Chapter 27 – Truly Madly Deeply

While Adrien did see Marinette at school later than morning, he wasn't able to spend a lot of time with her because he had a mission to complete. Part one was to seek out a couple of accompanying musicians to help him create a better sound for the song he was preparing (while good on the piano alone, it would sound better with guitar and drums).

So, during his lunchbreak he sought out Juleka and Ivan. Once he explained what he wanted to do they were both onboard. Which meant part two had to come into play, they needed to practice together. Alas, this meant ghosting his friends for the week – including the object of his affection. Although he was quick to text her whenever he got the opportunity. He didn't want Marinette to think that he was avoiding her.

What made it worse was the full weekend photoshoot his father had organised. Yet he thanked his lucky stars that there was no akuma attack, as the likelihood of him being able to sneak away unseen had been almost zero. Again, he'd texted Marinette, sending a number of photo messages so she could see what he was modelling. He hoped that would keep him in the good books.

Finally, Monday rolled around and the final pieces were falling into place. He'd confirmed it was okay to use the music room during lunch with the appropriate teacher. Now the only thing left was to lure the love of his life into the location where she needed to be. Thankfully he'd managed to get a hold of Alya and keyed her into his plan. She was only too happy to help.

Sitting at a keyboard didn't have quite the same impact as that of a grand piano but there was slim to no chance of him ever being able to do this from home. Ivan was settled behind the drum kit, bopping his head to a beat he could only hear. Juleka was making sure her guitar was tuned properly for the final time and gave him a thumbs up.

Closing his eyes, Adrien drew in a slow steadying breath. Normally he didn't get stage fright but this was different. This had meaning and importance. Laying his hands upon the keys, Adrien set his fingers to the correct chords and mimicked the notes he would soon play without pressing down on the keys.

Suddenly there was a knock at the music room door and his heart almost leapt to his throat. Swallowing back his nerves, Adrien watched as Alya opened the door and led Marinette inside.

"What's all this?" his partner asked.

The model wet his lips and pivoted from the piano stool and held out his hands, taking both of Marinette's. "I want to play something for you."

Blue eyes widened in surprise and her cheeks flushed as he guided her to sit beside him on the piano stool. Glancing at Ivan and Juleka, they gave nods that they were ready and he began playing the first notes. Then he turned to look at Marinette with all his affection and love as he began to sing.

"I'll be your dream, I'll be your wish, I'll be your fantasy,

I'll be your hope, I'll be your love, be everything that you need,

I'll love you more with every breath truly madly deeply do,

I will be strong, I will be faithful 'cause I'm counting on a new beginning,

a reason for living, a deeper meaning, yeah

I want to stand with you on a mountain,

I want to bathe with you in the sea,

I want to lay like this forever,

until the sky falls down on me."

Marinette's eyes were brimming with tears as she smiled at him. He wanted to stroke her cheek but he needed to keep his hands on the keyboard.

"And when the stars are shining brightly in the velvet sky,

I'll make a wish send it to heaven and make you want to cry,

The tears of joy for all the pleasure and the certainty,

That we're surrounded by the comfort and protection of

the highest powers, in lonely hours, the tears devour you."

And then he was back to the chorus. All the while, Marinette keep gazing at him with adoration as he continued to sing. He was faintly aware of Alya filming the whole thing on her phone but Adrien's focus was on the love of his life, sitting beside him as he serenaded her with a song that had so much meaning to him already.

As he continued to croon, Marinette's eyes never left his and as the song came to an end, her arms swept around him in the fiercest hug she'd ever bestowed on him. Not that Adrien had much time to think about it, as her lips were suddenly on his, expressing more than words could ever convey.

Fingers tangled in his hair, pulling his face closer to hers as she kissed him with the kind of fervour he'd only ever dreamed about. Yet it was the unexpected clapping, whistling and general cheering that had the pair breaking apart to stare in shock at the crowd surrounding them, beaming in delight.

Marinette's hands clutched Adrien's shirt front as she buried her face in the hollow of his shoulder, sheltering her burning face from the onlookers. A lopsided smile spread across the model's lips as he wrapped his arms around her protectively and shrugged at their impromptu audience.

"What's going on?!" Came the nasal and all too familiar voice of Chloe.

The crowd parted as she stormed in with Lila snaking her way through the gap as well.

Alya was the one to answer, smugness set on her features as she broadcast to the entire crowd, "Adrien just got himself a girlfriend."

I am so damn tempted to call the next chapter 'Chloe explodes into a puff of confetti' XD

Now then, you may wonder why I didn't use "I Knew I Loved You" by Savage Garden and the reason is because I thought that song suited Chat Noir with Ladybug better. The first line of "Truly Madly Deeply" really summed up Marinette's feelings for Adrien a lot, and I felt that his response was the second line.

Anyway, sorry for the delay in posting. Motivation was lacking due to real life stuff and I may or may not have been distracted by the Final Fantasy VII Remake. Just saying... ;) Don't worry I'll keep writing, sometimes it's more sporadic than other times.

Stay safe and thanks for reading :)