Courfeyrac sighed as he closed the book he was reading and placed it on the table. Life is good, now, he thought. All of the Amis, except for Eponine had survived the attack on the barricade. Many of them were now focusing fully on their studies and some had even graduated.
Courfeyrac however, had dropped out of the University to focus fully on caring for Gavroche after Eponine's death. The sound of a door opening drew his attention, looking up, he saw Marius standing in the doorway, holding Gavroche in his arms. Spotting the boy in his friend's arms, Courfeyrac ran over, looking questioningly at Marius.
"I found your "little brother" downstairs," said Marius, "I think he just needs his big brother to hold him right now."
"What happened, little one?" Courfeyrac asked, taking the sobbing child in his arms. "you seemed alright a few minutes ago."
"I f-fell d-down and I h-hit m-my h-head," Gavroche responded tearfully, "i-it 'urts real bad."
"Oh, mon petit," Courfeyrac said gently, settling the sobbing child on his hip and kissing the top of his head, "you're just having a bad day aren't you?" Gavroche nodded and rested his head on his "older brother's" shoulder, still sobbing quietly.
Nodding his thanks to Marius, Courfeyrac moved to sit on the bed, gently placing Gavroche on his lap. Gently, he pushed the boy back just enough to see the extent of the injury; a small bruise was forming on the side of the child's temple.
Knowing that Gavroche would never cry this much over something so small, Courfeyrac asked, "What else is wrong, Gavroche?"
"I-I m-miss E-Eponine!" the child cried, his whole body trembling with harsh, ragged sobs.
"Of course!" thought Courfeyrac, "today it has been a month since Eponine was killed."
Standing up, Courfeyrac settled the child on his hip again and walked over to the small sink; grabbing a small glass, he filled it with water. Sitting back down on the bed, he held the glass to the child's lips, encouraging him to drink.
"That's it, Gavroche, just drink slowly. There's a good boy."
After the boy had finished, Courfeyrac put the glass aside and held Gavroche to his chest.
"I know you miss her, Gavroche." Courfeyrac said gently, carding his fingers through the boy's unruly hair. "But, I promise I will protect you no matter what the cost. "
Gavroche smiled and closed his eyes, his thumb finding its way into his mouth. After a while, his breathing evened out and he fell into a peaceful sleep.