36 Questions

Question 1

Adrien enters the classroom to find Alya and Marinette talking over a sheath of papers. On the papers is a list of 36 questions.

The door to the classroom felt heavier than normal as Adrien pushed it open. His morning breakfast had been interrupted by Nathalie informing him that his father wouldn't be able to attend the dinner they had scheduled and he was very sorry. Nathalie's tone of voice gave away how she felt about the situation; every word was tinted with disappointment and annoyance. Adrien had thanked her for telling him before finishing his egg whites and juice. Disappointment was  common feeling in the mansion. Adrien disappointed by his father, his father disappointed with him, and Nathalie being disappointed by the whole situation.

His walk to the door was slow and meandering. School was his only reprieve in his civilian life and even that had been dull as of late. Adrien took his first step into the room and without looking up took his seat at the front of the class. For a moment it didn't really register that his friends were talking behind him. Turning, he found Alya and Marinette whispering quite loudly about a stack of stapled papers in front of them.
"They've been talking about an article they read last night," Nino had taken off his headphones when Adrien had sat down.

"What article?" Adrien hadn't seen anything new on the Ladyblog. Nino said something about a list of questions before shrugging.
"Hey Alya, what are you guys reading?" Adrien asked. Her eyes lit up, excited.

"Marinette and I found this list of questions that's supposed to help you get closer to someone, but I think we're as close as possible seeing as we're BFF's already. She still wants to do the questions though." Alya explained.

"I just think it would be a neat exercise!" Marinette stood with her arms folded facing away from the group.

Nino nudged Adrien in the ribs, "maybe you should do the list with her."
"OMG yes, that is such a great idea Nino!" Alya shoved the sheath of papers into Adrien's open hands before he could argue. "Marinette is free this afternoon you two should totally hang later." The look on Alya's face was a mix of sly mischievousness and satisfaction. Marinette was stammering something about a movie and Kitty Section's uniforms but Alya shushed her.

"Don't worry Marinette! We'll watch the movie another time, not to mention that Kitty Section doesn't need their uniforms for two more weeks. I think you have plenty of time to test out the questions with your good friend  Adrien."

"I understand Marinette if you don't want to spend time with me, I know how much Kitty Section means to you." Adrien didn't want Marinette to feel uncomfortable because of him or put off her important work for him.

"No no no! I do want  to spend time with you! I love you- I mean, I'd love for you to come over today." her cheeks flushed red, her eyes refusing to meet his.
"Ok! Sounds like a date!" Adrien gave her a wink. Marinette sat low in her seat, suddenly deep in their textbook.

~

The bell over the bakery door announced Adrien's presence. Mme. Dupain-Cheng looked up from the register to greet her newest customer but when her eyes met his she stepped away from the counter to bring him into a tight hug.

"Adrien! It's so lovely to see you, how have you been?" her face beamed up at his not waiting for an answer before continuing, "my my, you're so thin! Tom, will you please bring this young man a plate of couchettes!" Mm. Dupain leaned from around the corner, a playful sparkle in his eyes.

"Adrien, what a pleasure to have you in our bakery! Have you come to see Marinette?" he questioned excitedly.

"Tom!" Mme. Dupain-Cheng chastised, "what brings you in dear?"

Adrien smiled, "Actually I am here to see Marinette. She said she was free this afternoon."

"How wonderful! Let me go get my little girl," Tom ran off upstairs without hesitation. Sabine shook her head, "pardon him, Adrien, he's very excited to have you over."

Moments later a wide eyed Tom and red faced Marinette entered the bakery. After more small talk and many offers of delicious pastries Marinette led Adrien up the stairs to the main part of the building.

"I apologize for my dad, he just really likes you," Marinette said sheepishly. "I'm surprised he didn't offer you a key to the front door." She opened the door to the living room, a waft of warm, bread scented air hit Adrien pleasantly.

"Your father is very nice, I'm glad he likes me."

"I think they'd adopt you if they could," Marinette slipped on her house shoes. Adrien removed his trainers and set them neatly by the front door. The room was bright and obviously lived in, a stark contrast to the sterile atmosphere of the mansion. Little knickknacks were scattered around on shelves, pictures of Marinette and her family hung artfully on the walls. The kitchen was small and the counters were faded in places. This was a house full of love.

"Oh, sorry for the mess!" Marinette began tidying the arguably already tidy room. She picked up a blanket and knitting project from the couch and moved them to a chair in the corner.

"Please, have a seat," Marinette gestured to the now empty couch cushion. "Can I get you a drink? Water, hot tea, coffee..." her words trailed off as she walked into the kitchen. Adrien made his way over to the couch and sank into the comfortably worn seat.

"Just a water would be fine, thank you." A moment later Marinette appeared with two cups of water. She handed Adrien a medium sized glass jar with a handle. Hers was a clear pink coffee mug. Adrien thanked her as she sat down at the opposite end of the couch.

"Do you want to start?" he asked.

"Start what?" Marinette looked at him, puzzled. Adrien held up his sheath of papers, still neatly stapled.
"Oh, right!" she palmed her face, "yes, let's start." She took the sheath from him gently.

"Did Alya give you any instructions?"

"Well," Marinette started, "you're supposed to go in sections, with each question we alternate who asks first. Do you want to go first?" Her hands were offering the papers back to him.

"Sure, I can go first." Adrien read the first question and felt his heart sink.

"Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest?"

A moment of silence was exchanged between them while she thought of her answer.

"I think I'd choose um, Jagged Stone. Or maybe the better option would be the Prime Minister."

"Why the Prime Minister?"
"I'd try to convince him to give Ladybug more resources for finding Monarch. It really feels like she could use the help." There was something behind her tone that suggested a deeper meaning to this but Adrien didn't feel like it was something she would want to discuss.

"What about you, Adrien, who would you pick as a dinner guest?" Adrien didn't have to think very hard for his answer.

"My father. I've been trying to have an actual meal with him for months but he always cancels without a real reason why. It would be nice to just have that time with him." he sighed. "I feel bad that I keep bothering Nathalie about it because it's not her fault, I just have no way to ask him myself."

"Wait, you have to schedule dinner with your father?" her face gave way how concerning that was to her. "You don't just eat together at night?"

"No. Truth be told, I haven't actually seen him in person for more than a few minutes since school started back up after Christmas. Nathalie always tells me he's busy and that he's sorry to miss this time with me." Adrien turned away from Marinette, wrapping his arms around himself.