I realized "Liveblog my heart" is a super cheesy title and I am so sorry.
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"Their new album comes out next week, I'm so psyched!"
Nino and Adrien chatted excitedly about their musical preferences while the classroom slowly filled with more students as they awaited their morning class. Nino's favorite band's logo, Mind's Eye, was always featured on his favorite t-shirt. He had been trying to persuade Adrien to come with him to the band's next concert. The blond boy had never been to a concert other than Jagged Stone and that one had been pure luck. Talk about being at the right place at the right moment for the mayor himself to give you tickets.
The sound of cheerful chatter grew louder as Alya and Marinette entered the classroom, laughing from a previous conversation. The shorter girl greeted both of the boys happily before settling in her place.
"Hey Adrien. Hey cutie," the taller girl teased while poking the latter's nose. "Sorry about yesterday."
"Water under the bridge," Nino replied with a smile.
A torrent of water, perhaps, but under the bridge nonetheless. Alya's straightforwardness and his honesty often meant fights broke out between them. They were prone to bickering but someone always joked on how close they looked when they argued. Their quarrels were never serious. Plus the make-up make-out that always resulted from it was pretty sweet...
His eyes followed her as she walked passed to her seat. That girl had hips that could kill a man. Not to mention totally luscious lips and those-
Nino shook his head, chasing impure thoughts away. Respect, dude! Yeah. He respected her much more that. Plus school wasn't an appropriate place for this.
What Nino did not know was that Alya spent class biting her bottom lip staring at the dark skin of his neck and the square of his shoulders. Just because Nino had never thought of himself as anything special did not mean she felt the same. Marinette sometimes had to elbow her discreetly to switch her attention back to class before the teacher noticed.
The morning went on normally until noon came. The couple had lunch together while Adrien and Marinette each returned home as they usually did during the break. However, Adrien did not come back for the last period. An emergency photo shoot, perhaps. Marinette excused herself to the bathroom right at the start of physics class and took her sweet time there, apparently.
Nino felt sorry for her. Poor girl must have weak bowels or something. Alya sighed out of boredom. Without her best friend, she doodled ladybugs in her notebook, trying to suppress her intense desire to take out her phone but thought better of it. Their physics teacher was notorious for confiscating electronics used during class.
The final godsent bell resounded in the school.
Marinette had not come back from the bathroom and Adrien was still a no-show. Somewhat worried, Alya walked to the girls bathroom while Nino waited outside, texting Adrien. He just wanted to make sure his pal had the situation under control, whatever that situation was.
"She's not in there, " Alya noted once she came out. "Maybe she felt sick and went home."
"Do you want to stop by to see her? " Nino offered.
The girl shook her head. "Nah, if she's sick she's probably resting. Let's just go home. " Her motherly side did tell her to go check on her best friend, but her girlfriend side thought Nino might like walking home together after yesterday's ditching. And it's not like it was the first time Marinette pulled something like that, anyways.
Right outside the school grounds, Alya's eyes lit up when a small white dog ran up to her. She bent down to pet it while her boyfriend looked on fondly. There was a thing about girls and cute dogs...
"Hello little guy! Are you lost? "
The dog became nervous under her touch and ran away. The girl shrugged. Must have seen its owner or something. The two headed in the direction of their neighborhoods. They houses were in different areas but there had a couple of streets to walk together before having to split up.
"Aw man, " the boy whined, "I can't believe how much math homework she gave us! I mean, give us a break dude! "
"I know, she's relentless. I'm sure that was punishment for when Kim made-"
Alya's sentence was interrupted by a man being chased by a German Shepard. The man ran up the safety of a nearby boutique while the dog barked and growled in front of the door. The pair decided to run passed quickly before the dog decided to come after them next.
After turning the next street corner, two dogs were rummaging through garbage. They were too busy to notice the humans tiptoeing being them.
"Dude, what is up with the dogs today? Did they all escape from the pound or what?" Nino commented.
"I don't know but I hear more barking over there so we better hurry. "
As they kept going, they soon stopped dead in their tracks when they came across an usually busy boulevard covered with dozens of dogs. There were dogs sleeping on the sidewalks, dogs fighting against one another, dogs gnawing on benches and abandoned bikes.
"This city has gone to the dogs. Literally. " Nino's joke fell flat before Alya who instinctively took a step back behind the young man. This was definitely not normal.
"Hey, who let the dogs out? "
The couple's ears perked at the sound of a familiar voice. In the park across the street, Chat Noir was taunting an akuma that looked like it could have won first place at the masquerade in a furry convention. Except this was no costume. With his pointed ears, tail and fur coat, K-9 apparently had been upset his beloved dog had not been allowed in an elite spa. Relaxation for the whole family they advertised. So why was a dog who was like family not allowed in?
Ladybug stood nearby, spinning her yo-yo in front of her to shield herself from the snarling canines. The akuma noticed a woman who was too terrified of two bichons nipping at her heels to move and lassoed her with a glowing leash. The bystander instantly morphed into the form of a dog and howled. Well that explained the unusually high amount of dogs running loose. She and three more dogs turned to growl at Chat Noir.
"Don't you know cats and dogs don't get along?" the young hero grinned, jumping back to avoid sharp fangs.
Phone already held out towards the scene, Alya looked carefully around her to make sure the course was still clear of angry pups. She loved dogs as much as the next person, but this was a bit too much. Nino eyed her carefully and decided on what his next course of action should be. He had been preparing for this moment.
"Babe, over here! " He motioned for her to get closer. For once, she actually listened. "You'll be safer and you'll have a better angle if you get up that tree.
The boy helped the girl climb to a steady branch, high enough that dogs couldn't get to her.
"Hey I do get a better view from here! " Alya rejoiced before looking down with worry. "What about you? You can't just stand there, these pups look hungry."
Nino gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. " In a lower voice, he added to himself: "Time to put this plan into action. "
K-9 the akuma blew a soundless whistle. Instantly, all the dogs raised their heads and rushed to him. Ladybug and Chat Noir regrouped as well, waiting for his next move. An object inside K-9's hand clicked and the dogs lunged at the duo.
"The akuma must be inside his whistle, " Ladybug shouted over the sound of dozens of growls. "It's an ultrasound whistle, only the dogs can hear it. "
"I hear you, my lady, " Chat Noir noted as he dodged a bulldog, "but as you can see, he's got quite the bodyguards."
The akuma's hand clicked again and a husky and a rottweiler jumped for the cat's throat. Chat Noir shielded himself just in time, catching the two sets of jaws on his baton. The weight of the two large dogs pushed him to the ground. His back on the hard cement, he was struggling to push the two snarling beasts back.
Still up in her tree and not missing a second, Alya gasped when she saw a dalmatian hanging on to Ladybug's yo-yo, pulling a mouthful of its string. The feisty canine preventing her from rescuing her partner from his predicament. The cat grit his teeth and flexed his muscles, attempting to remove the two dogs from his chest but they were pushing down with extraordinary strength. This was an intense dog vs cat fight, and Alya truly hoped Chat Noir would be able to handle it.
"Back off, doggy!"
Chat Noir and Ladybug's shocked faces turned to see Nino trying to pull the rottweiler from the hero with the only leash-shaped thing he could find: the wire for his headphones twisted into a noose.
"Holy crap! Where did he come from?" Alya exclaimed when she saw her boyfriend's face appear in the tiny screen of her phone. She looked up to make sure her eyes were not deceiving her. "Nino, what the hell! "
It was real alright. Although the dog was much stronger than a regular dog would have been, feeling choked by the wire, the rottweiler's grip on Chat Noir's baton weakened and Nino managed to pull the big dog just enough to give Chat Noir a window big enough to kick back the husky and return to his feet.
"Thanks, but what the heck are you doing here? " the cat's voice was a mix of relief and worry. What was his best friend thinking, jumping in a dangerous battle that involved sharp fangs everywhere?
"You looked like you were in a bad spot and you guys are always saving us, so I figured I could return the favour! "
Their reunion was short-lived because the wire around the rottweiler snapped from all wrangling and the angered husky lunged directly at Nino. The boy instinctively put his arms in front of him in defence, allowing the dog to score a perfect bite on his arm. Chat Noir watched in horror as his friend fell back under the impact, the husky refusing to release its grip on his friend's arm. Nino winced and grunted in pain as the fangs dug deeper into his skin.
Oh the things he wouldn't do for that girl.
Alya panicked at the sight of blood on her boyfriend's arm. She considered getting down to help him, but what could she do other than offering the dogs another chew toy? Plus Chat Noir was already there, trying to force the beast's jaws open with his baton, and yet her heart beat faster as she continued to film.
Finally free on her side after sending the dalmatian flying, Ladybug sent her yo-yo at the dog's legs and pulled them from under it. The rottweiler released its grip, Chat Noir extended his hand to his best friend and Nino got up on shaky legs.
K-9 growled when Ladybug's yo-yo took hold of his tail and flung him across the park, his whistle flying out of his neck in the process. The girl quickly grabbed it and smashed it with her foot.
Nothing happened.
Chat Noir stared at his lady in disbelief. "The akuma was not in the whistle?! "
Another clicked resounded and the dogs formed a circle around the two superheroes and their wounded friend. The circle was closing in on them.
"It's dog eat dog out here! " the akuma cackled.
"That's a doggone bone statement, mutt! " the cat hissed. "You're barking up the wrong tree!"
"Now's not the time for awful dog puns! " Ladybug pointed out. "If you haven't noticed, we're about to be eaten alive! "
Another click. The dogs started barking and growling, still slowly advancing. Nino's eyes grew wide.
"The akuma is in his clicker! "
"Clicker?" the cat echoed.
"A clicker is a thing that owners use to train their dogs. That's what he's been holding in his hand!" Nino's bleeding left arm lay numb at his side as he explained.
"I've got it! " Ladybug nodded. She raised her arm above her. "Lucky Charm!" A jar of peanut butter fell into her hands. "What in the world?"
"You're making PB&J's sandwiches? How nice of you!" Chat Noir joked.
"Dogs are crazy about peanut butter, man! " Nino explained.
Ladybug scanned her surroundings for the solution. When she found it, she placed a hand on her partners shoulder and looked him in the eye.
"Chat Noir, I need you to do something. "
"Anything for you, my lady," the lovesick boy replied, fighting back a blush at her intense gaze.
"I need you to cover yourself in peanut butter for me. "
"What?"
It was too late for questions, Ladybug had already splattered peanut butter on her partner and pushed him into the herd of dogs. Nino watched in both amusement and horror as Chat Noir disappeared under a pile of tail-wagging dogs, the cat both screaming bloody murder and laughing hysterically at the same time.
"TONGUE! SO MUCH TONGUE! OH MY GOD! "
K-9 groaned in frustration and pressed the button on his clicker but the dogs were too happily distracted to react. Ladybug took the opportunity to grab the akuma's arm with her string, steal the object and smash it. The black butterfly was finally released and purified. "Every dog has its day."
K-9 turned back into himself, and all the dogs transformed back into their original form, creating the very awkward scene of a dozen of adults licking a superhero…
Nino was relieved when his aching arm was healed by Ladybug's magic. That would have left a scar for sure. He was actually more relieved to see the wire of his headphones had also been restored.
The danger now gone, Alya jumped off the tree and ran to the trio.
"Hey girl," her boyfriend casually said as if he never almost got eaten alive.
In place of a greeting she grabbed his arm and inspected it thoroughly on all sides, as if she couldn't believe it was truly fixed. Satisfied not a mark was left, she looked up at Nino, beaming with awe.
"That was...awesome!"
The boy grinned and hid a blush, a hand scratching the back of his head.
"No, that was not awesome!" Ladybug broke in. "It was reckless!"
"Chill, my Lady," Chat Noir commented. "Nino helped got the dogs off me. Who would want this face to be damaged?" He pointed his thumb at his face while Ladybug rolled her eyes. "Besides, he was the one who found out the akuma was in the clicker and pointed out the dog's peanut butter-philia."
"That is true," Ladybug admitted, rubbing her temples. "But still civilians should stay out of akuma battles. I don't want to see anyone get hurt on my watch again."
"Sorry, LB." Nino apologized but Ladybug couldn't quite feel any remorse in his voice.
The two superheroes soon escaped after that, leaving the two bystanders before their transformations timed out. Nino watched the two figures disappearing among the rooftops and was slightly startled when he felt a head on his shoulder and an arm intertwining with his.
Holy crap, was Alya actually cuddling?
"Hey, hot stuff," she smirked. "You've got exactly fifteen minutes and not a second more before I need to run off and upload this. Use them wisely."
Hey, fifteen minutes was a huge improvement over zero minute. He was so down.
Nino gave her an alluring smile, bringing her closer. "Well then, let's not waste any time..."
It was impressive the amount of making out one could fit in fifteen minutes.
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His whistling resounded in the staircase as Nino entered his apartment building with a skip in his step, the feeling of Alya's lips on his still very sharp in his memory. His heart felt much lighter with this new cheerful mood. Who knew all it took was a dog trying to eat you alive?
The whistled tune turned into mumbled song lyrics as he threw himself on his computer chair, the force of it making him spin two full rotations. Nino's fingers drummed on the desk in perfect rhythm while his internet browser loaded. Faithful to her fans, Alya had already updated the Ladyblog.
The boy scrolled through the article describing today's events, skimming through it until he got to the part talking about him.
...and courageously jumped in the fray to help out Chat Noir. It quickly backfired when one the dogs bit him but he never once flinched and stood his ground until Ladybug pulled the dog away from him. There isn't much a civilian can do, but you gotta admire that determination.
Nino's grin only grew wider as he scrolled to the videos of the article. One of them was called My idiot boyfriend almost gets maimed by a dog. He winced as he watched it, remembering the pain, but he had to admit he looked pretty badass there!
The real highlight, though, was in the comments section. Among all the praise for Alya's work and the usual fangirling for Ladybug and Chat Noir, was one particular thread that Nino couldn't stop smiling about.
Ladybugfan77: hey ur bf is pretty cute!
Mod: ikr? he's mine, though!
Operation "Make Alya pay attention to me by jumping in the Ladybug action and invading her blog" was a success so far!
That name was a bit too long though. Maybe he'd shorten into Operation "Make Alya see me" or something.
Regardless, today had been a good day.