Once again, I couldn't have done this without RatherOddRanger who contributed to the texting.
Chapter Two
Nathalie was known for her stoic appearance but right now she was grinning from ear to ear. There were very few times that she got to taunt Gabriel in such a way and this was brilliant. The man kept his son in the dark far too much. It was about time he learned the consequences of his helicopter parenting.
Yet her moment of solo gloating was fleeting. Someone buzzed at the front gates and her usual stern expression fell into place. Nathalie lifted her phone and used the video app. "Yes?"
The screen displayed the forlorn yet excited face of Marinette Dupain-Cheng. Who stated her name then babbled something which roughly translated as: "I'm here to see Adrien. For the night!" It was clear the girl was trying to supress her fangirl screaming.
"Come in," Nathalie replied with her usual coolness. Though, she wanted to grin at the pandemonium on offer. All she had to do was drop the right sentence to start a tidal wave of amusement. No sooner was Marinette inside when Nathalie did just that. "Adrien is expecting you in his room, don't keep him waiting."
The girl flashed a manic grin and hurried up the stairs like her backside was on fire.
Meanwhile, Adrien was in his room busy texting Nino.
AA: So, you don't get the whole church thing either?
NL: Your father is odd, dude. Remember the time they had you dress up as Chat Noir for a music video.
AA: Yeah that was weird. I don't look anything like Chat Noir.
NL: Dude, you're blonde, green eyed and skinny. You totally fit the Chat Noir profile.
AA: No way! Chat Noir is like… taller than me and ripped.
NL: He's not ripped.
AA: Lean and defined then. Perhaps even chiselled.
NL: Is there something you're not tell me?
AA: Um, no. I have no secrets. Zero. What would I have to hide?
NL: You seem awfully interested in a certain hero of Paris.
Adrien baulked. Crap. How had Nino picked up on his crush for Ladybug? Oh well, may as well own it.
AA: What's not to like? Skin tight costume, grace and finesse. A smile that rivals the sun with its intensity.
NL: You better tell Marinette you're gay.
AA: What! I'm not gay.
NL: Then why are you mooning on about Chat Noir?
AA: I was "mooning on" about Ladybug. Duh!
NL: Are you sure?
AA: YES! Geez sometimes you are so clueless.
NL: Pot, there's a call from the kettle.
AA: Huh? Is that a DJ reference?
Adrien shook his blonde head. There were times when Nino made no sense. Before he could question him further there was a knock at his bedroom door. A grin spread across the model's face as he rushed to open said door and he wasted no time in embracing Marinette. "You're here!"
Marinette made an unintelligible gurgle and Adrien loosened his hold. Sometimes he forgot his own strength. Heck, her face was red, he must have squeezed her too tight. He'd probably stopped her ability to breathe. "H-hi," she eventually stuttered.
Being the eternal gentleman, Adrien reached for her bag, ignoring the zing passing between them when they made physical contact. It was something which happened regularly but he'd trained himself to disregard the sensation. The only electricity he focussed on was that between him and Ladybug.
Extending an arm into the room, Adrien waved Marinette inside and closed the door behind her. A sudden attack of nerves hit him. This was the first time he'd entertained a guest in his room. He figured the brief visit from Nino during the Simon Says akuma didn't really count. Nor did the infrequent visits from Ladybug. A dreamy sigh escaped him at the thought of his partner.
Blue eyes widened at his unexpected expression and suddenly Marinette was standing right before him. "Are you okay, Adrien?"
"Um, uh, yeah. Sorry, just thinking… never mind." It wasn't polite to be thinking of another girl when he had one in his room. But Marinette would probably understand. No doubt she'd harboured a crush of equal proportions in her life. He'd have to ask but now wasn't really the time. He needed to be a good host. "You said you were tired. Did you want to have a shower to relax? I could even fill the spa bath if you prefer."
Those blue eyes managed to get wider. "S-spa."
"Sure, I'll go fill it up now. It can take a while. Feel free to watch the TV."
Marinette swallowed hard. "Are you going to join me?"
"Um…" He quickly backed towards the bathroom, having no idea how to answer. Was that something friends did too? "Be right back."
In the bathroom, Adrien slid the door shut and leant against it as he pulled his phone from his pocket intending on texting his father. Yet he began to wonder if it was better to ask a different female friend for their opinion. He messaged Kagami.
AA: Can I ask you a theoretical question?
KT: As long as I can give a theoretical answer.
AA: Fair enough. If you had a friend of the opposite sex staying over for a sleepover, would you deem bathing together appropriate?
KT: Why Agreste, I didn't know you had it in you.
AA: I never said it was me.
KT: Sure, sure. Tell me this, is she pretty?
AA: Yeah.
KT: Do you like her?
AA: Of course, she's my friend.
KT: Right. How good of a friend?
AA: A very, very good friend.
KT: I say get in with her.
AA: Are you sure?
KT: One of us needs to be.
AA: Right. You're taunting me, aren't you?
KT: Possibly. You can always bathe with me, Agreste.
Adrien almost dropped his phone. Ever since their ice-skating double date she'd been aggressive in her flirting. Perhaps it would have been best to text his father, like he originally intended.
AA: Question, do friends bathe together?
GA: Define "bathe"
AA: Get in a spa together. You know, is that something you and Nathalie do?
GA: Why do you want so much detail?
AA: I'm curious.
GA: If I answer will you stop asking me about Nathalie?
AA: Probably.
GA: Gah, fine. Yes, I have shared the spa with Nathalie.
AA: Okay. Thanks.
Adrien was relieved that he'd cleared that up. But also confused. Why did Nathalie bathe with his father? Shaking his head, the blonde walked to the spa to check how full it was and turned off the water.
Meanwhile, Nino was chilling in his room making a remix when Adrien began texting him.
AA: Marinette is over now. We're going to take a spa together.
NL: Way to go, dude.
AA: I wanted her to relax. We're getting ready to get in.
AA: OMG Marinette is in her bra! What do I do?
NL: Turn her around and help her take it off.
AA: Why?
NL: You want her to be comfortable. Be a good host, take it off her.
AA: Well, I don't want to be impolite.
NL: No, that would be truly awful. Believe me, Marinette will be very thankful for your politeness.
AA: Bra is off. Now what?
NL: Clueless, utterly clueless.
AA: No, the brand of bra is Secrets, not Clueless. Want to know her size?
NL: No dude, just no. TMI
AA: Oops, sorry. As a model it's common to share clothes sizes. Speaking of which, is Utterly Clueless an offshoot brand? My father would want to know of any new competition.
NL: Of all the situations to bring up your father, why do it when you're with a half-naked chick?
AA: She's not half-naked, she's only got her socks and panties on.
NL: #$% Why are you talking to me!
AA: I'm lonely.
AA: Nino, she's um… she's asking me to pull her panties off with my teeth. Is it okay for friends to do that?
NL: You know what, ask yourself this, if you were Chat Noir and she were Ladybug, what would Chat Noir do?
NL: Adrien?
NL: Adrien?
NL: I'm guessing you're busy ;)
Nino sat back with a satisfied grin, certain he'd done good by both his friends. Heck, Marinette might even make him a scarf.
Hours later, he was deeply engrossed in finalising his remix when his phone pinged.
AA: So… was distracted.
NL: I bet you were ;)
AA: The spa was amazing.
NL: I'm sure it was.
AA: BTW Marinette asked if I wrapped it before I tapped it. Do you know what that means?
NL: You know that church talk from Nathalie.
AA: Yeah.
NL: Get her to book you in.
Next chapter I'm upping the rating to M because there's just too much fun to be had with a higher rating. I hope you're having a good laugh so far.