Chapter Text
BONUS CHAPTER!
Deleted Scenes/Scenes that had no place/Scenes that have been floating around in my head for this fic, but that didn't go with the story as a whole. I thought you guys might like them, if only for a light chuckle. And you've honestly all been so supportive, I thought, maybe this will brighten someone's day.
Enjoy :)
Education
"I still don't know if it makes me want to laugh or cry." Sabine wasn't sure what Alya and Nino were talking about in such hushed tones on the other side of the bakery, but it made her frown.
"I dunno, it kind of makes sense," Nino murmured back. "I mean, now that I know."
"How'd you find out?" Alya practically hissed at him. Sabine continued organizing the shelves, pretending quite well like she couldn't hear what they were saying.
"Well, to be honest, Adrien's really not that conspicuous, not when you hang out with him all the time," he muttered. "And once I had him figured it out, it didn't take long to put Marinette in her place—not with the way they act around each other."
"I suppose that makes sense," Alya agreed. "They do act awfully ridiculous around one another. I probably should have started suspecting something when Marinette tackled him off the couch that one time."
"Yeah, I try to stay out of their way, personally. Wouldn't want to accidentally get knocked across the room when one of them isn't watching where they're throwing their fists."
"Or claws." Alya giggled.
"Have you two found what you were looking for?" Sabine finally interjected, supposing there was only so long she could pretend not to overhear before they noticed. The two teenagers turned to her immediately, eyes wide in surprise.
"Yeah, just this," Alya said, holding up a small cake. "Two month anniversary."
"Oh, how nice," Sabine cooed, smiling as she headed for the counter. The teenagers followed, seeming oddly quiet as the cake was set down beside the register. "Young love. I wish Marinette could experience that."
"Yeah, it's great," Alya said stiffly.
"Tell me, Alya." Sabine was suddenly severe as she leaned across the counter toward them. "Is that nice boy, Adrien, dating anyone?" Their eyes widened. "I think we all know Marinette likes him and I think they'd do well together."
"Uh…" Alya looked to Nino for support, but he only shrugged. Which left her sufficiently to the wolves—or Sabine's piercing, narrowed eyes, in any case. "Actually, I think… I think they are dating."
Sabine's eyebrows rose in moderate surprise. "Really? She didn't say anything about that."
"Well, I think it's only been about a week," Alya said, cringing like she'd given away a secret that maybe she shouldn't have. "Marinette didn't tell you?"
"She most certainly did not," Sabine replied, finally ringing up the cake as she kept her voice carefully masked. "But if it's only been a week, I'm not surprised. Don't you worry," Sabine said, casting Alya a reassuring look, "I'll wait for her to tell me." No, no she wouldn't. But there was no point in getting Alya and Nino wound up about the whole thing and spoiling everything before she and Tom could gather themselves.
"I'm sure she will soon," Alya replied, taking the cake back once it'd been paid for. "Thanks, Mrs. Cheng."
"Of course, dear." She nodded as they backed away. "You two have a lovely evening." They each smiled before they turned and headed out the door, leaving Sabine alone to the late afternoon. Pausing beside the register to consider for just a moment, she wrung her apron before tamping her foot firmly and turning toward the bakery kitchen. It was around the right corner, where Tom was preparing things for the following morning.
"Tom," she said firmly, drawing his attention. He blinked at her, recognizing her tone as being quite serious and, thus, deserving of full attention. "It's happened."
"What's happened?" he asked, eyebrows furrowing.
"Marinette and Adrien," she said firmly. "They started dating. A week ago."
His eyes bugged. Setting down the mixing bowl he'd been cleaning, he wiped his hands on his apron as he came up in front of her. "Sources?"
"Alya and Nino," Sabine said strictly. "Just now. Best source we could have asked for."
"I see." Tom tapped his chin thoughtfully. "This is serious."
"Very serious indeed," she agreed. The two shared in thoughtful eye contact for a few moments then, before Tom finally took a deep breath and straightened.
"Should I pay Blanche a visit?"
"I think you'd better. Tomorrow morning. I'll have Marinette bring Adrien around after school."
"Right."
"And make sure you get everything," Sabine made totally clear, leveling a finger at him. "Every diagram and model she has. We need to nip this in the bud while we still have the chance."
"Of course." He was staunchly with her. "I'll get everything, I promise."
Sharing in one final, knowing look, they returned to their duties, all the while preparing themselves for what was to come.
oOo
"They didn't say why?" Adrien asked, eyebrows furrowed as he looked down at her. Marinette could only shrug, however, and link her fingers more tightly with his. It was snowing, and cold, and she found it to be quite miserable even if the walk from the school to her house was only a minute, tops. Add on top of that the fact that her mother had practically demanded she bring Adrien around after school and she was pretty sour.
Neither of her parents would explain why they wanted to see him, which made her all the more suspicious. They were always up to something.
"It'll be interesting, of that I'm absolutely positive," she assured as they reached the bakery door, their hands falling apart as they entered.
"There you two are!" Sabine said happily, bustling from around the corner. She passed by Marinette completely, but laid a hand on Adrine's cheek fondly, which caused him to blink in surprise. Following, she moved to the front door, locked it, and turned the sign over so the shop was officially closed.
Adrien and Marinette shared a look. An ominous, dreading, confused look.
"Come with me," Sabine issued, far too upbeat for Marinette's comfort. Sighing, she cast Adrien one last warning look before they trailed her mother through the bakery and into the house. Peering across the house as they removed their coats and shoes, they saw that both Sabine and Tom were standing in the living room. But that wasn't the strange part. What baffled both Marinette and Adrien were the plethora of bulging stands covered in white sheets. There were at least six of them, spread out in front of the television, but she couldn't possibly fathom what they were.
"Ah, good," Sabine said as they came over, both slow and wary as they peered between the parents and the suspicious sheets. "Sit down." Sabine's words, though seemingly kind, were firm. A command, and so both Marinette and Adrien did as they were told, the sound of the cushions squishing under their weight echoing around the room.
For whatever reason, they made a conscious effort to keep a good chunk of space between one another.
Tom and Sabine shared a look, one that made rocks drop into Marinette's stomach.
"So," Sabine started, ever the one to do the talking. "We've heard some very interesting news recently." She looked pointedly between the two teenagers, Marinette already able to deduce where this was going.
"Very interesting," Tom parroted.
"Is it true?" Sabine asked, smiling as sweetly as ever. Marinette knew the look wasn't to be trusted. "That you two are dating?"
Adrien looked immediately to Marinette for help. Because these weren't his parents, after all. He didn't know how to properly deal with them.
Marinette sighed. "Yes, it's true."
"That's wonderful!" Sabine announced, clapping her hands together. Adrien appeared moderately surprised by her enthusiasm, but Marinette knew better. This wasn't it—things were never that simple when it came to her parents' schemes. And this was definitely a scheme. "We're so happy for both of you."
"Very happy," Tom agreed, crossing his broad arms over his chest. It made him look even larger than he already was, Adrien doing well to gulp and peer momentarily down at the floor.
"But!" Sabine held up a single finger. "This also draws up a substantial number of other considerations." Naturally, or so Marinette thought to herself. This was why she hadn't told them in the first place. Invasive, as usual. "I'm not going to beat around the subject," Sabine went on.
"No beating," Tom added.
"We know," Sabine finished, leaving the declaration open.
Marinette glanced quickly at Adrien, because he was waiting too, but aside from the fact that their relationship status was now out in the open, they could think of nothing else her parents could possibly "know." And so Marinette eventually answered with a hesitant "Okay?"
"We know you're Ladybug," Sabine finally made clear, looking directly at her daughter.
"And that you're Chat Noir." Tom completed the statement.
This… this left both teenagers in a state of shock. Marinette's eyes were wide, her mouth hanging open as all the color drained from her face. And Adrien, he was tightlipped and pale, looking terrified in comparison to Marinette's baffled surprise. She knew he was paranoid about people finding out—that his father would hear of it and take his ring away. It paranoid Marinette as well. She'd grown far too comfortable with her secret identity.
"But- How- I-" Marinette tried to ask, but it didn't work.
"Please, honey." Sabine eyed her knowingly. "How many times did you think you could disappear out of your room without us noticing, or come crashing back in during the night. You weren't nearly as quiet as you thought you were. We've known for a while."
Marinette slammed her mouth shut, but that didn't mean she wasn't still astounded.
"And we put the pieces together about you," Tom looked pointedly at Adrien as he spoke, "the day Sabine caught you two roughhousing in Marinette's bedroom. There's only one other person that could possibly take on Ladybug and even offer up a fight. Besides, you both eat food like it's going out of style."
Adrien glanced down at his lap, ears turning red.
Marinette couldn't believe she'd been so careless. And that her parents had known for a while and said nothing.
"Don't get us wrong," Sabine started again. "We're not here to scold you for that. In fact," her expression softened honestly, drawing both teenagers' attention, "we're quite proud of you both. Even if it is… dangerous and reckless and-"
"And we try not to think about that, because we know Paris needs you," Tom interrupted. "Proud as we are, however, that doesn't change this new development."
"What development?" Marinette questioned dumbly.
"You two dating, that's what," Sabine explained, gesturing between them. Her tone had reclaimed it's strict, no nonsense manner. "We thought that such a thing was bound to happen eventually, what with how well you two get along as heroes, and so we've been preparing."
"Preparing?" Marinette again, because apparently Adrien dared not speak.
"Yes." Sabine nodded simply. "It came to our attention, after figuring out you were Ladybug, that we were not dealing with a parent's typical teenage problems. In fact…" She sighed. "We've come to realize that you two are quite beyond our control."
This made both Marinette and Adrien curious.
"We know you two go out late and run around the city, and that you're out 'til all hours of the night, and that you're doing it for the sake of the city." Tom summed up their patrols quite well. "And we also know that it would be unfair to both of you as well as the rest of Paris to try and put a stop to such things."
"Even if that means you two will be alone far more often than any teenagers have the right to be," Sabine added coldly.
Marinette was beginning to see what this was about.
"We can't stop you from acting how you deem fit, or going where you please." Tom leveled his stare at Adrien. "So we're going to do our best to warn you both about the potential consequences."
Adrien visibly sank in his seat.
Marinette couldn't believe this was actually happening.
"We know, of course, that you both are probably quite well-versed in these things already," Sabine explained. "But we just want to make sure we rehash a few things, if only for our own comfort."
"And I'll say this," Tom interjected, sitting straighter and looking all the more threatening for doing so. "You screw up," he was still keeping Adrien in his sights, "and get my daughter pregnant, I'll skin you alive. Do I make myself clear, Cat Boy?"
Adrien shrank away as best he could, swallowing hard. "Yes, Sir."
Marinette wanted to shrivel up and die.
"Now." Sabine was looking far too satisfied with herself. "Let's get started."
"Started?" Marinette squawked. "Started with what? Wasn't that it?" Couldn't they both just run away now?
"Oh, honey," Sabine cast her a sympathetic look. "We've only just begun." Reaching up, she drew one of the white sheets back, to reveal a large, graphic poster titled "Birth Control, Pregnancy, and STDs."
Marinette was quite positive the sheer mortification of the whole situation caused she and Adrien both to stop breathing.
Tom smiled. "It's time for an education."
Home Base
This wasn't, exactly, what Adrien usually meant when he said he'd "drop in." But he had limited options and Ladybug couldn't take on the akuma all by herself. Besides, what good were people that knew his identity if he couldn't even use them to his advantage?
Bounding down onto the balcony, he skidded to the door before reefing it open. He knew he'd broken the lock, but hopefully Ladybug's lucky charm would rectify the situation.
Pulling the door up from the floor, he dropped in without pause, landing on Marinette's bed before he jumped down onto the floor. He fell with a thud, the last beep of his miraculous going off as he heaved open the door the lead out of her bedroom as well.
Catching Plagg in his hands as the kwami zipped out of his ring, he clamored down the stairs two at a time, before jumping the final three. He landed with far less grace at the bottom, nearly falling over as he spun on his heel and skidded around into the kitchen.
"Adrien?!" Both Tom and Sabine had risen from their seats in the living room, but he paid them no mind. Rather, yanking the refrigerator open, he quickly scanned what was inside before grabbing a big block of colby jack cheese. It wasn't Plagg's favorite, but it'd have to do.
Unintentionally slamming the door to the fridge closed, he ripped open the sealed bag of cheese before dumping the block on the counter.
"Adrien." Tom tried to get his attention, but he was busy breaking the cheese into a small chunk as Plagg sat, tired, on the counter beside him. "What's going on? Is everything alright?"
He really didn't have time for questions.
"C'mon, Plagg! Here we go!" He held the block of cheese up to the kwami's nose.
"Egh! That's not camembert!"
"It's all I've got!" He shoved the cheese into the kwami's open mouth.
"The akuma attack is all over the news!" Sabine was saying, gesturing toward the television. "What are you doing here?! Where's Marinette?!"
"Just eat the cheese, Plagg!" Adrien griped.
"I don't want to!"
"Do it! Or I won't feed you for a week!"
"Did you leave my daughter all alone out there to fight that thing on her own?!" Tom asked. Adrien ignored him. He didn't have time to explain the finite details of miraculous usage or kwami care.
"Fine!" Plagg snapped, beginning to gnaw on the bit of cheese. "But if I ever have to degrade myself to this low quality garbage equivalent again, I'll-"
"Less talk, more eating," Adrien demanded, shoving the cheese into the kwami's mouth before he grabbed him up and darted around Marinette's gaping parents.
"Where is Marinette?!" They both yelled at the same time.
"Plagg! Claws out!" Throwing open one of the windows, Adrien leapt out, transforming as he careened toward the street below. Just before he hit, he pulled out his baton, extended it, and threw himself up into the air. Over onto the roof across from the bakery, before he was pumping his legs into a sprint across Paris.
Left in his dust, Sabine and Tom gathered at the window, wide-eyed and stricken as they stared after.
"I get the feeling…" Sabine managed to get out after a moment, "…that this is going to happen a lot."
"Yeah…" Tom blinked, the two unable to find anything else to say on the matter.
A Premature Reveal
(How the texting conversation almost went in Chapter 13, except that I didn't like the tension it removed from later parts, so I axed it. I still like the conversation though, and apparently thought it worth saving, so here it is. This is right after Adrien realizes Mari is Ladybug.)
[Adrien's] phone vibrated in his hand, causing him to jump. The notification said he had a new text. He half expected it to be Nino again, but when he investigated, he nearly choked when it wasn't.
Mari: Hey, are you awake?
His nerves spiked again, his mouth going dry as his thumbs hovered over the keyboard. Was he scared? Why would he be? Maybe because Mari could yank the whole fantasy right out from under him. She could reject him, take back the kiss, their friendship. His newfound hopes that she was, in fact, who he thought she was.
No, she didn't know he knew. This was just Mari. She just wanted to know if he was awake.
He could do this. One step at a time.
Adrien: I'm awake. What's up?
All he could do was breathe as he waited, watching and nearly jumping when ellipsis danced across his screen.
Mari: I just wanted to make sure you were doing okay.
So vague. But he could put the pieces together now. Finally, it all made sense. And yet, didn't seem to at all. Or maybe such thoughts were simply his insecurities getting the better of him.
Adrien: I'm fine.
He paused before he dared type again.
Adrien: Why?
Each second that passed between messages was a harsh pounding in his head.
Mari: No reason. We just haven't talked since Friday.
Since the debacle with his father. That seemed so far away now. Everything seemed far away, thanks to the traumatic day and his own still floundering realization.
Adrien: Don't worry about it. I'm still sorry about that whole thing. My father's always difficult. You shouldn't have had to deal with it.
Mari: I don't mind :)
Adrien didn't know what to say to that. Would that be where the conversation would have normally ended? Or would he have come up with some witty retort? He didn't know. It was almost like he was removed from himself somehow, swimming through her words and trying to make sense of them in a way he hadn't struggled with before. Once, her concern would have been just that. But now, it was different. Now, he was trying to understand her words, not just read them.
Mari: Adrien…
Addressing him by name? In a text? This couldn't be good. It was direct, certainly, but also procured a degree of concern. Would that have been the result either way, or was he now too paranoid to tell the difference?
Did it matter?
Adrien: Yes?
He was going to give himself a heart attack with how tense and jittery he was.
The telltale ellipsis appeared, then disappeared, then reappeared again. As if to express her own thoughtfulness.
Mari: Are you free tomorrow?
Adrien: Uh, earlier in the day, I think. I have a photo shoot in the afternoon. I can't exactly remember the time though.
Mari: Never mind then.
Abruptly, his fingers were working fast—like some sort of opportunity was slipping through his fingers and he'd lose it if he didn't act fast enough.
Adrien: Why? We can still hang out earlier, if you want. I wouldn't mind that.
He watched, breath tightly controlled as those ellipsis appeared. It did that twice more, Adrien gripping the phone tight as Plagg floated up to read over his shoulder.
Mari: It's not important. I just need to talk to you about something, when you have the time.
It was difficult to control his frenzied typing.
Adrien: What do you need to talk to me about?
Mari: I'd rather do it in person. I'm sorry. I know that's strange.
His blood pumped fast, but was somehow also cold inside him. Waiting, perhaps, for some kind of heat that he couldn't provide all on his own.
He was caught—continue to play the fool or not. Let it go or hold on. Somehow, it seemed a very important decision in that moment. Perhaps because he had to decide whether to take a chance or not. To bet on her, on himself too, and maybe that plummeting moment that had caught them both in the sky only hours before.
His heart wanted to beat out of his chest.
He had to say something—had to take action, one way or another.
Mari: Actually, never mind. It's really not important.
Time was up. Now or never, that was what he felt—even if it wasn't true.
Because it was important.
Adrien: I think we both know that's not true.
He'd sent the message before he could stop himself. And, as they had before, the ellipsis came and went, came and went, as if echoing her own nerves. Maybe they mirrored each other, both of them hunched over their phones in the darkness. Seemingly alone together, despite being apart.
But never too far. The distance between them was never great, no matter the miles.
Mari: I don't understand what you mean.
For the first time since he'd begun figuring out this whole ludicrous situation, irritation swelled up inside him. He pursed his lips as he typed.
Adrien: I'm not angry with you.
Adrien: But please don't lie to me anymore.
He waited. Because she had no choice but to respond to that, even if it did take her at least three minutes to do it.
Mari: I'm sorry…
Adrien: I know.
Mari: Please don't hate me.
He sighed, shaking his head as his irritation dissipated.
Adrien: I could never hate you. I don't think I could if I wanted to.
Adrien: You know that.
Mari: I should have told you.
Mari: I was scared.
Mari: I'm so sorry.
Adrien: It's okay, Mari. Really.
Mari: You have every right to be angry.
Mari: I'll understand if you are.
Mari: You don't have to pretend for my benefit.
Mari: I did this.
Adrien: Calm down, lol. I can practically imagine you getting all worked up. Look, I'm not angry, I promise. I'm just…
What was he, really?
Adrien: I'm just tired, honestly. And I know you are too.
Mari: I'm fine.
Adrien: How about this. We both stop lying, okay? I'm not fine, you're not fine, neither of us is fine, lol. We're exhausted, I know I have a huge headache, and texting about this really isn't the best option.
Mari: I'm sorry, Adrien…
Adrien: I know. It'll be okay. I promise.
Adrien: I'll come by tomorrow and we'll talk about it, alright?
Mari: Alright…
Adrien: Hey
He sent her the first Ladybug sticker he could find. Thankfully, it was cute. Then again, Ladybug's were always cute, so perhaps there'd been no getting around that.
It took her some moments, but she eventually sent him the same sticker in return, which was enough to bring a small smile to his face. Because it was verification—even if it was in a small, quiet way. But it was enough, at least for the moment, and he closed the conversation with one of the many black cat emoticons he'd collected.
A happy cat, with an anime grin and a bouncing tail.