A/N: So, I hope this isn't much of a filler chapter. This is basically where I just needed to resolve a few more issues. I hope you like this chapter and I hope it doesn't seem like much of a rushed job.
Would love to know what you all think! Thanks a ton!
Worlds Away
Chapter 36 - And When It Seems True Love
The greatest gift you can give someone is your time. Because when you give your time, you are giving a portion of your life that you will never get back. And time is the greatest gift of all.
There was no noise. No talking or laughing, just the gentle lull of breaths amidst the serene ticking from the wall clock. The light was shut out entirely, but the room still held a blue hue highlighting the features of furniture.
A knocking at the door disturbed the quietness of the apartment. Enjolras slowly lifted his head from the pillow and looked around for a moment before he dropped back to the bed in a slumber. The knocking turned into incessant banging making Enjolras groan, realizing that the knocking wasn't just a dream. Agonizingly, he dragged himself from the bed and to the front door of the apartment.
He was met with Grantaire's smiling face contrasting his annoyed one. "Bonjour Enj!" his friend greeted from the hallway.
"R..." Enjolras mumbled as Grantaire pushed past him, letting himself in. "Oh, yes, won't you come in," he groaned sarcastically, still rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "So can I ask what you're doing here so early?"
"Early?" Grantaire scoffed as he plopped himself up onto the kitchen counter, lightly banging his legs against the cabinet. "You know it's almost noon right?"
Enjolras wiped his face with his hand as he leaned against the counter. "Is it really? Our flight got in late last night."
"Yeah, well, that's why I popped over here. 'Ferre told me you both were home but I thought you weren't getting here until next week. Had to come see for myself. Weren't you supposed to head into Sanary-sur-mer?"
"Yeah well, I decided to come back early. We both had quite a bit of adventure while we were away." Grantaire's face momentarily frowned but Enjolras didn't quite understand why. "Yeah, we rallied the people, gained a bunch of supporters, held a meeting at a fair that we set up - "
"Wait, you guys set up a fair?" Grantaire burst into a fit of laughter. "Seriously, a fair?!"
"Shhhh!" Enjolras scolded. "Eponine's still sleeping. I don't need you to wake her up."
Grantaire controlled his laughter. "Sorry, sorry," he relented. "I just can't picture you at a fair. But what's she doing still sleeping anyway?"
"Well, I said we got in late last night...and the sedatives are still wearing off," he muttered, rubbing his hand over his mouth in a vain attempt to look like he was scratching his chin.
Grantaire's eyes went wide, obviously catching what he said. "Sedatives? Are you serious? What are you giving her sedatives for?"
Enjolras heaved a sigh. "She's petrified of planes. The only way I could get us home was if I gave her something to sleep on the plane. I practically had to carry her home once we landed but it was much easier this way. She's highly, highly claustrophobic."
"Claustrophobic?" Grantaire repeated, as if he were testing out the word when he said it; contemplating the idea of it. "Who would've thought," he nearly chuckled with a smirk. "But I guess in 1832 they don't know too much about those things. Just like with her eczema."
He nodded along to Grantaire in agreement before his eyes perked up. "You know, I remembered while I was there."
Grantaire grinned enormously when he looked at Enjolras. The way Enjolras was smiling back at him made him almost forget to breathe. "You really remembered her?"
"Oh yes. I remember everything finally. Don't know why it's taken me so long to remember but I finally understand what everyone has been talking about. It all makes so much sense now."
Grantaire slid himself off the counter and walked toward the refrigerator. "I bet. Now let's talk about the most important thing," he said upon opening the refrigerator and perusing it. "So, did you...discover anything while you were...you know...down there?"
Enjolras frowned as he leaned back farther against the counter, deciphering what his friend was asking. "Well, I said we gained a bunch of supporters. Eponine had a run in with a man at the fair. That, in itself, was bad and I feel so guilty - "
Grantaire slammed the refrigerator door abruptly. "I'm not talking about that, Enj," he deadpanned. "You know," he made a motion with his head, nodding to Enjolras' lower half. "Down there...with her?"
Enjolras' mouth fell agape at understanding what he was insinuating. "We did not - "
"Oh, but how come?" Grantaire whined.
Enjolras folded his arms across his chest and scowled. "Neither me nor Eponine is ready for something like that in our relationship." Grantaire's smirk fell at the word relationship. "If you can even call it a relationship," he continued, to which Grantaire let out a small smirk that Enjolras didn't notice. "We've still got a lot to figure out about each other. And there is too much even going on to consider having sex with her! Neither of us need this added stress of trying to figure out what we are. I have a damn revolt to plan, so the answer is no, Grantaire!"
His face was fuming and bright red by the time he finished his small speech. Grantaire was quiet, not saying anything as the man he admired stared daggers through him.
"What's going on?" a meek little voice piped in in the doorway to the kitchen area.
"Eponine," Enjolras spoke softly. "Did I wake you? I'm so sorry." He crossed the room and wrapped his strong arms around her tiny form. Immediately, she melted into him, resting her head against his chest and closing her eyes.
Grantaire only watched on in longing, resentment, and jealousy as Enjolras gently rubbed her back and rested his cheek atop her head.
"How are you feeling?" Enjolras asked quietly as he lifted his head from hers to look at her.
Her dreary eyes came up to meet his and she smiled, dazedly. "I'm just fine."
He patted her back lightly as her head fell against his chest again. "Why don't you go lay down on the sofa. I'll make us something to eat. R, you are welcome to stay for break - well, I guess for lunch - if you want." Eponine slowly detached herself from Enjolras as she made her way to the sofa. Grantaire made a move to head for the door, already wishing to leave the apartment as quickly as he could. "You can help me cook," Enjolras offered. Now how could Grantaire pass up an opportunity like that?
So the two friends went to work in the kitchen, warming up the stove, taking out the ingredients, and measuring items for a batter all while they talked quietly as Eponine tried to fall asleep again.
Enjolras pulled out the container of eggs from the refrigerator and frowned. "Only one egg left," he remarked.
"Got any more somewhere else?" Grantaire said as he plopped in some more flour for the batter.
"No, we're gonna have to run to the store if we really want omelets."
"I can go to the store," Eponine said lazily from the living room.
Enjolras smiled at her. "That's alright, you're exhausted. I'm sure Grantaire can go for us, right?" he asked, turning his head to his friend.
Grantaire didn't smile in response, he only focused on mixing the batter while he thought of something to say back. "Well, Enj, if I go to the store, who is going to pour in the batter? You can't do it by yourself."
"It's alright," Eponine said cheerfully as she unsteadily stood to her feet. "I can go. Just let me get changed first. I don't really want all of Paris to see me in my sleepwear." She stumbled a bit on her feet as she walked past them to the bedroom.
"See, Enjolras, Eponine doesn't mind going."
Enjolras only grimaced in response as he followed her down the hallway. "Are you sure you're okay to go?" he asked her through the bedroom door. "Would you like one of us to come with you?"
"No, it's fine," she called. "You do so much for me, the least I can do is go to the store for you."
So he finally understood why she insisted on going for him. It wasn't a want, but she still felt like she owed him. His heart saddened a bit realizing that she will never truly love him back. She only acts the way she does because she feels like she has to please him. It will never be for love.
"Alright," Enjolras sighed reluctantly. "I'll go get you some money."
She met him in the kitchen and he handed her the few bills for the eggs. He gave her a list of specific instructions, highly instructing her not to talk to anyone else to which she only responded, "Relax, Enjolras, it's only down the block. I shall be fine."
With that, she left the apartment and was on her way.
Rather than waking her up, the walk seemed to take a toll on her as she found walking steadily a difficult task. She was just so drowsy. But she recalled that Enjolras did tell her about something called "side effects" before she took the medicine he gave her last night. But she couldn't remember exactly what he said about it, so she pushed it from her mind.
Eponine entered the store and went right to the eggs as Enjolras told her to do. She picked up a container but it slipped from her hands and landed back with the rest of the containers. It wasn't a large fall but she knew to check and see if she broke any of the eggs. Luckily they were fine, so she picked up the container again and held onto it tightly.
The only other thing Enjolras asked her to get was milk. So Eponine walked a few steps to the milk and reached up on the shelf to grab it. Realizing she needed two hands, she stuffed the container of eggs under he arm and reached up. She fingered the milk bottle, slowly trying to peel it from the high shelf the best she could.
But as she tried to pull the one milk bottle forward, the one next to it began to slip from the shelf as well. She didn't notice much but as soon as she pulled the one milk container free, the other came crashing down.
Before it crashed to the floor another hand came and caught it. Eponine stood frightened for a moment and looked up at the face that had caught the bottle in his large hand.
Eponine's eyes widened when she realized she looking at Montparnasse.
"Good save, right?" he joked lightly as he placed the milk back on the shelf with the others.
She nodded lightly, still bewildered that he was smiling to her. Didn't he hate her? Weren't they not supposed to be friends anymore?
"Need some help with that?" he gestured to the carton of eggs, still tucked under arm. "You might drop those too." Without a reply, he took the carton from her arm along with the milk bottle in her hands. "Are you ready to check out with these?" he asked nonchalantly.
Eponine could only nod back to him as he led the way to the cash registers.
"So what? Is this like when we were back at your father's house? When you wouldn't talk to me there?"
She looked down at the floor, scared to look straight at his face. "I thought you hated me," she said quietly.
Montparnasse stopped walking as they got on line and he placed her items on the counter. "I don't hate you anymore," he answered back a bit bitterly.
"But last time I saw you - "
"I overreacted," he cut her off harshly. The woman behind the cash register rung up the items and Eponine handed over the few bills to pay for them. Their conversation only resumed once they were walking away from the cash register. "That's what I wanted to speak with you about..." he started slowly, walking side by side with Eponine, keeping at her snail pace. "But you haven't been home, so I've been waiting to tell you that I'm sorry." Eponine smiled widely at his words. "Will you forgive me?"
"Of course," she answered contently. "You've always been my friend."
"But Eponine," Montparnasse said, turning to face her. "I've been wanting to tell you, but you were away for so long...I've just...it's just that...I love you, Eponine. I want you to - I just - I want you."
She stood motionless, letting the full impact of his words hit her. "I-I..." she stuttered, swallowing her words. "I care about you, you know that. You've always been my friend, 'Parnasse - "
Montparnasse scoffed at her. He didn't honestly expect her to say it back, now did he? He knew how much she loved Enjolras. But he needed to tell her. He needed her to know that. As much as he wanted to be angry with her, slap her across the face, and strangle her until she couldn't breathe for not returning his love, he just couldn't be angry. He just needed to accept it, and accept her friendship. However, his heart didn't want him to.
"I'm sorry," Eponine whispered. "I'm very sorry, 'Parnasse."
Montparnasse shushed her, cutting her off. He closed his eyes and inhaled. "I understand," he exhaled.
Her lip trembled as they continued walking again. "And I'm sorry that I wasn't home. It's just that Enjolras and I were in Vézénobres - "
"Taking a vacation together, I see." His voice suddenly returned to the snarky Montparnasse she knew and for that she was grateful; he wasn't mad at her.
"No," she cut in indignantly. "We were helping the town and we were spreading the news of his revolution."
"So pretty boy is still planning to revolt against the government? Won't he ever learn? They're going to get themselves killed."
Eponine grimaced at his words. "No, Enjolras is sure that this time, they won't die." Her eyes lit up as she stared at him with a new thought. "You should help us!" she beamed, clutching the bag a bit tighter in her arms as she felt it slipping.
"And sign myself up to die? Do I look like I have a death wish? No thank you," he replied tersely.
Eponine's smile fell and her step faltered as she stumbled a bit to the side. "I don't blame you," she murmured. "I don't want to die either."
Montparnasse looked at her suddenly, noticing how she fell a step behind him. He grabbed the grocery bag from her arms and held it in his hands. "My offer still stands, Eponine. You can still live with me if you'd like. I can take you away from this revolution. I'll give you a good life, a real one." He figured he would try, he wasn't ready to give up on her yet.
She bent her head, looking to the ground. She didn't want Montparnasse to see her frown. "That sounds nice," she said softly. "But I want to stay with Enjolras," she boldly finished.
"Fine then you can die with him. See if I care." His head whipped around at her when she didn't respond. He wanted to see her reaction, he wanted to get her angry, he wanted to rile her up, produce any emotion from her but all he saw was her stumble over her own feet, head lolling on her shoulders. Montparnasse stopped in his tracks and grabbed her arm tightly, righting her up. "What's a matter with you?" he snapped, watching her eyes droop as she tried to look at him. He gave her a small shake but she still didn't say anything. "Pretty boy should learn to take better care of you. If this is how he treats you, I've got some words for him," he muttered more to himself than to her.
He wrapped his free arm around her shoulders and leaned her frame against his to support her as they walked. Indignantly, he guided her back to her apartment complex with Enjolras, still holding the grocery bag and holding her up.
He banged on the door to their apartment roughly, waiting for Enjolras to open it. As soon as he did, Montparnasse watched his smile fade.
"What did you do to her?" Enjolras bit out, grabbing Eponine from him and leaning the half-conscious girl against him, wrapping his arms around her tightly.
"Me?" Montparnasse spit, "I was the one who brought her back to you. She was going to pass out on the street! Good thing I was there."
Enjolras looked to Grantaire who only gave him a shrug. "I mean," he started. "He did help her."
Montparnasse let himself into the apartment, slamming down the groceries on the kitchen counter as Enjolras led Eponine to the couch. Grantaire now stood awkwardly between them both.
"Sorry, Enjolras," she murmured after a yawn. "I'm just so tired."
Enjolras pushed her down gently against the sofa and draped a blanket over her. "It's alright," he whispered as he placed a light kiss to her head and her eyes fluttered close.
Montparnasse stood with a scowl on his face, watching the pair. "So what? You send her half asleep to get your groceries for you? What? Did you make her your slave? Eponine doesn't need that."
"I did not!" Enjolras retorted. "She volunteered to go to the store. I didn't know - I didn't think - " He stood flustered, cheeks heating up as his eyes darted back and forth between Eponine and Montparnasse.
"No, you didn't think. You shouldn't have let her out of the house. Now what's a matter with her? What did you do to her?"
Enjolras stood at a loss before he remembered. "The medication," he announced. "It's just a side effect. The doctor told me she might be drowsy when she woke up."
"Medication? What the hell are you giving her medication for?"
"I just needed her to sleep, okay!" Enjolras shouted. "There's nothing wrong with that, so you have no right to even question it. Now get out of my flat before I call the police and get you arrested!"
"Don't you dare yell at me, pretty boy!" Montparnasse taunted. "I very well could've left her on the street. I could've taken her with me, but no, I brought her back to you. So don't you dare start yelling at me."
Quiet fell among the group who stood in the living room. Enjolras set his jaw, staring daggers at Montparnasse. Suddenly, he unclenched his jaw and and sighed. "I'm sorry," he said in a defeated breath. "I should thank you for bringing her back. I'm sorry - so...thank you."
Montparnasse gave him a nod of approval before the smirk returned to his features. He sauntered his way past Enjolras and stopped in front of the couch. He could feel the blonde's stare on his back, but he didn't mind. It only spurred him on.
Slowly, he bent down next to Eponine and stroked her hair back from her face. He just wanted to admire her for a few more moments. He didn't know when he would see her next and his heart ached for her. As much as it tore at his insides, he knew she would be no safer than with Enjolras. He had the sufficient means to take care of her the way she deserved. But with this revolution, he worried for her. He didn't want to see her dead. But in the end, Montparnasse bent down his head to her and placed a soft kiss on her cheek. He nodded as he pulled back and whispered so only she would be able to hear if she was still awake: "You belong here."
With that, he pushed on his knees and stood back to his feet. He gave a nod to Enjolras and Grantaire respectively. "Good day," he said and he went on his way.
Enjolras and Grantaire just gave each other a look before Enjolras watched Montparnasse walk down the hallway and he closed the door behind him.