Chapter 10
Erik woke hours later, encased in warmth. His arm was around Eponine's waist, and she in turn was snuggled against his chest. The morning had been… a blur. Shame and humiliation began to creep into the pit of Erik's stomach as he barely recalled what had happened.
Erik had always prided himself on being very in-control over his sexual feelings, but seeing Eponine in the blue gown had made him impossibly hard in a matter of minutes. That was the last clear memory he had: walking down the street with her earlier that morning. Everything else was a whirlwind of candlelight, sweat, and hungry desire.
Eponine stirred and he tensed, instantly checking his mask. Her senses focused, and she realized they had fallen asleep from sheer exhaustion. She also realized they were both still naked.
Eponine burrowed between the covers in a slight panic, quickly distancing herself from Erik.
Erik raised an eyebrow when she rolled away from him.
"Ca va, mon cherie?"
Eponine's body shook. She didn't know if it was from anger, fear or humiliation. Or perhaps a combination of the three.
"Erik," she whispered as a few tears fell, "what happened?"
He reached out to hold her.
"Desire happened. I was overwhelmed with a desperate hunger when I saw you in that blue gown. And so… we made love."
"Did we, Erik?" she asked, still not facing him. "Was it really love, or did we just engage in it because of need?"
"It can be… whatever you want it to be," he replied. "Perhaps it was love, perhaps need, but it was something that can be forgotten about."
Eponine faced him, her eyes glistening.
"No. It can't be forgotten, and it doesn't matter what it was. I've lost myself entirely."
Erik felt like he'd been slapped in the face. He had completely forgotten.
"Merde… my God, Eponine. I – please, I forgot entirely. Please forgive me."
She simply wept, and this time she didn't look away. It tore Erik apart more than if she'd started yelling at him, and he felt so powerless.
It seemed like hours had gone by when Eponine finally got up. Erik still lay in bed, thinking over the whole situation. He watched, not really seeing as Eponine dressed quietly.
"I'm sorry, Erik," she sighed. "Sorry that I didn't mean more to you than just a morning fling."
She snatched her hat and went out into the cavern. Erik lay for another second, then yanked on his trousers and went after her.
"Eponine, please!"
He sighed in frustration, running a hand through his hair.
"You can get it back," he said quietly.
"What?"
"Your womanhood… you can get it back."
Eponine snorted. "How?"
"When I was young, my mother said that anything can be forgiven if you attend a Mass. Anything."
"So… you're saying I could go to church, be forgiven, and start over?"
"Yes."
Eponine was examining the candles around his organ, absently playing with the flame. But now she snatched an unlit candle and hurled it at him in rage.
"And I'm supposed to believe that from you?" she cried. "This coming from a man who conceals himself in the darkest of the world's shadows?"
Erik could only gape at her.
"Eponine, I care about you."
"You're the biggest hypocrite I've ever met," she said bitterly. "Au revoir."
Erik couldn't bring himself to go after her. Not yet. They both needed to reflect – alone.
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A/N: yes, it's "the break-up". I did think it was rather insensitive of Erik though. Hang on, what am I saying? I wrote it! Anyway, I thought the end seemed rather soap-opera-ish, but then, it is opera after all. R&R!
Phantomfreak07
