She wasn't sure how she ended up at his door that night. But she knew one thing. The man inside had to open it.
He did. "'Ponine, what are you doing here? Are you alright?", he took in her shaking form, drenched from the onslaught of that night's storm. She had a hurt, helpless and hopeless look on her face.
She shook her head and practically fell into his arms, partly from fatigue and partly from heartache. He held her for a while, rocking her like a child in the doorway, stopping only to pull her gently into his apartment and shut the door. Enjolras had never been a man to show his emotions, but as she sobbed into his chest, slowly soaking his red shirt to the skin, he knew that he had to help his friend with whatever was troubling her to this extent. So he gently pulled her away and took her hands, looking into those big brown eyes that were pleading for his help. He tilted her head up slowly to meet her gaze.
"Enjolras, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to- um I mean I shouldn't be here, I didn't mean to impose and-"
"Hey, hey, shhh, it's okay honey. Hey. Look at me."
She let a small whimper escape her before she did. His blue eyes reached into her, searching desperately for his beautiful, carefree Eponine, but came up only with a worn down shell of his dead friend. He had to find out what or who did this..and whoever it was had better watch out.
"Everything will be okay. I'm here." He pulled her close to him and she let out another sob. He moved her to the couch and let her lay her head on his shoulder.
"Would you like anything? Something to eat or drink?" he offered as he began to stroke her soft chocolate hair.
"No thanks. I'm too tired to hold down anything at the moment." She sighed, finally warm from the chilly night air, finally safe from the perils of the streets and finally content in the arms of one of her most dear friends.
"Oh, I understand." He drank in the image of the beautiful angel lying in his arms. Why was he thinking these things? He'd always been good friends with Eponine, but this? This was madness! No, he thought as he looked at her sleepy face, this was different. He cared for her. With his hand that wasn't busy stroking her hair, he gently entwined his fingers with hers. But as his caring and worried eyes traveled from her hand to her thin arm, he noticed the bruises. She wasn't leaving until he found out who was doing this to his Eponine.
"Enjolras?" The angel beside him interrupted his thoughts. But he didn't mind.
"Yes?" His thumb moving across the top of her hand made her feel better and was almost hypnotic. She was so happy to have him as her friend. But was this what friends do? She decided to put those thoughts on hold. The last thing she needed was more pain and confusion.
"I- um- well-", she stammered and he could tell she did not feel comfortable with what she was attempting to tell him.
"Shh. Tell me when you're ready." He wasn't going to press her for the reason of her breakdown and why she ended up at his apartment. She didn't need that.
"Okay."
"Stay with me." It was an impulse.
She looked at him.
"Just for tonight. Eponine, I care about you and right now you just need to rest."
"Enjolras-" she was trying to tell him she'd be fine (even though she knew she wouldn't), but was slowly slipping into dreams.
He kissed her forehead.
"I need you." And she was out.
She was so adorable. He'd never seen such a beautiful creature, let alone hold one in his arms. He smiled as her eyelids fluttered from time to time as she dreamed. He'd find out what was troubling her when she was ready, which he hoped would soon, but wouldn't dare push her. He sighed. He was ready for a good night's rest. So he scooped her up into his arms and walked into his bedroom. He laid her down on the bed beside him and tucked her in like a small child. He laid next to her and wrapped both arms around her sleeping form. He breathed in the smell of her, mint and honey, and placed a loving kiss on her forehead. He could finally sleep soundly, knowing his best friend and the woman he was falling in love with was safe from the world that had been cruel to her. But no longer would she face it alone. Not as long as Enjolras was living. He smiled lovingly as he rubbed her hands that were locked tightly in his and drifted off to sleep alongside his Eponine.