On Point

Bon Voyage Bourgeois

By Rena Rouge

BREAKING NEWS! We have just heard that the San Francisco Ballet Company are looking for a ballerina to replace their Prima and will be attending The Agreste Christmas gala to find their new talent. If there was ever a time to perfect those pirouettes then it is now.

Sources tell us Lila Rossi (20) has her eyes on the prize and is willing to do just about anything to get it. Now we know she's dancing alongside Adrien Agreste (22) in the dance of the Sugar Plum fairy, we know this is a viable option, we just hope nobody will sneak in to steal the spotlight.

In other news, it seems Chloé Bourgeois (22) has bagged herself a prestigious place with the London Royal Ballet. Everyone in the dance world knows it has been the dream for the Prima since she was a young performer. Her last showcase with Agreste will be at the Christmas Gala before she's off to venture into new things in the new year. Good luck Chloé, we look forward to seeing you back out with your new company.

*****

As they navigated the subtly lit corridors of the mansion, Adrien couldn't shake the tension in the air, acutely aware of the risk they were taking. Every creak of the floorboards seemed to echo the stakes of their clandestine journey, heightening the suspense as they ventured deeper into the shadows of the mansion.

In the hallowed halls leading to his father's design sanctum, Adrien's pulse quickened, his breaths synchronised with the weight of their mission. The looming presence of the closed door stirred both apprehension and determination, signalling a pivotal moment in their daring escapade.

His hand shot backwards, his head remaining forwards as he guided his partner in crime past his old bedroom and towards their destination. Every step adding to the betrayal, yet also righting the wrongs of his father.

A smaller hand slipped into his, confirming their connection as they continued to move onwards. They were almost there.

Adrien knew where his father was making the costumes, he'd been there a couple of times to try on his own, and it was from this that he knew his father had spare material — enough at least for Marinette to recreate the bodice in Alya's size.

They'd formed the plan back at the dorm room as Alya calmed down and sat in Nino's lap. If they could get into the design room and grab the material, Marinette could work her magic and recreate the leotard part of the costume. The way Marinette had spoken about it, the job would be quick and easy... something to do with his father's craftsmanship. He wasn't sure if that was a positive or negative critique.

As soon as they were done and the plan was complete, Marinette trusted Adrien enough to pack up her sewing machine and some overnight clothing, whilst she jumped in the shower, returning five minutes later decked out for a mission.

"What are you supposed to be?" Adrien asked. "A watermelon?"

As Nino laughed, Marinette looked as though she was going to hold back any kisses for him for a week. But in his defence, she was decked out in red with black spots, what was he supposed to think?

"You really need to check out the line between jokes and offending dude," Nino said, moving with Alya to the bed and settling beside her, Alya finally cracking the first smile he'd seen since he'd got there.

It had been agreed Marinette would stay with Adrien for the evening, allowing Nino and Alya some time together and for Marinette to work on the costume in peace... also it wouldn't hurt the two of them to salvage what was left of date night. He'd planned a romantic meal and a walk along the Seine looking at all the wonderful Christmas lights. He was gutted they had to cancel, however, Alya was important to Marinette and over the time he was spending with her, she was important to him too. They would have more opportunities for dates, Alya was priority right now.

So after a thousand apologies, and a promise of never calling her a fruit again, they'd headed off into the night and to the mansion.

Mission: Spandex was a-go.

They'd left Marinette's bag and the sewing machine in the hallway, heading into the mansion as quietly as possible. His father would still be at the studio now, it was always long hours with the leads in the run up to the show. To make sure, Marinette had rang Luka to check they were all still there.

Finding the correct door, Adrien looked behind him at Marinette and nodded. Both moving to the sides and Marinette reaching into her hair. She pulled out a grip, and like in the movies, attempted to use it to open the door, only for it not to work. Damn!

"What do we do?" Adrien whispered, tracing a line up the edges and looking for any other weakness. Maybe he could kick it down, he'd just need to... A click was heard and the door slowly pushed open, the dark room invited them in.

"How did you do that?" Adrien marvelled. He looked at his hands as though they had some kind of magical exploding power, only for Marinette's soft laugh to be heard behind him.

"I tried the handle. It was unlocked."

She walked past him with a swing of her hips that were mesmerising, and if they hadn't got a job to do, his hands would have been firmly placed on them, holding them still and stopping them continuing their assault on his eyes as his lips became acquainted with her neck.

"Are you coming?" She looked over her shoulder, a playful gleam in her eyes which told him she knew exactly what she was doing and where his eyes had gravitated to. Her confidence when she was with him was growing, and with each added inch of self assurance she became more and more alluring.

He nodded. Grabbing his phone and turning the torch on, the two made their way through the room, looking for anything which could be seen as the famed white material.

The room was a mess. A complete jumble of discarded fabric and offcuts. His father, usually so crisp and clean, had let go in here. Maybe this is why he sat in here more than any other room in the house. Was this his time to feel? To release the pent up anger and stress inside him? Is this where his father grieved?

He hadn't got the time to consider or think about it, he had to make sure they could start their defeat of Gabriel Agreste... the first step making sure Alya could get into the costume.

They made their way around the tables and to the rolls of fabric in a wall unit at the back, he could hear the cute gasps as Marinette examined the materials. Her fingers running over the reams and expressing her love for the different ones. He wished he could stay here with her, maybe looking at the material together and questioning her about what she could make. She really seemed to know her stuff, just another incredible skill of his almost-girlfriend.

She'd made her way over to the scrap bin, pulling out different lengths of material and examining them closely. He could imagine her now in the wonderful pink material she was currently holding, decorated in pearls and crystals as she danced her way across the stage. The glistening of gems not touching the dazzling display of talent she possessed, but an addition that caressed her body and added to the fluidity of the routine. She would look incredible!

"Got it!" Pulling a long length of white from the bin, Marinette gave it a quick tug before turning to him full of glee. "Let's get out of here!"

She started heading to the doorway, Adrien watching her go with dissatisfaction. He looked between her and the bin before walking over to it and stretching inside. Now, he was ready to leave.

Moments later, Adrien was leading Marinette around the back of the mansion and towards his own home. Adrien still lived on Agreste grounds, but with his own driveway and own front door. The small house was originally just a pool house which over the years became his retreat – his home.

"Woah!" The sound of Marinette's gasp had him smiling. He knew it wasn't the size or the shape, or even the build of the house, which would have excited her, but it would be the lights currently occupying everything from the roof of the house, to the trees in the front garden, side garden... every garden! Any tree or bush was lit up brighter than a Disney castle on a special occasion.

"It's a bit different to the main house, but I like it." Adrien continued up the driveway, machine in hands and Marinette trailing behind with her bag.

"It's gorgeous!"

"Just like you then." He bent down and pressed a kiss into her hair. The warmth passed through his lips like an electric current, once again the blush he sorted out was spread all over her cheeks. A pretty pink which would match perfectly to the scrap of material hiding in his pocket.

Finally reaching the front door, Adrien balanced the machine and reached for his keys, allowing them in and positioning the machine down before turning on the lights to the tree and garlands. He loved his little Christmas sanctuary. He had always made his room into a winter wonderland and now he was thinking he did it to escape reality. That tiny bit of relief and wishful thinking that things could get better. His mother would always try her best to fill Christmas Day with joy and happiness no matter how she was feeling; she would hide away the pain and her uncomfortable feelings just to make sure he had one day of normality.

His father, however, had made Scrooge look generous. Adrien remembered one year, when he'd so desperately wanted a Tamagotchi, his father had ripped the letter in front of him and sent it into the fire all because he messed up his fouettés. That was the year his mother had to stay at the hospital and it had been just him and his father. That year he stopped believing in Santa and Christmas Miracles. However, watching Marinette make herself at home in his house could definitely make him believe in the magic again – that love and laughter does come along to those who have been good.

"Would it be okay if I just ran to the shower?" He made his way towards the bedroom, pointing over his shoulder to let her know.

Completely distracted, Marinette failed to respond. Adrien stood waiting before asking another couple of times. She was too enthralled by what she was doing she wouldn't even notice if he was gone... so he went.

Wrestling his cold, damp clothing off, Adrien felt refreshed stepping into the warm shower, right up to the point when his mind began to play back the scene from that afternoon in the studio.

Finally meeting Fu.

Tikki possibly going into labour.

Marinette's call.

Nino.

Alya.

His father! His damn father!

He hated calling Gabriel that now. He wasn't even close to being such a word. He was disrespectful and disgusting.

Making his way from the shower to his room, he grabbed his jeans and jumper, throwing them on and heading back to where Marinette had set up shop, and from the looks of it... already completed the job. How long had he been in there?

"That looks amazing." He wandered into the room, heading to Marinette and where she sat proudly examining the stitches.

"It's a good material to work with. Expensive and with just the right amount of give. It should be good to go for the rehearsals tomorrow."

Adrien continued over to her, wrapping his arms around her neck and pressing a hard kiss to her cheek, one which made her giggle and turn in his arms, changing the impressionable cheek kisses to ones of searing passion. She looped her arms around his neck and pulled him down, his body becoming too heavy and losing his balance.

They toppled over, Marinette tumbling with Adrien onto the ground and landing on top of him — a position he really didn't mind. He looked up from where he was sprawled out on the floor and smiled. Marinette was glowing in the light on top of him, the lamps causing an angelic glow around her head as the dark strands of her hair fell over her face.

A slight brush was all it took to remove the hairs from over her eyes to around her ears, the silence between them overwhelming with warmth and possibilities. His thumb brushed over her cheek, touching the pink hue he adored so, so much.

"I got you something," he whispered, his fingers continuing their exploration of her face.

"I hope it involves kisses."

Adrien laughed, unable to stop himself from smiling. "I can make sure it does."

She lowered down, leaning over him, her lips slowly caressing his as she brushed over them tentatively, only for Adrien to stretch his hand behind her neck and hold her to him. Their connection grew as he guided her through the kiss he'd longed for since leaving her that afternoon. He may not have gotten his date, but he could live with it thanks to this kiss.

She sighed dreamily as she moved away, her eyes fluttering open and slightly dazed.

"Here." He rolled himself around to stand up, taking her with him. Marinette's giggles bounced his heart around his chest as he headed towards his coat and more importantly, the off cuts he'd slyly placed in there earlier. Her legs hooked at the ankles behind his back, one hand cupping under her as the other reached into his coat pocket.

"Oh, Adrien."

She slid down and off his body before taking the fabric from his hands. She grabbed it and nuzzled it against her cheek like a small kitten, rubbing and rubbing making Adrien feel more and more jealous. Placing a hand over his mouth he turned to look away. This was silly. He'd literally just kissed her, yet watching her right now was making him feel like an intruder.

"Do you like it?" he asked, his hand caressing his neck as he listened to her fawn over the material.

"Of course I do! But won't your father notice it's gone?"

Adrien shook his head, smiling widely. "I found it in the bottom of the scrap bin. It'll be perfect for your design."

"Thank you." She stretched up into her toes and pressed a kiss to his cheek, each of them expressing their gratitude by heating up a degree.

"Listen," she said, walking over to the sewing machine and placing the material down, and grabbing her overnight bag in its place. "I know you wanted a first date and had planned a lot which we had to cancel, but the night is still quite young. How about we go out and do something fun?"

Adrien chuckled. "Is that to celebrate our victory?"

"Of course, and so you can show off your amazing and talented girl —"

His heart almost exploded in his chest. Did she want him to call her his girlfriend? That was what she was going to say, wasn't it?

"Say it!" Adrien demanded, stepping forward. He closed the space between them, leaving only mere millimetres from each other.

She looked away, her hands joined together in front of her body and twisting to the point of snapping.

"Your partner," she whispered.

He shook his head, cupping her chin between his thumb and finger. He lifted her face from her hands to look at him. Her eyes were sparkling and more alluring than he'd ever seen. He so hoped he'd read the signs right and that he wasn't pushing this the wrong way.

"That's not what you were going to say. Please, Shortcake, say it."

Her eyes moved, yet her head stayed exactly where it was, an electric pulse passing from one body to the other.

"Please."

Her eyes flickered back to him, and he hoped she could read him as well as he felt he could read her.

"Your... girlfriend."

Without wasting a second, he gravitated towards her, capturing her lips in a hot, explosive kiss. He felt her melt into him. The sudden kiss was an impulsive collision of passion, igniting fervent emotions and setting hearts ablaze. Warmth intensified between them as his arms wrapped tightly around her waist and her hands slid up into his hair.

Pulling away, they both attempted to breathe.

"I need to go and get changed," she said breathlessly.

He ran a thumb over her lips and smiled. "Or we could just stay here, especially now you're my girlfriend."

His heart swelled to the size of the moon, his lips fluttering over hers once again. Unwilling to give that option a chance though, she moved away from him and out of the room, every step accompanied by the huge smile on her face. Moving over to his cupboard, he grabbed his shoes and coat, slipping them both on before she came back into the room.

She looked at him nervously as he stumbled to put on one of his boots. All the sass she'd exited the room with had evaporated and once again she looked like the girl with the teaspoon in her hair.

"I — um — I don't know where your room is."

It took Adrien a moment to realise what she'd said before bursting out laughing and walking to her.

With every second they continued to share with each other Adrien Agreste couldn't help but fall more and more in love with his partner.

*****

Soft strains of a holiday love song echoed from a distant café, mingling with the gentle scrape of blades on ice. The Eiffel Tower, a silent witness to countless love stories, casted its luminous glow as it accompanied the bright light of the full moon. Every twirl and twinkle reflected the poetry of each and every shared moment, etching a tale of romance in the heart of Paris.

The crisp air carried a scent of winter. The bitter cold being beaten by the intertwining of two hands warmed by the excitement.

When Adrien had told her he'd never skated before, Marinette couldn't believe it — until they stepped foot on the ice that was. She was known for being clumsy, but the only word she could give her boyfriend (boyfriend?!) was Bambi. Maybe skating wasn't the best idea before their main rehearsals were due to begin.

"I think I've got it now." Finally taking a hand from the edge, Marinette slowly led Adrien into the centre of the ice rink. Her hand tightened around his reassuring him with gentle squeezes and soft strokes over his thumb.

"I think you have," she giggled.

They continued skating Marinette basking in the memories they were making. She wished this didn't have to end. The thought of the show finishing and their next step beginning was starting to scare her, it could all change so quickly once the magic was gone, and she just prayed they would be okay, that they were strong enough to make it through. She was his girlfriend now, that had to mean something... right?

"This is amazing," Adrien gasped, shuffling slowly as Marinette guided him around the ice rink.

"I know it's not what you had planned but I hope it's okay?" As they skated around she finally settled into their time together, ignoring the nagging feeling of something going wrong and thinking about what they had accomplished so far together.

When she'd first met Adrien she thought he was an arrogant arsehole, yet the time spent in the studio with the unknown 'Chat Noir' gave her an insight into the real Adrien Agreste, and as much as she loved spending time dancing with him, it was the fun at the studio and away from the pressure where his personality really shone through. That's when she saw him.

She didn't know what love was. She'd never experienced the intense emotion people claim to have, but she knew what she had with Adrien was pure and strong. She enjoyed being with him, she adored hugging and kissing him, and she just wanted to be with him all the time. Maybe this was love, she would be content if it was.

"This is fantastic, Marinette. Plus, I'm here with you. You make everything better."

She looked down at their skates, thinking of what she could say in response that wouldn't completely embarrass herself, when all of a sudden, Adrien snatched his hand away, digging into his back pocket and almost losing his balance. He grabbed hold of her arm to stay upright, before tapping around on his phone screen and bringing it up in front of the two of them.

There, shining as bright as the moon, was a photograph of a tiny baby complete with smiling, yet tired looking parents.

Sorry I'm going to have to miss your performance, I'm going to be busy with my little Cheesecake.