i like taking care of you . i’d be happy to do it for the rest of our lives .
in a way, he was reminded of how cared for and looked after he’d been as a child—well, before his parents got busy and stressed out and had little time for him anymore. he wasn’t mad at them, not really… but their busyness left him to his own devices and he’d gotten used to that.
so when henry insisted upon staying home that day to tend to him, alex’s first reaction was to stubbornly deny his help. ‘what about the kids ? won’t they need your help ?’ ‘you sure you won’t miss out on any business things ?’ ‘don’t you think i’ll drive you crazy if you stay ?’ all questions which henry had brushed off.
“ you don’t have to stay here, taking care of me, y’know, ” alex had insisted, looking rather worse for wear. “ i can take care of myself while you’re gone. ” he’d taken care of himself for years, after all.
“i like taking care of you. i’d be happy to do it for the rest of our lives.”
alex shoved down the wave of emotion that hit him at hearing henry’s words. he’d always been more sensitive while being under the weather… if the glossiness of his eyes got commented on, he’d just point out that he was sick and nothing else. not that henry would buy that as the only reason, but still.
his eyes shifted away from henry’s as he tried to formulate an educated response, but all he could muster up was, “ okay… ” a pause followed after, before he softly questioned, “ you really mean that…? ”