TO CARVE AN ANGEL FROM MARBLE act three, chapter twenty seven
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( february 1832 )
ENJOLRAS WAS STUBBORN; IT was one word, besides perhaps passionate and prideful, that all who knew him would use to describe him. It was what made him attempt to hide his discomfort as he and Madeleine left the Musain— as well as the man who had attacked him laying unconscious just outside. She kept her arm around his waist, despite his quiet and persistent protests, for she could, for once, see right through his facade.
Neither of them spoke until they reached his apartment. She helped him inside, and once again he tried to hide his grimace as he attempted to tug his coat off. Madeleine was quick to offer assistance. He didn't object to the help, though he noticed that as her hands slid down his arms alongside his coat, he was able to forget about the pain he was in, even if it was for just a single moment.
He tried to hide his disappointment as she stepped away from him to hang his coat on the rack near the door by softly scolding her, saying: "Please, Madeleine, you needn't treat me like a child."
"I'm not treating you like a child!" she argued with a roll of her eyes. "I'm only helping you. Now, come."
She grabbed his arm gently in her hands and tugged him toward the sitting area. Once again, he didn't object. Despite his stubbornness and his pride, he had to admit that it felt nice to be cared for— especially by Madeleine.
She helped him lay down on the lounge, soft apologies falling from her lips every time his pain would show through his attempted hardened facade.
"What are you doing?" he asked as she reached up to brush his messy hair out of his face. His eyes fluttered shut at the feeling of her touch.
"Taking care of you," Madeleine said to him. "Please, swallow your pride and allow me to do so. It's my fault that you're hurt in the first place."
"Tell me you don't believe that." Enjolras tried to lean up on his elbows, but she was quick to gently shove him back down onto the lounge. His expression was serious as he continued: "I would take a beating and more for you, Madeleine."
She was silent for several moments, evidently digesting his words. Then, she gave a small smile and leaned closer to him, doing something that surprised not only him but herself, as well. She once again brushed his hair aside before pressing her lips to his forehead in a tender kiss.
"Stay there," she told him when she pulled away. After making sure he was going to obey, she turned and crossed the apartment to the kitchen. Enjolras could hear the sound of water splashing, and a moment later, she returned with a wet cloth in her hands.
She knelt down beside him and immediately began dabbing the warm cloth against his face. Her touch was as gentle as can be, but it was still difficult not to flinch. It was only then that he realized just how badly Aubert had hurt him.
