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It felt like patrols had always been their time. No, they hadn’t started as a means to spend more time together away from their everyday problems. But there was rarely trouble that needed their attention when they were ready for it. Akuma attacks had the bad habit of happening when they least expected it.
Since they didn’t have something else to do, they didn’t think much of having something to eat or drink, of playing a game, or just talking. So gradually patrol had become synonymous with an opportunity to unwind.
This was even more true after they had eventually gotten together.
Just one glance at Marinette when she arrived that night told Adrien that she needed to unwind more than anything.
“Hey, m’lady,” he smiled, already thinking up something fun to do to take her mind off whatever was troubling her.
“Shh,” she said instead, just stepping into his arms. He held her, closing his eyes as he soaked up her warmth. But when the hug continued longer than usual, he had to intervene.
“What are you doing?” He asked quietly, not to startle her. Maybe there was a problem he wasn't aware of.
“Enjoying the fact that I’m home,” she sighed, her breath hot against the skin of his neck.
Apparently to her, home out there, on a random rooftop, in the middle of nowhere only because she was with him.
This meant too much to him who was practically homeless and spent every minute he could over at her house. She had a wonderful family and such a cozy home. And yet, there she was, with him.
“This is home?” He murmured, his lips brushing her hair.
“Yes, there is this place where my head fits just right between your shoulder and your neck. It’s my home, kitty,” came her muffled reply.
She moved her head and her nose tickled him. He chuckled but he could swear that he was close to tears. This was the sweetest thing.
“I didn’t know,” he said.
“Now you do,” she replied, finally looking up at him with a tired smile.
“Hard day?” He prompted.
It was strange to no longer know her whole schedule and where she was at all times. It was almost like being back to the times before they knew each other’s identities and didn’t know that they spent most of the day together.
Now that they were in different schools, though, stealing moments to themselves was almost impossible. Talking on the phone could only get them so far.
But every day, no matter how tired or grumpy they were after a long day, they would meet up for patrol. This was only partially supposed to send a message to the people of Paris that they were always around, even when there were no longer any villains to put them at risk.
They were mainly for them. It was their time and it always helped them to feel better. It was something to look forward to and it made going to sleep after that so much easier.
“You have no idea,” she groaned.
She went on to tell him about the latest trouble cooked up by her “favourite” classmate, who put Chloe to shame. And he listened and laughed at the appropriate places, while also commiserating when she needed it. And all through this he could only feel grateful. For being there with her, for her seeking comfort in him, for them having those moments, no matter how few and far between they felt sometimes.
“How was your day, Adrien?” She asked eventually.
“I already forgot,” he shrugged.
“Was I that long winded?” she gasped.
“Not at all,” he said quickly. “I love listening to you talk,” he smiled, his arm around her tightening. “I just don’t want to think about it. It doesn’t matter now that you’re here.”
“Adrien.”
The warning in her voice was enough, she didn’t need to say more.
“I know that you want to know. If there is something important, I’d tell you,” he promised. “I just want to kiss you now. If you don’t mind.”
“Mind? Yes, I’m very much against kissing my wonderful boyfriend,” she giggled.
“Boohoo.”
“Come here,” she grumbled, already pulling him down for a kiss. Not that he put up a fight. It was what he wanted after all.
Now he was home as well. There with her. It was true that nothing else mattered. He lived for those moments that was just him and her and night Paris around them. They were the best.