Ink and Insurrection || Enjolras

02. Linger

Paris, France
1831

        "Amelie! Hurry up, we'll be late!" Jo shouted as she laced up her boots. She knocked on Amelie's door again, "Amelie?"
        The door swung open and the brunette had a look of stress in her eye, "I can't find my other shoe!"
        The girl had one shoe in her hand so Jo took it and began rummaging through her bag. She was quick to find it and handed the missing item to her sister.
        Amelie quickly put her shoes on and they grabbed their money pouches before heading to the Musain.
        When they arrived the two girls couldn't see Marius in sight, so they asked Madame H, who directed them up the stairs behind them.
        When they reached the top of the stairs, they could hear the loud voices of men. Jo knocked on the door and it was swung open. She came face to face with a man with dark curls and a bottle in hand.
        "Ah, what may we do for you two lovely ladies?" He asked, obviously drunk.
        "Um, Marius invited us. Is he here?" Jo called out and suddenly her friend appeared at the door.
        "Jo! Come on in." Marius welcomed her, "You must be Jo's sister."
        "Yes, I'm Amelie." She smiled and so did the boy.
"Right, these are my friends, friends this is Jo and Amelie." Marius introduced the girls.
        As Jo scanned her eyes around the room, they seemed to fall on one boy. He sat at a desk which was piled up with books and papers of all sorts. It was then that she realised he was also looking at her. His face was stoic and she was unable to read it, but it was magnificent. His eyes were blue, like hers, but instead of the warm, glow of hers, his were cold and icy. His hair was a mop of messy blonde curls, but it suited him well. He adorned a luxurious red waistcoat that was detailed with gold thread. His shirt was slightly un buttoned and his cravat untied. On the back of his chair was a red tailcoat.
       The boy stood up and walked towards the girls.
        "Marius." He said beside the boy, "We don't allow women in our group."
        Before Marius had a chance to explain, Jo spoke up, "And why's that?"
        "Because, look around, there are no women here." The man said to her.
        "That's not a reason. We can be your first females to join." Jo said and grabbed Amelie by the hand, dragging her to a table where they sat down.
        The man almost smiled. She was something else.
         So, the meeting continued and Jo soon came to realise what they had walked into. These students were rebels and here they sat planning a rebellion.
        The wild look in the leaders - whose name she learned to be Enjolras - had her hooked. He spoke with such passion and determination and she knew that she had to be apart of this rebellion.
        By the end of the meeting, all the Les Amis began piling out and now it was just Enjolras, Jo, Amelie and Marius.
        "Are you joining us, Jo?" Marius asked her as she lingered behind slightly.
         "I'll be down in a minute." Jo told the boy and nodded to her sister. When they left, Enjolras looked up at the girl.
         "Did you need something?" He asked, placing his pen down on the desk and leaning back in his chair.
        Wow. Jo thought. His features were heavily defined now that the sun had gone down and the only thing that made him visible was the candle light.
        "I want to join." Jo stated, her shoulders tall and Enjolras thought she looked beautiful, "I think I can be a great asset. I can write stories about it and we can publish them in the papers. Or attract the people with posters. I can even help write your speeches. Just please, let me join."
         "Okay." Enjolras shrugged, still leant back in his chair.
        "Look, I know you probably think..." she paused as she trailed off. There he sat with a ghost of a smirk, "Wait. Did you say yes?"
         Enjolras merely nodded and Jo smiled with excitement, "You'll need to attend every meeting though. It's every evening at 4 here in the meeting room. We'll begin planning rally's soon so you may help with those."
        "Ah! Thank you, Enjolras!" She squealed and when she left to join the others, he smiled.
        Why did she make him feel this way? He'd never cared for women. It was always him and his country. But now, she walked in with this radiant glow about her, and she was strong, not afraid to speak her mind, she was just like him.
        Downstairs, Courfeyrac and Combferre joined Jo and Amelie at their table, "So, how'd you break the fearless leader upstairs." Courfeyrac laughed.
        "Welcome to the Les Amis." Combferre stuck out a hand for her to shake.
        Suddenly, Enjolras came down the stairs and ordered a drink at the bar. He then sat beside Jo and across from Marius.
        "Jo, would you meet me before the meeting tomorrow? I think we could start planning some speeches for the rally and I find it better to do in peace." Enjolras asked her as he sat down.
        "Oh, yes, I'll be there." She felt nervous and she didn't now why, "Amelie, will you be there?"
        The brunette shook her head and answered, "I think I'll meet you later. I need to get a few things for the new apartment."
       Jo nodded and stood from her seat, "I think it's time we get back."
        Amelie, Marius and Enjolras all stood as well,      "We can walk you home, can't we Enjolras?" Marius offered.
        "No it's quite alright." Jo said but Amelie shot her a death glare.
        "Ignore her. We'd enjoy your company, thank you." Amelie gathered her shawl and her purse and Enjolras placed his coat over his shoulders.
        The four began walking to their apartment and suddenly Enjolras felt the journey was a little too familiar. He ignored it and brushed the idea away.
        Marius and Amelie had walked ahead but Jo wanted to take her time. She enjoyed nightly walks and it appeared Enjolras did too as he stuck by her side and admired the night sky.
        When they stopped, Enjolras looked up at the building and said, "You live here?" When Jo nodded he added, "So do I."
        "Really?" She asked, shocked by the coincidence. It was then that she said her goodbyes to Marius and the three ascended the stairs.
        Stopping on the second floor, Enjolras said, "I'm this one." He grabbed Amelie's hand and laid a kiss on her knuckles, "Shall I come get you before I leave?" He asked Jo and when she nodded he placed a kiss on her hand, though this one lingered a little longer and Amelie took note of it.
        When Enjolras disappeared behind his door, Amelie smirked and said, "I think he fancies you."
"Nonsense. He barely knows me." Jo shrugged it off.
        However, Amelie didn't let it go. She teased her sister all the way until they parted for bed. Jo smiled as she fell asleep, Paris was turning out well.