Disclaimer: I do not own PhofOp.

More Than They Appear

Antoinette walked through the door to the shop, its bell chiming above her. She looked around and spotted Erik down where he kept his pianos. She grinned and walked closer.

Erik tilted his head to the side for a moment than turned around with a grin, his hand reaching out.

"Dear Antoinette, what a lovely surprise." He greeted. "What brings you here?"

"It's been a few weeks since I was able to drop by, I saw the opportunity to come and took it." Antoinette replied, automatically taking Erik's hand in hers and bringing it to cup her face.

Erik used the guide to lean forward, pressing his lips to her forehead for a moment before leaning back. His long fingers gently traced her face, his sense of touch seeing for him. Antoinette closed her eyes as her friend spread his fingers to go over the slight lines on her forehead, down to the bags under her eyes, to her mouth then finished at her chin.

Erik drew his hand back with a frown. "You are stressed."

It wasn't a question, they never were.

"Perhaps a little." Antoinette conceded. She took his hand and placed it back on her face. It was the best way for Erik to 'see' her expressions. "Meg's going off to college soon and it's been a hassle trying to prepare for everything."

Erik grinned. "I take it she's as stress as you are?"

Antoinette snorted. "Probably more so. She's spending all day on the school's website trying to learn where everything is and when they're open."

"It's better to have her overly prepared than under prepared." Erik offered.

"Of course," Antoinette agreed. "But she's dragging me into things by asking for my opinion on everything!"

"The two of you are close." Erik countered. "I'm sure that when she's gone, you will miss her greatly."

"Well, yes, but right now I cannot wait for her to get there!" Antoinette complained half-heartedly. Her lips twitching to not grin.

Erik felt the movement because he smirked. "Our little pearl is all grown up now. How does it feel?"

"I think I'm still in disbelief, it hasn't fully hit me yet." Antoinette answered softly. "It'll probably take me a few days after she leaves for it to come."

Erik nodded. "Please make sure she says goodbye to Nadir and I before she leaves. I might have to find my way to her campus if she does not."

Antoinette chuckled. "You would be lost within seconds."

Erik began to protest but she patted the hand on her cheek. "I'll make sure she comes. I doubt she'll forget in any case."

"That is true." Erik admitted. His eyes focused on her, which would have disturbed her if she hadn't known Erik since childhood. His ability to find where to look was sometimes uncanny. "Did you come to only talk about Meg?"

Antoinette shook her head, gently enough that Erik's hand wasn't removed. Then she smirked and Erik gained a suspicious squint in his eyes.

"Last week I talked to Nadir and he had the most interesting thing to tell me." She began, amusement dripping from her tone.

The squint got deeper. "What was it?"

"Oh, something about a young couple that appears to be overly fond of you. Practically stalking from what Nadir has said."

Erik let out an exasperated sigh, dropping his hand from her face to take a step back. "Ah yes, those two."

Antoinette smirked. "Tell me all the details. I know what Nadir has said, but what do you think?"

"I think I have two busybodies as best friends." Erik deadpanned. He carefully stepped around her and headed back towards the front counter.

"Oh, come now!" Antoinette followed after him. "You cannot blame us for being curious! Nadir said that they look only a few years older than Meg!"

"They are in their late-twenties I'll have you know." Erik stated without looking back. He made it to the front counter and got behind it. Antoinette stopped in front of counter on the other side and he turned to face her. "Those two are new here and probably took their chance at meeting someone new. I'm sure they will make new friends and be out of our lives soon enough."

Even though Erik wouldn't see it, Antoinette gave him a look. "Nadir told me it's been two months since the whole drunk incident and your attack, which by the way, I'm mad at you for not telling me about. If they were going to move on to different friends, I'm sure they would have done it by now."

Erik leaned forward on the counter with one hand and reached out for her with the other. Antoinette help him find her face and waited.

"I knew you were making that face." Erik grumbled but didn't remove his hand. "What do you want me to say?"

"I don't know." Antoinette replied honestly. "I guess I want to know what you think of them. It's awfully curious that they are around as often as they are."

"They are two smart individuals that, I will admit, seem overly interested in a disfigured blind man. They appear to be kind enough though it took Ayesha a while to get used to them."

Antoinette frowned. "Yes, Nadir told me about that. He said that she would not go near you after you have with either of them."

"It was disturbing as you can imagine." Erik confessed. "She used to hiss and growl at the door when they would show up. I do not think she's ever acted that way towards anyone."

"But it has gotten better?" Antoinette asked.

"Yes, thankfully." Erik nodded. "She does not like them but she no longer runs from me or hisses and growls when they come, though she hides from them."

Antoinette hummed in thought. It was strange for Ayesha to act that way, but she was also extremely territorial over Erik. Maybe the Siamese thought that Erik was paying too much attention to new people and not to her. Cats could be temperamental like that.

She heard the door to the shop open, along with the bell chiming. She could hear two pairs of shoes coming inside. Erik didn't remove his hand from her face but tilted his head the slightest bit towards the door, to see if it was anyone he recognized.

"I believe your timing is in your favor, my dear." Erik whispered to her.

Antoinette raised an eyebrow and Erik subtly tilted his head more towards the door. It took a second but when she realized what he had meant, she beamed.

Erik snorted once with a small smirk. He knew that she had understood.

"Good evening Miss Daae. Mr. de Chagny." Erik greeted, raising his voice slightly.

"Man, it still freaks me out how you can know us by our footsteps." Antoinette heard a male voice coming closer.

"Everyone moves a specific way, it's easy once you pick it up." Erik replied with a teasing tone.

"Oh! Who's this?" A female questioned.

Erik removed his hand from her face and Antoinette was able to turn to face the two newcomers.

"This is Madam Giry. My dear, meet Miss Daae and Mr. de Chagny." Erik introduced, waving his hand towards them.

They're pretty, was Antoinette's first thought. They both had pale white skin that was smooth and unblemished. The woman had red lips and delicate features while the male had a bit of strong and soft features. They were almost like porcelain dolls.

And they were both staring at her in suspicion, which Antoinette found to be backwards.

"'My dear'?" the male quoted lightly but had a tight smile on his lips. "Erik, you did not tell us you had a girlfriend."

Antoinette and Erik snorted at the same time, their thoughts on that idea clear.

"We are childhood friends." Antoinette explained, hiding her snicker behind her hand. She was sure that Erik had at least heard it. "It is simply a term of endearment."

Antoinette found their reaction curious. The visible relief in their eyes at the admittance that she and Erik weren't together peaked her interest. That and the fact that they had basically glared at her when Erik had called her his name for her.

"We are closer to being siblings than lovers." Erik added, the amusement clear in his tone and expression.

"What was that thing you two were doing earlier?" Miss Daae asked, curiosity in her voice.

Antoinette raised a confused eyebrow at them. "What are you talking about?"

"You were standing close and he had his hand on you." Miss Daae continued.

"Oh! That." Antoinette shrugged, glancing at Erik who gestured for her to explain. She turned back to the couple. "It's simply a way for Erik to 'see' what you are doing. He places his hand on your face to be able to tell whether you are smiling, squinting, etc."

"Why haven't you done that with us?" Mr. de Chagny asked Erik with a pout.

Erik sent an exasperated look in their direction. "Because I have learned years ago that people are not comfortable with having half their face covered while trying to talk. Some people also like knowing that I cannot see their expression, gives them the ability to not have to put on a mask."

"Only Nadir, I, and my daughter, Meg, are used to it." Antoinette joined. "Erik's very picky with who he decides to ask permission from."

Antoinette saw both of the couple's eyes grow darker from that statement. She had a feeling that she was getting an idea towards why the couple hung around Erik.

"I would not call it picky." Erik mumbled under his breath. "I'm allowing people to choose their privacy."

Mr. de Chagny perked up at that. "Well, I wouldn't mind it if you do it. If it helps you, I don't have a problem."

"Me neither." Miss Daae agreed.

Erik blinked, looking put out by the offer. Antoinette wasn't surprised by his reaction, this was probably the first time someone had actively offered permission.

"Thank you." Erik stated awkwardly and Antoinette saw the slight pink tinge on his skin.

"Great!" Mr. de Chagny almost exclaimed, startling everyone. He was smiling widely. "Let's try it now!"

"What?!" Erik startled.

"What? It's not like you're busy. Come on, please."

"Raoul, calm down." Miss Daae laughed. "Let him decide."

Erik was silent for a few moments but then shrugged. "It's alright."

Mr. de Chagny whooped and practically ran to the counter next to Antoinette. She found his enthusiasm entertaining but considering the idea she had about them, it made sense.

Everyone enjoyed being close to the people they fancied.

What startled her was how cool Mr. de Chagny's body seemed to be. It was in the evening outside and the shop had the AC on but it was summer and the couple had not been in the shop long enough to be that cool. Antoinette took another look at the couple and was reminded that both of them were almost too pretty and had pale skin. Cool body temperature…

Antoinette mentally shook her head. She was being ridiculous.

"I better get going." Antoinette announced. "Meg's going to be home soon, and I'm sure that she'll want to go over every agonizing detail about what she learned about the campus today."

Erik turned towards her with a grin. "Let me know how it goes."

"Oh you're going to hear all about my woes, I promise you that." Antoinette declared with a grin.

"I will look forward to it." Erik replied easily. He knew how she was.

One of his hands was currently trapped by Mr. de Chagny so Erik reached out with his free hand. Antoinette easily took it and placed it on her face and leaned forward as Erik did. His lips briefly met her forehead and she felt Mr. de Chagny stiffen next to her. Erik did not seem to notice as he pulled back with an easy grin.

"Goodbye Madam."

"Goodbye." Antoinette answered.

She could feel Mr. de Chagny stiff as a board next to her but she couldn't see his expression. As she turned to walk away, she did see Miss Daae's.

"It was nice meeting you, Madam Giry." Miss Daae stated charmingly enough but the there was a hardness in her eyes that held a hint of possessiveness. There was something in those eyes that looked older than her years, something darker and more predatory.

Antoinette made sure to not appear intimidated. She smiled gracefully back. "You as well."

With that, Antoinette walked out of the shop and made it a block before she had to stop. Her shoulders trembling and hands shaking.

They might like Erik, but they are certainly more than they appear, Antoinette thought, clasping her hands together in an attempt to stop their movements.

She wondered if she should warn Erik but decided that she did not know enough to do so. Maybe she could give a small warning to Nadir. Something that make him more alert around the couple.

When Antoinette got her bearings she began to head home again. She knew that Erik was safe with them for now, but that could change. She had no idea what was going on but one thing was for sure, she was going to be spending more time visiting Erik to make sure things stayed that way.

And there we go! Another down! How'd my readers like reading in Antoinette's POV? Hopefully, it was entertaining and perceptive. Be sure to leave a review if you enjoyed the read. Next chapter POV will be in Raoul's. See ya next time!