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
A/N: This story is ending pretty soon, like maybe one or two more chapters ending (even if it doesn't seem like it). Wait for the sequel "More than Friends" (tentative title of the sequel)… however, I'm probably going to start that in the middle of February. I need to make the outline and January's going to be really really busy. You'll see why in January. Trust me, I'll still be writing.
Story Note: Erik really shouldn't be so stubborn. He's so volatile sometimes.
o.o.o.o
Imaginary Friends
Chapter 32 – Caution
o.o.o.o
By: Lucifer Rosemaunt
o.o.o.o
Last time: Philippe and Erik split up to find Raoul. However, Raoul is found first by Madame Giry, Christine, and Meg. Raoul passes out right when Erik arrives to rebuff the girls. Unfortunately, Erik decides to stay and deal with the girls while Philippe and Raoul get away.
o.o.o
Madame Giry glanced at her daughter and Christine. They had both frozen in their places at the ghost's threat. Christine was staring at him, eyes narrowed, trying to see through the layers of clothing, as though all the answers to her questions could be seen. Madame Giry could only guess what the girl was thinking. She had forgotten that Christine and her daughter had been with her to start with. If she had remembered, she wouldn't have made those references to Christine's previous kidnapping. Now, the girl had to know that her Angel of Music was nothing more than the ghost masquerading as one.
Cursing his appearance, Madame Giry tried to think of what they could do. The Vicomte was currently in the ghost's possession. She would have to be careful, but more importantly, she needed to find out who Erik had paid to help him. The man had no allies; he had no friends. Money paid for many things though; she might be able to pay to get the Vicomte back.
Now though, she hoped that the Vicomte's brother was well. The girls had informed her of his presence in the opera house. If the ghost was here, then there was a chance that the Vicomte's brother was already dead in Erik's mad attempt to get Raoul. The Vicomte would understand then what she'd been trying to protect him from, if he didn't find out firsthand.
Telling the girls to leave again was out of the question though. She didn't want to test Erik's resolve in ensuring his possession of the Vicomte. They would all have to leave together and somehow track them again. Madame Giry felt it was her duty to keep the Vicomte safe. It was the least she could do for letting Erik control their lives at the opera house for much too long. Even if he were a genius, it didn't excuse what he'd done to the opera house, to their lives.
A distraction was in order.
"What do you plan to do with him?" Madame Giry asked, backing away slowly. Keeping a close eye on the ghost, she tried to be subtle in her movements. She wanted to get closer to the girls though. They were several feet behind her.
Erik watched her move. He moved forward to maintain their original distance from each other. "It is none of your concern."
He looked at the two girls. When the blonde girl shivered, he noted for the first time that they were not well protected against the weather. Their cloaks had probably been hastily thrown on when Raoul escaped from them. Even as he noticed such a detail, he was mentally keeping track of the distance that Philippe and Raoul would have gone. They would need more time to reach the stable where their carriage had been placed.
Once they were there, Erik was certain that Madame Giry would not be able to follow close enough, but they'd all end up in Paris eventually. He was certain of that fact. The Chagny home was in Paris and Erik was certain they would return to it once this ordeal was over. The Giry's and Christine would probably return to see if the opera house would be salvageable. Their paths would cross again, and whether it was Erik and them or Raoul and them, it was bound to happen. So, he really had no choice in the matter. They knew too much already. They knew too much about him.
If Raoul returned home as though nothing had happened, Madame Giry would surely become suspicious and then more problems would arise. No one but them would think it odd. After all, no one else had noticed Raoul's disappearance in the first place.
No matter what scenario Erik ran in his head, he came to the same conclusion. Madame Giry and the girls would cause unnecessary problems.
He quickly perused each one of them. They couldn't outrun him. It wouldn't be too difficult to kill them even if there were three of them. Christine looked to be in shock, and the Giry girl looked rather weak. Madame Giry would put up a fight, but he wouldn't have too much difficulty overpowering her. All he really had to do was keep them out here a little longer and the weather itself would do all the work.
His eyes narrowed. The last time that he tried to let the weather do all the work, Erik had regretted it. The kidnapper had come back and almost killed Raoul. No, he couldn't draw this out.
"You will leave us alone," Erik repeated.
Making a quick decision, Madame Giry held up her hands in front of her, showing her palms to him in a gesture of surrender. "We'll leave you alone."
Erik smirked. It was hidden behind his cloak. "I know you will."
"Leave us and I won't call the police," Madame Giry was almost begging. Erik's voice made her throat close in fear. She continued to back up until she reached the girls. Meg grabbed onto her arm and Christine snapped out of her stupor.
Erik stalked forward.
"You don't have to kill us," Madame Giry continued. He was going to kill them. A part of her had actually thought that he wouldn't. She thought that what he'd done for her would be enough for him to spare their lives. Now, she knew that had been an erroneous belief. "They'll search for you."
He actually paused, Philippe's words coming to mind. If he wanted to stay with Raoul, then he'd have to live in "society's laws." What Philippe didn't know, wouldn't hurt him though. Just one more person – alright, three more people, but still. Three more people to ensure their future and then he'd stop altogether.
His mind actually protested at the thought. Somehow he was certain that Raoul's brother would just somehow know. He'd find out. Could he be the reason they were separated again? Could he risk it? But he didn't know what else he could do. He couldn't believe Madame Giry's words. It had been obvious she'd been lying. She'd only agreed to leave them alone for her life. He refused to spend the rest of his life looking over his shoulder again. He didn't want that for them.
Before he could act first, Madame Giry grabbed the girls and began to run.
He watched their slow progress become even slower when they made it to the street. They were buffeted by the strong winds and their sight blurred by the falling snow. Snow was almost coming at them horizontally.
"Hurry!" Her voice, tinged with fear, was carried by the wind.
Erik barely caught the sound. He followed, still torn as to what he would do.
Madame Giry had a strong hold on each of the girls. Christine was running alongside her. Meg was looking back, stumbling and slowing them down.
"Just run, Meg," Christine yelled. Her supposed angel was nothing but a monster, but she wondered to herself. How could he be a monster when he had been so kind to her? He had given her a new life, helped her obtain the lead role in the opera. The roses were from him. Why was he now trying to kill them?
Raoul.
The answer was simple. She didn't quite understand, but she knew that the ghost was doing this all for Raoul. A feeling had settled uncomfortably in the pit of her stomach when she first made the connection between the ghost and her angel. She almost couldn't believe that the feeling was actually jealousy. That devotion had been hers. It was obvious, wasn't it? The ghost loved Raoul, and Christine couldn't help but think that it wasn't fair. Raoul was a man. Even if she could get past that fact, Raoul had had that romantic relationship before already. He had someone he loved. Although the woman had left him recently, it still wasn't fair. Christine thought of roses and music and of his voice. His voice was so beautiful.
She was brutally reminded that he was trying to kill them when a gust of wind whipped snow into her face, the biting sting bringing her back to reality. Why was she thinking of him in this way? She couldn't have been that desperate for the kind of love that Raoul had shown existed. This man terrorized the opera house. He killed people. She focused on the cold to help her clear her mind.
Even through her confusion though, one emotion came through clearly. She feared for their lives. They needed to run because she was certain he would kill them. She didn't know whether it was because of the hard edge on his voice or the fact that he wasn't closing the distance between them – this was all some game that he wanted to extend.
Erik trailed them. His mind always coming back to the fact that killing them would be the easiest solution. Realizing that he actually knew the direction they were headed, Erik's eyes widened. Maybe… maybe there could be an accident.
Yes.
It was all becoming clear now. An accident would ensure that they would leave Raoul alone.
He just needed to direct them to the park he knew to be nearby and the lake that should be nearly frozen over. The storm had only gotten worse in the past few days. Who knew how sturdy the surface was?
o.o.o
Philippe occupied the seat by Raoul's bed, watching him sleep.
He wanted to be relieved. Raoul was with him, ill but alive. Not knowing where or what Erik was doing, however, was beginning to bother him. He wanted to protect Erik almost as much as he wanted to protect Raoul. He had to make amends. It wasn't fair that the man had had such a hard life, and if he could do anything to make it better, then he wanted to do everything in his power to do so. Too bad the man was beginning to show how willful he could be. It was like having another younger brother.
Sighing, he placed his hand on Raoul's forehead.
"What am I going to do with you two?" He asked.
His brother's temperature had stopped rising. Unfortunately, it wasn't going down either.
Philippe really didn't know what he was going to do if Erik killed those women. He couldn't, in good conscience, let him stay. He just hoped that Erik would realize there was always another way.
Raoul began to mumble and thrash about in the bed. He pushed the blanket off and Philippe fixed it and tried to gently stop him from doing so again. Catching his brother's wrists, Raoul mumbled a few choice words at being restrained and then began to thrash again.
Philippe would have found it amusing if it weren't for the fact that Raoul never talked in his sleep; Raoul's fever had to be especially bad. In all his life, Philippe never knew him to speak in his sleep or move about so much.
"Raoul," Philippe held Raoul's hands down, "It's alright. Shh. You're safe now."
His brother quieted almost immediately, settling back into a deeper sleep moments later.
Placing his hand on his forehead to check his temperature once more, it was high but it didn't feel that bad. He was certain it had plateaud. There was no way that he would be able to leave him there to search out a doctor. So, that left him waiting for Erik, if he could find them in the first place. He knew that Erik wanted them to leave, but with the weather as bad as it was, no one should be forced to travel. That had left Philippe no other option but to find an inn and no way to inform Erik of where they were. He only hoped that Erik would realize that they hadn't been able to leave the city.
He actually hoped more that the women he'd left with him would live long enough to see morning. Only time would tell on both aspects though.
Several hours passed and Philippe had given up sitting in favour of pacing. It wasn't really relieving his tension but at least he was doing something. A knock on the door ruined the tempo he'd been keeping travelling across the small room. Pausing, he stared at the door, willing it to be good news behind it. He donned his cloak and covered much of his face to hide his identity before opening the door a fraction.
Erik immediately pushed his way in, his gait a little off.
Philippe stumbled as the door swung open, but easily caught his balance. He looked into the hallway to see it completely empty. It was obvious that Erik had dusted off much of the snow that had gathered on him while walking through the hallway. Puddles of water and snow made a trail from the stairs to their room.
Looking to check the man himself, he could tell by the way that Erik was pulling off his cloak and coat that he was not pleased. There was still a lot of ice from his knees downward and Philippe had to wonder if it was just his imagination that it looked wet.
"I thought I told you to leave," Erik groused the moment Philippe closed the door. Erik's back was to him however, since his attention had completely focused on Raoul.
Philippe answered calmly, "The storm is too bad and my driver needs to rest."
Erik paused. When he spoke again, his voice sounded accusatory, but the timing was all wrong. "And if they find us?"
"Are they still alive?" Philippe asked. He didn't like that hesitation and feared the worse.
Erik tore his gaze away from Raoul telling himself that the brat was still breathing. Philippe would never let anything bad happen to him. He had to remind himself of that fact, reminded himself so that he didn't give into the urge to check himself. As it were, it was Philippe's unspoken accusation that distracted him from his overwhelming concern.
"What are you implying?"
"Did you kill them, Erik?" Philippe's gaze was hard. He was not going to mince words. He needed to know.
Erik only glared back. "Why do you ask?"
"I told you."
"Told me what?" Erik responded even though he knew exactly what Philippe was referring to. He was just tired of being tested at every turn, tired of the questions, tired of accusations, and of people thinking the worst of him. His whole life had been full of accusations, warnings, and betrayals.
He was tired and cold. The only thing he wanted to do now was be with Raoul. He felt he deserved it after everything he had gone through. The fact that he would do anything for him shouldn't be bad. Philippe's scrutiny and doubt grated against the last bit if patience he had left. Then, there was also the fact that he'd had to traipse through the whole city with his legs protesting at every movement since Philippe had outright disobeyed him. He wasn't used to his demands not being heeded.
"You break the law and I will not allow you to stay with us," Philippe answered. He couldn't believe that Erik was taking this so lightly. He thought that Raoul meant everything to him.
Erik closed the distance between them. It was a little difficult to intimidate Philippe since they were the same height, but he tried to tower over him anyway. Philippe didn't even flinch when Erik was suddenly in his face. He stood his ground and looked at Erik expectantly.
"Are you going to keep me from him, too?" Erik challenged.
Philippe tilted his head to the side and really looked at Erik. With most of the layers on the floor, he could see the ghost's face and mask. His mind's eye provided what he actually looked like underneath. He could never forget that image. It didn't haunt him now. He was older. He'd lived his whole life with that image. Erik could try to frighten him all he wanted, but Philippe already knew his weakness. It was Raoul.
"I would stop you." It was a threat. He knew it, and he just wanted to make it clear how far he'd go to protect his brother. He might've wanted to protect Erik as well, but his brother came first. He'd sworn to protect Raoul, sworn to never let him hurt again. Erik was a big risk, but as long as he tried to redeem himself, then it was a calculated risk. One that Philippe was willing to take, but Erik had to make his own concessions.
"I'd like to see you try," Erik pressed.
They stared at each other, physical violence lingering close by, neither willing to back down first.
In the end, Erik knew that Raoul would side with his brother. He let go some of the anger he felt, as difficult as that was, because Philippe was an ally. He was someone Erik didn't have to fight with, so why was he doing so now?
"They're alive," he finally admitted.
Philippe didn't even miss a beat. "How do I know that?"
Erik looked away and moved to Raoul's bedside. He reached down, finally giving into his urge to touch Raoul, just to make sure he was really there. Placing his palm on Raoul's head, the boy stirred a bit before settling down. He could tell him what exactly had happened, but he didn't want to. He wanted Raoul's brother to trust him, to know that he could handle things without supervision. He wasn't a child. He could be a man of his word given the right motivation, and Raoul was the only motivation that mattered.
"I dealt with our problem," Erik stated with finality.
Philippe stared at Erik's back. He wanted to believe him. He really did, but trust was a little difficult when dealing with a known murderer. Knowing that Erik didn't want to speak about it any longer, he redirected their topic of conversation, "How did you find us?"
Erik sat down in the seat that Philippe had vacated hours ago. "I was going to get a horse."
"You were going to ride through this storm?" Philippe asked incredulously.
Erik shrugged. "I thought I needed to catch up to you."
"The horse would have died," Philippe pointed out as he stood across the bed so that he could make eye contact with Erik.
"I would have walked."
Philippe nodded; he was quite certain that Erik would have. Glancing at Raoul, he said, "He needs rest, not cold weather."
"And you were certain that they weren't staying here?"
"I asked around," Philippe said noncommittally. When they'd separated, he did the same thing he'd done in the previous towns that they'd stopped at in search of them. While Erik walked the streets, asking questions by the carriages, looking through windows, and accosting pedestrians in general, he went to the nearest inn and tavern to pay for information. It wasn't difficult. Women travelling alone with an unconscious man was not something anyone was liable to forget any time soon. Additionally, he'd already procured an inn for them to stay at before he even found out that Erik had Raoul. The only really unfortunate thing had been the fact that the inn had been practically across the city. He'd had some difficulty carrying Raoul such a distance. At least it was far enough from the girls' room though. That was the only thing that mattered.
"You didn't really answer my question," Philippe pointed out.
"An unconscious man is quite memorable," Erik replied.
Philippe said indignantly, "I paid for their silence."
"And a little violence paid for my information." Erik smirked but hid it from Philippe, even though it was clear in his voice.
Philippe rolled his eyes. He didn't really expect any better from them. "I would hope that violence also reminded them to keep quiet?"
"Of course."
Erik was waiting, waiting for Philippe's next move. Raoul's brother didn't believe the girls were still alive. It would only be a matter of time before he sent him away. He glanced at Raoul, who looked flushed, too ill to defend him again. Erik wouldn't be deterred though. If he were sent away then he would simply wait for Raoul to wake up. He'd shadow them, follow them to the ends of the world if that's what it took.
"What did you do?" Philippe finally asked.
Erik refused to look away from Raoul. He was trying to burn this image into his brain. "They'll never bother you again."
That wasn't an answer Philippe could accept. "Do you know where they're staying?" He did. If he wanted he could leave and check if they had returned to their room. However, that meant leaving Raoul with Erik. At the moment, he couldn't let that happen.
"You believe them to still be alive?"
"Should I believe you?" Philippe tried not to let the exasperation sound in his voice. Getting a straight answer out of Erik was surprisingly difficult for someone so blunt.
"I'd ask that you do." His voice was earnest. Philippe's instinct told him to believe him, but he knew his instinct could be wrong in this respect. He so badly wanted Erik to be telling the truth that he might be lying to himself.
He just needed some other assertion. Eyes wandering, he noticed again that Erik's pant legs still had an inordinate amount of ice on them. The room was too warm for that to only be snow blown from the storm. Philippe's eyes narrowed: firstly, because Erik would probably lose his legs if he didn't change out of those clothes and secondly, because he had a feeling he knew how his pants had gotten wet in the first place.
He'd probably been asking the wrong question from the very beginning. He noticed how Erik never said he killed anyone and Philippe was almost certain that he hadn't. Going to their room would be pointless now. They were probably lost in the storm or something, drowned in a ditch or somewhere just as bad. There was no way to know if they were alive for certain.
"I need proof," Philippe started. He needed to buy himself time.
Erik frowned, finally looking up. "What would you like me to do?"
"Leave."
"What?"
"Leave," Philippe repeated. Before Erik could argue – for he had already planned excuses that would potentially convince Philippe to let him stay a little longer -, Philippe continued, "Change out of those clothes. Your room is across the hall. You will not see Raoul again until I have spoken with him."
Erik wasn't sure he'd heard correctly, but Philippe just stared at him expectantly. Standing up, he asked slowly, "That's it?"
Philippe nodded. He couldn't actually ask for proof that the girls were still alive. He'd simply have to learn that later. What he really needed to do right now was speak with Raoul. He could only assume that Erik would be worried enough about Raoul that he wouldn't leave the inn. That way, he could keep Erik away long enough to think and at the same time, perhaps keep him from getting into trouble.
"Leave the room for now," Erik said.
"Yes, leave and change your clothes."
"And you'll still be here?"
"Yes." Philippe tried not to grin. The look of suspicion and confusion was almost comical. His request wasn't difficult.
Erik couldn't help but ask, "And you'll call me?"
He tried to figure out Philippe's angle. There had to be a catch. They might leave when he wasn't paying enough attention, slip through the window or something. But they were on the second floor and Raoul was still unconscious. Philippe had even gotten him his own room. He did want to change out of his clothes. He'd ignored the stabbing pain in his feet and calves. The warmth of the room had helped somewhat but it also made him more conscious of the fact that he had fallen into the lake himself. It had been part of the plan though. They were safe now.
"After I speak with Raoul, I'll call you. I'll even call you if there's any drastic change."
Erik still couldn't see where the catch was. If this was all Philippe needed to believe him, then he'd do it. Taking the key from Philippe, he left the room. Sparing Raoul one more glance, he told himself that he'd be able to hear if their door ever opened. Anything suspicious and he would immediately be across the hall.
o.o.o
Raoul moaned softly when he woke up. He felt a little nauseated but at least he didn't feel as hot as he did before.
Erik?
Yes? Erik responded. His voice was so upbeat that Raoul winced. If one word could convey that much energy, Raoul wasn't sure he wanted to keep talking to him. He was a bit curious though.
Why are you so happy?
I'm always happy.
You're particularly happy this morning. Morning? Raoul opened his eyes and still couldn't actually tell. There was too much snow on the window.
I'm not normally this happy? Erik asked.
Raoul paused to try to place what he was feeling from Erik. You're not usually this particularly… smug. Are you smug?
Maybe. He answered noncommittally.
Suddenly, having a happy Erik was much more desirable than a smug one. What did you do?
How could I have done anything? Erik asked a little too innocently.
Raoul was almost worried, but Erik was right. What could he have done?
Besides saving our lives?
Raoul knew it to be a distraction. That wasn't why Erik was acting strangely, but he couldn't help but respond anyway. You didn't save our lives. Erik came.
And who's Erik?
Not you.
Yes, me.
Raoul sighed and surveyed the room. It looked almost the same as the other one he'd woken up in when he'd been first kidnapped.
What happened? Raoul asked, alarmed for a moment before he realized that someone was half on his bed. Philippe?
It looks like his head. Erik commented. He doesn't look very comfortable though.
Philippe had fallen asleep on the chair, placing his arms and head onto the bed. He'd been waiting for Raoul to wake up, but after his temperature had begun to drop, Philippe finally gave into the urge to sleep.
Raoul looked at his brother in confusion. He couldn't remember seeing Philippe. When did he arrive?
Who knows? Erik replied. It was obvious he didn't care when Philippe arrived, just that he was there. And where am I?
It took Raoul a second before realizing what Erik was actually asking. Where is the ghost? Do you think he and Philippe fought? Raoul couldn't shake his worry. Philippe was awfully good with a sword.
I'm good, too. Erik responded defensively.
Raoul couldn't help but grin. He remembered that tone, the one he heard whenever he praised Philippe too much.
Before he could tease him, Erik interrupted, There's only one way to find out.
Raoul agreed. He could go search for the ghost, see if he was outside or something. He paused when he felt Erik's disbelief.
No. The way to find out is to wake Philippe and ask him. He chastised, What are you thinking?
Shaking his head, Raoul disagreed with Erik's plan. He probably needs his rest. We can find out what happened ourselves. He tried not to react to Erik's subsequent sigh, but he frowned regardless at Erik's obvious disdain. What?
Don't leave the bed, Erik insisted.
I'm feeling better. Raoul argued.
Just stay. You still have a slight temperature and you can't deny the fact that your body hurts, Erik stated pointedly. You should stay in bed.
I just want to check to see where we are. Let me just open the door and check outside. Raoul tried to coax.
No. Erik stated firmly. Stay here.
A quick peek. I just want to know.
Why are you suddenly obsessed with me? Erik asked. Raoul didn't want to just check where they were. Erik could easily see the lie for what it was.
Raoul pouted. I just wanted to thank him and apologize. After everything I've done to him…
Making up his mind, Raoul ignored Erik's other protests and pushed the blankets down. Erik was right. He was still feeling a little ill, but his guilt was powerful enough to spur him forward. The least he could do was make sure Philippe hadn't done anything bad to Erik. He also wanted to apologize for what had happened in the past. Maybe to apologize for what had happened at the opera house, too.
Besides, he couldn't fight the urge to see him again, especially now that he remembered how important he'd been. He just couldn't help but wonder if Erik would want to see him in the first place. It was just his curiosity anyway, right? It had nothing to do with the fact that he almost believed that Erik probably left to find Christine now that he knew where she was and Raoul was back with Philippe.
Erik's exasperated remark was lost in his self-pity.
Before he could even get the blanket down very far, Philippe's hand suddenly grabbed his own. Lifting up his head, Philippe glared at him. Raoul couldn't help but look guilty.
Thank God. Erik sighed.
"Not again," Philippe stated firmly. "You're staying in bed until I say you're well enough to get up."
Raoul opened his mouth to make an excuse of some sort but stopped himself at Philippe's glare.
"We're apparently snowed in for at least another day." He glanced at the window. He lamented the news, but at least it gave him a valid reason to keep Raoul in bed recuperating for a little while longer. He didn't want Raoul to get sicker. "Besides, we need to talk. There are going to be several changes from now on."
o.o.o
o.o.o.o
End Chapter 32
Word count: 5,007
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A/N: Don't forget to R/R (Read and Review)!
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Chapter review: Haha, Raoul got caught. And what was Erik's plan regarding the girls?