Work Text:
Sophie POV
I had been wanting this book for ages, should I just buy it? yeah you know what I will. The Phantom of the Opera, my father told me it was mothers favourite book I had been wanting to read it ever since not really knowing why, maybe It would make me feel closer to her in a weird way. I turned the book in my hands its weight a common comfort as was the bookshop in general I had been reading for years mainly from Anths library but I enjoyed going to the shop the smell of the paper and calm lack of sound that would usually make my hair stand on end. It was peaceful here a peace that I could never accomplish any where else.
" Sophie! Long time no see" the air tightened, that voice, it couldn't be. I didn't feel calm anymore, my hands got shaky and I could feel the blood running out of my face. He stepped closer practically touching my back, the book fell from my grasp with a small thud as I turned to face him, the golden blade.
" Its been months, you really thought you could stay away" he was right it had been months since those two horrific days so why does it still bother me so badly. I could barely breath he was pressing his face closer and closer to mine. That predatory, proud smile was back it made me nauseous I couldn't get any words out what could I say anyway? hi its been really boring since you last kidnapped and tortured me we really should catch up more often!. My body was still I didn't dare move, didn't dare touch him. his mouth opened to say something but most of it was lost to me, panic making my ears buzz and my vision go blurry. " I bet you've got some burning questions, so why don't we go somewhere more private and we can.. talk it out" his breath was rancid like spoiled milk and whiskey he grabbed my upper arm and placed his other against the wall beside my head keeping me in place, a gasp escaped my lips there was less than an inch between us. why wouldn't the wall become sponge like just so I could move away even if its only a little. My body was stiff and I could hardly feel my legs," right come on then sweetheart" that nickname made tears prick in my eyes, I couldn't go with him not again, I had to make a scene, get someone to help but I remained still unable to mutter a sound. The blade tugged my arm noticing my resistance" don't fight or I will make every second of you life a misery" he whispered in my ear the rough stubble scratching my cheek, he sighed" right now lets g- "
A tall figure merged into existence over the blades shoulder," Sophie is this man bothering you!" his voice was deep, strong and pulled me out of my panic. I broke the eye contact with the blade and turned my eyes to the man, Kipps? he wasn't looking at the blade his attention was fixed on me awaiting my answer, I swallowed the lump in my throat," Yes, Yes he is" my words weren't loud but they where enough, Kipps took two large steps to be beside the blade holding his shoulder firmly. " excuse me Sir" Kipps shifted the blade so he had to let go of my arm and Kipps was between me and him. In that same move he put his hand in mine and lightly pulled to get me walking. Before the blade could follow without drawing more attention to himself me and Kipps where out the bookshop and walking quickly down the street.
I didn't really know where we were walking all I could think was what if I had gone with him? what if Quill hadn't shown up? what if I was in a quieter shop in the middle of nowhere? the thoughts where bringing my panic slowly back and as the adrenaline dwindled my body got heavier and started shaking.
Kipps POV
I kept my hand in hers whilst we walked letting choose where we went. We didn't say a word as we walked I tried to think about what just happened and why Sir Rupert Gale was harassing Sophie Lockwood. Pulling no conclusion I flicked back to reality finding me and Sophie in Regents Park not too far from Portland Row. Sophie was staring at the ground holding my hand rather tight, wait is she shivering? I could hear small hitched breaths, she was panicking!. " Sophie stop." I spoke as softly as possible to prevent scaring her, she didn't stop, I tugged her arm twisting her to face me. Why did I do that? she stared at me with glassy eyes struggling to pull air into her lungs, god she looked so pale." Sophie you need to sit down" I led her to one of the nearby benches and sat down with her. " Hey Sophie your okay just breath, your safe, I'm here" she looked back to me I squeezed her hand encouragingly. Something more had happened here something to do with Rupert Gale but right now Sophie was in pain. As if in que she broke down, eyes overflowing in tears her head fell and I pulled her into my arms hugging her for as long as she needed.
We stayed this way for a while and as Sophie calmed she explained the situation to me and what Rupert Gale did. " sorry for bringing you into all this, I know you don't really like Anthony or me" this was one of the many times she apologized," don't be sorry, you've been through so much I'm amazed your so strong" I rubbed her back and she straitened back up," thank you for helping me, I don't know what would have happened had you not shown up." her voice was returning back to normal and her eyes grew less red and puffy," its okay you would do it for anyone, I'm not surprised Rupert Gale is a creep he's always stalking around at Fittes." her head tilted," so that's who he is, we have been calling him ' the golden blade'" she said with a chuckle. she stood and I quickly followed," well I should get home its nearly curfew" I can't let her go alone," I can walk you," she nodded as we started in the direction of 35 Portland Row.
Around 10 minutes later after some light chatter and story sharing we had made it to the front door of Lockwood & Co. " damn I forgot my keys" she knocked on the large wooden door. Keys jingled on the other side, the door swung open and there stood Anthony Lockwood. "Kipps?" his face was full of surprise, shit I didn't think about this bit, Sophie spoke," Hi Anth Kipps found me in town and walked me home." she gave smiles all round Tony still looked a bit cautious," why?" one eye brown bent up into an arc. " He helped me Anth can we come in and explain" slowly he nodded and moved to the side giving me a small glare as I passed. I followed Sophie into the kitchen where questionable glances where tripled by Lucy and George, I gave them a small smile and wave. Anthony walked in and sat at the table Sophie stayed standing for the moment having her time to be the confident one," so to cut a long story short, I was in the bookshop when the golden blade came in and Kipps then came over and helped me get away from him then helping me when I was panicking, now he has some information that might be of use to us" that was definitely cut short, all eyes turned to me but I looked to Sophie who nodded," well um the ' golden blade' as you call him is actually Sir Rupert Gale, Penelope Fittes personal body guard who is always being a creep around the agency." the words came out as fast as they possibly could, this was the only group of people I was slightly intimidated by.
Anthony's face changed from confusion about my presence to confusion about Rupert," Wait he's Fittes?" I nodded. George turned to Anthony," this will make research easier now that we have an actual name." wait research? what research? what are they researching? Anthony saw my confusion rolled his eyes and explained," he hates our family has tried to kill both of us and we think he had something to do with the death of my parents so we are trying to figure it out" right that makes sense, kind of. " wait, I might be able to help you guys I can look at Fittes see if I can find anything." Sophie looked at me with a smile," that would be amazing Quill thank you!" I could sense the other members of the group watching our exchange but I let it slide.
Sophie POV
The next morning Quill had gone home just before curfew and I was sat in the library with Anth we brought up what had happened in the bookshop he was still sceptical about Quills motives, I explained in more detail what had happened," he was kind to me Anth and understanding I probably wouldn't be sat here right now if he hadn't shown up okay? its been years since the competition maybe its time to let this grudge go? he could be really helpful and get us information we wouldn't be able to get" I had never hated Quill I usually just playfully went along with Anths antics but after getting to know his better "I think we could all be friends". Anth smiled at me," I'll think about it but right now I'm just glad he was there when you needed him," I smiled back and stood up," I'm gunna go shower," I left after a small nod came from Anth. As soon as I started walking up the stairs the letter box on the door was pushed open and a small package dropped on the floor. I stepped closer, it was addressed to me, hesitantly I opened it. A book, The Phantom of the Opera! I rushed up the stairs, into my room and to the window, relief washed over me when I saw Quill Kipps walking down the road seeming rather pleased with himself. A smile spread across my face and I sat on my bed and opened the first page. the Phantom of the Opera did exist.