Eponine latches onto Enjolras' arm without even thinking. It was almost like it was instinct. Even more surprising, Enjolras made no move to pull away, if anything, he held onto her tighter as Montparnasse made another step towards the group. Enjolras can feel Eponine trembling slightly, and it takes everything he has not to go kill Montparnasse then and there. Unfortunately, this action does not go unrecognized by Montparnasse. "Oh, 'Ponine" he begins, fake sympathy dripping from his voice. "Do you really think these bourgeois will protect the likes of you? You've never been bright, but this is truly a new level of foolishness, even from a whore like you!"
Enjolras, stands up, hearing enough. His blood is boiling, and he has never felt so much anger swelled up inside of him. A quick sweep of the room shows similar reactions. Grantaire, usually drunk, looks surprisingly sober and concerned. Enjolras supposed that he also must have also gotten attached to the girl. Courfeyrac and Combeferre look to Enjolras, ready for a command. Not surprisingly, Marius looks around in shock, not exactly making himself useful. "Get out of here. Now. If you cannot see, you are far outnumbered." Enjolras' voice is cold and as sharp as a dagger, but Montparnasse doesn't even flinch.
"You put up a great argument, but I'm not leaving unless she comes with me." He says with a nod at Eponine. Eponine is the only one that sees Montparnasse grab the hilt of his knife. Knowing what is sure to happen if she does not go with him, she moves to stand. She cannot allow 'Parnasse to hurt any of them, especially not for her. As soon as she tries to stand, she is immediately pressed back down by Enjolras.
"Eponine, don't" Enjolras commands under his breath. He tries to be both firm and gentle. He can't let her put herself in any danger. Eponine glares up at him, can't he see that she just doesn't want him to get hurt? Shes about to argue with him when a new, much younger voice grabs her attention away from Enjolras.
"Hello! How's it goin-" Gavroche is cut off as a strong arm grabs him, pressing a knife to his throat. Gavroche tries to squirm out of Montparnasse's strong grip, but with no luck.
"Gavroche! Gavroche! 'Parnasse, please let him go, he's a child!" Eponine screams, in complete hysterics. Gavroche is all she has left, he is the only one less who she cares for that cares for her as well. She knows that if she does not do something, and something very quickly, Montparnasse will probably not hesitate to harm Gavroche. When 'Parnasse wants something, he will do anything to get it, no matter how low. Would Montparnasse kill Gavroche? No, he wouldn't. Would he? Eponine is having such a mental fight in her own head, she nearly forgets to focus on the situation at hand. "Let him go, please let him go!" She is close to tears now. Gavroche us all she has left, she cannot let anything happen to him.
Enjolras looks on in horror as Montparnasse presses the knife further into Gavroche's throat. He pulls out his own pocket knife- having had lived in Paris for as long as he has, he has learned to always be prepared and protected. "I will not ask you again. Leave immediately." Enjolras tries to remain calm and controlled, but he is deeply concerned. Not for his own safety if course, but for the safety of Eponine and her brother.
Montparnasse just laughs, making Gavroche flinch as this causes the knife to press further against his throat. "As if you know how to do a thing with that knife, stupid bourgeois. I'm not afraid of anyone, much less a student with a little toy." Montparnasse's green eyes bore into Enjolras' blue ones, and Enjolras can tell that the young man means what he says. Knowing he must move quickly, Enjolras lunges at Montparnasse, allowing Gavroche to get out of the tight grasp. The pair struggles on the ground for a moment, all eyes on them. The Amis move to get to Enjolras' aid, but not before Montparnasse gets a swing at Enjolras with his knife. From there, all hell breaks loose. Enjolras' vision blurs as blood pours down his face, above his right eyebrow, momentarily stopping him from the fight at hand. Montparnasse takes this opportunity to throw a punch at the nearest to him, Combeferre, successfully hitting his jaw. Eponine clings onto Gavroche, knowing her brave but slightly reckless little brother, holding him back from the action. Truthfully, she needs him not just for his safety, but for her own mental health. She needs her brother, so she can stay strong for him, at least momentarily. Combeferre and Courfeyrac successfully pin Montparnasse to the ground, with Joly watching him from a distance, mentally going through all the diseases this could spread. "Get off me! Damn you!" Montparnasse sneers at them, streaming argot cuss words at them. Enjolras presses the cut on his face with a handkerchief, finally getting a good look at the thief in front of him. Enjolras is shocked to find that he is very young, probably a year or two younger than himself, about Marius' age, maybe 19. Although, what is most startling is his eyes. The eyes of a young man should be bright, full of life. The green eyes glaring up at Enjolras are dull, full of nothing but hatred. Normally, Enjolras would feel a pang of pity for the life this man must be living, but knowing what he has done to Eponine, Enjolras can feel nothing but loathe for the man, practically boy, in front of him.
"Can you give me one reason why we should not kill you here and now?" Enjolras demands.
Even in his inferior position from the ground, Montparnasse smirks. "Because that goes against everything your stupid law books say. No trial? I'm innocent 'till proven guilty right? Not to mention, you don't have it in you. You're too soft."
As much as Enjolras hates to agree with anything that Montpsrnasse says, he cannot deny that the man is partially correct. It does go against everything he knows. It is not his place to kill Montparnasse, and Enjolras knows it. Where he is wrong is the belief that Enjolras is not capable of killing is necessary. Anyone is capable of being a killer, if provoked.
"Fine, we will hand you over to the police. They shall deal with you as they see fit." Montparnasse shrugs in response. He's broken out of prison's before, what difference does another make to a man like him.
"We will make sure he's in the hands if the police, Enjolras." Combeferre tells Enjoltas, much to Enjolras' relief. The encounter has left him both physically and mentally exhausted. He glances around the room lazily, until he lays eyes on Eponine. Oh God, he had nearly forgotten all about her. She's in the corner, hurriedly speaking to her brother.
"Listen to me Gav, please be careful. I mean it." Eponine runs her hand through her little brother's hair, ignoring his protests. Gavroche runs out the door, back to the streets. The second he is gone, Enjolras rushes to Eponine, gently putting a hand on her arm, to both of their surprise.
"Are you alright?" He asks her, concerned. As if the girl hadn't already been through enough in the last few days.
"Me? You are the one who is bleeding from his face! Are you okay?" Her brown eyes are also filled with concern. She grabs the handkerchief from Enjolras' bloody hand and gently dabs at the wound, her other hand on his cheek to steady him. Enjolras wishes he had something to do with his hands. He clasps them together, runs one through his hair, trying to find something to do, anything. From across the room, Grantaire notices the pair drawing closer as Eponine dabs at Enjolras' wound. He elbows Joly to grab his attention. Grantaire would never tell anyone about Enjolras' affections, but he can help the others figure it out on their own. "Now Joly, Marius, what do you think of that?" Grantaire asks, nodding at the couple.
Joly's eyes widen slightly, but he quickly changes back to a neutral expression. Truthfully, he is confused. He always thought, along with everyone but the chosen man himself, that Eponine has feelings for Marius. But Enjolras? Joly never even considered the thought. This is something to keep an eye on.
"What about them? Does Enjolras need assistance?" Marius asks, and Grantaire just stares back at Marius, unsure of how much stupidity could possibly be contained in one human. Before he can comment on this, Joly interrupts his thoughts.
"I think we should just leave them alone. It is none of our business." Joly retorts, although he would be lying if he said he was not interested in the blossoming relationship between the marble man and Eponine.
I have not been able to update because I've been insanely busy. I am so so so very sorry. Then, I got an awful case of writers block where it seemed everything I was writing was terrible! It's funny how life works that way. Hopefully you will find it in your heart to forgive me, and leave a review! Thanks!