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Chapter Text

The inimitable Javert

AN:

No knowledge of Jeeves and Wooster is necessary to understand this au, however, I never cease to recommend it. And it would make some parallels even funnier and I will be using some quotes adapted
Basically, what you need to know:
-Jeeves is a super strict valet that leaves employment the moment his master does something that he doesn't like: this includes; only working for bachelors, the color of the clothes, banjos, no sense of property or fashion....He is super intelligent in some aspects but lack in other, almost never showing any emotions and the only one capable to read him is Wooster. The only one who has lasted more than a few months is Wooster. This is the "slot" I borrowed to fit Javert
-Bertie Wooster is the "rich" employer.(I actually have no idea how much money he has) Bertie is a good-hearted fellow whose friends always ask for favors. His family wants him to get married and think him an idiot but he is actually quite clever in an unusual sense. I have written Monsieur Madeleine like Wooster with the difference of the age and that they don't think him so idiotic. And also Wooster stole silver once at least, for good reasons

Summarizing a lot, the plot the books have is that Bertie gets accidentally engaged and Jeeves has to "save" him., because otherwise he would have to leave (really normal stuff)

Regarding les mis (not sure If I'll ever write the prequel)
As Javert never went to Montreuil-sur-Mer because he was fired from the police, Jean Valjean keeps his identity of Madeleine. He saves Fantine by bringing her and her daughter to a hospital in Paris and they stay there living in Rue Plumet. When Marius and Cosette start courting for real because Fantine discovers it earlier, Valjean lets them the house in rue Plumet and he moves to the flat in l'homme armé. While they search for the perfect partner for him, they decide to hire a valet to keep him company. The Agency sends Javert.
In the same vein that in J&W they ignore WW1 in an idyllic continuation of the edwardian era, the original plan is that I will not mention the barricade.

This story is based on: Jeeves takes charge. As is their first meeting and it technically starts with Wooster going to court because he stole a constable helmet, if I remember correctly, but I will use little things from other stories. Like a bit of the plot of Brinkley Manor. Episode wise, the first and the last one of the first season.

End of AN

In front of the building, Javert frowned and had to take a double look at the direction in the paper, even though he had already memorized it. It's not that it was the worst neighborhood of Paris, only that his previous employers had lived in different kind of place. More rich and suitable for a successful business family.

This was an anomaly, and he didn't like it.

Javert highly doubted that this was the Agency's idea of a joke and him being the end of it. He had built a reputation of being stern and never bent. His whiskers were always perfectly trimmed, the queue perfectly made and the bowler hat not an inch out of place. No employer had met his standards of property and good manners. He might not have always been a valet, but he had accepted his fate years ago and made his way to the perfect standard of the servant world. Javert always refrained from mentioning his past as a prison guard and failed police officer, the reactions were varied, but never positive.

Clearing his throat, he knocked. While he waited for the door to open, he reviewed in his mind all the Agency had told him about his new employer. Monsieur Madeleine was a philanthropist who had made his fortune with a successful method to build tiny whatevers. He had retired and now his family had contacted them to send him a new valet.

The door opened and a man with a confused expression stood on the other side. His clothes were in disarray and his eyes tired although it was only 9 in the morning. He was probably the porter.

“Bonjour, may I inquire about Monsieur Madeleine?”

“It is I”

Javert did not allow his face to show any kind of emotion about the oddity of the mental image he had created previously. He bowed slightly

“I was sent by the Agency, Monsieur. I was given to understand that you required a valet”

Taking the slight nod from Madeleine, Javert made his way inside. The interior wasn’t in a better state than the master who looked like a beggar. It almost looked that what it was needed was an undertaker and not a valet. There was dust on top of the furniture, a smell of a closed space, and a horrid yellow coat in the hanger.

Without being prompted, he looked at the room, which was in no better state. Dust covered the bed sheets, as if they had not been used in a long time. The only clean thing of the whole house seemed to be two silver candlesticks.

No, this house truly was in need of a valet. Javert cracked his knuckles and got to work.

…

“Here, Monsieur, take this”

Monsieur Madeleine elevated his tired eyes, as if he had not realized that Javert was here. He had sat on the armchair and had not talked to him in a long time. He accepted the cup with shaking fingers but did not drank

“What is this?”

“A tonic, Monsieur, my own recipe. It is the best cure for hangovers”

That brought a different expression.

“I am not drunk, Monsieur”

Permit me to doubt it Javert thought

“It is not matter, Monsieur. It will be good to have something in your stomach” By the state the kitchen was, it was clear that it had not been used in a while. “I will prepare a meal in a few hours, Monsieur, now drink.

Monsieur Madeleine took a reticent sip and the effect was instant. Life came back to his haggard face and, for a brief second, Javert had a flicker of deja vù that disappeared almost as fast.

“This has the most interesting taste…how curious. I feel renovated. An amazing recipe, may I ask what it has?”

 “It’s a professional secret, Monsieur, But it has honey and pepper,”

“I see…” He felt in a complaintive silence again, and Javert thought that he might take his leave to continue the household tasks.

“Alors, je suis desolé. I believe I did not get your name there”

“I am Javert” He answered

Monsieur Madeleine raised his eyebrows slightly again.

“I will make sure not to forget it. Needless to say, you are hired”

“Monsieur it’s most kind” Javert bowed. He didn’t say that his services had already been hired by the Pontmercy family. He was presented with a true conundrum. Clearly, Monsieur Madeleine was not his usual employer nor one he would normally accept. But there was something about the man, the way he was now looking after drinking the tonic. Less than he had a foot on the tomb and more like a tired man. Now he looked like he was a bit older than him, maybe not more than ten years. His curly hair was completely white, but his body talked otherwise. He didn’t like the idea that they hired him to act like a nurse. Or more like a guardian, to not to allow him to stray further? He wondered. Curiosity born from when he still hoped to become a detective arose again.

Monsieur Madeleine got up and shook his hand. A tight grip. He noticed. There was still strength inside the man.

“We will have to discuss your lodgings. There’s the servant’s bedroom although I’m not sure if the bed will be….” Monsieur Madeleine gave him a glance, Javert was almost two heads taller than him.

Suddenly uncomfortable, and realizing he was still holding his hand. He coughed.

“I have already seen the room, Monsieur. It will suffice. I will return to the tasks,Monsieur”

Javert bowed again and took his leave. He might stay a few days, just to satisfy the curiosity and the nagging feeling on the back of his head

…

Javert, to his great surprise, was about to start the second week under Monsieur Madeleine employment. Day by day, his new master regained a kind of strength that the first days had lain dormant. At the end of the first week, he had seen him lift a particular bureau that Javert was struggling to clean under.

“He could lift me” thought briefly, but had discarded it almost immediately. It looked like his “illness” had receded, at least for a little while. The signs of melancholy almost completely disappeared from his face, except in certain moments.

The servant room was tiny but practical. Javert had laid the few possessions he had and only used it to the few hours of sleep. He had managed to transform the flat to a spotless state and arranged the wardrobe. The only quirk Monsieur Madeleine was that he insisted in changing by himself, not allowing the valeting part of the valet de chambre. That also arouse his curiosity and he set himself in discovering the origin of Monsieur’s shyness.

Monsieur Madeleine had the habit of taking long walks when Javert was doing things outside and didn’t talk about what he did, but Javert hadn’t dared to follow him.

The status quo changed at the end of the fortnight, with the arrival of a letter addressed to Monsieur.

The content was short, and it invited Madeleine to the Pontmercy’s second residence in Giverny. The reaction from Madeleine was strange, as he retired to his bedroom with the letter and did not appear again until dinner.

“We will go together tomorrow” Madeleine said.

“Yes, Monsieur” Javert had answered. “I will prepare the luggage. If, Monsieur will be so kind to indicate where I can find his suitcase….

“A clothing bag will suffice. I don’t own a suitcase”

Javert almost dropped the plate he was holding. A bag! What was he? A neanderthal? But kept his stern face while he said:

“I will lend you mine until we can acquire one, Monsieur” He said

“It is not necessary, I…

The look Javert sent his way shut him up and left no room for discussing the matter further

…

As Monsieur Madeleine didn’t like to be dressed by other, Javert had come to the habit to leave the clothes for the day on his bed.

Meanwhile, he went to call the carriage for the travel and put his…Madeleine’s suitcase on the carriage. That’s why when he saw his Master approach, he had ….that it’s to say, he blinked two times.

“Monsieur, may I ask what are you wearing?”

Monsieur Madeleine had the cheek of looking confused! Confused! Javert felt a tick on his brow

“What are you talking about, cher Javert”

Cher! More wood to the fire. But he would come back to that later

“Monsieur, I’m afraid there must have been some misunderstanding with the laundry ladies, as it seems you have been given a fisherman garment”

“Ah! You mean the coat? Well, I think it’s a really nice coat. Latest fashion and all that”

Javert had to fight the need of showing his teeth and gums like a tiger at that statement. Latest fashion?!? Maybe between the color blind.

“Monsieur, I must insist on a change”

“Now, I don’t think it is necessary. It suits me quite well”

“The coat hides his powerful body, how could that be ok?”

They stared at each other, not wanting to bend

“I apologize for interrupting….whatever this is. But if you both wish to be in Giverny tonight or in this century for that matter, we should leave.

Monsieur Madeleine smiled.

“See Javert, there’s no time to change”

“And also, Monsieur, your coat is making the horses anxious”

Madeleine’s cheeks became an interesting red and Javert allowed his lips to elevate a few millimeters.

He helped his master to get on the carriage, and they sat one across the other in awkward silence.

…

“Papá!” a young lady shouted the moment Monsieur Madeleine stepped out of the carriage. The travel to Giverny had lasted around five hours and had been pleasant except for the first half hour, born from the argument about the hideous yellow coat that Javert intended to burn when he had the chance.

The moment they have left Paris, was as if a strange spell had been lifted and they had talked about various topics. Javert was surprised about how well-versed Madeleine was about the different crops they found of their way, and he was a really good conversationalist, talking enough for the both of them, but Javer didn’t get bored listening to him. They even talked about astronomy.

 “Ma cherè Cosette” Monsieur Madeleine said, reciprocating the hug.

“And, who is your friend Papà?” Referring to Javert who stood a bit awkwardly at their side.

“I’m not his friend, but Monsieur Madeleine’s valet, Mademoiselle. Javert at your service” He said, before Madeleine had the chance to answer.

“Yes, Cosette, This is Monsieur Javert. Javert, my daughter Cosette”

“Ah, I see that everything worked fine. Marius’ granddad will be glad. Although it isn’t like you, Papà, for…good acquaintances to call you Monsieur Madeleine. Sounds a bit…

“Excessive I know, I know….But well, when you know Monsieur Javert better you’ll understand.” He smiled a bit “Now dear, let me salute your mother, she said there was something she wanted to discuss with me?”

“Ah oui! You´ll see Papà, it is wonderful news”

“Good! Those are my favourite. I will present you to Fantine later, Javert.”

“Then later we might take a stroll in the gardens, you see, Grantaire has told me about…

They disappeared into the house and Javert was left with a weird feeling. A daughter! Monsieur Madeleine had a daughter! And a wife! But all this time he had thought he was a bachelor! Had his detective abilities really fallen that hard?

Shaking his head, Javert got the luggage from the carriage and paid the coach. If Monsieur Madeleine had a wife, why did he live alone in that flat? And, if this was part of the family property….how much money did they have?

The house was impressive, with enough room to accommodate at least a hundred guests with his servants. It felt on the category of castle. The gardens were big and well kept. They even had one of those little fountains with cherubs.

Shaking his head, Javert made his way inside. The interior was refulgent with marble and silver. What is this place? How had he dared to doubt Monsieur Madeleine connections with wealth?

Feeling uneasy, he asked for Monsieur Madeleine’s quarters. They were in the attic of the house, in the west wing. He started unpacking while his thoughts come back again to Monsieur Madeleine’s and his family. And kept wondering what kind of woman Monsieur Madeleine’s wife might be.

…

He didn’t see Monsieur Madeleine again until it was dinner time. Javert didn’t have much to do until then, so he had decided to join the rest of the house staff. And, between one thing and other, found himself bringing the dinner dishes to the dinning room, which suited his “investigation” perfectly. Had Javert been a different person, he would only have to ask the rest of the staff, but he would not.

At the table’s presidency, was Monsieur Gillenormand. A man in his eighties-nineties that still held an impressive presence. At his right, was Madame Gillenormad, who looked like his husband (or maybe it was the other way around) as some old married couple did. On Monsieur G left, was a boy in his twenties who Javert guessed was Marius as he was sitting next to Mademoiselle Cosette. In Javert’s opinion, he looked a bit like a ninny.

On Cosette’s other side, sat a woman who looked like her but with blonde hair. She looked young but, by approximation, she should have been in his forties. Because, indeed, she could only be Fantine, Monsieur Madeleine’s wife and Cosette’s mother. They both were happily chatting.

Next to Fantine, was Monsieur Madeleine himself. Their gazes crossed across the room and looked like he was trying to communicate something, but Javert did not comprehend what it was. In front of Madeleine, was another woman that he did not recognized and seemed to trying to make conversation.

The rest of the table consisted mostly of a variety of boys and girls of Cosette and Marius’ age.

Javert endured the rest of the dinner serving wine and attending when needed.

About an hour later, he left to Madeleine’s room still pondering about the dinner. What was their situation? They seemed friendly enough with each other, no like angry partners usually behaved. It was pretty uncommon. So then why did they not live together? It was a mystery indeed.  

A few minutes later, Monsieur Madeleine entered. He was pale in the face.

“Javert” He said with a shaky voice, his cravat about to unbind, “Fantine wishes me to marry Mademoiselle Dupont.

To say that he was surprised by that statement was not enough, as his thick eyebrows shot up almost three centimeters.

…

“Mais quoi…Forgive me, Monsieur Madeleine. I do not understand.” Javert decided it was best to take a direct approach. “Your wife wishes you marry another woman?

Now it was Monsieur Madeleine’s turn to look surprised.

“My,…my what?”

“Your wife,Fantine.”

At this statement, Madeleine looked about to faint

“Fantine! My wife? What….no! What!”

“Was Cosette conceived out of wedlock then?” Tout ou rien

“Yes! No! Mon Dieu, I need to sit down”

Madeleine sat on a nearby chair and put a hand on his head. After composing himself, he continued

“Look, Javert, I understand why you might misunderstand the situation. Fantine was…going through a difficult time and I offered to adopt his daughter until the situation got better. Cosette sees me as a father or maybe grandfather would be more correct, figure. And Fantine is like my daughter. You must understand how your statement made me feel. It is not something we usually discuss as Cosette was…conceived out of wedlock but her biological father ran away and left them with nothing. It was a difficult time for them. I did what I thought it was best”

He looked at him with a pleading look. Javert didn’t know what to say. He wanted to apologize but he had never had to do that so directly and also the situation was so unusual that he didn’t have any words

“Monsieur, I…can’t apologize enough for my misconception of the situation. I will take my leave immediately”

“Would you stop talking nonsense and so help me?” He sounded almost angry now. Javert stopped on his tracks and his composure faltered.

“Yes, Monsieur. What do you need?”

“To help me get out of my engagement to Mademoiselle Dupont! You must have seen her, she was sitting in front of me at dinner”

Javert remembered her. A woman in her forties, with a soft voice. He tried to picture the two of them together, the picture was strange but had seen worst matrimonies.

“Do you not wish to marry her?”

Monsieur Madeleine looked like a fish. Javert didn’t know if he was about to start laughing or crying.

“Of course not! She…

“..is not of your liking?”

He looked at him before answering.

“Let’s says she’s not…my type… “ Then seemed to snap out of the staring “She said that the stars were God’s daisy chain!”

Javert grimaced. Now that had hurt him too.

“So, how did you get engaged then?”

“Fantine looked so happy for me,…I…It was an accident!”

For a man as big as Madeleine, he was shy as a young lad and lacked the ability to say no. Javert couldn’t understand the conundrum

“What do you want for me to do, Monsieur?

“I actually don’t know! Help devise a way out? Maybe I just wanted to talk about it with a fr…with someone?”

And it happened to be me” Javert thought

“Monsieur, I recommend that you consult it with your pillow and tomorrow we will think of something”

“D’accord, Javert. Bonne nuit”

“Good night, Monsieur Madeleine”

…

The next day started without many troubles, and that should have been sign enough that something was brewing in the horizon.

Monsieur Madeleine spent most of the morning trying to avoid Mademoiselle Dupont. Even grabbing Javert by the arm on one occasion as an excuse of already having a walking partner when she proposed to take a stroll after lunch.

Javert offered no comment about how improper it would be, as Monsieur Madeleine looked at him with pleading eyes.

The walk was pleasant, and they shared a small talk about the weather before changing to a topic regarding how hearty were the meals Chez Gillenormand. Madame Chicken was an excellent chef and insisted in making three dishes and that her honor would be tarnished if the guests did not finish them. Javert had tasted some of the leftover and Madame had indeed a talent.

“Speaking of which, let’s sit down, please”

Monsieur Madeleine let himself fall in the bench and puffed. During the last minutes, he had started to limp a little bit. Javert sat down, spine erect next to him.

“Indeed if I stay here much longer I’m afraid I will gain weight” He said with humor

It was while they were resting in a bench under the shade of trees that they talked again about yesterday night’s topic.

“Has Monsieur changed his mind about Mademoiselle Dupont?

“During the morning walk, she said that rabbits were, and I quote the gnomes in attendance to the Fairy Queen. So, no I have no changed my mind. As I see it, “Monsieur Madeleine said” the only option would be that she sees me as an unsuitable partner. It shouldn’t be so difficult ”

Javert couldn’t help but snort at that

“You, Monsieur, unsuitable? A rich bachelor who looks half his age, built like a greek statue and a kind soul? “ Javert wanted to say as the truth, but deemed it inappropriate to talk in that way of one’s employer so instead settled for:

“It would be more convenient to make it the other way around, Monsieur”

“But it would be unkind to her!” But then seemed to think better and said “How do you propose we do that?”

“She would need to be seen with different eyes by the head of the house, Monsieur, although I admit I have no idea about how to accomplish that”

“All is lost then” Monsieur Madeleine let his head fall.

“Or maybe not!” said a new voice behind the bushes, making them jump.

A blonde young man, one of Marius friend’s, appeared in front of them. He took his hat off and bowed a little bit.

“Enjolras Faible at your service. I know exactly how to help you”

…

Monsieur Enjolras Faible looked at them with clever eyes. Javert knew that gaze, he was assessing them. After a while, he seemed satisfied with what he found and continued talking:

“I’m member, and cofounder, of a club called L'abeille . We organize many events, even badminton matches and cooking contests. Our current project is to make the posh see how vital the working class is for their lives, which will eventually lead to equal rights for everybody” He said proudly. “We have a plan for tonight. The house staff it’s going to be in the town for a party”

“I was not aware of that” Javert said. Enjolras made a face and Monsieur Madeleine patted his shoulder.

“Well, if you were there, it won’t have suited our plans. Anyways, what I need you to do is to sound the fire alarm”

“The fire alarm?” Monsieur Madeleine asked, perplexed “In the middle of the night?”

“Oui, we will do the rest. Rest assured, Mademoiselle Dupont won’t like you after this”

“Why do you want to help, monsieur Enjolras” Javert asked, suspicious.

“At L’abeille we also promote to marry who you like” He looked at them with the most beatific smile.

“No, that is the wrong question” Monsieur Madeleine said “Why are you telling me this?”

“Ah! Bien, I have heard you bickering with him” He pointed at Javert” For almost fifteen minutes. If that it’s not seeing him as an equal, I don’t know what it is”

Before Javert could correct his mistake, Enjolras bowed in a semi-mocking way again and took his leave.

They stayed silently for a few more minutes and then headed to the house.

Dark clouds started to appear on the horizon.

…

Javert really wished for the plan to work, crazy as it was.

He didn’t work for married men and women as a rule because he hated being a candleholder. And he had the feeling that he hadn’t discovered everything about Monsieur Madeleine that it was to be known.

That’s why, even though he knew what was to come, the fire alarm still took him by surprise.

The rush outside was quite fast. In less than five minutes, all the house residents were in the garden in different states of undress and most of them barefooted and wearing nightshirts. Even Mademoiselle Dupont. She was clutching a bag.

Cosette and Marius were near each other, touching (!) each other and saying comforting words

Javert searched for Monsieur Madeleine and went to his side. He was still wearing his dinner clothes minus the jacket. The cravat was still tied to his neck. By far, and excepting Javert himself, was the most clothed one.

“What has happened?!” shouted Gillenormand after five minutes and seeing no smoke or fire

“I am afraid it is my fault, monsieur. “Madeleine said “I thought a….candle had set fire the curtains from another room but I was mistaken. Probably a trick of the light of the fireplace…”

“Listen there, “ said one of the women who Javert didn’t know the name. He think it was Madame Saut “If this is your idea of a joke….

“I assure you, perè doesn’t do jokes” Fantine intervened. “And less with this. It was an honest mistake”

“Let bygone be gone” said Gillenormand “And let’s get back inside, these bones are not young enough”

He tried opening the door, to not avail.

“Where is the butler? He has the keys”

“Monsieur Chambres is on the town party” Enjolras said “As well as the rest of the staff”

“So! So! Are we to stay here until he comes back?”

“No! I won’t stay here! You! “ Madame Saut said pointing at Madeleine “It is your fault we are here. Fix this”

“Madame, I won’t have you referring this way to…

“Fantine, it is not trouble. She is right. I will go. It’s not that far”

The town was about thirty minutes walking

“Monsieur I don’t think…”He started.

“Also, I’m the only one wearing shoes. Am I not? I should be going if I we want to get any sleep tonight” He looked at Enjolras, who was a bit sheepish. “Au revoir!”

…

Javert wasn’t sure if it was proper of him to go instead of Monsieur Madeleine when Enjolras made a gesture at him. A negative gesture.

Was this part of the plan then? Had he talked to Monsieur Madeleine before he sounded the alarm? He couldn’t ask because of the risk so he stayed silent while Madeleine grabbed one of the lanterns of the porch and went to the town

“Just follow the road” They told him

They spent the next fifteen minutes sitting on the cold ground, some shivering and muttering. Then there was a flash and thunder in the sky. It had started to rain

Everyone groaned

“Well, a little bit of rain can’t really hurt us, non?” Marius said, it was met with various reactions.

“Psst, monsieur Javert” Enjolras was behind him “Don’t turn around! Just extend your hand quietly”

A little metal thing hit his palm, it was the key

“Say you found it under a rock or something.” He whispered “ I would have liked to wait a bit more, but rain was not in the plan, and I detest to get wet”

To keep the appearances, Javert crouched near some bushes and faked searching, while muttering something about lightheaded youth. What was his surprise when, instead of finding them empty, a heavy suitcase was hidden! He recognized it as the one Mademoiselle Dupont was carrying.

He got it out of the bushes and opened it.

It was filled with silver cutlery

The events that followed were a whirlpool of circumstances. There was shouting from both sides, tears and Mademoiselle Dupont’s confession of attempted robbery.   Javert hadn’t lost the police detective vein but was grateful when no one asked questions about his fast investigation .

When they finally got inside, and after praising Javert, she was confined in her room until tomorrow and when the Gillenormands decided to press or not to press charges as the robbery had been discovered before nothing could happen.

The thrill of the chase had been so welcomed, that he had not realised he had forgotten about Monsieur Madeleine until the door bell rang and a sopping shivering man stood outside

…

Javert helped Monsieur Madeleine up the stairs. He was soaked to the bone and kept muttering something about Enjolras, a key and confused butlers. He seemed to be limping heavily. Probably hadn’t thought of calling a fiacre.

He left him in his room and went to fetch some hot water. When Javert came back with the water basin and the heated brick, Madeleine was already in his nightshirt, the wet clothes in a pile on the floor. He tried not to be disappointed by that fact. Madeleine had also used one of the bed covers as a makeshift towel.

Madeleine hair and beard were dripping water as Javert helped him to sit down and put his feet in the washbasin. Color was starting to return to his face

“The key…

“That damned boy had it” And then realized “Forgive me, Monsieur Madeleine”

“It’s not matter” He said, and the muttered softly “I would rather of you to call me Jean”

That was a surprising development, probably the fatigue talking.

“Comme vous voudrez, Monsieur Jean”

He smiled softly at that and accepted Javert drying his feet. Javert used the opportunity to assess the unclothed skin. The legs were strong and slightly tanned. The skin around his ankles was a bit more rugged and whiter in places.

Too tired to notice Javert analysis, Madeleine asked while being led to bed:

“What about Mademoiselle Dupond?”

Javert snorted

“She will not bother you any longer, Monsieur”

“Really? How could you be so sure?”

“I caught her stealing Monsieur Gillenormand silverware. If they decide to press charges, she will spend some days in prison.”

Monsieur Madeliene looked at him with a strange expression

 “What would you do?”

“That woman is a thief. The law is equal to everyone, sentiments aside. The exact number will be decided by the court, but she should make her time. She should not be let run free, monsieur”

Something flashed in Monsieur Madeleine, no Jean’s, face. Javert couldn’t make what it was, an unanswered question. He rolled on his back to avoid looking at him, suddenly silent”

“Good night, monsieur Jean” Javert said quietly and bowed. The man was a saint if he thought a thief caught red handed shouldn’t face the consequences of his actions.

There was no answer, probably was already fast asleep

At the servant quarters, he tied himself and put on his nightshirt.

Javert was strangely tired by the day events

As he slept, he thought about years ago. He thought of his failed policeman career because people around him wouldn’t stand for someone like him to be above or with them.

He thought about his time as a prison guard.

He dreamed of saltwater and powerful bodies under the sun. Of chained men forever marked

And…scene!

Some notes:

-Giverny: I had no particular reason to choose this town. I just searched places near Paris that they could have travel in less that a day and Giverny looked pretty enough

-“Candle holder” literal translation of “Sujetavelas” , that’s how you say Third wheel in Castellano and I liked it more. In Français the expression is also similar so it worked

-Most of the story is like the book, except some of my own stuff to fill the au

Name and counterpart wise:

-Enjolras surname “Faible” comes from the literal translation of (Bingo) Little. Petit sounded weird with Enjolras and so I chose Faible. I’m sorry that Bingo is his counterpart in this au. (If I ever do another one, Grantaire would be Rose just for your information) (And also Gavroche would be the nephew who accidentally set Wooster house on fire, I don’t remember his name right now) (I think Marius would be like Gussie, but I would like for him to have a different obsession rather than newts, I would have to think, maybe frogs?)

-Madame Saut is based in the Glossops. Glossop apparently comes from Gloss’ Hop and Madame Chicken is based in Anatole. I have given her a British name because Anatole is French

-The Gillenormads are a bit like a mix of Uncle Tom, Aunt Daliah and Aunt Agatha

-Mademoiselle Dupont is based in some of Wooster suitors, but mostly Madeline Basset because I thought it was hilarious for them to share the name. The quotes are actual things Bassett says in the books. Dupont is from Pont au Change and Dupont et Dupond from Tintin.

-L’abeille is the drones/the bee because they have to be a bit competent or at least

-Comme vous voudrez special thanks to Wikipedia pages in different languages. As you wish from the princess bride obvs

Obligatory playlist sharing:

M.sur.M. one: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7iSISnRoWTlYf1GGkjdjxx?
Post-seine: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0HYDgB7ErjPKrPn4coKjuX?

Chapter Text

-Jeeves is a super strict valet that leaves employment the moment his master does something that he doesn't like: this includes; only working for bachelors, the color of the clothes, banjos, no sense of property or fashion....He is super intelligent in some aspects but lack in other, almost never showing any emotions and the only one capable to read him is Wooster. The only one who has lasted more than a few months is Wooster. This is the "slot" I borrowed to fit Javert
-Bertie Wooster is the "rich" employer.(I actually have no idea how much money he has) Bertie is a good-hearted fellow whose friends always ask for favors. His family wants him to get married and think him an idiot but he is actually quite clever in an unusual sense. I have written Monsieur Madeleine like Wooster with the difference of the age and that they don't think him so idiotic. And also Wooster stole silver once at least, for good reasons

Summarizing a lot, the plot the books have is that Bertie gets accidentally engaged and Jeeves has to "save" him., because otherwise he would have to leave (really normal stuff)

Regarding les mis (not sure If I'll ever write the prequel)
As Javert never went to Montreuil-sur-Mer because he was fired from the police, Jean Valjean keeps his identity of Madeleine. He saves Fantine by bringing her and her daughter to a hospital in Paris and they stay there living in Rue Plumet. When Marius and Cosette start courting for real because Fantine discovers it earlier, Valjean lets them the house in rue Plumet and he moves to the flat in l'homme armé. While they search for the perfect partner for him, they decide to hire a valet to keep him company. The Agency sends Javert.
In the same vein that in J&W they ignore WW1 in an idyllic continuation of the edwardian era, the original plan is that I will not mention the barricade.

This story is based on: Jeeves takes charge. As is their first meeting and it technically starts with Wooster going to court because he stole a constable helmet, if I remember correctly, but I will use little things from other stories. Like a bit of the plot of Brinkley Manor. Episode wise, the first and the last one of the first season.

Name and counterpart wise:

-Enjolras surname “Faible” comes from the literal translation of (Bingo) Little. Petit sounded weird with Enjolras and so I chose Faible. I’m sorry that Bingo is his counterpart in this au. (If I ever do another one, Grantaire would be Rose just for your information) (And also Gavroche would be the nephew who accidentally set Wooster house on fire, I don’t remember his name right now) (I think Marius would be like Gussie, but I would like for him to have a different obsession rather than newts, I would have to think, maybe frogs?)

-Madame Saut is based in the Glossops. Glossop apparently comes from Gloss’ Hop and Madame Chicken is based in Anatole. I have given her a British name because Anatole is French

-The Gillenormads are a bit like a mix of Uncle Tom, Aunt Daliah and Aunt Agatha

-Mademoiselle Dupont is based in some of Wooster suitors, but mostly Madeline Basset because I thought it was hilarious for them to share the name. The quotes are actual things Bassett says in the books. Dupont is from Pont au Change and Dupont et Dupond from Tintin.

-L’abeille is the drones/the bee because they have to be a bit competent or at least

silly photo edit (idk how to put images lol)

https://www.tumblr.com/andietries/787148078296809472/the-inimitable-javert-anathemakenobi-les?source=share