Disclaimer: Please don't sue. I don't own POTO... All I own is an overactive imagination.
Summary: ErikRaoul slash fic.
Warning(s): homosexual content, slash!
Pairing(s): ErikRaoul
A/N: Okay, Christine is way OOC in this… WAY (can't really emphasize it enough). It helps the plot go forward though sorta (that and I don't really like writing her). So if that's any consolation, but you could always blame it on the alcohol though.
Umm, yeah, screw the five reviews crap-ola stuff, I'll just post weekly or something like that. Thanks for those who did review. I'll work better on my writing, but we'll just have to see what happens with that. As for the rating, well, I was figuring for the future chapters that will probably have something that's gonna definitely be M, but I guess I should just lower the rating since nothing's happened so far, but eh. Err on the side of caution.
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Pass Time : Misconceptions o-
o.o.o.o
By: Lucifer Rosemaunt
o.o.o.o
Last Time:
Basically everyone was getting ready for the masquerade. Raoul's in cognito. Erik's planning to create some general mayhem. Christine thinks both Erik and Raoul are gone. Oh, surprises!
o.o.o.o
-.-
Raoul had wanted to blend in with the crowd, and by the way everyone brushed his shoulders since he stood immobile in front of the entrance of the opera house, he had succeeded. A large portion of the elite had turned up for the masquerade and he worried over the events that would occur on this night. He feared for them all.
He looked rather plain compared to all the elite. He wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. Most of the very wealthy and the whole cast of the opera were dressed quite elaborately. But looking around, he saw others like himself who had chosen to wear a simple mask and their dress clothing. He just looked less of the wealthiest bachelor than he really was, but that was what he was hoping to achieve.
The hallways were filled with the wealthy mingling, and the upbeat music that filled the whole area was mesmerizing, pulling everyone deeper into the building.
He entered slowly, half expecting to be greeted by the phantom himself, but he shrugged his unease aside. No use letting his imagination play tricks on him. The phantom could be dead or he could be waiting for the right moment to show himself. Unfortunately, the managers had provided the best vehicle for a grand entrance, a masquerade. Raoul could almost swear they wanted something bad to happen – bad or very dramatic.
Barely a few feet from entering the building, while looking around at the decorations, the colorful costumes, and the many partners dancing wildly, he spotted Christine and Meg flirting with who looked more like fans than fellow performers. Raoul snorted, it looked like Christine had gotten over both her infatuations. He quickly hid behind a column near the wall when Christine had started to scan the room. He was certain she would not be able to notice him apart from everyone else, but he wanted to be sure.
He also saw Andre and Firmin in costume. They were nearby and given the opportunity, they would recognize him. He would have to keep in mind to avoid them as well.
Leaning further into the shadows that the column provided, he wondered why he decided to come. He wondered why he had even decided to stay in Paris, but the sudden tightening in his chest told him why and also told him that same reason was somewhere nearby and getting closer.
o.o.o.o.o
Erik decided to join the festivities upstairs. No need to miss the masquerade. It was an event specifically designed for people like him. He had a mask to hide behind everyday that set him apart from society and today he would don a different mask and fit in perfectly. The costume he wore was not the Red Death apparel as before but rather, he decided to go something in the complete opposite, Adonis – a piece of irony to add to the night that he would dress as the stunningly handsome man. The white tunic placed over tight white pants, fit his body nicely revealing the muscles beneath. The mask he wore covered most of his face, a golden wreath adorning his head while he painted what was still revealed in a glittery gold. He did look the part, almost glimpsing a life that would've been his had he been born without the deformity.
It was not difficult to slip in unnoticed amongst the throng of people in the opera house. He watched against the wall as the rich talked and drank their fill. Merriment was abound and though he could be present, he was still nothing but an observer to it all. However, Adonis indeed he was, many were staring at the handsome stranger that had appeared at the gala. Many eyes had to look twice. Erik felt unease with the prying eyes, but did his best to ignore them. Given the chance, those people would be staring at him in a less kind manner with less kind intentions.
Erik noticed all the people absentmindedly while searching the crowd. He watched as Christine showed her true colors once more and flirted with some strangers. He stared in disgust. She looked up and seeing his eyes on her, she gave him a coy smile. He ignored the look for he knew she did not realize who he was. He scanned the room more. He knew he was looking for someone, but he didn't want to admit it to himself. He walked slowly towards the entrance of the opera house; he would have a better view from there.
Surely the blonde would be easy to spot even in this crowd. Not many people had hair that shone so radiantly and had a cheery demeanor to match.
He walked closer to the entrance. He felt his chest tighten, and he knew for certain the blonde Vicomte was nearby. He looked at the strangers around him, but none of them were the Vicomte. Nonchalantly, he leaned against a column by the wall and watched as people entered the building. He had not seen Raoul anywhere inside the building so he had to still be outside. He must be just exiting his carriage and talking with some people, Erik reasoned. It hurt him to be so close to the object of his desires and not be able to see him or touch him.
Erik had controlled himself and not visited the Vicomte. It would have been just a repeat of the last time. He would not become involved with the Vicomte, but he wanted to be near him, wanted to see him, and hear him talk. It didn't matter if he couldn't love him outright, but Erik would give almost everything to just have a little part of Raoul's day as his own. It didn't matter if it hurt to be so near and yet so untouchable, unreachable. It was enough just to be able to feel his presence.
He had learned in his solitude that he could no longer handle it. He could no longer stand the empty bed when he had experienced otherwise. He could remember the feel of the boy's body pressed against his own and it was maddening. Raoul, he reminded himself, would be over him. Erik had to remind himself that the last them they had met, the Vicomte had decided that he didn't love him. It could just be his imagination that he felt Raoul near, but he could swear.
The phantom was becoming impatient. Raoul still hadn't entered, and those managers who were circulating were getting closer to him.
Had the phantom bothered to look behind the column which he stood before, he would have seen the object of his affections. Raoul bent over, trying to catch his breath. It was becoming harder and harder to breathe. He had seen Erik walk over his way and the closer he walked, the more difficult to breathe. He felt his vision blur a bit. Having Erik just an arm's length away was so painful, he needed to get away.
Moving from the shadows, he didn't bother to hide his presence as he practically ran out of the building.
Erik was surprised when he saw someone move from behind the column, but feeling the presence in his heart fade a bit, he knew that it had been Raoul. He cursed himself for not realizing it, but when he attempted to follow him outside, the managers intercepted him.
"Good evening, Monsieur," Andre began.
Erik, stopped mid-stride and as politely as he could, making his voice a little deeper, he answered, "Good evening. You are the managers are you not?" He spared a glance outside, but figuring Raoul would return eventually since he had not left already, he decided to humour the managers since they had not recognized him.
"Yes, we are," Firmin answered, "Are you enjoying the masquerade?"
"Indeed, I am," Erik realized he could obtain information from these two, "May I inquire how you obtained funds to rebuild? I had heard that there was a fire. Was not your patron a Vicomte of some sort?"
Andre answered, "Oh, yes. Well, the Vicomte..."
"...has left unfortunately. We have a new patron though. We could introduce you, if you desire."
"No, no," the phantom responded, "that is odd, I had heard that the Vicomte was to marry your star. Has Miss Daae left as well?"
"The engagement was broken off. In fact, the Vicomte de Chagny sent her a letter stating that he had left." Andre stopped speaking when Firmin elbowed him whispering, "You speak entirely too much, Andre."
"Sorry, Monsieur. We must be moving on to other guests," Firmin said aloud.
Erik smiled charmingly, "Of course."
Watching the managers leave, he was very pleased at this new discovery. He was the only one besides the managers who knew that Raoul was still present. That meant that his absence would be generally unnoticed. He frowned. He wasn't supposed to be kidnapping Raoul or even thinking about doing so. In fact, he was supposed to be avoiding him or by most, simply watching him. He couldn't do something so drastic, but he knew that he would have to search him out.
Raoul was hiding from the phantom. He knew that he couldn't stay outside forever, but he was loathe at the idea of returning home. He spent so much time there that he needed to see this opera. He needed to feel this pain that was so different from the one he felt when alone. Raoul watched blankly as more people arrived in carriages. He did not bother worrying about whether the phantom would follow him outside. He believed that the phantom truly hated him. There was no point in hiding from someone who wasn't looking for you, but he just wanted to avoid a confrontation. It would hurt more to hear insults come from that mouth.
He decided that it was time for him to face whatever was coming to him. He walked slowly towards the entrance.
Erik was intercepted once again on his way out the doors, by Christine this time. It was odd. He could have sworn that she was across the room last time he saw her. She was quick indeed.
"Good evening, Monsieur," Christine tilted her head slightly standing closer than was appropriate.
She smelled of alcohol, and Erik took a step back, "Good evening, Mademoiselle. I see that you are having a rather good one."
He was certain that she would recognize his voice, no matter how much deeper he forced it, but she just swayed slightly on her feet, trying to keep eye contact.
Christine smiled at the insult, "I do so like your costume. Are you a Greek god?" She placed her hand on his chest.
Placing his hand on hers to remove it, Erik turned away from the smell of alcohol on her breath. It was then that he had his first sight of the Vicomte since the incident. Even with the mask and the hat, he could tell it was Raoul. He could just sense it, but seeing the look on his face was enough to tell him what a compromising position he must look to be in. The phantom threw Christine's hand off him as though it burned, but Raoul had already walked passed them without a second look.
"No, merely human," Erik stated gruffly, moving away from her.
Meg grabbed her arm and pulled her away from him, "Sorry good sir, she's had a little too much spirit."
Erik didn't bother to answer as he searched the crowd desperately for any sign of the Vicomte. He had lost him in the crowd. He cursed silently at his misfortune. It was just his type of luck to be caught in such a position. It shouldn't matter that the Vicomte looked hurt at the sight, or if anything, he should be happy that the Vicomte looked stricken. It meant that Erik still had a chance. Raoul still had some consideration for him even after he had insulted him in their last meeting.
He looked around once more before giving up. Hopefully, he would be able to find him during the opera.
o.o.o.o.o
Raoul couldn't believe he was so stupid. Of course, the phantom would be with Christine. That was the reason he left. He just forgot it, forgot that he shouldn't care about what the phantom does because he was never truly his to begin with. He had no feelings towards the man, at least that's the mantra that ran through his mind.
Raoul walked quickly to his box. The phantom would not find him for, much like the phantom he would be able to hide in the shadows of the box seat he occupied. So, there he sat staring at the empty stage and even emptier audience seats waiting for the opera to begin.
Raoul kept having to remind himself that he hated the phantom and that the phantom hated him. It hurt to just think of it, but Raoul believed it would preserve his heart from more pain.
o.o.o.o.o
Meg quickly dragged Christine away from the stranger.
In the back, Meg grabbed a glass of water and forced Christine to drink it. She knew that she shouldn't have let Christine have those couple of drinks, but she insisted and Meg couldn't quite say no. Christine had been having problems with her nerves since her return to the opera house, and it seemed like a good idea. Now, though, Meg was uncertain if Christine would be able to perform.
"Meg?" Christine asked, groaning a bit.
"Yes, Christine?" Meg helped her sit down.
"My head aches."
Meg shook her head, "That's what happens when you drink. Let us hope you will be better by the time the opera is to start."
"Mm-hm," Christine mumbled.
At that moment, a stage hand walked their way and told them to get ready.
The opera would start soon.
o.o.o.o.o
Erik stood against the wall again. He had not seen Raoul, but he was certain he had seen enough of the elite dancing to last him a lifetime. He was surprised at the gall some of the women had to ask him for a dance. He rejected each one and decided to leave the party to find the Vicomte. If he was not in the ball, then he would have to be in the theatre.
Unfortunately, it was also decided at that time that the opera would be starting soon. The managers made an announcement for everyone to find their seats.
Leaving discretely from the mass, Erik decided to take the passageways to get to Box 3, Raoul's old box seat.
Upon arrival, the phantom was disappointed to find it empty, and it was then that he realized, Raoul would probably not want the same seat if he was to be out of town. He despaired at the thought of having to look through the hundreds of people present to find him. Leaving Box 3 towards his own seat, he sat in the shadows thinking of what his next step should be. Forgetting all about his plan of creating havoc and chaos, he decided to wait until the opera started to look for the Vicomte because then he would be more certain that Raoul would be present.
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A/N: Don't forget to R/R (Read and Review)!
Yeah, the costume of the phantom was so from the movie, but yeah, it was just an interesting thought and yeah, it was cuz I was watching the movie while I wrote.
grin. I made Christine drunk. And it would seem when Christine's drunk, she's flirtatious.
Oh, yeah. Five more reviews to put up the next chapter. Blah. Yeah, that's not really in effect, but hey, I can have a goal, right?
Okay, have a nice day!