Big time skip of about a year and a few months. Aaron (Adrien) has a big decision to make. There's a lot in here that I got after watching Wishmaker in season 4 but no spoilers, I promise.=^-^=

Ch. 19 - Career Chat


"Back it up a little more and… Good!" Tom declared as Aaron peeked out the driver's window.

"Thanks, Tom."

The larger man waved it off. "No, thank you for making those deliveries. I know you only got your license last month so I didn't expect to put you to work so quickly."

Aaron parked it and hopped out. "It's no problem, and practice makes perfect right?"

He gave him a thumbs up. "True, and you really are doing well considering how new it is. I tried to teach Marinette a few years back and… Well…" He shrugged.

Aaron smirked and shrugged as well. He'd learned many things about Marinette over the last year he never would have found out from her, and many of those things were things she wasn't very good at. "In her defense, trucks are a little tricky." Though he had already had to drive several vehicles during akuma fights for various reasons. This explained why Ladybug always told him to do it, however. "Anyway, if that's all you needed me to do, I need to head out on an errand before it gets too late."

"Of course, son, but make sure you get rest. We have that big catering order first thing tomorrow." Tom reminded with a firm pat on the shoulder.

"I know, good night. Tell Marinette I'm sorry I couldn't say goodnight in person. I'll call her when I get home." He announced as he started off with a wave.

"Of course." Adrien was on a mission today. It took awhile until he could really focus on his future, but at this point in his life he was confident his father was done with him. A year and a half would be a long time to be delusional… Then again… The young man shook the thought from his mind as he entered the small shop where he'd reserved an appointment.


Nino tended to arrive early on days when he didn't have a club gig. The aspiring DJ had moved up to be rank three at the Club Castle and even got booked for private jobs on occasion. "Yo, dude, that smells awesome!"

"If you say it smells like cheese again, you don't get any." Adrien countered from his spot in the kitchen of their shared apartment.

Nino hung his jacket up and headed towards the couch to take a load off. "Dude, I said it a few times after we moved in and you just don't want to let it go, do you?"

"You said it every time I cooked for a month, Nino." The taller man countered as he peeked his head around the wall separating the kitchen from the living room.

"Anyway, the cheese smell isn't as bad, so why would I say it?" He heard no answer and decided to shrug and let it go. "Okay, let's see what's on…" He trailed off after turning on the TV and noticing a small book on the coffee table. He flipped it open curiously while flipping through channels until he saw what it was for. The second the collection of rings clued him in he dropped the remote to give the book his full attention. "No way, dude!"

"What's wrong? It's not an akuma on the news is it?" Adrien peeked back out with a potato in hand he was peeling like a pro in one long peel.

"No, but, dude, something I should know?" Nino grinned with the book in his hand and Adrien rolled his eyes.

"I knew I forgot to do something."

"So, dude?"

"If it wasn't obvious, that's a ring catalogue."

"Okay, but for..?" The darker skinned man asked already knowing the answer.

"Who do you think it's for? My dad?"

Nino was the one to roll his eyes next. "Chill, dude, just wanted some clarification. I figured it was for Marinette."

"If Marinette hears this from Alya, I'm never cooking for you again." Adrien decreed very seriously while pointing the knife straight at the lanky man.

Nino set both hands up in defense. "I got it, top secret. Alya won't get this secret from me for anything."

Adrien wasn't convinced, but he really couldn't go any further without crossing a line. "I'm serious, Nino, I haven't even picked one out yet so I don't want Marinette to suddenly be expecting something. That would mess everything up."

Nino wasn't about to anger his daily meal ticket. It was nice when Alya made him food, but she didn't do it every day. "I understand, dude, though I am kind of surprised you're already going the proposal route. You've only been dating a year or so."

"I feel like I've known her my whole life though."

"I won't deny you two act like you have, but don't you think this might be too fast? I mean way to out-class me and, I've been dating Alya for four years. I wasn't even going to plan anything until she graduates."

"Outside proposing, neither was I. I just… I want it official, you know?"

"But are you sure, bro? You don't-"

"I've never been more sure about anything in my life, Nino."

And the ex-model looked so serious Nino worried dwelling on the question might ruin dinner. "Okay, okay, dude. So… You got a time table in mind here?"

"About a month." His friend answered more peaceably as he went back into the kitchen to finish cooking. "I just spoke to a jeweler today and they gave me some ideas and prices that would fit my budget. I have them marked on the pages. Mind taking a look to help me narrow it down?"

Nino shrugged and began to thumb through the marked pages. It was apparent right away that Adrien had a theme for all of his choices. All of the rings he had in mind contained at least one pink jewel whether it was the only one or one of a few. Considering everything he knew about Marinette, it would definitely fit her well. He'd agreed that almost all of those Adrien picked would be great, but some of the more elaborate ones would be pricey. It wasn't as if he thought Marinette didn't deserve it or anything, but could Adrien afford this? Generous nest egg from his modeling years or no, his current salary couldn't maintain expenses like this. "Actually… What was he planning to do for a living?" Nino muttered as the thought hit him. Adrien had never really said anything in regards to his future careers. All things considered before, Adrien had accepted that he would work for his father forever. Now though? He got a job at the bakery out of need, but what next? "Yo, dude?"

"Yeah? Any of them stand out? I know some of them might be a little pricey, but at the time I was concentrating on what Marinette would like."

"Not that, dude, and I think she'd like any one of these. What I wanted to ask is what you plan to do after working at the bakery. I mean before you were just going to work for your dad, right?" There was a short silence from the kitchen as Adrien thought it over. What did he plan to do? It hadn't ever crossed his mind he would do anything at all after the bakery. Why not? He was obviously thinking of the future especially with Marinette. "Dude?" Adrien jumped at hearing his friend call from so close. "Whoa, dude, careful!"

Adrien looked down at his hand that Nino grabbed. There was a small cut on the side of his finger. "Huh?"

"You space out in here?"

"I uh… I guess I did." He lifted the wounded digit to his mouth to sooth the small ache growing from it.

"I suppose that's my bad for asking such a serious question while you handled a knife…" Nino lamented as he handed his friend a napkin to help wipe the blood. "Sorry about that."

"Naw, it's fine. I really never thought too much about that, to be honest." Adrien deflected with a sheepish expression before reaching for the first aide box under the sink. "But back to the rings."

"Right, well…" Nino scratched the side of his head. "Like I said before, I bet Marinette would like any one of these, but I know you don't really want to hear that." The DJ crossed his arms and leaned against the sink while his roommate covered his cut. "In my opinion you should go for something simple. I'm not saying Marinette is simple, but you really shouldn't be extravagant unless you can afford to."

"You do realize I still-"

Nino raised a hand to cut him off. "I get you have some cash. That's not really my point, dude. I meant as a life style. When you give her a ring you're reflecting how you want to live in the future in a way."

The ravenette raised a brow at the point. "I guess? I never really thought about it that way. I always saw it as a sort of promise." A promise they'd be together.

"That's true, but can you really picture Marinette wearing something that elaborate?"

"Actually…" Now that Adrien thought about it, simple jewelry was easier to match with. If she's going to be wearing it all the time, getting something simple would make it easier to match with what she was wearing. He then looked down at his hands. "You know… You're right, simple would be better. Wearing something complex would make it hard to work with her hands too."

Nino wasn't sure where that jump in logic came from, but it was obvious Adrien at least agreed with his point. "Cool, now when's dinner going to be ready?" He was going to drop the heavy topic and let Adrien take it from there. No doubt Alya will be expecting things once Marinette gets a ring and he had yet to make extensive plans.

"It'll be ready in about 20 minutes." Adrien answered while Nino headed back to the couch to contemplate his own future relationship.


Marinette checked the incoming stop on the subway car before looking back down to her phone. "We're getting off in a minute." Alya informed while looking over her friend's shoulder.

"I know. I just checked."

"Good, but what are you looking at? You haven't said a word since the last stop."

Marinette turned her phone so Alya could see better. "It was a message from a classmate. You remember Cyrano? He just sent me a link from the Gabriel home page. Apparently several of his designers will be scouting around the campus next month. Just in time for those graduating to get noticed, don't you think?"

"Isn't that normal though?" Alya thought considering all professions want fresh talent.

"It's going to be a little different. Apparently the designers won't just be looking at seniors. According to this they'll be looking at projects from all of the design course students."

Alya whistled. "Really? I guess that means it's only a matter of time before you make it big." She then chuckled. "Not that that's news to me."

"Come on, Alya, there are lots of talented design students better than me. I'm only a second year."

"Don't even, girl, you know you've got talent coming out of your ears. I hear about all the rave reviews you get around campus whenever any of your classes display their projects."

Marinette blushed. "I mean… I guess… But…"

She trailed off and Alya pat her on the back. "Yup, don't even try to say otherwise. Professor Delmas may have given you a hard time, but even he knows you've got talent. Now let's go. The stop is here." The door started to chime indicating it was going to open and the girls got up.


Nathalie entered Gabriel's office as several of his design team prepared to leave. "Ah, good afternoon, Nathalie." Stephen greeted as the last one out.

"Yes, good afternoon." She smiled noting the good mood of the designer which was rare when leaving Gabriel's office.

"Hurry up, Nathalie." Gabriel interrupted the greeting though Stephen didn't take offense. He closed the door on his way out and sent her a wink as he did so. As soon as they were the only ones in the room Gabriel got right down to business. "The problem involving Felix has been dealt with, I take it?"

Nathalie nodded and forwarded a document to his tablet. "She signed it, but I've already come up with multiple ways to discredit her should she break the non-disclosure agreement anyway."

"Good." Though the scowl on the older designer's face would say otherwise.

"Sir, perhaps it's time you look into replacing Adrien as the face of the brand?" She proposed despite knowing the possible bite back she could receive.

"Nathalie I have told you time and again what would happen if I did that! Imagine the scandal! The investors alone are a problem considering how they'd view it. If I couldn't trust my son with the company's image then they'd next start proposing any number of ideas for improvement for the company's future." He clenched his fists on his desk. "No doubt they'd simply bide their time until they could force my hand." Currently none of them were foolish enough to cross Gabriel, but he wasn't foolish enough to think that would be true a decade from now. Making his son the future of the company from such a young age was his way of maintaining control for longer. Adrien was supposed to ensure Gabriel fashion would remain stalwart even after Gabriel himself stepped down. "Where the hell did he go?" He spat but in a level tone.

"Sir, where ever he's gone at this point it is doubtful he plans to return." Nathalie stated calmly with her usual stonewall face.

Gabriel remained silent for several long moments after that. "So you would have me simply replace him? No doubt the inspiration for Stephen's latest idea?" Stephen had proposed getting more involved with the design students in order to recruit new talent faster, or to get a better idea of who to keep an eye on when they do graduate.

"That was his idea, sir, not mine, though I do agree."

Gabriel scoffed. "No doubt you do… As do I." He admitted with obvious irritation. He then took a breath to calm himself before bring back his more professional demeanor. "Since my son shows no signs of returning, and I would be loath to allow Felix and Amilie any part of my business, my only choice is to simply let 'Adrien' age out of modeling. I had yet to involve him very much into the business side of things anyway."

Nathalie raised her brow at his calm tone. The last few times she'd proposed it Gabriel had thrown a fit. "And the matter of the company's future?"

Gabriel gave her a pointed look as if she were testing his patience. "I'll give Stephen's suggestions some thought." Stephen was his most trusted designer and had a great respect for the fashion icon in return. Though they didn't always agree, Gabriel knew Stephen had the company's future in mind. Nathalie gave the smallest smirk at hearing her employer give way to reason after over a year. Of course she made sure he didn't see. Maybe now she could finally get him to stop looking. Dealing with underground information networks would only get harder and it was only a matter of time before more than a tabloid got hold of enough information to reveal Adrien was an imposter. Aaron would be safe once Gabriel finally gave up.


It was a week after Aaron's appointment with the jeweler and he'd taken most of that time to think about what he wanted to do with his life. It hadn't really occurred to him before, and that's what bothered him. It's what his father had done to him, he thought with a scowl. Gabriel had basically programmed him from childhood to do whatever he was told. He had no ambitions of his own! Why was he fine with that before? Why didn't that bother him enough to do something about until he was almost 18!? "Aaron, don't scowl at the bread." Richard play scolded with a sudden slap on the shoulder.

Aaron snapped out of his thoughts and looked down at the dough he was kneeding rather masterfully even though distracted. "What's wrong?"

"That face, Aaron. What's wrong with you?" Richard leaned against the counter with a curious smirk. "I mean recently you've been acting giddy, but in the last few days? You're not getting cold feet are you?"

"Cold feet?" The younger man's eyes widened. "W-what's that supposed to mean?"

Richard rolled his eyes. "Why is it that the young think themselves so clever?" He chuckled at his own musings. "Aaron, I happen to know the tell tale signs of a man about to take the plunge so to speak." He glanced around to make sure no one was listening. "I thought you might be planning a little something for our little Marinette." He held up his left hand to emphasize his wedding ring.

Aaron felt his face flush as he covered the other man's mouth. "Hush!"

Richard pulled away. "Calm down, Aaron, I doubt anyone else has noticed. Perhaps Sabine, but not even Collette has picked it up and you know how she can be."

The younger man let out a sigh of relief and began wiping his hand on his apron. "I just… I haven't even made solid plans."

"Yes, I can tell by your distracted scowl from before. Now what's wrong? You still want to, yes?"

"Yes…"

"But?" Richard inferred from the lacking answer.

"It's not about that." Aaron went over to the sink to wash his hands before he started back to his work.

"Then a penny for your thoughts? You know you can talk to me. I promise it will not be used as blackmail for when you become my boss." The older man joked. Aaron let out a sigh and approached the counter again. That wasn't the first time Richard had made a joke like that. "Again with that sour look." Richard teased and finally transitioned to a more serious tone. "What's on your mind? I have been married almost 30 years and have ample experience to draw from."

Aaron began to break up the dough as Richard went to the oven to remove a batch of croissants. "I told you, it's not about Marinette."

"And you have yet to prove that with the real reason for your mood." He countered quickly placing in a new tray of dough to bake. "So until you tell me, that is the only thing I can assume." Richard wasn't the type to drop something if he was really interested, but he also wasn't the type to overly pry. Considering he was still insisting meant he was serious about trying to help.

"Well… I was asking my friend Nino about 'things' Mari might like and he brought up career plans. I'd never really thought about them especially before I left home. My father didn't really give me much freedom to be whatever I wanted, you know?"

"Hence why you left, yes?" Outside Marinette's family no one in the bakery knew any particular details regarding Aaron's previous home life aside from the fact he didn't get along with his father. "But, did you have any career goals in mind as a kid?"

Aaron shook his head. "Not really. When I was a kid I just wanted my parents to be happy."

"Ah, every parent's dream/nightmare. I see."

"You see what?" Aaron countered feeling a little offended though not knowing why.

"Every parent wants a child that will do what they want growing up like when parents try to raise a doctor, but then parents want a child that can make a life for themselves. It's a paradox. You want an independent child and yet you want them to do what you decide. Do you see what I mean?"

"Half of it." He admitted since his father never supported him being independent.

"Okay, well, regardless of what your parents wanted, you are now in charge of yourself. What do you want?"

Aaron threw his hands up in mild frustration. "That's just it, I don't know. I've never really thought about it before now. I never had to. When I left I was just lucky enough to get a job here on the kindness of Tom and his wife."

"Yes, this was your first job. What's wrong with that? Don't you like working here?"

"Yeah, but can I do this for the rest of my life? I don't know…"

Richard double checked the ovens before heading back over to his coworker. "You know there is nothing wrong with being a baker for a living. I have worked here for over a decade."

"But I…"

"You're confused, but like I said before I have much experience in this. Now take a deep breath, Aaron and close your eyes."

Aaron looked at him from the side a moment before following the instructions. "Okay."

"Good, now stop thinking about the things that worry you. Only keep what makes you happy in your head."

"I guess…"

"Shh! Don't say it yet." Richard cut off and squeezed his shoulder. "Just think on those things a few more moments." He felt the young man loosen up just a little after about a minute. "Good, now without thinking anything else picture yourself ten years from now. Tell me what you see around you that makes you happy."

"What I have?"

"Yes just tell me what you picture you have in ten years if your life were perfect."

"In ten years… I'd be married to Marinette and she'd be working on her latest designs… maybe while I cooked dinner. I'd want her to be able to work but still spend time with me." He elaborated as an image formed in his mind.

"Yes, anything else? Just picture a typical day ten years from now."

"We're living in a nice apartment. I'm making dinner and Marinette walks in with a bag of supplies talking about her next idea… I give her a kiss to welcome her home." He continues with a boyish blush on his face Richard can't help grinning at.

"Is that all?"

"No… A little head pops out from down the hall before rushing to her mother's side… Actually maybe two or three." He also imagined Plagg and Tikki floating around with the kids but he couldn't reveal that.

"So a family? Anything else?"

"More?" Aaron paused to think about it. What else did he need to be happy if his life were perfect? "Nothing realistic I guess. In a perfect world, my mother would still be alive."

"I suppose so, but is that truly all?"

Aaron opened his eyes to look at the man. "All I can think of at the moment."

"Then, my young friend, what you desire in your future has nothing to do with your career. You merely want a family, to be a home maker. Quite humble to be honest." He pat his shoulder. "Very you, Aaron." As everyone knew, Aaron was a very simple and humble guy even when revealing an extraordinary talent. When he bragged it was never irritating and it was almost always in jest.

"So… I shouldn't care about what I do for a living?"

"Yes, but don't dwell on it. Honestly, I figured you would marry Marinette and take the bakery. You wouldn't need extra jobs like me if you were the owner of the finest bakery in Paris."

Aaron furrowed his brow. "Tom wouldn't just give me the bakery for marrying his daughter. That would be crazy." He waved the idea aside.

"He'd give it to a talented baking son-in-law, I guarantee it." Aaron just rolled his eyes and went back to his work. As if timing it, Tom chose that moment to walk into the kitchen setting the truck keys aside as he reached for an apron. "Ah, perfect timing, Tom!" Richard watched the ravenette tense up at the counter. "Can I ask you a hypothetical question?"

"What's up?" Tom accepted as he washed up his hands to start on an order.

"Let's say Aaron here married Marinette."

Tom quickly perked up and looked at them. "Any reason I should see this as anything but hypothetical?"

Richard grinned while Aaron refused to turn around. "Let's just assume completely hypothetical. And let's also say Aaron has no idea what he wants to do for his future career."

Tom's grin froze as he turned to the young man in question. "What? What do you mean Aaron has no idea what he wants to do? Don't you like being a baker, son?"

"Of course I do, Mr. Tom, I have since the day you first hired me."

Tom crossed his arms. "Then why don't you know what you want to do for a living?"

"I was just… I'd never thought about what I wanted to do before because… Well, you know. I just…"

Tom could see confliction on the young man's face and let out an understanding sigh. "Okay, son." He started and placed his large hand on his shoulder. "Let me ask you this then, does baking make you happy?" Aaron nodded. "And does my Marinette make you happy?"

"More than anything." He responded with a serious tone and obvious blush.

"Then in order to be happy in life you should marry my daughter and take over the bakery."

"Hypothetically, of course." Richard cut in.

"Oh, right, hypothetically." Tom agreed with a wink. "Now go home Richard, before your wife calls and gives me an earful for keeping you late."

"You need not tell me twice." The man chuckled and tossed his apron into the used laundry bin. "See you tomorrow, bright and early, Aaron. Don't think too hard on a hypothetical, alright?" He waved before grabbing his coat and dashing out the door. Aaron let out a sigh and slumped in his place.

"How has the shift been? It doesn't look very busy." Tom asked getting an idea of what all was in the process while looking over what he needed to fill their next delivery.

"It hasn't been since lunch." Aaron answered with a deflated tone.

"Okay… Anything else hypothetically on your mind?" The large man asked seeing his less than chipper employee.

"… I uh…"

He sighed and leaned on the counter. "Aaron, you're really agonizing over this, aren't you?"

He was and it was beginning to make him feel sick to his stomach. "I just… I wish I… I just don't know. I love baking and working here, but do I want to do it for the rest of my life?"

Tom took up a stool and placed one beside him. "Sit down, Aaron."

"I'm sorry… I know I'm on the clock and-"

"It's okay." Tom consoled as he placed his large arm around Aaron's shoulder. "I know what's bothering you, and why. You're upset that you never had a chance to choose a career for yourself before you moved out. You're frustrated, but it's not because you don't know what you want to do."

Aaron glanced up to the larger man. "But I don't?"

"Yes you do. I see it every morning when you come into work. You're always bright eyed and ready to go even when you know it'll be a long shift. I think what's really bothering you is the fact that you found your career on your first try."

What? Aaron furrowed his brow. "My first try…"

"Yup, but you're under this misunderstanding that you're supposed to try a bunch of different things before you know what you want to do."

"Aren't you?" Who knew what they wanted to do right away? Or was he the odd one?

"Sometimes, but not always. You'd be surprised though." He chuckled. "Now I couldn't begin to understand your father's mind, but he obviously had some elaborate plan for you to be successful somehow."

"I guess…" The ravenette muttered in a grumble. "What he failed to take into account though, is what made you happy. That's why I asked if baking made you happy. I won't think less of you if you told me it didn't and you wanted to try other things."

Aaron didn't hesitate to shake his head. "No, it does make me happy. Working here is fun especially when we make something new."

Tom grinned at seeing that familiar twinkle in the young man's eyes. "Good, and you know, even if you really enjoy baking, that doesn't mean you can't try something else in the future. As long as you're responsible about it, anyone can change careers, but just make sure it's something you enjoy."

"So… I can just keep working here like I have been? I don't need to do anything else?" With his father there was always something else.

"Nope, aside from making my daughter happy." Tom grinned and squeezed his future son-in-law. "So how does this sound until you think of something else? Marry my daughter and take over the bakery?"

Aaron jolted up. "Wait… You'd really just hand over the bakery to me because I'm marrying your daughter?"

"Sure, I'd be more than happy to pass it on to another young baker in the family. If you decide on something else maybe to a grandchild?" Aaron flushed darker at that. "But, if I'm being honest I'd rather pass it to you first." Tom admitted getting up from his stool.

"Why, though? You've only known me less than two years."

"True, but you're likely to become my son-in-law. You see when Marinette was born Sabine and I had all these plans to bring her up to be the baker to succeed us. We had plans to have her take over the bakery right after lycee since she would hardly need university to run the bakery." Outside business know how anyway.

"But she's going to be a designer, right?"

Tom nodded. "Yes, since she was six years old. I'm not sure exactly how it happened, but Marinette found a passion for fashion design and while it was a little disappointing at first, I knew she'd be much happier doing what she chose. And it wasn't as though she didn't grow up to be an excellent baker." He finished with a shrug. "But what I'm trying to say is, Aaron, if she marries you, then I get to pass down the bakery and she gets to do what she's always wanted."

"So… You're going to do it because it makes you happy?" Aaron asked looking a little deflated.

"No, son, because it would make us both happy. Remember, you still have a choice, and you always will. Choose to be happy. Choose to let go of the past. Choose a future you want. If that just happens to line up with what I want too?" Tom shrugged. "Then I call it a win win situation." He chuckled and scruffed up the young man's hair. "But seriously, Aaron, take some time to think about it. Would you be unhappy baking in a kitchen for the rest of your life? But if it's too much, then do one thing at a time. Reach for one happy goal at a time."

Aaron turned to watch the jovial man go back to his order and felt a small smile tug at his lips. "One happiness at a time?"

"You'd be surprised how quickly it accumulates." Tom finished with a quick wink before looking towards the front counter. "And Collette, don't you dare tell anyone about this conversation. Sabine will have you scrubbing more than just shelves if you ruin any big surprises."

"I'm sorry, what? It's hard to hear anything from all the way up here." She shouted back and Aaron chuckled at the terrible cover.


Adrien had a bit of a crisis that is typical for many teens around his age. Not everyone knows what they want to do as a career. Heck I didn't until about 4 years ago, and I'm still only 85% sure. If you can do something you can enjoy then that's about as lucky as it gets, wouldn't you say? Anyway, so Adrien also has a big question he's preparing to ask (Hope I don't have to tell anyone out right. I made it obvious) and Marinette might get the break of her life.

Next chapter will include Felix and another matter if you recall from previous chapters. Please feel free to guess or make suggestions for future plot. I love to hear them. I'm also sorry if I never responded to your reviews before. I try to get to everyone but I may have gotten caught up in work too. (Teachers have crazy lives right now!) Thank you for reading.=^-^=