Adrien carefully carried her out of the bathroom, each step steady and measured. Her breathing had softened, the drunken protests now nothing more than quiet murmurs as she drifted into slumber against his chest.
Reaching the bedroom, he gently lowered her onto the bed, brushing a strand of damp white hair from her cheek. Just as he turned to leave, a faint touch curled around his wrist.
"Adrien..." she whispered, barely audible, her fingers clutching him like he was the last tether to her reality.
He paused, eyes lingering on her peaceful face. A long breath escaped his lips.
"Sleep, Elfie," he murmured, voice low and rough, as he pried her fingers loose with a tenderness he'd never admit to owning.
He tried to gently slip his wrist free, but her grip only tightened.
"Adrien..." she murmured again, voice laced with the vulnerability she so rarely showed.
He froze, jaw tense, eyes darkening as he looked down at her.
