A/N: Yes, I know, I should have updated Imagine and Madness but this idea would not leave me alone until I wrote it. So here you all go. I've missed you all, I'll go into more detail than that when I finally get around to updating one of the other two :P This isn't written in my usual style but hey, gotta try something new once in a while :)
Hope you enjoy!
I watch her, every day.
She doesn't see me.
I watch her as she heads to the market, to the river, to the slums. I see her nimbly taking wallets, hiding from the police, meeting with Gavroche once in a while.
She never spots me.
She thinks I'm gone. She thinks I ran away.
I did. But I didn't run far.
I'm dying. There's no use pretending I'm not. I sleep too much, cough up blood, I can feel death just waiting for me to come to it, the cruel clutches of fate dancing around my every breath.
I won't die yet. Soon, but not yet.
No, I have things I have to do. I have to make sure 'Ponine is happy.
Very few things make her happy. Gavroche makes her happy. Food makes her happy. But most of all, her beloved Marius makes her happy.
He is blind. She knows that.
She doesn't give up hope. She never will.
I watch him too. He tries to make her happy.
He can never make her truly happy. At least, not in his current state anyway.
She needs love. Something she is deprived of. Gavroche gives it to her, but it's not enough.
I love her. But she doesn't know.
But neither myself or Gavroche can love her in the way she needs to be loved.
Only he can do that.
My time is running out. I need to make this happen.
He's with her now. His hand is resting lightly on her arm. She's blushing, smiling up at him.
He does not notice.
He says something to her. She nods. He leaves her, heading in my direction.
"Monsieur" I say, as loudly as I can.
He stops and looks around.
"Down by the gutter."
He looks at me. I look at him.
"Can I help you?"
"You know my sister. Éponine."
"Éponine has a sister?"
"Not for much longer."
I cough. Blood appears. His expression of confusion is replaced with worry. I try to smile.
"Do not worry about me. I am of nothing, I cannot help anyone. But I can help my sister. Or, more importantly, you can."
"I don't understand."
I cough. More blood.
"Listen then."
He nods.
"I need you to make her happy."
"I already try, I-"
"Do you want me to finish?"
He is silent. I continue.
"She loves you. How you don't see it I do not know. But it is of no importance."
He stared at me, in shock. I just nod and continue.
"I know you love her. I see it in your eyes. Every tiny gesture, every smile, every gaze. It's clear to anyone with a brain."
"Well I suppose you're right, but-"
"Ssh."
"Sorry."
"I know I must die. I know I must die soon. I cannot die peacefully yet. Not until I know for certain you will look after her, love her, care for her. She has done everything for me. Through you, I can give her something back."
He nods. I draw a deep breath, my ribs aching.
"Tell her. Tell her you love her. Take care of her, Marius. Make sure she's happy."
He nods.
"Go. Tell her. Tell her now. That is all I ask. Don't mention me. It's better she doesn't know what happened to me."
He gives me a hug. I try to hug him back. Then he is gone.
I watch him go back to her. I watch the smile appear on her face.
I can't stand any more.
The world begins to succumb to darkness.
The last thing I see is Marius lean down to capture her lips in a soft, gentle kiss.
My name is Azelma Thénardier, and my dying wish is complete.
