Disclaimer: the idea is mine, but nothing else is, sadly.

Author's Note: well it's only been forever and a half but I am back woo hoo. I had a lovely fit of inspiration and wrote this and the next chapter though I have no idea when you can look for that chapter to come. Hopefully relatively soonish.

Anyways, since it's been awhile, I went back and edited the previous chapters again as well as changed the chapter titles as I decided to no longer include lyrics within these chapters because it doesn't fit what this story has become. Also I may be changing the story summary as that is the one I can up with when it was originally a one/twoshot and it's not anymore. Also I changed the genres from Hurt/Comfort and Drama to Friendship and Angst. I've got a lot planned and I hope to write most of it. Okay friendly reminder that if it's first person it's Eponine and third person revolves around any of the others like Combeferre, Grantaire and Enjolras.

Okay enjoy!

I think it was the smell that woke me: the strong, pervasive aroma of bacon mixed with the subtle scent of pancake batter frying. It was simultaneously heavenly as well as extremely alien in my half-awake state. The only smells I was used to waking up to was the choking odor of something burning mixed with my mother's cigarettes and the stench of alcohol that hovered around my father like a cloud when he came to wake me up at an ungodly hour for money.

But I was away from all that now as I lay in my new room. There was nothing in the room that was my own save for my purse, the clothes I'd worn to the bar that night, and my impractical high-heeled shoes. But I found that didn't matter as much to me as having a mattress that wasn't fifteen years old and didn't have springs sticking out of it. My pleasure was slightly diluted by the knowledge that my little brother was still stuck at that awful place I'd finally gotten away from but I knew he'd want me to enjoy the little luxuries I could while I had them so I did. Besides, if I had my way, maybe Gavroche wouldn't have to be stuck there for much longer.

Thus determined and cautiously optimistic, I left the solitude of my room in favor of hunting down the source of the amazing smells. Somehow I'd guessed it would be Combeferre at the stove even before I entered the kitchen and I wasn't wrong. He wore a modest blue and white striped apron that made me smile and was adding another perfect pancake to the growing pile beside him as I entered.

"Ugh" I started enthusiastically, already salivating in anticipation. "Combeferre that smells ah-mazing."

He shot me an appreciative grin in response, "Good morning to you too. How'd you sleep?"

"Fabulously" I replied, coming to lean against the counter beside him on the opposite side of the pancake plate. "I swear you guys stuffed that bed with clouds."

He chuckled quietly at that, portioning out another pancake onto the skillet. I caught a drop of batter as it threatened to drip off the rim after he set it down with my finger before tasting it.

"Oh my god." Combeferre these are amazing." I then stopped. "Wait, why are you on breakfast duty? Didn't you just make dinner last night?" my eyes narrowed suspiciously. "You aren't making these just because I agreed to move in, are you?"

He laughed in a manner that didn't come off as condescending. He was in a better mood than I'd ever seen him. He was usually so serious at the bar but that was probably because he and Enjolras were always so absorbed with their research and their plans and doing interviews. It seemed ironic to me that he seemed more intense and studious at a bar where it was infinitely more common for people to just let everything go.

"Actually no," he assured me as he flipped a pancake. "Your arrival and my night to cook merely happened to coincide with an important weekly ritual. It is a proven fact of life that the only way to wake Grantaire up on a Saturday before 4pm is to cook food."

"Really?" I asked with a raised eyebrow. "Have you tried a squirt gun?"

"Oh yes. Back when Courfeyrac lived here, he once unleashed an entire load of a heavy duty water blaster on R as a test."

My eyes widened. "How'd that go?"

"I believe R told Jack that he'd never let go and then went back to sleep. It didn't stop him from being pissed at waking up drenched a few hours later though so he retaliated by sneaking into Courf's room the next morning and giving him a complete makeover in his sleep."

"Please tell me you have pictures." I implored eagerly.

"Oh yes. R is a real artist. Mind you, we still have no idea where he got the waterproof ultra-last mascara from but I was always too afraid to ask."

"That's probably for the best" I agreed with a laugh. "So now you cook on Saturdays?"

"Basically yes. It used to just be when Grantaire had an assignment or it was his turn to do the chores but then we realized that if we let him sleep all day Saturday it would ruin his sleep schedule for the whole week. Then the whole Wake Up War debacle escalated from snakes in the bed to the entire percussion and trumpet section of the university's marching band filling up the apartment at 8 in the morning which resulted in us nearly getting kicked out of the building before Enjolras calmed him down. After that we discovered the only thing that woke up R peacefully when he didn't set his alarms was the smell of food."

I nodded slowly, still smirking at the image his story put in my mind. "Mkay, I believe it. So who won the Wake Up War?"

"There's still a heated debate about it but I actually side with Grantaire on this one. I just don't think Courf can honestly claim a victory after the way he screamed when R lined his room with an assortment of Furbies and ventriloquist dolls that last morning."

I laughed gleefully, "Thank you for that mental image. You just made my day."

Combeferre grinned before taking the bacon off the stove and flipping the last pancake.

"So how long does it normally take to wake the beast?" I asked, transferring the now empty batter bowl to the sink and washing it out.

Combeferre glanced at the clock on the stovetop. "I'd give it about ten minutes. Oh, could you turn on the coffee maker? That'll help."

I did as asked, bustling about to get things ready while trying to remember where everything was from the night before. I was almost afraid he'd tell me to leave it and that he'd get to it but I was grateful when he didn't. After years of living in a house in which if you didn't do something it wouldn't get done, it had always been really hard for me to just sit back and let others take care of me. But there were no protestations from Combeferre and he actually seemed grateful for the help. Soon the table was set and the two of us were sitting down. It was then that I noticed that only two places were set and the definitive absence of the determined blonde.

Since Enjolras didn't strike me as the sort of person who even knew what sleeping was I spoke up, "Where's Enjolras this morning?"

"He's at the library." Combeferre answered as he began dishing up. "He had an appointment with one of the students he tutors."

"I didn't know he was a tutor." While I wasn't surprised I was a slightly taken aback by the fact that I hadn't known before.

Combeferre looked up at me, a little shocked himself. "You didn't?"

I shook my head while applying butter to my pancakes. "I don't think I know what any of you do other than the fact that Joly works in the student health center. And that's only because he talks about symptoms and diseases all night when he's at the bar."

Combeferre smirked at that, "That he does. Well Enjolras and I both work for the university's tutoring center and Grantaire sells his artwork online."

I paused, how did I not know that? I'd probably known these boys for a little over a year and yet I didn't even know what they did other than go to school and talk politics at the Musain. I felt something akin to guilt at having been so caught up in my own business that I'd never even thought to ask.

I resolved to change that from now on. "So what subjects do you help other students with?"

"My areas of specialty are philosophy, psychology and a couple biology or anatomy courses."

I whistled appreciatively. "Tough classes."

He acknowledged this with a little bob of his head. "Indeed. That's why they were so desperate for a tutor."

"And what about Enjolras? What is his specialty?"

"Political science, history, and law.

"Wow. That's a lot for each of you. I'll admit it, I'm impressed. So what is it that you are going to school for?"

"Well," he began haltingly, "I'd like to be a doctor but I'm starting to think that that might have to wait."

"Why's that?" I could tell from the far off look in his eye that this was probably something he himself was still wrestling with but my interest was piqued and if he was willing to discuss it then I was more than willing to listen.

"The more time I spend with Enjolras and the others, the more I realize how corrupt the current political system is and how little it does for the people who need it the most. The more I think that it has to change and that we have to be ones to do it because no one else even seems to give a damn. There is just so much apathy and not enough thinking."

I was completely blown away by his response. He was so very eloquent and decisive and I knew that he'd been thinking about it for a long time. I respected that but I wasn't used to that sort of long distance thinking. The most I could ever plan for was week by week or, as was the case more recently, day by day. It seemed to me that just sticking with an actual career seemed like the more solid path than a vague plan for political change in the future.

"But don't you think being a doctor is also important?" I prodded, trying to get a grasp on how he thought.

"Of course, but that's a long way off." He shook his head then, "Sorry, I didn't mean to unload my political opinions on you. I guess Enjolras is rubbing off on me."

I didn't entirely understand the scope of what he talked about but I could tell it was very important to him. "Don't apologize. I get it. It's what you're passionate about."

"What about you?" He asked kindly, trying to turn the conversation from him as he poured on more syrup. "What are you passionate about?"

I paused. It had been a long time since anyone had asked me that and it took me longer than it should've to think of an answer. For a very long time I'd been so focused on just surviving that I hadn't allowed myself to think of luxuries or hobbies.

"Well," I finally began, "I always liked reading. I don't have many books- mostly classics I picked up at second-hand bookshops, but I love stories. Gavroche and I never had much growing up but we did have our stories. When we couldn't get to the library because we were too far away to walk and our parents wouldn't give us a ride, we'd make up our own. It wasn't much but it made things seem a little better."

Combeferre had put down his fork while I spoke, really listening to what I was saying. "Have you ever thought about taking literature courses at a university?"

I cocked my head to the side, "You know what, I have. There's just never been the time or the money what with my parents taking every cent for 'rent' and 'expenses'."

He nodded understandingly. "I get that, but, since you're away from them now, if you ever decide to try college, there are more options than just what we do. There are online classes with more flexible hours for schedules like yours. There are also a lot of scholarships available that you could apply for to help out. And if you did ever decide to I'm sure Enjolras and I would be more than happy to tutor you."

I smiled at his thoughtfulness. "Thank you, Combeferre. I really do appreciate the offer and I'll keep it in mind."

And I did, especially the way he suggested it. There was no judgment passed on what I should do or thinly veiled criticism at my decision not to pursue my education before now. He was merely letting me know what my options were while making it clear it was my decision. That wasn't something I got very often. I found it very refreshing but at the same time I was beginning to understand that's just how Combeferre was.

He smiled again and continued eating. I was beginning to realize that I really enjoyed spending time with him. Like when we were cooking together last night, he was content to not speak and just be. He wasn't compelled to fill the silence unlike Cosette and Musichetta who were my usual company. I cared for the girls greatly but they were exceptionally chatty girls and sometimes I just needed a little peace and quiet to just think.

We spent the next few minutes in silence and it wasn't until we'd nearly finished eating that Grantaire finally emerged from his room. His hair was incredibly mussed and his eyes were only open half way. It was an endearing sight and I couldn't help but smirk at him.

"Good morning sleepy head." I said as he passed.

"Coffee" he groaned, his voice still thick with sleep.

I laughed but let him pass as I ate the last remains of my breakfast. After I finished I collected our dirty dishes from the table and joined R in the kitchen. He was fixing his coffee with a very determined expression as though it was the only important thing in his entire existence. I put the dishes in the sink before reaching over to playfully ruffle his hair.

"Drink up, R. We're going on a field trip."

He blinked at me, bleary eyed as his hand paused in its stirring. "What?"

"I need to run an errand and I'm recruiting you as my wingman." I dished up some food for him as I spoke to soften the blow.

"Why can't 'Ferre go with you instead?" he asked, finally bringing the coffee up to his mouth as the mentioned man entered.

"Because he made me breakfast," I replied with a smile.

Grantaire sighed, taking another draught of the coffee, "Fine. Where are we going?"

"My parents' house" I answered, seeing a shift in his eyes at that. "They should be out for a few hours scamming the tourists so the coast should be clear. Because as grateful as I am for the clothes you lent me, I really need to get my own things before my parents pawn them all."

I tried to keep my tone light and casual but from the set of Combeferre's shoulders and R's jaw I knew they had caught my undercurrent of anxiety. But, to my intense relief, they didn't comment on it.

There were none of the pitying glances I'd expected. They didn't put a hand on my shoulder and apologize for what they didn't need to. There weren't any offers to replace what I lost and as this sunk in I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. I was struck with the sudden desire to drop the spatula and gather them both to me in a tight embrace but instead I stayed where I was and finished dishing up pancakes. It wasn't the sort of moment I wanted to draw attention to and I wasn't the kind of person to wear my feelings on my sleeves. This wasn't some sort of motivational chick flick.

But the fact remained that the moment had had its impact on me in that these two men had begun to enter a very special place inside me that, until now, only Gavroche had occupied. The funny thing was is I'm not sure they even realized it; they were just being decent human beings that respected me and my opinion. While the moment had held still in my own mind, it passed quickly and with little pomp and circumstance for the men on either side of me as they carried on.

"Okay." Grantaire said after another sip of coffee. "When do we leave?"

"The sooner the better" I answered.

He nodded, accepting the plate I handed him. "I'll get right on this and change and then I'll be good."

"Thanks. I'll be waiting." I replied.

Then, as the three of us left the kitchen, I couldn't help but reach out and place a hand on each of their shoulders and squeeze once to show my gratitude the only way I could as words would only muddle the situation. They each responded with a smile while R squeezed my hand back, neither having any idea of the magnitude of the effect what just happened had on me.

Author's Note: Yay, cutie pies and pancakes. This chapter basically is a sort of love letter for Combeferre as he is one of my favorite characters and I wanted to try to play with his struggles as well. I realize as I've taken up this story again that it is still changing drastically from the original idea I had for it and as a result it takes a little while for Enjolras to be in it more. He's part of the larger story I want to tell but right now I'm more concerned with Eponine and her personal journey as well as playing with how the interactions with the other characters shape and affect her. So for those of you tuning in for Enjolras/Eponine, you'll have to give me time. That's part of the plan but it's just a piece of the story. Besides, I don't believe that, given who Enjolras and Eponine both are, either would be quick to develop feelings like that or just jump in. they are like the opposite of Marius and Cosette. So yes, it's part of the plan but not the central part so I hope that doesn't bug you guys.

Thank you to those who have come back after such a long absence and I hope you liked this chapter. Please let me know what you think! Concrit and compliments are welcome!