"I'll be right back Combeferre, I'm just gonna step outside for a few." Jehan slid open the door and slipped out into the cool autumn air. He desperately needed to escape the party. Courfeyrac's parties were always fun, but sometimes they just became too crowded. The boy invited practically everyone he came upon in the streets. Always the socialite, Jehan thought of his best friend. As much as he loved social interaction, Jehan needed a quiet moment.
He was still a bit shaken from earlier in the evening, when he had opened the door for Courfeyrac, who was busy bringing in the booze with Grantaire. He unlocked it and looked out. A tall man wearing a leather jacket stood there glancing at his watch impatiently. He didn't look up when the door swung open. "I need to talk to Eponine Thenardier and I've heard she's here…oh," He blinked a few times, now staring at Jehan. "You're the guy from the train station," Jehan raised an eyebrow, wondering if he was going to say anything else. He didn't, instead just edging his way into the room around Jehan.
It was bizarre, seeing his dark muse somewhere other than the station. Perplexing enough to cause the sudden need for air. Outside, he reached into his pocket to pull out a joint that he'd picked up earlier in the day. Although he wasn't one to smoke often, Jehan had no problem with a little bit of enhanced creativity once in a while. He lit up and let the smoke fill his up his lungs before breathing out again. His mind began to clear and his thoughts returned to the man, Montparnasse, his friends had called him. What was he doing looking for Eponine?
Curiosity got the better of him and he peeked back into the room. Montparnasse had edged Eponine into a corner, and seemed to want something from her. She kept shaking her head, and Grantaire approached behind the two. They seemed to argue, before Montparnasse put up his hands and turned back towards Eponine. Jehan's mind began to wander again, as he turned away from the drama unfolding.
He took another drag, letting the sweet smoke surround him. Some people found the smell disgusting, but it reminded Jehan of summer and of love and of romance. His reverie was interrupted just then by the door sliding opened. Montparnasse was on the phone and didn't see him leaning against the railing on the far end of the patio. The disruption caused Jehan to forget to breathe in a second time. The smoke burned down his throat. He coughed abruptly.
Montparnasse glanced over at him and continued talking, " –no, she wouldn't come with me. I don't know, she said she was with some guy. No, I'm done for the night," he paused looking over again, and this time their eyes locked for a second, "Look Thenardier, I gotta go. You still owe me. Pay up, or I'm done," He flipped the old cell phone shut and shoved it in his pocket. "Hey, could I take a hit? I need to calm down a bit before I get home." Jehan handed the joint over and they took turns finishing it.
They were used to the silence between them, but Jehan still felt uncomfortable. He turned to leave, but stepped back and forced himself to talk. "I...I never properly thanked you for helping me…" he stammered, a rose color spreading from his cheeks all the way to his ears.
"It wasn't a big deal. Those guys we're being assholes. My name's Alex by the way. Alex Montparnasse. But I prefer Parnasse."
"Jean Prouvaire, but you can call me Jehan." He leaned back onto the heels of his chunky black boots before standing up straight again. "If you don't mind me asking…what were you doing in there with Eponine?"
Parnasse sighed, "I only came to find her cause her dad wanted something." Jehan looked skeptical, "She looked really upset when you walked in, and so did Grantaire." Parnasse bit his lip, "We used to be together but it got messy and ended really badly. It doesn't matter though cause it's over." The man looked over at him again, his dark eyes daring. Jehan remained quiet, not wanted to press further.
He couldn't be sure, but he had a pretty good feeling that this guy was interested. He wasn't one to label sexuality. If anything, he preached free love as long as all who were involved were happy. This thought is what possessed the normally shy Jehan to press Parnasse against the wall and kiss him hard on the mouth. Without any hesitation, Parnasse kissed him back just as hard. They fell into each other, the high from the weed slowing down their movements and thoughts.
They struggled for power against each other. Although short and rather slender, Jehan was far stronger than he looked. Parnasse had always considered himself the dominant one, but when they had finally made their way to the guest bedroom inside, he was proven very wrong by the deep bite marks that Jehan had left along his collarbone. Jehan was no gentle little flower child under the covers.
In the morning, Jehan awoke to an empty bed. On the table, Parnasse had left a scribbled note with his phone number on it. Call me if you want, it read. Jehan was giddy. After writing about romance for so long, maybe he would get a real taste. Of course, he had loved before, but this seemed a bit forbidden, considering that Parnasse was Eponine's ex. He knew it might be a point of contention, but considering how enamored with Marius she had been the night before, Jehan wasn't too worried.
He climbed out of the bed and found his metallic skinny jeans crumpled in the corner. His hair was in knots, so he sat for a few minutes to untangle it and then tied it back with a green ribbon. Considering he was most likely the only one in the apartment who didn't have a horrible hangover, he had no qualms about going into Courfeyrac's kitchen to start some breakfast. Banana pancakes could never go wrong, especially among this crowd. Before he got up however, he pulled out his journal to write down a few things about the night before. Danger, he wrote. Power. Lust. Want. Violence. Risk. He continued the list down the page. These were all of the things the night before had delivered that he had been sorely lacking.
Yes, he was sensitive and petite and easily distracted by beauty, but he was not fragile. His friends were overprotective, assuming that he would get hurt easily. Maybe what made Parnasse so seductive was the innate feeling of control that he gained by going for someone so very different. Before he lost the nerve, he texted the number, Last night was fun, I'd be up for it again if you want, and hit send.
Jehan was surprised to find Grantaire of all people sitting in the kitchen with a cup of coffee, nursing a hangover. He had bags under his eyes. "Long night?" Jehan asked, knowing the answer already, "It would be so fucking nice if he acknowledged that I exist, you know? Like, if he actually cared about me. That would be great." Grantaire sighed and stirred his coffee, "But I heard you had a good night, which innocent girl was taken into your love chamber this time? You do know that everyone wants to sleep with you, right?" He chuckled.
Jehan blushed a deep scarlet. "I actually…um, well I sort of… slept with Alex Montparnasse…" He said it all in one breath before he could stop himself. Courfeyrac stepped into the doorway, "Eponine's ex? I didn't know he was into dudes." Grantaire shook his head, "That guy is bad news Jehan. Seriously, he works for Eponine's dad, and you know how shitty he is."
Jehan rolled his eyes, "Look, I'm 21 years old, I think I can decide who I want to sleep with ok?" Grantaire look up from his coffee, "All I'm saying is that Eponine's tough and this guy got to her. So be fucking careful." Courfeyrac walked past the two, reaching for a mug, "How do you even know this guy? Or was he just at the party last night and you hooked up. I don't think I even saw him." The edge of a smile played on Jehan's lips, "Remember the guy who protected me in the train station? Yeah it's the same guy." Courfeyrac looked surprised.
Just then Jehan's phone vibrated. If you come to my place, I'll fuck you so hard you won't even remember yesterday. He blushed even deeper than before. "He has your number? Are you honestly serious about this?" Grantaire groaned. Jehan tried channeling his nerve again, Or maybe you won't get a chance because I'll be making you beg, He giggled and tucked the phone away. The two boys looked at him questioningly. "What, I can't have any fun?"
Courfeyrac squinted, "I don't know, just, I've seen you hurt before and he seems rough." "Well I know I can deal with it. He's sweet and tough and beautiful and he likes The Smiths!" Jehan said defensively. "Do you even know two songs by The Smiths?" Grantaire looked at him skeptically. Before he could respond, the phone vibrated again. Is that a challenge? Jehan smirked before responding Only if you want it to be. See you tonight xx.