1. THE BRACELET
"Plagg! Give it back!" Adrien raced around his room as his kwami cackled above him, a tiny bracelet hanging from his paws. "Plagg! Seriously! I have to go soon!"
"Never! Not until I get the camembart I deserve after letting you drag me to some girl's birthday party."
"Plagg! Marinette isn't some girl, and her party is in ten minutes!"
Adrien huffed and collasped on his bed, waiting for Plagg to get bored with the gift. It took him awhile to actually find a good present for her. Maybe it was his lack of experience with socializing with friends or perhaps his lack of experiences with the girl in general. It was very disconcerting to him, as he realized he didn't know his classmate as well as he thought. That was apparent with days of window shopping and scrolling through Amazon. That is, until he thought of what Marinette gave him before- a small bracelet, his lucky charm. He carried it around everywhere, even as Chat Noir. So far, it worked. He and Ladybug managed to defeat all of the akumas that came.
He then noticed how Marinette seemed to always come to class late, how she constantly tripped over herself, how she found herself in the middle of some of the deadliest akuma attacks. She needed some luck. So, he made her a lucky charm bracelet. He hoped his reputation as Chat Noir wouldn't corrupt the piece of jewelry. However, Plagg assured him that it would be fine.
So here he was. Waiting for his kwami to let go of the bracelet. He sighed, checking his phone. 4:25. "Plagg! Come on! We need to go now! How about this, I'll give you some camembart when we get home?"
Plagg stopped running around the room. He pondered a bit before nodding, "Deal, Adrien. But you better give me your weight in camembart."
Adrien smacked his head, "Fine."
Plagg laughed gleefully around the room, dropping the bracelet into Adrien's hands.
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"Oh, thank you Adrien!" She smiled at Adrien, holding the bracelet gingerly. Adrien thought her smile didn't quite reach her eyes, but he was quickly mistaken as she laughed and put on the bracelet. He chuckled nervously, "I'm glad you liked it. I wanted to return the favor for last time."
Her head tilted. "My birthday present." He took out his charm bracelet from his pocket. Recognition shone through here eyes. "I carry this around everywhere."
She laughed, "I'm glad. Thank you, Adrien."
She then turned back towards her other guest to start preparing a game of Twister. Adrien looked at her kind of sadly. Plagg whispered, "Hey kid. Did you expect a kiss or something?"
Adrien stared at Plagg. "What? No, Marinette is just a friend." Plagg gave him a look of pure disbelief, but quickly hid as Nino came over to drag Adrien to play some Twister.
He lost in the first round, but he had a fun time laughing along with Marinette who also got knocked out early. He glanced at her relaxed figure and a big grin broke out.
2. AKUMA ATTACK
This was not happening. Adrien grimaced as an akumatized Lila burst into the room as Volpina. This time, she had her eyes set on a certain blue-haired girl, who coincidentally was currently out of the classroom to go to the bathroom. Lila growled in frustration to look for Marinette.
Madama Bustier shouted, "Come on! Single-file lines please!" It seems that having an akuma attack at least once a week was becoming more and more normal as students filed out of the classroom in an orderly fashion, no real shouting or shoving.
Adrien slipped out from the line and ran into the closet. Plagg came out sleepily. "That Lila girl again?" Adrien winced. He was getting tired of it too.
"Come on Plagg! Transform me!"
Soon, Chat Noir replaced Adrien and raced out of the closet, heading straight for the bathrooms. He saw a confused and dazed Marinette about to reenter the bathrooms. He grabbed her arm and yelled, "Sorry, Marinette! Lila is akumatized again and is after you. I need to get you to safety!"
Marinette fumbled, "Wait, what? Lila?!" Chat Noir nodded. He picked Marinette bridal-style and used his staff to get them onto the roofs. He winced when he heard loud explosions behind him from where Lila tore through several walls looking for Marinette.
He started picking up speed, racing on top of the roofs. Normally, he would love to race with his Lady during night patrols. Unfortunately, his second favorite girl was now being chased by a quite deadly and angry Lila.
"So, Purrincess. Any clues as to why Lila is screaming bloody murder?"
Marinette chuckled, "Well, I might have pissed her off a bit earlier today. Don't really want to get into it."
"I wouldn't be a knight in shining armor if I asked you more. Here, I'm going to drop you at the Dupain-Cheng bakery."
Marinette nodded. Soon, her feet landed on her balcony with Chat perched on her railing. He gave a slight bow, "Promise me you'll stay here Princess. I'll come back. Don't worry."
Marinette laughed, "As long as you're safe." Chat felt his cheeks flush. He gave a mock-salute before leaping back towards where Lila was likely causing commotion, ready to fight her with renewed vigor. Anything for my Princess.
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"Miraculous Ladybug!" A parade of ladybugs covered the area and spreading around. Lila was safely deakumatized. Paris was safe again.
Marinette. Just as he heard Ladybug turn around for a 'Pound It!,' he had already run in the direction of the Dupain-Cheng bakery. He hopped past several rooftops and chimneys. He finally reached the balcony. He rapped on the trapdoor, waiting. No response. Chat's heart jumped into his throat. "No..."
He knocked again and again. After what seemed like an hour, the trapdoor opened up, revealing a flour-covered and slightly out-of-breath Marinette.
She crossed her arms, "Really, Chat? I could hear your knocking from the kitchen!" She climbed back down, leaving the door opened. Chat smiled at the invitation, lowering himself down. "What were you making?" He took a look around her room, taking it all in. Her signature cookie and baked goods smell was ingrained in the room. It was warm.
Marinette shrugged, "Just some croissants. How was the akuma?"
Chat shrugged, "Wasn't that bad. Didn't have to use my cataclysm, so I thought I would check up on you, Princess."
Marinette flushed, "I'm fine Chat. I was just baking this entire time." Chat came closer, brushing off some flour into the air. Marinette sneezed a bit. Chat's stomach merely growled in response. Laughing, she asked, "What anything? We have some cheese danishes."
Chat could feel Plagg literally vibrate in excitement. He chuckled, "Yes please."
Marinette nodded before returning with a plate of pastries. He took one for Plagg and shared one with Marinette. BEEP. BEEP.
"Well, Princess. I'm glad you're safe. But it seems your Knight has to go. Don't worry, though. He'll be back."
Marinette chuckled, "This Princess won't be going anywhere. Farewell, Chat." She gave a slight bow. Chat flushed before leaving, resting a bit on her roof to detransform. "Where's that danish?"
Adrien produced the pastry and the cat gobbled it up fast. Adrien sighed, looking down below at Marinette's balcony. He smirked, "Kid, if you want to see your girlfriend again, I get paid in cheese."
Adrien fumbled backwards. "Plagg! I told you, Marinette is just a friend!"
"Uh huh, and I'm a mouse-eating cat!" He gobbled the last bit of the danish.
"Plagg!" Adrien whined. "Just transform me."
3. KAGAMI
"Go Adrien!" Adrien peeked from the corner of his eye to see his Nino and Marinette holding up some signs. Alya was recording the whole thing, every swung and clash of metal.
Adrien reverted his attention back to his opponent, dressed in red leather. His opponent was pretty good. Every one of his strikes were met with just as much force and grace. But, he couldn't lose. If he did, Plagg would never get over it, probably teasing him everytime he swung the sword as Chat Noir. He huffed before swinging again. CLANK. His sword flew out of his hands. He watched as it skittered towards the stands. He glanced back towards his opponent to find a rapier held at his throat. He gulped before putting up his mask. He said, "Good game."
His opponent nodded before taking of the helmet as well, revealing Kagami. He smiled, "You always seem to beat me Kagami."
"With countless hard work and practice. But you seem to be getting better." She held out a hand and a toothy smile. He chuckled and took it.
The two made their way towards the locker room. As they packed up the equipment, Kagami asked, "So, it seems you had supporters today."
Adrien laughed, reminding himself of how his friends literally spelled out his name with their hands. "Yeah. Would you like to meet them?"
Kagami seemed to be taken aback. He laughed, "Don't worry. They're nice. Come on!"
He dragged Kagami back out towards the stands where his friends were waiting for him. They seemed to be in a good mood despite his crashing defeat earlier. Marinette exclaimed, "A-Adrien, y-you were p-pretty. I mean- p-pretty g-good!" She went on about the battle in stutters until she noticed something and her smile fell. Adrien noticed how Kagami's hand was still in his and he dropped his hand. Chuckling nervously, he said, "Guys, this is Kagami. Kagami, these are my friends Nino, Alya, and Marinette, one of the best friends you could ever have."
Marinette seemed to shrivel under those words, a forced smile on her face. Adrien was interally screaming at himself. One of his first few friends and she seemed as uncomfortable as always around him.
After a bit more small talk, Alya, Nino, and Marinette waved goodbye. Well, for Marinette, it was more of a "g-good, s-see you l-later, bye." But it was endearing nonetheless. Kagami shifted a bit, "She likes you."
Adrien tilted his head in confusion, "Alya? No, she's dating Nino-"
"No, the other girl. The one that stuttered a lot." She said bluntly.
Adrien widened his eyes, waving his hands. "No, no. Marinette has trouble speaking sometimes, but that's it. She's just a friend."
Kagami gave him a look of disbelief, giving him a sudden case of deja vu. Wonder where.
4. FASHION
"Marinette. You have to!" Alya whined. Marinette shook her head, "No! I can't!"
"But-" Marinette stomped her foot and shook her head.
Adrien came in confused. "What's happening here?"
Alya sighed in exasperation. "I'm trying to get Marinette here to try out for a high school fashion design competition. But she won't even take a look." She glared at the bluenette.
"Well, I think you should do it Marinette. You're an amazing fashion designer."
Marinette flushed. "He's right girl. At least, take a look at the poster."
"Fine." Marinette took Alya's phone to look at the specifics. She mumbled the words and threw the phone in Alya's lap. Her hands went to her head. She said, "I can't do this! This is a Gabriel Agreste competition. This is not some high school competition!"
Adrien frowned. He didn't know his father even held a competition.
"And even more so, it's to male clothing! I'm not as experienced at making male clothing."
"But Marinette-" Said girl was already making her way towards the classroom. Adrien and Alya looked at each other with a small shake of the head.
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Chat Noir smiled. His favorite princess was currently enjoying the Parisian air, her hair curling in the wind. He plopped down next to her. Marinette said sadly, "Hello Chat."
Chat immediately frowned. He leaned against the railing next to her. "What's wrong Princess?"
"Nothing." He gave her a look of disbelief.
"Fine. There's this fashion designer competition being hosted by Gabriel Agreste. A couple of my friends earlier tried to get me to participate."
"So, what's the issue?"
"Well, I have to design a man's piece based on the theme of nature. There were beautiful sample pictures that Gabriel Agreste designed. And, well. I don't know if I'm good enough to design something like that."
Chat nodded, remembering those designs that kept his father in his office, away from his son.
"I'm sure you'll do fine Marinette. Just give it a try. Heck, I could be your model!"
Marinette cocked an eyebrow.
"Well, last time I checked, I am male. A gorgeous one at that. And I know how to strut the stage." Chat began giving his best catwalk across the balcony fencing. Marinette laughed. "Are you sure about this Chat?"
Chat nodded. "Okay, then! Let's start!"
"As long as you bring the cookies!" Marinette laughed, "Of course."
After a few hours of Marinette pinning up certain fabrics and comparing them to Chat, there was a semblance of a finished project. Marinette stared at her work critically, a pencil tapping against her mouth and pieces of fluff stuck to her hair. "I'm going to have to modify it a bit before the deadline, but it seems to be good so far! Thank you Chat."
She pushed his bell, a little ring echoing in the room. Chat purred, "My pleasure Purrincess. This was kind of fun. But, I do have to go." He pointed to the clock that beeped 2:00. Marinette's eyes widened, "Woah. It's pretty late. You better get going home. I have school tomorrow!" She started pushing the superhero towards the trapdoor. He chuckled, "Until next time Princess."
"Yeah, yeah. Bye Chat. Oh my god, I forgot my history homework!"
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As Adrien climbed out of his limo, he immediately spotted Alya cornering Marinette. Racing to her rescue, he heard Alya say, "Marinette! Come on! This is the last time I'll ask. You'll really regret it if you don't try out for the competition!"
Marinette smirked a bit. "Don't worry Alya. I'm not regretting a thing. I stayed up all night and I finished!"
Alya's jaw dropped. "I thought you weren't going to do it!"
Marinette hummed, "Well a certain green-eyed feline convinced me otherwise."
"I have to see your finished work after school today." Alya laughed.
"Of course!"
The pair walked off. Plagg peeked from underneath Adrien's shirt. "You should have warned me last night if I had to hold the transformation for that long." he grumbled, dozing off. "Oh, come on Plagg! You saw how happy and confident she is now! The competition wouldn't be the same without her in it. And besides, I don't think I would want to model anything else."
Plagg gave him an eyebrow. "Kid, I know you're judging, but letting her win doesn't equate to saying 'I like you'. Other Chat Noir's had better confessions than you."
Adrien huffed, "I told you! She's just a friend! And really? Could you give me some of their techniques? I'm trying to win over Ladybug here."
Plagg groaned before disappearing again in Adrien's coat. He shook his head, thinking, This kid is so oblivious.
5. LUKA
Adrien frowned at the scene in front of him. There was Luka and Marinette enjoying some ice cream together, a blueberry and cotton candy mix, at Andre's ice cream cart. They were laughing and Marinette accidentally got some ice cream on her nose. Luka wiped it away with his finger.
His friends had all decided to get hang out earlier that day. Somehow, they bumped into Luka, who, to Marinette's request, tagged along as they went through shops and landed at the ice cream stand. Alya and Nino were also enjoying their own ice cream and were taking some pictures. Adrien was, well, alone.
Marinette noticed him and gestured. He smiled and came towards the bluenette. He didn't fail to notice how Luka held Marinette closer to him. Adrien nearly growled in response, but he put on a fake smile before asking, "How's the ice cream?"
Marinette giggled, "It's kind of an unusual flavor combination, but it's pretty good. Did you not get ice cream?"
Adrien shook his head. "Didn't really feel like it. Father is making me watch my figure."
"Oh, come on. You should treat yourself every once in a while."
"Honestly, I'm good Marinette." He chuckled nervously.
Alya and Nino came back towards them. Nino asked, "So, dudes. Heard there is some paintball competition at the park. Want in?"
"Sure, sounds fun." said Luka. Adrien couldn't help but give him the stink eye. Marinette asked, "What's wrong Adrien?"
Adrien in his stupor stuttered, "How would the teams work? There's an odd number of us."
Alya hummed, "True. Well, I'm fine with not playing. I can just record you guys."
Adrien internally groaned as the group made their way towards the park. In front of them was a complete warzone. Paint flying everywhere. Red, blues, greens in a dizzying color display. Even local cars were being painted. Fortunately, he was Chat Noir. He could totally win this. Unfortunately, secret identity and everything.
Nino said, "Okay, dudes. Now that we are suited up, let's make some teams. Adrien, my man, want to team with me?"
Adrien nodded. "Cool, Luka and Marinette. You guys good together?"
Marinette giggled, "Of course." She looked at Luka with a smile, as if they both knew something that Adrien didn't. He couldn't help his stomach curling in disgust.
Adrien growled, "It's on."
Alya cheered from the sides, "Don't get paint on me! You can do it, Mari!"
Nino yelled, "Hey! What about me?"
Alya winked at him and continued cheering, her camera trained on the action.
Adrien shot a couple of red paint towards where he saw blue hair peek out from behind a bench. He smirked. Got ya. Bang. Missed. Luka peeked out from the bench and started running towards a tree, where blue paint was currently being thrown towards Nino's position. Nino groaned, "Dude. I think I'm going to get hit."
Adrien shouted back, "Don't worry dude. I'll take out Marinette."
He croached around bushes until Marinette was in front of him, her side exposed. Luka was next to her, also shooting paint towards another tree where Nino was at. Adrien aimed his weapon. Alya cried, "Look out!"
It was too late and Marinette got hit... or she would have until Luka pushed her out of the way and took the hit for her. It suddenly reminded Adrien of how he would protect Ladybug as Chat, just like that.
While consumed in his thoughts, he got hit by revenge-seeking Marinette. She pumped her fist in the air and restarted her barrage on Nino. Soon, after a few minutes, Nino was also hit, groaning. The four met up back at Alya. She smirked, "Nice guys! I officially announce Luka and Marinette as the winners!"
Luka and Marinette cheered and pumped their fists together. Deja vu.
The group went to the Dupain-Cheng bakery for some food. They were talking about the previous battle. Marinette teased, "Nino, you were so bad! It was practicall 1."
Nino whined, "Mari!"
Adrien felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned and saw Luka stand behind him. "Can I talk to you?"
Adrien nodded. He lagged behind the other three, allowing them to enter the bakery before him. He then leaned against the window, "What did you want to talk to me about?"
Luka sighed, "I want permission to ask out Marinette."
Adrien felt his jaw open up like a drawbridge. "Marinette?"
"Yeah."
"Why?"
"I like her. Is that fine?"
Luka's eyes pierced Adrien's. Adrien turned away from Luka. "It's fine. It's not like Marinette and I are like that. She's just a friend."
A smile appeared on Luka's face. He said, "Thanks, dude." Luka entered the bakery.
"No problem." slipped out of Adrien's tongue. He felt numb. He looked up at the sky, "Just a friend, huh?"
That's it for now! Review and let me know if you want more.
Eat. Sleep. Read. Repeat!
-hope4all