSo, polo,โ he says, looking Henry up and down. The contrast between their appearancesโwith Henry in his clean white breeches and pale blue Ariat-branded polo shirtโis stark. โThatโs the one thatโs like croquet on horseback, right?โ
Henry is so relieved that theyโre not dwelling on his accidental come-on that he canโt even be that offended. Alex delivers the barb with that same teasing smirk, and Henry is forced to laugh as he scoffs. โNot exactly.โ
(As a professional polo player, rodeo is a foreign world to Henry. But when his new sponsor organises a photoshoot with a top rodeo star, he finds his life turned upside down by a bronco rider with big brown eyes and dark curls. Surely this won't become a problem...)
only fools rush in | 51,296 |ย citydreaming / @thewindowatkirkland
Summary: Outsidethefox: Ah, is this your first time here? Welcome to Grindr, where the dick pictures are plentiful and unwanted, and the spelling and grammar are generally atrocious.
AC/DC: itโs true, iโm a grindr virgin, iโve mostly dated girls before and y'all areโฆ wild here.
Outsidethefox: It is certainly an experience. I have only signed in once before myself, but so far the second time seems to be much of the same.
Outsidethefox: With the exception of this conversion of course.
Every Weather byย ronans /ย @hillerskas
2 Part Seriesย | Rated G & M | Total Words: 6,905
Part 1 Summary: โHenryโs here with us for the weather.โ He pivots in his seat and grins over to the other corner of the studio. โNow, is it hot in here, or is it just you?โ
Without missing a beat, Henry smiles cordially and gestures to the green screen behind him. โWeโre actually in the middle of a cold snap.โ
Or, an ode to Alex fucking with Henry live on air.
all thatโs left to do is run byย HypnosTheory /ย @hypnostheory
2 Part Seriesย | Rated E | Total Words: 17,886
Part 1 Summary: Henry thought it was silly to hire an American to be his personal guard. He didnโt care that the man had an excellent service record, the highest level of security clearance in the American government short of the president, or a black belt in six forms of martial arts. A foiled assassination attempt changes that opinion, but Henryโs gratitude is not a passive thing โ Alexโs going to have to work for it.
the only thing on my mindย byย HypnosTheory /ย @hypnostheory
3 Part Seriesย | Rated E | Total Words: 31,922
Part 1 Summary: Henry takes a fortifying breath and sticks his tongue out for Alex to look at.
โOkay good, now hold it up like this,โ Alex says, holding his mouth open and sticking his tongue up against the roof of his mouth. Henry copies the motion, flinching when Alex grabs his chin and tilts his head up. He hums as he looks into Henryโs mouth, nodding to himself. โDamn, you have the perfect anatomy for a piercing.โ
Henryโs not even sure if thatโs a compliment, but his heart skips a beat. โThank you.โ
After losing a bet, Henry has to get a tongue piercing. Alex, the incredibly attractive piercer, gets stuck in Henryโs head in more ways than he expected.
Summary:ย โSo, come here often?โ Alex tries to joke, only to realize too late the implications behind asking such a question in a sexual health clinic. He grimaces, hard. โFuck, I didnโt meanโ you donโt have to answer that. I was justโย trying to make it not awkward.โ
To his relief, Blue Eyes just looks amused. โAnd made it exceedingly awkward instead?โ
(Or: Alex, Henry & a meet-cute at the STI clinic)
You Must Allow Me To Tell You | 2,428 |ย everwitch / @everwitch-magiks
Summary:ย โI donโt suppose there's any chance youโd like to marry me, Alex?โ
Alex blinks. Then he starts to grin. โRight. Funny. What were you actually gonna say?โ
โ... I wasnโt making a joke.โ
Alex waits for a beat โ thereโs gotta be a punchline here somewhere โ but it doesnโt come. Henry is still watching him expectantly. He looks terrifyingly sincere.
โYouโre actually serious?โ
โYes.โ
โYouโre proposing to me?โ
โI am, yes.โ
โBut you donโt evenย knowย me.โ
โAstute observation.โ Henry tilts his head to the side. โI canโt help but notice that you have yet to decline?โ
Henry has a proposal. Alex has trouble remembering why he shouldn't accept.
Pot It Like Itโs Hot | 2,976 |ย everwitch / @everwitch-magiks
Summary:ย Henry is a plant daddy. His many botanical children flourish under his care, but heโs constantly in need of various supplies โ and every time he goes shopping, he runs into the same beautiful stranger. A stranger who wrongly assumes Henryโs hobbies have nothing to do with plants.
Henry always goes with it.
Or: five times Henry pretends to have a different hobby just to flirt with Alex, and one time he doesnโt have to.
(see more recommendations below!)
Make it Good | 3,758 | smc_27
Summary:ย TurkeyOnRye is so hot Alex almost dies every time the guy walks in. Same thing every Tuesday. Turkey on rye, bag of chips, and a sparkling water.
โThe usual?โ Alex asks. TurkeyOnRye smiles at him, nods. โHowโs your Tuesday?โ
He gets the bread, he reaches for the knife, he tries not to cut his fucking hand off watching TurkeyOnRye push his hair back.
Three times is a pattern | 4,838 |ย clottedcreamfudge / @clottedcreamfudge
Summary:ย โHi,โย an amused voice says on the other end of the line.ย โYouโre through to Alex at L&G. Can I start by taking your name please?โ
โHenry,โ he admits, although the lure of a false name is calling to him like a siren song. โIโm โ look, how long were you on the line just now?โ
Thereโs a pause before the man answers.ย โIโm legally obligated to advise you that these calls are recorded for training and monitoring purposes. Is that enough of an answer?โ
Henry just about manages not to swear. โThank you. Unfortunately that isย veryย clear.โ
โGreat. How can I help you today, Henry?โ
He wonders if they offer euthanasia.
Let Me inside (I Want to Get to Know You) | 6,128 |ย affectionatelyrs / @affectionatelyrs & happinessofthepursuit / @happiness-of-the-pursuit
Summary:ย A sticky note, placed between the knobs on the kitchen sink:
Tap not working. Called plumber 5th Oct.
A new sticky note, placed between the knobs on the kitchen sink:
fixed. told plumber not to bother.
A new sticky note, placed to the right of the sink:
Did you wear the uniform and everything?
A new sticky note, placed below the previous sticky note:
wouldnโt you like to know?
Or, Alex and Henry fall in love one note at a time
An Amateurโs Guide to Professional Gift-Giving | 8,936 |ย anincompletelist (soldouthaz) / @anincompletelist
Summary: Alex, a former-law-student-taking-some-time-off turned professional part-time gift giver, is tasked with finding a gift for the most high profile client he's ever worked with, both in and out of the world of law.
It turns out finding the perfect gift for the Prince of Wales might be easier than he'd anticipated.
we've been here forever (here's the frozen proof) | 12,308 |ย r_holland / @onward--upward
Summary:ย Objectively, I am aware that you โ a stranger โ cannot tell me my own sexuality any better than I can, however... Can you, please? Tell me? Itโs 4am and I have been thinking about this for hours, and I canโt sleep.
Warmest regards,
ACD
Itโs four in the morning, and Alex Claremont-Diaz has managed to follow a research spiral straight down into a personal crisis. It isnโt the first time.
Lay You Down | 20,646 |ย ronans / @hillerskas
Summary: agcd: listen, asshole, I was just on the fucking SWEET CUSP of sleep and this fucking doritos ad suddenly starts screaming out of my phone speaker. are you fucking seriously telling me you canโt moderate this shit on a fucking SLEEP VIDEO???? JAIL.
Or, Alex is having trouble sleeping when June and Nora recommend a certain channel to help. Alex thought he'd be safe from loud adverts on videos specifically made to put you to sleep, but Henry's videos seem to be the exception.
If Sex Was A Sport Weโd Be Winning | 3,000 |ย everwitch / @everwitch-magiks
Summary:ย It's remarkable, truly, that Alex didn't even want to be here. He only came all the way to Ariake because June was determined to watch a bunch of prissy ponies strut around to music. Still, perhaps the true Olympic experience lies in the wide variety of disciplines. Or, perhaps, it has something to do with chatting up a pretty blond behind the stables and getting him to show you the inside of an Olympic tack room. As Alex quickly takes to Henryโs sweet smiles and easy confidence, he realizes that just a few stolen moments with this man might turn into his most cherished memory from the Tokyo Olympics.
Alex knows better than to get attached, though. He and Henry live an ocean apart. Thereโs no way this quick fumble in the stable equivalent of a supply closet could ever lead to anything more. Right?
Summary:ย Tracing the evolution ofย sweetheartย in five scenes over the years.
That's My Trouble | 6,430 |ย chamel / @cha-melodius
Summary:ย He looks up when the door opens, dark eyes wide and wild, but Henry would know them anywhere. Would know every curve and angle of this face, even with the heavy stubble obscuring the dimple in his chin, even with the dark circles beneath his eyes, even with the greyish cast to his usually-warm brown skin that is, frankly, terrifying.
โAlex?โ
โTook you fucking long enough,โ he groans, then stumbles past Henry into the flat, leaving a trail of bloody footsteps behind in his wake.
(When a certain beautiful, antagonistic detective shows up bleeding on his doorstep in the middle of the night, Henry's ability to deal with his attraction is put to the test.)
(Door)Dash to the Heart | 8,146 |ย bleedingballroomfloor
Summary:ย The man looks up when Henry opens the door. "Henry?"
Henry clears his throat. "That's me," he manages.
"Cool," the man says. "You're making me hungry for breakfast with this order, man. Which is bad for me, because my breakfast is usually just coffee, and there's no way I can drink that this late."
"Uh," Henry says. He's pretty sure dashers don't talk this much during orders.
"Anyway," the man says, handing the bag of food to Henry, "enjoy your night."
Five times Henry gets late-night food from his insanely hot DoorDasher Alex, and one time they get food together at a normal time.
Risotto + Melanzane + Dolce (a love story) | 16,817 |ย villiageidiotย / @villiageidiot
Summary:ย Alex doesnโt necessarily need a jobโa full course load (plus some) is more than enough to fill his timeโbut he hasnโt had much of a social life since starting law school, and his coffee habit could use a few extra dollars. When June tells him the restaurant is looking for help, particularly on their Thursday Spaghetti Special night, he halfheartedly agrees. Everything that happens thereafter is technically her fault, a fact he likes pointing out any time she tries to yell at him for something, like serving uncooked garlic bread, or accidentally making a grown man cry, or breaking public indecency laws.
Or:
Alex works at an Italian restaurant and is very bad at it. Henry is a customer and doesnโt seem to mind.
tired of writing in pencil (i'm inking you in) | 34,268 |ย anincompletelist (soldouthaz) / @anincompletelist
Summary:ย Against everyone's better judgement, tattoo artist Alex takes up a babysitting job on the side after he forms a connection with the kid over their shared love of art. It doesn't hurt that his dad's kind of hot, too.
He gets more than he signed up for the longer he spends with them, and figures out that maybe the key to happiness isn't what he thought it was โ maybe growing up means being a little childish after all.
monster mash | 2,260 |ย lycanthropuns
Summary:ย None of Henryโs answers to โWho are you supposed to be?โ are particularly funny to anyone but him, especially in his inebriated state, so heโs completely given up on making any sense when the latest person asks him, someone who he assumes is yet another sorority girl in a skimpy costume from the glimpse of a cheerleading skirt he gets while they brush past him to open the fridge.
โGeorge Villiers,โ he offers.
โDeep cut, England,โ a decidedly male voice snorts, and Henry canโt help the way his head snaps up, eyes wide.
Don't @ Me | 2,996 |ย clottedcreamfudge / @clottedcreamfudge
Summary:ย โEat the rich, eh?โ the guy - H - says softly, and heโs not smiling but he sounds amused as those blue, blue eyes stray to Alexโs. โIโm not sure anyone should be putting their mouth anywhere near Jeffrey Bezos, but each to their own.โ
โIโd settle for the moderately wealthy,โ Alex drawls, and the guy raises his eyebrows.
โIs this a โyou are what you eatโ scenario, or are you just more enraged with the upper middle class than the one percent?โ
โWhoever I can sink my teeth into first, sweetheart,โ he says with a sickly sweet smile, and he feelsย beyondย gratified when the tips of Hโs ears start to go pink.
The Case Of The Fucking Curse | 4,406 |ย everwitch / @everwitch-magiks
Summary:ย Henry gets inflicted by a deadly royal curse. The only way to break it is to have sex with a person who possesses the correct physical compatibility, so the crown puts out a desperate plea for people meeting the right criteria to enter a screening process.
Youโllย neverย guess who turns out to be the final candidate at the end.
Or: the most wholesome Fuck Or Die youโve read in your life.
A Series of Fortunate Events | 5,183 |ย clottedcreamfudge / @clottedcreamfudge
Summary:ย โWhatโs going on through there?โ Alex asks the bartender when he orders his next beer, trying to act like the answer isnโt going to have a significant impact on his evening plans.
โWedding reception,โ the bartender says as he slides the beer across the counter towards him. โPretty big do, I think. Theyโve paid enough that nobody seems to mind the noise though.โ
Alex nods and hums, accepting the drink with a nod of thanks, his eyes sliding across to the double doors leading through to the party.
A wedding could beย fun.
That Old Black Magic | 5,393 |ย clottedcreamfudge / @clottedcreamfudge
Summary:ย โPez said you had some pretty old methods,โ Alex says, trying to fix on a topic that isnโt how weirdly hot he feels under Henryโs scrutiny. โWhat is it โ blood magic? Honestly, Iโll try just about anything at this point โ even if it hurts.โ
For some reason, this makes Henry go a bit pink. โOh, no โ nothing like that. Some of my methods are a little more old world, yes, but I donโt think that will be necessary for your case.โ
Alex is cursed. Henry is a curse breaker with a number of curse-breaking methods at his disposal.
All the Lonely Starbucks Lovers | 5,895 |ย kiwiana / @kiwiana-writes
Summary:ย โThat floor doesnโt look like itโs very comfortable on your knees, is all.โ
Henry leans forward, scooping out a piece of brownie that gotย underย the counter, somehow. โI wouldnโt worry about thatโmy knees are quite used to it, I assure you.โ
A ringing silence follows this pronouncement, during which Henry focuses very hard on opening a trap door directly into hell with the power of his mind.
Five letter word for 'unobservant' | 6,986 |ย clottedcreamfudge / @clottedcreamfudge
Summary:ย โHe's so annoying,โ Alex says, the words spilling out of his mouth before he can stop them as he sits down at his desk opposite Nora. Nora โ colleague, semi-sister-in-law, and unfortunately his best friend โ is used to this by now, and continues eating a croissant over her keyboard in the manner of someone who has the only ergonomic, crumb-resistant keyboard in the office, and wants everyone to know it.
โPlease,โ she says, not even looking at him as she presumably whizzes through accounts or something, mouth full of buttery pastry. โElucidate. I have no idea who you're talking about and there is no precedent for you interrupting my morning with those words at all.โ
Alex scowls at her. โWordle Guy.โ
Love Thy Neighbour | 7,561 |ย clottedcreamfudge / @clottedcreamfudge
Summary:ย Henry's been meaning to move for a while now; he really has. His flat is objectively awful, with windows that don't close properly in the winter and fuse themselves shut in the summer, and a water heating system that hasn't been replaced since Queen Victoria was on the throne. The floorboards creak in new places every day, making it impossible to plot a quiet route through the flat โ like some kind of rotating puzzle in an ancient tomb โ and the landlord is all but uncontactable due to the 236 days a year he spends in the Baltics.
There is, of course, one very good reason Henry stays here, in spite of everything - and that reason likes to walk around in a very, very tight pair of boxer briefs in front of his living room window on the other side of the alleyway, at 6pm sharp every day.
you know i can't be found with you | 9,077 |ย stutteringpeach
Summary:ย โHeโs cute,โ Alex declares on the first day of class.
Liam doesnโt even bother to look up from his laptop. โUh huh.โ
โThe professor.โ
Liam makes a non-committal noise.
โIโm gonna fuck him.โ
Pitching a Tent | 9,867 |ย cmere / @omgcmere
Summary:ย Henry looks Alex up and down appraisingly. Alex feels heat rising in his neck and wills it to stop, burning with curiosity about what Henryโs going to ask. He finally says in a low voice, โAre you a serial killer?โ
Alex smirks. โEven if I was a serial killer, wouldnโt I just say no to get you alone?โ
โDammit, youโre right,โ Henry says, grinning. โI guess Iโll have to take my chances then.โ
โLive dangerously, sweetheart.โ
Right at Home | 10,635 |ย cmere / @omgcmere
Summary:ย โYouโre a law student?โ
โYeah. What about it?โ
โDonโt you have your own library?โ
โI canโt study there,โ he says, dismissive. โToo many assholes.โ
โInteresting,โ Henry says dryly. โIโd think youโd feel right at home.โ
Sweet, Like Sugar | 17,472 |ย everwitch / @everwitch-magiks
Summary:ย After Henry dates a series of certified assholes, Pez hasย had itย and signs Henry up for a sugar dating app. Henry doesnโt expect much at first, but thatโs before he connects with Alex; obscenely wealthy, devilishly handsome and unexpectedly sweet, Alex sweeps Henry right off his feet.
But what does Alex expect in return for his extravagant generosity? And why is he so secretive about what his life looks like outside of his intimate conversations with Henry?
Clue Me In | 27,751 |ย bleedingballroomfloor
Summary:ย โOne more thing you should know,โ Pez adds as Henry takes the invitation from him. โJune Claremont-Diaz is coming.โ
Henry freezes.
June Claremont-Diaz isnโt the problem. Sheโs a lovely girl, and her articles about their shelter openings have always been kind. Pez has invited her to each fundraiser since the Los Angeles sheltersโ opening, and sheโs attended every single one, happy to participate in the theme if she can get a good article out of it.
No, the problem isnโt June Claremont-Diaz. The problem is herย brother.
Or, Henry and Pezโs new shelter is opening in Brooklyn, and Henry is determined to spend the entire night avoiding Alex, while Alex is determined to do the exact opposite of that.
Every Day's a Holiday (When I'm Near to You) | 29,898 |ย bleedingballroomfloor
Summary:ย I know this is a long shot, but if anyoneโs going to Texas/anywhere south for the holidays and is crazy enough to drive there instead of fly, Iโm looking for a road trip buddy. We can split gas money and snacks if you pick good ones. DM me if youโre interested.
And Henry knows he's about the make the most idiotic decision he's ever made in his life.
Or, Henry impulsively tags along with Alex on a road trip to Texas with absolutely no plan. Surely this won't backfire.
But I love him, whether or no. | 77,193 |ย Leaves_of_Laurelin / @leaves-of-laurelin
Summary:ย Henry moves to New York City to help Pez with the opening of his new bar in the East Village. The locationโfortunately for business, but unfortunately for Henryโs sanityโis directly across the street from a fire station. The sound of sirens is bad, Alex the gorgeous firefighter is worse. But when Alex helps Henry avoid a near catastrophe the night of the barโs opening, the two form a tentative friendship that starts to develop into something more.
Yโall, check it out, Iโm really on a roll with these mid banners ๐ I may not have a future in graphic design, but it does the job.
Iโm so excited for the RWRB Festive Fan Festโs beginning! I'll definitely be participating in each of the appreciation days, and maybe possibly one or two of the creation days, time permitting. And of course, three cheers for @tailsbeth-writes, the wonderful human who put this together <3
December 13th: Favourite holiday fic/creation
In terms of recommendations, thereโs not much to be shouted out that hasnโt already been mentioned, and at the same time, I couldnโt hope to encapsulate all the festive art in this fandom in one post. But here are some of my favs:
iโm in the back seat (of my body) by stevefuckingharrington / @seths-rogens - set in between xmas and New Yearโs, going nonverbal and h/c (would highly recommend as a bedtime story)
Help Yourself to Happiness by ronans / @hillerskas - Pez antics, Christmas fluff, first meeting and plenty of humor
I See You by starry_pisces / @starrypiscesao3 has some Christmas chapters, and I loved that fic SO much
And Iโve been really enjoying the fanart by @firstprnnce and this piece by @verlierer-is-lost!
Alex, number four on his roster. An American implant for half a year, son of politicians, could not give less of a shit that heโs a prince. Heโs slept with him every week for two months and is the only boy to truly scratch the itch.
โWell, it appears we have a hit film on our hands,โ Shaan begins, smiling softly at Henry.
Henry ducks his head and then nods. โThe reviews have been very promising.โ
โMade a boatload of money in previews, too,โ Zahra adds. โWeโve been in talks with the studio and theyโve approached us with an offer.โ She gestures for Shaan to continue.
โThis is all very early days, but we thought weโd talk to you both to be completely transparent before this goes any further.โ
Alexโs eyes widen. โWait, waitโฆ what kind of offer?โ
โNot to sound rude, but why are we both here for this?โ
โSeconded but flipped,โ Alex hisses.
Henry closes his eyes briefly, irked, and then relaxes his face into something disconcertingly neutral.
โEvery day working for you shaves another year off my life,โ Zahra mutters under her breath. โSeeing as this three movie deal concerns both of you, you are both here.โ
โFuck.โ
Or, after starring in a successful romance movie, Alex is under the impression heโll never have to work with Henry again. The film studio and their agents have other plans.
Hi there! May i ask what method did you use to format the tweets in Sunny With a Touch of Drama? Thanks so much!
hi! i just used the block quote option on ao3 for the replies to the main tweets (didnโt even know how to start with coding haha) so this is what it looked like when writing:
i wrote everything in google docs first then pasted and edited into the rich text on ao3. i hope this helps! โค๏ธ
To celebrate @rwrbficrecs 1st birthday and RWRB's 5th birthdayย last month we asked for a double fic rec submission based on the following theme:
'Then & Now'ย
Get nostalgic and rec the first fic that brought you into the RWRB fandom. Then rec a fic you've recently read and loved ๐
Thank you so much to everyone who submitted a rec! Also a big thank you to all the volunteers who help out with this blog, hopefully we'll be here giving recs for many more years to come ๐ฅฐ (& shout out to @rmd-writes and @inexplicablymine who came up with the fun theme for this readers' choice โค๏ธ)
Enjoy the recs! โจ
@blackrosesanddeath101:
the poem you make of me by @omgcmere
I Knew You Were Trouble When You Walked In by doeyedgirlyevil
@anti-homophobia-cheese:
all that glitters (is not gold) by @indomitable-love
I found this fic at a time when I literally couldn't understand what to do with myself after I had watched the film and read the book. I've read this story so many times now, it's basically canon. Also, the "yrs." tag in the fic is EVERYTHING. That's all I have to say!
Screw your courage to the sticking place (and forget Macbeth is a fucking tragedy) by @celaestis1
The angst in this fic is DELICIOUS and I've always been soft for kidfic. The author does a wonderful job of getting into firstprince's heads and the alternating povs make it so much more interesting!
@stratocumulusperlucidus:
Interrupted by TerezFox8989
I had to go way back into my ao3 history to find this one but it was worth it: in this collection of one shots, Alex and Henry get interrupted in various hilarious ways. It's both sexy and funny, which is what i love about RWRB.
They Take Their Shots, We're Bulletproof by @three-drink-amy
Lots of drama, romance, hot smut, and all of that is incredibly well written. I've been obsessed with this Bodyguard AU fic for weeks, and now that it's all posted I want to read it all over again.
@timaginas:
Let Loose Your Glow by @athousandrooms
This fic was one of the first ones, if not the first one, I started following back in the day. It had everything I was looking for and it made me fall in love with this fandom. It's still my absolute fave fic and it brings me so much joy. It's pure fluff and the slowest of burns, but the flirting is amazing.
Wine and Song, Fire and Lust by SinSong
Soulmate AU where the first interaction between them doesn't go well and Alex pushes Henry away. The writing is amazing and Alex's tumultuous thought process is so well done. I think about this fic A LOT.
anon:
Show Me What You're Working With by @clottedcreamfudge
I don't know if it's the first fic I READ but it's the first one I bookmarked for sure. It's just such a delicious example of what makes an amazing AU -- perfectly in character despite the different circumstances and such a fun, sexy ride
Like loving the stars themselves by @kiwiana-writes
I don't understand why EVERYONE hasn't read this fic, but if you're scared of the fact that it's a fusion DON'T BE. As someone who doesn't know a single thing about Doctor Who this was still the perfect fic, silly and sexy and heartwarming all at once. Our boys are at their best in this fic and I can't recommend it enough.
Ace_Grace:
three grubs in a trench coat + gay brit wizard by @clottedcreamfudge
I'm pretty sure this wasn't the first RWRB fic I read but I when I think back to the beginning this is Always the one I think of. I love the banter, and the fact that even lifted completely out of the plot of the original novel the author nails who both Alex and Henry are in such a way that you forget that this isn't their original story.
A Fire In His Hands by KingCaspianX
I just really loved their relationship in this one. It's so well written and enjoyable and believable.
@seanchaidh7 :
Electives by floatingaway4
Cute domestic moment!
The Foxs Bargain by @orchidscript
Set in the 1920s, Archeology, Henry & Alex in Mexico! This one absolutely BLEW ME AWAY
@7drinklimit:
Red, White, and Royal Blue Balls by @queerwolfsstuff
For those who like a bit more NSFW - the sex scenes from RWRB have been reimagined from Henry's perspective, and made more explicit! The writing style is very similar to the original and it's great for the lovers of smut ๐
God Save the Blessed American President Mom by @zipadeea
This one is gut-wrenching and heartbreaking, but it is so good! I cried but I loved every word ๐ญ Alex gets shot and hospitalised during a failed assassination attempt on his mother's life and we realise exactly how much everyone loves him
@still-july:
it started out with a kiss by @clottedcreamfudge
I'd read other rwrb fics before, but this one was the one that truly for me into the fandom. The puns! The references! The dynamic! Truly a spectacular work (although anything by clottedcreamfudge is true to be amazing). I come back to this fic every time I'm feeling down.
IX. THE HERMIT by @14carrotghoul
I'm a sucker for side character POV and I ADORED this glimpse into Oscar's perspective. Really a gorgeous work and not nearly appreciated enough. I love 14carrotgold's writing style, this was such a good find!
@tintagel-or-cockleshells:
The Perils of Midsomer Residency by @clottedcreamfudge
There are often fics set in America but this fic was solidly British. Alex was an amazing fish out of water, the background characters had rich and deep backstory, and of course we see the macro dynamics of the book play out in a more micro form in that most English of institutions - murder. And I was like โsheโs written MORE???โ
The full spectrum of human emotion by @firenati0n
Henry with the ice queen dial right up there. The incorporation of mixed media in the texts! Just absolutely stonking great characterisation, and a hell of a reason not to be scared of WIPs.
@suseagull04:
Heartaches and Cupcakes and Sunshine Boys by @everwitch-magiks
Enemies to lovers, Henry being a writer, one of the best slow burns I've read in this fandom- this fic has it all, and it's the best!
History, Huh? (Bet We Could Teach Some) by @henryhenhazza
This fic is so cute! Alex discovering his sexuality, slowburn, and the best original characters I've read in a firstprince fic make this a new favorite!
thelostpliead:
love dares you, to change our way of caring about ourselves by @kapplebougher
Henry pov the morning after Kensington fight
Give 'em hell by th0ughts
Martha and Alex's friendship
Amy!:
A Sporting Chance by @clottedcreamfudge
just EVERYTHING. The emotions, the feels. Kills me to this day
My Rose-Coloured Boy (Lowkey, No Pressure) by @bitsnpisces
Florist alexโฆsmutโฆFUNNY. Living for it
@daydreamingduckling:
The Arrangement by @omgcmere
I was gushing to my friend about RWRB after finishing it and she sent me this link. I was deep in Schitts creek fanfic at the time and wasn't sure I needed more but I read this in a day whilst I was supposed to be working and I've been hooked on RWRB fanfic ever since! I just adore how cmere writes Alex and Henry and how they navigated this situation, the angst, the love. Need to reread tbh.
it happened on a lake by @porcelainmortal
I just discovered their fics and binged them all. This was such a warm and lovely summer romance fic, a touch of angst but so much happiness and joy! And I loved each POV, I thought they wrote how they both dealt with the uncertainty and rapidness with which they fell for each other so well, really captured their personalities.
@cantinabandmp3:
God Save the Blessed American President Mom by @zipadeea
thinking about this fic is the emotional equivalent of walking into a door
i've forgotten if they're green or they're blue by metacrisis
i adore the movie but i love the book as well, this felt like a love letter to both of them
@faketrex:
Am I The Asshole? by @everwitch-magiks
Something I love about the RWRB fandom is how much fun people have with stuff like memes, texting, Reddit, etc. This cute story is a great example of that and I'm not surprised that it was my entry point into the fandom!
Foxden Park by @myheartalivewrites
A Victorian era romance AU! This charming ongoing WIP is being posted as part of the RWRB Royally Big Bang and it's fun to follow along with each chapter weekly, it feels like a classic serial novel!
apples_oranges:
Never Did Run Smooth by @clottedcreamfudge
I didn't think I could tolerate ANYTHING related to reality TV.... but then clottedcreamfudge came along :)
there were pages turned with the bridges burned (everything you lose is a step you take) by @anincompletelist
@letloverule1111:
25 Questions by @clottedcreamfudge
First I need to say that I feel so lucky that the first fic I read in this fandom was by clottedcreamfudge because they are, imo, one of the absolute best writers in this fandom. I was HOOKED! This is a social media fic in which Alex challenges Henry to answer 25 questions about himโand chapter 2 turns the tables and Henry asks Alex the questions.
pull me out of the fire, from my lowest take me higher by @anincompletelist
Alex is a fighter in an underground world where he fights at The Pit. Pez brings Henry to The Pit because itโs a place where nobody cares who he is-he can be himself. After a fight Henry catches Alexโs eye and holy shit. Absolutely some of the best intimacy/sex scenes Iโve ever read. Currently obsessed with everything this author has written!
@14carrotghoul:
How wonderful life is (while you're in the world) by mlvdybug
This one is SUCH an emotional rollercoaster and the writer does an amazing job at having incredible cathartic and sweet moments amidst all of the angst!
same as it ever was by @smc-27
Very creative and cool exploration of Alex and Henry being in love in several alternate universes!
@zwiazdziarka:
it's in the stars, it's who we are by @indomitable-love
Classic canon divergence 'what if' take that's perfect to read just after the book, but I've been coming back to it again and again
the full spectrum of human emotion by @firenati0n
One of several ongoing fics that I currently read. It has me absolutely hooked and dying from laughter in public places
@sierranovembr:
Nova, Baby by @cha-melodius
Smartly-plotted, delicious whump!
it happened on a lake by @porcelainmortal
@myheartalivewrites:
The Perils of Midsomer Residence by @clottedcreamfudge
An English countryside set AU where Alex is a detective and Henry is one of the people involved in a murder investigation. This was a perfect introduction to RWRB fic for me, I love classic English crime novels and those sort of cosy country murder shows like Midsomer Murders. Almost two years on, RWRB fics (AUs especially) are still my favourite to read!
all so human with our guards down by @maxbegone
I loved this post-apocalypse fic: light on the apocalypse and big on the recovering from it. There's something comforting and somehow cosy about the world the author build (and the life Alex and Henry make for themselves in it), and I promise you don't have to worry about zombie jumpscares.
@na-dineee:
all that glitters (is not gold) by @indomitable-love
I read the fic name on TikTok, had no idea what Ao3 was, but googled it and started reading. It opened a whole new world for me! To this day, it's hands down one of my favorites!!
funny you should ask by articmaggie
Very entertaining canon divergence: starts off really sweet in Rio, gets a little bit cringe in the middle (but in the best way), and ends super lovely. Absolutely iconic!
@detectivejenko:
You're Everything I Want (But I Never Thought I'd Find) by that_was_tedious
when i read this fic, i hadn't even read the book yet (i had only watched the movie) and it encouraged me to finally do it. it also brought me back to reading fanfiction more frequently! i love soulmate!aus and this one has a place in my heart forever
This Is More of a Comment Than a Question by @caterpills
this is a WIP i read recently and i'm currently loving. this is SO well written! i don't know if i even have the words to express how much i love the writing style of this author. it brings you into the story and it has a charm to it that literally doesn't let you look away. i love it so much!
@heysweetheart-writes:
Am i worth fighting for? by @arand0mdutchgirl
I think I read this fic when I was still reading the book? I couldn't get enough of them so I started to look for missing scenes, canon compliant things, canon rewrite and stumble upon this drabble! By now I've read MANY aRandomDutchGirl fics! And MANY fics in general haha
the full spectrum of human emotion by @firenati0n
I'm currently reading this wip that I've been wating for SO long. The Proposal is one of my absolute favorite romcoms and Roop is making an AMAZING job in adpating it! I'm incredibly excited to continue it.
anon:
(baby) don't make me spell it out by @extasiswings
This Is More of a Comment Than a Question by @caterpills
@themundanemudperson:
The Honeymoon Suite by @clottedcreamfudge
1:23am, white house by @cricketnationrise
this author is always brilliant and this fic is no exception. david is just a lil sweetie pie
@clottedcreamfudge:
Red, White & Navy Blue by jedusaur
The first fic I remember connecting with, and I re-read it regularly!
The Tea Shop on Verbena Street by @dumbpeachjuice
"Recent" is a relative term for me, given that I've not been reading a lot of late, but this is one of my most recent bookmarks for a REASON. It has left a lasting imprint on my mind and heart.
@dot524:
Lifelines by @indomitable-love
Iโm so lucky that this was the first RWRB author I found. This fic is a retelling of the email leak, from many different perspectives. Itโs heartbreaking but somehow uplifting as well. Highly recommend everything indomitablelove writes!
Binary Light by @leaves-of-laurelin
Iโm obsessed with everything this author writes, but this story has a special place in my heart. I got to follow it beginning to end, and now a sequel is in the works! Itโs a movie star AU, and Alex and Henry star in a sci-fi movie together. Their relationship is bumpy at the beginning, but gradually they grow closer until the movieโs ending threatens to end everything. Such a fun and riveting story!
anon:
Little Matters by @pridepages
The Set Up by schrodingers_bee
@emmedoesntdomath:
midnight kisses and missed countdowns by viciouslyqueer
get him alone by @congee4lunch
@porcelainmortal:
The Poem You Make of Me by @omgcmere
I love everything about this fic; the vibes, the slow-ish burn, the writing, the poetry, the characterization, the tiny dash of angst. It's perfectly written.
i want you to have me like i've never been had, you get all my wild parts by @anincompletelist
Omegaverse done in a super approachable and beautiful way. The feelings are just right, the relationship feels organic and real, and it's horny without being over the top.
@daisymae-12:
(baby) don't make me spell it out by @extasiswings
After finishing the book I was craving some post-canon fluff and this fic was perfect for that. Such a sweet story that I find myself going back to every now and then.
Wine and Song, Fire and Lust by SinSong
I love a good soulmate AU and this is definitely one of my faves
pixelskylines
theartofmadeline
yousharknotpass
jbbartram-illu
jacobvanloon
ellievsbear
romaincrisis
kianamaiart
