A/N - To make it up to you guys for being gone so long, I decided to write and post a second decent sized chapter for today. Hope you enjoy it!
~Adrien~
Adrien hurries out of his dressing room. Knowing he took much too long getting ready. After the conversation with his father, he needed some time to collect his thoughts and cool his nerves. Plagg had tried to help him, but his kwami wasn't well-versed in what to do when you finally realized you loved two different girls and had no idea if either of them could possibly ever like you back.
He decided to take the seemingly "safe" option and continue to fake date Marinette while making the most of it. Maybe it will eventually lead into real dating and then he'll be able to move on from Ladybug at that point, and if it never leads to real dating, then he always has Ladybug to pine after. God, that sounds horrible. Like he's holding one close as a second best. When in reality, he's terrified to lose either one. What does that say about him? That he can love two girls so wholly and completely, but is selfish enough to try to hold both of them close. This whole thing could blow up in his face.
He feels dirty. Like he's cheating on one or both of them. Which is ridiculous, like Chloe would say, utterly ridiculous. It's not like he's dating either of them. No matter how badly he wants to be. He's still technically a single man, and he openly told Marinette that he cared for another girl. She told him that she was interested in another boy too. And she seemed happy to fake date him. Told Cat Noir it was a "dream come true." So maybe things will work out for them. They can get through this. And he already promised to be the best fake boyfriend he could be.
Adrien adjusts his suit as he makes his way back to the set. His mouth falls open as he spots Marinette. Dressed in a gorgeous gown with a pattern that matches his pocket square. Her make-up is done more heavily to match the dress and brings out her natural beauty even more. She's wearing a pair of high heels that make her legs look extra long and has her hair carefully curled and pinned together to make a stunning updo. He didn't realize he was gone long enough for them to get so much done. She wears her typical black earrings and a pretty necklace wraps around her neck.
He takes a shuddering breath and walks up to her, "Wow, Marinette. I thought the last dress looked amazing on you, but this one. There's no words. You look… wow."
Marinette blushes and lets out a nervous little giggle. And oh, isn't that the cutest thing. Marinette giggling. Adrien smiles wide and helps her to the set as they wait for instructions from Vincent.
Adrien keeps his hand in Marinette's as Vincent finally makes his way to them and explains what he wants, "Okay. So this outfit choice will be all about passion. I want to see love in your eyes! Fire! Like you're the only two people in the room and the rest of the world no longer exists. Let's begin with a dance! Yes? Someone please turn on the music!" He calls and steps back as the music begins.
Adrien takes the lead on the dance and guides Marinette's hands to his shoulders. He places his hands around her waist and holds her close. It's familiar to them both. Something they've done before all this fake dating stuff. It's not hard to get into the swing of things and move along to the music together.
"Perfect, you two! Now, I want you to move around a bit more. Look into each other's eyes and sing to one another with only a look." Vincent instructs.
The two follow his lead perfectly and begin to change positions. Marinette moves one hand to the nape of his neck and lightly plays with his hair as her other moves down his arm. Andrien moves one of his hands up to cup her face in his and leans in close. They share a breath as they move along together. Then the song changes and becomes more upbeat, and yet, more sensual too. Adrien moves to hold her hand and places his other hand back at her waist. They twirl around he spins her in his arms before pulling her back close and dipping her low. The music slows again and they both breathe heavily as he slowly brings her back up to him. They stare into each other's eyes as the song ends. Breath ragged, hearts beating fast. Adrien places a hand on her cheek and leans in close. Mainette's breath hitches and the flash of a camera breaks the spell. Adrien backs up slowly and smiles at Marinette as they both calm their hearts.
"Excellent, you two. These photos are amazing. I'm sure everyone in Paris will be able to see the love you two share for one another, but let's take a few more photos. Since the two of you are dating, we can do a bit more than the typical couple photos we take. Usually our models aren't dating and we don't want to force them to do anything they're not comfortable with. As you two are dating, this shouldn't be uncomfortable for you. Would you two mind kissing for the camera?" Vincent asks as he holds his camera ready.
Adrien chokes on his spit as Marinette squeeks. Vincent looks at him puzzled as he tries to get over the sudden coughing fit. Marinette recovers from her squeak faster and starts to rub his back in an attempt to help.
Adrien calms down enough to speak, "Do you mind if we take a water break?"
Vincent looks at him puzzled, checks his watch, and then nods, "Sure, sure. A quick one though."
Adrien nods and grabs Marinette's hand to lead her with him to the refreshment table. He grabs a water bottle for himself and offers one to Marinette.
She shakes her head, "I'm alright. I don't want to mess up the make-up they did."
Adrien takes a sip of his water, "Beatrice will touch it up after you drink. It's okay, Marinette."
She sighs and opens her water to drink as well, "So are we?" She asks.
Adrien holds back a wince and carefully swallows his water before closing the bottle and placing it on the table.
"Only if you're okay with it, Marinette." He says with a calm he does not truly feel.
Marinette blushes, "W-well. I don't m-mind." She looks away, "W-we almost kissed before. A-anyway. A-and… We talked about this b-before. T-that we m-might have t-to."
Adrien smiles and grabs her hand in his, "We didn't get to finish that conversation, but yeah, we did almost kiss for that movie the class did." He rubs the back of his neck, "I wasn't afraid to kiss you then. I was grateful actually. Chloe wanted to kiss me and I just couldn't do that. I was happy to… well, to almost kiss you." He admits.
Marinette blushes, "I-I was nervous, b-but okay with it too. I'm okay with it n-now. If you are."
Adrien blushes and looks into her eyes, "I'm okay with it now. Y-you're probably the only friend I'm okay with kissing." Wait, does that sound too much like a confession? He watches as Marinette swallows and nods her head in acceptance.
He breathes a sigh of relief before continuing with some humor, "I do have to warn you. I might not be that good at it. Only one girl has ever kissed me, and I can't remember either kiss." He admits.
Marinette looks at him puzzled, "You don't remember?"
Adrien blushes, "Ah, it's a long story. Doesn't matter." He waves it off, "What about you? Have you kissed before?"
Marinette's face turns beat red and she looks away from him to play with the label of her water bottle, "Once, or, well, twice. With the same boy, but I don't remember the second time. And the first time was unavoidable."
Now it was Adrien's turn to look at her puzzled, "Unavoidable? And you don't remember the second time?"
Marinette gives him a glare that could rival Ladybug's, "It's a long story, Mr. Agrests. You don't seem to want to share yours, so why should I share mine?" She says with mock venom.
Adrien chuckles, "Fair enough, Marinette. We'll both keep our strange kissing secrets to ourselves." He winks at her and she chuckles.
The two make their way to Beatrice to touch up their make-up before heading back to the set arm in arm. Adrien takes a deep breath to prepare himself and smiles reassuringly at Marinette. Vincent makes his way to them and adjusts the lighting and their pose. He has them hold each other close but gives them free reign to adjust their position as they see fit.
"Be natural," he says as he fixes the skirt of Marinette's dress to lay perfectly, "pretend the rest of us aren't here. Take your time and kiss once you're ready. Just go with the natural flow of your bodies." He takes a few pictures of them looking a once another before he backs away from the couple to get some shots from a decent distance so he's not right on top of them during the kiss.
Adrien moves his hand to Marinette's cheek once again and rubs his thumb along her soft skin. He feels her hands move along his chest, where one pauses to hold onto his coat, and the other continues to the nape of his neck. Her fingers curl lightly in his hair and he lets out a shuddering breath as his eyes begin to hood over. He looks into her eyes, silently asking permission, as he leans closer to her. She nods lightly, her eyes fluttering closed as they move inch by careful inch, closer and closer to one another's lips.
His lips barely graze hers as she gasps and then he presses firmly into her. Lips molding to one another in a slow but sensual kiss. His hand at her waist pulls her body closer to his as his other hand moves to run his fingers through her hair. He comes upon the pins holding it together, and without thinking, he carefully pulls her hair free and lets it fall down around his hand. He runs his fingers through the light curls. He feels Marinette's hand in his own hair, lightly tugging at his blond locks. Her other hand is holding tightly to his coat as they kiss passionately.
Adrien's brain fogs with the heat of the kiss. This is Marinette, beautiful, clumsy, caring, Marinette. He groans and whispers her name as he lightly touches the seam of her lips with his tongue. She gasps but pushes into the kiss and opens her mouth to him. He groans as his tongue tangles with hers. He runs his hands along her shoulders and rubs soothing circles along her bare arms. His hands move lower and circle her waist as her second hand finally makes it to his hair. He has barely enough clarity to hold back to purr he felt growing in his throat, Something he was used to as Cat Noir, but unaware that he could do it out of costume as well.
Slowly their kiss peeters off and their lips finally separate as they both breathe heavily. Eyes still half lidded and focused on the person in front of them.
They watch one another for a long moment before Vincent's voice cuts through the fog, "Magnifico!" He exclaims as they both jump from the sudden sound, "That was perfect. You two are free to change into your regular attire now. Thank you for a perfetto photoshoot today!"
Adrien looks from Vincent to Marinette with eyes wide. His clarity comes back to him now that the kiss is over. Oh god. He didn't just kiss her. He made out with her. He stuck his tongue in her mouth and pulled her impossibly close. She's still impossibly close. He carefully releases his hold on her and backs away. Both of their cheeks are flushed, lips slightly swollen, and breath a bit ragged.
He clears his throat, preparing to say something, but rubs the back of his neck instead and looks around, embarrassed he went too far. He catches his father's eye across the room and his embarrassment skyrockets. He just made out with a girl in front of his father. A girl he's not technically dating. A girl he told his father it was complicated with. What. A. Mess.
He turns his gaze back to Marinette and finds her seemingly lost for words as well. She looks guilty and confused. He takes a shuddering breath and places a smile on his face.
"You did great today, Marinette. Do you want a ride home?" He asks, figuring it better to move on from the kiss instead of talking about it.
Marinette looks at him, vaguely confused, but gives him a sweet smile, "Thank you, Adrien. Maman is actually meeting me though. She needed to go grocery shopping this way and was planning to get me right after." She checks the time on her phone, her eyes widen, "Oh! She's already here! I gotta go! Love you, bye!" She calls as she runs before stopping in her tracks and turning around with a look of horror on her face, "I-I mean."
Adrien chuckles, amused, "It's okay, Marinette. We're dating, remember?" He winks and blows her a kiss. "I love you too, Princess." Oh if only she knew how sincere those words have become.
Marinette swallows and nods her head before turning to leave once again. Slowly this time as she heads to the dressing room to change. Adrien sighs and makes his way to his own dressing room. Ignoring his fathers knowing look. Clearly Gabriel Agreste wasn't paying any attention to what his employees were saying to him. He was more concerned with his son's fake dating blunder.
Once in the safety of his dressing room, Plagg flies out with a laugh, "How are you going to handle this one, Kid?" He says with amusement.
Adrien groans, "I don't know what to do anymore, Plagg. It's only been a few days and everything has gotten so complicated. I still love Ladybug, clearly she sees something in me if the two kisses we shared mean anything. We just kissed a few weeks ago for some reason that neither of us can even remember! Alya got a picture and everything. It happened and it looked so passionate. But she still doesn't want to be with me. And now. I feel something for Marinette. I probably always have felt something for her. I was so willing to kiss her when I had only known her for a few short weeks and now, I wanted to scream for joy when Vincent suggested we kiss. I love her, Plagg. I love both of them. And that's not even the most complicated part of it all."
He lowers his voice, "My father is probably Hawkmoth. The villain Ladybug and I have been fighting since day one. The guy that has thrown us into harm's way more times than I can count. Who has thrown me into harm's way both when he was unaware of it being me, and when he was aware. He akumatize my bodyguard, Plagg. Sure, Gorilla just wanted to keep me safe, but turning him into a giant gorilla wasn't the best way of going about it. And when I fell… When I jumped. I trusted Ladybug to save me, but videos of the attack show that she was captured before she could. I've looked at the footage wondering why an akuma would let her go like that. Plagg, do you think my father suspected my identity? Was Gorizilla a test of some sort? To put me in danger and see if I transform in front of him? Was he so certain it was me that he almost let me fall to my death to prove it?"
Adtrien sighs, "It's him, Plagg. It has to be. What are we going to do?"
Plagg flies up to his holder and places a comforting paw on his hand, "Talk to Ladybug on patrol tomorrow. Figure it out with her. You aren't alone, kid. She'll help you through it."
Adrien smiles at his kwami, "Thank you, Plagg."
Plagg gives him a large grin, "And don't worry about pigtails. You'll figure that out soon enough, kid, Trust me. Your luck might start going up pretty soon."
Adrien gives him an odd look before shaking his head and changing his clothes. Plagg can be oddly cryptic at times.
