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

XIV

 Whatever was buried in his past, Erik could not have made it more obvious that he didn't want to talk about it. Carwyn knew he should have respected that and left it be, but he couldn't help being curious. He had heard of all of the stories, that he was a monster that kidnapped the young singer Christine Daae and caused the opera house to close down. And yet Carwyn desired to hear Erik's side of the story. He wanted to know Erik's side of the story. He had no idea what Erik was like then, but he wanted to know. Perhaps there was more to it.

 For the next few days, Carwyn didn't see Erik. But Carwyn didn't have much time to notice, anyway, since he was often working, and during the times he wasn't working he tried to spend as much time with Jacques as possible. It was hard for them to spend time together in public, because they had to look like they were just friends to avoid any suspicion.

 But Jacques was part of the problem, too. Erik knew (or at least suspected) that there was something romantic between them; Jacques had no idea Erik even existed. Carwyn hadn't said a word about his presence in the opera house. For now, at least, that seemed like the best thing. Carwyn knew he would have to tell Jacques about Erik eventually. But not yet. He wasn't ready yet.

~~~~~~

 On a quiet day, Carwyn discreetly locked the door to his office from the inside and knocked on the wall.

 "Erik?" he said softly. "Are you there?"

 There was reply, so he called, "Erik?", a little louder this time.

 He was probably busy. After all, how could Carwyn expect to take up all of the man's time? However, he felt a burning desire to go see Erik, in a way he had never felt before. Why he felt such a way, he had no idea, but he opened the passageway himself, and found himself in a dark tunnel.

 He should have brought in a candle, he thought. He walked slowly and carefully, feeling along the walls as he went. It was difficult, but eventually he made his way to the lake. 

 That is the part where Carwyn realized he shouldn't have gone alone. He could see Erik's boat on the other side of the lake, meaning he was home. But there was no other boat, so Carwyn had no way of getting across. He could wade across, he thought, but then he would have to return to the opera house with sopping wet trousers, and there would be too many questions.

 Thankfully for him, Erik must have somehow sensed that he was there, because he soon came out of the house, spotted him, and called, "I assume you're looking for me?"

 Carwyn nodded, feeling sort of sheepish. "I realize now I probably shouldn't have come alone."

 Erik got into the boat and swiftly rowed to Carwyn's side of the lake.

 "Might I ask why you came down here alone?" he asked.

 "I...wanted to see you," Carwyn answered, climbing into the boat. 

 The other man raised his eyebrows in surprise. "You wanted to see me badly enough that you ventured down here alone? That is something unusual."

 "Is it, really? Do you really have no friends?"

 "Besides Gustave, no. Not anymore." 

 They rowed silently across the lake to Erik's home. Gustave was sitting by the fireplace reading, and look a little less startled this time when Carwyn entered the room.

 "We have a guest, Gustave," Erik said. "It seems Monsieur Descoteaux came looking for me. Do sit down, Carwyn. I'm afraid there is nothing prepared."

 "That's all right." Carwyn sat down on the piano bench. "I shouldn't have come down unannounced."

 "Well, why did you?"

 "I already told you. I wanted to see you."

 Erik sighed and shook his head. "Then I don't understand you, Carwyn. No one comes down here to be my friend."

 "But I have. I'm still curious about you, Erik."

 Erik sat down next to him, seeming to be deciding what to say to him.

 "I don't think it is a good idea for us to be friends," he said slowly. "I am not good with friendship, and I will be a terrible friend."

 "What makes you say that?" Carwyn asked. "I know you say you've done things in the past, and I've heard the stories of the Opera Ghost-"
 
 "That is exactly it. You should be afraid of me, Carwyn, not asking to be friends."

 "I think you're just used to people fearing you," Carwyn said. "You seem to think that being feared is better than having friends."

 "In my situation, it is," Erik snapped.

 Carwyn sighed, and his gaze fell upon the mask Erik always wore.

 "In the time I've known you," he said, reaching out, "You've...never told me about this..." 

 When Carwyn's fingers brushed against the mask, Erik jumped up and announced, "I'm taking you back up to the opera house."

 "What, now?"

 "Yes, now. Surely you have work waiting for you."

 Erik briskly walked to the door, leaving Carwyn without much of a choice besides following him.