#Claude is sat there at his side. Likely still helping coax him into showers as he’s growing skin.

[stillprettyunoriginal]

Names are so vital. So important and held to who a person is and gods Claude who has known Jericho through being far closer to Simon than himself now; through Jericho and the taking of his FACE through having to take in the mind of bloody fucking Martin. If names bring power, what sort of humanity does it draw out of a person when they’ve seen you try on a good couple. Maybe I’m just in my own head about this but truly, there are versions and layers of learning and change to the Jericho we know now, and after a certain point? If we move past his childhood? Claude has been there for nearly all of them besides the tubs. When he lost Kassie there was someone else and this one hasn’t LEFT through his learning and hasn’t died through him stumbling into the world and overall at his side. He has truly been one of the people closest to him. One of the closest you could get, at the very least, when you wear the face of a tormentor and feel your gut twisted by their own memories of their hatred of you or how you her them, and you can’t remember a world without that hurt. I’m never going to heal from these two I swear it.

(also the taking of Martin’s face is destructive to my mental health rip someone please save me it ruins me every time I remember it, n WONDER he had brother issues dude)

[coffeecomicsgalore]

25 Days of Adrien (+6 of Marinette)

Chloe's New Year's Eve Party

Part 1 of 2 (Part 2 will be out later).

Ao3

Chapter 30 – Endings

Marinette could hardly contain her excitement. Today was the New Year’s Eve party at Le Grande Hotel. It would not be the first time Marinette had attended an event with Adrien, but it would be the first one where she could wear one of her designs and where both her and Adrien could freely be themselves without Gabriel keeping an eye on them. They wouldn’t be able to be completely free – paparazzi and all taking photos of the now prominent couple, but she would be able to be a little less “uptight”.

Adrien had a planned photo shoot that would last a good portion of the morning so Marinette decided to spend the day relaxing until she needed to ready herself for the party. She never makes enough time for herself to relax. With no commissions to work on, no more Christmas gifts to make, no help needed in the bakery, and no boyfriend to attend to, Marinette decided to do just that.  

She made her way to the bathroom and started up a warm bath, placing candles around the room for a little ambiance. She dropped pink petals in the bath along with the sweet-smelling bath salts that Alya had gifted her for Christmas. Wrapping her hair up in a bun, she turned her phone on to some calming music and lowered herself in the bath, inhaling the sweet aromas that surrounded her.

Feeling herself pruned and cold as the warm bath exhausted all its heat, she wrapped herself up in her warmest lounge wear and sat in a lump on her chaise. She grabbed a few extra blankets that laid at the end of the chaise and curled up to a book that she received from her Secret Santa.

Marinette dozed off for a bit, waking up to the little pings that emanated from her cell phone. She blindly searched for it with her eyes closed, prying open one eye to see who the message was from. Surprisingly it was Chloe, reminding her of the time of the event and to make sure she brought a jacket so they could watch the fireworks from her rooftop terrace instead of watching it from the main floor of the hotel with everyone else.

Smiling for her thoughtfulness, Marinette typed up a quick ‘thanks’ for the heads up and looked at the time. She had about two hours to get ready before Adrien would pick her up and drive her to the party. As if he could read her mind, a sweet face of a blond-haired boy showed up on the screen. Smiling, Marinette answered the video call.

“Hey, princess.”

“Hey hot stuff. How was the photo shoot?”  

Adrien rolled his eyes before smiling. “The usual. At least it wasn’t outside. Four outfit changes and countless re-shoots later, I was finally able to eat lunch and rest while the photographer took photos of the other models. But, enough about that. What have you been up to without me, my lady?”

Marinette stretched out her arms to pan out her location. “Just snuggling with ten blankets on my chaise. I finally took a long bath with those bath salts Alya got me and then I put on my most snugly outfit to read a book. I took a nap until Chloe texted me about tonight.”

“I’m jealous of your day off.” Adrien smirked before furrowing his brows in confusion. “Why did Chloe text you?”

“She just wanted me to make sure we knew what time to get there for and then to make sure I brought a warm jacket for tonight.”

Adrien had to think quickly. “Oh, for the fireworks?”

“Yeah, she said while the other guests use the main floor of the lobby, the three of us could go and use the rooftop terrace. I thought that was sweet of her.”

“Yeah, that is pretty awesome. Every time I got to hang out with her during New Year’s, that’s what we did.” He stared out, presumably towards to floor, thinking of those moments. “She can really be a good friend when she doesn’t act like a brat.”

“I know. I can see she’s worked really hard to get where she is now. Even though things are still tense between us, I’m glad to have started forming a friendship with her.”

“I’m glad you guys are friends.” Adrien looked up and nodded before returning back to the screen. “Hey, I just got home. I’m going to shower before I pick you up. I’ll see you in about two hours?”

“See you soon. Love you.”

“Love you too.”

-----xoxox-----

Adrien arrived at Marinette’s home right on time, running up the steps to gather his princess. Tom opened the door and wrapped him in a bear hug while Sabine tried to coax her husband to put him down lest he ruin his suit. Sabine looks over to Adrien and pats a loving hand on his arm, cooing over how handsome he looks in his black suit. Keeping the look simple, he decided to go with a silver tie to match the silver cuff links that he had in his stash.

“Marinette should be down soon. She was just finishing up a hem that came undone on her gown.” She smiled.

Adrien was excited but nervous. The ring sat comfortably in his pocket ready to be revealed when the moment was right. Chloe was in his corner to help him set the ambiance for the night. He was lucky to have a friend like her in his life.

Small talks were passed between the two men while Sabine walked up the steps to call upon her daughter. “Marinette, are you all right up there?”

“Yes, maman. I’m coming. I just need to put my shoes on!” Marinette responded loudly.

Soon footsteps could be heard and Adrien suddenly stopped breathing.  Marinette slowly walked down the steps to avoid falling and looked straight to see Adrien’s focused attention. His jaw was slacked, a silly grin started to curl on his lips. He’s the famous model and yet he was looking at her star-struck.

Marinette looked beautiful in her blush gown. The simple bangles were the perfect accessory to her outfit. She wore her hair in a low side bun, tied messily with the snowflake pinned ever so carefully to the front of it. A few loose strands straddled her face perfectly and her makeup was done to accentuate her eyes, making it even bluer - if that was even possible - with a simple eyeliner and pink eye shadow.

Adrien didn’t know when Marinette reached him, but he couldn’t believe she was right there in front of him. He finally let go of the breath he was holding and lifted her hand ever so slowly to his lips, kissing the knuckles with little pecks. A blush reached Marinette’s cheeks. “You look absolutely beautiful.”

Marinette stared lovingly to him. “You don’t look too bad yourself, mon minou.”

After a few pictures from Tom, he teared up a bit at how adorable they looked together and included a rant about the cute grandchildren he would have one day. Sabine kissed both teens and told them to enjoy the night before Marinette became too flustered at him.

-----xoxox-----

The party was enjoyable. There were a few elite guests there for the Mayor. Sabrina was there spending time with Chloe. Marinette made small talk while Adrien was called over by one of the fashion icons that he would frequently converse with.

Marinette and Adrien spent a good amount of time on the dance floor, dancing to every slow song that they could until Marinette’s toes were screaming in pain. Adrien was a gentleman and grabbed two glasses of wine for him and his date, sitting beside her as they talked about the people around them.  

Chloe would look at the unsuspecting couple ever so often, looking at the clock to help set up the plan for Adrien. He requested a bottle of champagne and two flutes up to the side of the grand piano on the terrace and to make sure the setting was perfect. All she had to do was have someone finish the last touches 15 minutes to midnight so he could bring her up there at 10 of.

Adrien excused himself to see Chloe while Marinette continued to rest. “Is everything in place?” The nerves could be heard in his voice.

“I just sent Jean Claude up there to make it magical.” Chloe smiled. “She’s going to love it.”

“You’re the best, Chloe.” He wrapped his arm around her.

“Go on, go on. You have ten minutes to get up there.”

Adrien coaxed Marinette up from her seat and brought her up to the terrace.  

“Is Chloe and Sabrina coming?”

“Yeah, they will be up in a minute. Chloe just needed to grab something first before meeting us up there. She told us to go on without her.” Marinette took the white lie and linked her fingers with his as they rode the elevator up.

Marinette went wide-eyed at the view. The entire terrace was lit up from the bushes to the umbrellas. The pool had dozens of floating candles. Even the piano was adorned with lights. “Wow, Chloe likes to go all out when she decorates, huh?” Marinette said innocently.  

Adrien turned to Marinette and he blushed over how beautiful she looked under the dimmed lights. He grabbed her waist and pulled her in, leaving a light kiss to her lips. The countdown could be heard in the streets below.

Thirty, twenty-nine, twenty-eight...

He looked at her with all the love in the world. “Marinette.”

…. twenty-six, twenty-five, twenty-four...

“Hmm.” She hummed quietly as she soaked up his embrace.

… twenty-two, twenty-one, twenty...

“The last ten months were the best I ever had in my life. I haven’t been this happy since before my mother passed away. You have always been there for me, and even brought my father back into my life. I never expected that in a million years.” He cooed softly to her ear. “You reminded me how special this holiday is; you reminded me how loved I am. I don’t think I could ever repay you for everything you have done.”

...fifteen, fourteen, thirteen...

“But all good things must come to an end.”

Marinette looked confused over what he was saying. Ending? Marinette turned away from him, afraid at what he was hinting at.  

...ten, nine, eight...  

Time felt like it slowed down.

...seven, six, five...

“Marinette.”

She turned around to his calling and saw he wasn’t standing. She looked down, her hand reaching up to her mouth, tears slowly falling down her cheeks.

...four, three, two, one. Happy New Year!