Chapter Text
Gabriel sat by himself on the balcony of his room in the Sesidhbana castle. He had meditated to visit for a bit, to collect his thoughts...
Things weren't great at home...
He sighed, and put his head in his hands, his heart heavy. He didn't know what to do...
"Gabriel?"
Gabriel looked up, and saw Elderane slowly walk in, his eyes curious as he sat beside Gabriel on the bench. It was dusk, and the few brightest stars were beginning to appear in the purple sky above them.
"Are you alright...?" Elderane asked, his voice soft, a hint of worry behind it.
Gabriel sighed, and lowered his hands, looking up, his eyes lost.
"Do you think...I'm...useless?" Gabriel asked, and Elderane's eyes widened in shock.
"Useless?! Of course not!" Elderane cried, looking over Gabriel in worry. "What ever caused such a thought?"
Gabriel shrugged, and stared out at the horizon.
"I-...I need help with a lot, a-and...have gotten into trouble so many times..." He said, running his hand over his side where his bullet scar was. "And the guys have...always helped me..." He said, recalling how the others have saved him time and time again. "But...lately, I feel like...I'm doing ok for once, and...everyone else needs help..."
"What do you mean?" Elderane asked, gently, his hand on Gabriel's arm. Gabriel took in a slow breath, closing his eyes.
"Enty has been...distant, and more...oh I don't know...forlorn lately..." He said, pondering. "He's been very...eager to help, but hasn't been doing anything for himself lately, I don't know why...and Aaron has been in his basement more and more, working for days on end...I think he's losing weight..." He said, opening his eyes as he looks up at the stars. "And Crow...Crow's been looking horrible..." Gabriel said, shaking his head. "He's been having dark circles under his eyes, he hasn't eaten dinner with us in days...he hasn't touched his guitar, and he's been snapping at Aaron a lot...angrily..." He said, his eyes burning a bit. "Everyone seems like they're hurting, but I...I haven't done anything...I haven't been able to think of what I could do..."
"Gabriel, things are complicated, it'll take time to work it out..." Elderane said, taking Gabriel's hand in his own. "You can't fix everything in one day..."
"But they've all helped me! I can't seem to do anything to help them when they need it...I'm so useless..."
"My Gabriel, you are not useless." Elderane said firmly. "You do help the others, and you will help them now. But you mustn't rush it."
"What can I do then...?" Gabriel then cried, meeting Elderane's soft gaze.
"You can be there for them, to start...talk to them, listen to them...then decide what you can do to help them."
"But what if I can't...?" Gabriel cried.
"Look at all you have done, all the good you've done...you'll find a way to help them, and it'll all be ok in the end..."
Gabriel sniffled, and nodded, as Elderane pulls him into a hug.
"I just...want to give back all they've given to me..." Gabriel cries, holding Elderane close. "Sometimes I feel like...I only take, and...never give..."
"While I can say for sure that is not true, if you feel that way...now is the time you can make the change." Elderane says, giving Gabriel a small smile. "Your family is hurting, and they could use your help...but don't feel like you have to be needed to have worth my Gabriel...you all are family, unconditionally...you love each other, and that is all that matters..."
"You're r-right..." Gabriel cries, closing his eyes again. "You're right...but I want to help them...they helped me, and now...they're hurting...its my turn I step up and help them..."
"Avantasia calls you a hero for this reason, my Gabriel." Elderane says, pulling back a bit as he cups Gabriel's cheek with his hand. "Your strong heart..."
Gabriel smiles at that, and nods, taking in and releasing a breath.
Things...are different now. Things changed, and...that's ok. Everyone changes, and he has too...
And he feels like...its time he helps the others the same way they helped him...
They need it...they deserve it...
Gabriel sighs, looking back at the stars. He wants his family happy...but things are rough right now...
Especially with Scarecrow...
Gabriel stares at the star, and finds himself making a wish in his heart.
He just wishes...his family will find their happiness...
Someday...