"What did he say?" Musichetta linked into Eponine's arm as soon as she walked through the door. "How is it?"

Eponine shrugged. "Could be better, could be worse. Have to have one removed but others can be capped. Going to have to keep going back for a few weeks."

"Shit."

"Yeah. Doesn't matter. It's not like I don't have more."

"Are they going to give you a false one?"

"Probably." She wriggled. "I don't think your bra fits, though. It's been riding up all day, and when I was in the chair, I swear a boob fell out. I had to wrangle it before the dentist saw."

Musichetta looked down at Eponine's chest. "Come here. No homo."

She cupped Eponine's boobs, sort of squeezed and let go again.

"Yeah, I reckon you're about a C."

"Did you just weigh my boobs?"

"You're lucky, you've got a perfect handful. If these babies get free, it's every man for himself. Oh, hi Joly."

He just stood and looked at them wide eyedly and with a slightly dazed air. "Hi…"

"How long have you been there?"

"I've… been here the whole time. I came back from the dentist with Eponine."

"Oh." Musichetta paused, then shrugged. "Oh well. Are you coming up?"

She linked back up with Eponine and led her back upstairs. Joly stood there, looking mildly bemused.

Grantaire was lying on his back in a darkened room. His eyes had stopped leaking, which he was glad if. He wasn't even sure why they'd started. He decided there was nothing he could do but roll over and call Courfeyrac.

He picked up on the second ring.

"Courf?"

"Yeah?"

"Can you come over?"

"What, now?"

"Yeah."

"Erm," there were some rustling sounds on the end of the phone, and then "yeah, sure. Where are you?"

"In my room."

"Dude, your room is like two doors down from mine, why the hell did you call me?"

"Just come."

Courf sighed. "Sure, okay. I'll be over in ten seconds."

Grantaire nodded and hung up. He lay dormant for a few more moments until he was roused by knocking.

"Seven seconds," he said, opening the door.

"Well what did you expect, I only had to walk three paces." He invited himself in, pushing lightly past Grantaire and sitting on his desk. "So, what did you want me for?"

Grantaire sat down on his bed heavily. "Er."

"Hmm?"

"Well…"

There was a very obvious pause.

"I could be having sex right now, you realise." Courf chipped in at last.

"So could I!" said Grantaire hotly. "But that's… kinda what I wanted to talk to you about."

"Sex?"

"Well, not really, but-"

"So what is it?"

Grantaire sighed and flopped backwards. "Don't you dare laugh."

"When have I ever laughed at you?!"

"Fuck off. And don't tell anyone, either. Anyone."

"I won't."

"I mean it, Courf."

"Hey," Courfeyrac sat gently beside him and lightly squeezed his foot. "What's up?"

Grantaire burrowed his face into his duvet. "If I say it, it might become real."

Courfeyrac hesitated, and then stroked his hair. "You don't have to, you never have to. But maybe I can help you. If you're in trouble, or-"

"'M not in trouble"

"Well, that's good, but-"

"I think I have a crush on a dude."

All the cells in his body held their breath.

Nothing happened.

Then Courf spoke.

"You do?"

Grantaire nodded.

"Oh, mate… How do you feel?"

"What, in general?"

"Generally."

"I… don't know, I-" Grantaire sat up. "I've- shit. I've kinda got used to the idea by now, and I know there's nothing wrong with it, but… I- I don't know. It freaked me out, but now I'm like 'so what' but then I'm still not gay, you know? Like, I know I don't like guys. It's just this one guy, and-"

"Do you want to talk about who it is?"

"No."

"Okay."

"You can probably guess, though" he added petulantly

"No, not if you don't want me to," (and Grantaire tried his best not to be strangely touched, because he'd already promised himself he wouldn't cry), "but I'll be here if you want to tell me."

"I know," he smiled. "That's why I told you."

Courf tried to hide his returned smile behind his hair.

"Don't take that the wrong way, you're an unholy fuckstick most of the time. I mean- ow, don't fucking kick me you shit… and yeah, you're the only person I've told. So if this gets out I know who to come for."

"I won't, Taire."

They lay in silence for a few moments. Then Courf flopped off the bed and came wiggling back with a bottle of Bailey's.

Grantaire sat bolt upright.

"How the fuck did you manage that?"

"I bought it over with me. I thought you might need cheering up or something, I don't know. But if you don't want it any more…."

"You bring that back here right now you douchecanoe."