Disclaimer: Please don't sue. I don't own POTO... All I own is an overactive imagination.
Summary: ErikRaoul slash. Raoul and Erik meet before the whole fiasco. This is what happens.
Warning(s): homosexuality (that's what slash is people)
Pairing(s): ErikRaoul
Author Note: It may be an evening post, but at least it's the correct day. I finally am back on track for posting.
Story Note: I did the badness that I don't actually like to do anymore. I used lyrics as dialogue. (hangs head in shame)
o.o.o.o
Imaginary Friends
Chapter 31 – Find Me
o.o.o.o
By: Lucifer Rosemaunt
o.o.o.o
Last time: Raoul escapes the clutches of the evil women (perhaps not so dramatically) but he feels guilty about Christine and Erik. Philippe and Erik managed to survive each other's company (though Philippe's being really nice and Erik's containing himself for Raoul's sake) and they arrive to the city – yup, the city that Raoul was first kidnapped.
o.o.o
Philippe couldn't breathe, and it had nothing to do with the cold weather. He was wearing too many layers for the weather to bother him so quickly. No, he just couldn't believe it. The second he had stepped out of the carriage, he had known where they were. Whether it was the buildings or the bleak weather, because in his mind the city had always been bleak, he just knew. It was impossible to forget really. This place was in his dreams too much. It was so familiar that every place he'd ever been, in some way, reminded him of this city.
Glancing at Erik as an after thought, he tried to see past the layers of his clothing to see his reaction, to see if his companion had recognized where they were. The man was staring past the flurries of snow, past the darkness of the night with what he knew to be the same shock he felt. Perhaps it wasn't shock but rather dread. Of all the places he thought they'd end up, this was the last place he'd expected or hoped. Yet, here they were.
Even though he was dreading another repeat of their lives all those years ago, he sort of couldn't help but hope that they would indeed find Raoul here. After traveling for so long, he could only wonder if they were indeed following the right people, if they were even heading in the right direction. Maybe they should have sent others out. He'd thought of this several times en route already but it always came down to the same fact. They really couldn't trust anyone else. After everything that had happened, they simply couldn't.
Philippe refused to let go of the hope that wherever Raoul was, he'd eventually find a way to get back to them. It would just take a little more time and effort on their part to meet somewhere in the middle.
"One hour," Philippe was forced to yell to be heard. He added nothing else, didn't need to explain himself, before heading off in one direction.
Erik nodded, not replying. He noted the direction the Comte was heading and pulled his coats and cloak about himself tighter before heading off in the other direction. He found that he could appreciate the weather because it allowed him to walk around in public with numerous layers of clothing that covered his head and face without people seeing it as odd. Everyone was similarly covered, if they were even out.
It made searching for Raoul easier. He didn't know whether to be angry or relieved if he saw him again. He corrected his thoughts, when he saw Raoul again. He had no doubt that they had come to the right place. Ever since Raoul's return, he'd managed to keep a small ray hope within him. Fate had brought Raoul back into his life. He was supposed to make right what he'd so carelessly let slip him by all those years ago, and this ordeal was simply an indication of that. He had been freed from the opera house and now, he'd once again had the choice whether to search for him or let him go.
There had been no hesitation. He made the right choice this time.
o.o.o
Find the inn. Let's go back. Erik tried to coax Raoul, but the blonde was just leaning against the alley wall, trying to think of why it looked familiar. All alleys look the same. It's an alley, only so much can change.
Ignoring him, Raoul looked around, glad that he was at least partially covered from the snowstorm that was raging around him. The wind blew rather strongly still, but it was nothing compared to being out in the main street.
He couldn't shake the feeling that he knew this place. It was important.
Help me out, Raoul said. When he received silence as his response, he added, Help me figure out why I know this place and then I'll focus on getting us somewhere warmer.
You're sick, Raoul, and only getting sicker. Erik pointed out, as though Raoul weren't already feeling the effects of being out in the cold for too long. You said you wouldn't be out in the snow for very long. Since the carriage idea failed, let's just return.
We can't. I refuse to. Raoul was glad that he wasn't tiring quickly. The fear of being found by the girls and having to return to the humiliation of being their prisoner kept him going.
He wandered deeper into the alley surprised that it wasn't a dead end. He turned down another small street and made several more turns. His feet seemed to know where to take him and suddenly, he was running. He needed to run. Everything in his body was telling him that he couldn't walk, that something, someone was going to catch him if he didn't hurry. He could almost hear footsteps running behind him, growing ever closer.
Raoul turned the next corner at full speed, skidding to a stop before pressing against the wall of the building. He forced himself to breathe softer even though the wind would have covered any sound. He needed to hide. Hide. They needed to hide.
Raoul, Erik called.
Shhh, Raoul immediately answered. We need to be quiet or they'll find us.
Raoul stayed a little longer in his hiding spot.
There's no one there. Erik replied, but Raoul was too far gone. You're ill. You need to just stop running.
Raoul snuck a peak out of the alleyway. Seeing no one through the snow, he dashed across the street to make it to the nearest alley. In his eyes, there was no snow. It was simply a dark night. The sounds of shouts and footsteps were loud in his ears. He could hear the racing heartbeat that was not his own, and he felt his heart respond. He ran in the twisting, turning labyrinth of the city.
Labyrinth? Erik asked aloud. He paid special attention to the path they were running. Raoul's mind was working on auto mode and even though he didn't know if Raoul would hear him, he said, We're back. This is where you were kidnapped.
Raoul pressed against the nearest wall, hiding in the shadows. His throat hurt from the cold air, and he could feel the sweat on his face chilling much too quickly. He could see his breath in the air. His body was tiring, and even though he knew he was shivering, he felt hot.
There's someone there.
No one's… Erik stopped when he heard a voice approaching them. He couldn't believe that any one else was outside right now.
Raoul waited for the voice to pass but it only got louder.
"Found you!"
He could see a person standing a few feet away, and was certain his hiding place had been compromised. Seeing no way to escape, Raoul stepped out of the shadows unwillingly. His body waiting for the inevitable attack.
His mind suddenly calmed at the sight of Madame Giry. He wasn't back in the past. He was in the present where his legs were barely keeping him standing, his chest hurt, and his body wanted to just lie down and never get back up. Back to the present.
We're back. Raoul repeated, finally processing what he'd been told.
This is where we were saved, Erik commented.
Saved? Raoul asked. We were kidnapped here.
But were saved later by me.
The ghost.
Erik.
Same thing.
Probably not to him, Erik retorted. It would be awkward if your brother called you Vicomte, would it not?
Of course, Raoul answered.
Erik concluded, Well, it's the same concept.
But I can't just call him Erik. Raoul didn't want to explain how Erik was the Erik in his mind. He didn't know the ghost. He only knew him through his letters and their few meetings where he'd only thought of the man as the opera ghost. He knew the man was an artist, a singer, and more importantly, Christine's tutor. He wasn't that close to him.
You're closer to him than anyone. Erik said, the frustration came through in his tone.
Raoul scoffed. You can't know that.
Christine thinks he's an angel, Erik pointed out.
That's what she says.
You can and you will call the ghost Erik. Knowing that Raoul would only argue some more, he added. That's his name. He's an Erik.
Raoul grinned despite his reservations. Just like I'm a Raoul.
"Vicomte?" Madame Giry shouted before moving to stop several feet in front of him. In the alley, they wouldn't need to scream as loudly. Meg and Christine were not far behind. All three were bundled up. Madame Giry had pulled down her cloak from her face to speak with him.
Realizing that he'd been speaking with Erik for a while already, he stood up straighter and tried to steady himself for the upcoming argument.
Seeing him paying attention, she ordered, "Let's go."
Raoul shook his head. "I'll be fine. I'm not going with you."
"It wasn't an option," she replied, and Raoul suddenly had a flashback to his mother using that tone of voice with him. His throat constricted at the thought. He could remember his parents now, too.
They were wonderful. Raoul said fondly. Philippe reminds me of father so much. And mother, mother was beautiful.
Yes. She was. Erik replied, sad that Raoul was experiencing the pain of their loss over again. He'd remembered only to realize what exactly he had lost.
Madame Giry continued, "This is for your own good."
Fighting back his sudden sadness, Raoul stated. "No. It's not. What's best for me is to go home."
"No," she was quick to answer, "I don't think you understand."
"You keep saying that." Raoul looked at the girls not quite wanting to have them hear their conversation. He hoped the wind would make their conversation a little harder to hear, but they were too close to Madame Giry for that to really be possible.
"I know everything about the opera ghost," she began, realizing that the Vicomte was not going to return with them until he realized that he was really in danger. "There was a traveling fair in the city. The gypsies. I was very young, studying to be a ballerina. One of many living in the dormitories of the opera house. And there, the devil's child. They were yelling and throwing things at him. He barely had a face." She paused and shook her head at the memory, "He murdered his master to escape, and I led him to the opera house. It had been his playground and artistic domain. He's a genius. He's an architect and designer… a composer and a magician. A genius, Monsieur."
Raoul's brows furrowed, but didn't say anything about her story.
What's wrong now? Erik prompted.
Two things. Raoul answered. One. She knows more about you than I do.
Not necessarily true. Erik responded. She merely knows a little bit…
That's not true. She knows a lot.
And the second thing? Erik was quick to ask.
Raoul paused before replying, You murdered someone.
To get my freedom. Erik answered. I murdered your kidnappers, too.
Yes, well… You were so young. Raoul realized the ghost must not have been able to stand it any longer. If only he'd kept his promise and took Erik with him. He should have tried harder. He should have made his parents go back for him, made them understand it was Erik who had saved him. If he had, then he wouldn't have had to kill someone. He wouldn't have had to hide in the cellars of the opera house.
Erik interrupted his thoughts. Do you realize why?
Why? What? Raoul asked, not understanding what Erik was implying.
Why I escaped? Why I ever thought of escaping? Erik waited for Raoul to reply, but took his silence as a response. He said simply, It was all for you.
Raoul's first thought was to ask how Erik could even begin to know that, but the way he had said it made him pause. He let the words sink in and was ashamed at how pleased he was with the thought that Erik had done it for him. Instead of replying, he asked Madame Giry. "What does this have to do with me?"
"I know him," she continued. "I've seen him compose. Projects consume his very being."
"So the man composes," Raoul tried to seem unaffected, but he was tired and now he felt guilty again, as though seeing Christine wasn't guilt-inducing enough. He was tempted to lean against the wall to conserve some energy.
"Once he sets his sights on anything or… anyone," she couldn't help but glance in Christine's direction. "He'll do anything."
Raoul's lips pressed into a straight line at her reference. He saw Christine react to Madame Giry's remark. Yes, the man was obsessed, but he'd only kidnapped her because Raoul had been courting her. He couldn't very well say that though.
I've really ruined everything for him. Raoul couldn't help say.
That's not what happened. Erik answered.
Tell me what happened then.
Erik couldn't actually explain, since either way he looked at it, that's what had happened. Raoul was taking it the wrong way though.
But Raoul took his silence as an indication that he was right about what had happened. You can't because you aren't him. You don't know his motivations.
But you do, Erik replied. He told you why he was taking her.
Raoul wracked his brain for a moment. To let her concentrate. That doesn't really mean it isn't my fault. That simply means that I've ruined Christine's career in apparently more than one way.
Erik sighed in frustration. Does everything have to be your fault?
Only when it is.
I'm starting to think you like being contrary for the sake of being contrary.
Raoul lost focus for a moment and before he knew it, Madame Giry was steadying him. He reached out to steady himself on the wall, but she dragged him forward. He didn't want to hurt her but he couldn't let her take him away, so he yanked his arm away from her grasp. She stumbled but managed to stay on her feet.
He knew now that he needed to tell her the truth. That was the only way that she would see that he wasn't in any danger.
Straightening her coat, Madame Giry said, "Apparently, he thinks you to be someone from his past."
"Yes," Raoul nodded, "You said that. And you didn't let me finish the last time."
"There's nothing you can say. He's kidnapped before." Madame Giry pointed out, "He'll do so again, and you won't have the liberty of ever being released."
"Taking me away isn't going to stop him," Raoul replied, and he almost believed it. He knew Erik had to be chasing after them. Whether it was because Christine was with him or not was contestable though.
"That's why we must keep going."
"You cannot keep me here," Raoul said.
Madame Giry approached him again and this time he yelled, feeling her presence to be suffocating, "He won't hurt me!"
She finally paused and took a second to look at him, to really look at him. She saw past the illness, past all the years that he had lived through.
"You? You're the boy in the portraits?"
Christine looked at Madame Giry in confusion. Earlier when she'd gotten her explanation from Madame Giry, she'd felt that the elder woman hadn't told her the whole story. She'd simply known it. Meg had been appeased by the fact that she'd said Raoul was just in danger. Christine on the other hand couldn't help but wonder. Why did Madame Giry know so much about the ghost and Raoul?
"What?" What portraits is she talking about? Raoul asked.
Erik paused. I don't know.
"You've met him before," Madame Giry said, the revelation clear in her voice. She stopped trying to grab him for a moment to let the information sink in. So, Erik had been correct. The Vicomte was the boy. She just couldn't understand how the Vicomte and Erik knew each other. Even though she wanted to know the story, she kept her curiosity in check.
"How did you…?" Raoul wondered how sick he was. He wasn't quite following their conversation.
She said you were in danger. Remember? And that he thought you were someone from the past. Erik summarized.
Yes, well, she did say that. Raoul could barely remember. All he'd could really focus on right now was the fact that she kept saying he was in danger and that she had been taking him further away from the place he really wanted to be. Did she say how she knew?
I'm guessing that I painted your portrait. Like the ones we passed in his sitting room. Erik suggested.
Madame Giry made up her mind. Shaking her head, she said, "No."
"No, what?" Raoul really wished he weren't sick right now. He was certain that he was missing something.
"You might've known him before, but he's not the same," Madame Giry thought about the opera house burning down. "It's still dangerous if not more so now."
She approached him again and this time Raoul was steady enough to back up. He stated firmly, "You can do whatever you want. The only one in danger here is you."
Madame Giry and the girls stopped their approach when they saw a cloaked figure behind Raoul. Not realizing why they stopped, Raoul just continued to back up until he walked into the man. Startled, Raoul tried to move away, an apology on his lips already before he turned around. An arm was firmly around his waist though, preventing him from moving very far. He struggled only for a moment before he heard the man's voice.
"He's quite right."
Christine's stifled yell was heard through the storm. Her hand clamped over her mouth as she recognized that voice for what it was now. The opera ghost, her angel… why had she never…? Her mind flooded with questions, but she could only stare at the scene unfolding before her.
Raoul relaxed almost immediately against the surprisingly warm body. The arm that held him was still firm, showing no indication that he was going to be let go any time soon. Raoul let himself focus on the relief that flooded him. Saved, he was safe now. Yet, his chest still hurt knowing that he didn't know why the ghost was doing all this when he'd broken his pinky swear to him. He'd betrayed the man.
You didn't betray him. Erik tried to convince Raoul, even though he was beginning to think that he was the wrong person to be doing the convincing. He was certain Raoul would never believe him, but if the ghost said the words, then maybe it would get through to the blonde.
Now that Raoul wasn't as worried any more, he felt the illness all too distinctly. His head slumped downward, resting on his chest. His arms went limp and his legs gave way beneath him. He would have fallen to the floor if it hadn't been for the ghost's arm.
Erik looked between Madame Giry and Raoul before allowing himself to check on him. He reached for Raoul's chin and lifted up his head, resting it on his shoulder while he whispered, "Raoul."
Raoul's eyes fluttered open and he looked past the hood the fell over most of Erik's face, past the material that covered his mouth, and directly into Erik's eyes. He gave a tremulous smile.
I recognize you. Raoul commented. I do.
Erik placed his hand on Raoul's forehead, feeling how hot it was. Raoul was indeed sick. That's why these women had been able to take him. Erik's relief was palpable. Now, he only had to take the brat back to the carriage and they could be on their way back home.
Raoul closed his eyes, giving in to the fatigue, and as a final sigh, said, "Erik."
Erik's eyes widened. Raoul had said his name. Again. Once again, before he lost consciousness.
"He's ill," Madame Giry informed. She watched the ghost closely. Erik was being surprisingly gentle, but that didn't mean anything to her. He was capable of both gentleness and extreme force. "Leave him with us."
Erik wrapped his cloak around Raoul, making sure that he was snugly against his side. He was not going to let Raoul go. He would kill them if they tried to touch him again in fact. His gaze swept across the three. Meg was partially hidden behind Madame Giry and Christine was staring at him open mouthed. Her hands were clenched onto the cloak she wore, holding it to herself. Madame Giry was the only real threat for now and even that was not big enough to dissuade Erik from taking Raoul. He knew that he'd be able to kill all of them even with Raoul in one arm.
"Leave us be," Erik stated, glaring to punctuate his words.
"So, he is the one," Madame Giry quickly glanced at Raoul, never really taking her eyes off Erik. It was dangerous to do so.
Erik asked, honestly curious as to why Madame Giry would choose now to betray him. He knew it would happen eventually, but he hadn't actually seen it happening in this way. "Why did you take him?"
"He cannot go with you." Madame Giry replied. "He has a family."
"I am enough," Erik immediately replied.
She stared at him in shock before replying, "He has a brother."
Erik didn't reply, though he grinned to himself. He had an ally in Philippe. He was accepted, and now, he could finally be with Raoul. Finally be able to not worry about other factors.
"How did you know?" He asked instead.
"I'll call the police," she threatened, seeing that Erik was not going to be persuaded. He was just toying with her. She knew that and the only way to speak with him now was to have something to use as leverage. Threatening his life was the only way she could think to help Raoul. Erik needed to be stopped.
Erik's head turned to the side, hearing someone approach. For a moment, he thought that the police had already arrived, but he recognized the man through the multiple layers of clothing. He looked between Madame Giry and Philippe wondering just how he would be able to deal with their situation.
Philippe ran up to them and then looked at Madame Giry and the girls. He spoke loud enough for only Erik to hear. "You're late. What's going on?"
Erik moved his cloak a bit to reveal Raoul.
Philippe immediately brightened. Philippe easily recognized the slightly ajar mouth and lolling head; Raoul was asleep. He let out a sigh of relief. Raoul was back with them. Tilting his head the way he'd come, he said, "Let's go."
Erik glanced over to the women and Philippe followed his gaze and shrugged. So the ghost had been correct about his assumption on Raoul's latest kidnappers. He just wanted to get somewhere warm. "Let's just go."
Shaking his head, Erik made his decision. He handed Raoul over to Philippe, sending a glare at Madame Giry and the girls to warn them not to approach. They wisely chose not to.
"Is he okay?" Philippe asked when Raoul didn't even stir a bit as he was moved. When he took Raoul though, he could tell that he was hot. Erik moved away and Philippe knew that Erik was going to stay. "Come with us."
"I'm going to deal with them first," Erik replied.
"Erik," the warning was clear in his voice.
"I can't have them coming after us."
"Tell them I'm his brother."
"That would make things worse. They'd know where to find me then."
Philippe looked unconvinced.
"He's getting worse," Erik pointed out. When Philippe still didn't move, he added, "I'll catch up."
Philippe rolled his eyes and hefted Raoul up to a more comfortable holding position. He could leave for now. There was nowhere else for Erik to go after all. The storm was too much. If Erik needed to do this, then Philippe had no choice but to leave him to do so. This was another test, one that Philippe had hoped not to let Erik experience. If the women died, then he would have to keep Erik out of their lives.
He carried Raoul away, casting Erik one last glance. He hoped that for Raoul's and his sake that he would make the right choice.
Madame Giry moved to intercept them, but Erik stood in the way.
"I asked you a question," he said. This was the only way to buy his freedom. The only way that he'd ever been able to gain freedom. Death. He should have felt some hesitance in wanting to kill them, but they were a threat to his ability to stay with Raoul. They would find him and tell the police. They would ruin his only chance at happiness.
Madame Giry wondered who the other man with Erik was. She couldn't tell through the clothing. Glancing back at Meg and Christine, she gave a slight nod in the man's direction. Both were about to leave when Erik's voice cut through the wind.
"Stay or I'll kill her."
The two stopped where they were.
Madame Giry frowned at him. "Your paintings," she answered his previous question.
"You had no right," Erik replied. Of course, how else would she have known about Raoul? She had betrayed his trust in more than one way then. That was more than enough reason to be rid of her.
"You have no right to him," she said.
"More right than you do. You will leave us alone." Erik said calmly, "I'll make sure of it."
o.o.o
o.o.o.o
End Chapter 31
Word count: 4,326
o.o.o.o
o.o.o.o.o.o
A/N: Don't forget to R/R (Read and Review)!
o.o.o.o
Chapter review: No, Erik! Go with Philippe and Raoul!