Burnmarks and other Keepsakes

"Does it hurt badly?", Marinette cooed, softly holding onto Adrien's hand with both of hers. Water ran down on the skin, cold, but not icy. Just to soothe the pain for now. Her eyes examined the burn marks on his palm - slightly red skin, a little bit swollen - but thankfully no blisters - open wounds were never good when it came to infections. But it wasn't bad - she had worse burns before.

Yet it wasn't holding her back to take care of him and his small injury- it was almost lunchtime anyway and her parents had even encouraged them to go.

"It's okay! It really - OW!"

Adrien wanted to move his hand away, but stopped and hissed, once his hand was out of the water. Wincing, letting her get a hold of it again and she placed it once more underneath the water.

"It's only to top layer of skin, that was burned, of what I can tell. But I suppose it's your very first burn mark, so we can still go and see a doctor, if you like!"

"Doubt he would take me serious…"

"But then you had certainty about the burn's degree. And he could take proper care of it…"

"Proper care?", he mumbled and raised a questioning eyebrow on his forehead. "I have the most gorgeous nurse by my side-" "The very one nurse, why you got these burn marks in the first place? Because you kept ogling her, instead of letting your eyes stay on the baking tray in your hands? Mhm?"

He pressed a kiss to her cheek and snickered.

"Yep! Exactly that gorgeous nurse!", another kiss followed and she felt the tension slowly peel away - glad, that he wasn't mad at the very mistake he made and that he was taking it so lightly. "And I suppose, that it's not the first burn mark you ever cured in your life?"

He raised his second hand up and brushed it softly across an almost faded mark on the underside of her left arm. Barely visible anymore and by now it was just the softest rose color - a reminder of a nasty burn she earned three weeks ago. And even this one hasn't been her first one either - by far not the first one she had ever taken care of herself. And it won't be the last one, either.

But that's one thing that made it a little special to grow up in a bakery - early on learning amazing recipes, that only her family knew about - making delicacies from scratch and with her bare hands. Burn Marks were the downside to that - painful little memories, that would stay, even when everything was eaten.

But it was okay - these burns would go away, skin would heal. When a scar was left behind, then it was just a little reminder to be careful the next time around.

"I had plenty…", she simply said and shrugged. "They come and go. But you should get used to it, now that you work at the bakery!"

"If I get you to take care of me, then the pain certainly was worth it…"

"Oh, I certainly can do-"

Soft steps behind them interrupted their little moment and both glanced over their shoulders - blushing, as they saw her parents approaching.

Marinette immediately rolled her eyes - seeing their smiles and knowing grins - both Tom and Sabine tried their very best to keep as quiet as possible, to hear everything between them.

Parents, what were they?

"Oh, don't mind us, you two little lovebirds~", Sabine chimed, speeding up her steps to get into the kitchen as well, opening the fridge in hurry to hide her head inside. "Just behave, as you have not seen us!"

"Yeah - we will be minding our own business!"

They won't - Marinette knew that.

Therefore, she grabbed everything she would need for Adrien's hand from the counter, before she motioned him to follow her closely behind - up into her old room, where they would have some privacy from Sabine's and Tom's curious stares and teasing words - just a few minutes to properly steal a kiss from Adrien, once she was done with his hand.

"We'll be down, once lunch is prepared!", she merely exclaimed and shut the trapdoor behind her.

To her surprise Adrien let out a little chuckle - as if he was holding it all back for the whole time.

"What?" She was irritated at his behavior, that was true. "Told you, that they would become like this!"

"Marinette - they are just genuinely happy for you - us! And I certainly don't mind!"

"Urgh - just wait, until Maman starts with her wish for grandchildren, again - we won't get away easily!" He shrugged, a smirk still lingering on his lips, his eyes gleaming, holding her gaze tightly. Of course - she knew his opinion about that. He wouldn't feel pressure from her mother's words - wishing himself, for that to happen one day. A child - preferably with her. Therefore, she sighed and shook her head - pointing towards her chaise, as she saw her chances to change his mind slowly decline. "Now sit - let me see your hand, again!"

He eagerly obeyed - taking his place on the comfortable piece of furniture with her to his left. Laying his hand in her waiting ones, palm raising to the ceiling.

Showing her his burn, again.

"It will hurt for a few days…", she mumbled knowingly and reached for the tube with burn ointment beside her. Squeezing some on her finger to most gently and carefully spread it on his damaged skin.

He exhaled in relief, feeling to coolness in a soothing way and she saw his tensed hand relax a little, again.

"Just be careful the next time, okay?" She looked back in his face, blushing, as she saw him stare at her - probably for the whole time. Gently smiling, very relaxed and content in his whole being. "What?"

"Mhm?", he blinked, torn now out of his thoughts and he shook his head to come back the very reality, that surrounded them. "Have I done something wrong?"

"You were staring at me - so I should be the one to ask if I have done something wrong!"

A goofy grin replaced that smile on his lips easily and he nervously brushed through his hair.

"I just admired you - that is all! You had your tongue sticking out and looked very concentrated and thoughtful. And yet gentle at the same time - I just couldn't help myself, but to be easily amazed by you! And you know what the best thing about this is?", he leaned closer slowly, very much reminding her of a cat, that wanted to play. Eyes very much focused on her, a charming little smirk teasing the corners of his lips. An exciting little tingle reached her spine and she let out a little gasp, as he brushed his nose past hers. "I am very much allowed to say it out loud, because I am your boyfriend, my Queen~"

He kissed her, just slowly, but deeply - one she gladly returned, once her shyness about his words has drained from her body - her brain aware of his words and actions a moment later.

Briefly she remembered the last week - their last shared Saturday, when both have found themselves within the realms of her room as well. Sitting on her chaise as well, talking about dating and the video and so much more. Only a week ago she wouldn't have believed to find herself with him like that, again - but closer now, than ever before.

And at that thought her heart made a happy, little jump - before she eventually decided to be the one to end the kiss, before things would start to get a little heated.

"Let me put a bandage around your hand…", she whispered, barely able to focus on his face, when they parted. They were still so close and she could still feel his breath on her lips - which only made skin tingle and gave her goosebumps. "Just to be sure, that you won't get an infection…"

"Okay…"

He leaned away from her once more - giving her enough space, to properly do her job. Wrapping a bandage around it, making sure, that it wasn't too tight, but also covering his damaged skin completely, leaving his fingers free.

"I suggest you keep it on until tomorrow. I can take a glance at it in the morning and could make another one, if it still looks like that…"

"Looks good!", he turned his hand left and right to examine her job and nodded. "Really - I am glad, that you are around! What would I do without you?"

"Go to the doctor, of course!", she pressed her lips to his cheek and got up - ready to wash her own hands once more, to get the ointment of her skin. "Though I suggest, you still did that, if it does not look any better by… let's say… by Tuesday!"

She heard him sigh from her bathroom, but he nodded, when she came back.

"Okay… It feels nice though, if you take care of it - can't deny it! And I am really lucky, that you know, how to take care of it!"

She stuck her tongue out in his direction, ready to get back to him and on the chaise, to get a few minutes of snuggling, until her Maman would call for Lunch. Honestly - it was a nice way to spend lunch together - but seeing him there, hearing him say 'lucky' just tingled her mind and a small sweet memory crossed her thoughts.

Lucky - just like a Lucky Charm.

She stopped in her tracks and took a long glance into the direction of her wardrobe. Grinning in his direction, wiggling her finger at him, until he stood up as well.

"Do you want to see a few awesome things?"

"Awesome things?", he asked eagerly as he arrived her side - he reminded her so much of Emma. "I love awesome things!"

"Good!", she opened her wardrobe, revealing stacks of cardboard boxes inside. Things she used to love, stored carefully away inside. Keepsakes, that were still dear to her and would trigger little memories so easily. "'Cause there are plenty of awesome things here!"

…and hopefully she would find these, before she found something very embarrassing - her stacks of Adrien's photographs, posters and advertisements with his face on surely were there somewhere as well. Knowing him, he would probably love to tease her about it!

But that was a little price to pay, if they found the box with her Lucky Charm inside before her mother called them to come down for lunch.

But for now he let out an impressed little whistle.

"Already looks awesome to me! What is all of that stuff?"

"A little bit of everything! Sketchbooks, photographs, old designs. Oh - look - Blu-rays from the time before you could watch every movie online!" She shrugged and started to pull the first box from the stack - gazing inside she found CD's, DVD's and more. But not the desired Lucky Charm. "I still do like these things. They are dear to me and I don't ever think, that I could throw anything of it away…Or sell it… You surely have things like that as well!"

He smiled sadly. Shrugged and answered bashfully: "Yeah… Probably a few things - but those aren't certainly as awesome as yours!"

"I doubt it…", she sweetly whispered, very well aware of the power a keepsake could have to a specific person. "And if you ever want to show them to me, then I will gladly look at them as well!"

Her words encouraged him to smile wider as well and both eventually settled next to each other on the floor. Close, with their knees touching, and hands brushing willingly and accidentally the other every now and then. Opening boxes, to find hidden treasures inside, that easily provoked a smile, or a laugh.

Marinette would have loved to spend hours and hours like that with Adrien, looking through all those things - and maybe they could do that in the future. Her parents had planned to get these to her place anyway and the young woman and her boyfriend surely had more time then.

Also - she should certainly start to label all these things. And sort them by date, or meaning - the search for a specific item or memory would be easier then…

Currently, they were looking through a batch of photographs from her early twenties - her hair was way shorter than now and she was pretty much experimenting with her outfits back then - especially since her time in university, where all her fellow students loved to express themselves with their daily outfits. Design students certainly showing of their skill and it had influenced her as well - not that she minded to wear something she has made herself.

And still those were the pictures which made her linger a little longer, before continuing their search. Looking at herself in it. Smiling brightly at the cameras, while there was seemingly nothing, that could have dulled her happiness in any way. The patrols were rarer - her younger self barely acknowledging the dangers usual criminals could bring. Her father wasn't diagnosed with that horrible illness back then. She was seeing Alya and Nino almost daily - her other friends at least once a week.

…there were no Akumas.

And Nooroo was still there…

A gentle hand reached for her back, caressing her and lips pressed to her cheek.

"Is everything alright?"

She blinked, then gulped, looked over to Adrien with a sad smile.

"I was just remembering a few things…", she mumbled and carefully laid the photographs in his hand - the unharmed one, of course. "I mean… for me the time at university was quite nice. And simple… I just sometimes wish, that I could have that once more. With less work and-" Patrols. "-more free time-" And no Akuma attacks. "Seeing all of our friends on a weekly basis". Without the fear of them moving away. "And without Papa's illness…"

Without Lady Titalee messing with her and everybody's lives.

Life could be so sweet and simple.

But it wasn't - and Adrien, above all people she knew - understood her best!

He frowned at her words and shortly glanced at the top photo in his hands, before he laid them on the floor beside him. Instead, he encircled her waist, to pull her in his lap, embracing her most tightly from behind, pressing his lips to her neck, then shoulder in a tender way, before he inhaled her scent deeply.

His arms around her felt so good and she leaned against him. Stroking his arms and listened to his breath, as he gently tried to soothe her with his very presence, closeness and warmth.

It was the one thing, she really needed right now.

"If there is something you want to talk about, then I am there to listen…", he gently whispered, his lips barely brushing her ear and she felt his arms tighten around him a little more. "I solemnly promise, that I can keep secrets very well and I won't tell a single soul!"

She heard his words so easily and her heart skipped a beat at that sweet, little offer he presented her on a silver plate.

Of course, he was referring to the very conversation they had in the morning - that it was okay and welcomed to speak ones mind in that very relationship they were in. Of course, he couldn't know, that she was hiding so much more, than one could see with the bare eye.

…of course, he couldn't know, that her secret identity as Ladybug needed to stay a secret.

Now was not the right time to say it out loud. Not the perfect moment to tell him the truth and she dearly hoped, that it would wait only a little longer.

…for she was scared about that very moment, when he found out about it - afraid of what he would say and think of her.

… for she was the one to put his father into prison… the one person, who turned his life upside down.

She pushed that very thought away into the farthest corners of her mind - her memory of them fleeing from Prime Queen as well.

…of her, almost revealing her identity to him before…

Instead of talking she tried to soothe them both by turning her head to the side and to place a soft kiss on his cheek. Putting on a small smile, that hopefully would hide her inner turmoil for now.

"Thank you…", she whispered, "… I'll surely come back to that offer, later…"

She heard him gulp, but he nodded only a moment later, hugging her most tightly once more.

"Always…"

They kissed, both yet so unaware, that there was more to their words, than they could see and grasp at the moment. But for now it was okay - everything would eventually be okay, right?

They parted a moment later and gazed lovingly into each other's eyes - both eventually turned back to the small mountain of boxes in front of them, knowing, that they were not yet done with their task to search for the hidden Lucky Charm.

And time was slowly running out!

But for now she stayed in his lap - one of his gentle hands on her stomach reminded her with sweet pressure, that he wouldn't mind, if they stayed that way. She liked it anyway - so why should she move in the first place?

Instead, she opened the very next box in front of her, while Adrien curiously peeked over her shoulder and inside the container as well.

"Uh? What's that?"

They were greeted by pearls and glitter and sparkle. A dream of white and ivory, carefully folded and placed into that box by her Maman - who made sure, that the was no wrinkle on it whatsoever. It hung on her tailor dummy for to long, until Sabine had decided to carefully put it away, before even more dust would settle on the fabric and moths would have eaten it completely.

It was the wedding dress she had made during her studies - a project, that had taken months to complete. The young woman remembered how she had sown each bead and pearl on it with her bare hands - remembered each prick with the needle.

But she also recalled the sheer pride and joy once it was done.

…memorized the moment she had stood in front of the mirror to wear it for the first time.

Adrien whistled impressed behind her and it was him, who bravely reached out for the dress, dainty fingers brushing over the exquisite material, before he lifted it up to look at it.

"You made this…", he mumbled in amazement. No question, but a statement, for he already knew the truth himself. "It's beautiful! How many hours did you put into it? Is that the dress your parents mentioned the last time were here?"

"Thank you…", she mumbled in a humble way, her own fingers reaching for the dress to trace a few of the beats and pearls on it. "It certainly took me some time. But it was worth it, don't you think? Though I will not wear it myself, if the time comes…"

He looked at her, eyebrows rising with unsaid questions, before he looked back to the dress in his hand,

"Why? Why don't you want to wear it on your wedding day? It's too good to just be hidden in a box, somewhere in your wardrobe!"

She shrugged meekly.

"I am more of a princess-style-girl, don't you think?"

She had always imagined herself to wear one of these big dresses - with a big, fluffy tulle skirt and a tight bodice. Pearls, beads and glitter? She would be okay with that - but not in the way she had made the dress before them.

For a few moments he considered her words, before he laid that very dress in her hands, moving to get his legs from underneath her to stand - pulling her and the dress most eagerly along and over towards the folding screen by the mirror,

"Then wear it now!", his eyes were gleaming. Were full of excitement and anticipation. He even laid his hands together, folding them, as if he wanted to pray, pleading with his most brilliant smile. "Please?"

"I am not going to wear-", but no word would change his mind - he was set to seeing her in that dress and he would do everything to just archive that self-set goal. And… Why should she be the one to decline him that wish? Therefore, she sighed, laying one finger on the tip of his nose to nudge it softly. "Fine…!"

He composed himself, merely nodded, but she imagined him to jump up and down like a child on Christmas Eve, when they were presented their gifts. And now she was his gift and she wouldn't mind if he unwrapped-

Nope - she should keep her dirty thoughts locked up for now! Her mother could chime in at any minute to call them down for lunch and she certainly didn't want her Maman to see anything inappropriate between them!

Making sure, that Adrien could not see her behind the folding screen, she started to get undressed - stripping his shirt and shorts easily and after a short moment of hesitation she decided, that her bra had to go as well - the dress had a cut-out at the back and if she really wanted Adrien to see her in it, then it should have the full effect - she didn't want to flash him anyway!

Almost naked now she stepped into the dress and pulled it up, over her body. It was a little more loose since the last time she had tried it on - probably due her little weight-loss she had due all that stress, work and lack of proper meals and she dearly hoped, that Adrien wouldn't notice it - he was worrying so much about her already.

Yet she swallowed hard herself at that thought and closed her eyes for a moment to compose herself as well - for apparently Lady Titalee wasn't only harming her in an emotional, but also in a physical way without even realizing it.

"Do you need help?", she heard him call for her and she hurriedly brushed those pesky tears away, that dared to reach her eyes so easily and blasted a smile once more on her lips - shaking her head, even though he wouldn't be able to see it.

"No - don't worry!", she pulled the sleeves over her shoulders and made sure, that everything sat on her body - almost - perfectly. For it should be skin tight around her, to get the desired effect. And… he would surely notice… "How about you look in the drawers of my desk! There are surely a few bobby pins left behind!"

She wanted to distract him, that was true - and maybe she could do that with the right hair-do, too.

"Okay, sure!"

She heard his steps, directed towards the other side of the room, further away from her. The opening of a drawer, some rummaging, a successful, little "Ah!", before he returned - his hand emerging on the very edge of the folding screen to present her a few of these desired pins. Not too many, but they would work just fine for now!

"Thank you…", she whispered, taking them easily and lingered a moment longer like that, as his thumb shortly brushed her fingers - an honest little smile reached her lips this time.

Then she turned to see her reflection in the mirror, her hands swiftly gathering her raven locks up into a messy hairdo, which she fixed on her head. Smoothing it out. Then the folds in the dress, shortly admiring herself in the reflection.

"You may look - and close the zipper at the back, please?"

Through the reflection she saw him peek from the edge of the folding screen - grinning smugly and charmingly - before his features softened at the very sign of her. Eyes becoming big like saucers and his breath got caught in his throat, not making it past his lips.

"The back! You still need to close it for me!", she teased him, wiggling her finger at him, batting her eyes at him. "I can't do it myself! Really!"

He came closer, slowly and almost cat like. Breathing shakingly and stopped right behind her. Admired her back and bit his lips, before a careful hand reached out of her.

She felt the soft skin of his fingers on her lower back and it made her gasp. Shiver. Goosebumps raising on her arms, as he pulled that pesky zipper up in an almost agonizing speed. Reaching then for her neck, where he fastened two hooks of the top part - leaving the middle of her back and her shoulder blades free and uncovered from any fabric. This very view certainly had an effect on him, she could tell by the way he leered shortly at her, bowing down to press a little kiss to her spine, that made her quiver and her legs go weak. She had to close her eyes, feeling too dizzy to focus on her reflection anymore.

Thankfully his hands reached for her waist. Holding her, as his kisses wandered further up and over her clothed shoulder, towards the side of her neck, her jawline and find her ear.

"I don't know, how I can express your beauty in words right now, my Queen…", he murmured huskily. "I am in awe - how can you combine the innocence of the white with the sexiness of an almost naked back so easily to make this dress look stunning and elegant at the same time! Your skill is just impeccable and-" He lowered his voice even more, until it was a quiet, sensual whisper. "I do hope you wear this dress on your big day! I certainly wouldn't mind!"

"I don't think, that this is the dress I would wear, if I ever marry…", she whispered back, eyes opening once more to find his in their shared reflection so easily.

"But it is made for you… by you!"

"The pearls and beads make it quite heavy…"

"I wouldn't mind carrying you all day!"

"It's skintight…"

"It is really sexy on you!"

"And-"

"Marinette…", he sighed with a cheeky little grin on his lips and shook his head, moving to stand by her side, leaving one arm still wrapped around her waist. Her left one came around his as well and both admired their reflection in the mirror - that of a wannabe bride and the most handsome and gorgeous man alive. "I can't change my mind - whenever I am going imagine you as a bride, then I will from now on only see you in this dress. And I really believe, that you should wear it, when the time comes…"

She turned to face him, her stomach pressed against his side. Kissing his cheek and encircled his waist with both arms.

"Doesn't it mean bad luck, when the groom sees the bride in her wedding dress before the wedding?"

His eyes immediately lit up at her words and he smirked, looking down to meet her eyes, wiggling his brows at her, as he spoke:

"Was that a proposal, Mademoiselle Dupain-Cheng?"

She paled at his words - realizing just now, what she had said to him and what it could have implied. Blushing a deep red only a moment later, pushing against his chest to scramble away, before she would embarrass herself even more.

"Never mind! Forget about everything I have said! Forget about this dress and-", she hurriedly unhooked the clasp in her neck and fumbled with the zipper to pull it down and to get out of that damned dress in a hurry, getting out of the sleeves and to pull the top-part down and-

He bolted at her, before she could have done that. Hugging her tightly to his chest, her hands wedged between their bodies. Blinking, confused - squealing and hiding her face in his shoulder, when she realized, that she had almost flashed him in her desperate attempt to get out of the dress.

Seriously - could her whole life get even more embarrassing than that?

"I am a mess!", she exclaimed full of frustration in his chest. "Are you sure you want me to be your girlfriend?"

She heard him chuckle, most gleefully and it rumbled through his skin, making his whole body sweetly vibrate with that - it even made her feel warm inside in a good way. Especially that kiss, he pressed to her hair only a moment later.

"Absolutely! And I certainly wouldn't have minded, if you had pulled that lovely dress from your even lovelier body. I suspect, that you aren't wearing a bra underneath - and that is certainly something I would have loved to see! But I know you - and I believe, that you wouldn't want to look me in the eyes for the reminder of the day, if you flashed me…" Why was he so good at reading her? For he was absolutely right - she wouldn't have taken that so easily - him seeing her naked. He wasn't the first man to do so by all means and - heck - they have slept with each other. Were naked together - but the cover of the night had it made a little more durable for her.

That - and her desire for him, that had clouded her mind in the worst possible way. How was she supposed to live through the day - the night - in the very knowledge, that he would eventually see her that way? Naked and with the lights on.

…and she would do the same.

Her cheeks were flaming by now and especially at that thought, clenching her thighs together, as she felt that very familiar tingle - especially when she recalled their agreement for the day - to sleep at his place and in his bed. Together. And she didn't need to be a genius to know what that would lead up to.

Wait - did he even buy new condoms? Was he prepared? Did he want to sleep with her anyway?

A soft knock made her almost jump away from Adrien, but he held her tightly.

Of course - the dress would have slipped from her easily and she knew, that she would need to thank him for that.

"You two little lovebirds- lunch is ready!"

Marinette cringed - remembering, that her parents were still there as well, waiting for them with a warm and delicious meal - thankfully her mother had allowed them enough privacy to not burst straight through the door to find them in their current position- with her wearing that wedding dress.

She would have never heard the end of that!

"We will be right there!", both immediately called and it was Adrien, who slowly parted from her, holding the top up by her shoulders, until she reached with her own hands up. Holding it tightly to her chest.

"You should get down there, Adrien. They will question us, if we both won't get down soon enough…"

"Marinette…", he sighed, a caring hand laid on her arm - eyes showing so many emotions at once - adoration for her was currently the biggest one of them all. He opened his lips, ready to decline her wish - but he already stopped himself and nodded. "…Okay."

With one more longing look he left her side and walked over to the trapdoor. Opened it and waved once more in her direction with a sincere and gentle smile - before he was gone and closed the door behind them.

For a mere moment she stood there - perplexed and shaking. Worried, that she had driven him with her prudish behavior away.

Marinette swallowed hard and finally slid that dress from her body and untangled her hair once more.

Standing there miserably and forlorn in her room, in nothing but those boxer shorts, he had borrowed her.

"Marinette?", came a tiny little whisper from her left and as Marinette raised her head once more, she saw Tikki peeking from behind the mirror. "What is wrong?"

The human sighed, shrugged and hugged herself.

"…I… don't know. It's nothing - or rather - it's me…", she murmured back. "Me… who is going to ruin that lovely relationship with Adrien, if I keep going with everything I do…"

"Overthinking everything…", Tikki answered bluntly, but knew perfectly well, what her Chosen was referring to. "It's crystal clear and Adrien knows, that you are very …mindful…"

"I just don't want to hurt him…"

"You won't!"

"But he said himself, that he likes sex. And we had sex! But letting him see me naked-", she pointed towards the window. "-with the lights on is just…strange…"

Tikki huffed and flew closer, sitting on the women's shoulder to comfort her.

"He will think, that you are attractive…", Tikki said and looked to the mirror - Marinette did the same. Letting her arms fall to the side. Seeing her chest, her flat stomach and her tones legs. White skin. Soft spots of freckles on her shoulders. A mole next to her belly button.

…scars on her knees, from stumbling too often. One on her left side, when she once hid in a bush to stalk Adrien, when he modeled. Faded bruises everywhere.

"I know…", she whispered, knowing too well, that Adrien will adore her whole body equally. "I am just more used to have a mask on. To hide - everything…"

"And he always does the same… And yet opening up is seemingly new to the two of you. But… isn't that the whole concept, of human sexuality? To be close and to not hide anything? Well that - and to produce offspring!"

She rolled her eyes - not ready to go that road down, again! Though - with everything else her small friend had a good point.

And finally she reached for her bra to put it back on, thinking about her small friend's words, letting them sink in.

The pants he had borrowed, the shirt, making herself very presentable once more.

Before she left her room as well, she put that wedding dress back into the box, where it came from. Closing the lid - her eyes resting once more on it, before she turned to go - solemnly swearing to put everything into place, before she and Adrien left.

Then she opened the trapdoor herself, gulping hard one more time, before she climbed down the stair as well - hearing the laughter of her parents and Adrien already and forced a huge smile on her own lips, approaching the dining table with wary steps.

"Oh there you are!", Tom exclaimed gleefully. "Adrien told us, that you were not entirely done with refreshing - but don't worry - We didn't start without you!"

Their eyes met and the young man cast her a gentle smile - letting her know, that everything was okay and that he wouldn't mind anything, that happened up there.

Though… They surely should speak about it, before the day was over and to be on the same page of their relationship.

…before anything delicate would break in a most unrecoverable way.

"Y-yeah!", she yet stammered nervously and sat down beside her boyfriend, before anybody could have questioned her strange behavior. "This summer is already really hot and then the heat in the bakery really made me all stinky and sweaty and the water was just a pure miracle to me!"

It was her mother, who raised a questioning eyebrow at that, but chose to stay quiet - Adrien on the other hand gently patted her knee underneath the table. Only for a moment and just before she reached out for his fingers, to lace them with hers. Out of the corners of the eyes she saw him exhale a little and his tensed shoulders relaxed.

Sabine was the one to eventually start the serving - a hot stew, she had cooked herself. It smelled lovely and a small smile tucked at the corners of her lips at the very thought, that Adrien would love it just as much, as she did! Maybe she could teach him, how to make it himself, when they would the time for that.

"…so…", Sabine eventually hummed - letting both young adults know, that there was more to her silence, then one could tell - and that was the very curiosity about the progression of their relationship.

Her mother was really predictable, wasn't she?

"…how long have you two be dating now? It's going on since last week, isn't it?"

"Maman…", Marinette sighed, letting go of Adrien's hand to take her spoon, while the young man once more caressed her knee, before he let go of her as well - happily starting to eat the stew in from of him, blissfully unaware, that this conversation could turn embarrassing very easily. "…I would have told you guys, if we were already dating back then. In fact - it's since Wednesday that way…"

"Wednesday~", Tom mumbled and nodded - for him this information was enough. Not for her mother:

"Wednesday? Wasn't that the day of that interview? So - you two were seeing each other that day?" They have seen each other on most days throughout the week - probably every day, if it wasn't for her nightly patrols. "Were you there, when that horrible Akuma attack happened?"

Sabine's nosy behavior was shortly pushed away - sincere sorrow replacing it, her forehead furrowing. Worried she looked over to Tom, then to Adrien and her daughter.

"…I should have known that… somehow you have bad luck, when it comes to these attacks - you are always so close! I am just worried, that one of these villains could hurt you badly one day…"

Marinette flinched - knowing too well, that there was a reason for the dangers around her and that was Lady Titalee and her need to get hers and Chat Noir's Miraculous. And she wasn't just around, when these attacks happened - she was as Ladybug in the very middle of it.

…if her parents ever found out, that she donned the dotted suit and mask, then they would surely lock her away, to keep her safe.

With Adrien being her personal knight, to guard her.

She couldn't even tell them about the attack on Thursday - in the park, which she visited with Emma.

But they have probably heard it in the news already.

"Ladybug saved me!", she therefore hurriedly said, waving it of as the smallest nullity in the world. "And before that it was Adrien, who made sure, that Prime Queen couldn't lay a finger on me! But yeah - that's the day, when we got together!"

Sabine pursed her lips at her daughters words. Narrowing her eyes a little and there was indeed so much more, she wanted to say about these attacks. So much more to worry about - but for now she stayed quiet.

At least about that topic.

"We talked a lot!", Adrien added on the spot, smiling first in Marinette's direction, then towards her parents once more. Sincerely and warmly - a warmth easily spread inside her.

…knowing for a fact, that they didn't just talk after the incident and that there was so much more to that story - things, parents shouldn't know about.

"And… everything just fell into place after that. I think it's perfect, the way it is~"

Both her parents cooed at his words and the young woman couldn't help herself, either, but to lean in and kiss his cheek - this time though he was the one to blush and she couldn't deny, that she enjoyed that little bit of power she had over him as well.

"You two are certainly a sweet couple!", Tom agreed. "And you two will have our blessings for all the things to come!"

Sabine nodded eagerly.

"Perhaps you two could move in together - weren't you looking for a new place, anyway, Marinette? And I suspect that you two stayed together for the night anyway - so it would be very fitting…"

And now both young adults blushed, as her parents started to plan their shared future together. There were those talks about marriage and children and a house in the outskirts of Paris. Talks about cars and insurances and so much more.

And babies - of course - Sabine's wish for grandchildren emerging between the lines far too often and it made the young woman cringe every time she noticed it.

Though this time around she was glad, that Adrien was by her side - both could suffer equally and hopefully laugh it off later and his pure presence made it very doable for her to not live through that shared lunch.

It was only ten minutes before they would need to open the bakery, again, when the four found themselves in the kitchen - both Sabine and Marinette doing the dishes, while the two men made sure, to dry everything off and to put it in their proper places in the shelves and cupboards.

"…and what will you two lovebirds be doing in the afternoon?", came it from Tom, before he handed yet another plate towards the blond man by his side, who easily put it in the cupboard in front of him.

"We will be seeing Emma~", Adrien most innocently answered and Marinette nodded with a gleeful happy smile.

"She is very eager to see her very pink room!"

"I really hope she likes-"

"Emma?", Sabine turned and wiped her wet hands on a dishcloth, eyebrows rising, as she looked between the two in utter confusion. "Isn't that the sweet little girl, you sometimes babysit, Marinette?"

Adrien and Marinette froze immediately, both paralyzed at these exact words - knowing, that they have revealed for now, than they have planned.

Emma - Adrien's daughter. Sure - they have seen her once or twice in the past, listened to Marinette's stories about her, but - until now - they were blissfully unaware of the whole truth, that surrounded her existence - and the very connection towards to blond man in the room.

Marinette looked over to him, saw how a dark shadow hurried across his handsome features - an awareness, that would make it hard to deny the truth any further - at least in front of her parents.

Though - and Adrien knew that very well by the soft smile, that made it back on his lips in the next moment- this very secret would be safe with her parents. They would need to know about the girl anyway, if things progressed in there future a little further.

"Yeah - that Emma! She is-", he took a deep breath and gazed over to Marinette, who nodded as a small sign of comfort. "-my daughter…"

And then he told them the truth - at least those things he was willing to tell and both of them were happy to listen.

And perhaps- for a very brief moment - they found themselves closer to having a grandchild than ever before.

A/N: After about 20 chapters, we finally see the wedding dress - it surely had an effect on a certain blond man in Marinette's life :D

Next chapter: Of pink rooms and black and red DIYs...