Marinette took a deep breath and glanced at Mr. Agreste's secretary. Nathalie nodded encouragingly, urging her onward. Marinette steeled herself and knocked three times on the oily black door of the study of Gabriel Agreste.
"Enter."
Marinette grasped the doorknob, turning it and pushing open the door.
Mr. Agreste didn't appear to have moved even five feet since his previous meeting with Marinette, but he glanced up from his computer as Marinette walked into the room.
"Ms. Dupain-Cheng," he said coldly. "I thought I told you to leave."
Marinette bit her tongue, forcing herself to speak. "I-I did sir. But I came back." She gestured to the chair behind the desk. "May I sit down?"
Adrien's father studied her, then nodded once.
"Mr. Agreste," Marinette began, clenching her fists in her lap to keep them from shaking. "Adrien told me that you forbid him from going to school because he met me there, is that correct?"
Adrien's father nodded briefly. "If I cannot trust him to stay out of trouble, he must remain under supervision."
"Sir, is falling in love getting into trouble?" Marinette said boldly. She shifted in her chair before continuing. "Mr. Agreste, I know Adrien. He chafes under orders, he's stubborn, and he has a nasty temper when people threaten him or his friends." She smiled wryly. "The more you push him, the more he pushes back."
Mr. Agreste nodded hesitantly, not answering.
"I can understand why you don't want us to be in a relationship," Marinette acknowledged, "But Adrien needs to be in school. He loves it, and he's an excellent student." She tilted her head. "And the more you try to keep him from going, the more he'll alienate himself from you. It makes me sad to see him so put out and...and upset about his relationship with you." Marinette's voice trembled, and she clenched her hands harder. "I want him to be happy, sir, and I care about him. I hope you can be the father he needs right now." Marinette trailed off, watching Adrien's father closely. Mr. Agreste's gaze had dropped as Marinette had pressed on, and his eyes rested on Marinette's shoulders.
"Ms. Dupain-Cheng," He began, and Marinette braced herself for a lecture. "...did you design your own clothes?"
"Oh." Marinette blinked, relaxing. "Yes, yes I did."
"Hm." Mr. Agreste pursed his lips. "I am impressed yet again." He cleared his throat. "Ms. Dupain-Cheng, I hope you realize that my relationship with my son is none of your business." Marinette's throat tightened as she felt a wave of despair. "Y-yes sir."
"But," Adrien's father continued, "I admire your courage and boldness in coming to speak to me about my son. In addition, your skill as a fashion designer is notable." He paused and studied her. "Adrien is lucky to have a friend like you."
Marinette's heart bubbled in her chest, and she resisted the urge to cheer. "Thank you, Mr. Agreste."
"I've decided that Adrien is to remain in school," Mr. Agreste went on, rising to his feet, "So long as he manages to stay on top of his school work and busy schedule. You are free to continue in your relationship if he keeps his schedule and his modeling. Your designs for him will also be considered in the upcoming photoshoots."
"Thank you, sir!" Marinette beamed, also jumping to her feet.
"And you must watch out for him," Mr. Agreste said softly. "If anything happened to him..."
"I will, sir." Marinette nodded firmly. "I will."
Adrien paced nervously in front of the worn wooden bench beneath the Eiffel Tower. The sun was setting over the Seine, and the orange and purple sky reflected on the river, but Adrien was too distracted to notice.
"Plagg, what happened?" Adrien demanded, "Ladybug had to save me? From what?"
"I don't know," Plagg yawned and nestled down on Adrien's shoulder. "I was asleep."
"You're so lazy," Adrien accused. "The world could end, and you'd sit there asleep with your camembert."
Plagg's ears twitched. "Mmm, camembert."
"Did someone say camembert?" Marinette strode over to Plagg and held out a small slice of cheese.
"Yes!" Plagg exulted, snagging the cheese from her hand. "Finally, someone gets it!"
"Marinette!" Adrien swung around and threw his arms around her. "You're okay! I was worried when you took so long!"
Marinette laughed. "What, no trust in the lucky bug?" She squeezed him and laid her head on his shoulder. "I'm just glad you're okay."
"What happened?" Adrien insisted, pulling away and putting his hands on her shoulders. "What happened to Aphrodite?"
"She...she made you love her instead of me." Marinette's gaze slid away from Adrien's. "Just like I dreamed."
Adrien started, his eyes widening. "That was your nightmare? That I would leave you in a fight?"
Marinette shrugged, uncomfortable. "And that you didn't want me anymore."
"Oh Bugs." Adrien winced and cupped his hand on her chin, looking her directly in the eye "I-I'm sorry."
"It's okay," Marinette assured him, smiling faintly. "I saved you, so it's all good."
"But...but you were so nervous earlier, with the curator." Adrien knit his brows thoughtfully. "What changed?"
Marinette exhaled, thinking. "I guess I realized that everyone else believed in me, and not only was I the only one you could save you, but I really, actually could do it." She shrugged. "So I stepped up and took care of it."
"Wow." Adrien stared at her in open admiration. "I'm proud of you, Marinette."
Marinette winked. "That's not all I did today. I went back and talked to your father. He-"
"You did what?" Adrien exclaimed, startled.
"Shh, I'm not done yet." Marinette's eyes twinkled as she put her finger over Adrien's lips. "He's going to let you go back to school, and to let us stay together as long as you keep wearing my designs and stay on top of your schoolwork."
"But...but..." Adrien stumbled back, collapsing on the bench behind him, astonished. "H-How? What did you say?"
"A lot of things," Marinette admitted, sitting next to him. "One of them must've done the trick."
Adrien's jaw hung open as he stared at his girlfriend in amazement.
Marinette giggled, taking her finger and pushing his jaw closed. "What? Is that so surprising?"
"You really are Ladybug," Adrien said softly, his eyes wide.
Marinette burst out laughing. "Did you have any doubts, Whiskers?"
"I love you," Adrien announced, slipping his arm around her and pulling her closer. "Will you kiss me, you miraculous Ladybug, you?"
"Well, since you asked so nicely..." Marinette winked and put her hands on his chest. "I guess I can kiss the coolest Cat in town." Her eyelids fluttered closed as she kissed her boyfriend.
Maybe neither of us is perfect, she thought to herself, Adrien's lips tight against hers, but we do need and trust each other, which gives us all the power we need.
Awww. :) Yeah, sorry about the rough finish. I really needed to get this done...but I think it turned out pretty good, right? Leave a review if you agree!
So, I'm signing off for a year and a half! Hopefully Season 2 will actually be done by the time I'm back, right?
Thank you for reading!
~Maylyn~
