Chapter Text
December 26th
After practicing his piano for a few hours, just to satisfy Nathalie, Adrien was now getting ready to meet up with Marinette. He knew she still had her uncle at the bakery and that most mornings to afternoon were busy. So he made sure to have everything set for after the lunch rush.
“Is this all part of that ‘12 days of Christmas’ plan you’ve been working on?” Plagg asked as he floated next to Adrien, who was busy grabbing a warm sweater. He needed a sweater to keep him warm but not be bulky.
“Yes it is, Plagg.” the teen said cheerfully. Holding up a black sweater he checked the inside and nodded. Throwing it over his head he slid it on before grabbing his bag and heading for the door. “Now come on. Gorilla is waiting for us outside.”
“You’re really not going to tell me this master plan of yours?” Plagg asked as he flew over and stopped just outside his new favorite pocket.
“No. Now come on. I don’t want to be late.” he said nearly pushing the kwami into the pocket.
“Okay, okay. When did you start being so pushy?” he asked flying into the pocket.
“Sorry. I just want to get to Mari, is all.” He explained sheepishly.
“Whatever you say, Casanova.” Plagg teased.
The teen shook his head lightly before making his way to the front doors. He thankfully wasn’t stopped by Nathalie on his way out and quickly hopped in the car. What he didn’t know, was that his father was watching him leave, from his window in the Atrium.
~
“He seems very happy.” Nathalie noted as she watched from behind him.
“He would be even happier with his mother here.” Gabriel said as the metal gates closed after the car. “Though, dinner with the Dupain-Cheng’s was rather, interesting. It showed me that this girl, my son has come to care for, sees my son as a person and not the name he has. She is a very rare find. If I recall, I nearly akumatized her some time ago.”
“That is correct sir. It was with Lila Rossa’s help that got the girl upset enough that we tried to akumatize many people, but because of my weakness, we were unsuccessful.” Nathalie agreed.
“It is not your fault. The peacock miraculous is damaged. But if I had succeeded in akumatizing her, She truly could have brought me the two miraculous that I need.” he sighed as he turned from the window. But I promised myself that I wouldn’t do anything to upset my son. I can’t akumatize her, and that also means that I can’t have Ms. Rossa upsetting her either.” he commented.
“For whatever reason, Ms. Rossa seems to have it out for Ms. Dupain-Cheng. Do you truly think it wise to allow her any where near Ms. Dupain-Cheng?” Nathalie asked.
“I can’t do anything about the school, But I have already made it clear that she isn’t to do photo shoots with my son. Unless it is absolutely necessary, and even then I probably won’t allow it.” he said finally.
“Of course, sir. I do have one question that is sure to come up in the future. Would you permit Ms. Dupain-Cheng to accompany Adrien to a photo shoot from time to time?” She asked. It was more for Adrien’s benefit than anything.
“Not all, but she can attend if it happens to be a short session or if he is free after the shoot.” Gabriel said as he made it to his platform desk. “Now if you will excuse me, I need to get a few things finished before the new year. First thing is scheduling a photo shoot with the spring line. This of course will be in the studios, not out in Paris.” he stated as he looked through his files.
“Of course sir.” Nathalie said in agreement, noting it in her tablet to be taken care of first thing.
~With Adrien~
The car stopped outside the bakery and Adrien nearly hopped out of the car when it stopped. “Be right back.” He told Gorilla. The man grunted in understanding. Once the boy was inside he gave a small smile but quickly hid the look from view, he had a reputation after all.
Hearing the bell go off, Tom looked up to see Adrien walk in. “Good afternoon Adrien. Marinette is just getting her shoes. She’ll be right down.” he explained cheerfully.
“Thanks M… Tom.” Adrien corrected himself.
“Not a problem, son.”
Adrien could feel that warm glow building in his chest at the way Mr. Dupain called him ‘son’. It really did feel like he was part of the family.
“Sorry Adrien.” Marinette called as she slipped her second shoe on and greeted him on the other side of the counter. “I hope you weren’t waiting long.”
“Just got here. Ready to go?” he asked with a large grin.
“Absolutely.” she turned and waved good bye to her father. “Bye Papa. I’ll be back in time for dinner.” she assured him.
“Bye Mr. Dupain.” Adrien called as he held the door open for Marinette.
“Have fun kids.” he called just before the door shut. “He is going to be a very good son-in-law.” he muttered to himself.
Once the two were in the car and were headed for their destination, Marinette turned to him. “So where are we going?” she asked excitedly.
He gave her a lop sided grin before answering. “It’s a surprise.”
Leaning back, she folded her arms and pouted. “Boo.” She knew he wouldn’t tell her with that look on his face.
He leaned over and whispered into her ear. “Bug-a-boo.” He kissed her cheek quickly before sitting up again and smiling triumphantly. Marinette’s face was beat red as she tried to look at anything other than him.
“I’ve told you to stop calling me that.” she whined. It just made his grin grow wider.
“I am never getting rid of that nickname. Though it will be used in the appropriate atmosphere.” He hinted at her.
She groaned for a moment before sighing. “Fine. Not like my complaining has stopped you before.” she muttered just loud enough for him to hear.
“You’re right.” he said leaning closer. “It hasn’t stopped me before.”
She grinned back at him. Something about his smile was just infectious. “No, it hasn’t. Doesn’t mean it won’t one day.” she booped his nose as she spoke making them both laugh.
The car stopped and the unlocking of doors could be heard. “We’re here. Come on.” he said getting out and holding his hand out for her to help her out.
Taking his hand, she stepped out of the car and looked to see, “The ice rink?” she questioned.
“Yes, but with a little twist.” He said holding up a key with a grin.
“A key?” she looked from the key to the rink. “No.” she said surprised.
“All ours. Philippe Candeloro was nice enough to let me have the rink for about two hours. I was willing to pay for the time, but he said that because of my post, he was able to keep the rink open. So, he let me have the two hours in thanks.” he explained.
“I remember that day.” Marinette muttered as an image of Adrien and Kagami skating together passed in her mind. “H-how is Kagami?” she asked as he opened the door.
He blinked at her for a moment before looking at her a little confused. “She’s good, I suppose. She’s in Japan with her family for the holidays.”
“That’s… nice.” she said as they walked in and Adrien turned on the lights.
“I’ll grab us skates. What size are you?” he asked as he slowly headed to the rental area.
She called her shoe size and placed her bag on one of the chairs. It really was a very sweet sentiment to bring her here. But all she could see when she looked at the rink, was Adrien dancing with Kagami. She was startled out of her thoughts when Adrien returned with the skates. “Thank you.” she said giving him a small smile when she took the skates.
He noticed the look of fake joy on her face, but was unsure if he should mention it. He had chosen ice skating first because he remembered her saying, ‘No better way to break the ice than at the ice rink.’ But maybe it was a bad idea.
“I remember you saying that you wanted to come back here again sometime. But if you would rather we do something else…” he said only for Marinette to look at him wide eyed.
“Oh, no. Adrien. I love that you thought of the ice rink. This is wonderful.” she told him honestly.
H e looked at her for a moment. “I sense a ‘but’.” he said raising an eyebrow.
“But, it’s also where you took Kagami on your first date with her.” she said
He blinked. “I won’t have called that a date.” he said rubbing the back of his head.
“Huh? Then what would you call it?” she asked.
“A trial run?” he shrugged. “I spent more time talking to you and fighting the akuma than talking to Kagami.” he paused for a moment. “Unknowingly, more time talking to just you.” he admitted sheepishly. “When you left after slamming into the wall, I followed you. Plagg kind of scolded me for a few reasons. And in the end he ended up being kind of right.”
“Of course I was right!” Plagg said as he peaked out from his pocket. “You left Kagami and went after another girl. That is a clear indication on who you are really interested in.”
“It’s true.” Tikki said, poking out of the purse. “When a guy chases after a girl, it usually means that that girl means a lot to him.”
“I get it, you two.” He said standing once his skates were on and tied. “I was a complete idiot.” he admitted. “But today, we change that.” he said holding out his hand for her.
Smiling she took his offered hand and they headed towards the ice. “Ready?” he asked with a grin.
“Yeah.” they did a lap or two to warm up but as they passed the entrance to the rink.
“Hold on tight.” he said pulling her closer.
“Okay?” she questioned.
A moment later the music started playing ‘Once Upon A Dream’ from a Disney classic. Marinette couldn’t help but smile as the song played. Her prince was definitely one of a kind. As the song turned into a duet, she felt her body move closer to him. “Are you having fun?” he asked innocently.
“This is wonderful.” she said, her smile being the only other reassuring feature he could see.
The two continued to Dance ans skate for the remaining hour and a half, before Philippe walked in and informed them that their time was nearly up. Looking at his watch, Adrien was shocked. “He’s right. It’s nearly sixteen hundred hours. I must have lost track of time.”
“It is okay, Adrien.” Philippe said, coming up to them as the came to the stands and sat down to take off their skates. “Any one would be distracted, when dancing or skating with such a beautiful, young lady with you.”
“Thanks again for allowing us to borrow the rink.” Adrien said.
“It was no problem. Any time, my rink is open to you two.”
“Thank you. Have a nice day.” they said before handing in their skates and heading to the door.
It didn’t take long to get back to the bakery or to drop her off at the side door. He smiled at her before asking. “May I?” he asked, a thumb rubbing against her cheek. With a small nod he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. It was short and sweet, but it held a lot more meaning than any normal kiss would.
Pulling away was always the hardest. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Princess.” he said, before squeezing her hands and walking back to the car.
It was a productive day in his opinion. He got to dance with his girlfriend, and he got a kiss. The only thing that was better than the date, was that if Hawkmoth surrendered the miraculous he held. But that was highly unlikely. Now he just had to wait for tomorrow.