《Under Lock and Key》Mini Epilogue: Halloween
Advertisement
I was fortuitously commissioned to draw the cop and robber Halloween costumes mentioned in the last chapter of the fanfic, so I took the opportunity to write a short epilogue that Maerynn and I originally wanted to write once we had finished the main story.
----------------
-------
----------------
"Kind of nostalgic, isn't it, Chaton?" Marinette remarked, a corner of her mouth quirking upwards as she idly watched Adrien's bodyguard drive away; he had dropped them off across the street from the Grand Paris Hotel for Chloe Bourgeois' annual Halloween party. They moved behind a nearby tree so they wouldn't block any potential foot traffic, and to add the finishing touches to their costumes.
Adrien chuckled, folding up the sleeves of his striped shirt. "I didn't think we'd be getting handcuffed to each other so soon after 'The Manon Incident'."
"It's only been about a month," she replied, shrugging. "I'm sure our muscle memory is fresh enough to be able to navigate through Chloe's party for a couple of hours."
Marinette produced a pair of toy handcuffs from one of her pockets. She closed one of the manacles around her wrist, then handed Adrien the other.
"Anyway, this was your idea, Mr. Criminal," she quipped.
"Well, I certainly couldn't pass up the opportunity to hook up with you again, Buginette," he teased, adjusting his manacle. "Besides," he lilted flirtatiously and winked at her, "You're definitely the most gorgeous police officer I've ever seen. I should let you arrest me more often."
Marinette rolled her eyes, scoffing playfully. "You incorrigible scoundrel," she mock-reprimanded him, placing her hand on her hip and lightly poking him in the chest with her handcuffed one. "I should send Ladybug and Chat Noir after you for your numerous violations of the Paris Excessive Puns Law."
Advertisement
Adrien swooned dramatically, lifting his free hand to his forehead. "Please have mercy on me, My Lady-Cop! I promise I'll paws and reflect upon my misdeeds!"
Marinette groaned theatrically, scrunching her face into an exaggerated frown, then held her up hands in front of her mouth, holding an imaginary megaphone. "Stop in the name of the law! You're under arrest for repeated offenses against the city of Paris and your girlfriend's sanity!" she declared with a gruff voice.
Adrien responded by grabbing her hands and bringing them to his lips. "So, I drive you crazy, huh? What a coincidence." He kissed her hands gently, trying to hide a shameless smirk behind them. He uttered in a low voice, "I've been crazy about you for years, so now we're even."
Marinette looked up at him, a sudden heat creeping up her face. His half-lidded eyes were full of adoration and promise; his lips were soft and warm and inviting. Adrien was both hot and cold; playful one moment and serious the next, and yet it was so... him. So sincere, compassionate, sensitive, and romantic; and yet dynamic, dorky, mischievous, and just fun. She loved that about him; he was a beautiful paradox.
She hummed thoughtfully, taking a step towards him. "Maybe I can make it up to you," she teased back, ignoring the loud thumping in her chest.
"I'd like nothing more," he replied with a smile, leaning in even further, so close that he could smell her cherry lip gloss.
She closed the remaining distance, standing up on her toes and wrapping her free arm around his neck. With a small sigh of approval, Adrien wrapped both his arms around her waist, holding her handcuffed arm behind her with their fingers interlocked. She ran her other hand through his hair and deepened the kiss, sighing contentedly. Their kisses were now familiar and comfortable, and yet they still felt new. Refreshing. Invigorating. They couldn't get enough of each other, needing each other like the very air they breathed.
Advertisement
They may have stayed that way for a few seconds, or it may have been minutes; neither of them could tell. Their lips brushed once more as they pulled away, panting slightly, arms still around each other.
Marinette finally lowered herself to the ground and shyly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. She giggled, "As much as I'd love to continue loitering in a public place and make out, we should really go inside. It's starting to get a little chilly out here."
Adrien let out a small, timid laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "Good idea. If the real Roger-cop sees us, he'll pitch a fit."
He took her hand, lacing their fingers together, and couldn't help but gaze at her for a few moments. So much had changed in Adrien's life just within the past month, he could scarcely believe it. Not in his wildest dreams could he have imagined the happiness he felt now that Marinette was a permanent fixture in his life. He could never pass up the chance to let her know he loved her, even if their days were busy or if they had to be apart; he made it a point to make her feel appreciated and adored with both small and grand gestures.
He leaned forward and gave his beautiful partner one last chaste peck on the lips, and was rewarded with a brilliant smile and a blush that slightly darkened her adorable freckles.
Hand in hand, the couple stepped out from behind the tree and crossed the street, then entered Le Grand Paris Hotel wearing matching lovesick grins.
Five seconds later, Chloe's booming voice could be heard above the multitude, "ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?!"
----------------
-------
----------------
As always, thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed our story :)
(BTW, if you feel like reading more of my writing you can also check out my current ongoing fanfic, "Discordant Sonata")
Advertisement
- In Serial13 Chapters
Golden Age
In the latter half of the 21st century fully immersive virtual reality has finally become mainstream; a brand new game company called Aurum Productions promises to bring about the most realistic fantasy MMORPG ever created with their flagship title, Golden Age. A new player who goes by the name, D0n, loads into the world of virtual reality for the first time in his life thanks to these promises. But what catches his attention isn’t the wild monsters, the in-depth quest lines, or the ability to perform superhuman feats — what draws D0n at first is a bit more… mundane. Sure he’ll put in the time to level up his character… just as soon as he can finish applying the last layer of paint on his new coffee table… and after he lands that triple backflip he’s been trying to do all day… not to mention the lady next door was talking about a new horned rabbit stew recipe she was working on… Sure a world of swords and magic in virtual reality means a whole slew of fantastical experiences you can’t get anywhere else, but it’s not like those are going anywhere. And virtual or not, D0n is determined to live out his reality with a pace and vision that suits him best. It’s just a shame that his habit of a personalized play style has some far reaching consequences even Golden Age’s dev team could have never predicted. New Chapters uploaded every Wednesday.
8 84 - In Serial6 Chapters
The End of Apocrypha
God eventually arrived to save humanity, but the term "save" means "butcher," since his creatures slaughtered every life on Earth before setting it ablaze. When a bright light arose in the sky and various things with horrific features emerged from the clouds, Nathan, a college student, was getting ready to travel to his university with his friend Deo... Will he be able to protect the people he loves about, or will he succumb in a fate worse than death?
8 94 - In Serial13 Chapters
Marrow Marionette
Elm, an anti-social teen, ostracized at school, and alone otherwise, awakens to a power that changes his bleak future into an open sky of possibility. Maybe he will choose to be a hero? Or, maybe he will just take what he needs to be happy. How many mindless, clattering skeletons does it take to beat a superhero? For Elm, there's only one way to find out.
8 302 - In Serial11 Chapters
Fort Administrator
Dear Sir, You are invited to be considered for the position of civil administrator at the distant frontier outpost of Fort Amalveor. You may have heard rumours about this region. While it is indeed beyond the borders of the Polity, I can reassure you that it is a very calm and ordered land, sparsely inhabited, and largely untroubled. Should you decide to pursue this opportunity, please write back with the utmost urgency! The position has already been vacant for some time, and a talented administrator is needed with haste. Yours faithfully, Jessaire Sev-ConteneSenior ClerkNorth Hill Waypost Sebastian Lewis has been offered an administrative position at a minor outpost in a relatively obscure frontier territory. It isn't a position he's particularly well qualified for, but it's also not something he can bring himself to pass up. Packing his spare clothes, his outdoor boots, and of course his stationery set, he begins his journey into the unknown. This is a fantasy story with mysery and horror elements, following a protagonist with no special powers.
8 135 - In Serial14 Chapters
Naruto Retsuden: Toru
[SI/OC Third Shinobi War]Well fought and well done. All of us fight as one. It took me three years to be able to properly read the faded out kanji of the flimsy poster that I keep in my back pocket. The illustration is colourful, bright reds and yellows. Colours that would definitely catch the attention of a child. The poster was carefully placed along the walls and fences of my village, level with the height of a four year old. I thought enlisting to become a Shinobi was a heroic deed, something I needed to do to save my family from poverty and to serve my country at the cusp of war. Then I graduated early to be deployed to the front lines.I am sadly and sorely mistaken. Warnings:Slow-burnNO OP-NESSRomance? What romance? It'll take at least 40 chapters or more before anything romantic happens.Realistic depictions of War from a child's perspectiveBlood and goreChild SoldiersPTSDRealistic character developmentTragedy. A lot of tragedy. Critiques much appreciated!
8 108 - In Serial38 Chapters
life after surviving a disaster
What started out as a prank voting game led to a series of tragedies, with students in the class dying one by one. And as the voting continued, I knew that maybe I would be the next one to die.
8 64