If the man wasn't already dead, Marcus very well thinks he might kill him, based on Eponine's words. She doesn't have tell him all the details for him to understand where this story is going and Marcus brings the teapot to the table and sets it down, breathing steadily through his nose at the same time. It won't do either of them much good for him to get angry and he doesn't want Eponine to think the rage is directed at her.

"You're not stupid," he says, setting two mugs down on the table as well. They clatter together lightly, just once, betraying the shaking of his hands.

He's got to know the whole truth, though, and he sits down across from her and doesn't reach for her hands. Not right now, not with the question he's about to ask. It's not remotely the same thing, but he remembers how reluctant he'd been to let even the nurses touch him after the abuse of the boys at the care homes.

"Eponine, did he rape you?"