Chapter Text
As the sun set outside, and the moon began to rise, Jehan was packing up their supplies. The tattoo and piercing shop they worked for was closing soon, and they had a birthday party they needed to get ready for.
Enjolras, the owner of the store, had given them the keys and trusted them to close up. He had some business to attend to in the afternoon, so they had remained almost completely alone for half of the day. Sure a few clients had come in, but most of them had left without buying anything. Jehan wasn’t exactly someone people trusted to give tattoos or piercings, given that they had no visible ink and only two piercings.
It didn’t really matter to customers that they were very possibly the most experienced artist there.
They were just about to put the cloth sheet over their supplies to prevent dust when the bell that signalled the door opening rang.
A man walked in. His posture was the first thing Jehan noticed. It was confident, and relaxed. Very obviously practiced. The second thing they noticed was his hair. It was short and black, shaved around the sides with loose black bangs hanging just above his eyebrows.
They watched as he wandered the shop, peering into glass cases and flipping through the catalogue book of tattoo art. Jehan cleared their throat, crossing their arms.
“Are you going to get anything done? Or are you just here to waste my time,” they huffed. Their words came out harsher than they’d planned, and they felt embarrassed.
When he turned, however, they forgot what they’d said. Matter of fact, they also forgot a few trivial matters such as: how to breathe, their own name, and the colour of their hair. He was stunning. Anybody could’ve seen it. He had dark eyes and lips that must have had at least a little tint added to them. His cheekbones were placed high and his face, and they were sharply defined.
They felt a blush colouring their cheeks when he raised an eyebrow and leaned against the glass display case beside him.
“Well, are you the one doing the tattoos today? Or just piercings,” he asked slowly, watching them carefully. They fumbled with the words slightly, standing up and shoving the sheet into a cabinet by their work station.
“Yeah, I’m- I’m doing both!” they quickly stammered, almost falling out of their chair when they sat back down.
“Okay then. Do you do flowers?”
“What kind of flowers?” they asked, leaning back. The initial shock from his appearance had worn off, and now they were mostly just curious.
“Don’t know. What’s your favourite?”
They had to think for a moment. Was he legitimately asking their favourite flower? Or was he just looking for them to say a random one? After thinking about it, they decided that it wouldn’t do any harm if he knew.
“Dandelions. They’re so pretty,” they sighed with a smile, “And they’re survivors. They live in environments designed to kill them!”
“I can appreciate that,” he replied with a dry smirk, “I guess I’ll take a dandelion then.”
“Oh! Okay, so you actually are going to get something,” they tried to keep the surprise out of their voice.
“Why is that such a surprise?” the man asked, pushing himself off the display case and walking over to them. Oh gosh he really was gorgeous. Maybe if it had been another day, they would’ve asked him out to dinner. Alas, they had to go to a party.
“I just… don’t look like a tattoo artist I guess,” they laughed with a shrug, “Also, I might not be able to do it tonight, I have a party to go to and my bus takes a while to get me home and…”
“Why do you need to go home?”
“Well, for one, my car is there.”
“I can drive you,” he said plainly, “I have a car that’s right outside.”
“Oh… Okay then, if you’re sure,” they hesitated a little, but just accepted it, “Where do you want the dandelion? And any like… specific vision you have right now?”
“Can you do a rough sketch and show it to me? I think I want it on my outer thigh,” he explained, sitting down on the table where their clients would lay down.
“I can do that for you.”
Jehan pulled out their sketchbook and flipped to a new page, drawing a singular dandelion. It was bowed slightly, so you could see where it met the stem. They made sure to make the leaves extra spiky. It would suit him.
“How’s this?” they turned the book towards him and he nodded, pleased.
“Perfect. My name’s Montparnasse, by the way.”
“I’m Jehan.” They were slightly embarrassed that they hadn’t asked his name before offering him a tattoo, but it worked out in the end.
“Do you want colour? Or is black and white good,” they asked, tearing out the page and placing it on a clipboard.
“Colour would clash with my aesthetic,” he joked with a quiet laugh. They felt themselves smiling as they prepared a stencil.
“I can see that,” they replied as they transferred the design, “So… you wanted it on your outer thigh, correct?”
“Correct. Do you have like… special shorts for that or something?” he asked a little nervously.
“Nope. Usually clients come prepared, Montparnasse.”
They liked how his name sounded on their tongue. It sounded elegant, just like he looked.
“Fine then. Is there a washroom where I could maybe…” he trailed off.
“Yeah, just past the counter and to the left,” they answered, giggling a little. He walked over quickly, and came back a little bit later with his leather jacket tied around his waist like a makeshift apron. He looked positively ridiculous. Jehan couldn’t hold back their laugh as he approached.
“You can’t be talking. You’re wearing what looks like two parachutes as pants,” he scoffed, looking at their legs.
“Mm, true. But this is simply hilarious,” they laughed again but gestured for him to sit down, “Alright, let’s do this.”
Most of the time passed in relative silence, only broken by Jehan turning on some music. They were genuinely concerned that Montparnasse had dozed off, but every time they looked up he was just staring at them.
When they finally finished, they applied a cover and explained how to care for it until it healed.
“I’ve had tattoos before, darling Jehan,” he said halfway through their explanation, “I know this stuff already.”
They tried to ignore the effect that him calling them ‘darling’ had on them. A soft blush was already colouring their cheeks, however.
“It's our policy, sorry. We’re a very professional shop so this is nessacary,” they explained quietly.
“Okay then, that’s fine. I believe I agreed to drive you to this party you have?” He asked, slipping on the tight blue jeans he had been wearing earlier, and putting the jacket back on.
“That is… correct.” They quickly began packing up. They had forgotten about the party while they did his tattoo, and would now probably be late. Not a good look.
The gift was sitting under their chair, and they grabbed it. It was wrapped in a golden paper with a pretty white bow on top. It looked angelic.
“Then let’s go,” he said, holding out an arm. Jehan took it, blushing.
Montparnasse had a black sports car. It looked insanely expensive, and Jehan almost felt guilty sitting down in the fake leather seats. The slight smell of cigarette smoke that was being drowned out by vanilla made them feel a little better about it.
Personally, Jehan didn’t smoke often. When they did, it was only ever for a few seconds, and it was only ever around friends. They mostly just liked how the smoke made shapes in the wind. The smell however made them gag usually. The vanilla in the car definitely helped.
“Address?” Montparnasse asked them, turning and watching.
“Uhh…” Jehan took out their phone and scrolled through their conversation with Grantaire, where he’d sent the address earlier that day. They showed Montparnasse the text, and he nodded.
The car started smoothly, and Jehan just watched him drive. He seemed almost careless, the way he barely looked awake.
“Are you sure you know where you’re going?” they asked nervously as he turned into an alleyway.
“Yes. It’s a shortcut,” he answered, turning and smiling at them. Jehan felt a little uneasy, but decided that they’d gotten themselves into this mess.
Right when they were coming to terms with their probable kidnapping, Montparnasse turned onto the street that they needed to be on. Jehan looked out their window in surprise when they saw the large, baby-blue house that the party was being hosted at.
“Thank you!” they said, turning to him and hugging him awkwardly over the centre console, “I don’t think you know how much that helped.”
“No problem. May I ask how you will get home?” he asked.
“I’m sure a friend can drive me home,” they replied with a smile, “I hope I’ll see you at the shop again soon!”
He nodded as they got out, closing the door gently. He drove away and Jehan watched, entranced and more than a little confused by the encounter.
They didn’t have time to think about it too hard before the door behind them opened and a soft female voice called out.
“Oh Jehan! I’m so glad to see you!” Cosette came running out, giving him a quick hug before pulling him inside, “We were all wondering where you went! Eponine was about to drive to your house to see if something had happened.”
Jehan shook his head and laughed.
“No, just a little late at work,” they said, hugging her back, “Where’s the birthday boy?”
“My brother’s in the kitchen, and our mom is baking with him,” she replied with a fond smile, “I’m so glad to see her. And even if he won’t admit it, I think he is too.”
“I’m sure of it. I won’t interrupt their bonding time. Where can I put my gift?” They reach into their bag and pull out the neatly wrapped box, holding it out to Cosette. She smiled and took it, walking it over to a table in the living room that already had a modest stack of gifts.
“Go say hi to everyone, I’m sure they’d love to see you!” she said, pushing him into the dining room with the small crowd of co-workers that were all just a large group of friends who happened to work together.
‘ABC Tattoos and Piercings’ was the name of the store. Combeferre had come up with it. He was part of the founding trio, consisting of him, Enjolras, and Courfeyrac. Over the years, they had recruited quite a few people to work there. Every single one of them, and a few more, were in the room.
Jehan picked up one of the many novelty cups laying around on the main table and ladled out some punch from the main bowl. They took a long sip and sighed, looking around to find someone to talk to. Luckily, they didn’t have to look for long.
“Prouvaire!” Eponine called him over from where she was lounging on an armchair. She was completely sprawled out, soft blonde curls smothering the cushions on one arm, her legs hung over the other.
“Ponine!” they exclaimed, running over and kissing her on both cheeks despite grumbled protests, “Oh I’m so glad to see you! Cosette said you were going to drive to my house to check on me?”
“Obviously! It isn’t a party without our favourite redhead now is it?” she responded, taking a long drink from her cup that had a chipped and faded image of Dory from Finding Nemo on it.
“Aw, thanks!” they chirped, blushing.
“Anyways, why were you late?” she asked, her gaze suddenly searching them.
“Oh, a customer came into the shop a little late and I did a tattoo for him,” they said breezily, waving their hand.
“You can’t just stay late for every pretty boy who walks through those doors, Jehan!” she groaned and threw her head back in exasperation.
“I never said he was pretty!” they retorted, plopping themselves down on the arm rest where her feet were situated.
“Well you don’t just stay behind for anyone,” she pointed out, glaring at them. They huffed and blushed even harder. It was true, unfortunately.
“Yeah? Well don’t call me out on it! It hurts my feelings, Ponine,” they pouted, batting their eyelashes.
“Suck it up buttercup,” she snapped back, finishing her drink, “So, what was he like?”
They sighed wistfully, gazing out the window dreamily, “Oh he was stunning Eponine! He had that dark hair, and was dressed impeccably. I’m pretty sure he was even wearing makeup.”
“Oh you’re down bad, and you’ve met him once,” she criticized, raising an eyebrow.
“Not true!” they huffed, glaring at her.
“Fine. What’s his name?”
“Montparnasse. Isn’t it lovely?”
Eponine sat up suddenly, eyes wide as she stared at a slightly confused Jehan.
“Montparnasse? Stunning, well-dressed, oddly suspicious yet you trust him anyways, Montparnasse?” she asked, yanking her legs out from under them, “That boy’s bad news hon. He’s a heartbreaker and he knows it.”
“You know him?” they asked eagerly, watching her.
“Did you even hear what I just said?” she hissed at them, “You don’t want to associate with him. Ever. I learned my lesson.”
“What did he do?” they whispered, now a little worried.
“Nothing too bad, honestly. There aren’t any really hard feelings,” she brushed them off, “He just worked for my dad at some point. That’s all.”
Jehan winced. Eponine’s dad was… a bad person, to say the least. He wasn’t particularly fatherly to his children, or husbandly to his wife. He was also actively involved in a lot of crime around the city.
“Oh… I see,” they said quietly, holding the cup with both hands. They were more than a little disappointed. Montparnasse had seemed so nice, and he was beautiful.
“He doesn’t anymore, of course. Apparently he doesn’t get along well with people who ignore their children until they do something wrong,” she said, standing up to get another drink, “I’m just saying, I don’t know who he is now, but I do know who he was when he was fourteen.”
“People can change a lot in what, six years?” Jehan asked hopefully.
“Five, actually. And yeah, you’re right I guess,” she replied, smiling a little, “Do whatever floats your boat. If he comes back for another tattoo? Flirt with him all you want. It might come as a surprise, but that used to really fluster him.”
Jehan laughed and let her go. They settled into the plush arm chair and were happily sipping their punch when Grantaire walked over.
He settled down on the floor in front of them and leaned his head back, “Braid my hair, Jehan.”
“Hello to you too,” they laughed, setting down their drink and sectioning out his dark curls.
“So, who is this mysterious fellow that kept you after work?” he asked immediately. Jehan sighed.
“How did you learn?” they asked.
“I overheard you mentioning someone stunning, and you were late. It doesn’t take a genius to put two and two together,” he replied, taking a drink from his cup.
“His name is Montparnasse,” they said quietly, hoping that he hadn’t heard the name.
“Oh, that’s a nice name. I think Eponine mentioned him once or twice before,” he yawned and smiled and Jehan tied the bottom of his hair with a ribbon.
“You are such a darling, thank you,” he said, standing up and stretching, “The hair on my neck was driving me crazy!”
“Not a problem!” they replied with a grin. Braiding hair was always relaxing for them, as they usually tied their own red locks back in one. The updo they gave Grantaire was much nicer, however.
“Alright, I’m gonna go check on the birthday boy and his super-cool moms!”
Jehan smiled and waved as he left. The chair was quiet until the birthday procession began. Cossette walked out, dark curls bouncing as she led out her moms and half-brother.
One of the mothers, a kind woman named Fantine, had Cosette’s dark skin as well as her gorgeous hair. The other one had soft brown eyes and pale hair. Fantine was currently working at a cafe, and her wife was a pastor at the local church.
Neither resembled the one whose birthday they were celebrating.
Enjolras was related to Cosette on her father’s side, and had inherited his features. Bright blue eyes and golden hair that fell to his shoulders. Jehan had been in love with him, for a time.
Cosette and her adoptive father had been ecstatic to learn they were related. The couple who had adopted him were quite wealthy, but had gotten rid of him when he started speaking out more often and eventually opened the tattoo shop.
So Fantine, her wife, and Cosette’s adoptive father had all practically adopted him. Unfortunately, the adoptive father was currently in the hospital for a car accident, so he couldn’t be there. Jehan knew that Enjolras had gone in earlier that day to see him, and that’s why he’d left early.
The chorus of voices singing ‘Happy Birthday’ sounded overjoyed, and Jehan could see his boss practically glowing.
Fantine set down the cake and lit the candle. It was his twenty-second birthday, and it was far better than his twenty-first.
Last year, it had been raining all day, and he had come down with a terrible cold. Nobody could come over, and the power had crashed so no video calls either. It was miserable and Jehan hated to remember it.
“Make a wish!” Cosette clapped excitedly as he blew out the candles with a grin. Enjolras swept a look around the room, and his gaze settled upon his two best friends. Combeferre and Courfeyrac. They almost ran over and enveloped him in a tight group hug.
Jehan watched from the corner as cake was served. Unfortunately, they had issues with lactose. They probably couldn’t eat it.
“Hey, why the long face?” Eponine asked, bringing over two slices.
“You know I can’t have that, don’t rub it in my face,” they laughed a little sadly.
“Yes you can! We made sure of it. Turns out Simplice is also lactose intolerant!” she said eagerly, shoving the cake at them.
“Oh, okay!” Jehan had never been more grateful to Fantine’s wife. They ate fast and regretted it when their stomach was in pain for the rest of the party.
They departed after saying goodbye to the group, and realised they didn’t have a way home. Eponine walked out behind them with her keys.
“Hey, I’m staying here tonight with Cosette. Just bring it back tomorrow, m’kay?” she said, tossing them to them.
“Oh, okay! Bye!”
She waved and walked back in, leaving Jehan with her car for the night.
As they drove home, they thought about Montparnasse. Hopefully he came back. He was interesting, and they wanted to hear his story from his mouth, rather than Eponine’s.
Their bed was soft as they fell asleep, dreaming about dandelions.