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"I don't think I can do this."
Marinette perked an eyebrow at her partner, who was very uncomfortable and fear-driven. He almost seemed more terrified of who they were going to visit rather than her grandparents.
"Whatever do you mean?" Marinette questioned. She was quite confused by his reaction.
"Those...things," Adrien said in disgust, "They're gremlins that are made of sour, sinister, and nothing nice."
"Mister Agreste, they are children. They are not tiny, mischievous creatures that cause trouble," Marinette replied, unimpressed with the blonde's accusations.
At the moment, Tom was driving the teens to visit an orphanage. Sabine and the Chengs were already there, waiting for them to arrive.
The Chengs were hosting an event for the young children with snacks and toys. They were only doing it to raise their reputation and better their name. After all, it is a ladylike thing to do good things such as donate to the less fortunate.
Although, Mrs. Cheng always wore a mask to hide her disgust. She didn't like "dirty peasants" which referred to the middle class and lower. And she didn't like children either.
So, she wasn't very fond of orphanages but played it off like she actually does care.
"That's the exact definition of what they are," Adrien exclaimed, "They want you to think they're cute and innocent. Then when you're guard is down, that's when they strike! Suddenly, it's my fault and the kid gets away with it!"
"Have you actually met a child or did you get this information from other resources?" Marinette asked.
Adrien has never mentioned having any relation to a younger family member and didn't seem like the type to babysit. He probably heard absurd stories from others who do have younger siblings or have seen it in a movie.
Marinette got her answer when Adrien didn't reply.
"While I do admit there are some troublesome children, there are some that are not bad too. You might even find them charming and adorable," Marinette explained.
Adrien seemed to slightly relax.
"I'll take your word for it," Adrien said before Tom parked the car.
"We're here," he declared, killing the engine. The three exited the car and made their way inside the building.
Marinette wrapped her arm around Adrien's, getting a curious look from the blonde (and a little pink on his cheeks).
"You are my suitor and should be presented as such," Marinette explained. Adrien cleared his throat and prayed to the lord above that it wouldn't crack.
"R-Right," he stammered. Adrien didn't want to say anymore. He didn't trust himself from saying something utterly ridiculous as Chloe would put it. He felt butterflies—no, a stampede of animals running around in his stomach and bouncing off the walls. Where was that chill and suave boy—man—that had troubles with girls a year ago?
That Adrien would probably be wheezing at what's become of him today. If he told his past self that he would fall head over heels for the class president, past him wouldn't have believed it for a second.
Tom guided them through the hallways until arriving at the very room with all the kids. Many girls and boys were excitedly playing with their new toys. The Chengs and Sabine were off to the side talking with someone.
"Hey, guys! What do we say to the Chengs for being so generous?" the very woman that had been talking with the Chengs and Sabine asked the kids. Many of the kids paused in playing before yelling one big "thank you" in sync. Then, they returned to play.
Adrien's eye twitched when seeing all the children. There were at least thirty children in the room. He was internally freaking out but kept his facade up. He wouldn't break no matter what, even with all the little gremlins in the room.
Tom, Marinette, and Adrien made their way over to the adults.
"Good, you have arrived," Mrs. Cheng said with a smile. She pulled off a good serene smile but Adrien's eyes were well-trained to spot that it was somewhat strained.
Even his sixth sense was going off, telling him that Mrs. Cheng was far from being happy with being here. Mr. Cheng continued to keep silent, intimating the children who passed by him. Sabine looked genuinely happy, watching the children playing with their toys.
"Yes, grandmother," Marinette answered before turning to the orphanage woman, "It is a pleasure to meet you."
"The pleasure is mine," the woman responded, "Do you two mind helping us pass out snacks and juice boxes? We're short on staff today."
"Of course, it would be an honor," Marinette said, trying to conceal her joy. For some odd reason, Marinette had to always have neutral emotions. Yet, Adrien could tell she was happy to help.
"Probably a good excuse to get away from her grandparents," Adrien thought.
"I would love too," he answered, forcing out his own joy. Marinette glanced at him, having caught his tone. Yet, she didn't say anything about it.
"Very well," Mrs. Cheng approved. She seemed mildly displeased but had no room to argue, "Unfortunately, the rest of us must depart for a few other orphanages before we call it a day."
Mrs. Cheng just wanted to finish visiting a few other orphanages as quickly as possible. She didn't like staying for too long, let alone being there in the first place.
"Well then, I want to thank you once again for your generosity and kindness. I'm sure the kids appreciate what you did for them as much as I do," the orphanage woman said, genuinely grateful.
Mrs. Cheng gave a simple smile before beelining herself to the nearest exit. Her husband was not too far behind. Sabine gave her beloved a comforting squeeze on his arm, knowing that her mother didn't mean Tom was included in "the rest of us." Mrs. Cheng only meant herself, Mr. Cheng, and Sabine.
Tom gave Sabine a loving smile before she disappeared around the corner to catch up with her parents.
"If you would, follow me," the orphanage woman gestured for the three to follow. The kids were already seated in a small cafeteria area, chatting with each other about different things.
The woman guided them into a kitchen where trays of cookies and boxes of juice sat on the counter.
"We'll give them each a napkin and juice box first before the cookies," the orphanage woman informed. She handed Marinette the napkins. Adrien and Tom received some juice boxes.
"While you're doing that, I'm going to go help them finish frosting the cookies. If there's any trouble, I'll be right in here but there are some others out there watching the kids so it hopefully shouldn't be any," the woman assured, "Thank you so much for helping."
"Of course," Marinette said, meaning every word, "It is a pleasure."
"Yeah, it's no problem at all," Tom agreed.
"Yeah," Adrien said, going along with it. The woman gave them a whole-hearted smile.
"Bless you all! You are all such lovely people," she said before making her way over to help frost cookies.
The three began handing out napkins and juice boxes. While Tom went in a different direction, Adrien stuck by Marinette's side. He was still a bit uncomfortable but...he also felt good. It felt nice volunteering in an orphanage, especially alongside Marinette.
"I never imagined myself one day volunteering in an orphanage. Maybe pretending to be a gentleman for the sake of my own benefit but not someone else's," Adrien admitted, "Honestly, I'd probably be...making some felonious decisions and deals right now."
Marinette hummed in acknowledgment.
"Well," she started, "I am quite glad you chose to change your ways. If you had not, I would not have such a wonderful partner. Our friendship is very special to me. I would never trade our bond for anything in the world."
Adrien practically deflated at the word "friendship" but held high hopes. Marinette thought very highly of him as a special person in her life. They were practically best friends (aside from Alya). So, he had something going for him. There was still a high chance of him possibly becoming something more to her than just friends.
If there was a chance like that, Adrien was going to do everything in his power to make sure he helped her stay. But if she does not feel the same way that he does, Adrien wouldn't mind staying by her side as a companion. He'd at least try to win her over but didn't want to push any boundaries.
"You're very special to me too," Adrien replied, genuinely. Marinette fondly smiled at the blonde before realizing that all the kids had napkins.
"You can go see if they need help handing out cookies," Adrien suggested, nudging his head over to the kitchen.
"Indeed," Marinette agreed, "I shall return."
Marinette walked off as Adrien continued handing out juice boxes. By the time Adrien and Tom were done handing out juice boxes, Marinette and the orphanage woman were handing out cookies.
Adrien was about to go ask if they needed help when stopped by a little voice.
"Hey, mister," a little girl called, receiving Adrien's attention. The blonde winced and awkwardly cleared his throat. He didn't know how this was going to turn out and didn't know how to talk to a child. Knowing little kids, this conversation could go many ways.
Adrien could only think of the worst outcomes.
After gulping, he hesitatingly started, "Yes..."
"Thank you for the juicy box," she said, taking a sip of her juice. This baffled the teen. He was too stunned to speak and had a hard time processing the little girl's gratitude. He wasn't ready for her to continue.
"You have really pretty eyes," she commented so easily.
"Is this little girl flirting with me or something," he uncomfortably thought. Although, he realized that she probably didn't even have the comprehension and was just saying what was on her mind. This girl had to be at least three or four years old.
"Oh...um...th-thanks," Adrien said, bashfully.
He had a deep wish that it was Marinette that said it but it didn't mean he wasn't thankful for the compliment.
The more he looked at the little girl, he found her quite adorable. She had brown eyes and light brown hair pulled back into a ponytail with a bow.
"My name is Sophie. What's your name?" she asked, tilting her head to the side.
"A-Adrien," the teen responded, relaxing as the conversation continued, "You have a very cute name."
Sophie let a big smile spread across her face, "Thank you!"
Adrien found it easier talking with the little girl. His earlier thoughts vanished into thin air. He was starting to think maybe not all kids were too bad.
"Are you a prince?" Sophie asked before sipping on her juice box. Her eyes glittered with curiosity and wonder. Adrien was taken aback by the question. Yet, he didn't have time to answer when the girl fired her next question.
"Is she your princess?" the girl asked, pointing over at Marinette. Marinette was handing a little boy a cookie before moving on to the next child.
Adrien watched Marinette for a moment. A big smile was spread across her face, cheeks rosy from laughing at whatever the kids said. Adrien could tell that Marinette was enjoying herself.
Adrien couldn't help but soften, fond of the adorable sight. He felt something within him flutter and his cheeks heat a tiny bit.
"You could say that," Adrien answered.
"Do you love her?" Sophie asked.
Adrien, of course, quickly denied it. He frantically rambled and waved his arms around. This only confused Sophie, not sure what he was trying to say. She found him kind of silly for being royalty though.
"Uh...I-I should probably go-go help them," Adrien excused himself. He felt like a kettle on a stove with steam blowing out. He even waved a hand in front of his face to cool down and prayed that Marinette didn't talk to the girl. The little girl would surely spill the beans...or maybe, Marinette wouldn't believe her.
He couldn't risk it!
The blonde let out a sigh of relief once he got away.
How did that little girl even know his feelings?! Was he really that obvious? He didn't think his heart was on his sleeve but he's managed to hide it from Marinette. How many more of these buggers could see right through him?
Adrien took a deep breath in and out.
"I'm overthinking this," he thought, "Get a grip, Agreste. Don't let a small child get the better of you when you've been through way worse situations than feelings."
Although, this was much different this time.
Adrien before didn't care what girls thought of him—being the school's player and heartthrob. He had been in a gang, stolen things, and made illegal bets in the underworld. He hot-wired a flipping cop car and drove it into a pole!
The Adrien now, however, was a changed man. He cared what the people close to him thought, especially the ones who inspired him to be better. The one he had a deep aspiration for. These feelings he had scared him—had no control over them.
He used to be cool and levelheaded in the face of danger. Now, he melts into a puddle like the sap he was around Marinette.
Yeah, he's definitely gone soft. He was wrapped out her pinkie finger.
Yet, he didn't much mind even with the price it brings.
The teen boy approached Marinette with a sheepish smile on his face.
"Do you need help handing out those cookies?" Adrien asked Marinette.
"Would you? It would definitely go a lot faster," Marinette questioned.
Adrien took a few cookies without needing to be told twice and began handing out the treats. As soon as the kids got their snacks, they immediately chowed down. Tom, Marinette, and Adrien soon finished handing out the snacks and rendezvoused into the kitchen.
"I can't express how thankful I am for the help," the orphanage woman said, joyfully, "Thank you so much! As a reward, help yourselves to the extra cookies and juice boxes. I'll handle the rest from here."
The woman gestured to a plate of cookies and a few juice boxes that remained on the counter.
"It was no problem. We were happy to assist you," Tom said. The woman gave an appreciative smile before leaving the kitchen.
"Sweet, free food!" Adrien cheered, snatching a cookie from the plate and a juice box. He poked the straw into the box and began to drink it.
"Peculiar," Marinette analyzed the juice box, "I never understood how the juice stayed in the box. It should seep right through the cardboard."
"There's a special bag inside that holds it," Adrien explained, taking a sip, "I've torn up enough juice boxes to know. I'm surprised you of all people didn't know that."
"Interesting," Marinette said, "For one, I am not a savage that tears things apart. Two, I have never had a juice box before. I have only ever handed them out."
Adrien looked at Marinette with a stupefied expression. His jaw went slack and his eyes went as wide as the cookies.
"Marinette Dupain-Cheng, you have never had a juice box before...ever," Adrien exclaimed, mind-boggled by this new information.
Marinette leaned a little bit back, raising an eyebrow. She didn't understand why he was so shocked. What was the big deal? It was just juice.
"Yes, I did just say that," she confirmed.
"That is the saddest thing I've ever heard. Your childhood really must have been depressing," Adrien over-dramatically said, "There is no way I'm not going to stand for this. This needs to be fixed."
He had a serious look in his eyes, telling Marinette that he was genuinely crushed by her never having a juice box. Such a simple thing to worry over but Marinette found it both silly and adorable for some reason.
Marinette shook her head back and forth. She tore the straw off the box and took it out of its wrapper. If she could remember right, the mechanics to stab the straw into the box were so simple that a child could do it.
Much to her embarrassment, she didn't exactly know where to put the straw. Maybe, she'd have to tear the box apart like Adrien said he's done oh so many times. Yet, that didn't seem right.
"You don't know where to puncture the box...don't you," Adrien said, not being a question.
Marinette's cheeks blossomed with a pink flush of embarrassment. She let out a huff of offense and then frowned. She stared at the box and straw.
She let out a defeated sigh, hating with every bit of fiber that she was admitting this, "I do not."
Marinette was frustrated that something that was made for children could fool her. She was at the top of her class but didn't know how a juice box worked. How ridiculous was that?
It wasn't her fault though. Marinette never had a normal childhood. She didn't play video games, drink juice boxes, or hang out with friends she actually liked. It was mainly studying, keeping the family name good, and...being alone.
The beginning of her life—the first twelve years—hadn't been the greatest. But she's been doing better since arriving in Paris at the ripe age of thirteen. The last three years have been the best of her life and she didn't want that to change.
Marinette wanted to stay in Paris.
There was no place else she'd rather be than here.
Adrien took pity on the raven-haired teen. He frowned when seeing her despair. He didn't mean to make her feel bad.
The blonde took the straw and box from her.
"Look, Marinette," he started, poking the straw into the juice box, "It's okay that you didn't know these things. You just grew up and learned things differently. There were things that you never got to experience in your childhood that most children would."
Adrien handed Marinette the drink. She silently took it, staring at it like this was a huge moment in her life. In a way, it was.
"I mean, look at all these kids," Adrien continued, gesturing to the orphans in the other room, "They don't really have a normal life either. But there are people here who are doing their best to give them a chance at a good life. It's just like how your parents and I are helping to give you one too.
Your beginning may not have started out the best but we'll fight for your future together, Marinette. And, I'll take you out to do all the things that you've never got to experience...at least when I get the money to do it."
The juice box nearly slipped out of Marinette's grip from being stunned by Adrien's words. She never knew that the boy she sometimes claimed as an "imbecile" could have such a way with them.
Her bluebell eyes were wide with shock and her heart stuttered with fondness. Adrien truly was maturing right before her, having come a long way. Marinette tilted her head down and couldn't help smiling.
Marinette believed in Adrien, trusting him to watch her back just as she would do his.
"That is very sweet, Mister Agreste. Thank you for your kindness. It means more than you know," Marinette genuinely said.
"For you, it's never any trouble—b-because we are the best of friends, of course!" Adrien said, quickly adding an explanation once catching himself. Just when his face had finally cooled down from Sophie's "accusations," he had to let his feelings get the better of him again and reheat his face all over again.
However, Marinette didn't notice. Her concentration was on the juice box, taking a sip through the straw. The fructose flavor of sweet apples hit her taste buds. It spread a sort of warm, homey feeling through her soul though it was a cold drink.
It brought an amazed smile to her face and her eyes twinkled with child-like joy.
"Oh, I love it! How have I never tried this beverage before?! It tastes phenomenal! I declare this my new favorite drink!" Marinette rejoiced, bursting with innocent delight.
Adrien fondly smiled at his crush (or more like the apple of his eye).
Much to Adrien's surprise, Marinette wrapped an arm around his abdomen and brought him into a side hug.
"Thank you for the encouragement and helping again. I truly could not do this without you or my parents. This really does mean the world to me," Marinette said.
She was grateful for the people in her life. She didn't know where she would be without her friends and family. She appreciated everything they've done for her to adjust to a different life from the one she had in China.
Adrien didn't have to say anything, instead returning the hug.
The two teens were knocked out of the moment when they heard a sniffle. They looked over towards the sound and instantly felt themselves heat up hotter than fire. Their faces were just as red as someone with an extremely scarlet sunburn.
"You two are so precious," Tom cried, having watched the beautiful sight of young love before him. Adrien and Marinette had completely forgotten he was there.
The two quickly separated, completely embarrassed about displaying such affection in front of Tom.
"I-I need to go po-powder my nose," Marinette excused herself, nearly running face-first into a pan hanging above as she made her way to the restrooms. Adrien awkwardly shifted on his spot, unknowing what to say or do.
Tom smiled at the teen with a thrilled look.
"You have my blessing when you propose to Marinette someday," Tom allowed, winking at the blonde teen. Adrien nearly choked on air, thinking he was going to have a heart attack from embarrassment.
The weird thing was and much to Adrien's befuddlement, Tom was being serious.
Well...Adrien was glad that he got Tom's approval at least.
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