Disclaimer: It's not mine. Not even a little bit.
"Honestly, why you think someone as perfect as Adrien would even look twice at someone as pathetic and stupid as you is just laughable. Really Marinette, have a little self-respect. Know your place."
Marinette carefully kept her features schooled, managing an eyeroll and a brushoff of the spoiled socialite. Usually she was able to ignore Chloe's sharp words, but it was just one of those days. The things Chloe said rattled around in Marinette's mind, planting seeds of self-doubt. She ducked outside between classes, avoiding Alya's concerned gaze. She just needed a few minutes to herself. Tikki seemed to sense that and stayed quietly concealed in Marinette's bag.
She found an empty corner of the courtyard and tucked herself into it, chin resting on her knees. Slowly, the insecurity transformed into anger. How dare Chloe say such things? She didn't know Adrien as well as she pretended to and she certainly didn't know Marinette. Who was she to say whether Marinette had a chance with Adrien or not?
Adrien, leaving school for a mid-afternoon photo shoot, caught sight of the angry girl. As he was about to head over to see what was wrong, he froze, eyes fixed on a glowing akuma as it fluttered by.
"No," he whispered desperately. "Not Marinette. Don't make me fight her."
As it approached her, Adrien clenched his fists. He stopped in shock as he drew a breath, preparing to call out his transformation phrase.
Marinette had noticed the akuma.
He watched, curious to see her reaction. Adrien didn't know what happened to people who saw akumas before they were possessed. Did the akuma still try to control its intended victim? Or could it not do so without the element of surprise?
Marinette watched the akuma impassively as it fluttered toward her, seemingly harmless. As it prepared to land on her jacket, her hand shot out and she grabbed it.
To Adrien's utter shock, a familiar white glow surrounded her fist and when she opened her fingers, a purified akuma flew serenely away.
"No evil doing for you today," she said with a soft smile. "Bye-bye little butterfly."
Adrien couldn't breathe. He somehow found himself in the car, heading to a photoshoot he would never be able to recall.
Marinette was Ladybug.
It wasn't a complete surprise. Adrien had wondered about Ladybug's identity more than he cared to admit, and every female he met or interacted with was scrutinized for possible similarities. And Marinette had crossed his mind more than anyone else.
He had two lists in his mind: girls who might be Ladybug and girls he hoped were. Marinette was high on the first list, and if he was completely honest, hers was the only name on the second.
The rest of his day passed in a blur. To his disappointment, he and Ladybug didn't have a patrol scheduled that evening and no akumas appeared.
"It's alright," he whispered excitedly to Plagg, who had been ignoring his rambling ever since the two got home. "I'll get to see her tomorrow. I'll see Ladybug because she's Marinette!"
"Please go to sleep, kid," Plagg begged. "The sooner you sleep, the sooner you'll see her."
Adrien gasped. "You're right! I'll go to sleep right now!"
Plagg rolled his eyes affectionately, enjoying the blissful quiet.
Marinette was talking to Alya before school started, having made it early for once (probably because she didn't have too much homework the night before and no hero duties).
"And you're sure you're ok?" Alya asked, concerned. "You seemed kind of down yesterday."
"Yeah," Marinette said ruefully. "Chloe managed to get to me a little, that's all."
"I swear," Alya said with a scowl. "One of these days I'm gonna give that girl-"
"Marinette!" A shout interrupted the two friends. Adrien rushed over, a huge smile lighting up his face. "It's you!"
Before either girl could ask what he meant, Adrien wrapped his arms around the star struck girl, picked her up, and started twirling around excitedly.
Alya wasted no time in switching her phone to capture video. She didn't know what was happening or why, but she would be damned if she missed the opportunity to film such a momentous occasion. Also, Marinette might not believe it happened without proof.
Poor Marinette looked as though she had died and gone to heaven but was terribly confused as to why she was there.
He set her down with a smile, eyes widening when he saw her dazed red face.
"I'm sorry!" He blurted. "I'm just so excited to see you!"
"Me too," Marinette stammered. "I mean, I'm excited to see you, not me. I see me everyday. Not that I don't see you pretty often too, but that's more exciting. I mean-"
"I know exactly what you mean," Adrien said with a soft smile. "Can I walk you to class?"
Marinette managed a soft squeak in reply and the two headed off. Alya watched them go with a smile.
"Nerds," she said affectionately.
Before you freak out, yes, I'm planning a second chapter where Marinette finds out about Adrien/Chat.
Special thanks to star-eye for editing and telling me that I basically am Alya (what a compliment!).
Catch ya later, lovelies!
-FD