firstprinceofhearts

[firstprinceofhearts]

So, I have access to the movie for the first time in a while, and though I don't have time to watch the whole thing right now, I thought I'd skim through a few highlights just for funsies.

Needless to say, I quickly ended up here...

And I don't even know if I mentioned this previously, because it's been ages since I last posted, but I love how you can almost see Henry's brain re-engaging after he pulls away from that last kiss. Probably internally yelling something along the lines of 'What did I just say? Casual, my arse.'

[firstprinceofhearts]

Just had a thought (which I may have had before, but if I did I don't remember, so I'm sharing it again)... Alex knows Henry's just a teensie bit stressed during this whole meeting, and he's already seen Henry go to play with his ring only to recall he doesn't have it any more... So here Alex is, letting Henry play with the ring, even though it's still on his own finger 🥹

[firstprinceofhearts]

[firstprinceofhearts]

The sixth floor turned out to be quite the disappointment... 😂

[Photo taken on the ground floor of Printemps Homme, Paris]

[firstprinceofhearts]

Happy new year!

[firstprinceofhearts]

Having never really given it much thought, I always sort of assumed that Henry's pause was to think of an answer, and the smile that follows simply a reaction to his imagined life, only then I actually thought about it and I realised...

Henry already knew the answer, because of course he did. He's miserable, trapped in a world where he has to hide away all the parts of him that truly make him who he is. He knows exactly what he would be, given half a chance, only no one ever asks. Or, at least, if someone had asked him before, it was undoubtedly in an interview where he'd have had to lie through his teeth and give a palace approved response.

And sure, Henry prompted the conversation with his own question, but Alex still took the bait, still cared enough to ask Henry back and give him the chance to answer, to say it out loud and expose this little part of his heart to someone else.

It's still bittersweet, because it is and, at this point in his life, he believes it always will be, an unattainable fantasy, but at least, for once, he gets to share it with someone outside his tiny inner circle of Bea & Pez. And not just anyone either, someone who matters, who won't dismiss him or assume he's joking. He gets to tell someone who he is and have them hear him.

No wonder he smiles.

[firstprinceofhearts]

Every year for my best friend's birthday I design her a card. Every year I end up putting more time and effort into making it, aiming for something that will make her both smile and swoon and, whilst it is always 100% worth it, it is getting a little out of hand at this point.

I spent weeks planning this and hours watching youtube clips to find the perfect screencaps to use (such a hardship, truly), but I'm pretty chuffed with how it came out so now that I've given it to her, I thought (with her permission) that I'd share it here too!

[firstprinceofhearts]

Did anyone else notice the glint of metal around Henry's neck when he sits up in bed that fateful morning after the leak?

It's an incredibly short scene, he's wearing a high-neck t-shirt that almost entirely hides it, so much so that it's only even visible for a couple of frames, but still, Alex's key is right there and I fuckin' love that level of attention to detail.

(Also, look how fluffy he is!)

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Now this is what I call top class room service 😂😍

[firstprinceofhearts]

*poke* Fucking notice me! *poke*

[firstprinceofhearts]

Ok, ao3, I've dragged my feet long enough.

It is well past time for me to dive in at the deep end...

(And if I can fix my writer's block while I'm at it, all the better)

[firstprinceofhearts]

Is this the stupidest, weirdest thing to get hung up on? Yes, probably.

Do I care? No, no I do not.

The way Alex's hair catches just that tiny little bit on Henry's, though...

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Staying over at my bestie's, which means that for one night only I've got my boys back 😁😍

[firstprinceofhearts]

I made this for Henry's hand, because I love the way he can't even keep his hand out of Alex's hair for long enough to properly support himself...

Only, the more I watch it, the more I can't take my eyes off Alex's hand. Especially at the end when he just fuckin' grabs.

[firstprinceofhearts]

I know I just posted about this scene the other day, but I'm allowed, alright?!

So... The dance in the V&A. Their faces. All the emotion.

I love how Alex smiles to himself. Henry can't see, it's all for him, but he came so close to losing this and now look. Sure, they still have stuff to work out, it's not all going to be smooth sailing, but he's got his baby in his arms again and for now that's all he needs to be truly content.

And then there's Henry, who's been so scared for so long, but somehow he's still here in Alex's arms. He pushed and pushed and Alex still didn't budge, still didn't let him go, and he still can't quite believe it, but somehow here he is, dancing in the arms of the man he loves, who loves him back, and he can't believe it, but he's trying.

[firstprinceofhearts]

I just wanted to stop by and tell you that I love LOVE your Hands post! I really enjoy reading them and all of them are so spot on. This is the first time I've seen characters convey so much thru' just their hands... From the "longing to touch but can't' scene in the Paris cafe to their hands in the Paris hotel room... Brilliant! Every little scene, every little gesture. Brilliant

I'm glad you're enjoying them! I am admittedly starting to struggle just a little bit to find new things to comment on (and I can only make gifs from the footage I can find on YouTube), but the movie is a treasure trove of HANDS content and I'm not done yet!

[firstprinceofhearts]

I know they're not technically in the same room in this scene, but the way Henry is looking at Alex is still the fucking cutest.

Besides, now I'm just picturing Henry lying in bed on his own imagining Alex next to him, and since it's only in his head and no one can really see him, let alone Alex himself, he can look at him exactly how he wants to and no one need ever know.