"Okay, here's the rules of the Fantasy Boy draft. Once you pick a guy he's yours for the next six weeks which means he's off the market and no one else can touch him," Alix said, sitting on Chloé's sofa in her pyjamas. "You can do as you please, but this is your prime chance to make your move. Once the six weeks are over your guy is back on the market"
It was the girls annual sleepover which means gossip, giggles and girlish behaviour, starting with something new for this year; 'The Fantasy Boy Draft', brought to you in association with season 3 episode 6 of 'One Tree Hill'. Alix was obviously on her US drama kick again.
Even though the girls tended to be courteous with each other, as they'd grown up it seemed a few had the same taste in partners, causing rifts in the group which were never there before. Alix and Chloé being prime examples, so as a deal to end the class battles, Ms. Bustier had threatened them, telling them to sort the drama out once and for all; and do it away from the classroom. So here they were, every girl in their class, plus the girls from the opposite class. (Apparently, theyweren't the only class with issues) taking part in the sleepover.
Marinette could feel the tension in her shoulders as she looked around the circle, at least four of the girls here who would want the same boy she wanted, the thought unwelcome in light of the situation. It wasn't like she could shout out that she wanted Adrien and pray that she'd be allowed her own choice without a battle, and with the late night akumas she'd been battling recently she didn't even know if she had the energy to fight against Lila. She just hoped if someone else chose him, it wasn't Lila, she was the only one who knew exactly how much Adrien disliked her.
The girls sat in a circle below Alix, calmly settling on the carpet, Chloé taking residence in a single seater armchair, as Rose walked around with a bag full of compacts each girl (Lila included) requested to take one randomly but not open it yet.
"What are these for?" Alya asked, looking around the room at each girl holding a compact and buzzing with anticipation to open it.
"I'm glad you asked, Cesairé," Chloé began, "when you open them up the number written on the mirror will determine where you are in the draft, and lucky for me, I did them all so I know which one's first and it's…" opening the compact Chloé stopped in her tracks, her face paling, and the other girls staring with anticipation, what does it say on there?
"4," Chloé said in a small voice, her voice shocked, an obvious statement to her thinking she should be number 1.
"1" Alya announced, quickly followed by Myléne shouting out "2."
"3," Rose announced.
"We know Chloé's 4" Alix said, holding her own which displayed the number 5.
"6" Mireille Caque announced from her position next to Aurore Beauréal.
"7" Zoé stated.
"8" Marinette announced, happy Lila was after her. Maybe there was a chance after all.
"9" The burn from Lila's glare almost turned Marinette into a forest fire. Oh dear, this was not going to go down well.
They continued until all girls had announced their number and their names had been written on a whiteboard in beautiful cursive writing by Sabrina. It was almost criminal to have to rub it off at the end of the six weeks.
"So once we pick a guy, then what happens?" Rose asked, her fingers fumbling together nervously.
"It's up to you." Alix's voice sent shivers down Marinette's spine.
They decided to have a quick break for drinks and snacks before getting into the main event, however Marinette didn't move.
"Look, girl, I know it's not ideal, but just because Adrien will probably be gone there's plenty of other guys to choose from. You could pick Luka, or Nathaniel, or…I don't know? Greg?"
"Greg?" Marinette asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, the dude in our physics class that geeks off with Adrien. He's cute and understated in a geeky kind of way. I'm sure he'd be worthy of a date or two?"
Marinette crossed her arms over her chest, looking away from her friend. She didn't get it! Nobody got it! Adrien wouldn't want to be with Chloé or Lila, or even Aurore Beauréal. To be honest, Adrien would probably hate this, he had enough problems with having his life controlled as it was.
"Swap with me?" Marinette was close to dropping onto her knees and begging. She could not let these girls get their claws into Adrien against his will.
"No chance," Alya laughed, "you know full well Mireille has been flirting, not so subtly, with Nino. I'm not letting someone else take my man."
"Right," Chloé clapped her hands together, calling attention from around the room. "Now for the moment you've all been waiting for, the first Annual François DuPont fantasy boy draft, everyone please take a seat." Marinette growled, clutching her hair in her hands before making her way back to her space and sitting down. This was not going to go well. "Alya you've got the first pick, so who is this year's first draft going to be?"
"I'll pick Nino."
No shock there.
"Myléne?"
"Ivan."
"Rose?" Alix asked, only for the timid girl to almost disappear from view.
"Uh, actually I…"
"There's been a trade." Lila announced. "Rose knows I have an obsession with the number 3. She's so sweet, she stopped me from having a mental breakdown."
"You're already mental!" Marinette whispered under her breath, knowing full well it was game over for her. Lila would choose Adrien, Chloé would be stuck choosing probably Greg and Zoé, Luka. So who was Marinette left with? Marc? Nathaniel?
"You manipulative bitch!" Chloé shouted out, standing up and pointing down at a now tearful Lila.
"Chloé, how can you say that about someone?" Rose gasped, Juleka pulling her girlfriend to the side in a defensive position.
"I thought you were friends." Juleka mumbled, calming a shaking Rose.
"Ha! Yeah right!"
"Chloé," Lila said through a voice laced with sadness, "you never said we couldn't trade, and Rose knew how important the number 3 is to me. So," she sniffed once more, "I pick Adrien."
"What?" Chloé screamed, "this is ridiculous, utterly ridiculous!"
The girls looked around the room before all hell broke loose, each girl calling out random names.
"I chose Luka," Zoé shouted, followed by Alix calling Kim, Mirelle Max, Aurore Nathaniel. Name after name was shouted out, smoke flying out of Sabrina's hand as she wrote name after name on the board. In a moment of either insanity or pure genius, Marinette shouted out the one other name she couldn't stand anyone choosing.
"Chat Noir."
The room fell silent as everyone looked over at Marinette.
"You're choosing Chat Noir?" Myléne asked, "do you even know him?"
A snort sounded from next to Marinette, her head turning to the side to find Alya trying hard to control her laughter as she took a sip from her cola can only to snort again and start coughing .
"Sorry," she said, "bubbles went up my nose."
The gang of girls all looked at each other before starting up their shouting again. This time superhero names were flying around, adding to the general carnage of what was already happening that evening. Without another thought, Marinette sat back to watch. They may have taken one of her men but they were damn well keeping their paws off the other.
Kim was the first one to hear about the 'Fantasy Boy Draft', the whole thing too exciting to keep to himself which is why he'd managed to take out at least six people on his way to finding the other guys. Bounding towards them, he was fizzing with excitement.
"Guys! Guys! Listen! The girls have done this thing!" he panted, his breath struggling to keep up with him as he arrived at the guys table.
"A thing?" Max questioned.
"Yes, 'a thing'; now come with me."
He turned around running back the way he came once again dodging and darting through the crowds and once again knocking people out of the way.
Adrien stood and followed along with the others, apologising for Kim on his way through. Finally, they reached the girls table, Chloé and Lila in the midst of a face off.
"You knew I was going to choose him and I was first!" The blonde had both hands poised on the table as she leaned over, glaring at a smug looking Lila. Adrien couldn't explain why but he was almost certain this was to do with him.
As Chloé continued to shout at a quietly gloating Lila he couldn't help turning his attention to Marinette. She wouldn't look at him, a heavy object taking home in his stomach. He'd been feeling a strange pull towards his friend since the events of 'Risk' and he didn't know whether it was a fall out from the Akuma or what, but he was craving her attention and her affection more than ever. He would even go as far as saying he wanted her to be around him more than Ladybug.
"So ladies, me and the guys are here to claim our prizes." Kim wiggled his eyebrows at the girls, Alix rolling her eyes in discontent.
"It's not a prize you moron, it's a hands off pact."
"What?"
"We each have a guy and no girl can touch them for the next six weeks." Alix explained.
"Six weeks?" Kim squeaked. "You do realise I have a girlfriend right?"
"Me too," mumbled Juleka.
"I request a change to the rules," Max said, standing on a bench and making himself taller. "Everyone gets one date with their draft, tonight only. If it works you get the six weeks, if not you can part? How about that?"
"Ondine's going to kill me."
"No she won't," Alix responded, "because big guy, you're with me. You know your buddy Alix always has your back."
Kim looked at Alix, his arms crossing over his chest and eyes narrowing at his small friend. "That'll be fine," he finally announced.
"We're with Marc and Nathaniel," Rose said, indicating herself and her girlfriend, both guys visibly relaxing.
Nino's head shot to Alya, awaiting confirmation. His eyes hilariously widening as he waited. "Don't worry, you're with me handsome." She dropped him a wink, the DJ visibly relaxing.
"And -um -" Adrien pulled attention to himself as he rubbed down on the back of his neck. "And who's got me?"
His eyes were staring into Marinette's and he knew his own were begging for the answer of his newly realised dreams - that she'd chosen him. His heart crumbled as she bit her bottom lips and gave her head a slight shake.
Oh dear!
Oh no!
"You're with me," Lila said, standing up and sauntering over to him a sway of her hips, giving him seasickness. "So where are you going to take me, handsome?"
She stood before him, and a slight panic kicked in when he thought she was going to touch him. His blood ran cold - Lila! Out of every girl, Lila? Why didn't Marinette pick him? They were friends weren't they? He thought they had… something.
"Actually," Kim broke in, "you all picked us so I think you're the ones taking us out on a date."
"Agreed!" Nino said, holding a hand out for Adrien to high five, the blond shaking his head in denial. "Come on dude, a date with Lila would be good. You haven't dated anyone since Kagami."
Adrien looked from his friend down to Marinette, exhaling the pent up tension he was feeling. He didn't want to date Lila, he didn't want to date anyone except Ladybug and Marinette.
"Um - Marinette, who did you pick?" he asked. Did she want to go back to Luka? Was he Buttercup?
The wild laughter that sounded from his question put him on edge as he watched the girl in front of him visibly tense and blush, her eyes looking down to the ground in what he was sure was embarrassment.
In one swift movement, she stood up and grabbed her belongings, heading towards the collége entrance and out of sight.
"What was that all about?" Kim asked, Alix shaking her head.
"Baker girl thinks she can get a date with a superhero!" Chloé announced to the crowd, the amusement in her voice was followed by a cackle, only for Lila to stand up and shush everyone.
"Listen, it's not Marinette's fault she has a crush on someone inaccessible." The way Lila looked at Adrien sent a shiver down his spine. Who was Marinette's crush?
"Who has she chosen? I bet it was King Monkey." Kim said, a little too much joy on his face.
"Naa, Carapace." Alya smacked Nino around the back of the head, the poor guy shrugging in response.
"They're all lame enough to actually date her so of course she didn't choose them."
"Who did she choose then?" Adrien inquired, looking between Chloé and Lila, his heart rate picking up a notch.
"Chat Noir," Alya said, causing Adrien to turn his attention to his friend. His mouth gawked open and his heart attempted to make its way out through his mouth.
She chose Chat Noir.
His head shot to the entrance, and before he knew it his feet were heading in that direction.
Marinette entered her bedroom, throwing her bag on the chaise lounge before climbing up the ladder and collapsing on her bed, face down in the pillow.
"Why am I such a disaster? Adrien's going to think I'm an idiot! Why did I have to choose Chat Noir?"
"Marinette?" The sweet voice of her kwami sounded overhead, but she was too far gone to respond.
"I'm a disaster, Tikki, a complete disaster. Adrien's never going to fall in love with someone who chases after superheroes. He's going to think I just chose Chat because he's famous. That I'm sort of fame grabbing good for nothing disaster." She slammed her fists into her pillow for extra measure.
"Marinette?" Tikki hissed again, this time with more aggression but quieter.
A sudden knock on her skyline froze her in her tracks. Oh no! Oh God no! He wouldn't know, would he?
She moved onto her knees, tentatively reaching up to open the skylight, before pulling herself out onto her terrace.
And there he was, in all his fine black and shiny ball glory, Chat Noir - saviour of Paris, standing around with a smug grin on his face. A grin she just wanted to beat off.
"Why are you here?" She crossed her arms over her chest as she stared him down. Long gone was a stuttering girl who was certain she'd made herself look a fool in front of Adrien, and instead stood Marinette aka Ladybug glaring down at her partner.
"Now, now Princess. I'm quite sure you know why I'm here?"
"Nope," she said with a shake of her head, "I have no idea why the saviour of Paris is on my terrace and spying on me through my skylight."
"Firstly, I was not spying. Secondly, a little buddy of mine told me about a certain Fantasy Boy Draft."
The sound that came out of Marinette's mouth was neither understandable nor human.
"I don't know what you're on about." She turned away and walked over to the railing, attempting to keep her eye contact off him and out into the distance. She noticed the collège was still quite busy. Maybe being on her rooftop with a superhero wouldn't be the greatest of ideas.
"Oh, I think you do."
"Chat Noir, isn't there somewhere you're meant to be? Like I don't know, saving your smaller family members that are stuck in trees?"
"I'm not leaving until I get my date."
Growling, Marinette indicated for Chat Noir to follow her down into her room. A slight head tilt lead him down the skylight and onto her bed.
"Squishy," he declared as he landed. Marinette huffing and turning to face him, her eyes catching the corkboard next to her and her face cringing. "Are you okay? Have you got gas?"
She sighed, exasperated by his unusual appearance. "What do you want, Chat Noir?"
"I've heard all the guys are getting a date with the girl that drafted them, and I also heard you chose me. So where are you taking me?"
He sat too smug for her liking. His legs crossed, arms folded across his chest and a grin on his face which needed to be wiped off.
"It was a mistake. Someone chose the guy I wanted and then when it came to my turn I just blurted out your name."
Well, if she was ever going to take a guy down and kick him whilst he was there, this was the exact moment. Chat looked completely deflated and she couldn't help but want to make this right. Dammit! Why did this cat hold so much over her?
"But, you know what? We'll do it."
"Do it? I don't know if I'm ready -" he said, fear flashing through his eyes.
"Not 'it' it! A date." she stated, hands covering her eyes in complete mortification. "Me and you will go on a date, tonight…like everyone else."
"Well almost everyone. I hear Adrien can't meet up with Lila."
"Good," Marinette huffed, folding her arms and turning away from him to look at Adrien's face on her board. Her heart broke for him having to be stuck with Lila. Blah!
"So, where are we going to meet?" His excited voice pulled her attention back to him. The guy was physically bouncing on the spot.
"Don't get too excited," she giggled, "I've never really made it through a date before…"
"What do you mean? We went to the cinema once, couldn't we class that as a date."
"It's only really a date if the people like each other, kitty."
His ears flattered to his head and once again she'd hurt his feelings! What the hell was wrong with her? She rubbed a hand over her forehead before bringing her fingers together to play with.
"It's not that I don't like you, it's just I don't like you, like you."
"But you do like me?"
"Yes."
"Good, because I like you too."
"Good."
They sat staring at each other before it got too much and Marinette burst into a wild roar of laughter, Chat following almost instantaneously. She rolled her eyes as they both came to their senses and she tilted her head.
"What time am I picking up my date then? He better be dressed to impress."
"I'll polish my shoes and shine my bell just for you, purrincess!"
"Oh God, you're going to be punning all night, aren't you?"
He winked in response, standing to his full height as he stretched his arms above his head, before moving to the skylight.
"And don't worry about picking me up. I'll come and get you, and I'll plan the whole shabang! Just look your pretty little self, wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for a night to remember."
He saluted her, making his way out her room and onto the balcony. She shook her head, what the hell had just happened?
Returning to collège, she had a little spring in her step. A sudden warmth from her conversation with Chat Noir made her smile, regardless of her form, he was always so kind and caring with her. She knew he was a sweet guy, everyone in Paris did, but when he was with her it just seemed a little more.
Making her way back into the classroom, she could hear the sobs of a girl crying at the back of the room, and the class crowding around her; all except Adrien.
Walking over, she eyed the blond model before looking up to the back of the room where the sobs increased in volume.
"What's wrong with her this time?"
Adrien shrugged, lifting his eyes to meet Marinette's, a slight smirk on his lips.
"My father won't let me take part in the Fantasy Draft, Lila too, apparently it doesn't look good for the business." His eyes sparkled with amusement and Marinette couldn't help but cover her mouth as she giggled.
All of a sudden, life was great.
Marinette was standing on her balcony, dressed comfortably just as he'd suggested. Figure hugging dark blue jeans, an off the shoulder black jumper and a black beret, her hair styled in her usual pigtails.
She was unusually nervous. Maybe the feeling would have been understandable if she was having a date with Adrien, but this was Chat Noir, her Chat Noir. She knew him the best out of everyone in the whole of Paris, they spent time together everyday yet her heart was attempting to outrun a Ferrari with a speed she was quite sure would give her a cardiac arrest.
"Come on, Marinette, you're going to be fine."
For once, Tikki's words of wisdom did nothing for Marinette's self control.
"It's going to be a -"
"Don't you dare say it again, Marinette. You're starting to sound like Chloé."
Marinette stuck her tongue out at her kwami.
"Why am I such a mess? This is just Chat Noir, and we're just having fun like we have many, many times in the past."
"Exactly," Tikki responded.
"Just because it's a date doesn't have to change the way we act around each other right? I mean it's just a date. Food, talking, fun, get to know each other and come home for a…" her face turned a radish shade of red and her eyes began to bulge out their sockets.
Would he be expecting a…oh God, she couldn't even say it out loud. She started to hyperventilate, Tikki flying near her face and tapping her aggressively on her cheek as Marinette flapped her hands in front of her face.
"Snap out of it Marinette," the same creature whispered.
"I'm going to have to kiss, Chat Noir!"
"Well, you don't have to, but I'm pretty sure he wouldn't say no." The sound of her partner's voice froze every single joint in her body and she swore she'd never move again. If Monarch wanted to attack, now would be the most perfect time.
"How much did you hear?" she asked quickly, turning sharply and pointing up to her partner; who was holding his hands up in surrender.
"Just that you were talking to yourself about kissing me."
"Talking to myself," she laughed, "yes! I do! I'm terrible for it. Hello Marinette, how are you today? I'm good, thanks and yourself?"
Chat Noir started to laugh, his hands clutching his belly.
"You really are one of the funniest girls, Marinette."
"Thanks, I think." A wave of relief washed over her. Thank God he hadn't seen Tikki. "Right, shall we get this over with then?"
"Marinette Dupain-Cheng, I don't understand why you hold such a low bar for this date. I told you it would be one to remember and I always tell the truth."
"We'll see, Kitty cat." She stepped forward and flicked his bell both freezing once the action was complete. That was definitely something for the list 'Don't reveal yourself to your partner by acting too much like your alter ego.' Okay, so the name of the list was a little long…she'd work on its header later. "So where are you taking me?"
"Be prepawed for a night of fun, purrincess, because after tonight you're going to want me?"
She laughed, taking a step towards him. "A bit sure of yourself aren't you, Kitty Cat?"
He dropped her a wink before looping his arms around her and sending them both off into the night.
A race track!
He'd brought her to a go-karting race track.
"You ready?" He bounded forward two tickets in hand and grabbed a hold of Marinette's with his spare one. "I hope you don't mind," he said, moving them towards the entrance at speed, "but I've kind of planned on detransforming."
Marinette stilled in her tracks, the sudden stop almost pulling Chat Noir backwards and into her.
"D-d-detransform?"
"Oh, I won't reveal my identity, I promise. I've got a disguise underneath, I just wanted to have a night as a normal kid you know. Out on a date with a beautiful girl and having fun."
She couldn't help but smile, he didn't know, but she understood exactly what he meant… apart from the date being a beautiful girl of course. That part just made her feel slightly on the warm side.
"Okay, sure. Did you want to go somewhere and do it? Like a restroom or something, then you can check you look okay when you come back out, not that you won't look okay, it's just if you're in a disguise maybe you want to check it's all okay."
Chat grabbed her hand and pulled it into his chest, her heart flipping at the action.
"As much as I love hearing you say the word okay, you're rambling."
Marinette took a deep breath, closing her eyes and letting it go.
"I'm okay."
They both started laughing at the way she said 'okay' again.
"I'll be back in a minute." He pulled her hand to his mouth as he kissed the back of her knuckle, a shiver running down her spine in tre most curious way, before turning and heading off in the opposite direction.
"You alright Marinette?"
"I…don't…know?" she said honestly, her eyes tracking where her partner had just gone. Her body was responding in interesting ways, ways in which it never had before. Why had he suddenly caused her such reactions? It wasn't like she fancied him or anything?
Oh, she knew he was good looking, smart, caring, kind…but she didn't fancy him. At least she thought she didn't?
"You ready?" His voice sounded behind her, and although she heard him speak every single day, his voice didn't quite match what she knew. It was as though this voice should belong to someone else, someone who she also knew. Oh this was getting confusing.
Turning around she came face-to-face for the first time ever with the real Chat Noir and she couldn't help but shudder out her held breath. He was simply stunning! His hair remained in its golden glow but it was styled sophisticatedly, something she would never have linked to her disheveled, fun free partner.
"You different nice look."
She slammed a hand over her mouth, her eyes widening as she realised what she'd just done. Oh no! No, no, no! Not now. Not with Chat Noir.
He started laughing, his hand cupping his mouth as she fumbled over her words. Damn him and his beautiful hair that she just wanted to touch, and not to mention his fashion sense. Now, she always thought Adrien was the most fashionable guy she knew, but Chat Noir definitely gave him a run for his money.
His brown leather jacket looked tailored to his frame, the cut and design perfect for his shape and build. His jeans were tight fitting but not uncomfortable looking, the dark blue going nice with the black tee he was wearing, and finally his aviator sunglasses made him look like a top class model. He really was beautiful.
"Come on," he held his hand out. The gesture was not unknown between the two of them (even if he didn't realise that) and for the first time flesh met flesh as they connected together in a tight grasp.
A car behind them started up, the noise making her jump out of her skin and fall straight into his arms. There was no way she was making it through the night in one piece.
"Let's go." He helped her to stand, taking her hand again and leading her over to the race track.
"You don't have to hold my hand, you know," she giggled, giving him a quick squeeze before attempting to let go, only for him to not let her.
"This is a date, and I would like to treat it like one." He shrugged, handing the tickets to the guy in charge of the go karts. "I'm not even going to pun. This kitty is on his best behaviour."
"Have you been on many dates before then?" She was doing good, she found as long as she didn't look at him she could talk normally. Just thinking of him as her kitty, he was just her partner…who was totally hot and incredible! Dammit!
"I've been on a couple, I always ended up having to leave though. Akumas and all that!"
"Nothing serious?"
She made the mistake of looking up at him as she went to step into the car, her eyes catching a glimpse of his dazzling smile, her body ending up falling sideways into the go kart, her legs up in the air and head buried by the pedals.
"Marinette, are you okay?"
She stuck a thumb up in the air and only one word left her lips.
"Peachy."
Go karting had been one of the most fun experiences of her life, and if she was being completely truthful it was her most favourite first date; not that she had a lot to compare it with.
"So what do you want to do now I've kicked your butt at racing?" Chat said, bopping his shoulder into hers.
Giggling, she bopped him back, almost knocking him over and into a bin (unbeknownst to him it wouldn't be the first time).
"You cheated!" she shrieked, grabbing his hand to pull him back.
"How? It's not like I have a driving licence."
"You said you play a lot of driving games. How can I contend with that?"
"Now, now! If I remember rightly, you were talking smack to me about all the driving games you play. Miss Mario Kart Champion 2021!"
She stuck her tongue out at him, only for him to return the response, both laughing as they continued to walk. She hooked her arm through his elbow, keeping herself close to him as they made their way to the next stop, not blind to all the attention they - or more so he was getting. If she was walking down the street she was sure she'd stop to have a look at this beautiful teen besides her. She was so lucky to have him as her partner, friend and date.
Ice cream; the next thing on his list.
Unfortunately, André wasn't around, so instead they went to a local dessert parlour and selected a weird concoction for each other.
"Hummm… salted caramel, raspberry sauce and whipped cream. My favourite!" he laughed, taking a scoop full and shovelling it into his mouth.
"Don't knock it until you try it," she laughed, taking a scoop of her own mint choc chip and marshmallow combination. It wasn't bad, but there was no chance she was eating it all, not unless she wanted raging heartburn.
They both smiled at each other as they laughed, encouraging each other to eat as much of the 'delicious' ice cream as possible. Chat managing two spoons, Marinette demolishing it with a temptation to lick out the bowl. The heartburn would be worth it.
"You've got something," Chat Noir suddenly said, grabbing a hold of his napkin and leaning forward over the table. He stretched out, wiping away something on the corner of her lips only for his sunglasses to slip and slide down a little, revealing his bright green eyes to hers. Green eyes which were suspiciously like someone else's she knew.
She froze staring at him, unable to speak or move. This had to be a mistake. Maybe, Chat Noir had snuck Adrien out of the house and they'd swapped in the restroom, Chat Noir allowing Adrien to have a normal night out. Yes, that must be it, because there was no way Adrien Agreste would want to come out on a date with her. Not just that, there was no way Adrien Agreste was her partner, yet here he was. Right here, acting like Chat Noir not Adrien Agreste.
"Much better," he said, as he moved away and sat back down. He looked at his watch as she continued to stare directly at him. She was quite sure she was gawking at him, yet he was completely oblivious to it.
Just like he was oblivious to her very obvious crush she had on him. Oh wow! Her crush on him; his crush on her…his crush on her…his crush on her! Had someone turned the temperature up in there? She was quite sure her body was preparing to supernova.
"Can I walk you home?" he replied. "It's just, I have to patrol in about fifteen minutes and I can't stand M'Lady up."
She nodded dully. She had patrol with Adrien Noir, no Chat Agreste, no wrong again…oh whatever! She had patrol with this guy as Ladybug. Ladybug. Not Marinette. Because she had a secret identity, like he did and now she was panicking.
"Um - Marinette? Are you okay? You've gone a little…red?"
"I like pickles on eggs."
They both froze, and even though he was wearing sunglasses she was quite sure he was staring at her, she wouldn't be surprised if half the ice cream parlour were staring too. Oh dear Lord!
"That's - um - interesting to know." He moved back in his chair and she knew he was studying her. Damn it!
"I didn't mean to say that, my glasses just slipped - words - my words just slipped. You know, all those little letters that make up your eyes, I mean words. Like green. Isn't green a funny colour for eyes? I mean -"
A hand reached out, placing on top of hers, stopping her from making an even bigger fool out of herself.
"Are you okay?" The way he said it was a clear indication that he knew something. The slur of his words held fragments of questioning that were more than just 'are you okay?'
"Yep, why wouldn't I be? It's not like I've just found something out I shouldn't know."
Standing quickly, he took her hand and dragged her out the ice cream parlour.
Struggling to keep up, Marinette tripped over a rock and fell down, Chat's walk continuing for a few more steps pulling her across the pavement on one knee.
"Stop," she cried out, a whimper leaving her mouth as he finally dropped her hand. She pulled her knees into her body, her eyes focusing on her now ripped jeans and the trail of blood around the tear. Prising the material away, she looked at the deep cut under her knee cap and whimpered once more. It stung like a bitch!
"Marinette, I'm so…I'm such an idiot!"
"It's okay," she uttered, wiping under her eyes as she grabbed her bag to look for antiseptic wipes; being the way she was, Marinette always kept her first aid kit handy.
"No it's not," he yelled back, hands gripping into his hair as he stalked around the pavement beside her.
She found her little pouch pulling it out only to come up empty handed. "You need to transform and take me home."
He nodded in response before calling his transformation there and then, no concern for anyone around them. Scooping her into his arms, he launched them into the night, heading straight for the patisserie and Marinette's balcony.
"Kitty, look at me." He'd been silent since they'd started their journey back to her home, his eyes focusing on what was in front of him and ignoring her. "Kitty," she spoke again softly, her hand reaching out to touch his jaw, cupping it gently as he carried her across the Parisian rooftops.
He was missing the meaning in her voice and she knew her partner was spiralling into a hurricane of guilt. "Kitty," she tried again, the smoothness and caring sound of her voice finally had him turning to look at you.
"I've hurt you, Marinette, I never meant to."
"It was just an accident, Chat Noir, I'm fine. It just needs cleaning and some cream, maybe a plaster."
They landed on her balcony and she hobbled straight to the entrance of her room only to notice her partner wasn't following her.
"Aren't you coming in?"
She watched him swing one leg, pushing a small rock backwards and forwards his eyes concentrating on something interesting on the ground.
"I should probably head home," he sighed, his shoulders slumped over as his almost six foot frame shrunk down in size.
Marinette walked over to him, reaching out to hold his hand. His eye shot to meet hers, the bewildered expression on his face one she'd managed to pull from him numerous times in the past - but only as Ladybug. "I would like you to come in, Kitty, the date isn't over yet."
She held his hand and led them both into her room, Chat stopping her as he bent down to lift up the skylight, moving himself into her room before stretching his arms up towards her.
Her heart fluttered in her chest, how had she never seen this side of Chat before? The side that was pure Adrien. But then she had. She had seen this part of him daily as they fought side by side against akumas. The sweet, charming side which made her stomach turn into a butterfly farm, and her blood molten liquid. How did she not see that when he was with Marinette as Chat Noir, when he allowed the two sides of him to freely become one?
Was herself, as Marinette, the only one to see all of him?
Adrien had to always be what his father wanted, Chat Noir was wild and carefree, but when he was here with Marinette, he was the perfect combination of both, and it's a combination she wanted to experience more often on both sides of the mask.
She bent down so he could grab her waist, and placed her hands on his shoulders, staring into the vibrant loving eyes of her partner, of her partner who ditched Lila with a lie so he could spend the evening with her instead, going against his father's orders. God, he did everything for her.
He lowered her onto the bed, commencing to scoop her up and move her down into the main part of her room and placing her like a Princess on her chaise lounge.
Marinette watched him move around the room, heading right towards where she kept her first aid kit before bringing it straight back to her.
"Have you got some shorts you can change into? That way I can treat the wound more."
Using all the courage she could muster up, she bent forward closer into his ear. "Thank you for being so sweet, Adrien."
She stood up and made her way over to her drawers, finding a pair of shorts and heading behind her screen, letting out a deep breath as soon as she was hidden along with a happy dance and a silent scream. She was having a mini party in her head. All her mini Marinettes had formed a conga line and were in mid stride when Chat Noir finally spoke up.
"Are you disappointed?"
She smiled, of course he'd act this way. But how could she be disappointed when the two most amazing guys in the world were actually one.
She changed into her shorts, after prying the blood stained, now ripped, jeans from her legs.
"Only if you are."
She whispered her transformation, turning herself into her black polka dotted alter ego. The gasp she heard behind the screen must have meant he'd seen the light, her theory correct as she walked back around her screen and saw his dumbfounded face.
"You're kidding me right?" His hands went to his hair, and started to pull.
"W-w-what? I thought…" her eyebrows creased and she was quite sure she was on the verge of crying. Obviously he wasdisappointed.
He stood abruptly from the chaise, hands still pulling his golden locks as he strode backwards and forwards in front of her lounge, suddenly stopping and staring at her. His eyebrows were creased so much they'd formed one long monobrow; and if she wasn't so stricken by his reaction she probably would have laughed.
Marching over to her, he lifted his hand and she closed her eyes and waited. He lifted one finger and poked her in the cheek; once, twice, thrice… poke poke poke, careful to keep his claws away from her bare skin.
"What are you doing?" she asked, opening her eyes only to find him a mere inch away. Their noses only a fraction from touching as he continued to poke her in the cheek.
She smacked his hand away from her cheek and pushed him back causing him to topple over the chaise lounge and end with his feet high in the air. The bang shook her trapdoor, her heart now beating rapidly for a different reason.
"Marinette, honey?"
Chat's head reappeared from the ground, his feet still up in the air and resting on her chaise lounge. She placed her finger to her lips, as she listened out for footsteps coming to her room.
1…
2…
3…
Moving swiftly towards the door, Ladybug put her foot on it, knowing her Maman couldn't lift it whilst her super strength held it down.
"Yes, Maman."
Her eyes remained on Chat Noir who seemed to only be able to blink.
"Are you okay? I heard a rather large bang." Her Maman's voice shouted from below.
"Yes Maman, I'm fine just talking to Adrien on video chat, we're doing a science experiment. Mine is not working out too well though."
"Can we help you at all sweetheart?"
"No thank you, Maman. Though Adrien might be coming around if I can't figure it out, is that okay?"
"Sure, Marinette. Tell him we'll save him some croissants just in case."
"Yes please," Ladybug's eyes shot to her partner who was scrambling to sit up on the chaise. Was he drooling?
"Of course, Adrien love." Sabine laughed. "Try not to blow up the house Marinette, maybe wait for Adrien to arrive before you try anything else. We'll be in the bakery cleaning if you need us."
The sound of footsteps retreating allowed Ladybug to breathe again; her head light from holding her breath for so long.
"Now I know I'm dreaming." Chat said, shaking his head and threading his fingers together.
"What are you on about?"
His head shot up to look at her, as he gestured around the room. "This," he said, his voice slightly hoarse, "all of this! It's too good to be true." He stood up once more, hand poised to poke her in the cheek once again only for her to slap it away.
"What is wrong with you?" she hissed. This was not going as planned.
"What's wrong with me? Nothings wrong. I'm having the best dream of my life. I've just been out on a date with the girl I'm falling in love with, only to then find out she is the girl I am in love with. Then her mother not only invited me around but also is saving croissants for me. There's only two things that could make this dream better." He lifted one finger and held it aloft, "one you tell me you were turning Chat Noir down for Adrien Agreste because you too can feel this straight magnetic connection we have, and two," he lifted a second finger. "You kiss me senseless until I'm a giggling mess."
Oh! Oh! Oh!
She stood staring at him, her mouth open; she was quite sure if it wasn't attached her jaw would be on the floor right now because all that information…she just didn't know what to do with it. Falling in love? In love? Kissing senseless?
Stepping forward she took his face in her hands and looked up at him.
"Chat Noir, leave my house right now."
"Damn it! Why does reality have to suck!"
Ladybug giggled, squeezing his cheeks together a little more and making his lips pucker.
"Let me finish this time before you butt in. Chat Noir, leave my house right now," his lips began to move like he wanted to speak, the movement fighting against her hands. "Nu-huh! Stop! Listen, leave and come back as Adrien. You're not dreaming, you're not unconscious and there are some things I need to say to you."
He closed his eyes and she let go of his cheeks.
"Are you going to take Plagg from me?" he asked, and she swore she could hear the hard beat of his heart.
"Of course not, you're the only partner I want or need."
"Okay," he sighed, looking towards the ladder then back at her.
"I promise," she stated, "it will be worth it."
Nodding in agreement he made his way to the ladder, giving her one last look with a shy smile as he climbed the ladder and made his way out of the room.
All she had to do now was wait for the doorbell.
Dropping her transformation and opening the trapdoor, she swore it was less than a minute until Adrien rang. Bombing her way down the stairs, and almost falling down the last step, she opened the door to Adrien Agreste, aka Chat Noir, aka her partner and love of her life.
He smiled at her, but she could tell it wasn't reaching his eyes, how did she know? Because his eyes showed nothing less than fear!
"Marinette, we never sorted out your knee."
She looked down and noticed a trail of blood heading towards her bare feet.
"Oh dear!" she said, giving a little shrug.
"Come on," he dragged her upstairs, and ultimately back into her room before he continued what he had originally set out to do.
Since she first opened the door he hadn't looked her in the eye. His general consensus seemed to be that if he didn't look, they didn't have to talk about the giant, magical elephant in the room.
He moved back to her first aid kit, grabbing a wipe and starting to clean her wound and the blood lines down her leg, before grabbing the antiseptic cream, and finally adding a plaster. He bent down and pressed a gentle kiss over it before heading towards her sink.
"Plagg," Marinette called, the small black kwami making its way out of Adrien's leather jacket. "Please can you tell your holder to look at me, it's rude to ignore the guardian."
Adrien froze in mid motion of drying his hands, holding the towel tightly before neatly laying it back over the rail.
"I don't know what to say," he spoke softly and gently. All Adrien.
"This is real, Kitty, and if you'll let me, there's some things I'd like to say."
She watched his back stutter, the large breath he'd just taken, responsible for the action. He turned around and looked at her, his eyes showing how terrified he felt, she couldn't allow this to go on any longer.
"Have a seat." She motioned for him to take her computer chair, his body moving and sitting to face her.
She stood up and walked towards him, stealing herself for what she was finally about to do.
"The first time I saw you, I misjudged you. I thought you were conceited and superficial. But then, I got to know you. I saw who you really were deep down—someone sweet, sincere, and generous. Since then, there's something I've been wanting to tell you. But every time I try, it's like my brain suddenly freezes. But now, I think I'm ready. I love you."
His eyes widened as the understanding clicked in, and she could tell the precise moment he understood what she was saying and why.
"I'm…me…"
"You are you." She laughed, watching as he went to stand up, only to sit back down and wipe a hand over his mouth.
"All this time… me… me and… you?"
Marinette could help the laughter escape her lips as for once she wasn't the one in a mess, it was him. The great Chat Noir was stumbling over his words and thinking he was living a dream…she'd never felt more powerful.
"Now, I think it's time to move onto the next thing. What was it? Kissing you senseless?" Holding her hands out, he shyly placed his on hers and she pulled him to standing.
He poked her once more in the cheek, before she grabbed his neck and pulled him in, her lips meeting his to the soundtrack of their lives…an akuma alert.
"Awwww man, that was barely a kiss," he whined, Marinette moving away with a chuckle.
"Come on, Catsonova."
"Oh, wow you punned!"
"That's not all I can do, Kitty cat," she dropped him a wink as his legs gave way. She started to head towards the trapdoor, coming face to face with her parents.
"Maman, papa, hi, how are you?"
"Mr and Mrs Dupain." Adrien nodded, a slight cough in his wording. They looked guilty, very very guilty.
"So what were you experimenting with?" Tom asked him, Marinette freezing in her steps. They hadn't discussed their alibi.
"Just our chemistry," Adrien said, smiling at Marinette, "and I must say, it was very explosive."
"I'm just seeing Adrien out. He has to be at home when there's an akuma attack." Marinette explained, Adrien enthusiastically nodding in agreement.
"Yep, I must be at home."
"Well, be careful okay, and Marinette straight back upstairs when Adrien's in his car."
With a smile Adrien and Marinette headed out of the doorway, only to join hands as soon as they were clear of her parents' view. The Akuma didn't know what was about to hit it.
The next day at collège the hallways were filled with happy couples and smiling faces. It seems the Fantasy Draft had actually worked. No longer were girls arguing over guys, and guys were no longer making idiots of themselves to get girls attention.
However, it wouldn't be until seven weeks later, when the true extent of 'The Fantasy Boy Draft' would be revealed; when the students of Mrs Bustier's class walked in on a rather heated make out between two of their classmates, as Marinette had Adrien pinned against his desk in a fierce lip lock.
"What the f-"
Nino clasped a hand over his girlfriend's mouth, obstructing the profanities from leaving her lips.
"In a more diplomatic and less dramatic way," Nino said, moving forward along with the rest of the class, "May one of you kindly tell the rest of us what is going on here?"
"It's quite simple really…"Adrien began to explain. "We did some chemistry homework together last week."
"Yeah," Marinette responded, turning to sit herself on his lap, "it was explosive."
He snuggled his head into her neck as everyone gasped and awww'd around them.
"See," Kim said, holding a hand out to Alix, "I told you I did the right thing asking Adrien to swap partners with me for the project."
As the class laughed, and Alix slapped €20 into Kim's hand, Marinette turned her head to smile at her 'secret boyfriend', glad they were finally out of hiding and free to be sickeningly sweet with PDA and pet names.
Suddenly, a scream was heard behind them, the class turning around, and Adrien and Marinette standing up. Lila stood practically foaming at the mouth, her fists clenched tightly by her side.
"I knew you'd pull a cheap shot like this, Marinette." Lila pronounced, storming forward and slamming her hands on the desk in front of the two heroes. "Just because you didn't get Adrien, you had to steal him from me."
"Lila -" Max tapped the girl on the shoulder. She shrugged him off and started to cry.
"Six weeks, he was mine for six weeks and you only managed to let me have him for four! I don't know why you hate me so much, Marinette."
"Um - Lila," this time it was Rose that stepped forward, placing a hand delicately on the girl's shoulder as she continued to cry. Turning to face Rose, Lila flung herself into the smaller girl's arms, crying on her shoulder. As Rose attempted to console the poor girl.
"It's been seven weeks since the draft Lila," Nino said, "which means your exclusivity to Adrien is over."
"Seven? Seven weeks? What?"
"You've only been here for four, but it's been seven," Alya explained.
"Did you even go on a date together?" Myléne asked, turning between both Lila and Adrien.
"We had one -" Lila began to speak, however Adrien was quick to butt in and stop her from spilling more crap.
"Nope, no date. Father didn't want me to join in."
"So, Marinette hasn't broken any of the rules," Juleka mumbled.
The rest of the class turned to face Lila, eyebrows raised and hips popped, each one waiting for her next lines.
"Oh my, it's so warm in here. My - my headache… I need to go to the hospital." Dramatically, Lila placed a hand to her head and collapsed onto the floor.
As most ran to help her, Nino fist bumped his friend in congratulations, and Marinette turned back to her boyfriend with a sly smile on her face.
"Should we go help her?" she asked him, only for Adrien to look at the commotion and shrug.
"Naa, I'd rather make out."
Not needing to be asked again, Marinette placed a hand on his chin and moved in to continue where they'd left off. Once again, a scream interrupted them.
"This is ridiculous, utterly ridiculous."
This was going to be a very long day.