#adler.

He happened a glance to you, who had an unlit cigarette, and promptly ignited his lighter, holding it your way. He... didn't mean to do that.

"Sorry," He apologised, to which you merely offered a small smile.

Upon spotting your target a few seconds after, Adler subtly gestured ahead. You did your best to nonchalantly look over, confirming the ID.

"We have a positive ID. We're going to pursue," He spoke lowly so that the agency could hear, gesturing for you to follow as he began to walk ahead.

It seemed like a straightforward approach, thankfully, and the crowd wasn't too much of a - -

"You've got to be shitting me," You came to a stop, tapping Adler on the arm before gesturing, "They're heading into the carnival."

"We have to go after them before they get out of sight," Adler informed as if you wouldn't know that. "We need to blend in."

You took a long drag of your cigarette, perking up as his elbow gently nudged you; you looked to his arm, which was extended your way. You blinked.

"Are you sure, sir?"

"C'mon, before they get too far."

You took that as the go ahead, slipping your arm through his to link you two together. You dropped your cigarette to stomp it out, placing a hand on his bicep and walking side by side into the crowd and music. Bathed in the warm glows of the lights, your breaths were suddenly evident in the German air. It was getting cold.

The carnival was large in size, meaning there was a lot of ground to possibly cover whilst following your guy. Yet, despite this, you were looking around at the night sky and various stalls, both food and games.

"Bell?"

"Yes?"

"Something got you distracted?"

"The carnival," You revealed, voice somewhat distant. Adler found himself admiring the way you eyed the food stalls and the various games, and how you looked at the prizes. "It's gorgeous. I wasn't expecting this."

"Stay focused," He ordered lightly, following your gaze to a donut stand, "We're close."

"Sorry, you're right."

As you walked, however, you just couldn't help it. Your head lulled to the side, resting against the chilled leather of his red leather jacket. He assumed it was to further allow you to blend in, but a part of him hoped it was a conscious thing. His heart beat ever so slightly faster.

You came to a stop at a stall due to the fact that your target also came to a stop at a stall a little further up. It was a donut stall, the kind that you had been eyeing before, and Adler, after a moment, gestured the owner over.

"One of your glazed, please."

"Just a moment, please," the owner requested happily, freshly dunking one before wrapping it and offering it his way.

"For you, my darling," He directed to you, his companion, catching you completely off guard.

Reaching out, you took the donut, "Thank you."

Glancing to where your target was, and noticing he was beginning to walk, Adler started following him again.

"Thank you for this. I'm quite hungry, and it helps us blend in. Bonus on all accords."

"Don't mention it. Consider it payment for when we last went drinking."

"A single donut?" You playfully scoffed, taking a bite from it, "You can do better than that."

Leaving it at that, the next hour or so went about the same. You would periodically stop, Adler would, depending on the stall, buy something small for you, and it'd repeat. He'd pull you close every now and then, and your conversation grew slightly from the mission.

He found himself having a good time, more so than if he was solely focused on the mission at hand. He found himself placing his hand over yours on his bicep. He found himself admiring you from behind his sunglasses when he could.

You somewhat perked up when you eventually crossed the games stall you had first set your eyes on; a game where you shoot targets, and one of the prizes was a (f/c) duck. An adorable (f/c) duck. A (f/c) duck you were fantasising about adding to your collection and cuddling.

"Bell?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you want one of the animals?"

"Oh-? I didn't know I was staring. Hah, sorry."

"Do you want one of the animals?" Adler repeated, a little more firm.

"..yes. But, we have a job to do."

"He's fine for a second. C'mon."

Taken off guard, you glanced to your target, who was busy at a stall, before looking to the oncoming game.

"I'll take ten bullets, please."

"There you go," The stall owner placed down a small tub, "Good luck. I'm sure he'll win you something, ma'am."

Sliding his arm from yours, Adler loaded the gun and took aim; by the time he was on the last bullet, all but one target was down. He loaded, paused, and then looked to you.

"You try to hit the last one."

You hesitantly reached up, grabbing the barrel, "I don't want to be the one to miss."

"I'll help you," Spoken after a quick glance over his shoulder, and he moved to stand behind you.

He placed his hands over yours, helping you line up the shot. At this range, he could smell the familiar shampoo in your hair and the perfume you wore. He savoured the way you leaned into his chest, clearly expecting the kickback of a normal weapon, and he listened to your breathing.

You, on the other hand, could feel his breath fanning your neck and the top of your head. You could feel his heartbeat, and the smooth yet rough feeling of his hands was a welcome experience. You wanted to stay like this for a while. You wished you could.

You pulled the trigger, and the target was shot down.

"Congratulations!" The stall owner beamed, to which you half turned to gaze up to Adler and grin his way. "Which would you like?"

"The duck, please! Thank you very much," Spoken as you pointed out and then accepted the prize, a shine to your eyes that Adler found endearing. You turned to completely face him, still encased in his arms, and beamed, "Thank you, Adler. This will make a fine addition to my collection."

For the first time in a very, very long time (real or fake), you witnessed a smile grace Adler's half scarred lips. It caused his eyes beneath his glasses to crease, and your heart skipped a beat.

After what felt like an eternity, Adler closed the height gap and captured your lips in a kiss. Despite the initial shock, you eagerly returned it, a hand placing itself onto the back of his neck to pull him a little closer. To make sure it was real. That it wasn't another dream.

It was a pleasant exchange, disrupted only for air. Adler's eyes fluttered open, gazing upon you with a shroud of lust and satisfaction.

"Adler," You whispered, barely audible above the music, and he ran a hand over your hair.

"We can talk about that later," He promised, offering his arm for you to take again, which you happily did.