A/N: Right, so this is a bit shorter than I intend to aim for from now on, but it does wrap up the Origins retelling portion of the tale. This means two things: Umbrella Scene! and I'm going to veer away from canon for the most part, now. There will be some moments from the show that will still crop up, but for the most part, I'm going to be exploring different plotlines.

Anyhow, shutting up. Enjoy!

Chapter Six: Thunderclap

Chat Noir watched as Ladybug nudged Ivan and Mylène closer together, handing the shorter girl the crumpled page with the handwritten lyrics of Ivan's song. Leaving the two to talk among themselves, she walked over to him with a smile on her face. Hands clasped together, she turned to look back as the other two hugged, letting out a dreamy sigh.

"They're so perfect together!" she declared.

He braced a forearm against her shoulder. "Why, My Lady, I didn't take you for a romantic," he teased.

"Well, I... that is..." the girl flushed, hands fluttering a bit. "Just look at them!"

"They do look happy," Chat agreed as he watched his classmates together. Turning back to his partner, he gave her a grin and held out a fist. "Bien joue!"

She pressed her knuckles to his without hesitation this time. "Bien joue!" she echoed cheerfully.

Okay. His partner was definitely adorable. The boy found it especially cute how she could go from bold in the heat of the fight to bashful once the danger was past. He wondered which side of her she showed when she was outside of the mask and whether he'd continue to witness these different aspects of her, or if she'd start acting solely like the confident superheroine who'd confronted Hawk Moth in front of the whole of Paris.

He kind of hoped she wouldn't.

A beeping from his ring drew his attention, a quick glance at Ladybug's earring confirming she was down a couple spots, as well. "Looks like our cue," he said. "You were awesome, today, Bugaboo. I told you we could do this."

Every bit of Ladybug's face that wasn't covered by mask turned a bright pink. "A-awesome. I mean, you were. Awesome. As well!" Her hands flew up to cover her face.

"So kind of you to notice," Chat replied with a chuckle. He stooped into a low bow, giving an exaggerated wave. "Until next time, My Lady."

"B-bye!" she called after him as he left, grimacing to herself. Taking her yo-yo from her hip, she departed in the opposite direction.

0o0

"He's going to think I'm an idiot," Marinette lamented quietly to Tikki as she walked towards home. She hadn't quite been able to make it the whole way before her transformation wore off. "Why was I stammering in front of him?"

"I think I've got an idea," Tikki teased.

"Tikki, I'm serious! It's so embarrassing."

"So, am I," remarked the kwami. "There's nothing wrong with having a crush, you know."

Marinette sputtered. "I-I don't! Not have – don't... I do not have a crush on him," she managed, cheeks flaming.

Tikki just gave a doubtful sounding hum before ducking down into the girl's purse as she stepped through the gate to the mansion. Despite how quietly she spoke, the kwami was easily able to hear Marinette's happy murmur of, "He called me 'Bugaboo.'"

The girl was riding an emotional high. Her second venture as a superhero had been a success, thanks in part to her partner's encouragement. Chat Noir was so kind and supportive, even though he seemed to be taking to things so much more easily than she was. And that grin of his...

A sigh was breezing past her lips as she entered her home (if one could call the stuffy dwelling such a thing). It abruptly turned into a startled cough as she was met by not one, but three separate stares. It was the look of severe disappointment she received from her mother that caused a knot of panic to form in her chest.

"I... I can explain!" Marinette blurted.

From the corner of her eye, the girl could she her father shift on his feet, even as Nathalie looked away. For her part, she couldn't have diverted her gaze from her mother's even had she dared. The knot which had sprung from around her heart had risen to become a lump within her throat.

Sabine arched a brow at her. "Well?" she prompted. "I am eagerly awaiting this... explanation of yours."

"I – that is... I didn't mean..." the girl stammered out.

"You disobeyed me," her mother intoned. "After I explicitly told you that you were not allowed to attend that school, you went, anyway. Furthermore, you did this after promising that you would not."

"I'm sorry, Maman," Marinette whispered, unable to speak any louder beneath the weight of her mother's stare.

"Are you?" queried the woman skeptically.

"I am!" her child insisted. "I know I shouldn't have, but I just..." But what use was it to repeat her longing to attend school? Especially now after she had gotten a taste of the experience and made a new friend. Her mother already knew. The woman just didn't care.

"And yet, here we are," Sabine sighed. "I had really hoped you'd prove mature enough to overcome the need for teenage rebellion. Honestly, Marinette. It's positively plebeian. I suppose I expected too much of you."

Marinette could feel tears building behind her eyes. She knew better than to let them fall, though. Crying was another thing her mother found plebeian.

"Your father has argued that regular social interaction with people your age would prove beneficial to you. Personally, I find it far more likely that you'll grow acquainted with more negative influences, such as your little friend Miss Bourgeois," the woman continued, tone sounding a bit bored. "However, since you have proven that you will do as you like, despite giving your word to the contrary, I suppose I just as well permit it on a trial basis."

The girl blinked in surprise, eyes widening. Had her mother really just said..?

Her mother's gaze narrowed reprovingly at her. "Nathalie has volunteered to rearrange your schedule," she bit out, as though she thought it an impertinent thing to do. "You are not allowed to go traipsing off without your bodyguard. He will drop you off and pick you up again each day. You will, of course, continue your other lessons, your music and Chinese, as well as the photo-shoots."

"Yes! Of course!" Marinette agreed eagerly.

"And you will keep your grades up. I am most serious, Marinette. The moment your academics start to suffer, I am pulling you out of that school and the subject shall never be visited again. Do I make myself clear?" Sabine looked at her sternly.

"Yes, Maman, I promise," the girl murmured fervently, moving several steps forward. "I will do my best in everything. Better than my best! I'll keep up with everything, I swear."

"See that you do," her mother intoned dismissively, turning to head towards her study. "Oh, and Marinette? Take note that Miss Bourgeois is not permitted in this house anymore."

This gave the girl pause, her expression momentarily stricken. Chloé's visits were already relatively rare. This was partially because Marinette preferred to get away from the mansion. The hotel felt like a haven in comparison to the large lonely house. Her mother had never been very fond of the blonde, but she'd never banned her from visiting before.

"Y-yes, Maman," Marinette replied. She wasn't sure whether she was heard or not. For a moment, the girl stood there, torn between elation and hurt. Then, a large hand settled upon her shoulder and she gazed up into her father's green eyes.

"Your mother is a stubborn woman," Tom Dupain said with a bit of humor. "It was no small task to get her to give in."

"Thank you, Papa," she said, throwing her arms around the man's waist. He returned the embrace. After a brief moment, the girl pulled away, craning her head back to look at him. "She's not too mad with you, is she?"

Tom gave a hearty chuckle. "Your mother is always angry, especially with me," he told her, patting her cheek. "You let me worry about whether or not she's unhappy with me. I just want you to be happy. Understood?"

Marinette nodded, offering a small smile. "Yes, Papa."

"Run along, now. If I'm not mistaken, I do believe one of us has some studying to do."

The girl made her way for the stairs. She stopped on the bottom step to look at Nathalie. "Thank you," Marinette said. "And I'm sorry. For how I behaved this morning."

"Don't think on it," Nathalie replied, the words dismissing thanks and apology alike.

Continuing up the steps, Marinette made her way down the hall to her bedroom. She shut the door and leaned back against it. Tikki emerged from her purse to float in the air before her.

"I'm allowed to go to school," she murmured incredulously. The kwami simply smiled. Marinette couldn't help but feel that the entire situation had grown increasingly surreal.

0o0

"What made you think of writing Mylène a song?" Alix was asking, turned in her seat to face Ivan across the aisle.

"It was Marinette's idea," Ivan answered quietly, blushing faintly under Mylène's fond gaze. "She suggested I write her a note or something."

"Marinette's?" Kim spoke up incredulously. "The resident fashion model? Chloé's friend?"

The larger boy gave him a frown. "Marinette is nice. She came to make sure I was okay after what Chloé said yesterday," he said.

"No way," Adrien muttered from his seat next to Nino. His voice was quiet enough that only his friend could hear him.

"What? You think she can't be decent?" Nino asked in amusement.

"You think she can?" the blond retorted. "Let's not forget who speculated that she'd be just like Chloé first."

"Yeah, well, maybe I was wrong. The other new girl seemed to be getting along with her yesterday."

"What about what she said? About everyone being stupid?" Adrien persisted.

"It was only part of the conversation, bro. Why are you holding onto this?" Nino asked. "Usually, you're the first person to give someone a chance."

Adrien made a face, but didn't have time to answer before the subject of their conversation walked into the room. She was with Alya, this time, a small smile on her face as she listened to what the auburn-haired girl was saying. They parted a few steps inside the door, Alya continuing to her seat in the front while Marinette started up the steps beside Nino.

There, she paused, lips pressing into a line and hands tightening around the strap of her school bag. After a moment, she started to take a step back.

"Whoa!" Nino cautioned, a hand shooting out to grab the girl's wrist before she accidentally walked off the step. She started, looking over at him in surprise. Nino let go so quickly, he might have been burned.

Marinette blinked at the boy, then looked down to where her heel was at the very edge of the stair. She gave him a small smile. "Thank you," she said.

"Yeah... no problem," Nino replied.

The girl turned, watching her feet to step down off the stair before moving around the front of their desk and up a step. "May I-" she started to address Alya.

"Don't even!" Alya retorted, leaning over to grab her by the arm and drag her into the seat. Marinette let out a surprised sounding squeak. A faint blush had colored her cheeks, but she was smiling, a little more widely this time.

Adrien had followed the entire exchange, curious of Marinette's sudden change of seat. Wasn't she concerned her 'bosom friend' would be upset with her? No sooner had he wondered this, than Chloé and Sabrina entered the room. The blonde took three steps before her gaze focused on Marinette.

"Why are you sitting there?" Chloé demanded, a spark of something in her gaze that only one person in the room really knew how to identify. "We'd agreed you'd be sitting with me. You don't have to sit next to her."

Alya looked like she wanted to retort, but Marinette held out a hand to her before rising slowly out of her seat. She cast a look over her shoulder, almost uncertainly. All eyes seemed to be on her or Chloé. A quiet sigh slipped past her lips, then she looked back at Chloé, shoulders straightening. When she spoke, her voice was just loud enough for everyone in the room to hear.

"Chloé, you were my first friend," Marinette stated firmly, a warmth to the words. "You will always be my first friend. Nothing will change that. But I need other friends, too. We both do. Besides, it's not fair of me to take Sabrina's seat when I can sit somewhere else. She's your best friend, isn't she?"

If everyone hadn't been paying attention before, they certainly were now. Some even leaned forward in their seats awaiting Chloé's response. She and Marinette simply looked at one another for several seconds, something seeming to be communicated between them in that brief amount of time.

Chloé gave a short nod and her lips curved into a faint smile. "Yes, she is," she murmured softly, the words clearly delighting the redhead beside her. Then, the blonde tossed her head, lifting her chin a bit arrogantly. She sounded more like herself when she continued. "I suppose it's fine, so long as you don't forget about me."

Marinette let out a laugh, a hand raising to cover her mouth. As they took their respective seats, the brunette casually tossed over her shoulder, "As if you'd let me."

Adrien heard Chloé scoff behind him, but his focus was still on Marinette, even though the brunette had turned to the girl beside her. He was now more uncertain than ever. The two girls were clearly still friends, and yet...

"Dude," Nino whispered, jabbing him beneath the shoulder blade.

"What?" Adrien hissed, rotating around to face him.

"You were staring," his friend pointed out.

The blond made a face. "No, I wasn't," he denied. Nevertheless, he found it a bit difficult to keep his attention from wandering off to the right.

0o0

"Gah!" Adrien stepped back into the entryway of the school, peering up into the cloudy sky. Of course, it was pouring down rain on a day he forgot to bring an umbrella. The boy sighed, preparing himself for a quick dash home. It wasn't very far, but he would probably still end up soaked. He turned his head as someone came up beside him.

Marinette blinked back at him, then quickly diverted her gaze. Opening her own umbrella, she held it up and stepped out into the rain towards her waiting car. After a couple of steps she turned back around to face him.

"Um..." she said, the words seeming to stick in her throat. She shifted from one foot to the other. "I don't think people are stupid!" she blurted.

Without waiting for a response, she started towards the steps before wheeling around once again. "Look, Chloé is the only person I really know – well, and Alya, now. But I know Chloé can be... awful, sometimes. And she may be my friend, but I'm not... I don't see people the way she does. What you heard me say yesterday, that wasn't about you guys. It wasn't about anyone. I was... I was poking fun at Chloé for thinking like that."

Adrien stared at her in surprise, noting the way that she couldn't seem to hold his gaze for more than a few seconds at a time. It struck him that what he'd said must have really gotten to her. He cast about for something to say, an explanation perhaps, but words escaped him.

"This is all new to me," Marinette said softly. She had moved a few steps closer, face still turned away from him. "I've always been home-schooled before. I never had a chance to make friends like everyone else. I... The last thing I'd want to do is alienate anyone. I don't like people judging me before they get a chance to know me. I wouldn't do that to somebody else."

She fell quiet again, the sound of the rain filling the silence. Her gaze was still fixed somewhere near the ground, causing her lashes to droop down over her eyes. A galaxy of freckles dotted her nose and cheeks, and Adrien found himself wondering absurdly whether they were edited out of her photo-shoot pictures or not. Suddenly, her gaze lifted to his own and Adrien's sight was captive by twin pools of blue.

"Here," Marinette said, the hand holding the umbrella moving closer to him as a thunderclap rumbled overhead.

It took Adrien a little too long to realize why she had done that. He blamed the thunder for distracting him. "I can't take your umbrella," the boy protested.

"Sure you can," the girl said, brows crinkling together. She reached out to take one of his hands and pressed the umbrella into it.

"What if you get wet?" Adrien asked, green eyes wide and incredulous.

Music. The girl was laughing at him. Not one of the short giggles he'd heard her make throughout the day when talking with Alya or even Chloé, but a full-throated laugh that bubbled up within her, causing her eyes to crinkle and dimples to form in her cheeks.

"I'm not going to melt," Marinette informed him, a smile still on her face. "I'll see you tomorrow." With a small wave, she turned to go, making her way to the waiting car without stopping this time.

"Yeah!" Adrien called out after her. "Yeah, tomorrow! I'll... I'll be seeing... you. Then." He waved after the car, his heart beating rapidly in his chest.

"Smooth, Romeo," Plagg drawled at him, emerging from his shirt pocket.

Adrien felt his cheeks flush. "Oh, hush," he told the kwami, rubbing at the back of his neck. Plagg snickered at him as the boy hiked his bag higher up his shoulder. He stepped out into the rain, the drops of water drumming against the umbrella over his head.

As he made his way home, Adrien couldn't help but think that Marinette just might be as nice as she was pretty.

To be continued...

A/N: Hope you enjoyed it! Please lemme know what you think, as I was a bit nervous about the Umbrella Scene. Hugs, Melly