A/N: Hello everyone! I was listening to the Phantom of the Opera soundtrack and this fic was just sort of born (but then again, isn't how most things are born? if you catch my drift... wink wink nudge nudge). The song is All I Ask of You sung by the characters Christine and Raoul from the Phantom of the Opera. The title is a famous quote from the musical/movie when the Phantom says/sings, "Sing for me, my Angel of Music." Yup. Ok enjoy!
Arthur has always been plagued by nightmares. They came and went and as time went on, they came less and less often.
But for the past week, they had infected his mind every single night. He would wake up in a cold sweat with a jerk of his leg, accidentally kicking Ariadne and then eventually go back to sleep. She would let out a slight grunt but fall back asleep quickly and in the morning Ariadne would find bruises scattered on her leg, but pay no mind to them, insisting it was simply her being clumsy.
Tonight however, Arthur could not sleep at all. Tossing and turning in bed, he was sure he was keeping Ariadne awake as well.
"Arthur, are you alright?" she finally asked him as she rolled over on her side to look at him. Arthur looked at her, stunned, for a moment.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Are you ok?" he finally responded. But Arthur knows that nothing is alright. If he can't get to sleep, then Ariadne won't sleep and in the morning, they'll be forced to walk into work looking like zombies.
"Arthur. I'm not dumb, I know something's up. What's wrong?" Ariadne asked, propping herself up on the pillow.
"If you knew something was wrong, why did you bother asking me if I was alright?" Arthur quipped.
"Don't avoid the question. Tell me what's wrong," she insisted as she shot him an icy glare.
"Ok fine… I'm sort of… Having trouble sleeping…" he responded, somewhat embarrassed. Ariadne's eyebrows furrowed in worry.
"What's wrong? Bad dream?" He nodded.
"Come here," she demanded as she pulled Arthur into her arms.
"What're you doing? I feel like a child," Arthur questioned. Ariadne had her arms wrapped around his back and his head under her chin as she gently stroked his back.
"I'm doing what my mom used to do when I couldn't sleep," she explained, "Are you feeling better?"
"Somewhat."
"Are you asleep yet?" Ariadne whispered a few minutes later.
"Wide awake."
"Should I sing you a song?" she asked and Arthur could feel her smile. He tilted his head to look up at her and saw Ariadne beaming down at him.
"I'll take that as a yes," Ariadne said finally with a smirk.
"No more talk of darkness. Forget these wide eyed fears. I'm here, nothing can harm you; my words will warm and calm you," Ariadne sang softly.
"Is that from Phantom of the Opera?" Arthur asked, staring up at her.
"No interruptions," she shushed as she continued singing.
"Let me be your freedom, let daylight dry your tears. I'm here, with you beside you, to guard you and to hide you."
"Say you love me every waking moment. Turn my head with talk of summertime. Say you need me with you now and always. Promise me that all you say is true; that's all I ask you," they sang together, Ariadne giggling.
Ariadne continued singing as Arthur's eyelids began to droop. Her fingers danced along his back as the sound of her soft voice filled his ears.
"Say you'll share withme onelove, one lifetime. Let me lead youfrom your solitude," was the last line Arthur could comprehend before he drifted off.
Ariadne continued singing, but didn't realize Arthur was already asleep until he let out a snort. She stifled a laugh as she pressed a kiss against Arthur's hair and slid into his arms.
"Say you need with you here, beside you. Anywhere you go let me go too. Arthur, that's all I ask of you…"
