A/N: Eep I love writing witty Eponine dialogue far too much. I promise something interesting will happen in the next chapter if i can pry myself away from the verbal jesting!
It had taken them several minutes to establish who exactly would be doing the cooking. Eponine argued that she wasn't even recovered from a bullet wound and that she deserved to have a rest. Enjorlas on the other hand argued that he had been hit upside the head only two days ago, and still had symptoms of a concussion. In the end however, Eponine's stubbornness won out, and Enjorlas was left to slowly roast a questionable piece of meat over a fire in the light sprinkling of rain.
Eponine sat beside him on another empty box.
They sat in silence for a few minutes.
"If we do find Marius alive, what will you do then?" Enjorlas asked, inspecting a piece of meat before setting it back over the fire.
Eponine stared at the flames, combing through her smudged blonde hair with her fingers absentmindedly.
"I intend to do whatever I can to assist him. If I cannot assist him then I will leave and try to find solace in the fact that he is alive and happy."
Enjorlas nodded.
"You really do care for him. I'm surprised. I don't believe I've ever met one as dedicated to someone as you."
Eponine sighed.
"Unconditional love is rare. Most would move on once pushed aside. I suppose the way I have chosen to live could be considered unhealthy. Perhaps it is, but at least I live with no regrets."
She turned to Enjorlas.
"Have you ever had one who loved you?" she asked.
Enjorlas shook his head.
"No. I never had the time for such things. There was no place in my heart for love during the revolt. I told Marius as much when he burst in declaring his love for Cosette. It should have been impossible for him to have both."
Eponine laughed coldly.
"He could have both because I was willing to aid him. He was fully committed to neither, and he did not need to be because I was there."
Enjorlas eyed her wearily.
"You sound bitter Eponine. What happened to the unconditional love of which you spoke earlier?"
Eponine looked up at him.
"Just because I love him does not mean I cannot see his faults. I choose to acknowledge his human imperfections so that I may help him to overcome them."
Enjorlas nodded, checking another piece of meat.
"Smart girl. You would have made a good man. We could have used your brain in the revolution."
Eponine stood up.
"I make a good woman, and wish to have been nothing else." She spat.
Enjorlas looked surprised.
"I meant nothing cruel by it. I was giving a compliment."
Eponine took the second piece of meat off of the fire briskly.
"Then perhaps you should better think your compliments." She said, taking her seat again and biting into the meat.
Enjorlas again looked at her with surprise.
"Perhaps I should…" he muttered to himself.
They proceeded to eat their meal in silence.
After the food was consumed Enjorlas pulled out a small book from his coat pocket.
He offered it to Eponine.
"Have you read it? I've heard it to be rather intriguing."
Eponine eyed the book wearily.
"No not this particular one. Though the author has written other works which I have found myself quite fond of."
Enjorlas sighed and sat back.
"I'm trying to be friendly. Why do you speak to me with such distain? Have I done something to offend you beyond repair? If so I do apologize, but I recall nothing of the sort."
Eponine looked at him for a moment.
"No." she said finally, the edge removing itself from her voice. "I am merely rather angry at nothing. I find our present situation to be a distasteful one. I suppose I have been rather harsh with you, and for that I apologize."
Enjorlas nodded.
"True our situation is not one to be desired. But if we are to successfully work together, then might I propose that we go about our search on friendlier terms? We both were close to Marius, and I do not find myself to be the evil sort. Can we not put aside our differences and attempt to act civilly instead of carrying on the war with our words?"
"Quite eloquent Monsieur Enjorlas. I hope your actions mirror your words." Eponine said to him.
"Ah, Marius spoke often of your sharp tongue. I see now he was not jesting Madame Eponine."
He smiled at her, and she returned the look.
Perhaps, she thought, they could become friends, differences aside.