Chapter Five

Marinette was certain her face was completely red. With her arms crossed over her boobs, she reached for her bra and attempted to put it on. She managed to get her arms through the straps and the underwire shifted into place but for the life of her it seemed impossible to do up the clasps. Warm fingers suddenly covered hers and she gasped. Looking over her shoulder she caught the intense look Adrien was darting between her back and her eyes. "Having trouble with that?"

She swallowed, it was still hard to believe that the boy she'd been crushing on for years was sitting on her bed, without his shirt, after thoroughly messing about with her. It was the stuff of fantasies and her brain was still trying to register that this was real. "Um, yeah."

Adrien slid closer and hooked the eyelets into place. His hands skimmed up her bra straps, smoothing out the kinks until they reached her shoulders. With a gentle tug on both straps, Marinette fell back against him as he wrapped an arm around her bare waist and pressed a kiss to her temple. "Is it wrong that I find watching you dress just as sexy as getting undressed?"

"Uh, no." She managed to spit out. Far too distracted by the feel of his chest against her back and the caress of his breath on her cheek. What he said earlier was right, they really needed to get their clothes back on before they got distracted and let their hormones do the thinking. She snagged the material of his shirt with her toes from the mattress and tossed it into her hands. "I believe this is yours."

The arm remained around her waist but the other hand reached for his shirt. Adrien pressed a kiss to her shoulder that turned into a nibble that worked up along her neck to her earlobe. "Are you sure you want me to go?"

"You were the one talking about regrets," she reminded him and she whacked his shirt at his face playfully.

He chuckled as he snatched the garment back but continued to nibble his way up the shell of her ear. "I know but I don't want to leave my lady."

"My parents are home. Do you want to get caught?"

"No, that would be bad." She covered her mouth to quieten her laugh as he rushed to slip on his shirt. He in turn picked up her shirt and pulled it over her head. "Stop laughing at me, woman. You're going to shatter my confidence."

"I don't think that's possible." She grinned as she pushed her arms into her sleeves and turned around to face him.

"Let me assure you it is."

"You're Chat Noir and I know you're full of bravado."

"Only because I want to impress you." His gaze raked over her hungrily.

She pressed a finger to his nose as he attempted to swoop in. "Stop right there, kitty. You're supposed to be leaving."

"Do I get a goodbye kiss?"

"Do you have any restraint if I do?"

"Possibly, but I can't guarantee it."

Marinette took his chin between her fingers and tilted his head slightly to place a kiss on his cheek. "There we go, you can leave now."

Adrien crossed his arms and rolled his eyes. "You call that a goodnight kiss?"

"I call that insurance to make sure you keep your word."

"Ye of little faith. Plagg, claws out." The black kwami grumbled as he appeared from somewhere below, only to be sucked into the ring miraculous. Marinette watched with amazement as the familiar black suit of her partner covered Adrien. When the green flash of magic disappeared, she was facing Chat Noir. A lopsided smirk spread across his face. "Want to transform and take me home?"

"Not tonight."

"Tomorrow?"

"Go home already."

Chat Noir gave an exaggerated frown with his bottom lip jutting out. "Shunned by my gorgeous girlfriend, oh the pain. It hurts so bad."

Marinette wanted to roll her eyes but the thrill of having him call her his girlfriend had her grinning instead. She ran her finger along his jawline. "I'm just trying to keep my boyfriend out of trouble. As for pain, I'll kiss you better if you promise you'll go home?"

A dreamy look came into Chat Noir's eyes. "You had me at boyfriend."

With a giggle, Marinette cupped his cheek and kissed Chat Noir. It didn't surprise her when he pulled her onto his lap and drew out the kiss far longer than she'd intended. The real novelty was when he began to purr loudly, as her hand drifted into his hair and her thumb stroked his earlobe. To bring the kissing to an end, she drew out his bottom lip between her teeth, running her tongue along the sensitive skin before she released him.

Chat Noir's eyes snapped open and his purring intensified. "Now that's a goodnight kiss."

"Yes, it was." Her cheek turned pink as she felt a bought of bashfulness coming on. "Tomorrow at school, should we act like nothing has changed? People might think we've… you know, especially after the prank with Chloe."

Masked brows settled low over his eyes. "It doesn't matter what people think. I want to be with you, Marinette, and I'm talking long term."

She was blown away by his declaration but again she wavered. Chat Noir and Ladybug made sense because they were partners and he'd always been smitten with her in the suit. Adrien and Marinette, not so much. They were friends yes, but the jump to a couple, would people believe that?

"You're overthinking this, I can see it." Chat Noir cupped her face in his hands. "Whatever happens at school, we deal with it together. I am your partner and I've always got your back. Although, I like your front too."

The cheekiness got her smiling. "Are you saying I'm the complete package?"

He sucked in a long breath, "Undoubtedly."

"Right back at you, Agreste."

"Are you sure you want me to leave?"

"Just go already," she chuckled as she smacked him playfully on the shoulder.

"Alright, I'm going." He said as he raised his hands in surrender, then launched himself out of the skylight only to drop his head back down, with blonde locks hanging long enough to almost conceal his cat ears. "Oh, almost forgot. I love you, Marinette."

"I love you too, Adrien, oops, I mean Chat Noir."

All morning Adrien hadn't been unable to wipe the grin off his face. Finally, he knew who Ladybug was and to top it off, she loved him back! He didn't really walk into school, he practically floated. The model was so absorbed in his wonderous thoughts that he didn't initially notice the throng of female students watching him.

As he stepped into the courtyard he abruptly stopped as a lollipop was shoved under his nose by an unfamiliar girl. Frowning at the object thrust at his face, Adrien glanced about and realised something was off. The girl holding the lollipop looked at him with a mix of hope and shy ardour. Adrien raised his hands in dismissal. "Uh no thanks," he said as he took a step back.

"You just need to hold it for me," the girl said with a seductive smile.

Another girl shoved her aside and lifted her own lollipop, "I want you to hold mine."

His eyes widened as he was surrounded by a number of girls demanding the same thing. Then Chloe pushed her way into the fray waving a rocket shaped lollipop at him that was remarkably phallic. He lifted his hands higher, continuing to decline as he tried to back away. He glanced up to see Marinette and Alya coming up the main stairs. Marinette's eyes met with his and he sent her a pleading look. He watched her shoulders square and her jaw clench as she marched forward. She exuded her Ladybug confidence and he couldn't contain his dreamy sigh.

"Back off!" she shouted. The girls parted and Marinette stormed towards him. She looped her arm through his and glared at the other girls, "He's not an object. He's a person, show him some respect."

Most of the girls downturned their eyes. It was Chloe who spoke up, "Where was the respect yesterday when you were toying with him?"

Marinette blanched and Adrien stepped up, "She wasn't toying with me." His arm wrapped around her waist and he pulled her against his side. With utter pride he declared, "She's my girlfriend."

A hush fell over the crowd, Chloe stood slack jawed until Sabrina elbowed her with poorly concealed amusement. The brat straightened and crossed her arms. "Since when?"

"Since yesterday," Adrien shot back. His gaze falling on Marinette as she placed a possessive hand on his chest and cuddled up to his side.

"I call bullshit," Chloe snapped.

"Miss Bourgeois, mind your language." Mr Damocles called as he stormed towards the mass of students. "What's going on here?"

"The girls were just comparing lollipops." Marinette interjected.

A thick eyebrow lifted as Mr Damocles scrutinised the crowd. "Save the food for lunch break, it's time to get to class." He instructed with a wave of his hand. The crowd dispersed but Chloe continued to glower at Adrien and Marinette.

Adrien squeezed Marinette's hip as they headed to class. "Thanks for the rescue, milady."

"You're awfully popular, Agreste."

"Seems you're a trend setter. Want to know a secret?" He asked with a cheeky smirk.

"Sure, why not?"

"The only girl I want licking my lollipop is you."

Marinette smacked his shoulder but couldn't help laughing.

Will the saga of unwanted lollipop attention continue? Most likely. Stay tuned for more!

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