lesamisdodw | (no subject)

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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"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.

"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?

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."

"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."

"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.

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.

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.

"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.