Owner	Pose
Adrien Agreste	https://youtu.be/BmErRm-vApI It's a quiet morning and despite his typical late nights, Adrien is as always awake at dawn. But with a clwar schedule today (only one event late this afternoon), he finds himself restless, and so he settles at the baby grand that sits in the corner. It starts as just him slowly, pondrrously, moving from one chords to another, before it resolves into a short memorized piano concerto. there's a moment of silence before Adrien starts in a new key, more melancholy. it fits his mood. And after a bit, he sings.     His voice isnt the best. But the song iant vocalling demanding. his narrow rangr, lack of power and volume, and uncertain edges fit the song. say something. im goving up on you. ill be the one, if you want me to. anywhere, iw ould have folowed you. say something. im giving up on you...
Marinette DuPain	Why is she waking at dawn? Classes aren't for another three hours at least. But she's awake. With a sigh, Mari pulls herself from, goes through a quick routine of brushing hair ans teeth and then decides to male breakfast. What she wasn't expecting, as she opened her door, was the sound of the piano. Or Adrien singing. He can sing!? Not fantastic but he's not bad either. Quietly shutting the door, she makes her slowly, and as silently as posdible, sown the stairs The song, and the emotion he puts behind it tug at heartstrings and she finds herself cross the floor to him and standing behind him toblisten for a few seconds.
Adrien Agreste	Song over, Adrien just sighs faintly. his shoulders rise and fall with the breath. his head almost bowed. his phone is on the paino top, screen blank and still. He rocks back in the piano bench on another sigh. stupid halg remembered happy dreams...
Marinette DuPain	He rocks back and Mari leans back to wrap her arms around his shoulders, her head brought to rest on his shoulder. Things haven't been great between them lately but to hear such lonliness come from him still upsets her. He should be happy. No matter who that's with. One hand reaches up to pet his hair back once.
Adrien Agreste	Adrien hadnt expected anyobe to be there. he still isnt used to anyone being here, in his 'home' his prison, and it reads in the faint start of a gasp he gives: he is too used to solitude and isolation. that and the need for some contact of company is almost too easy to see in how he relaxes a heartbeat later, her head on his shoulder. He leans his head sidewise to hers, body giving a sigh which almost has a voice, a purr, when her hand brushesn pets, back his hair once. His eyes close as he leans back into the embrace.
Marinette DuPain	Mari sighs gently as he leans back into her. For heartbeats, she simply holds him until finally twisting to sit beside him, all without breaking contact aside from lifting her head. Looking up at him, she pets his head back once more before pulling his head down to lightly kiss his forhead.
Adrien Agreste	Adrien didnt want to speak, in case it woke him up from this moment, this slice of heaven. His hands slipped from the keys to his lap . His brows pull together when Marinette shifts and sits at his side. She looks up. He meets her gaze, trying to find the right thing to say when she pulls him down so kiss his forehead. His eyes close again, the sigh hesrd again as he leans into tgw contact, the feel of her hands ruffling through his hair again. He wants to curl her in his arms but.... he hurt her. All of him did. He cant just blame... well, he could and it wont be a lie, blaming his father. But he could have called or texted. And then he very unthoughtfully invited a friend and... Life was a mess.
Marinette DuPain	And he doesn't have to speak. Her fingers continue to run through his hair, other hand reaching out to pull him closer, inviting him to curl into her. To find strength and comfort and a haven. Things haven't been great but she still loves him and she'll always be there for him. No matter what.
Adrien Agreste	Even after all he did? Even if she doesnt realize that all of it was him, he still did it. He still fees the sting of guilt. That she holds him, wordlessly offers a balm to his insteady nerves without being asked, without strings or expectations, it is nearly ovrrwhelming. His shoulders shake as Adrien curls into her, turning a bit to wrap an arm about her, anf lean in. All that is missing from his posture is purring. In his pocket, hidden and slightly squished, Plagg holds his breath, whiskers quivering in his effort to stay still and stay quiet and not give in to thw tormented bliss of his Chosen. He'd end up purring for sure, and then he'd be out of the bag! er... pocket. Long minutes pass... "Thank you."
Marinette DuPain	His arm wraps around her and she smiles faintly. She can all but here the purr that it feels lile should be there and isn't. When he thanks her, she pulls back to look at him. Her fingers once more run through the front of his hair and she smiles. "Come on," is whispered as she stands and holds her hand out to him.
Adrien Agreste	Adrien sighs lightly again as she cards her fingers through the hair at the front of his head. It falls out of its usual place, tucked back and out of hisbeyes, and falls forward. His eyes are a little unfocusedn half lidded and he blinks a bit to refocus. There's no hesitation in his movements as he pushes to his feet tk follow her, eyes clearing a bit from the pet-induced haze.
Marinette DuPain	It's okay. He doesn't have to he very clear mindes because she's not taking him far. Just over to the couch ehich she promptly drops onto after grabbing the remote. He's given a little tug to pull him down next to her ajd the one more for him to lay his head in her lap. "I know... It must feel like it, a lot, but you're not alone."
Adrien Agreste	Pulled dowb and nudged to drop his head in her lap, Adrien does so, relaxing a bit as she settles his head in her lap. "...Thanks. ....Im sorry. for disappearing," he says, turning his gaze to the tv so he doesnt have to look at her. because he wabts to look at her so badly it's a physical lump on his chest. oh wait. that's plagg. Adrien folds his hands iver his chest, so Plagg is in the crook of his elbow.
Marinette DuPain	Like him, Marinette keeps her eyes on the television because she wants, so badly, to look at him. She opts to simply run her fingers, temple to tips, through his hair instead. "You have your family's name to protect. We're... a very different class level. I get that. It hurt, yes. That doesn't mean I won't be here for you, though, Adrien." And it still hurts. A lot. But he needs someone and how she feels hasn't changed. Not really. So she's not going to let him believe he's uncared for and alone.
Adrien Agreste	Adrien frowns at this, eyes troubked as he stares at the television. Her fingers in his hair keeps him from getting riled up about it, bit it still makes him uneasy. He hates that it's always about social status and money and appearances. He swalliws harshly, forces back bitter tears of frustration so his eyes stay dry. ".....yeah..... thank you..... i dont deserve this..." Not after everything. God. Why does it feel lile he keeps having thia conversation?
Marinette DuPain	The television is promptly shut off and those bluebell eyes drop to him finally. "Look at me." She waits until he does, a frown on her features. "-I- decide who is and isn't my friend. -I- decide who to forgive and who not to. -I- decide who deseeves rhese things from me and who doesn't. Do you understand? You don't get to make those decisions for me and I happen to think you very much deserve it. And do you lnow why?" She leans down, eyes on him. "Because I see you."
Adrien Agreste	Adrien blinks as the tv goes black. He had been mindlessly watching it, letting it occupy jist enough of his mind that hw could forget and put his emotions back into their right place.... under lock and key. He could head back out again tonight. even if all he did was climb to thw top of thw crysler building and just siy and look at rhw unfamilar skyline. Even Chat had begun to feel heavy. That she would demand his gaze, in such a Ladybug tone, makes thw shudder barely suppressable. He slides his green eyes toward her, forces his face neutral, then turns to face her fully. Each statement just makes him feel like he's falling further. Heart hurting, Adrien has to press his teeth down on the tip of his tongue subtly behind his unmoving lips to keep his breathes slow and even and normal. She asks if he understands and he nods; yes. Why she thinks he is deserving of even being seen by someone so incrediblr... but seen as what, exactly? She dowsnt know that hw is Chat Noir, that he is dorky and silly and over eager and wasily excited and distracted while at thw same time so fiercely loyal and protectiven to a fault protective. He holds his breath as she leans dow. toward him, his eyes fixed on hers. The blue... so pure... ao famil- no. No more pondering and wondering. He promised Her, even if she's not here. He would not search her out, seek her ide tity. We must remain a secret, even to each other. "Yiu... do..? what... what do you... see?" he asks in a frightened little tone.
Marinette DuPain	"I see someone who would do anything for the people he cares about. I see someone who wants, desperately, to be free. To not have the weight of the world on his shoulders. " I see someone who accidently drops the mask every once in a while is playful and funny. I see someone who still hurts from loss and the wirhdraw of a father he was so desperately to make proud." Her fingers run through his hair again and she presses a kiss to his forhead once more. "I see a smart, fun man who keeps everyone at a distance because he thinks it's the only way to keep them safe. You want someone close... Someone to be there... But you're afraid to let anyone in."
Adrien Agreste	As he listens, keeping his eyes clesr becomes more an more difficult, and it is miraculous that he keeps his eyes from filling to overflowing. There's a apike of fear at the mention of maska, nearly cauaing him to loae hold of the rest, but somehow - Ladybug Luclk is with him - he manages. The mention of loss and his father pulls his neutral tone toward a pained frown. Again, the fingers through hia hair helps soothe most of it away, and the frowns eases away. The sigh that ahoukd be a purr again eacapes his lips. The tension that xomes now is not pai. its... its frustration and sadness. Because Marinette is far more right than she knows and... he cant talk to her about it. He cant really talk to anyone about it. He has to pretend itxs not happening, that he doesnt feel like he is chasing his own tail. He cant even tell her shexs right, that he wants two girls in particular in and that the fesr isnt just in his mind but that it is real and tangible and.... what if the reason the Ladyblog is silent is becausr Hawkmoth won while he was gone and he is gathering his strength to take on the cat now that there is no Ladybug to heal him? His lower lip quivers faintly. The silence is suffocating. He cant even yowl... or run to the edge of the bukding to jump off as Adrien and land a rooftip away as Chat. Not untul dark.... and not with Marinettw here... not when that simple act of desperate carelessness could hurt her....
Marinette DuPain	Marinette sighd softly, resting her forehead to his. "One day... I hope you'll understand that I'm here for you. No matter what. With no judgment." His nose tip is kissed and then she starts to straighten. "For now... Maybe we can just... Be us and watch some tv?" She grins. "I promise to keep petting." Because he needs to smile.
Adrien Agreste	Adrien inhales that sigh, body leaning up to her forehead pressing against his own. He could lay like this forever. He inhalesn wsnting to tell her everthing, because he doesnt feel like she judges him, because there are just things he cant tell her. And that hurts, twists him in ways he doesnt want ro be twisted. The kiss tonrhe nose has his eyes opening as if shocked by it. Adrien watches her straighten, and a tiny smile starts at rhe grinn only for him to smirk ruefully. "im not a cat." Plagg scoffs. Adrien clears his throat quickly and sits up. "Umm. yeah. lemme... just." he tugs the over shirt off. "Warm," he says as if that explains it. it mighyn but not the way he turns to watch as he drops (read: throws) the light overshirt to the floor behind the sofa, eyes glaring at the fabric as it whoomfs onto the floor, as if tellong it off. OMG PLAGG COULD YOU NOT FOR REALS TODAY! And then Adrien is flopping back to the sofa, head on Marinette's lap....
Marinette DuPain	It's oddly easy and comfortable. A few years ago, she wouldn't have been able to sit with him like this. Now... "Are you positive? The only thing you don't do is purr." And as if to prove her point, she runs her hand through his hair. "Sure." In the meantime, she'll turn the television back on and try to find something to watch. Even if she is chuckling at the way he glares at the shirt. Until her lap is a pillow again, at which point she arches a brow. "Did the shirt offend you?" And... petting. She has no idea what she put on the television.
Adrien Agreste	Adrien huffs lightly, "only fools are positive." Theres no venom. Theres... anticipation, a aense of waiting for the next line so he can deliber the punchline. He sighs again as hia hair ia playes with, lounging more comfortably as he roll a shoulder. "Maybe it did." And behind the sofa, Plagg phases through tge shirt to sit on the fabric with a pout, mouthing along witg Adrien 'maybe it did'. Green eyes rolls as Plagg's tail spasms in annoyance, the aggitstion of the movement undermined by how the tip curls any time it stills. A curled tail is a happy tail.
Marinette DuPain	"Are you sure?" And then she chuckles. "Maybe you should get a different shirt then." She smirks down ar him, eyes flicking up to the television. What in the world are they watching? And why is everyone blue cat people? And while the two humans lounge on the couch, Tikki very makes her way doen from Mari's room to settle beside Plagg and tries not to giggle as he mimic-mocks Adrien.
Adrien Agreste	"Im positive, " Adrien quips, grinning an almost completely foolishn unconcerned what you think, grin. Right into the opening Marinette gave him. "If only. Im attached," Adrien laments, just shy of complete melodrama. All as he watched Avatar. He is not surprised it's on. The Netflix account is his, fully unlocked, and he been watching it on the flight over. "Unobtainium is a stupid name. They can obtain it. It should be called really fraking rare but still able to be obtained -ium."
Adrien Agreste	As Tikki settles next to him, Plagg looks over, still mimic-mocking Adrien while he clambers over to insert himself into her lap, purring. He shouldn't be purring so loudly, but TV is on, and they are on the floor and he can blame it on his Chosen. Stupid, blonde, threw him on the floor... Plagg will have his revenge, and because it's a dish best served with cheese, there will be CHEESE!
Marinette DuPain	Between the quip and that silly, very Chat like grin --YeahNo. Wishful thinking. Moving on. -- Mari laughs. It's soft but warm and reaches her eyes. "I dunno, looks like it came off pretty easy to me." She even starts to turn her hed to look back at said shirt. "Wait. What?" She never quite makes it though. Instead, she turns and looks at the television skeptically. "Really? That's what they... It's just the word unobtain with i u m stuck on the end!" His alternative isn't any better though and has her giggling. He shouldn't be purring. It could get them caught. But he's all snuggled in and so cute and... Tikki sighs, lifting a hand to scritch behind the ear of her other half.
Adrien Agreste	I'm attached. It came off pretty easy. Adrien's mind chews on that. "Really, really. Un-obtain-ium. But Navi it's any better. American's are so unimaginative with plot, but the CGI's decent. Though Obvious Plot Hook is Obvious. Twin Brother, Chief's Daughter. I mean, Come ON already," Adrien grouces animatedly, hands motioning to the big flat screen that hands on the wall between two bookshelves. On the floor, Plagg's eyes close as he snuggles in for the pets. The flicks of aggitation are completely gone in favor of wrapping his tail about this creation half, as if hugging her.
Marinette DuPain	Mari's eyes fall to the young man who has his head in her lap. She can't help but smirk. "How many times have you seen this already? And should we try to find something you haven't see yet?" She can't help but be amused by his issues with the movie or the way he all but flails about them. Curled around and 'hugged', Tikki sighs happily. She misses her kitty and constantly being so close and /still/ not able to see him is torture. So, she pets and scritches. Happy for these moments when they come. "Are they any closer?," is whispered.
Adrien Agreste	"Fourteen," Adrien replis, his arms falling wide open. Because that just sounds pathetic. He tuens his head so he cannpeer up at Marinette, sheepish grin in place. "umm... good luck? ive watched almost everytbing on my neffliz account..." "He was laying on her lap. Im waoting for the annoying headrush when theybfinally kiss properly," Plagg replies in a whisper. "I just want them to say it already. im tired of not getting cuddles fromnyou whenever inwant...."
Marinette DuPain	Marinette's eyea widen before she laughs. "So... let's find something not on Netflix. Here." She hands him the remote. "Try... Mm... Amazon. And I'll be right back. I need to run upstairs and grab something." Gently, she slips out from under him and turns, leaving Tikki to just barely get herself and Plagg hidden in time. It's a quick trip upstairs. As promised. And when she returns, she's carrying a pillow and a lightweight blanket. "Annoying?" Tikki all but pouts as she leans in and nuzzles Plagg. "I miss you too."
Adrien Agreste	"I've watches through Amazon too..." Adrien admits softly, remote in hand as Matinette stands up. He watches her turn, nodding at her need to get something, and she's part way around the sofa when he remembers Plagg! He quickly peeks over the back of the sofa at his shirt, sighing lightly when there is no kwami to be seen. Because Tikki quick buried them in the folds of the fabric. A sigh of relief escapes him and Adrien turns to tey to find something saying NEW on Amazon. It's possible. He hasnt opened this account in a month. He's acrolling through Romance when Marinette returns - romance because action anime comedy drama horror and independent are all watched already - and looks up as Mari returns. He seems confused by the pillow and blanket. "Uuuuummmmm....." "Yes, annoying! Because it takes so long for them to remember some times, and so its annyoing. Itd be better if they just recognized what was going on the first time they saw each other. It'd save us so many headsches.... and Id get morw cheese."
Marinette DuPain	And that confusion is so cute! "Head up?" When he complies, the pillow is slipped under his head. "Now roll so you can see the tv? With you back to the back of the couch? Make sure you're comfortable okay?" In the meantime, the blanket is tossed over the end by his feet and she takes a seat on the edge to pull the ribbons from her pigtails and let her hair fall loose. "They were Chosen very young this time. They're still finding themselves, let along each other. Try to be patient, my kitty." Tikki sighs, snuggling close. "I know it's not easy." Not for her either.
Adrien Agreste	Adrien does exactly as told, green eyes confused but unafraid. He shuffles a bit to get comfy, but his eyes are on Marinette as she pulls down her hair. The menu offers for Gone with the Wind, Maid in Manhattan, Pride & Prejudice, Shajespesr in Love, Princess Bride, and Stardust on the Watcj Again? List. Amazon likes to offer frequently watched titles first, as so Princess Bride is high lighted. "You know, a few centuries ago, theu would have seemed so much older...." Plagg grumps without bit to his words, still purring, still curlwd about his redder half.
Marinette DuPain	Once he's settled, Mari reaxhes for the blanket and spreads it out. Once he's settled, she lays down in front of him, back to his chest and slightly lower so he can see over her. Once she's settled ans comfortable, she pulls the blanket up over them. Looking up and over her shoulder at him, she smiles. "Is this okay?" Tikki giggles, still petting. "A few centuries ago, they would have been married by now." She shrugs and snuggles down in with him.
Adrien Agreste	"Thatxs what I'm saying!" Plagg exclaims in a whisper, arms flaiking faintly. "Why do they always compicste things? All a car needs is warmth and cheese." Her snuggled against his chest has adrien's hesrt suddenly racing, and he nods way too quickly. "Yeah. ueah. of course. sure. no probkem. you have enough room? i mean, comfortable? umm.. yeah?" he forgot how to talk again.
Marinette DuPain	Those bright blue eyes stay on him as he answers. Maybe it's that he seems to have the same reactions she does if she lets herself dwell too much that gives her courage. She reaches back to take his hand and pull his arm over her. "There. Better. Do -you- have enough room?" Because she's plenty comfortable snuggled in against him. Petting to put him at ease is a littlw difficult at the moment. And Tikki grins at her mate's flails and excitement. "Yes but he's human." She's pretty sure. "Humans overthink." It's a known fact. "And pets." Because he needs those too.
Adrien Agreste	Hand pulled, Adrien stays a bit tensen finger tips barely brushing the light blanket covering her. He nods quickly, ar her question. H3 likely woukdbhave nodded if she were laying on him, crushing him. Not that he woukd fi d her crushing him.... Adrien just clicks play, because there needs to be something distracting him from the fact that there is now much less beteeen them than last time, where he was on the covers and wearing leather and he was promisong a better day and.... there goes his mind again. "Oh boy does he ever! He makes over thinking a damn sport !" Plagg grumps as the grampa on screen offers to read a book to a sick boy.
Marinette DuPain	"Are you sure?" Mari can feel the tension in him. Her eyes flick to the television and she smiles. "I love this movie." But then she's looking back at Adrien. "I can move if you'd like. I'd like you to be able to relax and enjoy the movie and not worry so much. Everything'll be okay." Tikki lets her mate rant, understanding his frustration and knowing he needs to vent. Mari can be equally frustrating her doubt and, sometimes, drama. "I don't think it will be a problem much longer."
Adrien Agreste	Stop over thinking! Channel Chat! only, not too much. a little Chat. Kitten Noir. Seriously, why are you even allowed to think somes days? Channeling a bit of his alter ego, Adrien lets a grin drift to his face as he gets his body to relax. "Positive," he says, almost leaning on that first syllable long enough for tgere to be some collateral punnage. "You? Like this movie? Inconceivable." Adrien quips, a cackle in his voice before she looks back at him. The lopsided feline smirk a degree as he shakes his head. "No no. You'rr fine. .. Itxs just... been a while since I watched a movie like this..." curled up, in a blanket, on the sofa. But he was a lot smaller then. "Thank goodness! I dont think anyone can handle waiting for thr reveal any longer. Can you imagine if my boy ran into an akuma alone? Sure, he coukd catch thr thing but wihout knowing he could just bring it home and ask yours to clean it, he's liable to do something stupid with it," Plagg grimbles into his purr.
Marinette DuPain	A bright laugh comes from Mari and she leans upnto kiss his cheek. "Well... Then... At least once a week, we should make time to do this. Just the two of us." She shifts so she's on her back a little more but still leaning against him, just so she can see him better. "We'll find a movie and curl up on the couch. Popcorn optional." Can he hear her heart slamming against her chest? It's almost deafening to her. Tikki winces and nods. "He is lucky." Which makes her smirk slightly. "I think Mari will bw getting back to thw rooftops soon too."
Adrien Agreste	Adrien grins at the kiss. A sly grin that warms at she says shed like to do this again. "I'd really like that, Mari." he says softlyn like its a secret just for them. His heart is finally calming, feelng her lean against him, hesring that she wants to spend timw with just him. It's a dream come true and it makes him sigh wistfully, lips swttlinf into something soft and vulnerable. That Adrien is lucky makes Plagg scoff likely, though he would love to believe it. He wont admit it but it bothers him, wspecislly wiith the lives he comes to csre for, when his Bad Luck destroys everythong foe them. "Oh good. He's a moron on his own." Can we nap now? Plagg's eyes close, the purring continuing.
Marinette DuPain	That sly grin of his makes Marinette smirk. A hand comes up to reach over and brush his hair back. "So would I." That soft and vulnerable makes her smile soften and when she rolls back over, once more drawing his arm over her, there's a sigh frim her that matches the look he wears. If she's not careful, she could fall asleep here. Despite just waking up. Tikki frowns slightly. She knows him well enough. "Come here kitty." Snuggling him close, she rests her head against his and closes her eyes, petting lightly.
Adrien Agreste	Three hours later... A chime sounds, then a loud rattle of plastic and metal on wood. Adrien huffs faintly, head turning to bury his nose into Marinette's hair, an attempt to ignore the sound and what it means. The second repeat of the noise is louder, more insistent and Adrien jerks awake. Head swimming, he tries to sit up, only to find a desd weight on his arm and part of his chest. Green eyes peer. Pale cheeks blush brihht pink. Carefully and yet hastily, Adrien struggles to free himself from the pleasant embrace. He left his phone, on the pianon across the room. That's his Dad"s ringtonen and if it goes to voicemail the next thing that happens is the builsing goes into lock down and Agreste paid security break down the door. In the folds of the overshirt on the floor, Plagg grumps aloud and shoves his nose further into the crook of Tikki's neck. "Cant they let tue boy sleep once in a while?" he mutters unhappily, while not extracting himself from his place. "Marinette? Mari? Prr... Please, let me up. I havr to get ym phone," Adrien is saying. His voice is soft, like he's trying not to wake her up while begging to be let up. The plea of his voice slides ever closer to panic, the desperation urgent.
Marinette DuPain	The souns didn't even register with Marinette. The last time she slept this soundly, she had Chat curled against her. It's the struggle that rouses her at first. That's when the ring starts to work its way in. "Hm?" It's a question followed by a whine of 'no don't wanna move'. And then panic is heard and Mari immediately rolls from couch to floor and up to her feet. It takes a minute for the adrenaline to settle and her to focus. "Your father?" Because who else would make him freak like that? A tiny little yawn comes from Tikki and she snuggles in. "Seems not. Poor kid."
Adrien Agreste	Free, Adrien clambers to the arm of the sofa and leaps off... still with the blankets half around him. It is the most ubgraceful faceplant inexistence, one that doesnt slow Adrien as he scrambles, feet barely finding purchase to get him to thw piano in time to swipe the call connected on the fourth ring. He scarcely even nods at Marinette. "yes, sir? .... I was... ....No, sir. ... Yes, sir. ... When?" Adrien's eyes sweep to the clock on the wall, a beautiful analogue thing that is more art rhan clock. His eyes widen. "Y-yes. I will be re- .... Yes, s-" Adrien sighs suddenly. His body, having been held in a rigid attentuon, trmbles faintlt on the edge of motuon. "Sorryn Marinette. I gotta..." His eyes flick to the clock again, almost as if it were a Miraculous on ita third beep, and withiut anothrt word he turns, bolts foe his shirt, sroops to grab it in both hands, like cradling it, and then rushes for the stairs, taking thwm three at a time. He hits the top landing, shirt ahifted to a wad against his chest so he can grab out with a frew hand foe the banister and use it to sling himself around. A few morw steps to his door and he slides on the hardwood, a cat hitting linoleum. He grabs for rhw door frame and yabks hinself back up right then into hia room, door slamming behind him.