It Wasn't Pere

Mecha-Strike 3

I got home and de-transformed. I unlocked the door to my house and walked in. I found a few Euros on the table and then I went upstairs to my room and collected my stuff. I went downstairs and grabbed a camembert wheel from the fridge and fed it to Plagg.

"Mmm..." mumbled Plagg as he bit into the wheel.

I stared at him and and suddenly swallowed the wheel whole!

I pretended to ignore that. Then he burped!

I've had quite enough.

"Plagg, claws out!"

I jumped from roof to roof, thinking about Marinette and her family.

It's nothing like back home.

Their home is warm and cozy, my house is cold and large.

Their house is welcoming, mine is scary.

Her parents are friendly and kind, while my mom is missing and my dad is just... Not being my dad.

I landed on her roof top and slid down.

Then I walked into her room and a de-transformed again.

The second I did that, she walked out of the bathroom.

Her nose was a bit red and runny and she sneezed.

I found it cute.

She has the cutest sneeze ever.

"Uh... Hi... Ma- Marinette." I, smiled sheepishly.

"Hey, Adrien." She mumbled with her sore throat.

"So... Where will I be sleeping?" I asked.

"You're right. It's impolite to keep guests on the sofa for a long time." She said.

"W- wait! I didn't mean to sound like a snob! I was just wondering... I'm not demanding anything." I said, blushing out of embarrassment.

"It's cool. I'm going to call my parents. Wait here.

MOM! DAD! WHERE WILL ADRIEN BE STAYING?" She asked.

"You choose, honey. We're a bit busy with baking!" They called out.

"Uh... Well... I don't have much space in my room for you so... Uhm... I don't know..." She mumbled.

"It's fine," I said "I understand."

I went downstairs and put my items on the floor, near the couch.

"H- hey Adrien." She smiled.

"Wanna play some Mecha-Strike? I've got the third game." She grinned.

"Whoa! Really? Could we play?" I asked.

"That's what I was suggesting." She said.

We both grabbed the controllers and hopped onto the couch. She was sitting right next to me in her Pyjamas and that made me believe she was comfortable with me. I mean, how often does a girl come out in front of you in Pyjamas, with messy hair and her nose dripping? Not often, I presume. And that made me feel welcomed.

"Get ready. Cause I'm going to kick your butt!" She exclaimed.

"Not if I do it first." I challenged.

"Good luck. You'll need it." She grinned widely.

The game began.

She picked out her avatar and I picked out mine.

I had picked NAD03.

Whereas Marinette picked LB-03.

LB-03 had more power moves than NAD03 but my avatar has power ups which made a punch from my black cat, stronger than usual.

Half-way through the game, Marinette sneezed. And she sneezed loud, which made me lose focus as I looked to her side.

She, on the other hand, got back on track and finished me with her Lucky Charm.

I groaned in frustration.

"I'm not blessing you." I pouted.

"Oh, come on, Ki- Adrien." She said.

Was she just about to say 'Kitty'?

Maybe it's my mind playing tricks on me.

"Although I did say that I was going to kick your butt." She grinned, all smug.

"Okay, fine. Bless you." I said.

She smiled happily and then yawned.

"You know, having this fever makes me really sleepy..." She said, right before she collapsed on me.

I didn't know what to do.

I heard her snoring and decided to pick up my phone.

A notification bell rang.

It was a text from Nathalie!

Nathalie: Adrien, how are you? Your father is a bit concerned about who you're staying with. Is everything alright there?

Adrien: Yeah. Everything is fine. And tell dad not to worry. Even though I know he isn't the one worrying, you are. Nathalie, I love you but honestly... I'm fine! 😸

I then saw a news letter pop up.

Why isn't Agreste Jr. In Italy?

And then it started a whole article about me and coming up with theories as to why I wasn't there.

I rolled my eyes but then Marinette hugged me in her sleep and pulled herself up, just a bit so that her head was on my chest.

I put my phone away and hugged her back and I felt myself slowly drift off to sleep...