Losing Identities

Chapter 19

Adrien's POV

Marinette holds me close until I can't cry anymore.  I can't believe Father! How could he do this to us?

"Adrien..." Marinette whispers gently.

I sniffle.  "Yeah?"

"Wanna find something to do?  Video games or something?"

I find myself shaking my head.  "I don't want anything he gave me."

Marinette sighs.  She cups the side of my face in her hand.  "I understand that, kitty. But we can't just..."

"Whose side are you on?" I yell, startling myself.

She narrows her eyes.  "Yours. I'm just saying it'll be easier if you cooperated more."

She's right.  "Yeah," I sigh.  But I really don't want to...

"But you have a point.  He hurt us. We can't just forgive him."

I nod.

Marinette glances at a clock on the wall.  "It's about lunchtime. Should we go to the kitchen?"

"Sure."  Maybe a nice lunch date with her will help clear my mind.  Forcing myself to smile, I take her hand and lead her into the kitchen.

"What are we making?" I ask, looking through the full cupboards.

"How about spaghetti?" Marinette suggests.

"Good idea."

As we prepare the ingredients, I lean over and kiss her cheek.  She giggles, and the sound makes my heart swell with happiness.

A great lunch and a lovely afternoon of dancing and learning how to sketch makes tonight's dinner nearly slip my mind.  Then my stomach growls.

Marinette gets up off the floor, closing her sketchbook.  "I'll go get something for you." She heads toward the door.

"No," I reply, my chest aching as I remember.  "We have dinner soon. With my father."

She turns to me, dread growing on her face.  "Right," she mutters, sitting back down next to me.

"I wish we could call in sick," I grumble.  "But he'd try to 'fix' that." I add air quotes.

Marinette sighs and picks up her sketchbook.  "It's five-thirty. I think I have time to draw us some new outfits for tonight, if you'd like."

Wait... "You wouldn't be able to sew them in time."

She gestures to the wardrobe.  "It automatically sews every one of these designs.  Well... the ones fit for girls. But I'm sure it'll make something for you if it knows you're here."

"Incredible!"  I hurry to the door and open it.  However, instead of being greeted with one of my lady's gorgeous designs, I see one of my terrible drawings turned real.  I cringe and push it away. Every one of Marinette's creations is beautiful, just like she is... do I sound cheesy? Anyway, I love them.  Especially... "Hey, look!"

"What is it, kitty?" She glances up at the dress I'm holding - an adorable pink ombre with a sweetheart neckline.  "Oh..."

"This is gorgeous!"

She beams, blushing a little.  "I designed it after..." Her voice trails off shyly.

"After what?"

"After your party.  I..." She goes silent again, looking up at me with a sweet smile.

"It was the kiss, wasn't it?" I whisper.  "When I kissed your cheek?" I blush too.

She nods.

"The dress is amazing, Marinette.  It's just as wonderful as you are... no, not even.  Can't reach infinity that easily."

She giggles.  "That was so cheesy, kitty!"

"But it's true!"  I hold the dress out to her.  "Maybe you could wear this to dinner... if you want."

"I couldn't think of any better option," she replies, walking up and kissing me.  My arms wrap around her as I kiss her back. It's really only been a day, but I feel like we've been together for ages.  Like I've known her identity forever. Even in the most difficult times, she's always been there for me, and I hope she always will be.

Mostly fluff.  Sorry.