Heyya All,
My second FanFic on this sight. This one isn't an AU, and that's not the only difference in how I'm writing this story compared to how I wrote the other one. Nothing which is necessarily better, just different. However, please, if you like this one, feel free to check out my other Miraculous story which is based off Beauty and the Beast (somewhat).
I should also state, this is a LADYRIEN story. I just think it's the cutest. And I can't count the amount of Marichat stuff I've seen on here. (I'm not complaining btw, I like them too. I'm even thinking of having a scene in this one with them, but not having it be the majority of the story).
Well, please enjoy and feel free to comment.
Chapter 1: Confidence
She knew she was obsessed with him. She used to just as bad as he is. But this was crazy. But the funny kind of crazy. She didn't even bother to stifle her laughter.
"It's not what it looks like!" Adrien was in a rush to put away his "collectibles". In reality, they were children's toys that he found at a toy store. Everyone at school knew he was a huge Ladybug fan. But no one knew how embarrassing it can be, except now for Marinette.
"You're such a dork, Agreste." She laughed. Sure, she could be mean to him, but he never cared. In fact, it seemed to like it. As if he were a glutton for pain. That wasn't exactly the case, but he was cute, so it didn't matter. "You're hopeless."
"Mari, please, don't tell anyone?" He practically begged her. He almost felt the need to go on his knees and grovel, but choose against this. He didn't want to give her even more ammo.
She put her fingers to her chin, as if debating about to do with his life that she held in her hands. Well, at least his social life. "I don't know, I mean, Alya's SO going to ask."
"Maaarrrriiii!"
"Okay fine." Marinette conceded "Ill down play it. Tell her you have a few posters and that's it. I have to make it somewhat believable."
"Thank you thank you thankyou thankyouthankyou" he hugged her tightly, and she just patted the top of his head as if giving him a gentle 'its okay'.
Marinette's relationship with Adrien had become much better in the last few months. And it was giving her a much needed confidence boost. This was the second time they hung out without Alya and Nino, and it's been at least three months since she stuttered around him. A new all time record.
She even found that as she grew more confidence, Adrien only wanted to hang around her more. She cursed her one-year-ago self for not just having the confidence to speak to him. She felt it ironic that that's what attracted him to people.
In fact, that's exactly what was going through Adrien's head. She loved her confidence, it reminded her of Ladybug. Who he was obviously obsessed with. But more than that, his heart belonged to her. That confident air of hers and the way she smiled at him, whether he was being annoying or not, made him swoon.
"What is it that you like about Ladybug anyway?" Marinette was curious
"Well one, I've been a fan of superheroes since I was little. But honestly, Ladybug is just amazing as a person." He decided he'd be honest "you actually remind me allot of her."
"I do?" She was surprised. She always thought she was much different outside the mask than in. Ladybug was a superhero, Marinette was this clumsy girl. Total Peter Parker/ Clark Kent type thing.
He was quick to draw the connections. "You look similar. The hair and the eyes and what not. But you're also both really creative, kind, funny. What's not to love?" He didn't say confident. Some some reason he couldn't think of the word.
Marinette didn't notice. She preferred to keep her identity a safe distance away from her Ladybug persona. But admittedly, it was nice to see some connections drawn. "I guess so." She thought of something to make him smile. "You know, if I was Ladybug, you'd probably be Chat Noir. You're both blonde, green eyes, and you both have the dorkiest puns."
Adrien looked jokingly shocked "Wait, my puns BUG you!?"
"I hate you." She said playfully
"Ah, you see. There's the difference."
"What difference" she was confused.
"Ladybug's a hero. You'd be a villain."
"I swear to god, Agreste." Marinette began, then realized that continuing would prove his point, so she changed it up. "I'm not THAT mean."
"I don't know. Maybe." He shrugged "If how you treat me is any indication"
"I thought you loved me teasing you."
"I do. I'm just not afraid to tease back."
"Come on, you said you'd help me study for the test?"
"Yeah."
Tikki and Plagg say in their respective backpacks. Neither holder being aware of secrete connection between the Kwamis. They both laugh.
"Are you sure we haven't taken this to far?" Tikki asked "It's almost been a year."
"Eh." Plagg shrugged the thought off. "They'll figure it out soon."
"You mean Adrien, will figure it out soon." Tikki corrected
"Nope. In your dreams. Plagg smirked, though he knew Tikki couldn't see. "I have that boy as clueless as possible."
"Oh come on, Marinette will never figure out Chat's identity. The two are so different. Might as well forfeit and tell him already."
"Nope... NEVER!"
What the two teens didn't know was that their guides have known how true the comparisons of them to the superhero were. Both had a competition going to see who could keep their chosen from finding out longer. This was Plagg's idea, and it took some nagging to Tikki to get her to agree.
So they had no clue that the rule the kwami's told them about was a sham.
It didn't take too long for Marinette to get the hang of the material she needed. After their last study session, Adrien was certain they were going to be there for hours. "Thanks!" She was so happy "You're so awesome!"
There were only a few people who could say that to him and he'd actually believe it. Marinette was two of them.
"Marinette." Adrien said, suddenly feeling sentimental. It was probably due the villain line from less than an hour ago. But this time, there seemed to be something else there. "You're a hero, you know that?"
"Are you just saying that because you feel bad about the villain line." She knew Adrien was the type to give a comeback than feel guilty about it.
"No actually. Well kind of. I do mean it though. The way you stand up for people is amazing. I'm not even sure if I would have the guts to do that. And you're always the leader who wants to make sure everyone is happy and it's amazing."
She hugged him so hard. She was better at hiding it now, but Marinette was still totally crushing on the boy. At this point, she wondered if he'd ever realize. She thought the solution to her Adrien problems was to have more confidence. But she always feared as if she over-corrected herself and that he felt intimidated by her.
This was not a problem. Marinette feared she was being TOO confident. But Adrien knew actually what he loved in a girl. Confidence. But she was right about one thing, he had no clue she had a crush on him.
"Thanks for being a great friend."
"You too."
He didn't want her to leave after the studying. But she did. She was smart enough however to bring Adrien along with her. But he left to go home as soon as they got to the bakery. He claimed he just wanted to walk her home, but they both knew Marinette could totally handle herself. The girl was stronger psychically than he was. And he was top student to his fencing instructor.
A fact that he was just about to be thankful for on his walk home.
"Fire! Fire! Fire!" Someone shouted with pleasure. It was coming from around the block somewhere.
"What's going on?" Adrien was concerned. He knew what it was, but at least he had something to occupy his time.
An akuma has popped up all of a sudden. As he ran to the destination, Adrien can't help but wonder to himself why he almost never had to search for akuma's. They always seemed to be around at the same time as him. Did Hawk Moth know who he was or was he just an akuma-magnet?
But his thoughts were interrupted when he turned a corner and he suddenly saw only orange and red. And it was hot, like dangerously so. He had to close his eyes, it was coming close. Almost as if it were aiming for him.
He had no time to react, but suddenly all the heat went away as he fell himself getting lifted from the ground. Someone was CARRYING him.
He opened his eyes to see his partner holding him. She held a face of relief.
"Ladybug?"
Still holding him, she gave him a cute smirk and a wink. He wanted to kiss her so badly. But she gently placed him down before he made that mistake. And with that she was off.
He got a good look at the enemy. It was something far scarier than most anything they've ever faced. Something that pressed fear into the hearts of many a brave man. It was... A lawyer?
No, not just that. There was something more. His skin was red and scaly and he had horns. His suitcase had a skull on it and he blasted fire from his free hand.
"Who's the pyro?" Plagg asked as he flew out of his bad
"Not sure. Let's find out." He was needed "Plagg, Claws out!"
I'd like to point out, I don't hate lawyers, but I thought that joke would be funny. And of course I end the first chapter on the stereotypical "Hero saves hot love interest" part. Next thing you know, she'll be kissing him upside-down in the rain. I mean, she's pretty much his knight in shining white armor. And if I make you once go "AWWWWW" anywhere in this story, then I have done my job correctly.
