A/N: Haven't written in ages, I'm sorry about that. Been back at school and haven't had the energy to write!

Chapter Six: Snowflakes

Marius looked into Eponine's eyes for a moment, without replying to what she said. It was strange how green they were, unlike any other eyes he'd seen before.

But suddenly, he had a vague memory that he'd had that thought before.

Back at the inn his Grandfather had scolded him at. The memory was faint, but he'd seen those eyes before...

"What did you say your surname was again?" He asked.

Eponine faltered a moment. "I go by Fauchelevent, but I wasn't born by it." She found herself blurting out.

He stared into her eyes. "What name were you born with?"

She closed her eyes a moment and sighed, a shudder spreading over her. "Thenardier." She whispered, opening her eyes again.

"The inn at Montfermeil!" Marius exclaimed. She looked puzzled a moment, before recognition lit in her eyes.

"You were the boy!" She gasped.

"Yes!" He found himself clutching her hands. "My Grandfather was always too grumpy to say this, but I know that he would thank you greatly for helping us out of there." His voice softened as he said this.

"It's my pleasure, Monsieur." Eponine replied. Her hands tingled all over from his touch. She looked down at his hands, which were somehow graceful and masculine at the same time. A watch was on his wrist. Then she saw the time. It was eight o'clock.

"Monsieur Marius, I'm afraid I must leave now." A hint of disappointment entered her voice. The same disappointment flashed across his face. "Of course, 'Ponine." He had used the same nickname as Cosette and her Papa always called her! She could head her pulse pounding.

"Farewell, Monsieur Marius." She turned to leave. He grabbed her hand...again.

"Dear 'Ponine, meet me again?" He pleaded. "Where?" She replied. "Here." Eponine studied the surroundings for a moment, before nodding at him. "When?" He asked her. "Next week." He paused a moment. "Okay." "I beg your pardon, Monsieur Marius, I really have to go." "Farewell, Dear 'Ponine." He planted a kiss on her hand before she hurried away, her cheeks burning.

A few weeks later, on Christmas Eve, Eponine met Marius as she had been doing for the past few weeks.

Cosette had fallen asleep earlier. Fauchelevent and Valjean had gone out on an errand, and they wouldn't return for a while.

Eponine pulled a blue velvet cloak and a pair of black boots on, before slipping out of the house and making a few fake trails in the snow, as if she'd been wandering the garden and hadn't climbed the wall out.

Marius was waiting for her as she turned the corner of the street they now met on. A smile lit his freckled face up when he saw her.

"Dear 'Ponine!" He cheerfully spoke. "Monsieur Marius." She smiled back. "'Ponine, tonight will you come with me and meet my friends?" He took her hands and looked into her eyes as he asked this. "Of course, but I mustn't stay long." She replied.

Marius led Eponine to Cafe Musain. He knew everyone was taking a break from their usual discussions to celebrate Christmas a little.

Gavroche opened the door to let them in with a grin. "Bonsoir, Marius. Who's this?" A couple of teeth were missing from Gavroche's grin. "This is my dear friend, Mademoiselle Eponine." Marius replied, before turning to Eponine. "'Ponine, this Gavroche." "Pleased to meet you, Mademoiselle." Gavroche gave her a courteous bow, before skipping away to join some other people.

Eponine appeared a little shocked. "How can a child be in rags at this time of year?" She murmured, remembering her youth, and Cosette. Seeing Gavroche made her reflect on how unfair it was, when she and Azelma had been well-dressed and Cosette had been dirty, in rags.

Marius frowned a moment. "It shouldn't happen, but it does." He replied stiffly.

Eponine was introduced to a couple of Marius' friends. She wasn't certain she'd remember all their names. Enjolras was a serious-looking man, a little older than Marius. Coufeyrac had a mischievous glint to his eyes, and Grantaire was drunk.

She watched as Marius drank a glass of red wine, and tentatively sipped at the small amount she'd been offered.

Feeling light-headed from the wine and from sitting so close to Marius, she coyly touched his arm. He looked up, and met her eyes. She smiled slightly, and pulled his sleeve up to look at the watch.

"I must go again. I'm sorry." She said. "It's alright, Mademoiselle, as long as you meet me next week." "When don't I?" A flirting lilt entered her voice, brought out from the wine.

Stop flirting. You do not flirt, Eponine. She scolded herself. Marius was smiling. "Let me escort you out, 'Ponine."

When they were outside, snowflakes glistened where they were illuminated by the streetlights, as if they were made of soft diamonds.

"Well, goodbye again, Dear 'Ponine." He smiled.
She smiled back. "Goodnight, Monsieur Marius."

Before she realised what was happening, the taste of wine was on her lips again as Marius had leant in to kiss her.