Marinette released loud squeak that echoed down the hallway when her hand was suddenly grabbed. When she saw just who had pulled her into a side hallway, though, she swallowed her scream.
"Sorry," Adrien said, looking a little sheepish. "I thought you heard me behind you."
"I must have been lost in my own thoughts."
He frowned. "How are you holding up? What my father said was completely unwarranted."
Marinette's brow furrowed. "Did you hear everything?"
"You didn't think I would just abandon you with my father, did you? I was waiting for you to follow me out, or at least follow Alix, but when you didn't, I stayed, ready to go in and get you." Slowly, his smile grew. "But then you were holding your own against my father. Listening to you…" he shook his head in bewilderment. "Every time I think I can't be any more proud of you, you prove me wrong, and it just makes me fall all the more in love with you."
Her heart fluttered wildly inside her chest as she absorbed his praise, and her cheeks flooded with color at the twinkle in his eyes. "I mean all of it," was the only thing she could think of to say.
"I know you do," he said, grabbing her other hand and using it to pull her closer.
"And I would do it again in a heartbeat." She was rambling at this point, but she really couldn't bring herself to care, not when he looked like he was going to kiss her and she desperately wanted him to.
"I know you would."
By now, she was leaning against him. One of his arms wrapped around her waist while his other hand tilted her chin upwards. Her tongue flicked out to wet her lips in anticipation as his head lowered to meet hers. "I love you, Adrien," she said on a whisper.
He stopped, only for a second, for his hand to move from holding her chin to cradling her head. She leaned into his touch, allowing her eyes to drift the rest of the way closed. She could feel his lips tickle hers when he whispered back. "I love you, Marinette."
And then he leaned forward the last little bit to lock his lips against hers. While Marinette wasn't going to complain about the slow, sweet way his lips caressed hers, she could tell he was holding back. It was on instinct that she wrapped her arms up around his neck, using her new leverage to pull him in and pour some passion of her own into the kiss.
Sharply, he took a breath through his nose before pulling away from the kiss, much to Marinette's disappointment. "Easy, Marinette. Please," he begged. "As much as I would love to stay here and kiss you senseless, the men are waiting for me in the office. I shouldn't keep them waiting too long and should show up presentable when I do."
Marinette pouted, but her cheeks flushed as she wondered just how unpresentable they could possibly get in a hallway. She bit her lip against voicing her thoughts, though lest her husband take that challenge. Not that she was against it, per se, but she was still embarrassed about Plagg walking in on them the morning after their wedding night. "Then you should go. Don't keep them waiting any more than you have too."
He pressed one last kiss on her lips. "I'm sorry, love."
"Don't be," she assured. "As unfortunate as it is, there are more pressing matters than kissing me."
"Very unfortunate," he responded through a smile. "But kissing you is still very high on my priorities list."
She giggled, her cheeks heating up. "You should go before I change my mind and don't let you go."
He forced himself to take a step back from her, but he grabbed her hands and didn't let go. "Come with me. I'm sure Alix has invaded the room already and won't be persuaded to leave."
Marinette wasn't sure if her answer was influenced by actually wanting to listen into their plan or to just be beside Adrien. "All right."
With a grin, Adrien pulled her to his side before guiding her to the library. He knocked before opening the door, drawing the attention of everyone in the room which, to Marinette's surprise, now included Alya and Tikki.
"We have a plan," Plagg said.
Adrien shut the door behind them, his expression growing serious. The addition of the two new women to their group didn't seem to affect him. "Go ahead."
Marinette listened as Plagg explained in great detail. A plan that was basically her own.
"It's a good plan," Plagg had said early on. "But it just needed a few adjustments to truly make it work as well as it can in our favor."
In simple terms, it was decided that Adrien would approach the king with terms of surrender, offering the gems to Hawkmoth in return for ending the war. He would take the ring with him for proof of concept, but the earrings would be withheld. Not only would this hopefully—that word made Marinette nervous—ensure the safety of Adrien, but also allow for several opportunities for Kim to head a squadron to assassinate Hawkmoth.
"As contradictory as it is," Kim spoke up, "the more time we get to spend around this Hawkmoth, the better. Not that we are going to drag our feet when it comes to completing the job, but we might not get any opportunities the first time around."
"Especially considering his favored places," Alix added. "He spends most of his time up in the tower. The window may be large, but unless he's standing right in front of it, I don't think there will be any good shot available to you. His other favorite place is his office. It's on the first level, so there is a better shot, however, there aren't any hiding spots for a distance. It's just the courtyard. There is a chance you could catch him if he was walking between the two spots, but there are two different hallways he uses, meaning you might miss him. The only other chance is the large sunroom in the back of the castle. It's open to the gardens, which should provide a good hiding spot for which to complete the mission."
"With a skilled archer, that is," Kim finished. "I'll admit I'm good, but not that good. I'll need someone who fits that profile in order to complete the mission. We only get one shot at this, and if we blow it, the chances any one of us walking out alive is slim."
Marinette swallowed as the room took on a weighty tension. It brought back to reality just how much danger they were in. This wasn't going to be an easy task. This was going to be a near impossible challenge, and that was only after they figured out how to get to France in the first place.
"Plagg," Adrien eventually said. The tone of his voice combined with the questioning quirk of his brow conveyed a whole conversation in one word.
Plagg sighed heavily, and Tikki took to his side. He didn't look at her, but the way he was grasping at her hand spoke volumes.
"You don't have to, Plagg," Adrien quickly told him.
"But," Plagg countered, "you need me to."
"I would feel assured that no opportunities would be lost. But I don't want to push you."
Marinette stared at Plagg, slowly piecing together what Adrien was asking Plagg to do. She knew his uncertainty had to do with his own trauma. Adrien wasn't the only one scarred from war, and while Plagg may have learned to live with it, it likely would always affect him.
The thought swayed Marinette to grasp her husband's hand.
Plagg noticed it, glancing down at their hands before looking at Marinette. His eyes drifted to Tikki, who gave him a reassuring look. Eyes drifting shut, he sighed. "Kim," he said. "I'll do it."
Kim didn't comment, though he looked like he wanted to. "All right. If Adrien has faith in you, so do I."
"Then Nino is with me," Adrien finished, giving an appreciative nod to Plagg.
Nino grinned. "I'll actually be able to go with you instead of sitting out with a broken leg."
Adrien smirked. "You were so delirious with fever, you could barely argue."
"I can't even remember. What I do remember was that you told me the day before you left that you were leaving while I still had weeks left before I was fit enough to go."
"You threw a fit large enough to rival a spoiled child."
Nino shrugged off the collective laughter with a smile. "What can I say? It was my duty as your closest friend to follow you into battle. Someone had to make sure you came home alive."
"I'd like to think it's more the other way around," Adrien teased.
Nino's soft half-smile proved it was likely true.
With the jesting over, Adrien grew serious again as he returned to the topic at hand. "If that is all, then I think the only other thing we have to discuss is preparations and the trip itself."
"I think the best chance you have at getting there alive is on the trade route," Alix immediately suggested. "I still have the note that Lila wrote to Theo Barbot. If you find someone to forge her handwriting, it will be easy to pass that way."
Adrien nodded. "I'll have to ask Nathalie for that. She won't like it, but she'll understand why I'm asking. I suppose you'll say next that going incognito is the best option."
Alix frowned in thought. "For Kim and Plagg, yes. For you, however, it might just be best to approach with white flags waving but still have a way to state who you are."
"We'll do that, then. I don't see anything wrong with it. I'll start preparations and we'll set off in a week or so."
Everyone voiced their agreement to the plan, effectively ending their meeting. Adrien dismissed them to their own rooms for the night, but Plagg hung back, Tikki still at his side.
"Adrien," he began.
Immediately, worry clouded Adrien's features. "If it's about going with Kim—"
"No, it's not that," Plagg assured. "I'll be fine, anyway."
Marinette wasn't sure just how certain she was of that if the way Tikki was rubbing his arm was any indication.
When Plagg noticed Marinette's gaze, his expression softened. "I was a skilled fighter in my unit, back in the eastern war," he explained to her, clearly drawing strength from Tikki being at his side. "My strength, though, was stealth. I could clear a camp in a few minutes without anyone seeing hide nor hair or me."
It took Marinette a few seconds to realize just what Plagg meant by "clearing" a camp. She pushed past the uneasy feeling that stirred in her gut, focusing more on how large of a toll that "strength" must have taken on Plagg.
"It earned me the reputation of being the 'god of destruction' on both sides of the war. That's why Adrien wants me on this mission. And before you say anything," he added quickly, his eyes hardening as Marinette shut her mouth, "I need to go. This isn't 'just another camp' with the sole purpose of pushing closer and taking out soldiers. This is potentially the end of this war. I have the ability to do it, and I need to."
Marinette could only nod in response, unable to form any words. If she had been able to she might have said that he didn't have to, that they could find someone else to do it. But the way Plagg grasped Tikki's hand, how he leaned towards her as if to pull from her strength, it proved that he did have a need to. That he did have very personal stakes in this war. He had Tikki and potential for a family with her. If Marinette knew Plagg at all, she knew he would give everything to protect that. So even though there might not be any children of his existing yet in this world, he was determined to ensure it was safe when they did come.
"You're a good man, Plagg," Marinette finally managed to say. "I'm sorry for ever thinking you weren't."
Her compliment seemed to have stunned him, but he managed to collect himself enough to nod his thanks before turning to Adrien. "What I wanted to talk to you about was on another subject entirely."
Adrien nodded for him to continue.
"Tikki and I want to be married before I go."
Suddenly excited, Marinette looked up at Adrien expectantly. Surely, he could make that happen in a couple days.
And the way he smiled proved it. "I'll see what I can do."
Tikki looked like she just might burst with happiness. Even Plagg was grinning widely. "Thank you, Adrien."
"Yes," Tikki agreed. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet," he said, "but I'm really happy for you two."
"Just as long as it's before we start out," Plagg said. "I'll be thankful."
Tikki anxiously nodded her agreement. When she glanced over at Marinette, she grinned. "As much as I would love to stay," she said, turning her attention to Plagg. "I do have duties as a lady's maid."
Marinette almost wanted to object, but honestly, she wanted to have a talk with Tikki more. That didn't mean she didn't feel a slight bit guilty when she saw the disappointment on Plagg's face.
"I suppose you do," he relented. He let her go, but not without pulling her hand up to his lips in order to place a lingering kiss on her knuckles. "Good night."
She patted his cheek affectionately. "Good night, love."
The sweet affection reminded Marinette she better part with her husband the same way since she wouldn't be seeing him tonight. Standing on her tip-toes, she pressed a kiss to his cheek. "I guess that's my cue to leave as well. Good night, Adrien."
He looked stunned by this but pulled himself out of it enough to kiss her forehead. "Good night, sweetheart."
With a grin, Marinette slipped away from Adrien's grip in order to catch up with Tikki. Once the duo arrived in the sapphire room, happy squeals were released from each of the girls before they embraced, a task made difficult by how they bounced on their toes.
"Oh, I'm so happy for you!"
"I'm very excited," Tikki said. "I've been waiting such a long time for this and now…eee!
From there, the conversation morphed to wedding details and how there likely wouldn't be many considering how rushed the event would be but what did it matter when Tikki was this happy. Slowly, as the girls calmed, the topic changed to families and children and how Tikki wanted five little ones running around.
"You best hope Plagg has the patience for that," Marinette teased, wondering how the stoic Plagg would handle five children.
"I'm sure he will," Tikki stated. "He may not seem like it, but I'm certain he'll make a fantastic father."
Marinette grinned in response. "I think he will, too."
Finally, after what seemed to be an hour, the girls finally calmed enough for Tikki help Marinette out of her dinner dress.
"Thank you, Tikki," she said once she was dressed in her nightgown.
"It's my job," she responded, "though I am fortunate to have such a wonderful friend that I serve."
The duo shared one last hug before they bid each other goodnight. Tikki left, shutting the door quietly behind her as Marinette took a seat at her vanity to brush out her hair. Tikki had not placed it in an intricate up-do for dinner, and instead opting for something very simple. Marinette took out the stylized braid, running her fingers through her locks as she gradually freed them.
Suddenly, her door creaked open. With her heart pounding, Marinette whipped around to face the sudden intruder.
Only to see Adrien shutting the door behind him.
Her heart steadied, but her curiosity did not. "What are you doing here?"
He almost looked sheepish, but the twinkle in his eye was too roughish for that. "I didn't want to sleep without you. Knowing you were so far away…it was too tempting a prospect to come beg to be at your side than risk facing a night alone."
A playful sort of smile crept across Marinette's face. "So you risk being labeled a rouge to sneak into a woman's room so far away from your own?"
His smile lost all hints of sheepishness from before. Now, he looked very much like a scoundrel and didn't seem ashamed whatsoever. "There was a time I swore I would never sink so low as to enter any one of these rooms. There was also a time I swore that the only woman's room I would ever dare to enter was my wife's." As he approached her, she could see clearly how his eyes gleamed in the candle light. "But I find myself in the predicament now as those two vows are contradictory."
She stood, closing the distance between them. "Then maybe," she teased tapping his chest, "you should follow the first one."
There was a fire in his eyes now. Marinette was sure it was no longer just the candlelight that created that smoldering gaze of his that sent her heart pounding. "Maybe," he countered playfully, "I don't want to."
She hummed, taking a half step closer so she could rest her hands on his shoulders. "Then I suppose if you were only to follow one of those rules, the second one is by far more important."
He grinned, engulfing her in his arms. "I'm glad you think so. Because you see…" he leaned closer, his nose nearly touching hers. "My wife didn't give me a good and proper good night kiss."
Her smile was uncontrollable. She wasn't sure how to answer that other than granting him his wish.
Sweet and soft and lingering and just enough to leave her dizzy, followed by another kiss just like it. They separated, content to just lean their foreheads together, their noses pressed against each other's. Marinette's eyes may have been closed, but it was as though she could see clearly. Children running around, coming to her, calling her mama, then running to their father and begging for a ride on his shoulders, just as she did as a little girl.
"Adrien," she whispered.
He hummed, his eyes drifting open.
"You once said that I could ask you for anything."
He leaned away so he could see her clearly. "I did. And I would do my best to grant you anything."
"Well…when this is all over," she whispered, "I…I would like a family. Maybe not as big as what Tikki wants, but…a family nonetheless."
His whole expression softened. "Sweetheart," he cooed, taking her cheeks in his hands. "I promise you, once this is all over, we'll start a family. There is nothing that sounds better to me than that. To have kids of our own."
With a smile, she reached up to take hold of his wrists and leaned into his hands. "Two or three," Marinette added.
"However many you want sounds wonderful to me. A family, any family, with you sounds wonderful to me."
Her heart hurt with the happiness that filled it. She leaned forward, snuggling against his chest and wrapping her arms around his torso. His arms came around her, cocooning her up in a sweet embrace that he completed by resting his cheek on top her head.
"But in order to do that," Marinette finished, her mind traitorously wandering back to the conversation in the library, "you need to come home alive."
He squeezed her tight, an action Marinette was mirroring. "I promised you I would do my best to grant you anything. I will do everything I can to be safe, to make it home to you, but I really can't promise anything."
As Marinette held her husband, she realized just why Tikki and Plagg were in such a rush. Tikki had sworn that there was no other man like Plagg, that she would never find another. As for Plagg, there was no one other than Tikki. With Plagg now being the prominent assassin on a risky mission, they wanted to spend whatever time they had left together as husband and wife. Maybe the wedding would provide a strong enough illusion of happiness until the men left. Even then, Marinette hoped with all her heart that all of them would come home alive and well. There was no need for any husbands dying on this mission.