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The Rue de l’Université sprawls open and empty in front of him. The freshly fallen snow shines like glitter beneath his feet. The bright lights of Paris sparkle in the eyes of the man he loves.
Alex takes a step back, admiring Henry’s broad figure, taking in the sight in front of them. The lights of the Eiffel Tower are constellations shining through the crisp night sky. Alex can’t help but sneak a kiss onto Henry’s rosy cheek.
It has been years since Henry left the palace and his grandmother’s stifling gaze. And yet, every so often, Alex catches a glimpse of the ruddy-cheeked young man he escaped with. And as time has passed, Alex has fallen in love with that young man—with his ferocious heart and never-ending wit.
“What are you thinking?” Henry nudges a gentle elbow into Alex’s coat-bundled side.
The small velvet ring box burns a hole in Alex’s pocket at the question. He knows Henry isn’t one for large-scale gestures of the romantic type, but he knows how much Paris means to Henry, to both of them. It was the place where Henry could truly be himself. It was the place where Alex could finally let his guard down. It was the place where they started their lives together.
Alex thinks back to the night they met. It wasn’t a proper meeting; most attempted assassinations aren’t. But it was a night that changed Alex’s life forever. The pull Alex felt toward Henry was undeniable from the first moment they locked eyes in Henry’s palace bedroom.
It was the same pull that kept Alex glued to Henry’s side in the tiny casita on the outskirts of Austin. And the same pull that eventually made Alex realize he didn’t ever want to live a life without Henry.
Henry hums next to Alex, pulling him back into reality. Alex lets out a shaky breath that fills the cool night air with steam.
It’s now or never.
Alex untangles their intertwined arms so he can face Henry. He is met with gentle blue eyes, thoughtfully searching for something in Alex’s eyes. A small smile slowly spreads across Henry’s face.
Alex takes in each striking feature as if it’s the first time he’s seeing Henry. The sharp angle of his jaw, his strong brow bone, those full lips... Alex’s heart thuds in his chest, and his palms begin to bead with sweat despite the winter chill.
The question that has been simmering in the back of his mind ever since they left Texas is now at a full boil, threatening to overflow if he doesn’t let the steam out soon.
Alex slowly fishes the ring box out of his pocket while lowering himself to the ground. The soft crunch of snow under his knee is the only sound in the winter night save for his nervous exhales.
“Alex? What is this?” Henry asks.
Alex opens the box with shaking hands, the night chill slowing down his deft fingers as he does so.
He takes one last breath before looking up into Henry’s eyes and speaking.
“Four years ago, you told me you dreamed of living in Paris with your husband. Henry Fox, will you make my dream come true and marry me?”
Alex blinks up at Henry.
One moment passes.
Then two.
Henry blinks down at Alex.
Finally, Henry sinks to his knees across from Alex.
“Nothing in the world would make me happier than marrying you,” Henry says. He can barely get the words out before he is nodding into a kiss as Alex rushes toward him until their lips slot together.
The world around them falls away until the only thing Alex knows is Henry. The rich scent of Henry’s cologne that has all but faded, the narrow dip of Henry’s waist where Alex’s hand fits perfectly, and the feeling of Henry’s fingers running through Alex’s curls.
Alex pulls Henry’s torso into him until they are chest to chest. A bundle of scarves and lapels, the only thing between them.
Henry pulls away from the kiss momentarily. His cheeks are aflame now, and fine droplets of semi-formed tears sparkle in his eyes. Alex hasn’t seen anything more beautiful in his entire life.
He leans in for another kiss, but is met with laughter when he tries to deepen it.
“Why are you laughing?” He murmurs into the corner of Henry’s mouth.
“Because you look like you are going to devour me whole,” Henry responds.
He’s still giggling. Alex wants to bottle the sound and keep it forever.
“Maybe I will.” Alex teases.
“Don’t tempt me with a good time.” Henry laughs again.
Alex knows he is joking, but the playfulness in Henry’s eyes turns into something different, something more intense. Alex feels it too.
“Let’s head home.” Alex commands.
When they stumble into the door of their apartment, winded after trekking up twelve flights of stairs, Alex goes straight for the champagne hidden in the back of the fridge.
He gives it to Henry so he can focus on undressing Henry one article of clothing at a time. Only once Henry is standing at the end of their bed in nothing but his briefs does Alex pause to take a sip.
Henry undoes Alex’s belt and pulls them both onto the bed. The feeling of Henry’s solid body underneath Alex’s is familiar as Alex grinds his hips down with growing anticipation.
Henry removes Alex’s remaining clothes between hurried kisses. His smooth hands leave a trail of electricity along Alex’s skin.
Alex’s excitement doesn’t stop him from taking his time to make sure Henry is ready and comfortable and writhing beneath him.
They are face-to-face, and Alex doesn’t want to take his eyes off his fiancé for one second.
His fiancé…
As their bodies become one, Henry lets out a small moan.
“Thank you, Alex. For saving me.” Henry whispers.
It’s a sentiment Henry shares with Alex often: his gratitude for Alex. But Henry saved Alex just as much.