The wingman visits by NiuNiette

Chapter 9: Extreme exhibition

Marinette managed to arrange a meeting with Adrien for the weekend, on Saturday evening after the closing time of the bakery. They agreed to meet at Marinette's place to avoid public eye and with her parents' permission she decorated a small corner table from the closed bakery's side for them, away from the windows so that no one wouldn't think that the bakery was still open – or see Adrien with her sitting in the empty room, just the two of us.

It made her nervous. The thought that she was going to spend time with Adrien alone and talk about Chat Noir with him. As much as her heart sang for Chat Noir, Marinette couldn't resist the alluring charm lingering over Adrien. She had thought that she had forgotten Adrien already, gotten rid of her crush, but as soon as the faint knock reached her ears from the front door, her heart jumped up to her throat. She didn't know what was wrong, why she was reacting like that – like almost being pinned between two men – but she didn't feel like thinking it more. With a bit shaky hands, she opened the door, being greeted by Adrien's forever sunny smile.

"I hope I'm not late," he scratched the back of his head with a bashful smirk.

"No, not at all. Thank you for coming," Marinette managed to keep her voice in check from stammering, opening the door fully for Adrien to step in.

"Thank you for having me," he thanked, taking his long jacket off.

Marinette guided them to the far away table, which was illuminated with a dim wall light above it. There was a tea set and different treats from salty food to sweet bites on display. Adrien's eyes sparkled.

"I have missed all these delicious things from this bakery," he sighed happily, sitting down.

"Mom made you the cheesecake you liked so much," Marinette noted pointing at a small round baking tray, feeling a bit shy for some reason.

"Just for me? Oh, she shouldn't have. Tell my thanks for your dear mother," Adrien beamed, eyes focused on the cake in the tray.

Marinette took the tea pot and poured tea for both of them, Adrien dropping honey into their tea cups. Marinette noticed how coordinated their actions in the tea table were, like Adrien would read her mind and knew what she was going to do next. It made her feel a bit odd. Like there was something nearby but she couldn't see or understand what it was. She pushed that strange feeling away from her mind and turned her attention to Adrien.

"I'm sorry for calling you here so suddenly. I really wanted to talk with you. I don't know who else I could turn to," she apologized with a tiny voice, but Adrien's hand came to her over the table, landing softly over Marinette's palm. She blushed.

"It's alright. You can always count on me, Marinette, no matter what. I'm especially glad to help you with you-know-who," he winked his eye, retreating his palm away from Marinette.

Marinette cleared her throat quickly, "Has he talked about me? I mean us?"

Adrien eyed her curiously, smile spreading on his lips.

"I take that as there has been something else than just mere flirting going on," he sing-sang knowingly and Marinette's almost completely disappeared blush jumped back up to her cheeks in a second. She pretended not to be blushed.

"You could say so," she circled around his statement, feeling a bit too conscious of her own self suddenly. She wondered just how much Chat Noir had told to Adrien, if any. She suspected he had most likely bragged about a thing or two to Adrien, but Chat Noir didn't come across as someone who would spill out secrets. The moment of her caressing Chat Noir's bare warm chest popped into Marinette's mind suddenly on its own.

"I'm happy to hear if things are working out," he replied, taking a first spoonful from his favorite cake. "I assume they could be working out better if you wanted to talk about Chat Noir today?"