"Don't say so to me, M'sieur." She leaned in and kissed him again. "But if you love me, you won't hurt him, will you? I will always love you if you do not hurt him."

Because that is what love is, isn't it? Bargains. Bargains and promises and bribes... Eponine's eyes strayed to Orc's pyjama bottoms. That's what her mama had always said, no? That a man's brain was in his pants? Perhaps she could teach Orc to do as she wanted by that.

"I can be kind to you, M'sieur. Orc. If you like." And she needed it as well. Anything - anayone, to fill the emptiness left by Marius.