Bursting
'Her Wish…'
Marinette had written these two words with bold letters on a piece of paper. Underlined it three times and ever since the morning she had sworn to herself to write down her thoughts on what Lady Titalee's wish could be. Though, it was still almost empty by the evening, apart from a few letters she had written into the bottom left corner:
"The love of her life?"
It was all the young woman came up with on that particular day. For - of course - that very topic occupied her poor mind since the happenings of the last night. Not only because of the fight she had with the akumatized Gabriel Agreste in quite a tame form of Hawk Moth. No - but because of the fight she had with Chat Noir.
Her partner.
Her former friend…
…the second man, who dared to get a grip of her heart.
She had done it - pushed him as far away as possible. Successfully breaking the connection as much as possible. Not destroying it entirely, but promising to do so, when all was said and done.
…when they caught Lady Titalee. Brought her to prison for the crimes she did. And when she would demand his Miraculous back - separating Plagg and his Chosen for good…
Marinette bit her lip to stifle her sob as these thoughts dared to claw at her in an ugly way for properly the thousand time on this particular day. Gulping hard behind her raised hand, and she closed his eyes most tightly.
To not cry, she vowed once more. For crying was a sign of weakness in Lady Titalee's eyes - and the villainess would love to expose that very feeling, and would surely love to send an Akuma her way, when she noticed.
But… of course - she had cried a lot last night - particularly she had cried herself to sleep. Tikki had watched over her then - and she assumed, that her current nemesis was still worn out from the attack before.
Now on the other hand was different - now it was only a matter of time, until Lady Titalee would strike, again.
The young woman tried to recall the very reason on why she had decided to distance herself from Chat. Why she had lied to him in the first place.
…for she wasn't able to live that ugly truth anymore - loving another man, while she was in this wonderful relationship with Adrien and that very man loved her back. Chat would do stupid things to protect her if they have tried for a relationship - namely sacrificing himself. He would be blinded by his emotions for her and those would be very dangerous for all of them, once Lady Titalee found out about them.
Plus, leading him on wouldn't be fair for him. He needed a chance to move on from her. From both of her sides…
…it was for his own personal good and - perhaps - leaving the Cat Miraculous to her would be way easier like that for him in the end…
For a short moment she wondered if she should have asked for it in the first place. Last night. He would have given it to her right away.
…probably…
And yet… Yet there would never be a substitute for him. Both knew that - knew, that they could only defeat Lady Titalee together…
Marinette folded that piece of paper back together and shook her head, shivering, for these thoughts left her exhausted and very cold inside and out. The poor, young woman had those wandering thoughts throughout the whole day, and they surely would not stop any time soon. Of course - she knew, that the wisest decision would be, if she tried to feel nothing but numbness and indifference for this whole situation. But she felt like bursting by the seams with emotions. She just kept on moving, breathing, mechanically answered any incoming messages and worked at the café like a robot. Barely smiling, looking nobody in the eye.
But somehow she was very able to make it through the day like that - would do the same every day from now on and until the aching in her heart would go away.
Perhaps calling Adrien once she was home would help her find some peaceful thoughts for the coming night - his gentle, soothing voice could easily lull her into a well deserved and much needed sleep - hopefully without crying.
For all she wanted to do was sleep for the reminder of the day - for once not wanting to go out to patrol. Not wanting to seek Natalie's advice, as she had planned to.
Perhaps, because she was also fearing, that she would meet with Chat Noir, again - and she couldn't handle that today.
So… yeah… going to bed early for once would be nice…
"You don't look good, Marinette…", Tikki most quietly whispered from the depths of her purse, watching her Chosen with wide eyes through the opening. "You should talk with Chat once more - you two should resolve your-"
"No, Tikki…", she answered back, still standing in the staff room. Nobody was around, therefore she was able to talk freely with her small friend for a moment, or two. "I said enough. My decision is final. It's for his own good…" And hopefully hers one day as well.
"Yet he had so much more to say. If you only knew-"
"I don't want to know about his secret identity… ", she said with determination, and it wasn't the first time today. Somehow Tikki was very okay with that idea by now - though Marinette figured, that the harmony loving being just wanted this problem to be resolved between the woman and her partner. "Tikki… let it be. I stand by my word - I'll take his Miraculous back, once we defeated Lady Titalee and with that I'll set him free. It's better that way - for all of us. Until then, I just hope, that he doesn't do anything stupid. Sacrificing himself for me or anything like that. But… hopefully I hurt him enough to stop him from doing that… And his love for me will go away just as easily, like it has emerged in the first place!"
"Oh Marinette…", Tikki whispered and shook her head. But instead of trying to change her Chosen's mind once, she merely shook her head and stayed silent until the opportunity would raise another time.
Thankfully so - a co-worker soon enough stepped into the staff room as well, chewing on a sandwich, while looking on something on her phone. Marinette used the distraction for now to hurriedly put the piece of paper inside her purse and close it, before the other woman could have seen the Kwami and question any of it.
"…your shift is already over?", she was asked, as Marinette slung the straps of her purse over her shoulder, ready to leave for today.
The young woman shrugged nonchalantly.
"Started early…"
The other woman smirked, and she eyed her from head to toe.
"Isn't your Agreste rich enough, or why do you work in a place like this?"
Marinette groaned silently and rolled her eyes - little did she wonder why seemingly everybody had to talk with her about Adrien in such a horrible way. Weren't there any more important and even more interesting news out there but them and their relationship? They were just a very normal couple and - yes - he had a child with another woman and - yes - he took therapy sessions. And hell yes - she was fucking aware, that his father was Hawk Moth and yeah, she was aware, that Ladybug and Chat Noir fought against him the night before. Urgh - she was basically involved in this kind of conversations at least ten times by customers and a very annoying reporter today - but she had mostly ignored them all.
And yet that didn't stop them, for seemingly everybody tried to approach her with these stupid questions and by now she was very sick to answer them all.
… Hopefully Adrien had more luck with fighting these pesky glances, questions and - above all - paparazzi off.
"Can't a woman work for her own money?", she therefore asked over her shoulder. "I am not with him for his name, or his money!"
"Uh-hu… But… then he is at least good in bed, isn't he?"
Of course sex with Adrien was amazing - and still that wasn't the reason, why she was in this loving relationship with Adrien, either.
But apparently love doesn't matter anymore these days - but she certainly didn't want to tell her that - instead Marinette gave her a small, very unbinding shrug. Hopefully it would end the conversation for now.
She was tired…
But as she reached for the door handle the other woman's voice raised once more:
"By the way - I don't think, that Adrien Agreste is a bad guy. He might be Hawk Moth's son, but that's about it, right? Apart from that - he is incredibly hot and I certainly wouldn't push him out of my bed. But… I personally don't think, he did anything bad in the past. So… despite what others might say - I believe that you are a lucky girl!"
Wow… that was a nice change and Marinette just had to cast the other woman a little, thankful smile for that - despite the very obvious attraction she had towards her boyfriend.
But for now she let that one slide. For once - and just because she knew very well, that Adrien's stunning appearance would catch a few hearts from Paris' bachelorettes from time to time. Perhaps a few men would faint as well, if her boyfriend cast them one of his brilliant smiles, as well - but thankfully she was the only one to bask in it fully.
"Thank you…", Marinette therefore said, and she meant it. "And… goodbye…"
"Bye!"
After a little wave she decided it was time to go - this time pushing the handle down and left the café for this day - she would be back tomorrow anyway.
But - hey - at least her day slightly improved with that tiny gesture of kindness and it felt-
"Adrien?", she had barely made it outside, when she looked back up, the first thing she saw was the blond man, who patiently waited there in front of the building - hands buried into his pockets, as he scanned the sky, completely lost in thought. But his eyes immediately followed her voice, when she called out for him, stepping closer in a hurry. "What are you doing here, Ba-hmph!"
He was kissing her passionately. Bowing her down in a swift move and before she could have stopped him. His big, warm hands held onto her waist tightly - one eventually coming around her shoulders for a better support.
At first, she was entirely startled - not only because she was seeing him here, but also by that very affectionate greeting, that has caught her completely of guard. Not that she would complain about it!
Still she found it rather surprising.
…and yet it felt so utterly welcoming. This kiss. His passion. The desire.
All Marinette could do, was kissing him back with the same heat and need - not minding, that so many people could see them in that very moment - somebody gave them a little cat-whistle, as they were passed. And she was pretty sure, that somebody had taken a photo of them - perhaps she would see it in full size on the front page of the newspapers by tomorrow.
But for once she couldn't care any less, for it felt so right after everything, that happened the night before - this very kiss and the realization felt like breaking through the surface of an ice-cold lake, felt like breathing for the first time properly on that very day.
She dearly hoped, that it would never end - could kiss him like that forever.
Sadly enough their lungs soon started to scream for air, and they had to part.
…for now.
"Wow…", was all she could eloquently whisper, her mind still spinning, as she held onto his back tightly, while he balanced her in his arms, still. Adrien was gazing down at her and there were billions of emotions, that she would love to decipher one day - even though she had believed to understand all these thousand nuances, that she had seen in his brilliant emerald orbs before. But seeing that storm inside them made her realize, that there was still so much for her to learn about the man she loved - and that was a very exciting thought. "What… What are you doing here, Babe?"
His eyes scanned her face in a mysterious way and he didn't answer her right away. Instead, he watched her closely - the lights around playing with the green shades in his eyes, as were the emotions within his heart.
She noticed the darkness there - perhaps a very ugly demon of his past clinging to his soul. Maybe because of the media, that took interest of him, yet again. Probably because he had heard the news about his father escaping the prison for some time last night to see his mother.
…and… maybe… there was something else, that she wasn't even aware of - but hopefully he would tell her, once they were alone and without pesky eyes and ears watching and listening to them closely.
"I so missed you, my Queen…", he finally breathed - giving her one more, small peck to the already swollen lips, before he straightened himself once more and the young woman was able to stand back on her own feet, again. Though, her hands stayed on his back, while his wound around her small frame, again. To keep the other close - for both needed it more, than they could tell.
"I missed you as well…", she whispered - knowing, that some might find their yearning for the other strange, perhaps even silly, but she couldn't complain about it herself. "I really did…"
He smiled warmly at her words, though this certain kind of sadness remained in his eyes. Before she could have questioned them, he said:
"I have a surprise for you and I dearly hope, that you don't mind me being here. Or…, that you had other plans…"
"Nope…", she said with a little shrug. "Just sleep…"
"Oh…, then-"
"But that can wait a little longer!", she hurriedly said and her swift fingers made it towards the nape of his head, playing with those short hair she found there. She smiled in an affectionate way, while she marveled in the way his soft, golden tresses felt between her digits. He enjoyed it as well. She could tell by the way his shoulders relaxed a little, and he even closed his eyes for a short moment, to enjoy her touch as well. A very cat-like behavior she found - but quickly pushed that silly thought back at of her mind, again.
"Are you sure?", he finally purred. "You look quite tired yourself…"
"Tzt - I am just exhausted from work. Lots of customers - you know? And do you really think, that I would push my wonderful boyfriend away when he decided to pay me a little visit? Not happening, Babe!"
He exhaled in relief and little did she wonder what could have made him believe exactly that. Though… now wasn't the time to ask.
Perhaps he was tired as well - she noticed the dark circles underneath his eyes immediately and dearly hoped, that he hadn't been awake for too long. Perhaps the pain kept him awake, she wondered, as she examined the bruise underneath his eye and across his nose. Or from the burn mark on his palm.
And if it wasn't the pain, then maybe nightmares, that kept him up at night - the news, swarming reporters and perhaps Lila's words as well.
…and there wasn't her warm body, he could have snuggled up to.
Her heart painfully ached at that thought - and she felt bad for not being there, when Adrien had needed her so dearly.
Maybe tonight - she considered - they could stay together. So both could keep the other company, while they tried to mend something in their broken souls.
Marinette would like that - she didn't have other plans, anyway. And Adrien - once she approached that idea to him - surely wouldn't mind, either.
Hopefully, though, there wouldn't be an Akuma attack tonight…
"I didn't think that…", he finally breathed and cradled her cheek in his hand. "…actually I was hoping, that you were okay with me seeing you. Otherwise, who would use the second ticket I have for the conce-"
"Luka's band? Isn't it sold out?"
He chuckled, when she squealed that very question.
Just now she noticed, that he was wearing one of the band's shirts - she would have noticed sooner, if he hadn't swept her away only moments before.
"I kindly asked him for two tickets and he delivered. He gave them to me a few days ago and - well - I hoped I could surprise you like that. Apparently I did and thankfully you are off from work early enough for you to change and for us to find something to eat and-"
This time she silenced him with a kiss - enjoying the thought to spend the evening like that immensely. Just like a very plain normal couple - dining, enjoying the concert and hopefully ending the night in a sinful way in either hers, or his bed. Anything would be okay - as long as she could wake up by his side in the morning.
Oh, Lady Titalee and her stupid Akumas be damned, if they ruin their date night!
She wanted to feel like a very plain, boring human for once - hopefully the time she would spend by Adrien's side could help her refuel her energy a little.
…and helped her forget that horrible fight she had with Chat Noir for a while…
Plus - her presence surely would feel like the antidote to his bruised soul as well.
He hummed against her lips. It almost felt like a little purr to her, that rumbled through his chest, as she laid her hands on him, and it made her smile.
"I believe it's a 'Yes', then?", he mumbled, still so unbelievably close to her face, that she could feel his lips move against hers and he leaned his forehead against hers. "But if you feel too tired, then-"
"It's okay. It really is…"
"You know, that Luka would understand, if we won't come, because you need sleep…"
"And you truly believe, that I would decline a date with my boyfriend? Our first real date, if I am allowed to add?"
"Oh…true…"
"See?", she smirked, and somehow it felt so freeing to speak with him like that. If only she could talk about everything so freely with him… "And how does sound 'all night long and until tomorrow morning' to you?"
One dainty fingertip brushed across his arm, and she heard the sharp intake of his breath and felt the goosebumps raise on his skin - for he was very aware of the naughty implications in her voice.
"Wonderful~", he finally murmured as an answer.
Together and hand in hand they made their way down the streets. At first, she believed them to take the metro, but they walked past the station. Apparently he wasn't to call for a taxi, either. But soon enough she found out, that he lead her straight to his car - which was repaired once more. He told her, that he had fetched it right after work and before he had driven here - and that he was glad, that he finally had it back.
And with that a little piece of his freedom.
Yet - despite their plans for the evening (and the night) she found him strangely quiet. He wasn't happily talking as much as he usually had, when they were together. Not babbling. Not joking. No puns, no sexual innuendos. He gave her a quite simple report about his day at the bakery - about his day in general. Asked about hers, but apart from that he wasn't his usual, joyful self.
"Is it because of Gabriel?", she asked after some time, as she emerged from her bedroom with a packed backpack in her hand. This very question started to grow more and more within her mind as she had stuffed things she would need for her sleepover at Adrien's place for the night, until it had bubbled from her lips without a possibility to hold it back. But seeing him sit there so silently on her sofa just made this words explode from her lips, before she could have stopped them. "I… have seen the news…"
He looked up at her in a very mechanical way, and it made her gulp quietly. Especially that sad smile, that reached his lips, and the void in his eyes made her shiver.
"Yeah…", was all he could mumble, and he shrugged, nervously twisted his ring around her finger, as his eyes wandered to some distanced spot on the floor.
He looked so forlorn. So broken. And as always Marinette hated it to see him like that.
Hurriedly she let go of her bag, which carelessly fell to the floor beside her, before she crossed the space between them - kneeling beside Adrien on her sofa, hugging him most tightly.
"I am sorry- I shouldn't have asked…"
"Don't be sorry - I shouldn't have bothered you-"
"Bother me with everything you want!", she stopped his incoming excuses, before he could have finished them. "You know, that I am willing to listen…"
"You do?"
"Well, of course! Remember - I will be there for the good and the shitty times. And I want the very true, unfiltered Adrien Agreste. So - If you have something to say, then I am here to hear about it!"
She heard him swallow hard and he hesitated for a moment. Surely her words were hitting something within his heart and brain.
The young woman could tell and therefore waited patiently - adding a little bit of pressure to her embrace and kissed his temple in a caring, affectionate way.
Adrien on the other hand wrapped his arms around her as well - to pull her to his front, until she could sit on his lap. With her sitting sideways she could rest her legs on the sofa, while he leaned back and she against him. Both held onto the other tightly and for a mere moment both listened to the silence.
"Ladybug was there… At my place…", he finally said and his words immediately sped her heart beat up. For - of course - she knew that! And yet she found herself amazed about the fact, that he would tell her that at all…
"Oh?", was yet all she could say and she bit the inside of her lip - glad, that he wasn't able to see the horrified look on her face from that ankle. "What did she want from you?"
Nervously she started to draw little circles on his shoulders with her fingers. Her eyes followed its way, as it went around and round and round again, as she dearly hoped, that he wouldn't be able to hear her madly beating heart, as fear started to rise within her.
Fear - to utter just one world, that would reveal her identity as Ladybug to him.
"My… permission, apparently. For her to see Gabriel…"
"Why would she want that?"
He hesitated a little, and she wondered what he was feeling. But she just couldn't bring herself to look up and into his eyes to read him. Instead, she snuggled a little closer to his chest.
"She wanted to talk with him about Lady Titalee… Well - that whole meeting backfired as you know…"
Oh, she knew that very well - knew how her and Chat Noir's words had a huge impact on the former designer - for him to be easily turned into Hawk Moth once more.
"She surely wants to find clues about Lady Titalee's identity…", was yet all she could whisper. "Isn't…isn't that something good? For hopefully then these horrible Akuma attacks will end soon enough, again…"
One of his hands came up her back, making its way up her spine, past her shoulders and stilled at the back of her neck. Slowly massaging her scalp with her talented fingers.
If only she could melt against him. Relax and close her eyes. But her bad conscience kept her very tensed and antsy - her finger still very relentless drawing these circles on his shoulder.
"It is!", he answered finally. "Of course - I trust her in having a plan for this whole ordeal and fight against Lady Titalee! I just…hope, that she knows what she is doing…"
If only she did know that! But she didn't…
…she just didn't know what she is doing anymore - but she couldn't tell Adrien that.
"I believe she does…", came her murmur at last and it didn't even sounded to herself convincing. "Ladybug always knows what she is doing, but… if not even the people of Paris have trust in her, then-"
"Well - Chat Noir trusts her!", Adrien immediately said, interrupting her, before that painful thought could have left her own lips. "He trusts her blindly. With his heart. With his life. With everything he has…"
As if he wanted to highlight his words, her reached up with his second hand for hers. To stop these circles. To clasp his big one over hers - just over the spot of his heart - she could feel the steady beating of it within his heaving chest.
It was a tiny gesture and yet - somehow- it took her breath away. For - indeed- she knew, that Adrien was very right with his assumption and those words hurt her more, than she could have thought.
Tears already started to sting in her eyes and she took a deep breath to compose herself.
…for Adrien couldn't know about the betrayal she had done to that very trust of her beloved partner. Shouldn't know it either - for telling him that meant revealing all her secrets to him.
…it meant to tell him about the love she had for another man - for Chat - while she loved Adrien at the same time.
And she didn't want to hurt him. Could never hurt him like that.
The pain in her own heart was okay - it would dull and go away one day. As would the things, Chat Noir felt for her. So both could be just partners and the very heroes Paris wanted and needed.
That silly little thing of love have kept them distracted for far too long - now was the time to stay focused solemnly on finding Lady Titalee. And soon enough her reign of terror would be over.
…soon enough Chat Noir could move on easily to be just the human he had ever dreamed of.
And she… Well… She didn't want to think about it just now, what that would mean for her - as a human, as a Miraculous holder and as the Guardian.
…but now wasn't certainly the time to think about that.
"That's true…", she whispered and slowly raised her head off his chest to look at him. Smiling sadly. After all - he was very right with his assumption. That Chat used to trust his Lady blindly- at least until the night before. But he couldn't know that and she shouldn't give him the hint, that she knew differently. "And as long as Chat Noir trusts in Ladybug and everything she does, then things are just going to be alright - right?"
He gave her a tiny nod as an answer, a melancholic smile as well.
"Right…", he breathed and he leaned in to kiss her. She let him, was glad, that at least one person in this whole city still believed in these heroes and - as Ladybug - she was happy, that this was her own boyfriend… After all, it was feeling to her, as if she was sometimes losing faith in herself.
But for now she didn't want to think about that - she had thought about the villainess, about fighting, and Gabriel for the whole night and day. And Chat was occupying her thoughts far too often, anyway.
For now, she wanted to turn off these pesky and horribly exhausting feelings, and she wanted to be just Marinette - Adrien's girlfriend. Her civilian self had already so much to worry about - for one or two hours she should let her mind rest, when it came to her heroic side…
Therefore, it was her, who leaned a little more into the kiss, like first intended. Let her tongue slide over his bottom lip, until his came out to play with hers. Her hands entangled in his hair - his own pulled her a little closer by her waist.
"We shouldn't start anything, that we won't be able to finish…", Adrien kindly reminded her, as they shortly parted, yet slid his warm hands underneath her shirt. And it made her shiver in such a wonderful way, that she immediately wanted to feel more of his skin against hers.
Preferably now…
For here with him felt like a small piece of paradise - where everything else stopped to be relevant. Where she could breathe freely, let her mind and heart rest. She knew, that he felt the same - his taut muscles relaxing underneath her seeking fingers and the darkness within her eyes started to fade away. Both were their own version of kingdom come - both needed the other more, than they could say.
…especially after such an exhausting start into the new week - and after those tiring weeks before that as well.
"When do we need to be at the concert?"
True - she wanted to see it. Dance and sing and see Luka, of course. And yet her heavy bones and beat flesh screamed for her to take her time. To relax a little more and to stay right there on Adrien's lap. She even brought one leg around to straddle him properly and to sit a little more comfortably.
"They'll let the people inside in about an hour… We barely have time to eat…"
"We could eat something quick now and something proper later…"
He smirked and his eyes started to gleam in a very mischievous way.
"Oh…" He purred. "…you mean a quickie now and I am allowed to have my proper way with you, later?"
"Are you sexualizing my words, again?"
"Are you trying to seduce me, once more?"
They snickered, and gazed at each other in an affectionate way - both very aware of the effect they had on the other, eventually pressed their foreheads together.
"So…", she eventually murmured with a tiny, innocent shrug. "Let's say we ate something quick from my fridge, then we would have some more time to…", one hand swiftly drew a line over his neck, his chest and down towards his stomach, stopping, as she felt his belt underneath her fingertips, to illustrate her point a little more. "…have sex, right?"
"Marinette~", he hummed warningly - fingers wandering further up on her back, moving to unhook her bra already. "You know what your beguiling innocents does to me!"
"I do?", she asked sweetly, leaning only a little closer, but still made sure, that there was enough space between their lips - for him to not kiss her right away. She would have lost little fight over control, if he did.
He chuckled huskily and rolled his hips against her - she immediately felt, how hard he had started to get for her. His clothed center pressed against her middle and that feeling made her gasp.
"I believe you know that very well, my Queen…"
He did it again - flexed his hips, and she moaned at the friction. The young woman closed her eyes, clawing into his shoulders to keep herself steady. Heat started to build up within herself - and it needed to be released soon, before it burst through her veins. Therefore she moved her lower body, pressing her center down to his member, to feel him yet again. Again. And again.
"I do~", she eventually cooed and her mind started to spin more and more, everytime they moved together. "Please, Adrien~"
"Please?"
The tables have turned - she could tell. He started to tease her. Started to stay out of reach from her seeking lips and his own hands were not yet searching for the warm flesh, that needed those touches most.
"…please~", she finally begged and let out a small cry, as he held onto her hips, so he could guide her along his length with one excruciating long and slow move. His answer was a chilling hiss, and it made all her senses tingle. "I want to feel you. In…inside me. Please tell me, that you carry a condom with you!"
"My Queen is getting better at voicing her desire~ You learn quickly…"
"Adrien?"
"Yes!", he whispered and she felt him finally lean closer once more to initiate a little kiss. "Yes - I have two, if you want to know~"
And finally his lips were on hers, again. Nibbling, softly biting, seeking for an entrance she gladly gave his tongue. Both parting shortly once to get rid of those unwanted shirts and her bra, before their lips attacked the other once more. Closer, feeling some internal relief now that they could press their chests together. Hands caressing exposed skin, nails drawing lines, that both wanted to last a little longer.
Marinette felt her mind spinning around and around, as she deep down was amazed about the way Adrien made her feel so easily - and made her forget everything else for a little while. Apparently she had the exact same effect on him.
The young woman let out a tiny whimper, as Adrien lifted her up so easily and she wrapped her legs around his torso, as he started to carry her through the living room and towards the bedroom instead - to make every second count properly. And her sofa was just too small for that.
"But you shouldn't start something too big!", she reminded him and giggled, as he let himself fall backwards onto her bed - rolling over only a moment later with a small grunt, until she laid underneath him. "We don't have much time!"
He gazed down at her with a tiny smirk - one that grew wider too soon, as one particular thought crossed his mind.
"You are right~", he teased and he wiggled his eyebrows at her as he leaned back to kneel between her legs - marveling in the sign of her almost naked self for some moments. His hands started to wander on their own - down her waist and across her hips. Towards her thighs and he slowly hiked up her skirt centimeter for centimeter, bunching it by her stomach. "But that won't stop me to give you a good time…"
Her heart sped up at those words - her frazzled brain trying to figure out their meaning - before she gasped, as she remembered a very spicy promise he had made the night before.
"Wait! Adrien-"
"Only if you want to, of course!"
"But I am already wet!", she uttered bluntly and blushed - first a soft rose shade, as she shyly realized her own words, before her cheeks turned into a proper pink color at the thought, that he wanted to place his mouth there to pleasure her.
Yet he chuckled sweetly at her words and at her facial expression and leaned over to kiss the tip of her nose in an affectionate way.
"That's the whole point, I believe~"
"You don't have to do that…", she whispered wistfully, though - truthfully, little felt she excited about it. Like a fantasy coming to life. But she wanted him to be absolutely sure about it. Therefore, she reached up with her hands to cup his cheeks, as both gazed into each others eyes lovelingly. "…but I trust you. Whatever you do, I am okay with it…"
His smile as an answer was absolutely brilliant and breathtaking and it easily outshone the sun outside. Deep down she knew, that there was more to his smile, than she could tell in that very moment - but right now her brain wasn't functioning properly anyway.
"You don't know, how much these words mean to me…", he breathed and gifted her a tiny kiss on the lips. "For I trust you as well, My Queen. With everything, I have~ Just… just don't ever forget that, okay?"
"O-okay…", she whispered and nodded, closing her eyes to hold those rising tears back - for these exact words meant more to her, than she could have thought - especially regarding everything, that was currently happening around her.
…and with all these lies she had to feed Adrien with to keep her secret identity hidden…
If only she could tell him…
But she couldn't - she feared, that this very knowledge would endanger him. That it would break them apart. That it would make him see her in a completely different light - and she couldn't have that…
And - she thought egoistically - she had already lost Chat Noir.
…she wouldn't be able to lose Adrien as well…
"Oh Marinette…", he mumbled with a heavy voice and she felt one shaking hand reach for her own cheek to brush one tear away. "Please…don't cry…"
"It's okay!", she hurriedly said and wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled her down and against her. "It is… it really is…"
He stayed silent and for a brief moment she feared, that her stupid outbreak annoyed him - for their mood to do something dirty was definitely blown away and out of the window now.
But he quickly acted - turning them back around, until he was the one to lay one his back and she was on top of him. His hands quickly pressed against her back to keep her their, connected by their skin, their shared breath, their heartbeat. Waiting patiently, until she had calmed down again.
"I am sorry…", she finally whispered, wanted to lift her head up to look at him, but his grasp around her kept her in place. Therefore, she whispered once more: "I am sorry, that I cry…like… right now… I know it's a total turn-off and that I ruined the moment…I am really sorry, Adrien…"
"Don't be!", he said in absolute sincerity, and it took her breath away. "Don't be ever sorry about your feelings, Marinette! They have a valid reason and the permission to stay. And…if I remember correctly…then a certain someone was reminding me every now and then, that we both are very welcomed and allowed to speak about them in our relationship. And… if there is something you want to talk about, then I am willing to listen…"
"It's nothing - I… I just feel really exhausted…", she said quietly and barely turned her head to look at him - lashes heavy from the tears, that still clung to them. "There are just…so many things running through my head and it's so hard to sort them all…"
"That's okay…"
"It isn't - look at me crying, because my stupid brain tries to make everything so ridiculously complicated! Crying in front of my boyfriend, when he wanted to go down on me… Just saying that makes me feel really stupid…"
"Just because we have a serious moment now, doesn't mean, that I won't do that to you - later! But for now I am very okay to hold you, until you cast me that beautiful smile of yours again~"
She smiled - but he immediately shook his head.
"It's beautiful, but not genuine. Believe me - I know the difference. Your smile is not reaching your eyes…"
His arms flexed around her and her heart soared at the thought, that he had tried to get her even closer - and they were already as close as they could be. And this - right here - was a very intimate moment as well. Even without sex. Without sharing their body with the other. But right now this very intimacy meant to share their hearts and soul.
She certainly wouldn't mind, if they would stay like that for the rest of the day. He… surely wouldn't mind either and for the concert-
A distanced ringing startled them. The sound of an incoming call - she immediately knew, that this wasn't her phone, but his. Yet it sounded so far away - it probably laid somewhere in the living room.
Both young adults were startled at first - but Adrien didn't think to move just one bit, but she heard his annoyed and frustrated sigh and saw him rolling his eyes.
"Seriously? I bet, that it's Lila! I swear - that woman is getting worse with every passing day! If it wasn't for Emma, then I would have blocked her number by now!"
"Don't you want to go and answer it?"
"Actually I would love to hold you a little longer, until you feel better, again…"
"And if it's importa-" The sound stopped, the call stayed unanswered for now. "You should call back! And perhaps we should start to get up as well - we could eat something and see the concert and…" She smiled and it certainly was a little truer now "…and we have tonight as well, don't we?"
Tonight…yeah… she would try everything in her power to keep her emotions in check. She needed to do that anyway - she was Ladybug after all and Lady Titalee surely waited for these small moments of weakness.
He sighed once again - more relaxed now and he nodded at her words.
"Yeah - you are right…"
"Of course I am - I am your Queen after all!"
He grinned at that.
"…and so much more~"
They moved reluctantly and sat up. Kissing once more - this time a gentle one, to just make this moment last a little longer and as a sign for a promise to keep.
But the noise startled once more, tearing them apart too soon. Sadly. And with one last, longing look Adrien was the one to stand up first. Ready to get his phone, ready to answer it.
She stayed behind - didn't want to be the clingy girlfriend, that nosily watched her boyfriend's every move. Instead, she decided to get ready - once more. Swiftly changed her soaked underwear for a new one and pulled her skirt back down. Groaned, as she realized, that her bra and shirt were still in the living room.
Hastefully she looked over to the clock by her bedside table- it wasn't that much time left, until they needed to go. Therefore, she decided to hurriedly get her clothes and to immediately get to the kitchen - to prepare a small snack for them - something quick, that could easily fill their stomach, until they found something proper, later tonight. Maybe they could cook something at his place - after the concert…
Marinette brushed through her dishelved hair with her fingers to straighten it once more and made her way towards the door - for her plan sounded quite perfect to her and Adrien surely wouldn't mind, either. She heard Adrien's voice, softly speaking, but she tried not to listen too closely to his words. Instead, she hurried past him - finding her bra by the sofa, her shirt thrown across the table and it was her boyfriend, who stopped her, before she had the room once more, now fully dressed, again.
For Adrien had grasped her upper arm and she felt all the blood in her face draining, as she saw his shocked face. His hand was shaking, his face scanning hers, as he listened closely to the words, that were spoken on the other side.
"…okay…'", was all he could utter, his knees gave in, buckling and it was her, who pushed her into the direction of the sofa. Until he could sit, with her kneeling in front of him. Worried now, unable to breath herself, as she waited silently by his side.
"Isn't…isn't that a good sign- Yeah, I know, that nobody is aware of the effects magic could have on- But if she is waking up, then-"
The young woman could easily puzzle it together, who he was talking about. And the topic:
The hospital has called. And it had to do with Emilie. And - of course - anything regarding his mother and her magical coma was already shocking enough - but apparently things started to change…
…perhaps- yeah - she was indeed waking up…
"I know, that she is in that state for more than 12 years now! If it is about money, then-" She heard him swallow hard. And he closed his eyes. Marinette grasped his hand and held it tightly. To be there for him - however things would evolve from here. "Then…what do you want me to do?"
The voice at the other side was calm. Kind even - she could tell by the way he gazed towards her - his eyes widening and a tiny gleam of hope made its way into their depths.
"What? Now? Of course, I could be there in 30 minutes. 40, maybe?"
She eagerly nodded - silently begging for him to do it. See her - his mother. Emilie. For - if she was indeed waking up, then Marinette wanted him to be there.
Everything else was irrelevant. Didn't matter, and she was very okay with that.
Adrien - his shoulders still tense - smiled down to her warmly and caressed her cheek. Mouthing a little 'thank you' towards her, before he raised his voice again:
"I will be there in a few minutes! Just… just do, whatever you need to do… And…thank you!"
He ended the call with shaking hands, breathing unevenly.
"My mother, she-"
"She is waking up? That is amazing!"
"I...I hope so… The doctor seemed to be quite positive about it. And… they wanted me to be there…" He finally looked up, again and into her eyes. "But…our date? The concert and-"
"Adrien!", she hurriedly said, before he could have apologized. She didn't want that- she couldn't even express her own excitement about this news. "It's okay! It really is! Now get dressed and go! Please! You have waited for so many years for this moment!"
"Okay!"
A/N: I know, the ending is a little bit of a cliff-hanger. But don't worry - he next chapter will be out on Sunday anyway ?
So yeah - we can tell, that Marinette is breaking more and more underneath all that pressure. That more woman! One day it all will be better - so much I can promise?
Next chapter: When the world stood still...