Ghosts Of Adrien's Past

Chapter 2: Paris lights

Marinette lay with her head back on her seat, her mouth flung open and a soft snore coming from her throat.
The young woman next to her gently poked her shoulder, but nothing happened. She poked it again, this time harder.

Marinette shot forward with a start, eyes flying wide. She looked around quickly, startled. The young woman next to her smiled sheepishly.
"Excuse me, miss. But we're landing soon"
It took her a moment to realise what the woman said. She smiled and explained that her French was a little rusty. The woman nodded. Marinette turned to the window at her side and placed a hand on the glass. The city below was alive with the pale morning light. She could already smell the fresh baked bread.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The airport was buzzing with activity, even this early in the morning people were happy and smiling as she walked past. She noticed with no small amount of pride that many women were wearing her line.

Before she could notice a body slammed into her side and crushed her in a hug. She recognised the brown hair clouding her vision and hugged her best friend back. Alya pulled away and gripped marinette's hand.
"Come on! Everyone's waiting!"
"Everyone-"
She didn't get to finish her sentence. Alya yanked her along, not noticing the huge box wrapped in delicate ribbons that Mari carried.
Dragging her suitcase behind her Marinette followed alya to a large group at the doors.

All of her old classmates were there. Well, the ones who were still in Paris. Most of them, She noticed. All of them hugged and squeezed her and shook her with smiles. All claiming she'd been gone for too long. She barley got a breath in before Kim took her suitcase from her, threw it in the back of alya's car, and shoved her into the front seat. Everyone only waved as alya hopped in the driver's seat and went off. Marinette hugged the large box to her and took in the familiar city streets as they passed.
"That was a little hasty"
She said, and alya giggled beside her.
"There's a surprise waiting for you at the hotel"
"Hotel? I thought-"
"We decided to all stay at the hotel beside where we're getting married"

Mari nodded and toyed with the ribbon that held the delicate box shut.
"What's that?"
Alya asked. Marinette turned her head to her with an innocent smile.
"A wedding present"
Alya snorted.
"Are you kidding me? It doesn't even look like I could afford the box"
Mari smiled with her tongue between her teeth and looked back to the road.
"So, what's my surprise?"
After a moment alya answered.
"You'll see"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The receptionist smiled at Mari with a warm welcome. The hotel was large and extravagant and it made her wonder how alya and nino could afford it...

As soon as she was handed her key card someone cleared their throat behind her.
"Excuse me, miss? I think I've lost my melody...can you help me find her?"
She froze in her spot, suddenly everything falling away except that voice.
She turned. She dropped both the box and the card, and might have dropped to her knees at the face she saw.
Grown up. No longer a teenager, but a man. A tall man with dark hair, sharp features, keen eyes and colourful green hair.
Before she could drop beside the box on the carpet he caught her in a tight embrace and lifted her up. He spun her around and buried his head in her shoulder, laughing.

She breathed his name as he tightened his arms around her. He set her down and held her at arms length, looking her up and down. After a moment he said,
"You grew up"
She laughed.
"So did you! Look at you you're- you're a man now! No longer a teenage boy singing to me at sunset, huh?"
His smile widened.
"Look at you! I see you wherever I go, I swear. Every damn magazine and billboard"
She gestured to him.
"You haven't done so bad yourself. Worldwide tour? That's pretty amazing"
He waved her off.
"Ah, nothing much. If anything I missed my inspiration"
She felt a blush rise on her cheeks and she stepped away from his arms to pick up her card and the box.

When she turned she found him watching her. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear with one hand.
"So, what floor are you on?"
She said, and he pulled the card from his back pocket.
"Floor 17, I think"
A smile bloomed on her face.
"Same as me!"
He looked around before he stepped closer.
"Do you still- you know...?"
She arched a brow.
"Do I still what?"
He shrugged.
"Are you still handy with a yoyo?"
She smiled and flicked his nose, his head reared back with a small sneer.
"Do you still come equipped with fangs?"
He snorted and tapped the front pocket of his jacket, a small hiss and grumbled mumbling followed.
"Ah,"
She said, and gently touched her side bag, tikki inside it.

She rolled her shoulders and grabbed the handle of her suitcase.
"Shall we?"
He nodded and grabbed his own bag.
"We shall"