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The pulsating bass of Austin’s annual block party still vibrated in Henry’s ears as he led Alex away from the action, it was nearly eleven p.m. and they were both getting tired after a wonderful day together.
Just as he went to round the corner, he stumbled, his right foot catching on an uneven patch of pavement. A sharp pain lanced through his ankle, and he pitched forward, landing with a jarring thud.
His left knee and shin scraped against the unforgiving asphalt, his upper body landing haphazardly in a pile of damp mulch surrounding a shrub, palms outstretched, narrowly catching himself before his face collided with the ground.
"Henry!" Alex was instantly at his side, his glasses nearly falling off with the speed of his panicked movements. He reached out, a strong hand hovering. "Are you alright?! What happened?!"
Henry, ever the picture of composure even in distress, pushed himself up, wincing slightly. "I’m fine, just… tripped. Nothing to worry about."
But as he put weight on his right leg, a gasp escaped him as pain shot up his calf. Despite the discomfort he forced a neutral expression onto his face, spying a large group of bystanders gawking at the spectacle, and yearning to escape the awkward situation as swiftly as possible.
Alex’s gaze sharpened, taking in Henry’s rapidly reddening face and the tremor in his frame. "You are most certainly not fine, Hen. You just took quite a tumble.” He wrapped a protective arm across Henry’s back, with a murmur of, "Here, let me help you."
"No, really, I’m okay," Henry insisted, his voice strained as he wriggled out of Alex’s embrace. "Just a bit clumsy."
"Stubborn as a mule, that’s what you are," Alex breathed, his voice laced with obvious concern as he decided to let the issue drop briefly, sensing Henry’s immense embarrassment and hoping to prevent it from escalating.
As if the universe sensed their need for solitude and chose to mock them, the crowd from the party continued to spill onto the street, making sure to throw a sideways glance or even outright stare as Henry brushed the mulch from his hands and shirt.
"It's okay, Henry,” Alex said, his voice a low, calming rumble. “Everyone trips sometimes. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about.” He gently took Henry’s arm, guiding him through the still-thickening crowd. “Just watch your step here. I’ve got you.”
Henry, still looking a bit dazed and incredibly overstimulated, simply nodded and allowed himself to be led through the crowd, the strength of his husband’s hand in his own grounding him, despite the chaos.
"Come on, let’s get you back to the car." Alex encouraged as Henry remained still a few seconds too long after the light signaled for them to cross.
They walked on for a bit, Henry pushing himself to keep pace with Alex, but struggling, even with Alex insisting on carrying both their chairs.
“You okay, baby? Need a break?" Alex asked, noticing Henry’s pace faltering slightly. But He shook his head adamantly.
"I'm fine, darling, just… a bit unsteady," Henry managed, shrugging off Alex's anxieties, even as his eyes darted nervously at the half-mile trek that still lay ahead.
"Unsteady, huh? Looks more like you're trying to impersonate a drunken flamingo," Alex teased gently, catching Henry's arm before he stumbled. "Seriously though, we’ve got quite a walk to get to the car. You sure you're up for it?"
"Positive," Henry insisted, though he was already leaning closer to Alex and wishing they had left earlier to get a better parking spot.
The minutes ticked by as they continued their slow progress with Alex keeping a steady hand on the small of Henry's back, happy to be able to provide him a constant anchor among the uncertainty of the shifting crowd.
"How’s that ankle holding up, love?" Alex asked, his usually warm eyes, wary and laced with unease.
Henry just grunted quietly, trying to mask a grimace as he took a particularly awkward step.
"Alright, that’s a wince if I’ve ever seen one," Alex said, stopping beside a wooden bench. "Look, there’s no shame in taking a breather. My legs are aching just watching you."
"No, I’m good. Just… let’s keep going," Henry mumbled, despite his breathing becoming more labored.
But just a few short minutes later, Henry was unable to stifle a sharp gasp as his sore ankle twisted slightly on a loose pebble.
"Whoa, alright. Enough is enough.," Alex said, pulling Henry to a stop, the grip of his firm in Henry’s own.
“That looked like it hurt. There’s another bench just up ahead. Come on, let's just sit for a second. Please?"
Henry, not wanting to cause his husband any more undue stress, begrudgingly agreed, and despite all his protests collapsed heavily onto the bench with a massive sigh of relief as the constant throbbing in both his battered legs was lulled to a dull ache.
"See? I told you," Alex said as he gently pulled Henry’s abrased legs into his lap. "That’s a nasty limp you’re trying to hide, and you're wincing with every damn stride."
"It’s just… a little stiff," Henry mumbled, avoiding Alex's gaze.
"Stiff? You’re practically dragging that leg," Alex countered, jerking his head towards Henry’s right leg, even as his voice softened with genuine worry.
Then he leaned in, a compassionate but firm look in his eyes, “It’s just you and me now, no massive crowds, no nosy onlookers, you don’t have to hold back with me, you know that. So just be honest, how bad is it?"
Henry finally looked up, his eyes clouded with pain and a hint of frustration as he forced himself to meet Alex’s unrelenting gaze.
"It hurts, okay? It’s really sore and the scrapes sting. But I can do this. I just… I need a minute."
"Hen... We’re not even a third of the way there," Alex said, shaking his head. "Look, this is crazy… Maybe I can carry you for a bit?”
Henry interrupted with a quiet scoff, but Alex continued, undeterred.
“No, seriously. I will. Better than you damaging yourself more."
Henry’s eyes widened. "Really Alex? Carry me? Love, don’t be ridiculous. I'm not a child."
"No, but you're mine, and you're in pain," Alex retorted, already adjusting his stance as if preparing to lift him. "Come on, just for a little while. Get you off that ankle for a bit."
"No, no, I'm good… and I appreciate it, but…. look… Just… give me another minute and I’ll be ready to keep going," Henry persisted, unwilling to give in, even though it would make things much easier, he had his dignity to maintain.
Alex sighed in frustration, but remained close, ready to catch him if he faltered again as Henry stood shakily from the bench and they continued their journey.
Alex swore the car felt a million miles away.
*****
They walked for a while longer before finally reaching the car, Henry, having refused any subsequent breaks, was clearly exhausted from walking such a distance on his sore legs.
“You alright, baby?" Alex murmured, concern lacing his voice.
"Just dandy," Henry grumbled, his breathing heavy as he leaned against the trunk of their car.
"Alright, well, I'll drive," Alex said, heading for the driver’s side door.
"No, I've got it. It was my idea to come here despite the horrendous traffic, after all," Henry said, already attempting to get comfortable in the driver’s seat.
"Henry, don't be ridiculous. You can barely put weight on that ankle."
"I can drive perfectly fine." Henry gritted his teeth, a small grunt escaping him as he finally settled into the seat. "See? No problem."
"Henry, your leg—"
"I'm fine, Alex. Honestly. Just a little ache."
Henry's jaw was set, that familiar stubbornness radiating off him. He started the car, pulling into the dense traffic.
Alex shot him an exasperated look but settled back, his hand still on Henry’s, rubbing his thumb over Henry’s knuckles.
Alex, noticing a fairly well-concealed wince from Henry, rummaged in his bag. "Here," he said, pressing two Tylenol into his palm. "At least take these.”
Henry rolled his eyes but reluctantly took the pills, muttering, "It’s fine, truly. Just a few scrapes."
Alex sighed, a sound of exasperation and affection as he reached across the console, his large, warm hand finding Henry’s.
He squeezed gently, then slid his fingers up to Henry’s thigh, rubbing it with a comforting pressure that sent a soothing warmth through Henry’s exhausted body.
As they sat in the non-moving traffic, police officers trying to direct cars and pedestrians alike, he repeated the comforting gesture every few minutes, his eyes constantly flicking to Henry’s face.
The traffic moved at a glacial pace, a sea of red taillights stretching as far as the eye could see. A cacophony of horns and shouts from rolled down windows, but Henry remained calm, he was nothing if not patient.
Nearly an hour crawled by before they finally reached the outskirts of town. Henry’s grip on the steering wheel a bit tighter than usual, and Alex could see a subtle grimace flash across his face every now and then.
"Okay, good," Alex said, as Henry turned into a brightly lit parking lot. "We’re almost there. Let’s just get you home and get that leg cleaned up."
"Home?" Henry blinked. "No, we need to go to the store. I told you, we’re getting some snacks for the beach tomorrow.”
Alex stared at him, aghast. "Henry, you just fell and clearly hurt your leg. You are not going to the grocery store right now. We need to get you home to clean those scrapes and rest that ankle."
"I’m fine, Alex. Honestly. It’s not a big deal." Henry’s jaw was set, that familiar stubbornness radiating off him.
"You are so goddamn stubborn, Henry!" Alex exclaimed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine! Then you’re staying in the car. You are not limping through the store just for “beach snacks”."
"Don’t be ridiculous," Henry countered, already fumbling with his seatbelt. "I’ll be quick. And you’re coming with me."
Alex groaned, but followed, his expression a mixture of exasperation and resigned devotion as Henry pushed open the car door, a faint grunt escaping him as he put weight on his right leg.
He began to walk forward stiffly, struggling not to visibly limp, his hip and ankle protesting with every dragging step.
His left leg, now fully visible in the fluorescent glow of the parking lot, was indeed covered in angry red scrapes coupled with streaks of dirt.
Alex walked beside him, his hand hovering at Henry’s back, ready to catch him if he faltered.
Inside the brightly lit aisles of the grocery store, Henry soldiered on, his stoicism unwavering, even as Alex could practically see the pain radiating off of him.
He watched Henry wince subtly as he reached for a bag of chips on a lower shelf, and a muscle in Henry’s jaw twitch as they navigated the crowded produce section in search of the perfect watermelon.
Within half an hour they were at the checkout, Henry finally giving in and resting his throbbing right leg against the cart as Alex bagged their groceries and shot him a sympathetic look.
Finally, they were back in the car, Alex having all but shoved Henry into the passenger seat before quickly rounding to the driver’s side.
"You really are one stubborn fucker, you know that?" Alex mumbled, carefully pulling out of the parking lot as he took Henry’s hand, rubbing his thumb over his knuckles until they relaxed under his touch.
They drove in peaceful silence for much of the short ride home, Alex focusing on the heavy traffic as Henry closed his eyes and rested his overtired body, mentally cataloging all its complaints.
Back at their home, Alex wasted no time as he helped Henry out of the car and up the front steps, leaning much of his weight onto his own shoulders.
Then he gently helped Henry onto the sofa, then went to retrieve the first-aid kit. Henry sat stiffly, his gaze fixed on some indeterminate point across the room, bracing himself.
"Alright, let’s see what we’re working with here," Alex murmured, kneeling before him. He carefully took hold of Henry’s scraped leg, the skin around the gashes already beginning to form angry blue and purple bruises.
He poured a fair amount of antiseptic solution onto a cotton pad and began to gently dab at the scrapes, determined to get every last bit of dirt and germs out.
Henry inhaled sharply, a faint tremor running through his leg. "It’s alright, love," Alex soothed, his eyes fixed on Henry’s leg. "Just try to relax."
He continued to clean away the mix of dried blood and dirt, his movements precise and gentle, even as Henry subtly tried to pull away. Alex didn't let him, maintaining a firm but tender grip, murmuring, “It’s alright, baby. The worst of it is over now.”
The sting of the antiseptic was sharp, but Henry took deep breaths and let his head rest back against the couch as Alex continued cleaning, applying antibiotic cream, and finally bandaging his leg.
“There you go. All done.” Alex smiled softly as he gently guided Henry’s leg back onto the couch, before adjusting his position slightly to perform a range of motion test on Henry’s right ankle.
Henry sighed heavily, pulling at his leg. “Seriously, Alex, I’m fine.”
Alex shushed him gently. “Almost done. Just let me check.”
Henry continued to complain under his breath, but Alex ignored him, his brow furrowed in concentration.
Finally convinced it was truly nothing serious, Alex retrieved an ice pack wrapped in a thin towel. “Hold still,” he murmured, pressing it gently to Henry’s right ankle.
“Hey, what are you doing?” Henry protested, trying to pull away.
“Just try it,” Alex insisted, holding the ice pack firmly in place even as Henry sighed again, but even he had to admit the cool comfort against his sore ankle was undeniable and he eventually gave in, relaxing into Alex, resting his ankle in his lap and growing increasingly sleepy.
Before long, Henry was snuggled tightly into Alex's arms as he carried him up to their bedroom.
"You're so warm," Alex murmured, nuzzling his nose into his messy blonde strands before sitting him on the edge of their bed and getting them both comfortable in nothing but boxers.
Once they were fully settled in bed, Henry’s face resting under Alex’s chin, he murmured "This feels amazing,", and growing increasingly sleepy, he kissed Alex's bare shoulder. "Thank you," he whispered, "I love you so much."
"I love you too, my uncoordinated prince," Alex whispered back, pressing a kiss to Henry’s forehead before pulling the covers higher as they both succumbed to a deep sleep.