Woooooow

It's been way too long. In my defense though, I started school recently, and a majority of my classes are AP, so... yeah. My dumbass is struggling enough as it is.

ENJOY!!!

Marinette had never been particularly fond of Mondays, but she wouldn't say she hated them--not usually, anyway.

"What do you mean, 'fine'?!" Alya demanded in a hushed tone.

Marinette breathed a sigh that she hoped Alya wouldn't notice. "Just what I said. The date went fine."

Marinette ignored her friend's incredulous expression and focused her attention on Miss Bustier, trying and failing to pay attention to the lesson. It was the final review before the finals, and as much as she needed to absorb all the information she could, her mind wouldn't quiet, and neither would Alya.

"Did something happen?"

The blue-haired girl scoffed quietly. Yeah, Chat happened. "It's a long story. I'll tell you later."

"That's what you said yesterday."

"Marinette! Alya!"

"Sorry, Miss Bustier," the girls said in chorus.

Meanwhile, in the row in front of them, Adrien was having some troubles of his own. How could he focus on the lesson with her sitting right behind him? All he could think of was her lips against his, and it killed him knowing that she wasn't even aware that they'd shared a kiss.

He couldn't help imagining what it would be like to reveal his identity to Marinette. He pictured her getting all embarrassed and blushing, and maybe stuttering something cute and innocent. Of course, there was the possibility that she'd get mad... but hey, he was allowed to imagine it however he liked.

But then again, if Ladybug found out he'd revealed his identity to a civilian, she'd either be pissed, or... maybe, just maybe, a little jealous? As much as the thought gave him butterflies, he was smart enough to know that the former was most likely.

"Okay, turn to page 246, where you'll see..."

While Miss Bustier blathered on about... something, Adrien doodled on his notes, drawing crappy little cats and misshapen ladybugs. The only thing that could distract him from the girl behind him were thoughts of his lady. She was everything Marinette wasn't; confident, brave, level-headed, graceful, and bold. Yet, he found himself thinking, they were more alike than they were different.

To his left, Nino nudged him discreetly. "Dude," he whispered, "I think they're talking about you."

"Who?"

He tilted his head in Marinette's direction, and Adrien felt his cheeks heat up. As much as he wanted to know what they were saying about him... No. He shouldn't listen in. Although, if they didn't want to be overheard, they probably shouldn't talk about him with him sitting right in front of them.

"--sure he didn't mean it that way, girl," said Alya. "This is Adrien we're talking about, here."

"Well, that's what it sounded like. Anyway, it's not that big of a deal. We ended up having a wonderful time... for the most part."

"Hm. Well, I'm sorry it didn't go as well as you hoped, girl. There's always next ti--"

A shrill, high-pitched sound echoed through the school, forcing everyone inside to cover their ears. The sound rang out for several seconds before ceasing, and instantaneously, the whole collège went silent. Every single person inside knew exactly what was happening, and yet all they could do was brace themselves for impact.

Every single person, that is, but two.

Adrien and Marinette jumped out of their seats simultaneously, before freezing as they noticed each other.

"Stay put. I'll be right back--"

"I'll go see what that is--"

They both frowned.

"No, you should stay here--"

"I can't let you leave by your self--"

"Marinette, I should be the one to--"

"Trust me, it's better if I do it--"

"I'm not letting you go out there!"

"Please, I have to protect you!"

"ARE YOU BOTH INSANE?" Miss Bustier shouted, taking them both by surprise. "Neither of you are going anywhere on my watch!"

Marinette glanced around the room, noticing for the first time that their peers were staring at them like they were crazy. Alya yanked her down by her arm, giving her a look like, No way I'm letting you go out there alone.

Adrien, meanwhile, was realizing how suspicious he must look for wanting to walk out into the middle of an Akuma fight by himself. If he left now, they'd most certainly be able to piece together that he was Chat Noir. He sat back down hesitantly, vowing silently to make it up to Ladybug for his absence.

Miss Bustier went to the door, locking it and turning the lights off. "Everyone, get down," she whispered urgently.

Her students complied, crouching beneath their desks. The class, for the most part, was fairly calm; Akuma attacks were a daily occurrence, and it wasn't as if they didn't have two superheroes to take care of the incoming threat. Of course, if they knew that both of said superheroes were trapped in the room with them... well, they might be a bit more concerned.

Adrien looked at Nino, who was spacing out with his headphones on, looking surprisingly tranquil, if not bored. The blond shifted nervously, his eyes scanning his bag next to him. His heartbeat quickened as he saw something moving around inside. He glimpsed Nino nodding his head to an unheard beat before peeking into his bag at a very distressed-looking Plagg.

"You need to get out of here!" the deity hissed, his florescent green eyes wide.

"What? Why?" Adrien dared to whisper.

"You just need to transform!"

"But Ladybug--"

"She's not out there!"

"What?!"

Adrien started to panic, glancing around. When his eyes met Nino's, he noticed with a start that his friend was staring at him suspiciously, a realization second only to the fact that Ladybug might be in danger. That Plagg, who never took anything seriously, was concerned, only troubled him further. He had no choice; he sprung out of his hiding place and ran out the door.

--

"Wait! Adrien!" Miss Bustier protested, but it was too late.

Marinette stared at the door in shock. He just... ran out. Oh, no, Adrien! What the heck is he doing?! Is he trying to get himself killed?

Miss Bustier rushed to the door, glancing back at her students with a look of panic. "No one is to leave this room, understood? I'll be right back."

And with that, Miss Bustier was gone too, leaving the door locked behind her. Perhaps this should've calmed Marinette's nerves, but in truth, it made her feel far worse. She couldn't leave it up to Chat to save both Adrien and Miss Bustier, especially when he had the Akuma to worry about, too. Her panicked gaze found Alya, who was already glaring at her, as if she already knew what Marinette was going to do.

But hell if that was going to stop her.

The heroine emerged from beneath her desk, but her friend caught her arm.

"She told us to stay here, Marinette," Alya said firmly, her tone deadly serious.

"Someone has to make sure they're okay," Marinette said equally firmly.

"That's what Ladybug and Chat Noir are for!"

Marinette yanked her arm away, her glare determined and unwavering. "Adrien is in trouble."

"And here comes Superklutz to the rescue," Chloe commented dryly from her desk.

"Yay! Go, Marinette!" said Rose, perhaps a bit too cheerfully.

"Try not to die," said Alix.

Marinette ignored them, going to the door and taking one last look at Alya's frown before racing out into the hall.

At first look, there didn't seem to be anything wrong; the halls were empty and quiet. There was no Adrien in sight, or Miss Bustier for that matter. Marinette listened intently for a signs of trouble, but she heard nothing. Everything seemed normal.

"Tikki," the girl said, her voice low. "I think it's safe to transform."

"Cameras, Marinette," Tikki said from within her bag.

"Oh, right. The bathroom--"

Screeeeech!

The sound echoed down the halls, causing Marinette to grimace and cover her ears before running in the direction it came from.

She found Miss Bustier sitting in a fetal position on the floor of the cafeteria, staring at the ground with a blank look on her face and her hands over her ears. Marinette kneeled next to her, putting a light hand on her shoulder, but Miss Bustier didn't stir.

The heroine scanned her surroundings for a moment before abandoning Miss Bustier to search for Adrien--she didn't seem like she'd be going anywhere any time soon anyway. She left the cafeteria through the nearest hall, walking quickly but calmly. Chat is probably here by now. Hopefully Adrien is with--OOF!

Marinette fell backward, having slammed into someone who'd burst out of the door next to her. Before she could look up, however, she was scooped up into the arms of--

"Chat?"

"No time!"

He raced back toward the cafeteria with a blushing Marinette in his arms, carrying her bridal style. Before she could spend too long remembering (not reliving) their last encounter, she heard a loud crash from behind them.

"Cover my ears!" Chat commanded urgently.

In any other situation, she may have jokingly asked which ears, but she could tell by his tone that he wasn't in the mood for jokes, so she did as he asked. And just seconds later, she discovered why.

When she heard the scream--the same scream that she'd heard in the classroom, only a hundred times louder--she was filled with a fear so intense, she lost all consciousness. As it consumed her mind, everything else faded away.

--

"Marinette?"

"Marinette, listen to me. You're safe. You're with me. It's not real," came a voice from what sounded like another dimension.

That voice... Adrien? Marinette felt like a fly stuck in syrup; she could feel something tugging her back into the sleep-like state, but she clawed her way to consciousness through sheer willpower. When her vision returned, she saw that she was sitting in an empty classroom, with Chat Noir staring down at her with concern. But the instant she blinked, his face flooded with relief, and she found herself pulled into a bear hug--and suddenly her heart was racing for a different reason.

"I'm so glad you're okay," Chat said in a soft voice that was unlike him. He pulled back from the hug to look at her with warm eyes. "For a second, I didn't know if you were going to wake up."

"Uh--I mean, err--"

He chuckled, but then his face turned serious. "I have to go now. You should be safe in here, just don't leave again, you idiot." He frowned. "You're not an idiot. I didn't mean--never mind. Just stay."

He started to turn away, before Marinette said, "Wait, Chat! My friend Adrien, he--"

"Adrien is safe," he reassured her gently. "Don't worry. I'll be back."

She nodded, smiling nervously. He gave her one last wink and, with that, slipped out into the battlefield.

"Marinette!" Tikki appeared before her the instant the door was shut and tackled her in a hug. "Oh, I was so worried! I'm so sorry I couldn't help you!"

"What do you mean?" Marinette laughed, holding her Kwami with one hand.

Tikki's eyes widened, and she looked at her holder with disbelief. "Marinette, didn't you feel that?"

"Er, I guess... I felt afraid."

"Marinette, you were screaming." The sprite's blue eyes turned solemn. "If Chat weren't here, I don't know what I would have done."

"Oh..." She shook her head, ignoring the shivers that ran up her spine. "How long was I out?"

"Well, it took Chat a while to lose Phantom, plus even longer to get you to calm down, so I'd say at least an hour."

"An hour?!" Marinette jumped to her feet. "Oh, no, no, no! Miss Bustier has been sitting in the cafeteria for an hour? The students have been stuck in their classrooms for an hour?! Chat has been waiting for Ladybug for an hour?!"

"It's not as bad as--"

"Oh, he must be so mad at me! After I did this same exact thing last time?"

"He's not mad... yet. But you'd better have a good excuse for being gone."

Marinette nodded determinedly. "I'll figure something out. No time to waste. Tikki, spots on!"

Ooh, shit's boutta go down!