The horizon and the balcony

Chapter eleven

"Absolutely not!"Alexander exclaimed and flopped back on the couch. John sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

"Alex you're not even listening to them all the way through"John said grabbing Alex's hands.

"John is right Alex, we haven't even started the meeting yet"Hercules said. Alex rolled his eyes and snatched his hands back crossing his arms. This whole meeting was pointless to him, he had so much stuff he'd rather be doing than talking about his feelings.

"Then can we keep it short? I've got a twenty-five page essay due in two months"he said. Lafayette rolled their eyes and muttered under their breath.

"Lafayette would you like to explain?"Hercules asked. Lafayette nodded and pulled out there mac book opening google slides.

"I have made a power point presentation on the subject"They said proudly. Alex couldn't help but grin, he's finally started rubbing off on the French fry.

"One thing to remember before you get out there babe"Alex said

Lafayette suddenly stopped their nervous pacing and faced the small man.

"Yes my love? Anything would help right now"

"Everything is more convincing with a power point presentation"

Good to know he doesn't talk for nothing.

Lafayette pressed the presentation mode and started with the first slide. It simply said age regression. Alex furrowed his
eyebrows.

"Is that a man in a onesie?"he said slowly. Lafayette nodded and quickly turned to the first slide.

"What is age regression? Probably the question you are all asking "They said. Everyone nodded and they took it as a sign to continue.

"Age regression is actually a form of therapy where a person who has dealt with childhood trauma or for better words lack of childhood gets to experience the feelings of childhood at a later age. It is basically regressing to a younger headspace"They said.

Alex's jaw dropped, he had basically been doing this for years. Even back when he was in the Caribbean.

"I-I know what this is..."he said softly. Everyone turned to face him and he felt a blush spread across his cheeks.

"I've been doing this for a really long time"he said meekly.

"And you did not tell us mon petit?"Laf said.

"Telling your partners you sometime act like a baby isn't a normal dinner table topic"he said.

"You didn't even tell me Alex? I've known you for fifteen years, I married you and you hid this?"John said. It wasn't quite anger but more of an aggravated disappointment.

"Easy tiger"Hercules said giving him a pointed look. He huffed and leaned back crossing his legs.

"I'm sorry! I didn't know how to bring it up and I haven't done it in like a few years anyways"Alex said.

"Yeah but even back then, I could've taken care of you-"

"John you were too busy taking care of everyone else and you know it. You've done so much already, you can't take care of everyone!"Alex blurted out. His thoughts were askew but he sighed contently, at least he got the general point across.

John locked his jaw and clenched his fist nodding.

"Anyways next slide!"Laf said quickly pressing the space bar.

"What are the benefits of age regression? Some of the key benefits are it can actually work as a coping mechanism for anxiety and depression. It's peaceful and it's very calming"They said.

"You sound like you're taking from experience"John snorted. Lafayette's face hardened and they turned their body facing him.

"I am talking from experience, problem?"they said. John quickly shook his head and mumbled an apology.

"Alright then. The following slides are just things such as accessing what your little space is like which will take trial and error"They said.

John raised his hand. Lafayette nodded and pointed at him.

"When can we start?"He asked.

"Whenever you want"Lafayette said.

John stood up and cracked his knuckles.

"Come on, we're starting now. I wanna go to Target"he said.

Everyone looked at each other.

"Come on am I speakin a different language? Let's go!"he exclaimed and ran off to the bedroom rambling about how he needed his shoes.

Alex stood up and looked at them.

"That went better than expected, I guess we're going to target"he said. Hercules and Lafayette nodded following John to the bedroom.