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Enjolras stood on the makeshift stage gesturing wildly as he spoke. His words were full of conviction and confidence; people were hanging on every word. Éponine was standing amongst the crowd trying to take in the spectacle how she otherwise might have if she'd hadn't been "in" with the amis. It was difficult to imagine how different everything would be if she hadn't met Marius and become involved in the efforts of this band of young men. It had only been a few months really, but it had been the best few months she had ever had. Maybe not the time spent mooning over a blind Marius Pontmercy, but it was undeniable that Enjolras had raised her out of darkness. He was idealistic and hopeful and it was contagious. He could make even the darkest pessimist see the light and relinquish his gloom. She wondered what would be going through her mind at a moment like this if she hadn't gotten to know Enjolras. Would she be standing here struck by both his beauty and wisdom? Or would she be only half listening to his impassioned speech as she searched the crowd for Marius?

It embarrassed her to think that she would most likely be doing the latter. It mystified her as to why she hadn't paid Enjolras the attention he deserved until just a couple months ago. She cursed herself for being so caught up in someone undeserving that she was blind to the most beautiful man she'd ever laid eyes on. Sure, she had errantly admired the fearless blond leader; it was impossible not to pay him at least some attention, but though his fervor was fiery, he seemed otherwise cold. The other men would joke about how he would never give a woman the time of day and that he was made of stone or that Patria was the only one for him. Maybe Éponine had never focused on him because he seemed completely untouchable. Standing where he was now, giving a zealous lecture, his power and overwhelming intellect were obvious. His emotional distance only added to his aloofness and mysteriousness. It was a combination of all these factors that diverted her attention initially, but once her eyes were opened and the spark in her heart had exploded into an all-consuming fire because of this man, she knew she would never leave his side.

She watched him command the stage, his eyes ablaze with the extent of his ardor and she smiled. He was so determined to right a wrong that truly didn't affect him personally. In reality, a man of his wealth was probably better off with the monarchy, but he didn't seem to have a selfish bone in his body. He wanted a better life for people he didn't even know.

She glanced up to see his eyes on her; he'd paused as the uproar of the crowd began to drown him out. She gave him a bright, encouraging smile and he took off again as the cheering quieted. He wrapped it up and the gathering of people shouted their agreements and throwing their fists in the air. Enjolras stood there for a moment taking it in, before descending from the stage and disappearing from Éponine's view.

"Quite something, ain't 'e?" a young urchin girl giggled, nudging Éponine playfully with her elbow. "A looker and 'e talks like a godsend."

"He is pretty magnificent," Éponine said with an easy laugh. Enjolras reached her in the mass of people and placed his hand lightly on the small of her back, a triumphant smile gracing his splendid lips. He pecked her cheek lovingly and the urchin girl's eyes nearly bugged out of her skull. She blushed a deep scarlet and pushed her way through the crowd in the opposite direction.

"You have a troubling effect on women," Éponine said with mock seriousness.

"Is that so?" Enjolras inquired, his eyebrows raising, not understanding.

"Yes. That girl that was here seemed to have a bit of a crush on you."

Enjolras shrugged indifferently.

"It's a good thing you seem to uninterested in all the female attention you get because I fear I'm the jealous type."

He smirked and pulled her closer to whisper in her ear. "As am I, my dear." He gestured to a little boy who couldn't have been more than 7 years old; he was openly gaping at Éponine. She laughed and shoved Enjolras playfully. The crowd had begun to disperse and they could see several of the amis looking around for their leader. Enjolras and Éponine simultaneously took a step apart. They had agreed not to tell them right away about their newfound relationship, it would only be a distraction. They figured they would find out eventually, but sharing their love with other people wasn't an urgent matter to either of them.

"That was excellent, Enjolras!" Combeferre exclaimed as he and several of the other men reached the pair. "There must have been at least a thousand people here!"

The group talked excitedly about the incredible momentum their movement has gained over the last several months. Éponine listened quietly, she was grateful to hear how confident the amis were in the rebellion. It lessened her nerves somewhat that they were growing more and more certain that they would have the support they needed to succeed. Despite her bravado in front of Enjolras, she was silently terrified, but she couldn't share how deep her worries were with him. He would just think that she didn't have faith in his cause or in him as a leader. She felt it was much better to build his conviction and help him prepare than to for him to know that she was desperately worried to lose him. The extent of her concern would only make him feel guilty, but he would never give up now no matter what anyone thought. He was not a defeatist; he was fearless. He would see this through till the bitter end. If his men died and his revolution failed, Éponine was devastatingly aware that he, as their leader, would boldly go down with them in a hail of gunfire. She prayed that at least having her in his life would make him think twice about dying for his noble cause.

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