Adrien

Chat Noir was going to have to talk to Ladybug about why she felt the need to send him to the only place he really didn't want to be tonight. True, she didn't directly send him there, but she kept talking about that beach with such reverence and love and longing last night, Adrien couldn't help but check it out. Being there was supposed to help him feel closer to her on the night of her date with another man. He wasn't supposed to crash the said date. It was just a date; he wasn't worried. Plus, Ladybug had assured him she was planning on rejecting Luka's advances. Didn't mean Adrien wanted to witness that or even be nearby. It was awkward, for lack of a better word.

He kept on walking, as far from that place as he could. There was an ice cream truck near where he'd parked his bike, if he remembered correctly. Perhaps, he should stop for a cone. Maybe he should even go for that "sweetheart" ice cream the vendor was trying to sell him earlier.

"Changed your mind?" André, the ice cream man, grinned as soon as Adrien stepped up to his cart.

"Couldn't help it."

André quirked an eyebrow, watching Adrien intently. "I know exactly what you need." A few moments later he offered him an ice cream filled with red, dark blue and light blue scoops. "Her hair is dark as night, eyes bluebell blue. I bet you thought more than once about kissing those red lips of hers, didn't you?"

He couldn't help a smile, a pleasant tingle of warmth rushing down his body. It was definitely his Lady's colours. But then… who else could it have been?

"More than once for sure," he murmured under his breath and thanked André, walking to the beach across the street. A different beach. Not the one he left Marinette and Luka at.

The sun slipped behind the horizon already; streetlights illuminated the area, chasing the darkness away. Chatting, laughter, whispers all around him; the beach seemed to have come alive with night falling, filled mostly with couples wandering about. Adrien focused on his ice cream. It was delicious and made the next fifteen minutes of his life undoubtedly easier.

His phone buzzed just as Adrien was putting his helmet on. It flew right off his head as soon as he spotted the caller ID. And although the person on the other end was not the one he'd expected, the news they delivered brought a smile to Adrien's face. The day was not over yet, and by some miracle, he was granted more time with his Lady in this reality before he could take her in his arms in their dreams.

Adrien made sure to find a parking spot closer to the beach where Marinette was. He couldn't have her walking far—No! She wouldn't be walking at all. Speedy recovery—or rather miraculous healing powers—or not, her ankle was still broken, and Adrien wouldn't allow further damage. He quickened his steps, his pace soon quickening to a slight jog, slowing down only when his Lady and her friend came into his view. The duo quietly talked about something, but the moment Luka noticed Adrien, he stood and waved.

"Thanks for coming," Luka said when Adrien walked up to them. "I really appreciate your help."

"Not a problem. I'm glad I can help." He looked at Marinette, glancing at her foot. "How is your ankle doing?"

She gave him a shy smile. "A lot better. I'll be back on my feet in no time. I bet I can even walk a little already—"

"Not a chance." His Lady was always a bit of a daredevil, but he wouldn't be her Chaton if he didn't make sure she was safe, walking that thin line between sanity and recklessness. "Not a step until you're fully healed."

"We'll carry you to Adrien's motorcycle," Luka added. "And I'm sure your father can help Adrien at the bakery."

"Oh, no need," Marinette blurted. "Adrien can carry me all by himself perfectly fine."

Luka raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifting between the two of them. "Oh, really?"

"He—yes—already—me—carried." Marinette yelped and hid her crimson-red face in her hands.

"I carried her here after she hurt her ankle," Adrien explained. "She weighs next to nothing, so I can carry her by myself, if she wants."

Luka chuckled. "She is tiny."

"Light as a feather."

"And would very much appreciate it if you two stopped discussing her weight," Marinette grumbled.

The boys laughed, apologizing in unison right after. A few more jokes and teases later, all three agreed that, taking into account Marinette's size and Adrien's strength, there was no need to come up with some kind of elaborate plan to get the girl home together. Adrien carrying her on his own was more than sufficient and much easier for everyone involved.

"Then I guess it's a goodbye for me," Luka said once all arrangements were made. "I've got an early morning flight to catch, and I still have to visit Rose before I go, so I should head out."

"Oh? What for?" Marinette asked, a hint of glimmer in her eyes. "Does it have something to do with Juleka?"

Luka chuckled. "You know them too well. Yes, Jules asked me to give her an envelope, and I fully expect there to be a plane ticket inside for Rose to join us on our trip. My sister has been missing her like crazy, and Ja—father is way too eager to compensate for his absence. If he sees an opportunity to make Jules happy, he won't miss it."

"That'll be awesome, though." Marinette grinned. "Rose was missing Juleka as well."

"Believe me, I know." Luka rolled his eyes. "Those two are constantly on the phone, either texting or calling. So, I'd better go before my sister starts calling to see why I haven't made her delivery yet." His hand outstretched, he turned to Adrien. "Take good care of Marinette. She's a precious friend."

"Of course." Adrien nodded, accepting Luka's handshake.

Luka turned to Marinette. "Let me know when you get home, alright?"

"I will." Marinette nodded. "Thank you, Luka. Tell the girls I said Hi."

"Sure." A few more words of farewell later, Luka walked away, leaving the pair alone.

Marinette kept silent, uncertainty written all over her face. Her eyes slowly shifted from the water to the sand at her feet, to a few couples still walking along the shore.

Adrien couldn't help a smile. She was precious. To him, more than anyone could know. And now with Luka officially out of the picture, it was time for him to act. Of course, he had to make sure the conversation with Luka had gone the way Ladybug had told him she was planning to take it first. So, sitting on a bench beside Marinette, Adrien quietly sighed. "And here I thought you were single. Your boyfriend seems nice, though."

Marinette jerked her head to stare at him. Her eyes wide, mouth slightly ajar, she frowned. "Boyfriend? Who? Luka? Oh, no. No, no. I'm very much single. We're just friends."

"Really?" Adrien looked at her, cocking his head to the side. He knew the truth from Ladybug, but his Lady deserved a little teasing after tricking him into coming here, knowing full well his feelings on the matter. "Are you sure about that? It looked like more than just a friendship to me."

She feverishly shook her head. "No. Good friends. We are—I mean, Luka and I. Friends. Nothing more. Totally single. I am, I mean. Single. No boyfriends."

With an official confirmation of her single status received, he didn't have to hold back anymore. So, Adrien leaned closer, a teasing smile on his lips, and whispered, "Then why did you tell me that was a date?"

Her cheeks flaming, Marinette groaned and hid her face in her hands. He still caught the sight of one of the cutest pouts on her lips. Though her sentences needed some work on his part to decipher.

"We just had a few… private things to discuss. But then you showed up and… well… I… I had to…" Her voice trailed off, a mask of guilt overtaking her lovely features.

Adrien chuckled, placing his hand on hers and gently squeezing it. "I'm sorry I butted in. I promise it was unintentional, and I swear I would've left on my own if I sensed I was interrupting something. I do know how to read a room. Most of the time, at least."

She glanced at him. "Most of the time?"

Adrien nodded. "Yeah. I'm usually great at being polite, reasonable, and well-behaved, according to the situation. That is unless I'm distracted by a beautiful girl falling into my lap."

Marinette squeaked, her face rapidly reddening.

Adrien grinned, holding her gaze on him as he leaned forward. "But you shouldn't have worried. This time she sat beside me, not on me, so my brain was working just fine. I would've gotten the hint."

She ripped her gaze away and fixed her eyes on the ground. "I… I'm not… that was…"

"Unless breaking me is your goal," Adrien added. "Then, you're most welcome to fall on me any time you like. As often as you want."

Marinette seemed to have stopped breathing, watching him wide-eyed, her lips parted, her whole face resembling a sunburned tomato. She seemed to want to say something, but then pressed her lips into a thin line and turned away, mumbling something incoherent under her breath.

Adrien's lips tugged into a smile. Marinette was adorable, and teasing her was fun—a good payback for sending him here—but perhaps he shouldn't tease her too much. First of all, it was technically Ladybug who tricked him into coming, and secondly, Marinette had been through a lot today as it was. His humble flirting seemed to be too much for her to handle at the moment. Mercy it was.

Adrien stretched and jumped to his feet. "Luckily for us, I'm still fully functional as of now. So, shall we go while getting you home safely is still a viable option? It's getting late."

She glanced back at him from under those luscious eyelashes of hers, that adorable blush still covering her cheeks over the myriad of tiny freckles ghosting like stars over the bridge of her nose. "Okay. And… I'm sorry you're stuck helping me again. I promise I'm usually not this troublesome."

He'd beg to differ, if only on account of her constantly troubling his heart with those beautiful blue eyes, those sweet smiles, and her rare but gentle, burning, and absolutely unforgettable touches. "I enjoy helping you, Marinette. Don't worry about it."

"At least let me make it up to you." Her expression quickly changed into determination. "Maybe some free pastries? I know you like those."

"Finally!" Adrien faked the best "relieved" expression he could muster. "I thought you'd never offer. Now, let's go before you change your mind and I lose the only thing worth living for in this world."

A hint of a smile crept onto her lips. "Seriously?"

"Duh! When was I ever not serious when it came to the masterpieces your bakery sells?"

She giggled, happiness coming back to her expression. "Alright. Free pastry for you tonight it is, then."

Adrien stepped closer, crouching down a bit. "Ready? I'll carry you the same way as before, if that's alright?"

"Are you sure I'm not too heavy for you?"

"You barely weigh anything. Plus, I parked much closer this time, so the walk won't even be that long."

"I still hate to inconvenience you so much."

"It's not an inconvenience at all." He leaned closer, a teasing grin plastered all over his face. "After all, it's not like I'm doing this out of the goodness of my heart. If I remember correctly, I was promised pastries for my services."

"So, I'm basically employing you?"

"Yup. I'm just hired help."

"Well, that changes everything." She grinned, picking up her bag. "Carry me away, M Hired Help—wait! What about a helmet? I don't have my helmet with me."

"I have a spare one."

"Since when?"

Since Ladybug had told him he should give Marinette a ride, but he couldn't tell her as much. "Since a few weeks ago?"

Thankfully, Marinette didn't question him further. "How lucky for me."

"Very." He grinned. "Shall we go?"

She nodded and let him take her in his arms. Plagg immediately shifted to Adrien's chest to the exact spot Marinette laid her head against and started purring. Silently, almost intangibly. If not for their connection, Adrien would have never felt a thing. Marinette didn't seem to notice anything. She closed her eyes and relaxed in his arms, despite being stiff and rigid just a moment ago.

Was it the effect of Plagg's purrs? Or was it Tikki's longing for her other half? Adrien didn't fully understand how those two worked yet, but this was the closest Plagg had gotten to Tikki in this lifetime. Adrien wasn't heartless enough to shush him. Especially since Marinette seemed to be enjoying whatever was going on.

They got to the bakery accident-free. Plagg stayed close to Marinette the whole time, his purrs rolling against Adrien's skin all the way through. They seemed to help Marinette relax, and that was what really mattered to Adrien. He'd make sure to treat his kwami to some stinky cheese later.

Once at the bakery, Adrien lifted Marinette in his arms again and headed to the backdoor. She rang the bell. Her father was already opening the door, his gaze falling on Marinette's foot swaddled in Adrien's sweater. "Marinette? Luka called me, but what happened?"

"I sprained my ankle."

"More like broke it," Adrien added. "She can't walk, so she hired me to carry her home."

Tom seemed to be taken aback a notch. "She hired you?"

"I promised him some free pastries. But only after he left me no choice in how I was getting home."

"As I said." Adrien grinned. "She hired me."

"Sounds like she did." Tom chuckled, stepping aside. "Her bedroom is on the third floor. Will you be okay or do you need help?"

"I'll be fine."

"Apparently, I don't weigh much." Marinette rolled her eyes.

"Or Adrien is strong enough to carry you around without getting winded." Tom chuckled. "Go on. I'll let Sabine know to open the door for you. And stop by the bakery before you leave. Anything in particular you'd like included in your payment?"

"Maybe something I hadn't tried yet?"

Tom laughed. "I doubt there is anything left you haven't tried. I'll gather your favourites then."

"Sounds good. Thank you."

Adrien headed for the stairs, quickly walking up to the third floor. Sabine was already waiting by the door, a look of worry on her face. After a quick explanation of what had happened, Adrien was directed to bring Marinette up to her bedroom.

"Put me on the chaise," Marinette requested once they entered the pinkest room he'd ever seen.

He carefully laid her on a chaise, immediately mourning the loss of contact, the feel of her arms wrapped around his neck and the warmth of her tiny body pressed against him.

"Can you get the lights?"

"Sure." Adrien looked around, locating the switch on the wall a few meters away. As soon as the soft lighting flooded the room, he kneeled down to inspect Marinette's foot.

He couldn't believe his eyes. The bruise was nearly gone. So was the swelling. He looked at the girl. She didn't seem to be in any pain anymore. He'd have to talk to Ladybug about that. There was no way she seriously believed it was the effect of Qigong practice, no matter how effective it could've been.

"The swelling has gone down quite a bit," Adrien commented. "I'd still like to check on you tomorrow, if I may?"

"Want to see if you can get any more free pastry out of me?"

"Why else? Your bakery's pastries are all I ever think about, and the sole reason I'm around so much. You've got me all figured out, Princess."

Marinette suddenly fell quiet, her smile wavering before vanishing without a trace. She shifted her eyes away, clutching her hands together in her lap, lips pressed into a thin line.

He wasn't sure what caused the change of mood, but it was late, and Marinette looked tired. Perhaps giving her some space was the best thing to do right now.

"I should go. Rest well, and I'll see you tomorrow."

He didn't think much about what he did next. Perhaps he was tired himself. Or simply miss her affection too much. Whatever the reason, while still on one knee, Adrien leaned closer and placed a tender kiss on his Lady's forehead; a gentle touch he poured all of the love he felt for her in. All of his desire to protect her, to make her happy, to make her his.

Marinette froze, her breath hitching. For a short eternity, she watched him with her eyes wide open, lips parted, and a deep blush creeping onto her cheeks. Then, suddenly she tensed, her gaze falling to the floor. "Adrien…"

He almost kicked himself. What was he thinking? She obviously wasn't ready for this yet. She could hardly function after he tried to flirt less than an hour ago at the beach. Why would he go and give her a kiss like that? "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have—"

"Why do you do this, Adrien?" She straightened up, directing her gaze at him. "Is this some kind of a game to you? Or is this just the way you are? Tell me. Because I don't understand and I can't do this anymore. You have to stop."

"Stop what?" She couldn't be talking about the forehead kiss just now. It was the first time he'd dared to do such a thing. Was it the flirting? He had never been so blunt about it before tonight. Apart from that, he'd done nothing but be friendly. "I'm not sure I understand. What game? Why do I do what?"

Marinette looked away, her voice quieter with each word. "Why are you so attentive? Why do you care about me so much? You are always there when I need help. The way you look at me… It gives me thoughts I shouldn't have, hope I shouldn't entertain. I've been mean and dismissive. I've pushed you away numerous times…" Her voice shook as her eyes met his. "And you still treat me like the princess you keep calling me. Why? What kind of game are you playing?"

Hope tugged at his heartstrings. Ladybug had admitted that Marinette was starting to suspect Adrien liked her as more than just a friend, but she also had warned him that the girl was adamant about keeping their relationship platonic. Despitemiserably failing to contain her own feelings. Yet something must have changed if Marinette was not only willing to raise the subject but was the one who first confronted him about it. He couldn't lose such a perfect opportunity.

Adrien gently took her hand in his and prayed his eyes would show her just how sincere he was. "It isn't a game. I'd never play with your feelings."

"Then what is it?"

He wished he could just show her instead of telling. "Do you really not know? I never hid my feelings on the matter. My feelings for you."

Marinette stared at him for a moment before averting her eyes once more. "I don't want to misunderstand anything. At least not when it comes to this and… you, so if you could spell it out for me, I'd be most grateful."

"Then let me be crystal clear." He paused, resuming only when her hesitant gaze returned to him. "I'm in love with you, Marinette. With each passing day, I'm falling more in love with you, so all of this—wanting to be around you, helping you, supporting you—this all is just my way of expressing my feelings, and, if I'm honest, trying to earn your affection."

Even the tips of her ears flamed red. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as Marinette nibbled at her lip. The longest of seconds had passed before she closed her eyes and deeply inhaled. "Why bother? There is no future for us."

"Says who?"

"You." Her eyes snapped open. "You're leaving at the end of the year. Your life is in Paris. Mine is here. Why let yourself fall in love if you know there is no future for us?"

Adrien shifted closer. This was the same dilemma Ladybug was struggling with. He only hoped Marinette trusted him enough to listen to his proposal the same way her dream counterpart had. "Our current situation and our plans for the future might make it look like this is impossible, but the future isn't set in stone. You never know what tomorrow will bring. I might decide to stay here, or you might want to give Paris a chance. Or perhaps, both of us will move somewhere different altogether. We don't know the future, but I do know that if we want something badly enough, we can shape our destinies to fit accordingly."

A glimmer of light, a hint of hope sneaked into her eyes, so he continued, putting his heart on his sleeve for his whole world to see. "You and I… we have something special; something that doesn't happen every day. Marinette, you're the most amazing person I've ever met. To me, you're someone people meet only once in a lifetime. I cannot just walk away without even trying. If I did, I'm not sure I'll ever forgive myself."

A myriad of the emotions filled her eyes as she stared at him, barely breathing, "Once in a lifetime? You're exaggerating."

"Am I?" Adrien hoped his expression, the sincerity of his heart, would show her just how very much not exaggerating he was. But just in case, he added, "I felt it the moment we met. That rush of warmth all over my body. Tingling at my fingertips, tightness in my chest. Your eyes… I felt like I've known them forever. Your smile, your voice. The feel of your skin against mine. I've loved every part of you from our very first meeting, and seeing you smile is still the only thing that will make my day no matter what goes wrong. Please, tell me I'm not the only one having those feelings."

She curled in on herself a little, watching the way he held her hand in his. Her fingers stiffened, but Marinette remained silent. Was it too soon for a conversation like this? He wasn't sure, but it was already here, and Marinette didn't look like she was faring too well. Protect and comfort her. He wished for nothing more at the moment.

Hesitantly releasing one of her hands, Adrien reached forward to cradle her face in his palm. She didn't shy away. Instead, Marinette leaned into his touch, closing her eyes, her eyelids trembling.

"Marinette? Just say the word, and I'll leave."

She shook her head, stiffening even more. Her lips began to quiver just as his heart skipped a beat. Did he push too far?

"Marinette? Did I… did I say something wrong?"

She shook her head fiercely, laying her hand on top of his on her cheek, clasping it tightly as if afraid he'd vanish. Her breaths turned shallow and quick. The moment she finally looked at him again, tears streamed down her face. "No. You're right. I did feel it. I still do, and… it's all so confusing and overwhelming and happening so fast and so intensely, I can hardly breathe some days. These feelings… They can't be normal. Love is supposed to be gentle and warm. This—this feels like an all-consuming fire."

Her body shook, tears pouring down her face. Marinette grasped his shirt, her strength vanishing with each passing moment. Adrien leaned closer in time for her to collapse in his arms. Her head against his chest, he held her tiny figure close, gently cradling her in an embrace as she wept, struggling to find her breath.

Adrien's heart ached. He tightened his hold on her, bringing her flush against him. If only there was something he could do for her to make it easier. If only he could explain, somehow assure her that their love was gentle and warm, despite feeling like all-consuming fire at the same time. Their feelings had had time to develop naturally. They weren't rushed or confusing at all. Not in their dreams. Not for her sleeping counterpart, who had a chance to slowly fall in love with him, who had become his best friend and later had crossed the line to lover with him.

Marinette, though… Her only flaw was being his soulmate, an innocent victim of the amnesia, his cruel blessing unfairly trapped her in. It wasn't her fault that the feelings Ladybug had for Adrien—years upon years of love and trust and affection—were nestled deep inside her subconsciousness. Marinette wasn't the one to trigger them to come to the surface without context or explanation, like a dam breaking, flooding her heart practically overnight. No wonder she was struggling to make sense of it. In her eyes, they barely knew each other. Yet, here she was thinking of abandoning her dreams and her perfectly planned future for him despite her better judgement, logic, and reason. That couldn't be easy, and Adrien couldn't watch it without his heart breaking as well.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, pulling her closer like the treasure she was. "I'm so sorry."

She didn't resist, sobbing into his shirt. Her body went slack, she practically melted against him, but she was finally able to speak again, even if her voice was barely audible and shaky. "You turned my life upside down. I'm not sure of anything anymore. I doubt the path I set myself on years ago. As of late, I barely function most days, and one moment I feel like we're meant to be, but a second later I remember that there is this important job you've been preparing for your whole life waiting for you in Paris, and I have to stay here, and it all seems so hopeless, and I don't want to get into a relationship that has no future because it'll only hurt more in the end, but at the same time, I'm not sure I'm strong enough to resist you… and I don't want you to leave. I want you to stay here, with me, because I'm selfish that way and I want to have it all."

Her body shuddered, she hid her face in his chest, grasping at his back, tears bursting from her eyes once more. Adrien tightened his hold on her, stroking her back gently. He leaned down and whispered sweet words of comfort in her ear. It wasn't enough. Not even close. She only cried harder, torn and tired and breaking in his arms. Adrien hated seeing her like this. Hated feeling helpless to do anything to make it easier, to make it right.

Time stood still, nothing but them existing in space. Her body warmth against him; her burning breath on his soaked shirt. The quiet intimacy; the raw vulnerability. The way she slowly started to calm down in his arms, relaxing against his chest. For a moment, he thought she'd fallen asleep, only random hiccups and sniffles betraying the truth. Fear of moving struck his very core, fear of breaking the stillness of the moment… but he had to. Her mother had said she'd come up here once she'd bought a proper splint from a nearby pharmacy.

"You alright?" he whispered, softly stroking her hair.

Marinette nodded, her breath soft and warm and finally stable. "I'm sorry. This is a little bit too overwhelming for me." She paused for a moment, continuing with a voice raspy, quiet, and desperate. "If I allow myself to love you, I'll be forced to choose between you and my whole life as it is now. I don't want to do that."

"Maybe you don't have to." He leaned his forehead against the crown of her head, daring to place a faint kiss there. "You can have it all. We just have to find a way to make it possible."

She shook her head. "I don't see how. No matter how hard I think about it, I can't see how I can be with you and not give up something essential to who I am."

Adrien reached for her chin, gently prompting her to look at him. "We'll find a way. If we work together, if we want it badly enough, I'm sure we can find a way. I can see at least two possibilities already."

"Two? How?"

"Before I explain, just so I'm not assuming anything, name three things you want most in this life."

Her gaze turned shy, voice barely above a whisper, she looked away as she spoke. "If I'm honest, I want to work with fashion the most. Also, our bakery. There is too much history and heritage for me to let go of it. And,"—she glanced at him from under her long, thick eyelashes the way that always made his heart skip a beat—"you. I want you in my life as well."

His chest warm, Adrien entwined their fingers together. "Fashion and me—we both are in Paris, right?"

"But the bakery is here, in Dupont."

"Only if we don't relocate it."

Her eyes widened, lips slightly parting. "What?"

"It isn't the building you're holding onto, is it?"

Marinette shook her head. "No. The bakery has changed locations numerous times. I'm looking to keep the skills and our legacy alive, not bricks and mortar."

"Then we can relocate it to Paris." He gently ran his fingers through the silky strands of her bangs, brushing them away from those bright, blue eyes of hers. "Your bakery will do amazingly over there, and you'll be in the best place to create your fashion line, not to mention I kind of live in Paris as well, so victory in all three categories."

Marinette lowered her eyes, thinking for a few moments. "As appealing as the idea is, I can't just ask my parents to uproot their whole lives for me. And even if they were willing, I don't think we can afford to relocate to Paris of all places."

"Your father seemed to be very excited when we talked about Paris, so maybe we should ask them before making any assumptions. For all we know, moving to the capital might have been his life-long secret wish."

She softly sighed against him. "Even if that's the case, our finances won't survive relocation."

"But have you ever thought about partnering with someone local who has connections and money and loves your baking?"

A glint of amusement in her gaze, Marinette had finally allowed a hint of a smile on her lips. "And that local mystery person with connections and money and a huge love for our baking is you, I presume?"

"Guilty as charged." Adrien grinned. "Honestly, the only reason I'm trying to woo you is because I am in love with your parents' baking, and it'll be a pain to come here every day for my morning pastry fix once I go back to Paris. So, I had this genius, evil plan for how to not only take the bakery with me, but also profit in the process. There, you caught me. Now, if I offer to split the profits, will you back me up on this?"

Marinette laughed, poking his chest with a finger. "Be serious, you dork."

"I am. Very serious. If your family ever considers relocating to Paris, I'll happily partner with your father if he ever needs me to. And if you'll help me make it happen, I'm willing to split my share of the profits fifty-fifty. You won't get a better deal than that." He flashed her his best smile, adding a wink in the mix just in case. Not that he would ever consider profiting by helping to relocate the bakery, but for now, it had to look like a legitimate business proposal to Marinette. Details would come later.

She watched him carefully for a few moments before whispering. "I shouldn't trust you so easily. I barely know you, or your ability to partner with Papa on this. Not to mention I can't even figure out if you're serious or just joking around."

"I'm very serious." He leaned his forehead on hers. "When it comes to you, I never joke around. And don't worry, I can afford a few bakeries. But to make it easier, if it ever comes to relocation, I'll sign a legal partnership contract before we do anything. Disclosing my finances and everything for your peace of mind. Sound good?"

"That would be too much to ask."

"I'll do even more if it means you'll be assured that I'm completely serious."

Marinette fell quiet, lingering in his arms. Her hand snaking to his torso, she slowly glided her fingers over his chest. Barely touching, making his insides turn to jelly. "And what's the second option?"

Adrien sighed, tightening his hold on the girl in his arms. He didn't want to talk about that. He wished he could just forget it was even real, but… "There is something my father is pressuring me into," he said quietly. "I can't tell you what it is, but if my father won't drop it by the New Years', I'd rather leave everything behind and start from scratch here with you." He'd have to get creative to actually avoid marrying Lila if it came to it, but Adrien was determined: he would leave everything behind if his father continued to insist on that marriage happening. It shouldn't be an issue, though, now that Adrien had found Marinette and proved she was single and available and loved him and looked like was willing to entertain the idea of going back to Paris with him. Still, one could never be too careful when it came to Mlle Rossi.

"Must be something awful to make you give up your lifetime of work," Marinette probed.

"It'll be a lifetime of misery and not just for me, so yes, awful enough for me to do whatever it takes to avoid it." He didn't want to give any details. Lila didn't deserve to even be mentioned in his Lady's presence. Nor was it a good idea to tell the girl he was trying to get to date him that his father wanted to marry him off to someone else. "But if it comes to that, I will leave everything behind and come here. And if you wish it, I can ask your father to teach me his trade so I can look after the bakery while you storm the fashion world."

She chuckled. "And it all leads to you ending up with your beloved bakery again. How not very subtle."

"I know." Adrien groaned. "I can't seem to hide my true goals here, no matter how hard I try."

"You simply adore it too much."

"It's like we're meant to be or something."

"Your true love."

"One and only," Adrien whispered, brushing his lips against Marinette's forehead.

"I almost feel jealous," she whispered.

Adrien took one of her hands and brought it to his lips. "You shouldn't."

His kiss lingering against her skin, Marinette watched him with naked adoration perhaps for the first time in their awake life. Her cheeks adorably pink, she didn't look away, didn't hide her eyes or averted her gaze. Her lips curled in a tiny smile instead as she let him kiss her hand for the longest of times.

"You're the most amazing woman I've ever met, Marinette," Adrien confessed against her skin, his eyes locked on hers. "I'm not about to let you go without a fight just because of our living arrangements."

"I want to try, too," she breathed out, reaching forward, cradling his face in her palm. "I'm scared but this feels so amazing, so right, I think it's worth the risk."

Adrien held his breath. This was it. This was the moment he'd waited for for so long, yet he had to be careful. Her awake self was tired, in pain, and vulnerable at the moment, and he respected Marinette too much to take advantage of the situation, despite knowing perfectly well from her dream self that this battle was as good as won.

"I'm yours, Marinette." He softly kissed her hair, the words quietly slipping past his lips. "I have always been yours, but it's been a long day. You're tired and hurting and should rest before deciding anything. I can wait a day or two."

A hint of disbelief in her eyes; her voice was barely audible. "Are you sure?"

Adrien nodded. "I want you to be absolutely certain in your choice. I want you to choose me not because I was at the right place at the right time, but because you actually want to give us a chance badly enough to jump in despite the uncertainties."

She watched him with her eyes wide and blue and sparkling with tears for the longest second before allowing a hint of a smile on her lips and leaning her head on his chest once more. "Thank you, Adrien."