Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

As I stepped out of the Louvre’s doors, those ever familiar white lights shone on my being and exposed me to the world. 

Right as the spotlights would shine on me, I would speed off into the night, hopping rooftop to rooftop with Fondue. Painting in hand, I’d skillfully weave through the many officers on beat. After that, I would probably have a chance encounter with Eriel, the famous private eye of Paris — ‘famous’ because of, well, me; the illustrious, mysterious Phantom R. So really, I should be getting compensation too. 

A bit later, I’d find myself back at home. Ready to get my 3 hours of quality sleep time. And hey, it’s not like I’m exactly an art thief. I’d return the real painting a few days later - good as new - for reasons ever so mysterious to the general public. But through vague testimony from the police, I had apparently altered the piece, returned a fake, or perhaps even used them in forgeries (I’d have to give them credit however, because the last one is the closest they got.) 

But, really! I have a moral code, and I’m way too sleep deprived as it is to even think of making forgeries – or doing whatever wild notion the police have cooked up this time.
Of course, it’s precisely from these claims that I’d be labelled an art thief, a criminal, scum of the earth. And chased around by the police again, etcetera. Such is the life of Phantom R. Like always. 

Anyway. All that preamble was to say that tonight is a bit unlike always. 

Taking off the hat that concealed me from the public eye, a small laugh escaped from my breath. 

I held my arms up. “Looks like you’ve caught me!” 

I scanned the sea of blue and red lights. They have a different look to them, this close up. The blur of lights swirling in a dizzying harmony, the alarms a cacophony of noise. Every single cell in my body screamed to run away.  The sirens were blaring nonstop, getting louder and louder by the second. 

Steadying my gaze, I slowly walked towards the nearest fuzz of red, white and blue. “Well done! You can arrest me now.”

I could just barely make out a group of police officers warily looking at each other.

“What are you all waiting for? Arrest him.” Vergier shouted.

My lips curled into a smile. “Do what the man says, folks. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity!” I waved my free hand. “Unless you want me to commit more crimes. I’m pretty okay with that too.”

The various men in blue uniforms didn’t need to walk far. After a moment of hesitation, the cold iron cuffs snapped on my wrists and sent chills down my spine. 

“That wasn’t so hard, was it?”

Luckily for me, the locks on them didn’t look too hard to break. I grinned out of habit.

Vergier sternly eyed me. “We’re not done here, Phantom R.”

“Can’t it wait until we get to the station?” I whined. “You don’t know how exhausting it is running from you all.” 

This time I wasn’t bluffing. Who would’ve thought that having a criminal alter ego, along with trying to solve a grand mystery could eat into my sleep and study time?

As one could imagine, I couldn’t be bothered to steal anything today either, so I kind of just walked around the Louvre and tripped all the alarms I could find. 

So, yaknow. Good old professional art thief, Phantom R.

Murmurs dispersed around the crowd. “We know full well about being tired…” Another one spoke up. “You know who has to keep up with you too.”

Soon after, the mass of officers erupted in complaints, all directed towards me. “You’re always stealing paintings at the dead of night.”

Their words made me think. That was what the police are for though, right? Bringing justice, catching criminals. If they were having trouble catching an 18 year old art major for about a year now, then that’s beyond me. 

“My condolences, everyone. Hey, on the plus side, I’ve come clean today.” I couldn’t resist laughing. “Your days of struggle are no more.”

I looked at the crowd of officers. Joy, malice, relief. The person who cuffed me looked like an enormous weight got lifted off his shoulders. 

Vergier, meanwhile, was staring daggers at me. Probably expecting me to retaliate, to escape - and by the looks of his hand on that gun holster, he’d stop me by any means necessary.

…With better judgment, I decided to gaze over at the Louvre.

Being in this specific spot, I could just barely recall my father taking me to the Louvre for my 7th birthday. My eyes locked onto every art piece, swirling around my mind as it told the story of its creation. All the wonder, the sadness, the joy. 

Yet here I am, standing in the same spot from all those years ago – stealing the art I regarded so highly, no less. All for what, some sick sense of moral justice? Atonement? Money, infamy, acclaim? Whatever the papers claim I’m doing it for this time. They’d paint me as utter scum of the earth again, like always — or maybe this time, it’s about some grandiose narrative about a thief who saved Paris from its demise. You never know these days.

Don’t get me wrong, I applaud their determination for trying to figure out R’s motives. Because if I was being honest, as just plain-old Raphael Rousseau, I’m not too sure what this is all for either. 

But I know that it’s something that I must do.

Out of the corner of my eye, a figure just about the same height as me marched up to Vergier.

“What the hell is going on here? Where is Phantom R?” My face instantly lit up at the familiar voice.

Vergier gestured towards me. “See for yourself.” 

Eriel reeled in horror at the sight of me in cuffs. Gathering up my mess of emotions, I mustered up the most shit-eating grin I could fathom at her.

Angry beyond belief, she stormed up to me and held me up by my collar.

“What is the meaning of this, phantom?” Eriel furrowed her eyebrows. “You? In cuffs?”

I shrugged in response. “They were relentless in catching me, Eriel. You should’ve been there!”

“Relentless, my ass. Are we really talking about the same police force?” Huh. Wasn’t she on their side? 

Eriel raised me up higher by the collar. “Tell the truth for once.”

“Well, fine, since we’re best friends and all—” I paused. 

...

I must’ve paused for too long, because it looked like she was about to punch me square in the face.

“—Okay, okay! I let myself get caught!” I finally said, laughing to myself. 

Hundreds of emotions cycled through her face, and it almost made me burst out into laughter. However, as surprising as it may be, I value my life.

“If they got me, I’d put up more of a fight, you know.” I assured her. “No gunshots this time.”

Not believing me, she looked me up and down.

I sighed. “And after a great deduction… The case is closed by our detective Eriel.” I reached to pat her on the shoulder, but then I remembered, yep, still in cuffs. 

“I can see the headlines now. Phantom, unscathed.”

For those curious, the subtitle would read: ’ It’s almost like I told you so! Do you really doubt my abilities that much?’

I continued. “Don’t worry, there's time to celebrate later. For now though, I’d really appreciate it if you put me down.”

“Alright, I get it. You can shut up now.” Rolling her eyes, Eriel let go. “I really thought you were lacking or something.” I swore I could hear her sound relieved. 

“But I see I don’t have to worry about that anymore. This is the police we’re talking about, after all.”

Murmurs disperse in the crowd again, and I glanced back at where we were. She really said that out loud. In front of the, you know, mass of police officers all around us. “This is the police we’re talking about.” I muttered to myself, wanting to affirm her statement, but being careful not to increase my chances of getting jumped (—anymore than I already have, anyway.)

Following my gaze, Eriel took notice of what I had been wildly gesturing towards. But instead of a look of worry, or embarrassment, or any normal expression at this moment, her lack of emotion suddenly runs cold when she meets the eyes of her father.

For the past year I’ve known Eriel, I don’t think I’ve ever seen her face make such a scornful expression.

Okay, I guess she’s really not on their side.

“…One more thing.” She lowered her voice to a whisper and looked me in the eye. Her expression had clearly eased up from a few moments ago. “Whatever this is, phantom, don’t do anything reckless.” 

“You must have some reason for this. ” — was probably what she meant to say.  

It’s a bit funny to think that she, of all people, feels concerned about me — and even trusts that I have a good answer. Or at the very least, trusts me more than her father.

I smiled. “No promises.” 

Her faith, as always, is incorrectly placed.

She lightly punched me on the shoulder. “I’ll let you go for now, but this isn’t over, Phantom R. You still owe me an explanation.”

“Your dad said the same thing.” I looked back at the police chief. “Now you both owe me nickels.” Same last name, both obsessed with catching me. And yet. One sees me as a threat – enough to hold onto a gun, and the other shows genuine worry, albeit in her own funny way. What an odd family, huh?

Eriel raised her eyebrow, but didn’t press on the matter any longer, as a police officer informed her of something I couldn’t catch. After carefully looking me in the eye, she stepped aside. The police officer nodded and guided me into the police car.

Resting my head on my hand, I looked out the window.

The car was clearly a distance away now, and the mass of white, red and blue blended together even more.

And among that mess, not clearly standing out or anything. A brown figure, a distinct green tie. About my height.

Her silhouette faded further into the distance as the car drove on, fading into obscurity.

In retrospect, it’s kind of uncanny how good I’ve gotten at finding her. 

I sunk further down into my seat as the police cab rolled on and on, fading farther away now. The city lights died, buildings rolled past the horizon.

Like any other day, it was all too easy to fade into the Parisian night.

Chapter Text

The oppressive colours only got more dim, as the cell amplified in chill thanks to the cool Parisian night. Getting comfortable was a fruitless task that only resulted in endless creaking, so I ended up sitting agonisingly still for my own sanity.

On the downside, the silence was deafening.

That was, except for the slight hum of the bright white lighting that reminded me of the spotlights that threatened to expose me for the longest time.

Really, how long has it been now? A year? The memory echoed, despite my best efforts of silencing it.

When I first came to Paris, it was the day my father, the man I can’t help but spite, was supposed to greet me.

I gazed at the worn down, slate grey building that blocked the view of the sun. I was right back where I started. How was I supposed to process this? Resentment, relief, joy…?

If I were talking to a worried relative, I’d smile and say that I was glad to be back in Paris.

...But, I couldn’t bring myself to lie like that.

“It’s been a while since your old man’s ever been this stubborn,” the old lady beside me spoke up. “Raphael, right?” 

I smiled weakly. 10 years away from Paris, 10 years away from my father. 

And yet, my own father couldn’t have even bothered to see me.

It was foolish of me to think otherwise.

“Yeah. Raphael Rousseau.” I finally spoke.

“I could tell. You and Isaac look so alike.”

“Funny.” My mind wandered to the social workers, my relatives in America, how far away the memory of my father seemed. “I get that a lot.”

How funny is that? The one time I believe in something, the one time a light finally shines in the tunnel. A new start, a new environment, a father I could finally come home to.  It’s hard to believe that there was a time where I actually held hope for something.

Then the light bulb finally pops, the fantasy shatters, and I’m left to pick up his pieces, solving his damn problems.

What kind of father leaves naught but a single coin to trace to his existence? What kind of father leaves a room full of hundreds of stolen paintings from a nationally known art museum?

And god, why can’t I just give up and leave without a trace like my father — effortlessly, heartlessly, and pathetically?

Now that I’m thinking about it, that isn’t even true, either. 

I can’t even say that he left without a trace, because I finally got a hint of where that man could be. I know he was with Napoleon, I saw him with my own eyes, though I couldn't care less if he was evil as that would really only make sense for someone as horrible as he is, that also means he’s linked to the Mystere Incident, how could he not be, and I swear to every single god out there, I don't care if he's hiding behind Napoleon, I will find him–

…I yawned subconsciously, interrupting my spiral. 

You see, this is why I shouldn’t be allowed to be alone with my thoughts. 

“Might as well get some shut-eye while I’m here.” I said to myself. Maybe saying it out loud would coerce my brain into doing so.

It’s better than spiralling over the past, anyway.

Just as I closed my eyes, the slight murmur of familiar voices broke through my stupor.

”Eriel?” I called out. “That’s you, right?”

After a moment or so, I could hear feet shuffling away.

“—Don’t you think this could’ve waited until tomorrow…?” they whispered to another person.

I called out again. “Did you bring a snack? I’m famished, myself.” When in doubt, annoy the hell out of Eriel.

Eriel sharply inhaled. “Get your food yourself. Oh wait! You’re behind bars,” she spoke bluntly. “A shame.”

Ha. Works like a charm. “Wow, I knew it was you! I could feel that menacing aura anywhere.” It was more so a lucky shot in the dark, but hey. When was anything I’ve done planned or predicted?

“Sure you did.”

"I'm hurt." I say in mock dismay. “Can’t you suspend your disbelief a little?”

Eriel yawned. “Despite your incredible wit, I have better things to do than entertaining your nonsense. Like sleep.” You see, this was more like her. It was a bit off-putting seeing how trustful she was a few hours ago.

"I'm sure many would benefit from the lack of your running mouth," she added.

Yup, that was the good old, cranky and sleep deprived Eriel I knew.

…Sleep deprived. Right, as far as I could remember, it must’ve been something like midnight right now.

I met Eriel’s gaze. “Why did you come here this late, anyway?” What detective would visit the criminal they’re chasing at this dead of night? She’s not that much of a lunatic to interrogate me the moment I get arrested.

Wait, who am I kidding? It is Eriel. She’d be exactly the type to pull this kind of thing. She’s like, lunatic central, really.

Knowing exactly what I was thinking with one glance, she rolled her eyes and instead opted to look to the right of her. “Believe me, I didn’t want to come here either, but…” Eriel gestured towards me.

“Ra—Phantom R, when I heard what happened…!” Marie said frantically, running up to the bars. “You’re okay, right? Please tell me you’re okay.”

Okay, that makes way more sense. I feel like Marie is the only person that could’ve dragged Eriel here. Still, you have to agree that my theory was totally possible.

I smiled. “I wouldn’t be much of a phantom if I wasn’t, right?”

I looked over at Marie. There seemed to be some new dark circles around her eyes, but nothing else out of the ordinary. 

Truthfully, I was glad that Marie was okay too. Considering the mess of what happened just a few weeks ago, no doubt it was traumatizing. Getting kidnapped, her newfound mother getting almost killed in front of her eyes, and her father figure turning out to actually be her kidnapper, as well as an accomplice in a plot to take over France… 

…Jeez, yeah. We are definitely catching up over tea sometime. All… of that, just all of that, and also because, dude, I just got tag teamed! Since when did they know each other?

—But, hey. 

Right after this whole situation blows over, of course. Don’t know if anyone could gauge this place as a good time to catch up. 

“Just needed a change of pace.” I added, brushing it off. “Happy to see you too, Marie.”

Eriel rolled her eyes. “Like I told you, same-old Phantom R. A change of pace. What a bunch of nonsense,” she scoffed, crossing her arms. “For a normal person, that means going to the beach or something. Not jail.”

The moment I saw the opportunity, I snatched it with ease. “Nonsense? Weren’t you the one who was glad to see me a few hours ago? Imagine my surprise as you picked me up by the collar.” I grinned ear to ear. "Don't think I haven't forgotten how you looked me up and down to make sure I was okay."

Marie looked back at her and raised her eyebrows. 

“Clearly,” my smile grew as I saw the horror unfold on Eriel’s face, “that’s not normal.”

“That happened?” Marie looked like she was about to burst out laughing. “By the collar ?”

“Wha- No! Don’t listen to him! Of course he’s bluffing!”

Unfortunately for her, she made the mistake of getting flustered, so I doubled down. “—Private Eye Eriel! I can't believe you!“ I exclaimed without an ounce of shame. “You speak of nonsense as if you don’t know it yourself!” 

Eriel suddenly remembered why she hated me. God, the expressions she makes are priceless. 

“You know what? This is going nowhere.” Eriel stopped her train of thought, and started tapping her leg out of impatience. 

“Do you ever shut up? Sincerely?” she sighed in annoyance. 

Just as I was about to open my mouth, she interrupted me.

“No. Don’t answer that. We don’t have time for this.”

I couldn’t help myself. “And what might ‘this’ be?”

As Marie stifled her laughter, Eriel shot a glare at me.

“What? You never said I couldn’t answer the statement following that one.” I say.

Eriel rolled her eyes, defeated. “This has been really productive, Marie.” she sighed, turning her back towards me. “Not much of an interrogation when you’re giggling along with the suspect.”

Marie inhaled deeply, as if suddenly remembering what she had come here for in the first place. “Right, right. My apologies.”

“Phantom R, as much as I’ve enjoyed catching up,” she continued, “You know she’s right. We really don’t have time for this.”

Her eyes are questioning, but soft. That, paired with a tone that threw me completely for a loop, Marie spoke.

“What are you stalling for, phantom?” 

I knew what was going to come out of her mouth the moment she made that expression, but truly, I wanted to shake Marie by the shoulders and say, ‘You really expect me to just tell the truth right here and now? You’re really asking why the nationally known criminal is stalling??’ I screamed internally. ‘Might as well ask the fish why it swims, or the bird why it flies!’

Unfortunately, my look of utter disbelief wasn’t reciprocated. Rather, it was greeted with Marie’s look of utmost sincerity. 

I’m honestly baffled! 

Quick question! 

Why do you two trust me so much?!

I tried my best to school my expression. “Okay, fine, ya got me,” I resigned, sighing with an exasperation that rivals grade school teachers. “Maybe you should become a detective, Marie. You’d be better than Eriel, truly.”

I continued, noticing the palpable amount of ‘just get on with it’ in the room, “I need the Mystere Incident’s case files, and I felt like going for a bit of a jog, you know?” 

Technically, this was the truth, just… you know. Not the full one.

Marie’s gaze lingered on me for an odd amount of time, perhaps thinking I had more to say. Much to her dismay, that moment never came.

“That’s it? Seriously?” Marie said, exasperated.

Honestly, how anyone could tolerate my verbal games of hide and seek is an enigma beyond my understanding.

So, naturally, I pretended I couldn’t read her expression. “What can I say? That’s really the gist of it.” If that’s all they think I have to say, then that’s all that’s left to be said!

Chapter Text

My eyebrows furrowed the moment I heard what the phantom said.

The elusive phantom, the one nationally known to escape police capture for months , got caught, put into a police car, and thrown into a jail cell just so he could see some case files. And then he brushes it off as if it’s some normal afternoon walk, and manages to find time to insert some ingenious quips he’s come up with this time.

If that doesn’t explain his stupidity, I sincerely cannot ascertain what does. It’s honestly baffling at this point.

The thought crossed my mind that maybe he really did just stumble into a cell by accident, and his confession is yet another ruse. 

Another follows it, if I were to rattle his brain, all that I would find is some dust and cobwebs.

To my dismay, this particular thought had already crossed my mind, beyond what is reasonable.

Though, as much as I want to, it’s never that simple with him.

I turned around to face the phantom again, past the iron bars (it really was still weird to see him behind them), and looked directly into his eye. “You’d think with all that stalling, there’d be more that you were planning.” It took too much restraint for me to say nothing further.

He sighed, “You both think too highly of me.”

“Too highly, indeed.” I echoed. If I didn’t know him better, that’s where it would have ended. But I know you too well, Phantom R. And I’ve known well enough when you are lying through the skin of your teeth. “I take it that the phantom thief is too stupid for schemes, then. You were taking a leisurely stroll landing you behind jail bars, all for a single case file?”

“Got me again. Maybe the two of you should tag team more often.” Circling around the topic at hand, again.

It’s all too clear. Avoiding the subject, being uncharacteristically shifty. The way he fidgets with his hands only speaks to a kind of nervousness that can only come from lying — that I can’t help but stare into his dark brown eyes and speculate. There must’ve been some truth to what he said, but I thought he already knew what the Mystère Incident was, anyway. The phantom was the subject of the whole case file.

“Marie,” the phantom spoke up, clearly looking to stall again. And, judging by his exasperated exhale, shocked as to why we haven’t left yet. I scoffed. “It looks like you have something to add.”

“Yeah, actually…” Marie began, breaking us out of our stalemate. I’m glad she was here, truthfully. Knowing him, we’d be running circles around each other for ages.

And, yeah, she looked incredibly puzzled, piecing together foreign pieces from the scraps of information given by Phantom R, reasonably so. Note to self, explain this all better without Phantom R’s reluctance to directly answer basic questions. “You mentioned something called the Mystère Incident. What is it anyway?” 

I settled for the most apt words, “Not sure,” me and the phantom both say at the same time. I glanced back at him. 

”In short, it's some case file involving Phantom R that my mom worked on.” I tried to summarize, without touching on the obvious baggage associated with the whole thing. “And it’s the reason why my fa–” I couldn’t hold back the scowl when my mouth began to utter “father”, “–the police chief is so obsessed with catching you.”

“Yeah, I figured.” The phantom looked at nothing in particular past the jail bars. “But, then the whole saving Paris thing came up, so I didn’t have time to look into it.” 

”And Paris seems well-saved now, so,” His eyes steeled with resolve, an uncharacteristic amount that really made him look… serious? Strange. “Any link to my father is a link I must pursue.”

Doubly strange, I couldn’t remember the case file nor Phantom R himself mentioning a father. What about him could have made even the phantom rigid and, god forbid, serious? He’d only been this way around Napoleon, and even then that was during a critical moment – not when he literally got shot, and certainly not when he got himself voluntarily sent to jail earlier.

Seeing that he also did not elaborate, I did a once over of his expression. To my surprise, the phantom was fully lost in thought; looking as if he were spiralling further down a rabbit hole. 

Hmm.

“In any case,” I continued, trying to snap him back to reality. “We’d like to see the Mystère Incident file too.”

The phantom snapped out of his stupor and coughed once, looking up at my face, then coughed twice more, as if choking on my words.

“No offense, but can’t you just… grab it yourself?” he asked, genuinely confused. “Last time I checked, you’re a part of this department. Why would I show it to you?”

If only you knew how hard I tried searching for those case files. Believe me, I’ve tried, I almost let slip out. I’ve combed every single goddamn inch of this place and have nothing to show for it. 

If that wasn’t it, I was forking off the responsibility of finding it to someone else, no less a nationally known art thief. The great ace detective, everyone. How far the star has fallen.

But, well. Despite how much I despised the phantom, I’d have to give it to him. The man knew how to find what needs to be found. How he handled the string of Napoleon-related mystical miscellany was… nothing short of noteworthy. If anything, there really was no doubt that he could really help…

–Christ, how far the star has fallen, indeed. Maybe it really was a nonsense day of sorts, if it got me this soft. “You speak of nonsense as if you don’t know it yourself,” the phantom’s voice echoed through my head. First it was the collar thing, then the asking-him-for-help thing, then the admiration (ick) thing…

Might as well add admitting he’s right to the list, too! What’s next? We become chummy best friends who visit for afternoon tea??

I pressed my temples in annoyance, in hopes of erasing every single thought process made in the last 5 seconds.

Much thanks to whatever that string of loosely connected words were, because I also could not remember what he asked just then – knowing him, probably something stupid, I thought, so I settled on a sarcastic threat, “Consider showing it to me as payment for not screaming for the guards and locking you in some high security prison.” If I were to admit one thing, mimicking Phantom R’s trademark bluffing was amusing.

“That’s a bit unreasonable, don’t you think?” The phantom gestured to himself. “I’m just a little guy, you know.”

I couldn’t suppress my laugh. Little guy? Were we talking about the same little guy who has multiple charges of theft, going around stealing paintings every few days?  “Phantom R speaking of being unreasonable! I never thought I’d see the day. You know, it’s easier for the both of us if you just refuse. You’d be relaxing in a cramped, enclosed space, and I would have finished the task I’ve set out to do.” 

“Yeah, right.” He crossed his arms. “A bluff if ever I’ve seen one. You realize you’re talking to the bluffing king?”

“Really now, is it a bluff?” My competitive streak flares up. “It’s hard to believe, Phantom, but not everyone is you. Eventually, they’ll get tired of the same old conversation, the same old talking pits and loopholes, and start confessing the truth. It’s good I’m giving you a way out, huh?”

As if it were a cut through the heaps and bounds of bullshittery, Marie glanced back at me out of nowhere. “Sorry, Phantom R, not this time.” At that moment, the phantom retracted his puppy dog eyes beaming up at Marie.

I clamped my mouth shut, suppressing a laugh. “Oh no, you’ve gotta make up your mind quickly,” I tried to say in the most monotone voice. “The offer is going away in 5, 4…”

“Wow, Eriel…” Phantom R interrupted with a loud, dramatic sigh. “You guys are going to be the death of me.”

“Think about how we feel.” I replied, as a smile spread across my face. 

And to my surprise, Phantom R smiled back.

It was different in a way, a stark contrast to his grandiose one, the grin tipped with overconfidence and grandeur. The type that anyone opposing him would want to wipe off his face that instant, as well as the type I’ve long since grown accustomed to.

But, right then… his brown eyes lightly sparkled, the corners of his lips raised with ease. Right then, his smile seemed so genuinely…warm.

In an instant, the expression disappeared. “Okay! So be it, since you’re so insistent.” In mock exasperation, he added, “I swear you all owe me though.

I was left to think about what the hell that was again, too.

Really and truly, only Phantom R could look this joyful after I basically threatened him to steal case files while he stood in a holding cell. How strange this phantom is.

However, the thought that crossed my mind just then was even more strange than I could fathom. 

Why doesn’t he smile like that more?

And, in true Phantom R fashion, I resolved to ignore the shit out of what that could’ve possibly meant or implied.

Chapter Text

After exiting the room with all the holding cells, I exhaled, finally breathing in the air that wasn’t filled with dust and cobwebs.

The phantom felt his wrist, free from shackles. “You really don’t know where it is?”

As I knew it, the police department was bathed with the warm Parisian spring afternoon’s light, was either raucously or relaxingly slow; no in-between.

But as of now, the silence was occasionally broken up by the loud snoring of two or so police officers, sleeping on the job instead of whatever it was that forced them into working the late shift.

Thankfully, our search would remain undisturbed.

“If I’d known, then we wouldn’t be here. I’ve tried everything short of tearing this place down in search of it,” I quietly spoke, trying to be aloof… as aloof as I could be about it, anyway. “Coast is clear. Just don’t make any sudden sounds.”

I added, “And don’t bother with the other officers’ desks. It’s obvious he’d keep it somewhere only he would know since, Lord knows the case file is important to him.” ‘ I’ve already searched them’ forms in my mouth, but I keep it shut. It certainly wouldn’t be helping with the lunatic allegations.

My gaze followed the line of desks to his office, sticking out like a sore thumb thanks to his gold nameplate. I’ve always thought that it was too decorated, too grand for a man like him, even back then.

“It’s just that, he’s always there. Doing paperwork, reviewing that paperwork…” I trailed off. “Did you know the man sleeps there too?” 

“Though I’m not surprised,” Phantom R lightly laughed. “That’s crazy work, no matter how you spin it.” After leaning in and squinting to look through his window, the phantom walked towards the office. “It’s good that he isn’t there then, yeah?”

The three of us looked at each other and nodded.

Sure enough, as we all approached and the phantom opened the door, all that was there was the never-ending pile of papers, coupled with messy strewn file reports found all over the room.

My eyes naturally wandered to his desk, and to my surprise, the framed photo I expected was still standing. Just… faced down. I stopped myself from picking it up.

I knew exactly what that frame contained, as I frequently found myself in here due to my duties as an honourary detective and the daughter of the Chief Inspector. I would run back and forth, approaching him with paperwork I had just finished and wanted him to approve of, as the warm sun leaked through the blinds.

Along with various other souvenirs on that desk of his, right beside a copy of his nameplate was a portrait of Emma Vergier, my mother. When I asked about it one day, my father beamed and recalled, “You see, your mother bought a new camera a few days before this picture. I insisted that the first picture had to be of her, but… I was new with a camera too.” He shook his head in embarrassment.

“The previous captures were blurry and unusable. She began laughing at the absurdity of some of them, the way that her face became a blur, the various close-ups of my face as I tried to figure out what was wrong…”

If I’d closed my eyes at that moment, I could see the nostalgic look on his face when he retold a precious memory of the one he had grown to love dearly.

“And then, I clicked the button again, and… her beautiful smile was finally, perfectly captured.”

And, he was right. The picture was taken in the middle of the most genuine laugh… it was as if you could hear that moment just by looking at the picture.

But now? Now, Emma Vergier, his wife and my mother… That same man who loved gushing about his wife to anyone who’d listen, couldn’t even bring himself to look at her face. 

All that was left now was the dust gathering on top of its wooden frame.

“I’ll keep watch,” I finally said, looking away. There’s nothing for me here.

“Really?” The phantom asked while rifling through the drawers. Marie was closely examining the papers strewn across his desk in contemplation. “Wouldn’t you know where it is, or what the files look like?” 

“To answer both of those questions, I don’t.” I said, truthfully. “You’d have about the same chances of finding it regardless of my presence. And besides, it’s natural for a detective to be around the precinct, right?”

Phantom R stopped and looked up at me dubiously as if to ask, At this hour, though…?

Before he could say anything, I turned around to leave through the door. “There’s no time, so just make it quick. I’ll think of something if anyone shows up.”

The phantom silently nodded. “Alright, you’re the boss.” He said, continuing his search. “If we find it, we’ll meet back up at the fountain, yeah?”

“Sure.” I said before closing the door behind me, moving to sit at one of the benches outside his office.

I breathed a sigh of relief, a part of me glad to get out of the stifling atmosphere.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t much different outside his office. The station was indeed still stifling, just in the very eerie sense, especially without the presence of Marie and Phantom R to fill it. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, as I absentmindedly began twirling the pen in my pocket.

…When that didn’t work, I began clicking the pen, trying to fill the emptiness with my thoughts on the Mystère Incident.

Now that I’m thinking, it’s strange that I don’t know anything about the case.

Click, click.  

What was in the case file, anyway? Click.

Well, it was obviously linked to Phantom R. But, whatever it was, his actions couldn’t really be explained by one defining ‘incident’.

Click, click, click. The paintings, the symbol found everywhere, Napoleon… Could one thing really be able to describe Phantom R as a whole?

Click. Well, other than a series of wild goose chases done by Vergier, that is.

…With all these frayed ends, the case file can’t be called Mystère Incident. It’s really more like… Mystère Endless-yet-Somehow-Connected Incident(s), isn't it-?

Interrupting my thoughts, the footsteps that finally approached were heavy, dragging as if weighted by something. My hand stilled as that unmistakable sound made my blood boil, taking all of my strength to restrain myself from running and punching him in the face… The thought trailed off, as I remembered to quietly knock on his office door to alert the two.

And, like clockwork, the man whom I despise with every fiber of my being walked out from the hallway. Paul Vergier, chief inspector of the Parisian police. He was just as I remembered him. A constant frown etched engravings into his face – coupled with eyes that were serious, but permanently impresent and lost in his own world. Some unknown stress had shackled his features, evident in the way he carried himself, and… 

Vergier completely ignored my presence, his hand reaching for the doorknob. 

My mouth jumped to the first thing I could think of. “You’re interrogating Phantom R, I take it. I’m watching your interrogation.”

“Like I could stop you.”

My eyes narrowed. “Surprises me that you know how to be right on occasion.”

However, my thoughts were interrupted by the creak of the door.

“Why do you need to go into your office?” I said a bit louder, with the hope that they could hear it. As expected, a small clatter sounded in the office. I cleared my throat. “Doesn’t the interrogation take first priority over housekeeping?” 

As I tumbled out those lines, the door creaked open wide, and everything to his office was on full display.

I instinctually moved forward to block his view into the office. However, it was now my brain’s turn to start scrambling for what to say, as I watched the slightest shadows dance in the moonlight’s reflection.

…Okay. Slow down. Ask the fundamental questions first.

What can I do here…? What should I do?

Well, clearly I needed to stall and make up something. Anything.

They couldn’t be seen. Not when it was this close.

So, how would I stall, then?

Or, better yet, what would Phantom R do?

Now, you see, that one’s easy. The slightest smile overtook my face. He’d simply lie through his teeth.

With the flimsy plan I created, I began, “I brought the case file down already. Mystère Incident . Not an original name.”

…

Written all over his face were many such questions, ’ Why the hell are you still here’ , ‘ There’s no way that you could’ve gotten your hands on it’, and my favourite, ‘ What the fuck are you talking about’ , as well as various other iterations.

Nonetheless, I continued. “Phantom R. Short for Phantom Rouge. Started stealing paintings, helped save Paris, defeated a revived Napoleon, the works.” I said. “Common knowledge, I’m sure."

“Move aside,’ he said, coldly.

Fuck you too. There was no way that was happening, and I had no choice but to stall for the file. That I would endure, if only to see what the hell was so interesting about it.

However, this meant that I clearly had to prove what I knew, so the main question remained: What does the Incident discuss that doesn’t encompass ‘common knowledge’?

Fortunately, the answer was lightwork. It would be an insult if I didn’t know at least this much about Phantom R. “—However.” I firmly stood my ground. “A symbol of importance linked to the art thief is a pyramid surrounded by a semicircle, and on top of it all rests a sun of sorts. This symbol appears in other seemingly unrelated objects, a coin, a violin case, the Tiamat bracelet, the various Louvre paintings the art thief stole, etcetera.” 

”This is only one piece of the puzzle, though.” I then stated the questions that both the police force and myself have been circling around, “What is the connection between these objects and the symbol? What might it represent? Why was Napoleon, a long dead conqueror, revived all these years later? What is Phantom R’s relation to all of this?”

Just like the previous steps, the conclusion was easy to piece together. “With these questions in mind, the Mystère Incident no longer refers to a single event, rather, it is a series of strings that connect to one source — the identity of which the Parisian police force has yet to solve.”

“And of course.” I reached the obvious conclusion. “Who else but Phantom R could be your lucky break?”

I mustered up all the malice I held towards him. “Rest assured, I fully intend to press him on these details, and I refuse to play catch-up when he is my target.”

“So, what are we still doing here?” I asked indignantly.

The man took one look at me, seemingly lasting a lifetime and a half.

It was one thought in particular that overtook the rest as I looked the Chief Inspector directly in the eye. Unrecognizable. 

Though I couldn’t see the photo frame from where I was standing, the memory still played out in my head.

If I were to be slightly more sympathetic towards him, I would’ve asked, What changed? I know she passed, I was affected by it as well. But, you on the other hand… 

…Finally, the man walked out of his office, down the dimly lit hallways.

”Easy as,” I muttered, turning around and shutting the door behind me.

Unfortunately, the situation became increasingly evident when I realized that I’d still have to stall, which further meant that I had to actually interact with the man. You know, the cold, stone wall of a man who hadn’t experienced an ounce of happiness in years. 

In all honesty, I truly didn’t think that I was ready for that yet, so I let my eyes wander the empty surroundings.

To my dismay, the police station was even more dimly lit, shadows cast from the desks and stacks of paperwork. On the walls danced the scattering of moonlight, illuminating the surroundings with a wash of an unnatural dark blue. Sorely missing were the strong smells of coffee, the mindless chattering about the latest news, the absurd amount of paperwork that followed even minor cases… At the dead of night, all that remained in its wake was the stagnant air of the abandoned police station.

With each stiff step I took, it was a step further into nothingness, a step further into the vast darkness.

In retrospect, this was probably not my brightest idea, I thought, distinctly noticing my breathing. I began twirling my pen again, keeping my mind at bay.

Cutting through the silence, he cleared his throat. “You’re still here,” His voice echoed in front of me. Right, the place was not completely isolated, I thought to myself. But having the space occupied by only him? I wouldn’t be surprised if it were a nightmare.

And, right. I was supposed to be stalling. I took in a deep breath, making sure that my voice was steady. “It’s called being present. You should learn to do it more often.”

“Did you come here just to insult me?” 

I rolled my eyes. “Would it really surprise you if I said yes?”

The Chief Inspector turned the corner, still refusing to make eye contact with me. “Another drop of water in the ocean,” he sighed. “You’d insult me regardless of my presence.”

“Why ask questions you already know the answer to?” I shrugged, following his movements.

Passing by the sign that read, ‘Holding Cells’, I breathed a sigh of relief. I kept up his pace, still making sure that I was a good distance away.

After a long while, he retorted, “Why answer with questions when you could just answer them directly?”

My eyebrows furrowed. “How ironic that is,” I scoffed. “Can you really say I owe you an answer, when you’re the one who never gave me any direct explanation whatsoever?”

The silence was deafening.

I continued, “You’re asking for a direct answer now, but you couldn’t bother with an actual acknowledgement for years , even to this day,” my voice shook, taking all of my willpower to fight against it. “I wouldn’t take you as the forgetful type, Chief Inspector, seeing your pathetic stumblings toward a person who’s long passed.”

The Chief Inspector stopped dead in his tracks, but didn’t think to turn. Even now, he refuses to acknowledge me. “You don’t get to talk about her like that,” he spoke through gritted teeth.

“The hell?” I spat out. “I wasn’t disrespecting her, I never have, so how could I now?! You forget that she’s my mother too, not just your wife.”

“And I speak only the truth: She’s gone. Long gone! How clueless are you to not acknowledge even that…!” I clicked my tongue out of annoyance, my voice raising with volume. “We’ve both changed because of her passing, and clearly, one person here has changed for the worse.”

“However, ” I interrupted him before he could speak. “It doesn’t take a genius to realize that this ,” I gestured towards his entire self. “Your nostalgia, your desperation – just about everything that you have turned into now?”

“This is all your doing. Don’t you dare try to say otherwise,” I firmly stated. “It’s not mine, not Phantom R’s, and certainly, most definitely not my mother’s.”

The moment he turned the corner for the last time, I hung back and turned away from him.

“If nothing else, if you’d allow me at least a sparing thought for once in your life,” I stated, finally putting to words what I wanted to express for all these years. “Just let her rest. Spare her your desperation.”

The doorway to the holding cells was wide open, and I dug through my pockets to find the keys to it. This is about as far as I can go. I trust you two’s abilities enough… More than I do for Vergier, anyway.

But, that isn’t saying much, is it? I’d be doing you two a dishonour if I were to compare it to how I feel about him. Procuring the key ring, I locked the door behind me, in the hopes of stalling him for a few moments. Of course, he would unlock it with ease, he was the Chief Inspector after all, but closing that door behind me was just the bit of pettiness I needed as of then.

Unlike you two, all he’s ever done since is disappoint me. My legs picked up as I heard the opening of doors distantly, taking me away from the holding cells, the empty hallways, the dark stairways, the sleeping officers, that man’s office…

I swung around to the door with the nameplate that read “Paul Vergier, Chief Inspector”. His office was left wide open, in contrast to when I had left it resoundingly shut. 

And, sure enough, no trace of anyone being there could’ve been found. Nothing but the cool moonlight filtering through his blinds.

The grin that reached my eyes surprised even me at that moment. But really, how was it that two people half his age, one a literal thief at large, was more reliable than my own father?

With a newfound vigor, I ran through the last bit of hallways, the empty desks greeted my every step, until I was greeted with the solemn entrance to the police station my father was so fond of.

I stopped to catch my breath in the brisk air of the Parisian night, sitting down on the stone steps of the station.

And unlike him, I laughed quietly. Unlike him, I can place my faith again and again. It’s funny thinking about it.

I looked up at the stars, my heart still pounding from the flimsy heist we put together last second, much too similarly to the phantom I’m supposed to despise. 

Not only did the phantom’s disappearing act leave the Chief Inspector in the wind, but the case file that he held so dearly was stolen right under his nose.

It was about time that he learned about what that felt like, anyway.

After a moment of peace, I stood up, making my way to the fountain we agreed to meet at.

And for once, the Parisian moon seemed so bright.

“A lead,” I whispered, continuing my brisk pace. "I finally have a lead, after all this time.”

But it seems, as the empty Parisian streets stretched on… The slight feeling of satisfaction washed away into a bittersweet resignation.

I said what I wanted to say, but in the end…

“Really, some things never change,” I conceded. “Even expecting that much from him is difficult.”

Chapter Text

“ Man, what’s on my face that’s so interesting to Eriel, anyway? ”

I gave Marie an easy smile, as the way too grand and lofty manse came into view. You know, the very same manse inhabited by the Duchess. Because Marie was. The daughter of a Duchess. Lest we forget the marble white pillars with gold engravings, the two marble statues sitting atop those pillars, the many arched windows, and the moat (because it wasn’t fucking grand enough apparently???), of course.

…Feeling a bit self-conscious, I tried to wipe off the dust that accumulated on my person.

I continued, “Seriously, is there a bug in my hair or something? Or like, a hole in my clothes? Is my mascara smudging off?!” I dramatically fretted. “You can be honest! If it’s the bug though, kindly flick it off…”

“No bugs, Raphael. Or holes. Or bad makeup days!”  Marie lightly laughed. 

“You’ve gotta tell me your brand, though. It still held up after all this.”

“I’m just kidding☆” I grinned. “My flawless face speaks for itself, can’t you tell?”

“To be expected,” she spoke, amused. “You’re Phantom R, after all.”

“Sure am! Ah, the public was surely remiss without me and my beautiful presence…”

“We were!” Marie smiled. “Without our phantom, which criminal will fill the news on a weekly basis?”

I gave a hearty laugh in response, the kind that makes your cheeks hurt. “Ahhhh, I’ve missed you, Marie! Seriously! Eriel never humours me.”

“I’m glad, but that’s just part of her charm,” Marie gushed. “She’s more than that, you know.”

I began in a posh accent, “I suppose, yes, when you look really, reeeeeally…” I dragged out. " Reallyreallyreally closely.” 

Before Marie could protest, I added, “But that’s the thing. I was expecting her to like, kick the shit out of me? I dunno. But really, she surpassed expectations, to say the least,” I put my arm around her shoulder. “All she did in the past hour was demand to see a case file and… well, stare at my face.”

I mused, “It’s ridiculous at this point. What could it possibly be that has Eriel so irked? A stain? A loose knot–”

“I have a feeling that’s not what she meant…” she gave a sad smile. “I’m surprised you haven’t noticed it, either.”

“Hmm, hmm… What could it be, then? Please enlighten me, detective Marie.”

“Well then, detective Raphael, if I were to make an educated guess… ” she responded with a similar posh accent. A mischievous grin spread on my face, particularly glad that I was really rubbing off on her. If I can turn her against Eriel, teasing her together, we’d really be unstoppable…

After a moment of hesitation, she began again, “Genuinely, I think she was concerned…?” Marie stated, unsure. “I might be wrong, honestly. Maybe she really did want to kick the shit out of you like you say.”

Seeing my expression, she continued. “But to me…” 

“Truthfully, you look a bit down, lately,” she spoke too earnestly. I flinched. “When you recalled your father, you had this look about you, as if the world you were in wasn’t…” Marie trailed off. 

Just like that, she communicated with her sad smile.

I exhaled. 

“...Jeez!” I exclaimed, clearing my throat. “Since when were you this sagely? It’s like you’ve aged a hundred years. A lot of time passed, indeed,” I prattled on. “Maybe if the violin thing doesn’t work out, know that the church is always there for you. You’d really make it as a nun.”

After a moment of observing my expression, she lightly sighed. “It’s really as you say, angels rejoice when the violin sounds.”

“Hey, it’s true! You’ve seen it for yourself☆” I inwardly sighed in relief, glad she didn’t press any further. “It’s nothing though, don’t worry.” Nothing worth mentioning, anyway. “It’s like, two o’clock in the morning right now. I just need to get some sleep, that's all.” 

Marie hummed in resigned agreement.

“For what it’s worth though,” I added, moving on. “I’m glad you went to check that I was okay. It’s really been a while.”

“It has.” She gave an easygoing smile. “Can we meet up again sometime, Raphael?”

“For you, I’m always available, just a text away," I said lightly. “Or just, knock down my door. You do know where I live.”

I continued, “And, because I also need to talk to you about Eriel. Don’t think I haven’t noticed, Marie! You tag teamed me!”

She shot back, “Sure did! If I hadn’t, you would’ve gotten yourself in prison prison, knowing you!”

“Ha, yeah… What would I do without you two?” 

Marie responded, “It’s fine, Raph.” She yawned. “We found it anyway, right?”

“ Fine is doing a lot of legwork,” I looked away. “You don’t have to comfort me. I strung you along for nothing. You came along, for nothing,” I sighed. “I don’t… That’s my bad, Marie. I’m still not a pro at this phantom stuff.”

…It’s that sad smile again. 

“And… thank you for coming along again, but…" I tapered off. “It’s really getting late. I don’t want to keep you up here longer than I need to.”

Marie fidgeted. “Alright, I will, but…” 

“Raphael, you know I came here by my own will, right? I knew the risks: it’s night time, I snuck into a police station, I came along with Eriel. But, I still went.” she lightly smiled. “It wasn’t for nothing either, because I still had a fun time, and I got to see you again.” 

As if hearing my thoughts, Marie spoke again, “Don’t overthink it much. That’s just what friends do.”

I joked, “Friends sneak into police stations because they haven’t seen them in a few weeks?”

“When you get news of them arrested, then yes!” she insisted. “You really scared me and Eriel.”

Yeah, right. Scared you two? “I won’t worry you two more, then.” Really, your energy is better spent elsewhere, I thought truthfully. “If that’s all, then…”    

Marie nodded. “Then take care, alright? Genuinely.”

I nodded back, turning around.

Deep in thought, I began walking back towards the foggy Parisian streets, obscured and unfamiliar, with streetlights struggling to guide its late-night guests. If it were a year ago, I’d call out anyone stupid enough to walk out in the city streets at this late alone , not to mention “just got out of prison not even an hour ago” . And, not to mention the “just got out of prison because the local detective freed you, the said criminal.” But here I was. I sighed, as I turned the street. Here I was… to everyone’s detriment, apparently.

The stoplight turned green, and I continued to carry my stiff body across the crosswalk.

You really scared me and Eriel.

Crouched under there, smelling like dust and floorboard – I can fully imagine me being under there, but Marie? The second chair violinist for the Opera Marie? The literal daughter of a Duchess? The one who attracted angels to her playing? It just doesn’t suit her. Not to say I wasn’t grateful though, I really feel an endless amount of gratitude towards her.

But… I don’t know. She didn’t deserve to be there. She was not the one who had to be.

I was. 

And I strung her along, that elegant musician whom I’ve always looked up to. I exhaled, the thought echoing in my head again, I’m really always just… stringing people along, aren’t I?

Walking along the familiar streets, it wasn’t long before the fountain came into view, the very same one that I agreed to meet at, the very same one that I almost got arrested at. How ironic was that?

I sat at its rim, blankly looking towards the Parisian sky. 

It swirled in deep blues and pitch blacks, but it was a cloudless sight; one of the rare occasions that you could count the stars. The whole world hushed perhaps because of this sight, the lack of clamour from the daytime rush, the cars and scooters absent.

I’ve known it for a while, but really… such a sight was wasted on me.

A familiar voice snapped me out of my stupor. ”You’ve got the case file, right?” I stiffened. 

“Mm, hey,” I blankly replied, very aware that it wasn’t an answer. “How did it go with your father?”

“Oh, it was…” Eriel glanced over at me, then looked down at the file I was holding.

My mouth formed an ‘oh’, realizing that it was both a sore subject and that, you know, I was present.

And I also realized, you know, the small fact that she definitely knew I was stalling.

After a moment of hesitation, Eriel sat a bit of a distance from me and shrugged. “It was alright.” I couldn’t care any less if you heard this, she seemed to communicate. “You know how he is, and you know how I am.”

I couldn’t refute that. Hearing some of their conversation felt a bit too much like I was intruding, but it couldn’t be helped. They were right outside the door, after all.

I thought about what to say. “He pissed you off?” I asked, more confirming than questioning.

She repeated simply, “He pissed me off,” apathy seeping through each word.

Really, it still was surprising to me. They work in the same place, they’re pursuing the same line of work — I figured that they were at the very least close. Hearing what I did then? Seriously, the Vergier family never fails to surprise.

Her eyes looked up to the sky. “So, I told him off a bit. Felt good, honestly.”

“That’s good then,” I said, not knowing how else to respond.

She nodded. “But, afterward, it was like, that’s all I could do? Just a few petty words spoken at the moment?” Eriel paused, trying to find what she wanted to say. “It’s been, how long, of wanting to say something , but it wasn’t how I thought it would go, I guess.”

Unconsciously, I spoke up, “What did you think it would be like?”

I shut my mouth tight, but the question was already asked. I inwardly winced. “Sorry, forget I said anything. You don’t have to answer that…” 

The worst part was that I knew where that question came from.

She had a father she could confront. Her father was right there, annoying to her, sure, but alive and well. She could hurl insults, and hell, even beat the shit out of him. 

To some extent, I’m living vicariously through her? I honestly don’t know how to feel about that.

“It’s whatever,” Eriel spoke with an airy lilt, snapping me out of my thoughts. After a moment of thought, she continued, “I assumed… many things, I guess.” Unexpectedly, she let out a breathy laugh. “Not as eloquent as I’d like it to be, but that’s really how it is.” 

“At the very least, I thought it would be rewarding? Satisfying? Something along those lines. But really, it just…” Eriel paused, trying to find the words. “Isn’t? Somehow it feels worse than what I began with,” she said with a slight unsureness. 

“Ugh, I don’t know. I still hate him, I guess. That much hasn’t changed.” Eriel leaned back and looked to the sky again, as if closing the chapter of that shut for the day. “It’s not going to be resolved any time soon though, that’s for sure,” she sighed, leaning back forward, head resting on a propped up hand.

“Mm…” I hesitated, but eventually let out a sigh. “Yeah, I… I know how you feel, if you don’t mind me saying. Fathers and that.” I never thought I’d say this in my entire life, but in that aspect, we’re strangely similar.

Eriel looked up at me. “You mentioned something about him, earlier.”

“I did,” I said, remembering my spiral. “And that’s really all I had for the longest while. That ‘something’ of a memory, a ‘something’ of a father.“

“So you know,” I shrugged, “That’s cool.”

I stopped, unsure if I should go on, but Eriel was sat, actually paying attention. It was weird to say the least. “Doesn’t sound cool,” she responded.

“You think?” I smiled bitterly. “To only leave scraps of your existence for your only child? It’s really… pathetic, honestly.” The walls I meticulously built up to restrain my anger faltered. “I hate him,” I admitted simply, “I truly fucking hate how pathetic he is.”

He couldn’t even grace me with his presence, the knowledge of his existence, for seven years.

“Hate wouldn’t even begin to describe it.” 

I continued, my tone souring, “The only thing he left was a breadcrumb trail. Does he think I'm a hamster, or what, you know?” I scoffed. “And the worst thing is, he’s right. I ended up following it for this long.” 

Painting after painting, lie after lie after lie . Hiding who I am, hiding behind an art thief who doesn’t exist, all for the sake of what? Could he tell me? Could he even tell me what all this was for?  

“Seriously, how stupid and gullible can you be?” My voice trembled, with anger towards him? With grief at my abandoned feelings? With resentment at the leaps and bounds I’d performed?

…

Wow, uh.

I can’t believe I admitted all that, to her of all people? I don’t even admit that shit to myself! I cleared my throat. “But, yeah. That’s him for you.” I cast my eyes away, trying to speak in a light tone again. “What a guy, you know? Haha…” 

Eriel, still, was looking at me with the most curious eyes. Nothing I was about to say would be of any use to her.

When you look at me like that… as if you’re hanging onto my every word, all I can think of is how badly you’re going to get let down.

“—But the worst part.” I spoke, sharply inhaling. “The very moment I believed that I finally had a lead. The moment you believed you had a lead.” I snapped my eyes away in anger. I couldn’t bear to look at her. “I'm sorry, Eriel. All that build-up…”

“I’ve been avoiding the topic, Eriel, because the fucking Mystere Incident had been ripped.” I seethed. “The most important pages. Are gone. All that’s left is useless shit we already know.” My voice echoed into the empty city streets. 

“What the hell am I supposed to do now?” I spoke in a low voice. “What the hell can I do?”

Eriel had a look of genuine surprise.

“You’re really…” Pathetic? Useless?  I finished for her, looking off to the side.

Snapping me out of my thoughts was the slight pinch of my sleeve, so gentle that it could've been chalked up to the wind playing tricks on me.

But it wasn't. I blinked twice. Her hand had reached to poke at my sleeve.

I wasn't sure what had possessed me, but slowly and reluctantly, my eyes swept up to hers, revealing a gaze that was different from the stare that seared holes, different from that analyzing, calculative, dissecting gaze. 

It was a sea of twinkling jade.

“Phantom R,” Eriel spoke slowly, letting each word exist in its own right. “You’re the one who taught me nothing is impossible.”

Huh?

She paused, grabbing the file from my hands. “Why would now be any different?” As if it came as easy as breathing, Eriel lightly tapped the case file on my head. “There’s too much going on in there lately,” she smiled teasingly.

And, as if nothing had happened, she began flipping through it. “Sometimes you say a stupid joke that doesn’t make any sense. And other times, you start thinking so much that your brain implodes.”

“It’s funny,” Eriel lightly sighed, playing with the page’s corners as she read them. “You’ve changed a bit, Phantom R.”

What???

And then to my detriment, she then completely brushed off everything she did, which, that’s fine! I’m fine with that. I mean, I’m a big fan of avoiding, probably the biggest fan knowing my job.

But if I was honest, even that outweighed how I’m also a big fan of, oh I don’t know, getting an explanation for What The Fuck? That? Was???? Not even a furrow? An insincere smile? A twitch of dishonesty?? Seriously, you choose now to have a blank, serene expression?!

Still pretending my grief didn’t exist, she continued, “Anyway, it’s good it exists in the first place, right?” Eriel shrugged, still absorbed in the information. “A lead is a lead nonetheless.”

In a feeble attempt of trying to gather myself after getting dealt yet another blow, I started nervously laughing. “We’re seeing the same thing, right?” I asked, making sure that she was fully there. It took all of my restraint to not begin shaking her by the shoulders and yelling, ‘Who are you? Give me back the old Eriel please!’ 

I continued, bravely taking on the role of Captain Obvious, “The lead is literally ripped to shreds!” 

“Thankfully, not the whole lead,” she motioned for me to look at the file. No need for me to look, I’m very certain that the whole lead was ripped! You’re the one who has it in your hands! “As expected, there’s some notes by my mother and my father, and it seems the actual interesting stuff was as you said.”

“And…?” Where are you going with this? 

“Think about it,” she insisted. “Who could’ve possibly ripped it out?”

“Ah, that’s…” I stopped to think. “Yeah, that’s…a pretty good question.” Even I didn’t know about the case file until, maybe during that whole Paris saving debacle? 

“And who would've known to rip it out…?” I muttered. “All I could think of is your father, but that’s…”

“— That’s dumb,” she shook her head. “Him? Not in a million years. With how desperate he searches for anything on the case file? He’d be as distraught as us.”

“Sounds about right.” I hummed in agreement. “Though, it couldn’t be anyone in the precinct either. They’re all dumb as rocks.” Eriel nodded heavily at that, which, damn? You’re the one working with them? But… I couldn’t really say anything, knowing my occupation. “Unless there’s someone on the inside, but I guess… that would need themselves, or the person commanding them, to be in a higher position if they were to even know about it.”

“Hmm,” me and Eriel both spoke at the same time.

Eriel began again, “You know what else is odd?” She flipped through the pages. “It’s only specific pages that are missing. Why, whoever they were, would they feel the need to destroy that part specifically?”

“Right. I’m a thief, and even that’s too much effort,” I responded, continuing her line of thought. “Surely you’d just get rid of the whole thing, right?”

“As I would, too,” she ran her fingers along the jagged edges. “So… not to destroy, then…” Looking back up at me, she scrutinized my face. “But to steal? To hide away that section and keep it for themselves?”

I nodded. “I hate to say it, but I agree,” I responded, noticing her tense up. “It was only this case file that was tampered with. Maybe they were looking for something in it as well.”

“...And you don’t know anything about what could’ve happened?” she dubiously asked, her stare boring holes into my skull.

“Wha– hey!” I stared back at her, realizing her implication. “Hey, what are you implying here? Just because I’m a thief…! Okay, I steal a few paintings, so I steal everything now? That’s like, so presumptuous,” I say, in mock betrayal, clutching at invisible pearls. 

“No, but… it’s not like I blame you,” I said, my playful grin fading, “I haven’t given you much reason to actually believe me.” I ran my hand through my hair. “This time, I swear I haven’t. You’re my benefactor, Eriel, and I trust you to beat me up if I don't hold up my end of the deal.” 

“And besides, you’ve also been wanting this, too.” I couldn’t do that to you. “I know what it’s like, waiting for something for so long. You’ve… heard it yourself,” I shrugged lightly.

“You don’t have to trust me though, I get it. No hard feelings.”

…While I said that – and it was all true, I’ll have you know (like, I lie but I don’t lie when the situation doesn’t call for it! Thieves have a moral compass too, alright?!), I would’ve also been fine if she didn’t jump me over a misunderstanding. Dying on an empty Parisian street at 2am, not ideal!

After what seemed like forever, instead of an answer, Eriel yawned, “Yeah, whatever. No use losing sleep over it.”

That’s… that’s all?

Um? That’s a better reaction than I was expecting?? I guess???

She flipped open her phone. “It’s 2am. No wonder. Let’s just continue this another day.” After a quick moment of glancing at her phone, she looked at me and grinned. “But I suppose, since you offered so graciously,” Eriel slowly turned toward me.

I flinched. “Waitwaitwait, you agreed to not beat me up–”

She interrupted me with a laugh. “Not beating you up, not this time.”

“Your phone.”

“My phone…?”

“Add me to your contacts.”

“Why should I?” I asked, extremely skeptical.

“I have the case file. I can rip it in half,” she grinned mischievously. “I can also kick your shins.”

“The hell? And you say you’re a detective…?” I muttered, furrowing my brows. “You sound more like a…” feral five year old , I would’ve said, if it weren’t for the shit-eating grin Eriel had been giving me – and I knew that exact one, because it’s the one I reach for whenever I want to annoy her.

Seriously, I hate how much I’ve rubbed off on her!

“You want to finish that sentence?” she asked, daring to move closer.

“No, ma’am,” I stifled a laugh, grabbing the phone from my pocket, and the deed was done.

She texted me just then.

> Are you okay for the cafe tomorrow at 4pm?

okiii <

its the 1 ur always at right!!! ๑(◕‿◕)๑ <

“Why am I not surprised that you text like this…?” Eriel muttered, amused. 

> Yes. 

I bumped against her shoulder. “Then it’s a date.”

She bumped me back. “You wish.”

We both stood up, as I took in the grin on her face and thought, man, when did she get a leg up on me?!

It was also then that I felt the cool touch of rainwater against my face, once, twice–

But, it seemed like it stopped, a shadow enveloped the both of us.

My eyes went to look above us, then to her hand, then to her face again. “Eriel, you…”

“Keep it. I have an extra umbrella,” she stood there, her hand tilted towards me. “Your clothes look expensive.”

Why?  “It’s my father’s. I couldn’t be bothered to maintain it,” I quickly said, despite knowing my efforts to sew it together time and time again. “I’m not taking this–”

She offered the umbrella to me again. Why?? “What if I said it was to celebrate your unceremonious same-day escape?”

“To celebrating my inevitable escape. Phantoms aren’t built for jail time, even if it’s for an hour or two.” 

Eriel eyed me. “Is there any reason as to why you won’t take this umbrella?” she asked incredulously, as if confused…? Why would she be confused? I crossed out the thought. “The offer to kick your shins is still–”

“Don’t need it,” I interrupted her. My apartment was close enough anyway, about a 5 minute run? “It’s wasted on me, really.”

– Maybe it was something I said (you never really know with her), but it was then when her eyebrows furrowed with an ever familiar, deep annoyance. I didn’t know if I was to feel confused, in the ‘Why is she offering me an umbrella, what is happening’ way, or relieved, in the ‘Oh thank goodness she’s angry again, I was weirdly starting to miss it?’ way.

“ Phantom R, ” she finally gritted out, sighing. “Phantom or not, you are taking this umbrella. You don’t get to run around me this time, not in this weather.”

I froze. The moment I was expecting some sort of normal! Relentless! Utterly relentless!!

After trying to clear yet another wave of shock, I conceded. “Alright, alright.” Sort of afraid of what she would do (again, you never really know with her, and today was really proving that to be true), this time I took the umbrella from her hand. 

Clicking the button of the umbrella, I avoided all eye contact from her. “Thanks, I think? You really made that sound like a threat.”

Thankfully, she returned the sentiment. It was nice not having stares boring into me every second. “It would’ve been if you hadn’t accepted it,” she said, sighing again.

Stubborn over the smallest things, I mentally wrote down for later, And prone to sighing. That’s what, twice in 10 seconds? A feral five year old, a fretting mother…? If she could make up her mind, it would be great, thanks!

She continued, “And get some sleep. You looking like this… it doesn’t suit you.”

Hey, I could say the same to you!!  Who was the one worried about me? It happened when I got arrested, it happened at the interrogation, she even wants me to not be in the rain and get some sleep – as if this detective wasn’t set on catching me not even a few days ago!

Tell me, was I really the strange one here? I wanted to shake her by the shoulders. Seriously! I! Want! To! Know!

But suffice to say, my curiosity had always gotten the better of me. “I look like… what?” I asked instead, ignoring the other elephant in the room.

“Hm.” She did a once over of me, and turned away. “I think you know the answer to that.”

Huh???? I fumbled around my pockets for my flip phone, scanning my face with its camera… Nothing out of place, so, what the hell could it be?!

The moment I looked back in her direction, she was already walking away. Listening closely, I could’ve sworn I heard the slightest laughter.

“God damn it, Eriel, I’ve been wondering about this since the holding cell!” I exclaimed, running towards her. Our umbrellas bumped, catching me a little off guard. “What even is it?”

 “If you really don’t know the answer to even this, then you’re a lost cause!” Eriel teased in response.

I groaned in mental exasperation. “Stop being vague!!!”

“Aren’t I just doing what you do on a daily basis?” She laughed. “How does it feel?”

“Horrible! Now I know,” I exclaimed. “Now I know, and I’m sorry. But come on, isn’t that what you signed up for?”

“Mhm,” she hummed, unimpressed.

“Okay, I’ll swear not to anymore! Just… Stop being so ominous, Eriel, you’re scaring me! Please??”

“Though that’s much appreciated, it’s still not happening.”

Just then, I could’ve sworn that I could hear the smile in her voice, as if… teasing me?!

God! Damn! It!! I hate how much I’ve rubbed off on her!!!!