AN: Hey sorry for not writing in a while but, school, life, yea I have those things too.
Disclaimer: Duh I don't own POTO.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Erik was confused, and frustrated. Here he lie, in his bed, with a woman who was beyond beautiful, and was also his childhood friend. What was this? He didn't know what to call their relationship. Was he simply viewed as an older brother, a good friend, or was it something more? He wasn't even sure of his own feelings for the girl. Before all else he wanted her happiness, her safety. But there was something else he wanted. He blushed at the thought and concentrated on Aria. He couldn't tell whether she was asleep or simply resting.
She suddenly sprung up causing him to fall off the bed. "Whaa!"
Frantically shoving the covers off of her she struggled to straighten her clothes. "Oh no! I am going to be kicked out of the Opera for sure! I've missed practice! I have to go and explain to Madame Giry, but what am I to say!" She rambled on hysterically, Erik groaned and pushed himself up off the floor. After a few failed attempts to get her attention he finally growled in frustration. Giving a light shove he pushed her onto the bed. Glaring she accused, "What are you doing? I am going to get kicked out idiot."
"No one will kick you out; I will make sure of it. Besides I already went and explained to Madame Giry why you missed practice."
Aria's eyes widened. Madame Giry already was suspicious of her, and this sure wasn't going to help. "What do you mean 'explained it' to her?"
"I told her why you missed practice."
"You told her that I found out the man I was meant to kill is already dead and I had a breakdown, resulting in us spooning in your bed?! Erik!"
"I left all the unnecessary details out. You are free of practice until you decide to go back."
Aria narrowed her eyes in suspicion. "Why? What hold do you have on the on goings here? Why should your word get me out of practice?"
"They listen to me; they know it is in their benefit to do so." Erik was no longer kidding; his voice held a dark tone.
Crossing her legs Aria sighed, "Still so many secrets, I really should go. I am having trouble with my audition piece and need to work on it."
Erik looked at her, "is that what you were working on up on the roof?"
Aria laughed, "Oh no, I could never do that for an audition! These French are so stiff about dancing. They would probably put me out on the streets for 'indecent movement' or something like that. Stupid hypocrites, it's nothing for a ballet rat to sleep with any number of men, but to use hips when you dance-" she pulled a face of self-righteous indignation.
Erik laughed and helped her up off of the bed. He spun her into him and whispered into her ear. "Well then you must change their minds."
A bit breathless Aria asked, "And how do you suggest I do that?"
Pulling her even closer he whispered, "With me."
She let out an unladylike snort, "you can dance?"
"Not ballet, but you would find me an excellent authority on the auditions of the opera. When I am done with you, they will have no choice but to give you the lead."
Laughing faintly, "Do I have a choice in the matter?"
Wrapping his hands around her wrists, "Of course you do, but I know what drives you. You love it, you love to perform." Aria was having trouble forming a coherent sentence. "I see the way move and I feel your passion. But there is something you may not know."
Curiosity peeked, and she managed to say, "what?"
"You are indeed an incredible dancer, better than any I have ever seen. But dancing is not your only gift. You have not yet sung for anyone in the opera besides myself. Your voice is as good as or better than your dancing. The upcoming opera is a perfect one for you. Your voice will shine, and so will your dancing."
"But I am simply a chorus girl when it comes to singing. Dancing is the only place I can stand out."
"This is also an area of my expertise. What do you say, will you be my student." Numb, Aria nodded. "Excellent, let us begin."
Coming out of her daze Aria started, "wait, what? Right now?'
"But of course, is there any reason not to?"
Sighing, "I suppose not. Where should we start?"
"The audition is still weeks away. You are most comfortable with dancing, so that part we will save for later. However singing may prove to be difficult. That is where we will begin."
"Teach away maestro."
Erik shot her an annoyed glance, not appreciating her sarcasm. Walking over to his organ he searched until he found an appropriate piece. Handing it to her he said, "here, sing this and I will evaluate the areas where you need improvement."
Glaring at the improvement remark Aria began to sing,
When the night won't fall and the sun won't rise
And you see the best as you close your eyes
When you reach the top as you bottom out
But you understand what it's all about
Nothing's ever what it seems
In your life or in your dreams
It doesn't make sense, what can you do
So I won't try making sense of you
Love just is... whatever it may be
Love just is... you and me
Nothing less and nothing more
I don't know what I love you for... love just is
When you ask to stay and then disappear
It seems you're gone but you're really here
When every move seems out of place
But every kiss is filled with grace
Some things never get defined
In your heart or in your mind
It doesn't make sense, what can you do
So I won't try making sense of you
Don't ever ask me for reasons
I can't get to you
Don't ever ask me for reasons
Why I live for you... I just do
When you ask to stay and then disappear
It seems you're gone but you're really here
When every move seems out of place
But every kiss is filled with grace
Some things never get defined
In your heart or in your mind
It doesn't make sense, what can you do
So I won't try making sense of my loving you
The last note echoed out through the caverns. Erik moved behind her. Placing a hand on the small of her back and let the other rest lightly on her waist. "Breath deeply." Stomach fluttering, Aria complied. Before she could release the breath Erik held her in the correct position. "Now sing." Aria repeated the song. "Much better, you have an amazing range, but you must learn to breath and hold yourself properly or you will run out of air before the song is over."
Aria nodded and held the position, "Erik?"
"Yes?""Why did you not want me to tell you that you could be healed? You said you do not handle disappointment well, what did you mean?"
Erik dropped her waist as if she was made of coal. Turning away from her he slammed his fists on the keys. "Damn you women and your curiosity! Why must you know everything? You pry and you push and prod where you have no business being! You can never leave well enough alone!"
"Oh s'ilvousplaît me pardonner and thank you so much for lumping me with the rest of the females on the planet!" Aria said acidly, "And would you like to inform me of the failures of your gender masseur? You are all pig headed lobotomized fools who take offense to the slightest inquisition! You all have a complete lack of regard for those who care about you! You force all those away who may help you and you are too much of a coward to try!" She lashed at the hot angry tears the fell from her face. "Why must you hide from me Erik? How have I betrayed you?" Her voice grew soft. "I opened up to you and poured my heart out, yet I respected your privacy. I know you."
Erik hissed through his teeth, "You, know, nothing."
With an accusing yet somehow grief filled glare, Aria turned away. As she entered the secret passage she said quietly, "You cannot have it both ways Erik. You must either accept me or reject me. You cannot assume I will always return to you. The choice is yours."With that she disappeared behind the curtain.
AN: A little shorter, but I had a lot of homework which I am in fact neglecting right now. It's 10 and I still have 20 polyatomic ions to memorize ahhh chemistry! Also would you rather see a short fight and have Erik apologize and go back to being her tutor and maybe get a little lemon, or would you rather have them take longer, like until after the performance of The Temple Dancer(That is the English name for the opera they are performing, I don't have the energy to go copy and past the French name)Tell me how you want the story to go! I have a plot for both! But please read and review! If I can take an hour to write this for you, you can surely take 30 seconds out of your day to give me feedback! Feed the muse!