A/N: This is my first fic! It's a collaboration between myself and another. It's Erik x OC.
Enjoy and review!
As always, I don't own POTO.
Chapter Four
Erik moved swiftly. He was making plans. He wanted the boy out of the way and would act as soon as he had the chance. He wondered, silently, if he should approach Kate and allow her to meet him. Is now the time? Or should he hold off a bit longer...what if she ran away from him?
He sighed and made his way to box five, sitting in his usual seat once he arrived. He crossed his legs, watching the rehearsals, glad that Christine is doing so well. He had taught her wonderfully.
Kate had slipped away, back to box five. She hadn't actually finished cleaning it, getting distracted first by the rose and then by the commotion onstage.
She paused in the doorway, seeing a man there, and bit her lip. "Excuse me, monsieur… it's not a good idea for you to be here. This box is for a select few only."
Erik stiffened when he heard her voice behind him. Then he relaxed, his lips curling into an amused smile. So the little flower decided to guard his box did she?
"I assure you," he said strongly, "That this box was intended for me alone, mademoiselle. But you can join me if you wish."
His heart was pounding as he spoke to her, directly, for the first time. What if she ran away, realizing he was the phantom? what if she stepped inside and sat beside him? Erik wasn't sure which would be worse at this point in time.
Kate froze. "Then you're…"
Her heart pounded in her chest as she looked at the back of his head. He really didn't look all that scary. Slowly, she approached him, coming around the seats. She didn't want to anger him.
"Thank you," she said softly. "For the notes, and the flowers. I'm afraid today's might have gotten crushed. Alain surprised me…"
He sneered. "He is nothing but a foolish boy. I have seen the way he messes with the dancers when no one is watching and I have long wanted to have him removed. Such...indecency does not belong in my opera house."
He glanced at her from the corner of his eyes, taking in her form once more. He has done this every time he came across her during day to day life as the phantom. While most may find her plain, he found her endearing.
"And worry not for the flower. You will get more," he said strongly.
Kate flushed as he looked her over and promised more flowers. "Thank you," she said again. "It's… it's nice to put a face with your voice. Even though I can only see part of it. I didn't mean to disturb you, of course."
She fiddled with her apron, wondering if she should ask to sit down, or if he wanted to be left alone.
"You didn't disturb me. If I had no want of meeting you, we wouldn't have met," he said in a sure voice.
He stood then, sneering at the stage.
"Such fools. this is the second time they have disrupted a rehearsal."
He watched as Andre and the other man interrupted the dancers and spoke with the mistress. He could tell by the pressed line of her lips that she wasn't too happy with what was being said.
Kate frowned. She couldn't hear what they were saying, but Madam Giry looked annoyed. Was it about Christine? Or something else?
"I should probably finish cleaning," she said softly. "I don't want to upset the new managers, even if they are awful."
Erik nodded and stood to his tall height. "Then I shall take my leave. Please be sure to dust the seats as well. Black tends to allow dust to cling."
He glanced at her then, his full face in view before he melted into the shadows, and through the trap door.
Kate felt transfixed. He was so tall, and then he'd looked at her like that. She swallowed. She was certainly curious about what was beneath the mask, but it would be incredibly impolite to ask… and it would probably make him angry.
But the side that wasn't hidden… was so handsome…
She shook her head slightly and bent to do as he'd asked.
Hannibal went off without any issues. Erik was pleased with Christine's performance. He had been thinking of allowing her to meet her angel, and decided that now was the time. Once he had fancied himself in love with her but since that new maid arrived, he had found her gaining more and more of his attention.
It was then he made a discovery that almost brought him to his knees.
He loved Christine's voice, not her personality. He had found himself thinking seriously. The girl had almost no passion and was quiet, obedient. As he considered a life with her, he found himself in want of more.
So he would reveal himself to her as teacher an tutor. Nothing more and nothing less.
Kate watched as the ballerinas fussed over Christine, her back to the wall. She almost wished that it had been her on the stage, being applauded and cheered, but that would never happen. Not with the phantom tutoring Christine.
She felt a momentary stab of jealousy, but shook her head, willing it away. As far as she knew, the phantom didn't leave notes and flowers for Christine. Which mean that she… she was special. She blushed slightly at the thought.
"You're not blushing because you're thinking of me, are you?" asked an amused voice. Kate gasped and turned to see Alain there. Her cheeks darkened further. He grinned at her. "So you were!"
She shook her head. "N-No!" She couldn't tell him she'd been thinking of the phantom. He'd tell someone, and she didn't want to ruin what little relationship she had with the man… not when he'd only just let her see him.
Alain's smile widened. "Don't worry, Kate. I won't tell anyone. In fact…" He kissed her cheek again, then ran off.
Kate stared after him, still pink in the face. She really wished he wouldn't do that! He acted as if she liked him, and she didn't! Not like that! He was a nice enough boy, but only one man was consistently in her thoughts… in her dreams. The phantom. She wished she knew his name.
Erik had seen the boy kiss Kate and gritted his teeth as he made a fist with his right hand. Than insolent boy! He needed to claim her...that boy wouldn't taint her with the wickedness that Erik was sure filled him to the brim of his shoes. He had planned on bringing Christine into his home to reveal himself...now...he would take Kate instead. He would reveal himself to his student in time.
But right now he needed to make Kate see that that boy wasn't right for her! He would show her what true passion would lie if it was allowed to cultivate between them. He waited until she was alone in box five again before slipping inside, and beginning.
"Insolent boy! That slave of fashion! Basking in your glory. Ignorant fool, this brave young suitor. Sharing in my triumph!"
Kate swallowed, her eyes wide. "Phantom I hear you! Speak, I listen!" she sang softly, her eyes darting around the dark box.
Was he angry about Alain? She didn't want him to kiss her! The phantom was right, he did mess around with the dancers a lot, but now he was focusing his attentions on her. She didn't want that! She wanted…
She wanted the phantom.
"Obedient child, who wishes to know me! Walking in light, yet I am darkness!" he sang back to her.
He moved further into the room, staying with the shadows. His favorite secret door was behind him, and he would lead her through there once she accepts his proposal.
"Darkness and shadow, I do not fear! Darkness I freely welcome!" Her eyes followed the slight movement in the shadows, and she took a step towards him.
"See why I hide in shadow, this face that cannot grace such mirrors," he sang, "Come with me...to my darkness and solitude. Come with me, my angel of music..."
Erik moved out of the shadows, his tall form now fully visible. He held out his hand for her, the black glove taught against his skin.
"Come...angel of music..."
Kate looked at him with wide green eyes before she nodded, taking his hand and allowing him to pull her through the door and into the darkness. She… she was his angel of music?
He lead her down the hall, taking care that she wouldn't fall or trip. It would not do well for her to be injured on their first visit to his home. The walls were lit up with torches that he had lit before retrieving her, and everything was ready down below for her arrival.
Kate followed him, eyes wide as she gazed around. Words came unbidden to her mind, and she sang.
"In sleep he sang to me, in dreams he came… That voice which calls to me, and speaks my name… And do I dream again, for now I find… The phantom of the opera is there inside my mind…"
"Sing once again with me, Our strange duet. My power over you grows stronger yet. And though you turn from me to glance behind, The Phantom of the Opera is there Inside your mind..."
He walked carefully, his deep voice sweeping out to meet hers in a duet. He stared into her green eyes, willing her to want him and no one else.
Kate swallowed as he stared at her, his gaze causing her body to react in unfamiliar ways. Her grip tightened on his hand as she continued to sing.
"Those who have seen your face… draw back in fear… I am the mask you wear…"
"It's me they hear..."
He approached the boat that would cross the lake just before they get to his lair. He walked Kate to it and then helped her climb aboard.
Kate stared in wonder. A lake below the opera! Who could have imagined such a thing? Her eyes met the phantom's again.
"Your/my spirit and my/your voice, in one combined… The phantom of the opera is there inside my/your mind…"
Soon the boat came to the small island that was home for him. The candles rose form the water, igniting at they hit the air. He stopped the boat on the shore, slipping out and turning to offer Kate a hand to help her from the boat.
"He's there, the phantom of the opera!
Beware, the phantom of the opera!
He's there, the phantom of the opera!
Beware the phantom of the opera!"
Kate took his hand, ignoring the voices echoing around her, and let him help her from the boat. So this was the phantom's home. It looked… nice. A little dark, but it was nice. Certainly more room than she had.
The voices continued to warn her against him, but Kate wasn't frightened. Not at all, despite her heart pounding in her chest. She suspected it was more from excitement than anything. Excitement… and something else.
There was a bed on one side–it looked more comfortable than her own–and a large desk and organ on the other. Her eyes went wide as she saw it. Would he play for her? Did he want her to sing for him again? He'd called her his angel of music…
She turned and looked at him again, wondering what would happen now that she was down here. Would he… would he kiss her, like he had in her dreams? Her cheeks darkened at the impure thought, and she tore her eyes from his, looking down at the floor in embarrassment. Why would he want a lowly maid like her?
Erik saw her lower her gaze and placed a finger under her chin, lifting her head to look at him.
"What troubles you so?" he whispered, his voice caressing her the way he wished his hands would.
"I have brought you
To the seat of sweet music's throne
To this kingdom where all must pay homage to music...Music."
Erik stepped even closer to her, their bodies almost touching.
"You have come here
For one purpose and one alone
Since the moment I first heard you speak
I have needed you with me to save me
From such a lonely life," he sang softly to her.
Soon he stepped away and began to sing a different song. One he had written for her, and for her alone.
"Night time sharpens, heightens each sensation
Darkness stirs and wakes imagination
Silently the senses abandon their defenses.
"Slowly, gently night unfurls it's splendor.
Grasp it, sense it, tremulous and tender,
Turn your face away from the garish light of day
Turn your thoughts away from cold unfeeling light
And listen to the music of the night..."
Kate inhaled sharply as he came close, and she almost reached for him as he stepped away, but let her hand drop to her side as she watched him move. She swallowed thickly, her eyes closing as his voice washed over her, eliciting that unfamiliar feeling from her body once more. Could she really tell him what she was thinking? What she wanted?
She wanted him to touch her again…
He stopped near his piano, and then turned away, gesturing to his home. If she would have him, all of this will be hers as well. HE would share his life and passion with her if only she'd ask.
"Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams
Purge your thoughts of the life you knew before
Close your eyes, let your spirit start to soar
And you'll live as you've never lived before..."
He turned sharply back to her, descending the stairs and approaching her. When he reached her, he stepped around her before pulling her flush against the front of his body, her back to him. He moved her hair aside, his lips grazing her skin as he continued to sing the sonnet for her.
"Softly, deftly, music shall surround you
hear it, feel it, closing in around you
"Open up your mind, let your fantasies unwind
In this darkness which you know you cannot fight
The darkness of the music of the night..."
Kate gasped as he pulled her close, almost moaning as his lips touched her neck. Her hand rose to cover his own, her knees going weak. If she'd known his name it probably would have fallen from her lips, but instead she let her head fall back against his broad shoulder. She would embrace this darkness, fully and willingly, if that is what he asked of her. If only to be with him.
He gently pushed away from her, and then took her hand and lead her to the room. He had gotten rid of the doll and dress that he had made for Christine. No...Katelyn wouldn't need any of that as long as she had him. He was sure. Instead, he had filled the room with roses meant for her, and beautiful things that he wanted her to have.
"Let your mind start a journey to a strange new world
Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before
Let your soul take you where you long to be
Only then can you belong to me..."
He turned her again to face him, and he raised a gloved hand, touching the side of her face with soft eyes, traveling across her body and taking in every bit of her features.
"Floating, falling, sweet intoxication
Touch me, trust me, savour each sensation
Let the dream begin, let your darker side give in
To the power of the music that I write
The power of the music of the night
"You alone can make my song take flight
Help me make the music of the night..."
Kate's eyes went wide at the room filled with roses. Was this all… for her? She looked at him again, sighing softly as he touched her face, his eyes igniting a fire as they traveled across her from. Should she… touch him? As soon as she'd thought it, he'd sung the words, so she reached up slowly and placed her hand on his chest, feeling his heart beating as quickly as her own.
Her eyes met his as he finished singing, and after a moment she sang softly back, "If I alone can make your song take flight, I'll help you make the music of the night."
At her words and acceptance, Erik couldn't hold himself back any longer. His arms wrapped around her small frame, pressing her against his body as he crashed his lips to hers, igniting his heated passion for her. He held her tighter, delighting in the feel of her body against his, and soon allowed his tongue to join hers as she allowed him to deepen the kiss.
It was settled and in stone now. She was his and no one will take her from him. His angel, his muse...his love.
Kate wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him with abandon as fire coursed through her veins. It was like she couldn't get close enough, no matter how tightly he held her. She pressed herself closer to him, feeling safe and warm and… loved.
Soon Erik ended the kiss, but he didn't move away from her. During the kiss he had pressed her body against the wall, and still he held her there with his body and his gaze. He stared into her face, taking in her swollen lips and flushing cheeks before meeting her gaze. He lifted on gloved finger and ran it down the side of her face in pure adoration for her.
"I will teach you to sing," he whispered, "And then...the night before I take you as my wife, you will sing in my opera with me and we will declare our feelings to the world. If you'll have me...and my wretched face."
"I don't know your name," she breathed. His wife. His wife!
The idea wasn't bad at all to her. She… was actually looking forward to it. She bit her lip and nodded, before asking softly, "Wh-what do you mean, your wretched face?"
He'd said something before about having death's face before… but she had scars too. She wasn't scared.
He pulled away then, his face darkening. "I won't show it to you. You'd take one look and no longer be so amiable towards me. My own mother couldn't bare to look at me. A piece of cloth to hide my face the first gift."
After that, he glanced at her, deciding to meet the first question so that they could avoid his mask and what he was hiding.
"Erik...I was given the name Erik."
She bit her lip. "I didn't mean to upset you. I–I have scars too." Her hand, trembling slightly, rose to cup his uncovered cheek, and she stood on her tiptoes to kiss him gently.
"I will gladly marry you, Erik. Wretched face or not."
"Would you speak the same if you saw my face? Saw the horribleness that mars my skin and makes people cry in fear once they sight it?" He asked bitterly.
He rubbed his eyes before glancing at her. Part of him wanted to show her so she would understand, but he was terified. what if she saw it and decided that she wouldn't marry him? Could he stand losing her when he'd only just gotten her?
"Would you still consider me beautiful and my form pleasing if you saw the scars that cover it?" she countered, fire lighting in her eyes. "I'm not some simpering waif. I've seen things, Erik. When I said I had seen death, I meant it. He came for my father before my eyes, and then he came for me as I sat shivering in the street."
She hoped her words wouldn't make him angry. She wasn't counting on him taking off the mask now, but she wanted him to know she wasn't afraid.
His eyes softened then and he reached a hand out to her, touching her face. "The street I found you on...yes it was I who brought you in from the cold. I couldn't let such a pretty girl pass in such conditions. Something, even then, called me to you."
She looked at him with wide eyes. "It was you!" she breathed, a smile lighting up her face. "No wonder Madam Giry had me cleaning box five!"
She threw her arms around his neck, kissing him soundly. "Thank you, Erik. You saved my life."
He stumbled back in surprise as she suddenly threw herself at him and kissed him. It made his heart feel light and he felt...as if she would still love him even with a face like his. He stepped closer to her, clutching her face gently.
"And now you can save me if you so wish it," he whispered, "For too long have I lived in shadow and darkness, waiting for something, for someone to pull me into the light and warm my soul. And that is you...even now my heart warms and beats faster."
He trailed his lips over her cheek.
"Christine is my student, yes, but you...you are and will always be so much more than that. She is young, naive, and foolish. You are mature, and so much that she isn't, and cannot ever hope to be."
Kate found herself flushing in happiness. "I will gladly save you, if you wish me to," she whispered, suddenly feeling shy. All her fears and jealousies were allayed from his words. Christine was nothing. Erik wanted her, and her alone. Her heart began to pound.
He pressed his lips to the arch of her ear before pulling away. He sighed, his hands lingering before they too fell away.
"Come. I should bring you back," he said softly, "No doubt someone must be looking for you. I do not want anyone to realize that you and I are courting. It's for your protection."
Kate bit her lip and nodded. "Very well." Her body was singing at his closeness. All she wanted was to stay here, with him. But she'd go back, since others feared him, though she did not. She… she loved him.
A/N: Most of this is already written so when I have time to actually post, I will!