Chapter Twelve
Adrien had always considered Plagg's advice a bit hit or miss. Now though, he was right on the money. But the kwami was not what occupied him currently. No, he was completely lost in the girl who kissed him with a fervour that threatened to buckle his knees. Time became irrelevant, all that mattered was this moment and it went on for a very long time.
The eventual need for air had them breaking apart, grinning at each other while panting to get their breath back. Adrien was preparing to dive back in when Marinette pressed a finger to his lips. "As much as I want to continue, we really need to talk."
"Do we have to? I thought we were communicating just fine without words."
A dark blush stained her cheeks and he couldn't resist caressing them with his thumbs. She swayed towards him then caught herself before their lips met. "Stop distracting me."
"You're the one who's determined to talk."
"Crazy, I know but we need to work this out." She said, pointing between the pair of them.
"What's to work out? We want each other, right?"
His sudden uncertainty towards her feelings was endearing. "Yes, I want you Adrien. But you were just in a relationship with Mireille. How's it going to look if you're suddenly with me? Plus, what do we do as Ladybug and Cat Noir?"
Adrien took a step back to consider. His eyes roved over her face. "I don't think it's going to be possible for me to stay away from you now. Can't you be my girlfriend both in and out of the suit?"
"Is that what you want?"
"I think the answer is obvious." And in case it wasn't he swept in and kissed her again.
Mireille adjusted her bag strap on her shoulder and tucked her hair behind her ear as she stepped into school. She was debating whether or not to hold her chin up and walk in like nothing was wrong or to look at the ground like she was trying to solve the problems of the world. The fact that Theo had been akumatised because of her was both embarrassing and flattering. It was nice to know her friend cared.
No sooner had she crossed the threshold into school grounds than she spotted a rather smug looking Chloe. Mireille did her best to keep her face neutral but the savage blonde was sashaying towards her with a predatory grin. But before the spoilt brat could start her tongue lashing, someone cleared their throat and blocked Chloe's advance.
Mireille looked up in surprise. A boy with dark skin and chocolate eyes was studying her with an intensity that was only disrupted by the nervous lift of his hand to adjust his classes. She was so stunned that she couldn't think of his name. "Hi." She said, wondering why he was approaching her. They didn't have any classes together.
"Hi," he replied with an awkward smile. Then he cleared his throat and seemed to dislodge the uneasiness he was projecting. "I'm Max. Given the circumstances that a certain girl has been broadcasting to the whole school, I thought I'd approach you and offer some moral support."
Long lashes blinked as Mireille's eyes widened. "Really? Um, thanks." She cocked her head to the side to see Chloe grinding her teeth as she walked away. "What exactly has she been saying?"
"Some nasty stuff about how justice has been served because Adrien dumped you or some such nonsense." Max informed her as the tension in his shoulders began to subside at their continued conversation. "I'm happy to stay with you for as long as you like. I know what it's like to be picked on by a bully."
A warm smile spread across her face and she placed a hand on his shoulder. "Thanks," she started but a sharp gasp cut off her train of thought. The noise had sounded behind Max, and Mireille pivoted her head to glance around him in search of the source.
Chloe stood bristling, her fists clenched tight at her sides as her face grew redder and steam threatened to spout from her ears. Mireille's brow furrowed in confusion, the brat wasn't looking at her, so what had gotten her so riled up? Following the line of Chloe's gaze, Mireille gasped as she discovered the reason behind the blonde's reaction.
Adrien was coming up the stairs, a bright smile on his face and adoration in his eyes as he walked hand-in-hand with Marinette. Her eyebrow arched at the sight, this was the girl who had been continually rejecting Adrien? That couldn't be right. More than once she'd witnessed to the lovesick glances Marinette threw the model's way whenever he wasn't looking.
Something softened inside Mireille. Marinette was as big a fangirl as she had been. If this was the girl who had Adrien tied in knots then maybe he'd read the situation wrong, he tended to be oblivious to his effect on the female population. When the pair reached the top of the stairs and turned to look at each other it was like the world stopped for them. There was such a magnetic pull between the two it was impossible to miss. Mireille felt a twinge of envy. It was the way she'd wanted Adrien to look at her while they were dating. Yet she couldn't begrudge real love.
Eventually, the new couple were able to drag their eyes from one another. It was then that Adrien's gaze fell on Mireille and his cheeks flushed. His expression turned sheepish as he lifted a hand to his neck and he rubbed at it anxiously. "Hi Mireille, um…"
She looked to her toes for a moment before a small smile spread across her lips. "Hi Adrien, so this is the girl? The one who had you smitten but constantly rejected you?"
Marinette's cheeks reddened and Adrien stepped protectively forward to shield her. Interesting. "This is Marinette and it turns out we simply misunderstood each other."
Mireille tucked her hands behind her back and rocked on her feet. "From what I recall she's been lusting after you from the shadows. Are you sure it wasn't you doing the rejecting?"
A muscle in Adrien's jaw twitched as he glanced questioningly over his shoulder, to the girl holding his hand. "You…" He looked back at Mireille. "Maybe I was a bit blind but there was no rejecting on my part."
The weather girl adjusted her stance and let out a sigh, it was time to be the bigger person. "You know what's important, right?"
Adrien studied her warily. "What?"
"That you make each other happy and that you take care of one another."
The model was stunned. It was clear that this was not the reaction he was expecting. Mireille didn't want a scene and it was obvious that the boy was besotted with the other girl. When it came down to it, her relationship with Adrien had never developed beyond friendship, as much as she wished it could have.
While it hurt to see him with someone else, she also felt a sense of relief. Gone was the tension of trying to make him like her more. She deserved someone who wanted her back. As she looked on, the pair turned to look at each other beaming. Adrien swallowed as he looked back at Mireille. "So, um, no hard feelings?"
Mireille shrugged, "Not for the long term, no. It's been real, Adrien."
He gave a nod of acknowledgement and the pair walked away. It was then that she felt warm fingers press on her shoulder. Turning in surprise, she realised that Max was still at her side.
"That was well-handed, Mireille." He said, ducking his head to look at his toes. "But then I've always thought you're amazing."
Mireille's blinked in surprise but her expression shifted into a smile. Perhaps the love she was looking for wasn't truly out of reach.
Later that week another akuma threatened the wellbeing of the people of Paris. The media were ready to capture the action on scene and much to their surprise, Ladybug and Cat Noir arrived to assess the situation while holding hands. Alya was beside herself. "You've seen it right here, people. Ladybug and Cat Noir are clearly hand-in-hand on the rooftop."
As she zoomed in, she could see the pair talking seriously and much to her glee, Cat Noir leant in and kissed Ladybug on the lips. A loud squeal sounded from the budding reporter with such a pitch that the superheroes glanced down at the Ladyblog founder. She waved and gave them a thumbs-up.
The pair chuckled then Cat Noir wrapped his arms around his partner, dipped her and planted a lusty kiss on his lady. Not to be outdone, Ladybug tipped the scales and dipped her chaton in return. After they broke apart both were grinning as they waved goodbye to their ecstatic friend and readied for battle.
When it was over Ladybug looked to her partner. "It's kind of weird that we don't need to go our separate ways. We can actually transform while together."
Cat Noir leant on his staff and grinned. "You do realise I've been waiting for this day forever."
"Are you saying this is your dream come true?" She teased.
Crossing the distance, Cat Noir bundled his partner into his arms. "That I am, milady, that I am."
The End
It's been a long time coming, but finally we've reached the end! Funnily enough this was the first story I posted for Miraculous Ladybug but it wasn't the first I've finished. Thanks for sticking it out and for your support. I hope you enjoyed the journey! :)
