The Masked Parisian

The End

Christine awoke for the first time, cradled in Erik's arms. She smiled to herself, wriggling back into his embrace, glad that he had not run away. She felt more comfortable and safe in Erik's arms than anywhere else in the world. His strong arms tightened around her as she moved her body closer to his, in a subconscious act of possession.

Erik awoke with a start, realising that Christine was not in slumber, held in his arms, that she was lightly humming to herself. He knew now that there was no chance for escape and that he would have to deal with her realisation when she learnt that she had laid with a monster.
"Christine." He whispered into her hair. He gasped as she turned to face him, curls falling into her face. She placed both hands on his bare chest and leant up to place a kiss onto his cheek. His breath hitched as he felt her soft lips peck the scarred skin of his right cheek.
"Good morning, my love. I'm so glad you decided to stay with me today." He knew just as well as she that choice played no part in his being there.

They laid for a long while, Erik as stiff as a board and Christine peppering him in kisses in an attempt to loosen him up. She did so in vain. They rose together and Erik left Christine to change.
"Walk with me in the garden today, my love." Christine ordered softly.
"Yes, of course." He replied, interested in the auburn colours of autumn that shone in the trees this time of year.

Erik slowed his pace, slowing to a leisurely stroll. He treasured this moment, walking with Christine in the garden. The golden light of the mid morning sun made her glow.
"Are you excited for Meg and Daroga's wedding?" Christine asked in a light chiming voice.
"Yes and no." Erik replied in a final tone. Christine did not ask him to elaborate, and he was both glad and upset by this. Meg and Daroga's wedding was only a few weeks away and Erik was anxious being around so many people in such a formal setting. Performing for them was no problem, but standing amongst them as an equal was entirely different.

After their stroll in the garden, Erik retired to Gustav's music room and Christine laid up with a book in her armchair in the living room. Erik began playing a new piece from an opera he was working on, a production about pirates and high status ladies. He began the solo he had prepared only days before and Christine could not help listening in.
"Come to me, leave this life of chains
If you wish for ecstasy, call for my name." Christine had never heard this before, but she felt a strange yearning upon hearing his words.
"If you seek joys of the flesh
Then, my dear, I request,
One night and one alone
There I will keep you warm." She was shocked. His words differed so from how he acted in real life. He recoiled from her touch and feared the "joys of the flesh" as he put it. Christine nibbled on the corner of her book, wondering what was to be done about the coiling sensation that was beginning to build in her core, stirring her up and begging for more.

Erik sat alone at the piano and cried out in shock when he saw Christine stood in the doorway.
"Christine, how long have you been stood there?" He asked, his hand on his chest, breathing heavily from shock.
"I want to go back, back to Paris and I want you to show me the place that you lived, beneath the opera house." Christine pleaded. She wanted to see the part of him that he had locked away from her, the part that he refused to show her.
"That is impossible." He muttered, turning back to the piano.
"No, it is not impossible! You are merely deciding to say no!" Christine whined, padding towards him. She ran a hand over his shoulder and down his chest.
"Please, show me that part of you. That dark lusting part of you, Erik." He began to crumble beneath her hands and words.
"Christine." He breathed.
"I will show you Erik, I have that side too, that side that yearns for you." She whispered into his ear.
"Please, Christine, don't say such things, I fear I will not be able to control myself." He whispered, his voice shaky and ragged.
"That is the thing, Erik. I don't want you to control yourself, I want you to show me your true real animalistic self." She begged and placed a long, passionate kiss to his lips. This was all it took for Erik's self resolve to dissipate.
"Very well, Christine. I will show you my darker side, the side now one else has seen before. Just promise you will not run, that you will not abandon me in fear." He pleaded against her skin.
"Never, my love. No matter what you show me, I will never abandon you." And for the first time in his life, Erik believed that he would not be left alone.