Red, White & Royal Blue

At the end of January, Henry travels to D.C. for the state dinner. His face goes gray when he sees Alex, but Alex still finds him extremely attractive. After photos, they sit apart for dinner, and Alex seethes. Finally, he ropes in Nora and Amy to help him get Henry alone in the Red Room for five minutes. As soon as the door is closed behind them, Alex aggressively kisses Henry. He shoves Henry up against a portrait of Alexander Hamilton, and they make out until Amy tells them time’s up. Alex says that they’ll stay far apart for the rest of this event, but later, Henry must come to Alex’s bedroom at 11. Henry agrees.

Minutes before Henry is supposed to arrive at Alex’s bedroom, Alex paces. He’s so anxious, but he really wants to have sex with Henry. Henry knocks, a few minutes early, and says that Amy helped him find Alex’s room. They kiss, and then Alex tells Henry to sit down. He asks why Henry kissed him, ignored him, and then went out with a girl. Henry notes that he’s gay and a prince, and besides, he wasn’t sure Alex returned his feelings. Especially after Alex kissed Nora. Henry admits that he’s been attracted to Alex for a long time, and he won’t wait any longer. They make out, move to the bed, and begin to undress. Henry asks about the key around Alex’s neck, and Alex explains what it is before impatiently turning back to the task at hand.

When they’re finished, Alex and Henry snuggle. Alex, Henry observes with a smirk, is finally quiet. Then, Henry looks a bit uneasy. Alex reassures him, saying that nothing has changed—they’re still “whatever we were before, just, you know. With blowjobs”—and he’s happy to do this again. Sighing, Henry decides it’ll be best to get back to his room, so they kiss and part ways.

Two weeks later, Henry invites Alex to join him at a $10,000-per-seat charity polo match in Connecticut. Cursing at the absurdity, Alex asks Zahra to clear his schedule. June is incredulous, but Alex lies that the crown wants him to go. It’s an experience for Alex. He doesn’t know much, or care much, about polo, but Henry is clearly very good—and that’s extremely attractive. Amy begrudgingly lets Alex go find Henry, and they run into each other near the stables, surrounded by millionaires and photographers. Alex asks Henry if he’s ready to show him whatever he was going to show him, and Henry leads him into the tack room. Cursing and confused—Alex is angry, but Henry is so attractive in his riding gear—they have sex and sneak back out.

Soon after, Alex emails Henry to ask if he plans to be at the rainforest conservation fundraiser in Paris this weekend. Henry won’t be there; he’ll be at a summit on wind power in Germany. Their emails are peppered with insults and innuendos, and finally, Henry promises to try to make it to Paris.