Chapter Text
Attending the Cesaire Airways Flight School and joining the small but successful family run company had been the final act of rebellion for long term friends (with benefits) Adrien and Kagami. Escaping from their overbearing and demanding parents to live their dreams of seeing the world and having a ‘proper job’ had, they decided, been the best thing they could have ever done. Today was the day they graduated – standing proud in their brand-new flight attendant uniforms. They were already wearing their badges proclaiming that Adrien Agreste and Kagami Tsurugi were now full Customer Service Operatives for Cesaire Airways. The simple plastic badges were more important to them than any teen award or gold medal they had achieved as model and fencing prodigy respectively.
The small training facility situated in a small airport just outside Paris had been their home and passion for the best part of two years – and that wasn’t all that had sparked their passion.
“Here she comes.” Adrien whispered excitedly, squeezing Kagami’s hand in joy.
Kagami was silent, but the smile on her face and sparkle in her eyes reflected his joy as the love of their lives took the podium. She squeezed his hand back in anticipation.
Marinette Dupain-Cheng, age 27, Senior Flight Attendant and Trainer for Cesaire Airways stood resplendent in her own, matching uniform. Despite being short in stature, she seemed tall as she addressed the newly qualified team members.
She flashed the gathered ensemble a smile before delivering her empowering speech, congratulating the students on their hard work and success at completing their exams. Adrien and Kagami were pleased to see it was a genuine smile and not one of the fakes she pulled out of the bag on the many occasions as she attempted – rather poorly – to hide the pain of a heartbreak that had affected her several years before. Not that Adrien and Kagami were prying of course – but they had managed to find out that her previous boyfriend, rock star Luka Couffaine had dumped her for someone who was her enemy at school and beyond – the actress, Chloe Bourgeois. Knowing Chloe as well as they did, Adrien and Kagami had decided the musician must be the biggest idiot on the planet. On the plus side – it meant (they hoped) that she might be persuaded to give in to their more than obvious affection and adoration of her.
Yet to date – Marinette seemed oblivious. It could be the teacher/pupil relationship and professional boundaries despite them all being the same age. She was very good at turning on the professional demeanour when she had to. It was disheartening to see such a beautiful personality crushed by the thoughtless actions of one misguided musician. Both Kagami and Adrien hoped that now they were qualified she would see one or both of them as potential suitors for her affections instead. They also hoped that they would get the opportunity to see her again very soon and more often. They were fully part of the company now after all.
The speeches continued – short and meaningful which is the way everyone liked it. With a final hurrah led by CEO’s Marlena and Otis Cesaire – they were dismissed to indulge in the party atmosphere and all you can eat buffet. Nino Cesaire-Lahiffe - senior pilot, was showing off his side hustle as a more than competent DJ and Marlena Cesaire – CEO, was happily indulging in her passion for cooking with several curious and very tasty dishes on offer in the buffet. The company founder, Otis Cesaire was wheeled around in his chair by his daughter Nora – the leading pilot of the company and Alya Cesaire-Lahiffe – the most Senior Flight Attendant and undisputed heir (Nora just wanted to fly and didn’t care for the paperwork a CEO would have to face). Twins, Ella and Etta Cesaire, grade ‘A’ business students, set to take over the administration side, trotted dutifully behind their older siblings. The whole family made sure they spoke to each new team member personally.
As a family led company – the new team members were part of that family and it was policy to make sure that everyone knew it. Kagami and Adrien couldn’t be happier – well they could, but it was clear that now Marinette had finished the formal parts of the celebration, all she wanted to do was hide in a corner and mope over a martini or two or three...
“Instead of just mooning over her from afar, why don’t you two just go over and talk to her.” Alya spoke from just behind them. Kagami and Adrien jumped a little – they thought she had moved on from them and she was their boss after all.
Alya smiled – she secretly loved surprising her employees – all in good fun after all. “She looks like she could do with a friend. The rest of the senior team and I are quite busy at the moment.” She continued jovially.
Adrien scratched the back of his neck nervously. “She does kind of look like she wants to be alone.”
Alya giggled. “She may look like she wants to be alone – but that doesn’t mean she ‘should’ be alone.” She gave them a gentle nudge. “If anything, you two will give her a much-needed distraction before she drinks herself into embarrassment again.”
Adrien and Kagami shared a look, before Kagami made up their minds.
“Come on.” The former fencer decided grabbing the hand that Adrien didn’t have wrapped around a doughnut. She dragged him over to Marinette’s corner much to Alya’s amusement.
Alix Kubdel, a pilot and Kim, in charge of Airline Security stood beside Alya and watched with faint smiles.
“I ship it.” Alix declared.
“Me too.” Kim added with gusto.
Alya smiled wider. “Same – but I think it is going to take just a little more work.”