#fin?

"Hello, Marinette. You come alone today?" I ask, mostly to keep my head cold, especially if Adrien accompanied her like he usually did. He was also invited as a member of Kitty Section, even if he only performed with us for a short while.

"Good evening, Luka" Marinette greets me back with a smile and reaches to kiss my cheeks for la bise . "Adrien will come later. He has some business with his father…" she explains in a low voice.

"Oh…" is the only thing I manage to say while my eyes move to look at the ring on her ring finger of her left hand, one she's touching non-stop, fidgeting. My heart aches at her sad expression.

"How's everything going?" I ask her. "Everything ok?"

I know I shouldn't have asked that. But I can't help but worry about her. Her discordant heart song waries me.

“Oh, yes. Just…" she looks at the floor, avoiding my eyes nervously and hesitantly. I lower to her eye level, in a silent question, and she talks again. “It’s nothing. Everything is fine” she assures, with a forced smile. She seems clearly uncomfortable, I notice, and I decide not to pressure her anymore: today is not a day to feel unhappy. Not when we're celebrating the reunion of Kitty Section after a while. I have the job of making everyone enjoy their time as the host and leader of the band.

I hum in answer, noticing her urge to change the topic. "That's a very pretty floral dress you're wearing. I love it"

"Oh- Thank you!” Her face lights up. “This is one of the dresses I designed for Gabriel's newest collection. I'm happy you like it. I hope it sells well” she smiles, spinning around so the middle length skirt flies and exposes up to her knees.

“It's beautiful. And it’s designed by you, so I have no doubts it will be a hit, like always" I offer her a warm smile, and she welcomes my compliments with a blush and a shy "Thank you". She seems better now and I feel slightly relieved.

“Oh, come in, don’t stay at the door” I snap out in realization as I signal her in with a gesture. I take a moment to breathe deeply and calm my obvious nerves after she thanks me and disappears inside to greet the others.

With Marinette there, and Adrien confirmed to arrive late, all the gang is reunited and ready to celebrate.

________________________________

"The food was exquisite"

"Let me try that wine"

“Your parents pastries are the best, Marinette"

"Get me one of those biscuits"

“Oh, get one for me, please!”

"Anyone want coffee? There's gin and tonic too"

Dinner has gone perfectly well and we liven up catching up and remembering stories from old times. Laughter fills the room, energetically and cheerfully, eating and drinking and in a complicity found again after a while. Adult life is busier, and it’s not easy to meet up as before, but we still have the same group complicity as always.

And, of course, music can't be left out as we all sing and play together our old band's most iconic songs: Rose and Juleka singing, Ivan and me accompanying them with improvised percussion music made with glasses and cutlery. I even use an empty bottle of champagne as a flute and everyone's mind is blown by the sounds I can produce with it. Too many hours of boredom and loneliness during tours. Marinette claps her hands and sings along too. Cute.

"Don't be so loud, you're going to wake up the baby!" Mylene shushes us, which causes everyone to giggle in a lower voice at the baby girl's adorable sleeping face.

And we play at that drinking game we used to play during summer nights: Never have I ever. Someone says ‘ Never have I ever’ and completes the sentence with something they might or might not have done, and those who have done whatever stated must drink a shot glass of alcohol.

As we continue to play, it gets dark outside.

“ Never have I ever... stolen Jagged Stone's shades from me” Marinette says, expecting to find a culprit from years ago.

Everybody exchanges looks, until Rose drinks with a giggle.

“So it was you, Rose! You said you didn’t know who it was!” she yells at her petite friend. “I had to create a new pair because of that! I was so nervous Jagged would notice!”

“Sorry, sorry! I confess! Those shades are too cool not to steal them!” Rose giggles, hiding behind Juleka. “You thief!” Marinette yells, and laughs get louder.

“Shhh…! The baby” Mylene warns again, cradling the sleeping baby in her arms.

“Sorry” we all apologize, still giggling. It really feels like time has stopped for us. Back in the summer of 10 years ago.

Suddenly, Marinette’s phone rings and the spell breaks. She moves to answer it at the balcony. “Excuse me for a moment…” All of us can see how she has an uncheerful expression on her face and worry.

“Marinette… is she ok?” Juleka, Rose and Mylene exchange a worried look. Ivan shows concern too, but remains quiet. They stay silent as soon Marinette comes back into her chair.

“Sorry, it was Adrien. He’s on his way. Should be here in a few minutes”

We nod, but all of us notice how Marinette looks sad again, and the aura of the room changes in concern. All of a sudden and out of nowhere, Juleka says:

“ Never have I ever wished to kiss Marinette”

Marinette squeaks and blushes in surprise and, at that moment, I notice how everybody takes glances at me. I look at Marinette for an instant, and then to my glass.

I hesitate. It's not like it’s a secret, is it?

Before I can decide whether to drink or not (and its implications), my sister looks at me, raising her eyebrow and adds: “And never have I ever wished for her to leave his husband”

Everyone stares at me and nobody drinks.

I sigh and try to avoid the intensity and pressure of their eyes, but that dart of poisoned words has pierced through my heart, and I have no choice but to admit it with a sip…

Dammit Juleka!

I hear some giggles and I slightly blush, discreetly covering my face with one hand to avoid meeting their eyes- especially Marinette's.

But then, unexpectedly, I see how Marinette raises her glass up and, while staring to my eyes, confidently and with a clear voice says:

“ Never have I ever thought I would be happier by your side”

I freeze.