5/7/13

Thanks for the support and I am sorry for the long wait guys! I now do review responses by PM so … yeah let's begin!

This chapter would have been finished quicker … it's all Andy Murray's fault! Blame the tennis! And I cannot write if I am too hot … damn you British summertime!

Chapter 6

Enjolras was getting restless. He was never good at domestic things; that was always Combeferre. But he had two grown men to care for. Combeferre had suffered a bad relapse and was now refusing to talk and wouldn't let anyone in his room. Enjolras had hoped that after Grantaire's accident, Combeferre would come out of his shell but that momentary adventure into the big world had scared his splintered mind even further away again. Enjolras let out a deep sigh and massaged his temples. Combeferre wasn't his only problem. Grantaire was so demanding and whingey when seriously ill. Joly said that now he needed to rest to heal but he was so sulky and stubborn; and Enjolras couldn't cope anymore. He was trying to do it alone. He kept on telling himself that it was for Combeferre's benefit that he never called anyone else in but he knew it was otherwise; he didn't want admit he couldn't deal with it like Combeferre had always managed to. Enjolras knew it was so vain and finally he called upon Gavroche. "Gav … go find Jehan," he stated urgently pressing some coins into the boy's palm and let out a sigh, "Tell him I need him."

Jehan was at Enjolras' apartment within minutes of the panicked conversation with Gavroche. The amis all knew what had happened to Combeferre and that Enjolras and Grantaire were looking after him but they had not seen the three men through all the chaos. No one apart from knew how bad Combeferre was, how Enjolras was dealing with it. And Joly was refusing to say anything to them, something about patient confidentiality. Jehan was delighted that Enjolras had finally decided to confide in him and ran to the apartment. He knocked on the door and was met with a worse for wear Enjolras. His blonde hair was coated in grease and hung limply in curls round his icy face. Deep bags hung under his worried eyes; Jehan sighed and enveloped him in a tight hug. Usually Enjolras instantly scorned physical contact but he needed this. He needed the support as his world crumbled around him; and the little poet was the best to give it. Tears streamed down his cheeks, something which if he was in his right mind would never happen, as he clung to Jehan. The youngest member of their group kicked the door shut, not letting go of their breaking leader. "It'll be alright Enjy," Jehan whispered into the blonde's curls.

"I can't do this anymore Jean," he sobbed, unable to keep up the marble façade anymore. It had drained him of everything and left his soul exposed to the cruel world.

"You don't have to do this alone Enjolras. We are all here for you, just ask," Jehan whispered as they stood wrapped together. Jehan was perfectly happy to stand there for as long as Enjolras needed but the highly unpleasant sound of Grantaire's body trying to purge itself of the poison. Enjolras broke away and was about to dart into his bedroom, which currently housed Grantaire; when Jehan stopped him. "Enjolras, rest and take some time out. I'll go sort him," Jehan ordered with the soft eloquence that you could not say no to. Enjolras nodded in thanks on sunk onto his divan. He head was pounding and bile rose in his throat; he hadn't slept in the past week and it was finally taking its toll on his body and mind. Enjolras sat with his head in his hands trying to dull the thumping and the stabbing pain just behind his eyelids. He heard a door creak and, assuming it was Jehan, just stayed sat exactly where he was with a little moan. Soft but strong hands slowly rubbed circles around his temples to the bridge of his nose. Enjolras moaned slightly as the hands warned off the impending migraine that plagued him. Once the pain was all gone and the rubbing lessened in intensity, Enjolras finally opened his eyes and smiled slightly. Combeferre was sat with his forehead leaning on Enjolras'. His brother looked nothing like he used to but it still soothed Enjolras to see him once again. He had missed Combeferre's magic touch and he desperately wanted his guide back. They were making slow progress with him but it was excruciatingly slow.

"How are you doing Ferre?" Enjolras whispered as if he was coaxing a frightened animal out of its burrow.

"My head hurts," he admitted, raising Enjolras' spirits a few octaves. This was the first time Combeferre had actually admitted he wasn't ok; another step forwards. Hesitantly and with shaking hands, Enjolras rubbed little circles around Combeferre's temples just like the other man had done for him a few minutes previous. Slowly Combeferre leant into his brother's touch and his eyes flickered shut in relaxation. "I-I can't … I can't do it Enjy," Combeferre whispered with his voice cracking in despair. Enjolras continued to massage gently and soothingly.

"You don't have to do it alone," Enjolras whispered, moving up with the circles to Combeferre's hair line.

"The-The pictures. The images. They w-won't go away Julien," he whimpered moving in closer to his brother's comforting touch. Enjolras carefully wrapped his arms around Combeferre's neck so their foreheads were still touching. Combeferre inched open his eyes and stared into Enjolras' deep blue pools.

"I will always be here for you Ferre. No matter what happens we will fight through it together, like brothers," Enjolras reassured him and Combeferre slowly nodded.

"I-I ththought you would 'ate me," he mumbled and Enjolras' eyes widened in shock. Combeferre's eyes dropped to the floor in what had to be shame.

"Lucien! Why on earth would I hate you?" Enjolras exclaimed, trying to keep his anger in check.

"I got captured .. and 'm so weak now," he confessed full of self-loathing and Enjolras sighed.

"None of this was your fault," he stated but Combeferre continued to look away. "Lucien look at me," he ordered but with a friendly tone. Combeferre reluctantly looked up into Enjolras eyes and relaxed when he saw there was nothing but care lingering behind those blue irises. Combeferre's head fell against Enjolras' shoulder with a pained sigh. Enjolras hated to see his brother like this but he couldn't help but smile at the progress the duo had made. They both sunk down onto the bed and Enjolras planted a soft kiss on Combeferre's head.

XXX

Jehan slunk into Enjolras' room and saw Grantaire curled on the floor next to the bucket. The room stunk and Grantaire looked foul. The borrowed nightclothes stuck to his fevered skin and his curled form trembled in the moonlight. "Oh Taire," Jehan sighed as the drunkard whimpered in pain. Jehan replaced the stinking bucket with a clean one and tipped the probably toxic waste out of the window; making sure not to hit anyone. Grantaire this time started to dry wretch into the bucket; his stomach empty but the blasphemous liquid not purged from his body. The poet settled next to Grantaire's shaking form and rubbed his back with soothing words. Jehan was not a doctor; but if there was one thing Jehan knew it was how to sooth people with a subtle touch and a few well-crafted words. And according to Enjolras, that was all Grantaire needed. He just needed someone to sooth him through his pain and force feed him cheese. Jehan was willing to do that for the health of one of his friends and the sanity of another.

Sorry for the short chapter guys!