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Hey, sweet kitty. How’s Rome? I miss you x
Adrien looked at his phone reading the text message from Marinette. He missed her so much. He missed Paris. These next four months were going to be hard.
Hey Bugaboo, it’s been a hot day here again and the shoots have been relentless. Another summer day down though, and a day closer to you. I miss you more x
“Adrien, we need you back on set.” With a sigh, he stood up and made his way over to the statue they were shooting in front of.
4 days complete … 116 days until he was home.
~~~~~~~~~
Hey, Chaton. The shoot photos have appeared in the magazines. I may have brought all the ones you’ve appeared in. Call me a stalker if you want … I can take it *wink emoji* x
“Adrien, over here.”
“Adrien, this way.”
The paparazzi were out full force for the Gabriel show, shouting and screaming his name. People wanting photos and interviews with the French supermodel.
“Adrien, Nadja Chamack is here. She wants you to do an interview to broadcast back home.” Nathalie pulled the blonde over to where the friendly face stood.
“Hey, Nadja.”
“Hi Adrien, you’re looking very well. It’s great to see you.” Adrien smiled at the reporter, happy to see someone who could answer a question from him.
“Thank you. Have you seen Marinette recently? Is she ok?”
Nadja smiled at the model, knowing full well his current infatuation with the raven haired designer.
“She’s good, sometimes I think she’s missing someone though.” Nadja winked at Adrien. He smiled, his Lady was good.
20 days complete … 100 until he was home.
~~~~~~~~~~
Mari? Are you ok? You’re not answering your phone. Please message or call me, I’m worried x
Sorry for worrying you, kitty. It took a lot longer than expected to rescue the people from the fire. Had to call on additional help, but I promise I’m ok. We’re all ok. I missed my partner a lot today x
Marinette turned off her phone and placed it down on her desk, before pulling out yet another piece of paper to begin a letter. She’s written one everyday since Adrien left on his Gabriel world tour.
I’m fine baby, how are you?
She continued to write until she was at a loss at what to say. With no other words, she sealed the letter and placed it into the box.
One for everyday he’s been gone.
40 letters written … 80 more to write.
~~~~~~~~~~
Hey Bugaboo, flights boarding to the USA shortly. Apparently it’s straight to a shoot when I arrive … oh joys. I was thinking about our first dance today, at Chloe’s party. It was the first time I’d danced with a girl. I’m glad that girl was you x
Adrien sat on the private jet, face solemn and frustrated. Another place, another country, another day away from Marinette. What if someone came around whilst he was gone and wooed? He’d seen a lot of pictures of her with the other temporary heroes, especially Viperion. What if she’d found a new partner? That’d been issues before, he didn’t want it to happen again.
“Adrien, you should feel lucky. Not everyone has these amazing opportunities. Now cheer up, your sad face won’t help the brand.” Gabriel Agreste again was named father of the year. Seriously, his father just didn’t care, adding to Adrien’s loneliness.
It was ok for him, he got to fly back to Paris in between shoots. Not Adrien though, he had to stay with Nathalie and promote. He was missing school and missing his friends, but most of all he was missing Marinette.
60 days complete … he was half way home.
~~~~~~~~~~
I heard this joke today and thought to myself, I need to make sure I message and tell Adrien. So here it is. What did the cat say when it was confused? "I'm purr-plexed!" I’ll look forward to hearing you say that on patrol. Oh no, I’ve just given you ammunition… abort, abort. Yours always, Marinette x
Yours always? Was it wrong for him to hope?
“Father,” Adrien had managed to gain a meeting with his father during their break in Hawaii.
“What’s wrong, Adrien?”
“It’s my birthday next week. Is there any chance I can go home for it? I would like to spend it with my friends in Paris.” Adrien knew what the answer would be already, he didn’t know why he was even asking.
“The jet lag will damage the shine to your skin.”
Adrien sat there for the next twenty minutes in silence, obviously the conversation was over.
72 days complete … 48 days until he was home.
~~~~~~~~~
Time: France - Midday; Australia - 8pm
“Happy Birthday Dude!” Nino had his face right up to the camera, blocking everyone else from view. Adrien couldn’t help but laugh.
“Get out the way Nino, we all need to speak to him!” Alya’s hands appeared on Nino’s shoulders and pulled him away from the camera.
He should have been there with his friends. It was his party they were throwing, but instead he was in Australia. He was so grateful and thankful for his friends. They were the only relationships right in his life.
He looked into the screen and saw Kagami, Kim, Alya, Nino, Luka and other members of his class. But there was one missing. Where was she?
“Hey, Adrien. Sorry I’m late.”
Marinette suddenly appeared on camera, cake in hands with his name on it.
“Present from my pops. I’m afraid we’ll have to eat it though, I don’t think it’ll keep well. But we’ll make you another for when you’re back.”
He smiled at the Angel on the screen. She was the best friend anyone could ask for. She was kind and caring, and so thoughtful.
“That’s fine, Mari. I’m just grateful for what you’re all doing for me.”
“It was the dudette’s idea.” Nino placed a hand on a blushing Marinette’s shoulder. Of course it was her idea. She was perfect.
“I wish I could be there with you all.” Adrien suddenly felt lonely, looking down at the floor. He hated being away from Paris. Music started up in the background and he knew everyone would be dancing.
“You’ll be back soon, kitty. I’m excited - I mean - we’re all excited for you to come home.” He looked up into the eyes he dreamed constantly about. “I miss you.” She whispered and he could see the glistening over the vivid blue.
He wanted to cheer her up, he needed to make that beautiful smile come back.
79 days complete … 41 days until he was home.
~~~~~~~~~~
I think your uncle wants to adopt me! I’ve seen him more than my father since I’ve been in Shanghai. He’s so cool! I might just stay here forever, I’ll be fed like a God. I’m meeting with Fei later for a shopping trip, Plagg’s not enjoying being around the renlings, apparently he'd prefer to spend a year with Trixx than another day with them. He’s currently hiding in my hotel room. I miss you, hugs x
Marinette placed her chin in her hand as she looked out the window. The first snow of winter. Christmas was coming, and the warm scent of the bakery kept her calm. The last akuma attack was hard. She was close to transporting Adrien back to help her, she didn’t want to bring attention to him though. He’s been under lock and key. They’d know he was missing and comprise something that was already borderline fragile.
“Marinette? Are you ready?” Luka appeared at her trapdoor, coat wrapped around him and hat on his head. He was dusted in snow and Marinette laughed.
“You look like a snowman!” She stated, walking over to him and brushing off the snow.
His soft smile warmed her heart. It had felt so icy recently.
“What time is the movie? Is there a chance to go Christmas shopping before or after?”
“I’m sure we can make time, anything to get you out the house.” They began to make their way downstairs when Marinette quickly remembered something.
She ran back to her desk and grabbed a scarf.
“I made this for you.” She wrapped it around his neck and smiled. “Perfect fit.”
They walked down the stairs and out into the Paris snowstorm.
110 days complete … 10 days to go.
~~~~~~~~~~
Five days.
He just had to get through five days.
He was in Germany, he was so close to home.
“We’re expanding the trip.”
Adrien looked up from his phone. What?
“I’ve added an additional stop to Norway and England. We will arrive home just after Christmas, that way -“
“No,” Adrien stopped his father.
“What do you mean no?”
“I mean no, father. I’m going home, as planned, in five days. I’ve done everything you’ve asked. I want to go home, I’m done.”
“Done? I will tell you when you’re done! Stop being such an ungrateful child.” Gabriel sat in a stare off with his son. One thing was for sure, Adrien received his stubbornness from his father.
“You either let me go by my own choice, or I’ll run away. I’ve missed the summer with my friends, I’ve missed my birthday and most of theirs. I just want to go home. It’s Christmas! Please!” Tears began to run down his face. “If you love me at all, father, you’ll let me go home.”
~~~~~~~~~~
“Quick Marinette!” Nino ran up into his friend's bedroom and grabbed her hand.
“Wow! Nino, where’s the fire?”
“He’s back Mari!” Marinette stood up and rushed to grab her coat.
They both made their way to the trapdoor, only for Marinette to stop and turn back. Grabbing the box that consisted of one hundred and twenty letters.
“I’ll find Alya and meet you there.”
“Let’s go.”
~~~~~~~~~~
Adrien stepped foot into the mansion and smiled. He was home. Finally, he was back home.
Within ten minutes of arriving there was a knock on the door. Nino, he thought.
As he opened the door he saw a gleam of light. He wasn’t sure if it was the sun reflecting on the snow, or the girl standing at his door.
“Marinette?”
She smiled at him and shoved a box into his arms.
“What’s this?”
“That's my answer.”
~~~~~~~~~~
The night before Adrien left …
“All this time it’s been you.” Marinette shook her masked face slightly as she looked at her partner. How stupid had they been?
“I can’t believe I have to go away for four months, on the day I find out who you are. What bad luck!”
“Well, you are a black cat.” She bumped his shoulder and giggled. His heart soared.
They sat in silence for a length of time. Taking everything in. After a heartbreaking conversation they revealed everything, from their identities to their crushes on each other.
“So where does this leave us?” Adrien asked. He needed an answer.
~~~~~~~~~~
“In that box is a letter for every day you’ve been gone.”
“You wrote me a letter everyday?” Adrien questioned, shock and awe on his face.
“Yes.” She blushed a faint pink, before lunging forward and placing her lips to his cheek, leaving a small kiss. “You have one hundred and twenty love letters to read, each detailing how hopelessly in love with you I am.”
He smiled at her, he’d never felt so light and free in his life. Dropping the box he grabbed her face in between his hands and kissed her softly on the lips.
“I love you, kitty.”
“I love you too, Marinette.”