Enjolras had to endure a further fifteen minutes of Éponine complaining before he could tell her that they were just five minutes away. After hearing this her childish pout, which Enjolras could not stop laughing at when he looked at her, in turn earning him a scowl, transformed into an excited grin, fully revealing her dimples. She started twirling the horse's mane in her impatience to get there and Enjolras looked on in amusement at her antics. The trees were gradually thinning out and the sound of rushing water could be heard through the trees.

"I would say close your eyes, but as you are in control of a horse right now I wouldn't advise it." Enjolras joked. Éponine turned to look at him with a raised eyebrow. "Yes I know, worst joke ever." He said causing Éponine to throw her head back in laughter.

"Never be a comedian Enj, I don't think it would work out." She teased just as they exited the cover of the trees and Enjolras brought Apollo to a halt, causing Éponine to turn and look at her surroundings. Her mouth fell open in amazement, she could see golden reed beds swaying in the breeze, water flowing past that was the same colour as Enjolras' eyes and yellow sand covering the banks of the river. However, the things that caught the most of her attention were the wildflowers. They covered the grass in a rainbow of colours and various shapes and sizes, it was like a multicoloured dusting of snow and it was magical. "Oh Enj it's beautiful, no one has ever done something like this for me before." Enjolras smiled widely at her, thinking that the happiness that shone in her eyes was worth more than any word of thanks she could ever give him. She looked around her taking everything in before turning back to Enjolras and saying "This is one of the best days of my life."

"Ugh I can't eat anymore, I think I'll explode." Éponine groaned, falling back onto the grass and clutching her stomach. "You've spoilt me Enjy."

"Enjy?" he questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"I think it suits you." She replied as she turned her head towards him, smirking.

"It sounds like something you would call a five year old." Enjolras grumbled, but still smiled up at the sky from his position next to her on the ground.

"Exactly! It's cute." She exclaimed, stretching over an arm to pinch his cheek. Enjolras smirked, gently grasping her wrist and watching intently as her features shifted to something more serious.

"Well, if you insist on calling me that, I'll have to think of a nickname for you."

"Oh really and what would that be?" She said almost dismissively.

Enjolras thought for a moment. "Ninny." He stated, a feeling of triumph washing over him as he watched Éponine's expression turn into a ferocious glare and Enjolras couldn't help but squirm a little under her gaze. She was now sitting up, effectively pinning him to the ground with her glare.

"Do not call me Ninny."

"Don't call me Enjy then."

"Only if you don't call me Ninny."

"Fine." Enjolras conceded.

Éponine patted him on the chest, smiling widely at him. "Good boy." Enjolras stared at her in amazement, she had tricked him. "For a minute there you looked scared." She teased.

"You are merciless 'Ponine." At this she widened her smile even more and did a mock bow, to which Enjolras laughed loudly.

"I have many talents."

Éponine carefully shifted herself and gently laid her head on Enjolras' stomach. He tensed at the sensation, breath hitching. Éponine stilled, casting a sideways glance, silently asking him permission and when he made no motion to move away, relaxed once more, smiling softly to herself. She now turned her gaze to the two horses, who were peacefully grazing by the river. "Horses really are amazing animals." She murmured.

"How so?"

"They are so full of spirit. It doesn't matter how trained they are, they always keep that spirit. How can I be they have so much, when I have so little?" Enjolras looked at her in concern, there was something that she wanted to tell him, but was talking in riddles. However, she did not seem to realise what she was saying, her eyes were closed and she was somewhere between being awake and asleep, mumbling nonsensical things. Éponine was becoming more and more of a mystery to him, it was like she was weaving a web around him, keeping him close, he was trapped and yet he felt free. She was an enigma.

He watched her as she finally gave into sleep, her features were completely relaxed and she looked so peaceful. Enjolras had not missed how sometimes her gaze would darken, as if remembering a painful memory and how sometimes her smiles did not quite reach her eyes. It was strange, he barely knew this dark haired girl and yet he felt inexplicably close. He wanted to protect her even though he was certain he would not be thanked for it. "What is it about you, 'Ponine?" He whispered, brushing a stray piece of hair from her face, smiling softly at her when he noticed the small smile grace her lips when he did so. Honestly, it scared him. He did not know or understand what Éponine was doing to him, but he found himself smiling more often, something which he has been told he does not do enough of. She invades his thoughts, more often than he would like to admit, her deep brown eyes seemingly staring into his soul. Enjolras could trust her, he could talk to her. He knew her could not let her go, she had become so important to him in such a short amount of time, he could not lose her and somewhere deep down he knew that she felt the same way.

Note: thank you to everyone who has reviewed so far, it's great reading your feedback and know that I'm not going wrong, so please keep them coming.

-windowacrosstime