What Dreams
May Come
Chapter 21
A Crack of Light
AN: hello everyone and thank you all for the wonderful reviews! Yeah Erik was acting a bit strange, and OOC, so here's the reason why. For one, when this was originally being written up in the rp there were other things that were going on at this time. When I had decided to write this up as a story and post it here on FF, the original pieces were taken out mainly due because after re-reading over the rp, what happens with Erik and how he behaves just seemed way to OOC, so I had taken them out. Basically it was Erik being overly hysterical. The headaches things is something that continues throughout the story.
Sorry for how slow this story is progressing, trust me, things will definitely pick up here pretty quick. Get ready for a lot of angst and huge revelations in regards to who Erik really is and his role in magick and with Heaven.
Special shout outs go to: Mad-Idina-Fan-98, Doglover645, Fae'sFlower, L8zlytnwer, and Crzyratlady. You guys are awesome!
Warning: This chapter will progress this story up to where a lot of things happen, sparking huge chain of events in regards to Elphaba and Erik's relationship and big discovery.
A low growl vibrated in the back of Erik's throat. He didn't mean to be so angry with her, and inwardly he was mentally beating himself up for being so harsh, but talking about his lost love was not something he really wanted to revisit. Plus his god damn headache wasn't helping his mood either.
Propping himself up on his elbow, he glares back at Elphaba. His fingers splayed against the mattress slowly curl into a fist, as his anger grows.
"Tell me mademoiselle, is it in your nature to annoy people?" he said in a huffing tone, "or does it give you a thrill to be so damn irritating?!"
"It gives me a thrill" she said sarcastically. Though her face held no emotion, a hidden quirk of a smile, tugged at the edge of her lips. A gesture, Erik had missed due to his anger.
"Your humor is not appreciated mademoiselle," Erik started tightly, "SO SHUT YOUR TRAP!" he roars
"Oh testy" she said turning her back to him, a mischievous glint sparked in her eyes. She didn't know why, but she was rather enjoying teasing him.
"Will you leave me the fuck alone?" he groaned in irritation. He didn't know nor did he care whether or not this woman was teasing him or not.
"You're the one still talking" she countered. Setting her tea cup down on the night table, Elphaba carefully laid herself back down on the bed. Feeling the pain in her ribs subside, she closed her eyes and tried to fall back asleep.
For a moment Erik stared flabbergasted at Elphaba's backside, his mouth opened, yet no words came out. Regaining his composer, he glares back at Elphaba, huffing, he turned his back to the raven haired witch.
Elphaba smirked. Closing her eyes, she snuggled against the pillow and soon drifted back to sleep.
Erik lied on his side, and glared at the wall. He didn't know who he was angrier at, himself or Elphaba. Finding that the answers would not come, he angrily growled in frustration.
Lifting himself up, he bit back a scream from the pain throbbing in his skull. Wincing, he forced himself up to his full height and stormed out of the bedroom.
Elphaba hadn't felt Erik's movement, or his sudden departure, for she had fallen fast asleep, and for the first time in a long time, she slept in peace, without a nightmare ripping her from dreams.
The throbbing in Erik's skull became agonizing the more he moved. Blinded by the pain, he slammed into the walls, bruising his shoulder in the process.
Normally he would have sworn and kicked the wall, but strangely enough, the pain in his shoulder temporarily numbed the pain his head. Silently he was thankful for the brief reprieve.
He didn't know why, but he had to get away from her, for every time she was near, something happened, strange warmth would spread across his body, numbing the pain of his broken heart. When she was near, hope once forgotten, shattered returned, and the loneliness of his life melted away.
He couldn't think when she was around him. Stumbling over his words and leaving him to feel like an imbecile. Erik didn't understand what it was that ignited within him whenever she was near, and that alone frightened him even more.
Elphaba having sensed something was wrong jerked awake. Tensing, she looked over her shoulder and swore. He was gone.
"Oz damn it!" Forcing herself to relax, she closed her eyes and used her magick to find him.
Snapping her eyes open, she quickly though carefully rose from the bed and retraced his steps. Her being quick on her feet was able to catch up to him in no time.
"And where do you think you're going?" she asked whilst grabbing his shoulder and forced him to turn and face her.
"As far as I possibly can from you" he snarled back. Wrenching his shoulder free from her grasp, he stumbled back slightly. His dark chocolate eyes remained affixed to hers.
"Wow tell me how you really feel," she said sarcastically, "Erik you need to rest" she finished softly.
Erik glared at her, the corner of his lips turned downward in an incredulous frown.
"Alright look…I'll leave you alone. Even leave altogether if that's what you want" she said with a sigh.
"Isn't that what you want?!" countered Erik.
"No…it's not" Elphaba said taking a tentative step towards him.
"Your words may so so…but your eyes say something different" he snapped back at her, though his voice softened slightly at the end.
"Erik for Oz sake I'd rather stay here than go back to a world where the only person who loved me is dead because of me" Elphaba answered honestly. She wasn't ready to say the last part though, for the pain was still too fresh in her mind.
Erik tensed, "You're…lover?" he whispered softly. The anger faded, seeing the pain flicker in Elphaba's eyes.
Elphaba looked down at her hands and nodded.
"Fiyero Tiggular…Crowned Prince of the Vinkus…and Captain of the Guard" she whispered hoarsely.
"A…Prince?" gasps Erik shocked. Inwardly he cursed, for even if he did feel something for this woman, how in the world could he compete with a Prince, a man who was no doubt very handsome. "And what was your station Mademoiselle?"
"My father was the Governor of Munchkinland," slowly Elphaba lifted her gaze up to Erik, and somehow, staring into his eyes, she found the courage to tell him the truth, "Technically I should be the next Governor but my father despises me…so he gave the title to my sister"
A lone tear rolled down her cheek at the mention of her sister.
"Oh Nessie…I'm so sorry" she whispered quietly as she turned away from Erik so he wouldn't see the tears in her eyes.
Tenderly, Erik reached for Elphaba, the tips of his fingers lightly glided down the elegant slope of her jawline. His movement stopped, once his fingers rested at the crest of her chin. And with a gentle tug, he turned her gaze back to him.
"Why Mademoiselle…why do you weep?" softly, his fingers rise and wipes away the tears from her eyes.
"My baby sister Nessarose…was killed. A flying house landed on her, if I had gotten there sooner…she would still be here" Elphaba said, her voice cracking slightly
"A flying house?" Erik asked, his eyebrows rising to the tip of his hairline.
"Yes a flying house," nods Elphaba, "Don't ask me how or why" she added. Straightening, she furiously wiped the tears away, and resumed her strong, touch exterior.
"I see," nods Erik. Turning away, his eyes drift towards the darkness slipping through the cracked beams of light cast by the various candles half lit throughout the catacombs.
"I'm apologize for before…I admit I was being annoying" Elphaba spoke after a few moments of silence passed between the two.
"You have nothing to apologize for," slowly Erik turned back to face Elphaba, "I was asking for it…please forgive me Mademoiselle for being so rude and hostile to you earlier"
Elphaba nodded. She didn't really know what else to say. In truth, they were both sorry, and she was more than happy to just leave it at that.
"Thank you for everything…my injuries are much better. I can walk properly now…though there's still pain in my ribs and arms" she said with a slight smile.
Erik knew what she was doing and a part of him; a much larger part, couldn't blame her. Weakly he nodded and forced himself to smile back at her.
"You're a strange man Erik" Elphaba said, tilting her head slightly as she looked at him.
"I…what?" Erik frowned back at Elphaba confused.
"You've been so kind to me…yet I have a feeling that there's more too you than what you have shown me since I've arrived here in the catacombs" explains Elphaba.
"Trust me…you do not what to know the real me" he says darkly.
"Why not?"
"You'll run away in fear" he says softly.
"I doubt the man you really are will cause me to run away in fear" Elphaba said half-jokingly
"Everyone does…including my mother" Erik says softly.
"Erik-"starts Elphaba. Slowly she reached for his hands, but stops when he pulls away from her touch.
"I killed many…taking the lives of the innocent…if only to attain the love from a woman who did not love me" Erik spoke in a quiet, whispered tone.
"I'm sorry. Is that the Christine you mentioned?" asks Elphaba softly.
Unable to speak, Erik simply closes his eyes and nods.
"I'm sorry. Until the night he ran away with me I didn't think Fiyero loved me either. I mean who could love the green freak"
"Your skin should not be the dispersion to one's beauty," slowly Erik lifted his gaze back to Elphaba, "rather it be the beauty within. I see nothing here to label you as such…for I see a beauty sitting before me, a sweet angel. I can see what your Prince saw in you…why he had fallen in love with you" tenderly Erik's hand rose and cupped her cheek as a small smile, lit his lips.
"Where is your Christine?" asks Elphaba softly. Her heart thundered in her chest, and for a moment, she wondered if he would hear it.
"With the one who truly deserves her love" he answers softly.
"Erik I'm so sorry" whispers Elphaba softly.
"For what Mademoiselle?"
"For what happened…It's not easy watching someone you love…love someone else" answers Elphaba softly.
"I take it you have as well?" asks Erik gently.
"Yes I have" The end of her romance had been happier than his.
"I see….he led her on to believe he did" nods Erik in understanding.
"Apparently so. He did love her at first, but then he cared about her too much to break her heart and I was gone"
"Forgive my bluntness but your man is daft…he should never have misled that poor soul for so long" admonishes Erik.
"No your right and he knew that too" chuckled Elphaba.
"He's gentleman enough to admit his mistakes?" asks Erik shocked.
"Yes he was….he wasn't always that way though" Elphaba said, smiling fondly at his brainless ways.
"And how was Monsieur before?" asks Erik as he quirks an eyebrow back at Elphaba.
"He was brainless and careless and very shallow. At least he pretended to be" she said with a slight with a slight chuckle.
"A clown for the masses…the town fool" Erik muttered beneath his breath.
"Pretty much. I saw beyond that…and he saw behind my mask"
"Wise eyes…hidden beneath a baboon exterior" quips Erik.
Despite herself, Elphaba couldn't help but chuckle.
"Yes"
"I'm sorry…for your loss and pain" whispers Erik gently. Absently his fingers laced with Elphaba's.
Elphaba carefully hid her shock at his sudden boldness. A soft smile tugged on the edge of her lips. It was nice to have someone understand.
"Thank you"
At first Erik frowned at Elphaba's strange reaction. Slowly his eyes trailed down and stopped seeing their fingers joined together. Tensing he pulled his fingers away.
"Forgive my boldness" he says softly.
"It's fine…it's nice to have someone who understands" smiles Elphaba.
"Are…you sure…I do not wish to be too forward Mademoiselle" Erik said as he struggled to keep his racing heartbeat under control.
"I'm sure…now if you had tried that earlier you would have regretted it" she said smirking.
"Oh?" smirking, Erik leaned in closer, "how so?"
"Well I would have turned you into a pig…or just have broken your nose" she said, her smirk growing wider.
"I think I would have preferred the broken nose than being turned into a swine" Erik answered dryly.
"Well then I know what to threaten you with" she said with a smirk.
Stiffening, he holds his hands up high above his head in mock surrender.
"Let us pray it shall never come to that"
"For your sake. I on the other hand may enjoy it"
"Careful Mademoiselle…you're walking edging ever closer to the dark side" Erik says teasingly.
"I am the dark side…I'm the Wicked Witch of the West," she said, darkening her voice for affect as she leaned forward. She was close to him, for she could feel his breath on her face.
Erik shivered feeling the heat of her skin ripple across his, the sweet scent of her breath, it made his heart thunder in his chest. Slowly his hand rose and cupped her cheek and closing the distance between them, lightly brushed his lips against hers.
A jolt ran through her feeling his lips brush against hers. It wasn't till he kissed her that she realized how close she really was. In truth, she didn't mind the kiss. The last time they did, an insatiable desire to taste his lips had come over her and she was powerless to stop it. Thankfully he was of the right mind to have stopped them.
For a moment, all the pain from her life vanished away, and all she could focus on was the feel of his lips against hers, the softness of his fingers, cupped tenderly against her cheek. Slowly, she relaxed into the kiss, until images of Fiyero flashed in her mind.
Gasping, she pulled back.
"I'm sorry" she said softly.
Erik blinked back at her and relaxed. A soft smile pulled on the edge of his lips.
"You have nothing to apologize for" he says softly.
Elphaba nodded and smiled back at Erik. In her heart, she felt fortunate to have been found by this kind, yet strange man.
The next few days went by much smoother than before. Erik still tended to her injuries and brought her food and drink whenever she needed it. Often times, the two would sit together in bed, talking and laughing softly.
Some nights, when Elphaba could not fall asleep, Erik would go to his piano and play something for her, which normally resulted in her falling asleep.
By the third week, most of her injuries had been healed, save for her ribs. Once again, she found herself lying on the bed, Erik sitting beside her.
"Made…I mean" stammers Erik.
Elphaba found his flummoxed state to be endearing and she couldn't help but smile. Slowly she lifted her hand up and cupped his shoulder.
"It's alright just breathe and say what you need to say" she said softly.
"How does one address you in your world?" he asked on the edge of a sigh.
"Well usually they'll just add Miss in front of Elphaba. But once you become close you can drop the formality"
"I see…Elphaba" replies Erik as he scrunched his face up at the strange role of dropping the formality of her name. Something he as a gentleman would normally never have done.
Elphaba couldn't help but chuckle at the expression on his face.
"And what's so funny?" Erik asked while quirking an eyebrow.
"Your expression" Elphaba answered simply
"What's wrong with my expression?" queried Erik.
"Nothing. It just made me laugh"
"Are you still in pain?" he asked softly, his voice tinged with worry.
"Just a little and only when I move it" answers Elphaba truthfully.
"Your arm?" he asked concerned.
"And my ribs" Elphaba nodded reluctantly.
"Do…do you mind?" asks Erik, nervously he licked his lips as he gazed back down at Elphaba.
"No of course not" Elphaba said, a faint smile painted on her soft lips.
Nervously, Erik's fingers curled around the edge of Elphaba's bodice, and carefully unlaced it, his eyes never left Elphaba's, as he watched for any signs of discomfort, or sign that she wanted him to stop.
Elphaba tried to calm her racing heartbeat, but found it hard, especially when she felt the tip of his fingers brush against her skin. Her breath hitched. Feeling his hesitation, she nodded for him to continue.
Nodding, Erik carefully peeled back her bodice and his breath hitched as he gazed at Elphaba's slender figure. His heart raced, and his mind reeled.
Shaking away any thoughts of impropriety, he went to work, touching lightly on Elphaba's ribs, his eyes flickered back towards the raven haired witches, watching for any signs of pain.
Despite herself Elphaba couldn't help but wince, the further up Erik's fingers moved. Even the lightest of touches hurt. Inwardly she cursed, for her bodice had ben tight and had kept the ribs in place, but now with it having been removed, she could feel the true extent of her injuries.
Sighing, Erik rested the palm of his hand against the slender slope of her stomach.
"I'm afraid Made-Elphaba…that the damage to your ribs was gravely misinterpreted" he says softly.
"Aha…I can feel that" she nodded.
"I'll have to bind them," replies Erik softly, "Once done you'll remain resting…not moving…at least until your ribs are set" he finished, eyeing the green girl incredulously.
"Great. Another couple of days confined to this stupid thing" Elphaba groaned. Angrily she slammed her fist down on the bed.
"It's either that or you being in pain the rest of your life" chuckles Erik.
"I'll take option B" Elphaba cackled sarcastically.
Shaking his head, Erik face palmed. Rising from the bed, he turned and strode quickly out of the bedroom. A few minutes later he returns with rolls.
Taking a seat, he looks directly into Elphaba's eyes.
"Are you ready?" he asks softly.
Elphaba nodded. Closing her eyes, she tried her best to calm her racing heartbeat as Erik carefully unwound the first set of rolls and set to work winding the cloth around Elphaba's chest.
He was careful to keep his hands from bumping her ribs, but every now and again the edge of his fingers glided across her soft skin.
Elphaba gasped and shivered.
Erik fought to keep his eyes trained on the task at hand, though every now and again, his eyes would drift down to her taught stomach.
Shaking his head, he pressed on with his work. Light brush bloomed across his cheeks every time his fingers touched her soft, supple skin.
Elphaba, despite her best efforts, was fighting and losing the battle to keep the blush off her own cheeks. Though it was hard, his fingers were soft, like a feather against her skin, and every time he touched her, an electric spark ignited within her, and her breath hitched.
Erik's heart thundered loud in his ears, and his breathes became hard and raggedy as he fought to keep his heart and breath even.
His fingers trembled slightly, when he brushed close to her breast.