Caught In A Storm

Chapter VI

Marinette woke up before the sun himself decided to show itself. She dragged her feet to the bakery's kitchen. She took out all the ingredients she needed and that she had left. The winter made the deliveries more difficult. She made different types of dough, varying the flour she had in order to obtain different types of bread. She placed them next to the still warm oven to make the dough produce carbon dioxide so it could inflate. She still had some branches left to start a fire to warm up the oven. 

Pilling the wood in her arms, she threw it under the oven. The flames slowly awakened the old oven them had had for multiple generations of Dupain bakers. She worked on the whipped cream next, rapidly batting the cream so it would harden. After getting a quick taste, she approved and set it near the window to keep it cool. Even if it was warm inside, it was very cold next to the windows; there were already old, and the cold made its way easily inside.

Adrien woke up to the smell of warm bread. He felt slightly sweaty; it was getting really warm under the covers. He kicked the covers aside, but still felt the lingering warmth. He opened his eyes, freaked out for a second, not knowing where he was, but he quickly remembered the kind soul with the deepest blue eyes that saved them from their imminent death from hypothermia. He drifted his gaze over to Nino, who appeared to be still sleeping, concluding from the weird position he had on the chaise. The sun leaked through the curtains, leaving the room to bath in some stray sunbeams. Hearing some faint noise downstairs he decided to head towards the kitchen.

The old stairs creaked under the pressure of his feet; he stopped at the door frame, watching Marinette moving around the ovens and the atelier. She was dancing around the room, knowing every corner. She easily carried trays full of bread and pastries. 

The warmth of the ovens was very welcoming. Adrien stepped closer, still letting her her space. She didn't stop her humming, Adrien couldn't remember where he had heard that melody... it seemed so familiar. Shaking his head, he continued to admire the spectacle in front of him. She twirled around and Adrien begun to be aware a little too late that she was heading towards him. She continued twirling and slightly bumped into him. Before she could fall over, Adrien caught her in his arms, his hands on her waist. Marinettes' eyes were wide in surprise and she first couldn't grasp what had happened. Her gaze drifted over from his chest to his eyes and her face turned red. 

Seeing her flustered state, Adrien could only blush as well. They stayed like in their position for more than a minute frozen in shock: his hands at her waist, her hands on his chest. After Adrien managed to avert his eyes from her gaze, he took the position they were in and let go of her nearly immediately. Not knowing what to do with their hands, both started to make some weird gestures, but settled to put their hands into their respective pockets of their trousers or apron.

"I-em- sorry for... you know..." Adrien managed to utter out, making Marinette's face turn redder.

"N-nono, i-it's my fault! S-Sorry!" They stood awkwardly facing one another, until Marinette broke the silence, telling him breakfast was ready if he wanted or was hungry. Adrien nodded enthusiastically.

He followed Marinette to their dining table, she had already set everything on the table, she only needed to get some bread and pastries from the shop, she excused herself and Adrien sat down. His mouth watered at the sight of the different sorts of jams, each one so colourful. Marinette came back rapidly with a small tablet full of pastries and slices of different breads. Waiting for her to sit down, Adrien decided they didn't need to wait for Nino. Marinette took a slice of bread and began eating it with what appeared to be strawberry jam. She hummed as she took her first bite. Sometimes the simplest things are the tastiest. Adrien could only stare at the jam that rested on the tip of her nose, unattainable. She caught him staring and tried to wipe at her cheeks and chin. Adrien chuckled and took his napkin, wiping her nose. She blushed at the contact. 

Realising what he had done, Adrien averted his gaze instantly, blushing as well, putting all his attention on the croissant in his plate. He took a quick bite into it, his muscles relaxing at the wonderful buttery taste. He sunk deeper into his comfortable chair. A small smile grazed his lips. Marinette observed him from the corner of her eyes and a smile tucked at her lips as she saw his pleased state. He eagerly dug into the pile of croissants, not that she minded. At least she was sure she could sell it and her father could be proud of her work. The doorbell chimed and she got up to the shop.

"Marinette! How can you be working by those temperatures, it's freezing outside! I nearly couldn't make it up to here with all the snow on the road!" exclaimed an elderly man. Marinette giggled.

"Père Tuck, somebody has to feed you! If I don't work this house will turn into a popsicle!" Both laughed, and her laughter made Adrien's heart warm oddly, but he shook the feeling off.

"The usual?" She asked as their laughter died down. He simply nodded and she began to pack everything he needed, adding a cookie knowing he liked them so much. He paid and buttoned his coat again in attempt to block out the cold.

After he left, Marinette came back to the dining table, a warm smile grazing her face, making Adrien's blush. They ate in a comfortable silence until they heard the stairs creaking under Nino's feet.

"Good Morning Miss. Good Moring Pr-A-Adrien." He quickly corrected as Adrien shot him an angry look. He sat down next to him, trying to act like he wasn't about to make any mistake. Nino started a conversation about the weather, Marinette updated him on the state of the roads from what she had heard from the few courageous customers who came to her shop. Nino frowned as he heard every road was covered in snow, they had a strict schedule to follow, he had sworn to protect the Prince. Someone even said the mail wasn't even delivered anymore, making his frown deepen. He was obligated to send infos about their location and how the Prince was doing every 3 days to the King. What would happen if he couldn't send anything? He hoped the King would be alarmed about the unusual weather.

"Is it usual here to have this kind of weather here?" asked Adrien out of curiosity, little did he know that he mostly wanted to hear her voice again. Marinette shrugged, which made his mood drop a little, thinking she wouldn't answer verbally.

"I-it depends. When I w-was little, we always had a mild winter, but in the last f-few years snow storms were more and m-more common. I-if I was given the choice to change t-the weather like back to the old days, I would definitely agree." She smiled up to him, making his brain turn to mush. He didn't know what she was doing to her, not that he minded, but he had no idea what it meant.

"Well at home, we have a cold winter, but not as much snow as here!" He laughed slightly. "If I want to see snow again, I know I'll come here."

"There isn't much to do here in the winter..." answered Marinette truthfully.

"Well, I know this superb bakery..." He smirked at her and she blushed, wanting to bury her head in the next bag of flour. It earned him a questioning look from Nino. He simply shrugged it off.