Shine Bright Like A Diamond

MummaBear1o

Summary:

Henry's just as bad as Alex

Notes:

Based off a heartstopper tweet I saw in a viral Tik Tok video.You can find the tweet on my twitterhere.

The BBC was on low in the background of Henry and Alex's brownstone, as Percy June and Nora had surprised the boys with their arrival. They had come laden with enough food to feed half of Brooklyn, enough champagne to intoxicate the entire tri-state area and a pizza delivery scheduled for just over an hour in time - just in case.

The only person missing from the get together was Bea. Bea was with Henry's mother and grandmother, attending the wedding of the crown prince of Denmark, a cousin of theirs. Henry and Alex had been invited too, but neither of them wanted to attract attention from Christiansen and his new wife. (Plus, was it really a good idea to let them near another wedding cake now they were open, out and nauseatingly in love with each other?)

The email hack and leaks had only just become old news. It was finally getting to a point where Alex and Henry could go back out into the real world without a horde of reporters and paparazzi following their every move. After much discussion between the White House and Buckingham Palace, it was decided that Henry and Alex should regretfully decline their invitation, for the sake of privacy.

Bea had not been so lucky as to be able to decline her invite to what would be the royal wedding of the century for the Danish monarchy.

Henry and Alex had been advised by both of their respective camps to issue a small statement with the invitation decline. (Thank-you Zahra and Shaan for their insistence that the media scrutiny would pick back up if they did not) Zahra and Shaan had drafted a statement on their behalf that read to the effects of, Henry was stuck in New York, busy with his charity and Alex was tied down with coursework in law school. That they regretted their non attendance, but wished the bride and groom every happiness. The statement had been approved, and sent out.

Philip and Martha had also opted to decline, without giving a reason. Unlike Henry and Alex, they had just declined. Henry explained to Alex that his brother was a pompous twit and being the future King of England, meant that Philip thought he was too good for most people. Henry was now in the outer sanctum of the royal family, and was not privy to the true reason for their non attendance. However, something Bea and their mother had said to Henry, had him suspecting it was because Martha was in the early stages of pregnancy.

That was what led Pez and Nora, (because let's face it, Henry and Alex knew it was their idea,) to throw a 'aren't you glad you're not there' party in their brownstone. From the moment that Pez had turned the BBC on, which was broadcasting the event, they'd all heard the speculation. Everything from Henry's absence being Alex wouldn't let him go to Alex wasn't invited. One commentator had even gone as far as to suggest that Alex was corrupting their sweet and innocent prince.

"What was the point of issuing a statement, if the press weren't even going to use it?" June had asked, frustrated as she had muted the sound.

"Your mom looks stunning though," Pez admitted a couple of minutes later, seeing Ellen and Leo arrive at the church with the US Ambassador to Denmark and his wife. Ellen was dressed in a beautiful soft red lace dress, and matching fascinator. June and Nora had already been privy to her look, helping Ellen and Zahra work with her designer to create the bespoke outfit.

"Always." Nora had grinned.

Pez was chatting with Alex about his 'disastrous' econ law exam he'd taken last month. Henry might have his fingers entwined with Alex's under the table as he discussed the new literary opportunity that had come June's way with Nora and June. While they talked (and schemed on Pez and Alex's part) they'd paid less attention to the royal wedding and more attention to themselves getting drunker and drunker.

As the pizza arrived, everyone but Alex started immediately eating, not realising how hungry they actually were. When Henry looked up, he grew concerned when he saw Alex poking at his food, and definitely not eating.

"Is everything OK?" Henry asked him, not dropping his voice. It was just the five of them and Henry had finally gotten to the point where he could be himself around June and Nora without feeling worried, anxious or scrutinised.

"The pizzas are hot and I can't eat it." Alex explained and Henry knew exactly what he meant.

While Alex loved hot food, both in spice level and temperature, pizza was the only food he could not eat hot. It had to be room temperature or stone cold for Alex to truly enjoy eating it. When Alex had first explained this to Henry, he didn't get it. But he had respected it.

Alex should have explained to Henry that it was a sensory thing with the melted cheese and it would have immediately clicked in Henry's mind.

But he hadn't.

"You're too hot too and I eat you." Henry replied, and continued to eat his own slice.

Alex had immediately blushed profusely. He realised Henry hadn't even thought about what he'd. Clearly his boyfriend was more drunk than he thought.

Pez had immediately cracked himself up at Henry's words.

Nora had been trying to smother her laughter. Mostly because she hadn't wanted to face the wrath of June.

June had let her fork clatter to the plate. The echo was muffled by Pez's hysterical laughter.

"One meal. I just wanted one meal." June screamed. "I expected this from Alex, but not from you, Henry."

"Didn't know he had it in him." Nora had muttered to June in faux sympathy.

"Oh, Henry's had it in him, alright!" Pez declared between fits of laughter, now gasping for air.

Henry's mind finally caught up with himself and he was immediately mortified. He couldn't believe he had said what he had, and in front of Alex's sister.

"Kill me now." Henry had begged to Alex. Pez and Nora weren't helping the situation, still in the throes of their uncontrollable laughter.

"Oh baby," Alex had grinned at his boyfriend empathetically, unashamed and hugged him tightly. "Welcome to the dark side, we have cookies."

"Now you know the real Henry, my loves." Pez had explained an hour later to June and Nora, as they got the real party started and Pez produced the bottle of vodka he had stashed in his purse. "He and Alex really are a perfect match