It was a couple of days after the incident with Gabriel. Marinette didn't feel exactly good about what had transpired but she had to move forward nonetheless. Marinette packed Hugo and Emma's lunches for the day and started cooking breakfast as usual. However, she wasn't as fully into it as before, her mind kept going back Gabriel's conversation with her and she felt chills down her spine. Soon, she heard two pairs of footsteps barrel down the stairs and she turned around to find Hugo packing his stuff and Emma spinning around the room. Soon, she heard Louis come down the stairs and let out a soft chuckle, watching Emma.
"What a weirdo... Emma, you're gonna get dizzy if you keep spinning," Louis called out to her as she stopped spinning and looked at her older brother with a pout. Hugo snorted and rushed over to Marinette who gently guarded him from the stove.
"Stay away from the stove sweetie, it's hot, you guys ready for school?" Marinette asked as she felt Louis walk behind her and prepare his own lunch on the opposite counter. Hugo nodded and walked back to where he was to pick up his backpack, "Hugo, got your inhaler?"
"Yep, got everything..." Hugo mused as he zipped up his bag and Emma bounded in step with him towards the door as Louis slipped a toast into his mouth and grabbed his lunch and backpack.
"Alright, Mom! We'll meet up at Grandpa Dupain and Grandma Cheng's house later right? I'll take Hugo and Emma straight there from school!" Louis called out as Hugo and Emma waved at Marinette as long as they could before he shut the door. Marinette called back out to them and sighed as the door closed and she could hear the faint steps of her children fade. Marinette sighed as she looked around the condo and sighed again wistfully to herself.
"Well, might as well get ready," Marinette walked to her room and got ready for the day. Today, Marinette thought to go with a magenta button up blouse with the bottom tucked in by a white pencil skirt. She kept her hair in the usual long wavy bob and grabbed her purse to set out for the day. She was gonna head over to her parent's bakery first to visit before she had to go to Style Queen Magazine to finish talking with Audrey. Audrey was such a nicer fashion designer than Gabriel, she found his designs to be a little too extravagant and it no longer had the elegance it graced from before. It just became stuffy, or at least that's what she thought. Marinette soon locked the door to the condo and walked out peacefully to her car. 15 minutes later, she parked right outside of her parents' bakery and stepped out to look at it. It still was the best bakery in France, even after all these years. Marinette locked her car and made her way into the bakery, hearing a soft jingle ring through the air. When she walked through the door, she was immediately enveloped in the warm atmosphere of the exuberant smell of the buttercream and light dusting of sugar lacing the air. She then heard shouts coming from behind the counter and she saw Tom and Sabine Cheng rushing out from behind the counter to hug her in a family group hug. Tom got a little thinner and he has a few stray white hairs in his coiffeur however, he was still that beaming bundle of grotesque energy. He still loved baking with all of his heart, that's what Marinette loved.
"Marinette! My daughter! What brings you by the bakery? You said you wouldn't come until later with the kids, how's Hugo doing by the way? Does he still have that antisocial shtick?" Tom finally let go of Marinette, who smiled bright at her parents.
"Yeah, I decided to come by early, and don't worry Papa, Hugo's fine, he still has that antisocial problem but he's doing a lot better with it," Marinette sighed as the three of them went behind the counter and talked while they worked. There wasn't any need for words to be exchanged about Marinette automatically working there, sure she had another job, but she still enjoyed working here, it was one of her first jobs. She got paid in free desserts though.
"How's Louis? He's a bright young boy, how is he doing in school?" Sabine said as she put the apron back on and went into the kitchen.
"Oh Louis? He's doing really well, mostly A's in all classes but he's beat out by a couple of those computer/engineering kids, they're practically geniuses. I don't really care about that though, of course I want him to do well, but he makes up for being shy away from being the top student by his natural likability. His charisma and kindness was what made him class president and active member in so many clubs. I worry that he overexerts himself too much, as if he was responsible for everything. I wish he would relax a little more," Marinette thought aloud as she scanned over the pick up orders for the day and looked at the counter to see if there was anyone waiting for a pickup. She felt Sabine come up behind her and kiss her on the cheek.
"He was always a spirited boy, he would do absolutely anything to keep smiles on the people around him, especially you Marinette," Sabine mused as she brought out the next couple of batches for cake samples. Marinette sighed as she nodded and brought out the next order, that was still on the rotating stand that kept orders.
"Hmmm... a mousseline buttercream coffee cake, that's oddly specific, and a bit expensive. Where have I heard that order before?" Marinette wondered aloud as she placed the cake in question on a small plate with a simple and clean fork. She dusted sugar around the edges and placed a single row of chocolate on the side. Coffee goes well with chocolate, so why not? She then brought it out without looking at the next person in line, "Here you go sir."
"Hmmm... I don't remember a row of Swiss chocolate being on my plate, the last time I ordered this. Are you doing something special?"
"Oh no, it's nothing I-" Marinette started but when she looked up, she gasped at the person who was in front of her. It was the last person she would have expected to be here, why did it have to be him of all people. She knew that handsome mop of ruffled blond hair anywhere: Adrien. She continued to stare at the man in question, who had a smirk on his face looking at her, "Adrien! Oh my goodness! What are doing here?"
"Surprised? I usually come here for my morning coffee and cake, I actually wasn't expecting to see you here. Glad to know that you still love baking, there's some things that I'm glad don't change," Adrien winked at her as Marinette finally snapped out of her reverie and smiled wholeheartedly at him. She wasn't afraid anymore, she would have panicked before but she genuinely wanted Adrien back in her life.
"Glad to know your taste in bakeries hasn't changed, you still come to the best bakery in Paris, I thought that deserved something," Marinette winked back at him and realized, was she flirting with him? She was joking... right? She then saw the momentary blush and wide smile on his face. She then heard her parents come up from behind her.
"Ahh! Adrien, have you come from your usual?" Tom asked as he was about to get the cake ready but Adrien stopped him.
"Don't worry Mr. Dupain, Marinette already delivered it," Adrien shook his head politely as Tom and Sabine looked slightly worriedly at Marinette, wondering how she would react, since they know about her situation. To their surprise and also to their sweet relief, she looked completely composed.
"Yeah, don't worry Papa, it's fine," Marinette said as she turned back to Adrien with a genuine smile on her face, it was something he wanted to see for years, and now he got it. Adrien smirked at her again and picked up his treat. He turned around to leave for a table and then he asked over his shoulder.
"Hey, Marinette, wanna join me?" Adrien asked as Marinette thought about it for a second before nodding.
"I don't see why not, fine, I'll join you," Marinette mused as she came out from behind the counter and sat down with Adrien in one of the tables in the bakery. As she sat down, she noticed Adrien paying special attention to her movements, noticing every crinkle in her dress as she sat down. The tensing of her hands as she used them to support herself as she slowly sat down in the chair, it was such an intense stare that Marinette felt a little exposed. Marinette then gave him a sweet smile as Sabine brought over a cup of tea for Marinette. Sabine then excitedly squealed as she scurried back behind the counter to watch with Tom. They knew Adrien was already engaged, and it wasn't fair that they knew that Louis, Hugo, and Emma were Adrien's children, but it didn't stop them from shipping them. (Lol)
"We caught up so much the other day but I actually never did get around to ask you about your kids," Adrien said as he took a bite from his cake as Marinette weighed the choice in her mind. It wouldn't hurt to tell him about her (their) children since it's just casual banter right? Probably not, plus it would be nice for Adrien to know about his kids, even if he doesn't know it.
"Alright, who would you like to know about first?" Marinette replied happily as she saw Adrien's face light up for a second before asking happily.
"Hmmm... let's start with your daughter, Emma, I know that she is the fraternal twin of your younger son Hugo but what else is there?" Adrien said as Marinette thought carefully about her daughter's personality and her quirks, things she thought Adrien should know.
"Emma, well, you're right, she is the fraternal twin of Hugo, she's feisty, sassy, and she really loves to give me sass when it really doesn't benefit her. She loves to draw and she's the queen bee in her school, her friends tell me that she's a very likable person as she's courageous and refuses to be a bystander to any sort of injustice. I feel like sometimes, she's a little left out in the antics that Louis and Hugo get up to, such is the bond between brothers," Marinette explained as Adrien smiled as he took notice about how considerate and passionate she is about talking about her kids, "One example is how she just watches Louis, Hugo, and I play Ultimate Mecha Strike 3-"
"Oh my god, you still play that?" Adrien asked incredulously while laughing lightly as Marinette looked at him with a slight pout, which he found absolutely adorable.
"Yes! What's wrong with that?"
"Oh no, it's nothing, I hope you're not rusty, I'd like to play you sometime," Adrien chuckled and winked at her while Marinette felt a surge of pride course through her. Marinette leaned onto her forearms and placed her head on her laced fingers and looked at him teasingly.
"Of course I'm not rusty, Mr. Agreste, you've never beaten me once, even when we were teens, the only times you won were either because I let you or you distracted me with that charm of yours," Marinette replied slyly as Adrien smirked and leaned closer so they were both eye level. It didn't exactly occur to Marinette that she was this close to Adrien until she noticed his handsome face smirking at her from barely 3 inches away.
"Charm huh? Trust me, I've gotten better, honestly, although what I'd like to see is you, try to be beat me while trying to resist that charm of mine now," Adrien chuckled as he remembered how whenever he was on a losing streak with Marinette, he would use his charm and flirtatious nature to catch her off guard. It's a truly dangerous combination, having both charisma and a flirtatious nature, but his likable charisma overpowers the flirting so he's a truly kind person who uses flirting in moderation. Marinette knew this as she knew him all throughout high school, but it's crazy to think that his charm has just gotten better, which makes it worse for her.
"What makes you think I'm gonna actually fall for your charm?"
"I don't know... are you?" Adrien asked with a smirk as they continued to stare slyly at each other before they both realized the amount of flirtatious tension between the two and sprung apart, coughing to mask the moment they just had. Adrien smiled at her again before asking, "alright, what about Hugo?"
"O-o-oh right, sorry," Marinette composed herself before going on, "Hugo, he's such a mama's boy, kinda like Louis when he was younger, he never leaves my side and he's always saying the smartest things. He's extremely observant, that's why he doesn't speak a lot, but trust me, he speaks just as well as Emma. Unlike Emma, he was always.. rather serious and cautious about most things. However, when he's around us, he turns into this fun loving, adorable kid who's extremely talkative. In school he's like what I told you earlier, but he completely changes mood when he's with us."
"Well of course, he's with his family after all, of course he would be a lot more open," Adrien smiled at Marinette, who smiled gratefully back at him. Adrien couldn't help get the feeling that whenever he was with Marinette, he was so much happier and he would actually forget he had a fiancée.
"I suppose you're right. Now, onto Louis, he's... sorta like my best friend, he is always so considerate of everyone around him. He sees the best in everyone around him and he's a great judge of character. He's sorta like you in a sense, you were always were that boy with overflowing charisma and everyone liked you for it since you're so kind. You always saw the best in everyone, even Chloe," Marinette pondered aloud as she compared Louis to Adrien, who blushed at the comparison, "he's extremely kind towards his siblings and they only get into those playful fights about silly things. It's only once in a while that they actually fight about something big. He does well in school but he really has his schedule cut out for him, in addition for the clubs he's in and his piano classes. I'm amazed that he can manage it that well without my help."
"He plays the piano? I kinda want to see him play sometime," Adrien said thoughtfully as Marinette smiled at him.
"You could play a duet piece with him if you want to play with him."
"That's a fantastic idea! I'm actually kinda getting pretty tired of just playing solos, a duet would be nice!" Adrien smiled tiredly at Marinette who nodded gratefully at his approval. For some strange reason, he found himself to be really happy, that he would be able to play piano with Marinette's son. Little did he know how happy Marinette was about it too, even more than him. Seeing both father and son play, it would be a dream come true for her. Marinette and Adrien continued to chat happily in the bakery as a small storm was brewing elsewhere.
At Jean-Lafayette College ( This is if you don't know, but in France, the name's of the schools are actually the other way around. The word College is actually French for an elementary school over there, like primary school.
It was lunch time and all of kids got to go out and play. Hugo was never really the type to get along socially with other people. He always hung out by himself. There was this spot he always went to; a grove of willow trees that had medium, cozy soft grassy spot in the center. From the blacktop, it was past this vast field of grass for field sports on the other side. No one bothered him there, or at least he didn't think anyone would. Hugo liked to write about whatever he could observe; in poems or in songs, it didn't matter, he truly felt at peace here. The only person he actually talks to is Emma anyway so it didn't really matter. Hugo peered at the willow branches that were swaying low near the ground, enchanted by their dance. He could hear the children shouting off in the distance and he could hear the sounds of nature as well. He would have almost felt himself phase out into the natural energy of the universe until he heard a sudden movement in the bushes in front of him. No one but Emma is supposed to know about this place, but Emma doesn't usually bother him unless if it's something she wanted to share really badly that it couldn't wait. Judging by the excessive amount of rustling and the quickening steps, Hugo deducted that it couldn't be Emma as she knows her way into the grove without making much disturbance in the bushes as there are animals living nearby. Besides, he did show her how to get in without ruffling the bushes that much. Hugo almost got up but fell back down on his butt when he saw who it was: Constantine, Chloe Bourgeois' son.
Emma took particular note on how Constantine was eyeing Hugo evilly as Hugo went off on his own and walked across the field to disappear into the grove of willow trees on the other side. Emma felt her body go on alert when she saw Constantine follow shortly after as that could mean nothing good. Emma quickly excused herself from her friends and chased after Constantine. Her friends, who were also curious as to where was she going, followed suit. She was barely behind Constantine before she saw him tear through the bushes towards Hugo. Emma gritted her teeth as she knew her brother wasn't as good at confrontation but he could hold his own, she hopes.
Hugo stared fixedly on Constantine as the blond haired boy in question smirked evilly with his ice cold eyes. It was nothing like Louis' eyes, his are warm and comforting, it looked like a beautiful sky blue. Ice blue is beautiful in a way but the feeling is terrible.
"What do you want Constantine?" Hugo asked annoyingly as he stood up but he immediately felt a hard shove in his shoulders and fell back down with a soft thud, "what was that for?!"
"I told you I would make your life a living hell when she rejected me, she was actually warming up to me too," Constantine spat out like poison but Hugo shot him a exasperated look before asking.
"Aren't you not supposed to say 'hell'? Isn't that like a bad word or something," Hugo asked nervously as Constantine let out a laugh.
"Always the cautious one aren't we Hugo? Let me make this clear, Emmikins will be mine, understand? You can't protect your sister forever," Constantine asked in a creepy tone that reminded Hugo of those intimidating villains on those dramas Maman watches. Hugo summoned enough courage to say what he never would say out loud.
"She's never gonna date you man! That sweet and nice demeanor is just an act! You are just as egotistical as your mom! I'm her brother for a reason! As her twin, it is my duty to save her from creeps like you!" Hugo snapped angrily as Constantine chuckled and stalked closer to Hugo, who was standing up. Hugo slowly backed away as Constantine drew closer.
"Before you say your prayers, explain to me why not?"
Hugo already had an answer in mind and he had no qualms saying it, "It's because WE'RE ONLY EIGHT! Don't you think you're starting the crazy romance phase a little early?" Hugo said exasperatedly as Constantine laughed and coldly dismissed it.
"It's never too early for love-"
"Uh, ya think?"
"Hugo's right Constantine," A voice called out to the two boys from a couple of feet away. Constantine turned around and Hugo looked pasted him to find a worried Emma entering the clearing. Emma then ran past Constantine and placed herself between Constantine and Hugo, "I'm not exactly sure if I want to have a relationship, after all, we're only 8. However, there's one thing I am sure about and that is you will never harass or bully my twin brother EVER!"
"But Emmikins... I..." Constantine started but he was suddenly interrupted by increasing amounts of people who found the grove. Hugo felt his face pale as he heard the whispers and voices of the tens of people that invaded the space. His precious space... is disappearing. Hugo felt his lungs constrict as he, Emma, and Constantine were getting crowded by onlookers. He never felt so claustrophobic before, he felt like he was drowning. Hugo reached for his backpack and pulled out his inhaler. He immediately brought the inhaler to his lips and took a puff, trying to ignore the increasingly burning feeling in his lungs. It was like his lungs were moving differently when he had asthma, it felt really weird. Emma immediately noticed his possession of his inhaler and was about to question him before hearing the chants of the crowd around them, asking different things.
"Kiss!"
"Fight!"
"Show him what's good Emma!"
"Constantine is soooo cute... BUT FIGHT!" Emma heard this in one of the chants in the crowd but it a was little ironic because she took fencing, so she had to have a saber to actually fight. Hugo was actually the one who was skilled in the art of close combat, which was surprising, considering his personality. Emma could fight well enough, but she's not as skilled as Hugo, however his pacifist nature makes him not as eager to be strong. He may be a red belt in taekwondo but in spirit he isn't. Hugo constantly to breathe quickly in and out but he still felt the wheezing and he felt the crowd gather even closer.
"Why isn't it working?" Hugo asked as he took another puff and clutched it tightly to his chest and breathed in and out quickly. He then realized something as he felt himself hyperventilating, "The albuterol isn't working because I'm breathing too fast... It's not getting in properly... Emma." Hugo felt himself say aloud before he collapsed to his knees and felt his throat constrict painfully before blacking out. The last thing he heard was a cry for help that he knew for certain was his sister.
"HUGO!"
Meanwhile back at Dupain Cheng Patisserie
"You never actually invited to me your house once, you've been to my house or my parents' house now plenty of times!"
"Yeah... it was only because I loved hanging out here, it's so much better than hanging out at home. I just thought back then that you'd be better off not coming to my house."
"I understand but- oh wait Adrien give me a sec, my phone's ringing," Marinette interrupted as she fished her phone out of her purse and answered the call, "Hello? Yes... this is she... wait.. WHAT?!" Marinette paled as she looked frighteningly as Adrien, who looked at her with concern. Marinette made a small series of nods as the conversation continued and she finally hung up the phone. Marinette then slightly fumbled with her car keys and when she finally got them, in her anxiety, dropped them on the floor. Marinette sighed hurriedly as she picked up the keys from the floor and was stopped by Adrien.
"Marinette.. what's wrong?" Adrien asked with a worried expression creasing his face. Marinette looked at him with hesitant eyes. Adrien then thought this might have something to do with that conversation she had with his father the other day, but what she said next quelled his suspicions. It was actually worse.
Seeing the worry and caring in his eyes, she had to tell him, "It's Hugo, he got into a confrontation at school and when Emma defended him, he got an asthma attack and that insinuated hyperventilation. Apparently his inhaler wasn't working since he was breathing too fast in a panic. He's unconscious in the nurse's office right now and I have to get to him," Marinette said quietly as she felt her voice break. She then felt a pair of hands on her shoulders and she looked up to see Adrien's determined eyes.
"There is no way I'm letting you drive by yourself in this distracted condition, I'm taking you," Adrien said softly as he took the keys from her hands and softly placed them back into her purse. Marinette looked up at him with appreciation.
"You'd do that for me?"
"Of course, any time, now come on let's go, where is the school?" Adrien said as he took her hand which Marinette took note of as she explained things quickly to her parents and went out the door.
"You know Jean-Lafayette Collége?" Marinette asked as Adrien opened the car door for her before getting in himself on the other side. Adrien pondered for a sec before remembering.
"Yes, I believe I do know where it is, alright let's go!" Adrien said as he turned on the ignition and off they went towards the school. On the way, Marinette whipped out her phone and called Louis, she knew he was done for the day and should be just starting to walk there. After 2 rings, he picked up and for fun, Marinette put it on speaker for Adrien to hear. Marinette and Adrien shared a light playful smirk as Louis picked up. Of course Marinette was worried but she wanted Adrien to hear Louis at least.
"Hey Mom, what's going on?"
"Louis, Hugo had a confrontation at school and he had an asthma attack. He's in the nurse's office right now but they say he should be stabilizing soon."
"Wait? Really?! Oh my god! Was it Constantine again? I swear when I get my hands on that little morceau de merde, he is going to wish he never messed with my brother!"
"Constantine? As in Chloe's son? He goes to school with Hugo and Emma?"
"Who said that?" Louis asked as Marinette panicked as she told Adrien to shush as she tried to cover with an excuse, but not really an excuse, more like a subtle hint.
"That's a surprise, there's someone with me right now and we're heading there now, get there as soon as you can ok? Also! Who said you can use that word? Yes he is un morceau de merde but we do not say that out loud. Some things, while true, is better unsaid," Marinette explained as she heard Louis scoff and chuckle on the other line.
"Alright alright, I'm on my way, but seriously, that punk is gonna get it," Louis laughed as Marinette smiled and kissed Louis goodbye and hung up. Louis was curious as to who she was with but he couldn't make the question come up. Louis furrowed his brows as he quickly made his way to the school. Marinette and Adrien laughed as they continued on to the school. When they got there, they parked in the school parking lot and quickly made their way to the office. When they entered, they noticed Emma sitting outside in the office lobby on a chair facing the office desks. As soon as she saw Marinette, she ran up and hugged her and she was even more surprised to see Adrien squat down and give her a handshake.
"Hi Maman! Oh! Mr. Agreste! You drove her here?" Emma asked happily as Adrien nodded and Emma kept vigorously shaking his hand, "oh thank you so much! Hugo is still unconscious but he's breathing normally again. He still has some wheezes though."
"No problem Emma, just happy to help," Adrien stood back up again and Marinette smiled at him, mouthing him a "thank you" to which Adrien mouthed a "no problem." He had this warm feeling whenever they shared those moments.
"Ms. Dupain Cheng?" The office clerk called as the trio rushed up to the desk with the office clerk eyeing all of them with surprise, "The health clerk is in there with him right now, you should go see him." Marinette nodded a thanks and before she could, she heard the office door open again and she turned to see Louis in his lettermen jacket walk in hurriedly as he immediately noticed Marinette there.
"Mom, you're already here! And... Mr. Agreste..." Louis slowed down his speaking as soon as he set his eyes on Adrien who smiled questioningly at him, Marinette chuckled before stepping in between the two.
"Oh! Louis! I didn't think that you ever had the proper greeting, Louis, this is Adrien Agreste, a best friend of mine. Adrien, this is my oldest son, Louis," Marinette introduced the two as Louis stood there from slight shock from being face to face with his dad. Adrien stepped forward and held out his hand, he felt a surge of pride when Marinette called him her best friend.
"I don't think we've met Louis, how are you?" Adrien asked warmly as Louis took it upon himself to get the courage to lift his own hand and shake Adrien's. When Louis' hand finally made contact with Adrien's and shook it it warmly, Louis felt a warm, happy, giddy feeling, "Your mom told me all about you."
"Has she? It's very nice to meet you Mr. Agreste, I heard you caught up with my mom the other day, how are the twins? I'm sure you got to meet them," Louis asked as he instantly felt comfortable to strike up a conversation, he didn't really feel awkward at all. He was expecting to feel that awkwardness but Adrien's really easy to talk to.
"Oh yeah, I met them yesterday, your younger siblings are great, you must feel lucky," Adrien smirked as he ruffled Emma's hair a little, who smiled at the contact. Louis smiled to himself as this was what he imagined a conversation with his dad would be like.
"I am... but as you know, one of them, is in the health clerk's office," Louis sighed as he signaled towards the office in question where they could see Hugo lying on the bed. The group made their way into the health clerk office as the nurse gave them space to gather around the bed. Marinette could hear the wheezing still apparent in his breathing and it was killing her inside. She kept clutching her chest on slight chance that Hugo might wake up. Marinette then felt a warm, muscular arm sling around her shoulders and she looked to her left to find Adrien smiling reassuringly at her.
"Marinette, you have to breathe, calm yourself for Hugo, you don't want him to wake up to his mom in a panicked haze. Trust me, breathe..." Adrien motioned her to breath in and out, which Marinette followed and she instantly felt more calm. She wasn't completely calm but it was something.
"Thank you Adrien, always there to save the day huh? Just like when we were teenagers," Marinette thanked Adrien who smiled knowingly at her and let out a light chuckle.
"It wasn't just me, you were practically hunting for people to help, I'm just glad I got to help you once. You'd never let anyone help you, it's reminiscent of the stubbornness that seems to be toned down a lot," Adrien said as Marinette looked off into a space on the wall, not looking at particularly anything. She did notice the look in Adrien's eyes when she looked away, she recognized that look in his eyes: it was the brightness that was masking the loneliness and uncertainty that she recognized after all these years. She guessed she never really did give him an explanation for disappearing, but was she supposed to say; "I had to leave because your father has been blackmailing me for the 15 years about your kids and nearly killed one of them in a hospital?" It was better left unmentioned. Although what was amusing was that these two thought Louis and Emma weren't listening and whispering gossip.
"Is he waking up?"
"Let's hope..."
"Wait! His eyes are slightly open! I think..."
"Wait Everybody shush! He's talking!"
"Emma... are you alright?" Hugo asked he barely had his eyes open enough to see the blurred silhouettes of his family (and Adrien COUGH COUGH). Emma quickly nodded and checked his pulse even though it was pretty obvious he wasn't gonna die. It was hard for him to talk, because he had to focus all of his effort on breathing
"I'm fine Hugo, what about you? I was so worried after you collapsed, you haven't had an asthma attack that big in a long time. I thought we... might have... *sniff*... you were breathing in such harsh gasps trying to breathe, it was so painful to watch when I carried you in along with another classmate," Emma felt tears roll down her cheeks as she leaned into Marinette.
"It was Constatine wasn't it? That little prick knows no bounds when it comes to bossing people around, Emma... Hugo... watch yourselves around him," Louis warned Emma as she nodded as she looked at Louis. Hugo wasn't paying attention to anything they were saying as he was still concentrating on breathing. Adrien watched in awe of the bond between the three siblings, they were truly a wonder to watch.
"Maman... are you there?" Hugo asked with a weak rasp to his voice and when he breathed in, they all heard the banshee like wheezing that made them wince from the sound. Marinette nodded as she responded.
"Yeah Hugo, I'm here."
"Where are you?"
"I'm here," Marinette said as she reached her hand over but while Hugo was searching for her hand to grab, he ended clutching onto someone else's hand: Adrien's. Adrien widened his eyes as he felt the tiny hand grab his. Hugo clutched onto the hand but he knew immediately that it wasn't Marinette.
"This isn't you Maman... who is this? It's... warm and soft in the middle but rough around the edges," Hugo could barely make out the picture of whoever's holding his hand as the person in question responded.
"Ummm... Hugo, It's me, Adrien Agreste, Mr. Agreste? We met the other day, you said hi to me in the elevator and thanked me for giving your mom a bear hug," Adrien explained as he felt Hugo tense and then relax again. He thought he would have pulled away immediately but Hugo relaxed and kept his hand in Adrien's.
"Oh... Mister it's you, did you take Maman here?" Hugo asked with a small smile gracing his lips. Adrien nodded and gripped his hand tighter.
"Yeah I did, your mom was really worried about you, how are you feeling buddy?" Adrien asked as the nurse brought the nebulizer to the bed and filled the medicine compartment with liquid albulterol. The nebulizer is machine that helps people like Hugo who have asthma take inhaler medicine more effectively. There was a long tube that connected to the medicine compartment which was connected to a mouthpiece that administers the medicine into the lungs. The nurse placed the mouthpiece into Hugo's mouth and started the machine. Calm and deep breathing could be heard throughout the room which made the family more relaxed. Hugo used his other hand to signal a weak thumbs up as Adrien looked at him reassuringly. The nurse then turned to Adrien and Marinette with a semi-worried look on her face.
"Are you his parents? Because we have a problem," The nurse nervously wrenched her hands in front of her uniform as Adrien and Marinette widened their eyes in alarm as they denied it. Marinette was even more pale than Adrien at those words because... well you know why.
"Oh, I'm not their dad," Adrien mumbled as the nurse looked at the group in surprise as her eyes flickered between the members of the family.
"Oh, I am so sorry, I just assumed because you seem to be close with Hugo, poor soul," The nurse commented as Adrien turned to see that she was right, Adrien was still tightly and comfortingly holding Hugo's hand. He didn't shy away from holding his hand but it did make him think about her words. He did want kids of course, but he couldn't help but wonder how lucky he would be if these three were actually his. They all seem like good kids with personalities that parents would love for them to have. However, Marinette did say that the father was out of the picture, but he never knew what she meant by that, "Anyway... I know your son is recovering Ms. Dupain Cheng, but... the principal won't let him leave. It's highly frowned upon here to take out kids during the day. I wish you could sign him out." Marinette immediately tensed and stood up abruptly.
"Kids, cover your ears, this could get ugly," Marinette snarled as she motioned for them to plug their ears. Adrien watched in amusement as Marinette asked the nurse to accompany her to the principal's office. He didn't know she turned into such a potty mouth, it was rather amusing. Marinette waited until the principal came out to greet her as the nurse shrunk back into the health clerk's office. Adrien couldn't help but watch.
"Ah! Ms. Dupain Cheng, I suppose you're here about your son, well scho-"
"Listen here Principal Dumbass, I am taking my son and daughter out of school do you understand? My son could have died because of your staff's incompetence. I mean, what kind of moron wouldn't check 20 plus people heading into a grove of willow trees. Where are your fucking yard duties? I will not hesitate to 'Yelp' the crap out of this place if you refuse to let my sick child and his twin sister have the day off, do I make myself clear?" Marinette exhaled her harsh breath like a bull as she sent Principal Mistoffelees a hard death glare before he shakily gave her the sign out sheet. Adrien couldn't help but look in something similar to pride, but he didn't know what to call it. Marinette curtly signed out her children and went back into the health clerk office. As she walked in with smug smirk on her face, that face immediately changed to a face of pure terror. She quickly called out over her shoulder, "Thank you again Principal Mistoffelees!" Marinette then let out a breath she had for a while and sat down again next to Adrien.
"Wow... I didn't realize you had such gusto! The use of Yelp? Nice..." Adrien winked as he signaled an 'ok' sign to congratulate Marinette, who blushed embarrassingly and caressed Hugo's face, color finally returning to his cheeks.
"It's nothing really, sometimes you gotta be a savage to get people to stop being idiots, I mean if you're a principal, you care about the kids right? If one of them suffers an asthma attack and lands in the nurse's office or health clerk's office, either one, you'd let him or her rest for the rest of the day right?" Marinette exclaimed exasperatedly as Adrien felt his eyes flicker to Louis who also did the same as he was listening in. The two shared a look of amusement and meek understanding before listening to Marinette again. Marinette noticed them smiling cheekily at each other before directing their attention back to her again.
"Alright, the all of the albuterol has been administered, have Hugo rest here, when he can speak all sentences again, you can go," The health clerk bowed out (Honestly, idk whether to use nurse or health clerk, sorry if it's inconsistent but yeah) and took the mouth piece from Hugo who lied there with the wheezing no longer audible. Emma looked over at Hugo whose eyes were completely open and he had his hands folded on his stomach.
"Hugo? Can you talk?" Emma asked as Hugo turned his head slightly so he could look at her.
"Of course I can talk, the nebulizer is more affective than a handheld inhaler, I can talk completely fine," Hugo stated as a matter of factly as he quickly sat up in bed and let go of Adrien's hand as Emma gasped and hugged him from the side happily as Louis reached over and gave him a few comforting pats on the back.
"Glad to see you alive and making snappy comments little bro," Louis smiled genuinely as Hugo who reciprocated his wide smile, showing his teeth. Marinette joined as she rubbed Hugo's back comfortingly as Adrien sat there watching the family happily with a relieved and content smile. He didn't know why he was this incredibly relieved about Hugo's recovery, maybe it was the fact that he was the son of Marinette, whom he admires and respects as a family.. wait that phrasing is wrong, good friend. The nurse then came back and smiled at the group but then frowned at the overall picture.
"It's so weird..."
"What's weird Joy?" Marinette asked using her nickname, her full name is Joyce, but it was easier to say Joy since Louis and Hugo knew well that it's a Pokemon inside joke for them. The nurse continued to eye all of them, her eyes flitting from Adrien to the children.
"I'm sorry, but I find it so uncanny that even though you say that you're not their father Mr. Agreste and I trust your claim but I can't help but see how you fit so perfectly into their family. Not just on looks alone since they share a lot of your features, green eyes, blond hair. Maybe it's just a coincidence. It's actually not my place to say anything, I'm sorry, it's just an observation," Joy said as she put the nebulizer away. Marinette looked like someone just got murdered in the room, Louis shared the same expression. Hugo and Emma remain oblivious to this fact as they stare at Mr. Agreste with a questioning look on their faces. They never exactly had a father before but they couldn't tell if Adrien was just being really nice and concerned as a friend or if he's acting like something more. It was a mystery that even Hugo couldn't comprehend. Marinette coughed as she helped Hugo up and the rest of the family stood up as well, following suit out of the office with Adrien trailing behind. It bothered him immensely that the nurse would say that, these kids couldn't possibly be his, the twins are definitely not his since Marinette had lost contact for 15 years and the twins are eight. He was with Chloe at the time so there's no way the twins are his. That comforted him yet saddened him somehow, her kids are great. Louis however, was an enigma, if he was born 15 years ago and that's the same time Marinette disappeared on him and everyone. They did make love that night as he wistfully and nostalgically remembers but... there's no way she got pregnant from that... right? He used protection... or at least he thought he did, that one detail got blurred from a night he remembers so vividly since it was the best night of his life.
"Alright, as a treat for driving me here Adrien, let me take you and the kids out to lunch, I at least owe you that much," Marinette snapped her fingers in delight as Adrien shut the office door behind them and put away his thoughts in the recesses of his mind as he was immediately distracted by the goddess in front of him.
"Hmmm alright, I'll take you up on your offer, but on one condition," Adrien smiled widely before turning it into sly smirk as he leaned closer to Marinette who had a semi-surprised look on her face as she blushed slightly.
"U-u-uh huh? And w-what would that b-be?" Marinette asked nervously as Adrien repeated what Marinette did and snapped his fingers. Adrien and Marinette could feel the amused eyes on them.
"I get to pick the place," Adrien said as Marinette contemplated it for a moment before smiling.
"Deal."
Louis couldn't help but smile at the two, the relationship between the two was so strong it was beautiful to watch. Their banter, their flirting, their truely intimate moments were all a spectacle to watch. Knowing that both of his parents are enjoying themselves like this, that was enough for him, even if Adrien was engaged. The kids haven't seen their mom this upbeat in years, so of course they were extremely happy. Soon, the group arrived at Adrien's restaurant of choice: Nourriture Bistro. Marinette was impressed and a little underwhelmed at the same time.
"Adrien... the name is literally Food Bistro... what kind of name is that?" Marinette asked as Adrien tsked at her and gracefully held the door for all of them to walk in.
"Mock all you want Mari, but you're truly underestimating the gem that is this restaurant," Adrien said as the group was greeted by a heavenly smell of mixed herbs. The bistro had a very refined modern theme as the wood was a deep shade of black that shown with a shine. The majority of the seats were ornate metal chairs with a black leather cushion, the ones along the edges of the restaurant were black leather booth seats.
"Huh... so this is what they mean by don't judge a book by its cover," Marinette wondered aloud to herself as a waiter came up to the family (kinda tired of differentiating between group and family, they technically are family, Adrien just doesn't know that yet) and smiled at the family.
"Party of 5?" The waiter asked as Adrien and Marinette nodded and shared a chuckle as the family proceeded to a table instead of a booth. Even back then, Adrien and Marinette always somehow telepathically agree that these tables are better than booths and that they'd rather eat like this. Adrien pulled out a chair for her and Marinette thanked him quietly and sat down. Adrien then proceeded to sit next to her, with their arms almost touching and the three kids sat in the remaining chairs. Adrien then felt his phone rumble and he whipped it out to find that Kagami texted him. Marinette leaned over slightly so she could look and she asked curiously.
"Is that Kagami?" Marinette asked as Louis automatically grimaced at the name as Mairnette already told him the story. Adrien glanced over it before typing a response back and putting the phone away.
"Yeah.. she just asked where I am, I just told her I'm having lunch with a good friend of mine," Adrien said before handing Marinette a menu and the family looked it over for a bit before another waiter came to their table and when she realized who she was waiting, she squealed causing the family to wince.
"Oh my god! It's Adrien Agreste! You're more handsome in person! Not that you're not handsome on the billboards and magazines! But you look so hot today! Oh WAIT! I didn't realize you had a family! So is this your fiancee Kagami? You have three children?!" The waiter asked as she incredulously looked at all of them. Marinette looked at Adrien with a nervous chuckle, she doesn't know how he manages to stay so polite to fans when they're so... annoying.
"Oh... umm... I'm sorry, this isn't my fiancee, I'm actually out with a good friend and her family," Adrien laughed nervously as the waiter looked between all of them. Louis was trying his best not to laugh and Emma was slightly slapping Louis in an attempt to keep herself from laughing. The waiter mouthed a silent 'O' before proceeding to taker orders.
"Oh forgive me, it's just... it's not in my right to judge but you do look like a real family, what will you have today?" The waiter commented as she scanned Adrien along with the rest of the family. Anyone walking by would have assumed they were just a family going out, they would have never guessed who would be the father is supposedly just a friend (Holy Mother of Fricking Jesus Christ I committed a grave sin by saying that phrase, forgive me fandom! I hate that phrase as much as you do!)
"I'll have the passion fruit orange chicken salad sil'vous plait," Adrien asked as the waiter quickly jotted it down, Marinette felt a sly smirk tug at her lips.
"Still doing the model diet?" Marinette asked as Adrien glared at her playfully.
"It's not just about being a model, it's about eating healthy, it's good for me and it keeps me in shape," Adrien smirked at her as she playfully dismissed him as she put in her order.
"Hmmhmm if you say so, I'll take the...hmmm..." Marinette put her index finger on her lips as she couldn't decide what to choose, she then let Adrien shift next to her and she saw his finger point to a description of lime margarita fettuccini with chicken, "Oh please do shine your wisdom of lunch choices upon us, is that your suggestion?"
"Haha," Adrien said sarcastically as he immediately brightened and smiled at her, "It's actually really good here, you should try it," Marinette sighed and gave him a small, appreciative smile.
"Alright, alright, I'll have that please," Marinette said as the waiter jotted down the next one as Marinette directed her attention to the kids, "What do you guys want? And Emma, don't pick a dessert as a main dish again."
"Why not?" Emma pouted as Marinette deadpanned as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Cause sweetie the last time you ate something sugary before an actual dish, you literally attempted to nosedive off the sofa into Louis and Hugo when they were playing Ultimate Mecha Strike 3, not to mention that you interrupted Hugo in the ultimate combo that may have actually had Hugo beat Louis for once. If Hugo can't even beat his older brother, how does he expect to beat me?" Marinette deadpanned as Adrien and Louis couldn't help but laugh hysterically as Emma remembered that day where she was dancing really quickly around the room and decided to jump off the sofa like a swan, forgetting that there's still people sitting on the sofa.
"Ok ok... I'll have the mini sliders," Louis said trying to control his laughter as Adrien put a hand on Louis' shoulder for support to control his own laughter. Marinette looked at the two of them together and smiled wistfully. She was enjoying the picture she was seeing: her son laughing with his dad, smiling and having the father-son bond that she always imagined. Louis' hand was on Adrien's knee and Adrien's arm was now around Louis' shoulders and they seemed to have a great old time laughing together.
"Alright, Emma seriously, what are you going to have?" Marinette asked as Emma scanned her emerald eyes over the page again as she finally came up with a choice with a wide smile on her face.
"Sirloin steak! Small size, don't skimp on the fries!" Emma exclaimed as Adrien looked at her in surprise. Who knew that an 8 year-old girl had such expensive taste, jeez. As the waiter jotted it down, Marinette caught her eye and mouthed 'please skimp on the fries,' the waiter immediately smiled and nodded. Hugo was still eyeing the menu indifferently as he finally found something.
"Hmmm... I'll take the salmon with the herb aioli over the bed of rice, for the aioli, can you please make it gluten free? I'm allergic to eggs," Hugo says without even looking at the waiter, and with frightening precision, as soon as the waiter jotted it down, he looked up to gaze at her, "You did get it right? I'm sorry if I said that a bit fast."
"Oh no it's fine, I'll tell the chef to be real careful."
"Thank you, because I am going to ask you when you come back."
"Ok?"
"Hugo, I think you're being a bit too interrogative, tone it down a little," Marinette said sweetly to Hugo as Hugo quickly made a face of shame and apologized. The waiter looks at Hugo sweetly as if it was no trouble.
"Oh, I'm sorry if I was pressing you too hard, but it's just the aioli that I'm concerned about."
"Don't worry, I'll make sure eggs aren't part of it, will that be all?" The waiter asked as Adrien and Marinette replied simultaneously to both their shock.
"Yes, that'll be all, thank you," Marinette and Adrien said together as they looked at each other in surprise and laughed a few moments later. You could see the blush on their face as the sync that they had over the past 15 years hasn't disappeared. The waiter nodded and went off as the table brought the conversation amongst themselves again and had pretty good time. The food then came and Hugo did ask about the aioli, Marinette had to taste the sauce before it was safe to eat. Marinette would rather die before letting one of her children suffer an allergic reaction on her watch. Soon, laughter and merry talk ensued around the table as they all had a pretty good lunch together, catching up and Adrien getting to know the kids better. However then came the part of the dinner that is responsible for most relationship fallout and ends most relationships with a single question at the dinner table: Who's paying? Unfortunately, Marinette and Adrien weren't exactly free from this either as they also argued about who was gonna pay the check.
"Face it Mari, I'm paying the check because I picked out the place, I don't want you to pay."
"Adrien! I invited you out! Of course I have to pay, isn't there a rule for that?!"
"Yes there is, but as a gentleman, I will pay for you guys-"
"Face it Adrien! Chivalry's dead! I want to be able to pay on equal ground with you! I might have found it sweet 15 years ago" Marinette said as a look of surprise flashed across Adrien's face as his face hardened slightly but still had that gentleness that she's always known about him.
"It's not about chivalry Mari! It's the least I could do for a trusted, irreplaceable friend who went missing for 15 years, who is now back in my life!... it's the least I could do," Adrien yelled softly but his last words turned into a harsh whisper. It was Marinette's turn to be shocked, it never really dawned on her how much her disappearance might have affected the people she loved, it has been 15 years, "I-I-I'm sorry Mari, I didn't mean to shout at you."
"No... you barely shouted at all actually... but I'm sorry if me disappearing for 15 years hurt you, trust me when I say that I really want for our lives to go back to normal again, for you and the others to be back in my life again. That's why I think I should be the one to pay because I invited you out for lunch for the first time in 15 years," Marinette sighed as she felt her eyes water a little as she noticed Adrien staring deep into her eyes, as if he was searching for something, as if he was testing Marinette.
"It's ok... really Marinette... but you didn't know... the pain and hurt you caused when you disappeared, you underestimated the gravity and magnitude of the sadness we felt, the sadness I had felt... Now that you're back and you're alive and safe, this really is the least I can do to welcome you back. I never did get to say it when I first saw you... Welcome home," Adrien said earnestly and honestly as he continued to hold Marinette's gaze as they stayed like that for a while, studying each other and smiling at each other. Eventually for the kids, it kinda got a little creepy when they found it really sweet for the first 10 minutes. Finally Adrien spoke up again, "So I am paying for this lunch."
"No way! I am paying for this lunch, with or without you because I invited you out!"
"No you aren't! I am gonna keep this bill out of your hands until you give up," Adrien smirked at her as he raised the bill over his head and Marinette pouted.
"No fair! You know I'm shorter than you!" Marinette half yelled half laughed as she attempted to reach for the bill but to no avail.
"It's not my fault I'm taller than you, you ready to give up?" Adrien smirked at her before Marinette pouted again and proceeded to slide out of her chair and into Adrien's so she could reach a little farther. She knew she couldn't stand because that would make it even more of a scene than it is already, but you gotta pick your battles. Adrien found Marinette's pout to still be incredibly adorable even after all these years, he would legitimately forget that he had a fiancee.
"No! Of course not! Give it here!"
"Nope!"
"Adrien!" Marinette laughed as Adrien scoffed and still held it out of her reach, it was really funny yet still really annoying. Marinette was still just within arm's reach but she still couldn't get it, Adrien was too tall and she was completely on his chair now. However, before they could continue any further, they heard a shout that was loud enough to garner some attention, but not all of it.
"GUYS!"
Marinette and Adrien turned their heads to find Louis, Hugo, and Emma smirking at the pair and now would be the perfect time to notice how close Marinette's face was from Adrien's. The proximity was dangerously close, it must have been 3 inches or so. Marinette and Adrien both took note of this intimacy but they made no moves to move since they were frozen. It was even more amusing for Louis since he knows that Adrien is his dad and seeing him interact with her like this made him giddy inside.
"As much as we find your argument-" Hugo started but Emma continued for him while squealing.
"COMPLETELY ADORABLE!" Emma squealed as the pair in question blushed.
"Might I make a suggestion? Why don't you, I don't know, split the check? You want to pay but Mr. Agreste doesn't want you to pay but both of you want to make a gesture for each other, why not split the check?" Louis explained as he clapped his prayer hands together and brought them down together as if to make a point. Marinette and Adrien looked back at each other and noticed how close they were and they immediately returned to their original positions.
"That's... actually a good idea... what do you think Adrien?"
"As long as you're not paying for the full thing, I'm happy so of course it's a good idea. Way to go Louis," Adrien smiled at Louis who beamed back at him in pride and Marinette swore she saw that father-son spark in their gazes. For Louis, it seemed surreal, he never had a father before and when he saw Adrien beam at him, knowing that Adrien was exactly the person Louis imagined he would be, he couldn't help but feel even more special. Adrien didn't know why that when he was looking at Louis, there was new unknown pride flowing within him. He felt that with all of Marinette's children but even if he didn't know why, he liked it. (Guys I know it's pretty obvious why he was this sort of fatherly behavior when it comes to them since he is their father, but the guy's blind and clueless so give him a break. I mean, the man himself doesn't even know so... just bear with the cluelessness, it should be pretty much standard for Adrien by now), "Got the change for the split?"
"Of course I do, why wouldn't I?"
"Alright..." As the two split the check and paid, right before they got up, they asked another question that could have made the three face palm.
"Wait, Adrien, what are we going to do about the tip?"
"Oh... that..."
"Already got it covered, you two owe 3 euros each so you split the tip," Hugo stated as a matter of factly as Adrien and Marinette chuckled nervously. Louis and Emma shot them a 'you got told' look on the way out and the two couldn't help but chuckle. As the family made their way outside, Marinette checked the time and felt Adrien look over her shoulder.
"Do you want me to take you back to the Patisserie?" Adrien asked as Marinette looked over her shoulder with a kind smile on her face.
"Yeah, plus the kids really want to be able to see their grandparents this month so they can spend time with Tom and Sabine with the time they have left," Marinette explained but as soon as the words left her mouth, she realized that she could have phrased her words a little better because now she felt like she said too much. Adrien would definitely catch on... and he did.
"Wait... why do you say that as if they can't see their grandparents all the time, as if they have a forced restriction? You don't live that far from them, they should be able to visit on a regular basis?" Adrien asked as Marinette cursed her poor word choice when she said that. She meant what she meant: there is a restriction to how often her kids can visit and that's because of that stupid contract of Gabriel's, not that she'll ever tell him that. She could have just phrased it better.
"Uhhh.. they do see Tom and Sabine on a regular basis! I don't know what you're talking about," Marinette faked a laugh at the last part but she knew Adrien saw right through, she could literally feel the gemstone eyes boring into her.
"You always were the worst liar," Adrien smirked but still had that serious expression on his face as Marinette waved him off and gestured him to the car.
"Perhaps, but who knows? Come on Adrien, let's go!" Marinette cheerfully gestured the to the car, Adrien complied for now but he was definitely going to question her again in the future. About 13 minutes later, Hugo was about this close to dying a second time.
"HUGO ARE YOU OK?!" Tom and Sabine asked as they crushed Hugo into a life sucking hug as he winced from the pain. Louis and Emma tried their best not to laugh at their brother get subjected to the familial love.
"Yeah I'm fine Grandpere and Granny! But if you squeeze me any harder, you might eliminate the air I have left in my body," Hugo groaned as the grandparents finally let go frantically and started checking for any injuries around his chest or neck, or any place related to breathing. After they were done, they sighed a breath of relief and cheerfully greeted the other kids.
"Adrien! Thank you for taking Marinette, she gets clumsy when she's overwhelmed with emotion, she wouldn't focus in her condition, but BOY am I glad you took her! She may be an adult but you can still recognize Mari from a mile away," Tom bellowed happily as he gave Adrien a hearty slap on the back while Adrien and Marinette winked at each other in thanks, although Marinette looked a little more annoyed that Tom would still bring up her lingering personality that she personally didn't mind having around.
"I'm glad I can spot her from a mile away," Adrien replied wistfully as Marinette blushed slightly and suddenly remembered something. Marinette fished a note out of her purse as Adrien felt a rumble from his phone. When he checked it, his eyes lit up and he immediately grabbed Marinette's shoulders, who gaped slightly in surprise.
"Great news Marinette! My father gave the green light for the fashion project that you and Audrey have worked on in collaboration with the Gabriel Brand or technically Agreste Brand. Since I'm gonna be one of the main coordinators presiding over the project, you'll see me a lot more often," Adrien explained as Marinette felt herself sigh in relief, she was glad that Adrien was also overseeing the project as well. Someone she could trust... finally. Adrien saw a flash of disdain cross her vision when he mentioned his father but he paid it no mind.
"Great! I'm one of the main people working on it as it's a collaboration with most of my works so I'll be doing most of the work, not Audrey. I guess we're partners and thank goodness because it's finally someone other than Audrey I can trust," Marinette said happily as Adrien registered what she just said and smiled wide.
"So? Glad to meet you, I'll be your partner," Adrien held out his hand and Marinette readily took it as they had one of those moments where you could stare forever into each other's eyes, they apparently do that A LOT. After a while, Adrien had to leave because modeling duty calls and just when he stepped outside the door, he heard a shout and he turned around to see Louis grinning at him, "Oh! Hey Louis! Something wrong?"
"No... it's nothing... just... I heard a lot of stories about you from my mom and I never got to say this until now but..."
"Uh huh?"
"You're every bit of the cool and wonderful man my mom said you'd be... so... thank you, for giving me the chance to get to know you!" Louis flashed his trademark smile that looked really similar to Adrien's own and Adrien couldn't but smile widely at Louis' words. Adrien reached his hand over to ruffle Louis' hair before continuing to smile with him. They shared the same smile that could make anyone swoon. However, it wasn't about that, but what Louis said really touched his heart that Marinette would go through the effort to tell her kids about him, and in such a positive way that made his heart soar. Thank you Marinette truly... and I'll make sure I'm every bit of the man you say I am because you trust me enough to let your kids view me in the same light as you did 15 years ago and even now. I won't let you down... not again.