"Ulterior Motives"

Author's note: I've been trying for weeks to write this chapter, but I couldn't think of a single idea. Really, I just had a free chorus period, so I forced myself to write this. So yeah. This chapter is REALLY short and just a POV until I manage to figure out how I'm working the next scene. I have some vague ideas, but I have no clue where the hell I'm going with it. Which is why, dear friends, it helps to have a plot outline when you start. Otherwise you get completely and utterly lost. I've had about five different ideas of where this fic is going. But either way, it might be finished pretty soon. Chapter-wise, anyway. Time-wise…well. Writer's block just adores me. Sigh. But I'll give you a hint of what's gonna happen in the next chapter. It will follow some musical events…and Raoul's ignorance of who Erik really is is really gonna come back to bite him in the ass. And not in a good way. Oh. And another huge fork is going to be thrown into Erik's plans, but it's nothing that isn't completely and utterly obvious (I mean, come on, it's a slashfic, what do you THINK it's gonna be).

Dedication time. This chapter is dedicated to…damnit…I don't know…ok, hell with it, it's dedicated to the friggen apple Hugh Panaro was eating when I saw him backstage. I'm sure we all wish we were that apple. So hail the apple.

And this chapter is 3rd person, but in Raoul's point of view. So it does not neccesarily reflect my own. And yes, the poor boy got a bit brainwashed with some of the dumbass religious teachings (no offense to any religion in particular), as you'll see.

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Chapter 6 – Torn Thoughts

"I implore you…inside your heard…some reason…you are here…have not run away…"

Erik's words were still ringing in Raoul's mind, even days after the…event that had happened.

"Something about you…perfect…captured my heart…hold you, protect you…"

The young vicomte held his head in his hands, groaning softly. What was he supposed to believe? Was Erik telling the truth or just trying to trick him? And even if Erik was telling the truth…what was he to do? Even…if he did feel something for Erik, he couldn't go carrying along this secret affair. Forbidden, even. So many things were wrong about it. Affairs were already seen as immoral, but an affair with another man…that was a sin. It just wasn't right. And yet…he wanted to be back in Erik's embrace. It was…warm. Comforting. Safe, even. But was Erik merely a tempter? Or were his true intentions as pure as his words, his voice…?

Raoul sighed. Still, Erik was so secretive, mysterious. He didn't even know where the man lived, as by the time he had woken up, he was somehow back in his own home. The only evidence of Erik was left in a small note by his beside, merely containing a small message:

Raoul,

I apologize for any hurt that my words may have caused you. I will give you time, time enough to make your decision and plan out your course of actions. I am a patient man; take as long as you need. But do not forget what I said. I do love you.

~Erik

After something like this, Raoul was lost. Completely and utterly lost. He slowly stood up from his bed, running his hands through his hair. Perhaps the new opera tonight would serve to clear his mind. 'Il Muto, I believe it was…' he thought absentmindedly to himself.