A.N. Hey here's an update for you! I'm not completely happy with the way this turned out, but what can you do? I hope that you enjoy it though. There's not very much Erik/Raoul interaction this time, but there is a LOT of Erik monologuing and Henri does some stuff. Anyway you people know the deal read and REVIEW! Giant hugs to everyone who reviewed last time, you have no clue how happy your reviews made me. one more chapter after this one so please hold in there!
Words: 2,249
Rating: T
Warnings: language, slash and sexual implication
Disclaimer: Mine, my precious...wait wrong fandom so obviously not mine
Chapter Five
Henri stared at the prone blond form lying as if dead on the bed. His eyes were open, but seemed even more unseeing and unfocused than normal. Now and then a tear would leak out, and unstopped would roll down the depressed face only to fall onto the pillow, leaving a damp trail in its wake. Raoul had been in this state for three days now, and frankly Henri was extremely worried. He was not exactly sure what had happened that day, but he had a few theories; all of which involved a certain opera ghost. Henri had been very much aware of Raoul's feelings for the ghost all along, but had never said anything because he had approved. In fact he'd been quite happy about them, it had been nice to see the blond taking an interest in life again. Ever since the accident he'd been almost soulless, going through his tasks and duties without really feeling anything. Now however he was not so sure that he should have permitted these feelings to grow; he was certain that should nothing change Raoul would simply stop fighting and fade away. He could not sit idly by and watch that happen, he'd know the blond since childhood, and indeed he had practically raised the boy. Mind made up Henri decided that he needed to send word to the ghost of the opera populaire.
Cher Monsieur Ghost,
I am writing you to ensure that you are informed of the dire situation we have found ourselves in. I am not aware of what passed between you and the Viscount three days past, but I have however seen the destruction it has caused. I am afraid that Mr. Raoul was not as well as he appeared to be. Ever since the incident he has been struggling to come to terms with the results. He has formed an emotional mask to hide this from most people, but since he met you he took a turn for the better. Over the past few months he has been slowly, but steadily improving. However since the event I mentioned at the start of this letter his mental health has been very quickly deteriorating, and as a result so has his physical health. I beg of you, please come and resolve whatever issues lie in between you two! I fear if you do not do so soon there will not be another chance.
Sincerely Henri butler to his grace Raoul Viscount de Chagny.
After re-reading the letter twice Henri felt satisfied, and after bidding one of the older maids to watch over Raoul headed out towards the opera populaire, and more importantly towards its ghost.
Said ghost may not have been in as bad a state as Raoul, but no one could say he'd been even remotely happy since the fight. The image of that tear had been haunting him day and night. He didn't know what to think anymore. Just days ago his student, his protégé, the girl he "loved" had left without even really saying goodbye. And then just when he'd thought he was permanently alone once again in had walked that infuriating Viscount! The strangest thing was that the blond's presence hadn't been irritating; far from it actually it had been comforting. He had to his shock realized that he'd become strangely fond of the young man.
Raoul had become a constant presence in his life, and slowly without realizing it he'd come to almost depend on that presence. The boy was smoothing, calm as water on a clear day and passionate as fire when you managed to rile him up. He was always willing to listen, and always seemed to have a kind word to offer no matter how awful Erik was being. He had seen Erik at his best and at his worst. He'd born all the teasing, the taunts, and the insults. He had not taken them sitting down, not at all, but he'd never born a lasting grudge. And to add to that he'd always come back-every single time. That was something only one other person could claim. But these revelations brought him no closer to an explanation as to why the image of that tear would not seem to leave his mind for even a second.
Just as that thought drifted through his head an alarm sounded shaking him out of his revive. Erik tensed, someone had entered box five without permission. Not even stopping to think he was on his feet, and on his way to discover the intruder's intentions. The sight that greeted him from pillar however was most definitely not what he was expecting. It was not the annoying, irritating, pitiful creatures that the opera house called managers, nor was it a curious chorus girl on a dare or indeed any member of the opera house at all. It wasn't even the blond Viscount come to claim retribution or some such thing. It was instead said blond's butler armed only with a letter. Erik watched curiously as the man-Henri- he believed left the letter on one of the seats, and swiftly found his way out. Now Erik was truly puzzled, why would the man go to such efforts, and put himself in such risk for a simple letter? And one that he'd written at that or at least Erik assumed that Henri had written it as the hand writing was not Raoul's.
Double checking that the coast was clear he slipped out of his hiding place, grabbed the letter and slipped back in. Deciding that he would prefer to be in his layer for this he headed back down. After he'd taken a seat in his chair he stared at the letter with and with trembling fingers-wait trembling fingers? Erik glared at the treacherous appendages, he was not nervous about what this letter contained, not at all. It could say that Raoul had gone and drowned himself for all he cared! Unbidden an image of a lifeless Raoul floating on the river with eyes that held nothing at all, and soaked black hair clinging to his face near to his very blue lips found its way into Erik's mind causing him to shudder. Okay so maybe he did care a bit about what the letter would say, and why Raoul couldn't write and deliver it himself. But why did he care? That was the question that had been haunting him for the past few days. Why after his "love" left did he spend his time thinking about the blond? Why was he more worried about where Raoul was then where Christine was?
Shaking these thoughts out of his head Erik shoved his worries to the back of his mind, and steadying his hands reached for the letter once again. Quickly breaking the seal Erik scanned the letter and unable to believe what he had seen re-read it carefully. After he had finished he clenched his hand around the letter. He was terrified that the Viscount would die, or that he may already be dead. All Erik could hear was the sound of his frantic heart beat resounding in his ears. Suddenly he once again found himself furious. How dare that man do this to him! It was all Raoul's fault, Erik was sure of it. He had stuck himself into his head and now he was faking sick…Erik sighed softly. Even he knew that that was ridiculous. The blond was incapable of doing the first, and wouldn't do the second. Raoul was far too kind, polite, and proper to do something like that. Erik hadn't realized it, but well he'd been thinking of the blond a small smile had made its way onto his face.
But that meant the blond really did need help. Erik felt his heart give another lurch. He knew that he had to go to him; he was incapable of just letting the blond die. Erik once again found himself frozen in shock at that thought, but he realized that it was the truth. He could not let Raoul die, for the boy was his. Raoul had become his the moment he started working for Erik's opera house, in a business sense and had become Erik's in a personal sense when he started coming back. It was for this reason alone that he would have the boy.
Determination spread through his body making Erik feel more alive than ever. Making certain that his mask was on, and his face was hidden he slipped through the tunnels around his home. He never stopped to think about the risks he was taking. He knew where the Viscount lived as Raoul himself has shown him the mansion when they were trying to decide on a meeting place, so finding the man would not be a problem. No, the problem was that the building was on the other side of Paris, and so at least an hour's walk away even for Erik. And that gave Raoul and hour more to...Erik shook these thought's out of his head. Even the blond wouldn't dare be so insolent as to die on him! Even so Erik decided that it would probably be best to take a horse. Since he would be traveling in the open Erik grabbed a black scarf to wrap around his face, disguising the far too well-known mask.
Unhitching his horse Erik leaped onto its back. He took a moment to appreciate the irony, like a prince out of a fairy tale he was rushing off to rescue his 'damsel' in distress, except fittingly the horse was black, the color that represented darkness. He did have to wonder how he seemed to have gone from 'villain' of the opera house to hero, but now was not the time to figure that out.
He made it to the de Chagney estate in record time. Luckily the estate was surrounded by a small forest where he could hide Caesar*. After doing so he scrutinized the house. Last time he'd been here Raoul had pointed out which window was his "in case of urgent business so you won't scare the staff". It was funnily enough the room built into the estate's one small turret. Raoul had told him that as a child he'd adored the view, and now that he couldn't see it he still found joy in feeling the breeze and smelling the fresh air.
Spotting a large patch of ivy Erik used it to climb onto the roof. He appeared to be in luck today as Raoul's window was open. Slipping in he made certain that there was no servants around before locking the door and turning to face the bed.
He felt his breath rush out of his body when he finally noted the blond's form. Raoul hadn't really moved since Henri had left to go to the opera house hours prior. Erik reached out tentatively, and sensing no response brushed against Raoul's cheek. He felt incredibly alarmed when Raoul gave no response to his touch. With an ice cold heart he reached out again and placed his hand over the blond's heart. He nearly collapsed with relief when he felt a steady heart beat under his hand.
"Raoul" he whispered sadly. What had he done? Raoul had only ever been kind to him, and he'd hurt the boy so much that he was literally dying in front of his eyes. It didn't matter that for once in his life it had been caused by an honest to god accident.
"No" he said his determination coming back full force. He would not let Raoul die. Brushing a lock of blond hair tenderly out of the blond's eyes he whispered with certainty "you will live". He wouldn't let his patron, his Raoul, his love? Yes his love. He realized now that he truly did love Raoul. He loved the way he laughed, the way he always seemed to focus on Erik when he was talking even though he couldn't see, and most importantly loved the way the blond seemed to accept his whole being. Yes Raoul was his love and he would NOT let him die!
The Viscount had not moved from his position on the bed, but he seemed somehow changed to Erik's eyes. His face seemed more relaxed, as though he could sense that everything would be alright now. His cheeks had a bit of color in them, and he could have sworn that the slight movement he could spot form Raoul's chest had not been there seconds ago. He was breathing…Erik's gaze landed on the blond's parted lips. Try as he might he could not tear his gaze away. Raoul's lips were the loveliest shade of pink, and seemed to glisten in the light. They seemed to be calling to him.
Never one to resist temptation Erik leaned over and captured those lips for his own. The Viscount tasted sweet, like the finest of wines with a hint of something that reminded Erik of summer underlined with a taste that could only be described as Raoul. Pulling away regretfully Erik noticed the blond's eyes fluttering. He began bending over to steal another kiss before the blond awoke when he heard the unmistakable sound of a key being inserted into the door. Freezing for only a moment Erik took one last look at Raoul before acting on instinct and fleeing back through the window seconds before the blond's eyes opened and Henri stepped into the room.
*-in the book it mentions that the horse Erik stole is named Caesar so I used that
