Am I proud of myself for causing Azelma/Grantaire feels? Why yes, yes I am. That bit with the key was clearly a stroke of genius. Enjolras/Eponine is still far and away the focus of this fic, but I DO have some planned for Azelma and Grantaire, they are SO much fun to write, I must admit. Anyway, this chapter is very focused on Eponine and Enjolras, both separately and together. Warning: rated closer to M than T, but probably not for the reason you think. Enjoy
Disclaimer: I hate Valentine 's Day. I know it was a little while ago, but I really do.
Later that night
"That infernal drunkard," Azelma said, crossing her arms over her nightgown-clad chest, "I'll kill him! How dare he try a thing like that!"
"Knock off 'Zelma!" Gavroche moaned into his pillow from the bed he shared with Pierre, "Or 'Ponine can sleep with Nicolas and you can have the couch!" Azelma grabbed her pillow over her head, screaming into it with frustration.
"Don't be so melodramatic Azelma," Eponine said, "If I didn't know better, I'd say you were quite taken with Grantaire!"
"Surely you jest," Azelma said, rolling her eyes, "I hold nothing but loathing for that insufferable fool."
"If you say so," Eponine said, "Go to sleep everyone." Eponine left the bedroom to a chorus of "goodnights" from her siblings. Eponine pulled on a thin robe over her nightgown, both given to her by Annette, and made her way down the hallway to the living room. Eponine was looking down, trying to find her footing in the dark, so it's not very surprising she was nearly knocked over when she ran into Enjolras.
"Damnit," Eponine breathed, rubbing her forehead.
""Sorry! Are you alright?" Enjolras said. Eponine shot him a condescending glare.
"Just fine," she said sarcastically
"Really, I apologize," Enjolras said, "It was clumsy of me." Enjolras paused for a moment, studying the young woman in front of him. She looked - dare he say it - pretty. In the dark, with the moonlight falling upon her, her thin nightgown wasn't exactly thick enough to cover her. Her medium waves cascaded over her shoulders; one side was tucked behind her ear, revealing the soft, smooth skin of her neck. His eyes wandered down, over her full bust and long, slender legs. Enjolras' ears went red, he was outright ogling her, she was bound to notice, yet for the life of him, he couldn't look away. Eponine noticed his gaze and, to her everlasting credit, said nothing, but simply closed the robe over her front, crossing her arms over her chest. Enjolras cleared his throat, avoiding her dark gaze.
"What are you doing?" Eponine asked, trying to fill the uncomfortable silence.
"Getting some water," Enjolras said, "What about you?"
"I'm going to bed," Eponine answered, "Clearly."
"But, your bedroom is over there," Enjolras pointed, confused. Eponine rolled her eyes.
"There's only room enough for two beds, there are five of us, you do the math." She answered, "I sleep on the couch."
"This entire time?" Enjolras asked.
"Ever since I've healed enough to," Eponine said, "Yes."
"Oh, um," Enjolras said, shifting uncomfortably, "Take my bed then; I'll sleep on the couch."
"No it's alright, don't trouble yourself," Eponine answered, "It's still more comfortable than anything I've ever slept on."
"No, I can't in my right mind allow you to sleep on the couch whilst I'm in a bed," Enjolras said.
"What do you propose we do?" Eponine asked, "Share?"
"Well," He looked so uncomfortable, how adorable, "I suppose that, for now, that may be the most logical solution." Eponine looked surprised, but she followed him just the same.
"This isn't going to be some cliché romantic scene, alright?" Eponine said, "Stay to your side of the bed."
"Believe me, I wouldn't want it any other way," Enjolras said. A rather uncomfortable silence settled over the two as they lay in the bed, each far to his or her side. Enjolras glanced over at Eponine; she was lying on her back, looking up at the ceiling. Her mind was far off though, whatever she was thinking of upset her, as a tear slid down her cheek. Her skin was translucent in the dark; it looked like a pearl on the face of an angel. Enjolras once again found that he very desperately wanted to look away, but he simply couldn't tear his eyes from her.
"What are you thinking of," Enjolras whispered. Eponine brushed away the tear with her forefinger, glancing over at him quickly.
"Nothing," Eponine said, looking back up at the ceiling.
"Are you thinking about them?" Enjolras asked, directing his gave to the cut on her collar. Eponine brushed her hair aside, covering the mark with her dark waves. She was silent for a moment.
"Yes," She finally breathed, Enjolras was unsure for a moment whether he had heard it or not, she spoke so softly.
"Who are they?" Enjolras asked, barely speaking loudly enough to be heard.
"Why are you asking so many questions?" Eponine asked sharply. The spell was broken; the small window he had into this sad, broken young woman snapped shut and locked, heavily guarded. Eponine turned to lie on her side, facing away from Enjolras, and all was silent for a few minutes more.
"How about this," Enjolras said, breaking the silence, "I answer a question of yours and you answer one of mine."
"Fine then," Eponine said, turning back to face upward, "Since you seem adamant about keeping me from sleep, I will play your little game."
"You go first," Enjolras said.
"Oh, I don't know," Eponine thought for a moment, "Have you any siblings?"
"No," Enjolras said, "I'm an only child; it was rather lonely when I was young."
"Your turn," Eponine said.
"Who are they," Enjolras repeated his earlier question.
"My father, as you know, is the infamous Thenardier," Eponine said, "He has a group of followers, his inner circle. It was them." Eponine swallowed before taking her turn, "What about your parents?"
"My parents are very proud," Enjolras said, "Too proud to acknowledge a son who speaks of revolution. The only thing I get from them is a monthly allowance, my mother forbade my father from completely disowning me."
"Is you mother pretty?" Eponine asked, turning to her side to face him, forgoing the game completely.
"Beautiful," Enjolras said, differing his gaze from her cleavage. Eponine seemed not to notice.
"Who do you trust most in the world?" Eponine asked.
"My brothers," Enjolras said, referring to his comrades.
"Have you ever been in love?"
"I love Patria," Enjolras said.
"That doesn't count," Eponine said.
"Then no," Enjolras said, "My turn, why do you love Marius when you know he will never feel the same way?"
"I don't know," Eponine admitted, "I was so young when I met him, he was the first person to show me any kindness in the longest time. He was smart, sincere, handsome- I just fell in love with him."
"Then why did you help him and Cosette?" Enjolras asked.
"I almost didn't," Eponine said, "But I love Marius, and I value his happiness over my own. If being with Cosette was to make him happy, then I would do everything in my power to help him. Look where that's got me, I haven't a thing, while she has him."
"That was a very brave thing for you to do," Enjolras said, "You're the most selfless person I know."
"I'm not brave," Eponine scoffed, "If I were brave, I would have told him how I felt, before it was too late."
"No," Enjolras said, "I think you are the bravest person I have ever met."
"And I think you are foolish," Eponine said.
"Why?" Enjolras said, "Because I see you in a positive light?"
"That," Eponine said, "And because you create all these idealistic ideas that, in reality, are impossible to achieve." Enjolras sighed heavily,
"Are we really going to have this conversation again," Enjolras said.
"You're the one that brought it up," Eponine said, rolling back to face the ceiling. Enjolras debated pointing out that it was in fact she who mentioned it first, but decided it would do more harm than good. Enjolras rolled to face away from Eponine, pulling up the sheets.
"Goodnight," He said.
"Goodnight," She answered.
XXXXXXXX
"Papa?" Eponine asked in a small voice, "Where are we going?"
"Shut up," Thenardier growled at her, "An' keep followin"
"I'm cold," Eponine said, "I want to go back home."
"Please," Eponine said, rubbing her hands together, "It's far too cold for September, let us go back home!"
"I said Shuttup!" Thenardier said, grabbing her arm roughly. He pushed her into the grass, right at the edge of the grove of trees, "Stay 'ere, don' even think abou' comin' back until he's done." Eponine brushed her hair out of her eyes, standing up as her father walked away. Eponine wrapped her arms around her, trying to keep out the chill. It was cold, and very dark. It wasn't long before her father's outline was lost in the shadows. But Eponine wasn't afraid, she had never been scared of the dark, she had always considered it a blanket of protection. She was small, and quiet. Sneaking around in the dark was easy for her. Eponine sat down and brought her knees to her chest, thinking about the boy she had met earlier that day. He was probably only a small bit older that her, but in Eponine's eyes he was a grown man. He was so handsome, with kind blue eyes and a warm smile. Eponine hoped she would get to see Monsieur Marius again.
"I think I'm in love with him," Eponine had said to 'Zelma earlier.
"And I think your stupid," Azelma had answered. 'Zelma was eleven, she didn't understand, she was just a baby. A twig snapping brought Eponine back to reality. She spun around quickly, peering into the trees.
"Hello?" She called, "Is anyone there?" A familiar air of green eyes appeared, followed by a young boy, about sixteen years old.
"Ello 'Ponine," Montparnasse said, eyeing her up and down. She was young, only about thirteen, but she was pretty, she'd be worth not bein' paid!
"Oh," Eponine said, "It's jus' you." She sounded almost bored, it irritated Montparnasse. Every time she talked to him, her voice should quake with fear, he'd teach her to talk to him with nonchalance! Montparnasse sat down next to her, very close.
"What d'ya wan' 'Parnasse?" Eponine asked, her bright eyes glaring at him with annoyance. That was another thing, her eyes were far too lively, they had a certain shine to them that was always present. Eponine was fiery, and the flame resided in her dark orbs.
It was his job to put it out.
"Can't I jus' talk to ya 'Ponine?" Montparnasse asked snidely, placing his hand on her thigh.
"I'm goin' home," Eponine said, "I think Papa brought me here to meet a business parter of his, but they obviously aren't comin." Eponine went to stand up, but 'Parnasse grabbed her arm roughly, yanking her back towards him,
"You aren't going anywhere."
Eponine took note of the crazed look in his green eyes, and, for the first time, she was afraid.
Eponine managed to pull her arm away, standing and running as fast as she could go.
"Damnit, she's fast," Montparnasse thought. Not fast enough though, he caught her soon enough. 'Parnasse laughed as she struggled against his tight hold on her forearms. No doubt they would leave stark bruises on her smooth skin.
"Why fight 'Ponine?" Montparnasse purred in her ear, Eponine's eyes widened in fear, tears falling down her face, "You know you can't win." Eponine struggled harder at his voice; it scared her so much she feared she'd be ill. Eponine whimpered as he pinned her underneath him, and began to scream as his hand traveled up her flimsy chemise, touching her slowly, deliberately, and painfully.
"Tell me 'Ponine," Montparnasse purred as he unbuttoned his trousers and pulled her skirt down her legs, "Are you afraid?"
"Yes," Eponine sobbed, "Please stop, don't hurt me, please." Montparnasse laughed manically, thrusting his hips into hers roughly.
Then she screamed.
Eponine shot up in bed, screaming and flailing her arms to do something, anything to get the pain to stop.
"Eponine!" Enjolras said, "Eponine!"
Eponine stopped screaming, she turned to look at him. Her face was white as the sheet around her, and a layer of perspiration covered her body. Enjolras' stomach churned uncomfortably at her eyes, they were wide as saucers, but so dull, any and all life was gone from those tragically beautiful dark orbs.
"You were having a nightmare," Enjolras said. Unsure of how to comfort her, he awkwardly patted her arm.
Yes, pat her arm, that will fix the situation, Enjolras mentally kicked himself. Eponine wasn't even looking at his though, she was looking straight ahead, though it was clear her mind was far off.
"Maman!" They heard from the other bedroom. Eponine cursed under her breath, seizing her robe and walking down the hall to her sibling's room. After a moment's hesitation Enjolras followed her, still hopelessly unsure of how he could help.
"Nicolas, what's wrong?" Eponine asked as she entered the bedroom. All four of them were awake. Hell, half of Paris was probably awake, she had been screaming so loud.
"What was that?" Pierre asked from the bed he shared with Gavroche, "Is everything alright?"
"Yes," Eponine said, "Everything is fine, I'm sorry to wake you. Go back to sleep."
"Are you sure you're alright?" Azelma asked quietly enough that the boys wouldn't hear.
"Yes," Eponine said again, "I'm fine." Once again Eponine tucked them in, and said her goodnights, and once again she ran into Enjolras again on her way back to bed.
"Eponine," Enjolras started.
"No," Eponine interrupted, "Don't speak of it."
"I was only going to say that I'm not going to let you sleep on the couch," Enjolras said, gesturing for her to enter the room. He didn't have to ask about her nightmare, he already knew what she was dreaming of. He did have one final question though.
"How old were you?" Enjolras asked as they returned to bed. Eponine didn't answer for a moment.
"Thirteen," Eponine said. Enjolras didn't answer, he didn't have to.
I have a long a/n this time.
I hate myself, I really, really, really do. You have absolutely no idea how terrible I feel about doing this, but I've put a TON of thought into it, and I've decided it's what will make the most sense down the road. I'm, wait for it, changing my muse... I KNOW! I hate it too, please don't chastise me. I'm not changing Sammy (are you kidding, who would do that?) But I'm changing Enjolras from Ramin to Aaron. Here's why. I plan to do something later with this fic that I don't want to reveal, but it will be better if Enjolras is based off Aaron, I promise it will all make sense eventually. I honestly have nothing against Aaron, I think he did a great job, but Ramin will just always be the perfect Enjy for me, which is why this upsets me so much. Plus I HATE changing muses, it's so annoying, but in the long run, it will help the story. I've gone back and put a note at the bottom of chapter one saying that Enjy is actually going to be Aaron, but I'm keeping Ramin's there as well because I want to keep my original intent for this story intact. I knew this would be an issue from the start, and I wish I had started with Aaron so I wouldn't have to change, but I hadn't seen the movie when this started sooo... It's upsetting, but it's something I have to do. Ok I'm done talking about this for now, if you have any specific questions, leave it in a review or PM me, but I won't be changing this decision, so don't ask me to.
Sorry this chapters kinda short!
Pop me a review, and until next time!