The story below is based on the characters from Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir. I own nothing of the show. This is purely fictitious and written for the enjoyment of my readers and myself. All rights go to the proper parties.


Marinette and Alya are reading a magazine, "Leo: Your heart's gonna roar", Marinette quotes from the magazine before she turns the page and sees pictures of Adrien, "Wow, roar!" She exclaims. Her and Alya giggle.

Meanwhile, Adrien is spying on them from across the courtyard.

Suddenly, Nino appears from behind him and teases Adrien, "FYI, Marinette's never going to fall in love with a statue."

Adrien pulls Nino to the side, "Shhh! You know I'm no good with this, especially with Marinette. I mean, do I go up to her and crack a joke? Shoot her a compliment? Invite her to the zoo? Play it serious?"

Nino laughs, "Dude, you're way over-thinking this. 'Invite her to the zoo', you serious?"

Adrien nervously speaks, "Well, they have this really cool new exhibit there." A new black cat!

"Listen, just be yourself, dude." Nino responds.

"That's easy for you to say, I've never done this before. My heart is pounding and my usual 'model looks' are worthless against Marinette. She's not shallow enough to fall for me just because of my looks, and I had such a bad first impression with her, that I probably have no chance of winning her heart with my personality." Adrien says, disheartened.

Nino smiles at Adrien, "You're cool, dude, trust me - or you wouldn't be my best bud. Invite her to the zoo. She'll say 'yes', I promise."

Adrien gains some confidence as he begins the journey to Marinette and Alya, but he panics at the last minute. "What if I act like a moronosaurus, or she disses me or thinks I'm lame or - ?" He freaks out.

"Okay, I got your back." Nino says as they fist bump.

Adrien and Nino come out of hiding as they walk up to the two girls.

Marinette is gushing over the magazine in front of her, "Oh, he's such a-"

Alya interrupts, "Smartie, hottie, suavĂ­simo, yummy-tastic spellbinder!"

"All of the above." Marinette says as she spins around before bumping into Adrien and dropping her magazine. "Huh?" She blushes as she looks at a nervous Adrien.

"Oh, um, sorry Marinette." He says as Nino comes up from behind him.

"Yeah, sorry Dudette." Nino says.

Marinette giggles as she bends down to grab her magazine at the same time as Adrien. "Ahh!" They say.

They both blush as Marinette pulls the magazine away and they say, "sorry" together.

Nino looks at the two lovebirds and says, "Sorry about that, Marinette, how about we make it up to you, dudette. Any ideas, Adrien?"

Adrien smiles, and puts on a brave face, even though he's more nervous than he has ever been in his entire life, "How about we check out the zoo today? They have a new panther!" He suggests.

"Awesome idea, right, Marinette? You love animals." Alya says while nudging Marinette.

Marinette stammers out a reply, "Uh, yeah. I, uh, I'm really into zoonimals. I mean, uh, anizools. I mean zoonimoos. I..." She sighs.

Adrien speaks once again, "Cool. Say, after school, four o'clock?" He holds his breath as he waits for her answer.

"Four!" She yells and blushes again. Adrien rubs the back of his neck as he nods his confirmation before him and Nino walk off. "Four o'clock." Marinette continues, lovestruck. "Yeah..."

Alya waves her hand in front of Marinette's face as she says, "Uh, Earth to Marinette? You do realize the guy you're completely crazy about has just asked you out, right?"

Marinette smiles, "Yeah..." then understanding dawns on her and she panics, "Huh, wait, what?! No, not like this! Not here, not today! I haven't washed my hair! I'm not wearing my lucky socks! Fine! Help me, Alya! I can't do this alone!" She yells as she holds onto Alya. Alya pats her head in comfort as they move on to class.

Meanwhile Adrien talks to Nino while he tries to calm his heart down.

"Good job, dude. You were totally cool out there." Nino praises.

"I feel like my heart is going to beat out of my chest." Adrien says as he holds his chest.

"Well, you did it, and you'll be great when your alone with Marinette at the zoo later on-" He says before Adrien interrupts.

"Whoa, what do you mean alone with Marinette? You're coming with me. I need a wingman, plus, you can spend some time with Alya! You like her, don't you?" Adrien says.

"Uh huh. This is your date. We didn't even confirm if Alya was going or not." Nino says.

"Come on, Nino. I need you there. I can't be so confident without some support." Adrien pleads.

"Alright dude, I'll be there to coach you, but I won't tag along on your date." He says as they fist bump each other.


~Later at the zoo~

Marinette sits alone at a bench as Alya speaks through a microphone in her ear, "One, two, one, two, testing. D'you read me, girl?"

"I can hear you. But I still don't think I can go through with this." Marinette says back.

"'Course you can. Just be yourself!" Alya encourages.

"Remember the last time I did that?" Marinette asks as she remembers her awkward encounter in the boys bathroom.

"Fine, just be yourself and look where you're going." Alya corrects.

Marinette looks around as she says, "Oh, where are you, love of my life?"

Tikki speaks up, "How's Adrien supposed to be the love of your life if you can't even talk to him?"

"Tikki, stay out of sight. I'm gonna talk to him, you'll see. I will speak to him!" Marinette says, determined.

"That's right, girl! Way to be motivated!" Alya cheers. "Marinette, target at ten o'clock!" She says.

Marinette looks around for Adrien and finds him walking up to her. She blushes, "Alya, what do I say to him?" She asks.

"Just be yourself, Marinette. Tell him hello." She suggests.

Adrien makes his way to the bench Marinette is sitting on, "Hey Marinette!" He says excitedly.

"H-hello." Marinette responds.

"Is Alya coming?" Adrien asks, hoping to start a conversation or see if Nino should come out of hiding for a double date.

"Dude, why would you ask about Alya?" Nino says from the earpiece. Adrien ignores him.

"N-no. What about Nino?" She asks.

"Girl, don't ask about Nino, this isn't about us." Alya says.

"No, but I bet he would have came if he new Alya were coming too." Adrien says.

"Dude! Don't tell her my secrets." Nino complains.

"O-oh, really? Does he, um, oh my God, does he like Alya?" Marinette asks excitedly.

Adrien smiles, "Don't tell him I told you, but he's crazy about her."

"Really? That's awesome! We should totally get them together!" Marinette exclaims.

"Say what?! Seriously?!" Alya yells, "You didn't even ask me first! Uh-uh! Nino's like... a brother to me! Bleugh! No! End of discussion!" Alya complains.

"He's gonna be so sad if you don't try." Marinette whispers.

"Did you say something?" Adrien asks.

Marinette panics, "I said... It'd be so sad if he didn't tell her!"

Alya growls, "Grrr!! I can't believe your trying to set me up on a date with Nino!"

Suddenly Marinette and Adrien see a bunch of animals run by, "we better hide!" Adrien calls as he grabs Marinette's hand.

They both blush as they run to find a hiding place. Adrien brings Marinette to the bathrooms and stops in front of the women's.

"You hide in there and I'll hide in the men's." Adrien says as he lets go of Marinette's hand and rubs the back of his neck.

Marinette blushes, "Good idea," she says as she hides in the restroom.


Soon after, Ladybug and Cat Noir show up to fight and defeat the akuma. Their date ending before it really got started. Marinette and Adrien couldn't meet after the akuma attack, but both were happy to hear from Nino and Alya about their budding relationship. Apparently, Ladybug found Nino lurking around the zoo and put him and Alya in the panther enclosure all day. Alya found herself actually falling for Nino, and they hit it off. If only the same could be said for Marinette and Adrien.