#little lotte's red scarf

[faded-florals]

[klausscrimshaw]

Sorry I couldn’t leave Raoul out of this « relatively happy childhood » AU ;__;

Look who got some sunburn in early September

[dechagnys]

        tag  drop  pt.2   !!!

[ifyouhappentoremember]

Quick Thoughts - The Phantom of the Opera - Broadway - August 13, 2022 - Matinee

My main trio was Jeremy Stolle, Elizabeth Welch and Paul A. Schaefer. I was especially hyped to see Stolle as the Phantom since the last 8 times I’ve seen Phantom, it had been Ben Crawford in the title role. At this point I needed to see someone new as The Phantom to figure out if Ben was doing the blocking or if he was making ✨ acting ✨ choices ✨.

The CHEMISTRY between Jeremy Stolle and Elizabeth Welch, lord help me.

In that scene that is between Angel of Music and Little Lotte, after Christine reads aloud the note “A Red Scarf, the attic…,”, she happily adjusts her dressing gown/crown while glancing in The Mirror (yes, THAT one) before sitting at her dressing room table. 

I knew I was in for an emotional rollercoaster during the title song because the Chemistry was so good.

The long and meaningful look between Stolle and Welch right before the first ‘Sing for Me!’

This was the most interested I’ve been in the first lair in a while.

This was not the best vocal performance of Stolle that I’ve heard. As the show went on his voice sounded more and more strained. He was able to hit all of the money notes, but I still worried for him.

During Il Muto, when the Countess (Carlotta) and her husband are saying goodbye, Elizabeth’s maid cap fell on to the floor behind her while she was fluffing the pillows. It took Elizabeth a full 10 seconds to realize this. After frantically placing the fallen cap on her head, she sheepishly looked between the Countess and the Count to make sure her slip up went unnoticed while hiding the lower half of her face behind a pillow. It’s a very good cover for a random costume mishap.

Oh, and Paul A. Schaefer was there too I guess. He is an aloof Raoul. The way his words would somehow slur together made me think he was playing Raoul slightly intoxicated?? [The way he whipped out that champagne bottle from Firmin’s hand was way too smooth, so you know he can handle himself around a bottle.] If you told me that his Raoul would become Love Never Dies Raoul, I’d 1000% believe you.

Stephen Tewksbury, who plays Andre, didn’t have the skeleton body suit during Masquerade. I am unsure if this is a permanent or temporary change.

Let’s talk about The Point of No Return. We all remember how good the recording of Point of No Return with Elizabeth Welch and Hugh Panero is right?  Picture that level of chemistry, add in the new blocking for PONR and you’ve got the closest approximation I can get to the Stolle/Welch rendition I saw.

When Elizabeth uncovers the hood, she stares up at Jeremy with this 🥺 face (actually Elizabeth Welch spent like 80% of the show basically making that 🥺 face and I love her for it).

The Final Lair destroyed any sanity I had left for the day.

[anecdotal-acorn]

POTO Fluff Week 2022 Day 3: Meet Cute

Christine scrunched up her nose, which was turning a shade of cold-nipped pink on the beach. Now she thought that maybe it hadn't been such a good idea to take an afternoon stroll-- this afternoon in particular happened to be very, very cold and very gray. But at least now she didn't have to worry about anyone else crowding the beach. It was just her and Raoul.

“Does my nose look as chilly as yours, Little Lotte?” Raoul asked, kissing hers right on the tip and sending a delightfully warm flutter all through her.

“Yes!” She answered, leaning over and giving him a brisk kiss for his nose, which in mere moments turned into a lengthy kiss for his lips. She closed her eyes, and forgot all about the crashing waves from the adjoining sea and the wind too, until something soft blew off of her shoulders.

“My scarf!” She looked down at her dress and saw that her precious red scarf had indeed blown away, again. She cursed herself for even having worn it in the first place on a windy day like today.

When she looked up, Raoul wasn't next to her.

But then she heard something, ever so faintly from that sea. She ran down the beach, and the closer she got to the water the more she could make out the words…

“...Got it! I’ve got it!” Raoul was soaking wet and holding her scarf.

“Raoul! It's freezing!” She yelled, splashing into the waves to meet him. She supposed she was a hypocrite then, charging after him as he'd charged after the scarf. But it was freezing.

“That didn't stop me the first time, did it?” He told her through chattering teeth. She could see his breath and hers mixing together in the November air.

She hugged him close in response to his remark. “No, it didn't. And I'm grateful you saved my scarf, again. I ought to pin it to my dress from now on, don't you think?” They had a nice laugh about it all and as they waded back to shore together Christine thought back to that first time she'd lost her scarf in the sea. She thought back to how it was like that was the day she’d really met Raoul, because that was the day she'd realized how devoted he could be. So she would start pinning her scarf to her dress, but she was glad to know he would fetch it for her another time if she ever did forget.

[coatntails]

POTOber 2021

I had so much fun doing Whumptober last year, and I would like to try to share this joy with the phandom. So I've used the Whumptober prompts as a jumping off point and put together a Phantom of the Opera themed prompt list. There is a prompt for every day of October, including a couple alternates (just like the Whumptober list) to help give inspiration more opportunities to strike!

Anyone can participate in this event. The prompts can be used to create fan art, fan fiction, or anything else you can think of. Participate as much - or as little - as you want to. Do all 31, or just a few. Combine them if you prefer. Anything goes!

This list was made with ALL versions of POTO in mind. if this event becomes popular enough to repeat, maybe we can branch out into multiple lists. But for now, feel free to interpret these prompts to fit any of your favorite phantoms - Leroux, Andrew Lloyd webber, Kopit and Yeston, the many movies - they are all welcome! (yes... even rat!phantom... no judgement.)

If you'd like to participate, tag your posts potober so we can find them.

.

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1) “To serve me, to sing” - Ensnared / Bound / Seduced

2) “the level of your eyes” - Garrote / Choking / Gagged

3) “My God, this place really is haunted” - Taunting / insults / Prima Donna

4) “Down once more” - Taken Hostage / the Torture Chamber / Escape

5) “And now, how you repay me…” - Betrayal / Trust / Her Teacher

6) “touch me, trust me” - Touch starved / Hunger / Lust

7) “Close your eyes” - helplessness / blindness / Music of the Night

8) “from the moment i first heard you sing” - Desire / Pining / Wedding Dress

9) “did you think that I had gone for good?” - Presumed dead / disappeared / Relief

10) “A composer, Monsieur” - writing music / mood swings / Don Juan Triumphant

11) “lake under the opera house” - Drowning / the underground lake / the Siren

12) “The Scorpion or the Grasshopper” - Begging / Choices / the Ring

13) “Past the point of no return” - removing the mask / innocence lost / Amnita

14) “Twisted every way” - Force / Manipulation / Defiance

15) “i remember there was mist” - Delirium / Dreaming / the Mannequin

16) “Miss Daaé has returned” - Aftermath / Recovery / The Daroga

17) “He’ll take me, I know” - Dread / Anticipation / Bait

18) “Your fears are far behind you” - Rescue / Protection / The Rooftop

19) “Wishing you were somehow here again” - The famous Swedish violinist / The Graveyard / Grief

20) “Order your fine horses” - Caesar / the Pegasus / Carriage rides in the Bois de Boulogne

21) “Little Lotte” - Backstory / Beginnings / the Red Scarf

22) “Stranger than you dreamt it” - Cursed / Demon / Deformity

23) “Lot 666, ladies and gentlemen” - Auction / Money / the Music Box

24) “War between us” - Rivals / Revenge / The Chandelier

25) “The 5th Cellar” - Hiding / Secrecy / Labyrinth

26) “Those who speak of what they know” - Trap Door / Lasso / Madam Giry

27) “A Mystery never fully explained” - Thrown voice / Yellow Eyes / The Rat Catcher

28) “Look at your face in the mirror” - Seduction / Deception / The Mirror

29) “Box 5 to be kept open” - Threats / Notes / Box 5

30) “I will send you the Angel of Music” - Ghost / Angel / Just a man

31) “prelude to a bright new year” - Masquerade / Red Death / Disguise

[septembersghost]

Was randomly thinking of “All I Ask of You” earlier and it reminded me of how I’ve always imagined Christine and Raoul escaping to the seaside and living a quiet but happy life together ‘till the end of their days

this is so precious to me, as a christine/raoul truther from childhood. that's exactly what they deserve - let me be your shelter! let me be your light! you're safe, no one will find you, your fears are far behind you - they find their perfect cottage by the sea and live in contentment, and she sings whenever she wants to, and maybe it isn't for an audience, but her voice soars free. and they read to one another, and even when silver streaks through her hair in the sun, when christine stands on the shore as waves roll in, and a breeze whirls around her, he still only sees his beautiful little lotte, and the red scarf like a flame that he pulled with love from the sea.

[teddy06writes]

The Phantom Of The Opera AU

requested by this anon: “Okay so I know you’re a musical kid so you have probably listened to/heard of Phantom of the Opera. Picture this: Dream as the Phamtom x Fem!reader as Christine x Sapnap as Raul”

Dream x Fem!reader and Sapnap x fem!reader (with dream as the phantom and sapnap as Raul)

trigger warnings: death, dream being a low key creeper, maybe some swears, my general lack of knowledge of this musical

premise: Phantom AU, not neccicarily the full story, its mainly what I’ve seen/read/listened to that I think is important, and like eight of the songs. Ummm, I feel like the summary above is enough for you to get the general idea.

(y/l/n)- your last name

“blep” regular talking

“Belp” singing

When things are in counterpoint, regular text will be (y/n), (text in parenthesis is sapnap), and {bracketed text is Dream}

if you, like me are unfamilliar with the story, this is the summary that arrived in my inbox last night (thank you so much to the person who sent that by the way, it really helped)  

“So basically phantom of the opera is a love triangle between 3 people, the Phantom (P) x Christine (C) x Raul (R). C and R were childhood friends until R had to move away. C grew up in the Opera house with her dad (deceased) as a music writer. C grows up getting “private” singing lessons from P ( he is literally talking to her through a vent ((Among Us omg)) or something idk). Fast forward into the future to present day. C is a ballerina at the opera and one day, the phantom makes the set malfunction so that the lead female opera singer (she’s a jerk. Forgot her name) can’t preform and C has to preform as the lead instead. Coincidentally, the night Christine sings as the lead is the day R comes to see her show and R is like “ooWooga she be fine now ig”. R and C catch up after the show and R goes away for a minute and then P is like “aight C imma kidnap you for a sec with no purpose whatsoever to the plot except for a cool song” and then C returns to her normal life ig. P them sends stuff to the people in charge of the Opera saying “ayo C be pretty fine, let her be the lead again” the people in charge of the opera were like “nah fam, let’s have the person who was supposed to be the lead be the lead”. Upset by this, during the show, P broke the chandelier and it fell into the audience. C is like “I love you uwu” R is like”let’s get engaged” C is like “let’s keep it a secret so the crazy P guy doesn’t find out” and little did they know during that conversation P was hiding and overheard everything and is now sad boi hours. A masquerade happens and P shows up like “ayo I heard you trynna steal my boo” and R is like “nah she my boo” and they duel or whatever. Idk how it transitions to this but the Opera runs another show and they make C the lead to not upset P. However, during a love song (Past the point of no return, it literally slaps), C realizes that the person singing isn’t the original actor, it is P! And then P straight up kidnaps C after the song, takes her to his lair and is like “boo you gotta marry me or I destroy the opera house with everyone inside it” C is like “fine ig” P takes off his mask and reveals he is hiding burn marks and he kisses C and C kisses back. P is like” my mom never even kissed me” and P let’s C go, telling her to go marry R... or you can just watch this video lmao https://youtu.be/4a5nahw3zi8″

On that note, here we go:

{that only goes for the final scene where its all three, it varies otherwise}

{Things I have learned while preparing this story, 1. the actual phantoms name is Erik, like what a nerd, 2. he’s also not actually a ghost??? He’s literally just some creeper who lives in an opera house screwing with people; also yes Eret is the strict lady who yells at everyone and talks to the phantom, deal with it}

{pls send me more musical au asks I really liked doing this, even if it took me a while}

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The ravenous applause of the audience seemed to echo in your ears, even after you had left the stage. 

You’re debut as the female lead in Hannibal had been a smashing success, and as the rest of the chorus girls backstage were saying, it was all thanks to the Phantom scaring Hannah off.  

Niki practically ran up to you from the rehearsal room, “(y/n) that was incredible!” 

You grinned, “Oh I feel like I’m floating Niki! Thank you for volunteering me for the role.” 

“Don’t thank me, Thank whoever's giving you those lessons,” She bumped her hip against yours, grinning cheekily, “And if what the girls are saying is true you’ll have to thank him for getting Hannah out of here.” 

You chuckled, but before you could say anything else Madame Eret was approaching, knocking the end of their cane of the ground, “Miss Nihachu, you are a dancer are you not?” 

Niki nodded. 

“Then get back to rehearsal,” he waited until Niki hurried off to turn to you, “He is most pleased with your performance, here.”

You took the note from him, reading over it quietly, “Red scarf..... the attic.... little lotte?” 

She simply shrugged, leaving you to turn and head up your dressing room. 

As you changed out of your costume from the show you couldn’t help but hum the song that had earned the most applause, “Think of me, think of me of me fondly, when we’ve said goodbye.” 

Reaching around you found your dressing gown, pulling it on and tying up the front, “Remember me, once and a while. Please, promise you’ll try...” 

Your words faded off as your sat down at your vanity, beginning to brush out your hair. 

“Where is your red scarf Miss (y/l/n)? I hope you haven’t lost it. Not after all the trouble I went through to retrieve it for you.” 

You turned to see a tall dark hair man standing in the doorway, a grin spreading across your face as he continued, “I was only 14 and soaked to the bone...” 

“Because you ran into the sea to fetch my red scarf!” You exclaimed, jumping up and flinging your arms around him excietedly, “Sapnap! How I’ve missed you!” 

He chuckled, pulling away, and offering you a single red rose, “(y/n)... Little Lotte let her mind wander...” 

“You remember that too?” You asked with a giggle. 

Sapnap smiled and kept singing, “Little Lotte thought: am I fonder of dolls,” 

“Or of goblins or shoes?” You joined in, “Or of riddles of frocks, or chocolates.” 

“Those picnics n the attic...” He reminisced. 

You closed your eyes, remembering those long ago days, “Father playing the violin.” 

“As we read each other those dark stories of the north.” 

“No what I like best, little Lotte said, is when I’m asleep in my bed,” You sang, “And the angel of music sings songs in my head!” 

“The angel of music sings songs in my head.” He repeated softly. 

You smiled at him, an excited fond feeling forming in your stomach as you sank back into your chair,  “Father said, when I am in heaven child I will send the angel of music to you. Well now father is dead, Sapnap. And I have been visited by the angel of music.” 

“Well that is very evident,” He chuckled, taking your hands, “Your performance was wonderful. And now, we shall go to supper.” 

“Oh- sapnap I can’t, the angle of music is very strict.” 

He didn’t seem to understand the urgency in your voice as he laughed again, “Well I shant keep you up late.”

“No- Sapnap, things have changed-”

“You have to change,” He interrupted, “And I have to grab my hat. Two minutes little lotte.” 

As he went out the door you cried after him, “Sapnap! Thing have changed Sapnap!”

But he was out of earshot, and the voice that had become so familiar to you was booming, “Insolate boy! This Slave of fashion basking in your glory! Ignorant fool! This brave young suitor, sharing my triumph!”

“Angel I hear you! Speak, I listen! Stay by my side and gude me!” You begged up to the ceiling, “Angel my soul was weak! Forgive me! Enter at last master!”

“Flattering child, you shall know me, see why in the shadow I hide, look at your face in the mirror, I am their inside!” 

The voice sounded closer now, and you couldn’t help but look around, “Angel of music! Hide no longer!” 

You turned again, finding yourself face to face with what seemed like a mask, floating in your mirror, “Come to me, strange angel!”

“I am your angel! Come to me angel of music!” 

A shadowy figure seemed to appear behind the smiling mask, a hand outstretched to you. In a daze you stood, grabbing his hand and allowing him to lead you away down a dark pathway.

“Who’s voice is that?” Sapnap asked, knocking on the now closed door, “(y/n) who’s in there?” 

“Come with me angel of music!” Dream, the Phantoms voice echoed again. 

“(y/n)!” 

~~

“In sleep he came to me, the voice which calls to me and speaks my name!” You moved quietly through the passages, following Dream, “And Do I dream again? for now I find, the phantom of the opera is there, inside my mind!” 

“Sing once again with me our strange duet! My power over you grows stronger yet! And though you turn from me to look behind, the phantom of the opera is there! Inside your mind!” He sang, turning back to make sure you were following once more.

The walls of the tunnel seemed to widen, and you could almost make out an empty candle lit space. 

You reached out, fingers almost brushing the edge of his cloak, “Those who have seen your face draw back in fear! I am the mask you wear..”

“It’s me they hear...” 

As you emerged into a cross roads of the tunnels, you sang in tandem, “Your (my) spirit and your (my) voice in one combined, the phantom of the opera is there, inside your (my) mind!” 

He helped you into the boat that waited in one tunnel, before casting off, propelling the boat down the slow moving current, “In all your fantasies, you always knew the man and mystery...” 

“Were both in you....” You sang softly as the boat came to dock in a wide chamber.

Slowly you climbed out of the boat after him, looking around the dank space, and at the organ in the corner. 

Dream pulled off his cloak, “And in this labyrinth where the night is blind..”

“The Phantom of the opera is there! Inside my mind......” 

~~

As the people downstairs argued, you tried to think over what had happened. Was it a dream? It didn’t seem like it, but still, a man appearing in her looking glass? Taking her away and singing words of praise, words of love, words that made nearly no sense now that it was day, and a haze covered your memory. 

The one thing that remained clear was the monster she had found beyond the mask.

All too soon it seemed you were being rushed into rehearsals, being told you no longer had a speaking role, as Hannah had returned, and was back to her diva ways. 

Rehearsals that would normally drag on seemed to go quicker now, and soon you and the rest of the girls were getting ready for the performance. 

“This is ridiculous,” Niki muttered as she adjusted her costume, “You should be playing the duchess, not Hannab.” 

“Hannah is the featured soprano. She’s always the lead.” You retorted. 

“But how will Sapnap know to look for you in the chorus?” Niki teased.

You elbowed her, laughing lightly, “Shut up. Besides I doubt the phantom would let him see me again.”

The show had gone well, at least until the fifth scene. 

All the music stopped abruptly as a voice boomed, “Did I not instruct that box five was to be left empty?”

“He’s here: The Phantom Of The Opera!” Niki cried from offstage. 

Your head jerked up to turn and look at the audience, “It’s Dream!” 

“Your part is silent, you toad!” Hannah snapped. 

From somewhere up in the audience Dream frowned, “A toad Madame? Perhaps it is you who is the toad...” 

Hanna opened her mouth to continue on her script, but no sound seemed to come out, save for what was close the a croak. 

The men who had bought the opera house, Wilbur and Tommy were coming rushing down from their box, “Ladies and gentlemen we apologize! The performance will continue in ten minutes time, with Miss (y/l/n) as the duchess!”

Tommy nodded as Wilbur finished, “And for now, we will give you the ballet, from act three of tonight's show!” 

The ballet didn’t last long, as when you returned to the wings dressed for the new role you had been given, someone let out a horrified scream.

“What the-” 

You were cut off as you looked up to see Shlatt, the stagehand in charged of the curtains, hanging from the rigging, a noose fully tightened around his neck. 

“Ladies and gentlemen remain calm! It was just an accident- remain calm!” Someone shouted. 

Through the darkness you could make out Dream’s menacing figure, the smiling mask watching you threateningly as you clamped your hand over your mouth to stop the scream that had ripped at your throat. 

“(y/n)? (y/n) are you alright?” Sapnap had run down onto the stage in all the chaos. 

“We- we have to get out of here,” You choked, grabbing his hand, “We aren’t safe here.” 

He didn’t seem to understand the reason behind your panic, but even so he offer you his arm, “Lets leave then.” 

~~

Twenty minutes later you ended up in an empty park, the panic that filled your chest not yet fading as Sapnap asked, “Why have you brought me here?”

“We can’t go back there!” You exclaimed. 

“But we must return.” He gripped your hands, “Darling their bound to be missing you.” 

You shook your head, “Sapnap- He’ll kill you! His eyes will find us there!” 

“(y/n), don’t say that! It’s okay (y/n), it’s okay!” 

You looked up into the darkened sky, “No it’s not- no it’s not- Those eyes that burn!” 

“Don’t even think it!” He cried desperately. 

You couldn’t tell whether you were trembling from fear, or from the cold, as you sang, “And if he has to kill a thousand men....” 

“Forget this waking nightmare!” Sapnap insisted. 

“....The phantom of the opera will kill.” You sang distractedly. 

He gripped your shoulders, “This phantom is a fable, (y/n), believe me!” 

“And kill again....” You shuddered at the idea of Dream doing anything to Sapnap. 

Both of you sang, “God who is this man, who hunts to kill? (this mask of death?)

“I can’t escape him!” You cried. 

He shook his head, “Whose voice is it you hear...”

“...I never will!” 

“With every breath?” 

His grip on your shoulders tightened, pulling you closer to him as you both sang, “And in this labyrinth where light is blind, the phantom of the opera is there, inside my (your) mind!”

“There is no Phantom of the Opera!” 

“Sapnap- I’ve been there, inside his world of never ending light! To a world where daylight dissolves into darkness, darkness! Sapnap I’ve seen him!” You cried. “Can I ever forget that sight? Can I ever escape that face? So distorted, disformed it was hardly a face!  in the darkness, darkness. But his voice filled my spirit with a strange, sweet sound in that night there was music in my mind And through music my soul began to soar! And I heard as I'd never heard before!” 

“What you had was a dream and nothing more!” 

You could hardly look up at him, “yet in his eyes was all the sadness in the world! Those pleading eyes that both threaten and adore!” 

“(y/n), (y/n)!”  Sapnap exclaimed. 

“.....(y/n)......” A different voice seemed to cry into the night. 

You gasped, pressing yourself against Sapnap, “What was that?” 

He hugged you tightly, before pulling back and singing gently, “No more talk of darkness, forget these wide eyed fears. I’m here, and nothing can harm you, my words will warm and calm you.” 

You relaxed into his grip, listening to his quiet voice, “Let me be your freedom, let daylight dry your tears, I’m here, with you, beside you, to guard you and to guide you.” 

“Say you love me, every waking moment. Turn my head and talk of summer time,” You looked up at him, biting your lip, “Say you need me now and always, promise me that all you say is true, that's all I ask of you.” 

“Let me be your shelter, let me be your light, you are safe, no one will find you. Your fears are far behind you.” He assured you, smiling softly. 

 “All I want is freedom, a world with no more night. And you to always be beside me, to hold me and to hide me.” You admitted. 

Sapnap’s smile grew wider, “Then say you’ll share with me, one love, one life time. Let me lead you from your solitude. Say you need me here, beside you. Anywhere you go let me go too, (y/n), that's all I ask of you.” 

“Say you’ll share with me, one love, one life time,” You repeated, “Say the word, and I’ll follow you.” 

“Share each day with me, each night, each morning.” You sang together as he leaned down to rest his forehead on yours.

“Say you love me?” 

He smiled, whispering, “You know I do.” 

“Love me- that's all I ask of you.” You both sang, before he leaned in to gently press a kiss to your lips, “Any where you go, let me go too. Love me- thats all I ask of you.” 

Sapnap kissed you again, before pulling away, “We could go anywhere- we could be married! You would marry me, yes?” 

“Oh, yes, Sapnap, yes I would. If you’d have me.” You nodded, eagerly. 

He grinned, pressing a kiss to your forehead.

You couldn’t help but giggle, before turning back toward the direction of the opera house, “I must go back, they’ll wonder where I am. Wait for me Sapnap!” 

“(y/n), I love you!” He exclaimed. 

“Wait for me, Sapnap. Order your finest horses and being waiting by the door.” You could go back, and continue working at the opera house, there was nothing left for you to fear while Sapnap was there.

“And soon you’ll be beside me!” He chuckled.

You grinned, “To guard me and too guide me!” 

Sapnap offered you his arm again, and you headed off out of the park, toward the opera house. 

Slowly, Dream slinked from the shadows where he had watched the proposal, “I gave you my music, made your song take wing. And now your repaid me, denied and betrayed me.” 

He groaned running a hand through his hair, “He was bound to love you, when he heard you sing. (y/n)- oh (y/n)-”

He was cut off by the sounds of your voices drifting down the street, Say you’ll share with me, one love, one life time, Say the word, and I’ll follow you. Share each day with me, each night, each morning.”

Dream’s hands flew to his ears, desperate to block out the sounds- he had been so sure that you could’ve loved him, but now Sapnap was stealing you away. 

“You will curse the day you did not do, all that the phantom asked of you!” He bellowed. 

~~

The following weeks at the opera house were a blur of panic masked by busyness, Wilbur and Tommy refusing to let the disaster of the chandelier falling from keeping the company from working on their next performance. 

You kept on working, the ring on the chain Sapnap had given you around your neck helping you to feel safe, even as the chorus girls cited the Phantom for the cause of all the distress. 

Now you were back in your dressing room, getting ready for dinner with Sapnap.

“Wander child, so lost, so helpless,” A soft voice seemed to drift down from no where, “Yearning for my guidance.” 

You looked up at the ceiling, “angel or father? Friend or phantom? Who is it their staring?” 

“Have you forgotten your angel?” The voice murmured, Dream appearing once again in your mirror. 

You turned to him, almost in a trance, “angel, oh, speak, what endless longings, echo in this whisper.” 

Sapnap, having arrived to the opera house appeared in the door, watched as you moved toward the phantom. 

“Too long you’ve wandered the winter...” Dream continued to sing, hand outstretched to you. 

“Once again she is his.” Sapnap sang, as you started to cross the room toward the mirror where the phantom stood. 

“...far from my far reaching eyes.” 

“Wildly my mind beats against you....” You sang, transfixed. 

Behind the mask Dream grinned, “You resist. Yet your soul obeys.” 

“Once again she returns, to the arms of her angel. Angel or demon? Still he calls her, luring her back from the grave. Angel or dark seducer? Who are you strange angel?” Sapnap sang, again, more to himself than you or Dream. 

Dream beckoned you forward again,  “I am your angel of music, come to me angel of music!”

“Angel of darkness, cease this torment!” Sapnap exclaimed, moving into the room properly and drawing attention to himself. 

Dream unbothered, continued to sing, “I am your angle of music! Come to me angel of music!” 

“(y/n), (y/n) listen to me! Whatever you may believe- this thing, this man is not your father!”  Sapnap yelled, “(y/n)! Let her go! For gods sake let her go!” 

Jarred by his sudden yell, you turned, the trance broken, “Sapnap...” 

Dream, unimpressed, began to clap, deadpanning, “Bravo monsieur. Such spirited words.” 

“No more tricks monsieur!” Sapnap yelled, stepping forward to put himself between you and Dream. 

“Oh, but that's not any fun. Why don’t you come closer, sir? Keep coming this way.” 

Sapnap, not liking to be challenged, stepped forward, “You cannot win her love by holding her prisoner!” 

“No- Sapnap don’t!” You grabbed his hand, pulling him back. 

He nodded resolutely, gripping your hand as you both moved toward the door, “Lets go then, no more time will be spent with this monster.” 

“Don’t go!” Dream wailed as you hurried away down the hall, “Now let it be war upon you both!” 

~~

Something was going wrong, of course it was, because when was it not?

Your entrance in Don Juan Triumphant had gone according to plan, but the man who had stepped out as Don Juan was not George, as it should have been.

You steeled yourself, trying to come up with a logical reason.

George must have gotten sick, and a stand in had taken his place, yes that must be it.

“Past the point of no return, no backward glances, the games we played till now, are at an end.” The man sang, “Past all thought of ‘if’ or ‘when’, no use resisting, abandon that thought and let the dream descend.”

Your panic seemed to rise, the double meaning in his words filling you with dread.

“What raging fire shall flood the soul? What rich desire locks the door? What sweet seduction lies before is? Past the point of no return, the final thread hold. What unspoken secrets will we learn? Beyond the point of no return.”

You moved carefully to your next mark, trying to work out who it was in George’s place, “You have brought me, to the moment when words run dry, to the moment when speech disappears into silence, silence.

I have come here, hardly knowing the reason why, in my mind I already imagined, our bodies entwined. Defenseless and silent, now I am here with you, no second thoughts, I’ve decided, decided.”

You just barley stopped from trembling as you realized, it was Dream, “Past the point of no return, no going back now. Our passion play has now, at last, begun. Past all thought of right and wrong. One final question: how long should we two wait, before we’re one?”

“When will the blood being to race? When will the sleeping bud burst into bloom? When will the flames at last consume us?” You finished, taking an only slightly shaky breath.

The phantom grabbed your hand as you both sang, “Past the point of no return, the final threshold. The bridge is crossed so stand and watch it burn, we’ve past the point of no return!”

Everyone in the audience seemed to hold their breath, they too knew that this was not George. The cloak that had hidden Dreams mask fell, and they gasped upon seeing the plaster smiling face.

He grinned behind the mask, and punctuated, “Say you’ll share with me, one love, one lifetimes lead me, save me from my solitude.”

The words stung even before he pulled out a ring, holding it out to you, “come with me, or this whole place will come down upon us.”

Slowly you looked to the audience, Sapnap was standing in the isle, looking worried.

You couldn’t let him get hurt.

You nodded reluctantly, as he continued, “say you want me by your side anywhere you go let me go too, (y/n) that’s all I ask of-“

Slowly, you reached up, pulling the mask off his face, revealing the terribly scared face to the world.

The gasps turned into horrible screams as a curtain was raised, and Georges body tumbled onto the stage.

Almost immediately Dream flung his cloak around you, disappearing.

Sapnap ran up onto the stage, along with the crew, police officers and other patrons.

“Sapnap! Sapnap you’ve got to come with me!” Eret cried, rushing out onto the stage.

“What the hell is going on?”

“Sapnap!” They yelled again, “I know where they are!”

“But can I trust you?” He demanded.

She nodded, “yes, and remember, keep your hand up at eye level.”

“Why?”

“Punjab lasso.” Was all he offered in explication as he led Sapnap away.

~~

Soon enough Sapnap was creeping through the shadows of the phantoms layer, watching as he tried to place a wedding veil on your head, “Too bad pity comes to late, turn around and face your fate, an entirety of this before your eyes!”

You turn to face him, looking up at the mess of scares that cover his face, “this haunted face holds no horror for me now, it is in your soul that the true distortion lies.”

The phantom turned suddenly, to Sapnaps hiding place, “Wait! I think, my dear, we have a guest! Sir, this is indeed an unparalleled delight! I had rather hoped that you would come And now my wish comes true— you have truly made my night!”

“Free her!” Sapnap yelled, stepping into the light, “do what you want to me but let her go!”

“Your lover makes a passionate plea.” Dream laughed at you.

“Sapnap it’s useless!” You cried.

Sapnap shook his head, “I love her! Does that mean anything To you? I love her! Show some compassion!”

“The world showed no compassion to me!” Dream retorted.

He reached out toward you, “(y/n), (y/n), please let me see her!”

Dream grinned maliciously, “be my guest.”

Sapnap rushed forwards, as Dream contiued to taunt, “Monsuier, i bid you welcome, did you think that I would hurt her? Why should I make her pay, for the sins which are yours?” 

As he finished the last words the Punjab lasso came sailing out, and Sapnap barley had time to fling his arm back up as he was dragged back, the only thing keeping him from hanging being the fingers he’d wrangled between the rope and his neck. 

“No!” You cried, struggling to your feet. 

“Order your fine horses now!” Dream yelled, “Nothing now can save you, except maybe... (y/n).” 

You stood, shaking as he turned to you, “Start a new life with me- buy his freedom with your love! Refuse me now and send your lover to his death! This is the choice, this is the point of no return!” 

“(y/n), forgive me, please forgive me, I did it all for you, and all for nothing.” Sapnap sang, looking at you desperately.  

At the same time you turned toward Dream, “Farewell my fallen idol, and my false friend, one by one my delusions shattered.” 

“Too late for turning back, too late for prayers and useless pity!” Dream sang.

“{all hope of cries for help, no point in fighting!} (say you love and my life is over, either way you choose, he has to win!) {for ether way you choose, you cannot win! So do you end your days with me or do you send him to his grave?}”

“Why make her lie to you, to save me?” Sapnap yelled. 

You looked between them desperately, “Angel of music..... {past the point of no return!} (For pity’s sake (y/n) say no! Don’t throw your life away for my sake!) Who deserves this? When will you see reason? {The Final threshold! His life is now the prize you must earn! You’ve passed the point of no return....}”

You looked at Dream, no longer trying to hide the fear that coursed through your veins, “Angel of music, you have deceived me, I gave myself blindly to you.” 

“You try my patience! Make your choice!” Dream yelled. 

Looking back at sapnap for a moment you stepped forward, whatever it would take, you would keep him safe, “Pitiful creature of darkness, what kind of life have you known? God give me courage to show you, you are not alone.” 

Reaching out, you took the mask from his hand, tossing it to the side as he moved closer to you as well. 

Before you could hardly blink he was kissing you, and with little more than a second thought you kissed back. 

Sapnap watched, in partials horror, until the phantom drew back, shaking as he whispered, “No one has ever kissed me- not even my own mother.” 

You nodded, and then suddenly Dream began to move across the room, grabbing a knife from somewhere as he stalked up to Sapnap.

He paused for a beat, and you could feel the terror in the room- until he slashed at the rope, and Sapnap fell the ground. 

You rushed over to him, kneeling beside him, “Sapnap! oh Sapnap!” 

“Take her,” dream wailed, “Take her and forget me, forget all of this! Leave me alone- forget all you’ve seen....”

Sapnap struggled to his feet, holding you close to him as he backed towards the channel. 

“Take the boat, leave me here, go now, please!” 

The sounds of the mob looking for Georges murderer seemed to grow louder as they grew closer.

“Hurry! Now before its too late!” Dream yelled. 

Sapnap hurriedly started to help you into the boat, but you pulled away, moving back to the Phantom, long enough to hand him the ring. 

Then you were off, turning to Sapnap as the current carried the boat away, “I’m sorry Sapnap- I couldn’t let him hurt you- I couldn’t!” 

“Shhh. It’s alright (y/n), it’s alright. He can’t hurt you anymore.” He murmured, pulling you into his arms.

“Say you’ll share with me, one love one lifetime.” You sang shakily.

Sapnap nodded, “Say the word and I’ll follow you.”

“Share each day with me, each night, each morning...” The sounds of your voices traveled back up the tunnel for Dream to hear. 

He sighed, looking resolutly into the distance, “You alone can make my song take flight- It’s over now, the music of the night!”

[textsfromthefifthbasement]

Potober Day 21

Hi, everyone! Here’s the Day 21 Potober prompt: “Little Lotte” - Backstory / Beginnings / the Red Scarf.

Decisions

Christine held her red scarf in her lap. She rubbed her nose and tried to wipe the tears from her eyes. She wanted nothing of any of this—the Phantom’s opera, the manager’s schemes. Life was so much simpler when her father was alive.

Her father. In one sense, she knew she wouldn’t be in the situation she was in now. He had once promised her that he would send her the Angel of Music from heaven. Once upon a time, those stories had brought comfort and hope to her. Now, they brought dread and pain. For that alone, she wasn’t sure she could ever forgive her maestro.

She still remembered the day Raoul had fetched that scarf for her from the ocean—another good childhood memory. And yet, the thought of him made her want to cry all over again. After wanting to use her as bait, could she trust him again?

She stood and wrapped the scarf around her neck. She needed to talk to her father.

[roosie121]

What about: Raoul and Christine, right after the final lair? (You pick what version!)

Anything, I repeat--anything--for you, my dear @catcorsair <3

This has always been a prompt that has infatuated as well as perplexed me. Naturally, I have always found myself torn on the psychological turmoil our young lovers would find themselves in following the events. Writing this (especially with you prompting me) made me quite nervous, but I hope I have done it justice.

And, for technicality’s sake, this is a take on Kay’s final lair.

- - -

Raoul would not halt in his pursuit of escape.

The dress was heavy--unbearably so--and she repeatedly tripped over the mass of skirts in her struggle to keep pace with the Vicomte. His clammy fingers gripped at her wrist, keeping her in place even as her legs ached and longed for respite. It was entirely possible her repeated backward glances hindered their escape; her heels dragged into the stone flooring, and her eyes beseeched a man she knew she would not find behind them.

“Raoul, please,” she gasped, her hand lamely shooting out to the wall as if it would aid her.

“We cannot stop,” he panted, without so much as shooting her a glance. But finally, he did slow, his foot catching on the top step of the third cellar, and then met her eyes, guiltily once he saw the exhaustion painted in her complexion. His own were wild and bloodshot, reminiscent of the horror he had been subjected. There was a sheen of sweat glowing upon his forehead, beads collecting at his fair mustache and dribbling down the veins of his neck. A reddened rash had spread down his chest, where he had tore the buttons in a desperation to escape the heat.

Shame reddened Christine’s ivory cheeks, such that she was forced to look away from the pitiful man. It was her fault he was in such an enervated state; her sins against the man were colossal.

She would wed him, and yet it was he who would suffer greatly, for he would never fully comprehend the limitation of her heart.

“I cannot breathe,” was all she could say, but it was no longer simply because of the snowy mass that encompassed her small frame; she was unsure if she had fully swallowed a breath since Erik had whisked her from the stage.

In a gentle, almost shy gesture, the young man lifted his hand to ghost against her gaunt cheek, stroking the smooth flesh. “Forgive me, Little Lotte,” he begged, and the desperation in his voice was enough to break even the sturdiest of hearts. “I had only wanted...well, I had only ever wanted to protect you...” He inhaled sharply, as his focus settled on the gash upon her forehead, the self-inflicted attempt at escaping Erik’s maddening aria. “And it appears I have failed.”

At this, her own hand lifted to cover his own, her fingers curling into his palm and holding it tenderly. “It is you who must forgive me.”

Raoul said nothing, but a soft kiss pressed to the palm of her hand was reply enough, before he continued back up the staircase. Only now, he was conscious of his beloved’s restriction, and moved slower, preventing her from tripping. But he could not possibly have known what he was meant to forgive her for.  

It was only when they reached the top that Christine spoke again, summoning him to a halt. “You may leave me if you wish. I would harbor no resentment; it would be entirely understandable, after all I have put you through.”

Two soft hands, that had surely never seen a day’s hardship, settled on either side of her head, forcing her to look at him. He was so sickly; it was a miracle he had not yet collapsed. “Do not be absurd,” he scolded, a thumb stroking away a teardrop threatening to fall.

The sob had been growing in her throat for ages, and she could no longer suppress it. With a cry, she fell into his arms, and though he stumbled and had to slap a a hand to the wall for support, he held her.

“I’ve merely rescued a red scarf.”

- - -

This is probably the fluffiest R/C you will ever see me write...but I do love those love-sick puppy dogs ;)

I hope you enjoyed! Send me prompts as you see fit; I have basically nothing but obsessing over Phantom to occupy my days. 

[paper-chain-queen]

Sweet ‘N Spicy Goodness

Bakugou X FReader

Rating: Teen... because it’s Bakugou and he swears :p

Words: 2,000+

I loved the Lotte x Bump Of Chicken animation by Studio Bones and thought of this little one-shot. Please look it up on Youtube if you haven't seen it, it's super cute

Summary: Bakugou goes to the store to pick up his favourite chocolate bar, he ends up crushing on a U.A student in the process.

A blonde boy stomped his way into a convenience store to grab a small snack. He wasn’t in his usual area, and he was more irritated than usual as it had started to get cold. 

The winter cold was making it harder for him to sweat, which made his quirk less effective and thus making it nearly impossible to train for the upcoming U.A entrance exam.

“Fuck this cold. It’s fucking freezing..”His hand reached for the last hot pepper-infused chocolate bar. Regular chocolate bars were too sugary but this one was spicy which made it perfect in his opinion. Bakugou’s hand grabbed the red-packaging and half- a second later another hand with long, orange nails dropped next to his.Bakugou felt a shock go up his body as he turned his head, ready to tell whoever it was to ‘fuck off.’ As he turned to look, he felt his words get caught in his throat.

“Oops, sorry.” The girl’s voice was like a melody he had never heard. Her lustrous hair was slightly peeking out from the oversized scarf she was wearing, he wasn’t the only one feeling the cold. She had a bright smile and large eyes that seemed to draw him in, and he noticed a red camellia tucked into her hair.She stood maybe a head taller and said something else before removing her dainty hand from the chocolate bar and grabbing a different snack.

The girl gave him another bright smile before walking away towards the cashier, a bounce in her step. The girl was too cheery with the man behind the counter for Bakugou’s taste, giving him a friendly goodbye as she headed out the store, the greenish skirt of her U.A uniform swishing around her thighs as she quickly evaded colliding with an incoming customer.

“Wait, dammit… U.A- !” Bakugou realized where the girl went to school was exactly what he was aiming for and tried to run after her, not really knowing why, but he lost her in a crowd. He stood in the middle of the sidewalk, letting out a large sigh, his hot breath in the cold air creating a soft cloud.

“Pft.. whatever… not gonna worry about some extra..” Bakugou decided and hunched his shoulders forward as he stuffed the chocolate bar into his pocket, hurrying home to get out of the cold.He would see her at U.A when he got in. Not that he cared if he ever saw her again.

Time passed, Bakugou got into U.A but he hadn’t seen the mystery girl around. So much had happened since the convenience store meeting. 

There was the USJ incident. The fall of All Might. Moving into the dorms. Bakugou failed his hero licensing exam and had to take a course. He had been a drummer at the U.A school festival. Yes, U.A kept Bakugou very busy but now and then he still found himself wondering where the annoyingly cute girl who liked spicy hot pepper-chocolate was.

Bakugou was back at the convenience store, nestled into his scarf, cursing about the cold as he reached out for his regular spicy chocolate bar. Seconds after his hand grabbed it, another hand reached out and laid their soft hand over his.The hand didn’t move, just stayed there and softly held his.

Bakugou looked over and it the girl from the last time. His world felt hazy, the edges were all airbrushed out, and she stood in the centre, clear as day, and she was as beautiful as the first time he saw her. The U.A uniform looked perfect on her before, and that hadn’t changed. Her skirt was even a little shorter, and Bakugou caught a small peak of soft skin above her thigh-high black stockings.He couldn’t believe his luck, he had come to this convenience store multiple times, but this was the first time since the initial meeting that he had seen her.

The explosive boy had tried to find her at U.A, but he didn’t know her name and was too proud to go around, giving people a detailed description of the girl who enjoyed the same chocolate as him.

She smiled coyly and had blush on her cheeks as she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.Bakugou was no longer shorter, he had grown and now towered over her. The ash-blonde boy smirked at her, feeling cocky over the way she smiled and blushed. He let go of the chocolate bar and held hand in his. It fit perfectly in his.

“ I- I was thinking about you… I couldn’t take my mind off-” Her soft melodic voice was cut off, and he felt hard fabric wrap around his head.

“Bakugou!”

“Huh?” He was in class, being glared at by his homeroom teacher.

“Fall asleep again, and you can take a nap in detention,” Aizawa informed him, causing the others in class to laugh.It was just a dream. Bakugou had been dreaming…

“What? did you stay up past 8:30 last night, Bakugou!?” Teased Kaminari.

“Die.” He threatened, and the class only laughed at the antics.Bakugou leaned back and looked out the window, winter was on its way, and all the tree’s on campus were bare, a slight layer of frost covered the window.

The class went on, and soon it was lunch, and he was surrounded by his usual crew.

“Yo, check it out, (y/n)-senpai is with Gang Orca’s agency!” Sero shoved his phone into Kirishima’s face, who grabbed the phone and seemed to be excited over the news.Red eyes wandered over to the phone screen as he shovelled hot curry into his mouth, and when he recognized the girl in the tight-fitting catsuit smiling with the top ten hero, he choked on his food.Kirishima hit him on the back to try and help him while Kaminari and Sero laughed.

If Bakugou hadn’t been so caught up in the fact he finally had a name for the face he had seen in his weird and unwanted daydreams, then he would threaten to end their lives for laughing at him.Mina handed him a glass of water while Kirishima asked what was wrong. What they didn’t know was that Bakugou was actually over the moon.He had a lead.

Bakugou silently ate the rest of his lunch while the others at the table talked about (y/n)-Senpai. She was a second-year student in Class 2-B and was already making headlines in the professional hero world.

Her quirk: Mother Nature. That explained the red flower nestled in her hair.Kirishima even showed him a video from the recent event where she created a massive serpent-dragon out of vines and trees, controlling and making it move as if it was alive and capturing a villain in its wooden jaws.Bakugou was now more determined to find her and challenge her to a fight.He was sure he would. He was Bakugou, the best, the future number one hero. He wouldn’t let himself be intimidated by some girl.

Even if she was pretty and had a pretty awesome quirk.

“Hey Bakugou, we’re gonna stock up for game night, want any snacks?” Kirishima asked as everyone packed up their school bags, excited for their weekend.

“I’ll get it myself, Shitty Hair.” The group headed off school grounds together, and Bakugou shoved his hands into his coat pockets, trying to keep warm.

“Fuck, it’s cold out.”The group of friends walked along the road and came upon the local convenience store that lots of U.A students frequented.The bell rang as they walked into the store, and Bakugou went straight to the wall that was decorated with various types of chocolate treats. His hand reached out for his favourite hot-pepper infused chocolate bar, it’s flaming red packaging standing out on the shelf.As his hand reached for it, another gloved hand bumped into his, and his heart raced, his crimson eye’s looking over, hoping to see the girl who had been on his mind.Instead.. he was met with Sero’s broad smile.

“You like this one too Bakugou?! I’ll rock-paper-scissors you for it.” Sero offered, and Bakuou simply growled and just took the chocolate bar from the shelf for himself, marched to the cashier, paid for his stuff and stomping out of the store to head back.The days were short, so the night had fallen, and neon lights decorated the street.

As he walked along the road, he could hear his 'squad’ calling his name and catching up to him. By chance, he looked up and froze on the spot, causing the guys to ask him what was wrong, but Bakugou just stared ahead.There you were, walking along with some friend of yours. She must have been telling you a joke or something because you were laughing, a bounce in your step as you walked. You were sporting the U.A uniform but had a thick green scarf wrapped around your neck and hair, a red camelia tucked behind your ear.You were stunning, and Bakugou felt his body go hot, his palms sweating profusely as he stared at you despite the cold air.

“Bakugou?”The explosion boy didn’t wait any longer and ran straight towards you, not thinking about his next move, but he didn’t want to miss this chance.

All you saw was someone running up to you, and your friend and your hero instincts flipped on as you took a fighting pose, ready to protect your friend who was in the support program at U.A.Instead of starting a fight, Bakugou came to a screeching halt in front of you and huffed and puffed as he stood there. His breath creating soft, fleeting clouds in the cold air.Crimson eyes met yours and stayed like that for a while.

“…Oh! I know you.” You giggled, and your friend just looked to for answers, and you grabbed onto her sleeve and shook it to get her attention.

“Remember, the cute boy who beat me to my favourite chocolate bar.”  You reminded her and Bakugou’s face erupted into a red that matched his eyes as he heard that you had thought of him.

You had talked about him…. and called him cute!

Bakugou couldn’t help but celebrate in his mind, stoked that he had stood out enough for you to tell your friend about him. And while he didn’t stand tall over you, he appeared to now and at least be the same height.

He was still a growing boy. He knew he had time to grow taller.

You spoke to your friend, and she said she needed to head home for dinner but expected a text later, wanting to know how this all ended.

He rushed to grab the chocolate bar out of his pocket and held it out to you. He couldn’t even look at you as he did, choosing to look to the side, only peeking after a moment that you still just stared at the chocolate bar.

“Well?! Take it already!” He snapped, holding out the bar closer to you.

“Oh! Thank you.” She smiled and took the bar, a small blush on her cheeks. She unwrapped the red paper revealing the silver foil and snapped the bar in half.

“Here, for my cute kohai.” You offered him the other half, and Bakugou couldn’t believe how you had somehow gotten prettier than the last time he had seen you, and he felt this smile was unique, just for him. His recent fantasies of you fell short of the real thing.

“I’m a second year in the hero course at U.A., class 2-1. (L/N) (Y/N), nice to meet you…” you were still holding out the other half of the chocolate bar to him.

“C'mon bro, introduce yourself already.” Kirishima was nudging him, annoying him.

“Fuck off already!” He yelled at him and got even more embarrassed when he realized how he was acting in front of you.But you just giggled, a small blush on your cheeks. He hoped you couldn’t hear how quickly his heart was racing.

“Bakugou Katsuki…” He told her while grabbing the chocolate she was offering.

“ (L/N)- Senpai! Do you like video games?” Asked Mina as she bounced up and down and grabbed the girl’s hands.

“I do, I’m not very good, though.” you laughed at the pink girl’s energetic self.

“That’s okay! It’s just for fun anyway, plus this group has wayyy too much male energy. I’m dying for a girl to join.” Mina was practically begging you to join.

“ If you don’t mind then, I’d love to join.” You said, and you looked over to the cute ash-blonde boy who had been quiet. Bakugou Katsuki was a boy you had been curious about for a bit, and you couldn’t help be excited about finally meeting him.

“Maybe I could be your player 2?” You winked at Bakugou as you said so, and he felt his heart go 'boom.’

“What are you losers waiting for then!? It’s fucking cold out.” He yelled as he turned around to hide his red face as he stuffed the entire half of the chocolate bar into his face and then jammed his hands into his pockets, marching back to the school dorms.

“He’s kind of a funny one, isn’t he?” You giggled to the others in the group, and they all laughed nervously, even they weren’t sure what to make of Bakugou’s strange attitude.

“ Yeah… but he’s a really good guy.” Kirishima insisted, getting the feeling that his best bro had a crush, and he would do what he could to help.

“Yeah, I saw his performance at the summer festival.” You gushed, and Kirishima worried that the sports festival might be a poor example of what Bakugou was like.

“ He’s really not that bad…” He started, but you were quick to cut him off.

“I thought he was amazing, the way he used his quirk was so versatile, and his determination to take the number one spot was admirable.” You explained, Kirishima noticed a small blush on your cheeks as you tucked a bit of hair behind your ear. Maybe you had a crush on Bakugou as well?

“Oi, flower girl!” Bakugou yelled, pointing his finger at you.

“Flower girl?” You asked, pointing to yourself and tilting your head slightly. The act made Bakugou curse in his head. You were unfairly cute, and it was making his teenage brain go crazy. Bakugou had waited a year to meet you and wasn’t going to let you waste time on 'extra’s. He wanted you beside him.

“Don’t walk with them! Walk with me.” He grabbed you by the scarf and dragged you along. Kirishima shook his head at his friend, hoping you weren’t the type to be scared off by this behaviour.

All you were thinking was that this seemed to be the beginning of a very fun, but oddly sweet relationship with a little bit of spice. Just the way you liked your chocolate bars.

[artanogon]

107 with Wulf and Ulf, please?

here u go! 

~~

Wulf was feeling down. His final paper for his criminal justice class had been a complete flop and earned him a failing grade, he was alone for the holidays, and his longtime girlfriend had just broken up with him. So now he sat aimlessly on the dorm couch as the snow flew outside, scrolling through social media for the second hour in a row. Hal and Stig were off on a romantic getaway at the lakehouse, and almost all his friends were at home enjoying the winter holidays. It would have been just him and Ulf, but now even his brother had gone off somewhere. Wulf was left staring at the walls and lonely. He missed his friends. He was tired of being alone. 

The front door opened with a burst of cold air and snowflakes. Winter was in full flush, and Wulf was still cold even with two layers of sweaters and the thermostat up. 

His brother poked his head through the doorway, grinning, his red hair covered by one of their sailing team’s beanies. “Hey, asshole, what’s new with you?” he said cheerfully. 

Wulf grunted in reply, scrolling through the same Instagram feed for the fifth time. The smile faded from Ulf’s face and he walked in fully, shaking the snow off. Wulf pointedly ignored him until Ulf flopped down on the couch, squishing him against the cushions, and whacked the phone out of his hand. “Come on. You’re being mopey. What’s going on?”

“Nothing,” Wulf grumbled and made a futile grab for the phone. Ulf tossed it to the other end of the couch. “Why’s it matter anyways?”

“It matters, you brainless moron, because you’re not normally sad, and I care about you. Dumbass.”

“I’m just…” Wulf shook his head. “I don’t know.”

His brother shifted, putting his arm around Wulf’s shoulders. “Do you wanna talk about it?”

“Kind of? I’m just… kind of lonely, I guess. All our friends are away, and my girlfriend decided she was tired of me, which is really great, and I don’t know anymore. I miss people.” He shrugged helplessly, feeling irrationally teary. 

Ulf watched him for a moment, frowning, then sprung back up from the couch. “Alright. That’s it, then. I’m replacing Frolla’s perfume with hairspray. Remember when we pulled that prank on Lotte?”

Wulf gave a small giggle despite himself. “I thought we were going to die.” He paused, then sniffled. “It was kind of funny. I even miss her by now.”

His brother pursed his lips, then dragged him up by the arm. “Come on. We’re going to go to the grocery store.”

Wulf blinked. “Why?”

“Because we’re getting snack supplies for a movie night. You, me, popcorn, a two-litre Dr Pepper, and a movie. You in?”

The abrupt, kind gesture caught Wulf a little bit off guard. Their team rarely had movie nights, and their family had never really had any times where they hung out, certainly not anything that self-indulgent. And yet, Ulf had cared. He had offered, and was even willing to make the trip back out into the cold for it. 

So Wulf grinned at him and snatched the keys up from the side table. “Hell yeah. We are not getting the cheese seasoning, though.”

“That’s the food of the gods! You have horrible taste.”

“No, I’m pretty sure you do.”

“I do not, and furthermore, shut the fuck up. Where’s my scarf?”

“It’s my scarf now.”

“Hey! Give it back!”

~~

prompt list!

[karmaholmes221]

Vicomte de Phantom

The love story of Raoul and Christine is timeless, how they overcame everything to be with one another, but there is much more to their story than that... there was another woman, Raoul's first wife. The first Vicomtesse de Changy. And she was just as much a part of the story as any other character.

Part 3- After the Gala

I walked with quick steps behind the now closed curtain as I made my way towards the crowd of girls gushing around Christine as she handed each of them a flower from her bouquet. Reyer stepped forward to stiffly give his approval before marching off to speak with the orchestra.

Madame Giry walked over to me and took my arm with an air of familiarity, leading me through the group to the center where Christine was standing, eyes still bright with excitement. “Yes, you did well. He will be pleased.” Giry said calmly. I glanced at her, surprised by her obviousness in the statement. She seemed unworried about it though as she turned to the dancers, her voice becoming sharp. “And you! You were a disgrace tonight! Such ronds de jambe! Such temps de cuisse! Here we rehearse. Now!” She snapped, banged her cane, and whisked the girls away to rehearse, keeping time with her stick.

I smiled toward Christine and gestured for her to follow me. We slowly make our way down a small hall just off the stage. I glanced behind me to see Meg Giry following us closely. I brushed this fact off and came to a stop at a door. Out of nowhere, a familiar voice rang through my ears.”Bravi, bravi, bravissimi.” I paused, taking a deep breath before continuing as if I hadn’t heard it.

I motioned Christine to follow me and opened the door stepping inside and moving to let her into the dressing room. I followed her in as she looked around the room, leaving the door open, allowing Meg to come in and close it behind her. As the door clicked shut, Christine whipped around to face Meg and a look of relief crossed her face.

Meg gave her a winning smile and rushed forward to take her hands. “Where in the world have you been hiding? Really, you were perfect! I only wish I knew your secret! Who is this new tutor?” She asked eagerly.

I felt a shiver run up and down my spine as I glanced around, searching for the eyes I felt on me. Christine seemed to feel them as well and quickly gazed around the room before turning to face Meg again. “Father once spoke of an angel. I used to dream he'd appear. Now as I sing, I can sense him. And I know he's here. Here in this room he calls me softly. somewhere inside, hiding. Somehow I know he's always with me. he the unseen genius.”

Meg gave the other girl an uneasy look “Christine, you must have been dreaming. stories like this can't come true. Christine, you're talking in riddles. and it's not like you.”

Christine didn’t show any sign that she had heard her, grew ecstatic. “Angel of Music! Guide and guardian! Grant to me your glory!”

Meg began speaking quietly to herself. “Who is this angel? This…”

Their voices molded together to form one. “Angel of Music! Hide no longer! Secret and strange angel.”

Christine’s voice turned dark. “He's with me, even now.”

“Your hands are cold.” Meg said, bewildered.

“All around me.“ Christine said, her voice shaking slightly.

“Your face, Christine, it's white.”

“It frightens me.”

“Don't be frightened.” Meg quietly comforted.

The two girls shared a look as Christine began to calm down. There was a bang as Madame Giry brought her cane down in front of her.” Meg Giry. Are you a dancer? Then come and practice.” She said before turning and heading out the door.

Meg followed her mother and joined the other dancers. I turned back towards Christine, holding up the parchment in my hand. “My dear, I was asked to give you this.”

I handed her the letter that my husband had written quickly and sent back with me. Christine nodded and smiled at me in thanks. I turned to pull open a drawer on the vanity, pulling out a hair brush, leaving the newest prima donna with her thoughts. I paused as I heard Christine read quietly to herself. “A red scarf. the attic. Little Lotte.”

[raoulstinefanfiction]

Coming out of hibernation to rec some fics for your social distancing needs

Because just because YOU have to social distance doesn’t mean Christine and Raoul do!

She Was Bound to Love You by KChan88  (21,413 words, rated T) (ongoing)

What if Raoul de Chagny was a woman? A series featuring the major events (and a few things in-between) from the Phantom of the Opera, with a gender-bent, lesbian Raoul (and a bisexual Christine). ALW based, with Leroux elements.

Viscount Addams by aldonza (5803 words, rated G)

You know the story of Little Lotte and the boy who rescued her red scarf from the sea. This is not that story. 

convalescence by degasballerina (7468 words, rated T and up)

When the ghost sets them free, Raoul and Christine's troubles do not end. Raoul's health rapidly declines, with only Christine to care for him.

Like a Postcard by madame_faust (5,365 words, rated G)

Christine and Raoul enjoy a warm springtime afternoon and she wonders whether her affection for her childhood friend might not be something more.

I Shall Never Marry by degasballerina (13703 words, rated T and up) (ongoing)

Christine Daaé never left Perros, and at age twenty seven, her unmarried status makes her an object of curiosity and scorn among the village. She refuses to give up her independence, dividing her time between teaching music lessons and looking in on her closest friend, the deformed caretaker of the villa where she used to play with Raoul.

Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny never forgot Christine Daaé, as hard as he tried. A widower after his wife died in childbirth, he refuses to enter another relationship, believing himself to be cursed. Stifled by the gossip of Parisian high society, he decides to take his five year old daughter and move to his aunt’s old house in Perros, the last place he was truly happy.

When the two childhood friends meet again after twelve years, their self-imposed pledges to remain alone forever wavers. They both know they can never be anything more than friends, but it’s agony to try to stay apart.

[anecdotal-acorn]

Raoulstine Week 2022 Day 5: Family

Another year. Another whole year since Father died. The sun will shine today, Christine can tell by the light airiness of the clouds. She wakes up early to get ready. She dons her favorite dress and her red scarf, and she kisses a still-sleeping Raoul’s hair before leaving.

She walks to the Perros graveyard, it being too early to get a driver for a carriage. Besides, she likes the fresh air. She always loved to take walks with Father in the mornings, when they would mimic bird calls while the sun rose.

She holds her flower bouquet as gently as she can, though her hands are shaking and all she wants to do is grab it tightly, she’s so scared. Well, scared isn’t exactly the right word, is it? It’s been another year. She can survive without him, and she’s been to his grave before. But sad can’t be the right word either-- sad doesn’t even begin to describe the ache in her heart that will never truly go away, no matter how many years pass.

She kneels by the headstone and leaves the flowers. Daae. A curious name indeed. Father was a curious man. There was no one else like him. Almost always happy, yet deeply bothered by the hardships of others. Almost always playing music, yet spending whole hours in silent thought just after reading the paper. Almost always full of life and laughter, yet suddenly gone.

Still, Christine bets he would be proud of her for making it another year. She no longer relies on her pain. She lives in love instead of in grief. Christine is sure he would be proud of that. He lost her mother before she could even know her. And he still loved with all his heart, telling fond stories of her but never losing sight of his daughter.

Christine is surprised to find she isn’t even crying. How strange. All she feels is numb, and there’s not even much cold to speak of.

She’s numb until she feels a warm hand on her shoulder. “Are you alright, Little Lotte?”

She nods at Raoul, reaching to place her hand on top of his. “That’s the strangeness of it all. I’m not whole, but I’m no longer broken.”

He puts his other hand on her other shoulder. “Because you're strong. Just like he knew you would turn out to be.”

She nods again, and still doesn’t cry. As they sit in silence for the rest of the morning she wonders if part of the reason she is no longer broken is that she has love. Her father moved on from her mother’s loss with the help of his daughter. And she can keep moving on with the help of her forever friend.

[account-archived]

Brightest Star // Day one of Roulstine week

Some of the fondest memories Christine has of her childhood take place on the grass outside of her childhood home, dim moonlight illuminating the rickety front porch as she sat side by side with her sweetheart. She would often wear her red scarf in these moments- the red scarf Raoul had once rescued from the sea, a garment she would never part with from that moment onward. Her golden brown curls would blow wildly around in the autumn breeze, her button nose turning red with cold. In these moments, Raoul would silently marvel at her beauty until he could feel a warm blush creeping up on him, prompting him to direct her attention elsewhere. Many nights, he would point at the stars above and they would spend hours gazing at the patterns and making up their own constellations until Christine grew tired and eventually fell asleep with her head on his shoulder. One night when there were too many clouds in the night sky for any stars to be visible, Christine had heaved a sigh of disappointment and the boy beside her pulled her closer, his lips brushing her ear with a soft, confessional whisper. "You are the brightest star. Even when the others are hiding, you shine so beautifully."

That sweet phrase had stuck with Christine for years. Through her father's death when everything seemed so dismal and bleak, through her time in the opera house, through the darkness and fear and shame that surrounded her, she would remember those words and feel a sense of hope and resilience. She was a star that would shine even on the darkest night, and she would find her way even when she was lost and afraid. But there was another bright star. There was another source of guiding light that helped her find her way. There was Raoul.

Three weeks after escaping the opera house, she finds herself still waking from nightmares, still tormented by the man who had claimed to be her angel of music. Every night she would wake with chills, and every night Raoul was there at her side, just as he had always been. Her curls clung to her ivory skin with sweat, hands shaking and breath caught in her throat, and yet she was still so beautiful to Raoul. Even in her frenzy, even in fear and despair she was still so beautiful to him. "My Christine-" His voice is a soft whisper, steady hands grasping her thin shoulders to pull her close to him. "Little Lotte, don't cry. I'm here."

Raoul is the one thing that has remained constant in her life, the one source of comfort and safety. It does not take long for him to sooth her from the night terrors, it does not take long for him to remind her that she is safe. It does not take long because she trusts him. He is the light that guides her in the darkness, her sense of direction and her security. Every night she wakes from these dreams gasping for air, sometimes crying out for her father. Every night Raoul comforts her, stays awake with her until he has chased her fears away. Every night he is prepared to battle her demons. Every night he is there beside her to remind her she is loved, and every night she whispers to him,

"You are my brightest star."