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The afternoon sunlight filtered softly through the bathroom windows of Kensington Palace, casting a gentle glow on the pristine tiles. The room was filled with the soothing scent of lavender, and the tub was nearly full, steam rising from the warm water. Alex stood by the bathtub, checking the water temperature with a thoughtful expression. He knew how much Henry needed this. Henry sat on a nearby stool, looking small and vulnerable. The pressures of royal life had been relentless lately, and Alex had noticed Henry slipping more frequently into his age regression, a trauma response that helped him cope with overwhelming stress. Today, it had been particularly bad, and Henry had retreated into his childlike state.
"Alright, love, the bath is ready," Alex said softly, approaching Henry with a warm smile. "Let’s get you in, okay?" Henry looked up at Alex with wide, innocent eyes, nodding slightly. He reached out with a tiny, trembling hand, and Alex took it gently, helping him out of his clothes. Once undressed, Alex carefully lifted Henry into the warm bath, watching as he shivered slightly before settling into the soothing water. "There we go," Alex murmured, his voice soft and comforting. He knelt by the tub, his hand resting on Henry’s arm. "You’re safe now, sweetheart. I’m right here."
Henry’s eyes met Alex’s, a flicker of trust and relief passing between them. He leaned back in the tub, his body relaxing in the warmth. Alex reached for a soft washcloth and some mild soap, lathering it gently before starting to wash Henry’s back with slow, soothing strokes. "Does that feel good, Henry?" Alex asked, his tone tender. Henry nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Yes, Daddy," he whispered, his voice small and childlike. Alex’s heart swelled with love and protectiveness at the term. It was rare for Henry to use it, but when he did, Alex knew it meant he felt safe and cared for. "Good," Alex replied, his voice gentle. "Daddy’s got you. You’re safe."
As Alex continued to wash Henry, he talked softly about their favorite memories. "Remember our trip to the little beach house last summer? Just the two of us, away from everything. It was so peaceful." Henry nodded, his eyes closing as he listened. "The water was so clear," he murmured, a hint of a smile on his lips. "Yeah, it was," Alex agreed, his heart warming at the memory. "And we had that amazing picnic on the beach. You made those little sandwiches." Henry giggled softly, the sound light and innocent. "They were all crooked." Alex said "They were perfect," leaning in to kiss Henry’s forehead. "Just like you." Henry’s smile grew, his eyes remaining closed as he leaned into Alex’s touch. Alex continued to wash him, moving to his arms and then his legs, taking his time to ensure Henry felt safe and cared for. The intimacy of the moment, the trust and love between them, created a bubble of peace in the otherwise turbulent world they inhabited.
Once Henry was clean, Alex reached for a cup and gently poured water over his hair, rinsing away the soap. Henry tilted his head back, his eyes closed, a look of pure contentment on his face. Alex couldn’t help but smile, his heart full of love for the man he was so deeply connected to. "All done," Alex said softly, setting the cup aside and reaching for a fluffy towel. He helped Henry out of the tub, wrapping the towel around him and rubbing him dry with gentle, soothing strokes. Henry looked up at Alex, his eyes clear and full of trust. "Thank you, Daddy," he whispered, his voice still tinged with the innocence of his regressed state. Alex cupped Henry’s face in his hands, his thumbs brushing away a stray drop of water. "Always, Henry. Daddy’s always here for you."
He helped Henry into a comfortable robe and led him back to the bedroom, where he had laid out some fresh clothes. As Henry dressed, Alex made sure the room was cozy and inviting, turning down the bed and fluffing the pillows. Henry climbed into bed, and Alex joined him, pulling the blankets up around them. He wrapped his arms around Henry, holding him close as they lay together. Henry snuggled into Alex’s chest, his breathing slow and even. As they drifted off to sleep, the sun setting outside casting a warm glow over the room, Alex whispered, "I love you, Henry. We’ll get through this together." Henry’s hand found Alex’s, their fingers intertwining. "I love you too, Daddy," he murmured, his voice soft and content. In the quiet of the evening, wrapped in each other’s arms, they found solace and strength. No matter what challenges lay ahead, they knew they had each other, and that was enough.
As the evening settled into night, the quiet of Kensington Palace enveloped them like a protective cocoon. Alex Claremont-Diaz lay awake, listening to the steady rhythm of Henry’s breathing. He gently traced circles on Henry’s back, the motion calming both of them. Henry’s head rested on Alex’s chest, his body relaxed and peaceful in sleep. Alex’s mind drifted back to the day’s events, the way Henry had looked at him with such trust and vulnerability. The weight of his love for Henry settled heavily on his chest, a reminder of the responsibility he carried. He knew that being there for Henry meant more than just providing comfort; it meant being his anchor in the storm, the steady presence he could always rely on.
The next morning, Alex woke to the soft light of dawn filtering through the curtains. Henry was still asleep, his face serene. Alex carefully slipped out of bed, not wanting to wake him, and headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. He wanted to make something special for Henry, something that would remind him of their time together, free from the burdens of their public lives.
As he whisked pancake batter, Alex hummed a the bluey theme tune (it had been playing almost non-stop for 2 days) , the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. He thought about the beach house and the crooked sandwiches, the laughter and love they had shared. It was these moments that anchored them, the simple acts of love and care that built a foundation strong enough to withstand the world’s pressures.
When breakfast was ready, Alex returned to the bedroom with a tray. Henry was just waking up, his eyes fluttering open to the sight of Alex standing there with a warm smile and a tray full of food. "Good morning, love," Alex said, setting the tray down on the bed. "I made us breakfast." Henry sat up, a sleepy smile spreading across his face. "Morning, Daddy," he murmured, the endearing term causing Alex’s heart to swell. He reached for a piece of toast, his eyes lighting up at the sight of the pancakes. "You made my favorite." Alex replied "Of course," sitting down beside him. "I thought we could have a cozy morning in bed. Just the two of us, and Jon of course" Henry leaned into Alex, his head resting on his shoulder. "That sounds perfect," he said softly.
They ate breakfast together, sharing stories and laughter, the morning sun casting a warm glow over them. Alex could see the tension melting away from Henry’s shoulders, replaced by a sense of calm and contentment. It was in these quiet, intimate moments that their love felt most powerful, a force that could carry them through any storm. After breakfast, Alex helped Henry get dressed, choosing comfortable clothes that would keep him relaxed. They spent the day lounging in the palace gardens, enjoying the fresh air and each other’s company. Alex could see the light returning to Henry’s eyes, the weight of his responsibilities momentarily forgotten.
As the day turned into evening, they returned to their rooms, where Alex ran another warm bath for Henry. This time, Henry insisted that Alex join him, and they settled into the tub together, the warm water and lavender scent enveloping them in tranquility. Henry rested his head against Alex’s chest, his fingers tracing patterns on Alex’s arm. "Thank you, Daddy," he whispered, his voice filled with love. Alex kissed the top of Henry’s head, holding him close. "Always, Henry. I’ll always be here for you." They stayed in the bath until the water began to cool, then dried off and climbed into bed. Wrapped in each other’s arms, they found solace and strength in their love, knowing that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.
In the quiet of the night, with Henry’s steady breathing beside him, Alex closed his eyes and whispered, "I love you, Henry. We’ll get through anything together." Henry’s hand found Alex’s, their fingers intertwining once more. "I love you too, Daddy," he murmured, his voice soft and content. And as sleep claimed them both, they knew that their love, built on trust and care, would carry them through the darkest of times and into the light.