Work Text: 工作文本：
i.
“Baby!” "宝贝！"
Henry hums back in reply, feeling a sense of warmth settle in his chest at the sheer domesticity that oozes from the tone in itself. He’s perched on the seat next to their biggest window in their bedroom, highlighting a line he intends to get back to on one of the many documents scattered on the window sill related to his abdication. Next to it is a lukewarm cup of earl gray, which Henry had barely sipped on, his concentration and focus getting the best of him.
亨利哼着小调回了一句，听着这纯粹的家常话，胸中顿时涌起一股暖流。他正坐在卧室里最大的窗户旁边的座位上，在窗台上散落的许多文件中，他打算再写一行与退位有关的文字。旁边放着一杯温热的伯爵白葡萄酒，亨利勉强喝了一口，他的注意力和专注力已经到了最佳状态。
Alex’s voice, faint from the kitchen, is a pin drop in still water.
厨房里传来亚历克斯微弱的声音，犹如静水中的一滴针。
“Babyyy!” "宝贝！"
Henry sighs, placing the sheets of paper on the window sill. He stands up and dusts off his pants, cranes his neck a little to relieve the ache that’s built up there from having his head down for a stretch of time, and makes his way downstairs. David is immediately up and running the moment he hears Henry’s presence downstairs, much to his delight. He bends down to give him a couple of kisses, when he notices Alex leaning onto the kitchen island with his hip, eyes on his lit phone screen.
亨利叹了口气，把纸片放在窗台上。他站起身来，掸了掸裤子上的灰尘，稍微扭了扭脖子，缓解一下因为长时间低着头而产生的酸痛，然后下楼去了。大卫一听到亨利下楼的声音，立刻高兴地跑了起来。他弯下腰准备亲他两口，这时他注意到亚历克斯正用臀部靠在厨房的岛台上，眼睛盯着亮着的手机屏幕。
He’s shirtless, sweatpants low on his hips, his muscle definition stark and prominent, as fine as the hair curling on his chest and the trail that digs a river downwards from his belly button. Stretches of beautiful brown skin, hip cocked to the side, the silver key leisurely resting atop the center of his chest.
他没穿上衣，运动裤低垂在臀部，肌肉线条鲜明而突出，就像他胸前卷曲的毛发和从肚脐向下挖掘的痕迹一样细腻。他伸展着美丽的棕色皮肤，臀部向一侧翘起，银色钥匙悠闲地放在胸膛中央。
Henry swallows around the parchness of his throat, feeling a little lightheaded with how intense the sudden rush of love and arousal that just shot through his spine was. Sizzling like a raw live wire.
亨利咽了咽喉咙里的浊气，感觉有点头晕目眩，刚才突然涌上心头的爱意和亢奋在他的脊背上激荡。咝咝作响，就像一根未经处理的带电导线。
“Alex?” He asks. “I’m here.”
"亚历克斯？"他问"我在这儿"
“Took your sweet time,” Alex mutters sarcastically. “Here, look at this. What do you think?”
"花了你不少时间，"亚历克斯讽刺地嘟囔道。"来，看看这个。你觉得怎么样？"
He passes his phone to Henry, and then loops around the island to get his laptop, opening it as he once again settles by Henry’s side. On the phone screen is a picture of a coffee table, a side table, and a giant potted plant. They’re dark brown, minimalistic and modern. Quite sturdy looking. The potted plant would take a good few inches of space upwards, and Henry thinks the leaves look just a bit like elephant ears.
他把手机递给亨利，然后绕过小岛拿到自己的笔记本电脑，再次坐到亨利身边时打开了它。手机屏幕上是一张咖啡桌、一张边桌和一盆巨大盆栽的照片。它们都是深棕色的，简约而现代。看起来相当结实。盆栽向上会占据几英寸的空间，亨利觉得叶子看起来有点像大象的耳朵。
“They’re…” "他们......"
“Pretty good right?” Alex says. “I mean, I’ve been searching for new ones all over and it’s just. It’s just so hard to find something that kinda, you know, sticks? Like, I’ll favorite one the night before and I wake up in the morning and I’m like ok gross, that’s not gonna be in our home. But this set caught my eye because it seems not too vibrant or like. Extravagant?”
"很不错吧？"亚历克斯说"我是说，我一直在到处找新的，只是。只是很难找到那种，你知道，能坚持下来的东西。比如，我前一天晚上最喜欢的一款，早上起来我就会想，好恶心啊，这东西不能放在家里。但这一套吸引了我的眼球，因为它看起来不太生动，也不像。奢华？"
Henry nods along dumbly, but can’t bring himself to think past Alex wants to replace our furniture, which he doesn’t really have a problem with. There’s just something about it that makes him pause, feeling a strange sensation settle heavily in his stomach. Trying to figure out what exactly it is that’s making his emotions so turbulent at the moment.
亨利哑口无言地点点头，但他无法让自己去想亚历克斯要更换我们的家具，其实他并不反对。只是有些事情让他停顿了一下，感觉胃里有一种奇怪的感觉在沉淀。他想弄明白到底是什么让他此刻的情绪如此波动。
“What’s wrong with the current coffee table?”
"现在的茶几有什么问题吗？"
“Nothing,” Alex shrugs. “Nothing’s wrong with any of the furniture, honestly. Because it’s like, how we bought the house and everything.”
"没什么，"亚历克斯耸耸肩。"说实话，这些家具都没什么问题。因为我们就是这么买的房子。"
“Yeah,” Henry agrees. “But…?” He knows there’s a But coming.
"是的，"亨利同意。"但是......？"他知道 "但是 "要来了
“But I just want to personalize our furniture a bit? Like, all the furniture is just the default and I like knowing that we chose them sometimes, I don’t know. Plus the cream shade of the coffee table is kinda gross.”
"但我只是想让我们的家具个性化一点？比如，所有的家具都是默认的，我喜欢知道它们有时是我们选的，我不知道。而且茶几的奶白色有点恶心"
“Oh.” "哦"
He doesn’t know why, but the idea of Alex hating anything about the Brownstone deeply unsettles Henry.
他不知道为什么，但亚历克斯讨厌布朗斯通的一切，这让亨利深感不安。
“Sure,” he says. “This looks fine. I don’t mind.”
"当然，"他说。"这看起来不错。我不介意。"
“Really?” Alex asks. "真的吗？"亚历克斯问道。
“Yeah.” "是的"
“You didn’t even go through all the pictures.”
"你甚至没有看完所有的照片"
“Well,” Henry stumbles over his words. “Should I?”
"好吧，"亨利磕磕绊绊地说。"我应该吗？"
Alex is looking at him like he’s asked if the earth is flat. “Should you? Baby, if we’re gonna buy it, I think the least we could do is see how it looks from all angles.”
亚历克斯看着他，就像在问他地球是不是平的。"你应该吗？"宝贝，如果我们要买它，我想我们至少应该 从各个角度看看它是什么样子的。"
Henry feels a mortified blush begin to develop and he ducks his head to swiftly swipe through the pictures, staying on each for a second or two. They’re all adequate, and Henry can imagine it in their living space easily. Alex has always had a good eye, and these match his taste as well. Logically, Henry doesn’t really find any flaws or… criticisms? He bites his lip, trying to grasp the wisps of thoughts that’s making his stomach crawl uneasily.
亨利觉得自己的脸开始发红，他低下头迅速浏览这些照片，在每张照片上停留了一两秒。它们都很合适，亨利可以很容易地想象出它们在他们生活空间里的样子。亚历克斯的眼光一向不错，这些照片也很符合他的品味。从逻辑上讲，亨利并没有发现任何缺点或......批评？他咬着嘴唇，试图抓住那些让他的胃不安地蠕动的思绪。
Insecurity. 不安全。
He knows it. He can feel it. He wears it.
他知道这一点。他能感觉到。他穿着它。
“It’s great,” he supplies. “They’re great. Um, how are you planning on getting them here?” The idea of men in their home moving furniture makes his skin crawl.
"很好，"他说。"它们很棒。嗯，你打算怎么把它们搬过来？"一想到男人要在家里搬家具，他就浑身不自在。
Alex is eyeing him suspiciously and Henry plasters on an even bigger, softer smile.
亚历克斯狐疑地盯着他，亨利则挤出一个更大、更柔和的笑容。
“That was fast,” Alex comments, raising his foot to rub his heel on David’s fur. The beagle is staring up at Henry with knowing eyes, as if he could sense the anxiety bubbling inside of him. “Like, you didn’t even actually say why you like it.”
"真快，"亚历克斯评论道，抬起脚在戴维的皮毛上蹭了蹭。小猎犬正用一双洞悉一切的眼睛盯着亨利，似乎能感觉到亨利内心的焦虑。"比如，你甚至都没说你为什么喜欢它。"
Frustration blooms like blood on wet tissue, and Henry hates it.
挫败感就像湿纸巾上的血迹一样绽放，亨利对此深恶痛绝。
“I like the color,” he offers weakly. “And… the leaves on the plant look like elephant ears.”
"我喜欢这颜色，"他弱弱地说。"而且......植物上的叶子看起来像大象的耳朵。"
Alex huffs out a laugh at that, eyes crinkling. Sometimes eases in Henry’s chest, and he steps forward to plant a small chaste kiss on the corner of his lips, nuzzling his cheek so he can feel the prickle of his stubble, which Henry adores.
亚历克斯听后哈哈大笑，眼睛眨巴眨巴的。亨利的胸口有时会感到轻松，他上前在他的唇角轻轻地吻了一下，轻吻他的脸颊，这样他就能感觉到他胡茬的刺痛，而这正是亨利所喜欢的。
“You haven’t shaved,” he sighs. “My little porcupine.”
"你还没刮胡子，"他叹息道，"我的小豪猪。" "You haven't shaved," He sighs."我的小豪猪"
A radiant palm rests casually on his hip, and a thumb is drawing circles on the silver of skin that’s peeking through between Henry’s trousers and shirt.
一只光芒四射的手掌随意地搭在他的臀部，拇指在亨利裤子和衬衫之间露出的银色皮肤上画着圆圈。
“Mhm, I haven’t,” Alex mumbles, and chases after another kiss. “You still haven’t given me an honest opinion.”
"嗯，我没有，"亚历克斯嘟囔着，又追着吻了一下。"你还没给我一个诚实的意见。"
“That was an honest opinion,” Henry says, wondering why Alex wouldn’t drop this subject already. They’ve been living in the Brownstone for about two months now. This is the first time they’ve ever discussed moving in new furniture. “They’ll do just fine.”
亨利说："那是我的真实想法，"他想知道亚历克斯为什么还不放弃这个话题。他们在布朗斯通已经住了两个月了。这是他们第一次讨论搬进新家具的问题。"他们会做得很好的。
“Yeah,” Alex says, sounding dubious. He cups Henry’s cheek, and Henry leans into it, presses a sweet little kiss on the thumb that traces his bottom lip. “But I don’t know. I’m having second thoughts now because you didn’t really seem to like it as much as I hoped.”
"是的，"亚历克斯说，听起来有些怀疑。他捧起亨利的脸颊，亨利凑过去，用拇指在他的下唇上轻轻一吻。"但我不知道。我现在又有了新的想法，因为你似乎并不像我希望的那样喜欢它。"
A heavy stone drops into Henry’s stomach so fast he feels his breath hitch. “I like it, dear. Why would I not?”
一块沉重的石头飞快地落入亨利的腹中，他感觉呼吸都急促起来。"我喜欢，亲爱的。我怎么会不喜欢呢？"
“For any reason?” Alex asks, and then he looks miserable, a little, the tension blooming amidst the confusion that furrows his brow. “Sorry, did I spring this on you? I didn’t even ask you if you liked our current one and—”
"有什么理由吗？"亚历克斯问，然后他看起来有点痛苦，眉头皱起的困惑中绽放着紧张。"对不起，是我突然问你的吗？我都没问你喜不喜欢我们现在这个，而且--"
“I don’t really have any opinion of the current one.”
"我对现任没有任何意见"。
Alex pauses. “You don’t?”
亚历克斯停顿了一下。"你不知道吗？"
“No,” Henry admits. “So I wouldn’t really mind if you wanted to replace it. And I don’t have—.” He pauses, eyes widening, realizing what he’s about to say.
"没有，"亨利承认。"所以如果你想换掉它，我真的不介意。而且我也没有......"他顿了顿，眼睛瞪得大大的，意识到自己要说什么。
Alex knows him a bit too well, so he catches on fast. “You don’t have an opinion on this one too?”
亚历克斯太了解他了，所以他很快就明白了。"你对这个也没意见吗？"
Not finding any reason to lie more, Henry just shrugs, shrinking into himself. He doesn’t know why this is making him feel so tilted. Unbalanced. Shameful.
亨利找不到更多撒谎的理由，只能耸耸肩，缩进自己的身体里。他不知道为什么这让他感觉如此倾斜。不平衡。可耻。
“Baby.” "宝贝"
Henry bites his bottom lip, his gaze lowered.
亨利咬着下唇，目光低垂。
“Look at me.” "看着我"
Henry finally does so, irrationally fearing to be met with irritation, but all he sees is warmth, with a splurge of concern in those gorgeous browns. His thumb caresses the skin on Henry’s cheek, and Henry sighs, upset.
亨利终于这样做了，他不理智地担心自己会被激怒，但他看到的只是温暖，还有那双华丽的棕色眼睛里流露出的一丝担忧。他的拇指轻抚着亨利脸颊上的皮肤，亨利叹了口气，心里很不是滋味。
“Alex,” he says. “This might sound ridiculous to you, but I’ve never really shopped for furniture before.”
"亚历克斯，"他说。"你可能会觉得这很荒唐 但我以前从没真正买过家具"
Alex blinks. “Doesn’t sound too ridiculous.”
亚历克斯眨了眨眼睛。"听起来不太荒谬"
“I don’t know,” Henry says, trying so hard not to feel like he’s melting into the floor. “I’ve lived in Kensington my whole life. I’ve had everything handed to me, and I never really questioned it? Like. I’ve never chosen my own bed, or dresser, or anything like that.”
"我不知道，"亨利说，他努力让自己不觉得要融化在地板上。"我一辈子都住在肯辛顿。什么都是别人给我的，我就从来没有质疑过吗？比如说我从来没有选择过自己的床或梳妆台之类的东西。"
“H.” "H."
“I know, I know. I’m not trying to make this into a sob story or anything, as if having to sleep in luxury was so bloody difficult—”
"我知道，我知道。我不是想把这说成一个悲伤的故事什么的 就好像要睡在豪华的房间里有多难似的--"
“Hey, none of that,” Alex whispers, cupping his cheek. His fingers, rough and warm, send sparks of warmth that make Henry sigh and melt into him. Alex welcomes the weight, holding him up. “It’s understandable, baby.”
"嘿，别这样，"亚历克斯轻声说道，捧起他的脸颊。他的手指粗糙而温暖，散发出温暖的火花，让亨利叹息一声，融化在他身上。亚历克斯迎上去，托起他。"这是可以理解的，宝贝。"
“So I guess what I meant is just. You can get it, dear. I don’t mind.”
"所以我想我的意思是：你可以去拿，亲爱的。我不介意"
“Nope.” "不"
Henry startles. “What?” 亨利吓了一跳。"什么？"
“I’m no longer getting it.” Alex pushes him away until they’re eye to eye once, and he’s smiling like the devil again, the lopsided troublemaker signature grin of his. Henry wonders if he’ll ever stop feeling like a school boy with a crush. “We’re surfing the web together, and then doing some actual physical shopping.”
"我再也听不懂了"艾利克斯把他推开，直到他们的视线再次对上，他又露出了恶魔般的笑容，那是他的招牌笑容。亨利不知道自己还能不能不要像个暗恋他的小学生一样。"我们一起上网，然后去购物"
“What?” "什么？"
“I want to hear your thoughts on every single piece of furniture we own,” Alex says, deadly serious. “By the time we’re done, each of them should be deeply loved and admired by you.”
"我想听听你对我们每一件家具的看法，"亚历克斯严肃地说。"当我们完成工作时，每件家具都应该深得你的喜爱和推崇。"
“I love everything about this place,” Henry argues.
"亨利说："我喜欢这里的一切。
“Well, clearly not some of the furniture.”
"嗯，显然不是一些家具"
Henry grumbles. It doesn’t escape his mind that the idea of shopping for furniture with Alex is so ridiculously domestic that he doesn’t find himself as haunted by the prospect any longer. He is, however, intimidated by the idea of offering opinions on these things.
亨利抱怨道。他觉得和艾丽克丝一起买家具的想法实在是太可笑了，以至于他觉得自己不再为这种想法所困扰。不过，他对就这些事情发表意见的想法感到害怕。
“Alex,” he idly comments. “Do you think I’m… low maintenance?”
"亚历克斯"，他闲闲地说"你觉得我......低调吗？"
“What?” "什么？"
Henry shrugs, feeling his chest suddenly restrict. “Like, I agree with anything. You know? Especially for things like the house? So, you could say I’m low maintenance.”
亨利耸耸肩，感觉胸口突然一闷。"比如，我同意任何事情。你知道吗？尤其是像房子这样的事情？所以，你可以说我是个低调的人。"
“Um,” Alex says, eyebrows furrowing. “No? You’re opinionated as hell and I can’t even change the sauce brand in the fridge without you hounding my ass.”
"嗯，"亚历克斯说，眉头皱了起来。"不可以吗，你的意见大得要命，我连冰箱里酱料的牌子都要换，你就不能不来烦我。"
Henry laughs at that, burying his face in Alex’s shoulder. “Yeah, you’re right.”
亨利听了哈哈大笑，把脸埋在亚历克斯的肩膀上。"是啊，你说得对。"
“What the hell brought that on?”
"这到底是怎么回事？"
“I dunno,” Henry mumbles into Alex’s shoulder, rubbing his face into warm soft skin. He feels a little too exposed right now. Raw, like a wound that hasn’t healed yet but somehow the band aid has still been ripped off. “I had an ex call me that once.”
"我不知道，"亨利对着亚历克斯的肩膀喃喃自语，把脸贴在温暖柔软的皮肤上。他觉得自己现在有点太暴露了。生硬，就像伤口还没愈合，但不知为何创可贴还是被撕掉了。"我的前男友曾经这么叫过我"
Alex stiffens. Henry bites his lip and wills away the immediate rise of distress.
亚历克斯身体僵硬。亨利咬紧嘴唇，强忍着内心的不安。
“Not in a bad way,” he amends. “Like, in a good way? Because, you know, I was kind of always. Agreeable? I never really questioned Gran on things. And I guess it rubbed off on how I interacted with others as well. I just go along with things I guess. Hence, low maintenance.”
"不是说不好，"他弥补道。"好的方面？因为，你知道，我总是有点。同意吗？我从不质疑格兰的观点。我想这也影响了我与他人的交往。我只是顺其自然因此，低维护。"
He laughs to diffuse the mood but it only tapers off awkwardly. Alex is silent, but his hands have gotten tighter. Henry’s hip is sure to have reddened at the area Alex is pressing into.
他笑了笑，想缓和一下气氛，但只是尴尬地笑了笑。亚历克斯没有说话，但他的手变得更紧了。亨利的臀部肯定已经被亚历克斯按得通红。
“First, you’re not some cargo being shipped to another continent for me to go around calling you low maintenance. And second, your people pleasing attributes just seem to be what one would call personality traits one adapts when raised in an abusive environment. Also, is it bad I kind of want to punch that guy?”
"首先，你不是运往另一个大陆的货物，我不能到处说你是低维护。其次，你讨人喜欢的特质似乎只是在虐待环境中长大的人所适应的性格特征。还有，我有点想揍那家伙，这不好吗？"
“He didn’t even do anything!” Henry protests, lips drawing up in spite of himself. He doesn’t comment on the previous statements. He can see the logic in it but he doesn’t exactly feel the need to dissect his psyche to explore this more, nor does he in particular want to challenge this part of himself.
"他什么都没做！"亨利抗议道，嘴角不自觉地上扬。他对之前的说法不置可否。他能看出其中的逻辑，但他并不觉得有必要剖析自己的心理来探究更多，也不特别想挑战自己的这一部分。
Henry Fox does not like conflict. If anything, he’s been mastering the intricate art of diffusing conflict his whole life.
亨利-福克斯不喜欢冲突。如果说有的话，那就是他一生都在掌握化解冲突的复杂艺术。
Alexander Claremont Diaz was the first ever thing he fought for, and won. Something that was reached into cracked open ribs and brandished out, raw and bleeding and alive. Look at all this love I have. The vastness of it. Look at the way Alex cups it so gently in the palm of his hand. A love hard won, and as intensely cherished.
亚历山大-克莱蒙特-迪亚兹（Alexander Claremont Diaz）是他为之奋斗并赢得胜利的第一件事。这是他从肋骨裂开的缝隙中取出的东西，生猛、鲜血淋漓、生机勃勃。看看我拥有的这些爱。它的浩瀚看看亚历克斯把它轻轻捧在手心的样子。这份爱来之不易，同样值得珍惜。
It raises the question: what else is there for Henry to call his?
这就提出了一个问题：亨利还有什么可以称得上是自己的？
A bird that’s out of the gilded cage has the world as his oyster.
走出金丝笼的鸟儿，世界尽在掌握。
Henry is suddenly struck by the lightning realization that in choosing Alex, he’d chosen a life of free will. It’s not just the ability to love freely but the ability to choose.
亨利突然闪电般地意识到，选择了艾丽克丝，就选择了自由意志的生活。这不仅是自由恋爱的能力，也是自由选择的能力。
“Clearly, he didn’t know you at all, since you must have kept your opinions to yourself.”
"很明显，他根本不了解你，因为你一定对自己的观点讳莫如深"
“Oh my God,” Henry laughs hysterically, riding this sudden high. “His fashion sense was awful.”
"哦，我的上帝，"亨利歇斯底里地大笑着，突然兴奋起来。"他的时尚感太糟糕了"
“Yeah?” "是吗？"
“Yes. And he always chose this bland disgusting little pastry from some ridiculous cafe that was near Oxford and I never mentioned how awful they were but God, Alex, looking back, that could have been identified as food poisoning.”
"是的，他总是从牛津附近的一家可笑的咖啡馆 挑选这种平淡恶心的小点心 我从没提过它们有多难吃 但是天哪，艾丽克丝，回想起来，那可能会被认定为食物中毒"
“A threat to the Crown,” Alex mutters sagely. “I should really beat his ass.”
"对王室的威胁，"亚历克斯喃喃自语道。"我真该揍他一顿"
Henry only laughs harder, clinging onto Alex’s shoulders.
亨利笑得更厉害了，紧紧抓住亚历克斯的肩膀。
“So are you up for some online shopping?”
"那么，你准备好网购了吗？"
Smiling into Alex’s neck, Henry nods.
对着亚历克斯的脖子微笑，亨利点点头。
ii.
“Baby.” "宝贝"
Henry hums in reply.
亨利哼着歌回答道。
“Are you bored?” "你无聊吗？"
“Not quite.” "不完全是"
“I’m bored.” "我很无聊"
Henry looks up from his phone screen, where he’d been ardently scrolling on Instagram. They’re seated at a table to the left corner of the gala, not quite in the open or the center, and have had to smile politely and greet multiple people who have passed by them. There’s a giant crystal chandelier that looks a little too fragile for Henry’s liking, and he’d barely stopped himself from getting another champagne flute. He doesn’t want to end up more than a little tipsy tonight.
亨利从手机屏幕上抬起头，他一直在热切地浏览 Instagram。他们坐在晚会左侧角落的一张桌子上，既不开阔，也不居中，他们不得不礼貌地微笑着向经过他们身边的许多人打招呼。那里有一盏巨大的水晶吊灯，看起来有点太脆弱了，亨利不喜欢，他几乎没忍住又拿了一支香槟酒笛。他可不想今晚喝得太醉。
“Entertain some people then,” Henry says. “Do what you do. I don’t know. Network.”
"那就去招待一些人吧，"亨利说。"做你该做的。我不知道。网络。"
“I don’t wanna,” Alex whines, an impressive imitation of a five year old’s tantrum. “You’ve been very nonchalant all evening. What’s so interesting about Instagram anyway?”
"我不想，"亚历克斯抱怨道，模仿五岁小孩发脾气的样子让人印象深刻。"你整个晚上都很淡定。Instagram到底有什么好玩的？"
Henry scowls, flushing. “Nothing,” he says, then looks around. “Isn’t that Isabella? The girl who passed the Bar like months ago and we were invited to her celebration party?”
亨利皱了皱眉头，脸红了。"没什么，"他说，然后环顾四周。"那不是伊莎贝拉吗？那个几个月前通过律师资格考试的女孩，我们被邀请参加她的庆功宴？"
Alex squints. “Yeah?” 亚历克斯眯起眼睛"是吗？"
“Why don’t you go talk to her?”
"你为什么不去和她谈谈？"
“Henryyy,” Alex moans. “I don’t wanna talk to anyone else. I wanna talk to you.”
"亨利，"亚历克斯呻吟道。"我不想和别人说话。我想和你说话
Henry chuckles, straying out an arm so he can wrap it around Alex’s shoulders, hand bending upwards so he can play with Alex’s pretty dark curls. “You’re in an anti-social mood tonight.”
亨利笑了笑，伸出一只胳膊搂住亚历克斯的肩膀，手向上弯曲，把玩着亚历克斯漂亮的深色卷发。"你今晚的情绪很反常。"
“Maybe if my boyfriend wasn’t so glued to his phone.”
"如果我男朋友没那么爱玩手机的话" "Maybe if my boyfriend wasn't so glued to his phone."
“Alright, alright,” Henry says, but before he leaves the app, he bookmarks the post he was admiring, saving it for later.
"好吧，好吧，"亨利说，但在离开应用程序之前，他把正在欣赏的帖子加入了书签，留待以后再看。
“Did you just bookmark that person’s mirror selfie?”
"你是不是刚把那个人的镜子自拍照收藏了？"
Henry startles, automatically switching off his phone. “What?”
亨利吓了一跳，自动关掉了手机。"什么？"
Alex is smiling at him, the corners of his lips wavering in his attempt to keep his little shit eating grin in. “You just saved that guy’s post! Why’d you do that?”
亚历克斯正对着他微笑，嘴角微微上扬，试图保持他那吃屎般的笑容。"你刚刚救了那家伙的职位！你为什么要那么做？"
“Come off it,” Henry scoffs, looking away as he lets go of Alex. He makes sudden eye contact with an old blond lady, and shares a polite smile with her.
"少来了，"亨利嘲笑道，放开亚历克斯的同时把目光投向别处。他突然与一位金发老太太目光接触，并与她分享了一个礼貌的微笑。
“I’m not mad at you or anything, if that’s what you’re worried about. Can’t a guy be curious though, honey?”
"我没有生你的气，如果你担心的是这个的话难道男人就不能好奇吗，亲爱的？"
Henry’s brows raise and he lets out a short burst of giggles at the idea of Alex being jealous of some bugger Henry has never even talked to, much less be interested in. “It’s nothing of that sort, dear. Of course not.”
亨利眉头一挑，想到亚历克斯会嫉妒一个亨利从未和他说过话，更谈不上对他感兴趣的家伙，不禁发出一阵咯咯的笑声。"不是那种事，亲爱的。当然不是。"
“And that takes us back to the original question: why did you save that post?”
"这又回到了最初的问题： 你为什么要保存那个帖子？"
Henry looks around the dimly lit extravagant gala, once more attempting to find a distraction for Alex, but feels his elbow tugged on with a familiar firm grip. For all intents and purposes, Alex has turned into a whiny little puppy.
亨利环顾着灯光昏暗的奢华晚会，再次试图为艾丽克丝转移注意力，却感到自己的手肘被人紧紧拽住。无论如何，亚历克斯已经变成了一只爱抱怨的小狗。
“Please? Entertain your poor bored boyfriend, baby, he’s dying.”
"求你了？娱乐一下你可怜的无聊男友吧，宝贝，他快死了。"
“It was just some fashion influencer from London, you dramatic idiot.”
"那只是个伦敦来的时尚影响者，你这个戏剧化的白痴"
Alex’s lips part in surprise, and Henry watches the way his tongue makes a little appearance, and shifts in his seat. The dim lights casting magnificent shadows on his face, his chiseled jaw and his perfectly maintained stubble. A painting come to life from the depths of Henry’s most intimate dreams.
亚历克斯的嘴唇惊讶地张开了，亨利看着他的舌头微微张开的样子，在座位上坐了下来。昏暗的灯光在他的脸上投下瑰丽的阴影，他的下巴轮廓分明，胡茬保养得恰到好处。这是亨利梦境深处栩栩如生的一幅画。
“A fashion influencer,” Alex repeats. There’s a glint in his eye that foreshadows an hour of nagging and teasing.
"一个时尚影响者，"亚历克斯重复道。他眼中闪烁着光芒，预示着一个小时的唠叨和挑逗。
“Yes,” Henry sighs, feeling a blush form at the highs of his cheeks. “Laugh it up.”
"是的，"亨利叹了口气，感觉脸颊上泛起了红晕。"笑吧"
“I’m honestly just more curious as to why you’re saving some influencers' pictures. You still haven’t given me a proper reason.”
"老实说，我只是更好奇你为什么要保存一些有影响力的人的照片。你还没给我一个合适的理由。"
Henry shrugs. “I like their clothes.”
亨利耸耸肩"我喜欢他们的衣服"
“Lemme see.” "让我看看"
Henry shouldn’t be feeling as exposed as he is, but something about showing Alex a fashion influencer Henry has been secretly following in his burner account since he was seventeen makes him feel like he just broke off a piece of himself and handed it over to Alex to examine with a magnifying glass. It’s so mortifying. The act of being seen.
亨利本不应该觉得自己像现在这样暴露，但向艾丽克丝展示亨利从 17 岁起就在自己的刻录账户中秘密关注的时尚达人，让他觉得自己好像刚从自己身上割下一块，交给艾丽克丝用放大镜检查。这太令人羞愧了。被人看到的感觉
The thing about being in love, Henry has figured, and being loved back just as intensely, is the irrefutable reality of being perceived; body and all. Henry, stripped bare. Henry, in all his willowy glory from the mole at the edge of his lip to the crescent shaped scar on his ankle. From his deepest insecurities to his rawest desires, laid bare.
亨利发现，恋爱和被爱的感觉一样强烈，那就是无可辩驳的被感知的现实，包括身体和一切。脱光衣服的亨利。亨利，从嘴唇边的痣到脚踝上的月牙形疤痕，尽显柳叶般的光彩。从最深的不安全感到最强烈的欲望，他都袒露无遗。
Revealing things about oneself he never even considered he ever would; typing it on his laptop in the pitch blackness of the night, pouring out his grief into compact little words, the glare of the screen making his eyes ache, along with the intensity of the emotion that sloshes inside of him like waves in a storm he’s battling.
在漆黑的夜里，他在笔记本电脑上打字，用紧凑的小字倾诉自己的悲伤，刺眼的屏幕让他的眼睛疼痛，强烈的情感像暴风雨中的浪花，在他的体内翻腾。
Look at me, he’d yelled. Look at all my wretchedness, the undesirability, the hollowness. The mansion of my mind, haunted.
看着我，他大喊。看看我的凄惨，我的不受欢迎，我的空虚。我心中的豪宅，魂牵梦萦。
And Alex, having seen it all, having strolled through the garden of Henry’s mind, emerging with his dazzling smile to kiss him senseless and love him just as much, if not more.
亚历克斯目睹了这一切，漫步在亨利的心灵花园中，带着耀眼的微笑出现在他面前，毫无知觉地吻着他，同样爱着他，甚至爱得更深。
And it boils down to little things like this, where Alex is observing another tiny thing that was carved into Henry’s soul, nestled in his palm for his eyes only. But here, amongst a hundred other dignitaries that bustle past, Alex has scrubbed him raw once more.
这一切都归结为这样的小事：亚历克斯正在观察另一个刻在亨利灵魂深处的小东西，它就偎依在他的掌心，仅供他观赏。但在这里，在熙熙攘攘的上百位贵宾中，亚历克斯又一次把他擦洗得干干净净。
It feels so utterly ridiculous to wax so much dramatics over this, but Henry feels vulnerable. When vulnerable, he drowns in his stream of consciousness. Alex, his anchor.
为这件事大肆渲染感觉非常可笑，但亨利感觉自己很脆弱。当脆弱的时候，他就会沉浸在自己的意识流中。亚历克斯，他的支柱
“These are cute as fuck. Look at this crop top? And this guy has your build, love, are you… interested…?”
"真他妈可爱看看这件上衣这家伙的身材和你一样，亲爱的，你......感兴趣吗......？
Henry ducks his head so his curls can obstruct his eyes.
亨利低下头，卷发挡住了他的眼睛。
“Do you like this top?”
"你喜欢这件上衣吗？"
“I sure do like this top,” Henry jokes, leaning in to place a coy kiss on Alex’s lips. “Perhaps we could leave a little early tonight…”
"我很喜欢这件上衣，"亨利开玩笑说，俯身腼腆地吻了一下亚历克斯的嘴唇。"也许我们今晚可以早一点离开......"
“Most feeble deflection I’ve ever seen,” Alex huffs, pushing Henry away only to plant a little kiss on his forehead that Henry welcomes with his eyes shut. “We’re giving them quite the show.”
"这是我见过的最无力的回击，"艾利克斯哼了一声，推开亨利，在他额头上轻轻一吻，亨利闭着眼睛表示欢迎。"我们要给他们好看。"
“Maybe we can make it more private.”
"也许我们可以让它更隐秘些"
“Baby,” Alex says, his voice a drawl that makes Henry shiver pleasantly. “I seem to have found another little gem hidden in the dirt. Do you really think I’m gonna let this go?”
"宝贝，"亚历克斯说，他的声音带着乡音，让亨利愉快地打了个寒颤。"我似乎又发现了一个藏在泥土里的小宝石。你真的认为我会放过这个机会吗？"
He passes Henry’s phone back to him, and they both look down at the picture, Alex’s hand over Henry's, his long fingers encompassing Henry’s easily. The crop tops advertised on the post are not what one would usually picture when thinking about this clothing item. They’re thick cotton, and body tight, and pastel cream shades in color, but have ranged to darker brown in other posts. The man modeling it has a little honey bee stitched into the pocket of it, and a silver of dark skin is visible between the hem of his cropped top and the low rise pants he’s wearing. Alex swipes right, and the man is rocking a tote bag with the same design, and his sweater is more loose on him, hanging off of one shoulder, and its hem is designed to rise up on one side, showing more skin on the right side of his hip than his left. The sweater is sheer and thin, and Henry can’t help himself from imagining how it would feel on his skin.
他把亨利的手机递还给他，两人都低头看着照片，亚历克斯的手放在亨利的手上，修长的手指轻易地就握住了亨利的手。帖子上宣传的 Crop Tops 与人们通常想象中的服装大相径庭。它们是厚棉质的，紧身的，颜色是淡淡的奶油色，但在其他帖子中也有深棕色的。做模特的男子在衣服口袋上缝了一只小蜜蜂，在他的剪裁上衣下摆和低腰裤之间，可以看到一片银色的深色皮肤。艾利克斯向右一扫，那人正背着一个同样设计的手提包，毛衣穿在他身上更加宽松，挂在一侧肩膀上，下摆设计成一侧上翘，露出臀部右侧比左侧更多的皮肤。毛衣又薄又透，亨利忍不住想象它穿在自己身上的感觉。
Henry has never enjoyed suits. The fabric, the texture, and worst of all, the tightness at the throat. It doesn’t help that he is also very earnest about the way he presents himself, always making sure his tie is done right and there aren’t any extra folds or wrinkles on his shirts. These two sides of him have always constantly battled, the side that longs for some comfort in his attire and the side that wants to look presentable and dignified at all times.
亨利从不喜欢穿西装。布料、质地，最糟糕的是喉咙处的紧绷感。此外，他还非常注重自己的形象，总是确保领带打得整整齐齐，衬衫上没有任何多余的褶皱。他的这两面性一直在不断斗争，一面是渴望穿着舒适，另一面则是希望在任何时候都显得体面和庄重。
Royal etiquette has turned his brain into a persistent hawk.
皇家礼仪让他的大脑变成了一只执着的鹰。
“This is like, exactly your size, love,” Alex is saying. “And you’d look so fucking pretty in this, you know that right?”
"这就像，正是你的尺寸，爱，"亚历克斯说。"你穿上它一定很漂亮，知道吗？"
The discomfort that is swirling in Henry’s stomach does a little leap and a hop. He grits his teeth and looks down, then back up at Alex. “I don’t want to talk about this here.”
亨利胃里翻腾的不适感一跳再跳。他咬紧牙关，低头看了看，又抬头看了看亚历克斯。"我不想在这里谈这件事。"
Whatever leisure expression in Alex’s face falls, replaced by the all familiar concern, which Henry can now read as easily as an Austen novel. The dips of his brow, the slightest of downturns on his lips, the way his eyes fixate on Henry.
亚历克斯脸上的闲适表情消失了，取而代之的是熟悉的关切，亨利现在可以像读奥斯汀的小说一样轻松地读出这种关切。他的眉头低垂，嘴角微微上翘，眼睛紧紧盯着亨利。
“Did I say something?”
"我说错什么了吗？"
“No.” "不"
“But there is something going on in that pretty head of yours.”
"但你那漂亮的脑袋里一定在想些什么"
Henry’s silence elapses as Alex gazes into him, eyes inquisitive and open.
亨利沉默不语，亚历克斯凝视着他，眼神充满好奇，睁得大大的。
“You know what I think?” Alex says. “Forgive me if I’m overstepping on your fragile little psyche but. I think you really want to wear these,”—he waves the phone around a bit—“and something is holding you back the way it always does when you want to do something you enjoy. Or love. Or me.” Alex wiggles his eyebrows. “But I think we crossed that bridge a few months ago.”
"你知道我在想什么吗？"亚历克斯说"请原谅我对你脆弱的心灵的践踏，但是。我觉得你真的很想穿这件衣服，"他挥舞了一下手机，"有些东西阻碍了你，当你想做自己喜欢的事情时，它总是这样阻碍你。或者爱。或者我。"亚历克斯挤眉弄眼。"但我觉得我们几个月前就已经跨过那座桥了。"
Henry rolls his eyes but doesn’t offer anything for Alex to work with, his own thick headedness his worst enemy.
亨利翻了翻白眼，但并没有给亚历克斯提供任何建议，他自己的粗枝大叶是最大的敌人。
“You know what you should do?”
"你知道你该做什么吗？"
“Hm?” "嗯？"
“Order it.” "点菜吧"
“Order it? For what?”
"订购？为了什么？"
“Um, for you to wear, obviously?”
"嗯，显然是给你穿的？"
“Me? When would I ever wear something like that?”
"我，我什么时候穿过这样的衣服？"
“Oh I don’t know, when you walk David? When we go out for casual dates? Just like; literally anywhere in general?
"哦，我不知道，你陪大卫散步的时候？我们出去随便约会的时候？就像，一般的任何地方？
“This in public? Gran would have my—”
"在公共场合？奶奶会让我......"
Henry pauses, eyes widening, the stone in his stomach dissolving like salt in water. Alex is looking at him with a knowing, sad look, and then he’s being hauled up, stumbling away from their shared little table at the corner of the gala. Excusing pleasantries and polite farewells as Alex leads him away.
亨利停顿了一下，眼睛睁得大大的，胃里的石头像盐一样溶解在水里。亚历克斯正用一种了解的、悲伤的眼神看着他，然后他就被拖了起来，跌跌撞撞地离开了晚会一角他们共用的小桌子。艾利克斯带着他离开的时候，他不停地寒暄，礼貌地道别。
By the time they’re done exploring each other in bed, Henry drifts off into sleep no later, and when Alex doesn’t breach the subject the next morning, Henry doesn’t allow himself to bring it up as well. Something about it sticks a dagger in his throat, sharp and painful.
当他们在床上互相探索之后，亨利很快就进入了梦乡。第二天早上，亚历克斯没有再提起这个话题，亨利也没有再提起。这件事让他如鲠在喉，又尖又痛。
Alex showers him with affection like it’s his life mission.
亚历克斯对他关爱有加，仿佛这就是他的人生使命。
At night he presses chaste kisses on supple skin, traces patterns with ink-blotted fingers from late night study sessions on Henry’s thighs, leaves behind a litany of bruises that bloom like roses. He sinks into Henry and holds him down, gathers him in his arms and allows Henry to find solace in them. They breathe each other in and make love until there’s no beginning or end of their bodies, connected and wrapped around each other. Henry’s swollen lips on Alex’s chest, Alex’s long fingers scraping down until they’re thumbing at Henry to open up for him, and pressing in.
晚上，他在亨利柔嫩的肌肤上轻吻，用墨迹未干的手指在亨利的大腿上描画深夜学习的痕迹，留下一连串像玫瑰花一样绽放的瘀伤。他沉入亨利的身体，将他抱住，将他揽入怀中，让亨利在他们身上找到慰藉。他们相互呼吸，做爱，直到身体没有开始或结束，彼此相连，相互缠绕。亨利肿胀的嘴唇贴在亚历克斯的胸膛上，亚历克斯修长的手指向下刮着，直到亨利向他张开大拇指，然后压了进去。
It’s four days since the gala when Shaan delivers a box to Henry, already checked through security and still intact, but completely mysterious.
晚会结束四天后，Shaan 给 Henry 送来了一个盒子，盒子已经过了安检，完好无损，但完全是个谜。
“I didn’t order anything,” Henry says dumbly.
"我什么都没点，"亨利哑着嗓子说。
“It’s addressed to you, Sir.”
"是写给您的，先生"
Henry dubiously brings it in, uses the blade they keep at the side table drawer to tear into the box. Sitting down on the couch, he opens it, takes out the fancy wrapping and stops and stares, heart beating fast.
亨利怀疑地把它拿进来，用放在桌边抽屉里的刀片撕开盒子。他坐在沙发上，打开盒子，拿出精美的包装，然后停住脚步，目不转睛地盯着盒子，心跳得很快。
Nestled inside are two sweaters, one in a cream shade and the other a light brown. And underneath it, a cropped cotton T-shirt, in a subdued red tone, with a small print at the breast pocket saying baby, in simple cursive letters. Next to it is a note. In Alex’s handwriting.
里面有两件毛衣，一件是乳白色的，另一件是浅棕色的。下面是一件红色的棉质 T 恤，胸前的口袋上印着一个小图案，上面用简单的草书写着 "宝贝"。旁边还有一张纸条。是亚历克斯的笔迹。
Hi baby, 嗨，宝贝、
wear whatever makes you comfortable tonight for date night.
今晚的约会之夜，穿什么都舒服。
p.s if the surprise underneath overwhelms you, just keep it in the box and don’t worry your pretty head about it, k?
p.s 如果下面的惊喜让你不知所措，那就把它放在盒子里，别担心你的漂亮脑袋，好吗？
yrs, 是的、
Alex xx 亚历克斯 xx
Intrigued, and heart in his throat, a tremendous crimson blush pulsing in his cheeks, Henry gingerly picks up the pieces of clothing to see what’s hidden underneath.
亨利被深深地吸引住了，他的心提到了嗓子眼，脸颊上浮现出一抹绯红，他小心翼翼地拿起衣服碎片，想看看下面藏着什么。
Henry stifles a gasp with great difficulty as his fingers caressed fine maroon silk, sheer and beautiful. He’s so very careful as he picks it up by the strings of the collar and he watches the way the nightgown unravels in front of him, a floral lace pattern at the edges. It’s undoubtedly the most beautiful garment he’s ever held in his hands. The texture in itself makes him want to sink his bare skin on it, watch the way it would ripple on his pale skin. More than anything, he wants to see Alex’s hands on his skin, softly peeling off the silk. Or touch him over it, a thin sliver of silk separating bare touch.
当亨利的手指抚过栗色的细丝时，他艰难地憋住了一声喘息，丝质薄透，美轮美奂。他小心翼翼地拎起领口的丝线，看着睡衣在他面前展开，边缘是花朵蕾丝图案。毫无疑问，这是他穿过的最漂亮的衣服。这种质感本身就让他想把裸露的皮肤浸在上面，看着它在他苍白的皮肤上荡漾的样子。更重要的是，他想看到亚历克斯的手抚摸着他的皮肤，轻轻地剥开丝绸。或者在上面抚摸他，用薄薄的丝绸隔开裸露的触感。
His breath hitches as he stares at all the articles of clothing in front of him.
他凝视着眼前的所有衣物，呼吸有些急促。
Alex is right. He is overwhelmed.
亚历克斯是对的。他不知所措了。
He’s never considered he’d ever wear something outside of the approved clothing that the royals traditionally wear, much less effeminate clothing…
他从未想过自己会穿王室传统服装以外的衣服，更不用说娘娘腔的衣服了......
Henry takes a deep breath. And then another. He runs a hand through his curls, thinks about how he’s growing it out a little. Thinks about the stupid sequined monstrosity Alex sometimes wears out with no shame in any bone in his body, a gag gift Nora apparently got him once that’s he become obsessed with. Henry can do that too. If he wants to. He can.
亨利深吸一口气。然后又深吸一口气。他用手捋了捋自己的卷发，想了想自己的头发是怎么长出来的。想到亚历克斯有时会穿上那件愚蠢的亮片怪异衣服，他的身体里没有任何羞耻感，那显然是诺拉曾经送给他的一件插科打诨的礼物，他已经对它着迷了。亨利也可以这么做如果他想的话他可以的
His grandmother’s words are a knife in his chest. They’re difficult to remove.
祖母的话就像一把刀插在他的胸口。难以拔出。
He takes another deep breath. There’s a difference between being gay and… looking gay, even though it’s all such rubbish at the end of the day and anyone can wear anything but he knows deep down what people will think of him. Can imagine the tabloids, even though Alex and Henry have long since stopped caring about what sleazy British media has to say about them.
他又深吸了一口气。同性恋和......看起来像同性恋是不一样的，虽然说到底都是垃圾，谁都可以穿任何衣服，但他深知人们会怎么看他。尽管亚历克斯和亨利早已不在乎 英国媒体对他们的流言蜚语，但小报还是会报道的。
But he can’t help it. He thinks of the headlines. Princess Henry: a gay stereotype? Prince Henry seen out in public, navel out: a cry for attention from the First Son? Trouble in Queer Paradise! His mind doesn’t stop there. It conjures up what the comments would look like. Some of them downright inhumane, his mind thinking back to when on a particularly awful night, Henry had braved the comments on a Daily Mail article. The emails did reveal the prince is needy. Desperate for attention. History of sleeping around. Could it be the sudden death of his father that had him looking for male attention elsewhere? Lmao I always kinda knew he was limp wristed. Prince Henry is kind of a—
但他还是忍不住。他想到了头条新闻。亨利公主：同性恋刻板印象？亨利王子在公共场合露脐：长子的呐喊？同性恋天堂的麻烦！他的思绪不止于此。他想象着那些评论会是什么样子。有些评论简直惨无人道，他回想起在一个特别糟糕的夜晚，亨利在《每日邮报》的一篇文章上冒着被评论的危险。邮件确实揭示了王子的需求。渴望得到关注。有到处乱搞的历史。会不会是因为他父亲的突然去世，让他到别处寻找男性的关注呢？我就知道他是个软骨头。亨利王子有点
Whore. 妓女
Henry drops the box.
亨利放下盒子
He stands up abruptly and finds himself stumbling into their room, his heart now jackrabbiting in his chest.
他突然站起身来，发现自己正跌跌撞撞地走进他们的房间，他的心现在在胸腔里乱跳。
His hands are shaking as he dials Alex’ tone, who answers on the third ring.
他颤抖着双手拨通了亚历克斯的电话，电话铃响了三声，亚历克斯就接听了。
“Baby?” "宝贝？"
“Alex.” And suddenly, Henry’s crying.
"亚历克斯突然，亨利哭了
“Henry?” There’s a sudden rush of shuffling, papers rustling. “Henry, fuck, are you okay? What’s wrong?”
"亨利？"突然传来一阵急促的脚步声 纸张发出沙沙声"亨利，妈的，你还好吗？怎么了？"
“N-nothing,” Henry sniffles, pressing the heel of his palm to his damp eyes, feeling pitiful and small. “I’m just… my mind is not in a good place right now.”
"没什么，"亨利抽了抽鼻子，用手掌的后跟按了按湿漉漉的眼睛，觉得自己又可怜又渺小。"我只是......我现在心绪不宁。"
“Hey, it’s okay,” Alex says, and it sounds like he’s walking, zipping up his bag while doing so, and Henry feels horrible about the fact that he got Alex to leave his study session early, and now date night is probably canceled too because Henry can’t fucking stand the idea of crossing over the imaginary line he’s drawn in his head about what is fucking acceptable and what’s not acceptable and—
"嘿，没关系，"艾利克斯说，听起来他好像在走路，一边走一边拉书包的拉链，亨利对他让艾利克斯提前离开自习课的事实感到很可怕，现在约会之夜可能也要取消了，因为亨利无法忍受越过他在脑子里画的那条虚线，什么是他妈的可以接受的，什么是不可以接受的，还有--
“You didn’t.” "你没有"
Henry inhales shakily. “What?”
亨利颤抖地吸了口气。"什么？"
“You didn’t draw the line, sweetheart. It was drawn for you. Let’s not misplace the blame, alright?”
"不是你划的线，亲爱的。它是为你画的我们不要错怪别人，好吗？"
“Okay.” "好吧"
“Taking a wild guess and assuming you opened my gift.”
"大胆猜测，假设你打开了我的礼物"
“I’m sorry—” "对不起......"
“No apologies, Hen. It’s my fault for springing it on you, actually. I just thought you'd be absolutely beautiful in them. And my stance hasn’t changed, but we go at your pace okay?”
"不用道歉，轩。其实是我的错，是我把它强加给你的。我只是觉得你穿上绝对很漂亮。我的立场没变 但我们按你的节奏来，好吗？"
Henry smiles shyly, clutching the phone to his ear and sighing. He blinks away the last of his tears. “I… I do appreciate them all, dear.”
亨利害羞地笑了笑，把电话攥在耳边，叹了口气。他眨了眨眼睛，拭去最后一滴眼泪。"我......我真的很感谢他们，亲爱的。
There’s a little pause. And then, “you do?”
稍作停顿。然后说："你呢？"
“Yes.” "是的"
“Oh, I’m glad. I uh, went through some of the accounts you follow on your burner you know? Not to get all stalker-ish, but, I saw this lingerie account that had posted about the uh, night gowns and you had liked the post. So… yeah. I dunno. I wanted to surprise you?”
"哦，我很高兴。我查看了你在刻录机上关注的一些账号，你知道吗？我不是想跟踪你，但我看到一个内衣账户发了关于睡袍的帖子，你还点了赞。所以...我不知道我想给你个惊喜？"
“I like it,” Henry says. I love it, he wants to say. “That’s… that’s the problem.”
"我喜欢，"亨利说。我喜欢，他想说"这......这就是问题所在。"
“Baby,” Alex whispers softly into the phone, his voice grainy.
"宝贝，"亚历克斯对着电话轻声说道，声音有些沙哑。
“I know,” Henry mumbles. “It just sent me spiraling.”
"我知道，"亨利喃喃自语。"它让我的情绪直线上升"
“Oh, sweetheart. I know how cruel it gets in that head of yours, and none of them are true. I know you know that. Whatever bullshit you’ve been told or read, and I know that’s what you’re thinking, bub, is wrong. You’re my boyfriend, my baby, and anyone who shit talks my baby is getting a bonk on the head from me. Including you. Do you want a bonk on the head?”
"亲爱的我知道你的想法有多残酷，但这些都不是真的。我知道你明白这一点。不管别人告诉你什么，或者你读到什么，我知道你就是这么想的，宝贝，都是错的。你是我的男朋友，我的宝贝，谁敢说我宝贝的坏话，我就打爆他的头。包括你你想挨揍吗？"
“No,” Henry sniffles, and giggles softly.
"不，"亨利吸了吸鼻子，轻轻地咯咯笑了起来。
“Exactly.” "没错"
“It’s just… I’m so scared of… looking a certain way because of how much it’s ingrained into me how weak and wrong it is…”
"只是......我很害怕......以某种方式示人，因为在我心中已经根深蒂固地认为这样做是多么软弱和错误......"
“It’s difficult to shrug it off in one go,” Alex says gently. “But that’s why the passage of time is a wonderful thing. And why our youth is ripe for the picking.”
"亚历克斯温和地说："很难一下子把它甩掉。"但正因为如此，时间的流逝才是一件美妙的事情。也正因如此，我们的青春才会成熟。"
“You’re incredible.” "你真不可思议"
“I’m aware.” "我知道"
“Okay, Mr Big Head.” "好吧，大头先生"
“You feeling better?” "你感觉好些了吗？"
“I’m fine.” His tears have dried up as fast as they’ve come, leaving behind a faint ache in his eyes and a cool itch on his cheeks. He swallows. “Fuck, Alex, I’m sorry for overreacting.”
"我很好"他的眼泪很快就流干了，只留下眼睛里淡淡的疼痛和脸颊上凉凉的痒。他咽了咽口水。"妈的，亚历克斯，对不起，我反应过度了。"
“Nope. You are not saying sorry. At all. Not one apology from your mouth. Got it?”
"没有。你没有说对不起。一点都没有。没有一句道歉明白了吗？"
Henry bites his lip, repressing an apology, but also because it’s a little hot when Alex gets authoritative like this. “Okay.”
亨利咬了咬嘴唇，压抑着内心的歉意，但同时也因为亚历克斯这样威严起来会让他有点火大。"好吧。"
“I’ll be there in twenty, baby. Do you want me to stay on the phone?”
"我二十分钟后到，宝贝要我继续讲电话吗？"
Henry plays with a strand of his hair, feeling his breaths come easier. His chest is no longer convoluted into one big knot, and his head is calmer. “That won’t be necessary, I’ll wait for you.”
亨利把玩着自己的一缕头发，感觉呼吸变得顺畅了。他的胸口不再纠结成一个大疙瘩，头脑也更加冷静。"没必要这样，我会等你的。"
“Okay, baby. Call me for whatever reason, okay? I love you.”
"好吧，宝贝。不管什么原因都可以打给我，好吗？我爱你
“Love you too.” The call disconnects.
"我也爱你"电话断开了
Henry stays in bed, hugging a pillow, for what feels like hours but is most likely just a few minutes. Perhaps a quarter of an hour, or more. When he finally feels composed enough to face it, he finds himself standing up, a hand flying up to nervously play with the ring on his finger.
亨利躺在床上，抱着枕头，感觉像是躺了几个小时，但其实很可能只有几分钟。也许是一刻钟，也许更长。当他终于觉得可以面对现实时，他发现自己站了起来，一只手紧张地把玩着手指上的戒指。
He takes soft steps back into the living room, where he is once again face to face with The Box as he’s labeled it in his head now. He picks up the sweater, leaving behind the cropped t-shirt and the other darker one. It’s the cream colored one. The fabric is thick and soft, and Henry brings it up to tenderly rub it in his face, and then stares at it. It’s got a long neck, which means it will definitely fall off one shoulder. It’s cropped, so it will be showing off his waist, and a good proportion of his stomach. He’s wearing low rise black pants right now, with his usual midnight blue sweater.
他迈着轻盈的步子回到客厅，在那里，他又一次面对着 "盒子"。他拿起那件毛衣，留下了那件剪裁考究的 T 恤和另一件深色的。这是一件乳白色的毛衣。布料又厚又软，亨利把它拿起来在脸上轻轻地擦了擦，然后盯着它看。它的脖子很长，这意味着它肯定会从一个肩膀上掉下来。衣服是剪裁过的，所以会露出他的腰部和相当一部分腹部。他现在穿的是黑色低腰裤，搭配他惯常穿的午夜蓝色毛衣。
When he takes off the sweater, he isn’t met with a rush of apprehension or anxiety. Instead, he hears an echo of Alex’s words, a soothing balm on his frizzled nerves.
当他脱下毛衣时，并没有感到焦虑不安。相反，他听到了亚历克斯话语的回声，那是对他焦躁神经的抚慰。
I just thought you’d be absolutely beautiful in them.
我只是觉得你穿上它们一定会非常漂亮。
Without waiting around to get second thoughts or cold feet, he puts it on. He immediately shivers at the softness of the fabric, and the way he automatically feels more exposed. More of his skin feels the fresh air, and he looks down as he slowly feels the skin that’s not covered at the hip.
他没有等待，也没有犹豫，就穿上了它。柔软的布料让他立刻打了个寒颤，他自动感觉到自己更加暴露了。他更多的皮肤感受到了新鲜空气，他低头慢慢摸着臀部没有被遮住的皮肤。
He looks at his hand, over his stomach. He imagines Alex’s hand over it, warm and big.
他看着自己捂着肚子的手。他想象着亚历克斯的手放在他的肚子上，温暖而又硕大。
Fuck. 妈的
iii.
“Baby?” "宝贝？"
Henry jumps, looking away from the mirror. The night gown falls off his shoulder, and he didn’t exactly mean it to look coy, but it does, and Alex’s slack jawed look of amazement is igniting a confidence in him that makes him flash a mischievous little smile that tapers off to a shy smirk.
亨利跳了起来，把目光从镜子上移开。睡袍从他的肩上掉了下来，他并不想让自己看起来很腼腆，但确实如此，亚历克斯松弛的下巴上露出惊讶的神情，点燃了他心中的自信，让他闪过一丝调皮的小微笑，渐渐变成了害羞的傻笑。
“Took your sweet time,” Henry says, mocking Alex’s voice. “I moved on from the sweaters.”
"花了你不少时间，"亨利说，嘲笑亚历克斯的声音。"我已经不再穿毛衣了"
He’d removed his pants and underwear minutes ago, and the nightgown glides effortlessly on soft pale skin. He’d dimmed the lights as well, and his curls are mused, and there’s this certain smug satisfaction that rises within him when he knows he’d just rendered Alex, the shit talking chatterbox, speechless.
几分钟前，他已经脱掉了裤子和内衣，睡衣在柔软苍白的皮肤上滑动自如。他把灯也调暗了，卷曲的头发微微翘起，当他知道自己刚刚让亚历克斯这个喋喋不休的大嘴巴哑口无言时，内心会升起一种自鸣得意的满足感。
“Henry,” Alex croaks out in a strangled voice. “You’re a dream. You’re… you’re ethereal.”
"亨利，"艾丽克丝哽咽着说。"你是一个梦。你......你是虚无缥缈的。"
Henry sucks in a breath, star struck.
亨利吸了一口气，被眼前的景象惊呆了。
Here’s the thing about living a life paved out for you, in clothes laid out for you, and speaking words written out for you. At some point, it becomes a layer of skin that you wear. Prince Henry is not just a mask; it’s an entire persona. He walks different. He talks different. He shakes hands different. It’s a skin that he puts on and takes off, and Henry quite likes the horror theme that comes with this particular metaphor; it sounds sanguinary, and violent, like he’s peeling off skin in the dead of the night with not a soul to witness the untold horrors of having to wear someone else’s skin like it’s yours. Having to hide his attributes, his fashion sense, his taste in books, like it’s something ugly. Something terrible.
生活是为你铺就的，穿着为你准备的衣服，说着为你写下的话语。在某些时候，这就变成了你的一层外衣。亨利王子不仅仅是一个面具，而是一个完整的人。他走起路来与众不同。他说话与众不同。他握手的方式也不一样。亨利王子非常喜欢这种特殊隐喻所带来的恐怖主题；这听起来很血腥、很暴力，就像他在夜深人静的时候剥下皮肤，没有一个人可以见证他不得不把别人的皮肤当成自己的皮肤来穿的无尽恐怖。不得不隐藏他的特质、他的时尚感、他对书的品味，就好像那是丑陋的东西。可怕的东西
He wasn’t meant to be soft. But the irrefutable truth is that he is.
他本不该软弱。但无可辩驳的事实是，他就是。
He remembers when Phillip and him once got into a fist fight, and when they’d both gotten some good punches in and Henry had cried when he’d knocked his head on the edge of the fountain, their father had fixed them up. And he’d knelt next to Phillip and told his eldest son as he’d pressed ice on bruised knuckles:
他还记得有一次菲利普和他打了一架，他们都打了几拳，亨利把头磕在喷泉边上哭了起来，他们的父亲把他们扶了起来。他跪在菲利普身旁，一边给他的大儿子敷冰块，一边告诉他："你的指关节有淤青：
“Don’t hit your brother, Pip. He doesn’t have your fists.”
"别打你弟弟，皮普。他没有你的拳头。"
But Henry had hit back, so Arthur’s words had confused him back then, but later on, when Henry realized his particular inclinations, not just in sexual attraction, but the type of books he read, the specifics in different fashion shops that would make him do a double take on the streets, the pet names that had him melting like ice cream…
但亨利反击了，所以亚瑟的话当时让他很困惑，但后来，当亨利意识到他的特殊倾向时，不仅仅是性吸引力，还有他读的书的类型，不同时装店里让他在街上两眼放光的细节，让他像冰淇淋一样融化的宠物名字......
His father's words whispered into his forehead as he’d pressed a kiss there softly one night as a thirteen year old Henry had blinked back tears, after a day of being reprimanded by his Gran:
一天晚上，13 岁的亨利被奶奶训斥了一天后，父亲在他的额头上轻轻地吻了一下，他眨了眨眼睛，忍住了眼泪：
You have nothing to be ashamed of.
你没有什么可羞愧的。
There is no shame in being soft. Henry wishes, for once, he could run back in time, similar to the way he ran amidst marble statues with Alex chasing after him in the V&A, until he’s kneeling on the ground looking dead in the eye of a six year old blue eyed boy who has a curious mind and a poet’s soul, and tell him that. I hope you don’t punish yourself for the crime of being soft. I hope you don’t think yourself weak.
心软并不可耻。亨利希望，这一次，他能跑回过去，就像在维多利亚与艾尔伯特博物馆里，他在大理石雕像中奔跑，亚历克斯在后面追赶，直到他跪在地上，死死地盯着一个拥有好奇心和诗人灵魂的六岁蓝眼睛男孩的眼睛，告诉他这一点。我希望你不要因为心软而惩罚自己。我希望你不要认为自己软弱。
Alex once told him that he’s soft on the inside, like a peach.
亚历克斯曾告诉他，他的内心很柔软，就像桃子一样。
Henry is peeling off snakeskin. Slowly and surely, he’s allowing a little boy who’s hidden inside to be completely free.
亨利正在剥去蛇皮。慢慢地，他让隐藏在内心深处的小男孩获得了完全的自由。
Alex is kissing him senseless. His hands are on Henry’s hips, pressing soft silk into soft skin, and Henry is tripping backwards, allowing Alex to steer him towards the bedroom. Stumbling back like a loose footed deer.
亚历克斯吻得他毫无知觉。他的手放在亨利的臀部，将柔软的丝绸压入柔软的肌肤，亨利被绊倒在地，任由亚历克斯把他引向卧室。他像一只松了脚的小鹿，跌跌撞撞地往回走。
Alex is mumbling in between kisses, Henry drunk on them like cherry wine. It sings in his blood, warms up his soul.
亚历克斯在亲吻间喃喃自语，亨利沉醉其中，如饮樱桃酒。它在他的血液中歌唱，温暖着他的灵魂。
“Prettiest boy in the world,” Alex whispers. “Will you let me take care of you tonight?”
"世界上最漂亮的男孩" 亚历克斯低语道"今晚能让我照顾你吗？"
“Tonight and all nights, love,” Henry hums, blushing. “You know I’m yours.”
"今夜和所有夜晚，亲爱的" 亨利哼着歌，脸红了"你知道我是你的"
They fall into bed in a tumble of long limbs. Alex in his suit—fuck, Henry had forgotten Alex had left early today morning because he had an internship meeting at a law firm. His black tie is loose and his shirt collar unbuttoned. It feels so delightfully domestic; Henry trying on a night gown Alex bought for him at the same time he comes home. Alex pouring out the sweetest words like honey, dripping them into his lips with a promise of something more.
他们在长长的肢体间翻滚着倒在床上。亚历克斯穿着西装--他妈的，亨利忘了亚历克斯今天一大早就走了，因为他要去一家律师事务所参加实习会议。他的黑色领带松了，衬衫领口的扣子也没扣。亨利在回家的同时试穿亚历克斯为他买的睡袍，这感觉真让人愉快。亚历克斯像灌了蜜一样把甜言蜜语灌进他的嘴里，并许诺会有更多。
“Love,” Alex whispers, tan hands trailing up on pale thighs, lifting up rich silk with the tenderest of strokes. Henry watches with rapt attention, lips parted and legs spread. The lace at the edges tickles deliciously, the press of silk leaves goosebumps. Alex’s eyes are drinking him like Henry is whiskey, and Alex bends down to shuffle him into his chest, Henry crumbling into him, his nightgown falling further down his left shoulder, a natural tease.
"爱，"亚历克斯低声说道，黝黑的双手抚摸着苍白的大腿，用最温柔的抚摸撩起丰满的丝绸。亨利全神贯注地看着，嘴唇张开，双腿分开。边缘的蕾丝让人心痒难耐，丝绸的触感让人起鸡皮疙瘩。亚历克斯的眼睛像喝威士忌一样喝着亨利，亚历克斯弯下腰把他搂在胸前，亨利紧紧地贴在他身上，睡衣顺着他的左肩滑落，自然地挑逗着他。
“You’re impossibly beautiful, sweetheart,” Alex murmurs into the column of his throat. “I can’t verbalize it, there’s no word in the English language that sums it, I think. Mi amor.”
"你美得不可方物，亲爱的。"亚历克斯对着他的喉咙喃喃自语。"我无法用语言表达，我想英语里没有一个词能概括它。我的爱人
The silk bunches up at Henry’s hips, and his legs spread languidly, offering up space for Alex like a prayer, his eyes fluttering as he arches his back in an elegant bow. Alex presses chaste kisses on his skin, his talented fingers switch between rough and gentle with the way they press into him, hold him, squeeze him.
丝绸在亨利的臀部束起，他的双腿慵懒地张开，像祈祷一样为亚历克斯提供空间，他的眼睛扑闪扑闪，弓起了优雅的背。亚历克斯在他的皮肤上轻吻，他那富有天赋的手指在粗糙与温柔之间转换，紧紧抓住他，挤压他。
Alex eyes him inquisitively as he grabs a bottle of lube from the bedside table.
亚历克斯从床头柜上拿起一瓶润滑油，好奇地看着他。
“Please,” Henry whines. “Get in me, love.”
"求你了，"亨利抱怨道"进来吧，亲爱的"
“Of course.” "当然"
“Is that a promise?” "这是承诺吗？"
Alex kisses him into silence, and then caresses his cheek with his thumb. “An oath.”
亚历克斯吻得他沉默不语，然后用拇指轻抚他的脸颊。"一个誓言"
Henry sighs as he feels his legs lift, his knees spread apart, the silk feeling like heaven on his skin. He squirms on the bed, feeling Alex’s eyes heavy with lust snake over him, and he feels desired. It sinks into him, and he lets it flow into his bloodstream, taking root. Alex’s hunger. Alex’s desire. Alex’s love.
亨利叹了口气，他感觉双腿抬起，膝盖分开，丝绸在他皮肤上的感觉就像天堂。他在床上扭动着身体，感觉亚历克斯的眼睛里充满了情欲，他感觉自己被渴求着。这股欲望沁入他的心田，他让它流入血液，生根发芽。亚历克斯的饥渴。亚历克斯的欲望。亚历克斯的爱
“Oh,” Henry sighs, eyes slipping shut. There’s hardness inside of him, lubed knuckles gliding on smooth muscle, Henry welcoming him in with minimal resistance.
"哦，"亨利叹了口气，眼睛微微闭上。他的身体坚硬无比，润滑的指关节在平滑的肌肉上滑动，亨利以最小的阻力欢迎他的到来。
Alex presses kisses onto his bent knees, a minefield of red splotches on Henry’s inner thighs. He enters another finger, and another, and scissors them inside of him, skillfully dissecting Henry until he’s falling apart, releasing the sweetest sounds.
亚历克斯将吻印在他弯曲的膝盖上，亨利的大腿内侧一片红斑。他又伸出一根手指，又一根手指，在亨利体内剪来剪去，熟练地剖开亨利的身体，直到他四分五裂，发出最甜美的声音。
“Perfect, darling,” Henry stammers out, flushed pink and trembling.
"完美，亲爱的，"亨利结结巴巴地说，脸色粉红，浑身颤抖。
“You are,” Alex whispers, eyes alight like stars. He hasn’t stopped staring at Henry’s sprawled form, at the fragile little strings: one on Henry’s right shoulder, the other dangling from the left. The silk bunched up at the hip, the nipple that’s barely peeking through the sharp V-neck. The maroon lace that contrasts pale flushed skin. “You’re a treasure. My treasure.”
"你是，"亚历克斯低声说，眼睛像星星一样闪亮。他目不转睛地盯着亨利匍匐的身躯，盯着那些脆弱的小线绳：一条在亨利的右肩上，另一条在左肩上。臀部的丝绸束起，乳头从尖锐的 V 领中露出。栗色蕾丝与苍白潮红的肌肤形成鲜明对比。"你是个宝藏我的珍宝"
He bends down to press kisses on Henry’s moles, in time to the gentle thrusts of his beautiful fingers, and Henry is unravelling for him wonderfully, like a ribbon, a silk one.
他弯下腰，在亨利的痣上亲吻，配合着他美丽手指的轻柔抽插，亨利就像一条丝带，美妙地为他展开。
“Oh, fuck, Alex. More, love.”
"哦，他妈的，亚历克斯。再来点，亲爱的
Alex pulls away from him, a gentle smile on his face, eyes melting with lust. Heady eyes blown out, a gorgeous brown. His skin darkened with arousal, perspiration peppering his temples like drops of dew.
亚历克斯拉开他的手，脸上挂着温柔的微笑，眼睛里融进了情欲。他的眼睛炯炯有神，呈现出绚丽的棕色。他的皮肤因兴奋而变得黝黑，汗水像露珠一样滴落在他的鬓角。
“Ready for me?” "准备好了吗？"
“Always.” Henry grips Alex’s midnight curls tight, as the younger man does quick work of shedding off his boxers, now only in his unbuttoned shirt, tie loosely hanging from his neck. He looks so boyishly handsome, like a standstill from an old movie, with his troublemaker smile and his firm forearms, his bare chest peaking through a crinkled shirt, the key dangling from his neck, glinting in the dim light. Like a man taken straight out of a page from an 80s erotic magazine. From Henry’s dreams.
"一直都是"亨利紧紧抓住亚历克斯午夜时分的卷发，年轻的亚历克斯迅速脱掉了四角裤，现在只穿着没扣纽扣的衬衫，领带松松垮垮地挂在脖子上。他看起来是那么的英俊潇洒，就像老电影里的定格，带着惹祸的笑容和结实的前臂，裸露的胸膛从皱巴巴的衬衫里露出来，脖子上挂着钥匙，在昏暗的灯光下闪闪发光。就像从 80 年代色情杂志中直接抽出来的男人。来自亨利的梦境
“My love,” Henry sighs, spreading his legs, aching for him. “Make love to me, please.”
"我的爱人，"亨利叹息着，张开双腿，渴望着他。"和我做爱吧，求你了"
“Settle, baby,” Alex murmurs, his voice rumbling and thick, vibrating inside of Henry and making him squirm. “All in due time.”
"安顿下来，宝贝，"亚历克斯喃喃自语，他的声音隆隆而浑厚，在亨利体内震荡，让他忍不住扭动。"一切尽在不言中"
“You enjoy torturing me.”
"你喜欢折磨我"
“I enjoy admiring the view. You’re breath taking.”
"我喜欢欣赏风景你让人窒息"
Henry’s breath hitches, a flush blossoming in all corners, his skin reddened and warm with desire dancing like licks of flames on it.
亨利的呼吸骤然急促起来，一朵红晕在他的各个角落绽放，他的皮肤变得通红而温暖，欲望像火焰一样在他的皮肤上舞动。
“Please don’t make me ask again, Alex.” He clenches around the fingers nestled inside of him, biting his lip at how much he wants them replaced.
"请不要让我再问一次，亚历克斯"他紧紧握住偎依在他体内的手指，咬紧嘴唇，因为他多么希望它们被替换掉。
Alex spends another minute tormenting him, before he slowly slides his fingers out, shushing Henry when his jolts and whines.
亚历克斯又花了一分钟来折磨他，然后才慢慢地把手指滑出来，当亨利发出颠簸和呜咽声时，他就嘘一声。
“Oh, God.” Henry whimpers out when Alex sinks into him inch by inch, his fist tightening on the curls and pulling, his back arching impossibly. Alex lavishes at the tender points of his neck, sharp canines sinking into delicate skin, sure to leave a mark. “Oh fuck!”
天啊当亚历克斯一寸一寸地插入他的身体时，亨利发出了呜咽声，他的拳头紧紧地抓住卷发，用力拉扯，他的背部不可能地拱起。亚历克斯舔舐着他颈部的嫩穴，锋利的犬齿刺入娇嫩的皮肤，肯定会留下痕迹。"我操！"
Alex bottoms out and they both exchange twin exhales, breaths synchronized. They stay wrapped up together, feeling the beats of each others hearts, their throbbing pulse, and Henry feels a sting in his eyes, his nose burning, his throat clamping up.
亚历克斯的呼吸达到顶峰，两人同时呼出一口气。他们紧紧缠绕在一起，感受着彼此心脏的跳动和脉搏的跳动，亨利感到眼睛一阵刺痛，鼻子发烧，喉咙发紧。
“Move,” he croaks out, voice breaking.
"快走，"他喃喃自语，声音断断续续。
Alex presses kisses on his eyelids, and as Henry’s eyelashes dampen with tears, Alex’s tongue swipes over it, tasting the salt.
亚历克斯亲吻他的眼睑，当亨利的睫毛被泪水打湿时，亚历克斯的舌头在上面扫过，尝到了咸味。
“Oh, honey,” he whispers, beginning to thrust, setting a rhythm. Gliding in smooth and pulling out tenderly, allowing Henry’s muscles to go sore with the stretch, with the delicious ache. A slow torment as Alex continues to move, swallowing Henry’s pleas for more with his talented mouth, biting into a plush bottom lip until they’re swollen and bruised. He explores Henry’s body delicately, feels the silk on his body in awe, his mouth parted, arousal thrumming in his eyes. He whispers compliments that get lost in between grunts and moans.
"哦，亲爱的，"他低语着，开始插入，设定节奏。平稳地滑入，温柔地抽出，让亨利的肌肉在伸展中酸痛，在美味的疼痛中酸痛。艾利克斯继续前进，用他那富有天赋的嘴吞下亨利要求更多的请求，咬住毛绒绒的下嘴唇，直到它们肿胀、青紫，这是一种缓慢的折磨。他细细地探索亨利的身体，惊奇地感受着他身上的丝绸，嘴巴张开，眼中闪烁着兴奋的光芒。他低声赞美着亨利，这些赞美在他的呼噜声和呻吟声中消失了。
He takes Henry’s cheek in his palm and promises him a lifetime of happiness, a lifetime of freedom to be as soft as he wants.
他用掌心托住亨利的脸颊，向他许诺一生的幸福，一生的自由，让他可以随心所欲地柔软。
“A lifetime of night gowns,” he whispers, biting into Henry’s shoulder, sealing it with blood.
"一辈子的睡袍，"他低语道，咬住亨利的肩膀，用鲜血封住。
Henry mewls when Alex’s hand slithers down and squeezes him, his thrusts growing erratic, hitting the spot inside of Henry that makes him sob. His grip tightens in Alex’s hair, eliciting a choked out moan from the man, and they both pant as they can feel their releases approaching, a crescendo. Warmth wraps around his stomach in tendrils, and he can feel it tighten and tighten and tighten… until.
当亚历克斯的手向下滑动并挤压亨利时，亨利发出了 "呜呜 "的叫声，他的抽插越来越不规律，撞击着亨利的内心，让他泣不成声。他紧紧抓住亚历克斯的头发，引得亚历克斯发出一声哽咽的呻吟，两人都气喘吁吁，因为他们都能感觉到自己的释放即将到来，达到高潮。温暖如丝般缠绕着他的腹部，他能感觉到这种感觉越来越紧，越来越紧......直到......
“Ah!” He arches off the bed, his back elegantly bending back and he’s cumming into his stomach, and his heart drops when he realizes he’d ruined his nightgown the same day he’s got it. Alex buries his head in Henry’s shoulder, nuzzling into the overgrown golden curls as he cums inside of Henry, moaning.
"啊！"他从床上拱起，背部优雅地向后弯曲，他的精液射进了自己的肚子里，当他意识到自己在得到它的当天就毁掉了睡衣时，他的心一下子放了下来。亚历克斯把头埋在亨利的肩膀上，偎依着那杂乱的金色卷发，一边在亨利体内射精，一边呻吟着。
As if reading Henry’s thoughts, Alex speaks, voice flustered and breathless, “I can buy you more.”
仿佛读懂了亨利的心思，亚历克斯说话了，声音慌乱，气喘吁吁："我可以给你买更多。"
“A lifetime of nightgowns, like you said.” Henry knows the true weight of what those words mean, and he feels the last of his snakeskin crumble into fine dust.
"一辈子的睡衣，就像你说的"亨利知道这句话的真正含义，他感觉到自己最后的蛇皮也碎成了细尘。
“The best for my baby.”
"对我的孩子最好"
Henry shuts his eyes, and smiles.
亨利闭上眼睛，面带微笑。