#raoul and erik both sucked in their own ways

[leviathansbiggestkinnie]

Bella from Twilight and Christine from The Phantom of the Opera both just need therapy and not a love interest

[birdstooth]

In your universe, is Christine dating both Raoul and Erik or is she trying to enjoy her single life and keeps getting wrapped up into the boys’ nonsense (sometimes on purpose)

Me vamping for 30 sec bc I never actually thought about this….😳😬

I (and my extension, my universe) am just a humble servant and vessel for the bit, so the reality of the situation depends on whatever leads to the most humorous outcome 🫠

(Edit to add a cut bc I didn’t realize how long this got)

So for real tho I think she started out just wanting to live her best life but got sucked into the opera drama and the gravitational pull of these 2 idiots and she’s too sentimental and kind to cut ties plus they are both endearing in their own ways haha.

Uh but I guess Christine and Raoul are in a courtship or whatever (not quite going steady, but they would have taken down their respective tinder profiles) and Erik is in Schrödinger’s friendzone lmao like Christine is aware of his feelings but her sentiments range from exasperation, to fondness, to exasperated fondness to ????

She doesn’t want to abandon him bc he can be so uwu 🥺🥺🥺 so she’s like, “well the best thing for everyone would be for me to help my dear ‘friend’ Erik become a better person”!!

And conveniently this situation allows her to keep him in her life and spend a lot of time helping him be “good” without having to make an official decision about their relationship status.

(Although she doesn’t really seem to have a clear lesson plan… like, will teaching him how to do income taxes really improve his moral character or is it just an excuse to sit together on the couch for extended periods of time looking at “financial documents” that he probably forged anyway??? 🤔🤔🤔)

Irl I’m the person with the “I side-eyed Raoul BEFORE LND!!” bumper sticker (lol jk, I don’t drive) but idk if in the doodle universe Christine and Erik will be a real couple outside of his daydreams bc my brand of humour is more “poor fool he makes me laugh (but also sympathize with his plight)”, so I will leave that sort of thing to the fic writers haha

[darealbellabelleoftheball]

A Child for Christmas

This is my Contest submission for @notaghost3 ‘s 5th annual POTO Holiday One shot challenge.

It was inspired by @hop3isaprison ‘s art. And was edited by the lovely @obesessedwbeautiesandbeasts . Thank you both and I hope you all enjoy.

                                                        ~~~

Her white heels clacked a sharp staccato beat against the pavement. Her breaths coming in little shivering gasps. Though she knew he had been told not to follow her, she worried he might go against what his parents said.

Her hands held her skirts while she ran. She didn’t know where she was running to at first.

It was not like she could go back to the opera. That’s the first place he would check.

But she had not been in Paris long enough to know where to go. She needed someone to talk to...

She stopped suddenly. 

A dangerous plan had formed.

She resumed her pace, steps more sure, as the snow gently fell around her. She shivered wishing she had thought to grab a wrap before leaving the church. 

Her bare arms were freezing. If only she had thought to buy a long sleeved wedding dress!

Then again, she didn't think she’d be running from her groom when she woke up this morning.

Hell, she thought the nausea was just pre-wedding jitters. Until about two hours before the ceremony, when she lost her breakfast.

                                                      ~~~

“Christine? Are you alright?” Meg’s timid voice reached where Christine sat on the tile floor of the little bathroom.

Christine groaned, “Meg are you alone?”

“Yes.”

There was a sound as the door unlocked.Meg opened the door to a sobbing Christine, in a pool of her own white wedding gown. Christine sniffled forlornly.

“Are you okay? Did you eat something bad?” Meg asked gently.

 “No... Meg I did something bad.”

Meg closed the door and locked it, crouching down to get a better look at her friend.

“What did you do?”

“I.... I did... Erik.”

Meg blanched and slid down the wall to join her friend on the floor.

She was silent for a few moments before exclaiming, “Erik, crazy Erik? Your stalker?”

“He’s not crazy! He was just lonely.” Christine replied defensively. 

Meg nodded, slowly. 

“So you... slept with Erik?”

Christine hugged herself and sniffled loudly.

“You slept with Erik...and now you’re throwing up.Wait! Wasn’t that whole business at the opera about six weeks ago?”

Christine's bright blue eyes were full of tears, “I missed my cycle Meg.”

“You... Shit... Okay. I’ll get mum to stall without going into detail.”

Christine chuckled lightly. “Meg it’s your mother.”

“Right...”

She ripped the sleeve off Christine’s dress.

“Critical dress emergency!” Meg exclaimed before leaning forward, and kissing Christine on the forehead, “Stay here, open the door for no-one and I’ll be back with a test.”

Twenty minutes later as Christine sat in the dark, locked room crying softly. A soft knock made her jump.

“I’m back, let me in.”

Christine opened the door and pulled Meg into a hug. “Oh meg!”

Meg patted her back, and smiled, “You’re going to be fine, this might not even be what you think it is, but if it is, I support you no matter what happens, okay? I’m not going anywhere. Now, do you want me to wait outside or stay in here with you?”

“Stay, please! I need the moral support.”

Twelve minutes later the two women stared at the little device in Christine’s trembling hands.

“Dear lord.” Christine groaned, her face pale.

 “Congratulations.” Meg smiled lightly.

“Heavens above what am I going to do?!”

“Do you love him Christine?”

“Who? Raoul? Of course I love him. He’s my best friend. I mean, he has been acting off lately, but I bet that will change after we get married.” Christine smiled, but Meg could tell it was fake.

“That’s all well and good, but I was talking about Erik.”

“Erik...” Christine blushed, thinking back to their first kiss. 

“Pity, Love, How can one tell the difference?”

That haunted face flashed back into her mind, the ferocity of that man, the tenderness...

Christine took in a shuddering breath, and placed one hand on her stomach, “It’s different with him than with Raoul.”

Meg nodded in understanding.

“Raoul is safer.”

“Exactly. Less... volatile.”

It was certainly the truth. After the incident at the Opera, Raoul had withdrawn himself. There was now hardly a spark left between them. Merely a sense of duty. As Raoul had given her his word.

His parents were none too happy about that. 

“Well, I think you should tell him.” Meg spoke softly, bringing Christine out of her thoughts.

Christine nodded, “Yes. I suppose that would be the right thing to do. We’ll have to postpone the wedding.”

“If he even still wants to marry you.”

Christine blinked in shock.

Meg sucked some air in through her teeth. “Sorry that wasn’t helpful.”

                                                    ~~~

Christine shivered as she came nearer to the little brownstone townhouse.

And as she reached the familiar door, she rose to knock on it, but hesitated. 

Could she handle being twice rejected in one day?

Gathering her courage she knocked.

“One minute!” A familiar voice called.

“Yes how may I hel-” The Daroga blinked at her. “Christine?!”

“Hello Daroga.”

“You should not be here... especially not today... Not on the day of your wedding...” 

It was then that he seemed to put the pieces together. Glancing at the streaks of mascara-tears that fell down her face. 

“What’s wrong?” He whispered, almost afraid that his voice would carry up the stairs to the man who had locked himself in his room. 

“I- I’m pregnant,” Christine found she could not meet the man’s warm green eyes.

“Then you really should not be here...” The Daroga looked over his shoulder and up the stairs.

Christine let out a disgruntled sigh, “The child is not Raoul's.”

Nadir frowned, 

“Then who...” His eyes nearly bulged out of his head. “Oh I see! Come in. I’ll fetch him for you. ERIK!”

Christine Jumped.

“What do you want you great booby?!”

Nadir smiled through grit teeth, “One moment please mademoiselle.” 

He scampered up the stairs as Christine awkwardly shut the door behind her.

The warmth of the house met her chilled skin and she shivered again, not of cold. But of fright.

 If Erik reacted like Raoul...

                                                    ~~~

“Christine! I’m not supposed to see you before the wedding. It’s bad luck.” Raoul smiled tightly.

Christine took in a shuddering breath, “I’m afraid my dear that it’s too late to change our luck...”

“Is something wrong?” He frowned.

She nodded, and did not meet his eyes when she announced, “I’m pregnant.”

Raoul frowned, 

“But... We haven't...” 

He blushed,. “How... how far along are you?”

“It’s Erik’s...” She answered the question he dare not ask.

Raoul’s stance changed. He paced the room like a caged tiger. 

“Are you sure?”

“Of course I’m sure! How many people do you think I’ve slept with!?” She hissed.

“Well, I certainly don’t know now do I?!” 

He pinched the bridge of his nose and sat down on a couch. 

“I’ll marry you. We can pretend the child is ours. I won’t let you go through this alone. Or... Well, there is another option.”

“What?” She frowned, something in her gut telling her this would not be a pleasing answer.

“Abortion.”

“I’m not getting rid of my baby!” Christine gasped.

“You’re forgetting that it’s that monster’s baby too!” Raoul snapped. “Besides, don't look at it that way. This is our chance, to wipe the slate clean.”

“Monster?”

Raoul merely glared.

“If the child is a monster what does that make me?”

“You went to him, willingly?”

Indignation caused a flush across her skin.

“And what if I did?”

He looked her up and down in disgust.

“Alright, if that’s how you really feel, then I won’t force you to marry me.”

“Christine...”

“No, Consider me no longer your problem.” 

“I can’t do that, ” he replied, grabbing her arm hard enough to leave a bruise.

“Enough, you can’t always be my white knight Raoul. Let me go! ”

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“I’m going home.” Christine sniffled

.

“No. You are already a part of this family. You cannot leave with all the reporters here... just stay here I need to talk to Philippe. Perhaps you will see reason when I return.” He growled, storming past her.

“Raoul!” Christine shouted. 

But the door closed between them and Raoul locked her in.

“No... No. No!!!” Christine exclaimed. 

“Let me out Raoul! This isn’t funny! RAOUL!!!”

 She slapped the door with her hands and tried to knock it down with her shoulder, but only succeeded in giving herself a bruise.

Finally as her panic grew, she spotted the window. 

She threw up the sash and let the cool winter air caress her skin. As her panic died down she noticed the tree.

“No way in hell I’m sticking around here.” 

She placed a hand on her stomach, “We’re not staying where both of us aren’t wanted.”

And with that, Christine climbed down the tree and began to run.

                                                      ~~~

Erik’s eerie yellow eyes glared at the Daroga from the darkness of his room.

“What the Devil do you want Nadir?” he hissed.

“There’s a young lady here to see you.”

“What???” Erik exclaimed.

 Christine froze in terror as she heard her angel’s voice.

There was a sound of a scuffle and soon a very ragged looking Erik arrived at the top of the steps. 

“Christine?” he breathed, every inch as starstruck as when he had first met her.

“Hey Erik, ” she whispered.

Her blonde hair hung in ringlets, framing her angelic face. The white gown only made her glow further.

He was down the stairs in an instant, but caught himself from touching her.

“Is this real?”

“Yes.”

She took him in, he had barely changed, besides the fact that he was not wearing a suit. Instead he wore just a simple white dress shirt, though for some strange reason he still wore his cloak. His mask showed his thin macabre lips, and Christine blushed as a fire stirred in her stomach. 

He took in a deep breath and pulled himself up to his full height. Like a wounded animal trying to appear threatening.

He cleared his throat, eyes like storm clouds. 

“Why have you come here?” his voice thundered. 

“I’m pregnant,” she replied, in a tone more confident than she felt.

“Congratulations... So you’re here to torture me further?” he snapped. 

“I beg your pardon?” she gasped.

“Your little man must be very happy. So why are you here with me and not him, eh?” he fairly snarled.

“You know for a genius you really are intolerably stupid!” Christine replied, crossing her arms over her chest.

He growled in response.

“Erik the baby is not Raoul's.”

“What?” Erik frowned, deflating a bit.

“It’s our baby.”

Erik froze. Statuesque. 

“How.... is this possible?”

“Well, I’m pretty sure you were there Erik...” Christine sassed. 

“I’m gunna go make that tea...” Nadir muttered leaving them in the parlor.

“Should we have a seat Erik?”

He nodded mutely as Christine led him to a love seat in the parlor. 

“I just found out today.” She admitted.

 Erik slowly seemed to be coming to his senses. “Are you sure, it’s not his?”

“It’s not his, you were the only one... I... Well, you know.”

“Oh...” He crossed a leg over his knee, and puffed up like a bird displaying plumage. 

“I just found out this morning, I was pretty shocked myself.”

Erik nodded again. 

Ayesha walked into the room and hissed at Christine.

 Erik shushed her, and the cat climbed up possessively onto his lap.

“Your wedding was this morning,” Erik remarked, absently stroking the cat.

“Yes, I just came from the church.”

“Well that explains the dress.” he replied.

“Raoul knows.”

That caught his attention.

“Oh? And how did that go?” he leaned closer to Christine and the air was electric around them.

“He got angry...”

A smile crept up Erik’s face.

 “He locked me in the room and went to get his brother. I climbed down a tree, and... well here I am.” 

Erik’s face fell and his hands clenched into fists.

“Bastard,” he muttered.

 “Erik...” Christine whispered.

He looked back up to her with a bright smile, “Yes?”

“I want to let you know I don't expect anything, but I’ve decided to keep the baby. I just thought you had the right to know. I’m sorry I didn’t know where else to go.”

“You’re always welcome here my dear. I... uh, this is a lot to process.” Erik shook his head. 

“Of course we’re keeping the baby... why wouldn't we?”

Christine burst into tears again. Erik gathered her into his arms as she cried. Nadir walked into the room. He set his tea tray down on the coffee table.

“The de Cagney's probably don't want a scandal, did they say something to you Christine?” Nadir asked gently. 

She nodded into Erik’s chest.

 “Raoul suggested... abortion.”

“I’ll kill him.” Erik announced.

“Erik, no!” Nadir and Christine chorused. 

“I just need... Some support. I understand this is a lot, but they’re probably out searching for me now, and Meg was supposed to meet up with me...” Christine took a shaky breath. 

“If it’s support you want, you got it,” Erik nodded firmly.

“Yes, we’re here for you Christine,” Nadir acquiesced. 

Christine and Erik suddenly jolted apart as Christine’s mobile went off.

Ayesha bolted from the room.

*~Nina pretty ballerina who could ever think she could be this way?~*

“Meg?”

“I’m so glad you have your cell on you. The whole church is topsy-turvy looking for you right now. Care to fill me in?”

“I’m at Nadir’s place.”

“Oh. Oh, is Erik there?” 

“Yes. I’ll text you the address.” 

“Oh crap! Tine I have to go. I’ll be right there. I have your location.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I think I’m being followed.”

“Damn!”

“Hide!”

*~Beep~*

“What’s wrong?”

“Meg is on her way, but I think the de Chagney’s are not far behind.”

“I know what to do,” Erik announced.

                                                    ~~~

Christine, Erik, and the Daroga stared into the closet.

“Erik,” the Daroga remarked, “Is there any particular reason you have a false back to your wardrobe?”

“Now’s not the time Nadir,” Erik reprimanded.

Nadir sighed and turned to Christine, “We’ll be right back. Just sit tight.”

Erik extended his hand to help Christine into the dark wardrobe.

There was the familiar jolt of electricity between them just as Erik went to shut her in. She grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him in for a quick kiss.

Nadir blushed as Christine made Erik swear on his music that he would not harm Raoul.

“Yes, I promise Mon Ange.” Erik blushed.

                                                     ~~~

Meanwhile, Meg pulled up to the house in her sporty white convertible. The Sleek black car pulling up behind her. 

Meg hopped out of the car and with the grace and speed granted to her by her art, was able to evade the people who followed behind her. 

She raised her hand, but before she could knock on the door was pulled inside by Nadir, quickly shutting the door behind him.

“Mademoiselle Giry,” he purred.

Meg blushed, “Monsieur Khan.”

He smiled slightly at the petite blonde, “I see you brought company.”

“Yup nothing like the de Chagney's to liven up a party.”

A predatory growl issued from the stairs, where Erik blocked the way.

“Hello Erik.” Meg squeaked.

He nodded coolly.

 Meg jumped again, still in Nadir’s arms as a pounding sounded on the door.

“Let me in! I demand to see my bride!” Raoul exclaimed.

 “You’re not in a position to demand anything right now!” Erik shouted back. 

“Erik,” said the Daroga, a man who had dealt with such things far too often for his liking.  “Go to the living room and sit the hell down.”

Nadir gestured to the living room with a meaningful glance at Meg.

Erik huffed in annoyance, knuckles clenched and white as he led Meg to the parlor.

A fake Christmas tree sat unassembled on the floor. 

“So. you and Christine, huh?” Meg asked awkwardly, sitting down in a chair near the fire. 

Erik’s ears turned red.

                                                         ~~~

Meanwhile at the door.

“Let me in!” Raoul hissed.

“Raoul, you know you can’t be here right now.”

“I know she’s here!”

“Who?” Nadir asked.

Raoul beat his fist on the door and shouted through it, “You know damn well who!”

The Daroga opened the first door leaving the screen door shut.

“Miss Daae?” he asked boredly.

“Yes!” Raoul puffed like a walrus. His mustache moving with the air expelled from his nose. “Don’t play coy. I know she’s here, why else would Meg Giry come here?”

There was a pause.

.

Nadir arched a brow at Raoul, “Mademoiselle Giry is here to see me monsieur, not that it’s any of your business.”

Meg’s pretty brown skin flushed, and despite the situation Erik had to bite back a chuckle.

“Here to see you?” Raoul frowned. 

“Well don’t look so shocked!” Nadir sounded genuinely upset.

Erik raised up a hand to cover his masked mouth. 

“What? You think that just because I’m older than you, women don’t find me attractive?!”

“That’s not what I-”

“Oh I SEE! So it’s because of my race?! You have a problem with mixed race couples? This isn’t the 1800s anymore, MONSIEUR!”

“I beg your pardon!” the Viscount exclaimed. 

Erik was doubled over in his chair now.

“But if you really need to see proof sir... Meg, darling?” Nadir called into the living-room.

“Yes!” Meg exclaimed, pulling herself together enough to play her part. 

“Come here please.”

“What is it, love?” Meg asked, walking into the parlor. 

“Meg, are you really with Nadir?”

She linked her arm with Nadir’s and frowned disapprovingly at Raoul.

“That’s certainly none of your business.“

“Well, then have you seen Christine?” Raoul asked.

“No, I haven't seen her, In fact, I came over here to talk to Nadir about it... I just...” 

At that moment the sound of a woman crying reached Erik’s ears.

“Meg are you okay?” Raoul asked.

 “Where could she be? I checked the Opera house, I checked nearly everywhere at the venue. The only place I could think of her going would be her father’s grave. Or maybe she left the country, but I don’t understand, why would she leave you at the altar?!”

At this moment Erik could bear it no longer, he had to see Raoul’s face.

 He got up and strolled to the foyer, fixing his hair and straightening his suit on the way. 

“And just what is all this fuss about?”

The fire in Raoul’s eyes nearly made him break into a smile.

“Erik,” the Viscount growled.

“Bonsoir, monsieur. How may I help you?~” Erik smirked.

“You crazy son of a-”

“Hey now!” Nadir exclaimed.

Meg scurried back into the living room as The Daroga held Raoul back. 

“Should you not be with your wife right now?” Erik growled, with a venom that shocked Raoul.

“Perhaps,” the Viscount thought, “She really wasn’t here.”

“Yes, I should. Bon Nuit,” With a cold nod, he spun on his heel and left.

Meg, Nadir and Erik, Crowded around the window as they watched the de Chagney clan drive off in defeat.

“Where is she?” Meg demanded.

                                                          ~~~

Christine was shaking when they opened the false back to let her out. 

Tears streamed down her face.

“Meg!”

“Tine!” 

The two women embraced as the Daroga morphed into mum mode.

“When is the last time any of you have eaten?”

“This morning,” the girls chorused.

Erik grunted noncommittally. 

“Alright I’ll order pizza.” Nadir replied.

The group trouped down the stairs, and as Nadir went to order, the others went into the parlor. 

Erik drew the curtains closed as the light from the sun had already faded anyways, and flicked on a light switch as the girls sat down on the couch.

Erik frowned at the tree and started to swiftly assemble it.

The girls spoke to each other softly. 

“So were you ever planning on telling me?” Meg asked, as they watched Erik’s confident movements.

 “What?” Christine asked.

“Were you planning on telling me that you and Erik got together?” Meg asked, 

Christine could tell she was a bit hurt.

“I’m sorry, Meg. Not really, I just... I was confused. I didn't know what to do. And after Raoul and I started courting, well, it didn't take long for me to find out that he was no longer the boy I fell in love with. He started being belligerent. Seeing other women. Drinking,” Christine sighed.

“Of course I’m not saying I’m faultless. But... I’ve always known what I was, and where I stood with Erik.” 

The girls  both glanced at Erik, who had wound the Christmas lights into a noose, quite subconsciously. 

“That’s one of the things I love most about you, Erik,” Christine remarked. 

His head turned, and his golden eyes snapped to hers.

“No games,” she clarified.

He nodded, “No more games.” 

He set the festive noose down on the ground and rushed out of the room and up the stairs. Taking them two at a time.

Meg frowned in confusion at Christine. Christine shrugged with a little giggle.

“He’s an odd duck...Though his friend is quite handsome...”

Christine gasped as she looked towards the kitchen where Nadir could be heard talking on the Phone. 

“Megan!” she exclaimed with a playful swat at the ballerina’s arm.

“What?!” Meg replied.

There was a rhythmic thudding, much like the sound of a heartbeat, as Erik moved down the stairs.

The girls looked up at Erik in shock, but before they could ask what he was doing, he had already knelt in front of Christine. 

“I want to do right by you and our child. I swear that I’ll never leave you. You are my home, Mon Ange . My offer from all those weeks ago still stands.” With that he pulled the ring box out of his pocket. 

“Will you consent to being my living bride?”

Christine gasped as he continued. 

“I may not be the best father, but I promise that I will strive towards that goal. I’ll never stop learning what I can to help you raise this child, and I have no doubt that with you as it’s mother, and the help of our friends this child will be fine.”

Erik opened his mouth to say more, but Christine smiled and took his trembling hands in hers 

She blinked back tears.

“Yes. I’ll marry you.”

Such joy Erik had never felt before. His heart nearly burst.

 Meg and Nadir clapped, as Erik slid the ring on her finger and she pulled him towards her, taking off his mask, turning him away and pulling him into a long kiss. 

The happy group finished decorating the tree, and many celebrations were had.

Christine with the help of the Daroga, got a restraining order against Raoul, who ended up being convinced by his family to give up on Christine, and married a countess to extend their fortunes. 

But what seemed like only a few short months later, a child was born. He was named Gustave, after Christine’s deceased father. As he grew so did his musical genius, much to the great joy and contentment of his father.

Erik soon took to not wearing his mask around the house. Nadir and Meg, and their children really didn’t mind. Christine and Gustave certainly didn’t.

So you see they all lived quite happily. Except of course for Raoul, Whom, Erik was very confident, got his just desserts. 

                                                     The End.

Thank you all for your time!

[phantominsertsandmore]

Modern Pregnancy Series 4/

Celebrating

A/N Smut/Smut lite 

Erik-

You were in the shower when you felt his arms wrap around your waist and his lips against your neck. You hummed softly in appreciation and tilted your head to the side slightly to offer him more access.  He pressed closer and trailed the kisses lower, kissing the back of your shoulder and nipping lightly. "What brought this on, Erik?" You asked softly, biting your lower lip to muffle your soft sighs. He didn't answer right away, letting his hands roam. You pressed yourself back into his touch, surrounding to him without hesitation.

"Mm. Do I need to have a reason? Perhaps I just want to please you." Erik drawled in response. You didn't question him any further. That seemed to be as good of a reason as any. He rested a hand on your stomach and slid it downwards slowly, giving you plenty of time to stop him or back out. When you didn't, he simply slid his fingers between your legs, rubbing your clit gently. You moaned and leaned your head back against his shoulder. After a moment or so, he slid a couple fingers inside you and curled them. You were thankful that he had his arm around your waist because you were pretty sure your knees would buckle.

You realized that it wasn't exactly fair to let him do all the work, so you reached down and wrapped your hand around his dick. You started stroking it and he almost immediately pressed his hips against your hand. It would seem that both of you would need another shower by the time that you were done.

Raoul-

You had laid down in bed, not expecting much to happen. Not even after Raoul had joined you and wrapped his arms around you from behind. But after a few minutes, his hands were wandering and he was grinding against you firmly. "Oh...I hadn't realized you were in the mood." You drawled teasingly, pressing back into him and welcoming his antics.

"When am I not when it comes to you?" Raoul shot back, the question both rhetorical and teasing at the same time. He eventually slid a hand into the band of your pajama pants and pulled them down. You lifted your hips to help him. The same thing was done with your panties. He stopped long enough to lean away and pull down his own pants, the lack of stimulation causing you to whine slightly.

"Hold on. I've got you, sweetheart." He murmured softly, kissing the side of your neck. It wasn't too much longer until he slowly slid inside you, thrusting just as slowly but making sure he could go as deep as possible. There would be nothing rushed about this and neither of you really cared.

Meg-

Meg shifted so that she was on top of you, her face towards your feet and her feet near your face.  You'd gotten naked awhile ago, and after much arguing over who would be the dominant one- you decided that sixty-nine-ing would be the best bet.

Meg had been hesitant about being the one on top but you’d assured her that it would be fine for now. Rather than do what she knew you wanted her to, she decided to tease you by kissing and nipping at your inner thighs.

“...Ah. You want to play. Alright.” You drawled. You pulled her back slightly and immediately buried your face between her legs. You lapped at her and sucked on her clit. Her sweet moans filled the air and when it really seemed like she was enjoying herself, you stopped. Meg whined and made a small sobbing noise.  

“Fine! I’ll stop teasing you! Please just continue!” Meg begged and You smirked, immediately returning to what you had been doing. She seemed a little lost in pleasure for a moment before she spread your thighs and proceeded to begin giving you the same treatment.  Sometimes Meg was so easy to break and you loved it. In the sexual sense, of course.

Christine-

Christine had you laid out on the bed, completely naked. Despite how it seemed most of the time, your girlfriend was actually quite dominant in bed. Even then, she was quite gentle about it. In a way, that was the way you preferred it. Though, every once in a while, you would take control and pleasure her. Switching kept it fun and enjoyable.

She was naked right now as well, searching for the strap on and the lube. Once she had found it, she returned and joined you on the bed. She clipped the strap on around herself and hovered over you. She reached down to gently nudge your thighs apart so that she could settle between your legs. She lubed up the strap on and positioned it, leaning down to kiss you as she eased into you. Christine stopped when she was completely inside you, resting her hands on your breasts and pawing at them gently. "Tell me when you’re ready, gorgeous.” she husked gently.

You squirmed beneath her slightly, your hands grasping her hips lightly. The feeling was something that you always had to get used to, mostly because the dildo was big. Pretty soon the feeling became pleasurable and soft moans left your lips- both from the attention to your breasts and the friction your squirming was causing. “Christine, please.” You begged, your words failing you.

“Alright, baby.” Christine soothed, immediately beginning to move. Her strokes were slow and deliberate. You wound your arms around her and pressed your lips to her neck- both to muffle your moans and nip at her neck. You were intent upon marking her up.

[thewriterinthebatcave]

So, I read The Phantom Of Manthattan

In its entirety. @baepsyche had tried to dissuade me, she did her best, but I wanted to wade through the sewage that book is by myself and form my own opinion on it. I mean, I had a very clear image of how bad it would be when I heard @lindsayetumbls give the rundown in the Musicalsplaining episode of Love Never Dies, but I had no idea how bad it could actually be!

TL:DR The book is a mess that makes no sense as a sequel to whatever, nor it makes sense on its own because of how it’s structured and written. It sucks, it’s poorly written and isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on. Love Never Dies is a fucking masterpiece worth of all the awards for musical theater out there in comparison.

I mean... I’ve read bad books in my life. Once upon another time I handled a blog dedicated to poor literature - both printed and online - I’ve read my big fat share of bad literature, I binged on the Fifty Shades trilogy but Sweet Jesus Christ POM makes 50 Shades look like high art! 

Let’s start from the beginning, shall we?

1. Too many POV characters. There’s like... the Phantom, three different journalists two of which are there for one chapter alone and never return, there’s the priest, and a couple more I forgot. But... WHY? Why so many different POV characters in a book so short I literally finished it in a couple half hour long sessions? WHY? It makes no sense from a narration standpoint, it’s crowded and confusing and voyeuristic! Also, never including Christine’s POV you diminish her character to a paper thin token. Also, where’s Raoul?

2. Speaking of which, Raoul. Poor guy, the book shits on him from chapter 1 (the only barely readable chapter of the book), and by doing so right in the beginning the “big reveal” of Pierre/Gustave true parentage feels more of a “captain obvious” joke rather than a “I would have never guessed!”. Not that it is such a grand plot twist in Love Never Dies I mean, but Jesus, not like this! 

3. Yeah, speaking of that. People shit on Love Never Dies for “Beneath A Moonless Sky” and the sex scene that never was, but this is way worse! At least the song gives you a context, a moment you can at least imagine what the hell happened and maybe even why, but here? Nothing! They don’t even TALK about that, let alone explain to the reader that those two had sex! What the fuck! Pierre just happened to be born and Raoul never even questioned his parentage! Or maybe he does, he just doesn’t care since he fullfills the nobility’s expectations of a male heir, who knows. HE DOESN’T SAY ANYTHING RELEVANT IN THE WHOLE BOOK! No wonder in LND they turned him in the abusive alcoholic, they had no material to build on in this... thing. 

4. The Phantom and the backstory. I appreciate the fact that they tried to give him a past, and I really liked the fact that Forsythe took his time to even give at least a fraction of time/place context to the original book that hasn’t one by figuring out Leroux had a post-electricity Palais Garnier in mind, but the backstory for the Phantom... I’ve read more interesting fanfics. I haven’t read Kay’s Phantom, I have it but I haven’t started it yet so I can’t make comparisons, but seriously, I’ve really read fanfics retellings of Erik’s past more imaginative and fleshed out that this book.

Which leads me to...

5. Satanism? Really? Satanism? Of all the shock cards Forsythe could have dropped on the table, Satanism? Listen guys, I’m a metalhead, I listen to stuff that people have called “the music of the devil” (classic rock, blues and jazz included) for the past fifty years on daily basis, one of my favourite songs of all time is Emperor’s “Inno A Satana” which literally means “Hymn to Satan” in Italian. My parents were scared to death when I started dabbling in heavy metal because of the whole “satanism” thing, I know my shit about satanism (I actually have done my research), and let me tell you that shit is old. Like, dusty and moldy old, not just not fashionable, it’s such an old story no one finds it so shocking anymore. So... WHY? It makes no sense, drives no point in the story, it’s a damn McGuffin that isn’t even relevant anymore! It wasn’t at the time the book was published (the whole trial to Judas Priest, Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne had happened like... 10 years prior the book was written so... meh) and I really hope it will never be again because... seriously... nope, it’s stupid and pointless, why on Earth it was used as a plot device I have no fuckin’ idea. 

6. Darius. Dude has no backstory, no descriptor except his greed and “devotion” to money and wealth. Oh and he smokes hashish. That’s it. We’ve got no other data on him. Jesus Christ, for the antagonist of the story he surely is kind of... bland? I mean, he’s non existent! Such a cop out, like really... WHY! At least Meg falling for the Phantom and getting all jealous crazy makes a teeny tiny bit of sense, but this guy? Bland, children’s book cutout satanism aside, which is a terrible choice of moving force for reasons above, the dude himself is so terribly fleshed out (ID, he isn’t) that his motivations are unclear at best and laughable at worst. You are the Phantom’s face in the world, he has so much money that if you start putting a side a grand here and a grand there he wouldn’t notice, you have power to make deals in his behalf, why don’t you just get the money and go? Have you learned nothing by working with the Phantom? Can’t you make your own money and become filthy rich yourself so you can honor your damn god  on your fucking own? Don’t you think your god would appreciate more you making your own wealth instead of pigging on the Phantom’s back and take only morsels of his own wealth? Fuck this book is a mess. 

7. Christine. I mean, she’s rarely there, for the time she is she’s either a hysterical mess or a an angel on stage, and she is supposed to be the reason everything happens. In reality, it looks like everything happens in spite of her. She has no power on her own, she’s like a piece of wood floating in the sea during a storm. 

8... No, I’m not going further with this. I could shit on this book for the whole day, but I have other things to do, better things to do. 

I’m going to wash my eyes with bleach now. 

[glassprism]

Since you're also in other fandoms, are there any ships/pairings you like? Who's your favourite pairing in POTO? Who are your favourite characters (from POTO to all your other fandoms) and why? Ooh, here's a rather unusual one: who's your favourite side character (name one for all your fandoms!) and why?

Yeah, definitely! Though whether some can be counted as actual “ships” is debatable, as you’ll see in a bit.

For Phantom, my favorite “ship” is the love triangle - E/C/R. Not in a polyamorous, threesome way, but one where I love the dynamics of the characters, the way they affect one another, the ways Erik and Raoul are similar and different. So it’s not quite a “ship” in a traditional sense where I want characters to end up with each other, but more in the sense that I like to explore and analyze them.

As for other “ships” or pairings, I’m just going to list, like, every fandom or random-ass thing I’ve ever loved in semi-chronological order (time to go back to my middle school fandoms!). Under the cut for length.

Harry Potter: Sirius Black and Harry Potter. I adored the godfather-godson bond between the two (absolutely no romance; I clicked on an mpreg fic of the two when I was but a wee lass of twelve and it scarred me): how Harry was the last living reminder of Sirius’s best friend, whose death he still feels responsible for; how Sirius is the parental figure Harry wanted, how they were never able to be happy god damn it Rowling. (You can imagine how much my eleven year old self cried when I read the fifth book. Oh boy, the tears.)

Star Wars: Vader and Luke. Again, totally familial, father-son relationship only. (Speaking of scarring experiences, I once stumbled on a romance fic between the two, where yes, both of them were still father and son, and I have that summary etched into my brain permanently.) The way Vader obsessively hunts down Luke, the first emotional connection he has had with a person in literal decades! The way Luke has just ached all his life for a father figure, to the point where he will take a homicidal Sith lord if that’s who he is! How he never gives up on trying to redeem him! How Luke is right. Loud screeching.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Will Turner and Bootstrap Bill and Will Turner and Henry Turner. More sad father-son dynamics (you may be noticing a pattern here). Repeat what I said with the Star Wars relationships, only with more pirates and less homicide. (And way more parental abandonment guilt.)

Halloween: Michael Myers and Laurie Strode,  remake universe. Yet again, no romance, just a severely messed-up brother-sister relationship. I can’t begin to tell you why I like the horrific relationship between a serial killer and the little sister he was so obsessed with he ruined her life, completely traumatized her, and ended up leading to her death, but I do. Maybe it’s the dark obsession aspect of it, that in the midst of all his murders, there’s still one person Michael Myers longs to have a connection with, the baby sister who represented total innocence in his mind. Maybe it’s the “what could have been” aspect too, as Laurie never recognizes him or realizes their connection until it’s far too late. Maybe I need to re-examine my life choices. I’ll figure it out someday.

Bat Boy The Musical: Bat Boy/Shelley. Yes, this is a romance; yes, they are half-brother and half-sister, yes, you can get on me about this, but in my defense how about you watch the musical and NOT come out of it shipping these two against all your better instincts.

POTO: E/C/R, as stated above and for all those reasons. Oh, and you know what - The Phantom and Gustave from Love Never Dies. Can’t get away from those father-son ships. I actually care about that relationship than E/C or R/C in LND (maybe because both E/C and R/C suck in the sequel so what else am I going to latch onto).

Batman: Listed here, but my heart really lies with three ships. Jaytim is the first: it’s the whole “angry woobie destroyer of worlds who hates everyone meets seemingly well-adjusted and cheerful individual who is secretly hiding their own issues” dynamic. Bane/Talia from The Dark Knight Rises is the second. Doesn’t matter if it’s familial, friendship, protector and protectee, or romantic, I eat it up, and to be fair, it’s never explicitly stated what the relationship is in the movie. All we know is that the two grew up together in a hellhole prison, probably dependent on and solely trusting only one another, and that bond continues even after they leave, and not even death will make them leave one another. Finally, we have Jason Todd/therapy from the Arkham games. Because the poor guy needs it.

MCU: STEVE/BUCKY (aka Stucky). This ship (again, could be friendship or romantic) dominated my thoughts for four years. Steve’s fish-out-of-water status! Bucky’s horrific imprisonment under Hydra. The way the two find each other after and the angst. The fact that Steve refuses to kill Bucky and, even after seventy years, succeeds in breakthing through to him because their connection runs that deep. The fact that Marvel just ruined this relationship so now I have to rely on fanfic. Oh yes, and I also slowly fell into the Kastle ship (Frank Castle aka The Punisher and Karen Page). Another “hardened killer with sad backstory who connects to idealistic young woman with hidden darkness” dynamic.

Terminator: T-800 aka “Uncle Bob” and John Connor. Returning to sad father-son dynamics, I have this from Terminator 2. A robot learning emotions! A boy learning to take his place as a leader and all-loving hero. The bond they form, partially because the T-800 will do nothing else but protect John and partially because John has no father-figure of his own, so his robot bodyguard will do. THE ENDING.

ASOIAF/GOT: I actually have very few ships from here other than Arya/Gendry (and only when they’re older) and, weirdly, Theon/Sansa from the show. The Gendrya ship is just cute, it may well be the most wholesome ship on here, while Theonsa has shades of Stucky in it, I suppose, given that Theon has been tortured so badly he can barely remember his own name, until Sansa turns up and reminds him enough that he breaks out of it to help her.

Favorite characters from each of those:

Harry Potter: My favorite characters from here are probably more side characters, so I’ll just say Hermione Granger. Her focus on academics, fear of failure, and conviction that the library holds all the answers, felt all too reminiscent of myself.

Star Wars: Darth Vader,  no contest whatsoever. Cool mask, cool cape, cool lightsaber, and the absolute worst life one can imagine.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Interestingly, Will Turner. Yeah, I guess Jack Sparrow is cool and Elizabeth is absolutely awesome to watch and has the greatest change in the series, but oh-so-serious Will, with his deep loyalties and slow slide into moral ambiguity because of those loyalties, fascinates me.

Halloween: Laurie Strode, all versions. My favorite final girl, my survivor of trauma (except in the remake, where, well, she doesn’t survive). Also, her daughter in the Thorn trilogy, Jamie Lloyd, the most tragic little girl to walk across a horror movie screen.

Bat Boy The Musical: Ah, wow, haven’t thought about this. I guess Bat Boy and Shelley, more by default than anything.

POTO: Christine Daae, no contest. Love her character, love her arc, love her songs, love her costumes.

Batman: Listed here.

MCU: Bucky Barnes (unless he counts as a side character), but I also love Steve Rogers, Natasha Romanoff, Karen Page, Elektra Natchios... and I’ll leave it at that.

Terminator: John Connor. (There’s a reason I haven’t watched Dark Fate yet... or ever.)

ASOIAF/GOT: Three of them! Daenerys Targaryen, who I love because she tries so hard to rule well, who is so observant and cognizant of the things going on around her. Then Sansa Stark, who makes such astounding growth, who retains her empathy and compassion throughout, who is capable of startling perception and insight which most others underestimate. And finally, Cersei Lannister. She’s terrible. I love her.

And favorite side characters from each of those:

Harry Potter: Sirius Black may well have been my first fictional crush. But Remus Lupin is the kind of person (and teacher) I aspire to be.

Batman: I swear, depending on the comic series or movie, everyone is a side character. I’ll just link to my old ask again.

Star Wars: Batman syndrome all over again; every character in Star Wars might be a side character elsewhere, and every side character gets to be the main character of their own comic, book, movie, etc. Erm... I really liked Rose from the sequel trilogy and Chirrut Imwe from Rogue One. I find Mara Jade from the Legends universe fun to read. WAIT I GOT IT - Queen Amidala’s handmaidens from Episode I (Sabe, Rabe, Eirtae, Yane, Sache). Highly trained in both politics, decorum, and weaponry, able to be utterly nondescript or the Queen’s decoy at the drop of a hat? I love.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Hmm... you know what, I thought Syrena the mermaid was pretty cute.

Halloween: Rachel Carruthers! Your typical girl-next-door but well done and with a touching relationship with her foster sister. I will die mad about her death in the fifth movie.

Bat Boy The Musical: Uh.... I’ll get back to you on this...

POTO: Carlotta is super fun.

MCU: Oh heck, Dottie Underwood. (My taste in female characters goes like this: a) intelligent and observant, 2) sweet and compassionate, 3) batsh*t insane. She’s the third.)

Terminator: Not sure how much of a side character she is, but Kate Connor. Wife and second-in-command to John Connor, able to heal wounds and kick butt depending on what the movie requires.

ASOIAF/GOT: I’ll probably think of someone else, but you know what? Queen Rhaenys Targaryen, younger sister and wife to Aegon the Conqueror, whom he wed out of desire. Playful, spirited, loved to fly, sponsored musicians, initiated reforms for the smallfolk, what’s not to love? (Apart from one possibility of her death... but we don’t talk about that.)

[summercourtship]

I was literally just thinking of Erik and Heathcliff in relation to each other last night. Please compare them. I need it in my life.

CAN DO ANON. CAN DO. Disclaimer: I haven’t read the Phantom of the Opera since I was in 6th grade, which was… a while ago so my facts from the novel might be a bit blurry but I promise I’m doing my best to fact check big things. 

Both characters exemplify the idea that if you are cruel to someone their entire life- especially over something they cannot control (i.e. being deformed [Erik] or the color of their skin/cultural background [Heathcliff]) and especially from childhood- they will not grow up into well rounded and compassionate individuals. (this is the main comparison that strikes me)

Both characters are awful people. Does this need to be said? They suck. 

Unrequited (?) love. We know Christine doesn’t really feel anything but pity towards Erik, but Catherine is a fun box of “what the fuck is the girl thinking at any given time please send help”. Catherine, at leasts, admits that she and Heathcliff are, essentially, the same person. (Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.) Christine, however, does not hold this same amount of affection (again… questionable) towards Erik.

Are they “”redeemed”” in the end? (Redeemed is in very loose quotes here) Is Erik giving up Christine a redemption, as he no longer sees her as an object to possess but a being of free will who doesn’t deserve to be trapped in a loveless marriage? Is Heathcliff dying and getting to wander the moors with Catherine’s ghost a redemption

Raoul and Linton. We really hate pretty boys who are essentially harmless, yeah? Both of them deserve better than to be hated on because Heathcliff and Erik couldn’t get their dicks wet.

Dying in a pretty damn dramatic way (”of love” in Erik’s case… of “i’m fucking ready to see Catherine again im so tired….” in Heathcliff’s case)

I’m sure theres more points here but I can’t do too much more without having either of the texts on hand (I don’t own Phantom and both my copies of WH are at home currently) and without going on for too long… But yeah, mainly the point about treating people like shit will make them be shit. 

[hearthouses]

for the fandom meme: A, D, L, O, W!

Your current OTP.

Forever and always Seth Gecko/Richie Gecko. 

I could gush, but I feel like I would embarrass myself and everyone else. They’re basically an OTP packaged and made for me in that they’re symbiotic codependent assholes who only function well when they’re together and when they’re together, they’re terrifyingly brilliant and in sync in a way that feels like muscle memory rather than practice. I love how even when they’re fighting, when they’re angry and resentful of each other, this fact is unchanged, they fall in line and work together like a well-oiled machine. And the fact that they are the happiest when together and that they choose each other whenever presented the choice, well—again, made for me. I’m still obsessed after five years.   

What was the first thing you ever contributed to a fandom? 

I will take this at literal face value and tell you about the first fic I ever posted! I was a small fourteen year old and I was obsessed with The Phantom of the Opera and I wrote a fic wherein an Original Character (probably a self insert type of deal, if I’m being honest) gets thrown back in time to the world of The Phantom of the Opera, but it was kind of a mundane AU in that Erik was legitimately teaching Christine as her music teacher. My OC was playing matchmaker between them and was also paired with Raoul de Chagny because I thought Patrick Wilson was a babe (he’s still a babe, tbh). An older fan took pity on me and offered to beta my work because she thought my idea was interesting and not something she’d seen before. I eventually took down the fic, but I still have the chapters I wrote in old ass wordpad documents. I keep everything I’ve ever written, I have a graveyard of dusty old WIPs scattered across various USBs and google docs. 

Your favorite fanartist/author gives you one request, what do you ask for?

I wish I could name fanartists by name, but I suck and generally know them by their work. Mostly I just wish that we’d attract more fanarts to the From Dusk Till Dawn fandom so I could have more fanart. I don’t have anything particular in mind, I just wish I could draw so I could make my own. There’s only so much I can do with graphic making and some of the stuff in my head requires artistry skill I just don’t have and makes me sad. 

Choose a song at random, what ship does it remind you of? 

I am at work, so I am using my Pandora stations and I put them on shuffle and I got Kiss With A Fist by Florence and the Machine—which is a Seth/Richie song to me, especially during the S2 arc where they’re both desperate to pretend the other doesn’t care, but they do and it’s kind of expressed with violence. I am still working on a fanvid for them to that song actually. 

5 favorite characters from 5 different fandoms.

Let’s play and game and guess what my favorite archetype with this set of five: 

Kisa in From Dusk Till Dawn

Maeve Millay in Westworld

Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy/ Marvel Cinematic Universe 

Sansa Stark in A Song of Ice and Fire/Game of Thrones

Hayley Marshall in The Originals

[kimwexlers-brownhair]

Yellow Rose, Chapter 57

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10695372/57/Yellow-Rose

"Come on, son, kick the ball here!"

"Raoul, don't encourage Gustave to kick balls in the hotel!"

Christine shook her head, laughing lightly. Little Gustave, whose personality tended toward the serious and taciturn for a four-year-old, was now giggling so fiercely he hiccupped as he kicked the football with his spindly legs back and forth to his father across the 5th Avenue Hotel's ornate rug.

Two-year-old Phillippe was whining from where Christine and the nanny dressed him, the youngest child craning his neck to see the game. He was usually the more athletic of the two, evident even at this young age, and his righteous indignation at being left out was palpable.

"Kick ball!" He stated emphatically, staring at his mother with his little brows drawn down toward his brown eyes. "Papa and Gusta kick ball! Philly kick ball!"

Christine sighed. "See what you've done, Raoul? Wicked husband."

Her husband only chuckled evilly. "I'm a stinker, aren't I, Gustave?"

"Yes," Gustave said in distraction, focusing on the ball. Raoul only guffawed.

"There, little sir," Christine said after finishing buttoning up Philippe's sailor suit. "Go and rampage with your brother and irresponsible father." She kissed him on the forehead.

She received an impish grin in return, reminding her of his father. Then he sped off on his chubby little legs, crying out "ball!" as he intercepted a pass between Gustave and Raoul.

Christine now finished getting herself ready, straightening her hat in the hallway mirror. She was becoming in a high-necked lavender dress, with silk trimmings on her hat to match. "You'll be ready to meet us for lunch, then?"

"Sure thing, madame!" Raoul momentarily stopped the game to kiss his wife, making his boys groan in disappointment. "Go surprise Flibbertigibbet, now. Tell her we'll see her in about an hour."

"I will," Christine said, straightening his tie by force of habit. She pecked him on the cheek and then left, casting one more soft look at her trio of darling boys: happy Gustave, wild Philippe, and the oversized one she called husband.

The ecstatically warm imaged stayed with her until she reached outside, then a strange dread filled her bones. She of course looked forward to seeing Meg, but there was a great chance she'd see him again.

Her former Angel.

Marriage, motherhood, and a growing career tutoring children in music had brought a great serenity and tremulous joy to Christine's life. Raoul was now deputy of the Uppsala police department, and had recently passed his detective examination. Although nervous and unsure at first, Christine found herself a capable tutor, combining tricks she'd learned from Erik with her own empathy and understanding, having been so often in the role of the pupil in the past.

But no more.

She raised her head as she walked down the street.

She was her own person now.

And she had people in her life more precious than anything before.

She smiled as she always did when she thought how ironic it was that Gustave should look so much like Raoul's side of the family but resemble Christine in personality, while little Philippe was the opposite. Gustave had her husband's sandy hair and liquid blue eyes, but he was shy, creative, a little moody; he was a practical genius on the piano. Philippe, although he did not yet strongly favor either parent in looks, did have his mother's dark brown curls and expressive eyes. Though he shared some of his brother's serious nature, he was more adventurous, more the leader, just like his policeman father.

Her boys – all three of them – helped Christine stay sane during some of her dark moments. These moments were fewer now and were more quickly dispelled, but still they came on occasion. She resigned herself to the fact they would always be with her, in one form or another.

Otherwise, she was a happy woman. And she felt she'd earned this happiness, which contributed to her satisfaction.

Yet she felt the wintry chill of those dark moods creep into her bones the closer she came to the Metropolitan. Was she truly wise to come? She'd missed Meg like mad, and after getting over her anger that Meg up and left without telling Christine, she had continually urged Raoul for a visit. But then came Philippe, and they had to postpone.

Which reminded her….

She first noticed once the ship reached the dock.

She was a few days late.

And her breasts were oddly sore.

She'd felt faintly nauseous, too, but on the boat she blamed it on seasickness.

Deep inside, she knew the truth.

She was pregnant again.

The thought filled her with a joyful fire, and it was with this flame in her cheeks that she straightened her shoulders and entered the Metropolitan with little fear.

Meg answered her dressing room door in full costume as Odette, the White Swan. She looked like an angelic little fairy, aside from the exaggerated dark eyeliner all dancers wore.

Yet the fairy turned into a crowing bird when she recognized Christine. She flew into the singer's arms then stepped back abashed, giggling out an apology for smudging some of her pancake makeup on Christine's cheek.

"I wouldn't have a hug from you any other way," Christine replied, laughing.

"Where are Raoul and your boys?"

"They'll meet us for lunch. I just wanted to surprise you early. You don't mind, do you?"

Meg squeezed her hands. "Not at all. I'm glad you did."

Christine looked her over. "Meg, you haven't changed a bit. You're still so youthful and lovely!"

"And look at you, regal as a queen, and beautiful!"

Christine laughed. "You're still as sweet as ever, too!"

The friends sat down and reminisced.

"Did you hear about Justine?" Christine asked.

"No!"

"She just had twin girls with that officer husband of hers, Stephen!"

Meg squealed. "I knew she was expecting but hadn't heard that she'd given birth yet!" She'd admitted to herself a nagging wistfulness when her former admirer and rescuer married, but she was glad it was Justine. She knew they'd both treat each other well. "That's wonderful! Have you visited Cecile and Michel's new hotel yet?"

"I have, and Meg, it's so lush! With that perfect view of the bay! Cecile is such a wonderful business manager."

"She always was the smart one among us. And La Carlotta's book, is it still wildly popular in Europe? It's selling like hotcakes over here, to borrow an English expression!"

"Yes, and she's giving about a million interviews a day. She's singing again, too. Makes me almost not mind her negative portrayal of me in that tell-all trash she wrote."

"Oh, you didn't get it as bad as some. I think she's realized over the years you weren't to blame."

"I hope so. I do find it so nice that she's donated half the proceeds to that charity in Piangi's name."

Meg smiled and nodded. She didn't mention that Erik had, under a pseudonym, designed a statue of Piangi that he sent to Sicily, Piangi's hometown. Or that he'd donated all the proceeds to that very charity.

Meg knew that Erik would most likely come up in conversation sometime today, but she would let it be Christine who brought him up first. Meg remembered the promise she'd made Christine.

"Well," Meg announced, jumping up. "Shall I dress and meet you at the restaurant?"

Although Erik reveled in his unofficial consulting position at the Met, which allowed him to once again surround himself with music, art, and the theater, he did often miss the luxury the Paris Opera afforded him where hiding places were concerned. Here he could not just disappear behind a sliding wall or mirror.

He must hide in open.

And so he sat incognito at a table adjacent to Meg and Christine's. He wore his most nondescript costume; a gray mustache and wig with double-breasted suit and heavy coat. Even if Meg weren't so preoccupied chatting away with Christine, Erik wasn't sure she'd recognize him.

As it was, both women were so distracted they paid no mind to the older gentleman watching them from above his coffee cup and newspaper. Erik could watch them unhindered.

Christine.

It had been five years since he'd seen her face.

She was a vision in lilac. Her dress was of a better class than what she wore as a struggling dancer and singer, but not as ostentatious as most other society dames.

His head pounded.

He looked at both her and Meg, radiant herself in a pale pink dress.

The sun and moon were side by side again, each as luminous in different ways.

How did he feel seeing Christine again, just able to hear her angelic voice over the chatter of the other restaurant patrons?

He felt….

Affection. Warmth. An odd pride in her.

But…what else?

There was a time when the mere sight of her face drove him mad.

Now….

An intense melancholy, to be sure, but….

Obsession? Ecstasy? Any desperate longing?

He heard Meg laugh and he shivered.

He felt he did not know himself anymore.

Then Raoul and the two little boys approached the table.

He watched as Meg hopped up and embraced him, Raoul-- more muscular than before, somehow -- picking her up in a bear hug, making her shriek in laughter. She then turned excitedly to the children, presenting them with a toy sailboat and a toy soldier. The younger boy simply sucked on the sailboat and looked curiously around the room, at the various people in their sundry dress. The older one looked up into his godmother's face as if transfixed. He was obviously infatuated with this beautiful young creature in pink with a grin and light in her eyes that made her seem almost as if she were their age.

They all at last sat, the older child scooting his chair closer to Meg, his worshipful eyes never leaving her. Raoul leaned over and kissed his wife on the cheek.

The waiter took their orders and then the group all started talking at once. Laughter bubbled from their table, and the little boys were giddy that their parents were acting just as excitable and energetic as they. The boys bounced up and down in their chairs, and every once in a while Raoul or Christine without even looking would sense when one of their children bordered on going too far in their shenanigans and the parents simply reached a hand out to one of their shoulders or laps to steady them.

People at neighboring tables looked on approvingly, undisturbed by the noise because of how cheerful and contented the group of friends looked.

And Erik at last felt fury rise in him.

In New York Erik had found a chance to integrate himself into society, to blend in with the masses, while still imparting his influence over an opulent opera house.

Yet here he was, sitting at a table alone, watching Meg play with the children of Raoul and Christine, as the couple sat comfortably and serenely together.

Erik was still on the outside, no matter how he'd tricked himself into thinking otherwise.

He looked at Christine's merry brown eyes and felt a tug at his heart – was this a rekindling of his original passion for her and regret at her loss, or regret about what she had once represented to him and no longer did?

He winced at that last thought. No, no, of course she still meant that much to him, for otherwise, what would this have all been for? What would his murders, his heartbreak, his halfway redemption, his dragging the Girys into the secret police and then exile, have all amounted to? A feeling that inspires such upheaval can't just die. It can't.

With her smiling eyes watching Meg turn a napkin into a bunny to amuse the children, Christine reached out a gentle hand to Raoul's, squeezing his.

And Erik almost burst into tears of rage and remorse.