Marinette stretched out on the bed, and felt something warm against her back. She froze in place, trying to clear the sleepy fog from her head. Then, it all came rushing back to her. Adrien, Cat, discovering who he was, sleeping together. She had been sure it was a dream, but when she turned her head to the side and saw him sleeping soundly next to her, she knew it had truly happened. She bit her lip to suppress a smile that threatened to crack her face wide open. Then that smile disappeared completely. They hadn't been very careful or smart. She wasn't on birth control, and they hadn't used protection. Fear and worry gripped her. What if she got pregnant? What would she do then? Her stomach felt sick at the idea. Not that she had anything against Adrien, but she wasn't ready for something like that.
"What are you thinking so hard about?" She nearly jumped as he spoke. She had been so deep in her thoughts that she hadn't heard him wake up. She turned fully to face him, and he smiled at her. It was so good to see him smile again, and she found herself smiling back.
"Nothing important. I just have a lot of work to do. Oh no, what time is it?" She hopped from bed and looked at her clock. It was only noon, thankfully. She put a hand to her chest and breathed out.
Adrien watched Marinette jump up in a panic. She was adorable even when she was panicked. He propped his head up on his hand and watched her rushing around to get dressed. He wanted nothing more than to drag her back into bed, but they didn't have protection, and it wasn't a good idea to risk it any more than they already have. That was no doubt what had been on her mind when he'd woken up and saw her forehead creased in thought. She'd been so lost in her head that he'd been able to watch her for a few moments undetected. Now that he knew she was Ladybug, he couldn't believe he never noticed before. Everything from the way she moved to the way she talked was exactly like his little ladybug. His heart felt full to bursting, but they had a lot to talk about. Unfortunately, he'd have to leave soon to do the last rehearsal before the runway show tonight. She'd be there, and he was suddenly feeling nervous about it. Now she knew all parts of him, and there was a certain feeling of a burden being lifted from him now that he had someone to share his secret with. It was sweet relief, and he was glad that things turned out the way they did. He still couldn't get over the fact that she hadn't wanted to reveal herself to him. It had hurt him so badly, and that hurt still lingered even now. They really did need to talk, but that would have to wait until later.
Marinette dressed and looked over at Adrien. He lay in bed as if he didn't have a care in the world. She rather liked the image of him in her bed, but they both had things they needed to do. He rolled from the bed and she not so discreetly watched him as he put his clothes back on. He looked at her with a raised eyebrow, and she blushed. He looked so good, and she knew his smell would linger on her sheets for days.
"I wish I could stay, but I have to go get ready for the show tonight," Adrien said regretfully. She wanted more time with him, but she understood. She still needed to go over the file some more, and then get dressed for the fashion show.
"I have a lot to do to get ready for it, too. We'll see each other tonight, I promise. I'll be in the crowd cheering you on." He kissed her again, this time drawing it out into a long, slow tantalizing kiss that left her breathless. He rubbed his thumbs along her cheeks and kissed the tip of her nose before walking out the front door. Marinette sighed and then began panicking once she was left alone with her thoughts. She'd just slept with Adrien, Cat, and it had been…amazing. Did this mean they were together again? They wouldn't be patrolling tonight more than likely due to the fashion show, so she had some time to really think things over before they had to transform again. This all changed everything for both of them. It would change everything from her interactions with Adrien to her crimefighting with Cat. She just hoped she was ready for these changes. Only time would tell.
Marinette walked through the doors of the Grand Bohemian Hotel after flashing her VIP pass to the bouncer at the door. It was crowded and people in beautiful dresses and suits filled the space. She didn't look half as glamourous as these people did, but she thought she held her own. She wore a floor-length red dress with a red flower decorating her hair. She applied her make-up a little heavier for tonight's event. She searched the area for Adrien, but realized he was probably in the back with the rest of the models. She didn't know how he could get up in front of all these people. She was also very clumsy so there's no way she could have gotten up there without falling on her ass. Speaking of, her everything was sore and thoroughly loved. She could feel twinges of pain all over her body from her activities this morning, but she didn't regret a single second of it. All she regretted was that they weren't careful about it. She shook her head to clear her thoughts and milled about the room. She wasn't supposed to drink tonight, so she passed up on a flute of champagne that a waitress had brought by. She could have really used it, but she needed to keep her wits about her. She scanned the room before recognizing a designer from the file her boss had given her. She went over to introduce herself and ask a few questions.
"Hi, my name is Marinette. I'm here to conduct the interviews on behalf of Velour Magazine."
"Ah, yes. Ms. Valencia told me you'd be here tonight. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have." She felt relieved that this was going to well already.
"Okay, my first question. What inspired you to make your collection tonight?" She listened to his answer, writing it down on her notepad. She asked a few more questions and then let him go on his way. She was killing this so far. She wandered around the room bumping into a few more designers and asking them the questions given to her in the file. Now all she had to do was interview a few models after the show and she'd have all she needed for the article in next months issue. So far tonight was going so well that she thought maybe her luck was looking up after her horrible week last week. She made up with Adrien/Cat in more ways than one, and her work was easier than she'd thought it'd be.
Soon it was time for the fashion show to start. The lights dipped down low and music began playing. Spotlights shone on the stage, and soon a few models began walking down the runway showing off extravagant clothing. Marinette knew none of these outfits were street ready, but they were still beautiful to look at. It was definitely a couture line. Model after model came down the runway in succession, and Marinette was beginning to get bored. All these outfits looked too similar for her to hold interest any longer. But then, the male models began coming out and she knew Adrien would be out soon. She perked up and waited. It wasn't long before he graced the stage. He moved in his feline way across the stage, all graceful and poised. It was no wonder he did so well as a model. She watched him raptly, her eyes never leaving him. When he caught her eye, he gave her a wink and she smiled brightly.
Adrien walked down the runway with purpose. He knew Marinette was out there somewhere. When he reached the end of the runway he saw her and winked, and was rewarded with her gorgeous smile. She looked so drop dead gorgeous tonight in her red dress. He wanted to hop down off the stage and drag her away from here. Never in his life had he ever been so affected by a woman. Yes, she would definitely be the death of him. He could barely drag his eyes away from her to complete his turn down the runway. Somehow he managed to peel his eyes away and walked back to where he started.
Marinette sighed with happiness. The look he gave her told her he had promises in store for her. She couldn't wait. It took another hour before the fashion show was over, and Marinette's feet were killing her from standing in these heels all night. People were already beginning to leave. She waited by the closed doors that led backstage and waited to speak to the models. Before she could speak to any of them, she felt a hand wrap around her own and begin dragging her away.
"Hey, what are you doing, let me go," She yelped. She turned around to see Adrien at the other end of her arm. "Where are you taking me?"
"Just trust me." He led them through a door that led to a large room filled with tables lit with candles. This must be where the dinner for the designers and models would be taking place. He immediately took her into his arms and pulled her in for a kiss.
Adrien felt like it'd been forever since he kissed her when it had only been a few hours. Her lips played against his as if they were made just for him. He felt her hands coming up to thread through his hair, and she pressed herself flush against him. He loved how she responded to him when they were kissing. He broke away and took her hands in his.
"I'm glad you're here," he said with a small smile. "It makes up for my father being here. He's probably looking for me now." He knew he sounded bitter, but he couldn't help it. His relationship with his father had only continued to decline the older he had gotten.
"I'm glad I'm here too, but you should probably go. I'm sure there's a lot of people looking for you, and I have to get at least one model interview." He only smirked because she sounded so neurotic.
"You can just interview me if you want," He said this as if the idea should have been obvious to her in the first place. "It'll give me a reason to stall having to talk to my father."
"Okay, thank you, Adrien. First: what did you think of the designs tonight?" She got down to work, not wanting him to be pulled away in the middle of their interview.
"They were all very lovely, but not as lovely as you."
"Adrien! I can't write that down." He just laughed and shook his head.
"Okay, okay. I thought they were lovely pieces and I felt honored to wear one of them." She scribbled his words on her notepad and asked a few more questions. He stayed professional through it, and she was thankful he wasn't in one of his playful moods anymore or she more than likely wouldn't have gotten anything out of the interview. She deducted that his rapidly declining mood had everything to do with his father, and she felt awful for him. She had such a great relationship with her parents that she couldn't even fathom what Adrien must go through.
"Adrien, there you are. Your father wants you to come meet some people." His dad's personal assistant came into the room to deliver the news. Adrien looked upset, and Marinette hated seeing him like that. He gave her a kiss on the hand and left the room with the assistant on his heels. She stood there in the dimly lit room and thumbed through her notes. She thought she did a fairly good job on getting together everything her boss had asked of her. Feeling like she had no other business here, she left the room and started making her way towards the exit. She looked over and saw Adrien standing next to his father within a circle of men. He put on a smile, but she could tell it was fake. He looked miserable, and she wished she could drag him out of there. He didn't catch her eye so she left without a goodbye.
When she got home it was a little after eleven, and she couldn't wait to get out of her dress and into something comfortable. She kicked her heels off at the door, then went to her room to change. Once she was in her comfy clothes, she laid down in bed.
"Are you going to be okay," Tikki asked. "You've had an eventful day."
"I'll be fine. I have a lot to wrap my head around, but I think with some rest I'll have a clear head tomorrow."
"How do you feel about Cat being Adrien?" That's one of the things she had yet to really let sink in. It felt so surreal to think they were the same person.
"I really don't know, Tikki. I think I'm maybe okay with how it all is working out." She yawned and rolled over in bed. For the first time in a long time she fell right off to sleep.
She woke up to her alarm clock blaring beside her. She stretched and rolled out of bed, heading towards the bathroom to get in the shower. After her shower she was feeling mostly awake, so she got dressed and headed out the door. Today she'd be presenting Ms. Valencia with her interviews from last night, and she couldn't be late. Marinette walked hastily towards work, clutching her bag to her side as she half ran. It was beginning to rain as she stepped inside her work building. Hopefully it'd be gone by the time she met Alya for lunch. Stepping inside the elevator to go up to her floor, Marinette triple checked that the notebook with all her notes was in her bag. She kept panicking that she left it at home.
"Marinette, meet me in my office in five." She had just stepped through the door to her office when her boss immediately commanded her presence. She rushed to her desk to put her things down and prepare for the meeting. She got her papers all together and went to meet her boss in her office. She knocked on the door and heard Ms. Valencia mumble. She opened the door and went inside, closing the door behind her.
"Ms. Valencia, I have all my notes from last night with me here," she said, pulling her notebook out from under her arm and placing it on the desk in front of her boss. She picked up the notebook and flipped through it, pausing to read her notes carefully. It took nearly fifteen minutes for her to go through and read everything twice. Ms. Valencia slapped the notebook closed and looked at Marinette. Her eyes narrowed and she opened her mouth.
"Good work, Marinette. You did a fine job. I'll let you know if we need your services again." Marinette nodded and stood up from her chair and nodded. Was that it? She actually did a good job? She smiled to herself as she went to sit at her desk. She felt like her job was finally worth it after all.
That night she left to go on patrol and waited for Adrien to show up. He didn't take as long to show up as he normally did. He had a wicked little smile on his face as he approached her, and he swept her up in a hug.
"This all feels so weird now, doesn't it?" She laughed a little but nodded. "Now that I know who you are, I can't see you as anyone other than Marinette."
"I feel the same way. You're just Adrien to me now." This was their first patrol after discovering who each other was, and she knew that now they were fully in sync. They had no secrets between them anymore. They left the alley after a quick kiss and began patrol. Luckily they ran into nothing suspicious and they were just getting ready to part when Adrien spoke up.
"Until tomorrow, little ladybug." She smiled at his easy air as he kissed her cheek and strode away.
Once she'd made it back home she couldn't sleep. She was too awake to get any rest. She lay there thinking over everything that'd happened over the course of two days. Now that she'd had time to think things over some, she realized that she truly was happy that Adrien turned out to be Cat after all. It was as if fate were handing her the keys to happiness. A tapping sounded at her front door and she frowned in confusion. Who could possibly be here this late at night? She looked through the peephole to see Adrien standing there. With a smile she threw open the door.
"Miss me?" He leaned against her doorframe and bent down so that his face was inches from hers.
"Get in here." She pulled him into her house and shut the door behind him. "Why did you come here? Not that I mind, but you never come over on weekdays."
"I missed you, and I didn't get as much of you as I wanted earlier." He just continued smiling as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head and pulled her along to her bedroom. "Don't worry, I came prepared this time." He dropped a box of condoms onto her bedside table. Marinette immediately felt her body flush with desire. He hoisted her up and threw her down on the bed, pouncing on top of her. This was going to be one long night in the best of ways, Marinette decided as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a kiss.
It was two in the morning and Marinette looked over at Adrien and watched the rise and fall of his chest in sleep. He looked so peaceful that she was afraid her tossing and turning would wake him. As she stared over at him, he began mumbling in his sleep. She couldn't make out all that he was saying, but she was sure she heard an 'I love you' in there somewhere. She settled back down into her blankets and closed her eyes. She had no idea how things were going to go from here on out, but she was happy for the moment. Marinette cracked her eyes open one last time to look at Adrien's sleeping frame, then fell asleep huddled up next to his warmth.
