A/N: Why did I leave this until quarter past one in the morning when I've only slept about four hours...very strong chance Éponine has slipped out of character here...but maybe she hasn't...hopefully not...

It's short. I feel like I should be wearing one of those gold star badges saying "you tried".

Prompt: Imagine your OTP laying in bed tangled up in each other and the sheets, watching the rain hit the window while it's storming outside.

Éponine winced as another flash of lightning was seen through the windows.

Storms didn't seem to come very often, but when they did, they terrified her.

Lottie was still with Musichetta, as Éponine's three-day trial period wasn't up quite yet. She'd spent the day reading, a bit slowly, but still enjoying the book. It made a change from her usual cleaning and sleeping routine.

The storm had hit them at about half past ten that night, and Marius had been sharply awoken by the sound of his wife crying. At first he feared a nightmare, but then he remembered just how frightened of thunderstorms she was, and realised it was that.

She wasn't particularly sure why she hated them so. A lot of the time, it was because bad things had happened during them - her father had once tried to sell her to the docks in a thunderstorm, Gavroche had run away on the night of a thunderstorm, Montparnasse had very nearly violated her on the night of a thunderstorm. The list went on. They reminded her of all the bad things in the world, and scared the living daylight out of her.

At first, she'd tried her best to hide her dislike, when she was around other people. Éponine Pontmercy afraid of a thunderstorm? Of all the things, a thunderstorm? A simple piece of weather? She thought it sounded ridiculous, something Azelma or somebody younger would say. But it wasn't exactly something she could help. After all, you can't choose your fears, can you?

The weather had turned around completely at the drop of a hat, having been sunny with a light breeze for the entire day. Within ten minutes it was absolutely hammering with rain, and lighting streaked the sky, the rain so loud it felt as if the roof was going to collapse.

She'd immediately let out a cry and dived beneath the duvet completely, ignoring the fact it made her look like a child, more five than twenty-one. But Marius wouldn't judge her. So she continued.

He'd woken up almost immediately, to find her shaking heavily. "Hey, ssh. Just a storm" he told her, shuffling down so that they were at equal heights and gently hugging her frame to him, stroking her hair.

"Just a s-storm?"

"Just a storm. I know they're frightening, but they can't hurt you, remember."

Éponine was about to reply when another deafening roll of thunder rang out, and what had become smaller shakes turned in to violent trembling. Marius held her tightly, kissing her hair. Hopefully Lottie hadn't inherited this trait, he could happily comfort one, but not both at the same time. But for now, he turned his attention back to Éponine.

"Hey, calm down. Weather can't hurt you. A little fall of rain can hardly hurt you, remember?"

"Considering that's what I was saying when I was supposedly dying, that's not exactly my definition of reassuring."

He chuckled, resting his chin on the top of her head. "I'll light a few candles and get some hot chocolate. Coming?"

Feeling her nod, he gently released her and fumbled around for the matches, lighting a candle nearest to him. They proceeded to light every candle in the room, which added up to about ten, and Marius felt his heart break a little when he saw Éponine's tear-stained face. Of all the things for her to be so scared of, it had to be something nobody could control, didn't it?

Tucking an arm securely around her waist, he flicked a tear away and kissed her softly, squeezing her hand as they parted. Lighting the candles in the kitchen, he began to heat up the milk, getting out a tin of cocoa. Éponine measured out the right amounts in to their cups, and waited for it to finish heating.

Once the milk had been heated enough, Marius carefully poured the steaming liquid in to their cups as Éponine stirred in the chocolate. It didn't take long before they were back in bed, swamped in the sheets and Éponine still shaking slightly, Marius' arm not leaving her waist as her head rested on his shoulder, both still sipping their hot chocolate.

It had been at least an hour when both mugs were empty. Marius leaned over to kiss her once more, lips tasting of chocolate as she returned his affections. When they broke apart, they settled down so they were lying once more, Éponine wincing as a blast of lightning lit up the room

"Do you want to try to sleep again? I'm right here, I'm not going anywhere, and the weather won't hurt you."

She looked at him, biting her lip and then nodding. "I can try. I'm sorry for acting like such a baby, that's supposed to be Lottie's job, not mine. I just can't help the tears even though I know they're stupid and I-"

He placed a finger on her lips, effectively silencing her. "Ssh. Being scared of thunderstorms is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. Don't apologise, please."

She nodded as he wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tightly as she buried her face in his chest. "You're alright, 'Ponine. Please don't cry, here, let me wipe away your tears. You'll be alright, with me by your side, you have nothing to fear. I'm here*" he sang gently, making her smile at almost-forgotten memories of her mother singing the exact same song when she was frightened as a child.

"Thank you."

"Any time, my beautiful girl. Any time at all."

*I hope there's someone out there who knows where that is from. And now I will sleep because I'm exhausted. Goodnight world.