Here's the second part of the class reunion! Hope you guys enjoy it. I promise it'll get more interesting, I have a lot planned for this story.
Adrien had Nino on his back for the better part of an hour. Kim had forfeited half an hour into the next round. While Max wasn't heavy, Kim was very ticklish and when Max had jabbed him one too many times, the smaller boy was unceremoniously dropped onto the ground. Alya held video proof of Kim with his high pitched squealing.
It wasn't like the group of friends could stand around watching Adrien and Marinette all day so they had resumed the little party. Adrien and Nino were socializing with Ivan. Talking about music, Adrien only half paying attention to the conversation.
Marinette had been carrying Nathaniel for just as long as Adrien had been carrying Nino, and the other girl didn't look any worse for wear. While it was true that Adrien had been working out (fighting Akuma, jumping across rooftops, the works) it didn't mean that he had the endurance to keep Nino on his back for much longer. His best friend really was quite heavy.
Marinette, however, looked to be perfectly fine, sharing a conversation with Rose and Juleka, as if she didn't have a taller redheaded boy clinging on her back, face almost as red as his hair. The redhead had his arms wrapped loosely around Marinette's neck and shoulders, leaning his chin on one shoulder as he talked to the other two girls.
Marinette seemed completely unaffected, Adrien noted the gentle smile she occasionally shot Nathaniel ever so often. Eyebrows furrowed whenever Nathaniel would blush and duck his face into Marinette's neck.
It wasn't like the two didn't look good together, Adrien could see how Marinette and Nathaniel would make a good pair.
While Marinette was bright and cheery, Nathaniel was quiet and reserved. Marinette stumbled and floundered more often than not, while Nathaniel moved with an almost quiet grace. His features were sharp and aristocratic, with a beautiful shade of ginger hair that reminded Adrien of the fiery passion that the artist held for his work.
Both of them were artistic and creative, they would have created a beautiful picture as a loving couple together. If they ever did get together. Adrien frowned as he continued to observe the pair. Nino's voice a soothing baritone in his ear as the boy continued to converse with Ivan.
"And I decided to cosplay as Peter Pan and you're going to be my Tinkerbell. Right bro?" Nino asked, snapping Adrien out of the intense gaze he had been giving Nathaniel.
"I'm going to what? I don't do cosplay Nino." Adrien turned to face his friend. "Doesn't matter, you weren't paying attention to the conversation anyways my dude." Nino grinned cheekily at the blond. Adrien turned back expecting to see Ivan in front of him, but the heavyset boy had already moved away.
Adrien sighed and apologized, "Sorry Nino, I guess I was distracted." Trying to shrug, not like it was obvious with him carrying the other boy on his back and all. Nino hummed in response. "Distracted or jealous?" Alya's voice piped up, appearing suddenly on Adrien's other side. Giving a smirk towards Nino who winked in response.
Adrien did not squeal like a girl. No matter what Alya and Nino said. He had given a manly gasp in a manly gruff voice. Really. Don't believe the laughing couple who were trying their best not to let their snickers be heard by everyone else around them.
Adrien was just about ready to drop Nino on to the ground, contest or not when from the corner of his eye he sees Marinette practically trip on air and both her and her passenger came crashing down. Nathaniel had instinctively pulled Marinette protectively into his arms and twisted his body so that he would take the brunt of the fall.
Everyone stared at the spectacle in silence. Marinette was groaning, her ankle throbbed but otherwise she was fine. Funny, she didn't remember the floor being this soft. That is until floor breathed and Marinette's eyes flew open.
Marinette had landed directly on to Nathaniel and the other boy was staring at her with wide blue eyes from his position under her. If he had been blushing for the entire hour Marinette had been carrying him, he was sure that he was on fire right now because Marinette was lying on top of him.
He could feel the weight of her body pressing against his own, he could feel her breathing picking up as she finally realized their positions. He continued to stare at her face that was only inches away from his own, before her eyes flew open and suddenly he was staring into twin jewels.
He felt his breath get caught in his throat, or maybe that was Marinette's fist pressing against his chest that was making it hard for him to breathe.
"Wow, talk about falling for each other." Nino mock-whispered to Adrien, who narrowed green eyes towards the redhead.
"S-s-sorry!" Marinette squeaked, scrambling to get off from poor poor Nathaniel who did not deserve to have her using him as a giant pillow.
"A-are you OK?" Marinette asked, wincing at her words. Honestly, the boy had just broken fall, of course, he wasn't.
"She did look pretty comfortable on top of him." Nino commented casually. Adrien turned his glare to his best friend instead. But Nino didn't notice as he continued to observe Marinette and Nathaniel. Alya poked her boyfriend in his side in an effort to silence him.
Nathaniel finally took in a deep breath as Marinette lifted her weight, no matter how comfortable it was to have her body pressed so close to his. He sat up and offered Marinette a shy smile, "I-I'm f-f-f-fine." Nathaniel stuttered. Refusing to meet Marinette in the eye. He could feel his face burning in embarrassment.
"Dude, did you just growl?" Nino questioned in surprise, turning everybody attention away from Marinette and Nathaniel to an awkwardly blushing Adrien who immediately released his hold on Nino. Making the other boy yelp as he was dropped on to the ground. Nino scowled up at Adrien, but the blond averted his eyes, Nino deserved it for all the teasing.
"W-what? No! Psh Whaaaat" Adrien tried in vain to deflect Nino's question, waving a hand dismissively. "It was just me clearing my throat, grrr-hack hack" he fake coughed into his fist. The other hand cupping the back of his neck, he could feel his whole face turning pink.
Adrien had not growled. Adrien was not jealous. Why should he be jealous? He had no reason to be jealous. In fact, Nathaniel should be the one who was jealous. Not Adrien. Nope. No siree. Adrien Agreste was not jealous. Adrien had no reason to be jealous of any boy who had Marinette lying on top him. Marinette who could possibly be Ladybug. Adrien had no reason to be jealous because it was obvious Adrien was the better human pillow. Hah! Take that Nathaniel. Marinette would never fall asleep on you. Adrien was obviously the most obvious choice for Marinette if she ever needed a body pillow. Why... Marinette had been asleep in his lap just this morning! He had even tucked her into bed. Something that Nathaniel would never have a chance to do. Not if Adrien had something to say about it.
Alya went to help Marinette up from the ground, smirking at Adrien's weirdly defensive attitude. Oh, the boy had it bad. Alya snickered at Marinette's confused expression before the other girl turned around to help Nathaniel up from the ground.
"How long is everybody going to be standing around for? Isn't there anything else to do at this lame party?" Chloe chided from her position in the crowd. Staring at her nails and admiring her manicure.
That got everyone to break apart, murmuring amongst themselves. Marinette was pulled away by Alya while Nathaniel was being looked over by a concerned Rose and Juleka. Chloe huffed when Adrien sheepishly walked away from the group, leaving behind a spluttering Nino.
Chloe gave Sabrina a look and the redhead understood that Chloe wanted to be alone, that look also translated to 'Run interference if anybody tries to disturb us'. Sabrina gave Chloe a gentle smile and turned away to keep watch.
Chloe didn't have to walk far to find a pacing Adrien mumbling to himself. She couldn't make out the words but something about 'not jealous' and 'why?' and even 'I didn't even know I could growl' the heat must really be getting to her because she almost thought she heard a tiny voice reply to her childhood friend. Seeing as there was nobody else but the two of them, she waved the absurd thought away.
"Adri-chou, we need to talk." Chloe gently called out. Well, as gentle as she could manage which really sounded like a request more than the demanding tone she usually took. Thankfully, Adrien was used to her methods and took the request as the well-intentioned concern she had meant it to be.
Adrien stood stock still, he turned to face her, face beet red. Chloe rested her weight on one leg and crossed her arms, raising a single eyebrow in question.
"I-I didn't see you there, how long have you been standing there exactly?" Adrien asked nervously. Chloe rolled her eyes. "I heard you talking to yourself but nothing major." she replied dismissively.
"R-right." Adrien shifted awkwardly trying to look at anywhere except for Chloe. Chloe sighed and dragged the blond boy to a nearby bench. She sat him down before claiming the empty space next to him for herself.
"So… You like Marinette." Chloe started, uncertainty distinct in her voice.
Adrien slumped in his seat, knowing there really was no use denying his feelings now that even Chloe had approached him. "i-I kinda? I guess? I didn't realize until recently at least." Adrien admitted. His face was red as he looked at his clasped fingers on his lap.
Chloe leaned forwards, giving Adrien and encouraging smile. It was more of a grimace but Adrien could tell she was trying her best to be a good friend. He glanced at her and heaved a huge sigh.
"I've always thought that I was in love Ladybug," Adrien started, ignoring the unsurprised huff from Chloe. "She was just this amazing girl, a hero really, and she's saved me personally a couple of times. I thought that it was true love and all that." He leaned back and looked up to the canopy of the tree that was sheltering them from the sun.
"Puh-lease Adri-chou, I'm pretty sure half of Paris thinks they're in love with Ladybug." Chloe scoffed. Adrien groaned because he was definitely aware of how many people held affections towards his Lady.
"But she's Ladybug, you know? She's amazing. A hero! An actual hero. She's so unattainable." Adrien closed his eyes, picturing his Lady in his mind. That confident smile, those bright blue eyes. 'Find me' her voice echoed at the back of his mind like a siren's call. Adrien shuddered. Chloe watched her childhood friend carefully. This was a side to him that she had been unaware of.
"Marinette, she's amazing. She's pretty and smart. She's really nice to everybody. She stands up for what she believes is right, even if she's not. And she'll apologize if she's in the wrong." Adrien sighed, imagining Ladybug without the mask and how it was exactly Marinette's face looking straight at him now.
"She's real." Adrien sighed happily opening his eyes to look at the tent. "Attainable. She's right there if I just reach out for her." Adrien stretched his hand out towards where he thought she was.
"Why don't you get her then?" Chloe asked. Resting her chin on her palm, elbow on her knee. Watching Adrien as he pined after a girl. The same girl who had the most embarrassing crush on him for the past two years.
"It's not that easy Chlo." Adrien sighed, dropping his hand into a clenched fist on his lap.
"You remember Felix right?" Chloe hummed in acknowledgment, everyone knew of how M Agreste had banned Felix from the family fortune. She had also heard about how Felix had been waiting for Marinette at the school gates with a bouquet of flowers in hand. She also heard about how Felix had not contacted anybody prior to his arrival. Not even Adrien.
"Well, Felix has been best friends with Marinette for years. Even longer than even Alya has." Chloe perked up at the information.
"Okay so? She's best friends with your older brother, it's not like you're particularly close to him anyways." Chloe pointed out.
"Yeah, that's not what's bothering me." Adrien groaned in frustration.
"Then what is it Adri-chou?" Chloe asked, getting irritated with the other blond. When had he gotten so mopey? Ugh. She almost wished that she had left him to talk to himself.
"Felix is in love with her. And Marinette doesn't realize it but she loves him too. I just don't know if it's the same love that Felix has for her." Adrien admitted with a huff. Crossing his arms petulantly because really, how could Marinette possibly fall in love with his brother when Adrien was right there.
"Well, then ask her out for yourself and she won't have the time to fall for your brother." Chloe shrugged as if the answer was as simple as that. Really it was, Adrien was just being a big baby about everything.
"B-but Felix loves her. Is genuinely in love with her. He would move mountains for her." Adrien whined. Chloe rolled her eyes at Adrien's childishness.
"And what makes you think you wouldn't? It's obvious Marinette has at least some feelings for you. Or she wouldn't be wearing those shorts." Chloe ground out. Honestly, Adrien did she have to spell everything out for him.
"W-what?" Adrien gaped. "You should have seen the look on her face when you were ogling her legs Adri-chou." Adrien blushed, he had hoped nobody would notice his eyes wandering. Clearly, he wasn't as discreet as he had thought.
"W-what do you mean?" Adrien turned bright green eyes towards his friend. Chloe rolled her eyes. Adrien was being exceptionally oblivious today. "She looked pleased with how you couldn't stop staring at her legs, Adri-chou." Chloe pointed out like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Do you really think I have a chance with her?" Adrien asked, giving what Chloe labeled a kicked puppy look. Chloe sighed and patted her friend's, and really what a painful word that was, on the shoulder.
"You'll only really know if you try." Chloe smiled at him, watching the green peridots light up. " Go get her Adri-chou, nobody can resist that pretty face of yours." She watched as Adrien got up and walked away, he had yelled out his thanks.
Chloe just sat in her spot, pulling her knees to her chest and fought the tears that threatened to fall over. She hadn't known letting go of her first love would be this painful. She knew she had to give Adrien up, the two of them weren't meant to be. But fuck did it hurt.
It hurt not being the one.
Not a minute later a concerned Sabrina wandered outside and found a sniffling Chloe. The redhead immediately went over to comfort her friend. Chloe had always been a terror, but she was also human and it was times like these that had Sabrina hoping that Chloe really did have space in her heart for someone other than Adrien.
Adrien walked back into the tentage with a smile on his face, much happier than when he had left, the pep talk with Chloe had really helped. He set out to look for his friends, he probably did have to apologize to Nino for dropping the other boy.
That is until he gaped in shock, Marinette was on the stage, microphone in hand and announcing karaoke night. (Except it was still during the day, barely past 5 in the afternoon) and welcoming the first contestant up to the stage. Kim sauntered up the stage with a swagger in his step and a confident smile on his face. He had totally forgotten to prepare a song. Ugh, typical black cat luck. Thanks, Plagg.
Nino was at the DJ Booth, with Alya standing next to him, both of them were looking over the list of songs that have been submitted prior to the party. Marinette hurried off the stage and gave a flustered smile to Alya. Adrien watched as Marinette pressed a hand against her chest, probably to calm her beating heart. She really was cute when she's nervous.
Kim stood proudly at center stage, holding the microphone in his hand and belting out to a pop song that Adrien hadn't known was still popular. Nobody in their class was a particularly good singer, even Adrien knew that.
From the awkward off-tune singing the class would participate in when they were in the bus for field trips. But singing together with everyone was fun and Adrien really liked the atmosphere they created every time. Adrien watched Kim as the taller boy turned his back to the crowd, waiting for the music to start.
There's only two types of people in the world
The ones that entertain, and the ones that observe
Well baby I'mma put on a show kind of boy
Don't like the backseat, gotta be first
Kim did a silly twirl and pointed a finger to the ceiling of the tentage. Before bringing the finger down and pointing to the crown. Smirking as he sang to the tune.
I'm like the ringleader, I call the shots
I'm like a firecracker, I make it hot
When I put on a show
Never let it be said that Kim didn't know how to put on a show. He was moving his body in a way that one could almost call it sensual. If only he hadn't plastered such a silly smile on his face. The rest of the class cheered from in front of the stage.
He watched as Alix hollered and cheered with Max at the very front of the stage as if Kim was giving a concert and they had front row tickets.
All eyes on me on the centre of the ring , just like a circus
When I crack that whip, everyone gonna trip, just like a circus
Don't stand there watching me, follow me
Show me what you can do
Everyone cheered as he pulled Alix up to the stage, inviting the smaller to share the spotlight with him as they danced to the music. Adrien took the chance to make his way to Marinette, who blushed slightly when she caught sight of him.
Adrien smiled, pleased with himself because he hadn't been able to get Marinette to blush like that in a while. Nino glanced to where Marinette was looking and gave a soft smile to Adrien.
"Sorry about earlier, Nino." Adrien gave his best friend a look of remorse. Nino just waved it off with a grin. "I was being a bit of a jerk anyways." Adrien smiled, glad that their friendship was ok again.
There's only two types of girls out there
Ones that can hang with me, and ones that are scared
So baby I hope that you came prepared
I run a tight ship, so beware
Adrien watched as Marinette laughed when Kim pretended to crack an invisible whip to the audience. Adrien could have watched Marinette forever really. No matter what it was that she was doing at the time. Everything about her was starting to make his stomach churn.
Marinette and Alya whispered conspiringly at the side, eyes glancing between the two boys and the stage. Kim now had both Alix and Max on the stage with him, acting like his backup dancers. Not like they had planned any choreography in advance.
So it was really a mess of awkward limbs and Kim in the center dancing and singing his heart out to Britney Spears. Kim was singing through the second chorus and finally, the trio had instinctively decided on an awkward slightly in sync choreography that involved them just following whatever it was that Kim was doing.
The group song ended with Kim attempting to do a backflip but he fell on Max. Both boys now sprawled on the floor with the microphone screeching from the speakers while Alix looked awkwardly at the audience.
Marinette hurried up the stage with Alya in tow, Marinette checking that the two boys were alright while Alya took over Emceeing the show. Marinette helped Kim to his feet while Alix hovered over Max, walking both boys down.
"Remember to drop your request to our resident DJ and you'll be added to the list!" Alya winked and Nino whooped from his booth. Adrien had an idea, but he couldn't think of the right song. How do you serenade a girl who was probably in love with your brother?
Chloe strolled past him with her nose in the air and went straight to Nino, whispering her song choice. Adrien raised an eyebrow at his childhood friend. Chloe participating? Interesting…
Alya welcomed the next girl up to the stage, Rose who blushed prettily with bright eyes and waving excitedly as she in front of the 'crowd'. Nino motioned Adrien to come over and the blond followed dutifully.
He saw how Marinette arch an eyebrow and sent her a wink. Making the dark haired girl blush at his forwardness.
I'm not french so I'm really out of touch with popular French songs so let's just ignore me using all English songs for this karaoke segment alright? Leave a review if you've liked it so far and leave me puns!