"So, you're telling me that your dad ate the clothes? Just like...chew and swallow them?" The bluenette questioned.

"Yes! He did!" Replied the blond.

Marinette blinked a few times before slowly getting up. "I want to see it. There's no way I'll believe it until I see it."

Adrien smirked. "Wanna bet?"

"Hmm...you're on! How much?"

"Nuh-uh, no money. If you win, I'll let you in on a little secret. But if I win, I get a box of macarons. How does that sound?"

"Deal." Marinette agreed, knowing the boy was only pulling her leg.

"Oh no." Marinette stared at the heap on the floor.

"Oh yes!" Adrien punched the air. "I get a box of macarons."

Marinette glared at the blond. "That's not fair. You knew."

"But you didn't believe me," he sang. "And now I get my macarons."

The ravenhead huffed. "Fine. But I'm telling you now that I'm never making a bet with you. Ever."

"Suit yourself," Adrien shrugged, before running away, laughing.

Gabriel beamed at Marinette. "I'm so glad you decided to stay, dear. Do come over more often, Adrien could do with someone other than me to talk to."

Adrien groaned. "Dad! I do have friends, you know." He turned to Marinette, shaking his head. "For some reason, he thinks I have no friends," he sighed, pointing at Gabriel.

Marinette giggled. "Would he be wrong?"

"Hey! Rude much?" Adrien exclaimed, before Gabriel gasped. "Dad? Are you okay?"

"Yes yes, I'm fine," he replied, twitching his nose. "I'm sorry, carry on."

The door opened and the chef bought the food in, laying the table. After he had left, Gabriel sneezed loudly.

"I don't want to say it, but I do hope the food is okay. We hired a new chef since our old one retired, so it'll take a little getting used to." Gabriel chirped, piling salad onto his plate. "Help yourself!"

"O-okay," Marinette stuttered, hesitantly filling up her plate.

Gabriel sneezed again. Marinette flinched, dropping her plate. She promptly got up and started cleaning the mess.

"I'm so sorry! I'll clean it up right away!" She squeaked, hurriedly picking up pieces of her plate. Adrien got up to help her, picking the food off the floor.

"Oh no! You shouldn't apologise, dear. That was my fault. I should be the one apologising. Now you two get back to your seats, I'll clean it myself. You might cut your hands." Gabriel stood up and started to pick up what was left, when he twitched his nose again.

Adrien grew more concerned. "Dad? Are you sure you're okay?" The boy asked as his father took his seat again.

"Actually, I don't think I am." Replied Gabriel. "Is it me or do you smell lemon?" He questioned, shoving a forkful of salad in his mouth.

Marinette giggled. "There's lemon in the salad dressing, it must taste amazing."

Gabriel choked on his food, spitting it out everywhere.

Adrien rushed to his father's side, patting his back, while Marinette poured a glass of water for him.

Gabriel scratched his neck, nervously laughing. "My apologies. I have to leave, there are an awful lot of things to do today!" And with that, he left the two teenagers in the room, wondering what the hell had actually happened.

~.~.

Author's Notes:

hi again hehe

sorry for the long wait...

i usually post on ao3 first, under the same username so you can check it out over there too!

stay safe you guys! if you have any suggestions on moth tendencies, please do let me know!