Henry was the sort who did not jump into things. He stood on precipices and looked down at it and then the anxiety got in the way, or he stepped into the pool before jumping-- one foot in the waters to test the temperature. But there was Alex ready to jump and he was compelled to follow. Compelled because Alex was asking him to lose himself, to let go of his fear-- a hard thing indeed; but it was easy to be brave around the other guy.

Easy to be brave when one did not have all of Britain down his back.

And then he slid in closer, his fingers reaching up to caress against the fine ridge of a cheekbone.

"I like looking at you, you feral menace." and that was spoken with such sincerity, his heart slamming a race inside his chest, he could've basked in this man's warmth forever.