(Hi everyone! First of all...my deadlines are over! So I have now more spare time and will probably be able to update faster. Second of all, I want you all to know how much I appreciate your continuous support. It really means a lot and it keeps me motivated and helps me to keep writing this story. So a big thank you and I hand out virtual sweets to all of you. Hope you'll enjoy this chapter!)

Enjolras followed Combeferre and his mother inside the house. Though his nerves had started to settle down, he still felt a little anxious about meeting Combeferre's father. According to the medical student he was a calm and friendly man with his heart in the right place and Enjolras couldn't help but think that Combeferre must then really be more like his father than his mother, for his mother was actually quite the opposite. She was just anything but calm or quiet and liked to chatter cheerfully and loudly. In the few seconds that Enjolras met her, she had made him feel right at home.

"Hurry up my dears", she said happily, "you're just in time for dinner and me and Faya have been preparing something special all day. We've been practicing for the Christmas menu you see and we're trying out all these new things."

As Combeferre's mother kept babbling on, the medical student slowed his pace a little, turned to Enjolras and said: "Faya is our house maid and she and mother like to cook as you might have guessed. Though my parents can afford enough help, mother likes to do things herself. She's not really your typical bourgeois lady, so she always helps Faya where she can."

Enjolras smiled at that and he immediately appreciated Combeferre's mother even more. Before he could answer his friend, they were led through a wooden door into a large living room. Enjolras was astonished. Combeferre hadn't exaggerated when he told him about his parents' book collection. The room was full of bookcases. And together with the few red sofas and chairs; the fireplace and a large Persian carpet, the room gave Enjolras a homely and warm feeling.

Combeferre and his mother shared a look and smiled at Enjolras' surprised expression. "Combeferre told me you like to read so I guess this room will make you feel right at home. It's my husbands and 'Ferre's favourite room as well. I like it too, but I'd rather spend my time in the kitchen or the garden", she said friendly and she winked playfully at the young blonde.

Enjolras practically beamed and flashed a charming smile at Combeferre and his mother. "It's amazing, Madame. I've never seen so many books packed in one room in my life".

Combeferre chuckled. "He was already impressed by my own little collection at my apartment in Paris, so I knew I was right when I wrote to you that this would probably amaze him." The older boy kindly ruffled the younger boy's hair and smirked at him when the blonde shot him an annoyed look.

"I'm glad you like it, my dear. And please, none of those formalities in my house. You can call me Marie. Now we can't dawdle any longer, dinner will soon be served and your father is waiting and anxious to see you both."

The dining room was almost as impressive as the living room according to Enjolras. It wasn't too big, but it was fairly colourful, light and had a summery feeling to it. In the middle of the room was a large, dark brown table and at the head sat the man of the house; Combeferre's father.

As he walked towards the man to introduce himself, he unconsciously fiddled with his vest and tried to smooth out his clothing. He watched how Combeferre pressed his father the hand and how they shortly embraced each other. Then the father's eyes turned to Enjolras and he smiled politely. "And you must be my son's new friend. Welcome at our home, my boy. My name is Marcus de Gastoyette, but as Marie undoubtedly already told you, we don't care much for formalities, so call me Marcus if you will."

Enjolras smiled and shook Marcus' hand. "Bonsoir monsieur...Marcus...I feel honoured to be invited so warmly at your home. Please if there is anything I can do to show you my gratitude..." He swallowed the rest of his words, eyes widening ever so slightly as he alone realized what he was offering. Combeferre's father didn't seem to notice, but the medical student himself eyed Enjolras warily.

"The honour is all mine, my boy. You are a guest in this house and as such it is our job to make you feel at home. Just tell Marie you like her cooking once in a while and all will be well. Now, let's all take a seat and enjoy the meal Marie and Faya have prepared for us."

The evening meal consisted of a small appetizer, a delicious main course and a formidable dessert. Enjolras enjoyed all of it. He finished every plate and was especially impressed by the dessert. It was something he had never tasted before; made out of rice. When he asked Marie and Faya – who was seated at the table as well – about it they smiled and were more than happy to tell him how they made it. "I'm really glad you like that, my dear. It's actually what I like to call my Christmas specialty so I will serve it again in a few days. It's very simple really. We made it out of a special kind of rice and milk, sweetened with sugar and seasoned with cinnamon and cocoa powder."

"Surely not all that simply, Mada...Marie. Getting those oriental ingredients must not have been that easy?" Enjolras asked politely.

"I have connections, but those spices are indeed quite expensive. That's why I only allow myself to make this dish on special occasions."

"Well, I think it's wonderful!" Enjolras claimed happily, which caused Combeferre, who was sitting next to him, to snort loudly. Enjolras scowled at him and tried to kick him subtly under the table, already knowing where his friend was going with this. "Well, mother, if Enjolras here tells you he likes your food, then trust it to be formidable. He hardly ever finishes anything I make and yet tonight he has devoured everything placed in front of him."

"Maybe you just have not inherited your mother's cooking skills, son", Combeferre's father chuckled, while squeezing his wife's hand, "Now Enjolras, does your family have some sort of Christmas tradition? Maybe a favourite dish as well? Or a traditional story your father tells every year?"

Enjolras went silent and had gone slightly pale at the questions. Combeferre shot his father an annoyed look. He had told his parents in his last letter not to mention Enjolras' past if they could help it and Marcus seemed to regret his questions immediately as he bit his lip.

Enjolras looked down at his plate and let out a shaky breath. Just when Combeferre wanted to interrupt the silence and tell his young friend he did not have to answer if he didn't want to, Enjolras said softly: "No monsieur, we never celebrate Christmas. Not since I was five years old and I can't really remember the ones before that. So this will be my first in a very long time." He tried to smile, but his heart wasn't in it and dark images of the more recent Christmases clouded his vision.

It was Marie who spoke first and Combeferre was happy how his mother always seemed able to fix any sad or uncomfortable situation. She smiled warmly at Enjolras and said "Well, I guess we're going to have to make this one count then, won't we?"

Enjolras looked up at her and smiled back, nodding ever so slightly. As soon as the conversation travelled on to Marcus' physicians business, the blonde felt a light squeeze of his shoulder. He looked over at Combeferre who was looking at him concernedly. His eyes silently asked what his mouth did not. Are you alright? Enjolras thought about that for a moment and then nodded earnestly. He was alright. And they enjoyed the rest of the evening.

By the time the clock stroke eleven, both Enjolras and Combeferre were exhausted. Being in a carriage for four and a half days with a minimum of sleep could do that to you and so, when Enjolras yawned for the sixth time in fifteen minutes and could hardly keep his eyes open, Combeferre excused himself and the blonde from the table.

Marie stood as well and gave both boys a good night hug. "We've placed a spare bed in Combeferre's room. I hope you'll be comfortable and we'll see you both in the morning at breakfast."

"Thank you again for the lovely meal, Marie" Enjolras offered, before he let himself be steered away by Combeferre. When they were out of sight and out of earshot, Combeferre said softly: "I'm sorry about my father. He can be quite ignorant sometimes."

Enjolras frowned. "Not at all 'Ferre. He was just asking a question, I should've kept my emotions under control. I was being very out of place, so I should be the one to make apologies."Combeferre let out a exaggerated sigh at that and the two of them kept bickering until they arrived at the medical student's bedroom. "Did you ask them to put a spare bed in your room?" Enjolras asked as soon as they entered.

Combeferre nodded and hoped the blonde wouldn't feel embarrassed about it. "I figured you'd be more comfortable when you were with me. I mean, you're not an easy sleeper in the slightest and nightmares wake you up more often than not, so I thought it would be the right thing to do..."
He glanced at Enjolras who had already placed himself on the spare bed. When the blonde realized Combeferre was searching for confirmation, he smiled and nodded. "Thank you", he mumbled shyly, "I appreciate it 'Ferre."

When they were both changed and laid in their own beds, Combeferre dozed off almost instantly. Enjolras lay on his back and stared at the ceiling, while pondering over the evening; Combeferre's parents; his own parents... He turned to Combeferre and hesitantly opened his mouth: "Are you asleep?" The medical student grunted something and opened his eyes. At Enjolras' confused look he repeated "I was...what's the matter?"

The blonde sighed and resumed his staring. "Nothing really, I just wanted to tell you, you were right. People like to hear they're right.." Combeferre stared at his friend and blinked a few times in confusion and frustration. Is he seriously waking me up to tell me this? He took a deep breath and rolled his eyes. "I know I'm right, I've always known I was right about this. You should've just believed me and spared yourself all the worrying and fear."

Enjolras didn't say anything for a while. Then he turned on his side again to look at the medical student. "I know...I'll try to do that more from now on", he mumbled seriously.

"Good", Combeferre answered and he couldn't hold back the small grin spreading across his face. "Then listen to me now: go to sleep and stop thinking. I swear you think too much for your own good sometimes."

The blonde laughed brightly at that and the sound made Combeferre's heart swell with warmth. "Alright...I'll go to sleep. Goodnight 'Ferre". The medical student closed his eyes and smiled. "Good night Enj" And just before sleep had once again claimed him, he heard a soft chuckle and then: "I don't think I like that nickname."

"Too bad, I'm going to call you that way anyway. Enj" And with that Combeferre fell asleep, no longer able to know if Enjolras made another comment, which he didn't. The blonde followed his friend into the world of dreams quite quickly, although where one's dreams were peaceful and happy, the other's were dark and frightening.

TBC.

(Another chapter done! I hope you liked Combeferre's parents and this first little acquaintance. I promise that each chapter, we'll get to know a little more about Enjolras' past. This chapter hadn't such a big revelation, but I thought it was sad. Hope you liked this chapter and please let me know what you think or if you want to share your ideas! Till next time!)