He had just left the building and was walking down the street towards the Musain when he spotted his friend, sober as could be.
"Grantaire!"
The man smiled and waited up for Enjolras. They patted each other on the back and Enjolras caught a glimmer of.. something he couldn't quite place in Grantaire's eyes.
"I must say, mon ami, I am awfully proud of you for being clean for the past few days. What's gotten into you?"
Grantaire just chuckled. "Well, there comes a point in every man's life where he realizes what's important. And I think I'm really starting to figure that out, Enjolras."
Determination. Hope. That's what Enjolras saw in his bright eyes.
"I'm pleased to hear that, my friend. Very pleased."
They shared a smile and Enjolras held open the door for Grantaire as they both entered the Musain.
"We're here, you blubbering idiots, don't fret!" Grantaire loudly greeted the emotional lot of people in the café to try to lighten the mood.
"Ah yes, do not fear, you.. um.." Enjolras was stumped. He wanted to play along with Grantaire's joke and positive energy, but he couldn't be so.. goofy. So he leaned over to Grantaire and asked quietly "A synonym for blubbering idiots, please?"
"Wailing buffoons."
"Thank you." he patted him on the shoulder. "You wailing buffoons!"
"Not really helping, guys." Combeferre scolded the two. Azelma was perched on his lap, talking to Cosette who was seated beside Jehan, who was braiding her hair and meticulously arranging flowers into it.
"My apologies." Grantaire said for the both of them.
"Everyone, thank you for being here today. I assume you know what must be done." Enjolras started.
"Start a riot and take Marius back after we shoot Montparnasse?" Gavroche asked.
"If only it were that easy 'Roche." It pained him to know Gavroche was in such a heart-broken state for his sister. This is what he was fighting for. Focus, Enjolras. "No, we must be smarter than him. If he suspects we're coming in numbers or armed, he'll kill Marius. That's why he has him. And furthermore, I believe-"
Bang. A window shattered.
"What was that!?"
"Oh my gosh!"
"Who fired?!"
"Someone has a gun!"
"Everyone stay calm!"
"Get down, get down!"
There was chaos. Then, from out of the darkness of the café, appeared a shadow, dragging a man with him.
"Bonjour, mes amis. How are we all today?" smirked the voice.
Enjolras was the first to notice him. "Save it, Montparnasse. Now let Marius go."
"Oh, of course. But, my dear Enjolras, I believe we had a deal. Hand over your little lady-love and all will be well. You can have your precious Pontmercy. Just give me the slut."
"Don't talk about Eponine that way." It was said simultaneously by everyone except for Montparnasse.
"Ah, well-loved. The slut must have made her way around, I see." he snickered. Enjolras gave him a hard glare. He didn't know what to do because him showing up here was DEFINITELY not part of the plan. He started to panic, remembering the state she was left in; suicidal and alone in his apartment. He had gone out to get Grantaire to care for her and to check in on Azelma and Gavroche, then make his way downtown to face Montparnasse. Who would've guessed he'd infiltrate their inner circle so soon after the threat was made to Eponine.
Little did he know, Eponine was right outside the window, watching the entire scene play out, gun in hand. She knew what she had to do. She had to help Enjolras. This was her problem, wasn't it?
Bang. Everyone turned towards the gunshot.
Before Montparnasse knew what was going on, he was on the floor, covered in blood and a trembling girl walked into the Musain.
She ran to give Marius a hug. "Thank you so much, Ep, I will never be able to repay you. I owe you my life."
"Oh Eponine! You saved him, you saved us all from ever having to endure a horrid fate tainted by this awful man! He's dead. Yes." Cosette was fretting as she grabbed Eponine's hands. "But, oh thank you Eponine! You truly are a brave girl and I am honored to call you my friend."
"Eponine, baby." Grantaire put an arm around her and she giggled. "Those target practice lessons paid off, didn't they sweetheart?" he whispered in her ear before she was swept into Enjolras's arms.
"You're free. I always knew you would be." He kissed her forehead and she sighed. "Oh and while I have you like this, with a dead man on the floor and all and-," he raised his voice and looked around, "-where everyone can hear me," He looked at her again and talked in a gentle tone, caressing the words just as lovingly as he was caressing her and continued. "I would like you to know that I love you with everything that I am, ever have been, and ever will be. You make me the happiest man in the world, I don't know what I would do if I lost you." He began to tear up here and when he did, so did she. They both thought of this morning and how this moment may not have happened if he hadn't loved her enough to stop what she had in mind. She wiped his tears and he tried to wipe hers while he took her hand and got down on one knee. "But Eponine, if you'll let me, I'll spend the rest of my life trying to make you feel like I did, and always will, when you came, shining like a million little stars, into my life. So Eponine, my love, my beautiful, strong, smart, sexy, funny, charming, adorable-"
"Today." Grantaire coughed
Enjolras was too in love to be mad, so they both laughed. He pulled a ring box from his pocket and opened it to reveal a simple stone with a simple band that said on the inside "Let my love live in you." She gasped. "'Ponine, I love you. Please, for the love of God and before Grantaire pees himself, will you marry me?"
"As soon as you come back in here with a huge plate of blueberry pancakes. And sleep, wow I am really tired. Killing people is hard work." Enjolras just shook his head and slid the ring on her finger and kissed her. Hard. They all cheered and the two of them laughed and sighed and accepted congratulations when all they wanted was sleep. Not sex. Just a sweet, blissful sleep in each other's arms, listening to their hearts beating, feeling the pulse of their well deserved and well-earned love.
She just looked at him with the energy she had left and then let her head fall onto his chest, where she fell asleep. Just like that first night, he reminisced with a content smile. He carried her home and to bed, where they both remained for quite a while. That strong little free bird and her hero, two little exhausted souls, a now united spirit.