Destined To Meet Or fated Crossings? Chapter 2 Barely Missed
Raoul was a bit surprised when he felt a hand on his arm. He had thought it might have been-no he dose not exist, he thought it had been just a regular attacker…yeah. But then he saw that it was Madame Giry with her hand on his arm, either way he felt relieved she had come. He had the feeling someone had been behind him, only when he looked no one was there. Soon they were in a practice room, and it had wonderful acoustics, he wanted to test it for himself he was itching to. He'd have to go back home and get an instrument and he had no time today, he'd have to come another day, he turned to her.
"Thank you so much for showing me around…would it be alright if I come back another day and test the acoustics?"
She smiled softly. She could see the passion in his eyes, it reminded her very much of Erik, he and Raoul weren't that different from each other. Though she doubted either would like that thought. She held back a laugh.
"Of course Monsieur, if you want I check the schedule and let you know when it's free so you can be left in private."
Raoul smiled, brightly, looking very excited like she was offering candy to a small child.
"I would like that very much Madame, good day."
He bowed and she gave a curtsy before he turned and left the room. A few days later, Raoul returned to the room with a Violin case in hand AN: I don't know much about Violins, only that my BF played one and the Strings are awesome…I'm a singer see. I would have made it a Piano but Violins are easier to carry he sat in a chair that had been set up for him, sitting up on the edge pulling out some music, and put it on the stand, and began to tune. I hope I'm not to rusty, he thought humming a little matching his pitch with the Violin, yes it sounded great. He began to play the tune on the stand, though he knew it very well, the music was there just in case. He closed his eyes as he played, it was soothing to him, and it took him to a calm place.
He smiled, not even knowing that he was being watched from behind a pillar. Though his neck hairs stood, he ignored it and continued to play.
Erik had heard the lone Violin begin to tune, curiously he went to find them, hearing them play. They were quite good, a bit slow for the tune, which he recognized from one of the many Operas that have been preformed here. He followed the sounds to the Practice room slipping in unnoticed, and watched from behind a pillar. It was the Vicomte? How interesting, Erik thought watching him play, listening to him play, though the thing that most caught Erik's attention the most was the expression on Raoul's face. What passion was painted there, it reminded him of him self, he couldn't help but move closer, noticing his eyes were closed, letting the music take him away.
How Erik understood how that was like. To be so taken away you don't notice you are being watched or if you do, you ignore it. Erik moved closer, now out of the shadows watching him, seeing his elbow was a little out of place. He couldn't help himself, it was the teacher part of him, and he walked fully behind Raoul holding his breath so Raoul wouldn't feel it on the back of his neck, placing a gloved hand gently on Raoul's elbow so softly Raoul probably would think it was his imagination that it felt like a hand. He gently guided it up, he couldn't help but think how right it felt to touch the Vicomte, letting his other hand drop to his waist to guide his posture to the new position of his elbow, and it helped that Raoul was very cooperative, he was so wrapped up in the Music he didn't notice someone was helping him, Erik noticed that the song was now up to speed, letting his fingers run along the other's side as if rewarding him.
He felt his lack of oxygen start to kick in because of the fact he had been holding his breath the whole time, and when he finally gave in to the need to breathe it was a sharp intake, at the fact how nice Raoul's side felt under his fingers. He was sure Raoul had heard it and someone was coming anyways, and just as Raoul was stunned from his calm place from hearing the sharp intake of breath form behind him, realizing that he had indeed felt hands on him, turned.
Raoul was certain that he had felt hands on him gently correcting him. He was certain he heard a sharp intake of breath; certain he felt that one of those helping hands had run down his side in a rather sultry manner. But no one was there, he felt he had just missed them, or maybe it was his imagination, yes that was it. After all those hands had felt strong…manly no way would a man touch another man so intimately, nor should Raoul have enjoyed that thought. Which he certainly didn't right? He was glad to see the managers pulling him away from disturbing thoughts, and guiding him to watch the dress rehearsal. They said Madame Giry had suggested that Raoul would enjoy watching it, and she was right he would enjoy watching it, geese that woman is a mind reader or something.
He sat in the Commons chairs, the box offices were being cleaned for the upcoming performances. He sat watching the performance, watching as Carlotta walked up to her solo. Raoul sunk into his seat as the horrible voice filled the room, it was so unpleasant he almost wished there was a Phantom that dropped curtains on people. That would be rather amusing he thought, as Carlotta strutted around the stage singing, acting like she was the only good singer, upstaging the chorus people, who were glaring at her, she stepped on a trap door (which is usually locked) doing huge unnecessary gestures, that made Raoul laugh softly. When suddenly she let out a horrified scream as the trapdoor mysteriously opened and she fell through it.
Raoul jumped out of his seat, though he had been wishing bad things to befall Carlotta, he certainly didn't actually want it. He climbed onto the stage, while everyone looked down asking if she was ok. He looked down seeing nothing but darkness, he and a few other men grabbed lanterns and hoped in the trap door. They spilt up seeing she was not right under the trap door. Raoul looked around where he had gone. It was pretty big under the stage, he thought. It was sort of creepy. He sat his lantern down as he looked around, and swore he saw something move in the shadows.
He raised his eyebrow, as he walked forward as he walked to where he saw what ever it was he saw, quickly, though feeling weary he reached out feeling some sort of material in the shadows it was soft. He pushed his hand more forward, feeling something strong, something warm…something solid that was no wall or pillar. He felt his breath catch for some reason as he moved his hand down slowly, feeling it continue, he wasn't sure what it was…it felt like a body though. He pulled at the material, pulling it forward hearing a rip. He held it in the light seeing it was simply an old curtain…but.
He curiously leaned forward, reaching out to touch again, and feeling nothing and was frowning as he leaned more forward his fingers feeling nothing but a wall. And he turned, not knowing if he had turned sooner he would have seen what he touched…or rather who he had touched. He heard the other men calling him saying that they found her and she was ok minus a sprained wrist, which she was crying about. Raoul rolled his eyes as he picked up his lantern and left the mystery of the body he knew he had felt behind. This Opera House was defiantly very, very interesting.
An: I feel so sorry for Erik. You'll see why in this little part. Though you could say that Raoul is getting Erik back for earlier
Erik had wondered around for a while trying to clear his thoughts. When he heard Carlotta was being rather noisy making it rather hard for him to think clearly. He was even more annoyed at the fact you can't hear the chorus over her voice. And Erik knows how hard they work, he glared as he made his way in the direction of the stage, though going to a door that lead down under the stage, getting on a chair and reaching up and unlocking the door, hearing her footsteps and let it fall. Soon the Prima Donna was on the ground her wrist sprained.
Erik smirked as he got down. She stared at him with fear. He took her by her unsprained wrist, dragging her. She pleaded with what she could, how she would sing to him, give her body to him. Erik just shot her a smirk as he dragged her along. Then he heard voices, he looked at her wondering if she was worth being caught. When he heard the foot steps dropping in he decided to kill her wasn't worth them seeing him, not yet anyways. She would live for now, he thought letting her wrist go and quickly disappeared in another direction and hid against the wall.
He heard the voices saying split up, and heard footsteps coming in his direction. He stayed completely still as the man came in, setting his lantern down. He felt a small smirk creep on his face seeing it was the Vicomte. No one had told which directions to go in they all just did. He was certainly cleaver. He realized he had not chosen the best hiding place, spotting a curtain on the opposite side and while the Vicomte's attention was else where he quickly and quietly made his way, hiding behind the curtain. He was certain Raoul had seen him because he was looking curiously at where Erik was hiding and was walking forward.
And rather quickly too, Erik felt trapped. He backed against the wall as Raoul put his hand forward so he felt the curtain. Though the boy was too curious for his own good, leaning in more, and now his hand was right on Erik's chest. Erik held his breath again which wasn't that hard, because then the Vicomte proceeded to run his hand slowly down Erik's chest. Oh God, has it been that long sense someone has touched him? Erik was very warm indeed, and was gripping at the bricks he was against for mercy as Raoul's hand came dangerously close to his pant line, it didn't help much when Raoul gasped, Erik's heart was pounding, seeing the other find the curtain and rip it.
Erik thought he was a goner, but saw that Raoul was taking time to examine it. Erik took this time to slip from his hiding place and away form the Vicomte and his wondering hand. He was angry that he had gotten so warm at the soft touch. Maybe it had been too long sense he's had someone touch him. But if it had been any other man he doubted he would have had the same reaction…or maybe he would have…who knows? All he knew is that he had to be more careful. Raoul is way too curious for his own good. Though if you're wondering why he hadn't just killed Raoul it was because it wasn't Raoul's fault he'd chosen a bad hiding spot…and he hadn't done anything…and…he was too busy thinking about that hand!
It's not like he favored or even liked Raoul. Right?
An: AWW! Poor Erik! I know, I'm evil, but Erik's torment is not yet over. Now moving on to performance night
It was now the fist performance of the year, and Raoul was excited. Finally he would see the Opera House at it's most magnificent time! When there was a show, he was so happy. He had been told that he had Box three reserved for him, he smiled as he soothed down his tux. This would be a magical night, he thought as he got in his evening coach and road to Opera House, grinning as he saw how beautiful it looked at night, even more so then day. He stepped out into the chilly air showing the person at the door his ticket.
"I'm sorry to inform you that Box three had a bad case of roaches, someone playing a practical joke. Box five is open how ever…would you like that instead sir?"
Asked the man at the door, and Raoul could hear Madame Giry's words in the back of his head 'and for box five to be left open for him', but that was silly! There is no Phantom Of The Opera, so he can sit there, though his mind flickered to the strong hands and strong body he had felt. He shook his head, and nodded in confirmation, noticing he was being stared at. Probably because he had blushed thinking about those things that were probably just his imagination, he took a modified ticket and went inside and up the stairs that only wealthy people traveled, the show was just about to start. He wondered the halls watching as he found Box five, he slipped in, just as he went dark.
He quickly went in with out looking at the fact someone was already there, and sat down. Though he thought the seat felt rather…different, warm, strong yet cushiony, like someone's lap. He ignored that fact as he sat back, but not totally. If he had he would have felt the same chest his hand had felt earlier. He is very squirmy, trying to get comfortable. He finally did, watching eagerly, intently, he got so wrapped in to the story scooting back a little further when he was scared or sad, and he bounced a little along with the music or when he was happy. Sitting away a bit, he even hummed a little, bouncing a little more, edging closer in his 'seat', just when Carlotta was about to sing her solo, and just as he was about to move further up, when splat! A bucket of blood and a dead pig fell on Carlotta's head. Raoul jumped up as people screamed, seeing the rope and how it wad connected to this box, and looked behind him as the lights came on.
There was no one there, he frowned as he left too, after all it wasn't his fault, and he wanted to make sure she was ok.
Erik had arrived early, so he could sit in his box. He smirked as he sat in his seat, so they had listened to him. He relaxed reading the program, before he knew it was just about to start. He heard the curtain to his box opened and frowned as he saw the Vicomte, walking in, just as the lights went down. He watched as Raoul made his way over, too busy looking ahead to notice Erik. He didn't pause at all as he sat in Erik's lap, so not only was the Vicomte in his box he was also sitting in his lap!
He obviously had not seen Erik but didn't he wonder why he felt thighs under him? Erik was frozen to the spot not sure how to react, he had rigged a surprise incase Carlotta overacted again or upstaged again. He held in a noise as Raoul moved closer to him, but not to close. Raoul is possibly the most distracting person he'd ever met and it was hard to think as he squirmed in his lap, trying to find a comfortable position, although Erik had to admit this was interesting, the man was smaller then him so he wasn't overly heavy. Erik deiced to try and enjoy the show despite his predicament, Raoul smelt rather nice and he wasn't hurting anyone…so maybe Erik liked their current position…that doesn't leave this room!
Though he had gotten a bit worried when Raoul scooted closer to him, when he got scared or sad, and it was pure torture when he bounced with the music or when he was happy, Erik was both wishing he'd scoot a bit closer…and that he'd get off, he watched as he sat away and hummed. Though his voice was untrained it was rather nice and sweet. And he started bouncing again edged closer to his 'seat' about to bounce right over where Erik did/didn't want him to be. His hand made up his mind and before Raoul landed there, he pulled the rope just before Carlotta was about to sing and Raoul jumped up Erik sat there a good moment. He regained his composure as he quickly fled the box, making his way to the roof where there would be nice cold air, and no Raoul to distract him or make him think things he shouldn't.
An: Erik the human chair, it was hard to write I kept giggling like a mad woman cause I could picture Raoul bouncing, and Erik like 'OMG what do I do?' Poor Erik!
Raoul sighed after helping with Carlotta. He felt sick; he could smell the blood from the pig. He went on to the roof glad for the cold air, leaning over and throwing up into the snow. He moaned, gosh that was disgusting; he leaned against a wall, holding his head. It smelled horrible, he thought, trying to think of something else feeling his stomach bubble again. He felt dizzy, leaning forward as he swooned about to fall forward feeling arms embrace around him, from in front and help him sit down; he leaned against the person's strong chest with out question.
His vision blurred as another wave of sickness washed over him. Throwing up again away from the man (he was sure it was a man sense he had a flat chest), thinking he looked horrible. He leaned against him, feeling those gloved fingers again running through his hair in a soothing manner. In fact the chest felt familiar too, but no way could this be a Ghost, this person was solid, warm, and strong and smelt nice. He felt safe…and supposedly the Opera Ghost harmed not helped. He was very grateful to the person, who was also rubbing his back comfortingly with his other hand, this feels nice, he thought letting him self faint.
He awoke in the morning back in his own bed. He wondered briefly how he got there. Maybe the stranger who helped him had brought him? He asked his staff, and they said they had found him in his carriage with a note from Madame Giry saying she found him on the roof looking quite pale. Raoul looked saddened, he wanted so bad to thank the man who had comforted him. Oh well, he thought.
Just when he thought he had gotten away from Raoul, there he was. He moved to hide behind a statue, watching as Raoul bent over and threw up. Erik felt bad, he hadn't meant to pull the rope but it was involuntary because he saw where the Vicomte's bouncing backside would have landed if he had let it continue. Erik wasn't ready for that kind of contact with someone…no. He heard him moan, he sounded like he was sick to his stomach, and saw him lean against a wall, something told Erik that Raoul was not very sturdy at the moment, he saw him lean forward and swoon before starting to and swoon and fall forward and before Erik could stop himself he embraced Raoul, keeping him from falling.
He helped him sit down, feeling Raoul lean against his chest, not even looking up. Erik felt the ping of guilt filling his stomach as Raoul turned his head and threw up again away from Erik, he looked quite beautiful even in his sickness, and Erik began to run his fingers through Raoul's hair in a way he hoped was soothing and began to rub his back. He felt Raoul relax in his embrace before his weight was completely against Erik. Erik looked down seeing that he merely fainted, he gently set Raoul against the wall and draped his cape over his body as he went and searched for Madame Giry. She and Meg (though Meg didn't know why), collected Raoul from the roof and handed him to his staff saying that Madame Giry had found him like that, being sure to get Erik's cape back, as Raoul was carried away in the coach.
Seeing that Raoul was sent off safely and he saw that the Opera had resumed, Erik had gone back to his Box. Carlotta was very cranky, and to pay back who ever pulled that joke, she sang louder then everyone and again upstaged them. Erik was angry that he didn't have his surprise anymore; he had to get the Managers to get her out! After all he wouldn't want to waist a good lasso on her. Though he was perfectly willing to if he needed to, he would have to pay the managers a little visit and reveal himself…but what could he threaten them with that would make them take him seriously? Oh well, he thought, I can take care of that tomorrow. Although it's not his style to wait, he really wants to play his Organ for some reason.
It was much more pleasant then thoughts of Carlotta even if it is thoughts of getting rid of her.
Fin
An: You thought they would officially meet in that last part didn't you? No that's why it's called 'Barely Missed'. I know, I'm evil…haven't you discovered that yet?