Chapter Thirteen
Marinette lowered the bar back into its resting place and sat up, rolling her shoulders and feeling the tension release. She pulled the weight gloves off her hands and wiped the sweat off her brow with the towel around her neck. She groaned in exhaustion as she lowered herself to the yoga mat and began her cool down stretches. Her muscles were screaming, and her clothes were soaked with sweat, but she was almost back to where she had been before this had all begun, physically at least. She winced as a pose pulled at the still-tender muscles in her chest but held fast. The therapist had said she would probably feel those ghost pains for several months, if not years. Some people said they never went away. But, she was fully healed up. Predicted duration of physical therapy for her had been 8-10 weeks, but as she neared the end of week 5 now, she was confident another week or two would get her back to where she wanted to be.
As she relaxed from her final stretch, she collapsed back on the matt, her pony tail mashed under her head, skin hot to the touch, catching her breath. Some dub-step something played through the room's speakers—no distracting words, just a bass line that pushed her forward and a beat to keep her moving.
A hand entered her field of vision. She looked up to see Adrien's face blocking the light. "You look beat." He teased. He wore black sweatpants and a black sweat-slicker tank top. His feet were bare. This was his sparring outfit.
Marinette groaned even louder as he helped her to her feet. She had forgotten their sparring session today. And she had skipped their last one two days previous, so there was no way she could con her way out of this one. "I think you take pleasure in finally being able to kick my ass, minou."
He grinned. "I'll admit, there is a level of satisfaction to be had there. But you know this is for your own good."
"I know," She sighed, kneeling to untie her tennis shoes, pulling off her socks. She half-rose and rolled herself into the gym's ring. The floor of the ring was a 12'x12' mat with 3' thick padding, and a bungee cord safety fence wrapped in foam pool noodles around it. The floor was coated in a layer of chalk dust so that they wouldn't slip on sweat-slicked mats (they'd learned the hard way on that one). Chat handed her a roll of tape, which she wound around both hands with practiced ease, tearing it with her teeth and meeting his gaze across the ring, the pair already circling each other.
This sparring was probably the main reason she was recovering so quickly. They knew each other so well that Chat was able to tell exactly when her body needed a break, to know her limits physically. And he was willing to push them to the breaking point, because he understood the importance of a quick recovery and the ease of practiced, automatic movements in a rapid-fire battle. This was something none of the hospital-staffed physical therapists would have understood—or encouraged.
Alya and Nino stopped their own sparring in the second ring, and Chloe stepped off the treadmill, all three coming to watch their leaders fight. As her recovery had progressed, she had gotten closer and closer to finally being able to beat him in a fight again. And they hadn't fought for five days. They wanted to see him taken down. Today, it might actually happen.
"Ready for this?" Marinette called, matching his movement step for step.
Before she had finished her question, he pounced, quicker than the average person. She dodged left and brought her knee up towards his chest as he passed. He put his feet down at the last minute and used the force of her upward leg motion to propel himself into a back handspring. Marinette crouched and spun with her leg out, trying to unbalance him, but he was expecting it, leaping to avoid her. They swung and dodged for a few minutes, neither able to land a punch. It was Marinette who got first blood in this battle. Somehow, she managed to move just a little faster than him, catching him in the chest with her elbow as she dodged a fist aimed at her kidney and as he deflected her hand reaching for his right arm. Adrien spluttered and hopped back, just out of range.
"Good work, Bug. You're getting your rhythm b—" His words were cut off as he bent backwards, catching her leg mid kick and twisting so that she fell to the floor. Except, this time, she didn't. She had been counting on his quick reflexes. As he twisted, she pulled her body towards the foot in his grasp and kicked off his chest as her body became parallel to the floor, using her momentum to duck into a somersault roll and create more distance between them. He laughed as he caught his breath, both beginning their circling dance once more.
Adrien won the next small victory, managing to pin her to the mat with his knee in her back and her arm twisted almost out of socket. But it was a brief success. With a flexibility she definitely didn't have before, she twisted her spine until she could pull her arm free, dislodging his knee in the process, and spun her legs as she brought herself to her feet, catching Adrien's ankles and bringing him down hard on his back. He leapt up before she could pin him, and they circled. Their friends hung on the ropes enraptured. That is, until Marinette got creative and begin using the ropes to propel herself at odd angles towards her opponent.
Marinette was having fun. Real, honest fun. The ache in her muscles was gone, ignored as her brain tried to devise strategies in seconds for bringing down her partner. He may know her well enough to test her, but she also knew him, well enough to know his every move. Sure, he had learned some while she had been resting up, but she was back, and she still knew him. Her first clue that something was different, though, was the third time she swung herself around using one of the bungee ropes. She let go too soon, as her body was rocketing halfway through the spin. She knew it. She felt the moment of terror when her hands released. But she stayed her course. Her hands were all but attached to the rope, but it let go when she had successfully completed the maneuver. Her moment of hesitation once she stuck the landing was enough for Adrien to almost pin her again, but she jumped straight over him, and dove, rolling and landing in a crouch, facing away from him. She began trying random, crazy moves, pushing herself beyond what even she thought she should. Her body was more flexible—which was no surprise, as that was one of the main things she had been working on in therapy—and moved more fluidly, almost as if she was lighter, like gravity didn't affect her the same as before. She always stuck the landing, and she didn't move until she wanted to. She even tested that by letting her body take the brunt of one of Adrien's blows, but her feet didn't budge. She was able to perform acrobatic feats that had been difficult even in her suit with its ability enhancing powers.
Still, she wasn't strong enough to win this fight. While she had been training to get back to her previous level, Adrien had been leveling up, so to speak. He was faster, more flexible, and, she noticed, more cautious. He didn't make as many reckless moves as he usually did, moves that would leave him open for attack. She felt cool relief soothe a knot of worry that she'd had since day one as she realized this. He was finally protecting himself more.
Adrien feinted a clothesline-like blow across her chest, and Marinette bent backwards at the waist like a high-stakes game of limbo. At the last second, faster than she could react, he pounced behind her, ducked below her bent back, and lifted her off the ground over his shoulder. She tried to twist and shimmy out of his grasp to no avail. Alya sighed; Chat's ego had been fluffed up with every win, and she'd been hoping for Marinette to finally knock him down a peg. Not today, it seemed.
Then, Marinette let out a gasp of pain, and Adrien reacted instantly. The second he loosened his grip, though, Marinette brought her knees to her chest and rolled her spine down and back, unbalancing her opponent. He let her go as he fell backwards, and she twisted with ridiculous agility and a motion the others couldn't follow. When he landed with a huff on the matt, Marinette sat over him, a knee on either side of his chest holding down his arms, one hand at his throat, fingers rigid and clawed, finding the precise points that would make it easiest to rip out his windpipe. The room froze, the only sound their labored breath and the ticking of a clock.
"Yes! That's what I'm talking about!" Alya hollered, jumping up and down and hugging her fiancé.
"I can't believe you finally beat him," Chloe mused, a smile on her face.
Adrien and Marinette didn't speak, didn't move. The other three seemed to notice the tension. "Uh, you guys—" Nino started to pull himself up into the ring as he spoke, but he pushed himself back as they came alive again.
The hand at Adrien's throat slid behind his head and grasped at his hair as Marinette leaned over and kissed him, mouths moving together in a frantic dance. Adrien pulled his arms free of her legs and gripped her thighs. He slid his hands up, over her hips, up her once-again taught stomach, and cupped her breasts, thumbs finding and massaging her nipples with practiced ease.
"Oh, come on, guys." Nino complained, turning his blushing fiancée away and rushing out of the gym, Chloe on their heels and shutting the door behind them. If the couple in question noticed, they didn't react.
Adrien pulled back from the kiss laughing. Marinette's lips trailed down his jaw and neck, kissing every inch of skin she could find. "I'm never going to win another match again, am I?"
Marinette giggled, then nipped at his throat, making him gasp. "Maybe, maybe not. You almost had me there."
His magical hands pulled at the hem of her tank top, only to feel a second sweat-slicker top beneath. "Why are you wearing so much?" he growled in frustration as he tried to pull them both up.
Marinette stopped him, pulling away reluctantly. "Not like this, minou," she said, and his brow furrowed. "I'm sweaty and disgusting, and so are you. Let's go upstairs and take a shower."
Adrien grinned and stood easily, lifting her with him. She squeaked and squeezed his sides with her legs, wrapping her arms around his neck. "As you wish, Milady." They kissed the entire way back to their apartment, stopping every so often for Adrien to press her against a wall and really take her breath away, fumbling with the door knob, making sure to lock it this time. Marinette pulled Adrien's shirt over his head, then both of her own, tossing them across the room haphazardly. She undid the drawstring on his pants and pushed at them until they slid to the floor as he kicked off his shoes. He let her down so that she could finish stripping, and so that he could remove his boxers, when they noticed they weren't alone in the apartment.
Marinette's parents sat at the kitchen table with Roger Raincomprix, staring open-mouthed and red-faced at the couple, who pushed apart in shock.
"Mom! Dad! What are you doing here?" Marinette lunged to the couch for the throw blanket, wrapping herself in it, while Adrien cursed and tried to struggle back into his sweatpants.
"Well. I guess the question of whether or not they're an item now has been answered, dear." Sabine said in a strangely calm voice, patting her husband's hand.
Tom sighed and shook his head, half-glaring at Adrien out of the corner of his eye. The blond gulped. "We came to discuss your future plans." He answered in his deep, ever-cheerful voice.
The Chief of Police cleared his throat and studiously ignored the situation they had walked into—or rather, the situation that had just walked in. "The Paris Police Department would like to extend an invitation as fully-fledged officers, the official Alpha Team, to the two of you. We would also like to extend a similar offer to your three compatriots that fought Queen Bee at the park, whose identities will remain anonymous as you have requested, as the official Beta Team." Marinette and Adrien shared a look that would be unreadable to anyone else. "We understand there will be no more akumas, but Paris still has every day crime, and another enemy may eventually appear. We would like to make sure we have a clear line of defense. I also remember you saying, in our post-victory debriefing, that the two of you, at least, must keep your Miraculous, and must continue to use them. This would be a way for you to do this."
"What about school?" Sabine asked, turning to him. "They both have classes and homework; a full-time job might be too much. And Marinette has always wanted to be a fashion designer. And I'm sure Adrien has plans of his own."
Marinette and Adrien were still communicating to each other with their eyes. "We…would need to discuss it more." Marinette said hesitantly. "We assumed this offer would be forthcoming eventually. But we have other matters that must be dealt with, as well. For instance, we need to go home." She took Adrien's hand when she saw his face crumple in on itself. "Or find a new one. The mayor has been generous in letting us stay here, but we would like a bit of autonomy that this home does not provide."
"Like locks only we have the key to," Adrien grumbled, adjust his sweatpants. Marinette's cheeks flamed again, and she made sure the blanket was covering her.
"Could you give us a few days to decide?" She asked the chief.
He nodded understandingly. "I expected as much. By no means should either of you feel obliged to accept. You owe us nothing. It is this city that owes everything to the two of you. And, if there is anything you think of that we can do to assist you, don't hesitate to let us know." He paused a moment, then coughed, averting his gaze and standing. "I think I've taken up enough of your time. I'll leave you to your…previous business." He made a hasty retreat.
Sabine and Tom remained sitting. Marinette sighed, and looked at Adrien. "We do really need to talk to them." She turned back to her parents. "Mom, dad, could you just…give us a minute? We really need to change."
"Of course, dear. Don't let us stop you." Sabine smiled as if her daughter wasn't standing half-naked in the living room wearing a blanket.
They both scurried to Adrien's bedroom—where all of both of their possessions were, now, and hastily dressed, throwing apologetic, frustrated glances at each other.
The four of them sat around the table a bit uncomfortably, not sure how to begin. Marinette broke the silence. "We…might need your help with something." She said quietly. These apartment walls were thin, and she wanted to make sure the others couldn't hear them; they would know eventually, but for now, the fewer people who knew the easier it would be. She looked at Adrien with sad eyes. "We need to return to the Agreste mansion and go over Gabriel Agreste's estate. We've been putting it off and putting it off…but it needs to be done."
"It would mean a lot to me," Adrien continued, "If the two of you were there. You've been a second family to me since your daughter walked into my life, and I don't know if I can do this alone." Marinette and Sabine both placed a hand over his, clasped together in front of him.
"You don't even have to ask. Of course we'll be there." Tom said, the last of his how-dare-you-touch-my-daughter glare softening away. "Just tell us when and where, and we'll be there for you."
"Tonight." Marinette's voice was soft and gentle. "We have a meeting with the lawyer and Natalie at 6pm." They nodded. "Thank you, maman, papa. It means a lot." She got up and went around the table to hug them.
Sabine wrinkled her nose. "Honey, I love you, but you smell horrible."
Marinette laughed. "Sorry, you caught us after training."
"Is that what the kids are calling it these days?" Her mother winked. Adrien had been sipping a glass of water, and began coughing and spluttering, water spraying the table. The other three in the room laughed and laughed until he got it under control.
"I really need a shower. We'll see you tonight, then?" Marinette asked, wiping a happy tear from her eye.
"We will. We love you, honey." They embraced again, then her parents turned to Adrien, who stood with looking sad, one arm crossed over his chest to grip the other. "We love you, too, Adrien." Marinette smiled and left the room, jumping in the shower.
Adrien walked them out. Once in the elevator, he pressed the stop button, and the box shuddered to a halt. "I want to talk to you about something else, as well." He said, with a nervous glance in the general direction of where Marinette was bathing. "I…I'm sorry we didn't tell you about our relationship before…well before that mess just now." He blushed. "We just never thought it was the right time, with everything else going on. But I want you to know that I love your daughter." He met their gazes genuinely. "I have loved her since the first day we met, when I thought she was just Ladybug. I loved her since before we left high school, when I thought she was just Marinette. I fell in love with her twice, and then I almost lost her." He took a deep breath. "I want to ask…your permission…to ask Marinette to marry me." He closed his eyes for a second. When he didn't hear anything, he cracked one eye open. Sabine had her hands over her mouth, tears leaking out of her eyes. Tom had his arm around her, his other hand on her shoulder.
Sabine suddenly threw her arms around Adrien, laughing into his ear. "My darling boy. What took you so long?" She said. It was the men's turn to laugh, as Tom joined the hug, patting Adrien on the back.
Adrien pulled away, smiling from ear to ear. "You don't know what it means to me to have your blessing. I…I don't want her to know yet. My life is a mess, and I want to make sure I've got it cleaned up a bit before I ask her to jump in with me."
Tom gave him an appraising look. "I already think of you as a son, Adrien. And I understand your worry, but don't you see? She has already jumped in. And we couldn't be prouder of either of you."
Tears prickled at Adrien's eyes, and he hugged them both again for a long minute before pulling away and pressing the elevator button again, bringing them down to the lobby. "Thank you both. For everything."