Gavroche shivered and pulled his jacket tighter around his body, he was wet, cold and tired. All he wanted now was to see Courfeyrac and be held again. When Courfeyrac hadn't come home at his usual time, Gavroche set out to try and find his "big brother."
Now it was dark and Gavroche was lost. Sitting down, he drew his knees up to his chest and began to cry quietly."I thought all of my days on the streets were over," he thought sadly, "Now I'm back on where I started."
Gavroche pushed himself back against the wall at the sound of hooves pounding on the cobblestones. He heard someone dismount and closed his eyes, hoping they wouldn't see him.
"Gavroche? What are you doing out here all alone?" Gavroche's eyes flew open and he saw none other than Inspector Javert kneeling in front of him.
"I g-got l-lost," Gavroche said, his voice breaking, "I tried to find Courfeyrac when he didn't come home and before I knew it, it was dark."
"Alright, you are coming back with me," Javert said, taking the child's hand, "Let's get you out of this cold and see if we can find your guardian."
".. and this is our map of the entire city and those marks tell us where and when we need to patrol" Javert explained, pointing to a map on the table at the police station. As soon as they had returned to the station, Javert had sent one of his men out to find Courfeyrac and inform him of what had happened. In the mean time, Javert focused on keeping the child occupied. After the battle at the barricade, Javert had made it his mission to look out for the "Amis" and make sure the National Guard stayed away from them.
"That's amazing, Inspector!" Gavroche said enthusiastically. "What's that for?" the child asked, pointing to a medal that was pinned on the inspector's uniform.
"That is a medal for bravery, it was given to me by Napoleon-" Javert was cut off by the sound of a door opening. Turning, he saw Courfeyrac standing in the doorway.
"Courfeyrac!" Gavroche yelled, running into the student's arms.
"Having fun?" Courfeyrac asked, setting the child on his hip.
"I was so scared when you didn't come home," Gavroche sobbed, pressing his face into his guardian's shoulder.
"Oh, Gavroche," Courfeyrac said, pressing a kiss to the child's head, "I was only down the street at the café, I didn't realise how late it had gotten. I'm so sorry I scared you."
" s' okay, 'know you didn't mean it." the child murmured, his voice slurred by exhaustion.
Turning to Javert, Courfeyrac said, "I'm sorry about this, I hope he wasn't too much trouble."
"It was no trouble at all," said Javert, "he is very well-behaved, you've raised him well."
"He does have a way of bringing out the good in people" Courfeyrac murmured quietly, rubbing the child's back. "Thank you for all of your help Inspector."
Courfeyrac lay awake on his bed, listening to his charge's quiet breathing. When they had returned home, Gavroche had refused to sleep in his own room. So, naturally giving in to the boy's pleading, Courfeyrac had allowed the child to sleep with him for "just one night."
A small voice shook him out of his thoughts.
"Courfeyrac? Why're you still awake?" Gavroche asked, sleepily.
"Go back to sleep, mon petit," Courfeyrac said gently, "I will fall asleep soon."
" 'K" said Gavroche, "I love you, Courfeyrac."
"I love you also, mon Ami," Courfeyrac said, pressing a kiss to the child's forehead.
As he lay there, listening to the child's quiet breathing, Courfeyrac thought again of how lucky he was to have this child in his life.