Firecrackers
Two weeks before his birthday, Jehan had been quickly (albeit inconspicuously) briefed on the science of firecrackers by Combeferre: their history, their creation, the scientific makeup of their color. As well as being an avid philosopher, his friend seemed to be an expert on decorative explosives. Jehan himself didn't care much for the scientific background; he cared about the harmony of the colors and sounds, each crackling brightly in the sky like falling stars. And he had a sneaking suspicion that Combeferre also enjoyed firecrackers for the response they got from their leader. "Your little explosives are anything but a necessity, Monsieur Combeferre" Enjolras would scoff. "You are wasting your time!" The response would always make Combeferre laugh.
This must have been the philosopher's train of thought as he led Jehan, with a blindfold tied tightly over his eyes, up the stairs to said poet's apartment and out to the balcony. Combeferre had asked Feuilly and Courfeyrac to light a large amount of firecrackers he had managed to buy. They would be lit at a street corner a few blocks away. It was, as Combeferre said himself, "to create the perfect angle. A worthwhile picture for a worthwhile friend."
It certainly worked. As soon as Combeferre took off Jehan's blindfold, Courfeyrac lit the first firecracker. Just before the first bundle of light exploded, Combeferre put his hand on his friend's shoulder. "Joyeux anniversaire, mon ami," he said. Jehan smiled gleefully, but only to pull his face away in favor of the firecracker display. He was mesmerized; he placed both his hands on the balcony railing and went on tiptoes to get a better, closer look. He must have been so in awe of the bursting purple-gold comets, he failed to notice Combeferre look at his upturned face and tenderly place his hand on one of Jehan's own.
A/N: Happy Fourth of July to those of you who celebrated! "All men are created equal...with certain unalienable rights, that among those are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Ami Fluff." Until next time!
Love, Faust Prouvaire.