As the lesson continued, Christine could feel her eyelids start to fall. She was starting to feel exhausted from everything. Not to mention that it was rather late at the time. Erik noticed, but did not hold it against her. He knew that she was working very hard, and that the hard work was paying off. He finished the tune they were working on before closing the music. Christine snapped awake, and he had to suppress a laugh.
"We can keep going," she informed. While she was tired, she did not want to leave just yet. Erik shook his head and smirked.
"No, you should get some rest so we can continue tomorrow," Erik replied. Christine sighed, but agreed. She could hardly keep her eyes open, and she did think that sleep sounded nice. I have stood and helped her to her feet. She hooked her arm in his and leaned on him. "I'll help you back to your dormitory."
"Thank you," she whispered as they walked to the boat again. While she was sad that she had to leave her Angel, she was happy that he was going to take her on his own instead of Madame Giry. Erik grinned in reply as he helped her into her seat. As they pushed off, Christine steadied herself, feeling sleep creeping up on her. Erik saw her tense, but he thought nothing of it. He had wondered if she was uncomfortable with the boat and he had not noticed before. He have pushed through the water, sailing towards the stairs again.
As they continued, Erik sang a small tune, hoping to help her relax. However, it worked too well. She swayed with his tune, and they turned the corner, she swayed too far to the side and toppled into the water. The splash echoed through the tunnels, startling him.
"Christine!" Erik shouted in surprise just after she made contact with the water. He threw the pole and his cape into the boat before diving in after her. He had no idea what was in the water, or if she would get sick, so he had to get her out quickly.
Christine did not know why she was in the water, or how she got there. She opened her eyes as she saw the boat to her side, but did not react soon enough to reach for it. Then there was a dark figure that swam towards her, startling her. However, the figure grabbed her and brought her to the surface again. Gasping, she climbed back into the boat. Erik held the side of the boat, breathing deeply as Christine coughed.
"Are you alright?" Erik whispered earnestly. Christine nodded as she looked over to him. He looked relieved as he steadied himself against the boat. "That's good."
"Yes," Christine agreed with a light laugh. She sat on the floor of the boat as she caught her breath. "Thank you."
"Of course, my dear," Erik replied as he climbed back into the boat. "Alright, shall we continue?"
"Yes, I think that would be good," Christine replied, feeling more awake from the cold water. Erik nodded, standing. He was careful not to rock the boat as he placed his cape over her. She thanked him again before he picked up the pole.
Christine stayed on the floor of the boat as her exhaustion came across her again. She laid her head against the wall of the boat and closed her eyes, promising herself that she would open her eyes in a few moments. Erik sighed quietly as he saw her fall asleep. He hadn't intended to keep her for so long, but time had gotten away from them. He was sure that she would forget him after her first performance, but it was the opposite. It seemed to have brought them closer together.
Erik pushed the boat to the edge by the stairs leading to the opera house and stepped off the boat. He shook Christine's shoulder, but she didn't stir. He shook his head with a smirk before picking her up, one arm under her knees and the other holding her torso, the cape still draped over her. Her head fell on his shoulder, and he took a deep breath.
Navigating the empty hallways of the opera house, Erik carried Christine to her dormitory. He saw Madame Giry open her door across the hall, but she just watched him. She looked stern, as if warning him to be careful with the girl, before closing her door again. He knew that she cared for Christine as well, so he did his best to keep quiet and work quickly.
However, it wasn't until he got into the dormitory that he had no idea which bed or room was hers. While he watched over her at rehearsal, he made a point to not watch her while she was in her bed. He cursed in his head, careful not to make a noise, before leaving the dormitory. Originally, he would have made sure she made it to the opera house, but didn't imagine that he would have to carry her around. Making a rash decision, he went back to the main floor, finding the dressing room that she had used the night before. At least he could drop her off somewhere familiar and wouldn't spark too many questions for her.
As if fate were working against him, they approached the dressing room and the door was ajar. Erik peaked inside and found a rather alarmed vicomte. It seemed that he hadn't left during the night, and it seemed that he was determined to stay up all night. Erik hid in the shadows, wondering what he should do. Christine couldn't go back to his cove, as she had rehearsal and performances to attend. He couldn't have her be late after how hard she had been working.
Careful not to alert the new patron, Erik carried Christine away from the dressing room. Then with a stroke of genius, he walked down the hallway to another dressing room. While it wouldn't be very familiar to her, it would be close enough. They wouldn't ask too many questions if she were found there by herself. He gently opened the door and entered the small room. Slowly, he placed Christine on the couch by the wall and silently closed the door behind them. With a long sigh, he turned to see her again, who started to stir again.
"Christine," he whispered as her eyes opened slightly.
"Erik? Where am I?"
"Back in the opera house, in a dressing room. I didn't know where you needed to go," he answered, a little sheepishly. Christine nodded, her eyes fluttering a little. Erik brushed a bit of hair from her face before pulling his hand away.
"I'm sorry," Christine mumbled with a small smile. "I didn't mean to make you carry me around."
"No need to apologize," Erik answered gently. He stood as he decided to take his leave. However, he was stopped as something caught his shirt. When he turned around, he was surprised to see Christine's hand keeping him from leaving.
"Do you have to go?" she wondered. He waited, but she didn't say anything to contradict her words. Wondering if it was because she was exhausted or she was possibly dreaming, he walked back to her side and knelt next to her.
"I suppose I could stay a little longer," he replied with a smile. A grin spread across Christine's face as she nodded.
"Would you sing for me? Just until I fall asleep?" Christine asked, reaching for his hand. He grabbed hers as he began to sing a soft tune, similar to a lullaby. It hardly took more than a few lines before she fell asleep, her hand falling limp against his. Erik replaced his cape with a blanket that was draped on the sofa.
As he pulled the cape back on, Erik turned to leave and found that the door had been opened. Raoul stood in the doorway, casting a faint light on Erik. The vicomte had seen him, and he wasn't sure what to do. It was until he saw the glint of steel in his hand that Erik realized that he was in danger. That Christine could be in danger.
Thinking quickly, Erik threw a smoke bomb at the vicomte's feet, disorienting him enough for Erik to grab Christine and disappear into the mirror. However, he waited behind the glass, watching Raoul's reaction. The patron walked in, surprised and confused as he searched the room. Erik kept quiet as he held Christine close to his chest. Raoul came close to the mirror, and Erik worried that they would be seen. However, Raoul looked defeated and left the room again. Erik remained still as the door closed, waiting for a few moments. As he expected, Raoul burst in, hoping to see something. With a sigh, Raoul slowly closed the door again, and didn't come back.
Debating what to do, Erik sat next to the glass with Christine quietly sleeping on his chest. He was glad that she hadn't woken during Raoul's search, as that could have been dangerous. It was strange that he had been brandishing a sword, and waiting in her dressing room. He knew that Christine grew up with him, but it seemed a little rash.
Deciding that the coast was clear, he started to get up, but Christine stirred and shifted. Her position made it impossible for him to move without waking her again. With a deep sigh, he straightened the blanket around her, making sure that she didn't get chilled as they hid in the walls. Erik watched the door through the night between periods of sleep, making sure that Raoul wouldn't come barging in again.
