Marinette

"Just so we're clear, I'm doing this solely for you, and only this once." Marinette put her bag by a chair, placing four cups of coffee and a box of pastries from her parents' bakery on a table. "Next time, find an excuse to see your boyfriend outside of classes without involving me."

"He's not my boyfriend. Yet." Alya plopped in a nearby chair. "And to see if I want him to be one, I need to get to know him better. Preferably in a subtle, no-strings-attached situation. Dates bear too much pressure. Teaming up for a school's project is perfect."

"Stringing me along for this isn't."

"You'd better team up with someone you don't know? We would still need to do this, you know that, right?"

"We don't really know them either." And Marinette wasn't eager to fix that. Falling in love with someone who so obviously had feelings for another wasn't on her Bucket List, nor would it ever be. And should she get to know Adrien better, falling in love with him would be exactly what would happen. She was already halfway there.

"We know they are not entitled, spoiled pricks. And we know they are funny, smart, and hot. Guys like them don't come our way every day, M, and before you'll give me another excuse for why you shouldn't be here, nothing will happen to you if you spend a few hours with Adrien in the same room. I thought you two worked your issues out?"

"We did," Marinette grumbled, reaching for her coffee cup. She hadn't told Alya about their little non-spying, not-a-fake-date yet, and if Marinette would have her way, she never would. "He explained everything and apologized. So did I. And after I give him his umbrella back, it'll be the end of it."

"The end?" Alya smirked, reaching for her coffee. "The end of the beginning I hope? You aren't fooling me, girl. Someone was unusually distracted and daydreaming more than usual lately. Doubt you—"

"I was just brainstorming ideas for your wedding dress." Marinette slyly grinned before Alya could elaborate any further. "Alya Lahiffe. Sounds nice, isn't it?"

Alya almost choked on her drink. "Whoa! Hold your horses, girl. I'm just getting to know the guy. Don't marry me off already."

"Don't sell me off to the first guy I take a double glance at."

"Ah, so you admit it." Alya grinned. "You like him."

Marinette huffed and looked away, her voice quiet as she replied, "What does it matter? He likes someone else."

The arch of Alya's eyebrow was nothing but curiosity itself. "Oh? And how do you know that? He told you?"

Marinette shrugged, an uncomfortable feeling gripping at her chest. "He claims she's just a friend. But you should've seen the way he lights up every time he talks about her. She's anything but just a friend to him. Believe me."

The clock on a wall beat its rhyme as Alya watched her friend intently. "You know, I'm not an expert on Mister Sunshine, nor have I spent much time with him to deny or confirm anything, but from what Nino had told me, Adrien's quite smitten with you. Have you considered he wasn't lying when he said that that girl was just a friend?"

"I know what I saw, Alya—"

The crick of the opening door silenced her as the two remaining members of their group entered the room.

"Good morning, ladies." Nino waved, his smile brightening the room the moment his eyes landed on Alya.

"Hey there, handsome." The object of his affection stood up to greet him, sparing a fleeting glance to the person beside him. "Hello, Adrien."

"Hi, Alya." Adrien's smile was shy but genuine as he bowed his head slightly her way. His gaze shifted to Marinette and he lit up. "Hey, Marinette." His steps halted as soon as he caught a glimpse of four cups of coffee and an identical-to-the-one-he-was-holding-in-his-hands box of treats. "I see someone had a similar idea."

"Someone lives in that bakery." Alya snickered. "But you have good taste, M Noir. Tom and Sabine's have the best pastry in town."

He quirked an eyebrow, looking at Marinette. "It's your parents' bakery? I didn't know that. I went there because my… friend suggested it to me."

A painful reminder she didn't need. Marinette still tried her best to smile. "Glad to hear we're being recommended to people. I hope you liked the assortment we offer."

Nino snorted, patting Adrien on the shoulder. "Liked it? The dude ate half of the box on the way here. He might not look it, but the man has the biggest sweet tooth I've ever seen."

"Like you've seen a lot," Adrien grumbled, settling down. "I just had to try what I was bringing to the table. That's what being a good friend is all about."

"And before we diverge any further on the topic," Alya said, sitting down. "Let's get started on the project. I managed to get the room for only a few hours."

"Good idea," Nino nodded, taking out his books.

They distributed coffee and treats and got to work. An hour later, Marinette was barely functioning, Adrien's proximity was making her lose her composure, concentration and any will to not fall further in love with him she still had. His smiles alone melted her heart; his gentleness and sweetness woke the butterflies in her stomach. And if only he'd timed his puns better, she'd give in to him at that very moment. Despite him being in love with someone else.

"These are delicious," Adrien whispered, leaning closer, as he devoured his third croissant. "Can your parents adopt me, so I can have those every day for breakfast? Also lunch. Possibly dinner."

Her brain short-circuited at the "adopt me" part. One more moment and Marinette wasn't sure she wouldn't faint or propose a marriage rather than adoption despite him being in love with another. Thankfully, Alya saved her from having to respond as she started to rummage in her bag, loudly complaining.

"I think I forgot my water bottle. M, do you have some water? The dry air is killing my throat."

Marinette sprung to her feet. "No, but I can buy you a bottle from a vending machine in the hall." Whatever it took to put some distance between Adrien and her. Surely, no one would question if she sat in a different chair upon returning.

"Oh, right. Vending machine. Thanks for reminding me. I'll go—"

"No, no!" Marinette pulled her wallet. "I need to stretch. My legs are cramping already. And I need a drink too, so you stay. I'll go."

She dashed out of the room before Alya could protest and quickly walked out of the study hall toward a vending machine around the corner. Once safe and sound and far away from Adrien, Marinette took a deep breath, leaning onto the machine. She had to think of something to prevent herself from falling for him even more. He wasn't available. And she would never be a homewrecker, a boyfriend-stealer, or the other woman.

"Didn't have much rest last night?"

Her heart dropped into the soles of her feet as Marinette almost jumped out of her skin. Adrien Freaking Noir. Right beside her. Easy, sincere, disarming smile on his lips.

"What are you doing here?"

"Nino and I wanted a drink too." He shrugged, a slight grin tugging at his lips a moment later. "That's the official excuse. In truth, I wanted to stretch my legs. Not very used to sitting for long periods of time."

He could've chosen a different time to "stretch his legs". Did he really have to follow her?

"Let me pay for this." Adrien pushed coins into the slot. "What drink would you like?"

"No, I can—"

"It's just a drink, Marinette. Really. Not a big deal."

"Plain water," she said, pressing the needed buttons.

"And for Alya?"

"Same."

"Looks like we all have the same taste." He chuckled, gathering four bottles of water and passing her one. "Yours."

"Thanks." She took a bottle and turned to walk back.

Adrien followed. "So how are you?"

Marinette walked faster. She didn't volunteer herself away from Adrien only for him to follow her here. "I'm fine. You?"

"Me? I'm fine too and not in love with Ladybug."

Marinette froze in her place, looking back at him. "What?"

He spoke slower. "I swear, she's just a friend. A really close friend, almost like a sister. But I do not harbour romantic feelings for Ladybug."

Marinette looked away, if only to prevent a disaster, because Adrien knew how and where to stand to look his best. Her knees as well as her resolve to stay away from him were melting under his gaze as fast as an ice cube in a sauna. She still persisted. She had to. "You don't owe me an explanation, Adrien."

"I think I do. So does Ladybug. She told me I'd better clear this to you as soon as possible."

She couldn't believe it. "You told her?"

"That you freaked out on me once you learned about her? Yeah, I did, why? Wasn't I supposed to?"

"First of all, I didn't freak out on anyone, and second, why would you tell her something like that?"

"Because I needed advice, and, as a female, she is in a better position to understand what I did wrong and what I should do to make sure you know I'm perfectly single with no romantic interest in my childhood friends."

Oh, really? Marinette almost laughed. "Perhaps you're a little oblivious about your own feelings, Adrien? There is no way anyone could talk as often and in such a loving manner about anyone as you did about Ladybug and not be in love with them. Even if subconsciously."

He shook his head. "I've known her my whole life. Don't you think I would've known by now if there were something more than a close friendship? I only talk about her so much because she's my sole source of information about Dupont. She grew up here. Most of what I know about the town I learned from her. That's the only reason. And, she's in a relationship. Ladybug's been dating Chat Noir for a couple of years now, while I am still very much single."

That name again. Why was her whole being reacting to it? Who was that man? She hoped a little prompting would do the trick. "Chat Noir? You have the same last name."

Adrien nodded. "He's a close relative. You can say we're almost brothers. You don't really think I'm the kind to go after my almost brother's girlfriend, do you?"

He didn't seem to be that sort of a man. From what little Marinette knew of Adrien by now, it was plainly obvious that he would never even consider such an action. He was too kind and too full of sunshine for that. Even now, Adrien was going way beyond what was reasonable just to clear a simple misunderstanding with the girl he hardly knew. A man like that wouldn't lie. She would believe him. For now. Because while it was a really good, making-sense explanation, one couldn't be too cautious when it came to matters like these. She'd keep her guard up, but it was better to close the topic before it got too personal for her liking. "No, you don't seem the sort."

"Marinette." Adrien stepped closer. "I know how it looks, but I promise it isn't like that. I'm sure you also have childhood friends of the opposite gender who you're close to but don't see them romantically."

She did. Not a childhood friend, but Marinette had known Luka ever since she started school. And while she did agree to go on a date with him recently, doing so only proved that she saw Luka solely as a friend, a really good and close friend, but still a friend.

"I do have someone like that." She gave Adrien a nod. "But even if I didn't, you don't owe me an explanation, Adrien. So what if you like someone more than a friend? You don't have to set the record straight with someone you just recently met. It's fine and, quite frankly, none of my business."

"But you're my friend." He took another step. "I don't want any misunderstandings between us."

He was getting too close. Her heart rate sped up, the room rapidly warming up. That handsome face. That disarming smile. That sincerity and gentleness shining through in his eyes. A mirror to his soul. No one with eyes like those could lie so convincingly, so perhaps Adrien was telling the truth? And maybe she could give him the benefit of the doubt this once, but it was too soon to fully let go and open her heart. Because if Marinette were to risk giving romance a chance, she had to get more proof of him being available and be sure of his feelings towards her first. Only a fool would knowingly run towards a heartbreak and Marinette Dupain-Cheng wasn't a fool, so unless Adrien Noir would give her a reason to think he was seriously interested in more than a friendship with her, she'd keep him right where he presumably kept Ladybug - in a nice and cozy friendzone.

His cell phone chimed. Adrien glanced at the screen. "Nino says Alya's about to call a national guard to search for you. We'd better go back."

Marinette nodded and resumed her walk. Slowly, they made their way back to the study room, but before they even had a chance to settle in, Alya turned to Adrien and asked, "So, Nino's telling me you two are from Paris?"

Adrien nodded. "Born and raised there."

"Must be nice." Alya sighed longingly. "Nothing interesting ever happens here."

"You can get bored in Paris too," Nino responded. "It all depends on what you do with your life. What people you surround yourself with. Your family, your friends, your job, I guess."

Alya titled her head to the side. "And how was it for you?"

Nino beamed. "I love my job. Never a dull moment."

"You work?" Marinette asked. Weren't Nino the same age as them? And if he had a job in Paris, what was he doing here, in Dupont, taking university classes?

Nino seemed to hesitate, glancing at Adrien. "Yeah, I do. Nothing's too exciting, though. Tech development. My father just had connections at the place, so I got an early start."

"Don't belittle yourself," Adrien said. "Nino's really good at what he does. One of the best."

"And how do you know?" Alya turned to the blond.

"I…" Adrien's smile turned awkward. "I also work there?"

"You too?" Marinette stared at him, memories of Adrien's "extensive education" he mentioned to her before making its way to her mind. They must be from one of those elite families to have such an education and a job already… Which posed that same question of what both of them were doing here in Dupont, in their decent but most-likely-inferior-to-Paris' universities?

"Oh! I'm all ears," Alya put away her notes and prompted her head on her arms, resting on a table. "Where do you work?"

Nino looked at Adrien, who shrugged and answered instead of him. "At the palace."

The girls' eyes bulged, their jaws dropping to the floor.

"As in the Royal residence?" Marinette whispered.

"Yes." Adrien's voice was too confident to be telling a lie.

Alya's face exploded with delight. "You must know a lot of confidential information, being so close to the Royal family."

"I wouldn't say I know a lot," Nino said slowly as if choosing his words carefully. "My job is in a technology development area. But even if I did know something, there are non-disclosure agreements everyone working at the palace has to sign."

"Did you?" Alya, being Alya, asked Nino point-blank.

"Yeah, I did. Sorry."

Alya pursued her lips, a heavy sigh escaping her. "Too bad, but for the record, I wasn't going to ask you for national secrets. Just to confirm or deny a few rumours."

"Sorry." Nino smiled apologetically. "But even if I could tell you anything, I doubt I'd know much."

"Ditto that." Adrien chuckled. "All he ever thinks of is his tech and ways to improve it. The guy practically lives in his lab."

"Goal-oriented and loyal man?" Alya smirked. "I like that. Want to go on a date with me?"

"Don't you dare to agree, Nino." Marinette snickered. "She'll spend the whole time trying to earn your trust and get at least some confidential info out of you."

Alya gasped, fake offence on her face. "Is that what you think of me?"

Marinette rolled her eyes. "I don't have to think. I know you."

Her eyes narrowed, lips pursed, Alya stared at Marinette for a full half a minute, before a chuckle slipped her lips. "She's right. I would try to get at least some secrets out of you."

Nino looked disappointed. "So no date?"

Marinette shrugged. "Not unless you want to be interrogated."

"Bummer." Nino sighed. "I was already looking forward to it."

"Perhaps I can help?" Adrien spoke, done with his fourth macaron. How in the world did he stay so fit, eating like that? "I didn't sign any agreements, and I do know a thing or two. I tell you what you want to know, and you take Nino on a date without interrogation. Deal?"

Nino glared at his friend. "Adrien."

"Don't worry." Adrien smirked. "I know what I'm doing."

Alya watched Adrien with skeptical eyes. "If you also work in the palace, how did you not sign anything?"

Adrien shrugged. "My father is the one officially working there, not me. I'm still finishing my education, so no one saw the need to make me sign anything. That'll change of course once I'm officially hired, but until then, somehow I slipped through the cracks."

"And are you seriously willing to disclose confidential info to me?" Alya quirked an eyebrow, folding her arms over her chest. "Not that I don't appreciate the offer, but where is your loyalty to the Crown and our country, M Noir?"

Adrien settled back into his chair, another treat in his hands. "Don't worry, I'm not disclosing anything confidential to anyone. You asked to confirm or deny a few rumours, not sensitive information. I can do that without letting anything important slip."

"And why would you do that?"

"Nino wants to take you on a date. What kind of a friend would I be if I didn't help him with that?"

Alya smirked, glancing at Nino. "Nino can get his own dates easily. Have you seen him?"

"I've been looking at him for ages and haven't seen a single, proper date yet."

"He must be good at being discreet. There is no way a man like him—"

"Can we just stop talking about me and my love life or the absence of thereof?" Nino interrupted. "I'm here, you know, and I can hear you."

"So you admit your love life is lacking?" Marinette snickered.

"Et tu, Marinette?" Nino glared at her.

Marinette laughed. "Sorry. Couldn't let the chance slip." Noticing Adrien proudly grinning at her, she shied away, her cheeks warming up. "Never mind me. Carry on."

"So?" Adrien looked back at Alya. "Do we have a deal? I promise to clarify rumours, not give away confidential info, so you can be sure I'm a loyal citizen and aren't betraying anyone's trust."

Alya watched him for a few seconds; then, shrugged. "Alright. I was going to ask him out anyway, but if I can get a scoop or two as a bonus, I don't see why not?"

"Do I get any say in this?" Nino grumbled.

"Of course." Alya smiled at him. "Do you want to go out with me?"

Nino blushed, ducking his head. "Who wouldn't?"

"Then sit back and let me make it happen." Adrien grinned. "Time for you to finally benefit from our friendship."

"Are you sure, though, Adrien?"

Adrien nodded, turning to Alya. "If I can't answer something for any reason, I'll let you know. Sounds good?"

"Sounds perfect."

"Then let's begin. What do you want to know?"

Alya practically jumped in her seat. "Is that true that there are people in Paris who can use magic?"

"Yes," Adrien didn't hesitate to answer. "There are not many of them, though. Maybe a dozen at most."

Marinette's lips parted, her eyes widening. Magic existed? As in the real world? Their real world? As in the one they were living in? Those rumours were true?

"Do you know any of them personally?"

Nino glanced at Adrien. Adrien pondered for a moment before hesitantly answering, "I do, but that's all I can tell you."

He what? Marinette stared at Adrien in shock. He personally knew people who could use magic? Weren't they supposed to be monsters of some kind? How is he still alive?

"Fair enough." Alya nodded. "Okay, next one. Is that true that the Prince is a hideous monster with such overwhelming powers he could end the world with a single swing of his finger if he wanted to? And that the King keeps him shackled and half-alive, locked up in his dungeon under the palace for the safety of us all?"

Both Nino and Adrien raised their eyebrows, letting out an amused huff at the same time.

"Wow," Nino whispered. "I haven't heard this one."

"I haven't heard the 'hideous monster' and 'shackled and half alive' parts," Adrien added. "Now, I wonder what else is out there."

"Can't answer?" Alya asked.

"I'd assume any info on the Royal family would be confidential," Marinette said. "Especially on the Prince. No one has ever seen him. He's the embodiment of confidentiality."

"And that's why it's so interesting," Alya whined. "Ugh, okay. Moving on."

"I saw him," Adrien said. "He looks like a normal person. Completely normal and not kept in any dungeon. I'd even say he's somewhat handsome and has a great sense of humour. Not a monster at all."

"Unless you're fighting him," Nino added, side glancing at Adrien. "He's a monster in a battle. I will find a way to defeat him sooner or later, though. That's a promise."

Adrien scoffed, that cocky smile back on his lips. "Keep dreaming. He'll continue to destroy you and your tech. Just like always. Every. Single. Time."

Nino narrowed his eyes. "We'll see about that. This new thing I'm working on will keep him at bay, or I'm not Nino Lahiffe, the Master of Force Fields."

Adrien laughed. "Bring it on. I can't wait—"

"Wait, guys!" Alya finally interrupted before Marinette could. "You fight with the Prince?!"

Both men snapped to look at Alya, nervous smiles plastered on both of their faces.

"Um, we—" Adrien glanced at Nino. "We help him train?"

"You what?"

"We aren't the only ones," Nino added. "He trains with a whole lot of people. Different approaches, various styles. He has to learn to handle them all. We're just a small part of that."

"Tiny," Adrien continued. "And it's mostly Nino. He's amazing with his tech. He designs all kinds of stuff and we then throw it at the guy and see if he survives."

"This doesn't leave this room, though," Nino added, frowning. "And this is the end of any 'rumour confirming' because I'm not sure you can keep your mouth shut, Adrien. Do you want to compromise your stay here?"

Marinette could swear Adrien almost hissed as he readjusted his sitting position and grabbed his coffee cup.

"Speaking of which," Alya just couldn't hold back. "What two big shots like you are doing here then? Don't you have enough universities in Paris? Why did you come to Dupont of all places?"

"We're…" Nino looked at Adrien. "Classified?"

"Research," Adrien mumbled. "I'm an apprentice for… um… a human-relations and business management kind of a position. I wanted to experience rural life to round off my education. Nino came with me as the good friend he is."

"And the Prince just let you go? Aren't you supposed to train with him?" Alya asked.

"The Prince thought getting Nino out of his lab would do him good," Adrien said, a smile finally making its way back onto his face. "And it's not like we quit. We'll have to go back at the end of the year."

Marinette stilled. She kept quiet most of the conversation, soaking up the information Adrien was giving them, learning more about him at the same time. Putting aside the existence of magic shocker, Adrien was a lot more fascinating than she'd realized. He worked at the palace, and everyone knew only the best at their craft worked there. He knew people who used magic. She didn't even believe in it up until now, spare her childhood fantasies. He personally knew the Prince, who knows whom else.

And who was Marinette? A baker's daughter from the province. Sure, she was talented, confident, and smart. She wasn't ugly. She knew her worth, but Adrien was clearly out of her league. Not to mention he was going back to Paris in a few months. Marinette could never leave. Not with the family's bakery in her future. Those feelings she'd just started to harbour? That warmth that even a thought of him evoked in her body? Those butterflies in her stomach and that sweet pang in her chest? It didn't matter anymore if he was or wasn't in love with Ladybug. Marinette better squish her crush this instant before it grew into something more and left her heartbroken come New Year.

"Marinette?" Adrien's hand was suddenly on hers, sending electrical currents up her body, as he whispered, leaning closer. "Are you alright? You look pale?"

His eyes were filled with concern… Those gorgeous green eyes she now had to forget.

"I'm fine," she responded, averting her gaze from his. "Just a bit tired."

He squeezed her hand lightly, retreating his a moment later. "Then let's finish this so you can go home and rest. Take a nap, perhaps. Dream of someone special."

Marinette sadly chuckled, directing her attention to her tablet. "Even if I did, I wouldn't remember anything upon waking up. I never do. Stupid Chloe."

"Chloe?"

Marinette sighed. Not someone she wanted to remember but she guessed she'd better explain. "A girl from my high school. And middle school as well. Don't forget my preschool, too. She bullied some psychological issues into me, and as a result, I don't remember my dreams. Not sure how and when that happened, but that's the best explanation my doctor could give me."

He looked at her with curiosity in his gaze. "You went to the doctor for not remembering your dreams?"

Marinette shrugged. "I mentioned it during one of my annual checkups. Don't you think it's weird not remembering your dreams? Not even one."

"It happens. I know of at least one person who doesn't either."

Really? She wasn't alone. "Who?"

"Ladybug," Adrien said, watching her closely. "She doesn't remember her dreams either."

"What happened to her?"

"Magic," Adrien said. "It's nothing serious, though. It'll pass soon. Hopefully, your case will be just as temporary."

Magic? Marinette looked away. Thinking Chloe was the cause of her dreamless nights was ridiculous, but Marinette was even less willing to attribute her condition to magic. Maybe it was the reason for Ladybug, but Marinette wasn't Ladybug and there was no magic in her life, and come New Year, she would be miserable. She knew that already. She knew that looking in Adrien's eyes. How cruel. The first time she'd fallen in love, and it just had to be the only guy she couldn't have.

"You're right." Shoving away the uncomfortable pang in her chest, Marinette directed her attention to her work. "I do need some rest. Let's finish this as fast as we can."

"Of course." Adrien nodded and got to work. How sweet of him. How selflessly kind. How very sad Marinette wouldn't be the one to bask in the goodness of this man's heart for the rest of her life.