(no subject)
Wash away the thoughts inside
That keep my mind away from you/
Javert gazed up at the sky. A single drop of water came from the heavens above and splashed upon the inspector's face. The man sighed softly. It reminded him of the tears he had never shed. It reminded him of the blistering cold water beneath the bridge he stood on. The stars were not to be seen tonight. He would never see the stars again, he mused to himself. Javert closed his eyes and gripped the iron railing.
Tonight he let 24601 go. He let the criminal go; he left his duty behind. Removing his hat, Javert set it on the stone pedestal beside him and looked down into the rushing water below. Valjean. He had sought that man for such a long time, and nearly had him in his grasp. Was the only reason for finding him to bring him to justice? Or was there something else?
/No more love and no more pride.
The thoughts are all I have to do./
Yes. There was something else. Something Javert hadn't felt in all his time of being a cold, hardened inspector. When he saw Valjean at the barricade.. he couldn't help but admire him. He went through his life trying to right the wrongs. He wanted to live a good life, a healthy life. What did Javert want to do? He wanted to kill him.
Valjean could've killed him. He had the opportunity, the chance. What did he do? He let Javert go free and told him where he lived. He was willing to go back to the chain gang, but not until after he had done what he set out to do, whatever it was. Javert shook his head, another drop of rain landing on his hand. He would never see Valjean again. Javert turned his eyes skyward.
/Oooo..remember when it rained
Felt the ground and looked up high and called your name/
"Valjean! Damn you!"
"Javert." Javert gasped, startled, and turned to meet the weary eyes of Jean Valjean. His shirt was bloodstained, his coat worn. His hair had turned white from age, the wrinkles on his face beginning to form. Javert drew himself up tall, face stern.
"24601."
"I thought you would be at my house by now."
Javert licked his dry lips. "I thought you were taking care of some business."
Valjean wiped the sweat from his brow. "The boy is fine. He's now at a hospital, being taken care of."
Uncomfortable silence surrounded them. Valjean's grey eyes looked over Javert. "You look haggard."
"Why, thank you," Javert replied dryly. "You look so ever proper, yourself."
"Why didn't you kill me when you had the chance?"
/Oooo...remember when it rained
In the darkness I remain/
Javert blinked, taken aback by the question. "Why didn't *you* kill *me* when you had the chance?"
Valjean shrugged. "It would've been wrong. I would be prosecuted even further for killing a highly admired inspector. Besides.. you were to take me to justice anyway."
More drops of rain began to fall. Valjean looked up and held out his hand. Javert stared at the palm, suddenly feeling very hot underneath his coat. His own hand shot out and took Valjean's in a tight grasp. Former prisoner 24601 looked up at the other man, surprised. "..Javert?"
/Tears of hope run down my skin
Tears for you that will not dry/
Valjean was more than just surprised when Javert's chest heaved, his head bowed low. It was apparent the inspector was sobbing, but what for, he was unsure of.
"Javert, are you.."
"Valjean," Javert managed between sobs, "Have you ever been touched by God?"
A pause. "Yes," Valjean said softly. "Yes, I have. That is why I do what I do, Javert. God helps me through my life and helps me right my wrongs."
Javert raised his face, looking at Valjean through bleary green eyes. "I believe God is touching me, at this very moment."
/They magnify the one within
Let the outside slowly die.../
"To love another person is to see the face of God," Valjean mumbled, reaching his hand up to caress Javert's cheek. Javert leaned into the touch, the tears continuing to flow. The rain fell evenly now, seemingly falling to wash away their sins, their life, and their barrier to each other. Valjean searched Javert's face, looking for some answer, any kind of answer.
Javert gazed back at him and, with a silent affirmative, leaned forward and captured the man's lips in a soft, tender kiss.
/Oooo..remember when it rained
Felt the ground and looked up high and called your name/
The kiss lasted for many a minute, strong arms wrapped around each other's bodies and hair loose about their shoulders. The rain was heavy now, the sound it made upon the stone bridge almost deafening. They didn't hear it. They heard absolutely nothing. Their touches were clumsy. Their kisses were warm. For all they cared, there was no rain. There was no world around them.
Finally, they broke apart, gasping for breath and foreheads touching. Javert ran his fingers through Valjean's soaking wet hair, tangling themselves in the strands. Valjean's arm was wrapped around the slimmer man's waist, holding him close.
Javert kissed him again. No words were needed. They understood each other at last, and that kiss was all they needed.
/Oooo..remember when it rained
In the water I remain...running down./
Valjean was the first to break away, still holding Javert's hand. He squeezed his hand tightly, smiled a final, sad smile, and let it drop. Javert still tasted Valjean on his lips when he had departed. He stood there for a long while, then turned back to the railing.
Climbing easily over the iron work, Javert felt the rain come down harder than ever, soaking him through the skin. Closing his eyes, he saw Valjean's face, he felt his lips upon his own, and he saw the face of God. With that last image in his mind, he let go.
/Running down, running down
running down, running down,
running down, running down/
Damn typists.