Work Text:
“I have a plan.”
“Christine, my darling,” Raoul groans, “It is two in the morning.”
“Do you want to hear my plan or not?”
“Of course, my dear.”
“We should sleep with Professor Destler.”
Raoul suddenly feels more awake. “I have a few questions,” he says cautiously, “The biggest of which are Why and How?”
“Well, we’re graduating in a month so it’s not like it’s incredibly not allowed. And he’s hot. And we’re hot. It shouldn’t be that hard.”
Raoul’s cautious side wanted to argue that, but mostly he just wanted to go to sleep.
“Okay, Christine, just tell me what to do in the morning.”
He’s already mostly asleep by the time Christine laughs in his ear and slips back in his arms. Her curls tickle his nose as he sinks beneath consciousness
*
To say that Raoul is confused the next morning when Christine throws his best (tailored) pair of dress pants at his face would be a bit of an understatement.
“What did I do?”
Christine almost laughs at the hurt look on his face. “Don’t you remember last night?” The confusion that passes over his face says otherwise. “Okay, that’s on me. I really should stop telling you things when you’re half asleep. Anyway, we’re sleeping with Professor Destler and you’re wearing those pants so we can seduce him.”
Raoul knows that Christine is a lot smarter than him, but he’s feeling even more lost than usual.
“Whatever you say, darling.” Personally, he doesn’t think a pair of pants is going to make or break a seduction. But then again, Christine is the one who initiated their relationship so he should probably listen to her. Not that he doesn’t aways.
“You look amazing.”
Christine turns and smiles at him, affection in her gaze. “Thank you, Raoul.”
She struggles with a necklace until Raoul comes up behind her and does it for her. The clasp sticks for a moment before allowing itself to be looped through the chain. His hands rest for a moment on the nape of her neck, feeling the heat of her skin seep into him.
“Are we really going to try to seduce our professor?” Raoul says hesitantly, “I know we’ve talked about it before, but that was always hypothetical.”
She turns around, neck craned so she can look up at him with a concerned expression. “Hey, we don’t have to if you don’t actually want to.”
“No, it’s not that. It’s just… There are a lot of ways this could go wrong.”
“Then we won’t be obvious,” Christine says resolutely, “We won’t do anything today, just plant the seeds.”
Raoul likes the sound of that. And Christine is right, Professor Destler is really hot. He thinks it’s mostly because of the mask. And the whole dominant personality thing he has going on… Raoul has to physically shake himself out of whatever trance he was in.
“Okay,” he says, “I’m in.”
They get to class twenty minutes early. There’s barely anyone in the classroom, just one girl sitting on her phone and Professor Destler. Christine already started referring to him as Erik in her head, but not even she was brave enough to call him that to his face.
“Miss Daaé, De Chagny, I trust your essays are going well?”
Raoul shifts and Christine lies for him. “They’re going quite well, actually.”
Erik’s eyes shift to Raoul in amusement like he knows what she’s not saying. “Are they now?”
“Well, with such a wonderful teacher how could they not be?”
Erik laughs. “You flatter me. If that were true, I wouldn’t have any students failing this class.”
There’s a pause where Raoul can tell Christine hadn’t thought this far ahead.
“We were actually wondering sir,” Raoul hears himself saying, “If you’d like to come to a performance we’re helping put on this evening. We have a couple opera singers who are coming to perform in the Fine Arts building.”
The professor’s eyebrows raise. “I hadn’t heard anything about that. I’d be delighted to attend.”
Raoul’s face breaks into a grin and he can see Christine struggling not to beam at him. “It’s at seven. Hope to see you there.”
Erik gives him a tight-lipped smile and Raoul can tell the conversation is over. When they head back to their usual seats, Christine hits him on the arm.
“You’re a genius and I’m so glad I’m dating you.”
“It’s about time someone recognized my intelligence.”
Christine swats him again but settles down in time for class to start.
Erik calls the class together by clapping his hands and the entire class goes from noisy to silent.
“Hello class, today we'll be learning about different instruments from other cultures and we'll start out with the French Hurdy Gurdy from the end of the seventeenth century.”
Music theory is less than interesting, but the two of them put up with it for the sake of their professor. It didn’t hurt that Erik’s voice was meant for audiobooks. Or those weird ASMR videos Meg showed them months ago. Raoul wonders if Erik would ever sing for the two of them. Probably not, he supposes.
*
Raoul feels more nervous than he has any right to be when the two of them head to the Fine Arts building.
“Christine,” he says, “Are you sure this is a good idea?”
“Oh it absolutely isn’t,” she says, “But when has anything we’ve done been a good idea?”
She has a point.
“What do you think he’s hiding behind the mask?” Raoul wonders aloud.
“Well, considering he’s hiding it, probably nothing good. Poor man,” she murmurs.
“Yeah.” Raoul squeezes her hand. They walk to campus instead of driving because a little birdie told them there would be an open bar. They are looking forward to taking advantage of it. Even if that means Christine carries her heels in her purse until they get there.
The event is just starting up when the arrive and show their IDs at the door. Raoul is relieved to see they’re not overdressed. He loops an arm around Christine and pulls her in to kiss her forehead. It’s then that he spots Professor Destler coming in through the main door.
“Looks like he’s here,” Raoul murmurs in her ear. Christine turns around, searching.
“Wow,” she says when her eyes finally land on him, “He looks hot.”
Raoul knows the two of them are definitely suffering from some infatuation with their professor but, objectively, she’s so fucking right. Tailored suits do a lot for a person. Raoul knows that better than most people.
“Should we engineer a conversation?”
“No,” Christine hums, “Lets wait.”
They wait until halfway through the performance, when chance lands them an opportunity.
“Miss Daae, De Chagny,” Erik comments when he stumbles upon them at the bar, “I must thank you for telling me about tonight, it’s better than expected.”
Christine stifles a laugh. “I’m glad you could find some entertainment in it. I know your expectations are higher than most.”
He hums and takes a drink from his glass. “Certainly higher than this wine.”
“I’m not sure what you expected from an open bar, professor,” Raoul says.
“Erik, please,” he says, a half smile curling his lips, “The two of you are almost graduated anyway. Soon we’ll be on equal standing.”
“Of course, Erik,” Christine says. She squeezes Raoul’s arm so tightly he has to struggle not to wince.
“We’re looking forward to it,” Raoul says and gives what he hopes is a dazzling smile. Erik gives that half smile again.
“What are your plans for after graduation?”
Christine brightens. “I managed to get a position at the state Opera House. It’s not huge or anything, but I’m excited.”
For once, Erik looks genuinely glad. “Good for you, you have talent, Miss Daae. Never forget that.” He turns to Raoul and Raoul dreads the question. “And you, Raoul?”
“I…” Raoul swallows down what he isn’t saying and continues, “I have a job lined up at my father’s company.”
Erik looks at him, head cocked ever so slightly to the side. “Is that so?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Is that what you want to be doing?”
Raoul freezes for a moment. Christine squeezes his arm gently. “Not exactly, sir,” he manages to say with a cough.
Erik takes another sip from his glass and pauses for a long while. “Let me offer some advice, De Chagny. Doing what others desire of you hardly ever goes well. And it never lends itself to happiness. Doing what you want and refusing to give in is the only true path to a successful life.”
“And what do you want, sir?” Raoul asks. He feels bolder than he has any right to (though, perhaps, that’s due to the open bar).
Erik’s eyes fog over and Raoul wonders what he sees in that distant gaze. “I want a lot of things,” he admits after a moment, “But sometimes that’s not the way things go.”
“Why not?” Christine asks. She acts innocently enough, but Raoul can tell her true intentions behind the question. The only thing he doesn’t know is if Erik can too. “If there’s something you want, then what’s stopping you from getting it?”
Erik hums. “A lot of things.”
“Is it impossible?” Christine asks.
“Some would say.”
“Is it illegal?”
“Not necessarily, no.”
“Then, sorry sir, but I fail to see what the problem is. If you want something, go get it.”
Erik blinks and a small smile— not a half smile this time— crosses his lips. “I’ll keep that in mind Miss Daae. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
He nods at them and walks away and with him, their collective hope of enticing him to their apartment.
“Well,” Christine says, “That’s a good start.”
Raoul shrugs and slips his arms around her, hugging her from behind. “If you say so.”
They spend the rest of the performance steadily getting more tipsy while listening to the singers. It’s half past nine when it ends and its already dark.
“Maybe we should call an Uber,” Raoul comments.
“It’s so nice out!” Christine protests, “Let’s walk at least a bit.”
Raoul is never one to deny Christine anything, especially when she’s right. Summer is coming soon enough with hot, sticky days ahead. But for now it’s still cool out with a lingering warmth that doesn’t allow them to get too cold on their walk. The flowers are coming out. Raoul thinks of their impending graduation with a mixture of reluctance and the sense that everything will be alright as long as he’s with Christine.
“What are you thinking about?” Christine asks, breaking into his thoughts.
“Oh, nothing important,” Raoul says, “Just how much I love you.”
Christine flushes slightly and smiles. “I love you more.”
“Impossible!” Raoul picks her up and twirls her around, something that’s very easy with how small she is. She laughs like she used to when they were children, protesting for him to put her down.
“Raoul, Raoul!” She says laughing. Raoul chuckles and finally obeys, letting her down on her feet. She holds onto his side for support when a crack of lightening fills the sky.
“Uh oh.”
A boom of thunder follows shortly after, and with it: rain.
“Oh no!” Christine yells, laughing.
“Race you to the apartment?” Raoul challenges.
“I’m in heels!”
“We all have our struggles!”
Christine pulls off a shoe to throw at him and Raoul is about to dart off when a car pulls up beside them.
“What a coincidence I should find you like this,” Erik comments, looking down at Christine’s shoe and up to Raoul’s face, “Do you two need a ride.”
Christine puts her shoe down sheepishly. “Yes, sir. Please.”
The two of them get in his back seat. Raoul winces as the water sinks into the leather.
“Sorry about the interior, sir,” Raoul apologizes, “You can send me the damages.”
“It’s a car, dear boy, it’s replaceable,” Erik says dryly, “And what did I say about my name?”
“Sorry, Erik.”
Raoul sees his eyes glint in amusement in the rearview mirror.
“Thank you for picking us up,” Christine says, “We really appreciate it.”
“Of course. It’s not much of a drive, anyway. This is you?” He asks as he pulls up in front of the complex.
“Yes, si- I mean, Erik. Thank you so much.”
The two of them get out of the car once they’re parked, but Christine hesitates by the driver’s side window.
“Would you like to come up?” She asks, “We have dessert and wine. It’s the least we could do.”
“Oh, that’s not necessary.”
“Please?” Christine says, “I insist.”
Raoul looks at Erik sees the exact moment the man gives in.
“Alright,” he sighs, “If you insist.”
Christine beams. “We do.”
Raoul has the faint sense he’s dreaming the whole trek up to their apartment. He wouldn’t be opposed if he was. The feeling of Erik’s coat as he hangs it up for him seems too soft for reality. All of this seems a bit too skewed to actually be happening. The vision of Erik sprawled in one of their living room chairs, drinking their wine, is almost more than Raoul can handle.
“Who’s the baker?” Erik inquires when Christine pulls out some macarons.
Raoul flushes. “I am.”
“I didn’t expect it of you.” Erik takes a bite of one (coffee, Raoul notes) and groans. He likes the sound more than he should. “This is fantastic— and I don’t say that often. Where did you get the recipe?”
“My family lived on the coast of France for a time. I had some unofficial cooking lessons from our chef.”
Erik hums. “Sounds like quite a life.” There’s something in his tone that makes Raoul feel somewhat ashamed of the opulent lifestyle he’s admitted to.
“It’s actually where we met,” Christine interjects as she pours more wine for all of them, “My father and I had just moved from Sweden at this point. My accent was so thick I’m surprised Raoul could understand me.”
Raoul chuckles. “It wasn’t that bad.” He takes another sip of wine and feels it go straight to his head.
“How long have the two of you been together?” Erik asks.
“God,” Raoul says, blinking, “Let me think… Seven years? Eight?”
“Seven,” Christine confirms.
“Not many people could do that,” he comments, “I’m impressed.”
“Well,” Christine says, “It’s come with its fair share of experimentation.” She immediately flushes as she realizes what she’s said. She takes a drink from her glass to cover her embarrassment.
“Is that so?” Erik asks, “And what does that entail?”
Raoul suddenly gets the feeling that nothing is going to happen tonight unless they make it. Plus the wine has had more of an effect than he wants to admit. (Not too much, he hopes, to stop anything fun from occurring tonight).
“You can find out, if you want,” Raoul offers, pulling Christine into his lap and resting his chin on top of her head. She’s frozen in his grasp, apprehensive of their professor’s reaction. Erik starts like he doesn’t quite understand what he just said. But Raoul watches the way Erik’s eyes trail down their bodies and he feels a hint of satisfaction. He feels like he’s standing on the edge of a cliff and waiting to see if gravity will reverse.
“I…” Erik starts, a lost open look on his face, “I shouldn’t.”
Raoul gets the feeling Erik wouldn’t be this open to his desires if he wasn’t somewhat intoxicated.
“What happened to taking what you want?” Christine asks boldly before stepping out of Raoul’s unresisting arms. She settles around Erik’s waist and leans her head in close enough that their lips are almost touching. “It’s alright,” she says, “You can have us.”
Before Raoul can blink, Erik’s hand intertwines itself in Christine’s hair and roughly drags her down to kiss her. When he finally releases her, he has such an open, love-sick expression that if Raoul was a lesser man he’d be jealous. As it is, he just wants to take Christine’s place.
“Is this happening?” He asks.
Raoul huffs out a laugh. “I certainly hope so.” He twirls his wine glass in his fingers, watching as Christine rolls her hips on him. “Want to move this upstairs?”
He thinks the way Christine bites down on his neck has something to do with how breathless Erik answers him.
“Please,” he gasps.
Raoul can’t resist anymore. As soon as Christine gets up, he pulls Erik into him. Erik, Raoul realizes, is distressingly pleasant to kiss.
“If the two of you don’t get to the bedroom NOW I am going to leave and get myself off.”
Erik lets out a bit-off sound and Raoul desperately wants to hear the full version of it.
“Don’t have to tell me twice.”
They manage to get to the bedroom in one piece. Which is especially surprising considering how much Raoul wants to tear off Erik’s stupid suit jacket. (It’s not actually stupid, Raoul knows, but he wants Erik naked so badly he’s willing to forgo his usual appreciation for tailored clothes). Christine’s not much better off.
“Bed,” Christine pants, “Please.” Erik all but throws her on the bed. Raoul watches her bounce on the mattress, a hungry feeling start to burn in his stomach.
Erik hesitates before joining her on the bed. He turns and looks at Raoul.
“Well, aren’t you going to join us?”
Raoul isn’t usually one to back down from a challenge.
“With pleasure,” he says.
He kisses Christine once and gets caught up in the familiarity of it. She feels like home to him. He doubt that will change. Raoul wants to continue, but he doesn’t want to make their guest feel put out.
“Why don’t we make Erik feel welcome?” Raoul says, winking. Christine grins in response. Together they strip him. Well, to be more precise, they take turns kissing him until his lips are bruised while occasionally removing an article of clothing. It’s Raoul’s turn kissing him when Erik finally loses control.
“I need,” he hisses, balling up his hand in Raoul’s hair, “ONE of you to do something about this.” He presses himself into Raoul’s hip and he can feel him swollen and hard in his pants.
“You mean you don’t like us doing this?” Christine says innocently, nipping down the side of Erik’s neck. He groans and Raoul sees the wild look in his eyes.
“I don’t know, Christine,” Raoul says, “Maybe we should take pity on the man. I think he’s waited long enough.”
Erik glares at him like he’s definitely waited long enough. Raoul cracks a grin. Erik doesn’t get a chance to respond before he’s falling backward. Christine immediately switches positions so she’s perched up on his chest. Erik’s hands grip her thighs under her skirt, holding on for dear life.
“Well,” Christine says, “I think he can stand to wait a bit longer.”
Raoul cracks a grin and unzips the back of Christine’s dress. She slips it over her head and the look in Erik’s eyes intensifies.
Raoul watches as their professor pushes Christine on the bed and really hopes this isn’t a one time deal. He wouldn’t mind getting to try being the one who’s pushed into a mattress and held there.
He’s dragged out of his daydream when Christine’s underwear hits his chest.
“Raoul if you do not join us over here, I am not liable for what I may do.”
“Well,” he says, unbuttoning his shirt and leaving it behind on the floor, “If you insist.” He gets on the bed and immediately starts unbuckling Erik’s belt. Erik flips on his back and groans. Christine takes full advantage and fists a hand in his hair. By the time Raoul manages to get his pants off, Erik has lost his patience and pulled Christine’s thighs spread around his face.
“Oh,” Christine moans.
Raoul takes a moment to watch, eyes glittering. He’s not sure how the mask works with eating out, but Christine seems to be enjoying it. Her mouth slips open and her eyes slide shut as she grinds against Erik’s lips.
Raoul takes the opportunity to slip Erik’s briefs down his legs. He takes him in hand and watches as Erik thrusts into Raoul’s loose fist. Erik’s legs spread open and he braces his heels into the mattress. Raoul takes the hint and settles in between. He strokes Erik a few times before swallowing him down. Erik makes a noise that Raoul can barely hear, muffled by Christine’s thighs. Raoul is out of practice with this part of human sexuality, but he can tell by Erik’s minute thrusts that he’s enjoying it. He gets lost in the rhythm of it all.
When he feels Erik start to swell in his mouth, he pulls back. Moments later, Christine cries out and falls to the bed, legs trembling. Raoul knows from experience that she’ll be out for the count for a few minutes while she recovers. His gaze trails from Christine to Erik’s wild eyes. He starts to pull away when Erik fists a hand in his hair.
“And where,” he growls, “Do you think you’re going?”
That sends an unexpected shiver down Raoul’s spine.
“Finish what you started.”
Raoul obeys and groans around him. Without Erik’s mouth being occupied by other activities, Raoul can hear every moan and gasp that slips out. Raoul is painfully hard at this point, still trapped in his pants. He squirms but can’t find any relief of his own.
Like he can sense him getting distracted, Erik tugs on his hair and pulls him down further until Raoul is afraid of choking. Raoul’s hands come up to grip at Erik’s thighs when he doesn’t stop thrusting. He’s close to pulling himself off of Erik’s cock when he starts thrusting erratically. Raoul suppresses the urge to gag when Erik stiffens and comes. Raoul takes the relief that comes with a lack of thrusts and swallows. Erik’s hand releases him and he pulls back gasping.
“Wow,” Christine says, “That’s hot.”
Raoul chokes around a laugh and Erik joins in.
“My turn again,” Christine says with a grin and she crawls over to Raoul, “Why are you still wearing clothes?”
“I don’t have any control over that, dear.”
Christine yanks them down. “Well, I do.”
She takes him in hand and pulls him into a heated kiss. She’s obviously recovered, Raoul notes with delight as she wraps her legs around his hips. He thrusts in and groans.
He doesn’t care how long they’re together, he’ll never get tired of this.
Erik slips himself behind Christine and props her up against him. He kisses her neck while Raoul grips her thighs. The bed is squeaking a horrendous amount and Raoul is glad the neighbors are gone for the weekend.
“Please, Raoul,” Christine pants, her voice strangled as she tries to stay quiet, “I need—”
Before Raoul can do anything, Erik slips a hand between them and circles her clit.
Christine cries out and Raoul groans as she clamps around him. Raoul fucks her through it and feels her aftershocks. She whimpers as he speeds up, too much for the sensations overcoming her body. Raoul glances up at Christine’s contorted face and the glittering, hungry eyes of his professor and comes.
“Well,” Erik says when everything is still again, “This was unexpected.”
“But not unpleasant, I hope?” Christine murmurs, leaning her head back on his shoulder.
He smiles and kisses her on the cheek. “No, not unpleasant at all.”
“Good. Raoul, please get off of me; I’m sticky and I would like not to be.”
Raoul laughs and pulls away. “Sorry, darling.”
Christine kisses Erik’s cheek before leaving for the bathroom.
“Are the two of you always like this?” Erik asks, amused.
“Usually, yes,” Raoul answers, settling himself on the bed facing Erik, “But if you’re asking if we usually bring our professor to bed, then no.”
Erik’s face stiffens a little. “No, I expect not.”
Raoul watches him for a moment, eyes searching. He reaches out to place his hand over his. “I can see you freaking out. We’ll be graduated in a month, there’s no need to worry.”
“I would categorize this as a ‘need to worry’ basis,” Erik says dryly.
“Maybe,” Raoul shrugs, “But only worry like, 25%.”
Erik laughs and settles on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
“I’m getting too old for this.”
He groans as he sits up and starts moving around the room.
“What are you looking for?”
“My pants,” Erik grumbles, “I can’t leave looking like this.”
“Who said anything about leaving?” Erik looks at him with an expression that says he thinks Raoul is being stupid. “I know Christine would like it if you stayed the night,” Raoul adds.
Erik looks at him long and hard without saying anything.
“Well,” he says slowly, “In that case.”
Raoul’s face breaks into a smile.
And Erik stays.