Me: *walks into kitchen and grabs an apple*
Me: *decides to catch up on reads count*
Fanfic net: You have over 4,000 reads
Me: *chokes on apple* WHAT?!
Me: *hacks and continues to choke*
Friend: *Walks in* Are you okay?
Me: I *cough* I'm *hack* fine! *starts to run out of room*
Me: *smacks into glass screen*
Friend: *hovers over me* Are you sure you're okay?
Me: Why are there three of you?
Thank you guys SO much! You mean the world to me! I'd like to give a special shoutout to UnicornSecrets! Thanks for helping me out and supporting me! Now without further ado... the story!
Marinette's POV
I walk to school, surprisingly early this morning, and look out at the beauty of Paris. I think today is gonna be a good day. I'm early, I finished my homework, there's been no akuma in a week, and I'm starting to get the hang of balancing my two lives.
I turn a corner and see the great building standing in front of me. Since I'm early, I decide to sit on the step and stare out at the busy streets. Cars pass by and birds fly in the skies. I feel the warm sunshine rain down on my cheeks. I close my eyes and take it all in, content. It's perfect.
"Hello there, Maritrash."
Spoke to soon.
I crack an eyelid open to see none other than Chloe hovering over me along with Sabrina. I groan.
"Go away, Chloe."
"Um, no!" She retorts, hotly. I fully open both eyes to see her staring in rage and wonder. Wait. Wonder? "Those earrings are nice. Too nice for a piece of junk like you!" She reaches her hand out and grabs at my right ear. I yelp and jump back and she tries again. "Sabrina, hold her down!" Sabrina grabs me by the wrist, but I yank away from her grasp. The two both snatch at me again, causing my messenger bag to fall off my shoulder.
"Why do you want my earrings?"
"Because I like them. They would TOTALLY go with my black and gold party dress that Daddy got me yesterday afternoon!" I back up away from them, but Sabrina acts fast. She grasps both of my wrists and holds them together like they're in handcuffs. She forces me to stand up with surprising strength, now pinning my arms behind my back. I kick and yank, but I can't wriggle loose. With an evil smirk on her face, Chloe reaches a greedy hand slowly to my right ear. I toss my head back and forth, doing anything in my power to stop her from getting them. Eventually out of breath, I stop tossing my head, but still wiggle my arms. Chloe laughs a laugh with pure venom and reaches her hand out again. I squeeze my eyes shut, waiting for the worst, and a million things race through my mind.
Tiki will be gone forever! Chloe will be the new Ladybug! Cat Noir will totally fall for the brat and flirt with her, willingly! She'll have everyone fooled. Except me.
"Chloe! What are you doing?!" I'm snapped out of my thought by a familiar voice. My eyes pop open to see a familiar face. Familiar eyes, familiar hair, and familiar clothes. Adrien Agreste. He looks shocked and stares at the mini villain in disbelief and disgust.
"Adrikins!" She exclaims and runs over to him with outstretched arms. He pushes her off to the side in disapproval.
"Were you... stealing Marinette's earrings?!" He asks the mean blondie.
"She doesn't deserve them! I do! You want me to look my best, right?" She batts her fake eyelashes at him with goo-goo eyes.
"I don't care what you look like, Chloe! What I want to know is why you and your friend would willingly harass Mari!" He explodes. Adrien then looks over to my predicament.
"Let her go!" He says. Sabrina hesitates as Chloe rushes over to her BFF. She jerks me out of her arms and holds me by the arms again, but I'm turned to face her.
"You want her? Of all people? She's a brat! You love me!"
"Wh-who said anything ab-bout l-love?" He stammers from behind me and Chloe scoffs.
"You can have her!" She pushes my towards Adrien and I fall backwards. I let out a yelp and feel strong arms catch me. Well, sort of. He grabs one arm and my other flies over his head. I end up grabbing his shoulder and he grabs my waist with one hand, having the other pressed against my back. Snap. I blush at our awkward situation and hear Chloe and Sabrina leave. For some reason, neither of us move from this position as he stares down and I stare up.
"A-Are you okay?" He asks in a quiet tone.
"I'm f-fine. I'm glad y-you here were. I mean! I'm glad you were here! Hehe." We don't say anything as a million questions race through my head.
Why doesn't he move?
Why did he stand up to Chloe for me?
Why did she want my earrings?
When will Adrien marry me?
I blush even deeper at the last thought. I must look crazy with a love struck smile on my face. He doesn't seem to mind and smiles gently himself. As if realizing he's still supporting me, he shakes his head.
"S-Sorry! How long have we been standing here?" He asks nervously, helping me stand back up. I trip over my own two feet, causing him to have to catch me yet again.
"Sorry!" I say quickly. Finally, I get to my feet and take a step back. "I don't know how long."
"Are you positive you're okay? Did Chloe hurt you? Is this an often occurrence?"
"Um, I think I'm fine. Just a bruise on my elbow. As for the often occurrence part..." I trail off and chew on my bottom lip. "Chloe... bullies me about every day."
"What?!" He shrieks in disbelief as he puts his hands on my arms. "Really?! I knew she was kinda mean, but she bullies you daily?!"
"Not just me. She's bullied everyone in the class. Even her best friend is her slave." I say with an eye roll.
"I-I... I'm so sorry! You should've talked to me about it or alerted a teacher!" Talk to him? Easier said than done.
"She has the principal wrapped around her perfectly manicured finger." I respond with sass.
"The principal?! Next you'll be telling me she's mind controlling Ladybug and Cat Noir!"
You'd be surprised.
"Well, I d-don't know m-much about them!" I stutter.
"Oh! Me either! I was just-"
"Adrien! Adrien?" I hear. We turn our heads to see Niño with the funniest look on his face. I realize that the blonde's hands are still tightly gripping my arms and that we're much closer than anticipated. Too close for comfort. He releases me and stumbles back, awkwardly.
"H-Hey Niño. We were just- wait. Has Chloe ever bullied you?" The "DJ" just nods.
"Why?"
"Well, I got here and Sabrina had poor Marinette here with her arms pinned behind her back. Chloe was trying to steal her earrings. She was talking trash about her, so I interfered. She then shoved Mari at me," I tense at the memory, "and left! Can you believe it?!"
"Oh I can." Says a voice from behind us. Alya comes into view. "That's how Marinette and I met. Chloe was trying to take her seat to get closer to you."
"So... it's my fault?"
"No!" I shout a little to eager. "I mean... no. It's Chloe and Chloe alone. She's evil, I tell you. She once tied Cat Noir to his own pole and balanced him on it several stories from the ground!"
"Wasn't she akumatized?"
"Well, yes... but no akuma victim has flat out tried to commit murder!" I contradict.
"What about Stormy Weather?"
"No, she didn't have them in a deadly situation."
"Lady Wifi?"
"Just tried to reveal their identities."
"Puppeteer?"
"Nope."
"Bubbler?"
"Well... I guess you could say yes..."
"So he did try to kill us?"
"Correct." We both slap our hands over our mouths. Did he just say us?
"Wait." Niño says. We turn to him and Alya. "Us?"
"I-I mean them! He tried to kill THEM! What did I say? Did I say us? That's crazy! What made me say that?" Adrien rambles. Niño hovers over Adrien and I see Alya come towards me.
"How do you know so much about akuma victims and what they've done?" She asks me as she mimics Niño.
"I-I don't! I just... I... it's not why it-"
"Will you e-excuse us for a moment?" The model interrupts. "Thanks!" He yanks me away just enough from the two snoops by the arm.
"Why did you say 'us'?" I whisper.
"I um... you just... I just... we... I can't say!" He replies at the same volume. "Why did you agree?"
"What? I didn't agree! Hehe! That's ridiculous!"
"Purr-fect." He mumbles. My eyes widen and so do his. "Did I say that aloud?!" He shouts. I just nod, dumbstruck.
Adrien's POV
Snap. Snap! SNAAAAAP! Why would I say that?! Quick think of something, Adrien! I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. She seems to be doing the same thing. We just stand there, when I get an idea.
"I-I make puns when I'm nervous!"
"O-Oh! That... makes... sense. I guess." She says and avoids eye contact. She gently kicks at the ground with her toe and I notice that Niño and Alya have already gone inside. I also notice Marinette's bag on the ground. I walk over to pick it up and feel her eyes follow me while I turn around.
"This yours?" I ask. She just nods. I slowly extend the bag to her hand. Mari hesitates, but takes it anyway. She opens her mouth to say something, which I dread, but suddenly we hear a ringing sound.
Saved by the bell.
"Well! I think I should get to class!" I say as I turn to go up the steps. She doesn't let me, though. Her hand grabs my shoulder.
"Wait," She says calmly. I stiffen and turn back around on my heel. "I need to ask you something."
"Can't it wait until-"
"No. It can't." She interrupts. "I need to know something." Her hand stays on my shoulder. "What... what do you..." She tries to fix her words into a sentence with a steady tone. "What do you think of Cat Noir?" My breath hitches and my fingers tense at the name. She doesn't break serious eye contact and just boars her blue eyes into my green ones.
"W-well..." I start. "I... he's... okay."
"JUST okay?" She raises an eyebrow.
"Not j-just okay... he can be... pretty cool."
"Would you say that he's... purr-fectly claw-some?" She asks. Okay, she is definitely onto me, now. I'm starting to get a little uneasy in my stomach and in my legs. They start to shake and the whole scene starts to spin. It's almost like the entire weight of the importance of keeping my alter-ego a secret just came crashing down on my shoulders just now.
"Marinette," I say quietly, trying to stay on my feet. I feel her other hand press onto my arm.
"Are you okay, Adrien?" I don't reply to her echoey voice. She starts to blur along with the rest of the world. I can barely keep a grip. Her grasp on my arms tightens and she begins to shake me slightly.
"Adrien? Snap out of it! You're scaring me!" She helps me sit down on a step and I put my hand to my forehead. I don't feel right at all.
I suddenly feel a sharp pain on my right cheek. My head reflexively tosses to the side and I'm suddenly aware of what happened. Marinette slapped me. I shake my head and open my eyes. Her worried face comes into view. My hand reaches up to my right cheek and I knit my brows together in confusion.
"Did you just slap me?" Is all I can get out.
"I'm so sorry! I-I panicked! Your eyes started to close and your body started to sway! I didn't know what else to do! I'm sorry! I really am sorry! I didn't mean to-" I put a finger to her babbling lips. She immediately tenses at the touch and quiets down.
"I'm glad you did. I was about to pass out!"
"Pass out?!" She shrieks. "Why?!"
"Can we talk about it after class?" I ask her.
"I guess so..." She replies and bites her lip. I smile a relieved smile and we get to our feet.
"Cool. Meet me at this spot after school?" She agrees silently and we head into the building.
*TIME SKIP* (after school)
Okay. I have to keep my secret, obviously, but how? She practically knows already, but she doesn't have solid evidence. Come to think of it, I've never seen her that serious, before. She must be just as obsessed as Alya to find out who Cat Noir really is. Would she tell Alya if she found out? Alya would probably tell the entire internet that Adrein Agreste, the famous fashion model, is Cat Noir; the cat themed super hero. That would mean that my dad would find out. And Niño. And Chloe. And worst of all: Ladybug. They would all know that I'd lied to them and they would never trust me again. Niño would probably just avoid me and give me the cold shoulder. My dad would set up extra security and forbid me to ever leave the house again. Chloe would just fangirl over me even more. And Ladybug would... would... what would Ladybug do? Probably just crack a joke or two about me being famous and a "beautiful prince" who's a flirt or something. I'd get twice the paparazzi. Or should I say, papurr-azzi.
I give a small chuckle at the pun as I get to the exit of the school. Right. Marinette. Gotta keep on track, here. Well, looks like we're winging it. Great. I glance around the door to see if the bluenette is already there. She isn't.
"Hey." I jump at the sudden female voice and whip around to see none other than Marinette Dupain-Cheng. I relax and smile.
"Hey." My grin immediately wears off to see her concerned face. I wonder if it's because of what happened earlier in class.
*BACK IN CLASS|TIME REVERSAL*
Marinette's POV
Is Adrien really Cat Noir? Why did he nearly pass out? Is it because he was scared I was going to find him out? I was such an idiot! Why did I push that hard? Why did I slap him? What does he want to talk about after class?
I lower my chewed up pencil from my lip and look up from the English assignment to the blonde. For some reason, I imagine cat ears on the back of his head. The image shocks me and I gasp, dropping the pencil. The entire class, including Adrien, stares at me. We lock eyes for a fleeting moment and mine widen with terror and realization. Adrien is Cat Noir.
The teacher had to take a break and I had just finished my assignment, so I stand from my seat. I grab my bag and, without breaking eye contact with the model, inch away from my desk. I slowly make my way down the step and stop in front of his desk for a brief moment. He opens his mouth but I know that I can't answer his questions, so I dash out the door leaving an intrigued class, concerned Adrien, questioning Niño, and perplexed Alya.
*END OF... FLASHBACK?*
Adrien's POV
I was gonna ask if she was okay, but she just dashed out of the room. Was she... scared of me? I decide to ask her about it.
"Are you okay? In class you just kinda-"
"Oh it's nothing, really!" She says and waves her hands to brush it off. "Listen, I really wanted to apologize. I shouldn't have pushed you like that, it was rude of me. I'm sorry. Oh. And thanks for the save from Chloe." She mumbles. Mari's about to leave when I catch her by the shoulder.
"What do you mean by 'push?'" I ask. She turns back with a look of guilt.
"I-I mean about Cat Noir. I must've said s-something wrong or... shocking for you to react that way."
"Shocking? Wrong? N-No! You didn't do anything wrong. I did. Or did I?" I'm confusing myself, here!
"I mean, you nearly... ya know. Passed out or fainted or whatever you wanna call it. It must've been my fault, right?" I don't respond for a moment, pondering about what to say to that.
"I must've been tired or something. I sat up late last night." I lie.
"Doing what?" She asks, but immediately regrets it. "Sorry! I'm being pushy and nosy again, aren't I? Sorry! I'm reeeeally sorry!" I give a nervous laugh.
"No, you're just being curious. I was..." I was... doing what? "at a nighttime photo shoot! Yeah. I was doing... that." I clear my throat and stare down at my shoes. Why am I such a bad liar? Ugh. She probably totally saw through that white lie.
"Adrien... people don't just pass out for being tired..." Mari says. "Something definitely happened and, if you want to, you can tell me what it was. Just remember that I'll be here for you." I look up at her bluebell eyes. She gives me a reassuring smile and I return it, weakly.
"Well..." I say, reluctantly. "It's a long and complicated story."
"I've got time."
"Yeah. Time. Well... I'm..." I can't do it. She's TOTALLY gonna-
"I won't tell anyone, I promise." Is she psychic?
"I-I'm... c... ca... I... gee. How do I put this?" I rub the back of my neck and puts two fingers to her lips.
"Hmm. What if I can guess? Then you don't have to say anything!" She snaps her fingers and I nod with a smile. "Great! Let's see... do you... secretly work in the circus?" I let out a chuckle and shake my head. She gives a fake, exaggerated, pout. "Well... do you... have a secret girlfriend that you serenade romantically every night under her balcony?" She puts a hand to her head and leans against the door with a sigh. I laugh again and shake my head. "Two strikes? Huh. I guess I have one more guess, then? I better make it count!" She winks and shoots a finger gun at me. She then taps on her chin and looks to the ceiling. She looks so comical, I can't help but snicker. "Wait. I know." Uh-oh. I swallow hard. "You... are... secretly..." Here it comes. "... Ladybug!" I burst out into fits of laughter and double over in stitches. I was NOT expecting that! She laughs along with me in a playful manor and then our outbursts die down.
"I'm just kidding!" She says. "You're to pretty to be Ladybug!" I snicker and stifle my laughter at her joke. Her face then grows a bit more serious. "Well I guess this means there's only one more possibility, Adrien." My spirits fall and I grow solemn. I look at the floor again, but she lifts my chin.
"Ya know... you don't... have to be him... If you'd rather me not say, then I don't have to." I grab her hand from my chin and hold it in mine.
"No. I want you to say it. Say what we're both thinking. What we're actually thinking, Marinette. Two words." Her eyes widen and I feel a deep feeling in the pit of my stomach. I'm not quite sure if it's fear or guilt. There's a long pause of silence between us. We don't break eye contact for a second. She then opens her mouth.
"Cat Noir."
Marinette's POV
Adrien stands in front of me and just nods, softly. I feel a lump in my throat swell up. I knew I'd have to face him about it soon, I just never thought that the wave of realization would smack me so hard. Adrien Agreste. My crush, my friend, my classmate, is Cat Noir. My partner, my friend, my role model. I feel like reality just slapped my across the face with a wake up call.
I know I need to tell him that I'm Ladybug, but something keeps tugging at my heart, telling me that it won't be okay if I do. Everything will change. My mind clouds up with all the things that could happen. Either of us could slip up and tell someone who we are. What if Hawkmoth himself found out our identities? Then he'd go after our families.
I can't think about that right now. My head is spinning enough as it is. For some reason, I feel suddenly limp and weak. So... small. So... helpless. I turn my attention back to the blonde in front of me. He looks like he's worried about my reaction.
"Are you gonna be okay, Marinette?"
"I... don't... know." I mumble, wondering if I actually am okay right now. "Does Ladybug know who you are?" He shakes his head.
"No. I wish she did and I wish I knew who she was."
"Y-you mean... I'm the only one who knows?" He nods. We stand there in another spell of silence, when a playful smirk suddenly tugs at my lips. Adrien looks perplexed for a moment.
"What's so funny?" He inquires.
"You know, I wish Ladybug knew what she was missing out on!" I let out a small giggle and let go of Adrien's hand. I turn towards the exit and stop for a moment. My back is still facing away from him as I say, "I have a feeling she'd like you." then I continue down the street maintaining my mysterious smirk, leaving a confused Adrien behind me.
*TIME SKIP* (nighttime at Mari's)
"You're doing the right thing, Marinette!" Tiki chirps in a squeaky voice.
"Thanks, Tiki. That means a lot. Now, no time to waste! Tiki, spots on!"
I transform and yo-yo off of my balcony. As I swing through the city, the smile from earlier spreads across my face. I'm on my way to none other than the Agreste mansion. On the way home from school, I'd decided to tell Adrien that I'm Ladybug tonight. Now it was about eight o' clock at night and I'm kind of anxious. I hope he won't be disappointed in me. Nah. He's too nice for that.
In no time at all, I land right outside of his window. He's laying sprawled out on his couch staring at the ceiling, talking to someone on the phone. He then hangs up and just sits there. Perfect timing. I rap lightly on the window, which makes him jump, slightly. He turns his head over to where I'm perched and widens his eyes in shock. He scrambles to his feet and rushes over to the window. Hastily, he fumbles with the latch and eventually open the window. I slide into the room and wait for him to close up the glass entrance. He turns his head to me and looks like he's about to say something, when I don't let him. Using my confidence, I get up close to his face. His eyes widen in surprise and he backs into the wall. I want to laugh, but that would ruin it.
"Hey there, pretty boy. How have you been?"
"L-Ladybug? A-Are you o-okay?" I put my finger under his chin and tap it lightly.
"I'm purr-fectly fine, Adrien. How are you is what I wanna know."
"Did you just... never mind. I'm... great."
"You mean you're paw-some? Or maybe claw-some would paw-sibly be prefurr-able?" I ask, tracing me index finger along his collar. It's hilarious how genuinely terrified he is, right now. I see his Adam's apple go up and down as he gulps down a lump in his throat, preventing him to speak.
"Why a-are you a-at m-my house?" He asks, his voice quavering.
"You know, you don't have to be scared, Kitten. We all act nervous around the opposite sex." I see his hand clutch at a ridge in the railing on the window pane as the words roll off my tongue.
"Kitten?" He squeaks.
"Of course. Kittens act scared, don't they?" I ask, gripping his collar. He gasps at the sudden movement, considering our faces to be mere inches apart. I must appear to be crazy, but I don't care. It's fun scaring your partner senseless.
"L-Ladyb-bug? Um... why... are you here? I mean, it kinda sudd-" I reach up my other hand and put that finger to his lips, other still clutching his collar.
"I think I might like you, Adrien." I say in a low tone. His eyes are wide as saucers and his shoulders are tense. "Relax. I'm not gonna hurt you. Ladybugs are harmless. As harmless as... a kitten." He doesn't relax, so I decide I've tortured him enough. I let go of him and back away. I suddenly puff out my cheeks and burst into a fit of giggles.
"YOU'RE haha FACE! HAHAHA! PRICELESS! HAHAHAHA!" I get out. I look up at him and he seems in shock. My laughter die down into giggles and I stand up straight again. "It was a joke! You should've seen yourself! Amazing!" He seems to get it, cause he exhales and slouches his shoulders.
"Ladybug! Don't do that! You scared me to death!"
"I said ladybugs were harmless." I protest.
"Not this ladybug! This ladybug bites!" I shrug.
"True."
"So... why did you come here? Just to prank me?" My smile fades.
"Well, not exactly. I have... a confession to make." He points to himself.
"To me?" I nod. "What is it?" I sigh.
"It's better if I just show you, I guess." I take a deep breath and exhale. Then, in a barely audible tone, I mumble, "Spots off." There's a flash of light as I detransform.
"No, don't-" Adrien begins, but stops at the sight of me. His mouth hangs open and his eyes widen. "Do... that..." He points at me in awe and amazement.
"Hehe... surprise?" I say with a nervous laugh. He lowers his hand and just stares at me. I snap in front of his face.
"Don't just stand there... say something!" I ask. I see a smug smirk come across his face.
"Something." He says. I laugh and roll my eyes.
"You stupid cat... so... what do you think?" He then walks towards me at a normal pace.
"What do I think?" Something in his eyes tells me to back up, so I do. He doesn't stop coming, but his pace slows. "You really wanna know?" The space between me and the couch grows small as I nod, slowly. He continues to come towards me, forcing my to sit down on the sofa. He hovers over me with a gleam in his eye. I swallow hard. Oh-no. He hates me, now. Was it because I barged into his house? Maybe he just expected another model or something like that.
"I'll show you what I think." He then cups my face and presses his lips against mine. I widen my eyes in surprise, but think I should probably close them. So I do. It feels like an electric static shocks my body as we stay like this for a few seconds. A few seconds of pure bliss an happiness. Sadly, these few seconds end as he pulls away.
"I think you're amazing, Marinette." I smile at him and he smiles back. "Plus, that was payback."
"For what?" I ask, batting my eyelashes all innocent-like. He just rolls his eyes and plops down on the couch beside me. I know what he means. He knows that I know what he means. I know he knows I know what he means. So that's how this all came to be. Adrien and Marinette snuggling on Adrien's couch after kissing.
It's one am! (Imagine that in a singsong voice and a twitching eye to match) This was probably one of the longer stories I've written! This is amazing! I love life! This took me two days to wright. The time? About 2-4 hours...
Yeah.
I was an emotional wreck while writing this! I loooooved this concept! I laughed a lot, and I felt genuinely concerned for Mari and Adrien! This was an Adrienette thing, I guess. Partly Ladrien. Eh. My two fav ships! Yay! What are y'all's fav ships? Lemme know!
Shoutouts go to:
Dragonriderr
Zimmi123456
Svit-Kona
Khione7633
Shyhero
Galaxy Chip
masterjonx
Mudbuggle23
UnicornSecrets
Marichatshipper
Panda 2337
CloakedDragonWing3721
Mb-Lindsey101
FunestiNoctu121
Demi clayton
King of France
ravenclawwarrior97
TheAuthor111
Khione7633
Thanks guys for reading and supporting! Catch you later!
Love ya!