The boys didn't see Jules until they were fourteen. He wasn't terribly tall, or handsome, or charming. The only reason Erik didn't hop down from his hiding spot and scare him away was that Annie had told them many times that this man made her happy.
Erik failed to see how an arranged marriage could make anyone happy, but now that he saw them together, interacting and walking hand in hand, he noticed how careful he was with her. How he'd gently helped her out of the carriage, held the door open for her, walked with her carefully tucked to his side as they discussed the Opera house.
The romantic implications of their companionship stirred mixed feelings within Erik. Of course a small part of him wanted her to be happy, but a much larger part was confused at her happiness, revolted at each touch he gave her anguished by how easily he Could touch her (as he feared to do), and scared at the idea that this man would come between their friendship.
But the overall consuming emotion he let wash over him was anger. All this confusion and hurt was his fault! What right did this man have in taking his friend? For a while he silently seethed, following them from the secret passages above, not noticing as Quasi trailed clumsily after him.
Erik watched as the twenty five year old man climbed the stage stairs, accidentally tripping on the top step and flailing rather ungracefully until he caught his footing. Annie rushed to him, mumbling something that was most likely asking if he was alright. He nodded and gave a sheepish smile before they continued.
Erik growled low in his chest. That stupid old man didn't have the decency to fall down the stairs and break his neck. Then all of Eriks troubles would be gone.
It felt like a flash of lightning came searing through his previous thoughts. All he had to do was kill him. Preserve what was his. Protect his friend. Somewhere in the back of his mind he knew Annie wouldnt like being referred to as an object, but she was currently hanging off some fops arm, so her opinion seemed a little misguided.
Erik finally couldnt take it any longer and glided his way through the passage to the nearest exit. Quasi was hot on his trail.
Quasimodo watched his best friend slowly become more and more tense, his expression transforming into a grimace, then a sneer.
"Erik?" He went to touch the boys shoulder, then thought better of it and went back to watching the couple. He let out a quiet laugh as the man pinwheeled to catch his balance, but stopped abruptly when he heard Erik snarl menacingly.
"You're scaring me, Erik." He whispered, but his brother took no notice. With no warning, he was taking off down the passage. Quasi was too scared of what he'd do to let him go alone.
Once they were outside, Erik began climbing the gutter of the nearest building, making his way to the roof.
"Wait!" Quasi yelped, scrambling to follow. The gutter creaked against his weight, but he continued.
Erik was already hopping to the next building by the time he reached the roof. With practiced ease, he leapt after him, running to catch up and grab him around the middle, sending them tumbling across the building top.
Erik pulled against the strong arms trapping him. "Quasimodo, release me!" He snarled, thrashing and tugging. He was much weaker than the younger boy, so he didn't stand much of a chance.
"Erik, I don't know why you're being like this, but stop it." He mumbled into the other boys neck. Erik stilled. "Why can't you just be happy for her? This is something we can't stop. And she seemed really happy with him."
"Why should I be happy? He's ruining everything!" He tugged once more against the boys hold. "Let me go. Now."
Quasi shook his head, fighting back tears. "You're so angry all the time now. I hate to see you like this. Come on, Erik, she's not the only person who cares about you." He emphasized his point by tightening his hold, rubbing his face against his black hair.
Erik let out a roar of frustration before twisting around to face his brother. "It's not the same, Quasi, It's not the same!"
"I know it's not the same! But you can't be upset all the time! There's still so much to be happy about! And he hasn't said she can't work at the Opera anymore! You're overreacting!" By now he was crying and could see how rediculous their position was; laying on a rooftop, holding his brother in his arms, their faces inches apart. "I miss you smiling, Erik. I miss us playing in the church and being happy. Why can't you ever be happy?" He mumbled, feeling ashamed for letting all this out.
Erik sighed and rest his head against Quasi's chest. "I... I'm just so angry, Quasi. I can't help it. It fills me to the brim." He let out a shaky breath that turned into a sigh. "I know you care about me. I haven't forgotten."
"No more anger, Erik. we can't be like this." Quasimodo released him, letting him sit up. "We've gotta prove Frollo wrong, right? We're not monsters."
"You're wrong, Quasi." Erik stood, looking down to his deformed brother. "We are monsters. But maybe we don't have to be bad."