I'm back! First one of the day, hopefully I can roll another one out later.
Disclaimer: still don't own Les Miserables


It was in mid-September that Éponine was reminded that nothing lasts forever.

Summer certainly doesn't. Autumn always comes. On the plus side, the leaves lit up Paris with reds and golds and yellows so bright they were like fireworks. She took to walking around the Jardin du Luxembourg, just to see the beautiful colours. On the other hand, the temperature dropped and the wind picked up almost overnight, giving her a daily reminder of how little a leather bomber jacket helps keep you warm. It started to rain most days: some days a constant drizzle that made the world look less bright and cheerful, others a shorter but more intense downpour that soaked you to your skin then was gone as soon as it arrived. Still living in her alleyway, Éponine spent more time in the rain than most and found that she actually enjoyed the stormy downpours: they seems to make Paris more beautiful somehow, and they cleared both the streets and her mind. She could wander where she pleased without a care in the world. The drizzle was definitely the worst, as it kept her from getting any restful sleep. The time it drizzled three nights in a row, she lay shivering and drenched on the alley floor, seriously considering taking her chances and going back to the inn. She hadn't been dry in three days. She was more tired than she'd ever been. Maybe a beating was worth it. (She was annoyed at herself for being so weak as soon as the thought entered her mind: 'Éponine Thénardier you have done too much for this freedom to give up now because of rain. Get a fucking hold on yourself!')

Clothes don't last forever, either. Her blue jeans and a couple of her t-shirts came out of the dryer in pieces on her most recent trip to the laundrette and apparently they won't give you your money back for that, even if it is 100% their fault, so she was down to one pair of jeans and seriously disgruntled that she wasted her precious wages to have her clothes destroyed. Someone up there had it in for her, she was sure of it; her favourite jeans were obliterated but that bloody stupid pink t-shirt survived unscathed.

Even with the weather and the laundrette-related misfortunes though, Éponine's life was still pretty good by her reckoning: she had a great job, her little brother was as cheeky and lovely as ever, she had a really, really great group of friends, who filled her heart with joy every time she saw them. And she had Marius, at the very least as her friend, and the hope that he would notice her one day.

But nothing lasts forever, does it?

Her life changed forever during the afternoon of the 18th of September. Musichetta had finally convinced her to take a day off ('it's just not healthy to work every day, Éponine!') so she had met Marius from his classes at 1pm and they had walked to the Jardin du Luxembourg to eat lunch together. They sat facing each other on the grass, Tupperware boxes of food between them, laughing and sharing stories and talking about anything and everything. Éponine had probably never been so happy: it was ages since she had spent any real time alone with Marius and he was in such a good mood. She even felt like he was listening to what she had to say and they talked about clever things like his classes at university or culture, as well as stupid stuff like whether Grantaire would notice if you hid stuff in his curls, or what Enjolras would be like in a strip club. They didn't even notice that it wasn't that warm or sunny, they just enjoyed the food and each other's company. He started a story about a trip he'd been on with his class and Éponine couldn't help but let her mind wander. 'Those people over there probably think we're a real couple. This must look like a lunch date. Maybe this is a lunch date and I hadn't noticed and he's going to tell me he's seen the light at last and now everything is different and he loves me. And then we'll kiss under the trees and there'll be fireworks and inspirational music and leaves falling all around us and the strangers in the park will clap because they won't know who we are but they'll know we're in love and that's something to celebrate. And maybe when we get married, it'll be here, so we can remember how it felt to fall in love under the autumn leaves. I can just imagine the look in his eyes; it'll be a bit like –

That.'

She was looking into his eyes and they were full of love. This was it, this was finally it!

'Éponine.' He spoke softly and slowly. 'I'm going to say something, but it's kind of coming out of the blue.'
'Oh I'm sure it's not as shocking as you think.' Seriously, I've been dreaming of this for a while now.
'Well… do you believe in love at first sight, Éponine?'
'Definitely.' That's not applicable, idiot, you've seen me pretty much daily for at least the last six months.
'Well I didn't but… I think I'm in love.'
Oh my God this is really happening. 'You are?'
'And I know it sounds silly, but I feel somehow like you'll understand.'
You have no idea. 'I understand completely!'
'If my best friend doesn't, who could?'
WHO INDEED? 'I understand, and I'm so happy, Marius, I – I just can't believe it!'
'Me neither! I've never seen such beauty! Look at her, Éponine; have YOU ever seen someone so beautiful?'
HER? What? 'What d'you mean, look at her?'
'She's just over there!' He discreetly pointed to an older man and a young woman sitting on a bench together. She looked over, and her heart dropped like a stone.

The girl was the most beautiful girl she had ever seen. She had mid-length blonde hair that framed her face with perfectly styled ringlets, which appeared to bounce in the breeze. Her heart-shaped face exuded beauty, kindness and sweetness, from her slightly pink cheeks to her smiling mouth and slightly pointed chin. She was slim, but her pale pink summer dress showed curves that would never appear on someone who frequently skipped meals, and this gave her a distinctly feminine grace which was emphasised by her crossed legs and clasped hands resting lightly in her lap. To top it off, the last time Éponine had seen eyes so wide and innocent they were on a baby deer.

'No.' she whispered truthfully. 'I've never seen anyone so beautiful.'
'Should I talk to her?'
No. You should forget you ever saw her. 'I'm not sure that's a good plan, her dad's right there.' And I faintly recognise him, which doesn't bode well. He looks pretty well-off and respectable but I don't know how I'd recognise him if so.
'You're right, and I wouldn't want to scare her.' He kept his adoring gaze on the girl, clearly lost in thought. Éponine looked around, determined not to cry. You knew this was a possibility. Don't you dare let him see you cry.
'I wonder who those men are, talking to them. I hope they're not bothering them.'
'I don't know Marius,' she sighed, exasperation in her voice. She turned to look back at the girl and her heavy heart seemed to stop dead.

It was her father and one of his associates.

'Perhaps I should go and make sure they're all right.'
'NO.'
He was clearly surprised by her sudden outburst. 'Éponine?'
'We need to leave. Now.' She frantically grabbed all the Tupperware.
'But how will I find her?'
'I don't know, but Marius, that's my father.'
'Your father knows her? Maybe you could find her for me!' Yeah, I mean we often swap address books. We're just that close. She was starting to panic as she heard an angry shout of 'YOU'RE THE BASTARD WHO BORROWED COSETTE!' Cosette? I know that name…
'Marius I will do literally anything you want if you leave with me right now.' She stood up, and so did he, his face alight with excitement.
'You'll find her for me?!'
Don't be stupid. 'Yes.' Dammit.
She walked quickly out the park with her head down, trying to attract as little attention their way as possible. It wasn't easy with Marius walking backwards so he could look at her for longer and spouting comparisons about her various features and the Sun and the stars, or some shit like that.

When she was sure they were at a safe distance from the park, she said 'Right. Fancy the Café Musain?'
'But I thought we were going to find her?'
'I am! But not immediately…we know she's in the park at the minute anyway!' Idiot.
'Right. Ok.' He paused, then his face lit up again. 'Yes, the Musain, I can tell the boys all about her!'
Fanfuckingtastic. 'Yeah… great.'
Marius talked about her all the way there, barely pausing for breath. In some ways, this was better, as it needed little input from her: a smile here and there, a non-committal noise or a 'Yeah!' every so often. But mostly it just broke her heart; every word, every superlative he used to describe her, every rhetorical question he posed as to her personality hitting her like a dagger in the gut, stabbing her over and over.

Well. This sucks.


:(
Please review, I love to hear from you! Thanks for being so nice about the last chapter as well, especially since it was so short.
Also I forgot to mention, I posted a list of who I picture when I'm writing about the characters on my profile - feel free to ignore it but it's there if you're interested :)