Chapter 4

Scheduling a date proved harder than planned.

Enjolras, Grantaire was learning, was incredibly involved on campus and off, and he was always running this event or another, leading such and such a protest for something.

With each message like:

Tuesday? –R

Sorry! Student Association Town Hall, then College Dems meeting…

Grantaire really felt like he had to assume that Enjolras regretted asking him out and kissing him on the stairs. It was fine. He couldn't expect to hold a god's attention for so long, could he? He usually found solace at the bottom of a wine bottle, which earned glares from Eponine the morning after and concerned looks from their other roommate Jehan for days.

Then, one afternoon, Grantaire's phone chimed.

I am so sorry I've been flaky these past weeks. It's just been a bit of a rush, with new policies and such going on. If you're free tonight, I'm hosting a meeting. A small political thing. It's not an ideal first date, but I think you'd find it interesting. Maybe get tea afterwards?

Grantaire grimaced. To be honest, he hated politics. The most involved in the political he had ever gotten was voting, and he didn't even really think that did much good. But, at least, he'd see Apollo, that was a start. And…he liked tea…tea was good. Sure…

And, that was how Grantaire ended up standing outside of a small café at 8:00 p.m. in the southwest part of D.C.

For several minutes he stared at the front door. The place seemed empty. Nothing like a meeting, and Grantaire didn't even see Enjolras. He swallowed hard. Stood up…for a political group meeting. Grantaire had hit a new low, and was calculating exactly how close the nearest bar would be, when Enjolras burst from a door in the corner. Today his hair was wild, and he was clad in only jeans, t-shirt, and red jacket. He even had a pair of thick rimmed glasses perched on his nose. Grantaire still felt his heart catch in his throat.

"Grantaire, hey, come in! Forgot to tell you we meet in the back room here."

He barely let Grantaire get a word in, as he took his hand and pulled him through the cafe.

The back room was warmly lit, wooden tables and chairs set up, many covered with newspapers and signs.

"Grantaire, this is my roommate Combeferre," a man with light brown hair waved from the corner, "our suite mates, Marius and Courfeyrac…"

"Hello," a man covered in freckles smiled, as another with short, dark curls winked and grinned.

"And, Joly, Bossuet, Feuilly, and Bahorel!" The four sat around a table. One was wrapped in a scarf and had a box of tissues in front of him. Grantaire tried to smile at them, but felt very awkward.

"Sit wherever you like." Enjolras instructed, turning to take his place at the front of the room. Grantaire planted himself in a chair next to Marius and Courfeyrac.

"Anyway, to the matter at hand." Enjolras pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and opened a folder of papers. "In the last meeting we discussed the counter-protest…"

Grantaire listened as his god spoke about the needs and rights of the people. A small part of him had to smile. As pointless as politics were, when Enjolras spoke, his eyes lit up like fire. His hands moved deftly and concisely to make his points. And, he was eloquent! His words just as poetic as Jehan's, though more angry and athletic. If he tuned out the words themselves, Grantaire could easily listen to the cadence of Enjolras's voice forever.

However, he was far too sober not to register the ideals on which Enjolras expounded.

The People deserve a chance at a good life! They suffer at the hands of big business and the oppressive political figures! We must lead them in a fight to claim what is promised to them, not just in our political documents, but what is promised to them just by their being human!

If it had been anyone else orating, Grantaire would have left. As it was, he contented himself to criticizing the ideals of the speech in his mind, while admiring Enjolras's obvious passion, but he could not stop the cynical flow of words in his mind.

Suddenly, Enjolras stopped speaking, and Grantaire immediately felt everyone's eyes on him.

"Grantaire, did you have something to say?" Enjolras seemed to be fixing a death glare on him.

Grantaire looked from one man to another. While no one else looked like they wanted to hurt him, each one gaped, except for Courfeyrac, who looked as if he had never seen something funnier in his life, "I–Well…no, no, go on."

"But, you laughed." Enjolras's voice was frighteningly even and low.

That was out loud? Grantaire cursed himself. "Nothing, really."

"I would have you share your thoughts." It was a command. Grantaire swallowed hard.

"I only believe that you are being a little naïve." Grantaire began slowly.

Enjolras marched to stand in front of Grantaire, "Do you not believe that the people of the country deserve better than what their government says they do? And do they not have the right to fight for what they deserve?" Enjolras looked purely offended by these thoughts.

"No, you misunderstand." Grantaire corrected, "I believe your ideals are admirable. I just think you overestimate what a group of students can do to change things."

Enjolras froze for a moment, before continuing with vigor, "Ah, but you see, it will not just be us. The people of the nation will rise in support."

"You sound like your staging a revolution." Grantaire had to laugh.

"It is one! It needn't be violent, but we will be part of an important change!"

"That's madness…"

"Excuse me?" Enjolras eyebrows nearly hit the ceiling.

"No matter what the cause, people would rather hold the dream of being rich than face the reality of their meaningless lives. They will complain and say they support you, but if there is ever a call to action, very few will be bothered to help."

"Do you have so little faith in humanity?" The blond snapped.

"As a general rule, yes."

Enjolras locked eyes with him. His mouth hung open for a long second, and Grantaire saw something very akin to heartbreak flit behind the man's eyes.

My dearest Apollo, this isn't even close to the extent to which I can disappoint you…

After a long second, Enjolras turned away, "You are wrong. If you fail to believe in your fellows, you can believe in no one, and that is the trap that keeps good men from doing anything." And, then he launched into another speech.

Each time Enjolras glanced at him, his eyes hardened, and Grantaire wished very much that he had a glass of wine.

Once the meeting ended, Enjolras approached him, and all business, asked, "Could we get a rain check on the tea? I'm exhausted."

Grantaire smiled sadly, "Of course." I don't blame you. Of course you don't want to spend more time with me. I wouldn't…And, honestly, I don't think I can look into your disheartened eyes without a very strong drink.

Enjolras raised a hand, as if to touch Grantaire's arm, but suddenly dropped it and turned. "Can you two clean up? I need to…check some things." Enjolras nodded to Courfeyrac and Joly, then bustled out without another word or a spare glance in Grantaire's direction.

Back at home, Grantaire poured himself a strong whiskey and soda, then another, and another.

When Jehan came through the front door, he grimaced, "I guess the date didn't go too well?"

"Considering I succeeded in insulting all of his beliefs before we were even alone…yeah…"

Jehan sat next to Grantaire and pulled him into a hug. "It's okay, sweetie, you'll do better next time.

As if there will be a next time…