IV

"DRINK WITH ME"

Marius held the dying girl in his arms, brushing her hair out of her face as she whispered. I was too far away to hear any of their conversation, but his expression became more pained with each word she said as she clung onto his hand. Eponine was a close friend, never hesitating to help me or listen to my constant drunken rants about Enjolras. Losing her was devastating, but I knew that she was the first of the many that would fall at the barricade tonight. I was praying desperately (which meant a lot, considering I didn't necessarily believe in a so-called "God") that Enjolras and Gavroche would make it out alive. I needed them to be safe, even if I wasn't. Which wasn't easy, considering Enjolras would throw himself in front of a train for the well being of France, with little Gavroche at his heels.

I sat at the edge of the barricade, wincing every time Enjolras leaned over the to shoot at the soldiers on the other side. They had dragged Eponine's lifeless body to the side, her arms crossed and her eyes shut. She was at the start of an invisible line that I hoped wouldn't grow.

I turned back to Enjolras, who was giving orders to Courfeyrac. I must have been watching too tentatively, because Gavroche strode up to my spot, his eyebrows knit.

"R? Are you watching them?"

"Yes, Gavroche. I'm making sure he doesn't get hurt."

"He?"

Damn it. "Yes, 'he'. Enjolras."

"R," Gavroche whispered quietly. "Are you in love with Enjolras?"

I chuckled. It must have been extremely obvious if even a little one like him could detect it. "Yes, Gavroche," I laughed, straightening his pin. "I am hopelessly in love with him."

Gavroche nodded, his eyes wide and bright. "Oh, well, that's good, because he says he loves you too."

I smiled at this, my gaze rising up to where he was standing. He was beautiful, with the sun setting in front of him, perched on the barricade like he owned the world. If we weren't in the middle of a war, I would have painted him, or simply marveled at his beauty, like I was beginning to do before I realized that this wasn't a normal evening and it may be the last time I ever get to see his face illuminated by the falling sun.

As night fell, the soldiers seemed to have gotten tired, retreating as Enjolras shot after them. He finally set his gun down, climbing down the barricade and sitting on one of the many chairs that were scattered around the barricade. Feuilly raised his bottle, smiling at those of us who remained at the barricade. "Drink with me, my friends, to days gone by."

Joly raised his as well. "To the life that used to be!"

Enjolras shook his head, watching the rest of the Les Amis embrace the girls they loved; all except for Courfeyrac and Jehan, who sat at the barricade, their fingers entwined as they gazed onward. I watched them laugh as they drank and sang, relieved that they were happy on what may be their last night to live.

Enjolras approached me, his eyes weary. He wrapped his arms around me, and I followed suit, trying to comfort him. He drew away for a moment, only to bring his lips to mine. And just like that, the world disappeared. All that mattered was him, nothing else. Of course, that didn't last for long, considering the others had the attention span of a goldfish.

They laughed at us, wolf whistles and cheers filling the air.

"So, it seems that Marius isn't the only one who's in love, eh?" Combeferre chuckled, hitting Enjolras playfully on the shoulder. He blushed, looking bashfully at the ground while they beamed.

"It's about time!" Courfeyrac exclaimed from the barricade, Jehan swatting his arm.

Hopes were high that night.