Ink Stained Coffee Cup

“Adrien, I know we haven’t met up with Lu or Zoé in awhile, but thirty minutes is far too long to shower!”

Marinette heard a faint snort come from the shower and rolled her eyes as she heard him shuffle around. “My lady, some of us need to be clean. We haven’t seen them in six months!”

“And? I need to shower!” A pout painted her lips — as well as a blush on her cheeks, but he didn’t need to know that — and she crossed her arms. “You’ve been hogging it for too long.”

A dramatic groan echoed from the bathroom and after a few moments, the sound of rushing water paused. She heard as he moved around and before she knew it, the bathroom door swung open to reveal Adrien, a towel wrapped around his waist.

Marinette held back a gasp as she watched a droplet of water glide across his skin and looked away, swallowing the lump that had grown in her throat all of a sudden. She knew better to get flustered by him! He was just her silly chaton!

But a small part of her traitorously thought: if he was just her chaton, why were her lips suddenly so dry? And when did it get so hot in here?

Marinette inhaled before turning around, looking away from him. “I’m going to, ah, get my towel and stuff. Yeah.”

She could hear Adrien chuckle from behind her, fully imagining the way his perfect eyebrow lifted up as he smiled. “As you wish, princess.”

As soon as she heard him say that, she ran into her room and locked the door, leaning against the wood. Why did her bathroom have to be broken right now again?

Oh, right, because Plagg thought it would be a funny April Fool’s Day joke to cataclysm her floor.

Marinette sighed, grabbed her towel, unlocked the door, and raced out, forever grateful that Adrien had actually retreated to his room. She needed some alone time to cool down, and although it sounded ironic because she was in hot water, it relaxed her.

Thirty minutes later, she was fully dressed and ready to go. She was wearing a short green mini dress and a matching short-sleeved cardigan. She paired it with simple brown sandals and a simple pearl necklace.

Marinette sighed happily and walked towards Adrien, who was sitting at the breakfast table. “Boo!” She playfully said from her spot, not intending to scare him.

“Boo!” Adrien said back, turning around to look at her. His lips suddenly looked dry and Marinette’s throat felt that way as he stared at her, slightly self-conscious. She bit her lip and watched as he gulped down a sip of water before looking at her again. “Ready to go?”

Marinette hummed, indulging her own appreciation of Adrien’s pink dress shirt and brown pants. How did everything fit him so damn well? “Ready!”

She would have to hope that she didn’t turn into a puddle at lunch, Zoé would never let her live it down — affectionately, of course.

**

“Hi!”

A smile bloomed on Marinette’s face as she heard her friend’s voice from behind her as she and Adrien walked towards the small café they were having brunch at. She spun around and Zoé tackled her in a hug, and soon both of them were taken over with endless giggles.

Marinette was faintly aware of Luka and Adrien chuckling before hugging each other briefly, but she couldn’t help it! Luka and Zoé had been on tour together for the past year, and the last time she had seen them was last December during Alya and Nino’s Wedding Reception.

For context, it was June now. Far too long if you asked her.

Marinette grinned as she noticed Adrien and Luka deep in discussion and pulled away briefly to link arms with her friend. “Wanna get a table inside and see how long it takes them to notice?” She whispered quietly into Zoé ear, who grinned and nodded, leading them to the door and silently slipping inside.

Marinette grinned as the two of them found a table for four near the back. “How are you?” She asked as she settled into one of the chairs, placing her bag on the side.

“I’m good! Tour has been stressing me out, hence why we’re back in Paris for a bit, but I’m so excited to tell you about everything. How about you, any changes with sunshine?”

Marinette opened her mouth to respond, but was cut off when she felt a familiar feeling cover her eyes.

“Guess who?” She heard a very familiar voice, and grinned, resting her back against the chair.

“Hm.. Kagami?” She said teasingly and she could almost see Adrien’s pout. “Hi, Adrien.”

“Hi,” he said and pressed a kiss to her forehead, oblivious to how Zoé’s eyes immediately widened and shot to Marinette’s, and Luka exasperatedly putting his face in his hands. “Apparently, Luka and Zoé have special news for us!” He smiled excitedly and sat down next to her. “So?”

“Close your eyes,” Luka said with a smile, and they obeyed, covering their eyes with the palms of their hands. Marinette could faintly hear the sound of plastic sliding on the table.

“You can open your eyes now,” she heard Zoé’s soft voice call out after a few moments, and once they did, Marinette’s squeal could’ve been heard throughout the whole café.

“You’re pregnant?” She held back the urge to clap excitedly, holding the ultrasound pictures in her hands. “How long?”

“Around two months,” Luka answered, looking at his wife fondly. “We didn’t find out at all till earlier this week because Z kept powering through each show,” he said with a false accusatory tone, prompting Zoé to roll her eyes. “We have a couple of weeks left of the tour and then we’ll probably be back here for a while, to get used to family life and all that.”

Marinette slightly turned and watched as Adrien quietly looked at the ultrasound pictures, his thumb rubbing the material repetitively. “I’m so happy for you both,” he said with a smile, looking up at them before handing the ultrasounds back. “You guys will be fantastic at parenting.”

Marinette squeezed his free hand, and Luka and Zoé smiled back at him. “Thank you.”

“So, you guys haven’t updated us on one specific topic,” Zoé began, and Marinette could hear her giggles as she threw her head back in despair. “How are your love lives?”

“I saw that segue,” Adrien said, waving his pointer finger back and forth playfully. “But honestly? Pretty shitty.”

Luka’s eyes widened. “How so?”

“Went on a date yesterday and the girl was using me to get over her ex. Ended whatever we had once she told me,” he explained, finally opening the menu.

Right. They were here to eat.

“I’m sorry, Adrien,” Zoé said, a sympathetic look plastered on her face. “Have you been seeing anyone else?”

“Not really,” he mumbled, flipping the page. “I’ve had my eye set on someone, but it didn’t end up working out, so, it’s whatever,” Adrien said with a shrug.

Marinette’s heart broke at the sight of him so.. sad, and before she knew it, she blurted out, “I can help you!”

(She chose to ignore how Luka and Zoé simultaneously facepalmed, mainly because she would have done the same.)

“Help me with what?” Adrien asked, a cute confused expression on his face. “Pick what to eat? Because I’m debating on the crepes, or the chocolate croissant, or, ooh, the eclairs sound really good-”

“No, minou, with your disaster of a love life,” she said exasperatedly, pushing down the traitorous feelings of sadness. “I want you to be happy.”

Mission Get Adrien Agreste a Girlfriend: Activated.

(She, again, decided to ignore Zoé’s shocked expression. She knew all too well that she wanted to be his.)

“Oh.. thanks, Mar,” he said, a soft smile on his face. “I appreciate that!”

“Speaking of which, what about you, ‘Nette?” Luka asked, a smirk on his face. “How’s your love life going?”

“It’s alright,” she said, suddenly finding interest in the menu. How were there so many drink options? “I haven’t really been seeing anyone, but you know, it’s all fine.”

Adrien hummed and gave her a thoughtful look before looking back at his menu. A warm feeling spread through Marinette’s body, and before she knew it, she was hiding her face in her menu. How did he still have this effect on her?

“Ahem.”

Marinette looked up and saw a waitress looking at her with a soft smile. “Are you ready to order, mademoiselle?”

She should’ve known this was a fancy café.

**

"Have you planned any dates with anyone else?" Marinette asked Adrien as they walked into their apartment, pushing down the traitorous jealousy building up in her. She was helping her best friend, not subtly convincing him to date her instead. She was better than that.

Or was she?

"No, not really," Adrien admitted. "I kind of wanted to take a break from dating, but we're getting older, and I just... I want someone I can spend the rest of my life with, you know?"

Marinette swallowed and nodded. She understood that feeling, and she knew he deserved someone who would love him just as much as he loved them. 

She just wished it could have been her.

"Do you want me to help?" She asked quietly. "I know it's probably awkward, knowing that you used to be in love with me and that I helped you put your own father in prison, but I want you to be happy."

Adrien stared at her for a few moments -- was that a blush? -- before smiling sweetly. "Thank you, my lady. I appreciate that."

And so, Mission Get Adrien Agreste a Girlfriend had commenced operations.

**

“I’m just in shock you’re both are still not together and twenty-four. You would’ve thought the reveal and eleven years of knowing each other would’ve done it.”

Marinette pouted at Zoé’s words. “You know that there’s more to that.”

“She has a point, Mar,” Kagami pointed out, making eye contact through the screen. The three of them were FaceTiming, as they did, and apparently right now were talking about how Marinette’s love life was so boring.

“Not you too, Mimi,” she groaned and slammed her face into her pillow.

“What? She has a point.”

“Mar, we’re just worried about you,” Zoé said softly. “You don’t have to pretend to be okay with us; you can trust us.”

“I’m okay, I promise,” she said honestly, though a part of her heart burned as she said the words out loud. “Adrien is allowed to be with any girl he wants to. Besides, he’s out on a date right now. He can do whatever he wants.” Even if it makes my heart feel like a thousand knives have pierced it.

Kagami and Zoé were quiet for a moment, and Marinette was afraid she had said too much. “Even if it’s worth breaking your heart over?”

“Even if it’s worth breaking my heart over.”

Then why did it hurt so bad?

She heard the front door unlock and close, and sighed. “Adrien’s home. I’m gonna go ask him how it went.”

“Good Luck, Mar,” Zoé said sweetly and hugged her phone. “Good luck from baby Melody and I!”

“You’ll be fine, Mari,” Kagami said honestly, and Marinette smiled and nodded as she waved before cutting the call.

Inhale, exhale.

She was a pathetic liar.

Marinette sighed before walking out of her room and into the living room where Adrien sat, a smile on his face. “Hey, chaton,” she said, smiling as she watched his eyes light up at the nickname. “How was your date?”

He smiled and looked down. “It went well!”

Marinette bit her lip as he looked away. You will not be jealous, you will not be jealous.

(The affirmations were not working.)

“…I got her number, and I think we’re-”

“You what?” Marinette said, shock lining her voice.

“I think we’ll be really good-“

“Nope, that’s it, I’m done, I’m tired of you not knowing.” She felt hypocritical. Just minutes ago, she was telling her closest friends that she would get over her crush. Her first love. The man she cared about more than ever. She wouldn’t be jealous.

Alas, look at her now. A fire lit in her, and it wasn’t going out any time soon.

“I have loved you far too fucking long for it all to go away to some random girl I don’t know the name of-”

“Mari, what-“

“I have loved you for eleven years, as Chat Noir and Adrien Agreste, and this is probably selfish of me, but I want you to be mine. I want to wake up with you every morning and listen to you breathe and kiss your forehead when we cuddle. I want to be the one you want to spend the rest of your life with and love you for as long as I- mmph!”

Adrien cut her off with a kiss, pulling her into his lap as he caressed her right cheek softly. Marinette bit back a gasp before following his rhythm, inhaling deeply as he bit her lip and pulled away moments later, a dazed look on his face.

“Marinette.” Kiss. “I.” Kiss. “Love.” Kiss. “You.” Kiss. “More.” Kiss. “Than.” Kiss. “Anyone.” Kiss. “Else.” Kiss.

Marinette smiled softly. “You love me?”

He grinned and pressed a kiss to her nose. “Always have. The girl I just saw on the date? She wasn’t that interested in me, and neither was I. We decided to be friends.” Adrien grinned and stole a quick kiss from her again, making her cheeks burn. “My heart belongs to you, princess.”

Marinette tackled him with kisses all over his face, relishing in the chuckles he let out. “Lucky for you, mine belongs to you, my prince.”