Post by Adrien | Adam on Feb 14, 2018 19:52:00 GMT -5
(I guess it doesn't count for points, but Everalda Sears-Theron and Alexis Cochrane was written by their respective handlers)
Date: Friday, February 9th, 2018
Cameras: OFF
“Ugh…”
The moment Adrien Cochrane stands up from the bench in Louis Armstrong International Airport in Kenner, Louisiana, he can feel a sharp pain in his left knee. The brace helps but can only do so much. Finally, the baggage carousel starts spinning with the belongings of everyone from Adrien’s flight. He limps over, looking for his duffle bag.
Adrien: “Where are you…?”
Adrien finally spots his bag. The quicker he gets out of here, the quicker he can deal with a certain person who was waiting for him outside the airport. He grabs the bag and starts walking out the door, the duffle bag hanging on the right shoulder to keep as little weight on the left side of his body.
Adrien: “Oh he didn’t…”
Adrien can see Eddie Walker standing outside by his car. Walker doesn’t see Adrien quite yet. But Walker is not the only person waiting for Adrien outside the airport. He recognizes the dyed red hair immediately, which is easy to do when it’s your own blood. Adrien’s sister, Alexis Cochrane, was with Walker, as she would spot Adrien before. She nudges Walker as soon as she does.
Alexis: “There he is, Old Man. You should go help him.”
Eddie: “AH!! THERE HE IS!!”
A big grin spreads across the face of the forty-one-year-old manager as he yanks Adrien’s bag off of Adrien’s shoulder. He quickly places it in the back of his Toyota before returning with a pair of crutches.
Eddie: “And these are for you!”
Adrien rolls his eyes, immediately putting his hand out to gesture he has no interest in using the crutches. Alexis shakes her head, as she watches Walker.
Alexis: “Just get him in the car, and off of his knee quickly.”
She turns to look at her older brother.
Alexis: “Why are you being an idiot, and on your knee in the first place?”
Adrien: “I’m sorry, was I supposed to levitate everywhere? Float from one place to another? Fly like Superman.”
Superman made Adrien think of his ex-girlfriend, so he quickly changes the subject as he got in the backseat of Eddie’s car. Alexis got in the passenger seat. Adrien looks at the two with the new topic, one that he was sure was not going to go over well with them.
Adrien: “So we’re taking me straight home, right?”
Alexis: “Nope, you are getting that knee checked out. Did you forget?”
She looks back at him, as she wanted him to see she was serious for once about something.
Alexis: “Right, Old man?”
Eddie: “Next stop, Chalmette Medical Center!”
Adrien lets out a sigh before sinking into his seat. He knows his limitations, and he knows his body. The doctor wasn’t going to tell him anything he didn’t already know.
Adrien: “No, I remembered, but I…”
Eddie: “PER THE REQUEST OF KENZIE RYDELL, JESSICA SEARS, JAZMYN RAIN, JOSHUA GOLDSTEIN, EVEN JOSH KENNEDY, AND YOUR OWN FUCKING SISTER...sorry, Alexis...I AM TAKING YOU TO THE DAMN DOCTOR!”
Adrien’s eyes widen in shock. Eddie doesn’t yell often. And almost never towards Adrien. Alexis even seems slightly caught off guard by it as she tries to speak to Adrien in a more diplomatic manner.
Alexis: “What he is trying to say is, myself, and your friends all want you to get it checked out just to be safe. We don’t want you to get hurt worse, or it gets hurt worse, and not know it. Just looking out for you Adrien. You would do it for us, so only fair we do it for you.”
Eddie: “We don’t need this to be a situation like that time you didn’t listen to the doctor who said don’t wrestle with that concussion and you barged down to the ring to tag with Sylar Drake.”
Adrien: “Hey! I won the match and avoided blows to the head! Win-win!”
Eddie: “What kind of moron manager did you have back then that would let you get away with that kind of idiotic stunt? Oh, wait, I remember now…”
Walker turns to Alexis in the passenger seat, lowering his eyebrows as he responds with his nickname for Adrien's former manager and ex-wife.
Eddie: “Crazy Latina bitch.”
Alexis groans at those words. The thought of Adrianna Rivers gives her indigestion.
Alexis: “Which is why we are not taking the chance this time. We don’t want you to keep risking it, just because you want to. Besides, I am sure you have plans coming up, how would you feel if you couldn’t do them because you hurt your knee badly by being an idiot.”
Adrien looks at the two people in the vehicle with him. Right now, he hasn’t confirmed who he was seeing with either of them. He definitely wasn’t going to tell them that on Mardi Gras day, he was picking up Everalda from this very airport.
Adrien: “I have no idea what you are talking about.”
Eddie gives a quick sigh.
Eddie: “Sure, you don’t.”
Alexis looks back at him, as she shakes her head.
Alexis: “Sure, we will believe that. Just remember, you are bad at hiding things, worse than I am.”
She turns back around, as she looks forward.
Alexis: “Either way, never know what could happen, rather now, or in a week, two weeks, or whenever Adrien.”
Eddie: “OR VALENTINE’S DAY!!”
Adrien shrinks a bit in his seat. Eddie knows there’s a flight coming from New York to New Orleans booked for him, but Adrien has kept him in the dark on who is actually going to be using the ticket. Well, Adrien thinks Eddie is in the dark, anyway. Anyone with a Twitter account could have pieced together that puzzle by now. Still, Adrien was going to deny it.
Adrien: “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Adrien wasn’t going to give up keeping his secret, that’s for sure.
Alexis: “Adrien, we all can see it. Let’s just leave it at that. We won’t press you anymore, least I won’t. I have no control over the Old Man.”
Eddie: “I’m not agreeing to these terms.”
Alexis: “Well I can’t stop you, only Adrien can. You know what to do if want him to stop.”
She shrugs, as she looks over at Walker.
Alexis: “Besides, why are you so worried? Not like it is some crazy psycho or someone who will hurt him, least I doubt it. Whoever it is, seems really sweet, and nice.”
Eddie: “I don’t like not knowing what’s going on. Prevents me from doing my job properly.”
Adrien: “Still don’t know what…”
Eddie: “YES, BROKEN RECORD, I KNOW YOUR COPY AND PASTE DENIAL AT THIS POINT!”
Alexis looks away out of the passenger window, as she shakes her head.
Alexis: “Calm down, Old Man. Did you switch with me today like Freaky Friday?”
She was being all calm, while he was yelling. She lightly laughs.
Eddie: “I don’t have excessive amounts of hair dye on my head so I think we’re fine.”
Alexis: “No but you use enough hair product I am sure to get your hair how it is. Still let's just get him to the medical center, and get his knee checked out. Worry about the rest later.”
Adrien shakes his head. This was going to be a long day for the Dropkick King, he knows it. Stuck in a vehicle than a lobby with these two with nothing to talk about but his knee and his secret rendezvouses with Everalda Sears-Theron...Adrien partly wonders if he could just sleep until they were done.
Eddie: “Oi! Stay awake, back there!”
Alexis: “Have a bit too much fun while you were gone?”
Alexis looks back at him, as she couldn’t help but ask. She reaches back to nudge him with her hand, as she looks at Eddie.
Alexis: “Maybe you are right, he is up to something, and should tell us.”
Eddie: “YES!! I GOT ALEXIS ON MY SIDE AGAIN!!!”
Adrien rolls his eyes, placing a pair of sunglasses on his face.
Adrien: “I’m not saying another word for the remainder of this car ride.”
Eddie: “Oh don’t worry, I’m sure the two of us can talk enough to make up for it. So, Alexis, did you see Everalda’s #MRM post featuring your older brother this past Monday?”
Alexis: “I saw it, everyone has been seeing them, along with his #WRW back to her. At least Stephen and I kept things off Twitter as much as we could. Didn’t you learn something from that Adrien?”
Adrien was being true to his word. He was silent, simply staring out the windshield ahead of them. Speaking of Adrien's lawyer, Stephen Nair, he would really love it if he was here to at least remind the other two that he does have the right to remain silent. Alas, Alexis did not have her boyfriend present.
Eddie: “And of course, this flight we just picked him up from was from New York. No doubt who he was going to go see up there, right?”
Alexis: “We already know he was with her. That was confirmed. Really, Adrien, just come clean. We all see something is going on.”
Alexis laughs, as she was having fun giving her brother crap. Adrien keeps his mouth shut, tuning them out as best he can.
Eddie: “Funny how I’m supposed to book an extra ticket for the flight to Germany. Like someone is going to be in town here with us whenever he flies out on Friday.”
Alexis looks over at him.
Alexis: “Wait, I didn’t know about that part. Really Adrien, start telling us what is going on. This is getting to be a bit too much to hide. Everything keeps coming out, and not being very secretive.”
Adrien: “I’m pretty sure the doctor is going to agree that I don’t need those crutches, what do you think?”
Adrien changes the subject rapidly.
Eddie: “So much for not saying another word for the rest of the car ride.”
Alexis shakes her head, as she laughs softly. She looks out the window some more.
Alexis: “You may need them, just wait, and see. We are only being careful. We don’t know how bad it is. I don’t want to hear you say you have been walking on it. We know you have been, and it might have been a dumb move.”
Eddie: “How are you supposed to lead the Guardians to victory if you can’t wrestle because of your own stupidity?”
Adrien: “I know my limits.”
Adrien silently is happy he got the conversation back on his knee. They aren’t too far from the hospital at this point.
Adrien: “Watch, they are going to say that while they don’t recommend I continue competing, I should be fine if I’m careful…”
Eddie: “Adrien, that’s not exactly a ringing endorsement!”
Alexis thinks of something, as she turns to Walker.
Alexis: “Speaking of his injury though, why didn’t you make him go get it checked after it happened? You’re all worried, yet let him go to New York and everything.”
Eddie: “I couldn’t make him do anything from long distances. See how much he’s resisting when he’s in the same vehicle as us? You know how he is!”
Alexis: “I would have gone to him, and had him go. Not that hard, Old Man. Do your job.”
She glances back at Adrien.
Alexis: “Why didn’t you go in the first place?”
Adrien: “I didn’t need to. And I still don’t think I do.”
Eddie: “Bullllllllshiiiiiiiiit!!”
Eddie’s response was sing-songy and condescending to his employer and best friend. Both of them were upset with how reckless Adrien was being about his health, but they are upset out of genuine concern and caring for him. Walker’s car pulls up to the hospital parking lot.
Eddie: “Alexis, think you can talk him into the crutches or no?”
Adrien: “I don’t need crutches.”
Eddie: “I wasn’t asking you.”
Walker glances at Adrien's sister, hoping she would have the charisma to convince Adrien to use them to get into the hospital.
Alexis: “Will you least use them until after we see the Doctor? Just do that one thing. You know Eddie won’t stop till you agree to it. Stop being so stubborn, I thought that was to be me.”
She turns in her seat enough, so she could look at him.
Alexis: “Just think, if you use them, do what we ask, and don’t need them, you can throw it in our faces.”
Adrien glances at the crutches. The thought of even thinking about using them brought back memories of the last time he was here...for his ex-girlfriend’s injury. She walked out of the facility on crutches and that was blasted all over Twitter.
Adrien: “Oh no...they slipped…"
Adrien tosses one of the crutches across the parking lot.
Adrien: “Might as well walk in under my own power then.”
Adrien begins making his way to the entrance before Alexis or Eddie could even react to what Adrien just did. Alexis sighs, as she follows after Adrien. She looks back at Walker, as she shakes her head.
Alexis: “Come on, Old Man, we better catch up to the stubborn ass. If something is wrong, I am going to kick him in his ass.”
Walker shrugs his shoulders before continuing inside behind the two Cochranes.
Date: Wednesday, February 14th, 2018
Cameras: OFF
The vibration and light pinging coming from the left wrist of Adrien Cochrane yanks him out of the dream he was currently having and back into the real world. He strains his eyes a little bit as a glare from one of the windows on the far side of the room was shining in the perfect spot. He moves his head slightly to the right and remembered he was not the only person in his bed. His fingers were still interlocked with the left hand of Everalda Sears-Theron. To try to keep their hands together, he uses his left hand to wipe his eyes a little bit before turning in the direction of the older half-sister of one of his best friends.
Adrien: “Good morning, sunshine. Today’s the big day.”
Her eyes were beginning to open as soon as he began to speak. The pinging from his watch probably was enough to awaken her as well. A soft yawn begins to escape Everalda and she fluidly covers her mouth with her free hand, thus keeping their fingers laced together. Her eyes adjust as the light cascades around Adrien’s body, giving him a radiant glow, and she smiles.
Everalda: “Good morning, handsome. I was dreaming of you and here you are.”
She makes a sweet little joke, and her smile brightens. Adrien leans closer to her and gives Everalda a quick peck on the lips. He pulls the blankets from over the two of them so they can finally get out of bed. While they haven’t gone any further than cuddling, sleeping in the same bed with one another has improved sleep for the two of them, so they’ve been doing so whenever possible. Adrien is still wearing the t-shirt and shorts he wore the evening before and did not plan on staying dressed like that much longer. Everalda’s wearing a black and white band shirt of The Offspring that’s a little bigger than her tall frame and a pair of midnight blue bikini panties.
Adrien: “Did I tell you what we have in store for today?”
Adrien winks as he extends his hand for Everalda to get back on her feet as well. She takes his hand and kindly accepts his help to rise to her feet. She tilts her head, contemplating their memories since she arrived in New Orleans yesterday afternoon for a few Mardi Gras parades, and she shakes her head. Her blonde hair flows freely with her body’s movements.
Everalda: “You did not. You told me what I needed to bring to be ready, but you never told me what the plan was.”
Adrien gives a deceptive grin. He knew the answer to his question before asking it. But for him to build the suspense of what was on tap for today, he had to ask it.
Adrien: “Just...make sure you don’t wear anything that will restrict your movement. All I’m going to say. Do you want to hit the shower before or after me?”
Adrien extends his arm to the bathroom connected to his bedroom, gauging her facial expressions to see if he can figure out her response before she says it. She doesn’t seem to hesitate when she answers.
Everalda: “I’ll go first.”
She takes a step towards the bathroom, but before she continues, she turns around and gives him a sweet little kiss on the lips.
Everalda: “No peeking!”
With a giggle, she makes her way to the bathroom and quietly closes the door behind her. Adrien begins counting his lucky stars that he was even in such a position when he looks down at his left leg.
Adrien: “Are you going to hold up this entire day or what?”
He still had a slight limp but he felt good enough to not wear the brace the past couple of days. Part of him was tempted to wear it as a precaution during today’s festivities. He grabs one of the wraps he had and decides that once he’s out of the shower after Everalda is finished, he might just use that.
Everalda takes a handful of minutes to do what she needs to do in the shower. After she emerges from the bathroom with a large white towel wrapped around her body, she playfully wags her fingers at Adrien, who tries to keep his eyes directed in proper locations as best he can. She did say no peeking, after all. His shower takes a bit shorter than hers was. Shampoo, body wash, rinse and dry off. Once he puts on his deodorant and brushes his teeth, he exits the bathroom with his clothes for the day: a pair of blue jeans and one of his famous plaid shirts. Underneath the jeans, his left knee had the wrap on tightly. She has a pair of light blue denim jeans with natural tears around the knees, a soft pink cold shoulder lace trim top, a pair of Nike’s black slip-on shoes, and a matching pair of silver moon earrings. Her hair is nicely brushed, blow dried, and styled into a fashionable ponytail.
Adrien: “First things first, we are going to one of my favorite breakfast restaurants. Hope you brought your appetite.”
Everalda: “Of course. I’m open to trying anything.”
She offers him a gentle smile before she steps up to him and takes his hands in hers. Instinctively, their fingers laced together and her eyes glance down at his pants-covered left knee. She can easily recall the wrestling match against Aurora Graves and how she constantly targeted his left knee. Eddie showed his concern for the injury as well.
Everalda: “Are… you going to be alright? I know you’ve been resting your knee. I just want to make sure you don’t overstress it.”
Adrien has a history of fighting through injuries. He once famously wrestled without medical clearance after a concussion he suffered from an attack and still managed to win the match. His knee, while was still bothering him, was nothing he couldn’t fight through.
Adrien: “I made these plans with you and I’m not going to let anything change that.”
Adrien tries to be as reassuring as possible with his smile in response. He adds, with as much confidence as he can imbue.
Adrien: “I know my limitations. I promise.”
He grabs the umbrella from beside his door before motioning for the doorway. This was super cheesy, but Adrien’s felt like cheesy is the best approach with Everalda.
Adrien: “Ladies first.”
He seems certain of this, a gentle smile crossing her face as he gestures for her to take the lead.
Everalda: “Thank you, sir.”
She walks out and he’s quick to follow suit with the umbrella in tow and she glances up to the partly cloudy, rainy skies while the sun peeks through. They make their way towards his vehicle and he holds the umbrella overhead as she steps into the passenger’s side. After he enters the driver’s seat of the Mercedes-Benz, he doesn’t immediately start the vehicle, just turns to Everalda and looks at her for a few seconds. She notices this and turns her head a little to look back at him, a curious look on her face.
Everalda: “What’s the matter?”
Adrien: “Just...it never ceases to amaze me just how breathtakingly beautiful you are. Inside and out.”
Adrien gives a warm smile and even blushes a little bit. Everalda can’t help herself from smiling and blushing. As a supermodel in New York City, she’s used to the compliments and the flattery, but from Adrien, they seem to be more genuine, from the heart.
Everalda: “You’re so sweet… and handsome too.”
Cochrane takes her to a small restaurant called Another Broken Egg for breakfast. Everalda was surprised they had poached eggs for her, something that Adrien had called ahead to double check prior to making this decision to eat breakfast here. They didn’t spend a whole lot of time there as Adrien had other plans that were more time consuming for the two of them.
Adrien: “Alright, are you ready to find out what the big activity is for today?”
They sit in the parking lot of the restaurant after eating, content in the amount of food they consumed. With all the smiles in the world between the two of them, Adrien looks back at Everalda before he starts his vehicle, wanting to converse with her before having to focus on the road. Her smile has never disappeared, her eyes shimmering softly as her curiosity and excitement reach the surface of her facial features.
Everalda: “Yes, I’m ready. I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us!”
Before the driving does take his attention away, she leans in and kisses his lips ever-so-sweetly. She draws back only a little, perhaps waiting to see if he’ll reciprocate with a kiss of his own. Figuring that was what she was up to, he does pull forward to give her a kiss back.
Adrien: “Remember when I asked you what size shoe you wore?”
Everalda: “Yes. Lucky number seven.”
Adrien: “Well…”
Adrien reaches into the backseat of his car and pulls out a small box. He opens the box slowly and reveals a pair of skates, purple in color, bought just for the occasion for Everalda. He looks up to her, ready to see how she reacts.
Adrien: “I figured skating isn’t all that different from dancing. And it would be a fun activity for us to do together.”
Sears-Theron’s eyes light up with glee as she laughs and flashes a toothy grin. She carefully takes the pair of purple skates from the box and studies them.
Everalda: “Goodness, I’ve never been skating before, but I’ve always wanted to try! I was just too afraid to do it alone. Thank you, Adrien. Now I’m even more excited!”
Adrien was hoping for this reaction. The fact that her eyes lit up made his eyes do the same. He turns the key to start his car, excited that he was going to give Everalda an experience today that she had never had before. It doesn’t take long for Adrien to get to the skating rink. The entire building was filled with couples, so the pair fit in quite nicely.
Adrien: “Now I expect most of your skill as a dancer will probably be quite transferable to skating, but I’m going to be here to make sure you don’t fall. You ready to give this a try?”
Everalda has both skates on, the wheels spinning at even the hint of weight distribution changes. This prompts Adrien to hold both of his hands out for Everalda to use to maintain her balance.
Adrien: “Here, hold on to me.”
Reaching out, she grabs ahold of his hands and she tries to adjust to the movements. Never once has she gone roller skating, rollerblading, or ice skating. This is quite the first-time experience for her. She holds her breath in the suspense of movements and keeps herself as close to him as possible, still adjusting to the drastic changes.
Everalda: “This is… different. Very different, but I’ll do my best.”
She looks into his eyes, a hopeful smile on her face, and she nods.
Everalda: “Okay… please lead the way.”
Teaching her how to keep her balance was probably going to depend a lot on how comfortable she felt. And in order to make her feel comfortable, Adrien pulls her close for something they’ve only done in private. He gives her a long, passionate kiss as skaters passed them by. Everalda’s eyes widen with shock and awe, fascinated by the public kiss they share in front of everyone. Some of the regulars are surprised by the public display of affection between the three-time World Heavyweight Champion and the German-South African Supermodel. She feels her heart skip a beat and her eyes lull shut as she returns the kiss with as much passion. There’s a lift in her left leg as she keeps her balance on just one roller skate, pure joy in her body language. To them, it was like no one was watching. As they pull back from the kiss, Adrien begins slowly skating backward, holding Everalda’s hands with both of his to try to keep her standing.
Adrien: “Give it a few moments to adjust. You’ll get your bearings after a few moments.”
He watches Everalda slowly try to figure out how to stay upright, watching her legs slide in all sorts of directions until they began to stay under the rest of her body.
Adrien: “Think you’re ready to let go?”
She takes a moment to keep herself steady. Still holding his hands, she finds the balance of being on the roller skates and she takes slow, deep breaths. Looking into Adrien’s eyes, her sapphire blue eyes shimmer in the lights.
Everalda: “I… don’t ever want to let you go…”
The moment she says this, there’s a soft red hue blush on her cheeks. Reluctant yet ready, she releases his hands and manages to keep herself steady as she begins to glide across the roller rink. There are some similarities to dancing and she begins to realize this. She pushes her speed by moving her skates in unison and she circles around him. He watches her skate with pride.
Adrien: “See, I told you the skills would be transferable. You’re a natural! Look at you go.”
To be cheesy to use his wrestling catchphrase in a completely personal setting...definitely was not beneath him.
Adrien: “I believed in you.”
Even he has a hard time not laughing at himself using it. He could hear literally anyone else in his life groaning or rolling their eyes at the use of it. But Everalda...she did not. Her cheeks only grew redder from it, her smile brightening for him. Adrien skates closer to Everalda, carefully with his leg, and takes her right hand.
Adrien: “Together?”
She never breaks eye contact with him, offering him a confident nod.
Everalda: “Always.”
She laces her fingers with his and moves smoothly with him. The two of them skate with a perfect harmony that’s like dancing to the beat of their hearts.
The skating rink supplies skaters with snack foods such as hot dogs, corn dogs, pizza by the slice, and pretzels. Anything they purchase, they enjoy together, savoring every bite with a smile. Of course, being new to roller skating, there are some points on the roller rink that Everalda falls on her toned butt. She does the best she can to get up with Adrien’s help without putting any extra pressure on his left knee. It’s quite the public date, and the regulars, the fans, are tweeting about them. At this point, even the Baumer Report had gotten word that the two were having this little date. But at the stage Adrien was in with Everalda, it didn’t matter to him. Everyone was beginning to figure out that they were seeing one another.
Adrien: “Are you ready for the final portion of the evening’s event?”
The afternoon had flown by so quickly that Everalda hadn’t realized it was almost half past five. Adrien takes a seat on the bench near the exit so he can remove his roller skates and put on his black pair of Vans shoes. Adrien looks back up at Everalda, who was placing her black pair of Nike’s slip-on back on her feet. Before she can respond, Adrien tells her what the final leg of this Valentine’s Day spectacular was going to be.
Adrien: “I got us a table waiting for us at Ruth’s Chris Steak House downtown. A wonderful dinner for my wonderful…”
Adrien pauses for a moment before finishing his sentence. Did he want to use that word just yet, without asking her if this was going to be a real relationship? It felt right to say it, seeing how it almost slipped out of his mouth, but...is Everalda in the same place he is? Adrien looks back up to Everalda, wondering if her face will tell him anything. But she actually responds verbally.
Everalda: “A wonderful dinner… with my wonderful boyfriend. That sounds perfect.”
She smiles with confident, completing his sentence with altercations, and a gentle blush caresses her cheeks. She’s bold. Leaning in, she kisses his cheek and giggles.
Everalda: “Will you be my Valentine?”
A weight is lifted off Adrien’s shoulders. That’s about as solid an answer to his inquiry on where the two basically was with this relationship. But that’s just what it is now: a relationship.
Adrien: “You already had me as your Valentine, my sweet girlfriend.”
Now it’s Adrien’s turn to give a sweet kiss, this time the forehead.
Adrien: “Wow...that felt really good to say.”
She blushes from the sweet sensation of the kiss on her forehead. It’s become a favorite of hers. She looks back into his eyes, reaches up, and places her left hand on the right side of his face. The blues of their eyes gaze into each other’s and their souls intertwined.
Everalda: “I think the world is going to know soon enough… and I’m happy with that.”
Lifting her free hand, she gently pokes his nose with her index finger and smiles. Adrien smiles back. He’s been afraid to even look at Twitter until this point, but it hardly matters now. If this was real, he wasn’t afraid for the whole world to know it. And honestly, the world pretty much figured it out anyway.
Adrien: “I’m happy it’s happening. I don’t care about the world knowing or not.”
Adrien stands up, extending his right arm once more for Everalda to pull herself up to her feet.
Adrien: “We have a dinner reservation awaiting us.”
Everalda rises up, taking his hand in hers, and she gives it a squeeze. She finds relief in being able to publicly display their affection, joyful that their secret is no longer a secret.
Everalda: “Let’s go, Believer.”
Dinner didn’t take a whole lot of time. Adrien was smart enough to order their meals in advance. The moment he saw that he could have a combination of steak and shrimp answered all of his questions. And thankfully, since this wasn’t the first steakhouse he’s eaten at with Everalda, he was able to accurately predict her order as well. Pays to pay attention.
Adrien: “How was it?”
Adrien stabs the last bite of his steak with his fork before placing it in his mouth for his consumption. He wipes the corners of his mouth with his napkin after he swallows that last bite. He sips on his soda as she enjoys a sip of her rose wine.
Everalda: “It’s everything I could ever want and more.”
Oh, the pure enjoyment of the petit filet and shrimp with a lobster tail on the side. She was in heaven, a heaven with him and him alone. She offers a bright smile before she raises her wine glass before his soda glass.
Everalda: “To our futures, united into one.”
Adrien gives a wide grin as he lifts his glass.
Adrien: “May this be the first of many Valentine’s Day celebrations we spend with one another.”
The bottoms of the glasses gently collide, making a “clink” sound that was not too overbearing to disturb any other patrons.
Adrien: “Let me get the check so we can head on home.”
She smiles and nods, savoring the last of the rose wine. She enjoys the final forkful of the petit filet and the lobster tail before she sets her fork down on the plate. As she chews thoroughly and swallows, she gently wipes her lips with a napkin and sighs contently.
Everalda: “Thank you, Adrien.”
Adrien smiles as he signs the receipt authorizing his credit card for the meal.
Adrien: “Anything for you, Everalda.”
He looks into her eyes once more, hanging on to this moment as long as he could.
Adrien: “This day has been perfect.”
The drive back home in the rain is a peaceful one. The two of them converse, smile, and laugh together. It was their luck to have Spotify play “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen and the two of them sang together, at least to the best of her abilities. She’s a dancer, not a singer like him. Once they return to his home and make their way inside, she glances up the stairs and looks back to him.
Everalda: “There’s something I need to show you, Adrien… something for you to always remember me by.”
Curiosity pours over Adrien’s face like a bucket of ice water during the ALS ice bucket challenge. He turns back to her, hand on her hand, ready to hear what she was plotting in her head.
Adrien: “I’ll always remember you, Everalda. You’ll be the one waking up next to me for years to come.”
The Dropkick King gives a reassuring grin, but he still wants to hear what she’s about to show him.
Adrien: “But what is it you want to show me? If you think it’s important then it is important to me too.”
Everalda: “Well… it’s not a matter of the importance, but a matter of the… enjoyment.”
Squeezing his hand, she leans in and kisses his nose ever-so-playfully.
Everalda: “When you hear the door to your room close, count to ten and then follow me in.”
She releases his hand, though hesitantly, and she makes her way up the stairs. On the second floor, she looks down at him and smiles before she retreats into the master bedroom, closing the door behind her. Adrien might be pretty oblivious when it comes to women, but even he caught on to what was going on.
Adrien: “One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine...ten…”
He takes a deep breath before walking up the stairs and opening the bedroom door. Little did Adrien know, this date wasn’t quite over yet.
FOR THE ON CAMERA PORTION OF THIS PIECE, CLICK HERE!
Desperate for changing, starving for truth
I'm closer to where I started, I'm chasing after you
I'm falling even more in love with you
Letting go of all I've held on to
I'm standing here until you make me move
I'm hanging by a moment here with you
Date: Friday, February 9th, 2018
Cameras: OFF
“Ugh…”
The moment Adrien Cochrane stands up from the bench in Louis Armstrong International Airport in Kenner, Louisiana, he can feel a sharp pain in his left knee. The brace helps but can only do so much. Finally, the baggage carousel starts spinning with the belongings of everyone from Adrien’s flight. He limps over, looking for his duffle bag.
Adrien: “Where are you…?”
Adrien finally spots his bag. The quicker he gets out of here, the quicker he can deal with a certain person who was waiting for him outside the airport. He grabs the bag and starts walking out the door, the duffle bag hanging on the right shoulder to keep as little weight on the left side of his body.
Adrien: “Oh he didn’t…”
Adrien can see Eddie Walker standing outside by his car. Walker doesn’t see Adrien quite yet. But Walker is not the only person waiting for Adrien outside the airport. He recognizes the dyed red hair immediately, which is easy to do when it’s your own blood. Adrien’s sister, Alexis Cochrane, was with Walker, as she would spot Adrien before. She nudges Walker as soon as she does.
Alexis: “There he is, Old Man. You should go help him.”
Eddie: “AH!! THERE HE IS!!”
A big grin spreads across the face of the forty-one-year-old manager as he yanks Adrien’s bag off of Adrien’s shoulder. He quickly places it in the back of his Toyota before returning with a pair of crutches.
Eddie: “And these are for you!”
Adrien rolls his eyes, immediately putting his hand out to gesture he has no interest in using the crutches. Alexis shakes her head, as she watches Walker.
Alexis: “Just get him in the car, and off of his knee quickly.”
She turns to look at her older brother.
Alexis: “Why are you being an idiot, and on your knee in the first place?”
Adrien: “I’m sorry, was I supposed to levitate everywhere? Float from one place to another? Fly like Superman.”
Superman made Adrien think of his ex-girlfriend, so he quickly changes the subject as he got in the backseat of Eddie’s car. Alexis got in the passenger seat. Adrien looks at the two with the new topic, one that he was sure was not going to go over well with them.
Adrien: “So we’re taking me straight home, right?”
Alexis: “Nope, you are getting that knee checked out. Did you forget?”
She looks back at him, as she wanted him to see she was serious for once about something.
Alexis: “Right, Old man?”
Eddie: “Next stop, Chalmette Medical Center!”
Adrien lets out a sigh before sinking into his seat. He knows his limitations, and he knows his body. The doctor wasn’t going to tell him anything he didn’t already know.
Adrien: “No, I remembered, but I…”
Eddie: “PER THE REQUEST OF KENZIE RYDELL, JESSICA SEARS, JAZMYN RAIN, JOSHUA GOLDSTEIN, EVEN JOSH KENNEDY, AND YOUR OWN FUCKING SISTER...sorry, Alexis...I AM TAKING YOU TO THE DAMN DOCTOR!”
Adrien’s eyes widen in shock. Eddie doesn’t yell often. And almost never towards Adrien. Alexis even seems slightly caught off guard by it as she tries to speak to Adrien in a more diplomatic manner.
Alexis: “What he is trying to say is, myself, and your friends all want you to get it checked out just to be safe. We don’t want you to get hurt worse, or it gets hurt worse, and not know it. Just looking out for you Adrien. You would do it for us, so only fair we do it for you.”
Eddie: “We don’t need this to be a situation like that time you didn’t listen to the doctor who said don’t wrestle with that concussion and you barged down to the ring to tag with Sylar Drake.”
Adrien: “Hey! I won the match and avoided blows to the head! Win-win!”
Eddie: “What kind of moron manager did you have back then that would let you get away with that kind of idiotic stunt? Oh, wait, I remember now…”
Walker turns to Alexis in the passenger seat, lowering his eyebrows as he responds with his nickname for Adrien's former manager and ex-wife.
Eddie: “Crazy Latina bitch.”
Alexis groans at those words. The thought of Adrianna Rivers gives her indigestion.
Alexis: “Which is why we are not taking the chance this time. We don’t want you to keep risking it, just because you want to. Besides, I am sure you have plans coming up, how would you feel if you couldn’t do them because you hurt your knee badly by being an idiot.”
Adrien looks at the two people in the vehicle with him. Right now, he hasn’t confirmed who he was seeing with either of them. He definitely wasn’t going to tell them that on Mardi Gras day, he was picking up Everalda from this very airport.
Adrien: “I have no idea what you are talking about.”
Eddie gives a quick sigh.
Eddie: “Sure, you don’t.”
Alexis looks back at him, as she shakes her head.
Alexis: “Sure, we will believe that. Just remember, you are bad at hiding things, worse than I am.”
She turns back around, as she looks forward.
Alexis: “Either way, never know what could happen, rather now, or in a week, two weeks, or whenever Adrien.”
Eddie: “OR VALENTINE’S DAY!!”
Adrien shrinks a bit in his seat. Eddie knows there’s a flight coming from New York to New Orleans booked for him, but Adrien has kept him in the dark on who is actually going to be using the ticket. Well, Adrien thinks Eddie is in the dark, anyway. Anyone with a Twitter account could have pieced together that puzzle by now. Still, Adrien was going to deny it.
Adrien: “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Adrien wasn’t going to give up keeping his secret, that’s for sure.
Alexis: “Adrien, we all can see it. Let’s just leave it at that. We won’t press you anymore, least I won’t. I have no control over the Old Man.”
Eddie: “I’m not agreeing to these terms.”
Alexis: “Well I can’t stop you, only Adrien can. You know what to do if want him to stop.”
She shrugs, as she looks over at Walker.
Alexis: “Besides, why are you so worried? Not like it is some crazy psycho or someone who will hurt him, least I doubt it. Whoever it is, seems really sweet, and nice.”
Eddie: “I don’t like not knowing what’s going on. Prevents me from doing my job properly.”
Adrien: “Still don’t know what…”
Eddie: “YES, BROKEN RECORD, I KNOW YOUR COPY AND PASTE DENIAL AT THIS POINT!”
Alexis looks away out of the passenger window, as she shakes her head.
Alexis: “Calm down, Old Man. Did you switch with me today like Freaky Friday?”
She was being all calm, while he was yelling. She lightly laughs.
Eddie: “I don’t have excessive amounts of hair dye on my head so I think we’re fine.”
Alexis: “No but you use enough hair product I am sure to get your hair how it is. Still let's just get him to the medical center, and get his knee checked out. Worry about the rest later.”
Adrien shakes his head. This was going to be a long day for the Dropkick King, he knows it. Stuck in a vehicle than a lobby with these two with nothing to talk about but his knee and his secret rendezvouses with Everalda Sears-Theron...Adrien partly wonders if he could just sleep until they were done.
Eddie: “Oi! Stay awake, back there!”
Alexis: “Have a bit too much fun while you were gone?”
Alexis looks back at him, as she couldn’t help but ask. She reaches back to nudge him with her hand, as she looks at Eddie.
Alexis: “Maybe you are right, he is up to something, and should tell us.”
Eddie: “YES!! I GOT ALEXIS ON MY SIDE AGAIN!!!”
Adrien rolls his eyes, placing a pair of sunglasses on his face.
Adrien: “I’m not saying another word for the remainder of this car ride.”
Eddie: “Oh don’t worry, I’m sure the two of us can talk enough to make up for it. So, Alexis, did you see Everalda’s #MRM post featuring your older brother this past Monday?”
Alexis: “I saw it, everyone has been seeing them, along with his #WRW back to her. At least Stephen and I kept things off Twitter as much as we could. Didn’t you learn something from that Adrien?”
Adrien was being true to his word. He was silent, simply staring out the windshield ahead of them. Speaking of Adrien's lawyer, Stephen Nair, he would really love it if he was here to at least remind the other two that he does have the right to remain silent. Alas, Alexis did not have her boyfriend present.
Eddie: “And of course, this flight we just picked him up from was from New York. No doubt who he was going to go see up there, right?”
Alexis: “We already know he was with her. That was confirmed. Really, Adrien, just come clean. We all see something is going on.”
Alexis laughs, as she was having fun giving her brother crap. Adrien keeps his mouth shut, tuning them out as best he can.
Eddie: “Funny how I’m supposed to book an extra ticket for the flight to Germany. Like someone is going to be in town here with us whenever he flies out on Friday.”
Alexis looks over at him.
Alexis: “Wait, I didn’t know about that part. Really Adrien, start telling us what is going on. This is getting to be a bit too much to hide. Everything keeps coming out, and not being very secretive.”
Adrien: “I’m pretty sure the doctor is going to agree that I don’t need those crutches, what do you think?”
Adrien changes the subject rapidly.
Eddie: “So much for not saying another word for the rest of the car ride.”
Alexis shakes her head, as she laughs softly. She looks out the window some more.
Alexis: “You may need them, just wait, and see. We are only being careful. We don’t know how bad it is. I don’t want to hear you say you have been walking on it. We know you have been, and it might have been a dumb move.”
Eddie: “How are you supposed to lead the Guardians to victory if you can’t wrestle because of your own stupidity?”
Adrien: “I know my limits.”
Adrien silently is happy he got the conversation back on his knee. They aren’t too far from the hospital at this point.
Adrien: “Watch, they are going to say that while they don’t recommend I continue competing, I should be fine if I’m careful…”
Eddie: “Adrien, that’s not exactly a ringing endorsement!”
Alexis thinks of something, as she turns to Walker.
Alexis: “Speaking of his injury though, why didn’t you make him go get it checked after it happened? You’re all worried, yet let him go to New York and everything.”
Eddie: “I couldn’t make him do anything from long distances. See how much he’s resisting when he’s in the same vehicle as us? You know how he is!”
Alexis: “I would have gone to him, and had him go. Not that hard, Old Man. Do your job.”
She glances back at Adrien.
Alexis: “Why didn’t you go in the first place?”
Adrien: “I didn’t need to. And I still don’t think I do.”
Eddie: “Bullllllllshiiiiiiiiit!!”
Eddie’s response was sing-songy and condescending to his employer and best friend. Both of them were upset with how reckless Adrien was being about his health, but they are upset out of genuine concern and caring for him. Walker’s car pulls up to the hospital parking lot.
Eddie: “Alexis, think you can talk him into the crutches or no?”
Adrien: “I don’t need crutches.”
Eddie: “I wasn’t asking you.”
Walker glances at Adrien's sister, hoping she would have the charisma to convince Adrien to use them to get into the hospital.
Alexis: “Will you least use them until after we see the Doctor? Just do that one thing. You know Eddie won’t stop till you agree to it. Stop being so stubborn, I thought that was to be me.”
She turns in her seat enough, so she could look at him.
Alexis: “Just think, if you use them, do what we ask, and don’t need them, you can throw it in our faces.”
Adrien glances at the crutches. The thought of even thinking about using them brought back memories of the last time he was here...for his ex-girlfriend’s injury. She walked out of the facility on crutches and that was blasted all over Twitter.
Adrien: “Oh no...they slipped…"
Adrien tosses one of the crutches across the parking lot.
Adrien: “Might as well walk in under my own power then.”
Adrien begins making his way to the entrance before Alexis or Eddie could even react to what Adrien just did. Alexis sighs, as she follows after Adrien. She looks back at Walker, as she shakes her head.
Alexis: “Come on, Old Man, we better catch up to the stubborn ass. If something is wrong, I am going to kick him in his ass.”
Walker shrugs his shoulders before continuing inside behind the two Cochranes.
Forgetting all I'm lacking, completely incomplete
I'll take your invitation, you take all of me now
I'm falling even more in love with you
Letting go of all I've held on to
I'm standing here until you make me move
I'm hanging by a moment here with you
I'm living for the only thing I know
I'm running and not quite sure where to go
And I don't know what I'm diving into
Just hanging by a moment here with you
Date: Wednesday, February 14th, 2018
Cameras: OFF
The vibration and light pinging coming from the left wrist of Adrien Cochrane yanks him out of the dream he was currently having and back into the real world. He strains his eyes a little bit as a glare from one of the windows on the far side of the room was shining in the perfect spot. He moves his head slightly to the right and remembered he was not the only person in his bed. His fingers were still interlocked with the left hand of Everalda Sears-Theron. To try to keep their hands together, he uses his left hand to wipe his eyes a little bit before turning in the direction of the older half-sister of one of his best friends.
Adrien: “Good morning, sunshine. Today’s the big day.”
Her eyes were beginning to open as soon as he began to speak. The pinging from his watch probably was enough to awaken her as well. A soft yawn begins to escape Everalda and she fluidly covers her mouth with her free hand, thus keeping their fingers laced together. Her eyes adjust as the light cascades around Adrien’s body, giving him a radiant glow, and she smiles.
Everalda: “Good morning, handsome. I was dreaming of you and here you are.”
She makes a sweet little joke, and her smile brightens. Adrien leans closer to her and gives Everalda a quick peck on the lips. He pulls the blankets from over the two of them so they can finally get out of bed. While they haven’t gone any further than cuddling, sleeping in the same bed with one another has improved sleep for the two of them, so they’ve been doing so whenever possible. Adrien is still wearing the t-shirt and shorts he wore the evening before and did not plan on staying dressed like that much longer. Everalda’s wearing a black and white band shirt of The Offspring that’s a little bigger than her tall frame and a pair of midnight blue bikini panties.
Adrien: “Did I tell you what we have in store for today?”
Adrien winks as he extends his hand for Everalda to get back on her feet as well. She takes his hand and kindly accepts his help to rise to her feet. She tilts her head, contemplating their memories since she arrived in New Orleans yesterday afternoon for a few Mardi Gras parades, and she shakes her head. Her blonde hair flows freely with her body’s movements.
Everalda: “You did not. You told me what I needed to bring to be ready, but you never told me what the plan was.”
Adrien gives a deceptive grin. He knew the answer to his question before asking it. But for him to build the suspense of what was on tap for today, he had to ask it.
Adrien: “Just...make sure you don’t wear anything that will restrict your movement. All I’m going to say. Do you want to hit the shower before or after me?”
Adrien extends his arm to the bathroom connected to his bedroom, gauging her facial expressions to see if he can figure out her response before she says it. She doesn’t seem to hesitate when she answers.
Everalda: “I’ll go first.”
She takes a step towards the bathroom, but before she continues, she turns around and gives him a sweet little kiss on the lips.
Everalda: “No peeking!”
With a giggle, she makes her way to the bathroom and quietly closes the door behind her. Adrien begins counting his lucky stars that he was even in such a position when he looks down at his left leg.
Adrien: “Are you going to hold up this entire day or what?”
He still had a slight limp but he felt good enough to not wear the brace the past couple of days. Part of him was tempted to wear it as a precaution during today’s festivities. He grabs one of the wraps he had and decides that once he’s out of the shower after Everalda is finished, he might just use that.
Everalda takes a handful of minutes to do what she needs to do in the shower. After she emerges from the bathroom with a large white towel wrapped around her body, she playfully wags her fingers at Adrien, who tries to keep his eyes directed in proper locations as best he can. She did say no peeking, after all. His shower takes a bit shorter than hers was. Shampoo, body wash, rinse and dry off. Once he puts on his deodorant and brushes his teeth, he exits the bathroom with his clothes for the day: a pair of blue jeans and one of his famous plaid shirts. Underneath the jeans, his left knee had the wrap on tightly. She has a pair of light blue denim jeans with natural tears around the knees, a soft pink cold shoulder lace trim top, a pair of Nike’s black slip-on shoes, and a matching pair of silver moon earrings. Her hair is nicely brushed, blow dried, and styled into a fashionable ponytail.
Adrien: “First things first, we are going to one of my favorite breakfast restaurants. Hope you brought your appetite.”
Everalda: “Of course. I’m open to trying anything.”
She offers him a gentle smile before she steps up to him and takes his hands in hers. Instinctively, their fingers laced together and her eyes glance down at his pants-covered left knee. She can easily recall the wrestling match against Aurora Graves and how she constantly targeted his left knee. Eddie showed his concern for the injury as well.
Everalda: “Are… you going to be alright? I know you’ve been resting your knee. I just want to make sure you don’t overstress it.”
Adrien has a history of fighting through injuries. He once famously wrestled without medical clearance after a concussion he suffered from an attack and still managed to win the match. His knee, while was still bothering him, was nothing he couldn’t fight through.
Adrien: “I made these plans with you and I’m not going to let anything change that.”
Adrien tries to be as reassuring as possible with his smile in response. He adds, with as much confidence as he can imbue.
Adrien: “I know my limitations. I promise.”
He grabs the umbrella from beside his door before motioning for the doorway. This was super cheesy, but Adrien’s felt like cheesy is the best approach with Everalda.
Adrien: “Ladies first.”
He seems certain of this, a gentle smile crossing her face as he gestures for her to take the lead.
Everalda: “Thank you, sir.”
She walks out and he’s quick to follow suit with the umbrella in tow and she glances up to the partly cloudy, rainy skies while the sun peeks through. They make their way towards his vehicle and he holds the umbrella overhead as she steps into the passenger’s side. After he enters the driver’s seat of the Mercedes-Benz, he doesn’t immediately start the vehicle, just turns to Everalda and looks at her for a few seconds. She notices this and turns her head a little to look back at him, a curious look on her face.
Everalda: “What’s the matter?”
Adrien: “Just...it never ceases to amaze me just how breathtakingly beautiful you are. Inside and out.”
Adrien gives a warm smile and even blushes a little bit. Everalda can’t help herself from smiling and blushing. As a supermodel in New York City, she’s used to the compliments and the flattery, but from Adrien, they seem to be more genuine, from the heart.
Everalda: “You’re so sweet… and handsome too.”
Cochrane takes her to a small restaurant called Another Broken Egg for breakfast. Everalda was surprised they had poached eggs for her, something that Adrien had called ahead to double check prior to making this decision to eat breakfast here. They didn’t spend a whole lot of time there as Adrien had other plans that were more time consuming for the two of them.
Adrien: “Alright, are you ready to find out what the big activity is for today?”
They sit in the parking lot of the restaurant after eating, content in the amount of food they consumed. With all the smiles in the world between the two of them, Adrien looks back at Everalda before he starts his vehicle, wanting to converse with her before having to focus on the road. Her smile has never disappeared, her eyes shimmering softly as her curiosity and excitement reach the surface of her facial features.
Everalda: “Yes, I’m ready. I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us!”
Before the driving does take his attention away, she leans in and kisses his lips ever-so-sweetly. She draws back only a little, perhaps waiting to see if he’ll reciprocate with a kiss of his own. Figuring that was what she was up to, he does pull forward to give her a kiss back.
Adrien: “Remember when I asked you what size shoe you wore?”
Everalda: “Yes. Lucky number seven.”
Adrien: “Well…”
Adrien reaches into the backseat of his car and pulls out a small box. He opens the box slowly and reveals a pair of skates, purple in color, bought just for the occasion for Everalda. He looks up to her, ready to see how she reacts.
Adrien: “I figured skating isn’t all that different from dancing. And it would be a fun activity for us to do together.”
Sears-Theron’s eyes light up with glee as she laughs and flashes a toothy grin. She carefully takes the pair of purple skates from the box and studies them.
Everalda: “Goodness, I’ve never been skating before, but I’ve always wanted to try! I was just too afraid to do it alone. Thank you, Adrien. Now I’m even more excited!”
Adrien was hoping for this reaction. The fact that her eyes lit up made his eyes do the same. He turns the key to start his car, excited that he was going to give Everalda an experience today that she had never had before. It doesn’t take long for Adrien to get to the skating rink. The entire building was filled with couples, so the pair fit in quite nicely.
Adrien: “Now I expect most of your skill as a dancer will probably be quite transferable to skating, but I’m going to be here to make sure you don’t fall. You ready to give this a try?”
Everalda has both skates on, the wheels spinning at even the hint of weight distribution changes. This prompts Adrien to hold both of his hands out for Everalda to use to maintain her balance.
Adrien: “Here, hold on to me.”
Reaching out, she grabs ahold of his hands and she tries to adjust to the movements. Never once has she gone roller skating, rollerblading, or ice skating. This is quite the first-time experience for her. She holds her breath in the suspense of movements and keeps herself as close to him as possible, still adjusting to the drastic changes.
Everalda: “This is… different. Very different, but I’ll do my best.”
She looks into his eyes, a hopeful smile on her face, and she nods.
Everalda: “Okay… please lead the way.”
Teaching her how to keep her balance was probably going to depend a lot on how comfortable she felt. And in order to make her feel comfortable, Adrien pulls her close for something they’ve only done in private. He gives her a long, passionate kiss as skaters passed them by. Everalda’s eyes widen with shock and awe, fascinated by the public kiss they share in front of everyone. Some of the regulars are surprised by the public display of affection between the three-time World Heavyweight Champion and the German-South African Supermodel. She feels her heart skip a beat and her eyes lull shut as she returns the kiss with as much passion. There’s a lift in her left leg as she keeps her balance on just one roller skate, pure joy in her body language. To them, it was like no one was watching. As they pull back from the kiss, Adrien begins slowly skating backward, holding Everalda’s hands with both of his to try to keep her standing.
Adrien: “Give it a few moments to adjust. You’ll get your bearings after a few moments.”
He watches Everalda slowly try to figure out how to stay upright, watching her legs slide in all sorts of directions until they began to stay under the rest of her body.
Adrien: “Think you’re ready to let go?”
She takes a moment to keep herself steady. Still holding his hands, she finds the balance of being on the roller skates and she takes slow, deep breaths. Looking into Adrien’s eyes, her sapphire blue eyes shimmer in the lights.
Everalda: “I… don’t ever want to let you go…”
The moment she says this, there’s a soft red hue blush on her cheeks. Reluctant yet ready, she releases his hands and manages to keep herself steady as she begins to glide across the roller rink. There are some similarities to dancing and she begins to realize this. She pushes her speed by moving her skates in unison and she circles around him. He watches her skate with pride.
Adrien: “See, I told you the skills would be transferable. You’re a natural! Look at you go.”
To be cheesy to use his wrestling catchphrase in a completely personal setting...definitely was not beneath him.
Adrien: “I believed in you.”
Even he has a hard time not laughing at himself using it. He could hear literally anyone else in his life groaning or rolling their eyes at the use of it. But Everalda...she did not. Her cheeks only grew redder from it, her smile brightening for him. Adrien skates closer to Everalda, carefully with his leg, and takes her right hand.
Adrien: “Together?”
She never breaks eye contact with him, offering him a confident nod.
Everalda: “Always.”
She laces her fingers with his and moves smoothly with him. The two of them skate with a perfect harmony that’s like dancing to the beat of their hearts.
The skating rink supplies skaters with snack foods such as hot dogs, corn dogs, pizza by the slice, and pretzels. Anything they purchase, they enjoy together, savoring every bite with a smile. Of course, being new to roller skating, there are some points on the roller rink that Everalda falls on her toned butt. She does the best she can to get up with Adrien’s help without putting any extra pressure on his left knee. It’s quite the public date, and the regulars, the fans, are tweeting about them. At this point, even the Baumer Report had gotten word that the two were having this little date. But at the stage Adrien was in with Everalda, it didn’t matter to him. Everyone was beginning to figure out that they were seeing one another.
Adrien: “Are you ready for the final portion of the evening’s event?”
The afternoon had flown by so quickly that Everalda hadn’t realized it was almost half past five. Adrien takes a seat on the bench near the exit so he can remove his roller skates and put on his black pair of Vans shoes. Adrien looks back up at Everalda, who was placing her black pair of Nike’s slip-on back on her feet. Before she can respond, Adrien tells her what the final leg of this Valentine’s Day spectacular was going to be.
Adrien: “I got us a table waiting for us at Ruth’s Chris Steak House downtown. A wonderful dinner for my wonderful…”
Adrien pauses for a moment before finishing his sentence. Did he want to use that word just yet, without asking her if this was going to be a real relationship? It felt right to say it, seeing how it almost slipped out of his mouth, but...is Everalda in the same place he is? Adrien looks back up to Everalda, wondering if her face will tell him anything. But she actually responds verbally.
Everalda: “A wonderful dinner… with my wonderful boyfriend. That sounds perfect.”
She smiles with confident, completing his sentence with altercations, and a gentle blush caresses her cheeks. She’s bold. Leaning in, she kisses his cheek and giggles.
Everalda: “Will you be my Valentine?”
A weight is lifted off Adrien’s shoulders. That’s about as solid an answer to his inquiry on where the two basically was with this relationship. But that’s just what it is now: a relationship.
Adrien: “You already had me as your Valentine, my sweet girlfriend.”
Now it’s Adrien’s turn to give a sweet kiss, this time the forehead.
Adrien: “Wow...that felt really good to say.”
She blushes from the sweet sensation of the kiss on her forehead. It’s become a favorite of hers. She looks back into his eyes, reaches up, and places her left hand on the right side of his face. The blues of their eyes gaze into each other’s and their souls intertwined.
Everalda: “I think the world is going to know soon enough… and I’m happy with that.”
Lifting her free hand, she gently pokes his nose with her index finger and smiles. Adrien smiles back. He’s been afraid to even look at Twitter until this point, but it hardly matters now. If this was real, he wasn’t afraid for the whole world to know it. And honestly, the world pretty much figured it out anyway.
Adrien: “I’m happy it’s happening. I don’t care about the world knowing or not.”
Adrien stands up, extending his right arm once more for Everalda to pull herself up to her feet.
Adrien: “We have a dinner reservation awaiting us.”
Everalda rises up, taking his hand in hers, and she gives it a squeeze. She finds relief in being able to publicly display their affection, joyful that their secret is no longer a secret.
Everalda: “Let’s go, Believer.”
Dinner didn’t take a whole lot of time. Adrien was smart enough to order their meals in advance. The moment he saw that he could have a combination of steak and shrimp answered all of his questions. And thankfully, since this wasn’t the first steakhouse he’s eaten at with Everalda, he was able to accurately predict her order as well. Pays to pay attention.
Adrien: “How was it?”
Adrien stabs the last bite of his steak with his fork before placing it in his mouth for his consumption. He wipes the corners of his mouth with his napkin after he swallows that last bite. He sips on his soda as she enjoys a sip of her rose wine.
Everalda: “It’s everything I could ever want and more.”
Oh, the pure enjoyment of the petit filet and shrimp with a lobster tail on the side. She was in heaven, a heaven with him and him alone. She offers a bright smile before she raises her wine glass before his soda glass.
Everalda: “To our futures, united into one.”
Adrien gives a wide grin as he lifts his glass.
Adrien: “May this be the first of many Valentine’s Day celebrations we spend with one another.”
The bottoms of the glasses gently collide, making a “clink” sound that was not too overbearing to disturb any other patrons.
Adrien: “Let me get the check so we can head on home.”
She smiles and nods, savoring the last of the rose wine. She enjoys the final forkful of the petit filet and the lobster tail before she sets her fork down on the plate. As she chews thoroughly and swallows, she gently wipes her lips with a napkin and sighs contently.
Everalda: “Thank you, Adrien.”
Adrien smiles as he signs the receipt authorizing his credit card for the meal.
Adrien: “Anything for you, Everalda.”
He looks into her eyes once more, hanging on to this moment as long as he could.
Adrien: “This day has been perfect.”
The drive back home in the rain is a peaceful one. The two of them converse, smile, and laugh together. It was their luck to have Spotify play “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen and the two of them sang together, at least to the best of her abilities. She’s a dancer, not a singer like him. Once they return to his home and make their way inside, she glances up the stairs and looks back to him.
Everalda: “There’s something I need to show you, Adrien… something for you to always remember me by.”
Curiosity pours over Adrien’s face like a bucket of ice water during the ALS ice bucket challenge. He turns back to her, hand on her hand, ready to hear what she was plotting in her head.
Adrien: “I’ll always remember you, Everalda. You’ll be the one waking up next to me for years to come.”
The Dropkick King gives a reassuring grin, but he still wants to hear what she’s about to show him.
Adrien: “But what is it you want to show me? If you think it’s important then it is important to me too.”
Everalda: “Well… it’s not a matter of the importance, but a matter of the… enjoyment.”
Squeezing his hand, she leans in and kisses his nose ever-so-playfully.
Everalda: “When you hear the door to your room close, count to ten and then follow me in.”
She releases his hand, though hesitantly, and she makes her way up the stairs. On the second floor, she looks down at him and smiles before she retreats into the master bedroom, closing the door behind her. Adrien might be pretty oblivious when it comes to women, but even he caught on to what was going on.
Adrien: “One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine...ten…”
He takes a deep breath before walking up the stairs and opening the bedroom door. Little did Adrien know, this date wasn’t quite over yet.
There's nothing else to lose, there's nothing else to find
There's nothing in the world that can change my mind
There is nothing else
There is nothing else
There is nothing else
Desperate for changing, starving for truth
I'm closer to where I started, I'm chasing after you
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