Chapter Text
Alex was up late working on a term paper for his law class when he saw Henry's name pop up on his caller ID.
Henry let out a shaky breath like he was trying not to cry. "Alex."
"Henry," "What's wrong, are you okay?" Alex said starting to panic
"My parents kicked me out they found my binder."
"Alex," Henry said a sob breaking from his throat "I'm scared." "How could they be so hateful. I'm their kid and they just acted like they hated me."
Alex was already getting his shoes and jacket on, grabbing his keys "Baby, I love you, we will figure this out "Where are you right now?"
"Trying not to cry in a McDonald's, I'll drop you a pin." "I love you too."
Alex was vibrating with anger and a need to get to Henry as fast as he could. Henry was the kindest, most loving and passionate person he had ever met. He didn't deserve the way his parents treated him. Henry hadn't been planning on coming out to his parents at all. His plan was to live with them until he got enough money saved to move out and then come out. They had met in their freshman year at the university of Austin. Henry couldn't afford to live on campus, so he lived at home and commuted.
His friend Pez lived on campus though, so Henry had all his mail sent to Pez, so his parents didn't see his chosen name and pronouns on the mail.
Alex started making a list in his head:
1. Maybe this is a good thing at least Henry won't be getting misgendered 20 times a day by his parents
2. Fuck but now they had to get his stuff out of his parents' place
3. Whatever they will figure that out later all that matters right now is getting to Henry.
Alex got to McDonald's and saw Henry sitting in a booth, he was still in his pajamas he had a book open in front of him, but he didn't seem to be reading it just staring out the window
"Henry," Alex said as he got closer. Henry didn't respond. Shit this was bad, Henry would shut down when he was overwhelmed sometimes. Alex sat down next to Henry in the booth. He gently put a hand on his shoulder "Baby, I'm here, It's Alex."
Henry still didn't respond then Alex noticed his hands were clenched into fists, his fingernails digging into his palms. Alex gently took his hands and unfurled them; they were bleeding a little bit. But he figured they should get out of this McDonald's before they dealt with that. So, Alex grabbed Henry's book off the table and the book bag he also had with him.
"Baby, we should get back to my place." Henry nodded and walked with Alex to his car.
Once they were in the car Alex got the first aid kit out and started cleaning Henry's hands. When they were cleaned and bandaged. Alex pulled Henry into a tight hug and just let him cry. Rubbing his back. Speaking softly, he told Henry "I love you, I'm not going anywhere, you have so much love in your life even if your parents can't see what an amazing man you are, I can, Pez, Nora and June can. We will figure this out."
Henry still had his face buried in Alex's shirt, but Alex heard a muffled "I love you too."
Alex hugged Henry tighter he was so grateful for those 4 words he knew it was taking all the energy Henry had to get them out. Because when he got overwhelmed like this, he described it as being frozen, stuck in place. He couldn't get out of his depressed anxious thoughts and everything, even the simplest tasks seemed exhausting. It didn't help that his parents yelled at him when this happened and told him to snap out of it. But it wasn't something he could just snap out of.
Usually, Henry would call him, or Pez and they would talk to him until he felt better, or he would leave his house to visit them or go to the library. Henry said he felt calm whenever he walked into a bookstore or library.
Alex figured it had to do with the fact that it was quiet, not crowded and you weren't expected to talk to anyone because everyone else was there to look at books too. But what made Henry an enigma though was he also loved going to comic con and musicals which were notoriously crowded and loud.
But this was a whole different situation altogether. This wasn't a fight he had with his mom or a shitty thing his dad said. This was he was no longer welcome in his house.
Henry sat up and wiped his eyes. He smiled slightly and said, "Thank you for coming."
"Of course. Always." Alex squeezed Henry's hand.
Henry squeezed back then he put his seat belt on and curled up as best he could in the car and said, "Wake up me when we get there."
Alex laughed softly "Sure thing." Glad Henry was feeling a little bit better.
Alex wasn't unfamiliar with decision paralysis or having no motivation, but he didn't really get the stuck in place feeling he more got the frantic anxiety energy. Where he couldn't sit still and would work himself into the ground and forget to eat for a whole day.
But that's where him and Henry complimented each other. Alex would hold space for Henry to feel his feelings or to just hold him when everything felt too heavy for him to bear. And Henry would calm his anxious brain reminding him that he was good and that his worth wasn't tied to his productivity and made sure he remembered to eat.
When they got to Alex's apartment, he woke Henry up. "Hey, baby we are here."
Henry opened his eyes undoing his seat belt and stretched his arms out. He smiled softly at Alex. "Where is here?"
Henry could be a little disorientated when he woke up "My apartment."
Suddenly the events of the night came back to him "Oh right." Henry said as he looked down at his bandaged hands and pajama pants. Alex put his hand on Henry's leg "Hey it's okay, I'm here, your safe."
Henry nodded. He looked over at Alex with a sad smile. He looked exhausted. Alex gave what he hoped was a comforting smile and they got out of the car together. When they got into his apartment Henry went to Alex's fridge and saw it was barren other than some coffee creamer and some odds and ends that may or may not be expired. Henry chuckled "When's the last time you went grocery shopping?"
"Hmm I don't recall, I've been busy, torts is kicking my ass."
Henry gave a sympathetic smile but then said, "I'm ordering a pizza, and a grocery delivery for tomorrow, you can't sustain yourself on coffee alone."
Alex smiled fondly at him. Then pulled him over to the couch wrapping his arms around Henry as he leaned back against Alex's chest. Getting his phone out ordering their pizza and then they bickered about the grocery order. Henry made sure he had some good protein and things he could just grab on his way out the door to class.
Alex then stole the phone and added some things for Henry. Like Earl grey tea and other comfort items. Henry tried protesting saying Alex didn't have to do that. But Alex just kissed his cheek and said I want to it's my pleasure, baby. Which made Henry blush.
It was hard to pick his favorite thing about Henry because there were so many things, he loved about him but the way he blushed so easily at affectionate words and being taken care of in the simplest ways was definitely up there on the list.