I Never Saw Him There
Summary: A little dream, nothing more. Just to sleep within your arms. How can it be -after all this time- it was you I did not see?
Chapter 1: A Higher Cause
Another walk in the alley, watching those who have nothing left rot away in their sleep. You could smell the death in the air, the impurity, the sin. But who was she to think of sin? At least she hadn't been dumped onto the street yet. Though, it would only be a matter of time before father did something just as drastic.
She walked faster, keeping up a more confident pace. The thing about the alley is, the minute you look lost, you're done. As she turned a sharp corner, she found herself bumping into something hard, but somewhat warm. Startled, she quickly moved out of the way and proceeded to walk until-
"'Ponine, what are you doing out in the dead of night?" the voice was like poison to her ears. Though his face was ever the beauty, with his strong body, dark hair, piercing stare, he was the epitome of evil in her life: Montparnasse. He had grabbed her by the wrist, hard. Suddenly, she feared what should happen, but she kept up a confident act.
"Business, if you must know. You know how my father gets if I don't fin-" Eponine gasped as she was yanked and pressed against a wall. She felt as though the wind had been blown right out of her. She coughed in a frenzy, frantically trying to breath straight once more.
"Can't handle a little play time, 'Ponine?" Montparnasse's voice was smooth, inviting almost. But Eponine knew better than that. She knew his game, and she wouldn't play by his rules.
"Please Parnasse, I just-" she was cut off by a hard pair of lips crashing into hers. Surely, she'd be bruised for a few days. She struggled to get him off of her, but he only tightened his grip. He pressed hard against her, making her aware of his intentions. Her eyes widened, she felt sick. The last time she'd been caught in this predicament, she was left indecent on the street for all to see her impurity. She cringed at the thought of it happening all over again. Just the thought made her eyes water slightly. She couldn't let it happen again. She wouldn't let it happen again.
Eponine had relaxed in his arms for a moment, had she finally given in, he had to wonder? He let his guard down ever so slightly. Perhaps for the first time she craved his touch too? That would be a first. After he'd taken her virginity, she'd been terribly uncooperative for months. He had to break her somehow. Was it finally being done? Was this all it would tak-
And just like, that she jabbed her knee into his erection, causing him extreme pain. He gasped, backing up slightly to hunch over from the pain. While he was distracted, she quickly kicked him down, which usually wouldn't have been possible for her. Perhaps there was a God on her side after all. She ran as fast as she could when she got away from him. She kept running and running. She wouldn't stop, not till she knew she was safe. If he had caught her, she knew the consequences would have left her on the brink of death. And her father might've done the final blow. Hell, he'd probably beat her himself when she gets home, but that wasn't the important part. She had a meeting to attend.
When she finally made it to door leading to the Cafe, she stopped to catch her breath. She clutched the note in the pocket of her coat. Stupid Marius, she thought to herself, Making me do this so much for you. Can't you see how much it hurts? She sighed, he is too oblivious to ever notice. She reached for the knob of the door, but was startled when it opened suddenly. A figure stumbled out onto the stairs beside her. She noticed it as Grantaire, and a very drunk Grantaire at that.
"All I did was give her a little nudge...," he didn't seem to notice Eponine just standing in front of him. She was about to say something, but decided to just leave him to his thoughts. He probably wouldn't stay outside for long anyhow.
As she stepped into the ABC Cafe, she seemed to notice how the tables seemed more full tonight than they had been in a while. Was the revolution starting its kick off? She couldn't help but wonder.
She ghosted her way through the room, making her way to Marius, who, for a reason she couldn't fathom, was blushing madly. She bit her lip slightly and approached him, "I gave your letter to Cosette..." The moment she said her name, his attention shifted and his blush disappeared.
He stood then, a desperate look on his face, "My beloved? What has she said? Oh, I miss her so!" his words made her flinch slightly. She looked entirely uncomfortable, but he didn't even seem to notice. By then, the fuss seemed to die down, there was still chatter, but not nearly so loud.
Eponine glanced around in her peripherals, she could see a few staring at her. She stood up straighter, implying more confidence. She didn't like to be looked down upon, "Here..." she said, simply handing him the letter, "I... um..." she started, but stopped with a sigh, "Never mind, it was nice to see you Marius," she nodded to him and proceeded to take her leave. He was too concerned with that damn letter anyway.
"Mademoiselle, why are you in such a hurry?" It was a familiar voice who spoke then. When had Grantaire come back inside, she wondered? She looked over to Marius, who now looked shocked beyond believe, and then back to Graintaire. He seemed to know what she was gesturing at. She wondered how he always seemed like a sober kind of drunk... Coherent, yet not all at once, "You know you can do so much better than that blunt of a boy,"
To this, Eponine chuckled, "Monsieur, I appreciate the thought but-"
"Eponine, how could you let Marius push you around like that! You are not his slave you know!" This time it was Enjolras. She sighed, the man was ever so opinionated, "Make him deliver his own letters," he was always telling her to express her feelings to the boy, but she didn't think he'd understand. How could Enjolras understand that Marius meant everything to her? How would she bare it if he rejected her?
"Enji, don't mother me. I can take care of myself you know," she never did like when he went out of his way to try and give her advice, "Besides, if I just stand by him long enough maybe-"
"Maybe what? He'll love you back so suddenly? Even as he is declaring his love for another? 'Ponine, you need to be realistic," they were always having fights like this. What did he expect her to do? Just give up on the love of her life? He didn't understand! Marius was everything and more to her!
"Stop, Enjolras, I don't need to hear this right now. Can't you see I'm in enough pain?" She barked back, not loudly. No one seemed to be paying attention to them, which she was thankful for, "Why must you always attack me for my feelings?"
Enjolras let out a long sigh, "You know it isn't that. Marius is my friend, a close friend. How can you be so blind to his lack of feelings for you? It is you who is stopping yourself from getting over him! Isn't enough enough?" He looked frustrated enough just standing there, his tone was even more so, "There are plenty of men who'd love you if you gave them a chance."
"Yes, well, he hasn't pledged it to me yet, has he? Just because I'm a woman in your eyes, doesn't mean I'm any more than vermin in everyone else's," she walked turned away from him, "I should get going. If I don't get back soon... I'll see you around. Tell Marius if he wants me to do anything else, just to ask." she said, making her way to the door and out to the streets once more.
–
Grantaire stared at Enjolras curiously. He'd heard the entire conversation, considering he'd never left, "It would seem she is the blind one and you the hypocrite 'Enji'," he mimicked, "Perhaps you should take your own advice for once."
Enjolras rolled his eyes and clenched his fists, "Don't mock me, you know I wouldn't do that to her. Besides, my main concern is Patria. She needs me more than Eponine does... 'Ponine wouldn't even give a man another look, much less a man who probably doesn't have the capacity to feel the same. Besides, you know how hellbent she is on Pontmercy."
Grantaire laughed then, "But what if your dear Patria does not wish for your love? Then it will be all for nothing."
"Even if I died, at least I'd become a symbol of the very thing trying to save people like Eponine. It would never be for nothing," he had a dim smile. Grantaire was the only one who'd ever seen him vulnerable like this. For a cold, marble-statue-like man, Enjolras was more of a romantic than the others made him out to be.
–
Damn it, she thought to herself as she walked home. The way Enjolras fought with her always made her irritated. She wished that he would take a hint that she didn't need help. She'd gotten along just fine for the seven-and-ten years she'd gotten along in the world, a broken heart couldn't possibly break her anymore than the rest of her world already had.
"Where have you been hiding, my Eponine? I began to worry when you ran off," a familiar voice called. She felt her breath catch in her throat. She knew she was in for a long night.
Well, this is my first Les Mis fic. I never expected to write one, but well... here we are. I hope you enjoyed this first chapter, there will be more to come later with... other twists of fate. ;D Stay tuned!
