The closer we get, the further I am
The words that I meant stay stuck in my chest
The closer we get, the further I am
You're under my skin, I hope you can't tell

Enjolras had gotten barely any sleep the nights leading up to the party. He stood before the looking glass in his dressing room, wondering what he could do to hide the bags under his eyes. He wished he knew what had triggered these nightmares that haunted him. Wished there were some way to be rid of them for good…

A soft knock at his door interrupted his thoughts. When he opened his door, Cosette stood on the other side, already dressed for the evening's festivities.

He could do nothing more than stand there and blink at her, taking in the sight before him. Her hair was pinned at one side with tiny white flowers tucked into her curls, while the rest of her hair spilled over onto her shoulder. A string of delicate pearls rested around her slender neck. And the lavender gown she wore, with it's material shimmering and light as gossamer silk…He swallowed. Well, that was another thing he was sure would haunt his dreams.

She waited with bated breath and he realized this would probably be the appropriate time to say something, to comment on how she looked. But all he felt was shame at how he'd all but ignored her the past week.

He stood, feeling utterly helpless and at a loss for words as he watched the glimmer in her eyes grow faint.

"Alphonse says the guests will be arriving shortly." She said, mustering up a smile. Regret flooded him as he picked up on the disappointment in her voice. "Are you ready?"

"Almost." He opened his palm, revealing a pair of amethyst cufflinks. "I've been having some trouble putting these on."

"Oh, they're lovely!" She breathed, stepping closer to touch the small gems embedded in the cufflinks. He caught that signature scent of lilacs. "And they match my dress perfectly." She grinned up at him, a bit of light returning to her eyes. Yes, her dress, with its lace-lined bodice that framed her collarbones perfectly. He tore his gaze away.

"My father gifted them to me before I left for law school. They're my birthstone." He admitted, not sure why he felt compelled to share such trivial information.

She lifted a brow. "February born?"

He nodded.

"Me too! February 7th."

"Really." A corner of his mouth lifted. "I'm the 23rd."

How odd, that they'd been married for almost half a year and were only now learning of each other's birthdays.

"Would you like some help with these?" She asked, picking up one of the links.

He held his breath for a moment, still not used to having her be this close. He should've said no, should've continued to figure it out on his own or have Alphonse help him…

"Please." He conceded. Darn my treacherous mouth.

He held out his right hand and a moment of silence passed as she attached the amethysts to the cuffs of his dress shirt. This close, he could see the smattering of freckles along the bridge of her nose, the dusky curve of her lashes, the way her lips parted just so as she concentrated on her task.

"I get the nightmares too." She murmured. He wondered not for the first time how this woman was able to read him so well.

"You do?" He asked softly. She nodded.

"Do you think we'll ever be free of them?" She started on his other hand, her fingers brushing his wrist as she snapped the cufflinks in place. Such a subtle touch but it still managed to make him shiver. His eyes traveled over her golden hair, committing each strand to memory.

Would they ever be free…

"No." His voice was quiet, tired. "I don't think we will."

A white flag waves in the dark
Between my head and my heart
My armor falls apart

They walked together toward the entrance doors to greet the first arrivals. The closer they got, the more Cosette began to fidget, first with the folds of her dress, then her hair. When her fingers started tracing over the pearls along her neck, Enjolras took her hand and stopped their walk.

"Cosette, what's troubling you?"

"I'm a bit nervous." She admitted, letting out an uneasy laugh. "Can you believe it?"

"But what is there to be nervous about, Madame?" They both turned at the sound of Guillaume's voice as he approached from behind. The campaign manager was dressed in a fine silk suit, with a magnificent blue waistcoat fit with gold buttons. Enjolras was suddenly very relieved that they'd hired him to help host the party. He seemed made for the job. "Everything looks spectacular; the décor, the food, the floral arrangements, the servants' new uniforms. Madame, you've simply outdone yourself."

Cosette gave him an anxious smile. Enjolras was still holding her hand, afraid that if he let go, she would ruin the arrangement of her hair or accidentally pluck off a pearl from her necklace.

"Many thanks to you, Guillaume." She acknowledged. "You've been a tremendous help."

"You're too kind, Madame. And might I say that you look absolutely resplendent in your gown." Guillaume said as he stopped before them. Resplendent. Where was that word earlier when Enjolras had stood, staring dumbfounded at his wife in her new dress.

"You look quite dashing as well, Monsieur." Guillaume bowed.

"No need to flatter me, sir." Enjolras could tell there was something else that was behind Cosette's nerves but he had a feeling she wasn't going to say any more about it in Guillaume's presence. "Would you please assist in greeting our guests at the door, Guillaume? Cosette and I shall receive them in the sitting room."

"Of course." The man was off, a brilliant smile schooled on his features as he made his way to the doors.

"Thank you." Cosette whispered.

Enjolras tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow and led her away.

"He's right, you know. Everything does look spectacular." He said, hoping to calm her. He took in a sharp breath. "You most of all."

Cosette flushed and he felt light as a feather, as if some unknown burden had lifted off his shoulders.

"I just want to make the best impression on your future colleagues." She confessed. "I didn't grow up going to private schools like you did. Valjean did his best to make up for my education after he adopted me, but there's still so much I don't know. And though we did have a lot of money, I didn't grow up in high society like most of these people."

"Cosette." He said gently.

"I know it's silly, but…" They had reached the doors of the sitting room. She bit her lip. "I want them to like me."

"My dear, you are perfect." Enjolras assured her. "They will love you." He took her hand and brought it to his lips, planting a light kiss on her knuckles. "And anyone who shows as much as a hint of not liking you will be thrown out the door immediately."

She laughed, her cheeks still pink.

"Shall you instruct Guillaume or Alphonse to do the job?"

"Oh no." He shook his head gravely, reaching for the doorknob. "The honor will be mine alone."