Title: Parallels
Description:
Les Miserables & Sweeney Todd crossover! Marius and Cosette are holidaying in London for their one year wedding anniversary, anxious to get some much needed time away from their frantic lives. Here enters Anthony Hope, the lovesick, boyish young sailor yearning for the love of a woman who is off-limits. This is the story of how two men can work together and conquer all odds.
A/N
I'm just going to say now that I'm aware of the time difference between the two stories. But I'm hoping you'll all look past that and give this story a chance anyway. This is an idea that has been turning around in my head for a while now, and now I think I finally have the courage to bring those ideas to paper. I do hope you'll all enjoy this story, because I've tried to do something unique with it :) Reviews will be nice to see as well.
The combination of the harsh sea air and the hustle and bustle of the busy workers at the dock made Cosette Pontmercy clutch her stomach breathlessly as the change in atmosphere from the ship to the crowded dock caught her swiftly off guard.
Two weeks. Two weeks had they been on that dreaded boat, and Cosette couldn't be happier to be on stable ground once more, and by the relieved look on her husband's face, it looked as though he was feeling the same way.
They walked hand in hand down the gangplank, observing the new surroundings that London brought to their sleep deprived eyes. Neither of them had been able to rest the night before, they had both been largely anticipating the long awaited moment they would be getting off the forever rocking floors of the ship.
It had not done much for Cosette's state either, mourning sickness was already a burden enough, it did not help that she felt forever unsteady and sea sick, but she had not told Marius yet though, she was waiting for the right time.
It had been Marius' idea to take some time away from home and indulge in a nice holiday to clear their heads from their busy lives at home. And when Marius was offered some time off from the firm, and their one year wedding anniversary was fast approaching, it seemed like the perfect time to act upon it!
They had both agreed on London. Cosette had always wanted to see some more of the city. She had heard of the vast differences between the French and English culture, and she was only too eager to experience the changes for herself. Marius was too, but he mainly chose London because Cosette was very eager to see the city.
Having their luggage brought to them and loaded into a carriage by two gentleman from the ship's crew, they set off towards the hotel they would be staying at for the three weeks they would be residing in the city.
Cosette had been right. Marius observed, peering out of the small windows of the carriage, and gazing about the bustling streets, London was indeed different from Paris.
The skies were rather dark and dreary, even for the daytime, and there was much smoke coming from the many buildings with chimneys they passed, giving the city a vastly darker look than they were used to.
Looking over to his wife, he found that she had a similar look across her face, clearly caught off guard as well. Marius prayed that the weather would get better, he had been planning on taking Cosette for a walk around the city as soon as they got settled in.
Upon arriving at the hotel, they were greeted by two footman who took their luggage from the carriage and escorted them into the lobby.
"Thank you," Cosette said to them, using the little knowledge of the English dialect that Marius had taught her prior to their arrival.
Marius ended up doing most of the talking though, using his extensive study of the English language to his advantage when taking to the man at the desk about their room reservation.
Marius had made sure to get one of the nicer rooms in the hotel, only the best for his wife.Oh he would never get used to calling her that! It had seemed only yesterday that they were sneaking around in the garden late at night, right under Monsieur Fauchelevent's watchful nose!
Marius paused then, felt guilt and remorse fill his heart. He had still yet to forgive himself for causing Valjean's death, it had pained him so that he stole precious moments away from Cosette to be with him. He was sure Cosette would never truly forgive him for that, although she had never made it known that she was mad at him at all.
"And here we are…" The bellhop said, opening the door to their room and allowing them to enter their new suite, "If there is anything you need, feel free to contact the main office. And by the way, your luggage will be brought up momentarily."
Marius promptly snapped out of his gloomy thoughts and donned his business-like persona, "Thank you for your help," He said, carefully laying a shilling into the bellhop's gloved hand. The bellhop nodded, muttered a quick thank you, and left them alone in their suite.
Marius went over to the door and closed it, pausing with his hand clutched against the the handle. Sighing, he turned back to Cosette, who was sitting on the edge of the bed, her hands joined pointedly in her lap.
Awed silence laced between them as Marius went over to her and sat down next to her on the bed, causing Cosette to look over at him, startled.
"What do you think of the room, Cosette?" He asked, trying to break the weird tension between them.
"It's lovely," Cosette replied, letting her blue eyes wonder aimlessly around the room. She seemed oddly absent all of a sudden, Marius thought, a rather strange change in character.
"Is there something bothering you, Cosette?" He asked then, eyes wondering over her in concern.
Cosette looked at him, eyes widening, "No, not at all, love. I'm… I'm just tired…" She said, trying to reassure him. It was a flimsy excuse, she knew, but she hoped it would be enough for now.
Marius nodded, he knew his wife was hiding something, but he decided not to press her for it, it had been a long day, and they both needed rest.
"How would you feel about a walk tomorrow?" He asked her as they were getting ready for bed, watching her brunette locks tumble down onto her shoulders as she released her hair from her chignon hairstyle.
"Sounds absolutely perfect," She replied, turning and kissing him on the cheek, then turning back to her task.
Marius smiled, he wondered what changes this new change in atmosphere will bring to their lives, both of them did. It's just what was going to happen was something neither of them could have predicted in a million years.
A/N
I promise to add some more Sweeney Todd related content in the next chapter.