Sorry it was a longer wait for this chapter.
This chapter should be quite sweet and a lot of fluff! Brotherly bonding!
Courfeyrac, stunned to silence for a moment, starred at Gavroche with a blank expression. "How…" He stammered, taking the hands of the boy as he carefully sat up in front of him. "How do you know that? How did you hear that?"
"You were talkin' 'bout it with Marius and Enjolras, I woke up and 'eard you" Gavroche replied looking up at him. "I was goin' to shout for you and ask you right away but the meetin' started"
Courfeyrac sighed, carefully moving Gavroche to sit on his lap, resting back against his chest. "I was going to bring up the subject when you were recovered and well rested Mon ami. I did not expect you to overhear that conversation." He said holding Gavroche close. "But you know now, so I shall ask. What do you think of the idea 'Roche"
Gavroche bit his lip, leaning his head back to look him in the eye. "It's a kind offer Courf, too kind an offer from you and from Marius, to give me a 'ome" He sighed "and what about me boys"
"I know that you want to care for them Gavroche, but your father could find you again out there and I do not mean to scare you when I say that but it's true" Courfeyrac said in a serious tone. "It's time for you to think about you first rather than anybody else"
The thought of his father finding him again was terrifying. Gavroche knew he would die if it happened again. It was the thought of his boys that kept him accepting Courfeyrac's offer right away. "I don't want to see papa ever again. He will kill me, I know he will" He said with an involuntary shiver. "But me boys need me…"
Courfeyrac sighed deeply, leaning his forehead against Gavroche's. "Listen to me, petit frère, please" He whispered. "This revolution we are planning, I know you understand it, you are smart. All those months ago, I knew that I was willing to fight for freedom but that it what everyone here is willing to fight for that. On that night, when I found you and you came to trust me enough for me to carry you here to safety, I decided that I am fighting for you, and children like you. You, Gavroche, mean so much to me and I just want to protect you. I will never let anything happen to you again"
Gavroche cuddled closer to him, pressing himself tightly against his chest. "You're my best friend, ever, ever" He mumbled against his shoulder. "A 'ome with you would be better than anythin'. But Jean-Pierre will have to be the leader if I'm not there, that scares him, and Nicolas needs me to protect him from those big boys on the west side and Frederick gets scared without me there"
"They are braver than you think petit" Courfeyrac said pushing a loose strand of his blonde hair behind Gavroche's ear before it fell into his eyes. "Those three boys, they gave us the warning about your father having taken you. They found where you were, and came here to get me. They care about your safety as much as I do"
"Really? They helped find me?" Gavroche said, hiding a yawn. "Even petit Frederick?"
"Yes, he heard you and warned the other boys? He's strong, like you are" Courfeyrac smiled. "If you want to come and stay with me, we can help them like we helped you. We can take them new warm clothes, food and give them money if they need it. You could even convince them to come to the café. Joly and Combeferre can make sure they are healthy, and we can play games all together. Do you think they will like dominoes?"
Gavroche smiled. "They would love dominoes, but you would have to let them win once in a while" He said sleepily leaning his head against Courfeyrac's collarbone. "You promise we can visit them, and keep them safe, and everythin'?"
Courfeyrac felt hope building inside him as he kissed the boy's head "I promise. I promise we keep them well and I promise to keep you safe. Jean-Pierre, Nicolas and Frederick can come and visit you as much as they want ami. And imagine how happy Eponine will be to know you will be safe with me and in a real home?"
Gavroche nodded, holding the blanket tight around him. "She would be happy Courfeyrac, and she would thank you and Marius for it" He smiled. He looked up at the young man and nodded to himself "Alright Mon frère Courfeyrac, I would really like to live you with and Monsieur Marius"
"Merci Gavroche, it means a lot for me to keep you safe. I always wanted a little brother when I was your age and now I have you" He smiled brightly. "You will be safe and warm always, and we can help your boys as much as you want"
"I know, I have you so it has to be alright" Gavroche yawned.
Courfeyrac chuckled, gently stroking his hair. "You're right about that. I won't let harm come your way" He smiled watching his eyes close. "You can sleep dear Gavroche; we can speak more when morning comes". Gavroche nodded, shifting into a comfortable position in Courfeyrac's arms as he slowly began to fall asleep, the feeling of his friend's hand stroking his hair comforting him immensely. Once Courfeyrac felt his body relax and his breath even out, he laid him onto the cot and lay beside him, keeping a watchful eye on him for any signs of pain or night terrors.
The next evening, there was no meeting, but still a few of the young students came to the café. It was normal for them to be there every night, discussing plans to overthrow the state or just drinking and studying for university courses. Grantaire was leaning over the table, a tankard in hand as he watched Combeferre and Enjolras discussing political debate. Joly and Jehan sat playing cards in the corner. Courfeyrac sat by the window, supporting Gavroche in his lap as he read to the boy. Gavroche's back and ribs were still recovering and he struggled to hold himself up for a long amount of time. Courfeyrac held him with an arm around his back, keeping him steady as his head rested on his chest. The door opened revealing Eponine, who with a shy wave to everyone else, rushed to Courfeyrac's side.
"Bonjour Monsieur, Bonjour petit Gavroche" She smiled sitting beside them and pressing a kiss to her brother's cheek. "Are you feeling better?"
"Oui, just achin'. It nothin' 'Ponine" Gavroche said with a cheeky smile looking up at her.
"Nothing!" Eponine laughed ruffling his hair. "I thought he was finally going to put an end to you"
"Non, don't worry 'bout me 'Ponine" Gavroche replied " I'm all safe now, no more runnin' on the streets for me"
"You're not going back to the streets? Oh Gavroche, that's great but where will you go?" Eponine asked looking at him with excitement in her eyes
"I'm gonna live with Courfeyrac and Marius, they givin' me a 'ome" Gavroche smiled
Eponine stared at him for a moment then looked to Courfeyrac "Really, you would do that for him? Give him a home, and meals every day?" She asked "Merci Monsieur Courfeyrac and I shall thank Marius too!"
"Of course, we have a spare room and if it means keeping mon petit ami here safe, I will do anything" Courfeyrac smiled
Eponine smiled brightly, kissing his cheek. "Merci Merci, I will sleep well knowing he is safe in a home with someone who loves him and cares for him" She gushed.
Courfeyrac blushed "You're welcome Mademoiselle Eponine" He smiled. There was a loud rumble of running footsteps pounding up the staircase as the door fell open to reveal three little faces. Courfeyrac smiled, lifting Gavroche slightly to see them. "You have visitors petit"
The three boys rushed to Gavroche, a thousand questions a second falling from their lips. "Are you alright?" Jean-Pierre asked
"Did he hurt ya real bad?" Frederick asked
"You'll be coming back though won't ya?" Nicolas asked
Gavroche nodded twice, stunned by the sudden flow of questions. At the final question, he shook his head. "I can't boys, me papa will find me again and that will be the end of me" He sighed not looking at their disappointed little faces.
"But the boys from west side, they'll have us for supper without you" Nicolas complained.
"Jean-Pierre will have to be the new leader, and you lot can come visit me here and at my house, I promise. I'm sorry boys!" Gavroche said sadly. "Courfeyrac here will help you with everythin'"
Frederick reached forward and gave the older boy a gentle hug. "You promise to come visit? Promise promise?"
Gavroche nodded, ruffling his hair. "Of course, and I don't break promises". He looked to Jean-Pierre. "You'll be a good leader now, you can scare them west side boys no problem. And if you have trouble come here and get help, these boys beat up my Papa! They can handle the west side boys!"
The three boys laughed looking around at the other young men around them. "Alright, we believe ya!" Jean-Pierre smiled. "I'll try me best for ya!"
Gavroche smiled brightly watching as Combeferre stepped forward with three bowls of broth and warm bread rolls. "Fill your stomachs whilst you are here boys" He smiled chuckling as the three young faces lit up.
As he watched them eat, Gavroche leant back into Courfeyrac's hold. "I'll miss them" He whispered.
"I know petit, but we can visit them whenever you want" Courfeyrac said kissing his head "I promise."
"I know" Gavroche nodded watching the three boys eat. "And boys, Merci for getting Courfeyrac, Combeferre and Enjolras to come save me. I know you three helped!"
The three boys grinned.
And there we go… was that sweet enough for you?
The next chapter will be coming soon and I also have ideas for two brand new Gavroche stories!
Please please review!