Immediately he regrets asking her. He was wrong to put her on the spot like that, he realizes, though he somehow manages not to wince when she spills the wine down her front. Helpfully, he offers her the corner of his sleeping bag to wipe herself with.

"You must forgive me, Venus. I've overstepped myself, I fear." His answer is, of course, a non-answer in itself. He doesn't have the heart to tell her that he's seen how she looks at Enjolras and recognizes that longing. He's seen that expression many times, directed at his friend and at other people. Sometimes that look has been cast his way. It's second nature to Courfeyrac to know it well. But if he knows it and she doesn't, then it is a problem. "Forget I said anything, my dear. Have some more cheese."