Princess AU
Summary: Marinette is reunited with her parents after leaving Chat
AN: Yup... another post for this story. I got a bit carried away.
Fandom: Miraculous Ladybug
"Oh Marinette!" The girl was tackled into a hug the moment she spotted her parents. Her mother reached her first, but then her father engulfed them both in his hold. "We thought something horrible had happened to you!"
Despite wanting to tell them about the eventful month she had immediately, she let her parents calm down first. "When we heard Nathaneal came back without you..." Sabine started. "We assumed the worst."
"I'm okay, Mama. I... I'm sorry I couldn't get home sooner."
"You're back now. That's all that matters."
Once the family hug ended, Marinette wiped her eyes to clear them of any tears there. "I think you owe us an explanation though, young lady."
"I-I know, but it's kind of a long story."
"Good. I wouldn't accept a short one."
"Mama, Papa," She turned her eyes away from them and clasped her hands behind her back. "Please don't think I've lost my mind. I swear everything I'm about to tell you is true."
"Of course, sweetie! Just tell us what happened."
"Well... When Tikki and I were on out way to Alya's, a few men robbed us."
She stopped when her mother gasped, "Are you alright?!"
"Yes, Mama. They didn't hurt me. They were scared off before they could."
"How?"
"W-well..." She trailed off and rubbed her neck when she remembered how she and Chat met. Even then, he'd been her protector.
Her mother must've noticed, because she was humming mischievously. "Oooooh, was it a knight in shining armor, perhaps?"
"N-n-no! I-it's a bit more complicated than that." The girl sighed and ran a hand through her hair to calm herself. "I guess you could say I had a savior. I mean, I think at the time he was just doing it for himself, but-" Marinette stopped herself when she thought back to those emerald orbs that had only stared at her with kindness. "He took care of me after I fainted."
"Oh! A gentleman?"
"Yes, but at first look, you wouldn't be able to tell. He's... he's not very popular around here."
"He's not a criminal, is he?"
"Um..." Marinette didn't know how to respond to that. Was he? She wasn't sure. "Not exactly."
"Well, if he saved my baby girl, I suppose he can't be all that bad." Tom smiled, which Marinette returned. "Does this ex-criminal have a name?"
The girl hesitated. It would be a dead giveaway if she told them. But on the other hand, would it really that bad if they knew? Chat instilled fear just by having his name said. No doubt her parents would show that same fear when she told them that a dragon, of all things, was anywhere near her.
Taking a deep breath, she answered, "Adrien."
The fake name would only have to last long enough for her parents' minds to change.