Chapter Text
Grantaire looked at his watch and sighed. This was not the first time it happened, but still it stung a little.
Enjolras had been working on a new case for a few weeks. A big one as he explained, although Grantaire was yet to hear him call a case anything but “big”. True to himself, he had gone all in and dived deep into his work barely stopping for anything else. This, combined with Grantaire approaching exposition and the hectic studio hours that came with it, meant that even though they lived together, they had barely saw each other’s in the last month or so.
Their daily interactions could be resumed to a quick good-morning kiss before leaving, few words exchanged over coffee, a sweet hand brushing passing by and, on Wednesday, coming home together from their weekly reunion at the Musain. On the rare occasions they managed to catch each other at home for more than a minute, they were generally so exhausted that they just went to sleep cuddling.
And ok that was nice, but Grantaire was really starting to miss his boyfriend. Truth be told, he was tired of waking up alone and eating dinner by himself. He had put the last touch on his final painting for the exposition last week and he still had barely caught sight of Enjolras. When they had started dating, Grantaire knew that this was part of the deal. He knew first hand what Enjolras relation to his work was, having witnessed it for years during les Amis meeting. He also knew better than to try to change his boyfriend or to get between him and his work. That had caused enough fights in the beginning of their relationship, one of them so bad that their friends still referred to it as “Waterloo”. But now, three years into it, they had a good balance, and that was largely thanks to Enjolras efforts.
Maybe that’s why Grantaire felt so disappointed tonight, because this entire thing felt like a major setback.
Two days ago, they had been walking back from the Musain, and Enjolras had been talking about the next protest they were planning while Grantaire was pointing out every flaw he could think of, which he had already done during the meeting. They had argued back and forth until they had arrived at their front door. Grantaire had been in the middle of a passionate diatribe when his boyfriend had cut him with a kiss.
“I miss you” he had said right after.
“Yeah miss you too” Grantaire had answered going for another kiss.
“Friday 8 pm, you, me diner.”
“But I thought you wanted to work on your case ?”
“That can wait.”
They had not talked about it more after, but the date had been added to the big calendar on their fridge when Grantaire woke up the next morning. He had even scribbled a little heart above it.
Which brings us to tonight.
Knowing Enjolras would be at work the entire day, Grantaire had took upon himself to prepare everything. He had cooked his boyfriend’s favourite pasta dish and had even bought some nice brioche at the little bakery next to their flat, knowing how much Enjolras loved it. When 8pm had come and Enjolras hadn’t, Grantaire hadn’t been to surprised, punctuality had never been Enjolras strong suit. But as time went on without any words from his boyfriend, he had started to get an unpleasant feeling of déjà vu.
Now, as the numbers on his watch indicated “9 pm”, the feeling had settled and morphed into disappointment. Some bitchy voice in his brain told him he should have seen it coming and even though he shushed it, the ache in his heart didn’t disappear. He checked his phone once more but still no text from Enjolras despite the numerous ones he had sent. That, in his experience, could only meant one thing: the lawyer was so engulfed in his work that he had let his phone on silent and forgotten in on the corner of his desk.
Grantaire looked at the know cold pasta he had left on the stove, then at his watch once more and let his head fall on the table with a grunt. He really wanted a drink right now. He stayed like that until his phone buzzed next to his head.
“Finally ! Enj, I’m gonna kill you, I swear.” he mumbled grabbing the device as fast as he could. His excitement was short-lived as instead of the lengthy apology he expected from his boyfriend, he was met with a short text from Joly.
Hey doing anything tonight?
This, coming from his friend could meant one of two things: either he wanted to watch crappy television and eat ice cream, or he was sure he was dying and wanted help checking his symptoms to find what incurable disease he had caught this time.
Both options seemed nicer than waiting home alone, knowing his boyfriend had forgotten him, but Grantaire still hesitated before answering. Even though, it was highly unlikely, some part of him still expected Enjolras to burst in with a good excuse explaining why he was so late. He could almost hear Eponine make fun of him for thinking that but she was not there so he still waited another five minutes before grabbing his phone again.
Nope, not a thing. The response came almost immediately.
We want to catch up on Bake off with Chetta and Bossuet but we can’t do that without you! You in?
Grantaire smiled. So, first option it was. He resisted the desire to look at his watch once more before answering.
I’m bringing the ice creams. I’ll be there in 10.
His decision made, Grantaire open the freezer, grabbed the two ice cream tubs than were always in there and started putting on his shoes. He was taking his coat off the rack when his eyes felt on the table that was still set, waiting for the diner that never came. The idea of cleaning everything up before leaving went through his mind but he could not bring himself to do so. It felt like truly admitting it wouldn’t happen and although that was true, it hurt too much. Instead, he took his phone once more and fired a quick text at his boyfriend.
I’m going to Joly’s, don’t wait for me.
Then, before he could change his mind, he left. The walk between their flat and the one Joly, Musichetta and Bossuet shared was only five minutes, so Grantaire didn’t bother going back up to grab an umbrella when he saw how much it was raining, he just sped up. Despite his best efforts, his brain couldn’t stop thinking about Enjolras and what had just happened as he was crossing the road. He was so caught up in his thoughts than he didn’t saw the car before it was too late.
The rest happened like in a movie.
Time seemed to slow down. Grantaire saw the car approaching inexorably and he just had time to turn his head before the vehicle hit him, sending him flying in the middle of the street.
“Shit, the ice cream is ruined.”, was his last thought before it all went dark.