A Franc or Two - Les Misérables [IN EDITING]

Stumble - Chapter 9

You felt even worse the next morning.

Timeo was fast asleep next to you, lying on his stomach as sunlight began to pool into through the window, and you took the opportunity to carefully sit up in place.

You wanted more than anything to get out of there.

You peeled the sheets off of you. As quickly as humanly possible, you pulled on your dress for today, grabbing an old shawl to wear so you wouldn't be too cold.

You were out of there faster than usual.

Something about your previous night made you more irritable than usual, and naturally, you didn't want to risk getting into any arguments— that could mean a handprint on the face or a black eye.

You drew in a deep breath as your feet crunched in the snow. Were you barefoot? Well, yes— but your feet would soon be numb... so you didn't care.

The only reason you glanced up was when a little blur ran into you.

The collision was a lot more dizzying for the little person in front of you, but the young boy was quick to rub his head and look up at you. His eyes were wide and his hair was matted, and for a moment, all he could do was stare at you (with a look of horror playing on his face).

"I... I'm really sorry, Mademoiselle," he gulped. "I doesn't want you to be hurt- I just... I wasn't looking..."

The poor boy seemed so flustered.

"Gavroche!" someone called out. The boy's head pricked up, and you soon saw Courfeyrac looking in your direction. His lips broke into a smile when he looked up at you. "I apologize for him, [Y/N]."

"Oh, he was just apologizing," you said, looking down at him with a small smile. "Don't worry. I didn't think you would intentionally look for women to run into."

Gavroche's ears turned pink before Courfeyrac went over and picked him up, hoisting him onto his hip while the boy stared at you.

"Was this the lady you was talking about, Courf?" he asked, pointing at you before Courfeyrac gently pushed his hand down (a silent reminder that "it was rude to point").

"Yes, it is," he said. Gavroche suddenly looked quite animated, his jaw dropping into a smile as he did a double take.

"Holy hell!" he said (and Courfeyrac cringed a little). "He was being truthful- you is really pretty!"

"Well, I would hope he wasn't just lying about that," you said with a small chuckle.

Courfeyrac seemed to ignore that comment.

"What are you doing out right now?" he asked, readjusting his grip on Gavroche. "I'd have thought you'd be home by now or... at least indoors."

You frowned a little.

"Well... I had to get out of there quickly this morning. There was a lot going on."

It seemed as if Courfeyrac understood.

"Ah, I see," he frowned. "I'm sorry to hear that..."

Gavroche seemed a little confused, but as he opened his mouth to ask, Courfeyrac was quick to interrupt. You didn't know if it was intentional or not.

"Gavroche and I were just about to head over to Church, if you wanted to come with us," Courfeyrac said with a small smile. "If you don't want to, that's fine too— but it'll be warm there."

You thought for a moment.

For the past few years, you doubted the existence of God and goodness— after all, there was no reason to believe in a God who let you suffer for so long...