Fearless

VII

When a week had passed, and another Monday was approaching the Lestat family, Erik had deemed that he'd molded into their routine quite well.

The moment Arielette was able to stand on her own, they ate every breakfast together, and subsequently ever dinner. The Lestat couple only ever went out for lunch since they wanted to be home with their family, and Anton never went out at all. Arielette spent her days reading, or when she was fit, she would go out and explore the city, dragging her brother along.

The coming Monday, she was accompanying him, all fit and nearly healed, to the opera house. Arielette wanted to explore the cellars below it, and no one had ever taken her before. They hadn't allowed her on her own because no one was truly sure what was down there besides the first two levels of props. Erik was the first one brave enough to accompany his fearless partner.

That was also something Erik grew accustomed to over the days spent in the Lestat flat. Arielette truly had not a fearful bone in her body. Erik could sneak up on her, or attempt to fright her, and positively nothing. He'd gotten Anton good one night when he snuck into their shared room and didn't make a single sound until the bed creaked when he laid himself down, but Arielette wasn't susceptible.

It was Sunday night, and Erik and Arielette were curled up in her room, sitting on the bed, feet dangling off the edge. Their bodies were close, and the brunette beauty had her arms wrapped around one of Erik's. He'd made some new purchases of clothes, two new suits, a couple undershirts, socks, and one set of nightwear that he currently had on.

"I haven't bothered you with it, Erik," Arielette suddenly started, and though their conversations over the week had been endless, they both knew this certain topic wasn't to be breached.

"With... what?" Erik knew of course, but maybe she would veer away from it hearing his hostility.

"The mask." Her face was as solid as steel. Though there was no other option, she didn't fear what his reaction would be, and for that he just couldn't blame her.

Erik took in a heavy breath and looked down at the darling woman practically in his lap.

"You didn't look upon it in choice, I don't wish to subject you to that horror."

Arielette removed herself from him, but not for long as she faced his eyes, legs tucked under her, however ashamed he looked.

"I have no fear, you should know such a thing by now, Erik. I do not understand why you continue to doubt that."

She placed a hand on one of his covered cheeks, feeling the smooth mask and how warm it was from his obviously flustered cheeks.

"It's not..." Erik shook his head, brushing her hand off of him. She was so beautiful, and he couldn't understand her, "It isn't decent to show a woman like you."

Arielette laughed but quickly realized that was the wrong reaction as she saw the glow of Erik's eyes deepen.

"Don't be angry Erik, you are simply being foolish! I haven't seen it up close, and I think I am very much unlike other women."

Their eyes were connected, and she tried very hard to persuade him with his eyes, encouraging his motions as he reached for the ties behind his head. She didn't truly expect him to just fall his mask from his features, so broken and torn, but she welcomed the sight with a smile. Erik's face was nothing Arielette had seen before, even after years of her fearless nature. The skin was gaunt and twisted, looking much like a scar from a burn did, but much thinner and paler. His nose did not exist, bar the bone of his skull which didn't give it any length. She knew what his lips and chin looked like already, but she supposed the rest of his face was given now seeing the whole of it. Her fingers graced the surface of a cheekbone, prominent and sharp, then travelling into his thin, black hair.