You're home. [Miraculous Ladybug Fanfiction] (Completed)

Chapter 9 - The Bouquet

Adrien's eyes followed the bundle of blue flowers across the room. To his delight, the flowers landed in the arms of Marinette, who seemed shocked. A bunch of young women had fallen on top of each other, a high-pitch whine coming from them as they recognized their loss.

"And there you have it folks! Don't be shy young lady, come on up!" The dj encouraged. Marinette hesitantly walked over to Adrien, carrying the blue bouquet of flowers in her arms. The photographer came over for pictures. He took a few of them with nice smiles. For the last one Adrien bent down quickly and pressed his lips against Marinette's cheek, who didn't react until the photo was taken. Her cheeks turned red.

"I-I wasn't prepared for that." She said, pursing her lips. The photographer walked away to capture other pictures. He was being paid to do this after all.

Adrien smiled one of those champion smiles, like he had made the winning touchdown at a football game. (American football, for those of you who got confused by that.) "Always keep your guard up." He looked out over the crowd. Most people were beginning to leave. Soft music was still playing. Adrien took this opportunity and gently took the bouquet from Marinette, setting it down on a nearby table with the lace garter.

"How about one last dance before the night ends?" Adrien asked. Marinette nodded. Adrien took her hand gently and led her to the now empty dance floor. Together they moved around a small area of the dance floor. Before Adrien could say something, a drunken Alya wobbled over and slung her arms around the two, breath thick with a alcoholic smell.

"Y-youtoo bewetter gyett hitcheded.." her words were slow, slurred and hardly made sense. "You woned thee toszz~!" She chuckled. Nino jogged over to collect his wife, who would without a doubt be sick tomorrow.

"Sorry you two, carry on." He looked a bit stressed. Her slung one of Alya's arms over his shoulder and walked off with her. Marinette shook her head in disbelief. "Thank god I wont be the one holding back her hair tomorrow." She chuckled.

Adrien laughed as well. "No kidding." Together their feet moved together in sync to the music till it ended and they were one of the only ones left in the room.

"Allow me to walk you home." He offered, handing her the bouquet." He left the garter on the table, and probably rightfully so. "O-oh- thank you." Marinette smiled, accepting his gesture.

Together they left, Marinette clutching the flowers with both hands. She hadn't realized how cold it had gotten. Goosebumps rose on her skin, teeth chattering as they walked.

Adrien laid his coat over her shoulders. Marinette blinked and looked up at him with wide eyes. "Ah- you didn't have to do that... I'm almost home." She seemed flustered and embarrassed. Adrien shook his head, smiling down at her. "Don't worry about it." He said, walking with her till they reached her apartment complex. She handed him back his coat to which he draped over his forearm neatly.

"Thank you for taking me home, I really appreciate it." She said, looking up at him with a sweet smile, Adrien found himself staring. He quickly averted his eyes. "Yea, of course... anytime."

Marinette unlocked her apartment. "Ill uh... see you soon then." She said, acting awkward-ish, like Adrien remembered.
"Marinette wait-" he said quickly, his mouth acting before his brain. Marinette blinked and looked back over at him. "Yes?"
"A-ah- um... nevermind." He turned his head away. Marinette bit her lip, his anxiety and nerves affecting her as well. She grabbed the collar of his shirt in her hand, the smooth and rich fabric slipping between her fingers. She pulled him down with a gentle force and pressed her lips against his cheek, just next to the corner of his lips. She could feel his facial muscle clench and then relax under her gloss-lipped touch. Her eyes were closed gently.

Once she realized what she had just done she let go of his shirt and moved her head back. Adrien's eyes stared down at her, wide. His cheeks were tinted a pink color.
"M-Marinette?" His name slipped off his tongue in a gasp of sorts.

Marinette took a nervous step back. "Thanks for tonight." She said shyly and opened her apartment door. She waved a little before closing the door. She leaned against it, breathless.

~

Adrien walked home, light on is feet. He felt him blushing when he thought of Marinette. Was it possible he was falling for this girl? What would his father say if he found out? His mind turned to Ladybug again. He felt confusion overrun him.

He made it to his pent house as quickly as he could. He paced the length of his living room. Plagg watched him in amusement.
"What are you panicking over, kid? She kissed your cheek and you look like you know a serious secret and you really want to blurt it to the world." He chuckled. He enjoyed teasing his chosen, especially when it came to girls.
"You don't understand, Plagg..." he mumbles, flipping through his phone like mad.

Plagg rolled his eyes. "I understand that you are insane. Whats your issue?" He asked, swallowing a bite of camembert cheese.

"The issue is these two girls I've know for years are confusing me." He grumbled, staring at something on his phone. Plagg sighed.
"Lemme guess. You thought you gave up on Ladybug, but she's now the love of your life again hut she still wont tell her identity and now you are developing feelings for Marinette."
"Yes... but I feel like I'm missing something... those two seem so familiar, yet.. dissimilar." He said, sounding frustrated.

A flash of red appeared and then disappeared out of the corner of Adrien's eye. He rushed to his window and looked out. Ladybug was running across rooftops, looking from side to side. She was patrolling.
"Plagg, claws out." He said quickly, his transformation taking place quickly.

~

Ladybug landed on a large metal beam, high up the Eiffel Tower. The clean air felt good to breath in. Being out felt a lot better than being cooped up in her apartment. She put her yoyo back on her waist and sat down, the metal cold and unwelcoming. But she didn't care. A gentle breeze blew against her back, causing the hair to rise on the back of her neck. The two little red ribbons that poked out of her hair tickled her cheek.

"Good evening, my lady." A low, but familiar voice said, just inches from her ear. She turned to look at Chat Noir, his glowing green eyes bright and friendly. "Chaton." She greeted, a smile forming in the corners of her mouth. Chat sat down next to her, kicking his legs gently in the open air.
"Patrolling?" Chat asked.
"You could say that." She replied, squinting her eyes against the icy wind.
"Hmm~? What is a beautiful girl like you doing out here so late then?" He asked.
"Getting fresh air.." she sighed, taking a deep breath.

Chat blinked. She sounded exhausted.
"Busy night for you?" He asked. Ladybug looked down at her feet and nodded.
She suddenly spoke up. "Chat... you said you wouldn't be disappointed in the girl under the mask. But are you positive?" She asked.

Chat was surprised, but chose his words carefully. "My lady, why would I have any reason to be disappointed? You save Paris on a daily basis. You've saved my life more times than I can count. Just the other day you saved that girl. And whoever you are under the mask is extraordinary as well." He looked down at her with a soft expression.

A smile formed on Ladybug's lips, but then quickly faded.
"Chat... I have something I want to tell you..."