Darling. (Erik/Phantom x Reader)

Twenty-Four.

A/N: I just broke up with my boyfriend so expect many updates to come.

The Opera Populaire, Main Auditorium.

***

Y/N watched on stage as General Albina, also known as Piangi, sang out: "Oh, my Cassia -- beautiful as one could be, yes! Beauty beyond comprehension -- but I confess that in my heart I have hesitation. Can one as beautiful as she ever truly love me?"

Piangi's acting had improved throughout the show, and tonight his passion and turmoil translated perfectly to the audience. Y/N began moving towards Piangi, as per.

"Is a man like me, a man who needs to be seen, a man who is adored -- well, what is marriage for? What is a union of such delusion going to be -- oh, my Cassia!"

Piangi whipped around and acted surprised to see Y/N -- also known as Cassia -- and froze. Y/N removed her brown hood, careful to make sure the rest of cape remained closed. She took Piangi's hands in her own, and sang to him: Beauty is only a thing of the eyes, what I search for is hidden -- somewhere," she took a deep breath before singing out: "deep inside!"

Piangi ran off stage, and Y/N watched as he exited, before moving center stage as queued by the orchestra below her. She unclipped her gown and allowed it to fall to the floor, resulting in a gasp from the audience that made her smile internally.

"Think of me... think of me fondly, when we've said goodbye. Remember me, once in a while -- please promise me you'll try!" She moved a bit towards the edge of the platform, looking at the audience as she floated across stage, "When you find, that once again you long to take your heart back and be free -- if you ever find a moment... stop and think of me!"

She picked up her skirt and took a few steps backwards, towards where Piangi left, before whipping back to the audience in a dramatic fashion, growing more confident with every note, "We never said our love was evergreen, or as unchanging as the sea. But if you can still remember, stop and think of me," She was smiling now, her left hand reaching to her chest as her other hand braced her abdomen as she pretended to swoon, closing her eyes and leaning back for a moment as she sang, "Think of all the things we shared and seen -- don't think about the way things might have been," She opened her eyes and leaned towards the audience, "Think of me, think of me waking -- silent and resigned! Imagine me," She moved leftward now, reaching to a new section of her encapsulated audience, "Trying to hard to push you from my mind! Recall those days, look back on all those times -- think of the things we'll never do," She returned to center stage, "There will never be a day when I don't think of you!"

***

"Thank you so much!" Y/N exclaimed, glad in her white dress, accepting lilies from a patron to the theatre.

"You are manifique!" He responded, kissing her hand and turning to leave.

Y/N turned to see a familiar blonde, accompanied by Helena.

"You were wonderful!" Walter greeted, "I was absolutely floored during your aria -- you are truly a national treasure."

"You are too kind!" Y/N smiled, bowing her head to him in gratitude, "So, off on your Parisian adventure, I presume?"

"The adventure began the minute you entered the stage," Walter countered with a beaming face, "I hope you will one day return to our nation and hold performances there. Our country will become jealous."

"I hope so too," Y/N nodded, "When that happens, you will have front row seats to that as well!"

The two hugged and said their goodbyes, prompting Helena to take Y/N's arm and guide her back to the dressing rooms.

"So, what is on the agenda tonight?" Helena asked, opening the prima donna dressing room.

"Erik and I are going to enjoy a quiet cup of tea... and he intends on showing me his face."

Helena turned around and slapped Y/N's arm.

"Ouch! What was that for?"

"Burying the lead!" Helena exclaimed, walking around Y/N to unzip her dress, "That is major news... we barely have the opportunity to discuss it!"

"What is there yet to discuss? It has not yet occurred."

"What will you do if he's... you know..."

"He won't be," Y/N dismissed, "I truly cannot imagine a face so horrid that it makes me fear him. If he is truly so unseemly, I will ask him to put his mask back on... I suppose."

"I mean... he lives beneath our opera house because of that face. He is secluded from society — not just proper society, society in general — because of that face. I cannot imagine it's just a tad bit of discoloration."

"Well, I suppose I will find out soon enough."

"You must report back," Helena instructed, slipping the white dress off of Y/N and handing her a nightgown to replace it with, "I pray you're able to keep your composure."

"Helena! You worry too much," Y/N spoke, pulling the nightgown on and reaching for a makeup removing cloth, "All will be well. There are things more important than how one looks!" She sat at the vanity and wiped off her stage makeup, "Plus, he cannot look worse than those band players from Sussex..."

Helena snorted, "He's a better conversationalist, definitely."

Y/N finished cleaning her face and dipped her fingers in a cocoa butter bowl and gently applied it to her face and neck. "I really like him, Helena."

"I know you do... but what will your father say? Hell, what will Charles say?"

"I feel like they wouldn't care about the facial deformation, but perhaps Papa would be turned away from the fact that Erik lives beneath an opera house and is a recluse from society."

"That's so like him," Helena joked, "Your father — ever the pragmatic!"