When they got home and got settled, everything somehow became more tense than it once was. Perhaps because they'd actually have to talk now as they'd agreed upon. Raoul and Christine sat on the couch while Erik opted to sit in the chair, drumming his fingers against the arm of it. He refused to make the first move. Why should he have to when they were the ones acting as if they couldn't stand to be near him? It seemed like it was their place to explain themselves rather than for him to explain why he'd done what he'd done.
The silence dragged on for a little longer before Raoul sighed and broke the silence. "Erik... We didn't intend to make you feel neglected or anything of the sort..." He started, pausing as if to search for the correct words. The words that would allow him to fix this whole situation.
"Mm. Sure you didn't. I get it though, I'm hardly lovable. Perhaps I'm easier to handle in small doses. Or no doses at all. Say the word and I'll get out of your hair." Erik drawled, heaving a sigh. He couldn't let himself listen. If he listened, he'd realize that Raoul sounded sincere.
"No! Stop assuming shit and let him speak. Jesus Christ, Erik." Christine quite honestly exploded, speaking right over Raoul. She was very much tired of Erik's shit. While she understood, she would not support him refusing to communicate just so he could prolong his misery and have a pity party.
Raoul couldn't help the pride he felt as he gazed over at Christine. He'd been waiting for the day that she'd finally speak up like that. She was usually content to rely on him or Erik to be the abrasive ones for her. Clearly Christine becoming pregnant with their child was good in more ways than one.
Erik gaped at Christine, blinking once or twice in shock. He couldn't form words. The fact that Christine had actually swore added to the shock factor. She really only did that when they were about to have fun. Otherwise, she just didn't bother. He managed a small nod in understanding before gesturing for Raoul to continue.
Raoul complied, biting back the urge to say something sarcastic. Mostly for the fact that he really didn't want to be snapped at by his girlfriend, as proud as he was of her. He wasn't a complete dumbass, after all.
"As I was saying, we didn't intend to make you feel the way you so clearly do. We recently found out that Christine is pregnant. We got caught up in the bliss of the news and we thought it best to wait until the risk of miscarriage lessened to tell you. That was a mistake on our part." He nearly rambled, rushing to get the words out before he could be interrupted by their favorite idiotic genius.
Erik didn't speak for a long time, but his posture and his facial expression softened. His teeth were clamped down on his bloated lower lip as he considered his words.
"... You did. If I had known that was all it was, I wouldn't have spiralled the way I had." Erik agreed numbly, unsure how to handle the news. Raoul allowed himself to sigh in relief. It was something, at the very least.
"Don't act like you aren't guilty of the same mistakes, Erik! You could've spoken to us about this at any time but you didn't. You chose that goddamn drug of yours. Because you have to numb things. You numb everything without even considering what it does to us." Christine snapped, causing Erik to flinch.
Raoul glared at her, mentally cursing her for being so emotional. It was a complete one-eighty from how she was in the car and he could only assume that her hormones weren't helping in any way.
Erik flinched, averting his gaze. He never thought she'd throw that at him. It was a coping mechanism and it was easier than facing his emotions head on. He always felt like his emotions were far more intense than a normal person's emotions.
"I- you're right, Christine. You're absolutely correct. I apologize but I don't.. I have never been able to break that habit completely. But I am more than willing to try for the two of you and this baby." Erik murmured, fiddling with the ring on his pinky finger. He avoided eye contact because he knew he wouldn't be able to handle looking at her right now.
Christine sighed and rubbed her stomach gently, despite not having too much of a bump just yet. She felt guilty but it had also felt good to get that off of her chest. But not better than the promise that it had gotten out of Erik. However, she still wished she'd gone about it differently.
"It's alright, Erik. We're more than willing to try and help as much as we can with that. I am sorry, not for saying it but the way I said it." Christine murmured. Erik looked up and offered her a tiny, hesitant smile. He nodded in understanding.
"I think that is enough for now. We could all use a good cuddle." Raoul finished, standing. He held out a hand for either of them. When they stood and took them, he lead them towards the master bedroom.