Red Strings And Markers

e i g h t

"Bah!" Chloé waved her hand, mostly in Sabrina's face. "I just can't believe the crazy cat lady is with my Adrihoney!" She whined.

The school day ended and the four of them started to head out, Alya and Nino leading Marinette and Adrien. Nino was holding a map of London, while Alya had her head on Nino's shoulder, looking down at his map.

"So it looks like we're staying at the Corinthia Hotel. It sits just in front of the London Eye, with only the River Thames in between." Nino pointed to the map of where they would be staying.

"Bustier hasn't given out the plans for the three days, so it's safe to assume that we will have some time to go and explore by ourselves." Alya added, wrapping her arms around her boyfriend.

"You guys have something planned out, don't you?" Marinette asked, looking at the two of them with slight envy. The two gave a smile.

"Of course!" They said in unison.

"Nino, do you wanna come over today?" Alya asked.

"I can't. Mom wants me to pack."

"You still haven't packed?" Adrien chuckled.

"Well, excuse me, I don't usually travel, Mr. Model."

This made Adrien blush slightly and he rubbed the back of his neck as he laughed nervously and muttered an apology.

"I guess we will see each other tomorrow morning then?" Alya asked, taking the map that Nino folded up. He nodded and Marinette started to walk away, Adrien waiting for his ride to arrive.

"Do you want me to pick you up from your house tomorrow morning?" Adrien looked over at Nino who was hugging Alya.

"That would be awesome. Saves me the walk here." That sparked an idea in Adrien and he looked over Marinette's figure walking away. He ran to her, going in front of her to get her to stop.

"Hey, would you want me to pick you up from your house tomorrow?"

"W-What?"

"Well, we're going to be partners right? The least I could do is pick you up from your house. Your prince in shining armor will be waiting for you tomorrow morning." Adrien gave a bow and Marinette blushed furiously.

"O-Oh, a-ah, u-um, o-okay!" Marinette stammered.

Adrien smiled at her and waved as he saw his car pull up the road. "Goodbye, Marinette."

"B-Buh b-bye!" Marinette waved almost frantically.

That night, Marinette couldn't sleep. She was just overwhelmed with the thoughts of being with Adrien, in the same car with Adrien, in the same bedroom with Adrien. She didn't know if she was going to go haywire with all this overwhelming thoughts of her crush.

When the morning came, Marinette had probably slept an hour. She was sure she probably looked like death itself, so she took a quick shower, hoping the cool water would wake her up sufficiently. She went downstairs and her parents were getting ready for the day.

"Are you ready Marinette? I can't believe our little girl is leaving us so soon and for so long." Sabine came around her daughter and hugged her from behind.

"Mama, I'm just going to London for the weekend, I'm not moving out." Marinette laughed and began to eat breakfast.

"Mama, were you expecting an early customer?" Tom called from the front door.

"Ah? I don't believe so." Sabine went to her husband, leaving Marinette to eat breakfast by herself. There was some conversation by the front door and Marinette's parents came back in, followed by Adrien.

"A-Adrien!" Marinette quickly stood, almost knocking her chair over. Adrien smiled and waved, Sabine standing next to him.

"Adrien here says he's come to pick you up. Are you almost done Marinette?"

Marinette stammered for words before she scarfed down the rest of her breakfast and ran upstairs to gather her luggage.

"Would you like a croissant Adrien?" Tom asked, coming from the bakery with some croissants.

Adrien looked at the soft, flakey pastry with almost a watering mouth. "I really wish I could but... I can't." Adrien declined sadly.

Tom frowned slightly, but nodded, going to towards the kitchen.

"I've heard a lot about you. I just never thought I would ever meet you in person." Sabine spoke, sitting in the living room.

Adrien followed, sitting in a sofa adjacent to her. "I'm sure it's from all the magazines and interviews-"

"Actually, from Marinette." Adrien was surprised. "She talks about you an awful lot. I feel like I know you as much as I know Alya." She chuckled and Adrien was left speechless. Marinette talked about him at home?

"M-Mama! W-What are you talking about?" Marinette almost cried from upstairs. She rushed downstairs with her luggage, almost tripping on the steps. She passed by her father and the man gave her a brown paper bag and followed her to the living room.

"Now Mr. Adrien, I'm letting you borrow my princess' hand, so I expect you to take very good care of her."

Marinette had come to stand beside Adrien now and froze, looked at her father with a terrified look.

"No worries, Mr. and Mrs. Dupain-Cheng. I will take care of your princess as if she was mine." He gave that bow he had given Marinette the previous day and Sabine giggled, Tom nodded approvingly.

If the world could swallow people whole and not leave a trace, right now, Marinette was begging to disappear.

"Have fun you two. And be safe!" Marinette was unable to speak, Adrien looked back at Marinette's parents as they made their way out the door.

"Thank you, we will! We will be back soon!" Adrien closed the front door behind him, looking at a frazzled Marinette. He let out a chuckle. "Here, let me take this for you." His hand reached for her luggage and their hands momentarily touched, Marinette letting go quickly, as if she had been shocked by electricity.

"T-Thank you!" She stammered quickly. She couldn't contain her stutters and she felt beyond embarrassed that their hands touched. It had felt like slow motion, when their hands touched and Marinette wanted more, but she fanned herself, following behind Adrien.

As they went to the car, Adrien opened the door for her and told her to step in while he placed Marinette's things in the trunk. Inside, Adrien's body guard was in the driver's seat while Nathalie was in the passenger.

"Good morning, Marinette Dupain-Cheng. I am Nathalie, the Agreste's personal assistant."

"H-Hi, good morning." Marinette stuttered as Adrien slipped into the seat beside her.

"Got everything?" Adrien asked Marinette with the sweetest smile, she thought she would melt.

"Y-Yes." She replied.

"Then London, here we come."

Yup, this trip was truly going to be the death of Marinette Dupain-Cheng.

A/N: Feed Adrien Agreste 2k16