Alfred age regressing because of his BPD. Ivan takes care of him and so does Mattie.
Mattie POV
When I wake up and find ten unread messages from Alfred, I sigh and go right over to his house.
Opening the door, I immediately hear...silence. Okay, that's not normal. Alfred always has music blasting, the radio going, and several fans going. Not to mention his states are loud.
Then, echoing through the house, I hear...giggling. I chuckle and shake my head. "Probably one of the younger states."
I'm about to head home when the laughter becomes crying. I rush over, finally finding the source of the crying.
Alfred is on his knees, thumb in his mouth, holding his head. I gently remove his hand, finding a small bump. I pat his shoulder. "You're okay, big guy. Hey, why don't you go to bed?"
He nods, sniffling. After tucking him in, I make some angel milk. He's rather weak for the stuff. Giving it to him has worked many, many times. Particularly when I need him to agree to something.
This time, I find a plastic sippy cup in place of his normal water glasses from the 70s languishing on the counter. He has a strange superstition about leaving glasses on the counter.
Alfred sees the sippy cup and takes it, babbling like a baby. I smile and nod, but inwardly I am confused. Either his pranks have gotten really weird, I need to hit Arthur with my hockey stick, or, the most likely outcome....this is the same as when I found Alfred in a catatonic stupor one night, many decades ago.
I decide on the latter to be safe, especially when I see a bottle of liquor on his dinner table, the cap off. "Well, shit."
When I check back on Alfred, I see him hugging a plush of Whale Dude, thumb in his mouth again. I take out my phone and text Arthur.
Mattie: Arthur whatever you did to Alfred isn't funny
Arthur: I did no such thing. What has the git done now?
Mattie: he's mentally a child right now
Arthur: Mattie, we all know this, Alfred never mentally matured
Mattie: No you don't understand, Alfred is drinking from a sippy cup and sucking his thumb. I found him crying. He's definitely been drinking.
Arthur: Oh dear
Mattie: Right?
Arthur: Mattie, I know what is happening
Mattie: Well, do spill
Arthur: He's age regressing
Mattie: this shit has a name?
Arthur: It sure does.
Mattie: Does Alfred need like...a doctor or something?
Arthur: A psychiatrist or perhaps a therapist
Mattie: He could probably use one
"Mattie...."
Arthur: I'm afraid his childhood wasn't very healthy for him
"MATTIE!"
I nearly drop my phone, rushing over to Alfred, who is staring wide eyed at his closet, trembling. Tears are in his eyes. "Scary monster!"
I comfortingly hug him, and he quiets down immediately.
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Ivan POV
"Ba ba ba...ba ba ba." Alfred is making weird noises next to me, hiding his face in his jacket. I protectively sit near him, noticing how Mattie looks worried.
When it's Alfred's turn to present, he tries to seem older. He talks with a rather childish voice, still hiding his face. When there's a clap of thunder and the lights flicker, he vanishes under the table.
I go after him, shushing him when he begins to cry. "Ivan, I'm scawed!"
I embrace him, and he burrows into my chest. "You are safe, yes. I will protect you from the storm."
