He'd been savoring every second of that hug when that music had begun. Erik could count on one hand how many he'd received such a touch. He only needed two fingers, and both times it had been Christine giving it to him. Once we she'd kissed him under the Opera house to save the Viscount, and once a few minutes ago. Then that music had started to play. It was quite good, he had to admit. A bit rusty, but soothing to the soul.
Until the musician was revealed, of course.
Erik stayed on the bed, catching bits and pieces of the Viscount and Christine's conversation: Marriage, America, and Philippe, none of it mattered to him. Well...the last two don't. His blood began to boil. The Fop is using music to make her happy! Music is what I do! That's how I connect with Christine! He's not supposed to know how to play the violin! It's not even that good! he shouted mentally, contradicting his previous thoughts.
He sat there, seething, until he heard footsteps. He got up quickly, his mood brightening, thinking it was Christine. He was disappointed. The Viscount stood in front of him with a blank face. Before Erik could even open his mouth, he held something out to him. "... What's this?"
"A venomous spider," The man told him. "It's musician's paper. I figured you could keep yourself occupied on the boat. In case you got any um… inspiration."
He stood there, puzzled for a moment. No one really bought things for him other than Madame Giry and Christine. And apart from a special occasion, when the Madame would give him some sort of gift, that was when he'd asked for something. No one had ever really taken it upon themselves to think "Hmm, I think Erik would like this."
"Are you going to take it or have I tainted it with my touch?"
He took the stack of paper but still felt this was very strange. Christine cleared her throat loudly and he looked at her. She glared at him the way mothers do their children. Erik caught on and looked back at the Viscount. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." And the man left the room without another word.
"I suggest you eat something," Christine told him. "Don't stay up late, we have to be up quite early. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must go talk to Raoul."
Raoul held the door open for his fiancé as she walked inside his room. "It was very nice of you to get that for him." she smiled.
"Well, anything to keep him busy on this trip."
"Oh, it was more than that and you know it. You thought of him. You wanted to do something kind for him."
"Lotte, this man tried to kill me the other day."
"I think you're both starting to put the events of the Populaire in the past."
"Only because I'm reassured by the fact that he will be out of our hair once we're off this boat."
"Stop trying to deny it. You would prefer a friend to an enemy any day."
"Friends? With the former Phantom? Christine, I'm not sure if he knows the meaning of the word."
She frowned. "He really doesn't actually. It must've been terribly lonely under the opera house. All he really had was Caesar. See, I just spoke to him while you were out. He was very worried about the fact that we would split up once we were in America."
His eyes widened. She's not going to suggest he stay with us, is she? We're risking enough as it is!
"I told him I could give him the address where we'd be staying so he could write to us, and let him know when we moved somewhere. But...Raoul he was so panicked. He sees me as the only person who is ever nice to him, other than Madame Giry. He cannot go on with his life thinking that it's him against the world."
"Well...what do you want to do to help him?" Raoul asked cautiously.
"It's nothing I'm going to do alone," she explained. "I can't. He needs someone else to show him that he's not a monster. That he's like everyone else. To let him know that somewhere out there are people who accept him. Who like him. Or else he'll never try connecting with anyone else. How would he get a job?"
"You want me to help-"
"Yes." she said, cutting him off. "And the first thing you both have to do is put the past behind you. Yes, he did bad things. But that's all over now. He's going to change. But… but he needs us to assist him. Needs you."
"Why me?"
"It can't just be me alone. Please, Raoul?" she pleaded. "He truly is a good person. He just… does not trust. He believes everyone but me is against him. Show him you aren't. Just try it, dear. He'll surprise you, I know it."
He contemplated this for a while.
"Do you remember those two questions he wouldn't answer today?' she asked after a minute.
"... No," he admitted.
"When he was going to turn himself in, I asked if he thought he deserved to be happy. He didn't respond. Because he doesn't think so, dear. What sort of person thinks they aren't good enough to have happiness? And again, you asked if he thought he could change. He's not sure. He told me he would try but… it's like he's… afraid of what happens if he does. Will the world allow him to change?" She took his hands. "Please. I know I've asked too much of you already. But… he won't succeed alone."
Raoul sighed. "Alright. I'll try."
"The paper was a great start. I know he can do it, dear. We just have to show him that he can. Who knows? Perhaps you will find you aren't that different at all."
Erik passed the rest of the day by with Caesar and his own thoughts. Christine gave me a hug, and the Fop gave me paper when I didn't request it. Christine can be understood. She is… a friend. He sighed at the thought, smiling a bit. He liked having another friend that wasn't a horse or busy dance teacher. But the Fop? He hates me! And I hate him! What brought this on? Did Christine say something to him? No, she had no knowledge of where he was going. He did it himself.
But why?
After a long time puzzling over the question, he chalked it up to the fact that he was simply giving him something to shut him up the rest of the journey. The Viscount would never do something nice for him just because. Why would he?
The night came quickly, the sky turning a dark shade of blue. Though he wasn't tired, Erik did as Christine ordered and got into the bed in the room - after checking for bedbugs. He removed his mask for the first time since the Viscount had given it to him in the carriage. It had irritated him very much, having it on so long, but he would not expose Christine to the horror of his face. That and he'd had to share a bed with the Viscount last night, so he could not remove it then either.
The mattress was hard and uncomfortable on his back, which was a bit better, but still hurt. Hours whittled by as his mind insisted on keeping him up. He tried to plan out what would happen tomorrow: They would get into their disguises, attempt to get on the boat, and from there, they were out of trouble. I just hope the dress I have to wear isn't hideous on me. It's bad enough being the most disgusting creature on the planet. I'd rather not be the most revolting thing in a dress as well.
The Fop will probably look nice as a woman, he's so feminine anyhow.
He was very tired now, the lack of sleep he got in the stables the night before catching up to him. It was about midnight now and he couldn't get comfortable in bed. It creaked and moan under him as he tossed and turned. Just as he'd found a decent position and closed his eyes, there was a shout from the room across from him. Not Christine's, the room on the other side.
"That was wonderful!" shouted a woman with a loud, shrill voice. "Your wedding is truly the best day of your life!"
"My feet are still sore from dancing," said a man. "That certainly was a magical night."
"One we'll never forget."
You'll be divorced in three years tops, sweetheart, Erik told her in his head.
"I love you so much, honey. So much, my heart may explode right this moment."
Could it? Then I could get some sleep.
"Oh, dear." she swooned.
"Oh, darling." They began to kiss loudly.
Oh, Hell, Erik grumbled.
"Come now," the man said, huskily. "We should go to bed."
At least they'll be silent now.
"Let us consummate our marriage on this beautiful night."
"Oh yes, dear. Yes."
Erik's eyes widened. Is this truly happening right now? No, I'm merely dreaming. I just need to wake up. He reached over and pinched his arm, hard.
Nothing happened.
Through the wall, he heard the creaking of a bed. "Here, let me get this wedding gown off of you."
"Oooh, your hands are warm."
The sheets were thrown to the floor as Erik rushed out of the room. He couldn't stand it! He would not listen to two strangers… partake in that activity. But then he stood in the pitch black hallway, wondering where he'd sleep now.
He couldn't share a bed with Christine. An unmarried man and woman sleeping next to each other? It was unheard of! And he couldn't sleep outside again.
It seems I have only one other option.
He crossed the hall and tried the knob on the Viscount's room. It was unlocked. Idiot.
Raoul cascaded across the air, staring into Christine's eyes. He was dreaming of dancing with her in the sky from cloud to cloud. She laughed as he spun her around. Oh, to hold her in my arms and make her happy. I wish it could always be like this. Wish we could always be happy and in love. We will be. Nothing will keep us apart.
They danced and danced, their feet floating over the puffy white clouds. Christine grinned and looked up at him. "Fop?" she asked.
"...Wh...what did you-?"
"Wake up, you fool."
"Christine! Why are you saying this?" He'd thought they'd been having a nice time.
The happy expression was suddenly replaced with a very angry one. She glared at him menacingly, snatching her hands out of his. "You darned congested walrus, you're taking up too much of the bed."
Too much of the...congested walrus….Wait. The only one person who's called me that is- His eyes snapped open, taking a minute to adjust to the darkness of his room. A figure was looming over him. He couldn't see his face, but who else could it be? "Erik?" he asked, groggy still.
"No, it's your father." the figure snarked.
"My father's dead, thanks. What do you want?"
He straightened. "I cannot sleep."
"You are requesting a glass of warm milk and a bedtime story?"
He could hear the man growl at him. "It appears I was roomed next to the Honeymoon Suite."
The wheels in Raoul's head began to turn. "Is it...in use?"
"Very loudly."
Ewww. "What do you want me to do? Ask them to seal their marriage quietly?"
"You idiotic Fop!"
He wagged a finger at him. "Now, now, Erik, you aren't going to get what you want that way. Perhaps you should try asking for something rather than insulting me. It may get you a better result."
The shadowy man cleared his throat, and when he spoke again his voice was quiet, almost like a child's. "May I sleep here?"
Raoul decided to take the opportunity to teach the man some manners while he was too tired to put up a fight. "There is a magic word that should go at the end."
"...Please?"
"Since you asked so nicely...on one condition."
"It's nearly morning. Can this torture not wait?"
"You have to stop calling me 'Fop'. And all those other names you keep using."
Erik yawned. "Very well. Anything if it means I can close my eyes."
"Be careful what you say," Raoul teased, moving over. Erik got into the bed and turned away from him. Within a few minutes, Raoul could hear him breathing softly. He was asleep.
If he keeps his word, it will be a good start, he thought. Though he was still tired, his mind was now awake. Christine thinks he can change. I've admitted there's a chance he can change. But he doesn't think he can change. Well, he's not certain of it.
Shouldn't he be the one trying to convince us? It seems to be the other way around. Is he only saying he will try? Could this all be the Phantom's plan? He stopped himself, remembering when Erik was going to give himself up. That was sincere. There is some good in him, down, deep inside. Yet… he doesn't seem to believe that. Christine is right, he truly sees himself as a monster. Something to be afraid of.
Something perhaps… he himself is afraid of. He thought for a moment, then decided he really needed to sleep. At least it will be a peaceful night.
Or so he thought.
A/N: I will apologize for the late update (computer still broken), but not for the cliffhanger. MWAHAHAHAA!