Chapter Text
Taylor slowly emerged from a deep and dreamless slumber, his senses gradually returning to him. His eyes fluttered open, but the sight that greeted him was anything but familiar. Instead of the cozy familiarity of his own bed, he found himself reclining in what could only be described as a massive, luxurious bed. It was as if he were lying on a cloud, a sea of softness that cradled him, likely made of silk or something equally extravagant. The initial sensation was one of unparalleled comfort, but as he began to regain his senses, a creeping unease gnawed at him.
Panic set in when he realized he wasn't alone in this sumptuous bed. His heart began to race as he turned his head and saw the form of a man lying beside him. The man's peaceful, slumbering expression contrasted starkly with the whirlwind of confusion and anxiety churning within Taylor. The man was none other than Nick Galitzine, his co-star from "Red, White & Royal Blue." Taylor's mind raced to the last time he had seen Nick, which was during their brief encounter at the Oscar Musume red carpet.
The question echoed in Taylor's mind, each word tinged with mounting panic: How on earth had they ended up butt-naked in bed together? He tried to piece together the events leading up to this bewildering moment. His last memory was being on a flight bound for London, scheduled to attend fashion week. Fatigue had overtaken him during the long journey, and he must have dozed off on the plane. Amidst the chaos and disorientation that followed his awakening, Taylor marveled at his own ability to remain composed and silent, resisting the urge to scream like a teenager encountering such a bizarre situation. Carefully, he maneuvered himself into a sitting position without rousing the man beside him, who continued to snore peacefully.
As Taylor surveyed his surroundings, he couldn't help but notice that everything was peculiarly out of place. Nick, or rather the man who looked like Nick, appeared entirely different. His hair was now blond, a stark contrast to the black-brown locks Taylor remembered. The distinctive gap in Nick's eyebrow, a characteristic feature Taylor had always associated with him, was no longer there. Instead, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the character he had played in "RWRB," Prince Henry.
Taylor's gaze wandered around the room, and it suddenly dawned on him where he was. He was in a bedroom that eerily resembled the "Kensington Palace" set from the movie, where Prince Henry lived. But there was something undeniably different about it. During the filming, the production team had been constrained by budget limitations, resulting in the use of relatively cheap furniture and materials. They had done a commendable job creating the illusion of opulence, but now, Taylor could feel the opulence itself. He was lying on an extravagantly expensive bed, surrounded by furnishings that screamed luxury.
As Taylor got lost in his thoughts, his preoccupation rendered him oblivious to the stirring of the man beside him. Without opening his eyes, the man reached out, encircling Taylor's midsection and gently pulling him back onto the bed. Taylor's startled response was a mixture of shock and bewilderment.
"What in the world!?" he exclaimed, caught off guard as he found himself nestled against the man's chest. He made an ineffectual attempt to free himself, but the man, who Taylor had presumed to be Nick, proved to be unexpectedly strong. Before Taylor could voice his protest, the man began nuzzling his curls and planting kisses on his cheek, tracing a delicate path down to his neck, where he applied a gentle, tantalizing suction.
Taylor's composure shattered, and he realized that he needed to put a stop to this before things escalated any further. "Nick! Stop!" he raised his voice slightly, yet still kept it soft, a reflection of his internal turmoil. Panic and confusion swirled within him as he desperately thought, "There must be some misunderstanding."
Henry, for that was the man's real name, suddenly snapped his eyes open in shock. His firm grip on Taylor's waist slackened as he saw Taylor's face, contorted in distress. However, his hands on Taylor's waist tightened once more.
"That's a good one, Alex. You got me," Henry chuckled, burying his face in the crook of Taylor's shoulder. "And what's with the name? Nick? Seriously? Try to be more creative next time."
But instead of the expected laughter from 'Alex,' Henry sensed the tension radiating from Taylor. He pulled back, looking at Taylor with genuine concern etched across his features. "Are you alright, Alex? You've been acting weird since you woke up."
Taylor hesitated before responding. "Is this a prank, Nick?" he asked, attempting to force a nervous laugh.
"I thought you were the one pranking me?" Henry's concern deepened. "Alex? What's going on? Who is Nick?"
"You're Prince Henry," Taylor stated lightly.
"Yes, darling. Who else would I be?" Henry replied playfully. "Did you hit your head or something? Should I call a doctor?"
In that moment, something clicked in Taylor's mind. It was an absurd notion, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he might be trapped in a surreal dream. He sighed and placed a reassuring hand on Henry's shoulder, giving it a comforting squeeze before breaking the surreal news. The physical contact was meant to anchor the prince, who seemed to be growing increasingly distressed.
"Listen, Henry. This may be hard to believe, but I need you to trust me, okay?"
"Okay," Henry responded hesitantly.
"I am not Alex Claremont-Diaz. In fact, I don't think I'm from this world," Taylor stated matter-of-factly, maintaining a serious expression.
Silence descended upon them, broken only by Henry's incredulous response, "What?!"