Chapter 3: Comparisons
Author's note:Before we see our favourite hero's battling the latest akuma, let's see how a certain Adrien Agreste is doing, shall we? Thanks again for reading my story, and the favourites and reviews😊
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Adrien was bored. Yet another model shoot in the park, how original. He has already mastered the technique of changing into different clothes quickly and sitting precisely still for his make-up. No slouching, of course. They had gotten him done in less than five minutes, and then left to deal with the other models. He felt sorry for them once they reached Lila, that girl is always ready for trouble. At least with him around he can do damage control, just like he does at school to stop Marinette getting expelled. If only he could tell her the truth, that he couldn't stand Lila, that he'd rather be with her and the rest of his friends. But Lila would find out, and Mari would pay the price. He couldn't let that happen, he wouldn't let anything happen to her. He just has to keep Lila in check until she slips up, and her many lies catch up with her.
Speaking of Mari, he wonders why she acts so strange around him. First, the stuttering, he was worried that he made her nervous, and helped her out where he could. But as the class seating plan changed, they barely got the chance to talk. He missed her, the way her arms would fail around, her nervous blush when she was around him and even the stuttering made him smile. More than anything else he misses that contagious laugh she has but now that he thinks about it...he hasn't heard it in a while. Maybe he can plan something in secret that they could do together, he likes when they get to chat with no interruptions and he can fully focus on her. Marinette is truly a force of nature, he admires her, just like he does with Ladybug.
Ah, Ladybug, yet another girl in his life that is a complete enigma to him. The mystery is exciting but since she became Guardian, it's been driving him crazy how many secrets there are between them. He understands the identity thing and is willing to wait as long as it takes, but now she's always so stressed, so serious, without giving him any way to help. They aren't a team anymore, he's not been her partner for a long time. His worst fears have been confirmed, he's just a sidekick. He wishes that he could tell her how he feels but as soon as she's there, she's just gone. It's like she doesn't even see him anymore, like she doesn't trust him anymore. Why can he never know who the temporary heroes are, or even pick them himself? Mari was fantastic as Multimouse, and only he saw her identity but Ladybug has refused to use her again. Is that how little his opinions mean to her?
He felt so bad about the situation that after her short lived time as Multimouse, he went to visit her as Chat, just as a check-up. To his surprise, she asked about him in return and they talked. Just as he was about to leave, she looked at him with those blue eyes, and said "my balcony is always open to you, if you'd like to talk again". And how could he refuse? So he came back again and again until it became a habit. They'd have hot cocoa or even watch a movie if they both have the time. It fills Adrien with joy to find that they can be friends in and out the mask. To avoid being seen by the public, Chat would throw three stones on her balcony from afar. She would open her balcony door and once he's sure no one would see him, he'd hop into her room. As they've gotten to know each other more, he's even more sure about her being his Everyday Ladybug. Chat often jokes with Mari about how similar they are, same determination, same thirst for justice, same magnetic blue eyes. Eyes that reflect her mood and the one's he thinks about every time he looks at the sky (not that he tells her that part, of course).
Come to think of it, the Multimouse incident happened at the same time he started to suspect that Mari was indeed Ladybug. It made so much sense, but in the end it was just a foolish hope he was holding onto; a fantasy. He made a promise to love his lady in and out the mask...and it not being Marinette really disappointed him. Mari is-
A phone alert shocks Adrien out of his thoughts, and he straightens out the smile that he hadn't realised formed on his face. He knows what that sound means – a new post on the Ladyblog. He pouts at his phone, just another reminder that Mari isn't Ladybug, that she's just a friend and has to stay that way, that he is more far away from the heroine than ever. Maybe he'll just switch off his phone, forget about Ladybug and move on once and for all. She has said many times that she doesn't feel the same and more than anything else he just wants her to be happy. Despite it all, they have a connection that he can't ignore. He just can't bring himself to do it.
Sighing, he opens his phone, wondering what the latest news is on the blog. Perhaps Alya will have another ridiculous theory on who Ladybug is, maybe then he can stop comparing her to Marinette. As the livestream starts, he audibly gasps, so shocked that he almost drops the device. It fumbles in his hands as he finally catches it, bringing it closer to his face than necessary. His eyes bulge and his mouth hangs open, is that really Ladybug he's seeing? The new suit magnifies her features and brings out her personality as she animatedly talks about her new look. She's beautiful. Her bluebell eyes stand out more this way, and for a moment he blushes as he's remained yet again of her...of Marinette. Annoyed, he puts his phone away, shaking himself out of it.
"What is wrong with me Plagg?"
The black kwami gives him a look from inside his pocket. Adrien has gotten used to situations where he has zero privacy, and so when he talks to Plagg, he always has his phone up to his ear. If anyone sees him, all they'll think is he's talking to his friend on the phone.
Plagg rolls his eyes in exasperation "Listen kid, when your chosen cheese is out of stock, you're free to explore other cheeses! You never know, you might find a new favourite!"
"You mean...it would be okay to get to know Mari more?"
"Of course! Ladybug has been having all the cheese she wants, you have to take your chance before they are all gone!"
Adrien hums in thought, resisting the urge to run a hand through his immaculate blonde hair. It wouldn't hurt would it? No expectations, just getting to know her more outside the mask, just as friends. He still needs to talk to Ladybug about everything but in the meantime...
"I'll get Mari to design something for me!"
Just then, his model tent flies open and Lila walks in, her toxic green eyes glaring at him. When they are alone, she drops the angel act around him, showing her true, rotten colours.
Putting his phone away, he gives her a scowl "What do you want, Lila?"
"I don't want you to talking to Marinette" her voice spits out the name like a bad disease
Rolling his eyes, he starts to walk past her but before he can leave, she grabs his arm, leaning up in a menacing whisper. "If I see you near her again, maybe I'll decide she needs another threat. Maybe this time I'll get your father involved, he could ruin her career hmm?"
He rips his arm from her grip, his voice low "You threatened her…?"
Lila mistakes his angry tone to be one of fear, and gives him a smug grin before flouncing out to get ready for the shoot. He starts to go after her, ready to give her a piece of his mind, ready to fight for Marinette – that's what Chat Noir would do.
The thought makes him pause in his tracks, he isn't Chat Noir right now. It takes all he has in him to stop and think about the situation first, he needs a new approach. His fists clench as he realises that he doesn't have a plan yet, Ladybug comes up with the plans and he's just the distraction. But his lady isn't here right now, and he doubts she would trust him with this anyway. He slowly unclenches his fists and takes a deep breath, he needs time to think about this. He pats himself down, wearing his model smile and walks to the fountain, the first location for the shoot. For now, he has the advantage, the one thing he's been taught over the years is how to control his emotions. Adrien is furious, but he can bide his time too, he's the one with the advantage. First things first, he needs to talk to Marinette.
Despite Lila's best efforts to delay the shoot to spend more time with him, it still went relatively quickly. His chauffeur drove him home as always, and he couldn't get into his room fast enough. Just as he was about to transform into Chat Noir (and then detransform a few streets away from Mari's house to go see her as Adrien), a loud crash was heard. An a akuma! He and Ladybug have got to deal with this quickly so he can speak to Mari and straighten this out once and for all. With a new sense of urgency he says the magic words.
"Plagg, claws out!"
