Okay so while writing down a few notes on where I want a few things in this fic to go, I shit you not, a ladybug landed on my book and chilled for like five minutes while I was writing. [Ladybugs somehow survive the cold weather in my room every year]
Do I have the blessing of a ladybug for this fic?
The sun rose and so did Marinette. As much as she wished she could play sick and just stay home. But that would lead to her parents asking too many questions and more embarrassment on her part. No. It was better to just go and face the music. It couldn't be too terrible, right?
Wrong.
Unlike before her day just started bad. She woke over an hour before her alarm and there was no way she'd get more sleep. Rather than lying around pointlessly she got up and was greeted by her overly nosy and caring parents. They were quick to key into Marinette's moods when things were down. While she adored that they cared so much she didn't feel like talking about it much. Grabbing a croissant and her bag she ran out the door and towards school. Two hours before school even starts.
She didn't even know if the doors would be open this early. Again to her bad luck they were not. Leaving her to sit out on the lonely bench along the side of the school under some trees. The shade felt nice even if it was a bit chilly out at such an hour. Fall was coming quick, even some of the trees were starting to change. Looking up at the leaves she sighed.
"Hey." Suddenly Adrien's face was leaning over her own with a kind smile on his lips as always. Gasping in shock she jumped up and slipped off the bench landing on the ground rather hard. Adrien was quick to move around the bench to check on her. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you like that!"
"I-It's... okay. I was just.. yeah..." She muttered already feeling like a fool. This time she didn't even have to talk to him to embarrass herself. Falling off a bench and landing on her butt, ugh this was the worst day yet.
"You're not hurt are you?" He asked helping her to her feet. Not trusting her voice or her speech she shook her head and dusted herself off. Placing a hand instinctively over her bag she was glad to feel Tikki nudge against her hand through the fabric. At least she hadn't accidentally hurt her little friend. "I uh..." Adrien rubbed the back of his head nervously. It wasn't often that he was around someone who was so shy as well as having just made said person fall over. "I don't usually see you here so early."
Given his home life Adrien always came to school before it was open. Better to walk around and wait for his friend to show up than sit at home in an empty house feeding Plagg with cheese and listening to Nathalie tell him his schedule. Pretty pathetic when an assistant has more conversations with his father than he does. But this was the first time he'd ever seen Marinette show up at school so early and alone at that. Alya was always with her.
Looking at Marinette now he saw the differences in how she acted around him rather than how she acted around Alya. There was no laughing or exaggerated movements of her hands. Any time he saw the two of them together her body language just said;"I'm so happy." Which left him wondering. Why did she act so different around him? She was so timid and quiet he could almost think she was scared of him.
"I just... wanted to get an early start." She gave him a small smile and a shrug. Taking a breath she tried to calm herself down. It was just a normal conversation, no need to freak out. It was moment's like this that she wished she had her mask to give her the confidence she needed. Ladybug would have no issues talking to Adrien so why did Marinette? "What... what about you?" Nearly a full sentence without pause, progress.
"Oh uh." He coughed into his hand. "I always come to school early. Don't want to waste the day or anything." He chuckled. "Before I forget." Reaching into his bag he pulled out a paper and held it out to Marinette. She looked at the page and read it over realizing it was the work sheet for their art class assignment. She'd rushed out of class so fast that she completely forgot to grab it. Groaning at her own stupidity she accepted the paper.
"Thanks. Sorry you had too... ya know. Get it for me." She sighed. Not her day. Just not her day.
"It's alright. Alya told us you felt sick. I'm glad you're okay." Alya was getting a truck load of freshly baked cookies for that. Truly she was the best friend a girl with a crush could have. Always right there to back her up.
"Uh.. yeah." Marinette nodded a bit stiffly. "It was just some little thing... I'm fine now."
"That's good." The breeze that blew through was nothing but chilly fall air. The cold that wrapped around them made them both shiver a bit. In her haste to get to school Marinette had neglected to grab a proper jacket, though in her defense it was going to warm up as soon as the sun rose higher in the sky. "Let's sit down in the sun, we can figure out what to do with our project."
Nodding probably a few times more than needed she followed after him. There were few people around at such an early hour and near the side of the school few people ever bothered to show up there before lunch hour. Adrien sat himself down at the bench that was in the sun, the added warmth was very welcome. After a bit of hesitation Marinette sat at the other end of the bench stiffly. Her arms straight and her hands in her lap as she looked down at her shoes. Desperately she wished she could relax but to no avail.
"It says we can do anything." Adiren said looking over his own sheet. At Marinette's confused expression he pointed to the page. "The art project. So long as it's expressive and both of us are involved in it. What do you think we should do?" Pulling out her own paper Marinette read over what exactly they had to do.
It was just as Adrien said. An art project that could be anything from a series of poems, paintings, music, craft, or creation that expressed themselves or who they wanted to become in the future to the fullest. An aspiring idea but for a class of teens that all want to be rich and famous it promised little creativity. If it wasn't for the ability to do whatever they pleased then most everyone would end up doing the exact same thing. Feeling a tapping against her side she looked down to see Tikki giving her a stern look. Gasping she quickly clicked her bag closed and looked at Adrien. Now she knew why her little friend did that, he was still waiting for her to answer.
"Ah... um... well..." She stammered trying to think of something to say. "We should do something we are both good at. Like I'm good with fabric and all and you're just good at everything so that's easy. Unless you don't want to do something like that. I can bake but that's not really creative, my family owns a bakery after all. Or uh... yeah..." There was her problem, she either said too much or not enough where he was concerned. She'd been speaking so fast she wasn't even sure that anything she said made sense.
Regardless of Marinette's slightly odd behavior he chalked it up to a quirk. It was endearing to see someone get to animated as they talked, her hands started moving and her eyes went all over the place. Chuckled softly to himself he nodded at her.
"You're always drawing in your book during free period. You're a designer right?" He asked. Marinette was internally screaming. He actually noticed her during class and even paid enough attention to see what she was doing? Oh man. What if her designs had looked bad? He must think she has no talent or something. Even still she nodded. "That's a good start. We could do something like how we see ourselves five years from now? Ah. Wait. No that's not fair, you'd end up making the outfits alone. I can't sew."
"It's fine!" She said a bit too loud but coughed into her hand to try and cover it up. "I don't mind making the outfits." Though said a bit too quiet she gave herself a mental pat on the back. One full sentence that time.
"I can't just push the work onto you. It has to be an even share." Adrien was quick to step up. No way was he going to make someone else do all of his work. And besides that this was the perfect chance for them to get to know one another. Adrien might be popular but his only real friend was Nino, Marinette seemed nice enough. "Well we have all month to think of something so it's no big deal."
"Y-yeah.. right." She smiled trying not to loose the progress she'd made. Compared to the last two years this was amazing for her. Ever since he transferred over she'd never gotten more than a couple of words out and here they were having a conversation. It was like a dream come true. If only she could think of what to say.
Adrien grunted but covered it up as a small cough. Discretely he opened the front of his jacket and frowned down at the little black ball of fluff that had headbutted his chest. He started making gestures saying he was hungry or something without actually speaking. Rolling his eyes at him he closed his jacket before Marienette noticed.
"So you're... going to stay a model?" She asked quietly. Adrien nearly jumped at hearing her voice. Most everything she said up to this point was just a response to what he said. This was the first time she started any part of the conversation.
"I guess so. I mean I do like it sometimes and I don't know what else I want to be." Aside from Cat Noir. He'd love a life that was nothing more than being a hero. Both him and Ladybug could go through every day and night fighting the bad guys and falling hopelessly in love as well. Ah. That was the dream. But that's not how it worked. He had to be both Adrien and Cat Noir and he was fine with that. Being a model didn't seem so bad, he was good at it and it made people happy. What more could he want. "What about you?"
"I... I want to... be a designer." She stammered out. It had been her dream since she got her first sewing kit as a kid. Cutting up her clothes and stitching them together till they were just a mass of fabric. Then getting actual fabric and making her own clothes. She was proud of what she made, those she did commissions for always complimented her work. It made her chest feel warm when that happened.
"Then I guess we'd be working together a lot. You become a famous designer and I'll be modeling your clothes." He chuckled. Marinette felt like her heart might have stopped. The idea of him wearing her designs never even occurred to her. Now that had to be a dream, it could never happen.
They both jumped as Adrien's phone went off. Pulling it out he found it was Nino trying to find him. Looking around Marinette gasped seeing students starting to go into the school. Had they really been sitting there for so long? Checking her own phone she found several messages from Alya asking where she was. Adrien had been talking on the phone with Nino and gave her an apologetic smile as he listened to his friend. She waved him off not wanting him to feel bad, she was in the same boat after all.
Sending Alya a message she got up and made sure to grab her paper for the project. Going up to him to tap his shoulder she wanted to let him know she was going to meet up with Alya now. Just as she reached out for him he turned around as he hung up his phone and bumped into her. They stood chest to chest looking into one another's eyes. The sudden close proximity making them both freeze not sure what move to make. Luckily Marinette came to her senses and jumped back.
"Sorry!" She exclaimed gripping the strap of her bag like a life line. "I'm just going to meetup with Alya now, forgot to tell her that I was already here. I'll see you in class. Bye!" She said quickly giving him a short wave and dashing off.
"Uh... yeah bye." He said giving a small wave even though she'd run off. Plagg poked his head out of his shirt and huffed.
"She's weird. But then again all you humans are weird to me." The Kwami shrugged.
"Don't be rude. Marinette is nice."
"Yeah yeah. Can I have some cheese now?" Adrien rolled his eyes at the little cat and pushed him back into his shirt as Nino came running over.
"You were with Adrien!" Alya yelled at Marinette who had just finished explaining why she was already at school and where she had been. "Like just the two of you talking?" Getting a nod in return Alya squealed and wrapped her arms around her friend. "I'm so proud of you. Actually talking to him. Ahh that's so great!"
"We were just talking about the art project." Marinette argued not wanting to think the exchange meant more than it actually did.
"But still you two were actually talking." Alya smiled walking arm and arm with her friend into the school and towards their class. As much as he loved Marinette the girl needed some more back bone around her crush. She'd been pushing her to talk to him for months and here she was having chatted him up without Alya even around. It was hard to tease someone when she didn't know what they talked about.
Falling into conversation about Alya and Nino's project they chatted back and forth with such ease they were just like sisters. That's how Nino and Adrien found them as they came into class. Both of them laughing at a joke one said and carrying on and on. This was how they always were. Adrien felt a bit envious. He didn't like that he was the reason Marinette was so nervous around him. She was so kind and funny, he wanted t get along with her. She wasn't all shy with anyone but him but he couldn't think of why. Maybe she was intimidated cause of who his dad was or something.
Well that settled it, he'd find a way to make Marinette more relaxed around him. Maybe he could ask Ladybug for some help.
The school alert went off in the middle of lunch period. The alarm was set up only in case of an Akuma attack on the city. Everyone was thrown into a panic as the teachers tried to usher kids inside while other's urged them out of the gates to get home. In the crowds Marinette lost track of Alya, but it was just as well. She had to get somewhere private to transform. Ladybug had a job to do. Dashing around a corner and making sure no one was watching she called on Tikki who was more than happy to help.
Seconds later Lady bug was in the air and swinging towards the danger. People ran and screamed to avoid the ice beams being tossed around. She found a merry go round completely in cased in ice. This was going to be a tough one to be sure. Not seeing the target though she went back to the roofs.
Adrien had rushed off to the bathrooms to transform and slipped out of the window as Cat Noir. Using his speed and dexterity he took the high ground. Not to brag but his eyes were better than Ladybugs, it took him only a few minutes before he found the pointy pony tailed girl with the umbrella. Clearing his jump across the street he landed on the metal fence and balanced on the balls of his feet in a crouch.
"Hey, Ice Queen." He grinned down at her.
"It's Stormy Weather!" She hissed back.
Chuckling softly he slid down the metal bar swinging his belt tail with one hand. "Well you know I'm in a good mood. How's about you give up and stop terrorizing the town and I'll forgive you." He smirked acting like he had everything in place. Stormy leveled him with a blank stare and pointed her umbrella at him. The gut of wind that followed was so strong it sent him flying to the next street and pin balling the cat into the bars.
Of course that would be when Ladybug would jump down next to him. She giggled and held out her hand to help him up.
"I thought cats always landed on their feet?" She teased pulling him up easily. No matter how down he felt that cute giggle and smile always brightened his day. Dusting off his leather he smirked at her.
"I could have handled it, but thank you." Bringing up her hand he placed a kiss on the back of her hand. Yanking her hand back he poked him in the nose to make him back up.
"You know we don't have time for this. Looks like you're not hurt. Let's get down to business." She glanced him over not even seeing a scuff in his leather suit. They both could take a hit that's for sure. Stormy weather floated down from the skies and taunted them both with weather reports before trying to fry them both.
The sky turned dark and the sun vanished behind black clouds. Rumbling thunder shook the ground beneath their feet and the air tasted like static. Looking up both heroes saw the attack coming. Purple lightning shot out from the clouds and went right for Cat Noir. He yelled as Ladybug tackled him out of the way sending them rolling down the street.
Wrapping their arms around one another they tried to protect their partner from the hard ground. When they finally came to a stop and the world stopped spinning Ladybug was laying under Cat Noir who pushed himself up onto his hands and knees. Seeing their position, his limbs basically trapping her underneath him. Meeting her eyes he gave her a dorky toothy grin and laughed.
She gave him the same expression she always did when he got flirty and reached up to grab his chin. Turning his head to the side she reminded him that they were in a battle not in the middle of a date. Jumping to his feet he glared up at their adversary playing the part of the serious hero well.
"I'll show you how scary a cat becomes when it gets mad!" He hissed charging forward ignoring Ladybug's cry for him to stop. No one made him mess up like that in front of Ladybug.
"Icy road!" Stormy yelled freezing the entire street in one fell swoop. Cat got caught in the impromptu trap sliding on the ice and struggling to keep his balance. Cat's were not good ice skaters as it turned out. "Gust!" She yelled throwing wind at Cat, without anything for his feet to gain purchase one he was easily tossed back. The wind was so strong it knocked back Ladybug who was at the end of the street.
With some quick thinking and fast reflexes he threw her yo-yo towards the nearest street lamp and kept herself from getting swept away. Cat had no such luck but it was a good thing Ladybug was his luck. Catching his belt tail she held him tight to keep him from flying off with the cars. Just as the wind came it was gone and both heroes fell to the street like dead weight.
Picking up her head from the sidewalk she saw Stormy advancing on them. A turret of wind going around her knocking cars into nearby shops or up into the air like projectiles. Luckily a nearby sign got the girls attention long enough for both of them to get back onto their feet. Cat was clearly starting to get bothered with how Ice Queen was tossing him around like a rag doll and making him look like a fool in front of Ladybug.
"Just watch me defeat Ice Queen!" He cracked his knuckles and charged ahead yet again. Only this time he stopped after two steps. Ladybug had grabbed his tail belt in the last second stopping his charge so fast he nearly got whip lash. Standing at an angle and letting her hold up his weight with his tail he looked back at her.
"What a hot tempered one." She teased. "Think before you leap."
"You have a plan?" He asked as she let him go, rubbing his stomach he soothed the ache from being jerked back so suddenly.
"Just follow my lead." With the strength and confidence she only ever had as Ladybug she ran to the buildings and kept running up them until she was parallel with the ground. Cat was quick to follow his lady's lead and did the same on the opposite side of the street, a grin on his face.
In perfect succession they leaped off the buildings, yo-yo and staff spinning above their heads as they dove at Stormy. Sadly the plan didn't work as well as they'd hoped. With yet another gust of wind they were both thrown back and over several streets. Rolling into their landing they managed to get onto their feet long enough to jump out of the way of the oncoming cars crashing down at them. Cat went right and nearly ran into a falling car, dashing back the other way he stopped in the last second and avoided another car getting stuck between the two as they toppled over and got stuck together.
Ladybug slid along the ground slipping under one car then jumping over the next. Using a split she avoided getting a broken leg and stopped her slide on an over turned car. One good kick and she was in the air hopscotching over the next car. Landing next to Cat they both had to pause as they saw a city bus flying at them. Grabbing Cat over the shoulder and pulling him back against her she spun her Yo-yo above their heads.
Luck proved to be on her side as the yo-yo cut right through the metal and glass leaving a perfect circle just big enough to save them. As the danger passed her arm tired and she let her yo-yo fall. True to his nature as a black cat his luck ran south as the yo-yo fell onto his head. Given that said yo-yo just cut a hole into a bus it wasn't hard to picture how much that might have hurt. Looking up at her with a pout while holding his head she chuckled and held up her hands in a shrug.
"She seems to be pretty mad about something." Ladybug mused as she opened a window above them. Cat handed her his staff and she used it's extending feature to rise out of the ruined bus.
"Maybe she failed her math exam?" Cat said as he was pulled out by Ladybug. Rolling her eyes at his lame joke they both gave chase to Stormy.
They didn't have to look far. The nearest screen lit up showing said girl giving a weather report of all things. Proclaiming that it was now going to be forever winter she laughed. Ladybug smiled knowing now where their target was and how to get to her.
"Well, that's bad. We would've looked good in swimsuits together." Cat said and wiggled his eyebrows at her with a laugh as she looked at him.
"You already look great with the black suit you're wearing." She said trying not to laugh at his playful nature. "Anyway, I think I know where she is. The news station."
"Right! Where else could she make the report. Great thinking My Lady." He purred. She smiled and rolled her eyes as she jumped to the roofs. Cat laughed and chased after her keeping pace easily even as she swung around corners with her yo-yo. "So where is her Akuma do you think?"
"It has to be her umbrella." She called back dropping down next to him on the roof. "All of her power comes out of that, it's the only option."
"So we just have to break that. Easy!"
Landing in front of the new's station they spared one another a single glance before going inside. Not a soul around and yet trash everywhere. A good signal something was wrong. Stormy couldn't be far off. The signs around them were more than helpful in leading them towards the new's room for the weather. Again they passed glances between them. Trust and silent communication that came only with time of working together for so long they nodded and both took a stance.
Kicking the door open they ran in only to find nothing. A camera pointed at the recording screen on a loop. Stormy wasn't even in the room. They'd been tricked. An evil cackle behind them had them turning on their heels. Stormy was grinning as pointing her umbrella at the lights. One good shot and the heavy lamps fell. Cat and Ladybug avoided that easily enough. But the electric shot also killed the power. With it being so dark out thanks to the storm Ladybug was blind.
What Stormy didn't account for was a cat's good vision in the dark. Turn out as many lights as you wish a cat will always find their way around.
Glaring after the running girl he resisted the urge to hiss. "She's getting away!" He called turning and finding Ladybug stumbling around. "What's wrong?" I took him a moment to realize that she couldn't see where she was going. Glad for his chance to take charge he went to his Lady and took her hand in his own. She yelped and jumped as he grabbed her. "Just follow me!"
Going into a run he chased after Stormy with Ladybug on his heels. Looking back at her he made sure she was keeping up as he pushed open the door to the stair well. Taking the steps two at a time he kept his hand tight in her own.
"Let me go! I can follow her on my own." Ladybug called struggling to make it up the stairs while being pulled and not being able to see.
"Watch out!" Cat called right after letting go of her hand. Cat was happy to see she listened to his call and dropped to one knee while covering her head. He didn't want to know how bad it would hurt her if that fire extinguisher had hit it's mark.
"Ahh, well you can keep holding my hand." Ladybug admitted defeat with her lack of vision and he was quick to respond. Grabbing her hand again he kept going up the stairs and shoved open the door.
Free of the darkness they came out to the roof. Stormy was above them on the signs and a storm was brewing in the air. "You are stupid!" She laughed. "Everything went as I planned." Opening her umbrella the skies followed suit and spin around them. "It was all a trap! Looks like the party is over." She winked at them, everything about her saying she had won.
"We're gonna..." Ladybug paused and looked down at her left hand seeing it still in Cat's grip. He chuckled and rubbed the back of his head like he got caught with his paw int he fish bowl. Pulling herself free she continued. "We're gonna show you the party is just getting started." Throwing her yo-yo into the air she called for her Lucky Charm. From her magically enchanted item a towel fell. "What are we gonna do with this?"
"I was wondering the same thing." Cat tossed in looking at the red and black spotted fabric. While he knew every item the yo-yo gave them was lucky he never knew how until Ladybug found a use for it. "Do we dry ourselves with it or dye it?" He asked trying to be helpful though he knew he wasn't.
"Are you serious right now? Not the time." Ladybug chastised wrapping the towel around her forearm so she wouldn't drop it.
Stormy laughed and rose her umbrella towards the sky. The temperature dropped drastically and hail the size of baseballs started to fall towards them. Cat was quick to protect Ladybug. Grabbing her hand he pulled her down in front of him and pulled his staff out. Spinning it over his head he deflected each hail stone that came for them just as she had done with the bus. "Whatever we need to do to get rid of the Akuma think fast. My arms are getting numb!"
Ladybug nodded up at him and started to look around for answers. The towel had to be lucky. Her miraculous stone wouldn't have given it to her if it didn't have a use. A vent, some metal bars, a sign, and the towel.
That's it!
"See that billboard?" She pointed at it and looked back at him. "Destroy it."
"Okay!" No need for explanation or reasoning. If his Lady wished it he'd do it. She'd never lead him astray before and he wouldn't doubt her when she needed him most. Raising his glove to the sky his stone glowed. "Catastrophy!" A dark mist emanated from his glove as he went into a run for the billboard. Ladybug would need time to do her thing so he played his part as he distraction. "Meow! Shabby lady with the chilly attitude!"
Stormy yelled and started shooting bolts of lightning at Cat as he ran. Jumping from left to right, over the vents, and around the wires he ran like a cat. Using his momentum he slid along the wide framing the roof and scratched his claws along the supports of the billboards. As true as it was that a black cat crossing one's path is bad luck his passing touch caused the metal beams to rust and crumble.
Stormy had no time to dodge as the billboard came for her. Shooting a hole through it she didn't notice Ladybug tethering her leg with her yo-yo. Jumping into the open vent she used the towel as a parachute and flew into the air. The string for the yo-yo pulling Stormy down towards the roof ad Ladybug rose for the skies. The akuma possessed girl lost her hold on her umbrella making it fly right into Cat Noir's hands.
"Ladybug!" He called as he threw the umbrella to said hero. Catching the tainted item she fell to the roof and snapped the handle of her knee. As soon as it hit the ground the tainted butterfly flew out. Using her yo-yo she caught and purified the little bug letting it fly off.
"Miracle cure!"Ladybug yelled as she tossed up the lucky item and repaired the damaged that had started since the beginning of the Akum attack. Skies cleared and streets were again filled with cars as if nothing ever happened. Cat came up to Ladybug and just like after every mission they bumped fists saying "Mission accomplished." to one another.
Another day and another Akuma stopped. Not bad.
Sitting together on the same roof as always Cat grinned at Ladybug who chucked and nudged his shoulder in hopes to stop him from being a dork. "Mind if I ask you something?" He questioned dangling his leg off the edge of the roof swinging his foot back and forth.
"Sure. What's up?"
"Well... What do you do when someone can't... be themselves around you?" He asked with a thoughtful expression. After so long of working together it was easy to speak to one another when advice was needed. "I know someone who I want to get to know better but she hardly talks to me at all."
"Maybe you just scared her off with your puns." Ladybug teased poking his side. Cat was always so charismatic, it was hard to see him as anything else but the center of attention in a room. She didn't believe that his hero self was all that different from his real self. Not like Ladybug herself, she was like night and day when it came to her mask. "You should just be yourself. You're easy to get along with Cat, some people just take longer to open up. Don't tell me my kitty is giving up?"
"Never!" Cat stood striking a heroic pose with his fist against his chest. "I'd never back down My Lady." He winked at her getting an eye roll in return. "Thank you." He smiled feeling the bubble of confidence in his chest growing. If Ladybug believed in him then he could do it. Marinette and he were going to be friends, it was only a matter of time!
Yeah I kind of mixed in the first episode here with some changes. The show adds in a lot of needless characters that you only see once so I opted to just cut them out and do my own thing. My idea is to just go with the flow while loosely following the story line right up until I catch up to the most recent episode. I'm hazarding a guess as to who Hawk Moth really is and I'm like 99% sure I'm right in my guess without even trying to look it up. So don't worry I won't stop writing just cause I've reached the lasted episode.
Please let me know what you guys think! I love reviews and it does help me write more knowing people want to read more. Even if it's just a few words or even a guest review I'm more than happy to read them all.
R&R plz!