Chapter 12

"I never thought I'd see you again," Erik murmured later when he and Eponine were cuddling on the chaise lounge. "Why'd you come back?"

"It was actually a bit of an accident," she said truthfully.

"How so?"
"Well… after a few days I started to feel this emptiness, like I was completely alone again."

"And?"

"And it was cold last night and I really wanted to get in somewhere. It was dark, so I couldn't really see where I was going all that well, and I just… ended up here."
"Did you realize where you were when you got inside?"

"Not really – you never showed me anything besides what's down here."

Erik rolled his eyes and she laughed.

"That's your own fault," she said.

"You could have asked, and then I would have shown it to you." He pretended to glower at her.

"Oh, Erik…" she snuggled against him, kneading his jacket like a cat. "This is the only world I need to know."

He stroked her hair, loving the feeling of silk between his fingers.

"I dreamt about you every night. At first I told myself I was still missing Christine, because the girl's hair was so dark… and she was extremely well-dressed. But after a few nights, I realized – it was always the same blue dress."

"You can't be serious, Erik."

He was silent for a moment, then smirked.

"You know, my dear, denial is the first step."

She smacked his head playfully with one of his throw pillows. He snatched it away and flung it across the room. The pillow bounced off a few discordant keys on the organ, then fell to the ground. Its soft flop was accompanied by a high-pitched squeak, and a small cream blur streaked under the chaise lounge, startling Eponine.

"What was that?"

Erik leaned down and snapped his fingers quietly.

"Ayesha."

The Siamese kitten purred, winding its tail between Erik's fingers and nuzzling his hand.

Eponine reached out to stroke her back when Ayesha jumped up next to her.

"You never told me about her, Erik."

"I found her the morning after you left, as a matter of fact."

"Really?"

"Yes; I was walking along the street and she caught her tiny claws in my cloak. I couldn't say no when I turned around and saw those enormous eyes staring at me."

Eponine smiled. "She's adorable."

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A/N: Okay, okay, so it was fluff! Sue me! Geez… anyway, does anyone have any ideas? I'm kinda running out. I have a few, but they require something else to happen first, just to create more time. Go hit the little purple button for me, I know you can do it… ideas are welcome, you should know that!

Phantomstar07

Yeah, I changed the name… but it's still me!