The Vulnerability of Pink

FoRKS aND KNiFeS

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VERY BRIEFLY AFTER ADRIEN MANAGED to collect himself from being a stammering fool, the two made their way out to the sleek limousine. The vehicle had been reserved especially for them. It was parked outside by the curb, and Marinette inwardly cackled at the spectacle of it all.

It was laughable just how cheesy it all felt. From the snooty doorman in the classic tux to the sunglass sporting driver (despite it already being nightfall) and the uncorked bottles of champagne, which went untouched by both, the scene belonged in a movie.

When the door was shut behind them, Marinette took the time to observe what Adrien wore. She didn't really get the chance since he was mildly embarrassed about his uttered sentence toward looking at her for the first time. Honestly, she was flattered with the flubbed feedback. Very flattered indeed.

Adrien was rather handsome in his dark suit jacket and slacks, wearing a perfectly fitted white button up underneath. The blonde also tied a tie around his neck, the exact same shade as her dress. That could not have been on accident.

It was one hundred percent purposeful.

This fact had her cheeks tinged a light pink, thinking of Gabriel's perspective. The man was, no doubt, trying to hook his son up with her, stopping at nothing to make it happen. Well, he was in for a rude awakening. Adrien wouldn't have thought of her like that. He shouldn't. There was no way.

They were best friends after all. And best friends certainly don't think about how pink the other person's lips are, how it feels to cuddle them and they definitely don't think about them in a date-like manner.

Nope, never.

Best pals also never think about how the other looks in underwear. While dancing. And stripping.

Making the executive decision to shut her brain off for a little while, Marinette instead asked him if there was anything she needed to know about beforehand. He positively guffawed.

She furrowed a slender brow before he laid out an explanation.

"Father will make efforts to show me off as the prodigal son, most likely pretending that you and I are together. Guests will try to converse with us, more so you, since no one knows who you are, so you're, unfortunately, fresh bait in their eyes. Oh, and the girl I told you about earlier, the one who broke my heart? She's going to be the one in blinding green with a tight ponytail. She might be the one asking the most questions out of everyone. For some reason, she considers me her property, even though we went on one date, discovered her real motives and never did more than hold hands."

Nodding slowly, she let the loads of brand new information soak into her skin like freshly applied lotion. "Any reason to expect meddling?" she quizzed. "I'm afraid so."

It was a tragic answer, but the truth nonetheless. She hummed in acknowledgment before turning to observe the moving buildings though the opaquely tinted window.

Marinette felt Adrien place his soft hand on top of hers randomly, gently commanding eye contact. She complied. "Don't worry, I'll be there to steer you in the right direction."

She made a face that communicated that she had smelled rotten fish. "I'm not worried."

Adrien snickered. "That's my girl."

"I'm not your girl either."

"You can't even save me my pride, can you Mari?"

"It would be too kind if I did," she edged, offering a fond smile. Nothing more was said before they arrived at the Agreste mansion. It was well gated and she smirked at the memory of the stories he had previously shared about escaping through the very same steel walls. He had a high success rate, which could come in handy later on.