"This is not turning out like I had planned." La Papillon stood near the window and looked down on the streets of Paris. He gripped his staff tightly, twisting it in his hands, hearing the leather of his gloves rub against themselves, "I will have the miraculous of Chat Noir and Ladybug, by force if that's what it comes to."
They had only become more clever since he'd been away, and it would take more than a common villain to get the miraculous stones from them. He needed to be more driven. He held out his hand and a white butterfly landed softly in his palm. He watched as the power of his own miraculous changed the wings of the butterfly from white to black, and he held it to the open window, "Go now, and find me a girl with a broken heart. Surely in Paris they aren't hard to find. Any girl will do."
The small butterfly took off and fluttered out the window. La Papillon watched with knit eyebrows as the butterfly searched for his next victim. He was tired of waiting around for someone to simply be upset. That gave him a good reason to grant them power, but he needed results. Emotionally compromised villains had proven to be far too emotional to get the job done. And Ladybug always found a way to positively reinforce them, so it was rare to be akumatized twice. He was not happy to be repeating his failures from all those years ago.
He looked down at the streets of Paris once again. People on the street below him were blissfully unaware of his furious gaze, and they didn't fear him like they should. If Ladybug wasn't there to save them, his akuma could take over the whole of Paris. The whole of France if he desired. But, Ladybug and Chat Noir were always there to save them. But that wouldn't be true for much longer. Ladybug and Chat Noir may be a team, but they were also human. And he thrived on human emotions, and it would be there emotions that got them in trouble. La Papillon would use their human emotions against them.
His target was Chat Noir. He was an easier target than Ladybug. For two reasons. First, he was disgustingly in love with his partner, and everyone France knew it. And, he was the heroic one. People gave Chat Noir a hard time. They felt like Ladybug was always the hero, and Chat Noir was only there to look good and make horrible jokes. What they didn't know was that it had always been Chat Noir that ran to the scene of the crime, it was Chat Noir that always came to the rescue, and it was Chat Noir that brought Ladybug with him. Ladybug served the city out of necessity, and Chat Noir was the one with a heroic heart. It would be his downfall.
As soon as La Papillon could get his hands on a girl, Chat Noir would be undone. His childish love for his partner would be his weakness, and La Papillon would be victorious. Finally.
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Adrien took a deep breath and flopped on his bed. He fought against his body calling him to sleep. He couldn't sleep just yet. He had to make sure there was nothing else he needed to get done or he wouldn't really sleep. He would just toss and turn until he had to get back up. He sighed. It had been a long week, to say the least. La Papillon had been fairly quiet, but Cherlie had not. He had been raked across the coals for his tardiness and absences. What had at first been a charming quirk was starting to frustrate his superiors. He had been given extra work during class, make up work for the time he missed, and he had been put on extra jobs and kept busy. Between Cherlie and Antoni he was surprised Chat Noir had made an appearance at all. He could only hope that his attention to detail and good behavior would let him off the hook next week. He didn't know how much longer La Papillon would be quiet, but Adrien knew now that he always had to be on his toes. Until La Papillon or Cherlie called him, he was going to enjoy this small moment of freedom from responsibility. He was completely caught up on his paperwork for training, and his apartment was clean enough for now. He wasn't expecting company, and he didn't have training in the morning. His checkbook was balanced, and his uniforms were in his bag so he could wash them. He could nap. His eyes slammed shut. He could sleep. It was a miracle.
His ring burned against his skin. He ignored it for a brief moment, but the burning sensation persisted, and he groaned. He was unlucky after all. So much for catching a break. He looked to Plagg, who was buried in a wheel of cheese, "Plagg, Claws out." he rubbed his eyes, and felt the transformation wash over him. He grabbed his baton, and pressed the button that brought up the screen. He faked a smile for his Lady, "Yes, My Lady?"
"Chat," she sighed, "Thank goodness, I need to talk to you. Will you meet me at the park by the Eiffel Tower?"
"Sure thing, M'Lady." he smiled, his heart and spirits lifted a little at the sight of her, "I'll be there soon."
"See you then, Mon Chaton." She winked.
Chat Noir slid the baton closed. He looked at the silver weapon for a moment. That was strange, normally Ladybug would have gotten his attention by only buzzing him once, not letting it burn until he answered. He had told her about the burning sensation after the first time it happened, and she'd felt bad, and promised only to use it when she really needed him.
He shrugged, maybe she was having an off day. Or she really, really needed him. He slid off his bed, and leapt to the window, and prepared himself for the fight ahead. If they could catch the akuma quickly so he could return to his nap, that would be awesome. Chat Noir stopped halfway out his window with a sense of dread, "I'm starting to sound like Plagg."
He shook his head and slipped from the window down to the street, and off towards the park near the Eiffel Tower. As he made his way to the park, he couldn't shake a strange feeling in his gut, like something was off. He shook it off, he was feeling off. He felt like he had lived for three weeks inside the last two days. He was probably just hungry. Or tired. Or both, to be honest.
He landed softly in the grass, and looked up at the Eiffel Tower, thinking fondly of the times he spent with his Ladybug up in the bars, and felt again that strange pull of his skin, like there was something off about this meeting. Normally they met out of sight, up inside the tower.
Ladybug appeared next to him. He hadn't even heard her coming. He smiled at her, grateful to see her, and then frowned. This wasn't his Ladybug. He would fake it until he knew what was really going on here.
"So, My Lady," he smiled, "Why did you call me out here?"
He looked at the girl before him, her eyes were the exact shade of Ladybug's eyes, and her hair was exactly the same color. Her spotted uniform was correct and even her nose was the right shape. But the way she was standing, and the way she twirled her hair on her finger, gave away that whoever this was, was not Ladybug.
"Mon Chaton, can't a girl call her partner just to chat?" She smiled.
"Of course, My Lady," He bowed, "But at such a strange hour, I was expecting an akuma." He stood up straight again.
She laughed, "Silly kitty, I just wanted to see you, and to talk about," she looked away bashfully, "Well about us."
Chat Noir almost laughed. He knew Ladybug so well, that this poor imposter couldn't even stir a bad pun out of him. She was standing with her toes pointed towards each other and with her hands twisted together behind her back. If this had been the real Ladybug, he would have probably died by now. But this girl, whoever she was, was poorly suited to copying the heroine of Paris.
"And just what about us," he raised an eyebrow, "did you want to talk about?"
"Well," She hummed, "I was thinking that I really like you, Chat Noir, and I'd like you to consider going on a date with me." She looked up at him.
Chat Noir felt his skin crawl, a date with anyone but his Lady didn't sound even mildly appealing, but he decided to play along, "My Lady," He pretended to brighten, "All you had to do was ask." He smirked at her.
She smiled wide, and grabbed him by the hands, "Oh, really, Mon Chaton? I was so worried!" He laughed.
Her nimble fingers pulled at his ring, and he ripped his hand away, "I would like to ask that you keep your hands to yourself." He knew now that this girl was an akuma. His Lady had her own miraculous stone, and had never taken much interest in his. Only La Papillon was interested in their miraculous stones.
The sweet facade of Ladybug disappeared, and she snarled at him, "Give me the Miraculous. I need it."
Chat Noir slipped into himself, this was much better. The akuma after his miraculous as it should be. He leaned back, and sighed, "You're going to have to catch me first." he grinned devilishly at her, and took off running.
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Marinette sighed, and leaned her tired body across the cool marble of the countertops of the cafe. She was exhausted. It had been a long few hours since five o'clock this morning, and she was ready for the store to close and for the day to be over. The lunch rush was finally done, and she had a few moments to herself, in which there was no one in the bakery, and no ringing timers letting her know that there was something to be removed from the oven or something to be iced or frosted.
The bell that hung above the door rang, and Marinette jumped up, and smiled, "Welcome to the Boulangerie Patisserie what can I," she blinked, "Chat Noir?"
Chat Noir seemed to be running from something by the way he pressed himself against the glass display of cookies and tarts, and crouched low, looking out the windows. At the call of his name he turned to her with a sly smile, and after a moment tried to woo her, "And who might this fair maiden be?"
Marinette felt her face droop into an unimpressed frown, before she remembered that she was supposed to be a slight fan of Chat Noir, and smiled shyly at him, "Why, it's Marinette Dupain-Cheng. We've met before."
Chat Noir looked her up and down, and she felt a small blush tint her cheeks, "Ah yes, the fair maiden is actually my beloved Princess. How lovely you have grown in our time apart. A selfish dragon must have been keeping you to himself." He winked at her, "Do you need rescuing?"
Marinette resisted the urge to groan. Instead she leaned on the counter with a girlish laugh, "Oh Chat, I haven't been kept away by a dragon. I've been in fashion school."
Chat Noir laughed, "You have always been quite well dressed. I should have known."
Marinette waved off the compliment, "What brings you into my bakery?"
Chat Noir blinked, "Your bakery? I thought you said you were in fashion, Princess. Did the dragon also teach you to lie?"
"I didn't lie, Kitty-cat. And there was no dragon. I recently moved home, and now work in this bakery. What can I do for you? Would you like a croissant? Or perhaps a warm cup of tea? Saving Paris must be hard. It would be on the house for a hero like yourself." She offered.
"No, no, dear Princess, I don't care much for tea. Coffee is my weakness, however."
Marinette made a mental note, one more thing to dislike about Chat Noir, his distaste for tea. And yet, she couldn't deny her growing affection for the man. She had been tearing herself apart for days over her potential feelings for the masked feline. She was going to regret this flirting with him later. She could feel it. She could only keep her heart split between two lives for so long. But, she couldn't help it.
"So just a croissant for you then?" She smirked.
Before he could answer, a girl that could be her twin waltzed through the door of the bakery and sighed, "Oh there you are my dear Chat Noir, I have been worried sick about you." the Ladybug lookalike strolled forward and laced her arm through Chat Noir's. He quickly pulled away. Marinette raised an eyebrow. Since when did Chat Noir turn down his Lady?
"Cherié, please." Chat Noir made a face, and held up his hands.
Marinette felt her blood start to run hot. Who was this girl who looked and sounded and dressed just like Ladybug? And why did she have her hands all over her Chaton? And what had she done to make Chat Noir not want to be near her? She tried to play it cool, but wanted to transform this instant and rip the earrings from this liar's ears. She blinked, surprised by her own anger. She took a deep breath. This was an akuma.
"Wow!" Marinette laughed, "Chat Noir and Ladybug in my bakery. This is amazing."
Chat Noir made a sour face at the girl, "Not quite as amazing as you think." He turned to Marinette with a sly smile and a wink, "I have to go, Princess, but I hope this isn't the last I see of you."
Marinette's heart fluttered.
"Chiao, Princess!" Chat Noir saluted her, and raced out the door.
The other girl suddenly became very angry and glared after Chat Noir. She turned to Marinette, "He's always like this." she laughed and bolted through the door after Chat Noir.
Marinette started at the door for a moment, and then felt her blood boil. That imposter girl was after Chat Noir, and probably his miraculous. She stormed to the door and flipped the sign from "OPEN" to "CLOSED", and opened her apron pocket to reveal an angry looking Tikki.
"She is going to ruin our sparkling reputation." Tikki huffed.
Marinette grinned, "Then let's set the record straight. Tikki, Spots On!"
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"My Lady," Chat Noir breathed a sigh of relief when she arrived on the scene, "I've wished for more than one Ladybug before, but I take it back. I only need you." He looked down at her through slanted eyes.
She blushed, but kept calm, "Oh, Minou. I'm touched."
"Sh-she isn't the real Ladybug. I am!" The other girl pointed to her chest, "Don't be fooled!" She softened her eyes and pouted, "Please, Chat, don't you know who the real one is?"
Chat Noir smiled at her, flashing his perfect teeth, "My dear, Ladybug is the love of my life. I would know that it was her in a crowd of a thousand lookalikes. You," He pointed to her with a clawed finger, "Are not my Ladybug."
The other girl looked shocked, "Mon Minou, she's tricked you, and she's going to try to take your miraculous."
Ladybug laughed and flipped her hair with a grin, "I don't need his miraculous, I already have my own."
The other girl scowled, "I guess you have me figured out then." She glared, and pulled a yo-yo from her hip, "I'll just have to take both of your miraculouses."
Ladybug pulled her own yo-yo from her hip, and looked at the girl, "Why don't you try?"
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La Papillon watched from his window as his newest akuma, Harpie, was defeated after letting Ladybug get close enough to take her necklace where the akuma had made a home. He watched as his butterfly was purified, and the effects of Harpie's terror reversed. He scowled, and slammed his staff to the ground, making the butterflies that normally rested there jump and flutter around the room.
"This will be the last time I am outsmarted. I will have the miraculous of Chat Noir and Ladybug. But," he smiled, "perhaps, I should try something a little different."
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"Well done, Chat Noir." Ladybug held out her fist.
Chat Noir looked at her, and asked the question that had been nagging at him since he realized a girl had been akumatized to be her twin, "My Lady, when we faced Copycat all those years ago," he swallowed, "Did you really not know which one of us was me?"
Ladybug softened, "Oh, mon Minou," She smirked at him, "You cause me too much trouble not to know when it is you, and someone trying to be you." She laughed, and punched his arm lightly, "You are my partner and my best friend, Chat Noir. I care for you more than I care for most people. So to answer your question, no. I was quite certain which one was you."
Chat Noir's heart lightened.
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Marinette looked down at her watch, the silver and pink band shining in the morning sunlight. Adrien was late. She scoffed at herself, she shouldn't care that much about when Adrien came to the bakery. It wasn't like he had to come every morning just before seven for the past few weeks. It wasn't like she already had his order waiting for him. It wasn't like she was going to miss him if she didn't see him. The door dinged, and she looked up, hopeful. And there he was, in his blue uniform that now fit him perfectly after she'd offered to alter it for him, and waving like he did every morning. Before she could say anything he greeted her.
"Bonjour, yes, I feel very welcome here. I'd like to order a caramel espresso and two blueberry muffins, please." He grinned as he walked in the door.
"Well, good morning." Marinette laughed, happier than she thought she would be to see the blonde officer in her bakery, "I was worried I was going to have to tell Papa that his effort to have fresh muffins for you every morning was going to be in vain."
Adrien stopped and looked at her, "Wait. Are you serious?"
Marinette laughed, "His favorite treat is also blueberry muffins, so while he doesn't know that it's you, he does make them every morning. And he's overjoyed that someone else loves them as much as he does. He has the unfortunate fate of living with lovers of tea and cinnamon rolls."
"Well," Adrien hummed, "Now I know I chose the right bakery. Your father is quite talented. The best coffee, the best muffins." he smiled, then smirked, "Your favorite sweet is cinnamon rolls?"
Marinette handed him the bag that was sitting behind the counter, and reached for his reusable mug, dodging the question, "I will pass along the compliment."
As she was taking the mug from Adrien and turning to the coffee machine, the door dinged again, and Marinette sighed, her morning banter with Adrien would be cut short. She didn't look up, but recited almost by reflex the chant that she said whenever anyone came through the door, "Bonjour, and welcome to the Boulangerie Patisserie. What can we make for you today?"
"M-Marinette?"
Marinette almost dropped Adrien's mug. She knew that voice. She had spent nights dreaming about that voice. She had spent a week getting to know that voice. She heard that voice every day for years. She filled Adrien's cup and poured the caramel in. She snapped the lid on with shaky hands. She turned back to Adrien, and set the cup on the counter. She looked over his shoulder to see Andrew standing at the doorway.
Adrien looked at her with worried eyes, "Marinette?"
She felt her blood run cold. She had never told Andrew where her bakery was, only that her parents owned one. He must have searched for her. She stared at him, and watched as his face broke into a broad smile.
He sighed, and raced to the counter, "Ah Mon Cherié, I'm so glad I found you."
Marinette felt something in her snap. She looked at him with a cold, professional frown, "I'm sorry, sir. You'll have to wait your turn." She turned to Adrien, softening, "This one is one the house," she winked, "Officer."
Adrien felt his heart skip, and took the black paper bag and the mug from the counter. He looked at Marinette for a moment, "Thank you." He walked towards the door, but hovered in the doorway, watching. Who was this guy? And, what had Marinette so upset?
The other man stepped up to the counter, "Cherié," Andrew started.
Marinette looked up at him, "I would appreciate if you used my name, Monsieur Gris. I know that you know my name." She looked back down to the counter, where she tidied the space around her register.
"Marinette, please." Andrew smiled.
Marinette wiped her hands on her pink apron, "Please what?"
Andrew sighed, "I am up to my ears in plans for the fall line, and I cannot keep Alyssandra and Briene from tearing into each other every chance they get. They are so distracted by trying to tear each other down that nothing is getting done. I didn't know girls could be so vicious. You were always so sweet."
"I like to treat other people with respect." She bit back.
He continued over her, "We are losing sales every passing day. The people miss you. I need you. I know you think poorly of me, but the company would be willing to bring you back, and pay you for the time you missed, as well as give you a raise. You would have your office and your title back, active immediately. Please, Marinette. Square just isn't the same without you."
Marinette calmly wiped the counter, "That would be because I made Square Designs what it was. It was my dedication and attention to detail that won us all of the attention we got. I worked myself to the bone, staying after hours and coming in early to get things done. I gave my life to that company and to you." Marinette pointed a finger at him, and met his gaze with a glare, "And I come to find that it was all for nothing but numbers."
Andrew paled, seeing for the first time the fire behind Marinette's sweet exterior.
Adrien looked back and forth between the man named Andrew and Marinette. He wasn't sure why, but he had the strong desire to jump between them and guard Marinette. He knew that Marinette could take care of herself, and from what he knew of girls she probably wouldn't want him to butt in. However, he refused to leave her alone with this guy. He was talking about fall lines and sales, he must be from fashion. Adrien glared at him. Was this guy the reason she had left so suddenly? The more he listened, the more he gathered that Andrew wasn't welcome in the Boulangerie Patisserie.
Marinette laughed bitterly, "I adored you, Andrew, and you broke my heart and betrayed my trust. You can't come here now, months after I left, and try to tell me that you need me. You don't need me, Square needs me. And don't you give me some half-baked excuse either. You can't tell me that you didn't know that I had feelings for you. We spent all of fashion week dancing around each other." she paused, taking a deep breath, "You used me."
Andrew sighed, "You're right. And I admit that I could have handled that situation better. But I do care for you, Marinette. And Square needs you."
Marinette scowled, "Well, tough luck."
Andrew looked at Marinette with surprised eyes, "How can you say that? You live for fashion. I may have been wrong about other things, but I know that passion for the art runs in your blood, Cherié. I have seen your work. You couldn't have made it to the top of the world of fashion with no talent, and no drive. How can you betray Square like that?" He was getting angry.
"I have no loyalty to a place where I was overworked and unappreciated. I was your crown jewel. Fashion's 'Spoonful of Sugar'. I am talented, none of that credit to you. I made myself what I was. And you took advantage of my kindness and devotion. Well, I'm over you, and fashion. You thought that I could be persuaded to come back to Square with you if you came to me with apologies and pretty words? You thought wrong." Marinette folded her arms.
Andrew frowned, "You can't tell me that you don't crave the creativity. I have seen your sketchbooks, Marinette. You can't keep still for a moment."
"You're right." She huffed, "But creativity doesn't have a single outlet."
"If not for me then, and not even for the money," He begged, "Square is going to lose it's title as a ready-to-wear empire, the empire that you helped to build. You will lose that, and Gabriel Agreste is going to cut us off. You are my last chance to make this company succeed. I will buy a sketchbook from you, if I must."
Marinette glared, "You think I care what Gabriel Agreste has to say about anything? From what I gather he is a man concerned only with himself, and what is best for him, and no one else." Marinette's eyes flickered to Adrien for a moment, and back to Andrew, "A little like you, Cherié."
Adrien felt his heart skip again.
Andrew scowled, "You would let a whole company fail because of your pride?"
"You sealed the fate of your company when you told the director that you would continue to let me blindly adore you for the sake of the company. That was a real eye-opener." She frowned.
Andrew stood speechless, as he pieced together what must have happened the day that Marinette walked out of Square Designs Headquarters. She had overheard his conversation with the director. He sighed, and put his hand over his eyes.
"Marinette, you don't understand." he held out a hand to her.
Marinette cut him off, "I understand just fine. I understand that you can't make it without me. I understand that Square is going to fail without me. I understand that you came here hoping that you could win me back. I understand that you're realizing now that you made a mistake. But I don't think you understand that I don't care anymore. I am happy here. I have friends, and I have my family. I have feelings for someone else. I am over you. I am finished with fashion, and finished with this conversation. So, if you don't want to buy anything, then I suggest you leave before I call the police to have you escorted out."
Andrew glared at her, "You'll regret it. You'll wake up one day and realize you miss it."
Marinette came around from behind the counter and pushed Andrew back, "No. I won't. I have moved on. I was sad, then angry, and now I'm just mad that you're still in my bakery." She pushed him to the door, pointing at it, "Now leave."
Andrew swatted her hands away, and glared as he walked out, storming down the street away from the bakery. Marinette watched him with a hard stare until he was out of sight.
Marinette let out a heavy sigh, and crouched down over her legs, putting her face in her hands. She felt her hands start to shake, and leaned on her knees more, her long ponytail brushing against the tiled floor of the cafe, "Oh Lord." she breathed, "Breathe, Marinette."
Adrien listened to the roar of his blood in his ears. He had never seen Marinette so bold, or so direct. She was stronger than he had given her credit for. He had learned that she was flirtatious and sassy, and he had always known that she was sweet and kind. And now, he knew that she was not to be crossed. And, that Andrew had broken her heart. He shook himself loose of his thoughts and looked down at Marinette, who was curled in a small ball by the door. He set down his bag and mug, and looked at the door. He spun the sign around, and then knelt down by Marinette.
He put his hand on her shoulder, "Marinette? Are you okay?"
She looked up at him with teary eyes and a smile, "Adrien," She sniffled, "You. I… I will be." she wiped at her eyes with her hands. She let out another breath, and laughed through her tears, "That was harder than I thought it was going to be."
"What?" Adrien looked at her.
"Letting go." She smiled.
Adrien smiled softly at her, then whistled low, looking between her and the door, "Remind me never to get on your bad side." he stood up and offered her a hand.
She laughed, and let Adrien pull her from her crouched position, "You got it."
She looked up at Adrien with a shy smile, and he looked down at her, concerned. She crossed her arms across her chest, and looked at her watch. She gasped and looked up at Adrien, "You're going to be late if you don't leave like, right this second." She grabbed his bag and cup, and shoved them at him, "Go, go. Before you get in trouble."
He took the bag from her, and pushed the door open, and smiled back at her, "I'll see you tomorrow."
She waved, "I'll be waiting."
Adrien took off for the precinct, suddenly grateful for the coffee mug that closed tightly, keeping his piping hot drink from spilling after he had shoved it and his muffins into his shoulder bag. He ran down the street towards the precinct, praying that he would make it in time. Cherlie would kill him if he was late one more time. And Rondel and Bellamy would never let him have the end of it if he told them he was late because of a girl.
He ran into the precinct and into the training room just as Cherlie was taking roll. She shot him a look as he raced for his seat, and then collapsed into his chair. Cherlie called his name.
"Present." He huffed.
"For once." Bellamy coughed.
Adrien shot him a look.
He had made it. Marinette had saved him. His heart fluttered. Marinette. He was worried for her. She said that she was going to be okay, but he had seen her hands shaking and her teary eyes. She had not been expecting Andrew to waltz into the bakery that morning. But, he noted with a blush, she had handled it well.
He pushed away the nagging part of his brain that was replaying her words "I have feelings for someone else". He didn't have time to think about that he suddenly wanted that someone to be him. Even if the feelings weren't love, if they were positive, he wanted them.
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"Oh I so don't have time for this." Chat Noir muttered under his breath as he chased after Ladybug as she chased an Akuma.
"You'll never catch me!" The akuma laughed.
"I think you're a little too confident." Ladybug stopped, and threw her yo-yo, "Lucky Charm!" and into her hands fell a bottle of oil. She grinned and untwisted the lid, and threw the bottle.
The akuma slipped in the oil and right into a car. The loss of balance and tumble to the ground was enough for Ladybug to take the headband, and break it in her hands.
Chat Noir tapped his foot, anxious to be done, and as soon as the butterfly was set free, he gave his Lady a fist bump and a wink before he darted off.
He dropped the transformation in an alley mid-run, and Plagg disappeared into his bag. He was so dead. Cherlie was going to have him on gofer duty for a month. He would be making copies while everyone else watched old bad cop movies. He groaned and ran faster. He would have to skip the daily stop by the bakery. He prayed Marinette, and her father, would forgive him.
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Marinette crashed into the bakery, feeling tired and hot from her run around the city with Chat Noir and Mirage, an akuma that had been particularly hard to catch, or see. Her mother turned around from the register, looking concerned.
"Marinette are you alright?" she worried.
Marinette sighed, "Sorry, Mama. I couldn't sleep last night, and went for a walk this morning to try to wake myself up and I fell asleep in the park. I'm sorry if I worried you. I can take over."
Sabine hummed, "I have a better idea."
Marinette raised an eyebrow.
"Your friend who always comes in didn't make it in this morning." Sabine pointed to Adrien's coffee and muffins that were still sitting behind the register, waiting for him.
Marinette glanced at her watch. It was almost an hour past when Adrien normally came in. He was at the precinct by now. She raised an eyebrow, trying to think why he wouldn't have come in. He always came in, even if he was running late.
Sabine smiled, and handed Marinette the bag and coffee cup, "You should take them to him. I'm sure he's missing his morning coffee."
Marinette took the items from her mother, "I don't know if they would let me bring them into the precinct."
Sabine scoffed, and waved Marinette's doubt away, "The walk will wake you up, and then you can run the store for the day. Take the boy his coffee, dear."
Marinette thought about it for a moment. It would be a good chance to clear her head and zone out for a little bit. And she could make sure Adrien was alright. She smiled, and kissed her mother on the cheek, "Alright. I'll be back soon."
She walked down the street towards the precinct, thinking of all the things that could have made Adrien forget to stop by the bakery this morning. She stopped herself. He was probably just running late again, and didn't have time to stop. She felt a little silly going all the way to the precinct just to deliver some muffins and a coffee, but she did want to make sure Adrien was alright, and she would get to see where he spent all of his time.
She smiled as the precinct came into view, and straightened her skirt. She walked in the front door and looked around.
The precinct was a busy place. It was full of officers and people looking for help. There was the sound of printers and the smell of cheap coffee in the air.
"May I help you miss?" An officer with brown hair and kind eyes tipped his hat to her.
"Ah," she smiled, "Yes. I'm looking for Adrien Agreste. Is he here?"
The officer looked at her for a moment and then smiled, "He gets all the cute girls, doesn't he? Yeah he's not gonna be able to hear the end of this. You better watch out, sweetheart. When those girls in his class find out a pretty girl like you is here to see him, they're gonna be jealous. Just a warning. Let me page him out here for you. Cherlie is gonna love this." He looked at her. The officer nodded and motioned for her to follow him, "This way."
He walked her to the small desk and pushed a button on the phone. A loud beep echoed through the precinct, and then he spoke into it, "Good morning, this is Officer Antoni on the PA system. I have a girl here at the front desk for Adrien Agreste. Adrien, if you could come out here please." Antoni removed his finger from the button and the announcement stopped.
There was a commotion at one of the doors and Marinette watched as the blinds of the room were all turned so that the people in the room could see out. She paled, there was a whole room full of new trainees looking at her through the tinted windows. There were two boys pushing Adrien out the door.
"Okay, okay, guys, I got this." Adrien's voice called from the open door with a laugh, "I'll be right back. Geez."
Adrien turned and rolled his eyes as he came up to the main desk. He smiled down at Marinette. She smirked up at him.
"You have quite the fan club in there." She glanced at the windows.
Adrien sighed, "Yeah, they know about my history as a model and now everything I do is exponentially more exciting. Eating. Talking. Walking. It's all very glamorous. Sorry about the audience." he pointed a thumb at the classroom.
Marinette shrugged, "I don't mind. I was a famous fashion designer, remember? Adoring crowds are my comfort zone." She smiled.
Adrien laughed, "I guess you're right."
Marinette sighed, "I was running late this morning and didn't make it down to the bakery until it was past time for you to come by, only to realize that you hadn't come by at all. And since friends don't let friends with a coffee addiction go without their morning fix, I brought you fresh coffee and fresh muffins. Papa would be crushed if you didn't have them." She held out the bag and cup for him.
He smiled, "Marinette you are the sweetest." he took them from her, "If I ever needed Dupain-Cheng muffins and coffee, it would be today." he winked at her, "You're my hero."
Marinette saluted with a wink, "Saving Paris one muffin at a time. I'm your friendly neighborhood delivery girl from the Boulangerie Patisserie." she laughed.
Adrien laughed with her, and she felt the warmth in his laugh. She looked back to the room and everyone was still watching them, still laughing she managed, "Your fans are missing you, Mr. Agreste."
Adrien sighed, "I should get back. But really, Marinette," He held up his goodies, "Thank you."
She smiled, "Always a pleasure. I'll see you tomorrow?"
He nodded, "Tomorrow."
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Marinette turned to leave with a wave and Adrien felt himself flush. She'd come all the way from the Boulangerie Patisserie to bring him his morning order. The small flower that was slowly growing in his heart was starting to become a wildflower garden, and he was going to be in trouble if this got much worse. He hadn't been planning on meeting a normal girl outside of loving Ladybug. But there she was, Marinette Dupain-Cheng, bringing him muffins, and making his heart race. He hadn't expected Marinette to be so charming.
He sighed, and walked back to the classroom after watching Marinette leave. He opened the door, and smiled, "Sorry about that, guys." He sat down between Bellamy and Rondel, and Bellamy just looked at him.
After a moment he accused Adrien with a flat tone, "So is she the reason you're late every day?" He looked at the familiar black bag and coffee, "Do you actually go to that shop for coffee? Or is it for that girl?"
Adrien stuttered, "N-no! This is my favorite coffee, and I normally stop by the bakery every day. I was running even more late than usual today, so I didn't have a chance to go. Marinette was nice enough to bring it to me."
"So her name is Marinette." Rondel hummed.
"Guys. She's a friend. I've known her since we were in school together a few years ago. We used to all go to her parent's bakery for lunch and to study." Adrien huffed.
"She is as pretty as you are." Bellamy snickered, looking at Adrien with a cheeky smile, "Maybe she's the reason you left your super hot american girlfriend."
"Lam," Adrien sighed, "I already told you I left Robyn because I needed space."
Rondel smirked, "Yeah, space for Marinette."
Adrien groaned. He was never going to hear the end of this.
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Adrien walked out of the bakery with his coffee in hand, and a muffin in his mouth. Marinette had been adding extra blueberries to the top of his muffins the past few days. She had made all kinds of shapes with them. Little birds, and a cats with pointed ears, there had been a few times where it had been his initials or a smiling face. Flowers and plants, and he loved it. But today, it was hearts, and he was doing everything he could to not think about it. It had never been hearts before.
He looked back through the tinted glass to see Marinette wave at him. Her pink apron and hair in twin ponytails made her that much more adorable. He turned away and walked towards the precinct. He was going to be on time for the first time in days, there hadn't been an akuma attack in a few days, which was good because he had no spare brainpower to devote to thinking about anything but the fact that he was falling hard for Marinette.
His love for Ladybug had become something more like respect, but was no longer the kind of love that he'd previously had for her. He cared for Ladybug, but was starting to dream more of Marinette. Ladybug seemed to be more and more unreachable as they continued to fight for Paris. She was so focused on keeping their identities a secret that while he knew everything about her life, he didn't really know anything. He understood how she felt and respected her choice. But it left his heart wanting. His adoration for Marinette only grew as his love for Ladybug dimmed. Ladybug was a hero, beautiful, powerful, brave, and she was wonderful, but she was an idol, and that meant she was distant. They were friends and partners and there was trust and dependability. But, the relationship that he so craved, that he'd found, he hadn't found with Ladybug.
Marinette was right in front of him. He saw her every day, for the most part, and the more time he spent with her, the more he wanted to spend time with her. Marinette was funny and sweet. She was wickedly talented at design, and had found a way to channel her skills as a world famous clothing designer into being a top class cake and cookie decorator.
He had been telling himself for a few days that maybe Marinette didn't feel the same way about him as he did about her. She was outgoing enough that she would probably say something. Wouldn't she? But he had been around girls for most of his life, and had had a girlfriend that had almost been his fiancée. He was pretty sure he knew how to tell when a girl liked him. And, if Marinette was making him special muffins, and waiting for him to come into the bakery all the time, didn't that mean she liked him at least a little? He sighed, and sipped at his coffee.
At this point it wasn't really about her feelings. The heart wants what it wants and Adrien was both elated and horrified to find that his heart wanted the charming bakery girl. It had snuck up on him like a sunrise. Pretty to look at and watch, and then all at once, the warmth and the light of the sun hit you. Marinette had become the sun. Ladybug was now the garden, rooted deep within his heart, still cherished and beautiful. But, he was content to just be her partner.
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Ladybug sat on the ledge just inside the Eiffel Tower, and looked out at the stars. Something was up with Chat Noir and she was determined to find out exactly what it was. As if on cue, he jumped up to the ledge and landed on his hands and feet.
"Bonjour, Chat Noir." She smiled, "How are you this evening?"
He grinned and stood up straight before sitting down next to her, "I'm doing well. What did you want to talk about My Lady?" he grinned.
She sensed it then. The absence of something she couldn't quite put her finger on. His smile was just as goofy and crooked as ever, and his costume wasn't different. His hair was the same and his eyes were still their piercing green. She looked at him, cocking her head to the side a bit, perplexed by the strange feeling that something was missing.
She smiled, "I was wondering how you are, Minou. It's been awhile since we've seen each other, and you've seemed a bit distracted."
Chat Noir put his hand on his neck and looked away from her, "I've had a lot on my mind." She watched a blush creep from under his mask.
She nudged him, "Come now, Chaton. Tell me. You can trust me."
Chat Noir sighed, "I wouldn't want you to think badly of me. It would crush my kitten heart." He smirked.
Ladybug frowned, feeling that absence again, "Chat Noir, I already think badly of you."
He covered his heart with his hand and leaned backwards over the edge of the platform, "Then I shall die here. Without the affection of my Lady I can't go on."
"Drama Queen." Ladybug muttered with a smile as he looked at her with one eye cracked open. She rolled her eyes, but felt her heart flutter all the same.
He laughed and sat up, "Alright. Alright. But I don't want you to think that I think any less of you." He looked at her seriously.
Ladybug scoffed, "Just spit it out."
He sighed, "I," he gestured to the air with his hands, "I might have… met someone." He looked at her sheepishly.
Ladybug felt the blood rush to her ears and felt time slow down. Chat Noir had been acting strangely because he didn't know how to tell the girl that he professed his undying love to that he'd met another girl. Ladybug shrugged. Or boy. Still, her heart sank to the ground below her. She was still thinking of getting up the courage to tell her beloved partner that she was starting to have feelings for him. To find out that he was falling for someone else, it was a surprise. She couldn't tell him how she felt now. Not with that goofy smile on his face just from telling her that he might like someone else.
She grinned, "Really?" Tell me about it." Ladybug asked, trying to sort through her thoughts.
"Oh," Chat Noir sighed, "She is the sweetest, most genuine person. She is passionate and kind and..."
Chat Noir continued to go on without her. He didn't notice that she wasn't really listening. He was delighted to talk about this new girl he'd found. Ladybug smiled sadly at him. She was apparently going to be unlucky in love for the rest of her life. First Adrien in school, then Andrew the other day at the bakery, and now her beloved Chat Noir. She waited for her heart to break. She listened for the screams inside her. But they didn't come. Instead a feeling of sad peace settled on her shoulders. She accepted her fate.
Chat Noir was her best friend, and although she cared for him, and could have tried to find a way to make it work, she still didn't feel like she could trust him with her secret identity. It would never have worked. She sighed. He had grown tired of waiting for her to like him back. She had missed her chance. And, she decided, that was okay. She could let go of her feelings so that he could be happy. She listened to him talk about her, and watched as he excitedly gestured about all the cute things she did. Ladybug's heart warmed again. Chat Noir had found someone to love outside of being Chat Noir. She smiled. She was happy for him.
He looked at her, "It's not that I don't love you. I do. You're my best friend, and my hero. It's just that I," he flushed, "I might love her like a more than a friend?"
Ladybug laughed, "Oh Chat Noir, you don't need to worry about me. I am a big girl. I can handle that you might have finally grown out of your crush on me."
"Really?" He looked at her shyly, "because I have been trying to figure out how to tell you for a few days and couldn't find the words. But I think I really do love her, M'Lady." He looked out into the stars.
"Then go for it." Ladybug grinned, "If she makes you happy, then I can't reasonably tell you not to at least try. As your friend I can't deny you that." She paused, "So long as you're still my partner."
Chat Noir relaxed, "No need to assume the worst here. We are still purr-fectly matched." He winked.
Ladybug groaned, but smiled. She had her Chat Noir back. That thing that had been missing. It was back in place. This was her Chat Noir, and she loved him. Puns and all.
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Adrien looked down at his hands, frustrated at himself. Nothing had changed. She was still just Marinette. Yet, now every time he tried to talk to her he got all nervous and flustered. Like his words made it to his mouth and then his tongue jumbled them all up before he could get them past his lips. She had probably noticed. She probably thought he was a weirdo. He was grateful for the ability to blame his tardiness for having to leave the bakery so quickly this morning. He needed to get himself under control. He couldn't go on like this. Marinette was just a girl, he should be able to just talk to her. He sighed, and walked through the doors of the precinct. He would continue like nothing was wrong. He would eat his muffins, that now only had hearts on them. The past three days had all been hearts. He wouldn't think about that. He wouldn't think about stopping back by the bakery after training too.