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Alex cannot remember a time when he had been this happy. Not even when his team won the lacrosse trophy in high school, not when his mom became president (and got re-elected), not when he and Henry “made love” for the first time, not even when Alex beat Henry to the proposal - an unofficial race that only he knew about. But this, here, lying under the stars in the backyard of Henry’s estate in Llwynywermod as his new husband rests his head right above his heart? This is the happiest Alex has ever been. It’s a glowing warmth inside him that suffuses every inch of his being, he is giddy and the smile on his face seems like it’s a permanent fixture.
They’ve been married for a little over 48 hours and Alex still cannot believe that they actually made it. After everything they’ve been through, Alex’s stubbornness and Henry’s bravery have finally granted them the life that they dreamt of. The wedding itself was beautiful and intimate. They both knew they wanted to keep it to themselves for a bit and so because they got engaged in Texas, they decided to hold the ceremony in Wales, where Henry had the fondest memories of his father. Their friends and family had left earlier that day and now it was just the two of them. They’d decided to extend their stay here for a few more days before they went back home to New York. A proper honeymoon would come later, maybe after they moved to Texas. Alex didn’t mind either way, he didn’t need a reason to take his husband on vacation. They could do that whenever. This moment of peace in their corner of the world, is all he needs right now.
Alex cards his fingers through Henry’s hair which is glowing golden in the light of the bonfire they’d lit to keep themselves warm. He thinks back to when they’d started texting all those years ago. Alex had been pleasantly surprised at how easy it had been to talk to Henry, but during the course of their relationship, Alex had realised it was just as easy to be quiet with Henry. And wasn’t that a marvellous thing? A person, all his, who finally made his brain go quiet, who had the power to slow Alex down, without even really trying.
Henry hums and sighs, likely as a result of Alex softly scratching his scalp as he sweeps hair away from his forehead.
“That feel good, darling?” he murmurs as he drops a kiss on Henry’s head.
Henry turns to face Alex and props his chin on Alex’s chest, a soft smile playing on his lips. “Mmhmm.” And then with a playful pout, he adds, “Only, I wish you wouldn’t call me darling since that is my pet name for you.”
Alex grins, “Is that so? Didn’t know we were calling dibs on terms of endearment but okay, what other endearments would you like me to use?”
Henry hums, pretending to think for a bit before straightening up to sit and pulling Alex with him so they’re facing each other. Alex’s arm automatically goes around Henry’s waist to keep him close.
“Well,” Henry starts, with more seriousness than this conversation warrants. “I would prefer to be called ‘Baby’ everyday, ‘mi corazon’ on Sundays and…’luz de mi vida’ on very special occassions.”
Alex chuckles lightly, even though he is secretly very proud of Henry’s near perfect Spanish pronunciations. “Okay, and what about when we are bickering or having disagreements? Would it be Mr. Fox Claremont-Diaz?”
“No,” Henry says with mock indignation, making Alex roll his eyes. He is so in love with this man it makes him stupid. He is about to say just that before Henry tugs at the hand that he is holding and softly continues, “You may only call me Mr. Fox Claremont-Diaz when you are completely, perfectly, and incandescently happy.”
And what could Alex do then, but kiss the love of his life. Their lips meet with a smile and Alex tries his best to pour all the love and happiness he feels in that moment into that kiss. They part after a few seconds and Alex whispers, “Duly noted, Mr. Fox Claremont-Diaz.” And breaking the kiss was absolutely worth it to see Henry’s face light up in a smile so beautiful, it took Alex’s breath away even though he had been at the receiving end of it several times.
“And by the way, there shall be no disagreements because I am almost always right, so you won’t need an endearment for that at all.” Henry says with all the princely authority he was born with.
“Oh yeah? Were you right that time you thought baking powder and baking soda were the same thing?”
“Okay, I have since learned the dif - “
“Or what about that time you thought going toe to toe with my dad for tequila shots was a good idea?”
“It was Cinco de Mayo -”
“Oh oh or what about when...mmpff –” And then Alex forgets all the times that Henry has been wrong because Henry’s mouth is on his and for this, Henry is so, so right.
Maybe they don’t need a specific pet name for disagreements after all. Maybe, depending on the day, it can just be baby or mi corazon or luz de mi vida because Henry is all of those things and so much more.