chatpiper | ❄ baby, it's cold outside

❄ baby, it's cold outside

[ The Bourgeouis Pre-Christmas Celebration Bash.

With a cool, over the top name like that, there was no way it wouldn't be fun, and Adrien had to go hard convincing both Nathalie and his father to let him go. In the end though, despite him being used to most invasions of his personal space, he is tired.

He has run out of excuses to give, honestly. He has run out of ways to duck the mistletoe, even from the sweetest of girls (Marinette), and the not so sweet (Chloe). And if he eats anymore sweets that were made ~~just for him~~, he's going to burst. Not to mention gain weight, which his father would really, really, really not like.

...He was doing a pretty good job enduring all of this, or so he thought, but every once and a while he catches Piper's eye. No big deal. He recovers from the fatigue quickly and puts on his act. He smiles and waves, as per his usual fare; and as one of the few girls adamantly respecting his space tonight, her company is definitely welcome, which helps.

As soon as he approaches her, though, he finds himself catching her as she faints, and he nearly drops her from the surprise. ]

Wh-Whoa! Piper?

[ It takes him a moment to recover the concentration and strength needed to support her. What the heck?? ]

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...Thank you, though.

[ Piper nods her head to one side, conceding the point. ]

I'll definitely give you dramatic. [ Is it just telling of how much she trusts the guy, or incredible that he could be that pure that she actually, 100% believes him?

But then she offers a two finger salute, half-turning to continue in the opposite direction of her home. ]

Anytime, tom cat. I'll catch you later?

[ Adrien's response comes somewhat delayed. He tilts his head slightly at Piper's salute, then returns it in kind when he finally registers it as a goodbye.

She was leaving. And why shouldn't she? ]

Oh! Yeah. 'Course you will.

[ He smiles politely, watching her turn, but doesn't seem too eager to get a move-on himself. ]

I...

[ ......??? He is hesitating. His words feel odd and empty. ]

...See you at school, Pipes.

[ She hesitates, looking back at Adrien again, and she's NOT oblivious to his discomfort. It occurs to her that even if he was uncomfortable between the girls, maybe he was holding on because the party was still better than being alone. For a moment she's a bit torn over her urge to give him space so that her actions aren't duplicitous or selfish, but her conscience and that lost sort of not-look in his response finally gets the better of her.

Turning to him with a rolling shrug of her shoulders, she offers instead. ]

Unless, of course, you'd rather hang out now...?

[ Said in a way that she tries to make sure sounds casual, relaxed, not at all like this was her plan all along because honest to God it really wasn't ADRIEN WHY YOU GOTTA MAKE THINGS SO COMPLICATED ]

Edited 2018-12-02 05:22 (UTC)

H-Huh?

[ Adrien finally gathered himself enough to turn the opposite way by that point, but stopped quickly when he heard her speak up. His eyes widen and self-consciousness seeps in, so much so that he can't really bring himself to turn around. ]

No, it's alright! I-I didn't mean to...

[ ... ]

I mean, I didn't really...

[ ...okay fine. He'll turn around. ]

Yeah, I... don't really want to go home.

[ Whoops. ]

[ She waits, very patiently for Adrien to decide on his next move and then for him to turn around again. She doesn't call him out on his starting and stopping again, or his discomfort. Considering what he must've gone through to get his dad to even agree to let him GO to this party, she can't blame him. But she doesn't say that because that'd be like kicking a puppy- er... kitten.

The look that she rewards him with can really only be described as trouble-personified.

No one would consider him unwise if he considered running. ]

Alright then, tom cat. Let's go howl at the moon.

[ And without further ado Piper turns back around and continues on in the direction she'd been heading, fully expecting Adrien to follow. She knows just the activity for the two of them, and sets about leading them in the direction of their surprise destination.

The streets are quiet, the sort of quiet one only gets in the evening, when the city is blanketed in a nice, thick layer of snow. There may be people out and about but in the dark it doesn't sound like it. Birds and animals are quiet, people bundled up indoors for the most part, no wind, just the soft crunch of their footsteps and the soft sound of their breathing as they walk through a muted Paris at night, the stars, streetlights, and soft warm glow from windows guiding their way.

Piper is content to let Adrien set the pace for the conversation, if he wants to have one. Since that day on the Eiffel Tower the silences between them have become just as comfortable as the banter, which is just as easy as the actual conversation. Amazing, considering he was the first friend she'd actually made. Sometimes she wonders if that hadn't been the case would she still feel the way that she does?

Then she decides it really doesn't matter. All she cares about is that they ARE friends, and that she DOES feel this way. The question is, is it alright to? Like, sure, there's nothing wrong with feeling the way that she does and it isn't like she could help it, but when she thinks about how much pressure he must really get just for being who he is, idolized by girls all over Paris- and the rest of France -it's... hmm. Well, hopefully she's not just another admirer, just another face in the crowd, or another girl on the list of girls who think Adrien is- gag -"dreamy". It's not like that for her, honest! She sees what she really thinks is the real Adrien, sometimes bratty (like when he was teasing her about leaving her to fend for herself during the class' interrogation about her crush, or when he told Kim he couldn't ask her out just to be contrary), definitely corny (All those puns he tells as Cat Noir, and sometimes as himself, he really just can't help himself!), brave, selfless, and forgiving (his career as Cat Noir, his willingness to see PAST Chloe's faults without ignoring them). That means something.

Anyway- comfortable silences. Yes. Will he break it or let it continue for a few blocks? ]

But I’m a cat.

[ Adrien’s lips curl into a smirk. He can’t resist correcting her; and of course he will follow her, as strays tend to do. He could hardly call himself a hero if he backed down, just from a look like that!

He feels a lot better after just admitting it and accepting her offer, so it’s easy for him to follow her lead. He has no idea where they’re going, but that is just the sense of adventure he loves and craves.

He is perfectly content to quietly take in familiar sights, though he’s eventually going to start guessing their destination. Hmmmmmm... ]

Yowl, howl, close enough. They rhyme.

[ She rolls her eyes tolerably back at him, clearly accustomed to this sort of thing with him. It's not the first time he's poked at her by being a smart alec. Piper doesn't mind. In fact it's part of his stupid boyish charm. It's that part of him that's just stubborn and defiant enough to deny another boy permission while simultaneously dodge-denying anything between him and her.

God what does that say about her taste in guys???

After a while the Eiffel Tower is a landmark on the horizon behind them. They've come to the western part of the city, and if he's been here before- and Piper can't imagine he hasn't -he'll probably begin to recognize the signs of the park, the Bois de Boulogne. It looks very different covered in snow this time of year, but as tempting as it is to stop and start a snowball fight, that isn't Piper's goal, at least not just yet. Instead, casting another look over her shoulder at him full of harmless mischief Piper picks up her step, making a beeline for the boating equipment. ]

Help me with one of these, would you?

[ She's approached the cluster of them, and starts untying one from the rest, waiting for Adrien to help her turn it over from the pile so they can slip it into the water. ]

[ He does not yowl either, excuse?!?! But fine. With an amused grin lingering on his face, he relents, and he turns his attention back to the way the wet snow squishes under his feet as they walk.

He closes his eyes, taking a deep breath as they enter the park to drink in the peace and quiet.

Yes, he's definitely been here before; but there's something about appreciating the place after being at a very loud party full of hormonal (pre?)teens that makes it all different. He's quick to match pace when Piper picks up hers, and starts to help her without much question. ]

The Bois de Boulogne, huh...? Interesting choice.

[ He turns over the boat she's untied, all the while looking around to make sure no one's watching, and quietly, he adds: ]

I did a photoshoot in one of these once.

[ ...never had to drag the boat into the water himself, of course, but that's neither here nor there. ]

[ Once they have the boat settled Piper grabs a couple of oars and helps him ease it into the water, not surprised to hear about the photoshoot. Naturally. Naturally! It was one of the most scenic and private places she'd seen so far so she has no trouble picturing it. ]

Well tonight it's our private getaway. [ ~~Because let's face it, in Miraculous the population of Paris is like.... 300 people tops. NO ONE IS GOING TO BE OUT HERE ON A COLD WINTER NIGHT.~~ ]

I just wish I'd thought to grab some food from the party. C'est la vie.

[ She takes a seat in the boat first, getting the oars locked into their holders on either side of the boat, then gives Adrien an amused look, teasing. ] And if you start singing "Kiss the Girl" I WILL push you into the water.

[ Would she have grabbed food before or after the little drama she concocted for his sake? ...Probably before, if they were to have any chance of sneaking it out, but then again, this is Piper they're talking about. She probably could have gotten them to believe anything... even Lila.

He isn't hungry anyway, but takes the passing comment for what it is and finishes the job, bobbing along in the boat with the water as the oars are locked in place.

A part of him kind of can't believe he's doing this, but another can't believe he's never done this before. (Not in the dead of night in the middle of winter, anyway.) He laughs, shaking his head at her threat. ]

First of all, thanks for giving me the idea!

[ Let's face it, if anyone would be singing the song in this situation, it would be Plagg. But Adrien really doesn't want to give him any ideas, so he leaves it at that, continuing lightheartedly and far less sarcastically: ]

Second of all, I would definitely take you down with me.

Edited 2018-12-02 16:42 (UTC)

[ That makes her laugh, because she has no trouble believing it. For now she opts not to push their luck, because knowing it, they'd both get sick as dogs.

Instead Piper moves over, taking one of the oars and patting the seat next to her. ]

Come on. We're making this a team effort.

[ She waits until he's done so to take up the oar on her side, trying to ignore the way her heart jumps and skips when he sits. It's a lot closer than she expected... ]

... You know, sometimes I can't believe it's already been so long since we came here. Time has always felt like it kind of dragged before.

[ Adrien takes the seat, narrowly avoiding falling into her after being distracted both by her laugh and the way the water is rocking the boat. He takes the other oar once he's secure in his seat and starts to do his part, making smooth circular motions in time with her until the boat starts moving.

Being on the water makes it feel even colder. He can see his own breath, but under the light of the stars and the gently falling snow, he can't bring himself to mind.

He smiles fondly. ]

I know what you mean. I'm glad you haven't had to move.

[ Don't jinx it, Agreste. ]

...Maybe your dad can just work on this film project forever.

[ It's definitely colder right on the water, but it's a little warmer with them sitting closer, too.

Though that may just be her.

Piper muses on his comment, turning long enough to look at him with a smile when he says he's glad she hadn't moved. She is, too. Afterwards her gaze goes up to the sky overhead, the snow coming down means they can't see the stars, but it's beautiful in its own unique way. The water is mostly still and quiet, save for where their oars break and ripple the surface. In what light there is she can see the snowfall reflected against the inky darkness, making it look like there's snow all around them.

Wouldn't that be nice...? She hasn't allowed herself to think too much on the future, the not-so-distant future when she'll have to say goodbye to her friends. Doing so came with the risk of her being akumatized again, and once is enough for her. Still, the time is definitely finite unless she can figure something out, or as Adrien said the project continued forever.

She smirks softly, a sly expression when she teases him gently with a bump to his shoulder with hers. ]

So what I'm hearing is you want me to stick around forever?

[ It's punctuated with a soft laugh, and once they reach about the middle of the lake she slows her rowing down and lets them just sort of glide. ]

[ Adrien stops rowing when she does, and takes in the view all around them. He was mostly just kidding, of course, but Piper isn’t exactly wrong in the sentiment she takes away from what he said.

He shrugs, returning the affectionate bump on the shoulder as the boat bobs with their weight. ]

Duh. Who else in our class is insane enough to take me out on the lake when it’s snowing?

[ ......Hm. There is a thoughtful pause, and the grin he had been wearing fades ever so slightly as he reflects on the events of the evening. ]

On second thought, maybe don’t answer that.

Not much you can do about the fangirls and fanboys.

[ Even as she says it she's moving, carefully to avoid rocking the boat excessively, until she can sit in the bottom of the boat with her back against the bench, looking up and over at him with a wink. ]

Well... having sane friends to counterbalance helps.

[ He watches her lean back at wink at him, amused. He can't help but think that she looks pretty comfortable. Maybe he'll join her, but for now, he'll just chuckle. ]

Guess I'd better find some.

[ Kidding! Kidding. ]

This is pretty spontaneous of you. What would you have done if I just went home?

Oh, you're hilarious blondie.

[ Can you taste that sarcasm? No? Maybe you'll feel her smacking your leg. ]

[ After that Piper goes thoughtfully quiet, and after a few moments of silence, she shrugs. ]

Don't know. Maybe just walked around for a while?

[ Getting something hot to drink and finding a roof or balcony to watch the stars or the streets from, maybe? People watch? Avoid the big, empty house. Tristan is working late on editing, after all, and Piper doesn't have the benefit of a kwamii for company, even sometimes poor company. ]

[ Adrien definitely feels the smack to his leg, reflexively biting his lip when he starts chuckling again. He doesn't know what kind of answer he was expecting from Piper--maybe it was stupid of him to ask in the first place--but it's the lonely kind of answer he easily connects with. ]

Me too. Probably.

...At least this time I remembered my coat.

[ Black. Stylish. From the newest line of Agreste winter fashion! ...It's only half-buttoned, but hey. Style. ]

[ They are some lonely kids, at the end of the day, that's for sure. They have friends- SHE has friends specifically thanks to Adrien to be more precise -but once school is over and they've all parted ways it's back into seclusion they go, both of them wanting their fathers to spend more time with them, both missing mother figures. Two sides of the same coin, in a way. Funny how that worked out. There's probably even some poetic crap in there about yin and yang or something if one can be bothered to look.

Piper is more interested in the conversation, arching both eyebrows in surprise. ]

This time?

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