I will

rise up

in spite of the ache

The breakup had not been mutual. Henry had never wanted to end the relationship with Sterling, not once. But life didn't ask him what he wanted and Sterling most certainly hadn't taken his desires into consideration. The mistakes with Malia, they were just that... mistakes. The only reason it had happened at all was because he had truly thought Sterling was dead. Malia was a way to numb the pain he was feeling. If he had known that Sterling was still alive, he most certainly would have fallen into his arms instead of Malia's.

So when Henry said that he would take care of Sterling, he meant it...every single word. He supposed he expected Sterling to be a little shocked, but he hadn't thought the man would be so dismissive of his offer to care for him. At the statement that he was no longer Sterling's problem anymore, he sighed. He put down the wooden spoon as he looked up to Sterling. "But I still love you...and that will never change." Some days, he hated how much he loved Sterling. He wished he could just write him off and move on. But that was not the case. Henry loved Sterling with every cell in his body. Even if Sterling rejected him a dozen times, he was certain that he would never stop loving him. That love is what made him eager to help. He couldn't just stand back and let Sterling drown financially.

Picking up the spoon again, he continued to stir the sauce, smelling the delicious flavors that seemed to fill the kitchen. He spoke of his frustration about whoever ate the bat in China, not really expecting it to be a pillar of conversation. And yet, it was. "I heard it on the news...though I'm not sure how true it is." He shrugged. No matter what caused this virus to be unleashed on the world, it could fuck off.

With the pasta done, Henry turned off the stovetop burners and drained the noodles. He dished some on two plates and then covered them with sauce. Setting the plates aside, he grabbed a pot holder and pulled the bread from the oven. "Garlic or cheese?" On his own plate, he put one piece of garlic and one piece of cheese bread.

Once Sterling had given his order, Henry handed Sterling his plate and a fork so he could eat his meal on the bar. Henry took his to the table. Opening the fridge, he grabbed himself a beer. "Do you want something to drink?" He had a feeling he might select a beer, so already he was pulling out two beers from the fridge.

Henry Tudor

I will rise a thousands times again