All roads lead to Paris… or something along those lines.
I do not own any of the world or characters created for Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir. I just own this fanfic.
Chapter 9: Notes and surprises
The next day, Adrien saw as the girl of his dreams approached the school with a little spring in her step and smirked. On the inside he was beaming, but he had to be subtle.
She greeted him and he noticed the new jacket she was wearing. A jacket he caught a glimpse on the previous night. Another of her designs, he guessed.
"Is this another original Dupain-Cheng?" He eyed her knowingly.
She turned slightly shy but spun around proudly.
"Like it?"
"Hum…" He seemed to think of this for a while and grimaced playfully shaking his head. Then, with no warning he got on her side and took a selfie of them both.
"Better!"
The girl had a much relaxed attitude, but that definitely caught her off guard causing her to blush furiously.
Still she was able to joke about it and ask him to send her the pic.
He noticed how she hadn't stuttered once. She looked happier now. She was gaining confidence. Not that the credit was to Chat Noir, no. He knew that this woman was slowly becoming an even better version of herself on her own.
Again he scolded himself for being so blind all this time. 'If only I had fallen for Marinette on time… I can't believe I lost my chance due to myself.' He chuckled at the irony.
Later that day…
"Marinette? Is it me or you're getting closer to Adrien?" Alya asked intrigued but also in a teasing manner.
"Amm, if you ask me, I think it's him who's getting closer. Not long ago he told me he needed to open up more. Getting away from that tense lifestyle he's forced to live. And so he did." She reasoned. Alya, being the reporter she was, had a few questions to ask Nino, if that were the case, Nino would know too.
Before she could inquire any further, a not so welcomed figure appeared in front of them.
"Oh Marinette, you certainly are a lucky girl." Lila said with not such a low voice faking admiration. "You and Chat Noir make the most adorable couple."
Marinette growled inside. She knew she was up to something, and as usual she managed to disguise it as a compliment. The designer just breathed in and out and wore a fake smile of her own.
"As I was saying yesterday. There's nothing. He's just the hero overlooking for civilians of Paris. He has nothing to do with me."
Adrien just happened to be passing by when he spotted the compulsive liar talking to Marinette and Alya. He rolled his eyes, she was definitely up to something. He wondered what she was saying. He soon found out for her voice was void of all confidentiality.
"Oh but please, are you telling me you two have no chemistry? Just by the look in his eyes you can tell he feels something for you. Oh Marinette, you must be the closest person to him by now."
Adrien frowned and then his eyes widened as he noticed a few girls shooting daggers at Marinette. Chat Noir fans, perhaps? Suddenly he knew, she was trying to get those girls akumatized and go against Marinette.
'She's clever.' He admitted that far but went to her with a smirk. 'Thanks for the tip, Lila Rossi.' He went over to her and put an arm around her shoulder. "Hi, Lila. I haven't really talked to you since our last photo shoot. My father was truly impressed, you know and…" He took her with him walking out of the cafeteria, his arm still resting on her shoulder. Adrien knew that he had more fans as Adrien than as Chat Noir. Taking Lila so intimately certainly attracted the attention of a few angry fanatics. She noticed the looks of half the girls in school and not wanting to repeat that "Oni chan" episode, she let go of him with a grunt and headed to the opposite direction.
Marinette looked as they left and smiled inwardly. Alya on the other hand, was perplexed. "Do- do you think Adrien is into Lila now? I- I'm sorry Mari-"
"Adrien? Into Lila?" Marinette scoffed. "Nah. He just did that so she wouldn't get on my nerves."
Alya gave her a questioning look. Oh yeah, she was still oblivious to Lila's true colors.
"You still don't see through her lies and 'good intentions'?" She raised an eyebrow.
Her friend just shook her head. "But, I trust you. If you say she's a liar, I'll take your word for it." The designer gave her a toothy grin. "So, you sure, there's nothing between you and Adrien?"
The girl had to look down. "I'd be lying if I said I'm not interested in him anymore. But when he started dating Kagami, I decided to let go. And it worked. I enjoy my time with him as friends, for sure, but I can't wish for more."
The other girl couldn't believe and was left speechless.
"I won't try anything." The bluenette stated then she gulped nervously. "Now less than ever."
"What'd ya mean?"
"I- I got to talk to Chat Noir yesterday and…"
The reporter almost jumped up and down as she heard the news. She merely squeaked, eyes gleaming the whole time.
"Shhhh. Please, Alya. I trust you will respect it is a secret. I'll still pretend I have nothing to do with him." The reporter nodded frantically in agreement. "We still need to figure things out. It's not like I can get in touch with him at free will, nor can he." Marinette added sadly.
On the other side of the school, Adrien sat with the same kind of thoughts. He wanted to be with her, to let her know he really cared for her. For the umpteenth time, he cursed his luck. He would find a way, there had to be a way.
Late in the afternoon, when Marinette had finished helping in the bakery, she left to her room to finally relax from her busy day. She came groaning into her room only to be surprised by an unexpected object waiting for her on her bed. She immediately smiled warmly and hold the object that was no other than a plush hamster and a note that said: Hey, Princess. Now we'll have the hamster you always wanted. What was its name, again? See ya soon, promise.
She hugged the little toy warmly with a big smile then shook her head. 'That cat knows no boundaries.'
The week went on, they hadn't seen each other, but the hamster gesture had been sweet enough to give Marinette certainty that he was there for her. They both understood there was a time for everything.
Her upbeat attitude didn't go unnoticed but she would always divert their attention and eventually people stopped pushing the topic. Adrien pretended to be interested a few times too, just not to raise any suspicion. Nah who was he kidding? He just liked to see how flustered she got when she was obviously thinking about him- well Chat Noir. He suddenly noticed he had been too distant for the rest of the week as his alter ego, he had to do something to let her know he still felt the same way.
After gym, he found the perfect opportunity. Most of them were still in the lockers getting ready for their last period so he could sneak away to leave a surprise for his new Lady.
Minutes after, Alya and Marinette were walking back to the classroom and they heard student murmuring. Curious they went inside only to see every girl excitedly reading from the board: Miss you, Prrincess.
"Oh, that is the sweetest. Who do you think it is for?" Inquired the ever romantic Rose.
"Miss you? Isn't the person from Collège Françoise Dupont?" Juleka wondered.
"Oh, come on." Chloe interjected. "It's obviously for me. Though I'm not a princess, I'm a queen."
"As if anyone would miss you." Alix commented rolling her eyes. "Right Marinette?" The addressed girl wasn't in this world by the moment. Her eyes shone at the short but lovely message that had obviously been written for her. 'He was… here?'
"Marinette?" She repeated and brought Marinette back from her trance.
"Oh! It- it could be for Chloe. A- after all, people miss her as Princess Bee- Queen Bee!" She stuttered and that comment only attracted even more attention to her. Alya saw through her and came to her rescue by saying. "Oh, whoever it was, it will go to the weekly newsletter." She took a photo. You gotta help me Marinette, they print it today!" She took the girl by the hand and saved her from further interrogation.
Adrien saw as she was taken away and smirked to his insides. That look on her face said it all. She liked it and she definitely knew it was from him. Nino who was by his side whistled and commented, "Dude. Whoever that was, respect. That was a nice touch- cliché, but women love clichés. Wonder who the message was for."
Adrien just shrugged.
Further in the hall.
"Prrincess?" Alya mocked and nudged her still in shock friend.
"He he. He calls me that, plus he loves cat puns. It was him, no doubt."
"You go girl! He's really into you!"
"P-please do not publish that."
"Oh no I won't. I just needed an excuse to leave the room with you." She explained and winked. "But still, this is huge! I wish I could post it, here and in the ladyblog. You two are killing me!" She screamed-whispered. They both laughed.
Adrien saw her coming back, a sweet smile plastered on her face. He couldn't help but smile himself. He'd done something good, for once. Nino saw this and confronted him after class.
"Adrien, my man." He made a pause and eyed him seriously. "Are you into Marinette?"
Oops. Getting obvious, aren't you Adrien?
Well guys, this chapter is over. Hope you liked it ^^
Oh, btw, I didn't know what to do about Chloe, I personally don't think she'll just continue in class as if nothing, but for this story's sake I just included her.