Work Text:
It’s a beautiful Spring day when Henry is struck by severe writers block. This wouldn’t be a world-ending problem if he wasn’t scheduled to meet his editor at the end of the week to discuss his progress and begin outlining his debut book’s release date. They had been clear with him: a Winter 2025 release was possible if he could present at least 5 chapters by the end of April. They needn’t be polished, more like a proof of concept to prioritize his release against other authors in his publishing house.
As it stands, Henry has 4 chapters fully written and an outline for chapter 5; however, he’s struggling to set the scene as he sees it in his mind’s eye. His main characters are about to meet and he just knows it must be a meet-cute of epic proportions. He’s a romantic at heart, as much as he vehemently denies it to anyone who asks, and this book is a love letter to anyone who has ever felt just a bit too damaged to be loved genuinely. It’s just a tad bit maudlin, really, but writing an epic love story he wishes he had for himself feels a little bit healing.
He feels pressured to write something he is proud of that will also resonate with many people. It would be a lie to say he isn’t striving to write a New York Time’s best seller, but more than anything he wishes for it to be beloved because it’s honest, true, and meaningful. So yes, of course he’s writing an epic queer romance novel for his debut, a comfort story he wishes he had growing up as he discovered and accepted his queer identity.
So, an equally epic meet-cute to encourage his audience to root for a happy ending for his main characters. It’s important. Yet, the proper words fail him, leaving him just a tad bit agitated now that he is also fighting against the clock.
He decides a change of scenery is just what he needs, which is how he finds himself sitting in the patio of a quaint coffee shop three blocks from his apartment, with David in tow. He had discovered this gem of a coffee shop some weeks ago on his way to the subway, the pink neon lights and the pride flag displayed in the window calling to his attention. He knows it’s newer based on the now deflating balloons and the still hanging “Grand Opening” sign set up just behind the counter.
The pastries and the foreign imported tea are just to die for, but his favorite part is that they’re dog friendly and allow him to bring David in as he orders. David can get overwhelmed when there are too many people around, his desire to play with all of them becoming anxiety when he can’t. Henry hates having to leave him outside to fend for himself in the bustling streets of New York, even if he’s very quick to pick up his food and drink.
The other bonus is the patio space out front, which is perfect for Henry to keep his companion at his side, both of them enjoying the weather and people watching. Henry is hoping to draw inspiration from real people, giving his story an element of verisimilitude while stretching the imagination just enough to appeal to his readers.
He has just settled into his seat and arranged his notebook and laptop comfortably, when the sound of whimpering and a slight tug to his chair makes him look down.
“What’s wrong, boy?”
He looks all around David but does not find anything amiss. The dog is standing, doing his tippy-tappy dance reserved for when he’s really excited, tail wagging and whimpering at some mysterious force. Henry glances up just in time to catch a man with beautiful curls walk into the coffee shop but does not see anything else that would rile David up.
He dismisses it as a runaway squirrel or a strong scent Henry’s human nose is not privy to. His attention quickly returns to the glaringly black Word document staring back at him, the text cursor blinking in what feels like mockery. Just as his fingers press into the keys, David begins whimpering and tugging again, with more force this time. A bit exasperated at this point, as this behavior is not normal for David, Henry picks him up and settles him onto his lap.
“It’s okay, David, you’re okay, my love. What’s caught your attention, hmm? Are we unhappy? Excited?” Henry speaks softly to the dog as he strokes his neck and back gently in a way he knows always soothes the pup.
It doesn’t seem to be working this time, as David barks and whines, attempting to bolt off Henry’s lap. Henry has to react quickly to wrap his arms around David’s small body, holding him tightly to his chest.
“What is with you today, hmm? You are so excited. It’s just people, Davey. We like people, remember?”
Henry stands from his chair with David cradled to his chest, bouncing him like a baby and stroking his head to calm him down.
Suddenly, David scrambles in his arms and stretches his upper body out to bite at the sleeve of an innocent person exiting the coffee shop. Henry lets out an embarrassing squeak of surprise and stares at David in shock.
“David!” he admonishes at the same time that the stranger says, “Oh, hello little guy.”
Henry can feel the heat on his cheeks and curses his pale complexion that does him no favors in hiding his embarrassment. He looks up to make eye contact with the stranger David has physically latched onto to offer apologies, and feels a swarm of bees overtake his stomach and fight to crawl up his ribcage to his heart.
The man is unfairly beautiful, with dark brown eyes sparkling with mirth and curls cascading down his forehead and framing his face to highlight his best features. Henry almost gets stuck on the slope of his nose and the plush of his lips, wondering what they would feel like against his own.
He comes back to himself just in time to see a smirk tugging up the strangers lips, realizing he has been staring at his mouth for longer than is polite or normal. Henry blinks a few times and snaps his eyes back to the man’s warm, brown eyes.
The man interrupts the beginnings of Henry’s spiral by asking, “His name is David ? What, was Grant taken up? This face is too cute to have a tax accountant ass name, isn’t it, little buddy?”
He goes to pet David’s head but his hand freezes in the air, glancing at Henry to ask for silent permission. Henry is so baffled that he can only nod once with his mouth slightly agape.
The man continues, “If this is David, what’s your name?”
Henry clears his throat and stands up just a little bit straighter because if he’s going to make an absolute fool of himself in front of this Adonis of a man, at least he can flex the height he has over him.
“I’m Henry, and I’ll have you know he is named after Bowie.”
The stranger’s eyes light up and his grin breaks wide as he meets Henry’s eyes again.
“And you’re English? Oh, this is good. Does David have his own personal butler, too, Your Majesty?”
Henry can’t help but roll his eyes, even as a smile tugs on his lips. He attempts to keep his face straight but knows he ultimately fails as he replies, “Yes and the butler happens to be me. The only royal here is you, you royal pain in my arse. Do you have a name, or will cretin suffice?”
The man lets out a full belly laugh, whether in amusement or shock at Henry’s response. Henry has no time to feel self conscious of his response as the man winks at him.
“You can call me Alex, but I wouldn’t mind being a pain in your ass.”
Henry’s sure his face is lit up like a Christmas tree in absolute embarrassment, ducking his head down to avoid eye contact with Alex. This is when he realizes that David is still holding Alex hostage with his teeth, slobbering all over his hoodie.
“Oh, oh my god, I am so sorry about him. He’s trained, I don’t know why he’s behaving like this.”
Henry shifts his body as if attempting to pull David off, but the dog just whines and adjusts his mouth to hold onto Alex’s hoodie more tightly. David goes as far as reaching a paw out to Alex’s arm, looking at him with big, shiny, puppy eyes.
Alex effectively melts and coos at the puppy, scratching his head and behind his ears.
“You’re such a good boy, the bestest of the boys.”
“No, he is being absolutely rude. What could you possibly want from Alex, Davey?”
“Maybe he’s looking for a second dad.”
Henry is sure he is going into cardiac arrest, if the way his heart stutters in his chest and his lungs seem to fully inflate is any indication. He stares at Alex and knows that hiding his blush is a truly lost cause at this point. He is only mildly soothed by the bashful look on Alex’s face and the way he tucks his chin to his chest, shyly looking up at Henry through his long eyelashes. Henry unconsciously licks his lips and smiles softly at Alex.
He feels as though he is completely out of his depth, here. It’s not that Henry doesn’t get approached by men often. He’s been told he is handsome enough times by strangers to believe it; however, those encounters exclusively happen at bars where the party lights and the alcohol influence the interactions, and those men clearly only want an invite into his pants. Henry has never been flirted with in broad daylight when he’s dressed in his most comfortable cardigan and loose fitting jeans. His hair isn’t even styled, for crying out loud. This is a version of himself that isn’t dressed to impress or attempting to catch prey, as Pez would put it.
Looking at Alex, though, it’s clear he isn’t out with the intent to find a good lay, either. He is dressed in an oversized hoodie and joggers, a backpack slung over his shoulder and a large coffee cup held in the hand not petting David. To Henry his curls look artfully tussled, but something about the dark circles under his eyes lead Henry to believe that perhaps Alex hadn’t put much thought into his looks before heading out.
Henry must take too long to respond because Alex’s eyebrow twitches and his smile falters a bit. He moves to take a step back, forgetting the pup attached to his sleeve, and chuckles a bit as he feels a tug.
“Um, sorry about that. I’m, um.. recently bisexual, you could say, and I thought I’d shoot my shot. I can get out of your hair as soon as I solve David’s riddle to free me.”
Henry can just barely make out signs of a blush high on Alex’s cheek behind the caramel color of his skin. Alex avoids eye contact with Henry and focuses on David instead, smiling softly once again.
Henry snaps out of it just in time to say, “No, please don’t apologize. I am just an honest to God gay disaster who wasn’t expecting such a beautiful man to have any interest in me.”
That makes Alex look back up at him with incredulity.
“Henry, you know you’re absolutely gorgeous, right?”
“Oh, yeah? Is the Librarian core really doing it for you?” Henry quips back, relieved that he hasn’t lost Alex’s attention just yet.
“Absolutely. The cardigan? The books on your table? You’re very boyfriend shaped.”
And his face is bright like a child at a candy store as he says it, sharing Henry’s relief that this conversation isn’t quite over.
Henry laughs at that and steps just a bit closer to Alex, which David appreciates greatly and makes it known by scrambling in Henry’s arms again to get closer to Alex.
“Here, hold this.” Alex hands his cup to Henry and makes to grab David with his now free hand. David finally lets the fabric fall from his mouth to bark at Alex and attempts to crawl up his chest to lick at his chin, tail wagging at hyper speed. Henry can only look on in bewilderment which quickly becomes fondness at the laugh Alex lets out. David is known for liking people but never quite to this extend. Henry is sure he’s never been on the receiving end of this level of affection, either.
“Hmm, are you sure you’re not just interested in my overly friendly dog?” he asks, raising an eyebrow and crossing his arms over his chest.
Alex manhandles the dog into a cradle, as if holding a baby, tickling David’s exposed belly. “Hey, that’s my son you’re talking about.”
“Oh, how bold. I don’t think I ever agreed to those terms.”
“Let me convince you, then. I can take him on runs with me twice a day, give him approved treats, spoil him with new toys, and give him cuddles as needed. I’d be a great dog dad!”
David barks in what seems like agreement and turns his puppy eyes towards Henry. He’s sure if David could talk, he would be agreeing in Henry’s stead. Don’t fumble this, he thinks to himself. He feels like Alex is genuine and sweet. They don’t know each other at all but maybe… Maybe Henry can allow himself this one good thing.
But if it ends, it will break me.
Henry looks at David cuddled up in Alex’s arms, then back to Alex’s face. His expression is earnest and Henry acknowledges that he is really putting himself out there for Henry, for some forsaken reason. No one has ever gone through these lengths.
“Well… I could be amenable.” he states clearly and confidently, smile widening and chuckling exasperatedly as Alex lets out a whoop and lifts David in celebration.
“Hell yeah! You hear that, Davey? He could be amenable. ” he says in a terrible English accent.
“Better be careful, I haven’t signed on the dotted line yet. I could change my mind.”
“Nope! Your verbal agreement is legally binding, I would know, I’m a law student. No take backs now.”
Alex shifts David so he is held against his chest with one arm, while his free hand fumbles in his pocket. After some struggling, he pulls his phone out with an, “ah ha!” And holds it out to Henry.
“I have a study group I am incredibly late to, but if you give me your number, I can text later to set up a date.”
“A date, hm? What a gentleman,” Henry teases as he creates a new contact with him number. He debates for a second, lip caught between his teeth, and decides fuck it. He adds a heart emoji next to his name and hands the phone back before he changes his mind. He feels a bit warm at being so bold but he figures Alex won’t mind.
He’s right, of course, as Alex reads the contact and grins widely.
“I’m going to romance the hell out of you, sweetheart. By date three, you’ll be begging me to be David’s other dad. You’ll see.”
And honestly? Henry is already halfway in love with this confident, exuberant man. He wonders if Alex has any weaknesses, any hidden red flags, or if anything is capable of stopping him. No one can be this perfect.
“High expectations, darling. Don’t introduce me to a lifestyle you can’t keep up.”
“Not to be too forward here, but… I know you’re special, Henry. I’ll show you.”
Henry blushes prettily at that, head ducking even as Alex’s free hand reaches out to gently lift his chin so their eyes can meet again.
Alex reluctantly hands David back to Henry after pressing a loud smooch to his head, and Henry will never admit to being jealous but oh, to be David and be kissed by such a beautiful boy. Henry thinks he might expire on the spot if he were so lucky.
Alex takes another step closer to Henry, basically chest to chest if not for the dog currently held in Henry’s arm. He tucks a strand of hair behind Henry’s ear and presses a quick, chaste peck to his cheek.
“I’ll text you. See you later, sweetheart. You be a good boy to your dad, Davey. You better not trap any other men or I’ll get ya,” he says directly to David, wagging his finger at the dog.
“Good luck with your study session, mister future lawyer.”
Alex salutes at Henry with two fingers as he takes his cup and practically runs down the street. Henry can’t help but feel just a tad bit guilty that his coffee has surely gone cold and bitter by this point.
He looks down at David in his arms who is suddenly subdued now that Alex gone. “You little bugger. I think you’ve just gotten me a boyfriend.”
Saying those words out loud makes Henry burst into a fit of uncontrollable giggles, like a teen girl whose first crush is reciprocated. He can’t believe this is his life. Pez and Bea will not believe that his dog played matchmaker.
He does feel inspired for his story now, he figures a cheeky little self-insert can’t hurt. Neither of his characters have a dog as of now, but the addition is so inconsequential to the overarching plot of his story that adding a few lines about a beagle named Grant won’t be too tall a task.
Henry sets David back down to reclaim his seat at his computer and begins to type like a man possessed. David curls up by his feet, and everything is back to regularly scheduled programming. He is so quiet for the remainder of their time at the coffee shop that Henry loses track of time altogether, only noticing when staff politely informs him that they will be closing in 10 minutes. Henry is 8 chapters deep at this point, 5 hours flying over his head.
It’s not long before all of his belongings are packed up and he’s waving to the staff through the glass windows as he heads out. It finally dawns on him that he hasn’t checked his phone at all in the past 5 hours. He hesitates with his hand in his pocket, clutching his phone. What if Alex hasn’t texted him? He did say he was going to a study group, so he might be too busy. Would he still be studying now?
What if he doesn’t text at all?
The inklings of dread begin to form in his stomach, realizing that the ball is fully in Alex’s court and he is more than welcome to change his mind about pursuing Henry romantically. He mentioned being a law student, is he in his first year? Age was not really a concern when the rose colored glasses were on but now that he has time to truly think, if Alex is only 21, there is very little chance that he would be interested in dating a 25 year old. It’s not a drastic age difference, but how can Henry compare to vibrant and energetic college students who want to party when his version of a good time is sitting on a couch with a brand new book and a cuppa?
As if sensing his impending spiral, David stops mid walk and barks up at Henry. He sits leisurely as if they aren’t blocking the sidewalk. When a light tug doesn’t seem to spur him back into motion, Henry heaves a deep breath and pulls out his phone. Alex’s text isn’t the only communication he’s expecting, after all. Pez is known to text stream of consciousness at random and Bea is halfway across the world with her band.
Unlocking his screen proves he had nothing to worry about and his shoulders instantly sag with relief.
There, on the notification screen, is a text message sent 5 hours ago from an unsaved number.
1 512-xxx-xxxx
hi!
it’s alex 🤠
you can save my contact as future boyfriend tho 🤭
i miss you already, say it back
[image: selfie of Alex holding up a peace sign with his tongue out]
Henry isn’t proud to admit to the length of time he spends admiring that photo and only moves on when a jogger runs past him a bit too close for comfort, reminding him he is taking up too much real estate on this sidewalk.
Henry Fox ❤️(LOML?!)
I miss you too, but probably not as much as David
[image: David sitting on the sidewalk looking up at the camera with his big, shiny eyes]
The response is immediate.
Alex (future boyfriend ❤️)
AHHHHHHHHHH
TELL HIM I MISS HIM MOST
GIVE HIM A BIG SMOOCH FOR ME
GRRR
Henry Fox ❤️(LOML?!)
And what about for me?
Alex (future boyfriend ❤️)
nah i’d rather give you one in person
when can i see you again?
i have a bouquet of a dozen roses and a candle lit dinner with your name on it
im not kidding
pick the time and date, baby
Henry just about stumbles into his front door at the term of endearment. Oh, Alex will definitely be the death of him. He’s sure he looks foolish, trying to contain his smile in his own home, but he’s afraid he has already given too much of his heart to Alex and there is not much left to protect. This has the potential to hurt badly.
Yet, with Alex’s straightforward and confident nature, the anxiety doesn’t grow out of proportion. They’re just texting. Testing the waters. Discussing date plans, not wedding dates. Henry doesn’t need to get so chicken little about it, he’s sure his therapist would be proud of him.
One day at a time, he reminds himself.
Henry Fox ❤️(LOML?!)
I have a meeting with my editor Saturday morning, but it so happens that my evening is free. If that is not too soon for you, perhaps you’d be amenable to meeting then?
Alex (future boyfriend ❤️)
EDITOR?
omg did i bag an author
wtf
henry
sweetheart
i would love nothing more than to take you out saturday night
i’ll pick you up at 7pm on the DOT
wear your best cardigan
Henry Fox ❤️(LOML?!)
Well, not quite. I have not published anything just yet. And I can assure you I own clothes much nicer than cardigans.
Alex (future boyfriend ❤️)
yeah but you look so cute and soft dressed like that
Henry Fox ❤️(LOML?!)
You’ve only seen me once, Alex. I fear your data set lacks depth.
Alex (future boyfriend ❤️)
let me see you more often then
every single day perhaps
with and without the cardigans
(and other pieces of clothing of your choice)
for the Science™️
Henry Fox ❤️(LOML?!)
Trying to fall into bed with me without dinner first? Tsk, I thought you a gentleman, Alexander.
Alex (incorrigible flirt ❤️)
I DIDNT SAY THAT
but if i DID say that can you blame a guy
i want to [redacted] your [redacted]
but i am a respectable wine and dine guy
no putting out until the 3rd date
Henry Fox ❤️(LOML?!)
Excuse me? Uncensor that immediately.
Alex (incorrigible flirt ❤️)
*sent with invisible ink effect* i want to BITE your THIGHS
ahem. anyways. so 7pm saturday?
Henry’s cheeks heat up at that and he’s grateful to be in the privacy of his own home because the whimper he lets out is incredibly embarrassing. He glances down at his thighs though he can’t see what’s so interesting about them, especially not in these pants that aren’t form fitting like some of the others in his closet.
Henry Fox ❤️(LOML?!)
Hmm. Noted. I have jotted you down for 7 PM on Saturday in my calendar. I can’t wait ❤️
Alex (incorrigible flirt ❤️)
omg henry
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
is it too soon to ask your hand in marriage
or like
to see you much sooner?
a non date at the coffee shop
or the local alley way idc
need to hug you or i’ll die
Henry Fox ❤️(LOML?!)
Patience, Alex. Saturday is just around the corner. You will have plenty of opportunity to hug me, then.
Alex (incorrigible flirt ❤️)
💔
fine.
but if i break your rib with the strength of my hug you will only have yourself to blame
(for legal reasons this is a JOKE)
Henry rolls his eyes and huffs out a laugh. As he settles into bed that night, he feels a spark of something bright and warm under his ribcage, a feeling he deeply welcomes. He and Alex text for the entire day going deep into the night, keeping each other company in their insomnia. Alex sends a bed time selfie that has Henry regretting not agreeing to a meet up sooner, but he wants to cherish this moment and not rush.
While he is walking at a leisurely pace, Alex seems to be running a marathon. Despite his eagerness, he does not push Henry’s boundaries and that endears him to Alex all the more. Falling in love with Alex feels inevitable. There is nothing he can do to stop it, so he embraces it instead.
Henry discovers that Alex is a 24 year old finishing up his 3L at NYU law while simultaneously prepping to take the bar exam in the winter of his graduating semester. He’s a younger brother like Henry and lives alone in a shoe box apartment just blocks from the coffee shop they met at. He volunteers at a local immigration firm translating for Spanish-only speaking clients and gets paid a small portion of the filing fee for his efforts. He went as far as preparing translated informational documents and forms for those who stop by when he isn’t there.
Henry is in absolute awe of this man with a heart of gold and a desire to change the world for the better.
At some point they switch from texting to calling and it’s absolutely everything to hear the passion with which Alex speaks.
Henry shyly talks about transferring from Oxford to Columbia to get his Masters in English and Comparative Literature, having graduated a year ago. He explains that one of his professors had forwarded some of his literary work to a colleague at a publishing house and he had been contacted almost straight after graduation about an opportunity. They had been impressed with his work, just a collection of poems and short stories, that they offered their resources for his debut novel, if he wished it. He tells Alex about his story, what it means to him and his fear of it failing or not being enough.
He gets choked up when Alex says in an almost whisper with so much tenderness in his voice, “Henry, you will always be enough. You’re amazing, and soon others will know it, too.”
“Thank you, truly, Alex. I sound so silly being this passionate about a book, while you’re fighting to better people’s lives.”
“Hey, no. You are also bettering people’s lives. Don’t belittle the significance literature has on cultures and people.” Alex pauses for a second, taking a breath as if steeling himself to say what comes next.
“I better put a ring on it before you get snatched when you become a big, sexy, famous author.”
He says it as a joke but Henry can hear the underlying insecurity, one he is too familiar with himself. It startles a laugh out of him because how can Alex think he isn’t already absolutely everything to him? This wonderful boy, so full of life and love is desperate to give Henry his affection and Henry would have to be clinically insane to reject it.
“You don’t have to worry about that, love. I’m only interested in one mouthy American. I’ll publish my book and become your trophy husband. I’m sure law pays well.”
And Henry wishes he could see the expression on Alex’s face as he laughs out loud, filled with glee and relief. Henry might be trying, and failing, to take things slow but he, too, wants to assure Alex that he is deeply in this.
Henry & Alex. He’s sure they can take on the world together.
A year later when his first book is published, his dedication page reads:
To Alex,
Your love, which shines with an intensity even brighter than the sun, is only rivaled by own love for you. You’re my forever.
And if Henry presents the the first full print of his novel to Alex on a Tuesday morning still dressed in their pajamas on their living room couch, waiting down on one knee for Alex to finish reading the dedication to present him with a ring? Well, can he be blamed? He is weak for an epic queer romance, after all.
(As it turns out, David was raised to be a service dog by his previous owner, trained to react to anxiety and panic attacks. He reacted to Alex freaking out about seeing the most gorgeous man on earth sitting at his favorite cafe and realizing, “Oh, shit, I’m bisexual as fuck.”
This comes as a shock to Henry, too, as the shelter he had adopted David from failed to inform him. He only realized when David repeatedly bit on his or Alex’s clothing during the worst of their editing and bar exam prep periods. A vet visit and a call to the shelter put the puzzle pieces together. David was never formally registered, as it isn’t required by the ADA, so even the shelter was none the wiser.
They had a good laugh about it, Alex jokingly thanking his bi-panic for causing David to play matchmaker in his vows.)