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As Adrien stands in front of the door to Marinette’s home, the bouquet he got for her feels heavy and useless. He has already given so many roses to her, but they feel meaningless compared to how grateful he is to still have her in his life. Her parents must know how amazing she is — they’ll be disappointed…
He’s hit by flashbacks to the events that led to Tom being akumatized into Weredad. Coming to the bakery after a lonely breakfast. The grey gloomy sky. The awkward kissing Marinette on the cheeks. The pink rose. Admitting he loved Ladybug, Ladybug and not Marinette, an irony Plagg kept teasing him about now that he was fully aware of her identity. Marinette being too good of an actress at being hurt. The enormous tower of vines with the angry beast on top protecting his princess. Ladybug only appearing at the end when everything was crumbling…
Even though Nino assured him it was casual enough, yet fancy, and that Marinette would like it—a light green buttoned shirt, with only the top two buttons undone, and dark jeans—Adrien feels like he’s underdressed. Plagg phases through his shirt and looks him in the eyes.
“Just press the doorbell! I’m starving and I can’t wait to see Sugarcube!”
“Plagg, what if I mess up again? What if they hate me?”
Adrien starts fidgeting with the bouquet in his hands. He wipes his sweaty palms on his pants.
“How could they hate you? I’m pretty sure Pigtails couldn’t hate you.”
“But, what if…”
The kwami presses the doorbell and returns to his warm pocket while dread fills Adrien. He hears the steps creak lightly as someone comes down to open the door. Is it Tom? No probably not—he’s heavier and the steps would creak more. Maybe Sabine? She can also be very scary when she wants to…
The door opens and relief floods his body at the sight of his lady, princess, and girlfriend. Marinette is wearing a pink dress with a black jacket. He didn’t fail to notice the small cat paws and the kitty she embroidered on the jacket. The dress is fairly simple to the casual eye, but having been raised in the fashion industry for so long, he recognizes all the hard work she put into the hems and her trademark flower motif. Her black hair, free from the usual pigtails, cascades in waves over her right shoulder.
“You look… beautiful,” are the only words that escape his lips.
“Thank you, you look great too!”
“So… These are for you!” he says, extending the flowers to her.
“Thank you! They’re pretty...” She leans her head into the bouquet, smelling its perfume. “They smell amazing too! Let’s go upstairs so I can put them in some water.”
Adrien follows her as they enter the apartment over the bakery. Delicious scents hit him as they step inside. Except for the usual sweets from the bakery, he can smell a plethora of aromas he is not familiar with. An overly excited Tom practically bounces to him, followed by Sabine, who looks more calm and composed. Adrien swears the man is about to burst from how much he is shaking and buzzing with energy. He kisses Sabine’s cheek and extends his hand to shake Tom’s, who gladly accepts.
“Welcome, Adrien, we’re glad you could make it! We could not wait to meet the young man that stole our little daughter’s heart.”
“The pleasure’s all mine! Thank you for having me for dinner.”
Once Tom let go of his hand, it instinctively went to rub the back of his neck, his usual tic when he’s nervous. Fear fills him as the man’s eyes grow big like saucers when a ray of light hits his ring, making it shine a little. Does he recognize him as Chat Noir? Marinette looks at him, unsure of what to make of her father’s reaction.
He then turns and picks up Sabine. He whirls her before doing a pirouette himself.
“Our little daughter is engaged! She proposed to Adrien! We need to prepare the wedding cake, it’ll be the best Paris has ever seen!”
“Tom, dear…” Sabine says, trying to bring back her husband to Earth, with no success.
“What?” is the only word that escapes Adrien’s mouth.
“Is it another case of Oblivio?” Adrien asks himself. ”Last time I checked, we were only dating…” He realizes at the same time as Marinette what gave Tom the idea, but she’s quicker to react. He thought that Adrien’s miraculous was an engagement ring. Though, it’s not on the correct hand…
“We’re not engaged, Papa!!” shouts Marinette, calming her father. “The ring’s, um…”
“It was from my mother, it’s not a wedding ring. Not that I would mind being engaged to Marinette, she’s amazing and any guy or girl would be crazy to turn her down. I mean, I’d gladly propose to her, but I don’t want to go too fast and I’d rather have your blessing before…”
He is stopped by a hand on his arm. Sabine looks up sweetly at him, just like she did with Chat Noir all those years ago.
“It’s okay, dear, we know you love our daughter very much—it’s obvious in your eyes. Tom just tends to get ahead of things. That poor Chat Noir, I hope he wasn’t too traumatized.”
“I don’t think he is…” Adrien shyly replies.
Since he arrived a bit early, Adrien offers to help make dinner. Considering his lack of ability in the kitchen, he gets vegetable duty, since it’s pretty straightforward and he won’t risk ruining the meal with a beginner’s mistake by putting in too much spice or causing a fire.
“You know, I can’t believe no one ever taught you to cook—but at the same time, knowing your father, it does make sense.”
“Yeah, I carrot believe it either. I guess he expected me to stew in the mansion and have a cook for my entire life.”
“Even for you, that was pretty bad,” she says, rolling her eyes. “Finish slicing them, it’s nearly ready...”
“I don’t know about that, young lady—there’s always thyme for puns,” replies Tom with a smirk, a fire lit in his eyes. “Once you’re done Adrien, I’ll knead some fruits for dessert
“Of course! Would you help me, gourdgeous princess? We make the perfect pear , after all.”
“I think you’ll be apple to do it yourself, my prince.”
“Ah, you leave me floured ! You know I only have pies for you.”
“You’re such a weirdo…”
“Maybe, but I’m your weirdough and you loaf me.”
“See, Sabine, they were baked for each other. I’m sure muffin could break them apart.”
A little bit later, once they are all sitting at the table, plates set and food served.
“This is so delicious! I don’t think my chef has ever made me something this good!”
“I doubt your chef would have cooked this—it’s not really suited for a model’s diet,” Sabine says. “But thank you. I could show you some recipes if you want.”
“I’d love that, Mrs. Cheng! Well, I’m bacon track now, I’m no longer following a diet as strict as before: no more drumsticks and crumbs. Dough , I have to admit that I would have been toasted if my father had found me eating a meal like this.”
“You can call us Sabine and Tom, dear, no need to be so formal.”
“I’m glad to hear that! You sure could add more meat to those bones of yours,” Tom adds jokingly.
“The yeast he could have done was to let you see your friends more often,” Marinette replies drily.
“It’s okay, it’s all behind us now. The bread of akumas, the pain …” He adds, giving Marinette a slice of bread. She shakes her head, but still takes it.
“ Doughnut worry, son, you’ll always be welcome here. I could show you the ropes of a baker’s job! I croissant your talent.”
The rest of the main meal goes well—more puns, talking about their future and hopes. Adrien loved the fact thatTom and Sabine didn’t expect him to follow in his father’s footsteps and take the reins of Gabriel, unlike almost everyone else in his life. Instead, they encouraged him when he said that he would need some time to figure out what he really wants to do with his life, to forge his own path.
As Marinette ices the cake, Adrien finishes slicing the fruits and placing them. His fingers are all sticky and stained from the juices, but he’s the happiest he’s ever been. He feels like he’s part of a family, in a house filled with love, warmth, and fun. He dips his finger in some cream that has fallen from Marinette’s pouch. She’s fully focussed on the task at hand, just like when she was figuring out an especially complicated lucky charm in a face-off with a strong akuma. He gets an idea. It’s a bit mischievous, but a good one.
Smirking, he carefully sneaks behind her, channeling his inner Chat Noir. Once he’s close enough, he pokes her nose with his cream coated finger. She jerks back into his arms and squeezes the icing bag, making it explode. Their faces and clothes are covered with icing.
“Ch-Adrien!”
“See, m’ lady, I always told you that you’re la crème de la crème . Getting my miraculous was an ameowzing day in my life, but meeting you was the icing on the cake ,” he whispers in her ear.
“Shh! They’ll hear you!”
Her scolding expression lingers for a bit longer, but she soon bursts out laughing.
“I can’t believe you! All this for puns?”
“I felt like I needed to remind my girlfriend of how amazing she is...”
Tom and Sabine turn the corner to the kitchen, taking in the mess the two made.
“What are you two loafing about… Oh, that’s quite the mess, isn’t it?” Tom asks, stopping in his tracks.
“Go change into your pyjamas, I’ll finish icing the cake in the meantime,”Sabine sweetly adds, opening the fridge to get more icing.
As they walk past the counter to go change, Marinette picks a cherry and perches it on Adrien’s nose.
“You don’t need to remind me, Adrien, I’ll always cherrysh the koalaty time I get to spend with you.”