Hi friends! Double post tonight, I hope that doesn't offend anyone. ;)

Enjoy!

Marinette sat down on a bench in front of Sainte Chapelle and sighed happily.

"Phew. That could have been messy."

"Thanks for saving me, Marinette!" Tikki chirped, nuzzling Marinette's cheek.

"I couldn't just let them take you!" Marinette wrapped her hands around her kwami. "I know you're my kwami, but you're so much more than that!"

Tikki beamed. "So, what now? How many clues do you still have left?"

"Just two." Marinette slipped the notepad out of her pocket. "One at the Centre Pompidou and one over at the Luxembourg Gardens."

"And then you guys switch, right?"

"Yep!" Marinette leaned back, crossing her legs. "This has certainly been fun! I can't wait for the dance tonight!"

"Adrien's going to love your dress," Tikki winked.

Marinette ducked her head, giggling. "I sure hope so. I spent an awful lot of time on it!"

"It's beautiful," Tikki promised, zooming around Marinette's head. "And so are you!"

"Now you're making me blush," Marinette laughed.

"Marinette!" Adrien yelled, running closer.

"Hide, Tikki!" Marinette hissed, popping open her purse and then snapping it shut after Tikki was safely inside.

"I'm so sorry I left you alone!" Adrien blurted as he came closer. "If I had been there with you, none on this would've happened." He hugged Marinette tightly.

Marinette felt her face color as Adrien's arms wrapped around her. "Uh, no, it's fine! Really, I got it back and we're all good!" She tentatively hugged him back.

"I'm not leaving your side again," Adrien promised as he pulled away. "We'll stick together."

Marinette turned a deeper shade of red and her heart skipped a beat. "Yeah, okay."

Adrien smiled and slipped his arm around Marinette, leading her away from the antique chapel. "So, Centre Pompidou next?"

Marinette contained a shriek of excitement at the feeling of Adrien's arm tight around her. "Yeah, sounds good!"

Adrien found a tour bus that went off the small island and he and Marinette clambered on board.
"So where do we want to hide the one at the Centre Pompidou?" Adrien asked, sitting down in a seat near the back.

"Maybe on that big covered stairway?" Marinette said, picturing the modern art museum in her mind.

Adrien nodded and leaned back in his seat. "So, Marinette, remember when we were practicing for the Ultimate Mechastrike Three tournament a while ago?"

Marinette's stomach fluttered, and she thought of the lucky charm she'd given him that day. "Yeah?"

Adrien laced his fingers across his chest. "How did you get so good?" He chuckled regretfully. "I still remember when you and Max ended up winning that tournament."

"Oh, I play with my dad all the time." Marinette smiled, thinking of her barrel-chested father.

Adrien smiled sadly, turning to gaze out the window. "I wish I could play video games with my dad."

Marinette tentatively reached out, putting her hand on Adrien's arm. "I'm sorry, Adrien, I wasn't trying to-"

"No, you're fine," Adrien cut across her, turning back to look at her. He sighed. "I just...I don't know...wish I had a normal life. With two parents that loved me. Low-key, you know?" He glanced down at his lap.

Marinette nodded knowingly. "And just a normal day of school...with a reliable schedule..."

Adrien laughed. "I know exactly what you mean."

Marinette smiled, and Tikki shoved her through the bag warningly. Marinette pursed her lips and shifted her position, pulling her arm back from Adrien's. She built up her courage
"Adrien, can I ask you something? It's been on my mind for a while, ever since I made that derby hat for you."

Adrien looked up curiously. "Sure, Marinette."

"You model a lot, don't you?"

Adrien shrugged. "I guess. It doesn't help that my father is a leading fashion designer."

Marinette nodded eagerly. "Exactly. How does the fashion world work? How did your father get started?"

Adrien took a deep breath, pondering the question. "I'm not sure, to be honest. I just go where they tell me." His lips twitched into a weak smile. "It's pretty boring, honestly."

Marinette nodded, urging him to continue.

Adrien leaned forward, thinking. "Fashion can be brutal. If it's not good enough, they'll just drop it and find something else." He pursed his lips before continuing. "But it can be beautiful and amazing too. Some things just click, you know?

Marinette nodded, her eyes glassing over as she thought of her sketchbook.

Adrien studied her. "You know, Marinette? You really have a lot of talent. If anyone can be successful in the fashion world, it's you. That derby hat was cool. And when you designed the album cover for Jagged Stone?" Adrien shook his head in amazement. "That was so awesome! Anyone would be lucky to have your designs."

Marinette beamed, her face flushing slightly. "Thanks, Adrien. I really love it, and I really really put my heart into it." She rubbed her arm anxiously. "I hope that'll be enough."

"See, and that's the difference." Adrien shifted in his seat, turning to face Marinette. He put his hand on her shoulder. "Marinette, a lot of people in fashion just throw something together and hope that people like it. But I think that true artistry doesn't look for approval; it just..." He hesitated, looking for the correct word.

"Blooms," Marinette said softly, looking up at Adrien, awe in her eyes. "It sweeps you away and you just follow it, trusting and knowing that the art will create itself if you let it."

"Exactly!" Adrien beamed. "And it only does through that extra work and heart you mentioned earlier." He squeezed her shoulders. "Marinette, you have that gift. I sure hope to be in some of your designs someday."

Marinette blushed madly, a shy smile on her lips. "Adrien, I-I don't know what to say. That's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me."

"You deserve it." Adrien's grin widened. How lucky am I to be with Marinette today? The thought struck him. All the girls in Paris...and I chose her.

"Good choice, I'd say," Plagg mumbled in his ear.

"Plagg!" Adrien hissed.

"What?" Marinette asked, leaning forward.

"Oh, I just said "hah!" Adrien stammered, pointing out the window. "We're here!"

The pipe exterior of the Centre Pompidou rolled into view, and Marinette rose to her feet.

"Come on, we've got to hurry!" She held out her hand to Adrien. "Are you coming?"

Adrien jumped to his feet, grabbing her hand. He couldn't help but feel a thrill at her touch.

"After you, partner."

Writing normal conversations between Adrien and Marinette has been my favorite part of this fic. Maybe I'll do a sequel with less action and more dialogue? Leave a review if you'd be interested in said sequel! And/or if you like this one so far!

Thanks for reading!