Delarioux

Chapter 3

 - Present Day -

All Erik knew was pain, mental or physical, it didn't matter which. It all ran together like acid that seeped through his body, creating a burning sensation behind his eyes. He stubbornly refused to acknowledge that the moisture was in fact his tears. He didn't bother opening them, as there was nothing worth seeing. Everything reminded him of her. There was the chair she sat in when he would play for her, the ribbon she had used to tie her curls back, the cup she had taken a drink of water from when they were practicing. He had no idea where her Amnita dress had gone. The last time he had seen it Michael was taking it towards the fireplace. It was maddening to think that he still hadn't moved from this one spot in an entire week. His body protested, as it should, but that was not enough motivation to get up, to keep going. The only reason his sorry carcass hadn't expired was because of his siblings. Erik groaned at the thought of them. Why wouldn't they just leave him be? Why couldn't they just stop caring? He certainly had. David had already pestered him more than enough, before he had curtly told him to leave him be.

He curled up tighter around her veil, pressing to his face and inhaling her scent. He had hidden it from them, they had gotten rid of everything that he had left out. Erik burrowed under the covers and turned towards the wall, blocking heavy footsteps as they approached the curtain. Who's he wasn't sure. He prayed it wasn't David, if it was, he would find a vase colliding with his stupidly boyish features.

Hugo strode in, and he didn't have to turn around to know that there was a scowl on his face. It was almost as if he had sucked what little life there was out of the room.

"Erik." he called, knowing all too well that he was awake. Erik hurriedly stuffed the veil under his pillow, not wanting the white tulle to catch his brother's golden eyes.

"It's time to get up now." he stated, an underlying threat made his way to his voice, and Erik recognized it, putting him into an even fouler mood. As if Hugo could ever overpower him...

Erik said nothing, only pulled the blanket tighter over his head.

Hugo exhaled shortly.

"You can't stay in there forever."

"Watch." he hissed, like a snake backed into a corner, posing to strike.

Hugo recognized his warning tone, yet ignored it as always.

He maneuvered around his own bed at the opposite side of the room and approached the ill tempered pile of sheets.

In one motion he flung the comforter off of his brother, exposing his bed tangled hair and wrinkled clothes.

"Ugh!" Hugo gave a disgusted yelp, scrunching up his nose at the stench. "What died in here!?"

Erik sat up, a handkerchief rolling off of him.

"My heart." Hugo rolled his eyes at his brothers drama. This obviously wasn't working, so he decided to try a different tactic.

"Erik, you need to get up. Lying here isn't going to make anything any better." Hugo furrowed his brows when he examined the state of his brother's side of the room.

He sat down at the end of the bed, making sure he avoided any other used tissue.

"You will listen to me Erik, she's gone. I know you don't want to hear this, but it doesn't mean your own life has to end." Erik searched his brother's eyes, unused to this tender side of him. His eyes narrowed, and he wondered why he seemed to care all of the sudden. Even though they were twins, they never really openly cared for another, or at least, they tried not to. Heaven forbid they even talk about their...feelings. Though there had been one exception, Hugo spoke from experience, though he didn't wish to bring that up. There was no need for both of them to fall into hysterics. Erik decided to vent to his brother, after all,he was probably the only one who would actually put up with it at the moment.