Hello everybody !

This chapter goes more into detail about Gavroche's recovery and him getting used to a new home with his 'big brother'

I hope you all like it

"Now Gavroche, how are you feeling?" Joly asked checking the wounds on the boy's back. It had been nearly two weeks since the child had been rescued from his father and the recovery had not been easy for him. He was growing stronger, now able to walk short distances, but his ribs and back was still causing him pain. In terms of his emotional recovery, he had yet to sleep through the night without a night terror waking him in tears. Courfeyrac stayed with him every night and supported him to walk and sit whenever he needed it, more than content to carry him when he was tired.

"Bruised?" The gamin replied "but better, Courf says I'll be runnin' in no time"

"Wait until Combeferre or I tell you that you can start running again Gavroche" The young doctor said, tying bandages around Gavroche's back and chest. "A few more weeks yet, broken ribs take time to heal"

Gavroche nodded slowly putting on his shirt and waistcoat over the bandages. "Whatever you say Doctor Joly" he smiled cheekily. "Can I go see Courfeyrac now?" He knew that the young man would be in the main room of the café, reading over revolutionary plans.

Joly chuckled, ruffling the boy's hair affectionately. "Of course, your 'big brother' will be waiting for you. Walk careful now" He smiled carefully lifting Gavroche down from the cot and setting him on his feet.

"Merci" Gavroche smiled, walking slowly to the main room. Courfeyrac was sat against the wall, a book in hand, as he thought about the plans for revolution. Enjolras was in a similar position, looking out of the window as he thought. Gavroche smiled brightly, walking to Courfeyrac as he pressed his hand to the table for support. "Courf? You busy?" he asked in a little voice as if afraid to interrupt the chain of thought.

Courfeyrac looked up and smiled, setting down the book. "No, petit frère, no point starting the meeting yet" He smiled helping Gavroche sit beside him and setting an arm around his shoulders. "Are you ready to come to your new home today?" He always said that it was going to be a home for Gavroche rather than just shelter like the elephant statue. He wanted the boy to be comfortable there and not feel like he was taking charity.

Gavroche nodded shyly. "A real 'ome? Like a family?" he asked with a smile leaning against his side. "It wasn't like that when I was little and still in the inn. Not for me, they locked me up"

"It won't be like that 'Roche, I promise" Courfeyrac said tapping him on the nose playfully. "I'll be there to look after you and Marius will be too. Maybe you can convince him to teach you to read and write, you would like that?"

"Oui, can we play cards and dominoes there?" He asked excitement in his blue eyes as he wrapped his arms around Courfeyrac. "And if I have bad dreams, you'll come lay with me?"

"Of course, we can play games all you like" Courfeyrac smiled, lifting onto his lap. "And I'll always be there if you need me"

Gavroche smiled brightly, lying against his chest. "It will be good" He said softly, his voice muffled by the fabric of Courfeyrac's waist coat.

After the meeting was complete that evening, Marius gathered a small bag of Gavroche's belongings including his blanket, his cap and a small wooden whistle, a gift from Jehan. Courfeyrac smiled at Gavroche who was curled against the window, eyes drooping. "Petit ami" He said softly, touching his shoulder. "Come on, sleepy eyes, let's get you home. I can carry you". The little boy looked up and nodded sleepily, wrapping his arms around Courfeyrac's neck, allowing him to pick him up to carry him. He gently settled the boy on his side, the most comfortable position for his back and ribs. Even though he was nearly ten years old, too old to be carried on someone's hip, his tiny frame meant he was much smaller and much lighter than other children his age. It was not difficult to carry him.

Careful not to disturb the child, who was nearly asleep against his shoulder, Courfeyrac nodded to Marius and they made their way the short distance from the café to their rented house down the street. It was not grand in any way, but a decent size with three bedrooms, bathroom and kitchen along with a small living area made up of a couple chairs and a large collection of books. Stepping inside, he ran his hand through Gavroche's wavy blonde hair. "Dear Gavroche, this is home" He whispered.

Gavroche lifted his head from Courfeyrac's shoulder and looked around, smiling as he wiped his eyes. It was grander than any home he could remember. It wasn't a rat infested statue only made habitable by blankets for beds and fruit crates for seating. It was an inn full of drunks that smelt of urine and alcohol. And it wasn't the tiny room he slept in as a small child, locked in all day and with the idea of peering out of a dirty cracked window being his only joy. "It's a good 'ome, all proper and clean" he smiled looking at Courfeyrac and Marius. "Merci"

"You are welcome Gavroche, I'm sure Courfeyrac here will show you to your room and I can promise that it will be better than the room you had at that horrid inn. At least I know that by the description 'Ponine gave me" Marius smiled giving Gavroche his small bag of belongings, which now along with a home, were the only things that were truly his. Gavroche smiled brightly, hiding a yawn as he allowed his head to slump against Courfeyrac's shoulder again.

Courfeyrac smiled to Marius as a way of saying goodnight before carrying the child through to one of the three bedrooms. A bed stood in the centre of the room, soft bedding ready for Gavroche, a chest of drawers sat against the wall with a mirror propped on top. There was a small bookshelf under a large window with deep red curtains down either side, contrasting against light brown walls. Gavroche looked around wide eyed. "This all mine?" he asked in amazement

"Oui" Courfeyrac chuckled sitting with him on the bed. "My room is next to this, and Marius is down the hall. We thought you would like to be in the middle, in case you had trouble sleeping"

"You and Marius are too kind, Courf" Gavroche yawned. "too kind"

"Everyone deserves kindness 'Roche" Courfeyrac smiled helping him lay down comfortably "Mon petit frère, I have told you before that we will always be here to take care of you"

Gavroche nodded, settling his head into the soft pillow. "I'm glad of that" he mumbled sleepily. "Makes me feel safe". Feeling safe was not something Gavroche had been used too over his years on the streets.

"Good" Courfeyrac said softly tucking his hair behind his ear and kissing Gavroche's temple. "Try and get some sleep petit, shout if you need me I'm just next door". He stayed seated beside the child until he was asleep before going to his own room and climbing into his own bed.

Gavroche was not sure of the time when he awoke, tears in his eyes and his hair wet with sweat. He gave a whimper in pain as he sat up too fast, pain spreading through his ribcage. "Courf?" He whispered into the darkness, slowly kicking away at the soft bed sheets and breathing heavily as he slid down from the bed. Wiping at his teary eyes and keeping one arm wrapped around his aching chest, he opened the door and found his way in the dark to the bedroom next door. "Courf?" he whispered around. He could see the shadowy form of Courfeyrac lying on his stomach in the bed, one arm falling from the side and grazing the floor. Slowly, Gavroche walked to the bed, his breathing heavy from the shock of the night terror and the pain.

Courfeyrac stirred "Gavroche, that you?" He mumbled half asleep, rubbing his hand over his face to wake himself. He gave a tired smile, seeing the little boy standing there in the light of the candle on the bedside table. "A dream again?"

"Oui, a bad one" Gavroche whimpered. "An' sat up too fast, it 'urts"

Moving slowly and carefully, Courfeyrac helped Gavroche climb onto the bed beside him. "You want to stay here with me?" He asked. Seeing the boy shyly nod, he settled him to lie down and covered him with the blanket. "Was the dream about your father again?"

"He had 'Ponine, was 'urting her real bad, she was screamin'" Gavroche whispered, holding his hand under the sheet.

"It's alright, petit, it was just a dream" Courfeyrac replied in a soft tone, stroking his hair and planting a kiss into his curls. "I am sure 'Ponine is safe, just like you are". Gavroche nodded, his eyes closing again. "That's it, go back to sleep ami"

Gavroche gave him a little smile, a gap in his teeth showing. "Love you Courf"

Pressing another kiss to his head, Courfeyrac smiled "I love you too 'Roche"

Awww, I loved writing this chapter. I think it's so cute

The drama is going to come soon with the approaching revolution and of course we all know what happens there

Next chapter: Is 'Ponine really safe?