Not-so-standard disclaimer: I still don't own anything. Joy for them, sad for me. No sue. No money for you.

If you are allergic to fluff, don't like kissy scenes, or still believe girls have cooties, this may not be the chapter for you. In fact, how did you even get here? For the rest of you, yes, I will be keeping to the "T" rating in this fic. No lemons for you here. Sorry?

Prelude

Chapter 10

It was a quick kiss. Simple and chaste, but they were both blushing when she pulled away again. Adrien licked his lips and, before he could back out like the coward he knew he was, he leaned forward and cupped her face with both hands, pulling her closer as he gently pressed his lips against hers again. He groaned when she gave a small laugh and kissed him back. Kissing Marinette was like coming home. His heart leapt; the pain he'd been enduring in his chest for so long evaporating at her touch. The soft familiarity of her lips. The warmth of her breath and the sweet, sweet scent of her.

She pulled away, looking up at him shyly. Then, to his absolute delight, she bit her lip uncertainly, took a deep breath, and climbed into his lap. Yesyesyesyesyes! his mind screamed as she straddled him. She looked at him nervously, and he knew her well enough to know she was screaming inside.

Is this all right? She seemed to ask with her eyes. He quickly put his hands on her hips and pulled her closer, hoping to let her know that yes, she was very, very welcome here. She gave another soft giggle, before leaning forward and giving him another quick kiss. Followed by another. And another, this one longer and lingering. She seemed to relax more and more with each one, but he didn't dare try to push any further. Not until—she wrapped her arms around his neck and gently carded her hands through his hair, like she had with Cat. He kissed her back helplessly. That was it. He was a goner. Completely hers…. She gave a soft whine and tugged him closer.

And finally, finally, he could wrap her in his arms and pull her fully against him, feeling the softness of her body that he hadn't been able to in the catsuit. He moaned in bliss, further delighted when she took full advantage of it and deepened the kiss. Her mouth moved eagerly over his, new and familiar all at the same time. Her hands continued to touch his face and rake through his hair, and oh, did it feel good. He let her explore, content to play at her pace as he memorized her body with his hands.

Unlike before, this was no sudden, raging fire that made him want to take everything he could before it was pulled away from him. This was a slow, deep burn that spread through his body at an almost-lazy pace and threatened to consume him completely. They were discovering each other, not just the passion between them. Not that there wasn't passion, oh no. Especially the way she nipped at his lips and drew away, just enough that he had to chase her, only to meet him halfway with that hot mouth of hers, igniting his desire further. And the way she moved against his hands as he touched her, groaning...

Oh God. Oh God, he'd died and gone to heaven.

How did men resist the urge to jump their girlfriends in public, knowing how good they felt in their arms? Hell, how was he going to ever concentrate in class again, knowing she was right there?

"Adrien?" Natalie called, knocking on his door before opening it.

Oh, shit! He and Marinette wrenched themselves apart, panting and flushed, just as his father's assistant came around the corner to his bed. She didn't even bat an eye.

"My apologies. Your father sent me to tell you that something has come up at work and he won't be able to make it for dinner tonight. You're on your own," she said, as calm as ever.

"Oh, uh, ok," Adrien said shakily. "Thanks, Natalie."

She nodded at him and turned to leave.

"Oh, and your supplies are on your bathroom shelf," she added.

Oh my God.

"Thank you, Natalie," he growled. She took the hint and left, locking the door behind her. He buried his face in his hands.

"Supplies?" Marinette asked curiously. He winced. This was gonna require an explanation if he didn't want to sound like a creep.

"You know… um, those flowers I got you before?" he asked. She nodded. "I kinda… got them from my father when he found out I made a girl cry. But then he totally misunderstood and thought you were my girlfriend and that we were more serious than I would tell him and he… had Natalie buy… other stuff too and…." Ugh. Oh God, he couldn't. He couldn't say the words with her looking at him all innocent, but with mused hair and bruised lips and… her eyes widened as she suddenly understood what he meant.

"Oh! Oh, those kind of supplies," she said, blushing again.

He laughed awkwardly. "What did you think she was talking about?"

"I dunno! Something to do with dinner? I was trying to figure out why it'd be in your bathroom!" she exclaimed.

He lay down on his bed again, chuckling helplessly. "Nope. I got the whole embarrassing Talk again. Natalie even tried to demonstrate how to put a condom on a banana." He covered his face with a pillow to hide the fact that his blush had now spread to his ears. "My father does not pay that woman enough for the stuff she puts up with." Marinette started giggling above him.

"Are you laughing at me?" he asked incredulously, removing the pillow to glare at her. She covered her mouth with her hand.

"Yes," she admitted.

"Hey, you should feel sorry for me! It was totally embarrassing!"

To his surprise, she only laughed harder. "Oh, I have got you beat in the Embarrassing Sex Talk category, Adrien," she said, her eyes full of mirth. She gave him a smirk from where she sat beside him. "Some stupid cat went and bit my neck the other day," (he coughed, covering up a laugh,) "and I accidentally went downstairs without covering it up first. My dad saw it!" (Adrien bit his lip to stop from laughing,) "And when I wouldn't tell him who gave it to me," (She gave him a pointed look and he covered his mouth with both his hands, trying desperately not to burst,) "I got the whole nine yards! Where babies come from. Safe sex. Different techniques! And he used bread puns!"

Adrien lost it, howling in laughter as he pounded the bed beneath him helplessly. Oh, Marinette's father, he thought. If you don't kill me first, I think we're going to be great, great friends!

"You win," he finally said, waving his hand in defeat. "I can't top that." He snickered. "When a croissant and a bagel love each other very much…."

"Oh my God, noooo," she moaned, shoving him. But she was soon laughing as hard as he was.

It took a while for them to calm down after that. Usually just a glance at the other person would set them laughing again. But, finally, the hilarity wore off and they just lay there on his bed together as their breathing returned to normal. Then he got an idea. He rolled over so he was almost above her.

"Can I see it?" he asked shyly. She gave him a confused look and he gestured to the scarf around her neck. "Your neck, can I see it?"

She realized what he was talking about and quickly moved away from him, sitting up and glaring at him. "Oh, no, you don't—"

He sat up too and gave her his best puppy-dog eyes. "Please?"

She caved at the sight of him begging and sighed, reaching up to loosen her scarf. "You'd better not add to it," she warned him.

"I didn't hear you complaining when I—"

"I mean it, buster," she growled, poking him in the chest. "Alya's already getting suspicious."

"Fine, fine," he agreed, reaching up to help her remove the scarf. There it was. He bit his lip in pride. It was already yellowing and faded around the edges, but it was quite magnificent, if he did say so himself. If any other man had seen this on her, he'd know she was taken. Claimed.

Mine.

Possessiveness tore through him. He dipped his head towards her, lightly brushing it with his lips, and felt her breath catch.

"Adri-en," she said in a warning tone that wavered uncertainly.

"Not adding to it," he said innocently, kissing it gently again. He felt her tremble. "Does it hurt?"

"N-no," her voice cracked. He smiled and moved over to the other side of her neck.

"Are you sure you don't want a matching one—?"

"Don't you dare!" she hissed, pushing him away.

"Sorry, sorry," he laughed and gave up easily. He deserved that. He swiftly caught her hand before she could pull it back, kissing her palm. "I'm at your mercy, my lady," he murmured, looking up at her. She seemed mesmerized by his eyes. Then she visibly shook herself out of it, took her hand away from him, and reached up to cover his mark. He pouted.

"You… really didn't know?" she asked timidly, looking up at him. "About Ladybug?"

"When I gave you that?" he asked. She nodded. He shook his head and snorted. "If I had, I wouldn't have beaten myself up about it afterwards." I also might not have stopped when I did….

She thought about that for a moment. "Are you… disappointed?" she asked, biting her lip.

He blinked at her. Was she asking what he thought she was asking? "By you?" he asked.

"It's just… I know the masks add a bit of mystery," Marinette said. "And I…." She flushed a bit and looked away. He stared at her in disbelief. She still thought he wanted her just because she was Ladybug?

"Not a chance, Marinette," he said, firmly. "Look at me," he demanded. She did, startled by his tone. "I'm an idiot who fell in love with an unreachable goddess," he said, smiling. "And I knew, even then, that I couldn't get to her. Then I met this awesome girl, and we became friends. But I started to feel more for her too. More and more, until I couldn't stop myself around her anymore. I felt bad for feeling anything, because I told myself I was already in love with someone else, but I couldn't help it." He laughed a bit. "And then, when the goddess let me go and rejected me, I hurt, but part of me felt relieved too. Because then I could be with this great girl without feeling guilty about it anymore.

"And then," he laughed again, reaching up to cup her face, "that girl went and turned into the goddess! And suddenly, I couldn't talk to her. Couldn't tell her about me; couldn't even think straight, my head was spinning so bad. I kept thinking there's gotta be a catch. That there's no way I'm this lucky. So, no, Marinette. I fell in love with you despite Ladybug, not because of her."

"Although," he added, letting her go to pretend to ponder, "you being Ladybug is a definite bonus, because, damn girl, that spandex suit…" he whistled, channeling Nino. Marinette burst out laughing, tears rolling down her cheeks. He studied them with a frown.

"And that's what? The third time I've made you cry this past week?" he said.

"It's because you're not kissing me, you stupid cat," Marinette laughed, wiping her tears away.

Oh. Well, he could definitely fix that.

Her arms eagerly went around his neck as he sprang at her, claiming her mouth as they toppled back onto the bed. He clutched her close as her body cradled his, enjoying her warmth and softness beneath him as he moved over her, covering her face in kisses. She giggled and squirmed beneath him, only half-trying to avoid his playful pecks.

Then he felt her tense and shift, and could only suck in his breath when she rolled them back over so she was on top. Second-in-command, she'd teased him once, and he was never so happy to follow her, humming in contentment as she straddled him and raked her hands through his hair again. He could already tell, this was going to be a weakness of his. And that she was going to exploit it mercilessly. Not that he minded in the least, he thought as he pulled her head down and kissed her hungrily.

Her response was just as eager. He whimpered when she pulled away from him just enough to trail her own lines of kisses down to his neck. Then, all he could do was force himself to keep breathing as he felt a touch of cold wherever she left a kiss, directly contrasting with the heat of her mouth on his skin. And the pressure of her lips sent thrill after thrill down his spine, warming his whole body. He groaned when she paused to suck lightly on his pulse point.

"No marks, princess," he begged softly. "My father will kill me."

He felt, rather than heard her chuckle against his neck. "What, you meant the perfect Adrien Agreste might be rebelling in a very cat-like way?" she murmured teasingly. He mewled and writhed when he felt her teeth scrape gently against his skin. To his relief (and disappointment) she pulled away to grin at him.

"Don't worry," she reassured him, "I'm too nice to make you wear a scarf in this heat. Can't have the perfect model being all sweaty and uncomfortable, now can we?" He laughed as she kissed him on the mouth again. I will happily be sweaty for you, my lady, he thought impishly, but it's less fun if it's just for appearances.

"You are too good to me," he said happily as she continued to give him little, light kisses that made him feel giddy inside. These were nothing like the hungry, desperate kisses Cat and Marinette had had before when he'd pushed her up against a wall in a fit of passion. And, while he'd enjoyed those too, they had seemed... almost dark at the time; a stolen moment that should've belonged to someone else. But these... these were sweet and warm, like the promise they'd made to each other. Friends. Always friends, no matter what, until the end. And the way some of them lingered hopefully, with just a bit of that fire from before... maybe more than friends? God, he could only hope they meant what he was thinking they did. That she wasn't just being guided by a rush of emotions, but wanting something more... permanent.

Can I really have this? Can I keep you? He wanted to keep her. Forever. However slowly they had to go to get there... he was willing to do it. But... A thought occurred to him. He needed to be sure.

"What about you, my lady?" he whispered through her kisses. She pulled back to look at him in surprise. He reached up and brushed back some strands of her hair that had gotten free from her pigtails. "Are you ashamed that your perfect model is nothing more than a stupid alley cat?" She seemed to be enjoying herself, but he didn't want to assume anything anymore.

She choked, laughing helplessly on top of him.

"I have never been happier," she admitted, smiling. "I was already falling for that stupid alley cat, despite telling myself over and over how many things were wrong with that idea. And if you were just Adrien, I think I'd still be a stammering mess right now, trying to find a good reason to run out your door and then go beat myself up over it later. I certainly couldn't do anything like this," she said, running her thumb across his bottom lip. He smiled and nipped at it playfully. She giggled and flicked his nose.

"But Cat," she sighed and laid her head down on his chest. His arm came up automatically to hold her and he felt them both relax together. Mine, he thought possessively. Mine, all mine…. "Cat makes me feel safe," she said softly. "Wanted."

Oh, you most definitely are, he thought, and pulled her tighter.

She laughed lightly as she squeezed him back. "I never really realized just how little I knew about you until we started yelling at each other. And now… there's a whole other side to you I that never even considered!" She looked up at him from where she lay on his chest. "It makes me want to learn more."

"I'm all yours," he murmured.

"Hmm," Marinette said speculatively. He bit his lip in anticipation, especially when she sat up to look down at him with a very sexy smirk. "Do you actually have the new extension pack for Ultimate Mecha Strike III, or did you just lure me here to seduce me?"

Adrien burst out laughing. "You wound me, princess!" he cried dramatically, miming a blow to the heart. "My intentions are pure!" He paused and grinned. "-ish."

"Pure-ish?" she said archly, raising an eyebrow.

"No, let me rephrase that," he said seriously, backtracking. "My intentions have always been pure. My hopes, and dreams, and very secret wishes…." He bit his lip and shrugged. "They're a little bit murkier," he admitted. Marinette shook with laughter.

"Why you dirty, dirty cat," she mock-scolded.

"But still fun!" he insisted, before she pulled away from him. Marinette shook her head, still smiling but refusing to look at him as she got up and turned her back to him in feigned anger. He grabbed her around the middle before she could get away completely and rested his chin on her shoulder. Mmm, he loved cuddling with her. "And yes, princess, I do have the game. You are fully-loaded to kick this poor cat's tail, as always."

She giggled. "Well, we'd best get started then, hmm?" she said sweetly, reaching up scratch behind his ears.

"Mmm, that's cheating, my lady," he purred, leaning into it. "Please don't stop."

"Nope," she said, removing her hand and standing up. "Can't have you saying I didn't win fairly. It'd ruin my reputation." He pouted, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Well, you could give me a handicap," he suggested. "Since you're a champion and all…."

"Flattery will get you nowhere."

"How about you—" His voice cut off when she suddenly whirled around and leaned over to give him a long, firm kiss. He moved to deepen it, but she had already pulled away.

"For luck," she said, with a wink. And then she was gone, already walking towards his couch and TV. Adrien allowed himself a fist pump before he chased her.

"You know, I'm a black cat! I might need more good luck than that!"

"I already gave you my charm bracelet."

"Nope, I need more. Probably like, a kiss for each of my nine lives!"

"Not gonna happen, kitty."

"Well, then, how about the loser treats the winner to dinner afterwards?" he suggested. Marinette looked at him in surprise. He shrugged. "Apparently, I'm free tonight."

Her eyes softened. "Yeah, sure, I'd like that."

"Really?"

"Really."

"So, like a date?"

"Hmm," she said, her eyes getting a mischievous gleam in them that he wasn't sure he liked. "Sure. It can be our first date." He started to rejoice—

"But, you know what they say," she added in a sing-song voice, "'a lady doesn't kiss on the first date.'" Adrien's smile fell as she smirked at him. "So, I guess you're going without, kitty." He gaped at her, then hung his head, even as he shook with silent laughter. He'd been had.

"But it isn't really our first date, per say," he protested, sliding over beside her on his couch as they started up their game. "We go out on the town together all the time."

"Not the same," Marinette sang.

"And what about all those other kisses?" he asked, pouting. "Are you saying they don't count or something?"

"Those," she said slowly, "were more like the prelude to the date. It technically doesn't start until we go out to dinner." He raised an eyebrow at her slowly, licking his lips when she gave him an innocent smile.

"Dinner's gonna be late," he declared, pouncing.

End.

I'll let your imagination determine where they go from here.