"Marinette! Can you come down to the kitchen and help out, please?"
Sabine Cheng may have been petite, but Marinette would put her voice on par with a lion's roar any day of the week. Grumbling and rolling out of bed, Marinette called back "Coming!" and threw yesterday's t-shirt and jeans on before descending through her trap door.
"Oh, thank you so much, honey… we have a special order to prepare, and I need to hurry up downstairs. This quiche only has a few minutes left on it, can you please keep an eye on it and pull it out when it's done?"
Bleary-eyed, Marinette nodded something that resembled "yes" - she hoped - and sat down at the counter.
"Thanks, honey! You can go back to bed afterwards, I promise." She picked up the bowl of peaches that was on the counter and took them downstairs. "It's a shame I have to use these for that special order - Mr. Chou was telling me just the other night how much he loves peaches." With that, she left the apartment and closed the door behind her.
Go back to bed… right… this was just her way of making sure I don't sleep past - she checked her phone - eleven o'clock. Holy crap, it's that late already?! Oh, this isn't good… I've gotta check on Adrien and Kitty today, and then I've got to go to Master Fu's tonight! Let's see… what's a good excuse to get Ladybug to swing by Adrien's place? Not that she needs one… but Ladybug doesn't have Adrien's number, and she might want to check if he's home. Ugh… I hope I haven't left that poor boy just sitting somewhere waiting for me! What to do, what to do…! I'll tell you what to do, you need to stop overthinking things and just make a decision. She pulled opened the messaging app on her phone and tapped at the screen.
[Marinette] Hey - sorry if I'm waking you up. Ladybug dropped by to check up on me and asked me to see if you're home and ready for a visitor.
She set the phone down and took the quiche out of the oven. The incoming message alert tone almost made her drop the hot pan, but she managed to recover before it hit the floor. She carefully placed the quiche on the stovetop, turned off the oven, and went back to her phone.
[Adrien] No worries at all - I've been up for a while, actually. She's welcome to come over as soon as she wants.
Crap! I should have been over there looking out for him. He's been through too much -! And look at me, being the worst friend ever, not even asking to see how he's doing! I shouldn't know if anything's wrong, but I did just text him out of the blue for the first time in forever and didn't even try being a friend.
[Marinette] Great, I'll let her know. How are you doing? Been a few days.
[Adrien] Things are kind of crazy around here. You still owe me a fitting for the band outfit, we should probably do that sometime soon.
[Marinette] Oh, right. I've got most of the pants put together. I'll do your shirt next and then you can come over and we'll see how it looks. Sound good?
You're doing an excellent job of keeping it together, Marinette - keep it up, girl, you got this! Without that crush in the way, you can actually talk to that poor boy like you're a real, actual human being!
[Adrien] Sounds great. Thanks. Text me when the shirt's done and we'll meet up. Deal?
[Marinette] It's a deal. :) Talk soon
She pocketed her phone and went back up to her room. "Ready to go?" she asked Tikki. Her kwami squeaked an assent, and Marinette called for her transformation, climbed out her skylight, and for the second time in less than a day swung off toward the Agreste Mansion.
Ladybug perched in the open windowsill and called into the bedroom. "Adrien?"
A blond head poked itself out from the bathroom door. "Ladybug! Hey! Yeah, come on in." Adrien stepped into the room and gestured to the couch. "Have a seat!"
She walked over to the couch and sat down. After an awkward pause, she said, "Chat Noir told me he checked on you yesterday. Adrien, I'm so sor-"
He raised his hand and sat down next to her. "It's OK. Neither of us knew. And... you've done such a good job of saving me whenever I needed it. From Chloe's mom, to my bodyguard, to Kagami…" He rubbed the back of his neck. "I just wanted to thank you for all of that. Being a superhero is hard work, and I know you're adored by so many people… I just wanted to make sure you heard it from me, directly. Thank you for saving me. Thank you for checking up on me. It means a lot."
Well, *this* isn't what I was expecting! I didn't know if I was going to get Adrien crying on my shoulder or telling me about his father… but this certainly wasn't on the list of possibilities! He's probably a total mess inside and is still being so sweet. "You're welcome. I hope it's something that any superhero would do, though. Chat checked up on you first," she pointed out. "Now tell me: how are you doing?" She leaned back and faced him, crossing one leg under the other.
Adrien smiled. "You got me. I've actually been up for most of the night, not sleeping. When I found out… well, you can imagine. I didn't take it well. I eventually wound up here and barricaded myself in. Still have," he chuckled, indicating the chairs up against the door. "Honestly, I'm not sure I can face him again."
"How did you find out?"
Oops. "Um… I was listening on the other side of the office door. I heard you, um, and Chat Noir of course, were coming over, and I wanted to know what you were up to without disturbing Father's business." He laughed nervously. "Man, Chat really didn't take it well! When he left, I booked it to my room before anybody could see me. Somebody - Nathalie, I think - knocked to tell me breakfast was ready earlier, but they haven't pressed the issue."
"So what do you plan on doing? You can't stay holed up in your room for the rest of your life. And it's summer break! You should be outside - as much as you can be without your bodyguard, that is." She shared a smile with Adrien, remembering the Gorizilla incident.
Adrien drummed his fingers on his leg. "I can't go to any of my friends' houses without telling them what was going on. My options there are limited, anyway. Nino's out of the country for the summer, Chloe wouldn't leave me alone, and my other friends are girls, so that would be weird."
"You have a girlfriend?" Ladybug blurted out. AAAAGH! Can I take that back?
Adrien's face pinked. "Heh, not really? At least, I'm not sure. Anyway, she wasn't who I was referring to. You know Marinette, right? Well, of course you do, you were just at her house. She's an amazing friend, and if she had a spare room, I'd totally take her up on it! But her parents would probably frown on having a semi-permanent boy houseguest..."
Ladybug tried to get her brain to reboot. He likes me enough to stay with me? Is that even an *option*? And we *do* have a spare room! Wait... focus, Ladybug! I think he asked you a question. "Hmm?" she said, trying to act casual.
"I said, how long do you think until the story breaks that Gabriel Agreste is… was… Hawk Moth?" He folded his hands in his lap and looked downward.
"Sorry. That's a good question. I know I'm not going to tell anybody anytime soon. You're not, and I imagine that Chat's not going to, either. So how many other people know? Your father's assistant did. I'm not sure if your bodyguard knows. Right now, everybody who knows would have their life ruined if word got out, so I think your secret's safe." She reached out and put her hand on his forearm.
"That's a good point. OK, one less thing for me to worry about… for right now, at least."
"What else are you worried about? How can I help?"
She's amazing. "Well… there's work, of course. I don't know how that will go. Father put all my earnings into a trust fund… not that it matters. But if he gets exposed as Hawk Moth, then who knows what will happen there? I don't need much money… and I can do without all of this -" he swept his arm around his room "- since this is just what other people have wanted for me. I'm actually looking forward to the chance to do what I want, for myself, for once."
"Like going to school!" she said brightly.
"Yeah, exactly! Like going to sch…" He faced her, eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Hey, how do you know about that, anyway?"
Ladybug blushed. "Oh! Um… Marinette must have told me."
"Really? Marinette talks about me?" He brought his finger to his chin and started tapping.
This is a disaster! Keep it together! "Um, well, I know you two are in the same class, and I've bumped into her after saving her a few times and saving you a few times, so we try to keep up! It's all part of being a superhero!" Ladybug babbled. "Anyway… what else do you want to do?"
"Well… I'm not entirely sure. Just… be. I like fencing, so I'll probably keep up with that. Piano… not so much. I'll figure something out. I've got all summer!" He blushed a bit and paused. "Speaking of… what are your plans for the summer, Ladybug?"
"Saving Paris, generally. Even if Hawk Moth's out of the picture, there's Serket to worry about now. I'll have to keep an eye out for her. Aside from that… just being a teenager as much as possible! Helping my parents out, hanging out with friends… the usual, I guess," she shrugged.
"Well, if you need help being a superhero or being a teenager, let me know." He grinned mischievously. "My schedule's really opened up in the past twenty-four hours."
"Um… sure! As much as I can. The mask's gotta stay on, and I have a feeling that no matter what you've been through, the possibility of being seen in public associating with a superhero will only cause you more problems. Tell you what… let me see your phone."
He unlocked his phone and handed it over. Ladybug tapped on the screen and handed it back. "Here. I've added a way you can contact me. Keep this an absolute secret though, OK? Text me whenever you want."
I'm great at keeping secrets, My Lady. You have *no* idea. "You… gave me your phone number?"
"It's not my civilian number, so don't worry. Think of it as… a Bug-phone."
Adrien laughed heartily. "You know what, Ladybug? I really like your sense of humor."
Ladybug smiled wide and blushed again in response.
Ladybug dropped through the skylight in her room, de-transformed, and flopped on her bed.
"Tikki, what was all that? I thought Adrien would be like… in pieces, or something! Instead, he was like… hitting on me! That's gotta be from shock, or something." She paused, considering. "...Right?" she added in a small voice.
Oh dear, I don't even know where to *start* with that one. "Marinette, I think Adrien was being sincere. He recognizes that you've done a lot of work to save Paris from his fa… from Hawk Moth. You've also saved him on more than one occasion. It's completely understandable that he would turn to you for some support. You're probably the only person he has that he can talk to about the whole situation."
"Yeah, you're right… but still… he said he would live with me if he asked! All I would have to do is -"
The incoming message alert on her phone chimed. She pulled it out and checked it.
[Luka] Hey you… feeling better today? Want to talk?
"See, Marinette? You're just starting a good relationship with Luka, who really likes you. And you really like him back! If Adrien moved in here, even as just a roommate, that would probably end anything you have going."
Marinette hummed in response and texted back.
[Marinette] Doing better today. I'd love to talk to you… well, text you, that is. :) Hope that works :)
"No, of course it would… you're right, Tikki. I just got to a place where I'm really happy with a boy instead of just being frustrated and stammering!"
Her phone buzzed. She checked the phone in her hand for a new message, but there was nothing there. Strange, she thought… then the buzzing happened again. Oh crap! That's the Chat-phone! She pulled it out of her purse and flipped it open.
[Adrien] Thanks again for checking up on me, I appreciate it
"Tikki! We've got a situation here!"
"Hang on, let me get some popcorn," the kwami giggled.
Her regular phone chimed. "Waaaaagh! Not funny, Tikki!"
[Luka] I miss your voice… but I understand. Glad to hear you're doing ok. So what was that all about last night?
"I'll just answer these in the order received. Your text messages are very important to me, boys…" Marinette said as her fingers worked over the keyboard on her flip phone.
[LB] That's what friends are for. Anytime you need me, ok?
...and then returned to tapping on her regular phone.
[Marinette] It's complicated. Got some bad news about a friend. Nothing I could really do to help him or comfort him, and just felt helpless. Ever feel like that?
Her regular phone chimed.
[Adrien (to Marinette)] Thanks for checking in on me earlier, and thanks for sending Ladybug over. I don't know how I would have gotten through this morning without you.
"TIKKI! Does he mean Marinette-me or Ladybug-me? Does he know I'm Ladybug?"
[Adrien (to Ladybug)] Careful, I might hold you to that.
Marinette's heart started racing. TH-BMMP. TH-BMMP. TH-BMMP.
[Luka] Why yes actually… last night comes to mind.
"My goodness, that poor boy! I guess I can understand, though."
[Marinette (to Adrien)] I'm glad to hear it. I don't think I did much, though?
She picked up her other phone.
[LB] I mean it! /(%)\
"Oh crap, Tikki! I haven't checked in on Kitty yet, either!"
[LB (to Chat Noir)] Kitty… hey, how are you doing this morning? Been busy, haven't had a chance to check up on you. You getting to ok at all?
Tikki could only shake her head as Marinette attempted to juggle four text messages with two boys who thought they were texting three different people. I'm going to need a scorecard when this is all done… and headache medicine. Chocolate works for headaches, doesn't it? I've got an emergency stash of cookies somewhere… Tikki floated off to Marinette's desk for some relief.
[Marinette (to Luka)] Sorry, hot stuff. I didn't mean to worry you. Thanks for being there for me :-*
[Adrien (to Ladybug)] Do you do like regular teenager things? Video games, movies… stuff like that
[CN (to Ladybug)] Getting there. Have some friends outside the mask helping me. You?
"Tikki! Does he mean outside of his mask or outside of MY mask?"
[Adrien (to Marinette)] You did. You're a good friend and I don't think I could ever repay you.
"See Tikki! Adrien thinks I'm just a friend still! I'm OK with Luka!"
Tikki wound a scarf around her head to try to block Marinette's increasingly frantic voice. I'll just let them sort this all out. They'll get there, right?
[LB (to Chat)] Getting there, too. Thinking of you. I meant it when I said I would drop everything for you, Kitty /(%)\
[Luka] You know where to find me. We still on for tomorrow?
[Marinette (to Adrien)] Of course. Just keep being you, hot stuff! 3
Marinette blinked and re-read the message she just sent, then gibbered at the screen. "Tiikkiii… I just messed up, big time. Tikki! Where are you! Helllllllp!"
[Marinette (to Luka)] Of course. Just keep being you, hot stuff! 3
[Marinette (to Adrien)] I mean of course like I don't need repayment. You deserve it :)
"If I don't mention it, maybe he'll forget about it…" she mumbled to herself. Her flip phone buzzed, causing her to jump.
[CN (to Ladybug)] I'll try to not abuse that too much… but you'll need someone to drop everything for now that Hawk Moth is out of the picture, right? =^.^=
Marinette rolled her eyes. He *must* be feeling better if he's back to flirting. Grinning, she started to compose a message. Oh wait! Adrien's probably waiting on a reply from Ladybug… let me do that real quick.
[LB (to Chat)] Hmm. What did you have in mind?
No sooner did she hit SEND that she realized she mis-sent another text. That one's harmless… I think.
[LB (to Adrien)] The usual stuff, I guess. What did you have in mind?
Her phone chimed.
[Luka] That's the only person I know how to be. See you tomorrow at 5!
One down, three to go… you can do this, Marinette!
[Adrien (to Marinette)] You're very kind. I'll find something, though
[Marinette (to Adrien)] I won't say no. gtg help my parents right now but text me later if u want :)
"See, Tikki!" she yelled, oblivious to her kwami's predicament. "I can be just a friend to Adrien if that's what he wants!"
[Adrien (to Ladybug)] Let me think on that. Want to do something special for you. I'll be in touch :)
[CN (to Ladybug)] Maybe we can do something to grab Serket's attention? Other than just existing, that is
[LB (to Chat)] Just existing might be enough to keep our hands full. I'll think on that. gtg for now… Bug out /(%)\
Adrien flipped his phone closed and looked at Plagg, who was shaking his head in disgust.
"Kid, do you mean to tell me that you just asked Ladybug out as yourself, flirted with her as Chat Noir, and also flirted with Marinette as yourself?"
"I know what I'm doing, Plagg. I can handle this. After all… it's time for me to get what I want, right? Well, I'm going after Ladybug, one way or the other. Marinette's dating Luka, in any case, so I can be a good friend to her, like she's been to me! Even though she did call me hot stuff..."
"Kid… all I have to say is… you freaking deserve what you get." He floated away, munching on a piece of Camembert.
Tikki had her arms folded, floating above Marinette's face. "Well, well, well! This is some love square you've gotten yourself into, isn't it?"
"Love square? This is more like a love pentagram, Tikki, because I must be in some sort of hell."