HAPPY HOLIDAYS! I have returned from the land of education and exhaustion and I guess this update can count as a present for the holidays for everyone that has stuck around ;*
As a heads up, in August I went back through the story and edited a little bit – tried to create more of a timeline and find inconsistencies (I could probably still improve it but it is better). Nothing really major but yeah so if you are interested you can go ahead and read through again… Also, I am open to suggestions or edits. Or plot ideas. ("plot" because this story doesn't really have any but that's okay) I am really sorry that this chapter has been so delayed – this semester was somewhat brutal schedule and work wise (plus what are motivation or inspiration?) – BUT I am now half way done with my last year of undergrad so there's that.
So, I want to give a huge thank you to reyxa (one of my absolute favorite fic authors) for recommending this story on tumblr and saying some wonderful things and for just being a beautiful ray of sunshine. (There was some muffled screaming when I saw this on the list. And some not so muffled screaming in my tags but its fiiiiine) ((I may still scream a little thinking about it))
Also, some big thanks to KitKat, Psychic_Possession on ao3, and bestangelbaby on for talking about these chapters, inspiring events, and supporting me - even when we didn't talk for a while.
Almost three months had passed since Marinette had requested Gabriel's assistance and the three of them were almost done with the pieces for her plan. Currently, she was admiring their hard work before she went to join Adrien for dinner at his apartment. They had taken to cooking dinner for each other a couple times a week. It had been challenging Adrien to learn a few new recipes so that they did not end up with grilled cheese or eggs every time that he cooked. Marinette really treasured this time together, just the two of them with food and conversation – the kissing was an added benefit too.
Hopefully, she could finally figure out what was bothering him tonight. Adrien had been acting off for the past month or so. Mari had some suspicions that it related to Nathanaël as she had been spending quite a bit of time with him working on this very special exhibit.
Ignoring the fact that she loved Adrien completely and wholeheartedly, he really had nothing to be jealous about seeing as they bonded over him and gushing about their respective relationships. Marinette had learned very quickly that Nath was about as straight as a circle, though he would argue that as an artist he should be able to appreciate the human body, especially one as attractive as Adrien's. Also, his partners sounded like some of the most wonderful people that Marinette had yet to meet. They had tentative plans for all of them to go for brunch or drinks after they pulled off the plan.
Since Adrien's flowery event, when they got together as an official couple, things had been relatively calm. Not to say that it was all quiet – they were still their adorable, if somewhat flirty, selves – but it was nothing extravagant. Though to be fair, that was because Mari had been working with Nath and Gabriel on her own big project. This was probably the most work Marinette had put into the War since it had begun because it required so many pieces. It was worth it, however, as there was now a small gallery in the museum that she was going to show Adrien in the morning. She smothered a cackle because she was going to get him with this and it was going to be glorious.
…
When she walked into Adrien's apartment she found him muttering to himself as he finished the dinner preparations – which looked to be roasted rosemary chicken and what she really hoped were dauphinoise potatoes (those being her favorite). Apparently, Adrien had not heard her come in and as she carefully, stealthily moved behind him she started hearing more of what he was saying.
"Marinette…late… probably… stupid Nathanael. Harrumph… just want… see my girlfriend… too busy to spend time with me apparent- AHH! FUCK… Marinette. You really scared me – when did you get here?"
From her position wrapped around him, she spoke into his back, "I did wait until you put the knife down and maybe less than 5 minutes ago. I am sorry I was late, I had to finish up a few things at work. But it means we finished the new gallery and I cannot wait for you to see it in the morning… You seem upset about something – I heard you talking to yourself. Are you alright, mon chaton?" Adrien wiggled around in her hold until he was facing her and able to wrap his arms around her as well.
Dropping a gentle kiss on her forehead, "I'm better now that you are here, mon chou. I look forward to seeing it. You hungry? I am almost done with the salad if you want to get the table ready." As he spun her towards the cabinets with the plates and glasses Marinette scowled slightly at him for skirting around her question.
He continued to hedge around the subject throughout dinner whenever she brought it up and it was annoying Marinette to pieces. Eventually, she decided to table the discussion for later and just enjoy spending time with her love. Adrien began to relax a little more when she moved away from the topic and they talked and told stories, enjoying the time together and making each other laugh.
It was all going well until the fire nation attacked Mari began to talk about the exhibit and how much help Nath was with all the work and how nice he is. She didn't notice Adrien's nearly immediate shift from happy and content to irritated and grumpy. He felt himself getting more upset but didn't say anything while she told him a story about Nathanael and a paint bucket and something about his father. Marinette finally looks over to gauge his reaction and shocked, her story stutters to a halt when she sees how upset her boyfriend looks, sees him practically attack the food left on his plate – hacking away at it with his knife and spearing bites with his fork.
"…Adrien?" the softly whispered question caused him to look up to see concern and surprise swimming in Marinette's eyes. It was only then that he realized how tightly he was gripping his utensils – to the point that his knuckles had turned white. Slowly, he released his too-tight hold on them and took a deep breath and reconnected his gaze with his girlfriend's.
"I'm sorry, Mar. I guess I have been a little stressed lately. And I have missed you – you have been so busy with the exhibit lately and we haven't been… us? Or at least haven't spent time together without discussing work. If it is okay with you why don't we have dessert and then just cuddle on the couch for a while?" She was still worried but agreed to the suggestion. They spent a content couple hours lying on the couch wrapped around each other and just enjoying being together. They shared gentle chaste kisses and silly stories in quiet tones to protect the moment, to stretch it as long as they could. Eventually, Marinette had to leave as she lived a good distance away from Adrien and it was getting late. They delayed at the door, neither really wanting to say goodbye preferring to stay together as long as they could but Marinette managed to slide herself out of his arms and out the door.
...
He was honestly really worried. Adrien knew Marinette loved him but she had just been spending so much time with – ugh – Nathanael and talked about him so much that it grew into something he was legitimately concerned over and would get himself worked up about it. He wasn't exactly sure what he was specifically worried about – self-doubt was often something that came into play when he started thinking about it. Questions of why Marinette, one of the (if not The #1) most wonderful women he has ever met, was with him, what she saw in him, if he was worthy of her, all that sort of thing would run through his head and he hated it. Even when he knew it was all in his head, as a result of the situation and her work relationship, it was hard to get it to stop, to put a lid on feelings of jealousy.
He was kicking himself for being this stressed over something he knew was probably nothing as he walked through the museum the next morning. Hoping to find Marinette, he had been wandering around, not really paying attention, for a good five minutes or so when he heard her laugh. Adrien perked up and turned to find her outside of the small separate gallery room. The hopeful smile that had started to unfurl on his face withered in sight of him standing there with his princess. Nathanael had a hand on her shoulder, grinning, and Mari was bent over slightly laughing while her hand rested on his extended arm. Jealousy and anger instantly started boiling in Adrien's gut at the sight and he found he could no longer stop himself from demanding to know what was going on with them.
Marinette, still laughing about Nath's prediction of Adrien's reaction to the exhibit, managed to get herself under control as she heard footsteps approaching and straightened up to greet the person she assumed to be her boyfriend. She was right but was unprepared for the look on his face. It was something that she had never seen before and she could almost feel the heat from his intensity – in his eyes, there was this barely contained anger that sparked like lightning over a roiling sea of what she could only label as jealousy. Mari really had no idea what could have caused this but took a step forward to meet him. Nathanael slowly inched away from her to create more space, to escape the dangerous, almost scarily attractive predator that was stalking towards the pair.
As he got within a few feet, Adrien snarled out, "Someone please explain to me what the hell is going on between you two because I cannot take it anymore. You spend so much time together and Marinette talks about you so often. I just really need to know what the fuck is going on."
Marinette was unable to move or speak she had been so unprepared for this reaction from sweet, dorky Adrien. Nathanael hesitantly spoke up, cringing backward when Adrien settled his glare on him directly, "We are just friends, and have been working on an exhibit that required a lot of prep work. She talks about you all the time… though given the exhibit it isn't that much of a surprise," his words dropping off until barely audible to the point that Adrien missed the very last part of what the other young man said.
Something different in Adrien's eyes (doubt?) when he turned towards her finally pulled Marinette out of the daze she was in, some spark of ire ignited a fire in her chest and she ground out a response through the hurt. "Do you really doubt me that much? Trust me so little, Adrien? I love YOU! I have spent so much time with Nath because he has been helping me do this for you, you ass!"
She reached behind her, slammed the door to the gallery open and managed to shove Adrien into the room before storming off because she was so upset with him for thinking anything like that. As soon as he gained his bearings and balance again, Adrien realized how much he messed up.
For all over the walls were beautiful paintings of Adrien, of Adrien and Marinette.
"Fuck. I fucked up."
"Yes, yes you did," he was only slightly startled by Nathanael and his father speaking in unison from the doorway, and then Gabriel continued, "Now figure out a way to fix it."
ahahahhahahaahhaha I (and 2 other people) know what is coming next but that is going to have to wait ;) (I love it a lot honestly) and, okay, so maybe there is a little (tiny) bit of plot for now…
also, for context, currently going with Nath being pan and in a poly relationship with Rose and Juleka - in part because of personal headcannons and lack of desire to be more creative.
And like I mentioned in the notes above - thank you to those who helped with ideas and everything and to reyxa for the recommendation for this fic ((((ahhhhhhhhhh))))
Thank you so much for reading and please let me know what you thought!
