Woot three day weekend coming up! Thank you everyone who reviews! It always brightens my day to see you guys are having fun reading along!
(Slow Burn Detective AU!) Marinette is used to working alone on the streets of Paris as she strives to take down the Hawkmoth gang. When the thief Chat Noir comes crashing into her life things are bound to get magical, especially when co-detective Adrien returns to Paris and seems to want to be her new partner. Will their fated partnership end in a capture or a kiss?
New Turns
Chat made record time sprinting back to the train station the way he did and he even dunked his head in a small fountain to wash the dirt, ash, and the smell from his hair. Shaking off the excess water he knew his hair would rapidly dry from the run and he slid into a hiding spot to transform back before entering the building. Worried about his appearance and knowing his father (If he hadn't arrived yet) would nit-pick him about it Adrien stopped by the bathroom to smooth down his hair and straighten up his clothes. Thankfully the Miraculous suit had protected him well from getting burned and after checking to make sure he had no soot on him Adrien settled his face into an indifferent mask. Stepping out of the bathroom he bought a coffee and two small pastries then moved to find where the Gorilla had gone. For once Adrien's luck had held and he found the Gorilla on the bench where he had left him.
"I struck up the most delightful conversation with someone at the pastry stand." Adrien said smoothly handing the extra doughnut to the man. The Gorilla raised an eyebrow and Adrien shrugged knowing he had been missing for well over an hour. "Alright I may have wandered a bit and took a few calls too but I made it back before Fathers train arrived."
The Gorilla snorted as he took a bite of his doughnut.
"Does that mean you're not going to tell on me?" Adrien asked curiously, it had been his main concern since it wasn't like he could ask the Gorilla to not tell his father that he hadn't been sitting at his side all night waiting for the train to arrive. Well he could but the Gorilla would probably tattle just on principal then.
This time the man grunted waving the last of his doughnut and Adrien allowed a grin to slip through his stone face. "I'll buy you doughnuts anytime! Do you want another one because I'm still hungry too."
The Gorilla nodded but as Adrien stood to go get more an announcement echoed across the platform that the train was arriving. Adrien's shoulders slumped and to his surprise the Gorilla patted him on the back before taking up a position close to the platforms edge. Since he seemed to know where to go Adrien moved to stand next to the man with the hope that he would soon be allowed to retire to bed. It had been a long night and the use of Cataclysm would be catching up to him sooner than later. Unfortunately all hopes were dashed the moment his father stepped onto the platform Natalie as his back.
"Adrien." Gabriel greeted looking him over and frowning. "Your hair is not combed, your shirt is wrinkled and where is your tie?"
Adrien bit his tongue and took a calming breath. "Good evening father I'm sorry your train was delayed so late."
Gabriel's indifferent look stabbed at Adrien's core and his next words stung like a slap to the face. "It would seem that the train system is simply incompetent much like you and Jackady. I expected better of you at least..."
Adrien didn't know what to say. He wasn't even sure what his father was blaming him for. Curiosity pricked at him and knowing that he had at least two days of freedom left with Marinette as a partner Adrien decided to hell with being his father's whipping boy. "And what have I done that was so incompetent father? I have followed all of your instructions, waited on this platform for three hours even though you knew your train was delayed, and so far all you have done is insult me. It was not necessary for me to come if all you wanted was someone to snap at."
The words had simply fallen out of him and Adrien found that he regretted them as soon as they did. He couldn't back down though. If he did Adrien knew this vicious cycle between him and his father would only get worse. After all this switching between indifferent parent and overly demanding one had been the real reason he had allowed his father to send him to America in the first place. It was rare to receive any sort of complement from his father but being constantly torn down by him had driven Adrien to not care about being dumped half a world away.
"Are you saying this to me as my son or as my subordinate?" Gabriel hissed his tone icy.
Adrien's spine stiffened "I came here to pick up my father and see how his trip was. I wasn't aware that I was supposed to be dealing only with my boss. Please forgive my misunderstanding." He gave an ironic bow as an insult before making direct eye contact.
For once Gabriel seemed at a loss for words and the gorillas eyes flicked between the two men uneasily. Even Nathalie was strangely silent until her phone chimed softly. The sound forced Gabriel to break eye contact with Adrien as he looked toward Natalie and an unspoken message passed between them. Finally Gabriel looked back at Adrien who stood stiffly before him not a hint of fear or remorse in him. It almost made him proud but such pure emotions had been lost to him the moment he had lost his wife.
"Since you only came to greet your father it would seem your job is done. I expect you in my office tomorrow at 7am and we will discuss your next placement and see how far you have gotten while I was away. Goodnight Adrien."
Gabriel swept past him and the other two followed leaving him to stare at the train as it pulled away. Adrien waited exactly five minutes before pulling out his phone and texting Marinette. It hadn't been that long since he had left her side as Chat. Probably 30 minutes tops so Adrien knew there was a very good chance that she was still chatting with Stormy and not even home yet. To his surprise she answered immediately and offered to pick him up since he had been left at the station on his own. Accepting the invitation Adrien made his way out front and sat down on one of the main benches to wait for her to arrive. About 15 minutes passed and a car rolled up to let Marinette out of the passenger side.
"Hey sorry it took so long…" Marinette called and Adrien realized that she had showered and changed clothes since the last time he had seen her.
"It's alright. I got a coffee." Adrien said with a smile and slid into the open front door since Marinette had already climbed into the back. "You've changed clothes though. I didn't make you come out in your pajamas or something did I?"
Stormy snorted from the drivers seat. "Something like that."
Marinette swatted her from the back making Stormy grumble about how dangerous it was to attack drivers. "Stormy and I were on the way back to my house anyways and I knew we passed the train station which is why I offered to pick you up along the way."
"Oh alright." Adrien managed, hiding his smile. He knew that Marinette had probably taken a shower to get the gas smell off of her and he wondered where her jacket was. After a moment of contemplation Adrien decided not to ask and the ride to home was fairly quiet.
When they arrived Adrien got out but Marinette paused for a minute speaking softly to Stormy for a second before getting out. They walked up into her apartment as Stormy drove off and Marinette sighed in happiness as she closed the door behind them.
"My phones probably going to start ringing at any moment so would you like to help me make the pies real quick? Actually you will probably want a shower after being on your feet all day…" Marinette mused glancing over her shoulder at him as she walked to the kitchen.
"Uh I'll probably shower since we both know I am a disaster in the kitchen but why will your phone start ringing soon?" Adrien asked taking his jacket off and draping it over the couch.
Marinette winced "Weeeellll… you know the island I told you about? Its sorta on fire but I know Chloe was there at one point and Alya is probably going to hear about the fire because she is working late tonight and I'm sure she-"
Marinette's phone started ringing breaking her off and Adrien had to bite back a laugh at the resigned look she got when she lifted the phone up.
"I'm going to go take a shower." Adrien decided making Marinette glance up at him curiously. "I'm going to come back once I'm done so we can talk and figure out what we need to do next ok?"
Marinette smiled at him a warm fond smile that had something in his chest constricting "Alright Adrien. I should be done by with Alya by then."
Adrien nodded not trusting himself to speak and turned to grab his things while Marinette answered her phone.
"Hey Alya" he heard Marinette answer and then her sigh as Alya started demanding where she was from the other side of the speaker. "I'm making pies Alya and Adrien just got back from picking Gabriel up from the train station-"
Adrien eased her front door closed and went to his apartment ready to get changed and showered off. He might not smell bad or like gas but Adrien would swear he still felt the heat of those flames and detect the smell of smoke. Plagg flew from his pocket as Adrien walked inside stopping by the kitchen to pull out some of the good cheese for him.
Plagg felt for his kit and knew his moods so while he was grateful that Adrien hadn't forgotten the fact that he would be hungry, he knew something else was eating at his boy. "Well at least you didn't have to wait at the train station the whole time for that disappointing meet and greet."
"True, I might have said something worse had I been stuck there when I knew Marinette was in trouble." Adrien commented tossing his shirt and jacket into the hamper as he walked into his room. It took him a moment of staring off into space but finally Adrien spoke again his voice soft. "What do you think my fathers problem is Plagg? Why is nothing I do good enough?" Adrien asked
"Because you father is secretly a robot bent on world domination?" Plagg guessed hovering in the air as Adrien dropped his pants and grabbed comfortable clothes to bring into the bathroom with him.
Adrien shot the Kwami a glare over his shoulder and Plagg shrugged "Kid I don't know why your pops has such a huge burr under his tail and if you weren't so insistent on working for him I'd tell you to just burn the bridge and walk away. Your father wants a robot perfect son and you will never be able to live up to that. Not without destroying everything good about what you are."
Adrien turned away looking frustrated, his back to Plagg again and every scar Adrien had obtained since becoming Chat Noir stood out as fine white lines to his vision. Plagg knew each one, had felt them as they happened when they were one and he was glad that most of them were not visible to the average person. They had walked together as partners before his transformation into a kwami and he knew all of Adrien's hang ups with his father. Matter of fact once when slightly drunk Adrien even told Plagg that HE was a better father figure in his life than his actual father! That had saddened Plagg and strangely enough had brought them closer as a team even if neither of them would admit it. This time however Plagg sighed realizing he may have gone a bit too far since the kids shoulders were hunched and even though he tried to suppress it Adrien's hands were shaking.
Plagg wasn't sure how to make Adrien see reason so he flew forward to perch on his shoulder next to his neck. "I've told you a million times kit. It's ok to cry and just be you. After all Marinette seems to like you better when you get rid of the stick that's up your tail end!"
Adrien couldn't help but laugh this time and he cupped his hand around Plagg rubbing a spot just behind his ears. "Go eat bud I'll be fine."
Plagg didn't totally believe Adrien but since he was going to see a certain blue eyed beauty after getting squeaky clean Plagg didn't bother calling him on it. Instead Plagg rubbed his head against Adrien's cheek and moved to where his precious cheese was awaiting him.
Adrien took his time in the shower even though it was late at night. Marinette was cooking and he knew that she wouldn't want him to rush if he didn't need to. After getting dressed Adrien made his way over to her flat deciding not to bother Plagg since the fool was sprawled about on his pillow legs all askew and snoring loudly. Adrien yawned as well, the exhaustion from using a small cataclysm twice slowly sneaking up on him now that he was relaxed and not on high alert. Not bothering to knock Adrien slipped in to Marinette's and it smelled like absolute heaven.
"Please tell me they are done?" Adrien begged as he moved into the kitchen.
Marinette laughed and pointed to what could only be described as mini pies set aside on her island countertop. "No the pies are not done yet but the minis just came out. I'm really glad you cut so many apples! I was able to make extra!"
"Can I eat one?" Adrien pleaded his hand inching towards the mini pie.
Marinette's smile was soft, warm and there was a hint of a blush on her cheeks as she nodded, "Go ahead Adrien. They are still probably very hot though so be careful."
Adrien lifted one of the small pies testing its temperature in his hand and instantly knew he would burn the hell out of his mouth if he tried to eat it right off the bat. "Hmmm… do you have some vanilla ice cream?"
Marinette's eyes lit up and she darted for the freezer. After digging around for several moments she found the carton and hauled it out before turning to grab two plates. "We can have some dessert while we talk!"
Together they set up their dessert plates and Marinette even found some dinosaur shaped sprinkles to put on the ice cream. Adrien teased her for having such a thing but Marinette stuck up her nose saying "I like dinosaurs and they are crunchy which is the best kind of sprinkle to have!"
While they ate they had a nice long discussion on what Marinette found on the island and Adrien nearly ousted himself a few times while she was going through the basics of what had happened. Thankfully Adrien had acting down and he pulled off the concerned 'what were you thinking' act fairly well. In the end they decided to keep Chloes probable location to themselves since Marinette (even if had technically been Chat) had started a level five alarm fire out on the island to escape. Unfortunately the fire would leave no proof of Chloe being taken there and even if Marinette brought the crushed shells, photos of the car, and other bits of proof forward all they would get out of it would be trouble for the fire. The police force didn't have the manpower to watch the addresses Marinette (or Chat really) had found out and since the witness was dead they had no concrete proof. Tiki had found people on less information though and Marinette was determined to find and save Chloe even if they had to use unconventional means to do so. Through the discussion Marinette took out the remaining pies and she was happy to present several of the smaller ones to Adrien for him to take back to his flat. She also got a text from Gabriel requesting a staff meeting of sorts the next day. All the while Marinette carefully avoided talking or asking Adrien about his interaction with his father knowing it had upset him. She wanted too but the bruised look in his eyes told her that he needed some care and affection not more questions. One day, she hoped soon, he would tell her what haunted him so but tonight it was getting far too late and no more stress was needed for either of them. After the plates were put away and the pies shelved Marinette found she needed the restroom and her bed. Her limbs were starting to get the jelly feel of being overdone and her mind was fairly fried. While Marinette used the restroom Adrien sat on her bed as they tried to guess the reason why Gabriel had called for the meeting.
"He probably just wants to ream everyone out. I know he probably is going to be in a bad mood when I go in to talk to him." Adrien sighed flopping backwards onto her bed.
Coming out of the bathroom Marinette flopped down onto the bed next to him. "Probably." she yawned glancing at her clock and realizing that it was past late and heading towards morning. "Do you have an alarm set on your phone?"
"Yeah." Adrien hummed feeling his eyes starting to close. He hadn't realized just how tired he was till he lay flat. The ice cream and pie had been a much need sugar boost to initially offset his exhaustion but now it was coming back stronger than ever.
A long slim finger poked at his cheek making him crack a tired eye open. Marinette's face hovered before him and she looked as tired as him although she had a look of concern too. In the end she didn't voice whatever it was that had worried her instead she poked at his nose making it wrinkle. "I-If you are going to sleep here y-you should really get under the covers…"
THAT had Adrien's brain jolting instantly awake and he stood up. "I-I'm sorry Marinette it's been a long night and I'm sure you are tired and…"
Marinette had stood with him and she pressed a finger to his lips silencing him. "It's ok Adrien. I have an idea of what has made you so melancholy but you don't have to say anything. Besides I owe you an hour of cuddles remember?"
Adrien blinked looking down at her blushing face and felt his heart melt. Marinette made everything so simple, so easy, and unfortunately he was too selfish to refuse her. Perhaps selfish was the wrong word but when it came to Marinette, Adrien found himself becoming extremely selfish. He had dated several women in his time in America and while he had always enjoyed their attentions Adrien had never really connected with them much beyond the physical. Marinette was different, had been the moment he laid eyes on her in his father's office. Her presence called to him down to his very soul and he wondered why it had taken so long for him to see it. For goodness sakes he had taken multiple classes with her! Why had he been so stupid and never taken special care to really get to know her?!
"What are you thinking about?" Marinette whispered as the settled into the bed under the covers.
Tentatively Adrien draped an arm across her waist and Marinette shifted a little closer so she could run a hand through his hair. "What an idiot I was in college for never getting to really know you."
Marinette giggled snuggling even closer "Well to be fair you were working on two degrees plus all of your extracurricular activities and then you moved to America. Honestly I'm surprised you even remembered me."
Adrien grinned sappily her giggles reminding him of bells at the moment. "I'll always remember you Marinette. You always gave me the courage to stand up for myself even against my father. If it weren't for you and Tiki I would probably be some old boring dude in a physics library… studying dust… dusty tomes… mites… or-" A jaw cracking yawn broke him off and Marinette grinned as he muttered something more about cats before going totally silent.
Keeping up her ministrations for another few minutes Marinette felt herself quickly being sucked under by exhaustion. Adrien was warm and her bed was oh so soft and she curled into his warmth as she lost her own battle with consciousness.
