Adrien's POV

I set Marinette down by the entrance of Le Grand Paris. I was worried the place would be closed, since it's so late, but lights from the lobby glow through the dark.

"Let's go in," Marinette says.

We go through the revolving door, getting a double take from the check-in man. I understand that. Of course. Why would two bruised teenagers show up in the middle of the night?

"May I help you?" he asks, confused.

We go over to the desk.

"Yes. We'd like to book a room. Or two," Marinette tells him.

He looks us over. "You do realize a room here will cost a minimum of 200 euros, right?"

"Uh..."

"I have it." I reach in my pocket and pull out my wallet. I have exactly 392 euros, thanks to Father. Of course, that'll only be enough for one room, but...

"How old are you?"

"Fourteen," Marinette replies.

The man sighs in exasperation. "And do you have a permission form from your parents?"

A form? "No."

"You'll have to find somewhere else to go, then. Sorry." He doesn't really seem sorry as he turns back to his computer.

Marinette takes my hand. "Come on, Adrien," she mutters sadly.

"Where else can we go?"

"A motel, I guess."

"You're not going to a motel," a voice says from behind us.

I turn around and see none other than Mayor Bourgeois standing there, having just walked in from another room. He smiles kindly at us.

"But Mr. Mayor, we can't get reservations here," Marinette explains.

"I can make an exception to that," he says. "You're Chloe's classmates, aren't you?"

"We are," I tell him.

"I'll get you two nice rooms for free."

Marinette turns red. "Oh, you really don't have to..."

"I insist!"

I smile at him. "You're too kind, sir. Thank you for your generosity."

The mayor swipes his hand. "It's nothing." He leads us into an elevator, stopping at the third floor, then brings us down the hallway a few meters and stops. "You can have these rooms." He hands us each a room key.

Marinette grins. "Thank you so much, Mr. Mayor!"

"You're welcome. Enjoy your stay," he says, then goes back into the elevator and disappears.

I hug Marinette tight. "Good night, my lady."

"Night, kitty," she replies, kissing me.

I close my eyes and savor it. Marinette, my lady, loves me, and I love her with all my heart. I would do anything for this sweet, brave girl in my arms.

She pulls away and gives me a wave before heading into her room and shutting the door.

Hugging myself, I go into my room and find the bathroom. My reflection shows a tall green-eyed blond boy with bruises all over him and myriad cuts through his olive skin. He looks like a mess.

I sigh and go to take a shower.

After my shower, I put my clothes back on and hop into bed. Wow, I never realized how exhausted I was until now.

I close my eyes.

All of a sudden, there was this really loud noise and it scared me and then I realized it was a vine I liked and then I quoted it and then I laughed and then I wrote a super long run-on sentence about it for everyone to enjoy but also be very annoyed about.  :D