Well guys, the hiatus starts with this chapter. This isn't exactly the most exciting chapter to end on, but it's nice nonetheless. Hope you enjoy!

**UPDATED 1/4/15**


one-hundred-and-one

Honestly, the two didn't plan to stay out all day—they thought they'd just go to brunch for a couple hours. But the pair enjoyed the day, so they went on another walk. They wanted to see what Christmas was like when spent in the city, when half of the places they knew were closed or empty. It was refreshing to be able to roam without feeling so damn cramped. And everyone else they encountered seemed to enjoy it, too. People weren't being careless and rude (for the most part); there was breathing room.

When they passed a small drugstore, Éponine decided to drag Enjolras inside. He wasn't sure what they were doing, but he didn't object, simply allowed her to lead the way.

Éponine began trying to fit different pairs of gloves on his hands, and he quickly reassured her that he didn't need them. She simply scoffed, saying he better let her get them as a present or she wouldn't forgive him. Arguing was pointless, so, eventually, after finding a good pair of gloves, Éponine purchased them and had Enjolras put them on.

At one point, they got to a park and began to walk through it. The park was even less crowded than the streets themselves. They didn't converse much until Enjolras asked to take a seat. So, after clearing a bench of snow, they settled next to each other.

"Are you glad I got you those gloves now?" Éponine asked with a smirk. Enjolras had been shaking out said gloves to rid them of any snow.

"I guess I am." He looked up at her thoughtfully, "Of course, now I feel I have an obligation to get something for you."

Éponine waved her hand dismissively, "If you'd like to, go ahead. If not, then don't. It doesn't matter much to me either way." Enjolras nodded simply as he slumped in his seat.

"This bench is still wet." He stated absentmindedly, causing Éponine to begin to laugh.

"Is that a problem for you?" Enjolras gave her a small grin as he shook his head.

"Naw. Might be later when we decide to get up." Éponine gave another slight laugh while reaching over and patting his leg.

"I think you'll be just fine."

"Now, you don't know that." Enjolras' grin grew some as he stared at his companion. She didn't seem to notice his gaze as she took some time to look around the park, observing any people in sight and taking in the surroundings.

"You know, as a kid I never really liked parks." She said simply, causing Enjolras to raise his eyebrow.

"Why's that?"

Éponine shrugged, "I never went to them—I didn't like how many people would be around or how the playground or the grass never looked like it did in the movies. In movies, they seemed so promising, but that's not what they're like. As a kid, my hopes would get up too easily, and each time they were crushed." She looked at Enjolras, who had taken a brief moment to look around, "And you?"

He quickly began to recall his childhood, "I didn't begin to enjoy them until I was nine." He bit the inside of his check, "When we were younger, Combeferre loved the park. So, when we met, I'd go along with him." Éponine gave him a smile before also slouching to rest her head on his shoulder.

"Combeferre was good for you." Enjolras silently nodded as Éponine thought for a moment, "He always seemed to either subtly be pushing you out of your comfort zone or standing by your side as you jumped a hurdler. It was an… admirable relationship."

Enjolras moved his head to glance down at her, chin resting against her soft hair, "Admirable? I don't think I've ever heard it described that way." Éponine awkwardly shrugged her shoulder against his.

"I can't exactly think up a better word. And the closest I've ever had to that was the relationship with my siblings, but even then it's different."

The two fell into a companionable silence as they watched the park, simply letting their thoughts wander.

Enjolras could feel himself finally getting better (honestly, to him that made it sound as if he had a meek cold). He could feel the memories of his friends become fond again, no longer making him want to cry. He hadn't bought marijuana in some time, no longer feeling dependent on it—sure, he missed the soothing effects, but he didn't need it anymore. Enjolras could begin to feel happiness again, feel at ease after all this time. It seemed that time does help heal the pain, at least to the point where he didn't feel crippled.

And he wondered—what about Éponine? This was different for her, she reacted to everything differently. Enjolras wanted to know how to ask. He didn't think approaching the topic would be difficult; it would simply be the topic itself that proved to be such.

Then, Enjolras thought he didn't need to ask. He could see in her the changes, see her reactions and behaviour. Learning her complete feelings on it would come in time.

To gain her attention, Enjolras moved in his seat, causing Éponine to lift her head from his shoulder. She glanced up at his face curiously as he cleared his throat.

"Do you want to head back?" he asked simply.

"Does 'head back' mean your place or mine?" her simple question sounded strangely intimate to Enjolras, and he wanted to just shake the feeling. They never really decided where they'd be—they always just ended up somewhere.

"Your choice." He shrugged a little.

Éponine thought only for a brief moment, "I like your place more." She quickly stood, reaching both her hands out to Enjolras to help lift him off the bench. His hands gripped hers and soon the two were on their way back.

one-hundred-and-two

Neither Enjolras nor Éponine were completely sure how it happened. One minute, Enjolras was in the kitchen, hoping to make something to eat. The next, he had Éponine's warm lips and body pressed against him. It didn't start out slow, it never did with these two—it was rapid and needy and full of want.

Enjolras had Éponine in his lap once more as their mouths heatedly moved together. Warm tongues fought, hands grabbed at hair and skin, bodies rubbed together messily. Just like it always was.

It was after a few minutes that Éponine completely detached their mouths only to press her lips to Enjolras' neck, collarbone, ear, any skin she could make contact with. She found that Enjolras seemed to enjoy it when she bit just behind his ear and made great use of that. And as her lips kissed and sucked at his skin, Enjolras' hands would coarsely move over her body, taking in each inch he could. As the two began to slow down, Enjolras' fingers smoothly glided over Éponine's exposed arms, causing her to shiver. It brought a grin to his face.

His hands then tangled in her hair and pulled her lips back to his for another heated kiss. Their kiss was still eager and full of want, but it was gentler than before, deeper.

When they finally pulled apart, faces flushed and breath thick, Éponine's eyes found Enjolras' quickly. They were full of want and fervour as he stared back, mouth slightly ajar as he panted heavily. Éponine relaxed her hands on his arms, lying her head in the crook where Enjolras' neck met his shoulder. Her warm breath tickled his skin, eliciting a shudder from the man as he closed his eyes for a few long moments.

"Well, look what we got ourselves into again." Éponine muttered, lips brushing over Enjolras' exposed neck. He chuckled airily and briefly as his hand came to rub small circles on Éponine's leg.

"We never exactly said it wouldn't happen again." He responded as his eyes flicked down to look at Éponine.

"You make a point." She was grinning some as she planted a small kiss against his Adam's apple. She then sat up completely to look at Enjolras' face. It was as if she was inspecting him, searching for something in his features, "Does it bother you?"

Enjolras raised an eyebrow, "Should it?"

"It seemed to before." Éponine said with an eye roll and a smile. The man simply shook his head, leaning forward to have their foreheads touching.

"I don't even care anymore—whatever happens, happens."

Éponine blinked her eyes shut briefly, "That's more like it."

And then once more Enjolras pressed his lips against hers, allowing his hands to start to push under her shirt.