more reunions

[heartbeneathastone]

Marius is trying to explore, but it's still all very intimidating. He peeked into the bar and immediately retreated. But the grounds: that seems nice and safe. Trees. Grass. It's all relatively ordinary, if rather colder than Paris was. But that's what pockets are for! Cosette needs time alone with her father, to make up for that he took from them, and he fully intends to provide it.

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[pro_patria_mortuus]

Enjolras isn't going to disagree there. Cruel and ignoble, yes, but he's never seen Javert be anything else.

(Javert doesn't work very hard at showing his best side to anyone, but he certainly doesn't show it to Enjolras.)

"He doesn't seem to have thought that through." This is a little dry. But he's only serious when he continues, "Bringing you here, that is. I certainly have no intention of pointing it out to him. But it's very lucky for us."

"And as for that -- you fought as bravely as any." Marius earned a great deal of respect that day, and Enjolras will never do less than to show it to him.

[heartbeneathastone]

"Bravery borne of-- madness, and despair, it was not--" He breaks off and looks away again, runs a hand through his hair. The scars that disappear into the mess of black curls are still raised; he can feel them as he passes his hand across his brow.

He wants to apologize and retreat, shy away from pretending to take part in something he rejected and does not deserve. But the memory of his conversation with Courfeyrac pops, unbidden, into his mind. So he forces himself to lift his head and say, "But I will do-- better than I have done. I will try."

In this, at least, even if he does not know how to begin to make his other wrongs right.

[pro_patria_mortuus]

Enjolras has only guesses as to what Marius feels he needs to atone for, some of them tentative and others merely confused. But it doesn't matter; he won't pry.

Instead he only presses Marius's arm lightly. "What more can any of us do?"

[heartbeneathastone]

A very small smile. "Do you know, that is almost precisely what Courfeyrac said."

[pro_patria_mortuus]

Enjolras returns the smile in kind, only less tentative, and warmer.

"He's a wise man. I've found him always well worth listening to."

[heartbeneathastone]

Marius nods, and lets out a slightly shaky breath.

"I am so very glad to see him again. All of you."

He has been so assiduously avoiding thinking about them, and the barricades-- he wonders if that has made the reunion easier or harder.

He collects himself. "If there is some message, some warning I may pass to your friends in Montmartre in a form they will believe, I will make it my first errand upon returning to Paris."

[pro_patria_mortuus]

"Thank you."

Just those words, but the sincerity is very nearly palpable.

[heartbeneathastone]

Marius nods. In a burst of feeling that overcomes even his natural reserve-- they fought together, they ought to have died together-- he reaches out and clasps Enjolras's arm.

[pro_patria_mortuus]

Enjolras clasps his arm in return, with quiet fervor.

Redundant to say once more that he's glad to see Marius, that it's very good to see him alive and well, that Marius's reflection upon acting for his ideals does him credit. Still true.