Chapter Four
At the sound of Gabriel's voice, Ladybug tucked up her legs from the floor and ducked down. She didn't really think about anything more than getting out of sight. It was only when Adrien opened his mouth to answer his father that she realised her cheek was laying on her crush's denim covered thigh. She had her head in Adrien's lap and she couldn't exactly move away.
Her eyes darted to the side to look up at the blonde boy. There was a gulp from Adrien that was loud enough for her to hear. He delayed in his answer long enough that Gabriel called out again. Ladybug gave a meaningful look at the boy and he finally spoke, she watched as he turned exceptionally red. "Um, yes father. I'm getting ready for bed now."
"Good." Came the cool response from outside his door.
Ladybug didn't move until Gabriel's footsteps had faded away. Without thinking, she placed a hand on Adrien's knee and pushed herself back into a sitting position. The boy's face remained flushed as he watched her. "Sorry about that," he whispered as he shot a wary glance at his bedroom door.
"I guess I should go."
Adrien's hand suddenly covered her one resting on his knee. "No, please don't leave yet."
Ladybug looked at their joined hands and prayed that her own face wouldn't turn as pink as his was. Her heart was racing erratically as she gazed at him, taking in the pleading expression on his face. How could she possibly say no? "Okay, but only for a little bit."
His fingers threaded through hers. "Thanks Ladybug." Then he dipped his head shyly and looked at her through his bangs. "So, um, before we got interrupted… you said it was okay if I kissed you."
This time the superhero blushed. "Yeah, I did." She couldn't help clenching her empty gloved hand. "But is that wise? You're supposed to be getting ready for bed."
The boy shuffled closer. "If I turn out the lights he'll assume I'm in bed."
Ladybug swallowed then squeaked, "Okay."
She expected him to get up and turn off a light switch but instead he reached for a remote and thumbed a button. The room fell into darkness, only illuminated by his pinball games lining one wall and by the faint moonlight from the massive expanse of his window. As he replaced the remote on the table he took her other hand and began leaning closer.
Her breathing picked up speed, as if competing with the pace of her heart. As much as she wanted this, another part of her was so nervous about it actually happening. She'd never really kissed a boy properly. What if she disappointed him? Her lips felt suddenly dry and she quickly ran her tongue over them. This resulted in Adrien's gaze becoming even more heated.
Adrien's fingers squeezed her own and then his lips met hers. At the gentle brush of skin against skin she promptly closed her eyes. She slowly kissed him back and heard him gasp. Then one of his hands let go of hers so he could cup her cheek. His thumb caressed her face as his tongue traced her upper lip. Her free hand fisted his shirt as she desperately pulled him closer. The blonde seemed to understand her need and hooked a hand under her knees so she was draped across his lap. His movements became bolder as he kissed her with more vigour.
Ladybug wanted to lose herself in the sensation, but some thread of common sense tugged in her mind. With her hand still grasping his shirt, she gently pushed Adrien away as she broke contact with this mouth. He actually whimpered as his head jutted forward, yearning to continue. "Adrien, we need to stop."
Letting out a resigned sigh, the blonde's shoulders slumped as he gave a nod of acceptance. "Yeah, you're right."
Loosening her grip on his shirt and smoothing the creases she left, Ladybug cocked her head and gave him a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry I can't stay longer, but I think we've risked enough for tonight."
"Can you come back again? We didn't get to spend much time together."
Reality was starting to close in on the heroine. As spectacular as it was kissing her crush, it was also dangerous to not only her concealed identity but also to her heart. Adrien had no idea that he'd just kissed his school friend. How could she have lost focus on that?
"Ladybug?" he called as he held her arm.
Green eyes were studying her with a mix of affection and concern. "I'll think about it." She said as she stood and unwound her yoyo from her hips.
Adrien continued to watch her. "Please, visit me again."
"I'll speak to Marinette and let you know." Before he could say anything further, she rushed to the window and made a hasty departure.
Marinette couldn't sleep. Her eyelids refused to stay shut and she continually found herself staring out her skylight. Part of her wanted to transform and race back to Adrien, while another part was seriously regretting that kiss. Tikki was right, she'd just made her life extremely complicated. Her mind continued to turn over every second she'd spent with her crush, analysing each moment until the sky started to lighten. Heavy eyelids finally closed but were soon snapped open by the shrill buzz of her alarm.
Groaning, the girl pulled her pillow over her face as she hit snooze. Unfortunately, the extra sleeping time was up all too soon and she had to scurry around in a mad rush to get to school. With only a minute until the bell sounded, Marinette scrambled up the front steps of the school and almost tripped over her crush.
Adrien was beaming at her as he caught her arms and slowed her momentum. "Hey Marinette."
His chipper tone had her pulse climbing. "Apparently someone is happy." She said unknowingly voicing her inner thoughts.
The blonde tucked his hands in his pockets as he smiled at his toes. "Yeah, last night was amazing. I can't thank you enough for organising it." He glanced from side to side before stepping closer. "Did she talk to you after she visited me?"
"Um…" The bell sounded and Marinette thanked her lucky stars. "We better get to class!"
Adrien fell into step beside her. "Yeah, let's go. So, um, did she talk to you?"
The girl shook her head. "Nope, didn't see her."
His shoulders sagged. "That's a pity. I was hoping to see her again."
"You're rather keen."
"I really like her, Marinette."
"But you hardly know her."
"I think I have a better insight into her personality than other people do."
Marinette turned to stare at him. What did he mean by that? Was he basing his assumptions on the time he'd spent with her during the akuma attacks when she'd come to his aide? They really hadn't had a lot of time to talk. But before she could spend too much time on contemplation, they were walking into the classroom and taking their seats.
Again, Marinette was distracted by her thoughts. While she looked at the teacher, she felt her eyes continually straying to the boy sitting in front of her. The boy who casually glanced at her with a lovesick glimmer in his beautiful green eyes, and while that glimmer was fascinating, it was meant for her alter ego. Scrubbing her face with a frustrated hand, the girl clenched her jaw and willed herself to focus on her school work. As she lowered her head she caught the pointed stare of her best friend and knew she'd be grilled at first break.
Marinette has an impending interrogation from Alya. How will she handle it? Find out next chapter.
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