Guess Again [A Miraculous FanFiction]

Chapter Seven: Breakfast of Awkwardness (Uh, I Mean: Champions)

Sitting at the long table, Marinette fidgeted in her chair. She felt uncomfortable, sitting across from Adrien's stony-faced father. Neither the food, nor Adrien, had arrived yet and Marinette was chewing on her lip out of nervousness.

She deeply wished her parents were here. Or Natahlie. Or someone. But her mother and father had left an hour earlier to do some real estate shopping. And she had no idea where Gabriel's assistant was.

So it was just her. And Mr. Agreste. Sitting in too-awkward silence.

Mari fidgeted some more, trying desperately to figure out something to say. After being friends with Adrien for three-plus years, she was sure there was some subject she and Gabriel could discuss. But none were coming to mind. She glanced up at him and saw his eyes were on her as well. Blushing, she looked quickly away, afraid of making a fool of herself.

Thankfully, at that moment, the door to her right swung open. She glanced at it and heaved a very quiet sigh of relief. There stood Adrien, in all his Hi-I-Just-Woke-Up perfection. Seriously, it annoyed her that he looked so good even with his blonde hair disheveled, sticking up in all directions, and his greenest-of-green eyes foggy with sleep.

"Morning Father. Hey Mari," he glanced between them and then sat in what Marinette assumed was his usual seat, at his father's right-hand side. Mari blushed in embarrassment as she realized she had chosen the wrong seat. She mentally kicked herself for not asking Adrien how the seating usually worked in the mornings. It was the first time she had been at the table for breakfast with them and she felt she was already leaving a very solid impression that she was an idiot.

"Adrien," Gabriel began, and then hesitated as he threw a glance at their guest. He cleared his throat and then continued, "You're late."

It was obvious to Marinette that he had changed his mind about what he was going to say and she flushed again.

"Sorry Father," Adrien said with a smile and threw a glance of his own at Mari. Subtly, using the eye his dad couldn't see, Adrien winked at her. Mari felt one of the knots in her midsection unravel.

Still, if her stomach hadn't been practically roaring from hunger, she might've gotten up and gone back to her room. Alas, she was saved from making that decision herself as people, wearing matching outfits of black slacks and white button-up shirts, entered the room carrying trays of steaming food.

The servers hesitated for a millisecond before placing the food in front of the Agrestes. Mari saw two of them exchange uncertain looks with one another before they shrugged and left. Mari felt a rush of shame as she resisted the urge to bury her head in her hands. There wasn't even a plate set in front of her seat. What was she supposed to do now?

"Ms. Dupain-Cheng?"

Her head jerked up at the sound of Mr. Agreste's too-patient voice.

"Would you care to join us?" he gestured to the seat next to Adrien. Marinette didn't respond, only stood, pushing her chair back in, and then hurrying to take the offered seat. She knew her face was bright red but she couldn't do much about it now.

Adrien passed her a blueberry muffin, still warm from the oven and she whispered, "Thank you." He grinned and started in on his plate of freshly picked fruit.

After a too-quiet breakfast, which ended when Adrien glanced at the large clock over his father's head and mentioned the time, Mari and Adrien went upstairs to their rooms. As soon as they left the room, she sighed heavily.

"That bad, huh?" he smirked at her and she nudged him, rolling her eyes.

"I'm just such a mess around your dad." And you, she added mentally.

"He can be pretty intimidating, I know." Adrien spoke as they climbed the stairs to their rooms. Instead of turning right at the top of the staircase, he followed her to her room. "But he actually really likes you."

Mari snorted in disbelief as she ruffled through her things, looking for her school bag. When she turned around, she noticed he was still standing there, leaning in her open doorway with his ever-present smile. She smiled back without hesitation and then followed him as he turned to walk down the hallway.

He led the way to his room, which she still felt strange about entering so casually, even after the several hours the two of them had spent there the night before. After chess, she had proceeded to smash him in Spot It! and Phase Ten. She was still pretty smug about that.

She followed his example from before, leaning against his door frame as he wandered around his room, gathering his school things. She felt her phone vibrate in her pocket and pulled it out. She messaged Alya back, biting back a sigh as she did. While she was distracted, Plagg flew from his hiding spot under Adrien's bed and smuggled himself into Adrien's jacket pocket. He had just settled there as she glanced back up.

Adrien gave her a big smile as their gazes met. "You ready?"

"Sure, I guess," she shrugged. He nodded and walked over to her; she moved out of his way but he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and dragged her along with him.

Don't blush. Don't blush. Don't blush. He's just being friendly. Mari tried to convince herself as they walked down towards the front doors. He paused, pulling away from her to open the door for her. She choked on her "Thank you" and it came out as more of a cough, but he didn't seem to mind.

As she stepped outside, the chilly wind hit her. With a barely muffled moan, she glanced up at the sky. It was dark-grey with clouds and she could practically smell the thunder. She looked up and down the street, trying to make the decision of which way to go for school. As she started towards the right, she felt a sharp tug on her bag, which she had slung around her shoulders.

"What?" she turned to face Adrien, who was raising one of his perfect eyebrows at her.

"Uhm, where are you going Mari?"

"School...?" she responded, confusion coloring her tone at his expression.

"Yeah. Except you're going the wrong way." Adrien gestured to the sleek black limousine which was parked in front of his house.

"Oh," she whispered and then walked uncertainly towards the intimidating vehicle. She had never been in a limo, let alone his limo. Before she could open the door, Adrien's chauffeur, whom they all called Gorilla behind his back, was there. His blank expression didn't change as she slid in, quickly followed by Adrien.

As Mari's eyes adjusted to the difference of lighting in the car, she was stunned to find that Adrien had slid himself right next to her. As in, when she moved her arm, she brushed her hand against his leg. She blushed, but he didn't seem to notice. Quickly, she turned to look out her window.

"You ready for school again?" he asked, leaning towards her to look out the window as well. When she moved to look at him, she found their faces were inches apart. Again.

Why does he keep doing this to me? She inwardly gasped as she hurriedly turned back to face the city. As she spoke, she tried to make her voice seem casual, but she was sure it just came out strangled.

"Is anyone ever?"

He chuckled and she felt his laughter in her toes.