I do not own Les Mis.

Eponine watched the boy from the shadows.

He seemed to be about her age, though she had never seen such perfection in any other, not even older men. His adorably ruffled hair, warm smile, and eyes sparkling with mischief would not let her gaze move from them. He captivated her, filled her with wonder...

Yet did not even know who he was.

When he turned in the same direction as where she hid, Eponine retreated farther into the darkness, letting her long, knotted, tussled hair cover her face.

He was soon looking away again, and she let herself breath freely. Tightening her cloak hat hung on her shoulders, she was about to sneak off when she was interrupted by a sudden peal of laughter. She had just turned towards the noise when someone crashed into her, knocking her into a nearby puddle.

Turning swiftly to who had ran into her, anger overcoming her features, they softened upon seeing that it was the very boy that she was so fascinated with.

"I am so sorry, mademoiselle," he quickly sputtered out. "I was just kidding around with some friends, and I was pushed into you. It was not at all intentional."

She should have been angry. Accident or not, one of her few clean dresses had been soiled, and her mother would be absolutely furious.

However, those sparkling eyes were fixed upon her with concern. Any anger dissipated instantly.

"It-it is of no matter, sir..."

"My name's Marius. Call me Marius," he firmly said as he helped her stand.

"And I am Eponine," she softly said in response, a shy smile gracing her lips.

"Well, Mademoiselle Eponine, it was charming to meet you, despite the unfortunate means," Marius said, bowing dramatically, earning a giggle from Eponine.

"Why thank you, Monsieur Marius," she responded, the smile now much larger.

"Will you be fine walking to your home by yourself while you are so wet?"

"Y-yes," she stumbled out, though she wished to say yes. Her parents couldn't see her with the much more respectable boy, though.

"If that is your wish," he said, bowing again before dashing of to rejoin his friends.

Alone again, she started trotting back to her sad excuse of a home, though the smile still lasted.

"Marius," she whispered the name to herself, and felt her smile grow even more.