Title: Homage to the Musicals
Summary: This was all Courfeyrac's fault. She would have never agreed to paint her face with green color and dress up as a witch. Much less to be the partner of Enjolras: cold, severe, emotionless Enjolras.
Note:Here's the second one-shot! First of all I would like to thank all of you, I never thought this little project would get so much appreciation and support. I really enjoy reading your opinions, they make me smile every single time. And to those who just read, I'm still really grateful to all of you. I have the best beta-reader: Judybear236, thank you! Leave your opinions and thoughts about this, it is a little different from the first story, but still I hope you like it and enjoy it. Now, on with the show!.
"You are absolutely crazy if you think I'm going to leave this apartment dressed like this!"
Éponine's voice boomed from inside Courfeyrac's bedroom. First of all, she had no idea how she had agreed in the first place to dress up for his stupid costume party. All the Amis were waiting in the living room, the scent of hairspray, cotton and plastic filled the whole room. Courfeyrac walked around everyone checking every single detail of the costumes. Every year, the University organized a costume party, but this was the first time they would all go together and compete as a group. Courfeyrac had been the one who had had the idea, and soon he had become the leader. If they won, Courfeyrac would have the opportunity to meet one of his favorite photographers. He needed everything to be perfect, if he wanted them to win the group category, everything needed to be as he had planned it.
But the problem was that no one was helping him with that.
"Come on, Courf, you are going to end up bald" Jehan had tried to stop him from pulling his hair desperately before giving up when he groaned loudly and turned to slap Bossuet on his head.
"The song isn't that way!" he exclaimed completely bewildered.
"Well sorry Mr. Broadway" Bossuet scoffed before walking towards the couch and flopping down by Combeferre's side.
He had spent hours looking for the perfect costumes all around the city, and now his nerves were on edge as the voices of his friends grew louder and louder.
"Come on, Ép" Musichetta pleaded knocking on the door of the bedroom "You look really great, black and green really does suit you!"
Cossette approached the redhead, her high red stilettos making a click sound as she made her way across the room. Her long blonde hair had been pulled up and curled for the occasion, black leggings matching an equally black tight blouse tucked inside her leggings secured with a black belt. Courfeyrac had been pleased the first time he saw her, she sure resembled Sandy from Grease. Meanwhile on the other corner of the room, Marius, who was dressed as Danny, was sitting at Combeferre's side, his black pants and tight shirt making him look quite funny. His freckled face was clear, his hair slicked back with humongous amount of hairspray and mousse, with the exception of the front part, which was up in a very complicated quiff he had.
"Sweetheart, Courfeyrac will have an aneurism if you don't come out" Cossette started knocking and pleading with Musichetta.
"Joly, could you please stop tugging at the mask? It is already clean!" Courfeyrac groaned as he slapped Joly's hand away from the white Phantom of the Opera's mask.
"You never know!" the med student cried, discreetly pouring some sanitizer on his hands.
"You are impossib-Marius stop trying to kiss Cossette or I swear I'll change your costume to Edna Turnblad!"
Marius stared at him blankly while Bahorel, dressed up as Clyde, shaped his fingers into a gun and placed it atop his temple, earning a snort from Joly.
"Grantaire, could you please stop licking everyone? You are not a real cat!"
The black haired boy raised his chin defiantly, scratching the back of his fake ear. Courfeyrac already regretted giving to the most immature man the most impressive costume. He was going as Rum Tum Tugger, from Cats, the vain cat with an impressive mane. Apparently Grantaire had watched videos of his character, because he was now crawling all around the room, purring at people or licking their hands, he had even begun singing "Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats" as he sat on the kitchen's table. But one thing that Courfeyrac needed to admit was that Cossette had done a pretty great job in painting his face all orange with a feline nose and mouth.
"As long as I am wearing this costume, I am a Jellicle cat" the man scoffed.
"Can someone please make Éponine come out? We really need to get going in ten minutes!"
Courfeyrac was practically bouncing all around the room, and the fact that he hadn't seen Éponine's costume and make-up was driving him crazy.
"She'll come out eventually" Combeferre tried to assure him as he skimmed through the pages of the fake book of Mormon he was holding.
The philosophy student was supposed to be Elder Price, his black tie hanging over his white shirt, which had the tag, 'Hello. My name is Elder Price' pinned to it. Courfeyrac himself had chosen a simple character, Mark, from Rent. His fake glasses were sliding down the bridge of his nose, the scarf choking him constantly or getting trapped in a doorknob.
"Grantaire, you start nibbling my scarf one more time and I swear to God-"
As soon as the words have left his mouth, the door of the bedroom creaked open and the whole room fell quiet. Éponine stepped, out, her face downcast as she waited for the imminent roar of laughter. When she realized that none of that was going to happen, she looked up curiously.
Courfeyrac almost threw himself on the floor and began crying at the sight of Éponine. She looked absolutely perfect. She was wearing a long black dress, the sleeves reaching her wrists. The material outlined her natural curves, glitter and spangles all over the dress. But what surprised everyone the most was the green color on her face and hands. She was the perfect Elphaba.
"I could have been Evita or Velma Kelly, you know?"
"What? Are you crazy? You look spectacular!" Courfeyrac cried as he approached the girl with long strides.
He circled her as if examining a piece of art, a finger on his mouth as he muttered things to himself. Éponine looked up, her gaze travelling all around the room as she watched amazed her friends. Musichetta was giggling excitedly, her white nightgown bouncing up and down as she clapped. She was standing at Bossuet's side, who was supposed to be Raoul, while she was Christine and Joly the Phantom. Courfeyrac had chosen well the Broadway musical for them.
But she wasn't looking at them. She was looking at the person behind them.
Enjolras was standing in the corner, his back resting on the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. His brow was furrowed as he tried to see her properly among the persons in front of them. With a heavy sigh, he straightened and began walking in her direction.
The first time Courfeyrac mentioned costume and party in the same sentence, Enjolras was already halfway through the door before Courfeyrac ran and stopped him, practically tangling himself on the law-student's leg and began begging. Enjolras had rolled his eyes and said that his only condition was that he wouldn't use make up and that nothing would touch his hair. But he had forgotten everything about tight outfits. And now he was paying the price. He fisted the material of the pants he was wearing, trying to create some space between his skin and the fabric, but when the material flew back to his legs and collided with his skin with a sharp sound, he groaned and decided to give up.
Courfeyrac had told him days later that Éponine and he would be partners during the contest, but until that night, Enjolras hadn't seen Éponine all dressed-up. How could someone look astounding when all her face was covered in green? While he tried to remain expressionless, he took in every detail of her. Her long black hair cascading around her, the gown which was supposed to be the one of a witch looking great on her, her lean delicate frame twirling as everyone murmured complimentary words. Musichetta looked pleased with the results of the make-up she had done. The green just achieved to make her cheekbones look sharper, every time she smiled, her dimples more pronounced than ever, her white teeth bright against the dark color of her skin. He tried to ignore the fact that she was hypnotizing.
"Come now, Fiyero!" Courfeyrac squeaked turning around frantically looking for him.
"You know, Courf…" Enjolras began.
Courfeyrac's eyes widened and almost screamed in frustration "There is no character in the Broadway universe that fights for freedom and justice, Enjolras! There still isn't a musical where a revolutionary has the main role! So it is Fiyero or Link Larkin, your choice!"
Enjolras's eyebrows were almost invisible underneath his curls "I was only going to say that I actually like this character"
"Good, because you two look exactly as Fiyero and Elphaba should"
And with that he turned around and began screaming at Grantaire who was playing with Joly's cape. Éponine moved slowly to stand beside Enjolras, clamping her green hands together in front of her. It was one thing to agree to be Elphaba for this stupid contest, but it was quite another to be the partner of Enjolras: cold, emotionless, severe Enjolras. After listening to Courfeyrac's incessant rambling on how they both would look spectacular in those costumes and almost making the man kneel in front of her, she agreed with a groan. But she wasn't counting the fact that he looked quite good in that costume.
"You weren't going to say that, were you?" Éponine whispered without taking her eyes off Courfeyrac who was now showing Marius how to strut properly.
"Nope" Enjolras answered, turning around to look at her "I was going to say that I feel really uncomfortable with these pants."
Éponine stifled a giggle as she took a step back to get a better look at the marble-man. He was wearing Fiyero's costume when he sings "As Long as you're Mine" (Yes, despite everything, Éponine was a fan of Wicked) He had dark green trousers, which reached his mid-waist. Brown suspenders above his olive-green shirt and black boots. He looked exactly as Fiyero should.
"Well, they look really good" she declared patting his chest amiably "Not every man can pull off those pants and look good and manly at the same time."
Enjolras chuckled "Not all girls can look good with their faces painted in green"
"At least you aren't a witch" Éponine scoffed twisting the black hat she was holding.
"I've always loved this couple" Jehan sang as he approached them cheerfully "It shows that love is capable of anything!"
He was dressing as a news-boy, Jack Kelly to be precise, from Newsies. With his dark grey cap and vest, he did looked exactly as the character was supposed to be. Not to mention the bag he was holding with at least eight newspapers inside of it.
"You don't know what happens to him, do you?" Enjolras questioned raising an eyebrow.
"What happens to him?" Jehan asked pressing a hand to his mouth with fear.
"I want everyone out of the apartment and into the cars right now!" Courfeyrac shouted as he began pushing people out of his place.
"Poor unfortunate soul" Éponine sang with a wink, patting his shoulder with pity before dragging Enjolras by the hand out of the apartment.
"No! Wait!" the young man began squeaking nervously as he tried to reach the pair, screaming above the voices "What happens to Fiyero?"
"Ask Courfeyrac!" Éponine answered loud enough for him to hear it before she laughed.
Jehan turned around looking for Courfeyrac desperately. The man was standing in the threshold counting the tickets, the glasses sliding down his nose again.
"Courf, what happens to Fiyero?" Jehan asked in a fragile voice, as if he was afraid of the answer.
Courfeyrac looked up surprised, his eyes widened and then smiled sympathetically before placing an arm over the poet's shoulders and making him walk down the hall.
"Do you know the story of Dorothy?"
"I think I'm going to be sick" Éponine muttered turning around and placing a hand on the wall.
"Oh, come on, Ép!" Cossette said rubbing her hand on the green-girl's back "You have the most impressive costume out of all of us!"
"Hey!" Grantaire scoffed reproachfully.
"Well, besides the kitten" Cossette giggled quietly so that the man couldn't listen to her.
Éponine smiled and straightened "You've got to admit 'Taire, you look adorable in that costume"
Jehan, who had only recovered himself from the shock about Fiyero's fate, bounced excitedly at Éponine's side.
"Told you!" Jehan grinned "I could totally write a poem about your fur and lovely ears…"
"I'm not adorable" Grantaire pouted like a child.
"Bet that if I give him yarn he would begin playing with it" Bahorel muttered with a chuckle.
Grantaire straightened and began twisting and twirling the long cat's tail of his costume in front of him "At least I don't die at the end of my show…"
"Could you two shut up!" Courfeyrac hissed exasperatedly before turning around and peeking behind the curtain again.
"You look exactly like Elphaba" Enjolras said absent-mindedly as he came to stand at Éponine's side.
"Is that a compliment? Or should I be offended by the fact that you just called me a witch?" Éponine smirked.
"I didn't mean it that way" Enjolras looked down at her, his voice tinged with regret.
"I know, I know" Éponine chuckled before looking around the place "I just feel ridiculous."
"You don't look ridiculous" Enjolras said as if it was the obvious thing, his expression darkening at his next words "Take it from the guy wearing leggings."
Éponine couldn't hold back a laugh, startling Enjolras as he observed fascinated how her face brightened and her dimples appeared.
"I'm just scared of falling down, tripping with the stupidly long dress" she scoffed tugging at the hem of the dress.
"I won't let you fall" he assured her with a solemn expression.
Éponine felt her heart quicken suddenly, surprised that he could actually make her feel that way. Could it be that…No, it couldn't be. With a shake of her head she cleared her thoughts and smiled at him fondly.
"I still don't understand why you hate Fiyero" she said confusedly.
Before he could answer, the sound of Courfeyrac shrieking nervously made them look to the other side of the room. The young man was mumbling as Jehan and Joly tried to calm him down.
"There are still two more groups until it's our turn" Joly tried to assure him, the white mask moving as he spoke.
"Yeah, the Star Trek group and the Doctor Who group" Jehan observed.
"Their costumes are fantastic" Courfeyrac groaned sadly.
"What are you talking about?" Bossuet scoffed "Their Spock looks like a bad imitation of an Oompa Loompa"
"Courf, you're cutting off the circulation in my arm" Joly said with panic.
"That's right!" Bahorel cheered Bossuet "And that one looks like a smurf!"
"Calm down, sweetie, we are going to win" Musichetta interfered stroking Courfeyrac's cheek sweetly meanwhile Joly ran to the other end of the room rubbing his arm anxiously.
"He is going to have a heart-attack if he doesn't calm down" Enjolras mumbled rolling his eyes.
"Tell me about it, stud" Cossette chuckled.
The blonde walked towards Courfeyrac, Marius following close behind. Courfeyrac seemed to relax as Combeferre ordered him to inhale and exhale.
"Wow, I had never seen him like that before" Éponine mumbled.
"Yeah, imagine the time he wanted to get tickets for Idina Menzel's concert" Enjolras smirked darkly "We almost had to tie him to the chair."
"Wow" Éponine breathed and then whistled quietly "He is a serious case, then"
The girl observed with a smirk on her lips how Courfeyrac nodded to whatever Combeferre was saying, his glasses sliding down his nose. Even Grantaire was standing in front of him trying to cheer him up as he pretended to lick his own fake paw (or that was what Éponine wanted to believe). After a moment she gazed up to meet Enjolras' blue stare.
"So…" she cleared her throat "You were about to explain why do you hate Fiyero so much?"
"I don't hate him" Enjolras replied peevishly "I just don't like the way he dresses. Despite the fact that he is really vain, shallow and a little dumb, I actually like the character."
"Really?" Éponine asked surprised.
"Really" Enjolras nodded.
"And what do you like exactly about him?" Éponine challenged with a smirk.
"Well…" Enjolras' eyes sparkled with the glint Éponine was too familiar with. The way his eyes sparkled before he began a speech "For what I know about Fiyero, he is the prince of the Vinkus, am I right?" Éponine nodded and he continued "In that case, he is soon to be king and he is constantly under a lot of pressure, they live in a world were the ones who are different and try to make a change are punished and silenced. The oppression is one of the main things that makes Fiyero develop this fake personality, a douchebag, if you want. He probably would have been rejected if he showed who he truly was. He tries to hide what he feels and decides that the best option was to pretend that there are no problems, like he sings in "Dancing through Life", he practically says that nothing matters, the only important thing is not to worry, to don't try."
Éponine chocolate eyes were wide as she listened with her jaw slack, a look of pure fascination as the lawyer-to-be took a deep breath and continued.
"His ignorance is practically the sign of his discomfort and unhappiness. But then he begins feeling something for the town outcast, and that scares him. He sees himself in Elphaba, and he falls in love with the fact that she doesn't let anyone bring her down, she's strong and independent and doesn't care what others think. And he ends up sacrificing his looks, which had been the most important thing for him, to save her. That shows how his priorities changed and his sense of justice. So that's exactly why I like him, because he fought to save himself and the one he loved."
Enjolras finished with a deep sigh and leaned back onto the wall, the fire still burning in his eyes. Éponine gaped at him like a fish out of water, closing and opening her mouth without managing to form a coherent sentence.
"Dammit, Enj, I told you to give me a reason and you just gave me a complete analysis of the character! I think you should meet Norbert Leo Butz and discuss the meaning of Fiyero's emotional evolution through the whole play! " Éponine said incredulously.
Enjolras chuckled "Thank you, I guess."
"No, really!" Éponine continued excitedly "If I had known earlier that you really liked Wicked I would have tried to get tickets for the play so you could've come with me!"
A dark red colored the tips of his ears and he rubbed the back of his neck "I actually have two tickets, my dad sent them to me a few days ago, I was thinking on giving them to Courf, but you know-if you want to-I mean…we could…"
"Yes!" she squeaked launching herself towards his body, circling his neck with her arms "Yes I would love to!"
He barely had time to close his arms around her before she was already stepping away, a look of discomfort in her face. Enjolras was about to apologize when she began scratching her arm furiously, her green hands flying all around her body.
"You know, as much as I love Courfeyrac and Elphaba, this dress is so uncomfortable! My whole body is itching!" she complained as she twirled trying to reach her back. She stopped in her tracks and met his gaze, a shameful expression "Would you mind?"
Enjolras chuckled and step forward to scratch the area where she had instructed. To his surprise, he found the material to be delicate, probably it was silk, but at the same time it was heavy by the weight of the spangles.
"You know guys, as much as I love this couple, this is the funniest thing I've ever witnessed" Jehan said casually looking at them with interest "Yup, Fiyero scratching Elphaba's back. Definitely going to write a poem about this. Even though you are a witch, I know your weakness, because your dress is itchy…"
Éponine rolled her eyes as the news-boy walked away murmuring words to himself. When Enjolras made the move to stop, she slapped his hand and motioned him to keep going. The man chuckled and continued to scratch her back.
"This is better than Grantaire massaging my feet" she murmured softly letting her head fall forward, a slow purr escaping her lips "How much do you want me to pay so you can scratch my back every day?"
Enjolras grinned "Free of charge"
"Have I told you how much I love you lately?" She asked pensively.
"No. Now shut up and let me scratch your back." She snorted but obeyed as he continued.
"And now, our last group!"
A powerful voice boomed around them as the presenter began explaining the theme Courfeyrac had chosen. From that, everything was blur. Éponine straightened, almost knocking Enjolras down. Joly began hyperventilating while Musichetta and Bossuet tried to straighten his mask. Cossette tried to put on her high stilettos with Marius's help while Jehan ran around the room looking for a newspaper he had lost. Grantaire bolted across the room to the other corner where he balled himself and began singing Memory. Bahorel hurriedly grabbed Grantaire by his tail and forced him to stand near the curtain. Courfeyrac, on the other hand, was frozen on the same spot, his eyes staring blankly at nothing.
"Come on, guys, everyone form a line, we are next" Combeferre ordered when he realized that Courfeyrac was neither able to move nor speak.
Surprisingly, Grantaire was the first one to obey, everyone moving to stand behind him. Enjolras dragged a frozen Éponine to the line. After what seemed ages, Courfeyrac seemed to react and began running between everyone, tightening Bahorel's tie, straightening Joly's mask, brushing Grantaire's fur nervously, just before Jehan pulled him by the arm to stand in the front with a reassuring smile.
"And here we have them! Mr. Courfeyrac's group: Broadway musicals!"
The audience burst into applause as the curtain parted open and they began walking.
"Your hat!" Enjolras murmured hurriedly before taking the hat from her hands and placing it carefully over her head.
Éponine blinked furiously as she tried to adjust her eyes to the blinding lights of the reflectors. She felt Enjolras' hand brush hers and then capture it gently. She looked up to meet his gaze, confident and reassuring. She nodded, the sensation of his hand holding hers making her feel less nervous. He wouldn't let her fall. He squeezed her hand gently. She squeezed it back, a smile on her green lips.
She took a deep breath as the cool air of the night hit her face. She walked slowly to the railing, resting her green hands over the cool metal. The lights of the city flickered around her, giving her the peace she needed after standing in front of an audience with her face painted in green, the hot lights of the reflectors making her feel uncomfortable as it burned through the fabric of the dress. After a moment, she heard someone walk into the yard and approach her from behind. Without turning around, she already knew who it was.
"Everyone loved you" he said quietly and she could practically see him smiling behind her.
"Well" she began turning around with a smirk "Elphaba was about to grab a broom and fly away the moment Rum Tum Tugger began dancing around her"
Enjolras chuckled but then his expression changed "Are you okay?"
"Yeah" she murmured "Just suffocated, this dress is really uncomfortable"
"Someone smacked my bum as I walked by" he offered with a thoughtful expression "Would you like to change costumes? I would gladly use that dress"
"Should I be concerned by the fact that you just offered to wear a dress?" she asked raising an eyebrow as a giggle escaped from her lips.
"Not at all" Enjolras answered innocently "I just want to protect the masculinity I have left"
Éponine burst into laughter "Believe me, the one who should be concerned with his masculinity right now is Grantaire"
Enjolras laughed, a deep, musical sound Éponine had always secretly enjoyed.
"Yeah, he was dancing with another cat when I left" He said with a worried expression.
"Perhaps he could start his own Aristocats show" Éponine said with a smirk.
"But now, no jokes, everyone was really astonished with you" he said with a smile "In the good way."
"Well, thank you, Fiyero" Éponine answered with a slight bow.
Enjolras chuckled and moved to stand beside her, silence surrounding them. They stood there for a moment, before Enjolras let out a muffled chuckle. Éponine looked up with a questioning face.
"What's so funny?"
"I was just wondering…how are you going to take off all that paint?" He mocked signaling her face with a grin.
"I actually have no idea" Éponine huffed indignantly "I've tried everything since we stepped down from the stage, soap, a handkerchief, I rubbed until it hurt and nothing."
With an expression of wonder, Enjolras raised his hand slowly, placing his fingertips on her cheekbone as he began rubbing gently her skin. She stared at him mutely, her eyes searching for his. But he didn't look at her, he kept his gaze focused on her cheek, rubbing the same spot for what seemed hours for both of them.
Without a warning, his eyes met hers, causing a shiver to run down her spine.
"It doesn't come off" he whispered, his voice hoarse.
"Told you" she answered quietly.
They kept looking at each other, his hand still on her cheek. Slowly, he reached his hand and rested it on her waist. She felt her breath catch in her throat as he almost imperceptibly leaned closer.
"What are you doing to me?" Enjolras whispered.
Éponine laughed softly "I'm doing nothing"
"I've fallen under your spell" He mused inching closer.
His breath brushed her face as her eyes fluttered closed, his lips were inches from hers when suddenly she opened her eyes with panic and leaned back.
"Wait!" she whispered desperately.
"What is it?" he asked quietly with worry. Had he offended her somehow? She didn't wanted him to kiss her? He felt his face heat with embarrassment.
"I…I don't want to smear your face with green" she said apprehensively.
Enjolras smile brightly before cupping her cheek once again "It won't"
And with that he covered her lips with his, his hand finding its way to her hip. Éponine circled his neck with her arms, her fingers threading through his curls as she pulled him closer to her. He smiled against her lips, heat spreading all over his body. The kiss shook them to their very cores, and soon, he broke it, resting his forehead on hears.
As they tried to calm down their beating hearts, they were vaguely aware of the voice of the presenter giving an award to the group that had ended on second place. Without a warning, Éponine began laughing quietly. Enjolras straightened and met her gaze with a questioning eyebrow.
"What?" he asked with a short laugh.
"Probably it will be too cliché if I say it but…" she took a deep breath and met his gaze "For the first time, I feel…wicked."
They both turned around to the sound of clapping, meeting a bouncing Jehan standing near the doors.
"Holy Jesus, you both deserve a Tony!" he squeaked clapping enthusiastically "That was beautiful, guys!"
At that moment, the roar of the audience made Jehan turn around, just to then begin cheering excitedly with the rest of the people. Enjolras and Éponine looked at each other curiously before Jehan returned his attention to them.
"We won! We won!" Jehan shrieked with joy before changing his expression to one more serious "Now keep doing what you were doing before I interrupted you."
And with that he disappeared in the sea of people. Éponine felt Enjolras shift by his side as she looked at the direction in which Jehan had disappeared just seconds before, a proud smile in her lips. When she felt his gaze, she turned around and looked up. She was met with the biggest smile on his lips she had ever seen. His eyes were sparkling, blue that looked almost grey.
She couldn't let out a giggle because he had already crashed down his lips against her once more.