Immortal's End

Loved(34.)

[Eva.]

There was an uncomfortable kind of silence between us as we entered my room above the theatre. He set me down on my bed, opting to kneel in front of me as he has for too many decades. He sighed, taking my hands in his and placing a kiss on each.

"Why?" He asks.

"You already know why." I answer just as softly as the whisper of his lips over my hands.

"But what's the real reason? You had everything. You knew how much I wanted you to be happy and live the fullest life you could, why did you do it?" He presses, keeping his gaze low.

"Because it wouldn't be fair to you, Darien. I... I know what happiness is now, to have a family and find love. It's amazing. You just got the first tastes of it, and it was about to be ripped away from you-"

"That's not an excuse! I didn't care what happened to me, Eva. I didn't care one bit. I have always been willing to sacrifice myself for you, to protect you. I'd much rather him have burned my theatre a million times over and suffered for eternity, then watch you slip away when I could have done something about it." His grip on my hands tightens, his head sinking to rest on my knee. "Eva, you are far to precious to me. You've made my existence meaningful..."

"Darien..."

"Watching you come into the world, confused and scared, but so close to me, I knew I could do something with myself. So I guided you. I taught you what to do, how to navigate your theatre, how to handle the directors and staff who come through. I taught you how to blend in as a worker, how to excuse yourself from having to leave." He continues, and I tug my hands free, running my fingers through his hair soothingly.

"You taught me everything you knew. You were always there when I didn't know what to do and when I couldn't cope." I whisper, feeling him shudder under my touch.

"And then I backed off so you could grow into your own way of living. I let you rest into your shyness but thrive in your mysterious way. You loved phantom of the opera so much... you wanted to be one. And I let you, I aided you any way I could, even if that meant waiting on you hand and foot. I did it with pride and gratitude, just to see you smile." His breath seeped through my sweatpants as a heavy sigh left him. I fidget slightly... Okay, I might be a little sorry. "Eva, I want your life to be the fullest it can be."

I continue a slow rhythm, stroking his hair steadily. "I owe you everything, Dare. You helped me so much, I couldn't just watch you die before I could show you my gratitude."

"No, you don't owe me anything. By being yourself, you gave me a purpose, a reason to be more than just a spirit as well. I got to simply adore you and support you, and I was rewarded with your beautiful smile and laughter, seeing your eyes light up with pride and warmth." He shakes his head slowly.

"I'm not sorry, Darien. I mean, it all worked out, right? We're both okay, we're both alive, we both have a chance to live on now-"

"THAT'S NOT THE POINT!!" I jump back, climbing back further on the bed as he pushes himself up. He rarely raises his voice at me... Honestly, like Oak, he can be scary when he's angry. "As soon as I felt the Richard Rodgers connect to me, I was horrified of what you were doing, what would have happened to you. And when I saw Oak carry you away, your body limp in his arms..." He glared down at me, his fists were hard, his body was tense.

"But I'm okay now, Dare, I'm okay..."

"Eva, I was going to have to examine you because I didn't want someone else to ruin your beautiful skin, I was going to have to verify that you died. I was going to have to arrange for us to lay you to rest." He continues. I shiver as I watch the tears build up in his eyes. "I thought you died... my Lady, my Queen, my treasure. The one I spent years beside, teaching and guiding and protecting. Serving and adoring, helping as much as I can, then standing vigil to keep danger from you again. My lady..." As he spoke, his tears fell in a steady stream but his voice never wavered. He slowly crawled onto the bed, climbing over me. "I studied and searched and finally found away for you to live free of this damn place and you could live with the ones who love you more than life itself. And when I saw Oak carry you away... I thought you were gone forever."