Hi readers! I know I'm updating a lot lately, but there's been a break in homework and I thought I'd take advantage of it. Before I start, there's something I have to clear up. A few of you have asked about the background of this fic. This story is set around the same time that 'Glaciator' is, HOWEVER, despite being after all the current season two episodes (as of February 8, 2018) , the only episodes in season two that are really relevant to this story are 'Glaciator' and 'Dark Owl'. I know I told some readers that Plagg and Tikki don't know the identities, but I realised that would create a massive plot hole. So yes, Plagg and Tikki know the identities, and Adrien does NOT know that Ladybug loves him (yet!). I promise that will clear up in the next few chapters. Thanks for reading!
"-serious, Nino! Art Critic really did zap me! But I'm fine now, thanks to Ladybug."
Adrien skidded around the corner just in time to hear Marinette's explanation. He jogged up to the group, panting.
"Bro!" Nino crushed him in a very Nino-ish bear hug. "What happened to you?"
Adrien's eyes flicked over to Marinette, then back to Nino. "Uh, same as Marinette! That Art Critic guy zapped me too!" he lied, hoping that it sounded convincing. Plagg was always saying that he was a terrible liar.
Nino studied him for a moment, and Adrien held his breath. Finally, he nodded, satisfied with the answer. "Glad you two are okay. Well, I don't know about you guys, but I reckon we've seen plenty of this cool new exhibit." He raised an eyebrow at Marinette.
She flushed. "Hey! How was I supposed to know that there'd be an akuma?"
"It's fine, Marinette," soothed Adrien. "It wasn't your fault, and it was a good idea."
Alya glared at her boyfriend, slinging an arm around Marinette's shoulders. "Nino, shut up. Come on, girl." With a toss of her rust- coloured hair, she and Marinette led the way out of the museum.
Adrien smiled. This really had been worth coming to. His friends were fine, he'd had a good time with them, and nothing was damaged. Plus, he scored a sort-of-not-really date with his lady.
Six o'clock couldn't come fast enough for Chat Noir.
Marinette fed the fabric under the needle, expertly removing pins as her beloved machine hummed away. She'd been working on this project for a while now, and she was delighted to see it finally coming together.
Tikki hovered nearby, nibbling at one of her favourite chocolate- chip cookies. "What are you working on, Marinette?" the kwami asked, her reedy voice squeaking slightly at the last syllables of her chosen's name.
Marinette examined the stitches she'd just sewn. "It's my dress for the Valentine's Dance, Tikki. I want a dress that's original, not just from some clothing store. It has to be really special, or Adrien might not notice it!" explained Marinette.
"Can I see?"
"Sure." Marinette carefully removed the garment from the machine and spread it out onto the floor. Tikki flew over to gaze at it.
"It's beautiful, Marinette!" admired the pink kwami. "That colour matches your eyes perfectly!"
Marinette laughed. "That was my intention, Tikki. Do you think Adrien will like it?"
Tikki nodded. "He'll love it!" she cried enthusiastically. The little kwami glanced at the clock. Half-past five. "Marinette, are you going to meet Chat Noir?"
"Hmm?" Marinette was engrossed in her dress again.
Tikki flew over and prodded her. "Marinette! I said, are you going to meet Chat Noir?"
"What?" asked Marinette, looking over. "Oh, right. No, I didn't plan to. Why do you ask?"
Tikki stared at the young designer. "Marinette, he said he had something important to ask you! It would be extremely rude not to go see him!"
Marinette shrugged, going back to her work. "Knowing Chat, it's probably an invitation to dinner or something. Why is this so important to you?" It was normal for Tikki to give her chosen advice, but Marinette had never seen her so agitated before. Especially not over Chat Noir.
Chat Noir. What could Marinette say? He was a great fighter, kind, loyal, brave, and probably very good-looking, too. But Marinette found it difficult to see him as more than her flirting, pun-loving, leather clad partner, especially as her heart belonged to Adrien.
Tikki sighed, wishing that Marinette could see who was under that mask. But she restrained herself. "I just think it's important," she insisted.
Marinette exhaled. "I really need to finish this, Tikki. I'll be studying for tests for the rest of the week, and it's really imp-" She stopped short when she caught sight of her kwami's expression. "All right, fine," she relented. "But only for you, Tikki. And if that cat doesn't get to the point, I'm leaving faster than you can say 'bug out'!"
Minutes later, Ladybug was zipping over the rooftops of Paris, falling into the familiar pattern: throw the yo-yo, pull, swing up, pull back the yo-yo, throw it. She swooped up and down, every tug getting her closer and closer to the Eiffel Tower.
With a minute to spare, the red-suited heroine landed lightly on the heavy iron beams. Chat Noir jumped up from his cross-legged position that was precariously close to the edge of the structure.
"Cutting it close, my lady," he grinned, taking her hand and pressing his lips to it. "I was worried that you'd decided to stand me up."
Ladybug ignored Tikki's sing-songy "told you so'' in her mind. She also ignored the uneasy feeling in her stomach that had very much to do with how close she had come to 'standing him up'. She folded her arms across her chest and lifted her chin, not meeting her partner's eyes. "Well, what do you want?" she said testily.
Chat looked surprised. "Meow-ch! You've got quite the tempurr tonight, m'lady!" he joked.
Ladybug scowled at him. "Cut it out, Chat. Your puns are awful." She knew she was being snappish, but she was really annoyed. She had used valuable time to meet with Chat, and all he could do was make stupid puns, most of which hadn't even been funny the first time he'd used them. She'd had enough!
"Come on, Bugaboo, you know you love them!"
I'm so out of here. Ladybug drew her yo-yo and began spinning it, preparing to swing away. "You've got five seconds, Chat. Get to the point or I'm leaving. Five, fou-"
"No, don't!" Chat grabbed her arm and gave her the big pleading eyes. Ladybug was used to receiving this look from Manon Chamack, but it was more than a little disconcerting when Chat did it, especially with his glowing green cat's eyes. "I'm sorry, Ladybug! I promise I'll stop. Please don't go!"
He looked so stricken at the thought of her leaving that Ladybug softened. She stopped her yo-yo and turned to face him. "I'm sorry, Chat. This just wasn't the best time for me, so I got cross with you." She sighed, and gazed out at the twinkling lights below them. Paris really was beautiful at night. It was a pity she wouldn't have much time to really appreci-
"LB?" Chat waved a hand in front of her face. "I asked you a question."
"Hmm?" Ladybug was jolted out of her reverie. "Oh, sorry. What did you say?"
Chat shook his head, chuckling fondly. "I asked if you were busy tonight."
"Yeah… kind of. There's this thing coming up, so I've been designing this dress for it, so I was sewing it together and-" She pulled up, very conscious of the information she'd just let slip.
Chat Noir was studying her intently, hanging onto her every word. "So you sew clothes?"he asked, interested.
Ladybug flushed, silently cursing herself. Dammit, Ladybug. You know you can't let him know anything about you! "I shouldn't have said that."
Chat Noir shrugged. "It doesn't matter. I respect your privacy. It's just…." He hesitated. Ladybug could see that he was worried that he might anger her.
"What is it, kitty?" she asked, voice gentle. She was glad that he respected her privacy, but was very aware of the but that was coming.
Chat Noir ran a clawed hand through his hair, making it even messier than usual, though Ladybug kind of liked it untidy. It was cute.
Stop it, Ladybug! she scolded herself. You like Adrien, remember? Not Chat. Chat is just… Chat. Nothing else.
Chat Noir's words jolted her back to reality. "The reason I asked you to meet me. I- I wanted to know who you, you know, turned me down for."
Ladybug tried to say something, but he held his finger to her lips, effectively silencing her. "I know you didn't want to tell me," he continued. "But what are the chances that I'll even know him? I just thought, well, you kind of rejected me. And I know you didn't intend to hurt me, but it doesn't always work like that. And I'm sorry for making you guilty. I know you didn't mean to do it. You're too perfect for that." Chat gazed into her eyes, stirring her emotions into a churning mess.
Ladybug's face suddenly felt hot. Since when had Chat Noir made her blush? Well, to be fair, he did say you were perfect.
Nobody had ever called her perfect. Not even Alya. And yet Chat Noir had. What does he see in me? wondered Ladybug. Would he still think I was perfect if he knew who I really am? Suddenly a horrible thought struck her.
What if he's only saying it to guilt me into telling him? Ladybug knew her partner was clever, and was definitely smart enough to manipulate people. And his ability to charm people was definitely there, even if it didn't usually affect her. After all, he did have most of Paris' teenage girls under his spell. But Chat wouldn't do that to her. He was too sweet. Or would he?
Ugh. This was too hard. Was she overthinking it? She was a pro at that, after all. Focus, Ladybug. Just talk to him. She took a deep breath. Calm. She was calm. She could do this.
"I truly am sorry for hurting you, Chat. I never intended to. And- and, about me telling you…..well, I suppose you do deserve to know. And, well, he's kind of famous…. So it probably couldn't hurt. But I just…. Are you sure you want to know?" She held Chat's gaze, determined not to back down. Don't blush. DO NOT blush.
Chat looked at her, never once blinking. He nodded. "I'm sure."
"Okay the-"
"Just as long as you're happy," he continued. "That's all I want, Ladybug."
"Right," mumbled Ladybug. Why did he have to say that? WHY? "Okay, I'll tell you. The boy I like is-" Ladybug held her breath, gathering her courage, "-Adrien. Adrien Agreste."
This time, there was no way she was meeting her partner's eyes.
Not even for a second.
Another chapter done! The plot is starting to pick up, and I would really love it if you let me know how I'm doing and how I could improve, please leave a review! Every single one counts, and helps me become a better writer, which means a better story for you to enjoy! Thank you all so much!
P.S. Good job to tinang-asul, who spotted Percy and Annabeth from the Percy Jackson and the Olympians/ Heroes of Olympus series! I snuck them into chapter one because I. Ship. THEM!