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This was getting much harder than Adrien had expected. It had been six months since he and Marinette had found out their secret identities. It had been six months since he had softly kissed her under the moonlight and asked her to be his girlfriend. It had also been six months since his father had told him in no uncertain terms that he could not have a girlfriend until he was eighteen. Eighteen! Like he could live another whole year without his Lady’s sweet kisses. It was so unfair, but Gabriel was hung up on Adrien’s teen heartthrob image and that was that.
There was a torture even worse than this though. It was the fact that the love of his life sat behind him in class everyday, a hair's breadth away from him and there wasn’t a thing he could do about it. He couldn’t kiss her good morning when she arrived at school, he couldn’t hold her hand in the corridors and he couldn’t say ‘I love you’ out loud in case somebody heard. Adrien’s father had made it very clear that if he got even a hint that Adrien was dating behind his back, he would pull him straight out of school and he and Marinette were very aware that Lila was always snooping around waiting for any opportunity to snitch.
Now somewhere in the back of Adrien’s mind, which sounded an awful lot like Plagg, he wanted to tell his father where he could go stick his rules, wrap Marinette up in his arms, preferably in front of some paparazzi, and smother her in all the kisses she deserved - the consequences be damned. After all, he could just transform and still see her whenever he liked anyway.
Marinette of course kept a cooler head than him, her Ladybug instincts kicking in to remind him that after he turned 18, his father would have no control over who he dated, nor could he remove him from school. They just needed to be patient. She also told him she would miss seeing his smile if he wasn’t in class, because it made her happy. Who was he to deny his Lady’s happiness? So he bit his lip and tried to concentrate on what Ms Busier was saying about Napoleon and the Battle of Waterloo. This was proving more difficult every time the breeze outside blew through the windows, sending the distinct smell of her perfume in his direction. He could only blame himself since he was the one that bought it for her, but the smell was driving him crazy.
“Alright class, the bell is about to ring so start packing up. Remember your draft assignments are due on Monday.” Ms Bustier said cheerily and there was a resounding yes whispered around the room. Thank god for Friday!
When class ended, he slowly packed his things so he could watch Marinette as she headed towards the door. She looked behind her over her shoulder as she walked past, their eyes connecting momentarily with him…until she crashed into the back of Chloé.
“Watch where you're walking Dupain-Cheng! You’ll put wrinkles into my new jacket.” The blonde chided, flicking her high ponytail and clicking her fingers for Sabrina to follow her. Marinette stole another glance back at Adrien, who was chuckling to himself and she playfully narrowed her eyes at him with a pout. He so wanted to run over and kiss that pout. He needed to talk to her though before she left, sending a text wasn’t going to cut it.
Adrien waited behind a corner for Marinette to leave from the locker rooms. She soon emerged with Alya and Mylène, who were in deep conversation over a story currently running on the Ladyblog.
“Pssst, Marinette.” He whispered as she passed by where he was. Marinette slowed her pace at the sound of his voice, letting Alya and Mylène get ahead of her. A moment later, she felt his hand grip hers and pull her around the corner. The two of them ran behind the school building where they were obscured by the bushes and shrubbery.
Adrien lent his back against the brick wall, pulling Marinette to him, his hands cradling her close and kissing her like he hadn’t seen her in weeks, at times it felt like it, even if he saw her everyday.
“I’ve missed you.” He whispered between kisses.
“I missed you too Kitty.” She whispered back. “But this is risky. What if someone sees us?”
“I know Bug.” He said, tucking a stray hair behind her ear. “But I need to see you. Do you know what today is?”
Marinette looked at him with confusion. “Ah…Friday?” She asked. Adrien chuckled, shaking his head.
“No M’lady…we’ll yes it is Friday, but it’s our six month anniversary.”
Her face softened and she bopped him on the nose. “Trust you to remember.” She cooed, giving him another peck on the lips.
“Of course I remember, and I have a surprise all organised for us tonight.”
Marientte’s face dropped. “Oh Adrien, I don’t know. It isn’t a patrol night and we have that assignment for Ms Bustier and…” He placed a finger over her lips.
“I’ll sneak over tomorrow night and help you with it. Please Bug, I just want to pamper you like a proper boyfriend.” Then he turned on the Kitty eyes. Marinette let out a defeated sigh. She never could compete against his Kitty eyes, even when he was out of the mask.
“Okay, you win. I’ll be there.” Adrien’s face lit up like Christmas and he lent down to kiss her again.
“Marinette!”
The two secret lovers stopped mid movement, their eyes widening.
“It’s Alya.” Marinette whispered. “Quick, go back around the building. I’ll go this way.”
Marinette moved to leave when Adrien grabbed her wrist, pulling her back towards him and quickly giving her another kiss on the lips. “See you tonight.” He said before running off.
“Marinette?” Alya called again just as her best friend emerged out of the bushes. “Marinette, what on Earth were you doing?”
“0h…um…I thought I heard a kitten…meowing…in the bushes.” She flubbed. “I guess it ran off?” Alya looked at her with a skeptical eye but shrugged it off.
“Okay…? Anyway, I wanted to show you these new photos that got sent to the Ladyblog…”
Marinette tuned out from what Alya was prattling on about as they walked towards the bakery, her mind already on what Adrien had planned for her tonight. She always knew that Chat was a romantic, but he had really turned up the dial after their identities were revealed. If she were being honest, it was getting more and more difficult to hide all the roses he was giving her and she wondered if he was pinching them out of his own garden!
“Marinette, are you even listening to me?”
The bluenette blinked her eyes at best friend’s expected expression and realised that Alya must have asked her a question.
“Sorry, my mind was a million miles away.” She said apologetically.
Alya gave her a knowing smirk. “Let me guess, thoughts about a certain blond model by any chance?” Marinette just gave her a shy look. Well, she wasn’t wrong.
Her best friend slung her arm around her shoulders. “Don't worry girl, we’ll get you to confess one of these days. Why don’t we invite Adrien to come to the movies with us on Saturday. We could even try to get some of Andre’s ice cream after.” She said in a sing-song voice with a wink and a nudge. Marinette had to hold back on laughing. Without even knowing it, Alya and Nino had provided many date opportunities under the cover of friends just hanging out.
When they arrived at the bakery, Alya picked up an order her mother had made for dessert and was chatting to Sabine. Out of nowhere, there was suddenly a squeaky sneeze. Alya and Sabine both turned to look at Marinette, who quickly covered her nose and pretended to sneeze again, emulating the sound they just heard.
“Sorry.” She said with a too wide smile. “I guess something tickled my nose.”
Once Alya had left, Marinette raced up the stairs to her room and took Tikki out of her bag. “Are you alright?” She asked with concern.
The little red Kwami gave her a tired smile. “I’m fine Marinette. I’ll just have a little nap before you need to go out and meet Adrien.”
“Are you sure?” Marinette questioned again. “Because if you're not well you can tell me.”
“It’s nothing.” Tikki reassured her. “I’ll be as good as new after a nap.”
Marinette laid Tikki in her little bed and went downstairs to help clean up the bakery. After dinner, she excused herself for the night, citing lots of homework and raced up the stairs back to her room. It had been hard to concentrate on the conversation at dinner, her mind drifting to what her Kitty had in store for her tonight, but also on Tikki upstairs.
When Marinette came into the room, she was surprised to see Sass, Pollen, Roar and Wayzz sitting near Tikki’s bed.
“What’s going on?” Marinette asked, a sinking feeling hitting her stomach.
“I believe Tikki is sick, dear Guardian.” Pollen said, shaking her head.
“I have seen thisssss before.” Sass hissed. “She has the shiversssss.”
“You need to treat her.” Roar added. “Before she gets worse.”
“Treat her?” Marinette exclaimed in alarm. “I don’t know how?”
“You saw Master Fu do it before, remember.” Wayzz gently reminded her. “It’s in the Grimoire what needs to be done.”
“I don’t remember what he did”. Marinette exclaimed while waving her arms around. “I didn’t even know that was Master Fu at the time!”
“Marinette…” Tikki called weakly.
“Yes Tikki.” Marinette leant down closer to her Kwami and gently touched her head.
“I’m so sorry.” She said, her little body shaking. “I thought I would be alright until after your date. I didn’t want you to miss seeing Adrien for your anniversary night.”
“Oh Tikki, it’s not your fault. I’ll…l'll get the Grimoire and we can figure this out.”
Marinette got out her tablet and opened the locked file with the Grimoire. There were parts that she was still trying to figure out, but Master Fu had deciphered the chapter on Kwami healing which he had used on Tikki a few years earlier.
“Wayzz, I don’t know if I can do this.” She lamented, reading over the instructions.
“You are the Guardian, Marinette. You can do this. Master Fu had faith in you and you know that we kwami’s do too.”
Marinette could feel a pickling of a tear in her eye at the faith of the kwami’s in her. With a determined nod, she set to work.
Time ticked on, but Marinette kept her head on the task at hand. Once she was done, she looked into Tikki’s bed and saw the Kwami sitting up.
“How are you feeling?” She asked anxiously.
“Better.” Tikki said. “But I don’t think I can transform you just yet.”
“Oh no.” Marinette cried out, grabbing her pigtails. “I did it wrong, didn't I? I’m the most useless Guardian ever!”
“Not at all Marinette.” Tikki tried to reassure her. “But it’s your first time trying it, so it will take longer to take effect. I’m sorry.”
Marinette slumped onto her chaise. “It’s alright Tikki. It’s not your fault you got sick.”
Marinette debated whether to ring Adrien and tell him she wouldn’t be able to come. She then looked at the other kwamis that were gathered around and a smirk spread across her lips.
~~~~~
Chat Noir carefully lit the candles he had set up along the railing. The moon was full and high, and it reminded him of the time he had wanted to bring Ladybug here, but she never showed up. He chuckled to himself that he had brought her there as Marinette to cheer her up. He should have known then, but he was so grateful that he knew now.
Fluffing up the beanbags he had put there, Chat settled on one, wondering where his lady was. It wasn’t unlike her to be late though, so he wasn’t worried, kicking back and crossing his arms behind his head and humming a tune to himself as the warm summer breeze blew over him.
It wasn’t much longer that Chat heard feet landing with a soft thud. He leaned his head right back behind him ready with a cheeky grin…and promptly fell off the beanbag he had been leaning on when he saw her.
Scrambling around onto his feet, Chat was confused at the purple outfit, but recognised his Lady’s bluebell eyes, and the dark hair nestled under a pair of…soft cat ears? Chat swallowed, trying to moisten his now very dry mouth. “M’lady Meow.” He exclaimed in amazement, not even realising he’d muddled his words. His eyes clearly appreciated her new stripes.
“Surprise.” She said with a shy wave. “I hope you don’t mind stripes instead of spots tonight. Tikki was sick earlier. She’s alright now, but needs time to rest.”
Chat stalked across the rooftop with a swagger that resembled a cat on the prowl. He was trying very hard not to laugh as he tried to pull his best smoulder. He was almost certain he could see her cheeks pinking under the purple mask she was wearing.
When he was close enough, he picked up her hand and softly planted a kiss on the inside of her wrist, making her shiver. “You know you look good no matter what Miraculous you wear, Marinette.” He practically purred. “I think I’ll call you my Lady Tigress.”
“I like it.” She smiled and they both laughed. She looked up at him through her longer lashes. Placing her hands on his chest, she raised up onto her toes where he met her half way. Unlike the frantic kisses from earlier, this was soft and languid, both taking their time to savour each other as he wrapped his arms around her back, bringing her closer.
Chat then guided her over to where he had a late night picnic set up, complete with cakes and…
“Is that champagne?” She questioned as Chat picked up the small bottle, which was maybe half the size of a normal bottle, and started to unscrew it.
“I pinched it out of my father’s cellar. He won’t notice it missing anyway, there’s like dozens of these. Besides, I only bring the best for my Bugaboo.” He then gave her a thoughtful look up and down that could only mean mischief. “Or should that be Kittyboo?”
“Chat...” She warned him with a cheeky smile. Chat poured the contents of the bottle between two glasses, still grinning. “I know that look Chaton, what are you thinking?”
“Nothing.” He said, feigning innocence as he handed her one of the glasses. “I was just remembering back to when you wore my Miraculous. No wonder I couldn’t concentrate that day.”
Marinette gave an appreciative humm. “You didn’t look so bad in my Miraculous either.” She mused before looking at the glass in her hand. “Um…should we really be drinking this? I mean, technically we’re underage.”
Chat chuckled. “M’lady, the first rule of being a cat is that they never do as they are told and break the rules. Secondly, I seriously doubt anyone is about to check our I.Ds.”
“You're a bad influence, you know that, don't you?” She giggled, taking a sip of the Champagne. “Oh.” She exclaimed as the bubbles tickled her nose. “It’s not what I expected. The last time I tried champagne at a wedding it was kind of bitter. This is sweet.” She held it up to the light. “Is it pink?”
Chat nodded his head. “Yep. Sometimes the investors give bottles of wine and Champagne as gifts. These were samples my father got about a year ago. Technically this isn’t Champagne though because it’s not French, it’s Australian sparkling wine. You’re not allowed to call it champagne unless it’s made here in France. Actually this one goes really well with cheese, but don’t tell Plagg that. I’m not sure I’m up for finding out what a drunk Kwami of destruction could do.”
Chat looked at Lady Tigress to see an amused look on her face. “What?” He asked, a nervous smile creeping onto his face as he rubbed the back of his neck.
“The things you know about Kitty.” She chuckled, reaching a hand up to cup his cheek. Chat leant into her touch, his eyes full of adoration. ”But that’s why I love you.” Without even thinking about it, his tail curled around her own.
Chat took her by the hand and led her over to where he had the beanbags scattered on a rug. Chat made himself comfortable and invited his Lady Tigress to cosy up next to him. “I’ll tell you something else I know.” He said, leaning in towards her ear. “I bet I can make you purr.”
Marinette almost choked on her sip of champagne and felt her face growing red under the mask. “Adrien.” She gasped. “I’m not sure I’m quite ready for that. I know this is a special occasion and all, and I love being here with you and, I know one day soon we will get to that, but…We’ve only been dating for six months and...”
She stopped rambling at the confused look on Chat’s face. He then suddenly broke out with laughter. “I didn’t mean it that way.” He chuckled, kissing her on the forehead softly. “Although I’m sure you and I will make some pretty cute kittens one day.”
Marinette made the most adorable eep and Chat continued to stroke her hair. “What I meant was, you often scratch my head between my cat ears and it’s always so relaxing that I start to purr, I’m sure if I was to do the same for you, you would start to purr too.”
“Oh.” She replied, her face feeling hot again. Maybe she could blame the champagne and not her own imagination that her mind had been on…other things.
Adrien, being the gentleman he was, didn’t want to make her uncomfortable by teasing her for the misunderstanding and instead shifted slightly and patted his lap. “Rest your head here and just close your eyes.” He said, his voice soft and warm.
Marinette had another sip of her drink, putting the glass down and laying her head on her boyfriend's lap. Soon she felt his clawed fingers remove her hair tie and sink into her hair, just behind her tiger ears. He was right, it really was relaxing.
“How does that feel?” He asked.
“Wonderful.” She said, her shoulders relaxing as he worked his magic.
“You know next time for our anniversary I’m going to take you to the best restaurant in Paris.” Chat said, his other hand linking with hers.
Lady Tigress opened her eyes to look at him. “What do you think your father will do when he finds out about us?”
Chat stilled his hand for a moment. “Probably disown me.” He said matter of fact, looking out to the horizon. He felt her hand squeeze his and he looked down at her. “Don’t worry Marinette, he can if he wants. I’ll have my trust fund, he can’t take that from me. We’ll be okay, I promise.”
“I know we will.” Marinette said. Chat leaned down and kissed her before continuing with his ministrations. “I don’t need a fancy restaurant, minou, this is just purrrfect as it it.”
“Is that a pun M’lady?” Chat chuckled.
Lady Tigress hummed. “Well, didn’t you say cats break the rules.” She smirked. Closing her eyes, Marinette vaguely became aware of her tail moving of its own accord.
Chat snuggled back more into the beanbag, resting his head back. It wasn’t long before he heard a soft purr drift into the night sky. Looking down, he could see that his Lady had fallen asleep. Taking out his baton, Chat set his alarm and snuggled in to take a nap himself.
It might not have been the way he wanted to celebrate, but just being here with his love snuggled content in his arms was all that Chat could have wanted - even if she was wearing stripes instead of spots.