One-Shot Wednesdays!
Punk Kids
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It wasn't exactly fair, but Marinette couldn't fault Adrien for it. After all, it wasn't exactly his fault that he just literally looked good no matter what.
Apparently, the punk rock look was going to be in this next season. Marinette knew Adrien had been at a photoshoot for the whole weekend, the Gabriel line preparing for the Spring/Summer collection, though it was only October. Marinette had been excited for it anyway, but after seeing Adrien's new hairstyle, she was sure the anticipation was going to kill her before she was able to actually see the pieces that went with it. Gabriel Agreste usually stayed with his signature colors, but every once in a while he changed up something drastic. Causing his son to nearly shave one side of his head and style the rest of the trimmed-up locks to the opposite side was something Marinette saw as pretty drastic.
Deadly gorgeous, but drastic nonetheless.
And Marinette would definitely know about Grabriel Agreste's styles. She was, after all, a great admirer of all of mogul's – erm – creations.
Marinette willed her suddenly heavy feet to move. As she walked toward her group of friends, Adrien, who was also just coming up to Alya and Nino, turned to look at her. He smiled and waved.
You'd think, really, after two years of hanging out (sometimes forcibly, thank you, Alya), Marinette would get used to him looking her way. In her defense, however, she had barely been able to get used to his perfectly coifed blond-ilocks hair. This new look was completely blowing cannonballs in her apparently poorly-constructed resolve to stay sane around him. And she was going down with this ship.
I thought Cupid only fired arrows….
Up close now, Marinette, still unable to do anything but stare at Adrien and that hair, was able to really examine the styled locks now. She gulped slightly as she tentatively reached up to touch his hair. She paused for a moment in a silent question. Adrien nodded and smiled again. Over the years, when Adrien would come to school with a new outfit or something from the Gabriel line, Marinette would ogle over it for days. Finally, during one winter morning when his new, well-fit jacket was about to make Marinette explode with curiosity, he gave her permission to touch whatever he wore. It was, ironically, the only barrier Marinette had been able to get past with Adrien. Talking was still a hit-and-miss with success, but she didn't have to say anything to feel the lines of his clothes and admire the stitching and designs up close.
She blamed Chat Noir for this, really. If he wasn't so touchy-feely all the time, Marinette would probably still be a "cootie" phase.
Now, with permission to touch this new style, and Adrien bending down his tall frame to her so she could more easily access it, Marinette ran her fingers lightly through the locks in the front before walking around him, examining from every angle. He straightened back up when she circled him, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. It was a little different this time, hair compared to fabric. Marinette had to keep telling herself that this was an accessory to the outfit, nothing personal…not part of him, just…attached to him? She breathed out nervously and took a step back. She was surprised, as she examined his profile, to see a slight blush dusting his cheeks under her scrutiny. He really had nothing to be ashamed of though; as always, Gabriel's brand and style fit his favorite model perfectly. The blond locks, she saw on closer examination, had been dyed slightly in the roots in the longer part of his hair. The style, the severity of it on one side and the darker tones on the other, accented his profile in a stunning way; it gave a roguish edge to his angelic features.
Marinette looked at the strangely blushing Adrien and grinned. His features seem to relax for a moment. He didn't turn away from her, and he didn't look like he was going to say anything. Marinette felt trapped in his scrutiny now. But she was enjoying all the heaviness of it.
"DANG, Agreste!" Alya said suddenly, causing Marinette and Adrien to both jump before looking at her.
Alya gave Adrien a pointed once-over. She turned his head from one direction to the other. Marinette flushed at her roughness, though it didn't seem to bother Adrien at all. Marinette remembered him saying that the designers and stylists were quite rough with the models. But Marinette didn't like seeing anyone else touch his angel face without having the real appreciation for it. Like she did.
"Dude," Nino said now, looking at the top of his head as he stood on tip-toe for a moment. "I would really appreciate it if you could not make us all look bad in front of our girlfriends."
The three friends laughed at this, but Adrien could only smile shyly. He reached up to scratch the back of his neck. Marinette recognized the sign of nervousness. Adrien, upon brushing the back of his hair with his fingers, let them linger there for a moment. It appeared that he was still not only not used to the new style, but, Marinette noted, looked completely unsure about it.
"They cut it for the shoot Friday night for the next line…" he muttered timidly. "But, I don't know…I-I'll probably end up growing it out again, not that the shoot is over–"
"Don't."
This time, Alya, Nino, and Adrien were the ones to jump.
Marinette breathed in deeply and gave herself a quick mental pep talk. Adrien need her reassurance right now; she needed to push away her own insecurities and help him. Just like when she was Ladybug.
"I-It suits you," she said simply. She tried to smile again, but she couldn't feel her face anymore. It must have been what he needed, though – he beamed down at her, the smile finally reaching his eyes in its sincerity. Marinette released the breath of air she had been holding. Her breathing, though she was actually taking in and pushing out air like an almost normal person now, still felt extremely labored. Alya and Nino gave their consent to Marinette's statement before starting to walk up the stairs.
"Thanks, Marinette," Adrien whispered.
Marinette cocked her head slightly when his eyes darted away from hers again. He was fiddling with something on his wrist….
And that darn Cupid blasted her with another cannonball through the heart.
"My bracelet…" Marinette whispered back, looking back up to his face again. Pink peeked out under his eyes, grazing just the highest part of his cheekbones. On his wrist was Marinette's "lucky" bracelet she had given him all those years ago.
"Uh, yeah," Adrien swallowed hard. Marinette's eyes widened even more. She had never seen Adrien Agreste act…shy. It was like the sun coming out during the night…it just didn't happen.
After the short answer, Adrien seemed to think that Marinette required something more for an explanation (Marinette didn't really care, she was so far gone at this point).
"I wore it to the shoot and Father saw it a-and he like the simplicity and colors of it or something with all the dark that his new line has. S-So he had me wear it in every picture." He breathed in deep and pushed the air out of his cheeks. "I hope that's ok. Sorry if it isn't…I didn't know how to tell him no." He finally looked at her wide eyes. "And I didn't really want to."
Marinette only stared back.
Adrien shifted his weight again and kicked his toe on the ground behind him.
"I'm sorry, I should have asked first. You probably didn't even know I had it. I'm so sorry! If you want it back, here, you c–"
Ladybug was needed again. Marinette puffed up her inner superheroine.
"No, Adrien," she said, her tone quiet but firm. She smiled. Finally. "I gave it to you. I want you to keep it."
His face at this information turned super goofy and giddy. Marinette giggled as the picture of Rapunzel from Tangled popped immediately into her mind.
"Marinette, can I talk to you for a minute?" Adrien asked, eyes bright and alert now. "Alone?"
"OfcourseyoucanIdreallylovethatsure," Marinette stammered incoherently. Adrien only chuckled before grabbing her hand and pulling her to the side of the school.
Good golly, he's gotten so tall….
Marinette stared up at his height as he spun her around. He eyes dropped back to his when he grabbed her hands.
"Mari," he started before coughing nervously, his eyes flitting away from her face for a moment before he breathed in, turning back to her. "I've, uh, I've never done anything like this before…I don't even know what I'm doing…but, well, um, Marinette, Mari, do you…with me?"
Marinette breathed out a giddy giggle. "Yeah, sure! But what am I actually agreeing to?"
Nice one, self.
"Ah, ha, hahaha…" Adrien shook his head, seeming to realize his mistake. He looked down, seeming to pull together his concentration. Marinette, though, didn't see him look back at her. Her focus was suddenly on something happening behind him.
"Mari?" Adrien asked, confused.
A moment later, Marinette shoved Adrien hard into the ground with her shoulder, sending him rolling away.
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Adrien spit out the grass that had caught in his mouth.
What the heck, Mari? You could've just said no….
A moment later, though, Adrien felt the ground shake.
…. Oh.
Adrien scrambled to his feet, his new blasted haircut making him feel slightly off-balance. His scowling eyes searched for Marinette. If it weren't for the huge groups of kids running every which way, he would have transformed. But it was impossible without being seen.
When Adrien finally spotted Marinette, his eyes widened.
"…yeah, that's what they all say!" Marinette laughed mockingly. She was staring at a floating figure, a fire in her eyes. Adrien recognized her stance and could only stare at her.
"SO SHOW ME WHERE THEY ARE, LITTLE GIRL! WHERE ARE LADYBUG AND CHAT NOIR!?"
Adrien looked to the floating figure. The guy seemed almost…normal. Except, you know, for the floating and all. Suddenly, though, the male figure pulled out a small book and a pen. When he opened the book, Adrien looked back to Marinette, taking a step forward to grab her. Then he froze. She was pulling off her backpack, but her fierce blue eyes were looking down at the small bag by her side. She was talking to a tiny red figure.
A Kwami.
Ladybug's Kwami.
Heh. I was going to ask out Ladybug. How ironic.
Wait. She already. Said. Yes.
A snarling yell brought back his focus, and Adrien looked up to see the figure searching everywhere for his book and pen. Marinette's backpack laid at the ground by his feet, as if she had just thrown it. While the Akumatized victim was distracted, Adrien watched as Marinette raced up to him, pulling back her first as if she was going to–
NOPE.
Adrien raced for her and pulled her by her clenched fist before she could reach Writing Man.
"Wha-? What, Adrien? Let me go!"
"Haha! No."
He dragged her to the subway so fast she almost stumbled down the stairs. When they reached the bottom, he almost threw her to the side, in the shadows. When she made to protest – or escape – Adrien put both hands on her shoulders.
"You can transform here."
"I – what did you just say!?"
"Don't argue. I just saw your Kwami, Mari."
"My – but – how do you know…?"
"Plagg, claws out!"
Adrien closed his eyes as the feel of his suit forming across skin and clothes washed over his body. When he opened his eyes again, he snorted at the look on Marinette's horrified face.
"Oh my cats."
Now Adrien was really laughing.
Until Marinette punched him in his chest.
"Oof – Mari!"
"Sorry! Habit!"
But she didn't look particularly sorry. A rocking shook through the subway and the two heroes looked above them.
"You need to transform," Adrien said, all business now.
"You need to finish was you were going to say earlier."
Adrien dropped his hands from her shoulders and stared, blinking.
"I, uh…"
"Chaton, we don't have time for shyness," she smirked.
Adrien pursed his lips before responding.
"We don't really have time for this. I thought you, of all people would agree with that."
"WOULD YOU JUST SHUT UP AND ASK ME ALREADY!?" Marinette grabbed the bell at the front of his suit and stared at him aggressively. "I HAVE FOUGHT A HUNDRED AKUMA, BUT I HAVE WAITED FOR THIS ONE BLASTED MOMENT FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS AND I AM NOT TRANSFORMING UNTIL YOU FINISH YOUR UNCHARACTERISTICALLY SHY WORD VOMIT."
Now Adrien was upset. Put love before fighting, alright. They were entitled to one selfish act every once in a while. But insult his "word vomit"!?
"FINE!" he shouted back, though she seemed not only not affected by it, she seemed almost smug. "FINE! MARINETTE DUPAIN-CHENG, WILL YOU GO OUT WITH ME!?"
"Gosh, yes," she whispered. "Tikki! Spots on!"
And then Ladybug was coming closer to Chat Noir and he suddenly decided that he was completely terrified of his new girlfriend.
Until she kissed him.
Then he decided that getting to see his new girlfriend all the time, in and out of his supersuit, was going to be fanTASTIC.
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"Hey!" a voice shouted at the new couple. "Hey, you punk kids! You shouldn't be in here-oh."
Ladybug turned around and she and Chat Noir stared stupidly at the subway in-charge guy.
"Er…sorry, Chat Noir. Didn't recognize you with that new haircut…"
Ladybug snorted at Chat's deadpanned face before pulling him up the stairs.
They had a battle to win.
Fin!
(( I have NO TIME TO EDIT RIGHT NOW I AM SO SORRY. Sorry, Caps-Lock crazy. Hehe. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING! (8 ))
(( I seriously have no idea if this story even flows or not. You're welcome. And I'm sorry. Heh heh... ))