Marius . . .
The name drifted through Valjean's head like sweetly scented smoke.
Marius . . .
Half-dreaming, he raised one hand, imagining running his fingers down the young man's jaw.
He snapped awake and drew his hand back, shocked.
What am I thinking?
He sat up. He remembered standing in the garden, eavesdropping on his daughter and her lover. The feeling of love welled up in him again.
He shook his head. Marius would never be his - he belonged to Cosette. But Valjean would not let any harm come to him. Not while
he is under my protection. For myself, and for Cosette.
Sleep came slowly that night.
I got it as short as I could. I misheard the lyrics in "A Heart Full of Love" as "He was never mine to love," or something to that effect. This is my first slash fic, but I think it explains some of Valjean's actions.