A Winter's Tale

Chapter 5- Learning about the real him

Adrien smiled as he sat on his bed for the time being. The Dupain Changs had been amazingly welcoming. So much so that they had set up Adrien's belongings in his room by the time he made it home. Not to add the ability to sleep in Marinette's room as well.

Home! It felt like home. The loving parents, the happiness, and the warmth, it was home to him.

The same home he had lacked for many years.

Adrien chuckled the more he thought about it. How crazy was it that he felt at home with Marinette? The one girl who avoided him for as long as the blonde could remember. The one he wished for the past year to get close to but never could.

The model took his jacket off, enjoying the warmth. The bakery's ovens made the temperature perfect for this harsh winter, and the loving family who waited for him downstairs made it perfect to unthaw the frozen, broken heart.

Adrien let out a happy sigh.

He had never felt so welcomed anywhere before.

He was- happy.

Maybe that also had to do with the earlier events.

Adrien had to admit he was a bit worried at first. Especially after his extremely uncivilized entrance. The fact that he had never stayed in anyone else's home didn't help either.

Adrien grunted as he remembered what he had done. He couldn't believe that he had tried to kiss Marinette. And in front of her parents and everyone in the bakery. What was he thinking?

How could he pull that type of stunt? But Adrien wasn't thinking. In that second, all that mattered was him and Marinette, holding each other so close. But what if she hated him for it? What if someone took a picture and sent it to the media? His father would kill him!

Luckily, Marinette didn't say or do anything that made him believe she hated him. Adrien was sure her parents knew what he was about to do. Their faces said it all. He thought they would have his head or ship him off to China with his father, but that didn't happen.

Actually, it was quite the opposite. The Dupain Chengs joked about the situation, and then Sabine winked at him when Marinette was not looking. It was almost as if she was happy he had made a move on her daughter.

But why? The blonde knew he wasn't even close to Marinette's league. He was well aware she was stunning, talented, brilliant, intelligent, kind, and beautiful. But as he held her in his arms, he realized she was so much more. He almost believed he was good enough for her. He thought he could have a chance.

If only he hadn't scared her off. But that was okay. She was the stunning Marinette Dupain Cheng, and he? He was only Adrien.

Adrien touched his lips. He had been so close. So very close to kissing the girl that had been on his mind for months. He could still feel the tingle from his lips bearly gracing hers. He had never wanted to kiss someone that badly in his life. If only she wanted him as well.

At that second, a knock radiated from the door.

"Come in," Adrien called out. As the door opened, he saw Marinette shily poke her head in and found himself taking his fingers on his lips and sitting up straighter.

"H-hi," Marinette stuttered.

"Hi, Marinette!" Adrien responded a bit too excitedly, making Marinette blush.

"I was wondering if you needed anything before I go downstairs to help my parents in the bakery," Marinette asked.

Adrien frowned. He didn't want to be alone. If he was being honest, the second that Marinette poked her head through that door, all he wished for was that she had come to spend some time with him.