Mwuahahaha... This chapter... Lol yeah you guys will just have to read it and know when I was reading it to my friend I had them on the ground laughing several times. Flirty shenanigans shall ensue! Right after the answers to some questions I got!
sweetXDmelody... To be honest I came up with the chain jacket idea because I was watching anime and one of the character just whipped a chain out no where from his sleeve and I was like huh... I could totally see Ladybug pulling that trick with her yoyo. Since I didn't want to use a Yoyo (Although they really do make excellent in-obvious weapons) or a grappling hook I thought a weighted chain was a perfect in-between. Unfortunately in the real world this design I created wouldn't work very well due to friction as well as numerous other issues such as weight but for my story it did turn out quite good.
Fate T. Nekoi -Angel Orie... So the Hawkmoths gangs mark is a stylized one. Its a recognizable butterfly but its not something your would come across in your normal everyday wear when it comes to designs of butterflies. For instance the wings are longer as well as more pointed and the body is shorter. The color is also important. For instance no one with the Hawkmoth Tattoo will have it done in yellow. The mark will always be a dark purple or black color.
Iheart2manyfandoms... I listened to the song and I loved it! It totally matches these two idiots. it also reminds me strongly of different scenes that I'm currently writing for this story. I really do love Owl City's music tho and they are one of the few English bands my poor ipod has on it.
NekoRose26... Marinette carries all kinds of things in her pockets! Unfortunately throwing the cookie means she no longer had a snack walking home! Lol Like the Marinette of this story I am really bad at putting food stuffs in my pockets at work to the point where most people if they want something to eat they as whats in my pockets. Usually its candy but sometimes I have chips or even cookies in little baggies.
Thousandsmiles... Um... Its not cheating if there is no rule against it. In parkour there is no rule against people using tools to help them through obstacles unless it causes damage to the obstacle itself. Marinette doesn't use her jacket on the regular runs and against normal people anyways. The only reason she uses it in Dangers Run is because she had the suspicion that the others would cheat and she knew that using her jacket would give them extra time and a measure of safety. That being said Marinette isn't allowed to use her jacket in games of tag anymore as mentioned a few chapters ago.
Marinette is a detective who can't keep a partner while hunting down the notorious Hawkmoth gang. Chat is the new cat burglar on the streets who never gets caught. After Marinette gets handed his case it's it won't be long before their fates collide especially when monsters start roaming the streets.
Sleepover
Marinette sighed her blush settling as they entered, pulling her gloves off which were quickly followed by her jacket. Adrien flicked on a light making Marinette glance back at him. "So are you hungry? I know you grabbed a quick pastry but do you want anything else?"
Adrien smiled at Marinette about to say no when his stomach decided for him by letting out a loud grumble. It made Marinette laugh and wave him into the kitchen where she began pulling a pot down from the cabinets.
"You aren't going to make a full dinner now are you?" Adrien asked as she filled the pot with water.
"Nah I'm just going to make some quick mac n cheese from the box. Pastas always good after a hard run." Marinette answered as she moved the pot back to the stove then pointing to her cupboard. "Grab a box out of there if you don't mind?"
Adrien did as she asked handing over the box and shifting nervously on his feet. He wanted to help but he wasn't sure how to go about it. Seeing his nervousness Marinette hid a smile, deciding to take pity on him since he had already said he was a bad cook.
"Do you want to borrow my shower? The spare room doesn't work right now and it will be one less thing for you to have to do when you reach home."
Adrien blinked at her a touch surprised but then he knew he shouldn't be. Marinette was a kind, giving person and since he was basically useless standing around in her kitchen Adrien nodded going to grab his clothes as she finished getting the pot ready for pasta. It took just a second to grab his spare pair of pants and stepping back up to the doorway he announced his presence by saying. "Actually that would be really cool. My place is over by the Traxx so taking a shower here means more sleep when I get back."
Marinette gaped at him in surprise as she moved past him out of the kitchen. "The Traxx is practically on the outskirts of Paris! Why do you live so far out?"
Adrien shrugged not wanting to tell her how if he hadn't gotten a place on his own immediately his father would have chosen something for him which would have led to a fight and him probably not having a chance at working at the precinct. "I didn't think about it when I first came back. I'm looking for a place closer to the cities center now that I am officially working at the precinct. This building is actually quite nice. Are there any flats available here?"
"I don't know, but if you want you can stay the night and ask the building manager in the morning. I'll just have to change the sheets in the spare room since Alya and Nino stayed over the other day." Marinette answered with a shrug, the implications of asking him to stay not crossing her mind until she was met with complete silence.
Hand on her doorknob Marinette felt herself turn red and squeaked out "I-I mean you don't have to if you don't want to. I was just offering since people stay all the time and you have extra clothes and…"
Adrien's hand on her shoulder halted her words like a bug slamming into a windshield. "You are very sweet for offering and I am happy to accept. In return how about I fix your other shower? I might not be able to cook but living on my own in America taught me a thing or two about house maintenance." His words were measured and calmly delivered but internally Adrien was an absolute mess. He wanted to pick Marinette up, cuddle her to his chest, and just hold her for a few moments but thankfully, he was rather good at controlling his impulses.
Marinette's shoulders relaxed a fraction beneath his hand and she swung her door open slipping out from under his hand to turn on the light. "That would actually be pretty cool if you could fix it. In any case, bathroom is through that door. Just pick a towel out of the cabinet and I think Nino left guy soap and stuff in there."
Her cheeks were tinged with pink as Adrien moved past her patting her shoulder again since he didn't want to unsettle her by hugging her. "I appreciate it Marinette. I'll have to take you out for lunch at some point to repay you."
"You don't owe me anything Adrien." Marinette said and the tone of her voice had him turning to look at her.
"But…" Adrien started only to stop as Marinette smiled holding up a hand.
"You said you want to be my partner. That means nothing is owed between us. My home is your home to an extent and I really don't mind having company so don't worry about it ok?"
This time Adrien couldn't and didn't want to contain himself. Before he could talk himself out of the impulse he had already crossed the room and wrapped his arms around Marinette.
She made an adorable, slightly muffled, squeak like sound as he hugged her, but to his surprise Marinette returned the gesture hugging him a touch tighter than he was hugging her. It made him not want to let go but after a deep breath he forced himself to.
"I'm still buying lunch next time though." Adrien said as he stepped back making Marinette sigh in exasperation while slapping a hand to his chest.
"Go take a shower you dork." Marinette managed to answer as she turned to go back out the door "I think my water is about to boil."
Adrien watched her go, amused at how she closed the door behind her and the soft squeal she made as she moved back to the kitchen. He felt warm and happy his face wearing a sappy grin as he moved back into the bathroom to take a shower. Plagg was probably going to be irked that he didn't return home but if the little shit was worried about him he would call since Adrien had a cheap landline at the house. Most likely, when Adrien returned home in the morning, he would fine a nearly comatose Plagg with cheese wrappers and shredded paper scattered all around the house. The dam kwami was a seriously messy pig when it came to cheese, which was ironic since as a human he had been one of those people who had to have everything in place. Adrien took a swift shower finding Ninos 'guy' shampoo/soap in one basket that was suctioned to the wall. He marveled at the idea of suction cup shelves in the shower since he was constantly kicking the soap around his shower at home.
"Girls think of everything." Adrien murmured his stomach grumbling and reminding him that he was in fact hungry again. Swiftly he got dressed finding out that he hadn't brought a spare shirt with him. His other shirt was definitely dirty and the only other thing he had was his work shirt which wouldn't be comfortable at all to sleep in. He also he several scars across his back and torso which he wasn't real sure he wanted Marinette to see. With a slight grimace Adrien draped the damp towel around his shoulders so it covered his whole back and the ends covered the one scar on his chest. Slipping out of the room Adrien moved towards the kitchen where a delightful aroma was leaking from. Peeking around the wall Adrien found Marinette in the kitchen still, scooping steaming pasta onto a pair of plates.
"That smells amazing Marinette." Adrien said as soon as she put the pot down.
""Thanks Adrien its an alfredo pasta so I added some chick…en…" Marinette trailed off as she looked up seeing Adrien standing in her doorway half naked. Instantly her face went red, her heart doing a stupid flip as she averted her eyes back to the pot. "I um… right… I wasn't sure how eat you… I mean…" Slapping a hand to her face Marinette pushed away from the counter sensing rather than seeing Adrien draw closer. The boy was hot enough with clothes on, seeing him half naked in her kitchen was waaay overloading her brain.
"Um Marinette are you alright?" Adrien queried stopping about a foot away since he really wasn't sure why Marinette was suddenly avoiding his gaze.
Marinette flinched her face quite red as she finally looked up at him. "Fine… I'm fine, just… distracted. Matter of fact I need to go change the sheets and aren't you cold?" she managed without too much of a stutter.
Adrien blinked not understanding until Marinette gestured to his bare chest. Suddenly her stutters and red face made sense and Adrien felt himself blushing as Marinette's gaze darted away. "My shirt is dirty and all I have is my work shirt. Has Nino left any shirts here?"
As soon as the question left his lips Marinette was already on the move out of the kitchen. "I-I have a few spares and the pasta should cool a bit so we don't burn ourselves." Marinette managed her voice a touch higher than normal. Truthfully Marinette really didn't want Adrien to cover up because dam he had a nice chest but it was a definite distraction which really wasn't fair.
Adrien on the other hand was feeling quite giddy and even a touch smug. Marinettes reaction to him was a definite high point of his night and he almost wished he were brave enough to walk around without the towel on at all. Chat would be, but that would definitely lead to questions. Questions he didn't want to answer, so he kept the towel secure around his shoulders and bounced in Marinettes wake as he followed her to the spare room. Marinette tossed him a shirt from one of the drawers and Adrien slipped it on without comment, watching as Marinette pulled the comforter off the bed. Marinette's cheeks had cooled to a light dusting of pink and Adrien moved to help her as she began to pull the sheets off the bed.
"I've got the old sheets. Grab the new ones if you want." Adrien said, happy when Marinette nodded the pink in her cheeks deepening for a moment as she met his eyes.
"Just toss them in the hamper. I'll be right back." Marinette called as she walked out the door.
Adrien took several deep breaths as he pulled the sheets from the bed controlling his desire to follow her and nuzzle his face into her neck. With a grumble of agitation Adrien bundled the sheets into a ball, tossing them into the hamper as she had asked. When Adrien had decided to return to Paris he had known exactly what he had wanted. Or so he had thought. The only thing on his mind the moment he returned was Hawkmoth, taking the gang as well as the man behind it all down. His first step was getting an in at his father's precinct, since that had been where the largest file on the Hawkmoth gang was located, not to mention the place Tiki had worked, and where her partner Marinette currently worked. Initially Marinette was suspect in his mind to Tikis death but the instant he laid eyes on her that suspicion was dispelled. Their further interactions as both Chat and Adrien had only proved her innocence, and now all he should be concerned about was the stupid Hawkmoth gang and the stupid man behind it all. He should be wanting revenge, thirsting for it like he had been when he first came back to Europe. Instead now that he was closer to the source than ever he found himself thirsting for something totally different. He found himself practically playing house with Marinette.
Perhaps 'playing house' was a bit cold as a descriptor, but it was the only way he could put his actions into words lately. In his mind he was Chat Noir first, had been for years now. His personality as Adrien had taken a back seat for so long, that now being Adrien felt alien to him even though he was the same person. Nino had definitely noticed the change when he had first returned to Paris. His bro had even commented on it telling him he was colder than he used to be. Adrien had attempted to loosen up around Nino but his more feral Chat side was just too dominant these days. Somehow though, Marinette was changing that, rapidly too which was a little frightening to him. Plagg had just laughed at him when Adrien had mentioned it, the stupid cat simply saying something about other halves and the trouble they wrought. Adrien hadn't gotten it but then again he had a feeling he wasn't really supposed to.
A hand brushed his cheek making Adrien jerk and he blinked finding Marinette gazing up at him concern on her features. She had withdrawn her hand when he had flinched but the warmth it had left on his cheek remained.
"Are you ok? You had that stony look on your face." Marinette murmured clutching the sheets in her arms.
Blinking Adrien nodded his hand brushing his cheek where her hand had rested for a moment. "Yeah I'm fine I was just thinking of some stuff. Here let me help you with that."
Marinette didn't look as if she totally believed him but the stony look was gone and she could see his posture relaxing as he reached for the sheets in her hands. Deciding to just roll with it she handed the sheets over and the two of them made quick work of the bed before returning to their now cooled off plates. Their conversations over dinner were innocuous and Adrien asked more questions about the running zone since he had really only seen a small portion of it. They were both pretty tired though so the conversation only lasted as long as the food on their plates, and the time it took to clean up the kitchen. Flicking the lights off as they exited Marinette mentioned the tv in case he didn't want to sleep but Adrien assured her he was going to bed. After wishing him pleasant dreams Marinette retired to her room and a hot shower while Adrien closed his own door. With a bit of a sigh Adrien pulled the covers back on the bed and then pulled out his other clean set of work clothes. Truly he was tired, exhausted even, and he really did want to stay but really Adrien wasn't sure he would be able to sleep. He felt a bit antsy, like his insomnia was going to kick in at any second and usually he would go running with Plagg for a few hours when this happened. Nino was still getting used to him not sleeping a ton and slipping in or out of his house at odd hours of the night. Marinette on the other hand might not appreciate him slipping out the door at this time of night, especially since she had invited him to stay for breakfast the next morning. Feeling suddenly guilty Adrien figured he should probably give Marinette time to at least take a shower and fall asleep. Otherwise she might hear him leave and come asking questions he didn't want to answer.
With a sigh Adrien crawled onto the bed and stripping Ninos shirt off he slipped between the cool sheets. Almost instantly Marinette's scent surrounded him and Adrien found himself nuzzling against the freshly plumped pillows his eyes closing. The antsy-ness evaporated as he cuddled a soft plush pillow close and without even realizing it Adrien drifted off to sleep all thoughts of slipping out the door gone.
Much to Adreins surprise he slept deeply and it was a soft knock on the door that awoke him. Pale light filtered into the room and he was bundled in the covers and pillows like he had created a nest in his sleep. Instantly recognizing his surroundings and feeling more refreshed than normal he called
"You can come in."
The door cracked slightly, enough to recognize Marinette in some soft pink pjs. "I was just making sure you were awake. You do like apples right?" Marinette asked determinedly keeping her eyes on his and not on his torso which was bare again.
"Apples sound good, I'm sure whatever you make will be delicious. Thanks for waking me up by the way." Adrien replied easily enjoying the easy smile she shot him before closing the door again.
The moment it did Adrien was up and checking his phone. It was 7am which meant he had slept over 7 hours straight. Glancing at the bed he gave a soft whistle deciding that he needed to sleep here more often if it meant sleeping as well as he had last night. There were no missed calls on his cell which made him feel relief and worry at the same time. Either way Adrien hoped Plagg hadn't gotten into too much mischief and slipped on his button up work shirt having decided to head to his home before the morning got any older. The sink in the spare bath worked but his bag was still in the living room. Slipping out his door leaving his shirt undone Adrien was at his bag when he heard Marinette snap a soft curse.
"Marinette?" Adrien called already redirecting his attention to the kitchen.
"I'm fine!" Marinette called back instantly making Adrien suspicious.
He moved towards the kitchen doorway, standing firmly in her way as she was about to walk out. "What happened?"
Marinette paused in the doorway blinking up at him a slight blush heating her cheeks as her gaze tried to wander. "N-nothing happened I just nicked my finger cutting up an apple. It just needs a Band-Aid."
The smell of her blood hit him then like a sucker punch and he had to swallow down a growl. Even still his voice came out a touch deeper than normal showcasing his sudden agitation. "You cut yourself? How bad is it? Let me see."
Marinette's right hand moved instinctively towards her chest the bloody paper towel wrapped around her pointer finger making it obvious which one she had cut. "It just needs a Band-Aid" Marinette reiterated but Adrien wasn't in the mood to listen.
"Then let me see." Adrien replied reaching for her hand.
"No really, It's fine Adrien." Marinette stated trying to skitter sideways but Adrien's other arm blocked the way sort of trapping her between the door jam, himself, and the wall.
Reaching for her hand Adrien ignored her words and feeling a little petulant Marinette held her injured arm out so he couldn't easily grab her hand like he planned. Her other hand pressed into his bare chest and neither of them heard the jingle of keys just outside her apartment door. "Dammit Adrien, I'm two seconds from tossing your butt, it just needs a band-aid!"
"I just want…" Adrien started to reply then the front door burst open.
"Marinette you had better not be asleep girl, cuz I am ready knock you out I think!" Alya proclaimed loudly, only catching sight of the two of them as she slammed the door shut behind her.
They were in an awkward position, with Adrien half dressed and Marinette still in her pjs, their bodies far to close, and faces mere inches apart since Adrien had been reaching for Marinette's hand again as Alya burst in.
"OH MY GOD WHAT THE HELL?!" Alya shrieked and Marinette shoved Adrien back hard as she barreled towards Alya.
"Alya CHILL! There are people sleeping in my building!" Marinette hissed reaching her friend and wondering if she needed to cover Alays mouth.
"Girl forget sleeping! I'm leaving and letting you two get back to whatever it was you were doing!" Alya crowed her hand reaching blindly for the doorknob.
"Alya! Its not like that at all!" Marinette squealed grabbing her friend before she managed to get the door open.
"Uh huh… tell me another lie." Alya snarked as Marinette manhandled her away from the front door and into the living room proper.
Marinette rolled her eyes noticing that Adrien had vanished and forced Alya to sit. "I'm serious Alya! I cut my finger and Adrien though I was lying about how bad it was, so he was trying to look at it and you just walked in at the worst possible moment!"
Alyas eyebrow raised impressively far, noting the blood stained paper towel wrapped around Marinette's finger. "Alright lets say I believe you. Might I ask why Adrien was only half clothed?"
"I spent the night here due to our late arrival after going running, and before you imply anything Marinette has simply been kind enough to lend me her shower and a bed nothing else had occurred." Adrien commented arriving in Alyas point of view a moment later. His shirt was fully buttoned and in his hand he carried a band-aid, a tube of ointment and a damp cloth. Marinette felt herself go red at the insinuation but Alya just chuckled.
"Oh if only you knew… fine I believe you and by the way Adrien I've been around your pops far too long, that stony tone of voice has no effect on me. Also we are going out to breakfast so poor Marinette cant cut any more of her fingers off." Alya stated watching a bit fascinated as Adrien pulled Marinette's injured hand towards him.
"I've already started making breakfast Alya." Marinette complained as Adrien pulled the bloody scrap of towel away from her finger.
"Uh huh and how far have you gotten?" Alya retorted while Adrien swiped the wet cloth over her finger to clean it. The cut had already stopped bleeding and it took him less than three seconds to smear some ointment on the wound before wrapping a ladybug patterned Band-Aid around the spot.
"Well… just peeling the apples… I got a bit of a late start and oh… thank you Adrien." Marinette said feeling a bit startled as she suddenly realized he had bandaged her finger.
Alya hid a smile "So apples do not make a full breakfast…"
Adrien patted her hand, relinquishing it as Marinette pulled it back to herself with a bit of a sigh. Unfortunately Alya was correct and apples didn't make a complete breakfast however she had promised Adrien a homemade breakfast the next time he was over in the morning.
As if hearing her thoughts Adrien stood a slightly forced smile on his features. "Its alright Marinette. Go eat breakfast with Alya. I really should head back to my house before going into work today."
Frowning Alya carefully said "You know you are more than welcome to come right? Any invitation between any of us is an invitation to you as well. Except girls night out of course, that's sacred girl time."
With a bit of a chuckle Adrien felt his features relax into a more natural smile. "Thank you and yes I know. Nino has told me that more than once. I just remembered some things I need to return home to get and doing it now would be better than later."
Neither Marinette nor Alya looked completely convinced but Adrien didn't give them much of a choice. Before either of them could say anything more he grabbed his bag and moved back into the spare room leaving the two girls on the couch.
"I'm not sure he likes me." Alya commented and Marinette sighed getting to her feet as well.
"Its not that and you know it. He just needs to get used to you a little better."
"Like he's already gotten used to you?" Alya queried a smirk playing across her features.
Marinette shot her a glare deeming her comment unimportant enough to not acknowledge. "If you need something to do while I change feel free to put the breakfast stuff back in the kitchen."
Alya snickered as Marinette stalked back to her room but a few moments later she did go into the kitchen to put the unused breakfast supplies away. She hadn't been in the kitchen long when a throat cleared behind her making Alya jump.
Twisting around Alya stared at Adrien a touch surprised he had gotten ready so fast. "That was quick." She commented feeling her heart settle as Adrien moved into the kitchen fully.
"I just had to pull on pants and brush my teeth. I don't really have anything else available here." Adrien answered snagging a peeled non bloody apple slice. Alya had already moved the knife and cleaned up the blood as well as the apple Marinette had bled on.
Alya nodded "Makes sense, didn't expect to stay over huh?"
A bit of a wry grin crossed Adrien face, the expression hidden as fast as it had come. "No, but I have to admit Marinette has excellent taste when it comes to pillows and mattresses. I slept very well. However, that's not what you want to ask so since we only have a few minutes before Marinette returns perhaps we should hurry this conversation?"
Alya turned to face him, the plates she had been putting away forgotten and gave him a shrewd look. "Ok then, Kid gloves are off. What do you want from Marinette?"
The blunt question surprised a snort out of him, his mind flashing back to just the other night when Gram had asked about the same thing. Wondering how all these people became so over protective of Marinette Adrien decided to answer as bluntly as Alya has asked. "Truthfully? I want her to be my partner although with how my father is that might take a while. So until that happens I want to get to know her better since Marinette seems to know a lot of people on and off work."
"Being her partner won't give you notoriety. Marinette tends to work better in the shadows." Alya warned still watching him for any kind of slip of emotion.
"Alya if I wanted fame and attention, do you really think I would have gone to work for my father? I want to work and help clean up Paris as much as humanly possible, maybe even find out what happened to my own mom." That last part had slipped out and the look Alya made was a stunned one. With a bit of a grimace Adrien waved a hand faintly annoyed with himself but he also realized that he probably just earned more of Alya's trust with that statement than anything he could think of making up.
The silence between them was a bit deafening as they both struggled to think of something to add or at least ask. They were both saved from the awkwardness by Marinette who's door shut a second later and within a moment she walked into the kitchen. Looking between the two of them Marinette sighed.
"Alright what did I miss and who was threatened?"
Adrien had to snicker at that making Marinette frown. "No one has threatened anyone Marinette. Alya was just reassuring herself that my intentions towards you were pure."
"Ugh Copout!" Alya scoffed chucking a hand towel at Adrien who caught it with a laugh as Marinette snapped "Really Alya?!"
"Well someone has to make sure you hang out with the right crowd! Besides if he really wants to be your partner I want to make sure you two don't try to kill each other or you don't try and arrest him." Alya crowed dodging around the countertop to avoid Marinette's grasp.
Adrien hid a cringe remembering just how close Marinette came to arresting him as Chat then the implications really hit him. "Wait has she arrested a partner before?"
"Yep! Her thirmmmmph" Alya barked just as Marinette slammed into her, her hands slapping over Alya's mouth cutting off her words.
Adrien raised an eyebrow and Marinette shot him a shaky grin while managing to lock Alya into a headlock that prevented her from speaking but not from making noise.
"I've butted heads with almost everyone they assigned me with and I haven't had the best luck with partners. One of them was taking bribes from Hawkmoth and I took him down myself when I found out. I'm sure if you come with us to breakfast Alya here will be happy to spill all my secrets." Marinette growled shaking Alya a bit when she gave a loud affirmative hum.
Adrien couldn't help it, he started to laugh, surprising Marinette into releasing Alya who straightened up with a grin as well. "She strung him up over a light pole a left him like that until the other police got there, it turned into a huge media thing!' Alya commented dodging Marinette's hands again. "If you ever need dirt on a person I'm the girl to come to!"
Adrien chuckled again unable to get the image of some poor guy strung up under a light pole and probably hanging upside down as Marinette glared disapprovingly at him, out of his head. "Please tell me there are pictures?" He asked making Marinette turn a sudden disapproving glare at him.
"Now don't you start too!" Marinette snapped then growled at Alya who ruffled her hair since she decided not to run from her friend any longer.
"Go finish getting ready Marinette! We two kids will play nicely we swear."
Marinette glanced between them feeling a bit caught out since she had simply thrown on clothes to get back out into the kitchen. She knew how Alya was and she was learning Adrien fairly quickly but Alya knew Marinette had a crush on Adrien since college. Since Adrien had spoken to her about wanting Marinette to be his partner at work she really didn't want Alya getting any ideas in her head and trying to force the two of them together like she had in college. Those incidents had never played out well and most of the time Marinette had simply embarrassed herself somehow.
Seeming to realize this Alya chuckled pushing Marinette around the counter and back towards her door. "We will be on our best behavior I swear. Go finish getting ready so we can go eat already. I'm starved"
With a sigh Marinette moved towards her door alone glancing back at Alya once to mouth 'I mean it!' before she slipped back into her room.
With a shake of her head Alya moved back into the kitchen to find Adrien putting the dishes away. "So were the rest of her partners really that bad?" Adrien asked sensing Alyas eyes on him
"Her second partner wasn't but they transferred him when they realized they were doing too good of a job. The rest of her partners have been idiots culminating into this last one that she punched out. I'm actually a bit surprised that she didn't put him in the hospital but I suppose even Marinette can keep her temper sometimes. So you sure about breakfast?"
Adrien placed the last of the dishes up and turned back to Alya, leaning against the cabinet in a more relaxed manor than she had ever seen. "Unfortunately I really do have to return home and since my father is still here I really should be punctual about getting to work on time."
He wanted to inquire further into Marinette's other partners including the one she had arrested. Figuring that was something he could read from the archives or ask Marinette about later he allowed the subject to drop since Alya seemed to have other questions on her mind.
"Is there something else Alya?" he finally asked knowing somewhat instinctively that she was waiting for him to make the first move.
Alya studied him slowly making Adrien feel as if she were reading his mind. He wanted to squirm at the intense study but he knew it would just make it worse. It was funny really, his fathers iciest look never gave him any problems but one demandingly curious stare from Alya and he felt like a naughty kid getting caught in the middle of some mischief.
"Marinette has a lot of people that like to look out for her. I'm not talking about her coworkers or even people from her precinct. Most of those jerks would probably be happy to see her hurt." Alya began pausing as she tried to find her next words.
"She is important to the people." Adrien stated making Alya raise an eyebrow at him in surprise. "Running with her last night I met several people that cared about Marinette, far more than as just a friend. I think Marinette is one of those people that make family's where ever she goes rather than just friends. It's a difference that you can feel when it comes to meeting strangers. They all act like overprotective bears or like giddy mischievous siblings."
Looking up, Adrien was treated to Alyas stunned face and he shrugged deciding to share an innocent tidbit about himself since he was sure Nino had already told her in some way shape or form. "Once my mom was gone, my house was no longer a family home. When you see both sides of love it's not hard to spot the good kind or those people that look out for each other with the best interest at heart."
To his surprise Alya moved forward and wrapped him in a hug that he couldn't help stiffening in for just a moment. Forcing himself to relax Adrien patted Alyas back seeming to prompt her next words. "You really are a decent guy Agreste I never did understand her interest until now. You will be able to keep up with her, I've already heard some of the details from Alex. However," She pulled back out of the hug poking a finger into his chest with surprising force. "If you hurt her, I have first dibs on trying to kill you and when I'm done you have the rest of Marinette's 'extended family' to worry about. So take care of her ok?"
Adrien nodded capturing Alya's hand and squeezing it gently before releasing her totally. "I will protect her to the absolute best of my ability. I promise."
Alya sighed then snagged a bag from a drawer so she could finish putting the cut up apples away. "Lets hope you never have to ok? The streets have been fairly quiet lately so hopefully they will remain that way."
Adrien nodded but didn't have the heart to tell her that the streets were far from quiet. His roaming as Chat had showed him that things were moving in the shadows. Akuma were here in Paris and Adrien was pretty sure Marinette knew a storm was coming. He was starting to put together that she had punched her partner purposefully and not just for the simple reason that she hated him or that he had been inappropriate. She had needed to be solo for when the storm broke, that way she could move as needed when she wished to. His addition to her life was already making things more complicated but Adrien knew that his presence was also stirring things up faster than expected. For now Adrien just needed to play his cards right so his presence in Marinette's life wasn't a fleeting thing. Before he could confirm or deny anything however his phone began to ring and with a small frown Adrien had to leave the kitchen to get it.
Alya watched him go her curiosity not quite satisfied. Adrien was definitely hiding something but he seemed to be an enigma wrapped in a challenge, wrapped in what Alya would classify as anger and a penchant for stubbornness. Marinette was definitely going to have her hands full if she pursued him. Although even if Marinette didn't pursue him, Alya realized that Adrien at this point would pursue her and unless Marinette gave a very good honest reason he wasn't going to accept no.
Whether planned or not Adrien and Marinette exited their rooms at the same time. Alya had already finished in the kitchen and was sitting on the back of the couch waiting for them to come out, so she was privy to the shy smiles the two of them shot the other as their eyes met. Rolling her eyes in turn for the obliviously smitten idiots she slid off the couch as they drew closer. A small frown was tugging at Adrien's lips by the time he reached Alya and both girls noticed the bag he carried.
"Is there something wrong?" Marinette managed to ask first with Alya having to hide her smile as Adrien flinched.
"Ah my father wants to see me since I turned him down for having dinner this evening with him." Adrien replied ignoring his phone as it buzzed in his pocket.
Marinette frowned "Why did you turn him down?"
"Well you said last night that you were returning to the running zone this evening and if I go to dinner with him I won't make the running zone." Adrien answered sheepishly one hand rising to rub the back of his neck.
Alya snickered as Marinette felt herself flush a little. "Adrien you can come out to the zone any time you want. You really should go to dinner with your father and make sure its not something important he needs."
"I know but dinners with him are stiff, boring and I'm sure he just wants to go over my expected behavior while he is gone. I'm not 14 anymore and I think he does this just to infuriate me." Adrien sighed his face turning into a grimace.
Marinette frowned feeling a stab of pity for him since she had just encouraged him to attend such a thing "That does sound boring, next time I eat with my folks you should come along. See what a family party really looks like."
"And her parents make the best sweets." Alya put in before turning to her. "Speaking of sweets you never gave me any of your cookies that you made. I am totally crushed."
"Cookie jar in the kitchen Alya." Marinette chuckled rolling her eyes.
"Good, I'll be ready to leave as soon as I grab some. Adrien it was nice seeing you again so don't be a stranger ok?" Alya commented slipping between the two of them and heading back into the kitchen.
"Uh ok…" Adrien managed as she went through the doorway.
Marinette sighed shaking her head at Alya and glanced at the bag Adrien still held. "You have everything you brought?"
Adrien nodded hefting his bag. "I grabbed my spares too so I can wash them at home. Thankfully you were kind enough to launder the pair I have on."
Marinette nodded flushing slightly as she remembered laundering his clothes. They had smelled like him and she hadn't been able to resist pressing her face into the clothes to get a better whiff since doing that while the clothes were on him would be awkward. "It was no big deal. If you want you can leave some clothes here as an overnight thing. Alya and Nino have their own drawers in the spare room so you can just take an empty drawer."
Adrien grinned "That sounds like a good idea Marinette, I'll grab some extra clothes and bring them with me to the precinct later. My father probably won't have dinner until later this evening anyways."
"So you are going to go?" Marinette asked making Adrien sigh.
"Yeah like you said he probably does want to discuss something and besides if I get out early enough I can still join you in the zone right?"
Marinette nodded, a smile lighting up her face. "You can come out any time even if I'm not there, but fair warning I won't be out there as late as I was yesterday and I won't actually be running, just checking over the obstacles with Stormy or Alex."
"Well if I start to head your way I will let you know." Adrien voiced then frowned as his phone vibrated again. "I should head out. Thank you for everything Marinette."
"No problem. I'll see you at work." Marinette uttered as she followed him to the door.
She held the door open for him as he exited, sighing a little as he moved away from her door and towards the steps. His movements were sinuous as he moved down the steps, answering his phone without a single break in stride. She could watch him move for hours Marinette decided as he vanished from sight and with a small smile she closed the door.
