"Oh Sylvia?
Yes Mickey?
How do you call your lover boy?
'Come 'ere, lover boy!'
And if he doesn't answer?
'Oh, lover boy!'
And if he still doesn't answer?
I simply say,
'baby, oh baby, my sweet baby.
You're the one."'
-Micky & Sylvia - Love is Strange
The practice room was empty. except for the two dancers that occupied it.
"Where is that frame you were scolding me about, hmm?" Enjolras smirked as he taunted his dance teacher. She laughed and shrugged, continuing her physical assault on his torso, letting herself feel every nook and cranny that she so eagerly desired to rediscover.
Enjolras gently pulled her off of him and continued to try resisting her prowess on him. It was like a fun game where neither of them really lost.
Once again, he straightened his spine and raised his arms, holding her's in the way that she practically drilled into his brain just a few days prior. And once again, her arms refused to stay in position and they trailed up his arms with a sultry smirk on her face.
Eponine practically fell to his feet, her hands dragging from his torso to his hips down to his thighs.
Enjolras practically groaned and pulled her up to his level. Resistance was futile. She would be his undoing.
He lifted her up, her toes left the ground and he brought her lips to his. Just as they were making contact the door to the studio burst open. They practically threw themselves from one another. As if a sudden burst of disease spouted from the other.
"Ah! Enjolras! There you are, my dear." The owner's daughter, who went by the name Burgon, purged into the rehearsal space without a second thought. She clearly didn't see the physical closeness of the pair right as she came in.
"I see you've got Eponine teaching you?"
Enjolras nodded and did the first thing that came to mind, stretching to touch his toes.
"She's a wonderful teacher." He said through the strain of his stretch.
Eponine had turned off the turntable in order to converse with Burgon. She smiled slightly at Enjolras' comment and turned to the dance instructor.
"Eponine, I was meaning to talk to you about the dance for the show at the end of the resort season."
Eponine practically lit up at the mention of it. "Ah! Yes, I've been meaning to tell you about this new routine that me and some of the staff kids thought up." Giddiness started radiating from Eponine as she demonstrated a very low key dance routine that was clearly practiced beforehand. She explained "It's like a modern fusion with jazz that has a bit of the twist taken into it-"
Burgon cut her off early. "Yes, I'm sure that's wonderful, but you know how things are here." Eponine's face fell and she straightened up at the other woman's words.
"We were hoping to change things up a bit. You and Grantaire have always done the classic mambo, correct?"
Eponine nodded "Yes, we've always done it in that style."
"What if we changed it to, now get this, the Pachanga?"
Eponine's shoulders slumped. "But ma'am, the staff and I have been working really hard on this new piece."
Burgon's eyes darkened, but her light smile remained, giving off a stern tone.
"Listen, Thenrandier. If you'd like to be replaced, please just say so."
Enjolras tried to busy himself with the lint in his pocket.
The threat of a termination shut Eponine right up. She nodded and quietly said "Alright, the Pachanga it is." Burgon nodded and left, but not before looking over her shoulder at Enjolras and saying, "Make sure you're getting your money's worth with her."
The last comment made Enjolras cringe. Of course the employers would treat their staff with such disrespect. It made him want to vomit.
Enjolras was quiet. And so was Eponine.
She turned and slowly walked back to the turntable. Enjolras didn't even flinch when Eponine violently shut the turntable lid.
"That's enough for today." She said.
They took a shortcut together back to the staff living quarters, heavy in discussion.
"Why did you let her talk to you like that?" Enjolras asked as they briskly walked. "What do you mean?" Eponine was confused by his apparent rebellious attitude.
"You're stubborn as hell. How did she just get away with that?"
"Because she's my boss, Enjolras. She literally just threatened to fire me." Enjolras was about to speak, but she cut him off. "Look, I know these people. They're rich and they're ruthless. They would never listen to me."
Enjolras lightly grabbed a hold of her shoulder, turning her to him. "Why not fight harder? Make them listen to you!"
Eponine flicked his hand away. "Because I need this goddamn job lined up for next summer. You know what I would have to go back to if I can't work here?"
Enjolras tired to calm down and sighed. "What?"
"My aunt's sleazy beauty salon out in North Dakota. Barely minimum wage under the table. And I've gotten in way too much trouble there to go back into that."
Enjolras spotted a movement in the corner of his eye. He grabbed hold of Eponine's thin arm and pulled her to the dirt floor, hiding behind the green wild bushes.
He peeked through them without effort.
He spotted his grandfather meeting up with Marius and Cosette. They greeted each other warmly, embracing each other and exchanging pleasantries.
They walked off and out of earshot, leaving Enjolras and Eponine alone once again.
"I don't think they saw us." Enjolras stated as he got back to his feet.
Eponine was more hesitant. "Fight harder huh?" She said bitterly. The resentment clear in her tone, though Enjolras had no idea what she might be upset about.
"I don't see you proclaiming to your family that you're sleeping with the entertainment staff." She searched his eyes and her arms folding over her chest defensively.
He knew she had a point, but he had no excuse. "I will, it's complicated with them-"
She scoffed, cutting him off. "Bullshit. I don't think you ever planned on telling them. Ever" And with that she practically stormed off.
Successfully leaving Enjolras by himself, feeling like a piece of shit.
Enjolras knocked on Grantaire's door softly. The door opened in mere seconds to reveal a very pale and sickly looking Grantaire. His torso was wrapped in a blanket and his hair messy and tangled from resting in bed all day. Recovery was a slow process and Grantaire was dreading every moment of it.
Grantaire held the door open with a grim expression, not inviting Enjolras in, but not turning him away either.
"Hey." Grantaire said.
Enjolras took a moment to catch his breath. "Is Eponine here?"
Grantaire sighed and opened the door wider, revealing Eponine seated in one of Grantaire's chairs. Her hair was pulled up into a messy bun and a scowl formed on her brow.
Enjolras felt like a fool.
"Ep, can I speak to you for a moment?"
Grantaire turned to Eponine, waiting for her response.
She hesitated for a moment, but nodded. Her expression slowly relaxed out of the scowl and she stood up, giving Grantaire a glance as she stepped out.
Grantaire closed the door, giving them privacy.
Eponine stood at the side of the wooden porch, leaning against the frame. She didn't speak.
Enjolras took a breath and spoke first. "Eponine, I'm so sorry."
She was silent. Her arms were crossed.
He should have known it would take more than that. He tried again, "Please, just look at me."
She turned her head slightly, catching him from the corner of her eye. Eponine seemed to relax somewhat. He took this as a sign of allowance for contact.
Enjolras encircled himself around her small frame and braced himself for her quick temper, half excepting her to shove him to the side.
Instead she relaxed against him. Exposing her neck to the side, silently asking for his lips to grant to her his sweet kisses.
The silent request was granted in a matter of seconds.
"You wanna hear something crazy?" Eponine's soft voice broke the content silence that they sometimes shared after a tiring session of intimacy. They were sprawled across her bed, tangled in the white sheets. It was early morning and the sun lightly danced upon Eponine's soft shoulders and chestnut hair. Enjolras answered with a peacefully tired "hmm?"
Eponine rolled over to her side and propped her head with her elbow, observing Enjolras' profile as she spoke.
"I had a dream that you and I were with your grandfather. And he saw me and put his arms around me and welcomed me. Just like he did with Cosette. He acted like I was already one of his own…" Eponine flushed slightly as she recounted her dream.
The blond craned his neck to face her and gave her a look. "I don't think that's crazy."
"You don't?" She asked.
"Not at all." Enjolras said casually. He didn't know first hand the emotions that Eponine was feeling. He grew up in a somewhat loving home and never once felt the pressure of needing to conform himself in order to be wanted and cared for, but he understood her desire for acceptance and love. Simply because, she didn't have that in her upbringing.
It was then, at that moment, that Enjolras decided that he needed to be with this girl for as long as he could. Granted, he didn't know how long that could be for. But he knew that she needed to know that there were people out there who were capable of affection without expecting anything in return on her part.
With a new resolve and determination, Enjolras slowly brought her lips to his, hoping to silence her self doubts and fears.
Their bliss was short lived, to say the least. One of the other staff members brought it to the boss's attention that Eponine had stolen from one of the guests. The theft supposedly took place at a late night game of poker. Mr. Fauchelevent took out betting money from his wallet at midnight. Three hours later he reached into his coat pocket, only to find it gone.
They questioned Eponine about her whereabouts that night. She answered that she had been asleep in her room. It was a lie, but only because she didn't dare risk exposing her relations with Enjolras.
And of course the boss didn't believe her. No one gave Eponine or any of the dance staff the benefit of the doubt.
Enjolras had just heard of the incident that morning during breakfast with his family.
"Sir, please. I know Eponine didn't do this."
The owner frowned at Enjolras and waved him off. "Trust me, Enjolras, this girl has stolen more hearts and wallets than you could ever imagine. Don't let her innocent smile trick you." He turned and referred to a young man standing a few feet away from them.
"Come on, son, You'll see first hand how to properly relieve a entertainer of her duties."
Enjolras panicked. "Sir, listen to me. please."
The owner began to make his departure, which cued Enjolras to stand. "I was with Eponine all night. There was no way she stole from anyone."
Everyone at the table fell silent. Marius and Cosette glanced at each other, communicating without words. Enjolras could feel eyes on him from everyone, but he stood his ground, staring straight at the owner.
The older man sighed, clasped a hand on Enjolras' shoulder and said. "Thanks for telling me, son."
He proceeded out with another word.
Enjolras slowly drew out a breath of relief.
They fired Eponine anyway.
Enjolras had grown furious. He marched right into the owner's office, demanding for him to make an exception.
The damage was done. The manager had called security to escort Enjolras out of the office. They weren't needed. Enjolras stormed out.
They stood together outside of the main lodge. She was dressed in her usual black. Only two duffel bags were necessary to hold her belongings. He stood there, awkwardly. He wanted to say something, anything, that would have her stay.
He wished that his power and connections were enough to make her stay, but he had to face reality and accept that there was literally nothing he could do.
"Looks like you'll have more time to enjoy the actual resort." Eponine leaned against her car after shoving her bags into the back seat. Enjolras stood there with a sullen expression on his face. His arms crossed over his chest in his familiar stubborn stance. She looked up at him and slowly unfolded his arms. Enjolras' guilt was written all over his face.
He tried to bring justice to Eponine and all it did was get her fired. He failed in helping someone and it was eating at his soul in every way imaginable.
"Enj." She looked into his eyes with a small smirk. His mouth was pressed into a hard line. So many thoughts were flooding his brain. He had so many things to say, yet nothing seemed appropriate or even close to what he truly wanted to express.
He had only known this girl for a week. He could hardly stand her when they first came to the agreement of rehearsing in Grantaire' place. He had learned so much about Eponine's life and her background that was so different from his privileged self.
And he had to go ruin it all. He knew it was wrong. But he only cared about her. She deserved so much better than what life was handing her. Enjolras wished that he could just take her away and leave for a more promising life.
But what could he do? He was in debt to his grandfather for his school tuition and could never give Eponine what she truly deserved.
"I'll never regret it." He settled with saying. He didn't smile or soften his hard expression, but Eponine did. It almost reached her eyes.
"Me too."
She grasped his prominent chin quickly and pressed a chaste kiss to his lips before parting with him. For good.
"See ya 'round, kid." She said as she forced herself into her car. Enjolras stepped back and heaved a sigh as the car started and sped off, leaving a dusty trail in it's wake.
Enjolras watched the only thing that was ever exciting in his life, pack up and leave like there was no attachments.
Because, to her, there wasn't any.
Enjolras was useless for the remainder of the vacation. Marius and Cosette tried to help him get in a better mood with the resort's activities that he seemed to enjoy, but nothing seemed to help Enjolras.
It was finally the End of The Season dinner Where all the guests were invited to a final dinner held in the main banquet hall.
It was dull and boring. Enjolras spoke politely to those who greeted him, but there was no depth to his conversations with them. His mind was completely somewhere else.
They were seated in a corner of the room. With the end of dinner came the start of the End of the Season Talent Show.
Enjolras' thoughts were brought back to Eponine, for the millionth time that evening. She was scheduled to perform, but due to her termination, management got a replacement.
The topic of university and classes, by Marius' work, brought Enjolras into a somewhat slightly better mood, but the guilt and heartache was still lingering.
Cosette was the only one paying attention to the talent acts being showcased on stage. Everyone was at the table was deeply immersed in conversation, which somehow turned to politics. Even Enjolras was very much enthralled in the details of the state congress and senate.
He felt a light tap on his shoulder, bringing his attention out of the political discussion.
He turned in his seat and his breath caught in his throat.
Eponine was standing in front of his seat, wearing a dark red, knee-length, sun dress.
His heart somersaulted at her image. Enjolras had thought that they would never have the chance to meet again. Simple joy overcame him.
The table was silenced at Eponine's presence.
"What are you doing here?" Enjolras asked as he quickly stood up from his seat. She was quiet and hesitant.
"I couldn't leave everything like that."
Eponine grasped his hand, lacing her fingers through his.
"Come on" she muttered, pulling him with her as she walked.
They headed towards the stage.
Enjolras squeezed Eponine's hand tenderly. He wasn't certain what her plan was, but he was willing to trust her. He knew that whatever she asked of him, he would do it without question.
The current performers slowly died out their singing in confusion as Eponine and Enjolras came onto the stage. As the main hall became quiet, a hush of whispers came over the guests.
She walked to the microphone stand. Her posture straight and perfect. The performers awkwardly left the stage, unaware of what was happening with the show lineup.
"I always do the last dance of the season. Someone tried to change that this year." Eponine was bold and proud as she spoke into the microphone.
Enjolras looked around as the staff scurried in chaos, knowing that this wasn't on the agenda.
"But I'd like to introduce my partner." She held up their entwined hands for everyone to see. "His name is Enjorlas. He taught me to stand up for what I believe in. And inspires me to be a better person and help change the world."
And in a flash, Eponine left the stage for a brief moment, putting a vinyl on the turntable. Enjorlas stood onstage rather awkwardly. What was Eponine trying to do?
As a new record started up over the P.A. system he laughed when he recognized the familiar tune. It was a song that they used for warming up. Memories spilled into his mind and he scratched the back of his neck as he tried to hide his flushing face.
Eponine slowly walked back on stage and held her arm out for Enjolras. Turning into him for the familiar opening of the mambo that they spent so many days practicing.
The movements came over them with muscle memory. They hadn't rehearsed in days, but it didn't matter. They were together and their bodies knew what to do. Enjolras grasped Eponine's tiny waist and lifted her in an on the spot lift, knowing that she would land soundlessly without a hitch. They came together and it was only them. No one was there except for themselves and the music.
The entertainment staff seemed to erupt out of nowhere. They cleared the chairs and began to dance with the resort guests. There were certain amounts of elderly guests that didn't approve of the sudden change in entertainment, but there were surprisingly a fair amount that rejoiced in it. The dance staff members, the guests and management all came together, seeming to forget about previous prejudices they had towards one another.
The entertainment staff barged out a condensed version of their scandalous movements that Enjolras first witnessed during his first few days at the resort, but hardly anyone seemed to notice.
The couple had somehow found themselves in the thick of it on the middle of the dance floor. They embraced each other sweetly, swaying softly to the gently fast paced beat.
Eponine looked up at Enjolras, a sweet glimmer shined in her dark eyes.
"I wish it could stay like this."
"Me, too." He said.
There was no promise to what the future held for the two. Whether they would stay in contact or not after the resort vacation was over. Enjolras would go back to the university, maybe Eponine would travel the states, looking for work doing what she loved.
But the only thing that was certain was that they both had the time of their lives during the series of events at the resort. And they only owed it to each other.
"Because I had the time of my life
And I never felt this way before
This is true
and I owe it all to you."
A/N It's over! Thank you for reading! It's my first ever finished fanfic and I am so happy to share it with everyone who might enjoy it!
I don't own Dirty Dancing OR the characters of Les Mis.
Please leave a review if you fancy to~! I'd love to hear as much feed back as possible. Thank you for reading!