A/N: I just uploaded chapter 24 and had this brilliant idea of Gustave saying something (you'll see it's the first line) and so I'm going to write. Because that's what I do when I have ideas. Genius, right? Lol.
Disclaimer: I don't own LND. Unfortunately… Rhyming grrr
Gustave was in Erik's kitchen, trying to reach up to grab a piece of fruit. Hearing a noise, he whirled around and proceeded to knock over the bowl he was reaching for, spilling its contents on the floor.
"Mister Y – Erik – Father…"
Gustave stared as Erik stumbled into the living room, reaching out to grab the end of the couch, but failing as he collapsed to his knees with an , "Agh!" and placing a hand to his throbbing chest as he panted heavy breaths that seemed to be slicing his body in half.
Gustave screamed, "Mother!" before running over to Erik and trying to help him in anyway. Erik held out a hand to stop him as he recovered.
Moments later, Christine emerged, once again wrapped in nothing but a robe, with her hair dripping down her shoulders. Gasping, she ran up and kneeled on the other side of Erik.
"Erik! What are you doing? The doctor said –"
"Damn the doctors! I'm fine –"
"Yes, because 'fine' is hunched over the floor in agony!"
She got no reply as Erik closed his eyes tight and waited for the pain to ebb. When his breathing was steady, Christine and Gustave lifted him by the shoulders and helped him fall – gently – into the couch. Christine was instantly at his side, feeling his forehead and everything else she could reach.
"Erik – you stupid, stupid man! Are you hurt? God, Erik you could have –"
"Christine, please," He was still struggling to breathe. "Christine, you're not my mother," he said between breaths. "Well, thank god you're not – I never want to see her again…"
"Why?" Gustave spoke again.
Considering how to gently say that his mother had been the reason for his near-death, Erik said the simplest response he could. "She was very cruel to me, Gustave,"
As Erik began to breathe at a gentler pace, Christine fetched him a glass of water and his painkillers. He swallowed both before tenderly rubbing his injured side. After putting his head back and sighing with closed eyes, he suggested Gustave play. As he heard scuffling feet and a few warm-up notes before the piece Gustave had written for him, he felt the sinking of the cushion beside him and Christine's body pressed up against him. Erik sighed and opened his eyes, to find Christine's legged tucked under her, and she was trying to avoid leaning into his sore rib, but was stroking his thigh while watching Gustave play.
When she noticed his eyes were open, she turned her gaze to his and smiled. Erik smiled back, not quite believing his insane luck that was for once in his favor. Quickly leaning up to kiss his cheek, she stood to go dress herself.
Gustave repressed a giggle as he glanced and saw his father's shocked expression at a simple kiss. Gustave was not blind, and therefore he could see that his parents cared about each other very much, however a kiss on the cheek was a friendly gesture. At his father's obvious surprise at intimate contact, Gustave could not help but wonder what had happened to this intriguing man, and he sensed that the display the day previous with Raoul was not far from how Erik had spent the past years of his life.
Curious, Gustave finished his piece with such a strong last note, it reflected the determination he felt. For Gustave had inherited his father's ability of getting what he wanted, and Gustave wanted to find out what had happened.
A/N: Ok that was… strange. Sorry again for the short chapter, but I said I liked dramatic endings, didn't I? :) Also, Eriksangelofmusic4ever, I just realized you're one of my favourite authors. Thank you a lot for reading and if you could please update some of your stories soon I might just reward you with a really, really long chapter. I love your stories (Love Lives On; Phantom Royale) so please please please update! And to all of you – Does anyone think that they're out of character? please review and take my poll!