I loved plikki's Not-so-fake dating piece on AO3, which was originally inspired by a booster prompt from meirencollector. Even as I read it, I couldn't help thinking up different ways the story could go. None of those ideas matched the original, so this is my attempt at reconciling my thoughts into a coherent whole.
Thanks to my beta-readers JuliaFC, marlynmiro, and CoffeeBanana. They are all terrific writers, so please check out their work (all of them are on AO3, and Julia is also here on FFN).
As Adrien waited by the entrance to the ballroom, he wondered idly if André Bourgeois had been compensating for something when he rebranded his hotel all those years ago. Adrien and his father, along with Nathalie, had been dropped off at Le Grand Hotel Paris by the Gorilla earlier that evening. They made their way through Le Grand Lobby, checked their coats at Le Grand Cloakroom, walked past Le Grand Restaurant, and rode Le Grand Elevator up to the Le Grand Ballroom, where the annual Gabriel Charity Gala was in full swing.
Adrien was expected to mingle with the various investors, industry sycophants and local celebrities, but thankfully he would have more friends than usual in the room this year. Chloé would be there, of course, because nobody of any significance held a party in Paris without inviting her. Years of reporting on the Ladyblog meant Alya had enough status to score an invitation in her own right, with Nino as her plus one. Marinette's internship at Gabriel had also allowed Adrien to add her to the guest list without drawing undue attention. He would rather spend the night chatting with his friends than schmoozing on behalf of his father. Even hiding away in Le Grand Lavatory for a few solo rounds of Super Penguino would be preferable to that.
Audrey Bourgeois was monopolising his father's attention, so Adrien glanced over the assembled guests tittering away with their meaningless platitudes while he looked for a friendly face. He recognised many of those in attendance. Newlyweds Jagged and Penny Stone chatted with Clara Nightingale. Bob Ross had accosted the mayor over some new scheme. And XY was trapped near the restrooms by a handsy brunette with a pixie bob who obviously didn't know her target was gay. Adrien felt sorry for the poor guy despite his terrible music and was almost tempted to rescue him, but Alec Cataldi pointedly inserted himself between the pair. Adrien remembered reading some speculation about AleXY in the tabloids, but Luka had told him they weren't ready to go public yet.
Adrien also recognised familiar faces among the Gabriel senior staff and the more prominent investors. He would have to speak to them all at some point this evening. There was no getting around it. The only noteworthy absence was Tomoe Tsurugi, who had recently returned to Japan with Kagami to visit family. If she was the only one not present, then that meant…
Shit.
There they were, the tall rotund man and short skinny woman speaking quietly with Nathalie. Adrien didn't know how he had missed them. Étienne and Giselle Bergerac were the largest investors in Gabriel after his father and aunt. That explained why his father had decided to attend the Gala this year. Even a recluse like Gabriel Agreste had to put in the occasional appearance for the sake of his business empire. The Bergeracs were among the most powerful families in Paris, wielding enough influence for even Chloé to be wary. If they were here, then undoubtedly their daughter was too.
Adrien scanned the crowd more intently, eyes darting from face to face in search of the one he dreaded seeing. There she was, the handsy brunette who had now abandoned her former quarry. Adrien cursed himself for not recognising her sooner, but she had cut her hair since the last time he'd been forced to endure her presence. Turning away to shield his face from view, Adrien swore under his breath. Renée Bergerac had been the bane of his existence since she was old enough to notice boys. Although he didn't see her often, the girl threw herself at him in a way that made Lila Rossi look like a demure ingénue by comparison. Adrien did not relish the thought of an evening spent dodging her advances. He was contemplating his predicament when an unexpected sight knocked the breath from his lungs.
Adrien had always thought Marinette was pretty, with her sapphire blue eyes and the faint dusting of cute freckles sprinkled across her pale skin. She was stylish, too, but years working in her parents' bakery meant that Marinette was most comfortable dressing pragmatically. She customarily wore her hair tied back, with pants and fitted tops that wouldn't get caught up in her work. Tonight, however, was a different story altogether. Marinette was an absolute vision of loveliness as she entered the ballroom.
Her glossy black hair was styled in loose curls that framed her porcelain features. Adrien took a moment to absorb every detail of Marinette's stunning red gown, obviously her own design. Gabriel had not released anything with such a vibrant colour in years. An off-the-shoulder sweetheart neckline exposed Marinette's delicate collarbone and décolletage. The bodice was covered by an elegant floral lace pattern decorated with rhinestone beadwork and cinched at the waist by a ribbon with flower applique. The skirt flowed from the lace down to the floor in a classic A-line, overlayed by soft tulle. The whole ensemble made it seem like Marinette was floating across the floor, every inch the princess he called her as his alter-ego.
The moment stretched on forever until Adrien realised he was staring at her, too preoccupied with the thumping of his heart and butterflies in his stomach. A sudden movement in the corner of his eye distracted him from familiar thoughts he rarely indulged. Crap!
Renée had seen him. Adrien made his way across to Marinette in a few quick strides, grasping both her hands. Why were his palms so sweaty? He hoped she didn't notice.
"You look fantastic, Mari!" Adrien saw her eyes widen and heard the surprised gasp as he leaned in to kiss her cheek. "Please, play along until I get the chance to explain," he whispered, hoping his desperate tone and pleading expression would convince her.
By the time he leaned back, Marinette had rosy cheeks and a stiff smile on her face. "You look very handsome yourself, Adrien," she responded, glancing down at his charcoal suit and forest green shirt before her gaze settled on his face. "Thank you for inviting me."
Adrien was glad his tie and pocket square matched Marinette's dress closely enough to appear deliberate. The plan he was rapidly cobbling together might work if Marinette agreed to help him. Ushering her to the side, Adrien spoke to her in hushed tones. "I'm sorry to ask this of you, Mari, but I really need your help. Could you please pretend to be my girlfriend, just for tonight?" A vibration in his breast pocket told Adrien that Plagg was struggling to suppress his laughter.
"What?" Confusion was written all over Marinette's face, and Adrien couldn't blame her. They had been friends – good friends – for years, and he knew she had never thought of him as more than that.
"I know it's a strange favour to ask, but some serious investors in Father's company are here tonight. Their daughter is hell-bent on snagging me in a relationship, but the Bergeracs have too much influence over the board for me to snub her outright. I can't think of anything else to get her off my back. She has all of Chloé's tact and humility, coupled with Lila's respect for truth and propriety. Normally her parents can keep her in check, but even her mother has been eyeing me like a side of beef since I turned eighteen. Please, Mari, I'm desperate. I don't know what else–"
"I'll do it," she sputtered, stopping him mid-rant.
"You will?"
"Of course, Adrien. I'll always be here for you." Her voice was soft but resolute.
Relief flooded through him. After the initial awkwardness of their collège years, Marinette had become one of his dearest friends. He knew he could count on her for anything, even more than Nino. "Thanks, Mari. I owe you big time for this. Do you want a drink? Some champagne?"
"That would be lovely. Thank you, Adrien."
"I'll be back in a minute," he said, raising her knuckles to his lips. Where the hell did that come from? Oh well, he might as well put on a good show.
While Adrien waited his turn at the bar, he looked back towards Marinette. He was glad to see she had been joined by Nino and Alya, the latter appearing very animated as she spoke. While Alya wore a burnt orange wrap dress that accentuated her figure, Nino had an emerald green suit and white shirt with tie and pocket square to match Alya's dress.
After collecting drinks for all his friends, Adrien tipped the server then turned to find Chloé glaring.
"What are you doing making googly eyes at Maritrash?" she blurted without preamble. Despite the disdain in her voice, there was an undercurrent of something else that Adrien couldn't put his finger on.
"Look, Chlo, I just needed a friend to be my date for the night," he tried to placate her.
"I'm right here, Adrikins. You could have asked me." Chloé stomped her foot for emphasis, ruffling the skirt of her characteristic yellow chiffon. She was literally the only girl he knew who did that when angry.
"This is to fend off the Bergeracs, Chlo. Do you really think you could pull it off convincingly without insulting them?"
His childhood friend narrowed her eyes at him. "Fine," she said, at last, waving her hand dismissively. "But be careful. I may not like Dupain-Cheng, but you're playing a dangerous game toying with her feelings. And yours."
Adrien frowned in confusion as Chloé walked away, unable to puzzle out her meaning. He sometimes forgot how much Chloé had mellowed since collège, her hostility to his other friends now persisting mainly out of habit rather than malice. But he still didn't understand her last comment.
Lost in thought, Adrien returned to his friends and absently passed their glasses without a word. "Are you alright, Adrien?" Marinette asked, placing a hand gently on his arm. She must have noticed his distraction. Marinette always knew when something was bothering him.
"Ye-yeah. Just something Chloé said…," he trailed off but was startled from his musings when Alya leered at him.
"So, Sunshine, you finally noticed our girl here was more than 'just a friend'." He could hear the air quotes. Alya was practically vibrating where she stood, a huge grin plastered across her face. Nino wasn't much better, smirking with barely concealed delight. What was it with his friends tonight?
Adrien and Marinette both started speaking at once, trying to explain that it was a ruse to keep Renée Bergerac off his trail, but they were interrupted by his father's assistant.
"Mlle. Bergerac is looking for you, Adrien," Nathalie informed him, her tone conveying a wealth of expectation.
Dammit. Speak of the devil.
"On my way, Nathalie," he replied before turning back to his friends, extending his hand. "Coming, Marinette?" He tried not to think about his heart skipping a beat when she took his hand, or the pleasant warmth he felt when she hooked her arm around his she leaned into his side. Nathalie quirked one eyebrow but said nothing before leading the pair across the room. Nino and Alya exchanged a quick nod, then followed behind with amused expressions.
Adrien tightened his grip on Marinette when he saw the group they were approaching. His father was speaking with the Bergeracs. As was his preference at formal events, Gabriel wore a black on black five-piece that fit the fashion designer stereotype to a tee. They had also been joined by Renée, who had obviously pulled out the big guns since she'd been unable to corner Adrien herself. Nathalie stopped beside Adrien's father, the lace of her modest purple v-neck gown blending with Gabriel's suit. "Your son, sir, and his…ah…friends."
Adrien didn't miss the flicker of annoyance crossing Gabriel's visage when he saw the unwelcome additions to the party. As much as Adrien needed Marinette's help, he hoped to avoid making her a target for his father's ire. At least he could count on Gabriel not to make a scene in front of his investors, but Adrien knew he would pay for it later if he wasn't careful.
"Adrien, I did not realise you were spoken for this evening." Gabriel's statement would have come across as polite yet stern to the unpractised ear, but Adrien heard the myriad undercurrents. Irritation that his son could not be used to pacify his investors for the evening. Surprise that Adrien took his own initiative to avoid the situation. Displeasure at his failure to seek approval beforehand. A hint of relief that his choice of partner was at least passably suitable.
Adrien knew his father didn't want Renée Bergerac for a daughter in law, regardless of her family connections. She was not the type of girl that Gabriel would consider worthy of the Agreste name, and on that, at least, they agreed. However, the situation still called for some finesse.
"Now, Father, you know how special Marinette is to me. There isn't anything we wouldn't do for each other." Adrien knew that was entirely true, but he had to be careful with his words. He didn't want to lie outright if he could avoid it, but Adrien also needed to make sure the Bergeracs understood he was unavailable.
Gabriel pursed his lips briefly, clearly getting the message. "Very well. Please introduce your companions to our guests."
"Of course, Father," Adrien responded with feigned enthusiasm, turning towards the older couple. There was always a rhythm to this type of introduction. Give their name, then follow up with a salient detail to indicate importance or impress the other party. Adrien had a feeling that his friends' accomplishments, though meaningful in their own right, would not be enough to satisfy his audience. "This is my dear friend, Marinette Dupain-Cheng. She joined Gabriel as a designer earlier this year."
"Marinette, this is Étienne Bergerac, a member on the board of directors, his wife Giselle, and daughter, Renée. My father has known them for many years."
"Dupain-Cheng? Like the bakers?" Renée asked incredulously.
"Yes, they're my parents," Marinette replied with a polite smile.
"We have hired them on occasion," the older woman sniffed, before her daughter could interrupt further. "My husband does enjoy their macarons from time to time."
Adrien winced at the undisguised arrogance lacing the apparent compliment, but was determined to stand up for his friend.
"They are the best in Paris," he enthused, before catching a flinty look from his father.
"I must also introduce Alya Cesaire, founder and lead correspondent for the Ladyblog, along with her partner and my best friend, Nino Lahiffe, who has recently been hired as a video editor by TVi Studios."
"The Ladyblog?" Madame Bergerac asked, pronouncing the name as if it were somehow distasteful.
"Yes, Mother," Renée tittered derisively, "it's that funny little website about the superheroes."
"Ah, yes. How quaint."
While the Bergerac patriarch merely nodded disinterestedly, his wife and daughter eyed Marinette with calculating expressions throughout the entire exchange.
Adrien noticed that Gabriel had also been looking carefully at Marinette, but for different reasons. "Is this your own work, Mlle. Dupain-Cheng?" he asked, examining her dress.
"Yes, sir. These three are all my own designs," she said, indicating herself, Alya and Nino.
Gabriel briefly glanced at the young couple, appraising their outfits. "Excellent work. More bold and playful than is typical for our clientele, but the detailing gives the pieces a delicate elegance."
"Thank you, sir." Marinette's cheeks flushed with pride at the recognition from her idol. Adrien felt his own grin widening, but the warmth spreading in his chest was chilled by Madame Bergerac.
"She produces her own designs while working for the company? And you allow this, Gabriel?"
"Mlle. Dupain-Cheng is a special case, my dear Giselle. We included a freelance clause in her contract. Unusual for such a young designer, I agree, but she already had some notable clients in her own right before consenting to join us." His eyes flicked to Jagged and Penny Stone laughing uproariously in the background. "I judged her talent to be worth that small concession."
Marinette nodded graciously at the compliment, but Adrien could tell she was embarrassed by both the praise and the public discussion of her employment conditions. The conversation continued in the manner Adrien had come to expect at such events, petty point-scoring disguised in disingenuous small talk and insincere compliments. Étienne Bergerac lived up to his reputation as the 'bored board member', more interested in his cognac than the conversation or surroundings. However, his wife and daughter were another matter entirely. Their seemingly innocuous remarks were sharpened by thinly veiled references to social climbers, gold diggers, and the perils of faithless attachments.
The suspicious glances the two women directed at Marinette and Adrien left no doubt about the object of their attacks, and it was all Adrien could do to keep his anger in check. He was amazed that Marinette appeared so calm. However, the storm clouds gathering on Alya's face betrayed her own growing temper on behalf of her friend.
Madame Bergerac suddenly fixed Adrien with a penetrating stare, taking in both his protective stance and the respectful distance he maintained from Marinette. "You two seem….close," she said suspiciously. "How did you say you met this girl, Adrien?"
Crap, crap, crap. He had forgotten to warn Marinette that Giselle Bergerac had the eyes of a hawk. She didn't miss a trick, that woman, and could spot a sham from fifty paces. Well, there was nothing for it now but to press on without making Mari too uncomfortable.
"We met when I first went to school and have been friends ever since. It took me a long time – too long – to realise just how special she is. Marinette is the most generous and determined person I know." Adrien smiled at Marinette, giving her waist a squeeze and praying his response would satisfy the older woman. He should have realised his hopes would be in vain.
"And what about you, dear? How did young Adrien capture your heart?" Madame Bergerac's smile was predatory. Adrien knew she was waiting for the slightest slip, looking for the tiniest crack to pry open.
"Well, I…" Marinette started, then paused.
"Go on, girl, tell them about the umbrella," Alya interrupted her thoughts.
Marinette gave Alya what could best be described as A Look, eyes slightly narrowed with a subtle shake of her head. "The umbrella?"
"Yeah, I'm sure they would love to hear about that!"
"Yes, tell us. It sounds like there's a good story there." Madame Bergerac encouraged, no doubt picking up on Marinette's discomfort. Adrien was sure he would have missed it if he wasn't looking directly at her.
Adrien watched while Marinette briefly closed her eyes, as if steeling herself against something. When she opened them again, there was a gentle smile on her face.
"I actually didn't like him when we first met," Marinette admitted. "The day before, Chloé Bourgeois had been going on and on about her friend Adrien joining our class. Chloé and I didn't get along at all in collège, so my worst suspicions were confirmed when I saw a new boy bent over my seat with gum in his hand. I let him have it and then refused to acknowledge him for the next two days. I wasn't going to let another spoiled rich brat prank me like Chloé did, no matter who his father was."
Marinette chuckled ruefully to herself. "I didn't realise it was Chloé who put the gum on my seat and that Adrien was only trying to remove it before I arrived. We got caught waiting outside in the rain the next day, and he explained everything to me. I was totally embarrassed that I had misjudged him so harshly. And then Adrien gave his umbrella to me, the girl who had treated him so unfairly, so I could stay dry on my way home. That was when I realised he was the kindest, most sincere boy I would ever meet. Adrien has had my heart ever since," Marinette patted his hand on her arm, "but I wasn't brave enough to say anything until very recently."
Adrien stared at Marinette in rapt attention, her story leaving him in shock as the tale unfolded. He was dimly aware the others had also been hanging on her every word, captured by Marinette's unaffected sincerity. Adrien had expected her to talk about how their friendship had developed over time, how they had grown closer. He didn't know how to respond to Marinette's unexpected declaration, barely able to form coherent thoughts.
Adrien was startled from his daze when Marinette disentangled her arm from his. "If you'll excuse me, I need to powder my nose," she said quietly, retreating towards the restrooms with Alya following closely behind. The Bergeracs, apparently satisfied that Adrien was a lost cause for this evening, dispersed shortly afterwards to leave him behind with his father, Nathalie, and Nino.
"I really screwed up, didn't I?" Adrien asked nobody in particular.
"I admit I was surprised that you chose Mlle. Dupain-Cheng for your escape plan tonight." Gabriel's tone was disapproving but not unfeeling.
Adrien had not meant for Marinette to be exposed like that, forced to reveal a depth of feeling he scarcely even suspected she had. Marinette must have sensed that only an honest admission would be enough to satisfy the Bergerac matriarch, so she had delivered. She had risked humiliation just to protect Adrien from the unwanted advances of a girl he should have been brave enough to deal with himself. There really was nothing Marinette wouldn't do for him, was there?
Chloé's strange warning earlier in the evening made so much more sense now, as did Alya and Nino's odd behaviour. He turned to his friend, "You knew, didn't you?"
"Dude, everybody knew." Nino put his hand on Adrien's shoulder. "We all tried to set things up for you guys to figure it out yourselves, but it wasn't our place to say anything."
Nathalie looked at Adrien sympathetically. "Your feelings for each other have been obvious to anyone with eyes, Adrien, but you never let yourself think about what she really means to you. Now you have to decide what you're going to do about it."
"I have to...I have to apologise to her. I have to make it right," Adrien stuttered as he took off in the direction Marinette had gone, barely registering his father's comment to Nathalie as he left.
"Emilie would have liked her, don't you think?"
With Gabriel's words fading into the background, Adrien made his way across the ballroom. He remembered all the occasions he had been left alone with Marinette or some coincidence had paired them up unexpectedly. How often had their friends put him and Marinette in each other's path, hoping something would come of it? How often had he thought of Marinette in a more romantic light, only to dismiss the idea because he didn't realise how she actually felt. God, how often did he endure Plagg's incessant teasing about his girlfriend 'Pigtails' only for Adrien to deny his feelings?
Adrien was almost at the restrooms when he saw Chloé come out the door. "Is Marinette in there?" he asked in a rush. He wasn't even trying to hide the desperation he felt.
"Urgh, why are you looking for Dupain-Cheng now? Haven't you finished your little game?"
"Not the time, Chlo," Adrien cut her off, losing patience.
"I warned you, Adrien. I warned you. Cesaire took her out there to talk." Chloe gestured towards the entrance. "They didn't want me to overhear, although I can't imagine why," she sniffed.
Adrien tossed a quick thanks over his shoulder as he left, almost colliding with a potted fern on his way past. He continued pushing his way through the crowd towards the entrance, barely pausing to acknowledge the various guests who greeted him. Adrien finally made it out into the cooler air of the corridor, looking left and right for any sign of his objective before he heard voices down the hallway.
"I can't believe you brought up the umbrella!" That could only be Marinette, and she sounded upset. Adrien rounded the nearest corner to see the two friends huddled together, facing away from him. He found himself caught not wanting to eavesdrop on their conversation, but likewise unable to interrupt.
"Come on, Marinette, it's a great story. A real meet cute," Alya defended herself, obviously exasperated.
"Yes, but we were only pretending for tonight."
"What do you mean?"
"I tried to tell you that he only wanted me to act like his girlfriend to get Renée Bergerac and her mother off his back. He doesn't…..he doesn't actually feel that way about me." The hitch in Marinette's voice was heartbreaking, making Adrien's stomach churn unpleasantly. He heard a few quiet sniffles while she paused. "He never will."
"Oh! I'm so sorry, M. I shouldn't have said anything." Alya pulled her into a hug. "I was just so excited that he'd finally caught on after all this time that I didn't wait for you to explain."
"It's alright, Alya. It's my own fault for agreeing in the first place. When he asked for help, I just couldn't refuse." Marinette gave a forlorn sigh. "I can never say no to him."
"You're too good for this world, girl. He doesn't know what he's missing. Let's get you cleaned up, then we'll have another drink."
Adrien cleared his throat nervously just as they began to move away, shocked by the panic in Marinette's eyes when she saw him. "Alya, could you please give us a minute?" he asked.
She gave him a hard stare in response, lips pressed into a thin line. "Alright, Sunshine. Just be honest with her. And yourself." Alya offered Marinette a reassuring rub on the arm before walking past Adrien and back to the party.
Adrien took in the girl before him. Marinette was no longer the picture of confident grace she had projected in the party. Now she stood with shoulders hunched, her eyes fixed firmly on the floor, an almost complete reversion to their collège years. He realised Marinette was afraid. The girl who stood up against bullies, called out liars, and moved mountains to help her friends, was scared of him. Frightened of what he thought of her, sure that he would spurn her feelings.
"That story you told is true, isn't it?"
"You know it is. You were there." Marinette's words were barely audible, even in the quiet corridor.
"No, I mean the part about your feelings for me," he looked at her earnestly. "If you were only playing along, you would have just said we were friends for a while and developed feelings for each other. What you said was too specific, too heartfelt."
Adrien knew she could deny it, that she had denied it for years. He hoped she wouldn't. "Please look at me, Mari," he beseeched gently.
She crossed one arm over her waist to grip her elbow but finally lifted her gaze to meet his. "Yes, it was - is – true, Adrien. It always has been." Marinette took a deep breath before continuing. "That's why I was a stuttering, clumsy mess around you for so long. My feelings for you were more than I knew how to deal with when I was fourteen, and I was too scared of rejection to say anything. I knew you never thought of me like that, so by the time I felt able to tell you, there wasn't much point. I refused to jeopardise our friendship so selfishly because I couldn't stand to lose that for all the world."
Adrien waited patiently through her explanation. After severely underestimating Marinette's affections for so long, he was determined to hear everything she wanted to say before responding. "I never realised. I'm so sorry, Mari. I never would have asked you to pretend like that if I knew."
"Adrien... I love you. I'll always be there if you need me. You don't have to apologise."
"No, I really do. Not just for tonight. When we first met, I thought I was in love with someone else–"
"It's alright, Adrien," Marinette interrupted. "I know you've never thought of me as more than a friend. You don't have to justify yourself. I'm not…I'm not expecting anything, okay? I just hope I didn't embarrass you too much."
"You could never embarrass me, but that's beside the point. She never returned my feelings, that girl, and it took me a long time to accept that her friendship was enough. I didn't let myself consider being in a serious relationship for a long time afterwards because I kept comparing everyone else to her." Adrien stepped forward and took Marinette's hands in his. "Eventually, I started to think about my future again, to imagine what it would be like to share it with someone, but I couldn't help thinking of you. At some point, I started comparing everyone else to the insanely creative, spectacular, brave girl that I pretended was no more than a friend. You worked your way into my heart a long time ago, Marinette. I didn't even notice it happening, but I never want you to leave."
As Adrien spoke, he watched the way Marinette's expression changed. How the sadness and fear gave way to a wary hope. "What are you saying, Adrien?" she whispered faintly, disbelief etched in every syllable.
"I'm saying that I love you too, Marinette. I want you to be my girlfriend, my real girlfriend who I get to kiss and cuddle and take out on dates. I want to do embarrassingly romantic things that make you smile, and I want to see what a future with you looks like."
Marinette pushed forward, slipping her arms around his waist to pull him into a hug.
"Yes, Adrien! A thousand times, yes!" she breathed into his shoulder. Her head slotted perfectly under his chin as he wrapped his arms around her in return, hugging her gently against his chest.
The pair stood silently, savouring their embrace, clasping each other to prolong the moment. Adrien breathed in deeply, the sweet floral scent of Marinette's perfume filling his senses. He revelled in the warmth of her small form moulded to his, intimately aware of every point of contact. She pulled back slightly to smile up at him, blinking back the unshed tears glistening in her eyes. Adrien stared back down at her, entranced. As beautiful as he thought Marinette was earlier in the evening, nothing could compare to having her in his arms.
Adrien searched her expression, looking for the answer to his unasked question. Marinette raised herself up in response even as he bent down to close what little distance remained between them. When their lips met, he found that she was soft and welcoming, opening herself up to him, at once both reassuring and vulnerable. Adrien poured years of unacknowledged feelings into the kiss, Marinette's pent up emotions more than a match for his intensity and fervour. He could taste the last of the champagne he had bought earlier, but beyond that was a loving sweetness that Adrien craved. As their mouths revealed the silent confession of their hearts, Adrien's emotions coursed through him in a torrent. His need for her was visceral, no longer to be denied, and he knew he could never let her go.
Holding Marinette like this made Adrien the happiest he could remember being in a long time. When he thought of the future before him now, Marinette was the one he wanted by his side. She was his closest friend, his constant support, a force of nature who kept him grounded, and his dearest love. But more than that, Marinette was his home.
I have this headcanon that Adrien notices more about Marinette than he does about his other friends, which is why his description of her dress is more detailed. If you are interested, there is a link to the reference dress in the AO3 version of this story. I have no idea if it would be considered fashionable or appropriate for the event, but I don't care. I think it's pretty.
Thanks to everyone on the Miraculous Fanworks Discord Server for encouraging me to start writing fic in this space. If you enjoy consuming or creating MLB fanworks, it is a friendly place to hang out with your fellow Miraculous-lovers.
This story was originally posted on AO3
