AN: I'm determined to finish this story before the new season of game of thrones that's my target, anyway thanks so much for views reviews and favourites, I really appreciate it.
Chapter 7: Appetite
Sitting in a familiar corridor staring at blank white walls, Enjolras felt the familiar fear in the pit of his stomach. He hated the stark lights, the smell of disinfect, the presence of death that hung like a cloud over all hospitals.
Easing herself into her chair, Eponine let out a deep sigh having finally cleared the mess Enjolras' friends had left behind, as her eyes slowly slid to a close she heard the familiar cling of the door. Eyes suddenly wide open Eponine searched for blue eyes only to be met with warm brown.
"Thomas…" she sighed deflating.
"Charming…" Thomas said with mock hurt Eponine smiled slightly,
"Sorry…it's just been a long day" another heavy sigh fell from Eponine's lips, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder Thomas tugged Eponine to her feet.
"I've closed up….come and have some food…listen to some world music, chat about nothing, like we used to…", all the protests that normally rose up every time Thomas offered died and Eponine nodded tiredly picking up her keys and quickly locking up she trailed behind Thomas coming to a sudden stop in the middle of the street.
Thomas turned his eyes falling on a motionless Eponine blankly staring at her feet, face sprinkled with a yawning despair. A strange listless sadness fed by an exhaustion that drains you of the will to fight it off, and as always Thomas approached it gently.
"Eponine….are you okay", a warm cascade of tears fell from downcast eyes, splashing against the uncaring concrete, not knowing what to do Thomas took a step forward and wrapped his arms around Eponine and just held her for a long while.
"Eponine..." the voice that had brought her to this brink called out, slowly pulling away from the warmth Eponine turned to find two pairs of concerned blue eyes staring at her. But still her lips remained firmly together.
"Eponine…" Lulu's soft voice tried tentatively, shaking herself Eponine tried to let a smile grace her lips but failed.
"Hello Lulu..." she finally managed to say her eyes completely on the young woman, Lulu gazed worriedly from Eponine to her brother, before gently shoving him forward.
"Eponine I…I need to talk to you", his words fell with a breathless nervousness willing warm brown eyes to find him again "Eponine…", another plea punctuated by a firm grasp of the wrist "Eponine..." urgency, finally cool brown eyes found him.
"Let go…"
" a minute…give me a minute", the slender fingers tightened around her wrist burning into her flesh.
"I don't want to…", was the curt but trembling replying, slowly Thomas stepped up reaching for Eponine but was stopped by a firm pull of his shirt he turned to find defiant blue eyes glaring at him, he froze.
Eponine felt the hand wrapped around her begin to tremble slowly she looked up to the assault of emotion swirling in Enjolras' eyes, he had that look, that tired, soul crunching exhaustion of a someone whose lived a troubled, painful life and she caved in and took pity.
"Just a minute…" Eponine finally said as she slowly unclasped his hand and began walking back towards the books shop, Thomas tried to take a step but was held fast.
"What do you think you're doing?" he asked craning his head to try and look at the young woman who was detaining him.
"I'm Sorry… but I can't let you interrupt", with a warning smile Lulu released Thomas' shirt, he turned to face her arms folded.
"Why should I listen to you…?"
"You have no choice old man...I won't let you", Thomas scoffed
"Old man…" Thomas repeated with a frown.
"You look about 30..." Lulu replied calmly looking him up and down.
"I'm 29…"
"Same difference…" Lulu shrugged, rolling his eyes Thomas began to walk towards the book shop, and once again, dainty fingers clasped the back of his shirt stopping him.
"If you really wanted to leave, I couldn't stop you…but give them a minute… please", the playfulness, the strength, the firmness was all gone, all that was left was a trembling plea, gently the fingers slipped from his shirt he turned and was met with the same downcast, tired sadness, he sighed.
"Why is it so important to you…that they make up", slowly teary blue eyes found him.
"Because it's my fault they're like this…it's my fault" tears soaked pale cheeks and Thomas shifted uncomfortably, reaching out he lay a hesitant hand on unfamiliar shoulders.
"I'm sure everything will be err fine", he said awkwardly, the tears stopped and Lulu looked at him and laughed.
"You're terrible at comforting people…old man", Thomas arm dropped.
"I wish you stop calling me old man…" he muttered, there was a slight pause and then Lulu's tummy rumbled.
"I'm really hungry..." don't do it Thomas don't-
"…I err own a café if you want something to eat", you kind-hearted fool, his mind chastised but then he looked at relieved joy in pale blue eyes and it suddenly didn't seem to matter. Lulu jumped and linked arms,
"Lead the way old m-…what's your name", she said stopping her self,
"Thomas…"
"Lulu...lets go, I'm expiring", sighing Thomas allowed Lulu to hold onto him as he ushered her towards his café.
The air in the dusty bookshop was infused with the tense emotion of too many unspoken feelings. Enjolras stood facing Eponine his heart threatening to leap right out his chest.
"Leaving you like that…was unfair", each word seemed to be putting a strain on his heart "I shouldn't have…but I had no choice…there's a reason…there's a reason I had to leave…there is Eponine…I can't say it yet…I can't…so please don't make me...please", Enjolras voice cracked a few times, he was begging for so much for trust, for acceptance, for forgiveness.
"Do you want to know, what I hate most in this world", Eponine's voice trembled as the words fell from her lips.
"What?"
"being abandoned….everyone I meet eventually leaves me, it's why I'm always in this little books shop, it's safe here, the books, the stories the characters don't change…but people do, they can't be trusted…I can't-" Eponine choked unable to go on, without hesitation Enjolras reached out and pulled her into his arms pressing her tightly against his body, feeling her ragged breath against the nape of his neck.
"I came back Eponine…I'll always come back for you… because I need you…I need you" slowly Enjolras pulled way but kept his arms on Eponine's shoulders, his heart jumped into his throat as he gazed at the trembling lips, his eyes trailing over pale wet cheeks, and thick dark lashes glistening with tears. Leaning in he pressed his forehead to hers before gently manvuring his lips to rest against a warm cheek, lingering far too long for it to be a friendly gesture, pulling away he let out a deep sigh and waited.
"The reason you left….was it very important",
"Extremely…"Eponine took a deep breath caving again.
"Okay…" she said after a short pause a small smile finally gracing her lips.
"Okay", Enjolras repeated hope feeling his blue eyes, his tense shoulders relaxed and he smiled back.
In the café, Thomas sat across from Lulu watching with amusement as she devoured the mini sandwiches and cakes, stopping she looked up to see Thomas bemused gaze.
"It's been a long day…" she said in a don't judge me voice. Thomas smiled.
"A large appetite is a sign of good health", it was only for moment but Thomas could've sworn her smile completely vanished. He didn't have too much time to ponder because the cafe door suddenly swung open, Lulu watched as the easy smile on his lips deflated, and she turned following his eye line. Standing in the door shoulders pressed together seeming relaxed and happy were Enjolras and Eponine. Coming over Enjolras frowned as he stared at his sister and then Thomas.
"What have told you about eating with strange men", Enjolras' deadly gaze remained fixated on Thomas as he asked, Lulu rolled her eyes, and Eponine reached out and pinched Enjolras who turned to find her fixing him with a steely gaze.
"It's nice of you to open up your café and give Lulu a place to wait and eat Thomas…isn't that right Enjolras", Enjolras looked away,
"Yeah it's nice of you...", Enjolras muttered not even looking at Thomas. Standing up Thomas shuffled past Enjolras avoiding Eponine's eyes.
"I'll get you guys something to drink", he murmured as he shuffled past Lulu followed his dejected shoulders as they disappeared through the kitchen doors, before turning her attention back to Enjolras and Eponine.
"so you guys made up…", she inquired with raised eyebrows and a silly smile, Lulu didn't miss the way her brothers cheek reddened, or the easy smile that found itself on Eponine's lips.
"We did…" Eponine sated staring at Enjolras, Lulu smiled but her eyes was focused just beyond them.
"I'm going to see if Thomas needs help", before either of them could reply, Lulu dashed off. When she pushed open the door she found Thomas leaning against the wall, looking like a kicked puppy walking over she stood next to him leaning against the wall.
"I've loved her for 10 years…and although she never once returned my feelings…there was always hope because she never looked at one else either... until now", a sad laugh fell from tired lips.
"I'm sorry…" Thomas turned and gazed into sympathetic blue eyes and sighed.
"maybe it's about time…I let it go", turning away Thomas closed his eyes, they were forced open by a thud, turning to the side he found that Lula had slipped to the floor kneeling he rested his hand on her shoulders, her pale blue eyes found him. "What's wrong? Are you okay", he watched as trembling lips tried to form words, watched as sweat began to cover her forehead.
"I'm…fine", came a pained reply Thomas frowned and made to get up,
"I'll get your brother", as he attempted to move away a desperate hand reached out and grabbed him.
"No…don't. Pleas don't", Thomas took her hand,
"But Lulu… you're in pain", a small pained smile found its way to Lulu's lips
"It'll pass…it'll pass so don't", Thomas sighed,
"But- ", the look of pure and utter desperation in those pale blue eyes stopped his words.
"Okay…," Lulu asked
"Okay…" Thomas answered.
