#youngjavert fandom

Javert was in a good mood when Valjean got home; a rare occurrence indeed. He wasn’t sure why, and usually it irked him to have his companion out all day handing alms to the poor, even at his more advanced age and in the bitter cold of the Paris streets when it can’t be good for his health and is entirely unnecessary- (Javert was undeniably worried about Valjean’s wellbeing, but it was not as though this was something he would ever admit to him.)

But on this day, odd a circumstance as it may be, he felt good. Maybe not cheerful, that may have been a stretch too far for the Inspector, but fine, and fine was good enough.

Valjean came in through the door, noisily shutting it and kicking off his boots, but conspicuously not removing his large overcoat.

“Jean, welcome home.” Javert said, going to join him in the doorway- until his good mood immediately vanished out of sight when he saw what the other man was concealing under the coat.

“…Jean. What is that.” Javert said, taking a step back and eyeing the small creature in Valjean’s hands with suspicion and distrust, like it was some kind of dangerous beast.

“This little dear?” Valjean asked, looking up at Javert with a nervous grin. “Well, I simply found her, all on her own-“

“In the streets? The dirty, diseased streets?” Javert shot back, cutting him off.

“She’s not diseased! She’s perfectly healthy! Just a little underfed, that’s all, but we can soon counter that.” Valjean said, holding out the animal towards Javert, who recoiled.

“No. No, Jean, put it back right this instant. Who knows where it could have been!”

“Oh, come now, Javert. Look how adorable she is! I couldn’t have just abandoned her!” Valjean said, pouting like a small child.

Javert observed the animal. A cat, a small grey one, with a skinny frame. It looked at Javert rather forlornly and let out a soft meow. Javert sighed in exasperation and looked back to Valjean.

“Jean, I do wish you wouldn’t keep bringing in lost creatures you find in the streets. It does seem to be a habit of yours.” He said, glancing up at Valjean, who ignored the remark and went to set the cat down on the couch.

“Well, I want to keep her. Besides, I’ve already named her. I think I shall call her Camille.”

“Why?”

“It is a pretty name, for a pretty cat. Oh, she’s pretty, isn’t she?” Valjean said, turning to the cat and scratching it behind the ear.

“Jean, you are acting like a child. We can’t keep it. We just can’t.” Javert said sharply.

“Well, it is my house.” Valjean said, looking up at Javert with a wry smile.

“I live here too. What if I threatened to leave, would you choose that cat over me?” Javert said, well aware he was being a little dramatic.

Valjean rolled his eyes, coming over to Javert. “Now who is being childish?” He grinned at Javert, who was trying his utmost to keep a solemn and displeased expression on his face. “Of course I would choose you. But-” He said, sneaking in a kiss to Javert’s lips before he could dodge away, “-I won’t have to, because you’re not going to make me choose, are you?”

Valjean walked towards the kitchen doorway. “I will make us some tea. Perhaps you will come around in time.” He said, barely concealing his grin. Oh, how amusingly lovable Javert was when he was being stubborn. “Besides- she rather reminds me of someone I know.” He chuckled, leaving the room.

Javert scoffed at Valjean and glared at the sad little creature, right into its wide blue eyes. This was a warning look. There was only room for one of them in Valjean’s affections.

-

Days passed and Javert tried his hardest to completely ignore Camille’s presence, which was hard when Valjean did nothing but fuss over her, and she had developed a habit of following Javert around the house incessantly.

Javert, nearly tripping over her once again, crossed his arms indignantly and huffed. “Jean, can you get the animal to stop trailing me about? I don’t know what it wants from me. I’m certainly not going to pick it up.”

Valjean, following after Camille, scooped her up into his arms and scratched her under the chin. “Is nasty old Javert not being nice to you? Well, don’t worry, I’ll give you all the love you need, yes I will.” He said in that voice one only reserved for talking to pets and babies.

Javert scowled at the cat even more now, which caught Valjean’s attention. “Oh. I get it.” He said mischievously.

“What?” Javert grumbled.

“You’re jealous.” Valjean chuckled. “Because I’ve been giving all my affection to Camille.”

“Jealous? Jean, don’t be ridiculous. Me, jealous of a cat? That’s simply preposterous.”

“Well, you certainly act like it.” Valjean said, letting Camille down to the floor gently and stepping forward to grab Javert around the waist, pulling him closer into an embrace. “But you don’t have to worry,” he said in a low voice, his face so close to Javert’s now that their lips grazed together slightly, “You always have my attention.”

Javert’s breath caught in his throat as he leaned forward into the inevitable kiss- only to be interrupted by a loud meow from Camille.

“Oh, of course.” Valjean said, stepping back. “The lady needs feeding. Come on, kitty!” He called, as Camille followed him eagerly into the kitchen.

Javert glowered at the retreating feline. He was not sure they would ever see eye to eye.

-

Valjean was always telling Javert that he should really try to get along with Camille, as she was now ‘part of the family’ or some rubbish like that. Why should he, he thought? The blasted creature had simply been brought into his house one day and interrupted everything. Things had been perfectly fine without it. Javert sighed and slumped onto the couch, not noticing that Camille was asleep on the next cushion. She startled awake and yowled at him.

“Oh… Sorry.” Javert grumbled quietly, hoping she would go away, but instead, she moved closer to him and sat, staring at him inquisitively.

Javert exhaled slowly. Maybe he should try to be cordial towards the animal. The things he did for that man.

“So. Camille.” He said, regarding her. “You’re a cat. How’s that going?”

He stopped and internally cursed himself. He was talking to a cat. This was how far he had sunk.

Camille seemed to respond well to his question though, rubbing her head up against his hand, which lay by his side, and purring gently.

“Oh. Yes, I see.” Javert said awkwardly, not knowing how to deal with the cat showing him affection. “Listen, Camille. We live in the same house. We both really rather adore this one particular man. We have a lot in common, I suppose. Maybe we should call it a truce.”

Camille seemed to agree, as she stood up and promptly plopped herself down into Javert’s lap, curling up on his legs and purring in contentment.

Valjean, watching from the doorway, cracked a smile as Javert began to tentatively stroke her, and continued to talk to her awkwardly.

“I have one stipulation though, Camille- ultimately, he is mine. As long as you understand that I have no doubt we shall be able to tolerate each other.”

Camille gave a meow of approval.

-

Over the next few weeks, a startling transformation seemed to occur. Javert would be the first one that Camille would go to, making a beeline for his lap whenever he sat down, and trailing around him, getting under his feet more frequently than before.

“She really does seem to like you, Javert. Whatever did you do to her?” Valjean commented as Camille nuzzled into Javert on the couch.

“Nonsense. I didn’t do anything. I have no idea where this all came from. And I doubt she likes me. She merely tolerates me, and I her. It is an agreeable arrangement.”

“Right. Of course.” Valjean said, pretending he hadn’t noticed Javert offering to feed her, or groom her, or play with her almost every day, taking over all the duties that Valjean used to do.

Javert was not sure how Camille grew to be ‘his’ cat, but like many things in his life of late, he had learned to accept it and not question it too much. Although he conceded it was most unusual of him to be fussing over a small, sad, lost creature like this. Maybe she reminded him of himself.

“Javert, maybe you should put Camille down for a little while.” Valjean commented.

Javert looked up at him in surprise. It was unlike Valjean to implore him to be less affectionate. “Whatever for?”

“Well, I thought maybe we could have some alone time. Just me and you. Without Camille.” Valjean said, emphasising ‘alone’ to make his intentions clear.

“Oh. Well that can be arranged.” Javert said, tipping Camille gently off his lap as he stood up. “Sorry, Camille. A deal’s a deal. You have to keep up your side of the bargain.”

Camille seemed to understand, slinking out of the room quietly.

“You and small furry animals, Javert. Who would have thought it?” Valjean chuckled, pulling Javert closer to him in one smooth motion, in the way that always made Javert shiver.

“I must admit I do have a sort of affinity for the creature.” Javert said.

“The fuss you made when I brought her home!” Valjean said playfully, leaning his forehead against Javert’s so their noses touched.

“I made a lot of fuss when you brought me home, too. But I came around to that decision.” Javert replied, looking into Valjean’s brown eyes with his blue-grey ones.

“Well, I’m very glad you did, Javert. Or where would I be now?” Valjean said, unable to stop himself from kissing Javert, who reciprocated gently.

“Probably in a house filled with all sorts of street animals.” Javert quipped.

Valjean smiled. “There’s only one poor lost creature I need in my life. Oh, and Camille.”

Valjean walked into the living room to the sight of Javert struggling with his boots. He watched quietly, laughing only a little as Javert let out an indignant grunt as he finally managed to slide his foot into the left shoe, standing up from the couch with a look of triumph on his face that quickly turned to one of disgruntled annoyance as he saw Valjean had been watching him. Valjean thought of making a comment on how cute Javert looked when he was annoyed, but thought better of it. 

"Those boots are getting far too tight for your legs now. You haven't worn them since you were out on patrol."  Valjean said with a chuckle. 

Javert shot a displeased look at Valjean at the assertion he might be getting fatter. "Well, I'm putting them on for a good reason."

"And what, pray tell, is that?" 

That was when Valjean noticed Javert was also wearing his, now rather old and battered, police coat. He crossed his arms and looked pointedly at the other man. 

"Javert, where on earth do you think you're going at this time of the evening, in winter no less?"

Javert rolled his eyes at Valjean's interrogation. 

"There is a prolific criminal, out there. On the streets of Paris. And I intend to capture him."

Valjean strode forward through the room at this, to stand before Javert. 

"Have you lost your mind?" He exclaimed. 

"Whatever do you mean? I am merely doing the job I have been doing for decades."

"That's exactly it, Javert. It's not your job. You're retired! There are other police officers out there now, it's their job to catch dangerous criminals, not yours!"

"None of those other police officers are half as dedicated as me. None of them have been precisely mapping the assailant's movements, and have worked out exactly where he will strike tonight."

Valjean clapped a hand to his forehead and let out an exasperated sigh. 

"So that's what you've been doing this past week. All those secretive little scribblings."

"Well, what did you think I was writing? Love notes?"

"Maybe."

Javert ignored him and carried on. 

"I don't have to tell you about everything I do, Jean. You're not my father."

"No, but I am your partner, correct?"

Javert was stunned into silence for a minute at Valjean's choice of term. He knew he didn't simply mean work or living partner. This was something bigger. Valjean was spurred by Javert's silence. 

"Other half? Significant other?"

"Yes, yes, I heard you, Jean. Still doesn't mean you can tell me what I can and can't do." Javert huffed. 

"As if I would ever dream of doing that. I'm simply worried about you." Valjean said sympathetically. "What sort of criminal is this, anyway?"

"Armed robber. Targeting businesses and homes. Just this week, a market, taverns, a bakery..."

Valjean thought of making a joke about Javert's seeming obsession for bread thieves, but decided against that too. 

"Armed? Oh, Javert, why do you feel you have to put yourself through this? You could get hurt."

"I can't rest while there are criminals out there, still at large."

"Have you noticed, you're living with a criminal?"

"Yes, but I share a bed with that one, so I think it's a little too late on that front." Javert said with a hint of a wry smile. 

Valjean sighed, defeated. "There will be absolutely no talking you out of this, will there?"

"I'm afraid not."

"Well, in that case you must promise me you'll be careful. I couldn't bear if something happened to you." Valjean said quietly. 

To his surprise, it was Javert who stepped forward and hugged him first. 

"I'll be careful. I promise."

Valjean pressed a kiss to the top of his head before he could squirm away. "

"You'd better be, you stubborn fool." Valjean murmured into his hair. 

With that, Javert was out of his arms and out of the door. 

It was 3am, but Valjean could not sleep. Since Javert had left several hours ago he had driven himself half mad with worry. He had found himself unable to sit still, fidgeting, pacing up and down the room, trying to distract himself from thoughts of his Inspector hurt or incapacitated. His Inspector. The notion struck him like lightning. It occurred to him that since that terrible day when he pulled Javert from the Seine, they had rarely been apart. First they were enemies, then friends, and now he thought of Javert as definitively 'his'. He wondered when that had happened. Thinking back to the years they had spent in pursuit of each other, he supposed it had always been there. 

He sat on the bed, lit by a familiar faint candlelight, trying to read the Bible to distract himself. It wasn't working. 

It was 5am, nearly morning, and Javert still wasn't back. Valjean, despite his best efforts, fell into a fitful, exhausted sleep. 

It was 7am when Javert finally shuffled wearily back into the house and made his way to the bedroom, to be greeted with the rather comical sight of Valjean sprawled messily across the bed, on top of the covers, limbs in all directions, Bible on the floor and candle burned to its base. He almost didn't want to wake him up so he could admire this cheering sight, but he knew Valjean would want to know he was home, so he set about opening the curtains, slowly letting a stream of sunlight fall over the sleeping man. Valjean stirred at the sudden intrusion of light and sat up, rubbing his eyes blearily. He looked up at Javert, who couldn't help but smile a little. 

"Javert! You're back!"

"That's right, sleepy head."

Valjean was off the bed like a shot, wrapping his arms around the other man. 

"I was so worried. I tried to stay awake... Oh, I thought something terrible had happened! How did it go?" He said in rapid fire succession. 

"I'm fine, Jean, though a little tired. I successfully apprehended the criminal, I'll have you know, and turned him over to the authorities." Javert said, with unmistakable pride in his voice. "Although staking him out did take longer than I anticipated."

"Well, I expected nothing less, of course. Although I do wish you wouldn't undertake such dangerous endeavours in the future." Valjean said, running his hands along Javert's snow-soaked overcoat. "You must be freezing in this coat, take it off before you catch your death!" He said, not bothering for Javert's reply before he stated removing the garment, and drawing back in shock when he saw a conspicuous red stain running along Javert's white shirtsleeve. 

Javert saw Valjean staring at his arm and shrugged him off. "Jean, it's fine. It's nothing." He grumbled. 

"It is certainly not nothing! You're hurt, Javert!" Valjean said accusingly, rolling up the sleeve to reveal a long cut down his forearm. 

Javert rolled his eyes, hating any kind of fuss. "He tried to stab me when I went to handcuff him. But it's not a deep wound. It's perfectly fine."

"You could have been seriously injured! Javert, I could slap you right now if I didn't want to kiss you so much."

"Then kiss me." Javert smirked, but to no avail, as Valjean rushed to the kitchen. 

Javert allowed him to clean and dress the wound with as little grumbling as he could muster, although some did slip through.

They sat on the bed as Valjean carefully tied the last bandage. Javert observed the dark circles under his eyes with concern. "You must've only had a couple of hours of sleep. Not that you needed to wait for me, in any case."

"Of course I needed to. How could I sleep when you were for all intents and purposes missing? Besides, you got no sleep at all, Inspector."

"Then maybe we should catch up." Javert said playfully, pulling Valjean backwards onto the bed with him. 

Valjean laughed and wrapped his arms around Javert. 

"Maybe we should." He said, adjusting them into a comfortable snuggling position. "You're going to be the death of me one day, Javert."

Javert raised a finger and gently pressed it to Valjean's lips. 

"Jean, you worry too much."