AN: it feels like awhile but I've got a few things lined up, I've started working on the dark fic I mentioned at the end of my A heart full of love story and that will be up shortly, anyway meanwhile I just wanted to try something out, so this won't be too long, tell me what you guys think I'd really appreciate anyway here we go.
Chapter one: little mermaid
It was sheer boredom that had dragged Enjolras from his expensive home in the upscale part of town, boredom that had him walking along the shady part of town, but it was the rain that had ushered him into a quiet little bookshop on the edge of the street. And it was the dodgy lightening that had him bumping into the petite librarian with the bright brown eyes and dark wavy hair, who smelt like old books and lavender, a librarian with rosy cheeks and very sad smile.
"I'm sorry...I didn't mean to…" a quiet voice stuttered as nimble hands bent down and started picking up the scattered books.
"It was my fault", at the sound of the deep and velvety voice large brown eyes gazed up, getting slightly lost in a sea of blue, soft lips parted but nothing came out, both straightening out they continued their staring match for a few seconds longer. The librarian placed the books on the side and gazed at the young man curiously taking in his soaked body the way shirt pressed against his chest, leaving his strawberry blonde waves matted against his face.
"You're wet", she said simply, and he smiled tilting his head to the side.
"It's raining" he replied with a shrug that sprinkled water everywhere.
"Oh right", she said embarrassed and then she turned on her heel and retreated to a back room, emerging a moment later with some paper towels which he gladly took.
"Thank you", he said, as he began dabbing the nervous young women simply nodded, before she scuttled away and began putting books backs on the shelf. At the same time the young began walking up and down the aisles, basically following her whilst pretending to browse. A miscalculated turn lead him into a full body collision with the subject of his blatant stalking, who blinked and stumbled back in surprise.
"Enjolras", he said to the startled young woman
"Excuse me?", she confusion evident in her voice,
"My name is Enjolras and you are…" he waited watching as a million warring thoughts flickered across her eyes, before she gazed back at him.
"Eponine", she said slowly watching as his face broke into a smile, which to both their surprise she found herself imitating.
"Eponine", he breathed and then he turned and walked out of the library, leaving the librarian to watch his retreating back, a mixture of curiosity and disappointment swirling in her bright brown eyes.
It had been 4 days 10 hours and 15 minutes since Eponine had met Enjolras, and she was already craving his blue eyes.
On the fifth day she came out of the back to find him leaning against her desk. He turned to face her as she made her way towards her workstation.
"Did you miss me", he asked simply, Eponine looked away for a moment before meeting his gaze
"Did… did you need something", she asked nervously.
"Yes... I am looking for something",
"What"
"A book"
"What kind of book"
"Love", he simply stated.
"love ?", Eponine echoed as Enjorlas leant closer, so close he can see how long her dark lashes really are, so close he can feel the gentle way she breathed, so close he can smell a faint scent of lavender, mahogany mixed in with a little bit of dust.
"You'll need to be more specific"
"New love, love at first sight, a fairy-tale like, tragic sort of love… do you have something like that?" there was a short pause as Eponine racked her brain.
"We do.." coming round the desk Eponine went to a far off shelf and took out a dusty book, slowly walking back, she hands it to Enjolras who glances down. Hans Christian Anderson's little Mermaid, he glances back up at Eponine in confusion.
"What's this…it's a fairy-tale that's not tragic"
"It is tragic…this is the real story, the little mermaid you're thinking off is pretty dream made up by someone who wears rose-tinted glasses…read it again and you'll see how truly tragic it is", Enjolras stared at the Eponine who stared off, a far away look in those lonely eyes.
"Is that all?" she asked suddenly, Enjolras responded by placing his hand on top of the nervous Liberians head.
"For now my little mermaid", Eponine's face furrowed in confusion as Enjolras' hand slipped away.
"Little mermaid...I'd never want to be the little mermaid", the lightness in the Liberians voice had vanished.
"It's just a nickname, since this book is the first thing you've given to me, it seemed fitting", Eponine looked at him long and hard
"I wonder if you'll still call me that after you've read it", Eponine said as she turned away and headed back to her desk.
"who knows…anyway till next time", Enjolras smiled waving the book, Eponine nodded before getting back to cataloging the new stock.
It was only two days later that Enjolras returned seemingly sombre as he placed the book down on the desk.
"She died…the little mermaid died", he said slowly Eponine picked up the book brushing the cover gently.
"She chose love instead of death"
"Don't you mean life, love over life"
"No...Killing the prince that would've been death"
" it Doesn't make sense, she sacrificed so much, suffered so much pain, and in the end she's betrayed and disappears…who in the hell wants that kind of love"
"You did… a new love... love at first sight, a fairy-tale like tragic sort of love…that's what you asked for" Enjolras gazed at Eponine
"I guess I was wrong…I prefer the dream like rose-tinted version"
"Is there anything else you need", Enjorlas gazed at Eponine steadily.
"Just one thing",
"What", walking around the desk, Enjolras rested his hand on Eponine's shoulders.
" I'm sorry I called you the little mermarid...don't ever become the little mermaid, don't ever sacrifice anything"
"But isn't that what love's all about"
"Then don't fall in love", and there it was a small, silly thing, but utterly beautiful, a smile.
"That's silly, then what about you", Enjolras' hands slipped away again.
"me…I don't really believe in it…anyway I'll be back"
But he didn't for two weeks straight Enjolras didn't set foot in the little book shop on the corner of the street, although she would never admit Eponine would sometimes stand in the doorway looking out into the street searching for blue eyes.
In the back of a special car, carrying a case of valuable editions of collectable books Eponine was on her way to the house of one of the rich patrons that employed her boss to find rare books for them. He would normally do these trips but he'd fallen ill and had made her promise to deliver them herself.
Eponine stared as the car pulled up into a long driveway, watching the large gate slowly open and the colossal excuse for a house appeared, a temple sized structure, slowly she stepped out of the car as a man led her into a private study room that opened up into small library where she was made to wait. She placed the case down as she gazed at the extraordinary array of collectable books carefully stored.
"They're marvelous aren't they…there hasn't been a book I've wanted that Maurice hasn't been able to find", a gruff voice startled Eponine she turned to meet a white haired old man, who still looked like he was as strong as twenty year old. Eponine approached him slowly
"I'm Eponine…Maurice is ill so I'm here", the old man took her hand
"Henri at your service…I've told that old bugger to take it easy…" laughed the old man heartily "come and sit my dear…show me what you've brought me"
"Of course," slowly Eponine put on gloves and handed the old man a pair, opening the case carefully she took out the first piece, an old edition of Beowulf dating back to the 16th century.
"My good that old grouch really found it" admiration and shock wormed their way into the gruff voice.
"Old man!...dinner's ready", shouted a voice from below.
"Bloody scoundrel….I'm busy!" Eponine heard the thudding as someone assaulted the stairs. Suddenly the door burst open and Eponine stopped breathing
"oi…do you want my mother to come up here…you better get downstairs or have you finally gone senile"
"Can't you see we've got a guest…you good for nothing loafer", the young man finally turned to Eponine at which point he also stopped breathing.
"Little mermaid..." slipped out of surprised lips
"En-enjolras..."