One Shots

The gift of christmas

Gustave Daaé's POV
"Lotte!"
I called to my daughter, she was down at the altar praying. We couldn't afford our own home anymore, so I rented a room for the two of us at the Opera Populaire.
"Do you know what day it is Little Lotte?"
I called to her. As she came down the hall didn't smile, or even giggle.
"Papa, there's a boy down there."
"So? What's the matter?"
I knew who it was.
"He's sad papa he doesn't have a family. No one for Christmas."
That's my girl. I've taught her well.
"What did this boy look like?"
"I didn't see him! I heard him, I heard him crying..."
She sighed in a melancholy tone. Christine hated seeing others upset.
"Well, why don't you tell him your father, Gustave said come up by the tree in the lobby after closing. That is when you will get your present. And I will find something for this boy as well."
I smiled at her. She hugged my leg and skipped back down the hall toward the altar. I sighed and got up. I had already gotten Erik a present. A book of blank score paper. I had accidentally ran into Erik one evening when my daughter and I had first moved here. I needed a place to practice that wouldn't disturb anyone. I found a tunnel and kept walking. Eventually, I sat and played. As I played I felt eyes on me. When I finished someone tapped me on the shoulder.
"Could you teach me?"
I jumped back when I saw the boy in the mask.
He was so thin and pale. He looked to be about fourteen. I felt terrible for him. After he explained himself I had started to give him lessons every evening at 10 o'clock. He was now like a son to me.
"Papa!?"
I was pulled from my thoughts by her tiny voice.
"Ah-yes Lotte?"
"He said he'll come."
I smiled to myself.
"Well now. You best be getting ready! We've only an hour until closing!"
•••
"Papa! Are you ready!?"
Christine asked as I gathered the two boxes from under the bed.
"Mhm, are you?"
"Yepp!"
I looked up at the grandfather clock in the corner of our little room. It was just five minutes after closing.
"Alright, we best be off. Your friend will be expecting us."
I smiled at my little Lotte as she looked at me, and the presents in my hands excitedly. She reached for my hand and I smiled softly, tucking the presents under my arm and taking her elf sized hand in mine.
She pulled me to the lobby of the opera house. There was a large fireplace, the fire was still roaring. On its mantel sat pine trimmings, pine combs, holly and large white candles. In the center of the lobby was the biggest tree I'd ever seen indoors. It was decorated with all sorts of things. Candles, cinnamon sticks, bows and glass bulbs in all shapes, sizes and colors. The smell of the tree was wonderful. Not as wonderful as the statue sitting atop the tree. The most beautiful carving of an angel I had ever seen. He was playing the violin.
Christine's eyes sparkled with excitement as we sat near the tree. She looked around for the boy she had been speaking to. I also scanned the dim lobby for him. She looked up at me at her place across from me. Her eyes were flickering from me to the presents.
"We'll give him a few minutes."
I reassured her. She nodded and looked at the fire.
Minutes slowly ticked by. Five, ten, fifteen. He was probably watching us.
"It's alright. You don't have to be afraid."
I smiled and looked around. No response. No movement. I sighed and picked up Christine's present.
"Well we'd better do this witho-"
"Sorry I'm late."
I heard his soft voice from the other side of the tree. His footsteps  were lighter than feathers. The crackle of the fire was louder than them. I held my breath as he appeared from behind the tree.
"Gustave."
He smiled at me as he stood behind Christine. He was nervous.
"Erik, join us."
I smiled. Lotte turned to him and patted the spot next to her, not phased by his mask whatsoever.
"I'm Christine."
She grinned at him as he sat a few feet away from her.
"I know, I'm Erik..."
He blushed and it clicked. He liked her more than I knew.
"Hello Erik."
"Hello Christine."
"Let's get to gifts shall we?"
I interrupted and held the packages up. Erik cocked his head and furrowed what I could see of his brow.
"For you."
I gave them both their presents. Christine opened hers. A scarf. Red, to bring out her greenish-blue eyes. Erik looked at me, his eyes welling up with tears. This was his first Christmas, I was sure of it.
"Go on."
I smiled as Christine thanked and hugged me. Slowly as possible he tore off the wrapping.
"Th-thank you Gustave."
He whispered and held the book in his lap.
"Merry Christmas Erik."
I smiled at him.
"M-merry Christmas G-Gustave."