Marinette sat in her seat, head positioned comfortably on her forearms, eyes closed blissfully. After last nights Akuma attack he was exhausted. It also didn't help that she had a Physics project due the very next day that she had just barely finished before four o'clock in the morning. She was lucky to get two hours of sleep before her alarm clock rudely awoke her peaceful slumber. Tikki was just as tired, curled up cozily inside Marinette's purse. Marinette envied the tiny creature, her freedom to sleep when she wanted where as Marinette was forced to sit through a class all day just waiting for another Akuma attack because everyone knew there was going to be one, the real question was just when exactly said Akuma attack was going to occur. Though there was one good thing about being at school every day. And that reason had hair that shined like the sun, with little streaks of brown and platinum. His eyes were as green as a flourishing meadow in the morning, when the dew still stuck to the thin blades of grass and seemed to radiate the mornings beauty. His smile was so sweet and bright, and Marinette had no doubt that his smile could even make Hawk Moth melt and give in. And this good thing's name was Adrien Agreste.
Adrien was the one person she looked forward to everyday, aside from Alya of course, she couldn't live without her best friend. However Adrien gave Marinette that feeling in the pit of her stomach that felt like butterflies were swarming, and she couldn't help but smile when she was around him. Marinette could never get the nerve to actually talk to Adrien, and if Alya wasn't there, god help her if she could even get a word out that wasn't chipmunk squeaks.
A jab at her side made Marinette raise her head from her arms. She looked to her left to see Alya taking her seat, quickly placing her bag on the ground and taking out a piece of paper and a pencil to write with. Alya cast a glance at her best friend.
"Girl what happened to you, you look like you haven't slept in a month." Alya said, though Marinette was almost positive that she was slightly exaggerating, though she wasn't wrong, Marinette looked pretty bad. When she looked in the mirror this morning she was pretty sure the mirror felt bad for her.
"I didn't sleep very well last night," Marinette said, yawning as she did so. "Don't worry about it, I was just working on the Physics project."
"Well you better pull yourself together fast because Adrien's almost here." At that Marinette jumped and was suddenly wide awake. The second she looked at the door Adrien walked through and the world seemed to completely stop. The sun shining in through the window reflected off of his golden locks, his eyes, green emeralds that always projected warmth. He was joking with Nino about something that Marinette couldn't quite hear. Adrien stopped briefly and laughed, and Marinette was certain she was going to explode. God how is someone so perfect?
Adrien and Nino took their seats in front of Marinette and Alya and Marinette fell into a trance. The boy of her dreams was sitting right in front of her, within arms reach, and she couldn't even work up the nerve to say good morning. Luckily this was why Marinette had Alya as a best friend, she swore it was like Alya was reading her mind sometimes. She sure hoped she wasn't or the redhead might just figure out who ladybug really is.
"Hey boys, how are you both this morning?" Alya asked, propping her chin in her semi-closed hand. Adrien and Nino turned in their seats when Alya spoke.
"I'm great," Nino said enthusiastically. "Adrien was just telling me about what they want to make him wear in his next photo shoot and man, dude it's bad."
Alya laughed lightly, "It can't be that bad."
"I've never seen so many feathers in my life." Nino responded, the laugh evident in his voice.
"I'm honestly more of a cat person." Adrien said, it would only make sense considering him being Chat Noir.
"Well Marinette here has been up all night finishing the Physics project that was supposed to be done on Monday." Alya said, subtly reminding Marinette that it was now Thursday. "I would have helped you with it if you'd called."
Marinette smiled. "It wasn't that I needed help on it, it was just that I had to get it done." lies, Marinette sucked at physics.
"Girl you suck at Physics." Alya said laughing. "You need all the help you can get. Maybe you should consider seeing a tutor."
"Alya I don't need a-"
"You know Marinette, I'm really good at Physics, if you need help, I would be thrilled to help you." Adrien said sweetly, looking at her with those green emerald eyes that made Marinette melt.
Before Marinette even got a word out Alya was answering for her. "That would be great Adrien!" Alya practically shouted. "You know what, why don't we all go to lunch at that new Cafe, oh what was it called, Liquide Ciel Cafe and you can help her with yesterdays assignment that I know she didn't do?" Alya said, shooting a knowing glance at Marinette, who shrank into her seat.
"Actually Alya I-" Nino started before Alya gave him a look that both Marinette and Adrien were surprised didn't shoot lasers. "You know what, that sounds great! How about you Adrien?"
Adrien smiled. "That sounds great." Adrien said. "I didn't do yesterdays assignment either Marinette so we can work on it together." it's a little hard to do homework when your busy kicking Akuma ass.
"O-o-okay, that sounds g-great." Marinette choked out. Adrien gave her one last smile before turning to face the front of the room as the teacher walked in, ready to begin the days lesson.
Holy crap, I'm going to lunch with Adrien, I mean Alya and Nino will be there, but Adrien will be there, and he's going to help me with Physics, which means all of his attention will be on me...oh crap all of his attention will be on me what am I going to do? I can't handle that kind of attention from Adrien, I can barely handle him saying hi to me in the morning, how am I supposed to form a coherent sentence around him, he's going to think I'm so weird. I wonder why he didn't get yesterdays homework done, what was he doing?
The sound of the bell ringing indicating it was time for lunch brought Marinette out of her thoughts with a jump. Quickly she gathered her belongings and put them in her bag. She stood up, as did Alya, Nino and Adrien. Alya smiled.
"Alright, lets get going. I've wanted to try this new cafe for a few weeks, I hear they have great hot chocolate." Alya said as she began her journey to the door, Nino right next to her, chatting about how he was looking forward to the lunch menu, leaving Adrien and Marinette to walk together behind them.
Marinette stayed quiet as they exited the school, not knowing exactly what to say to the dreamy blond boy next to her. Though every now and then she would glance up at him, admiring his golden hair in the sunlight, and his lips which were slightly turned up at the corners in a slight smile, god his lips, they way they were so kissable drove Marinette wild, what she would do to deserve a kiss from this boy.
Having a cat alter-ego meant that Adrien shared some of his feline traits. Such as since he became Chat Noir, his hearing had become significantly better, and he noticed things that usually he wouldn't have noticed before he got the black leather suit and tail. This was specifically why every once and a while as they walked to the cafe Adrien caught Marinette sneaking a glance at him. Her blue orbs darting to him before looking ahead of her. He'd always known Marinette was nervous around him, with her stuttering and shyness around him while she was perfectly comfortable around other people, even Chat Noir. However the only thing he didn't know was why she was. Was she scared of him, intimidated maybe. That was what worried him about starting school the first time, he was worried that people might be intimidated by him, with the fact that he was a model and that he was the son of the world renowned fashion designer and guru Gabriel Agreste. But when she talked to him, even though it was rarely coherent, Marinette was always sweet and kind to him, which was why he liked her. She was someone who didn't obsess over the fact that he was Adrien Agreste the model, and she wasn't like Chloe who used him for publicity. He genuinely thought of Marinette as a friend and a close one at that, if only she would talk to him more.
"Hey Marinette," Adrien started, startling Marinette slightly resulting in a jolt from her. She looked up at those green eyes that made her heart skip about thirty beats. "Have you ever heard of this cafe before?" Adrien said as they approached at small building with floor to ceiling windows and white tables on the inside.
"I-I think Alya m-m-mentioned it a few t-times, but I've n-never been h-h-here." Marinette said, struggling to try and keep herself calm. When Adrien listened to her speak he couldn't help but think that her stutter was just a little bit cute, even if it was him that made her nervous.
When they got to the cafe Alya and Nino were already inside waiting for Marinette and Adrien. Adrien politely stepped in front and opened the door, holding it open so that the raven haired girl could walk inside. Marinette uttered a quiet 'thank you' before Adrien followed behind her, letting the door fall shut behind him. The four teenagers picked a table to sit at and unsurprisingly Nino chose to sit next to Alya, leaving Adrien and Marinette to sit next to each other. Marinette pulled out the Physics work and laid it down on the table, Adrien doing the same.
"You guys are going to get started right away?" Alya asked as a woman came over to their table and asked for what they would like to drink. Alya ordered a hot chocolate, as did Marinette, and Nino ordered a coke while Adrien ordered a water.
"Yeah, it wont be very hard and it's better to get it done sooner than later." Adrien responded as he gave a slight wave to the woman leaving with their drink orders.
"So Adrien dude, why didn't you get the work done last night, what exactly were you doing?" Nino asked. Adrien stiffened, how exactly was he supposed to answer that, yeah I was too busy fighting an Akuma with the love of my life Ladybug because I'm Chat Noir and didn't have time for Physics when I got home, yeah that will go well.
Finally Adrien just settled with, "I had some stuff to take care of with my dad, he's been working on a new line." Nino and Alya both seemed content with his answer so he left it at that. Adrien looked at the paper laying on the table in front of him and read over the questions. He hadn't been lying, Physics is his favorite subject, just something about it fascinated him.
"What did accelerators do to propel the study of the subatomic world?" Adrien read the first question on the paper. He looked at Marinette awaiting to see what her answer would be, Alya looked at her, equally as curious as to what she would say.
"Um..." Marinette started. "A-accelerators allowed scientists... t-to explore the interactions between p-protons and n-n-neutrons?" Marinette answered shyly.
Adrien smiled, "Very good." And Marinette felt the heat rush to her cheeks.
Soon enough the woman came back with their drinks, handing Marinette and Alya their hot chocolates and and the boys their coke and water. When she asked what they would like to eat Alya said she wanted a veggie omelet, while Nino ordered spaghetti. Both Marinette and Adrien ordered a simple grilled chicken salad. Marinette decided to keep it light, as she was too nervous to eat around Adrien anyway. When their food came Nino looked at Adrien's salad as if it offended him.
"Dude, do you eat anything unhealthy?" He asked, shoving a forkful of spaghetti noodles in his mouth.
"It's the model lifestyle," Adrien said, taking a bite of a slice of chicken. "Plush, my father would kill me if he found out I was being reckless with my diet."
"I wouldn't be able to live like that," Alya said. "I couldn't live without cake." Marinette giggled at that, remembering how it was pretty much the only thing Alya ever ordered at her parents bakery. Alya took a sip of her hot chocolate and looked at Marinette. "I still think your parents make it better, girl." She said, making Marinette laugh again.
"I can eat what I want sometimes, it's just when I have a big photo shoot coming up that my dad gets really picky about it." Adrien said, taking another bite from his salad.
"But that's like all the time." Nino commented.
"Exactly." Adrien laughed. Marinette felt like she was going to explode.
When Adrien looked over a Marinette he saw the blush quickly spreading across her cheeks. God she was cute. Adrien loved when Marinette blushed, not that he would ever tell anyone that. It was just that she was so damned adorable that he couldn't help but love it. And the way she always smiled when she was nervous, or bit her bottom lip when she was thinking, those pink, glossy, kissable lips. Adrien dropped his fork into his plate, causing it to ding against the glass. What did I just think? Bad Adrien, bad, you are in love with Ladybug, not Marinette. Get it together man
"Yo Adrien, you okay?" Nino asked, pulling Adrien out of his thoughts. He soon noticed that his three friends were looking at him.
"Y-yeah, I just got a little distracted, that's all." Adrien said as he picked up his fork again and acted like nothing happened.
"Marinette sat at her desk, looking at the physics work assigned to them that day in class. When they went out to lunch Adrien helped her with the physics from the day before, and she was very grateful for that, because Alya was right, Marinette did suck at physics, however, looking at her paper now, she could really use his help again. She dropped her head onto her crossed arms in front of her and groaned.
"Are you okay, Marinette?" Tikki said, going over to her charge. Marinette just groaned again as a response and heard Tikki giggle at her frustration.
Adrien didn't know what he was doing when he transformed and bounded out of his window. As Chat Noir he was free, free to do what ever he wanted, and right now all he wanted was to see a certain pig tail wearing girl with an adorable blush. Marinette may not be able to audibly talk to Adrien, but she was sassy and snarky with Chat, and he loved talking to her, hearing her opinions and learning about the things she liked and disliked.
When he landed on her balcony Adrien paused. He combed his clawed fingers through is blonde hair which had been lightly knotted due to his quick movements to get there. When he noticed what he was doing he quickly put his hand down and groaned with frustration. What was going on with him. Ladybug is the only one for me he told himself before knocking on the trap door that lead to the room below.
Marinette raised her head from her arms when she heard the knock on her trap door. Who the hell would be knocking on her- oh, right. Marinette climbed up the latter to the trap door and opened it only an inch, looking out at the boy in black leather and blonde hair.
"Password?" Marinette asked teasingly. Chat Noir lowered himself to the ground, his chest flush with the wooden floor of her balcony.
"Purrincess." Chat said with a charming smile. Marinette smiled.
"Wrong." she said before closing the door. Chat Noir rolled his eyes.
"Come on Mari." He said, feigning hurt. "You wouldn't leave a cute little cat all alone in the outside world would you?"
"When you find a cute cat let me know." Marinette replied through the trap door.
"Meowch, that hurt princess," Adrien said pretending to be hurt. "Can I come in now?" Marinette simply opened the door, indicating it was a yes. Ever since Evillustrator Chat had taken to visiting Marinette frequently, at first she thought it was dangerous, but as it went on she learned she really enjoyed his company. Adrien followed Marinette down to her room and watched as she walked back to her desk and began working again.
"What are you working on?" Adrien asked, peaking over Marinette's shoulder.
"Physics." Marinette answered simply, circling an answer on her paper. Adrien leaned in more and read the next question. He reached out a hand and pointed to one of the answer choices.
"That one is D." Adrien said.
Pause. "I didn't know you were good a physics." Marinette said, looking up at Chat Noir.
"Are you kidding, it's my favorite subject." Adriens said, leaning against Marinette's desk. They had both managed to finish the paper in record time for Marinette, it also helped that Adrien had done that paper already when he'd gotten home from school.
When Marinette looked up she almost forgot how to breathe. Chat Noir stood there, next to the window, the setting sun casting shades of red and yellow into his golden hair, making him glow with almost angelic radiance. His green eyes were sparkling in the left over daylight. Marinette felt the blush creep up onto her cheeks as she looked at her partner. He was beautiful. She'd never noticed how tall he was until she was looking at him right now, and the way his leather suit definitely complimented his shape, Marinette found it heard to look away. She only did when Chat Noir spoke.
"Like what you see?" Adrien asked, a cocky smirk gracing his features. Marinette rolled her eyes.
"No way kitty." She looked back to where he was and was startled by how close he had suddenly become. He went from being several feet away from her to being inches away from her in what seemed like less than a second.
"Are you sure about that?" Adrien asked, this time his voice softer because of the short distance between them. He was so close she could feel his warm breath on her skin, and it didn't help the reddening of her face. She'd never thought about it before, but Chat Noir really was attractive, especially when he was an inch from her face. What was he trying to do, if he was going to kiss her then he should have just done it already...what? Marinette was surprised by her own thoughts. Quickly she banished any thoughts of kissing Chat Noir, he was her partner for god sake.
"As much as I would love to stay," Adrien said in a low, quiet voice, just loud enough for Marinette to hear. "I really must be going, work is never done when you're a superhero." Adrien tilted his head slightly and leaned it, now leaving their lips only centimeter apart and Marinette was sure she was going to melt. However right before their lips touched Chat Noir shifted, instead, connecting his lips with her cheek affectionately, and like that he was gone, leaving Marinette alone with her thoughts.
What the hell was that?
Adrien slipped through his window and detransformed. Plagg shot out of his ring and look at the wide eyed boy.
"What was that?" The Kwami asked. Adrien just leaned against his wall, not answering, as he was thinking the exact same thing. What the hell was that?