Warning: mentions of physical and emotional abuse
Grantaire returned to the B&B exhausted. He had talked with Eponine for hours, just venting all the confusion he had felt, before falling into an uneasy sleep. He knew what needed to be done, but he was hesitant to bring it up. So instead he stayed quiet. If Charla noticed that he was avoiding her, she didn't say anything. However the peace only lasted three hours.
Out of the blue Charla announced. "I think you should go apologize."
"What?" Grantaire asked looking up from his book.
"To the senator. I think you owe him an apology for punching him."
"Charla, he shoved Enjolras to the ground." Grantaire stated.
"It was for a play."
"You don't believe that." he gritted out. Charla glared at him, she opened her mouth to make some clever retort, but Grantaire was faster. "Why are you defending an abuser?"
"You shouldn't have gotten involved. What the senator does behind closed doors-"
"It was in the fucking parking lot, Charla. Not exactly behind closed doors-"
"Do not raise your voice at me," Charla retorted sharply. "And are we not going to talk about how you left me? You. You're the one who walked out, R."
Grantaire flinched. "I am sorry for that."
"You should be," Charla agreed. "And secondly you were gone all day. What has gotten into you?"
"I've been thinking a lot. About us. About this wedding."
"And?" Charla raised a brow expectantly.
"And I think we should call it off."
Charla looked at him for a moment, before throwing her head back to laugh. Whatever response Grantaire had been expecting this was not it. "Oh, babe." Her voice dripping with pity.
"Charla, I'm serious." Grantaire said with a frown.
She chuckled again before going over to him. "It's just the pre-wedding nerves, babe. Nothing to sneeze at."
Grantaire sighed. "No. I don't think it is."
"What has gotten into you?" Charla asked pulling away. Her good humor was fading rapidly.
"I think I'm in love with someone else," Grantaire confessed.
"Have you been cheating on me?"
"What?"
"You heard me." Charla challenged. "Have you been seeing another woman behind my back? Or heaven forbid, a man?"
Grantaire shook his head. "Of course not."
"Then what is this? You didn't date seriously in college before we met. You had a handful of flings, but you promised me that those were in the past..." Charla froze. "Is this about the waiter."
Grantaire looked down at the book in his hands. "Enjolras. And yeah. It is."
Charla let out another raucous laugh. "Oh, babe. You and him have been over for years. Don't tell me that seeing him again has brought back feelings."
"I-"
She laughed. "No. This is just pre-wedding nerves. Whatever conclusions you think you've come to are wrong. It's all in your head, babe. None of it founded in fact."
Grantaire sunk further into his seat, his shoulders around his ears, expression low.
"You need some time to work through this," Charla sighed coming to crouch in front of him. "Okay, hear me out. I'm giving you until Saturday, when the bridal part comes, to figure this out. After that we will have no more discussions about calling off the wedding or Enjolras. Do you hear me? No one can know what a coward you are. You've got two days to work this out." Charla decided matter-of-factually.
"Charla, it's not that simple. I don't think this is something I can just work through."
"Of course you can." Charla rose with her most charming smile. "By Saturday you will have resolved any of your doubts, and this wedding will proceed."
"Charla-"
"After all our careers are dependent on the networking that our wedding will provide."
Grantaire watched her walk away, his face collapsing. She made plans to go see Eponine, and that was that. If Grantaire felt like shit earlier, it was nothing compared to now.
Again he tried to explain that he couldn't marry her, but she simply said that it was the cold feet talking and ignored him. She said he needed time and space to think, so that's what she would give him. She kissed him goodbye before going out on some errands. He then tried calling Eponine, but it went straight to voice mail.
Eponine was kept busy with Charla who insisted they go to the closest and biggest department stores to register for wedding gifts.
"Shouldn't you be doing this with R?" Eponine asked as Charla drove.
"He needs his space right now." The blonde replied.
"What kind of space?" inquired Eponine skeptically.
"He's got some issues to work through. I've given him until the rest of the bridal party arrives on Saturday to get it sorted."
"Is that really the-"
"Which reminds me, I've told the bridesmaids that they will be staying with you." Charla looked at Eponine with a smile.
"Wait. What?"
"Well they can't stay at your parents'. All the rooms have already been booked by out of town guests," Charla said sweetly. "Plus I noticed your home has plenty of spare rooms."
"Not enough for all of them," protested Eponine.
"Well I figured you could send your brother off somewhere, so that frees up another room. And you can sleep on the couch. That will be six bedrooms." explained Charla.
"Can't some of them share?" Eponine asked.
Charla let out a dissonant snort. "Oh, honey. No. Cynthia can't stand either of the Katherines. Lousiette and Mary-Lynn would murder each other in their sleep. Dianne can't stand Katherine with a K. And Mary-Lynn hates Dianne. Neither of the Katherines like Louisette, and Louisette stole Dianne and Cynthia's boyfriends. And let's be honest, Mary-Lynn and Dianne are jealous of Cynthia's looks and would probably give her an unasked for makeover And Cynthia detests them both, only they don't know that. Catherine with a C would be raped by Mary-Lynn, truth be told, she's just her type. Only if Mary-Lynn did that, then Katherine with a K would want in, and that wouldn't happen. And Catherine with a C only likes the other Katherine but refuses to sleep in the same room. So as you can see-"
"Yes. I see."
"You'll take the couch then?" Charla asked with a smile.
Eponine paused.
"Or I'm sure Mary-Lynn would be fine sharing with you. She has asked me if you're single," hinted Charla with a smile.
"I'll take the couch." Eponine resigned.
"Good. Also get rid of that pervy brother of yours. I don't want him hitting on my friends."
Eponine bit the inside of her cheek. "Gav would never do that."
"He's what, 14? 14 year old boys are disgusting. Get him out of the house." Charla said not taking her eyes off the road.
"Fine. I'll take him to a friend's."
Charla beamed. "I knew you would be a wonderful maid of honor. Now let's go shopping."
Eponine followed Charla into Macy's. The bride-to-be led the way to the wedding department. After talking to a sale's associate and setting up an account they were good to go.
"This Waterford stemware is gorgeous," Charla noted scanning the entire set of glasses. She moved on to the next table where she sighed, "and look at this. Waterford Crystal gifts. I need all of them."
Eponine watched her scan two candle holders, a pitcher, several tumblers and a clock. She scanned another set of Waterford Toasting Flutes as well as an assortment of items from Kate Spade's New York Avenue collection.
Next they drove to Bed Bath and Beyond where Eponine saw the list grow. Charla was like a kid in a candy store adding item after item to her registry. Eagerly she scanned some of the finest Lennox dishes as well as fancy coffee makers, plush towels, an expensive knife set, and a case of fine silverware.
"Can your guests really afford some of this stuff?" Eponine asked.
"Of course they can," gloated Charla.
"Really?" Eponine was of course thinking about all of R's artist friends, and hometown acquaintances. Most of them were like her, unable to walk into a Macy's without several eyebrows being raised.
Charla laughed. "Well they don't have to get us nice things. They can be lame and just get us salad tossers."
Eponine frowned. "I see. You know Grantaire's friends will try to get him the best, killing their credit score if they have to."
"How is that my problem? They can spend whatever they feel comfortable spending." Charla observed.
Eponine resigned, she supposed that Charla did have a continued to follow Charla around. They were in the store for hours; Eponine's feet were killing her. Finally Charla announced she was ready to go home. She dropped Eponine off at her house before going to the B&B. To Charla's dismay the place was empty.
Grantaire had left hours ago to go think. He had considered what Charla had said, that maybe this was just wedding jitters, but he also knew what he felt for Enjolras. What he had with the blond had felt real, and being so close to the other man had reminded him of what they had had. Coming home had already taught him so much. It was, after all, Enjolras who reminded him that art could exist for the sake of itself and not for a profit. Seeing him curled up in Jeanne's arms had reminded Grantaire that Enjolras was not the same boy that had left him in an email. He had grown up and felt his own share of heartbreak. R shook his head. Things were becoming muddled again.
"Grantaire? Is everything alright?"
R looked up from his seat to see Cosette looking down on him with concern. He had wandered into the Musain, knowing that Enjolras wouldn't be there for awhile. He found the sounds and smells comforting and it was a good place to think.
"No actually. It's not."
"Oh. Oh! I'm so sorry," Cosette said as Grantaire's words hit her. "Do you need someone to talk to?"
Grantaire nodded. "That might be helpful actually."
"Do you still have my father's card?"
"Huh?"
"My father? He does this for a living."
"Oh. Right. Um yeah I think I have it." R mumbled.
Cosette looked at him with pity. "You really should go see him, Grantaire."
"Charla would kill me if we went to-"
"Forget her. Go for yourself." Cosette began to move away, after all she was at work.
Grantaire nodded his thanks. Once she was gone he fished out his wallet and found Valjean's card. It was crumpled at the edges, but he could still read what it said. Beekeeper/marriage counselor. And below it was a number. Hesitantly he dialed it.
"Jean Valjean, what can I help you with?" a deep voice said answering the phone.
"Hi. Um I was wondering if I could schedule an appointment with you? Just to sort of talk things through? I don't know I've never really done this before," Grantaire confessed.
There was a warm chuckle on the other end. "Not a problem. I'm afraid I didn't catch your name."
"Oh. Right. Sorry. I'm Grantaire."
"Right, not a problem. So Grantaire, when would you like to come see me? I've got an appointment early tomorrow morning." Valjean said scratching something down on a pad of paper.
Grantaire replied. "That would be great. What time?"
"8:30," suggested the counselor.
"Great."
"I'm at 55 Plumet Street, just before the turn off to Bienvenu Cottage?" Valjean added.
"I know where you're talking about," Grantaire assured him. "Thank you, sir."
Valjean replied. "But of course. It is after all my second profession."
"Second?"
"My bees come first," confided Valjean.
Grantaire wasn't entirely sure if that was comforting or not. Either way he promised Valjean that he would see him in the morning. Grantaire paid for his coffee, leaving a tip on the table, and stood to go.
"Grantaire?" Unsure, scared.
He looked up to see Enjolras in the door. His first thought was he had been there longer than he planned if Enjolras was coming in for his shift. His second thought was noticing how bad Enjolras looked. The other man was favoring his right side and his breathing was shallow. On his cheek there was a bruise which had not been there last night.
"Fuck. Enjolras. Did he do this to you?" Grantaire rushed over to his ex pulling him aside.
Miserably Enjolras shook his head. Lamely he added, "I fell."
Grantaire gave him a stern look. "You did not fall."
Enjolras looked at his feet.
Gently Grantaire lifted his chin so that he was staring into Enjolras' eyes. "What really happened?"
"Thank you."
"What?"
"For defending me. Thank you," Enjolras said pulling away. Grantaire watched him and his heart broke.
In the back room Enjolras collapsed against the lockers sobbing.
"Enjolras?" Cosette asked following him in. When she saw his face she gasped. "Sweetheart. Are you alright?"
Weakly he shook his head.
"I'm calling Courf. You are going home," Cosette ordered.
"But-"
"No. You need the day off. It was silly of you to even come in this state," Cosette admonished him gently.
"I know," whimpered Enjolras as Cosette helped him to the bench. "I just needed to get away...I needed a distraction."
"Who did this to you?" asked Cosette softly.
Instead of answering Enjolras buried his head in the crook of her neck. The smell of her shampoo surrounding him. It was a comforting smell; Enjolras could see why Marius was so infatuated with it...with her. He began to cry.
"Alright, Enjolras. It will be alright." She promised him while rubbing small circles in his back. Using her other hand she dialed up Courfeyrac. "Hey. I need you to come get Enjolras. It's pretty serious."
Ten minutes later Courfeyrac had pulled up out back in his car. Cosette woke Enjolras up, before helping him outside. In the car he easily fell asleep again. Cosette kissed his forehead once he was settled.
Courfeyrac's eyes were wide as he looked at his friend. "What happened to him?"
His concern was mirrored on Cosette's face. "You mean you don't know either?"
"He didn't come home last night or this morning. He's been spending more and more time at that damned B&B," sighed Courfeyrac.
"It must be the new beau then."
Courfeyrac nodded grimly. "He hasn't been treating Enjolras right for a long time now."
Cosette's heart broke. "He needs to get out."
"It may not be that simple," Courfeyrac said, hating the reality of it.
"Take care of him?"
"Of course."
"You better call the bar. I think he had a shift tonight." Cosette added.
Courfeyrac nodded before driving away. "Oh, Enj. What have you gotten yourself into this time?"
Courfeyrac struggled to carry Enjolras up the stairs to their apartment, but he managed. Afraid that Felix might drop by again, he called every one of Enjolras' friends inviting them over for a movie night.
By seven o'clock Marius and Combeferre arrived. Half an hour later, Jehan, Feuilly, Bahorel and Cosette came. Eponine arrived last.
"What are you doing here?" Courfeyrac asked.
"I invited her," Bahorel cut in. "Figured if we're protecting Enjolras we should have the toughest person I know."
Courfeyrac relaxed. "Sorry, Eponine. That was rude. I just- I just have been so worried about Enjolras. I guess I lost my cool."
Eponine rolled her eyes. "Whatever nerd. It'll be nice to relax with friends after a day spent with Bridezilla."
There was a moment of silence which was only broken by Cosette.
"We're glad you're here Ep."
The young waitress led her friend over to the couch where Feuilly and Bahorel were sitting. Marius brought over popcorn, and any awkwardness was soon forgotten. They began watching movies, and just as Courfeyrac suspected, at ten o'clock there was a knock at the door. Cosette tensed and Marius grabbed for her hand as Courfeyrac and Feuilly went to go answer it.
"Felix," Courfeyrac said coolly.
"Where's Enjolras?"
"Resting." Feuilly shot back.
Felix frowned. "I need to see him."
"Nice shiner. Where'd you get it?" Courfeyrac asked, praying that Enjolras hadn't done anything stupid but also hoping he had gotten in a punch or two.
"Some loser at the B&B trying to play the white knight." Felix chuckled. "Now where is my angel?"
"Just let him be, mate," Feuilly sighed.
Felix glared at the other man. "Don't call me mate, mate. And I believe I have already let him stay with friends when we had an important reservation. Tonight he is mine."
"I'm afraid that's not going to happen," Combeferre said coming to stand by Feuilly and Courfeyrac at the door. "You'll have to go through the three of us."
"Four." Bahorel added cracking his knuckles while looming behind Courf.
"Five," Jehan said coming to stand with his friends. Eponine raised a brow, silently challenging the older man to try anything. From her stance it was clear she was ready to fight.
"Us too." Cosette announced joining the others, Marius by her side.
Felix seemed to stare at Cosette for a moment, as if trying to place a face from his past. However under his gaze she didn't shrink, she seemed to grow. Cosette calmly stared back at him, daring the older man to speak. Felix glared at the others before turning to leave. The door shut, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
"You'd do that? Fight him for me?"
They all whipped around to see Enjolras leaning against the door frame of his room. He was still in his work clothes which were wrinkled as he had clearly slept in them. His hair was a mess and he still looked in pain, but there was something else too. He looked touched.
"Enjolras, we would fight the whole world for you," Combeferre assured him.
Enjolras just stood there, tears filling his eyes. "I… I don't know what to say."
"The great orator has been rendered speechless," teased Bahorel.
"How about we watch the rest of the movie," suggested Courfeyrac. "Come on Enj, what do you say? Want to see the rest of Zootopia with us? We just started it."
Enjolras smiled. He nodded and was welcomed into the cuddle puddle that was happening in his living room. He was surrounded by his friends; to his left was Eponine, Cosette, and Marius, and to his right Courfeyrac. Combeferre was leaning against his knees with Jehan lying in his lap. Bahorel and Feuilly were curled up in the armchair together, devouring a bowl of popcorn.
By the time the movie was over, most of his friends were dozing lightly.
"Enjolras?" Cosette said softly.
"Hm?"
"Promise me you'll stay away from that guy."
"Huh?"
"He gives me a bad feeling, Enjolras. I don't trust him." confided Cosette.
"I wish it were that simple," Enjolras sighed.
Cosette grabbed his hand. "You deserve better than that monster. Remember that. You deserve the world, Enj."
Enjolras couldn't speak. Instead he just nodded. He kissed Cosette on the head as a way to thank her. And maybe he didn't need words, not tonight at least, because she understood him perfectly.
Enjolras looked over to see Eponine frowning. "What is it?"
"I know what physical abuse looks like, Enjolras." She started slowly. "I know it just starts out as one slap, one shove. You promise yourself it's just the one time, that it won't happen again, that they don't mean it. I've seen it, Enjolras. I've lived it. And I understand that the promises you make to yourself are lies. It will keep happening until you leave. It won't stop. Abusers will keep hurting you until you're gone. I understand how they think. You have to get out."
Cosette just stared at Eponine sadly. Enjolras looked down at his sleeping friends. Softly he murmured. "I don't think I can."
Eponine nodded. She understood that too.
The next morning, Grantaire drove up to 55 Plumet Street nice and early. The property was large, with expansive grounds and well kept flowers. He couldn't help but be reminded of his mother's own garden. He was greeted at the door by an older man who appeared to be in his early fifties.
"You must be Grantaire," the older man said shaking his hand. "I am M. Valjean."
"It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Come, let's go to my study."
Grantaire had expected to be invited in, but instead Valjean merely closed the front door before setting a brisk pace to the backyard. The green space was overflowing with flowers of all variety, and if Grantaire was silent he could hear the hum of bees. Within the walled garden there appeared to be an elegant greenhouse. The base was made of old stone, but about a quarter of the way up the stone was replaced with glass windows and a glass roof. Sunlight poured throughout the structure.
"In the warmer months I like to hold my sessions out here," explained Valjean. "It's such a nice change from my office."
Grantaire nodded. He was a bit overwhelmed seeing how beautiful Valjean's gardens were. The previous ones in the front of the house were nothing compared to those in the walled backyard. Grantaire said as much.
Valjean smiled. "I wouldn't put so much effort into my garden if it weren't for my bees."
Of course. Grantaire should have figured. "My mother would love to see your garden. I'm sure she would have plenty of questions for you."
"She would be welcome anytime." Valjean led the way into the greenhouse. Among all the plants was some wicker furniture and a table with a notepad. "However it is not my garden that you have come to talk to me about. Is it?"
Grantaire headed to the couch and took a seat. "No. It's rather more unpleasant than that."
Valjean nodded. "I suppose we should start with the facts. Tell me about your fiancee."
"I have known Charla since junior year of college. She was so cultured and gorgeous. I just felt so lucky that she was even interested in me," explained Grantaire. He laughed. "She's always worn the pants in our relationship, but I was fine with that. I've never been one for knowing what I want."
Valjean gave him a look. "Is that true? Or is that something you have made yourself believe in order to be happy?"
Grantaire swallowed. "I guess that's part of the problem. I don't really know."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I don't really know who I am, what's me and what's a coping mechanism."
"Ah. You said coping mechanism, so this relationship isn't fulfilling something for you? Is that why you feel the need to find coping mechanisms?" asked Valjean taking careful notes.
"I don't think it's that. Charla is great. She pushes me, but sometimes I feel like she doesn't understand me… that she isn't satisfied with who I am, and that she can fix me."
"It is very common for women to feel the need to change the men they are with," observed Valjean. "However human nature is a very hard thing to change."
"I don't know if I can change the way she wants."
"What do you mean?"
Grantaire let out a great sigh. "I'm bisexual. And to Charla that means I will cheat on her with either gender. She wants me to promise that after the wedding I won't cheat on her."
"Would you?" Valjean asked earnestly.
"I believe in monogamy. I mean there is nothing wrong with polyamory, but that just isn't the lifestyle for me. Just because I feel attraction to more than one gender, it doesn't make it any more likely to cheat. Also I could never cheat on someone. I've seen how horrible it is, and I couldn't do that to anyone." Grantaire replied honestly.
Valjean smiled kindly. "Is there anything else that you do not feel you can change?"
"I suffer from depression and occasional self destructive tendencies. It's a constant battle, and I've been doing pretty well recently. But I know Charla would prefer it if I was mentally well. She supports me of course, but sometimes I feel that she resents me for it...maybe it's just paranoia or anxiety," Grantaire quickly dismissed.
Valjean frowned. "Those are valid feelings, Grantaire, and should not be easily disregarded."
"Speaking of feelings, the real reason I've come to you is because I don't think I am in love with Charla." Grantaire said, and immediately felt guilty for saying such a thing.
"Ah. Now that is a bit more complicated. Why don't you tell me about it." Valjean wrote something on his legal pad before looking R in the eyes.
"I don't remember being in love with her, which is strange. I must have been at one point, but it feels so long ago. But since we came here, I've been reminded of someone who I used to love. I would have done anything for him, hell I probably still would as pathetic as that sounds. But there's just something about him that inspires people to do that. I mean not do things for him, well maybe, but he gets people behind him in a way I've never seen. Anyway I've been talking with him, and I can't help but be attracted to him, even though he broke my heart when we were younger. Talk about self destructive tendencies." Grantaire laughed bitterly.
"Did you know that a couple only feels love for about a year?" Valjean asked.
"What?"
"Couples that last learn that it is not being in love that keeps them together, rather it is the act of being loving." Valjean continued.
"I'm afraid I don't- Your daughter told me this once, but I didn't entirely understand," Grantaire stuttered.
Valjean smiled kindly as he explained. "The chemicals in our brains that tell us we are in love fade rather early on. So for couples who have been together a whole lifetime, well what keeps them together? It certainly isn't the chemicals, so what is it? To be honest there are a lot of variables, but one of the most important ones is the choice to treat your partner with love and respect even if you are fighting. For example I know a couple where one woman would make her wife coffee every morning. And the most important days that she made coffee were while they were having their biggest fights. There is nothing wrong with conflict in a relationship, Grantaire. It is how you treat the person during that conflict which matters."
"What does that have to do with-"
"How does Charla treat you when you are disagreeing?" Valjean asked carefully.
Grantaire opened his mouth only to close it again.
"You two have been together for awhile now, what is it about three years?" Valjean questioned. Grantaire nodded. He continued, "So the oxytocin has vanished, so why are you together? Is it that you are devoted to one another? Or has there been some manipulation to ensure your relationship lasts?"
"I honestly don't know," croaked Grantaire.
"These feelings you have for this other man could just be fleeting," reminded Valjean.
Grantaire shook his head. "I don't think so. I've never really forgotten him."
"Have you spoken with him about your feelings?"
"I couldn't. He already has so much on his plate, and the senator-"
Valjean's posture shifted suddenly becoming tense and hyperaware. "Senator?"
"Senator Tholomyes has taken an interest in him," scoffed Grantaire.
"Senator Tholomyes is in town?" Valjean sounded shaken.
"Do you know him?"
"I've got to get Cosette. I'm afraid that we will need to cut our session short-"
"Wait, sir. How do you know him? Is he a threat to Enjolras?" asked Grantaire following Valjean out of the greenhouse.
"He's a manipulative bastard."
"Sir-"
"He's Cosette's father."
Grantaire froze. "What?"
"He had her out of wedlock when he was in college. He forced the mother to give up the baby since his career in politics was just about to start. I found Cosette on my doorstep with a note. I never heard from Fantine, the baby's mother again. Ever since then I have kept Cosette away from him. Several times reporters would start digging up Tholomyes past again, so I took Cosette out of the country. That man will make her life miserable just for his own political gain. Recently some contacts of mine said he was sniffing around England looking for her, since the reporters were trying to get dirt on him. I moved her here. I thought she would be safe." Valjean pushed his way out of the gate and began walking towards the center of town. Grantaire ran to catch up.
"What happened to her mother?"
"I found out later that she had died." Valjean sighed. "Cosette never had a chance to meet her."
"That's horrible."
"Felix Tholomyes ruined Fantine's life. That's why I can't let him find Cosette here." Valjean growled.
"Wait. What is he doing with Enjolras then?"
"My guess? Felix Tholomyes has always liked to have fun. He doesn't care who he hurts, or what happens after he leaves, so long as he gets what he wants." Valjean responded.
Grantaire nodded. "I understand. You need to go find Cosette."
"She should be at the Musain."
Grantaire blanched. "Enjolras is working there today, and Tholomyes has been recently been staying closer to Enj."
Valjean's pace quickened, and Grantaire had to run to keep up with his strides. They arrived at the cafe minutes later, both out of breath. Working at the counter was Enjolras, and he had an admirer. Valjean tensed, eyes scanning the small establishment for his daughter. She was no where to be found. Grantaire made his way over to the senator.
"Senator," he addressed loudly. Felix turned, a frown settling on his face.
"What do you want?"
"I was wondering if I could consult my friend here, in private-"
"As if I would trust you with him alone," sneered Felix.
Enjolras watched nervously awaiting the outcome.
"Mm thanks, but that wasn't really a request." sassed Grantaire. He took Enjolras by the elbow and led him back into the kitchens. "Where's Cosette?"
"Huh? Why are you whispering?" asked Enjolras.
"I said where is Cosette? We need to get her out of here." Grantaire muttered.
"Why?"
"That man has come into his town looking for his-"
"Daughter I know." Enjolras pulled away. "R, what aren't you telling me?"
"Cosette is his daughter."
Several emotions flashed across Enjolras' face: disbelief, horror, disgust, before going blank. "He told me her name was Euphrasie."
"It is." Cosette said stepping out of the chaos of the kitchen. "That's what my mother put on the birth certificate, but um… before the ink dried she had started calling me Cosette. Silly really."
"You need to go." Grantaire warned her.
Cosette smiled sadly. "I thought I recognized him last night. I was so scared he would call me out… Marius has got a car waiting in the back. Tell my father I'm sorry, and I'll see him soon?"
Grantaire nodded. The two men watched her go.
"What do I tell him?" asked Enjolras.
"Lie. Say anything but the truth."
Enjolras looked sick.
"Or will he hit you again?" Grantaire asked somberly. "Enjolras. Is he hurting you?"
"I deserve it."
"No, never."
Tears pooled in Enjolras' eyes. "I do though. I wasn't strong enough to resist him, to tell him no. I deserve it."
Grantaire pulled Enjolras into a tight hug. He wrapped one arm around Enjolras' waist, the other curling around his shoulder. He held Enjolras' head by his, hand firm in the blond's curls. Fiercely he promised. "You don't deserve his treatment. You don't deserve anything he says you do. Enjolras you were born to be loved."
Enjolras buried his head into Grantaire's shoulder and breathed him in. "You don't need to accept her treatment of you."
Grantaire pulled away, even though every bone in Enjolras' body was begging him to stay. "What?"
"Charla."
"You should be with someone who loves you."
"She does."
Enjolras shook his head. "I know what loving you looks like, Grantaire."
Grantaire stared at Enjolras unsure what to do with that information. "I um. I should go tell Valjean his daughter is safe. Well as safe as she can be with a coworker."
"She's in good hands with Pontmercy...I should go back to Felix. He's waiting." Enjolras shrugged awkwardly.
Grantaire frowned. "Remember what I said?"
"I will." Enjolras promised. "And Grantaire?"
"Yeah?"
"That email…it was never – I still," Enjolras stopped. He looked younger than Grantaire had ever seen him. "Never mind. Forget it."
Grantaire nodded uncertainly before lumbering off to find Valjean.
I am so sorry for the late update! One weekend I was busy with friends, and as I began this I realized everything I wrote was shit. And then it just got harder and harder to write this chapter. I spent a lot time trying to get it right which is why it's so late. Ahhh I'm sorry. I will be leaving for college soon, so updates will be scarcer however I hope to get two more chapters in before I go. Then I may or may not take a mini hiatus. But never fear I am going to finish this story. So please, leave a comment. It will really help me with timely updates. Lots of love and appreciation ~T.W.o.W.