Chapter 1 - homecoming
-Present-
The small studio apartment was mostly windows. Some were cracked and some were propped open with potted plants since the AC was pretty unreliable. The brick walls were painted with a pale yellow color that was now cracking and needed to be retouched. The majority of the walls were covered in sketches that had been haphazardly taped up all over. Pushed up against the right wall was a steel full bed frame that was not big enough for the two people currently sleeping on it.
The large dark-tanned male rolled over, releasing the small woman from his embrace who was still soundly asleep. He pulled on his black spandex briefs that were draped at the edge of the frame. He then walked over to stretch by the row of windows that overlooked the busy street. He could get used to this view. It was pretty close to his agency, he figured it would be a ten minute walk. He made his way over to the full length mirror on the opposite wall next to a cluttered desk. He began fixing his long hair into a bun and smoothing out his eyebrows while ogling his reflection.
A small buzz came from the cellphone buried in a pile of clothing on the ground and the woman stirred. The muscled man paused his grooming and walked over to her side of the bed, digging into the clothes until he located the outdated iPhone that was encased in a polka dot pattern.
"Umm Dupain-Cheng, that's for you" the man said placing the cellphone on the pillow. Marinette groaned and rubbed her eyes. Her head was pounding. How much did she drink last night? She sat up and painfully squinted around. It was so bright, she really needed to invest in blackout curtains for mornings like these.
The phone display had a sweet picture of her and Alya at their favorite park holding up peace signs. Why is Alya calling so early… and Marinette quickly shot up out of bed as she realized she was supposed to be somewhere. Alya was going to kill her for forgetting.
"Good morning! So don't be maaad, but I just woke up.." Mari said sweetly as she speed to the bathroom. She was completely naked and barely registered the man standing in her apartment chuckling at the scene. Crap… what was his name again? She should know better than let them stay until morning. 'No more drinking on an empty stomach!' She scolded herself.
As Alya berated Marinette for always forgetting her plans, Marinette pulled on her tightest black jeans from the night before and threw on a comfy cotton bra and a loose burgundy sweater all while gargling away the night before with mouthwash.
"Girl, are you listening to me?!" Alya exclaimed.
Marinette spit into the sink. "Yes! I'm leaving now, don't worry! Love you byyyeee!" Marinette ended the call and let out a deep breath.
The bluenette finished tying up her hair in a messy bun and slid on a head band. The mystery man from the night before slide in closely behind her gently kissing the side of her neck. He winked into the mirror, either at her or himself, it was hard to tell.
"Last night was fun, I wish you didn't have to leave so soon." He said in her ear. Marinette shivered and turned to face him. She was terrible, what was his name! He was in her upcoming show for crying out loud. This always happened when she drank too much after model fittings. Avery… Austin… Alec?
"Alex!" she exclaimed and quickly kissed his bearded face to cover up her blunder. "I'm sorry, I didn't think you were staying until the morning or I would have gave you a heads up." Marinette opened the bathroom mirror and grabbed the Tylenol bottle. She popped two capsules into her mouth and learned over sipping the facet water to wash them down.
"I'm so late. Alya, my best friend, hates waiting on me. I'll definitely see you later though!" She wasn't exactly lying. She had to finish his alterations for her show that was only a few days away.
Alex gave a dramatic sigh as Marinette pulled away to locate her shoes and purse. "What about tonight, then?" He called, lingering in front of the mirror.
Mari really didn't want to get in the habit of leading on these men from her shows. They were just so easy and most of the time they were okay with the briefness of their 'interactions'. Why did this one have to be clingy? They barely knew each other and she could already tell that Alex was more into himself than her from the little conversation they had. The way he stared at himself in the mirror while Mari got ready was proof enough.
"I'll probably be busy with alterations tonight, but I'll definitely text you later" Mari said as she pulled her satchel bag over her head. She walked over to the door and grabbed her keys.
"The spare key is under the flower pot by the door. Would you mind locking up after you leave?"
This was probably unwise to give him this information but if this guy wanted to steal from her, he was going to be disappointed. Mari was a struggling designer with nothing worth pilfering.
"Sure, I guess." He said walking towards his clothes on the ground. He picked up his pants and sat on the edge of the bed. "But you better text me later. I'm not done with you Dupain-Cheng" Alex said as he gave a wink.
Marinette shot him a finger gun and left rolling her eyes. This might be a problem.
The restaurant was already full of people enjoying their brunch. Marinette squeezed through the line of people waiting to be seated and peaked around the host. Spotting an annoyed Alya, she quickly hurried to their table. Seated next to her was Nino and across from them were Rose and Julika.
"I'm so sorry I'm late! My alarm didn't go off and I was up late working, and I couldn't find my keys and…" Marinette was cut off by a look from Alya. "Okay it was a guy, but I'm here now and I said I'm sorry! It won't happen again. Scouts honor." Marinette said as she slide in the booth next to Rose.
Alya dropped her serious face and laughed shoving a menu at Marinette. "I don't believe that". Alya chuckled rolling her eyes. Everyone put in their order and the planning began. The whole purpose of the brunch was to start planning the engagement party for Alya and Nino. Nino had finally built up the courage to ask Alya after years of dating. At the time, Alya was about ready to do it herself.
Twenty minutes later the group received their food and continued to plan and eat.
"So if we have the more than 30 people coming, we'll have to let the venue know in advance and pay the deposit by May 31st." Rose said reading the through website guidelines. Julika who was in charge of the invitations, crossed off all the names that had responded so far.
Julika paused on the last name on the list and gave a worried look to Alya. "I got a yes from you know who yesterday…".
Marinette let the bite of toast she had just taken fall out her mouth.
"Mari, I tried to call you last week about this. We had to invite him." Alya started.
"You're talking about Adrien, right?" Nino asked with a mouthful of pancake. He received a shove from Alya so he ducked his head and put another forkful of pancake in his mouth.
"Mari, you can't avoid the subject forever. You know he just moved back to the city and he's Nino's best man. He has to be there" Alya pleaded.
"And I kind of invited him to the brunch. He should be here any minute…" Nino mumbled.
"Are you serious?! Nino!" Marinette and Alya both shouted. Nino slumped further into the booth avoiding the glares from both women.
"Wasn't he going to be walking in the upcoming show that your designs are in Mari? I've seen his name listed on the posters around the block." Rose asked carefully.
"Yeah you're probably going to run into him eventually..." Juleka mumbled looking to Rose who was nodding.
"I don't think he is. The models I've fitted so far have mentioned he's been a no show to fittings. Not that I had asked... I just overheard. Either way it doesn't matter, he probably doesn't want to see me anyways after what happened. It'd be to weird." Marinette rambled.
Alya shook her head holding her friend's hand."How do you know if you don't talk to him girl?"
Marinette winced remembering the last time she was with Adrien. She waved the thought away.
"Well, I'll catch-up with you guys later. I can't be here when he gets here." Marinette said as she crammed the rest of her toast in her mouth and started sliding out of the booth. She leaned over and hugged Alya who she knew would understand her leaving early. Marinette said her goodbyes to the rest of the group and hurried out of the restaurant. She waived down a taxi. She didn't notice the tall blonde crossing the street towards the restaurant. He slowed down his pace as he noticed the petite blue haired woman ducking into the taxi. Marinette?
The next day came as Mari avoided the texts and calls from Alex. She had enough to worry about with getting the garments for the Spring Show ready. She was working at the venue today so she had some help from the interns and other designers who were going to be featured in the show. Sitting at her small metal desk, she spread out an unfinished jacket that needed to lined with a red satin. Marinette tied her long silky hair up in a bun and took stock of what was left to do. She had three days left to get the rest of the models fitted and alter the garments accordingly. Alex shouldn't be in for his final fitting until 3:00 and Mari planned on having an intern take on the task so she could sneak out to finish the rest from home.
"Dupian-Cheng, are you avoiding me?" a deep voice asked. Speak of the devil. Standing over her shoulder was Alex, leaning in close enough that Marinette could smell his overpowering cologne.
Marinette swiveled in her chair to face him. He was freshly tanned and wearing a tight tank top and short running shorts that left little to the imagination. "Hey you, I've been so busy. I was going to call you once I got home yesterday but got sidetracked with show stuff..." Marinette lied.
Alex mulled over her excuse and decided to let it go. "Well I came early to see you, I might as well get my fitting out of the way. Is my set ready to try on?"
Marinette stood up and walked to the rack of clothes that an intern was currently sorting. She read the tags and found the three outfit hangers label 'Alex'. She pulled them off the rack and walked them over to a makeshift curtained changing area. "You can try them on in here" Marinette said motioning him over.
Alex playfully pulled Marinette behind the curtain with him and leaned into her. "Wanna help me change?" he joked.
Marinette pulled away and gave Alex an annoyed look. She had to hear that same joke so many times, it was really getting old.
Alex put up his hands defensively and laughed. "Okay, okay. I guess I'm changing by myself." He said and retreated behind the curtain.
Marinette turned back to her desk to find one of the male models sitting in her seat on his phone. Now what? She didn't have any fittings scheduled for another hour. She should've worked from home this morning. "Excuse me, I think your early," Marinette started.
The man quickly jumped from her seat and put his arm behind his head. "Hey. Long time no see, Marinette."
Marinette's face flushed red and she looked down at her shoes. What was he doing here?!
That was dumb question, she knew full well he might be a part of this show. Everyone wanted him to show there label and he just moved back last month. She had just hoped he dropped out since he had missed the past two fittings with the other designers.
"Adrien, I-I didn't think you were going to be here. I mean, of course your here. Everyone wants you… I mean you're a popular model and you're back! And I don't know why I'm rambling Hi." Marinette sighed. Even after 7 years? Really?
"How are you?" Marinette said sitting in her chair and turning away from the model.
Adrien chuckled and moved to sit on the corner of her desk. He was casually dressed in fitted grey pants and a tight black shirt. "I'm good, I'm happy to be back in the city.
It has been so long. I feel like everything is different from when I was last here." He said. 'That's an understatement' Marinette thought. "Things are bound to change a little in 7 years," Marinette quipped looking up at him.
Adrien just nodded and examined Marinette. He had been watching her from afar while she was getting the other male model set up. He saw how annoyed she looked with him but decided not to mention it. He also had taken in how much she had changed from the teenager he used to be friends with. She was a little taller now and had become a little curvier in her hips and bosom. She was wearing black leggings and a thin jacket with some red converse. She had her hair pulled back in a messy bun with pins sticking out of it. She had more freckles now but her eyes were just as piercing blue as he remembered. She was still adorable he thought.
Catching himself from staring he asked "So is it weird if you do my fitting? It'll be my first for this show since I haven't made the other fittings …"
Marinette was internally screaming that it wasn't okay. But she simply nodded and grabbed her measuring tape from her desk drawer.
If you've never measured a person before, you probably wouldn't think about how intimate it can be. Marinette started by having Adrien hold out his arms and measured the length and the width of them. She tried to touch him as little as possible. She tried to not oogle his defined muscles. She tried not to smell his soft oaky smell. She tried. She then measured across his broad chest, muscled back and around his cut waist. Then she crouched down to measure the length of his legs. She did the outer leg and then she hesitated.
"Something wrong, Mari?" Adrien asked looking down at her.
"No! I just am trying to remember your measurements. I haven't been writing down the numbers". This was a lie. Marinette had no problem remembering his numbers. Marinette was really panicking about taking his inner leg measurements. She had to run the tap up into his groin. Marinette had done this enough times to know, you end up feeling their junk. She put the end of the tape to the bottom of his shoe and slowly ran the tape up his calf, then thigh, and the very carefully into his groin and yep, the unmistakable buldge grazed her hand.
Normally the newer models will shift of chuckle at this, but the experienced ones like Adrien will sit there and act like nothing happened. Adrien usually is never fazed by this action. Usually. He shifted slightly away and blushed as Marinette quickly pulled away to write all of her numbers down at her desk.
"So Mari, did Alya tell you about the party I'm throwing after the show on Friday?" Adrien casually asked as he stretched his arms behind his head. "I wanted to get all our high school friend together to catch up."
"Umm… no. I hadn't heard, but I don't think I can…" Marinette started but was cut off by Alex dropping a pair of pants on her desk.
"Dupain-Cheng. These aren't tight enough around my calves." He said eyeballing Adrien.
Marinette was happy to be interrupted by Alex. She could avoid having to turn down Adrien's invitation.
"I'll take them in one more time but after that you'll have to make do." Marinette said picking up the pants and straightening them out.
"Aren't you going to introduce me?" Alex said motioning to Adrien who had moved closer to Marinette without her realizing.
"I'm Adrien Agreste. I'm... or I was friends with Marinette in school." Adrien said awkwardly. "Adrien Agreste. I've heard of you! Did you guys have a falling out or something? Dupain-Cheng never mentioned knowing a famous model..." Alex asked looking inquisitively at the blushing Marinette who was busy pinning the pants.
Adrien didn't know what to say.
"Not exactly." Marinette whispered.
"Well whatever happened, I'm sure it was Marinette's fault. She likes to spend time with you and then leave you hanging with no texts or calls." Alex said shoving Marinette playfully.
Marinette cringed and noticed Adrien didn't laugh at Alex's remark.
Marinette finished pinning the pants and handed them to Alex. "Okay try them like that, they should be good. Be careful of the pins."
Alex winked at Marinette and retreated to the dressing area.
Not able to contain his curiosity Adrien leaned over Marinette's shoulder and asked "Sooo... you are with him?".
Marinette shoved Adrien's face away, feeling embarrassed. "That's none of your business Mr. Agreste." She wasn't shocked that he would ask her this, she knew her reputation with the male models would get around. Models are terrible gossips.
"You've becomes quite the hot topic since I've been back, ya know. I almost didn't believe it. Little Mari becoming a player." He jested. The playful cat in him wanted to know everything.
"Don't believe everything you hear." Marinette responded shortly.
Adrien gave a sly smile and returned to his spot on the corner of her desk. "So… you were about to turn down my party invitation..." he said slowly.
"Well I don't know if it's a great idea. I'll have to help pack up after the show and make sure all the clothes are auctioned off, and a lot of other things."
Adrien just raised his eyebrow and leaned in. "Are you lying?" He asked.
-Past-
It was the beginning of summer and the entirety of their high school class had all gathered at the park for their graduation picnic. Marinette had finally worked up the courage to confess her feelings to Adrien. She had rehearsed the whole night before with Alya and made a pact that she would finally do it because she knew Adrien was planning on going off to a University in the states and this was her last chance.
Everyone was busy unloading their cars and Nino and Adrien were grabbing the collapsible tables from the truck. Marinette snuck around the side of the truck. She was planning on pulling Adrien away to talk. She froze. She had overheard something she wasn't supposed to. Adrien was confessing his feelings for a girl to Nino.
"She has always been there for me. Nobody understands me like she does."
"Bro she's crazy about you, it's so obvious. You have to tell her. Today."
Marinette's heart thumped in her throat. Who was he talking about? Kagami? Chloe? Lila?
Marinette shook her head at the thought.
Well there's no way it was her. Adrien never showed any interest in her. He always called her his friend. Marinette felt a hole forming in her chest. She wished she hadn't heard anything.
-Present-
"Marinette!" Adrien called while waiving his hand in front of her face. Marinette snapped back to the present moment and shook her head.
Just in time, Alex came over just in his boxer briefs and tank top holding his pants. "I guess that'll do. You just want to hide my beautiful legs from the world, Dupain-Cheng".
Marinette grabbed the pants from Alex and sighed. She quickly started gathering a bag with the garments she had planned on altering that day. "I actually have to head home, I still have so much to do." Marinette filled her bag and wrote a note for the interns to handle the rest of her fittings she had scheduled that day. Standing up she paused and looked at Adrien, and then Alex. "One of the interns will show you to your clothes Adrien. Alex, we should get dinner tonight. I'll text you later." And without waiting for a response she walked away leaving both men speechless.
Warm bubbly water surrounded Marinette's sore body. She had been hunched over her sewing machine for hours. She carefully sipped the glass of wine she had poured while she was waiting on the tub to fill. Today had been a roller coaster and now she had to go to a dinner with Alex. Why did she offer again? Marinette groaned and dipped herself further in stopping right above her chin. She made the date because she wanted to get back at Adrien for 7 years ago. When he completely rejected her and left for America.