Waking up beside Enjolras had been better than she had ever imagined. But being hit by the ton of bricks that came along with their passionate night had been harder to deal with than she had imagined. He had been exactly as she pictured, gentle and kind, gracious and diligent. Everything she didn't deserve.
When she had been with Montparnasse, she remembered how callous and cruel he had taken her. Her birthday christening into her parent's ploy to make money. Take her childhood in his own childhood's stride. Cold and careless.
But Enjolras, even in his own unfamiliarity he had proven to be the lover she wished she had first known. He had paid careful attention to her own comfort and pleasure while avoiding any awkwardness that she had expected. His books had proven useful in the end. Perhaps a second time would prove him gaining new skills, transforming him even further into a great lover.
Would she even be there to witness those subtle transformations? Or would she be tossed to the wayside if he discovered her secret. How could she have done this and not told him?
Enjolras shifted beneath her, stretching out as he did every morning. But this morning he found that he was truly not alone. It had not been a dream after all.
"Good morning," He groaned as he shifted. He had used muscles last night that he had not realize he had. They ached with their new uses. "How are you?"
"Perfect," Éponine lied, leaning up to kiss him. "I should go before someone realizes I'm missing."
"Mhm." Enjolras nuzzled against her hair. "I have to meet the boys at the café."
Éponine stretched out on the bed, trying her best to be as casual as possible. She glanced up at Enjolras as he was pulling his clothes on. She had to admit, he was one of the most attractive people she had been to bed with.
Enjolras turned at the sound of a knock on the front door of his garret. "A messenger no doubt. Enjolras finished lacing his pants up, striding out of the bedroom shirtless. "Grantaire! What brings you here?"
Éponine pressed her ear against the door, feeling her heart hammering in her chest. Why was he here?
And where was her bodice?
Dammit!
"Well, well, well what have we found here Enjolras?"
Éponine's eyes shot wide as she glanced through the crack in the door, catching a glimmer of Grantaire holding her bodice up for Enjolras to see. She could see the smug look on Grantaire's face.
"Do not goad me." Enjolras snatched the bodice away from Grantaire, holding it in his hands and glancing back towards the bedroom.
"Who was she?" Grantaire sidestepped past Enjolras, walking towards the bedroom. "Come out, come out mon Cherie."
Éponine straightened her skirt and chemise, feeling far too bare for Grantaire to catch her. "Give me my bodice and I will come out."
The door started to open and Éponine threw her weight against the door.
"It's me Éponine." Enjolras pushed against the door, stepping inside when she relented.
"Didn't we get caught?" Éponine blushed, trying to brush of Grantaire's arrival despite the panic rushing through her. She fumbled with the laces, unable to get her fingers to cooperate with her as she tried to lace the bodice up.
"Here let me help." Enjolras offered warmly, taking little time to lace up the bodice he had unlaced the previous night. He gave a sideways glance to the door between them and Grantaire, "I need to get going soon."
"I'll see you around." Éponine smiled up at him, feeling her blush darken as he leaned down to kiss her. "Now let's go face the old drunk."
Enjolras opened the door to a smug Grantaire, "Well.. I didn't guess that one."
"It just sort of happened." Éponine exclaimed quietly, unable to meet his eyes.
"I need to go, I don't want to be late for the meeting at the café. Come on Grantaire you can harass me along the way."
"I'm coming." Grantaire winked at Éponine, as he followed Enjolras out.
Éponine sank onto the couch in the middle of the room, burying her face into the pillows. She couldn't believe that she had slept with Enjolras and that Grantaire had showed up the next morning to make sure of the fact. He was incorrigible.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Did you forget something Enjolras?" Éponine questioned as she got up to open the door. "Grantaire! What are you-"
"Had to come and talk to you about the deed."
"You're terrible!" Éponine couldn't help but laugh a little. "We are not going to talk about last night. I don't kiss and tell."
"Not even a little bit?"
"He was good."
Grantaire smirked, "I can't believe you did it Éponine! It only took you a few weeks too."
~o~
Enjolras couldn't help but feel ridiculous, he had a new step in his stride today. He had this underlying excitement brimming beneath his skin. He could already tell that this was why men seemed so distracted by women. He was going to need to push all these feelings deep down to get through the rebellion.
He glanced down at his empty hands. He'd forgotten his book! You can't sound convincing if you don't have your notes about the last rebellion and the inspiring words of Robespierre.
Enjolras turned back around and rushed back up the street to his garret. He knew exactly where he'd left the book sitting. He barreled up the stairs, stopping as he heard voices from within. What was Éponine doing?
"Please, let's not talk about the plan Grantaire. I feel like terrible about it." Éponine said softly, sinking back onto the couch.
"I'll give you your payment this evening. What do you plan to do with it?"
"It'd be nice to give it to my father and tell him I'm done with working for him. Then I'll be free to be with Enjolras."
"You want to be with Enjolras outside of the proposition?"
Éponine laughed, "Of course I do! I didn't think I'd want to sleep with him until this whole plan started to become real. Then I really liked him. He's everything I've always wanted."
They planned for her to… sleep with him? Enjolras couldn't believe what he was hearing! That lying little wench and his traitorous drunk of a friend.
"Well not only did you get a nice sum of money out of my little proposition you also got yourself a man."
"No you didn't." Enjolras snapped, pushing the door open to reveal that he had been behind the open door the whole time. "Get out of my house. NOW!" He had never raised his voice like this to either of the people standing in his garret. He never thought that he would have to.
"Enjolras … Please." Éponine tried to explain, feeling herself begin to tremble.
"I don't want to hear anything out of you, you little lying whore. Sleeping with me for money!"
"It wasn't like that!"
"Get out before I make you get out!" Enjolras threatened.
"Listen, my friend." Grantaire started, stopping when Enjolras' cold eyes met his. The fire that he saw in his friend's eyes about the rebellion were suddenly aimed at him.
"Please." Éponine started to cry. This had been exactly what she hadn't wanted to happen.
"I said be quiet and get out!" Enjolras screamed. How had he let himself be played into this spot?
A/N: Oh no! :(