Hey guys! This is a new type of story for me - a completely AU fic! Exciting! Before you start reading, I feel I must explain the premise for this. I hate Cosette as a character, but she has one line that I like:

'Can people really fall in love so fast?'

I like the idea that they can, and that's where this has come from. I believe that Enjolras and Eponine fall in love the second they set eyes on each other, but they take a while to realise it.

Also, I believe that they find it relatively easy to learn to trust, which I realise may be different to some opinions, but this is what I feel. I think that their problems come when someone loses their trust, because they find it hard to trust again. SO that's the premise for this fic!

Please review, but most of all enjoy!

viralsfan101 xxxx

COURFEYRAC POV

We are all gathered around a table as usual. This has been our hang out for months now, and we're really settled into our daily routine. Generally Enjolras arrives first, and is already deeply involved in whatever tome he's reading by the time we get there. I'm pretty sure Grantaire has managed to persuade the waitress to put alcohol in his coffee as we always seem to leave carrying him. Then the rest of us appear, in dribs and drabs, but no matter what, Marius is always last. He always comes in at least ten minutes after the rest, and has a girl with him. She's pretty and obviously desperately in love with him, but he's blind and hasn't noticed. They come in together, talk for a moment by the counter and then he sits with us, while she sits at a table in the corner, waiting for him to leave, so she can go with him. Today though is different.

I'm certain Grantaire is drunker than usual and as soon as Marius sits down, he begins to question him about the girl. "She's called Eponine," Marius explains and everyone nods, suddenly keen for more information – even Enjolras looks up for a moment. He shrugs and Grantaire exhales loudly, groaning, "Well, if you're not going to tell us, maybe she will." He gets up and stands over her, but she totally ignores him, engrossed in a book almost as large as Enjolras'. When, after a few minutes, she doesn't say anything, he leans forward and says, "Hey, babe." Immediately Eponine begins to cough, still staring downward, but eventually she must have come to the conclusion that he's not going to go away, because she looks up and murmurs, "Hello. Don't call me babe."

Our group are in helpless silent laughter, with even Enjolras smiling at the situation. Grantaire ignores this and presses on, "Thought you were gonna leave me hanging there," and she smiles slightly, before saying, "Oh sorry, did I do it wrong? Go back, we'll do it again. Or better yet – don't come back. I'm trying to work." He looks bewildered and this tips us over the edge – we begin to hoot with laughter. Enjolras chuckles slightly, and calls, "Eponine, thank you – maybe he'll finally get the message that being drunk isn't attractive." She smirks and winks at him and Combeferre shouts, "Maybe you should come and get acquainted with Enjolras – the pair of you would suit each other down to the ground."

I watch as both of their smiles harden into a line, and they both look back down at the books. Having none of it, Grantaire hauls her to her feet and brings her over to sit with us. She sits on the floor, and immediately goes back to her book, which Joly takes straight out of her hands, saying, "Come on Eponine – one afternoon. Is that really too much to ask?" She nods stubbornly and crosses her arms, refusing to speak. We go back to our discussion about Prouvaire's new girlfriend, and we get on the topic of love. Enjolras comments seriously, "Love is a waste of time and energy and makes you weak. I plan never to fall in love." Eponine clears her throat and he looks at her, eyebrow raised, as she says, "What a ridiculous and naïve thing to say. Firstly, love isn't something you choose – that's why you fall in love. Secondly, it does not make you weak. Think of any successful male figure throughout history. I can bet you that 90% of them had an equally strong woman behind them, and you can bet your arse they wouldn't have been half as successful without said woman's support. How can you even have an opinion if you've never been in love? Do think before you speak." She looks at him with a look of utter disdain, grabs her book out of Joly's hands while he's distracted, and begins to read.

This effectively ends that conversation, but everyone is in awe of the girl, who somehow has managed to out argue Enjolras. Enjolras himself seemingly ignores everything that she has said and goes back to his book.

However, the next day, when Eponine and Marius enter the café, he drags her over to sit with us, and Enjolras looks up and simply says, "Leonardo Da Vinci. Ludwig van Beethoven. Vincent van Gogh. Christopher Wren. Isaac Newton." She stares at him for a moment, before breaking into a broad smile and answering, "So that's the sort of person you are." She sits down next to him and says, "Seriously, though, that's what, five people? Think of the most memorable people in history – they're more than likely to be married and in love! I just don't get what your problem is with that anyway." He tuts, points to her work and says, "Finish that, and then maybe we'll talk." She rolls her eyes, but she has a similar work ethic to Enjolras, and she does get to work, refusing to speak to anyone until she's finished.

Marius, who left about twenty minutes ago, comes sprinting in, breathless and bright red. Enjolras groans slightly and everyone feels similar, recognising the signs. Grantaire says, "Eponine, could you get me another coffee please?" and she shrugs but does so. I see that he has done this to protect her, because we all know that Marius is about to start ranting about being in love. Combeferre comments, "Marius, before you start, we don't care," but it's too late. He's already started, going on about some girl with beautiful blonde hair and blue eyes and perfect everything.

Unfortunately it's the exact moment that he brings out a photo on his phone that Eponine returns, and she immediately puts a forced smile on her face. She's a bad actress, but Marius is one of the most stupid boys I've ever seen and doesn't notice, instead grabbing his wrists. She winces and Enjolras, who has been watching carefully, barks, "Let go, Marius." He releases her immediately, gasping, "Eponine – you know everyone! Find her for me." This request in itself is unreasonable but what is most shocking is when Eponine nods her head slowly.