Dance with Me, Chaton

Ticking Clock

Marinette looked great in his favourite t-shirt. It didn't seem like much. Just a plain black t-shirt, but it was super soft and gloriously oversized. His father hated it; Adrien still kept it for indulging in wearing it at home when he had rare days off. Marinette rocked it as a mini dress. Paired with his blue scarf to hide his handiwork on her neck, she looked like any other girl wearing her boyfriend's clothes for a day out. For his sins against her, Adrien could live with that.

"Have you seen my cell phone?" Marinette asked, exiting from his laundry. "I found my clothes and my purse, but no cellphone. Can you call me?"

"I would, but I can't find mine either. We might have lost them."

She made a face.

"Do you need it urgently?"

"Not really. It's a weekend, so I can go a few hours without, but I'll need it by this evening."

"Then may I propose we deal with the hickeys first and then look for our cellphones. I'm meeting Alya and Nino for lunch later today. If you want to stick around, we can ask them. Alya was the soberest one of us all. She might have seen them. Would spare us some trouble if she did."

"Sounds good," Marinette said. "Might as well introduce myself to the person who was nice enough to help me out yesterday."

"You'll like them," Adrien smiled. "Shall we go?"

Marinette nodded, picking up her purse.

Adrien motioned for her to go out first. "Nice outfit, by the way."

She rolled her eyes. "I know this is your favourite t-shirt. You've told me that at least a dozen times already. But I'm still not sorry for choosing it. It's the only one big enough for me to serve as a dress. I'll give it back to you next week, you big whiny baby."

Adrien chuckled. "No, really. I mean it. It looks great on you. Wouldn't even say it's not a dress. And the scarf adds a nice touch. Still can't believe it was the design that got you into Gabriel. I love that scarf; wore it for years. It's soft and light but still very warm. Nice work."

"Thanks," she said, her cheeks adorably rosy. "I'm just glad it hides your masterpiece on my neck for now, but your makeup thingy better work. It's too hot to wear a scarf or a turtleneck to dinner with my parents without them suspecting anything."

"I promise it will. They won't suspect a thing." Adrien opened the door to the outside for her. "Would you like to walk there? The store isn't that far away, and fresh air might help us clear our heads."

"Sure. Lead the way."

Starting to the nearest Sephora, Adrien cautiously voiced a question he hesitated to ask until now. "Do you remember anything from the last night?"

Marinette pursed her lips. "I remember our annual charades challenge with Kim and Alix. Only, I was dateless, so I didn't have a partner. That's when I saw you and thought why not? You wanted to get to know people in the company. This was a fun way to start."

"It was fun," Adrien chuckled. "I'd love to do it again sometime... without the vodka plank, though."

Marinette giggled. "I'd like that too. Or at least a less extreme plank."

Adrien grinned. "Eat a dozen croissants plank."

"That's not a plank. That's a reward for you."

He laughed. "Guilty as charged. How about next weekend?"

She looked at him, her eyes wide. "Next weekend what?"

"We get together for a game night. I'll invite Nino and Alya. My place. Pizza. No alcohol. So? It'll be fun."