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A cacophony of overblown sounds and overwhelming noises resounds within her head. Twists and turns and never-ending yells, they're screaming, screaming for help, screaming to get out. She falters, the screaming and shouting - the yelps, they never end. They keep getting louder and louder and—
"Breathe with me."
She forces herself to bring her gaze back to his eyes — worried, concerned, green, forest, sanctuary — he breathes slowly, patiently waiting for her to follow him. A hand is placed on her arm; she's not sure how long it had been there. Her breath hitches again and she begins to spiral, but it's quickly cut short by his hand slightly tightening its grip around her arm.
A careful breath. "I'm here." He says gently, and oh — it's so simple, but it's like an entire water droplet, sending ripples through the still waters. It's a change, it changes the direction; it changes the course of everything and the flow of the thoughts and the—
Heavy eyelids take over her vision. She blinks. Her eyes open again to see a smiling sanctuary. He's like a sanctuary - she thinks. Safe. Safe. Comfort. The hand he has around her loosens its grip a bit, but stays firmly in place. She doesn't break eye contact for once, and she sees his smile grow a little prouder.
"Sorry." She apologizes — because really, what is she to do? You can't just start crying to your superhero partner about superhero troubles in your civilian identities in the middle of a school day. It's preposterous.
He chuckles, slowly running his hand up and down her arm — it tickles, she realizes. "Why are you sorry? It's hard out there." He says vaguely, but she understands exactly what he means. His words were in code due to them being in school. 'It's hard being a superhero.' She grimaces, thinking back to the utter destruction and terror that had gone through all of Paris time and time again.
His hand makes its stop by her shoulder; it brings her back to life. "You're strong, Mari. Things will get worse before they get better." He offers her a weak smile, and she smiles back — a bit brighter. He visibly eases in relief.
She lets her gaze linger on him for a little longer. He feels like home to her. He always has. Being near Adrien has always kept Marinette grounded for some reason, which is exactly why she'd go as far as to say he's like a sanctuary, like a home. She always goes wandering off — spiraling into her thoughts — but he'll always be the one to tug her back home.
In battle, he'll always be impulsive and she'll always be cautious, he'll be joking and she'll be planning, he'd be silly and she'd be serious. It's just the way they balance each other out. It just works like that.
So he'll always tug her down to earth when she floats a little too far away. "You alright?" He asks her. She blinks, cutting off her thought train. She nods once comprehension reaches her, and the warmth from his hand and his presence don't go unnoticed by her anymore.
The sunlight shining on his hair was just unfair. She'd always known Adrien was gorgeous — he's a model, for crying out loud — but the way his figure is dyed in the rays of the sun, the way his face is painted in lovely golden colors; it's absolutely wonderful. He's wonderful. "I'm okay now, thank you chaton." She calls him by his petname for their superhero egos, and the surprise that shows on his face makes her want to giggle.
"Anytime, my lady." He responds, beaming. It's fitting, really — the sunshine is his element.