Noel was such a beautiful time of the year. The magic of the holiday, the surprise of the presents, the tasty baked goods, the time with family...
She loved this time of year. Snow blanketed the city of Paris and stole the gray concrete to replace it with beautiful white. Well...white shortly after a snowfall. Once the citizens started walking on it and trampling it down, it changed more to an annoyance for most. But, for those few glorious moments before that happened, Paris was truly beautiful.
The snow could almost pile up before those walked and drove it into the corners of the streets and buildings. It was a shame because she quite liked shuffling through it. Most of it was fairly wet for many of the snowfalls, but sometimes it was powdery white and blew with the wind. Whenever she happened to be outside and a gust caught a patch, blowing it up into a mini tornado in front of her, she was always entranced.
Winter wasn't always her most favorite season, but it was up there with the prettiest. It made for great artistic fodder and often times she would brave the cold to sketch the Eiffel Tower and the inhabitants around it. Ideas for winter clothing always got lodged in her head that way and then she could make new items...whenever she had spare time.
But definitely not this week.
She looked outside at the snowfall and sighed, going back to her pacing. She eyed the emerald green, velvet dress lying pristine on the chaise lounge and gulped. All the deep breaths hadn't worked and so she gave up. She had tried very hard to calm herself down all morning and most of the early afternoon, but it was useless. Working off the energy in her family's bakery only ruined two batches of muffins and thus she enclosed herself in her room to pace.
The party was tonight and she was about ready to explode in terror. Her first performance was in two days and the school was having an early party to commemorate the holiday and the new students' performances.
She couldn't be more terrified.
Hands covered her face as she groaned her anxiety. There was no good reason for her to be this way, given the piece that she was going to do, but she couldn't help it! She knew that piece very well throughout the years and had practiced it ever since she was a kid, but not in front of hundreds of people!
The Nutcracker. And she was Clara!
'Oh god, oh god, oh god, oh god...' She resumed pacing, harshly swallowing and looking at her dress again.
The party was still two hours away and she was sweating too much to want to wear the warm garment. She even showered earlier because her adrenaline wasn't helping matters and even when she tried to dance it off in her room, it didn't really help much. She wished she still had the school's classroom key so she could hurry there and do...something, but she gave it back like she said she would and there was no other place aside her room right now.
Aside from the performance, this was the second time she could get to show off to Adrien. That was a chunk of her nerves right there.
She had other dresses that he may have loved which would have saved her sanity, but she wanted to make something special for this occasion. That proved hard enough with her sense of designer's perfection and schedule. Practically an entire sketchbook ended up in the trash because she tore so many used pages out of it, trying to find the right design. Warm against the weather, show off her good...aspects, stylish for the party, yet high class for him to admire.
Of course it had to be green this time. Winter and Noel; red and green. Green to match his eyes mainly. She tried to find just the right fabric to match and it wasn't that hard. His eyes were such a pure color of green and any fabric store had it. The trouble was finding the right type of fabric.
Oh how she shifted through everything and agonized! She fretted about how she'd look in a creation not even sewn and his reaction. She wanted the same, no...much more of a reaction than he had given her in her blue dress! That had caused her to become so paranoid and obsessed over this one creation, more than any she had ever made, because of that reaction.
She would easily admit that she wanted those butterflies in her stomach when he stared at her. Took in her attire and forgot to blink, to breathe. Stood in front of her and gawked because that was the only logical thing his brain could do at the time.
Teeth bit her lip. She hoped that the matching tie and colors he had on would keep her own brain together long enough to compliment him before she kissed him senseless. Being a fashion designer at heart was good to take one look and know which colors would look good on him. She used that to her advantage and he thankfully went along with it.
Hands covered her mouth as a mass amount of giggles and squeals erupted at merely imagining the scene. Feet rapidly stamped on the floor as she lost herself to the very near future, unable to contain herself. Her overactive imagination about 'that moment' had almost caused her to mess up the final rehearsals over the last few days, but it had gotten her through many a tense evening knowing the performance was coming up.
She stopped in front of the dress and stared. Teeth gnashed her lip as her fingers itched to pick it up. She wanted him here now! She wanted to put this on way ahead of their earlier organized meeting time and walk the streets with him. She wanted to beam and clutch at his arm and watch their breaths fog the air. She wanted to saunter around holding onto the arm of an Agreste.
A very handsome, kind, talented, funny, annoying, eye-rolling, insufferable Agreste.
She didn't hide the giggles as she whipped to her phone. The time she was lost in her thoughts only took up ten minutes; way too much of a gap between now and when he was supposed to show up!
She pulled up the text history with his name at the top. A funny picture of him stared back at her. She eyed it for the longest time, teeth trying to rip her lip apart in indecision. Yes...no... They could easily find something to do from now until the party. Plenty of places outside to visit that were nearby. He wouldn't mind. She knew he wouldn't. But...a little heads up would be nice.
Change of plans. Meet me in here thirty. We'll still head to the party like we planned. Don't ask questions, just get ready if you're not already and get over here.
The second she received an okay..., she dropped the phone and whirled for the bathroom. She cleaned up in the quickest shower she had ever taken in her life. She braided her hair as well as she could with it slightly damp and finished drying it. Makeup didn't take more than a few minutes.
She stepped into her black pumps, put the matching black hand purse on her lounge chair, and was looking through her jewelry for the right earrings when there was a knock on the door downstairs. She quickly grabbed a black, dangly set and tried not to trip on the way to the living room.
The breath caught in her throat and she tried to remember to breathe as she fumbled for the door. Quick thoughts of him in the suit she knew he'd be wearing flittered through her head before she quickly yanked the door away.
And almost melted into a puddle.
Time stopped on both sides of the door. He eyed her and she eyed him. They wore matching looks of shock and pleasure as they took in the other. Suns could have rose and set before either of them remembered who they were and just what they were doing in front of the other...also that breathing was a good idea.
Her mouth dropped open, a noise vaguely resembling a syllable escaped. Her hand fell away from the doorknob to limply rest at her side. He made no move to get near her, still looking at her from head to toe and in no mood to stop.
God he was gorgeous! Was it okay to call a guy that? Was godly too much? Apollo was probably going to want his look back one of these days...
The gray he had on with the white shirt and matching emerald tie... His hair was styled back and he had an extra, long coat in his arm. It rested forgotten there and she was amazed it hadn't fallen to the floor already. The tie brought out his eyes, the color of gray going very well with the black of his shiny dress shoes and blond locks. She was smart to have him color coordinate with her and she was happy to match his eyes.
"Y..." He blinked, shook himself from his stupor, and started again. "You look..." Hands moved forward. His coat fell to the floor without a care in the world to the condition of snow he had tracked up with him.
Who cared if his coat got dirty when there was a goddess in front of him!
Her lips pressed together in a silly smile as he gently took her hands in his and brought them to his mouth. She giggled as he lightly kissed every knuckle and mentally told herself not to collapse before they even got out the door.
"You astound me yet again my lady..." He murmured, piercing her with heavy, emotional green eyes. They looked hungry and they pinned her to the floor. Her heart somersaulted in her chest and she actually couldn't breathe for a second. "I don't know what I'm going to do with myself if you keep showing up in outfits like these." His hands swept across her arms, inching past her waist and slowly dragging her to him. He clutched her and buried his nose in her neck, smelling the perfume she had on and her shampoo. "You smell good..."
The breath left her in a shaky whoosh to match the beat of adrenaline. Her knees actually buckled at that low, sultry voice and she gripped his suit jacket as she stumbled into him. Her face was hot, eyes hooded as she panted against his strong hold, neck tingling when he kissed it. She harshly swallowed and let her eyes flutter closed, enjoying the heat she felt and his touch.
The silence buzzed in her ears and all she could hear were her own racing heartbeats. She didn't want to pull away from this moment and prayed that it would keep going for many more. She was suddenly thankful that she asked him to come over and happy that she had designed such a dress that pleased him so.
"So..." He murmured, fighting to pick his brain back up. She felt too good in his arms and it was a shame that they needed to leave this place. "What occasion did you call me over for aside from worshiping your beauty?"
She beamed at his flattery and flushed again. She was never going to stop doing that in front of this man! ...Was that really such a bad thing though?
She finally pulled away and looked at mirthful eyes. She tried to scowl at him, but her smile was getting in the way. She finally grinned at him and pressed a glossed kiss to his lips, resisting the urge to ruffle his well-styled hair for turning her around so easily. Course...that's partially why she called him over so early after all...
She looked to his tie, hands gravitated to it. She lightly fiddled with it, acting like she was going to tighten it, his eyes on her the entire time. "I thought that...that maybe...we could go do something outside for a bit before heading to t – the party...?"
Why was she stuttering?! Why did he make her feel like she was fourteen all over again? Why did she not care in the slightest?
He smiled and took a step away, fingers lightly grasping her palm. He bowed in front of her and gave her impish eyes. "I would love nothing more than to accompany my lady to wherever she wishes to go." He eyed her in the outfit again. "Although, you're going to be a tad cold and as chivalrous as I am toward you, you don't get to have my coat."
She laughed and stepped away, lightly swatting his shoulder. "I have my own coat you dork." She turned and the dress twirled around her. Before she could even get a few steps into the living room, hands suddenly wrapped around her stomach and crushed her against a solid mass of boyfriend. Her heart and excitement raced double-time and she gasped despite herself. "A – A...Adrien?" Wide blue darted around the floor as if he were lying about down there and not clutching her to his torso.
The graceful sweep of her neck, combined with the hourglass figure the flare gave her, had him moving before he could think. His hands flexed over the fabric, feeling how hot she was. He looked to the pitch of her hair and its beautiful design. The way her dressed swirled as she turned...she looked...so stunning...
He released her after another quick whiff of the delectable perfume she had on and watched her daintily hold the dress as she climbed the stairs to her room. He followed like a moth to a flame and watched her grab a black dress coat and slip into it.
She grabbed the clutch purse on her lounge chair and faced him with a smile. "Ready." Her eyes twinkled. "If your coat gets dirty, I'm not cleaning it up for you Monsieur. You'd better hope you didn't get it dirty."
He smirked and paved the way downstairs. "I hope not either. That thing is expensive."
She cringed. "I don't want to know."
His head shook as he retrieved it and batted at some of the water off the black threads. "The gloves alone could cost you the performance tickets we got for your parents."
She shied away from him, suddenly wondering how many hundreds or thousands of euros he was wrapped up in and almost didn't want to touch him. She eyed his shoes, brow raising. "I hope you got your shoes insured..." She half-halfheartedly cracked.
He snorted and turned to her with a cheeky grin. "Amongst other things." He ignored her wide-eyed, disbelief and laced her arm through his. "Come my lady! The afternoon is early, the air is brisk, the snow is falling, and somewhere out there is hot chocolate for us to enjoy before the party."
She beamed and nodded before checking herself one final time. She let him lead her to the door and shut it. She led the way down the steps and paused in the back door. "I need to tell my parents the change in plans so they know where I'm at."
She headed inside with him on her heels and did just that. She let her mother gush over Adrien's appearance and smiled at his bashful acceptance. Her father also informed him of how classy he looked and asked where they were going. She explained they were going to go see what was out there on short notice before the party and tugged him in the direction of the front door as her parents started getting 'that look' in their eyes at their attire.
The snowfall was beautiful. The wind was nonexistent and thus huge chunks fell all around them. That did deter a small amount of people, thankfully making the streets easier to walk. She slipped on her lined gloves and watched him put on into a leather set before starting off.
The noise of traffic didn't deter the mood in the slightest. She took it all in, the snow falling on his hair, on her eyelashes, on his coat, her arm around his, and the chill at her legs. They meandered over trampled snow that tried to keep whitening the sidewalks and streets.
He finally looked at her and the red in his cheeks made him even more handsome. "Where to my lady?"
She took in his face with entranced eyes. When they stopped walking, she had no clue. They probably hadn't even gotten that far from the bakery before the will to move left her. She was vaguely aware that he faced her and had an arm around her lower back, tugging her close again.
The ability to breathe left her as she watched it slowly fog from his lips. Her eyes darted to him, taking him in as if he were the most exquisite creature she had ever laid eyes on. He always had been, would always be.
Adrien Agreste. Heir to the Agreste Dance Troupe, should he so ever want to continue his father's business. Talented beyond measure. Handsome as a model and should have been one if not for this line of work. Worth more than any money she could ever make in a lifetime. In possession of a house big enough to take up the entire park next to her home. Featured in magazines and known throughout France.
And he had chosen her.
With that thought, her eyes teared through the feeling of love and awe that blossomed within her. She had fallen in love with him long ago and by some grace of fate, some miracle, they had met again and she finally managed to tell him. He reciprocated her feelings to the point of the recent stunt he had pulled and put himself in jeopardy for her sake. That brash act told her more about him than she ever needed to know and thinking of the words he pleaded to her had her shivering from them all over again.
He noticed and his hands lightly rubbed her arms. "Cold...?" He murmured, voice low.
Did he step closer? Did her chin move up a little?
Her eyes closed at a snail's pace as she kept taking him in. Her head idly shook. "No..." She breathed.
"I think we'll be late to wherever it is you wish to go if we keep standing here..." He slowly continued, a leather finger slowly coming up under her chin to raise it a little more.
She tried to swallow and found her mouth dry. His touch was electric and addictive. "Th...that's...okay..." She whispered, eyes on his descending lips. "We'll get there...when we get there..."
His mouth was warm, but his nose was chilly. It touched hers, mimicking her own as he pressed against her. He tried to push them past the fluff of their coats and take her into his skin. Her hands snaked up under his arms and grasped at his shoulders as she pressed into his mouth, feeling snowflakes fall on her cheeks and drip away.
'Oh god...please stop time and erase everything else but this second...'
The thought was the only logical thing roaming around her consciousness. She never wanted moments like these to end. Even when they were busy in class, sweaty in ballet wear, and forced to listen to The Beast go on and on about how perfect they had to be for paying customers, she still came back to these snippets of frozen time.
The cold of his gloves brushed against a cheek, thumb lightly caressing her skin. Tears lined her eyes and one trickled from the corner as she refused to let go of his mouth. The noise of traffic was only a backdrop and very far away from the noise of his breathing she had attuned to.
How could she ever begin to explain to him the depth of such feelings and how much she felt for him? Words never did moments like these justice and only by kissing him could she hope that he understood even a little of her heart. He had taken it a long time ago, kept it when he left school, and dusted it off when he confessed again. It had always been his, whether battered through time or kept hidden away for safekeeping.
"I love you..." She breathed against his lips. She gasped when he was suddenly kissing her harsh and passionately. His other hand came up as both cupped her chin, keeping her his willing prisoner heartbeats as he ravished her mouth.
"I will never get tired of hearing you say those words my lady..." He finally murmured, rubbing his nose against hers. His lashes fluttered open and stared at the lone track down the side of her face. A thumb slowly wiped it away as he pulled back enough to stare at her. "I will always love you until the end of time." A smile tipped his lips, his eyes gentle. "Thank you."
She blinked. "For what?"
"For being you. For loving me."
Her eyes suddenly swam, jaw clenching. She let the few tears fall as she stared at him, feeling like she would burst if he said any more. Her mouth opened and closed a few times as she attempted to find the right words and failed at every pass. She rapidly blinked and looked to the lapels on his coat, hands coming to lightly rest on them.
Her head slowly shook as she felt, but was unable to say. It kept moving and bobbing on its own accord, unable to stop. "No...no." She whispered, blinking back more tears. "That's wrong. I should be thanking you for the same thing." She harshly swallowed and looked to him to find green swimming, but avidly watching her. "Thank you Adrien...for everything you've given me. For all you've done for me." She took a shaky breath to steady herself. "I would never have been where I am without you... Without your help. Your support. Your love. You've done so much without a thought to yourself these past few months and I never even asked you to put yourself out like you have."
She gave a shaky laugh at the memory of how upset she had been with him when she saw how debilitated he had become because she had been kicked out.
"I love you...so much. I have for so many years that it was just normal to me. You have no idea how perfect my life is now because you're in it." She watched a few tears fall from his eyes, though he was smiling through them. "Soon I'll be up on that stage with you and it'll be just us in front of a whole bunch of people. Just like you wanted... Just like I want for the both of us."
His hands encompassed most of her petite face, thumbs stroking her cheeks. "I would like to throw back every word you just said to me back to you." He gave a lame smile, eyes darting around her face. "There are no amount of words to express the sheer depth of gratitude and love that I will always have for you. You've done so much for me in such a short amount of time that I'd give any part of me if you ever need it. You've had my soul with you since my time in your home." His head shook. "No...since the first night I met you in the Underground. You stole it with a dance and I wouldn't have it any other way. I will never ask for it back; I'm yours for as long as you want."
Her eyes gleamed and she sniffed. "It seems we're each other's biggest fans..."
He grinned and lightly kissed her. "I get to be first in line for your autograph when you become famous with me."
She snorted, but smiled at him. "My signature is hardly worth much, nor will it be."
He stepped back as the mood lightened and dusted her shoulders off. He took her arm around his with a mischievous look and tugged her along. "Oh, I don't know... I can think of something I'd like you to sign hopefully in the near future..."
She looked to him at that tone, suspicious eyes on that grin. A brow rose. "Oh...? What's that?"
He didn't cast her a look. "A certain certificate that I'll lock up and put in a safe for safekeeping." His eyes darted to hers. "When the time is right of course..."
Her face flamed and she quickly looked to the ground with wide eyes when she almost slipped. Her shoulders bunched up to her ears, though she clutched at his arm even more. A grin split her face in half, giggles erupting seconds later.
"And now my lady...adventure awaits us! I vaguely remember some of our classmates saying something about skating at the Eiffel Tower. I think I read something online saying there would be food and drink there too. I bet that hot chocolate I mentioned earlier will be there in one of the booths."
She spied him a glance. "Something tells me you came over with plans in your head kitty."
"I have no idea what you mean..."
There was no way she could pinch him through all the layers he had going on and she wasn't going for his face, so she settled for his arm instead. "Sly cat..."
The walk was short once they actually kept putting one foot in front of the other. The Tower was lit up with the early night upon them, the light pollution of Paris lighting the clouds and the snow around them. Dozens of booths lined the shallow pond and a rink was set on the other side of the Tower.
They stood at the steps above the chaos of people. She clutched at his arm as the excitement flowed through her. "It's...beautiful..." She breathed, taking in the streams of light with wide eyes.
"Yes...you certainly are..."
She socked him in the arm lightly and tugged him for the lower level with a smile. "Come on you charmer. Let's go!"
Marinette's dress: g02 a /kf/HTB1S9TJJFXXXXXeXpXXq6xXFXXXp/Warm-Winter-Velvet-Dress-Women-Vintage-Ankle-Length-Casual-Long-Sleeve-Waist-Elegant-Dress-Plus-Size jpg
Marinette's hair: pophaircuts com/images/2015/04/Braids-with-Updos-Formal-Updo-Hairstyles-for-Medium-Hair png
Adrien's suit: s7d4 scene7 com/is/image/BrooksBrothers/MK00212_GREY?$bbenlarged$
Marinette's coat: cdnc yourzoom com/pc/7/757011 yz/detailnew jpg
Adrien's coat: fogeyunlimited co uk/acatalog/croydon_1 jpg
Ice rink: 1001loisirs com/sites/default/files/medias/fiche/image234350-trocadero-ice png
