(AN: Figured I'd set something up for Enjolras/Grantaire pairing-centric drabbles as I did with my Marius/Eponine or Eponine-centric drabbles. These range from one-shots to several-parters, from serious to crack, from slight AUs to modern times. It'll be updated sporadically. I've got a ton of drabbles for the pairing, but a lot of them aren't exactly rated appropriately for this place. So I shall post what I can. If anyone is reading these, feel free to send me a shout out. Or even a prompt. I don't know.)
Anyone who has ever spoken out publicly knows that there are risk factors. Especially if one is embroiled within an underground war.
For one, you always had to know when you were being followed. And even then, you couldn't simply run away from your pursuers. You had to keep everything under control, as though you were innocent.
For another, you had to know how to take a bullet. This was a bit more complicated since upon the human body, if you had to take a bullet anywhere, it would be in the ass. There was more fat there, less nerves to accidentally hit, and the pain wouldn't be as intense. There was no internal organs that would bleed out while waiting to get the bullet removed.
There was one other issue when it came to bullets and that was to never remove them right away. When a bullet is fired and enters into the skin, it's hot. Should one remove that bullet right away, there's a risk factor of burning the skin and nerves within the hole. A person could do far more damage removing a bullet than leaving it in there, provided it wasn't inside a major internal organ. That being said, if a bullet was inside a major internal organ, you shouldn't even be touching the victim. You should be getting him to the hospital.
Enjolras had recited these rules to Grantaire before due to his friend's desire to try and keep Enjolras safe. There were plenty more rules to memorize as safety was paramount and they needed all men they could get for this army.
Grantaire, however, had taken a bullet. He also had something precious few people had when taking a bullet - time. He had seen the gun, had time enough to run to its intended victim, and time enough to catch the bullet with the part of his body that could handle said projectile.
Enjolras was rather proud at how Grantaire not only remembered what he had told him, but was quick enough to apply it. He wasn't surprised, of course. He always knew Grantaire had potential.
So he held Grantaire's hand as the bullet was carefully removed at the hospital. "Someone who wanted to start a riot," Enjolras had explained to the doctor. Grantaire was currently on laudanum and seeing talking penguins everywhere.
Others would be amused at the situation. Enjolras took it in stride. Grantaire had taken a bullet meant for him. This is not what was important. He knew the depth of Grantaire's devotion and love. What was important to Enjolras was that Grantaire took the bullet in such a way that would ensure his survival for another day. He did not throw himself madly into danger on impulse. He thought about his action and then moved.
Grantaire was starting to believe that his life was worth living. And through his speech on the penguins' migratory habits into France, Grantaire let Enjolras know that he fully intended on standing by Enjolras' side, bullet in the ass or no.
The less worry he saw within Enjolras' eyes, the happier Grantaire could be. And if his life was such a treasured force to Enjolras, then they both deserved more than dying due to some incendiary idiot on the street.
"With you," he said, gripping Enjolras' hand tightly, "or not at all."
