#rwrb origin story

[rmd-writes]

Hi Rae! Happy nice ask week!

I've heard the story of how you got into writing Tarlos through a prompt game, but what made you start writing for RWRB?

Hi Sara!

The short story is that I was lovingly bullied into writing RWRB fic lol

The slightly longer story is that I'd been writing SC fic for a few months, but had also been consuming RWRB fic like I'd emerged from a month in a desert and it was water. A friend asked if I was going to try and write RWRB fic too and I (now somewhat infamously in that circle of friends) said something like, "oh, I don't think I know Alex and Henry well enough to even try writing them." It was not long after I'd also said, "I don't think I could ever write smut. Besides, half the fun in having railmedaddy as a user name is that she only writes fluffy little fics." 😂😂😂

Anyway, I did write my first smutty SC fic (hitting post on that was fucking terrifying) and I'd been chatting with cmere and she gently kept hinting that I should not only try writing firstprince fic but that having read my SC fic, I should definitely try writing smutty firstprince fic. Once she said it, I couldn't stop thinking about it.

Inspired by the concept of my SC fic (which involved a piano), these lines popped into my head:

Thinking back, the first time Alex heard him play it, the song was just an interlude on repeat, sounding a little different to the classical music Henry usually played for him while he studied but Alex was too engrossed in his books to really take notice. He should have taken notice.

Those five lines wouldn't leave me alone, eventually became this fic and the rest, as they say, is history.

What's your RWRB origin story?

[honey-bri-books]

I can't wait to ugly cry to this movie. 😪💖🤍💙

[clockworkbee]

Alex not getting to deliver the “That’s the choice. I love him, with all that, because of all that. On purpose. I love him on purpose.” dialogue will be my villain origin story

[abisexualperspective]

"He finds a small folded square of paper. It's stationery from their hotel that night, the night everything inside Alex rearranged. Henry's cursive."

"...Pyramus and Thisbe were lovers in a Greek myth, children of rival families, forbidden to be together. Their only way to speak to each other was through a thin crack in the wall built between them."

OG Pink Collector's Edition Blue

[earthyorangeaid]

You know what feeling the Red White and Royal Blue movie is helping me finally put into words?? The joy that comes from ACTUALLY getting to relive a piece of work I love.

By that I don’t mean that it’s exactly the same. It’s actually quite different on many levels. But that’s something that I actually LOVE about it. It’s given me a chance to be surprised by and relive the feeling the book gave me in a new and completely wonderful way. There is no one true perfect, right way to tell any one story, and they did a great job of telling this one in a new and just as enjoyable way.

Love you entire crew and staff and cast and directors and writers of RWRB movie, you’ve captured my heart again.

[cynthia39100]

About RWRB movie adaptation (1)

I watched movie first, then the book, so I might be biased. But I do think the movie did a great job in terms of adaptation.

The movie captured the essence of the book which was the romance between Alex and Henry and the character growth stemmed from that relationship.

They managed to hit all the important emotional beats and have a clear character arc within 2 hours. Alex and Henry's enemy to friend to lover development, Alex's new realisation of being bisexual, his dream of participating in politics, Henry's growth from being oppressed and insecure to embracing his desire and confronting his family. Even after I read the book, I never felt that something was missing or unnatural in those arcs. Some scenes were cut, but I can still find other scenes that serve similar purpose. It's pretty impressive.

Admittedly, the overall tonality is lighter and some heavy topics were not discussed as deep. That's because they made a conscious choice to treat the movie as a light-hearted romcom, and they committed to it. I think it's worth respect.

(I might write more. If I still have strength after handing in my dissertation…)

[shadowqueenrules-blog]

[rwrbficrecs]

ever fallen in love (with someone you shouldn’t have fallen in love with) by @everwitch-magiks (book-verse)

@dot524: Such a fun little punk band AU. There’s a meet-cute, some mild angst, and emotional music scenes with bonding. Plus, great cameos of June, Nora, and Alex’s family. I enjoyed the pacing, dialogue, and character development of this AU and its feel-good ending, and it was fun to see them as punk rockers!

Still Sitting in the Corner I Haunt by BrokenChair, mister_nic (book-verse)

@suseagull04: This fic is a high school AU and Groundhog Day combined! Henry is characterized so well in this fic, and each part of this 5+1 has both obvious and subtle differences that combine to make the perfect fic!

The Tea Shop on Verbena Street by @stutteringpeach (book-verse)

@suseagull04: If every fic was this good, I would never get any work done, because it was really hard to put this fic down! The mystery aspect of it is crafted so well, and to top it all off, this is the best slowburn I've read in awhile. Definitely a fic you don't want to miss out on!

Pretty Competent by @noahreids (book-verse)

@na-dineee: Single Dad Alex and hockey captain Henry Fox meet for the first time at Alex’s daughter’s tryouts – and yeah, they take it slow. But honestly, Alex flirts like crazy, Henry’s texting game is on fire, and to top it all off, Alex’s daughter is totally smitten with Henry. My heart does somersaults just thinking about this super sweet and super sexy fic.

The stranger you recognise by @clottedcreamfudge (book-verse)

@suseagull04: Usually I think the sequel is never as good as the original, but that's absolutely not the case with this fic! The version of our faves that we know and love from The Tea Shop on Verbena Street return, and CCF has so much respect and love for these characters that it's impossible to tell that the sequel isn't written by the original author, only with their permission. Add to that the fact that this fic adds tropes that make perfect sense in this verse, and you've got yet another fic that's worthy of becoming a classic. I'll definitely be reading this fic again soon!

Hit (My Love) Out of the Park by bleedingballroomfloor (book-verse)

@suseagull04: Rivals to lovers at its finest! I love the way this fic comes full circle and that it's so fun- the author's love for the sport definitely shows!

the full spectrum of human emotion by @firenati0n (book-verse)

@suseagull04: if you're a fan of movie AUs, you definitely need to read this one! Roop took all the best parts of The Proposal and gave them a RWRB twist! Arthur feels, ALLLLL the proposal feels, just enough nods to the movie to make fans like me happy without writing it word for word, our boys being so oblivious but so soft at the same time, so much heart that it's practically bursting at the seams with it... I can't say it enough, this fic is absolutely AMAZING, a must read!

Flirting for Dummies by @smblmn (book-verse)

@suseagull04: This fic is the perfect combination of holiday fluff, our boys being oblivious and Henry and June being besties! The perfect read to get anyone into the holiday spirit!

I must tell you what you will not ask by @lizzie-bennetdarcy (book-verse)

@suseagull04: combine a college roommates AU with oblivious firstprince (especially Alex, as always) and holiday feels and you have an incredibly soft fic that I'll likely find myself reading again and again, especially during the holiday season!

Careful Cooking by @iboatedhere (book-verse)

@na-dineee: Alex and Henry first met at culinary school, where they were inseparable—how did they end up parting ways?! Years later, they cross paths again under unexpected circumstances … It’s a lovers-to-exes-to-lovers story, with quite a bit of angst. Beautifully written, the tension builds perfectly, and the ending is just as lovely.

Pumped by @myheartalivewrites (book-verse)

@na-dineee: Firstprince goes Climbing AU! Set in London, Alex and Henry meet at their favorite hobby: climbing. After a rocky start, the game is on. Everything about this fic is perfect: the vibes, the banter, the sparks, the pacing, the pining—such a classic and one of my all-time favorites!

Got a will to win and a Cheshire grin by @kiwiana-writes (book-verse)

@suseagull04: This fic is so unique and fun! It captures a year in Alex and Henry's lives as Santa's elves and what that job entails, and the twists and turns all lead to such a satisfying conclusion!

check out our past Monthly Faves here ❤️

[meraki-yao]

RWRB Full-Cast Audiobook Imaginations

So with the sequel on the horizon, we’re not that far from a full-cast re-recording of the audiobook, right?

I listen to the audiobook more than I read the book, mostly because I can listen to it while doing other stuff, and no offence to the original narrator, but while it’s good, it’s not the best. I kind of cringe at his British accent for Henry.

So I have a lot of thoughts.

The thing is with an audiobook, we can get both the wonderful vocal performance of the movie cast, and the iconic book lines, the ones that didn’t, and frankly, could never have made it into the movie due to format restrictions:

Sexy explicit sex scenes

Sexy explicit sex lines ��For fuck’s sake, man, you just had my dick in your mouth, you can kiss me good-night”, “I want you to fuck me”, “I’ve been thinking about your mouth on me all well”

Emails in their entirety

Email openings and endings “Huge Raging Heache Prince Henry of Who Cares”, “First Son of Shirking Responsibilities”, “Horrible Revolting Heir”, “First Son of Founding Father Sacrilege”, “Haplessly Romantic Heretic Prince Henry the Utterly Daft”

Email historical quotes “The whole is a mass of fools and knaves; I could almost except you”, “I meet you in every dream”

Swearing and explicit language “fucking shit” “I fucking love you, okay?”

Internal Struggle

Iconic lines that didn’t make it into the movie for adaptation and story purposes “I’m never gonna love anybody in the world like I love you” “I love him on purpose”, “America, he is my choice”

Like, imagine hearing all of this in Taylor, in Nick, in Sarah and Uma and Ellie and Rachel and Thomas and Aneesh and Cfiton etc etc 's voice. Just imagine it!!!

Another thing to add is that to put it in simple terms, the current version of the audiobook does the dialogue lines closer to theatre acting: more enunciated, more inflection, and slower. Which is fine in its own right (I’m a theatre kid). But with the cast audiobook, hopefully, we can get them to do something closer to film acting, i.e. closer to reality, reading the lines as they would if they were to shoot those scenes.

Which is gonna make big moments like sexy times and confrontations a lot of fun :D

And something really entertaining to think about is now that we also know the cast and their dynamic is thinking about how much fun they would have while recording the book, especially when they have scenes together. And it’s not necessarily just Taynick, it’s group scenes with the whole Super Six, like the karaoke scene in chapter seven, or the Texas Holiday Scenes with Firstprince and Junora.

Like, Imagine it, the actors in the same recording studio, maybe even on the same couch:

Taylor and Nick laughing while reading off the insults from the earlier frienemies days of their relationship

Taylor and Nick squirming and playfully hitting each other when recording lines for sexy scenes like the first night, or the tack room, or Wimbledon

The cast shouting and booing (playfully) whenever someone messes up a line in their group scenes

The chaotic fun that is the LA karaoke scene, everybody’s laughing, Ellie gets to be the singular sober person while everyone else acts drunk, Nick singing Don’t Stop Me Now shittier (Nick has the voice of an angel but book Henry can’t sing for shit),

Taylor and Nick giving each other hugs after screaming at each other for the Kensington confrontation

Nick grinning smugly at every book height difference mention (:<

More of Taylor speaking Spanish!!!

Thomas gets to be a proper asshole villain who later turns into awkward older brother who's trying

Ellie gets to do the pie metaphor grief monologue  

Taylor gets to do another speech (he’s really good at delivering speeches)

 I want to quickly reiterate that I am in no way unhappy with what we got in the end for the movie; I love it to pieces. However, as Matthew and Casey said, there are two “canonical” versions of the story now, and since audiobooks are an option, it would be really nice to connect this aspect of the movie verse with the book verse in some sort of middle ground.

So yeah Audible? Amazon? Get on with it!!!

@almightaylor this was the long post I mentioned, I literally started this in July lol

[uhhlifeig]

ABOUT ME!

Hey, y'all! I'm Emi, my pronouns are she/they, and I'm bi. This is a safe space for everyone!!

I am in the Marauders, PJO, HP, RWRB, and HOO fandoms (former DSMP fan, would always love to discuss).

My fave musicians rn are Måneskin, Derivakat, and Conan Gray.

Fave painting is Gathering Storm bc not only does it have LORE, it's also just really pretty.

I AM A MINOR. DO NOT SEND WEIRD MESSAGES AND DON'T SPAM MY INBOX WITH DONATION REQUESTS. I CANNOT DONATE.

PROUD SUPPORTER OF THE BLEEDING AFAB PARADE!!

Sirius and Regulus and Barty kinnie!

I play the piano and paint, and I write things sometimes.

MY PROMPTS LIST: HERE

MY AO3: SeaingStars (well, well, well. what do we have here? a shameless self advertisement.)

Go ahead! Take a read!

^Writer Evan is stalked by murderer Barty. Chase ensues.

^Slytherin Sirius and Gryffindor Remus have an illicit relationship. Sirius's parents find out, and stuff hits the fan.

^(ON AN INDEFINITE HIATUS) A longfic Jules and I are working on! updates every other Saturday. Gryffindor Regulus, no Peter exclusion, may actually increase update times bc I think it's too slow.

^A Ravenrock (Peter x Benjy) rivals to lovers fic, no Voldemort and also background Jily.

I'm looking for more beta readers! DM me if you want to apply.

Normal DNI, but I'll reiterate it. DNI if you're a homophobe, transphobe, TERF, against furries/therians, racist, sexist, support pedophilia/zoophilia, if you try to force your religion onto others, if you support Israel, if you're a JKR apologist, and if you support problematic people.

Feel free to send me requests/prompts to put on my list. I promise everything will be worked on, just slowly.

And don't expect me to reply immediately! As stated above, I am a minor, meaning I have to go to school. Please be patient!

MY TAGS:

#emi writes sometimes - my writing tag, mostly for microfics

#emi reblogs stuff - my reblogs, conversationally and otherwise

#emi yaps - my original posts that aren't stories/asks

#emi answers! - me responding to asks

#hi finn - say hi to finn, hes a lil guy

#hey mars - ITS MARS MY WIFEY /p

#sup estelle - FOLLOW THEM. NOW. DO IT.

FAVE MOOTS:

@moutainrusing!! they were my first moot, and we chit-chat a lot!

@marsmarauders - GAY PANIC (platonic guys, im still single 🙃) and also BESTIE BOO

@mezsygfs - we're married. (they play sirius, i play remus. and also they played regulus in one of the rps i play james in lol WERE DESTINED TO BE TOGETHER)

@yourlocalbadgerscales - slay. same person, different font lol

@discoveredreality - literally awesome

@finntheworm81 - this is finn. go say hi to him. (hes my platonic husband)

@sxmnc - we talk about hot italians lmao

@estellethewriter - estelle!!!!! literally regulus and also GO SAY HI TO THEM. FOLLOW HER. THIS IS A THREAT

@smuttylyra - awesome. bestie. great and also slightly unhinged.

@allonsy-moony - i literally love you sm /p YOURE AWESOME AND GREAT AND HAVE I MENTIONED AWESOME (a fellow wo/men kisser)

@a-t1r3d-b1s3xual - bestie boo!!! you're so slay pookie <333 and IVE LEARNED TO DRAW FIGURES IM SO CLOSE TO DRAWING PEOPLE I PROMISE (also a fellow wo/men kisser)

@iliveonblandfanfics - my friend who walks dogs with me (also my first wife lmfao)

tell me if you want to be added to this list!

SIDEBLOGS:

@not-a-fork - my James Potter RP acc! contact @.corey-writes-stuff to join

@siriusly-attractive - my Sirius Black RP acc! contact me to join

@not-pineconed - my Thalia Grace RP acc! contact @.permetutotheworld to join

@moony-days - my Remus Lupin RP acc (i'm collecting them all, just like pokemon)! contact @.boundbymoonlight to join

@astronomic-nerd - my Regulus Black RP acc! it's a band AU with prongsfoot, jegulus, and moonwater (poly, no incest). contact @.ieatglowsticks to join

@my-father-owns-a-farm - my Mary MacDonald RP acc! contact @aesthetic-writer18 to join

@marls-boro - my Marlene McKinnon RP acc! contact @.julia-lokidottier to join

@bambiwantstobemefr - my second James Potter RP acc! contact @.anything-for-my-moony-1971 to join

@thestarryhunter - my Orion Black RP acc! (its the generation before the marauders era) contact @.cheekyboybeth to join

@depressed-poets-unite - my second Regulus Black RP acc! temporarily inactive, but i'd love to join another rp!

@forever-sirius - my second Sirius Black RP acc! dm/send a non-anon ask to @.cissa-n0ble-blck to join

[cha-melodius]

BINGO

I skipped last week, but here's my update for the past two weeks on my @ficreadingchallenge. I finally checked off that bingo, so here we are!

Podfic: love has a voice (and it's yours) by @read-and-write-, and read by @happiness-of-the-pursuit. A non-traditional podfic, but I'm a sucker for interesting formats and this was SO well done. A love story told through voice notes, and those voice notes embedded in the fic! Really lovely.

Enemies to lovers: SHARING A SLICE by @faketrex. Ok, this could be a lot of fics in this fandom, but I chose to count this canon-divergent fic where they swap bodies at cakegate. Originally posted on tumblr, it's on AO3 now and is such a delight.

Video Edit: I reblogged this edit by @justabigoldnerd of Napollya to 'Leggy Blonde' by Flight of the Conchords, and I'm still dying of laughter. (RWRB fandom, someone make a Henry edit to this song I'm begging you)

Now the question is... do I get another card and go for a single bingo again, or do I just try to blackout this one... remixes are really rare in all of my fandoms. HMM.

[pastelwitchling]

Rewatching the RWRB movie for the billionth time, and I want to mention this to see if anyone else felt it, but... did it bother anyone else that they completely removed Alex's jealousy?

They were only a few moments in the book, but they always meant something, and they showed Alex's attachment to Henry before the kiss at New Year's. Speaking of which, I hate the New Year's Eve party scene. Don't get me wrong, I hated it in the book too (as an introvert, I hate all parties, including party scenes in stories, and I think the movie made the karaoke scene a lot better because it was quieter and a lot smaller than the original scene in the book at a club with another roomful of people), but here were the big differences that really ruined it for me:

The book version: Alex says he's not going to babysit Henry if he has no one to talk to, but the second he finds out Henry is bringing a plus one, he asks who it is because he's jealous, and ends up sticking to his side the entire night without even realizing he's doing it because he loves watching Henry's reaction to everything he does. Also? Henry is never left alone. He's either with Alex, or June, or a group of interns are giggling and blushing at meeting him because he's, you know, Prince Henry, the youngest and most beautiful prince. Everyone already knows who he is, and Alex is not really needed at his side, but just enjoys being there. This is super important: Alex doesn't want to be anywhere but at Henry's side, watching Henry.

The movie version: Alex does indeed spend the night talking to Henry (from what we see), but then a girl falls into his lap and has no idea who Henry is, which is already weird. They act like Henry is some college friend of Alex's that he happened to invite to his New Year's party, and not, you know, THE YOUNGEST AND MOST BEAUTIFUL PRINCE THAT EVERYONE ALREADY KNOWS. That's not my own wording either, by the way, Alex is the one that calls Henry that in the book during a jealous fit. Not only that, but Henry is left alone at a bar (no one's coming up to the handsome European prince during a party? Really?) , and Alex looks over from where he's dancing with someone else and gets a look of almost pity before he comes up to Henry and tries to get him to dance, making it feel like Alex is talking to Henry because he feels sorry for him and he has to instead of being there because he just wants to be.

Like? Can you see my issue? Listen, I love this movie, I'm rewatching it right now as I write this post, and I've memorized the entire script at this point. But I truly hate that party scene. It turns Alex's unwitting attachment to Henry to, ironically, a babysitting scene. Why not have Alex look over instead to find Henry talking to someone else, get jealous without realizing he's getting jealous, and cut in with the "You don't dance?" line, interrupting whatever conversation Henry was having. It becomes clear to us that the person Henry was talking to is already at the party with someone, but Alex, in his jealousy, only noticed that Henry had been enjoying his time at his party with someone else, and it would've been a single moment, but like all of Alex's jealous scenes in the book, it would've held so much weight.

I'm not going to pretend like the movie doesn't do a fantastic job of thoroughly showing Alex's feelings for Henry later on, but I also won't act like the movie doesn't have its flaws. It has plenty, but I can overlook and dismiss all the other mistakes. This stupid New Year's party is the only one that truly bothers me. (Also that scene during Alex and Nora's conversation after Henry kisses Alex, and we get that super pointless few seconds of the girl walking in? Like, thanks, glad we didn't get other vital scenes in the movie - because all the deleted scenes so far HAVE been super vital - to get some of those riveting few seconds scattered throughout the film instead.)

I know that the more you love a book, the more you'll find flaws with the movie/show adaptation. The movie does many things much better than the book, but there are some aspects of the book that were too important to cut out in the movie. Still, I still recognize that as someone who loves this story so much, I was bound to find a few things that could've been done better.

[unwanted-animal]

Fate Makes Fools - A FirstPrince Soulmate/Omegaverse AU

Tags: Canon Divergence, AU, Soulmates, Omegaverse, Fluff, Smut, FirstPrince, RWRB Movie, cunnilingus, fingering, blowjobs, oral sex, knotting, throat knotting

Chapter One: Entwined (5243 words)

Just a heads up, I didn't intend to do a rewrite of the movie when I started this but there are some scenes I simply could not live without, so I hope y'all don't mind a bit of that <;.<

I need to get out of here.

Alex sighed, peering at the words. Soulmates seemed too constricting. And what were these? Words shouted at a bar, over pumping music? The panicking of someone disappointed in him? Nah. He didn’t want to be tied down, especially to someone who didn’t want him. The girl from his night out smiled up at him, her soft hand guiding his face into a slow kiss. He hadn’t caught her name, but she was cute. Would he really have to give this up one day, his freedom? What if it wasn’t worth it? Alex kissed her back and slipped off the couch, settling on his knees before her. Oh well. He had his whole life ahead of him, didn’t he? It wasn’t like he was going to meet his soulmate at the party tonight. There was time. 

At the party, the words began to glow blue.

-------

Do you think anyone noticed?

Odd words for a soulmate, Henry mused, running his thumb over the phrase that curled along his skin. It was never first words, not like in the stories - the tooth-achingly sweet movies he loved always played with the rules of the world. In reality, it was a phrase that altered the course of destiny. Soulmates, whether platonic, polyamorous, or romantic, always found each other. That’s what his father said. As he dressed for Phillip’s wedding he couldn’t shake the longing to find his other half. Did fate accept queer pairings? Would his be a lifelong friend instead? He had no answers, and soon the words were covered by the stiff white sleeve of his shirt. Out of sight and hopefully out of mind. It was his brother’s big day, after all. His anxieties could wait. 

--------

Cake covered every inch of them, frosting and crumbs scattered over the palace carpet. Henry’s anger and shame threatened to swallow him as he looked over at Alex. Everyone stared. He could hear the sounds of mobiles sliding from pockets and purses, drowned out swiftly by the murmurs of the crowd. The American had done the unthinkable - ruined a royal wedding almost single-handedly. Before he could speak Alex turned to him and raised his dark brows. 

“Do you think anyone noticed?”

Oh, bollocks. Not him. Anyone but Alex Claremont-Diaz. His blood pounded in his ears and he struggled to find words, amazed at the sheer gall of the man beside him. 

Henry rose to his knees and flung the cake off his arms, barely fighting back a scowl. Everything was wrong. It couldn’t possibly get worse! At least Alex would be going back to the United States, faster than if he hadn’t just destroyed a seventy-five thousand pound cake at Prince Phillip’s wedding reception. Even if it was meant to be platonic, he couldn’t stand him. Fate could go fuck itself, he thought, kneeling in the confectionary carnage. He refused, absolutely refused, to get tangled up with Alex. 

As he cleaned cake off himself that night, the words began to glow red.

————-

The PR tour was going to be a nightmare. Working with Henry was like pulling teeth. It had been years since the first big rejection, when Henry was rude to him at the Climate Conference, but it still stung. Maybe more than it should, but Alex would never admit that aloud. It was normal. Perfectly normal. He prided himself on his affability, and that pride had been wounded. 

And he dwelled on it for years. 

His mind went back to that original slight as he collapsed into a cleaning closet with Henry, limbs tangled as they struggled to separate. 

“Get your hands off of me!” Henry huffed. Alex was more than happy to oblige. He struggled until he lay with his back pressed against Henry’s side, trying not to dwell on the warmth of his body or the scent of his skin so close. It was strange… different. Was he a Beta? It would make sense, Alex supposed - careful breeding for centuries to stamp out the baser urges of Alphas and Omegas.

“- and why don’t you like me?”

Fuck. He hadn’t been listening. Alex wriggled and turned as best he could, grunting and shifting until he was facing Henry in the cramped space.

“Climate Conference in Melbourne. First night party. I went to introduce myself to you and you looked at me like I had head lice. Then, you turned to your equerry and said ‘Get me out of here’.”

“… I didn’t realize you’d heard that,” Henry replied, casting his eyes down. 

“So you do admit that’s a douchey thing to say.” 

“I could have been nicer.”

Alex didn’t quite know how to take that. He shifted away, elbow knocking into a bucket as he adjusted his position once more. 

“Alright, what else?” Henry asked. “It couldn’t have just been the conference.”

A sheepish look from Alex answered Henry’s question. 

“Oh my god, it is!” he laughed. “It is, isn’t it?”

“Don’t minimize it!”

“How could I possibly? It’s already as minimal as it gets! Are you seriously telling me that one meeting, years ago - in which, yes, I admittedly acted ungenerously toward you - has occupied such a vast mental and emotional space in your head?”

“Sure, when you put it like that,” Alex bit back. “But it was my first foray into the world as a public figure, and I was really scared, and you could’ve helped me and you didn’t.”

Henry was quiet a moment. He let Alex’s words settle, considering them, and loosed a quiet sigh.

“You’re right. I’m sorry I was a prick to you. I… It’s no excuse, but I was a prick to everyone in those days. My father had died a few months before and the palace insisted on parading me around. For the record,” he added, chuckling as he spoke, “I didn’t say ‘get me out of here’. I said ‘I need to get out of here’, which is a different thing entirely.”

Alex pushed himself up to a sitting position, his shoulder half-crushing Henry’s arm as he readjusted yet again. 

“No. No, you didn’t. That can’t be right.”

“It is,” Henry assured him. “It was -“

Before he could finish Alex shoved his sleeve up and pushed his arm into Henry’s vision. 

I need to get out of here. 

Henry tried to look shocked, lips parted, brows raised - Alex couldn’t tell he was faking. He was too distraught. 

“You?! You’re my soulmate?”

Brooms and bottles clacked and fell around them as he struggled to crawl away from the Prince. 

“No. Nope. I’m not doing this.”

Amy opened the door to give them the all clear and Alex pushed himself out with all the grace of a newborn deer. He reached out and pulled Henry to his feet, very pointedly not making eye contact. 

“Everything alright?” Amy asked, glancing between them. 

Alex pulled his sleeve down quickly. 

“It’s fine. We’re fine. Are we done now? I really should be getting back.”

Prince Henry. And they’d been tied together for years without Alex knowing. It wasn’t fair. Maybe he didn’t have words Alex said on him. Maybe it was one-sided. Or platonic! It wasn’t the end of the world. Not yet. Not for certain. 

———

Outside, they shook hands once more for the camera, smiling a little awkwardly. 

“Can I ask you something?” Alex said quietly.

“I suppose.”

“What are your words, y’know? Have you met the person who said them already?”

“Unfortunately,” Henry answered, sighing. He took a second to tug his own sleeve up. 

Do you think anyone noticed?

The words pulsed with purple energy. 

“Has it done that before?”

“… No,” he admitted. “It was red before today.”

Alex knew what he’d find when he took his jacket off. The same hue. They were together for the first time since their utterances. It was fate. Soulmates. 

“Well. I need to get out of here,” Alex said, clapping him on the shoulder. “Until next time, your majesty.” Without looking back he climbed into the waiting car. This was something for Tomorrow Alex - or maybe Month Ahead Alex - to deal with. Not Now Alex. What Now Alex needed was a drink. 

———

Unbeknownst to them both, several pictures of Henry’s words were captured before they went their separate ways. The blended hues could only mean Henry was in the presence of his soulmate, and he’d spent the entire day beside Alex Claremont-Diaz. The Daily Mail ran with the photos first, outing Henry with their usual vicious malice, and the tabloids gushed about the dreamy pair. 

A few days after the articles began, Alex received a strange text. 

Have you heard the good news? We already have a pup on the way.

He stared in horror at his phone. He always used protection, he wasn’t a complete idiot. Before he could reply, another text popped up - this time with a link to a Daily Mail article about the supposed pup.

This is Henry, by the way. 

A little bitmoji Prince followed. 

Rolling his eyes, the scare over, Alex replied. 

How did you get this number?

MI6. (Not joking)

Alex added the number to his phone and flipped it face down. He was working on a paper he needed to finish by the weekend; he couldn’t be bothered to entertain a Prince. 

Ten minutes later he grabbed it and typed out another message. 

My phrase is purple too. What do you think it means?

That we’re inextricably bound by fate to be Something™️. I’m just not sure of what. 

“Yeah, me either,” Alex sighed. He ran a hand through his dark curls, trying to ignore the faint glow of the words on his arm. 

Come to my New Year’s party? Maybe we can figure it out there. It’s already out in the open. We might as well embrace it. 

I hate New Year’s. 

I know people who would kill to be at one of my parties.

It’s settled then - kill me and I won’t have to go.

“Ass,” Alex snorted. He shook his head, a small smile on his lips, and put the phone back down. Focus. He needed to focus. 

———

Are you an Omega?

It was a bit blunt, but Alex was never really one to beat around the bush. 

What a scandalous question! 

The article said there was ‘speculation’! I’m just curious! 

It’s… complicated. I am, but a member of the royal house cannot be ‘unseemly’. I take hormones to control my heats and change my scent in public. 

What’s that like? The medication?

I get cramps instead of going into full heat. It’s not awful. It’d be worse without. Being alone, feeling that ache again? No, once was enough for me, thank you. 

Don’t you wanna ask about me?

Sweetheart, I could smell you upwind. I know you’re a big bad Alpha. Dangerous for us, isn’t it? We’ll have to use protection. 

What makes you think we’re going that far? 😂

I just meant in public. Shaking hands is enough to get me pregnant, according to the Mail. Bring your gloves next time! We can’t afford the scandal!

———

Alex’s days were filled with texts and calls to Henry. They talked when Henry woke up, when Alex went to bed, any moment they could catch together. God help him, Alex found himself enjoying Henry’s company. As autumn faded into winter and he began to cement the plans for his New Year’s party, he continued to pester Henry about coming. 

I still don’t know, Alex. You’ll be the only person I know at the party. 

Not true! Nora will be there! 

Well, I do have someone who wants to meet her… I’ll consider it. Really hard. I promise.

You better. How awkward would it be if my party wasn’t cool enough for my soulmate? I’d be a laughingstock. 

Right, we wouldn’t want to damage your precious reputation as a party boy, would we?

Not a party boy. The party boy, thank you. 

My apologies, Mr. Claremont-Diaz. The party boy. 

Apology accepted.

New Year’s Eve, the tent on the White House lawn was packed with a veritable who’s who of young celebrities. Politician’s children, actors, musicians, influencers, even Alex’s college friends visiting on his dime. He wanted it to be a fun, safe space for people from all walks of life to celebrate and get shitfaced - and maybe make some memories. Nora led him through the crowd, and as he greeted the throng his eyes fell on a familiar face.

Henry hadn’t stood him up. 

As Henry introduced his friend Percy to Nora, Alex waited patiently for them to finish. The two slipped off to the bar and Alex threw his arm around Henry’s neck. 

“I’ve been drunk since Christmas. You gotta catch up!”

He bought him a bottle of champagne from the bar and guided him over to one of the sofas they had set up for people to rest on. Alex’s excitement was palpable as he chatted with Henry, laughing and encouraging him to drink. They were sitting close, close enough that even with the crowd’s cloying scents mixing and filling the tent around them he could smell Henry’s hormones - as if he were keyed into his particular aroma. The sleeve of his iridescent jacket covered his mark, but it burned against his skin. 

One of the guests sat beside him and coaxed him to come dance. Alex wasn’t one to say no, especially at a party he was hosting, so he stood and took her hand. 

“I’ll be back!” He said with a smile. 

Henry’s disappointment was clear, but Alex was too charged up by the celebrations to notice. He danced with the woman for a few songs, smiling at her but keeping a safe distance between them. He longed to go back to Henry; when he looked toward the sofa, however, Henry wasn’t there. 

Alex excused himself and went searching for him. He found Henry sitting at the bar still nursing his champagne. 

“Come dance with me!”

“Ballroom lessons didn’t exactly cover this,” Henry admitted. 

“It’s all in the hips! You just gotta loosen up!”

Alex took hold of his hips and started to sway. At first Henry was reticent, stiff and shy, but soon he relaxed and started trying to match Alex’s fluid movements. Alex pulled him toward the crowd. All eyes were on them as they danced, Alex clearly an expert and Henry pressed against him with the bottle in his hand. 

It felt right. It felt electric. Alex gazed into his eyes, dimples clear as he grinned, and he slipped an arm around Henry’s waist to hold his body flush against him. Maybe it was the hormones. Maybe it was the booze. Maybe it was the pull of fate bringing them together - but whatever it was, Alex wanted Henry in a way he’d never experienced. 

“Ten seconds til midnight!” The DJ called. Everyone stopped dancing to count down.

Five.

Four.

Three.

Two.

One…

Before he could object, one of the women from the crowd pulled Alex into a quick kiss. When she let go another did the same. Alex laughed, his cheeks flushed. He started to turn -

Henry grabbed him by the shirt and yanked him into a deep, heated kiss. A soft growl slipped from his throat as he gripped Alex’s hair. Alex melted against him, holding him as if the world would fall away if he let go. Heart pounding, he chased the kiss as everyone cheered for them. Henry filled his thoughts, his blood raced in his veins, and Alex grabbed his ass and pulled his hips against his. 

More. He wanted more.

Henry broke away first, panting, his forehead resting against Alex’s. 

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. 

“Don’t be. I - “

Before Alex could finish Henry pulled away and ducked into the crowd. He disappeared as Alex struggled to move through the people patting his back and congratulating him. After all, not only had he just come out in the most public way imaginable, he’d done so with his soulmate - answering a question no one dared ask him. 

Would he pursue their bond?

———

Hey, can we talk?

Henry. C’mon.

Are you alive?

I am.

Not up to conversation?

Alex, I made an ass of myself at your party. Can I not be embarrassed in peace?

Absolutely not. 

What did you want to talk about?

Well, that kiss, first of all. 

It was unbecoming of me. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have gotten jealous.

Unbecoming? It was hot, Henry. I haven’t been kissed like that in a long time.

Neither have I. 

So you did do some kissing before we found each other?

I don’t kiss and tell, darling. Not unless you ask very nicely. 

I’ll tell you about the guys I’ve been with if you tell me about the times you hooked up.

You don’t have the time, and I don’t have an NDA on me.

Spoilsport.

… How many?

Two. Once in high school, and once… Once, with Miguel Ramos. We were on the campaign trail, and drunk, in a hot tub, fully naked…

Should I be as jealous as I am?

I have a feeling he wants me back in that hot tub, but it’s not gonna happen. 

May I ask why?

I hate that he uses me as a source even if we’re just hanging out, for one. And for another, I kind of found someone I’m interested in.

Oh? Who’s that?

Some rich white boy. 

Is he handsome?

I think he’s the reason faces were invented. 

Oh. That’s… high praise? I think?

It is.

Good. 

… Why were you jealous, at the party?

Because. You’re mine. I didn’t like seeing those women claim your kiss. It wasn’t theirs to claim.

You’re a lot different than I expected.

For a royal.

And for an Omega.

I’m flattered, Alex. Glad you think of me as a person and not an enemy now.

I wouldn’t go that far, Your Majesty.

It’s ‘Your Royal Highness.

Well excuse me, Prince. Your Royal Highness.

Apology accepted. 

I didn’t apologize!

Might as well have. 

You are so annoying!

You’re stuck with me. 😘

Alex snorted and set his phone aside. He supposed he was. There were worse people he could be stuck with. Someone who was a worse kisser, for example. 

When will I see you next?

Why don’t you ask me out properly?

Fine. Henry, will you be my guest for the state dinner in February?

I would be delighted. 

Alex grinned and lay back on his bed, fingers poised over the keyboard. A date, with the Prince of England. Who he’d kissed a month before. 

His soulmate. 

In public, in front of his mother and the Prime Minister, and all the journalists who would be there to cover the event. 

I can’t wait to see you again. 

Careful. Keep talking to me like that and I’ll think you like me. 

God forbid. 

———

As soon as Alex saw Henry he knew he had to get him alone. A quick request to Amy was all it took to slip away, into the Red Room where they could meet in private. Alex wasn’t sure what he planned to say to him, but he knew he wanted to greet him away from prying eyes. After so long apart he just wanted to be around him, to take in his scent and feel him close. 

Was that part of being soulmates? That ache that grew the longer they were separated? He hated it, regardless of the source. 

Henry entered the room and Alex stopped breathing. He didn’t think. There was no hesitation. 

“I wanted to -“

“Shut up. Stop talking.”

Alex crossed the distance to him and kissed him, cupping his face, drinking in the scent of Henry. His skin, his cologne, the shampoo, the stilted scent of Beta hormones. It overwhelmed him. He guided Henry to the closest bookshelf and pressed him against it, starving for attention. Heat coursed through Alex as he grinded his hips against him. Growling, he rutted against Henry, squeezing his thigh and guiding it over his hip. 

Pleasure sparked as they moved, Henry pushing back against him, just as desperate to chase it. His hands tugged at Alex’s hair. Fuck, just a little more contact and he’d be painting the inside of his pants - 

“Okay, time’s - Oh my god!”

Amy ducked back out of the room and pulled the door shut behind her.

They pushed apart immediately, Alex studying a plant and Henry pointing an awkward finger at books on the next shelf over. There was no way it looked convincing, but they stayed like that for a moment until they were sure the coast was clear. 

“Fuck,” Alex laughed, glancing at the door. “We better get back.” He cleared his throat and tugged on his pant leg, trying to hide his arousal. “I’m gonna need a moment.”

“I suppose I’m lucky in that regard,” Henry replied, leaning against the wall. “I’ll go out first.”

“We leave together. Everyone already knows about us, right? There’s no harm in walking back to the dining room. What are they gonna do, start a rumor we’re together?”

“You make a compelling argument. We’ll leave when you’ve got this under control,” Henry teased, gently cupping Alex’s cock through his pants. 

“Oh, don’t you dare.”

———

All eyes turned to them as they rejoined the guests, and both men smiled and waved as if nothing had happened between them. The violet glow of their marks peeked out from beneath their sleeves. Cameras flashed around them as they made their way to the heart of the hall. 

“Are you still…”

“Like the Thames.”

“Okay. Here’s what we’re going to do.”

“Yes. Tell me.”

“You’re going to stay at least five hundred feet away from me for the rest of the night.”

“Sensible plan.”

“I’m not done,” Alex said firmly. 

“Of course you’re not,” Henry sighed.

“Then, at midnight, you’re going to come to my room on the second floor of the residence where I’m going to do some very. Bad. Things to you.”

Alex adjusted his jacket and walked away, leaving Henry staring heavy-lidded in awe after him.

———

A knock roused Alex from undressing. Tie undone and hanging around his shoulders, he answered the door with a smirk. Henry stood outside, his gaze heavy. 

“You’re late,” Alex quipped, and tried to close the door on him. Henry pushed it open and grabbed Alex, pulling him into a hungry kiss. He backed him towards the sofa, unbuttoning his shirt with deft skill. Moaning, Alex chased his lips, letting Henry lead until he could sit down on the back of the sofa. His shirt hung open, exposing his muscular chest and stomach to Henry’s eager hands. Soft fingers danced along the curves of his abdomen. He let out a possessive growl and shoved Alex back over the couch. 

Alex landed with a grunt and stretched himself along the cushions, spreading his legs as Henry slotted between them. Henry broke away to kiss down Alex’s throat, down his chest, down to his navel as he inched lower and lower. He unbuckled Alex’s belt and cast it aside. Alex helped where he could, lifting his hips and shoving down the zipper of his fly. Henry buried his face in his boxers and inhaled, savoring the musk of his arousal. His Alpha pheromones sent gooseflesh crawling along his skin. Turning his eyes up to Alex, he nuzzled his cock through the fabric and mouthed over it, moaning with want. 

“Fuck,” Alex breathed, shuddering. “You look good between my legs.”

Henry drooled along his length, teasing him. Alex twitched against his lips. It wasn’t enough. He needed more. Just like after their first kiss, he ached. Breath heavy, he reached down and carded his fingers through Henry’s blond hair. 

“Don’t stop. Please, Henry…”

Henry licked the spot where his head strained against the fabric and carefully peeled it away, baring Alex’s cock to the air. He brushed his plush lips against Alex’s skin, clearly relishing the way his body responded. His mouth parted and Henry swallowed him, inch by inch, until he couldn’t take any more. Resting a moment, he moaned again, the sound vibrating along Alex’s shaft. Hot and soft as silk, his cheeks slid over his cock and Alex gripped his hair. He let Henry lead, watching as he sucked him with incredible skill. Their gazes locked, heated and hungry, never breaking even as Henry’s eyes began to water. 

“Don’t, don’t hurt yourself,” Alex breathed. “It’s alright. Take it slow, Henry.”

He continued to suck, ignoring Alex’s command and sliding his hands up his muscular thighs. Henry kneaded his firm skin in time with his movements, slowly guiding them higher until he could scratch at the vee of his hips. Alex could feel his control slipping. Henry’s mouth felt incredible. His nails on Alex’s sensitive skin made his hips jerk into his mouth. He’d been so pent up since New Year’s, since the PR tour… In truth, since he found out Henry was his soulmate. Melting against Henry’s eager tongue, the base of his cock began to swell. His head fell back against the arm of the couch, legs shaking. He gasped Henry’s name when he came, spilling thick seed down his throat as his knot hardened behind his jaw. 

“Ah… Oh! Shit, shit, I’m so sorry -” Alex stammered, letting go of his hair and stroking Henry’s cheek. “I forgot to warn you. Um… It should go down in, like, ten minutes. Are you, uh, okay?”

Henry nodded. Somehow he managed to look mischievous with his mouth occupied, lips swollen and pink around the curve of his knot. It was the hottest thing he’d ever seen. Alex cleared his throat and closed his eyes - watching Henry would only make it worse. He’d never get soft. 

Hanging over the arm of the sofa, Henry shifted so he could rest his head against Alex’s thigh. Alex kept touching his face, tracing his fingers against his soft skin. Breathing slow helped him focus on relaxing. He could feel Henry drooling on his pants, his breath ghosting along his groin. There had to be something he could think of, focus on, other than Henry. 

After a few minutes he finally began to relax enough to ease out of Henry’s mouth. Alex sat up and pulled Henry into his lap. 

“Did that hurt?”

Henry opened and closed his jaw, rubbing the joint gently. 

“A little. I liked it. I haven’t been knotted in a very long time,” he admitted. 

“Almost sounds like you missed it,” Alex purred. “Did you?”

“Yes,” Henry breathed, resting his forehead against Alex’s. “I really, really did.”

“Henry… Get these pants off and sit on the couch for me.”

“Why?” 

“Because I’ve been dying to taste you all night.”

Henry kissed him again, slow and deep, before following his orders. He stood and stripped as Alex watched, cheeks flushed pink. He wore a pair of white lace panties beneath them. The straps rode up on his hips, baring the top of his thighs. Alex couldn’t speak. He could barely think. Had he worn them in anticipation? Or did he just like lingerie?

“Fuck the couch,” Alex growled. He slipped off the cushion and knelt in front of Henry. One hand guided his thigh over Alex’s shoulder. He slid his nose along the gusset, smelling his cunt through the fabric. The hormones Henry took truly masked any scent of his Omega status, but he couldn’t hide his body. Not from Alex. Not anymore. 

A quiet moan slipped from Henry’s throat and he grabbed Alex by the hair. He held him in place, grinding against his face in slow circles. Alex mouthed over his lips, sucking the damp lace with a groan of his own. He tasted good, and Alex couldn’t help but wonder how much better he’d taste off of his medication. In a full-blown rut. Dripping for him, a hive of nectar just for Alex to gorge himself on. 

Alex pulled Henry’s panties to the side and dragged his tongue between his lips. Henry trembled. He licked again, pausing to suck gently at his clit.

“Oh fuck!”

He didn’t think he’d ever heard Henry curse. Alex craved it, longing to coax more depravity from those pretty lips of his. 

Henry wasn’t his first Omega partner. Alex knew exactly what to do with his mouth to make his knees weak. As he sucked at his nerves, he brought his hand up to tease his pussy. He slipped a finger inside of him, slowly fucking him in time with his mouth. He kept it shallow, just a tease, and slick dripped down onto his knuckles. Henry whined, the sound catching in his throat. 

“More,” he whispered. “Alex, please. That wicked mouth of yours is, is driving me crazy…”

Alex moaned and closed his eyes. His long lashes fluttered against Henry’s skin, a little butterfly kiss that sent lightning down his spine. He focused on Henry’s body and the way he responded to his tongue, to his lips, to his fingers. Alex worked a second finger inside him and pressed deeper, crooking them and searching for the spot inside him that would shatter him. 

He wanted to watch the prince fall apart. 

“Ah! God, Alex! There,” Henry gasped breathlessly. “Fuck! I’m, I’m not going to last. I can’t. I can’t…”

Henry’s thighs went rigid. His toes curled. He forced Alex’s head flush against his cunt, rutting against his lips as his orgasm crashed over him. Squirting around his fingers, muscles spasming, his legs went weak. Alex caught him awkwardly, guiding him down to the floor with a wet grin. His face shimmered in the light of the lamps, slick with Henry’s cum. 

“You. God.” It was Henry’s turn to be speechless. He panted in Alex’s arms, staring up at him like nothing else in the world existed. 

“Good, huh?” Alex teased. “Glad to see I’m not too out of practice.”

“Mmn. Shut up.”

Henry grabbed his head and pulled him into a messy kiss. They could taste each other, the tang of sex and slick on their tongues. It made Alex’s head spin. He started to stiffen beneath Henry, and Henry whined again. 

“We, we should stop here. I can’t stay all night.”

“Says who?”

“My security detail,” Henry answered. “And I have appearances tomorrow afternoon.” Still, he didn’t leave Alex’s embrace. 

“And if I don’t want to let you go?”

“Well. We’d have an international incident on our hands, I might just fuck your brains out - and you have so little of them to begin with…”

Alex snorted and pushed him away. 

“Alright, alright, your majesty.”

“It’s your royal highness, you really ought to know that by now,” Henry said with a grin. He crawled over Alex, kissing a trail up his bare chest and ending at his lips. 

“We should do this again, Henry.”

“I’d love that. I would.”

Henry pushed himself off of Alex and stared down at him for a moment. With their eyes locked on each other, he slipped off his panties. He leaned down and pushed the lace into Alex’s mouth. 

“Something to tide you over ‘til next time.”

Without another word he got dressed and left Alex sitting on the floor half-hard and overwhelmed by his scent. He pulled the panties out of his mouth and inhaled, thinking about the way Henry looked with his knot in his mouth.  

Their next meeting couldn’t come soon enough. 

[horsegirlenergy11]

People are too obsessed about Nick and his supposed "hate or indifference" towards RWRB and Taylor, but at the same time (not that I'm justifying their toxic behavior at all, but I understand where it comes from) Nick is very mercurial on social media with Taylor and fans expected him to post The Awardist podcast cause he's in it, so why not post it in his IG stories? I don't read too much into it but other people do, unfortunately. Also, as someone who has seen A LOT of interviews of Taylor and Nick, Taylor has been asked like one time about Nick, whilst Nick was asked about Taylor a few times while promoting M&G, but Taylor has liked a lot of posts and commented on said posts from Nick's IG, so people see that as support and when they see Nick not reciprocating they create their own narratives... And again, I don't read too much into social media interactions cause that's not real life at all, but that's where people's doubt for Nick come from. For me social media interactions are kind of irrelevant given how it's obvious they spent time with each other and other people at that Oscars Gala last year and at the Vanity Fair after party. What do you think?

Hi anon,

I think when it comes down to it: Nick is very mercurial on social media in general. This isn’t specific to Taylor. He only likes the most specific of tweets, he follows/doesn’t follow the oddest people on instagram and engages rather infrequently.

You mention Nick not posting the podcast but Nick has done like 5-6 podcasts in the last month about his other projects and he doesn’t post them to his stories either. So I can’t understand anyone being hung up on it….

I will just NEVER consider social media to be an indicator of how good a friend someone is.

And going back to the original ask, people are putting so much stock into instagram interaction and because Taylor is hyping his friends on instagram and Nick isn’t and as a result, people have used that in their hate campaigns against him.

But why can’t we appreciate the distinct ways the show support? People build up how Taylor is on instagram while not acknowledging how supportive and enthusiastic Nick is in the press about Taylor. Which is so crazy because quotes from Nick saying Taylor is a great actor who is smart and understands his characters? THAT is press you want! Especially coming from someone who is having a moment.

Nicks *gushes* about Taylor in many interviews, beyond what is asked. He praises him unprompted too. When people say Taylor never gets asked about Nick: but being asked “what was it like working with an actor?” “Or who are some actors you’ve learned from?”

Those are opportunities! And like… it’s not Taylor’s style as it relates to Nick for some reason. Which a reasonable person can accept!

I actually think it has something to do with their “insincere public persona”. Nick is seemingly a little like that with his male costars in interviews (Tony too) but whenever he’s asked about them and they aren’t around he’s sooo lovey about them 😭😂

Long story short: no one should be entertaining this “Nick is an unsupportive friend who doesn’t care about RWRB”. If fans want to dissect that then please go ahead and look at all the above mentioned things as well for a reality check!

I don’t think they are “talk every day besties”. But I also think a lot of that has to do with being very different personalities and speeds. I also think the fandom never really appreciated how much stuff Nick had going on last year before the film came out, and how much he’s had going on the past few months. He can’t be at every event - he isn’t cut out for it!

[royal-ruin]

red, white, and royal blue fanfic rec (part 3)

other rwrb fic recs here personal favorites are starred, by the way. everything is complete unless stated otherwise.

the too much that you aren't by DemonPoxHerondale (~2k)

Henry has always been an introvert. High energy situations can get overwhelming, and as much as he loves his boyfriend, it's impossible to deny that he's high energy. Back when they were sneaking around to see each other, the short bursts of interaction meant that they never really clashed. But now that they're living together, well, it's another story.

as an introvert, i get it

champagne problems by alec_rhee (~3k)

Henry’s eyes are otherwise occupied as he closes them, planting a kiss to Alex’s head, but Alex sees Benjamin’s eyes move to Henry’s lap. Where they stay for at least five seconds.  Alex knows; he’s counted. “Look, Benjamin,” Alex begins. “I know we just met but if you look at my man like that one more time I will not hesitate to punch you in your fucking face.” “Alex!” Henry yelps, withdrawing his lips from Alex’s curls. “What on God’s earth are you doing?” “Look,” He says again, his attention still focused on Benjamin. “He’s damn gorgeous. I don’t blame you for looking. I truly don’t, but he’s taken. Happily.” OR Jealous!Alex

jealous/protective alex made my entire day

don't go where i can't follow by coffeecatsme (~4k

Henry turns away, hair silvery under the moonlight. He doesn’t even bother to look at Alex, and something like anger flashes in Alex’s gut when he sees him reach for his backpack, like it’s that easy to abandon Alex, like Alex didn’t bare his heart to him just a day ago. “You could’ve fucking said goodbye,” he whispers before he can think about it; his voice is quiet through the knot in his throat, yet it echoes in the room like a gunshot, stopping Henry in his tracks. Alex wakes up at the lakehouse before Henry leaves.

angsty, but i swear it gets better

in violent symphonies by saltfics (~16k) part 2 of a series (doesn't need to be read)

“So that’ll be a fun surprise. Any chance your brother’s friends are actually… you know… any fun?” Henry halts to a stop halfway out the door, his mind screeching like a shaken record. He can feel the pull of his memory towards things he doesn’t want to think of, feels the heavy weight of it as he forces himself to focus on something else, fast so he won't acknowledge towards which twice locked door his thoughts are wandering.  Sequel to In White (but could potentially be read without it).  When Henry and Alex return to England for the christening of the new baby prince, Henry finds out his nephew's new godfather might be a terribly familiar face.  Sometimes it doesn't matter how deep you lock away a memory if it insists on showing up at your door. (But maybe you can ask for help to keep it out.)

i love henry angst :)

those markings on your skin by saltfics (~62k) incomplete

Originally a collection of one-shots based on Tumblr Prompts, but now a series of interconnected prompt-based chapters regarding a series of assassination attempts towards HRH Prince Henry, and the effect on their relationships with each other that comes with it, featuring most of the main cast. (Plus a few standalones in between).

fair warning, i haven't read it all, so i don't know everything it contains. please beware of the tags.

Home Safe by HMS_Chill (~2k)

Alex is out later than normal, and Henry is left home to worry.

as you can see, after i read God Save the Blessed American President Mom by zipadeea i got just a little obsessed. no mcd here though.

*lifelines by indomitablelove (~27k

Shaan is told by a woman from the press office. Zahra is asleep when he calls her. She calls Ellen. Liam is in the library. Oscar finds out from Twitter. Catherine hears it from her equerry when she gets the morning papers. It's Leo who tells June. --- or, the emails. From everyone else's point of view.

Lockdown by bibliosoph (~4k)

Alex and Henry have a fight before Henry leaves to go to England for a bit. While in England, there is an attempted assassination and Alex loses his mind because he can't get in touch with anyone and he left things with Henry up in the air.

don't worry, there's no mcd, just alex angst.

*Soon You'll Get Better (Because You Have To) by wafflesandkruge  (~4k)

Two nights after the shooting, Henry receives an email with a pre-recorded video from Alex. He gets one every night, and although it breaks his heart to see Alex happy and alive, he's terrified of when they'll stop coming.

i wasn't lying when i said i was obsessed. no mcd.

[rwrbficrecs]

A combined rec list for July & August ❤️

Before This, After That by @orchidscript (book-verse)

@dot524: Henry has a serious horse-riding injury and is in a downward spiral with his recovery until Therapist Alex pulls him out of it. I liked the sharp-edges interaction between them as they fall for each other. I actually read this one a while ago and it was just as good as a reread!

The darkest part of the forest by @everwitch-magiks (book-verse)

@suseagull04: I've loved this entire series, but this was my favorite by far so far! The way the author does world building in her fics is incomparable, even in a fic this short! I would love if she decided to make this a multichapter someday!

Count The Stars and Constellations by @everwitch-magiks (book-verse)

@suseagull04: I've said it once already this month, but it bears repeating: the way the author does world building in her fics is absolutely phenomenal! This one's an outer space saga for the ages, plus it's a multichapter, so we get to see Alex and Henry fall in love over the span of several years, and it's a bit angsty, but absolutely worth it!

An Exquisite Temptation by @tinyarmedtrex (book-verse)

@na-dineee: Henry became a Catholic priest to escape his homophobic family. Never did he expect to meet a stunningly attractive and equally charming, mouthy Texan who would seriously challenge his devout faith. Y'all can guess where this is headed, right? Delicious in so many ways: emotional, full of ‘80s vibes, angsty, smutty—an absolute masterpiece! Chef’s kiss!

How to get over Henry Fox: A list by dazedandconfused (book-verse)

@na-dineee: This AU is set in 2002, and Alex breaks up with the love of his life Henry. Even though it's clear they’d only be apart for a year, the story is still so gut-wrenching. The hurt and angst really got to me—reading that fic is a challenge, but it's absolutely worth it.

late night devil (put your hands on me) by @nine-butterflies (book-verse)

@suseagull04: The way this author took a 4 chapter fic and gave the world so much history and lore is absolutely incredible! Plus there are so many moments of Alex and Henry's relationship that're reminiscent of the book. Everything about this fic is amazing- and it's also definitely a good fic if you're looking for something for Halloween when it arrives soon!

right there beside him (all summer long) by @theprinceandagcd (book-verse)

@daisymae-12: The winter in Australia had me craving a story with summer vibes and this fic was perfect for that. Loved everything about this fic!!

Interrupted (series) by RadioFriday (book-verse)

@dot524: Henry is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, just like his dad was. This story follows him and Alex through their painful journey, including the end of it and beyond. Read this if you’re in the mood to have your heart broken, over and over.

the very essence of love by dollarstoreannabethchase (book-verse)

@suseagull04: It's RWRB, but from Henry's POV. The angst of the original is heightened in this (believe it or not, it can be done), but that makes the ending that much sweeter, and I loved the insight into Henry's thoughts!

somewhere in your world by @callmevenji (book-verse)

@na-dineee: Prince Henry, student at Oxford, tries to reach a hook-up gone wrong – and ends up texting someone else entirely: Alex. A deep chat friendship unfolds, while simultaneously Henry begins to fall for the charismatic FSOTUS. Whether it’s the universe at work, coincidence, or fate, the pleasure of reading this heartfelt fic is indescribably beautiful !!

In the Grand Scheme of Things by @itsmaybitheway (book/movie-verse)

@suseagull04: Meet cute at a wedding, instant attraction, intellectual banter- this fic has it all! Plus this is the best AU characterization of firstprince I've seen in a while, it's fantastic!

marked by rizcriz (book/movie-verse)

@zwiazdziarka: a soulmate AU with some extra drama - Henry learns that the reason he hasn't met his soulmate was his grandmother's plotting. Extremely well executed - my heart was breaking and then singing when it all turned out well.

Someday Soon I’ll See You (But Now You’re Out of Sight) by MaryaDmitrievnaLikesSundays (book-verse)

@dot524: In the mood for some intense angst? I needed like two business days to recover from reading this one. The story is a devastating view of complex grief as different characters deal with Alex’s death. I thought that the odd and asynchronous ways the grief manifests for different people was raw, real, and well done.

peace by @raysletters (book-verse)

@suseagull04: This is the Sky High AU I didn't know I needed! I love how this isn't a carbon copy of the movie but uses each character's strengths and weaknesses- and it's also just a very cute magic high school AU, which is just the cherry on top!

Son of a Gun by foux_dogue (book-verse)

@na-dineee: I hope you’ve all read 'It's not a secret' by now? I wasn't aware until it was published, but I needed that follow-up so badly! In this fic, which can be read as a standalone, Alex cuts down his work as a tattoo artist to take care of the kids (good thing Henry is loaded) and inevitably has to deal with the Milton-Saylor Academy Mom Squad. Absolutely wholesome, full of domesticity—just like, excellent!

You Set The Tone by @iboatedhere (book-verse)

@na-dineee: Alex is an emergency room doctor and Henry a pediatrician in the same hospital, and their animosity (read: infatuation) with each other began just as unfortunate as in canon. Their gradual coming together, intertwined with the medical emergencies, is wonderfully crafted. The tension is effortlessly maintained over 70k words, never feeling contrived. I was so moved while reading, it hurt phenomenally good, and I cried more than I have in a long time.

pick your poison babe (im poison either way) by sheWritesToLiveVicariously (book-verse)

@na-dineee: Co-workers to lovers with lots of emotion and a touch of angst—it never gets old, right? This 5+1 story is part of the "little moments that pass us by" series, and like all the stories in it, it's rather short, but full of feeling, very soft, and so touching. I'm already looking forward to hopefully many more fics in this series.

Down In The Valley by @aforgottennymph (book-verse)

@daisymae-12: This Stardew Valley AU was such a lovely read and as an avid stardew valley player, I thoroughly enjoyed all the little easter eggs and references to the game. Even if you’ve never played Stardew, this is still such a sweet and delightful read!!