Halfway into her walk to work, Marinette's phone chimed. An amused smile tugged at her lips. A new record. Usually, he'd text her first thing upon waking up. Had been for years. She was already starting to suspect something had happened.
Adrien: Help!
She rolled her eyes. If it were anyone else, she'd panic. But it was Adrien, an overgrown man-child to whose overly dramatic, exaggerated ways she was used to by now.
Marinette: I'm bringing you croissants. Don't worry.
Adrien: U rock!
Adrien: But that's not it. Can I ask you for a favour?
She stopped at the lights, looking around for cars and quickly ran across the street.
Marinette: Coffee? I'm about to walk by our café.
Adrien: Thanks, but not today. My photoshoot relocated at the last moment, so I won't be in until much later in the day.
Adrien: I'll still meet you at our cafe for lunch. Don't order without me.
Marinette: :thumbs-up:
One end of her scarf got loose and seeing as Adrien was still typing, Marinette stole a moment to fix it, swaddling her neck away from the crispiness of cool air on the early April morning.
Adrien: Marinette, you're my best friend and the luckiest girl I know, and you're super smart and creative, so if anyone, you'd know what to do, and I really can use help now in something super important.
Adrien: :puppy eyes: Please?
She didn't bother suppressing a giggle, attracting a few glances from a morning crowd around her. Turning the corner, Marinette inhaled a warm aroma of fresh baked goods from a nearby café. She grew up and still lived in a bakery. She should've been used to this kind of thing. Yet this one was special. It was close to Gabriel's office, and Adrien and she loved to frequent it during their lunches.
One of the servers waved at her, wishing her a good day. Marinette waved back, asking how their new kitten was adjusting. A brief exchange later, she walked on, a buzzing device in her hand reminding her of an unintentionally abandoned friend.
Adrien: T_T
Adrien: Are you ignoring me?
Adrien: Five minutes had passed. No answer. :sobbing:
Adrien: I thought we were friends? Friends help each other.
Adrien: …
Adrien: You do still like me, right?
She couldn't hold back a chuckle. Such a drama queen and an incorrigible dork. Though, no one would ever believe her if she'd say that out loud that because in the public eye a supermodel, part-time CEO of a fashion empire Adrien Agreste was perfect in every sense of this word. Only his closest friends knew better.
Marinette: I beg your forgiveness, Your Highness. I was distracted by Pierre. How can I help you?
Adrien: :D You like me after all!
Marinette: I wouldn't put up with your insufferable antics otherwise. Now, spill because I'm about to walk into the office and you'll lose me five minutes after that.
Adrien: Okay.
Adrien: So…
Adrien: I've decided…
Adrien: To confess to the love of my life.
Marinette froze in her path, her heart sinking. Tightening her grip on her cellphone, she stared at the screen in shock. Adrien was in love with someone? Why didn't she know about that? They've been friends for years, so how did she miss that the love of her life was in love with someone else? Her quickening-its-pace heart ached as Adrien continued to type.
Adrien: I tried to confess to her on my own many times but chickened out every single one of them because I'm terrified of ruining what we already have if she doesn't feel the same for it's amazing and wonderful and absolutely beautiful, but I'm also at a point where I NEED more. It's getting too hard to be just a friend.
Adrien: So, I'm risking it and I need you to help me. As my oldest and best-est friend ever you must help me. Please, say you'll help me?
A knife Adrien didn't know he'd stuck into her heart twisted, ripping through tender flesh. Marinette bit on her tongue and closed her eyes, breathing in deeply. She needed a moment before she could reply, so walking into Gabriel's building, she proceeded to the elevator and didn't check her phone until she was safely in her office, settled in her chair.
Adrien: Marinette?
Adrien: I hope I didn't ask for too much. You're the only one I can trust with this.
Adrien: If you'd rather not, though, it's fine. I'll figure this out somehow.
Adrien: Are you upset with me? I'm sorry. I didn't think this would be a big deal.
Adrien: … Please, say something.
Marinette read over the messages a few more times before dropping her head in her hands, propped on the table. This hurt. It ripped and crushed and devastated her, but as much as she'd love to run away and scream her pain out right now, Adrien was her friend first of all, and as his friend, she'd be supportive of him even if it hurt her.
Marinette: Sorry. I got distracted on my way. In my office now, so you have my full attention.
Adrien: T_T Don't scare me like this. I already thought you hated me.
Marinette: Why would I hate you?
Adrien: Idk. Just a thought. So, you're in?
Marinette: Are you sure you want me involved? Love confessions are kind of personal.
Adrien: Mari, please. I'm twenty-three. I don't want to die an old maiden because I'm too chicken to confess to the most amazing, gorgeous girl around.
Marinette stared at the phone. She was also twenty-three, and ten of those years, she'd spent loving Adrien. All in vain, it seemed now. And yet, she couldn't find it in herself to regret a single moment because Adrien had been brightening her days ever since their mothers became friends at a random book club meeting all those years back. She couldn't desert him now, even if she wanted to.
Swearing under her breath, she cursed her inability to say No to him once again and typed.
Marinette: Alright. Let's start with the name of the lucky lady.
Adrien: Can't tell you.
Marinette: Seriously?
Adrien: Yes.
Marinette: How can I help you if I don't know who she is?
Adrien: Keep me accountable. Bug me until I confess. Remind me every freaking minute that I can do it. Idk, threaten me or something. We've been friends for what? Almost fifteen years now? You know how I work and how to make me do things. That's why I'm begging you and not Nino.
Marinette wished he'd asked Nino instead because helping Adrien confess to some girl was the least of Marinette's desires.
Marinette: It's going to be hard to suggest anything specific if I don't know who she is, but fine. We'll think of something. I get the front row seat at the wedding, though.
She wanted nothing less but Adrien couldn't know that.
Adrien: Thank you! I'll save you the best seat in the house… IF she accepts.
Marinette: Oh, please! You've got looks and money. Who would refuse you?
Adrien: See, that's the issue: she knows me too well. She won't be swayed by my looks or money. T_T Why do you think I've been stalling?
Marinette: Your dorkiness is finally catching up with you?
Adrien: Meanie.
Marinette: :P I'm sure everything will be fine. Now, is there anything you can tell me about her?
Adrien: She works at Gabriel.
Marinette tried to swallow the knot in her throat. Of course. Adrien must be in love with one of the models. He worked amongst the most beautiful girls in France every day, and who was Marinette? A junior designer in his father's company? Not ugly or a failure per se but she was nothing to be proud of also. Marinette was just a girl whom he'd known her for most of his life and whose every fault he'd witness more than she'd like to admit. Nothing new and exciting to catch his attention. She was an idiot to ever dare to dream of him.
Yet, gritting her teeth together and pushing the thought aside, Marinette typed a response because he was her friend and he needed her help.
Marinette: You can ask her out to lunch for starters? Take her to our cafe. I'm sure she'd love it there.
Adrien: …
Adrien: But we always have our lunches together. I can't betray you like that.
Marinette: I'll be fine. I have a few designs I need to finish today, so I'll eat at the work cafeteria.
Adrien: They don't have your favourite.
Marinette: I can survive one lunch without an eclair. Or I can call Alya and meet up with her.
Adrien: Shoot. Gtg. Ttyl.
Marinette: Good luck.
Adrien: 3
Marinette put the phone away. dropping her head onto the table. They've been so close for years. How could she have missed that Adrien was in love with someone? Was she that blinded by her own feelings for him? If she wasn't, maybe then she would've noticed and could've prepared herself and not feel this excruciating pain in her chest now.
Her phone chimed again. This time it was Alya, reminding her of their Friday night plans. Marinette briefly responded, not paying close attention to what she was saying, adding an invitation for lunch at the end. Not that she was eager to be in anybody's company today, but it was better than sitting alone and obsessing over who Adrien's lady-love was. She knew herself and right now she needed a distraction not to fall apart. So, pushing misery aside, Marinette pulled her work files and started on finalizing her sketches due by the end of the day.
Closer to noon, Adrien texted again. As he always did.
Adrien: Guess who's all done and who's so nervous about today, it showed in pictures and drove my photographer insane?
She bitterly chuckled. Classic Adrien.
Marinette: Nothing to be bragging about. I thought you were a professional?
Adrien: I am. That's why I'm done already. All you have to do is to imagine spaghetti. :3
Marinette: Dork.
Adrien: Proudly so.
Adrien: Marinette, thank you. I REALLY appreciate you being with me on this one. Honestly, I just can't do this alone, and I wanted to do this for so long now, I'm desperate. So, your help means a lot.
I don't want to help you, Marinette grumbled to herself.
That's what friends are for, right? she wrote instead.
Adrien: She's just so amazing, it terrifies me to lose her, but I can't imagine myself being with anyone else. We're perfect for each other. I hope you'll agree with me once you'll see who I'm talking about.
Adrien: Okay, I'm downstairs. I'll drop by after I see Father.
Marinette: Cool. See you soon.
She put her phone on the desk, pushing her designs away. Tears, successfully withheld by the distraction of work, surfaced at the corners of her eyes, as the reality of what was going on hit again. Adrien was in love with someone and that person wasn't her despite Marinette's most daring hopes because otherwise, Adrien wouldn't be asking her for help.
Someone opened the door, walking in without an invitation. Marinette quickly wiped away the lingering moisture in her eyes. Adrien couldn't see her crying or he'd know she was less than happy about this confession of his. She was heartbroken, but for his sake, she'd keep a brave face and smile until the end.
"Lila?"
"Didn't except me?" The woman walked closer and settled in a chair opposite Marinette, a mug of coffee in her hand.
"Not really," Marinette replied coldly. She hated Lila for lies and manipulations. Why M Agreste hired her as a model was beyond her. "What do you want?"
"I've come to warn you," Lila said, ceremonially checking her nails.
Marinette quirked an eyebrow. "About what?"
Lila smirked, putting her mug down on a table. "Adrien and I are going public today, and we'd like you to stay out of it."
Marinette inwardly growled. There was no way that could've been true! Yes, Lila was not so subtly trying to get Adrien's attention for a while now, but as far as Marinette knew, Adrien was tolerating her antics only out of innate politeness and kindness of his heart, not affection.
"You're lying," she seethed. "Adrien had never mentioned—"
"That's because he knew you don't like me, and he wanted to spare your feelings since you're his friend and all." Lila shrugged. "But we've been secretly dating for a while now. Not anymore, though." She smirked. "Adrien's taking me out for lunch on our first official date today. But, to make it easier for everyone, I thought I'd warn you"—Lila's face became stone-cold, her voice and glare matching—"stay out of my boyfriend's life or you'll regret it, Marinette."
"What if I won't?" Marinette barked without thinking twice. "He's my friend. I have a right to—"
"You have absolutely no rights when it comes to my boyfriend."
"I won't believe it until I hear it from him personally."
"You shall see it on the news tonight."
Lila's sly smile promised nothing good as she stood up, picked up her coffee, and turned around to leave. Her hand swayed. Marinette's blood ran cold because the mug in Lila's hands tipped over, all of the coffee inside spilling all over Marinette's desk, her sketches and her outfit. "Oops! Clumsy me."
"You!" Marinette rushed to save what she could of her work.
"Stay away from Adrien or this will only be the start," Lila whispered, leaning closer. "He's mine."
"Oh my gosh! What happened here? Marinette, are you alright?" Adrien suddenly appeared by her side.
"Adrien," Lila cooed. "You're just in time. We have to help Marinette. She spilled her coffee all over her hard work." She picked up a few coffee-drenched papers, making a show out of trying to save them. "You're such a klutz, girl. Let me help you before you do any more damage."
Marinette glared at Lila, pressing her lips into a thin line.
"Marinette, are you okay?" Adrien took her by the shoulders and turned to face him.
"Of course, she isn't," Lila interfered. "Just look at her: the poor thing's all soaked. And doesn't she look pale to you? She might be getting sick. We should ask your father to give her a day off. Or better yet send someone to do that. We don't want to be late for lunch. I'll go call someone."
The moment Lila stepped out of the room, Marinette looked at Adrien and asked, "Are you really taking her out for lunch?"
Adrien pressed his lips together, looking away as he nodded.
Lost for words, lost for actions, lost for anything, all Marinette could do was to stare at the ground.
"It's not—"
"Oh my gosh! Marinette, what happened?" Alya pushed Adrien to the side and took her friend by her shoulders. "You're all soaked."
"Found her wandering down the hall," Lila looped her hand around Adrien's arm. "She's here to pick up Marinette for lunch which reminds me that we need to go now or we'll be late for our reservation. The girls can take care of this mess by themselves, right Marinette?"
Marinette wanted nothing more than to slap Lila and take Adrien away. He deserved so much better! How could he fall for Lila? Didn't he see what kind of a person Lila was? Didn't he know how she felt about her? How could he ask her advice on this? Tears pooled in her eyes. Adrien was her best friend. She loved him, but this hurt too much. It felt too much as a betrayal, and if Adrien cared for her so little as to ask her for advice on how to woo her enemy, then Marinette didn't want him to see how much that pained her.
"I'll be fine with Alya." Marinette turned away to gather her papers. "This is my mess; I'll clean it up. You should go."
"What's going on here?" Gabriel Agreste himself appeared behind them.
"Marinette spilled coffee all over herself and her work," Lila rushed to explain.
"Father, I think—"
"You should clean up and take a day off," Gabriel interceded. "I'll give you an extension on those. Now, Adrien. Why are you still here? Don't you have lunch to go to?"
Adrien glanced at Marinette, then to his father. His lips pressed into a thin line. "Yes, I do."
"Then off you go. Mlle Dupain-Cheng would be fine without you."
"Right." Adrien reached forward to lightly touch Marinette's elbow. "I'll call you later," he mouthed and walked out the room with Lila Rossi on his arm.
Adrien didn't contact her until the very evening when exhausted from the day, Marinette put the work she took home away and went for a stroll.
Adrien: Hey. Sorry, I had a few things to settle. How are you?
She closed her eyes for a moment, before looking back at the Seine. The gentle lure of waves calmed. It mesmerized and relaxed. Marinette always came here when she was stressed, or tired, or needed a pick me up. She couldn't explain it, but there was something soothing and healing about gazing at the passing-by waters of the Seine. Her own safe haven, a little oasis in the desert of stress and chaos. Today, Marinette needed it more than ever.
Adrien: Marinette? Is everything okay?
No. Nothing was okay, and she'd rather not talk to him now, but… years of friendship and her treacherous heart demanded otherwise. He hurt her, but it was also him, who she wanted to comfort her right now. Pathetic, she knew that, but better texts than face to face.
Marinette: Everything's fine. Taking a walk.
Adrien: Where are you off to?
Marinette: [image 1509]
Adrien: Pont des Arts?
Marinette: You know your Paris well.
Adrien took five minutes to reply, but when he did, he did so in person. "I know you well. You always come here when you need to calm down or to think things over."
Marinette whipped around. Adrien was standing just a few meters away. Trying to catch his breath, he ran his hands through his dishevelled hair to fix it back in somewhat decent shape.
"Adrien? What are you doing here?"
"I need to ask you something." He walked closer, stopping only when Marinette was pressed flash against the bridge, his hands on either of her sides, his face inches from hers. "Why didn't you expose her?"
Marinette blinked. "What?"
"You didn't spill that coffee. Lila did. And don't even try to deny it. You never bring drinks in your office unless it's in an air-tight container because you think you're too clumsy."
Marinette shifted her eyes to the side. "I am clumsy."
"Just a tiny, adorable amount. Nothing serious." He cocked his head to the side. "So? Why did you let her get away with it?"
Marinette looked away. She hated Lila and Adrien knew that. What did he expect her to say? Why did he even come here? He should go back to that liar girlfriend of his.
"It's so unlike you. I want to know what's going on."
She didn't know what to answer him, so she remained silent.
"Marinette, please? What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"You're lying."
"I'm not."
"Then look me in the eyes and repeat that."
She tried and failed. Adrien sighed and pulled her into his arms, whispering into her ear. "Marinette, please. Why did you allow her to walk all over you? You never did that before. What's happened? You know I won't leave you alone until you tell me."
She closed her eyes. The gentle tone of his voice, the comforting wrap of his arms around her, his body's warmth so close to hers… It stirred those damn butterflies at the pit of her belly, ripping through her heart at the same time… because he'd betrayed her. He'd fallen in love with the only girl whose guts Marinette hated more than anything and there was nothing either of them could do because who could control their heart? Adrien couldn't help loving who he did… which, however, didn't mean he could be so inconsiderate of her. He knew she hated Lila!
"Marinette?"
She pushed him away. It hurt to remain in his embrace any longer.
"Mari…"
"Leave me alone. Go to your girlfriend."
His eyes widened as he stared at her in shock. "My girlfriend?"
"Lila."
"Lila?!"
"Yes, Lila," Marinette huffed, turning her back to him, her face to the Seine. "Can't believe you had the audacity to ask me of all people for advice on that. You know how I feel about her!"
Her eyes focused on the rolling waves as Marinette waited for an answer that didn't come for a few moments and not until Adrien walked to stand beside her, searching her face with his eyes.
"Just to make sure I understood you correctly: you think I'm in love with Lila?"
"Aren't you? You took her to lunch just as you said you would."
Adrien laughed, leaning on his arms to rest on the bridge. "Marinette, you know me better than that. I took Lila to lunch only because my father blackmailed me to do so."
Marinette rolled her eyes. "A likely story."
"No, really. He said Lila dug some dirt on him and her price for silence was me. And Father, knowing you're my friend, threatened to fire you if I won't comply."
Marinette looked at him, her eyebrows knitted into a frown. "What?"
"Don't worry, your job is safe, and I made it clear to both of them that I'm not taking part in any of their bullshit. If Father wants her silence, he'd better pay for it some other way." Gently, Adrien cupped her shoulder, turning Marinette to face him. "Seeing what she did to you… it made me angry. I wanted nothing more than to protect you at that moment, and the best way to do that was to deal with the cause once and for all. So, I trusted Alya to take care of you, and I went with Lila only to ensure she won't be troubling you again. And after that, I visited Father and we had a long talk about the situation. He won't be bothering either of us again as well."
Marinette stared at him for a few seconds before muttering without thinking. "What did you do?"
"Nothing significant. I explained to Father how serious I was about quitting Gabriel the moment you're fired and we both know he can't afford me walking out. Not with me owning half of the company in my mother's shares. Lila, though, was harder to get through. She kept dismissing me until I pretty much avenged you. Then she got the message loud and clear."
As in a haze, she echoed, "What did you do?"
Adrien grinned. "I might have placed my plate of spaghetti in a strategic place for it to be accidentally tipped over and end up all over Lila."
Marinette gasped. "What?!"
His grin widened. "I only placed it in the spot. She did all the job herself, and"—he leaned closer—"there might have been a reporter close by and he might have taken pictures if you are interested."
"What? How?"
Adrien chuckled. "Lila hired someone to 'witness' and report on our 'first date'. The guy reached out to me later to see if I wanted to buy the embarrassing pictures of 'my girlfriend' from him. I wasn't interested, but I saved his card in case you are."
Marinette stared at him for a moment, then erupted with laughter. "You're horrible."
"She deserved so much more after what she did to you."
"Still, spaghetti?"
"Just using her own methods against her, and only because she wouldn't listen to me when I was nice."
Marinette chuckled. "Dork."
"And you like me that way, don't you?"
"I do," she smiled, relaxing against the railing. She looked up at the stars and breathed in. So many worries for nothing. She should've trusted Adrien more.
"Marinette?"
She hummed, turning to him.
He looked hesitant, moving closer. "Were you jealous?"
Marinette squeaked, her face flaring crimson, as she shook her head. "No! Why would I be jealous? I—"
"You looked like you were jealous."
"No, I wasn't!" Her face burned hotter with every moment.
Adrien chuckled before turning serious and reaching out to cup her face in his hands. His touch, gentle and warm, sent electrical current down Marinette's body. He slowly started to lean in. Her eyes widened with realization, fluttering close the moment his lips hesitantly brushed against hers.
"The girl I'm in love with is you, Marinette," Adrien whispered, searching her face for a reaction. "You're the most amazing person I've ever met, and I'm the fool who couldn't find the courage to confess to you for years without asking you to keep me accountable because I'm terrified my feelings will ruin our friendship, but I can't keep it in anymore. I love you, Marinette."
Dumbfounded, Marinette stared back at him wide-eyed. "Me? You love me?"
His lips tugged in a hopeful smile as he nodded. "Will you give me a chance? I promise I'll make you happy if you'll let me be more than just a friend."
Marinette forgot how to breathe. "Adrien—I… I don't understand. You said—I thought—"
She froze, seeing his face saddened, and shook her head. No! What was she doing? She'd dreamed of this moment for years and now that it was finally here, why was she stalling?
He slowly pulled his hands away.
She couldn't let him misunderstand her even if her reaction was puzzling to her herself, so she grabbed the collar of his coat and pulled him down, crushing her lips against his.
Adrien stilled. Then wrapped his arms around her and angled his head to deepen the kiss. She let him press forward, pushing her against the railing of the bridge as their lips moved heatedly in tandem, years of pinned-up love and desire spilling out. It was only when the air became a necessity, she pulled away breathless and smiled at him.
"I love you too, Adrien. Have been for years."
His face lit up.
"And just like you, I was too scared to confess. Looks like we're both hopeless idiots."
Adrien pulled her closer, burying his face in the crook of her neck as he pressed a lingering kiss to a patch of exposed skin he found there.
"I've wanted to do this for years," he whispered.
"You could've if you'd asked," Marinette replied, running her fingers through his hair.
He leaned into her touch, almost purring from the pleasure. "Can I now?"
"Yes."
He growled lowly, tightening his hold on her. "Mine."
She giggled, wrapping her hands around his neck. "Possessive much?"
"Very." He grinned. "Marinette?" Without letting her go, Adrien pulled a key with a ladybug keychain on it out from his pocket. "Will you also consider moving in with me?"
"What?" Marinette blinked. "Right away?"
He shrugged. "It's not like we need time to get to know each other better. We grew up together. We know what makes us tick and what we like. Why wait?"
Marinette smiled. Adrien was right. They did know each other well. And it wasn't like she hadn't dreamed of sharing her days, her nights, her happy and sad moments, her dreams and fears, her life, her everything with him for years. Why wait indeed? "I'd love to move in with you."
Adrien grinned harder and pulled her in for another kiss. Slow and sweet, filled with longing, and need, and desire.
"In that case," he added, his voice raspy as he drew away and, pulling a small box out of his pocket, dropped on one knee. "Will you also consider marrying me?"
Marinette gasped as Adrien revealed a gorgeous ring inside.
"Adrien, you're insane. What are you doing?"
"I thought I'll ask everything in one go," he admitted. "It took me years to confess, and I don't want to wait that long for the next step. So why not? We can have a long engagement if you want, or you can say No now and I'll ask again la—"
"No, you really are insane," Marinette kneeled beside him, cupping his cheeks and kissing him slowly. "How can I say No to you?"
He grinned. "Is that a Yes then?"
"That's a Yes."
He held her gaze for a few moments, giving her that goofy, happy smile of his before shaking off his stupor and sliding the ring on her finger. "I don't think I've ever been so happy in my life."
"Me too."
"I already looked up hamsters in my local pet store. They're keeping a few for us to choose from until next week," Adrien murmured. "You did want a hamster, right? Three kids and a hamster. We'll start with the hamster and add kids later—"
Marinette laughed and grabbed him by his coat's collar again, pulling him closer.
"As much as I'd love to talk kids and hamsters with you," she whispered. "Right now, I need you to kiss me senseless. Leave the rest for later."
A lovesick smile tugged at his lips. "I love you."
"I love you too," Marinette echoed, weaving her arms around his neck, losing herself to the caresses of the man she loved more than anything.