Erik sat on the sofa, happily snuggling his face into her hair. She was so warm against him as she continued to rest curled up in his arms. His soft smile had yet to fade as she nuzzled him gently. He felt a tear run down his cheek to splash into her silken tresses. He squeezed her just slightly, showing that he wanted her there. She had made the promise as if he would be the one to regret it. She was more caring than anyone he had ever met before. She was a true angel.
A knock at the front door interrupted them, making both jump. Erik tightened his hold around her protectively, already having his arms seem like great shielding wings of black. He scowled at the door and whoever had chosen to disturb them. He realised then, by the stiffness that had settled over him that they had been resting like this for several hours, probably casting them into the early time of the morning.
Christine looked up at Erik questioningly, growing slightly concerned when she heard a deep growl emanate from his chest. Bringing her hand up to his cheek, her contact won her his gaze instantly. He was still surprised by her willingness to touch him, but it quickly faded to pure happiness at her lack of fear towards his features.
Taking a moment to enjoy the bliss that came from her beautiful eyes, he slipped his hands to cradle her in his arms. He did not wish to part with her for a second if he could help it. Rising from the couch, he felt himself sigh as she happily wove her arms round his neck and buried her face a bit into him. Glaring at the door and the now insistent knocking that came from it, he harshly hit the mechanism in the wall to make the entrance open.
Sternly staring at the figure who stood upon his doorstep, decidedly uninvited, he heard words rush forward.
'Allah, Erik! Do you have any idea what you have-' Nadir stopped dead in his tracks as he beheld the sight before him. His dark brown eyes were wide and staring. He flicked his eyes up to Erik's as if hoping for explanation, but the man only increased his glare.
'You have seen me before, Daroga. I hardly think this display is necessary.' Erik growled deeply.
Once more the Persians eyes flew from Erik's to a spot just below the man's shoulder. Catching on a bit, Erik looked down at his treasured charge and then back to his intrusive friend.
'I-is this…?' Nadir asked weakly, pointing to the being in his generally masked companion's arms.
Erik felt Christine tense and looked down to see her eyes wide and almost fearful. 'You can see her?' He asked, glancing up at the still dumbfounded Persian. He nodded as she drew farther into the protective embrace of her Erik. She remained a moment, seemingly thinking over something very intently before looking up into the amber eyes she knew so well.
'The ring.' She offered with shock. It was a physical piece of evidence to the promise she had made him, and also the only thing he had given her for good. He had lent her the pyjamas she now felt herself flushing from still wearing, but the ring was hers forever now.
Squirming a bit, she let Erik reluctantly release her to stand beside him. She kept very close, holding his arm defensively to her.
'Good morning, Monsieur Khan, my name is Christine.' She told the Persian with obvious trepidation, but also a good bit of happiness. She had watched Erik and Nadir over the years and had long decided the Daroga a healthy ally to Erik's more stubborn nature. She extended her hand to the man. After a pause, he took it in his olive skinned hand and gently kissed her knuckles. Erik inhaled sharply and wrapped his arm about her waist possessively, though only keeping his touch just on the surface of her clothes.
'A pleasure to finally meet you, Mademoiselle. Erik has told me a lot about you.' He eyed his friend carefully, recognising easily the look of death he was now receiving.
She blushed slightly, causing Erik to tense beside her. 'Please, call me Christine.' She urged, giving her dark shadow of a companion a gentle squeeze on his arm; telling him to relax.
'Only if you shall return the favour.' Nadir smiled happily at the young woman.
Being able to withstand no more of this, Erik stepped forward slightly. 'Yes, yes, we are all acquainted. Perhaps now we can get on with the purpose of your visit so that you may once more leave.' He put extra emphasis on the word.
'Erik,' Christine chided softly, catching his quickly enflaming gaze. 'You needn't be rude.' Turning to Nadir she beckoned him forward. 'Please come in, Nadir. I will make you some tea.'
Nadir smiled proudly as he passed Erik. 'It would seem that you have finally found someone who can offer a bit of civility to your life, my friend.' He praised, joyfully ignoring the daggers that were rapidly flying from Erik's gaze.
Taking their normal seats, the men stared at each other in silence for a few moments. From the kitchen, Christine held her breath as she awaited the sounds of battle, physical or otherwise. She knew she had aggravated Erik by her quick acceptance of Nadir's arrival, but he was being ridiculously possessive of her at the moment. She had made a promise, and she stood by it, but that did not mean she wanted him to cast away his only friend just to spend time with her. Besides, she had started to feel the impropriety of their positioning on the sofa.
Coming into the drawing room again was like being hit in the face with a book as the tension of the room seemed to consume everyone in it.
'So,' she tried to break the silence that only forebode death. 'What did you come here to discuss, Nadir?' She asked, placing the tea things on the table between the men and coming to stand beside Erik's chair. It was less to comfort him, and more to ensure he would not try to lunge forward to attack the Persian.
Nadir's brow darkened at this. 'I came to ask Erik what in the Hell he was thinking –pardon my language, Christine.' He jumped to realise she was present.
'Think nothing of it. I have heard far worst from both of you.' She waved him off, making Erik flush slightly as he truly considered some of the things he had said over the years in her unknown presence. He caught her eye only to receive a sly grin.
Nadir watched amusedly at this exchange. He was amazed to discover Erik had finally found someone who could make him embarrassed or guilty or even rein him in a bit. Allah knew the man needed it. For too long, Erik had cast himself into the shadows, or put himself on a pedestal above humanity. And though the human race was far from perfect, so was Erik. He liked to think himself better, but when it came right down to it, Erik could be just as vicious as anyone else.
'Just tell us why you are here.' Erik sighed in frustration.
'I came to the theatre this morning.' Nadir said with dull sternness written in his face and voice.
'So?' Erik was growing tired of the trivialities of the Daroga's current company.
Nadir only looked at him pointedly. Christine seemed lost too until this moment. She gasped, drawing Erik's panicking eyes to her instantly. She shook her head as her hands covered her mouth.
'You knew about this, Christine?' Nadir asked, growing warry of the girl.
'He did it to protect me. I was injured and could not…' She trailed off as the confusion in Nadir's eye clouded his accusing stare.
'Oh, that.' Erik said dryly, but still concerned over his angel's wellbeing.
'Oh, that?!' Nadir yelled, leaning forward at this. 'Erik, you murdered a man and left him hanging above the stage!'
'He hurt Christine!' Erik protested. 'And besides that, I could not have him running about the theatre looking for me. He might have poked his head into the wrong shadow. He was destined for a quick demise, I assure you.' He said in his general tone of calm and indifference.
Nadir leaned back, pinching the bridge of his nose as he tightly closed his eyes. 'Erik, we have discussed this.'
'Have we?' Erik challenged.
'You made a promise.' The Daroga lamented.
'And I have kept it. It was in self-defence and in protection of Christine, I do believe I am well within my rights. I do not appreciate your holding that over my head, nor do I approve of your doubting my motives.' He rose in one graceful motion and turned immediately to disappear into his room.
'Erik!' Nadir called after him just before the door was shut.
'Stay if you wish, Daroga, but I have nothing more to say to you.' He bit over his shoulder. The door slammed upon the conversation as a literal end to his participation in any social interaction for the remainder of Nadir's visit.
Christine looked back to the seemingly deflated Persian. Walking slowly over to him, she took a seat in Erik's chair.
'Forgive me, Christine, I shall not hinder your day with my prolonged company.' He told her, looking about to stand up.
'No, please, stay. I have no one talk to besides Erik.' She plead, reaching out to keep him where he was.
'Why was it I could not see you before?' Nadir asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.
She held up her hand to him, displaying the ring. 'He gave me something. I had never before been given a gift of anything material. I also promised to stay with him.'
The Daroga raised his eyebrows at this. 'Had you planned to leave?'
'Not exactly. You see, I am only visible to him so long as he desperately needs me. I am meant to look after him, and had initially intended to show him the wonders around him, but he instead latched onto me.'
'Ah, I see. You wished to distract him so that he would fall for something more real.' Nadir nodded. She smiled wistfully at this. 'Do you regret the way things have turned out?' He asked, noting the way Erik had been holding her and her own reassuring contact.
'Not really. It was not the way I had planned, but I honestly cannot begrudge it. You have no idea what it is like to spend twenty years watching over someone without them even knowing you are there.'
'Oh, don't I?' Nadir asked laughingly. She shared in his mirth at this.
'Indeed. I must admit that I could not have done it all without you. You saved him far more times than I ever could.' She looked down somewhat dejectedly.
'And yet it is your company he prefers.' He watched her knowingly. She flickered a smile, though not changing her downcast countenance.
'Nadir, I know you hardly know me, but I have been watching you and Erik for years. Do you…think I have made a mistake in promising to stay? Is it truly good for him, or am I simply acting selfishly?'
Once more his eyebrows raised at this. 'Do you feel it is selfish?'
Christine looked down and blushed, confirming a suspicion Nadir had almost thought completely outrageous. When she looked back up, she saw the unmistakable surprise in his face.
'Do not misunderstand, Nadir, I really care for Erik. I mean, I have watched his daily life for two decades. Of course I would wish to remain in his eye, but I worry that…I am overreaching my boundaries.' She looked down with obvious sadness. 'I am an angel. I do not eat, I rarely sleep, and I do not age. I have no reflection and until recently I could not be seen or heard by others. I am not human.' She explained.
Nadir looked at her earnestly, he leaned forward, boldly taking her hand in his. 'Christine, I do not pretend to be an authority on any of this, but I do know a thing or two about Erik. He becomes very attached to things he finds beautiful, but never to my knowledge has this occurred in the case of a person. Especially when you seem so…accepting of him.' He told her and she knew it was true. She had been there for those nights when he cursed himself endlessly, breaking mirrors with his bare fists, and drinking himself to sleep. She cringed away from those memories of when he would lay in a morphine fuelled daze. 'I do not say that you are right or wrong, but simply ask that you take care and watch what you say around him. He can be temperamental, as I am sure you are aware.' He smiled as she rolled her eyes while nodding in knowing agreement.
'I will always take care of him, Nadir. That I can most certainly promise.' She assured him.
He smiled broadly as he looked at her. He could see Erik's attraction, even if she did not fully realise it yet. Yes, Erik held quite a gem.
Christine spent the next hour happily chatting with Nadir about seemingly trivial things. They could only occasionally dip back into the subject of their mutual charge, but on the whole they spoke of how the world was doing in its turning and how all of the little specks called life were dealing with this rotation.
Eventually Nadir insisted that he must depart. Christine escorted him to the door with the assurance that she would do her best to keep Erik out of harm's way for a bit, and find something for him to do below the Opera for the time being. They knew Erik would not respond well to this limitation as he still saw he had done nothing wrong, so Christine swore to do her best to ensure the Daroga's heart would be without jolts of worry for a day or two.
Once the front door was closed, she turned purposefully towards Erik's current refuge. Knocking on the door, she tried to use her sweetest tone.
'Erik, are you done pouting?' She asked, pressing up against the wood, hand hovering over the doorknob in anticipation of her allowance in.
'Depends, are you and Nadir done chattering?' Came the scornful reply.
'Do not play games with me, Erik. I know you could hear the front door.' She told him somewhat sternly.
There was a pause, and then she heard a click come from the door. Trying the handle, she found it had been unlocked. Poking her head in slowly, she found amid the reigning darkness that pervaded the room the unmistakably tall, lean, and slightly tensed silhouette.
'Erik, why are you always so unkind to Nadir? He only means to help you.' She started, opening the door a little wider as she stepped in. She watched the shadows battle the incoming light as it flooded the dark room.
'Am I allowed to talk now, or are you simply going to carry on a conversation about me behind my back again?' He asked over his shoulder. Christine froze at this, feeling a bit of guilt wash over her. 'Or was I not able to hear that?' He continued, a bitterness coming to his usually smooth tone.
'Erik, no one said you could not have joined us.' She told him in a gentler voice.
'No, but I did not expect you to have him stay.' He shot back, showing a bit of his pain. She remained silent in surprise. 'But clearly you like him better. Perhaps you wish you were his guardian angel. God knows he needs one when he has to spend so much of his time looking after me.'
Christine's shoulders drooped as she felt word after word bite into her sharply. 'Erik, you know I would never leave you.'
'No, because you can't! You do not have a choice but to remain with me. I…I am sorry, Christine. I am sorry I am not better; that you do not know whether to stay or not. If I were a handsomer, kinder man you would want to stay, but I am not.' His back rounded somehow more as the words started to catch in his throat.
'No, no Erik,' she cooed, sliding her hand up his back to reach his shoulder. 'I am sorry. I should not make you cry so, oh, please forgive me.' She said, pulling him round to face her as she held his cheeks in her gentle hands. 'Erik,' she sought out his eyes, bringing her face closer to his. 'I want you to listen, and listen well.' He finally looked up at her, complete despair written in his soft amber eyes. 'There is no one I would rather be with than you.' She told him earnestly. She then proceeded to pull him down so that he head was resting on her shoulder while her arms held him soothingly. Slowly, his own curled round her as he relished the feeling of her warm, soft skin against his own cheek, of the smell of her hair as it curled and danced down her back, of the sound of her sweet breath running through her throat at his ear, and of the way she held him like his mother never had.
'Please stay.' He whispered.
'I already promised I would. So long as this ring stays upon my finger, I shall forever be by your side.' She told him.
They stayed like that for a little while before Erik stiffly stood back up, squaring his shoulders and once more becoming the solid, strong man Christine knew he had never ceased to be.
'What would you like to do today, my dear, as that pesky Daroga has forbidden me from leaving the house?' He asked her, letting a shine of admiration gleam through the darkness of the room.
'Well, how about a singing lesson? It has been a while.' She offered. This seemed to please him as he nodded and stood somehow straighter.
At the doorway of his room, however, he paused. 'Christine,' he said in a suddenly small voice, causing her to turn round and see him looking at her doubtfully.
'Yes, Erik?' She asked, when he did not speak further.
'D-do I truly not scare you?' He asked, shrinking again.
She walked up to him until she was almost unbearably close. He felt his breathing quicken as he watched her carefully smile up at him. Thinking over her next words, she picked up one of his hands and pressed her palm flush against it. His fingertips curled easily over hers as their length far exceeded even her slender digits. She smiled more sweetly at this.
'Erik, You have never done anything to truly frighten me. Worry and shock me, yes, but never frighten. And as to your face,' she felt a tremor rush through his hand at this before softening her tone somehow more. 'Is simply another part of the man I have looked after for so long.' Placing her other hand on his cheek, he held it there, leaning into her touch just a fraction more and closing his eyes to the admittedly light pressure of her contact. 'You do not have to hide from me Erik, if you do not choose to.' She all but whispered, enjoying the feeling of his cheek beneath her hand just as much as he.
She let the moment last before taking both his hands and leading him over to the organ. He looked at her differently now. Gone was the river of doubt and fear of her betrayal or absence lurking in his orange-gold eyes. Now there was trust and happiness, and…yes. He confirmed it again. There was no mistaking it now. Not after everything they had endured. It was there just as it had been there the first moment he saw her. He had not realised it, and it had not been as strong then, but now it was there completely and it would never go away. Nothing could ever make it disappear. No boundary could come between it. He would cherish it and nurture it for all time, for it was his. Never in his life had he felt it before, but now it had come. And, looking up at his angel while he played for her, he found himself hoping it was hers too. He would be happy to carry it alone, and the idea of sharing something so precious frightened him terribly, but if she were to, he would be overjoyed.
After several hours, the lesson drew to a close, but Erik was too absorbed in the music to stop. He continued to sit at the organ, playing something that had started to evolve in his mind and through his long, skilled fingers. Christine, generally one to walk away when he started composing or playing his own pieces, instead sat beside him on the bench. She felt him tense as she neared and wondered if it would be too much for him.
Erik could not think or hardly breathe as he willed his fingers on in their dance across the ivory keys. He could feel her warmth beside him and her eyes upon his hands as they spoke untold wonders upon the instrument. He wondered what he had done to deserve such sweet torment when he felt the rush of it all contact his shoulder. He barely dared to, but his eyes betrayed him to look down to see her head rest against him. Her hands were temptingly close, but still curled innocently in her lap. She wanted to be near him, but not make him stop. She wanted to be near him! This thought nearly caused his fingers to falter. He continued playing, but could not shake the desire to simply turn and hold her to him. He could feel his arms aching to surround her and envelop her as they had earlier. He longed for that hollow in his chest to be filled with her. His cheeks wished to be buried in her soft hair and for his senses to be consumed by her scent and gentle touch. She was pure and true beauty.
'Erik,' she said suddenly, dropping him out of his haze of longing.
'Hmm?' He forced himself to answer.
'Do you ever wonder who I was before I became an angel?' She asked.
Erik felt his chest constrict painfully as his hands caught a sour note, making him cringe. This brought her concerned eyes to him. He knew the question on her lips and nodded in silent answer. He took a shaky breath, not being able to look in her cobalt jewels she called eyes.
'Christine,' he started, making his tone firm yet kind. 'I honestly do not care who you were before. I do not mean to sound cruel, but I am simply happy you are here now. There is no one I would rather have by my side than you.' He looked at her then to see her admiration that made him nearly gasp. He held it in to better savour the moment.
Turning her gaze back to the instrument, she let her fingers slide over the surface of the keys. He followed her movement with mesmerised awe. Her touch was so light and reverent. He found himself longing to feel it upon him once more. He had never in his life thought himself to be jealous of an instrument until now. He wanted her soft caress upon his skin and to feel her smooth cheeks against his. He wondered what her lips would feel like on his own.
Nearly leaping from the bench at this thought, he tried to turn and find a way to hide the flush which had arisen to his face. He found himself wishing for the cover of his mask as he felt the heat spread about his features. He only faintly heard her question as to his wellbeing over the rush of his pulse in his ears.
'I am fine, Christine. Perhaps you would like to do something else?' He offered, hoping for a way to get these inappropriate thoughts from his head.
She seemed to ponder this for some time, trying to find something for them to do together that would keep them below rather than in the Opera that was swarming with people hoping for his head.
'Would you read to me?' She asked, hoping this would please him. It did, and she was soon perusing his book collection for one of interest. Finally picking out one he often read, she handed it to him.
'This one?' He looked at it questioningly.
She nodded, humming. 'I see you with it a lot, but I cannot read the language.' She explained. 'I want to know what it says.' She told him with a timid shrug.
Erik found himself smiling at this and took a seat in his chair. To his heart's horror, she sat down at his feet, directing her face to the fire. He had expected her to sit in the accompanying chair, or perhaps stretch out like a cat on the sofa. It would seem that he would be doomed to endure the gentle torture of her proximity no matter what they did. He was grateful however, that with her back turned to him, she could not see his still flushed expression.
When the book was finished, Erik looked down at his angel. She had gone, partway through the book of Persian poems, to leaning on his legs and resting her head back against his knees. He had caught his breath when she had first done this, but grew used to it the longer she stayed.
At the final ring of his voice, Christine opened her eyes. It had been complete bliss to have his voice filling the air about her. She had heard him speak as anyone would, but to have him talk to her was still a novelty she did not wish to tire of. Leaning her head back further to look up at him, she smiled as he chuckled for her childlike behaviour.
'That was beautiful. Thank you.' She told him contentedly.
'Of course. Anything for you, my dear.' He smiled at her. He was about to delve back into the misty world of his admiration for her when a thought occurred to him. 'Christine,' his tone bringing her round to fully face him in her seat on the floor. 'Now that others can see you, would you consider joining the ballet corps? Or better yet, sing?' His growing excitement of the vision of her upon his stage, singing to a crowd of eager listeners, bringing them to tears for the utter majesty of her voice, brought a shine to his eyes.
'No, but Erik,' she called him back to reality. 'I do not think my limit on how far away I can be from you has changed.' She watched his brow darken with thought.
'We could find a way, my dear.' He told her earnestly.
She ducked her head some, nodding resignedly.
'Do you not wish to sing or dance on the stage?' He asked, confusion taking hold.
'Erik, you have to understand. For so long I could not be seen, even by you. I just never considered it a possibility, so I never thought about it.' She continued to look down, making him worry he had upset her somehow.
'But now that you can, would you?' He asked hopefully.
'Do you want me to?' She returned, glancing up to show the dread and slight fear in her eyes.
Leaning forward, he let his hands hover over her shoulders, taking a moment to consider whether or not touch her. Deciding against it, he removed them to rest his elbows at his knees. 'Christine, I want for you to be happy. I will not force you into something you do not want.' She cast her gaze elsewhere. 'You have not disappointed me.' He assured her. Her expression of surprise told him he had guessed her thoughts correctly. He smiled at her, soaking in every detail of her face.
She stood up, then, moving towards the kitchen before turning back to look at him. 'What would you like for dinner?' She asked, noting his cringe from the mention of food. She smiled, laughing at his stubbornness. 'You have to eat some time, you know. I will not have you wasting away from lack of sustenance.' She scolded.
He held out his arms, displaying how thin he already was. He looked up at her sceptically. 'Too late on that one, I'm afraid.' He told her with a hint of a grin.
Rolling her eyes, she went off to prepare something for him with the limited supplies he had. She had learned from years of watching him how to make certain dishes that he clearly liked. It worked out well now that she could do this for him.
Before long, she felt his presence behind her, leaning against the door frame with his arms crossed over his chest. She shot a glance back at him to see a bemused smirk on his lips.
'What?' She asked in his judgement.
'Just curious what you will make to feed a corpse.' He told her, chuckling airily.
Christine stopped what she was doing. 'Do not say that.' She muttered grimly.
'It was a joke, my dear.' He defended.
'It was not funny.' She replied solemnly.
He realised then that something was more wrong than he had assumed. Coming over to her, he extended his hand to touch her shoulder, but before he could, he was nearly knocked back by an unexpected embrace.
'Christine,' he gasped, feeling worry and happy surprise both at the same time. 'Christine, what is wrong?'
'Do not make jokes like that!' She yelled into his shirt. He found the muffling of her stern command slightly adorable, but hid his smile from her. 'It scares me to think that I might have…that you could have…' She could not finish.
Erik stopped, his face growing sullen at this. He felt her back shake and a dampness start where she had pressed her face into his chest. He hated to do it, but he pried her off him, leaning forward to meet her at eye level.
'Christine, no. No more tears. We have both shed far too many already. I will not have you crying over nothing. I am fine, you are fine, we are both safe here, and nothing is going to happen. You have not failed. On the contrary, you have kept this bony ass from dying more times than I want to consider. You have nothing to feel ashamed or worried about.' He told her firmly, meaning every word.
She hiccupped slightly during this as she tried to stop crying as he had told her, but the tears came unbidden.
'Christine, you are beautiful, intelligent, rather humorous, and kinder than any human could ever hope to be. There is nothing for you to cry about. I am here, and so are you. I will protect you with all I have, because I know you have done the same for me. Duty or not, I want you to know this. I would do anything for you Christine. Anything. Just ask it of me and I will move the earth to see it come true.'
She looked up and into the nearly glowing eyes of her dearest shadow. He had something within them she had never seen before. It was a desperation, yes, but also something more. For reasons she could not explain, it scared her while also thrilling her.
Nodding an agreement to his words, she found sanctuary back in his embrace. She waited until the rest of her tears had stopped and dried before daring to turn back to her momentarily abandoned task. This time he accompanied her, keeping a close watch to make sure she did not grow upset again. He worried for her greatly, but also realised how close he had come to telling her his most meaningful burden. It had perched itself on his lips, waiting to take wing, but he had refrained, afraid her then current state would not accept it. He would wait, bide his time until the right moment appeared. He could be patient, for her.
