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A final knot done, a final cut to the string, and the red fabric in her hands was finally completed after being worked on for ages. Her fingers probed the fabric slowly and she raised it to inspect from afar. It finally looked and felt the way she wanted, and Marinette squealed as she hugged the red fabric close to her face.
Her happiness came to a stop as soon as she felt her throat hurting. She must not have had anything to drink since she woke up and decided she should head to the kitchen to get a glass of water, before coming back to admire her handiwork again. She folded the red fabric neatly beside a black one on her bed and promptly left the room.
After a few slow gulps of water, she felt a lot better and much more refreshed. Marinette returned to her room, only to scream and irritate her throat once again at the sudden appearance of Adrien. He was staring at her bed before he directed his attention to her and lit up like a Christmas Tree.
Shit.
“What are you doing here?” she asked as she tackled him into a hug.
Adrien enveloped her in a hug and greeted her with a soft kiss on her lips, one that never failed to fluster her cheeks. “My surprise to you, and also to keep up the appearance.”
Of course. None of this means anything.
She raised an eyebrow.
Adrien kept smiling, teasing her as if she’d forgotten something. “They are coming over soon, aren’t they?”
“Who—”
Then it all clicked in her head. She had texted him about their mini get together, and she totally forgot about it.
Marinette whipped her head towards the clock and her breath hitched, she only had thirty minutes until Alya and Nino were due to arrive. She cursed herself. She was so concentrated on perfecting her craft that she had lost track of time.
Her house was a mess, she hadn't ordered dinner for the four of them, and she had promised to bake them macarons to enjoy later that night, but she didn’t even buy the ingredients for them. Marinette felt a wave of anxiety approaching, and her heart began picking up pace, but she felt hands on her cheeks and she refocused her eyes on the face right there with her.
“Hey, hey, it’s why I’m here,” Adrien pressed a loving kiss to her forehead. “Don’t worry about it, alright? I’ll protect you if Alya comes after you,” he added with a chuckle.
Even with all odds stacked against her, Adrien always knew how to calm her down. Granted this was nothing compared to the scale they had to deal with when they were in suits, but even as civilians, he was still her strongest rock.
Their reveal had caught them off guard, and their balance had been shaken from it, both as superheroes and as civilians. Yet, it was abundantly clear that they didn’t like what had become of their relationship. Often sneaking glances at the other when they weren’t looking, sometimes lingering to the point of getting caught, awkward moments with pink cheeks and rubs to the nape soon followed. This went on for a while but not long after, slowly but surely, they came to see how the other fit perfectly into the additional puzzle they had thanks to the Miraculouses.
And immediately after a meetup to address everything, they hugged it out and had stuck to each other like glue ever since, the relationship back to how it was before the reveal. Only, Adrien and Marinette were now in the picture too, along with Ladybug and Chat Noir.
Everything would have been perfect if that’s all there was to their relationship.
But of course, with them, nothing was ever that simple.
They both wanted something more. The wall between them was finally gone, but they were afraid. Afraid that the other did not feel the same, afraid that they might be asking for too much.
And so, they compensated their stupid pining longing for the other with closeness and touches.
Marinette was the first who initiated it. She was the one who tackled him into a hug right after the talk. And without delay, Adrien followed suit by refusing to let her go, even if they were wrapped in each others’ arms on the filthy ground. Much like their superhero selves, not much needed to be said; they just knew that it was okay to let the routine touches shared between Ladybug and Chat Noir bleed into Adrien and Marinette.
They felt so at ease after doing so, disguising their touches as polite, friendly gestures shared between friends.
But that wasn’t missed by prying eyes, because—according to everyone else in the world—friends do not touch like that.
Their friends had called them out. So had the media, publishing photos of them looking at each other like they held their world. Arms around shoulders, waists, and arms, pressing as physically close as possible, embracing like any couple would.
They denied the rumours every time, saying that they were just friends. But it had gotten to the point where they couldn’t breathe for a single second. Cameras were stationed everywhere they went, news reporters following their every move, and they made the collective decision to say they were indeed dating.
What an awkward moment that was, but they managed. They always did, and they always will.
Besides, it was enough to get the space they so desperately needed back.
It explained the current predicament they were in, one that had Marinette in a dilemma. On one hand, she got to date Adrien, something she had always wanted; on the other, she knew this was all fake, a hoax to appease everyone else and get them to leave them alone.
But, in all honesty, it didn’t feel any different from before.
“Let’s start by ordering dinner, then we get to cleaning. Sounds good?” Adrien’s smile was still ever so present.
The only difference was the label attached to their relationship now.
Marinette nodded her head shyly, “mhm.”
Adrien held her hand in his as they walked to her computer, searching for restaurants nearby to hasten the delivery process. After deciding together that pizzas, a few plates of pasta, and sushi, however weird the combination was, would be filling enough for everyone, they placed their orders and went to the living room to start packing.
Marinette heard the bell rang and realised again, that she’d lost track of time brooding over exactly where they stood in their relationship. Adrien went for the door, and Marinette was expecting the delivery person, but Adrien received Alya and Nino instead.
Alya was startled by the sight of him but quickly looked at the current state of the house and sighed. “Man, were you two so busy fooling around that you forgot we were coming over?”
With pink cheeks, both decided not to comment.
“Oh well,” Alya shook her head.
After dinner and games, they decided to end the night with a movie. Both couples snuggled up on the sofa with their significant other. All the lights in the house were switched off to achieve the cinema experience.
Which technically meant that they can drop the couple act now.
But Adrien was too into the role of keeping up with appearance.
He had his arms wrapped around Marinette securely, refusing to let her go.
And that wasn’t a problem for Marinette. Their proximity was something she had gotten used to ever since her early superhero days.
The problem was that Adrien had his hand buried deep under her shirt. From the beginning, he had placed his hand on her hips. And as the movie progressed, it slipped under her shirt and rested against her waist, occasionally running patterns along her increasingly burning skin. His fingers drew new circles on other areas of her skin every now and then, and Marinette shivered whenever he did so. Eyes on the screen but no longer watching whatever was on it. His fingers were enough to grip her attention.
“Are you cold?”
Marinette jumped at the sudden question, too focused on the intensity of his green eyes to say anything intelligible, “uhh—”
“Wait for me.” He released his hold on her to go to her bedroom, only to return with the garments he saw on her bed earlier on.
Alarm bells were ringing in Marinette’s head as it was undeniable that Adrien had seen the matching hoodies and was now putting the red one over her head. He shouldn’t be seeing these so soon!
When Adrien was done, he frowned. The Ladybug hoodie was way too big on her.
“Adrien, they are not done,” she lied, trying to take it off of her and grab the Chat Noir one from him.
“Is that for me?”
Marinette froze.
No.
“Y—Yes,” she whispered, admitting defeat as there was no way she could change his mind now that he knew.
Adrien was all smiles, he removed the Ladybug hoodie only to dress her in the Chat Noir one, and kissed her cheek.
The kiss means nothing, he doesn't mean it.
But she still blushed nonetheless and Adrien wore the Ladybug one himself before wrapping his arms around her again.
Marinette knew they didn’t have to act as a couple now, but she felt the need to kiss him for what he had done. It just came so naturally to her.
Adrien’s eyes were back to watching the movie, and so she reached for the side of his face and planted a thank you kiss on his cheek.
His reaction was instantaneous. His eyes shone immediately and disregarded watching the movie altogether, looking at her so appreciatively and pulling her towards him, closer than before, to hug her even harder and rub his cheek on hers.
Marinette couldn’t say she hated his display of affection, but she felt herself getting really hot and she wanted to remove the hoodie lest she suffers a heatstroke. Adrien was still rubbing his cheeks against hers, and she placed her hands on his chest, preparing to push him back and—
“You guys can’t resist huh?”
Adrien and Marinette jolted and regarded the other couple, only to see them standing.
“We’ll be going.”
“Huh, why?” Marinette stood up as soon as Adrien released her.
“You two weren’t exactly subtle, especially fitting with what’s on the screen now.”
They both glanced at the screen and sure enough, the characters were getting it on. They both burst into flames.
“Wait, we weren’t—”
“Save it Adrien,” Nino cut in this time, “you just came back from your trip, and I guess distance does make the heart grow fonder. No wonder you were at Marinette’s even before we knew you came back.”
That didn’t go unnoticed by Marinette, but she ignored it for now.
“Enjoy yourselves, au revoir,” Nino bid.
“But—” the door closed, “we aren't done with our night together.”
She deflated and slumped back down into Adrien’s embrace, his arms instinctively wrapped themselves around her from behind.
And she was reminded of the heat again.
“Actually, Adrien, it's getting hot, could you remove your arms?”
His arms flew away as though he had touched red-hot metal. “O-oh, sorry.”
Marinette felt bad, she quickly removed her hoodie and fell back into his arms, taking and wrapping them around her waist again. “Don’t worry about it.”
Adrien began rubbing circles again. “Are you sure you're okay with it?”
“Okay with what?”
“Me holding you.”
She angled her neck to look at him. “Why not?”
“There’s... no one around anymore...”
“Oh. Okay.” She knew it, she got the message loud and clear. “Sorry I assumed.” Marinette prepared to stand, her hands went to his arms to push them away from her.
But she failed as she felt them strengthening their hold on her and he leaned his forehead on her shoulder.
“No, wait, please—” he spluttered, “I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable.”
“You didn’t, Adrien.” She traced her fingers along his right arm. “I would’ve told you if you did.”
“So can we stay as we are?”
“Yeah, I don’t see why not.” She sank into him for the nth time that night.
Marinette shivered when Adrien moved to the section between her neck and shoulder to breathe her in. “I missed you so much, my Lady.”
Her hand crept into his golden mane and patted, “I missed you too, Chaton.”
They stayed that way, basking in each other’s presence for a while longer before Marinette trembled again.
“Marinette, you sure you don't need the hoodie?” She could hear a tint of worry in his voice. “You're shivering.”
“I'm not shivering because it’s cold, Adrien.” Marinette patted both his hand and head to assure him. “Your body heat is more than enough.”
He raised his head. “Then what are you shivering from?”
Marinette’s cheeks bloomed a healthy shade of pink and she chose to stay quiet, hoping that he’d drop the issue. She was frantically searching for another topic, any topic. Then she remembered what Nino said earlier.
“Is it true,” she offered instead, “that you didn't tell anyone else that you’ve arrived back in Paris?”
He halted his hand. Did she hit a spot?
“Yes.”
“So I was the first one to know you're back?” she supplied, seeing that he didn’t add anything else after that one important word.
“Yes.” He was more forthcoming this time.
“Why?”
“Because I missed you.”
“Is… is that all?” Maybe it was their separation that led her to push for more answers because she would never want to make him uncomfortable. Ever.
Marinette felt his heart rate increase. Adrien was taking a while to reply, but the silence was deafening. She was about to apologise for pushing when Adrien’s response stopped her in her tracks.
“No.” He tightened his hold on her, effectively bringing her to him as close as possible, and brushed his lips against her skin, to which Marinette felt a shiver run down her spine, before he planted a few light kisses on her shoulder and neck.
She inhaled sharply and felt herself burnt from his actions, but she combusted when he nibbled her skin before soothing the area with his tongue.
With one final kiss, “That's… that’s the reason.”
“I—I see,” she squeaked.
Did that really just happen?
“Do you want me to stop?”
Marinette had waited far too long for this to stop now. She was certain that Adrien had made it clear. Crystal clear. That he felt the same as she did for him. Maybe it’s time to—
“No."
Adrien continued peppering soft kisses along her shoulders and neck, nose travelling up to behind her ear to breathe in her scent and place more kisses there. Marinette released a soft gasp, shuddering and closing her eyes to enjoy the sensation despite burning everywhere else.
She brought her hand back to his hair and ran her fingers through it a few times before moving down to massage his neck, bringing him in even closer. Adrien lifted an arm from her waist to palm her shoulder, ensuring that she stayed close to him and not shift away.
He moved against her skin, nuzzling and mouthing everything his lips touched and she tilted her head to give him more access. Adrien nibbled her skin a little harder this time and soothed the area afterwards, leaving soft kisses in his wake.
Adrien was getting bolder, but she wanted more.
Marinette slowly leaned forward, moving away from him until he got the hint.
He released her straight away and she quickly stood up, already missing the contact she had with him. She turned around and saw his dilated pupils directed right at her. She couldn't take it anymore.
Adrien was horrified that he had taken a step too far. “I’m sor—”
But Marinette was already back in his lap, straddling him with her hands on his shoulders. She grinned as she circled her arms around his shoulders, bringing herself closer, and her eyes darted down to his lips before gazing back up again.
She pressed a shy kiss to the corner of his mouth, watching to see if there was any discomfort on his end, only to see none. She pressed a firmer kiss to his lips, finding them warm and wet. Marinette soon pulled back, worried that she’d get addicted to kissing him given how soft and welcoming they felt.
Adrien gently cupped the back of her head, thumbs caressing her cheeks to bring her back to him. Closer to him. Marinette’s lips were so soft and her cheeks were so brilliantly pink that Adrien wanted nothing more than to kiss her. She looked so adorable with the way she was staring at him, and he could feel how hot her skin was and how fast her heart was racing by the pulse he’d felt against his palms. Adrien was sure he was the same but he couldn’t delay it any longer.
He gave multiple kisses to her cheeks, each getting closer and closer until he finally arrived at her lips, pressing his onto hers and finding them as eager as his.
His eyes fluttered close as their lips glided over each other smoothly. His right hand travelled down to her waist to bring her impossibly close to him, and Marinette squeaked when it stroked the small of her back. Adrien smiled and continued kissing her, his hand going under her shirt to roam her body and caress her skin.
Marinette’s attempts at suppressing her moans failed as she could feel Adrien’s smirk against her lips.
He knew exactly what he was doing to her. He knew he could get a response from her and was pushing her just as much as, if not more than, she was pushing him. Marinette felt goosebumps all over, yet her body burst into flames at his touch. Her heart raced and she loved what he was doing to her, but she wanted to get back at him as well. It was so unfair for him to do so much to her with so little.
In the end, her pride won over and her hand threaded into his hair to massage a bit before tugging. Adrien groaned as he shifted backwards slightly and Marinette didn’t expect the effect it had on her. She liked his groans. She really really really liked them. The hand on his head pulled him towards her and she pressed her lips harder against his, kissing him more passionately than before.
If lip-locking with him was this pleasurable, Marinette was never going to live a day without it. She needed more, way more. She traced her tongue over his lips for access, and she bit his lower lip as he parted them. Adrien’s moans were music to her ears and it spurred her on. She wanted to know how the insides of his mouth felt, so eager to explore, and her tongue barely entered his mouth when he suddenly pulled back.
Adrien was out of breath, he wasn’t expecting their kissing session to escalate this quickly. But he wasn’t complaining either.
“What about you?” Adrien panted.
Marinette, still in her daze, “Huh?”
“Why the matching hoodies?”
“To keep up the appearance.”
“Is that it?”
This sly cat, using what she had used against him earlier on her. Marinette just wanted this kissing session to continue and refused to let up, leaning back into him for more.
Adrien’s hand moved into her hair to hold her in place and he shifted backwards again. “Is that all?”
Marinette's eyes were glowering at him, this wasn’t supposed to affect her that much. “No, I was going to use them to confess to you and maybe get us to start dating for real. But I would most likely chicken out and never would have given you, us the matching hoodies but you saw them so hurray.” Frustration was evident in her voice. “Can we go back to kissing now?”
He smiled playfully and leaned in, but only to kiss her nose.
“Adrien!”
“I would love to date you for real, Marinette.”
She blushed. Kissing Adrien got her all dumb that she had forgotten about proper dating etiquette.
“We need to mark the occasion,” Adrien beamed.
Marinette tilted her head. “What?”
Adrien brought her lips to his again, and her hands went to work, erasing the distance between them as fast as possible. Her hands were around his neck and in his hair while his continued whatever he was doing from before. They caressed her neck and her left rib beneath her shirt, feeling goosebumps rise once more, and he smiled as she hummed appreciatively. His hand went to the back of her head to pull her closer to him as he angled his face to deepen the kiss.
Marinette was licking his bottom lip when she felt his lips leave hers, trailing down her jaw and planting kisses along the way, his hands never stopping their caress of her skin. She was whimpering as his hot breath fanned over her neck, his mouth lightly sucking the skin there.
Adrien was taking his time on her neck and she finally understood what he meant; he wanted to leave as many marks as he could on her. And she welcomed it. Oh, she welcomed it so much.
He licked her pulse and she moaned, hands tugging at his hair. Adrien continued mouthing her neck, alternating between kissing and licking and nibbling, lavishing in the sounds she released until a yank on his hair told him she’d had enough teasing. Adrien bit down on her pulse to suck and she squirmed against him. He grinned as her desperate cries reached his ears.
Marinette was clawing at him and he continued sucking for a while longer before releasing her. The tiny kisses he showered afterwards were so ticklish that she tried to move away from him, but he wrapped his arms around her waist, hands no longer caressing her skin underneath her shirt, to stop her from escaping. Adrien brought her into him again and kissed her full on the lips, and she felt hot all over again.
Eventually, he pulled back to inspect the bruise and looked so proud when it was finally visible from afar.
“There. Marked.”
Marinette had lost count of the number of times she combusted today, but she wasn’t going down without a fight just yet. Never.
“No,” she leaned in, “I haven't marked mine.”
And she went straight for his neck.