Reunited (A Miraculous Ladybug Romance)

20: Distractions

4/24/18

It was a normal mid-summer day at the Parisian zoo. Gleeful children bounced their way from exhibit to exhibit with weary eyed parents hopelessly following along. The animals played, slumbered, and even sat, watching, as the onlookers peered in, catching a glimpse of the redundancy of their lives. People ate, pictures were snapped, and bountiful laughter filled the air spreading like a ripple, dancing gracefully in the wind.

But to one dark skinned, brown eyed man, this day was anything but normal. His insides buzzed and his ears thrummed with the sound of his own overly pounding heartbeat. It was a funny feeling, being able to keenly notice everything in the world around you. But that was how it was for Nino Lahiffe, standing in front of the entry gate, a gentle breeze ruffling his, for once, hat free hair. He could see the twinkling of the sun as it pranced atop the glistening pond and reflected within the eyes of the children all around. He could clearly smell the savory sweetness of the corn dogs and funnel cakes that permeated the air. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he heard two girls begin to laugh directly behind him.

He felt feverish. It was a warm day, yet he had a cold sweat.

So much planning and preparation had gone into this moment, and now the only thing he wanted to do was run. There was no way that he would be able to pull this off.

I can't do this.

I CAN'T do this.

I CAN'T DO THIS!

"Dude, you look you're about to pass out. Are you okay?" A pair of firm hands gripped his shoulders, inquisitive green eyes meeting his. Am I okay? Of course I'm not okay. I'm about to propose to my freaking girlfriend. How could I possibly be okay?

Adrien easily read the turmoil within his best friend's eyes and offered him a knowing grin, "Just breathe. You have got this in the bag. Besides, Marinette and I will be here the whole time to help you along the way."

Nino could do that. Surely he could do that!

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

"Oh my gosh! What is that pungent smell?" Marinette teased, seemingly coming out of nowhere, wrapping her arm across the dark haired boy's shoulders, even though Adrien's hands were still placed upon them. "Don't tell me that you are wearing Adrien, the fragrance." She mused with a dorky smile plastered on her face.

That did it. All of his nervousness vanished away as he remembered the utter failure that Adrien's scent had been. A disaster, Nino grinned.

Everyone had been so excited after that ridiculous ad had been released. The scent was everywhere. However, just as quickly as it had become a thing, it had rightfully fled the scene. The smell was too strong, and everyone had quickly become sick of the disgustingly intense aroma.

It had been years since Nino had given Adrien a hard time over this particular blunder, and there was no way that he was going to pass up on this chance now.

"Radiant," Nino began, smirk firmly planted on his lips, mischievousness glinting in his eyes.

"Carefree," Marinette continued in a singsong voice, battering her eyelids.

"Dreamy," the two joined in together, staring longingly into Adrien's eyes.

"Adrien, the fragrance," they crooned, bursting their arms through the air in imitation of fireworks exploding.

Adrien went crimson. His mind opened a vault taking him back to that scent.

That SCENT! He remembered that very smell from the night before.