Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Alex woke to the sound of pans clanging around in the kitchen. He groaned and rubbed his eyes. He loves when his pops cooked but did he really have to be so loud about it? 

He reaches over to his bedside table to check the time, eight in the morning. On a Saturday. Groaning again, he shoves his pillow over his face. 

Eventually, he gets up to start his day. He goes through the motions of getting dressed, brushing his teeth, and fixing his curls. He throws on a red and green flannel, and makes his way downstairs. 

“Mornin’ pops, what’s for breakfast?” He asks, scoping out what his dad is cooking. 

“Mijo, goodmorning! Just eggs and bacon, don't got time to do much else. Want some?” Oscar turns to grab plates and silverware. Alex hums, walking over to the toaster and popping in a few slices for him and his dad.

Oscar gives him a list of what he needs him to do around the ranch today over breakfast. Normal things like feeding, cleaning and so on, but also rounding up the cows and turning them in. Which they usually don't do unless there's a storm coming. 

“Is there a storm headed towards us?” Alex asks, biting into his makeshift open face sandwich of eggs and bacon. 

Oscar nods, “Sure is, big one too. Saw it on the news this morning. They said we should be expecting a few inches of rain, but there might be some hail. They’re predicting the cold front to come in faster than expected.” 

Alex hums his ascent, taking away their plates and washing up. They sit on the bench together and slip into their boots. They reach and grab their hats, and head out the door together. 

The sun blinds them as they walk out, the sky clear but both of them know what kind of storm looms in the distance. 

“If it starts before we're done, finish as fast as possible and get your ass inside, you hear me? I don't need you getting another concussion from the hail, or you fallin on your ass in the stables.” Oscar finishes with a smirk and Alex rolls his eyes. They go their separate ways across the ranch. 

Alex starts in the stables, feeding the horses, cleaning up after them, and checking up on the two foals they have. Dot, who June has named, is trotting around happily as ever. While the other, Odie, seems to not be doing too well. 

“Odie?” He says, climbing into the stall. “Hey girl, you okay?” Her breathing is shallow, she lets out a soft whine when Alex checks her over. “Today of all days, huh girl?” 

Alex reaches into his back pocket, and grabs his cell to call Oscar. “Pa, Odie isn’t doin’ well. her breathing is real shallow and she won't get up.” 

“Okay, I’ll call the vet. Put her in the sick stall, and clean up that one for Dot. Be watching for the vet, I’m on the other side of the paddock with the sheep.” 

“Alright. I’ll watch out for ‘em.” Alex says, hanging up the phone. He sets up the sick stall for Odie and takes her to it, setting her down on the bed of straw. “The doctor is gonna come and fix you right up, sweet girl. Don’t you worry.” He scratches behind her ears and gets back to work. 

…𐚁… 

Alex is in the middle of feeding the pigs when he sees the vet pulling up into the driveway. He quickly dumps the rest of their food into the trough and jogs down to the driveway. 

He hears the gravel crunching under the vet’s feet before he sees them. Walking over to the other side of the truck, he sees them pulling out supplies. 

“Hey, you need help with that?” Alex asks, and the vet startles. 

“Holy shit, you scared me half to death.” He turns to him, and Alex has probably died and gone to heaven. He has never seen someone so beautiful. “Hi, I’m Henry Fox, otherwise known as Doctor Fox.” He reaches out a hand. 

Alex shakes out of his trance and shakes his hand, “Alex Claremont-Diaz, otherwise known as the best rancher in town, or a pain in the ass if it was up to my sister.” He winks at him. Henry laughs and turns back to the truck. 

“I’ve only got a few things, can you tell me about the foal I’ll be seeing today?” Henry asks, continuing to grab his supplies. He’s got this faint accent that Alex can't quite put his finger on. 

“Oh yes, her name is Odie. She’s 2 months old, about 275 pounds. She’s been normal up ‘till now. I walked into the stalls to check on ‘em and she didn't get up to greet me like she usually does. Her breathin’ was shallow and she would whine when I tried to manipulate her body.” Alex lists off, while leading Henry to the horse barn. 

Henry nods his head as Alex talks, a concerned look on his face. Alex leads them to the sick stall, where Odie is laying. 

“Here she is. She’s a good girl, she’ll do well for ya. I do gotta get back to work with this storm comin’; do ya need anything else?” Alex asks, watching as Henry squats down to take Odie’s vitals. 

“Nope, you’re good to go. I’ll holler if I need you.” Henry states, not looking back up at him. 

Alex hums, and walks over to collect Aspen, his stallion. He saddles him up, and walks him out the barn. “Alright bud, you ready for a ride?” Aspen whinnies, and his tail swishes. Alex hops on and they head to the pasture where the cows are grazing.  

…𐚁… 

Two hours later sees Alex heading back to the horse barn with Aspen. The storm clouds are rolling in faster now, the once blue sky now dark and gloomy. 

Just as they get into the barn, it starts to sprinkle. He packs Aspen into his stall, giving him fresh water and new hay. He pats him on the side and walks over to the sick stall where Henry is sat with Odie still, her head resting on his lap.

“Any idea what's going on?” Alex asks, and Henry looks up at him. 

“No, not yet. She’s definitely not feeling well. Her vitals presented abnormally, a high temperature, pale gums, and her heart rate is pretty low. I got some blood from her to bring back to the-” A loud boom of thunder interrupts him and the rain starts to come down harder. “Back to the clinic for tests. That rain is coming down hard wow.” Henry finishes, looking up at the ceiling. 

“Yeah, they said it’d get bad. Supposed to hail too.” Alex says, looking over at the small window they have in the barn. 

“Hail? Well, I should probably get going then. I gotta get back to the clinic before then and ride the storm out there.” Henry moves Odie’s head off his lap, and stands, brushing hay from his scrub pants. They both walk towards the door of the barn. “I’ll call you with results, two of the tests will take a day to process, but the others will get done today.”

Alex nods, and opens the door. Apparently he also opens the floodgates to the storm because not only does the rain come down harder, but there is hail mixed in with it too. “Oh shit, was not expecting it to happen this quickly. You could say it’s raining cats and dogs.” He looks over at Henry with a smirk. 

Henry rolls his eyes, “Ha ha. I don't know what I’m gonna do. If it just continues to get worse, I’m not gonna make it back.” 

“You can ride it out here! Just move your truck underneath the car park, just over there,” he points to a covered car park, a navy truck already parked there. “Huh, pops must’ve gone into town.” Just then, his phone starts to buzz in his pocket. “Speak of the devil.” 

“Hey pa. Yeah okay…. yeah you be safe, stay with bug till this monster of a storm goes. Yeah… Henry is gonna stay here till it passes.. the vet dad, his name is Henry.. yeah okay. Love ya too.” He hangs up and sticks his phone back into his pocket. 

“Go, park your truck. There is a side entrance to the house right next to it, use it to come inside. I’ll see ya in there.” Alex says, jogging out the barn and to the house. Avoiding getting hit by the hail. 

…🩺… 

Henry stands and watches, making sure Alex gets in the house. But also just staring. Alex is an adonis and that ass. One of the horses huffs, which snaps him out of his trance.  

He gets to the truck and pulls it into one of the free parking spots. He packs Odie’s samples into a bag and brings them with him inside. Opening the door, a dog jumps up onto him, wagging their tail and barking at him. 

“Ace! Come here, buddy. Leave poor Henry alone.” Ace whines and follows the voice. 

Henry takes in his surroundings. There are family pictures on the walls. Photos of two kids, one presumably Alex when he was much younger. His smile just as blinding then as it is now. Pictures of farm animals. 

The door he walked in leads straight into the living room and kitchen area, where Alex is leaning against the counter looking at him with a small smile. Henry huffs a laugh, and smiles back self consciously. 

“Coffee?” Alex asks, lifting his own mug up to him. 

Henry takes the last few steps to the island, “No, thank you. I’m more of a tea guy, myself.” 

“Oh, I have tea too! My sister and her wife like it in the cooler months. I never really understood it. Just tastes like hot leaf water to me.” Alex pulls open a drawer behind him, “Alright, I’ve got camamile, ginger and lemon, earl gray, something else I don't know how to pronounce. Which would you like?” He finishes, turning to smile at him. 

“Earl gray would be great, thank you.” Henry smiles, watching as Alex sets a kettle to boil on the stove. He pulls down a mug and puts the tea bag into it, setting it next to the stove. “Oh, Alex?” Alex hums, focused on what he’s doing. “Could I put Odie’s samples in your refrigerator? It helps keep them viable for longer.” 

“Yeah, go ahead! Definitely have had weirder shit in there before.” He tells him as he turns back towards him, sipping at his coffee. “So, Henry, when did you start working at our clinic?” 

“About four months ago. I’m new to Texas, and they were the first place to really welcome me with open arms.” Henry shares, walking back to his chair at the island. 

Alex turns and hands him his mug of tea. “Well, welcome to Texas. Where are you from originally? Oh do you need anything for that?” Alex says quickly. 

“Some milk would be great, thank you. I’m originally from Britain, but my father moved us to the US when I was seventeen. I moved here from California after vet school.” He tells him, grabbing onto the jug of milk when Alex slides it over to him. 

“I thought I heard an accent.” Alex smiles at him, leaning closer across the island. Henry smiles back. 

They make easy conversation. It’s odd to Henry how they can talk so easily with each other. Like how the sea meets sand, going back and forth. 

The storm finally lightens up, but only when Henry’s tea has grown cold and his mouth is dry from all the talking. 

“Well, Alex. I thank you for your hospitality, but I really must be off.” Henry states, getting up from his chair and stretching out. 

Alex has this strange look on his face, but it’s quickly replaced by a smile, “Yeah, okay. Let me walk you out.” Alex grabs Henry’s bag of samples out of the fridge, and they walk out the same side door Henry walked into two hours ago. 

Henry takes the bag from him and hops into his truck. “I’ll call you with Odie’s results tomorrow morning, yeah?” 

Alex nods, “Okay, talk to you then. Be safe.” He says as he closes Henry’s door. Ace jumps up at Alex as they walk back to the small porch at the door. 

Alex waves, smiling at him. Henry waves back, pulling out of the car port. He doesn't look back again until he’s at the end of the driveway where he can see Alex still standing at the door, looking after him. Henry shakes his head, smiling, and drives off. 

…🩺…

Chapter Text

“Hey girl! How ya feelin’?” Alex asks the foal as she walks over to him. It was two weeks later. It’s been two weeks since Alex last saw Henry. Two weeks since they started Odie on her antibiotics, and things are actually starting to look up for her. But for Alex? Well, he can't get Henry out of his head. It’s messing with him, bad. 

“How’s she doing, Alex?” Oscar says, coming into the barn after letting the other horses out to pasture. Alex is administering the last round of antibiotics before Henry comes to check on her again. 

She takes them like treats from his hand, “Better! She actually got up to greet me this morning! I think she’s gonna make a full recovery.” Alex says, hopeful. Odie is his favorite foal they’ve had. She’s spunky just like he is. Well, she usually is. “I think she just needs a few days rest and she’ll be back to normal!” 

Oscar hums, “Good, does the vet come out to recheck her today?” 

“No, he’ll come tomorrow. It’s gotta be 24 hours after the last medication was administered.” Alex states, scratching Odie behind the ears. “I’m going into town later to do some work at the center, anything you need while I’m out?” Alex asks. 

“Yeah grab a new hose for this barn, this one is looking a little dead.” Oscar says, chuckling as he notices the multiple leaks in it as he fills up the horse's water buckets. 

…𐚁… 

Walking into the children’s center, he basks in the sound of children’s laughter. He’s always loved kids. He hears the familiar British accent as Pez corrals them into a line to go outside with June. 

“Alex! Hey babes!” Pez says excitedly, throwing an arm around his shoulders and planting a sloppy kiss to his cheek.

Alex laughs, “Hey, Pez. How’re the kids today?” He asks, squeezing him to his side. 

“Good yeah! They’re super excited because there is a vet coming around to talk to ‘em today, even more excited because he’s bringing his dog with.” Pez chuckles, walking with Alex to his usual office space. 

“Well, I am gonna work on these cases, if you need anything, hollar.” Alex says, waving Pez off as he tries to kiss him on the forehead. 

He leaves the door ajar, and goes to sit at his desk. He’s welcomed by three case files. Three kids who need stability, Alex is hoping he can find something for them. 

…🩺…

Henry walks into the children’s center with David, who is wagging his tail happily. “C’mon boy, let’s go see auntie pez.” David yips at him, and leads the way. 

They find him setting up one of the main rooms, humming to the music in the background. Henry unclips David’s leash and watches as he nearly knocks Pez on his ass. He covers his mouth as he laughs. 

“Davey! Hello my boy!” Pez exclaims as he gets covered in kisses. “Hazza! How are ya!” He says, getting up off the floor, David still pattering after him. 

Henry pulls him into a tight hug, “Good, good! It feels like forever since I last saw you.” Henry smiles as Pez hugs him just as tight. 

“It has been, six months is too long, I’ll tell you.” They pull back just as a woman with long, dark curls walks in. 

“Pez, you ready for the kids?” She asks, then she looks over at Henry. “Oh! You must be Dr. Fox! The kids are so excited to meet you!” She holds out a hand, “June Claremont-Diaz, it’s great to meet you. I’ve heard so much.” 

Henry takes her hand, recognizing her last name instantly. “Please, call me Henry. It’s lovely to meet you as well.” Henry smiles at her. He studies her for a minute. Taking in her dark curls, the few faint freckles she has on her dark skin. She looks akin to Alex. A sister maybe? A cousin? Hopefully not a wife. 

“Alright Hazza, gear up! Jess is about to come in with the kids!” Pez has him sit down at the front of the classroom, and sets a cushion down for David right next to him. David settles in, sitting on the cushion and waiting, his tail wagging. 

Kids file in from outside, all giggling and talking happily. They point at David and smile, excited that there is a dog in their classroom. Henry smiles and waves at the ones who wave at him. 

“Okay, y’all find your spots.” June tells them, directing the ones who don't know where to go. Once all the kids are sat, and quiet, she gestures for him to begin. 

Henry stands to greet them, “Good afternoon, guys! I’m Dr. Fox, I’m a veterinarian. And this is David, my beagle.” Henry finishes, and releases David to say hello to the kids. He greets every one of them, all of them smiling and laughing as he gives them kisses. 

“So first, I want to answer questions before we get into our presentation.” Henry says, sitting down and watching as every single hand goes up. He laughs, and addresses one of the little girls in the second row. “Tell me your name, then you may ask away.” 

She nods, “My name is Rosalee! Do you see lots of puppies and kitties?” 

Henry smiles, “Sometimes! It just depends on the day!” He answers, choosing another kid with their hand up. 

And that’s how the first twenty minutes of the presentation goes. Who knew how many questions kids could ask? 

…𐚁…

Alex sets his last file to the side, stretching. He found placements for the siblings, but there wasn't anyone available for the little girl. He runs a hand down his face roughly. Turning to file away the siblings' cases, and keeping the little girl's file on his desk, he gets up. He checks the time on his watch, and his eyes go a bit wide. He did not realize how much time he spent going over those cases and making phone calls. 

He stifles a yawn, grabbing his satchel and heading out his office door. He walks towards the voices in the classroom, settling in the door frame. Smiling at the kids who quietly notice him and wave, he takes a mental attendance of who is here today. He looks up after taking in all the kids, not expecting his eyes to find no one other than Henry Fox. His vet. The guy he dreams about. He blinks a few times, but he’s still there. And suddenly pretty blue eyes meet his. 

Henry smiles at him, holding eye contact while continuing his presentation. Then he breaks it to dig through his bag. He hands Pez and June a bag of stuffed animals of all different kinds and they start to hand them out to the kids. Henry changes the slide to “Types of animals vets can treat”. 

There's a cold nose on Alex’s hand, he looks down to find a beagle sniffing at him. He kneels to the floor, scratching him behind the ears. 

“Hey bud,” He takes the charm on his collar into his hand, it reads ‘David Fox’. “David huh? Bit plain don't you think buddy? Do you wear business suits in your free time?” He quietly asks the dog as he wags his tail and settles next to him. 

Twenty minutes later, Henry is finishing up and packing away his things. 

One of the kids asks if they can keep the stuffed animals they were given and Henry chuckles saying that yes of course they can. Alex doesn't think he’ll ever get over that smile or his laugh or really anything about him. 

Jess takes the kids into the other room as they all thank Henry, some of them hugging him, the others asking for high fives. Alex steps in to help clean up, picking up lollipop wrappers off the rug. 

“Hey kiddo, how’d those cases go?” June asks, holding out a trash bin to him. 

Alex sighs, “I found the siblings a placement, but nobody was available for the little girl. And she’s the one I really think would benefit from being in a home. Her file says she won't talk to anyone, she barely eats, and she just sits in that room most of the day. She’s six years old, June. She shouldn’t be like that at all. I don't know what to do.” 

“A home will come for her, Alex. Don't stress too much about it.” June says, trying to comfort him. 

It doesn’t work very well, but Alex thanks her for the sentiment. 

“No one wants a little girl so stuck in her shell, I even called multiple of the fosters that take in anyone, and they said no because she’s not social. Like who does that?” Alex huffs, running a hand down his face. 

June looks at him sympathetically, “I’m sorry, kid.” 

Alex shrugs, taking the trash can from her and putting it back in its spot. Both Pez and June are now talking with Henry, he walks over to join them. 

“Alex! This is Henry, he’s a new vet in town, and my very best friend.” Pez introduces them. 

“Yeah, I know. He’s treating Odie, we’ve met.” Alex smiles, “It’s nice to see you again, Henry.” 

“You as well,” Henry smiles back. “How is Odie doing, by the way?” He asks, walking to the door with him after they say goodbye to Pez and June. 

“A lot better. She seems to be recuperating well on her meds.” Alex tells him, opening the door for him. 

Henry nods his thanks, “Good, I’ll be there around eight a.m. to do her recheck.” 

Alex flashes him a smile, “I’ll see you then. Have a good day, Henry.” He says, climbing into his truck. 

Henry smiles back, “You as well.” 

…🩺… 

Headed back to the clinic, all Henry can think about is Alex. He thinks about his blinding smile, his laugh, his hands. His hands. Henry can’t help but feel something every time they touch. 

There's this sense of connection between them. Like they’ve met in another life and are finding each other once more. Henry shakes his head, clearing his thoughts. He’s just met the man and he’s here thinking they’re long lost soulmates. 

…𐚁… 

It’s the next morning, and Alex has just woken up from the hottest dream he’s ever had. The air in the room is stifling, there’s sweat dripping down his neck, and his cock is hard. 

He turns onto his back, and slips a hand into his boxers. Taking himself in hand, he sighs at the contact. He strokes his dick leisurely at first, flashes of his dream at the forefront of his mind. 

Henry’s there, on his knees, in his bed, on top of him. He’s everywhere but with Alex. Alex can feel a phantom hand run down his body. His eyes are squeezed shut, hurtling towards his oncoming orgasm. 

Another vision of Henry flashes across his mind, his hand around Alex cock, and that’s what pushes him over the edge. He spills over his fist, his chest heaving. 

“Alex! Henry is here, I showed him to the horse barn! I’m leaving!” Oscar shouts up the stairs. A few moments later, Alex hears the front door shut. 

He groans into his bicep. How is he going to face the man he just fantasized about? He gets up, cleans himself up in his bathroom and throws on a black tank top and a pair of jeans. He rushes down the stairs and slips his boots on, grabbing an apple from the kitchen on his way out. 

Ace follows him out the door, and trots along as Alex jogs to the barn. He finds Henry listening to Odie’s chest, kneeling down to get closer to her. Alex watches him, his face heating up remembering what he just did. 

Odie notices him first, whining quietly and swishing her tail. At that, Henry looks up, a small smile blooming on his face as he makes eye contact with him. 

“Hey, sorry I wasn't down to meet you, I missed my alarm.” Alex says, scratching at the back of his neck. 

Henry hums, “That’s quite alright, your father is very kind.” He stands, giving Odie a few pats. 

“How’s she lookin’?” Alex asks, giving her his last bite of apple, which she happily chops on. He smiles at her, he hasn't seen her this awake in weeks. 

“She’s looking better, she should be able to make a full recovery. But, there is a chance she could tank again because her immune system is so weak. Just keep a close eye on her still, okay?” Henry asks, a serious lookcin his face. 

“Yeah, of course. She’s like my kid.” Alex laughs, petting her mane. 

Henry begins to pack up his things, putting away his stethoscope, and his other tools. 

Ace comes up behind Alex and jumps on the back of his legs, almost knocking him sideways in the process. Henry catches him, and helps him gain his balance back. 

“Ace! What the hell, man?” Alex asks the Border Collie as he wags his tail and smiles up at him. Alex remembers that he’s still holding onto Henry, his grip on his bicep tight, and oh. oh. He’s big. Alex’s brain short circuits. A moment later, he mumbles an apology, taking his hand off of Henry’s arm. 

There’s this soft look on Henry’s face, a small smile gracing his lips. “That’s alright. Ace, let’s not knock down the person that feeds you, yeah?” He says, looking down at him, and scratches behind his ears. 

“Well, I have to get going, I’ve got another call to get to.” Henry says, picking his bag up off the floor. 

“I’ll walk with ya. Come along, Ace.” He snaps at the dog, who got distracted by the horses. He settles by his side, following the both of them. 

“You think him and David would get along?” Alex questions as he walks with Henry towards his truck. 

Henry looks over at him and smiles, “Maybe, Davey can be a bit weird with other dogs at first. But he seems to like you, so maybe he’ll like Ace as well.” 

Alex nods, “We should let them meet one day. Also, is David a businessman… or?” 

“Whatever do you mean?” Henry asks, chuckling. 

“David is kind of a plain name.. sounds like he walks around the house in a suit and tie.” Alex explains, smiling as Henry laughs. 

“I named him after Bowie. And so what if he wears a suit and tie? He’s a very dapper man.” Henry says, defending David’s honor. 

“Why not just name him Bowie?” Alex asks, watching as Henry climbs into the truck. 

“Bit on the nose, don’t you think?” He says, winking at him. “Oh, also, instead of calling the clinic, here’s my number if something goes wrong with Odie, yeah?” Henry hands him a business card. It has Henry’s title and number, along with his clinic’s name and address, with a picture of him and David smiling at the camera. 

“Yeah okay.. I’ll text you.” Alex says, his breathing a bit shallow. His hands are clammy, his nerves are shot. He does not know what this man is doing to him. 

“Bye, Alex. Talk later, yeah?” Henry smirks at him, closing his door as Alex backs up. Alex waves as Henry backs out of the driveway. 

Alex is not going to get over this man ever. 

He heads inside the house with Ace, fixing his breakfast and setting it on the floor with him.

He puts the business card on the counter in front of him, typing Henry’s number into his phone. He spends way too long figuring out what to say. Pacing the kitchen, mentally throwing away greetings. ‘Hey’ seems too plain, but everything else seems like too much.  

(469-52*-****) 

Hey, this is Alex! 

Is what he settles on. He doesn't look at his phone until two hours later, pulling it out of his pocket while checking on the livestock dogs and giving them their meals. 

Henry :) 

Hi, Alex. :) 

Alex refuses to admit what that smiley face does to him.