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“I’ve heard of ignoring your guests, but ignoring your hosts is a new one for me.” Luka brushed some of the accumulated snow off the railing and settled himself beside Chloe. The sounds of music and joy coming from the houseboat were clear even with Anarka’s pledge(enforced by Luka and Juleka) to keep everything below decks this year.
She looked up at him from under her puffy Ushanka, myriad braids turning her into some slavic princess for the night instead of a French one. “Sorry.” She murmured, and Luka knew it was serious. Simple apologies were rarer than diamonds from his sun. No elaboration came, she simply blew into her hands and huddled a little more against the evening chill in her thick fur coat.
“Going to tell me what’s bothering you, or do I need to pry it out?” Luka raised one hand to that sculpted jawline and turned her face up to his,”You know I have just the key to unlock those lips.” his thumb brushed gently below her chin while he held her gaze and true to form those painted lips parted reflexively. He could feel her falling and the sensation sent a spiral through him every bit as intense as the night they first met. No, that was a lie, it was far stronger now.
A familiar smirk curled those lips, though the viper’s poison was long gone from it. Instead of the rage of Hera the spirit of Puck now danced in those eyes. “It’s your family minstrel. They’re, a lot.” She closed those eyes. Both hands came up and took hold of his one. She nuzzled her cheek against his palm. No insult this, an admission. Luka had to focus. It was so easy to get caught up in her touch even when innocent.
“That can’t be all of it. You’ve got a family full of people who are ‘a lot.’” He cupped her cheek as she nuzzled in and drew her eyes back to his. “You, my lovely, are ‘a lot.’ “
She smiled and gave him a light shove that ended up with her sticking her hands in his jacket pockets. “That’s the problem isn’t it?” She leaned in, tucking herself under his chin. “It reminds me of my family.” She pulled a hand out to pat his chest. “Yours is far better, even if you do live on the water equivalent of an old bus.”
Luka snorted and wrapped her in a loose hug and waited. The tone had hinted there would be still more, but there was nothing gained interrupting someone puzzling out their feelings in real time.
“Being ‘a lot’ is tied to everything wrong. Mother is ‘a lot’. Before I met you I was ‘a lot’ on a daily basis. I know it’s not the same, the loudness and chaotic joy back there isn’t at all the same thing as what I did and grew up with, but it brings the memories all back.” Her hands were in his pockets again, her weight settled in a bit more firmly against him. “I can ignore it when I’m a part of it, when the show is the point. Here, I’m a guest. I’m an outsider being let into a private family moment. I’m not supposed to be the loud one, and when I’m not loud it’s just too quiet.”
Luka let silence be his response for a long moment, there were no easy answers and platitudes would only close the gates that had been opened. “I thought inviting you to a family Christmas party would be a good thing.” He splayed his fingers against her back, massaging in simple patterns. “When you told me you spent it alone last year, I just can’t imagine that.”
She pushed herself away from him, a brave smile firmly in place. “Oh I could have done the family thing.” She let out a breath. “I probably should have for Zoe’s sake. She tries hard with dad, and he likes to play house with her but I still just can’t bring myself to do it.”
“This is only my dad’s second Christmas with us too you know.” Luka pointed out. “I was mad at him too, part of me still is. Sixteen years and all just because he was too selfish to stop and be a father to the kids he’d made.” Luka felt his emotions knot, but long practice had taught him how to unknot them and let it out in a cleansing breath. “Juleka deserved a father.”
“She had you. You’re better than any of the fathers I’ve known.”
Luka laughed. “That’s kind of you to say, but it’s not the point.” Luka looked up to the overcast sky, snowflakes drifting like falling stars against the inky darkness. “I could have held a grudge, but what would be the point? It would just chase him away again, and there’s no gaining lost years back with cruelty. When someone reaches out, you need to take that hand. You don’t focus on the past hurt. You focus on the better future you’re going to build.” Luke laced the fingers of one hand with hers and pulled it back into his pocket, Her hand was icy. It drew her eyes back to him and he added one more word, “Together.”
Those sapphire eyes flashed. She squeezed his hand. “The world is lucky you’re sweeter than life minstrel. You could destroy at whim if you turned that honeyed tongue to evil.” She broke eye contact. “And, you’re right. I know you’re right. It’s still on me. I think part of it is just being mad he wasn’t there to help. That it fell on you to put me back together.”
“You did that yourself.” This reply was quick and his voice carried a conviction that lent an unnatural harshness to it. It was enough to bring her eyes back.
“We did it together.” she compromised. “For whatever reason you stuck around.”
“I’ve got a thing for girls who try to electrocute me on the first date.”
That made her eyes flash again, even as the memories stirred inside him as well. He could still feel her nails pricking him through his shirt, see that fey gaze. The storm had been the lesser of the natural forces at work that night.
Chloe turned to look back at the boat. “I’m just not there to forgiving him and moving on yet.”
“Tis the season as they say.”
She squeezed his hand again. “I know. I know I should. It’s on me that I don’t. I think… I think it’ll be easier once I move out next year. I can be a daughter instead of his little girl, and he can be a father instead of my daddykins.”
“It sounds like a fresh start. I’ll hold you to it.”
She pulled her hand free gently and patted his chest. “I know you will. That’s one of the many things that makes me love you.” She turned her face back to his. “How do you do this?”
“Do what?” he mused innocently, though he couldn’t keep the grin off his face and her expression shifted into exasperation.
“You know darn well what.” she flexed her fingers at him, nails out. Luka held his hands up defensively and they had a little mock-battle that ended with him holding her wrists and her half sprawled in his lap. Luka realized his balance was precarious, and the Seine would not be pleasant this time of year. She looked up at him from under a skewed hat. “I’m sitting here in knots and you just come and unwind it all in minutes.”
Luka kept his hold on her wrists and drew her up to him. “Oh that. That’s easy. I just start by loving you.” He stole a quick kiss from her lips.
“Ugh!” she fussed, curling her hands into little fists and wrestling with him; trying to free herself. “You’re lucky you’re so damn wonderful.”
Luka let her wrists go, only to catch her around the waist and pull her in against him before she could wrestle free. “I’ve got an angel inspiring me.”
She rolled her eyes at that, and stole a kiss of her own. “Okay, I’m ready to go back.”
“You sure? They’ll still be ‘a lot’. “
Chloe nodded. “I can manage, and maybe I’ll give some back.” She returned his embrace and squeezed hard, whispering in his ear. “You make it easier to be me.”
Luka grinned and turned his head to her. “Well, that’s good, because you is what I fell for.” He stole one more kiss then stood, drawing her up with him and brushing some of the snow off her coat.
She took a deep breath, letting it out in coils of steam. “We’ll call it an off-season Christmas Miracle.” She began walking towards the gangway. “Is there any chance of getting something to drink your mother hasn’t spiked yet?”
Luka followed. “The water, maybe. Don’t drink it too fast though just to be sure.”
Chloe paused just at the head of the gangway. She looked up. “How do you think they’re doing tonight?”
Luka looked up too, and out over Paris towards the hotel. “I think they’re being themselves.” He wrapped his arms around Chloe’s shoulders from behind and kissed the nape of her neck. “It was a sweet gift, giving them the time to do so.”
“I owed it to Marinette. Life owed it to Adrien.”
“What a difference two years makes.” Luka teased.
“Hush minstrel, or I’ll fire you.” She pressed back against him.
“Careful, if I’m not your minstrel I might have to try for a chance to be your husband.” He felt her shift at his words, a dip in her weight as she braced herself to avoid falling. Luka grinned even though she couldn’t see it.
“Let’s get inside before you make me do something very cold and enjoyable to you right here on deck.” Chloe pushed herself off his chest and began the walk down to the boat.
Luka followed after, still grinning and added one more salvo,” That might be, ‘a lot.’ “
—--------------------------------
“I can’t believe we’re doing this. Are you sure we’re doing this? It’s too late to not be doing this isn’t it?”
“What, holding hands? We’ve done this lots of times.”
“Haha, this was insane. It’s got to be one of her jokes.”
“It seems pretty complicated for a joke. It just seems thoughtful.”
“They’re looking at us.”
“We are walking across the lobby, kind of hard to miss.”
“This will be all over the papers by tomorrow.”
“We’ll just have to trust she thought of that too.”
“I could have worn a disguise, I’m a master of disguises.”
“I’d probably draw a lot more attention walking hand in hand with someone who had a mustache.”
“Right, bad idea. At least we can skip check in. You have the key right?”
“I thought you had the key.”
“What? How can I possibly- Oh haha again. Someone’s on a roll tonight. You’re not helping my nerves.”
“You’re the one who’s working yourself up. I’m just happy to be here with you.” A gentle hand squeeze.
And with that Marinette melted. It was still new, still an effervescent feeling every time something brought attention to it. She was walking hand in hand with Adrien Agreste. They’d broken the stalemate. It might still be secret amongst their friend circle, but they were dating.
The problem was with where they were walking. Hand in hand they crossed the lobby of Le Grand Paris towards the elevators. The hotel staff saw them, saw her with him, together, walking towards a metal box designed specifically to take people up to hotel rooms. In mere seconds they’d be on board one of those things, having entered in plain sight of everyone. Conventional wisdom and gossip mongering could only draw very clear conclusions from that event, no matter what the truth might be.
At least she wasn’t giving off ‘vibes’ she hoped. A red sweater with a Christmas tree embroidered on the front and comfy jeans didn’t exactly scream ‘lady of the night’... she hoped. The backpack might also help. You didn’t wear a backpack to an illicit rendezvous, right? No one could think she had designs. Wait, does no one include Adrien? Did he have designs? Why didn't I think of this sooner? Maybe I should have worn something a little more, inviting? That line of thinking took her places that almost made her walk directly into the elevator doors. Adrien’s gentle tug on her hand stopped her in time. He hit the button and waited, one of his true little smiles on his face as he watched the numbers count down. He glanced her way and his smile grew just slightly.
“How are you so calm?” She couldn’t keep all of the whine from her voice, and risked a glance back over her shoulder. No one was looking at them, had they all looked away just before she turned?
“I’m counting to one thousand by threes. If I get there before the elevator gets here I’ll probably pass out.”
Marinette looked back at Adrien and he raised his eyebrows, he wasn’t joking this time. The elevator pinged and as he stepped on he spoke,”981, 984, 987 hit the button please quickly, 990…”
Marinette jabbed the door close and the top floor at the same time. The lobby was cut off with a quiet metallic thmp and both of them slumped before sharing a laugh at their mutual reaction. Marinette recovered first, just as the elevator pinged open again and they stepped off onto the vacant top floor. “This is nuts.”
Adrien adjusted his own backpack straps and stepped off after her, looking up and down the hall. “It’s ingenious. Of course the richest girl in Paris would find a way to buy us something no one else could.” Adrien took her hand again, it was second nature now. “Time.”
Marinette hmphed. Even now it was still an extra step to actually believe Chloe was doing something nice. This did have her sense of humor about it though. “Setting up a fake photo shoot for you, covering it with photoshopped pictures in her magazine, and giving us at least three hours to ourselves was all wonderful, I’ll grant you.” Marinette gestured about them. “But did she have to throw in the hotel room?”
Adrien fished a keycard out of his pocket and tapped it against her nose, causing her to scrunch it up and stick her tongue out at him. He walked with her down the hall, counting off room numbers. “Well, my place is no good for obvious reasons, and our place is the first place Nathalie will go if she figures out something is up right?”
Marinette added it up in her head just as she had a hundred times already. “I know , I know, but really, it doesn’t bother you? A hotel ?” she pressed her hand together, why did the admonishing voice in her head sound so much like Tikki?
“The most luxurious hotel in Paris. Think of it more as a day spa… at night.” Adrien pushed the keycard into the door. “Oh, and Chloe said something about thick walls too, whatever that means.” He snickered and Marinette pushed him through the opening door before following him in.
Inside was a luxury she’d seen only from behind a mask. The room was decorated differently than Chloe’s personal suite, but was no less opulent. The entryway was festooned with a veritable garden of potted poinsettias and the central table had a small package and a note on it. Adrien picked it up first, scanning the note before handing it over with a grin.
Dear Late Bloomers-
Merry Christmas! Run up as big a tab as you like. No way you’ll beat my personal best. I hope you make good use of your time, but in the event you decide to be your usual selves I left you this second present. There’s a microwave in the sitting room, and all the pay-per-view is free too.
-Luka’s Truly,
Chloe Bourgeois.
Marinette looked up at the sound of ripping paper and Adrien held up the contents of the present. Microwaveable popcorn bags. He laughed and noted. “She does know us, doesn’t she?” He turned one over to pull a bit of paper off the back. It had writing on it. He read it then looked up,”Too well.”
Marinette followed his gaze to the ceiling. Green leaves and white berries. Eeeeep! Did Adrien know what it was? There was no way he didn’t. Did it count if they were alone together? Did she want it to count? It would be an excuse, but, was he ready? Marinette swallowed and lowered her gaze to find his eyes on her. That sweet smile again and he prompted her. “What do you think?”
What did she think? Too many things! Her brain was trying to cook itself imagining scenarios, possibilities, successes, failures, and everything in between. She felt her tongue turning to lead when those fateful words that helped start this all came back to her. We make it complicated.
“I think.” She unshouldered her bag and stepped closer, “Christmas traditions are important.”
He followed suit. Saying, “The Agreste family is nothing if not traditional.” in a voice so serious it could only be parody.
It drew a smile to her lips and stilled the remaining butterflies in her belly. They stood toe to toe for a moment, Marinette wondered what he was thinking. For her part she was just swimming in his eyes. “I never imagined my first kiss would be in a hotel room.” How do my lips move so effectively without my brain sometimes?
Instead of being a disaster it only turned his smile into a grin. Adrien slipped his arms gently around her waist and she had to resist every urge to lean into him instantly. After their first night of scandalous cuddling they’d both reverted to a more timid stance. This was the first time they’d been this close again. “Can’t disappoint our host.”
Marinette raised her arms by sheer force of will, looping them around his neck. This is happening. Is this happening? His eyes are so green. I bet his hair is soft. Her fingers slid up of their own accord, sifting through his tousled blond mop. It was every bit as soft as she’d hoped. Marinette lifted herself up on her tiptoes.
His hands were warm against her waist. Her chest pressed to his and she felt his fingertips flex against her sweater in response. He closed his eyes and leaned down to meet her. Marinette closed her eyes too. It didn’t matter, she could still see every detail in her mind. Their lips met.
ADRIEN
It was warmth,sweetness, and every agonizing moment of anticipation rewarded one hundred fold. Her fingers curled in his hair without conscious thought. Ill prepared she parted the kiss too quickly, breathless. Adrien’s eyes blinked open and he started to speak but Marinette wasn’t done. She took a breath and cut his words off with a second kiss, hands on his shoulders this time to support her balance and allow it to linger; allow her to memorize every detail of the moment in a mind rapidly dissolving into pure sensation.
He parted the second kiss, a soft gasp on his lips as he took his long delayed breath. Marinette’s eyes opened into a face shocked with delight. The words,”You taste just how I’d always imagined you would.” poured from his lips as they bumped foreheads together.
She was struggling not to giggle like an idiot. She didn’t want to spoil the mood. Is this the mood, or THE mood? She tried to read into those eyes. Her own mind and body were arguing about what happened next. She needed a sign. “I spent so many sleepless nights thinking about this, and I didn’t even come close.” The blush rose, she couldn’t fight it down this time. What came next? She wanted… It was overwhelming. Marinette squirmed in his arms. Was this it? No. Yes. No. After so long. The warmth was turning into panic inside of her.
Did he read it, or was he just Adrien and that explained it all? A quick chaste peck to the tip of her nose in counterpoint to their kiss and he whispered. “Maybe we should check out the movies, now that we’ve kept up tradition and all…”
Permission, space to back away into. The panic subsided. She could scrunch her nose again at the kiss and smile at him for just being his wonderful self. She rocked back down off her toes and her world slowly shifted back to sanity. Marinette stepped back, still floating inside, and picked up the package on the table. “I’ll make the popcorn.”
He picked up his bag before they walked into the sitting room. Marinette took a little satisfaction in the fact that he missed the strap on his first attempt. She wasn’t the only one recovering. When he caught up with the missed step he spun the bag around in front of him. “Actually. I’ve got something better than popcorn, Christmas cookies.”
Marinette picked up the remote, letting the activity continue to bring her heart rate back down to sane. A peripheral glance had her asking, “Did you make them yourself?”
“No.” Adrien set tupperware on the coffee table and opened it. “A friend of mine gave them to me. She went overboard.” Adrien picked one cookie out and offered it to her. “I can’t see myself sharing them with anyone but you.”
The remote fell from Marinette’s fingers.
Adrien winced at the impact of plastic on marble. He withdrew the offered confection, his confidence turning into sudden self doubt. “I- was it bad to mention it was a gift from another girl? I’m sorry I-”
Marinette’s hand snagged his wrist before he could withdraw further. She plucked the cookie from his fingers and held it up between them. Her mind was on fire. “Fig filled.” she said in a voice too strained with shock to convey any real emotion.
Adrien looked hunted. “Yes? I- is that bad?” She’d shaken him. She was beyond shaken herself.
Marinette spoke out a list, unmoving. “Six fig-filled, six pecan sandies, twelve sugar with passionfruit frosting, twelve chocolate chip, six peanut butter blossoms, and six russian tea cakes.”
His eyes widened further with each pronouncement. “How do you-?” She could see the same math taking place behind his eyes as she had just gone through. What happened next? Should she have kept quiet? Her reaction had been all reflex no thought. Now here they were.
Marinette said the only thing she could think of. “Merry Christmas Cat Noir.”
His fingers closed on her wrist this time. He stepped in, searching her eyes. She forced herself to meet that stare, to let him find his answer. When he did he grinned and it was a grin he’d never worn on this side of the mask before. “Merry Christmas M'Lady. Thank you for the cookies.”