A/N: Sadly, I deleted my last story… *Sniffle.* It wasn't doing very well or going anywhere and I couldn't figure out how to end it or anything. But then a wonderful idea for a new story knocked me over the head with a baseball bat, and so I decided to write it! Disclaimer: I'll own Les Mis when my Hogwarts letter comes. So, never. Also, this story is definitely AU. And if you had happened to read my old story, I think Clara might make a brief appearance in later chapters! *Also I really appreciated the constructive criticism and hopefully this is easier to read with the paragraphs! I really do like constructive criticism and I take it all to heart.
The day was long over and the lone source of light was coming from the shaky candles that scattered the tables. Some would argue that the light was coming from Enjolras and his fierce passion. He excitedly stood up on the middle of a cluttered table and preached words inspiring a new day, a new life, a new beginning. He made promises that the poor would never be hungry and would have a chance to have their voices heard. People watched him with respect and interest, absorbing everything that he had to say. Except one of his friends, Grantaire, who was currently drowning himself in whiskey. There was the occasional cheer and sound of encouragement, but other than that the only noise coming from the normally loud café came from the golden words of promise that Enjolras projected. However, his words started to waver when he noticed Marius slowly edging out of the dim lit room.
"Where are you off to now, Marius?" Enjolras asked shaking his head. All eyes snapped backwards at Marius who was blushing slightly. "Nothing that concerns your revolution, Enjolras. It's my business and mine alone," Marius said curtly before attempting to leave.
"Is it this girl again? The one who has 'burst like the music of angels, the light of the sun?'" Grantaire snickered into his bottle, rolling his eyes in amusement at himself. Marius hung his head and muttered, "Yes." Enjolras slammed his fist down.
"Marius, if you want to be committed to the cause, you have to be here for us. Can't you visit your lover at a later time?" Enjolras pleaded. Marius looked sadly up at Enjolras.
"I pity you, my friend, for you will never know how blissful and rapturous being in love feels. It's a sensation I can't explain, but seeing Cosette means so much to me," Marius said slowly and fervently. Enjolras threw his back and ran his hands through his mussed up blonde curls. "You're wrong. I am in love. With Patria. Now, if you don't care about the plight Paris is currently in, by all means, be on your way," Enjolras replied hotly.
Marius grudgingly retraced his steps and found his chair once more. "I don't know why I even bother," he muttered to himself as he shot a glare at his fearless and heartless leader. Shaking off his disappointment with Marius, Enjolras wrapped up his lengthy speech to be greeted with erupting plaudits from Les Amis. Content with himself, Enjolras retired to a table with Grantaire and Marius.
"I'm sorry, my friend. I didn't mean to offend you or anything of that nature, it's just that my Cosette is very important to me and I would like to spend as much time as possible with her before we all die at the barricades," Marius said someone bitterly and somewhat softly. Enjolras just shook his head in response.
"How could I have forgotten? You have never felt pure love before for a living and caring creature before! Never felt the soft touch of a woman, your ears never graced with a lover's laughter, never felt the warm and passionate kisses that another bestows upon you," Marius said sinisterly. "Marius, stop being so dramatic. We have a very good chance that we can survive the barricades, unless you begin to think such thoughts! And my personal life is not important, love is merely an accessory in life," Enjolras grumbled. Marius felt bad for his friend who would never know love.
"You seem to love Patria a lot," Grantaire chuckled over his nearly empty bottle earning a harsh glare from Enjolras. "Grantaire if you know what is best for you, you would just remain quiet," Enjolras snapped. Grantaire just laughed even harder snorting out liquid onto the table which disgusted Enjolras and Marius.
"You act so high and mighty, Enjo, but just remember that we share a flat; you will never be able to escape me and I can be much worse," Grantaire said finding himself so hysterical. "Sometimes I can't believe I ever agreed to be your flat mate," Enjolras said grumpily. Suddenly, something behind Enjolras' shoulder caught Marius' attention, and he abandoned the table before Enjolras had enough time to blink. "What's gotten into him?" Grantaire asked curiously widening his eyes. "Maybe that girl he's talking to is Cosette. She doesn't exactly look like what Marius had described, but she's still pretty enough," he added before beginning a new bottle.
Enjolras groaned worried that Cosette had actually showed up; Marius wouldn't be quiet for the rest of the evening about his renowned love for the girl. However, as Enjolras observed the girl Marius was excitedly talking to, he knew it wasn't Cosette, but someone else entirely. Enjolras was instantly fascinated by her, and he couldn't bring himself to look away.
"That's not Cosette, Grantaire. Marius said Cosette was a bourgeoisie with blonde ringlets and a dainty, pale body. That's a gamine over there, a street rat," Enjolras said, but the tone he used when he said 'gamine' and 'street rat' was not insulting, merely candid. "Whatever, doesn't concern me," Grantaire said trying to fall asleep on the table. Enjolras could still not look away. The girl looked only a couple years younger than him, but she acted much older. Her eyes surveyed the world with eyes that had seen terrible things that were enough to make a grown man curl up in a ball and sob. Her brown hair was matted and tangled, but Enjolras saw beauty in it anyways. He knew it would look much better if it had a proper washing and brushing. Her arms and face were smeared with the dirt and grime of the city, and she had dark circles under her deep brown eyes as though she hadn't a proper rest for quite some time. Despite all of this, Enjolras could see a blinding smile that was painted delicately across his tired face that could light up the city of Paris at night.
"What are you drooling over now? Are you being disloyal to Patria with another country? Perhaps Ireland? England?" Grantaire sniggered. Enjolras finally turned around and shot Grantaire another well-earned glare. "Go back to your brandy and keep your nose where it belongs," Enjolras retorted. Enjolras kept thinking of that one girl, and started to feel something in the pit of his stomach. Or was it in his heart? Stop thinking of her, the only reason why she intrigued you so was because she is exactly the filth of Paris that you are trying to defend. You don't really care about her, Enjolras assured himself. However, in his mind he was slowly beginning to understand why Marius wanted to spend so much time with Cosette.
A/N: Yay the first chapter is done! Let me tell you guys, I love to write so I will update frequently. Except maybe this week… I do have a lot of studying to do and blah blah blah. Reviews are much appreciated, and they inspire me to write faster (they really do, I pinky promise). I won't abandon this story, I have it all planned out and it should be pretty good. All the good stuff is going to start happening in the next chapter though, so be excited! Woo! *I hope this is easier to read now! Thanks again for reviewing!