Phantom R blinked, a bit startled by the question. "Of course I trust you, Marie. How could I not?" He said softly, moving clover to her. She took the hint and wrapped him in a hug.
"Raphael, it's just- I have something really important to tell you, and hearing it may ruin our friendship and I don't want that to happen." Marie said quietly, rearranging herself to clutch Phantom R more.
"I don't want that to happen either. You mean too much to me..." Phantom R whispered, moving the two so that they both were sitting on his bed. had he not been preoccupied with their conversation, his thoughts would have been....elsewhere.
"You mean a lot to me too. Sometimes I wonder where I would be without you and then I don't want to think about it. Raphael, I-I just need you to not freak out." Marie said, letting go and standing up. "Would you like to show you how I survived?"
The Phantom considered for a moment, then nodded, chestnut eyes meeting cerulean ones.
Marie slowly shut her eyes and her face comforted to a look of deep concentration. Phantom R watched with great interest, afraid if he blinked he would miss something key. All at once, Marie's body began shifting, changing. She but her lip not to cry out in pain. Phantom R just sat there, somehow knowing that if he tried to help, he would only hurt her more. Suddenly, there was a flash of bright light, and Marie was gone. Instead, there was a medium-sized white dove with blue-tipped feathers.
Fondue lifted his head from his doggie bed and attempted to register what was flapping about the room. He tried to focus on the fast moving thing, but eventually gave up and went back to sleep.
Phantom R, on the other hand, watched the fluttering creature, enthralled. He reached out a hand and the dove flew down and gracefully landed. Phantom R gently stroked her feathers with his other hand.
Marie's diminished form shuddered a bit and cooed quietly, signaling that she enjoyed this. Phantom R smiled a bit and slowed his pace, teasing her. The dove apparently huffed and took off again. She flew about for a bit longer, then landed back on the bed. The dove seemingly focused again, and a few seconds later was back to her normal self.
"So, you can change into a dove and fly. That's how how didn't die when you fell?" Phantom R questioned.
"Yes. Raphael, I'm sorry I didn't tell you before, please don't be mad!" Marie rushed, her thoughts coming out in a jumble.
"No no, Marie, I'm not mad, I-I guess I'm just curious. But-why didn't you fly away when you got kidnapped?"
"Well, not even Jean-Fransouis knew I could change. If I revealed I could, it would have just made me more of a target for them." Marie answered honesty.
"That's reasonable. Um, is there anything else you can do?" Marie looked troubled as he asked this, so he hurriedly added, "Look, you don't have to tell me if you don't want. I won't press."
"No, it's not that." Marie said, putting a reassuring hand on his own. "It's just that- there are laws about this. We can't just go around telling everyone about our powers, they'd use us for them. Anyway," Marie paused to take a breath, "I have special powers. To put it simply, I can use magic. I can do spells, move things with my mind, teleport and as you saw, shape shift. I am, to put it in the old terms, a witch."
She glanced at the shocked expression on Phantom R's face and walked over to the window. Looking out on the City of Light, resting her head on her hands. Thinking back to two days ago, when she had run from the Opera house, Marie sighed. That day, Phantom R had danced for her and cheered her up.
Strong hands wrapped around her from behind jolted Marie from her thoughts. Recognizing the now-familiar feel of Phantom R, she leaned back and wrapped her arms around his.
"Marie, I'm not angry. Even if you didn't tell me before, it doesn't matter. It only matters that you're safe." Phantom R paused, making Marie look up at the redhead. "Just- Je t'amie, Marie, ma Cherie." He continued in their native French softly.
Marie turned and looked at him in shock, then smiled. "Je t'amie assi, Phantom R." She said softly, gently raising her head so that their lips meet in a tender kiss. Phantom R was startled at this, but quickly melted into it, pulling Marie closer to him.
Eventually, they had to break the kiss to breath, and their eyes met. They shone with reassurement, acceptance and love. Never before had the two felt so happy, so safe, so warm. As each lay down to sleep that night in each other's arms, both knew that everything would be okay as long as they have each other.
...~%~...
A/N: *FANGIRL SQUEEL TOO HIGH PITCHED TO HEAR* OHMAIGAWD, I needed to get this updated. Started on Halloween, ended on Christmas. Waaaaaaaaay too long a gap if you ask me, especially for a two-shot. Anyway, I just wanted to get this out as a Christmas present to you guys, as a thank you for reading my stuff! I love all of you guys, Merry Christmas or whatever you celebrate!!! Good night, remember, string up a trap for the Jolly Old Fat Man and take the presents.
Translations~
Je t'amie - I love you
Ma Cherie - My Dear
Je T'amie assi -I love you too
