Gankutsuou Fan Fiction ❯ The Dollmaker ❯ Chapter Three ( Chapter 3 )
Anime/Manga: Gankutsuou Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Fantasy / Hentai / Drama | Type: Crossover | Uploaded On: 12.05.2005 | Pages: 2 | Words: 5.2K | Visits: 366 | Status: Completed
THE DOLLMAKER
© December 6, 2005 By Rory V. Pascual
CHAPTER THREE
"Edmond… Is something wrong?"
There was an expression of utter perplexity on Edmond Dantes' face as he stared at the modest red brick home that Albert had taken him to. Whatever little memories he still possessed told him that this was not the young man's original home. They were a couple of miles outside the city's formidable walls. This rustic neighborhood was surrounded by verdant hills, not at all cluttered with buildings as Paris was. In the distance, he could see the woods of Auteuil.
"Small…" That single word uttered from the child man's lips spoke volumes.
"Oh, you mean this place?" Albert scratched his head, grinning sheepishly as he gazed at his humble residence. "I forgot that you once visited me at the old family home. The government repossessed it. I've been traveling a lot over the past five years, and mother chose to live in Marseilles. It was too expensive to maintain the place, much more pay the taxes, so… Anyway, I like it. It has a nice, cozy feel to it. A bit isolated though, but my friends drop by from time to time to visit and…"
"I'm sorry."
Those two words made Albert look at the older man. Edmond was stricken by this revelation. He was guiltily chewing on his lower lip, trying to stop himself from crying. In the end, a big fat tear rolled down his cheek.
Despite what he had said at Franz's grave earlier, anger and hatred towards the man before him rose inside his heart. Yes, you should feel guilty, Albert thought, seething. It's because of you that my mother and I lost our home and our dignity. Because of you, we are treated as outcasts!
But then, Edmond did an unexpected thing. Still sobbing, he turned around and, with bag in hand, headed straight down the road with the clear intention of going back to Paris. Albert's anger faded away in an instant as he ran after him.
"Where are you going, Edmond?" Albert walked beside the man who was once the Count of Monte Cristo. "I thought you wanted to stay with me."
"Can't stay," Edmond sniffled heartbreakingly. "Not welcome here."
"Why do you say that? I told you that you could stay with me, didn't I?"
"I don't know why. I just…feel…that I can't stay."
It was Albert's turn to feel guilty. This was not the Count he had once known. Besides, how could he be angry with him, knowing that the pain and suffering that his father had inflicted upon Edmond was far greater than his own.
Stepping before the child man's path, Albert gripped his arms to halt his steady pace. Whereas before, he had to look up to gaze into Edmond's eyes, he saw now that he only had to look directly forward.
I had grown up, Albert thought in realization. We're the same height.
Cupping Edmond's face in his hands, Albert brushed away his tears with his thumbs. "If you go back to the monastery, I'll come and fetch you. I want you to stay with me, Edmond," he insisted. Seeing that the older man was not convinced, a brilliant thought crossed his mind. "Unless, of course, you don't like my little house. I know you're used to living in a big mansion with lots of servants…"
Edmond hastily wiped away his tears. "Of course not!" he exclaimed indignantly. "I don't care how big your house is!" A becoming blush colored on his cheeks. "I just want to be with you, Albert."
Albert's hand closed around Edmond's wrist. "So what are you standing out here for? Come on! Let's go!"
There were no further remarks about the size of Albert's humble residence after that, for although it seemed small outside, it was spacious on the inside. Imitation Victorian furnishings were positioned so that there was adequate space to move around without bumping into anything. A long counter of oak wood separated the living room space from the kitchen and dining area.
Edmond's eyes briefly focused on the coffee table positioned before the fireplace, narrowing at the papers strewn on top.
"Messy…" Edmond mumbled as he slowly bent down to fix them.
Albert quickly jumped and covered the table with his body, arms outstretched, protecting his treaty drafts. "Oh no! Don't touch! This table is strictly off-limits!"
Edmond pouted distastefully. Gazing up at the beautiful portrait of Albert's mother hanging on top of the fireplace, he squealed, "Albert is a very messy person, Madame Herrera."
"You used to call my mother by her first name, remember?"
"Not anymore," Edmond countered. "Not right to call her 'Mercedes' now."
Yes, why do I find that surprising? Albert mused. Edmond has long since given up on his love for her after she had married father.
Before the younger man could say something, Edmond's eyes alighted upon the door leading to the attic. With one leap, he pulled on the rope, letting the folding stairs drop. Albert watched speechless as Edmond raced up the stairs. After a minute's silence, there was a happy whoop followed by cheers of "I like! I like! Edmond's room! Edmond's room!"
A grin quirked up Albert's lips as he scratched his head. "I guess that solves my problem of finding a place for him to sleep." In truth, Albert's 'bedroom' was nothing more than a sleeping alcove that on first glance looked like a big cupboard, which in his opinion, was pretty cramped for two men to occupy.
As he lowered his hand, Albert groaned, seeing the time on his wristwatch. "I'll be late for my meeting!" He called out to the man upstairs. "Edmond!"
Edmond's head popped upside down through the door, his hair hanging down like a shimmering black curtain. "MY room!" he said emphatically, thinking that Albert was going to prohibit him from using the attic.
"I'm not taking the attic from you, Edmond. It's all yours," Albert replied with a grimace. "I was just going to tell you that I have to go. I have an important meeting today, and I can't be late."
Hearing this, Edmond swung down from the attic, not bothering to take the stairs, and instantly embraced the younger man. "But we just got here," he argued with a choked sob. "Don't go, Albert! Please!"
"Sorry, Edmond, but I must." Albert gently pried himself free from Edmond's arms. "I'm not as wealthy as I used to be. I have to earn money for the two of us now, so we could have something to eat."
"Then, I'll go with you," the older man pleaded. "Help you make money. I could do what the brothers are doing." To demonstrate, he picked up an ashtray and held it out, at the same time, assuming a pitiful expression on his handsome face.
Albert shook his head. There was certainly no way in hell that he was going to let Edmond beg in the street. "Absolutely not! Listen, Edmond. Just take care of the house for me. I've got a pot of stew on the stove from last night. Do you know how to turn it on so you can heat it?"
"Uh huh. I did chores back at the monastery."
"That's good." He brushed away a stray lock that fell over the former Count's brow. "I don't want to leave you either, but I have to make a living. I'll try to be back early tonight. Would you like me to bring you some cake?"
A bright smile was his immediate reward. "Could you make it chocolate…if it's not too dear?"
Albert was touched by that thoughtfulness. "Just keep an eye on my house. You can play outside, but don't stray too far. And don't let anyone inside. The only thing that's off-limits is this table. Those are important papers that I still need to study."
Edmond listened carefully to Albert's every word, his face very serious.
Picking up his satchel and helmet, Albert repeated, "I'll try my best to be home early. I'll see you later."
Before he could don his helmet, he was surprised by the feathery caress of lips upon his cheek.
Edmond blushed shyly as he averted his eyes from the younger man's questioning gaze. "Take care of yourself, Albert."
"I will." Not wanting to say anything more, Albert went outside, got on his bike and rode away, turning around briefly to wave to the man whom he was leaving behind.
"Take care, Albert!" Edmond called and waved after him. "Take care!"
Focusing back on the road ahead, Albert unconsciously touched his cheek. He did not want to admit it, but that kiss disturbed him. True, he loved Edmond, a love that he believed to be the same as that from his youth. Care and admiration for a man he thought of as father, mentor and friend. But never were those feelings tainted with the fire of lust. That tender kiss caused a stirring in his groin that would not abate. And to think that he would actually be living with him from this day forward – innocent Edmond Dantes possessing the mind of a child and the unearthly beauty of a siren.
A perfect target for sweet revenge, as he himself had once been.
Albert shook his head roughly. No, I mustn't think this way. Edmond too had suffered from what my father had done to him. This…inconvenience…is nothing compared to being imprisoned in a terrible place as the Chateau D'If for over a decade.
Despite this, the raspy voice of Despair whispered in his ear, "Can you call living in poverty and public humiliation an inconvenience?"
Pain pierced his heart as though the barb of a hook had been driven into it.
"No," Albert murmured in growing resentment. "This hell I am living in now is no mere inconvenience."
~~~~~~~~~~
"Is Albert going to be all right?" Edmond worriedly asked the Dream King standing beside him.
Dream, who had been observing the two men since they arrived at the cottage, knew that this child-like mortal had seen his younger sister squatting on the bike's back seat behind Albert like a grotesque naked troll.
"He will be fine, Edmond. Albert is strong. He shall prevail." Strange, thought the Lord of the Dreaming, that his words were hollow from lack of conviction. Albert had suffered greatly from Edmond's scheme of vengeance. The grip that Despair had on his heart was still too strong, even if five years had passed.
Thankfully, those words were enough reassurance to the child man. With a snappy "Okay!", Edmond skipped back inside the house, with Dream, like a pale shadow, trailing behind him. The door closed before the Dream King could enter, but he easily passed through its substance.
He found Edmond standing in the middle of the living room, clucking his tongue and muttering, "Really messy!"
Crossing his arms over his chest, Dream suspiciously asked, "What are you up to, Edmond? You know Albert told you not to disturb his things."
"I won't do anything bad," Edmond said defensively. "I'm just going to clean this place up a bit."
As Dream looked on, Edmond clasped his hands together as if in prayer. Then, intricate marks formed on his forehead, glowing a bright pink. A light breeze swirled around him, causing his hair to flutter. Tiny pink lights danced in the wind and slowly spread throughout the house, absorbing all the dust, dirt and cobwebs.
But Edmond was doing more than just cleaning the house. The atmosphere within Albert's home seemed to become lighter, the pervasive aura of negativity gradually dissipating. Dream, who was supposed to be devoid of all human emotion, for the first time in his eternal life, felt a joy so pure and profound that it left no room for doubt or fear. Even Delirium while she was still the aspect known as Delight never exuded such sheer happiness.
Two bright stars twinkled in the midnight depths of Dream's eyes as he gazed at the man before him. "Who are you?" he asked in breathless awe.
The only answer that Edmond gave him was a simple smile.
~~~~~~~~~~
Albert's day at the Embassy dragged out longer than he had expected. It was a quarter to nine in the evening when he trudged wearily inside his house.
"Edmond, I'm home," he yawned out in greeting, taking care that the box containing chocolate fudge cake did not tilt as he switched on the living room light.
Albert's jaw dropped in surprise, seeing his home so spotless. The furnishings and the metal décor shone with the warm glow of the thoroughly polished. Even the colors on his mother's painting stood out bright and vibrant, as if it had been restored. But then, with sudden dread, he remembered his documents. Sure enough, he groaned at the sight of his papers neatly stacked into five piles on the coffee table. Albert strode towards the table, fearing that his hard work had been disturbed beyond salvation. To his amazement, however, he saw that the documents had been distributed according to the right topics that he had been trying to figure out for days. Provisions he previously believed to be best included in the Economics drafts were more appropriate under the Trade heading. Albert looked at the documents one by one, and he saw that every page was placed under the heading it was best suited for.
A soft murmur caught his attention. Looking over the edge of the table, Albert found Edmond lying in sweet repose on the floor before a small blaze in the fireplace. Never had he seen the Count like this – lost in blissful sleep, his handsome face devoid of all the troubles of the day, a small smile curling up the corners of his lips.
"Albert…" he mumbled happily, hugging what looked like a big scrapbook close to his chest.
Albert could not help but smile. He looks like an angel.
Desire, who was sitting unseen in an armchair, was delighted by the intense scrutiny the young man was giving his slumbering elder. It stood up and slinked over to Albert. With a manicured fingernail, it traced a long sinuous line starting at the base of the mortal's neck, descending lower and lower.
"Isn't he beautiful, Albert?" Desire murmured huskily as it cupped the young man's genitals and fueled it with a raging fire that left his member straining within the confines of his trousers. "Come on, boy. I know you want him. It's all right, because Edmond likes you too. All you have to do is ask. He won't say no to you."
While Albert struggled with the insidious creature that was stoking his libido to the boiling point, Edmond's eyelids fluttered open, his mismatched eyes growing round at the sight of the being that was touching the younger man obscenely. He quickly sat up and grabbed the ashtray on the table.
"Let him go, you pervert!" Edmond shouted as he hurled the ashtray at Desire.
Albert thought he saw the ashtray glow a bright pink for a second, but instinct made him dodge that approaching projectile. Desire, on the other hand, was mistaken in believing that the ashtray would just pass through it. To its shock, the ashtray found its mark right between its eyes. As Desire vanished back to its realm, so too did the ashtray.
"Bull's eye!" Edmond giggled, raising his clenched fist in triumph.
Albert was fuming as he picked himself up from the floor. "Why did you do that for, Edmond? You almost hit me!" He looked around him. "And where did that ashtray go?"
"Oh, but I wasn't aiming at you, Albert," the older man explained. "There's this bad lady who also looks like a man who's doing something really nasty to you. She was touching you down there." Edmond pointed directly at the bulge at Albert's crotch.
"You've got a wild imagination, Edmond," Albert blushed hotly as he hid his erection with the jacket he had slung over his arm. "Why don't you just admit that you're mad at me because I came home late?"
"But I'm not! I wanted to stop that bad lady!"
Albert raised the crumpled box. "Look what you made me do to the cake!"
Edmond's body started to hitch with the sobs that were rising up his throat. "You don't believe me. You think it's me who's been bad!"
Yes, because you've done terrible things to my family and I! Albert quickly banished that thought from his mind as the older man burst into tears. Kneeling beside the weeping figure, he enfolded him in a comforting embrace. "I'm sorry, Edmond. I did not mean to hurt you. You must have been dreaming that woman."
"No, I wasn't!" Edmond argued, a drop of mucous peeking out of his left nostril. "There really was a bad lady!"
At that comical sight, Albert laughed. "Wipe your nose, will you?"
As Edmond wiped his nose on his shirtsleeve, Albert was brought back to that one moment five years ago when Franz returned from Marseilles. It was Albert who had ended their friendship days earlier, but Franz had forgiven him and welcomed him back with open arms, causing him to weep for joy.
Franz had said the same thing to him back then. "Wipe your nose."
Ironic that those same words were given to the man who had not only caused the near ruination of their friendship, but had also been the one to take Franz's life.
Edmond noticed the intense stare that Albert was giving him. "Are you mad at me, Albert? I swear I was only trying to protect you from that bad lady. I didn't do anything wrong…Oh!" He stopped at once as his eyes fell upon the papers on the coffee table. Chewing on his lower lip in guilt, he murmured, "I'm sorry I touched your things."
"Actually…" Albert had to admit it. "…You've sorted them out, something that I've been unable to do for the past five days. Tell me, Edmond. Did you read all these documents?"
"A little bit…" Edmond wrinkled his nose. "But I couldn't understand what's written. I just placed the papers in the pile that I felt they should be."
"And how did you know it should belong it which pile?"
"I don't know. It just felt right to put it in one pile and not the other." Edmond clapped both hands to his forehead. "Got a biiiiiig headache afterwards too."
Albert stared at the older man, unconvinced. Edmond was a shrewd businessman and a cunning politician. Perhaps even with his mind regressed in age, he still retained even some measure of that uncanny acumen that he was noted for.
How could he be angry with him when Edmond may have saved his job?
Reaching out, Albert cupped Edmond's cheek. "You've been a big help. Thank you."
Edmond pressed his cheek to Albert's hand, purring happily. "You're welcome, Albert. I'm glad I did something good for you." He then hastened to stand. "Hold on, all right? I'll heat up the stew for you."
"No need. I already ate dinner. How about we eat this cake instead…" Albert winced, seeing the sorry state of the box. "…Or whatever is left of it."
"I'll go get a knife, plates and spoons."
As Edmond hurried to the kitchen, Albert at last saw what his ward had been holding so protectively, lying on the floor. It was not a scrapbook at all but a photo album.
Noticing the younger man looking at the album, Edmond explained, "I found it in the attic. May I borrow it, Albert? Please?"
Albert took the knife, plate and teaspoon that the older man offered him. "Sure. Found something interesting in there?"
"Lots! Makes me want to do something reaaaallly nice! I like the picture of you while Madame Herrera was changing your diaper." Edmond giggled. "Albert has a big, fat baby butt!"
The young man turned beet red. Snorting, he mumbled, "Mother should never have put that photo in there."
"But…" Edmond interrupted, frowning darkly. "There are nasty people in it too."
Not having looked at that particular photo album in years, Albert could not remember whose photos were inside.
"Let's forget about bad people tonight." Opening the box, he cut the cake with the knife and placed a large, unflattened slice on Edmond's plate. "Let's have some cake!"
His mismatched eyes glittering with joy, Edmond shoveled a big piece of cake inside his mouth, the lower half of his face, including his goatee, becoming smeared with rich brown icing.
"Squished cake! Yummy!" Edmond declared with a contented smack of his lips.
~~~~~~~~~~
Albert had tucked Edmond in a bedroll he had found in the attic. When the older man was finally asleep, with his arms hugging the album, he went down to his own alcove for some much needed shut eye.
Just as he was about to drift off, a horrendous shriek reverberated throughout the house. The thundering of bare feet followed. Before Albert could gather his wits, the door to his alcove burst open.
Absolute terror was etched on Edmond's face as he cried, "Albert! Space bat! SPACE BAT!"
"Huh? What? HEY, EDMOND!"
But it was too late. With his precious photo album in tow, Edmond squeezed himself into the tiny space beside Albert. Seeing the younger man gaping back at him with jaw slack, Edmond batted his eyelashes, assuming a piteous expression.
"Space bat…" he whined, as though those two words were plea enough.
Albert let out a defeated groan. "Oh, all right! You can sleep with me. I hope you are not the type that tosses and turns around too much at night."
To his chagrin, Edmond took Albert's arm and draped it over his body, a clear sign that he wanted to be hugged. Albert's cheeks burned as his fingertips touched the older man's ample behind. Raising his hand above that trim waist, he drew Edmond close, relishing the sweet scent of chocolate on his skin. In his heart, he wished he could have held Edmond like this before.
After all that you did, Albert mused, bussing the child man in his arms at the top of his head, why do I still want to protect you, to love you?
That thought remained inside Albert's mind until sleep eventually overcame him. Edmond, however, was still awake. Popping a golden eye open, he was pleased to see his guardian sleeping soundly, his eyelids sparkling with dream sand that the Dream King had sprinkled over them.
Leaning forward, he gave Albert a sweet kiss on the lips.
"I love you, Albert," Edmond whispered as he too surrendered to slumber, cuddling up to the young man.
* * * * * * * * * *