Adrien was just stepping back into his room from his morning shower when his phone started vibrating on the desk. Sprinting, he skidded across the floor in his socks, grabbing the phone.
"Impressive," Plagg grinned, watching his owner. "But can you do this?" Plagg tossed a piece of Camembert high into the air, and swallowed it in a single gulp.
Adrien gagged a little bit as not only did the cheese smell, how could someone sallow without chewing? Shaking his head, he pressed "Accept" thrilled when Marinette's ID was on the screen.
"Hey, so I know this last minute, but Mama and Papa are taking me on a scenic drive, and we were all wondering if you'd like to join us." "I'd love too. Tell your dad I have some new jokes for him." Marinette groaned. "We'll be there in an about ten minutes."
Adrien ended the call, pumping his fist in the air. Mama and Papa Dupain-Cheng were wonderful, and they loved Ladybug and Cat Noir as well as Adrien. It would be nice to spend some time with them.
Sure enough, Tom's van pulled up ten minutes later to Adrien's curb. The van rumbled and coughed as Adrien climbed in, fastening his sea belt next to Marinette. "Sorry about the noisy car," she told him. "I told Papa we should take the car, but he insisted the van as more room."
"Speaking of room," Papa called from the front seat, "Adrien, did you hear the one about the elephants that went on vacation?" he asked. Adrien sat up eagerly, he loved a good joke. "No, what about the elephants?" "When they got to the hotel, they got mad because their trunks took up the room and their wasn't enough for their cases!" Adrien burst into giggles, while Marinette groaned.
Adrien noticed Mama was a bit quiet on the drive, but soon he and Marinette were chatting, so he was distracted.
"Oh," Adrien said softly, once they pulled into the forest parking lot. "Its beautiful here." They were quiet getting out of the car, listening to the wind in the trees. Mama pulled earplugs from her ears. "What's that, honey?" "So that's why you were so quiet, you were wearing earplugs!" Mama Cheng grinned. "Yes, as much as I love Tom, I love my quiet time as well."
Papa was pulling the hamper out of the back. "We'll meet back with you kids at lunch, you know the usual spot, sweetie." Marinette nodded, and her parents headed out of sight.
"Shall we?" Adrien offered Marinette his hand. The day was perfect with the leaves splashed by the painter's brush, and his girl beside him. What could get better?
"Let's go down here," Marinette suggested, pulling him off the path. A small stream met them at the bottom of the hill, and Marinette stepped in as she was wearing boots.
"Hold on, I'm right behind you," Adrien called. He gasped and did a small dance as the water was cold. "Oh, is it cold?" Marinette teased. "Here, this will warm you up?" she splashed Adrien, kicking up water, the beads twinkling in the sunlight. Adrien wiped water from his face in stunned silence.
"And here, I thought we were friends," he told her in a mock wounded voice, crouching down and scooping of a handful of water. "Sneak attack!" Marinette squealed, and the fight begin, chasing each other around the water.
Just as Adrien caught Marinette, she slipped on a loose stone. "Eek!" they shrieked, landing in the water with a per-sloopsh! Laughing, Adrien helped her upright, then as they met each other's eyes, the laughter died away.
Oh, this is a kissing moment, Adrien thought, leaning forward and pressing his lips to Marinette's. Weaving her hands through his wet hair, Marinette couldn't be happier. When they pulled back Adrien pulled a red soggy leaf from her hair. "I leaf you a lot, Marinette," he smiled. "Oh, Adrien."
After a sumptuous picnic and a family photo with Adrien, it was time to head off, and instead of elephant jokes being traded, Adrien was fast asleep, happy and content on this perfect autumn day.