Let's Be Us Again

What Would You Tell Him?

"I know this may not be my place but... a Penny for your thoughts? I've got a lot of the little things so I can pay per word if you'd like?"

Marinette's head shot up and in the direction of Adrien as they walked through the crowds hand in hand. He obviously knew where he was going and she was more than willing to follow his lead, her heart betraying her once again as it began to beat heavily for the blond haired (ex) model.

"Oh, it's nothing...I'm just a little overwhelmed."

She hadn't seen Adrien in five years, she wasn't exactly sure he'd appreciate the recent reunion to be burdened with the worries of someone she hadn't seen for the equal amount of time. Someone he didn't even know.

"That's understandable," he laughed, releasing her hand and placing it on her lower back as he directed her into the elevator first. "These events are like a day out at the zoo, if you ask me."

She let out a little laugh, looking down at the floor as a smile genuinely swept across her face. Once inside, and safely in the compounds of the elevator, she looked up at her friend. He looked so good, not just in bone structure and skin tone, but in himself. He looked healthy and exactly how she wished to have seen him back in their early collège days. It seemed Gabriel Agreste had finally allowed his son to eat — Nino would be thrilled.

"What animal would I be then?"

He stretched past her bare shoulder to press the button for the top floor. The light fluff of his hair lightly grazed her cheek, suddenly spiking her nerves and sending her hairs on edge.

"Simple really, something cute and furry. Maybe a meerkat?"

"Gee, thanks." She giggled, "Nothing like the nosest furball in the animal kingdom."

"They're cute though."

And there was that smile again, the smile that could melt her bones into nothing more than liquid, ending with her in a Marinette puddle on the ground.

"What about you then? Let me guess, the king of the pridelands? There's no way you'd not be in control."

Not with that build and strength, she thought, thinking back to his earlier conversation with the model.

Over the years it seems Adrien had built on his power both physically and mentally, and even with his impending size, she felt safe in his vicinity. Everything about him telling her she was protected and cared for; an amazing reaction for someone she hadn't seen in years.

He laughed. "Oh yes, definitely a lion for me, but the people closest to me know I'm nothing more than a pussy cat." He dropped her a wink which caused her face to turn a shade darker than her dress.

What was it that Adrien did to her? He was like pure dopamine injected directly into her veins and helped her body to, once again, function. The dark cloud which had been balanced firmly over her head was wobbling and breaking. Her guard dropping down along with the walls blocking any access to her heart.

She moved to the back of the elevator, situating herself in front of the mirror and leaned back against the bar; grabbing hold of it near her sides; a sigh exited her mouth.

"That sigh tells me there's something on your mind, Marinette."

Considering her options, being here with Adrien felt like a safe space. A space for her to unload and for the first time in what felt like forever, feel. Adrien wouldn't judge her, he never did; plus they only had two floors left to travel, she couldn't drop herself in it too much. She hadn't had this conversation with anyone apart from Tikki. She had thought about confining in Alya, but she knew her friend would have too much to say about the subject and right now she just needed someone's ears.