Disclaimer: I do not own PhofOp.

People Can Be Idiots

The next few weeks went by as if everything had changed, yet nothing at all at the same time. Erik did his lessons with Christine, which Raoul still attended, though that was probably where their relationship changed the least. Erik had made it clear right away that during the lessons he was to be seen as Christine's teacher and only as her teacher. Just because they were now suddenly together didn't mean that he was going to let her off easy.

Christine didn't argue with him on that point and neither did Raoul when he got a glare for not agreeing right away.

Though the two of them did manage to sneak in the loophole of kissing Erik on his jaw near his chin where the mask didn't cover at the same time after every class. Technically they would do it after his had called the session over so when he protested the first time they were able to win with that minor detail. He accepted and now doesn't even twitch when the couple said goodbye for the night with quick peck.

When they met up outside the classes, they were more open about their love for Erik, though Erik himself, not being much of a person into PDA would accept the gestures but never initiated any. Which Raoul understood, it wasn't like him and Christine did much of public displays anyway, but since they lived together and Erik had his own place, they wanted to make sure that Erik knew how they felt. Especially, since they finally had him.

However, even though they went out, it wasn't what Raoul would consider a date. So when three weeks had passed without an outing because they had all been too busy, Raoul and Christine came up with a plan.

That was how they ended up in front of Erik's house on a Friday evening. Raoul was nervous and knew that Christine was too, this was the first time they've been to Erik's place, not that he had told them…

"You ring the bell." Raoul mumbled, slightly nudging Christine's side with his elbow. She scowled at him.

"Why do I have to? I always open the door when we're nervous wrecks at the theatre."

"That's because your ID is the one that opens the door!" Raoul countered, returning the scowl with his own.

They stood there for a few moments, glaring at each other before Raoul gave in, throwing his hands in the air.

"Fine! I'll do it."

Christine just rolled her eyes and waited.

Not wanting to stall for too long, Raoul pressed the doorbell.

They waited a few moments then started hearing the sound of shoes coming towards them from the other side of the door. The door opened and revealed a confused Erik, wearing his skin tone mask, whose eyes widen when they took the couple in.

"What are—?"

"Can we come in? Thanks!" Raoul exclaimed, brushing pass a dumbfounded Erik, and took in the simple spacious living room he walked into.

"Sorry." He heard Christine apologized behind him, but knew she had walked in as well.

The door closed and Erik walked until he was in front of the two intruders.

"How did you get here?"

Christine answered brightly, now next to Raoul. "Madame Giry was more than happy to tell us after we told her we didn't know where you lived."

Raoul watched Erik murmur something under his breath before taking his phone out of his pocket and begin to furiously type.

"She sure is mischievous when she wants to be." Raoul remarked, finding it funny as he watched Erik.

"You have no idea." Erik declared darkly, not looking up from his phone.

"If it makes you feel any better, she also gave us the shovel talk, and let me tell you, she can be super scary." Christine added with a shudder. Raoul winced in agreement, glad that he didn't have any classes with her unlike Christine, the woman was terrifying.

"I am not surprised. She can be quite protective of me sometimes." Erik stated now more calmly. He pressed the send button before facing them. "Now, what are you two doing here?"

"We didn't come when you were busy, did we?" Christine asked uncertainly, biting her lip.

"I would not say that. I had actually just finished writing a song, so technically you could not have picked a better time." Erik confessed. "Still this is random."

"You've finished a song?!" Christine pressed eagerly. "Can we hear it?"

"Perhaps…" Erik answered and Raoul could tell he was raising his eyebrow under the mask. "It's not completed to perfection but maybe you will hear the finished product, if you answer why you are here."

"We're taking you out." Raoul declared. "We haven't really been on an actual date yet, so we're here to fix that."

Erik's phone went off in a text alert, he opened his phone back up to read the message, scowling the more he read. When he finished he stuffed the phone back into his pocket, having not replied to the text.

"I had thought the occasions we had met up the past few weeks could be considered dates. What is so special about this evening in particular?"

"It's Valentine's Day Erik." Christine revealed softly.

Erik blinked at them, before rolling his eyes upwards, pondering.

"Ah, so it is." He confirmed after a few moments.

"Come on." Raoul urged. "It'll be fun. We were going to go to the park because the town had put up a bunch of cheesy decorations, though I heard the lights are pretty cool."

When Erik only squinted at him doubtfully he went in for the kill. "We brought seeds. There's a small lake there where people can feed the ducks."

Erik's fingers twitched and Raoul knew he had him. Smugly he went to him and wrapped his arm around Erik's waist and used his position to get him to start walking.

"Glad you agree! Come one let's go. You have a warmer coat then the one you usually wear?"

Erik nodded and Raoul let him go so that he could go get it. Raoul sent a wink to Christine who giggled and gave him a thumbs up in reply. They waited for Erik and when he returned Raoul heard his and Christine's breath catch in their throats.

"You are not fair!" Raoul groaned causing Erik to halt and stared at them, puzzled.

"What are you talking about?"

Erik was wearing mostly what he usually did. The dress shoes and pants. A dress shirt, this one black, and a V-neck opening, showing off his collar bone but that's not what took the couple by surprise.

"The trench coat!" Raoul explained. "Do you just look good in everything or is it some damn gift from above!?"

This was actually the once time Christine and Raoul had seen Erik in something that didn't look like it belonged in another time period. But why of all things Erik had to show up in, was a black trench coat that was fitted to him perfectly. Seriously, trench coats were so hot on people and Erik had one. Raoul kind of didn't even want to leave any more.

Erik smirked, eyes gleaming.

"Mr. de Chagny," he replied in a low voice, making Raoul's heart skip a beat. "I just look good in everything."

Christine laughed behind him and his cheeks flushed. Turning, he stomped to the door, calling out without stopping.

"Come on!"

The park didn't have many people, which was good since Erik didn't like busy places anyway. The décor was indeed a little gaudy with the large wooden cupids and over exaggerated size hearts but the lights in the trees were charming. Not too many, not too few of the soft pink and red lights that gave off a pleasant glow.

The three of them walked along the path, passing a couple every now and again. Raoul and Christine had agreed beforehand that they were going to keep Erik between them as they walked, each taking one of his hand in theirs, pressing a little into his side. Besides, he had the warmest coat so they made use of that excuse. Erik didn't protest at all, just observed the scenery around them, taking everything in with his eyes that glowed under the tree lights, almost making them appear crimson.

Raoul thought the evening was nice. A little bit more cold to his taste but Erik was like a heater in that coat so it wasn't too bad. It was their first V-day together and he hoped that there will be many more for years to come.

He watched as Christine rubbed her hands together in the cold trying to warm them up. Since she was also holding Erik's hand she had brought up his with hers. Erik in response, after she tried unsuccessfully to warm up her hands, let go of hers and took off his glove on that hand with his teeth, pulling it off at the fingertip. Christine started to protest but Erik pressed the glove in her hand, pointing at her hand that was away from him.

Frowning Christine did as she was told and when the glove was on Erik grabbed her uncovered hand and pulled it into his pocket, their hands still clasped. Christine now had a pleasing blush on her cheeks that wasn't from the cold and Erik continued on like he didn't just do something extremely endearing. Then again, knowing Erik, he really might not have realized exactly what he had done, but that only made it all the better. Raoul watched this and his chest filled with warmth at the display. He couldn't help but smile, probably looking like a totally love-struck fool, but he couldn't deny that it was how he felt. He was enjoying a night with the man and woman he loved and felt lighter than air.

He was on Cloud 9.

They continued to walk until they came across the small lake Raoul had mentioned and they found a bench that was unoccupied. Majority of them being taken up by teenage couples, some talking sweetly to each other, others straight up making out. Luckily each bench was far enough apart that any and all noises were muffled.

They sat down and Christine took out the bag of seeds she had bought and handed the bag to Erik. He took it was a pleased grin and opened it. There were a few ducks nearby but, they must have super hearing or something because as soon as Erik tossed out the first set of seeds, another ten more ducks appeared on the edge of the lake as if from nowhere. Raoul didn't mind though, the quacking of the ducks actually helped completely cover the sounds some of the other couples were making.

He and Christine tossed out a few hands of seeds as well, but let Erik do the majority of it.

The ducks were sure enjoying their visitors for the evening.

Feeling hungry, Raoul began looking around, trying to spot the hot dog stand he could've sworn was nearby. Upon spotting it he got up, turning to the other two.

"I'm going to go get some hot dogs. Want anything?"

Erik hummed his denial and Christine stood up.

"I'll go with you. If I were to leave it up to you I'll get a hot dog covered in something gross like onions."

Raoul shrugged with a grin but didn't argue. He spotted a slight movement of Erik's shoulders too, as if he was holding back a laugh, making him grin with teeth.

Christine and he left Erik on the bench and made their way to the hot dog stand. There was a couple in front of them that was paying for their order as they walked up. The couple soon left and Raoul and Christine placed their own order.

The guy behind the stand gave them a thumbs up before starting to put together their order. As Raoul begin to get his wallet out to pay the man another couple came up behind them. This one spoke to them.

"Hey are you the ones whose dad had come along with ya?"

Raoul froze from his movement of pulling out the money to pay, and he felt Christine tense next to him.

Turning, he saw a couple, maybe about their ages but a couple years younger, standing behind them both giving them a pitying look. The boy had his arm wrapped around the girl and they were standing pressed against each other. Taking their silence for confirmation the look got more pitying, making Raoul's fist tighten, his wallet digging into his hand.

"Ah man, it is isn't it? Man, that sucks." The boy stated. "Whose dad is it?"

"Probably hers." The girl answered, gesturing towards Christine who remained motionless, though Raoul could tell her teeth were clenched. The girl gave her a sorry look. "Dads can just soo over protective. Can't even go out on Valentine's without supervision."

Raoul took a quick glance back to where Erik was sitting, trying to see if he was able to hear them. He shouldn't, but Raoul learned not to underestimate his hearing a long time ago. Seeing that Erik appeared exactly as they left him, he turned to squint at the couple.

"He's not our dad." He explained firmly.

That only got him alarmed stares from the couple.

"Oh my god, he's not a pervert is he?! He's not trying to buy you or something?!" the girl cried, making Raoul cringe at the volume. He saw Christine do the same in the corner of his eye.

Raoul felt his eye twitch, his face warming up and not in the attractive way. Yanking out the bills he needed for the hot dogs, he slammed them onto the counter causing everyone to jump.

"Raoul…" Christine warned as he began to stomp over to where Erik was at.

Erik had heard him come up and glanced up to watch him approach, his eyes showing concern for him upon seeing his expression.

Raoul stopped directly behind him causing Erik to arch his neck and head backwards in attempt to keep his eyes on him.

Abruptly, Raoul grabbed Erik's head between his hands and dove down for a kiss.

It was extremely awkward since he was kissing him upside down and so their mouths didn't really fit together so well and the mask didn't help, but it was also incredibly hot and filthy. Definitely the most they had ever done. Raoul took Erik's bottom lip in between his teeth and bite down on it hard, causing Erik to gasp. He took the opportunity presented and began tracing the inside of his mouth with his tongue. It was intense and Erik answered his kiss clumsily but willingly. Raoul wouldn't deny that the moan that was heard was probably his own because of it.

Raoul felt a hand on his wrist and straightened up, out of breath. He saw that the hand was Erik's, still wrapped around his wrist, and Erik was gawking at him in disbelief. He was breathing heavily through his mouth, which had a trail of saliva at one corner, golden eyes wide and hair messed up from Raoul's grip on his head. The seeds having fallen out of his hand when he had been grabbed, causing them to spill all over him and the ground.

In all, he looked delicious.

Licking his lips, Raoul glanced back at where he had left Christine and the couple at the stand. The couple was gaping at him and Christine appeared aroused but was smiling at him proudly.

"If there is anyone who is the pervert, it would be me because I want to thoroughly ravish this man here." Erik begin to struggle in his grip, spurting out words that weren't really words. Raoul glanced back down at him and sent him a wink to calm him. "I won't, of course, unless he wants me too."

Christine laughed gleefully and made her way to them, brushing past the frozen couple. She came and sat down next to Erik, who was currently imploring her through his eyes to help him. She took out a napkin and cleaned up his face gently.

"Come on love." She declared gently, but loud enough for the couple to here. "Let's get you home."

Raoul let go of Erik's head and Christine pulled him up with her, wrapping her arm around his waist inside his coat and pressed a soft kiss to his jaw. As they began walking away, Raoul paused to turn back and look at the couple, smugly taking in their shocked expressions that seemed to have frozen onto their faces.

He saw a movement near them and saw the hot dog stand man waving his order in the air.

"You still want these? You did pay." He asked completely unruffled, as if he saw something like what just happened every day.

Who knows? Maybe he did.

Quickly, Raoul jogged to the stand and thanked the man, before hurrying to catch up with his partners.

"Soo tonight was fun." Raoul stated awkwardly as he rested his head on his arms. "Had an unexpected ending but it was fun, right?"

Because it had been late when they had gotten back, Erik allowed Christine and Raoul to spend the night. The two had to argue with him a few more minutes to get him to agree to let them sleep in the same bed.

"It's bound to happen eventually." Raoul argued. "We're not going to do anything! Just sleep." Christine reassured.

Raoul thought Erik had eventually given in only because he was too tired.

They had changed in separate rooms before eventually coming together in Erik's spacious bedroom and awesome spacious bed. With a whoop, Raoul had practically jumped on it, Christine soon following his lead. Erik had rolled his eyes and turned off the light. The two got Erik in the middle and pecked his now unmasked cheeks in goodnight. They settled in, but Raoul eventually begin fidgeting because of what had happened at the end of the date began bothering him. So he talked and waited for a reply from his male partner, who had his eyes closed and face blank.

"I am not mad, if that's what you are asking." Erik replied coolly, eyes still closed. "I would just prefer it if you did not use such displays to traumatized others just because they thought I was Miss Daae's father."

Raoul's head jerked up and shot a glance over Erik at Christine whose mouth was open in shock.

"You heard that?" Christine whispered wildly.

Erik opened one of his eyes to peek at her. "I have very good hearing, and they were not exactly quiet about it."

"Oh my god!" she exclaimed, burying her head into the pillow.

"Yes." Erik continued, both eyes opened now and had a frown. "I know that our ages are quite different, but I did not think I appeared old enough to be the father of a twenty year old."

"Please, stop!" Christine begged having pulled her pillow from under her so that she could cover her head with it.

That was when Raoul saw the twitch of Erik's lips and scowled at him.

"You're messing with us." He accused.

Erik's eyes went to him. "Everything I had said is true, Mr. de Chagny, so I do not know what you mean."

However, the sparkle in his eyes gave away his delight, not that Raoul thought he was trying to hide it.

Raoul grabbed his pillow from under him and smacked Erik in the face with it.

"You jerk!"

Erik's muffled laughter could be heard from beneath the pillow.

So in the end, Raoul considered their first date a success.