Part three is up! Thank you to everyone who has read parts 1 and 2. I worked really hard on this one, it's a bit cliché but enjoyable I think! I know I said it would only be a three part fic but I'm thinking of adding an epilogue so that will probably be up in a couple days! Thank you so much for reading! (please ignore any typos you might find)
I don't own les mis, but you probably already knew that.
Part 3
Enjolras walked into the café Saturday morning and saw Eponine sitting at a table in the corner. He walked over to her and couldn't help but notice her every detail. The way her long hair fell in waves behind her back, the way she timidly sipped her coffee, the faraway look that was always on her face. Where are all these thoughts coming from? Enjolras groaned inwardly. It's just Eponine, you've seen her a million times before and you'll see her a million times again.
"Hey Ponine," he greeted her.
"Huh? Oh hey Enjolras," she said absent mindedly. "Is Grantaire with you?" she asked, peeking over his shoulder.
"Err, no. He stayed out too late last night and decided not to come..He's at home suffering with a nasty hangover."
"Oh," she said glumly, "well Combeferre isn't coming, he had to take his mom to an emergency doctor's appointment."
"Oh."
They sat there awkwardly for a couple minutes.
"Yup, well, I guess I'll just leave now," Eponine sighed, getting up from her chair.
"We could still go.." Enjolras offered.
"Oh, you don't mind?" Eponine perked up.
"No! not at all," Enjolras smiled, "come on we can take my car." Enjolras was secretly hoping she would say no. The thought of spending a whole day alone with Eponine and her big brown eyes that threatened to trap him terrified Enjolras. What is wrong with you? Enjolras mentally kicked himself.
Eponine began talking rapidly about the weather as they exited the café. I must sound like an idiot. Eponine scolded herself. She couldn't help but feel slightly uncormfortable. She had never spent much time one on one with Enjolras before. He seemed to serious to have fun around so she never spared him much thought. He sure looks dashing today though. Eponine thought. I don't know why though, he's wearing his usual dark red button up..maybe it's the pushed up sleeves. Yeah that must be it. Before she knew what she was doing, Eponine began laughing softly to herself. Enjolras is sure attractive but he's probably just like Marius, he could never love me. He's too preoccupied with france.
"What's so funny?" Enjolras asked her as he began driving.
"Huh?" Oh…uh…" Eponine fumbled. "Nothing it's just uh.."
Enjolras smirked at her and changed the subject. "Would you rather drive all the way to St. Michel? Or do want to park and take the path through the water if the tide is low?"
"Oh lets walk! I've never taken that way before. Have you?"
"Nope, when the amis and I came here for our protest a couple years ago we parked on the island."
"You came here for a protest?" Eponine blurted.
"Yeah," Enjolras chuckled at her shocked expression. "I think it went well..they had to bring in the police."
Eponine shook her head. "You are your love for france.. or whatever it is, will get you and the boys into big trouble one day."
Enjolras shrugged as he pulled into the parking lot. They continued to chat as Enjolras found a parking space and as they got out of his car.
"Wow, they weren't kidding, St. Michel is beautiful," Eponine commented as they made their way to the path that would lead them through the ocean and to the magnificent castle.
"Yeah, Victor Hugo describes the movement of the tide here like "a swiftly galloping horse."
Eponine turned to him with a laugh, "Well that was awful poetic, did you learn that from one of your books?"
"Naw, Jehan told me when we came here for our protest." Enjolras told her. In fact Enjolras was surprised he remembered the poets words. He was also remembered Jehan describing the castle as 'really romantic' the day before. His cheeks grew hot as he thought of Eponine. Cut it out Enjolras this isn't a date. You don't have time for women anyway.
A comfortable silence overtook them as they were surrounded by a group of tourists. Enjolras turned to make sure he didn't get separated from Eponine when he met her gaze. She had been curiously studying his well chiseled features and thinking, maybe Enjolras isn't so much like Marius, he's made me laugh harder in the past fifteen minutes than Marius has in two years. but—
Eponine's thoughts were cut short when he turned and met her gaze. She blushed and he smiled. Oh cut it out 'ponine this isn't a date. He does not like you! she chastised herself. Suddenly he grabbed her hand. Eponine felt electricity and was knocked breathless. Enjolras felt it too.
"Come on," he said nervously, "I don't want us to get separated by the crowd." he motioned towards their hands. Eponine nodded and followed behind him, hand safely in his. Her hand is really soft. Enjolras couldn't help himself from thinking.
They soon arrived at the castle, still holding hands. Neither wanted to let go but they quickly unlinked their hands when a young girl approached them.
"Bonjour mademoiselle (hello miss)" the girl said shyly.
"Hello," Eponine smiled.
"Je pense que tu et ton copin est très mignon (I think you and your boyfriend are very cute)" the girl said with sparkling eyes.
"Oh we aren't—"
"We're not a—"
The girl laughed at them and skipped back to her parents, leaving Eponine and Enjolras dumbfounded. Eponine looked at Enjolras, "errrm, well..uh that was awkward…"
"Yeah," Enjolras added softly.
"Yes, well er..um..would you like to uh—"
"Well, look at that, miss Eponine Thénardier is stuttering. How odd," Enjolras teased.
Eponine glared at him, "Well it wouldn't be the first odd thing I did today."
"Really?"
"Really. Going out with you for starters—" Eponine paused, her eyes widened, this isn't a date. She reminded herself. "Wait, sorry.. I didn't mean to imply that uh..."
Enjolras simply nodded, This isn't a date. He mentally slapped himself for letting things get awkward. Once again he thought of Jehan saying the castle was romantic.
"Well uh, the sun is setting and they'll probably be setting off the fireworks soon. Do you want to go grab a spot out on the balcony before they all get taken?" Eponine offered.
Enjolras nodded again, putting his hands in his pockets. Eponine tried to put away her discomfort and pretended not to notice. They quickly made their way to the nearest balcony, which was already beginning to fill up with people, and found a spot.
"Here lets lay our jackets on the ground to sit on." Enjolras told her.
"Okay," Eponine started laughing as she sat down.
"What's so funny?" Enjolras joined her on the ground, confused by her laughter.
"I just thought of Joly. He would be horrified to see us sitting on the ground."
Enjolras understood and began laughing along with her. Soon the tension lifted and they were laughing so hard a nearby couple told them to shut up. Eponine continued to giggle.
"Hmm I wish I thought to bring a blanket. The wind is cold." Eponine shivered.
Enjolras looked at her. He seemed to struggle with something internally then put his arm around her. Oh what the heck, he thought. "Is that better?"
Eponine froze, completely shocked. "Erm…yes." she smiled up at him. I could get used to this. Maybe perhaps he does like me? Eponine couldn't get over how nice his strong arms felt around her. They sat like that for a couple minutes, then the fireworks began to go off.
"Enjolras look aren't they beautiful?" Eponine said with delight.
"Oui," he said gazing at her. "You are too Eponine," he whispered. She didn't hear him over the noise.
"Enjolras, you're missing the show!" Eponine laughed as she noticed him staring at her. She looked up at him.
Should I? Yes.. Ugg no I have no time to be i love. But its Eponine. Oh the boys will never let me hear the end of this..should I do it?
Suddenly, Eponine felt Enjolras' lips on her's. He was kissing her! Eponine couldn't think of anything but the thousand fireworks that were exploding inside her, mirroring the ones in the sky. They broke apart.
"You kissed me!" Eponine whispered.
"You aren't mad are you?" Enjolras said, a horrified look appearing on his face.
"No! It was wonderful," Eponine smiled at him.
"I really like you…" Enjolras confessed.
"More than France?" she teased.
"Oui, plus qu'en France (yes, more than France).'' he told her.
Eponine smiled even wider. "I like you too." Fireworks exploded in the sky as Enjolras and Eponine kissed again.
I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! They epilogue should be up in a couple days. Thanks so much for reading!