A Franc or Two - Les Misérables [IN EDITING]

Hear - Chapter 31

"This is... a pleasant surprise," he said, his lips pricking into a slight smile... however, it faded the moment he saw your back. "What happened there?"

"Long story," you said, shifting a little uncomfortably. "But... erhm, I have a broken rib."

Combeferre frowned.

"I'm so sorry to hear," he said, glancing back up to Joly. "How long will it take to patch her up?"

"Not sure," he said. "Normally, not too long, but... well, considering the fact that she's a woman, I'm not sure."

"What does me being a woman have to do with anything?"

"Well, all of us are men," Courfeyrac chimed in. "And, because the lot of us respect you... well, you can see where I'm going with this."

For some people, it would be frustrating to say this- but Courfeyrac understood your situation better than anyone (including yourself).

You slowly nodded.

"Ah, I see," Combeferre said, his eyebrows furrowing a little. He placed his hands on his hips as he glanced around the room for a moment, and he glanced back at Joly before letting out a long sigh. "So... where are you going to fix her up?"

"Dunno," he said. "Hell, I don't even know if she's alright with-"

"Of course I'm alright with it," you said, your eyebrows furrowing a little. "It really hurts, Joly. I just want it to be over with."

"That doesn't answer our question, though," Combeferre said. He bit the inside of his cheek in thought. "You really need to be present for the meeting today... but honest to God, I'm not about to embarrass [L/N] in front of everyone."

Everyone in the room (aside from you and Combeferre) exchanged a glance.

"Did you just call Mademoiselle [Y/N], '[L/N]?'" Gavroche, who had been standing next to Courfeyrac, asked. "Is that her last name or something?"

"Why, yes it is," you said, smiling over at Gavroche softly. You glanced back up at Combeferre. "And does he really have to be present for this meeting? How urgent is it?"

Combeferre paused when he realized he had mentioned anything.

"Oh... my apologies," he said. "It's just about-"

"She already knows," Grantaire said. Though most people would seem to be upset, he didn't hold any sort of disappointment in his voice... In fact, he was almost relieved.

Gavroche sort of sank back a little, behind Courfeyrac. He felt guilty- not because he didn't want you to know, of course, but because he had accidentally betrayed his friends' trust.

"Well, why don't we compromise?" you asked, your eyebrows furrowing a little bit... While compromising was what it sounded like you were trying to do, you were also trying to convince them to let you stay for a meeting. You really wanted to see what this revolution was about. "First off, since everyone needs to stay... We're wrapping me with gauze, right? So as long as I keep the front of my dress covering everything, I can help wrap it if Joly passes it up to me."

Gavroche nearly asked a question, but Courfeyrac was quick to shake his head at him.

"And just in case, I can face the wall," you said quickly. "If anything does happen, not everyone will have to see."

"That'll be quite distracting, though," Courfeyrac said quickly, his face turning a dark shade of pink. He opened his mouth to add something else, that unreadable emotion ready to come out again, although he was quick to shut his mouth again and glance to everyone else.