Chapter 001: The Phantom of the Opera

Authors notes: This is a roleplay between my best friend and I. Sebastian is played by me, Grell is played by my best friend Tino.
Warnings: Yaoi

Grell Sutcliff entered the stage of the empty, dark theatre, a single spotlight shining down upon the middle of the stage. The only sound heard was the rustling of his dress and the clicking of his heels on the wooden surface. A soft smile curved his lips. He enjoyed night time all alone in here. Nobody to laugh, nobody to order him around. He stopped in the spotlight, the light too bright to allow his eyes to see anything in the auditorium. He took a deep breath and started to sing, the voice melodious, strong and pleasant, though it was almost impossible to tell if a man or a woman was singing.

"On my own
Pretending he's beside me
All alone
I walk with him till morning
Without him
I feel his arms around me
And when I lose my way I close my eyes
And he has found me
In the rain the pavement shines like silver
All the lights are misty in the river
In the darkness, the trees are full of starlight
And all I see is him and me forever and forever
And I know it's only in my mind
That I'm talking to myself, and not to him
And although I know that he is blind
Still I say, there's a way for us
I love him
But when the night is over
He is gone
The river's just a river
Without him
The world around me changes
The trees are bare and everywhere
The streets are full of strangers
I love him
But every day I'm learning
All my life
I've only been pretending
Without me
His world will go on turning
A world that's full of happiness
That I have never known
I love him
I love him
I love him
But only on my own"

Sebastian Michaelis was just exploring the theatre to make sure he would know the layout when his young Master would visit it. Not expecting to meet someone he is surprised by the voice coming from the stage. Silently moving in that direction he listens, not quite sure where to place that voice, but knowing he heard it before. Sitting down in the first row he crosses his long legs and just listens for now.

Grell Sutcliff moved surprisingly graceful on the stage, gestures punctuating the song's lyrics, the strong voice filled with just the right amount of emotion to transport the feelings of the character to the invisible audience. When all by himself, the redhead seemed to be a much better performer than when he knew he was actually being watched. Or probably the songs simply meant something to him. He didn't notice the shadow moving in the dark theatre, the light on the stage too bright, ruining any night vision he might possess. Once the song was over he just stood there for a moment, his eyes closed, taking calm and deep breaths.

Sebastian Michaelis stays silent, surprised by the difference to the annoying shinigami he is used to meet. The dress actually looked good on Grell and for a change he looked genuine instead of insane. Though he surely was genuinely insane. Leaning back he crosses his arms and one finger tabs his upper arm in indecision what to do, trying to decide if he should enjoy the show or deliver the first blow already. Preferably to the face.

Grell Sutcliff turned back to the auditorium, enjoying the moment of silence. He seemed to ponder whether to sing some more or just leave. Suddenly his face looked sad, as if he just had realized something. He sighed and turned. "Tsk. A dream. Just a delusion. Get off this stage. Singing for an empty room, that is borderline pathetic, even for you." he muttered, talking to himself. Probably there was more depth to the flashy shinigami than most people would ever see. "Nobody wants to see or hear you, so just give up!" But in all the sadness there still was something stubborn in his expression, something that seemed to stop him from really just feeling miserable.

Sebastian Michaelis sits up, a slight rustling in the darkness. Deciding against violence he smiles, barely any meanness in his expression. "One song? You should sing more. Sing to the illusion in the darkness." he whispers, loud enough for his voice to carry to the stage, but making it hard to recognize it. . He stays in the shadows on purpose, hiding his physical presence.

Grell Sutcliff turned to the darkness, quickly, a shocked and confused expression on his face. Caught. for a moment he looked as if he was about to run off the stage but then the stubborn streak returned to his face. He turned towards the audience again, his face almost stoic. If that person, whoever that was, wanted him to sing again, he would. But this called for a little challenge. And not only to himself. Call it a little test, to see if he could lure out that mystery person. He breathed in and took up a slightly different stance. Back in the spotlight, the softness returned to him, all pretence lost, and the gentle and elegant gestures returned as he began the song, in a clear, strong and beautiful voice.

" In sleep he sang to me, in dreams he came,
that voice which calls to me,
and speaks my name.
And do I dream again? For now I find
the phantom of the opera is there
inside my mind..."

Sebastian Michaelis smiles with amusement and gets up, keeping the chuckle in that waits in his throat for release. He straightens his clothes and starts to answer, his voice strong and masculine. He stays at the edge of the light, keeping the motion noticeable, but his person shrouded in darkness, stalking the shinigami a little like a predator.

"Sing once again with me
Our strange duet
My power over you grows stronger yet
And though you turn from me to glance behind
The Phantom of the Opera is there
Inside your mind."

Grell Sutcliff turned his head slightly in the direction of the man's voice, still unable to see who that was, but somehow that only added to the feeling of the song and the whole atmosphere. Wasn't this almost exactly what the Phantom was all about? The voice almost touched a nerve and made him shiver. Who was this man? Hopefully he would reveal himself eventually. Such a strong voice! This was exciting! He himself continued the song in the clear, yet soft voice

"Those who have seen your face
draw back in fear.
I am the mask you wear,"

"It's me they hear.." answers from darkness. Out of nowhere a mask appears in Sebastian's hand and he dons it, while shadows gather around his shoulders like a cape, in places seemingly adorned with gleaming black feathers. His steps are silent, adding to the illusion of the phantom.

"My spirit and your voice in one combined
The Phantom of the Opera is here
Inside your mind."

Grell Sutcliff watched as the phantom drew closer, the stranger looking the part so much, again making him almost shiver. The voice is compelling, taking him along, guiding through each new step. The Phantom and Christine, indeed. He joined the song again, hoping the stranger would join him on the stage, the mystery adding so much to the power of the voices, ringing out combined in the empty dark hall, filling it with a magic nothing else could ever bring forth.

"Your spirit and my voice in one combined;
the phantom of the opera is there
inside my mind."

Sebastian Michaelis indeed moves closer, but the darkness seems to follow him, the phantom not a creature made for the glaring light of stage and the eyes of men. A shimmer of red is visible for a moment, soft petals accompanied by the subtle fragrance of a single blood red rose lifted to a white mask hiding a face, a mask standing out as lighter form amongst blackness. The flower is cradled against an unseen cheek by a gentle hand as the song continues

"In all your fantasies, you always knew
that man and mystery.."

Grell Sutcliff almost seemed to be transfixed by the power of the phantom, looking straight at him yet unable to really see. The presence of the other seemed to engulf him, to make him forget everything but their voices, that dark duet that kept them both in this place, a fleeting moment, yet stretching into eternity. "...were both in you..." he answered, the feeling of those words being absolutely true almost puzzled him. He reached out with gentle fingers as if to lift the mask but the hand remains still in the air inches away. And then they touched the rose, gentle, like the wings of a butterfly, almost as if that touch could go straight through the flower, the mask and everything else to the being shrouded in shadows.

"And in this labyrinth where night is blind,
the Phantom of the opera is here
inside my mind."

Sebastian's smile is audible in his voice as it joins the others

"And in this labyrinth where night is blind,
the Phantom of the opera is there
inside your mind."

The face under the mask turns, shadowy lips kissing the rose right opposite of Grell's fingers, the petals the only thing between them. Dark eyes seem to watch him with intensity and deep emotion, caught in the song just like him. When a gloved hand suddenly appears from the darkness it slowly nears the shinigami's face, cupping his cheek without really touching, as if he didn't dare tainting this beauty with his touch.

Grell Sutcliff kept his eyes on the mask, the dark eyes completely having caught him. Whoever this man was, the power that he had over Grell right now was exactly the same the Phantom had. The kiss to the rose was felt right through it in Grell's fingers, which trembled slightly. the gloved hand brought warmth to his face but he didn't move, barely breathing, as if torn by fascination and fear. "He's there, the Phantom of the Opera..." the voice was still clear, but low, almost a whisper.

Sebastian Michaelis brings the rose towards Grell, offering it to him. His voice too is lowered to a sensual whisper, almost sounding a bit hoarse with emotion. "Sing, my angel of music.. sing my Angel.. sing for me..." he sings, but the sincere wish is audible in every word. His hand hovers just over Grell's skin, caught in awe. "Sing my Angel, sing for me!" he begs and demands, his eyes never leaving Grell's face.

Grell Sutcliff took the rose with trembling fingers. For a moment his eyes left the other's face to look at the beautiful flower, his arms slowly rose upwards from the side of his body, not into a full cross, but opening himself up far enough to gather enough air. His eyes returned to the man's face, the yearning in his voice once again feeling like the only command that matters. And then Grell's voice rung out through the darkness again, filling every last bit of the vast hall beyond them, a sound almost out of this world, his soul, his whole being in that one lovely sound, touching every bit of the other with just his voice.

Sebastian Michaelis shivers and listens in rapt attention, Grell's voice touching something within him and making his hunger flare at the same time. The sweet torment of wanting, of restriction. "Angel of music.." he whispers with need and darkness surrounds them, taking away the light. Shadows creep closer as if they want to swallow them, drawing Grell more and more in the phantoms world, taking him prisoner, caressing him with the gentlest of touches, there and not there, made of their song. The phantoms arms and presence engulf him though he still stood before him, watching and taking in every note, drunk on beauty and emotion.

Grell Sutcliff leaned his head back just a little, the sweet sound still coming from deep inside his chest, notes filled with all the emotions from deep inside, the darkness around them swallowing him up, washing over him, the creature in the phantom's embrace both fragile and strong at the same time. The world around them was spinning, out of control. If this was his last breath, he wanted to keep his voice ringing out, though it felt like the darkness was stealing all of his senses away. His eyes rolled back and with a last beautiful tone he sunk fully into the darkness, overwhelmed by the presence of the other, the emotions, the music they had made together, and the incredible longing deep inside of him.

Sebastian Michaelis already moves before he knows what he is doing, catching Grell with inhuman speed and very un-demonic gentleness. Cradling him in his arms he lowers them both to the ground, studying this side of the shinigami, his fingers pushing a few strands of red hair from his face. He is not thinking at the moment, too amazed by what just happened, not used to feel this kind of emotion. An impulse makes him lean down and his hips meet Grell's in a kiss sweeter than he ever thought he was capable of.

Grell Sutcliff slowly opened his eyes again, for a moment neither sure where he was nor what had just happened. The warmth of the other man so close made him look up, still very confused by all that had just happened. A tender feeling lingered on his lips and his whole body still seemed to vibrate. "Who...who are you?" he whispered, his voice soft, almost hoarse, still wondering why he was on the floor all of a sudden.

Sebastian Michaelis sees to it that his appearance is only vaguely visible through the shadows, knowing that the moment would end should Grell discover his identity. "For now.. your phantom.. my angel of music." he stays in character, holding Grell gently but securely. "This suits you." he adds, not clarifying if it was the clothes or the behaviour while his fingertips caress the others cheek with a touch as light as a feather.

Grell Sutcliff shivered under the soft touch, unsure of what was happening, a vague feeling of familiarity deep inside of him, but nothing he could really point his finger on. The mere thought that somebody really had for once enjoyed his voice like this, the powerful magic that they had created, still baffled him. The embrace made him feel secure, warm and somehow protected from the world around them. The darkness was nothing to fear. The harsh light of day was so much more brutal, exposing everything to the naked eye. This here was comfort. He swallowed and fought back the tears welling up in his eyes. His emotions were still raw, so close to the surface. His hand reached for the other and he held onto him, leaning his head against the Phantom's chest. "Thank you..." he whispered. He neither felt the need to clarify what he was thanking the other for.

Sebastian Michaelis holds him against his chest, though he changes their position a bit until he can lift Grell, strong enough to carry him easily to the seats of the first row. Sitting them both down he never lets the shinigami out of his arms, feeling the strange need to keep him there. He doesn't speak, just lets them both enjoy the aftermath of their intense joining in song, remembering their entwined voices, words becoming one, notes sliding against each other in a sensual dance. Still intoxicated he inhales Grell's scent and makes sure he still has the rose he gave him earlier.

Grell Sutcliff never once had let go of the rose in his hand, too precious it was to him. This was probably the only thing that would later be able to prove that he had not just imagined this meeting. That this moment had really happened. He stayed close to the man when he was lifted up, not really weighting that much anyway. He had been afraid the magic would be broken the moment the last note had ended, but it was still all around them. He could feel it. The stranger's scent still was oddly familiar but he just couldn't say why. And he didn't really care that much right now. This was his phantom, the man calling him his angel, the one that didn't reject him. The fingers of his free hand caressed the chest of the other beneath the fabric, still so tender, as if afraid he might vanish if touched too hard.

Sebastian's breath plays with Grell's hair, his eyes unseeing of their surroundings, only noticing the one on his arms. His lips part and softly, only for Grell's ears, words and notes form

"Night time sharpens, heightens each sensation
Darkness stirs and wakes imagination
Silently the senses abandon their defenses
Slowly, gently night unfurls it's splendour
Grasp it, sense it, tremulous and tender
Turn your face away from the garish light of day
Turn your thoughts away from cold unfeeling light
And listen to the music of the night."
His touches are just as gentle, weary of shattering the fragile mood by using too much strength.

Grell Sutcliff didn't move, his body gently leaning against the other's, relaxed and soft in the stronger man's arms. He closed his eyes for a moment when the Phantom began to sing for him again. The words so well chosen to express his own feelings, the warmth of the protective hug filling him up. He didn't notice the single tear running down his face, his fingers still caressing the other gently as he listened to the wonderful voice, touching and caressing him as much as the man himself does, maybe even more.

Sebastian Michaelis catches the tear with a finger, making it glitter before it is soaked into the fabric of his glove. Tenderly his fingertips wander the cheek it came from while his voice wraps them both in its cocoon of peace.

"Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams
Purge your thoughts of the life you knew before
Close your eyes, let your spirit start to soar
And you'll live as you've never lived before
Softly, deftly, music shall caress you
hear it, feel it, secretly possess you,
Open up your mind, let your fantasies unwind
In this darkness that you know you cannot fight
The darkness of the music of the night."

Being leaned on like this, with so much emotion and trust was very rare for him and for now he permits himself to enjoy.

Grell Sutcliff leaned into the touch to his face this time, the need to feel the other stronger than his fear of the dream around him dissolving into nothing. The tear had surprised him, but here, in the darkness, in the warm protective darkness he didn't feel the need to hide anything. Surrendering to the darkness sounded beautiful, and just what he wanted to do right now. His Phantom wouldn't judge harshly, wouldn't aim his words to harm. The voice filled him, touched him again, sending shivers down his spine. The tone of the phantom, alluring, seductive, the sweet words of a creature of darkness completely ensnared his whole being. No false pretence was needed anymore. Not here, not in the darkness..

Sebastian Michaelis gently turns Grell's face towards him, so close to his own now, then lets his hand wander down the others neck, over his shoulder and down his arm to find his hand.

"Let your mind start a journey to a strange new world
Leave all thoughts of the life you knew before
Let your soul take you where you long to be
Only then can you belong to me."

Lifting Grell's hand he kisses it directly now, but just as softly as he kissed the petals of the flower, like something eternally precious and dear.

"Floating, falling, sweet intoxication
Touch me, trust me, savour each sensation
Let the dream begin, let your darker side give in
To the power of the music that I write
The power of the music of the night."

The last word is sung while he again looks into Grell's eyes, their lips close to touching, a temptation he can't resist offering to the shinigami.

Grell Sutcliff listened to the words, the beautiful song, the fingers on his skin leaving behind a sensation of still being touched. He entwined his fingers gently with the other's when his hand was reached, softly holding them together. He looked into the Phantom's eyes, his own lips slightly parted. A moment of hesitation, of fear but then he gives in, his lips touching the other's, softly, almost like a dream, as if touched by the petals of the rose. Not the usual way Grell would probably go for the kill, tongue down your throat, no, careful, almost shy. The Angel kissing his Phantom.

Sebastian Michaelis lingers in the kiss, sensuality and darkness flowing into it, his usual cruelty missing completely. When he breaks it he does so reluctantly and transfers his lips to Grell's hand. "My angel... it is time to part." he says with regret, not letting go of the man in his arms even one bit. Just the opposite, he holds him closer, unwilling to let him go, though he was the one bringing it up.

Grell Sutcliff felt himself melt into the kiss, enjoying the moment to the fullest. When the kiss was broken, he looked at the Phantom again, the words touching him once more. He felt sad the time they had was over but he just nodded, leaning up against the man once more, enjoying the warm embrace just for this one moment. "I know. No dream can last forever." He whispered and then it was Grell who got up slowly, looking rather dignified, not the overemotional wreck. "I will not ask you if I see you again. I do not wish to hear the answer. All I ask of you is to remember me." The only contact to the phantom he still had was them holding hands and finally he broke even that. He turned his back on the other. "Leave now. I will not watch you." A silent agreement not to enquire, not to follow. He just held the rose in his hands to his lips and kissed it.

Sebastian Michaelis nods, watching Grell a few moments longer. When the shinigami turns around he is already gone like a sweet dream, only the rose proving his existence.