A/N: This is wrtten by myself AND my lovely friend ElizabethPontmercy (go check her out) Enjoy!
Enjolras glanced at his watch for what seemed like the hundredth time this evening. Grantaire was once again late. Enjolras sighed and cursed at the cynic lightly under his breath.
“Enjolras?” said a familiar voice. Enjolras looked around to see an excited Musichetta approaching. He gave her a nod when their eyes met. “I thought that was you.” She added as she approached.
“Hello dear.” Enjolras said showing a small smile.
“How’ve you been? It’s been, what, a month?” Enjolras nodded, he hasn’t been here since Grantaire left for Paris.
“I’ve been swell, yourself?” Enjolras says taking a sip of his water. Musichetta sighed, “I’ve been alright, just busy. So where has R been?”
Enjolras shifted in his seat at the name, “He’s been in Paris visiting family. He came back last night, he should have been here by now.” Enjolras said staring at his water. “But Grantaire being Grantaire, must always be fashionably late.”
“Damn right!” said a voice from behind. Enjolras couldn’t help but smirk when he heard the voice. His beloved friend was back after what seemed like centuries. Enjolras turned around to see Grantaire taking off his muddy green winter coat. Grantaire looked over at Enjolras, a smile forming on the cynics face. Grantaire took off his beanie and scratched his dark brown curls then hung his beanie with his coat.
Enjolras turned his back and released a sigh of release. Knowing Grantaire was back in New York was relief. Grantaire sat on the stool next to Enjolras, he watched Enjolras whose attention was on the TV on the wall. Grantaire sighed shaking his head, he saw Musichetta place a beer in front of him. “On the house my friend.” She says as she starts to attend with other customers.
Enjolras finally looked over at Grantaire, “You’re such a pain in my ass, I hope you know.” His voice was stern and serious, it made Grantaire burst into laughter.
“Hello to you too my friend.” Enjolras smiled, he couldn’t help but love the sound of Grantaire’s deep laugh. He missed hearing it.
“How’s the old man?” Enjolras asked, taking a sip of his water. Grantaire stayed quiet for a minute, then took a chug of his beer.
“He’s doing better, he’s living with my aunt now.”
“Is he still…” Enjolras became quiet, glancing at Grantaire every couple seconds. Grantaire shifted in his stool. “He says he sobered up, but he has said that many times.” Enjolras sighed, he felt bad for Grantaire. He lost his mother and the only thing he wants in all is for his father to sober up, though it didn’t seem like it was going to happen.
Grantaire sighed and took another gulp of his beer. Musichetta approached the two “How are you darling.” Grantaire cheered, she groaned in response. She turned her head to the group of drunken men down the counter then groaned once more.
“Those guys are a pain.”
Grantaire laughed “you poor thing.”
“It’s nice to have you back Grantaire.” Musichetta smiled “The bar needed you’re drunken laughs.” Grantaire chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. He glanced at Enjolras who wasn’t paying much attention, or so it seemed.
“Oh! Jehan and ‘Ponie is joining us.” Grantaire felt a ping of sadness knowing he didn’t get Enjolras all to himself, but he missed Eponine and Jehan terribly too. “Great!” he spoke trying to sound excited.
“So tell me-“ Enjolras took a sip of his water, “best and worst thing about your trip.” Grantaire took a a swig of his beer and sighed, easing back into his stool.
“Well the best is easy, all the French cuisine, tasted just like Moms.” He paused “the worst was has to be seeing my father live without my mother and try not to relapse.” Grantaire adjusted in his seat putting his elbows on the counter and rubbing his hands quickly over his face. “I don’t know.” He spoke through his hands.
Enjolras felt bad for Grantaire. He had been so strong through so much, but Enjolras noticed since his mother’s death that his drinking had increased quite substantially. Enjolras also knew that Grantaire’s relationship with his father has been rocky since he came out to him a couple years ago, although no one knows that but him. Enjolras reached over and rubbed his friends back.
“You know you can talk to me about anything, R.” Enjolras’s voice was soft and kind. Grantaire uncovered his face and looked into Enjolras’s eyes.
“Thank you.” He half whispered. Enjolras then felt a sudden urge to touch Grantaire’s face. Not in a weird way, rather just a gentle, comforting way. But he stopped himself.
Just then the bell above the Musian door chimed as two figures made their way into the room. “R!” they both yelled excitedly, Enjolras quickly removed his hand from Grantaires back, he thought he saw a hint of a frown on Grantaire’s face.
“Ponie! Jehan!” Grantaire said trying his best to sound happy as he was smushed into a group hug. Enjolras smiled as they crushed Grantaire. Enjolras couldn’t get his eyes off Grantaire; he wanted to hug him like that. But showing that affection was unnatural to him, he was personally never raised to show affection and love.
There was one time Enjolras hugged Grantaire, it was the morning Grantaire found out his mother died. That was a heartbreaking day, he never seen Grantaire so broken before that day. Grantaire was distraught after receiving the news, Grantaire must of cried an ocean of tears. Enjolras hated that day, he never wanted to see his beloved friend like that again.
Enjolras slightly shook his head trying to forget the memory. He gave Jehan a forced smile as he approached. “Enjolras! How have you been?” Jehan said as he sat down next to the blonde.
“I’ve been busy, how about yourself?” Jehan then started to fill Enjolras’s ear with his flower talk.
