Erik could not breath, his throat had closed and his entire body was trembling. This seemed to unreal, yet was. He was touching the warm flesh of her pink rosy cheeks. He stroked her cheeks with his thumbs until at last her eyes opened, drawing a gasp from Erik's chest that earned him a pillow being thrown at him from Eva. She looked up at him in wonderment and disbelief. Her beautiful emerald eyes glistened and her lip trembled.
Erik looked down at the girl he had thought he would never lay his own eyes on. The girl he thought he'd never see past a mirror. He looked into Sabrina's emerald eyes with a type of happy peacefulness, like he had been some restless spirit, waiting for this moment to be able to rest once more in peace.
Sabrina looked up into the half masked face of Erik and felt a lump in her throat, blocking words. Instead she lied her head on his chest and let hot tears flow down her cheeks. She felt Erik's arms wrap around her in a warm embrace and she snuggled deeper into it. She could hardly believe this was real, could not believe she was finally hugging Erik, embracing him. Her lip trembled with fresh tears once more.
Erik embraced Sabrina closer to him, burying his face into her blonde hair. He relished in the feel of it against his face. He relished in the warmth of her, wrapped in his arms, willingly his. Christine…she had been afraid to touch him, fear had tainted their only kiss and he knew there was no fear in the girl encircled in his arms. She was his, and Erik knew, now that he could feel her, now that he could smell the scent of the wilderness that lingered on her, and now that he could see her, that he was hers, hers for as long as she would have him.
Sabrina thought she never would, but she fell asleep. Her entire being felt exhausted. She buried herself under Erik and fell asleep almost immediately.
Erik, however, could not even close his lids. Instead, he remained awake, still amazed that he held Sabrina in his arms at last. He stroked her hair, staying that way until the sun rose and Eva stirred. Erik looked over his shoulder at her, his eyes wide. Eva blinked at him and walked over slowly, as if expecting him to impart more bad news, but he merely shifted, revealing the tiny girl sleeping snuggled into him. Eva's eyes widened as well and her mouth dropped open.
Sabrina shifted, blinking her eyes open with a huge yawn. She rubbed her forehead on whatever was so warm and strong. Sabrina eyes shot wide as she realized what she had done and slowly lifted her gaze to see Erik smiling weakly down at her and Eva's wide eyed stare. Sabrina blinked, confused, and Erik's smile widened, crinkling the corner of his eyes.
"Erik?" Sabrina asked in a tired voice, blinking her heavy lids. Erik nodded, wrapping his arms more securely around the small sixteen year old. Sabrina continued to look up at him with wide eyes, her lips slightly open and her bottom lip trembling. Suddenly Erik was aware of Eva pushing his head down, but he kept his eyes on Sabrina's, unable to stop Eva's persistent gesture. Eva pushed his head down until his lips brushed Sabrina's, but the two merely blinked at each other, not knowing what they should do. Finally Sabrina closed the space in a quick movement, closing her mouth over Erik's. Eva grinned and left the room silently, leaving the two to themselves.
Sabrina was only aware of Erik. The way he surrounded her, the way he tasted, his scent, his strength. She could not get enough of him. His mouth consumed hers, their hands running through each other's hair. Sabrina's breath was coming in ragged, but she felt that Erik seemed to forget to breath at times. Sabrina finally broke the kiss, running her hands over his face and mask.
Sabrina breathed out heavily as if trying to say something that failed to pass between her lips. Erik pulled away to stroke the girls hair, murmuring to her softly. Again it sounded as if Sabrina was trying to speak, but she was too breathless to utter sufficient words to express herself.
Erik stroked her rosy cheeks, shushing her gently, "I am here now."
Eva waited impatiently, tapping her foot on the damp pavement outside Sabrina's home. The boys were supposed to be coming, but they were taking forever. Eva finally spotted them and waved at them, gesturing for them to hurry.
"Sabrina's back." Eva said, wasting no time as Sirius pulled up. Sirius turned his head sharply to her as Gerard and Peter exchanged shocked and excited looks.
"And Erik?" Sirius asked in a low voice, narrowing his eyes. Eva raised her hands in an apologetic manner.
"Still here." She said with a small grin, "sorry Sirius." Sirius grunted, kicking out the stand for his bike. Gerard and Peter followed suit.
"I'm surprised Jalgan has not come poking around." Sirius muttered as they entered the back door, gathering in the small anteroom.
Eva shrugged, "I've gotten texts here and there, mostly he was just fretting about Sabrina not answering his. I've been telling everyone she's been sick, like, deathly sick." Eva said with a huge grin.
Sirius chuckled, "Sabrina is to stubborn to get that sick." Peter and Gerard gave agreeing snickers. "May we go see our friend now?" Sirius asked, crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow at Eva.
Eva's grin vanished as she thought of all the possibilities that could be going on upstairs. "Uh…yeah…just…wait here a moment." Eva said, causing the boys to share confused looks. She did not wait for questions to be asked before she dashed up the stairs. She put her ear to the door and was relieved that she heard no moans. She gave a small knock then cracked the door and peeked in.
Sabrina and Erik were embracing, but were decent. Eva stepped in and left the door cracked. "Sabrina." Sabrina looked over Erik's shoulder at her best friend, but Erik paid the other girl no mind as he continued to run his finger through Sabrina's blonde hair. "Sirius and the boys are downstairs, they missed you and want to see you."
Sabrina's eyes brightened and she nodded. Erik looked very reluctant to let her go, but he allowed her up none the less, and even rose from the bed himself. Sabrina crawled from the bed, dressed in shorts and a t-shirt. She was glad she had not appeared nude next to Erik. Erik was still in the clothes he had gone to bed in, boxers and his favorite shirt. The Jason T-shirt.
Sabrina strutted downstairs as was and Erik felt already a heat building in his chest at the thought of her going down below among those….hooligans! Dressed in nothing bust shorts and a T-shirt. But Erik merely pulled on a pair of jeans and followed her down the stairs, his chest puffed and eyes glaring, letting the boys know where he stood, when it came to Sabrina.
Sabrina gleefully gave each boy a hug, then exchanged rib crushing hugs with Eva. Sirius caught Erik's eye with a taunting smirk. Erik bared his teeth at the teenage boy, narrowing his eyes at him, but as soon as Sabrina turned back around both males straightened their faces into innocent looks. Peter and Gerard exchanged nervous glances.
Sabrina smiled at all her friends, "aren't you all supposed to be in school?" she asked in a mockingly stern voice.
"Let's get a pet doggy!" Sabrina, the boys, and Erik all turned their heads to Eva, who had both fists pumped into the air. Her eyes darted excitedly from each face, "come on, Brina! Let's get a doggy!" Sabrina gave her friend a look that suggested she was insane.
"Eva, how did that thought cross your mind?" Sabrina asked, crossing her arms and raising a questioning brow. The boys began to snicker behind her and even Erik was trying not to crack a smile.
Eva flailed her arms in a kind of shrug, "I was thinking about puppies! And how awesome it would be to have one!" Sabrina rolled her eyes at her best friend, but turned to the rest of the group.
"Alright! Mount up! We're going to the pet store!" There was a cheer and the boys ran excitedly from the small anteroom, followed quickly by Eva. Erik looked down at Sabrina, his moss green eyes questioning. He did not think he would ever get used to this group of children, but when Sabrina looked up at him and flashed him the widest grin on her little face he knew he would put up with their foolishness to, at least, protect the small teenage girl that had, and always would, reside in his thoughts.
The ride to the pets store was, in Erik's mind, exhilarating. Erik was getting used to his bike, and was not as easily tired when he rode. And now that Sabrina was finally by his side and not in his mind, the ride was twice as wonderful. It was also obvious that Sabrina was happy to be on her bike once more. She stood and peddled as hard as she could, laughing gleefully with her blonde hair bellowing out behind her, looking like a golden river of wind.
They arrived at the pet store windswept and breathing with excitement. Eva squealed loudly and ran into the store, flailing her arms wildly in excitement. Peter clapped gleefully and ran after her. Sirius and Gerard exchanged grins, but followed behind their two friends at a…less gleeful pace.
Sabrina upturned her large, emerald gaze to Erik, who looked down and, for the first time since Sabrina and he were split, uncertainty flashed through his moss green eyes. His thoughts turned to Christine's rejection and his heart ached with love for her, but when Sabrina raised her tiny hand reached for his large one he relaxed and allowed her to lead him into the pet store.
Erik tried not to stare at the automatic doors as they slid open without the use of a switch, but was quickly distracted when Sabrina let out a huff. He looked down to see her narrowing her eyes at her friend. Erik looked, curious as to what the black haired girl could be up to now. He narrowed his eyes as well, trying to figure out what Eva was doing.
She was standing on her tip toes with her hands and face pressed to a glass encasement. She was bouncing excitedly, chatting quickly with a young gentleman who seemed to work here. The young man nodded a few moments later and walked away brusquely. Erik felt a tug on his hand and looked down to find Sabrina heading towards her best friend. Erik followed, a smile causing the corners of his mouth to twitch.
"Eva what are you up to?" Sabrina asked with narrowed eyes. Eva whirled around and grinned at her best friend. The black haired girl pointed excitedly to the glass encasement.
"Sabrina look! I'mma name her Christine!" Erik flinched at the name and flinched again when he felt Sabrina swell like an angry owl. Erik saw a very lovely bird in the encasement. The bottom of her was green and the top flowed into a deep burgundy color all the way to the top of her head.
"Eva, we are not naming her Christine!" Sabrina said sharply. Eva looked quite put out, but perked up a few seconds later.
"Luciana!"
"NO!"
Erik blinked, that name was not so terrible. He wondered what shook Sabrina up about it. Her response was worse then it was when Eva said Christine. However, Erik merely shook his head.
"Bastiana!" Eva challenged right back. Sabrina actually paused a moment, blinked thoughtfully, then nodded.
"Fine, alright, Bastiana it is then." Sabrina and Eva grinned at each other as the young man came back to retrieve the bird. The newly named Bastiana toddled up onto the man's hand, perching perfectly docile. The man handed the bird to Eva, but Eva directed him to set Bastiana on Sabrina's shoulder.
Erik could tell that Sabrina was overjoyed by the bird perching upon her shoulder. Bastiana seemed taken by Sabrina just as much as she rubbed her feathered head on the blonde girl's cheek.
Sabrina turned her wide grin to Erik and Erik found himself smiling back. He poked her in the side, causing her to squeal. Bastiana squawked in reply. "I thought you would be more upset by the bird not her name." He teased quietly. Sabrina held up her hands, not wanted to shrug with Bastiana on her shoulder.
Sirius came round a corner suddenly with a large bird cage in his hands. He grinned when he saw Sabrina with Bastiana. "Heard the news did you?" He said, his ice blue eyes gleaming with silent mirth. Again Sabrina held her hands up in a shrug like gesture.
Peter and Gerard arrived soon after with food and cage accessories. Sabrina raised a brow. Eva had to of decided to get the bird as soon as she laid eyes on her and sent the boys to get supplies before Sabrina and Erik walked through the doors. Needless to say the girl worked quick.
Eva led the way to the cashier and quickly filled out the required paperwork. When the cashier named the price the five friends all dug into their pockets and gave the money to Eva. Eva, however, paid the most. Her family was quite wealthy, and Eva had a hefty allowance.
On the way back they walked their bikes, but mounted once they hit the quieter streets. They rode slowly, since Bastiana still perched on Sabrina's shoulder. The bird seemed happy in the slight breeze and turned her head in each direction to receive equal amounts of breeze through her feathers. Bastiana did not show any interest in flying away, but Sabrina had said they clipped the bird's wings. Erik still thought Bastiana was content to rest on Sabrina's shoulder.
Back in Sabrina's room, Sirius and Peter set about to putting the bird cage together, furnishing it, putting the food and water in. Bastiana even had her own bird bath. Sabrina set her in the cage, which was raised on a thin pole. Bastiana shuffled around on her perch, rang the bell that hung from the ceiling, and squawked her approval, bobbing up and down happily.
Soon after Eva dug out extra N64 controllers and the five friends sat down to play rousing rounds of Pokemon battles. Erik sat down upon Sabrina's bed to watch. The game itself was pretty mundane. The players choose six of the pokemon creatures, then take turns facing off against one another, pre choosing moves and watching to see how they played out. It was still quite entertaining.
Erik sat down on the floor with the teens, letting small smiles shine through as Sabrina battled pokemon with her friends. Erik felt how tense Sirius was, but Erik took a secret joy from the boy's dislike of him. It meant he thought Erik was a threat, nd Erik enjoyed that immensely.
Erik watched as the sun sank through the window, dousing the room in a rich, warm orange glow. The teens were getting drowsy and Sabrina, who had no problem with shyness, was leaning her head onto Erik's shoulder, depending more and more on him to hold her up as she got drowsier and drowsier. At last Eva clicked the games system off. The boys got the idea and started to drag out the sleeping bags from Sabrina's closet. They seemed to have a set everywhere, Erik thought.
Sabrina climbed into her bed, squirming under the covers. Eva crawled into the couch, flipping on her side and almost immediately falling asleep. Erik blinked a moment, then, not knowing where else to go, he crawled into Sabrina's bed with her. Sabrina made no sound of protest, and allowed him to curl up beside her. She situated the covers over them both and squirmed, making Erik lie on his back so she could get comfortable with her head on his chest and his arm around her. She closed her eyes happily with a small smile, her breathing slowing almost immediately.
Erik turned his head just in time to see the death glare Sirius was sending his way. Peter and Gerard were settling down and unaware. Erik smirked in his direction, pulling Sabrina close to his side, eliciting a chur from the teenage girl as she slept on. Bastiana echoed the sound innocently, adding salt to Sirius's wounds. Sirius bared his teeth and flopped on his stomach, facing away from Erik's smug look.
The Phantom lied back, grinning and running his fingers lazily through Sabrina's hair. He was surprised how fast this teenage girl grew on him. He still felt pain shoot through his heart at any mention of Christine, but Sabrina was so innocent and happy that it had rubbed off on him. His thoughts turned to that morning and smiled, thinking of their kiss. It had been wild and passionate, but Erik was not a brash man. He would court Sabrina like a proper gentleman, not kissing her whenever the fancy took him, but doting upon her with flowers and gifts and songs. Erik's eyes closed, a smile continuing to play across his lips at the prospect of a bright future.
Erik woke the next morning to Eva stirring the boys with her foot, "wakey wakey time for school!" She whispered loudly. Suddenly Erik heard her yank open the window curtains and he grunted, squeezing his eyes shut against the blaze of the early morning sun. Sabrina was beginning to stir as well, groaning and rubbing her forehead on Erik's chest in a tired, yet agitated manner.
Eva leaned over Erik, ignoring the man's scowl to swat her friend on the arm. Sabrina groaned and shifted, leaning her head up to glare at her friend. "Time for school!" Eva said with a wide grin. Sabrina groaned again and sat up. Erik felt heat rise up his neck as his hand slid over her lower back from her movement. Sabrina rubbed her eyes with the heels of her hands. Before Sabrina could lie back down Eva grabbed her friends arms and yanked her out of the bed. Sabrina let out a surprised squeal as she flew out of the bed into Eva's arms. Erik lurched forward, but Sabrina was giggling, trying not to stumble into Peter. Erik calmed down a little, but shot Eva a reproachful glance.
Eva shoved clothes into Sabrina's arms and shoved her into the bathroom, closing the door behind them with a snap. The three boys gathered their own outfits and headed downstairs to change in the anteroom, leaving Erik to himself.
Erik looked down at the covers in his lap boredly, plucking the fabric of his boxers distractedly. When the bathroom door opened Erik looked up sharply, but suddenly felt his heart leap in his chest when he saw Sabrina in school uniform. Sabrina was laughing at something Eva had said, but quickly noticed the shocked look on Erik's face.
"I have to go," she said with a helpless little shrug, holding out her hands in an apologetic manner. Erik took her hands in his own and looked up at her, trying to hide the helplessness etching itself on his face. It would be the first time they had ever been separate, Erik had the deep fear that Sabrina would not return, that she would leave him as Christine had tried to, without a word of departure. The fear festered in the pit of his heart and caused an ache that made him grip Sabrina's hand more then was necessary.
Sabrina winced, but did not pull away. "I will be back at five, Erik, do not worry, I will be here." What could he do but to trust her? He let her hands go reluctantly. Sabrina smiled at him and brushed her fingers across his mask briefly before allowing Eva to lead her out the door. "Bye, Erik! See you soon!"
"See you soon," Erik murmured back, even though he knew she could not here. He stood in the vacant room, studying all the stray sleeping bags and set to rolling them up as neatly as possible. He set them back in Sabrina's closet and pulled a pair of fresh jeans from the drawer.
Today Erik would write Sabrina a lullaby. She sang him to sleep (it still tugged his heart when he remembered the song) so he would write her, her very own lullaby. He would sing it to her tonight as she lied in his arms, and he would begin to win her heart, day by day, and nothing that boy Sirius did would stop him.
Sabrina was not Christine, but she was special, livelier then Christine. She trusted him (though why was beyond Erik) and enjoyed the pleasure of his company. Sabrina was odd, but that was why she pulled him toward her, and he would not let Sirius take her from him…no matter what…
Author: phew! Well the beginning started of a little fast I think, but I am trying to bring down the pace. Hope you all enjoyed!
