a/n: yep yep... another chapter! ... I must say, this is one of the ... more ... interesting... chapters in my opinion...

wolfegurl006: of course i know...

Jaded Sapphire: yes... too many times it is RAOUL doing the drastic things... it gets on my nerves after a while... neways... thanks agian!

Loser : thanks:)

phantomfreak258: lol, yep! thanks:)

inkie pinkie: yes... that one i did know... but i was trying to change it around... i had the idea of Raoul cutting... but i didn't want it to be like hers... so i made it Erik and i made it, well... not a mask...

Bastet Starwind: yes nods indeed. lol, thanks:)

Lize Radcliffe: here you go! hug

RAOUL POV

Waiting for him to wake up is killing me. My stomach has been churning and I am quite surprised to find I have not thrown up yet. As I look at his face, more pale than natural, I feel ready to cry every time. I did this to him. It's my fault!

I take his hand in mine, careful not to disturb his wrist. I bring my lips lower and gently brush them to the back of his hand. Mme. Giry watches me and smiles.

I look at the clock; it's been twelve hours. She has left for the performance, but quickly returned afterwards.

I sigh, and then I hear another sigh answer mine.

Looking down I watch as one of Erik's hands flexes.

"Erik?" I whisper, gently, running my free hand over his brow.

"Nnn… what? Where am I?" he looks around and spots me, and instantly is defensive, "What are you doing here?"

"Erik…" my voice dies.

"Who told you my name?" he demands, gasping in pain afterwards.

"That would be me," Mme. Giry walks over and places a hand on his shoulder.

"It was not your place!" he growls.

"No, but he has the right to know," am I invisible to these two?

"So, why are you here?" apparently not.

"Because, I care about you," I rub his hand with my thumb.

"Well, you are not welcome, this is still my house!" he yells.

"Erik," Mme. Giry scolds.

"What? It is my house, and I have a right to say who goes and who stays," he comments.

"Yes, but this young man, pardon me, has stayed by your side from the moment he got here. This man has cried for you. And I know that you could not turn away the only person you care for," she harshly remarks.

Erik turns from her, not saying a word.

I turn to leave, letting his hand drop out of my grasp, but then I feel his hand weakly reach for mine. There is one meager word, but it is enough, "Stay."

I sit back down and his features seem to relax. Unconsciously I start to move some stray strands of hair from his face.

He moves from my touch at first, but then learns I am not there to hurt him, and relinquishes his shields, leaning into the warmth that I can provide.

"It's so cold," he shivers.

I move closer to him and sit on the bed, pulling his upper body to me and pressing it to my chest.

He curls against me, his wrists facing inward, in a protective position.

"I'm not going to let anyone hurt you, I'll protect you from them all," I coo.

He moans into my chest, "But can you protect me from myself?"

The words hit me deep.

"Don't speak of such things," I whisper.

He leans back and holds his wrists in my face, "Who do you think did this? It was me! Can you save me from myself?"

"If it means protecting you, I will do just about anything," I answer.

"You wouldn't kill yourself, would you?" his words stab at my heart.

"I would kill myself, but I could never hurt you," I kiss his forehead.

"Then you wouldn't have written that note," he growls, but he stays curled against me, and I take that small gesture as a good sign.

"I regretted it the moment that I placed it in your lap, but it was too late to take it back," I stroke his hair gently.

"I guess it was, wasn't it?" he actually smiles, and it's a sight so amazingly beautiful that it must be the smile of an angel.

"My angel," I whisper.

"Don't call me that," he now backs off.

"What?" I try to reach for him, but he backs away.

"Never call me that again," he insists.

"Why?" I finally wrap an arm around his shoulder and he falls against me.

"Just don't please," he whispers.

"All right, all right, I promise," I hold him to me and I listen as his breath evens out.

My poor love. I hold him to me as his body shivers.

It's not that cold down here, but I'm sure that the blood-loss has everything to do with it. Holding his fragile frame to me I coo him gently.

Mme. Giry stands, "I must be going."

"I have no idea how to care for him!" I exclaim.

"Yes you do," she touches my hand, "he's fragile to your eyes, but I know you can feel his strength, it's in his voice when he speaks. He's a fighter. It's when he wakes up that you have to be careful. Be strict, or else he will never listen to you. Show him that you mean no harm, but he must do as you say. He'll obey with time."

I hope she is right, "Thank you, Madame Giry."

"Of course, Monsieur," she withdraws her hand, "And now I must go to my daughter."

She turns and leaves, leaving me with my stubborn love whom has passed out. Finding myself quite hungry, I wrap him in a few cloaks and tuck him into the bed before leaving to the makeshift kitchen.

Finding some fruit I cut and apple into small pieces for him and take one whole for myself. The apple is so finely sliced I'm surprised if he doesn't yell at me for thinking him a child.

Looking for drinks I only find wine and water. Wine is a bad idea for him right now, so I grab some water for the two of us.

Going back to the room I find him just waking up once more.

"That wasn't a long rest," I point out.

"I'll be on and off like that for days," he comments, and tries sitting up.

I move to his side and press a hand to his chest, "Be careful."

"If I don't get up soon these sheets, I fear, will be ruined," I blush in understanding.

Taking him in my arms I carry him with his direction to the bathroom. I let him support himself on me as he uses the chamberpot. Not looking, out of both embarrassment and modesty, I realize that he is smiling.

"What?" I ask, still not looking.

"Thank you," he comments.

"For what?" I ask sincerely.

"For letting me keep what little shred of dignity I have," he answers, exhausted by this small task.

He finishes and I take him in my arms once more, "You have plenty."

He laughs at me; "You're carrying me like a baby right now."

"You're hurt," I point out.

"Yeah, my pride has been shredded to nothing," he retorts.

Oh, my angel, "Look, I'm not here to take away your pride, I'm only here to take care of you."

"Ha! You claim that you hate me, and then you come running back to me," he glares at me as I lay him back in the bed, "Where does your heart lie?"

I shrug.

"You are truly pitiful boy," he sighs out.

"You must see how wrong this is, though, us two men in love!" I yell.

"Of course," he screams, "But that doesn't mean it matters. I know it's wrong, but knowing that doesn't matter!"

"It does matter," I calmly reply.

"No, it doesn't!" he screams at me, "Things like that don't matter. My heart doesn't see the difference between couples. My heart can't see that you are a man and so am I. Instead it sees what it wants to see, the two of us together. My heart loves you! I love you."

I look at him, in complete disbelief, and then fall to his side.

I mumble out some words, apparently inaudible, for he yells, "What?"

"I said," I look him in the eyes, tears flowing down my cheeks, "I love you too!"

ERIK POV

I knew it! He does care. That note meant absolutely nothing.

My love, my angel, I'm here! I take him in my arms, not caring about the stinging pain with their contact with his back.

My fingers close around the cloth on his back as he cries into my shoulder.

I hush him, "It's okay, Raoul, hush. Everything's okay."

He backs out of my arms and takes my hands in his. That's when we see the blood that is staining the cloth and spreading fast.

"My angel," he whispers softly, before remembering my words and adding, "Sorry."

"Call me whatever you wish, my love, just always stay with me," not like her, not like Christine. She's gone; this time is for us!

"I'll never leave you," he presses on my wrists until the bleeding halts.

"Thank you," I whisper.

"Of course," he answers, "Can I get you anything?"

My empty stomach demands me to answer, "Something to eat."

"Here" he reaches behind him and brings out a bowl of freshly cut apples, "I was getting them ready before you woke up."

I reach for one, but find myself unable to grasp them. I turn my head away in frustration and embarrassment.

"I'm no better than a child, I'm even worse!" I try to calm down to no avail.

He takes my head in his arm and forces my face to turn to him. Gently, with little force to me, he places a piece against my lips, urging me to take it.

I open my mouth and he pops it in. Chewing I find myself feeling more childish by the second.

He decides to try and liven the moment, "Hey, isn't this what lovers are supposed to do, feed each other like this?"

I smile lightly as he pops another piece in my mouth, "Yes, but I'm not supposed to be this helpless."

He strokes my head gently, "I don't mind."

I frown, "I do."

He kisses my lips lightly, "I know."

The contact feels amazing.

He finishes feeding me, me in his arms, until the apple is gone. He then just sits here with me, holding me tight, until I fall asleep once more.

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a/n: well... you made it this far... I'm asking for 6 more reviews... please?