A/N: The chapter title doesn't really have anything to do with the chapter I just like to say 'my way or the highway.' They didn't even have highways in 19th century France!
After the death of Charlotte's daughter, Eponine felt somewhat protective of Enjolras and she wanted to shelter him from the cruelties of the world. He had been in hysterics for the rest of the day, and he made Clara ridiculously worried about him. He eventually stopped his sobbing, but he had been moody ever since.
Currently, he was mindlessly shoving shirts, cravats, and trousers into a wooden chest that he was going to bring along with him to Provence, and Eponine was sitting on the edge of his bed, bored out of her mind.
"Enjolras, I told you this earlier, and I will say it again: you need to forget about what happened," Eponine said softly trying to snap him out of his trance, but Enjolras shook his head.
"It would be disrespectful to forget! I will never forget Charlotte's heartbroken sobbing or the dead look in her eyes. A parent and a child's love are so powerful that when it is broken, angels cry and the skies turn gray. But in this corrupt world, when a baby passes away on the streets, nobody even seems to flinch," Enjolras said sadly.
"I know it is terrible truth, but we must recover. I have faith in you, Enjolras, and I know one day you will change the colors of the world! Live in the moment now because if you do perish at the barricades, you cannot get this time back," Eponine said wisely causing Enjolras to sigh. He stopped his packing and sat down next to Eponine on the bed.
"I'm sorry, I know I am acting completely ridiculous," Enjolras said wrapping his arms around Eponine.
"You are not acting ridiculous, I was just worried about you," Eponine said reassuringly. "But why, I must ask. Why are you talking this so personally?" Enjolras hung his head and let out a humorless laugh.
"When I was child, I always wanted to be a father. Does that sound ridiculous? The dream changed as I grew older, but I think I have maintained my soft spot for children," Enjolras said gently with a faraway look reflecting in his eyes.
Eponine couldn't conjure any words of comfort, so she fell into a great silence as Enjolras resumed his hasty packing. Eponine sighed and exited the room, she decided that maybe Enjolras could use some time alone. Though, she wished she hadn't left at the sight she was greeted with a rather disturbing sight: Grantaire and Clara were leaning against the wall, kissing.
Eponine wanted to walk away, but she decided that it was a good time to get revenge against them for interrupting her and Enjolras. She let out a high pitched scream causing the two to break apart.
"Eponine, what in the world?" Clara asked with a furious blush sprouting on her cheeks. Grantaire embarrassedly rubbed the back of his neck.
Eponine just grinned as though she thought herself the funniest thing in the world.
"I was just startled, mademoiselle," Eponine snickered. Clara looked utterly annoyed, but Grantaire was clearly amused. "I must say, this is definitely an improvement from the other day."
"It is none of your business! Anyways, are you ready for our departure? The carriage will be here in a couple hours," Clara snipped changing the subject as she smoothed out the imperceptible wrinkles in her blue dress. Eponine nodded.
"Good. I am going to take a walk through the marketplace, would you care to accompany me, Eponine?" Clara asked.
"Of course! I could use a bit of fresh air, and Enjolras is in a foul mood," Eponine said as she joined Clara at the front door. Both girls knew that the entire point of the walk was to give Clara a chance to gossip about her and Grantaire.
"I'm going to go finish packing myself," Grantaire said as he retreated to his room.
"What exactly just happened?" Eponine urged as they were safely outside. Clara giggled.
"We were arguing again about the kiss from earlier, and then he told me that he was not trying to make the girl jealous; he just wanted to kiss me. Then he explained himself and told me that he really fancied me, and then… well… you saw what happened," Clara said giddily.
"I'm happy for you," Eponine said honestly.
"What's new with you and Enjolras?" Clara asked.
"Nothing; he has been upset ever since he witnessed the passing away of the baby. Remember I told you about what had happened? He still hasn't quite recovered," Eponine said wistfully picking at the petals of a flower.
"Don't you fret; he will get over it soon," Clara assured Eponine, and Eponine hoped she was right.
The two girls stopped in front of a vender selling flowers, and they were gazing longingly at the different shades of red, pink, purple, yellow, and blue.
"I am going to miss being able to go out into the streets of Paris freely," Eponine sighed casting her eyes over the marketplace as though she were trying to memorize every little detail to take with her in Provence.
"I am glad you are coming to Provence with me! We will have fun," Clara said convincingly as Eponine picked up a flower and inhaled it deeply.
"I hope so," Eponine muttered.
The two girls spent another hour leisurely looking around the marketplace before Clara decided that they really needed to get back home so they had time to get ready.
"I think you will love Provence, Eponine! It's so open there, and the air is so fresh," Clara said as the reentered the flat.
"I hope for your sake and mine that I enjoy Provence," Eponine said stiffly. "If I absolutely cannot stand it, I demand to return home immediately!"
"That is preposterous! You will only be there for a week or two, please try to stay," Clara begged. Eponine agreed, but not happily.
Suddenly, two large black, carriages pulled in front of the building, and Eponine's heart dropped to the floor.
A/N: So the next journey begins! The next chapter will have more E/E, I promise.