Adrien
Their ride back home was just as cruelly short as their trip to school that morning. Adrien's dreams of watching the sunset together were squashed as well. It was a little early in the day for the sun to set, and Marinette politely declined his proposal to stop along the way and wait for it. Too much homework and too many responsibilities, she claimed. Perhaps some other time, she said. Adrien didn't despair. That meant there would be other rides. All he had to do was ask for them. His lady did hint to him that her Marinette-self, though not willing to get into a relationship with him yet, liked him enough already to not be able to resist him most of the time.
"Thank you so much, Adrien," Marinette said, disembarking his bike as they pulled by the bakery. "You really saved me this morning."
"It was my pleasure." Adrien took his helmet off, putting his best smile forward. "I can save you any day you want. Every Thursday, for example. Or any other day you're going to school and back alone."
Her lips parting, Marinette stared at him in bewilderment, looking away a moment later. "Adrien, I—"
"Oh good, you haven't left yet!" Tom's voice thundered from the bakery's entrance. "Your friend told us you don't have any plans tonight, Adrien. So, why don't you join us for dinner? As a thank you for helping our Marinette."
"Papa!" Marinette glared her father's way. "You can't just invite people over like that. Adrien's probably—"
"Why not?" Tom frowned. "We've always invited your friends to stay for dinner. Or is Adrien not your friend?"
"Of course, he's my friend, Papa!"
"Then why can't I invite him over?"
"Because he already wasted a lot of his time on me today."
"Is that true?" Tom turned to Adrien. "Was the time you spent with my daughter today a waste?"
Adrien shook his head, chuckling. "Not at all. I enjoyed every moment of her company."
"See?" Tom patted Marinette's shoulder, nudging her in the bakery's direction. "Let's go, Adrien. I've been waiting all day for this."
"For what? Embarrassing me?" Marinette grumbled, refusing to budge.
"Not at all, sweetheart." Tom laughed. "All I want is to lure this young man in, lower his defences with your mother's food, and pry out all the information I need to know. That's all. You don't mind, Adrien, do you?"
"Not at all, sir… um, Tom." Adrien quickly corrected under the man's glare. "I'd be happy to answer any questions you have."
"Good!" Tom nodded and waved them in. "Let's not waste any more time then. I was already setting the table when I heard you pull up." He vanished into the bakery, not even waiting for a reply.
"I don't want to make you uncomfortable," Adrien said as soon as they were alone. "I can come up with an excuse to leave if you want."
Marinette shook her head, her lips pursued. "If I do that, Papa will never let me live it down, thinking there is more here than there actually is. And he'll still try to have you over any opportunity he can get. Only then you'll be subjected to a potential… boyfriend questioning, and I'm sure both of us would rather avoid that since we barely know each other, and it's hard to even call us friends, lest imagine something more. So, let's just go in there, get through dinner, and forget this ever happened."
"As you wish." Adrien chuckled. He quickly parked his motorcycle and followed his pouty, blushing Lady inside, one thought on his mind: he'd better make a good impression. These people would hopefully become his in-laws, and, prince or not, it was nerve-racking meeting them somewhat officially for the first time in a private setting.
"So, Adrien, you mentioned you aren't from around here?" Tom graciously waited to start the questioning until the dinner was almost over. On one hand, Adrien was glad they finally got there. On the other, he wasn't against listening to some more of how cute baby Marinette was, how silly she'd acted as a toddler, how smart and talented she grew up, or how incredible her future seemed to be.
"I'm from Paris." Adrien nodded. "Came here to study for a few months before going back around the New Year."
Tom hummed. "I see. Nothing worth sticking around here for a bit longer for? Not even our Marinette?" He not-so-subtly winked.
"Papa!" Marinette hissed. The steam coming out of her ears was practically tangible. "Adrien's working at the Palace. He isn't sticking around for anything or anyone because his job is way more important than that."
"At the Palace?" Tom cocked his head to the side. "Do you mind me asking what you do there exactly?"
"Large scale management," Adrien replied, eyeing the second piece of a pie. He loved their baked goods, but, man, their home cooking was something else. Tom obviously wasn't kidding about the "lowering defences with food" part. "I'll be joining my father as an apprentice next year and eventually taking over his responsibilities."
"So a family business?"
"Yes. In a sense."
"At the Palace?"
"Yup." Adrien nodded, finally braving to reach for the second slice.
"Here you go." Sabine put the piece on his plate. "Eat as much as you like. We'll give you some for your friend as well."
"Thank you." Adrien grinned. He loved Nino, but he wouldn't be Nino if he didn't try to get Adrien to share whatever Marinette's parents would bless him with.
"So." Tom cleared his throat. "With a job like that, can I assume you'll be able to provide for your future family with ease? Large scale management sounds like something that pays well."
Even without looking at her, Adrien could see crimson flooding Marinette's face, ears and neck as she hissed again. "Papa! Stop it. That's none of our business."
"I don't mind answering." Adrien chuckled awkwardly. "My defences are pretty much vanquished thanks to this amazing pie, so I'm willing to reveal that my future wife and children will never want for anything. Hopefully, not only materialistically but emotionally as well because, I'm not going to lie, my work is going to be stressful and time-consuming. That's part of the reason I'm doing my best to prepare for it now, so when the time comes, I can be more efficient and have more time for my family and friends."
"That's a good goal you have there." Tom smiled, offering him another treat. This time a plate of eclairs. "Speaking of friends… I always wanted to visit Paris, so perhaps if one day I do, you'll humour me with a visit? As your friend's father?"
"Tom," Sabine interceded. "I don't—"
"Absolutely." Adrien grinned. "You can visit any time. You and your whole family would always be welcome, even if only as thanks for this dinner. I don't remember the last time I ate such a delicious meal."
"Thank you, Adrien," Sabine blossomed under his compliment. "I've brought some family recipes from China and adapted them to French cuisine. Never thought it would amount to much, but here we are. Most people seem to love my recipes."
"The food is amazing," Adrien said, picking up an eclair. "Honestly, if I wasn't stuffed, I'd eat it all and then some more."
"Perhaps you should visit again, then." Tom winked. "That way we can also bribe you into letting Marinette visit you in Paris as well. She always wanted to go, didn't you, pumpkin? She loves fashion, you know."
"She designs clothes and is very good at it." Sabine's smile was extremely proud.
"Oh, really?" Adrien turned to Marinette. He knew that already from Ladybug, but Marinette had yet to show him her creations. And he was one curious cat. Especially with anything that concerned his Lady.
"It's nothing special," she shyly looked away.
"She's fantastic," Sabine said. "Her work is exquisite."
"It really is," Tom added. "Good enough to make it big."
"That's debatable." Marinette fruitlessly tried to fight a furious blush on her face. "I'm decent but not that good."
"Nonsense!" Tom shook his head. "You are that good, and if only you'd stop obsessing over taking over the bakery and go live your dream, you'd make it to the top without a doubt."
"Papa…"
"I'm telling you, Adrien, she would make it huge if only she'd give herself a chance. So, I thought, maybe, you could take her to Paris and show her what she could—"
"That's enough, Papa!" With a loud clatter of her chair hitting the floor, Marinette stood.
"But—"
"I think you crossed the line, dear." Sabine placed her hand on her husband's arm.
"Thank you for the ride, Adrien." Marinette turned to him with a barely suppressed anger on her lips. "Please, let me see you out."
He nodded and stood, directing his attention to her parents. "Thank you for the dinner. Everything was delicious and I enjoyed the evening immensely. Unfortunately, I must be going. Have a good evening."
After a few words of farewell from Tom and Sabine, Adrien silently followed Marinette downstairs and braved to whisper only once they reached the final door. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to stir up trouble."
"It isn't you," Marinette replied quietly. "Papa's been on my case since forever, for both my non-existent love life and my wish to continue our family legacy. I'm sorry you had to witness that."
He kept quiet for a moment, his thoughts racing back to Paris, his own home, his own father. "He's probably just worried about you like a good father should be."
"I wish he'd worry about me a bit less enthusiastically."
"At least he's pushing for something he knows will make you happy," Adrien offered with a hesitant smile. "Mine is willing to sell me off for a cause that has been secured for decades." Which still confused the heck out of him, but that was not the point at the moment.
She glanced at him, curiosity written all over her face, but turned away a moment later. "I guess you're right. At least there is that." They stepped outside and walked to Adrien's motorcycle. "Sorry I had to end it like that. Papa means well, but his tact sometimes needs a little bit of work."
Gently, Adrien put his hand on Marinette's shoulder. "No need to apologize. I really did enjoy everything: the food, the company, the stories."
Marinette groaned. "Don't remind me. At least they didn't pull out embarrassing baby pictures."
"There are embarrassing baby pictures?"
"There are always embarrassing baby pictures." Marinette rolled her eyes. "Papa has a whole album of them, but those are for close friend's eyes only."
"I guess I have to step up my game, then," Adrien chuckled. "Maybe give you more rides?"
There it was again, that longing look in her eyes, the softness and tenderness as she looked at him. "Thank you again for that. I missed riding with Grandma more than I thought I did."
"We can always do that again if you want. I can drive you to school on Thursdays, for instance. Or any other day you prefer."
The straight 'no' he expected never came. Instead, Marinette bit on her lip and looked a bit to the side. "I'm not making you drive me to school, go back home, drive back to school for your classes and then drive me back again only to circle back to go home. I don't even live that far away from the school. I'm not forcing you to make loops around town every week just because I miss riding with my grandma."
"I promise you, that isn't an issue. I'm coming here most mornings for breakfast anyway, and before you protest, I'm not stopping. Your parents' baking is truly the best I've ever tried."
Marinette giggled. "You'll never see me driving business away from our bakery. Don't worry about that. I'm more concerned about your unnecessary trips around town for my sake."
He flashed her his best smile, enhanced by a little model pose. "None of the driving I'm doing is unnecessary. If you only knew how much I dreamed of getting out of my home and just driving along the shore for hours, you'd make me give you a ride every day."
She giggled. "You can't be serious."
"Ask Nino if you don't believe me. We were so overworked and had so little free time that this feels like a vacation even with all the university work and extra classes."
"Really?" She raised a skeptical eyebrow.
Adrien nodded. "I swear."
She thought for a moment, her eyes locked on the ground before hesitantly shifting her gaze to his bike and then to him. When their eyes met, a teasing smile tugged at her lips. "In that case, I might just take you up on your offer. No more than once a week, though. I don't want to abuse your kindness."
"Once a week sounds good." Adrien couldn't hold back a grin. "Perhaps, one of those days, you'd even want to stop to watch a sunset with me? It's really beautiful here. Nothing like Paris."
"Don't push your luck," Marinette gave him a look and shifted her weight between her feet like she was getting ready to leave. "See you in a few days?"
"Yes! On Monday." She was about to walk away when Adrien remembered. "Wait, Marinette?"
She halted, turning to him. "Yes?"
"Can I have your number? In case, you know, I'm running late, or you need to reach me for some reason. I'll give you mine too. Not just take yours. We'll exchange numbers. Here." He pulled his cellphone out of his pocket. "I'll go first."
Marinette chuckled, took her cellphone out of her pocket and unlocked it. "Sure." She passed him her device, taking his and entering her contact info. "No spamming or you'll get blocked."
"I would never." He grinned, sending her a winking cat emoji.
Her look was hardly amused, but she took a step closer and, standing on her tiptoes, quickly placed a soft peck on his cheek. "Good night, Adrien."
She vanished within a moment, leaving Adrien standing in his spot, barely alive. He held onto his bike, his knees threatening to give out at any second.
Marinette kissed him!
Awake Marinette kissed him!
Granted, it was just his cheek, but it was a start. And what did it matter where her lips landed as long as it was on his skin?
An unbecoming sound escaped his mouth as Adrien pumped his fist in the air, his fingertips caressing the spot that still burned from her touch. Still warm. Still tingling…
His cell buzzed.
Nino: I think I know what will help me to finally defeat you.
Adrien growled and turned around just in time to witness his loyal friend coming out of the shadows at the end of the street.
"I seriously hate you right now, Nino," Adrien growled quietly enough for only Nino to hear.
"I know," Nino chuckled. "I'd hate me too."
"I was mortified, Chat!" Ladybug groaned in his arms. "It wasn't even a boyfriend inquisition. He was probing to see if you're husband material! I swear, I love Papa, but he can be so insufferable sometimes!"
"I love it when you're all pouty, My Lady," Chat chuckled, cuddling her closer. "When it's not directed at me, that is."
"Really?" She glared at him. "My misery amuses you?"
"Not in the slightest. I just love how passionate you look at moments like these. It's a good look on you, you know."
She pursued her lips and turned away, crossing her arms over her chest, still resting in his arms. "How did I ever fall for you again?"
"That shouldn't be the question, My Lady," Chat ran his hands over her hair, brushing the silky strands away from her face. "The question should be: did this cat pass your parents' test?"
"With flying colours." She let out a huff of air. "Papa's excited you live in Paris where I can start my fashion line. He says it must be fate or something. Maman's impressed with how polite and kind you are. She couldn't stop praising your manners, and both of them kept adding that you must be awfully smart if you have such an important job waiting for you. Seriously, by the end of the evening, both of them were ready to ship me off to Paris with you when you go back; and I quote, 'He seemed to really like you, Marinette. Give the boy a chance, will you?'"
Chat laughed. "And will you? Give me a chance?"
Her smile was anything but teasing. "I did agree to let you give me rides, didn't I?"
"You did. You even kissed my cheek." He poked her nose with his finger. "I did not expect that."
"Neither did I." Her blush burned too bright to hide. "It was a spur-of-the-moment impulse, so don't get your hopes up for it becoming a regular thing."
"It happened once. It can happen again."
"Chat, I swear—"
He laughed, cuddling her close. "Alright, alright. I'll keep myself in check."
"Good," Ladybug huffed, letting a smile split her lips a moment later. "You really are good at this 'making me fall in love with you' thing, you know. If it wasn't for you going back in a few months, I'd be asking you out already."
"Is that so?"
"But since you are going back… Well, you have a long road ahead of you, convincing Marinette-me to give you a chance."
Chat watched her carefully, something in her wording catching his attention. "And what about Ladybug-you?"
She took a moment to reply, but when she did, her smile was the softest he'd seen yet. "I've been thinking of your offer to relocate the bakery. If we do that, I won't only be able to continue my family's legacy, but will also give it a boost with the new location."
Chat nodded. "It'll do great in Paris. I wouldn't be buying pastries there every day if they weren't spectacular."
"I know it'll do great. There is a reason I'm so adamant about taking over after my parents. This kind of heritage doesn't happen every day, and I'm not letting it die."
He reached for her hand, letting his lips linger on it for a bit longer than usual. His Lady really was amazing and admirable. He loved her determination and passion, her ability to find solutions in even the direst situations, her creativity and her spark. He'd be a fool if he wasn't there by her side, helping her reach her goals with whatever he could. "And if you wish to work on your fashion line, Paris is the best place to do so."
"Yes, but… I want to see Paris before making a final decision. I want you to take me there."
His lips on the inside of her wrist, Chat whispered against her skin. "Tomorrow, if I can convince Marinette-you."
She giggled. "It's the end of October, Chat. We're entering the pre-exam season and I really need to focus on that."
"How about we spend Christmas there, then?"
Ladybug stared at him, her thinking cap on. "Christmas is the busiest time of the year for the bakery. There is no way I'd abandon it for a holiday in Paris."
"Then right after our exams are over? We can be back a few days before Christmas, and I can help you in the bakery. You'll have to teach me, though."
A spark of mischief in her eyes, Ladybug grinned. "Well now, for that I would agree to go. I'd like to see you trying to bake."
"I'll do anything for you. Even bake. Just tell me how to convince awake-you, and it shall be done."
Ladybug thought for a moment, absentmindedly stroking his hand. "Mention all of my favourite brands' stores I can visit and the top of the Eiffel Tower at night. Oh! And that famous bakery… What is its name? The one's that's considered a temple for the cream puffs?"
"Oh, you mean Popelini?"
"Yes! That one! I've always wanted to see if their cream puffs are as good as everyone claims."
Chat shrugged. "Yours are better in my opinion."
"You're biased, so I don't trust you on this one. Also, ask in front of my parents and Alya, if possible. If there is one situation I can never say no to, it's when Alya and my parents combine their powers of persuasion. And don't forget to mention you'll be helping out in the bakery in exchange. That'll interest me as well."
Chat halted for a second, gently running his fingers along her cheek. So soft and warm. Her skin was his favourite thing to touch. "If I use all of those… wouldn't Marinette-you think I'm some kind of a manipulative jerk or something?"
"She might."
"Then I'll only destroy whatever progress with her I've made."
"It's possible."
"Why can't this be easy?" Chat whined, leaning down to nuzzle her nose with his. "You're a challenge, my Lady, and a tough one at that."
"Don't you like a challenge, though?"
Chat chuckled, pulling her closer. "I do."
Ladybug grinned, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Then enjoy the experience," she whispered before closing the distance between them.