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"This is delicious, Mr. Dupain," Adrien complimented Tom.

They all had sat down and dug into their meals. Not many words were being spoken, so Adrien was attempting to start a conversation to fill in the gaps.

Yet, the air was thicker than the sauce on their spaghetti. Everyone seemed to sit on the edge of their seats and think carefully about what they said before saying a word.

Tom gave the teen an appreciative smile, "Thank you...Mister Agreste. That is very kind of you."

"It is decent for commoner food, I suppose," Mrs. Cheng commented. Tom supposed he would take it as a compliment being the closest one he will ever receive from his mother-in-law.

"I do agree with Mister Agreste. You have outdone yourself once again, father," Marinette added, earning a side-eye glance from Mrs. Cheng. Marinette tried to hold steady in her seat instead of squirming under the watchful eye of her grandmother.

"Let us not focus on such trivial matters anymore and continue with our conversation," Mrs. Cheng sharply stated, eyeing Gabriel, "Would you please answer my question? Why have I never heard of you?"

Adrien didn't know how his father didn't falter under the pressuring gaze of Mrs. Cheng.

"The reason you probably have never heard of me is because I am only a well-known designer in Paris. I am still working to be world-renowned at the moment," Gabriel answered. His voice was steady and his face showed no sign of emotion. It was really hard to tell if he was lying or not.

Mrs. Cheng hummed in acknowledgment before turning to Marinette. The teen stiffened in her seat.

"It slipped my mind to ask. How long have you been with your suitor and when did you meet both meet?" Mrs. Cheng questioned.

"We met at the park a year after I arrived in Paris and have been close ever since," Marinette lied through her teeth. She had thought over the sorts of questions her grandmother might ask and made up answers for them. The only hard part was to tell the lies. Marinette hated liars and knew she wasn't a very good one. Many people could see straight through her.

Mrs. Cheng narrowed her eyes at her granddaughter, who was slowly breaking into a sweat.

"Curse my fight-or-flight response," Marinette thought, placing an off smile on her face.

"Why do you look like that?" Mrs. Cheng asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Whatever do you mean?" Marinette questioned, nervously.

"Who wants dessert?" Tom suddenly said, earning everyone's attention. He scurried to the kitchen to grab the sweets. Marinette was relieved for the change in topic. She looked over at Adrien, who was giving Mrs. Cheng a certain raised finger while she wasn't looking.

Marinette gave him an exasperated glare, making Adrien immediately stop. Marinette let out a shaky sigh, feeling like she was being rolled up into a ball of anxiety.

While the dinner wasn't going horribly bad, it could be going a lot better. She suspected that her grandmother was trying to find all the marks left on the Agreste family, searching for any weaknesses they may have.

"Why would he even risk doing that?" Marinette thought. Tom placed the cake in the middle of the table. Mrs. Cheng raised an unimpressed eyebrow at Tom.

"Really? This is the best you can do? I thought you were supposed to be one of the top bakers in Paris. I suppose I expected too much from you," Mrs. Cheng blandly insulted.

While Nathalie's face was a blank slate, Adrien saw her clutching her fork.

"Mother!" Sabine scolded when her husband deflated.

"Daughter, you better lower that voice of yours before you make a mistake," Mrs. Cheng warned. Sabine growled but zipped her mouth shut for now.

Marinette bit on her lip, suppressing the bubbling anger within. Her papa slaved over that cake for nearly three hours. It just took one look for her grandmother to immediately dislike it, not even giving the decency to at least try it.

"And she calls herself a lady. This behavior is improper," Marinette thought, frowning down at her empty plate.

"Child..." Mrs. Cheng started, gaining Marinette's attention. Her grandmother gave her a look that Marinette was doing something wrong. Marinette soon realized that she was slouching and quickly straightened her posture.

"You have been off this whole week. The way you act now is different from when you were living with us in China," Mrs. Cheng pointed out, suspiciously.

"Wh-Whatever do you mean?" Marinette asked before paling and covering her mouth in surprise.

"Not only do you slouch but you are stammering too?!" Mrs. Cheng huffed, standing from her seat.

"You are more tense and talk when you are not supposed to. Every once in a while, even your lady etiquette is off."

Marinette opened her mouth to respond but no words would form. No matter how much Marinette tried to think of a reason, it would only be a huge lie or an excuse.

Her grandmother would be able to tell, especially when the lie was close enough to sniff out. She always knew when Marinette lied. She was horrible at it, especially when being close to discovery.

Yet, she couldn't tell the truth. Although, did it matter anymore? Even if Marinette didn't say anything, her grandmother would know that something was wrong just by looking.

"Mrs. Cheng-"Adrien tried to interfere and help Marinette out. Yet, he was cut short by the short-tempered elder woman.

"It was you, was it not?!" Mrs. Cheng blamed the blonde teen, "Or was it my insolent daughter and her peasant boy?!"

Sabine slammed her hands on the table, face boiling red with rage. Her sharp gaze pierced her mother's in an intense showdown of stares.

"YOU DO NOT TALK TO MY DAUGHTER OR HUSBAND LIKE THAT!" Sabine roared. Adrien had never seen (or would've even guessed) that such a level-headed and serene woman could be so angry. It kind of scared him and was happy to not be the embodiment of her hostility.

"Excuse me?! You do not talk to me like that," Mrs. Cheng shrilled in offense.

She scoffed, "You have not changed at all since the day you left. You are still the same naïve child you were back then! Your own child was more adequate than you ever were or will be. But...I see she is starting to be tarnished by such terrible influences.

I knew it was a bad idea to send her to live with a disgrace. I am revolted that we share the same blood, even your child is tainted by filthy blood of a commoner. I bet these people are commoners too," she said, referring to the Agreste family. Sabine's eye twitched, releasing a growl through her teeth.

"You will never live up to the family name but your child does justice in your place," Mrs. Cheng concluded.

The Agreste family and Tom sat in a tense environment, just watching the argument commence and not daring to interfere. Yet, they didn't know what else to do except watch. Even Mr. Cheng was put off by the two women's dispute.

Marinette merely shrunk in her seat, bowing her head to hide. Slowly, she slinked out of her seat...

"Then leave," Sabine said in a low tone, "but you will not take my daughter with you."

"I beg to differ," Mrs. Cheng arrogantly replied, "if you do not want to break our deal that is. I will take the child with me and fix what you broke."

Adrien noticed that Marinette's seat was empty before hearing a slight thud from above. He frowned before feeling someone elbowing him in the side. Nathalie gave him an encouraging look, nudging her head towards the trapdoor.

The blonde gave his stepmother a smile before sneaking off after Marinette. It wasn't too hard since the main worry of being discovered was in a heated argument. Adrien snuck up the stairs and opened the trapdoor enough to poke his head into the room.

Marinette sat on her chaise lounge in a fetal position. Her face was hidden behind her knees, hand clenching her arms.

Adrien's heart shattered at the sight and entered the room, closing the door. He approached his crush and sat down next to her silently. Adrien opened his mouth to say something but it. He had no idea what he wanted to say or if there really was a right thing to say.

"Hey, sorry your grandma is a total jack donkey and that our scheme failed. Also, I am in love with you and thought I should tell you before I never will see you again."

Yeah, even he would shove himself off a cliff if he actually said that.

Maybe, he should try hugging her? Although, that didn't seem like the correct approach to this situation either.

He decided to screw it and try saying something. He felt stupid just sitting there and doing nothing. He hesitatingly reached a hand out and placed it on Marinette's shoulder.

"Marinette..." Adrien started before realizing that Marinette's shoulder was trembling. Then, he heard the muffled sounds of small gasps.

Marinette was crying.

That only made him feel worse.

He let out a breath of sorrow through his nose, wondering how he was going to help Marinette.

"Mom...what am I supposed to do?" the blonde thought, mindlessly placing his fingers over the place where his mother's cracked peacock pin resided. He decided to pull the pin out of the pocket and fondly brushed his thumb over the surface.

He glanced over at Marinette before returning to the pin. He began to talk before he realized it.

"Are you still curious about why I needed that money from the gaming tournament?" Adrien questioned.

He heard Marinette sniffle but could feel a pair of eyes looking at him. Adrien grasped Marinette's hand—something that felt so natural doing—and placed the pin in her palm. Her bluebell gaze fell upon the broken pin, curious as to where Adrien was going with this.

"I needed the money to fix this," Adrien answered before quickly adding, "not that it was any better of a reason than what you needed it for. But I didn't know what you needed with it at the time."

Adrien shook his head and regathered himself.

"The point is, you reminded me of...well, me when you told me about your dad being in the hospital..." he explained, fidgeting with the pin in his hands as if trying to gain strength from it.

This wasn't easy for Adrien to talk about. Looking back on those memories even stung to this day. He had a hard time relying on people after his mother was gone. He hasn't told anyone about it in years and not many knew of his home life, not even Marinette. Nino was really the only other person who knew aside from Adrien's family.

Marinette was listening though. She was focused on Adrien and intrigued by what he was revealing. She's never seen this side of him before.

She wiped her face from a tear that escaped, realizing she was still very upset. The plan had failed and she was going to be sent back to China. She didn't where Adrien was going with this or why the pin was so important to mention. Yet, (no matter how much she wanted to scream right now) she kept quiet and listened intently.

She could tell he was struggling with whatever he wanted to say.

"The thing is..." Adrien drawled out.

"...my mother had passed away when I was eight and this..." Adrien displayed the pin again, "...this was her favorite pin. She always wore it. Me and my dad rarely ever saw her without it."

Adrien had always suppressed the past in the back of his mind. His mother was a blur in his memories...until he started getting to know Marinette. In a way, Marinette reminded him of his mother.

Confident. Kind. Caring. Unique and weird in their own way.

The longer he was around Marientte, the more he remembered his mother. The memories he tried so hard to suppress began to be acknowledged, even the small quirks such as the peacock pin.

Marinette felt the whole world do a 180 on her, completely surprised by the revelation. Her shock slowly wore down into a pained look, feeling every fiber of her being gnawed by pity.

"After she was gone and my dad distanced himself, I kinda lost my way and...well...you know. You saw how I acted," Adrien sheepishly said, shrugging his shoulders.

"Then," the blonde softly smiled, looking at Marinette, "I met you. I thought you were a pampered snob like Chloe. But I got to know you better and you turned out to be completely different from what I assumed. You changed my perspective and opened my eyes."

"I...I did not do anything though," Marinette said.

"You did," Adrien confirmed, "You made me realize how selfish I was. I thought the world was always against me and me alone. It was all me though. It was myself I was fighting against."

"Why are you telling me all of this?" Marinette asked, returning Adrien his mother's pin, "It is not going to change the inevitable. We failed and I will have to return to China. I do not have a choice."

"I'm telling you this because you're special to me, Marinette. I wish you could see how I see you," Adrien genuinely answered.

He sighed, "I wish I could've told you all of this under better circumstances and not as a final goodbye. But I don't know if I'll ever get this chance again. I don't understand why you even have to go. Why didn't your parents keep you in the first place? They seem to really love you."

"They didn't have a choice," Marinette explained, "My grandparents threatened to ruin my parents if they were to not hand me over. They have the money and power to do so. My parents saw it best to protect me instead of having me live a life of poverty."

"Seriously?! Her grandparents are the worst!" Adrien thought, glaring at nothing in particular.

"I don't think that's true at all," he said, standing from the chaise, "You are the bravest and most determined girl I know. You've faced Chloe and...and—what's her face—Linda? Anyway, my point is everyone has a choice on how they want to live."

Adrien grabbed a crumpled-up paper from his pocket. He was going to write his poem on nicer paper and place it in an envelope. Yet, that didn't seem to matter anymore.

"If you really believe you have no choice—that-that we'll never see each other again, I want to at least give you this one last thing from me. I stressed my butt off this whole week just to make it and it wouldn't feel right to keep it from you," Adrien said.

"This will hopefully show you what I see."

Adrien was so mixed up with emotions. He was nervous and anxious about revealing his true feelings. He was pained and sad that Marinette had to go. He wanted to run away but his feet felt like they were in blocks of cement.

It was crazy how far he has come from being a total jerk to a fumbling idiot with a schoolgirl crush. He really did go soft. He went from being a dense storm to a blue sky with fluffy clouds.

Marinette took the crumpled ball of paper and stared at it in curiosity. She fiddled with the paper, careful not to tear it. Once unfolded, she scanned the contents of the page.

"List of things I need for luck. One, my lucky pair of underwear-"

Adrien immediately snatched the paper away, red in the face. He looked over the page, seeing it was a list of his lucky items he needed for today. Apparently, he drained all the luck out of his lucky things since the scheme failed.

"W-Wrong crumpled piece of pa-paper," Adrien stammered, embarrassed about the mix-up. He dug into his pocket and handed her another paper ball.

Marinette took it and couldn't help giggling a little. She really was going to miss Adrien's nonsensical antics the most. It was one of many of the traits she valued in him in a way she couldn't describe. He just always seemed to know how to make her laugh or smile.

Although, the moment of bliss only lasted so long when reality checked back into her mind.

This letter was a final goodbye.

She wondered what was written on the page that it took him the entire week to make. Why did it take so long? Why would he go through all the trouble?

Marinette once again unraveled the crumpled paper and flattened it out enough to read it. Her name was the first thing she spotted at the top. Marinette glanced over at Adrien, who was trying his best to hide his face and fiddled with his fingers.

Marinette moved forward to read the rest and couldn't believe what she was seeing.

Marinette

She acts like a lady
To the point of perfection
I thought she was just that
But it was all a deception
She hides behind a strong persona
As to not show fear
Afraid of what everyone thinks of her
And how she will appear

There's so much more to her
I've come to know
She's an everyday hero
With a hidden childish glow
She loves juice boxes, ladybugs,
And video games
Loves rock 'n roll, the color red,
And watching animes

She radiates confidence
A leader at heart
Her beauty, incomparable
Someone so smart
I'm too afraid to confess my feelings
Wishfully needing a spur
Cause being the imbecile I am
I fell for her

Marinette Dupain-Cheng
Will you give me a chance
To let me take you
To Saturday night's dance

Marinette gawked at the poem, completely speechless by what she just read. She could feel her stomach bubbling and flipping. Her heart was practically beating out of her chest. Her face heated up as if she were in an oven. She was flat-out astonished and baffled.

No one has ever done anything so sweet for her before. She almost wanted to cry again for a whole different reason.

Finally, she tore her gaze away from the paper and placed it on Adrien. She didn't have to be a genius to tell how nervous he was.

Yet, she was starting to see him in a whole new light. A switch she never knew she had until finally flipping it on and revealing feelings she never knew existed. Ones she still didn't understand but knew they were directed at Adrien.

It was overwhelming how many emotions were swirling around her at that moment.

She wasn't thinking anymore. Her body reacted on its own and set the poem aside. She stood up and wrapped her arms around Adrien. Her face was buried in his shoulder, relishing the warmth.

She still felt terrible and dreaded what was to happen tomorrow. Yet, she was going to make the most of what she had left and lock it away in her memory.

"Yes," Marinette quietly answered.

"I would love to attend the dance with you, Adrien."

Deep down, she had hoped Adrien would've asked her to the dance but hadn't realized it before. She couldn't imagine going with anyone else (aside from her group of friends). If only...if only she could stay another night until the dance was over. One more day to be with her friends, her parents, and Adrien.

Adrien was paralyzed from head to toe. His brain decided to shut down and reboot itself. He was shocked, to say the least. He shook out of his awe-stricken stupor and finally returned the embrace. He felt silly for standing frozen for so long without reciprocating.

"R-Really?" Adrien asked in disbelief.

Marinette didn't respond verbally, merely holding him tighter and closing her eyes. She let out an unsteady breath and felt her eyes growing glassy.

"Yes," her voice cracked, sniffling.

In Adrien's ears, Marinette's voice was so small. It almost didn't feel natural for her. It didn't help that the hairs on the back of his neck stood.

"I-I would...if I could," Marinette decided to add, bitterly, "but I may be gone before the dance commences."

"O-Oh," Adrien replied, disappointed. His heart was tearing aggravatingly slow.

A part of him felt like it was barely hanging on by a thread, soon to snap and disappear forever.

It was true though. Marinette was that part of him that was leaving, probably never going to be seen again. He honestly liked himself a lot better when she was around. She was the inspiration for his change.

He's only known Marinette for half a year but it seemed longer. It was painful to know that this chapter of their lives was coming to a close.

"You know..." Adrien began, realizing he forgot something, "...in all the chaos of today, I forgot to wish you a happy birthday."

Marinette bittersweetly huffed out a laugh.

"Happy birthday, Marinette," Adrien said.

"Thank you, I suppose," she replied.

"What would you like for your birthday?" Adrien asked.

"To stay here in Paris," Marinette thought but that was more of a dream now. Even to stay one more day just to go to the dance would be enough. Marinette thought over what she would want before an idea struck her.

"Would you dance with me?" Marinette asked. She was a bit embarrassed for such a silly request. Yet, she couldn't think of anything else she would want at this very moment. One dance with Adrien would be a nice last memory with him.

"I would love to, Princess," he wholeheartedly agreed.

Marinette shifted her arms to wrap around Adrien's neck. Adrien rested his head on top of Marinette's.

The two slowly swayed from side to side to the sound of silence. They didn't need music to set the mood. Just being in each other's presence was enough to make it magical.

Marinette has read many fairytales in her lifetime, especially ones about love. She had always been curious about what it was like. The different shapes it formed depending on the relationship of one's self or a group of people. The display of their affection and such care she had craved without knowing it.

Yet, the ones she found most peculiar were of two people meeting and falling romantically in love. She didn't quite understand the feeling but it didn't stop her imagination from trying.

She even dreamt that her knight in shining armor would rescue her from the confines of her grandparent's mansion—her prison.

Yet, she didn't need any cliche prince to save her by climbing her hair or live happily ever after in a castle.

Marinette imagined a completely different life. One where she was older and still living in Paris. She was in her own home watching her kids play while bottle-feeding one in her arms. Her husband would walk in after a hard day's work. The kids would greet him with smiles on their faces.

Then, he would look at her with just as much adoration as she had for him.

She saw his face.

Adrien.

Marinette's (quite vivid) dream came to a halt, blushing at the idea. She felt embarrassed for creating such a fantasy of what could have possibly been their future.

"Childish nonsense," she could hear her grandmother saying now.

Marinette didn't care though. It made her happy. Her parents make her happy. Her friends make her happy. Adrien makes her happy.

Is...is this what love feels like?

She bit the bottom of her lip, wondering if she should rely on Adrien to help her understand the symptoms she's going through.

"Adrien," Marinette called, earning a hum of acknowledgment, "Can you describe how you feel towards me?"

Marinette felt him tense up. She winced herself, wanting to undo that last five seconds. She was starting to regret asking.

"L-Like what?" Adrien stammered.

"Uh..." Marinette started. This was the first time her brain imploded on her. She didn't think that was possible but here she was, unable to complete a simple sentence.

"I...I just wanted an example...so I can figure out my own strange feelings I have right now," she explained, awkwardly. She gulped, suddenly very self-conscious and nervous.

Why did she have to ask such an idiotic question? What kind of person does not understand the way that they feel?

Herself, apparently.

It would be difficult to know since no one gave her any and all that she was taught was to lock her emotions away. So, she never learned or experienced what love truly was until coming to Paris.

She experienced the love only a mother and father could give to their child. The love of friends she cared deeply for like a brother or sister.

Marinette didn't feel those types of love for Adrien. It was more of a fluttery sensation that warmed her heart. Sometimes, it scared her into thinking she was sick.

Being with him was easy. She could just talk about anything with him. She wanted to know more about him. Wanted to be close to him whether it was a hug or simply holding his hand. He makes her happy without trying—just by existing.

He can be a moron but he was actually quite clever. He is brave and tooth-rottenly sweet. He is goofy and loves to have fun. His smile...don't even get her started on it!

"Well..." Adrien started, bringing Marinette out of her mind, "...I can be who I want to be with you. I admire everything you stand for and want nothing more than for you to be happy. I kind of already told you a majority of what I like about you before I handed you that poem."

Marinette did recall their earlier conversation and the settle hints she couldn't believe she missed. Now that she was in her memories, there were more times she could remember Adrien acting weird (even for him) around her. How had she missed so much?

She really must be oblivious.

"And I don't have to be afraid when I'm around you. You're like a home. Sure, I do get nervous but that's only because I want to be that person you see in me and more. I don't want to screw up and make you hate me," Adrien admitted.

Marinette could hear the insecurity dripping from his voice. She wanted to keep Adrien in her pocket and protect him forever.

"You do not have to worry about such nonsense. I could never hate you," Marinette stated. There was nothing but truth behind her words. Adrien was soaring on cloud nine after hearing Marinette's declaration.

"I don't know. That sounds like a challenge," Adrien joked, poking Marinette in the side. She jerked from the ticklish sensation before slapping his shoulder. Adrien chuckled, Marinette joining him.

"So, did I help you figure out your hypothesis?" Adrien asked.

"I am stunned you even know what a hypothesis means," Marinette replied.

"What can I say? I learn from the best," Adrien flirted. Marinette couldn't help but swoon. Her cheeks grew rosier.

"I do believe I have come to a conclusion," Marinette confirmed.

Adrien's ball of anxiety inflated and stopped their dancing. He pulled away a little, enough so that he was looking at Marinette. He wanted to make sure she was earnest in her answer and wasn't just saying anything to spare his feelings.

"What's your conclusion?" he questioned. He could hear the beating organ in his chest from how loud it was and hoped that Marinette couldn't.

Marinette looked into those emerald eyes, seeing the hope and fear within the window.

She softly smiled, no longer conflicted or confused.

She knew exactly how she felt.

She wasn't scared either, knowing that these feelings were mutual.

"I love you, Adrien," Marinette declared.

Adrien couldn't hold back his fond smile. He was in high heaven and didn't want to come back down.

"I love you too, Marinette," he expressed. He rested his forehead against Marinette's, causing her breath to catch short. Her stomach did many flips from the close facial contact.

She was never able to get used to the cheek kiss that everyone in Paris used to greet each other. It had made her uncomfortable after learning about it. The only people she ever gave cheek kisses to were her parents.

But to do so with someone to anyone else...

It was strange...more so with someone she will have to be arranged wedded to later on. She was definitely not looking forward to that.

"Are you not supposed to kiss the people you love?" she thought like she was trying to solve the world's hardest physics question.

"What's on your mind?" Adrien asked, noticing Marinette's struggling. She pursed her lips before stepping up onto her tippy toes. She placed a chaste peck on his cheek.

She knew that the kiss would probably mean nothing to him, considering it was a traditional Paris greeting. He'll probably look at her weirdly and wonder why she did that.

But to her, it meant more than a greeting.

It was a start to a new experience...one she'll only ever have here in this moment and never again.

Experience what it truly meant to be in love with someone, who also loves you back in a romantic sense.

Adrien was slightly perplexed before smirking. Marinette was thrown by the quick change.

"You missed," he teased. Marinette raised an eyebrow.

"What do you mean I miss-"

Marinette was cut off when Adrien kissed her on the lips.

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