Author's Note:
Hello everyone! I'm Kitkatlaugh if you don't know me already and I've decided to put up little notes of clarification or helpful information when I think that they're needed. Anyway, if you haven't been able to tell I tend to incorporate a ton of platonic/family love in my stories (main examples being here with Addie and Marius and my Sherlock story "Three Puzzles" with Kate and John. I do want to know what you all think of this as I have gotten comments regarding the topic, but they were neither positive nor negative. Also, I recently spilled grapefruit juice on my laptop so my only computer access is at the public library. I know, quite a bummer. Ok, last I'm going to say that I'm only human. If I don't post for a week or so I am sorry, but there's not much I can do about that. I try to update as often as I can, but sometimes my muse just runs dry. Want to help this cause? Review! Give me feedback, suggestions, ideas, and even constructive criticism. Let me know what you like and what you don't so that I can please you all more in the future. Sorry for the huge note, and I hope this chapter kind of makes up for it.

Chapter Four

This had been what Addie had been looking for when she left home. Friendly and unique people, to see the crumbling stone and the rainbow of conversations, to find a passion and a purpose. She had found freedom, even if it was only temporary. Still, it was unlike anything else she had experienced. She could talk with whomever she pleased without worrying about speaking out of turn or carelessly tossing about what could have been taken as an insult. Her grandfather wasn't there to micromanage the life she was leading, and she could for once be herself. Addie could let her words spill freely and her emotions flood through the surrounding area and into those around her, the build-up of self-expression a bit overwhelming.

She hadn't realized she could talk so much. It hadn't been possible to laugh with strangers or just stare in awe of the scene playing out before you at her home. Now she was free to do all of these things. She would sit aside with Jehan, who had turned out to be quite a poet, and help him with suggestions and muse. Since she had been replacing conversation with books for most of her life, her writing wasn't half bad. Addie could joke around with Courfeyrac and have hour long discussions regarding life in general with Combeferre. Throughout the rest of that day she stayed with the group of boys, getting to know each one individually and living in the moment. She was outside. She was in the real world. Although she came to understand the harshness and cruelty of life from the boys' stories, she was also truly happy and alive for one of the first times in her life.

The sun was heading to bed, a lavender shadow slowly creeping from stone to stone until it engulfed their little spot. The stone bench on which she sat was cool, now in a comforting way rather than a fearful one. Marius sat beside her, his left shoulder supporting her exhausted figure. The men sat around and Enjolras began the talk of rebellion as Addie's eyes drifted shut and her consciousness slowly evaporated. The group had refrained from mentioning the revolution while around the Pontmercy sister for multiple reasons. Marius hadn't told them that he didn't want her involved, but his face did most of the talking for him. His face said that bringing it up would cause nothing but trouble, and that was definitely not what any of them needed. It wasn't at all that they didn't like her, in fact even Grantaire had grown a bit of fondness over the course of the day. What they were planning just wasn't fit for a woman though. It was dangerous and risky, something none of them wanted Addie involved in. They didn't want her getting hurt, but that wasn't all. With her experience in the world limited to probably only a few days throughout all eighteen of her years, she was simply naive.

The leader thought differently though. He had heard her stories and the way she spoke, seen the gleam in her eyes and the overwhelming desire for something more. Adeline was a passionate girl, giving and wanting and getting her way. If she was to side with them, the advantages would likely be continuous. She had a voice that would be heard, one that the people would listen to. Paris could see that in order to gain their freedom, they all would have to lend hands. Women and children could do their share as much as men could. Adeline Pontmercy could be what he had been waiting for, a sign of hope. The way she thought was all too familiar, and he couldn't help but feel that Marius had made quite an influence on her over the years they had grown up together. The others liked her as well, and that was never a bad thing.

Marius would be the only problem. He would want Addie to be safe and at home, unknowing and with nothing to fear. It was a reasonable request, he wanted to keep his little sister safe and let her live her life as a child while she could. She wasn't a child though, Addie was eighteen years old and her brother had to start viewing her as what she was, a young woman. It seemed her mind had a few extra years on it as well seeing how intelligent and intuitive she was. She had the right to make her own choices and possess her own voice, no longer an echo of others'. However, for the sake of his right-hand man he may have to sacrifice the idea of Addie joining them. Enjolras wouldn't go against Marius like that without a solid steel reason. As much as he loved his country, he wouldn't be able to fight for it without support.

With his sister asleep on his shoulder, Marius began to think more on what he would do with her. He didn't want to face his grandfather, however selfish that may be. Terrible conversation would arise and the blame of Adeline's little adventure would inevitably fall on him. It would be better if she arrived home alone and in the daylight. What would he do with her until then though? The night was getting late and soon Les Amis would part their separate ways. Since he had been kicked out of his home, he had been living in a small space with Enjolras.

Honestly he would have rather been with Courfeyrac or Combeferre so that he didn't have to hear the nonstop patriotic blabber that came with occupying the same space as Patria's personal lover. He didn't have much of choice though. Enjolras was the only one of the group who knew of Marius's roots and the money and status connected to them. The elder Pontmercy believed that the information would degrade the others' opinions of him, although Enjolras couldn't stress enough that it would make no difference as they were all fighting for the same cause. The leader respected his wishes and mentioned nothing of relation to the subject, much to the satisfaction of his roommate.

With him, Marius had brought a chest of clothing and necessary belongings with surprisingly little money. He stated that he hadn't earned it and he didn't deserve it, so therefore it wasn't rightfully his. He had been smart enough to bring an amount that would last him a while though, so that was good. He really didn't need to go asking his grandfather for help any time soon. He had a bed and spare mattress too, so he supposed Addie could stay there, but just for the night. In the morning he would lead her back home and reluctantly depart, not knowing how long it would be until they met again. He would make sure that Addie didn't give him trouble and that she was safe, but there wasn't much more than that for him to do. He'd have to leave her all alone with their grandfather, confined to a house until her future had been planned out step by step. That wasn't his fault though, it was just the way things were.

Marius carefully scooped Adeline into his arms, careful not to wake her before approaching calling out to Enjolras. He turned from his place next to Feuilly, eyebrows raised curiously and with a hint of fun. It was nice to see a change from his regular strung-up and restless behaviour. He seemed more relaxed, enjoying the passing time with his friends.

"Can she stay at our place for the night, until I take her home tomorrow?" he asked in a mix between a shout and a whisper, not wanting to be startle Addie but also wanting the leader to hear him from the distance away that he was.

A smile flashed over his face, emphasizing the little creases around his eyes that he had from being so expressive all the time. He nodded with no argument to Marius's suggestion and turned back to the fan-maker to resume his conversation. After quick goodbyes and promises to meet up again tomorrow, the two siblings started through the darkness and towards a small but sturdy building in the city.