I breathlessly ran up to Sierra backstage and asked, "Where's Ramin?"

"He's out on the stage by himself," she said while pointing outward. "I think he got too into the character, and he's been having a panic attack ever since."

"Okay," I nodded. "Can I go out there?"

"Yes," Sierra replied frantically. "Go to him before he gets any worse."

I wasted no time and quickly walked out onto the stage, keeping my footsteps light so that I didn't startle him. 

When I was close enough, I kneeled down a few feet away from him and softly said, "Hey there."

Ramin's head snapped over in my direction, and my mouth gaped open at how wild his eyes looked. 

He was clearly trembling as he shakily asked, "Ave?"

"Yes," I smiled slightly. "It's me."

He got up from his kneeling position, took a few wobbly steps in my direction, then collapsed onto his knees in front of me. 

My heart silently shattered at his frightened expression, and I scooted closer to put my hands on either side of his face. 

"What's going on?" I pressed gently. 

Ramin wrapped his arms tightly around my torso and crushed me into a hug against his chest. 

"I'm so glad you're here, my Angel," he whispered in my hair. "I don't know what's happening to me."

"It's okay," I cooed. "You don't need to be scared. I will keep you safe from any harm."

"I should be the one protecting you," he argued. "That's supposed to be my job."

I pulled back and looked at him with a soft expression. 

"You do that enough for me as it is," I smiled. "It's about time I repaid the favor."

His lips twitched upwards for a moment, and then, he placed a loving kiss on my forehead. 

"Stay with me," he mumbled on my skin. "Please."

I rested my head back on his chest and stroked his arm. 

"I'm not going anywhere."

A sigh of relief escaped past Ramin's lips as he pulled me impossibly closer to him, holding my body like a plush doll. 

"I love you," he said after a moment.

I smiled to myself and responded back with, "I love you more, my Phantom."