Work Text:
Three days after the wedding
“You ruined my wedding.” Phillip says pacing back and forth. “I can't believe you would do this, Henry. After everything I do for you, all the advice and guidance, you humiliated me.” He rants.
Their grandfather watches Henry with a disapproving expression, shaking his head solemnly.
Henry stares at the floor, fiddling with his signet ring. “I'm sorry, Phillip.” He says. “It wasn't my intention to ruin your day.” He explains.
“Your intentions do not matter, Henry. What matters is that you fix what you've done.” Their grandfather says, setting his glass down. “You will be spending the next few days with Mr. Claremont-Diaz to…spruce up appearances.” The older man explains, taking a file from a drawer.
Henry gingerly takes the file from his grandfather and opens it, discovering that it's a fact sheet on Alex.
The thought of spending any time with Alex makes Henry’s heart skip a beat. On one hand, he's angry at Alex for causing this mess, and for getting him into trouble with his family, but on the other hand, something Henry would never admit out loud, he was almost happy to spend time with Alex.
“You'd better not ruin this like you ruin everything else, Henry.” Phillip was saying, pulling Henry from his thoughts. “All you have to do is pretend to be friendly with Alex. Surely even someone like you can't mess this up.”
…
One week before Alex's visit
Nobody spoke to him. Henry only had Shaan for company, who, if he was being completely honest, only spoke to him because he had to. At least, that's what Henry told himself.
Henry was lonely. It was a feeling he was all too familiar with, and frankly should be used to by now. Yet, for whatever reason, he still craved attention from his family.
He finds Phillip in the lounge, turning a page in his book. He hardly looks up as Henry enters the room, determined to dismiss his younger brother's existence.
A tense silence hangs in the air, but Henry smiles and presses on anyway. “Phillip?” He says, his voice cheerful. “Would you like to see a play with me?” He asks when Phillip doesn't respond.
Phillip rolls his eyes. “And why on earth would I want to do that?” He sneers, glancing up at Henry to glare at him. “Seems rather pointless, if you ask me.”
The words burn into Henry’s heart, but he refuses to let Phillip see how much his words hurt. Instead, Henry continues to smile brightly. “That's all right.” He says. “I'm sure we can go another time.”
Henry tries his grandfather next, knowing full well he would get the same result.
“Grandfather?” Henry says, walking across the room. James doesn't respond, and continues working at his desk. Henry stops in front of the desk, his hands clasped behind his back.
“Will you be attending my polo match next week?” Henry inquires. “It's the last game before the championship.” He says.
James remains silent, having no reaction or response to Henry’s question, as if…he didn't exist. “Grandfather?” Henry says again, his voice faltering.
Receiving no response is somehow worse than Phillip's bitter words. Henry swallows the lump in his throat, and smiles. “I'll leave you be.” He says with a nod. “Hard at work as always, Grandfather.”
…
“You'd better not ruin this like you ruin everything else, Henry.”
“And why on earth would I want to do that? It seems rather pointless, if you ask me.”
Silence. Unending silence.
The silence rests heavily on Henry’s shoulders as he crawls into bed. He pulls the covers close, cocooning himself in the soft sheets, which smell of wildflowers.
Normally Henry would have read more of his book, before bed, as he had been so invested in days before the wedding. But he could hardly focus on anything, as his mind was too entangled with his constant worries.
His family refused to speak with him. They acted as if he weren't there, and treated him as the mistake he was. Perhaps that's why mother never speaks to me anymore. Henry muses, recalling the look in his mother's eyes after his father's death.
With his father gone, there was no real reason for Henry’s mother to act like she cared. He had always known that she favored Phillip and Bea, but seeing her shut him out just proved everything Phillip had told him over the years.
Henry lets out a shuddering breath, unable to hold back his tears now. He burrows further into the blankets, burying his face in the pillows to muffle his sobs.
…
Alex was the best company Henry had in weeks, even if he was still mad at Alex for the wedding.
When the visit was over, Alex had given Henry his number, something that made his heart flutter in his chest. Alex's confidence seemed endless, something Henry admired.
Normally Henry wouldn't have had the confidence to actually text Alex. He had a habit of overthinking things, constantly wondering if what he did would upset people.
But he was still so lonely, and the lack of interaction from his family sparked his choice to reach out to Alex, and continue their playful banter.
He finally had a friend. Kind of. Oh, well. It was better than nothing.
…
Henry sets his helmet down, and runs his hands through his hair, letting out a tired sigh.
The cheers from the crowd still echoed through his head, and he did his best to focus on the satisfaction of winning the match rather than the anxiety of the past few weeks.
Unexpectedly, as he looks up, he sees his grandfather approaching him, a proud smile on his face.
“Henry!” James says cheerfully when he gets close. Seeing his grandfather so happy after so many weeks of silence throws Henry off guard, leaving him speechless.
“What an invigorating match!” James praises, placing a hand on Henry’s shoulder. “I must say, you showed those fools who the real champion was!” He continues with a hearty laugh.
Henry chuckles nervously, hoping to keep the conversation going. “You said it.” He agrees, nodding his head. “I'm happy you could make it.” He adds, relieved to have his grandfather's attention.
“Well of course! I can never pass up a good polo match, especially one my grandson is participating in.” James replies cheerfully.
“Now wash up for supper, Henry. We're having a family dinner tonight to celebrate your victory.” He says. “You should be proud of yourself, my boy.” He adds before strolling off, his hands in his pockets.
Henry watches as his grandfather walks off, feeling a sense of relief from being spoken to again.
Not only was his grandfather speaking to him, but he was proud of him! His grandfather almost never was, as most of his attention was usually focused on Phillip.
Henry picks up his helmet and smiles, and heads for his waiting transport. His grandfather spoke to him! Gone was the anxiety and tense silence that had been hanging over him. Things were back to normal at last.
As if nothing even happened.