#she's giving nora vibes from rwrb

[hippolotamus]

Fuck it Friday 🥕

tagged by @thekristen999 with some lovely amazing Buddie angst. emerging from the tag day depths with my OCs. @rewritetheending's boys got me in my feels and here we are.

should you feel like continuing, may I introduce you to Sam having a bit of an internal freak out during lunch with her bestie, Mila (who will later be Theo) 💖

For a moment I can pretend we’re back in middle school. Like we aren’t the two twenty-something professionals we turned into when no one was looking. Before we thoughtlessly kissed adolescence goodbye, trading Converse and wide leg jeans for sensible flats and pencil skirts. Before first kisses and dates and everything’s somehow became moving in with Jamie, eventually tumbling into ‘I’m getting married’. Before the unease that everyone says is just cold feet started working its way under my skin.  It started the day Silver Fern Estate called, letting us know the place was ours for the exact day we wanted. With its ponds, gazebos, and restored barn perfect for dinner and dancing and the vitally important sweets bar I insisted I couldn’t live without - it was everything I’d been dreaming of. Except, for reasons I still can’t understand, I was reaching past the hollow feeling in my chest in order to force the giddiness that everyone, including me, was expecting.  “Am I doing the right thing?” I blurt out.  “Well,” Mila answers sagely, “unless you want to be doing the left thing.” It makes me snort and roll my eyes, the way I assume it was meant to. She always did know when I’m too in my head.  “But maybe tell me what I’m evaluating first. Are we talking the spreadsheet you’re working on or…?” My weary sigh gives me away, giving her the chance to cut in before I can elaborate.  “This is about Jamie again.” She waves a bitten off carrot in my direction. “Do we need a new pros and cons list? Another reminder that you’re marrying a great guy who happens to be one of the few that isn’t an asshole?” “As much as I’m sure you’re dying to draw up a new list, no, we don’t need that.” Mila gently elbows my ribs. “Then what, Sam? Help me out here. You’ve got the guy, the venue of your dreams, the rage and fury of every other bride who wanted it that Saturday. And let’s be honest, that’s the real prize.” She’s right, she’s so right. Not as much about winning out over the other couples, but my competitive side is willing to let that stand.  “I don’t know.”  It’s the most truthful answer I can give. Because I can’t say what’s wrong. If there’s actually something wrong or if everyone’s right and it’s just pre-wedding jitters. Mothers and aunts say to trust your instincts but for some reason that logic doesn’t stand in the face of questioning the person you intend to spend the rest of your life with. In that case it’s ‘normal’ and ‘happens to everyone, it’ll be fine’.  Will it really? Will ‘I do’ be the magic incantation to break the curse of nerves and doubt? Do the matching wedding bands form a protective circle? Of course, if that were true, my own parents would still be married.  Maybe I can still pretend, hold on tenaciously to that belief. After all, this isn’t a ‘surprise! We’re pregnant!’ affair. Jamie and I saved, putting in extra hours at work and sacrificing takeout. We planned and scheduled and vetted every little detail. The i’s are dotted and t’s are crossed. In four days, twenty-three hours and sixteen minutes (give or take) I’ll be Mrs. Samantha Bennett.  The realization hits harder, digging its claws in deeper and that only makes me want to avoid it again. I steal Mila’s last bite of carrot as a distraction.  “Maybe I’m just secretly sad that I won't have to put up with founding fathers jokes anymore.”  Like a damn magician, Mila produces another carrot stick from nowhere. “As if I’d ever let you get off that easy, Adams.”

np tagging @diazsdimples @theotherbuckley @midsummersmorn @daffi-990 @stereopticons

@bidisasterevankinard @rewritetheending @eddiebabygirldiaz @dr-shortsighted-owl @elvensorceress

@bi-buckrights @monsterrae1 @thelikesofus @eowon @jesuisici33

@slightlyobsessedwitheverything @bucksbignaturals @holidayslinger @actuallyitsellie @kitteneddiediaz

@lemonzestywrites @spotsandsocks @tizniz @dangerpronebuddie @diazheartsbuckley

@your-catfish-friend @wikiangela @rainbow-nerdss @steadfastsaturnsrings @doctorkinney

@acesartemis @bekkachaos @imtheiliad and anyone else who wants to 😘

[supercalime]

I can not believe I haven’t talked about my wishes for RWRB 2!

While I am ecstatic, I also very weary of what they will do with that sequel, as the book and movie work very well as a stand alone. (Unpopular opinion: I hate the extra Henry chapter so I hope they do something with actual substance instead of the boring fluff fest that that chapter was.)

I also love a romcom like any other basic bitch, so I do wonder if they are gonna go with the hallmark/christmas prince vibes in the next installment(s) with wedding and baby. Which I don’t love, but it’s cute.

Anyway, things I’d love to have in this sequel:

- a montage of scenes that were cut from the first one, maybe to show the passage of time. Or even using it in the actual movie

- a bigger budget. I love rwrb but they had a shoestring budget that hurt the movie at parts (anything with green screen, very few extras in crowd scenes, sets that looked cheap,etc). Give me sets with ceilings! Give me natural lighting! The chucky show had a better White House set, get the funding please

- Rafael Luna (my dream cast is Oscar Isaac but I doubt they could get him).

- Henry’s mom! We got a few mentions of her but I would love to have her appear on screen and for us to understand more about Henry’s dad, his moms depression, his relationship with his siblings, etc

-Bea’s struggle with drugs. I love Bea but in the movie she was just a sister with nothing much to do. There were times that she had some questionable lines like hoping Philip doesn’t push their mom down the stairs or telling Henry to cheer up when he questions the existence of royalty

- Queer Nora! They could have thrown a single line that acknowledges that Nora isn’t straight but for some reason the movie didn’t. This could be a good opportunity to just add something in there. Also give our girl a better wig.

- More Pez! Please! My boy had one line in the movie! We were robbed. I want at least one scene of him and Henry talking.

- Some nod/easter egg/reference to June. Alex can’t have a long lost sister or a brand new baby sister called June. I suggest adding a new character and mixing up their personality with junes and having them, Nora and Alex be besties.

- If there is a proposal/wedding storyline, they better go with the cliche of whoever is proposing/organizing wanting this big thing but in the end they see that what’s important is being with the person so they propose in bed by casually asking or have a impromptu wedding with just friends and family

Anyway, these are just things that came up on the top of my head, what do yall want that could be realistic for the movie to approach?

[tailsbeth-writes]

Love the summer theme!

Here’s my pick: 🏊🏻‍♂️ Swimming in the pool and RWRB

Have a great Friday!

So you might not have swimming but you do get family holiday vibes! I'm honestly so tempted to write a fic about the whole holiday but my WIP list is currently screaming at me 🥲 Read on Ao3 here!

‘Hazza, you're required in the pool!’ Percy calls out over the splashing and laughing. Henry is incredibly content on his sun lounger, the parasol gives him and Martha enough shade to read their books while his feet get a bit of the sun. He doesn't even look up from his beloved copy of Emma (June and him may have watched Clueless on the plane).

‘What could possibly be so important, Percy?’

‘Don’t worry about it, baby. You keep reading.’ Alex replies before he hears an evil laugh which is distinctly Nora's. He’s finally curious enough to sit up and see what the fuss is about. Their pool has a net in between for volleyball and it appears to have turned into a UK Vs USA match. Henry now understands the predicament, he lets out a sigh and is looking around for his bookmark when he hears footsteps along the tile and a sudden splash.

‘You’re our hero Pip!’ Bea cheers.

Henry looks to Martha whose mouth is hanging open and back to the pool where the two teams are huddling to make game plans. Or he wouldn't be surprised if team USA are in a similar state of bewilderment as him and making sure they all just saw Philip jump in the pool.

‘You’re going down!’ June threatens as they start the game, in a tone that sounds far less playful than it should. Henry gets mildly distracted when Alex jumps out to make a hit, his abs practically sparkling with sunlight and pool water.

‘Careful dear, you're drooling.’ Martha nudges him with her elbow, giving him a playful grin. Henry doesn't even blush, he will admire his outrageously gorgeous husband all he likes.

He takes it all in, his family, their family enjoying a holiday together. Catherine comes out with a tray of bellinis for them and sits on the end of Henry's sunbed. She laughs when she spots Philip in the pool, cheering at the top of his lungs as they get a point. Catherine holds up her drink to Henry's to cheers, their glasses clink and they turn to Martha who has a glass in her hand but her eyes firmly on Philip in the pool. Henry clears his throat loudly, Martha reanimates when she sees Henry and Catherine watching her.

‘What was that about drooling?’ He teases. She finally clinks her glass, a blush blossoming on her freckled cheeks.

[forever-fixating]

WIP Wednesday

Thanks to @priincebutt for the tag! I got more living in a new normal for yall! I've strongarmed my best friend into my little corner of the RWRB fandom, and she has been incredible in helping me with this story. Like, I'm talking plot developments, 12th Century gossip, high romance and DRAMA, yall aren't ready. My muse is vibing to write Paris because it has evolved into two chapters and it will blow the romance from Love on the Menu out of the water. I feel very confident in that fact. Yall ain't ready for it!!! Until then, enjoy this little bit of fluff.

Their sexual escapades hadn’t moved beyond oral sex and anal play. When Henry asked Alex about moving further, not to pressure him but to gauge his interest, Alex blushed and buried his face in Henry’s chest, mumbling, “You’re gonna laugh.”

“I assure you I will not,” Henry said, tugging on Alex’s curls so that he would lift his face. “Please tell me, my darling baby boy?”

“That’s cheating,” Alex whined, tilting his head to kiss Henry only to be stopped by the hand in his hair.

Henry smirked. “Be a good boy and tell me.”

He let go of Alex’s hair and waited. Alex glanced to the side and traced his finger down Henry’s sternum. Goosebumps broke out over Henry’s skin. After a moment, Alex finally said, “I want to wait until we’re in Paris. Like- I get it, it’s cliche, but-”

“Darling,” Henry said, cupping Alex’s jaw to stop his rambling. Brown eyes widened, and Henry smiled. “Remember who you’re talking to. That is beyond romantic. I don’t give a tinker’s fig if it’s cliche.”

“Tinker’s fig?” Alex giggled, his previous bashfulness evaporated.

“What We Do In The Shadows,” Henry offered as explanation. “Matt Berry is a British national treasure.”

“Oh yeah, June and Nora are obsessed with that show. I’ve been meaning to watch it, but I keep forgetting.”

Henry grabbed his remote from the bedside table. “We’re fixing that right now.”

As he queued up the show on his Hulu account, Alex nuzzled closer and whispered, “Thank you, baby.”

Henry traced his fingers down Alex’s spine. “You’re very welcome, my dahling.”

Alex snorted. “Why did you say it like that?”

“You’ll see.”

A/N: Tagging @onthewaytosomewhere @piratefalls @dragonflylady77 and anyone else who wants to play. This chapter is beyond syrupy sweet. I combined New York and Austin so Paris could be in Alex's POV. I'm telling yall, you aren't ready for Paris. One more petite teaser 'cause I just gotta brag on my bestie for writing this little bit of beauty for LIANN. No context, you'll just have to wait and see.

Roses on Our Grave

(Verse 1)

It’s not every day that you wake up in Paris

Hungover from last night’s love

Eyes stinging in the sun, how heavy the air is

With these sweet roses’ perfume

Mmmmm but then

Every day is magic, cuz baby, the magic is you

Surprise me with breakfast and plans for our day

How could I ever refuse?

A walk through the tombstones, and you

Whisper to me

“The lovers are gone, but love stays”

Then stay

(Chorus)

Kiss me in the sunlight

Don’t ever say goodbye

Don’t wait to leave roses at our grave

Hold me close in the night

Soar with me when I fly

I want roses now, not at my grave

A/N- See you soon in Paris!

[brownbitchshit]

Review filled with probable unpopular opinions and spoilers.........

Before I start the review,I'd like to say that I went into watching this movie with the absolute mindset that there's no way a book like RWRB (which is one of my most favourite books of all time) can be adapted into a 2 hour long movie and since series wasn't doable, I'll have to make do with this. So I truly went in with the hopes of seeing my FirstPrince and generally getting the heart of the movie. But contrary to what people are saying, I think the movie tried to adapt too much of the book plot and lost the main vibe of the story in the process. As I go into the details and spoilers, I'd like to be clear that they are my opinions only. It's in no way an attack or criticisms on anyone who loved the movie. So please do not take it personally and consider it my ranting.

................................. Spoilers.….....................................

1. First problem I have with the movie is how much it tried to adapt of the book. I know, it sounds controversial but lemme explain. The book had too many plots and I personally felt like despite cutting down characters and simplifying some major plot points, the movie tried to show too much of too many plots. In the process, the plots that needed the time to breathe in order to translate the main heart of the story, got lost in translation. For example Henry losing his father, his existential crisis, him being in the closet for the crown. Even though he kept saying he cant be out and everything but the story never really showed what's at stake. Even Stephen Fry's King seemed very harmless which made the entire plot kind of moot. Same goes for Alex. Without his parents' divorce, his entire I don't think I'm good enough vibe just didn't come across. I generally felt like in order to get all the stories across, they didn’t spend any time to capture the fear of them being together, the horror of being out and the repercussions of what it meant and mostly why their characters are more than just 'Privileged public figures who live in palaces'. By not showing Henry's mom they erased the pain and impact he had of losing his father and by not showing June and Alex's parents' divorce,they erased the explanation about his fierceness and determination.

2. I personally was in support of aged-up Alex and Henry simply because it made their love-story more solid. But the problem was despite having aged-up cast, Matthew Lopez tried to keep their characters very true to the book. Which meant at time Taylor Zakhar Perez as Alex looked extremely immature and weird acting like a early 20 something guy when he clearly was not. Also his entire 'They don't like me' 'I don't know if I'm good enough' insecurity seemed childish especially since none of his other issues were shown like his parents's divorce or ADHD. Again I think instead of going through the checklist of getting all the book plots done, they should have explained Alex's background a little more showing why him as a brown man feels this need to be the best, why he finds it so hard to accepted by people. Obviously they mention it, but they never get into it. Which is a shame tbh.

3. Erasing June and keeping Nora while not explaining who Nora is, kind of lightened Alex's character even more. Apart from helping Alex to realize his sexuality, she literally served no purpose. At least if June were there, they could've shown some sibling bonding and a deeper look at Alex's character and explain the whole dynamic of being the first son and daughter of USA while being POCs.

4. The few changes that truly bothered me which served no purpose at all and again changed the tone of the film are Alex's confession scene in the rain and him giving a speech without Henry's input. I don't know why they chose not to give us the passionate reunion when Alex storms into the Kensington and instead cut to the V&A scene because honestly it didn’t make sense. We could do without the V&A scene and instead spend more time on them talking about their feelings more and just spend more time into that moment to build its momentum. It all felt extremely rushed which easily could have been avoided. And also why Alex will choose to come out without Henry and make a speech about their relationship without their input made no sense. It just made it seem like being Bi and dating Henry is easier for Alex and he had no real threat by putting himself out there like that whereas in the book we could feel how vulnerable it made him and how scared they both were when he made the 'America, he is my choice' speech.

Now the things that I liked/loved :

1. The lake scene. The entire scene was so well done, maybe because for once they took the time to slow down and let Henry's emotion show for once. I thought it was more beautiful than it was in the book.

2. Alex's involvement in the politics. If there was one thing that Matthew Lopez did to adjust the plot to Alex's age was this and I personally liked seeing this bit because again for the first time it gave us a glimpse of who Alex was and what his ambitions were which was lacking from the rest of the film.

3. Alex's scenes with his family was spot on. No complain there.

4. Alex and Henry's intimate scenes were well done. Although I wish they were a bit longer and more sensual but I liked it. I am confused though why is this film R-rated (except for TZP's butt scene) because the sex scenes were extremely innocent.

5. Henry when he finds out about the leak. That scene was again well done because they took the time to show the emotion and the heart of the movie.

To sum it up, I feel like the movie tried to adapt too much of the book. I think Matthew truly made the movie like a fan which in my opinion backfired a little. Because I think since this book is too long to be adapted into a movie, the best course of action should've been to capture the main theme of the story and make many changes accordingly. I think he chose to serve the book lovers, which is not a bad way to make an adaptation but I think as a movie, it is what let it down. As the book fan, you probably will be happy to see the plot checklists being ticked in. But as a movie, I found the plots very rushed, characters underdeveloped and underutilized, unnecessary storylines and the love story underdeveloped. Although I would give kudos to Nicholas Galitzine and Taylor Zakhar Perez because they were good as Henry and Alex. I wish Matthew had done a better job with their character development because these two could have really made Henry and Alex into 100% perfection and take the movie to the next level.

[thosesillylittlegayghosts]

My (positive only) thoughts on the rwrb movie

BAD REPUTATION

I’d be down’ and ‘actually I’d argue that-‘ is so on brand for Alex I love him already

The lil intro thing is jokes

It’s giving MAJOR early 2000s romcom vibes and I’m LOVING it

DAVID BOWIE

Shaan taking none of Alex’s shit what an icon

We love Henry being a lil history neek

His mum outranks my mum HENRY STOP I LOVE YOU

‘Means you’ve got good taste Alex’ is so crushing Henry coded

‘And why do you dislike me?’ He sounds like a bratty three year old I’m howling

‘I need to get out of here’ BECAUSE HE WAS CRUSHING I CANNOT

I’m sorry what the actual fuck was Henry talking to that kid about? Cause I heard ‘it’s so sticky as well’

Wait is Miguel Liam? Also bestie Alex why are you admitting this was a cover up so easily my guy you are in PUBLIC

Oh yeah no it is those two have definitely hooked up

EYELASHES

What an entrance to his dms Henry truly (also what is that bitmoji bestie 😭)

HRH PRINCE DICKHEAD

BUT WE WERE EVER SO CAREFUL DEAR WE ARE FUCKING WINNING BOOK FANS

No because this is such a cute way of showing the text messages?? Like Alex and Nora hanging out and Henry just ranting cause he’s all Alex can think about is adorable

‘Bellend’ please he’s so British

HENRY ON ALEXS BED AS THEY TALK I CANNOT THIS IS BETTER THEN ANYTHING I COULDVE IMAGINED

That entire convo was gold

Okay so then making Nora June with pez confirmed?

GET LOW YESSSS

Henry’s awkard dancing I actually adore him he’s so me

THEH GAVE US THE MUSIC FADES OUT ONLY FOCUS ON THEM MOMENT LIKE WE KNEW WE WERE GETTING IT BUT STILL

Oh ok so Alex and Nora aren’t gonna kiss it’s just random girls

Are Alex and Nora exes in this or no?

I’m half an hour into this and it’s taken me an hour cause I keep freaking out

‘Made me understand the difference between rugby and football’ Alex bestie what the hell are you going on about?

‘I can wrap my head around being low level into guys’ ‘I’ve been with two guys’ ALEX

wait so is Liam like a different person still? The guy from high school and Miguel is just another guy?

AMY WALKING IN ON THEM PLEASE

FUCK OFF ok so we might not of have got Henry singing the national anthem but we got ruining the names of a bunch of British landmarks so yay! Ig?

I love how in the book he’s early and in the film he’s late? Like what?

So they’re just gonna casually mention Henry ‘fancying’ Alex since the beginning (is that what we’re calling it these days?)

As gay as maypole, ok so we’re not getting that line later then

HANOVER STUART PLEASE ARE THEY NOT ALLOWED TO USE MOUNTCHRISTEN WINDSOR BUT ALSO WHY OF ALL THE OLD ROYAL NAMES THOSE TWO?!

HENRY YOU ARE ALSO IN PUBLIC

OMG ACTUAL CANON CONFIRMATION THAT PRINCE HENRY AND HENRY FOX ARE DIFFERENT PEOPLE?! LIKE ACTUAL EXPLICITLY SAID?!

This is not very causal friends with benefits of you I’ve gotta say, it’s giving major love of my life deep convos

LANA DEL RAY 😭

DEAR

Bestie this is really not very casual of you

Slay politics talk! (I have no idea what any of this means I’m way to English for this shit)

Omg Alex being a politics nerd! Also why does he know his mum better than she knows herself 😭

Don’t he’s so happy to be back in Texas I’m gonna cry when he gets fired

EMAILS THE EMAILS ARE STARTING

HE DID THE LINE HE DID THE SHOULD I TELL YOU THAT LINE

NO SHIT HES ABOUT TO START TALKING ABOUT ARTHUR

Ok wait not he’s not it’s fine

Bloody love zahra

LITTLE LORD FUCKLEROY

His mothers book?

ALEX WAS READING ONE LAST STOP I LOVE IT WHEN AUTHORS DO THAT

There’s a distinct lack of Bea in this movie

THEY MADE HIM SING BADLY POOR NICHOLAS

KARAOKE BITCHES

Alex while Henry is singing is the DEFINITION of ‘Alex is so in love he could die’

Ok so they just changed Oscar to senator of Texas rather than California

Honestly props to Nicholas cause you can see him rethinking all his life choices that led him to that moment

He fr went peace and jumped and I love him for that

NOOOOO HENRY

also did he just like leave pez there or what?

Please for the love of god put Bea in a leather jacket I beg

AHHH HES PLAYING THE PIANO

Slay prince Henry bbg

I CAN LOVE YOU AND WANT YOU AND STILL NOT WANT THAT LIFE YES THAT IS MY FAVOURITE PART OF THAT SCENE IM SO GLAD ITS THERE

Okay so they’re going straight to the v&a? Slay ig

Literal tears in my eyes over that MINUSCULE Arthur fox mention

They changed your song 😭

Okay I actually like this though

HISTORY HUH BET WE COULD MAKE SOME YES THIS IS PERFECT (but also does this mean no one’s gonna know about that line?)

If I had a nickel for every-time one of the guys in a queer couple said I love you in a hug….

Nah this is gonna be it isn’t it

Shit shit no I’m not prepared for this, not from Henry’s pov fuck off im already nearly crying and I’ve got it paused

NO NOT PHOTOS OF THEM AT THE V&A THAT WAS MEANT TO BE JUST THEIRS

is this how people know about history huh?

Also I’m sorry but Reddit? Really?

Okay yep I cried

PREACH ALEX PEOPLE NEED TO HEAR THIS

I fucking love zahra

‘Mooing over the prince like a cow in labour’

Alex is gobsmacked

WE GOT A BABY GUYS

Them playing the national anthem together was not on my bingo card

Also the subtitles say it has an actual name?? I legit just thought it was called god save the king/queen respectively

‘My affection comes with strings’

YESSS SLAY SHAAN THE OG BOYFRIEND ON A STRING

Also we love to see firstprince gossip

Okay that shot of Henry going to twist his ring only to pan over to Alex twisting the ring means SO MUCH TO ME ITS UNREAL

Minor slay to the king for putting Philip in his place (never thought I’d say that)

The way Henry slouches before he asks that question makes my day

‘Homosexual’ im sorry that prononciation has added years to my life can we all say it like that now please?

Not them swapping the motorbikes for bicycles 😭😭

[khaleesiofalicante]

I am hoping that at some point in December when I have the entire month off of school and will be trying to go on vacation with my best friend, I will also find time to touch some of the things that I want to write. But especially Henry and Alex as Shadowhunters. It is only fair that if you’re giving me my RWRB AU, I give you this, and you can bully and harass me for it just as much as I am bullying and harassing you LMAO you’ve earned the right.

Until then, have a mini fun fact from this universe.

Since the Academy is being run by Luke, and Alec is the consul, when Alex and Henry end up joining the Shadowhunter Academy, they are testing out a pilot program at the Academy that allows for all members of the shadow world to have a place there. I personally could not see Pez and Nora as Shadowhunters with how I’m thinking of this, although pez may or may not change if I decide to make him and Henry want to become parabatai because they give James and Mathiew vibes just a bit, and I wanted to explore all the shadow world drama that would come from this proposal.

You owe me like seven hundred fics, you little shit.

I love this worldbuilding! Oh my god. It's everything. I agree with you. Pez and Nora don't give me shadowhunter vibes. Pez gives me serious downworlder energy - either warlock or faerie tbh. Nora always feels mundane to me. But she could perhaps be a warlock because we all know she is super resourceful hehe.

Wake me up when this fic is ready I'm going to be in a coma until then :)

[wikiangela]

thoughts on rwrb as I was watching:

under the cut bc spoilers lol

(also, I was gonna reread the book before watching but i didn't manage, so I don't remember a whole lot lol maybe for once I won't be biased when it comes to a book adaptation haha)

damn i miss June

Taylor as Alex is just such perfection, I love him already and I'm not even 10 minutes in - just purely Alex vibes through and through lol

Nicholas as Henry is amazing too, the casting is really so good

Zahra is already stealing the show sns 😂

the initial animosity and the overall dynamic between Alex and Henry is just hilarious and I'm loving it lmao

they cut the cornetto scene??? wasn't there promo with it?? whyyy did they cut it, it was so iconic wtf 😭

wait what?? aren't Alex's parents divorced in the book?? I got so confused I had to go make sure I wasn't making it up lol (after finishing the movie I get it, having him there wouldn't impact the story in any way whatsoever haha)

omg the texting!! and the phone conversations!!! loving it!!

I'm loving how their relationship progresses rn, as they just get to know each other, it's so fun to see

the chemistry between Alex and Henry jfc, the LOOKS, they haven't even kissed yet and I'm already feral over them lmao

aaaaah, the new year's party and the KISS!!! that whole convo!!! screaming!!!

I love Nora so much, she's amazing and so cool, and I love her relationship with Alex! (still missing June and our White House Trio tho 💔)

who tf is Miguel, I don't like his vibe sns

the way Henry grabs Alex's hair when they're kissing omg 😩🥵

my god they are so smitten already, just the looks between them feel intimate lmao

oh my god the sex scene!!! I felt like I was invading their privacy lol, like, it was sooo intimate - the chemistry between those two is really something, and omg the HANDS 😭 "most people are" 😭 why do I wanna cry during a sex scene 😂😂😂

I adore Ellen's accent, it's so pleasant

Henry calling Alex "dear" has me weak every single time 😩

"technically I'm the spare" pls Henry is so fucking funny and sassy, I love him 😂😂😂

"the B in LGBTQ is not a silent letter" CRYING 😭❤️ istg the bi rep in media lately is so good and so validating and I love it so much 😭 and the way Alex was so hesitant and could barely say "I'm bisexual" to Henry, and now he's laughing and casually telling his mom "I'm bi" 😭 so happy for him but also so jealous, I want this 😭😂😂😂

"you need to figure out if you feel forever about him" one of my fave lines from the book tbh, I love this so much

Ellen is the coolest mom lmao

I miss June lol

the karaoke!!! did Alex just realize he in fact feels forever about him 😩 or at least that he's in love?? god 😭 and it was literally all in his face, so good, give Taylor all the awards, he's amazing

"it's like there's a rope attached to my chest and it's pulling me towards you" 😭 and Henry's face oh no we're getting to the "break up" point 😭

also, both those actors are just so talented, you can see every single emotion in their faces jfc

"what difference would it make if I did" baby nooo I'm crying

the argument, the museum scene, "I can't help falling in love with you" the dancing, the way they're so soft with each other, and so in love - I am in tears

"history, huh?" 😩 I LOVE THEM

noooo the emails 😭 I knew this would happen but omg nooo

Alex's speech with the montage of how awful things are for Henry are bringing me to tears again - and the ending montage was so cute omg

Alex is so in love jfc it's literally radiating off the screen lol

Zahra is just amazing lmao - "you might be lousy at keeping secrets but I'm not" 😂 I'm in love with her 😂

"I'm white and upper-class so my affection comes with strings" again, he's sooo funny 😂😂

the crowd under the palace!! Henry's reaction!! I'm sobbing!!

crying, sobbing, screaming rn, I loved this movie so fucking much

okay, so final thoughts:

it was great, I loved it, I enjoyed it, so much of it was just perfect, the casting, the chemistry, the development of their relationship - amazing

obvi they had to cut a lot bc limited time etc but I'm still bitter about June and the cornetto scene lol - I saw people say that it should've been a limited series, and I lowkey agree (plus the emails! obvi it's a different medium, and there were a few, but with how big impact they had on the story at the end, a series could devote more time to them fr)

I also saw some people say that the pacing felt rushed but i didn't feel that tbh, it was great

overall, immediate impression: fucking loved it, I cried, I laughed, it kept my attention the entire time (which is difficult lately lol) and now I really wanna reread the book even more haha

it was a fantastic queer romcom, I still wanna cry over it - there were quite a few changes to the book, which always kinda sucks, but as someone usually lowkey critical of adaptations bc I can never get over the changes lol, this one won me over pretty early on, it was just such a great watch, definitely gonna rewatch at some point - maybe after I finally reread the book 😂

also, Taylor and Nicholas need to get all the awards for the best on-screen couple or chemistry or whatever the fuck there is, bc jfc they did amazingly 🔥🔥😂

[julie-and-the-himbo-ghosts]

Willex rwrb au!!!! I loterally made a headcanon post about that like last week because Henry and Alex remind me of each other SO MUCH!!! Please tell me more!!!

Willex rw&rb au!!! So I actually first got inspired for this au by @a-chaotic-ananas (at least I’m like 99% sure) and this post by @sunsetscurving and I just saw it once and it lived rent free in my head forever

I haven’t written or planned it at all but it lives in my fic prompts list rent free and I can never pass up the chance to scream about it so here’s what I’ve got in my head:

I actually had a really hard time thinking of which of them would be Henry and which would be Alex? Bc like you said Alex gives me big Henry vibes yknow just their personality, the anxiety, family issues, all that but on the other hand I could totally see Alex as, well, Alex (Claremont-Diaz) for several reasons like Alex really gives me the “I want to be a politician to change things and work for equality” vibes and just Alex’s (C-D) law school, anxiety-writing essays at 2am, shit sleep schedule, chaotic sibling relationships, etc just are so Alex for me

And then willie gives me Henry vibes bc he’s more of the “I do not wanna be a politician/ruler I just wanna be gay and chill” Henry vibes yknow? Like I could totally see him saying hell no to all of that like Henry and also the whole depressing family vibes fit Willie to me for some reason. There’s not a lot here oop but Alex gives me Alex energy more than Willie gives me Alex energy so yeah

And since Alex is Alex I wanted him to have a weirdish family dynamic and even tho we’ve never met Alex’s parent I just. I don’t like them. So Alex is the first son of the president or whatever it’s just that he was adopted by the Molinas bc his parents kicked him out when he was like 15 and came out to them and Julie and Alex were childhood best friends so the Molinas were like nope and just adopted him

I haven’t decided if that meant Ray or Rose would be the president bc on one hand Ray would be a vibe and easier for me to write but on the other hand Rose being president would be iconic yknow and she could have the vibes

Yknow what no I have decided now Rose would be an iconic president

So then Julie is June and Carlos is just an extra character bc I love him

Reggie is Nora bc smart!reggie supremacy I said what I said and bc they have the same genius but also chaos bisexual energy and I just love the idea of Julie, Reggie, and Alex being little shits together

And Luke takes the place of willies best friend bc the chaotic adhds gotta stick together of course and I just think willie and Luke would be great friends and also this gives the whole possibility of a lil bit of Julie and Willie kinda pretending to be together like June and Henry do but with the added bonus of juke and willex angst bc that’s the wrong person!!!

Sorry just the idea of Rose with Ellen energy is amazing like just imagine Rose making the whole “why dating the prince of England is a TERRIBLE idea, Alex” powerpoint. The pure chaotic energy you could get—

Also the whole “Alex demanding Henry see him by causing problems on purpose outside the palace” both a) has “i thought we were having fun together”/“that’s not good enough, Willie” jatp parallels and b) I just feel like Alex would totally do that

Bobby as Luna bc more jatp parallels (kinda)!! and Alex-Bobby friendship!! It’s what we deserve really

And also instead of Alex’s dad we get the close family friend Trevor bc I said so and imagine the Alex-Julie-Reggie-Willie-Luke dynamic at the lakehouse with Carrie too (and Flynn of course bc Julie, Carrie, Flynn, and Alex were all childhood friends and Carrie and Flynn are totally dating)

Caleb Covington as Philip or just some royalty or maybe even instead of the Queen? Idk I just like the idea of him causing problems with willex like how he’s the jatp antagonist

I think that’s everything from my head? Yeah it is but I’ll add more if I think of it and feel free to add your own stuff!!

[nezhcs]

HIII RI OMG

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! <33333

can i pleaseee have: (take your time)

🌈- I'll tell you what character vibes you give (other than tsc please hehe)

SUNAINA AHHH THANK YOUUU

im always only thinking of tsc characters but jasjdf i shall try

OH NORA FROM RWRB. She's such a queen please. She's really smart and you feel like someone who anyone can go to for advice when questioning their sexuality- she's not afraid to be herself ajksdfj

[arse-crack-thistle]

quality time

rwrb and the five love languages | part four

in which bea nearly crashes from the stress of party-planning (aroace rep)

Princess Beatrice buzzes around The Masquerade, double-checking place cards, straightening table settings, and pulling dried rose petals from the centerpieces. She rented the concert venue for the night to throw a modern Valentine’s gala to benefit Henry’s queer youth center in London. He and Alex are around here somewhere, probably hooking up in a broom cupboard and definitely not nitpicking every detail like Bea is. Her assistant follows her with a clipboard and updates her on the schedule: t-minus three hours until guests arrive and, in the meantime, she needs to give final approval, soundcheck with the band, and get dressed up. Jeans and a blazer, while royal casual, are not party-appropriate, and tonight needs to be perfect.

She usually hates royal events like galas, but this one is special. Not because it’s Valentine’s Day—Bea could not give two fucks about the holiday—but because ever since coming out as asexual around Christmas, she’s been looking for an opportunity to help other queer people, or at least give them a public figure they could point to and say, “See Mum and Dad, she’s like me.” Henry and Alex got their chance, and now this time, it’s hers.

The stage lights up with pink and red; it’s cheesy, but Bea digs it. The concert was the one thing she would not budge on with her royal event planner. Did she want to reach into wealthy pockets? Yes. Did she still want to have a good time? Hell yes. And the band she’s joining for one night only happens to be just as queer as the charity they’re supporting.

Permanent Record, local to London, tune their instruments on stage. Bea has met them dozens of times over the last month and vibed with them instantly. Margot, the too-cool lead singer always decked out in a leather jacket and Docs, is ace like her, and as much as Bea has wanted to get to know them, there’s been no time. Turns out, party-planning and party-executing steals the host away from all meaningful human connection. She’s only been able to keep up with Henry because he’s partly responsible for this event.

The pit, full of tables covered in pink and gold, finally looks perfect enough for Bea to hand-off any other minute fixes to the planner and finally have her soundcheck with the band. But then, a large crash comes from the back of the venue, and she hears a loud shriek coming from a familiar voice, the one that’s been shrill and disapproving for the last month. When Bea runs up, she sees hundreds of shattered champaign flutes and her planner on the floor, blood oozing from her hands.

This cannot be happening. The only reason Bea kept this woman around was to take most of the day-of duties off her plate. But she’s in the back of an ambulance now, and Henry is nowhere to be found. Bea’s stress levels go from tolerable to unbearable as she orders her assistant to track down replacement flutes. The staff are quick to fill her other requests: a couple of people start sweeping, someone runs off to find her co-host, another tells the band Bea’s soundcheck will be postponed, and a brave soul steps up as a temporary assistant and follows her around the back tables to check for broken glass. Bea knows she doesn’t have to be the one to do this, but it seems like the success of this event lies solely one her shoulders. If something goes wrongs, it’s her face—not Henry’s—in the papers the next day. Powder Princess Crashes and Burns at Gay Ball. Christ.

After an hour, everything is sorted. There’s no glass. The planner is getting stiches. Permanent Record has started their soundcheck and sound amazing. But even their chill indie tunes can’t calm the princess. She needs to get on stage, but her stylist specifically requested she have at least two hours to work his magic, which is not going to happen.

Bea tells her assistant to get her stylist and his team to the venue, because she won’t be able to leave, and warn him he’ll only have an hour at best. Henry and Alex have already taken off to get ready, and she has to remind herself to smack them later for abandoning her.

She tugs off her blazer, drapes it over a chair, and rolls up her sleeves. If she does get her hands on a guitar, she’ll explode. It’s all she can think of to stop her from raiding the bar at the back.

“Better late than never, eh, Princess?” Margot says as she huffs on stage.

One of the stagehands gives Bea her beautiful sleek, black Fender Stratocaster, and her anxiety reduces itself to a hum. Music can’t cure all, but it certainly keeps her from wrecking every good thing in her life.

“Let’s just play,” she says.

But it’s anything but perfect. Whatever chemistry she had with Permanent Record somehow jumped into the Thames between their last rehearsal and now because this is an absolute travesty and she’s only playing two songs with them tonight. She’s forgotten measures of one song and can’t find the chords fast enough in her solo of the other. Utter shit.

Why does she even fucking bother?

She always fucks everything up. Always. Why did she think she could put this on? Sure, she’s chaired these events before, but not ones she actually cares about, not ones she’s actually put her heart into. Christ, no wonder. She should’ve known it would turn out like this. She’s the anti-Midas; everything she touches turns to shit.

No kid will ever see her as a queer role model. She’s the girl they point to and say, “See Mum and Dad, what a waste.”

She needs a hit so fucking bad.

Which is why she has to get out of here ASAP. Before she does anything she’ll regret. She won’t slip again, and she won’t be the reason this gala fails. Henry can handle it without her.

So when Margot calls for a five-minute break, Bea excuses herself and hands off her guitar. On her way out the door, she tells the stagehand to find her assistant and tell her to have Henry take over. The hard part is over thanks to the planner actually being brilliant at her job, even if she and Bea would never get along.

No doubt, cameras are already lined up outside, so she hides in one of the green rooms and locks the door behind her. If she just takes a deep breath and calms down, she can bring herself back from the edge.

Five things she can see: The 1975, Arctic Monkeys, Oasis, Solange, and Fiona Apple’s signatures on the artist wall.

Four things she can feel: the worn leather on a crusty couch, the chipped-paint walls, her toes in her shoes, and her fingers through her light brown hair.

Three things she can hear: the ticking from the clock, the click of her heels as she paces, and a knock at the door.

Two things she can smell: decades-old musk from artists past—no doubt coming from the couch—and her light perfume on her wrist.

One thing she can taste: a hint of coffee from earlier.

She breathes in and out, and the knock on the door continues.

“Bea, are you in there? Could you let me in?” Margot. Essentially a stranger. She supposes it’s better than facing a disappointed Henry, so she opens the door and promptly relocks it as soon as they’re inside.

“Christ, this place is legendary, isn’t it? Everyone’s played here—is that Bob Dylan? Fucking nuts,” Margot says, pointing to the wall.

“I’ve seen loads of people here. Always wanted to play here myself,” Bea tells them. She traces Lizzo’s signature. That was a fun night; Nora and June flew out for a girls’ night, which was ultimately crashed by Pez.

“Me too, and the rest of band as well, I suppose.” Margot looks at Bea and smiles. They’re brown eyes crinkle in the corner, and it reminds her of Alex. “And now we get to, eh, Princess? Couldn’t’ve gotten here without you. The whole world knows Permanent Record now.”

“You could’ve done it without me,” she says. “You will tonight anyway.”

“Hey.” They reach for Bea’s hand. “Everyone has some hiccups before a big gig. It’ll be grand, but only if you’re there. This is your night as much as it is ours or the youth center’s. You have no idea how important it is for your lot to shine a light on causes people shy away from.”

That makes Bea smile. For so long she wanted to hide from her position. She wanted freedom to do whatever she pleased, but now she understands the power she has, even if people still see her as “The Powder Princess.” No matter what she wears, millions of fashion influencers share links to her clothes. If she walks into a restaurant, their yearly profits skyrocket. When she told the world she was ace, thousands of people messaged her and said the same. One of them was Margot, telling her about their undiscovered band from South London.

She tells Margot how that was one of the first times she really felt like herself. Completely at peace with who she is. How that peace got away from her and turned this gala into a near-panic-attack-inducing event, she doesn’t know.

“Have you let on how stressed you’ve been to anyone?” Margot asks. The two sit together on the couch after Margot bravely plopped themself down on the dirty, old thing.

“Hadn’t the time,” she says. Truthfully, Bea doesn’t think she’s had a genuine conversation with anyone since the gala’s conception.

Margot throws their hands in the air. “Well, there you go then! You’ve got to take the time! To take care of yourself. To hang out with your mates. Just to have some goddamn fun, Bea! Come on! You think I’d be a functioning human if I didn’t let loose with my mates every now and then? This—” They gesture to their body, covered in tattoos and tattered black clothing. “Doesn’t happen on its own.”

Bea laughs. It’s been so long since she’s laughed from anything other than stress. “Right, so how does this all happen then?” She swirls her hand in Margot’s direction.

As they chat, Bea relaxes. They talk about their families and uni and music and coming out. Bea tells Margot about the time she and the gang went to the karaoke bar where Henry got wasted and sang Queen horrifically. Margot tells her about the time in year twelve when they got dared to try out for the school play and ended up playing an old man in the most unbelievable bald cap.

Eventually, the two of them pull out their phones and play a few games of Among Us until Bea’s desperate assistant finds her and pleads for her to get ready though the door. They only have an hour before guests arrive.

“You all right?” Margot asks. “Want to go out there and try again?”

Funny how it doesn’t seem so scary anymore. How it only took a short break, a nice chat, and a little pink astronaut to put Bea at ease. She smiles. The notes come back to her fingertips.

check out the rest of my rwrb and the five love languages series: part one, part two, part three, and part five. (links to come as they’re released)

listen, my permanent headcanon is aroace bea and you will never convince me otherwise and i will never write her as anything else bc i love her so much!! (that being said, if you ship her with anyone, i totally understand). also, i reference a fic of mine i wrote for winterfest so if you want to check out my version of bea’s coming out, you can do that here! and finally, i know this wasn’t a romantic fic for romance week but like i said in part one, valentine’s day is different for everyone. <3

rwrb romance week | @rwrb-fests

[i-like-gay-books]

top 5 aspec headcanons

ahh ok so I know this makes me a bad aroace but I dont actually have many aspec headcanons. I guess one would be in the lesbian vs aroace elsa debate im very strongly on the side of aroace. I also think that renee from aftg gives off aroace vibes though she’s a very underdeveloped character in general so that might be why. sometimes I also like to hc Kevin (also from aftg) as alloaro or aroace (I dont see him as alloace though). ummmmmm oh theres also Nora from rwrb although I like to think her alloaro-ness is pretty much canon. ok one more uhhhhhhhhhhh yeah no ive got nothing. gosh this is embarrassing, but what can I say im just too much of a shipper most of the time to put too much thought into aspec headcanons. oops :)

[arse-crack-thistle]

rwrb winterfest - day 10 - snowflakes

@rwrb-fests

in which firstprince goes to a middle school dance bc i love little alex and henry so much!!

Alex knows tonight is going to be awesome! Normally, he wouldn’t be excited for a lame middle school formal, but he’s going to ask Nora Holleran to slow dance. She’s way too smart for him, but he can make her laugh like no one else can. It sounds like a bird, and being twelve, Alex can’t resist. If she says yes, this Winter Formal nonsense will all be worth it.

Outside, the D.C. air is chilly but bearable. Alex, his lacrosse friends, and their parents stand in front of his house, about to take pictures. His mother adjusts his red striped tie as he fusses with his black curly hair. June waits inside; she’s a high school volunteer tonight—much to Alex’s protests.

He shoos his mother away, slings an arm around his friend Liam, and smiles. His parents ready the camera, and Alex thanks Jesus they never fight in public.

Just behind closed doors when they think he and June aren’t listening.

The white Christmas lights shine behind the boys. His father tells them to focus and takes the picture. It catches Alex laughing at some joke Liam told, his eyes scrunched closed.

•••

Henry wouldn’t go to this thing if his mother weren’t forcing him. She reminds him it’s good practice for his future as he heads out the door to Bea’s car.

He hates these kinds of functions and having to socialize with people he doesn’t know and couldn’t be bothered to know. Because his mother is the British Ambassador, he’s gone to a few, but he doesn’t want a career in public office like the rest of his family. The Mountchristen name means something back home—they’ve had a few MPs, secretaries, and prime ministers—but that’s not Henry. He wants a quiet life away from the fuss.

A life in which he can finally be himself. And tell the truth. The Fox side of him.

Henry misses his father more than ever as Bea drives. Thank god, she’s here and playing Sufjan Stevens to match their moods. If his mother had been appointed any later, Bea would’ve been an ocean away like Philip—not that Henry misses his posh, Oxford brother all that much.

The buttons of Henry’s Burberry suit reflect the soft yellow glow of the streetlights outside. He knows he’s overdressed and that this will be the most expensive suit in the room, but it’s what his mother picked out. Yet another thing his classmates will pick on.

Especially Alex Claremont-Diaz.

Bea wishes him luck, and Henry groans as he gets out of the car. He really doesn’t want to be here.

•••

Alex dances in the center of the gym floor with his buddies to an Imagine Dragons song. Blue and white lights shine down on them. The whole place is covered in fake snow and light blue fabric. Shimmery snowflakes dangle from the ceiling. It’s cheesy, but Alex doesn’t care because he’s having a blast.

He just hasn’t been able to talk to Nora yet.

She’s been huddled with her friends from Tech Club all night. They’re watching something on a dude’s phone, and Alex knows that’s his in. He just has to make himself move in that direction.

An eighth grader, Pez, starts a dance circle and busts a few moves in his fluorescent clothes. Alex watches and cheers him on because everyone loves Pez. But they don’t love his best friend.

Ugh, Alex can’t stand that British guy, Henry. They may not be in the same grade, but they do Model UN together, and everything he says in that dumb accent riles Alex up. Partly because the girls—and some guys—swoon over him, taking some of the spotlight from Alex, and partly because Henry’s existence just irks him.

His perfect blonde hair. His judgmental blue eyes. His rich-boy wardrobe. The fact that he gets the right answer to every question asked of him. And the fact that he rides horses—like, riding outfit and everything.

Alex hates it all.

When a slow song comes on, he goes for Nora. She looks beautiful in a pale pink dress and with her hair done up in a bun. Alex feels stupid in his black church pants and white button-up.

Why didn’t he get June to help him pick out his clothes?

He asks Nora what they’re watching, and she tells him it’s an anime and laughs at something on the screen. After an awkward pause, he stutters out an invitation to dance. Thank Jesus, she says yes.

On the dance floor, he puts his hands on her waist, and she puts hers on his shoulders, and they sway to the music. A disco ball from the center of the gym casts sparkles all over them. This is their moment.

Which is why Alex asks her to go out with him.

Nora won’t meet his eyes, and Alex knows he screwed up. They’re just friends, she tells him.

His stomach hurts.

Alex misread the situation. He could puke right now. Nothing has felt this embarrassing. Not even last year when he dove for a volleyball in P.E., smacked his face on the floor, and chipped a tooth or in second grade when he called his teacher “mom” and the entire class laughed.

Nora comments on June’s dress to move the conversation forward, but Alex just nods. They finish the dance in silence, avoiding eye contact.

Alex’s face is hot and red. He doesn’t want his friends saying anything, so as soon as the song’s over, he thanks Nora and runs out of gym to the bathroom.

•••

For the most part, Henry is ignored by his classmates, which is good. He’s left to sit by himself at one of the tables. Someone sprinkled glitter all over the tablecloth, and flecks cling to his jacket sleeves. The speakers blast him with music, and the whole event is rather annoying, especially when chaperones bother him to ask if he wants anything or to encourage him to dance. Luckily, the high school girl serving punch just gives him a cup and tells him there’s only a few more hours left until they’re free.

Pez checks up on him every once in a while, but he craves a good party wherever he goes and only stays for a few seconds. Henry doesn’t mind. He scrolls on his phone, catching up on social media and eventually settling on a new Wolfstar fanfic. He peaks up from time to time to watch Pez try to impress the punch girl, but his eyes always end up on Alex.

He moves so easily. Whether it’s shaking his hips or fist-pumping to the beat or letting his head fall back in laughter, he just seems to handle everything so carelessly, so happily.

Henry envies him—can’t stand him because of it. There’s a ping in him every time he sees Alex.

Those curls. And soft brown eyes. The undeniable charm.

He walked into a Model UN meeting in glasses once, and Henry had a coughing fit and had to leave the room.

Don’t even get him started on the Spanish.

God, Henry cannot deal with these feelings right now. And he can’t find Alex in the crowd.

He stands up. Maybe he will dance. Maybe if he tries, he can think about something else. His father would want him to try. He’d give him a pep-talk and a hug that smells like his cologne and send Henry on his way. It’s how he convinced him to try polo and ask a girl to dance at his first gala.

Maybe this is good practice. To try to do things on his own.

But as Henry approaches a girl in his English class, someone scoots out their chair and trips him.

And Henry falls face first into a pile of fake snow.

The music still plays, but the students and chaperones are silent as Henry comes up covered in white clumps. It’s worse than the glitter on his suit, and it sticks to the gel in his hair. He feels the very last thing he wants: everyone’s eyes on him.

Henry excuses himself and leaves as fast as he can, stumbling into Pez and shirking him off on the way out.

•••

Alex finally feels cool again. He splashed some water on his face, unbuttoned his top button, loosened his tie, and rolled up his sleeves. He looks impossibly chill considering he was just dumped.

Okay, not dumped. But he definitely feels better. Like Rafael Luna, his dad’s best friend. Luna carries himself with a swagger that Alex can’t resist.

After he tousles his hair one last time, Alex walks out of the bathroom, only to find Henry covered in faux snowflakes, looking like the abominable snowman from Monsters Inc. But he’s not cheerful like the yeti. He furiously swipes at his pant legs with one hand and curses at his phone in the other.

“Oh, man! Rough night, huh?” Alex says.

Henry freezes. He sizes up Alex and scowls. “Could you not?” He goes back to his phone, “Bea, just come pick me up when you get this, all right? Please,” and then hangs up.

“You’ve never looked better, honestly. I dig the winter chic vibe,” Alex teases. This is best thing that could’ve happened; his friends aren’t even going to mention the Nora thing when he gets back in the gym. For once, he’s not upset Henry has upstaged him.

Henry mumbles something and shrugs off his suit coat to wipe it down. Snow flurries from his clothing onto the cream linoleum flooring.

“What was that?”

“I said, ‘Unbelievable!’ As in, ‘Of course, the universe hates me enough to put you here right now!’” Henry’s face reddens.

Alex can’t believe this guy. He’s practically a prince! What could be wrong with his life? Well, his father’s death, but that was a few years ago. 

Alex googled Henry once or maybe twice—it’s irrelevant—and read about his famous father, who is Alex’s favorite Bond, for sure.

“So you messed up your suit? Big whup. I’m sure you have hundreds just like it. If not, the Fox-Mountchristen estate could probably cover it,” Alex says, crossing his arms. He’s surprised no adults have come to check on Henry. He’s not really sure what happened, but it was probably hilarious and well-deserved.

“You insufferable prick!” Henry shouts and throws the jacket at Alex. Before he can duck, it thwacks his face. He tastes the bitter snow in his mouth.

Alex scrunches it and throws it back. “You dickish, little drama king! You can’t handle the slightest bit of imperfection, can you? Heaven forbid, you’re knocked from your pedestal, and the rest of us mortals crack up!”

He knows this is stupid; he wouldn’t want people laughing at him either, unless it was intentional. In fact, he fled before his charismatic reputation was tarnished. Henry just brings something out of him—not the worst of Alex exactly, but the fight in him. Many a Model UN debates can attest to that.

Henry turns around and slams his fist against the black lockers. He flings the coat to the floor and leans on his forearm. “You haven’t got a clue, Alex,” he says. He sounds tired.

The muffled music from the dance echoes down the hallway. Posters on the walls and lockers advertise the dance, midterm tutoring, and the school-sponsored Spring Break trip to Peru. Alex watches Henry’s back go up and down with his breaths. A toilet flushes, and the sink is run before a girl walks out of the bathroom, past the boys, without a second glance.

Henry is right: Alex doesn’t have a clue. He knows people can hide their home lives. He hasn’t even told Liam about his parents fighting. How he’s heard the word “divorce” from both of them more than once.

And he’s pretty sure losing your father is worse than that; he wouldn’t know what to do without his own, no matter how much time had passed. And then to be moved across the sea to a new school, let alone a new country.

Damn. Alex sucks. And now he has to do something that would’ve made him throw up yesterday.

“Henry,” he says, “I’m sorry.”

•••

Henry can’t believe this—any of it.

Firstly, Alex Claremont-Diaz comes out of the bathroom as if he knew his nemesis was out there and wanted to catch him off-guard with his beautifully disheveled look. Henry blushes at the thought.

Secondly, after a row of which no teacher heard apparently, the aforementioned Alex Claremont-Diaz apologizes for the things he said. “Even though some of it was true,” he clarifies. Henry knows he’s right.

Thirdly, he and the godforsaken Alex Claremont-Diaz have been sitting next to each other on the floor for the past five minutes, just talking. Occasionally, Alex’s arm brushes against his and sends a tingle up his back.

If Henry didn’t know he was gay after consuming hours of Drarry and Wolfstar content, he knows now. As in, he finally realizes why he always looks for Alex in every room and why that boy gets under his skin so easily. 

He definitely cannot go to a lacrosse game, ever. He might die.

The bright bulbs from the bathroom and the blue hue from the gym doors’ windows light the otherwise dim hallway. Henry can make out the Coldplay song coming from the dance and plays the piano chords on his knees. The smell of old sweat and cleaner lingers in the air.

Henry likes that Bea insisted on a normal American education for the two of them and that his mother actually agreed; he just doesn’t enjoy the smells that accompany the experience. Or the horrid cafeteria food, for that matter. He tells Alex as much.

“Totally,” Alex says. “It must’ve been hard moving here. Even if I think you and your uppity family are ridiculous, leaving your home behind would suck for anyone.”

“Yes, it does. But Mum got this great job, which she wasn’t going to take until my grandmother and my brother Philip encouraged her to. ‘You need a fresh start,’ they said. She agreed, though I think her attitude is more about survival rather than actual happiness,” Henry says. “I, for one, would prefer to be home where Dad taught me to play cricket on the back lawn.”

He sighs. Alex doesn’t need to hear this, and giving him more information to use against him or to poke fun of is a disastrous idea. But it does feel good to talk about his father with someone who doesn’t know him and barely knows Henry.

“I’m sorry about your dad,” Alex says. “I looked him up once, and he seems pretty cool.”

“He was, yes.” If Henry lets himself get too close to the cliff of grief, he’ll jump off and never be able to recompose himself, so he looks at Alex. “You looked me up?”

Alex sits up straight. “No, no! Your father!”

“You looked me up.” Henry smirks. His stomach flutters, and he doesn’t know what that means.

“I wanted to know what your deal was!” Alex says. “It’s not weird like that! I wasn’t stalking you or whatever.”

Henry laughs hard for the first time in a while. “I can’t believe I have enchanted you this much, Alex. What must I have done to peak your interest? Was it the defeat in during the foreign aid debate?”

“Okay, one, don’t flatter yourself, sweetheart,” Alex says, holding up a finger to silence Henry’s laughter, which it doesn’t. “And two, you were arguing on the behalf of an imperialist, asshole country. How was I, the humble yet fiery Mexican delegate, supposed to get you off your high horse after you started barking about your country’s economy?”

“Accept that I am the better diplomat.”

“I accept that you’re the bigger—what’s that British word? Wanker.”

Alex shoves him, but Henry shoves him right back. The two laugh together, and as it fades, Henry thinks that maybe they can finally get along—be friends, even. Though, he doesn’t know if that’ll make his heart race more or less when Alex is around.

“Want to go back in there?” Alex asks. “I know you’re still covered in fluff, but it’ll add to the ambiance.” He wiggles his eyebrows.

Just then, Henry’s phone rings, and Bea’s name flashes on the screen. When he answers, she tells him she’s outside. Henry looks at Alex. While he has relaxed since the incident because of him, he’s not quite ready to face the rest of the school.

But the hesitation is duly noted and will be thoroughly examined tonight as he tries and fails to fall asleep.

He tells Bea he’ll be out in a minute and hangs up. “My sister’s here,” he says.

Dare Henry say Alex looks a little disappointed? The space between his dark eyebrows crinkles, and he shoves his hands in his pockets after they both stand up.

“Well,” Alex says, “maybe you and I could prepare for the meeting on refugees together when we get back from winter break.”

Henry blinks. “All right. We could do it at mine if you like.”

“Sure. I’m dying to see the palace,” he says. “Let me just get your number.”

After they exchange phone numbers, Henry watches Alex walk back into the gym. Thank god, he isn’t wearing better trousers, or Henry might’ve blushed. Actually, it doesn’t matter; Henry feels his checks get hot.

Outside, real snow dusts the school’s steps. Henry spots Bea’s headlights and walks to the car, enjoying the cool night air. He slips inside as his sister asks what the hell happened.

He knows it’s not the question she meant, but in his head he answers, “Alex Claremont-Diaz.”