The Phantom of the Opera: A Beauty and a Beast (Guile and Melody)

[Saiyan Princess]

At once, Christine knew that her question had been a mistake. She couldn't believe the pain that she had caused the man that had given his heart to her. "My friend, don't be so saddened. You hated your mother, I never knew mine. She died when I was two years old." She took his hand and kissed it. "Don't worry, you won't have to worry about sleeping on rocks and things. You won't have to worry about being cold anymore. You have friends that obviously love you. One of them just happens to have hurt your heart in more ways than one in the past twenty-four hours." She felt heat on her cheeks as she said this.

 

[Guile]

"I am very sorry, Christine." Erik whispered as she took his hand and placed her lips on it, just after mentioning her late mother. "I'm sure she was a wonderful woman. She would have been very proud of you, I know. You've come so far with singing...you're so talented, so beautiful - the perfect daughter, I dare say." He didn't know how he managed a small chuckle through his embarrassment, but he did. That's when he noticed the flush on Christine's cheeks. "Oh, angel...do not be upset over having hurt me. So many people have hurt me over the years. I thank God that at least you didn't mean to do so. For that, you are most kind." Erik felt the all-too-familiar pain and longing rising in his chest. Then, he thought about what she said. Wait...'friends that obviously love you?' No...surely she does not mean such a thing. If anything, Christine cares for me...as a student would a teacher. Or, perhaps, a friend. She does not love me. At his own thoughts, Erik felt tears beginning to well up in his eyes, but he fought them back, blinking hard and looking away from Christine to hide them from her.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine noticed her teacher's flow of tears. "Erik!" She threw her arms open and practically charged the man with a bear hug. "My dearest, don't cry! I hate it!" She hugged him even tighter, then, she did something that she knew he wanted her to do. "Kiss me, Erik. Love me and don't let go! Pretend that I should fade into nothing should you let go." She kissed him at long last. "Please know that I still cannot decide who I love." Christine let her emotions take over as she stared at his body.

 

[Guile]

Erik couldn't believe what was happening to him. It all came so quickly that he hardly had any time to make sense of it. One moment, Christine was on the other side of the room, the next, her soft arms were wrapped tightly around his body in an embrace. And then,...had he heard her right? Kiss me. Love me and don't let go. This cannot be...I have most certainly heard incorrectly... But then, something happened that Erik had never expected to happen in the entire span of his lifetime. Erik felt the soft, moist, warmth of Christine's lips against his own, causing his eyes to widen with shock and his body to go ridged. After several moments of looking completely lost, he was finally able to process what was happening to him and the tears finally fell from his eyes. They were tears of joy that Erik hardly bothered to notice as Christine was speaking to him again, telling him that she still could not decide who she loved. Something snapped in Erik - something good. It turned him from a timid, anxious boy into a courageous man, but he knew the transformation would only last for a short while. He took advantage of this new-found willpower within him, that Christine's words and actions had inspired. "Oh, Christine, forget all the woes of life. Live in the moment with me, right now. Let your mind journey into my world of music, love...passion. Concentrate only on my love, Christine. Let it surround you. Let it fill you with absolute joy." With that, Erik placed his hands on each side of Christine's face and pressed his lips to hers again in a kiss that was far more passionate than the last. As the kiss continued and he got more brave, Erik let his hands venture down to her shoulders, then grace over her arms.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine let her breath come out soft and quick. Her mind emptied, her heart filled with joy and longing. "Erik, I love you. You have given me every happiness that I could ever want!" As his fingers traveled down her arms, she felt the hairs on them stand on end, her face was a pale pink, her heart palpated against her ribs again. "But, there is one thing that I always wanted that you have yet to give me." She stared into his eyes, one naked, one clothed by a pearly, eerily white obstruction. "Erik, please let me look upon the face of my friend. If you cannot, I will ask Madame Giry and she will tell me." She smiled, trying a tease.

 

[Guile]

Erik, I love you. Oh, how beautiful these words were, especially coming from the voice of his Christine. Erik knew that these words would ring in his ears for a long time, in the exact tone she had said them in. Still, Christine continued to speak - not that Erik minded - but he could not take his lips off of her. So that she could get her words out, Erik had removed his lips from hers and, instead, started placing soft kisses on her cheek and jawline. He even dared to venture down her neck a little ways, but stopped suddenly at Christine's request. Erik's heart sank and, since it had previously been so high up in his throat, this was a long, agonizing fall for him. He reluctantly removed his lips from her skin and stood up straight, looking into her eyes - his own beginning to glaze over with regret. Regret that he could not do for him as she asked. "I...I can't, Christine." Erik whispered, the pain at having to disappoint her was so clear in his tone. "I am sorry but...you would sleep better at night not knowing what I look like under this."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"But, why is it that I give you my heart and you cannot give me my one curiosity?" She laid her head against his chest in defeat. "Will you ever show me? Is it truly that awful?" She breathed softly into his arm. "Will I see the truth one day? Will I have my request?" Her whole body relaxed against him, her arms fell to her sides and her eyes shut for a long time. "I guess I'll just have to find out on my own." She whispered so that, it was possible, Erik didn't hear her. "I come to you ever so willingly, though some things frighten me and you cannot even do that!" She moved away from him. "Why not?"

 

[Guile]

Erik closed his eyes, half in ecstasy and half out of shame, as Christine lay her head against his chest. Her hot breath against the skin of his arm was causing tremors throughout Erik's body, but he did not show it. Besides, he was far too focused on the matter at hand: Christine wanted to see his face. How could he ever promise to show her such a thing? Perhaps, if he explained to her... "Christine, I want to do this for you. You know I would give you anything that you asked me for. I would do anything for you but...I cannot do this. I-it would cause you more nightmares than it would do good. Please," Erik begged her, and you could hear it in his tone, "forgive me. Understand that I cannot show you. It would frighten you more than anything else you've ever heard or seen." He felt torn in half when Christine moved away from him, but Erik forced himself to be strong. If she sees my face...I will have nothing. No pride, no dignity. And, worst of all, I will lose my Christine.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine watched her friend's actions. He was upset that she could never see the true him. But, oh, how she wanted to do so! Still, she could never ask him to do anything that would hurt him. "I understand, Master. You have your secrets, and I have told you everything." She smiled at the man. "Perhaps one day you will trust me to show me so that I may keep your secret. So that you wouldn't be forced to bear it yourself, my friend." She sat down on the edge of the king sized bed. "I understand."

 

[Guile]

"You...you understand?" Erik couldn't believe what he was hearing. Excitement reared up into his chest and a smile came back to his lips. She understood! She was going to let it go! For now. Erik could see that she was still curious. Maybe someday I can show her. No. No, that is ridiculous. She would never accept it - she could never. He went over to the bed timidly and sat down beside Christine, reaching out to her hesitantly and placing his arm around her. He was definitely not used to showing affection to others, not like this. "I don't want to keep secrets from you, Christine. But, in this one case, I'm afraid I must. I would rather bear this secret alone than traumatize you with it."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"That's fine, sir." She laid her head against his shoulder, sighing. "I understand completely." Too tired to think about what she was doing, or, what it would do to the Phantom in return, she let her head slide, brought her legs onto the bed, and laid her head on his legs, smiling. "I just wish you would trust me with whatever you hide as much as you trust that I'll return to you every time I leave." She curled up, her dress now hiding her feet.

 

[Guile]

Erik's heart was breaking at the idea that Christine thought he didn't trust her. God...I would trust her with me life. I've already given her my heart. I wish she knew all the trust I had in her... Erik didn't move an muscle when Christine went to lay her head on his legs. Actually, his body got rather tense, but after a few moments he had gotten used to the feeling and relaxed slightly. Unable to say a word at the moment, Erik ran the fingers of his right hand up and down her arm lightly. He placed his other hand on the top of her beautiful curls, bent over, and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. It was so strange that Erik felt compelled to do such a thing. He had never before shown love to another human and to kiss a woman so affectionately was a new, frightening, yet pleasurable experience for him. One that Erik knew he got definitely get used to, if ever given the chance. "Thank you, Christine." He whispered to her. "Thank you for understanding. You truly are an angel. And...I suppose that, perhaps, someday I may reveal my secret to you. Someday...But I cannot promise you anything. It truly is a horror, my dear." Erik sighed, still running his fingers over her arm.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

She let go of a soft, yet pleased sigh. Her body relaxed as his fingers traveled up and down her arms. Her heart raced, her breathing got heavy. She felt herself slipping into a state of relaxation all around her. She completely and totally trusted her Angel now. He was the puppet master, he held the strings, she would obey his every command that he would give her. Take into consideration his every request. "I understand, thank you, Phantom." She whispered. His kiss was so very warm against her cold cheek. "I won't ever ask again."

 

[Guile]

Now satisfied that Christine would press the issue no further, Erik's mind wandered off into other thoughts. He could feel Christine relaxing against him. Her sigh was almost more than he could bear to hear - it caused his heart to race faster, to an unhealthy level, perhaps. Erik had felt the coolness of her cheek when he placed his lips on her, and it almost caused him to shudder. "Christine, my dear...you're so very cold." He rubbed his hand over her arm lightly, but as if to warm it. Then he reached behind him and pulled a blanket from the other side of the bed up and over Christine. Hesitantly, Erik wrapped his arms around her and pulled her a bit closer to him. It was sincerely to keep her warm, though he couldn't help but think of how nice it was to have Christine even closer to him.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine felt her body be lifted up and pressed against Erik's body. She stopped shivering almost immediately, having him to warm up to. "Oh, I'm just fine. I've simply been under the weather for some time now. I almost didn't sing the other night. I felt terrible. Alas, I wished to please you, so I let it go and performed my part. No one seemed to notice." She grinned to herself. "I believe I did well. You seemed very pleased, as I recall." Turning over, she looked up at her captor and breathed a sigh. "Are you feeling well?"

 

[Guile]

Erik felt himself smiling at her short little story. He had most definitely taught her well, though he wished she wouldn't push herself. Though, seeing as she was alright now, Erik supposed he could let this slide. Plus, she had done wonderful. Christine had sounded beautiful that night and the audience was very pleased, as was he. "Oh, yes, Christine. I was overly pleased. You performed so magnificently - stunned us all, I dare say. Even I, and I know your voice Christine. I know it like the back of my hand, and I was still unprepared for what you put out on that stage." As Christine turned to face him, Erik smiled warmly down at her. "I had no idea you were in the slightest bit sick. You have a true talent, Christine. Just...remember, I don't want you to push yourself." It was only once he stopped talking that he realized he had been lightly rubbing her back the whole time. He stopped almost immediately and focused on her question as his face began to redden. "I-I am feeling just fine." Erik stammered, still a little unsure of himself and what he was doing. "A little...overwhelmed I suppose..."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine, as Erik was speaking, did indeed feel his hand on her back, rubbing it. True, it felt superb against her cold skin, but she felt that, perhaps, this was far too much. She had to sit up, hoping that Erik would get the message and stop. Instead of doing this, she had decided to turn over. Catch him in a blush. "Remember, yourself, that I will always serve you without complaint." She smiled at him, taking his hand in hers. "I love singing just as much as I do dancing. I love having everyone love me, and pleasing my friend is rather enjoyable as well." Christine took in his scent as he explained himself. "Why are you overwhelmed?" She sat up and took his head between her hands. "Oh, dear! Have I upset you?"

 

[Guile]

"Oh no! Goodness, no, Christine. You could never upset me." Erik immediately felt guilty about having said that he was overwhelmed. How could she ever think that she had upset me? He took his hands and placed them over top of hers, taking them away from his face and looking down at them. Suddenly, Erik got the urge to entwine their fingers. Without thinking about what he was doing, he did just that. How nice it felt to hold her hands in his! It wasn't until he went to explain himself that Erik looked back up into her eyes, his own looking a little glazed over with pain. "I...it's just that, well," He could hardly get his words out without forcing them. "You kissed me." Erik had whispered this so softly, he wasn't sure if Christine had heard or not. "I've never been kissed before..." His face went red again and now he had closed his eyes and bowed his head slightly, shame overtaking him. "Forgive me. This was not something you needed to hear. It is not your burden to bear..." I've told her enough about my past and it has upset her. I shouldn't say anymore...it helps no one.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine also lowered her head, having also been embarrassed. She really had to think about the way she said things from now on. "Listen, I have already told you that I love you, that's why my lips touched yours. I have proven my loyalty, have I not?" She.tilted her head. "I will always hold a place in my heart for your love. You have given so much since I was a tot. That's why I want you to let me help you with this burden, whatever it could be, I can't bear to see you go through this alone."

 

[Guile]

"Yes, Christine. You have proven much to me." Erik felt even more guilty, but he forced himself to show Christine courtesy and look in her eyes. She had done so much for him without, Erik thought, even knowing that she had. Christine was so perfect, it made Erik feel unworthy to be in her presence. He felt he owed her - he had to show her what she wished to see. "Christine..." Erik placed another kiss on her forehead, hoping that she wouldn't be repulsed that she had kissed him once she saw what he really was. "I love you with all my heart and soul." He confessed, still holding her hands in his lovingly. "Which is why I have decided you should know the truth. Or, see it, rather." God, what was he doing? I've lost my head. She'll scream! She'll be disgusted by me and hate me! Christine will never want to see me again. I will lose her forever!

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine was ever so anxious to see what hid behind the tragedy mask that Erik wore. Yet, something about this wasn't right. Didn't everyone deserve some form of privacy? Taking his hands and squeezing them, she smiled. "Erik, I've changed my mind." She squeezed tighter. "You, my friend, deserve privacy and I will always respect that. You mustn't show me your secret if it upsets you so. I would like to see this, but I would like your happiness even more. If this makes you happy, I'm happy." She let go of his hands. "You don't need to show me. I'll love you either way. I will defend your honor in this place."

 

[Guile]

Christine's words shocked Erik, but he couldn't help feeling a huge sense of relief as she agreed that he should keep his secret if he wished to. "Oh, Christine. Thank you!" His words were mixed with an audible sigh. Erik had barely started them before he wrapped his arms around her tightly and pulled her into him, the warmth of their embrace causing a smile to come back to his lips. "You truly are an angel," he whispered in her ear once he finally calmed himself. Then, he let himself - much to his surprise - place a kiss just below her ear. "I love you." This was also a whisper that he let out once again as he ran his fingers through her hair ever so gently, and rather timidly.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine felt her face start to burn as she was hugged. She had a sudden urge to do something that she was sure that they both wondered about. "You say you love me. I love you so very much as well. Please, let us be happy together. I want you to be happy even more than I care about myself." She got a little too close, though she didn't really care at this point. She wanted to be near her Erik. "Please, if you know what I mean." She couldn't believe that these words had come from such innocent lips. "Please, try to understand me." She passed through the bed curtains and laid her head on Erik's pillow, remaining silent until Erik, hopefully, came in after her. "Please, you don't have to, but if it makes you feel better, then, please."

 

[Guile]

Erik was confused at first, but did his best not to show it. Christine had gotten so close to him that Erik's thoughts had become a jumbled mess and all he wanted to do was kiss her - he didn't want to think about anything. Then, she went and laid on his bed and the realization hit Erik. He was suddenly filled with so many thoughts, concerns, insecurities, but most of all, longings. Unable to control himself, Erik followed Christine in through the curtains as she had asked and hesitantly crawled onto the bed, laying himself down beside her. "Christine...I want to. I want to be with you more than anything else in the world." He was starting to shake just slightly - part from adrenaline, part from nervousness. Still, he found himself placing a soft, slow kiss on her lips. "But, I want to be sure this is what you want. This...it's a big decision, Christine. Are you sure you want...me to take...to take your innocence?"

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine thought about how wonderful this question was to her. How caring and thoughtful Erik was being toward the situation. "Erik, I told you that I love you. I said that you make me happy." She snuggled into him and waited for the lights to darken before anyone did anything. "I just want you to love me. I want you to be assured that I love you." She whispered in the darkness. "Don't you want this?" Things got quiet.