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[theroseinmisery]

She had always hated walking alone at night.

In Paris, one was likely to be attacked or worse, if they were found walking the streets alone and in the dark. At night it was always colder and things just seemed more hopeless. Eponine had avoided it when she could, but sometimes it was necessary.

Here, it was a little better. Eponine didn't have to stay out at night, she had a warm apartment to stay in when it got dark. But, now, she had to. She had to see Marius after all of this, had to know what he was saying to her was true. It was foolish to think he was lying, but some part of her wouldn't be put to rest until it saw the truth in his eyes.

Even though it wasn't cold, she shivered, folding her arms and continuing to walk. Thankfully, Marius' apartment building was close to hers, just a few minutes away. Still, walking alone and with what was on her mind, Eponine wasn't enjoying herself. It was bringing back rather unpleasant memories that she would have preferred buried.

Things were a little better when she was inside and walking up to Marius' apartment. She took the stairs, not having any patience with the elevator. The apartment wasn't far up anyway, only a few floors. Once she'd arrived, there was a certain sense of relief. Eponine rapped twice on the door. "Marius?"

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[mariuspontmercy]

Marius was in the middle of throwing on his coat when Eponine arrived. It had only just occurred to him that she'd probably walk by herself. He didn't want her walking in the dark, alone.

He had to stop assuming that she'd get one of her friends to walk or drive her over. She was no sheltered hothouse flower. She was even more precious that that.

He threw open the door and gathered her into his arms without a word. One arm of his jacket was still hanging off. he didn't care.

[theroseinmisery]

The feeling of dread and fear that had been hanging over her from the moment she read Cosette's name vanished instantly once Marius' arms were around her. Gripping his shirt, Eponine buried her face in his shoulder, clinging tightly to him.

This was silly and foolish and terribly weak, but she didn't care. Closing her eyes, she simply allowed him to hold her as he never had in the past.

Raising her head just a little, she pressed a kiss to his cheek. "I'm all right, Marius..." And for now, she was. She had been right to think that seeing he would be good. "I'm sorry...I did not mean to bother you tonight." Eponine just had to be sure.

[mariuspontmercy]

"Please never say that you bother me. You don't. Ever. I fear I bother you. I just - " He was constantly running out of words tonight.

As she raised her head, he cupped a palm to each side of her face and kissed her - not gently, as if he was afraid she would break, but passionately, because he needed to reassure himself that she was real.

[theroseinmisery]

"No, Marius," she nuzzled into the crook of his neck, "you do not bother me, I-" Words were useless right now, Eponine found. They were failing both of them. What was there to say? She tightened her grip on him, closing her eyes briefly.

They remained closed as his lips met hers. Eponine wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him close. She wanted him as near as possible, to feel the warmth of his body against hers. She simply melted into his embrace, part of her wishing this could last forever.

[mariuspontmercy]

He felt her pull him closer and a thrill ran through him. He wrapped one arm tightly around her, while raining kisses on her face. He felt daring tonight, as well as needy, and leaned down slightly to kiss her lovely throat.

(He was trying to shrug the jacket off with the other arm and finally succeeded, leaving it lying on the floor.)

[theroseinmisery]

She would have never expected Marius to be like this...and it was absolutely wonderful. Tilting her head to give him better access, Eponine tightened her grip on him, kissing the side of his head.

"Marius..." she managed to whisper, just holding tightly to him. His touch was still tender, but there was a sort of urgency behind it now. And she certainly didn't blame him.

[mariuspontmercy]

"Mmm..?" He loved to hear her say his name. No "Monsieur" but just his given name.

He never wanted to let go. He continued kissing her throat and chin, wrapping both arms around her, then stopped for a minute in order to pick her up and whirl her around.

"I'm just so happy you're here."

[theroseinmisery]

She had no actual response, she just loved to say his name. Especially now that there was no need for formality between them. Eponine was his equal.

Her face broke out in a grin as he picked her up and she shrieked and giggled as she was spun 'round. Laughing, she kissed the top of his head. "I am happy to be here."

[mariuspontmercy]

He started to smile again a little as she smiled. Maybe, just maybe, things would be all right after all.

"You're so light to carry."

He swept her up in his arms and deposited them both on the sofa, with her sitting on his lap. This behavior was not like him at all and he knew it, but the relief after worry was making him giddy.

"And you're beautiful, and you're smart, and you're strong, and you're amazing." He punctuated each statement with a kiss.

[theroseinmisery]

"I suppose that is a compliment?" Eponine laughed, wrapping her arms around his neck as she was carried. Though her weight was now healthy from over two months of regular meals, she was still rather light.

She could hardly believe the things he was saying to her. "Do you really mean it, Marius?" Eponine beamed, reaching up a hand to touch his cheek gently.

No one had never called her beautiful before, or any of the things he was saying. And to hear them from Marius was something Eponine had never expected.

[mariuspontmercy]

He looked into her eyes, trying to convey his sincerity.

"I really mean it."

He smiled.

"And yes, that was a compliment."

He didn't think he'd ever stop being amazed at the contradictions she embodied - delicate and yet strong, with such a contagious ability to be happy, even after having been through so much, that he wanted to be around her all the time. So very pretty and seemingly completely unaware of it.

Just being in her presence made his worries diminish and his joy grow. It was remarkable, the effect she had on him. When happy, she almost sparkled.

[theroseinmisery]

She smiled in return, giving him a gentle kiss before settling a little more into his arms. "Thank you..." That was how one was supposed to respond to compliments, right? Right.

"I should not have doubted you, Marius...I'm sorry..." Honestly, how could she? His response to Cosette's call hadn't been a happy one, and it didn't seem as though she was looking for him. Or was she? Eponine tried not to worry about it now. He'd promised, after all.

Resting her head on his shoulder, she closed her eyes, content to just allow Marius to hold her for now.

[mariuspontmercy]

"Don't apologize. You never need to apologize..."

He stroked her hair, keeping his other arm about her waist.

"I shouldn't have blurted out something so silly and caused you needless worry. I was just surprised. The more so because, if I'm remembering correctly, Cosette was showing a great interest in my cousin Theodule the last time I saw her. For all I know she may have called to invite me to the wedding.

"If that's the case, I'm sure to get an angry voicemail from Theo within the next few days berating me for not answering messages."

He chuckled. All was right with the world when she was in his arms.

[theroseinmisery]

Ooh, that felt nice. Eponine relaxed as Marius stroked her hair and smiled. She leaned a little into his touch, enjoying the gentle rhythm of his hand.

She laughed quietly. The prospect of Cosette possibly marrying someone else cheered her greatly. "Well, then, if they are to be married then we have nothing to worry about. Besides angry phone calls." she added, teasing.

"But, it is alright. I'm not worried anymore." How could she be, with Marius here holding and kissing her?

[mariuspontmercy]

"I'm glad you're not worried. Neither am I, any more. I should have thought of that possibility at first, but I was so surprised it didn't occur to me.

"You and I seem to have a calming effect on one another."

He brushed her silky hair back from her neck and gently kissed the edge of her collarbone.

"I wish I could keep moments like this forever."

[theroseinmisery]

"It does seem that way," Eponine smiled. The idea that she had any positive effect on Marius was a wonderful one, she had a feeling she'd made him rather uncomfortable at times in the past. But, that was then and this was now. She very much preferred now.

She sighed happily as his lips brushed her skin, taking the opportunity of his bowed head to kiss the top of his head. "As do I. But, then, how would we make new ones?"

[mariuspontmercy]

"Ah, an excellent point."

He smiled.

"If you're hinting that it's time for you to go home, I absolutely insist on walking you. The thought of you walking alone at night worries me. You are welcome to take my coat if you're cold."

He too recalled the way he'd reacted to her at times in the past, with a deep sense of shame. He hadn't been able to face so many parts of himself back then.

[theroseinmisery]

She laughed. "Well, you seem rather insistent on me leaving," Eponine kissed his nose. "Did you consider that I may not want to leave you? You are very comfortable, you know."

"There is plenty of time for walking tomorrow afternoon," she continued, idly tracing patterns on his chest with her fingertips.

[mariuspontmercy]

"Oh!" He was flustered; he'd mistaken her meaning.

"I thought your words about making new memories were a gentle hint.

"Yes, indeed there is time tomorrow. And no, I most certainly do not want you to go."

Mmm. What she was doing with her fingers was very pleasant. Very pleasant indeed.

[theroseinmisery]

She couldn't help but laugh. Marius was adorable when he was flustered like this, and it was so very easy to make him blush. "Hints are not something I give," Eponine kissed his cheek. "If I need to go, I will tell you."

"I cannot wait for tomorrow. I used to go to the parks in Paris when I was younger...lots of people there did not keep their eyes on their pockets." She'd always loved them anyway, for their pretty flowers and soft grass. She would have slept there if the police didn't keep chasing her out.

She let her head rest on his shoulder, half-closing her eyes as she continued to trace with the very tips of her fingers. "It will be better, I think, with you there."

[mariuspontmercy]

Just for a second, he couldn't control the expressions on his face. She had a way of saying things that made him feel such an odd mix of emotions.

The fact that she and her sister had been forced (by their parents, no less) to live by committing petty thievery made him immeasurably sad and angry. The reminder that they were living in vastly improved circumstances now relieved him. And he couldn't help being the tiniest but amused at her casual mention of pickpocketing: not that she'd had to do it, but that she trusted him enough to say it. It was enormously endearing, somehow. No one else in his world spoke like she did.

He pulled her closer and kissed the top of her head, still enjoying the feel of her hand on his chest.

"It's good that you state things directly rather than hinting. I am notorious for not picking up on hints and for missing social cues.

"I'm glad you like parks. I do, too. And I'm glad that you'll be able to just relax and enjoy this one without worrying about anyone's pockets."

Everything is better with you there. Everything.

[theroseinmisery]

There really was no filter between Eponine's brain and her mouth. She spoke her mind, even if what was on it wasn't particularly interesting or relevant. "So I have observed," she teased, closing her eyes briefly as he kissed her head. If only she could describe to Marius how wonderful it felt when he kissed her.

"They are so beautiful...and best in the summer and spring. Azelma and I used to look at the flowers together. She tried to pick one once, but someone saw and we had to run." she smiled a little. "But that should not be a problem now."

[mariuspontmercy]

Oh dear...it was really that obvious. (He blushed a little, again.)

"I'm sorry you were chased. Surely the loss of one flower wouldn't hurt a public park!

"And now you can have all the flowers you wish."

He kissed her hand, formally, then turned it over and kissed the palm, slowly moving his kisses up her arm.

He wondered idly whether that odd policeman had been the one to chase her. He'd only just begun trying to converse with Marius before they'd all switched platforms.

...actually policemen weren't what he wanted to think about at all.

[theroseinmisery]

"It is all right. There was a sign, but Azelma was little and didn't know any better." Eponine didn't mention that they'd had to run before that, for the same officer had caught them pickpocketing for their supper.

She smiled. "I know...the roses you sent me were lovely." Eponine had been pleasantly surprised that morning, no one had ever sent her flowers before. She was trying to learn how to press flowers, so that she might keep them and the one that Marius gave her on their first little outing.

[mariuspontmercy]

"I'm very glad you liked them."

He wouldn't mention the park sign. He felt as though he was making her uncomfortable. Maybe he'd come across as judgmental when he hadn't meant to. He placed her arm carefully back in her lap, not wanting to annoy her, and backed off a but.

[theroseinmisery]

Her head tilted to the side a little as he moved her arm, but she didn't say anything. Instead, she let her head rest on his shoulder again, snuggling close even though he'd backed off. "Something wrong?"

If he thought she was uncomfortable, he would be wrong. Eponine loved being close to the people she cared about, especially Marius. "Did you finish the book yet? The Phantom of the Opera?"

[mariuspontmercy]

It felt so good when she was close to him. Always. He rested his head atop hers.

"Not quite! Raoul and The Persian are in the torture chamber and I hated to leave it there, but had to get some sleep.

"I rather like Raoul. But I feel so sorry for the poor Phantom. I wonder whether Christine will choose Raoul or stay with the Phantom. I do hope Raoul doesn't die."

The death of fictional characters bothered him more than usual lately.

[theroseinmisery]

"Ah, so it's nearly over!" The idea of him reading Les Miserables didn't distress her as much as it had before. With reassurance that Cosette meant little to Marius anymore, Eponine felt a little better about him reading the book. She just hoped he wouldn't be quick to encounter whatever that memory had been.

"It is a complicated choice that Christine has." Of course, Eponine knew the ending of the book, but she didn't want to give away what happened. "There are many people who did not like the ending of the book, I think."

She had seen it coming, of course. It was a story and goodness and love always triumphed over everything in stories. For some reason, it had put her in mind of her and Marius and Cosette, only very different. After all, she certainly wasn't deformed and living under an opera house. Still, it was rather strange. And she had to inwardly giggle at the image of Marius as Christine.

"You will start the other book afterwards?"

[mariuspontmercy]

"Yes, I'll probably finish it up tonight and start on the other as soon as I can. I'm becoming less nervous and more curious about it."

He slid over closer to her again, simply unable to stay away.

[theroseinmisery]

"It is...interesting. I have not read the whole thing, only some of the bits that talk about me." She smiled faintly. "The author is not the most flattering of people." It could have been worse, though, she supposed.

Eponine snuggled into his shoulder, glad that he wasn't keeping away anymore. She did like it when he was close...it was something she'd never got to experience in the past.

[mariuspontmercy]

"I'm almost afraid to read what he says about me."

And about you...if that's in there, if that really happened...I don't think I'll be able to bear it. Please be a false memory.

This felt so cozy and domestic. He'd liked meeting her for coffee; he'd liked cooking omelettes for them; he liked just sitting and discussing books with her. For a moment, he began imagining what it might be like to be married to Eponine before he reined in his reverie, shocked at himself.

Cart WAY before the horse there. Settle down. You've got to take things slowly, no matter how much you want to rush them. Isn't that what we learned from the past?

He sighed.

[theroseinmisery]

"I have not read much about you. But I daresay it will be good." Nothing written about Marius could be bad, could it?

She sighed rather happily, not situated comfortably in his arms. Never in any life had she been so close to anyone, not even Azelma, though the two of them had often huddled together for warmth in the winter. She looked up as he sighed.

"Something wrong?" she grinned mischievously. "Have you thought of something bad that may be written about you?

[mariuspontmercy]

He laughed softly. "It's kind of you to say so. I'm not convinced of that."

He snuggled up with her, happy for her nearness and her warmth. This was what he wanted. To be allowed to be here, with her, like this...it was wonderful.

"Possibly," he said, catching her mischievous tone. "There's probably an entire chapter that says nothing but MARIUS IS A JERK over and over again."

[theroseinmisery]

"Well, then perhaps you should convince yourself," she kissed his cheek.

Her arms wrapped tightly around his middle as she settled into his embrace, closing her eyes. He was so very warm...

She laughed. "I wouldn't doubt it! Though, I daresay the author is a bit more eloquent than that."

[mariuspontmercy]

"Perhaps I should." Her laughter always made him smile.

His tone became slightly deeper. He leaned in closer.

"Perhaps I should..." he broke off, rather shocked at himself. His instinct to protect, to be a gentleman, was warring with a much deeper instinct.

He wasn't quite sure what to do except to fight it. Only Eponine made him feel this way. She made him feel all sorts of things he'd never felt before.

It was glorious, heady, and a bit frightening.

He kissed her again,but couldn't stop the soft, incoherent sound of pleasure that passed his lips.

[theroseinmisery]

Her head tilted to the side as he broke off. "Is something wrong?" She'd already asked that twice tonight...perhaps Marius wasn't feeling himself.

Worry left her, though, once his lips met hers again. Eponine returned it, wrapping her arms around his neck and tangling her fingers in his hair. God, this was incredible. Marius' kisses, especially ones like this, always made her feel as though she was flying.

Or something to that effect. Eponine had read that in a book once and decided it was an accurate description.

[mariuspontmercy]

He actually had to stifle a moan as her fingers tangled in his hair. Settle down, Marius. Settle. Down.

"No." His voice was slightly husky. "Not a thing is wrong. Not any more. Not now that you're with me."

He bent down for another kiss.

[theroseinmisery]

"Good," she grabbed the front of his shirt, pulling him in for another kiss and angling her head to deepen it. Perhaps she was being a bit demanding, but it didn't matter now.

This would have never happened in her wildest dreams in the past, and to experience it now, when she never thought she would was pure euphoria.

"I love you..." she murmured against his lips as they had to pause for air. Perhaps it was still too early to say it...but Eponine didn't care.