A Star within the Barricade
Javert awoke alone. At first, he was rather worried to feel the bed was empty and that, on further inspection, as was the house. But a note on the bed quickly eased his worries.
"I've taken Gavroche with me to the Café, back to work and all - Hope you don't miss me too much in my absence.
M."
He felt rather lonesome. For once the house was empty since she had came to stay. It was a strange feeling, to be alone after becoming accustomed to company for so long, once again in solitude and truly missing her voice. It was different than him working; for he was occupied and had things to think of, knowing she'd be there. That wasn't guaranteed anymore...He looked down at the bed where she once lay. He missed her presence profoundly to the pint where he thought the idea of her somewhere else, around those men who treated her like something to stare at simply irritated him. Javert thought it best to direct his attention to getting ready for his usual duties. So he did..
Marianne meanwhile had a rather difficult time in settling back with usual routine. Of course, it was to be expected. Gavroche was at her hip as they walked back, even though she was with familiar people and in a place she thought of as her home. Yet as she walked, those around her simply glared or mumbled. She wasn't too sure what the real fuss was about until she entered the Café.
Maurice stood from his stool near the bar and scowled at Marianne, making her feel rather guilty. It was an instant reaction to this type of behavior from Maurice; when he did that particular scowl it meant she had did something wrong to deserve it. She felt guilty already without even knowing what she had done. "Maurice, what's the matter?" Marianne trailed behind him until he sat himself down in the corner of the café, the furthest point from the few regulars in the building. She just noticed their eyes were all upon her.
"Maurice what is wrong?" Marianne sat down on the chair opposite his. He remained scowling and rigid as he sat beside her. He stared at her clothes and bonnet with a scoff. "I'm sure you know exactly what the matter is." He gestured to her to lean forward, scowling profusely as he did so. "You're reputation is in shatters Marianne, you've always been an honest girl and everyone knew it, now look at you!" He was always one for dramatics, gesturing to her outfit with a rejecting scoff. "You, dressed up like a fine woman and yet it's been said you're paying for it all in another way." He looked almost horrified at her as he continued.
"With Inspector Javert no less, the very man who most around here would be happy to see dead and here you are; his...His.." He gestured madly, unsure how to put it until she placed her hand over his mouth with a gasp. "Maurice how dare you ever suspect such a thing, you think of me so lowly to do such a thing? For..For CLOTHES!" Marianne stood up, her back turning rigid as he and all those in the café stared at her. "How dare you, ALL of you." They acted innocent, raising eyebrows and leaning forward to hear more. Acting so obviously fake in their portrayals of innocence. "Thinking of me in such a way, most of you have known me for years - Frances, You remember when I first got my job here yes?" He nodded shyly, his face turning a shade of near fluorescent red. "Yet all of you think I would sink so low?" Marianne picked up the edge of her skirts, walking from the Café in a complete temper. Maurice trailed behind her and stopped her before she could leave properly. "I..I don't want to think of you in that way, after your mother n'all. I can't help but listen to the gossips." He looked remorseful, in fact his face made her feel bad in turn. But it served him right.
"You should never think that of me, ever. I was hurt badly and he took me in, is all. He treated me good, like a gentleman, more than I can say for the rest of 'um I swear. Even you judge me for nothing." Marianne was hurt, her voice cracking with the occasional flood of emotion. Maurice took his arm and placed it over her shoulders, leading her back inside. The women were whispering as usual. But the subject this time was her. Maurice cleared his throat and quickly gathered the attention of the men and women of the bar, who appeared "busy". They turned with expecting glances. "I don't know what you've all heard about this Mademoiselle, But I assure you Marianne is a good woman and I won't tolerate anymore gossiping you hear me? She's an honest woman and she's remained so." One man went to make a comment, but Maurice cut him down before he could even breath the first letter of the words; "Don't even try or I will throw you to the cobbles. Got it?" And with those words - Everyone shut up. For now.
Meanwhile; Javert patrolled the streets, every hour replaying the same scenes of idiotic beggars and overly complaining rich folk. Dealing with them day in day out seemed to be a curse, but it was his duty and his blessing also. But, what was the most irritating fact of this day, was the other officers beside him, men who he rarely conversed with suddenly becoming pals and nudging him with their shoulders. Some a few years younger than he.
"My, My, the silent Javert caught himself a pretty little thing eh'?" The most rowdy the officers nudged him with a loud laugh. Javert meanwhile ignored it, not even casting a glance his way. But the boy continued. "I mean, I didn't think you had it in you, bit young though if you don't mind me saying.." Another of the officers joined the man in his conversation, the man was a little shorter but considerably older. Perhaps even the same age as himself. "Don't tease the man, Elliot. The girl isn't that young, not bad lookin' though..Not the best of course, but not terrible eh?" He smirked and walked along with them. The idle chit-chat simply irritating Javert, but perhaps what was the most unsettling was the subject. He tensed his jaw and continued. Trying to push back his anger.
Elliot meanwhile continued; "Seen her before in that little Café, sure scrubs up well. Heard that the girls on the streets know some pretty dirty stuff, you old dog." He burst out laughing and nudged Javert again; "Say they're always on their knee's. Who would've thought the Inspector here would have such things behind closed doors!" Elliot laughed once again, nudging the older Armund at his side and causing a small exchanged laugh which he was not a part of. "Why so grumpy eh? not like we're asking for a slice of the little bitch, although when you mention it I-.." Javert turned, his eyes so dark and cold they silenced Elliot mid sentence.
"Don't ever speak of the Mademoiselle in that disgusting, degrading manner ever again. She is a lady, not a bitch, an honest lady who I would never treat like some common whore. She is a kind, god fearing woman who deserves better than your foul language. If you ever speak of her, or any lady in that manner again I can guarantee that your place will be revoked and you will be with those "Bitches" on the street - Never address me in that manner again and never speak of such things in my hearing. Armund, let this be a warning to you also." Javert clenched his fists, the urge to strike the boy becoming overwhelming. But the boy simply stared up at him, a shade paler. He was unaware what had become of him.
He had never addressed one of his own officers in such a manner; yet, the way they spoke of Marianne was disgusting. Like she was nothing more than a dog, or a worthless thing to use and throw around. He turned quickly on his heel and left down a near by street. He needed to clear his head before he went back and beat the crap out of Elliot and maybe even Armund.
Marianne didn't fare better.
The Le Amis flooded in shortly after Noon, meaning she was up and down with bottles and glasses - Mostly for Grantaire. At first there was no bother. With General Lamarque's health continuing to decline, the men were on with talks of the revolution. That their time would be coming. All of this meant Marianne was able to relax for a small while, even being able to buy some treats for little Gavroche, who she knew would be with the men. But, unfortunately - by the time she got back Grantaire was rather drunk, as where some of the other men. The only exceptions being Marius and the ever dedicated Enjolras.
But it was not enough for things to turn out of hand; Grantaire called her up, the sound of the alcohol on his voice made her unsure if she should reply, but it was her job. So up she went, into a room of rowdy men. "Ah here she is, the ever pretty Marianne!" Grantaire smirked up at her, speaking with the bottle just inches from his lips. He was being "charming", Marianne scoffed and began to clear up some of the empty glasses. "Ever the charmer Grantaire, perhaps you should speak without the wine?" Grantaire's loud laugh was enough to bring the attention of Marius and Enjolras to the pair. He walked over cackling. "So many claws for such a soft little kitty." He cooed and Marianne decided not to comment. But as ever, Grantaire was not one to be ignored; or to stop what he thought was 'In Jest.'
As she cleared up some more of the glasses, she felt a sharp hand upon her backside, causing her to jolt and squeal. Bringing the eyes of a disapproving Enjolras to her. "What is happening now?" He turned himself to her; She was dazzled slightly by his naturally endearing presence, but it didn't last long as he seemed so irritated by the disruptions. Grantaire meanwhile laughed and simply held up a bottle. "Ah, Enjolras, ever the stiff - Have a drink and perhaps you can be using it in a more productive way." Grantaire's arm came around me and gave me a rather unfortunate jiggle. Marianne scowled, Enjolras glaring towards Grantaire for a moment. "Put the woman and the bottle down, we have a higher cause. Don't forget our goals here." And with those words he turned. Leaving Marianne awkwardly in Grantaire's company. He led her off with a laugh. "Oh ignore him, we can have some fun if you wish Mademoiselle Marianne" She leaned away from his alcohol drenched breath. But of course, he just persisted. "You're usually more fun than this, maybe it's that old man you were with eh? Perhaps he's changed more than your attitude, terrible Marianne - really." He tutted mockingly.
"Ah, Grantaire - ever the drunken fool. You know me better to say that." Marianne huffed and Grantaire simply laughed. "I miss the Marianne who would gladly share the wine and her rather amusing little songs, but I see that is gone, with other things no doubt." Grantaire sunk into his seat, laughing ever more.
Marianne snatched the bottle and took a generous gulp. She needed something strong to cope with the sneering men. "Ah the old inspector, my Marianne you've got a strange taste in men." They all said their own piece, commenting on a fictional bedding session. Each time it growing more descriptive with their imaginings. To the point where she swore one said that it was the reason no one had seen her for days - "No wonder, bet she couldn't walk after it!" And with that another boisterous round of laughter from the party. Enjolras by this time seemed less irritated, perhaps it was as the hours ticked by the time for planning had ended, and more simple times had began.
The men sung and rejoiced kindly. Luckily for her, Maurice was in a nicer mood and allowed her to actually relax with them for a while. Which was all well know the raunchy comments had dissolved. Enjolras was in good spirits, as he usually was after a productive day (Which often happened during the periods of Grantaire's unconsciousness)
It didn't take long for the usual singing to continue and often break into dancing and joking around. Marianne was rather careless with herself, allowing perhaps a few too many sips from the bottle which Grantaire continued to persistently shove at her. She was so careless she ended up laughing and joking to the point where she kicked off her shoes, lifted her skirt perhaps an inch or so past the "decent" height and began dancing around with some of the other men, mostly being Courfeyrac and Joly. She was perhaps most friendly with Joly, although he was often outlandish with his talk of medicines, he was always in good spirits. "You're putting me to shame Marianne, slow down!" Joly laughed, barley being able to keep up, much to the amusement of Marianne and the rest of the men, who took all their chances in creating witty remarks about his dancing. Comparing poor Joly to a "Limping sewer rat in heat." After which comment, he scowled and took his leave. Making Marianne resort in dancing with Grantaire.
"Don't get to friendly, especially with his wandering hands, wonder he was so quick to dance, look down at his trousers you'll see where he stands!" Bahorel laughed openly whilst Grantaire grumbled, surprisingly irritated at the words. But it didn't take long for them both to end up stumbling over each other to the point where Marianne thought it best to sit down. Grantaire was disappointed as he pulled away from his occasionally claustrophobic embrace and sat down.
The hour passed with more drinking, even on Marianne's behalf, but she couldn't stop laughing over some of the jokes they made of the "King", but perhaps was the most funny and embarrassing was a sudden song that Bahorel began shouting out after one two many glasses of wine;
"Lovely lady swept up off the street, by an inspector you wouldn't guess to be so sweet, Inspector Javert, honorable could be said, few hours later guess what happened in his bed!"
And with that a loud applause and cheers busted out, Marianne meanwhile sat with a face as bright as a tomato.
"Bahorel you cheeky man, How dare you even suggest such a thing!" Marianne was gasping, in fact, she felt completely horrified that they would even think that. "Ohh we're only having a laugh, of course we wouldn't be thinking the sweet Marianne was like that!" He laughed, as did some other men. Grantaire meanwhile sat sulking. Bahorel meanwhile continued laughing and approached Grantaire, placing his arm around the man;
"Lovely lady, sitting at the bar, Grantaire tried to get a poke - well he didn't get far, off she went with inspector Javert, short while later had her legs up in the air!"
And with that another loud group of laughter happened. But of course, it cut off with a loud shout. "STOP with that disgusting language about a Lady, especially when she is present." Marius walked up the stairs, looking rather horrified. "I can't believe you would speak about such a girl in her presence, you're men not animals. Mademoiselle, I can't apologize enough." He approached her with a gentle smile, All the men grew quiet, looking over towards them both with weird expressions.
"It's fine, it's all in jest I'm sure...I best be going anyway, it's getting late you see." Marianne swayed a little as she stood, laughing. "And I'm quite the lightweight it seems." Marius looked even more disgusted at her state, glaring over accusingly at Grantaire. "I'll escort you back, the streets are a dangerous place for a lady such as yourself." He held out his arm and Marianne awkwardly took it, knowing perhaps it would be best for him to take her.
And it was, once they reached the pretty gates of Javert's home, Marius paused for a moment. "Oh..I don't even know your name. Won't you say?" He smiled gently at her, but he seemed perhaps a few years younger than Marianne, making her feel a little strange as she was the receiver of such odd glances. "Marianne, Monsieur." Marianne performed a rather sloppy little bow and Marius smiled either way, although she felt a bit dizzy and found the introduction an awkward waste of time. "I'm Marius Pontmercy." He bowed in a more polished manner. His whole attitude suggested an affluent upbringing. "Lovely to make your acquaintance but I must go. I'm rather dizzy I'm afraid." She stumbled into the gate and Marius looked on with slight nervousness, but left once she reached the door, which would've been best - If Javert hadn't already seen Marius through the window when alerted by her squeals during her drunken stumbles.
Javert opened the door and assisted Marianne through into the house. Sitting her beside the fire with a scowl fixed upon his face. She had came back drunk; with a school boy to add insult to injury. "How are you in this state!" He began untying her bonnet and settling her down. Marianne meanwhile just giggled and fell back. "Grantaire gave me wine!"
"I can see that." He grimaced at the state of her, as much as he hated the boy for being with her, for looking at her that way. He brought her home safely and it was a relief for him. He reluctantly left her to run a bath. He wasn't sure how to sober her up, but in his experiences with drunks - being in water usually did the trick. Once he ran the bath he began to undo some of the lacing to make it easier to remove, which caused Marianne to blush and giggle. "Inspector Javert, removing my dress. How improper!" He looked up from the task in hand with a disapproving expression, which just made her laugh more. He told her to get to her feet, but she seemed to ignore him. But as he leaned down she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. He used this too his advantage and picked her up, killing two birds with one stone as it also silenced her for a while.
He took her into the room with the tub and removed the outer dress, leaving simply the basic undergarment. Marianne was meanwhile laughing like a child. "You're on the way to making the rumors true Javert!" And with that he made the quick movement of snatching away the garment without glancing towards and dropping Marianne straight into the water without warning. She gasped, but it didn't seem to sober her up immediately; just cause shock. "I'm cold!" She complained and whined but Javert simply ignored her in the drunken state and began to roll up his sleeves, clearing away the garments he removed with a tut. "Oh you're so grumpy, considering there's a naked lady in the room you should be happy!" Marianne giggled away to herself and he simply felt even more awkward about the whole situation.
He viewed it as looking after her, trying to get her sober. But in her drunken state she was turning it all into a rather inappropriate situation.
He began to clean her hair, which he found almost therapeutic running his fingers through her long brown strands. He was almost smug to know that the school boy would never be able to do this, to have a simple pleasure of looking after Marianne, to have her trust so completely...But he'd have more chance at her heart. Her love. All the things which truly matter.
He cleared his mind, forcing himself to think more of the task in hand, which worked well until Marianne began humming and kicking her legs. Javert had perfect self control, to the point where he dare not look below her shoulders and didn't think about even giving her an inappropriate glance. He was looking after her; not taking advantage or using it to his selfish gain. But as she kicked her legs from the bath, water hit him in the eye. He looked down, only briefly to wipe it away; causing him to see a rather lengthy view of the leg she was kicking. Bare and white in the candlelight, so soft looking and shining from the water. So slender and toned from the deliciously tempting thigh all the way down to a beautifully sculpted slender ankle. Skin which called to be touched.
For a moment, he lost his control and couldn't pull his eye away, staring at her like he had seen in other men, to desire her body and think nothing of the woman she was; to fall into Lucifer's trap of love. He forced his eyes away, cleared his throat and went back to his task. Forcing his eyes away. Forcing his mind onto something more innocent, which was intensely hard when the temptation was right before him. His hands caressing its hair. His breathing became a little more heavy, but Marianne was contented in humming and kicking her legs to notice. "Stop it, you're getting water everywhere." He frowned, hoping if she stopped moving it wouldn't be so difficult. But she burst into more giggles and pulled away, placing her arms on the edge of the tub and placing her head on her arm, staring right at him. "You look a little flushed Javert." She grinned, her lips curving deliciously. His view on her in this moment was distorted, even her smile causing sinful thinking to swarm his brain. He clenched his fist, seeking control. He gained it, but only just. Marianne turned her gaze away, which he found to relieve some of his tension. But, she went back to humming and cackling. "Lovely Lady...Da da da da" She giggled and Javert was confused for a moment, watching her in her state of strange amusement.
She turned towards him, grinning. "Lovely Lady..swept up off the street!" She leaned a little, purposefully scrunching his hair without revealing anything below the shoulders. She laughed and then continued singing, "By an inspector you wouldn't guess to be so sweet!" She continued humming and kicking her legs until Javert lost his patience and ended up taking her from the tub and wrapping her up in a sufficiently long towel. He guessed the tune she was humming to be from the Café, probably a group of rowdy men looking for entertainment, the fact she was in the company of such people irritated him greatly, but he ignored his began drying her hair when she continued mumbling those same who lines. But, she continued from them this time.. "Inspector Javert Honorable could be said..." She giggled again, breaking off as he continued to dry her hair with a second towel.
"Few hours later guess what happened in his beeeeeeed!" She burst into a laughter until Javert dropped the towel with a look of complete horror; "What?!" He stared down at her, looking as she grinned, looking so small as she clutched the towel to her slightly shivering frame. "Guess..what happened in..his..your..." And she cut off, leaning forward to take the already shocked and confused Javert by even further surprise, using her drunken surge of bravery to lean forward and place a small kiss upon his lips, which were set in a firm line of discontent at her previous singing line.
At first he froze, his hands open at his side as she meekly leaned to kiss his lips and making him almost paralyzed in a state of shock. Yet, something inside him switched. Causing him to wrap his arms around her small shivering frame, pulling him towards his chest and making the kiss prolonged. She seemed to relish the contact and one of her hands touched his face, gently taking his cheek in her hand. The contact simply making him more reluctant in his state of bliss to withdraw. He hadn't been so intimate in terms of emotional contact like this with a woman, on the sexual side it was a rare thing for him to want pleasures of the flesh and yet in this chaste but intimate contact he longed for more. His arms wrapped tightly around Marianne's tiny body, so small in comparison to his own she was like a frail porcelain doll, to be treasured and so easy to break. Even by accident.
He picked her up in his arms, keeping her against him and their lips in contact, gently guiding her to the bedroom which she had stayed since she arrived. Their contact remained unbroken, even as they lay upon the bed. Their movements remained chaste, but each touch and kiss set fire to Javert, making him feel incredibly warm and almost burning from her contact. Marianne wasn't too sure what had came over her in those moments, but as she touched his lips for the first time any blurry remains of her drunken state seemed to evaporate from the shock of it all. Leaving her aware and responsive to his gentle caresses. His hand, upon her shoulder and scorching her skin. His fingers were of a rough quality, signs of his hard work from the years, it gently caused her skin to tingle with the contact. Marianne didn't want this to end, she was ashamed to admit such a thing and yet it was true. She didn't know the ways of men properly, but the touch which she was currently experiencing was enough to make her want it to continue. Little butterflies crawling along her stomach like in the stories.
Javert meanwhile remained in the state of unthinking bliss until a gentle gasp from Marianne alerted him of exactly what he was doing; taking an honest woman to his bed, touching her indecently out-of-wedlock. Turning her to sin without even thinking...He was repulsed at himself, that even as he tried to think of all the reasons it was wrong, it still seemed right. As he pulled away Marianne's lips remained parted, so sweet and gentle, inviting him in for more than just a chaste kiss or two. Her eyes closed for a moment until her dark eyelashes parted to reveal wide, dilated blue pools which he found himself absorbed into. Which made guilt pang in his chest, made him feel even more self-hatred. He laid on top of her and began to realize how compromising a situation it was, he had only just noticed she had somehow managed to work away a few of the buttons of his shirt and that her small hands were now center of his chest. That her towel was the only real scrap of material she had covering her modesty - but still showing the curve of her chest, so tempting that he had to yank his eyes away, but only for him to realize one leg was dangerously angled near his hip. They were in such an intimate position. His guilt and shame simply rose.
He looked down at Marianne, who remained wide-eyed and flushed, her wet hair cascading around her as she continued to look at him, her lips still gently parted. He had allowed himself to take advantage of her; He was even still in the mind to commit a grave sin and yet it was only by a thread that stopped him. He stood up abruptly, Marianne leaned up and held a hand to her chest to keep her modesty, but as he walked away, not daring to look back, it was perhaps a bittersweet agony to hear the words that she said; "Javert - Come back!"
He closed the door and leaned upon it. Gasping for an air, a calming breath. But it was of no use, his whole body was on fire and he found himself wanting what he never wanted for all these years, that his mind and body all ached to go back in there and do what any other man would; but his soul knew it was wrong and continued off in the other direction. His body pulsed, familiarly aching as he walked as far away as possible from her room to the kitchen at the far side of the house. Soaking his face in cold water from a small bucket did nothing. He remained there until he thought it safe to return; after a few moments when he suspected Marianne would be asleep he went to his room. He pushed the tub to the very far side of the room. Which, painstakingly reminded him of the incident which took place.
He lay upon the bed and stared at the ceiling, praying for an ease to the pulsating and general heat which he experienced, the tempting urges, pushing him and telling him to do things which he knew were a sin. His hand brushed a piece of soft material, which he pulled up to check to only scowl when realizing it was a part of Marianne's undergarments. He found himself once again dragged into aching, torturing images flashing through his mind. Her smell so close to his face from the clothing, enticing him further and causing his body to simply cry out for one thing alone, he felt like this for no one else in all his years - passing fancy's had never been so intense.
He knew, for once in his years that he wanted something more than justice for those who fell from god, to follow his duty as he always had and to do it in a satisfactory way, it all seemed dull, his life work a fraction less important. For there was now one more thing he wanted, to be his completely;
Marianne.
Yay! I had so much fun writing this, I hope you all excuse the OC of Javert/Some of the Les Amis. I know some diehards wont be impressed. But, either way I do hope some of you will enjoy this ;D
I might not be able to write another chapter tomorrow, I'm unsure as I got a letter saying I was rejected for College/Sixth-form so I'm needing to sort a solution out :/ Oops.
But, either way, Some Javert x Marianne smoochy time for you all. I do like them getting cuddly, even if it is against Javert's nature. But he's a man after all, right?
Your reviews are appreciated, I love hearing people like the story as much as I do writing it, so thank-you all!
Jenny xx
P.s I hope you don't mind my referencing to some of the musical songs. Can't help but think of it when writing
(Like Gavroche, the movie's actor of Gavroche is so cute) so I hope you all are okay with it, I know some people like the book/musical to be apart. I'm kind-of mixing it up a bit. :')