Love by Design - Adrienette

Overhearing and Understanding

The double life Marinette had been leading before the recent excitement already qualified as exhausting. When her schoolwork and akuma-chasing both refused to let up the pressure, and she was - not quite forced but - compelled to increase the level of romantic drama in her life, the adjective "exhausting" would need an upgrade if it hoped to describe her current state.

Having over a millennium of experience helping Ladybugs manage their hectic lifestyles, Tikki needed aught but a cookie to refresh her energy. However, with Marinette out like a light, the kwami was up to her own devices in getting one. She slipped out the trap door of Marinette's room and fluttered down stairs, keeping alert for her human friend's parents. She retrieved her meal without a hitch, but was on her way back up when she heard voices. Not seeing much other option in the matter, she hid herself under the living room couch.

Tom and Sabine unwittingly placed themselves directly over their black and red houseguest's hiding spot, and proceeded with a conversation Tikki was glad to have dropped in on.

"Is Marinette really asleep at this hour?" the baker questioned his wife. "The sun isn't even all the way down!"

"I just checked on her and she most certainly was. Falling in love takes a lot out of a person. She isn't used to the feelings yet."

"Our girl is growing up; I just hope she doesn't move too fast."

The couple sighed in unison, then sat silently for a moment until Sabine raised a question. "What was it you were going to tell me about right before Marinette got home? You seemed troubled."

Tom's angered grunt confirmed that not all was well in his corner of the world. "That Gabriel Agreste called me again today. He still seems set upon his original proposition. He's beginning to freak me out!"

"What could Chat Noir's father possibly want from Ladybug's?" The little kwami was perplexed; most happenings anymore seemed to be an updated version of an experience she had had with one of her previous human comrades, but this one failed to match any of her memories.

"Don't you think you might be overreacting just a little, Tom? I agree his behavior is odd, but we told him no - and there is nothing more he can do."

"I don't trust him! He never even tried to hide the fact that he wants to trap Marinette where she has no choice but to work for his company. Attempting an arranged marriage is an attack on our daughter's rights as a human, not to mention the rights of his own son. Listen, Sabine, a man like him stops at nothing to get what he wants. He has money, and unfortunately, that means power. I'm afraid he can and will hurt Marinette."

The conversation continued, but Tikki had heard enough. Back when it was customary, she'd seen quite a few Ladybugs forced into marriage, but not in over a hundred years. It wasn't something she ever wanted to see again. She managed to slip away unnoticed and flutter back upstairs.

While it might at first seem to simplify things, Tikki was sure that the fact the two teens were genuinely attracted to each other served to complicate the matter further. While clearly not emotionally ready for such a commitment, were the teens to find out they'd likely have little heart to object. Instead, the two (especially Marinette) would be liable to panic, thus majorly impairing their ability to perform their duties as Ladybug and Chat Noir. While also concerned for the well-being of the individuals, it was Tikki's first priority that Paris be protected from the continuous threat of Hawkmoth. She must be sure the strongest weapons they had were in working order; to do so, she must make sure they never heard about Gabriel's plans.

When Marinette came down to breakfast the next morning, her parents were standing side by side with serious looks on their faces. Evidently they wanted to talk. "Is something wrong?"

"Marinette, sweetie, we discussed this last night and we decided you are forbidden from visiting the Agreste residence again."

A/n - Hey, would you be interested in reading my MLB fan comic? I decided to put it up on Devient Art and not here, because that's really where that sort of thing belongs. Here I've got a link: http://www.deviantart.com/art/Manon-Knows-panel-1-Miraculous-Ladybug-fan-comic-695184240 If that doesn't work, and you want to see it, shoot me a PM.