Where do we go from here?

Chapter Eighteen: The Show

"Yes! Finished!"

"Oh, Marinette you're going to look amazing." Tikki was flying around Marinette's design awestruck at how beautiful it was.

Marinette had finished her dress for the Gabriel after party, one hour before she was due at the fashion show. She wanted to make sure it was simple and sophisticated, so chose just one choice of fabric. Hopefully the worlds most influential fashion designers won't mind, she still had to pinch herself thinking about it.

She held it up to herself and span around as Tikki giggled.

———————————————

"One more time, Adrien."

Vincent called out as Adrien was preparing for the runway. He'd done so many yet this one felt more nerve wrecking, what if he messed up for Marinette. He'd ruin her dream. Too much was hanging on this show. Not only that but he had to make the final announcement for his father too.

Adrien began to speak again. He would be closing the show due to Gabriel being busy judging the university designers. The microphone check was taking forever. He just wanted to get ready and see Marinette.

He put his hand in his pocket and felt the lucky charm she'd given him when they first played Mecha Strike III, he smiled at the thought as he rolled the charms between his fingers.

———————————————

Marinette was late. Of course she was late, this was probably one of the most important days of her life. Why would she change a habit of a life time and be on time?

She rushed into the designer area of the venue and ran straight into solid muscle.

"Where have you been? Come on, quick!"

Adrien grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the dressing rooms. He was already dressed in his first outfit for the runway. Tight jeans, Gabriel branded trainers and a racer back training top with an 'A' logo prominent on the front. He was modelling sections of the sport range. Marinette was surprised at the 'A' on Adrien's top, usually Gabriel would support his 'G' logo on all his sportswear. Perhaps he just wanted to personalise Adrien's outfit.

Every muscle in his shoulders and arms were visible and Marinette found herself being a blundering mess. How she wanted to wrap herself up in those muscles ... maybe even lick one ...

"Mari, stop staring and move."

"Yes ... move ..." she kept her hand securely in Adrien's as they made their way to the backstage area. 

"Adrien, there you are. You need to get in position." Nathalie was looking panicked.

"One minute, please Nathalie." She looked between Adrien and Marinette.

"Make it a quick minute. Good luck Ms. Dupain-Cheng." With that Nathalie turned on her heel and strode off.

Adrien led Marinette to her tent.

"Here, I made this for you." He handed her a bracelet not too dissimilar to the one she gave him. Then pulls his out of his pocket.

"I always keep it with me, so thought you could use one too."

Ten minutes until runway a voice boomed over the speakers.

"I've got to go. I'll see you soon. Make sure everything's ready for me to pull on, and good luck beautiful."

Adrien ran off to meet the others as Marinette pulled her nerves together. Madame Mistiqa did her rounds checking all her students were ready to go. All apart from three had pulled their pieces together on time. The three that didn't were asked to leave the show. She wrapped the bracelet around her wrist and smiled. She was going to be ok.