Chapter Thirteen: Sweethearts.

Valentine's is a day for sweethearts and sweet hearts.

Thursday 13th February 2020. 4.30 p.m. Adrien's room.

Adrien sighed and watched as Nathalie left the room after checking in on him for the third time during this extended piano lesson.

The first time she had come in just as he was finishing his warm up and about to set up his speakers, apparently to suggest a piece for practice. The second time she had interrupted that piece to suggest another. This time she had come to say he was performing well. Adrien could only guess what excuse she would use the next time. It looked like his father wanted to parade his piano playing son in front of a crowd again, much like with that long and boring business call last night, and so was using Nathalie to check on him to make sure his performance was adequate.

Plagg pressed against his leg from where he sat on the bench next to Adrien, invisible to Nathalie whenever she stuck her head around the doorway but still able to offer wordless comfort.

Looks like he wouldn't be getting his piano lesson date with his Princess tonight.

He hadn't been able to text Marinette to tell her about their change of plans, but he had seen Ladybug swing past his window very slowly not long after his lesson started. Both he and Plagg had shaken their heads and sent a clear message to her.

At least they'd been able to have their second approved lunch date earlier on. It had been amazing too, with Sabine showing off her family recipes this time - the wonton soup had been wonderful and the bao had been divine. He'd stuffed five into his bag for later as Marinette giggled at him.

He would marry her for her family recipes alone. Actually, he wanted to marry her because he was crazy in love with her, but the food was definitely a bonus.

"So what do you think the secretary will tell you to play next?" Plagg yawned and stretched next to him on the bench, cocking his head up at Adrien curiously. "Are we talking something that looks good, something that sounds good, or something that looks difficult and impresses people when it isn't?"

Adrien snorted. "Knowing Père, all of the above. It'll probably be Flight of the Bumblebee. That's the one he's been pushing lately."

"Not La Campanella?"

"My hands would fall off if I even tried that!" Adrien laughed. "No, I'll bet that it's Flight of the Bumblebee."

"Bet? What are we talking about here? Because if I win I wouldn't mind that extra-aged camembert in the Beauvais fromagerie."

"And if I win you'll stop moaning about not getting enough of your stinky camembert until the next school holiday."

"Deal!"

Adrien chuckled before sighing again and pulling his mind back to the Debussy piece in front of him. The sooner he got to playing the sooner this would be over.

Maybe he could still surprise his Princess later on?

Thursday 13th February 2020. 7.00 p.m. Adrien's bedroom.

Nathalie bustled into Adrien's room, nose buried in her tablet. "Adrien, you are… why are you in your pyjamas?"

"Because I thought I'd get an early night and go straight to bed once I've done some more of my school work," he held up the bag he had just been rooting through as proof.

Nathalie blinked, then nodded. "I suppose that is acceptable. Your day tomorrow is quite full. Very well, I shall see to it that you aren't disturbed further tonight."

"Thanks Nathalie. What did you want?"

"Your piano performance is adequate but for the next few lessons you are to focus on Flight of the Bumblebee. Your father wishes you to perfect it as you will be playing at a Gabriel event in mid-March and that is to be your main piece."

Adrien nodded. "Thanks Nathalie. Anything else?"

"No, that is all. Sleep well."

She closed the door behind her and Adrien gave it ten seconds before he let out a quiet whoop of delight. "Ha! I won the bet, Plagg!"

His grumpy looking kwami floated over and perched on his shoulder looking disgruntled. "Okay, okay, you win. I won't moan about not having enough camembert, but-" Plagg's expression morphed into a sneaky grin "-you never said anything about brie, or cheddar, or cheese bread, or-"

Adrien quickly put his hand over Plagg's mouth. "I get it, I get it. Now do you want your gift for Tikki or not?"

Plagg mimed zipping his lips shut then did a grabbing motion with both paws. Adrien chuckled and pulled the tiny red box out of his school bag, the only place he could keep it safely hidden in his room, and held it out to his kwami. The box was almost as big as Plagg was and he struggled to get a grip on the box and carry it safely to Adrien's desk. There was a length of black ribbon, a gift tag, and a pen waiting there for him.

"Let me know when you're done Plagg and we'll go. I'm just going to get changed."

"Why bother?" Plagg didn't look away from the ribbon he was struggling to tie around the box. "You've been over there in your pyjamas before."

Adrien forced back a blush. "That was one time and it was an accident Plagg. I can't go over there for a date in my pyjamas."

"Who says you can't?"

"I do!"

"Pfft, you humans and your rules on clothes - can I borrow your finger?" Plagg waited until Adrien had walked over and placed his finger on the knot that the kwami was struggling to tie into a bow before continuing. "Thanks kid. Anyway, you humans have some ridiculous rules about clothes. When to wear them, when not to wear them, colours, patterns, size, length, urgh! Just wear what you're comfy in."

Adrien scoffed. "I will wear something comfy, but something that isn't pyjamas. It's a little lopsided on the left."

Plagg hissed and redid the bow, pulling gently at the ribbon until it was even and nice and tight. "Almost… got it… nearly… there…"

The akuma-alert blared out from his phone then and both black cats groaned! Seriously? Two days in a row now!

"We'll have to get back to this later. Plagg, claws out!"

"Wait, no!" Plagg tried to resist the pull of the miraculous but it was too strong and he was sucked inside. "Your finger is still in the bowwwwwww!"

Thursday 13th February 2020. 8.20 p.m. 3rd arrondissement.

"Pound it!"

"Wha-?"

"Alain!"

Ladybug watched as the akuma victim was tackled to the floor in a bear hug by who she assumed was his boyfriend. It was nice to know they'd be alright.

Alain had been akumatised when he found out that his boss was making him work on Valentine's Day, his first one with his boyfriend, and his anger had called the purple butterfly to him. Alain had transformed into a giant teddy-bear like monster and his power had been to tie sweethearts together and make it so they couldn't be separated.

Alya and Nino, naturally, had been one of the first couples tied together by a golden rope around their wrists. Nino hadn't looked like he minded but Alya had been disappointed she couldn't chase after everyone and get some good fight footage for her blog. Ladybug had also seen Rose and Juleka and Mylène and Ivan bound together, and she was delighted that Mylène wasn't as terrified of this romance akuma as she had been last year.

Ladybug and Chat Noir had been very careful not to get hit, that golden cord would certainly reveal their couple-status to the world, but other than that it had been an easy fight. Long, but easy.

And now she had her kitty cat all to herself.

Ladybug grinned at Chat and tipped her head up to the rooftops. "I think we have somewhere else to be, don't we Chaton?"

She didn't wait for a reply. Instead she threw her yoyo out towards the nearest roof and pulled herself up and over and away from the crowds. She could sense Chat Noir following her on silent paws and decided to have some fun with him.

Ladybug slowed down a little and let him draw closer, just a little closer, and waited until he was almost level with her - then, with a bright giggle, she launched herself in a different direction, going faster than ever before, daring him to catch her. His startled laugh was the only indication that he was on her tail.

She darted over rooftops and around chimney stacks, doubling back on herself and passing him with a wink, letting him come close to catching but still slipping through his fingers before he could claim victory, and leading him on a merry chase around the city.

Ladybug kept their chase in the sky where she was faster and where she could control the game, keeping just out of his grasp, until she caught sight of her goal. She swung around the back of Notre Dame and landed with barely a sound on the roof of her school and pulled her yoyo back to her as she ran across the roof. She was faster in the air, but he was faster on foot. She heard the barely there thud of his boots landing on the roof behind her and knew he would catch her - just as she planned.

Ladybug reached the edge of the roof closest to the bakery and jumped, not even bothering with her yoyo this time, barely holding back a shrill giggle as her cat tackled her out of the air moments later. He slipped arm arm under her knees and she wrapped hers around his shoulders mid-somersault before he landed them safely on her balcony. Both of them were flushed and happy from the chase and Ladybug couldn't think of a more perfect moment with her love.

"Looks like I've caught myself a little bug." Chat smiled at her, carefully setting her down and shifting his hand onto her hips. She left hers about his shoulders, keeping them close. He leaned down and pressed their foreheads together. "Whatever shall I do with her?"

"I've got a few ideas," she murmured against his lips. "Let's go inside, my sweet kitten."

Chat tensed and pulled away slightly then and she was amazed to see him blushing faintly. "I should really go home first."

"You're in your pyjamas again," she said softly. He was acting so jumpy and nervous, just like he had shortly after their reveal when he had accidentally worn pyjamas for their talk, not realises that they were going to talk as civilians and not heroes. She let go of her transformation, releasing Tikki rather than having her wait for the timer to run out, and pulled back just enough to let him see what she was wearing. "Me too, Chaton."

Chat made a choked sound as he took in her outfit, shock and admiration and heat in his gaze. His purr began as a quiet, barely there rumble in his chest and Marinette had to fight a smirk. She'd picked it for this exact reason and she was very glad to see it was having its intended effect.

They were Chat Noir themed pyjamas, her latest creation in her Superheroes clothing collection. They were made out of a super soft cotton and wonderfully comfortable. The top was bright green and trimmed in black ribbon around the sleeves and hem and a thin band of black lace at the neck and right on the front of the shirt was a large black paw print. The bottoms were jet black with small green paw prints around the hem of each leg and a larger paw print on the right hip.

"You are making it very hard to go home," he purred.

"That's the idea." This time Marinette did smirk. She slipped one of her hands from his shoulders and up into his hair to scratch at the sensitive spots he loved, then nuzzled her nose against his, thoroughly enjoying the way his purr sputtered and roared at her attention. "Stay with me, my kitten. Don't go home. I've got a blanket fort set up and my computer is ready to stream a movie-marathon. We can have snuggles and hot chocolate and a huge plate of macarons."

Chat gave in with a groan. His hand on her hips clenched and pulled her closer for a sweet kiss. "You are far too tempting, my Princess." Chat murmured his release phrase and Adrien suddenly appeared before her - as did the oddly shaped pointy thing that was digging into her hip. Adrien noticed her frown and looked down at his hand and groaned again. "Oh man. Oops. Sorry Plagg."

"If that gift is damaged you will be sorry, kiddo!" Plagg hissed. His tail was thrashing angrily behind him and he zipped towards Adrien's hand.

Marinette watched as Plagg checked the box over carefully, occasionally pausing to his or glare at Adrien, who truly looked ashamed that he had transformed with Tikki's gift. Marinette could see Tikki looking on in interest. Their kwamis had decided to exchange gifts today since they didn't know exactly how Marinette and Adrien would be able to explain the odd gifts to their friends at Alix's party tomorrow.

Marinette just hoped for all their sakes that the gift was salvageable.

The fact that Plagg hadn't immediately demanded cheese was a fair indication of how angry he was. Marinette didn't want him to accidentally cataclysm anything of Adrien's in retaliation. The cat kwami gave a relieved sigh when the box was intact, and Marinette also let out the breath she hadn't been aware she was holding. She could see Adrien and Tikki both sag in relief too.

Plagg floated up to look Adrien in the eyes and pointed a paw at him. "Next time be more careful when you transform!"

He zipped back down and yanked the gift off Adrien's finger, looking savagely pleased when Adrien hissed in discomfort at the sensation. He just about managed to float to the table where Tikki was waiting eagerly for her gift, the large box overbalancing him quite a bit, and presented it to her with an elegant if off-balance bow. "For you my Sweet Tikki, fortunately not ruined by that oaf!"

"Thank you Plagg." Tikki muffled a giggled with a paw at the looks on both cats faces and carefully untied the delicate bow and opened the box. She squealed in delight and tackled Plagg in a hug. "I love it!"

Marinette took the chance to peek into the box and cooed when she saw it was filled to the brim with pretty, pastel love hearts. She could just about make out some of the messages - cute, sweet as sugar, pretty, my sweet - and she realised that Plagg must have picked these specific love hearts, from who knows how many packets, just for Tikki. It was adorable!

Tikki peered up at her then. "Marinette?"

Marinette nodded. "I'll bring Plagg's gift up when I get the hot chocolate." She pushed herself up on her tiptoes to give Adrien a kiss. "Why don't you find a film for us to watch, mon coeur. I'll be right back."

She disappeared through her window hatch and slipped out of her bedroom into the kitchen and quickly made two extra large mugs of hot chocolate. She was so glad that it was late enough that her parents were already downstairs getting ready for bed. When they had asked about the large amount of snacks she had collected earlier she had managed to explain it away as being on a design binge but two large mugs would have been too suspicious.

Adrien was curled up on her bed, computer ready with a film, and Plagg and Tikki happily ensconced in Tikki's little hidden home with the box of love hearts. Her wonderful boyfriend quickly helped her up the ladder with the tray of snacks, leaving her hands free to close her bedroom door behind her, and he had everything set up for them by the time she scrambled up the ladder and under the duvet to join him.

Marinette gave a mock groan when she saw he had The Princess Bride queued up and ready to play. He loved to tease her with those lines. He just shushed her and shoved a macaron in her mouth. Her look of faux-outrage lasted only until he burst into giggles and she joined him.

"Here Tikki."

Tikki zipped out of her home and took the large block of aged and extra-mature cheddar from Marinette. Plagg's shriek of joy was audible even through the hatch that his the kwami house from view and both Marinette and Adrien burst into giggles again. They couldn't help it.

She took the hot chocolate that Adrien offered her and snuggled into his side to watch the film with him. This was perfect.

They watched the first part of the film in comfortable silence, content to just enjoy each other's company while they had it. Marinette had planned the blanket fort and films for during his piano lesson earlier. It was quite a surprise to see that he was being watched when she had swung by as Ladybug earlier. They'd been so lucky with their piano dates so far, but now?

She buried herself deeper into his embrace. "I'm so glad you were able to come over again. I was beginning to think I wouldn't see you until our dates tomorrow."

He put down their now empty mugs and wrapped both arms around her. "I wouldn't have missed this for the world, my Marinette. I don't think Nathalie will interrupt tomorrow's rehearsal so we should still be able to have our morning piano date."

That was good news. "And considering Hawkmoth tends not to send akumas out three days in a row, especially not the colder months, we shouldn't have one of those interruptions." Marinette smiled up at him and leaned up for a quick kiss that quickly turned into two, then three, then more. She pulled back gasping. "I'm going to surprise you for our piano date tomorrow."

"What?" Adrien pulled back and frowned at her. "No! We agreed I would spoil you in the morning and-"

She cut him off with a kiss but pulled back before that one could get too intense. "I know that's what we agreed, but that was before Nathalie was watching your piano lesson today." She nuzzled his nose before placing a kiss on the tip. "I know you're planning something special for tomorrow. I can tell. You've been thinking about it all month." Marinette bent to kiss his nose again but his hand found her face and guided her lips to his in a lingering kiss. She gave a happy hum and leaned into him. "I'm not asking for details, you can still surprise me, but that's why you can be in charge of our officially scheduled date tomorrow. I'll surprise you with something in the morning, and just in case Nathalie is still hovering and you can't make it I can still bring it with me to Alix's party. Okay?"

"Are you sure?"

There was only one answer for him. The searing kiss she pulled him into left them both blushing and breathless.

"That is my favourite answer, my love."

Adrien reached for her again, pulling her close and rolling them so he was hovering over her, and Marinette forgot all about everything but him. She was lost to the feel of his lips against hers, the warm rumble of his groans and her answering sighs, the way their hands fit together. His purr rumbled out of him and she could feel it as she held him close, letting it block out the world around them.

She didn't even realise that they had been watching a film until Inigo was screaming at Count Rugen. Then they realised that they had actually missed quite a bit of it when they had lost themselves in each other.

Adrien gave a low chuckle, a gravelly sound thanks to his lingering purr, and quickly skipped back to the beginning of the film. Marinette settled herself against him and set her head on his chest, listening to his pulse, and determined to watch the film this time. It wasn't to be. The gently drumming of his heartbeat, his fading purr, and the warmth of their embrace were lulling her to sleep and it was too hard to resist. The film passed in the blink of an eye and then the screen went dark.

She was vaguely aware of Adrien shifting, pushing her away from him and reaching for the window hatch, and she tightened her hold on him. Her kitty couldn't leave. "Stay."

He murmured something to her that she didn't understand, couldn't understand with her brain under a sleepy haze, but she held him closer. She didn't want her kitty to leave her.

A pink blur appeared before them and pressed Adrien back into the bed next to her. He opened his arms to her and buried herself in them. "Shh, it's okay. Sleep."

They were both asleep before Tikki returned to her home.

Friday 14th February 2020. 5.00 a.m. Marinette's bedroom.

Marinette was warm and comfortable when she woke up to an incessant pat-pat-pat on her temples. She cracked open a bleary eye and glared at the tiny cat kwami who was completely unashamed that he had been caught tapping her head. A giggling alerted her to the fact that Tikki was gently coaxing Adrien awake in a much nicer way than Plagg.

That damn cat. She gave him more than his fair share of cheese and-

Adrien?

Adrien was here? In her bed?

Memories of last night came flooding back, how they had fallen asleep when trying to watch a film, how he had tried to leave but she had clung to him, and how their kwamis had tucked them back in. She should be embarrassed, but she couldn't find it in her.

Adrien apparently felt the same judging by the gentle way he was smiling at her now that he was awake. "Hey."

"Hi." Marinette whispered back.

He leaned over to press a kiss to her forehead. "That was the best night's sleep I've ever had."

Her face had to be bright red right now but she didn't care. She was too happy. "Me too, kitten."

"Happy Valentine's day, mon coeur."

"Happy Valentine's Day, mon amour."

Author's notes: Busy day today. I had my last driving lesson before my test on Monday (and I am terrified!), the router arrived, and I had to organise a lot of stuff for the sproglet for half term next week. Still, my headache from yesterday has gone so yay. Today's chapter is on schedule at least. Woohoo! Onto the chapter notes from yesterday and today - Christophe Guérin is my headcanon name for Gorilla, Adrien's piano playing is mentioned in All I Want For Christmas chapter 27, the Beauvais fromagerie is in Just Another Day In Paris chapter 17, Adrien goes to see Marinette in his pyjamas in AIWFC chapter 4, Tikki's hidden home is a nod to my Kwami Houses series, and as always I have not yet seen all of season 2 and none of season 3 so if this doesn't agree with canon consider it an AU.

When I imagined Plagg waking Adrien and Marinette up, my first thoughts were of Simon's Cat. I like this version better because it fits with the story but if you want a laugh then watch this: youtube dot com / watch?v=w0ffwDYo00Q or search for Simon's Cat 'Cat-man-do' on youtube.

Also, before I sign off for the night, indulge me in a little curious speculation. What are all your guesses for how the final chapter will turn out tomorrow? My hubby is my beta reader right now and he made three guesses - one was totally wrong, but the other two were both partially right, so now I'm curious about what you suspect will happen. Not long to wait though.

Replies to reviews, chapter 11:

calerose - I'm glad you like all of their reactions, it was fun to write them. Especially Adrien's. He is one smitten kitten.

SirDudeman28 - all good things must come to an end as they say and this was just a 14 day challenge. I'm glad you've liked it and stuck with it though.

yellow 14 - I'm checking my PMs frequently too. When did they get rid of the emails? And why? I'm glad you like my version of a Chloé redemption. I'm still on the fence as to whether she is redeemable or not, canon could go both ways from what I've seen, but it was interesting to attempt it.

Chapter 12:

tpt player 5701 - thanks for catching that, editing was hell with that headache yesterday. I'll change that now.

SirDudeman28 - a good night's sleep seemed to clear it up but thanks for that suggestion. I'll get the hubby to help me out with it the next time I get one.

yellow 14 - Plagg is amazing. Such a sassy cat. It wouldn't be Paris if they didn't have an akuma interrupt one of their dates.