Owner	Pose
Adrien Agreste	With Vorpal curling up and falling asleep on the sofa and the kwamis eating and then curling up on the arm chair, Adrien and Marinette make their way out to the patio terrace rooftop garden of his penthouse. As they walk, Adrien reaches out for Mari's hand, lacing his fingers with hers, reassuring himself that she's there, that's she's awake, that this isn't a dream. "So... akuma," Adrien starts, as if he's not exactly sure what to say about it. He remembers seeing it, remembers realizing that he wasn't going to last much longer and that he had to get teh Miraculous away from himself and then himself away from marinette as fast and as far as he could. He had to refuse to think about anything other than.. A shudder racks his frame. "That was unpleasant."
Marinette DuPain	Fingers weave together and Marinette's hand squeezes. She had held herself together from the minute she woke up on sheer determination to get him back. And now he's here. And he's safe. Abf... "What were you thinking, Adrien?? Giving in like that! What if I hadn't woken up?? What would havr happened to Plagg and Tikki?" She stops and turns to face, fear fueling her irritation and tears in her eyes. "What in the world made that seem like a good idea?? They need you! I... I need you... You can't do something like that!"
Adrien Agreste	Adrien stops with her, turning to face her as she turns to him. His head is bowed. "I was at the end, Marinette. I had held on for too long and... I was having trouble... Staying... I watched you die. I watched them fight to bring you back... but you weren't back and... When I saw it... I knew it was a matter of time... If I feel asleep and woke up in a panic, a nightmare, I wouldn't have been able to fight it... I had to leave Plagg with you. I had to trust Tikki to tell Vorpal to watch over you. It had to not think about you... as Ladybug so that I could try to lead him away... give Vorpal time to try to help you wake up.... I didn't mean to make such a mess. I didn't realize... it'd be.. so hard to control. The akuma... they alwasys seemed so.. lucid."
Marinette DuPain	Marinette waves her free hand. "Do you think I care about what happebed while you were under?? I care about what happened to -you-. I don't want Vorpal wstching over me. You are my partner! My other half! You're the one who is supposed to be there with me and I... Damnit, Adrien! I lost you in all of this too!" She cussed? Yep. She cussed. And then she kissed him. Because she was scared, and relieved and... a lot of things all at once and he was her anchor. "Never scare me like that again, okay?"
Adrien Agreste	Kissed, so freely, without that nervous preamble... it's a dizzying thing, and for a brief moment it catches Adrien off guard. He leans down to it just as she's pulling way to talk. "I'm sorry," he breathes. Because he has nothing else to give her. His other hand reaches for hers, to lace his fingers there. "I wanted to protect you, from myself. I couldn't risk Hawkmoth getting my Miraculous that way, or what it would do to... This was the only solution I could come up with. I'm... I'm surprised I didn't turn the moment you ..." He shudders again and drops his forehead toward hers. "Okay. I'll do everything I can.. not to scared you again."
Marinette DuPain	The ring on her fingers twists as their hands come together. "I know. I get it. I really do. I just... The thought of losing you.... It makes it hard to breathe and makes me want to cling and shut the rest of the world away because... I can't do this without you." Any of it. Her eyes drop to her left hand and she smiles. "I felt you slip it on..." Slowly, she detangles her fingers from his and reaches up to pull the ring off. There's a clear hesitation but it's slipped from her finger and held out to him. "You owe me one to replace it..."
Adrien Agreste	"I know exactly how you feel," Adrien replies. Because he did lose Marinette, for six hours, three minutes, and forty-five seconds. He was counting. His hand squeezes gently before she untangles her hands. He watches her, eyes falling to the ring and how it stays silver even when she slips it off. Why did she hesi- replacement? Adrien's eyes flick from ring to bluebell gaze. His eyes are a little wide, cheeks suddenly slightly pink as hope flares brightly. "You felt...? ...I'll get you one," Adrien promises as he reaches up with his left hand to take the ring and slip it onto his right hand again. The band, looking so small and dainty in Marinette's grasp, shifts to fit his hand as he moves it over the knuckles. It settles onto his hand and a set of 'whole again' settles back over Adrien. "I'll even give it to you while on a knee," Adrien quips, lips pulled up in a cattish smirk. Oh yes. There will be plans made.
Marinette DuPain	That smirk... She had been so afraid she'd never see it again. Both arms come up to wrap around him and her forehead presses into the crool of his neck, a shakey breath being exhaled. "I know you already know... I told you as Chat..." Her head lifts and she smiles up at him. "I love you." She lost him in all of this just as much as he had lost her. And she learned something from it. She wasn't whole... wasn't okay... without him. And anything could happen at any moment so she never wanted to waste a single one with him
Adrien Agreste	Adrien wraps his arms fully around Marinette, his cheek resting on the top of her head and his fingers tangled into her hair. His head pulls away as she starts to turn to look up at him, and her admission to him as him, as Adrien, makes him smile. And then the smile turns roguish, eyes narrowing in a very Chat-like fashion. "I know." OMG Marinette! If you don't get this reference, we are going back inside and marathoning Star Wars right meow! I don't care if Vorpal Tommy Tommy Vorpal - how the heck does he know again!? - is sleepin gon the sofa and it might wake.. okay< icare if it wakes him so I"ll go curl up on your bed or my bed or wahtever and put it on my tablet and OMG Tell me you know Star Wars!!! His brows lift, waiting for her reaction. He's going to kiss her anyway, but still. He must know this thing.
Marinette DuPain	And just like that, whatever tension was there is broken as Mari laughs. "You missed a vital part of that scene." And now it's her turn to smirk. "The kiss before hand." He's home now so she can relax. They both can. Although... Speaking of 'home'... "I'll catch you up on what happened and then we need to talk about the apartment."
Adrien Agreste	YES! Marinette is the best! She knows the movie and the scene and... aww... does this mean we can't marathon them ALL?! Except one through three. Those can burn in Tatooine's double sun summer. "You're one hundred thousand purrcent right, My Lady," Adrien replies, pulling her closer as he head dips, lips seeking hers. She's awake and in his arms; he's home now, and he can relax. It feels so good, so new, so thrilling, like hte first time he transformed and left out the window of his room that first afternoon that changed his life. "Yes. Catchme up and then tell me what you're not happy with. Because if you need something for you bedroom or something..."
Marinette DuPain	Oh, marathoning will definitely happen. Maybe after a solid, peaceful night of sleep though... Or once it won't risk waking Vorpal... Her head lifts to his, lips parting and she sighs into kiss, atms tightening slightly and fingers curling into the ends of his hair. No matter what happens... Or where they go... As long as they're together, they'rw home and everything will be okay. And then the talk she doesn't want have... must happen. It's all been fixed. Can't they just ignpre it and move on? No? Fine. Taking his hand, she leads him over to a seat and fills him in, what she can, on what happened while he was akumatized. She tells him about Superman, about Mercy and her friend Liam who woke her up and healed her, about the video of him and Thor and Aspen and Supergirl and Tony and...some guy she didn't recognize... Most of what she learned was from listening to those around her or news and video clips. The apartment will wait until he processes.
Adrien Agreste	Adrien sits with her on the benchs poolside. There's the soft splashing sound where the hot tub is designed to spill over into the pool. The hearing isn't easy, but Adrien needs to. He needs to know that he didn't kill while he was... He wasn't expecting to have caused that much chaos. "Wow. Okay then. I'll.. I should text Mercy soon. Let her know that I'm okay and back to myself and... tell her thanks and for her friend," Adrien says as he finishes taking it all in. He had asked questions now and then as he listened, to clarify things. For the moment the apartment has been forgotten.
Marinette DuPain	"Hey..." A hand comes up to lightly touch his cheek. "That wasn't you, okay? You fought. I know you did. You were still fighting it when I found you. And I'm so proud of you for that. None of what's happened is your fault. Do you understand that?" Mari's head tilts and she smiles. "You were one of the least destructive akumas we've faced. No property damage what so ever, a couple dozen people took a long nap and some hospital employees will be getting a nice bonus on their checks.... Which reminds me... The older redheaded nurse that came and went... It might be best if we avoid her in the future..."
Adrien Agreste	Adrien leans into the touch, a smile on his face, and his eyes fall closed. "I was so scared he was going to find you," he whispers. His eyes open and he chuckles lightly at him, the wielder of the Black Cat Miraculous, who has the power to destroy anything with a touch, ended up the least destructive akuma ever. "Well, that's good to hear. ...what? Why? Did something happen with that nurse?"
Marinette DuPain	Marinette's cheeks flare a bright pink at his question and her eyes drop, aa do her hands, she she can pick imaginery lint from her pants. "I might've threatened to sue her and the hospital," is mumbled quietly.
Adrien Agreste	"Oh." Adrien pauses, like he's thinking about how to feel about that. The few seconds pause ends with him smiling and rolling his shoulders in a shurg. "Okay. Why am I suing the hospital for you? I need to know what to tell Legal..."
Marinette DuPain	Marinette's eyes widen and she lifts her head. "I'm not really suing anyone, Adrien. It was an idle threat. I just needed her to quit arguing with me and get me my paperwork." She once more reachea for his hand. "Come on. Let's go grab a snack and a drink and then maybe sprawl on a bed while we talk about the apartment."
Adrien Agreste	Cue Adrien's soft chuckle, the mischievous way his nose wrinkles and his eyes half close. "I know, Mari. But.. if you really needed some legal stuff, I can ask Nathalie." And there he pauses, the weight of being who he is settling on his shoulders again. Gone is the mischief and the lightness and the chat-like glint to his eyes. "I should call Nathalie... let her know to tell Father that I'm okay... schedule a time to talk to Legal and.. see when they've scheduled a press conference. I made a mess of things," Adrien says, his tone gone flat and withdrawn and so much like his usual taling about work tone. All as he reaches for Mari's hand as she reaches for his.
Marinette DuPain	"Tomorrow. That call can happen tomorrow." Mari hates it when his tone does that. She hates that shell in pulls into and the wall he alams up. Standing, she starts to tugtug him in towards the apartment. "So... I was thinking... This apartment... It's for you and I, right? It's supposed to be our place? Our home?"
Adrien Agreste	Pulled up, Adrien can only step hastily after. He knows the sooner he calls the better but... his phone needs to be charged and he can say that he needed to sleep first. Tomorrow it is. "Yes. At least until school is done? If there's something that you want, we can just called Nathalie and have it ordered..." Confused Adrien is confused.
Marinette DuPain	Yes. Tomorrow it is. Thank you. "Done for the summer or four years from now done?" Not that it really matters either way. "I'd rather not involve her or your guard or your father in this, actually, if that's alright?" Inside, she lowers her voice so as not to wake anyone. "This is supposed to be our home but.... Where is anything that reflects us in this? Do you honestly like anything in here?"
Adrien Agreste	"Whichever it is. I'm not sure what Father has planned," says Adrien, tone going soft again. And seeking approval when Marinette says she doesn't want to include his usual suspects. He too lowers his voice as Plagg flicks an ear in his sleep. "Umm.. sure? Okay." Prompted by the question he starts to look around, but at her question his eyes fall right back to Marinette. "Honestly, I do, Princess."
Marinette DuPain	A blush flares to life on Marinette's cheeks and she dips her head. "N-not what I meant... Furniture, decor... That...stuff." Damn. She was doing so well too. And then something sinks in and her hand tightens on his. "So... You don't know... Are you particularly attached to this apartment?" Getting a new one is starting to sound like a -really- good idea.
Adrien Agreste	That blush and Chat shows his grin on Adrien's face. Now that he knows why the stammer, hearing it makes him giddy. "Well, Father expects me here. All the clothes I'm expected to wear are here. It's got a great view of hte city and the near by roofs are an easy jump from window or patio..." Still confused here.
Marinette DuPain	A deep breath is taken. "Adrien... I didn't ask what your fatjer liked or wanted... I asked... Do I need to jave you transform to get these answers?" She sighs, to avoid huffing, and starts towards the kitchen. "I don't like the idea that somewhere we live could be ripped away at any moment. I hate that this place is so cold and sterile and there's nothing in her that makes it feel like anything less tjan a showroom. Even your room. It's like a hotel room in there. There's nothing of -you-. If it's our home... Should it reflect out tastes? Our likes? What we enjoy?"
Adrien Agreste	Transform just to get answers? "No. Of course not, M'lady. I just..." Adrien pauses as Marinette heads to the kitchen. He follows after. "You've got the right to ask for new things, Marinette. Especially in your bedroom. It's yours. And... there's nothing wrong with the room I'm in. It's got what I need..." He pauses, hands shoving into his pockets as she asks questions that he has no answers for. Should a home reflect our tastes? "I.. I don't know. I enjoy playing video games, and we've got all the consoles and tons of games..." That totally counts, right?
Marinette DuPain	The answer gives Marinette pause and has her turning to look at him. Gis father has stripped away so much of his identity. "Will you do it? When your father decides you need to move to a different country again?" How is she supposed to compete with the complete hero worship he seems to have going? How can he not see it? She shakes her head. "As long as your happy. That's all that matters." But is he? "Hungry?" She needs to cook.
Adrien Agreste	So many difficult questions! Adrien frowns lightly, standing in the space between cupboard and island counter, not in the kitchen but not out of the kitchen. "I.. I guess? If the company needed?" But that could mean leaving Marinette. The thought is enough to cause a shudder. "You'd come with me? Right? Because being with you makes me happy, happier than Ive been in.. a long time." Especially now. "I should eat.."
Marinette DuPain	The truth is, Marinette's got no idea what she's making. She'll know when it's done. Right now, she's just...cooking. "So... your friends.. Our friends... School... The.life we're building here, you'd just leave it all behind? Expect me to leave it all behind?" Her lips are wet. "What if he doesn't let me, Adrien? What if he wants to lock you away again?" A deep breath is taken. "Would I walk away from my friends and my school for you? Yes. Without hesitation. Because when you love someone, you put them first. Not out of a need for approval or fear of disappoint but because they're the most important thing in the world to you. More important than a reputation or a name or work. Their wants and desire needs and dreams... Those matter the most."
Adrien Agreste	Adrien frowns again, eyes falling toward rhe counter as he leans his forearms to it. He already left everyone once. He wasnt sure if he could do it again and yet, if his Father asked... demanded it? Of course Adrien tries so desperately for his father's approval. "I couldnt ask you to, Marinette..." he murmurs after a long pause. Adrien scratches at a spot in the marble with a blunt nail, idly wondering how quickly he'd cut into the stone if he were more than just himself. "He'd have to... I... I cant ...anythinf without you, not really. It'd be worst than that collab with Victoria's Secret... all those feathers... " Adrien falls silent again, pensive and thoughtful. "We're a team. More than just in the masks. I didnt.... I didnt realize it before, but knwoing you as a whole person and then..." Adrien stops a moment, breath hitching and fist closing agaibst the marble. There is a tremble before he fights it back. "I wont let him take you away from me. I wont let anyone-" anything "- do that again. Not... not if I can do something about it."
Marinette DuPain	"You wouldn't have to ask." Walking overntonhim, she lays her hand over his fist and reaches for cheek with her free hand. "First... I don't want to think of you surrounded by Victoria's Secret models. It makes me thinl violent thoughts. Second, I'm sorry you did that. It must've been miserable for you." There's a look of sympathy from her. "And finally, you wouldn't have to ask because I'd go anywhere with you." "I love you but I fon't understand the blind spot you have when it comes to your father. I've seen you stand up to him and then you fall all over yourself to be 'flawless' and his 'image of perfection'..."
Adrien Agreste	Her hand on his and Adrien relaxes visibly. His eyea and chin lifts with her hand to his cheek. He leans to the touch. Her first admission lifts his broes in surprise even as a coy smirk is drawn to his lips. His Marinette, sweet gentle wouldnt hurt a soul Marinette... thinks viokent thoughts of hin surrounded by mostly naked woman? She does realize what he does for a living, right? His hand turns over under hers so he can collect it and bring it to his lips. You can take the boy out of the cat suit.... "I was Chat whwn I stood up to him, Mari. And... it was such a struggle. I... We are all we have keft for each other. He really hasnt been the same... and.. sometimes it feels like it's just getting worse, especially when I try to ditch Gorille. Im sure he has to be worried sick right now... even if he wont call or come visit for himself. He just.... Mok was always so perfect that... I just dont want to disappoint him or make him think that... that Im abandoning him too.." When in all of that did he turn her other hand so he coukd cup his other cheek in her hand?
Marinette DuPain	Stepping to him, Marinette smile gently. "And it's wonderful that you want to see him happy, Adrien." She leans forward to press her lips to his cheek. "You're a fantastic son, kitty. And I'm proud of you but... It's draining you Adrien. And that... That I can't stand to see happen." Her fingers caress gently. "You let him make evey tiny decision. You don't do or choose anything for yourself. You aren't your mother. And you aren't your father. You're you and you should start showing that. Because you, you are bold and courageous and you never give up. I've seen it so many times and not just as Chat. You need to find yourself. You father isn't always going to approve of everything. And that's perfectly okay. My parents didn't approve of everything I did."
Adrien Agreste	Steppes towardn adrien leaves thw counter for Marinette. Sorry counter. its not that your support isnt appreciated, Marinette is just a girl and Adrien likes those, especially Marinette shaped ones, not counter shaped ones. He seeks to wrap hia arms about her waist, not asking for more than just being able to hold her. Her worss bolster him, becasue as Chat he feels free in a way that is absent as Adrien. All that aside, one thing surprises Adrien. "How can they not? as amazing as you are!"
Marinette DuPain	Food is forgotten in favor of leaning into him. His question causes her to blush and giggle. "Because I'm different than they are. I make decision they wouldn't if it were up to them. Like moving here." She smirks and looks up at him. "And you might be a little bias on how amazing I am..." Dhe leans up to lightly kiss his cheek. "And you're distracting. I was supposed to be making you something to eat."
Adrien Agreste	"I didn't mean it that way.> I meant that... you're amazing and smart and caring and guess I don't understand how they wouldnt agree with your decisions..." because clearly Adrien has a hard time thinking of making his own regardless of what Dear Ol' Dad thinks, while simultaneously not being able to conceive of Marinette in the same position with her parents. The thought that she could even make choices that her parents aren't fond of is as alien as a Superman or a spacecat. He smiles lightly at Marinette as he pulls his hands away from her. "Sorry, Purrincess. I'll be quiet and good and completely, purrfectly, not distracting so you can finish what you were doing," he says, hands held up and away from Marinette as if a gun were trained on him. But his posture is loose and relaxed, and his lips are curled up in that Chaton's Grin that makes his eyes lusterous and bright and missing the slits that make Adrien less human and more feline.
Marinette DuPain	A brow arches at him and Marinette grins, letting the subject of parents fall to tje aide for now. "Uh-huh...." She's trying so hard not to giggle. Never trust a cat... They pounce the moment your back is turned... Turning from him slowly, she blinks at the ingredients she was pulling without really thinking about it. "So... How do crepes sound? Homemade whipped creme, raspberries and powdered sugar?"
Adrien Agreste	Cats only pounce on things that catch and hold their attention. Marinette should be highly flattered by the amount of pounce Chat has for her. She turns and Adrien resumes his lean upon the counter, fingers once more scratching at a speak in the stone. "Sounds good," Adrien agrees with an ease tone. It's eager but not overly so. It's warm but not whole hearted. "How do you make whipped cream?" he asks now, eyes on Marinette, interest easy to hear in his voice.
Marinette DuPain	The tones are caught and Marinette glances over jer shpulder. "Is there something else you'd rather have? I don't mind making whatever it is you want." His question causes her to smile amd motion her head towards the counter she's standing at. "Come help me make it and find out." This should be fun!
Adrien Agreste	"Hmm? Uh.. no? I mean, it's fine. Whatever you make is bound to be purrfect," Adrien replies with a grin. It's Chat's caught-doing-something-dumb-and-i-totally-realize-it-but-oh-well-what's-a-cat-to-do? grin. Motioned close, Adrien pushes off the counter to walk over, hands going into his pockets again. "Okay. Tell me what to do, M'lady."
Marinette DuPain	"What's up? I know that look..." Marinwtte arches a brow at him. "Would you prefer croissants?" His hands go into his pockeys and she giggles. "You're going to need those so putting them away might not be a good idea." On the counter in front of him, she places a large bowl, cane sugar, a bottle of heavy creme, measuring cups, pure vanilla extracts and measuring spoons as well as a whisk. "First thing you want to do is add an eighth of a cup of sugar. Then two teaspoons of vanilla."
Adrien Agreste	Oh! Croissants. Adrien's smile turns goofy for the moment she mentions it, but then she's giggling and the smile slips to that bright 'love her giggle' warmth. Hands removed from pockets, Adrien looks at the things and... This is just like chemistry. Only... the stuff that comes out is edible. Right? "Eighth of a cup. Two teaspoons. Got it," he says with the intensity he'd use when being given the battle plan during an akuma fight. Chat Noir, you distract him and I'll sneak around behind and catch that akuma. Got it! Chat Noir, I'll hold him and you grab the bracelet. No problem! Chat Noir! Adrien looks over the measuring cups and spoons, reading the labels, searching for AHA! 1/8 cup and teaspoon. He reaches for the eighth of a cup and the sugar.
Marinette DuPain	So that's it, is it. Easy enough to switch. she hasn't started making the creprs yet so... Putting away the things needed for batters, she sets the oven to preheating and pulls out what she needs to make croissants. And a whole new set of dishes is set down beside him, so he can easily see what she's doing, and statts on making the dough. "When you got both of those in, add the pint of creme. You'll give it a quick stir with the whisk then go wash out the measuring cups and measuring spoons."
Adrien Agreste	Her switch doesn't even register since Adrien doesn't know what any of the things she has is used for. He focuses on the task he was given. Very careflly, as if he had been handling soemthing potentially explosive instead of just sugar, Adrien measures out the powder and adds it to the bowl. Just as carefully, the vanilla is measured out. And then the creme. One pint. A quick stir, which doesn't do much of anything because he just sploshed the wisk through the liquid once, and Adrien collects all the measuing things he used and heads to the sink.
Marinette DuPain	Surely the boy knows how to wash those, right? She's about to say something when her phone goes off, startling her and causing her to squeak, quickly wipe her hands and fumble to get it out of her pocket. Speaker phone is turned on, when she finally manages to get the blasted thing free, and it's laid on the counter. "Hello?" "Don't you 'hello?' me, you lady! We've been trying to call you for days! Why hav--" "Don't yell at her Tom. She must be so heartbroken." "Ow! Sabine what was--" Mari's eyes widen. "Papa! Mama! Slow down. I'm sorry I didn't answer. Life has been really hectic the past few days. Why would you think I'm heartbroken?" "Oh, honey. Alya came over and told us," Sabine is saying. "How are you holding up, Mari? Do we need to come out there? Tom, starting booking--" "Mama, wait! What did Alya tell you? I'm fine, really..." Confused Marinette is confused. "Oh, baby girl, you haven't heard. That boy, Adrien, he's engaged now... And the poor girl is in the hospital... He's such a sweet boy. He must be so worried." Marinette blinks. "... ..." "Are you okay, Marinette?," Sabine asks into the silence.
Adrien Agreste	Surely! Maybe. Sort of. He rinses them and the phone rings. He really should plug his in. Glancing over, Adrien turns off the water so it doesn't make noise and with the phone on speaker, he listens in as he dries his hands. As the conversation unfolds, his head tilts. The voices of her parents are as he remembered them from the one time he went to her place to practice for that video game tournament. So warm and affectionate. And concerned. It makes Adrien smile, to hear Marinette's parents so worried about her. But, what are they talking about? She was injured.. not heartbro- Oh shit. Adrien's eyes widen. He meant to call them, to let them know that she was in the hospital, but.. things changed so quickly and then ..the akuma. It had slipped his mind. Adrien, he's engaged now. Oh. Shit! Poor girl in the hospital... Adrien looks at Marinette and with Marinette getting stuck, he steps over closer to the phone, looking at Marinette as he addresses the device. "Mrs. Cheng? Mr. DuPain? Hi. This is Adrien..." He starts to pause, but then presses forward, worried that her parents aren't going to give him the chance to say this. So, he inhales again, ready to talk....
Marinette DuPain	"Marinette?" Sabine's voice again. And Mari just blinks. Finally her mouth opens to say something but Adrien's there and he's talking and she sighs in relief. "Oh, Adrien! Are you alright, honey? We're so sorry to hear about what happened! How is the poor gi--" Sabine's interrupted. "I like you, son, and I'm sorry about your fiance... What are you doing at my daughter's apartment?" That snaps Marinette out of it. "I told you I had a male roommate."
Adrien Agreste	"Forgive me, Mr. DuPain. Mrs. Cheng. Marinette was in the hospital. She had a small accident and was hurt. I was there and because you were far away, I took care of the medical expenses. I'm sorry for stepping on your toes and not calling you about it, but making sure Marinette was okay was really the only thing on my mind at the moment. I hope you understand and know that there was absolutely no disrespect intended," Adrien says as his green eyes fall to the device, and harden slightly. His hands shift to his hips. Any second now, he might pun. At least that's what the posture reads since the annoyed-cat expression he gives the phone is loud and clear.
Marinette DuPain	It's a posture Marinette knows very well and she reaches out, running her fingers through his hair once. "It's okay," is whispered softly. "An accident!?" And now there's Papa Bear. "What happened? How bad was she hurt? Don't be sorry for taking care of girl when your fiance was--" "AAAHHHH! Why wasn't I called as soon as this happened!? Oh, my baby girl!! We'll be there as soon as we can! There's so many plans to make! Tom! Tom! Book the flight right away!" Marinette's winces as her mother screams and then her eyes widen. "Wait. Mama. no, that's no--" "Oooh. I'm so happy for you two! We'll see you soon!" Click. "... ...Oh god..." Mari groans and drops her head to the counter
Adrien Agreste	Her fingers in his hair and the annoyance flickers away. His hands slide from his hips the calm coming just as Tom papa bears over the phone. Adrien starts back, eyes widening. It's not hard at all to picture those cat ears perking forward or him leaping back toward the counter behind him. He doesn't, but it's a bearly thing. "It wasn't anything too-" Interupted. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Cheng. I-" Interupted. "No. There's no need for-" Interrupted. Click. Steamrolled. By parents. That... has never happened to Adrien, ever. He blinks, uncomprehending, at the phone before turning to look at Marinette as she groans. "Are they really...? I need to charge my phone now," he states and turns to do just that.
Marinette DuPain	Mari shakes her head. "I'll call them back and try to set things straight. I'm so sorry. Mama's... easilu excited and a hopeless romantic and..." She sighs and reachea for her pgone, swiping through to find her parents number. "Thank you for trying."
Adrien Agreste	"Well... she wasn't wrong about her guess... I just... need more time to find you a ring to keep," Adrien comments as finds the charger in the kitchen and plugs his phone in.
Marinette DuPain	"That's your concern? The lack of ring? Not my parents steamrolling in here?" She can't help but chuckle. Coming up behind him, she wraps her arms around his waist and smirks. "Is it any wonder I adore you? Let me conbince them to wait until I have a break in class, at least, okay?"
Adrien Agreste	Adrien watches as his phoen does the: too low power to do more than show that I"m out of power and charging. Adrien's phone is like a less vocal Plagg, and he frowns at it until Marinette wraps her arms about him and he turns to smile brightly at her. "Okay. And yes. I don't want them to get the wrong idea and be upset or disappointed," Adrien says, showing that need to be perfect again. "And.. I'll pay for their travel. If you think that will help convince them."
Marinette DuPain	"And what idea might that be?" This is asked as she tilts her head up at him. "That I'm head over heels in love? That I don't need a piece if jewelry to announce that we're engaged? Or that you love me? That I don't need you to be perfect at all?" She smirks and leans up to nuzzle his cheek. "Relax, kitty..." And them she steps away to make the needed call, point to the creme bowl as she goes. "Whisk that until there's peaks when you pull the whisk out?"
Adrien Agreste	"Eeehhh?" Adrien turns to look at Marinette, shying his head back just a bit at her very strong take-charge attitude. His cheeks flush at it, at the stupid things hearing her talk like that - like Ladybug - does to his brain. She nuzzles his neck and he all but melts into a puddle of happy Adrien is happy on the floor. When she steps away, Adrien stumbles forward a step and has to work to gregain his balace. "AH! Sure. No purroblem. Wisking is something I'm purrfect at!" he blurts out, hand to the back of his head. He so doesn't know how to wisk. This is not stopping him from heading over to that bowl of cream.
Marinette DuPain	Several minutes past and Mari can be heard in the next room but barely. And who knows what kind of mess her Chat has made in her absence. She takes down a small tray of ready to shive in the oven croissants that she premade and, well, shoves them in the oven. "I know, mama. I understand. I know you're excited but the wedding... that's about me and Adrien sobyou'll need to wait until we both have a break in classes." Silence and then a smile. "I'll tell ask him. I love you too. Au Revoir." Phone hung up, she shoves it back in her pocket and comes up beside him. "She'd like to know if they can do the catering."
Adrien Agreste	Mess? What mess? You mean sloshing some of the creme out of hte bowl when all that was happeneing was some frothy bubbles? Did she say wedding? Adrien looks over, turning and taking the bowl with him. Dreme is dangerously close to the edge. "The...catering?" Adrien squeaks lightly, hand still.
Marinette DuPain	Reaching out, Marinette lays her hand over his and twists so her back is to his chest, ducking under the bowl to do so. "Like this...." She shows him how to slowly whisk something, picking up speed and power as she goes. "Deep breaths, my Knight. It will keep them in Paris and distracted for quite some time... Mama tends to think really far ahead."
Adrien Agreste	Tucked into and shown how, Adrien smiles sheepishly nodding. "Of course, M'lady. I just.. what-what did you tell them?"
Marinette DuPain	Keeping her hand on his, she lets him take over the whisking until the creme has formed peaks when the whisk is pulled up. "Adrien... I don't want you to feel pressured by the press or my parents or... anything or anyone else, okay? What happens, happens when we're ready and not a moment before." Her head tilts back and she smiles. "I told her that someone ran their mouth when they shoildn't have and it hit the press. That it wasn't something we were announcing yet and needed time."
Adrien Agreste	"... So.. you didn't tell them that I said that just to get in to see you?" Adrien asks, voice soft and slightly strained by OMG this is a lot of work!
Marinette DuPain	Mari grins. "Papa says thank you for doing what had to be done." When the creme is ready she still his hand and reaches up to take the bowl from him. "And now you've made whipped creme."
Adrien Agreste	Adrien was so sure her father was going to never approve of him, especially since he basically lied. Hearing that he was grateful had Adrien smiling and relaxing and... hey! whipped cream. "That's a lot of work," he says, sounding surprised and letting her have the bowl from him.
Marinette DuPain	She could feel him relax. "They adore you, you know... Don't worry so much." The announcement that the whipped creme was hars work makes her grin as she ducks out of his arms and walks over to put it in the fridge. "You should try making fondant some time. It's stupid how much work goes into that stuff just so a cake can look pretty! Like it matters... It's all going to be eaten anyhow." And then she's crossing the room to pull the croissants from the oven. "And no more arguing with me about eating, okay? I know how active you are at night..."
Adrien Agreste	Hearing that her parent adore him makes him smile and a soft bluch to cover his cheeks. He steps way so Marinette can do what she's gong to do without him in the way. The smell of croissants doesn't hit him until they are out of the oven and on the counter and his eyes fixate on them. He can't help the way he licks his lips. "Going to make sure I stay active, M'Lady?" That's Chat's voice, through and through. Unmistakeable, undeniable. How had these two never figured it out before?
Marinette DuPain	Marinette's eyes widen and she's thankful her back is to him. A blush glares on her cheeks and she uses the excuse of removing the oven mitts to force it away. When she turns to face him, she's smirking and that bluebell gaze lifts to him. "You'll be exhausted by the time you lay down to sleep, kitty." ...She means patrols, of course... Must not blush. Must not blush!
Adrien Agreste	So did he! Honest! But, of course, this is Chat so... the light smirk turns into a full blown Chaton Lopsided Smirk of a Smile as she turns to face him. "You purromise, my Ladybug?" complete with brow waggle that in the mask only makes the black move about. WIthout the mask, it's clear just how expressive Adrien can be. Add to this how he puts a hand on his hip, right hand on the counter next to him, one foot crossing over in front of him and all that's missing is the tail sweeping up in an amused curl. Still think he's not being serious, Marinette? This, in all the years they've been together, has never changed.
Marinette DuPain	If asked, Marinette couldn't tell you where the butst of confidence... of playful, flirty sass came from. She pushes away from the counter she's near and practically saunters over to him. Leaning in and up, she grins right back, her smirk full of mischief. "Just try me, kitty...."
Adrien Agreste	Wherever it came from, Adrien would love to see more of it. He doesn't know what to DO with it. Now when she's sauntering his way and he gets to just stand there adn watch and funny funny things happen to his brain. He shifts his weight as he heart flutters in his chest. "Sun down? Race you to the Chrysler Building..." Adrien fires back, because he really was taking about a run. Even into the huge flirt moment. She leans up and he's hard pressed not to cave and lean away.
Marinette DuPain	A fraction of an inch closer and Marinette nartows her eyes faintly. "Mmm..." And then she boops his nose, leans back and grins. "You're on." Where the hell is the Chrysler Building? And then her smile slips into warm and sweet and typical Marinette. "Until then..."She reaches back to take a fresh croissant from the tray and hand to him. "I suggest getting some rest, maybe."
Adrien Agreste	That fraction of an inch and Adrien no longer knows what's happening. His eyes widen slightly and his pupils shrink. The bravado fall just before she boops his nose. Adrien curls up like a cat in an instant, both hands coming up to his nose. Adrien can't suppress the full blown Chaton smile as she accepts the challenge. YES! Hells to the yes yes! Ladybug time tonight. SWEET! I mean. What? Er... OH look, a cas- CROISSANT! Whatever Adrien had been thinking about flees as he perks up for hte baked good. He wastes no time, hand snatching it from Marinette's fingers and NOM! Big bite. And soft half-moan half-purr half-hum-of-delight. Adrien nods to whatever Marinette just said. Because can't think, croissant.
Marinette DuPain	A roll of Marinette's eyes and one hand grabs another croissant while her other hand grabs his free one. "C'mon... Let's go to bed." Start the countdown. Out of the kitchen. Through the living room. Halfway up the stairs. Stop. "I.. I mean... You need..." She sighs and huffs, blushing brightly. "Nevermind..." Oddly, or not, he's led to /her/ room to lay down. It's not like he hasn't slept with her before. Well... she slept... He laid there.... But still!