A/N: Thank you all for following! I hope you're enjoying it so far, please let me know in the reviews!
The key turned in the lock with a click. Enjolras turned the doorknob and pushed it open silently, gesturing for Éponine to enter. She stepped into the apartment and took in her surroundings with wide eyes. It was modest of course, just like the occupant, but tasteful and homey. There was a small kitchen, living room, and washroom. His bedroom was at the end of a narrow hallway. A good sized bed was centered against the far wall and occupied most of the space except for a wooden desk and chair in the corner that was piled high with books and papers. The closet door hung open slightly and she could see rows of jackets and shirts and trousers inside. There were at least five pillows on his unmade bed, the sheets were a bright crimson and the bedding was thrown about haphazardly, causing Éponine to think he was a restless sleeper.
She looked back at the owner of this home. He was watching her take in her surroundings. She'd never been in such comfortable living conditions and she'd never had a real bed let alone one with multiple pillows and clean sheets. "You can take the bed," he told her, "I'll sleep on the couch."
"No, no," Éponine rejected his offer, "I'm already putting you out by staying here; I'm not going to take your bed too. I can sleep on the couch."
"Nonsense." We walked over to the bed and pulled the sheets back. "Climb in."
She dragged her feet begrudgingly as she made her way over, but she didn't want to fight him on it anymore, in all honesty she was wondering what it would feel like to lie down on the plushy matress. She climbed on to the bed and he pulled the blankets over her frail body. His hand touched her cheek briefly. "Goodnight Éponine. I'll be out in the living room if you need anything. Please do not be afraid to ask."
"Thank you," she yawned and sunk deeper into the mattress, feeling truly relaxed for the first time in a very long time. "Goodnight Enjolras."
He turned and walked out of the room, leaving the door open only a crack behind him. Éponine rolled over and fell asleep almost instantly. She had never been so comfortable I all her life, she could get used to sleeping in a bed like this.
A scream pierced the silence and jolted Enjolras upright. His quick movement caused him to fall right off the couch. He stood up and glanced around, but it was too dark in the room to see anything. The scream rang out again, it was coming from his bedroom. He ran down the hall and burst through the door. Éponine was thrashing about in his bed shrieking with tears streaming down her face.
Enjolras gripped her shoulders. "Éponine," he called trying to wake her. He shook her gently and her eyes popped open.
"Enjolras?" she whispered, her voice full of pain and exhaustion.
"Are you alright? Were you having a nightmare?"
"It was my father," she sobbed, sitting up in the bed. "He was- has was attacking me. And- and choking me. I thought he was going to-to kill me."
Enjolras sat down on the bed next to her and rubbed her back soothingly. Éponine buried her face into his chest and attempted to quiet her sobs, which caused her broken ribs to ache painfully. "It was only a dream, Éponine. You are safe here, I promise. " Angered brewed inside him that this poor young woman couldn't escape her bastard of a father even in her sleep. His jaw clenched in an effort to speak calmly. "I'll never let him hurt you like that again."
They sat for several moments, neither of them speaking. When her tears had stopped, she pulled back and pushed the loose curls out of his stunning blue eyes. "You're too kind to me."
"Hardly," he scoffed, smiling crookedly, "but I figure you deserve a little kindness."
"I don't know how to repay you for everything that you've done for me. I definitely can't afford a doctor."
"I don't expect anything in return. You've actually done a lot to help me too. You're helping unite the people for the revolution. You're probably saving my life." He realized just how true his words were. Her efforts may be the thing that saves not only him, but many of his friends as well.
She couldn't help but smile in response. They sat quietly for a few moments before Enjolras yawned and stood up. She just now noticed he had shed his trousers and now stood in front of her wearing only his undergarments. "We should go back to sleep."
"Lay with me," Éponine whimpered as he reached the door. "Please. I'm scared to sleep alone."
He hesitated, his hand gripping the doorframe. His face contorted slightly and he appeared to be struggling with her request. He wanted nothing more than to climb into that bed next to her, wrap his arms around her and protect her dreams from the monsters that plagued them. It wouldn't be right though. She was just scared to be alone; it wasn't him she wanted. At least not the way he wanted her. "I don't know if that's appropriate Éponine. You're safe, I'm just outside."
"Please." She was closed to tears again.
He sighed dramatically, but gave into her request and came to lay beside her. Apparently her tears were his weakness. He looked over to see the she was grinning triumphantly at him. He rolled his eyes. "Go to sleep."
It was late morning by the time Éponine woke up. She could see through the slight space between the curtains that the sun was already high in the sky, and a stream of light illuminated the room. Enjolras' arm was flung across her waist and she turned over slowly, careful not to wake him. Their faces were mere inches apart and Éponine had to swallow hard to calm her racing heart. He was still fast asleep, his breathing deep, and rhythmic. His was more relaxed than she'd ever seen it before; it made him look younger, less guarded. She inched her body closer him and felt his arm tense around her, pulling her towards him. She wanted to freeze this moment because she knew as soon as he woke up he would pull away from her to keep a respectful distance. Éponine didn't want him to keep his distance; she wanted to be touching him at all times because she'd never felt more alive than she did when his flesh contacted hers. She felt different with him, his presence created a delighted panic in her heart that was indescribable. She'd never felt this way, not even about Marius.
His eyes squeezed tighter closed causing his face to crinkle up as he stretched his back, waking gently from his sleep. A giggle escaped Éponine's lips, he looked unbelievably cute with his nose all crinkled up like that. His eyes popped open and a smile graced his lips when he saw her face so close to his.
"Good morning," he murmured, "Are you laughing at me?"
"Of course not," she replied with mock seriousness. "But good morning to you too."
"Did you sleep well?"
"Very. Thank you for staying with me."
"It was a hardship," he joked.
Éponine snorted a laugh and playfully hit his chest. "I hope I haven't given you the wrong impression, monsieur. I may have invited you into the bed, but I'm no tramp."
Enjolras joined in her laughter, but replied solemnly, "I would never think that of you."
His words seemed to make him keenly aware of their position, lying inches apart on his bed, smiling in each other's faces. I think I might love you, he thought.
A/N: Well that's a major confession, even if it's only in his thoughts. Please review!
