Written by: Rosehealer02
Betas: JuliaFC, Agrestebug
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by (c) Thomas Astruc, TS1 Bouygues, Disney Channel, Zagtoon, Toei Animation. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Chapter One
Plagg watched Adrien moping around and being miserable about another birthday without the warmth of friends or family. He didn't understand why his kitten's father continued to torment his son with this stupid isolation. Why couldn't Gabriel understand that he will only push his son away, rather than keep him close and safe. Plagg himself wasn't very affectionate, but he cared for his kitten very much. He pondered what to do to cheer his kitten up on his eighteenth birthday.
'What would Sugarcube do if she was here?' Plagg thought to himself, as he nibbled a piece of Camembert. He then recalled that she told him that she gave her Kwagatama to Marinette on her fourteenth birthday. 'Hm, should I give him his Kwagatama? Maybe it will cheer him up and stop his moping,' he wondered. He swallowed the whole piece of Camembert in his hands before he flew to Adrien. "Hey kid, please stop pacing, it makes me dizzy!"
Adrien gave him an annoyed glare, saying, "Then don't watch me pace."
"I told you before, cheese can make you happy," Plagg shot back at him with annoyance.
Adrien rolled his eyes. "It won't make me happy, I just want to spend my birthday with my friends like a normal person. Especially since it's my 18th birthday."
Plagg knew that too well, and shrugged. "I am not one to give things away, but for today, I'm gonna give you something… uh, what does Sugarcube call it… a Kwami Speciality, I think."
Adrien looked at him confused. "You've never given me anything, other than occasionally offering your smelly Camembert..."
Plagg crossed his arms. "Do you want it or not?"
Adrien frowned, figuring out that it must be the little kwami's way of showing affection. He knew that Plagg did care about him in his own way. "Yes, I do. What do you have for me?"
Plagg narrowed his eyes. "I am doing this just to stop your stupid moping, got it?"
Adrien rolled his eyes again. "Yeah, yeah."
Plagg cleared his throat, then began to sing in a unique language that only kwami could speak. Eventually, he spitted something out, which landed right in Adrien's hands. Adrien flinched at the wet, slightly sticky, grossness when he caught it, asking Plagg, "Er um, what is this?"
Plagg sounded a bit bored as he explained, "That's a Kwagatama; it's a symbol of, uh, something among us Kwamis. It's important that it is so gross. Magic resin in that stuff is from the hair of all my former Miraculous holders joining together. Something like that."
Adrien blinked, as he didn't think he understood completely, but then again this was Plagg, who doesn't usually give a shit. He understood that a Kwagatama is important for Kwamis, and that was enough for him. "Ah I see, thank you." he said as he saw the spit fade and take on the form of a green yin-yang half.
Plagg sees that Adrien smiled at last, satisfied with the result and knows it is worth it. "Enjoy your birthday present, kid." He said as he flew away from Adrien and returned to his beloved Camembert.
Adrien smiled, he knew at least someone who actually cared about him on this day. He knows his friends do care, but they are not here right now much to his misfortunate. He decided he would make this present a way he can always wear this special present that Plagg gave to him.
He went to his desk and sat down on his computer chair, opening the drawer to get a black thread cord that he could use to make a necklace out of the Kwagatama. He noticed his phone vibrating on the desk. He took it and swiped on the screen to unlock it, seeing that he had received a few messages from his friends wishing him birthday greetings. He smiled, truly thankful that he has precious friends that help make his miserable days better.
He read the message from Kagami, who is now in Japan. He was sad due to the fact that their relationship didn't work out after a year of dating. She had told him that his heart was not in it and knew that his heart belonged to another. He felt so terrible for not being able to put his whole heart in it when his Lady held his heart with an iron grip. Luckily, Kagami continued being his good friend despite being his ex. He was grateful for that because he still cared about her all the same. And there was only one person he had to say thank you for it—Marinette. Kagami had learned from Marinette what it meant to forgive and that's why she had forgiven him despite the pain he knew he caused her.
Speaking of the devil, the next message came from Marinette. "Marinette…" He breathed her name with longing sighed.
Plagg watched him, gagged as he thought to himself 'He is back to moping again, this time it's about that pigtails girl. I wish he could just hurry open his eyes already and realize that he is in love with her!'
Adrien smiled wider after reading her message. She always knew how to cheer him up. She is his most special friend, enough to consider her as his best friend if Nino had not already had that position. He had to admit that she had grown into quite a beautiful young woman, even wondering why she was not already taken. Especially where Luka was concerned, why did she not date him at all? He knew Luka was in love with her, even dated her for a brief time before the New York school trip a few years ago. From what he heard, she gently rejected Luka after the trip. She had stayed single since then for some reason he could not figure out.
He treasured her friendship very much. She was the only person that was always there for him. Going so far to help him, and cheer him up when he needed it the most. She is truly his everyday Ladybug. His? No, she is an everyday Ladybug to everyone else too. Only recently she received an internship from his father Gabriel and worked under him part-time for now. He smiled. Of course, only she would be capable of impressing his father with her talent as a designer. Despite not having a real fondness to work as a model, he is looking forward to working with her. He knew that she would make his day better no matter what. She often reminded him of Ladybug.
Speaking of Ladybug, his relationship with her as Chat Noir remained platonic despite his efforts to woo her. Although over time, his flirty way has toned down because it did not get him anywhere with her however much he tried. After Chloe turned against them and exposed the back up heroes identities. They have not recruited another hero since then and when in need, they would unify with other Miraculous instead. It has always been the two of them against the world. The fallback was that Hawkmoth learned to unify, and had now become Shadow Moth with the additional power of the Peacock Miraculous. Their war had not ended just yet.
A couple months have passed, the weather has turned chilly. Marinette shivered against the cold air as she walked to Lycée.(They are in their final year) She meets up with Alya at the steps. Alya greeted her, "Good morning, Marinette."
"Brrr! Good morning, Alya. Ugh, so cold." Marinette shivered in reply.
Alya chuckled, "Can't be helped, the forecast said there should be snow later today."
Marinette mumbled as she walked with Alya to the inside school building, "Not looking forward to snow." Especially not looking forward to winter as Ladybug, other than the power up from a certain icy blue macaron. It is a pain in the butt to get around the rooftop of Paris while it's full of snow and icy. They arrived at the locker room, Marinette spotting Adrien talking to Nino. She blushed and thought that he is still handsome as ever. Upon reaching her locker, she removed her winter coat and gear.
At the corner of Adrien's eyes, he watches Marinette put her winter gear into a locker. He noticed that she was wearing another of her handmade clothes. It looked beautiful on her, making her curves show. Those perfect plump breasts and curved butt. Merely the sight and thought sent a blood rush to his groin. He had to ignore her to avoid any more dirty thoughts. He tried to continue chatting with Nino while mentally scolding himself. 'I shouldn't think like that toward Marinette, she is my good friend!'
Of course, with his luck, Nino spotted the girls and greeted them. "Hey good morning!"
"Good morning," Alya said as she went to Nino and pecked on his cheek.
Adrien couldn't continue to ignore Marinette, it wouldn't be polite if he did. "Good morning Alya, Marinette." His eyes once again linger on Marinette, his mind drifting to imagining what it would feel like to have his hand wander over her body. Wondering if her breasts are soft as they look.
"Good morning, Adrien, Nino." Marinette smiled and greeted them.
Adrien forced his gaze to move away from her body and focus on her eyes. He mentally slapped himself because he let his mind wander again. Her eyes were as beautiful as Ladybug's, bluebell irises, full of sparks within. His gaze slowly moves lower to land on her lips. Why is it always her smiles that brighten his day before it begins. No matter how bad it was at home, or how his day was going, a simple smile from Marinette always made everything better. Not to mention her lips look rosy and full, so kissable. He wondered if her lips tasted as sweet as bakery goods.
He had to force his mind to halt, frowned at himself with confusion. 'Why do I keep having those thoughts so often lately, especially around her? I don't think anything like this with any other girls. The only other girl I have the same fantasies about was Ladybug. That doesn't make sense, Marinette is my good friend, nothing more.'
"Are you alright, Adrien?" Marinette asked Adrien with gentle worries, not aware of his internal struggles.
"Huh, oh. Yes, fine. I am fine!" He said with the slightest startle, not realizing that she noticed that he was distracted with his thoughts. He noted that she was no longer tongue tied around him, having grown out the stutters except a few times with awkward situations. He is grateful because he does not want her to be nervous around him, glad that she is more relaxed in his presence now. Him, on the other hand, had begun to feel a bit nervous around her lately for some reason. 'Why am I nervous? She is my good friend. Just a good friend… Right? Ugh, why do I keep questioning that.'
They walked toward their first class in the morning. Adrien thought to himself as he walked. 'I can't have feelings for her, can I? But what about Ladybug? I still love my Lady. Why is this happening to me?' Noticing that Marinette kept giving him a glance with a worried expression, he smiled at her in reassurance. Marinette smiled in return, which made his chest warm and fuzzy. 'This exactly same thing happened with Ladybug. Mon dieu aide moi. Am I falling for her?' Yep, he is doomed.
As they sat down, the teacher came in and began the class. Adrien had a difficult time keeping focus with his thoughts, constantly haunting him with the slow realization about his feelings toward a certain bluenette. Although he is frustrated because he doesn't know what to do about his newfound realization. As far as he knew, Marinette did not like him in a romantic way. But does he know that for sure? No, she denied a few times in the past, but that was a few years ago. Feelings could change over time? Yes, but had her feelings changed? He does not know. The only way to find out is to get an answer from Marinette herself.
He frowned once again with deep thought. He knew that his love for Ladybug was unrequited and probably will remain unchanged. There were few times that he saw a hope that she might have feelings for him, but every time his hope was dashed. Perhaps it is as Kagami said some years ago, change the target; time to move on. His biggest concern is, even if Marinette's feelings do return, would he be able devote himself to their relationship if there were one? Would he not repeat his mistake like he did with Kagami? He does not know. 'Ugh, this is so confusing. Why does love have to be complicated?' He needed to think about this more, to figure out his own feelings.
Not long after class began, an Akuma Alert sounded. Adrien's train of thought had been interrupted and he knew that he would have to wait until later to sort out his feelings. His duty as a hero called.
Automatically by habit routines, Adrien and Marinette asked to excuse themselves. They left the classroom before the teacher could protest. Adrien rushed to the men's locker room, Marinette to the ladies' locker room. Not aware of each other's agenda that are on the same page. Marinette believed Adrien had to go home for security on his father's command. Adrien believed Marinette gets so nervous with an akuma attack that she needs to use a toilet every time.
Transformed, each of them exited from locker room windows at separate times and headed toward wherever the Akuma is.
After the Akuma battle, Chat Noir returned to the men's locker room through the window with a grin. 'Ladybug looked perfect again as always! Ohh, she was such a teaser today, with her sexy legs! Not to mention, her perfect derrière!' He thought to himself with purr. 'Marinette has got a perfect derrière and legs too.' He stopped himself with a frown, 'Marinette? Ugh, why do I keep thinking of her like that.' "Claws In!" He transformed back to Adrien. 'Although, I can't deny she's got sexy legs, I wonder if she exercises with her legs a lot. Maybe I should try fe— ' He shook his head to stop those kinds of dirty thoughts, 'I need to stop thinking about Marinette like this, she is a good friend. Even if I am starting to fall for her, this is still not right!'
"Cheese!" Plagg demanded, annoyed that Adrien didn't even pay attention to him when he de-transformed.
Adrien blinked and looked at him, "Oh yeah, here you go." He said as he took out a smelly piece of Camembert from his blazer pocket.
Plagg snatched from his hand in blink and caressed it. He whispered, "Hello there, good to meet you before you end up in my stomach."
Adrien rolled eyes, his mind once again thinking about Marinette. 'I really need to figure this out, am I really falling for her? Is it love or something else?' "Come on, Plagg. It's time to go back to class."
Plagg grumbled, and devoured the whole piece of Camembert in a single bite before flying back to hide in Adrien's blazer.
Meanwhile in the ladies' locker room, Marinette de-transform as soon as she landed. "I can't believe that battle took so long! And mon minou got distracted so much that he kept getting hit by the akuma." She complained as she fed Tikki cookies.
Tikki ate the cookies, frowned, "He was distracted? How so?"
"I don't know, he barely made puns or tried to flirt. Not to mention, he kept zoning out so much that he didn't pay attention to the akuma's attack." Marinette said with worry. "I wonder what is troubling him."
"Hmm, why don't you ask him tonight on patrol?" Tikki finished eating the cookies.
Marinette nodded, agreeing, "I definitely will." She couldn't help but always worry about her kitty. He is her best friend and best partner in crime-fighting. "Come on, I have to get back to class." She said as she opened the purse for Tikki to hide in, and Tikki flew in. Marinette hurried out of the ladies' locker room.
At that moment, both Adrien and Marinette collided against each other. Marinette's clumsy moment tripped him, and at the loss of balance Adrien pulled her down accidentally as they both fell on the floor. An unusual clicking sound echoed when they landed on the floor. They felt a strange sensation run through their bodies as they closed their eyes for a split second.
I have a group of friends to thank for all their support and encouragement. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't have been able to create stories, let alone have confidence in publishing it. JuliaFC, AgresteBug, Genxha, and Etoile-Lead-Sama. Thank you!
Story Cover artwork created by me.
More chapters will come soon.