Chapter Text
When the first streams of daylight pushed him to awaken that next morning, Adrien glanced over at the large bouquet of red roses on his bedside table.
Smiling softly, he turned onto his side, tucking the arm beneath his pillow to hug as if it were her instead.
Marinette never failed to turn his world upside down with one of her plans.
His lips curved into a smirk. Of course, that meant he would have to try that much harder to sweep her off her feet.
His father couldn’t possibly complain about him being fond of the heroine of Paris. Not without running the risk of a pure Public Relations nightmare. Marinette’s resume was impressive, but she wasn’t as well known without the mask.
Ladybug had even saved them both before.
“Sir, I think you need to see this.” Nathalie frowned, after hobbling down the hall to his study.
Brows furrowed, Gabriel somberly accepted the tablet.
He scowled at the sight of the Ladyblog, pushing it back into her hands. “I don’t want to read that garbage.”
Nathalie sighed before descending into a brief coughing fit. “Normally, I wouldn’t bother. However, it seems that the young reporter got a tip that Ladybug was headed to the mansion.” She expanded the image, showing a short snippet of a video of Ladybug sweeping his son right off his feet, through his window like he was some sort of smitten Juliet.
Smiling just as Emelie so often had...in the arms of his sworn enemy.
He scowled. “Adrien doesn’t understand.”
Nathalie nodded wearily. “He doesn’t know you’re fighting her, sir.”
Gabriel’s eyes narrowed over his steepled fingers pressed before his lips. “That’s a problem that will need to be remedied.”
As soon as his lonely dinner was done that evening, Ladybug was knocking at his window with a fresh batch of homemade cookies.
Grinning, Adrien ushered her inside, helping her down gently from the window.
“Did you make those for me?”
She snorted, rising up on her tiptoes to brush her lips to his cheek. “I made them for us. I even brought a cheese danish for Plagg.”
Flitting out from his hiding place on Adrien’s desk, Plagg zipped over to hug her cheek. “You’re the best Guardian we’ve ever had. Don’t let Wayzz tell you otherwise. He’s totally biased.”
Adrien beamed. “I’m definitely inclined to agree.”
As she smiled up at him sweetly, Plagg gagged audibly. “Ugh… they’re going to be gross.”
Adrien rolled his eyes, nodding to the giant pile of Camembert teetering on the corner of the desk. “That is why we made the special stop at the fromagerie earlier. Plus you can borrow my headphones to tune us out while you keep an eye out on the news for any sign of battle.”
Sighing dramatically, Plagg finally relented. “Okay. But only because she brought the danish…”
Ladybug patted Plagg’s head fondly.
Adrien tugged her away before Plagg could grumble anymore, leading her hand and hand over to the couch. “I found a movie I thought you’d like.”
Ladybug’s jaw dropped as the title came up. “Isn’t this Jagged Stone’s movie? How did you even get this? I didn’t think it was supposed to be out yet…”
Grinning mischievously, Adrien patted the seat beside him. “I might have called in a favor. After all, with my schedule it’s next to impossible to get out to the movies these days.”
Ladybug smirked, cuddling up against his side as the intro theme kicked in. “It must be so hard being Paris’s favorite model.”
“All those early morning hours…” Adrien sighed and shook his head. “You would hate it.”
She snorted, picking up his hand and lacing her fingers between his. “You already do hate it.”
“You’re the only one who knows me so well.” Squeezing her hand, he beamed back at her. Clearing his throat, his voice rose a little louder just in case Plagg’s weren’t the only ears listening in. “I can’t imagine it is any easier being Paris’ favorite superhero.”
Grinning, Ladybug glanced over at him before suddenly shifting in her seat to press her lips to his cheek. “You’re very awfully sweet to say so,” she said aloud, before shifting back slightly towards his ear to whisper. “Of course, I think my partner is actually a lot higher up in the rankings than he thinks.”
The tips of his eyes turned a dark pink. Carefully, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “You are an amazing team, but I am a little biased.”
“Ah, Adrien.” Ladybug chuckled as she rested her head against his shoulder. “So am I.”
When the morning’s news showed Ladybug leaving his son’s window late at night, Gabriel threw his tablet at the wall.
“Nathalie,” he shouted, glaring angrily at the large bay windows in his study.
“Sir?” she echoed.
“I want bars installed on Adrien’s window.” The vein practically bulged at his temples. “ By this evening.”
The phone was already in her hand, as she stared at him quizzically. “I’m not sure I can even get someone to evaluate for a quote today.”
“I will not tolerate that nasty bug under my own roof.” His eyes narrowed coldly. “We’re too close now. We cannot afford to have her looking too closely.”