We're Falling Down

"Are you cold?" Grantaire asked as the pair tread through the layer of snow accumulating on the ground.

"Oh, no," Eponine said, shaking her head. "I'm extremely warm in this below freezing weather. My nose isn't about to fall off from being so cold, and it's not like my eyes are tearing up from the harsh temperatures." She braced herself as a strong gust of wind whipped through the neighborhood.

"Jesus, I forgot how sarcastic you could be," Grantaire muttered, shaking his head.

The pair had left the house shortly after they ate one more cookie. Enjolras had called once more to get Grantaire moving. Leanne seemed reluctant to let them go at first due to the Thenardier threat which still hung over their heads. Eventually, she caved in, agreeing Eponine had been under house arrest for too long. When Eponine was warned to bundle up well, she became suspicious. She wore her warmest coat and scarf, ready to combat the cold. Then, Eponine stepped outside and told herself she wanted to go back to the heater in the household. Grantaire had begged her to come with him, saying if she didn't come Enjolras would have his ass on a plate.

It was below freezing, and the snow still fell from the thick, gray clouds above. The roads were covered with a thin layer of snow and ice, some of which had turned to mush by cars and footprints. The wind carried some of the stray snow up, causing a small cyclone to happen every few seconds. Branches on trees shook occasionally from the violent wind.

"What are you guys trying to do?" Eponine asked as she trudged along. "Where are you taking me?"

"It's a surprise. I would tell you, but Enjolras already wants my ass on a silver plate," Grantaire said.

Eponine nodded, and they continued to walk in silence. It only seemed appropriate with the snow falling softly and quieting the world with its beauty. The pair turned right out of the neighborhood and then turned left. They walked along, the destination still a mystery to Eponine. She wondered what she needed to see so urgently. Even though Grantaire was her friend, her senses were alert. She felt the reassuring cool of the pocketknife she always kept in her pocket press against her palm. Taking a deep breath, she focused on her walking again.

The streets were bare, save the few cars that would pass by once in a while. The shopping centers were decorated with wreaths and tinsel, but only a few people were actually out shopping that day. They were still walking, and Eponine was getting tired of the silence. She opened her mouth a few times, but no topic came to her mind. In an attempt to fill the silence, Eponine began humming White Christmas. A few seconds later, Grantaire began humming too. A smile came to her face, but they said nothing. Slowly, the Christmas spirit was growing in her.

Grantaire led Eponine into the town's snow covered park. The bare trees were sparkling white, and the evergreens made the park feel like Narnia.

"The park?" Eponine asked. "I don't understand. What are we doing here? In the middle of freaking winter?"

A smile graced Grantaire's features. "You'll see."

Distant laughter filled the air as Eponine and Grantaire made it further into the park. As they got closer towards the picnic grounds, Eponine spotted a few people sitting at a table. Eponine hesitated in her steps, but then she saw the familiar caps and faces. Her eyes widened, and she rushed towards the group.

Musichetta shouted, "Hey! She made it!"

Les Amis turned around, shouting greetings and welcoming her with open arms. A cup was shoved into her hands, and her frozen fingers were slowly warmed up with the hot chocolate inside. She took a sip, enjoying the slight burn of the drink that warmed her whole body. Her toes tingled, and she took a seat.

"We thought Grantaire would keep you up in that warm house with the good gingerbread and shelter and…" Bahorel said, his eyes slightly glazed over with the obvious longing to be inside.

"Anyways!" Cosette interrupted. "We agreed you couldn't be boarded up in that house all throughout winter break. Plus, it snowed, so why not take up the opportunity to play in it?"

Eponine smiled sweetly at the group. "You guys are the best. Thank you."

"It was mostly…" Courfeyrac muttered in his cup, the last of his sentence was literally drowned out by the hot chocolate.

"It was mostly who?" Eponine asked, looking at him curiously.

"Doesn't matter," Feuilly said, waving his hand in dismissal.

Eponine studied her friends curiously, wondering whose idea it was. Conversation around the table slowly began to pick up again, and she was left to her thoughts. Somebody placed their hand on her shoulder, and she turned around to see Enjolras looking at her. He squatted down and gave her a tight lipped smile.

"Did you do this?" Eponine asked, softly as conversation still swirled around her.

"I helped," he said, simply. He took a sip of his own drink.

Though it was cold and snow was falling into their eyes, Enjolras still managed to look like his angelic self. He was wearing a blood red coat with a black scarf. His eyes were brightened from the surrounding white snow. His red-tinged nose and cheeks made him look boyish again.

"You guys are too nice to me," Eponine said, chuckling a bit at the end. "Poor Bahorel looks like he'd rather be anywhere but here."

"He's a strong guy. He'll survive," Enjolras replied. He stood up, knocking back his last bit of hot chocolate all the while.

"I'm gonna go get some more cocoa. You want me to get you some?" Enjolras asked as he began making his trek towards the other end of the table.

Eponine spun around ready to answer his question, when her legs hit the back of Enjolras's, knocking him down onto the ground. He sat on her feet, a bit confused at what had happened before looking up at her.

"I-I'm sorry!" Eponine apologized, extracting her feet from beneath him and standing up. Holding her hand out to him, she offered to pull him back up. He set his hand in hers, and Eponine tugged him up. Instead, she was tugged down onto the snow with him.

Some snow had gotten in her mouth, and Eponine spit it out. She lay there on the ground for a few seconds listen to Enjolras's laughter before she pushed him into the snow. Enjolras fell aggressively on the ground, but he continued laughing.

"Hey! You two! Get a room!" Courfeyrac teased from the picnic tables.

Eponine rolled her eyes, getting ready to snap back a witty comment. Then, a snowball flew over her, hitting Courfeyrac on the forehead. She whipped her head around to see Enjolras staring at Courfeyrac impassively, one of his hands on his head.

"What?" Enjorlas asked as he began getting up. Pushing herself up, Eponine joined him. She looked at him suspiciously, about to ask a question when a snowball hit her back. She fell forward a bit before whipping her head around to look at who threw it. Courfeyrac stared at her, his eyes wide and full of fear.

"I was aiming for Enjolras, I swear," he whispered.

"Sure," Eponine scoffed. She bent down to reach for some snow to make her own ammunition, avoiding the next snowball thrown by Combeferre. It hit Enjolras in the stomach, but the man barely flinched. Eponine's eyes darted back and forth between the two men. Her hands still fiddled with the snow, packing it for the perfect ball.

Enjolras glared at Combeferre playfully. "Do you wanna go?" he asked.

Combeferre pushed his glasses farther up his nose. "Preferably not, but thank you for the offer."

"Too late," Grantaire said, his own snowball hitting Combeferre in the arm. "This means war."

The rest of the table had silenced, and everyone froze momentarily. When Combeferre began sprinting away, chaos erupted. Several of their friends just began throwing snow into each other's eyes. The group split, each side of the table fleeing their respectful directions. Musichetta, Joly and Bossuet ran towards the left side with Eponine, Grantaire, and Enjolras. Feuilly, Bahorel, Marius, and Cosette joined Combeferre and Courfeyrac, fleeing to the right side of the park.

The left group hid behind several rocks, and the right hid behind pieces of the playground. Snowballs flew around from all directions. Squeals and profanities filled the air around them. The snow was still falling down heavily, keeping all of their resources well supplied. They were kids again, and it was relieving. All of Eponine's worries had disappeared, lost in the "battle" she was having with her friends. This was what winter break was supposed to be like for her. This is what she had expected.

Out of nowhere, a snowball hit Eponine square in the back, and she collapsed to the ground dramatically. She shout out, "Avenge me!" before shutting her eyes and letting the action continue around her.

When she heard the crunch on footsteps, she opened one eye, greeted with the sight of Musichetta scoffing at her. "How does it feel to be back?"

"I feel alive again," Eponine chuckled.

A/N: Oh my god! Hi! This was a total filler chapter, but I needed to get something out because I haven't updated in ages. I'm taking so many advanced classes along with extracurricular activities. Smh.

Thank you to all of the reviews, favorites, and follows! I kept them as a reminder to update this story. Thank you for all the support as usual. You guys help me keep my mind on track. I really appreciate it. They always make my day, and they keep me inspired.

Anyways, I'm kinda back so I'm hoping to finish this story by this year. Sorry for any grammatical mistakes. :/ So yeah… Favorite, review, follow. Do that stuff. I appreciate it.

~Franky