#phandom writers

by catcorsair

When her thumbs slid into the crease where the hot promise of his sex met thigh beneath the heavy fabric, she raised her chin, biting her bottom lip to steady her trembling, and capturing his unreadable, nerveless stare, she breathed, “do you want me to keep going, Erik?”

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I’m excited to announce that I’m publishing an anthology of Phantom of the Opera one-shots, collectively titled Nocturnes. Ratings will range from general to explicit, and subject matter will run the gamut from soft fluff to my more usual, darker subject matter, and everything in between. I plan to update this one fairly regularly, so please stay tuned!

Nocturnes no. 1 / Broken Things

Seeking to appease her own confusing desire and his, Christine attempts to seduce her Angel, and must come to terms with the true price of obsession.

Leroux Canon Insert. Very Explicit. Soft fluff, and just a tiny bit sad. No additional warnings apply.

As always, thank you so much for all of your support.

Please review if you can!

Love, Cat

Thank you so much for the prompt, @helloitskrisha! I hope you like it <3

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“That would be one count of second-degree murder, several counts of threat through handwritten notes and continued extortion. Did I miss anything?”

“No, you got everything right, as usual.”

“Any cues on his motivation?”

Mrs. Giry hesitated. A very frustrated Christine rubbed her eyes with her right hand and sighed.

“I need something to work with, Mrs. Giry. I know this man is important to you, but my hands are tied. I can’t propose a deal to the DA if I have nothing to offer.”

“I know, my dear, trust me, but… This is complicated.”

Christine snorted.

“‘Complicated doesn’t even begin to describe it, but I’ll try my best. So let me ask again. Any cues on his motivation?”

“I think you should see it for yourself.”

—

“Why them? You claim to be a master of arts, what’s stopping you? You could have started your own company, hired whoever you wanted, gotten a better theater even…”, she tried to keep her voice amiable. This man was a charade.

“You make it sound as if such things are simple.”

“But they are!”

“Counselor, things are never simple for a man like me.”

“I was told you are rich.”

“How does that change anything?”

“People may not like other people, but they never, ever, argue with money.” Erik opened his mouth. “Unless you’re extorting them, of course”, she quipped before he could say anything.

Erik huffed. His lawyer’s face softened.

“Erik, I’m only trying to understand your reasons. I want to help you, but I need to know you.”

“Where did she find you, by the way? Mrs. Giry?”

“Her daughter is my best friend.”

Erik cackled. Whether or not he would spend a lifetime in prison depended on the abilities of little Meg’s friend? He was doomed.

The girl in front of him, however, didn’t seem to share his humor.

“Is there a problem?”

He sobered immediately.

“No, of course not. It’s just that… You’re awfully young.”

“And that makes me unreliable? Incapable?”

“No, that’s not-”, Christine cut him off.

“If you would prefer, Mr. Erik, I have no problem in telling Mrs. Giry that you were unwilling to cooperate, and therefore jeopardized my work, which will ultimately lead you to a lifetime in jail. I don’t have a habit of giving up on cases, but most people work along their attorneys, not against them, whether they like it or not. Unlike you, they seem to be aware it’s for their own good.”

Erik remained silent for several minutes. Giving up, Christine sighed inwardly, grabbed her briefcase and got up from the chair.

“There was a scam”, she finally heard Erik’s voice.

—

Christine couldn’t believe her luck. Or bad luck, she hadn’t decided which one yet. If she hadn’t heard the story from Erik himself, looking into his eyes as he told it, she would have thought he had caught the idea from a movie or a book.

As it turns out, Erik had been one of the creators of one of the city’s theaters. He had designed the entire building, not only the exterior but each and every one of the rooms, from the box seats to the orchestra pit, from the dressing rooms to the ticket booths, and worked with his then partner in building it.

However, his so-called partner was actually an agent from a wealthy corporation which claimed to own the building after it was finished. Having fled Persia as somewhat a refugee, and also due to his mask, which Christine presumed hid some sort of deformity, Erik had no documents at the time to even prove he existed as a person. He never got a single dime for his designing and engineering.

Ironically, said theater now housed the most famous, longest-running and probably most lucrative Broadway show, which had been on for decades nonstop. Erik, who seemed to be a sucker for drama, as theatre people usually are, then proceeded to invade the theater and wreak some harmless havoc as payback, using secret passages no one knew about.

He had a solid alibi for the murder charge and the original blueprints of the building were still in his possession, filled with information only the original designer would know. The copies the corporation owned were simpler, luckily. The extortion was still an issue, but well, the money was his anyway, and if they managed to prove he was actually the victim, and not a villain, the corporation would have it far worse.

—

Eventually, of course, the case hit the news, despite Christine’s efforts to keep it low-profile, but it ended up being beneficial for Erik. When the story about how a widely known entertainment corporation took advantage of a disfigured refugee and his work came out, the support Erik received was massive. People did love a plot twist.

The District Attorney accepted his alibi without question. Later on, they found out that Joseph Bouquet’s death had first been ruled out as an accident, but, with Erik trapped and caught, the corporation decided to pin it on him, despite the fact that the “Theater Ghost” never hurt anyone else.

When all that dirt was uncovered, the show company, orchestra and crew included, summoned up a strike and even threatened to resign if Erik wasn’t paid his due, and organized a special concert to raise funds in favor of his cause. The initiative was immediately supported by fans and theatergoers, and the tickets sold out within minutes, prompting the opening of a second, third and fourth performances, not to mention the smaller fundraisings that popped up all over the internet. As he was already a wealthy man, Erik planned on donating at least part of the money to nonprofit organizations that helped refugees. No one else should have to go through what he did.

—

Today, they would know if their efforts had paid off. Christine’s hands shook slightly as she arranged her chocolate brown curls in an elegant bun. Her and Erik would be there early; because it was their final day at court, he wanted to thank people. Whenever they had an appointment at the courthouse hundreds of people would camp outside of it, carrying banners and signs with supportive phrases, cheering him on as he walked by. He smiled awkwardly and waved at them, even shaking a few hands once, but that was about it.

Thankfully, Erik’s address was still a mystery, as well as her office’s, though many people were closer to his home than they dared to imagine. He was a very discreet person, as much as his mask allowed him to be, therefore no one ever noticed him disappearing behind a door in one of the side walls of the theater he claimed to own.

—

“Ladies and gentlemen at the court. This case is a very peculiar one; accusations were turned over to the people who first filed them and the defendant claimed to be the actual victim.”

Erik could barely breathe. It was now or never. Sure, Christine had told him they could appeal in case the verdict was not favorable, but it wouldn’t be the same. The assholes would always have that advantage of the first win. He trusted his lawyer, though. She had done everything within her power to help him. She had earned his trust. Erik glanced at her.

Christine was beautiful. Despite her hair being tied up, a few strands framed her delicate face. Her expression was neutral, but her brown eyes were peaceful; he knew she was confident about the verdict.

The judge rambled on about the treatment of refugees and the deplorable situations they were often submitted to by dishonest people, but Erik was marveling at Christine’s slightly rosy cheeks and the fact that she didn’t have a single freckle. However, remembering how important this was, he sobered up and turned his attention to the judge.

“...After analyzing the facts and evidences presented in this court, I find that the accusations are legitimate. Mr. Erik shall be named the official theater owner back to its opening date until this day. The corporation remains obliged to pay him royalties and monthly rent for the years the theater was illegally occupied.”

The audience celebrated and clapped. Erik turned to thank Christine and give her a handshake, but she nearly jumped into his arms, enveloping him in a tight hug. He quickly gathered himself and hugged her back, but Christine let go before long, looking sheepish.

“I’m sorry”, she said, blushing. “I know you’re not… I shouldn’t have. I’m very happy, that’s all. I’m sorry if I crossed a line.”

Erik merely hugged her again.

My (hopefully first) contribution to @timebird84 ‘s Spooky Phantober 2020!

Day 8: Unsettling

Thank you for the prompt, @helloitskrisha! I hope you like it ❤️

.

This was probably the most extraordinary feeling he had ever experienced, not that he had much to compare.

Christine’s lips were soft and smooth, but her grip on him was firm and determined. She had made her choice.

He had threatened, terrorized, injured and even killed people simply because he could, and yet this angel of a girl still managed to see good in him.

And now he was sentencing her to a lifetime stuck in darkness, in this hellhole he dared to call home, five cellars beneath the earth, isolated from everything she knew and loved. A place only bestial creatures like him belonged.

He had dreamed about it for months, but now he realized he couldn’t let that happen.

While realization hit him like a brick to the skull, she hugged him and then kissed him again.

Gathering what little strength he could find before it vanished him entirely, Erik pushed her away. He couldn’t look into Christine’s kind eyes.

He grabbed one of the candles and burned the rope of his Punjab lasso, ultimately setting the Vicomte free. After the boy caught his breath back, he tried to pull Christine towards the door, but she didn’t relent.

They could hear the mob getting closer.

“Christine, come with me, let’s go before they get here.”

“No.”

“You’re free to go, Christine”, Erik stated.

“I am not going anywhere.”

“Christine…”, the boy tried to reason with her.

“We made a promise, Erik. I promised to stay with you, and you promised to set Raoul free.”

“The mob is getting closer. I will try to divert them so we can leave safely”, the Vicomte said before leaving.

“You must go, Christine.”

“No.”

“I’m not holding you to that promise. I may be a monster but I am no fool. I understand you shall never love me, and keeping you as a prisoner will ruin what little is left of our... Friendship.”

“Erik… You gave me back my music. If I was ever a star at the stage of the Opera it was because you helped me get there. You believed in me when no one else did, not even myself”, Christine choked on her tears, but took a deep breath and continued. “You were my teacher and my friend. You were patient, kind, a great listener, and never stopped encouraging me.”

“I took advantage of your pain and your beliefs! I took advantage of you!” Erik all but screamed. “I twisted the tale of hope your father told you and used it in my favor! If I ever made you a star it was because I thought… I thought you could love me. And that it would not matter, that I would not matter, after your dream came true. I thought people would be so impressed by your talent that it would make them look past my… Appearance. But you would have become a star on your own sooner or later, Christine. Yes, yes, yes, you would!” He added when he saw her shake her head. “You’re a talented, passionate artist. Your voice can speak even to the darkest soul that has ever walked this land. Even to a soulless monster like me. You were just too lost in grief to notice.”

“Let me repay you, Erik. Please tell me how.”

“You will leave. You will leave, get married to your boy, have beautiful children, and live a long, happy, fulfilling life.”

“And condemn you to eternal sorrow?”

“Ah, my dear. I have tasted all the happiness the world can offer. There is not much left for me.”

The Vicomte walked back in.

“I think it is safe for us to leave now”, he then looked at Erik. ‘You, too, Monsieur, if you want to. Despite everything, I know how much it matters to Christine that you stay safe.”

Erik nodded.

“Thank you, Monsieur le Vicomte. And… My apologies.”

Raoul nodded in acceptance.

“Erik…”, Christine’s voice was barely a whisper.

“You heard him, Christine. You have to go.”

Sobbing, she looked at her left hand. What was she to do with the ring? She thought Raoul himself wouldn’t mind, but could she submit him to such humiiliation? Marrying a woman who wore another man’s ring?

Slowly, Christine took it off, walked to Erik and placed it on his palm, closing it around the jewel. Then she walked away, forcing herself not to look back.

Erik sighed. That was it, then. He needed to find a way out - he knew he wouldn’t make it alive to a court trial should the mob put their hands on him. He glanced one last time in the direction Christine and Raoul had walked away.

Yes, that’s a new story from me. This one goes out to all my friends from Erika’s Lair, whose collective insanity led to this creation.