[ It does come back around to trust, and in this case Alec trusts Henry never to take anything that isn't willingly given. Besides, he has no secrets worth keeping here. Not between them. Like he said before, all Henry needs to do is ask. ]
About the song? [ Hell, he's not sure he can find the words, really. ] I dunno. Takes me back to one of the few moments I can remember being happy, for one.
[The trust runs deep; that's saying something for a man who likes to steal away agency from any given individual's memories. But Alec is and always will be a special case.
The few moments he can remember being happy, though... Henry tilts his head a little, hazarding an easy guess as to what that could mean.]
[ Another shrug, and he turns his back to the radio, leaning against the desk. He's doing that thing again, that crossed arm thing that his dad did. The song carries on behind him. ]
I used to use the extra space in the garage to work on my magic. Dad had this radio he always kept on when he was working. [ A pause. ] It was one of the good days.
I don't think "smug" is the right word. Grateful, I think, that I could ensnare you. [Even if Henry thinks it really is the other way around.] Even if I never planned for it.
[Listen, at least he didn't buttdial his way into Unicorn.]
Accidentally switched teams. It's easy to do on a... "touchscreen", you know. That's why I was so put-off the day we met, because I hadn't meant to change blocks.
[He says so put-off, even though he was all polite smiles that day, anyway. The usual.]
[ There's something so unsurprising and yet so hilarious about this revelation. He's not going to tease him only because he's too busy laughing. Please hold. ]
[ He does sound a little petulant. Alec laughs again, the sound a bit lighter in contrast to his earlier outburst. He reaches up to catch Henry's arm and tug him close. ]
I am grateful. [ It's strange to imagine a Unicorn without Henry. Actually, since they're on the topic of them... ] But it's also my right as your boyfriend to give you shit over it.
[He tries to look unimpressed, but it's a sorry attempt, especially given how easily he's drawn close with absolutely zero resistance.
And then... boyfriend. This is far from a new revelation, given everything that they are now, but to hear the word itself is arresting. Surprising. Sends a little bit of a thrill up his spine, like it has no choice but to be real, now.
And here is Henry Creel trying to play it cool by arching a brow, even if he can feel his heart strangely pulsing in his throat.]
[ Alec arches both brows in response. He's the one who said it, and it still feels strange to have it out in the open. To have a label on this thing that they are.
Yet... it feels right, too. Like the most natural thing in the world. An obvious conclusion. ]
[That's the thing: it couldn't possibly be anything else. The most obvious conclusion. It's not like they were any less rooted in each other before the word was spoken. But to hear it captivates him in a way that Henry so rarely feels. (Though that same feeling seems to be a running theme with this man.)
He leans in a little, teasing.]
Two future roommates who are very fond of each other.
[ Somewhere in the back of Alec's head, something goes, "oh my god, they were roommates." It's followed by the swift revelation that he's going to have to teach Henry so much about the internet.
[I can't believe Alec is going to teach Vecna internet memes one day.
Henry pretends at consideration.]
Two future roommates who just happen to be- [utterly, egregiously in love; is that too much? Even after everything, Henry wonders how much he needs to reel in.] -deeply infatuated with one another?
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[ It does come back around to trust, and in this case Alec trusts Henry never to take anything that isn't willingly given. Besides, he has no secrets worth keeping here. Not between them. Like he said before, all Henry needs to do is ask. ]
About the song? [ Hell, he's not sure he can find the words, really. ] I dunno. Takes me back to one of the few moments I can remember being happy, for one.
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The few moments he can remember being happy, though... Henry tilts his head a little, hazarding an easy guess as to what that could mean.]
Time spent with your father?
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[ Another shrug, and he turns his back to the radio, leaning against the desk. He's doing that thing again, that crossed arm thing that his dad did. The song carries on behind him. ]
I used to use the extra space in the garage to work on my magic. Dad had this radio he always kept on when he was working. [ A pause. ] It was one of the good days.
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So, a song bolstered by fond memories.
[He imagines those are few and far between for Alec after the death of his father. That makes this song playing on the radio so much more poignant.]
It's good that you have one. [Lightly, since it will never apply:] Your own tune to escape with.
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Too little too late, I'm afraid.
[ He couldn't escape Henry even if he wanted to. ]
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Too caught in my web?
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If I say yes, will you get smug about it?
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You can make fun of me for being technologically inept, but can you imagine what would have happened if I hadn't accidentally switched teams?
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If you hadn't what?
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Accidentally switched teams. It's easy to do on a... "touchscreen", you know. That's why I was so put-off the day we met, because I hadn't meant to change blocks.
[He says so put-off, even though he was all polite smiles that day, anyway. The usual.]
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[ There's something so unsurprising and yet so hilarious about this revelation. He's not going to tease him only because he's too busy laughing. Please hold. ]
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HE IS JUST GOING TO STAND HERE SERENELY AND TAKE IT-- help, this is his only defense:]
Well, it is easy to do.
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[He refuses to sound petulant about this. He knows Alec is just giving him a hard time as per usual. But maybe he sounds a little petulant anyway.]
But my point is that you should be grateful that I'm not as technologically savvy as someone like you.
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I am grateful. [ It's strange to imagine a Unicorn without Henry. Actually, since they're on the topic of them... ] But it's also my right as your boyfriend to give you shit over it.
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And then... boyfriend. This is far from a new revelation, given everything that they are now, but to hear the word itself is arresting. Surprising. Sends a little bit of a thrill up his spine, like it has no choice but to be real, now.
And here is Henry Creel trying to play it cool by arching a brow, even if he can feel his heart strangely pulsing in his throat.]
"Boyfriend", is it?
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Yet... it feels right, too. Like the most natural thing in the world. An obvious conclusion. ]
What else would it be?
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He leans in a little, teasing.]
Two future roommates who are very fond of each other.
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He's strangely looking forward to it. ]
That's really underselling it, don't you think?
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Henry pretends at consideration.]
Two future roommates who just happen to be- [utterly, egregiously in love; is that too much? Even after everything, Henry wonders how much he needs to reel in.] -deeply infatuated with one another?
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I feel like you're purposefully skirting around something. What could it possibly be?
[ IS IT THE L-WORD? IS IT, HENRY? ]
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