The Waiting Game

Chapter Seven - City of Stars

I'm La La Land trash

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Like everyone, Marinette has her guilty pleasures. Number one, peanut butter & Oreos. Number two, the Hamilton soundtrack. And three, watching the way Adrien's tongue slightly pokes out when he's intensely focusing. 

"What? Why are you staring?"

The last one often landed her in trouble.

Marinette sure felt the heat that accompanied her cheeks when Adrien caught her. "Oh! It's just- your tongue hangs out when you're concentrating." 

Adrien shrugged. "Yeah, so?" 

Marinette gently shook her head. "It's nothing." 

Adrien gave her an odd glance but went back to scrubbing the dishes. It had been a busy night at Blue Note; people laughing, drinking and stuffing their faces. It had been a week since Marinette had been offered the job and Noah (like the massive troll he is) has been putting them on all the same shifts.

"So, have you been having fun here?" Adrien asked. 

Marinette leaned against the mop she was holding. "I mean, being a waitress isn't the most exciting thing to do in New York City, but it is pretty cool." 

Adrien chuckled. "Try bartending, my feet are killing me." 

Marinette poked his back with the mop. "Stop complaining." 

Adrien poked his tongue out at her and focused back on the soapy water. "Yes, mam." 

It was silent for the next few minutes, but Marinette found herself looking at Adrien again. "If you look at me any harder you're going to drill a hole in my head." Adrien quoted her own words from a week ago as he slyly looked at her. Marinette felt the blood rush to her cheeks and she looked down at her reflection in the shiny floor. "What would you be doing? If you weren't a waitress that is." Adrien asked.

"I would still love to be a fashion designer, but maybe singing. I love music." 

Adrien dried his hands on the tea towel and ran a hand through his hair. "I can see you on stage, singing your emo MCR songs to the world." Adrien joked as Marinette gently hit his arm, they shared a coy smile.

Adrien swiftly grabbed her hand and began to drag her out the kitchen door. Marinette dropped the mop but she was more focused on trying not to trip over her own feet, that's what she gets for not tying her shoelaces. "Where are we going?" 

"I want to show you something." Adrien was heading to the backstage, he pushed open a heavy door and maneuvered his way through the many instruments; guitars, a drum set, even a trumpet. He stopped at a large, red piano and sat down on the black, plush seat. He patted the spot next to him and Marinette softly sat down.

"What are you doing?" Marinette asked. Adrien stretched his fingers and began to play. Marinette always loved when Adrien played the piano, it could calm her down after a tense day. She immediately recognized the song, City of Stars from La La Land, a movie that Adrien loves. She still remembers when they first saw it together. Adrien teared up at the ending yet denied it.

"City of Stars, are you shining just for me? City of stars, there's so much that I can't see. Who knows, I felt it from the first embrace I shared with you," Adrien looked at Marinette and winked. Marinette took in a deep breath, "That now our dreams, they've finally come true." and joined in.

Adrien shot her a surprised glance but it melted into a warm smile. Marinette giggled, she could already feel the stress flowing away. Hearing Adrien's voice could soothe anyone. "It was soft like a warm blanket. "City of Stars, Just one thing everybody wants. There in the bars, and through the smokescreen of the crowded restaurants," Marinette continued and playfully bumped shoulders with Adrien, making him laugh. "It's love. Yes, all we're looking for is love from someone else. A rush. A glance. A touch. A dance." They sang in perfect unison, their minds connecting instantly.