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Philippe woke up to the soft rays of morning light streaming through the curtains. His hand instinctively reached out for Edgar, ready to pull him closer for a few more minutes of warmth, expecting the familiar feel of his partner’s body next to him before they had to face the day. But something was off. The body he pulled close didn’t feel right—too small, too light.
There, lying next to him, was Edgar. But not the Edgar he knew. This Edgar was tiny—no more than five years old, with chubby cheeks, wide blue innocent eyes, and a head full of brown messy hair that looked far too big for his small frame. Philippe’s heart skipped a beat, confusion washing over him as he tried to make sense of the situation.
“Edgar?” Philippe whispered, his voice filled with disbelief.
The little boy blinked up at him, those familiar blue eyes staring curiously at Philippe. But instead of the playful smirk or the teasing comment Philippe expected, the child simply tilted his head and smiled shyly. “Uncle Philippe?”
Philippe’s mind raced. How could this be happening? Just last night, Edgar had been his usual self—teasing, affectionate, and very much an adult. Yet here he was, somehow transformed into a child, seemingly with no memory of who he really was. Despite the shock, Philippe quickly realized that he had to take care of this child version of Edgar. “Uh… yes, Edgar. I’m here. How do you feel, kiddo?”
Little Edgar giggled, oblivious to Philippe’s internal turmoil. “I’m good, Uncle Philippe! What are we doing today?”
Philippe forced a smile, trying to hide his panic. “Well, first we need to get you dressed. You can’t go around in pajamas all day, can you?”
Edgar nodded enthusiastically, bouncing out of bed with a burst of energy that made Philippe’s heart ache with nostalgia. He quickly rummaged through his closet, finding some clothes that his nephew had left behind during a recent visit. They were a bit big on Edgar, but they would do for now.
After helping Edgar get dressed, Philippe led him to the kitchen and made some pancakes, trying to keep the morning as normal as possible. But every time he glanced at the small child sitting at the table, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of anxiety. This was surreal. What had happened to his 20-year-old lover?
He figured that keeping Edgar close would be best until he could figure out what was going on. When they arrived at the studio, Philippe’s colleagues were quick to notice the small child clinging to his hand. When they arrived at the studio, Philippe’s colleague, a sculptor named Sophie, greeted them with a puzzled expression.
“Philippe… what—who is this?” she asked, her eyes wide with surprise.
Philippe tried to remain calm as he set Edgar down and let him explore the studio. “It’s... complicated. This is Edgar. Something happened, and now he’s... well, five.”
Sophie stared at him, blinking in disbelief. “You and Edgar have a kid?! Why didn’t you tell me?!”
Philippe shook his head quickly, trying to clarify the situation. “No, no. This isn’t... It’s not like that. It’s still Edgar, just... younger. I don’t know how it happened.”
Sophie’s eyes widened in disbelief, but she didn’t press the matter further. Instead, she knelt down to Edgar’s level and smiled. “Well, aren’t you a handsome little boy? Do you like art, too?”
Little Edgar nodded eagerly. “I like drawing! Uncle’s drawings are cool!”
Philippe couldn’t help but smile at that. Even in this state, Edgar’s love for art was evident. He set up a small corner of his studio for Edgar to doodle while he worked, keeping a close eye on him. As the morning passed, Philippe noticed how little Edgar was drawn to everything artistic. He would watch Philippe sculpt with wide eyes, occasionally asking questions with the curiosity only a child could have.
By noon, Philippe decided it was time to grab some lunch. He tried to leave Edgar at the studio with Sophie, but the moment he mentioned going out, the boy’s eyes welled up with tears, and he clung tightly to Philippe’s trousers with a desperate grip. “No, Uncle Philippe! Don’t leave me alone! Please!”
Philippe’s heart melted at the sight of Edgar’s pleading face. He sighed, realizing he couldn’t bear to leave the little boy behind. “Alright, alright. You can come with me.”
Edgar immediately latched onto Philippe’s hand, holding on tightly as they made their way to the supermarket. Philippe couldn’t help but notice how small Edgar’s hand felt in his, and the surreal nature of the situation weighed heavily on him. This was his lover, now reduced to a child who barely recognized him.
Together, they headed to the supermarket, Philippe holding Edgar’s tiny hand as they walked down the aisles. People gave them curious glances, some smiling at the sight of the adorable child, others nodding in approval at Philippe’s fatherly demeanor. Philippe couldn’t help but feel a strange mix of pride and unease. This wasn’t how he’d imagined spending his day, but he had to admit—having a mini Edgar by his side was unexpectedly heartwarming.
At the supermarket, they picked out some simple meals. Philippe had to constantly remind himself to buy things that would be suitable for a child, even though he knew Edgar’s tastes inside out. Every so often, Edgar would look up at him with those wide eyes and ask for something sweet, and Philippe found it impossible to say no.
When they got home, things took a turn for the unexpected. Edgar started acting more spoiled than usual. He clung to Philippe, asking for help with things he normally wouldn’t—like taking a shower.
“Uncle Phil, can you help me? I don’t want to do it alone,” Edgar said, pouting as he tugged on Philippe’s shirt.
Philippe felt a wave of awkwardness wash over him. This was not a situation he’d ever expected to find himself in. But Edgar was just a child now, so he had to put aside his discomfort and help.
“Alright, little prince. Let’s get you cleaned up,” Philippe said, keeping his tone light as he helped Edgar into the bathroom.
Afterward, Edgar seemed to grow even more affectionate, planting a kiss on Philippe’s cheek which left Philippe feeling both charmed and uneasy. When it was time for bed, Philippe lay down beside Edgar, wrapping his arm around the small boy once more. But this time, the weight of worry pressed heavily on him. What if his Edgar didn’t turn back? What if he remained like this, forever trapped in a child’s body? The thought was too much too bear, it made Philippe hold him closer, protective instincts kicking in.
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When morning came, Philippe woke up with a sense of dread. He didn’t want to open his eyes, afraid of what he might find. But when he finally did, he let out a breath of relief. Lying beside him was Edgar—20-year-old Edgar, back to his normal self, sleeping peacefully. Philippe couldn’t help but smile, though there was still a lingering sense of unease. When Edgar finally stirred and opened his eyes, Philippe leaned in close. “Morning.”
Edgar yawned and stretched. “Morning... Why are you looking at me like that?”
Philippe hesitated, not sure how to explain everything that had happened. “You won't believe it if I tell you.”
Edgar gave him a puzzled look, but when Philippe leaned in to kiss him, all questions faded away. For now, everything was back to normal—or as normal as things could ever be between them. Philippe lingered in the moment, savoring the warmth and familiarity of Edgar’s presence. The strange events of the previous day still lingered in his mind, but seeing Edgar back to his usual self was all that mattered now. He held him close, their breaths mingling as they lay in the quiet comfort of the morning.
After a few minutes, Edgar gently pulled away. "You’re acting weird, Phil. Did something happen last night?" His tone was teasing, but Philippe could sense the curiosity beneath it.
Philippe chuckled, trying to deflect. "Just a strange dream, I guess. Nothing to worry about."
Edgar, of course, never quit being curious. He rolled up over to Philippe, hands on his chin. "Are you ever going to tell me about that weird dream you had?"
Philippe grinned, knowing that Edgar wouldn’t let it go. "Maybe one day. But for now, let’s just say it made me appreciate you even more."
Edgar rolled his eyes, though his smile was warm. "Fine, keep your secrets. But don’t expect me to forget about it."
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