"It's shitty to ship real people, but I really ship them..." Nino disclosed, glancing back at Alya briefly as the brunette sat beside him on the booth.
Alya kept her eyes locked on Marinette, who sat awkwardly at the bar alone with the tray of Jello shots. She hummed, taking a glimpse of Adrien exiting through the front door, only assuming his girlfriend wanted to keep tabs on him.
"I hate to say it, but I'd have to agree with you. I mean, honestly as opposed to her last boyfriend, anything is better than that." Alya confided, crossing her arms with a scowl. It was a known fact that Alya wasn't a huge fan of Felix. The little she did know of Adrien, she realized that he could be a genuine person, he was just tremendously ingenuous.
Nino pursed his lips, contemplating if it was a good idea to inquire an elaboration as his curiosity was getting the best of him.
"So, I'm assuming her ex boyfriend was a shithole." Nino prompted, his eyes catching Alya's as she looked over to meet his gaze.
The female bit her lip contemplating reluctance. She wasn't sure if it was her business to share, but Alya sighed, deciding that Nino was trustworthy enough to know.
"She dated another Agreste. Adrien's cousin." Alya clarified, her eyes glancing down at the drink in her hands. "He was with her for a long time, and then he just left her. He never gave her a logical reason why. He just said he was tired of her..." Alya's voice trailed off in the sound of the music that surrounded them.
Nino widened his eyes briefly. He knew there were some callous people in the world, but never expected it to be this close to heart. Marinette seemed like such a sweet girl. It was incredibly heartbreaking to him that someone would do that to her.
"I didn't realize that Adrien had family as inconsiderate as his father. I guess it must be a genetic thing." Nino commented, leaning into the booth and running his thumb along his bottom lip as he let her words sink in.
Alya tsked, pressing the lip of her cup to her mouth and quickly drinking some of her cherry coke and rum.
"Tell me about it." She muttered. "It was super fucked up. Marinette had built her walls before, but she never isolated herself this terribly. I've been friends with her for such a long time. All she's ever done is allow people to walk over her, take advantage of her, and talk down to her. She keeps herself in her home all day, and she wouldn't date anyone else because she still holds out for the douche that broke her heart..." the vexation in her voice was saturating. It was inevitable for Nino to miss.
"Wow..." Nino breathed, his brows perking as he quickly looked back at Marinette who began taking a few hits of her jello shots.
"Talk about blinded by love..."
Alya shook her head, pressing her lips together. "Yeah, we'll see about that..." She muttered under her breath.
The two sat in silence, the music booming through their chests. Nino felt awful for Marinette. He could tell that Alya was very protective of Marinette. It was almost as if she took on a mother figure or the big sister role in her life. Nino thought it was the most adorable thing. He found the passion and care in a woman very attractive, and the more he got to know who Alya was, the more he found himself drawn to her. She really was something else.
The male bit his lip, tapping his foot to the base of the song as he waited for the right moment to speak. He glanced over at her with a small smile.
"So..." He prompted. "You're very protective of Marinette. I get the feeling that you're a great friend, especially after witnessing the struggles of life..." He murmured, spinning the glass of Yeager in his hand to stir in the ice to regulate the cold temp throughout his drink. He pressed the glass to his lips and took a quick swig, shivering at the bitterness. "I think its quite noble," Nino breathed, shrugging nonchalantly. "I think it's adorable."
Alya paused, chuckling softly as she peered her eyes away from Marinette to scrutinize Nino with a light stare.
"Is that compliment supposed to get you in my pants?" She countered, her voice saturated in a contemptuous tone.
Nino continued to keep a smile on his face in hopes to keep the mood light.
"Not at all. I guess I just like learning new things about you. You're beautiful, that's very true, but your soul seems to be as well. It's like you're insanely attractive. I can't keep this known fact to myself." He derided.
"Ah, right right right." Alya nodded. "So you like knowing stuff about me, huh?" She asked, leaning more so into the booth with a sly smile on her face.
Nino looked down at her, a subtle blush brewing beneath his skin as he felt her close to him. He bit his lip, his hand continuing to move the glass of alcohol in his hand. He exhaled, attempting to calm his heart as it wildly pounded in his chest. It felt like years since someone was capable of making him feel this way. It was an exuberant feeling. Nino almost felt like he was on cloud nine. She made him chase her, and it was riveting.
"That's right," Nino stated proudly. "So far everything I've learned about you I liked."
Alya giggled, rolling her eyes as she took a gentle sip of her drink. She pressed her lips together, her eyes carefully moving in on Nino who casually placed his arm around her shoulders, keeping his hands in appropriate places. He didn't want to cross any boundaries and make her uncomfortable. He joked around with her a lot, but he always respected her. Alya quite liked that about him. She was very promiscuous, and Alya had her run ins with both guys and girls who were the utmost of disrespect. It was a nice change of pace.
"You know, that's pretty much a broad statement." Alya laughed, breaking the ice between them once more. "To say that everything you've learned about me you like..." she bit her lip, glancing over to him.
Nino perked a brow with a curious expression. He pursed his lips together, and pulled back to have a better look at her.
"Please elaborate," He mused, his eyes locked on hers. "You've captured my curiosity."
The brunette pursed her lips, contemplating if it was a good idea to say what she wanted to say. She knew the things she said was impertinent, but she couldn't help but to indulge herself each time. It wasn't just any conversation that she was often able to luxuriate in this sensation, but it appeared it was mostly her conversations with Nino.
"Well," the female prompted "Pegging seems like it's fun, you know… with the stigma included." Her eyes shifted over to peer at him, her lips parting ever so slightly.
Nino widened his eyes, completely perplexed at her bold personality. He had never come across someone so captivating. He was a prisoner in the confines of her eyes. She had him utterly whipped. She would just say the words and he was ready to perform.
"I would totally be into it," Nino replied, faster than he could think. "Still wouldn't think you're a bad person though." the male relaxed more so in the booth, resting his hands against his lap.
Alya pursed her lips, perking a brow as she wasn't surprised at all at how receptive Nino was when the situation included her.
"So you would let me peg you, then." Alya promulgated, beginning to feel comfortable.
Nino shrugged nonchalantly, attempting not to appear so bashful.
"I mean, I gather that you'd like to equip me with possibly the craziest thing you could think of," Nino granted, flashing Alya a grin. "But I'm in it for the chase. You'd be surprised at how open minded and receptive I can be. But I do enjoy playing around for the ride every once in awhile. You're fun to be around."
Alya blinked, quite obfuscated by his counter. She glanced up at Marinette, who sat alone at the bar, before she bit her lip.
"Way to make things sentimental..." Alya teased, before walking her fingertips against the soft skin of her comrade's clavicle.
Nino smirked, his eyes locked on to hers as she inched closer.
"What can I say?" He prompted. "I'm an intuitive kind of guy. I feel my feelings strongly."
Alya chuckled, her hand slowly reaching up to caress his face, unknowingly sending shivers down Nino's spine.
"Should we head somewhere private?" She suggested, a small blush forming underneath her smooth skin.
You're a jerk! (I know)
You're a jerk! (I know)
You're a jerk! (I know)
You're a jerk! (I know)
You're a jerk! (I know)
You're a jerk! (I know)
Jerk jerk jerk (jerkin)
Marinette clenched her fists, shaking her head at the sound of the song.
"Fucking hell, why request this song out of all songs." She slurred drunkenly. The blunette glared at her last shot glass. She scrunched her face, her stomach falling within her body as she was almost sure she was about to vomit. It was almost as if the song was mocking her, reminding her that she was being abhorrent towards Adrien. Granted, they still didn't know one another yet, but she made an oath that was going to be nicer to him. She was supposed to give him a chance. He had been nothing but accommodating to her since they had first met.
In short, Marinette felt like one huge jerk. She gripped on to her shot glass, pressing it to her lips and throwing her head back. She slammed the glass back against the bar. She breathed in, her mind finally growing buzzed. A small frown left her lips as her vision had finally became fuzzy. Marinette didn't always have a keen eye for drinking, and despite how miserable she had been lately, she was quite responsible with it. Marinette never tested her limit when it came to drinks, but tonight Marinette decided that it would be best to finally let go of herself and enjoy the night.
She couldn't let her racing thoughts ruin an event that was planned for her. Marinette planned to reconcile with Adrien when he was finished with his phone conversation. She knew he would be talking to Kagami and she wasn't going to touch that. Her drunken mind embraced the idea of dancing, getting to know people, give Adrien some time alone with his girlfriend to calm down so that she could come back to him and they could try to be friends again. Even through her drunken haze, Marinette hated fighting with people, especially if their living arrangement provided them no insurance of bumping into one another. The thought made her incredibly anxious. She wasn't going to leave this event without talking to him first.
"You appear to crave some company," a voice emanated towards her through the music. "Mind if I ask you for a dance? Or do you prefer to stay here and enjoy a few more drinks."
Marinette nearly jumped out of her seat, not expecting a figure to appear beside her and speak. The female glanced around, her eyes straining as she struggled to spot Nino and Alya anywhere by the booths were her friend promised she'd be. Marinette pulled back to grab a better look at the man that stood beside her and offered his company. Her drunken haze refused to allow her to actually see him. It was blurry, and all Marinette could make out was a bit of facial hair. Giggles bubbled throughout her chest and she looked away, the alcohol clouding her sense of judgment.
"You knowww-" Marinette bubbled, reaching over to lightly poke her finger against his chest. "I did some dancin' earlier today. Oh- em- gee. It wasn't as boring as I thought it was going to be!"
The unknown male shifted his weight, leaning against the bar as he attempted to attain eye contact with her. The blunette glanced up at him, her blue eyes wavering back and forth against his brown eyes as she struggled to maintain contact.
"Oh?" The male asked, perking a brow as he conjectured that her implication of 'dancing' meant something else. "Perhaps dancing with me would have initially been a lot more fun. I could buy you a drink afterwards." He suggested, watching as Marinette stumbled out of her seat incoherently. The male caught her, his arms lightly tugging her close to him with a small smile.
"I'm Nick. Mind if I get your name?" He asked, his hands holding her waist and guiding her to the dance floor firmly.
It took everything in Marinette not to stumble over and knock a tooth out of her mouth. She felt his hands on her waist and she furrowed her brow. Her heart quickened in her chest and Marinette couldn't keep up with the drunken thoughts that began to blur through her head. Everything was a blur, and Marinette could barely realize where she was going. The music clouded her buzz and his voice sounded like murmuring.
"O-Oh!" She hiccupped, glancing back at him when he introduced himself. "Y-Y-You call me Mari!" She smiled, her eyes closing slightly as she leaned into him more so for support as the dance floor was dark. She couldn't see where she was going.
"Nick and Mari!" The male chuckled, pausing her and turning her around the moment the couple made it to the dance floor. He reached for her hands, carefully guiding it to his shoulders before his hands returned to her waist, pulling her body flush to his.
"You know, I'm not sure if anyone's told you how beautiful you are." Nick commented, leaning down to whisper in her ear so that she could hear him through the music that boomed throughout the dance floor.
Her blue eyes widened as she blinked innocently. The blush began to brew under her freckled cheek more so from the alcohol rather than embarrassment. His voice sent goosebumps to rise on the back of her neck. The sensation she felt wasn't interest or incitement, but rather a bit of a perturbed one. Marinette glanced away as her body began to syncopate with his as they danced. It wasn't the first time she danced in this club. While she worked and served drinks, she had many men and women invite her to dance all the time. She usually joined in the dancing and had fun, but this felt like an entirely different situation. She was never drunk while she worked, and she was left feeling a little confused this time around.
Part of her mind nagged at her, telling her the situation was a little peculiar. If all came to the worst, she'd instantly locate Alya and formulate an excuse and haul ass away. That's if her drunken mind would allow her to conceive a believable one. Another part of her told her that the idea was utterly fatuous. Marinette had a mind to overthink everything. That much was evident in high school. But it was quite obvious that she had drawn blanks while intoxicated. The unreasonable side of her had a bit of an issue elucidating the situation. In that sense made her a bit vacuous. That part of her ensured that it had been awhile since she went out and enjoyed herself. She had spent almost her entire winter bound to the confines of her home with an undeniable depression. She knew that the first steps to moving on from Felix were going to be strenuous, but she concluded that perhaps this time around she deserved to have a little fun. Maybe in the long run she'd finally be able to make some new friends!
Marinette blinked, her visage still hazy from the liquor still in her system. She then turned her face towards him, moving against him with the music.
For the first time in a long time, she finally felt okay.
"Was there a reason why I wasn't invited?" Kagami asked, her voice hoarse on the other side of the line.
Adrien flinched, he wasn't exactly sure why Kagami wasn't invited. He knew Nino was involved with the planning of the party, and he and Alya had control who knew about it and who was to come. Nino always made it a point that Kagami's jealousy sometimes got out of hand, and it was more likely that Nino suspected that Kagami would start a dispute with Marinette.
Adrien opened his eyes, pacing back and forth outside the club. He could feel the boom of the music from inside rattle the ground beneath his feet. Adrien often found himself pausing to allow drunken guests to pass by him as they exited.
"I-I don't know," Adrien professed timorously. "I guess the list was full? Or maybe they didn't want to bother you..." he frowned, feeling guilty that his girlfriend was feeling left out of their get togethers.
Kagami sighed, the vexation evident in her mannerisms even when she exhaled.
"Does this mean I won't be apart of your life anymore? I mean, I'm not the one you're going to marry; you're having parties with your friends and I'm not invited..." her voice trailed off as he heard her shift almost as if she wanted to remain quiet and keep herself from getting carried away.
"I just- I just don't understand why it has to be this way..."
Adrien frowned, his heart falling straight down into the acid of his stomach. Had Adrien known it was going to be a party to celebrate his marriage, he would have declined to go. Marinette wasn't too keen on partying, and if he had to pass it up just to spend some quality time with his girlfriend he would.
"I wish I understood too..." he murmured, glancing down at the pavement beneath his feet. The blonde began to pace again, the frown on his lips only deepening. He hated this, he hated that it had to be like this.
"Don't worry, we'll figure it out..." Adrien assured, the sadness dripping from his voice. "I'll always be beside you. Every time I have the chance, I will come and see you. You're my number one. I promise that my love for you is real. This won't tear us apart..."
Kagami breathed on the other line, a small groan escaping her throat as she listened to her boyfriend assure her that this little contract wasn't going to tear them apart. It had better not.
"I'd like to be invited next time your friends want to plan you one. I know your bride will be there, but you're still my boyfriend. I love you. I still want to be here with you. I don't even care what it's for..."
Adrien smiled weakly, a little spark of hope beginning to ignite in the pit of his stomach. He always felt comfort in Kagami's voice, especially when she expressed that she was willing to set everything aside, just as long as she was with him. That was the same situation for him. He knew that if it were her getting married instead of him, he'd want to be at her side regardless. She'd go through great lengths to ensure that she still loved him and wanted him in her life. He knew he would have to do the same for her.
"I'll make sure this won't happen again." Adrien assured, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I'll make sure you're invited to every event. I want you here with me." He stopped pacing, his green eyes glancing up at the sky above.
"What are you doing now?" He asked. "I can ditch this place and come see you."
Kagami hummed briefly.
"No..." She exhaled. "J-just enjoy your party. I have to get some rest for work tomorrow."
Adrien instantly frowned again, his heart sinking once more.
"No-" he retorted, a little whine etched in his voice. "I would much rather be there with you than here. I really don't mind coming up. We can cuddle, and if you'd let me spend the night that would be even better."
"No," Kagami interjected. "My landlord has been a little shady lately. She's been stalking the place like a hawk. A few of my neighbours in the building have been bitching about it. Look, I get off early from work tomorrow. Maybe we could meet up somewhere?" She suggested, her voice musing slightly.
Adrien furrowed his brow, glancing back down and stuffing his other hand in his pocket. He pulled his phone away from his ear briefly to check the time before he pressed it to his ear once more.
"Uh...yeah sure. I guess..." he replied, his voice flaccid. "Just call me when you're free then..." his shoulders shrugging with disappointment.
"Don't be upset..." Kagami murmured, his voice slipping into a sultry whisper. "I want to be with you as much as you want to be with me. I promise. I honestly can't wait to see you tomorrow."
Adrien listened to the sound of her voice, his heart struggling to find comfort in her the way he usually did.
"N-No! No. I get it..." Adrien explained, glancing back up at the sky. "I can't wait to see you tomorrow..." he pursed his lips as he listened to Kagami yawn on the other line.
"So what are you doing?" He asked, desperate to keep her on the phone so that he didn't have to return to Marinette's cold glares and her obvious attempts to avoid him, while his best friend and her best friend wander off somewhere to do their own thing because they were set on the idea of leaving them alone.
"I'm not doing anything..." Kagami pressed. "I'm just laying in my bed..." her voice trailed off slightly.
Adrien parted his lips, about to answer when he head the front doors of the club open. The model, assuming that it was just another drunken couple who wanted to leave, simply turned away, stepping to the side so that he could make room for them and keep the conversation private.
"Adrien!" Nino's distressed voice emanated from behind him.
The blonde furrowed his brow, turning over to face his comrade at the sound of his voice. From the looks of Nino's expression, Adrien could read that something wasn't right.
Alya bursted from the club doors, holding on to her hair as she fixed herself up.
"Marinette isn't with you?" She asked, her eyes widening as she took in a glance of Adrien by myself.
Adrien blinked, watching his friends with a dumb founded expression. He pulled the phone away from his ears, his emerald eyes bouncing between the both of them.
"Uh. No. Marinette isn't with me. I thought you guys were with her?" He asked, furrowing his brow.
Nino pressed his lips together, his hands reaching up to rub the back of his neck as Alya watched the doors behind her wistfully.
"Alya and I went somewhere," Nino confessed with a grimace. "And when we returned, she wasn't where we left her."
"And she was drinking-" Alya interjected, her eyes widening with fear. "I'm really worried. She wasn't in the bathroom or the staff rooms in the back. We really have to find her."
Adrien blinked, concern etching his features.
"Marinette is missing?" He asked, his heart feeling heavy. He didn't worship the ground Marinette walked on, but he did care for her. She was his bride to be out of twisted fate, but he knew she still was a person with thoughts and feelings with a family who loved her.
"Kagami-" Adrien prompted, turning away so that he could talk to her. "I have to go. Can I call you tomorrow so we can go on a date?" He asked.
Kagami simply hummed on the other line.
"Of course..." she murmured dryly.
Adrien bit his lip. "Okay, I love you."
Kagami hummed, her voice drawing out as she yawned again.
"Love you too..."
Adrien nodded, more so for himself than for her, before he hung up the phone. Adrien turned back to face Alya and Nino. He brushed past them, heading back into the club to find Marinette, while Alya and Nino followed close behind.
Kagami sighed, staring down at her phone as the call ended. She looked up, her eyes staring at the moonlight in the window that began to shine through her bedroom. The female was sat up on her bed, her heart aching with guilt. She hated herself, she really did. She loved Adrien with everything she had. So why? Why was she like This? Even she wouldn't have been able to explain it.
The female slowly climbed out of bed, reaching for her underwear on the ground. She stepped into them, sliding them up her long slender legs before allowing them to snap at her hips. She breathed softly, her eyes shifting to glance at the naked man in her bed.
There were just some voids that Adrien couldn't fill.
