Author's note: This takes place when the Thenardiers are still at the inn, so it's before Gavroche chose his name. For the sake of convenience, I'm calling him Petit Bleu in the narrative. Read chapter 1 to see why.

Also, sorry for the late update.

Eponine had always looked out for him.

Petit Bleu was hiding under his bed. His father had screamed at him, slapped him, and sent him upstairs without anything to eat, despite the fact that the four-year-old had had nothing to eat all day.

Petit Bleu heard footsteps on the stairs. He felt his heart in his throat. Is it Father?

The footsteps came nearer and her heard a voice call out. "Petit frère? Are you up here?"

The boy relaxed. It's only Ponine.

He crawled out from under the bed. "Yah, I'm here."

She gently pulled him to his feet. "Are you all right?"

He nodded. "I'm all right."

"Good," Éponine gave her brother a quick hug. She lowered her voice to a whisper. "I brought you some bread."

"Really?" His eyes widened at the prospect of food. "But—won't Father be mad?"

"He doesn't have to know." She took a piece of bread from her pocket and put it in his hand. "No arguments. Eat."

Petit Bleu took the bread and ate it hungrily. "Merci, Ponine," he smiled at her. "I was really hungry."

She ruffled his hair. "I know. Why don't you go to sleep? Tomorrow will be better."

"A'right." The boy got into his small, less-than-comfortable bed. In a very few minutes, he was asleep.

Later that night, Éponine heard frightened whimpers coming from her brother. He was tossing and turning, occasionally crying "Father, no!" or "Stop!"

She went over to his bed and shook him gently. She wanted to wake him before his cries disturbed their parents. "Petit frère, wake up!"

He opened his eyes with a gasp. When he saw where he was, his expression changed from one of terror to one of sadness and he threw his arms around her, tears streaming down his small face.

Surprised by this gesture, Éponine stared for a moment before returning the hug. She spoke gently. "Was it a dream?"

He nodded vigorously. "Father was beatin' me cause I didn't do what he wanted. He killed me."

She hugged him tighter. "That won't ever happen, frère. I won't let him do that."

The little boy slowly let out his breath. "All right." He was silent for a time. Then he smiled at his sister, tears still wet on his cheeks. "I love you, Ponine."

She smiled back. "I love you too." She hesitated before continuing. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Why don't you call our father 'papa', the way Azelma and I do?"

Petit Bleu's face darkened. "Cause he's not my papa. Papas are nice, and he's never nice to me." With that, he curled up and went back to sleep, safe in the arms of his oldest sister, his protector.

Glossary of French Words:

Petit frère - Little brother

Merci - Thank you

Please review! Do you think Éponine was too OOC?