Not looking back to her, Chat vaulted off Marinette's balcony and could sense that the fox heroine obeyed his command and was only a few leaps behind him. Stopping on a tall private rooftop, he turned to see Rena Rouge land deftly on the shingles and approach him with apprehension.
Chat found it difficult to hide his frustrations, "I know who you are."
Rena's eyes bugged out from behind her mask, "h-how?"
'Nino,' "it doesn't matter." The blonde coolly replied, "and I understand she's your best friend, but I'd appreciate it if you'd give us some privacy-"
The heroine's head cocked in disbelief. "Excuse me?!" She took several paces towards him and placed her hands on her hips. "Look Chat Noir, I don't know how you became friends with Marinette, and you're right, she is my best friend, so I'm only going to say this once: whatever is going on between you two has got to stop."
Chat stared at the teen dumbfounded and raised his hands up defensively, "there's nothing going on between me and Marinette." He sighed with a mixture of frustration and annoyance, "you know I love Ladybug, you've recorded us a million times, I only have eyes for M'Lady."
"And what about your 'Purrincess'," she imitated with air quotes before shoving a finger in the blonde's face, "I know you're a flirt Kitty Cat, but you were laying it on thick back there!"
The blonde swatted Rena's finger out of his face and gritted his teeth. "Look, it's obvious you and Ladybug are keeping me at arm's length while you two get closer, can you at least let me have this? Marinette's my friend, she's done a lot for me!"
The heroine hated that the black clad hero felt pushed aside by her and Ladybug, but that was not something she could do anything about at that moment, so the teen decided to ignore it and address the issue at a later date. Rena instead, chose to focus on the matter at hand. "Marinette does a lot for everyone, but no one else gives her a cute nickname."
Rena's eyes narrowed with satisfaction as Chat froze when he was about to argue back. The heroine took her cue to continue in her quest to make sure her friend was not distracted from the other blonde she was finally making progress with. "She is already crazy about someone else, I just don't want to see you get hurt."
The fox heroine watched as Chat's shoulders slumped for a moment and he rubbed his brow. "Look," he pleaded with an outstretched hand, "I don't like Marinette like that, she's just a friend, as I am to her… I love the way our friendship is, why can't you see that's all it is?"
'Because I saw how her cheeks flamed when I quizzed her earlier.' Rena rolled her eyes, "fine~ but don't say I didn't warn you when the guy she likes finally wakes up and asks her out… Do you really think a boyfriend would be comfortable with you canoodling on her sofa?"
Chat's brow furrowed and he pouted immaturely. "We weren't 'canoodling'-wait!" He narrowed his eyes suspiciously, "you've spied on us before!"
"No~" Rena crossed her arms and rolled her head to the side, "I popped over to see her and there was a blonde head resting against hers when I glanced through the window to see if she had fallen asleep at her desk again." She clicked her tongue, "I can't remember seeing cat ears, but she's just confirmed it was you."
Chat stared at the orange clad heroine, "does Marinette know you're her best friend?"
'Shit.'
Hazel eyes widened as her mouth shut tightly forming a thin line on her lips. The best defence was a good offence, so she shot a very similar question back at the blonde hero. "Does she know who lies under your mask?"
Chat's face scrunched up with annoyance, "touché."
Marinette stood nervously waiting for the return of at least one of the heroes. After transforming briefly to check their location on her communicator, it was obvious they were having a conversation: she just hoped that both of them had the decency to keep a few secrets.
Tikki did explain that it would be better to tell Adrien when she was certain, apparently the time would come when Marinette would just know, and that would be that.
The teen was skeptical, but Tikki had witnessed the reveal countless times, so who was the expert on the matter?
Plus, the words Chat Blanc had said to her on that fateful day, kept looming into her thoughts. 'It was our love that did this to the world, M'lady.' Knowing that she needed to be patient, and that there had been no Miraculous intervention, Marinette decided to wait it out, and simply let the events unfold as time went on.
The heroine did not want to disrupt her two friends, as meddling was what had got them into this scenario: it would be better to try and let them sort it out themselves and simply hope for the best. Relief washed over her, quickly followed by anticipation, when the ravenette saw two figures bounding over to her balcony and the teen moved back into her room leaving the hatch open as an invitation. They both landed in quick succession, and Marinette noted that any hostility between them had disappeared completely, as the three of them stood in her room.
'That's reassuring.' She sighed internally, and then noted the accomplished glances her two transformed friends shared.
"So~?" Marinette questioned carefully, and Chat gestured for Rena to explain.
"We have come to an understanding."
Marinette cocked a brow with intrigue but waited for them to elaborate.
Chat flashed his toothy grin, "we've got a schedule."
"A 'schedule'?"
"A schedule," Rena repeated and winked at her best friend, "as it's late, and I unfortunately ruined your," she side eyed Chat, "hangout, tonight doesn't count, so Blondie is coming to see you tomorrow and I will patrol with LB so he doesn't keep you up too late on a school night."
Marinette pursed her lips, trying to convey to Rena her thoughts on the decision telepathically. 'I hate you…'
The heroine winked, "my way of apology to you both."
Chat piped up cheerfully, "and then we'll alternate, and if you want a night to yourself-"
"-or if it's not convenient…" Rena let the meaning behind the word hang for a moment, "then tie a ribbon to your railing."
"What do you think?" Chat beamed proudly, as if it was the perfect plan.
Marinette rolled her lips and crossed her arms before answering wryly, "I think I'm gonna run out of ribbon."
Marinette: Does he know?
Alya: Hey girl! I'm fine thanks, how's things?
Marinette: You were literally just at my house!
Alya: Not a clue about what you're asking? But I'm guessing that he doesn't…
Alya: Do you?
Marinette: What?
Alya: Know who he is?
Marinette: No.
Marinette: Why on earth did you think having a schedule would be a good idea?
Alya: Don't worry girl, I won't be round all the time! I was just making sure that Chat wouldn't turn up unexpectedly and catch us working on the book one night.
Alya: Good idea right!
Marinette: I've still got to worry about patrolling with you when he's gonna expect me here. But yes, that is a good idea.
Alya: I told you Mari, I got your back! Any issues I'll text Chat and when you arrive after him, it'll just look like you were patrolling elsewhere in the city! Foolproof right!
Marinette: Fingers crossed.
Adrien still did not know if Marinette knew Alya's identity. All night he was awake wondering about how much his best girl friend knew about the heroes of Paris, but Monday morning was upon him, and school would hopefully give him a much needed distraction. The blonde was also buzzing about being able to sit next to Marinette in his civilian guise again.
The fact that she might know Rena's identity, and had not said anything, gave him confidence, and Plagg's assurance that Marinette was to be trusted seemed justified. He was not going to press the teen for information either, as that would not be fair: Marinette was keeping his secret and that was enough for the blonde.
With the interruption last night, Adrien found himself frustrated but was happy with the outcome, even if he did not exactly understand why Rena would feel the need to visit Marinette. The heroine had been accommodating though, and the blonde did have his own ideas on how he could possibly spend unscheduled time with Marinette in the evenings.
They still had study sessions to set up.
Alya was not aware of his identity either, so his fellow Miraculous wielder would be none the wiser to his plan. Marinette would know though, but the way she responded to Rena's sudden arrival inclined him to believe that she would be a willing participant.
'It's purrfect!'
Getting out of the car, he saw Nino already waiting for him, but he was cut off from reaching his best bro when Lila stepped straight into his path.
"Adrien listen-"
"Not now Lila."
"Please," she hooked her hand around his elbow to prevent the blonde from walking past her. "I just want to say I'm sorry."
That stopped him in his tracks. The image of her trying to throw Marinette into the firing line at the shoot had him instantly seeing red however.
Refusing to look at the Italian, the teen set his jaw and took a levelling breath, "do you know what you're sorry for Lila?" He then looked her dead in the eye, "or is this just another act?"
Without waiting for her response, he pulled his arm free from the teen's grasp and continued on to greet his cap wearing friend. Nino's jaw was practically on the floor, and he was in such shock that words failed him as he held up a fist for Adrien to bump. The blonde carried on walking and Nino hurried to fall into step at his side, finally finding his voice.
"Dude," Nino hushed to his best friend, "I can't believe you just said that!"
Marinette was already sitting in the back of the class when Adrien and Nino arrived. The blonde was slightly annoyed to see Alya in his seat though, and absentmindedly clicked his tongue upon reaching the desk. Not only was Alya disturbing his time between the ravenette and Chat, but now it looked like she was going to monopolise her time at school too.
That was until she eagerly stood up and grabbed her things. "I'm sorry Adrien," she apologised with a smirk and glanced back to Marinette, "I was just catching up with my girl after Saturday."
Adrien relaxed, "yeah, but did Marinette tell you the good news?" He beamed at the ravenette, who bashfully raised her shoulders and shrunk in on herself. Alya beamed at Marinette too.
"Amazing isn't it! It will be a great experience for you girl!"
Adrien slid into his seat beside Marinette and slung his arm around her shoulders which the secret heroine blushed profusely at. Alya winked at them while Adrien informed them of another development. "My father was so impressed at how much Michelle and Mathis sang her praises, that she's been invited to join me on the next shoot too." He turned to see a very wide eyed and excitable Marinette, and smiled warmly while speaking slightly softer. "What d'you say? Wanna keep me company on set tomorrow after school?"
Marinette could not contain herself and wrapped him up in a big side hug while barely managing to squeak out a 'yes' followed by a muffled 'thank you'. Alya chuckled at her best friend and adjusted her bag on her shoulder when taking in just how close the pair had become. However, their collective attention was brought to the steps beside them when a meek voice spoke up.
"Marinette?"
Olive eyes widened apologetically as she stood there nervously playing with her fingers. Alya simply eyed her suspiciously while Adrien glared, but Marinette took a steadying breath and managed a strained smile.
"Yes Lila."
"I wanted to apologise for what happened on Saturday."
Marinette tensed and felt Adrien do the same as the blonde's arm around her shoulders seemed to pull her into his side further. The secret heroine felt uneasy about the surprising turn of events, but remained as pleasant as possible when replying to the Italian's apology.
"Thank you, I appreciate your apology Lila."
The girl before them smiled weakly and made her way to the front of the room but did not stop at the seat she placed her things on. By this point, the whole class had entered the room and, as well as discreetly watching Marinette and Lila's awkward exchange, proceeded to take their seats ready for the lesson to start. Miss Bustier stopped and stared pleasantly at the Italian, before the teen smiled sadly and nodded at the educator.
Turning to face the class, Lila spoke meekly and unsurely, her demeanour causing Marinette to feel unsure herself about what was about to happen. "I want to apologise to you all-"
'What the fu-'
"When I started at this school, I made some really bad choices, and…" Lila trailed off and took a steadying breath while looking to the ground before looking back up at her classmates. "I lied about a lot of things."
A low murmur began to travel through the class while everyone continued to watch Lila with a mixture of astonishment and disbelief at the fact she was actually admitting her wrong doings. There were no gasps, as Marinette thought there would have been, just a resounding acceptance of the confirmation of what the class seemed to have already been privy to.
'I guess they figured it out?' Marinette mused to herself while forgetting about the arm that remained draped around her shoulders.
Lila twisted her lips with shame, "I gather you guys kinda already knew then, huh?"
A low collective agreement was her answer from the class and she nodded.
"I would like t-to explain myself," she glanced back at their teacher who gave the Italian an encouraging smile, "okay," she breathed. "I was nervous about joining the class in the middle of the school year, so I lied about knowing Ladybug; I lied about a lot of things," she held out her hands in a pleading motion, "to try and impress you all." She shook her head and brought her hands back to her stomach and fiddled with her fingers, "Marinette figured me out," her olive eyes connected with Marinette's, and the ravenette maintained the eye contact, "and I was really horrible to her. I am really sorry I got you expelled. It was wrong of me, and I-I would like to try and make it up to you."
Marinette said nothing as Adrien let out a slow breath which, to Marinette, almost sounded like a growl in his chest. Lila's attention turned back to addressing the whole class.
"I don't expect you guys to forgive me, b-but I was hoping we could start a fresh, please? With the real me," she chuckled with a hint of self-pity, "the 'Plain Jane' that gets moved from school to school."
Hmmmm, what could pussibly be going on? Do you think Alya's plan is fool proof? Guess we'll have to find out =^.^=
Thank you for your reviews, follows and faves =) and for taking the time to read my work.
Take it easy!
Lady Rhi X
