Welcome back readers! I give you another chapter full of fluff before everything hits the fan. For the fanfic recommendations, I'm still reading through your all your suggestions, Both of these are on AO3, first one is a Marichat one-shot called Clumsy Business by Totally_lucky the other is You are Terrible by barnes1917. They are awesome, give them some love. Wanted to thank my betas because they are amazing.
"Chat, this place is beautiful." His girlfriend's praise was enough to make his heart race, but the way she was gawking in awe was just the icing on the cake.
One day when he was exploring as Chat Noir, he found a secret spot within the park that overlooked the Eiffel Tower. The newly worn path was hidden behind some trees and if followed winded to a secluded clearing. It didn't take long for him to claim the spot as his own.
Adrien had taken her here once before in the summer between their junior and senior year, but he doubted that she would remember it. That night would always be special to him, he almost kissed her that night. She looked so beautiful with her hair falling out of her messy bun and eyes full of excitement.
"I often come here to think," he explained, taking in the sight for himself. Out of the corner of his eyes, he watched her smile falter for a few seconds and wondered if she started to remember.
"What do you think about?" Marinette said, resting her head on his shoulder.
"Everything: the future, hopes, dreams. This place is kind of like a safe haven for me." His voice was so soft and tender it was like he was being transported to a memory in his mind.
"Does that include thinking about your future with me?" Did Chat Noir see a future with just Marinette? The thought was foreign to her, usually people valued Ladybug over what she could offer.
"Yes." His throaty response caused a shiver to shoot down her spine. She regained her composure quickly, hoping that he wasn't aware of how he was affecting her.
"What do you dream about in this future of ours?" Marinette mused softly.
"A small wedding wherever you want. Alya would be your maid of honor while I would probably ask Ladybug to be a groomswoman." Giggles spilled out of her, if only he realized the irony in his statement. Chat raised an eyebrow, but when she assured him she wasn't laughing at his dream, he continued, "We settle down in a house just outside the city. Not too large, just enough to make it feel like home." Her breath hitched when she felt the sensation of his nose running up her neck until he lingered right outside her ear. "Have a litter of kittens to call our own." He pawed her hips tighter with his hands before placing a tender kiss on her cheek. A growing heat was already gathering at her core from what he was implying.
"What about being Chat Noir?" Part of her just wanted to avoid the question outright and let him kiss her senseless under the moonlight, but if they were to have a future together, it would have to be discussed. They could only be superheroes for so long, especially since his dream involved children.
"I would continue on until it was the taken or until I find a successor to pass my miraculous on to. Then I would retire, pick up some hobbies that I've always wanted to try, and spend every moment loving you." At that moment, Marinette was glad she wasn't standing; she wasn't sure that her knees would support her. It sounded wonderful, she wouldn't change a thing. "Mari?" He interrupted her thoughts, a concerned look on his face; apparently, she had spaced out for too long.
"I love you," she blurted out suddenly allowing her emotions to take over. He froze the second the words were released from her lips, his heart beating faster than it should be. Did she mean that?
"You love me?" His heart was elated and sunk at the same time. It was what he always wanted to hear, and now that she had said it, he committed it to memory. But did that mean she had moved on from Adrien? All thoughts stopped when her hand caressed his face, her fingertips stopping in his golden locks.
"Of course I do, Kitty." Her eyes searching his sparked something inside him. "You saw me when I was invisible; you love me even when I don't deserve it." Chat was sure he could close his eyes and purr his way into the following year. She loved him, at least part of him. Now he just had to see if she harbored similar feelings for his civilian form.
"I-I love you, too."
"Chat I-"The two leaned in for a kiss only to be interrupted by a piercing scream.
"Duty calls," he sighed. "Stay here, I'll come back for you." He leapt into action, although if he would have bothered to look back he would have seen that she was already gone.
Alya couldn't contain her smile when she heard the knock on her door. If her boyfriend was anything, it was prompt to their date night. She had a hard week with her classes, patrol, and her other responsibilities; it left her exhausted. Nino always managed to lift her spirits when they took the time to enjoy each other's company.
Even before she opened the door to greet him, she could smell the cooked chicken through the door. In a swift motion, she greeted her boyfriend with a kiss and took her dinner from his hand.
"Did I ever tell you how much I love you today?" Alya said.
"Do you love me or the food that I bring you?"
She took the liberty and smacked his butt playfully as he made his way to the couch. "Depends on the day." Alya teased as she grabbed silverware and plates before plopping down next to her boyfriend, ready to devour the food. "What do you got for me?"
It was a ritual that they had fallen into to keep up in each other's lives since they attended separate schools. Whoever had the juicer gossip got to decide what they did for the rest of the night.
"Caught sight of Rena Rouge patrolling the city a couple nights ago. I may have imagined it, but I think she winked at me."
Alya had to hold back a laugh, so maybe she had gotten a little emboldened. But she couldn't help herself when she saw him. "Are you trying to make me jealous?" She bumped shoulders with him playfully.
"Why, is it working?" Nino waggled his eyebrows, trying to earn a reaction. His efforts were rewarded with laughter.
Alya leaned in and stole a kiss. "No, she can try, but you are mine." She beamed. There were moments where she wished could tell him, but he would worry about her and then she would never be able to focus. "What else? Because if that's all you got it looks like we're watching The Notebook tonight."
"Adrien is going to tell Marinette that he's in love with her if he hasn't already."
Alya choked on her drink sending her into a coughing fit. "What?" How did she not know this? Marinette would get an earful the next time she saw her. That was prime best friend privileged information that she heard from her boyfriend. "What about Amelie?" She had never felt so disconnected, wasn't Marinette still with Chat Noir?
"I don't know, she's been gone all summer, the two have had the apartments to themselves." That was it, Alya was fighting the urge to go demand answers. Marinette would have told her if something happened, right?
"Keep me updated as that progresses," Alya said, causing Nino to raise an eyebrow.
"Doesn't Marinette inform you of everything? You know I'm breaking the bro code by divulging Adrien's secrets?"
Alya laced their hands and snuggled closer. "But you love me," she teased. "And I don't have anything that tops your Adrien news, which makes you the winner tonight." Her fingers started tracing shapes on his chest. "What do you think we should do?"
"Oh, I don't know," He leaned down and captured her lips in a tender kiss. "I'm sure we can figure out something."
At first, she was skeptical when Chat Noir had invited her and Rena to his apartment. The thought had never occurred that her that Chat needed a place to stay, but when she thought about it, it was a no brainer. Still, he hadn't shown Marinette his place yet. Was he embarrassed to bring her there? As she neared the open window, she could hear that Rena and Chat were already talking. She wouldn't have lingered and eavesdropped, but then she heard her name.
"I think I messed up. I'm elated that she loves me, but I can't help but feel like she's keeping something from me. I don't know how to approach it. It's brand new territory, I don't want to lose her." Marinette saw her opening to intervene and acted without a second thought.
"Don't want to lose who?" She zipped further down until her feet hit the edge of the windowsill.
"Ladybug, you're just in time. Chat was telling us how Marinette told him that she loved him." Marinette felt her chest tighten and stomach explode with butterflies at the same time. If that wasn't enough, the way Alya was looking at her told her that she would be getting an earful. She wished that Alya wouldn't do anything stupid because she was pissed off.
"O-Oh really? Well, that's amazing. I'm so happy for you both." She had to hide the blush forming. She didn't expect Chat to be sharing that kind of information with Rena. When did they get that close?
"Don't be so modest, Ladybug. I'm sure you have some advice for him. Didn't you just say the same thing to your boyfriend not too long ago?"
Good thing she had her mask, because she felt all the color drain from her face. She felt Chat's eyes snap onto her and her stomach lurched. Why did Alya enjoy putting her in these situations? She had tried to find a time to tell him over the summer, but there were interruptions then she lost her nerve.
"Boyfriend?" Marinette heard Chat Noir whispered.
"Uh…yeah." Did she mention how much she wanted to kill Alya right now? But now she needed to figure a way to defuse the tension from her supposed best friend's statement. "Just be open and honest with her, I'm sure Marinette would reciprocate it."
"Do you know her well?" he asked. Ladybug had let it slip that she knew Marinette over the years, but she never said how she knew her. Rena had already been invaluable with her advice; if he had Ladybug on his side as well, things with Mari would be smooth sailing.
"I'd like to think so," she replied smoothly, causing his heart rate to speed up.
Should he be concerned that she hadn't mentioned it? If she knew Marinette as well as she said she did, then a question had been plaguing his mind all summer.
"Do you think she's still in love with Adrien Agreste?"
"I think…" He felt his breath hitch as she paused. The suit was constricting, and he felt the heat cling to his skin. "I think she knows that you are the only one for her." Somehow her answer didn't provide the comfort that he was seeking. The conversation moved on, though his mind was still swirling with Ladybug's answer. What did that even mean?
"Chat Noir!" Ladybug shouted before her partner had a chance to escape to his room. Her stomach had been in knots since she walked in on Rena and his conversation and she knew that she would be getting chewed out later by her best friend. Chat turned at the mention of his name and rounded back through his apartment.
"What is it LB?" There was a clear concern that flashed on his face
"It's nothing big," she reassured him. "I just wanted to know what you were doing this Saturday. I know I have patrol duty, but I was wondering if you could join me." The invite was awkward, and she couldn't bring herself to look him in the eyes. If it was this hard setting the night up, she couldn't imagine her nerves before revealing her identity to him.
"Careful, Bugaboo. It almost sounds like you're asking me out. My girl wouldn't be so happy with your flirting," he teased, earning a blush. It was refreshing to know that if Ladybug ever tried to make a move he would turn her down. If her cat was one thing, it was loyal.
"No, nothing like that. I just feel like we're...disconnected somehow. I was hoping that maybe we could just talk?" The seconds were excruciating as she watched a series of emotions run through his features. He had to have felt it too, but she was hoping that once she revealed herself then they could work through any consequences of her keeping her identity a secret and move forward stronger.
"Saturday it is." His voice caught her off guard at first, but then she gave a quick nod and fled out the window. In a week's time, her whole reality would shift once more, although this time she was optimistic about the outcome.
"What do you mean you've never made a blanket fort?" Marinette turned her head to the side, utterly surprised by his response. Some of her best memories was building forts with her dad when she was younger, she never imagined that wouldn't be a part of any kid's childhood.
"My father was way too busy and dignified to even consider doing something like that," Adrien replied. The conversation was brought on when their plans were ruined by an unexpected rainstorm trapping them inside the apartment.
"We're are going fix that today. Get up."
Adrien didn't hesitate a second, jumping up from his spot on the couch. Marinette had already disappeared only to come back arm full of blankets.
Within 15 minutes of stringing up blankets, they had the making of a decent fort. Adrien caught on to the concept quickly and helped where he could but what he really enjoyed was seeing how Marinette's face lit up as the fort took shape.
"I think it's done." She stood, hands on her hips proudly. They exchanged grins and almost out of reflex she extended her hand in the manner of the pound it and froze. Adrien's eye widened before he silently bumped her fist. It gave him a dose of Deja vu,and it was more than just the familiarity of the motion but more the way she was looking at him. There was no way that Marinette knew that he was Chat Noir.
"It-It looks amazing, Mar," he stuttered, fighting the blush that accompanied his thoughts.
"Just wait till you get inside." She flashed a smile and immediately crawled through the makeshift opening.
Adrien followed her lead and the second he saw the inside, a cozy warmth spread through the tips of his fingers and toes.
"This is amazing!" he exclaimed, flopping down on a pillow. "I can see why you love it so much."
"It was a space where I felt so much peace and no matter what was raging outside, I had my dad, and I knew he wouldn't let anything happen to me."
Adrien smiled softly; he wished that he had those kinds of memories with his father, but at least he could attempt to make her feel the same way. He felt his breath go ragged when she laid down in front of him. Her scent wafted through his nostrils and he had to control himself from kissing her.
"Marinette, I— " It would be easy to spill all of his secrets with her right there. Summer was ending, and he wasn't sure he was ready for it. Instead he opted to ask another question burning on his mind. "I heard you know Ladybug. I was just wondering how you two met?"
"Oh, you know just through school."
"So you know who she is?" Marinette watched Adrien's eyebrows shrink together as if he was disappointed? She knew she had to backpedal fast.
"Di-Did I say school? I meant to say she saved me at school a couple times with the akumas, I just figure that she had to be a student because she got there so fast. We started talking every now and then but even Ladybug has her secrets that she keeps." He didn't push the subject further and for that she was grateful. "Hey, why don't you grab a movie and I can set up the tv?" Her suggestion was well accepted as Adrien didn't hesitate before crawled out of the door.
When he returned with a Disney movie in hand she couldn't help but crack a smile.
"Lion King?" She knew that he picked the movie because it was in her top 5 favorite Disney movies.
"What can I say? I like cats." His response earned him a giggle and the two reclined back once more as the movie began to roll. Marinette couldn't think of a better way to spend a rainy day.
"I'm kinda freaking out here, are you going to help me out or not?" He received laughter over the speaker.
"Dude, you haven't broken things off yet? You had all summer. Guess Marinette was a distraction," Nino teased.
Adrien began pacing in his room. Amelie would be home in a few hours and he still didn't know how to break things off without gaining Amelie's wrath. Knowing his luck, he could come back after being out to find his stuff littered on the street outside. He had a mover on speed dial...just in case.
"Not helping." He gritted his teeth, although he couldn't say Nino was wrong. All of his time that he wasn't at the office or with Nino was spent with Marinette either as Chat Noir or himself. Adrien got to experience late night talks and friendly cuddle sessions while his other side got to know her hopes and dreams and got to steal kisses whenever he wanted. This summer provided some of the best memories that he's had in awhile. "What would you say?"
"Whatever you do, don't tell her you have feelings for Marinette. Let her settle down for a couple weeks before you spring that on her. You know how crazy jealous some girls get."
"How did this get so complicated? I don't want to hurt Amelie, but I can't be with her. Not when I love Marinette." It was such a relief being able to be completely open and honest about his feelings.
"Well, if you would have turned her down in the first place, maybe you would be in a different situation right now."
Nino was right. What he would give to go back and redo that night; not that that knowledge would help the situation he was in.
"I know that," he snapped. The last thing he should do is lose his temper at the person who was trying to help him.
"All I'm saying is don't put it off. The longer you do the more people that get hurt."
Adrien could just hope the damage that had been done could be reversed.
"What smells so drool-worthy in here?" Adrien's voice carried over the sound of dinner being made.
Marinette's lips twitched up into a half smile; it was nice to know that the cooking classes she took paid off. "Just doing a bit of cooking." She enjoyed cooking not nearly as much as baking, but on special occasions, she would put her skills to good use.
"You can cook too? Why wasn't I aware? I would have made an excellent and willing taste tester," he teased, hitting her playfully with a hand towel.
"If you keep this up, you lose that privilege tonight too." She shot back, pointing the spoon in a threatening manner.
Adrien held up his hands in a defensive stance only for a second, a mischievous glint in his eye. With one foul swoop, he sampled the wooden spoon.
"Adrien!" Her lips dropped open, and she was pretty sure her face was currently hotter than the stove.
"Sorry." Adrien grinned sheepishly. "Couldn't help myself, but it's delicious. What's the special occasion?" he asked.
"I thought Amelie would like a nice meal since she gets back tonight." All of the oxygen might as well have been sucked out of the room. Amelie's name had been more of a taboo subject over the last couple months, a silent agreement between the two. They had to face the fact that summer was over now, along with whatever behaviors that were considered normal.
"I'm sure she'll enjoy it." All sense of brightness was withered from his voice. The sound of keys shifting the locks made the two jump, breaking what wasn't said between them.
When Amelie strolled in with a suitcase behind her, Marinette quickly ran towards her, food forgotten.
"Amelie." The two embraced tightly, making up for the couple months of absence. "I made you dinner, are you hungry?" She didn't know why her stomach was in knots with talking to her roommate. Maybe it was because she knew what was going to happen, Amelie's mood would take a nosedive once Adrien broke up with her.
"It smells amazing, Mar, it does, but— " Marinette's face fell. "They fed us on the plane, and right now I just want to sleep." Amelie yawned as she finished. Marinette was trying not to be disappointed that all her hard work would go to waste. Of course, they would have fed them on the plane, it was industry standards for long trips. "Raincheck?"
"Of course." Marinette would be lying if she said the disappointment wasn't sinking in.
"Amelie." Adrien finally found his voice, drawing the attention of the two girls. He made his way over to his girlfriend and wrapped his arms around her and placed a kiss on the top of her head. The motion was foreign despite the numerous times before that he had shown affection. It only confirmed that breaking up with her was the right thing to do. "How are you feeling?"
"It's good to be home, I missed you both." Amelie's eyes shifted between the two. "But I think we need to sit down and talk, tomorrow maybe?" Adrien's blood ran cold as her words flooded over him. She wanted to talk, usually that meant...was Amelie planning on breaking up with him? That would make everything less complicated.
"Sure," he managed to say despite his level of surprise. Maybe space did Amelie some good, and she came to the same conclusion that he did.
"The flight was super long, so I'm going to crash." She leaned in and pressed a kiss on Adrien's cheek before retreating to the bedroom, leaving both Marinette and Adrien confused.
"I'm sorry about your dinner." Adrien broke the silence only to turn to see Marinette retreating to the kitchen.
The last hour almost felt wasted, she wasn't sure she was even hungry anymore. "It was my fault, I should have known better."
"You were doing something nice; you shouldn't feel sorry over it." He reached out and put a hand on her shoulder, trying his best to comfort her. "There's no need to put such delicious food to waste. What do you say that we enjoy your food?"
Marinette sighed before her lips twitched up into a smile, he always knew what to say to make her feel better. The dinner would also act as a proper goodbye. After the break-up there was no way that Amelie would allow him to stay here. If Adrien moved back to his school, it would be tougher to see him.
"Sounds perfect." Maybe this was the best way to figure out how to finally say good-bye.
A.n.-I'm basically a chapter ahead and hoping to stay that way. Let me know what you think of this chapter. Things are about to get interesting with Amelie returning. Next chapter: the proposal. But most of your answers will be in the chapter after next.