15/8/13

My friends, soon this arc will be coming to a close, so I will be taking a break from this to write the other half of this story then publish. I predict roughly one more chapter to this part.

P.S – I am now on FictionPress to put my novel attempt up. Search guineamania to find me! It would mean the world if people would help me improve it.

Chapter 8

Grantaire sat on his mattress, nursing his broken fist. He came out of the fight a lot better off than Louis, but he still had a fractured knuckle and a black eye too add to his plethora of bruises and wounds. Louis and the twins were still part of the Grantaire clan; unfortunately he couldn't kick them out, but now they submitted to his authority more than they previously did. Jean-Henri settled down next to him with a sigh and let the younger Grantaire lean on his shoulder for comfort. Henri massaged his brother's palm gently to try and sooth him. "You can always talk to me Petit R," he soothed as tears welled up in Grantaire's eyes.

"I want him back," Grantaire whispered into the top of his eldest brother's sleeve. "But he sent me away, I can't live being like his mistress," he added with tears staining the silky fabric.

"If you love him Nic, then you will find a way," he comforted with his long scribe's fingers curling through Grantaire's untameable brown curls.

"What would you do Jean, if Hannah left you and you wanted her back?" Grantaire asked solemnly. Hannah was Jean-Henri's English wife who was more like a mother to Grantaire than his mother was.

"I would get her something she had always wanted and sincerely beg for her to take me back," Jean explained and was thrown backwards when Grantaire jumped up to his feet.

"Jean! You are a genius," Grantaire grinned, hugging his favourite brother tightly. "Do you know where I could get some gunpowder?" he grinned.

XXX

Enjolras was not fully recovered but no one could persuade him to stay at home. He had turned Grantaire away because he needed to focus on the revolution; a little injury was not going to stop him now. There was so much to do and he had no time for resting; the revolution always had to come first. But he couldn't focus; the table in the corner was empty and silent. He just wanted his love back; he would do anything to convince him he was still loved. His voice tailed off right in the middle of his passionate speech but the words slid out of his mind and for the first time in his life, Enjolras was speechless. He thumped down to sit on the hard wooden table, dented from the numerous speeches he had conducted from its heights. The café slowly returned to confused mumblings as all eyes were on Enjolras' hunched over form. He had been an idiot; Enjolras needed Grantaire to be there to be able to focus on the revolution. He needed the cynical comments to keep him grounded. He needed the light hearted joking to take the pressure away from him. He needed Grantaire. But how could he ever convince him to come back after what Enjolras did. He needed to make sure that Grantaire would know that Enjolras wanted to be with him for as long as they shall live. Combeferre sunk next to him on the table as Enjolras made his decision; there was only one thing to do. "Combeferre, will you finish the meeting?" he sighed while getting to his feet.

"Of course," his lifelong friend replied and Enjolras was darting out of the Musain. There was no time to waste.

Enjolras returned to the apartment in the middle of the night with precious cargo. Erica was asleep on his bed and Cosette was curled up in a chair watching her. "Thanks for looking after her, Cosette," Enjolras smiled as she spotted him.

"Enjolras thank god you're okay!" Cosette exclaimed as she jumped up to hug him. "We were so worried," she giggled and the noise woke Erica.

"Papa!" she screamed and jumped on him. Erica had never called him Papa before; and in a strange way he liked it. She noticed the mistake and blushed though, "I mean, Enjolwas."

"You can call me Papa if you want, sweetheart," he smiled as he kissed her forehead. Erica nodded with a beaming smile and buried her head in his curls.

"Stway wiv me," she whispered as her mouth twisting into a yawn. Enjolras nodded.

"Of course," Enjolras smiled and sat on his bed. Cosette left after explain where the food and toys were; leaving them both alone.

"I love you, Papa," Erica whispered as her eyes flickered shut.

"I love you too, Rica," Enjolras whispered in response.

XXX

The next morning Grantaire finally built up the courage to see Enjolras. Erica had left with Cosette to go to the park while Enjolras and her fiancé Marius were at the meeting. It was a perfect opportunity to confront the revolutionary with no interference. So why couldn't he knock on the door. Every time he raised his shaking fist the will deserted him and the little voice in the back of his head screamed, "Run away, he doesn't love you! Run away!"But he was always stubborn, so he tried again. It was on the sixth time he finally managed to knock on the door and deliberately put the barrels of gunpowder behind him so he could not run away. The door swung open and it was blatantly obvious that Enjolras was not expecting Grantaire to be there in the slightest. "'Taire, I was about to send you a message…we need to talk," he mumbled and this time it was Grantaire's turn to be shocked. Enjolras wanted to talk to him?

"I brought a peace offering," Grantaire replied weakly and picked up the four barrels of gunpowder Jean-Henri had managed to supply him with. Enjolras' face lit up and it was obvious his mind was whirring with how this gift would increase their chances when the time came. They stowed all the powder away before sitting down across from each other. Grantaire was the first to speak. "I'm so sorry but I love you Enjolras and I will never stop loving you. If you love me too then please take me back! If not then tell me and put me out of my misery, I can't live like this!" he exclaimed and was almost in tears when the words spilled out. Enjolras sat there silently and Grantaire's heart shattered once again into tiny fragments.

"R, I, I, I want you back," Enjolras stuttered, still in shock from Grantaire's exclamation. "I didn't think you would want me," he added afterward.

"You idiot!" Grantaire exclaimed. "Enjolras I would love you to the sun and back. You are the only thing I have that is worth living for and thinking you didn't love me turning everything a depressing monotone!" he ranted and was so distracted that he didn't noticed Enjolras reach into his pocket and pull out a box.

"Grantaire," Enjolras whispered drawing the ranting drunkard's attention back to him. He dropped down from the chair and held up the box. "Nicolas Grantaire, will you marry me?"