A/N: I know what you're thinking. 'Wow, Sultanna, you can actually write anything other than MariChat Fanfiction?'
I know, I surprised myself too.
P.S. I'm sorry if I've been inactive, such is the life of an overachieving student. I hope you like this one though!
Tags: Aged Up, Adrienette, No Powers AU
Marinette was giggly as she leaned half of her body weight on her best friend and roommate, Adrien Agreste. They were walking home back to their apartment, after meeting their friends for drinks at the club.
Marinette was positively tipsy—well, maybe a little more than just tipsy.
Good thing Adrien—responsible, lovely, handsome, Adrien—decided not to drink anything alcoholic so he could take them both home.
Marinette's heels were dangling from her fingers and the concrete was digging into her feet but she scarcely minded, especially since Adrien's pleasant warmth and amazing scent surrounded her.
Her arm was slung around his shoulder as his hand settled on her waist, trying to support her. Her head lolled to the side and she looked at him with drooping eyelids.
"Sleepy, Marinette?" He murmured, sparing her a side glance.
She hummed in confirmation.
"We're almost home, hang in there. Do you want me to carry you?"
The moment he said that, her knees gave out on her and she almost pulled the both of them down to the ground.
"I guess that answers that. Come on, let me carry you."
"No, I'm fine," she dismissed, giggling as she tried to stand up straight.
"Don't be stubborn, Marinette."
"I'm not! I really am fine. Look!" The smile was very much evident in her voice as she broke away from his arms and took a few steps forward.
"See?" She spun on her heel to show him her beaming face but her infamous clumsiness paired with those tequila shots made her stumble and lose her balance, dropping her shoes in the process.
With cat-like reflexes, Adrien caught her before she could faceplant on the hard cement of the sidewalk. His arms were situated on the small of her back, while her fingers were splayed on his chest, right above his thudding heart.
They seemed to be suspended in time, as they held each other's gazes. Green seas and blue skies searched each other. For what? They did not know.
"You always catch me when I fall," Marinette murmured.
Marinette's pulse sped up at their proximity. She'd been stuck in an unrequited love with this man for a decade now, with absolutely no hope that he would develop feelings for her too. She knew this, but the alcohol in her system threw all of her inhibitions out of the window.
She slowly raised herself up on her tiptoes, giving him ample time to move away in case he wanted to. He apparently didn't. Her hands came up to cradle his face as she closed the gap between their lips. She kissed him softly, almost tentatively.
There was a terrifying half second of him just standing rigidly and frozen, and she was about to pull away when he kissed her back. His mouth hard, warm, and pressing.
He kissed her like she was the fountain of eternal youth and he could never have enough of her. It almost felt like he's been wanting to kiss her for a long time, and now that the opportunity presented itself, he couldn't stop.
"I love you. I love you so much," she confessed against his soft lips.
"I lo—" he pulled back abruptly before he could finish whatever he was going to say.
"Did I do something wrong?" She took in his appearance. His cheeks were flushed, dyed a deep red, and his lips looked plump. He looked freshly kissed and incredibly beautiful.
He shook his head, eyes downcast. "Real sweet, Princess. But I wish you were sober. Let's go home."
He bent down and lifted her up in his arms in a princess carry despite her protests. He didn't forget to pick up her shoes either.
"Put me down, Adrien. I'm fine really, and I really don't—" she yawned, "—want to be any trouble for you."
He pressed a kiss to her temple, "You're never any trouble, Marinette."
She finally started to settle down, sinking into the comfort of his arms. She looped her arms around his neck and leaned her head on his shoulder, slowly drifting off to sleep.
She thought she heard him say as she nodded off, "Sleep well, My Princess."
Adrien sighed as he carefully shifted to open the door to the apartment, making sure that he didn't disturb the precious cargo in his arms.
He walked toward her bedroom and carefully deposited her on the bed, before heading to the kitchen.
He poured himself some ice cold water before leaning over the counter and letting his head fall into his palms. He sighed again, tired to his bones.
Life just pulled a cruel, cruel joke on him. The woman he's been head over heels for just kissed him. Marinette just kissed him. She told him she loved him. It was everything he's ever wanted.
He let out a humorless laugh. But she did it all while under the influence of alcohol. She most definitely didn't mean any of it, and she probably won't even remember it by tomorrow. Which was good, his heart won't be able to stand seeing the regret in her eyes if she remembers the kiss.
His eyes started to sting and he rushed to pull himself together. But how can he possibly be okay after that? He can still remember the warmth of her palms when she cupped his cheek, and he practically memorized the way her body molded into his. He could still feel her soft, pink lips, so pleasantly pressed up against his own.
He feels horrible for getting lost in the moment, forgetting the fact that she was intoxicated and not that conscious of her actions. He feels so guilty for not pulling back immediately, for taking advantage of her state, even though it was unintentional.
He almost thought—at that moment he could have sworn she meant the kiss. For a split second he was transported to an alternate universe where she loved him back.
He took a deep breath to collect himself. He decided to change into something more comfortable before taking care of his best friend and long term love of his life.
After getting into his pajamas, he filled up a glass of water and entered her bedroom. He placed the drink on her nightstand, along with some medicine to help with her inevitable headache before heading over to Marinette's vanity mirror.
He opened the drawer and pulled out her make-up wipes. He knelt on the floor next to Marinette's dozing form, gently wiping away her make-up, revealing her bare face and stunning natural beauty.
He always liked her better without make-up but it made her happy and gave her a confidence boost. She dressed up and looked pretty for no one but herself and Adrien couldn't have been prouder.
After that was done, he contemplated whether to wake her up so she can change her clothes or to just tuck her in and let her sleep.
The decision was made for him when she stirred, her hazy sapphire eyes fluttering open and a tender smile forming on her lips.
"Hey."
"Hi."
He turned to her closet and fished out her favorite pair of PJs. He held them out to her.
"You should change out of your dress so you can sleep more comfortably."
She sluggishly sat up and pouted in the most adorable way. "But, I don't wanna," she whined.
He came to sit beside her on the bed and cupped her cheek, looking at her patiently "You have to, it's for your own good."
She let her eyes flutter shut, leaning into his touch. "Okay," she relented.
"There's water and medicine on your nightstand. I know you have a headache, don't lie to me, you hate liars. Goodnight, Marinette."
He slipped out of her room, hearing her call a sleepy goodnight after him.
Adrien was about to step into bed when he heard a knock at his door. He opened it to reveal Marinette in all of her sleepy glory.
"Is something wrong, Mari?" He asked, puzzled.
"Can I—uhh . . . can I please, uhm," she mumbled.
"What is it? What's wrong?"
"Can I please sleep here, with you? My room feels . . . incomplete? lonely? That's not quite right." Her voice was small and timid, and the way she slurred her words made it obvious that the alcohol wasn't fully out of her system yet.
He waved her in with a smile that was slightly strained. He could do this, they always slept next to each other during movie nights and he managed to stop himself from self combusting. He could do it again, it's not like she kissed him earlier or anything.
He fought back a blush that threatened to overtake his cheeks and went over to join her on the bed where she was already curled up on her side. He pulled the covers snug around her to tuck her in and laid down beside her on his back, as far away as possible as to not make her uncomfortable.
But she shuffled backwards so that her back was snuggled to his side. Her hand came searching for his a few moments later and he held his arm out for her to take willingly, not knowing what she's planning. His face erupted into a violent blush when she manually looped his arm around herself in a cuddle, allowing her to lean into him further.
"Good night, Adrien."
He sighed and finally succumbed to the sweet temptation. He rolled over on his side and pulled her closer, flush against his chest. Her soft body melting against his firmer one.
He planted a kiss to her hair, "Good night, Marinette."
It's been a full week since that night, and neither of them chose to acknowledge or bring up what had happened. Maybe Marinette didn't remember. Adrien didn't know whether to be happy or disappointed over that possibility.
Either way, it's getting progressively harder to keep himself in check. His restraint is slipping. He's already gotten a taste of what it would be like to be hers.
He's getting more affectionate, more free with his physical contact. Nothing inappropriate—god knows he'd turn his skin inside out first before he disrespects a woman—just casual brushes of fingertips, linking arms, and hugs.
Even though the kiss hung above his head like a dream cloud, he did his best to ignore the deceptive siren's call of what if?
He liked to think that he was actually doing pretty well . . . until he wasn't.
Late one rainy afternoon, Adrien was sitting on their couch, typing away at his laptop. He was so laser focused that he didn't hear Marinette enter the room.
He was only notified of her presence when a pair of warm arms wrapped around his neck from behind in a hug, her chin coming to rest on his shoulder.
"You still having problems with your thesis?" Marinette's sweet voice murmured.
His hand came up to caress her arm, before he sighed. "Yeah."
"Why don't you take a little break, I'll make us some hot chocolate."
"Okay, thank you, Princess."
He processed what he just called her and froze, unsure about how she'd react. The last time Adrien called her that, she was drunk and probably didn't even remember it.
Marinette simply removed her hold around him and walked to their kitchen as if she hadn't heard him. Adrien didn't know whether that was a good or bad sign.
He closed his eyes and let his head fall back on the backrest of their sofa. Only the sounds of the love of his life moving around filled the space.
He was hit by the domesticity of it all. For a moment, he let himself imagine a life where his feelings were requited and they lived like this everyday. A life where he could call her His Wife and Marinette could call him Her Husband.
A sigh slipped from his parted lips, just as Marinette softly called his name from behind him.
He twisted around to find her smiling down at him while holding out a steaming mug of hot chocolate for him to take. "Here."
He reached for the drink and took a quick sip before bringing her hand to his lips and pressing a kiss to her knuckles while whispering a thank you against her fingers.
Marinette leaned forward against the back of the couch. "So, what part are you struggling with? Maybe I can help."
He placed the drink down on their coffee table before explaining. "There's this particular section here—"
He turned his head to face her and realized that she was already looking at him. Their lips were mere inches apart and time stopped.
Every single thing came crashing back to him.
Their first meeting where she got mad at him over a chewing gum.
The first time he visited her house to play videogames.
The time she helped him escape his bodyguard to see his mother's movie.
The day they moved in together and became roommates.
The kiss.
A decade worth of pining.
A love that started a lifetime ago under the rain because of an umbrella.
Adrien couldn't think properly, the next thing he knew, he was leaning forward and capturing Marinette's soft lips in a sweet kiss.
She was so perfect and he was so smitten and in love with this woman and—
He was kissing Marinette. He abruptly pulled back, not noticing the way her lips chased after his for a split second.
Apology after apology spilled from his frantic mouth.
"I am so sorry, Marinette. That was unacceptable behavior. I totally understand if—" the next words died on his tongue when he saw Marinette's face was etched with hurt.
"Did you not mean to kiss me?" Her voice was small, almost broken. Far from the feisty firecracker that was his Marinette Dupain-Cheng.
He was quick to cup her cheeks with both hands, shaking his head to dispel any thoughts about him not wanting her. Which was just absurd.
"No! I just meant I should've asked first." He sighed for the umpteenth time.
"Marinette, I have been in love with you since the day we met. And I don't know what to do about it if you don't feel the same way."
Her expression softened. "Adrien, I literally kissed you last week, how can you even think that I don't love you back?"
He stared at her in surprise. "You remember that?"
"Of course I do. I'm sorry for kissing you without permission and for not bringing it up after. I just got scared."
"I was scared too. But I guess there was nothing to be afraid of, huh?" He smiled.
"I guess not." Marinette grinned cheekily while leaning towards him.
Her lips were right there so, "May I, Marinette?"
"Just kiss me, you goof."
A/N: This is a short one that's been living in my drafts for months. I found it like a lost treasure and I thought it was really cute when I read it.
If there are any grammatical errors, I'm sorry I was so loopy while finishing this up. I'm currently writing an English essay and a research study.
