•|| Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock

[sweettalker]

[ The fact that Adrien hadn't really been able to properly enjoy his first Christmas party was bad enough on its own, but then knowing she was the reason he'd gotten sick after, that sucked, too. Like a smashed up cherry on top of a really bad sundae, made with sugar free, vegan ice cream.

Piper's a vegetarian by choice and respects vegan's for taking it a step further but seriously, she knows you don't mess with ice cream.

First, she'd asked Mr. Agreste for Adrien to have permission to attend. With the way that he carried himself she wasn't surprised at all that Adrien had such a strict and rigid schedule, that he really didn't challenge his father's choices very often, or that he'd had to sneak out and run off to get to attend school- OR that he'd run out of the house in jeans and a t-shirt on Christmas night- okay yeah she promised to let that go. Hot chocolate.

God bless hot chocolate.

Still, she'd been a bit surprised when Gabriel actually relented to allowing his son to have the night in question off- considering it was technically her fault Adrien had gotten sick. Perhaps... Adrien left that part out? Seeing her good fortune she'd chosen NOT to question it, simply giving gabriel the place and time Adrien needed to be and then taking her leave very quickly.

Then she had to book the venue. Not a problem, the venue would be perfectly safe, with security all its own, courtesy of the McLean's. The look of shock on her father's face when she told him she wanted to host a party at their place, it would've been priceless if she hadn't felt so bemused about it. He'd given her this... look like she'd kidnapped and replaced his daughter with an alien clone.

He'd then promptly apologized when she threatened to cancel the plans- he was just so happy to see her being actively social! After a bit of back and forth banter (something she could appreciate, and something she had missed) he'd started helping her with making plans. She wanted a casual event, but she also wanted it to be comfortable, so just this once she was glad to go all out a bit. They had decorations ordered, but Piper insisted on putting them up herself with help from the staff and her friends from school. Once she told them about it they were eager to help and contribute. She'd even managed to skillfully plan the date around a time when Lila and Chloe would be tied up with prior engagements of their own. Even if Lila's lie was exactly that, she couldn't come up with a plausible excuse fast enough that would let her save face... considering Piper made sure she was the last to find out.

"Oh, she has plans already with Prince Ali, and the children's hospital in Italy, remember? She'd just feel guilty if she had to choose. Let's just save her some cake and take lots of pictures. She'll appreciate that."

Yes. Piper is a right bitch when she wants to be. Thank you, next?

Now, with everything set up and ready to go, all that was left was to get the guest of honor.

The meeting spot was the park, as it was public, close to her home, and the least suspect. Piper was waiting in the car by the gate, their driver standing next to the door. She was expecting Adrien to show up expecting a... what, an interview and photoshoot or some such. She's actually not sure how much his father told him since she HAD mentioned it was a surprise party. What excuse had he made up? She's curious and she knows she'll find out once Adrien arrives. She also knows he'll be nice and punctual, against all odds. ]

Comments

[catpunned]

[ His hands are free now. He doesn’t know what he’s supposed to do with them, so he rests them awkwardly at her hip as unobtrusively as possible.

Adrien savors her taste for what feels like an eternity, but just when he decides he maybe isn’t ready for it to end so soon, it does. He is left dumbfounded as his eyes reopen and their contact breaks. ]

A-Ah... I—I was— just about to do that.

[ Shut up. ]

[sweettalker]

[ She's kind of dimly aware of his phone clattering to the floor, and much less concerned with the audience spying from the other rooms. Other party goers? WHAT other party goers?

Unwittingly or no, his hands find the perfect place to rest. Not awkwardly high up on her shoulders, not too boldly low, either. Piper is aware if just because the gesture told her that he didn't want her to pull away, that he wasn't going to push her away.

The kiss is chaste and sweet, and his admission has her almost beaming back up at him. ]

Oh...? Well, you won't see me stopping you, if you still wanted to now?

[ He's going to have to go soon and she knows it, but maybe just one more for the road? And then they're... probably going to need- want -to talk about this the next time they see one another. She's already wondering and hoping for the next visit from Cat Noir to come sooner than later, to really confirm that this wasn't just a "because Mistletoe" thing beyond any shadow of doubt. ]

[catpunned]

Oh, um...

[ .........He is...blue-screening, hard. There’s a fresh layer of natural blush on his cheeks, and he breaks eye contact for just a second, to see if it would make things any easier; but when it doesn’t he gives in readily, leaning in to close the distance between them.

Okay, he thinks, though he’d really meant to say that aloud.

Instead, he presses his lips against hers in a kiss even more chaste than the last. A smile follows immediately, despite how short-lived it had been. ]

...If you insist.

[sweettalker]

[ Does this mean she technically had two surprises left for him? Does it count if she was surprised initially, too?

Eh, semantics.

It's really sweet, and adorable. Not going to tell him that, though, because teenage boy's egos are tricky things. Instead she lets him take his time to get his nerves going, and is rewarded for her patience with another kiss.

Chaste or not the second kiss has her grinning after, too. ]

I insist. Emphatically.

[ It just sucks that he has to leave already. Before she speaks up again Piper steals a glance from the corner of her eyes, spotting some of the others who scramble with frantic shout-whispers "SHE'S LOOKING! GO!" and "Getyourelbowoutofmyspine!") before returning her undivided attention to Adrien. With a hopeful lilt in her voice, she asks. ]

Visit me later, if you can? [ Easier for Cat Noir than Adrien, she knows, and it wouldn't be the first time. ]

[catpunned]

[ ......Yeah, their friends are not subtle. When Piper glances at them, he can’t help but do the same, though he’s a lot less annoyed about it than he should be (probably).

School is still going to be a nightmare after this, though. At least, for a while.

Adrien steels himself, taking a deep breath before finally kneeling to pick up his phone and the picture.

He tucks them both into the first coat pockets he can find before gathering the rest of his things. ]

I’ll try.

[ Sorry, he wants to add. Just in case he can’t? Or, maybe he’s sorry he has to leave in the first place?

Both sound stupid, so for once he does the smart thing and keeps his mouth shut. As if on cue, he feels his phone buzz, and he sees headlights from a familiar limo pull up, shining brightly through the limo.

His ride. ]

...Thanks again.

See you later.

[sweettalker]

[ Their friends are inforit after Adrien goes. In the most loving and sisterly way possible. ]

Welcome. [ She nudges his shoulder with her own lightly, just a touch, not a push or a playful shove like normal- gentler SHUTUP. Once he's ready she leans in and steals one more kiss, this one on his cheek, a quick peck. ]

Have a good night, Adrien. [ She replies, lips quirked to one side with a smile of her own. ]

[catpunned]

[ Cheek kisses don’t normally affect him, but in the context of everything, Piper’s makes him go a little weak at the knees. He remains mostly composed, however, opening the door with ease after the polite nudge in the shoulder. ]

You, too.

[ and then because he is filled with the desire to kind of be a little shit, he smirks, addressing the eavesdroppers with a raised tone. ]

Good night, everyone.

[ He shuts the door behind him without waiting for a response, leaving Piper to do her worst. ]