Even though they were at a safe distance from the alley, Eponine was still shaking and out of breath, Looking up at Enjolras, who was trembling behind the wheel, she waited. Waited for him to say something, scold her, or tell her how dumb she was for running off like that. But instead she was granted with silence and tears threatening to spill in her eyes. Staring at him now, she was desperate for him to look at her, comfort her, anything.
"...'Jolras..." She mumbled through her tight throat. Watching him carefully, there was still no response. Now at a red light, he dropped his head into his hands and let out a heaving sigh and mumbled a collection of curses, "I-I..." Words meant nothing, she knew that. No matter what she was going to say, Enjolras wasn't going to respond, "...'m sorry," Eponine's speech, like her breathing, was uneven.
Enjolras lifted his head out of his hands and continued to mindlessly drive when the light was green again, "Sorry?" He asked under his breath. The word was hung in the air, causing Eponine to be silent and wait to see if there was more to say. It seemed like an eternity until he spoke up again, "Sorry?" Was all he said before parking in front of the complex.
"I'm so sorry," Her tears were uncontrollable now, falling in painful numbers, "I-I didn't...didn't m-mean to," Her sob was desperate and violent, "I-I w-wasn't..." Eponine's apology was cut off by his arms wrapping securely around her.
"Sorry? What-?" Enjolras' voice was soothing and so close, "Why are you sorry? Eponine..."
A soft cry escaped her lips as she held him closer to her, "I d-don't know what I-I was thinking," Her words were so fast, making it almost impossible to understand.
"Eponine, don't speak, don't speak," He soothed, breaking the embrace to stare into her swollen eyes, "Listen to me," He kept his hand tucked under her chin so she was looking at all times, "I understand exactly what happened, so don't apologize, 'Ponine. There is no need, okay?" Slowly, she gave a shaky nod, "Remember the stages I was talking about? It was a few weeks ago? Well, right now you're in the 'Shut everyone out phase'," Before she could explain herself, he shook his head, "I get it, I do. It's normal to push everyone that cares away. It's seems like a grand idea to solve things by yourself but you have to understand that what you're going through...it isn't something you can solve so easily. It takes time." Enjolras took both her hands in his and gave them a gentle squeeze.
He closed his eyes and continued, "I'm so sorry that I wasn't with you, Eponine," He clenched his jaw and opened his eyes, forcing himself to look at the vulnerable girl, "I should've followed you and made sure you were alright but...I-I'm so sorry...this is all my fault,"
Eponine did her best to take deep breaths but the anxiety was just too much, "S-So you...aren't mad at me?"
Enjolras pulled his eyebrows together. Eponine must be so used to her parents' rage and grudges. Softening his voice, he told her gently, "Mad? No, I'm not mad. I was worried. I'm still worried. Thank God I found you before-" He stopped himself right there when he saw Eponine cringe at the words that were about to be said, "What matters right now is that you are here and safe, okay?"
"I'm sorry," She pried her hands from his and covered her face in shame. So weak, so pathetic, she thought to herself. How dare you allow him to see you like this. Not a victim. Not a victim. She chanted but the more she did, the more she fell apart, "Why does this happen?"
Enjolras looked at her questionably but allowed her to continue.
"I can't escape," Eponine wiped tears furiously, "Everywhere I go, there is always trouble,"
"That isn't-"
She cut him off, "Don't tell me it isn't true because it is," Looking up at him with her swollen red eyes, she continued her rant, "I'm just a magnet for trouble," Eponine summed up, "It doesn't matter where I am, there is always trouble waiting for me...You could've been hurt because of me..." Eponine could see the amount of confusion Enjolras displayed, "That old man had a grip, he could've hurt you."
Shaking his head, Enjolras couldn't hear it anymore. He was tired of Eponine blaming herself, "Hurt me? Eponine, he could've killed you...or worse!" His voice gradually got louder, "What happened back there was not your fault and you aren't going to push me away! Stop pushing! If you feel like you are in danger all the time then I'm not going to leave you alone! That isn't how it works, Eponine! I know that you are used to facing these things without help or support but that doesn't mean is has to always be like that!"
"Why are you yelling?!"
"Because I care!"
Eponine flinched at the intensity in his voice. She wasn't sure about approaching him in such a state of anger. He was so angry and yet the words were so gentle. The silence following after allowed both to take in a deep breath and start over.
"Look," Enjolras looked down at his hands that were now unclenched fists, "What happened did happen and I'm glad you're okay. There is no need to apologize because it isn't your fault. You are not a magnet for trouble. Bad things...just happen. But good things happen too." He gave her slight smile, "You'll see what I mean. It just takes time."
Pretty Lady, Pretty Lady
Enjolras felt the bed shift every now and then. He assumed Eponine was just finding a more comfortable position. After all, his mattress was a bit stiff. So he fell back asleep.
Pretty Lady, I just want to have some fun! Pretty Lady!
Eponine mumbled as she tossed and turned, nearly falling off the bed. Enjolras stirred once again upon hearing the girl shift again and again, "...'Ponine," He wiped his eyes open and tried to focus, "Hey, 'Ponine,"
Pretty Lady! Look at me you pathetic-
"Eponine!" Enjolras shook her with all his might.
Before her eyes opened, Eponine pushed at Enjolras, "GET OFF! GET OFF ME! DON'T YOU DARE-STOP! GET OFF!" Her fists flew in every direction. There was only one thought that echoed in her mind: I can't let this happen to me again, "GET OFF!"
Enjolras took every punch and every kick but didn't stop attempt to comfort her, "Hey, hey, hey," He crawled closer to her and tried to grab her arms. He grabbed her forearm gently but this gesture was found threatening to the delirious Eponine for her response was to break free and fall to the ground. She was now hyperventilating and crawling away desperately, "Eponine, hey, it's me," Enjolras slid off the bed and kept his distance, "It was just a dream..."
Eponine's breath quavered, "But I-I...He was..."
"Just. A. Dream." Enjolras couldn't see her in the dark but could her panting in the corner.
Before she could crawl back to bed, a knock alarmed the both of them.
"Enjolras, what's going on in there?" The voice came from behind the door.
"It's my uncle..." Enjolras' voice hissed, "Oh-uh-sorry, Uncle..."
The door swung open anyway, revealing a dark figure. He flicked the light on and it was easier to see his features. He was tall and skinny with curly red hair and a clean shaven chin. He was wearing rather formal looking clothing. White collared shirt with a black vest over,a black bowtie to go with it, and black pants and shoes, "Enjolras," He said calmly, eyeing Eponine who held herself in the corner of the room, "Explain now," He said looking back at Enjolras.
Enjolras just gave a small smile and cleared his throat, "Uncle Mark, this is Eponine...and this isn't what it looks like."
Uncle Mark just gave a warm chuckle, one that seemed to ease Eponine a little bit, "May I remind you that I was a kid once too?" He raised an eyebrow.
Enjolras covered his face in his hands, "It isn't what it looks like, Uncle...I swear. I-I wasn't..." Enjolras took a deep breath and rearranged his words, "I wasn't doing anything wrong,"
Uncle Mark bit his lip and looked over at Eponine with a big smile, "Hey there, I'm Mark, you must be Eponine. I've heard so much about you,"
"Uncle!"
Eponine covered her mouth to keep herself from giggling, "Is everything alright in here? Was he doing something he wasn't supposed to?" Uncle Mark asked with his hands folded over his chest.
Eponine dropped her hand and took a deep breath, "No, no, it's all a misunderstanding, really." She gathered a quick lie, "Your nephew thought it would be smart to tickle my side that's all."
"Enjolras," Uncle Mark tisked, "Never tickle a woman on the side, they'd kill you. Eponine," He faced the girl who sat in the corner, "I give you permission to kill Enjolras, okay?"
Eponine nodded with a small smile.
"Well it was nice meeting you, Eponine." Uncle Mark gave a smirk and turned back to a confused looking Enjolras, "Treat a lady with respect, Enjolras," He added with a flashing smile before shutting the door again.
"Your Uncle-"
"Is embarrassing?"
"Hilarious!" Eponine giggled, "He's so nice!"
Enjolras shrugged with a corked grin and sat back up on the bed, "He's a lot nicer than my dad, that's for sure."
"I didn't mean to hit you and-"
"Don't apologize, Eponine," He gave her a small smile, "I had an idea," He patted the space next to him on the bed, an invitation for her to sit, "Tomorrow, I thought it would be a good idea to visit Gavroche and introduce him to some of my other friends."
Eponine cringed. She wasn't very good to talking to new people.
Enjolras detected this, "They're all excited to meet you and they'll probably embarrass me in some way." Successfully he made her smile, "I'll take this as a yes,"
"EPONINE!"
"'ROCHE!"
The two sibling ran to each other in a crushing hug, "'Ponine, 'Ponine, look!" Gavroche wriggled out of the tight embrace and held his knit scarf in her eyes, "Look, look! Helen made it for me! Look!" Eponine looked at the knit scarf. It was all black but at the ends had a large letter 'Z' knit on the ends of the scarf. Z, of course, for Zorro.
"Wow, bud, that's awesome!" Eponine looked up at her little brother who she hasn't seen a few weeks now. He looked cleaner than he's ever been. He looked a whole lot healthier and even smelled nicer. His face was a lot fuller than usual, less hollow-cheeked. He was positively radiant, "Look at you, 'Roche. You're so happy,"
"Are you happy?"
"You bet," They hugged again, "You bet,"
In the car, Gavroche rambled on about how the past few weeks have been and how great it was living there in Courfeyrac's home. Things have been going so well and all the while Eponine felt awful. This was the happiness that she could never give Gavroche. Instead of just looking at the toy stores, he was able to buy the toys he wanted. He never needed to live in fear anymore. He was given more food in one meal than he could ever ask for in a week.
Trying to look on the bright side of things, Eponine was just happy to see her little brother living a good life.
"What about you Eponine?" Gavroche asked.
Eponine put on a smile and looked over her shoulder to see a jumpy Gavroche, "I'm doing good, kiddo." She turned around and looked out the window, "I'm doing good,"
They arrived in front of house that was already packed with cars. The house was about the size of Courfeyrac's. Just a standard ranch.
The three of them walked towards the front of the door, Gavroche gripping Eponine's hand. There was a large sign right near the door knob that said: 'Doorbell is broken, yell DING-DONG really loud'. Enjolras shook his head and knocked a rhythmic tap and waited patiently, "Don't worry, they're all really nice and-"
The door swung open revealing a young man curly black locks and an evident 'in-the-process' mustache. The young man greeted Enjolras with a wide smile, "Enjolras! Long time no see, Mr. Grumpy!"
"Grantaire, this is Gavroche and Eponine," Enjolras introduced.
Grantaire's jaw dropped as he looked at Eponine and back at Enjolras, "Enjy, you dog, you! What a fetch! Is this is angel you always talked about?"
"Angel?" Eponine giggled with her cheeks turning scarlet.
"Mademoiselle," Grantaire took Eponine's hand from her side, "Pleased to meet your acquaintance," He brushed his lips on the knuckles of her hand.
"Oookay," Enjolras grabbed Eponine's hand and laced their fingers, "That's enough of...well...that,"
"Hey, buddy, I'm Grantaire, what's your name?"
"Gavroche," He said with much confidence which surprised Eponine because usually her brother wasn't good with meeting new people.
"Nice to meet you, Courfeyrac's told me a lot about you," Grantaire led him inside the house.
Eponine looked up at Enjolras who looked rather embarrassed, "You called me an angel?"
Enjolras rolled his eyes, "You sound surprised,"
"Angel?" Eponine laughed even harder when his face turned red.
"Get inside,"
Eponine smiled as they walked in the house to greet the others that knew Eponine as a so-called 'angel'.
R/R, please!
-Ophelia
