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“Hen, do you think you’d still love me if we were both sharks? Can sharks even be gay? I know there’s gay penguins but, like, are there gay sharks? Henrryyy!”
No one can say Alex doesn’t know how to get his boyfriends attention. One can say that Alex has a bit of an ADHD problem, but Alex would probably beat them to it. Not that any of this does anything to dissuade his boyfriend of two years. The one who’s standing by with an amused smile on his face watching his idiot work himself into a stupor about the sexual orientation of carnivorous fish.
“Alex, love, we’ve talked about this. I promise I’d love you even if we were sharks. And if there’s no gay sharks before us, we can be the first and make our own history” Henry says, his voice cracking ever so slightly over the last word. Its been two years to the incident that was ‘Henry’s forced outing’ and his subsequent ‘history making’ with Alex.
Wordlessly, Alex squeezes Henry’s hand which has been joined with his since they got to the aquarium.
“I think we’d make a great shark couple baby. Like Roy & Silo but of the fish world instead. You can still be royalty and rule the oceans and eat your grandmother if she pisses you off” Alex states with a firm nod of his head, as though affirming that its a completely normal reaction to plan the murder via cannibalism of your homophobic bitch of a grandmother. Who may or may not also be the Queen of England.
* * *
A lazy Saturday morning of them cuddling on their couch, curled under their blanket and watching David Attenborough talk through the wonders of the seas led the boys to this exact moment. While Henry nursed his steaming cup of Earl Grey and Alex was on his (miraculously) first cup of coffee they were resuming their last viewed episode of their most recent binge watching run. Hyper-fixated over his new modules of environmental law and maritime law, Alex’s brain decided that he needed to know literally everything possible about the seas, including its many inhabitants.
“You know, we do have an aquarium not too far away from us. If you want, we could go see some of these things in person. I know you connect better with material when you have visuals darling” Henry remarks, looking over at his boyfriend glued to the narration of dolphins working in groups to entrap schools of fish.
Alex’s responding smile and shining eyes reflect, rather evidently, how much he liked the idea as well as the thought his boyfriend put into it. If he followed that up by sinking to his knees in front of the couch and showing Henry just how much he liked it? — Then well, good thing its a Saturday. And if a short while later Henry returned the favour by bending Alex over their couch and working him open with his fingers and mouth until he’s a sobbing mess, and then roughly fucking him until he’s both sated and silent? — Then well, its a good thing tomorrow is a Sunday and they have no imminent plans.
Once they’ve cleaned up in the shower, engaged in some further filthy sex in said shower, and cleaned up once again, they curl up on their bed and discuss the aquarium visit, planning it for the next weekend that works through Alex’s classes and Henry’s packed schedule. While Alex has started his final year of law school, Henry has been juggling his time between his Royal engagements and responsibilities, Pez’s LGBTQ+ shelter, and the memoir he started writing.
It was the combined suggestion of his therapist, family and Alex post their Letter-gate fiasco that Henry start journalling to process all the (many) emotions he was experiences. Eventually, he realised that if he can’t prevent his story being out there, then he wants the most honest version of it to at least exist. Since then, Henry has been working on converting his journal into an actual memoir for publishing. Its been a slow but very cathartic experience, and it allows him to have flexibility around Alex’s schedule and cater to David’s irresistible puppy eyes for walks in the park every few hours.
* * *
The next weekend has the boys heading to the New York Aquarium, light-heartedly arguing over whether sharks or dolphins are more evil — “Sharks, Henry, are fighters and survivors. Dolphins are just evil assholes!” — and whether sea lions are more or less adorable than penguins — “Penguins are nature’s weird cross section of birds and wishes Alex! Its unnatural! Sea lions are overgrown puppies who just want to play around and that’s adorable!”.
Thanks to Alex’s ADHD-led list making, and Henry’s advance purchase of tickets, they have a clear agenda for the day. The start with the conservation hall, which is best because Alex spends a considerable amount of time pouring over the details of conservationist efforts being carried out and wondering whether he has any time in his already packed schedule (he does not) to volunteer with them.
“Darling, you can contribute by focusing on your studies, and one day you’ll be able to help everyone you want, okay? Lets just go walk around for now” Henry says, as he finally manages to steer Alex toward the Glover’s Reef, with the rays, aquatic snakes and various smaller fish.
“Henry, do you think Harry could talk to the aquatic snakes as well, given he was a Pareselmouth? Would he have to be underwater to talk to them? Would the snakes be able to hear him over water?”
“Alex, darling, breathe. If you go by the books, technically the mermaids could hear underwater, so possibly snakes could as well. Harry could use the bubblehead charm and talk to them, and yes, they ideally should be able to hear him since they’re just snakes. However, you are neither Harry Potter, nor a parseltongue, so I must insist you refrain from sticking your head in the water!”
Eventually, they make their way to the sea cliffs and Henry is able to fawn over the sea lions, even going so far as to make cooing noises like he would to David. Alex thinks its adorable, of course, and snaps off a quick video before joining him.
“H, I don’t think anyone ever says fish-y jokes to them right? Its probably about them? How about I do it!?”
“Darling, what are you talking about?”
“Puns baby! There’s a whole world of good old American puns for every occasion, and I have done my research for this trip. I was gonna bug you with them, but then I thought, no one ever thinks to say these to the … Animals? Fish? Pinnipeds! Sea lions are pinnipeds. Yeah, no one thinks to say these to them do they?”.
“Sweetheart, do you want to regale …” squinting at the information chart, Henry reads out “… Quint the otter and Halftime the sea lion with marine-life themed puns?”
“That’s exactly what I’m gonna do!”
* * *
The rest of the day goes something like this.
“Hey Quint (the sea otter), you’re super cute! There’s no otter like you"
“Guac and Ginger (the nurse sharks), I think y’all are jaws-ome!”
“H, What did the shark plead in court? Gill-ty”
“Here’s my advice Charlie (the smooth-hound shark): Take a bite out of life!”
“Potato (the guinea-fowl pufferfish), there’s no-fin I wouldn’t do for you”
“I don’t know if I can trust you Luci (the hawksbill sea turtle). You could spill all my sea-crets”
“Its offish-ial Bolt (the African penguin)! You’re the coolest boy ever”
“Squirt (the giant pacific octopus), you octupi a special place in my heart”
* * *
By the time they’re done with their day, Henry’s cheeks hurt from how hard he’s smiling, and he’s had to stop himself of jumping Alex at least five times. In his defence, Alex’s goofy grin every time he delivered one of his fish-y dialogues and the mirth in his eyes was an image that had seared itself into Henry’s brain. Especially since every time he made a joke, he’s turn to look over his shoulder and stare fondly at Henry’s reaction. It took all of his willpower to not smash their faces together and kiss the wide smile off Alex’s face.
Eventually though, they’ve eaten in the Seaside Cafe and are walking home, hand in hand and talking about all the adorable things they saw. Alex leans his head onto Henry’s shoulder and burrows his face into his arm, whispering out a soft “Best date yet. Thank you H”.
* * *
Once they’re done changing for bed, Henry’s steaming his nightly cup of tea when Alex comes over and drops his chin onto his boyfriend’s shoulder.
“I had one more I didn’t get to say yet. Baby, are you a sea lion? Because I see you lion in my bed tonight”
Henry just about cracks a rib, as he throws his head back laughing, the grin on his face reflecting his absolute adoration for his boyfriend’s antics. After, he hauls Alex over his shoulder and shows him just how good it can be to have Henry is his bed. Once they’re done, Henry can’t help but whisper to a breathless Alex on how much he resembles a starfish — all spread out on their bed.
All Alex can breathe out with his barely-there energy is a “Baby, you are the absolute best catch of my life”.
* * *
End.