wow over 100 followers! im so honored. special thx to reviewers u guys are the best, shoutouts coming up soon i think...
xo moonbaby
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Adrien turned. A tall, lean boy in expensive black skating clothes leaned rakishly against the wall of the rink, dark hair perfectly coiffed, dark eyes glittering with malice.
"What are you doing here." Marinette didn't turn to face him. Her voice was tight but controlled.
Michel glanced idly at his fingernails, clearly enjoying the upset.
"Well it seems that Alain is having a little trouble keeping the rink in the black lately.." He smirked, drawing out the words. "So Henri called in a favor. It's not every spring recital that has Euro Champ winners on the ticket. Sure to fill some seats. And when I saw that you were performing, Nettie, I just couldn't say no."
Marinette's mouth twitched at her old nickname, but her face was like stone.
"Well, we're done if you need to practice." She turned and skated pointedly for the exit, and Adrien followed.
Michel blocked the exit as they approached, looking Adrien up and down.
"Well done, Nettie, very nice." His voice was nasty. Adrien's stomach churned with anger. "I didn't know the Twinkle Toes practiced this late."
"Move, Michel."
"What, no kiss for me? You used to beg for them, Nettie." He laughed cruelly as Marinette clenched her jaw.
After a gloating pause, Michel moved and let them pass, reaching out his hand to brush Marinette's skating skirt as she went by. It took all of Adrien's willpower not to punch him in the face.
Marinette stalked into the dressing room and Adrien followed, closing the door behind him. She whirled around, eyes hard.
"Marinette.." Adrien's voice was gentle, his arms open for her.
Her stone face cracked and she collapsed into his arms, legs weak, her body heaving with furious sobs. Adrien held her close as she cried, arms clutching around his waist. Inside, a battle raged, as Adrien wanted to comfort and protect Marinette, but Chat Noir screamed to claw the smirk from Michel's sneering face.
Marinette's sobbing gradually subsided, replaced by silent, coursing tears as she tried to steady her ragged breath. She wanted to stay in the dark comfort of Adrien's arms forever, but Ladybug threatened to tie Michel to the top of the Eiffel Tower, naked, in the dead of winter.
She tried to pull away, but her knees collapsed again. Adrien caught her and set her gently on a bench, then knelt down, placing her hands on his shoulders for support. He untied her skates and loosened them slowly, tugging at the crossed laces from ankle to toe. With steady hands, he held her calf and tugged off one skate, then the other, as tears spattered onto her knees. Marinette felt her feet tucked into boots, and glanced up to see Adrien on his phone as he wiped her skate blades dry with a towel.
"5 minutes, ok. Thanks Natalie."
He handed her a clean t-shirt from his locker.
"Here." His voice was low and comforting. "The car will be here soon, we'll take you home."
Marinette hiccupped and nodded, drying her eyes on the the shirt, holding up her arms as he helped her into her sweater before untying his skates. His face was creased with worry, and he quickly got his shoes on and gathered their bags.
Adrien took her hands and helped her to her feet. Thankfully, Michel was too busy skating to harass them again, and they left through the entrance room. A muffled shouting came from Alain's office, as if he was yelling at someone on the phone. Adrien tightened his arm around Marinette's shoulders, never so grateful to be chauffeured.
Sabine opened the door, and Marinette pressed into her arms. Behind her, Adrien stood patiently, holding her gym bag, concern on his face. Sabine beckoned him to come in and sit down, still hugging her daughter.
"Oh Mom." Marinette started crying again. "H-he came b-back!"
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michel is the WORST but guys adrien makes me want to melt into a puddle of kittens