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Pillow Talk
A prequel to "Yes"
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Christine Daaé was bright red. It wasn't a usual color for her, but then the topic of conversation wasn't a usual one either.

"Erik," she reasoned as calmly as possible, trying to be reassuring, "Last night... I needed it. You needed it. It was a," she paused and swallowed, "really trying day. We both needed it. You shouldn't feel bad about it."

"But, Chr- Christine," her similarly flushed companion insisted, stammering, eyes downcast, "I t- t- took- stole your innocence. I- I- Oh, woe to Erik!" Here his composure fled altogether, and his words degenerated into a frantic mess of pleas for forgiveness and curses directed at his sorry self.

Which was probably why the slap caught him completely by surprise.

"Sorry," said Christine, not sounding sorry at all, "but you were getting so worked up. I had to snap you out of it."

Erik gaped at her. "B- bu- how - y- you're so - composed. What I did- "

"Actually," interjected Christine dryly, "as you'll recall, I did most of it. You just laid there and stared up at me." Strictly speaking, that wasn't entirely true - once they had gotten going, Erik had participated very passionately - but still, her point was correct. Erik had been so tense and nervous at the beginning, he was almost frozen stiff - hardly in any condition to 'steal' anything.

Erik was at a loss for words, even as his traitorous body began to react as Christine's words brought to mind some very pleasant images from the previous night...

As the silence stretched on though, Christine, in a sudden bout of worry, bid shyly, "Erik, you aren't mad at me? I- shouldn't have rushed you... I'm sorry, I just got carried away- and they all say men always want it- but- "

Her babbling was cut short by a gentle finger on her lips; she looked up to find Erik's golden eyes gazing at her with intense adoration tinged with amazement.

"Oh, Christine," he spoke, holding her reassuringly, "I love you so much! Last night was- was the most perfect, beautiful, amazing night in my entire life. How could- I could never be angry with you for giving me such a precious gift. Never, never doubt that. My beloved- "

Just as Erik was really getting into his impromptu monologue though, he was interrupted by a pair of lips covering his own, kissing him fervently. "Mmph," tried Erik, before the rising wave of passion thoroughly distracted him.

"Erik," breathed Christine, nibbling on his lips, "you talk too much."

That was the last coherent sentence either of them spoke for the rest of the morning.

Erik was still wearing a very uncharacteristic grin when he finally stumbled out of bed shortly after noon to throw together a quick lunch for the both of them. "Next time," Christine called teasingly after him, "you'll be the one on top doing the hard work!"

Not even that dire warning was enough to dampen Erik's spirits.