Guess Again [A Miraculous FanFiction]

Chapter Six: There's Always Time for a Break

There was a knock on the open door and Marinette glanced at it. She smiled shyly and waved Adrien in. He took a couple steps into the wide, open room, glancing around as he did. There were half-opened boxes, clothes and random items spread everywhere around the room.

"Still settling in?" he asked as she met his eyes and glanced away.

"Yep," she said quickly. She went back to folding the clothes from the box in front of her.

"There are....more things here than I would've thought. Did you guys save a lot from the fire?" He walked over and picked up one of her shirts. He shook it out and then folded it haphazardly.

"No, Adrien, not like that!" Marinette laughed and took the shirt away from him. At the touch of their hands, she felt a soft shock. Quickly, she removed her hand and exaggerated the movements required to properly fold the shirt. She demonstrated it for him, twice for good measure, and then held it out to him.

He took it from her with a nervous laugh. "Honestly, I just throw my clothes in the drawers. There's no point in folding them or organizing them if I'm just going to pull them out and throw them on!" He folded it correctly and put it on her bed, which was next to him.

"That's ridiculous. I may have to come in there and fix it for you. You're a model! You should care more about your clothes." she grinned at him and they laughed as he rolled his eyes.

"Sure, you can help me organize. But don't expect it to last long; I am tornado. I leave everything a mess in my wake. The only reason the whole house isn't a mess is because Father would kill me. And Melinda is the best housekeeper we've ever had."

Marinette grinned at him and they lapsed into comfortable silence for a couple minutes. The silence was broken by Adrien, who groaned and tossed the shirt he was holding back onto the pile.

"Honestly, how are you still going? Yes, I get it, you are dedicated and have a great work ethic but this is sooooo boring!" He collapsed onto her bed, laying on the clothes already placed there.

"Adrien!" Marinette complained, though her tone was light. "I have to get this all done by tonight. Maman and Pere said they would be bringing some dressers and whatnot for me when they get back from their shopping."

Adrien grinned and flipped over to his stomach to look at her. "How long have you been working?"

"I don't know," Marinette glanced out the solitary window and then at her phone, which was on the floor next to the bed. "What time is it?"

"Seven-thirty," Adrien stated without taking his eyes off her.

"Wow, well I guess I've been working for at least three hours."

"Straight?"

"Yeah...." Marinette threw an annoyed look around the room at the mostly-full boxes. "With not many results, apparently."

"Then it's time for a break!" he proclaimed and sat up, grabbing her hand. She opened her mouth to argue, but he was already running out of the room, dragging her with him. She squeaked in surprise as they turned a corner sharply and she slipped on the slick marble floors. Her socks lost their traction and she fell, taking him with her as she did.

They fell heavily; she landed on top of him and for a moment, they were very close. Their faces were inches apart and Marinette felt her breath catch. She blinked, staring directly into his emerald eyes, and then came to herself.

"Oh. Sorry!" She pulled away and sat on the floor next to him. He laughed and sat up, smiling widely at her.

"Well I guess I learned my lesson about making you run." He kicked his legs up and out, then stood up, so effortless in the movement that Marinette felt jealous. He offered his hand to her and she took it without hesitation. He pulled her up and again, they were too close. Marinette looked up into Adrien's eyes and felt her breath stop.

His expression softened and she felt her whole body melt. There was something in his eyes, a certainty and steadiness that made her unable to move.

"Adrien?" she asked, in little more than a whisper. Her voice caught in her throat before she could continue.

"Yes?" he replied, just as calmly.

She opened her mouth to speak but her brain supplied her with words other than what she had wanted to say: "You're standing on my foot."

"Oh!" He pulled away from her, the depth leaving his expression as he laughed. "Sorry!"

"Don't worry about it. Now, about that distraction?"

"Right!" He grabbed her hand again and they started down the hallway with less speed. Marinette tried to push away the warmth that she felt from the touch of their hands as she considered what he could possibly have planned for them.

They reached his room and her heart seemed to beat harder. She inwardly scolded it to calm down as he pushed open his door. He let go of her hand and pushed her to the couch they had sat on a couple days previously. She sat down and watched him as he rushed around his room, gathering things. When he was finished, Marinette laughed at what was in front of her.

"Chess? Really, Adrien? I'm supposed to play you in chess? Didn't I hear somewhere that you're some sort of prodigy?"

Adrien showed his white teeth in a half-grin, half-smirk. "Pure gossip."

"Sure...." she muttered as he settled across from her on the cushion he had grabbed for himself.

"Ladies first," he prompted and she sighed, her hand hesitating over a white piece.

"Okay, but I was serious about needing to get my room finished." She moved a pawn on the left side of the board.

"I know. I already asked the staff to finish unpacking the boxes and folding the clothes. They were waiting for us to leave so they could get started." He moved his own pawn on the opposite side of the board. Marinette stared at him with her mouth open wide.

"You-what?"

"Eh, I figured you'd had enough stress for a while. It was time for a break. They'll have the room organized in no time and if you don't like it, you can always change it. Or ask them too," he winked. "For now, though, I want you to focus on this."

"I...don't....what?" Marinette still stared at her blond friend. With a smirk, he leaned forward and tapped her chin. She shut her mouth and turned red. He straightened and nodded at the board between them.

"Chess. Focus."

"Right."

She did focus. And she actually beat him, of which she was very proud of herself, despite the fact that she was pretty sure he let her win.

"Rematch!" he complained as she did a victory dance. She smiled slyly and reset the board.

He lost. Again.