Chapter 8: Design the damn jacket.

Disclaimer: I own only the plot!

A more important disclaimer: Mentions of panic and anxiety in this chapter. Please proceed with caution. VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED!

Adrien woke up with a smile on his face. He'd had a goodnight's sleep. He'd have to give Marinette credit for that. Last night was one of the best nights he'd had in a long time. In fact, every night he spent over on the balcony was sure to leave him in a good mood. Just teasing and laughing with her took the stress of the entire day off his shoulders.

He smiled at the little flower crown that rested on his bedside table. The flowers would wilt away, but he'd keep the crown for as long as possible.

"Ugh, you're disgusting," Plagg said, snapping him out of his reverie. "Can't you do all this lovey-dovey business when I'm not starving to death?"

Adrien rolled his eyes. "You're always starving to death." He didn't bother correcting Plagg about him being lovey-dovey. He'd ceased trying to convince the Kwami that he and Marinette were just friends. The furball just wouldn't listen.

Plagg snickered. "Food is forever. Now feed me."

Adrien sighed and got out of his covers. He couldn't sleep in even if he wanted to, for his bed was unfortunately right in front of his windows. The sun seemed to mock him with its brightness. Get up! Time to start another day! He much preferred the moonlight, where a black cat ran in the shadows, keeping his beloved city safe.

He tossed a piece of Camembert towards Plagg to get the Kwami off his back. "You happy now?"

Plagg hummed.

"Good," Adrien said. "now let me have my breakfast in peace."

"A jacket designing contest?"

Adrien blinked dumbly at Natalie. He was sitting in the dining room, scrolling through his phone while having breakfast when she appeared with his daily schedule.

It was quite normal really; nothing exciting—if you didn't count the "ADVERTISEMENT FOR JACKET COMPETITION" tacked on at the end of the day.

It wasn't something completely unheard of. It was quite common for his father to host contests like these. What was uncommon though, was that the dress designing contest for college students was just over a month ago. His father was a busy man. To hold back-to-back competitions? Adrien didn't think his father had the time nor—frankly—the patience for it. "But the last contest was not even two months ago."

Natalie looked at him from over her glasses. "The last one was for college students, particularly for people between the age group of eighteen to twenty-two. This one is for students between twelve to seventeen, from all over Paris."

Adrien looked sceptical. "I see…" Different age groups or not, they were still back-to-back contests.

She said nothing to clear his doubts. "Contestants will present their work three months from now; you'll be given all the information regarding the event before you advertise it tonight. It'll be announced today in your school as well." Her eyes skimmed over her tablet quickly. "That's all for the day. Make sure you follow your timetable strictly. No exceptions."

She turned her back on him and started to walk away, but she swiftly turned back. "Oh! And the prize is different now than it was for previous contests."

Adrien froze. Oh no. The prize distribution at the last competition had been bad enough. The winner was awarded a thousand-euro cash prize…and a chance to model with him in his next photoshoot.

It wasn't horrible. But combine that with a stressful day, a jam-packed schedule, and a cranky photographer and Adrien had more than enough nightmares to last him a lifetime.

He cringed at the memory of the girl's sticky lip-gloss on his cheek as she practically choked him by wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him for the sake of the photo.

He had realized how dangerous claustrophobia really was at that moment.

He looked at Natalie with wide eyes. "What is it?"

He could've sworn he saw her lips twitch upward in a smirk. The thought terrified him, but he calmed himself down. Honestly, how could it get worse?

"A thousand-euro cash prize," she said, "and a full day to spend with you."

What?!

A full day?!

And he thought two hours had been bad.

His horror must have been evident on his face because Natalie was definitely smirking now. He didn't think the woman was capable of anything besides a stoic face. He fought the childish impulse to stick his tongue out at her in frustration. Ha! I get to spend an entire day outside having…fun…while you stay stuck here with your stupid tablet.

He knew his heart wasn't in that thought.

"Good luck," she said, with a teasing lilt to her voice as she turned to walk away.

Good luck.

He was going to need it.

Adrien sat in the backseat of the car, wringing his hands nervously as his driver drove him to school.

An entire day.

An entire day spent with a complete stranger.

And with his luck, an entire day spent with a completely creepy stranger.

Who knew who would win that contest?!

And why was he the guinea pig? Couldn't his father have had another model in his place? They could certainly afford it. Use money if you're not broke God damnit!

There was nothing he could do about it. The question was how he was going to do it. God knew he was socially awkward! It cost him a fight over bubblegum to make his first friend!

He couldn't do this! There was no way.

Why should he be doing this anyway? Did his safety not matter at all? What if this person was a stalker? What if they were a kidnapper? What if they were a murderer?

What if they put in their milk before their cereal?!

What if—

"Ow!" Adrien screamed.

He rubbed his arm where he felt a sharp sting of pain just a second ago. He glared down at the Kwami in his pocket.

Plagg pointed at the car windows. He'd been so busy with his internal monologue that he hadn't noticed that they'd reached his school.

He smiled awkwardly at the look his driver gave him and clambered out of the car. Great. He couldn't even interact with his driver. The same driver he'd known since…forever. How was he supposed to interact with a random person?!

"Relax," Plagg said as he climbed the stairs up to his school entrance. "What's the big deal anyway?"

He gave his Kwami an odd look. "I don't want to spend an entire day with a stranger! What if it's one of those creepy fans again?"

Plagg snickered. "This is exactly how I felt when I was first handed out to you. But we're fine, aren't we? Mostly."

Adrien pushed him down with a frustrated huff. He was no help. This was serious!

Could he just disappear? Would he be noticed?

Who was he kidding? Of course, he'd be noticed if he went missing for an entire day. Should he pretend to be sick? Should he just threaten Natalie at knifepoint? Should he—

"Oof," he grunted as he bumped into someone in front of his classroom.

"Oh! S-Sorry Adrien," Marinette said, her cheeks pink.

How was she so early?

"It's okay Marinette…" he trailed off.

Marinette.

Marinette?

Marinette!

Marinette was a designer! And a good one at that! She even won his father's contest for derby hats!

And she wasn't a stranger! He'd gladly spend a day with her. He already enjoyed her company as it is. And it'd certainly be more fun with a friend than a fan.

Before he could mention anything of it. She spluttered something about using the toilet and rushed out.

He blinked after her dumbly. "Wait Mari—" but she was already out of earshot.

He shrugged. Oh well, he had the whole day. He'd find the time to tell her.

The day had passed by in a blink. And Adrien still hadn't managed to ask the petite designer if she was willing to save his soul.

Even when they'd announced the competition in the middle of Physics class, the sour look on Ms Mendeleiev's face was enough to keep his butt firmly on his seat with his head facing forward.

And now he was standing beside his locker, waiting for Marinette to show up so he could ask her. He really wished she would participate if only to save his skin.

The door to the locker room opened, revealing Alya, her hands busy as she struggled to carry her books in.

Adrien rushed over to help her, and she gave him a thankful smile.

He smiled back. "Where's Marinette?"

"She's still in class. She had to talk to Miss Bustier."

He nodded. "Say, is Marinette taking part in the jacket competition my father is hosting?"

Alya shook her head. "No."

Crap!

"Oh…why not?"

She looked at him from over her glasses. "I don't know actually, she didn't say. We didn't talk about it much,"

Oh great. Just great. He was screwed. Now he'd probably be putting in his milk before his cereal just to humour his companion.

Alya smirked at him. "Although, she'd probably say yes if you asked her."

Would she?

He looked at her with hope. "Really?"

Alya laughed. "Oh! She would kill for you. She adores you!"

Adores you. Adrien stared at her in shock. Adores him? Like…likes him? "W-What?"

All colour drained from Alya's face as she processed what she had just said. "A-As friends of course. She would kill for her friends. D-Don't you think?"

Of course. As friends.

He berated himself for taking his thoughts in that direction. Why did he think that? He knew Marinette was the type of person to put her life aside for the happiness of others. She had done it countless times.

This day was taking an even heavier toll on him than he thought.

Adrien smiled. "Yeah. She would. Figuratively of course."

Alya chuckled nervously. "Y-Yeah. Figuratively."

He grinned. It was settled. He was going to ask her to participate. He knew it was selfish, selfish to put a burden on her if she wasn't planning to take part. But it was worth a try. Maybe she'd find the time to make the damn thing. For him.

He knew she'd win if she tried.

He looked out the window to find that his driver was already out front, waiting for him. His face dropped. He wouldn't be able to ask her now. He'd just have to wait until he got the chance.

He quickly helped Alya keep her books inside her locker and bid her goodbye as she rushed out to join Marinette in her class.

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. This apprehension of his was going to continue till he found the chance to get Marinette's approval. He was going to go crazy. He couldn't wait until tomorrow. He'd probably burn a hole through his bedroom floor with his nervous pacing.

Wait.

Could Chat Noir ask her to participate? Would that be too suspicious?

Well, Chat Noir could ask her after Adrien had advertised it.

He grinned as he climbed down the steps of his school and into his car.

How could she say no to Paris's superhero? He was her favourite after all. And Chat Noir had a better chance of convincing Marinette than Adrien did, considering the fact that she actually talked to Chat Noir.

He'd just jump onto her balcony and use his kitty charm to coax a 'yes' out of her.

When had the 'kitty charm' ever failed on Marinette?

Chat Noir let out his breath in a huff. The advertisement for the contest sucked. To put it lightly. He was really curious now. Was his photographer born with a 'be insufferable and make your staff's day entirely miserable' motto engraved in his head?

What was it with artists and their perfectionism?

It was quite endearing watching his photographer work his magic, but did he have to do it in a way that forced him to be on a constant lookout for Akumas?

He sighed. There wasn't anything he could do to change it. He just wished his Lady would show up soon for their patrol so that he could go ask Marinette to save his butt.

What would he say to her?

Hey Marinette, have you heard about the new nuisance Gabriel Agreste is hosting? You have? Well, then you must participate! Your designs are purrfect. They're the cat's meow! And you'd get to spend a whole day with Adrien. How great is that? Right?

No?

Okay…maybe not, but please participate so that your friend isn't stuck with some psychotic murder! You wouldn't want him to be killed, would you?!

Somehow he didn't think that would work.

He was great at this.

"Hello, Chaton,"

He jumped as he heard the voice and turned around to see Ladybug wrapping her yoyo around her waist.

He grinned at her. "Hello, Milady. Good to see you again."

It was a little easier to look at her now, without feeling like his heart would break into a million pieces. It still hurt, knowing that she didn't return his affections, but that's what life was all about, wasn't it? You didn't always get what you wanted, and you had to play with the hand that was dealt out to you. It was up to you to make it a good game.

Listening to Marinette talk about her own broken heart had given him a little hope, knowing he wasn't in it alone. Everybody had a choice. And he wasn't Ladybug's choice.

And he was doing his best to get used to it. He tried. Multiple times. But he failed. What more could he do?

She smiled. "And you too Chat Noir. What's got you thinking so deeply?"

He scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Oh, it's nothing. Personal stuff."

Ladybug hummed. Her eyes trailed down to his chest, just below his bell, and he froze before giving her a smirk. "See something you like Milady?" he winked at her.

She smirked back at him. "Oh, definitely."

That wiped the smirk right off his face. His heart pounded, and he felt the heat creeping down his neck. Gracious!

What do you do when they flirt back?!

He spluttered. "O-Oh…u-um that's…nice, great actually…I…um…I—"

She grinned like she knew exactly what she was doing to his poor brain. "That's a cute charm you've got there."

What?

She pointed to the place she'd been looking at.

He looked down to see the charm Marinette had given him, the little cat coming to rest just below his bell.

He'd removed it from the flower crown and tied it around his bell the minute he'd gotten home yesterday. The thing was just too precious. It was one of his favourite things he'd gotten as Chat Noir. Even if it was an impromptu gift. Plagg had teased him to the ends of the world about it, but he didn't budge. It was just too adorable.

He remembered the instant joy he'd experienced when Marinette first showed it to him. Besides, he always kept the lucky charm she gave Adrien in his pocket. Why should this be any different? He'd just consider it as a lucky charm for Chat Noir.

He felt heat flood his cheeks at the smug look that Ladybug was giving him.

Why did he get ahead of himself? He was trying to move on, wasn't he? Getting all nervous when she so much as smirked at him was not good progress.

He laughed nervously. "Y-Yeah. Cute."

Her smirk grew. "Where did you get it?"

He smiled in remembrance. "A friend gave it to me."

Her eyes grew wide. A little too wide. "Oh really? Do I know her?" she said, in an overly sweet voice.

He looked at her in shock. Ladybug wanted to know who he was friends with? Hadn't she preached on and on about keeping their identities a secret? And how did she know that his friend was a girl? He hadn't mentioned anything about it.

He looked at her suspiciously. "You…want to know if you know my friend? How did you know it was a girl?"

She spluttered. Spluttered. "O-Oh…just…a lucky guess. They call me Lady Luck after all, haha."

"Okay…"

She laughed nervously. "Y-Yeah…I'm just curious y'know?"

He hummed sceptically. "Curiosity killed the cat."

She gave him a flat look. "You're the cat."

He grinned. "Touché."

She came to sit beside him on the rooftop, their legs dangling over the edge as they looked out at the city.

She cleared her throat after a moment of silence. "So…it's a girl then. Do I know her?"

He laughed. His bug had an overly curious side too. It wasn't fair that the cat always got killed. "Yes Milady, you know her. Marinette Dupain-Cheng. Are you satisfied now?"

She looked shocked. "Oh, Marinette?"

"Why is that so surprising?"

She spluttered. Again. Seriously, what was with her today? "O-Oh…nothing. I was just wondering how you got on such close terms with her."

He smiled. "She cheered me up when I was down."

"Oh?"

His smile grew as he remembered the day he'd jumped onto her balcony when she had been heartbroken. It was over a month ago now, but he felt as though it happened just yesterday. Cheering her up was like a natural instinct. He knew how she felt. It felt right to let her know she wasn't alone.

And four weeks later, she had done the same for him. Even though she had no way of knowing what he was going through, she stuck by him and made him feel as though he was worth something. It meant the world to him. He only had so many people in his life that he could trust.

And it made him incredibly happy to realise Marinette was one of them.

After all, how many people would comfort someone relatively famous without advertising it to the world?

He chuckled softly. "Yeah. I was feeling incredibly low one day…family matters. I didn't think anything could lift me up, but she did. We've gotten closer since then."

Ladybug's cheeks turned pink. "Oh…that was…nice…of her."

"More than nice, I don't think she realizes how much she's helped me that day. I can't thank her enough for it."

He frowned when her cheeks turned a shade darker. He knew his words charmed the ladies, but that was odd. Why is she blushing? "I-I'm sure she appreciates the sentiment," she said.

"I hope so," he grinned. "why don't we actually do our job and patrol for once?"

She laughed and he watched the colour in her cheeks fade. "We always do our job. Who else would protect Paris from Hawkmoth?"

"The burden they put on us," he said dramatically, shaking his head and placing the back of his hand on his forehead.

"No reprieve. None."

He sighed and got up to his feet, making the action seem as though it required every ounce of strength in his body. "Let's get on with it then." He said with a mock-dejected tone.

She giggled and hooked her yoyo around a chimney. "Race you to the Eiffel Tower!"

He took off after her with a grin.

After an hour of patrol, he thanked the heavens that things were relatively quiet tonight.

He was in no saving mood.

The only person he wanted to save tonight was himself. By going to Marinette's.

Ladybug landed next to him with a soft thud. "I guess that's that," she said, "I think we should get back if nothing's happening."

He hummed. "See you next time then?"

"See you Chaton,"

"Goodnight, Milady," he said and took out his baton and turned left to vault away in the direction of the bakery, but she stopped him.

"Where are you going?" she asked. "Don't you normally go in this direction?" she pointed to her right.

He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "I'm going to Marinette's actually,"

She squeaked in surprise. "W-What? Now?!"

"Yeah, I need to ask her something."

She looked at him in confusion. "What do you want to ask?"

He smirked at her. "Well, I never! I didn't know you were so nosey."

She blushed a pretty pink under her mask and turned up her nose. "I'm not nosey. I'm just curious!"

He held his hands out in front of him and chuckled. "Relax, I'm just teasing. You know the jacket contest Gabriel Agreste is hosting?"

She nodded.

"Marinette's good at designing, so I'm going to ask her to participate," Liar. You just want to save your own skin.

He promptly shut up that voice in his head.

Ladybug blinked at him. "She's not going to participate!"

What?

"What?"

She stumbled on her words. Again?! "I-I mean, I d-don't think she'll participate,"

He frowned. "Why not?"

"I-I just…she just won't!"

"How do you know?"

She gritted her teeth in frustration. "I just do, okay?!"

He gave her a flat look. "Yes, because that's so convincing,"

She huffed. "She's going to say no. Don't waste your time Chat…I just have an instinct about it."

He looked at her in confusion. "But Milady, she's great at designing,"

"I know that!"

"and I'm her favourite superhero," he boasted, "she's not going to say no. I'll convince her." I have to convince her.

"Just because you're her favourite hero, doesn't mean she'll say yes to everything you say!"

He looked at her incredulously. "Why're you getting so worked up? I'm just asking her to participate in a competition."

"I—" she broke off and took a deep breath. "Fine," she said, "go ask her. I'll bet you that she'll say no."

He huffed. "Well, we'll see about that. Goodnight, Milady."

"Goodnight."

He vaulted away. Would she refuse?

No. She wouldn't. Alya said so herself. And Alya knew Marinette better than Ladybug did.

Granted, Alya told him that she'd say yes if Adrien asked. But surely, she'd say yes to Chat if she'd say yes to Adrien. He was much closer to her as Chat Noir anyway.

He had a way of convincing people as Chat Noir too. Might as well put it to good use. His kitty charm never failed him.

Like hell, she'd say no.

"No."

He gaped at her. Oh, he could picture Ladybug laughing her head off. So much for the 'kitty charm'.

"Don't say that Princess, I've heard that you'll get to spend a day with Adrien Agreste if you win. You go to school with him, don't you? You're friends."

"That's one of the reasons I don't want to participate," she mumbled under her breath, but his advanced hearing picked up on her words easily.

It felt like a bucket of ice water was dumped on his head.

She wasn't participating…because of him?

He knew it. He knew she didn't like his civilian form.

The way she always avoided him, and the way she would never look him in the eyes, the awkwardness and the running away were all a dead giveaway.

He thought he'd patched things up with her, but clearly not.

His shoulders hunched. "You hate him, don't you?"

Her head snapped up, eyes wide with shock. "What?! Of course not!"

"So why is he the reason you're not participating?"

She laughed nervously. "You see…I…um…I'm always late! And clumsy! Super clumsy. If I win, I'd probably be late and clumsy and ruin his day! That'd be awful, wouldn't it?"

He looked at her incredulously. She wasn't participating…because of that? He knew she was late and clumsy, but he was used to it. He never got annoyed by it.

Did he give off the impression that he did?

No. That didn't make any sense at all. She wasn't like that only around him.

But she claimed that she didn't hate him. And she seemed very genuine.

But why was it that she was always red-faced and nervous around him? He couldn't ask her without looking suspicious. He swallowed his questions down and looked at her with hope. "So…you don't hate him?"

She shook her head. "No. Quite the opposite." Her cheeks turned a lovely shade of pink and she laughed nervously again. "As friends of course. Just friends. Because…I love my…friends."

He felt the heat crawl up to his cheeks, but he breathed a sigh of relief. "R-Right…"

He didn't believe her when she said she didn't want to come across as clumsy, but he believed her when she said she loved her friends. Marinette would never lie about something like that. And it was quite visible when she hated someone. Think about Chloe.

He shuddered. Best not go on that road.

But he still didn't have the real reason. And this suspense was eating his brain out.

Just why wouldn't she participate?!

He gave her a small smile that did nothing to betray his frustration. "But you shouldn't back down just because of that. I'm sure he wouldn't mind your clumsiness if he's your friend."

She looked down at the balcony railing. "I…I can't," her voice broke as she tried to get her words out

He looked at her. She sounded exhausted.

And looked exhausted too.

There were dark circles under her eyes, standing out against the milky white of her skin. Her shoulders drooped down, as though she'd been carrying a constant weight on them.

He recalled the times he saw her during the day. Even in class, she wasn't as alert or attentive as she normally was these days, making her get into constant trouble with her teachers.

He didn't know what her schedule looked like, but he'd guess it was crammed if it had taken such a toll on her, to the point that it looked like she hadn't slept in weeks.

Even he had a hectic schedule: school, fencing, Chinese classes, piano lessons, modelling, superhero-ing. But he didn't think he'd ever ran on less sleep, except for when there was a late-night Akuma.

He couldn't be sure, but he didn't think Marinette's schedule was as jampacked as his. Yet she looked so much more drained.

Was she overworking herself?

"Marinette, when was the last time you had a goodnight's sleep?"

Her eyes darted around frantically. "I…I…" she wrapped her arms around herself.

"Marinette…" he trailed off as she began to shake, a worried frown on his face.

Her eyes looked around her little balcony wildly, and she clutched herself tighter. She took a few unsteady steps backwards. "I'll…I'll…fail,"

Fail?! Fail what? He took a step towards her.

Her face paled, and she looked as though she might throw up. He grew increasingly worried by the second. What is happening?

Her breaths puffed out in short exhales, as though she was having difficulty doing the simple task. "I'll fail them…I'll fail them all…"

He held his hands out in front of the girl, trying to calm her down, "Hey,"

Her eyes filled with tears, almost turning red. She kept mumbling things, but he could barely make out was she was saying, concern filling his entire being. He reached out a little closer to her, but she flinched away from him, and he stayed put. It hit him then.

Panic attack.

She was having a panic attack.

He didn't know what she was panicking about, it was surely much more than designing a jacket. But he had to get her out of it.

He hesitated but took a small step towards her. She was trembling. "Mari," he said softly.

Her head snapped up, but her eyes looked at him unseeingly. She turned around sharply toward her trapdoor, almost falling in her haste to get inside.

He rushed after her but paused before getting inside. Should he be going after her? Maybe it was best to just leave her alone. He had no experience in dealing with panic attacks, maybe he'd just make it worse.

His ears picked up a sound then. A 'thud'. He peeked inside to see her sitting against a wall, her arms hugging her legs to her chest, still mumbling incoherent words.

Screw it. He couldn't leave her like this.

He dropped down on her bed softly, barely making a sound, and climbed down to her. He kneeled next to her and placed a hand lightly on her arm.

She didn't flinch away, and he took that as a sign to slowly wrap his arm around her. She didn't seem repulsed by it, so he draped his other arm around her and slowly pulled her in for a reassuring hug.

She fell into him and let out a sob. He rubbed her back with his hand as he attempted to shush her. "Just breathe Marinette, try to focus."

He held her tightly as she attempted to get her bearings, his thoughts going a mile per minute.

What on earth was bothering her so much?

And how was it that he hadn't noticed?

Did anyone know about her anxiety? Her parents or Alya? Or was she facing this alone? He never saw her break down before. She gave the impression that everything was fine. If she had one of her attacks at school, then people would surely have noticed; word spread like germs around there.

How long was this going on?

He was incredibly confused.

He didn't know how much time had passed, but Marinette's breathing had taken on a much more regular pace, and she'd fisted her hands in the fabric of his suit. Beads of sweat rolled down her forehead and he rubbed her arm reassuringly. "You'll be fine Mari," he said as gently as he could.

She choked her words out. "I…I'm not…"

He shushed her once more. "Save your breath. You'll be okay. I'm here."

She gripped her suit tighter. He hated seeing her like this. This wasn't the Marinette he knew. The Marinette he knew would take any challenge head-on. A girl who faced Akumas even when she had no powers. A tight schedule was nothing she couldn't handle. No. This was more than just a tight schedule.

Something was severely bothering her.

I'm back y'all! Phew! That was a LONG break. And I have another exam mid-Jan. -_-. FML. But I hope you enjoyed this chapter. The next one will hopefully be a continuation of this one. Review your thoughts!

Until next time!