"Of Fathers"
A/N: Very short, I know, but it's an attempt to tide my kind and patient friends over until the next chapter of 'Do you Hear the People Sing?' University takes up too much time. I think I should devote myself to writing…. Okay, so maybe not. But soon!
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Marius watched his friend carefully. Yes, he had his beliefs and that was what Enjolras would have anyone stand by in life. He'd never admit to more, not purposefully.
"You know," the younger man said quietly, eyes darting up to watch the other's steadily reading and rereading the note, "I never actually met my father that I can remember. I walked in on the day that he had died… finding that he was nothing that my grandfather had said he was."
"Is that so?" Enjolras murmured distractedly.
"Yes. It is because of him that I am what I am today. Not…blindly following what my grandfather taught me all those years. I'd daresay that your mother is the reason for you stretching out to help those that can't help themselves."
"I see it, that's all," Enjolras said as his eyes slowly traveled around the empty room. It was late and the others had left after his passionate speech, not staying a while longer to see him sink into his chair dejectedly and pull the already well-read letter from his pocket. "My father is…"
"Not your own. So?" Marius asked with a smile. "Does that matter so much? You don't care about the inheritance, so what does it matter?"
"It matters, somehow," the revolutionary murmured, brilliant blue eyes dulled once more. He looked up, but past Marius, as if the other did not exist at all. His voice was ruff as he spoke, something nearly unheard of. "I left of my own free will. Walked out, much like you with your grandfather, but now…"
"You made a mistake?"
"No. I wish I'd given my mother a bit more of my time before…"
"Before what, Enjolras?" Marius probed gently.
The blond stood and put the letter to the candle that lit the small table. He watched the paper crinkle and burn in an eerie sort of fashion before dropping it to the floor to finish. "Before she died," he answered as he turned and left the room.