paynesgrey_fics | Miraculous Ladybug, "The Tell-Tale Kiss" ch. 11, rated T

Fandom: Miraculous Ladybug & Chat Noir
Title: The Tell-Tale Kiss
Chapter Title: Eleven - Mother Knows Best
Pairing/Characters: Marinette (Ladybug), Adrien (Chat Noir), Tikki, Plagg, Marinette/Adrien
Word Count: 2,699
Genre: Humor/Romance
Rating: T
Spoilers: Up to Season 2 (for now)

Notes: This is a new multi-chapter fic though it won't be too long. I've written a few chapters and have the rest outlined. For now, this first chapter is written for my "major" prompt for the Summer Mini Challenge. Characters are aged up about a few years, around 16 years old. Canon divergent from Season 2/3.

Notes for this Chapter: More Adrien and Marinette fluff, as well as two happy super heroes on patrol.

Other Links: FFnet | AO3

Summary: Adrien has had enough. If Ladybug won't accept him as Chat Noir, well, then maybe she'll say yes to Paris's top male model? When she gives her answer, he doesn't expect what comes next.

After the movie, Adrien’s driver dropped Marinette off home. The lights were still on in the bakery, but Marinette’s parents were not waiting outside for her. He assumed that they were inside anxiously waiting for their daughter.

His bodyguard opened the door for them, and Adrien stepped out first, taking Marinette’s hand to guide her out. In front of the bakery’s front door, Adrien held her hands and stared into her eyes, grateful for Marinette in his life. His heart was overflowing with love for her, and he only wished that he could tell the whole world about them.

He knew that he couldn’t. His life was too complicated at the moment, and then there was the issue with his father. If only she knew that he was Chat Noir, maybe things would be easier. Two superheroes dating wouldn’t even concern his father, and as Chat Noir he would be able to be more public with Ladybug -- at least, that was what he believed.

“I had a wonderful time, Adrien,” Marinette said, and her cheeks painted with a blush.

“Me too. I wish I didn’t have to leave you, but my father is coming back home in the morning and I have an early photoshoot,” he said, not to mention he had patrol tonight. He was looking forward to that at least, but he knew overall he wasn’t getting any sleep tonight.

Not that he could sleep when his thoughts were completely occupied by Marinette.

“I understand,” Marinette said, squeezing his hand in hers. “Are you able to come to school tomorrow?”

Adrien nodded. “I’ll be back for afternoon classes.” He reached for her, cupping her cheek with his other hand. “It’ll be a lonely morning, but I’ll look forward to seeing you in the afternoon.”

Marinette nodded. “Yeah, morning is going to suck without you, but maybe I can tease Ayla and Nino for once.”

He laughed. “Not without me, you won’t.”

Marinette grinned. “I don’t know. It might be too tempting since they’re always teasing me. I can get my revenge!”

They chuckled together at the thought, and when his bodyguard grunted at him, Adrien knew it well past time to leave.

“I better go,” he said, stroking her cheek again. “Good night and sweet dreams.”

“You too,” Marinette said, their eyes locking again, getting lost in each other and not wanting to come back to reality. Marinette leaned into him, and whispered low. “I can make those dreams sweeter…with your permission.”

Adrien closed the distance between them, taking her into his arms. “You have it, always.” She met his lips first, and they kissed lightly at first, taking in each other’s touch and taste before they knew they had to pull apart.

“To be continued,” Adrien said, and Marinette chuckled.

She gave him a quick kiss to his nose and said, “You better.”

Adrien reluctantly let go of her hands as his driver loomed over him to reenter the car. He watched her through the window and Marinette waved goodbye, still feeling her heart beating like wild horses in her chest.

Chat Noir landed next to Ladybug at their normal meeting place before they went on patrol. He found her looking out over the Parisian skyline, lit up with golden lights and dotted with stars above them. The air was cool and he felt peaceful up here, and having her by his side brought a burst of serenity to his heart.

Three hours had passed since Adrien had left Marinette in front of her parents’ bakery after their date, and the absence of her presence had left him feeling lonely so he was anxious to meet her here for patrols.

Of course, she still didn’t know his identity, nor did she know that he was aware of hers.

“Good evening, m’lady,” he said, and she turned to smile at him. She was definitely in a good mood and he knew why.

“Hello, kitty, ready for patrol?” she asked.

“I am now that I’m with you, m’lady,” he said, giving her a wide smile and a wink.

She rolled her eyes, but she was still smiling. “You take the west and I’ll go east, then we meet back here, okay?

Chat Noir sighed. “Always business and no pleasure.” She leaned in and bopped him on the nose, giving him a teasing smile.

“You better believe it. Now get going, kitty. See you soon,” she said and he saw her extend her yo-yo and swing away.

He exhaled a heavy breath and watched her happily as she disappeared behind some buildings. “I really love you,” he said, though he knew that she was well out of earshot to hear it. Adrien really wished they knew each other’s identities. It would make things easier for him to have control. He also felt that it was unfair that he knew Ladybug’s identity and she didn’t know his.

Though, he was confident that soon she’d discover him as Chat Noir. He’d either have to reveal it to her by choice, or she would stumble upon it by accident. Now that they were closer as their civilian selves, it was only a matter of time before she figured it out.

Honestly, having Marinette know his identity would be a relief, and then they didn’t have to hide whenever an akuma attacked while they were together.

Chat Noir’s thoughts lingered as he began his patrol, and he switched to focus on scoping out threats or problems in the city. It was a quiet night in Paris, and he was grateful for an absence of akumas. He held to his word and did a thorough patrol of the western side, and he rounded backward toward their usual meeting place. The city was calm and sleepy, and barely an argument was heard through the populace.

Ladybug was waiting for him when he jumped back down beside her.

“Any issues? Signs of akumas?” she asked. Chat Noir retracted his staff.

“Not a one,” he said, and he let out a loud yawn. “If you don’t mind, m’lady, I have an early morning.”

She nodded with a gentle smile. “Of course, you take care, kitty, and sweet dreams.”

He crossed his arms and grinned at her, his eyebrows rising suggestively. “Oh, they will be red and spotted, for sure.”

She guffawed and nudged his shoulder. “You never quit, do you?”

“Not until my last breath, m’lady,” he said. “See you later.” He bounded off, and he spared her a backward glance as she shook her head at him but was still smiling.

Soon enough, m’lady, you will look at me very differently, he thought with a hopeful grin, and he headed back to his house where his bed called to him, tempting him with much needed sleep.

After school the next day, her mother Sabine set a steaming mug of tea in front of her daughter while she worked on her homework and watched for customers at the bakery. She was hunched over an involved project about Voltaire, and her mother peeked over Marinette’s shoulder to get a glimpse of what she was writing about.

“How’s the project?” her mother asked, sitting on the other side of the counter with her own cup of tea. Marinette looked up, noticed her mother and the hot tea in front of her.

“Pretty much done. I’m just working on the notes for the posterboard. I have to type them up, print them out and affix them,” Marinette said. “Adrien had the poster board right now, so he’s coming over in an hour to return it so we can finally finish this thing.”

“What’s his take on the project?” Sabine asked.

“Ah, he was going to look up photos and print them out,” Marinette said. “He thought since I had notes from Voltaire before, he should do some of the more involved research with the pictures and the archive clippings.”

“Ohhh, that was kind of him,” Sabine said, taking a long sip of her tea. A heavy pause wedged between them, and Marinette started to feel self-conscious of her mother’s presence.

“So… you and Adrien,” she began. Marinette cleared her throat, which sounded more like a choke. Sabine suppressed a chuckle. She continued, “You two are getting close on the project, and you went on a movie together. Like a date.”

“It was a date,” Marinette said, still not looking at her mother’s prying eyes.

“And a very nice one, I imagine,” Sabine said, sipping her tea again. Marinette knew where her mother was going with this, and she was really glad her father wasn’t around. It was awkward enough with her mother needling her for information.

“It was really nice, and the movie was good. His driver loved the tiramisu we made him too,” Marinette said. She let out a sigh that she might have overdone it. “I really hope we can go out again soon.”

Before Sabine could respond, the door opened and the bell chimed. Someone had rushed inside, looking frazzled.

“Sorry, I’m early!” Adrien said, dragging his bag and the poster board with him. He met Marinette’s surprised expression and he smiled, glad to see her again. When he noticed Sabine, his smile softened. “Ah, Sabine…Good afternoon.”

“Adrien, so good to see you. Marinette and I were just talking about you,” she said, her smile sly like a fox’s.

“Ah, um, oh, really,” Adrien said, scratching the back of his neck nervously.

“I was asking Marinette about your movie the other night, and she doesn’t seem forthcoming with too many details,” Sabine said. “As to be expected I’m sure, but it seems like you two had a lovely time.”

“Ah, yes, we did, ah… the movie was very good, and my driver…”

“Are you two dating?” Sabine interrupted him, and Marinette dropped her pencil and Adrien almost dropped his bag and their entire project on the floor.

“Maman,” Marinette said, her tone scolding. “Adrien and I are… “

“Yes, but um, we’re still figuring things out, and it’s a bit complicated with my father, so we’re trying to be discreet,” Adrien said. He looked at Marinette, locking with her gaze. “All I know is that I care about Marinette a lot and I want to be with her.”

Marinette blushed, and Sabine watched the loving exchange, her daughter and Adrien falling under the spell of their own love.

“How wonderful!” Sabine said, clasping her hands together in celebration. She turned to her daughter. “Marinette, your father will be so happy. He really does like you, Adrien. He’s a big fan.”

Adrien laughed nervously. “Great.”

“And Marinette is a huge fan of your father’s work,” Sabine chattered, and as she continued, their faces only seemed to color redder from embarrassment. “She gets very inspired, and she follows his designs religiously. She’s had many of his designs you’ve modeled up on her mood board in her room.”

“OKAY, Maman, yes, I believe Adrien already knows this,” Marinette said. She shot Adrien with a desperate look. “I think we should go, um… finish the project up in my room. I’m sorry, Maman, but I can’t watch the store right now.”

Sabine waved a hand. “I understand, your studies come first. It’s good to see you again, Adrien.” Marinette hurried Adrien along and before they could come to the stairs that headed to her loft, Sabine called them back.

“Oh, Marinette, one more thing… I think it’ll be a good idea to see your doctor soon. I’m sure he would recommend an active girl like you get on some kind of protection.”

Marinette’s jaw dropped and she froze in her place. Adrien ran into her, and he was equally mortified and bewildered.

“Oh. My. God,” Marinette cried, and she grabbed Adrien’s hand and hurried them both up into her room away from anymore of her mother’s awkward chatter.

“I can’t believe her!” Marinette exclaimed, clutching the sides of her head in a panic. “I’m so freaked out right now. I can’t believe she went there. And in front of you too!”

Adrien cleared his throat and said. “Well, um, your mother is at least...progressive in her thinking. She only wants to uh, make sure her daughter is safe...”

Marinette turned around to him, surprised he would defend her mother’s position so readily. She gaped at him as thoughts buzzed around in her head. He also looked a bit flustered, his own mind going wild with ideas.

“Well, I mean…” Marinette stuttered. “We have...um, kissed a lot. I mean, we are of that age…” She licked her lips and looked away from him as he stared at her. Finally, she said, “Adrien, do you...do you think of me like…”

“Yes!” he answered immediately. Marinette stared agape at him. “I mean, of course. I want to do everything with you, Marinette. I really love you, and I am a teenage boy…”

“Right, yeah, of course,” she said softly, still looking away, her face redder than a tomato.

“Do you...do you think of me like that?” he braved the question.

“Of course, I’ve thought about it. How could I not? I mean, look at you…” she said, and Adrien gasped. She hugged herself and said shyly, “You’re wonderful all around. Handsome, kind, gentlemanly, and strong, and you model a lot of different kinds of clothes...very well, actually.”

“Yeah,” he said, inhaling a shaky breath. “That is true.” He laughed nervously, which prompted him to tease her. “Don’t tell me you had that Agreste Swimwear edition on your mood board.”

“Oh no, it wasn’t on my moodboard,” she said, giggling. “That was under my pillow.”

He turned to her and their eyes met. She smiled softly at him. “I don’t know what we are so nervous about. Clearly we want to be together… more than kissing someday.”

Adrien came to her, closing the distance between them. He took both her hands into his, and he kissed her fingers. He nuzzled his nose against hers and said, “Maybe sooner than someday.”

Marinette inhaled a sharp breath, and when she felt his hand on her cheek, she shivered under his touch. She drowned in his deep green eyes again, and when he leaned closer, her eyes fluttered closed as his warm mouth found hers again, coming home.

They delighted in each other’s lips for a long moment, and soon they were moving past lips and delving into each other with tongues. Marinette moaned against him, and Adrien inhaled a heavy breath as she arched into him, rubbing her leg against his inner thigh.

He groaned with frustration and reluctantly pulled away from her, meeting her eyes.

“We really should finish this project,” he said.

Marinette frowned, but she considered his logic and finally nodded.

“Besides, I don’t have any protection with me, and you haven’t seen your doctor yet…and to be safe, I’d like to wait to go further if that’s alright with you,” he said.

“Yeah, I agree,” Marinette said, and she rubbed her head. “Argh, my mom was right, wasn’t she? It’s like she knew…She’s way too perceptive.”

“Yes, but she’s being practical about it,” Adrien said. “I’m relieved at this point my father is oblivious. He would not share your mother’s views.”

Marinette let out a languid sigh, appearing worried. “Are we ever going to tell him about us?”

Adrien drew her against him into a comforting embrace. He caressed her lightly on her back. “I hope so, Marinette. I just have to find the right moment, and then I’m sure he’ll love you as much as I do.”