I meet Marinette's eyes as I open the door for her, and I feel my face glowing. She was so brave this morning with first the panic attack and then telling me her identity. She seems calmer now, and I'm glad for it.
"Gosh, its even hot in here!" She tells me, and she pulls her long hair out of her ponytail and twists it up into a messy bun. Even that looks beautiful, and I tell her so. "As long as its not Medusa snakes, I think its fine." "Hm, you might enjoy it at least for a few hours. You would have deal with my puns."
"I enjoy your puns, as long as they are at the proper time." "So, how about meow?" I grin. She turns poking my belly. "Your a dork," she giggles, her eyes sparkling. "I'm your dork and your lovable fur ball." "You know, its good thing you don't have fur, because that would get hot in the summer." "Leather's not exactly cotton, love, but at least I don't shed." "Icing and Sugar, I didn't even think of that. I'm glad I'm a Ladybug."
We're speaking in whispers as the store is busy but not crowded. I encircle my hands around her waist, rubbing her back gently in little circles. "That's nice," she leans back into me. When we get up to the counter, I'm shocked at her order. "Could we do two Venti Strawberry Lemonades, please? Ooh, and two chocolate chip cookies?"
I wander over to the side to wait for our order and whisper to Plagg. "Maybe this morning was more stressful then we thought, Plagg. She didn't order coffee." "I heard that, Agreste," she walks up, and I flush slightly. I brush my fingertips on her arms, watching little goosebumps pop out and I meet her eyes. "I like the way you flirt, Marinette! Look out!"
A tall man comes barreling towards us, and his drink splashes up onto Marinette's arm. She yelps in pain, and I glare after him. I can't just let him get away with that, he didn't even look where he was going. Ducking around the corner, I mutter "Claws Out!"
I dash through the crowds and grab the man whirling him around to face me. His suit is cleanly pressed and everything about him screams expensive. "Your drink burned the young lady waiting in line. Go back and say sorry." The man laughs right at me, and tries to shove me aside. "She's the one who got in my way. Now, move aside!" He gets away and I growl under my breath, my leather belt tail lashing in anger. But then I realize Marinette is still inside, wondering where I went with a burned arm. I don't think I've detransformed that fast before.
Some kindly barista is with Marinette and she has an ice pack over her burned area. "How is it?" I ask. And she lifts the pack to show me. Angry pink skin stares back at me and I turn to the barista. "Do you carry any aloe?" "Of course. Follow me."
She pours some into a cup and hands it to me. "I'm so sorry about what happened. That man is rude to all the customers." "You did nothing wrong. Is there a private bathroom? I want spread some of aloe on Marinette's arm." "If you take the back staircase there's a bathroom at the top of the stairs. Take all the time you need."
"Does it hurt, sweetie?" I ask, once were alone. "A bit." But I can see tears gathering in her eyes. "You don't always have to be so brave you know." I slowly rub in the aloe, and she quiet, thinking. "Adrien, what if that man works for Hawkmoth?" I sigh, and lean my forehead against hers. "We're in this together, Bugaboo." "I was hoping we could spend the day in this private meadow. If you want." "That sounds perfect, but lets take a car there."
Once we get to the park, Marinette informs me its a bit of a hike, but I'm up for a walk. We talk and sip our drinks as we walk, and finally I tell her I'm ready for shade. "Funny, because your my sunshine."
I laugh but then gasp as we walk down the last hill, for the meadow is absolutely beautiful. Heather and bluebells sway in the gentle breeze and a little stream flows nearby.
We settle under a tree, shading us with its branches. "Thank goodness you hired a car or the cookies would have melted." "I'm glad your still in good spirits." "It takes more then a burn to bring me down." I lean towards her, lips almost touching hers. "A good pun would do it." "You-you!" I laugh as Marinette tackles me, and sits on my chest. "There's that angry pout." She grumbles softly and I kiss her nose. "So, you going to sit on me all day? Not that I mind." "Sit up," she tells me, and I do as I'm told. She tosses my shirt aside, and unbuckles my belt. "I'll be sitting on you, but we won't be telling each other puns," she pulls off my briefs and flings them to the side. "We'll see about that."
She quick to undress and I help her enter me. "This comfortable?" I ask. She nods and starts moving and the world spins away into our bubble. Marinette is confident and sexy and her hair tumbles down, a black waterfall that smells of vanilla and strawberries.
I can feel myself getting close, and I meet each thrust, and I cry out, tumbling over the edge. "Let me catch my breath and then its your turn."
Her body is so warm and perfect, and we're made to match up, fitting each other perfectly. Finally, we sit up and I pull a blanket around us. "What's the situation on the cookies?" My stomach is growling. She giggles, feeding me bits of cookie and once I've had my fill, I do the same for her. "Your the most beautiful girl in the world," I tell her, as we cuddle. "You would say that, when I have chocolate all over my face."
"Adrien?" we've been quiet for awhile, just listening to the rustling of the tall grass around us. "Hm?" "Do you want kids some day?" "I've actually wanted a hamster, but kids sound even better." She sighs, and she stands up to pull on her clothes. "I guess those dreams will have to wait until Hawkmoth is defeated."
Marinette falls asleep in the car ride home, and she is out for I can hear her soft little snore. "How about you come to the bakery for supper?" she suggests. "A supper of doughnuts? Count me in!" "No, you goof! You don't need more sugar." "I'll be here."
I ask the driver to drop me off downtown and I walk quickly and with a purpose. No one's about and Plagg pokes his little head out. "Finally! Are we going to the cheese shop?" "Maybe after, Plagg. Its time I find Marinette a ring."
I spend an hour or two looking, custom ordering a ring. I think Marinette will be quite pleased with it, and I walk out of the store smiling. I turn to head towards the bakery, melding into the late work day traffic and just as I'm about to cross the street I see the man from Starbucks. Instantly, I get suspicious and transform, hiding and gripping my baton.
"I could be wrong sir, but she looks so much like Ladybug. I even have pictures. That feline got in the way, seemed really protective of her. Yeah, I'll be there tonight at eleven near the carousel."
So, my feline instincts were right and this man is up to no good, but I wish I could get a name. I double back the way I came, knowing I'll be a little late to the bakery but knowing Marinette will understand. Though he has no proof of Marinette being Ladybug, we're we to casual today, letting our guard slip?
When I get her door the smell of garlic bread and red sauce has my mouth watering and she opens the door with a smile on her face.
"Hey, come on in! We're having spaghetti!" "Aw, Bugaboo, no doughnuts?" "Maybe after dinner, if your a good kitty."
The food is delicious and its nice to be able to talk to Marinette's parents for each time we see them lately, we have to run out the door. We get to laughing and joking and its one of the best meals ever. I realize I'm been craving this, family dinner conversations something that never happened when I was younger.
"Well, we have some things to clean up downstairs, but feel free to put on a movie, sweetie." Tom gives me a wink as the door shuts behind them, and I think he's trying to give us some privacy.
"Let's get the dishes done before the movie," she said, and I help her move the plates over to the sink. "You okay?" she asks, looking up as a stream of water gushes from the tap. "Your a little quiet tonight." "That man who ran by you at Starbucks today," I tell her, passing a dish. "He's working for Hawkmoth." The plate in Marinette's hands drops back into the water, sinking, disappearing into the bubbles. "But I know where he's meeting Hawkmoth tonight. By the old carousel." "That's good. We're we to reckless today, Adrien? Should we have been more careful?" I sigh, pulling her into a hug. "We can't go around walking on eggshells forever, Bugaboo. And even heroes need to flirt and have some fun."
"You were lucky you caught that phone call." I grin at her, tilting her chin upwards. "Well, Lady Luck you did rub off on me today. Literally." "Adrien!" she squeaks, then splashes me with dishwater. "Come on, let's finish these at least start the movie. Its going to be another late night, I'm afraid." "We're Ladybug and Cat Noir, Adrien. It will just be a late night patrol."
