Caught In A Storm

Chapter IIX

The day went by slowly. Marinette showed Adrien multiple techniques to make and form the dough for the baguettes, correcting his errors every once in a while. She didn't correct each one of his mistake, finding it cute, how his face would scrunch up when he would notice that something was not as it should be when she showed him and he asked for some help. He was focused on making his best and was hopeful she would be proud of were only interrupted by some customers, who had been courageous enough to brave the freezing cold and snow-storm ragging outside of these cosy and warmth-filled walls. Nino had once showed up in the cuisine to tell them he was heading outside to check on the horses. He had come back since, to steal a croissant from a fresh batch. But Marinette and Adrien were like in their own little bubble: closed off from the rest of the world, from the rest of the other people - well person- in the house.

The more time they spent baking the more Marinette lost her shyness and she managed to talk to Adrien more easily. Adrien beamed as her new found confidence. They only stopped once they realised it was dark outside and that the only lights they had on in the kitchen weren't nearly enough to see anything. Since they had been tasting everything, they weren't really hungry, but Mari insisted in cooking another small soup like the nearly every day.

"No, really I want to help you." Adrien insisted, after she kindly declined his offer to help her.

"But you already helped me so much tod..." Adrien interrupted her before she could finish her sentence.

"I like helping you." His sincere smile and strong gaze made her blush and she quickly nodded and turned her head over to the vegetables she was about to cut. She gave Adrien some easy orders, and both finished making the soup rapidly.

At dinner, Nino couldn't help but see the quick glances his friend/boss threw towards the young woman, his smirk kept growing, as he was sure Adrien hadn't still realised what was happening to him.

Nino excused himself after dinner, his thoughts monopolised by Adrien's new crush. He was happy, his friend had found a new firend, someone he probably even more than liked... But he couldn't help but worry, since his father would never accept such a relationship. His friend had the worst luck. Nino still had to do his job to protect him and keep his father, the king, updated from his whereabouts... which he hadn't done in a long time since they had been caught in a snowstorm. Still. Tomorrow he must go sent something to the king or else the whole royal guard would show up in front of the bakery. Nino was sure Adrien wouldn't want Mari to be caught in the cross-fire. He pretended to be already asleep as he heard Adrien enter their room.

On the other side of the room, Adrien couldn't stop smiling from the amazing day he had. He learned so many new things. Things he could only dream of learning and eating. His father wanted –well ordered- him to focus on economics, politics, history, as well as geography. But he never liked those things at all... but he had no choice and say in what he truly wanted to do. He fell into a deep sleep, azure eyes clouding his mind and a certain laugh filling his head with happy thoughts.

The next morning Adrien woke up early again in order to help her again. He had been making a huge progress since the last day, and Mari let him take care of some things on his own, trusting him completly. His heart swelled at this. Never had anyone trusted him like this. Her living depended on it.

Nino had come by to say, he was going out again. But he didn't even register his friend going in and out, completely focused in his work.

Nino POV

Nino was battling against the howling wind outside, each step more difficult than the other one before. His curses were blown away by the wind. The snow was like tiny ice pickles, prickling and peeling his skin roughly. He had gone to the stables to check on the horses again. He was now heading to the post office, praying it would be open. The bell chimed as he and the wind threw the door open. He quickly entered and closed the door behind him. The post-man welcomed him warmly. He was an old Chinese man wearing a Hawaiian T-Shirt. Nino marvelled at how the small man wasn't cold, but quickly cleared his head, focusing ion what was really important he did.

"Good Morning Young Man! How can I help you?" Nino approached the counter, peeling off his scarf, in order for the man to understand him better.

"Good Morning. I would like to send a message to the King."

"The King? I have been here 90 years and nobody asked me this yet!"

"Well..." Nino scratched his head, not sure how he should respond. "Is it possible?"

The old man looked unsure, before he finally shot him a apologetic look.

"I'm sorry, young man. But all the lines are down. The snow cuts us off everything." Nino's heart rate picked up.

This is not good! Not good at all!

He nodded at the old man and bid his good-byes. He hadn't made one step out of the door, that somebody crashed into him.

"Hey! Watch where you're going!"

Hi! New chapters today ;)

Eat chocolate !