"Was that a genuine compliment?" It was Alex's turn to tease. For all that the affection they felt for each other as their friendship grew was obvious, they also had always tended to wrap it in traded barbs, as if that somehow made it more acceptable for it to exist, if its edges were slightly sharp.

Here they were though, and Alex wasn't feeling sharp-edged. He was feeling like Henry was the only other person who existed, despite the dancefloor full of people, despite the extravagant gala going on around them. The music slowed and they slowed, and Alex gravitated closer.

He gave a little nod, like he'd come to some internal conclusion. "I think so too. All we really know that we have is right here and now. So... let's make sure we don't waste it."