author's note:

a late valentine's treat! it has almost been 6 years since i've written for the phantom of the opera. and this is also my first rerik piece. i apologize if it seems a bit rusty.

anyways, honestly, i've consumed too much angst (and that's saying something considering that i live for that shit) and i thought that it would be nice to take a break from the angsty fics sometimes (everyone in the poto universe is just honestly sad and horny). rerik definitely deserve some happiness too!

i originally wanted this to be super short as i wanted to post it on valentine's day (i started writing it on the night of the occasion) but i guess...things have changed (raoul).

here you go, because valentine's day is not really valentine's day without rerik being gay for each other. uwu

p.s. i've taken elements both from the book and alw's musical/2004 movie

Erik couldn't keep still. He looked at the pile of gifts he had accumulated in his bedroom, still unsatisfied by what he saw. Over the past few days, he had been thinking of what to give his...friend.

Was that all the vicomte was to him? He was someone who he had shared a few meals with. A friend who laughed too much at Erik's most casual remarks and would get too close and punch his arm playfully. A friend who did not inquire about any details about Erik's life unless he would willingly share it. A friend who would offer his shoulder to cry on. A friend who gave him roses every once in a while to lift his spirits. A friend who gave him the most timid of kisses, and later blamed it on the alcohol even though Erik knew he had only taken no more than a sip of it.

He blushed at the thought and shook his head. Perhaps since Raoul was the only source of kindness he had thus far, it gave Erik the wrong assumptions. Raoul made sure to treat everyone around him with kindness, including Erik. That did not mean that Erik stood above the rest in the vicomte's life. On the other hand, Erik...well, he was very selective to whomever shall earn his kindness. Furthermore, Raoul never mentioned anything about their little 'accidents' and what he would like to label their strange relationship.

It perplexed Erik, and Erik did not like to be perplexed. He wanted certainty on any affairs that he had. Yet he worried that maybe bringing the subject to light would somehow scare Raoul away.

He never really gave any thought to the pretentious occasion until Raoul mentioned it on the course of their conversation in his living room. Honestly, he could care less but Raoul seemed very much to be invested in it. Erik listened to the excitement in his voice, which was something he could listen to for days on end. He loved seeing Raoul's eyes light up whenever he talked of the romance and the smell of chocolates and flowers in the air.

Raoul trailed off as he noticed that Erik had grown too quiet. He quickly apologized for his insensitivity to even discuss such matters. Erik carried on the conversation, wanting to linger in Raoul's happiness longer. He inquired if Valentine's was a day celebrated only by those who had lovers.

"It is a day for all kinds of love!" Raoul beamed as he enumerated the different kinds of love such as romantic, friendship, familial, and so on.

Erik cleared his throat and fiddled with his coat awkwardly. Of course he would want to spend his first Valentine's with Raoul. The only trouble he had was that he was not that enthusiastic about how Raoul would respond. He only hoped that he would not ask what kind of Valentine's it would be between two men to which he would have no answer to.

Surely, Raoul must have someone in mind. He did not know of a single soul who did not worship him. He might be too dense to realize it but he could have anyone he wanted. He would never settle for the likes of Erik...would he? If ever he was to convince Raoul he was worthy of him, what could Erik offer? What did Erik have which others did not? His musical genius? His ugliness? Erik smirked at his self-deprecating humor. He shook his head at the absurdity to even hope such a thing. He was probably reaching far beyond the stars here.

Raoul looked at Erik expectantly, as if he was waiting for Erik to say something. After all, he must admit that he did not bring up the subject for no reason. He hoped Erik would bring up the possibility of them celebrating it together. If so, it would tell Raoul that maybe he owned even the smallest portion of Erik's heart. He noticed Erik open his mouth while in deep thought, only to hesitate and close them again.

Raoul leaned in and studied him closely in curiosity. "What seems to bother you, Erik?"

Erik suddenly stilled at the closeness, dismissing the ridiculous things occurring in his head. "Nothing important."

"Perhaps you already have someone in mind?" Raoul wondered out loud and grew silent with regret once it reached Erik's ears. How he wished Erik would deny it or choose not to entertain his question at all.

Erik avoided the younger boy's gaze. That said enough. Indeed, there was someone who occupied his thoughts. Raoul pouted, more jealous than he would like to admit, and distanced himself from the masked man.

"I apologize if that seemed intrusive…It is probably none of my business," Raoul shifted uncomfortably as they sat in silence for a few minutes.

"That's not entirely true," Erik rubbed the back of his own neck in embarrassment.

Raoul blinked. "Pardon?"

"It would seem like…it is your business," Erik felt like his heart would stop beating in his chest as he waited for Raoul to look a little less puzzled by his words.

"That is, if you would like it to be…" Raoul leaned closer once more and raised his eyebrows as he tried to decipher where Erik was going with this. Erik cursed himself for prolonging the painful task of asking Raoul to a...date...between two friends.

"If you do not have any plans…" Erik trailed off, not having enough courage to make it clear for the both of them.

"If I do not have any plans…" Raoul echoed as it finally dawned on him.

Erik felt foolish with every word that he uttered. He looked away from Raoul who seemed to have trouble putting the pieces together. His shoulders slumped in resignation. "Forget it."

Silence.

"Oh!" Raoul felt so much warmth flood his cheeks.

"You mean…" Raoul stuttered. Erik's ears reddened in response, something Raoul has always found quite adorable.

"Erik, you want to spend Valentine's Day…with…me?" Raoul exclaimed in disbelief, which Erik might have misinterpreted to be of a mocking nature.

Then, he was the one who Erik thought of? He must have meant something to Erik, then. He was still not certain what kind of something he was in Erik's life. However, he was his first choice. For such a day. Was it too silly of him to wish that he was more than a friend to Erik?

Raoul giggled as he felt the butterflies flutter happily around in his stomach.

Erik, on the other hand, thought Raoul was laughing at him. He gritted his teeth in irritation, clenched his fists and stood up. "You must excuse me, I've tons of things to attend to."

"Erik, wait!" Raoul grabbed his sleeve, explaining that he wasn't laughing at him. Rather...he was way too delighted to hear of his invitation.

"I would certainly love that."

Erik immediately met Raoul's gaze, doubtful of the truth behind his words. His expression only softened at the sight of Raoul's warm, reassuring smile.

He sighed. He had not anticipated the pressure it would put on him. His indecisiveness, unfortunately, resulted in this overwhelming mess. It also did not help that everything reminded him of Raoul. Whenever he secretly strolled around the streets looking for presents to buy, he would come across something beautiful which would complement Raoul's charm. Once the gift has been wrapped, something else would catch his eye and he would end up purchasing it as well. The cycle continued for days until one corner of his bedroom was full of things Raoul probably did not need. Another dilemma Erik had was Raoul was already well-off. He could not think of a single thing which the young man could not possibly own.

Raoul had everything, and Erik's heart was no exception.

Erik watched the candle on the dinner table slowly melt away into nothingness, just as his patience was running thin. It has almost been two hours since Raoul had intended to arrive. Erik worried. Where was he? Had he forgotten about his promise?

At the same time, Erik could not keep the darkest of thoughts away. How dare he make him look like a fool? Was this some sort of sick amusement of his? To elicit a sense of hope within him only to destroy it with the heel of his shoe?

"Erik!"

His thoughts were interrupted with the sight of a panting and disheveled Raoul who stopped a few feet away from him, a bouquet of red roses in hand. A bouquet of wilted red roses in hand.

He wiped the sweat off his forehead with his handkerchief and gently set the flowers on the table across Erik.

"You must forgive me if they look dreadful." Raoul mumbled, apologetic. "You truly deserve better than…" He pursed his lips as some petals started to fall off on the dinner table. "Oh, for God's sake, the box of chocolates!" Raoul exclaimed, horrified that he could forget and leave it at home.

"Philippe, he…arranged for me to dine with someone without my knowledge," Raoul shook his head in annoyance as he dusted off the dirt from his sleeves. "I really wanted to be here as soon as possible, you must believe me..." Raoul still did not know what Erik was thinking. It also did not help that he has not uttered a single word since his arrival.

"Erik…you're not mad, are you?" Raoul approached him slowly, overwhelmed with guilt. "Truly, I am very—" Erik quickly stood up and pulled him in his arms.

Raoul shuddered at Erik's coldness. For the previous months they had spent in each other's company, he has learned that Erik was not the person to initiate any physical intimacy. Whenever Raoul would come close, Erik grew very stiff and awkward. Raoul understood why Erik was the way he was. He did. Yet sometimes he could not help but feel hurt whenever Erik declined his affections such as that time when Erik did not respond to his kiss. He then made up some lame excuse to save face.

"Erik?" The tall man only responded by pulling him closer until he could feel Erik's body tremble.

"I'm here," Raoul stroked his back until he felt him relax in their embrace. "Have you missed me?" He smiled inwardly, closed his eyes and inhaled Erik's scent he has grown so fond of.

"You are foolish to go here," he felt Erik's hot breath tickle his ear.

"I made a promise," Raoul remarked with a short laugh. Erik hummed in agreement.

Raoul felt disappointed once he was out of Erik's embrace. Wordlessly, Erik held his hand and made way towards his bedroom. Once Raoul realized where they were headed, he could feel his heartbeat quicken.

"Erik, where are you taking me?" Raoul stuttered. He could feel the panic rising within him. Poor boy was already far too gone in his head, imagination running wild. Erik's silence did not do him any good either.

Raoul stepped in front of him and the door. "Wait, Erik," He gently placed his arm on his sleeve. Erik's yellow orbs burned into him. "Are you...sure that this is what you want?"

"Why would I not be?" Raoul was taken aback by how straightforward Erik appeared to be with such matters.

"Oh." Raoul adjusted his coat and cleared his throat. "Well then..." Raoul gave a nervous laugh, at loss for words. Of course he has imagined doing things with Erik. A lot of things. He gulped.

Perhaps too many scandalous things.

He never thought it would be possible. It was certainly out of the question...until tonight, it seemed. He only prayed that Erik did not hear his heart about to beat out of his chest. Erik was, after all, the first and only man he had improper thoughts about.

Before he could ponder about it further, he heard Erik open his bedroom door. Erik stepped aside to let him see what waited for him inside.

It took a few seconds for Raoul to realize that he had mistaken Erik's intentions.

"What…" Raoul could not believe the sight before him.

"It is to my understanding that gifts are expected," Erik stood by the door, as Raoul slowly approached the mountain of boxes.

"You are a mad man!" Raoul looked back as he laughed gleefully. He then proceeded to pick up one of the boxes wrapped in the most beautiful paper. "What have you done?"

"Not much..." Erik muttered, a blush creeping under his mask.

"Not much?" Raoul repeated, incredulous. "You spoil me too much."

Erik told Raoul how he deserved to be. "Besides, I found it a bit difficult to think of something you do not already own…"

Raoul hummed in response. He set down a box which he has already started to unwrap. Perhaps there were other boxes he had to unpack first, most importantly regarding his affairs with Erik. He sighed and turned around to face Erik who was still by the door.

"Well, there is…one thing which I do not own yet," Raoul touched his ear unconsciously, a habit he had whenever he was nervous.

"What might that be?" Erik only hoped that whatever Raoul wanted was already within those boxes.

"Erik, I must confess," Raoul hesitated. "I...desire more than your friendship," Raoul blurted out quickly that Erik almost did not understand any of it. "If it is not too much to ask of you…"

Raoul did not know what to make of Erik's stunned expression. He tried again.

"I do...apologize if my feelings make you somewhat uncomfortable, especially when..." Raoul paused.

"Please know that I still do wish to maintain our friendship if by any chance you don't feel the s—"

"You fool."

Raoul lips trembled as he prepared himself for the wound that was about to be inflicted upon his heart. He grasped Raoul's hand and laid it on his chest.

"Whatever little is left of my heart, it is already yours," Raoul felt Erik's heart beating against his palm. It was deafening yet it was music to Raoul's ears. "Though it might have stopped beating out of sheer happiness."

"Then I shall entrust mine to you," Raoul pulled Erik's collar, mouth pressing against Erik's. Raoul pulled him closer as if he would disappear if he didn't. For the past few months, he had tried to repress the love and desire which stirred in him. Now, Erik had willingly accepted them no matter how overwhelming.

Erik awkwardly tried to respond to an eager Raoul, to which he felt the younger man smile against his lips.

It wasn't perfect. It wasn't perfect yet it was enough.

A pout formed on Raoul's lips as the sensation of Erik's lips left his sooner than he would like.

"Now, there is no alcohol here to blame for that," Raoul laughed, red as wine. He laid his head on Erik's chest and sighed happily as his heartbeat drummed against his ear.

author's note:

hope you enjoyed reading it as much as i enjoyed writing it! i'd like to know what you think!

you can also find me on tumblr with the same username in case you wanna scream about rerik being gay.