Someone To Watch Over Me, Chapter 22
A long update to our Ladrienette saga has been posted to the usual places. This was a chapter that I really needed to get right, for a lot of reasons, so it took considerable batting back and forth in my brain -- long enough for a whole other story to jump into print! But I do not leave stories unfinished, ever. I hope that it goes over well.
The secrets have fallen, and our players are alone... and have time to let all of what has happened sink in. Preparations must be made, souls much be searched, heart-to-heart talks are in the air... and duty, emotion and need war with each other.
Each side considers what may happen during the Wish. Each side makes its own contingency plans, safeguards and confessions. Hearts will waver, decisions will be made, and buildings will be broken into. (For a good cause, assuredly.) And, at long last... a final confrontation takes place.
Two chapters left to go in this ride!
Original inspirational artwork and theme by @buggachat, as always.
Chapter 22: All Players to Their Places on FFN / AO3
A teaser for our preparations...
"I understand your dilemma. I do not envy you the choice that remains yours to make," Gabriel continued. "The fact that you are considering it at all speaks volumes as to how true your feelings are for my son."
"Let's not go there right now, please?" Marinette asked him. "They definitely are, but you know where my first loyalty has to be. I am considering many angles here."
"Have you spoken with your... mentor, I might call him? I believe the term is 'Guardian,' from what my own Kwami has told me."
Marinette closed her eyes. I must be careful with this. Gabriel is very clever and can twist me all around with what he says, and I have so many secrets that I can't give away... beyond what he knows already!
"You know very well that I can't confirm or deny that, Mr. Agreste. Getting Adrien to safety last night was my first priority, I'll say that much. But you can also guess that I will not move on this without their approval and my partner's," she replied.
"I see. I will not probe more than I must," Gabriel smiled. "And I will not be sending my Gorilla to batter your front door down. He may visit the bakery on his own initiative, of course; he has a serious weakness for your cream puffs."
"As well he should," Marinette noted. "Best in town. But you didn't have me call you to talk about pastry."
"Indeed. That Adrien is safe, I fully expected. That you are still processing this, likewise. I needed to open this line of communication with you, and I have done so. But I would know two things before I hang up," he stated.
"Firstly... the longer Adrien stays away, the more questions will be raised. I have no intentions of being anything but his father until we reach a decision. My little friend will remain on vacation if yours does, you understand? So with that in mind... when may I see him again?"
"That..." Marinette swallowed hard. "That is up to him. I will tell him that he is missed by you when I see him."
"And I fear that you have just answered my second question. Marinette... what does Adrien know about me now?"
