Requested by: Shannon1300

Prompt: Self given

Warnings: A bit angsty, short

Extra: I'm ashamed and sorry for how short this is

~*~

There was a strange air that hung around France.

An uncertain intensity that almost certainly promised revolution. I heard whispers throughout the town, and my dear friend Marius was more than willing to share the ideas of the ABC cafe with me.

"Good evening Eponine! I was just on my way to- what's wrong?

Eponine looked up at me, eyes wide and full of tears. She was sitting on my doorstep, waiting for me. It had just finished raining and it was obvious she had been walking in it. Her hair hung dripping on her shoulders, and she was shaking like a leaf.

"Want to come in for some tea? We can talk."

Eponine nodded, following me into my home. It was relatively nice, considering I wasn't high class. My family owned a tailor shop that received a great many wealthy clients, so I was doing quite well for myself.

I draped a blanket around Eponine's bare shoulders to help her warm up. I then lit a fire under my stove, putting the kettle on.

"I love him," Eponine sniffled, "But all Marius sees is Cosette."

"Cosette from your childhood?" I questioned, "I thought she was given away."

"She was! But she's back. Marius saw her at the market and asked me to find her. Now I'm on my own. Without him...the world changes. Do you understand?"

"I do," I took the kettle off of the stove, pouring two cups of tea, "But you'll never be on your own, not while I'm here."

"Thank you (Y/n)," Eponine mumbled, "I'm glad we're friends."

"I am too Eponine. Don't worry, you'll find someone."

There was a knock at my door. I stood, walking to the front of my home to answer. It was Marius and Cosette.

"(Y/n), this is Cosette. Cosette, this is (Y/n), a dear friend."

"Lovely to meet you," I smiled, feeling a bit awkward, "Why you you erm...DO you want to come in?"

The two nodded, stepping over the threshold. I sent an apologetic look towards Eponine when we came into view. The girl tensed up, gripping her cup of tea tighter.

"Ponine," Marius grinned, "Thank you so much for finding her. I love her more than-"

"More than me?" Eponine snapped.

"You're my closest friend," marius stated, confused with Eponine's anger.

"And you are mine, but you're also the love of my life, and yet you found another," Eponine looked to Cosette, "I never like you, not even when we were children. You got to leave the hell of a home I had to deal with."

"Eponine," I sighed, not knowing who to side with.

"I'm sorry," Cosette said genuinely, "When my mother died, she asked father to take care of me."

"So you've lived this comfortable life while I've had to struggle?"

"Eponin," I said, more firmly this time, "Go to the sitting room, I'll be there in a moment."

Eponine stiffly stood up, holding my blanket around her shoulder as she walked away. When she was out of sighed I turned to the couple.

"I apologize. She cares deeply about you Marius. COsette, she's told me how sorry she feels for the way you were treated when you were children."

I glanced towards the sitting room door. I sighed, before giving the two a gentle smile.

"Congratulations you two. Perhaps it would be best if you came back later, however. We can celebrate over a meal."

The pair bid me farewell before they parted. As soon as my door closed I walked to the sitting room. There, Eponine was sitting on the sette, staring at her hands in concentration.

"I'm going to join the revolution," Eponine said as soon as I entered.

"You know not was you speak," I laughed in disbelief.

"(Y/n), tomorrow night they're forming the barricades, fighting for freedom. I'm going to cross-dress and fight for what's right."

"Eponine, you know I believe in equal rights, but this is another level! This is...Well it's suicide."

"I'd rather die fighting for something than die alone. I have faith in the revolution."

Eponine stood, setting my blanket on the sette. She gave me a tight hug, kissing my cheeks.

"Thank you. Vive la France."

"Vive la France," I mumbled as she hurried out of my home.

I held back the urge to go run after her. She had her mind made up, and nothing would change it. I could tie her up and she'd find a way to get out and go fight.

The knowledge the revolution was happening the next day made me antsy. I found it near impossible to work and sew throughout the morning. I found myself humming the famous song of the ABC cafe all day.

That afternoon, I went back home and just waited. I was far enough away from the ABC Cafe to be safe, but I could hear what was happening all the same.

BOOM!

I jumped when the first gunshot went off. That was the start of a night full of gunshots and cannon fire. I could faintly hear the shouting but I wasn't able to make out what they were saying.

There was silence for a while, then it was the final stand. That went quickly, a few more rounds of gunshots rang out and it was over entirely.

I wouldn't know for sure who won or lost until the next day. That raised my anxiety even more.

I went to bed that night with a strange feeling in my chest. Even though it wasn't confirmed, I knew in my heart who won and who lost. But at the time, I didn't know what was lost.

When I woke up the next morning I dressed and began to make myself some food, but there was still that overhanging fear.

As I was preparing to go to work, there was a knock at my door. I rushed to answer it, surprised to see Cosette.

"Where's Marius?" I asked.

"In the hospital, he's alive," Cosette assured, "He asked that I would come and get you. I need to watch over my father, so I thought that you could watch over him."

My parents would have to survive without me for a day. I nodded, following behind Cosette through the streets.

"As soon as Marius is better we're going to get married," Cosette told me with a wide smile, "We want you to be there."

"Of course I will," I smiled back, "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

"Wonderful. Marius feels as though he has lost everyone. I want him to see that we're still here," Cosette's sighed, her eyes becoming distant, "I was so worried about having to leave him, and him going to the barricade. I'm relieved he's alive, but it's as though he sees ghosts."

"What do you mean?" I questioned.

"He says he should have died that night, and that he could hear the people sing. The nurses told me it was the shock, but it still frightens me."

"He's gone through a lot Cosette, but he'll be alright, especially with you here," I assured.

Cosette stepped into the church hospital. Inside, she bid me adieu so she could see her father, leaving me with Marius.

He was clean, and his wound - a gunshot to his shoulder it seemed- had been dressed and treated. The man himself was watching me carefully as I approached. I sat down in the chair next to his bed, trying to think of something to say.

"We lost," Marius mumbled, "France will remain the same."

"For now, but you can't lose hope," I encouraged, "The people will rise again, and we'll win."

"(Y/n), I have to tell you something about Eponine," Marius strained to reach something on the nightstand.

"I know," I whispered, my voice crackling. I did know. As soon as I didn't see her in the hospital. I knew.

"She wrote you something and gave it to me," Marius placed the note he was reaching for in my hand, "I got to tell her I was sorry, and that she would always be my best friend. I held her in my arms while...But it was a strange closure."

I quickly unfolded the piece of paper, immediately recognizing Eponine's handwriting. A bit messy and unrefined, but beautiful nonetheless.

(Y/n),

If you're reading this then I died at the barricade. I'm sorry. I'm so terribly sorry for the pain I caused. You have been my best friend, and even now I know that you would have given up your life for mine. Thank you.

With much love and good wishes,

Eponine

I felt a tear carve a path down my cheek. I reached up with my free hand and wiped it away hastily. I had to be strong for Marius, he needed a pillar. It felt as though I wasn't in control of my body when I shakily began to sing.

"Children of the barricade who rushed off to fight."

Marius grabbed my hand and began to sing with me, shedding his own tears.

"Children of the barricade who didn't last the night..."