Chapter Text
“Marinette…it’s time to wake up.” Adrien softly shook Marinette’s shoulder in a hushed tone.
Marinette responded with a groan and whined as she laid on her chaise, her arms draped over the sides as the design book sat on her face. “It’s too early.”
Adrien laughed and shook his head as he removed the book from her face and placed it on her desk. “Marinette, it’s two in the afternoon.” Adrien smiled in amusement as she was still in her pajamas and her hair was all messed up.
Marinette’s eyes tightened as she grimaced at the incoming sunlight and rolled over, facing the mattress to block the light. “Still…getting up early should be illegal. Can you turn it off…” She muttered as the mattress muffled her face.
“No, I can't turn off the sun.”
She groaned and shrugged, her eyes still closed, as she drowsily replied, “Well, it’s a Saturday, perfect time to sleep…now leave me alone, Alya.”
Adrien furrowed his brows and leaned closer to her face, “Not Alya, but pretty close, it’s me, Adrien. We are supposed to be meeting up with our friends in a half hour for the new movie that came out. Alya and I called you multiple times, but you never picked up, so I came over.”
Marinette turned back onto her back and sighed as she draped an arm over her eyes. " Okay, gimme five more minutes…I was up until 5 a.m. last night.”
“What? That's so late, why??”
“I was designing and…video games.” She mumbled as she drifted back to being asleep. “Then I crashed here...bed was too high up…and I was tired” she finished with a yawn.
“Ah, well, probably should have gone to bed earlier; those things can wait.”
“Mm.”
Adrien watched her drift back into slumber as he could hear her lightly snore. Adrien’s heart melted at the sight, he watched her sleep peacefully for a few seconds and then smirked. “Alright, five minutes are up.” He shot his hands towards her and started tickling her.
Marinette instantly shrieked, her eyes shot open as she tried to squirm away from him. “Adrien--stop, that’s not fair!” She giggled as she attempted to push his hands away but was unsuccessful.
“Not until you get up!” He smugly replied as he continued his attack, moving from one spot to the next.
“Okay, I’m up! I’m up! Please Stop!” Marinette cackled as she wrapped her arms around her sides and curled into a ball to protect herself. She rolled off the chaise and onto the floor with a thud.
Adrien winced and stopped the attack as she laid on the floor catching her breath, “You ok?”
Marinette glanced over at her boyfriend and narrowed her eyes as she let out the remaining giggles, “You know, I didn't know you could be such a jerk before we started dating.”
Adrien flashed a model smile and blinked innocently, “I do come with surprises!” Marinette rolled her eyes as he bounced up on his feet and lent her a hand to help her back up, “Now let’s hurry and get ready or we will be late.”
Marinette took his hand and nodded as she stood up and rubbed her eyes, “Alright, just go downstairs and wait for me I’ll be down in a few minutes.”
Adrien returned downstairs as Marinette quickly scrambled to get ready. She puts her blazer on and fixes her pigtails, and grabs her tiny purse and puts it around her shoulder as Tikki swiftly flies in front of her. “Did you enjoy your beauty rest?” Tikki retorted with a wide amused grin.
“Oh give me a break, I was tired Tikki! Now hide!” Marinette shook her head at the Kwami’s amusement and opened her purse as Tikki went inside it and snapped it shut before she opened the trapdoor and headed downstairs.
As she entered the bakery, she saw her mom handing Adrien some boxes of food to take with them, and her dad coming out of the kitchen. “Good Afternoon Maman, papa.” She gave a quick hug to both of them.
Sabine turned to face her daughter and beamed, “Oh, look who's finally awake. Hello, dear.”
Marinette yawned and sheepishly smiled, “Yeah, I was pretty tired, and I may have stayed up a bit and ended up sleeping in.”
Tom placed a loaf of dough on the table as he remarked, “No surprise there…you know Adrien, if you hadn’t woken her up, there’s no doubt she would have stayed asleep till the next day. It actually takes forever to wake her up, and she's always late.” Adrien responded with a chuckle.
“Papa!! I’m not that bad!”
Sabine sighed and patted her shoulder, “If you say so dear.”
Marinette’s jaw dropped as she gawked at her mother, who casually walked away, her father, who kept working with the dough, and then at Adrien, who seemed to find this highly amusing. “Maman! I’m not!”
Sabine calmly replied as she wiped one of the tables, “Sure dear…now run along, you don’t want to keep your friends waiting.”
Marinette huffed in disbelief, “Betrayal by my own parents! Let's go, Adrien.” She marched out the door with Adrien in tow as her parents both laughed.
———————————————————————
“I can’t believe them!! Did they really have to say that? I’m not that bad.” Marinette mumbled as they finally approached the movie theater.
Adrien shrugged as he swallowed another choquet from the box, “I mean…you weren’t even awake when I came to get you and it’s mid afternoon.” He popped another in his mouth followed by a delighted sigh, “These are so good.”
“Come on, Adrien, you’re my boyfriend. You’re supposed to agree with me!” She nudged him as he grinned.
“But I also should be honest, you don’t like liars, remember?” Adrien winked at her as Marinette scoffed in shock but still couldn’t help the grin growing on her face.
“How dare you remind me of my morals.”
“I know I’m so horrible…here, have a croissant, you haven’t eaten today.” Adrien handed her a croissant gently wrapped in a napkin that was still hot from coming out of the oven. “Oh, be careful, it’s probably still…”
“AH!” Marinette yelped when the bite entered her mouth. Immediately, her mouth hung open as she waved her hand in front of her mouth. “Hot! Hot!” Adrien lightly giggled as tears started to well up in her eyes from the heat, “Water!!”Adrien handed her a bottle. Quickly, she took the cap off and started to chug the water.
Adrien watched and couldn't help himself. He smirked as he leaned towards her, “You know what else is hot? You.”
Marinette’s eyes bulged out of her head as she nearly choked on the water. She screwed the cap back on as her face turned red and gasped, “A-Adrien!!” He giggled again as she lightly pouted, “You can’t just say that while I’m drinking!”
He sheepishly grinned before he gave a peck on her forehead, “Sorry, I just can’t help it, it’s adorable.”
Marinette’s face turned a deeper shade of red as she tried to retort, “Well…you’re more even door bell-er- even more bell door- NO- ADORABLE! Gah! I can speak!” She face palmed over her word vomit as Adrien gazed at her with admiration.
“Ah, finally, you two came!” They looked up to see Nino and Alya waving at them in front of the doors. Nino gasped and rubbed his hands together in excitement when he saw the food. “Ooh, what did you get?”
Adrien tossed him a bag of Choquets, “Lots of stuff, here you go, man.” He beamed, “And I also got my girlfriend.” He snorted at his little joke.
“Oh good, glad little sleeping beauty is finally awake. Thought she would never wake up, good job, Prince Charming.” Alya teased as Marinette rolled her eyes and both boys chuckled in response.
“Come on, will people stop saying that? Sure today I woke up late, but usually I wake up in the mornings! And today is Saturday!” She looked up in thought, unsure of what she just said. “Right?”
Alya laughed as she patted her friend’s shoulder while Marinette grimaced, “Oh girl, only you would do something like this…Well, we’re glad you finally showed up otherwise we would have missed the new Ladybug and Chat Noir movie.”
Marinette brightened and nodded, “Oh yea, I heard there was a third one…hopefully it’s better than the last two. It had some inaccuracies I heard.”
Adrien shrugged, “It probably will be. I think Chat has more screen time in this one.”
“I heard Carapace was featured in it…pretty sweet.” Nino had a sly grin on his face as Alya rolled her eyes and Marinette and Adrien chuckled.
“Well, regardless, I bet the movie will be amazing!”
“Dude, of course you’d say that!” Nino lightly shoved him. “You used to be, like, crazy in love with Ladybug!” Alya’s eyes widened and Marinette tensed in shock. Did she hear Nino right?
Her voice croaked as she looked at her boyfriend in bewilderment, “You loved Ladybug??”
Adrien blushed, slightly embarrassed as he scratched the back of his neck and glanced away, “Well…uh, love is a strong word…”
Nino laughed loudly, “Oh come on! You used to talk about her all the time! And you even had photos of her on your phone and your computer at home!”
Adrien groaned in frustration as he glared at him, “Nino!! I told you that in confidence. Besides, it was a while ago and I moved on anyway.”
Marinette blinked, her mind tried to process what just happened. Adrien was in love with Ladybug? Why? She only interacted with Adrien a few times as Ladybug, and it was always her trying to get him to safety from an Akuma. Admittedly, there were a few times where she went into his house and the time she gave him the snake miraculous. Yet, those times were very short and didn’t give much time to spend with each other. How could he have possibly fallen for her?
Is it possible that…he could still have feelings for her? Probably not, he just said he moved on, right?
Her mind scrambled for answers, before she felt a nudge to her shoulder, snapping her out of her thoughts.
“Marinette! We’re going inside.” Adrien said as he motioned to Alya and Nino going inside. His face etched with concern, “Are you ok? You zoned out for a minute.”
“Huh? Oh yea, sorry I just was…thinking about…fashion?” Marinette giggled with a nervous smile.
“Oh…okay then?”
Before Adrien can ask anything else; Marinette quickly grabbed his hand tightly and pulled him inside, “Now less talking and more walking hehe.”
————————————————————————-
If anyone asked Marinette what happened in the movie, she would not have an answer. Besides Nino’s anger and loud outbursts about how the writers turned Carapace into an actual turtle and kept being told to calm down or they’d have to leave, Marinette focused on Adrien’s reactions to the movie.
She’d especially paid attention to him whenever Ladybug appeared on the screen. She notices how he would lightly smile or maybe even let out a small laugh at certain parts. Marinette wasn’t jealous, why would she be? She is Ladybug! Yet whenever Ladybug was on, her stomach would twist into knots whenever she glanced at Adrien.
Marinette swore she saw a look in Adrien’s eyes while Ladybug gave a speech in one scene, but it could have been her imagination spiraling again. But what if it wasn’t? What if he still had a crush on her alter ego? She wanted to ask him,but couldn’t. She was too afraid to ask. After the movie, Marinette tried to act as normal as she could but mostly stayed quiet. She ended up saying she had some work to do and went home a little earlier.
Now alone back in her room, she sits at her desk and tries to distract herself with a design project. Her hands pushed the fabric through the sewing machine, but the revelation of Adrien’s former crush keeps dancing in her mind. What was so special about Ladybug? She’s just a mask! Marinette understands that her and Ladybug are the same, but still feels like the real her is her civilian self. A normal girl, with a normal life.
“OW!” Marinette yelped and yanked her hand back as the machine poked her finger. She put it in her mouth. She was a normal girl who was very clumsy but somehow managed to stay out of the hospital.
Tikki floated towards her with a bandaid already to hand to Marinette. “Is everything alright Marinette?”
Marinette took the bandaid and applied it to her finger and sighed, “Nothing Tikki, it’s just…I’m confused…Adrien liked me.”
Tikki stared, a little lost at Marinette’s words, “Well, I’d hope so, you two are dating after all.”
Marinette shook her head exasperated, “Not Marinette me, Ladybug me! He used to have a crush on Ladybug!”
Tikki shrugged, still confused at her owner’s distress, “Ok? That’s not uncommon, many people in Paris probably had one on you and Chat Noir, and Adrien wasn’t any different.”
“Yea, but according to Nino, Adrien was full on in love with Ladybug! And I don’t understand why, I barely interacted with him as Ladybug.”
Tikki glanced away, to avoid looking suspicious, “Right.”
“I mean, sure I saved him from a couple of akumas before and…admittedly it was a little awkward.” She leaned against her chair and stared at the ceiling in thought, “And the time I gave him the snake miraculous and when he comforted me from losing all the miraculouses to Monarch a couple months back.”
“I really wouldn’t worry about it, Marinette.” Tikki attempted to brush off Marinette’s words to no avail.
Marinette ignored her and continued, “Actually when I think back to when I saved him…I swore he blushed a few times. Kinda like how I did both as Ladybug and Marinette. Oh and he totally trusted me when he jumped out of Gorilia’s grip.” Her eyes widened in realization, “Wow, he really was in love with Ladybug…but that still doesn’t explain why.”
Marinette sat in thought, unaware of Tikki’s own internal panic.
Marinette knew that Adrien had been into at least three-technically two but he doesn’t know that-girls. There was Ladybug, Kagami, and now Marinette. The first things in common between the three girls were the black hair, the freckles, and being Asian. Ladybug and Kagami are more serious and coordinated while Marinette…well it’s amazing how she hadn’t broken any bones yet or had landed in the hospital for a long period of time.
Maybe it was how all of them look that got Adrien to fall for them? Or perhaps, a specific personality trait? Marinette rested her chin in her hands in thought. She still wouldn’t know, how she knows he fell for the Marinette her was from the most embarrassing day of her life! While as Ladybug, he probably fell for her during an Akuma fight! Totally opposite situations! One was a normal girl acting like a total humiliating idiot and the other was a superhero for all of Paris who acted like she had everything under control.
She huffed in frustration as nothing seemed to connect. If she weren’t Ladybug or Marinette, she would say that Kagami was more likely to be Ladybug than Marinette was. Which would probably explain why he may have dated Kagami at one point. So if Adrien fell for her, then it’s obvious he is over Ladybug, right?
…Then again, he did call her their everyday Ladybug. Adrien clearly saw similarities and liked it. Marinette groaned, is it possible he still liked Ladybug? Nino did say Adrien’s crush was massive.
“You really shouldn’t worry about all this. You love him, he loves you. I think we should forget all of this and just have some tasty macaroons!” She gave an over exaggerated smile as she interrupted Marinette’s thoughts.
“I know but…I can’t help it! What’s so special about Ladybug? Why did he fall for her?” She shrugged, staring at the ground, “Could he still be in love? Ugh, why do I have to be my own competition?!” Marinette wailed in exhaustion.
Tikki patted her holder’s head, “I’m sure it’s ok Marinette, Adrien is clearly in love with you and he would tell you if he wasn’t. You don’t need to ask him.” Her kwami reassured, but still had a strange look on her face.
Marinette hummed in thought, “Yea, I guess you’re right.” Tikki lightly smiled, relieved Marinette seemed to stop pushing for answers and picked up a macaroon and started to nibble on it. “Still, I want to know why.”
Tikki quietly ate her snack, then she heard her owner lay the fabric down on the table with a thud as she stood up.“You know what, you’re right I need to stop wondering…I am going to talk to Adrien about this tomorrow!”
“W-what?!” Tikki squeaked in shock.
Marinette tapped her chin, “Oh wait, I’ll be busy helping my parents in the bakery all day tomorrow…Monday at school it is!”
Tikki flew in front of her face with desperation, “Marinette, you really don’t need to do that! You’re overthinking this!”
Marinette furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, “Woah! I am just going to ask him a question…why are you being so uptight about this?”
“I’m not! It’s just…not important and I believe there’s other better things to focus on.”
“Well I happen to find this to be pretty important Tikki!”
Tikki frowned as she folded her tiny arms together in frustration, “It really shouldn’t be! Sure, Adrien loved Ladybug but he loves you now! End of story!”
“Yea but he doesn’t even know her and Ladybug and I are the same person! I’m curious!” She pouted as she pointed at her kwami, “Why are you so adamant about me not asking anyways? Are you hiding something from me?”
Tikki glanced away, “No…” Marinette squinted in suspicion as Tikki had shrunk into herself. Tikki stared at the floor, attempting to avoid eye contact with Marinette.
Marinette opened to her mouth to speak as Tikki jolted into a straight up position with her tiny arms on her hips, “You know it’s getting late, I’m going to bed. Good night!” She flew off into the corner of the room and jumped under the covers.
“Tikki…” She paused when she heard light snoring, which Marinette could tell was clearly fake. It was obvious that she wasn't going to get answers out of her kwami. Marinette rolled her eyes and shook her head in both bewilderment and amusement, “Alright then…keep your secrets.”
————————————————————————-
Sunday came and went. Though it felt like the day went slower than most normal days as her mind drowned in questions, it felt as if the entire day she ran on autopilot.
This morning, Marinette bolted out the door with breakfast on hand as she waved a hasty bye to her parents. Lycée is a bit farther away than collège was, so she pushed to make it before the bell rang to talk with Adrien. She managed to not get hit by any cars on her way over, though definitely frustrated some drivers, as she ignored the crosswalk and traffic lights.Marinette ran up the flight of stairs and skidded to a stop as she bent over to take deep breaths, her heart was pounding.
“Oh wow, you’re early, a new record for you!” Marinette turned her head slightly to see Alya right next to her. “Alya…where’s.” She took another deep breath as she stood up. “Where’s Adrien? I need to talk to him.”
Alya gestured to a room down the hall, “He already went to class, is everything ok, girl? You look like you’ve seen an Akuma or something.”
Marinette groaned in exhaustion as she tossed her arms in the air as she shared her plight “Adrien had a crush on Ladybug! Ladybug, Alya!!” She grabbed her friends by the shoulder in a tight grip, “Why did this have to happen to me?!”
Alya softly chuckled as she gently pushed Marinette’s grip off, “That’s what you’re freaking out about?”
“Yes!!” Marinette hissed as she now clutched the strap to her purse tightly. “Considering that I am her, Alya! He moved on from that version of me to this version of me!”
Alya sighed as she patted her friend’s shoulder, and casually began to walk her to the classroom, “Chill girl, it’s not a big deal that he liked Ladybug. You know, if you think about it, that’s actually pretty sweet, that means he fell for both sides of you.”
“Yea, but he doesn’t know that! And you heard Nino, he was crazy in love with Ladybug! He had pictures of her on his phone….” Marinette gasped as her eyes widened, “Oh! What if he still has them?!”
Alya blinked as they both made it to their seats. She raised an eyebrow and smirked as she set her bag next to her,“Marinette…are you serious right now?”
Marinette sat her backpack on her desk innocently, “What?”
“You’re being jealous…of yourself.”
“Jealous of my-No, I’m not! That’s, that’s ridiculous! I’m just…curious.” Marinette’s eyes moved towards her boyfriend who sat a couple seats over currently talking with Nino and a few other random classmates.
“Right…as you sit here and stare at him like a hawk who's ready to kill him.”
Marinette shot a glare back at Alya, “I’m not staring, I'm observing! There’s a difference!”
Alya scoffed in disbelief as she rested her face into her palm. “Girl…” Marinette shrugged her off, as she continued to critically observe Adrien.
“Alright students, settle down…” the homeroom teacher droned as he walked up front when the bell rang. “Hope you all had a good weekend...anyways, another day of me getting underpaid as I teach you all and you pretend you care.” Mr Barbier huffed, under his breath as he opened a binder.
Marinette was still focused on Adrien, no longer listening. She noticed Adrien supposedly wasn’t either as he held his phone under the desk and was casually glancing at it every once and awhile. Why was he doing that? Could he be looking at Ladybug pictures? If he did, could that mean…he still liked Ladybug? She tried to rationalize, he said he was over her the other day…yet.
Marinette leaned forward to see, but no luck. She sat back down and elbowed Alya as she whispered, “Cover for me, I’ll be right back.”
Alya gave a strange look as she looked around, “What? Is there an Akuma?”
“No, I’m going to investigate something.” Marinette got up slowly and sunk to the floor lying on her elbows.
“What?! No, get back here!” Alya hissed through clenched teeth. “This is a terrible idea.”
Marinette ignored Alya’s pleas as she proceeded to carefully crawl up the row to Adrien’s seat. Luckily Adrien didn't seem to notice her approaching him. She pushed herself up to scan the front, and neither did M. Barbier thankfully. Some students had noticed and gave subtle odd looks, yet stayed quiet. Perfect!
Marinette laid right by his seat, Adrien was still holding his phone. She took a deep breath and slowly raised herself up to her hands and peered over the seat to look at his phone-
“Dupain-Cheng.”
“Gah!” Marinette jumped, her arms flailed as she fell flat back onto the floor. She lifted her head up to see M. Barbier standing right in front of her with hands on his hips, as he stared down unimpressed. She could also tell that everyone in the room was now looking at her, including Adrien who was shocked. Her face reddened, Great, just great.
“Is there a reason you are on the floor in the middle of class, Dupain-Cheng?”
Marinette shrugged sheepishly, “Uhm…I tripped?”
“While you were sitting?”
“Y-yes and then while I was down here I decided it would be a good time to…stretch?” She giggled nervously.
“Hm…Dupain-Cheng, do you know what class this is?”
“Uh, homeroom?”
“So, not gym, right?”
“N-no…”
“Exactly, now get back to your seat or I’ll send you to the principal’s office.”
Marinette sighed as she stood back up on her feet and walked back to her desk, she didn’t dare look at Adrien. Who knows what he’s thinking? “Yes, sir.” She sat back at her desk, Alya shook her head with a pitiful frown albeit amused.Alya whispered, “I warned you.”
Marinette dropped her head and smacked on her desk and mumbled, “Shut up, I’m gonna go die of shame.”
Alya opened her mouth to speak, before the teacher’s voice boomed for them to pay attention and ended the conversation.
—————————————————————————-
Her hand quickly twisted the dial and opened the locker as she placed her books in there. There was no way Marinette could face him now after that. How can she even explain herself? Marinette was determined to avoid Adrien until the embarrassment passed, whenever that would be.
Marinette stopped and bit her lip nervously, who was she kidding? This would haunt her for the rest of her life and Adrien likely thinks she’s a total weirdo now if he didn’t before. Would he break up with her? She doesn’t think so…she hopes.
Hmm, maybe she can find plane tickets to flee the country so she doesn’t have to find out. How would she get them though? Her parents wouldn’t let her…maybe she can devise a plan during the next class period.
Marinette closed her locker when a dreaded familiar face appeared beside her, “Hey Marinette.”
“AH!” Marinette yelped and almost fell backwards onto the floor but caught herself. She noticed Adrien now standing there with concern. When did he get here?! Seriously, that boy needs a bell or something to warn people he’s coming.
Marinette gulped as she rubbed her arm shyly, “H-hey, Adrien, fancy seeing you here haha.” She grinned guiltily, her cheeks flushed. “I-I mean, not that fancy cause…this is school and…we both go here…and have class together.”
Adrien eyed her suspiciously as he nodded, “Right.” Marinette blew some air before tightly smiling and squeaked, “Well, I better get going! See ya!”
“Wait!” She attempted to turn and run for it but Adrien grabbed her arm and pulled her towards him. Marinette winced, her eyes screwed shut as she dared not to look at him, her lips pressed in a tight line.
“Hey…it’s just me..” His voice softly calmed her nerves as he rested his hands on her shoulders. Slowly Marinette’s eyes fluttered open and was met with Adrien’s soft warm smile, it filled her with a warm fuzzy feeling inside. “I…I just wanted to talk to you about what happened in class earlier…is everything ok? Sorry I didn’t see you before the teacher noticed.”
…And the warm fuzzy feeling was gone, replaced with pure shame and embarrassment. Her eyes averted Adrien’s gaze,as her mind raced to think of a good excuse. Unfortunately nothing came into mind, except for the reason that was nagging her all weekend.
Adrien placed a hand on Marinette’s shoulder in concern for her silence, “Marinette…”
“LADYBUG!” The name forcefully escaped her lips, before she could stop herself. Adrien jumped and shrunk back a little in confusion at Marinette’s outburst.
“What?”
Marinette gulped, as she nervously shifted from one foot to the other. Adrien was here now to answer, she may as well get it over with. “Uhm…well, so during class I noticed you were on your phone-which is totally fine-but, I…well remember how Nino said at the movies on Saturday, you had pictures of Ladybug on your phone?” She nervously smiled as Adrien stared at her blankly. “Well…I was wondering if you were…probably looking at them.” She mumbled the last part softly and looked up at him innocently.
Adrien blinked, “No? I was just texting Nathalie about what I’m doing for lunch-wait were you trying to look in my phone?”
She tensed up and put her hands up in defense, “No, of course not…” Marinette paused awkwardly as Adrien raised a brow and she shrugged, “Ok maybe…sorry I just-well, okay after I found out you were in love with Ladybug I really couldn’t stop thinking about it and then when I saw you looking at your phone I remembered Nino saying you had pictures of her and…I was curious and then I crawled like a worm and…and…yea.” Marinette winced as she waited for Adrien’s reaction.
Adrien tilted his head, “Uh…well I wasn’t looking at them, the last time I looked at those were…” He paused and scratched the back of his neck, a quick display of grimace flashed on his face but disappeared back into neutral. “A few months ago, before we started dating. I don’t think I ever got rid of them though.”
“Oh…but just out of curiosity, if you kept them do you still…you know? Love her?”
Adrien softly chuckled, “Marinette, are you jealous?”
She frowned and threw her arms up and stomped her foot, “I am not! Why do you and Alya have to assume that? I’m just wondering!”
Adrien shared a sympathetic smile, he clearly didn’t believe her but dared not to say it outloud. “Well don’t worry. I can assure you, I am completely, one hundred percent over Ladybug. I see her more as…a friend, I guess?”
Marinette narrowed her eyes in suspicion, Adrien and Ladybug have met before but not enough to be considered friends, right? “A friend? But didn’t she only save you a few times from an Akuma?”
Adrien innocently smiled, “And that’s why she’s such a good friend.”
Her frown deepened, she opened her mouth for more clarification and Adrien interrupted, “Just like the fact you and Chat Noir are friends, right?”
Marinette blinked, taken aback. Where was he going with this? “What?”
“I mean, I know you helped Chat Noir and Ladybug before like with the Evilustrator and I heard that he has been around you a few times after that. So I assumed you were. Just like how Ladybug and I are.”
“Uh kind of, it’s not like we hung out all the time or anything like that.” She waved dismissively. “Besides, I personally think what Chat and I had is a little different compared to what you and Ladybug had.”
Adrien leaned against her locker in curiosity, getting more in her personal space, “Oh? Why’s that?” Before Marinette could respond, Adrien’s mouth formed a little ‘o’ and gave a knowing nod. “Wait…you were in love with him and actually went on a date with him.”
Marinette’s face turned bright red as she sputtered, “W-what?? No I didn’t- how do you even know about that-I mean I didn’t!”
“You two were in public, of course people are going to know about that.”
Marinette slumped as she let out a groan and facepalmed in embarrassment, “Unbelievable…It was a one time thing, Adrien. After that I completely moved on from him.”
Adrien smirked as he leaned in towards her, “Are you lying?”
She backed up as she felt her face heat up. Wait, why was she blushing? She does not have feelings for Chat! She has a boyfriend, thank you very much! Adrien stared at her in amusement. She gently pushed him back. “No! I’m not interested! I mean, sure he’s a great guy but of course I’m not into him!”
Adrien let out a mock sigh of relief and placed a hand on his chest, “Oh good! I was so worried! How can someone like me ever compare to someone as awesome as him to date the most incredible girl in the world.”
Marinette snorted and rolled her eyes, “Look who's talking, do you know how long it took for me to finally have a normal conversation with you? I’m the lucky one!”
Adrien rubbed the back of his head and mumbled, “To be honest I used to think it was a speech impediment thing.”
Marinette gasped in shock as if offended, Adrien sheepishly smiled before quickly adding. “Either way it was cute and besides, I still thought you were pretty special. Almost everyone we know liked you at some point, so the fact you chose me was pretty sweet.” He shrugged, “Not every girl would actually choose me. Especially Ladybug.”
Marinette wrinkled her face, she was lost and confused. Ladybug didn’t like Adrien? But how? She remembers very well liking Adrien as Ladybug. In fact, she remembers very awkward moments with him as Ladybug. How on earth did he used to have a crush on her? “R-really? I don’t believe that! How would you even know, I doubt someone like Ladybug would turn you down.”
“Ah, it’s complicated…but yea she would and I eventually learned it’s better to move on.” He sweetly grinned, his eyes softened as he brushed a loose hair behind her ear and quickly kissed Marinette’s cheek. “Best decision I ever made, by the way, because now I have the best girlfriend ever.”
She blushed, “Aw, Adrien, you’re so sweet, but what do you mean complicated…” The bell sounded through the halls, interrupting her.
“Ah, looks like we need to get to class, I’ll see you at lunch.”
“Wait!” Marinette reluctantly watched as he ran off down the hall. She sighed in disappointment. Sure, she got some answers, but now she was left with even more questions. What did he mean by complicated? Why did he think Ladybug would not like him?
She tried to recall any instances where she came off that way to him as Ladybug, and was frustrated when her mind drew a blank. Everytime they were together as Ladybug and Adrien, she believed she was always nice to him. What got him to think like that? Marinette tightened the straps of her backpack as she felt her heart sink a little. How could he think like that? Of course Ladybug would be head over heels for him, and she knows because she is Ladybug!
Suddenly, her heart sank deeper. If Ladybug showed she returned those feelings, would Adrien…she shook her head. No, he wouldn’t do that!
…right?
Marinette wanted to find out more, but she likely wouldn’t get any more answers from him…but Ladybug could. She could have a little talk with him and maybe mess with him a little…bring out her charm, or one could say, her ‘inner Chat Noir.’ Hm, would Adrien show interest if she did?
“HEY!” A loud feminine voice hollered and Marinette jumped and looked to see one of the teachers glaring daggers at her. “Get your head out of the clouds and go to class NOW.”
Marinette shrieked as she bolted, almost tripping over herself, “Sorry!”
“And no running in the halls!”
—————————————————————————————
The bell had rung and students had dispersed in the cafeteria for lunch. Marinette’s friends had already sat down at the table when she excused herself for a few minutes and found a spot under the stairwell to transform. Tikki came out of the purse unimpressed, “I don’t think you should do this, Marinette.”
“I need to know, and besides it’ll be quick and I’ll be fine, I promise. I’ll even give you cookies afterwards to make up for it. Now, Tikki, Spots on!”
A flash of pink light engulfed her and Ladybug carefully stepped back into the empty hallway. She took a deep breath and strolled back to the cafeteria. As she stepped into the entrance, Ladybug felt exhilarated, especially now that many of those in the room had stopped their conversations to stare at her in confusion and began to whisper to each other. She almost felt her sanity come back with the desire to run back out, but keyword, almost.
Ladybug squared her shoulders, her face sat with a neutral expression and casually sauntered to where her friends sat. She ignored the sudden cries of her name of excited fans on the sides and avoided their eyes. Her eyes locked onto her friends, of course Alya gawked in disbelief and confusion. Nino was just bewildered and Adrien, Ladybug had to stifle a giggle, he looked lost and kind of shocked. She wanted to take out her yoyo and snap a picture of him and put it in a frame. Instead she just stopped and stood right before them with a soft smile.
Alya scrunched her face and opened her mouth to speak, but Adrien beat her to it as he innocently gazed at her.“Ladybug? What are you doing here? Is there an Akuma?”
“No, actually, I was just swinging around and decided to check up on some of the civilians in Paris and I happened to pass by…” Her soft smile morphed into a smirk as she winked, her yoyo in hand casually spinning. Time for that inner Chat Noir. “And I was surprised to see you here hot stuff, so I had to stop by.” Her heart pounded in her chest as she gazed in his eyes, wondering what could possibly be going through his head, after all his former crush was flirting with him.
Alya face palmed at her friend’s ridiculousness, as Adrien’s jaw dropped and eyes widened, he slightly narrowed his eyes,“Y-you wanted to…see me?” He briefly glanced at his hand and covered it with the other and looked back at Ladybug,“Why?”
“Why not? Is a bug not allowed to say hi to a cute prince?” The yoyo smacked the side of her head and she winced and rubbed her cheek. She shook her head as she placed the yoyo back on her hip and cleared her throat, “And uh, maybe take the cute prince on a little joyride with her yoyo through Paris and go sightseeing.” She chuckled and swallowed dryly,“All though, you’re the only sight that’s actually worth seeing.”
Adrien blinked, taken aback as his cheeks turned a light pink, “Uh…well…I mean it sounds fun.” he rubbed his neck awkwardly, “But, Ladybug, I hate to break it to you … I have a girlfriend.”
After hearing that, Ladybug felt giddy and wanted to jump and soar in the sky. She remained her composure as she lifted her brow as if in genuine surprise, “Oh, really? Hm, well I guess that makes sense for someone like you to not be single.”
“Yea…her name is Marinette, you might have met her before, her parents run a bakery.”
Ladybug nodded, “Ah Marinette, I have met her before, nice girl but pretty clumsy…always drip-er tripping over her words and the air.”
Luckily Adrien didn’t notice the slip up and shrugged and a small smile formed, “Marinette can get flustered easily. Other than that, she’s the funniest, bravest, beautiful and the most amazing girl I know…she’s extraordinary.” He sighed outdreamily at the last part and took a sip of water.
Ladybug’s face turned a deep shade of red, overwhelmed by his words. Ladybug choked on her spit, and tried to cover it up as a cough. “O-oh? Really?”
“Yes, I really lucked out with her.”
She wanted to melt into a puddle right then and there, oh the things this boy did to her! “W-well.” Ladybug quickly cleared her throat, her face still hot from hearing his words. She inwardly took some deep breaths to keep her composure and forced herself to not lunge and attack him with kisses with every cell in her body.
Think like Chat Noir, she reminded herself, be like Chat Noir.
Ladybug smirked, “I think she’s the real one to have lucked out my prince.”
Ha! Success!
“Thanks, Ladybug.”
“You two sound happy together, but if you ever want something new and exciting and someone that’s also not a total klutz…I’ll be waiting, m’prince.” She winked as Adrien’s smile dropped into a frown.
“Dude!!” Nino belted in disbelief, Alya slammed her head into the desk in disappointment at her friend.
“Excuse me?” Adrien stood up from his seat, now towering over Ladybug.
Ladybug gulped at the close proximity and her boyfriend’s death stare. Maybe she took a step too far. What was she thinking? Now she got him upset. She shot her hands up defensively and shrunk a little into herself, “I was just offering and besides…it was mostly a joke anyways, hehe, you know.” Ladybug let out a fake chuckle.
Adrien shook his head in disbelief, he eyed her up and down, “Is everything ok? Why are you being like this, were you hit by an Akuma?”
Ladybug knew she should probably drop the act and reassure him everything is fine, but couldn’t help herself, “No, I wasn’t hit by an Akuma, hot stuff,…maybe a love bug, perhaps.” She giggled at her own little joke.
An unreadable expression passed across Adrien’s face, his mouth opened and closed, unable to say anything. She left him speechless, Ladybug couldn’t help but giggle some more, despite the growing pit in her stomach. Alya stood up to likely drag Ladybug away.
Everything came to a halt when a loud horrified gasp echoed through the cafeteria. Ladybug jerked her head towards the sound and Andre the Ice Cream Man was glaring at them with grief. “What?! What is he doing here?!”
Nino shrugged casually. “Oh yeah, today the menu featured sweethearts Ice cream and Andre came to give them out.”
Ladybug threw her hands up and groaned, “Are you kidding me?!”
Andre had tears in his eyes as he shook his head furiously, pointing accusingly with his ice cream scoop, “No! No! This is all wrong! Ugh, first Marinette and Chat Noir and now you, Ladybug and Adrien go against what my true love ice cream says?! It should be Ladybug and Chat Noir! Marinette and Adrien! Not you two!!”
Adrien waved his hands in panic, “No, you got it all wrong! We’re just friends!”
It was too late as the Akuma had already found its way to Andre’s ice cream scoop and started to morph him into a villain. Ladybug and Adrien both slouched in exhaustion and irritation as they groaned in unison, “Aw, not again.” The two jumped as they stared at each other in confusion to what the other had said.
“I am Glaciator! I will make sure that true love prevails and destroy those who go against me!!” The ice cream shaped Akuma bellowed as he towered over the now panicked and screaming students.
Adrien backed up, worried, “I-I got to go.”
Ladybug grinned as she took out her yoyo and began to spin it around, “Couldn’t agree more my prince. I’ll get you out of here, Adrien.” She pulled him by his waist with her other arm and hugged him close to her side.
“Uh, thanks, wait what about Marinette?! She’s still here somewhere!”
Ladybug glanced away and clicked her tongue, “Ahh, she’ll be fine!” She waved a hand dismissively.
Adrien’s eyes widened alarmed. “Ladybug!”
She winced, “Ok fine, I’ll uh…” She turned to the disgruntled Alya, “Would you mind looking for Marinette Dupain-Cheng and make sure she’s safe, Alya Cesair?”
Alya blinked, her face deadpanned as she replied monotonously, “Yea, I’ll go check on her.” She reluctantly got up from her seat and as she passed Ladybug, she quietly hissed in her ear before marching off, “We’re going to have a little talk later.” She turned to her boyfriend and waved for him, “Nino, you’re with me.” Nino nodded as he quickly followed behind her.
Ladybug nervously smiled, “Ok, thanks!” She turned back to a confused Adrien and her smile softened, “Now let’s get you out of here, hot stuff.” Ladybug swung her yoyo and flew off with Adrien in her arms.
As she swung away, she could feel his arms tightly wrapped around her neck, her cheeks flushed a deep red. In the corner of her eye, she could tell he was stunned and that he was eyeing her, but mostly focused up ahead. She felt kind of bad.
…He wasn’t blushing or flustered though. Ladybug inwardly giggled to herself. Ha! Take that Ladybug, Adrien is mine!! She blinked, her secret grin morphed contorted into a slight frown as she remembered, Wait a minute, I am Ladybug.