Even if the Barricade Should Fall

Chapter eight

His question took me by surprise, but I'd been wanting him to ask me that for what felt like years.

"Yes" I smiled and lightly nodded.

He leaned in and so did I until he met my lips. I felt as if I'd been missing something, then I'd found it. It felt even better than the first time he kissed me, which was magical. I kept my eyes closed, but I swear if I opened them I would see literal fireworks exploding in their wonderful colours around us. He pulled me even closer, if that was possible, and held me in his strong arms.

"Oh. My. God" a little voice piped up from the bottom of the stairs, then smacked a hand over his mouth.

Enjolras and I broke apart and saw Gavroche sitting on the bottom step, in a severe state of shock.

"Hello Gavroche..." I embarrassedly spoke to him, he just sat there, eyebrows raised to the heavens above and mouth wide open.

"When did you get here?" Enjolras raised an eyebrow at him, Gavroche remained frozen.

"Enjolras, I hate to tell you this, but I think we've broke Gavroche" I lightly laughed, still in his embrace.

Gavroche stood up and approached us, still not saying anything, he stuck out a tiny hand for Enjolras to shake. Enjolras laughed and shook it, then broke away from me to crouch and meet eyes with Gavroche's petite stature.

"Gavroche, I need you really step up and take responsibility right now, little soldier" Enjolras softly spoke to him, I couldn't help but imagine how much of an amazing father he would be. Gavroche immediately raised his arm and lifted his hand up to salute but held it there, it was like being called 'little soldier' set off a trigger in Gavroche.

"This needs to be our secret ok? Only between you, me and Gen" he instructed him warmly. Gavroche nodded his head then finally saluted the hand that was held firmly in position.

"Ok, now you run upstairs and get those boys in line" he gave Gavroche a small wink and finally managed to crack a smile onto Gavroche's face. Gavroche then hurried up the stairs:

"Alright boys! Sit down!" We heard him shout from upstairs and burst out laughing.

"We should probably go check on them" I smiled then began walking away but grabbed me by the hand and pulled me close to him.

"Hold on" he smiled then passionately kissed me, I couldn't help but smile.

"Now we can go" he pulled back only mere centimetres from my face.

We walked back up to the room where the boys were and as soon as we entered, all conversations stopped.

"Boys, please welcome our newest member of
'Les Amis de l'ABC" Enjolras instructed them.

"What?!" Courfeyrac erupted.

"You can't be here Gen, it's too dangerous, don't you understand? You could get yourself killed!" He approached me.

"As could you Courf. Listen, I know what I'm doing and I'm terribly sorry but what ever you do to try and stop me won't work!" I knew I had more of an edge on him as many of the boys who where sniggering or coming closer backed off immediately.

"Now, shall we get on?"  I smiled to the boys. They all nodded and a few sat down, the rest stayed standing. Enjolras sat at the chair where all the work was and I took the seat near him.

"Our time is near, so near it's stirring the blood in their veins" Enjolras passionately spoke to all the boys.

"And yet beware, don't let the wine go to your brain!" This time he only looked at Grantaire.

"We need a sign... to rally the people, to call them to arms, to bring them in line" he thought to himself out loud, still hoping one of the boys would chip in an idea.

"Hold on, where's Marius?" Gavroche piped up.

"I have no idea. Should we wait for him?" Courfeyrac asked Enjolras.

"Ugh, yes we should" Enjolras groaned.

"Well, while we wait, why don't you introduce yourselves boys?" I suggested.

"I think I'll do the talking" Gavroche stood up on his chair, then climbed onto the table.

A/n: the parts in italics are quotes

"This is Bahorel he's got the 'daring waistcoats and scarlet opinions'" Gavroche said, pointing to a man with a dashing smile.

"Next we've got Combeferre 'the guide'" Gavroche proudly presented him then bent down to my ear.

"He 'corrects Enjolras'" he gave loud whisper making Enjolras hear him and scowl.

"Moving on to Courfeyrac, 'the centre', he's also Marius' closest friend but you know him" Gavroche turned and gave me a shrug.

"Feuilly is next, he's got a thing for history. He's a smart thing, taught himself how to read and write"

"You've met Grantaire, no proper interest in the revolution. He looks up to Enjolras, but he's here for the alcohol" Gavroche spoke like a know it all as Grantaire lifted his bottle in the air.

"Prouvaire is a very talented poet, Joly is the usually the happiest and Lesgle is good humoured" Gavroche fired around the table.

"And last but certainly not least, Enjolras. 'The chief' or as I like to put it, 'A charming young man, capable of being terrible'" Gavroche beamed with a wink, I saw Enjolras roll his eyes. The way Gavroche described his companions was captivating, he was a very intelligent child.

"And I'm Marius!" An out of breath face sang out.

"Hello Marius, I'm Gen" I reached my hand out. He stayed in some kind of daze, away from this world and on a planet of his own.

"Marius, wake up, what's wrong today? You look as if you've seen a ghost!" Joly tried to snap him out of his daze.

"Some wine and say what's going on?" Grantaire turned to him and offered him a drink.

"A ghost you say? A ghost maybe, she was just like a ghost to me... one minute there then she was gone!" Marius spoke in confusion.

Enjolras began to loose patience as he already had to postpone the meeting, awaiting Marius' arrival.

"I am agog! I am aghast! Is Marius in love at last? I've never heard him 'Ooh and Ahh'" Grantaire teased him then turned to Enjolras.

"You talk of battles to be won, and here he comes like Don Juan! It's better than an Opera!" Grantaire teased Enjolras, I could see him growing more annoyed.

"It is time for us all to decide who we are" Enjolras managed to push some of his anger down.

"Do we fight for the right, to a night at the opera now?" Enjolras slowly grew more bitter.

"Have you asked of yourself, what's the price you might pay?" Enjolras told the table, that one sentence made me nervous.

"Is this simply a game for rich, young boy to play?" He harshly directed to Marius.

"The colours of the world are changing day by day!" the anger that was growing faded into passion.

"Red! The blood of angry men! Black! The dark of ages past! Red! A world about to dawn! Black! The night that ends at last!" The fire I saw in him was now roaring, passion pouring out of him... his words were powerful... he was powerful.