A story about my second favorite Les Misérables character, Grantaire. When I write about Grantaire, I'm imagining George Blagden's Grantaire, from the movie, because he is gorgeous and I loooooove him 3333 hehehehe ;)

The story takes place during Grantaire's teenage years and at home in southern France. He is sixteen. Enjoy and review.

1823-

René Grantaire raced across the fields in his family's garden, barefoot as usual, and into the house. "Monsieur René!" One of the servants -Michel?- shouted after him, but he paid no heed. Now was lunchtime, and he was starving. He bounded into the kitchen and snatched up the still warm bowl of stew the cook had made for him.

"Monsieur René, you eat too fast," The cook, a stately, middle-aged woman observed with a pleased smile on her face. "Enjoy it, and maybe put some meat on those bones."

"You always say I need to gain weight," René muttered through a mouthful of food. "And I don't. Look, I've got muscle!" He rolled up his sleeve and exposed a decent-sized bicep.

"Bah, you're flexing," She snorted good-naturedly. "Now get out of here, René, I see you've cleared that bowl in record time!" The boy laughed, and scampered out of the backdoor in the kitchen and onto the family's property. He went to the stables and dressed in his riding boots and took out his favorite horse, whom he had named Hugo, but who's real name was Gilles. The horse technically belonged to his uncle, but that didn't stop René from using him.

He rode around the family's estate, taking in the trees, the gurgling brook, the fine vineyard that made the best wines in the area. His uncle was rich, that was for certain, and his aunt had always instilled in René that it was incredibly generous of him to take the orphan boy in, even if he was kin.

René reached the property adjacent to his own, which belonged to the Bassin family and his interest was captured by a small parade of carriages at the head of the house. René had known the Bassin family since birth, and they even had a daughter his age, Adrienne.

Of course, Adrienne had left for England when she was eight and he was nine, and hadn't returned since. Unless...

René rode up to the house and inquired of one of the servants. "What is going on here? Who has arrived?"

"Why, it is Mademoiselle Adrienne, of course," The maid replied. "She has returned from her stay in England." René's heart skipped a beat. They had been childhood friends when they were little, but that had been seven years ago. Did she even remember him?

A figure in a pale pink dress stepped out of one of the carriages, and a murmur went up amongst the servants. Was this Adrienne? René craned his head to get a closer look.

A young lady with soft brown hair done in soft curls came into full view. Her hair caught the sunlight, making it seem like it was red and blonde at once, her her eyes, big and brown seemed massive, soaking everything in. Adrienne had certainly grown taller, and had blossomed from the seed of a little girl into the flower of a saint-like young woman. She looked like an angel, René thought, his heart picking up speed.

"Ah, it is very good to be back in France," Adrienne sighed, and began to walk towards the house. Her eye caught René, who was still on his horse. "Monsieur," She said, looking puzzled. "I do not believe that I have the pleasure of your acquaintance."

"You sound so formal, Adrienne," René snorted, forgetting his manners and jumping off his horse. "Do I really look that different to you?" Adrienne squinted her eyes, and then suddenly opened them very wide again.

"René Grantaire?" She whispered. "You look so much more mature...my goodness...it's been so long..." She took a quiet step towards him in curiosity. "How did you know when I'd return?"

"I didn't," René confessed. She was even prettier up close - smooth, even pink lips and white, straight teeth. "I didn't know you were coming back." They stared at each other for a moment, surveying each other in a peaceful silence.

"Forgive me, René, I haven't properly greeted you." She curtsied politely, and René bowed in return. "It is a great pleasure to see you again."

"The pleasure is entirely mine," He grinned back. "It's nice to see you, Adrienne."

"Mademoiselle!" Someone called from the house. "Have you not gone inside to greet your mother yet?"

"No, Collette, I will right away!" Adrienne called, and turned back to René. "I - I hope you will stop by soon, René?" She bowed her head. What was this, Adrienne Bassin, nervous?

"Of course I will," Grantaire smiled, mounting his horse again. "Au revoir, Adrienne."

"Au revior!" She called, and he galloped away. Once, René turned around as he rode and saw Adrienne still watching him. He gave a short wave, and didn't look back again.

That's all folks! Review!