Author's Notes: Once again, thank you so much for the favs/follows/reviews/likes/reblogs! They mean a lot to me. To keep this short, I had a lot of fun writing this chapter (I even burst out in laughter at times). I'm sorry if Adrien came out a little OC here, it's how I imagined him when he's alone with Plagg.
Adrien was dying to talk to Marinette after their encounter at the museum. It had been two weeks since then. However, whenever he tried to approach Marinette during lunch Chloé would always find a way to drag him away from her. He was also not able to stay behind after school because he had to attend rehearsals for a fashion show his father was going to host in Paris in a couple of days.
He really wished he had the courage to, at the very least, get her number. He was getting reckless. Just who is she? Does she know about the kwamis? Plagg mentioned that no one, except for those chosen to be bearers of the Miraculous, know about the kwamis. Historians had recorded that there were magical creatures by the superheroes' side however none knew what they were. Who else can she be besides Ladybug?
"I am so… hopeless!" Adrien screamed into his pillow. It was already late at night when he came back from the latest rehearsal. The fashion show would be happening in a week. "I want to talk to her so badly!"
Adrien heard his kwami's exasperated sigh to his left. "Look, Adrien. You suspect that Marinette's Ladybug, why not just ask Ladybug when you see her next time?"
"But there aren't any akuma attacks lately! I've also made a promise with Ladybug that we would keep our identities a secret." It was Adrien's turn to sigh. Just what is Hawk Moth up to? I'm glad I don't have to skip out on rehearsals but weeks without an attack is just weird.
Chat Noir and Ladybug did not really meet each other unless there was an akuma attack. There was no need to, because akumas were naturally drawn to their Miraculous and would appear at a place where Ladybug and Chat Noir would be found. Adrien had wondered numerous times if the girl underneath the red and black mask was someone he knew since they almost always appeared at the scene of the attack at the same time. Maybe Marinette is Ladybug…
Marinette was an incredibly shy girl. When he transferred into her class at the beginning of the school year, she would always stutter and trip over nothing when they spoke to each other. However, being partners with her in Chemistry had made her more confident in herself and they could talk normally now. The traumatic first Chemistry experiment had already been shelved in the back of his mind now that he suspected that Marinette was Ladybug.
Marinette was an aspiring fashion designer who had a big heart – a gentle and caring person who would not hesitate to help anyone in need. Adrien was incredibly impressed with Marinette's bowler hat, particularly her signature that was sewn carefully on the crown of the hat. He could still remember Chloé's flabbergasted expression when she was exposed of her plagiarized work and could not help but smile every time he thought of it. The creative and intelligent girl had recently caught his attention and Adrien would be lying if he said he did not develop any feelings for her.
Adrien shifted his position on his bed and turned to look at the bowler hat sitting on his desk. Due to his allergies, Marinette had offered to swap the pigeon feather with an artificial one. He felt incredibly embarrassed and apologetic that Marinette had to change it.
"Are you wearing that at the fashion show?" Plagg asked when he noticed Adrien's line of vision. He flew towards the bowler hat and gave the feather a gentle poke.
"Yeah. We didn't get to use it in previous photo shoots. It will appear on the fashion show."
Plagg settled on top of the hat. "Okay, then, why don't you invite Marinette to the fashion show? She wants to be a fashion designer, no? It will be a great experience for her and you can talk to her after the show."
Adrien stared at Plagg and blinked.
"… What?"
"Plagg!" Adrien threw off his covers and went to grab the kwami. Because of his sudden movements, Plagg let out a shriek and attempted to run away but Adrien caught him. "That was a brilliant idea! God, Plagg, I didn't know you are this smart!"
There were muffled voices from where Plagg was being crushed against Adrien's chest but it sounded like "What was that supposed to mean?!"
"Oh Plagg, thank you so much! I'll get you two packs of Camembert tomorrow!"
With that, the kwami in Adrien's arms let out an excited squeal.
"Marinette's not here today?" Adrien asked Alya the next day in class when he noticed Marinette was absent during the first lecture.
Alya's eyebrows shot up and she gave him a funny look. "She caught a flu over the weekend. Apparently she fell asleep on her rooftop while sketching a few designs and the wind was a little strong that day."
Adrien's face fell. He was looking forward to seeing Marinette in class today.
"Do you need me to pass her a message?" Alya asked, taking out her phone.
"Oh! No, it's okay. I would prefer to approach her myself."
"Is it something urgent? I'll give you her number. I'm sure she won't mind." In fact, she would be ecstatic when Adrien texts her…
Adrien's heart gave a big leap. He hoped he was not blushing in front of Alya. She had just saved him from the awkwardness of having to ask Marinette personally for her number. "T-That would be nice. Thanks, Alya."
He did not catch the evil smirk Alya had on her face after he noted down Marinette's number.
"Adrien, the fashion show is coming up in a few days, if you don't contact her so-"
"I know, Plagg. I know! Gods, I can't do this. I don't even remember being so nervous around a girl before." Adrien tightened his grip on his phone. He had been trying to start a new text message but he could not come up with anything good to say. The only other person whom he texted was Nino so he had no idea what to say to a girl. He was homeschooled for a long time so he was deprived of any social activities. He was an incredibly socially awkward person.
"Do you want to transform?"
Adrien swivelled around his chair to look at his kwami, who was savouring a huge slice of Camembert while happily humming to himself. "What? No! I would only end up addressing Marinette as 'My Lady' and if it turns out that she's not Ladybug… I'll… I'll jump off a building!"
Plagg let out a sigh. "Humans… and their human crushes. Come, eat some cheese. It will make you feel better."
Adrien ignored him. "I hope she's getting better, it's been two days since she's absent. I hope she'll be well enough to make it to the fashion show."
"It's still bright outside, why don't you visit her? You have to give her the ticket to the fashion show anyway."
There was a moment of silence when Adrien stared at his kwami. A wave of déjà vu came over Plagg and he looked up from his cheese. Then, all of a sudden, Plagg flew as far as he could, away from Adrien. He did not want to be crushed again.
"That was the second smartest thing I've ever heard you say!" Adrien stood up from his seat, grabbed his bag and headed towards the door.
Plagg, remembering what happened yesterday, asked, "Am I getting another pack of Camembert tomorrow?"
Adrien flashed him a grin. "I'll think about it."
Marinette's family owned a rather famous patisserie in Paris. Adrien had tried a few of their pastries his colleagues had ordered at fashion shows and photo shoots but he had never been to the patisserie itself. He was a big fan of their cinnamon rolls.
"Alright, Plagg. I'm going in now," Adrien said and in response, he felt his kwami gave him a poke through his shirt pocket, acknowledging him that he heard him. Adrien tightened his hold on a bouquet of flowers – an arrangement of iris, daffodils and sunflowers – and pulled open the door.
As soon as the doorbell chimed, he heard someone greet in a cheery voice, "Welcome to the Dupain-Cheng bakery! How can I help you?"
Adrien smiled and approached the lady at the counter. "Hello, Mrs Dupain-Cheng. I'm Adrien, a classmate of Marinette's. I'm here to visit her."
Marinette's mother widened her eyes for a brief second when she heard the name 'Adrien' and looked at the bouquet before giving him a wide smile. "Of course! She's upstairs, in her room." She pointed to the stairs behind her. "Since our patisserie is connected to our apartment, the front door isn't locked. Her room's on the third floor."
"Pardon the intrusion… I will come back to get some pastries before I leave," Adrien said, moving behind the counter towards the stairs.
"You don't have to, sweetie. Thanks for the visit, I'm sure Marinette appreciates it."
Adrien smiled. "I'll be back. 谢谢 (Thank you)."
The lady's smile got even wider when he spoke to her in Chinese. "不客气 (You're welcome)!"
"Ohhh… Alya, that girl… She forgot to close the windows! The breeze is too strong – I don't have the strength to close it myself," Tikki said worriedly, hovering in front of the windows. Alya was here a few moments ago to hand Marinette her homework and while she was there, she had opened the windows to air out the room. She claimed that Marinette needed a little sunlight since she was cooped up in her room for days.
"Now, what am I going to do?" She looked over to the bed where Marinette was sleeping. "And just when Marinette's finally getting better…"
Adrien walked slowly and quietly up the stairs. The time spent as Chat Noir had given him such stealth that some times he would surprise Nino when he approached him from behind.
When he walked through the front door, he was blown away by the bright colors of the living room; hot pink cupboards, a blue fridge and a beige sofa among many others. Even the setting sun that poured in from the windows painted a rosy glow across the room. It was so different from his mansion. Marinette's house felt so… alive.
Adrien then proceeded up another flight of stairs towards Marinette's room. He could feel his heart beat faster with every step he took. He had visited Nino's house before and Marinette was the second friend he visited. What should he say when he sees her? He was especially aware of how awkward he could be when he was around others.
On the last step, Adrien thought he heard something. Oh, is Marinette up? His heart was beating extremely fast now. "Um… Mari—"
He stopped himself when he saw something the size of a human fist moving near the window. The movement looked so unnatural that Adrien doubt that it was an inanimate object. He squinted his eyes.
The thing was red and had giant black dots on it which made Adrien think of a ladybug automatically. That ladybug is huge! Wait… Ladybug…? LADYBUG?!
"Plagg! Plagg!" Adrien whispered and shook his shirt pocket. His kwami popped out his head, an angry expression on his face, seemingly annoyed by the way his Chosen One was treating him.
"What is it?! I smelled some wonderful cheese pastries earlier, you must buy some for me!"
"That can come later. Would you look at that?" Adrien said quickly, pointing towards the windows.
Plagg followed his finger and after a moment of staring, he gasped and flew out of Adrien's shirt pocket towards the 'ladybug'. Adrien panicked soon after.
"Oh look! If it isn't Tikki! Hey! Long time no see!"
Said 'ladybug' turned to Plagg and then to Adrien who looked like he was posing for the world's most awkward picture with both his knees on the floor, his left hand holding a bouquet of flowers and his right hand outstretched. She turned back to Plagg and Adrien saw its eyes grew wide.
"Plagg?!" She let out a shriek and then immediately snapped her mouth shut, remembering that Marinette was still sleeping.
All three figures froze when they heard a groan coming from the bed.
Please don't wake up. Please don't wake up. Please don't wake up. Adrien chanted. He was sweating so much that his hands were all clammy.
When all movements had ceased beneath the sheets and silence ensued, Tikki took Plagg's paw and pulled him towards Adrien. "Let's talk… in the living room. But wait, could you please close the windows for me? I don't want Marinette's flu to get worse."
Adrien nod his head quickly, went to close the windows as quietly as he could and followed the kwamis down the stairs quietly. He wanted to kill Plagg so badly but right now, he was extremely thrilled to know who Ladybug was. Marinette is Ladybug! She's Ladybug! She. Is. Ladybug!
It took him all his willpower not to jump and strike a victory pose while he was going down the stairs. To think that the girl he was starting to develop feelings for in school was actually the same person whom he loved and worked with to protect Paris was just incredible.
"Adrien, please wipe that smile off your face. It's creeping me out," Plagg hovered in front of Adrien and gave his face a tap.
"What? Oh—! I… Oh god, I feel so incredibly happy right now, I don't know how I should react." Adrien started laughing and looked from the red kwami to Plagg then back to the other kwami. "Marinette is… such a wonderful girl. I have a hunch that she could be Ladybug and… I am very happy to know that she is Ladybug."
The red kwami looked surprised for a moment but was soon smiling at him.
"Oh! I'm so sorry. Where are my manners? I believe I haven't introduced myself. I'm Ad-"
"Adrien, I know." The kwami said, grinning. "I'm Tikki, Ladybug's kwami. Marinette talks a lot about you."
"She does?" Adrien blinked at her.
"Oh my gosh, Adrien, I didn't think you were that shallow," Tikki replied, folding her arms. Adrien's cheeks flushed almost immediately.
"I…" Adrien opened his mouth but closed it and repeated the same motion a few times. He then finally settled with, "Could you keep this a secret?"
Tikki's smirk immediately fell and she looked at him in shock. "Wha—? Why? But you were dying to know who your beloved Ladybug is, no? I'm sure Marinette would be happy to know that you're Chat Noir."
Adrien shook his head and gave her a sad smile. "I made a promise with Ladybug that we would keep our identities a secret from each other. I guess Ladybug – Marinette – thinks that it just isn't the time."
Tikki and Plagg gave each other knowing looks. Plagg was the first one to speak up. "Why do most Ladybugs and Chat Noirs act the same way? It's clear that they love each other yet they hold themselves back because they know it's dangerous for the two of them."
"They're star-crossed lovers." Tikki nodded in agreement.
"I'll wait for her… until she's willing to tell me about her identity," Adrien said. Both kwamis gave him a tiny smile.
"Oh, that's right. What are you doing here?" Tikki asked.
Plagg answered for him. "He wanted to talk to Marinette about Ladybug and Chat Noir – but now that he knows about her identity, I guess they don't have to talk anymore?"
"That was the big part of my visit. But there's something I want to give to her," Adrien said, opening up his bag and fishing for the fashion show ticket. He gave it to Tikki.
"This is—! It's the fashion show that Marinette dreamed about going! She will be thrilled to know that you've invited her!" Tikki exclaimed. "Oh but wait, I can't give this to her. She'll be suspicious."
Adrien laughed and took the ticket from her "Don't worry, I want to give this to her personally. Is she getting better?"
"She had a fever but right now, she just have a stuffy nose and a sore throat. She should be back in school on Thursday."
"Alright," Adrien smiled. "I guess I should get going now. I'm sorry to have to cut this short for the both of you. I'm sure you two have a lot to talk about" He looked at the two kwamis and they shrugged their shoulders as if they were used to it. "Anyways, it's so nice to meet you Tikki. I hope we could talk someday."
"Likewise!" Tikki replied cheerfully and waved her tiny hands.
Later that night when Marinette woke up for a late dinner, she was surprised with a bouquet of flowers from her parents. When she was told it was from Adrien, she nearly fainted. Taking a picture of the flowers, she sent it to Alya who had immediately bombarded her with a series of texts.
Meanwhile, at the Argreste's household, Adrien was sitting on his bed holding Marinette's bowler hat, turning one way and the other to admire the work, a smile on his face.
It was a great day for the star-crossed lovers and both Marinette and Adrien could not wait to see each other at school.
Author's Note: Ohhhhkayyy! I'm just going to end the fic here because honestly, I don't know how to continue it. LOL. I really really really do hope you guys like this fic. If there are requests as to how you want me to continue it, feel free to give me some ideas!
P.S If you are wondering why Hawk Moth hasn't attack for two weeks, it's because in this fic, Gabriel Argreste is Hawk Moth and he is extremely busy with the fashion show.