6: Carolling

Marinette was getting really annoyed with the current setup.

Somehow, Lila had managed to worm her way between her and Adrien, and was currently draping herself all over the blonde. It would not have been so bad if he was not Marinette's boyfriend, well, Ladybug's, so it was not like their relationship could be broadcasted. As far as Lila was concerned, the blonde was free and single, he just needed to be convinced that she was the person for him.

They were currently just finishing a twenty minute Christmas carol set at the local community hospital as a class, which Miss Bustier was overseeing, when she barged between the blonde and bluenette. Marinette was discreetly shoved out of the way by a well timed 'fall' by the Italian. Although Adrien was a gentleman, and usually had great reflexes, catching Lila was something he had not thought to do. Instead, he chose to steady Marinette, and tried to bring her to his other side. He had purposefully stood on the end of the row with Nino and Marinette by his side and slightly in front of him, to avoid the Italian, but she had once again, managed to sneak in somehow.

Now the blonde was wishing his suspicions were true so he could grab the girl beneath the mask and tell Lila to do one for good. He had given his girlfriend a ring to symbolise his commitment to her hero self and the person beneath the mask when she was finally ready to reveal her identity. The ring had never appeared on her finger, but he had heard Alya commenting on a beautiful red ruby ring surrounded by black sapphires that Marinette had been given. The bluenette had also taken up wearing a chain around her neck, the pendant had never been visible to him however.

"...and a happy New Year…"

Miss Bustier prompted the clapping to start, signaling to their geriatric audience that the performance was over, and now the teenagers were due to help set the table for their audiences Christmas meal. The students had volunteered to help out the centre after Ivan's grandmother had been cared for by the staff, the woman had found a new lease in life while she had stayed there after recovering from an operation.

The group dispersed and immediately Lila was all over Adrien like a rash. Smiling in her sickly sweet way, she tilted her head and attempted to link his arm while digging her nails into his bicep. "Oh Adrien," she crooned, her voice dripping with a false saccharin element, "you should be a singer, your voice is so~ wonderful."

"Uh-" he prised himself away from the Italian, immediately spotting Marinette's glare at the diplomat's daughter, "thanks Lila." He turned to Nino and meandered his positioning so the aspiring DJ was acting as a blockade from the Italian's advances. The fact that he happened to be closer to Marinette once more was just a major bonus.

"I'm going to start setting the cutlery," Marinette muttered with a scowl on her face at Lila's persistent antics, "I'll see you guys in there."

"I'll give you a hand," the blonde immediately jumped at the chance to spend some time with his possible girlfriend while being able to escape Lila's clutches. The model once thought Chloé was bad, but she was nothing compared to how determined Lila was about expressing her feelings. At least him and Chloé actually had a history of sorts, as soon as he had met Lila, she had lied with every breath. The fact that Marinette seemed to dislike her just as much as Ladybug was another great indicator to them being one in the same.

Lila grabbed his wrist as he made to follow Marinette, 'seriously this girl is getting on my nerves!' He huffed. The blonde was sick of her ignoring him, and was debating asking Marinette just to pretend for the rest of the day that something might be going on between them, just so he could get some respite. He was sick of the constant touching and almost groping he was experiencing from the false teenager.

"Oh Adrien, you are supposed to be-"

"I don't take orders from you Lila," he coolly disregarded what she was saying, "can you let go of me please? You know I don't like being touched," 'by you,' he added internally. He was hoping the emptiness in his eyes was giving her enough of a hint for her to back off without openly embarrassing or insulting the girl. The amount of times that girl had been Akumatised was outstanding, 'I wouldn't put it past her to be working with Hawkmoth.' He surmised.

The thought sent a shiver down his spine.

Nino watched the exchange with raised eyebrows, and noticed Lila had still not let his friend go. "Lila, dudette, he asked you to let him go?"

"Oh!" Lila acted surprised and smiled sweetly at Nino, reluctantly dropping Adrien's wrist in the process, "I didn't even realise I was still holding onto him…"

The blonde took his chance to escape, before the need to lose his merde with her became greater than his conscience. Rushing after Marinette, who had just disappeared into one of the catering areas to grab the cutlery trolly, he closed the door behind him once he had found her. Marinette did not even turn around when he entered, but the stiffness she used to exhibit in his company had completely diminished, another sign that the blonde was on the right track about her being Ladybug.

"Managed to escape Lila I see," Adrien heard the sass in her voice while she sorted the cutlery into the different sizes, making it easier to set the table. The blonde smiled at her teasing. "You know she's never going to give up."

Adrien's mood instantly lifted, Marinette had removed her scarf and the chain was visible on the back of her neck. All he would need to do-

"You know, even if you had a girlfriend, she'll never change. She will do just about anything to convince you that you're meant to be."

Adrien smirked as he rubbed his chin in thought, "funny you should mention that."

The sass disappeared and her tone became aloofly curious, "oh? What makes you say that?" Adrien heard the coy smile and pictured her biting her bottom lip, the same mischievous way she did when she teased him in the mask.

Adrien approached Marinette, who had become almost too relaxed in her movements, like she was trying to not show any reaction to him in her posture. The blonde let his eyes wander over her form, and the way the two ladies held themselves was too similar to be a coincidence with every other comparison he had made between them.

There was only one thing he needed to do.

"I think you know I already have a girlfriend." He said softly, allowing his breath to tickle her neck as he lightly brushed the chain with his forefinger..

She inhaled a sharp breath and tension instantly appeared in her shoulders. Adrien thought he might have made a mistake, as that was not the reaction he was hoping for. As she relaxed however, the sass was back she spoke.

"If that is the case," Marinette turned and peered at his stooped face through her lashes, confidence and mischief shining in her eyes, "then why don't you introduce us?" She rolled her eyes playfully as a small smirk played on her lips, "I'm sure she would have a few choice words for that liar."

Adrien knew he was on to a winner as he smirked back and shot his secret girlfriend the best smoulder he could muster. "You already put her in her place Marinette," he purred her name seductively as he closed the little space that was between them. "My. Lady."

A hand on his chest stopped him from capturing her lips.

Marinette deadpanned at him as she cocked her eyebrow, "took you long enough Kitty." She smirked as pleasant bafflement took over his face, the blonde straightened up slightly while the information sunk in.

"Wha-"

Marinette leant up on her toes and captured his slightly parted lips with hers as she melted against his chest. Her arms draping around his neck pulled him down to her as his shock subsided and his hands made their way to the small of her back, relaxing into her embrace..

Pulling away to gaze at her adoringly, he asked between quick chaste kisses, "how...did you...know…?"

"Your...smile," she hummed against him, as she broke the kiss and snuggled against his chest, "did you know you purr out of the suit too?"

Adrien felt a blush on his cheeks as he cleared his throat. "Well I," he dropped his voice and rested his cheek against the top of her head, "I didn't realise I had been doing that, no." He gently spun her side to side as relief washed over him.

Marinette chuckled into him, angling her head to look up at his half lidded eyez, "I was so happy when you called me M'Lady."

"Old habits die hard," he kissed her on the nose before peppering her face with his lips. The young woman in his arms giggling joyfully as she feigned protests at the amount of kisses he was placing on her. Marinette shrieked in surprise when he nibbled unexpectedly on her ear, before making his way down the supple skin of her neck. Marinette laughed loudly when he found her tickle spot and batted him away playfully, only for their lips to find each other once more.

The door opened abruptly causing them to draw their attention away from each other. Before either of them could say anything, Alya was squealing with glee. Fist pumping the air while shouting in excitement.

"Nino! It's finally happening~"

The budding reporter bounced on the balls of her feet with pure ecstasy as she was joined by a broadly smiling Nino. He tipped his cap at them, "'bout time me dudes!"

Alya suddenly froze. Eyes big and hands splayed in the air as the two teenagers caught in the room both blushed bashfully. "Miss Bustier! You were right…"

Her voice trailed off leaving Nino smirking at them as he reached for the door. "You're not going to get much privacy when you come back out," he peered at the pair knowingly, "I'll shut this to give you a minute."

The door closed and they both giggled shyly at each other. Adrien tucking a tendril of hair behind Marinette's ear as she stroked the small of his back.

"I guess the cats out of the bag then," Marinette blushed and he rested his forehead on hers.

Adrien could not suppress his toothy grin, "does this mean you'll finally wear that beautiful ring I bought you?"

Marionette nodded, their eyes not leaving each other's, and reached for the clasp of her necklace. The stunning red and black ring was set in gold, sliding it onto her dress ring finger he cooed, "it fits purr~fectly."

Marinette admired the ring on her finger, "there's something different about it when you put it on me." She sighed contentedly, "I was going to tell you on Christmas Day Minou, I guess I'm gonna have to get you a different surprise now." She feigned annoyance and playfully rolled her eyes.

Adrien smirked and chuckled soundlessly, "All I want for Christmas is you, Purrincess," Marinette blushed, hiding her face in his chest.

"You've got me Adrien." She pulled away to haze into his deep green eyes with her sparkling blue. "Isn't it amazing how one day, a random stranger will walk into your life, and then you wonder how you ever lived without them."

"If I have my way, we'll never be without each other again." He kissed her gently, "I hope you say yes when it's appropriate to ask."

"There would never be any other answer."

Awwww...

Got to love a celebrating Alya and a knowing Nino :)

I hope you enjoyed the latest update. Thank you for reading, reviewing following and favouriting.

Take it easy =^.^=

Lady Rhi X