Chapter 13:
"R, where are we going?" Lucie asked as Grantaire pulled her along.
"I told you it's a surprise! Stop asking!" R laughed, "I swear you're as stubborn as Enjolras."
"No one is as stubborn as Enjolras!" Lucie rolled her eyes and followed him up a little path that led into the woods behind campus.
Once they were in the woods, Grantaire led her to a little patch of grass in front of two trees, "Sit down."
Lucie raised an eyebrow, "On the ground?"
"I brought a blanket don't worry," Grantaire said, as he laid the blanket on the grass.
Lucie sat on the blanket and looked around, smiling when she saw little patches of flowers on the grass. "So…is there a reason we're out here? Planning on killing me and leaving my body in the woods?" she teased.
"The view, look between those two trees in about ten minutes, you'll see," R grinned, sitting next to her.
"How did you manage to find this place?" Lucie asked him.
"I spent a lot of time alone before I met the guys," R sighed, "A lot of it was walking out here, and I even found the perfect spot to hide things." He smiled standing up and walking over to a hollowed tree stump. He reached inside and took out a bottle of his favorite wine.
"You truly know the way to a girl's heart," Lucie teased, laughing lightly.
Grantaire handed her the bottle and bowed, "M'lady."
Lucie laughed so hard that she snorted and then covered her mouth, "You did not hear that!" she squeaked.
"Oh I heard it, and I'm so telling the others," R smirked.
"Speak of it ever again and I'll castrate you," Lucie glared at him.
"Message received," R nodded, slightly frightened.
Lucie smirked and took a drink from the bottle.
"It's time! Look!" Grantaire smiled brightly.
Lucie turned her head and looked between the trees. The sun was just beginning to set, and Grantaire was right…it was the loveliest view in the world. She gasped softly, "Oh my god…"
"Told you so," Grantaire whispered.
"You were right," Lucie smiled.
While Lucie was distracted, R discreetly snapped a picture of her for a painting assignment.
"I should go…Babet is waiting," Lucie said softly, yet stayed completely still.
"You don't want to though," Grantaire said, "I can tell."
"Not yet," Lucie nodded, "Besides, I can stay a bit longer," she took a long drink from the bottle and handed it over to R.
Grantaire shifted closer to Lucie, "You know what I meant. You don't want to be with him, do you?"
Lucie's eyes started tearing, but she fought them back, "I have to."
"No you don't, we won't let him hurt you," Grantaire said, "We'll stop him from ever touching you again. I promise, Lucie, we'll protect you."
"It's not me I'm worried about," Lucie said quietly.
"What do you mean?" Grantaire cocked his head to the side.
"He gave me a list…Jehan, Enjolras, Marius, Combeferre, and Musichetta," Lucie admitted quietly, "He's going to hurt one of them the next time…the next time I disappoint him."
"That bastard!" R whispered, "We won't let him, we'll stop him—hell I'll stop him."
"No! You can't tell anyone about this! Promise me you won't! Please R!" Lucie begged desperately.
"Okay," R nodded taking her hands, "I won't tell them, but if he hurts you, I'll kill him myself."
Lucie thought she'd stop breathing when R took her hands, "R…"
Before he could think to stop himself, Grantaire leaned forward and pressed his lips to Lucie's.
Despite the millions of thoughts rushing through Lucie's head, she did not hesitate to kiss back. She sighed softly, shifting closer to him.
Grantaire pulled her in by the hips and tangled a hand in her hair as they kissed, "We shouldn't be doing this…you're still with him…" he mumbled against her lips.
"I don't care," Lucie breathed, "I hate him. I want you."
"You want Enjolras," Grantaire said, kissing her neck softly.
"S-So do you," Lucie's breath hitched, "Why can't we want each other too?"
"You make an excellent point," Grantaire breathed, "Because I've wanted to do this ever since I met you."
"So have I," Lucie realized, "I was so focused on Enj and everything else that I didn't realize…you make me so happy…I wish I'd known sooner."
"Ssssh…it's okay…I didn't realize either…" Grantaire assured her.
"Don't stop," Lucie said, "Not yet."
"I won't, I promise," Taire whispered, kissing her again.
They pulled apart to breathe after a few minutes, resting their foreheads together.
"We can't tell anyone about this…about us," Grantaire whispered as he brought their lips together again.
"I know," Lucie agreed between kisses, "Our secret."
Grantaire stopped and kissed her forehead, stroking her hair gently, "Come on, it's almost dark, we need to get back."
Lucie nodded and leaned against him, "Just another minute like this?"
"Of course," R whispered. He kissed into her hair, holding her close.
After a few moments Lucie nodded, "Okay, I'm ready…"
"Okay, I'll walk you back," R told her.
"He'll be waiting for me…I'm really late," Lucie frowned.
"If he hurts you, you scream as loud as you can," R whispered softly, "One of us will be there in seconds."
"Promise?" Lucie looked up at him, almost looking like an innocent child.
"I swear," Grantaire nodded, "I won't ever let him hurt you again."
Lucie was silent as Grantaire walked her back to her room, upset that she had to drop his hand once they were back on campus.
"There you are, Lucie," Babet grinned as she and Grantaire arrived at her door, "You're so late I was starting to worry."
"Sorry, Grantaire and I went to get coffee after class," Lucie lied, "We lost track of time."
"So you were on a date?" Babet asked as Lucie saw the anger rising in him.
"No, we both wanted coffee and it seemed foolish not to go together, considering we're friends," Lucie sighed.
"Why didn't you ask me, your boyfriend, to come then?" Babet crossed his arms.
"Because you hate coffee, Babet," Lucie balled her hands into fists.
"Temper temper, little Lucie," Babet scolded, "How about we go inside and discuss this calmly?"
"Fine," Lucie muttered. She stepped around him to unlock her door, "I'll see you in class, R." She walked into the room, Babet followed, and the door closed behind them.