How Light and Beauty Broke the Unmoving Stone
Chapter 2
AN: I'm actually going to write one more shorter chapter after this before the alternate universe begins. I hope you like this chapter although I was having a bit of trouble with it so I'm not sure if it's any good. I hope you like it.
It was the night before the barricades would arise and Eponine and Enjolras both knew better than anyone that tomorrow the hell that broke loose would change everything. Enjolras was lying on his bed, knowing that it would be the best thing to do to get some sleep to face the day tomorrow but sleep wasn't coming. Enjolras could die tomorrow, or any day after that. Death had never scared or bothered him until now and I think we all know why. If he died he'd never get to live in the land he wanted to so rightfully win or live with the woman he wanted to so rightfully win the heart of. Considering this he knew the duty that must be done. He had known for a long time. Finally beginning to grow tired he let himself think about Eponine once more. He saw her as clear as the day that was now long gone. He saw her face, her perfect face. He saw her beautiful dark hair draping over the sides of her face. He saw her in her torn and dirty rags but didn't imagine her like that for long because she deserved much more. Instead, Enjolras imagined his Eponine in a pretty dress. Nothing fancy because that wouldn't suit her, but a simple white dress. He imagined her running through a meadow with that dress on her hair whipping in the wind as the sun beat down warming her skin and her soul. He imagined himself joining her and her smile growing as he did. Finally, he imagined her reaching out her arms, pulling him in and kissing him. That was all he needed to be completely at peace and as he finally drifted off to sleep that image of him kissing Eponine was the last thing he saw.
That morning Enjolras woke feeling a sense of comfort and peace. But, after a moment he hopped straight out of bed and got dressed ready to meet the events of the day.
Eponine was already out and about early. She wasn't able to think. No, she wasn't able to stop thinking. Eponine knew that today was the day the barricades would arise and Marius would be going. Enjolras flashed in her mind, too but loving Marius was all she could handle right now, and she wasn't even doing a good job at that. Considering what she was about to do one last time, Eponine took a deep breath. She changed into a man's clothing and shoes before pulling her hair into a cap. Looking into a cracked mirror Eponine was satisfied, her appearance was like any other of the revolutionaries. Making her way toward the street that Lamarque's coffin would be carried down she took her place near Courfeyrac. He didn't notice that she was actually Eponine Thenadier and had no place being here. But, to her Eponine it was her place. She couldn't bare a world without Marius whether he loved her or not.
Enjolras was frantically grabbing chairs and tables and helping his fellow men pile them up, adrenaline rushing through him like never before. This was what he had been waiting for so long. He had known this would be his fate, to change France for the better because he loved her enough to do so. This was the dawn of ages to come. This was what had been so close for so long it stirred the blood in their veins. Excitement pulsed through him. Enjolras felt no fear and no regret. Whatever was to come he didn't mind at the moment. He allowed himself a quick look around. Everyone was hard at work except for Marius who was talking to another man. He didn't recognize the other man. He had dark hair that was covered by a grey cap that was also shielding even the slightest view of his face from Enjolras as he was turned around. This angered Enjolras but he kept working, doing everything he could to make sure this revolution would be a success.
Night had fallen and everyone had found a place to sleep. Eponine hadn't yet. Peeking around a corner she found a nice little spot that was in between two buildings. Eponine settled down in her quiet little corner and the fatigue that she had been ignoring settled in. She wouldn't have any trouble sleeping on the ground with no blanket but Marius had discovered her. She could still hear his words in her head on repeat. "God Eponine, the things you do." For a minute she had been struck with fear that Marius would judge her for coming here. But, to her relief he had actually seemed worried about her! That was more than she'd ever gotten from him before. He had told her to get out before the trouble started. Of course she wouldn't even though Marius could persuade her better than anyone. Settling in she looked up from her spot and suddenly a tingling sense of excitement rushed through her body. The place Enjolras was sleeping was across from her quiet little corner. She had a perfect view of him from here. Because it was night and that was the time she was most vulnerable, Eponine let herself lovingly gaze at him with no conflictions. He wasn't lying down but sitting like her, probably not ready to go to what might be his last sleep. He was leaning up against another wall and looking down at his palms. She admired him for a couple more seconds but then he must have somehow felt her strong gaze upon him because Enjolras looked up and she fast as lightning tried to look away unnoticed but it was too late. He had seen her. To Eponine's horror he actually got up and started to approach her. What's worse was she still couldn't read his expression.
Enjolras had been sitting down all alone in the quiet solitude of the night wondering exactly where on Earth his Eponine might be. He was looking at his hands remembering how Eponine had grabbed them and was replaying that memory in his head. He started to feel a weight upon him that got heavier as every moment passed. He realized this was this was the feeling of someone staring at him. But, how could he know that if he couldn't see them. Out of the corner of his eye he saw someone indeed staring very intently at him. His heart skipped three beats as he got the feeling that a brick had fallen on his head. That someone was Eponine Thenadier! He turned his head to meet her gaze but she looked away. What was she doing here?! Hopping straight up he was beside her in a matter of seconds.
"Eponine! What are you doing here?!" he demanded. "Wait, was that you today, talking to Marius?" he asked recalling that the person he thought was a boy had a hat on that was raggedy and grey like the one she wore now.
"Yes, that was me. I didn't know you saw me….. He told me the same thing I know you're about to. 'Get out of here 'Ponine, this is no place for you!'" she despairingly said mocking Marius's voice.
Enjolras had fully intended to tell her to get out of here, she could get hurt but for possibly the first time ever he got distracted by one small detail. And yet again, Eponine saw a tiny smile just curving on the end of his lips as he asked "'Ponine? Is that a pet name?" It was possible that, just this once the night was Enjolras's most vulnerable time as well.
Eponine smiled and nodded. "You can call me 'Ponine….. If you wish." Eponine felt stupid the second it left her lips but it was said. He would never wish to call her nick names or probably never even want to become friends.
Enjolras sighed. The truth was he wanted her to be by his side. Maybe, she could just stay the night and then he'd make her leave in the morning. If there was an attack he'd do anything and everything to protect her. It sounded good to Enjolras. "Alright 'Ponine. I'll let you stay the night, but only if I can sleep here." He motioned toward the ground at her feet. What did he have to lose? Besides, he could protect her a lot better here than 25 feet across if there was an attack in the night. He sat down and leaned against a wall.
Eponine couldn't hold back her smile. Did he actually want to protect her? An hour later they had both finally fallen asleep secretly thinking about each other and feeling safer and so much more at peace than they had felt in a long time.
AN: I know I promised this would be the last chapter before the alternate universe begins but, well I'm sorry but I lied. Chapter 3 has a 99 percent chance of being that chapter. I hope you weren't disappointed by this chapter because I was kind of disappointed in myself with it but it will pick up soon. Also, I might do a missing chapter later on about their conversation before they fell asleep so would you guys like that?Please review and tell me what you think!
