Chapter Text
The entertainment industry is cruel in Twisted Wonderland.
If an idol has a fanbase who is very delusional, being in a relationship or getting married would be a death sentence.
The so-called fans would definitely attack the idol who they loved. They'd guilt trip the idol, accusing them of not loving the fans for starting a romantic relationship with someone else.
Usually women get attacked the most instead of men.
Especially if the paparazzi caught a female idol pregnant.
That'd be the end of her career.
This cruel reality led a popular idol named Gisela to stand in front of her former lover’s apartment.
One hand pressed the doorbell.
The other held a bundle of blankets.
Her former lover answered the door.
Short platinum blonde hair with violet coloured eyes.
He's tall. A perfect height for a model.
He looked at Gisela with a surprised expression.
Gisela urged him to let her in as she had something to tell him.
The former lover led her to his living room as she sat down on a black leathered couch. She was still carrying the blankets in her arms.
Her former lover realised that she's wearing a hat and a mask to cover her face. Of course, she doesn't want anyone to know that she's visiting her former lover.
Nor does the public know that she had a lover before.
She couldn't risk a scandal if any paparazzi caught her visiting this particular apartment.
Especially when her former lover was Eric Venue, a rising star actor.
Eric sat next to Gisela, “I'm surprised that you're here… What are you holding?” He asked.
“Eric, did you know I went on a hiatus for almost a year?” Gisela asked.
Eric nodded, observing the former lover's expression, “Yes, I do remember.”
“It's because of this.” Gisela finally revealed what lies under the blankets she was carrying.
A week-old baby lay nestled in the folds.
They had fair skin, and although they had only a little hair, Eric could see it was the same color as his.
Gisela’s hair was ginger—so that ruled her out.
“... Gisela? I thought you got rid of it?” Eric questioned as he looked at the infant with wide eyes. The infant was sound asleep in Gisela's arms.
Gisela sighed as she furrowed her eyebrows, “I wanted to… I truly wanted to, but I was scared. You weren't there to support me. If only you were there, I would've done it.”
Eric looked at her apologetically. It's not like he didn't want to get involved. He didn't know if it was a good idea to be there when Gisela was always being accompanied by her manager.
But when he thought about it, he was being selfish. He felt bad for Gisela having to carry this stress by herself.
“And why didn't you tell me that you're keeping the child?” Eric asked.
“I didn't know what to do.”
“And you kept this as a secret.”
Gisela went silent. Eric's eyes went back to focus on the infant in Gisela's arm. He could hear the infant gurgling in their sleep.
“... It's a boy. I think he looked more like you than me.” Gisela said, “Would you like to hold him?”
Eric nodded. Gisela slowly moved the infant in Eric's arms. Eric smiled.
The infant looked so small in his arms.
It's rather nice to look at.
He never imagined himself to be a father nor felt happy to be around children but this infant was different.
Surprisingly, he made Eric feel calm and soft on the inside.
“Ah, he's so adorable,” Eric said. “I haven't named him yet,” Gisela added.
Eric turned to her and raised an eyebrow, “And it had been a week? Have you done any paperworks?” Eric asked.
“My manager helped out with everything but we left out the name…” Gisela said.
“For a week?!”
So, the infant had no birth certificate yet, Eric assumed.
“I have a request to make… Can you raise him? I don't think I'm able to… knowing where I stand. I don't want to lose my fame.” Gisela said.
Eric sighed as he looked at the infant.
Gisela had to hide for a year because she was carrying his child and Eric was absent the whole time when Gisela was pregnant.
To lift his guilt, he agreed to raise the infant.
Gisela promised that she will come and visit the infant whenever she's free.
Which might take a while.
Eric told her that he decided to name the infant, Vil.
Vil Schoenheit.
Gisela agreed with the name. She told Eric to do whatever he wanted.
Eric raised the infant by himself and sometimes, he hired a nanny to look after Vil.
Gisela promised to visit him and Vil.
But she never came.
Eric tried to contact her but she never answered.
Eric tried to contact her for Vil's first birthday but she never answered.
It's safe to say that Gisela abandoned the child and let Eric carry all of the responsibilities.
Eric felt bad for leaving her and not being with her when she was pregnant but that shouldn't give her the excuse to leave the child.
Eric decided to give up.
He grew fond of Vil anyway.
He loved Vil dearly.
Everyday, he'd make sure to bask Vil in kisses and hugs, letting his son know that he's loved by his dad.
Eric is a famous model and actor. He seldom had free time to hang around with his friends, especially now that he became a father.
One day, his manager told him he had nothing scheduled on the weekends so he decided to go out with his friends.
Though unfortunately, almost all of his friends were busy except for one.
A hunter originally from Sunset Savanna. He had met the hunter years ago at a local pub, back when the man had just moved to the Shaftlands with his family.
The good thing about inviting him over for coffee is the hunter has a child who is almost the same age as Vil.
Or maybe a few months older.
Eric let him know to meet him at a coffee shop in Maquillavile.
He left a special instruction for the hunter, to bring his youngest son with him.
When the day came,
The two men gathered at the coffee shop where they promised to meet.
“Bonjour, mon ami! I have come!” Aloïs Hunt, the hunter from Sunset Savanna made his presence known. He has short golden blonde hair with sharp green eyes. He has freckles sprayed across his nose.
Eric smiled at his friend. He stood up from his booth to greet the other man with a hug. Aloïs chuckled, “Ah, I haven't seen you in a while. Ça va? How are you?”
“Yeah, I'm fine. I've been busy with work and well… Being a single father.” Eric replied with a smile.
Aloïs gasped as he raised his hands theatrically, “Oh lala! I forgot you have a son now! Is he here with you? Oui?” Aloïs asked enthusiastically.
Eric chuckled and nodded.
“Vil!” Eric called out to his son, who was looking around the bushes for some flowers.
The young boy turned around and ran to his dad happily.
Aloïs gasped.
Eric’s son had fair skin and beautifully styled platinum-blonde hair—shoulder-length, with some parts braided and neatly tucked behind his head, decorated with a large red bow.
He was wearing a long, white shirt with frills on the collar and sleeves, paired with black shorts and red loafers.
“Ah, so this is Vil. He’s a copy of you. A beautiful fashionista. Such beauté!” Aloïs said enthusiastically.
Vil jumped slightly at the compliment and quickly hid behind Eric.
Eric chuckled.
“Why are you so shy all of a sudden? I thought you were excited to meet my friend?”
Vil let out a small whine in response.
Eric turned his attention back to Aloïs, deciding it was better not to tease his son. He didn’t want Vil to cry.
“So, Aloïs, you brought your son with you?”
“Oui. He’s behind me,” Aloïs replied, pulling his son to the front.
Eric hadn’t even realized the boy was with them the whole time— he had been so quiet.
Quiet as a mouse.
Eric looked at the boy.
He has the same features as his father. Golden blonde hair, sharp green eyes with freckles on his nose.
The only difference is the boy is quiet compared to Aloïs, who is the life of the party.
“This is mon fils. Introduce yourself,” Aloïs said happily as he patted his son's head. The boy looked at Eric with emotionless eyes, “Rook.”
“Non, non! You must be enthusiastic. Introduce yourself like, I'm Rook Hunt! I'm 4 years old!” Aloïs said to his son. Rook grumbled, averting his eyes from his father.
Eric chuckled. “Don't worry about it. If he's too shy to talk, you shouldn't push him.”
“Mon ami, Rook is so quiet. It worries me to see him not as lively as my other two children. Those two jumped around like jumping jelly beans!” Aloïs complained.
“To be fair, Rook is only four. He needs time to get used to his surroundings,” Eric said.
Eric lowered himself so he could talk to Rook at eye level. “Do you have something you like?” he asked.
Rook turned his attention to Eric, “I like animals…” He said, almost whispering. Eric nodded, “I'm guessing you love to watch shows about animals.”
Rook nodded excitedly but his face remained emotionless.
“Rook loves to watch documentaries. He would have his eyes glued to the screen!” Aloïs said.
While the adults were talking, Vil quietly peeked out from behind Eric. He observed the older boy standing in front of his dad.
Vil slowly approached the boy, reaching for his hand. Rook jumped when he felt someone holding his hand. He turned to Vil.
His eyes widened.
Eric and Aloïs went quiet as they watched their sons interacting.
“Hi…” Vil said quietly as he gave Rook a shy smile. Rook stood quietly. His green eyes focused on Vil.
Almost like he's looking at Vil from top to bottom.
“B-Beauté…” Rook said.
Aloïs laughed while Eric chuckled. Seems like their sons are going to have a blast together.
Vil looked at Rook with a confused face. He gasped when Rook held both of his hands, “My name is Rook Hunt. I'm 4 years old.” The golden blonde said. His eyes are still focused on Vil.
Vil wanted to back away, feeling a bit shy and overwhelmed with how enthusiastic Rook had become.
“I-I’m Vil Schoenheit… I'm turning 4…” Vil said, shyly.
“Look at that! They're talking! We should leave them be, but ah, we might need to order something to eat.” Aloïs said as he sat down at the booth. “Mon fils, come. We have to eat first before you can play with your new friend.” He added.
Rook nodded, even though his eyes were glued to Vil. Meanwhile Vil averted his eyes from Rook, feeling embarrassed around him.
That made Eric smile. Even though Vil is cheerful around him, he knows that his son is a shy person when it comes to meeting new people.
The four of them sat at the booth. They ordered their lunch and drinks; and had their meals together.
Eric and Aloïs were happily chatting together while Rook and Vil ate quietly.
Rook couldn't stop glancing at Vil while he's eating his food.
The platinum blonde realised it but he kept his head down on his plate.
“I got news for you. Mon amour, Margaux, she's pregnant.” Aloïs announced happily to his friend. Eric raised his eyebrows, “Whoa. Again? How many are you planning to have? A whole soccer team?” He joked.
Aloïs laughed, “Ah, I don't know. I thought Rook was going to be the last but Margaux wanted more. I don't understand her.”
“Well, if she's happy to have more then you'll have more.” Eric chuckled.
“Mon dieu! I don't think I can handle more than 4!” Aloïs raised his hands.
“Papa, I'm done.” Rook said, putting his cutlery down. Aloïs turned to his son, “Bon travail! You can go play now, if Vil is done.”
Eric turned his attention to his son who quietly put his cutlery down, “Finished?” Eric asked.
Vil nodded as he wiped his lips with a serviette.
“You should go play with Rook. He's waiting for you.” Eric said, urging his son to befriend the boy sitting in front of him.
Vil nodded.
Both of the boys got off their chairs and walked away from the booth.
Eric and Aloïs watched their boys quietly walk away before Rook saw a seagull fly towards them. The boy made a sound, grabbing Vil's hand, urging the other boy to chase the bird with him.
Vil hesitated at first but he let Rook pull him around.
In the end, the two of them ended up talking with each other, playing chasey and hide and seek together.
When their dads called them so they could go home, both boys were hesitant. They truly enjoyed their time together.
Eric and Aloïs smiled. They comforted their sons and promised to bring them to see each other again.
On their way home, Eric listened to Vil happily telling him about Rook.
Rook knows a lot about animals, he has good eyesight and hearing and he can run faster than him.
Eric was glad that his son enjoyed his time meeting a new friend.
He would definitely ask his friend to bring his son over again.
The playdate went well and Eric hoped that Rook and Vil could be close friends.