Chapter Eleven

Marinette had expected great drama at work, instead she had a busy day which didn't involve Gabriel Agreste in any shape or form. His son, however, was another matter. While Adrien wasn't in the building, he made his presence known via text message at least once an hour. She suspected it was his way of showing support while also checking if his father was being a nuisance.

On her way home, her phone rang and she immediately thought it was her partner. "Hey," she answered with a sultry tease.

"Um, hello." Came the voice of Alya.

Blue eyes widened as the girl missed a stepped. "Alya! How are you?"

"I'm good but not as good as you it would seem. So, who's the guy?"

"Uh… why would you assume there's a guy?"

"Miss-all-breathy was kind of a give away. You don't normally answer the phone like that, at least to me." Alya chuckled.

Swallowing, Marinette admitted. "I thought you were Adrien."

"Oh-ho. Now you've got my interest. Has your all-time hottie been calling?"

"We've been texting most of the day." Not a lie but not the total truth either.

"What about?"

"How my work day was going."

"Just work?"

How did one answer that? "Mostly." She wasn't about to divulge the fact that Adrien had taken a photo of six marshmallows lined up on his abs stating: 'The all-you-can-eat buffet is open'.

"Mostly? Come on, girl. Sounds like there's more to this story than what you're saying."

Marinette grit her teeth as she tried to think up an innocuous answer. "We've been seeing each other." Gah, too open!

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, followed by a sudden scream of excitement. "Ohmigod! How could you not tell me straight away!"

So much for secrecy. "Well, it started off casual."

There was a loud gasp. "You've slept with him! You slept with Adrien Agreste!"

Marinette had to hold the phone away from her ear and a number of people turned her way to stare. She had no doubt they clearly heard what Alya had just said. Heck, she dearly hoped her best friend was at home and not in public.

Readjusting the phone against her ear and ducking her head, Marinette hissed, "They didn't hear you in New Zealand. But everyone here got the message."

"Shit. Sorry, Marinette. Look, how about you come over for dinner and we can catch up? It's been ages."

"I'll have to check my calendar." She hedged, hoping to buy more time. She needed to get her story straight with Adrien before they started broadcasting the news to their friends and family.

"You better not ditch me for a guy, Marinette."

"I wouldn't dream of it but my schedule is pretty busy."

"With hot dates, I hope."

Marinette couldn't help but smile at Alya's tone. She didn't know if patrols counted as hot dates but so far they'd generally resulted in steamy sessions in the bedroom.

"Let me check when Adrien's free and we can all catch up."

"While that would be nice, I'd also like a girl's night. Nino is driving me crazy at the moment."

"What did he do now?"

"He refuses to abide by the laundry schedule we agreed on. Then complains that he has no clean underwear. Honestly, if he tells me how underpants can be worn four times by turning them inside out, back to front and vice versa again I'm going to scream."

"You could just buy him a ridiculous amount of extra underpants."

"I could, but I doubt he'd wash them."

A devious smiled crept across Marinette's lips. "You could put itching powder in a dirty pair he's planning on re-wearing."

Alya actually cackled. "Now there's a plan that could work. I need to go do some research." She didn't fail to add, "Text me some dates when you're free and we'll lock something in. Remember, I need details, girl."

"Okay, I will." Marinette promised as she bid her best friend goodbye and hung up. A heavy sigh escaped her the moment the call ended, however her grin returned as she noticed she had a missed call and another message from Adrien. Maybe it would be more photos of his fabulous abs.

There was a reason why Gabriel Agreste hadn't spoken to Marinette. It was because his son had gotten to him first. Adrien was no fool, while his father had no right to ask Marinette about her private life, he would probably find a way to intimidate her into doing so. The fashion designer knew how to make people squirm. Adrien had first-hand knowledge on how well the man could manipulate with a cold stare alone.

It came as no surprise when Gabriel summoned Adrien the moment he set foot back into the mansion. The older man would be wanting answers to their prior conversation. Probably expecting there to be some pressing drama he needed to sic the PR department onto. Gabriel's inability to trust his son to do the right thing after years of social grooming still irked Adrien.

"Father," he said in greeting as he stepped into the design studio.

"I see you are finally home," Gabriel countered as he continued to stare at his large touchscreen.

Adrien ignored the less than subtle jab, knowing it best to refrain from speaking his true thoughts. "Has there been any changes to tomorrow's schedule?"

Gabriel lifted his chin towards his assistant. "Nathalie has updated all the details, as far as I'm aware there are no last-minute amendments." The designer paused to look up at his son, his gaze coolly assessing. "You need a shave."

Adrien ran his fingers on the underside of his jaw. "I was planning on doing so this evening."

"Do it now, that way if you miss any stubble you'll get it on the second pass."

The model held back his eyeroll. "Yes, Father."

A muscle pulled taunt in Gabriel's cheek as he pushed his glasses up his nose with a single finger. "Why didn't you tell me you were going out last night?"

"You were busy and I didn't want to disturb you."

Gabriel shifted his hands behind his back and turned to face his son. "You do know you can tell me if you are seeing someone."

Adrien let out a sigh. "As you know, Marinette and I have been friends for a long time. We've been catching up of late and… our friendship kind of evolved into something more." He held his father's gaze with a touch of anxiety. "I think I love her." Inwardly Adrien knew for a fact that he did feel that way, but the apparent suddenness of this development would come across as odd to his father.

The corner of Gabriel's mouth turned upward and his grey eyes softened. "You deserve to be happy." Shock had Adrien's eyes widening while his father cleared his throat. "Does she reciprocate your feelings?"

Adrien nodded as he recalled how Marinette had almost said what he presumed was going to be 'I love you'.

"Good, I've always liked Marinette. She's very talented and wears her heart on her sleeve. It was pretty obvious from when you were teenagers that she was smitten with you."

Somehow Adrien's eyes grew even bigger. "Are you saying…"

"That she's had romantic feelings towards you for a while? Yes, yes I am."

Well that was a revelation to the model. One which had a broad grin spreading across his face.

"Given the expression you're wearing, I'm assuming you're going to see her again tonight?"

"Yes," Adrien said without losing the vibrancy of his grin, "Most definitely."

Concern lined Gabriel's brow. "You need to be careful. As I said to you on the phone, once your relationship becomes known to the media, certain assumptions will be made regardless of the truth."

Adrien became defensive, his hands curling into tight fists. "Marinette is not using me. If that had ever been her intent she would have made a move before now."

Gabriel gave his son a look of understanding. "I believe you, Adrien. She's not manipulative by nature. But scandalous news sells. I'm not trying to put a dampener on your relationship, I'm merely warning you of what is likely to come."

Dipping his head, the model gave a single conceding nod.

With the discussion apparently at an end, Gabriel tapped his left wrist. "Make sure you're on time tomorrow." To Adrien's surprise there was a touch of mirth in his father's eyes. "I remember how all-consuming young love can be."

The smile returned to Adrien's lips. "I'll set my alarm."

Dismissed from his father's studio, Adrien retreated to his room. Plagg wasted no time in pigging out on camembert, no doubt eating his own weight in the stuff before settling down for a snooze in the empty box. Meaning Adrien was given a chance at some peace and quiet.

Lathering his face with shaving cream, Adrien rinsed his hands before picking up his razor. With practiced ease he shaved off the blonde stubble with slow strokes and let his mind wander. The conversation with Gabriel had gone far smoother than he'd imagined and having expressed his feelings towards Marinette to his father had been uplifting. Even at twenty-one, he still felt a sense of accomplishment when Gabriel approved of his decisions.

Rinsing the razor in the sink full of warm water, Adrien checked himself in the mirror while running his hand over his lower face to ensure he hadn't missed anywhere. Satisfied that he'd done a good job, the model wiped the residual shaving cream off with a towel and pulled the plug from the sink.

As he meandered out of the bathroom his phone pinged with a reminder. It was almost time to hit the home gym and meet up with his personal trainer. But before the model changed into the appropriate clothing, he couldn't resist sending Marinette a flirty text. The response was almost immediate but he didn't have a chance to counter until they stopped for a break an hour later.

Between each of his tasks for the day he continued to message her because he simply couldn't help himself. After years of not knowing who his partner was, and finally making the connection he'd only dreamed about, nothing was going to stop Adrien from forging a stronger bond between them.

By the time late afternoon rolled around he strode purposefully into his room, deposited himself at his desk and booted up his computer. As always, the background image of him with Emilie flashed up and Adrien wondered what she would have thought of Marinette.

Green eyes darted briefly to the slumbering kwami in his top pocket as he considered whether to voice his question out loud. Sometimes he liked to talk as though his mother was listening. He could only assume she had passed away, not that his father had ever gone into the details of why she'd vanished in the first place.

Inwardly, Adrien knew Emilie would have approved of Marinette. His own personality was similar to his mother's, sometimes to the point that they'd irritated each other due to being so much the same. "My lady is more amazing that I ever imagined," he murmured to the screen, praying that Plagg was fully asleep.

There was no response from the cat kwami and the model let out a sigh of relief.

Opening his internet browser, Adrien was about to do a search for one of the pregnancy websites Marinette mentioned when he noticed the news feed. The headline of 'Chloe Bourgeois' Blog Causes Further Uproar' practically leapt out at him from the monitor.

"What has she done this time," he grumbled to himself as he opened the link. With a quick skim of the story he discovered that Chloe had been sniping about another socialite, Anya Reddington, who had donated oodles of money to charity for ocean conservation. Apparently, Chloe had stated that the other girl should stop eating such copious amounts of food in case she was mistaken for one of the whales she was trying to save. Then continued to say that Anya was only doing the whole charity bit for publicity, not out of the goodness of her heart.

Adrien let out an annoyed growl. He'd met Anya and knew she was genuine in her concern for endangered species. "Chloe, when will you keep your opinions to yourself?" He could practically feel the akuma in the making.

Picking up his phone, he immediately dialled his partner. His teeth clenched when he got a busy tone. Raking a hand through his hair, Adrien shot a text to Marinette asking for her to call him as soon as possible. Flicking on the TV, the model turned up the volume and waited for the news channel to show him what he was fully anticipating.

Marinette was just reading Adrien's message when the most awful noise blasted through the air. People all around her covered their ears and ducked into wary crouches. The sound resonated between a high-pitched shriek and low sonic boom, knocking some individuals off their feet.

Lowering a hand protectively to her belly, Marinette raced into the nearest open doorway and tucked herself under a café table. Her fingers worked furiously to type out a message to Adrien. There would be no way he'd be able to hear her if she called. She listed her rough location and a description of what was going on then hit send.

With no time to waste, Marinette scanned her surroundings. She wasn't the only one crouched beneath a table. Parents huddled with their children, covering their own ears while leaning over to shelter their offspring. Such a display wasn't uncommon during akuma attacks but it was the first time it made Marinette really cringe.

There was nowhere secluded enough for her to transform in the room, so Marinette slunk away from her hiding place and raced out the doorway. The moment she left the confines of the café she was struck by the full force of the noise. Ducking her head, she sprinted to the nearest alleyway and tucked down between a pair of dumpsters and transformed.

Ladybug's hands shook as she covered her ears when another shriek sounded. As she stared at the pavement, her partner dropped down before her and when she glanced up he extended his hand holding a pair of earplugs. Ladybug would have laughed as she took in the full sight of Chat Noir, with earmuffs covering his real ears and wedges of foam lodged into his feline ones, if the noise hadn't been so bad. Shoving the earplugs into her ears, she felt an immense sense of relief.

Again, her hand came to rest low on her abdomen and Chat Noir gave her a look of concern. She was able to read his lips as he asked, "Are you okay?"

She gave him a thumbs up but he didn't look convinced.

The shrieking paused and the duo straightened. Chat Noir looped an arm around his partner's waist and lifted them to the rooftops by extending his staff. At the higher vantage point they were able to get an idea of where the akuma was. A larger lady hovered in the sky, dressed in grey, blue and white flowing materials which mimicked the movements of the sea.

Chat Noir let out a frustrated growl as he took in the appearance of the akuma and Ladybug raised a masked eyebrow at him in query.

Leaning close he explained. "Another result of Chloe's blog."

Unfortunately, the volume of Chat Noir's voice drew the attention of the akuma. Ladybug clasped her yoyo in her hand as her partner shifted before her and settled into a defensive stance. She wanted to ask him what he was doing, they were a team and always took things on together. He only ever assumed this sort of posturing when she under threat or in need of a diversion.

His hand moved to his back and he tapped a finger on her yoyo. Ladybug understood Chat's meaning. He was giving her a chance to call up her lucky charm. Unlike their younger days, both Ladybug and Chat Noir no longer had the worry of a five minute countdown once they evoked their individual powers. With maturity and better control of their miraculous magic came an extension of time. The counter now gave them five hours, except when they called up their powers again, meaning each additional request shaved an hour off their timers until they had to revert back to recharge their kwamis.

Ladybug called out, "Lucky charm!" and a skipping rope dropped into her hands. Chat Noir didn't bother looking over his shoulder to see what the item was. Seven years of partnership meant he trusted her with her job as she did of him. As Ladybug peered about, seeking how she was to use the conjured item, the akuma opened her mouth and unleashed her sonic boom.

Chat Noir was busy spinning his staff into a shielding manoeuvre but they still skidded backward under the intense thrust of power. Ladybug leaned forward to hold her position but was slammed against Chat Noir's body as he lost his footing. Her partner reached back with one hand to steady her against his lean frame. The rigidness of his taunt muscles giving away just how outraged he was by the attack.

Once she was stable on her feet, Chat Noir let Ladybug go and vaulted forward on his staff, going on the offensive.

Spinning her yoyo in a protective shield, Ladybug considered the lucky charm. She needed to get closer to the akuma as her task became apparent.

"I am Sea-Screamer," the akuma yelled with a scathing glare. "Feel the pain you inflict upon the inhabitants of the oceans!" It was then that the akuma pulled a harpoon gun from her shimmering tendrils of material.

"Cataclysm!" Chat Noir bellowed in a livid voice. His right hand bubbled with black dots as he closed the distance to Sea-Screamer and vaulted above her with the intent to sweep down and touch the harpoon gun.

But Sea-Screamer dodged and fired the gun at Chat Noir. Ladybug flung her yoyo, snagging her partner's ankle to reef him away from the harpoon. It narrowly missed his side as he dropped to his feet and gave her a quick nod of thanks. Releasing him from her yoyo, Ladybug began spinning the skipping rope like a lasso above her head.

Sea-Screamer reloaded her harpoon gun and aimed it at Ladybug.

"NO!" Chat Noir roared as he threw himself forward only to be whacked across the side of the face with the barrel of the harpoon gun.

Lining up her prey, Sea-Screamer pulled the trigger on Ladybug. At the same moment, Chat Noir launched upward, smacking the harpoon gun with his right hand, causing it to disintegrate. But he wasn't swift enough to stop the projectile from being launched.

Ladybug already had her yoyo spinning in tandem with the skipping rope, the yoyo was held before her while the skipping rope spun like a propeller above her head. The harpoon deflected as it touched the yoyo while the heroine released the skipping rope. A wooden handle smacked into Sea-Screamer's throat while the rope spun around her body, tying her arms to her torso.

Chat Noir tackled the akuma to the ground, spotting the glinting choker at her throat. Ripping it off, he crushed the centre gem in his hand and released the tainted butterfly. Ladybug raced over to him and cleansed the akuma while Chat untangled the lucky charm from the now disoriented woman.

"What happened?" she gasped.

"You were akumatised," Chat Noir explained as Ladybug finalised their work and the magical beetles restored the damage inflicted.

Ladybug held out her fist to her partner. "Pound it."

Rising to stand, Chat Noir gazed at her fist with worry before he bumped it lightly with his own. "Pound it." But before she could drop her hand he caught her wrist. "Are you alright?"

Pulling the earplugs from her ears, she lifted her chin for Chat Noir to follow suit. With a quick tug, he removed the earmuffs and chunks of foam, blushing as he realised he'd been yelling his question.

"I'm fine, Chat," she smiled.

Those feline eyes dipped to her lower belly as he arched a questioning eyebrow.

Ladybug impulsively laid her hand where his eyes rested. "Miraculous Ladybug fixes everything, remember?"

"Yeah, I know." He said as he looked away.

"Until next time," she smirked over her shoulder as she walked away from him.

Chat Noir gave her a hot once over and pointedly looked in the direction of his apartment. "Can't wait."

OMG that chapter took a lot to write. Not so much the akuma fight but the lead in. Hence the delay. But it's done!

Thanks for your patience, I'll start drafting up the next chapter now. As always, your support is always appreciated as are your reviews! Until next time :)