Until We Meet Again

Chapter 6: Safe

The morning with Chat was incredible. It had been so long since I’d last seen him, and we got to talk about what we couldn’t put into our letters. After we talked I went to my final coronation fitting. The dress was gorgeous, it was a cream silk high-low ball gown with little ruffles that looked like small feathers. The inside was a blue and white porcelain pattern with intricate floral designs. The outside was like a western style ball gown while the inside was influenced by eastern designs. It was my design, but it was being made by Gabriel Agreste. I'm sure I’ll ruffle some feathers by not wearing something traditional, but I didn’t care, I had designed it.

I got a break after my harp lesson, before dinner. I decided to call Adrien, we were going to meet up at a cafe about fifteen minutes away.

There was a knock at the door.

“Come in.”

“Princess, your car is waiting to take you to the cafe. Wang Xiu Ying will be your security for today. She will not get in your way, but she’ll make sure you are safe. Nothing serious. It is a cafe after all.”

“Thank you, Meilin. I will be back before dinner.”

“Of course, princess. Shall I escort you to the car?”

“No thank you, Meilin,”

Meilin closed the door behind her. I finished up with the final touches of my make-up, grabbed my purse and walked down to the Bentley.

“Hello, Wang Xiu Ying.”

“Good afternoon miss. We will be going to Kiehl’s Coffee House?” I nodded in confirmation.

Fifteen minutes later we had arrived at Kiehl’s, the place was moderately busy, but there were a couple tables open. I decided that I would wait and order with Adrien when he got here. I couldn’t believe that I would be telling another person my secret. My two favorite blondes would know my secret.

I waited for about ten minutes until Adrien got there. Wang Xiu Ying sat at the table next to me, the tables only sat two people. I was wearing large sunglasses to avoid recognition as well.

I felt someone tap my shoulder, “Marinette? Is that you?” I heard the person say, in French.

I turned around to the familiar voice, “Bonsoir, Adrien. Thanks for meeting me. You didn’t tell Alya and Nino did you?”

“No, I just told them that I was meeting up with an old friend.” Adrien said with a small snicker.

“Well, at least you didn’t lie to them.” I giggled “Do you want to order? My treat.” 

“Sure”

We went up to the order, I got a lemon tart with an iced chai tea, and Adrien got a slice of carrot cake and an iced chai tea as well. His father doesn’t allow him to have coffee. He is worried that it will stain his teeth. 

“So,” I said slowly, not sure what to say to him, “what made you pick China for a vacation?” I didn’t look at Adrien as I picked at my tart.

“Well, you, actually.” I looked up at Adrien, my eyes wide. 

Had he just told me that he had known I was here. I must have heard him wrong. Had Chat Noir slipped up somehow? Did he deduce it? What had led him to know I was here? They were unspoken questions, but he somehow knew what I was thinking.

“Chat didn’t tell me. He knows that I know, but he told me I had to come clean and tell you that I had known you were here. Although, I didn't expect to find you so soon.”

“You know Chat’s identity then?”

“Yes, I always have.” Adrien answered simply.

“What exactly do you know about me?” How much did Adrien know? What brought him to know I was here?

“Well, for starters, you and Chat Noir are dating.”

I scoffed, “Yet you thought you could kiss me earlier? While fully knowing I was in a relationship with your best friend?”

“Yeah, I’m really sorry about that. Truly. I don’t know what came over me. It was just a rush of emotions I suppose.”

Even hours after he had kissed me, I could still taste it on my lips. There was something about that kiss. It was as electric as any kiss with Chat Noir. Everything about it was familiar. Down to the hair that touched my face. It was an absolutely preposterous notion of course. To wish that my boyfriend could be the boy sitting in front of me in this coffee house. They looked similar of course, but their personalities couldn’t be more different. They were day and night, they go well together, but they’re completely different. Adrien was subdued and quiet, but still kind. Chat was rambunctious, eccentric, caring, but most importantly loyal. Not to say Adrien isn’t loyal or caring, but those just really shine through with Chat. He would often avoid interviews just so he could comfort victims who had really been shaken up by being akumatized. He was selfless, he took blows for her left and right. 

"Chat knows what happened, and lucky for you, he likes you." I stated matter-of-factly.

"Yes, I'm sure if I were anyone else, my head would be on the end of his staff." Adrien chuckled lightly.

"What else do you know?" I lowered my voice, not certain of what he would say next.

"Well, princess, I think I've figured out just about everything. Princess by day superhero by night, loyal girlfriend any time. Future Empress of Imperial China. Did I miss anything?"

I want to run. Every instinct I have is telling me to run right now. My illusion had shattered. The guise I worked so hard to maintain had finally slipped. If Adrien knew, who else knew? Does Hawkmoth know? If Hawkmonth knows, how can I keep my people safe? I could feel my face getting hotter as tears threatened to spill from my eyes. Until Adrien set his hand on mine. I could feel a jolt of energy move from the tips of my fingers, up my arm, and across my body. It was strange. As if the energy was a wave of déjà vu washing over me. I was calm now, although I felt tears stream down my cheeks.

"I'm not going to hurt you, Marinette." I looked up at Adrien through thick, wet lashes. "I would never hurt you. Chat Noir and I will always do everything in our power to keep you and your identity safe. Just as we know you would do for Chat. I know that the two of you have gone to great lengths to protect each other. If you are willing to do that for my best friend, I am more than willing to do it for you." Adrien's words were like a warm blanket being wrapped around me in the bitter cold. I felt safe again. It was a powerful feeling. Adrien wouldn't tell anyone. Hawkmonth wouldn't find out. Maybe Adrien and Chat Noir weren't so different after all.