Chat Noir landed on the roof of the bakery and leaned against the brick wall on the patio. His heart was pounding. They'd just been separated for only a few hours, but it felt like his feelings had been magnified ten fold. He'd immediately collapsed and hyperventilated in shock on his bed as soon as he'd gone home. Trying, as hard as he could, to detach himself from her so he wasn't overwhelmed. He'd managed in her presence, but once he was alone the walls came tumbling down.
Marinette might not understand if he'd collapsed in a blubbering mess in her arms. He had to talk about her in the third person or it would have been too much. He was afraid he'd have spooked her if he'd turned into a ball of mush in her arms. It was supposed to be a happy day, dang it! Sure, she was his wife, but they weren't there yet. She was Marinette. She was Ladybug. He'd spent too long building up that stronghold of a facade that he'd forgotten where he'd hidden the key a long time ago. Luckily for him, Marinette came armed with a pick axe and it made his knees shake just thinking about seeing her again.
"Chat?" a head popped out of the hatch.
"Marinette?" he was breathless. It took a quick shake of his head to get his emotions under control. He was about to pass out with anticipation. It was building in his gut. The realization had really sunk in and hit home when he'd left her. He had been lost in his own mind at the weight of this. He was still in shock and denial.
"Come in, you silly kitty!" she exclaimed reaching for him, "It's going to rain."
Adrien crawled in after her. Marinette lounged back on her bed and Chat crawled in after her. He laid his head against her shoulder and rubbed his cheek affectionately.
"You really are a cat," she laughed running her fingers through his hair, feather light. The physical contact was still new. They'd gotten comfortable with each other, but then the doubt sunk back into her mind when they were apart. It was so new that it wasn't like getting back on a bicycle. No, this was so much more complex.
Adrien noticed her hesitation to touch his hair so he grabbed her hand and helped her massage his scalp with a hum. When she pushed more firmly on her own he smiled.
"Is that what you wanted?" she giggled shyly.
He purred in response.
"I really like it," he nodded. Adrien craved her touch. She was ambrosia. "Are you staying?"
The question hung between them for a minute and Marinette stopped breathing. She hoped he'd stay.
"Do you want me to?"
"Yes." The lack of hesitation brought a brilliant flash of white splitting across his face.
"It would be an honor, my lady." Chat detransformed and Marinette chuckled. He was already wearing his pajamas.
"You came prepared," she squealed excitedly.
"I did hope you would invite me to stay," he blushed, "I wasn't sure."
"What are you doing tomorrow?"
"I might be able to see you tomorrow night. I'm booked pretty solid for the next couple days. Father has an ad he wants to get out and it's going to be two days of on and off photo shoots."
"Sounds..."
"Dismal," Adrien sighed.
"Come back to me when you can, kitty," she yawned, "Bed time for now. I'm tired."
He wrapped his arms around her with a sigh and whispered, "I never want to let you go."
"I don't want you to," she whispered back and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. Her lips came away from his face wet and salty; a tear. She wrapped her arms around his waist and snuggled closer to him, "My sweet, sensitive Chaton."
Adrien smiled against her hair. How lucky he felt to have this girl in his life. It was the last thought before he succumbed to sleep.
The following day Chat made it a priority to sneak away and visit Marinette after his full day of photo shoots. He'd talked to his father about bringing her to the house and the plans for their shoots had changed. Plus, there was a little drama he'd gotten caught up in that afternoon which delayed his visit.
Nino was beside himself in Barcelona because Alya was 'flirting' with a guy there. Apparently, he was gay, which Nino found out the hard way after making a fool of himself and feeling guilty about it. The drama was just never ending. Adrien listened to him rant and tried to be supportive, but he really couldn't do a whole lot without being there.
By the look of Marinette, her head on her pillow and her phone next to her open hand, he could only assume she'd been putting out related fires with Alya. He smirked, glancing down at her sleeping form. The temptation was too much. Instead of waking her up, to let her know he was there, he dropped his transformation. Slowly, he slipped in alongside her, beneath the covers, and pulled her gently against his chest so he could hold her. He intertwined his legs with hers and buried his nose in her neck. Breathing in the scent, he smiled when the smell of vanilla and mint reached his nose. His arms automatically squeezed her gently trying to get that much closer to her.
At about 5:30 am, Marinette woke to the sound of Adrien laughing sweetly in his sleep. She smiled and turned to face him. His arms reflexively tightened around her as she wrapped her arms around his torso and held him close. This was how she'd like to wake up every morning.
Adrien yawned and stretched, wiping his eyes, and peeked down at Marinette. He smiled as he noticed she'd wrapped herself in him, too.
"Good morning."
"Morning, kitty," she nuzzled his chest.
"My father wants to meet you," Adrien whispered. "On Friday, I'll pick you up and we'll have supper."
"Friday?"
He could hear the question she hadn't asked, "I have to do a shoot on location in Monaco tomorrow. I didn't know we'd be gone overnight until today. Natalie had apparently tried sending me text messages, but I had been ignoring her for obvious reasons." Nino.
"So you are going away?" she squeezed him tightly, "I was looking forward to doing this again tomorrow."
He kissed her forehead and smiled, "Patience. We'll get a chance to have more nights together soon. Don't worry. We'll go apartment shopping and maybe get a place that we can share." Marinette beamed up at him. "A place we could practice on those kittle-bugs." He placed a sweet kiss on her shocked nose.
Marinette's stomach fluttered and warmed, the heat rising up into her cheeks, at the idea of that experience with Adrien. An image flashed into her head of panting and petting, and she gulped, suddenly feeling awfully hot at his close proximity and her blossoming feelings. She tried to move that idea out of her head, but couldn't resist a touch. She slid her hand up under his t-shirt and caressed his bare back gently with her fingers. He shivered and gasped under her palm. She smiled in response.
"You want me," he whispered, looking in her eyes in the dim light through her window. He smiled, "I want you, but our time will come. That time isn't now."
"I know," she sighed into his neck, "I just wanted to feel you."
The next night had been lonely, but Marinette got text messages from Adrien. It was the first night they hadn't seen each other since their secret marriage. It was strange to ache for his touch when she'd only been with him for such a small amount of time. She thought her crushing on him was bad! It had nothing on this.
A: Are you awake, lovebug?
Adrien was curled into his comforter on his king sized bed. The cocoon was an attempt to comfort himself without her. In the past he'd have stretched out to his full capacity, but now that just reminded him of her absence.
M: Yes. How was your day?
Marinette was wrapped around her pillow and clutching it to her chest. His message brought an instant smile to her face.
A: Same old, same old. Yours?
M: I worked in the bakery.
A: Was everything delicious?
M: Yes, everything we make is delicious.
A: I can't wait.
M: For what, kitty?
A: To bring you home so you can cook for me.
Marinette's breath caught and she snuggled her face into her pillow.
M: That sounds wonderful. I'm ready!
Adrien smiled to himself. The idea of sharing, and building, a home with Marinette made his stomach flutter and his heart soar.
A: I miss you.
M: I miss you, too.
A: This bed is too big for one person.
M: I wish I could be there with you.
Adrien smiled at that. How he wished the same.
A: Someday. I feel like a part of me is missing.
"Aww," Marinette sighed to herself.
M: I feel the same. Come back to me soon.
A: And still not soon enough.
M: Sleep well, Chaton.
A: Sweet dreams, my lady.
It was finally Friday and Marinette was rushing to find something appropriate to wear to Adrien's. She pulled out a little blush pink dress she'd made with maroon rosettes embroidered on vines around the bottom and then a matching belt. The top had off the shoulder sleeves and a gathered bust. It was simple, yet formal, and perfect for having dinner with Adrien's father. It was one of her favorite pieces she'd made; both style and craftsmanship.
Adrien pulled up to her house in the same car he rode in everywhere. She could tell he wasn't driving when she saw him step out of the back door from her balcony.
She'd curled her hair and pulled them together with a ribbon tied as a headband around her head. It matched her dress with a little red rosette on the top.
Running down the stairs she could hear her parents greeting Adrien in the store.
"Marinette is just upstairs. You are welcome to come up," Tom said opening the door. Marinette was waiting. "There she is! We were just coming to get you."
"Hi, daddy," she smiled. Then Adrien peeked in, "Adrien." He blushed as she looked on him affectionately.
"Your mother wants to get a picture of you in this dress, Marinette," he smiled. He turned to Adrien, "Every dress Marinette makes, Sabine photographs her wearing it. Well, unless it is for someone else, but she still gets a picture. SABINE!"
Sabine came rushing up the stairs with a camera, "Coming! Yes, stay right there." Adrien was loitering around behind them and Sabine urged, "Adrien, why don't you get in there with her. She doesn't have to be in the picture by herself. You are looking mighty handsome tonight, too."
"Thank you, ma'am," he smiled.
"And this is for a supper with your father?" Tom asked with some surprise.
"Yes," Adrien nodded.
"I don't think we get that dressed up for a date, let alone my own family," Tom mumbled to himself. Marinette and Adrien exchanged glances. Her parents had no idea how the other side lived. She didn't, either, but she was going to be learning.
"Have fun, guys!" Sabine gave them each a hug and sent them on their way with a cloth filled with cookies, "Don't spoil your dinner, but if there's not much substance to it, take these just in case."
"Thank you, maman," Marinette waved as she ran out the door, "I love you both!" Her hand went to her lips and she blew a kiss after them.
The car ride was relatively short. Adrien didn't miss the way Marinette kept chuckling to herself next to him.
"Care to share with the rest of the class?" he inquired.
"Do you remember the last time we were in this car and going to your house?"
Adrien's eyebrows scrunched in confusion and then skyward as he remembered, "Oh, lord." He put his head in his hands, "I'd completely forgotten."
"I didn't," she smirked, "It was the highlight of my day."
He peeked at her in disbelief, "I thought you were angry. You looked like you were never going to talk to me again."
"NO!" she exclaimed, "I was embarrassed."
"Because I..."
"Yeah," she nodded, "I liked you a LOT and you didn't return that affec-"
"I did," he corrected, "In a different form." Chat, obviously.
She nodded, "That you did, but I didn't know it was you."
"Our lives are so complicated."
"Not anymore, I hope," she smiled at him.
He picked up her hand and brought it to his lips, "I love you." He felt compelled to tell her just as much as he really needed to hear her say it back. His eyes glistened and she could see it was immense emotion inside of him. The way his eyes sparkled spoke volumes.
Her heart melted. "I love you." She still blushed when she said that, and so did he, but it was becoming more comfortable between the two of them each time they said it. Adrien beamed back at her and rubbed the back of her hand against his cheek.
They pulled into the driveway of the Agreste Mansion and Adrien walked around to open the door for her. Marinette grasped his hand in hers, but she couldn't tear her eyes away from his house. She'd been here before, but for some reason this was the most intimidated she'd been. Gabriel Agreste was in that building, right now, waiting for them...her.
"I'm so nervous," she muttered.
He squeezed her hand reassuringly, "Don't be. He likes you."
"I hope you're right," she grinned, "I packed him some more cookies."
Adrien's smile grew, "You didn't."
"I did," she nodded, "You said he liked them."
"I never thought my own wife would be my competition," he chuckled.
"Not competition," she smirked, "I'm your companion. We're going to warm the cockles of his heart so he shows you how much he loves you."
"Good luck," Adrien grumbled moodily and frowned. His father was a sensitive subject for him.
Adrien pushed the doors open and met Natalie there in the entrance.
"Adrien," she greeted, "Your father is expecting you and...you're the girl from the bakery." Nathalie's eyes widened and her voice betrayed her surprise.
"Marinette," Adrien said firmly.
"Marinette," Natalie nodded, "Nice to meet you." The edges of her lips were twitching while she suppressed a smile.
She offered Marinette a hand and she shook it. Then she let herself smile, "The pleasure is mine." Adrien noticed it wasn't Nathalie's stiff, business smile, either. It was genuine and he was touched.
As Adrien lead Marinette towards the dining room, Natalie sent Gabriel an update on his pager.
Ms. Sancoeur: On their way. She is enchanting.
That was Natalie's raving review of Marinette. Natalie knew by the glint in Adrien's eyes, and an unspoken communication, that his father wasn't supposed to know who he was bringing to dinner. Natalie could have said the girl from the bakery or Marinette and he'd probably be able to pick it out. Natalie knew he wasn't looking forward to meeting some random girl who is probably trying to marry Adrien for his money or fame. He had a whole list of questions he'd spent all week writing to try and figure out the intentions of this mystery girl in order to determine whether or not she was worthy. Natalie chuckled to herself thinking about all the wasted time he'd spent writing, and memorizing, all those questions that were likely to die in his throat when he sees Adrien's dinner guest.
Gabriel was rarely surprised. In fact, he could probably count less than a dozen instances and only a handful of those were pleasant. This was not his type of dinner date and he knew Adrien was keeping this girl a mystery just to annoy him. This was one of those times he'd relinquished control and he should have known it would go badly. He had given him a little bit of space and he'd gone and abused his consideration. Gabriel sat at the table unfolding and refolding his napkin. It was a nervous tick he'd picked up years ago when he was getting started in design. He worked in a classy lounge for moguls and spent a lot of his time folding napkins and polishing silver; two things he found cathartic to this day. He was already addicted to the feel of fabric and the shine of metal accessories so it was only natural.
He glanced down at his watch and huffed. He'd sat down to the table ten minutes early. There were three minutes left. One thing he hated was tardiness. That's when his pager blipped. "On their way. She is enchanting," he mumbled to himself, "I'll be the judge of that, Ms. Sanceour." He didn't even attempt to hide his frown. There was little doubt in his mind that he'd be disappointed.
Just then the dining room door swung open and Adrien stepped in. He turned to offer his arm to his guest. Her arm nestled gently in his as he walked her in. Gabriel's eyes widened and his frown disappeared to be replaced with a pleasantly surprised smile.
"Adrien!" He was definitely surprised. "And Marinette," he cooed, standing up and rushing over to greet them.
Adrien's eyes widened in shock at his father's casual and openly friendly attitude towards Marinette. He even remembered her name. He exchanged glances between the two as if maybe they'd pulled one over on him, but then shook his head slightly, embarrassed, as there was no way that could have happened. He was just in awe at the change in his father's demeanor.
Gabriel reached out for Marinette's hand. She gave it to him and he kissed it, "Enchanté mademoiselle."
Marinette giggled, but managed a curtsy while Adrien attempted to keep his wits about him. That's when his father turned to face him and he gulped.
Gabriel tried to level a withering look at his son with a stern expression. He would have succeeded had his eyes not been sparkling or his lips twitching at the corners of his mouth. Those two things gave him away. Adrien was initially afraid, but then he beamed at his father. The moments were rare, but he was sure he was proud of him.
"Son," he started, "You told me Marinette was not the one."
Adrien looked down at his feet, and smirked, "Yes, sir." He glanced back up and composed himself.
"That was inaccurate, was it not?"
"It was," he nodded.
"Is there a reason you would withhold such satisfaction from me?" Satisfaction in being right and in gaining a gifted daughter-in-law that he approved. Gabriel's eyes were still twinkling, but he'd managed to get his voice and mouth to cooperate into his trademark stoic persona.
"I wanted it to be a surprise, father," Adrien looked at Marinette in an attempt to hide his partial truth; he did want to surprise his father, but that wasn't 100% accurate.
Gabriel bought it, "Well, I must say, it is a rather pleasant surprise." He turns back to Marinette and gestures to the table, "Please, have a seat."
Marinette walked to the table with Adrien who pulled out a chair for her. Adrien took the seat across the table from her, to the left of his father. Gabriel reached out and clasped Marinette's hand.
"Welcome to the family, my dear," he bowed his head.
Marinette was a little choked up. She'd prepared herself for the worst. Adrien had said how cold his father was, and she'd heard rumors, but this interaction had gone smoothly. "Thank you so much, Mr. Agreste."
"Gabriel," he smiled and placed his napkin in his lap, "Call me Gabriel or father; Mr. Agreste is no longer appropriate." His smile was gone, but he was overall pleasant. Adrien was beside himself with pride in Marinette and a little surprised.
Gabriel had geared up for the worst. He was so pleasantly surprised to see Marinette there it had shaken his foundations. The relief was evident in his actions. He and Adrien didn't always see eye to eye, but this was a decision he could live with. He was getting a talented, hard working daughter-in-law that made his son happy. He glanced up at his wife's picture and smiled to himself. Someday, she'd come home and this was one of those moments he'd be proud to reminisce. There were so few of those.