16. In 10 Years / Aged Up
Adrien woke, groaning in vague protest at being roused. He squinted for the digital clock by his bedside, making out read digits informing him it was only two in the morning. Plenty more time to sleep.
Grunting, he rolled over, extending an arm over the other side of the bed, only to find cold, empty sheets. Comprehension hit him a full second later.
Heaving a sigh, he hauled himself out of bed, dragging his feet across the carpet of their penthouse as he stifled a yawn. Making his way out of the bedroom, he shuffled into the study next door, nearly cracking his head on the doorframe in the process.
"Minou?"
Marinette glanced over her shoulder from where she sat at the huge mahogany desk, surrounded by sketches of what looked like concepts for the new fall collection. She smiled, lowering her pencil. "Sorry, did I wake you?"
Without a word, he shuffled over and draped himself over Marinette's shoulders, resting his chin on her head as his eyes drifted closed.
"Come t' bed," he grumbled, arms snaking around her shoulders. "You're working too hard, you're goin' t' burn yourself out."
She sighed, her tone sounding partway between affectionate and exasperated. "Adrien, I've literally got one more coat design to polish up—"
"Beeed," he wheedled again, hugging her tighter.
Another huff, but this one tinged with amusement. "All right, all right," she relented, reaching up to pat him on the head as her other hand flicked off the desk lamp. "If it'll make you stop being such a needy cat."