"It's a fox, and it's cute, can I have one? " Who: Enjolras, Azelma, Gavroche, Courfeyrac briefly Where: Enj’s When: Before the animals were talking. What: Olympe meets some of Enj’s friends and Enj gets cupcakes and food. Trigger Warnings: Thenardier Warnings for mentions of prostitution, etc Enjolras had no idea how this whole thing had happened, but, well, blame his parents and his causes. Since the Danton/Fur Farming story had broken into the Times a few months back, and since his parents had found out about Danton’s recent death, they’d been after him to love again or whatever it was, which was funny because the idea of a pet, as a child, had never even come up. He had the feeling they’d been waiting for him to ask, but he had never really felt the need for it. Still, now that he had had ONE and loved it, they’d been on the look out for more animals he might be able to bring in.
And his parents had found it in the way of a baby fox that had wandered, paw badly damaged from a trap, into their yard. They’d had her looked over by a wildlife vet, had her injuries from a trap cared for, and kept her for the week or so up to Enjolras’s graduation, when she, along with a voucher for a flight, and hotel stay in Paris had been handed to him after they’d gotten back from celebrating on Saturday night. Which meant he’d driven home with a baby fox in tow, snuck her into his apartment ,and started applying for permits to keep her as an educational asset.
His life. It was weird. And when his life got weird, he needed to share it with some of his friends, so he’d decided to start small, after sending the text, and invited Azelma to come and meet his fox, dubbed Olympe, who was currently curled up in a little red basket, sleeping.
Azelma had needed a time from the house, finding it ever difficult to stay cooped up in one house for long. She got dressed into something just thrown on. Shit, stretchy jeans, half coat, and one of her fave hats! She loved hats! Sighing she managed to get Michiru to take her over and waved to her when she was dropped into the front. She got to where she needed to go and lightly tapped on his door before leaning back and holding at her lower back.
This child was going to be the death of her! Yet she couldn’t really complain.
Enjolras stepped over to get the door, glad she’d been able to get up there with no problems and opened it to find her there, and like that. “Looks like you could use a pillow.” He commented, ushering her in. “Luckily I have a lot from the whole...barricade building...thing.” He was a pain in the ass to live with, really. He could acknowledge that. “Are you two doing okay though?”
A few minutes later, there was a bit of a yawn, and a tiny fox trotted over, sniffing curiously at Azelma.
Was she something to eat? Something that would eat HER? It was worth investigating, okay? The noise Azelma made may have been too high pitched of a squeal. “OMIGOSH!” She went to pet but stopped and looked to him. “Is he or she safe? I don’t want to catch anything that will cause harm to Valerie..” Rested a hand on her stomach. “And to answer your question we're doing well enough, she keeps kicking my spine so a pillow would be nice. I’m 29 weeks right now.”
Looked down to the fox, wanting so badly to pet it but...
“She seems safe.” Enjolras answered. “My parents had her looked over and she’s had the rabies shot. I need to get her in for a general check but nothing that should be harmful or she wouldn’t have come home with me. Olympe, meet Ros...Azelma. “ He corrected himself, watching as the fox continued curiously sniffing.
“Let’s get you a seat and then you three can hang out a little.” he suggested.
“I’d like that...” She moved over as he led her towards the couch and got herself seated comfortably before reaching over to motion the fox closer. “Hello Olympe. Such a pretty name for a pretty little thing. Come on up, its okay. I won’t hurt you. I couldn’t.” shifted the pillow behind her back and smiled.
“She really is pretty, Enj.”
“Isn’t she?” Enjolras smiled as the fox sniffed Azelma’s hand. “I’m not even remotely sure this was well thought out but...I can’t say I mind either. “ He eyedarted a little bit at that. “At least I know people who know what they’re doing, which helps. “ Still. Danton had been one thing. One tiny thing, really. A fox, even one with an injured paw, well it was quite another story.
Still, he couldn’t say he MINDED. It was more like he had a LOT of research to kick in.
“But so, you didn’t tell me my goddaughter has a name now.”
Azelma was too fascinated with stating to pet the little fox that she barely heard what he said. When he mentioned goddaughter she looked up. “Oh... I’m sorry. I just recently... He name will be Valerie Belle... So... Yeah. Your goddaughters name will be Valerie. I’ll probably end up calling her Val at some points.” Smiled and rested a hand on her stomach.
“That’s pretty.” Enjolras commented, perching on the arm of the chair. “I like it.” He didn’t know much in the way of names, but together, they worked really well, to his ears. It was the kind of thing he’d cared about once, before 1832 had invaded his head, and it was, kind of amazing that he was getting some of that back again. He’d credit Azelma and Valerie with that.
“Yeah, my family seems to like it.” Smiled and pet between the foxes ears.”I think my girlfriend likes it too...” She had totally forgotten to tell Enj she actually HAD a girlfriend now. Sex official and everything. So wrapped up in actually enjoying having someone who wanted her like that.
“You have a girlfriend now?” Enjolras blinked a few times. “Are you...is she...well obviously, you love her but...she’s good to you?” He wanted to be sure of that before anything else. The last thing Azelma needed was someone to bring her more pain, especially right now.
Azelma blinked and looked up to him. “Oh... Right. I forgot. So sorry... Yeah, her name is Ace. She’s so sweet and thinks I’m amazing and is so gentle with me. She’s even willing to learn about babies to help be in her life!” Smiled. “You have nothing to worry about.”
“I”m glad then.” Enjolras told her, and he meant that. “You deserve someone that special, who can help you see those things in you.” He sort of slightly worried anyway. Azelma had been through so much that it was difficult not to worry a little, but he did trust her judgement, really. Even so. “Perhaps I should meet her.” he suggested. “I’m assuming she’ll be around a bit.”
“Oh... Yes. You can if you wish. I can plan a meeting amongst us if you wish me to...” bit her lip when she heard a knock at the door, then a very familiar blonde coming in. “Gavroche! What are you doing here?!”
“Azelma?” Blinked and arched an eyebrow. “I just... Made some cupcakes for Enj to make sure... Hey Enj! Made some cupcakes to make sure you eat today!” Held up a cupcake and an actual three dish meal for him to eat. A soft stew in a bowl, a thing of french bread, and some cheeses. “Courf said you need to eat more...”
Enjolras took a minute to blink at that, and then smiled. “I uh...thanks. Really. Courf...says stuff like that a lot but I DO appreciate it. Wanna come in for a second or so?” He added, gesturing. “I’ve sort of got a new...companion if you want to meet her and these cupcakes are gorgeous.”
Azelma could only smile, her brother was the sweetest sometimes. and she just knew he made the stew and bread himself. She motioned by pointing down at the fox beside her and giggled when he let out an excited noise.
He set the food for Enj down onto the table and was quick to go over and say hi by trying to be gentle. “It’s a fox and it’s cute and can I have one?
“I really think it might try and eat Nyx... And Nyx might get jealous. But I’m sure you can come by often if Enj says its okay.” Speaking of. Azelma looked up to hi. “Enj, be a dear and try one of the cupcakes now?” Motioned with her head to try and say it would make Gavroche’s day for Enj to tell him what he thought.
“You can definitely by and see her.” Enjolras eyedarted. “It’s also quite possibly illegal for her to be here, but...I’m working on that one. There’s this legal loophole that if you’re doing it for educational purposes, it’s okay. So...it looks like I’m creating some kind of nature program.” Which seemed so much more up Jehan’s alley than his but he was willing.
“And these look great so I can definitely go for that.” Enjolras grinned at the little flag on one of the cupcakes, carefully removing it to eat last. “Okay wow.” he managed, barely, not to chew with his mouth open while he was talking, even though there was an immature part of him that so wanted to. “This is excellent.”
Gav made the biggest smile ever and looked to him. “You really think so?! I tried really hard to make them extra fluffy and light for you to eat! And to be sweet but not too sweet and just right!” Stood and looked to Enj.
“You’re an excellent baker, baby brother. I’m sure they are fantastic.”
“They are great.” Enjolras said, and meant that. “I think I know where we’re going the next time we need a cake for any occasion. Cupcake tower of awesome.” he said, grinning. “And they’re definitely light. You can really taste the strawberry more than anything sugary. I could share of course.”
“With me?” Azelma grinned slightly, trying not to seem to eager. “I’ve not actually eaten much today so....”
“See, that’s a problem.” Enjolras turned to offer her one of the cupcakes and at least some of the food. “You two have GOT to eat more. Especially right now. Aren’t you supposed to gain...well a fair bit of weight, right? Do you need me to call Joly and have HIM start in on you?”
Because he totally would.
“I’m fine... really. I can eat when I get home. He made it for you and I don’t much like stew... and the cupcakes were made for you.” Bit her lips, ignoring the tinge of pain on her stomach and the sudden kicks of protest from a very fiery little Valerie.
“I really think that...”
And that was when there was another knock, but it wasn’t one that came from Enjolras’s door, but from the fire escape outside of the building.
“Oh God.” Enjolras groaned, knowing only one person ever was going to be doing THAT kind of thing at his place. “Somebody hide me really fast or we’re all going to end up sort of regretting it.”
“Ennnnjjj.” Courfeyrac called, pressing his face against the window and grinning broadly. “I brought you yogurt and a sandwich because you’ve probably been freelancing all day.” He also had a couple wrapped chew toys, and some random other items. “Oh hey, Zelma Rose and Gavroche. Somebody let me in!”
Uh oh.
“We’re both probably going to have to eat now.” Enjolras told Azelma. “Courf’s...insistent about this stuff.”
“Pffft. Not me. I’ve had plenty to eat today and I actually have to be off. You’re on your own!” Saluted and ran off out the door to catch the cab he got here in.
Azelma rolled her eyes. “He can’t make me eat. I don’t want to. I’m fine...”Folded her arms and slumped down.
“Yeah but it’s a good idea.” Courfeyrac called, having caught that much, as Enjolras rolled his eyes and opened the window to let his friend climb in.
“What the hell, Courf?” Enjolras muttered at him, sighing. “I do have a door.”
“And you’d run away if you heard me coming. “ He countered, glancing at Azelma. “So you haven’t really eaten today either? Not good, Zelma Rose. For you OR the little one.”
Seriously, what was WITH his friends?
“Im fine, Courf. Really...” He just had to bring in the baby, didn’t he? She sighed and upturned her nose. “And anyway. I’m craving something and want that satisfied before I eat to full because otherwise it will go unvented.”
“Okay, that’s a good point.” Enjolras had to agree. “You remember the time we met Nathalie?” he asked Courfeyrac, shuddering. Bahorel’s sister had been pregnant at the time and needed a shamrock shake. At three in the morning in January. It had been scary and they’d all wound up showing themselves out, and leaving Bahorel to deal with it on that occasion. It’d been safer.
“Okay so we try to find whatever it is. What DID you want?” Courfeyrac asked. “I can probably manage.”
“Mozzarella sticks with marinara sauce, and a steak quesadilla from Taco Bell with a lot of sour cream to dip it into on the side... A strawberry milkshake.” Very particular but dammit she wanted all of that. And was making herself feel even hungrier.
“Okay, we can handle all of that.” Enjolras glanced at the clock to make sure. “Yeah, everywhere we could go for that is still open. I could handle Taco Bell.” Well, sort of anyway. As long as he avoided the meat dishes, they were good. There was just something weird about taco bell taco meat that he couldn’t explain. “Courf?”
“They have the new mountain dew slushie don’t they?” Courfeyrac positively grinned at the thought of that much sugar. “We could definitely swing by on our way to that diner that should have the other stuff. And I can make sure you both take care of yourselves.” He added. “I THINK we can all fit in the bug but I could run and grab food for both of you if not.”
“If you think there is anyway I’m putting my pregnant ass into a little bug, you are sadly mistaken.” If only for the fact that she’s been in the back of more than enough cramped vehicles over the course of three years to cause anyone horror with them. “And I’m tired... She’s really trying to off put them and make them give up. It’s how her and her siblings work. Push and push, make up excuse after excuse to see if their friends or people close will actually show enough care to keep pushing on.
“Okay, yeah.” Enjolras shook his head. “I know, I know, Courf, we got six of us in that time, but that was kind of a weird occasion, and I can still smell Bahorel’s sweat when I get in that car, I swear.” he shook his head. “We could hang out here for a while. I’ll even eat whatever you bring back, provided it’s not red meat or pork.”
“I can handle that.” Courfeyrac agreed. “If you eat the food Gavroche brought too, and one of you promises to have the sandwich tomorrow.” He drove a hard bargain, didn’t he?
“I’m not... sharing any of mine. It red meat but... I...” Azelma swallowed hard and bit her lip before looking down and starting to cry. How could two friends be so good to her, a Thénardier of all people. Hardly worthy people at all. Her tears dripped onto her hand on her stomach.
“Hey?” Courfeyrac said, reaching over to pat Azelma’s shoulder. “What is it? Are you okay?” He was..vaguely worried here. Pregnant and emotional were NOT a good combination at all. “It’s okay, you know? You’re awesome, everything is great and we’re kind of messed up but we’re going to be okay.”
Okay wasn’t perfect, but it was SOMETHING after all.
“I don’t deserve any of you as friends... You guys are amazing and wonderful and I’m just a pregnant sex worker that might as well just be dead.” Tried to take a step away...