Marinette rushed through the hallways to the kitchen. She'd been absent for far too long. Hopefully, Maman hadn't sent out a search party to find her yet. Sometimes, she worried too much.
Not this time, apparently. When Marinette finally returned to the kitchen, Sabine was giving her work to another server with a smile on her face. "Take these next, dear."
"Oh. Coconut. I love those. May I steal one?"
Marinette froze. That... was not a server.
Adrien gave her mother the most killer set of puppy eyes she'd ever seen, picking the tray up. His jacket was gone, leaving him sporting only a shirt and a vest, just like all the other male servers at the party. Only his were of much better quality.
Sabine offered him a macaroon from her board. "Take this one and leave the arranged ones for the guests." Her gaze finally caught Marinette. "Sweetheart. There you are. I was starting to worry."
"I got caught up with something. I'm sorry, Maman. I'll get right to it." Marinette walked closer, looking at Adrien. "What are you doing here?"
"Helping." He shoved the macaron into his mouth and chewed. "Your mother was looking for you, and since I'm pretty sure it's my fault you were missing, I thought it was only fair for me to help out."
"Thanks, but I'm here now. You can go."
"As you wish." The tray in his hands, Adrien turned to the exit and was gone before Marinette could object.
"Such a nice young man," Sabine said as soon as they were left alone. "We'd better think about how we can thank him. He's been helping me for the last fifteen minutes. Can you imagine? Just walked in, asked about you, and offered to help. I'll leave him some macarons. He seems to have a sweet tooth. Speaking of which… I think the next batch is done. Where did I put those oven mittens?"
Marinette nibbled on her lip. How much had he said? Maman knew about her soulmate, but she didn't seem to realize that he was Adrien. How did she even not recognize he was Adrien Agreste, the boy whose photos had been plastered all over Marinette's room for ages?
"Did… he tell you anything about himself?"
"Just that he's your friend," Sabine answered, taking the pastries out of the oven. "Why? Is there anything—"
A loud thud echoed through the room as the baking sheet her mother was just taking out hit the ground. Sabine pushed the young girl who was working beside her away from a pot of hot, steaming liquid that was falling sideways. The girl stumbled backwards and fell to the ground. Sabine wasn't as fortunate. She tried to dodge but was a moment too late as the boiling liquid splashed all over her hands, scalding the skin.
"Maman!" Marinette rushed to the woman.
"I'm so sorry," the girl almost cried from the side. "I didn't mean to… I don't know how it slipped. I—"
Marinette didn't listen, rushing her mother to the nearest sink. She turned the tap on, made sure the water was cool, and put Sabine's reddening hands under the stream. Her mother sighed with relief. The girl she saved quickly got to cleaning as she continued to apologize. Sabine tried to play it down, insisting it wasn't a big deal and she would be back to working in no time. Yet a few minutes later, her skin started to blister.
"You're going home, Maman. This needs to be treated."
"Marinette, I can't," Sabine spoke quietly. "We have a contract to honour…"
"I'll deal with it. You're going home. You can't work like that."
"But—"
"No objections. I'm calling someone right now to take you home. I'll finish this on my own."
"What happened?" Adrien materialized by her side. One look at her mother's hands and he was pulling out his cellphone. "My driver can take her straight to a hospital."
Sabine tried to protest but neither of them listened.
"It doesn't look that bad, but maybe you're right. Taking extra precaution wouldn't hurt."
"It never does. I'll tell him to stay with her and drive her home after. If she needs any prescriptions, he'll take care of that too."
And there he was. That caring man Kagami and Chloe had told her about was shining through, not hesitating to help others, even if that meant sacrificing his own comfort for those who needed help.
"Okay." He put his device away. "Gorilla will be by the rear entrance in a few minutes. Let's wrap her hands and get her there."
Before Marinette could concentrate on what to do, Adrien found a pair of clean kitchen towels and soaked them in cool water. They wrapped them around Sabine's hands and headed to the appointed place. Five minutes later, the largest man Marinette had ever seen was driving her mother away.
"She'll be fine," Adrien spoke, standing right behind her. "Gorilla will keep us updated on what's happening."
She couldn't even raise her eyes to look at him. How could he be so kind to her after the way she treated him just now? Marinette clutched her hands together, whispering instead, "Thank you."
"No worries," Adrien replied, hesitantly reaching for her shoulder. A few gentle pats for reassurance, and he withdrew. "I believe we have a job to do. Shall we get to it, my Lady? I'm almost out of macarons to serve."
She turned around, arching her eyebrow. Not that she didn't like the nickname, but they haven't even talked yet. When did she become his Lady? What was up with that cocky, smouldering look on his face, and why were there crumbs all over his vest?
"You'd have macarons to serve if you stopped eating them." She pointed to the evidence.
"But they are delicious."
"They are for guests."
"And I am one."
"Then why are you here, parading as help?"
He leaned closer, their noses almost touching as he grinned. "Because my Lady needs help, and as her cat, I cannot refuse."
That arrogant smirk! She both loved and hated it. Wanted to smack him and kiss those lips of his. He was so much nicer in her imagination. His friends described him as a saint. Not this annoying, cocky dork!
"Don't get in my way, or you're out." She turned around and stomped to their bakery station in the kitchen. There was too much work still to do. Marinette wasn't even sure where to start. Thankfully, the girl had cleaned the mess. Perhaps, Marinette should start with seeing what ingredients they still have to figure out what to make. Wasn't there a list Maman made? Where did it go?
A pair of arms wrapped around her from behind. Adrien leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Close your eyes."
"I don't have time for this."
"I know, but trust me. Close your eyes. Please."
She grumbled but obliged him. The quicker she did whatever it was he wanted, the faster she could continue. If only his touch and closeness didn't send her heart into overdrive…
"Now, breathe in. Deep and slow."
She did, oxygen filling every part of her lungs.
"Breathe out. Slowly."
She let it all out and followed Adrien's instructions a few more times until he tenderly kissed the crown of her head. "Now, let's do this. You bake and assemble. I serve. And afterwards, perhaps, you'll give me a chance to explain everything."
She opened her eyes, exhaustion and the chaos in her mind somewhat subdued. "You don't give up, do you?"
"I've waited for far too many years to let a simple misunderstanding stand in my way."
"I think this is the last of it," Marinette stuffed the last few mixing bowls in the trunk of her car. "Thank you… for everything. I know it's cliché, but I couldn't have done this without you."
"Perhaps, you'll let me explain the situation as a reward for all my hard work?"
His cellphone rang. Adrien glanced at the screen and refused the call. "It's Chloe. I'll call her back. So, my reward?"
His phone rang again, Adrien refused the call once more and looked at Marinette. "Please? It won't take long."
"Your friends—"
The pestering sound split the space between them for the third time.
Marinette smiled at him."Take it."
"I don't want—"
"I'll wait. I promise. Take it."
He pressed the button and put the speaker on, the familiar voice of Chloe Bourgeois filling the space. "Adrinkins, you'd better have a good explanation for hanging up on me."
"I'm kind of in the middle of something right now," Adrien said. "Do you mind if I call you back in a bit?"
"Okay, fine. But just so you know, while you were prowling about, we put on a show, and Gami's living with me now."
"I've been officially disowned," Kagami deadpanned. "You may congratulate me now."
"Welcome to the club?" Adrien chuckled. "I was hoping she would be more reasonable."
"She'll come around eventually… maybe," Kagami said. "She thinks it's one of those childish desires of mine, and I'll come to my senses soon enough."
"But you two are soulmates? You have the marks to prove it."
"Soulmate marks or not, I'm not what Tomoe Tsurugi considers 'best' for their family," Chloe answered. "And I'm sure I don't have to explain that woman's obsession with 'sacrificing in the family's name' to you. Oh! Before I forget. You were adorable as a waiter, Adrinkins. I've snapped a few pictures. Will post to our group chat later."
"Sure. Is that all? Can I go now?"
"Tell him about Marinette," Kagami whispered. "About our conversation."
"Oh, right," Chloe grumbled. "We told your lady-love everything. About Kagami and you and me and all the fake-ness of your engagement and non-existence of your dating life. If she knows what's good for her, you should be good."
Adrien's eyes locked on Marinette. "You told her everything?"
"We spared her the sappy stories of you being depressed for months at a time over the whole 'can't find my soulmate' thing," Kagami replied.
"The constant, crying phone calls," Chloe added. "The ice cream we had to bring over to our 'Find the Ladybug' brainstorming sessions."
"All the pep talks we've given you," Kagami finished. "And the few private detectives you hired to find her. Otherwise, you have no secrets from her now."
"You're welcome, Adrinkins! Now, go. Adios. Call us when you get a date. We'll celebrate."
"I will." Adrien ended the call. A blush raged across his cheeks as he lifted his eyes to Marinette. "So, uh... that's why you didn't kick my ass out of the kitchen?"
"You have good friends." Marinette smiled. "They care about you a lot."
"Does that mean I'm forgiven?"
She nodded. "Only if you forgive me for freaking out on you."
He grabbed her hand, bringing it to the lovesick grin on his lips. "I never held that against you. You had all the rights in the universe to be pissed at me."
His lips brushed against her hand, the mark of a black cat lighting up the space around them. "I know we haven't known each other for that long, but we aren't soulmates for nothing. I really like you. You're driven and passionate. Kind and creative. You value family and are an amazing cook. Perhaps fate knew a thing or two when it paired us together. I'd really love a chance to get to know you better, Marinette."
His eyes sparkled with hope, a slight undercurrent of worry lurking beneath. Marinette couldn't refuse him even if she wanted to. He really did seem like a great guy. "I'd like that too. You aren't so bad yourself. Not perfect, but decent enough."
It was a total lie because who was she kidding? He was perfect! Didn't mean she wanted to feed that already inflated ego of his.
"Really?" He leaned forward. "So, all my fame, looks, and money don't make me perfect in your eyes?"
Marinette huffed, pulling her hand away just so she could push his way-too-close face away with her finger. "Not even close," she teased, tapping his nose. "You're standing here only because of what your friends told me."
"Share. What did they say about me?"
She let out a giggle. "Nothing too horrible."
"Well, now, you're scaring me. Did they tell you about my feather allergies?"
"Nope, but you just did."
"Lactose intolerance?"
She chuckled. "Wrong again."
"Social inadequacy?"
Marinette couldn't hold back a laugh.
"I'm low-key freaking out. What did those two say?"
She took a moment to calm down before replying. "They told me about your big, kind heart, one that doesn't think twice about sacrificing its own desires and comfort for the sake of others. I saw it for myself today when you helped my mother. That's precious and rare. I like that."
He looked at her in awe for a moment before blurting out, "Can I kiss you right now, or do I have to wait until our first official date?"
Marinette laughed again. "You should've just gone for it. Now, the moment's ruined."
"Ugh, bummer." Adrien mockingly pouted. "Then, tell me, what are you doing for Christmas this year?"
"Nursing my parents back to health."
"Would you mind some company?"
"Don't you have your family to spend Christmas with?"
He shrugged. "Not really. My father has become a Grinch since… well, since Mom passed away. And I'm sure Chloe and Kagami wouldn't mind if their third wheel would finally leave them alone."
"They did mention you aren't on the best terms with your father."
Adrien sighed, leaning on her car. "We aren't officially feuding or anything. It's just that… when Mom passed away, Father became very controlling and demanding, stripped me of all freedom, and loaded me with work. I was just a kid; I couldn't do much about it. Two years ago, I got access to the fund my mom left me, so I moved out. I still work for him, but at least he doesn't control my every move anymore."
"It doesn't sound like you're much of a family, to be honest."
His smile was bittersweet. "Not that I wanted it to be this way. It's… complicated."
Perhaps she was naive, but Marinette couldn't imagine having a living father and wanting nothing to do with him. "Do you think you'd want to reconnect with him someday?"
Adrien shrugged. "Not sure anymore. He used to be a great dad when I was little. The three of us had so much fun together…" A smile briefly touched his lips as Adrien paused for a moment. "I always thought if I behaved and did everything he wanted, he'd snap out of whatever it is that made him so cold but… it never happened. With time, I just gave up on even trying." Turning her way, he reached for her hand, gently cradling it in his. "I'd rather spend my time and energy on someone who wants to get to know me as much as I want to get to know them. Like you, for example. Perhaps tomorrow? Helping you nurse your parents back to health?"
Her heart skipped a bit, and he hadn't even done anything more than look at her and hold her hand. "Okay."
He brought her hand to his lips again, enjoying the view of a glowing cat on her skin. "I'll have to give you a Christmas gift later, though. Pretty sure I won't be able to find anything at such late notice."
"Don't worry about it. I already got everything I ever wanted."
The chime of the clock thundered through the night air, announcing midnight. Adrien looked its way, murmuring something about turning back into a pumpkin. Marinette wasn't sure why, but she reached forward, hesitantly laying her hand on his chest. The mark underneath his shirt glowed, its light reflecting in his eyes as he looked back at her with the gentlest of gazes. She couldn't take her eyes away even if she wanted to because the man before her was a far cry from what she'd ever imagined him to be. She was a goner already, and she didn't care. The feeling in her chest was just too pleasant. Warm. Fuzzy. Addicting. Something stronger and deeper than anything she'd ever experienced. Something much more beautiful and meaningful than a teenage crush.
She couldn't help herself. Marinette stood on her tiptoes and pulled Adrien down for a tender brush of her lips against his cheek.
He looked at her with wide-opened eyes and a deep blush spreading across his face. "I…um… I didn't… expect that."
"Is that okay?"
He feverishly nodded. "Yes! More than okay. A lot more okay than all the okays in the world. May I… may I return the gesture?"
"Please."
He leaned down, aiming for her cheek. Somehow he missed, his lips landing on hers. Neither of them seemed to mind, treating each other to the sweetest kiss one could imagine. Pulling back slightly, Adrien rested his forehead against hers, his eyes locked on hers.
"A soulmate for Christmas. Best present ever."
If Marinette's heart wasn't in overdrive before, it sure was now. She couldn't help but agree with his sentiment. "Merry Christmas, Adrien."
"Merry Christmas, my Lady."