#chief architect

She turned to face him on the bed. In the past few months they had spent many nights just like this; just talking. Taking the time to learn about one another. Most of the time Erik evaded questions and simply asked his own, but Christine was convinced that with time and trust, things would change.

 She folded a pillow beneath her head in an attempt to match his eye level.

…Pillows!

She smiled.

“I have something.” She said. “Did you ever build a house from pillows when you were a child?”

“I beg your pardon?” Erik scoffed, sitting up slightly.

“A pillow fort.”

“Christine, are you feeling quite alright?” He teased, placing his hand upon her forehead in jest. “You must be delirious!”

She tisked and pushed his hand away.

“I am not delirious. Have you honestly never tried it?”

Erik took a deep breath, straightening up before speaking.

“No, Christine.”

As a child he was only allowed one pillow, and his mother would take it away from him if he were bad. Apparently, attempting to speak to one’s mother more than once a day warranted this. As did simply being seen by her, given the right mood. 

Erik decided against sharing this.

“Perhaps you can show me?” he added, hoping that she wouldn’t probe for answers as to just why he had no clue what a pillow fort was.

“Show?”

“Yes. It sounds silly but you’ve certainly piqued my curiosity.”

“Alright.” She grinned, “I’ll need your help.”

“Are these really all the pillows you have?”

Christine stood with her back to Erik, hands on her hips. She was staring intently at the pile of pillows she had collected and counted three times.

“How many more do you need?” He asked, slowly approaching her. He wanted to embrace her then, wrap his arms around her waist from behind and bury his face in those curls…

Breathe her in…

He had wanted that for months, but he could never muster the nerve. He could not even gather enough courage to drape an arm around her shoulders. But fear was not the only reason. He would not touch her again without request, not after how he had treated her that night. It was enough for now that she was willingly being in his company. These past months were the happiest he had ever been.

He did not want to spoil that.

“We need as many as I say we need.” She shot back at him playfully. “I am the chief architect here, and whatever I say we need, you must find!” 

“Christine, if anyone is deserving of the role of ‘chief architect’, it is I. Given that I am the only architect here.”

She laughed.

“You didn’t want any part in this, and now you want to run it?”

 “It is only fair.”            

Christine rolled her eyes.

“It is only a pillow fort.”

 “Yes, well…” Erik began, bending down and picking up one of the cushions on the floor. “Are you going to show me this fort or not? I’m beginning to lose faith in you as our chief architect.”

He gently threw the cushion at her.

Christine caught it and laughed.

“I thought you were the chief architect, hmm?”

She threw It back. 

“I believe I can handle the task, Mademoiselle.” He smirked. “And what is the meaning of this?” He gestured the pillow that had been returned to him before throwing it at her once more. 

Christine evaded it before picking up two more pillows and throwing them at the man before her.

He missed both of them.

“Would I be right in assuming that you’ve never had a pillow fight either?” 

“…No.” Erik replied, holding his arms out before him, incase Christine decided upon another assault. “Is that something I should want to experience also?”

“Not with me.” She warned playfully.

“Well. You seem to have positioned yourself quite close to the ammunition. It would hardly be a fair fight.”

“I suppose you are right.” She smiled.

“Unless….” Erik began. “Look!” He shouted, pointing to a spot on the far wall of the cavern in an attempt to distract her. With Christine’s head turned he began to approach, but he wasn’t quick enough.

She spun around just as he had reached her and in an attempt to push him away, fell backward herself and was almost engulfed by the large pile of pillows she had collected.

“Are you alright?” Erik asked, immediately crouching down beside her to inspect her for injuries. He was delighted to see that she was in fact overcome with laughter, as opposed to pain or distress. 

“I’m sorry, Christine.” He offered.

 Before she could reply, a familiar voice sounded to Erik’s right.

 “What has he done now, Miss Daae?”

 Erik knew that the Daroga was speaking in jest, but he disliked it all the same. He had done nothing to harm her and he never would again.

 “Perfect timing as always, Daroga.” He mused.

 “What is it that you two are doing with all those cushions?” The Persian asked as he approached.

 “This is our pillow fort.” Christine giggled.

 “Yes, and there are no Policemen allowed, Daroga.” Erik added dryly.

“Fort.” Nadir remarked, both surprised and amused by the situation. Erik looked exasperated, as though he couldn’t figure out why he had just been enjoying himself; couldn’t believe he had just been laughing aloud. Doing normal things. Feeling normal feelings. “It looks like a pile of pillows to me. Erik, I thought you were an architect?”

Erik and Christine looked at one another and smiled.

Erik rolled his eyes. 

Christine shrugged.

“Your mess, Erik. You’re responsible.” She teased.

Erik smiled back. God, he loved her.

“Erik, may I discuss something with you in your study?”

Irritated by the interruption, Erik sighed as he stood.

“I’ll be right back.” He said, looking down at Christine.

Kiss her.

No, don’t kiss her! Are you insane?

Touch her. Hold her. Anything!

Do not lay a hand on her. Why would she want to be touched by you after what you’ve done? Just walk away.

“Alright.” Christine smiled.

He took a large step out of the pile of pillows and cushions that seemed to have envelop Christine.  About to turn away, Erik could have sworn that he felt her fingers brush his own.

Just a brief touch.

Just enough to say it is alright.

Just enough to say come back soon.