A/N: I had a mission with this chapter: to rot teeth worse than the sugariest Xmas cookie with all the fluff! I hope this gives you plenty of warm fuzzy feelies for the holidays! Also, one fanfic idea I mention in here I have turned into a story—the Finding Nemo one. If anyone wants to play with the other ideas, go for it because I got nothin at the moment, but let me know so I can read it!

Erik was back from vaycay. I told him that I was sick and he said that he didn't care; he would come to see me anyway.

I was listening to Bruno Mars with my door closed. Someone was at the door, but the song came on as Mom was opening it, so I didn't know who was there. I pushed my phone under my pillow a little to stifle the sound and opened my door to listen in case Mom called me down to greet a family friend or something.

After a minute when she didn't, I plopped on 'my bed. I was playing with the thoughts in my head, throwing around fanfiction ideas: an original bio story for Gill of Finding Nemo, where life in the ocean is not so great and secrets are hidden; the real opera ghost pops in on the current production of POTO just to give the cast some pointers; Dr. Hannibal Lecter becoming the hero and Special Agent Clarice Starling the villain (Silence of the Lambs) because why not?

Someone was climbing the stairs quickly. I thought my sister was coming up to race into the upstairs bathroom near my room, but then something flew through my doorway and landed next to me on the bed. Startled, I yelled, "Holy crap!" And then I was laughing because Erik had pulled me to lay down next to him. Erik's shape was very thin and bony and tall, and I loved how it felt when he hugged me. He smelled like the airport, but I didn't let go.

"Hi," I said, but that's all I got out before Erik was kissing me. I always forgot he was wearing a mask until he kissed me, only remembering when I felt the thin mask around his lips. He held me really tight and kissed me like he was dying of thirst.

No, seriously, he wouldn't let go of my face.

After a little bit, he finally released my mouth and sighed. "Hello."

"You little weirdo," I said. "So it's been a really long month. I missed you! What went down in Paris?"

Erik set his forehead against mine and made this little whiny noise. "My mother and her stupid beaux were all over each other! I felt neglected and I couldn't message or call you and-and I missed you, Lauren. I missed you so much!"

The Carrieres' had been in France for an entire month and Madeleine wouldn't let Erik get the whatsit app because she didn't want him to spend all his time on his phone. Madeleine got weird about people not paying attention to her when she wanted it, and she wanted everyone to pay attention to her when she was with Dr. Etienne Barrye. Erik usually texted me in secret if his mom was in one of her 'spotlight moods' as I called them so we could sneak him away. But apparently, despite the clean record, Madeleine didn't trust Erik home alone for more than a day; so he'd been the third wheel in France with a couple that were basically on another honeymoon.

"Were they ... enjoying their hotel room?" I asked.

"Oh. I got out of there when they did that! And yes, before you ask, I was out quite a lot." Erik said. "My darling, as much as I'd love to stay with you all evening, I really need to finish some homework. If I just push through these last couple assignments, I can finish my semester early!"

"So you'd finish your semester in how long?"

"Uh…two months? Only because I already know all of this!"

"I still bet you'll finish your degree in…three years at this rate. You know, that's supposed to take five to six years for the average person."

"You want Erik to say it, don't you?"

"Nah…I want to say it this one time: My Erik is a genius!"

Now his voice sounded a little small. "Are you proud of your genius Erik, even though you have to keep his big secret?"

The Erik-is-the-POTO-and-he-has-a-phangirl-girlfriend secret. Thinking about it made me feel all excited. "I keep it with pride, as any phangirl should!" I replied. And then we heard Etienne call from downstairs. "You should go unpack and stuff."

"Hmmm. I smell like an airport, don't I? I think I can still feel the airplane on me."

"Go home and sleep. Text me when all the jet lag is gone."

"Oh, all right," Erik sighed as he got up. I walked with him to my front door (just to push him out, really—he was super clingy today).

I chugged Emerge&C and DayQuil and fluids and in a week it was gone. Hah! Take that, common cold/flu/whatever was trying to get me…the point is, I win! And then I got all wrappped up in holiday stuff. Erik had come back just after Thanksgiving.

And Erik also had finished his first semester by midDecember; one semester's work done in half the given time. Oh Erik. The consequence of pushing through all that? He caught sickness shortly afterward.

I was bored. Xmas shopping done, tired of the same versions of holiday songs on the common radio station, I read all the books I'd downloaded, and the wifi in our house was glitching, so no Pandora or Youtube or fanfiction. Yes, I was an internet-addicted melennial suffering withdrawal-okay, not exactly, but I was freaking bored!

So I texted Erik. 'hi baby'

Erik 'Hello, my darling. How are you?'

Me 'finally not all Xmas crazy up in here. U?'

Erik 'Well, I've finished with my first semester! But now that I have nothing to do…well, I feel more than a bit ill.'

Me 'awwww'

Erik 'My mother is going decoration crazy. I did my Xmas shopping online, and with nothing else to do…I'm just enjoying some get well time with Ayesha.'

Me 'that's good, hope you are better soon'

Erik 'I'll be fine.'

Something tells me he's not as fine as he wants me to believe. So I make some Chicken noodle soup and some throat coat tea loaded with honey and pack it all into a bag. I grabbed a tray table my mom always used when I was sick in bed from our hall closet. I also snagged a hot water bottle with a soft furry sleeve I use for cramps, and some Tylenol, and my notetaker with digital books in case Erik wanted to sleep and I wanted to stay, and a couple bottles of water, and a coke (coke syrup helps with nausea—for real). And I ended up putting everything except the tray table into a backpack instead of a bag when I realized how much I had. I was determined to show Erik what it was like to be taken care of.

I crated my dog and took a cane down to the corner. Etienne answered the door, as Madeleine was too busy fussing over tree ornaments. I knew the instant I walked in there that crap was everywhere. "Uh, Etienne, could you help me to the stairs? I can take it from there."

"Of course," he said. I took his elbow, he navigated me through the Xmas mess maze, and we stopped at the stairs. "You know it from here?" he asked, sounding distracted and tired.

Don't worry, dude, you don't have to babysit me on top of all this. "Yup. Twelve stairs straight up, veer slight left, second room on the right."

I entered Erik's room and was greeted by an Ayesha meow and a muffled cough from the bathroom. I made my way over to the desk chair and set down my supplies, and waited. Ayesha came over and let me pet her.

I forgot about who was nearby until I heard a tiny sneeze. It was squeaky, like a mouse. Was that Erik sneezing? OMG…his sneezes were so cute! After a second I heard the door open and then Erik's tired voice: "Whad are you doig here? I'be sick."

"I know," I said. "I've already gotten sick so I'm not worried. I brought you some stuff. Oh, and your sneezes are adorable."

Erik collapsed onto his bed. "What 'stuff'?"

I unpacked my backpack onto the floor. "Food, tea, drinks, medicine, some comfort things."

"Food?" Erik asked like he didn't want to admit how hungry he was. Oh, my heart.

"Chicken noodle soup. And throat coat tea with honey," I added, thinking about how scratchy his voice was.

"Ah."

"You haven't been downstairs at all, have you? Not that I blame you…that's why I brought what I can to you." I set up the tray table across his lap and set the meal on top. I set a bottle of water next to the throat coat. "Drink the water and just sip on the tea…it will keep your throat better longer that way. And I also have Coke if your stomach's upset, like if you're nauseous."

"I doe what Throat Coat is," he snapped.

Okay, note to self: mind Erik's temper when he's sick. I backed away and occupied a needy kittycat while Erik ate. After awhile, I stopped hearing the dishwear tap against each other and I stopped hearing Erik swallowing. "Are you finished?"

"Yes," he whispered.

I got up and took the tray. I set the half-gone tea on the night table and set the dirty dishes next to the chair. "Need anything else right now?" I asked.

"I'be full. I'be sleepy."

"Okay. I have a book, so just let me know if you need anything."

I pulled my braille notetaker out and started to read one of the books I downloaded onto it. After a long time, Erik whined in a scratchy-throated/broken voice. "Lo-ove?"

"Yeah?"

"Cub 'eer."

I put away my books and climbed onto Erik's bed. "What?"

"Lie dowd. Dext to be."

"Okay? What do you need?"

But he just turned right around and cuddle-attacked me with a happy sigh. His arms went around my middle and his head rested on my chest. I put my arms around him and relaxed. I'd already been sick; cuddling was okay.

"I feel like a tree," I said.

"Why?"

"'cause you remind me of a monkey with your absurdly long limbs!"

Erik giggled.

"You're giggle's really cute. It's like a little kid giggle. Adorable."

He actually kissed me through my T-shirt, too tired I guess to move his head. "You thik everythig your Erik does is adorable. Your Erik thiks everythig you do is sweet."

I didn't know how to respond to that through all the feels, so I just let Erik cling onto me for awhile. But soon he was coughing again. I made to get up, and he whined and clutched me tighter. "Dooo."

"I'm getting you water, silly."

"Hurry."

I brought over a bottle and after he drank the whole 16 ounces I tossed it toward the tray table. I couldn't get up again: caught in an Erik trap.

After awhile , I squirmed. Erik groaned. But I said, "I have to pee!" So he let me up.

[insert separator bar break thing…I don't know how to do those]

It was exactly 10 days till Xmas! My dreams were fun last night. They made absolutely no sense, but I had a fun time and when I woke up, I still felt their feels. I love when a dream's feelies follow you back to consciousness. Now I could write about them! … Wait, no, I for got—no content, just feels. Blah. Maybe I'll write more fanfic today.

When I was awake enough, I realized two things: one, there was an awake and happy Treble wagging her tail in her crate; two, there was an Erik kneeling next to my bed, holding my left hand, playing with my fingers?

"Good morning, my angel," erik half-sang.

"How long have you been sitting there like a creeper?" I asked groggily. I had a nightgown on, but it was loose, so I was wrapping myself in the blankets to cover everything. Erik let go of my hand and took hold of my shoulder, stopping my movements.

"Your Erik hasn't been here very long. He was just wondering…would you like to go out? It's a lovely morning, and we could go to a café and get our sugar on."

"That sounds freakin awesome," I said. "Give me, like, a half hour to get ready, though?"

"Of course. I'll wait downstairs for you." He kissed my forehead and left the room.

As soon as I got out of bed, Treble burst out of her crate and started jumping around the room. Hyper pup…guess I'll shower after she eats or she'll bother Erik for breakfast. I put on my fuzzy cozy Xmas-red bathrobe and walked down to the kitchen.

Erik came up and stroked my sleeve. "Are you cozy? You're all wrapped up like a Christmas present!"

I tripped over a box and ran into a table on my way to the back door, following my fur baby. "I'm not a very awake present." I let out the dog and made her breakfast just in time for her to want back in.

We sat at a Starbucks with our survice animals at our chair legs…and I didn't have to have working eyes to know that they were both wishing we'd drop some bacon. Erik had just sat down with our food and our holiday-themed drinks: peppermint mocha for me, toasted white mocha for Erik.

"So, ma cher, have you got your Christmas shopping done?"

"Almost." I touched the little paper bags, debated between going for the bacon egg and cheese mini-sandwich or the coffee cake first, and picked the cake. "Hey, how'd you get into my house, o resourceful Phantom of the Opera? Did you pull an Edward Cullen and sneak in through my windo?"I didn't see it, but Erik rolled his eyes. How dare I compare him to a character like Edward Cullen! He hated to admit that he had more in common with Edward than he'd like depending on his adaptation. And I liked joking about that.

I heard Erik opening his paper bag with his sandwich (he got the same as me) and chocolate croissant. "No, I picked your back door's lock after your family left."

I bit into the beautifully warm cinamin coffee cake. "Of course you did."

We chatted about the Christmas craziness, our families taking part in the Christmas craziness, and how much fun it was to watch everyone else run around after we were done running around. After the sandwiches and pastries and coffees had been consumed, I had a surprise for Erik.

"So…I know Christmas is still, like, a week away, but I kind of want to give you your present now because they really want to spend Christmas with you."

"Who are 'they'?" Erik asked around a mouth full of his last bite. Only the POTO would still sound good when speaking with a mouth full of food!

"Well," I said in an announcer/infomercial voice, "only available in fanfiction, I give you: the complete Kahn family!"

And thanks to the convenience of fanfiction's twisting of cannon events and also a lazy and self-aware author (yes I see the fourth wall break and I refuse to fill it), in through the doors came Nadir, Reza, and Rookheeya Kahn. "Erik!" Nadir called across the room.

I heard Erik get up, but the din of the busy café was too loud to listen across rooms, so I wasn't sure how they all greeted each other. In some minutes, though, Erik had come back over and then I heard Nadir's voice: "Hello, Lauren! It's nice to finally see you again!" And he gave me that awkward one-armed hug that happens when one person is sitting down.

"Hey, Nadir," I said. I got up to hug him properly. "Welcome to America for real, dude." Treble suddenly inched forwards and I could feel her tugging hard at her leash—there was a distraction right in front of us. "Back it up, crazy girl," I said, but Nadir just laughed.

"That's just Reza. He's in a wheelchair. Reza, say hello."

A little boy's hand grabbed mine and I heard a soft "Hello."

"Hi, Reza," I said. "Sorry, you have a lap and my puppy wants to rest her head in it even though she's working. Move, goofball, you're in harness!" I said as I yanked the leash and my dog flopped back down at my feet. "Don't worry, Treblemaker, you'll cuddle with him when you're not working!"

Reza laughed.

"And this is my wife, Rookheeya," said Nadir.

"Hello," said a third voice. Rookheeya had a light, happy voice. She was probably really pretty. I thought that was to be all, but she kept talking. "I can't tell you how thrilled we are that you've let us come here."

"Oh, dear," Nadir sighed. "The fourth wall is cracking."

"Oh, just tear down the wretched thing!" Erik laughed. "I've already done that before, several chapters back, and my Lauren just did before you came in! Where are you all living?"

"Ah…those new apartments not far from you. I think we really should get home though…we need to unpack and settle in…and sleep off the jet lag." Unbeknownst to me, he put air quotes around that last part.

When we were all at home, Erik and I went up to my room and I plopped onto my bed. Erik sat down next to me and sighed heavily.

Oh boy…did something happen? Did the POTO slip up? Was the character secret at risk?

"Give me your hand…no, your left one."

"Uh… Why that one?"

Erik took a deep breath. "Honestly, I don't know how to say this, so I'll just ramble until it comes out…I had no idea about phans or any of that until you signed up on that website almost a year ago. And then I came here and got to know you…and at first I'd thought that a phan would be annoying and I was sure you would send me back after a time and we both would just go on having forgotten everything…but Erik forgot about going back after he got to really know you, Lauren, and when it seemed he might have to, it was saddening…and then when he was forced back, it felt like his heart was being wrenched back home and planted here all at once. And then Erik found out that Christine was the one who brought him back…yes, my darling, it was her. She believes that Erik should not love a soul but her. She detests phangirls for messing with M. Lerroux's story. This particular Christine does not want to let her father's world of dreams go and wants to have Raoul and her Angel of Music all at once. But Erik did come back with your necklace, and wishes to stay here forever with you. He wants you to be his home, not a dreary lake underneath an opera house. And that is why…if Christine ever finds her way to us, or if anyone finds out about the characters here, Erik needed something to link us together here in your world…something real that would secure us to each other. And so, if I may destroy the fourth wall: I know a wedding chapter would be a bit much for you, and I know that your real life can not be in your control like your fanfiction, so I ask that you wear this little silver ring on your little finger, just like I wear mine, and then no matter what happens, no matter how life happens for you, we will always have this fanfiction that will forever be in progress, just in case. And this way, even if our story lies dorment for years and then inspiration suddenly strikes, or whenever the last chapter is written and the story is like a photo album to be looked back upon, nothing and no one can separate us."

As he slipped the ring onto my pinky, all I could do was squeak out an "Okay!" And then we kissed like a cliché Xmas story couple. And then I accidentally farted…which made us fall over laughing.

A/N: Whenever I happen to get another chapter done, whether it be next week or next month or later next year…or more than that, it will happen. Erik and I promise! Here's to the craziness of life itself! May your holidays be ridiculously happy! (Adam Young reference…tee-hee.)