What Little Worlds

Twenty-Eight

"Hurry up, we're going to be late late!" Amelie called to Adrien from the living room.

"You're always saying that, Amelie. On time does not mean late, honey," he replied. "I need just two more minutes, I swear."

Amelie rolled her eyes and slowly lowered herself to the couch. She was still sore from sparring today with Theo and needed to use her arms to support herself whenever she bent her legs. Despite the fatigue and soreness, she felt like her body was glowing and strong. Strong. It felt so good to think that word about herself.

She and Adrien walked into the bar ten minutes late. To him that meant on time, but to her that was horrifyingly late. Adrien kissed her on the lips, patted her butt and said, "I promise I'll make it up to you later," when he recognized her sour face and grumbling.

"Mmmmm, okay," she replied, and winked at him. She could suffer being late if it meant that Adrien owed her sexual favors.

Their group sat around a low coffee table in a cluster of arm chairs. She and Adrien walked up and Brooks immediately stood up and put his hands up. "Amelie," he exclaimed, "You came!"

He pulled her into a hug and she grinned. "Of course I came. I'm so exited to see everyone."

Brooks let go of her and stood in front of his chair. "I know, it's just been so long..." he trailed off and turned to Adrien. They did the strange double hug thing and Adrien slapped his hand on his friend's back. Then he flicked his chin at Brooks and Brooks laughed and nodded, then scooted around his chair to stand behind it.

He looked at Amelie and winked. "For you, my lady," he said and stretched out his hands towards the chair.

She giggled and slid into the chair.

After about thirty minutes, when they were both on their way to drunk, Adrien put his hand on Amelie's shoulder. She turned to look up at him and smiled. "I love this song. Do you want to dance with me?"

"Always," he said and followed her to the dance floor.

The bar became much more crowded as they danced and when they returned, they had to fight their way back to the group through a throng of bodies.

They were almost back to the group when someone to Amelie's left stepped on her foot. "Ow!" she exclaimed and fell forward into someone's back. "Oh God I'm so sorry," she said as they turned around.

Her heart caught in her chest as she met the eyes of the stranger. Theo stared back. There was a second when the world stopped spinning and all Amelie could see, all she could recognize were the green eyes that stared back at her. He smiled softly and her insides melted. "It's okay."

She shook her head just as Adrien's arm slid around her back and he kissed her cheek. "Are you okay, babe? You were right next to me one second and then you were gone."

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just ran into this guy." She gestured to Theo. His beautiful green eyes were suddenly darn and narrow, the soft smile all but erased from his face.

"Adrien," he said and tilted his chin up in a slight greeting.

Adrien's arm tightened around Amelie's waist. "Theo," he said. "I didn't realize you would be here tonight. I thought you left this morning."

"Well this is my send-off party so it would be a bit of a waste if the guest of honor was not present," Theo said, smirking.

"I thought it was more of a celebration of you leaving," Adrien said. Amelie gasped and turned to look at him. His face showed no signed of remorse.