Sorry! I've been so long! Combination of really busy time at uni, a couple of trips home, broken laptop, and good old-fashioned stupidity and confusion over what to write next. I hope it'll do!
My advice would be to listen to "Do I Wanna Know" by the Arctic Monkeys during the relevant section... but my advice is always to listen to the Arctic Monkeys so feel free to ignore me :)
Disclaimer: I don't own Les Miserables or the Arctic Monkeys, more's the pity... Alex Turner. Good Lord, that boy could, to paraphrase Lady Gaga "do what he wants, what he wants with my body".
They finished the meal and settled the bill between them – they wouldn't let Éponine chip in, despite her protestations – and then the discussion started about what to do next. It was ten past eleven, and nobody was ready to go home yet.
"We could go to a bar?" suggested Feuilly
"Ooh, there's a new one over on Rue St-Denis? I heard it's very nice" Cosette piped up.
"Or there's Le Duc on Rue de Lombards?" supplied Bahorel.
"Will we all get in there?" Marius asked dubiously.
"Should do, don't see why not"
"Anybody have any other preferences?" Combeferre asked.
"As long as there's beer" announced Grantaire.
"Really helpful, thanks Grantaire." Enjolras replied scathingly.
"Be nice to poor old R" Éponine scolded him gently "he's just enjoying himself"
"Sorry. What do you want to do, Éponine? It is your birthday, after all."
"Well, I… I kind of want to go out dancing" she mumbled. "We don't have to or anything, just, we all look so pretty, and I haven't gone out to a club in ages, and –"
"Let's do that!" exclaimed Courfeyrac with a grin. He'd been hoping something like that would be suggested, all this fanciness was making him itch. "Everybody up for Le Showcase?"
They piled out of the cabs at Le Showcase, over by Pont Alexandre III, and pushed through the crowd into the dark, smoky atmosphere of the club. After a few of them managed to fight their way to the bar and buy drinks, the group moved to the dance floor, taking up residence in the very middle.
The night wore on, and the music seemed to get louder as they all got drunker. Éponine was receiving a fair amount of attention, her low inhibitions combining with her beauty to attract half the guys in the club: Enjolras didn't think she'd paid for her own drink at any stage that night. She danced with all the Amis, smiling and singing along with every word. The levels of sexiness in the dancing ranged from fairly sensible turn with Marius and Cosette, to a… sort of dance with Courfeyrac which Enjolras couldn't help but think he really shouldn't be watching, even if they were joking.
As it got later, most of the group decided to go home: Feuilly, Musichetta, Joly and Sylvie were working the next day, Bossuet had fallen asleep in the corner so Jehan decided to take him home, Bahorel and Courfeyrac pulled some Italian girls and Cosette and Marius just got tired, leaving only Éponine, Enjolras, Grantaire and Combeferre in the club. At around half 3 in the morning, Enjolras was frankly amazed he was still going – he'd forgotten how much fun this was – and more than a little drunk. He went to the bathroom, and then the bar to grab drinks for them all, returning to find Éponine in the arms of a tall, muscly guy they didn't know – a tourist, from the look of it – who was taking advantage of her drunkenness and copping a serious feel. Éponine hardly seemed to notice; she continued to sing along, arms in the air, hips swaying.
He considered what to do for a minute or two. It's really none of my business, I should just leave it. She's a big girl. A big….drunk girl. And he looks like an absolute knob. What if she gets hurt… what if…? I'd never forgive myself! But she'd kick my ass if I stepped in and she didn't want me to… I should leave it. It's a bad idea.
Oh, for crying out loud. He downed all the drinks for extra courage, then strode over, intending on telling that guy exactly where he could go… only to find the guy was gone and she was dancing with Combeferre, who just winked at him and mouthed I got rid of him with a smirk.
Enjolras was seeing far too much of that bloody smirk at the minute.
Éponine was on a cloud. A big, happy cloud of smiles and tequila. She'd never known so many people want to dance with her or buy her drinks, this was great! I must look really hot or something… oh, hi Combeferre! Where did Mr Muscles go?
The song changed; a slow, simple drumbeat rang in her ears, followed by a slow, sultry guitar riff.
Have you got colour in your cheeks?
She grinned at Combeferre, who returned her smile before saying into her ear "I'm going to take off, someone needs to get Grantaire home"
Do you ever get that fear that you can't shift the tide that sticks around like summat in your teeth?
"Nooooo, stay! R's fine, he can hold his drink! Keep dancing, you love the Arctic Monkeys…"
Are there some aces up your sleeve?
"Pony, look at him."
Have you no idea that you're in deep?
Turning to look at her best friend, she saw him attempting to start a fight with a pot plant. "Oh."
I dreamt about you nearly every night this week, how many secrets can you keep?
"You'll be ok getting home with Enjolras, right?"
"Course!" She smiled, still swaying with the music. "…where is he?"
'Cause there's this tune I found that makes me think of you somehow and I play it on repeat
"Over… there" Combeferre indicated, a faintly surprised look on his face.
Until I fall asleep, spilling drinks on my settee.
Confused, she looked over… and her stomach dropped. The familiar blonde curls caught her eye, bobbing about not far away, but he wasn't alone: a tall, thin, scantily-dressed woman was draped all over him. "Is that Enjolras?!"
Do I wanna know
If this feeling flows both ways?
"It must be… but…"
"…I… I know!" Their gaze flicked between Enjolras and each other, so flabbergasted they had nothing to say.
Sad to see you go
Was sort of hoping that you'd stay
The woman – she had long, straight black hair which she was flicking about all over the place - leaned up to whisper something in his ear. Éponine suddenly felt inexplicably furious and spat out "God, some people have no self-respect".
Baby we both know
That the nights were mainly made for saying things that you can't say tomorrow day
Crawling back to you
Combeferre didn't say anything, so she looked at him. A knowing smirk was splashed across his features as he determinedly didn't catch her eye.
"What?!"
"Nothing" well, he's obviously not going to tell me anything.
Ever thought of calling when you've had a few?
She turned again to check on Grantaire, and then a thought struck her like lightening. "You better get Grantaire out, the last thing he needs is to see that."
Combeferre's eyes widened. "Good idea… I'll see you later, then? Try and play nicely."
'Cause I always do
"What are you talking about?!" she laughed
"Nothing." He gave her a quick hug and a kiss on top of her head. "Happy birthday, you."
"Thanks, Ferre."
Maybe I'm too busy being yours to fall for somebody new
She watched him push through the crowd to reach Grantaire, then try and coax the lovable drunkard over to the door.
Now I've thought it through
He finally succeeded, turning back to wave at her as they left. She smiled back.
Crawling back to you
She realised suddenly she was alone, with nothing to drink and nobody to dance with. Now what?
So have you got the guts?
She turned her attention back to Enjolras and his… ladies. This is so unlike him. The sight still annoyed her, her skin prickling with irritation. I thought he was better than that.
Been wondering if your heart's still open and if so I wanna know what time it shuts
She looked once around her, then thought fuck it, I'm not standing watching this bullshit on my birthday.
Enjolras had forgotten how nice this felt. He was used to having girls fling themselves at him in situations like this, but he normally just ignored them, annoyed by a distraction.
Simmer down and pucker up
She was whispering in his ear again. He'd thought her brown eyes were like Éponine's when she'd first come over, but now he saw them closer up, they didn't have any of the fire, or the laughter, or the depth behind them that Ép's did.
I'm sorry to interrupt. It's just I'm constantly on the cusp of trying to kiss you
Her smirk wasn't the same either, her angular face wasn't as welcoming, and didn't have the dimples to soften it… she was very beautiful, but in a way that kind of made you want to keep your distance.
I don't know if you feel the same as I do
She kept putting her mouth right by his, like she was going to kiss him.
But we could be together if you wanted to
Maybe he should tell her that -
"Sorry, am I interrupting?" The familiar low, throaty, lightly accented voice of his roommate made his heart jump, and he turned to face her, despite his dance partner's attempts to distract him.
Do I wanna know?
He opened his mouth to say hello but a pair of heavily lipsticked lips claimed his before he had a chance.
"Oh, very classy." He bit back a laugh. This shouldn't be this funny.
She spun around, shoulders drawn back. "Sorry, can I help you? You are interrupting, actually."
"Oh, really?"
"Yep"
If this feeling flows both ways?
"Well, the show's over actually. You can go now."
"Excuse you, why would I do that? I'm dancing with him. Run along!" Oooh, bad move.
Éponine raised an eyebrow, gaze fixed and eyes narrowed.
Sad to see you go
"First of all, I live with him, so I won't be "running along" anywhere, that's you. Second of all, tell me to run along one more time. I dare you." Her voice was dangerously calm.
"You live with him, what, like his mother or something? Seriously, back off, sparkletits, he's mine. You're just jealous." What? Jealous?... really? The thought made him strangely cheerful.
Was sort of hoping that you'd stay
"Ok, slutbag. Sparkletits is going to cut you some slack, because you don't know me, and you don't know him. Therefore you don't know that calling me jealous is a really, really bad idea. You also don't know that this guy isn't the kind of guy you can own. He doesn't have to belong to anybody, and even if he did, you rubbing your grubby little paws on him wouldn't make it you. He's far too good for that, and he's far too good for you. So why don't you just go away so I can spend some time with my roommate here?"
Enjolras tried really hard not to enjoy this, but failed miserably. Éponine's eyes were blazing and it was very distracting. He found his eyes drawn to the way they shone brighter than the dress that clung to her slender curves.
Baby we both know
"Are you just going to let her talk to me like this?!" He was suddenly aware that the question was directed at him. The silence that followed while his brain tried to catch up with what was happening was apparently enough to convey the "I was going to, yeah" that was going through his mind, and the girl flounced off with nothing more than an "Asshole. You're welcome to him."
That the nights were mainly made for saying things that you can't say tomorrow day
They regarded each other for a second once she'd left. Her hair had come undone at some point during the night and now her hair fell in soft waves around her shoulders, except for the few tight curls that stuck to her forehead with dance sweat. Her face was flushed, and her breathing was slightly heavier than normal. On top of all of this, of course, her eyes were on fire.
Maybe he was drunk, maybe it was the music, or the atmosphere, but GOD, he wanted to touch her.
Crawling back to you (crawling back to you)
He stepped towards her, close enough that they almost touched but didn't. Her eyes rose up to meet his, and their gaze locked.
Ever thought of calling when you've had a few? (you've had a few)
She bit her bottom lip as though nervous, and then raised her arms to lace them around his neck. He placed his hands gently on her waist, and they started to sway in time with the music.
'Cause I always do ('cause I always do)
He couldn't explain for the life of him how it happened, but suddenly they were so close they were breathing the same air; every inch of their bodies pressed as close together as they could be.
Maybe I'm too (maybe I'm too busy)
His hands were on her sashaying hips and her chest was rising and falling frantically as she grabbed at his shoulders like she'd fall apart if she let go
Busy being yours to fall for somebody new
He imagined there were other people in the club but he saw nothing but him and Éponine.
Now I've thought it through
Their eyes met. Hers were darkened, swirling with a spark of something he couldn't place. He wondered if his were the same.
Crawling back to you
Do I wanna know
If this feeling flows both ways?
Sad to see you go
Was sort of hoping that you'd stay
Baby we both know
That the nights were mainly made for saying things that you can't say tomorrow day
He'd never felt so calm, but so alive at the same time.
Do I wanna know?
Too busy being yours to fall
Sad to see you go
Ever thought of calling down?
Do I wanna know?
Do you want me crawling back to you?
The song finished, but neither of them pulled away. Another song started but he barely heard it; instead, all he could hear was them as their breath mingled. For a second, both of them leaned in, lips barely a centimetre apart and he honestly thought they were about to –
She could smell him, all sweat and masculinity and cinnamon for some reason, and she thought for a second they were going to -
But then he put his finger to her lips and whispered "Not here. Not like this."
What? "Like what?"
"When neither of us will remember in the morning"
He smiled crookedly at her, and she let out a little laugh. God, I hate it when he's right.
She stood on her toes and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek, meeting his eyes with a smile. He returned it, and then held out his hand. "Home time?"
"Home time" she agreed.
What do you think? :)
It won't be as long before the next one, I swear :D