"Marinette, you need to stop thinking about it," Adrien's soft voice cuts into my musings, as I look at pic after pic of the new feather brand. "If I knew Father was going to blackmail like that, I would have never agreed to the shoot." I sigh. "Its not your fault, Adrien. In one way, I'm glad to be his competition. I just didn't think it would sting like this."
I set my phone face down, propping my chin in my hands. Adrien's taken me out for breakfast this morning, and though my body needs refueling, all I feel is the churn of butterflies.
I like this cozy, hole-in-the hole place, though. Its not to loud like other restaurants, the sound bouncing around like tennis balls, and causing me shut down. I hate places like that.
Adrien begins to rub my back softly, I release a soft sigh. I love close moments like this, and I lean my head against his shoulder. "You know, it could use some tweaking, but I've got my own ideas up my sleeves. Remember the Black and White theme?" Adrien nods.
"It would take some doing, but we could have the models on a giant chessboard, wearing black-and-white dresses, and at the end of the show, one red queen, and the other a black jack…."
My mind is coming alive with ideas and I pull my sketchbook towards me, scribbling madly. "There's my girl," Adrien smiles, and I glance up at him, pencil poised. "Would you help me? Your father wouldn't even know its you in your disguise." Immediately, I think of the Miraculous. Perhaps we could involve those too?
"Of course, but first, breakfast." My pancakes are steamy and fluffy, but just as I bring my fork to my lips, another couple walks by us, obviously its clear their in love, it sings out from them loudly. My fork clatters back onto my plate, wishing Adrien would say, "I love you."
Though simple words, I know they can be hard to say, but the last time the role were reversed, and I said it, the guy claimed headaches and always had to go.
"M'lady, where did you go?" Adrien whispers in my ear. I don't answer. To a place you cannot follow, for I dare not make you say that. Today though, of all days, I really need those words.
Adrien smiles gently and pulls my plate towards him, cutting my pancakes into pieces. I blink out of my thinking stupor. "What are you doing?" I ask. "Open up, little bug," and I do, the steaming cake warming my belly, and one bite at a time, my food and coffee disappear, and my tummy no longer empty.
"Thanks," I whisper softly as we head to Adrien's car after we pay. "I just need some extra help today," I exhale, about to put on my seatbeat.
"Marinette." I turn, finding Adrien very close, those beautiful green eyes I could lose myself in, serious. When his lips connect with mine, I am once again the ladybug, needing nectar, needing him.
"I love you, Marinette," Adrien says, gently, encircling me with his arms and pulling me close. I pull back just a few inches. Did my ears decivie me? "I love you. Now, let's go get em!" I grin, and feeling the creativity wave washing over me.
Once at work, my co-workers are happy to help, and with the help of my laptop, I direct people in what needs to be done, and where to go.
The dresses for now don't matter, yet a order is placed, and go into a fitting room, taking out the precious earrings. "Tikki, Plagg?" I whisper out loud, feeling a bit silly. Its not like they'll just poof! And appear, right?
"You called, Marinette?" I give a little squeak as I see two set of glowing eyes. "I'm ready to try on the earrings, and Plagg, find Adrien, so he can be the black cat." "Okay, but afterwards, they're better be cheese!" Plagg flies off, and Tikki faces me.
"All you have to say is spots on." I do, a soft pink enevolping me, and when I open my eyes, I find a transformed girl in the mirror, a beautiful confident girl.
I'm not on till the very end of the show, but I call out directions from the booth.
At last, when its my turn, I step confidently onto the stage, The Red Ladybug Queen sureveying the board, while all other "pieces" are frozen.
My breath catches as a movement catches my eye, and Cat Noir (Adrien) steps onto the stage, walking slowly towards me. His midnight black suit is made of supple leather, and his green eyes are locked on mine as he slowly enters my square.
"It seems we're at a stalemate," he breathes, and just as I planned, the lights go dark. The tech team when the lights go up, burst into wild appaulse. I blush, waving their prasie away.
"Guys, we did all the work, it wasn't just me." "A few adjustements and you'll take the fashion world by storm, Marinette," Simon grins at me.
I grin at him, this is what I've wanted my whole life, but yet, something is missing. Cat touches my shoulder, then raises the back of my hand to his lips. "Until we meet again, M'lady," his voice soft and low, his eyes burning with passion.
My heart thuds in my ears, and no more doubt invades my thoughts. If I was a actual ladybug. I'd soar into the sky in a happy dance.
Adrien returns the ring to me later, and says he has to go, asking if I want a lift. I tell him no, I'll walk.
Taking a detour through the park, I smile up at the heavens, grateful I didn't let myself give up. Turning, I start towards my next quest, a ever widened smile growing on my lips.
Gabriel Agreste you may have met your match.