I'm back with chapter 3! Enjoy :)

Work of Art by Boy & Bear

"I stood tall an unbound, in the presence of an oversight.

I don't feel alone"

Maman and Papa follow behind me as I approach the doors of the Agreste mansion. I told them to exchange the flour-dusted bakery wear for something nicer, they complied.

Gorilla opens the door when we're halfway up the stairs. I smile at him in thanks, knowing he's a man of very little words.

Adrien is already waiting, fidgeting in the foyer as he gazes unsurely at his father's office door. But he smiles when he sees me.

"Hey." He hugs me stiffly, the tension through his body notable.

I dig my fingers into the space between his shoulder blades and spine, he yelps and pulls away with a hiss, glaring at me. I smile, shrugging. "Loosen up."

He grumbles. "Pretty hard to do that."

I hate that. But at the same time, I'm not sure whether I can blame him. I'm worried my happy-chirpy-go-getter parents will clash with M. Agreste's hard and stoic demeanour.

It's not long after Maman and Papa say a quick hello to Adrien that Nathalie opens the door to M. Agreste's office.

"He will see you now."

I try to loosen my jaw before I walk in despite my irritation. This is meant to be a discussion between our parents about our wellbeing and adult decisions. Already I feel like I'm going into a meeting to be asked to sign an NDA and a contract of what's acceptable for me to do and be as Adrien's flatmate.

Gabriel Agreste stands behind his podium as we walk in, hardly looking up until we're each seated. Finally, he clasps his hands behind his back and directs his attention to us. I wish he'd walk around and sit with us, but he looms over us all and doesn't move.

Nobody says anything. My parents start to fidget. Adrien goes whiter and whiter—

"Nice to see you again, M. Agreste," I break the silence.

"Likewise, Marinette." He turns to my parents. "You must be Marinette's parents."

"We wouldn't be here if we weren't." Papa laughs.

Maman coughs. "I'm Sabine and this is my husband Tom."

M. Agreste nods. "I suppose I should begin by saying Adrien's safety is my topmost priority."

"We would expect nothing less, as is Marinette's for us."

"Have you seen any of the spaces they have been considering?"

"Marinette has come to us with a few options they'd been discussing—all appropriate for two uni students."

M. Agreste grunts.

"We're looking at two-bedroom apartments in a five-kilometre vicinity around campus."

"But not on campus?" M. Agreste looks at me.

I shake my head.

"Mari and I thought it best to keep to ourselves. I looked at the dorms, and you wouldn't approve," Adrien says.

"The university is in a safe location in Paris." M. Agreste hums. "As are the suburbs around it. Do you have any apartments to show me?"

"Yes, Father." Adrien stands, bringing his phone with him as he brings up the four apartments we narrowed it down to.

"That one is not good enough, get rid of it."

Maman and Papa frown, faces contorting. I send them a look to ensure them it's okay.

"That one is… adequate."

"Too small."

"This one is good. Space, natural light, well-sized bedrooms."

I know immediately which one he's taken with, and unfortunately… it's the most expensive.

He looks at me. "I favour the last."

"It's my favourite too." Adrien turns back to me with a barely-there smirk.

"Is there a problem, Marinette?"

"N-no, M. Agreste."

"It is the price that concerns you."

"Yes, sir. I want to pull my own weight and pay my share. I am no freeloader."

"I'd expect nothing less from you, Mlle. Dupain-Cheng. Have you not yet received your offer of a scholarship?"

I flush.

Maman and Papa gasp, clenching each other's arms.

"I hadn't yet, no."

"Well, now you know. Does that sway your decision? The apartment is perfect for the both of you, plenty of sunlight and space, modern, everything you'd both need. If you so desired, you may even wish to keep living there once you both complete your degrees."

Adrien gapes at him.

I scratch my neck. "Yes, sir, it does sway my decision."

"Good. I will organise a private inspection for the both of you. Does this afternoon work?"

"Father—"

"Let me do this, Adrien. You want to secure it as soon as possible, a place like this is in high demand."

"Yes, Father."

"I suppose that's sorted then." Maman claps her hands together, a laugh halfway out her mouth. "We were hardly needed."

"Do not sell yourself short, Mme. Dupain-Cheng, I'm sure it was your input and guidance that steered them to consider this."

She giggles. "Oh no, my darling Marinette and your wonderful son Adrien were the ones who discovered them." She pats Papa's leg. "Come on, Tom. We better get back to the bakery." She pulls a paper bag out of her handbag and places it on the coffee table before them. "Here are some coquettes for your enjoyment."

M. Agreste nods once to show his gratitude.

I begin to gather myself.

"You may as well stay, Marinette. I will have Adrien's bodyguard drive you both. The inspection has already been set up an hour from now."

"Oh." I blink. "Well, I'll at least see my parents out."

We all filter out of his office, and I share a hug with my parents.

"We're proud of you, Marinette." Maman smiles.

"This is all happening so fast." Papa sniffles.

I laugh. "I won't be far, Papa. Besides, I'm not going just yet."

He gathers himself again. "Yes, that's true."

"Come on, hun." Maman pats his arm. "Let's leave these two to celebrate."

"Would you say you're messy?" Adrien smirks at me from where he lies on my chaise.

I puff, knowing he's noting the state of my room right now. "Sometimes."

He just hums, his ankles crossed above his knees as he lies on his stomach.

"What about you?"

"You've seen my room."

True. It's impeccably tidy, but that could just be from how strict his father is.

Speaking of Gabriel Agreste, I'm still reeling from his actions. He paid our bond. All of it. Three and a half thousand euros, just like that. He supposedly expects nothing in return. Not to mention he's allowing Adrien to move out and live with me.

I hope this means more good things for Adrien.

We still have two weeks rent to pay in advance before we move in, but the guy who showed us around was more concerned about the bond to secure us the property.

Adrien flips over, staring at my ceiling. "You'll be able to bring your flowers, you can have them on the balcony."

I hadn't thought about that. I smile. "Yeah." It'll be nice to take some of them with me. I sit on my desk chair with a sigh. "I wonder what my parents are going to do with my room once I'm gone." I can't imagine they'd have any use for it. It's too much of a hassle to store anything in here for the bakery.

It's going to be such a hassle to move everything out full stop.

"Mm," Adrien hums.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah. Now that this has become a reality, I'm just trying to wrap my head around it. I'm still processing the fact my father is letting me do this."

"You better believe it."

He looks at me, and smiles. "We better get going." He sits up with a groan. "We don't want to keep Nino and Alya waiting."

I snort. "What do you mean? I do that all the time."

He rolls his eyes.

I pull my shoes on and follow him out of my trap door.

We meet Alya and Nino at a café around the corner from school—our old school.

They're already waiting.

Adrien raises a single brow at me, and I shove him for his silent teasing.

They're both so cute together, laughing and smiling, teasing. Alya blushes and looks away, Nino looks at her adoringly.

Something in my chest swells.

"Are you okay?" Adrien asks.

"Hm? Yeah." I try to cover the pang of sadness with a smile. "I'm good. Let's go join them." I love them both, and I love them together. Sometimes I miss that feeling of having feelings for someone, but then I remember how much I hated it at the same time. How much I felt like I embarrassed and made a fool of myself. How bittersweet it felt.

I sit opposite Alya, plastering a smile on my face. "Hey, you two."

"Hey, yourself." Nino stretches his arm across the table for a fist bump, he follows it up with one from Adrien too.

"How's the house hunting going?" Adrien asks them.

"Good. We've got a few places we like; we're going to an inspection after this actually. We've got two we're going to this coming weekend as well."

"Have you guys been enrolled into your courses yet?" I ask absentmindedly as I debate whether to try an iced coffee or stick with my usual.

"I have been. I start earlier than you guys too I think, late August."

"Oh really?" Adrien nods. "I think Mari and I start around the same time."

"I'm mid-September." Alya shrugs. "Not too far behind but your holidays will probably start sooner than mine."

She leans back as the waiter comes and takes our orders, and once she's gone, she speaks again. "What are you guys doing accommodation wise?"

Adrien and I exchange a look. "Actually… we're moving in together."

"What!?" Nino and Alya both exclaim.

"Is there something you two need to tell us?" Alya scrutinises us with her journalist look. "Have you been holding out on us?"

"No-no, Alya. You know it's not like that." I glare at her. "We were both thinking of moving out anyway, I was thinking of dorms, Adrien wanted to get out of home. It just kind of made sense for us to find a place together—especially since we're at the same uni."

"So… what does your old man have to say about you moving in with Mari?" Nino directs the question to Adrien.

"He's okay with it actually, happy even. We've already found a place."

"No way!" Alya gasps. "How did you get to that point so quickly? How did you secure something?"

Adrien rubs his neck sheepishly. "You know my father… he has his ways. Besides he paid for our bond as I think a 'congratulations on graduating and reaching adulthood' present."

Alya leans back finally in her seat, mouth hanging open. "Wow. That's generous."

"And about damn time he replaced the pen as a present."

Adrien laughs at Nino's comment. "I don't think he's going to make a habit out of it."

"Wow. So, what did you guys settle on?"

Adrien describes the place, two bedrooms, bathroom, where we'll be based, everything. As he does, our coffee's get placed in front of us.

"Wow, dude. That's insane!"

"Are you sure you can afford this, M?" Alya looks at me, concerned. "It sounds like it'd be a lot."

I nod. "It's more than what we were looking for—well, what I was looking for. But I got a scholarship!" I smile. "It's a nice place and the one everyone agreed on, so…" I shrug.

"You got your scholarship!" She reaches across the table and shakes me. "I'm so happy for you."

I grin, gripping her wrists in an effort to stabilise myself. "I'm happy too." I stand and she joins me to the side of the table—lifting me off the ground and jumping. "Oh my god, Alya." I laugh.

I watch the girls with a small smile on my face.

"How are you feeling about it all?"

I turn my attention back to Nino. "You mean about moving out?"

He nods.

I smile again. "I'm happy. I finally get some more freedom in my life."

"I'm happy for you, dude."

"Even if I'm not necessarily doing my first choice for a degree, I still think it'll be good. Especially with Mari."

"You'll be around her a lot. You sure you can handle it?"

I glare at him. "She doesn't need to be handled."

He sighs. "That's not what I meant. Mari is… infectious. You're blind as a bat but one day you won't be and you'll no longer be immune."

"What are you on about?"

Nino flicks his eyes to the girls as they seem to wrap up their excitement. "I'll tell you later. You just need to open your eyes, man."

What does that mean?

The girls settle in their seats again.

"I mean, imagine if you made it public knowledge, think of the aneurysm Chloe would have!" Alya cackles.

"And Lila…" Marinette mutters.

As Alya and Nino pack up to leave, he pulls me aside. "What I'm trying to say is there's something we dubbed 'The Marinette Affect'. You ask almost anyone in our class or conjoining classes and they'll tell you at some point they fell in love with her"

"What." I draw away. "Really?"

"Really. There were those of us who had a crush on her, obviously Luka, but let's not forget about Nathaniel, or yours truly among many others."

"Oh yeah." I scratch my head, I forgot about that time at the Zoo. He went to go on a date with Marinette and came out dating Alya instead. It worked out, obviously, but I'd somehow forgotten all about it.

"It's not even just having a crush on her. She's a hard person not to be in love with in some way, some capacity. I think the only people who have ever been immune are Chloe, Lila, and M. Damocles."

I laugh at that.

"Even you, dude." He punches my arm lightly. "You love her."

"Yeah…"

"But… you're going to be around her a lot more now." He grips my arm. "I wouldn't be surprised if you realised a few things."

"Marinette's just… a friend."

Nino grins. "See? You don't sound confident of that. I don't think you have ever been."

I swallow.

"I'll see you later."

"Yeah… see you."

Curse Nino. Now he's in my head.

And now I can't stop watching her and thinking.

It's dangerous—as he said weeks ago.

The Marinette Affect.

Even… even my father maybe has been subject to it. There's been nobody else that he's seemed to respect since my mother died. Not really Nathalie. Not even me.

Yet here he's been, paying for our bond, providing a stellar reference for her uni admission, telling her of her acceptance into the course and earning of a scholarship. Just… accepting her as my friend in general without turning her away like he used to do with Nino. Accepting her as the one who will live with me too, something that is arguably bigger than anything else. Not to mention he's consistently praised her skill and talent and designs, something almost impossible to earn out of him.

Curse you, Nino.

Marinette weaves through the furniture shop, with me following behind her in a daze. We've already looked at tables and coffee tables, now we're looking at a new bed for her.

"Oo, this would be great for storage don't you think?"

And I can't stop thinking about how she'll be sleeping in it, in the same apartment as me, only fifteen paces away.

"Adrien?"

I shake myself out of my thoughts. "Hm?"

She's stopped in front of a bed that has a gnawing mouth, the mattress lifted up to show space underneath.

"Oh, yeah. But is that something you think we'd need, that you'd need?"

"It might be good for storing my sewing machine and extra fabric rolls." She crouches before it. "I could fit in there!"

I smile. "How easy is it to open and close?"

She frowns, reading over the description again. At the end it reads DO NOT OPERATE. ASK A SALES ASSISTANT FOR HELP.

So, she takes off to find one.

I smile at the space underneath. She could fit in there, easily.

The guy who comes over demonstrates that it's easy to close. There's a lever underneath the boards the mattress sits on, and you pull it out by tugging on a strap attached to it.

It seems easy enough but mattresses are heavy and you have to push it up—and Marinette has no problem with it, she leaves both the sales assistant and myself gaping at how little she struggled.

"Wow." The sales assistant flushes, scratching the back of his neck shyly. "I can't do it that easily."

Marinette just smiles, eyes crinkling. "I like this one, but I'm going to call Maman before I make my final decision." She steps away.

We watched her for a moment, weaving through the rows of display furniture as she presses her phone to her ear.

"Your girlfriend is really strong," the sales assistant says.

"I—oh, she's not my girlfriend. Best friend yes, and future roommate."

"You guys are moving in together? That'll be fun."

"Yeah." I smile.

"If you guys aren't dating… do you know if she's seeing anyone right now? Would it be awkward for me to ask her for her number?"

"I uh… hard to say. I don't have much experience with that. Doesn't hurt to ask though."

He smiles slightly, looking down. "Do you think she'd say yes?"

I shrug. "Again, I can't say. I'm not her and she's the only one who can make that decision." I can't believe this guy is already… I shake myself free of it. Whatever. Maybe Nino is right. Maybe this is a real thing.

But Marinette and I are just friends. She's my best friend. Even if… I did want us to be more, I wouldn't want to ruin what we have now.

I'm starting to realise moving in with her might just be the best and worst decision I've ever made.

The bakery is busy this morning.

It's my last shift before I move out… my last shift in likely what will be a long time. I can feel Maman and Papa's bittersweet glances drifting to me constantly. Their pride, how proud they are of me, how upset they are that I'll be leaving, but how excited they are for me that I am.

We've been talking about it a lot.

"Oh honey, we're just so proud of you… getting into your dream school, getting a scholarship, moving out! It's all happening for you and we're so excited to see where you go. We're honoured to be your parents."

It… makes me emotional.

Sunday's are always busy. I pull the last two eclairs from the shelf and put them delicately into one of our takeaway boxes. "Enjoy, Nadja." I smile at her and Manon—who is now in primary school.

"Merci, Marinette. See you Friday." Friday is their usual day to come in for a treat after Manon finishes school, as Nadja gets off early.

I brace my hands on the counter, "I'm leaving actually. This is my last shift for some time."

"Oh, where are you going?"

"I'm moving across town to be closer to uni."

"What an exciting time this is for you, Marinette!"

"Yeah." I smile.

"Are you moving in with anyone?"

I debate whether to tell her about Adrien, but she is a reporter and part of the media… "Yeah, one of my best friends."

"How fun."

"Yes." I smile and nod.

"Bye, Marinette." Manon waves.

I wave as well.

Maman comes to stand at my side. "Well, a full day." She smiles. "Better go and turn that sign around one last time."

I laugh. "I'm not leaving forever, Maman. I'll come and stay sometime during semester break and work."

"Don't be ridiculous, Marinette. You'll find another job that suits you and your career better. We don't expect you to work here forever, you know."

"I know." I grin at her over my shoulder. "But I love it here, I think it does suit me. I am a baker's daughter after all."

She chuckles.

I smile solemnly as I turn the sign from 'Open' to 'Closed' and let out a long breath. "Alright, I'll start wiping down the tables and chairs."

"Marinette." I turn back to my parents, Papa now standing alongside Maman. He missed our last customer, had to do some things out the back apparently.

"Mm?"

"We have something for you," Papa says.

"What?" I smile, approaching them.

"It's outside."

They each take one of my hands and lead me out the door.

"TA-DA!" They yell thrusting their hands towards the electric scooter parked on the curb.

I gape. "Maman… Papa… no. I can't accept this."

"Don't be ridiculous, sweetheart. This is our gift to you, well done on graduating and congratulations for getting into uni." They both envelop me in a hug and I sniffle.

"Thank you," I whimper. I know better than to argue for too long with my parents about something like this. "I really mean it, thank you."

"We know you do." Maman brushes a strand of hair behind my ear. "We thought it might be useful for you to get around now that you'll be living on your own and school isn't just the street over."

"Now you can come and visit us without the hassle of public transport!"

I laugh. "Yeah, that's true." I wipe a tear. "I can't believe you guys did this."

"You're going to Alya's tonight aren't you?"

I nod.

"Why don't you try it out then?"

"I—well, I still need to pack my bag and we need to close—"

"We'll close the bakery, you just go and get ready." Maman pats my cheek.

"Okay."

I smile lovingly at them both and rush upstairs to do just that.

I throw my pyjamas, toiletries, everything I might need into a duffel bag, trying to ignore all the boxes packed and how bare my room looks right now. I spent all of yesterday, and Thursday, and Wednesday packing everything. I worked Friday even though my parents told me not to, I needed a break from spending all day packing. Tuesday is the day Adrien and I move to our new apartment, and after sleeping in my bare room last night—I could hardly sleep. Hence why I'm staying tonight at Alya's, for some company. She's not set to move until next week, her and Nino found a place about thirty minutes away from us.

When I come back downstairs Maman and Papa are holding the keys to my new electric scooter out for me.

I squish the duffle bag into the compartment under the seat and adjust the helmet on my head. The engine revs to life immediately upon turning the key. They both remind me of the things I need to remember when not just driving, but driving an electric scooter.

I try to remind them I have experience. I learnt on Maman's, have secretly rode on Grandma's motorcycle when I shouldn't have (I didn't tell them that), and that I've been the one doing deliveries on the bakery's scooter for years!

"We know sweetheart, but this is yours. It's different when you're wholly responsible."

"Yeah." I look ahead at the road. "I know."

They give me one last hug and then I pull off the side to drive to Alya's.

Getting a park outside her house is easy with a bike.

Alya throws open the door before I can even knock. "Hey, girl."

"Hey yourself." I step into her hug.

"I'm so excited for you!" She squeals.

I grin. "So am I. And guess what… Maman and Papa got me an electric scooter as a present!"

Her jaw drops. "No way! I thought you just stole the bakery's for the night."

"Stalking me out the window were you?"

We laugh and Alya shuts the door behind me.

"Come on." She waves me on, and we shut her bedroom door behind us.

"I'm looking forward to your maman's cooking." I lie back on her bed and she follows.

"So am I. Always." She shifts to her side to face me. "How are you feeling about everything?"

"Yeah good." I face her too.

"Not worried Adrien's going to leave the toilet seat up?" She smirks.

I laugh. "If he does, I'll be having a word."

We snicker.

"How about you and Nino?"

She huffs. "That's just a habit of his I can't seem to crack!"

"You can't be too hard on him. He lives solely in a household of men."

"Yeah, I know." She rolls her eyes. "He never stays at his maman's." She faces the ceiling again. "Truthfully, I'm worried about moving in with him."

"Yeah?" I frown.

"It's a big decision, a big move. I kind of hoped I'd live on my own for a while before moving in with anyone."

"It's not too late to change your mind."

"It kind of is… we can't back out of our contract now." She sighs. "I guess I'm also worried this will make or break our relationship, y'know what I mean?"

"But you guys are great together."

"Yeah, but living with someone constantly is a lot, it can be exhausting. Nino has some habits that are pet peeves of mine and drive me insane."

"Set some ground rules then, boundaries."

"Yeah. At least we'll be sharing a bed bigger than a king-single."

"See? Look at the positives."

She snorts.

"Look, Als. I can't comment or say truthfully if this will be good for you both, but there's only one way to find out. If at some point you don't want to do it anymore, maybe one of you gets another place, or you might have to stick with it until your lease ends." I shrug. "Just make sure to communicate. If something is bothering you, say it."

"What if he doesn't though? And instead it just becomes me hassling him constantly and he gets sick of me."

"Make sure he knows he can talk to you to."

"He does know."

"Maybe, but you can be scary sometimes." I smirk.

"Oh, come on!"

She shoves me and I laugh.

"Dinner's ready!" We here through the door.

"Come on." Alya punches my shoulder. "I hate you."

"I love you too."

The removalists finish the last of bringing our things up and adjusting our furniture to our liking.

Adrien and I help build each other's beds and slide our mattresses into the frames.

"Whoo," Adrien lets out after we finally have his in place, "thanks."

"All good," I pant. I meander around our place, it feels so empty right now. Still so many boxes to unpack, no food in the house.

Adrien and I both kind of just stand there… hands on our hips, as the page is turned to the next chapter of our lives.

And They Were Roommates