Borderline

posters & nakedness

Marinette had no clue as to why she was ceaselessly being targeted by Chloe, but she was. Maybe it had to do with Chloe being one of Adrien's old caregivers. Marinette still never understood why the woman was switched, and she was going to eventually find out if it was the last thing she did. 

Initially, it was the harassment in the copy room. Next it was walking in on a scientific examination and experiment. But today, oh buddy. This was the absolute last straw Marinette had to give.

Here the dark headed woman sat, right in the brunt of the weekly staff meeting. It was this time in which all stressed bullet points were addressed and given out. Proceeding the part where Mr. Boss Man delivers his notes, is the "share session". Most commonly known as the designated time to spill tea, complain about grievances concerning difficult patients, and set aside time to hash out boiling disagreements. This was a valued, and vital, part to everyone's routine, as it let emotions run and flow everywhere, allowing the staff the luxury of being able to relax and care for their patients properly behind closed doors.

Upon the first opportunity presented, Chloe daintily raised her hand halfway into the air, appearing too smug for her own good. "Ah, yes. We'll begin today's staff counseling session with Chloe," the boss said.

Said woman carefully slid her chair back, slowly walking to the front of the room, making sure her intimidating heels clicked. She unearthed an art easel that contained what looked to be a poster board that had yet to be turned around. Marinette prayed that the blonde wouldn't bring herself and Adrien up, deciding to leave everything alone and move one. Sure, she had threatened a court hearing, but was dismissed by the boss himself in the name of science.

Marinette squirmed uncomfortably in her swivel seat. Sweat emanated from her every pore, chilling her over from the combination of salty secretion, and cold air vents. Eventually, Marinette's gaze locked on Alya's, as she could see that now Alya understood everything that had went down in the past. All of the sly questions, constant uneasiness and overdetermination all made sense to Alya now. The midnight haired woman found the necklace charm drooping from her neck and fiddled with it, hoping it would give her strength for the toil and potential harm charging full speed ahead. 

"I would like to start by saying a few words. It has been going around that a person here has been having relations with their patient. Now, I know that sometimes feelings get mixed up from adrenaline, and other overtaking emotions. Such experiences can lead to a confused period of time, even allowing romance to be thrown in as well.

"By this point, I'm assuming we all know who it is that I'm discussing," Chloe paused, dead set on making eye contact with Marinette. She had to hand it to the blonde, Chloe knew how to appear very composed and regal while underhandedly ruining someone's life, as she accusingly paced back and forth throughout the duration of her speech.

"While it was true that said staff member almost foolishly slept with her patient, it was validated by Boss, for the sake of beneficial research. However, she has been caught kissing her patient outside of the asylum walls, and I happen to have the picture to prove it."

Sauntering over to the massive posters, she turned the first one over, showcasing the kiss they shared just a few days ago. It was the night they spontaneously went swing dancing, and Adrien was furiously jealous. There she was, sandwiched between the wall and Adrien, mouths against one another.

The whole meeting room was quiet, no one dare said a word. Everyone sat with wide eyes, looking with contempt at Marinette. 

Intertwining love and work was one of the biggest taboos there was.

Marinette stuck her nose into her knees, burying the embarrassment strewn across her face. That moment with Adrien was not a high point, and could have been her weakness shining through like a beacon on a foggy night. She knew she would have to come to terms with her own actions, she just failed to think that it would be so public.

"I'm talking about Marinette Dupain-Cheng and Adrien Agreste lip locking at City Square," Chloe formally addressed. To stress her one step further, she grabbed hold of the incriminating photo, and tossed it across the table, landing square in front of Boss. 

His eyebrows furrowed in concentration, trying to depict the scandalous image even further.

"I'm projecting that Marinette receives immediate extermination from our company, and a letter attached to her permanent record," Chloe finished, taking her seat, glowing from the aftermath of a fresh kill.

Then, eyes still glued on the massive picture, Boss spoke low, shattering the silence. "Marinette, I happen to think that I run a fair operation here. I will keep my opinions, concerns, and conclusions at bay until you share your side of the story. You may begin when you are ready."

She was eternally grateful for the chance to speak, namely to plead her case informally to her coworkers. Not sparing one precious second, Marinette practically sprinted to the front of the room. Looking at Alya, she was wordlessly wishing for assurance from her bespectacled friend. 

To her sheer surprise, she found none to be given.

_______

Adrien spent the entirety of his morning scribbling in his leather bound journal. It had been a while since he had recorded anything inside, which was a rather unusual occurrence. Typically, Adrien saw the notebook as a last resort method of relaxation. He would usually punch in heavy drawings of what he saw in his mind, or write hateful entries. Currently, he was already calm, and doodling swirling curls around and about the previously blank yellow page.

The man had also awoken on his own and at the crack of dawn, which was just as unheard of as well. Adrien decided to get out of bed and change for the day, not wanting to continue being a pathetic bed body any longer. As he was in the middle of changing clothing, Adrien stood stark naked, catching sight of his reflection in the dusty window.

How could anyone learn to love the useless, emotional man staring back at him? 

Certainly not Marinette, as their last kiss had expressed to him just the other day. Nixing clothes completely, Adrien remained in the buff, laying down on his couch like he normally would during a session with his psychotherapist. He draped an arm over his eyes, trying to expunge the pain of never being in a socially acceptable relationship with his precious Peaches.

He sighed, wondering what could possibly be taking Marinette so long. Being aware of her weekly staff meeting was helpful however, they typically never ran this long. 

It worried him slightly; his attachment issues surfacing in full swing. Had she been fired for not refilling the coffee pot after she drank the last of it? What about if she ran late one morning because she spilled oatmeal on her dress, and had to change clothing? Tons of random ideas and inklings of eminent danger clogged his broken mind, with the severity of dark and dampness.

_________________
May 29, 2017