Ramin Karimloo imagines and one-shots

One-Shot #26

(I may have genuinely cried a few times while writing this. Although, to be fair, I was watching this scene as I wrote it, so that probably didn't help XD)

It had been at least two hours since the crowd of 5,000 people had left after the spectacular performance of The Phantom of the Opera, and the Royal Albert Hall was as silent as could be.

While all the cast and crew were enjoying the after-party backstage, I was sitting by myself in the concert hall, wanting to get away from the noise. 

I was still a bit overwhelmed from the ending of the show; I knew Ramin had only been acting, but that hadn't stopped the wave of sorrow that came over me when I heard him scream, his pain and despair almost too convincible.

It had shaken me down to the core, so I decided to be alone, where no one could find me.

A few minutes passed before I heard something off to the right, and I glanced over to see Ramin standing there, still dressed and made-up as the Phantom.

I darted my gaze away as soon as we made eye contact, not wanting him to see the tears that were threatening to break through. 

"Hey," Ramin greeted softly. "Where have you been? I haven't seen you all night."

I turned my head for a moment and wiped my eyes, then looked back over at him. 

"I'm just tired," I replied, putting on a weak smile. "No point in being at a party when you're not going to be much company."

I quickly realized, though, that a stray tear had slipped out as I finished the sentence, so I didn't have enough time to react before Ramin noticed and rushed over to me.

"Avery," he said in a worried tone. "You're-"

"It's nothing, Ramin," I interrupted while brushing it away. "I'm just being a silly girl who cries over stupid things."

He stopped right next to me, his stature as graceful as a skyscraper. 

"You are anything but a silly girl," he whispered. "I know there's a reason behind your tears."

I shook my head in silence and didn't acknowledge his comment.

Ramin continued to stand over me for a moment, but then, he extended his hand out, and I looked up at him. 

"Try me."

I glanced at his hand a few times, eventually taking it when he made the slightest gesture with his fingers for me to do so. 

Once I was standing, I took his hand in both of mine and placed a kiss on his knuckles. 

"Promise you won't judge?" I asked quietly.

"I would never, Ave," he replied.

I smiled gratefully, then said, "That last act between you and Sierra... I know it wasn't real, but seeing you in such pain was..."

I couldn't finish my sentence as my throat became tight and tears began to stream down my face. 

"Hey, hey," Ramin soothed while pulling me into a tight hug. "It's okay, love. I promise I'm not in any pain right now."

"I would never leave you, my Phantom," I sobbed uncontrollably. "You don't deserve such a horrible life."

"Avery, calm down," he gently whispered in my hair. "I'm alright, especially now that I'm here with my beautiful Angel."

I pulled back and looked at him, my eyes burning with tears. 

"I think I care about you too much," I choked out, my laugh watery. "You literally tore my heart into shreds."

Ramin gazed at me affectionately and kissed each of my tears away, then rested our foreheads together. 

"Maybe I should keep you away from this show," he joked. "I don't want you feeling like this after every performance."

"It would be better if you came and hugged me every night," I smirked. "Kisses are also encouraged."

"You have my word," Ramin winked. "I will provide cuddling as well if you're up for that."

His flirty tone made me blush, but I responded back with, "I think every girl who comes to watch this show wants to cuddle with the Phantom. He needs it."

He suddenly turned my body and hugged me from behind, nuzzling his perfectly uneven nose into my cheek. 

"Would you like to start now, my Angel?"

I shivered in delight and said, "That would be nice."

"Okay." 

Ramin then grabbed my hand and dragged me backstage, both of us acting like a bunch of love-struck teenagers.