Summary: Jehan braves the parting waters of people to recite Psalms. Gavroche is a brat

(Gavroche is Enjolras) with a crush.

Protests - particularly those directed at the education system - that gather with the express permission of the State can be something of a double-edged sword. Often permits for such demonstrations are only issued for weekdays in an effort to stop students being able to attend. This only makes them want to go more in spite of the government, which ultimately requires them to choose between going to their classes or their protest for better classes. Which is where the real trouble begins.

If they go to their classes then they open the movement to criticism that no one cares enough for it to be a true issue. A protest can not continue without protestors. However, if they go to the rallies then their opponents only say that they do not truly care about what they are protesting, if they are so casual about attending or not attending the educational institutions they claim to be wanting to change. Why should they have more classes if they couldn't manage to turn up for the ones they did have?

For the most part, Les Amis de l'ABC participated in non-sanctioned protests, but occasionally Enjolras was invited to speak at official ones. He hated the way they censored him, how they constantly pushed his planned speeches further and further to the centre, not wanting to be seen as radicles, wanting to appeal to everyone. But these protests had their usefulness, and Les Amis used the time when Enjolras was speaking to watch the crowed and then hand out flyers to the next planned unofficial meet to those who seemed interested in what Enjolras had to say. And not only was it useful for networking, but it was heartening to see that they weren't alone, that their group wasn't the only one outraged by the status quo; that even though their methods did not always align - that some were not willing to go as far, that some didn't even wantto go as far - they were only a part of a machine trying to change the world.

So when the request for Enjolras' presence at a protest came through for next Wednesday, they had only rolled their eyes at the predictability. But when it became apparent that only Grantaire could attend with him, the mood became more tense.

Grantaire goes to every single protest that Enjolras speaks at without fail, though he never participates in any way; never makes a sound, never moves from where he places himself at the edge of the stage and to the right of the podium, looking up wide-eyed and silent while Enjolras speaks. He never hands out flyers or joins the rest of Les Amis onstage, and Enjolras constantly bemoans why he even bothers to come to them at all, if he's only going to be useless about it. He's the only one who doesn't know.

-00000-

Courfeyrac sneaks in through Combeferre's bedroom window that night at 10pm and climbs into bed with Enjolras. He has his own key to the house, of course, they all do, but he claims that climbing in through the window is more exciting. When they allow themselves to indulge, Enjolras and Combeferre can not help but agree.

It is immediately clear that his unplanned visit was, in fact, planned. None of them have any time for half-truths or hesitant words, and as soon as Combeferre seats himself at the end of Enjolras' bed - long legs stretched out over their shorter ones - Courfeyrac says "Grantaire."

Enjolras sighs. "I think it will be alright. We get along well enough when we don't talk about politics. He's funny, and kind when he isn't being hopelessly pessimistic or drunk, and he listens to me and what I say and generally does what I ask of him. He may be useless sometimes, and he may infuriate me others, but when he is not actively trying to do those things I do like him, you know."

Enjolras looks first at Courfeyrac next to him, who has his nose screwed up in concentration. " You're speaking about politics at the rally. I don't think you can avoid a conversation about it with Grantaire."

Enjolras shakes his head. "You know as well as I that he never does or says anything at rallies. He speaks out against us constantly at meetings for reasons that I'm sure amount to nothing other than his own amusement, but he keeps quiet in public. I don't think he wants to take our cause away from anyone, even if he doesn't believe in it himself."

Courfeyrac nods, satisfied with Enjolras' belief that Grantaire won't derail the protest with his comments without anyone standing beside him, and Enjolras won't come away from the rally hating him. Courfeyrac enjoys Grantaire's company; he's fun and exciting and he can always find the prettiest person in the room and direct them Courfeyrac's way (disregarding Enjolras, because Enjolras is always the most attractive person in the room but he's also supremely uninterested and Courfeyrac was over him in that way after the first three times he met him because of that clear lack of interest. And also Grantaire would never direct Enjolras anyone's way - Courfeyrac is starting to think he'll never even try to catch his attention himself, and that is sad), and he would hate to have to cut him out of his life because he pissed off Enjolras to the point where he couldn't stand him anymore.

Enjolras then looks to Combeferre. "You think?" he asks, right eyebrow raised sceptically, and Enjolras winces. Combeferre always knows him best, always knows what he is and isn't saying. Enjolras shouldn't have been so careless with his words.

"I know it will be alright." He says, voice assured. "I will make it alright."

Combeferre nods. He doesn't like to admit it, even to himself, but irrational as it is, he truly believes Enjolras can make anything happen through his will alone.

When Enjolras wakes the next morning Courfeyrac has burrowed into his side seeking warmth, his dark curls tickling at Enjolras' ear, and his feet have gone numb from where Combeferre has curled up over his legs like a cat. For a brief moment, Enjolras has the thought that there is nowhere else in the world where he would rather be, and that is when he knows that it can not continue like this.

-00000-

Enjolras notices the way that the people move to get out of his way as he starts towards the edge of the stage, and while he thinks it polite, it is also counterproductive to his message. He is about to jump down off stage when he notices Grantaire standing there, hand stretched up to meet him and a grin playing about his features. Public speaking has always made Enjolras feel as light as air, likely to be carried away by any gust of wind or well constructed argument, and he takes Grantaire's hand without even thinking about it.

The ground seems to rush back at him as the heat of Grantaire's skin envelops his own hand, and Enjolras almost stumbles when he steps off the stage. He lets go of Grantaire's hand as soon as he is sure of his stability, but he feels more grounded than he had a minute ago; not as calm as he would after a few moments in silence with Combeferre, but certainly capable of rational conversation, where before he had only wanted to fight.

People do not often approach him after his speeches at rallies. Rather, they tend to gather around Courfeyrac as he smiles and charms his way into giving out pamphlets and collecting email addresses, but more often than not they will sneak furtive glances his way when they think he's not looking. The kid who approaches him now does no such thing, makes no attempts at coyness nor shyness, but marches his way, eyes bright with determination. He's younger than Enjolras, though not by much, and while he dresses in bright, garish colours that make others in the crowd either stare openly or look away like he blinds them, there is a feeling of profound melancholy that practically radiates off him. He seems to clash as much within himself as his clothes do on the outside, and Enjolras likes him immediately.

"Jehan." The kid says, and sticks out his hand for Enjolras to shake, which he takes with a smile. "Your speech was inspiring. And beautiful. I felt as if your soul was overflowing, and I could see its light in your words. It reminded me of a poem, actually, or perhaps a Psalm. And in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy."

Enjolras does not know much about the Psalms, but he feels his cheeks heat up all the same. People say his speeches are inspiring all the time, but no one has ever told him they were beautiful. Radical, yes. Manic, often. Terrifying, even, sometimes. But no one has ever said that they reflected his soul and that it was beautiful. He is about to tell Jehan so, when he is interrupted by a scoff from Grantaire.

"My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me?" he says, and Grantaire is often mocking, but he never has the note of unkindness his teasing is carrying now. "Don't you think you're batting a bit out of your league here, kid? Shouldn't you be at school now?"

Jehan doesn't seem to even hear Grantaire's comment, only stares hard at Enjolras' face. Enjolras does his best to ignore it as well, but inside he is both furious and confused. Grantaire has never mentioned nor even hinted at any kind of attraction since that first day. He had thought that Bahorel had explained the situation and Grantaire had decided it was a battle he had lost before it had begun and Enjolras had been glad of the fact that nothing had developed into becoming awkward. He had considered it a win for everybody, and he doesn't understand where Grantaire's tone is coming from now, nor does he appreciate it. He wants to turn and demand that Grantaire apologise, or at the very least wring the truth from him, but he puts those emotions aside for later. He's been teaching himself to compartmentalise.

Nevertheless, when he reaches to clasp Jehan on the shoulder and very pointedly invite him to the next meeting at the Musain, his grip is tighter than he had intended.

-00000-

Two months later, at another rally, Enjolras is again approached by someone in the crowd. Gavroche is all of ten; a blond, scruffy ball of energy who keeps trying to grab at Enjolras' hands and sleeves and Grantaire laughs happily as he holds him back by the collar of his coat.

Enjolras explains that he'd love to have Gavroche along for their meetings, but when he's older. The boy blushes bright red, and he insists that he can outfight anyone and knows everyone's secrets and he's old enough to look after his little brothers so he is old enough to take down the system and Grantaire only laughs louder and harder and ruffles the boy's hair. Truthfully, Enjolras is impressed with Gavroche's tenacity, but he also can't bring himself to place a child in potential danger. He does hope that Gavroche doesn't lose that passion as he grows older, however, and funnels it into something good.

Grantaire is friendly with Jehan now, it's true, but he had taken a while to warm up to him, and Enjolras doesn't understand why his meeting Gavroche is any different from the time he had met Jehan. He doesn't understand Grantaire at all.

A/N: Incase anyone is interested, Jehan quotes from Psalm 63 - a Psalm of David from when he was in the wilderness of Judah - My Soul Thirsts for You (because I'm super interested in the part that says Jehan cares about revolution and change and also God. Please give me all the religious characters thanks):

O God, you are my God;

earnestly I seek you;

my soul thirsts for you;

my flesh faints for you,

as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,

beholding your power and glory.

Because your steadfast love is better than life,

my lips will praise you.

So I will bless you as long as I live;

in your name I will lift up my hands,

My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,

and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,

when I remember you upon my bed.

and meditate on you in the watches of the night;

for you have been my help,

and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.

My soul clings to you;

your right hand upholds me.

But those who seek to destroy my life

shall go down into the depths of the earth;

they shall be given over to the power of the sword;

they shall be a portion for jackals.

But the king shall rejoice in God;

all who swear by him shall exult,

for the mouths of liars will be stopped.