A/N: Hello, everyone! As always, thank you so, so much for the wonderful reviews! They're what make me write when I want to keep getting distracted by a million other things (and speaking of getting distracted, John Green's new book, The Fault in our Stars, came out and took about a day and a half away from writing this week, but it was amazing and you should definitely look into reading it). Anyway, I'm just going to end this author's note before it gets too terribly off-topic and rambling. Enjoy the chapter!
Erik's POV
Having already established some sort of routine helped keep everything at least somewhat normal, but everything between Christine and me was so different now, and during those first few days we had quite a bit of difficulty figuring out where we stood. Suddenly every touch seemed electric, and I felt an even stronger pull to her than before, if that was possible. I felt the need to be constantly at her side, whether this need was protective or possessive, but I was unsure how much I should give in to this need.
Christine, too, seemed unsure about us. She was firm about wanting me to keep my mask off, though I could still not understand why she would want to see my hideous face, but she seemed as confused as me when it came to everything else.
She had kissed me when she told me that she was staying. It had been simple and sweet and innocent, but it was still a kiss. Did she expect me to kiss her now? Did she want me to? Those first days were filled with somewhat awkward embraces and chaste kisses on the cheek, but I could not remember ever being more content – I had never dared to even dream that one day I might be given this kind of acceptance, this kind of companionship.
Knowing this, I couldn't help but smile slightly as I watched her sitting on the settee in her room. She was completely unaware of my presence as I lingered in the doorway. I normally tried not to watch her like this, but now she presented such a beautiful picture that I couldn't help but stand back and watch for a moment. Her dark curls hung down her back and over her shoulders, nearly covering the thin black cardigan that she wore over a plain white dress. She held a book in her hands, but her eyes were focused on the window, watching the rain hit the glass.
I knocked lightly on the doorframe, chuckling when Christine jumped at the noise. "Sorry to disturb you," I said, walking to stand near her. "You looked deep in thought."
Christine smiled beautifully and shook her head. "Not really," she laughed. "I'm just bored."
"Well, what would you like to do?"
Her eyes lit up. "Would you go outside with me, Erik?"
"Now? Christine, it's pouring out there, if you haven't noticed. You'd be soaked through the moment you stepped out the door."
"But it's been raining for three days," Christine moaned dramatically. "It doesn't look like it's going to stop anytime soon, and I need some fresh air. Please, Erik? Haven't you ever played in the rain?"
"I've spent plenty of my life out in the rain. And besides, it's freezing outside! If you don't go into hypothermic shock, you'll catch your death of pneumonia."
"Come on, Erik," Christine laughed, taking both of my hands in hers and leading me out of the room. "I'm going to make sure you experience all of the fun aspects of childhood that you never experienced, starting with going out in the pouring rain."
Christine's POV
I closed my eyes and breathed deeply as Erik and I stepped out onto the covered porch. The air was clean and moist and filled with the fresh scent that comes only with rain. Letting my hands fall from Erik's, I stepped out from under the cover of the porch and walked out onto the grass, the wet blades tickling my bare feet. Erik was right – the rain was so cold that it stung as it hit the bare skin of my face and legs. It felt wonderful, though, after staying indoors for so long. I tilted my head back to let the rain fully hit my face and neck and chest.
"Come on, Erik," I called to him, looking back at the porch where he stood watching me. "It feels wonderful!"
Erik stepped off of the porch and walked towards me, pausing when he was still a few steps away. Closing his eyes and sighing slightly, he just stood there, and I realized how good the air and rain must have felt on his face after wearing that mask all of the time for so much of his life. Now it was my turn to stand back and watch him for a moment. He looked so serene as he stood there, and I could even see a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
While Erik's eyes were still closed, I took the last few steps to close the gap between us and, standing up on the tips of my toes, lightly pressed my lips to his. I stepped back before he could respond, though, grinning when I saw the mild frustration in his expression. Still grinning and laughing, I twirled in a circle with my arms spread wide, enjoying the feeling of the water running down my skin. My cardigan, now drenched, clung to my arms and waist, and the skirt of my dress clung to my legs. Erik came to stand beside me, pushing back the strands of hair that stuck to my face.
"What did I tell you?" he murmured affectionately. "You're already soaked."
"Mmm, but it feels so nice to be out here. When the weather warms up a little more I'd love for you to show me everything that's out here."
"You look cold," Erik said, running his hands down my arms.
"I am cold," I admitted. "You were right about it being freezing."
"Then perhaps this is an activity best saved for summer when the rain is warm, hmm?" he chuckled. "Are you ready to go inside?"
I nodded and let Erik lead me in, his hand lightly resting on the small of my back. The house was warm, and I was very grateful for that, but I still shivered as I stood dripping in the entryway. I looked to Erik, wanting to thank him for humoring me, but I found my eyes immediately drawn to the way that his white collared shirt, made just slightly sheer by the rain, clung to his lean but fit frame. I felt my pulse quicken, and I blushed furiously when he met my eyes.
"You should change," Erik said softly, running his eyes over me. "…Get those wet clothes off before you get chilled."
When Erik looked up and met my gaze again, his eyes were filled with something that I wasn't sure I could identify, but I imagined that my eyes betrayed a similar emotion, for it looked much like what I felt. The look he gave me sent a shiver up my spine, and I knew that it wasn't from the cold. Instead of leaving to change like he had told me to, I just stood there dumbly and looked at Erik, unsure of what to do.
For a moment neither of us moved – I wasn't even sure if I was breathing – and then Erik took a few deliberate steps to close the space between us. Very gently, he eased my wet cardigan over my shoulders and off of my arms. I let it fall to the floor, far too focused on the feeling of Erik removing my clothing to have any hope of thinking about anything else. His eyes remained on me, and I knew that the dress was clinging tightly to my body; perhaps the wet fabric even made my underwear slightly visible.
"You're soaked, too," I said quietly, running a hand across his chest.
Erik only nodded, and before I knew what I was doing my fingers were working at the buttons down the front of his shirt and removing the garment. Unlike the last few days, there was no awkwardness now – we were both too caught up to think anything of decency or shyness. Without any hesitation, Erik lowered his lips to mine.
I kissed him back fervently, unable to think of anything but Erik. I wrapped my arms around his neck and threaded my fingers through his hair, and Erik held me tightly to him. When I felt my feet lift off the ground, I wrapped my legs around his waist, which only made out bodies press impossibly closer. A moan escaped Erik's lips as my lips moved to his neck, and he carried me up the stairs and into my room where he laid me down on the bed.
When Erik spoke again, it could have been minutes or hours or days later for all I could tell – my head spun, and my body and mind cried out for nothing but him.
"We should stop," he gasped when out lips briefly broke apart. It was clear that he didn't really want that, though, and I was prepared to take full advantage of that weakness.
"No," I said, trailing my lips along his bare shoulders. "We really shouldn't."
"Christine," Erik groaned warningly, his voice thick with desire. "You're not making this any easier. We should stop now because if we don't then I won't be able to stop at all."
I knew that I should have blushed at the bluntness of this comment, but I felt bold and, frankly, not stopping was really sounding like the more preferable option. I also knew, though, that Erik was completely serious, and he was right. Sighing, I pulled away from him with great reluctance, both of us breathing heavily.
"I suppose I should actually let you change, now," Erik sighed, standing to leave after another moment.
"Erik," I called, making him pause in the doorway. I realized that I didn't have any words, though, and simply smiled at him. Erik seemed to understand and smiled genuinely back at me before pulling the door shut to give me my privacy.
There was no more awkwardness between us after that.
So… I happen to have some free time this week, as well as a few pre-written chapters. Also, I'm really tired, and that kind of brings out my evil side. So I think we should play a game: No matter what, I will update again next weekend. However, if this chapter gets 5 or more reviews, I will also update on Wednesday this week. If it gets 10 reviews, I will update on Tuesday and Thursday this week, as well as next weekend. And if it gets more than 10 reviews, then you guys are just awesome and I'll do all that plus write an extra-special chapter just for you. So it's up to you guys!
