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Kensington Palace was a cold place ever since the leak. Philip roamed the halls like a fat show hog, Bea tried to support everyone the best she could and Henry barely left his room. The limited contact with Alex was taking a toll on him. He loved his sister and mother dearly and if he looked deep into his heart he probably loved his brother a bit as well, but his new 'man of the house' act was really starting to piss Henry off. Demanding no non-emergency contact with the outside world hurt Henry deeply. He loathed his brother's stuck up attitude but he could do nothing.
On the other side of the globe Alex felt similar, his sister and his mother tried desperately to reason with him that trying to contact Henry or even fly to see him was a terrible idea but he was having none of it. He needed to see Henry and he would even if it meant going against the president's and the king's wishes. Once finally getting a hold of Henry through Zarha's emergency phone he knew what he had to do.
He marched over over to the airfield and convinced one of the pilot to take him to England he doesn't even know how. Alex is completely running on coffee and his need to see Henry he hasn't slept more that 7 hours in the last 2 days but he didn't care he needed to see Henry, needed to hug him, needed to hold him. The plane took off and Alex immediately felt a weight lift off his shoulders (not just because he was in the air literally) he knew he was on the way to see his love.
It was pouring it down as they landed, fitting weather for this dreary time. Alex arrived to the palace soaking but he didn't care. Pez opened the door he saw Alex and he burst into tears rambling on about how he thinks something is really wrong with Henry. Alex manages to calm him down finally getting him to speak slow enough to understand him as they walk towards the prince and princess' shared music room. "Alex, it's really bad, I went in before to try and coax Henry into eating something or going to bed and when I went in he was sat on the floor curled up sucking his thumb. He couldn't talk to me properly and was mumbling when I tried to ask him what was wrong or what had happened he started balling his eyes out."
Alex and Pez picked up their speed before bursting into the music room. Bea was sat with Henry on the sofa he was calm and babbling away. Pez saw the situation had subsided and turned on his heel to attend to someone calling his name. Alex approached slowly watching as Henry was sat on the sofa giggling at the TV that seemed to be playing Bluey? Henry hummed along to the theme tune holding a stuffed teddy bear and some messy colouring discarded on the table. He stood there mouth agape. Bea turned around and tried not to disturb Henry as she got up and came over to Alex.
Bea spoke first "He seems much happier now, I asked him what he wanted to eat so I ordered that and some water it should be coming soon so we'll just have to wait. Are you doing ok?" His mouth still agape "Bea... Help me out here, love. What is going on?" He asking louder tone than he thought causing Henry to whip his head around "Ales" He cried out reaching out his arms for him. When Alex didn't mean Henry lowered his arms disappointed and started crying again. Bea rushed to him "Hen? Oh little one it's ok. Alex just needs a minute. Look at this pretty colouring you have done, wow. Can you do another one for me?" Henry's attention imediately turned to the colouring book as he began to colour again completely forgetting about Alex being there
Bea got up again and turned back to Alex "I thought Henry would have told you about this." Alex shakes his head still confused "What your seeing is age regression, when someone feels very stressed or overwhelmed by the adult world they like to regress back to being younger and having a younger state of mind. Henry I would estimate is about 3 here as he can talk just not very much. It's not your usual run of the mill coping skill but he likes it and I like looking after him. Littles tend to need a caregiver when they are in this state of mind." Alex nods but still feels confused.
A butler knocks on the door and Bea answers taking the tray of apple slices, biscuits and milk from him and bringing them into the room grabbing a small blue sippy cup and matching plastic plate and placing the food and drink accordingly. She then walks over to Alex "Do you want to give them to him?" Alex is a little hesitant but nods taking the food. With Bea walking close behind Alex approached Henry pausing the TV "Hey man, do you want something to eat?" he said in a weird voice and with weird nicknames Henry didn't like he pouted a bit and turned away. Bea taped Alex on the shoulder "You have to talk to him like he's a kid, otherwise he feels like your forcing him to be older" Alex nods and tries again "Hey little one, how about we get some snacks in that little tummy of your?" Henry giggles and claps his hands and oh my god it's the cutest thing he has ever seen. Alex places the plate in front of him and lets Henry go to town. The regal prince was out the window now replaced by an adorable little guy just happy to be putting some stuff in his belly.
Alex felt oddly comfy with Henry as a little around him. He never thought he was good with kids but I think he's just proven himself wrong. Henry sat there in Alex's old hoodie that was too big for him and some worn down grey joggers was so adorable. He loved his boyfriend and he couldn't believe soon he would be moving in with this bundle of joy.
Once Henry had finished his plate of food he was covered in chocolate from the Jaffa cakes all around his mouth. "Aw little guy, shall we get you cleaned up? You’re a messy eater aren't you?" he tease. Henry put on a big pout even as Alex grabs his hand and guides him to the bathroom "Baby don't pout at me, let's clean that adorable little pout of yours" Henry giggled as Alex struggled with the soap. Once his face was clean Henry look up at Alex "D..D..Da... Ales hugges?" He asks reaching out his arms Alex is shocked for a second but accepts the hug "Buddy, did you wanna call me Daddy?" Alex asks calmly as Henry pulls away from the hug and nods sheepishly reaching for his dummy sad when he realizes he dropped it. A weak tear comes to him eye and Alex quickly squats down next to him, cupping his face in his hand rubbing the tears away "No, little one, no need to cry, Daddy likes it when his little boy is happy" he says calmly grabbing his hand "How about we go find you pacifier and a stuffy?" Henry nods his head enthusiastically.
Now back in the music room, Henry leads Alex over to the table where all this stuffies are. "Dis, Fank" he says pointing to a small stuffed beagle (Bea later explains that their actual beagle David is name after David Bowie so this one is name Frank after Frank Sinatra). He also has a tiger called Eli, a dolphin called Dolly and a octopus called Jeremy. Henry giggles and babbles as he shows Alex his whole collection. After a quick story with Bea, Henry falls asleep soundly resting on Alex peacefully, Bea says he has barely slept the past few days, Alex laughs and relates so Bea leaves them. Before nodding off Alex adds "Sleep sounds my prince, Daddy loves you" humming a lullaby and kissing his head softly.
4 months later...
All the press had settled down from the leak, Alex and Henry were set to move in together into their brownstone over the next few days. Alex had come to KP with Henry to say goodbye to his family and help him with the rest of his stuff that he didn't trust movers with like his Dad's old movie posters. As he waved bye to Bea and Catherine in the driveway of the palace he could sense Henry's sadness but knew he was excited to start this new chapter in his life with Alex.
As they pulled up to the airfield and loaded all their bags onto the plane got comfy and sorted out David, Alex's phone pings a text from Bea...
Henry's Little Space Need-Want-No list
Need
Cuddly toy (usually carries it with him, will melt down without)
Snack (struggles with asking for in infant headspace, apple and peanut butter best option then)
Dummy (ages 7 and below, he drops it constantly so chain required)
Nap (always tired afterwards out in seconds if read story)
Childlike nicknames (little one, little guy, kiddo, buddy)
Want
Sugary Snack (do NOT give is had meltdown or on verge of meltdown, not before nap)
Television Show (Bluey is best bet, if not then any cartoon)
Nickname for CG
Comfy Clothes (will look for comfy clothes but can regress without)
No
Usual nicknames (dude,bro,man, HRH all associated with being in a usual headspace)
Sexual acts (anything done with the intent to take him to bed, too vulnerable)
Crockery (glass/china plates will be smashed in fustration if melts down, plastic advised extra happy H if got characters on)