His New Muse (Phantom of the Opera/Love Never Dies)

XI

 After the night's performance, Carwyn went out to the rooftop by himself. It was beautiful night, with Paris lit up by the all the city lights.

 "Enjoying the view?"

 O.G.- or Erik, rather- stepped out of the shadows and came to stand next to him.

 "I didn't think I would see you until tomorrow," Carwyn remarked.

 "And I didn't think I would find you up here. It is indeed a lovely view."

 Carwyn sighed. "I know. I hadn't realized Paris could be so marvelous at night."

 "Have you been in Paris long?" Erik asked.

 "I have lived in Paris my entire life," Carwyn replied. "My mother came here as a young woman, met my father, and never returned to Wales. I have always hoped to go there someday, though."

 "Has something kept you?"

 "Oh, everything. I could never afford it when I was younger. Money was always tight. When my father became ill, we could hardly afford to pay the doctor." Carwyn sighed. "My mother was never the same after that. I don't think she ever really expected to find love when she came to Paris."

 "Yet she did," Erik said. "I never expected to find love myself."

 "But you must have," Carwyn said. "There was Gustave's mother."

 "Yes, there was. But that is a long story, one for me to tell you another day, when we have more time to spare. Wait! I hear footsteps."

 "Carwyn?"

 "It's Jacques," Carwyn whispered. "You have to go."

 "I'll leave the way I came," Erik whispered back. "I hope I will see you soon, Carwyn."

 "Carwyn." Jacques came out through the rooftop door just as Erik slipped away into the shadows. "What are you doing up here? A bit chilly out tonight, isn't it?"

 "I don't mind," Carwyn said. "I wanted to see the view. Look at the city from here, Jacques. It's a wonderful view."

 "That it is," Jacques, coming to stand next to him. "Are you feeling any better, Carwyn?"

 "What do you mean? Oh, the opera ghost matter. Yes, I'm fine now, thank you. I told you, I think I was just being silly."

 "And...you're not concerned anymore?" Jacques asked. "It's not because...because when I..."

  Carwyn realized what he meant, and said, "Oh, no! No, that's not it."

 "It isn't? I thought perhaps you had been offended by-"

 "Jacques, I must stop you there," Carwyn cut in. "You did not offend me when you kissed me. I liked it. I just don't want to talk about that opera ghost business anymore. It really isn't worth fusing over."

 Jacques stared at him, trying to think of what to say.

 "You...liked it when I kissed you?" he asked.

 Carwyn nodded. "I did."

 Jacques stepped closer, his eyes locked with Carwyn's. The two men quickly moved together and kissed passionately, clinging to each other as if each one were the other's only hope.

 "You're so much more wonderful than you realize, Carwyn," Jacques murmured, kissing him across his cheek and then his jawline.

 "More wonderful than the view from up here?"

 "Certainly so. You've made me feel passion again."

 "You've done the same for me," Carwyn said, realizing the truth of that statement as he said it.

 Jacques paused and looked up at him. "Have I?"

 "You most certainly have. Do you think I haven't been in love before?" Carwyn pressed his lips against Jacques' again, this time kissing him more softly, more sweetly.

 "We'll have to be careful about this," he whispered. "You know what could happen to us if anyone found out."

 Jacques nodded. "No one will know. This can just be our secret, Carwyn."

 "But that means we'll have to meet in secret for the rest of our lives," Carwyn pointed out.

 "Not forever," Jacques said. "We'll both retire eventually. When that time comes, I'm going to get us a beautiful country house, and we'll live there."

 "That won't be for years, Jacques. And what if this doesn't even last that long?"

 Jacques smiled and caressed his cheek. "Then let's hope it will. I'm already falling in love with you, Carwyn. I can make it last."

 Carwyn smiled back and kissed him a third time.

 "Wait!" he cried. "Your children. They don't like me."

 "Carwyn, once they see the man you really are, they'll adore you," Jacques said reassuringly. "Lisette already likes you, and Marian and Armand need a little more time."

 "But they cannot know about this," Carwyn said. "They wouldn't understand, anyway." He impulsively looked around, as if to make sure they were the only ones on the rooftop.

 "I will protect them, Carwyn," Jacques said. "Will you let me bring you home? My carriage is outside."

 Carwyn nodded. "Yes. Please." He gave the other man another quick kiss before exiting through the rooftop door.

~~~~~~

 "Thank you for bringing me home," Carwyn said, and gave Jacques a quick kiss on the cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow."

 "I look forward to it," Jacques said with a smile.

 Jacques watched Carwyn go, wishing he could go inside with him. But it was too soon for any of that. They had just had their first kiss, or first few kisses, rather.

 But Jacques knew what it felt like to fall in love, and this was certainly it.