AN: OMG, I am so sorry that it has been more than a year since I have posted an update for this story! I feel like time has just been flying! With college, I have very little time, but I will try to post much more often than this!
I know that this is a short one, but I felt like you awesome readers deserved something after such a long wait! Thank you so much for sticking with this story! I really appreciate it! You guys are the best!
"Énjolras!" called Joly, after re-stitching Éponine's reopened bullet wound. Combeferre and Grantaire stayed behind to make sure that Éponine went back to sleep without disturbing anymore of her healing wounds.
Énjolras was in his room, sitting on his bed, but he stood up when he heard his friend calling him.
"Énjolras," started Joly, stepping into the room, "what is wrong with you?! I needed your help in there, and you just ran away like a scared little puppy with his tail between his legs. What's going on?"
Énjolras looked at his concerned friend, not even trying to mask the pain in his eyes. He was far too tired to even try to pretend that he was okay.
"I don't know what I expected," he replied. "So long as Pontmercy might still be around, she'll never look at anyone but him."
Joly looked at his friend who used to be called a statue. What used to be marble was now flesh and blood and a beating heart. No longer was the strong, undefeatable Apollo. Énjolras was a shell of his former self, hurting from the loss of his friends, and pining after a woman who he believes will never return the feelings he was always so reluctant to give.
"Énjolras, these things take time," Joly pointed out, crossing over to where Énjolras was again sitting. "You can't win the heart of a woman in one day, especially when she has feelings for another. You must be patient. Wait until she is recovered, and try to spend more time with her. Let her get to know the real you. The you underneath all that stone. And even if you can't win her heart, you'll win a friend who's more than worth the earning."
Énjolras knew that Joly was right. He usually was. He needed to give Éponine some more time, even if it would be hard for him. In the end, she was worth it.
"Thank you, Joly," replied Énjolras, smiling at his friend. "I really needed to hear that." And with that, Énjolras got up and headed for the door with more of a spring in his step than Joly had seen in a very long while. But before reaching the door, Énjolras turned around and looked back at his friend still sitting on the bed. "By the way, Joly. How long have you known about this?"
Joly's only reply was a smile and a small chuckle. He then got up and joined his perplexed friend in returning to check in on Combeferre and Grantaire, and how they fared in getting Éponine back to sleep.
AN: I know it wasn't much, but I hope you all enjoyed! I hope to see you guys again real soon!
Much love 3