Disclaimer: I do not own Les Miserables, the novel or the musical, both of which are amazing.
Title: The Note
Summary: Enjolras has never been fond of the female affection thrown his way. Yet, he finds himself strangely compelled when he discovers an anonymous note in his pocket. Who was the one to put it there? And, when he discovers the truth, will he then be able to convince her that he is indeed the one the note was intended for?
Author's Note: Not much to say. This is just a little aftermath from the "date" the night before. It may seem a little fast, but it is just the idea of falling head first into something without much concern over the consequences. Like, a life of rules that reached a breaking point. Or what have you. ^.^
Chapter 4 – The Plunge
They could have walked the city twice over. On such a nice, warm day, with the sun bright in the sky, it seemed like everybody had had the same idea. The streets were littered with pedestrians. On the wealthier side, ladies sported decorative parasols and elaborate bonnets to keep the harsh rays off of their faces. Gentleman wore top hats made of the finest materials. On the streets where Enjolras was much more comfortable, however, the people got by however they could manage.
"There would be nothing better on a day like today than a stroll through the gardens with a beautiful woman," Grantaire commented, as they passed by another couple occupying the streets. "But instead I am stuck here with you lot."
Les Amis de l'ABC chuckled at this.
Combeferre eyed Marius. "Not that it is lovely to see more of you, Marius, but wouldn't you prefer to be strolling about with your special lady friend?"
Marius grinned. "Trust me, it was my first choice." Another laugh erupted through the group.
It was true that Marius had spent the entire day with the group of friends without excusing himself once to tend to his new love interest. It was certainly a change for them, but they didn't complain. Of course, they jested with Marius still, but that was to be expected from this particular group.
"You've been awfully quiet today, Enjolras," Marius acknowledged. "Anything on your mind?"
He looked to his friends. He had been wearing a large grin on his face the entire day, finding that he just couldn't get rid of it. It was definitely peculiar, especially with the topic of romance in the air. He had yet to put in his own sarcastic comment or biting remark. It seemed to be a day of surprises.
Enjolras shrugged. "Nothing of any importance. I'm just enjoying the view, that's all."
"Enjoying the view?" Courfeyrac laughed. "I think the sun has gotten to his head."
"Speaking of which," Grantaire interjected, "can we please head somewhere for a drink?"
"I know just the place." Marius grinned.
The others already knew which café the young man was referring to. It was the only café they ever seemed to go to, after all. And, luckily, it was located just ahead. After a long day of walking and enjoying the outdoors, they didn't know if they would have been able to make it much farther than that.
They went inside, taking up their usual table. Without having to say anything, wine and water was delivered to them. The first round was practically inhaled. They hadn't realized how thirsty or dehydrated they were until they had actually gotten a taste of the cool water. After that, they proceeded to sip their wine.
"A loaf of bread, if you'd be so kind," Courfeyrac ordered from the pretty barmaid. She smiled in consent and walked back to her station. He watched her the entire way with a smirk on his lips.
Enjolras listened to the conversation the table held with little interest. His mind was much too distracted to concentrate on such menial topics at the moment. He was lost in thoughts of the previous night. He could still hear Eponine's laughter chiming in his ears. He could still see her smile and her eyes as they glittered in the starlight. He was quite sure, though it had only been a number of hours, that he missed her company.
He must have, after all, since he seemed to be seeing her wherever he went. He thought he had spotted her underneath a parasol on the street. He had truly believed that it was her in the park no more than an hour ago. And now, here she was again, sitting across the room in the Café Musain.
They locked eyes, and she smiled, giving a slight nod.
"Why are you smiling?" Marius asked innocently.
He hadn't realized it, but Enjolras had a rather goofy grin on his face. It must have been an automatic reaction to Eponine. But then that meant that she was actually real. He immediately adjusted his expression, turning his lips down so as not to be so obvious.
"N-No reason," he stammered, hoping that he could cover it up. "Something just randomly came to my mind."
"And, as always," Combeferre started, "Enjolras is off in his own world, being Enjolras."
Enjolras clapped him on the shoulder with a nervous laugh. Then he finished off the rest of the wine that was sitting in his cup. He hoped that he could distract his friends by pouring another glass for himself. "Does anybody need a refill?" he even offered. "And let me get some of that bread."
All of his efforts were to no avail, however, because the next time he glanced upward, Eponine was loitering by their table. All of the men appeared to notice, too. And, the folded jacket clutched protectively in her arms did not go ignored, either.
"Enjolras," she said quietly. Her smile had faded and there was definite hesitation and concern expressed on her face. "I've…There's…" Her eyes darted about his friends sitting around the table before landing back on him. "May I see you in private, please?"
Nobody appeared more shocked than Marius. Though he pretended to be blind to her interest, there was no possibility of denying its existence. Never before had she ever had to speak with Enjolras, especially in private. Never before had he requested that of her either.
Enjolras blinked a couple of times, as if digesting this request. But he stood up, nonetheless. "Certainly."
He followed her off to the side where their words wouldn't be overheard. He would have preferred something a bit more private, since they could still watch their interaction; and, sure enough, his friends stared directly at them.
"About last night," she began immediately. It took him off guard, but he fell smoothly in line with her.
"Did you enjoy yourself?" he interjected. "I sincerely hoped that you would like what I had arranged."
She paused then nodded briefly. "I just wanted to give you this back." She pushed the folded jacket into his arms. It was the one he had put over her shoulders the previous evening, when the temperature had turned colder.
He scoffed in disbelief, looking down at it. "Honestly, I had forgotten all about it."
She shrugged. "I thought you might want it back right away. It is your favorite, after all."
"I suppose it is." Enjolras smiled, his gaze darting onto her. "I never thought you to be so considerate, Eponine."
"Oh, well, it was nothing, really."
"I figured your infatuation with Marius-"
"Marius," she breathed.
Eponine glanced over at the table, at Marius in particular. It seemed almost like an afterthought, as if she hadn't noticed his presence earlier. Or, as if she hadn't cared so much. Enjolras couldn't help feeling rather pleased at this possibility. But, the longer she stared at him, the more the doubt began to grow. He started to feel more closed off.
"Well," he said rather loudly to draw her attention back to him, "thank you for this."
"I hope that we can forget this whole thing, now," Eponine responded coldly. "You no longer have to worry about me, and I will make sure to never bother you again. Things can go back to the way they used to be." She offered a half-hearted smile as agreement.
Enjolras hesitated. He looked back at Marius, who seemed completely preoccupied with no thought or concern as to what was occurring between him and Eponine now. He looked at Eponine, who held a sad and somewhat regretful hint in her eyes. All the while, his heart pounded in his chest, and his mind was fast at work. It was time for him to make a decision.
"No," he announced loudly. So loud, that it drew the attention of the entire floor of the café.
"No?" she asked, confused.
"Things will not go back to the way they used to be," Enjolras continued, his voice bouncing off of the walls around them. This was going to be the biggest test of his nerve. Not only was he giving in completely to his emotions, he was also giving in completely to the unknown. He was finally placing his trust in something, in someone.
Eponine glanced about at all of the eyes locked on them. "Enjolras, what are you doing?" she whispered.
"I am making it known, Eponine," he said. "I am finally choosing to trust in something. No," he shook his head, "not something. Someone."
"What?" she breathed.
It was all she was able to get out before she was cut off. There was a pressure on her lips. There was a break in her breath. Enjolras' lips were on hers. His hands were to either side of her head, pressing himself gently into her. His beloved jacket was strewn on the ground where it had fallen.
It only lasted a moment, but she was so stunned that she couldn't react.
Still holding her close, Enjolras continued. He stared deeply into her eyes, trying to get her to believe. "You didn't place that note in my pocket by mistake, Eponine. I know you were looking for something real, something true. You found it. I am dedicating myself to you and no one else, you hear me? I am yours, and I will wait for you for as long as it takes."
Eponine broke free. She took a few steps backwards, but was unable to look away from him. It was as if she was in a trance of some kind. She hated to be so visible, especially after all of the time she had spent being invisible. It was too much to take. She felt that she might faint from the embarrassment and the heat in her head.
She found her way to the door and escaped from the Café Musain. Unfortunately, that meant leaving Enjolras behind to deal with the scene he had just created. But, he seemed less concerned with it than she had been.
Enjolras turned on his heel and headed back to the table, where his friends stared at him with mouths agape. He even resumed his seat and took a sip of his wine, appearing just as confident and cool as usual.
Finally, Courfeyrac found his voice, the first of anyone in the entire room. "What did you just do?"