Hello! I'm pretty rusty at writing fanfics and this is my first Miraculous Ladybug fic so forgive me if this is painful.
This takes place after Episode 9: The Imposter/Copycat when Alya makes plans for her and Marinette to join Nino and Adrien at the movies because it's been killing me wondering how it went.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my adoration for this show.
"Mon dieu, Alya!" Marinette squealed, "You. Are. The best! I can't believe I'm going to the movies with Adrien tonight!"
Alya rolled her eyes and shot an endearing look at her best friend, "You know, Nino and I will be there too."
"Yes, yes, but Adrien will be there! And it's all thanks to you! You know what I mean, Alya! Oh, my gosh, what am I going to wear and what will I say, I could ask him about his fencing or maybe his latest photoshoot or would that seem too stalkerish oh god no, uh.. uh...I'm just going to make a fool out of myself, aren't I?" Marinette concluded her tirade of words by flopping on the bed, her mind racing through the infinite scenarios, all ending with Adrien deciding that she was weird and never speaking to her again.
"Relax, Marinette! You're amazing and this is just a chance for Adrien to realise that and fall madly in love with you," Alya grinned, "Now pick something fantastic to wear and let's go! We told them we'd meet them at 7.30pm!"
Fourteen outfit changes and some brisk walking (okay, maybe jogging) later...
"Salut, sorry we're late!" Marinette blushed as she dragged a gasping Alya behind her. Adrien and Nino waved, "No problem! The movie starts in ten minutes, so we have time," Adrien smiled kindly at them although he looked slightly worried as he took in the panting Alya, "Is she okay?"
"I'm... fine... Just need... More exercise..." Alya managed a quick smile as she wiped her forehead and glared at Marinette, "You aren't even out of breath."
Yup, because I fight evil Akumas almost every other day. If all that jumping around isn't enough exercise, I don't know what is, Marinette thought and offered a weak grin, "Ah, I do better than you in gym class, no?"
Fortunately, Nino's demands for popcorn saved Marinette from having to make more excuses as he and Alya went to get some snacks. Marinette was thrilled at being left alone with Adrien, she gazed at his perfect blonde hair and sparkling green eyes. He's perfect. Okay, Marinette, time to talk to him. Stay calm, just say something, anything, without stumbling over your words. She took a deep breath.
"So, Adrien, do you like salty or ah..." Adrien turned to look at her, his dancing green eyes attentive and a friendly smile on his lips. It was the Adrien charm, completely directed at Marinette and she was stunned by the full force of it. "Ah.. ahh.. Salty or ah.. Sour popcorn? I mean, do you like popcorn or anything else like..." She groped for anything to sound even remotely coherent. "Rhinos?"
RHINOS? What on earth was she saying how did she even get from popcorn to rhinos?! She turned tomato red and hung her head.
Meanwhile, Adrien paused, trying to sort through the same thing although he chuckled inwardly. Marinette had always seemed painfully shy when talking to him although he had seen her laughing and bantering with Alya and other classmates. He knew his effect on girls, he was a model and as Chat Noir, he was irresistible.
Okay, maybe not to his Ladybug, but mostly irresistible. Still, Marinette seemed nice and he wanted to be friends so he answered with a relaxed tone, "I like sweet popcorn. And rhinos although I haven't seen a real one before and I would like to go to South Africa and maybe catch a glimpse of one."
Marinette's head shot up and the quizzical look in her eyes made him mentally stumble. It was such a familiar look, but he couldn't place it. Where else had he seen that look? Sky blue eyes that were both thoughtful and yet slightly suspicious...
Almost like Ladybug when she tried to figure out how to beat a villain but no – he shook his head. Stop obsessing over your Ladybug, Adrien, you're starting to go crazy, seeing her everywhere. Focus, this is Marinette. Your friend! Or at least until you scare her off, the way you're going. Pfft, Ladybug doesn't even think about you like that so Adrien, snap out of it!
Adrien looks like an angel, even when he's not smiling, Marinette sighed to herself. Adrien was staring at her with a strange look on his face. Marinette froze and watched him; she had been wondering if he was laughing at her or if he was simply being nice and answering her question. But she kept getting distracted by being so close to him, admiring his strong and lean build and his flawless complexion... Adrien shook his head as though shaking off a thought and a sheepish look crept on as he opened his mouth.
"Come on, guys! The movie is starting, let's go!" Nino interrupted, shoving a drink into Adrien's hand and heading towards the theatre.
Inside, Alya winked and prodded Marinette in after Adrien as they took their seats. I get to sit next to Adrien for the whole movie! And share popcorn with him too! Marinette internally swooned as she beamed up at Adrien in the darkness. It doesn't even matter that this movie theatre is freezing, I don't mind being an ice cube if I get to be next to Adrien.
Okay, maybe I mind being an ice cube, Marinette shivered. It was halfway into the movie and she could swear she stopped feeling her fingers fifteen minutes ago. She dug into the popcorn that she was sharing with Adrien (!) and almost didn't feel their fingers brush as he reached into the bag at the same time. Her skin tingled and her face heated, Oh mon dieu, I might die from happiness if I don't freeze to death first. She took a deep breath to calm herself and had just focused on the screen when something descended on her. Her first instincts were to fight it off, her muscles tensing as she imagined an attack until she realised it was cloth. It was... Adrien's jacket, Marinette's eyes widened as she stared at him.
He glanced at her and smiled, miming for her to put on the jacket. "It's like the north pole here, isn't it?" He whispered and she nodded dazedly, fireworks exploding in her mind. She huddled closer into the jacket and slipped her arms into the oversized sleeves, grateful for the warmth from his body that the jacket still held.
It even smells like him, I can't believe it! She inhaled, trying not to seem like a madwoman, It does! It smells like pine and whatever soap it is that he uses and... and... Familiar. Hang on, she sniffed, a frown creasing her brow, I know this scent. It's insanely familiar but I've never gotten this close to Adrien before. Who else would smell this way?
The question plagued her as she walked home later that night. The quartet had bid each other goodnight after the movie ended seeing as it was a school night and the whole way home, Marinette puzzled over how she could know anyone who's scent matched Adrien's. The identity of that person tickled her mind as she headed to her room and began to get ready for bed when she realised that she was still wearing Adrien's jacket! She stifled an elated giggle as she hugged it, burying her face into the wool lining and wishing it was Adrien instead of his jacket.
"And I get to return it to him at school tomorrow! Another chance to talk to him!" She went starry eyed as Tikki laughed and nodded, floating to her place on Marinettte's pillow. Her human could fend off The Papillon and save the city but this special boy turned her to mush.
"Oh my god, Tikki, maybe if I go to sleep smelling his jacket, I'll dream that I'm with Adrien tonight!" Marinette looked at the jacket with delight, "I mean, I already dream about him but maybe it'll be even more realistic. You know, cause' even dream Adrien will smell like him, tres realistic!" She snuggled into her blanket, hugging the jacket and fell asleep almost immediately, a contented smile on her lips.
And dreamt of Chat Noir. Chat Noir smiling that devilish grin of his, who for some reason, was so close to her that his scent filled her dream...
The next morning, Marinette woke up disappointed and very confused.
Hehe, I'm sure we aren't as confused as Marinette and Adrien.
Please let me know what you think or what I can do to improve! I would love to hear what you think! If you guys like it, I might write more one shots about moments that the show leaves us wondering about.
-Redrose