Ugh, ok so let me tell ya guys. So the reason this chapter has taken so long is 1) I get up for work at 430am and work from 6 am to around 5pm these days and I have no motivation to do ANYThing. Also I started this chapter a few times but had to change it. At first this was going to be the reverser episode but then I saw Nathanial referencing queen bee who has yet to make an appearance. So I was going to do Queen bee episodes next but then that wasn't working out for the pace I wanted to go, so now we have Frozer, which technically also comes after Queen Bee but makes no reference to the episode so who care. Just about all my episodes are a jumbled mess anyway so, as long as there are no direct references to things that have yet to happen, I guess it doesn't matter. This chapter ended up being around 9,000 words long for no reason.
If others tell us something we make assumptions, and if they don't tell us something we make assumptions to fulfill our need to know and to replace the need to communicate. Even if we hear something and we don't understand we make assumptions about what it means and then believe the assumptions. We make all sorts of assumptions because we don't have the courage to ask questions.
Being a hero of Paris did not always mean stopping Akumas. Most of the time, it was a much smaller situation. This particular situation was no different. A man had lost control of his hang glider while trying to deliver flowers. Ladybug and Chat Noir were quick to handle the situation with almost no effort. Chat fist-bumped and handed the bouquet to the man but not before snagging out a rose.
"I feel like I haven't seen Tigress in forever. I hope she's okay." Ladybug thought out loud. It had been a few days since their last big Akuma attack, and Tigress had been nowhere to be seen as of late. Both Ladybug and Chat had attempted to reach out to her but only got a short reply that she had something to deal with and knew they could handle things without her. Chat leaned against the railing of the rooftop they had landed on and twirled the rose between his fingertips.
"I'm sure she's alright. She probably just has some personal stuff going on." He assured, earning a sigh from Ladybug.
"I suppose. I just-"
Glancing down at the street, Chat's eyes widened slightly before zeroing in on a blonde head walking on the sidewalk below. He quickly jumped down and stopped in front of Lucy, holding out the rose to her with a small bow.
"Chat? What are you doing?" Lucy asked a blush rising in her face.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't resist." She gave him a soft smile before tilting her head.
"Chat we talked about this. You can't make that kind of choice." Chat grabbed her hand and pulled her into a nearby ally, away from prying eyes and ears.
"What are you doing?" Lucy asked a nervous laugh leaving her.
"Choosing." He said simply. "Plagg, claws in." He transformed and Lucy stood wide-eyed as Adrien stood before her.
"I...but..you."
"I'm sorry. I can't lie to you anymore. Every moment that you see me as someone other than the person you love feels wasted and I just-"
"It's you..." She whispered, her hands going to his neck, up to his face. "It's always been you."
"I love you." He breathed out, and Lucy gave him a confused look.
"Are you even listening?"
"What?" He asked.
"Chat are you even listening to me?!" Ladybug shouted her hands on her hips. Chat blinked at his partner rapidly before shaking his head.
"Huh? No, I mean yes! I was just-" Ladybug rolled her eyes and held up her hand to him.
"Forget it. I'm a little worried about our partner but you clearly have something more important on your mind." She yo-yoed away and Chat rubbed his face with his hands. He really needed to get it together. Remembering what triggered his little fantasy, Chat looked over the edge of the building again. Lucy was now much further down the street and the beep from his ring reminded Chat he didn't have a lot of time left. He quickly jumped down to the street level and let his power run out in an ally way. Turning the direction he saw Lucy go, Adrien jogged up the sidewalk to attempt to catch up. He stopped abruptly as he watched Lucy walk up to a bistro with outside seating. A boy who looked a little older than them stood quickly, in an almost nervous manner. He watched the two in a seemingly awkward greeting that went from a possible hug, to handshake, to weird wave before they both sat down.` The boy Lucy was with was in no way familiar to Adrien. He had short brown hair, he looked as if he stood slightly taller than himself. His hazel eyes kept glancing away from Lucy as his forearms resting on his legs, sat bouncing, clearly anxious about something. He wore a large gray hoodie over what looked like a black shirt and dark blue jeans. Some worn, black and white sneakers on his feet. He was a handsome guy Adrien supposed, envying his sharp jawline that was outlined with neat facial hair. Adrien wasn't sure if he was even the facial hair type but had yet to really grow anything out that was worth keeping. He watched the two talk and frowned. Was this a date? Panic arose in Adrien's chest. He had already worried about Luka and now there was...whoever this guy was. Watching as the boy bring his hands up to the tabletop, he opened his palms to her. She hesitates, looking from his hands to his face. Who the hell was this guy? Lucy, whose face up until that point had remained somewhat uncomfortable, gave the boy a small smile and brought her hands into his, squeezing them. Plagg peaked out of Adrien's pocket to see what the hold-up was, spotting Lucy from across the way. He rolled his eyes dramatically before taking another bite of his camembert and disappearing back inside his owner's shirt.
Adrien wanted to get closer. He desperately wanted to know what they were talking about. This...date...the word left a bad taste in Adrien's mouth, even if he didn't say the word out loud, seemed to be going well. Not great, Lucy didn't look like she was swooning over the guy or anything, but she was holding his hands. Something about their body language was unreadable to Adrien. The first language humans had was gestures. There was nothing primitive about this language that flowed from people's hands, nothing we say now that could not be said in the endless array of movements possible with the fine bones of the fingers and wrists. The gestures were complex and subtle, involving a delicacy of motion that has since been lost completely.
During the Age of Silence, people communicated more, not less. Basic survival demanded that the hands were almost never still, and so it was only during sleep (and sometimes not even then) that people were not saying something or other. No distinction was made between the gestures of language and the gestures of life. The labor of building a house, say or preparing a meal was no less an expression than making the sign for I love you or I feel serious. When a hand was used to shield one's face when frightened by a loud noise something was being said, and when fingers were used to pick up what someone else had dropped something was being said; and even when the hands were at rest, that, too, was saying something. Naturally, there were misunderstandings. There were times when a finger might have been lifted to scratch a nose, and if casual eye contact was made with one's lover just then, the lover might accidentally take it to be the gesture, not at all dissimilar, for 'Now, I realize I was wrong to love you.' These mistakes were heartbreaking. And yet, because people knew how easily they could happen, because they didn't go around with the illusion that they understood perfectly the things other people said, they were used to interrupting each other to ask if they'd understood correctly. Sometimes these misunderstandings were even desirable since they gave people a reason to say, 'Forgive me, I was only scratching my nose. Of course, I know I've always been right to love you.' Because of the frequency of these mistakes, over time the gesture for asking forgiveness evolved into the simplest form. Just to open your palm was to say: Forgive me.
The sound of an alarm going off in his pocket stole Adrien's attention. He cursed under his breath as he realized he was running late for his fencing practice. Frowning at the two across the street Adrien turned on his heel and made his way to practice.
OoOoOoOoO
Lucy released Nik's hands and leaned back in her chair.
"So how long will you be around for?" She asked her ex. Nikolas ran his hand through his hair and leaned back in his own chair as well.
"A few months. Though I don't know how 'around' I really will be. This is a great opportunity but I assume it's going to keep me pretty busy." Lucy smiles and shakes her head. "Nikolas Thompson the pastry chef. I can see it now."
"We should hang out again. Before I get busy." Nikolas insisted, making Lucy raise an eyebrow.
"I have a life too you know."
"I know," He said bashfully. "I just..."
"I know," Lucy told him. "I have school tomorrow but maybe we can do something after."
Before Nikolas could reply Talia waltzed over and pulled up a chair out of know where. Lucy and Nikolas looked mildly startled by her abrupt presence.
"Talia." Lucy greeted. "How did you know where I was? Where have you been?"
Talila looked from Lucy to Nikolas and then back to Lucy. "Can't say in front of the civilian."
"Civilian?" Nikolas laughed. "What are you a secret agent?" Talia turned back to him and stared at him blankly making the boy's smile falter a little. "Uh...ok."
"Go away Nikolas," Talia said making the boy look at her strangely.
"How do you know my name? Have we met?"
"I know a lot of things. And I never forget a face. You're in my vault." She replied pointing to her skull. "Tell me, how are Donna and John?"
"And I'm out," Nikolas said with the sound of his parent's names. "Text me, Lucy. Goodbye Lucy's creepy friend." He said before getting up from his chair and quickly walking away.
"What was that about?!" Lucy asked as Talia shrugged.
"I think the more important question is what was this," She said making a finger motion between Lucy and the spot Nikolas had been sitting in. "about. What is your ex doing here and why are you having lunch with him?"
Lucy crossed her arms and gave Talia a bewildered look. She had told Talia the story of Nik, but she had no idea how she knew what he looked like. "I can eat lunch with however I want, how did you even know that was him and why do you know his parent's names?"
"The internet," Talia said with a duh look. "You had a photo of him and you together in the box of photos you keep under your bed. I already knew his name and once I knew what he looked like, boom quick trip to Facebook and whoop there he is."
"When did you go through my photo box?!"
"When I spent the night a few weeks back. You fell asleep and I got bored."
"So you just snooped through my stuff?"
"You're sounding really surprised right now and I'm not sure why. Anyway, what was he doing here?"
"You tell me since you apparently did a background check on him."
Talia rolled her eyes. "Don't be so dramatic. Like you've never cyber stalked someone before."
Lucy wanted to argue but stopped herself, tilting her head side to side. "Well, er, yeah I guess. You still shouldn't have gone through my things though."
"Yeah yeah, you'll never know about it again. Now tell me whhyyy."
"For an internship ya nosey bitch." Lucy told her. "He went to school for culinary arts and is doing an internship here for a while. France is the place to go for that when the opportunity arises I guess."
"Fuck yeah it is, french cooking is superior."
"Aren't you a little bias?"
"Bias? Bitch I'm Canadian."
"Yeah, but still the french part."
"Listen you beautiful dumb blonde. If you go around claiming French Canadians and French people are the same, someone is going to fight you. I may sound like them, but once they know where I am from I might as well be walking around covered in maple syrup Yellin 'Dontcha know' to everybody."
"Wow, that's fucked up."
"It is." Talia agreed. "So shut up about it ya? Or I'm gonna have to move."
"I thought Canadians were supposed to be polite."
"Yeah, the Dontcha know kind. It's not the same. Don't be racist."
"Oh my god." Lucy facepalms.
OoOoOoOoOOoOoOo
Adrien sat on a bench in the locker room after having his butt kicked by Kagami in their fencing practice. He couldn't get his head in the game after seeing Lucy out with that guy. He wasn't allowed to be mad. He didn't know what was happening and even if he did...Adrien sighed.
"What's going on, Adrien? I usually enjoy defeating you, but it's no fun when you make it that easy." Kagami asked
"Do you ever get the feeling that you're stuck, Kagami?" He replies taking off his helmet. "That no matter what you do, it's the same old story over and over again. That thing will never ever change." Kagami was taken back slightly by the question. As Adrien twirled a rose he had pulled out, Kagami concluded that it perhaps was a love interest he was referring to. Up until that moment, Kagami had not put much thought into Adrien's love life. She admitted that she had a bit of a crush on the blonde boy in front of her. After all, they were the same. Two teens, coming into adulthood with overbearing parents who expected way more from them than any normal parent should. They understood one another in a way that very few people could. Adrien didn't see the potential relationship that was right in front of him.
"Adrien, the biggest mistake a fencer can make isn't choosing the wrong technique. It's choosing the wrong target. Change targets." she told him with a hand on his cheek. The Asian girl had no interest in forcing Adrien to do anything. She knew just as he did how unnerving it can be to have someone try and push you into a direction that you did not want to make yourself. Kagami also knew that she was an ideal girlfriend. Well-mannered, talented, good family. She was a top-shelf choice in any situation but that was exactly what it all came down to, choice. If Adrien was going to pursue a relationship with her, he would have to establish it on his own terms. Kagami had no interest in being second but that didn't mean she wouldn't make a point to give Adrien something to consider.
Adrien smiled. Kagami was a good friend and he appreciated her advice but unfortunately didn't fully understand the details of the situation. He handed her the rose, not wanting it to go to waste. After they got out of their fencing gear Adrien waved Kagami off. Plagg emerged from his bag with a sly grin.
"Well, well, Casanova. Got yourself a new contender?"
Adrien gave him a wide-eyed look. "No. No way. Lucy is the one I love but..."
Plagg shrugged. "Lucy is on a date falling in love with another guy because you are too chicken to make a move, so maybe it's about time you changed your tune. Right?"
"Why should it be different with Kagami? Besides. I'm not ready to give up on Lucy. We have something special, I just don't know how to go about it. Everything came so naturally the first time."
" I don't know a thing about human girls, but whenever I meet a beautiful Camembert, I introduce myself. Hello, Camembert. I'm Plagg. So very nice to eat you!"
Adrien smiled and shook his head. "Thanks, but I'll get love advice from someone else."
OoOoOooo
Saying so was easier said than done. Adrien had attempted to get advice from several of the adults in his life but couldn't find it in him to say the words. The next day at school, Adrien glanced around the courtyard in an attempt to find someone he could talk to about the problem. A body slammed into his own and Adrien turned to find Marinette apologizing as she reached for her things that were on the floor.
"Marinette! Perfect timing!" Marinette always had everyone's best interests at heart and Adrien felt confident in her ability to give him solid, well-thought-out advice. He walked with her over to a nearby bench. He sat down awkwardly as Marinette happily gave him her full attention. "Okay, well... I'm sorry, this is a bit awkward for me because it's about a girl."
"A girl?" Marinette's heart flipped, the conversation filling her with sudden anxiety and maybe even excitement.
"We see each other all the time and have been just friends but I have been feeling...different and she can be a little hard to read.."
"So...she was a friend but now you want her to be more than a friend...but you don't know if she feels the same way?" Marinette inquired, her anxiousness building.
"Exactly. Have you ever had that problem?" He asked.
"Yes..eh, no, well probably. What is she like?" She asked, hoping to hear some type of description that would fit her own.
"She's..." Where did he begin? "Kind...and funny. She has these eyes that I sometimes feel like I might drown in..." He closed his eyes and smiles. "And when I am with her I feel..."
"Happy?" Marinette interjected in a whim.
"Home." He corrected.
Marinette's heart hammered in her chest at his description. "Do...do I know her?" Say my name. She thought. Just say my name.
"Yeah," He replied looking at her. "Lucy."
Images of Adrien and Lucy together flashed in Marinette's mind and she could feel her heartbreaking. She watched as his eyes went out to the crowd and in an instant, she knew exactly who he was looking at. Lucy stood over Nathaniel on the stair steps across the way. She was pointing at something he had been drawing, smiling at it. As Marinette brought her eyes back to Adrien she knew there was something about the way he was looking at her. Like she was all he could see. Marinette desperately wanted Adrien to look at her that way. What's worse than knowing you want something, besides knowing you can never have it? Lucy didn't love Adrien, not the way she did. Yet, looking at the stupid look on his face, Marinette felt almost compelled to help him. How could she not? She loved him and wanted him to be happy. Even if it wasn't with her.
"So...?" Adrien asked looking at Marinette. "What do you think...about Lucy?"
"Eh...I..." What was she supposed to say? "Lucy...doesn't really talk about boys." It wasn't a lie. Anytime the girls had gotten together the main topic had been herself and Adrien. For a short while, everyone had their speculations about Lucy and Chat. After that seemed to end, the group decided not to bring up Lucy's love life unless she brought it up herself. She still hadn't. Adrien looked down, mildly discouraged at the information he had been given. Marinette panicked at the disappointment of Adrien's features.
"I...uh...have you tried maybe...just talking to her about how you have been feeling?"
Adrien shook his head no. "I uh, actually saw her on a date yesterday...or, well I think it was a date."
Marinette didn't know how to feel. Part of her was overjoyed that Lucy might have her sights set elsewhere while the other part of her couldn't help but feel the need to help the boy she so longed for.
"Maybe you could just...ask her on a date...but, don't tell her it's a date. Just hang out as you have before but this time try dropping some hints that you like her. Go to...the ice rink or something. Simple, fun activity. I mean...you know Lucy. She's not the clueless type. And if she doesn't return your feelings respond in the same subtle, but clear way so that you understand without it being a big deal. This way you can make your feelings known without making things too awkward for your friendship if it doesn't work out the way you want it to."
"That's...actually a really good idea Marinette." Adrien praised before pausing. "But if I'm honest, I don't think I could go through with it. I'd be too shy to be alone with her while trying to...express myself." Adrien felt stupid. He had hung out with Lucy alone plenty of times before, but suddenly now that he wanted to try and get her attention romantically he felt awkward and unsure of himself. After all, Marinette was right. If Lucy did not return his feelings, he knew she would let him down easily to assure minimal damage to their friendship. But he really didn't know what he would do if that actually happened.
"Well uh, I could come with you...if you want." Marinette twitched at her own offer. No...no, god no. What had she done?! Please decline!
"You would do that!?" He perked up. "That would be great! Thank you, Marinette!" He said getting up and making his way over to Lucy as Marinette sat there still frozen in place.
"Sure...that's what friends are for..." Marinette looks down at Tikki from inside her purse. "Tikki, please tell me what just happened didn't really happen at all."
OoOoOoOoOO
Lucy blinked at Adrien. "You wanna go to the ice rink tomorrow?"
"Yeah. Simple, fun activity don't ya think?"
"Uh, I mean yeah I guess. Just you and I or whats...?" Lucy trailed off.
"You, me, and Marinette," Adrien told her with confidence. Like it was the best idea. Lucy paused and rand her tongue over her lips, humming with a nod.
"Mmmhmm. Okay, sure, but don't you think there is a bit of a, I don't know, third wheel type problem that could occur?"
Adrien stared at her for a moment before shaking his head. "N-uh..No, no because actually there is one other person who was gonna meet us there. Uh, Ka..Kagami. Yeah, Kagami will probably be there too. So, no problem."
"You, me, Marinette, and Kagami." Lucy repeated slowly with her eyebrows raised. "Yeah, that'll be...interesting." She said running her hands through her hair. "Uh, yeah, no sure. Actually, I can think of another person to join! Luka!" Lucy figured at least this way, if Kagami stuck close to Adrien, Marinette would at least have someone to distract herself with.
"Luka? Right...yeah. I mean...that just puts us back at an odd number of people though, so-" Adrien said, not exactly wanting Luka around. He didn't want anything or anyone possibly distracting Lucy's attention.
"You know what you're right. Now that you mention it, that calls for one more. A friend of mine actually from the states ended up here and has been wanting to reconnect. I'll ask if he wants to come along as well. His name is Nikolas."
Nikolas.
The guy from yesterday.
"Sure!" Adrien exclaimed. A big smile plastered on his face. "I mean five's a party and six is a crowd right? But hey! We'll make it work!"
Lucy looked him over uncertainly. "Cool. It's a date."
Adrien pointed his finger at her. "You said it, not me!"
"What?"
"Well, would you look at that?" He said looking at his wrist. "Gotta go, class and all. I'll text you!" He added, walking away only for Lucy to call after him.
"You're not even wearing a watch!"
Adrien went around the corner and brought his hands to his face. Plagg popped out of his shirt with a mocking laugh.
"Ha! That was a train wreck! I feel awkward just from listening to that conversation!"
Adrien glared at his kwami through his fingers. "Shut up Plagg."
"YoU SaId It NoT mE." The tiny cat mocked with a wheeze. "With the FINGER GUN! Haaaaaa!"
The boy banged his head lightly against the cool concrete wall. "Idiot." Plagg patted his shoulder and tilted his head.
"You said it, not me."
OoOoOoOoOoO
After school Marinette met with the other girls at Juleka's boathouse and explained to them what had happened.
"Ah...so that's why Lucy isn't here..." Mylene said.
"Or Talia," Juleka muttered, knowing her cousin would have no problem relaying this information to Lucy herself.
"This is gonna be your worst mess up in history. You have got to get yourself out of this right now. Ideas girls! Quick!" Alya said, snapping at their friends.
"Tell him you'd already promised to hang with your girlfriends."
"Maybe you got lost on the way over?"
"Maybe you're gonna go to a concert?"
"You had to finish an essay on Periwinkle's migration." Suggested Alix, Rose, Juleka, and Mylene, but Marinette shook her head.
"Actually, girls... I don't think I want to cancel. Adrien really needs me and if he wants my advice then why not? After all, it's not an issue and I'm definitely not jealous because...
"Because you two love each other," Rose said
"Because there's nothing between us." Marinette corrected.
"There is everything between you too!" Mylene put in but Marinette wasn't having it.
"It's Lucy." She said firmly. "It's not some random girl or Chloe or even Kagami. It's Lucy. My friend, our friend." Marinette sighed. "I don't even know if Lucy has those kinds of feelings for Adrien."
"Exactly, it's Lucy, so even if she did have feelings for Adrien, she knows how in love you are with him and we know she would never do something like that to you." Alya clarified getting a nod from the other girls.
"That's the problem," Marinette told them sadly. "Maybe Lucy doesn't have feelings for Adrien. But what if she does? What if she does and she's pushing them down for my sake? How can I keep going for Adrien, knowing he loves Lucy while also knowing that even if she loves him back she'll reject him to spare my feelings? No matter what I do in this situation someone gets hurt. I'm hurt no matter what but that doesn't mean they both have to be."
Alya frowned and stepped forward, kneeling in front of her best friend. "Marinette...you should talk to Lucy." Marinette shook her head no.
"I can't. If she knows I know it will just make it that much harder. I want Lucy to reject Adrien simply because she does not return his feelings. Not because she wants to spare mine. I can't ask that of her. I won't." Marinette rose from her seat and excused herself. Alya called after her but it fell to deaf ears. The girls all looked at one another. No one was sure what the right thing to do was.
OoOoOoOo
Above deck, Marinette kneeled by the edge of the boat and looked out the sunset dishearted. It was a curious thing. To feel like she had lost something she never quite had. Perhaps first love is unrequited ultimately because it's so huge. It's such an act of giving and it requires so much back that it can never be given back. It's like an atom bomb. It's like… It's all the energy of who you are and who you want to be and what you love and what you hope to be explode. It is impossible for a single... human being to offer that back to you in a mutual way.
Luka watched Marinette with curious eyes. Her melody came off so melancholy. "Do you kinda feel like this?" He asks, strumming his guitar, a soft tune filling Marinette's ears. She nodded. Marinette had come to appreciate Luka's ability to read people and enjoyed his interpretation through his music. "Well, I think a girl like you should sound more like this." He told her, strumming a faster more upbeat melody. "And whoever made you feel this way is nothing but a.." He strums his guitar in a somewhat unflattering tune. Marinette was a good person. Luka could see that from miles away. It bummed him out that it seemed like every time he saw her, the melody that came from her heart was one much heavier than he would ever want for her.
"Thanks, Luka." She said smiling. "Say, are you free tomorrow?" Luka shook his head.
"No, I have plans."
"Oh...?"
"Yeah, with you at the ice rink." Marinette's eyebrows shot up.
"Wait, how did you..?" Luka let out a short laugh.
"Lucy texted me earlier and invited me. But I'm happy to know you want me there too." He told her with a wink. Marinette flushed a little. Wait...Lucy invited Luka..? Does that mean she wanted a buffer as Adrien did? Was it because she likes Luka? Or because she was nervous about going to the ice rink with Adrien? What about-
"You alright Marinette? I can see your thoughts going a mile a minute." She turned to him and blinked.
"Do you know if anyone else is going?" Luka shrugged.
"Not specifically. She mentioned you and Adrien and a few others but didn't give names. It didn't matter enough to me to ask. Why?"
"Oh-uh! No reason!" Marinette laughed. At this point, she had no idea what to expect tomorrow.
OoOoOoOOoOoO
The next day, Adrien looked himself over one last time before grabbing his bag to head to the ice rink. Plagg flew around him and rolled his eyes. "I really don't see what you are so worked up about."
"Oh, I don't know Plagg, maybe the fact that a simple one-on-one date with a friendly buffer has now turned into a group outing. A group outing that also might involve two of my rivals for Lucy's attention and affection!"
"You don't even know what you're talking about kid!"
"Oh loOk aT mE! I'm LUkA, I have blUe hAiR and play the guitar! I'm in a band and I'm super cOOl." Adrien mocked.
"You are in that band too ya know." Plagg deadpanned.
"Oh, and I'm NikOlas. I'm taLL and oLdeR. Me and Lucy have HiStoRy."
"You do realize how ridiculous you sound right? Lucy had a whole life before she met you. Of course, she is gonna have friends back in America and of course, some of them are gonna be dudes!"
"Whose side are you on?!"
"NOT YOUR'S SQUIRLLY DAN! Over here sounding crazier than a soup sandwich."
Adrien groaned and brought his head down. "I just want this to go smoothly." Plagg sighed and went onto Adrien's shoulder.
"I know kid, I know. And for the recorded. I'm always on your side."
"Thanks, Plagg."
OoOoOoOoOoO
At the ice rink, Lucy looked over the group and almost laughed at what she saw. They almost all looked like they made up some kind of weird 'Breakfast Club'.
"Okay. Uh Luka this is Kagami, Kagami, Luka." The two nodded at one another in acknowledgment. "And Nikolas this is Luka, Adrien, Kagami, and Marinette." She introduced him, pointing out each person to him. "Everyone this is...um...A friend of mine from back in the states. Nikolas."
An echo of greetings came from the teens. Luka looked at Nikolas for a moment, his gaze shifting between him and Lucy before pausing and pointing in Nikolas's direction. "Wait," He said, his eyes directed at Lucy. "Nikolas, Nikolas?" Lucy sighed and gave a small nod, waving Luka off so as to not get into it.
"So you've heard of me? All good I hope." Nikolas joked and Lucy instantly regretted inviting him along. Luka stared at Nikolas blankly.
"No. Not really."
"Yeah...I, don't really know why I said that," Nik muttered awkwardly, he then claps his hands and enthusiastically changes the subject. "Let's skate!" He turned to go take a seat and put on his skates and Luka took a few steps toward Lucy, his arms wrapping around her shoulder to lead her away from the group.
"Can I talk to you for a sec?"
Adrien watched the pair walk off with an eye twitch. Unhappy that Luka seemed to have some kind of information about Lucy that he did not. Nikolas. Nikolas? Had she mentioned him before? The name didn't sound familiar. He leaned over towards Marinette who also watched the display with her eyebrows knitted together.
"Do you know what that was all about?" She didn't look at him right away to respond, her head slowly pulling away from the confused trance she was in. "Uh...no. Not really."
Across the way, away from prying ears, Luka crossed his arms at Lucy. She gave him a look, pleading with him to let it go, but Luka didn't budge.
"You wanna tell me what your ex is doing here?" Lucy explained the Luka about Nikolas's arrival in Paris and his desire to reconnect. He glanced over to the boy of topic who was knelt over tying his laces.
"It was a long time ago."
"Not that long."
Lucy sighed and gave Luka an exhausted look. "Listen, I'm not saying Nikolas and my past is water under the bridge or anything. All I know is he reached out and he's trying. And I guess I am too. I don't wanna hate him anymore Luka. That's all."
Luka nodded slowly, accepting her answer. He could understand. Forgiveness is not something you do for someone else; it's something you do for yourself. To forgive is not to condone, it is to refuse to continue feeling bad about an injury. Forgiving does not erase the bitter past. A healed memory is not a deleted memory. Instead, forgiving what we cannot forget creates a new way to remember. We change the memory of our past into a hope for our future.
"I trust your judgment." He told her, earning a small smile from the blonde. "I appreciate that."
After rejoining the group Lucy hopped onto the ice. She wasn't much of an ice skater but she did rollerblade her fair share back in the day. As it turned out, ice skating and rollerblading work very similarly, so although Lucy wouldn't be doing cool tricks, she at least knew she wouldn't be falling all over the place. Adrien watched her slide off with Nikolas trailing behind her. He frowned before scooting next to Marinette who was still adjusting her laces.
"This isn't exactly what I pictured." Marinette gave Adrien a nervous smile and shrug. She wasn't really sure what to tell him. The guy Lucy had brought along was unfamiliar to her, though Luka seemed to recognize him somehow. She made a mental note to try and ask him about it. Looking at Adrien nervously, Marinette tried to think of a quick solution. This boy, Nikolas had skated his way next to Lucy. She couldn't hear what he had said but whatever it was made Lucy roll her eyes and smirk.
"Maybe she'll fall..."
"What?"
"No, what I actually meant was that you cannot let her fall in any way. I mean, do whatever you can so that she doesn't fall." She emphasized while standing up. "So yeah, grab ahold of her hand and skate around with her and -" Marinette yelps as she falls over herself, luckily Luka stood nearby ready to catch her.
"Try to be natural. Go with the flow and listen to the rhythm. Just follow my lead." Luka told her, slowly bringing her onto the ice. Adrien frowned as his eyes found Lucy who didn't seem all that worried about falling. A fit of mild jealousy bubbled in Adrien as he watched Lucy and her...whatever he was skate around casually. There was nothing romantic being displayed between them, yet the blonde boy couldn't help but think the worst. He brought his attention to Kagami who was finishing up her own laces. He wobbled over to her and the Asian girl smirked at him.
"Don't be scared. I won't tell anyone."
"Tell them what?"
"That you don't know how to tie your laces." She said, kneeling down to fix Adrien's untied skates. Adrien flushed slightly in embarrassment. He had been too preoccupied to remember to finish tieing them himself and now Kagami thought he didn't know how to. Still, she was kind enough to do it for him before pulling him onto the ice.
Lucy notices Marinette and Luka skating together and smiles at the look of amazement on Marinette's face as Luka easily moves around with her. Marinette tears her gaze from Luka and shifts it to Adrien and Kagami, a sight that makes her lose focus and balance. Luka is the ever prepared one however and takes ahold of Marinette before she crashed down. Lucy glances in Adrien and Kagami's direction. Her smile faltering ever so slightly. She wasn't sure how to describe the feeling that washed over her but something about seeing the pair suddenly didn't sit quite right. Lucy liked Kagami. She had gotten the pleasure of conversing with her a few times when she met up with Adrien for his practices. She was a smart, cultured, confident, and strong-willed individual. She also had a similar overbearing parent issue like Adrien. It was something they bonded over and Lucy was happy that Adrien was able to find someone who had an idea of what he was going through in his life. Yet, as she looked at them now an almost...distaste formed. What bothered Lucy was that she didn't understand why.
"You good?" Nikolas asked while eyeing Lucy. "You seem a little distracted."
"Hm?" She responded, slowly bringing her attention back. "Yeah, no, I'm good. I just remembered I have to talk to Kagami about something later."
Across the way Phillippe, the skating coach skated toward Marinette and Luka in an attempt to get them to sign up for lessons.
"Hey, young man! Have you ever thought about signing up for ice skating lessons? The judges wouldn't be able to resist that sparkling smile of yours." Luka hardly spared the man a glance, his focus on the pretty girl in front of him.
"That's nice of you, sir, but my life is already filled with music. And I might have a brand new song to write, so..." Marinette blushed at his words yet the man still persisted.
"Music's an important part of skating, you know. Think about it!"
Kagami looked around at the group of teens she had agreed to go out with and then gazed at Adrien suspiciously.
"Did you invite all these people because you were scared of being alone with me?"
"What?! No, of course not." Adrien defended. "I was scared to be along with- eh, no one. Nobody I uh...?" Kagami frowned and crossed her arms.
"Are you telling me you brought me here to make someone else jealous?"
Adrien froze. "No! I uh-" He paused, his eyes catching Lucy's as she glanced over at them. There was something about the look on her face. "Yes." He suddenly admitted, though it was a lie, now that she had mentioned it, it didn't seem like a bad idea. "I brought you here to make someone jealous."
Kagami's eyes seemed to pierce his being as she looked from him to the other people on the rink. "I'll admit Adrien. I'm disappointed."
"I'm sorry."
She brought her eyes to the blonde girl across the way and let out a long breath. "It's Lucy right?"
"How did you...?"
"I'm very perceptive," Kagami answered with a direct tone. "Fine." She then agreed. "I'll help you with this. Obviously, it is no difficult task showing how amazing and overall better I am than most people. Clearly, there is no better choice in someone to strike envy in the heart of your...well, perhaps enemy isn't the right word." Kagami skated ahead a performed an elegant figure skater move, earning the attention of Phillippe. Adrien smiled. The way Kagami described herself in a way reminded him of Chloe. The difference was that Kagami truly was pretty amazing. Her words were not incorrect or steaming from a place of privilege. She worked hard to achieve the skills she had and owned that. Adrien had his heart set on the blonde girl on the other side of the rink but if he were to look elsewhere, he could definitely see the appeal of everything that Kagami had to offer.
(Friends at this point I am at 7000 words. This chapter is exceptionally long for no reason but if I cut it off here and make a part two it will end up being unreasonably short so...I hope you like long chapters!)
"How about either of you two! So light on your feet! Either one of you could be pros within no time with my help!" The instructor asked as he skated up to Lucy and Nikolas. Nikolas shook his head no.
"Sorry dude, I don't plan on having much free time in the future, and even if I did...I really don't care about skating that much." Lucy nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, this is kind of just a fun activity, not something I'd ever want to commit to, sorry."
Phillippe slid away with his head hung low, disappointment coursing through him. He then attempted Kagami, Marinette, all of who rejected the offer. Adrien of course tried to consider the possibility but Kagami had pulled him away, letting the instructor know that he was in Fencing like she was. Although Adrien did feel bad for the man, he was grateful for Kagami's input. His schedule was already full enough as it was. Adding another activity just to be nice would have been something he regretted in the long run. Kagami then pulled Adrien along to get closer to Lucy and Nikolas.
Marinette glanced over toward Adrien once more before her eyes darted to Nikolas. "Hey, Luka..?"
"What's up Marinette?" He asked as he twisted from skating in front of her to being beside her.
"Nikolas...you know who he is? I don't think Lucy has ever mentioned him before."
Luka glanced over at the four other teens and frowned. "I'm not surprised. I don't really know him. I just know of him. He's Lucy's ex-boyfriend. I won't get into the details, it's not my place, but their relationship ended on a bad note. He's in Paris for an internship of some sort. I guess he figured enough time had passed to reconnect." Luka and Lucy had talked about past relationships one night when Talia had dragged her along to visit. She had told him about Nikolas and his infidelity and how broken up she had been about it. He admired Lucy's maturity in that she was attempting to move forward with her old flame in a civilized manner. It was something Luka was almost certain he would not be able to do himself. He was an understanding guy, but interacting with a person who would so easily throw his affection away was not something he would ever be interested in. Perhaps in a sense, he wasn't as immune to holding a grudge as some might think.
"Ex-boyfriend..." Marinette thought aloud. "Adrien thinks they went on a date. I guess he saw them." Marinette was confused. Why would Lucy bring her ex-boyfriend to the rink with them, and also invite Luka? If she liked Adrien the way he liked her, wouldn't she want to be alone with him? Maybe Adrien told Lucy that she was coming and invited Luka so it wouldn't be weird. But that still didn't explain why Kagami and Nikolas were also there. She looked over to see Kagami talking while skating backward in front of Lucy and Nikolas while also holding on to Adrien. He kept glancing between the two with a nervous smile. Was he...hoping she would be jealous? Marinette couldn't hear what the group was talking about but Lucy seemed a little uncomfortable herself. What if she did like Adrien? And Lucy brought Nikolas to make Adrien jealous. And she invited Luka to distract her from Adrien. Was this all a ploy to get to Adrien while making it seem like a friendly activity? Marinette couldn't imagine Lucy going behind her back like that, but what if Lucy wanted Adrien but didn't want her to know she wanted him? Marinette could feel her head spinning.
"Well, if he just asked her, he'd know that wasn't the case." Luka followed up casually as Marinette let go of his hand and crashed into the wall. Luka instantly stopped and skated over to help Marinette up. The others, who also heard her fall raced over to make sure she was okay. Luka and Adrien, ever the gentlemen, both held out their hands to help Marinette up. She looked between the two, unsure of who's hand to take. Before she could make a choice the skating instructor gave it one last go, asking Adrien to sign up, even if only so his fans would follow. The Mayor, who had been on the sidelines waiting for Phillipee to call it quits took the papers away.
"None of these young people want to take lessons. You can't force them now, can you?"
Phillippe sighed and agreed with the Mayor, skating away once more. Kagami reached down and pulled Marinette to her feet. She leaned in and decided the pigtailed girl could use a little advice. "The only reason you can't stay on your feet is your hesitation. I never hesitate." She then turned to Adrien and smiled. "Shall we go?" Lucy bit her lip as Adrien took her hand and allowed Kagami to lead him away.
"Are you alright Marinette?" Lucy asked, Luka, placing a hand on her shoulder. Marinette frowned.
"I think I hurt myself. It's probably best we call it a day." She answered before leaving them on the ice.
"She's still hung up on him," Luka stated as Lucy crossed her arms and frowned. "Yeah." She then patted Luka's arm before skating off toward Kagami and Adrien, leaving Nikolas to stand awkwardly by Luka.
"Women, am I right?" Nikolas joked. Luka stared at him blankly. "You know it's strange, but I'm starting to get the feeling you don't like me very much." He forced a laugh.
"Probably because I don't," Luka answered simply.
"Oh..what..? I mean...you don't even know me."
"I don't wanna know you." Luka quickly retorted before turning and getting off the ice. Nikolas blinked after him before scoffing a little.
"Okay...fuck you too I guess."
OoOoO
"Kagami!" Lucy called out, making the pair stop and turn toward her.
"Yes, Lucy?" Kagami replied with a small, almost expecting smile.
"Uh, I wanted to talk to you about something." She glances at Adrien. "Alone. Just for a moment." Adrien looks past Lucy to see Marinette and Luka no longer on the ice.
"Actually, Adrien and I were-"
"No, it's okay Kagami. I want to check on Marinette and make she's okay." Adrien stopped her, placing a hand on Lucy's shoulder in acknowledgment before skating off toward the exit. Kagami frowned a little as she watched Adrien leave before turning to Lucy.
"What is it that you wanted to discuss?"
OoOoOoOOoO
Marinette held her head in her hands in the bathroom stall. She was so confused about what she was supposed to be feeling. Tikki flew up beside her, her small face covered in worry.
"Why are you so sad?"
"I wish I could just read everyone's minds. For a moment I thought Lucy brought a date because she really has no interest in Adrien but after what Luka told me I don't know what to think. And that's the other thing, Luka. I feel like Lucy invited him because of me, and I don't know if I should feel appreciative or betrayed by that." She sighs in exhaustion. "Even if she had good intentions...I like Luka. He's really nice, but do you think he's just like Adrien? Just a friend? What if he asks me for dating advice next? Then what?"
"Marinette? Are you alright?" Adrien's muffled voice came through the door. "Yeah, I'm fine."
On the other side Plagg placed his paws on his hips. "You say you're in love with Lucy, and then spend all your time with Kagami, and now you're over here chasing after Marinette?"
"Chasing after Marinette? No. Plagg, she's my friend. I just want to make sure she's okay."
Suddenly ice covered the floors and walls and Adrien shouted for Marinette to hide. Both teens took out their power-ups and got ready to face whatever Akuma was causing the next ice age. Out in the main area, their friends all stood frozen in place, already hit with his icy power.
OoOoOoOoOoO
When everything was back to normal, the teens all made their exit.
"That...was weird..." Nikolas said as he contemplated his first Akuma encounter.
"That wasn't even one of the weirdest ones," Lucy said waving it off like it was just another Tuesday. "Beleive me...there have been much worse." She spoke as her eyes found Kagami and Adrien.
"There are superheroes popping up all over the states now. Did you know that?" Nikolas asked, grabbing Lucy's attention.
"Really?"
"Um-hm. Unfortunately, where there are heroes, there are villains. The world is just turning into one big comic book at this point."
"I have so many questions..." Lucy started. "But I have to catch Kagami. We got frozen before we could finish our conversation." She then ran off toward Kagami who was being helped into the car by Adrien.
"And I'm not changing my target. Even if it means failing over and over again, because one day, I will succeed and hit it." Adrien said with a smile. Kagami glanced over to see Lucy heading in their direction.
"The day you realize you've got the wrong target, I'll be here." She stated before kissing his cheek. Kagami went to duck into the car when Lucy called out her name. Lucy leaned the front of her body against the door, resting her head on her forearms on the top.
"That thing we talked about..." Kagami looked over at Adrien who looked between the two before backing away. "Right, girl talk. I'll catch you guys later." He said, heading over to his own ride. Kagami looked back at Lucy and cleared her throat.
"I don't think so."
"Kagami..."
"Lucy, I know you are coming from a good place...and I...my mother wouldn't approve."
"Maybe she doesn't have to know?" Kagami sighs and looks at her to which Lucy holds up a hand. "I know...I know. Just...think about it though okay?" Kagami gives her a small nod and Lucy shuts the door, patting the top before backing away so it can drive off. In the distance Marinette stands with Luka, watching the display, still unsure of how to feel. "You wanna take the subway together Marinette?" He asked, but upon noticing her distraught face changed his tune. "You should talk to him. Both of them really. Thanks for inviting me out today, even if you weren't the only one."
Marinette gives him a small smile. Grateful for his understanding. "Thanks for coming with me Luka." She says, kissing him on the cheek before running off to try and catch Adrien. The car stopped and Adrien stepped out and in her mind, Marinette confessed. She confessed that she loved him and that even though he loved another, she just wanted him to know. In her mind, he corrected her. Telling Marinette that he loved her too. That he had been blind not to see it sooner. The reality was much different of course and instead of making her feelings known she had blurted out that they should go ice skating again, next time including Nino and Alya. Adrien seemed to like the idea and agreed to try and make time to do so in the future before getting in the car and driving away.
"You alright Marinette?" Lucy asked, suddenly behind her. Marinette jumped a little at the sudden closeness.
"Huh! Oh, I mean. Yes. I'm fine." She paused, biting her lip. Marinette then got off the ground and stood shyly in front of Lucy who knitted her eyebrows together. "Actually...Can I ask you something...?"
"Of course," Lucy told her easily, unsure what Marinette could be having such a hard time talking about.
"Do you...?" The words seemed to fizz out before Marinette could manage to say them. "Do you Like...eh..."
"Do I like...?"
"A-Adrien...and Kagami! Do you like Adrien and Kagami!?"
Lucy blinked at her, thrown off by the question.
"Do I...What? Adrien and Kagami? Like...as a couple?"
"Um-hm."
"Uh...I can't say I put much thought into it...I...no. Besides, you should know by now if I am going to pair Adrien with anyone, it would be you." Lucy said. Marinette nodded, and forced smile on her face.
"With...me. Right, of course. I just thought maybe since you invited Luka that maybe you were trying to push us together so I wouldn't be so caught up in Adrien anymore..."
Lucy tilted her head from side to side. "Well...I mean you're not totally wrong. I did invite Luka with you in mind. But not because I think Kagami would be better for Adrien. I just figured...Luka is great. He's tall...a little older...one of the most emotionally available men I have ever met..." Marinette couldn't disagree there. "And I thought...I think he would be good for you. As an option, at least."
"And...Nikolas...?" Lucy sighed.
"Nikolas is a ghost from relationship past whose come back to haunt me."
"Oh..." Marinette said, frowning distastefully.
Lucy waved her off. "Yeah...it's...I'm still figuring out all that." Marinette nodded and hung her head a little as she fidgeted with her purse strap.
"Hey," Lucy said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Don't overthink it. You'll drive yourself crazy if you try to speculate someone else's emotions. Even more so if it's Adrien's. After all, he went off and checked up on you earlier, right? Maybe he was just being friendly, or maybe this whole thing was to see if you'd get jealous. You never know." She said confidently, spinning Marinette around and leading her down the street with her arm around the pigtailed girl's shoulders.
"Right...make me jealous..."
"Come on, let's blow this taco stand."
Marinette let Lucy lead her away from the ice rink and down the street. Her mind whirling with all the new information she had collected and the emotions that came with it. She missed the days where could be blissfully ignorant to Adrien's true feelings like Lucy was. It was much less complicated then.
Oh boy oh boy, Marinette knows some thangs now. What is a girl to do? I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and as always cant wait to here your thought in the comments! Remember I love hearing your opinions and suggestions and to like and follow for more if you have not already! I have small pieces of two other chapters started from when I planned on making them this chapter so hopefully, I'll be able to get them out soon! Also, I'm super excited for season 4! I have seen bits from the french version but I'll wait till I can watch it in English before I look for full episodes. Even knowing what I know now has me excited. See you in the next chapter!