It was two days later that Adrien knew he had to leave Marinette again. Two wonderful, dreamlike days of feeling like he was playing a simple game of house. Two days of laughter, talking, walking hand in hand through the valley, losing repeatedly to Marinette's fierce strategic gaming skills, and snuggles under the stars. Two days of waking up to a warm, full bed and a sense of belonging that he had always craved. Two full days of longing and intentionally accidental touches of skin, shy looks through hooded eyelids, and craving so much more.

He had tried to impress her with fire tricks when she had questioned his powers, managing only to pull it off with Plagg's help and minor burns to his fingertips. She had asked about the mysterious black cat that seemed to visit only when he was gone, leaving him to feign ignorance.

He had found her ladybug charm bracelet on her wrist, something she obviously valued. Once he had noticed it, he had watched her and her unthinking habit of rubbing it when she was nervous or trying to think of something challenging. Her own lucky charm.

But today, he had to leave her in order to try and pull off his plan.

He watched as the early morning sun hit her black hair, making it glisten before the light spread over her face. He couldn't help the reflex that caused his fingers to run over her cheekbones in his gentle, repeated caress. Slowly, her eyes opened and he savoured the little details like seeing her pupils dilate with recognition as she saw him, like seeing the smile hit her eyes before it had even reached her lips.

"Hi." Her morning voice hit him square with want, but he held himself in check, simply smiling instead.

He was quiet while they did their morning routine, while they ate breakfast, while Marinette chatted away happily.

"Can we go to the valley again today?" Her soft question pulled him from his internal cursing of his father's selfish ritual. She was looking at him with those bluebell eyes that called to his soul.

"Of course," he promised, knowing his smile wasn't real. Today he had to play a dangerous game with his father. A game that he and Plagg had spent hours talking about in the dark after Marinette had fallen asleep. But he could indulge her for a little while.

She disappeared into the bedroom for a brief moment, reappearing with the box from her old room clutched between her hands. She plopped it in the middle of the table and looked his straight in the eye, a deep blush settling on her cheeks before the glint of determination kicked in.

Chin firmly in place, she popped off the lid, revealing a collection of paper, pencils, and paints. The papers were covered in sketches and drawings - people, clothes, buildings. It was breathtaking.

"You drew all these?" He knew he sounded surprised but he couldn't help that he was stunned at the level of artmanship her drawings possessed. He pulled one from the box - the faintly sketched outline of a female body draped in a robe unlike any he had ever seen. It practically cascaded from her shoulders to the floor, like a light pink waterfall, sleeves dangling well beyond fingertips.

A man's figure in a robe he could only consider extreme with patterns. A girl's robe that could be pulled at the waist to give more mobility. A large hat full of flowers and one decorated with feathers. Page after page of design.

The last one he looked at, though, was of a woman. A woman he instantly recognized. Marinette. It was a drawing of herself, gowned in a beautiful wedding design of simple elegance. It looked nothing like a traditional gown and yet, included everything expected. He looked at her with surprise, taking in the crimson flush of her face as he had boldly but silently critiqued her work.

"Marinette. These are astounding. But this-" He watched her stiffen as he turned the drawing for her to see. "Is this what you wanted to wear when you got married someday?" She nodded slightly.

An unexpected thought doused him in a cold chill.

"Was there someone you had planned to marry?" His voice was too flat. His heart too jumpy as he waited a single beat for her to shake her head, only to feel completely relieved that his father's bride requirements hadn't stolen love from her along with her family and friends.

"It is beautiful." She smiled a moment before sighing.

"It didn't matter anyway. I didn't get to choose my dress." The off-handed sadness in her voice made him want to scoop her up and never let her go. Before he could respond, she shook her head and moved on grabbing paper and pencils in her hands.

"Let's go."

Taking her hand, he led her down the trail into the valley, admiring the golden light of morning washing over the plants. Marinette seemed particularly focused on one specific flower.

He sat in the ground, gesturing for her to sit in front of him. She nestled in, tucking herself against him and began to draw. He watched in wonder as the paper came to life in a burst of beauty. She focused intently on her work, pencils moving in a soft scratching motion, tongue peeking out from one side of her mouth. He wrapped his arms around her waist enjoying her closeness, the smell of her hair, the quiet moments together.

Drawing complete, she leaned back against him and sighed contentedly.

"Marinette," he said softly, finally breaking the silence. She hummed under her breath in absentminded response. He pulled a stray strand of hair back behind her ear and pressed a soft kiss to the same spot.

"Marinette. Listen. I have to go for a while today. There is something important I have to do. I probably won't be back until morning."

She was quiet for a long while before shifting to face him.

"Is it for one of your other wives?" He blinked. Other wives? For one moment, he forgot the ruse. That he was supposed to have a houseful of wives stashed somewhere. He shook his head with a frown.

"No. No. I promise. I can't explain, but I will be back." She gave him a crooked smile and got to her feet. He followed suit, brushing the dirt from his robe.

"Be safe, husband," she whispered, raising up on her tiptoes to press a chaste kiss on his lips.

He couldn't help his reaction, fingers weaving into her hair to pull her close again. Days of want seeped through his lips, a fire of frenzy fueling his movements. Her hands clutched at his robe, balled into fists between them, pulling herself as near as she could. Finally he had to breathe, rearing back only for a moment before crashing his lips into hers again. The soft whimper from her throat made him crave more, one hand still tangled into her hair while the other splayed across her back, pressing her body against his. It was like fighting against gravity, the effort he needed to use to pull himself from her, groaning as he took in her flushed cheeks and swollen lips. The dazed look of passion in her eyes nearly had him giving into the temptation of taking her home instead of doing what he had to.

Resting his forehead against hers, he struggled to focus, breath ragged, skin on fire. His voice was agony as he spoke her name.

"I'll be back." It was a promise he intended to keep.

The feeling of his lips burning hers was going to replay over and over while he was gone doing whatever it was he had to do. Her fingers trembled a little as she picked up her scattered art supplies.

His eyes were a stormy green when she looked at him again, evidence of a battle within. He begged her to please go straight home and stay inside while he was gone for the night. When she agreed, he hesitated one moment before kissing her knuckles and stepping out of her way.

She could feel his eyes watching her as she made her way up the trail and onto the back of the house. Turning, she waved and he smiled before leaving. Her insides were jelly as she watched Adrien race down the path with Plagg in close pursuit. She stood there until she no longer could see him and then wandered into the house.

Tikki was at her feet instantly, mewing for attention until Marinette finally exchanged her art supplies for a kitten.

The house felt different. After three whole days of Adrien having been there every moment, the house felt…. Empty. Lonely. She hadn't wanted him to go, but whatever he had to do had been important enough that he had acted so conflicted all morning.

"Come on, Tikki. Let's find something to do."