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[ He hadn't been snooping, really. He'd just been trying to clean up some things; he could see his accumulating mess, and he'd wanted to do something about it. Not that Alex Shepherd didn't snoop, and more than occasionally, just that this isn't the reason he manages to stumble across one of Henry's secrets. It takes him a bit to register what he's looking at, and then he's all grins, unable to help himself as he shuts the drawer and walks into the kitchen with the pack of cards in hand. He stops in the doorway, raising a brow as he holds up his find, a tiny grin already curling his mouth despite his best efforts. ]

And what's this, Mr. Townshend? Got something to share?

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[ Just an amused look at that, and his eyes return to the cards, contemplating them. He rolls the idea around in his head a bit, and then - ]

You busy tonight?

No?

[...does that mean?]

Might as well use this thing then, right?

[ Yes, that's what it means. ]

[Henry almost says, if you want to but that erases the fact he wants to too. Instead he says okay, soft, like it's a secret.

He glances over his shoulder, the sink is empty enough save for their mugs from an hour ago.

And a little louder:]

Okay. My room?

[ He can't help his smile at that, no longer teasing, but genuinely pleased. He's glad to know he isn't forcing Henry into some proverbial corner with this - he'd hope at this point in their relationship, Henry would know when to tell him to back off, but, well. Alex still has his worries. He knows he can be overbearing sometimes. ]

Sounds good. [ He gathers up the cards, moves to stand. ]

[Henry takes Alex's hand, feels the familiar grip of his fingers and the warm skin of his palm. It helps, draws him away from his shyness. He has to remind himself, there's no need to be embarrassed, because it's Alex and if anyone has ever approved of Henry for being himself, it's his boyfriend.

He leads them back down the hall to his bedroom, where Henry settles cross-legged on the bed.

Soft exhale. Okay.]

You should probably shuffle them first.

[ Alex moves to sit across from him on the bed, taking the same cross-legged position to make some room on it, nodding at the suggestion. He's not the most elegant shuffler, but it works, which could really be said about... everything about Alex Shepherd. He sets the deck between them, grinning at Henry again. ]

You bought 'em - you get first draw.

[He does just that!

He reads it silently to himself first, before remembering this is a two player game, Henry, and promptly reads it aloud.]

Share one secret your partner doesn't know about you.

Uh.

[He brings the card so it's resting underneath his bottom lip.

He's thinking.]

[ That gets Alex raising a brow, resting an elbow on one knee and putting his chin in the palm of his hand as he waits. Amused as always. ]

Can't be that hard, can it?

[Henry's quiet for a long time, perhaps longer than even Alex is used to.

He does break the silence finally, hesitant before he says:]

I got in a fight in high school.

[ That? Gets a surprised look. ]

Really? That's hard to imagine. What happened?

Don't squirm, don't get nervous, he's not judging you. Just tell him.]

I... was in my junior year. No one bothered me, not really. I was quiet but I was tall and - uh.

[This is harder than he was expecting. Fuck.]

...we watched this movie in class. I can't remember the title [liar] but it was old, in black and white. A woman was. She was.

...

Her husband slapped her in one scene. A-A couple times. And after class... I heard someone say that, someone said if she was stupid enough to stay with him, she. Deserved it.

[Henry's not looking at Alex. He's looking at his hands. His brow is furrowed.]

I lost my temper and shouted at him and...

[He can feel himself closing in on himself. With a jerky nod of his head, he's done. He's done.]

[ Oh. Well, that's a hell of a way to kick this off. Alex doesn't say anything to the story, just frowning in understanding and his own anger, but he shakes the latter off, moving to lean forward and press a kiss to Henry's forehead. ]

Yeah, well. They should've kept their mouth shut.

[ Adam had never hit Lillian, but Shepherd's Glen hadn't been without more than its share of domestic abuse, even if no one had ever talked about it. He gets it. ]

[Henry realizes he completely soured the mood.]

I-I'm sorry...

Hey, no, don't worry about it. [ A reassuring grin at that, and he leans back. ] It's fine.

[ And to put weight to that statement, he's gonna draw his card now, keep the game going. ]

... talk about how you - [ He can't even finish it when he realizes what's on the card, burying his face in his hands. That would be his luck. ]

Edited 2012-12-25 04:45 (UTC)

...Alex?

[What's wrong. Why are you hiding. Oh god Henry totally ruined the game, he's upset the flow and now all their cards are horrible. That's what's happening isn't it.]

[ Yes, that's exactly what happened. That's bad and you should feel bad, Henry.

No not really, Alex is blaming his terrible luck more than anything. He doesn't even speak, just. Holds the card out for Henry to take, keeping his face buried in his hands as he does so. ]

[Taking the card from Alex, Henry reads it to himself.]

Oh.

I guess they're making assumptions with this game.

[Yes, Henry. That is the important part. Of course.]

[ Henry. Henry please.

Still, Alex is going to take that over the 'embarrass the fuck out of himself' route so. Lifting his head (and his face is not red at all, thanks) to respond. ]

Well, considering what kind of game it is... Kind of a reasonable assumption, I think.

[Henry hums in agreement.]

Do you want to pick another card?

No, I... can manage.

[ Damn pride not letting him back down. He takes a breath, drums his fingers on his leg, tries to figure out how to go about this. ]

I mean... I guess it depends on the context of virginity. I messed around a bit when I was a kid, nothing serious, so I guess if it means all the way...

[ And he's back to blushing again. Great. He clears his throat, manages to keep a normal speaking level, even if it means he can't look at Henry when he talks. ]

Well, uh. Telling the story would be redundant, since you were... kinda. There.

[That quiet little chuckle he does?

Yeah.]

[ Grumpiest look ever, Townshend. You are getting it. ]

[Henry just. Hides a smile behind his hand before he picks up his card.]

Share at least three physical features you admire about your partner.

[A pause, eyes going to the ceiling as he thinks.]

Hmm...

Your eyes. Your hips. Your back.

[ And despite his attempt to keep up the grumpy act, Alex can't help flushing at the words. Compliments like that, no matter how small, still get to him. He breaks the grumpy act to give Henry a smile for that, and then he goes to draw his next card. (Hopefully it's not as embarrassing as the last.) ]

Name one thing you'd like to do with your partner. [ He taps the card against his mouth as he considers the question, brows furrowing, flipping ideas over in his head. The game's obviously more focused on a couple's sex life, but y'know what, Alex is going to ignore that for now. ]

Road trip. Always wanted to go on one, and sharing it with someone I care about would make it better. [ Not even trying to stop the dweeby smile he gets as he says that. ] Besides, sure you could find a lot of photo opportunities that way.

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CACKLE

i love it cries

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