Ramin Karimloo imagines and one-shots

One-Shot #24 (Erik Destler)

Violet rushed down the dark catacombs of Erik's labyrinth, navigating her way through the shadows by muscle memory. 

Her heart was pounding in her ears as she made no attempt to stop until she reached him.

She slipped on a damp stone, but she quickly regained her footing and continued on without missing a beat. 

Violet knew she was getting closer when she heard Erik's voice echoing throughout the cave, and she came to an abrupt stop at the sound of agony in his tone:

His singing entranced her so much that she almost listened to the entire song, but she then remembered how much he needed her, so she broke out of her haze and kept going. 

Erik's pain grew deeper as Violet got closer, and she stopped behind a stone wall to peek around. 

He was standing by his organ, stroking the keys like it was the last thing he had in his lonely, dark world. 

She could feel her heart breaking in two at his sad brown eyes, which were filled with unshed tears that could flood the entire labyrinth in minutes.

Violet desperately wanted to run into Erik's arms and comfort him, but she also did not want to frighten him when he was at his most vulnerable, so she resorted to keeping her voice soft as she said one word: "Erik."

"Leave me alone! You're not welcome here."

Her tone had almost been a whisper when she had called his name, and it was obvious he didn't recognize her voice.

Or he knew exactly who she was, and she was now unwelcome in his home.

Praying it wasn't the latter option, she straightened up and made her voice louder: "Erik."

He slowly turned in her direction and looked at Violet, his beautiful face shattered in defeat. 

His eyes didn't seem to fully process that she was there, so she clarified, "It's me, Erik. I'm here."

Erik's expression was blank as he said, "You are merely a figment of my crazed imagination. You always were."

"No," she shook her head. "It's me, your Angel. I've returned to you, and I'm never leaving again."

He covered his ears and squeezed his eyes shut. 

"Stop torturing me!" he screeched, making her jump in fear. "Haven't I had enough misery as it is?!"

"Erik, listen to me," she stated firmly. "You're not going mad. Please, believe me when I say I'm real."

Erik suddenly rushed forward and stopped inches away from Violet, his eyes blazing with anger. 

"If you were real," he growled. "then you wouldn't feel this."

He then slapped her across the face hard, causing her to cry out as she fell down and gripped her cheek in her hand. 

Her other hand came up in defense when he stood over her with his fists clenched, and she screamed, "Stop, Erik! This isn't you!"

Suddenly, something seemed to click in his head, for his expression dropped and his skin paled to a snow-white color. 

Erik stumbled backwards and leaned against his organ for support, the instrument letting out a loud note when his hands dropped onto the keys.

Violet tried to keep her hurt contained from him, but the tears started to flow freely from her eyes, making a waterfall down her cheeks. 

His shock clearly registered on his face when he muttered her name ever so quietly: "Violet?"

Violet got up from the floor and backed into the stone wall, still frightened by Erik's actions. 

"Please don't hurt me," she said with a shaky breath. "I shouldn't have disturbed you like this, and I'm sorry."

Realization crossed his face like a bolt of lightning, and his eyes widened in horror. 

"My Angel," he breathed. "What are you doing here?"

"After all we've been through, did you really think I was going to leave with the Vicomte?" she replied, trying to manage a smile. "He's not even close to being as handsome as you."

Erik's expression softened immensely, and the man Violet loved shone through in that moment. 

"Violet, what did the Phantom do to you?" he asked, coming towards her with his hands extended out.

She visibly flinched, however, and he stopped in his tracks. 

"The Phantom is gone, my Angel," he said in a gentle tone. "Erik will not let that monster hurt you anymore."

Whenever he talked in third person, it meant that the Phantom was extinguished, and only the man remained. 

With all the strength she could muster, Violet gave Erik a small nod of permission, and he continued towards her. 

Once he was close enough, he gently touched her red cheek with his fingertips, but she still winced in pain. 

"My dear, I'm so sorry," he whispered, pressing a tender kiss on her forehead. "Please forgive me. I wasn't thinking straight without you here."

"I know," she said while humming at his loving touch. "I've never blamed you, Erik."

"You should," he argued. "I hurt you, and that is a sin I can never take back."

Violet stroked the normal side of his face and smiled. 

"You could never hurt me. Nothing will keep me from loving you as strongly as I do now."

A rare smile formed on Erik's lips, and he held her against his chest while setting his chin on top of her head. 

"You are the most loving woman to ever grace this cruel world," he mumbled in her hair. "I've never been more thankful to have someone in my life."

She buried her face into his shoulder and hugged him tightly, muttering "I love you" to him.

"I love you more, my Angel."