This is for Captain Zombie and Erik's Love (on The Fifth Cellar) for poking at me. As I explained to them I had finals this week so I was a bit. . .distracted recently.
I told you I'd get it up this weekend, my dear Captain. It took less to finish it than I thought it would. And it might still be as cute as I mentioned it would be. You'll have to be the judge of that.
I curled father into a ball as lightning flashed. Son of a banshee! I'd never seen a thundersnow before but I'd heard of them. This was not something I wanted to experience. My father had always overreacted when it came to storms and I had been unfortunate enough to be at his house when a bad storm hit. Ever since I've been terrified by storms.
It was the thunder that got me and it was always worse when I was alone. If there was someone else in the room I'd be fine but I was currently alone in my bedroom and, therefore, freaking out. Oh if only I was at home! I'd be watching Disney movies with my mother or be playing with my kittens. Anything to distract myself from the storm.
A crack of thunder sent me flying down the hall in blind fear. I didn't think twice before diving under the black sheets, my only thought to not be alone. The covers flew back from my head and a hand pinned me to the mattress by my throat. Sometimes I could be such an idiot. Lightning flashed and my eyes widened in shock. Above me Erik was maskless and furious.
The brief flash of light cast long shadows across his face, that added with his being furious made it look worse than it was. His regal nose was nearly unrecognizable on the left side, melting into the thin skin stretched across his face. Veins snaked their way across his cheek and forehead, protruding through the skin, before disappearing into his hairline. Dull grey skin clung to every bone, sucked into his hollow cheek and around his eye. I could see why people described him as a living corpse.
"Er. . .ik!" I squeaked.
Fury fled his face and his eyes widened as he realized just who he was slowly strangling. I gasped for air as he rolled away from me, burying his normally-masked side into the pillow. I massaged the abused flesh of my throat, knowing that this time I would wear a bruise for awhile. Thunder rumbled and I whimpered, grabbing the back of Erik's nightshirt.
"Go back to your room."
"Please, Erik, I'm frightened. Let me stay until it stops storming?"
"You wish to stay with a monster to hide from your fears? You need to sort out your priorities."
"Look, we can deal with that in the morning. Right now, I'm terrified of storms and-AHHHH!" I screamed as another crack of thunder shook the house.
I curled into a ball and buried my head under the pillow. Tears gathered and tried to spill over but I refused to let them. Crying wouldn't help anything and I knew there wasn't even anything to be afraid of. Erik turned and started rubbing gentle circles on my back. I sighed, relaxing my death grip on the pillow and shuffling closer to his chest. Hesitantly Erik wrapped an arm around my waist as I drifted back to sleep.
-E-
The next morning found me unsurprisingly alone in Erik's bed. Honestly, I was more shocked he hadn't moved me back to my bed at some point. I stretched, thinking to myself that I hadn't had such a good night's sleep in awhile. Brigit came into the room carrying a fresh set of clothing and turned as red as her hair when she saw me sitting on the bed. Confused, I looked down. Nope, my high-necked nightgown was still there.
"Oh! I'll, um, give you a moment to. . .cleanse yourself Ma'am."
Fury filled me as I realized just what she was insinuating.
"How dare you. How dare you assume something like that about Erik and I. You may insult my honor and drag my reputation through the mud all you want but never insinuate that Erik is anything but a gentleman! For your information I am terrified of storms and ran here out of fear. Erik was kind enough to comfort me and I happen to fall asleep."
I had never struck someone but in that instant I really wanted to. Brigit was wisely silent as she helped me get ready for the day. I did feel bad about yelling at her the way I had, but I had to squash any rumor before it could take root and correct her for assuming something so scandalous about her Mistress. For a moment, I couldn't believe myself. Just a month ago I didn't want anything to do with a maid and didn't agree with being called Mistress.
The instant she had finished I took off in search of Erik. I didn't honestly think he would believe a bit of what I was going to say but I had to try. If he was left on his own Lord only knows what his imagination would come up with. Even now he could have himself convinced that I was running away screaming and he just couldn't hear me.
I found him sitting in the dinning room, picking at a piece of fruit. He glanced up as I filled a plate and made my way to a seat. The instant I sat down he stood up to leave and I yanked him back down by his sleeve.
"Stay. Finish your breakfast."
He sat back down slowly as I dug into my own breakfast. I was really going to miss whoever his cook was when I went back home; the food was delicious. Erik watched me intently as I patted my lips with a napkin, trying to have some dignity.
"What?"
"Do you always eat like that?"
"I'm American, in case you've forgotten. We're not exactly known for our graceful ways. And besides that, you'd know how I ate if you showed up for a meal once in a while."
He made a non-committal sound as I picked up a slice of baget and bit into it. I moaned as the deliciously warm bread melted on my tongue.
"Whoever your cook is, Erik, double his pay."
He chuckled. "I don't think it would be wise for me to pay myself. I would constantly be asking for a raise!"
"What?" I nearly choked on my food. "You make this?"
"You seem surprised."
"Well let's just say you as a person are not known for your culinary skills, even if you are French." I said wryly.
I couldn't think of a single version of Erik who could cook. The Leroux version, if I remember correctly, made Christine a "yellow slop" and was extremely proud of it. Understandably I assumed those godawful cooking skills was distributed to every version of him.
"I am assuming that you'll be leaving to find a way home? I shall say goodbye now so that you may avoid me the rest of the day."
"Huh?" Real graceful, Elizabeth.
"You're leaving, I'm sure. It only makes sense. No one in their right mind would want to stay with a monster."
"Oh Christ, Erik. Is this because of your face?" He looked away, silently admitting it was. "Nothing I ever say will convince you, will it? No, don't bother answering me. I know I won't be able to convince you but I can try. Erik I can promise you that I don't care what you look like."
"We are not having this conversation, Elizabeth. I expect you to be gone by dinner." He said, fleeing the room.
"And where am I supposed to go, Erik?" I asked, hot on his heels.
"Nadir's again, perhaps?"
"You're impossible, you know that? I left then because I had fucked up royally and you were super pissed. You're not angry at me this time so I have no reason to run."
He rounded on me. "And what makes you think I'm not angry with you?"
"Look," I said. "you need to come to terms with this. It's not my fault nor is it your fault, it happened before you were born, Erik. Just because I know-and I did before-doesn't mean it's the end of the world!"
He leaned on the mantle, looking weary and defeated. "Just leave, Elizabeth. Everyone always does in the end. Please, just leave. The longer you stay the more painful it will be."
"But I don't want to leave. Will you at least look at me? Erik, look at me!" I strode over and turned his face in my direction. He still wouldn't look me in the eye. "Hey, come on. I'm never going to convince you of anything unless you trust me enough to look at me." Hesitantly his gaze turned in my direction. "I know enough about you to know how you've been treated, Erik. People running from you is all you know, all you've ever experienced. I don't know if it was the way my mother raised me or if there's just something different in my head, but I don't pay attention to how anyone looks. I swear on my own soul that I don't. What I care about is how someone is on the inside; beauty's only skin deep after all. "
"Well then I'm just a disappointment all around, aren't I? I'm a monster inside and out."
"Dammit Erik, have some self respect. Yes you've done terrible things, I'm not trying to condone them."
"So then what are you trying to do, Elizabeth? I've yet to figure out why you're still here."
"Maybe because I like you? Has that thought ever made it's way into your thick skull? Of course it hasn't." I laid a wrist against my forehead, playing up the melodrama. "Oh, woe is Erik! No one ever sees Erik for himself! Well guess what Erik," I said, dropping all pretenses. "you've got someone in front of you who does see you for who you are and you're just kicking her to the side. Way to go, you moron."
I turned to go and hesitated. This wasn't how I had planned this conversation but Erik was so impossible at times. Honestly, I'm not even sure what we were arguing about. What was underneath his mask? Well, that had started it. His unwillingness to listen to me? That was a good portion.
"All we ever do is fight." I murmured on my way out.
The library was the most inviting place at that moment, the crackling fire calling to me from across the house. I was more than willing to bend to the firplace's demands that I curl up in front of it with a book. The first book I grabbed was, thankfully, in English and one of my particular favorites. And so, it was in the company of Miss Eliza Bennett that Erik found me an hour or so later.
He wandered around the room a bit before ever even saying anything. From my spot curled on a couch I silently followed his movements, the novel only holding half of my attention. Once you've read Jane Austen you've gotten almost everything out of it, after all.
"Elizabeth, I. . .wanted to apologize for my behavior toward you earlier."
"And I'd like to say I'm sorry for arguing with you about something so stupid. You didn't want to talk about it so I should have shut up. I get pushy and bossy sometimes."
"As do I. It was an issue you clearly wanted to address but I selfishly refused to allow you."
"You weren't being selfish, Erik. I was the selfish one for trying to make you talk about something that makes you uncomfortable."
He stopped before one of the large windows and stared out blankly at the still-falling snow. I hadn't paid much attention to it, myself. After being on crutches during the winter sophomore year I wasn't as fond of the fluffy stuff as I once was. My mother used to have to drag me out of the snow right up until said winter and since then I haven't gone out and played in it as much.
Then again, my mother also claimed it was childish and refused to come outside with me, even to build a snowman. When you're an only child and there is no one your age that lives around you playing in the snow (or any form of playing, for that matter) sucks beyond belief. Imaginary friends are nice and all, just not every moment of every day.
"There's quite a bit of snow out there. It looks like we won't be leaving the house for a while."
"Oh?" I said absentmindedly. "How much snow?"
"I'd say a little more than half a meter."
"American please? Oh, wait, a meter's three feet right?"
"Indeed it is."
"So you're telling me there's, like, two feet of snow on the ground out there? From one storm? I don't believe you."
"Come see for yourself, then."
I sighed and put down my book. No doubt Erik was overestimating or exaggerating, although neither of those sounded like something he would do. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust to the brilliant white blanket covering everything so that I could even see anything outside.
"Oh wow," I breathed. "I've never seen so much snow in all my life! Come on, Erik, let's go play in it!"
And so it was dragging Erik through the house that I realized something had changed with us. Or, rather, something had changed with me. For one thing I wasn't pulling him after me by his wrist as I always had; his hand was clasped firmly in mine. I also noticed that I wasn't really pulling him after me like I thought I was. Erik was willingly following me, making it pointless for me to be holding his hand and tugging him. He seemed completely comfortable with the situation which made me wonder just how long I had been doing this.
I awkwardly let go of him and tugged on a long coat, gloves, and earmuffs. Erik wordlessly handed me a knit scarf which I knotted around my throat before running outside. Snow extended in every possible direction, covering everything in a white blanket. Throwing all maturity to the wind I ran out into the snow as far as I could as before falling flat on my face.
"Elizabeth!"
Rolling over I reached up and yanked on the back of Erik's cloak. Startled he tumbled into the snow next to me, sending snow flying everywhere. I burst out laughing at what I imagined his expression was and he joined in a moment later.
"What on Earth was that for?"
"Oh come on Erik," I laughed. "when's the last time you were childish?"
"I don't believe I ever was."
"God, you act like you're in your fifties! How old are you, anyway?"
"Well," He thought for a moment. "I would guess somewhere around my mid-twenties."
"What?" I twisted upright and leaned over him. "You cannot be that young!"
"Twenty-four would probably be a good estimate." He said, seeming to not have heard me.
"Twenty-four?" I squeaked. "But then. . .but that means. . .then we're. . .oh my god, this isn't happening!"
I buried my face in my hands and shook my head in disbelief. This couldn't be happening. It wasn't supposed to be happening. Erik was supposed to be old enough to be my father, not my brother or. . .or. . .or someone you'd date. I resolutely shoved that little voice into a far corner of my mind. Erik and I would never date! The idea was laughable. We weren't. . .we didn't. . .did we?
"Elizabeth, is everything alright?"
"Y-yes, I suppose it is. Excuse me."
More than a little confused I stood and wandered aimlessly across the yard. Suddenly my entire relationship with Erik was thrown into question and my mind was reeling. Erik had been so nice to me most of my time here but had there been something more behind it? Had he been. . .flirting with me?
I wasn't even sure why I was so worried, I wasn't the kind of girl Erik would go for anyway. Apparently he was into the moronic-child type and I wasn't really either. I could be an idiot at times and childish but I certainly wasn't as stupid as Christine. And I had a range of emotions that didn't consist of a blank stare. Perhaps he had a thing for lack of emotions?
Snow slapped lightly into the back of my head, effectively yanking me out of my thoughts. I whipped around to see Erik standing nonchalantly a little ways away. He hadn't just. . .
"I thought you were never childish?"
"I'm usually not but you're bring the child out of me."
"You act like that's a bad thing." I said, bending and gathering snow in one hand.
Without warning I launched the snowball at him and it smacked him right in the face. He stared at me in shock for a moment before giving me a mischievous grin and throwing another handful of snow at me. Laughing, I dogged it and ran across the yard as best I could.
Another snowball whizzed by my face and I knew Erik was purposely missing so as not to ruin my fun. I gasped for air as I struggled to run through the nearly hip-deep snow. It had been a stupid idea to try running through this crap and actually doing something in gym class would have helped. Note to self: start working out.
My body finally refused to keep moving and collapsed into the cold snow. I laid there breathing heavy and praying to whatever deity might exist that Erik had seen me go down and wouldn't run over me. His concerned face appeared above me and he frowned.
"You shouldn't take naps in the snow, Elizabeth. You might be snowed over and run over."
"I'm sorry, Erik. The nargles pulled me down."
"Nargles?"
"Oh yes, they're dastardly little creatures who steal things and live in mistletoe. They were trying to spirit me away."
"Well we can't have that!"
He pulled me up and filled the hole with snow to 'keep the Nargles inside'. Oh dear. I hope he knew I was joking. I may blame Nargles for things disappearing but they're not real. Although, judging by the look in Erik's eye, I'd say he was playing right alongside my inner child.
"You know, we should make sure we get rid of them. They demand a human sacrifice!" I cried, shoving Erik over into the snow.
"Then two should make them so happy they go away forever!"
He reached up and yanked on the back of my skirt and I flailed, looking for anything solid. Erik grunt as I landed hard, half on him and half in the snow. I covered my mouth in horror and stared at him.
"Oh my god, are you alright? Erik I'm so sorry!"
"No, no, it's fine. Are you alright?"
"Hush, you're hurt! Where'd I hurt you?"
I scrambled off of him and frantically started looking for some form of injury.
"Elizabeth, I'm fine! I wasn't expecting you to land on me and it knocked the wind of me."
I made an apologetic sound and pressed a quick kiss to his abused chest.
"There, all better!" He stared at me in disbelief. "What?"
Eh, it's not as cute as I'd planned on it being. Elizabeth decided to grow a brain and it ruined a lot of what I had planned.
There will be a Christmas chapter, but I'm not promising it'll be out by Christmas. I will get it done by the end of the month, though. I'm done with classes now so I should have plenty of time to write! :)