Got another small drabble about our lovely trio for you guys, a little longer than the other ones. Hope you like it!)
Main Priority
The front door slammed shut with a loud thud causing Enjolras and Courfeyrac to look up in shock. They were both in the middle of finishing this weeks assignment; stressed because the deadline was nearing and they still were not quite done with it yet.
"Combeferre? That you?" Enjolras called from his spot behind the desk. There was no answer, just a quick and sudden movement of figure flying through the living room and into the bedroom. And then another slam. Enjolras raised his eyebrows in surprise and turned to look at Courfeyrac who was sprawled across the carpet surrounded by books and papers. His friend looked just as confused.
"Should we check on him?", Courfeyrac asked and he looked up hesitantly at Enjolras from his position on the floor. It wasn't the first time that Combeferre locked himself in his room when he was upset about something, but it didn't happen often and it left Enjolras and Courfeyrac more than a little worried.
Enjolras stood, his homework forgotten and his full attention on his best friend. With a few firm strides, he walked over to Combeferre's bedroom. He knocked a few times and when he didn't get a response, he called out to him. Courfeyrac stood as well and joined Enjolras with a concerned frown on his usually so exuberant face.
"Combeferre? Can we come in?" Enjolras asked quietly.
Silence.
"'Ferre...? Can you answer me, please?" Again, Combeferre didn't answer and Enjolras pressed his lips together. "Okay, we're coming in", he said firmly and he pushed the door open.
The two younger boys entered the room cautiously and their concern only grew when they saw Combeferre sitting cross-legged on his bed; eyes distant and face pale. Enjolras moved towards the bed and sat down next to his friend. He lay his hand on Combeferre's shoulder and was shocked to find his older friend was trembling; as if he was in shock.
Courfeyrac followed Enjolras' example and sat down on the other side of Combeferre. It was clear that something had happened; something serious. Their friend was never so withdrawn.
"Combeferre, my friend, did something happen?", Enjolras asked in such a gentle and soothing voice most people wouldn't think him capable of.
Combeferre nodded slowly and leaned a little closer to his friends. Their presence alone already made him feel better; more grounded; secure; loved.
"Something at the hospital?"
Again, Combeferre nodded and he closed his eyes for a second. He felt how Courfeyrac took hold of his hand and he squeezed it gratefully. "They took a child in today...he was still so very young. Doctor Mattieu was occupied so they asked me to...to start treatment..." He swalllowed the rest of his words; knowing he didn't have to elaborate.
Enjolras let out a small sigh and tightened his hold on Combeferre's shoulder. Of course, for a doctor and even a medical student, losing patients was inevitable and it happened far too often. But that didn't mean it ever stopped hurting. That didn't mean it would ever get easy. It never would. And this was Combeferre's first death while he was in charge himself. And it was a child. The pain was poignant.
"Oh 'Ferre", Courfeyrac muttered quietly, shuffling closer to his friend. "I'm so sorry...Do you want to talk about it?"
Combeferre shook his head and smiled a sad smile; tears nearly falling, but not quite. "No", he whispered and he looked up at Enjolras for a second; another stabbing pain pierced his heart as he remembered how much the child of today had looked like his best friend when he was younger. "No, just...just spend some time with me if you could?"
And of course that was something they could do. They made themselves more comfortable on Combeferre's bed and huddled close together to share friendship and warmth. Both Enjolras and Courfeyrac failed to finish their paper in time, but neither of them cared, this was far more important. Their friendship was always main priority.
The end.
(I am thinking of turning this one into a bigger one-shot if people would like me to. Hope you've enjoyed this chapter, please review? Also, if you've got a prompt (happy/sad/funny/canon/au) for me concerning these three boys, do let me know and I might write a little story around it)