Back to Back 2

Intrusion

Adrien and Marinette lay in his bed that evening. After their eyes adjusted to the darkness in the room, they stared at each other. Knowing that Felix was a few meters away on the couch, they had to keep their conversation down to a whisper.

Adrien smiled at her. "Will you come to my fencing lesson with me after school tomorrow?"

"Are you allowed to go?"

"Yes I am. Amelie told me earlier that I could."

"Really?" Marinette asked. "Even though you're grounded?"

"Uh huh."

There was a moment's pause. "I don't think that Amelie fully understands what being 'grounded' means."

"Right?" Adrien chuckled. "Next thing you know, she'll let me throw a party here, all the while being grounded."

Marinette laughed too. "That would be awesome."

"Yeah. So, what do you say? Come with me?"

With a smile and a nod, she provided her answer.

Adrien leaned forward and pressed a light kiss to her forehead. Afterwards, he stayed close. "You're so wonderful," he whispered, looking into her eyes.

"You're the wonderful one."

"No. You are."

She giggled again. "Okay. I guess I'll let you win this time."

"Good," Adrien replied. Then he reluctantly let out a yawn.

Marinette watched him. "It's getting pretty late. We should probably go to sleep."

"No, we shouldn't. We should stay like this all night. It's too nice talking to you, M'la..." He paused before continuing. "Marinette."

The happy smile that had been on her lips finally fell. "You can still call me that," she insisted.

"No, I can't," he said with a sigh. "That nickname is ruined now. Every time I say it, you're going to think of Felix."

"That's not true..."

"We both know that it is."

Silence overtook them for a minute while they lay there.

Finally, Adrien continued. "I guess I'll just have to come up with a new nickname for you."

That made her smile brightly. "You already have a few options. Bugaboo, LB, Buganette, um... what else?"

"No, not any of those. Those are reserved for Ladybug, not you."

Marinette gave him a playful look. "Did you forget that I am Ladybug?"

"Of course not. But you as Marinette deserve your own nickname. Besides, those aren't good enough. Those nicknames don't encompass all that you are. A lady is someone of elevated rank and stature, and you deserve an equally revered name to match how powerful and gracious you are."

Marinette couldn't help but smile. The Chat Noir side of Adrien had been rubbing off on him lately, and she really liked it.

After a moment of throwing out a few outlandish options, which may or may not have included 'Goddess Divine,' he finally settled on her new nickname. "Princess."

More giggles. "That's super corny, but I actually don't mind it."

"Good, because that's your name. My Princess," he said, pushing some hair away from her face.

They stared into each other's eyes, then they both moved in for a kiss.

"Goodnight, Kitty," Marinette whispered when they pulled apart.