A Franc or Two - Les Misérables [IN EDITING]

A Moment - Chapter 33

Being without any company was quite uneventful. As you laid down in your bed, staring at the ceiling and trying your best to get comfortable, it was near impossible for you to actually get any rest. You wondered how you were even to get a wink of sleep at all the night before— despite the fact that you had a broken rib and were so giddy that it nearly made you squeal.

So you just stared at the ceiling, glancing over whenever you heard footsteps and chatter outside of your door.

It was nighttime by the time anyone came around to visit.

Your eyes locked on the bars of diluted moonlight on the floor, as you didn't want to get up and close the curtain, and you found yourself just watching the dust dancing around your room.

Your attention snapped to the door as soon as it creaked open.

"[Y/N]? Are you awake?"

You saw Courfeyrac standing at the door, holding an exhausted Gavroche in his arms.

"No, I just hold really good conversation when I'm asleep," you joked, almost as a distraction from the pain as you turned on your side.

"Stop moving, [Y/N]," Courfeyrac chuckled. "It's no wonder why you're in so much pain."

"That's also why I'm not sleeping," you said. "I thought you wouldn't be coming back."

"We promised, though," Gavroche said drowsily, stirring as he looked to you with heavy eyes. "We was going to get you something, but they didn't have it finished."

"Shh, Gavroche," Courfeyrac said. "It's supposed to be a surprise."

"Oh, right," Gavroche said. You had a hard time telling if his eyes were already closed or if he was in the middle of closing them. "Sorry."

Courfeyrac smiled a little and glanced at you, that perfect face of his lit perfectly in the hazy light.

"Well, we just wanted to drop by before we went to bed," Courfeyrac said.

"Can I talk to [Y/N] alone for a second?" Gavroche asked, his head pricking up from Courfeyrac's shoulder. "It's important."

Courfeyrac glanced to you, and slowly, he nodded.

"Of course," he said. "I wouldn't mind at all... Just be quick, Gavroche. I've got to get you off to bed, soon."

Gavroche nodded.

"Thanks, Courf."

Once Courfeyrac had let him down, he was quick to crawl onto your bed again, although this time, he wasn't cherishing the fact that he was... well, on a bed.

"I'll be back in a little, Gavroche," Courfeyrac smiled. After giving you one more glance, he quietly left the room, making sure to be quiet as he closed the door.

You and Gavroche waited in silence. Gavroche would occasionally take a breath, as if he was about to say something, although he would go back to being quiet.

It seemed like quite some time before he spoke up.

"[Y/N]," he said, sitting up. You could see his tiny silhouette staring out the window, his face glowing in the pale moonlight. He glanced down at his lap. "Why doesn't people like me?"

Your heart dropped.

"Who doesn't like you?" you said. You were practically revolted by that idea. "I will gladly go over and smack whoever said that."

Gavroche gave the slightest bit of a giggle, but after a moment, he glanced back down.

"I dunno," he muttered. "It's just... I just has a feeling that they don't."