Chapter Nine
Marinette wished that the tears would stop coming.
Yet more were running down her face as she sat there, a black ring clutched tightly in her hands as her father held her close, which only made another sob bubble up in her parched throat. Feelings that she had once so carefully guarded were now on display for everyone to see, and she wished that she could just bury them once more.
When had her papa's embrace stop feeling safe?
It was a horrible realization, and a horrible feeling. Something that had once always been a comfort, something from her childhood that she had sought out to chase away monsters under the bed. Except for now those monsters were real, and her father was not the one who could chase them away.
The warmth was still there, and so was the love– none of that had faded. But there was no feeling of safety as he held her, because he was not the one that could protect her.
"Oh, sweetie," Tom muttered, holding her closer. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."
She shook her head– for what did he have to be sorry for? When she was the one keeping secrets, when she had spat things out of bitterness. She pressed closer to him, as if in hope this dread in her heart would flee, but he could simply not provide that comfort anymore. She was the one that kept her family safe, even if they didn't know that– and everything was telling her to go out there now and join her kitty.
She knew that his identity hadn't been compromised from the time the akuma had been merged with him, because he wouldn't have been as calm afterwards as he had been. He would have told her immediately what had happened, and would have taken her with him. Instead he had gone to face the akuma on his own, wanting her to worry about herself before she joined him.
She wasn't used to being selfish like that. And it felt wrong that she wanted to be.
"That akuma almost had you because of us," Tom whispered, making no effort to hide his fear.
"It wasn't you, Papa," she said, holding him tighter.
"We pushed you too far. This was our fault."
"It was no one's fault but Hawk Moth's," Marinette said, and this truth was for more than just the akumas. Hawk Moth was the reason for the secrecy, the reason why her life would have to be put on pause, and why those she loved were in danger.
She needed to go. She couldn't just sit here and leave Chat on his own! It was wrong, everything about this was wrong!
She attempted to push herself to her feet. "I need to go to Adrien."
"There's an akuma out there," he said. "That butterfly almost got you, and I'm not going to let it happen again. We were pushing you when we shouldn't have, you've felt like you couldn't come talk to us," he sounded too sure of what he was saying. "We haven't been the parents we shouldn't been, we've–"
"No!" Marinette cried. "That's not true, don't you dare say that! I– I haven't been any better!" Tears stung her eyes. "I shouldn't have said those things to you, not when you were just worried!"
"That's enough you two," Sabine said softly, reaching across and placing a hand on Tom's knee. "No more throwing around blame, or trying to take it. Nobody's at fault. How are you feeling, Marinette?"
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm sorry for what I said, and I'm sorry–"
Her father's arms fell away from around her, and she found herself being pulled up into her mother's embrace. She remained there for a moment, before Sabine's hands shifted to her shoulders. "Go to him."
"She's not going out there, the news said the akuma's only a block away–" Tom began in protest, rising to his feet to join them, fear on his face.
"She's not a child anymore, Tom," Sabine said softly, eyes flickering down to Marinette's closed fist. "And she's right– she hasn't been one for a long time. Go to Adrien, dear."
"I love you guys," Marinette said as she turned to leave. "That will never change, no matter what happens."
She ran straight to the park as she burst out of the bakery doors, and while usually she'd take a nearby alley she didn't want to risk anyone following her. Her eyes glanced around the streets, which were empty with the akuma being so close. She slammed the Miraculous onto her finger as she exited the park, taking shelter in the same alleyway she had transformed in this morning, the ring turning rose gold as a burst of green light flew out from it.
"Oh, that kid so owes me an extra wheel of Camembert," Plagg grumbled as he was released from the Miraculous.
"Claws out," she said, because every moment she wasted was a moment Adrien was fighting alone. Plagg barely had time to jerk his head up before he was turned back into an orb of energy, being drawn right back into the ring, the magic washing over her.
Lady Noire curled her claws, leaping up the brick wall as she climbed up onto the rooftops– racing towards where her partner was waiting.
Mister Bug was very grateful that he and his Lady had switched Miraculouses on several occasions since their original accidental switch– because charging into battle with a Miraculous that wasn't his own was always disorienting, even with some experience under his belt. Not that he had a belt when wielding the Ladybug Miraculous.
"Over here!" Mister Bug called as he threw the yoyo, refocusing the akuma's attention on him instead of her distressed parents. She came charging at him as he tugged hard on the yoyo, the wire sending him flying across the street. He landed on a wall, needing to remind himself that he didn't have claws as he retracted the yoyo to his hand, running down the side of the wall as the akuma came after him.
Playtime was your average child akuma– a toddler or a kid that didn't get their way, and thanks to Hawk Moth they were taken advantage of. It always sickened him to know that they were fighting someone who was so young, but it was the only way that they could save them. Still, he was always a bit more cautious, taking more of a defensive style when facing them.
"Go away!" Playtime screamed. "I don't wanna!"
The fact that they still acted like children to some degree didn't help either.
"I think someone needs a nap," Mister Bug replied. The akuma was dressed in a colorful outfit, various toys sticking to her form. She grabbed a racecar from her arm, which expanded to the size of a full car, speeding towards him the moment it touched the ground.
"No!" Playtime shrieked. "I don't wanna go to bed! I don't wanna!"
Mister Bug leapt out of the way of the large toy car, which hit several other vehicles as it zipped down the street, setting off car alarms. He reflexively flinched, but his hearing wasn't as sensitive as with the Black Cat ring.
He frowned as he watched another toy car reformed on Playtime's arm, and a quick glance over his shoulder confirmed the one she had just sent out was gone. He charged towards a building, running up the side as he watched the akuma closely. It was clear that her akumatized object was in one of the toys, but which one he wasn't sure. The toy car she had already used against him, so he decided to rule it out. That left the building blocks, two stuffed animals, a baby doll, and several plastic dinosaurs.
Playtime then selected a teddy bear from her costume, tossing it down onto the streets. Mister Bug drew his yoyo as he watched the large toy come to life, empty button eyes staring down at him as it charged. He spun the yoyo about as a shield, deflecting the first fuzzy arm that came flying at him, but the second one caught him in the side. He let out a groan as he was slammed into a brick building, pinned there by a giant paw. He lashed out with his yoyo, but it just bounced off the stuffed head of the bear.
"Yay!" Playtime said happily, clapping her hands. "Get his ring, Teddy! Then Mothy will let us play forever!"
The other paw started prodding at his hands, pulling at the yoyo, though it couldn't get it free from his hand. Mister Bug grunted, kicking at the bear, though it didn't do much against the stuffed animal. A purple mask appeared over Playtime's face, and she crossed her arms, a pout forming on her face.
"But it's always his ring!" She protested, but the mask didn't fade. "Fine... Grab his earrings, Teddy, so we can play!"
"Mmmfff!" Mister Bug protested, a giant paw covering his whole face, but it didn't have the dexterity to grab anything from off of him. So instead he got punched in the face basically by a big pillow over and over. It didn't hurt, but it did leave him gasping for breath each time the stuffed paw was pulled away. "Cata–"
His words were cut off as the bear made another attempt for his earrings, not that it mattered, he didn't have Plagg with him. He was just about to call for his Lucky Charm instead, when a flash of silver appeared above him.
The baton speared the bear's paw into the wall, finally giving Mister Bug a chance to breathe. Both him and the bear looked up to see a blur of black racing down from the rooftops, silver claws raking across the stuffed animal's face. The creature stumbled back, allowing Mister Bug to throw his yoyo to catch himself as he was no longer pinned. He hung there, watching as Lady Noire grabbed her baton, shrinking it down as she landed on the streets below, her long braid whipping behind her.
She then skillfully swung the baton about, extending it right towards the center of the bear, piercing its fuzzy fabric, causing it to explode into a mass of cotton and stuffing. He released his yoyo, jumping down to land next to her as she hooked her baton back onto her side.
Her lips were pulled back, revealing sharp canine teeth, and her pure blue eyes burned with rage. A literal hiss was slipping out from her throat, clawed hands curling slightly as she took a step towards Playtime.
"Don't. You. Dare. Touch him!" She snarled.
His Lady was so beautiful, even when angry.
"Well, it looks like playtime's over for you," Mister Bug said, a smirk tugging at his lips, as Lady Noire had yet to know just what the akuma's name was.
"No!" Playtime shrieked. "I don't wanna take a nap! Playtime wants to play!"
With that she grabbed one of the plastic dinosaurs off of her, setting it down, so they then had a bright red triceratops charging right at them. He wrapped an arm around her waist, throwing his yoyo up to avoid it. They landed on a balcony, the two looking at each other without needing to say a word.
With Lady Noire now there the battle went much smoother, the two of them working in near silence as they brought the triceratops down (resulting in a downpour of plastic confetti), before standing prepared as Playtime sent an army of building blocks their way.
It was the girl's father that gave them their key to victory– shouting that the akuma had gone into the stuffed cat resting right over her heart– allowing them to take the offensive. They lured the Stegosaurus away with a Lucky Charm bouncy ball, which was enough to pull Playtime's attention away long enough for his yoyo to entangle around her, pulling her to the ground. He held the akuma still as Lady Noire ripped the toy cat from her chest, Playtime sniffling that she didn't want to take a nap. He wanted for her to break the akuma and free the butterfly, but Lady Noire paused.
"Hawk Moth," she hissed, taking a step towards the trapped akuma. "Are you listening?"
A purple mask flickered over Playtime's face in response.
"My Lady..."
"Listen closely," Lady Noire snarled, taking a step closer. "Because I'm only going to say this once. I'm tired of running in circles when it comes to your akuma. Either stop hiding behind them you coward and come and try to claim our Miraculouses for yourself, or else we'll just flush you out of hiding. We're done with this waiting game– we're going to hunt you down and end this– do you hear me?! Cataclysm!"
The toy cat crumbled to ash, a black butterfly fluttering out from the remains. Mister Bug stared at her for a moment, before remembering this was now his job. He released Playtime from the yoyo as the dark energy faded from around her, swinging it up towards the escaping butterfly.
"Luna!" The girl's mother cried, rushing forward and scooping up her daughter as he caught the butterfly.
"Mama?" She asked, blinking in confusion, and they were soon joined by the father– bringing them all into a crushing hug.
"Here you go," Lady Noire said, carefully placing the bouncy ball in his hand. She was still tense, breathing heavily as she looked up at the white butterfly he released.
"Miraculous Ladybug!" Mister Bug called, throwing the Lucky Charm up into the air, releasing a wave of healing light. He let out a sigh of relief as it washed over him, easing the bruises from the fight. He turned towards Lady Noire, but she was approaching the family, the now-fixed stuffed cat in her hand.
He stayed back, watching as she softly talked with the young girl and her family, who was leaning tiredly against her mom. Adrenaline was still pumping through him from the fight, but he was slowly relaxing. A chirping filled his ears, reminding him that he was going to transform back soon. Lady Noire stood up, coming to stand by his side.
With his arm around her waist he threw his yoyo, whisking them away.
They went to their favorite rooftop to sit after the fight, pulling each other close the moment they were out of sight. Lady Noire buried her head against Mister Bug's chest, not used to the bright red that filled her vision, but it was comforting all the same. She didn't move even as the earrings beeped more urgently, a flash of pink light filling her vision as he detransformed.
"We don't have to leave each other anymore," Lady Noire said softly. After fights were often the times they needed each other the most, but their secret identities had forced them apart, but that was no more.
Adrien let out a chuckle, arms pulling her in closer. "Nothing can, now."
"You two are so cute together," Tikki cooed, hovering above them. "I've been waiting for this for so long!"
"Or you could have let us reveal our identities sooner," Lady replied, pulling herself into Adrien's lap, relaxing against him.
"We should trade Miraculouses more often," Adrien said, pressing a kiss right between her cat ears. "You look adorable."
"And I don't as Ladybug?"
"I didn't say that, and you know it."
They both let out a small laugh, which trailed off into silence. Everything that had happened that day couldn't just simply be forgotten, and it was both wonderful and exhausting at the same time. The thought of going back to their everyday life was unappealing, especially when everything was just so peaceful here.
The silence was nice, but something about it felt slightly off– and Adrien was the one to sit up. "The ring," he said. "You still have all five pads."
She looked down at the Miraculous, blinking as she realized he was right. It wasn't counting down as it should have after one used Cataclysm, instead just glowing a steady green. At this point she should have been detransformed, or down to one pad.
"Oh my gosh!" Tikki said, flying about them excitedly. "It's happening!"
"Huh?" Was all Lady was able to say.
Tikki dove forward, hugging her cheek. "My little Ladybug is all grown up! Your form is strong enough to fully support our powers!"
She blinked, before picking up a stray leaf on the roof. "Cataclysm?"
The dried leaf instantly crumbled into ash, and she and Adrien looked at each other. A half smile climbed onto her face– she knew that once they were older they wouldn't be limited with their powers, yet it hadn't crossed her mind that it would be so soon.
"That's not fair!" Adrien protested. "I'm still on a timer– and I'm older than you!"
"Oh, that's simple," Tikki said with a wave of her paw. "Marinette's just more mature than you."
Lady Noire let out a loud laugh, while Adrien crossed his arms, an exaggerated pout on his face. She knelt down in front of him, ruffling up his hair as she leaned in close. "Don't worry, Kitty, I'm sure you won't be too far behind."
He grabbed her hand, a playful gleam in his eyes as he brought her hand to his lips. "I don't mind, that just means I get to see you in the suit for longer."
She rolled her eyes and flicked his nose.
He opened his mouth to say something more, when a ringing filled the air. He pulled out his phone, turning away as he answered it. "Yes Nathalie?"
Lady Noire could hear the voice on the other line, but even with her enhanced hearing she couldn't quite make out the words. Her cat ears perked up, trying to listen in as he talked.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Adrien said. "I was with my friends during the attack, it didn't even come near us," he paused as Nathalie spoke some more. "I scheduled this day off though," Adrien said, a bite of frustration entering his tone. "Isn't me saying I'm fine enough?" He pressed a hand to his head. "I'll meet up with Ezra then, is that enough?"
She put a hand on his shoulder, and he let out a sigh.
"Okay, okay, I got it," he muttered. "Be there soon. Bye."
He hung up, looking at her helplessly, and she pulled him into a hug. She was careful to keep her claws from digging into his back, which were curling with frustration. She was tempted to vault over to the Agreste mansion and do some intimidation tactics, but unfortunately a hero wasn't allowed to do so.
"What do they want now?" She growled. "You aren't bound to them anymore."
"Nathalie wants to check up on me personally for some reason," he said, pulling back slightly. "She knew I was celebrating your birthday, she's probably being paranoid since the attack was so close. I won't be long though, I promise. Tikki, spots on."
A flash of pink light filled the air, and Mister Bug was standing before her once more. "What about your father?"
Mister Bug snorted. "I won't even see him today, because it's not scheduled. Besides, there's a reason why Nathalie's the one calling in concern but not him."
"Let me come with you," she said, but he shook his head.
"No, I'm not ready to tell them about us yet," he said, hands wrapping around hers. "I'll meet you at the bakery afterwards, okay? I won't be long."
"...Okay," she relented after a moment, before pulling him into a kiss. He returned it, arms wrapping tightly around her, neither wanting to pull away. But they both knew they couldn't stay like this, Mister Bug pulling back after a moment.
The two looked at each other, before Mister Bug gave her a bow. "I'll see you tonight, My Lady."
"Goodbye, Chaton," she said softly.
With that Mister Bug swung away, and Lady Noire vaulted off towards her balcony.
Adrien hesitated as he stood outside of the bakery. Tikki was nestled in the collar of his suit, hidden and pressing close to him. She nudged him encouragingly, and his mouth was dry. He could very easily just transform and go up onto Marinette's balcony to check on her, but that felt disrespectful. They had been keeping enough from her parents, he could walk in like a normal human being.
He was surprised that the bakery was still open, as the sun had already gone down, though it wasn't that late. A small bell rang as he walked in, and behind the counter was Sabine, who seemed to be closing up for the day. She glanced at him as he walked in, and he swallowed. Door unlocked or not this clearly wasn't the time for customers. Or impromptu visits.
"I just wanted to check up on Marinette," he said hastily, the few seconds of silence feeling like an eternity to him. "I'll leave right after, but I just need to see her–"
"She's sleeping," Sabine replied, leaning the broom she had been sweeping with up against the counter.
"I– Oh–" he paused, not sure how to reply.
"She was waiting up in the main room for you, but she fell asleep shortly after," she continued, coming out from behind the counter. Despite the fact that the woman barely came up to his chest in height, she was intimidating. It wasn't hard to see where Ladybug got the aura she radiated in battle. "Tom took her up to her room."
He just bobbed his head in acknowledgement, knowing that he shouldn't be surprised. Perhaps it wasn't late, but they had gotten up early. And between the excitement that had happened today, both the good and the bad, and the fact they had been worn down from an akuma her being asleep shouldn't be surprising at all. A good thing, really.
"I– okay," he said, finding it hard to force more than one word from his mouth. "I'll– I'll just go then," he stammered out. "Tell her I here? I'll come back in morning? If okay– if that's okay–"
Sabine laid an arm on his shoulder. "Adrien, breathe."
He shivered at her touch, and he let out a shuddering breath. He hadn't even realized he had been struggling for air, head feeling light as he stood there, desperately gulping down air. Sabine was looking up at him in concern, though he barely registered it. She patted his shoulder, and Tikki was nuzzling up against him.
"Sorry," he whispered, not sure of what else to say, and his vision blurred. "I'm sorry."
"You're just as exhausted as Marinette," she said softly, worry lining her tone, and he didn't know what to make of it.
"I'll... I'll come back tomorrow," he said, blinking away the forming tears. "That's okay, right? Or I can–"
"Where will you be going?" A gruff voice asked, and Adrien felt chills race down his back in response. He glanced up, watching as Tom came out of the kitchen, a box of various breads and pastries in hand. Leftovers that didn't sell today, and would be sold for cheaper tomorrow. Sometimes Marinette brought the day-old goods to share with the class back in their collège days.
"Huh?" He asked, pulling himself out of his thoughts as he realized he had been asked a question.
"You," Tom said, carefully placing the breads on a shelf behind a glass display. "Where will you be going tonight?"
He shrugged. "Home, I guess." He didn't want to go home. Even with having the day off he was sure he'd be questioned about where he had been, and he wasn't ready to discuss today with his father. "Or... or maybe I'll get a hotel or something–"
"You're not going back to that man's house," Tom said, and Adrien stared at him. "That's part of why you did all this, isn't it? To get away from that man that uses the title of father?"
"But I–"
"We said our guest room was open to you, wasn't it?" Tom said firmly.
"But we–?"
Tom's eyes flickered towards him, and Adrien was surprised to find no hostility there– it was as warm and welcoming. "I don't know the full story, but it's quite clear you don't feel safe at that house," he said. "We offered the room for a reason, and that reason still stands, it's yours for as long as you need."
"I'll show you where it is," Sabine said, and he stared at both of them in disbelief. "And we should have some clothes around here that you can wear to bed."
Adrien stood there for a moment, Sabine heading towards the door that led from the bakery to their home. She paused in the doorway, waiting for him to follow, but a grunt from Tom made him stop. He glanced back at Marinette's father, who was watching him with narrowed eyes.
"Make sure you stay in the guest room."
"Yes sir," he said instantly.
Tom then used a pair of tongs to reach into the box he had, holding out a croissant to him. "Marinette said these were your favorite."
He gave a small smile, carefully taking it from him, "Thank you, sir."
Still somewhat in a confused daze, he followed Sabine up the stairs. She was saying something to him, but he barely was processing the words. He wordlessly picked at the croissant, offering Tikki pieces when Sabine's back was turned. The kwami seemed much more happy with this than the Camembert he had offered early, not even getting a crumb on him as she ate.
"Here we are," Sabine said, leading him into a small room. "We tend to stuff storage in here since Tom's mother only visits once in a blue moon, but we cleared out most of it earlier."
Adrien swallowed. Earlier? But that would have to be after they had offered the room to him, which would mean it would have to be after the shouting match and after they had learned about the marriage– and they had still planned on him using it?
"Thank you," he said, and Sabine sat down the things she had gathered onto a small desk. The room was easily the smallest bedroom he had been in, but that was of no surprise by the compactness of the building. There was a twin size bed along one wall, with a desk next to it that acted as a lamp table.
"Here's something you can change into," Sabine said, nodding to the clothes she had brought up. "If you need anything don't be afraid to let us know, okay?"
"...Thank you," he said again, not sure of what else to say, and she once again gave him a smile. No further words were said as she exited the room, the door shutting softly behind her, and he sank down onto the bed. "...Huh."
Tikki zipped out, stretching. "Quite a day, wasn't it?"
"I... I don't understand," he muttered, and the kwami looked at him in worry. She zipped over, hovering right in front of him, blue eyes full of concern. "Why... why are they doing this?" He asked the kwami. "They weren't happy with all of this! Why are they letting me stay here?"
Tikki's expression softened. "Oh Adrien, they're worried about you."
"But why?"
She nuzzled up against his cheek. "Because you're a sweet boy, and they weren't going to stand by and let you go back to someone who has hurt you. Why don't you get ready for bed? I think a good night's rest is what you need right now, let's leave the worrying for tomorrow, okay?"
Tikki's words were easy– something to do, and a way to put everything off– and so he did exactly as she prompted. Tikki perched herself on the top of the lamp, a motherly concern in her eyes as he picked up the clothes Sabine had left. Between her and the kwami looking at him in such a way he hadn't seen in a long time... he didn't know what to do.
The clothes weren't a perfect fit, but considering the only male in the house was the giant Tom, he considered it a good match. He set the suit aside he had worn for the wedding, carefully folding it up. It was far from pristine as it had been this morning, and despite what had happened today the memories it now carried were fond ones. He subconsciously rubbed his finger where his Miraculous usually sat, and despite Tikki's presence the room felt lonely without Plagg demanding cheese.
"I don't understand why they want to help me," he whispered, voice sounding strained as he pulled back the blankets on the bed. They had been so upset earlier, but here they were giving him clothes and food and a place to sleep. "And... and Mari..."
Tikki drifted up, hovering right in front of him as he sank down onto the bed. Her gaze was so soft and so blue, and with a pang he realized just how much he missed Marinette. She was only one floor above him, yet somehow she felt farther away from him than ever.
"They were upset," Tikki said. "And I'm sure they still are, but that doesn't change who they are as a person. Marinette's parents are people that want to help others, and that includes you, even if they don't fully agree with the choices you've made."
"But–"
She laid her paws against his cheek. "Adrien, a parent's love shouldn't be conditional on the choices the child makes," she said softly. "They can be disappointed and upset, but still show love to you and Mari. They care about you, and that care doesn't just vanish."
Tears were blurring his eyes. "B-but, but I'm not their–"
Tikki let out a soft chirp-like sound, and though it was nothing like Plagg's purrs it calmed him. "You're a Dupain-Cheng, aren't you? Even if it was unexpected, you're a part of this family now, Adrien."
Tears fell down his face, and he found himself choking on his words as he tried to speak. His mind was racing, replaying tonight in his mind once more. Sabine's gentle words and actions had been so startling that he had felt like it was a trap, and it was only now he was realizing the fact that he had been shaking in their presence. Their reactions hadn't been what he had expected, his mind had been bracing for hostility and anger.
Silent tears were still running down his face, and Tikki was wiping them away. "I... I don't understand," he whispered. "I just–"
He fell silent as he heard a knock at the door, and he took in a ragged breath as he tried to compose himself.
"Come in?" He said, his voice too even considering the fact he had just been crying– but he had years of practice to hide what he was feeling.
The door cracked open, and he felt a wave of relief run through him as he saw who was there. Bright blue eyes and midnight black hair, ruffled just enough to tell she had probably just gotten up. He instantly pushed himself to his feet– just in time for Marinette to crash into his arms.
"Adrien," she muttered, voice muffled against his shirt, melting into his embrace.
"Mari," he whispered fiercely, holding her tightly, more tears entering his eyes. She was here– and it felt like he could breathe again. "M'lady."
"Where's my cheese?" A familiar voice demanded, and despite the way it shattered the tenderness of the moment he could only smile.
"Plagg," he said, lifting his gaze to look at the kwami, who was hovering in the doorway.
"Plagg!" Tikki cried, with much less fondness. "That's the first thing you say?"
"Um, yeah?" Plagg said, flicking his tail. "I want my cheese, is that a crime? Adrien seems to be the only human that keeps some on him at all times, which most definitely is a crime if you ask me–"
"It's in my front pocket," Adrien said, tilting his head towards his suit on the desk, and Plagg zipped over as a black blur, vanishing into his favorite pocket. Adrien turned his full attention back towards Marinette, relaxing as he held her. With her and Plagg simply being here everything felt... right. "Oh kwamis, I missed you."
"That's my line, cat," she muttered back, face buried into his shoulder. "Why didn't you come upstairs?"
"Your dad is very intimidating."
"Don't care. I need you," her hands dug into his shirt. "I'm not leaving you again. We've been doing that for too long."
"Well," he said with a slight smirk. "If you want to be technical, we've been seeing each other a lot more often than we've realized."
"Doesn't count. I didn't know it was you."
"I'm glad it was you," he whispered.
"Stop stealing my lines," Marinette said, grabbing his shirt collar and pulling him down into a kiss. His lips melted against hers, her touch instantly chasing away the remaining doubt in his mind. His Lady was here– and that meant everything would be okay.
He scooped her up into his arms, taking her towards the bed. It was only a twin, but they were more than happy to lay close as they slipped under the covers. She tangled herself up in his arms, head pressing against his chest as they laid down for the night. Marinette's arms slipped around his back, pulling him even closer, and he rested his chin on the crown of her head.
"Goodnight, Princess," he said, pressing a small kiss to her forehead.
"G'night, my prince," she murmured back, her lips pressing against his collarbone.
Plagg and Tikki settled above them on the pillow, the two kwamis curling up against each other as they settled in for the night. Plagg's tail wrapped around Tikki's waist, and her head was nuzzled against his. Soon their quiet breathing filled the air, and small snores came from Marinette.
Adrien drifted off with a smile on his face.