Forbidden love (Eric x Gerald)

Chapter 1 - The engagement

I wasted a lot of time on this - hope you enjoy (I hope you're reading this mazneen )

(All rights owned to Priestley these characters aren't mine - this is a fanfic)

The clang of Champaign bottles commenced the evening of Sheila and Gerald's engagement, hearty cheer and laughter from the Birlings was conveyed around the room. Thick aromas of whiskey and wine priming the celebration. The warm light of the chandelier hugged the walls, in a way that was deemed ethereal, the light creating a rippling effect over the rest of the room - setting a blithely mood for the ceremony. More port was handed around the room, Mr Birling beaming widely at the sight of Sheila and Gerald; caressing each other passionately - delighted with the sight of their long-lasting companionship. It seemed nothing, no-one could be capable of destructing such admiral compassion, such intense love as theirs - it was deemed no-one would oppose to the tenderness they displayed to each other, the love they shared could never keep them separate... could it?

...

Stern eyes gazed longingly at the newly pronounced groom; his glare burning holes into the backs of the wedded couples' heads. Jealousy consumed his being, it seemed as though everything he worked for, everything he loved was demolished... all because of one thing standing in his way- blocking his deepest hopes and dreams to be able to come through.

Sheila.

Excusing himself from the ceremony at once, Eric stormed out of the dining room; tears flooding down his raw cheeks as he made his way down to their drawing room. He knows it's absurd to feel this way, to feel this way towards his own sister's fiancé. It's not at all... normal to even consider loving a man; his father was planning for him to be wedded anytime soon.

But he didn't want a woman

He wanted...

Him.

He wanted Gerald.

Yet he didn't want his feelings to be considered, he didn't want Gerland to love him back, because he knew, he knew it would completely destroy his father's boost in reputation, but most of all - it would wreck his sister knowing that her own brother loved her soon to be husband.

She would lose all sense of trust in him...

But he couldn't deny that his feelings for him were strong. and he knew that at least some of those feelings he had for Gerald were somewhat... reciprocated. And how he knew that?

Eric pov:

Tears clouded my vision at the sight of it. The sight at them... together. I know i should be ecstatic at the sight of my older sister getting married of to the son of the crofts - but i can't feel anything but guilt. After... what Gerald and I shared last night i don't think she would ever think of me as a brother that she could trust. Let alone love.

If we dare to even share a detail of the scenes of the night we shared, Nobody in this town would take it lightly.

Not my father, not his father, not even our own families would accept it. Concealing this... feeling i have is the only way to protect him; to protect us. Prioritizing our family's safety is the only thing i should be worried about; not if he feels the same way as i do him.

Yet, even just the thought of his hands on mine is too painful. I have to stop thinking of him to spare my feelings, but most importantly, my families: Sheila's. I have to forget about our newfound feelings before it destructs anyone else's.

I just can't think straight around him...

Straighten up Eric you are to be wedded soon.

Stop messing around.

3rd pov:

Swiftly turning the corner, Eric caught sight of Edna, the family maid.

"Eric, Sir" Edna called from the end of the hallway, her monotone voice echoing throughout the narrow walls.

"Your father has called for you, he has some business to discuss in the dining hall."

Rasing his eyebrow, Eric replied with a subtle sigh

"Your father mentions its urgent" Edna remarks as she notices Eric rubbing his temples in annoyance.

"Tell him I'm busy, Edna, make up some sort of foul excuse to counter him; I'm not in the best mood to see him at the moment" He replies - his gut churning slightly at the thought of his father's discussion of 'urgent business'.

"I will try my best but i don't think your father will take this lightly. If you do change your mind, your father and Mr Croft will be wating for you."

"Hold on, Ger? - beg my pardon Edna but Mr Croft? What business does my father have with him other than Sheila's engagement?" Eric remarks, his eyes widened at the mention of Gerald and his father. Did Gerald tell him about what occurred between them? Or did his father find out and wishes to confront them.

Worry consumed Eric's thoughts, there could be hundreds of explanations for what he has to so urgently talk about, but all of them revert back to one reason: Last night's occurrence.

Eric's face reddened slightly at the thought of it but pleaded silently that that wasn't the case, that his father was gathering them both to confront them about what he had heard from them; or possibly even seen. His thoughts became clouded as he thought about more possibilities, a pang of curiosity struck him as he sought to find out what had to be discussed.

"My apologies sir, i was only ordered to insist for you to join their discussion, no details were revealed to me." Edna uttered, bowing slightly.

"There is no need to apologise Edna, his order will be fulfilled, all i wish of you is to stay as far away from the dining room as you can. I don't want any details to be let out from that room. What is said in that hall, stays in that hall. Thats an order not a request. Do you understand me?"

"Of course, Sir" Edna responds, before scurrying back into the kitchen to fulfil her orders.

Retracing his steps back to the dining room, butterflies filled his stomach - a sickening feeling intoxicating his being as he stormed into the hall. He caught a sight of Gerald and his father discussing something that was seemed to be a serious matter, displayed from the hushed tone of their voices.

Clearing his throat Eric announced his presence to the two, ignoring the continuous fluttering feeling in his gut.

"Ah Eric! at last, i was beginning to think you weren't going to come!" Mr Biring beamed; a wide smile stretched out onto his face.

"Edna told me you had something you wanted to discuss. I'm listening." Eric stated in a stoic manner.

A drop in Mr Birlings face was seen from Eric, his stomach churning more painfully.

"Right son, I'll get to the point now. There's something i have to discuss with you two" Mr Birling muttered - contrasting to his repetitive cocky behaviour, displayed a short time before Eric left.

Gesturing for the two to sit down, Mr. Birling remained standing - his eyebrows furrowed - his current feelings remaining undeciphered.

Eric took a swift glance towards Gerald, a hard lump forming in his throat as he begun to expect the worse. Yet, Gerald seemed completely unfazed - was he not the slightest bit alarmed at his (newly pronounced) father in laws unusual behaviour? Swallowing the pit in his throat, Eric prepared for his father's words.

If in doubt, prepare for the worst.

Taking shallow breaths, Eric took his own advice to heart and had to remember the only useful thing his father ever told him.

"Take to heart what I'm about to tell you boys. It will change everything"

Word count: 1287

(I'm too lazy to do spelling checks so please forgive the bad spelling, grammar wtv if there is any lol)