Summary: In which Nino is smart and everyone else is just slow.
"Pay attention! Open your eyes!" Nino yelled, wanting to slap him and hug him at the same time. "She's literally right there? How are you so blind? What is this?"
Also, how does Gabriel Agreste know so much? "Nathalie, find me all of this girl's friends." Nathalie frowned at him. "Sir, that could take a while -"
"Do it!"
Adrien doesn't understand. In general. "Why do you keep bringing this up? It was just a cat pun!" He hoped Nino didn't notice how sweaty he was.
Alya is somehow, surprisingly, miraculously, as clueless as ever. "What are you saying, Nino? That they- " She waved an arm vaguely in their direction, her eyes dead on him - "are meant to be Ladybug and Chat Noir?"
Tikki is tired, in every way that a parent dealing with an overdramatic teenager is. "MARINETTE! I have been patient with you, but this is as far as your stupidity goes!"
And Marinette is just... normal. "I... uh..." She rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly. He glared at her. "I'm sorry."
Let's see if I can make this work.
Look who's back, back again with more shit lmao
So this stems off the end of the "Miraculous Ladybug Episode - My Birthday Party | Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir" thing on Youtube. Don't get excited, it's not actually a new episode, but you should totally check it out anyway.
Anyways, enjoy
These Nights
"I can't wait till Saturday!"
Marinette closed her diary and placed it back in its handmade container before setting the trap. Tikki, her kwami, flew up from her purse as she stood back and took a deep breath.
"What did you write about this time, Marinette?" Tikki chirped, whizzing to look her in the eye.
She smiled at her friend. "Oh, Tikki, I wrote about my birthday! Mum said I could have friends over, remember? Of course, I'll invite Alya, I mean that's obvious, and Rose and Juleka, and maybe Ivan and Myléne because of course Myléne will come if Ivan does and– "
"Wait!" Tikki interrupted, waving her hands in an attempt to slow her rambling. Marinette, however, continued.
"–Oh, my gosh, what if Adrien comes! Imagine that, Tikki!" She grabbed Tikki and shook her a little while the kwami sighed, knowing she'd lost her. "I'll need to plan it for when there's a break in his schedule!"
Marinette frantically pulled down her (incredibly) detailed Adrien timetable to check that his Saturday was free. She scanned the days leading up to it. "Okay, Tikki!" She cried, excited. "Today is Tuesday!" She whapped the sheet with a cane. "So obviously today is his first of two– "She stuck two fingers in the air for emphasis– "free days of the week, the other being Thursday."
Tikki nodded absentmindedly, trying to look as though she was paying attention. Honestly, by now, she was used to Marinette's rants about Adrien, as she had watched the bluenette's feelings go from disgust to curiosity to full-blown obsession.
Honestly, Tikki was starting to get worried about it, not that she'd ever tell the girl that.
Obsession with anything was never healthy, and looking around Marinette's bedroom, Tikki could see the evidence of hers. Posters, doodles, little notes, and the most obvious thing; the schedule. She didn't know and didn't want to know how Marinette managed to get her hands on that information.
Zoning back into the conversation, Tikki noticed that Marinette was nearing the end of a rant about what days Adrien was free, noting that she had been talking for about five minutes.
"Marinette!" Tikki interrupted, sounding scolding. "What is the point?"
Marinette looked at Tikki as if she had two heads. "My point is… ah…" She waved her cane about as she thought. "… What were we talking about again?"
Tikki shook her head in exasperation. "Can Adrien come to your party this Saturday?"
Marinette's eyes darted to the schedule before nodding her head in happy affirmation. "Yes! He can!" She started dancing around her room in excitement.
Tikki giggled at her antics, stopping suddenly when Marinette's face grew horrified. "Marinette? What is it?"
She collapsed on her bed dramatically. "Oh, Tikki, what am I going to wear? What is he going to wear? What if he wears some super stylish awesome clothes his dad designed specifically for the party? What if I wear something gross and disgusting and he thinks it looks awful? I think I'd just about die from embarrassment!" Marinette groaned from her position face down on the bed. "What am I going to do?"
Tikki, well versed in the ways of the teenaged mind, was the voice of reason. "Marinette, you haven't even asked him yet."
Marinette looked up at Tikki, looking yet more horrified. "Oh my gosh, Tikki, how am I going to ask him?" She started groaning into her duvet again.
Tikki had to stop this before she got the ball rolling once again. "Won't Nino help you? He's been quite kind in the past, and now that he and Alya are… something, you would be able to catch him alone."
Marinette looked up at Tikki again, but with a completely different expression. "Tikki, you're a genius! I'll call Alya right now!"
Tikki rubbed her temples. "Don't you think you should make a list of the people you want to invite?"
"Ah, yes, more amazingly amazing good ideas from Tikki!"
Marinette tore a piece of paper from her ideas book before scribbling the names down, tapping her pen on the table occasionally before writing something, or crossing something out, before showing Tikki her list. "Tada! I decided on Alya, Rose, Juleka, Ivan, Myléne, Kim, Max and Alix! Of course, Nino and Adrien are there too." She pointed to their names as she said them.
Tikki noticed but didn't comment on the hearts drawn around Adrien's name, nor the fact the Chloé Bourgeois and Sabrina Raincomprix's names were crossed out. Instead, she was supportive. "That sounds great, Marinette! Now you can call Alya!"
Marinette nodded happily before picking up her phone and dialling Alya's number in record time.
"Hey, girl! What's going on?"
"Just a whole lot of planning, actually! Are you busy?"
"Uh, Marinette, have you seen the time?" Alya sounded like she was trying not to laugh.
It was 8:10 pm on a Tuesday night. Marinette had not started her homework.
"Oh no! ThankyousomuchAlyaI'lltalktoyousoonbye!" Marinette slammed her phone down on her bed and ripped her homework out of her bag. She had to get started if she wanted a decent night's sleep.
Tikki giggled again, feeling happy albeit guilty for forgetting about her work. "Well, the quicker you finish the work, the quicker we can go back to planning."
"Right!"
ひらがな！
愛していますよ！
Unfortunately, Marinette did not finish her homework until 11 pm that night and by then was exhausted and practically flew into her bed without changing or taking out her hair. Tikki, though exhausted herself, took a little bit longer.
Staring at Marinette's sleeping form, the kwami sighed. The girl's naivety was really starting to worry her along with her obsession and Tikki worried that, when faced with a difficult decision, her Ladybug would fall.
She shook her head. She knew better than to dwell on such things. Everything would work out.
Tikki floated slowly over beside Marinette and pulled out her pigtails slowly, trying not to wake her. One day she'd be faced with something bigger than her, and Tikki knew that Marinette could not fail her. Wayzz's master had not been wrong about a ladybug in thousands of years. Everything would be okay.
She hoped.
奇跡的
よかたですよ
The next day, Marinette (of course) woke up late for school. She sprinted down the stairs with Tikki in her purse and quickly kissed her both her parents goodbye before tripping over her feet and falling face first through the door onto the pavement outside. Tikki stifled a giggle but stayed hidden as Alya ran up from the side.
"Again, Marinette?" Alya helped her up before dusting her off. "Hurry, we're gonna be late!"
Marinette started laughing before grabbing her hand and pulling her along. "I need to talk to you!"
"Can it wait? Madame Mendeleiev is going to slaughter us!" Alya cried, starting to pant.
They rounded the corner to the school.
Marinette hesitated. "Well… Yes, of course, it can!" They both jumped up the stairs, taking two at a time before getting into the building.
"Wait." Alya stuck an arm out to stop Marinette bursting into the class. "We need to fix ourselves up and enter gracefully."
Marinette looked at Alya. Her hair was windswept and her glasses were askew. Marinette knew she probably looked similar. "Right!"
Tikki, feeling a bit battered, shook her head in Marinette's purse, feeling a little discombobulated. Peeking out, she watched them fix each other up before they swept into class. Luckily, they were only a few minutes late and Madame Mendeleiev only told them to take their seats.
As soon as Marinette stepped into the classroom, Tikki could feel Plagg. It wasn't something she could stop, and of course, she was used to it. She had a small idea of who had the ring, as Adrien had not yet been akumatised; however, it was not unheard of for a miraculous holder to become an akuma, and a regular civilian could easily avoid akumatisation with the ability to control their emotions.
Besides, Chat Noirs in the past had never been that lucky.
Tikki decided to take a nap. It would be a few hours before anything interesting happened, anyway.
奇跡的
よかたですよ
She woke up to the sound of Marinette's frantic whispering to Alya.
"But Alya, how do you think he'll react to my invitation? Do you think he'll hate it? Oh my God, he will, won't he?" She groaned. "This is the end of my life!"
Tikki could picture the pity smile on Alya's beautiful face.
"Girl, you know he won't." She said, sounding like she was trying not to laugh. "Besides, you have to actually ask him first."
"I know, I know…" Marinette stared at the blond mop in front of her, who seemed to be lost in thought.
Alya hesitated before touching her arm gently. "You know, Marinette… Do you think you'll actually be able to ask him?"
Tikki hoped she remembered her suggestion. Luckily, that was the case.
"I was going to ask Nino for help!" Alya's smile turned forced. Marinette noticed immediately. "What is it?"
"Nothing, nothing!" Alya tried to convince Marinette, who looked more worried by the second. "It's just… I mean… Will you need me there?"
Marinette suddenly forgot all about the party. "Alya, is there something wrong between you and Nino? You seemed so close before…"
Alya pursed her lips. She didn't want to talk about this, not now, not when he was right there and breathing and being perfect for her if she wasn't so-
"Alya?" She immediately plastered on a smile. Marinette looked extremely concerned, remembering the way their personalities clicked so well while they were locked in the cage.
Alya couldn't tell her, the words drowning her lungs, blocking her throat, stilling her tongue. "No, girl, don't worry about me! I'll totally have your back."
Marinette smiled and thanked her, but Alya could tell this wasn't the end of the conversation, and Marinette knew that she would have to seek out Nino herself. She couldn't ask Alya for help after that reaction.
The bell rang, startling the two, and apparently Adrien, who fell out of his chair in front of her. Alya snorted and Nino burst out laughing.
"You right there, dude? Your head was totally in the clouds the entire class," Nino said through his laughter. Alya was trying to hide her giggling, and Marinette was trying to find something to do with her hands.
Adrien rolled his eyes at Nino and sent Alya a look before grinning at Marinette. "At least you're polite enough not to laugh."
Marinette could feel her knees weaken at the way his eyes shined when he smiled and was suddenly speaking. "Ah! Yes! You are very nice! … I mean me! I am very nice! Marinette! That is me!" Smooth.
Adrien looked confused while Alya's quiet giggling turned into full-blown laughter, struggling for air with tears in her eyes. Nino winced a bit while Adrien's face went from confused to amused, saying "Thanks, I think?" before picking up his bag and walking out of the classroom for lunch.
Marinette put her head in her hands as soon as he left. Alya, finally calming down now, wiped away a tear of mirth before patting her on the back. "Come on girl, that wasn't as bad as last week."
Marinette groaned while that sent Nino into more laughter. "Oh man, that was great! You were… Um…" Alya's glare cut him off and he quickly made himself scarce.
She sighed and patted Marinette on the back while the girl in question took some deep breaths. Finally, she stood up. "Let's go. Did you see where Nino went?"
Alya smiled sheepishly. "No, sorry." She glanced at the ceiling. "It's Thursday, right? I don't think he'd go home today, he has physics after lunch. He's probably in the library."
Marinette lifted her chin determinedly and strutted out of the room, her show of false bravado prompting Alya to join her as they walked towards the library. Alya was a little suspicious of her confidence, but supposed that talking to Nino about Adrien wasn't as nerve-wracking as talking to the boy in question was.
At least, for Marinette.
Alya was shaken out of her thoughts as Marinette stopped at the entrance to the library. She took a deep breath, and pushed the heavy doors open.
The Collège Françoise Dupont library was the pride and joy of the school. With the 500 hardwood shelves stacked with books and papers of all subjects, it was not unheard of for the students of universities and other colleges around Paris to join the usual students in the library.
However, a big library meant it took Marinette over half of lunch to find Nino, with Alya getting steadily more restless.
Alya was struggling to think of a excuse to run, finding herself unable to come up with a reason to avoid seeing him. She could not see him, not outside of having to, she couldn't -
"Nino! Finally," Marinette cried, getting a withering look from a nearby student. "We've spent almost all of our break trying to find you," she said, quieter.
Nino, who had glanced up at the shout, frowned in confusion. "We?"
Marinette pursed her lips and reached behind her, dragging Alya to stand beside her with surprisingly strong arms, Nino noticed. "Alya and I."
Nino looked shocked for a split second before smoothing it over with a kind smile at Marinette. "Well, what can I help you with?"
"I… um…" Alya elbowed her in the side. Tikki was wide awake.
Nino waited patiently, knowing she'd get through her hesitations. She had only been hesitant around her when she wanted to know something about Adrien - that is, until she asked.
Marinette sat down next to Nino, before turning her chair to sit right in front of him and leaning forward. "IwantAdrientocometomyparty!" Marinette whisper-shouted into his ear. Alya rolled her eyes and Nino smiling fondly. "You, uh, wanna repeat that?"
Marinette took a deep breath before staring Nino dead in the eyes. "I want Adrien to come to my party, it's on Saturday at.. I don't know where yet, the park? And it'd be really cool if he could come! What if he bought me a present! Oh my goodness, I -"
"Woah, woah, Marinette," Nino said, holding his hands up to stop her ranting. "What do you want me to do about this?"
Marinette paused her ranting before saying, "Well, of course I want you to ask him for me,"
Nino considered her carefully, weighing the pros and cons. Of course, the cons were obvious: Adrien probably wouldn't be allowed to go, therefore making Marinette worry about why he didn't come, he hated her, etc. But if he was allowed…
Well, that could open whole new doors to their relationship. Of course, he and Alya (separately) could con them together.
Alya…
No, he wouldn't think anything more of it. He would ask him, for Marinette's sake.
He leaned forward and stared her straight in the face, mimicking her perfectly. "Marinette, for your sake, I will…" He trailed off, his eyes having found their way to her earrings - red with black spots.
"You will? Thank you!" She flung forward to hug him, almost shoving him off his chair.
"No problem," He muttered, wrapping his arms around her. Still, his mind focused on her ladybug-spotted earrings. He never knew she was a fan…
Effectively ripping his attention back to reality, Marinette let go and stood up quickly. "Wait, Marinette," He called as she was about to leave. "He might not be allowed to go because of his father. Please don't get your hopes up too high."
Marinette nodded sharply, still beaming, and Nino knew that his words hadn't quite gotten through to her.
Still, he would ask. He knew that Adrien would probably like to go, but if his dad said no, he wouldn't push it. Nino had to change that.
Watching the girls leave, Nino stood up too. He had work to do.
奇跡的
よかたですよ
Adrien took a deep breath of fresh air before walking down the well-polished stairs of Collège Françoise Dupont. His day, as was usual, had been rather unlucky, and his brand new shirt was sporting the evidence: a rather large splatter of tomato sauce dead in the center. His dad wouldn't be pleased.
Shaking his head, he was about to get into his car when -
"Yo! Adrien! Wait a sec, dude!" Adrien smiled apologetically at the Gorilla before turning to see Nino quickly descending the stairs, his arm outstretched. "I need to ask you something."
Adrien grinned. "Sure. What's up?"
Nino sighed. "It's Marinette. She wants you to come to her birthday party." He stared at the ground. "I tried to tell her that you probably wouldn't be allowed, but she didn't listen -"
"Woah," Adrien said, putting his hand on Nino's shoulder. "It's okay, I'll ask my Dad."
Nino ran a hand over his face. "Yeah, I know you will, and he'll say no, just like he always does. You always have the worst luck with these things."
Adrien smirked, and Nino knew the pun was coming before he even said anything. "Like a black cat, huh?"
Nino froze. Not what he expected. "Um, what?"
Adrien shook his head, still with a grin on his face. "Inside joke."
Nino stared for a little longer than was polite, making Adrien clear his throat uncomfortably. "Uh, so, I'll ask my Dad and see how it goes, alright?"
Nino cleared his throat. "Yeah, sure. Hey, you know what this means, right?"
Adrien rolled his eyes, before they found the top of the stairs. "This again? Nino, you'd have to be crazy if you think she'd like me." Nino took the opportunity to search out the silver ring on his finger.
"T-trust me, bro. She totally has the hots for you." The ring had the outline of six dots - five smaller, one large.
Adrien shook his head, before a grunt from his bodyguard made him wince. "Sorry, Nino, I really have to get going, or I'll be late for practice."
Nino stared blankly at the black limousine as it sped away, comparing Adrien's appearance and behaviour to that of Paris's beloved black cat. Finding too many similarities for it to be considered normal, he sighed and ran his hand through his hair, wishing he'd never noticed.
Okay you guys but don't expect a legit schedule from me I wrote this in like two weeks around school okay thanks bye
UPDATE: I edited this to procrastinate lol. The next chapter is coming!