Adrien looked around watching everyone grab their backpacks and notebooks, then leaving in pairs. He smiled and waved as Alya and Nino left, for Adrien knew that they were going to the zoo on a date.
Soon, the locker room emptied out and Adrien saw Marinette sitting alone on the bench. Maybe….he could walk her home today? Maybe like a date? "Why are you stalling?" Plagg hissed from his shirt. "You wanted to get know Marinette better, here's your chance!" His Kwami was right.
"Marinette?" Adrien sat down on the bench next to Marinette. "Hi, Adrien. What are you still doing here?" "I-I wanted to ask if I could walk you home," he stammered, feeling his cheeks grow warm.
Marinette smiled a soft smile. "Okay. Would you mind if we went the long way through the park? There's this flower I need to sketch." Adrien nodded. "Of course, anything to spend time with you."
Oh, cheese and crackers, had he just said that? Oh, this was way more embarrassing then saying a bad pun! (Wait, was there such a thing as a bad pun?)
"Um, yeah. I think about you a lot too. Let's just go!" she squeaked. They settled down once out in the fresh air, and soon were chatting comfortably. "This flower has such a unique design that I want to try to copy it to a dress," Marinette explained. "That's very creative. If anyone can do it, it's you."
"I really want to be a designer when I'm older, but I want a family too. I keep going back and forth!" Adrien smiled. "Your lucky, I have no idea what I want to be, so awhile back I told myself to just be me and the pieces will fall into place." "Sounds like some good advice." "I'm known to have a few good ideas here and there," he grinned, eyes twinkling. "And I was wondering…" grr, why did his voice get so high and squeaky when he talked to her? "Yes?" Marinette seemed to know, but let Adrien continue.
"Could I possibly hold your hand?" Marinette was about to answer, when a bicycle came zooming up, pinging the bell angrily. Adrien pulled her away just in time. "Watch out!" Marinette thudded into his chest, Adrien cradling her protectively. "Thanks, Adrien." Her cupped her cheek. "I'm so glad your safe."
"You may not wear leather like Cat Noir, but your a hero," she said. They ambled into the park, glad of peacefulness after the scary ordeal. When they did hold hands, it felt natural.
It was a pleasant walk home, especially when Adrien bought her a Starbucks before dropping her off at the bakery door.
"Thanks for walking me home, Adrien," Marinette said, surprising him with a kiss on the cheek. "See you at school tomorrow."
"Marinette, wait!" "Yes?" She turned, hand on the doorknob. "May I walk you home tomorrow, too?" "I'd love that."
So, it became a tradition that Adrien walked her home, stopping for a Starbucks. Adrien sighed, glancing up at the balcony. It was time to visit his Princess as Cat Noir, but he couldn't wait to walk her home tomorrow too.