A Franc or Two - Les Misérables [IN EDITING]

Christmas [Part I] - Chapter 21

By the time Grantaire had walked you to Le Café Musain, dinner had already been served. It almost seemed like a regular business day— the only difference was that Madame Houcheloup and Matelote were both seated.

"[Y/N]!" Gavroche shouted, lighting up the moment he saw you.

"Shh— quiet, Gavroche," Eponine— who was sitting right next to him— said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "We're saying grace."

Eponine flashed you a small smile and waved softly, but almost immediately afterwards, she folded her hands up again. She was quick to try and listen to what Madame Houcheloup wanted to say.

"...Amen."

Everyone began to grab their plates.

As the conversation began to strike up again, Grantaire (who was still a little ways behind you) spoke up.

"Joly," he said, glancing over at a table towards the corner. "Can you see to [Y/N] for a moment?"

Joly, who was sitting next to a man whom you didn't recognize, looked up at you and Grantaire before wiping his mouth with a napkin.

He hadn't even eaten yet.

"Why? What happened?" he asked. The man next to him was ready to stand up, too, and Joly didn't seem to mind.

"Dunno, but it looks like some asshole tried beating her up. Can you just check to make sure she's alright?"

"On it," Joly said. He dropped his napkin on his plate and pushed out of the table, and after grabbing a bag that was by his seat, he stood up and made his way over to you.

"Alright, Mademoiselle," he said, flashing you an apologetic smile before pointing over into the direction of the back room. "Let's get you checked out."

You glanced back to Grantaire, who was still wearing his concerned expression, and he was still looking at you.

"Do you want me to come with?" he asked. The question was initially for you, but he soon realized that Joly had a say in it, too. "I can help if you need it."

"No— Lesgle's got it," Joly said. You sort of wanted Grantaire and his delightful company, but nonetheless, you found yourself getting hurried into the room anyways.

The moment the door was closed, you let out a long breath.

"Wait— you're [Y/N]?" the man— whom you assumed was the man Joly called Lesgle— asked, looking to you and then to Joly (who was pushing past him). "I've seen you before!"

"Probably working," Joly said.

Your heart stopped...

Well, not literally, of course (since Joly would have probably started freaking out should that happen), but you felt yourself prickle with worry.

You thought Courfeyrac hadn't told him...

However, your worry was relieved almost immediately afterwards, when Lesgle smiled down at you.

"Oh, that's right," he said. "You work for Madame Houcheloup... Well, it's a pleasure to finally meet you."

Joly smiled a little.

"Here, have a seat—" you took a seat at a nearby table. "Do you mind if I examine your face for a moment? I just want to check something..."