(Hi guys! Thank you all so much again for the reviews and support of the last chapter. I'm so happy you enjoyed it. I'm trying to respond to each of you who review now, but if I've missed you, I'm sorry and I'll thank you now with all my heart! Hope you like this next chapter! Also, I've got a new cover pic, found it on the amazing tumblr of Hammy (hamstr dot tumblr) you should definitely check it out :) )
After Combeferre had finally succeeded in getting Enjolras to open up a little, they both stayed silent for a while. Combeferre sat next to his young friend on the bed against the headboard and had one arm draped across his shoulders. Enjolras leaned against the medical student and relished in his protective touch while his thoughts ran back to that fateful Christmas day long ago and everything that happened after.
The room was still dark – the only light coming from the stars and moon through the windows – and it couldn't be later than three in the morning. Combeferre had lost any desire to go back to sleep, but he could sense Enjolras was exhausted, yet fighting to stay awake. The medical student would have none of it. Just as he wanted to tell the blonde that he needed to sleep, Enjolras spoke up; his voice cracked and weak from emotion.
"I want to apologize Combeferre", he began, shaking his head and looking up with pleading eyes when Combeferre was about to interrupt him, "I know I'm being difficult and don't tell me that I'm not. It's just...it's hard...I'm not used to...well, I'm not used to any of this to be honest and I'm sorry for acting the way that I do and for burdening you and your parents...I know I'm far from an open book, but I've never really been able to open up to anyone, so I don't know how to and I don't know what is and what is not appropriate to tell...So I guess, I just want to apologize, even though you don't think I should."
He could only imagine how frustrated it must be for Combeferre to know something was up, but not being able to help, because his stubborn self was afraid to confide in him. His heart had been beating hard and fast in his chest while he told Combeferre the story about his brother and though he was more grateful for Combeferre's love and understanding than he could ever show, he doubted if he could ever tell it again. He wondered if it had been an exception. The thought of telling his friend more about his past sent cold shivers down his spine.
He felt Combeferre sigh deeply but the bespectacled student did not speak right away. Instead he let his chin rest on Enjolras' head and closed his eyes for a moment. What am I going to do with this boy? "You're right, I don't think you should apologize", he said silently, while rubbing Enjolras' upper arm reassuringly, "And I'm glad you already seem to know that...But, I think I do understand you Enjolras and I just want you to know..." He sighed again, thinking how he could bring this best. "All in your time, alright? You know you can tell me anything, you know I'll listen and you know I won't judge, but you only have to tell me things when you feel you're ready for it and otherwise tell me if you're not, so that I know. I don't want to push you into anything."
Enjolras nodded shyly and sank a little more closely into Combeferre's chest. He whispered a thanks and smiled a little at when the older boy told him he was welcome. "Just one more thing, Enjolras, and we've talked about it before. Don't call yourself a burden... I really hate it when you do that, it makes me feel as if I failed you somehow and to be frank, it's a bit insulting...My parents and I...we don't give you that feeling do we?" Enjolras shook his head, more than a little ashamed. "Then don't say things like that. You're not a burden."
They then fell into a more comfortable and teasing chatter; just to lift their spirits a little. It didn't take long for Enjolras' speech to become more incoherent and slow. The blonde was practically asleep, slumped against Combeferre and the latter had no intention to try and keep him awake, so he kept his own questions and answers just as slow – with long pauses between them – and he subtly grabbed the blanket that lay in a heap at the foot of Enjolras' bed to drape it over them both. It didn't take long before the blonde had completely succumbed to sleep again and as soon as Combeferre was sure Enjolras was fast asleep again, he manoeuvred the boy so that he was lying more comfortably; half atop the pillows and half atop Combeferre's chest. He then reached over and took hold of the book Enjolras had brought with him to the bedroom. To his surprise it wasn't a Rousseau or anything political, but a translation of Shakespeare's Macbeth. He managed ten pages before his eyes fell shut as well.
It was like this that Marie found the two boys in the morning. Her son still sitting mainly upright in the bed, head slumped towards his chest and book still in his hand; and Enjolras curled into a ball next to her son, his head buried in the pillows and one arm draped across Combeferre's waist. It made her smile.
As she pushed the door open further, Combeferre blinked his eyes open and rubbed the sleep out of them before smiling up at his mother. At her questioning look he mouthed nightmare and she understood at once as she remembered the muffled cries in the middle of the night. Combeferre had told her about the terrors Enjolras went through at night and by the look of the boy's puffy eyes and still slightly red nose, she concluded this one must have been pretty bad.
She walked over to the bed and told Combeferre quietly that she and Faya had breakfast ready. When she looked at Enjolras worriedly she whispered sadly: "How bad was it? I thought I heard cries coming from this room last night.."
Combeferre nodded and looked down at the blond, who for all the world looked so innocent and young at that moment."It was pretty bad", he said quietly as he remembered the broken expression on Enjolras' face and the rueful sobs. "He was reliving a traumatic childhood memory...It's a really sad story, but uh...at least he talked to me about it, so that's something".
Marie nodded and gently squeezed her son's hand. "You're a great friend Combeferre, don't forget that." Combeferre only smiled. "Your father felt pretty guilty last night. He didn't mean to bring up his parents. But you know how he is.."
"I know", Combeferre said kindly. He wasn't angry with his father, not at all. Enjolras had been handling it well at the time, although Combeferre had no doubt last night's dream had everything to do with Marcus' mentioning of Enjolras' past Christmas experiences. "I'll wake him up, we'll be downstairs in fifteen minutes or so."
Breakfast was relatively quiet in comparison with diner the previous night. Enjolras was still tired and felt a more than a little shaken after all the emotions of the night. He was polite; he smiled to Combeferre's parents; answered questions and he thanked Faya for the food, but everyone seemed to notice he wasn't really himself that morning. His mind was somewhere else and only Combeferre knew where.
Marie tried to force both Enjolras and Combeferre to eat more, claiming she would have so many leftovers because they seemed determined to eat as little as a few slices of bread; some cheese and fruit. "Is that what they learn you Paris? Do you see how much of Faya's delicious food I have left now? You would both do better to fatten up a little..."
Enjolras had looked up confused. He had eaten more than enough and he really had no room left anymore. Then he noticed Combeferre and his father were smiling and he frowned. "Don't worry about Marie, my boy", Marcus said laughing heartily when his wife disappeared into the kitchen with Faya, "It is just some teasing. She always does this. Marie and Faya prepare too much food and then they claim we don't eat enough, while they actually do this on purpose, so they can go into town and hand out the food to those who have none. And it is always worst around Christmas."
And to prove his point, a few minutes later Marie and Faya returned with two baskets filled with mostly bread, but also some cheese and what Enjolras thought were pastries. Before Combeferre's mother could announce she would be going into town, Combeferre rose and said smiling. "Maman, how about Enjolras and I go into town today. I'm sure you have enough to do with the holidays coming up and I'd like to show my friend the town I grew up in."
Marie seemed to be doubtful at first, but then she agreed. She could imagine that Combeferre wanted to take Enjolras out for some fresh air; spend some time together. "Be careful though boys, some parts of town can be rough at times like these. Best bring it right to church alright?" After they had made their promises and were dressed warmly, they went out and walked the short distance towards the town.
The outside walk seemed to do wonders to Enjolras' mood and the fact that they were about to hand out food to the poor made the blonde feel even better. He talked more; he smiled more and that haunted look that had been in his eyes ever since the nightmare, finally started to fade away.
"I think it's really amazing your parents do this 'Ferre", he said happily as he timidly pressed a baguette in the hands of a boy his age. It always made him so sad and the feeling to finally be able to do something for the less fortunate got him more determined to make this his life goal. "How long have they been doing this?"
Combeferre smiled. "For as long as I can remember actually", he said proudly. "They usually bring it all straight towards the church, so the people can ask for it there and everything will be handed out equally. Mother always wants me to do the same, and I do, but I first go through these few streets, because there are a lot of children here who can use a little extra."
Everything seemed to be going well, but when they set out to drop the remainder of the food off at church, two men and one woman blocked their way. They looked mean and dirty and Combeferre held Enjolras back when he tried to walk past them.
"Better give us something first boy", one of the men growled. "We have not eaten in days and we're starving."
Combeferre eyed the three warily. They didn't look like they were starving. "I'm bringing this towards the bishop; everyone can collect some food there, so you'll have to wait for a little more I'm afraid."
The largest of the two men grinned a filthy grin and chuckled darkly. "I don't think you heard me correctly there rich boy. I said you'd better give us some. Now." He clenched his hands into fists and eyed both Combeferre and Enjolras contemptuously.
"And I said no", Combeferre said without showing any sign of fear or anger. He did however step forward ever so slowly, so he was standing partly in front of Enjolras; shielding him away from any immediate danger. Enjolras however, would have none of that and stepped forward defiantly. "You heard him, get out of our way."
Though they did see the anger flashing in Enjolras' eyes, the men and woman looked at each other incredulously and then burst into laughter. "And what is a kid like you going to do about it?", asked the woman, while the two men stepped closer. One of them grabbed Combeferre by the arm and forced him to let go of the basket. The other encircled Enjolras and smirked viciously.
Enjolras smirked back and reached into his pocket. He pulled out a knife and before any of them knew what happened he had cut through one of the men's jackets; but he did not hit the skin. "You guess", he said, "Let him go and get out of our way." He ignored Combeferre's warning glare and the calling of his name.
Though the three seemed quite impressed by Enjolras' fast movement, the boy was in no way strong enough to fight them all off and Combeferre was still held back. Luckily for him, all they seemed to be after was the bread and they had no intention of hurting them physically more than necessary. It took a few attempts, but then the man and woman were able to wring the knife out of Enjolras' hold. He received two blows to the head in the process, but refused to make a sound.
It was Combeferre who yelled at them and cursed them and promised to hurt them if they didn't back off. And they did; as soon as they had both baskets. "Make wiser decisions next time, rich boy. Safe yourself the trouble." One of them called as they turned the corner.
Combeferre did not even hear them. "What on earth were you thinking, Enjolras!", he said angrily. "And where did you get the knife? Why do you have a knife on you in the first place?" He breathed heavily as he turned the boy around and eyed the bleeding slash above his eyebrow. "Damnit", he cursed silently as took off his shawl and pressed it against the wound.
All anger had disappeared from Enjolras' face as soon as the thugs left and he winced at Combeferre's angry voice. He felt tears of shame and disappointment well in his eyes, but he refused to let them fall. "I won't make the same mistake again...I won't, not ever", he whispered brokenly and he looked Combeferre in the eyes; pleading for him to understand.
And he did. Of course Combeferre understood, but that did nothing to slow his far too rapid pulse. He shook his head and pulled Enjolras into his arms. He cursed again inwardly. Damnit.
TBC.
(Poor Enjolras...So yeah, hope this chapter lived up to your expectations and that it wasn't dull or anything. If you liked it, please review :) I'd love to hear what you think or if you have any ideas for this story you'd like to share. Till next time!)