Working for Courfeyrac wasn't actually too bad, Marius had concluded. He was still valiantly trying to make it through law school, however, whilst simultaneously working, so unfortunately Courfryac's attempts to introduce him to friends had been put on hold. But living with him was easy enough, really. He'd never understand why Grantaire found it so funny that they were living together. To be honest, some nights Courfeyrac wasn't even home until early morning so Marius didn't have to worry about volume control or who had dibs on the tv that night. It was actually rather pleasant.

However, there was that one night when Courfeyrac brought a 'friend' home.

Marius couldn't even look his roomate in the eye, let alone speak to him, the next day without looking like a tomato having a fit. At least he understood now why Courfeyrac didn't always come home and usually didn't bring 'friends' back now that Marius was there.

He still, on the other hand, gladly accepted phone numbers from customers without hesitation, and nothing could put a damper on his charming cheer.

That was what Marius liked about his new friend. He liked how contagious his glee was.

Today was no exception to that as Marius watched Courfeyrac bounce around his cafe, chatting up customers and making a decent profit. The only difference being a pair of thickly rimmed glasses were now perched on his nose that he kept having to adjust.

Marius had asked why he was wearing them, before they opened. As far as he was aware, Courfeyrac had perfect vision.

The conversation went something similar to as follows:

"Courf... I wasn't aware you needed glasses, shouldn't you wear them more often then, like Combeferre?" Marius had asked, like a good friend would, he thought.

"Oh no, I don't need glasses!" He responded, laughing before elaborating, "today, my friend, we are attracting college girls and bloggers. These," he wiggled the glasses along with his eyebrows, "are simply the bait."

All Marius could really do was nod dumbly at that. He never really had an understanding of girls, so he'd just have to trust his friend and hope his covoluted plan worked.

"One more thing, Marius," Courfeyrac placed his hands on Marius' shoulders, "what I am about to ask you is very important to today's plan. Do you understand?"

Marius nodded fervently.

Courfeyrac took a deep breath for dramatic effect before asking, "What does my hair look like to you?"

After gaping for a moment at the mess of dark hair on his friend's head, Marius answered, "It looks like you've just rolled out of bed..."

This statement didn't, however, deter Courfeyrac. Actually, he looked positively elated as his grin stretched from ear to ear.

"Perfect!"

And that, was how Courfeyrac successfully managed to expand his clientelle in less than a day.

Conversly, it was also the day Marius experienced the famed 'Love at First Sight'.

Now, Marius was aware that, just across the street, there was a florist. He was also aware that the florist was run by a man named Jean Prouvaire, whom Courfeyrac affectionately called 'Jehan'. The one thing that Marius was unaware of, was that Jehan had a rather pretty young employee.

The morning rush had passed as quickly as it had arrived, and Marius was content to just clear tables as he gazed out the window. Seeing as the florist was directly opposite the cafe, the window provided a spectacular view into the other establishment.

Currently, there were no customers and Jehan had braided his strawberry blond hair into a fishtail, allowing his helper to decorate it with small flowers. She had yet to turn around, but Marius could see Jehan's eyes crinkling as he smiled and the girl's shoulders shaking with barely contained laughter.

It was that moment that she turned to sit on a stool facing the window slightly, allowing her employer to fuss over her blonde locks. It was also that moment that Marius had to stop cleaning.

She was perfect.

That was all he could think of. She was just perfect.

Her blue doe eyes snapped up to look at him through long lashes as Jehan nudged her to look, fixing a red flower into a few braids he'd set into her long tresses. Marius blushed immediately and smiled awkwardly in what he hoped was a charming, Courfeyrac-ish way. She stared back for a moment before breaking out into a sweet smile of pearly teeth, a light blush on her cheeks.

That was when something ignited within him. It was a fire that could not be contained and all he could do was grin stupidly as he tried to act casual, leaning on one of the tall chairs and falling over instantly.

His clumsiness only served to make the girl giggle and Marius couldn't bring himself to look away. If he had allowed his stare to falter though, he would've spotted Jehan reaching for his phone, smirking as he texted Courfeyrac who had missed the whole spectacle because he was too busy celebrating winning the fight with his cash register.

As soon as his phone started to vibrate, Courfeyrac's hand shot straight towards it to read the message.

Your new employee is absolutely adorable! I think he's smitten.

- Jehan

"What..." Courfeyrac mumbled as he looked up to spy Marius most definitely not working. Instead, he was staring straight through Jehan's shop window, fixated on a young blonde girl. Jehan was making heart signs with his hands, and Marius was oblivious.

He couldn't help it, he had to laugh. It was the most adorable thing. But he was definitely better looking than Mr Pontmercy, right?

Switching to the camera on the phone, he snapped a quick selfie, making a muppet face and grinning as widely as possible. He checked the picture; it was terrible, therefore it was perfect.

But I'm definitely cuter, right!? He and Cosette would be sweet together though!

Was what he typed back, making sure to add the photograph as an attachment.

He watched as Jehan muffled his laughter upon receiving the text, trying not to distract Cosette or Marius from their staring. Jehan began frantically typing back and Courfeyrac waited impatiently until his phone buzzed.

Yes Courf, you're obviously the cutest, but why the glasses? Cosette has plans with her father so she'll be leaving soon, but I think she may need to do the coffee run tomorrow morning... ;)

- Jehan

Just as frantically, Courfeyrac typed out his reply:

I'll explain later and I think that's a marvellous idea! ;) Right now it would appear that my one and only employee is slacking... See ya :)

He waved dramaticallythrough the window and made a few kissy faces, chuckling when the colour rose to Jehan's cheeks as was his propensity.

Leaving his phone underneath the desk with the register, Courfeyrac sauntered over to Marius. Clapping a hand on his shoulder, breaking the boy out of his revere, he had to choke back another laugh at his expense.

"You okay, Marius? We've still got some customers." Courfeyrac promted him.

All he caught from Marius' reply was a mumbled sentence of "love" and "the colour red". The kid really was a keeper.

"What's that you're on about?"

Marius' head snapped up to meet Courfeyrac's eyes as he replied, with the air of a man who has just experienced a revelation, "Taylor Swift was right. Love is red."

*Sing song voice* I haaaaaaave nooooo ideaaaaa where this is gooooooooiiiiiiiiiiing~!

C'mon! Sing it with me!

No, seriously. This is just mostly going to be very drabble-ish as I haven't yet established a definite plotline (besides Marius/Cosette) and it mostly just goes as I think of scenarios and try to keep things as in character as possible. That's what's going to keep bothering me about this. I'm desperate to keep things from getting ooc but keep it modern. I have read the brick and seen the musical/movie, and I have the brick here with me for reference but I'm sure I'll get things wrong from time to time. Please, I'm begging you to call me out on that if it happens and help me with it...

Also, on a lighter note! I'd like to thank the two reviewers and those who favourited/followed 'cause that means a lot to me! I will definitely be taking what you've said into serious consideration!

Thank you for reading this thing and my little ramble!

- Callie