Sixteenth

Later that evening, she found herself seated beside Adrien, watching as the stars twinkled above them in the sky, illuminated by the light of a full moon. The soft moonlight bathed everything in a gentle, soothing light.

"Would you like more wine, Emily?" His voice was gently and caring.

"No, thank you..." She shook her head quickly, offering him a short smile. "Anymore would be a bit too much..."

He nodded in response, pouring himself a glass of wine instead.

They sat in silence for awhile longer after that, enjoying the peace of the moment.

Adrien eventually broke it, however. "It's been nice spending time with you like this. I wish we could spend more..." He sighed and trailed off, smiling faintly at her.

"...It has, hasn't it? Spending so much time together these last few days."

Sometimes I feel bad to take up so much of his time but...it is nice.

She couldn't deny it was rather thrilling to have this handsome, powerful man lavish his attention upon her like this, showering her in kindness and affection.

And although he was prince, and she was but a peasant, it somehow still seemed quite natural. She couldn't really explain it, though.

Then again, it wasn't like she knew how it should feel for a prince to dote on her.

Adrien laughed softly and smiled as he poured her a glass of water. "The sky looks beautiful tonight, don't you agree?"

She nodded. "The view is gorgeous."

Her gaze lingered upon the starry expanse before flicking back to Adrien, whose eyes were on her. Two pairs of violet eyes met briefly before they both looked away.

He cleared his throat awkwardly,before the creeping discomfort could take over the silence.

"So tell me..." He murmured, reaching up to tug at his collar. "What kinds of things did you used to do for fun before coming to this world?"

Her brow furrowed as she considered it, recalling back on all the dull activities of her former life. "Um..." She flushed.

"I-I had...a really busy job so...it's not like I had a lot of time. I suppose I'd go out drinking sometimes..." She glanced at the wine bottle briefly. Just talking about that job made her think about drinking more. 

Like remembered stress. Or an echo.

"Sometimes I'd...read...watch some movies or shows, when I was at home..."

"Movies?" He tilted his head slightly in interest, leaning in closer. He pronounced the word like a man who'd never seen - nor heard - it before. It was a charming sound on him.

Most things were charming on him, though, so perhaps that didn't mean much.

He's so...intense about trying to learn about me. There's so much curiosity in his eyes.

"...Yes." She hesitated before elaborating further. "Ah, films, that is. It's...sort of like a play or performance. But it's..um..."

She squinted, staring up at the stars, searching for words. "Well, it's recorded so you can play it over and over on a device even when the people aren't there. Like repeating that moment in time, but only the sights and sounds."

She couldn't figure out how to describe it being higher budget with better props, so she...didn't bother explaining that. Even a recorded play...sort of...would be understood.

He stared at her with wide eyes. "That's incredible...you can simply...rewatch a performance over and over? At any time, even long after it's concluded?"

She hummed and nodded.

"Not just a performance, technically...you could record any moment in time and watch it again." She frowned, glancing up at the sky once more.

"Except when technology breaks. And the sun is down, or it's stormy...there might be some interference. But yeah. Pretty much whenever." She gave another slow nod and took another sip of her water. 

Adrien is quiet for a few moments, and his expression is distant, staring off into the middle-space.

...He's thinking of those performers from his childhood, isn't he?

"Sounds...unbelievable..." His voice is quiet as he murmurs the words, a distant smile curving his lips upwards ever so slightly.

"That sounds incredible, Emily. To be able to go back and see moments long lost to time as if they were new..."

She flushed in pleasure.

She never was very good at receiving compliments.

And...they're not...it's not like I invented movies or anything...

Adrien stirred, breaking her trance as he shifted and looked back at her.

"Ah, speaking of stories, I'd love to hear about your homeland...I'm curious about your life there." His tone is friendly as he asks, and he watches her intently as he speaks.

Her eyebrows flew up.

"Home?" She laughed. "Uh...honestly you'd be...disappointed. I was just a saleswoman at a demanding job."

She smiled bitterly. "Nothing fancy or magical or impressive like this." She made a vague gesture, waving at the splendor around them. "Nothing grand or beautiful."

Adrien nodded, though he looked dissatisfied at the response. "You are magical." He leaned in closer.

"And fascinating as well..." His voice was husky, deep, and his face drew closer to hers. "Your story is still something I would find interesting..."

Magical, huh?

She flushed slightly and looked down, averting her gaze.

I can't remember the last time someone thought that about me...

"I see..." She laughed awkwardly and sipped at the water he'd offered, hoping the liquid would cool the heat building in her core.

Adrien reached over and took her free hand, interlacing his fingers with hers. He looked down at their joined hands as if entranced, a smile creeping across his lips.

"Your skin...feels so warm, Emily. You...are so very warm."

Uwah?!

She tensed at the sudden contact, and squeezed his hand a bit tighter. "Um...th-thank you...I...uh...!"

His skin felt cool against her own, yet it still sent waves of heat and electricity shooting down her spine.

"I'd like to ask you more..." Adrien spoke softly, his voice barely above a whisper. He lifted his gaze to lock gazes with her again, eyes shining in the moonlight.

The intensity in his eyes was breathtaking.

The intensity of her attraction to him overwhelming.

She felt dizzy just looking at him, her mind immediately pinwheeling out of control.