"I'm Back."

"Smile!"

"Smile Monsieur Gray!"

Elias was vexed, though one couldn't tell by the specious smile on his face. The sources of his stress were obvious. First and foremost he'd sent Ylva to find that 'guy' and she still hasn't returned, that on its own was stressing him out considering Ylva's tendency to just not listen to him and go on her little adventures. Second, the number of performances he has lined up. The calm before the storm was coming to a close and now he'll constantly be busy but for now, it's just a few photoshoots some with Adrien, some without, today Adrien was here but he was fairing better than Elias was considering he had been modelling for as long as his mum has been dead. (Ouch)

Insensitive, but true.

It is not Elias's first time modelling either. A face like his has been scouted several times to help market products. Usually clothing brands and perfume. Though he would say he's on the same level as Agreste junior who stood beside him with an effortless smile, who has a whole fragrance line in his name.

Adrien will always have Elias' respect. Being able to excel in a profession without a passion for it is quite respectable. Even though one could also argue his father and mother's status paved a path for him that was clear from the start. Which is honestly quite sad. Elias was given a choice and became a musician and has never once regretted it, he loves music as much as he loves making it. Concerts may be stressful but once he's on the stage performing, at least three of his white hair strands turn black.

But don't take the heartfelt prattle, as a sign Elias is no longer vexed. He is vexed and the final cause of his stress is the sweetest bitter one of them all.

Marinette Dupain-Cheng.

The most irritating person he's ever met. How they ended up together will never fail to baffle him considering they hated each other at first. He did nothing but make her life difficult for a laugh. And she never missed the opportunity to get back at him by poking at his insecurities. Which at first was the worst but then allowed him to feel vulnerable for the first time in a long time...

Which was... nice.

She brought out a more sensitive more open version of himself which he is disgusted by, but to see her smile when he tells her about how proud he is of himself and to have her hug him after telling her something that has been bothering him was something he loved...
so, much.

He can't help but long for her. For her love, her touch, her smile, just her.

Losing Marinette is his greatest regret.

Even while writing songs recently thoughts of her slip into the lyrics giving them another layer of depth that only she would understand. He has scraped several songs just because they were a bit too "lovey-dovey", and lovey-dovey ain't his brand. He's more dare he say "edgy" though he's not as edgy as he was three or four years ago. Nowadays his songs aren't as "F#ck my life!" anymore but taking on the more refined "F#ck society!" vibe.

Only with age comes the understanding that "Fuck my life!" is the product of a fucked society. So "Fuck society!" seems like the better curse. Depressing. But what can he do?

"SMILE MONSIEUR. GRAY!"

Before he could retort he heard a snort from beside him, he glanced over at Adrien who was trying to mask his amusement.

"Not you too Monsieur. Agreste- You know what let's take five, in fact, sixty I need a serious break." The photographer stomped away with his assistant towards a nearby cafe.

"Well damn."

Adrien burst into a hearty laugh, wiping tears from his eyes after calming down a bit. "You are so unintentionally funny Elias. Watching you try to model makes my day every time."