Marius tries his hardest to keep in good spirits for the first few weeks of his and Cosette's marriage. He knows she needs him, and he wants to be celebrating, so he tries. He knows she's struggling too. But there are some nights when he cannot bring himself to close his eyes because he knows what's carved on the back of his eyelids. He cannot bear to look at them. Enjolras. Eponine. Grantaire. Courfeyrac. Gavroche. At night, anguish's icy tentacles curl around his ribcage and he starts to breath so heavily he worries he will wake Cosette, so he kisses her on the forehead and leaves the room. Marius dizzily stumbles into the quiet darkness and the grief brings him literally to his knees. Eyes opened as wide as they'll go, he tries to hold back whatever is growing in his chest. I can't wake Cosette, I can't wake Cosette, I can't wake Cosette. He is shaking now, fingertips clamped over his temples. Quiet footsteps interrupt him, and he stands up quickly before his wife enters the room. She is the only one who still brings light into his life.
"Marius?" she calls in a quiet voice. He drags his hands over his face.
"I'm over here, my love." He replies softly. Her head pops through the doorway.
"Marius, I-," she stops briefly, then runs to him. "Oh, Marius." It's obvious he's been crying, and she gently tucks his head into her shoulder. She closes her eyes. "It's not your fault." she says quietly, embracing him, and rests a hand on the back of his neck. Marius kisses Cosette's shoulder, not wanting to move, and he can feel her light radiating into him. He allows himself to collapse, just this once, and bitter tears stain her nightdress. Cosette just keeps holding him, knowing he's been holding this in for months. "I'm here my darling," she croons, "I'm here." Cosette's present alone is soothing, and Marius can feel the weight draining from his chest. The guilt slowly fades into the shadows of his consciousness where it belongs. He stands up and looks at her, just for a moment. A few tears streak her face. He wipes them away with his thumb, and kisses her forehead.
"I love you." he says in a faint voice. With a weary smile, Cosette gathers him in her arms again.
"And I love you." she whispers. With an arm securely around his waist, she leads him back to bed, and the two fall asleep in each other's arms.