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Eric watched from across the table, scoffing softly under his breath. He couldn't believe his family's stupidity - they really were making it very tempting to slam his head against the table from sheer frustration. He didn't understand why they couldn't just be honest for once in their lives. If Sheila could do it, why couldn't they? And Sheila was dreadful. Daddy's little golden girl; spoilt, sheltered, naive, what more could anyone want from her? He sighed as he put his chin in his hand and reached for his glass of port - anything was better than nothing at this point. Though, if there was something to be happy about, at least all the arguments weren't over him and his bleak future this time.
His gaze scanned the table over the rim of his glass as he took a long sip, scrutinising each of their expressions. His wandering eyes settled on one face. Gerald. He wasn't as subtle as he thought he was when he drank in the man's stoic but calm expression and the cigarette handled so elegantly between his fingers. He watched closely as he gently blew out a puff of smoke, that familiar bitter jealousy amounting at the cigarette that got to be graced by those soft, pink lips.
“Eric?” Mrs. Birling gave her son a pointed look which earned her a small chuckle from Gerald, “Don't you have something you'd like to ask the inspector?”
Eric just smiled lazily, his hazy eyes brightening at the sound of Gerald's sweet laugh. He didn't care much for his mother's question - he didn't even cast her a glance or acknowledge her words.
The whole table looked down to Eric in awkward silence, waiting for him to do something other than ogle Gerald. He didn't even snap out of it when Sheila kicked him under the table three times, instead it felt like more of an invitation to keep daydreaming.
“I think he's had far too much to drink… Should I assist him to his room?” Gerald offered with a lilt of amusement, finally breaking the silence.
“Yes, that'd be for the best.” The inspector agreed, “He looks incapable of standing up, never mind answering questions…”
Much to Eric's surprise, he found himself willingly being escorted down the corridor by Gerald's warm guidance. Despite how his legs came close to collapsing in on him, the security he felt under the other man's control overrode any sense of worry - all he could focus on was the strong arm supporting his waist, how his hand kept a firm grip, the warmth radiating from him.
The corridors seemed like an endless maze. Just when Eric thought they were finally at his bedroom, Gerald halted and had to do a double take to remember if they were in the right part of the house. Even though Eric was getting more time with Gerald, his cluelessness was more than infuriating, especially when his patience was already worn thin from the alcohol.
“Stop wiffle-waffling… that way.” He hissed, standing up straight and pushing Gerald down a corridor. That was, until he realised he couldn't stand up straight without Gerald and stumbled to the floor with a pathetic thud, dull pain shooting up his chest and stomach.
He didn't fall far, but it was enough to get him half conscious and force time into a hazy blur.
He wasn't sure what was going on, he couldn't see anything beyond a few fleeting faces and white doors moving along the greyed corridors. The floor felt miles away and yet he never felt closer thanks to a warmth next to him that smelt distinctly like Gerald's cologne keeping him grounded. As if second nature, he found himself leaning into the comfort as dizziness and nausea were occupying his mind and waning any sense of rational thought. After all, if it smelt like Gerald, it probably was him.
After everything had passed by both too quickly and too slowly, Eric yelped as he felt his back hit his bed and his head sink into the plush pillow. Irritation caused him to give Gerald a half-hearted glare after clocking that they had finally arrived in his room.
“That took you way too long…” He grumbled, somehow managing to stumble over a 6 word sentence. He sat up and held his head, a futile attempt at stopping the spinning.
“I fear you have bigger things to worry about than how well I can navigate your house, Eric.” Gerald gave him a mildly irritated look but he kept his calm as he realised Eric had drunk a bit too much this time. “When did you last drink some water?”
“I don't know… is that something I need to be keeping track of?” Eric slurred his question, his brows furrowing in annoyance. The last thing he wanted to be interrogated about was his drinking habits.
“Well, it would be helpful…” Gerald sighed, “Get changed, I'll get you some water.” He promptly left for the kitchen, leaving Eric alone with his thoughts and his headache.
Eric huffed and begrudgingly put his pyjamas on. He loathed wearing them. He thought they only enforced this silly child his parents viewed him as, especially since he felt he couldn't be anything but that anymore. No matter how hard he tried to prove himself otherwise with his meaningless one-night stands or endless drinking, mother would still deny he had ever touched the decanter.
Just as his headache started to get worse, Gerald finally returned with a large, refreshing glass of water which he took without a word.
“You look exhausted… lots of turbulence weighing on your mind?” Gerald asked softly as he lowered himself onto the bed beside Eric.
“Something like that…” Eric mumbled as the glass hovered between his lips. He was already starting to miss the taste of his port and imagined the water was the bitter sting of alcohol.
“You know there's not much point in hiding it from me… the inspector's already exposed half of your family's secrets, you might as well go down with them.” Gerald smiled, though it faded slightly as he watched Eric stare at his water with such intensity.
“It doesn't really matter. It's only a silly thing…” Eric tried to play it off the best he could. He really didn't want to pull up the emotions he spent so long repressing earlier, especially with this headache.
“Only a silly thing? I doubt it.” Gerald put a hand on Eric’s shoulder, meeting his gaze, “Whatever is going on in your head right now, I promise I can help.”
Eric faltered for a moment. That honest sincerity in Gerald’s eyes and those warm words managed to put cracks in the walls he had spent so long building and enforcing. He pulled his gaze away, gripping the glass tighter. He couldn't bring himself to talk, and only hoped that Gerald could take a silent understanding.
Eric almost felt guilty as Gerald sighed, but it fizzled out slightly when he felt the arm wrapped around his shoulders pull him closer.
“You don't have to say anything, I understand…” Gerald smiled softly, gently brushing a few loose strands of hair from Eric's forehead with a gentle caress.
Eric just stayed quiet, basking in Gerald's quiet acceptance. The silence was almost soothing and he let his head rest on Gerald's shoulder, the glass nearly slipping from his hand.
“You look exhausted… when did you last sleep?” Gerald asked softly, his hand slowly carding through Eric's hair
“Not for a bit… I can't get to sleep most nights…” Eric mumbled. Tonight was certainly going to be different with how Gerald's simple touch was soothing him.
“Can't get to sleep sleep, hm?” Gerald hummed almost to himself and Eric could already see a plan formulating in the man's mind. “I have a way that'll get you to sleep.”
“Does it involve more alcohol?” Eric asked with half-serious hope as he finally put his glass on the bedside table.
“No, fortunately. All you have to do is act as I say. Can you do that for me, darling?” Gerald looked into Eric's hazy blue eyes and was met with a small nod. Eric was far too distracted by the man's handsome face to properly focus on what he was saying anyway.
With careful instruction, Eric eventually found himself lying down in bed, hugged in the safety of Gerald's arms, his cheek pressed against his chest and body resting atop of his. The duvet surrounding them provided a private warmth and he felt as if he belonged in Gerald's arms, like two puzzle pieces fitted perfectly together.
“This seems… a bit too affectionate, Gerald…” Eric mumbled, but he really wasn't complaining, not when his head was being gently pet again. Normally, he would've protested but now he almost found himself enjoying being held so affectionately - it had been a while since someone had shown him something so genuine.
“Just close your eyes, Eric. I promise you'll be okay.” Gerald whispered softly, each affirmation like a gentle caress and a soothing balm on Eric's weary mind.
Eric let out an imperceptible sigh as he subtly nuzzled his cheek against Gerald's chest, his heartbeat a gentle metronome counting him to sleep. He let himself melt into the comfort and safety, and let all the troubles of the day and his lingering headache fade away.
Maybe he could stay here, just for a while.