Chapter Text
Walking home from school one afternoon, bodyguard in tow, a café’s delicious smells remind Adrien of the delicious baked goods he didn’t get to eat at Marinette's house. The bakery should be open, I have money, and as his grumbling stomach reminded him, I am hungry.
It's nice to patronize your friends' family's businesses, right? And those cookies smelled so good. And maybe Plagg would like them as much as his stinky cheese! He thought, walking along and messaging Nino to see what he was up to.
Turning the corner to the bakery, Adrien could smell the fresh baked goods. He sighed. He heard his bodyguard breathe the smell in a second time.
“Yeah, we’ll stop here for a bite. Sound good?” Adrien said. The guard smiled.
Adrien walked in to the bakery and was hit by the overwhelming smell of fresh cookies. Marinette’s mother, Mrs. Sabine Cheng, was at the counter ringing up the sale of another gentleman. Adrien looked around the bakery. Many savory and sweet baked goods lined the shelves. I’d love to try them all, he thought, but those cookies are calling me.
He looked over his shoulder at his bodyguard. “What strikes your fancy?”
“How about some of those mint macarons.” Adrien nods. With one exit to watch his bodyguard steps back and lounges by the door.
Adrien smiles as he steps to the counter. “Good evening Mrs. Cheng.”
“Oh Adrien, it’s so nice to see you.” She smiles broadly at him. “Marinette is out tonight, would you like her phone number?”
Adrien is surprised, “Oh, no ma’am. I came to get some of your delicious cookies.” He looks quickly at the counter of cookies.
“Of course, what would you like?”
“All of it!” he says. She laughs. “Well for today I’ll take a dozen mint macarons and a dozen chocolate chip cookies, please.”
“Sure thing.” she says. Adrien watches as she boxes up the macarons and hands them to him first. So he turns and hands them to his bodyguard. He nods and takes them outside. Adrien smiles, it’s not often his bodyguard accepts a gift. When he turns back, she’s walked into the back of the bakery. He sighs, That would be my luck if they were out of the cookies I came for.
When Sabine comes back she gestures to a counter in the corner with a few stools. He sits and she places a plate full of still-hot-from-the-oven cookies and a glass of milk in front of him.
He takes a deep breath, smiles, and digs in. Remembering his manners too late he mumbles between cookies “Thank you!”
“No problem dear. I can tell you’re really enjoying them.” She watches in companionable silence as he finishes three more cookies.
“These taste so good. Better than they smell.” He sighs. “Thank you.”
He thinks for a moment, “Maybe I should ask Marinette to bring these to school every day.”
She smiles “I’m sure if you asked, she’d gladly bring them, but they won’t be fresh out of the oven. We bake the cookies in the evenings, breads in the mornings.”
She watches him eat more, enjoying his happiness.
“How’s school? I heard you were tutored until this year. Do you like the programs?”
Putting his glass down from a big gulp he nods. “Yes, I am really enjoying school. It’s nice to have a class around me. It’s great to share the lessons, and make friends. When I was younger, we traveled so much I had to have a tutor. But for a while now we’ve been home and it’s nice to get out of the house.” He says, gesturing to the door and bodyguard.
He looks down at his plate as he realizes it’s empty.
“Whoops.” he says. “Did I eat all twelve?”
“I’m not telling.” Sabine says popping a full cookie bag on the counter in front of him. “These are for you to take home. The plate was my treat.” She smiles at him as he blushes in surprise and smiles back.
“But…” he starts. She shakes her head. “Nope. You’re one of Marinette’s friends and I’ve enjoyed the company. Cookie nights are usually quiet.”
“Thank you.” He says, flashing her a genuine, warm, wonderful smile. She smiles in return, realizing why Marinette likes him so much.
“I’m paying for the rest though. That way you’ll have more for me next week.”
“Of course, I’ll be here and would love the company.”
He left feeling warm, and smiling, and with a bag of cookies he didn’t want to share.
The next week, after a longer, drawn-out dinner “with” his father, Adrien remembered Mrs. Cheng’s invitation. I need to get out anyway, might as well head for dessert. He smiles fondly, Plagg wiggling in his pocket. Plagg had tried the cookies last week, and enjoyed them. Well, he didn’t compare them to camembert and that’s a compliment for him. His bodyguard as usual kept pace behind him.
“So what other kinds of cookies does the bakery have?” Plagg asks, interested enough to stay awake for once.
Adrien shrugs. He could use a warm cookie. They walk a few more blocks and come to the bakery. Tonight there seems to be music coming from the upper floors. Marinette or her father must be home.
His bodyguard nods as they reach the door. “I’ll wait out here.”
“Sure thing.” Adrien says opening the door to the bakery.
It was quiet inside tonight, so he takes his time looking around and giving Plagg a rundown of all his options. As he finishes looking at the last shelf Mrs. Chang comes in.
“Welcome back! How can I help you tonight, Adrien?”
“Good evening, may I have the same as last week? Though I know I'm later and they won’t be warm.” He frowns remembering the cookies last week.
Sabine laughed, “I’ll see what I can do.” She disappears into the back again.
Plagg grumbles, “Get some palmiers too.” Adrien pats his shirt.
“Sure thing.”
Sabine comes back with a plate and glass of milk. He smiles and follows her over to the stools.
“Thank you.” He says taking a quick bite. Oh, they’re still warm!
Sabine watches his smile brighten as he eats. She wraps up the macarons.
Through a bite of cookie Adrien asks, “Can you add some palmiers too, please?”
“Of course,” She wraps some palmiers and more chocolate chip cookies for him. Then she sits with him.
“Was it extra homework that kept you later?”
He sighs, “No. Dinner was just a mess.” He waves his hands explosively. “My father insisted we eat together, and then as we finally sat, he was called away again. As usual I wound up eating alone, late.”
Sabine pats his arm, “It’s okay to feel frustrated. I'm sure your father hates his plans being messed up as much as you. At least he’s trying.”
Adrien nods. “Yea, I get that. But it always seems like it’s not enough. He's trying but his heart’s not in it. To me it feels like he buries himself in work to avoid me.” Wow, I do feel that way, Adrien thought.
Sabine fiddles with a tray on the counter. “Remember he’s a human being too. Parents make mistakes like anyone else. They just affect more people.” Sabine's face got soft and reassuring. “And there are times when parents don’t get what they want, or need, and times we don’t apologize for fear of seeming too human.” She pats his hand. “He meant well, I don't think you should take it personally. I think everyone may be treated the same way.”
“That's true.” Adrien says, trying to think back to the last time his father wasn’t short with someone. “I just wish if he knows he won't make my events, he wouldn't promise to be there in the first place.” Adrien pushes his crumbs around on his plate.
“Have you noticed your classmates try and be at your games to cheer you on? I hear they enjoy rooting for you.” Sabine asks.
Adrien looks surprised. Of course they were at the games, but they were there just for me? I never realized. Friends are awesome, Adrien thought.
“Wow, thank you. I didn’t realize. I mean…” Sabine smiles at his realization.
“If you ever need more than friends, know that I’m here; Tom too. Everyone needs more than just their parents.” Sabine smiles.
“I… thank you.” Adrien says, surprised how much that means to him. He catches Plagg starting to move in his pocket, and looks to his bodyguard. He’s on his phone and looking his way.
“Oh, I guess time’s up. Thank you so much Mrs. Cheng.”
“I hope you'll come back next week. I'm interested to hear how your fencing tournament goes.” Sabine says waving as he leaves.
The next Thursday Adrien doesn't even hesitate after his quiet dinner. He heads out the door right away. But tonight is dark and rainy and his bodyguard grumbles. Adrien puts on his jacket and grabs two umbrellas. Handing one to his bodyguard, they head out.
Over the pattering of rain and vehicles splashing by, Adrien talks to Plagg.
“What can I have this time? Oh, how about cheesecakes! Maybe they make them as delicious as your cookies.” Plagg says.
Adrien nods down as he adjusts his hood. “Sure, though I’m sure it's not made with your favorite, I’m betting you'll like it better than the cookies.”
“So what's wrong with your dad now? He didn't even try to make dinner.”
Adrien sighs. “Oh, it’s normal. He's busy and you know I get in the way or something.”
“How can you get in the way? He schedules you. He puts you in the way.”
“Yea exactly. I wish he'd be honest with himself and just not bother.” Adrien says pushing his umbrella up in time to see someone tripping right into him.
Dropping his umbrella, he braces, and catches the fumbling figure. As he’s holding her arms steady, Marinette looks up at him, a huge blush blooming on her face.
“Are you okay?” he asks, helping her steady her balance. The rain patters off their coats.
“Ummm, ahhh, yeaaa. Thanks.” She manages to mumble, looking up into Adrien’s eyes.
“Good. Where are you headed in such a rush?” he asks, not quite sure he should release her arm since she still looks a bit unsteady.
“Oh, I'm heading to Alya's for study night, but I’m super late.” Marinette sighs, “As usual.”
Adrien laughs. “That’s our Marinette.”
She blushes again and steadies herself as he lets go of her arm. She holds her arm where his hand was gently. His hands are warm and damp from where he held her.
They pause for a moment, looking at each other. Even with hoods, their faces are damp from the misty rain. It’s even caught in her eyelashes, he realizes. As he notices, her eyes soften and a smile starts on her face, but then she is suddenly anxious again.
“Oh yea, Alya! I'm sorry, I have to go.” She says backpedaling away from him. She waves, pulling her hood up and starts back into a run. “Thank you for the save!”
Adrien waves after her. He picks up his umbrella as his bodyguard steps up and checks in.
“I’m fine. Let’s get going.”
“You sure do save her a lot.” Plagg says from his pocket.
Adrien shrugs. “I do, don’t I?”
They arrive at the bakery and Adrien and his bodyguard head into the warmth and delicious smells.
“Oh good you’re here Adrien. I was hoping you’d be earlier today. You just missed Marinette.” Sabine says standing behind the counter placing cookies on a tray.
Adrien smiles, “No, actually, I caught her, literally. She fell in front of me on my way over and I helped her up.” Sabine’s face grew concerned, cleared, and she laughed.
“Oh yes, that’s my girl. Thank you for helping her.” Sabine gestures for him to make himself comfortable in his usual spot. As Adrien takes off his coat and sits, Sabine disappears into the back of the bakery.
“Cheesecake!” Plagg grumbles from his shirt.
“Of course.” Adrien says looking over at his bodyguard. He leaned on the wall by the door, trying to give Adrien a bit of personal space. He really appreciates that, it was a trying day.
Sabine comes back in with a tray filled with three steaming mugs of hot chocolate, a box of macarons, and another closed box. She first hands a cup to his bodyguard who smiles gratefully and wraps his hands around the mug. She leaves his box of macarons on the counter near him. Then she brings the tray over to Adrien.
“I’ve only heard a little about your fencing tournament this week. I’d like you to tell me about it. But first Tom and I made you something for placing.” She places the box in front of him. He can't speak. He is so surprised. She nods for him to open it. Inside is a small, white cake in the shape of a fencing mask overlapped with a foil.
“For me?” Adrien couldn’t say anything else; it was stuck in his throat.
“Congratulations. We know you worked hard on your skills. And Tom was very inspired when he heard you placed.” Adrien smiles, it’s a big smile, one he can feel to his toes.
“I just came for cookies.” Is all he can manage to say.
Sabine pats him on the shoulder. “I know it’s not what you’re used to, a showing of affection, but we show our feelings using our food. We’re bakers after all.”
“I, just. Thank you.” He can’t look up, or the mist in his eyes will overflow. He blinks them back.
She places the drinks on the counter and sits across from him. “So tell me all the details, and then you can have your cake.” Adrien complies, finding that he’s enjoying telling the story of the tournament. His retelling it makes it clearer in his mind. The play by plays make his moves more obvious to him now. Sabine cuts the cake for them, as he finishes his story.
“So we placed third, though I scored the second most of any individual. They suggested I compete in the singles tournament in a few weeks.” He felt good sharing his accomplishments with someone who cares. He felt a bitter twinge. It wasn’t father but I should know better. Father’s not like that, not even for me, Adrien thought.
Sabine noted the shadow cross Adrien’s face as he finished his story.
“Well done. Your cake is your just dessert for leading our team to victory.” She places his slice of cake before him, and cuts and serves two more. As she takes a piece to his bodyguard, Adrien sticks a forkful of cake into his shirt for Plagg. Then he eats the rest himself.
After they finish their slices, Sabine asks Adrien. “Marinette says fashion week is coming up soon, will you be going with your father to Milan for it?”
Adrien scrapes the last crumbs off his plate. “Not this year. Father’s Milan collection is all women’s wear, so he has nothing for me to model. He will at the next show, but I’m off the hook until then. Which means I can compete at the fencing singles tournament while he’s gone.” He smiles thinking of it.
“If you'll be on your own that week, perhaps you could join my family for dinner, and you wouldn't have to eat alone. And not just dessert for once. It’s nothing formal, just a family meal.” Sabine says, boxing up his cake and cookies.
Adrien is nervous, blushes, starts to say no. But she pats his shoulder and says “You'll come as my friend, and you can tell Tom all about both tournaments.”
He smiles, I really would look forward to it. “Yes, that would be nice. I’d love to.”
“Good,” she says, “So I’ll see you next week for cookies and the week after for dinner.”