*****

That day, the silence of the practice tower pressed against Adrien's temples and clung to his skin. The sunlight made the inside of his eyelids shine a bright orange, which then sank into a pulsating blue - the blue of Val's light shimmering again as their night before. Adrien inhaled sharply. His thoughts lingered in his hands, demanding attention, too great to allow themselves to be concealed.

He opened his eyes. Val stared back at him - his head slightly tilted, a soft expression in his eyes. "Are you having trouble?", he whispered.

Adrien swallowed; he let a moment pass, then he nodded. "Yeah..."

A smile spread on Val's face. "Me too", he said, his eyes bright and sweet.