And here it is, chapter 4! I still can't believe how many people appear to love this story. I hope you all still love it
This chapter is dedicated to GGCharms who reviews every chapter and helps me with ideas
Pushing the book away, unable to concentrate any longer, Courfeyrac sighed and stood from his chair as he finished his tankard of wine. He had spent hours looking over plans with Enjolras until he couldn't bear the work any longer. Looking over at Joly and Combeferre, he nodded to himself before going to them. "Do... Do you think I could take Gavroche out today?" He asked looking at them both. "He is bored; he is a child who doesn't want to be shut up in a room any longer". The boy had been with them two weeks, and had yet to leave the room they had placed him in.
"If he is wrapped up warm Fey" Combeferre said "and you keep him safe".
Courfeyrac nodded "yes, I wouldn't let harm come to him" he said. It was true. He cared greatly for the boy and was more than willing to put himself in danger to protect the child he now saw as a much loved little brother.
"Then yes" Combeferre smiled "people will start calling you brothers soon Mon ami, the amount of time you spend with the boy".
Courfeyrac smiled "everyone needs a friend, a brother" he said smiling at the other young men before picking up his coat and walking into the side room. "Gavroche, petit, I come bearing good news" he smiled brightly. The gamin looked up at him from his place in the good, a cheeky grin on his little face. He had recovered but Joly, being paranoid, had demanded he stay in bed until he was sure.
"Good news?" He asked peering up at his dark haired friend.
"Indeed" he smiled ruffling the boys hair "get your boots on; we are going for a walk".
Gavroche beamed sitting up quickly and grabbing his boots"yes! Finally" he smiled.
Courfeyrac laughed "yes Mon petit frère, come on". Once the boy was ready, Courfeyrac knelt down allowing him to climb onto his back.
With a wave to everyone else, he carried Gavroche out of the cafe "where 'we going" Gavroche asked wrapping his arms around Courfeyrac's neck.
"Well I would like to see where you've been living before; we could take some food to your boys if you want".
Gavroche nodded against his shoulder "I got no money! Don't wan no more charity" he said with a pout.
"It's not charity between brothers" Courfeyrac replied handing him a few coins from his pocket. "The Amis, like you and me are all like brothers, we help each other got it?". He received another nod in reply. "Good, now show me the way"
Gavroche directed him towards the slums, much to his disappointment. He passed the slums often and hated the fact that the children there were left to fend for themselves. Setting the boy down on his feet, he gave a sigh and gripped the paper bag containing the two loaves of bread and some cheese in his hand, wishing he had enough to feed all the children here. "Where do you live here?" He asked looking around at all the shacks and folds of fabric that made up the poor housing for these beggars of the street. It was to his great surprise that rather than pointing towards one of the shacks, Gavroche pointed straight towards the large white elephant statue.
"That's our patch! Me and me three boys" he said.
"You live there, inside the elephant?" He asked, shocked.
"Yeah" Gavroche replied "it's the warmest place we could find, an' it's big enough for the four of us". It was at this moment that a rumbling of footsteps could be heard from inside the grand statue. "Boys!" Gavroche called a grin on his face at the thought of seeing his friends. Courfeyrac watched in surprise and shock as three boys clambered out of the head of elephant, climbing down on frayed ropes and ladders. They all looked younger then Gavroche and the smallest looked no older than five. He felt his heart sink.
"Gavroche! Gavroche" they called as they ran to him, marvelling at his new clothes and shining leather boots.
"You all rich now" one said.
Another, perhaps younger but taller than Gavroche, stepped up. "Our chief deserted us boys, found himself a rich friend and gone all posh" he scoffed.
"Deserted! Never!" He said, pulling himself up tall and straight. "This is Courfeyrac, saved me when I was sick. He's helping me, and helping you lot too".
Courfeyrac stepped forward and passed them the food "make it last boys". They nodded, thanking him wildly as they tore into a loaf of bread.
The youngest boy stepped forward, his dark brown hair falling into his eyes and a bruise on his lip. "You coming back to us Gavroche, those other boys won't come near us if you come back?" He said. Courfeyrac bit his lip. He hadn't thought that maybe Gavroche would want to return to his boys and return to a life on the streets rather than staying with him.
Gavroche looked at him, with a pleading expression. "Not now Gavroche. The Amis will skin me alive if I return without you. We will discuss this, and come back when it's sorted." He said putting a hand Gavroche's shoulder, not wanting to let him return to this life.
Gavroche nodded turning to the little boy. "I'll come back soon" he said, knowing himself that he had to return to his boys. "For now, Frederick. You take this and tell them boys watch out, Gavroche will get ya". He looked to Courfeyrac for permission and as the man nodded, he removed his newsboys cap and placed it on the younger boys head. "Now, you keep safe and make that food last keep it away from the rats. I'll see ya soon". He said. He watched as the boys ran back to the elephant before disappearing inside as he wiped his eyes.
Courfeyrac knelt down to him. "Mon ami, what is wrong?" He asked.
Gavroche wiped his eyes with his sleeves before speaking. "They're my boys! They need me. We're brothers, like you and me" he said a tear coming down his cheek.
"I understand" he said. "I can see you want to look after them; if I could I would bring you all to safety. Now come on, we will discuss this at the cafe". Gavroche nodded and clambered onto Courfeyrac's back, wrapping his arms around his neck and resting his head on his shoulder. He carried him back to the cafe, thoughts of losing his Gavroche flooding his mind. He wanted to keep him safe, letting him live with him and Marius, but he could tell that he wanted to return to the rat invested elephant. He cared for his boys like he and Gavroche cared for each other.
That evening, when it was quiet in the cafe, Courfeyrac went to Gavroche's room taking his dinner of vegetable broth with him. He gave the boy the meal and sat beside him as he ate. Nothing had to be said between them, the silence was comforting in this moment. When the bowl was empty and his stomach was full, Gavroche curled against the side of the older man, giving a smile when Courfeyrac pulled him into his arms. "You want to go back don't you?" He said.
Gavroche nodded "I know the Amis won't like it, but I have too" he said burying against Courfeyrac's chest. "We are like the Amis, I'm the leader, and we stick together".
Courfeyrac nodded. "Okay, you can go. But you have to promise me some things". He watched as Gavroche nodded his eyes wide.
"If you are hungry, come here. If you or the boys need anything you come to see me. If you need somewhere to stay, even for just one night, you come and see me" Courfeyrac said tightening his hold on his little friend.
Gavroche nodded sniffling. "Can I come to the meetings...? To see you" he asked shyly.
Courfeyrac nodded, tears in his eyes. "Of course, I would miss you too much if you didn't" he said kissing the boys temple. "Mon petit frère, if you need anything, I'm the person to come and see. You know where my apartment is and you can come here".
And there we go, Gavroche will return to his friends in the slums. But don't worry this is not the end of the Courfeyrac/Gavroche fluff. He will come and visit his 'big brother'. Please review this chapter
The next chapter will see the return of Marius along with his shadow Eponine, will Courfeyrac come clean about what Gavroche told him?