Chapter Text
Prompt: Full Reveal with an Angsty Twist.
“Marinette?”
A shadow fell over her sketch book, and Marinette slapped a hand over her current sketch before snapping her head up to greet the person who’d said her name. No one needed to see what she was drawing. Ever. Not even Alya.
The sun behind him cast his body in a silhouette while the light caused a golden halo to dance across his gorgeous blonde hair. It was longer than he usually kept it, and for a second her traitorous heart almost mistook him for a certain bleached white cat.
But he’s gone now... you purified him. He’s your lovable Chat Noir again and he doesn’t remember a thing.
“A-Adrien?” Recognition hit her like a ton of bricks and she knocked her chair over as she clumsily shot up from her table. The surrounding patrons at the outdoor cafe shooting her looks, a mix of concern and annoyance. “It’s been what, half a year since I saw you? Maybe more? How have you been? Your Father said you were away on business.”
Adrien’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment and he reached up to scratch the back of his neck. “Yeah... something like that. I’m doing alright. I’m actually out to get a hair cut, seems my hair grew out while I was away.”
“It looks hot,” Marinette blurted before she could help herself. Liar! It looks like Chat! That’s why you like it!
Adrien blinked at her, and the blush crawled to the tops of his ears.
“I mean, it’s hot because it’s summer! And long hair makes you hot—WARM—makes you warm, so you should definitely get a hair cut so you don’t suffer.” Like meeeee~ She wanted to crawl in a hole. She’d sworn she’d gotten over this useless stuttering back in Lycee, but noooo, here it was rearing it’s ugly head all over again for no apparent reason.
“Uh, so,” Adrien fumbled to change the subject, “how have you been? I know it’s been ages since we’ve seen each other but it feels like I saw you just last week. Weird huh?”
Something about that struck her oddly, but Marinette couldn’t dwell on why. “I’m uh... I’m...” miserable? Sad? Despondent? Love sick? About two seconds away from jumping my partner who will not understand why Ladybug suddenly wants him so desperately?
“I’m okay,” she finally finished resolutely, choosing to stare at the ground than at his face.
“That’s good,” Adrien replied a little slowly, as if he could tell there was something else behind her curt answer. “I’m uhhh, I’m gonna be late for my hair appointment if I don’t get moving, but I’d really love to have coffee with you. We should catch up. I... I miss hanging out with you.”
Marinette started and snapped her eyes up to meet his. “You—Yeah okay! Coffee! I’d love to, Adrien. Just text me the date and I’ll be there.” A blossom of warmth bloomed in her chest that hadn’t been there for awhile.
“Great!” He shot her a smile that was ridiculously bright and infectious.
Marinette was about to pick up the chair she’d dumped over, but Adrien beat her to it. He scooped the chair off the ground and set it upright in a slightly theatrical but gentlemanly way.
“I’ll let you get back to what you were working on, Ma souris,” he purred.
“What?” Marinette almost took a seat on the concrete. Her heart lurching so hard she thought she might die.
“I—woah! I am so sorry, Marinette! I have no idea why I suddenly called you that. Wow. Fuck.” Adrien grabbed the side of his head like someone had stabbed his brain with a knife. “I have to go.”
Speechless, she watched him bolt like he was having an existential crisis.