Once more Marinette checked the time on her phone most nervously, seeing, that barely a minute has passed since she checked for the last time.
She let out a little, but almost desperate sigh and chewed the inside of her lip, placing her phone back into her purse and crossed her arms in front of her chest yet again.
Then she peeked once more around the corner and towards the large building ahead - the very apartment complex, where Lila and Emma lived.
It was way past their working time - and thankfully her parents - though still very curious about the whole situation - let them go easily and with warm, very supportive hugs. Of course - why would things change for them, just because they now officially knew the truth about Emma and her connection to Adrien. Though - of course - the young man let out the nasty details of this very story and for Marinette it was very okay to keep that a secret as well.
Before taking the train towards Lila's apartment they first made their way to Marinette's apartment - the sweet promise to sleep at his place together still lingered in the air and neither was ready to step away from that welcomed offer. Still - she felt antsy and nervous whenever her mind dared to question anything, that could happen between them, once they were alone - and she was almost too anxious to ask him about the condoms and to speak with him about anything he would expect between them to happen.
Urgh… she was really overthinking every damn step in her life, wasn't she? Why couldn't she just embrace a little spontaneity - like Adrien loved to do? Going with the flow of events in whatever direction fate wanted to take him. Though… she knew the very answer to that - recalling his emotional outburst the night before and that his very scheduled life that lead up to that very point.
He wasn't allowed to be spontaneous back then, when his father used to rule over his life and now he was just living the freedom, he found in growing up.
…and then he found himself a girl, who was the exact opposite of that and was somehow the very thing he threatened. Heck - were they supposed to schedule their sex life after all her work, her time in the bakery, with her online shop and her secret identity? Gosh - she really hated that thought herself!
And exactly there she found herself overthinking everything yet, again, as she waited and checked for the time once more - now with two more minutes passed, since she was last checking the time.
"Why are you so nervous?", came a tiny whisper from her left and it was Tikki, who spoke from the inside of her still opened purse. "They are only discussing a few things. Talking about Emma - things they need to do, because they are both her parents!"
Marinette sighed and hugged herself a little more tightly, feeling so utterly cold despite the summery heat around her.
"But I know Lila - she won't let go of Adrien so easily and will do everything in her power to keep him in her clutches. She knows, that we are close and I can only imagine, that she will get really furious once she finds out, that Adrien and I are officially dating…"
"But she won't be able to separate you, Marinette…"
"She will try, of course! And what if she tries to keep Emma from him? I don't want to be the reason on why he can't see her. Or be the father he wants to for her… But I know Lila. She would do such a thing, by using her lies and her manipulative ways to get everything she wants…"
The young woman reached once more for her phone - though Tikki clasped her tiny paws around her fingers easily, to comfort her with a small, but sweet snuggle.
"And we both know, that Adrien won't let that happen! He will want to have both of you in his life and I am pretty sure, that he will fight for both of you!"
More words clung to the red Kwami's lips. Unsaid words, perhaps riddles, that she kept a secret for so long. But for now her small friend stayed quiet - which didn't help with the curiosity, that was slowly rising within her. For - seemingly- there seemed to be more in Tikki's tone and words, than she could tell at the moment.
Yet there was no time to raise her voice yet again, for a happy little cheer too suddenly echoed through the air and a little somebody immediately clung to her legs.
"Marinette!", sweet little Emma squealed, throwing her arms around the woman, once she bowed down to properly hug the blond girl. "You are here! You are really here! You are my surprise, right?"
Emma lifted her head up from the crook of her neck to look up and over towards the young man behind her.
It took Adrien a moment, before he answered - his face speaking volumes at the lovely sign in front of him - blushing bashfully, when he noticed, that he was caught.
"Well…", he cleared his throat, while Marinette could only grin at his shy behavior - both their eyes meeting knowingly, which made him blush even more. "…let's say, that Marinette is a big part of it! If you want her to be there, then - of course - she is your surprise as well!"
Emma gasped.
"Of course! I love my Marinette!"
The young woman cooed at these words and immediately felt all her worries slip away - at least a tiny bit. What was it with these two, that they could cast such a happy little spell on her so easily?
Sadly this time though she wasn't able to see Adrien's reaction, for Emma pulled already at her hand, to get her back on her feet and away.
Adrien trailed a little behind them, carrying the platypus plushy in one arm, Emma's backpack in the other - but a short glance over her shoulder revealed a very joyful smile on his lips as well.
Good - then things seemed to have worked out kinda okay, when he has seen Lila! He would surely love to fill her in later.
Later - without pesky eyes watching and without Emma's curious ears listening, for the young woman was pretty sure, that Lila certainly had a few things to say about the current… developments…
But for now she tried to push that woman into the farthest spot in her mind, where she could happily share a place with Lady Titalee and all these cruel and vile akumatized villains - dearly praying once more, that nothing would dare to happen on such a wonderful and calm day.
…with her needing to make a silly excuse to get away and hide. To transform and fight. She didn't want that one to happen today - but sadly for her very own taste things were going far too smoothly - especially with Lady Titalee's last attack being almost two days earlier.
It was about time for her to strike again - a terrible thought, that would not dare to go away so easily.
"Is everything alright?", Adrien whispered into her ear, his voice barely noticeable with all the surrounding sounds and busy noises. He stood beside her in the far too crowded metro, with Emma taking the only free seat, they could find.
One gentle hand laid on Marinette's lower back - to support her and to keep the other close. To keep contact. The young woman raised her eyes up from the young girl's face, who most gleefully watched the outside world pass them so quickly and instead she found Adrien's one so easily.
She knew, that he must have watched her for some time now - she could tell by the way his eyes bored into hers, when they met - seeking for answers to his unsaid questions.
She meekly nodded, for she couldn't tell him the very truth right now - or ever!
"The last hour has been very hard…", she said, glad, that her words weren't a lie, either, but would work as a perfect excuse. "The customers came rushing in, like we were giving away the bread for free! We could barely keep up with all these orders!"
"That is true!", though his eyes still lingered on hers - telling her basically, that he knew, that there was so much more to his answer. Little did she wish, that he could tell her about his thoughts - though he surely wouldn't do that in front of his daughter.
"What have you done there? Your hand? Why do you have a bandage around it?", a little voice suddenly disturbed their starring contest and both adults turned towards Emma once more, who looked curiously up towards him.
She pointed in the very direction of that one hand, he had rested on Marinette's back until just now - lifting it up and towards his daughter, for her to have a closer look.
"This?", he asked sweetly. "This happens, when you don't pay attention to a very hot baking tray and touch it without a form of protection. I burned my palm - but thankfully Marinette was there to take care of it…"
"You burned yourself?", Emma gasped. "Ouchies! Maman does not allow me to be close to the oven and stove, when she cooks and days, that I have to be always very cautious around hot things! Hasn't your Maman told you the same?"
Marinette paled and she saw Adrien's jaw go lax for a moment, eyes widening. Paralyzed for a brief second, his mask grumbling very easily. She could tell, that a little memory from Emilie played in front of his eyes - whether it was a good or a bad one, she couldn't tell, but she already laid her hand on his back now to support him in any way he needed right now.
But that very moment passed so quickly and Adrien's smile returned in a quick hurry, nervously chuckling, before he said:
"O-oh - she has told me that! Of course! But even an adult makes a mistake every now and then!" He let out a shaking breath, that didn't match his expression, looking up to the electric sign by the door, before he added: "And now we need to get out of the train! We are at our destination!"
For Emma this very short conversation about Adrien's mother was over and forgotten - blown away by the excitement that easily filled her upon hearing these words.
She wasn't aware of the meaningful glance both adults shared, nor the little hand squeeze Marinette gave her boyfriend.
…and neither of the three was aware of the photo, that was taken of them by one of the bystanders - perhaps the young woman had noticed something strangeout of the corners of her eyes - but it was gone so quickly, again.
The three easily made it up the stairs of the metro station - Emma too excited about everything around her, being in that part of Paris for the very first time. Marinette couldn't complain, either and smiled, as she recalled Alya's words, when they first came here together:
'It is definitely a nice place to live here. The schools are good, there is a huge park nearby and look at these buildings anyway! Not everybody can afford to live here.' - words, which were absolutely accurate and Marinette dearly hoped to explore this area with Adrien and Emma together in the future. Both surely would enjoy that thought as well!
But for now the short path towards Adrien's apartment was enough of an adventure - looking around everywhere and gazed with wide eyes towards the apartment complex in front of them, once they stopped walking.
"This is where you live? Which floor?"
"Top floor…", Adrien answered gently and let both the girl and the woman inside, bowing his head like a noble butler for them. "Venture inside the castle and I am pretty sure you will find a world full of imagination!"
Marinette giggled and shook her head at the silly dorkiness of her boyfriend - blushing heavily, as he grasped her hand to press a little kiss to her knuckles.
Her heart made a leap, or two, as their eyes met - the teasing look in his eyes and the whole gesture very much reminding her of another blond man, who - until just now - hadn't returned to her mind throughout the day.
But before Chat's charming smile emerged in front of her inner eye she dared to act - playfully shoving his shoulder and sticking the tongue out in his direction.
"You tease!"
"Always at your service, Mi-"
Emma's little, delightful squeal disturbed their little moment and both tore their eyes from the other to look into her direction instead - seeing her examine the door of the lift with great vigor.
"Is this an elevator?", she squeaked and already pushed the button to call it down to them. "Who has a lift in their house?"
Adrien snickered and let go of Marinette's hand, straightening his back and laid an arm around the woman, to lead her to the lift as well.
"I do, as you see! And I am pretty sure, you want to take it up to my flat? Otherwise, we would need to take the sta-"
"Lift! Please! Monsieur Quack Nozzle wants to do the same, right?"
She grabbed her plushy by the head and made it nod with the movement of her hands. "See!"
Of course, they would do just that - take the lift, up to his apartment. There was no need to take the stairs for them, and it brought Emma so much joy to do so.
And - of course the amazement didn't end at the door to his place, continued even more, once he opened the door for her.
"It's huge~", Emma breathed in amazement, pulling her shoes of her feet, before she started to explore even more - always looking back towards Adrien and Marinette to make sure, that it was okay for her to do so, following close behind anyway.
Both listened to Emma's little comments - about wanting to swim in the bathtub and her sweet little question, if she was ever allowed to jump on Adrien's bed, because it was so huge and looked so much like a trampoline. She very much liked the kitchen, but was very much confused by Adrien's huge storage of cheese - especially the smelling one - and asked if he has ever baked a cake in his oven and if he even liked to cook in the first place.
Marinette giggled every now and then - very aware of the curiosity that inhabited Emma's soul and adored the way she most innocently asked all these questions. Adrien on the other hand tried his very best to keep up with the energy, that his daughter brought into these four walls. Gently and softly explaining everything - not once getting annoyed by the way she saw his small world and everything around it.
…well - and of course Marinette's ovaries just screamed for him to be the father of her child one day, but she tried her very best to ignore them completely. Tikki would kindly remind her of that anyway the next time they talked, for the red Kwami was watching them from her very own hiding place for a hundred percent.
For a mere moment she believed, that she had spotted the tiny goddess up behind the lampshade - but its form just didn't seem to fit her friend - imagining a pair of pointy ears and a thin tail, just like-
Nah - that must have been a nasty bug! Chat surely wouldn't send Plagg out to spy on her!
…right?
"Can I see my room now?", Emma asked with gleaming eyes, taking Marinette's hand once more, to drag her back towards the corridor. "Is it this room?"
"It is! How about you look inside?", came it from Adrien, who walked behind them - as the young woman turned to look back at him, again, she saw him nervously glance back into the kitchen. Only for a moment and just before he plastered that very charming smile back on his features.
For a very short moment Marinette felt suspicious - wondering if he had seen that shadow as well.
…if he was aware of the presence of something… magical. But then again, he would have acted differently, wouldn't he?
"Wow!"
And yet she found herself to be distracted yet again by Emma - the girl entering the very pink paradise, that was her room - completed with a white, fluffy rug in its middle and white curtains in front of the wide windows. A fairy tale like four-poster bed rested against the wall to their left, gently hidden underneath the pale pink bed canopy, that had little prints of fairies and unicorns all over them. Shelves on the walls, that would hold toys, some of them were already occupied by children books. An oval shaped mirror next to the door, a small table and chair to do crafts on. A wardrobe, with elegant engravings, that just screamed to bring somebody to Narnia, Wonderland, or any wonderous place in between.
Marinette loved this little room as well - knowing too well, that her room she had during that age used to be very similar. Well - the room she inhabited as a teenager also could have been the perfect inspiration for that.
"I am really glad I had Nino on Tuesday over to help me with the furniture~", Adrien muttered bashfully and scratched the back of his neck. "Wouldn't have done it without him - and you were also of big help, my Queen!"
She snorted and rolled her eyes.
"If I recall correctly, then I would have done all the walls - but somebody just wanted to distract me with a little paint fight…" He wiggled her eyebrows at her in a cheeky way - knowing too well, which paint fight she was referring to. "But you have done a great job with this room and-" She lowered her voice to a simple, little whisper. "Emma really does love it! Just look at her…"
Emma indeed loved it, looking at everything with wide eyes, oh-ing and aw-ing her way around the room - holding her platypus plushy tightly to show him around as well.
"And I can sleep there?", the girl asked and pointed towards the bed.
"When your Maman allows you to stay here, then - of course - you are very much allowed to stay!"
"Sweet~"
Marinette could tell, that Emma's excitement had an effect on Adrien as well - his shoulders and face more and more relaxing with each passing moment, smiling even more and most brilliantly.
He was happy, glad, that Emma accepted him more and more and that place he had created for her.
"Now come - I want to show you something else!"
He guided Emma outside and towards the living room - she immediately exclaimed her amazement upon seeing the huge sofa and immediately crawled on it, checking the softness and cuddliness of the decorative cushions, before she rested her plushy on one of them - he would watch the happenings from that place for now.
On her knees she made her way to the other side of that big piece of furniture, peeking over its edge and gasped:
"The piano! Can you play?"
"Of course - if I recall correctly, then you already made your first wish for a song?"
"You can play the Elsa song?"
If it was even possible, then Adrien grew a little more with pride, grinning brightly and stood there with his hands on his hips - making his girlfriend beside him snicker behind her hand.
"Well, of course! I practiced these last days, and I am very willing to play that little song for you! And not even this bandage will stop me from doing so!"
He lifted his burned hand up, for Emma to see and wiggled his fingers at her, which were not covered by the white cloth in any way.
"And sing?"
"Oh… Well-", he looked into Marinette's direction, who immediately raised her hands up in defense.
"Count me out! I am not a singer!"
Therefore, he shrugged nonchalantly and in defeat.
"I am not the best singer, either, but I can try~"
They parted - Adrien taking his seat on the stool in front of the piano, while Marinette sat next to Emma on the sofa - giving him a thumbs up, as he started to take a deep breath. Rolled his shoulders, shook his arms and balled his hands into fists. Rubbing his fingers together to warm up.
Once more he glanced over to Marinette, then Emma and smiled warmly, before he lowered his eyes towards to keys in front of him.
Playing a few, melodic notes to get started, deeply concentrated on the instrument in front of him.
Marinette loved to see him like that - fully engulfed in the sound and feel of music - an element, that fitted him too well. She had always known, that he could play piano like a young God- had witnessed it herself a few times in her life, when he played keyboard for Kitty Section. But seeing him now, with his long, strong fingers gliding effortless over each of the keys, easily memorizing the tune was just…
Breathtaking…
The tone of the music soon shifted and changed and Emma gasped happily as she recognized it as the very song she had wished for. The young knew it too well herself - she had watched the movie a few times - alone and with Emma - before.
"The Elsa song!", Emma whispered in awe and scooted over to Marinette's side, to cuddle her and to listen to the music, that her father was playing just for her. "He can play it!"
And only a moment later they realized, that he could sing it as well - Marinette knew right on the spot, that she had fallen for the young man immediately and yet again. His voice was smooth and velvety, easily capturing them in a warm cage. It was strangely addicting, even though he wasn't by far the best singer in this world.
And yet he was very able to make this song about hiding ones truest self and masking feelings and emotions his own and - strangly - there surely wasn't a better song from a children's movie out there, that fitted him and his life so well.
He felt every word, each syllable had a meaning, and he sang from the deepest bottom his heart and she could easily listen to him for hours, without getting tired of it and - perhaps - that would help him as well. Playing and singing his pain to the world, or at least to the little sanctuary around them. Maybe she should ask to do just that… maybe it would help him to heal.
Sadly his singing stopped too soon, the tune of the piano as well and Adrien blushed a heavy shade of red, when both Emma and Marinette started to applaud.
"Oh - sorry - I-I got carried away!", he excused himself. "And you two are just too kind - my whole performance was-"
"I want to play the piano as well and just like you! Can you teach me? And singing, too! I loved it~"
Adrien blinked, his eyes darting towards Marinette for a little moment.
"It was perfect~", she therefore hummed in agreement, following Emma, as she made her way from the sofa and towards Adrien - standing beside her sitting father, who nervously wiped his hands on his pants. The young woman stood behind him and placed her hands on his shoulders in comfort. She felt, that he was incredibly tense and felt sorry for the young man immediately, but knew, that he must feel tons of pressure on his back, to get this perfectly right - for Emma.
And little did she wonder, what his piano lessons used to be like - surely his father used to watch him with eagle eyes, wishing from his son nothing but perfection. Feeling her heart jump painfully in her chest she leaned towards his ear, to whisper: "We both loved it, Babe! You have done such an incredible job…"
He reached up for the hand on his right shoulder and grasped her fingers tightly, as a little sign, that he was thankful for her words.
"Can I play something?", came it from Emma too suddenly, her fingers already hovering over the keys, but did not yet dare to touch them - looking up at Adrien with big eyes. "I want to play the Elsa song, too!"
He smiled and moved to the side to make way for her - Marinette still stayed behind him, to watch the happenings most closely.
"Of course! It's all yours!"
Emma grinned with her teeth showing - mimicked the warm-up moves he had made before, before she started to push a few of the keys down - first only a few ones with big pauses in between, merely listening to the sounds each one made, before she started to get braver and faster, starting a melody of pure chaos.
Marinette wrinkled her nose and clawed her nails into Adrien's shoulders, while the young man listened to it calmly in the most impressive way. Not moving in to stop her, patiently waiting, until she was done.
"That was… pretty good for your first time playing the piano!", Adrien uttered with a proud smile. "Better than my first time - by far! Your fingers move already pretty good and I can tell, that you have talent, that I can work with. You know - teaching you a few songs, that I know!"
"Like the Elsa song?", Emma gasped, seemingly inhaling her father's words so easily and with childish innocents.
Adrien nodded.
"Absolutely!"
"Oh, thank you!", Emma squealed, flinging her arms around her father without hesitation, clutching him tightly.
A sign, that easily made Marinette's heart melt - and she could only imagine, how ecstatic her boyfriend must feel in that very moment. After all - Emma was hugging him for the very first time, smiling the same billion watt smile she inherited from him - all because of such tiny gestures, that made her happy.
…and hopefully seeing him more as the father, that he was, as the time would pass.
It certainly was a huge step - and one he would coo about for days to come. And she was happy for him as well, bit her lip to drown that little sob, that dared to rise in her throat from all that affection all around her.
"And you know what - you have earned your present with that!"
"A gift? For me?", Adrien asked - completely in disbelief right now, with all the amazing things, that currently happened around them.
"Yes! Just wait here - I'll get it!"
She let go of him, bouncing past the sofa and back to the corridor, leaving both adults alone in the corridor.
"She hugged me, Marinette!", he breathed, looking up to the young woman, his green eyes glistening with joy. "She really did!"
"I know…", she whispered back, softly brushing him a few strands of his hair out of his face to press a small kiss on his forehead. "And that is wonderful!"
They shared a small, happy kiss, that seemingly made that moment a little bit more perfect - ending it, as little steps echoed through the corridor and back towards the living room.
Emma returned, holding both her hands hidden behind her back and stopped right in front of them.
"I have two presents! One for Marinette and one for you!"
If only she could bring herself to call him Papa, like he deserved…
"How swee-"
Adrien stopped immediately, as Emma brought her hands back up to the front - gleefully showing them the things she held in each hand.
Two masks - a red one with wonky dots all over it and a black one with cat ears. They didn't need to be Sherlock, to know who they were representing.
Marinette felt all the color in her cheeks draining, while Adrien as well let out a startled breath.
"It's Ladybug's and Chat Noir's masks! I made them myself! I wanted to keep them for Maman and me - but I wanted to thank you for everything and because I like you two so much! Also-", she took a deep breath, before she added with an even wider smile: "-you two are just like them! Like Ladybug and Chat Noir and that's why you should have them!"
Both hesitated. Not moving, just staring at those lovely crafts, the girl has made with her own hands. And now she was very eager to gift them to them - unaware, that Marinette felt as if ice cold water was thrown over her head. Her eyes were glued to the piece of colored paper and string in Emma's hand - fearing, what it could mean, if she dared to wear it. And - let's be honest - Emma would want them - her - to wear it.
What would happen, if both Adrien and Emma saw her with that mask on? They would easily count one and one together. Well - maybe the girl not so much - but her very smart boyfriend would do that! He would immediately know her secret identity!
Fuck… she was screwed…
Adrien was the one to move forward and took both masks in his hands, before she could stop him and before Emma could think, that she had done something inexcusably wrong. He stared at both for a moment, though Marinette wasn't able to see his expression for the moment, as he carefully examined both crafts - before he eventually turned towards her, raising the one, that was in his left hand up for her.
It was the black one.
Blinking she raised her hand and took it from him with dainty fingers, eyebrows rising on her forehead in clear confusion. After all - wasn't it very clear to him, that she was the one to get the dotted one?
Emma seemed to be confused as well, watching his strange behavior- until the young man turned back towards her and carefully placed the Ladybug mask over the eyes of his daughter.
"Thank you, little Ladybug! I feel very honored for your kind gift!", he sweetly said and bowed his head in her direction.
It clicked inside of Marinette's brain immediately- she realized immediately, that he had just - unknowingly- saved her from an unwanted identity reveal.
He gave Emma the role of Ladybug, while Marinette was supposed to wear Chat Noir's.
Good - that was one thing she could do - even though it felt strange to take the identity of her partner for a moment- even during that game Adrien just has started.
"Ladybug?", Emma whispered in awe and adjusted her mask a little. "Do you have a red shirt for me to wear to be Ladybug? And can Marinette have a black one to be Chat Noir?"
…of course… she would want the whole package - and knowing, that Adrien used to be a huge Ladybug fan as well, he would just love to give her the best experience out there.
"Mhm… I will see, what I can find. Just wait here!"
Adrien got up, ready to find any requisite he could find within the realms of his apartment.
"You heard that? I am going to be a real Ladybug!"
"Y-yeah…"
Thankfully Emma couldn't see past all the troubles a hero's life could bring. Didn't see the deadly dangers, just the admirable heroes, that saved the day each and every day. Which was good - such an innocent soul shouldn't be spoiled and tainted by the darkness around her!
But it also made Marinette feel bad - for Emma still wanted to be just like her. Well - her hero self at least…
The young man returned a moment later, carrying a few things over to the couch table, where they soon gathered, laying everything in his arms on top:
Two shirts - a red and a black one. A broomstick for Chat's staff. Glue, cardboard and string to craft Ladybug's yo-yo. On top of that was a long, black leather belt - and the young woman immediately knew where he wanted to place it.
"Really? A tail?", she mumbled and narrowed her eyes at him, earning a teasing grin in return.
"Of course a tail! Chat Noir always wears a tail! He is a cat!", Emma countered and immediately put the shirt over her head - which was far too large for her of course and she hastily tucked it into her skirt. "Look! I really get to make my own magical yo-yo! Can you help me?"
She grasped Adrien's hand to pull him closer, handing him the string - both crafting something, that eventually would resemble Ladybug's real weapon - he even got a red and black pen to color it!
Marinette sighed - knowing too well, that she wouldn't escape fate right now and grabbed the black shirt, leaving the belt in its place for now and went to the bathroom to change. There was no way she would pull her current shirt off, with both of them watching. Sure - Emma was a girl and wouldn't mind and Adrien on the other hand…
He was her boyfriend and would love to see her in her bra, right?
But - no - she couldn't bring herself to do that, felt, that it wasn't appropriate for the moment and instead changed without these two watching. Smoothing the black fabric out, that was similarly large, than the one she wore before that and put the other one in the laundry- it was his anyway.
Sighing and put the mask on.
…wondering, what Chat would say, if he saw her this way. He would swoon over her. Perhaps tease her. Admire and adore her, before he would move in to once more-
She moved her eyes in shame away from her own reflection. Closing them tightly, banning these thoughts from her mind - recalling, that two very lovely people were waiting for her in the living room, blissfully unaware, that she was once more sinfully lusting for the touch of another man.
…and little did she hate herself for that…
"Marinette?", came a little call from the living room, Emma softly knocking on the door a moment later. "Is everything alright?"
"O-of course!"
That smile was back on her lips, as she opened the door, Emma welcoming her with eager, little jumps, as she presented her outfit.
"Look! I have a yo-yo!"
For something crafted in only a few minutes out of cardboard, glue and string, the thing around Emma's waist looked pretty impressive. On top of that had her whole shirt dots now as well - father and daughter had seemingly too much fun in designing that costume for the girl.
"Looks fantastic!", she couldn't help, but smile, before Emma dragged her back to the living room, where Adrien was already waiting with a playful smirk on his lips - holding onto the belt with his hands tightly.
"Adrien~", Marinette hummed warningly, as he stepped in front of her, arms coming around her, before she could have fully spoken her warning.
"A kitty needs her tail!", Emma said wisely behind them, as her father tied the belt around the young woman's waist. Making sure, that it wasn't too tight to hurt her, but tight enough for her to not loose it.
"Can we agree, that you enjoy this more, than you should…", she whispered close to his ear, to make sure, that Emma wouldn't be able to hear her words, holding still, as his hands moved around her. She held onto his shoulders to keep her balance. "Or does this count as some kind of foreplay for you?"
A deep chuckle vibrated through his chest and she had to admit, that it was incredible sexy - her thoughts from only moments ago returning far too easily, but this time her mind - at least - replaced Chat with Adrien, who tied her with a black leather belt down to-
Nope! She should definitely stop that and keep her thoughts in check!
"If it counts for you~", he merely hummed and pressed a little kiss to her cheek, before he stepped away, to admire his work - his gaze full of excitement, adoration and…something she couldn't put a finger on. "And just like that we have our very own Chat Noir!"
"You are beautiful, Marinette!", Emma gasped. "Can we play now? We immediately need to save Paris and do good things! Come Chat Noir!"
Urgh - this whole thing really wasn't working in favor for her whole dilemma and little did she wonder, what Chat Noir would actually think, if he could see her in that very moment…
Furthermore - she surely wasn't the very best to play this particular role and… what would Adrien's be?
She had her answer a moment later, when the young man bolted towards her, arms encircling her legs, to lift her up so easily and to throw her over his shoulder.
"Look Ladybug! I have captured Chat Noir! Give me your Miraculous and I will set her free!"
Of course he would be the akumatized villain - laughing evil and for her taste he seemed to enjoy this very role too much.
Emma gasped and reached for her yo-yo, while Marinette tangled over Adrien's shoulder- though she right now had a very good chance to admire his wonderful back and tight behind - marveling in the feel of his hands on her own bum to keep her steady.
"You will never have our Miraculous! And give me back my Chat Noir, because I do love him!"
Marinette groaned silently - squealing, when she felt, that Adrien started to move away.
"You will never get her back, Ladybug!"
Their silly little game went on and on for about an hour and until the akumatized Adrien was eventually conquered, Marinette freed from his clutches. There were laughs and they all to often moved far away from the roles, they played. But for the three it didn't matter.
Both blonds were eventually able to infect the young woman as well with their sweet and silly nonsense - making her to give the best impression of Chat Noir imaginable. And yeah - in the end she had her fun as well - who could blame her?
But in the very end she figured, that she would need to live with the thought, that Adrien and Emma were Ladybug's biggest fans in this world and that it wouldn't be the last time, when they found themselves in such a game.
It was certainly something she could live with - and it warmed her heart to see father and daughter together.
In the happiest way possible.
Yeah - life was very perfect in these moments…
…even for her…
A/N: Some sweet family time, what else can I say? Also I replayed the French version of "Let it Go" from Frozen while writing this chapter. I still don't understand a word, but the translation seemed to be very fitting for Adrien. And yeah - for me Disney exists in the world of Miraculous :D
Okay - and a little break for next week - but I hope, that it will be the last one, before this story ends. We are visiting my parents - so no time for me and other things to do.
Also - anyone else here, who has binge watching Squid Game - I also need time to recover from that;D
Anyway - Next chapter: That very brave woman...