III
"BEFORE THE BARRICADE"
I unbuttoned the tattered vest, laying it askew on a chair. I ran my hands through my hair, not knowing what to expect next. The barricade would rise the next day, and I could die- or worse, Enjolras could die, and I wouldn't be able to bear the pain.
My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on my door frame. I was surprised to find that it was Enjolras who was standing there, his expression melancholy.
"Grantaire." He said, a sorrowful edge to his voice. I was puzzled, considering Enjolras was usually very upbeat and determined. I turned toward him, and he strode across the room to me. He furrowed his eyebrows, staring at the floor until he slowly looked up, his eyes meeting mine.
"Enjolras, I-" My sentence was cut off by his lips pressing against my own.
I was astonished at this - for I thought he had forgotten about the time we spent together; but I gave in. I melted into him, my fingers running through his hair and his arms around my waist. He pulled me closer to him, and my heart hammered in my chest. Yes, this is what I had wanted for so, so long. He was right here, and that is all I had waited for on so many sleepless nights filled with drunken thoughts and tear stains on pillows.
We broke apart after what seemed like hours, him embracing me, his lips brushing against my neck as he stammered.
"Grantaire.. I'm sorry, I just couldn't stand it any longer, and we might die tomorrow, and I-I needed you."
"I thought you had forgotten." I chuckled.
"I didn't, believe me. I focused on the revolution to keep myself from hurting you, but you came along with me." He sighed, his fingers trailing along my spine. I was relieved that he still loved me; just knowing that he cared was all I needed to put me at ease.
"I came with you because I loved you." I whispered, and I could feel him smiling against my skin.
"I-I do have a question, though," He pulled away from my neck, studying my face with his beautiful cerulean eyes. "When Marius was going on about the girl he met… why did you encourage him? I thought it was just to be contrary to me, but…" He trailed off, as if he couldn't find the right words to finish his thought.
"Well, Apollo, you're not wrong. I encouraged him because I felt that you needed a reminder of what love really was. Although, I see now that you've known all along." I murmured, my fingers playing with a loose lock of his hair.
"He's right, you know."
"What?"
"'To be struck to the bone in a moment of breathless delight,'" Enjolras quoted Marius. "He was right. I feel that way every time I look at you." He breathed, his eyes wide with hope that I felt the same.
That was the last straw. He couldn't do this to me anymore. Instead of yelling at him for being so frustratingly perfect (as he always was), I did the second best possible thing: I kissed him. He was surprised at being on the receiving end of the gesture; but he gladly gave in. We collapsed, exhausted, on my bed, his head on my chest just like the times when we were young.