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. It helps the plot go forward though. So if that's any consolation, but you could always blame it on the alcohol though.
Thanks for all the people who reviewed (I reached my five review quota… I'm excited! Too bad my life just got busier, so I'd appreciate reviews, but I don't think I can update unless it's the weekend)
Darklady5289 – thanks for the constant reviews, it's great help!
Tay-kun – thanks for the advice, I'll work on my writing and such.
NightmareFX – there seems to be a common theme of hating Christine… I personally didn't like the movie cuz it annoyed me, but since I love POTO in general I own it.
Inkie pinkie – thanks for finding me again and leaving a review
Giggles – thanks for the compliments, I'm working on posting up a new chapter!
Oh… yeah, I got my first flame: it made me laugh, maybe I should've warned the reader it was slash in the summary, oh wait, I did… lame-o. Thanks for leaving a review anyway, angelorphantom.
o.o.o.o
Pass Time : Just an Accident o-
o.o.o.o
By: Lucifer Rosemaunt
o.o.o.o
Last Time: Raoul's waiting in his Box for the opera to begin. Phantom's waiting in Box 5 since he hasn't found Raoul yet. Christine's drunk and trying to get better with the help of Meg.
o.o.o.o
-.-
Raoul sighed. He was starting to regret this whole situation. It was his fault though. If he hadn't gone back to the phantom, then maybe he could have married Christine. He doubted that would have happened, but then maybe he could've let the phantom have her. They were still very much in love, he thought bitterly.
He removed his hat and mask now that he was sure everyone was seated and no one would be able to see him if he remained in the shadows of his box. He removed the ribbon that held his hair so that he could run a shaky hand through it. He was still nervous. Now that he saw the phantom with his own eyes, he expected the worse to occur in the opera. It would be un-phantomlike to not do something dramatic, and he dreaded the fact that the managers would be so careless and stupid.
Raoul had a feeling that he would see Erik again before this night was done.
o.o.o.o
Finally, the crowd was seated in the theatre, and Erik watched discretely from his box at everyone entering, trying to find the Vicomte. He stared uncertainly down at the ground seats. The Vicomte would not seat himself there. He may be noticed by one of the others. 'So where would he sit?' Erik thought to himself. He would have to sit in one of the box seats, away from everyone else while still being able to see the opera.
There were box seats against all three walls, with more levels than Erik wanted to think about. It would take practically the whole opera before he found the Vicomte if he started in the wrong place.
With a sigh, he decided to start from the closest box to the stage and work his way back. So, systematically he went through each, but even passed the fifteenth box he checked, there was still no sign of Raoul. He barely saw or heard anything that occurred in the play, choosing to ignore everything in his search for the Vicomte.
Shaking his head at his own selfish stupidity, he didn't bother to think of what he would do once he found him. He had to first find Raoul.
o.o.o.o
The opera had started and Christine was still a bit unsteady on her feet. Madame Giry had given her a talking to which sobered her up considerably, but not completely. Christine had been forbidden to leave her room for anything other than rehearsals and meals, and Madame Giry had left the threat open if Christine disobeyed her. All she really knew was that she wanted to live to see the end of the opera and that Madame Giry was quite frightening when angered. She would not touch another alcoholic beverage again and she would not want to see the punishment Meg's mother would create for her if she disobeyed her orders.
After the first half of the opera which had gone off without a hitch, Christine was taking a break. She had almost stumbled twice, but managed to recover. She hoped no one saw, but from the looks of Madame Giry's stares and Meg's sympathetic glances, she knew she was caught. Offstage, Christine leaned heavily against a railing, at least what she thought was a railing until it moved and a sandbag counterweight suddenly came crashing onto the stage, centimeters from where Carlotta stood.
Looking guiltily around, Christine noticed no one had seen her do it, so she walked away pretending to be as shocked as everyone else that something like that could have occurred. She joined a group of the chorus girls and shared in the gossip that it must have been the ghost of the phantom of the opera.
o-
Raoul saw the sandbag fall and stood up to see if he could catch a glimpse of the ghost. Leaning forward over the railing, he searched the stage but found nothing. He so desperately wanted to see Erik again even if it was for a moment, and at least from this distance he could watch him unnoticed. It was very unlike his style to drop a sandbag, scenery maybe, but a sandbag? There was hardly anything dramatic about a sandbag falling. Anyone could have accidentally hit the rope and untangled it.
Still, Raoul could hope to catch a glimpse of the phantom. This time he would surely not see Christine with him.
o-
A gasp from the crowd finally caught Erik's attention, and as he saw the bag hit the floor, from the corner of his eye, he saw familiar blonde hair fall around an even more familiar face. His head snapped in the direction where he saw the blonde. Noting the box number, he swiftly ran through his passages to reach him.
Realizing too late that he could easily be seen, Raoul practically jumped back, tripping over his seat. Standing up shakily, he slowly took a step backwards to lean against the wall and back into the shadows.
However, though he leaned on something solid, it was not the wall.
o.o.o
Erik reached the outside of Raoul's box in no time. He silently entered, and stood absolutely still when he realized that he didn't know what he was going to do now that he had the Vicomte in his sight.
He was caught off guard when Raoul jumped backwards and fell on the floor. He had wanted to catch him, but was too hesitant to reveal his presence. Erik would've been content to stay in the shadows and just watch. Raoul, on the other hand, had other plans as he backed right into him.
Erik could think of nothing else to do but wrap his arms around the blonde. His heart virtually sang at the contact. The blonde fit perfectly in his embrace.
When Raoul started to struggle though, he reacted instinctively. The phantom grabbed the Vicomte's shoulders and flipped their positions, pinning Raoul between the wall and Erik's body.
Raoul pressed his face into the cool wall. He didn't know why he began to struggle because he knew who it was that had wrapped their arms around him. Maybe that was the reason though. He had felt so warm in his embrace, but the image of Erik holding Christine's hand over his heart flashed in his mind and it was too much. He didn't want this. He didn't want to be some replacement, the fallback love, the rebound. The phantom was probably just doing it as some sort of payback for causing him so much trouble. Raoul had been the reason Erik hadn't gotten Christine in the first place. He probably held a grudge. He was just being the vengeful phantom the whole opera knew.
Raoul couldn't stand the unbearable heat he felt whenever Erik was so close. He bit his lip and tried to remember that Erik was only playing with him. His body wouldn't listen to him though, he blushed hotly when he realized that he was getting aroused because of the way Erik kept pressing against his back so that they were flush together. He struggled against the phantom's hold, but that only made Erik lean harder against him. It was only making things worse for Raoul. He closed his eyes from the sweet torture and hoped that Erik would leave now that he had humiliated him. He was certain the phantom had realized his problem.
Raoul's eyes opened when Erik flipped him around so that their faces were mere millimeters away from each other. He could feel the phantom's breath on his face and he turned his head so that he wouldn't have to look into his eyes. He couldn't stifle the groan when Erik's body once again found its place on his.
In fact, Erik hadn't noticed Raoul's arousal, but he had noticed the heat radiating off him and the blush that crept down his neck. Wanting to see his face, it wasn't until he flipped him and pinned him against the wall again did he notice. Had Raoul been watching, he would have seen Erik's eyes darken a few shades as lust filled his every thought. The moan that escaped the blonde's lips only fueled the liquid desire Erik felt flowing through his veins.
He wanted this boy who was trapped between him and his opera house, wanted him more than anything he'd ever wanted his entire life. His body was responding to the blonde's heat and he grasped Raoul's chin to make him face him. He ground his hips against the Vicomte, ripping another groan from the blonde's mouth. That sound was music to Erik's ears. Everything else faded into the background when he heard that sound come from Raoul.
Raoul couldn't stand it. Why was Erik doing this? He had Christine. Why did he have to torture him so?
He wanted to give into the sensations yet that image stayed with him. He saw them together, Christine and Erik. He even began to picture Christine kissing him in the phantom's lair from what seemed so long ago.
"No," he mumbled. His mouth still trapped in the phantom's hand.
In his lust-filled haze, Erik failed to hear him.
Moving his face closer, Erik finally did what he had wanted to do since before their separation. He pressed his lips against the blonde's. Raoul couldn't help but respond immediately. To feel those smooth lips against his own, the gentle pressure contrasting with the crushing weight he felt everywhere else. It surprised him at how achingly sweet the kiss was. Silent rivulets of tears slid down Raoul's face.
The moment was pure perfection. It was everything and nothing at the same time. It was everything Raoul had ever thought their first kiss would be: sweet, tender, full of emotion, but it meant nothing to Erik and nothing would change. He had everything in his grasp and could do nothing to keep it. The phantom would still return to Christine and Raoul would return to his empty estate.
Pulling back, Erik finally took a closer look at Raoul. He was pleased with himself as he took in the flushed expression and reddened lips. However, he also noticed the tears that had begun to fall freely and the choking breaths the blonde had to take. Raoul would not look him in the eyes and he hated to see the wounded expression on his face. He hated himself for being the one that caused the expression. He suddenly remembered a similar expression he had caused Raoul earlier. Moving to wipe the tears from his face, Erik's hand faltered when Raoul flinched.
"Stop," he whispered, placing his hands on Erik's shoulders trying to push him away. Erik didn't budge. He had what he wanted in his grasp. He could just take it. How could he let it get away?
"Please," Raoul had to speak between shallow breaths, "just go back to Christine." He knew he was hyperventilating and should calm down but it was just too much for him. It was too much too soon and nothing would last. He knew that he wanted these moments. He wanted these moments to help him survive through the many others he would have alone, but he was wrong. The Vicomte thought he could take it. He thought he could know Erik didn't love him and still be okay with just stolen moments. He thought he could just see him sporadically and be appeased. He was wrong.
It felt like he was being torn in half and he didn't even know if he wanted to live anymore.
"Leave me alone," Raoul closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around his chest as if to protect his heart.
Erik released him in shock.
What was he doing? Sparing one last glance at the Vicomte, Erik fled. He couldn't stand to see what he had done.
Still leaning against the wall, Raoul slid down and wrapping his arms around his legs, began to rock slowly back and forth. He couldn't think of anything else but their kiss. Their first kiss. How could something so perfect be so wrong at the same time?
A badly sung note from Carlotta startled Raoul out of his musings. He realized he was still at the opera house and the opera had not yet ended. That was odd, because to Raoul it felt like an eternity since Erik had kissed him and left.
He slowly stood up, his legs hurting from his position on the floor. Without bothering to wait until the opera ended, he left the Opera Populaire.
Everything was a blur, finding a carriage and the ride home. He felt so lost. He could convince himself that it never happened. The phantom would not do something like that. He would not enter his box and kiss him. His mind convinced him that he had just accidentally fallen asleep in the middle of the opera and dreamt the whole thing. It was more plausible than what had actually happened. It was all a dream.
He didn't remember entering the house but when he came to, he was in his bedroom, already in his night clothes, staring in the mirror.
So it wasn't a dream, he thought absently, his hand reaching up towards his cheek. A faint smile appeared as he traced his lips remembering exactly how it felt to kiss Erik. His mind did not register the fact that he had felt such heart-rending pain when it had occurred. He could block out everything but the good parts. He would deal with the implications of the action later. For now though, he was content to remember the feel of Erik against him in their first kiss.
The gold glitter that had rubbed off on Raoul's face was proof enough that it had occurred.
o.o.o.o
Erik had fled. He had fled to his lair. He hadn't known what to do and still didn't.
He had taken advantage of the boy and possibly ruined any chance he had of winning his heart. For nothing but a stolen kiss. He would have continued his tirade, but the thought of the kiss was enough to bring a smile to his face. Raoul had responded. Responded immediately to his touch, his warmth, and his lips.
It was enough to convince him to damn all other factors aside and chase after the Vicomte. He no longer cared if it would never work out in the end.
He had never wanted nor needed anyone as much as he had needed Raoul at that moment. Even now, he believed that his heart only beat for the Vicomte, only beat so that he could once again lay eyes on his radiance. He scoffed as soon as the idea came to mind. He was becoming soft, with thoughts like that; he would have to make sure Raoul wouldn't continue to be a bad influence when they finally got together.
He smiled at the idea of them finally being together. He was convinced by the kiss that they belonged together. It was undeniable that fate had decided to bring them together. Erik had always hated fate. Fate had given his face. It had given him Christine only to have her betray him. Fate had given him Raoul under the worse circumstances. However, fate had still given him Raoul, and he was not sure if Raoul could ever love him again. He would have to try though. Erik would let everything else go if it meant he could have the blonde.
It was only then that he realized he had forgotten to carry out his plan to create chaos. He had been so consumed with finding Raoul that he let an opportune moment slip by. Of course, there was that sandbag incident that would probably get blamed on him, but still it was a shame to have let the masquerade go unhindered.
Erik rose from his position by the broken organ to write the managers a note. He would leave it on their desk tomorrow, asking for the usual twenty thousand francs. He would need to save some money to buy a new organ. Its absence was quite conspicuous, and the phantom found himself wishing he had the organ to play for he often found his thoughts continually drifting towards a certain blonde.
It always came back to Raoul nowadays.
Raoul always brought a certain self-loathing out in him. It was none of his doing, but every time he and Raoul came together, Erik would do something to hurt the blonde. In the process, he would hate himself for having done so.
At this moment, he did hate himself. He hated his face. He hated the twisted way fate had brought them together.
He also hated Christine. Christine was the one that put that silly idea that they were back together in the blonde's head. He considered it odd that Raoul would immediately know who he was with the mask and the costume and Christine couldn't tell even though she was standing closer and somewhat holding a conversation with him. Christine would have to be taken out of the picture or else Raoul would always think there was something between them.
Erik was actually more worried that something might happen between Raoul and Christine. Raoul would realize his mistake and go running back to her. What if he couldn't trust the Vicomte?
Erik quickly scanned the letter he had written making sure everything was in order: the managers would not speak of his presence to anyone else unless they wanted them to worry unnecessarily since he would leave them alone for now if they could prove to him that they could run the opera house. As long as everything was in order, he would not interfere, let his existence be known or cause any problems. However, he still insisted that they pay his salary lest they desire some misfortunate accident to befall the opera house and their performers. Sealing the letter with his personal crest, his thoughts wandered back to Raoul.
He would just have to hope that fate would not play the same trick on him twice. He hoped love would last this time or else both he and Raoul would be hurt.
It was a vicious cycle he resolved to remedy. He would stop hurting Raoul. If anything, Erik would do his best to shelter the Vicomte from anything that would cause him harm.
o.o.o.o
A/N: Don't forget to R/R (Read and Review)!
Okay, totally OOC, but you'll have to forgive me.
I also realize that the tone of this fic is somewhat different from that of its predecessors; you'll have to forgive me for that too.
Raoul's a little wussy right now, but wouldn't you have an emotional breakdown with the way they keep going back and forth?
So, ummm, five reviews for the next installment. Thanks to all those who reviewed so far. I appreciate it:o)