So I'm a complete idiot. I forgot about the no copy-paste thing on the website. But if you're interested in seeing my phantom here: on youtube search Russian Phantom of the Opera trailer and it should be the first video on the list. It's titled Phantom Moscow - Trailer (Трейлер «Призрак Оперы»)! For the clip you can put 10:36 2015 Moscow The Phantom Of the Opera/ Mercedesz

I hope my readers watch them! Anyway, on with the story.

New Houseguests

"Wait, let me see if I have this right." Antoinette stated slowly, pointing at Erik for good measure. "The two teens, the same two who broke into my house and then later robbed you, are going to be staying with you?"

Erik shrugged, eating his lunch. "You have that perfectly correct, Madame."

It has been a couple days since Erik had invited the two teens, Raoul and Christine to live with him until they were back on their feet and a lot healthier. He had asked them as the four of them ate pizza together at a pizza plaza a couple streets down the road from the house they were found in. He had observed them as the two teens ate, both of them gobbling down one slice after another as if they hadn't eaten in days. Nadir had immediately began protesting, of course, but Erik didn't think they would agree as fast as they did. It took him by surprise that only a few moments and one side glance to each other did the two agree.

The look the two shared was a little concerning to Erik for a moment. It made it seem like they had another motive besides living comfortably for the next couple months. But he brushed it off as more being the way the two came to an understanding to agree.

"You're in foster care aren't you? Won't your foster dad notice you missing?" Nadir argued, appearing majorly put out by the whole thing. That was always a plus for Erik when he could get the older man that uncomfortable.

The girl, Christine, shrugged and took another bite of her pizza. "I don't think he'll notice and if he does, he wouldn't care either way. The other kids will probably be happy as well since there will be more food to go around."

Nadir sighed tiredly and rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah, about that, I'm going to need the name of this foster dad. From the things you have told me I'm going to do some research on this guy because he doesn't sound like somebody who should be looking after kids."

Raoul, the boy, was the one to do most of the talking about the guy and gave Nadir what he could.

"You're completely insane. You know that?" Antoinette accused, taking a bite out of her salad.

"Yes, I am aware and have been called such things multiple times." Erik replied simply.

The two of them were in the clinics break room. Sometimes they went out to get lunch, but majority of the time they brought something from home. Erik was relieve to have his partner back. He loved his work and coming to the clinic every day, but it was better with his friend there to spend the day with.

His friend shook her head in disbelief. "This could go wrong in so many different ways. I hope you know that."

"Well, yes, but I don't think I have to worry. Nadir made sure to give them quite the scare before I took them in the first night." Erik answered with an amused smirk, remembering what had happened.

"Pfft. Oh I'm sure he did." Antoinette smirked. "Tell me."

She asked, so he complied.

The four of them had finished their meal and Erik had gone to the counter to pay the bill and the other three went to wait outside. Erik paid and walked to the exit. As he did, he saw Nadir speaking to the two teens with a serious expression. He also noticed that the younger two were steadily becoming more and more pale as the man spoke.

Knowing that the police chief was threatening them, Erik quickly picked up his pace and went outside.

"—and if anything, and I mean anything goes missing and/or Erik is hurt in anyway I'll know exactly who to blame and let me tell you, I won't let him stop me from arresting you for—"

"Nadir!" Erik interrupted, grabbing his friend's shoulder. "Please, stop threatening the poor teens, I think you've frightened them enough already."

Nadir let out a snort. "You can never scare people enough from committing a crime, and these two have already done two. I'm just being cautious."

Erik squeezed his shoulder. "And I thank you for that, my friend, but the boy looks like he's about to faint."

It was true, Raoul was shockingly pale and was gapping. Erik had to admit that Christine didn't look all that much better.

"That's how you know it's working!" Nadir countered.

Antoinette was laughing by the time Erik finished telling her what had happened.

"That Mr. Khan." She giggled, trying to get her composure back. "He's sure turned into a gruff chief, hasn't he?"

"Oh, I do not think he's really changed since I've first met him." Erik replied with a smirk.

Antoinette pointed at him reproachfully. "That's because you're the one that purposely tries to rile him up all the time! He is a perfect gentleman until you start your teasing!"

"What can I say, I like having my fun." Erik countered causally, but his smirk widen.

Antoinette let out a huff but there was a grin on her lips so Erik didn't believe she was annoyed with him.

"Is that what this is about? Having fun? You next amusement?" she asked, her tone abruptly taking on a serious tone.

Erik's playful mood evaporated instantly and he sent her a scowl.

"My dear Madame, I believe you would know me better than that. For you to even think about asking such a question is awful." He stated darkly.

"Calm yourself Erik." Antoinette commanded firmly. "I wanted to ask to make sure you know what you are doing because I have known you almost my entire life and still sometimes wonder what goes on in that head of yours."

Erik took a deep breath and let it out. He made himself relaxed and release the death grip he hand on his fork.

"I suppose I cannot say I blame you." Erik sighed, calmed down from his earlier anger. "Sometimes, I do not understand what goes on in my head either."

"Then why are you doing this? Why are you helping these teens out?" Antoinette asked and he could tell that she was genuinely curious.

"Come now. Surely you, someone who knows what my childhood was like, could have at least some sort of guess as to why I'm doing this." Erik answered, going back to his salad.

"Because you were in foster care as well?" she offered.

Erik nodded. "Obviously I cannot do much for them because they are already seventeen and will soon be turning eighteen and able to leave the system. However, I want to do what I can for them so that when the times comes, they'll be ready to take on the world in full health."

"You're such a softy." Antoinette cooed at him playfully and Erik rolled his eyes.

"I blame you and Nadir. If the two of you didn't have kids I probably would not care."

"Oh, no. You don't get to blame this on me and Mr. Khan. This is all you." Antoinette denied. "How are they settling in anyway?"

Erik shrugged, finished with his meal, he stood up and walked to the kitchen sink.

"Fine, I guess. It is a rather interesting situation they are finding themselves in. I was truly surprised when they took my offer. They're seventeen, waiting a few more months to leave should not have been that much of a big deal."

He heard Antoinette hum behind him. "Think they got another motive?"

Erik turned back to face her and leaned against the sink. "I do not know. If they did it certainly could not be anything nefarious. I'm almost positive that Nadir had stopped any of those possible thoughts in their tracks. However, I have noticed that they share a lot of silent looks with one another. It's quite curious actually."

"I never asked, but are they related?" Antoinette inquired. She finished her own salad and stood up from the table to walk to the sink.

"No they're soulmates." Erik answered, moving out of her way for her to get to the sink.

"That's lucky of them." Antoinette stated causally, though Erik knew she had shot a glance at his covered wrists where scarred skin covered his words.

"My dear, you need to stop worrying about me. I'm fine." Erik stated, giving her a side glance to watch her.

Antoinette shrugged. "I know, but can't blame a friend for being a little sad over your situation."

"No, of course not." Erik replied softly.

They didn't talk about the teens or soulmates for the rest of the day.

Later, Erik had returned to his home tired. He and Antoinette had to do an emergency surgery on a golden retriever who had swallowed something he shouldn't have and it had taken them a while to get the surgery done. It was the last thing they did but the dog came out of it perfectly fine but had to stay overnight. The owners had walked away grateful and happy. One of them was wiping their eyes as they had walked out to the clinic.

Kevin, their temp, said his goodbyes and Erik and Antoinette stayed behind to clean up and make sure their overnight occupants had what they needed. Once they were finished, they closed the clinic and left together. Erik gave his friend a brief peck on her cheek in goodbye and they went their separate ways.

Erik drove home and was startled when he saw the lights on inside but then remembered that he had two new people staying with him.

He got out of his car, unlocked the door, and went inside.

He stepped in and an aroma swept over him, filling his nose through the mask.

Curious, Erik took off his shoes and went straight to the kitchen. The smell getting stronger as he went.

Eventually, he came to his kitchen entrance and poked his head in the doorway.

Inside, both Christine and Raoul were there. Raoul was cutting up meat on the island and there was a small bowl of chopped vegetables next to him and Christine was at the stove, stirring something in a pot.

"Do I want to know if I should be worried that you are cooking?" Erik asked, pulling himself up and stood inside the doorway.

Both teens jumped and turned to see him in the entrance. Both smiled when they spotted him.

"I should probably let you know that Christine over there could burn a pot of water if you left her alone for too long. That's why she's on stir duty." Raoul told him with a cheeky grin.

"Liar." Christine huffed, sending a glare Raoul's way but her cheeks were slightly red.

"I'm really not." Raoul replied earnestly, directing the comment towards Erik.

"Do you know how to cook then, Mr. de Chagny?" Erik questioned, walking into the kitchen and stopping at the island across from Raoul.

The teen's cheeks took on a red tint like Christine's and he dropped his eyes down to the cutting board in front of him.

"Ah, well. I know, I mean I can do…" he began awkwardly but trailed off. The red color spreading from his cheeks to the rest of his face.

"He means yes." Christine chirped from the stove, sending Erik a grin now that Raoul had gotten embarrassed as well.

"We just figured that you would be tired after working and it would be nice for you to come back with a meal ready for you…" Raoul added, the blush still apparent and still refusing to lift his head.

"You are not tired after working you own shifts?" Erik asked, taking a chopped piece of carrot from the bowl and popping it into his mouth.

Raoul had looked up from the movement and stared at him as he chewed then swallowed the carrot. Erik could've sworn that the younger's eyes followed his throat as he swallowed but it was too fast to tell for sure.

"Yes, we're tired, but figured this could be a thank you for letting us stay here in the first place. Is this okay?" Christine answered, not turning back from her spot at the stove this time but Erik could tell that she had stiffened as she waited for his answer.

Erik hummed. He thought the gesture was a lovely one and figured he shouldn't protest them trying to do something nice.

"I never say no to a meal I do not have to cook. Please continue." Erik stated encouragingly.

He saw Christine's shoulders shake a little and heard the faintest giggle. Raoul smiled and straightened, giving Erik a salute.

"Yes sir!"

There you go! Hoped you enjoyed it enough to leave a review! Or you can leave one telling me about your thoughts on the videos. Next chapter is in Raoul's POV. See ya.