Author's note: Hi, guys! Let me just say how sorry I am for this EXTREMELY late update. RL had me going crazy. Prom, school, family issues, friend problems: you name it, I've had it thrown at me. Not to mention, writer's block paid a visit! Anyway, here's a longer chapter to try to make up for it. I'm not too sure I like this one but I had to write something. I am getting a grade on this and it's definitely going to be overdue as it is. Luckily, my teacher loves me and forgives my horrendous behavior. I hope you can do the same3
PS: The scene!Adrien was something I saw on tumblr. If you have a link to the original post, please share so I can put it on here!
PPS: Uncle Wang's girlfriend's son will come into play later. It is not just one of my many random tangents.
My Crush
Journal, I was an absolute idiot today. For the whole day, my brain decided to go chill somewhere else and left me alone. And I do mean the whole day. Like from when I woke up till right now as I write this in my bed. Let me just elaborate on my brainlessness.
I got up early, ready to go to school. My last first day back had been cut short because of someone's empty nest syndrome. I was determined to make it through the whole school day, no matter what. Tikki agreed that my absente record was getting on up there but she also told me to cut myself some slack.
"Marinette, I know it's difficult, juggling your responsibilities as a student, daughter, and superhero. Still, you handle it all with admirable grace," she chimed as she flew around my head. I snorted at her comment as I brushed my teeth. The action made me choke on toothpaste and I spit/coughed all over my mirror.
"A yes, the picture of grace," I grumbled as I cleaned up my mess. Tikki let out a sweet giggle before perching on my shoulder.
"All I'm saying is, you have a lot on your plate. Getting sick may have put you behind a bit at school but I think it was your body's way of telling you to take a break," her little voice was serious and full of wisdom. It was times like these that I remembered how old my red friend was. I simply smiled at her in the mirror and rubbed her head with my finger.
I hurried down stairs only to be greeted by an empty living room. I shrugged it off, thinking mom and dad had decided to open the shop a little earlier than usual. They did lose a whole afternoon of business from the akuma attack.
My steps slowed as I neared the bakery door as I notice the unusual silence. Opening the creaky door slowly, I saw the bakery floor, dim and empty. There was no smell of fresh baked pastries, no sounds of customers. My heart sank with worry. Something was wrong.
I raced back upstairs to my parents room and threw open the door. My eyes were as big as saucers as I frantically scanned the room. They were both sleeping peacefully in bed. Well, they were until the door hit the wall, knocking off a few pictures with the force.
"WHAAT?! Marinette? What's the matter?!" my mom jerked up first, fists raised in fighting position. My father took longer to realize it was me. He was holding my mother with big, fearful eyes. You can see who the real tough guy is and who the marshmallow is.
"I thought something had taken you!" I said as I jumped onto the crowded bed to hold them. There really wasn't room in the small mattress but they let me in. Their sweet smell and sleepy laughter made the tension that consumed my body melt away.
"Taken us?" my dad's voice was full of drowsy confusion as he rubbed my head, "My macaroon, what made you think that? A bad dream, hmm?" He threw his arm over mom and me. I felt like I was in the middle of a Dupain-Cheng sandwich. It was delightfully stifling.
"No, Papa. It just scared me when I couldn't find you in the living room or the bakery. Why aren't you both up, by the way?" I leaned up on one elbow, awkwardly. There really was no room to move around at all even though we were all lying on our sides.
"Well, we usually open up a little later on the weekends," my mother giggled, "Mari, please tell me you weren't trying to go to school on a Saturday?" Insert my face palm.
"Saturday?" I squeaked. The bed shook with their laughter. I couldn't help but crack a smile too. Looks like I'll have to put off school for another two days.
"Mari, I love you but this bed isn't big enough for the three of us, partner," Papa tried to do a cowboy accent but it ended up sounding more like a drunk, slurring pirate. My dad might be an amazing baker but his fake accents are horrendous. Mom and I started giggling while he faked like he was hurt.
"What? I sound just like a cow-poke!" his tone full of mock indignation. I snorted as I got up.
"Mari, you used to love my accents when I told you bed time stories. My little girl, all grown up into a young women," he had started out teasing but ended on a sentimental note. His statement brought back the events of yesterday.
Chat had been a baby. I had been a baby. I bit Adrien. I BIT ADRIEN. I. BIT. ADRIEN. AGRESTE. I'm sure mom and dad thought I was insane when I ran out of the room squealing but I didn't care. I mean, I am insane. Who bites their crush?
To take my mind off the unmentionable event, I checked my emails. There was one from Uncle, which was short and to the point. His French had really improved, his letter having only a few errors. He had attached my email with the corrections to my Chinese. It was something we both did, editing each other's work to learn.
Uncle mentioned something that caught my attention. Apparently, his girlfriend's son was helping him with his French. He asked me if that was considered cheating in our learning experience! I told him I thought it was a great idea and asked him to tell me more about his girlfriend and her son.
I got about half way through my letter when I decided to take a break and bring up some snacks. While I ate at my desk, I checked out the Ladyblog. Alya did not disappoint. The top article was an adorable, candid photo of Baby Chat! I nearly choked on my bagel, I laughed so hard. Yes I want to print, please and thank you!
Before it even finished printing, there was a tap on my window. I knew without turning around who it was, of course. I motioned for him to come in without ever taking my eyes off the copier.
"Hello, Princess. What's got your attention so wrapped up?" the cheeky kitty asked, his head leaning over my shoulder. Cats don't understand personal space.
"You do, my Chaton," I used my sweetest voice, angling my head toward his. This seemed to fluster him, which thrilled me.
"I-I do?" he leaned back and I turned to face him. With one hand behind my back, I snatched the baby photo from the printer and flashed it in his face.
"Such a cute kitty! I think I'll keep it," I held the photo out of his reach as he snatched at it.
"Come on, that's just mean!" he said but his voice was full of humor. His long arms could have taken the picture if he really wanted it. Call me crazy (which you might) but I think he was just using it as an excuse to stand closer to me. And for some (crazy) reason, I let him.
"I'll just print another one, you know. If you care about the environment and saving paper, you'll let me just keep my first copy."
"Well, when you say it like that…" he did his silly bow thing for no reason, "I guess I can't deny my princess, especially when she wants what's best for the environment. I am very green-friendly, you see." He accented his position by pointing to his widening eyes.
"Get it? 'Cause my eyes are green? Eh?" I may or may not have punched him.
"Meow-ch! My poor arm!" Chat may or may not have said. I rolled my eyes and went to put the picture in my desk drawer. The nosy little stinker took that as invitation to stick his little cat nose into my business.
"Is this were you keep all your photos of me? Maybe a few love poems too? Don't be shy, Mari," Chat Noir pushed me aside casually as he began rummaging through my drawer.
"CHAT! That's private!" I grimaced when I saw what the young super hero had in his hand. It was my Adrien Agreste magazine clippings. Well, the ones I couldn't throw away at least. I thanked my lucky stars he never saw my room in my real obsession days.
Chat had the decency to look embarrassed. The blush peaked from under his mask and colored his ears. It was nothing compared to my blush though. I think 90% of my blood was in my face. It certainly felt that way.
"Marinette…?"
"IT'S NOT LIKE THAT, OKAY!" I yelled, grabbing the clippings from his hands, shoving them roughly back in the drawer.
"It's not like what?" his voice was soft and so was his face. It was so genuine; I felt I could almost trust him with the truth. Then I realized this was Chat Noir I was talking about. I ran up my loft stairs and threw myself down on my bed, hiding my face in a pillow.
"Marinette?" his voice was beside my ear. It sounded worried and unsure. I peeked out from under the pillow at him. The blonde hero gave me a pleading look before I hid again.
"Princess, I'm sorry I snooped. I didn't mean to embarrass you," he patted my shoulder in an awkward fashion. Strangely enough, it made me feel better. Chat wasn't making fun of me. He was almost as uncomfortable as I was.
"I forgive you, mangy cat. It's just embarrassing when someone finds out your crush, you know?" I said sitting up.
"Cr-cr-crush?" Chat bolted up. He looked like I just gave him the biggest shock of his life. Honestly, the boy must be on catnip or something.
"Well, yeah… I thought it was kind of obvious?" I tilted my head to the side. Chat was acting super weird.
"You like Adrien? Adrien Agreste?" he wouldn't look at me. I was worried for a second he was upset but he just seemed bewildered.
"Are you jealous?" I teased. He turned his big green eyes on me and I could tell he thought I was serious.
"Jealous? Why would I be jealous of a boring teenager?" he snorted. It was more obnoxiously arrogant than usual. It irked me.
"First off, I don't appreciate your cat-titude, thank you very much. Secondly, Adrien is my friend and he is not boring. He's a very interesting and accomplished young man," I stuck my chin up in defiance. Chat thumped my throat before he got up from my loft bed and made his way back down from the flat.
"Why do you like this Adrien? Is it because he's a pretty model, hmm?" his voice was detached but I could hear the caring undertone. My answer mattered.
"No! I mean, yes, it's nice that I can see him almost everywhere in Paris on billboards and stuff but that's not why I like him. It's not about the looks, though he is beautiful…" I got lost in daydreaming about my classmate. Chat cleared his throat and brought me back. I saw he was opening the drawer with the clippings, looking through them.
"What do you like about him then? Is it… the money? His connections?" his voice was low and he wouldn't look at me. I had never been so mad at him.
"WHO DO YOU THINK I AM?! LET ME JUST TELL YOU…" I stopped myself and took some calming breaths. Chat could very well be friends with Adrien. He could be simply looking out for his friend. I needed to control my emotions a little.
"Chat, I'm sorry I yelled. That's just something I'm very sensitive about. You see, there is this very rich girl in my class who doesn't like me. She flaunts her money and her connection to Adrien to hurt me. I-I know I don't have much, but I wouldn't trade my family for all the money and connections in the world. I'm not after Adrien's wealth or his father's power. Those things aren't important. In fact, I think sometimes they hurt Adrien more than they help him."
"You… you are amazingly insightful, Marinette. I apologize for what I said," his eyes glowed with admiration as he turned to look at me. His voice had a sad tone though. I hope I didn't hurt him, Journal.
"Let's stop saying we're sorry for this afternoon, Chaton. Sound like a plan?" The young boy nodded and smiled up at me. I walked down to the flat. I sat on my rug and he followed, spreading out the Adien clippings.
"I wish that girl didn't make you feel insecure, my princess. You have much more than she ever will," Chat mumbled as he thumbed through the pictures. I don't think he was really looking at them, only trying to avoid my eye.
"I know," I said and he looked up at me expectantly, "I think she lacks something at home. Maybe structure or something? Anyway, she only knows how to manipulate people into being her 'friends.' I think that's kind of sad, actually. She makes me so mad sometimes I forget to feel bad for her!" the last part was meant to be a joke but it carried real emotion.
"Don't ever let her make you feel like you're not as important as she is, or even Adrien for that matter," he put a clawed hand over mine. Chat was being so sweet and real. There was no teasing in his voice. I felt my heart expand at his warm expression.
"Oh! You have to see this! Just promise not to make fun of him, okay?" I said, interrupting the sweet moment. I couldn't handle this side of Chat Noir for too long. I could feel the blush pooling in my cheeks again. Looking through the pile, I finally found what I was looking for. Triumphantly, I handed it to the alley cat.
"That, my feline friend, is how I try to get courage to talk to Adrien. If Adrein Agreste, Paris's number one on the Hotties in Highschool list, went through a 'scene' phase, then he's still just a boy. Albeit a very kind, generous, funny, smart, and beautiful boy."
Chat was still staring at the picture in shock. I'll admit, it was shocking. Imagine a twelve year old Adrien, a pre-teen angel. No one looks cool in the sixth grade. The exception to this rule is, of course, my classmate. He actually pulls off the "RAWR dinosaurs are cool"
t-shirt and skinny jeans. Although his jeans are mostly holes. His hair has had better days… The black and green stripes in it might have been cute if it wasn't so extreme. All in all, this was an embarrassing photo of my friend. As is only natural, it is my favorite picture of him. I will cherish it forever.
"I-I can't believe you have this! I thought they were… I mean, where did you find this?!" Chat seemed extremely disturbed by the innocent magazine photo. He was gripping it rather tightly and I worried his claws would poke right through.
"Oh, Alya found it for me in some obscure archive while looking for Ladybug related articles. She thought it would give me some confidence to talk to Adrien. And it didn't exactly work but it does remind me that he is not on some magical plain without awkwardness, you know?" I said as I tried to tug the paper from his hands. Reluctantly, he let me have it.
"So… you think he's a dork because of how he dressed when he was a kid, right?" Chat's voice seemed a bit wounded for some reason. I snorted at his observation but I took note of his mood. Maybe Chat was secretly a Hot Topic hoe?
"No, you crazy cat! Everyone does silly or embarrassing stuff when they're that age. Like I've been trying to say, it makes me feel like he's sort of… I don't know, within my reach?" I looked down at the picture and chuckled a little bit after I finished speaking. When I looked back up at the black clad super hero, I noticed his shoulders had relaxed. Yep, Chat was a scene kid.
"Marinette, I was thinking…" his ring beeped. It looked like our little Adrien convention was coming to an end. Chat Noir seemed supremely irritated as he glanced down at his ring.
"I was thinking," he continued, "You shouldn't sell yourself short. Adrien isn't any more of a person than you. He is not better than you. I don't want you feeling inferior to anyone," he put his hand under my chin and lifted my head which had lowered as he spoke. I noticed he was standing much closer than strictly necessary but I didn't step back.
"Th-thank you, Chaton. You really are my knight in shining armor," I winked at him to cover up my timidity. I knew I was blushing but so was he.
"Any time, my princess. Adrien… he's lucky to have you as a… friend," Chat's eyes wouldn't meet mine. He was trying to give me his usual flirty Chat persona but he faltered at the end. He was really embarrassed and I felt guilty for admitting my crush to him. Could Chat have feelings for me? Or did he just feel self-conscious in this situation?
"You know you're my friend too, Kitty," I pulled him into a hug. He could have been mean. He could have teased me about my silly crush/obsession. Chat didn't do anything like that. My partner had been the perfect confidant.
I felt him tense for a moment at my embrace but he soon returned it, pulling me in a tight hug. The next thing I knew, my feet were lifted off the ground as Chat held me tight and spun around quickly. His laugh was familiar and pleasant as I squealed in his arms. It vibrated through his chest to my heart and I couldn't help but join in with him.
"I guess I should be heading on out. It's been paw-some!" he said as he sat me down. I shoved his chest and rolled my eyes. I opened my mouth to say something but his ring beeped again, this time more insistently.
"See you later, Chaton," I said with what I know was a horribly huge grin. I couldn't help it. Chat had really lifted my spirits. Not to mention he had literally lifted me. Chat sent me a cheeky smirk and short bow before high-tailing it (see what I did there) out of my room. Journal, even though I stayed at home this Saturday, I feel like I've accomplished a lot.