The next morning Adrien was back in class.
"Hey dude, we missed ya!" Nino clapped Adrien on the back as he dropped into the seat next to him. "You'll never guess what happened in chemistry yesterday!"
Nino went into animated description of Kim nearly burning his eyebrows off during a lab experiment. Kim proudly wiggled his eyebrows across the room. They all laughed, and Adrien tilted his head, glancing back at Marinette. Their eyes met, and they both paused.
"Hey," Adrien mouthed back to her.
"Hey, I'm glad you're back," she mouthed back.
Their teacher slipped through the door, laid a pile of books on her desk, and called the class to attention.
Marinette slipped a note to Adrien, and tucking it discreetly under his desk, he opened it up.
In curving script she had written, "Missed you this week! Do you want to come by the bakery for lunch?"
Adrien swung around in his seat once the teachers back was turned to the board (jotting down more notes for another test on lab safety). Hastily he returned her note, which simply replied, "I'd love to!"
Marinette pressed the scrap of paper to her chest, and bit her lip to cut short the squeal of excitement threatening to escape. Alya, observing the interaction, nudged Marinette's arm encouragingly and gave her a wink.
Marinette glanced at her phone through class, counting down the seconds to lunch. The morning seemed to drag on forever. Finally the bell rang and their classmates started to file out of class. Marinette scrambled to grab her things, which sent her loose notes scattering to the ground. With an embarrassed groan she dove to the floor, bundling up the paper in her arms. Adrien bent down and swept some of the papers off the ground for her. He briefly glanced down at the papers he was holding. There in his hands was a sketch of Chat Noir.
Adrien had just meant to hand her things right back at her, but seeing the drawing he couldn't help but stare. Marinette had started writing notes on the page, but very distinctly had gotten distracted and started the drawing. He had seen some variations of fan art on the Ladyblog, but this was something else. Chat Noir seemed to be leaning over the lines on her page, exactly like he usually did on rooftops while he was waiting for his Lady. The miraculous suit was precise, and every detail was accurate. That wasn't what waylaid his hand in returning the page though. It was in the way she had softly shaded the lines of his face. Chat Noir appeared thoughtful, almost wistful...seeing himself reflected in such an honest way tugged at his heart.
"Thanks for your help..um Adrien?" Marinette held out her hand for the pages.
"Oh..uh..you're welcome," he resisted the hesitation to study her drawing further, and reluctantly returned it to her hand.
She quickly slid the pages into her notebook and zipped it into her backpack. "Ready for lunch?" she asked, securing the strap of her purse over her shoulder.
"I've been looking forward to seeing you all morning. Thanks again for inviting me! Are you sure your parent won't mind?"
Marinette lit up, as she led the way home. "No problem..and I kindda asked them if I could have a friend over already this morning."
"I've been gone all week...how did you know I'd be back today?...or were you planning on inviting Alya before...?" He puzzled uncertainly.
"I guess I sorta just hoped you'd be back," Marinette fiddled with her purse strap. "I guess I was just lucky."
As soon as they walked through the door of the bakery Adrien was embraced by the aroma of freshly baked bread. Surely he thought to himself, this must be what heaven smells like.
Marinette's mom waved them over warmly from the register as she finished boxing
up some macaroons for a customer.
"Adrien, it is so good to see you again," Sabine greeted, dropping freshly baked chocolate chip cookies into each of their hands. "Marinette, Your father just finished lunch upstairs," she pointed as another customer came in. "Lunch rush," she smiled, "by the way dear, can you ask your Dad to come back down to the bakery...we are nearly sold out of croissants already. Maybe he can get some more started while you two eat."
Adrien started heading upstairs, while Marinette glanced from the still half full shelf of croissants to her mother. "Thanks Mom," she smiled.
"Go on," her mother whisked her away with a kiss on her cheek, "don't keep him waiting!"
Adrien should have been ready for Marinette's Dad and his enthusiastic greeting after the years (and his ill fated brunch with the family as Chat Noir prior to the Waredad incident )...but he wasn't.
"Adrien!" The hulking man exclaimed, lifting Adrien off his feet in a bear hug.
"Papa!" Marinette's voice rose in protest of her fathers manhandling of Adrien.
"Right, right," her father returned the wide-eyed boy to the floor.
"Thank you for having me for lunch sir," Adrien straightened politely.
"Anytime my boy, as far as I'm concerned you have an open invitation here. Come by anytime to see our sweet Marinette!"
"Thank you so much for getting lunch ready poppa," Marinette kissed her father on the cheek. "Umm Mom said she needs you in the bakery by the way...something about the lunch rush and needing more croissants."
"More croissants ?! He exclaimed, "I made a double batch a couple hours ago!" He headed to the door, then poked his head back, "lunch is on the table!"
"Want to eat out on the balcony?" Marinette asked once they had dished up. "I mean you're hot...it's hot...I mean nice out...it's sunny..."
"Marinette," Adrien put his hand on her shoulder. "That sounds great!"
Adrien helped Marinette gather the plates, and pass the food up through her room.
"I always thought you had a great view from up here," Adrien commented, munching happily.
"I didn't think you had been up on my balcony the other times you came over," Marinette looked up from her sandwich.
"Oh, well, I just thought it must be a great view," Adrien covered quickly. "I mean, this is central Paris after all! Anyway, it's nice to see it for myself."
They ate quietly. Adrien glanced over cautiously at the blue eyed girl next to him. He couldn't help but remember other times he had stood on this exact balcony with her...only all those times he was decked out in black leather, with cat ears. The night he fought Glaciator and confided in Mari about his broken heart over Ladybug. The day he and Ladybug fought Troublemaker...and he stumbled upon Mari's collection of "fashion" photos of himself in her room. Then there was that night Mari had actually confessed she was in love with Chat Noir.
"So you know Chat Noir?" Adrien broke the silence.
"What?!l" Marinette coughed.
"I noticed your Chat Noir drawing," he replied, watching with interest how flustered she was getting about his alter ego.
"0oh that was just a silly doodle," Marinette tried to cover with a flick of her hand." (Ever since Seattle she had found herself drawn back to sketch her partner, but she didn't think anyone had noticed…especially Adrien).
"Seemed to be more than that," Adrien insisted.
"We're friends. I mean there were a few times with akuma problems, where we met," she said carefully. "There was this one time he crashed a bad date I was on."
"Almost makes me jealous," Adrien leaned back and smiled slyly.
"Pfft jealous of Chat...just wait, really?!...you are jealous?" Marinette gaped.
"Naw, I could never really be jealous of Chat Noir...I mean he's like the hero of the city right...I mean of course who wouldn't be jealous of an awesome guy with super powers who gets to work with Ladybug..." Adrien's retort unraveled.
"Now I'm the one who's jealous," Marinette laughed.
Adrien shoved some more food in his mouth, while his face went a bit red. There were plenty of times over the years when Marineould blushed and jumbled her words around him. Lately though it seemed to be contagious. Why couldn't he string a sentence together around her without losing it?!
"Do you think you'd like to have super powers one day?" Marinette asked, toying with the chocolate chips in her cookie.
Adrien's mind sorted through possible ways to sidestep the question. Finally he settled on "Super powers are awesome, but sometime the dual identity thing must be tough."
Marinette nodded. "Yeah it is. You know…it would be for the superheroes."
"How about you?"Adrien asked. "Have you ever thought of donning a cape and tights and leaping off buildings to save the day?"
"Ha!" she burst "yeah right! I don't do capes!"
"Aw common'," Adrien teased, "you'd look great in one! Super Baker to the rescue!"
"That is what my dad calls himself," Marinette deadpanned looking straight at Adrien.
They stared at each other. Then the both rolled over squealing in laughter.
When they finally pulled it together, and Adrien pulled himself off the ground, he smiled at Marinette. "If you didn't have your heart set on being a designer, I think you'd make a great superhero."
"Maybe I'll moonlight on the side, with a weekend comedy gig!" Marinette replied.
"I wouldn't put it past you. I don't think I've ever seen you back down from a challenge," Adrien said sincerely.
"How can you say that? There have been so many times I've been so overwhelmed and unsure of myself," she broke.
"Maybe that is what makes your determination all the more admirable," Adrien shrugged. "Actually, I think you might be having a new challenge thrown your way soon."
Marinette didn't know what to say, overwhelmed by Adrien's praise. "Ohh?!" Was all she could offer.
"Chloe's mom, Mrs. Bourgeois, just got back from promoting her new line, and she has been scooping up new designers for her next season. Someone may have mentioned bringing you on for an internship."
"Did you..?! Marinette gaspt.
"Sorry to say I can't take full credit. Believe it or not it was actually Chloe that brought your name up. I just seconded the suggestion."
"Chloe?! Wow!" Then she thought out loud, "but back in grade 10 I turned her down for a chance in New York...and kindda insulted her and Chloe...won't she..."
"The Bourgeois family has been really generous to me, especially taking me in this year...so I don't want to say anything negative...but I have to say, Mrs. Bourgeois isn't the best with names. She might not even remember or care if you are on trend now. She mentioned there would be a couple days after school and maybe some weekend travel. It won't really take off till the summer anyway, since they will be getting ready for the fall shows."
"I don't know what to say! That is amazing! I guess I will work on getting my portfolio ready if she calls."
"Oh she will," Adrien assured her.
Inside Marinette was celebrating. Not only was Adrien talking her up to one of the top designers in the world, this also gave her the perfect excuse for her parents to slip away for the Miraculous Trials with Chat Noir. Then another thought occurred to her.
"Do you think you will model for Audrey Bourgeois company now?" Marinette asked hopefully.
Adrien made a face like he had just had dirt shoved in his mouth. "I still take the occasional modeling job, but it had always been just part of my father's expectations. It pays well for a summer job, but I'd rather find something that is my own to pursue for the future. Now I just have to figure out what."
"Sorry," Marinette apologized, regretting that the topic of his father had been triggered by her question. Then quickly added, "I think it is a great idea to explore and have the freedom to try new things...to find your passion!"
"Actually, the girl I mentioned to you guys in London...we kind of work together and we're going away again this weekend! Not sure where we'll end up. I guess you could say we're kindda spontaneous about where we go sometimes."
Adrien didn't notice the shadow that clouded over Marinette. But Marinette pushed the suffocating feeling aside, seeing Adrien's face light up.
"You've had a really hard week. I'm really am glad you have someone to look forward to seeing," she gulped.
"I wasn't sure I was all that excited about going out on another..err..business trip again...but after last night I couldn't wait."
"Last night?" Marinette nearly sprayed her orange juice out of her mouth. "What happened last night?"
"A friend came to visit and encouraged me not to close myself off to friends who care about me. I guess that reminder gives me hope that eventually things will get better...and that I'm not alone."
Throwing aside the years of hesitation and awkwardness, she pushed her fears aside. Marinette put her hand over to Adrien's knee, "you're not alone you know. Any time you need to talk, vent, or whatever I'm here. I care about you a lot. I always have..." She ducked her head and looked at him through her dark lashes. "...I always will."
"Marinette you're amazing!" Adrien beamed, laying his hand over hers. "That means the world to me!"
Some fluff n' stuff to tie together future events for Ladybug/Marinette and Chat Noir/Adrien! Thank you readers for following this story! Any chance I get I work on this story, and I'm excited for what is to come. Each chapter takes a while to write, but I'll get it out as soon as I can! Next chapter Ember has decided he has been pushing the hero's a little too hard. He decides to hijack the trials and send them to a mystery location. Don't forget to click follow/favorite so you don't miss out!