Adrien realized that he'd miscalculated just a split-second too late. Not quick enough for his de-transformed reflexes before it locked again from the outside.
His eyes blinked wide in spite of the sudden dark, shuddering slightly at how close he had been from having the door slammed into his nose.
All he wanted to talk to her, but Marinette had spent all day dodging him. He even waited for her outside at lunch, but she never walked through the front entrance.
Of course, he should have known she'd be good at sneaking away. They both had enough practice doing it over the years.
"C'mon, Marinette." He pressed his forehead to the cool metal, knocking against the door. He didn't hear her run off. But then again his Lady wasn't one to run from a fight. "Please let me out."
His request was met with silence.
Well, perhaps she might delay it a little while.
Anxious, he stood on his tiptoes, hoping he could maybe peer outside the grate..or at least hear better through the holes. But that was no use. Sighing heavily, Plagg hovered up to sneak a peek, descending with a shrug.
He took a chance, a little more quietly this time. "Marinette?"
"I think you can get out just the same way you got in, Adrien."
Plagg grinned, whispering into his ear before he phased through the metal, opening the lock with a loud snick.
Adrien pressed the metal open, stepping out into the light. "How did you know about that trick, anyways?"
Arm crossed over her chest, her cheeks turned a brilliant pink. "That's not important."
Brows raised, Adrien was sure there was more to the story there...but it would have to wait. "You're right. There is something more important that we need to talk about right now."
She sighed, her eyes anxiously roving the room. "And we will talk about it, I promise. Just...not here."
His lips curved upwards, as Adrien fought to keep from bouncing on his toes. "You mean it?"
"I just...I needed a little time to think about...everything." She wasn't quite meeting his eyes, but at least she was talking to him. "And the more the thought, the more I realized how likely it was that someone would hear something and mis-understand…"
Adrien tilted his head towards her line of sight. "I get that. But it was a little shocking that you would hardly even look at me."
She snorted inelegantly. "Kitty, you sit right in front of me. That's practically impossible."
His grin widened, hovering low as he closed the gap between them. "Well, it isn't so easy for me to turn around and check…"
Her slim hand shot out, pressing him back. It was a move so familiar to him, his inevitable step back felt like part muscle memory.
His smile softened, as he gazed down at her. "So about that chat…?"
Her groan was perfectly timed, eyes rolling towards the ceiling as she strode towards the door.
Maybe it was just the day. Maybe it was the anxious tension he'd felt burning a pit into his stomach from the moment their masks had dropped.
Maybe it was just that mischievous little part of him that only got to come out on the other side of the mask.
But he rather desperately wanted to set her off balance, hoping that she was just as anxious - and as hopeful - as he was.
"Do you mind if I walk you home?"
Adrien's smirk would have done Plagg proud.
Of course, he wasn't exactly expecting her to trip over her own feet mid-stride, but her clumsiness wasn't exactly anything new to him. His hand shot out - far faster than it had when inside the locker - to hook beneath her arms just in case she couldn't catch herself.
Her eyes widened, as she fell against his arm. She gaped, blinking down at the floor. "Maybe it would be safer for me to get there on my own today?"
Frowning, Adrien back away again, as Marinette collected herself. "But we can still talk this evening?"
A softer blush burned her cheeks, but a sweet smile curved her lips as her fingers smoothed her hair back into place. "Well, you do know how to find me."
