It was a pleasure to work with you, you really had great inputs for this AU and I am glad we did this collab toether and hopefully we could work together in the future too! And here is the story.
There were many things that Chloé thought she would never do in her life. Hiding under a serving cart to sneak out of her own damn hotel to meet her girlfriend for a secret date certainly fit in the category of ‘Things Chloé never even dreamt of doing’. And yet, here she was. Chloé tapped her fingers against her upper arm impatiently, hoping she could get out from under this damn smelly table sheet already. She had to keep from screaming with joy when they finally came to a halt. One minute later, the waiters who pushed the trail went away, and, judging by their steps, Chloé guessed they went to the other side of the kitchen. She lifted the table sheet enough to glance at the door leading out of the kitchens and into a small alley. Taking a deep breath, Chloé got out from under the table and sprinted to the door and into the alley. She probably looked really silly, laughing at herself while running in the night.
At the end of the alley, just around the corner, stood a dark pink motorcycle. The engine was off and the driver was leaning against it, arms crossed over her chest. Chloé raised eyebrows, smiling towards her.
The other woman raised the visor of her helmet and Chloé could easily see the mirth in her blue eyes. “Got a problem with that, honey?”
She snorted. “Oh look at you, trying to be intimidating. You should know better than to treat your girlfriend like this, Marinette Dupain-Cheng.”
Chloé came closer, running her index finger along Marinette’s arm. “And it is very hard for you to sound threatening when you are shorter than me.”
If Chloé could take a wild guess, she assumed Marinette had her mouth open in surprise and annoyance under her helmet. With a huff, her girlfriend crossed her arms and turned her back. Chloé smirked, pulling on the collar of Marinette’s leather jacket enough to expose a little bit of skin. Just enough for her to drop a kiss on it and make Marinette yelp. She turned back around, glaring at the smug Chloé.
“Don’t make me cancel the date,” she threatened.
“But baaaaaabe, I risked my life and nails to get out of the hotel to meet you.” Chloé sing-songed dramatically, almost throwing herself in Marinette’s arms and feigning fainting.
Marinette rolled her eyes fondly. “Come on, drama queen. Let’s get on with this date.”
Chloé reached for the yellow helmet that Marinette had specially decorated for her and put it on. Marinette looked over her shoulder before lowering the visor.
Chloé wrapped her arms around Marinette’s waist. She always held on tight.
“I can’t believe you did this,” Chloé said in amazement as she sat down on the blanket under an old oak.
“Well, I am glad you like it.” Mariette smiled up at Chloé while she was propped on an elbow. “Want another slice of tarte tatin?”
“Ugh, I shouldn’t.” Chloé bit her lip. She had already had a cheat day, and she wasn’t going to get abs to match her girlfriend’s if she kept eating sweets and pastries, but… Marinette made it, and it was really tasty, so damn it. “Okay, give me.”
With a giggle, Marinette cut a slice and moved up. She stole a peck from Chloé before holding the slice of tart before her lips. “Here you go, honey.”
Chloé bit eagerly, taking the tart out of Marinette’s hand. And then she noticed the look Marinette was giving her. “Don’t be so smug about it. You know pastries are my weakness, and you know you make them well.”
“Bakers’ daughter,” she said, pointing to herself. “And I can look and be as smug as I want. Fact is, I just think you are cute. You make these adorable delighted noises.”
Chloé was about to tell her that of course she was cute, good for you for recognizing quality, when the wind began to blow, making her shiver. Marinette sighed.
“What possessed you to think high heels and a dress are fitting for this?” Marinette asked.
“Well, someone insisted on keeping the date’s location a secret, so what can I do?” Chloé said with a pout.
Rolling her eyes fondly, Marinette took off her leather jacket and put it around Chloé’s shoulders. The leather itself didn’t really help against the wind, but the inside of the jacket was cushioned with dark pink velvet. It did a nice job of keeping her warm. Leaning in, she stole a kiss from Chloé while arranging the jacket around her shoulders.
“Tease,” she muttered once Marinette went back to her seat on the blanket.
“You love my kisses,” she remarked before biting on a madeleine.
Chloé picked a little box with tiramisu and answered before taking a spoonful. “Well, you are an amazing kisser. Wait. Why in the world did you give me your jacket when you are only wearing a tank top? You will freeze!”
“I appreciate the care, but don’t worry that pretty head of yours.” she winked. “I was told I am pretty hot.”
Chloé stopped with the spoon midway to her mouth and narrowed her eyes. Marinette burst out laughing at her expression. “I can’t believe you sometimes.”
Marinette winked and then noticed the thoughtful look on her girlfriend’s face. “Hey,” she took her hand, caressing the back of her knuckles. “What’s with the long face?”
Chloé sighed. “I have this gala that my father organized. It will be on a private boat on the Seine. I mean, it sounds good when you first hear it, but it will be so boring when I think I will be stranded in the middle of the river with some boring old assholes and their egomaniac spawns with the personality of a rotten avocado,” she sighed, propping her chin in her palm. “If only you could be there.”
Marinette laid next to Chloé, intertwining their fingers. “Well, if you can somehow bribe the bodyguards to let me in, I am sure I could blend myself with the decor.
Chloé whipped her head to the side to look at Marinette, her lips curling in a smirk.
“Oh, I think the prospect of the party just became fun.”
“Hello there, beautiful.”
Chloé was about to decline whatever offer the random wannabe would make her. Subtly, but with sarcasm and just a little bit of venom, depending on how obnoxious they got after they saw she wasn’t interested. And then she turned around.
Marinette was truly a sight to behold. Well, she always was, but red looked really good on her. And that split on the side of the dress… well, wow. Turning her attention to the snacks table and grabbing a slice of flan quickly, Chloé tried to hide her blush. And probably failed. She cleared her throat and did her best to sound casual.
“Hello, to you too, gorgeous.” She turned around, smiling at Marinette. “What brings you here?”
In her defense, they were really easy to bribe. And Chloé didn’t mind throwing them a couple hundred euros to get her girlfriend in this party.
“A good investment.” Chloé said out loud, while taking a cupcake off the table and looking at it analytically. To her surprise, Marinette grabbed her wrist, pulling gently until the cupcake was next to her mouth. Then, without taking her eyes of Chloé’s, she bit out of it, chewing slowly. Chloé threw the rest overboard.
“You wasted a perfectly good cupcake,” Marinette remarked while taking a champagne glass off a tray of a passing waiter. Then, with a mischievous smirk, she walked closer to Chloé and raised the glass between them. “Want some champagne, honey?”
Chloé narrowed her eyes. “Why?”
Marinette took another step closer, never taking her eyes off Chloé. “You see, ma cherie, it seems the only way I could get a taste of your lips tonight is if you take a sip.”
A shiver went down Chloé’s spine. Damn. Marinette was simply too much when she used that voice and looked at her from under her eyelashes. Her eyes were so intense that Chloé felt as if everything became hotter around her and it was harder to breathe.
“Of course, I could always just pull you in a dark corner and kiss that sweet mouth of yours. I am sure I can find a spot hidden well enough for us to get some quality time together. But we both know how we get.” Marinette’s index finger traced the side of Chloé’s jaw. “And it would be quite a shame to ruin the pretty lipstick you have on.”
In one quick move, Marinette stepped back slightly and took a sip of the champagne. Chloé gasped, snapping out of the trance she was put in, all the voices and music around coming back to her. With an annoyed huff, Chloé reached for the glass and took it out of Marinette’s hand
“Should I grab another one for you?” Marinette asked, amused.
After she finished downing it, Chloé put the glass on the buffet table and grabbed Marinette’s hand. “No. No more drinks now. I would rather give you a ship tour.”
“Oh? Is there an interesting spot?”
“There’s this great spot where we can watch the fireworks together. There will be a wonderful view of the Eiffel, too. But, first of all, let me show you this nice secluded little room, just under the board. It has a really soft couch, too.”
Marinette smirked. “Show me the way, honey.”
Chloé analysed her reflection in the mirror. Hickeys hidden, lipstick perfect again. Good, very good. The not-so-little make out session might have gotten just a little out of hand and Chloé had makeup to do after it. Well, Marinette had, too, but she’d picked another bathroom. She capped the lipstick and put it back in her clutch. The fireworks were supposed to start soon, and she wanted to grab Marinette and get a good spot. But her plans were ruined the moment she walked on board and saw one of the bodyguards gripping Marinette’s arm while she was glaring daggers at him.“What do you think you are doing?” she roared, walking towards the scene with her fists clenched. “Unhand her right this second!”
“Mademoiselle Bourgeois, she doesn’t have an invitation and…” one of the guards began saying, trying to not look too worried. The fact was that Chloé Bourgeois could be terrifying when she wanted. And right now was one of those moments when she wanted to be the scariest thing that guy had ever laid eyes on. He unhanded her until someone cleared their throat behind Chloé. The mayor was glaring down at Marinette.
“Chloé, dearest, she wasn’t invited, she obviously snuck into this gala with God knows what intention.” He turned his attention to the bodyguard. “Seize her.”
He went to grab her arm again, but Marinette rolled her eyes, avoided his move, and side-stepped enough to allow her to touch the back of his neck and press to a point that made the man fall down with a gasp and stay frozen on the floor. She looked at the mayor unimpressed.
“That’s what you call security?”
The mayor was fuming, but before he could say something, Chloé stepped in front of Marinette. “I invited her.”
There was a gasp and a chorus of whispers through the crowd that formed around the scene. Chloé could feel Marinette’s eyes on her back, obviously wondering what in the world she was doing. Chloé’s eyes scanned the crowd and then found the shocked face of her father. Any other day she might have cared about appearances. Hell, Chloé from one year ago would have never pulled something like that. But right now, she was tired of hiding and, frankly, she really couldn’t give a damn about the opinions of those walking fossils or any rumor that would go through the tabloids tomorrow. Let them all see what an amazing girlfriend she had. Chloé stepped next to Marinette and held her hand. She glanced at her girlfriend and she smiled encouragingly.
“This is Marinette, and we have been dating for seven months,” Chloé stated proudly.
“And four days,” Marinette added with a smile.
“And four days!” Chloé cleared her throat. “She is an amazing girlfriend, very sweet and caring. But she could also kick your ass as showcased earlier. “ Chloé pointed to the still-fainted bodyguard. “And we are the ultimate power couple of Paris. So, if you don’t like it, you’d better suck it up, because frankly, I ran out of damns to give.”
She didn’t plan it. She didn’t even think about it. But on the spur of the moment and because of the easiness she felt once the secret was off her chest, Chloé acted impulsively. She dipped Marinette and kissed her passionately. Her girlfriend giggled against her lips.
“Did I ever tell you how amazing you are?”
“Later,” Chloé whispered against her lips. “Just kiss me now.”
Marinette wrapped her hands around Chloé’s neck and their lips met again. In the distance, the fireworks went off, creating a show of colour in the night sky. And the night turned out better than either of them expected.
