WE ARE STILL CUDDLING. It felt really calming and soothing. Henry talked to Anthony about his sister and how hard-headed his father can be. Was this his way of comforting me? This is nice.
Henry told Anthony everything that had happened before he visited.
"I like talking to you, it's comforting." Henry leaned his head unto Anthony. "It feels like I actually matter."
"Hey! Don't degrade yourself in front of me." Anthony pouted.
"Why? Are you going to get angry at me?" Henry chuckled.
"Of course I am. Mad at you. Your father just wanted to protect your whole family, that's why he rejected that dinner."
"But, it's the first time I saw my sister smile and not read a book. That prince must've given her a good time."
"I understand that, but what if something actually bad happens to your family? Or you?!" Anthony looked at Henry with worry.
"Hey! Don't injure me with your imagination." Henry huffed. "Besides, the whole Wares family is capable of taking care of themselves in a fight."
"Even your sister?"
"Yes, of course. She's the toughest in the family." Henry bragged.
"I kind of want to meet your sister now." Anthony lowered his voice.
"Hey, don't you dare fall for my sister and I'm sure she'd like to meet you, soon." Henry hesitated that last word. It was quiet now but they were still hugging.
"Your heartbeat's a bit fast, are you okay?" Anthony squeezed Henry.
"I'm sorry for saying you were sexy." Henry tightened his grip on Anthony. "I didn't think you would hate it or react like that."
"No, it's not that I hated it." Anthony buried himself on Henry's chest. Why was he saying this? It wasn't like him.
"You're giving me mixed signals" Anthony felt Henry's arms loosen from the hug. He looked up and saw Henry staring directly at him. He leaned his face closer and closer till Henry gave Anthony's lips a kiss.
Anthony was shocked but didn't hate it. He kissed Henry back.
..
Henry didn't think when he leaned in to kiss Anthony. His mind was blank except that Anthony said something as cute as that, that he couldn't resist kissing him.
Anthony wrapped his arms on Henry and pulled him closer, deeper. Henry placed his hand on Anthony's waist and pushed him back.
They released their lips from the kiss, struggling to catch a breath. Anthony's arms, still wrapped on Henry's shoulder, pulled Henry to a hug. Henry felt conscious of his weight above Anthony and pushed him slowly, releasing Anthony.
Anthony looked hurt. It was an unexplainable look and feeling. Henry came to his senses. He was devastated. Kissing someone randomly, what a bold action for a prince.
The door flew open. "I-I'm sorry, I di-didn't mean to kiss you."
"Um… Did I interrupt anything here?" Alejandro hid behind Eric who were both playing dumb. Anthony rolled over to the other side of his bed and hid under his sheets.
"You didn't disturb us because it was just an accident that should've never happened." Henry turned his attention to Anthony. He didn't think he would think of it like that.
"Oh, I see. We just came to say that we are back and if you need anything call us." And with that, they took off. It was just Henry and Anthony again.
"Hey," Henry called out. "Is everything fine? I can hear your sobs a little."
"I'm fine." Henry reached out to Anthony who pushed him away.
"I said I was fine, I'll forget about what happened and treat you normally so please if you want to leave then do it now."
"Well, then. I'll take my leave." Henry stood up, walking towards the door. "And I'm sorry again." With that, he left too.
…
Anthony got up from his bed. It had been three days after that day. He never understood why he was so hurt by it. And from before too, he was hurt when he turned away from him.
Alejandro wanted to know whatever happened that day. So he told him.
Alejandro warned him again what royals are capable of. Not only of how manipulative they are, about their royal line but also how they toy around with feelings.
Anthony knew all of that but still, but still. He thought Henry would be different from all of them. The few minutes they spent whenever they hung out, it felt special. It was different from all the guys Anthony met.
"Well, you can talk to him tonight. I'll allow it this once." Eric gave Anthony a thumbs up, meaning Alejandro was serious.
"Thanks, but I don't think that he wants to meet up."
Alejandro took his phone out of his pocket and scrolled.
"Here, look at this." He displayed a conversation between Henry and him.
3:57PM
Can you tell Anthony I want to meet up?
Hm? Tell him yourself.
I don't think he wants to talk to me right now. Please.
I'd usually say no but I'll tell him
Thank you.
I want to take him somewhere,
is that okay?
Go ahead.
But...
A small conversation bubble was still there.
"What did you say next? Show me." Before Anthony could read what it was, Alejandro pulled his phone and placed it in his pocket.
"Anyways, you can go and meet mister Prince charming." Alejandro walked away.
"He's not prince charming." Anthony hurried to change his clothes.
"Well, as long as he doesn't hurt you like the last one---" Anthony interrupted. "He isn't like them at all!" He raised his voice unknowingly.
"I'm sorry, I'm just trying to look after you." Alejandro apologized. Anthony knew that already. It was just a reminder to not fall too deep. He sighed and placed the topic aside and went outside, all ready to meet up.
He was about to text Henry to meet up, but before he could Henry was already waiting. Sitting on top of his front trunk, crossing his arms.
Anthony took a step back, clearly surprised by the visit. He quickly patted his clothes to remove any dirt and arranged his hair. Henry moved towards him. His heart was beating faster than it did before.
He examined Henry as he got closer. His shoes were different from his usual, more casual. He was wearing cream-colored pants, a fitted long-sleeved formal shirt which he folded the sleeves until it reached above his elbows but lower than his biceps.
He also had a silver chain necklace with a sword at the end. He also wore a watch that looked more expensive than Anthony's house and cafe altogether.
"Are you fine?" Henry stopped walking. He looked concerned.
"Yeah, I'm good." Anthony coughed, embarrassed for his thoughts on Henry. "So why are you here? And where are we going?"
Henry looked more surprised than I am. Then he chuckled.
"I was just waiting if you would come out, I didn't expect you to." Scratching the back of his head, Henry didn't continue to move closer to Anthony.
"Well, let's go then." Anthony walked to Henry's car and waited, anticipating where they were going to go but still upset by how he reacted.
Henry sighed at him. "Shall we then?" He opened the door for Anthony, making Anthony shy. Henry then started the car and they headed where Henry wanted them to go.
…
Henry had been nervous since that day. He didn't know what happened. He had told Elijah about it.
"Are you dumb? The guy probably doesn't want to see you anymore." Elijah huffed.
"Brother, I'm sorry but you were being mean and dumb to him." Athena had been living with them since then. "I want to meet this Anthony of yours, he seems lovely. Unlike your past lovers."
"How do you know his name? I haven't told anyone."
"Oh brother, you should close your door properly when you sleep. Your sleep talk is annoying when I stay up late."
Henry's face flushed. He was a mess.
"You're a mess. Anthony would probably be the only one who could handle you as you."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Brother, you are sweet and lovely but you are also very dense when it comes to love."
"That's why your previous lovers would leave you." Elijah mocked Henry. It wasn't the first time Henry was pushed away by someone. He just wanted to be the perfect person for them and they didn't like it.
"You are a great partner and a perfect one, but I need someone who is like me. Normal and imperfect." They were constantly the words of people who broke up with him. He tried so hard that he didn't think about spending time with them or giving them love. He didn't want that to happen with Anthony. Not this time.
Henry peeked on Anthony. He looked happy. He heard from Alejandro that he hasn't gotten out of his room since that day. Anthony looked skinnier than he previously saw him.
Their destination was to a 5-star dinner.
When they arrived and got out of the car, Anthony looked nervous.
"Is this place bad?" Henry asked.
Anthony shook his head. "I'm just not used to eating in places like this."
"It's okay, I'm here." Henry comforted Anthony. Not exactly sure it was working he looked a little better than they were outside.
Henry got a 3 course meal.
First dish was Raspberry Brie Tartlets. The appetizer was just mini tart shells with raspberry jams in the middle.
Anthony looked happy eating the dish but still fidgeting. Henry was worried he was anxious about being in a fancy restaurant.
"Is everything okay?" Henry asked.
"Yeah, I'm good." Anthony answered. The two were still awkward around each other but still kept talking. Henry made an effort to make him feel comfortable.
The next two courses soon arrived.
Henry sighed.
He knew Anthony didn't feel like meeting up with him and he just went with the flow.
"I'm sorry for dragging you with me. I just wanted to apologize for that day."
"Please stop. I already forgive you." Anthony felt shy. "I was being too much."
"You didn't enjoy the meal didn't you?" Henry was expecting a bad review.
"I did enjoy it, because it was with you." Henry felt relieved. "But it would have been nice if it wasn't somewhere fancy. I just want to spend time with you, Prince."
Anthony cheekily smiled at Henry. They both exchanged smiles and little laughs before Henry received a phone call. He excused himself.
"What is it Elijah?"
"Hey, we encouraged you and you give us this response? That's mean Henry."
"Brother, bring Anthony here."
"You heard her, now byeee" The phone call ended. Henry imagined the hell waiting in his home. He sighed in depression.
"What was that about?" Anthony appeared beside Henry.
"No, it's just" Henry hesitated. There's no point in not letting him go in his house and there's no reason he wouldn't let him go in his house. Whatever.
"You want to come to my house? My sister and roommate want to meet you."
Anthony thought about it. He pulled his phone and typed in something before agreeing.
"What was that about?" Henry asked.
"I had to tell Alejandro or he would hold a search party for me." He chuckled.
"He's a good person." Henry switched the car on and fastened his seatbelt.
"Yeah, he is" Anthony placed his chin on his palm and rested on the window. Henry felt the urge to hold his hand while his other hand was on the wheel.
He was hesitating.
"Is there something wrong?" Anthony noticed Henry's impatient face.
"Can I" He paused, hesitating to say the next thing. It would hurt Anthony but Henry would be happy.
"Just tell me, I'm not good at waiting" Anthony crossed his arms.
"Can I hold your hand?" Henry finally asked. It was silent. He had never felt the urge to crash the car because of the awkward silence.
"Y-yeah you can." Anthony looked away to his side and slowly handed out his hand, shaking.
Henry took his hand and interlocked it. He felt Anthony shiver and apologized.
Covering his face, Anthony spoke up, "No, I'm just happy. You can let go if it's uncomfortable. It feels nice."
Henry had never been this embarrassed and happy at the same time. He squeezed their hands together and slightly rubbed Anthony's hand using his finger.
…
His hand is really big. Is this what really embraced me in my room? It feels too dreamy.
Anthony felt safe with Henry, just by holding his hand. He didn't want to let go anymore. He rubbed Henry's hand back and had a smile on his face the whole ride.
…
What is this adorable creature? Anthony rubbed my hand and I could clearly see he's embarrassed. What did I do to have met this wonderful person?