this story has gotten so long.. hope u guys still like it. its so fun to write but i have so many other story ideas too...
xo moonbaby
Chat Noir set Marinette down at the back entrance of school, making a crazy bow as he kissed her hand.
"Thanks." Marinette said shortly. Chat Noir looked crushed. She sighed. "I'm sorry. Thank you, that was really kind of you to save me from the paparazzi."
"Anytime, madame. Have a wonderful day." He gave a weak smile and bounced off to find a place to transform for school.
Mari checked her watch- 2 minutes. She hustled into homeroom just as the bell rang. As soon as she dropped into her seat, Alya engulfed her in a hug.
"Girl, you didn't answer your phone all weekend! We have so much to talk about!" Alya immediately started in. "First, omg, everyone is flipping about the designs. You and Juleka were on so many fashion sites. You can like, drop out of school probably!"
"Yeah, my parents will definitely go for that.." said Marinette drily, forehead on her desk, trying to avoid all eye contact. She could feel eyes boring into her from all sides.
"Did you check your email at least? Did you get any offers?!"
In the crazy mess of relationships she found herself in with her alter-ego, Marinette hadn't dealt with her inbox or text messages. Now she felt stupid.
"Uhhmmm.. not yet? I was kind of distracted.."
"..by all the amazing photos of you with Adrien! I know, so great right!? How much you want to bet his dad keeps him out of school because of it.. so tragic.." Alya sighed, relishing the drama.
Marinette's heart leapt with hope. Adrien won't be in school?
She sat up straight again, only to lock eyes with.. Adrien Agreste at the door of the classroom. He blushed. She blushed. They quickly looked away from each other. Both looked exhausted.
Chloe noticed this, and pounced. "Adrien darling!" she crowed. "You poor thing! Having all these lies spread about you. But Ladybug ohmygod! I'm her biggest fan, we will have to hang out once you explain that you and me are the real item!" She threw her arms around Adrien. Evidently, he was forgiven for denying her Juleka's spot in the fashion show.
Adrien pulled away from her. "We're not an item, Chloe."
"Ha ha ha ha Ooohhh Adrikins you cutie, of course we're meant to be together! This whole mistake with Marinette"- Chloe shot her a vicious look- "will blow over in no time."
Adrien had had enough. He gently but firmly unwound Chloe's arms and took a step away. The classroom was silent as everyone looked on. Marinette didn't dare to breathe. Alya's hand twitched for her phone, but let it drop to her side.
"I'm not trying to embarrass you Chloe, but I don't think you understand." Adrien's voice was weary, but firm and clear. "I like someone else." He dropped into his chair, head bent, as the classroom erupted in whispers. Madame Bustier walked in.
"Sit down, Chloe, class starts now." Chloe sank into her chair, face purple with indignation. Alya leaned over to whisper in Marinette's ear. "I can guess who Adrien likes..!"
Before class could get started, however, the classroom door opened. It was Principal Damocles.
"Excuse me, Madame Bustier, but I need to see Adrien Agreste and Marinette Dupain-Cheng in my office."
The classroom erupted in whispers again. Marinette and Adrien froze in their seats.
"Adrien! Marinette! Go with the Principal, please!" Madame Bustier tapped her foot with impatience.
Somehow, Marinette found her feet and stood, leaving her school bag with Alya. As she descended, a certain miffed blonde stuck out her foot. Marinette tripped and lurched, the floor rising towards her. Instead of impact, she was caught by two strong arms. They felt vaguely familiar.
"Are you ok?" Adrien's face was close to hers, concerned. "Y-yeah, I'm fine…" Another concerned face, concealed by a mask, flashed through her mind.
Neither of them noticed Chloe's squeak of rage.
Adrien helped her to her feet. "Come on." He took her hand and pulled her gently out of the classroom after Mr. Damocles.
…
Marinette and Adrien sat in Mr. Damocles's office, wondering what on earth was happening.
Mr. Damocles cleared his throat.
"I would like to congratulate you two on your efforts these past weeks, and on the success of our event this weekend."
Adrien and Marinette both exhaled with relief. They weren't in trouble.
Mr. Damocles went on. "I have been contacted by the teen edition of Catwalk magazine, which wants to put you two on the cover, and they want to shoot the spread here at school. Now, normally," he cleared his throat, a little guiltily, "I wouldn't stand for this sort of thing, but, well, you see, it will surely curry favor with the school board, and …we need new lockers."
Adrien and Marinette glanced at each other.
"Wh-when will the shoot take place, Principal Damocles?" inquired Adrien. His heart sank. His father would never go for it.
"Oh, well, ahem.. tomorrow m'boy!" said Mr. Damocles hastily. "After classes are over in the evening." He looked the them both expectantly. "Ms. Dupain-Cheng, did you hear me?"
"Wha-? Oh, yes.." said Marinette weakly. Her insides were jelly. Cover shoot..Catwalk Teen!? with Adrien?
"Uhm, Mr. Damocles, I'm not sure I can.." Adrien ventured miserably. "My dad.."
"You're father has already agreed, Mr. Agreste." Adrien's heart leapt. "Now back to class, both of you. The shoot will be tomorrow at 6pm. And thank you!"
….
The rest of the day was a blur. Marinette barely spoke to anyone, too wrapped up in her thoughts, fears, and hopes to carry a conversation. Alya finally gave up on questions, and switched to defending her against everyone else.
Finally, Marinette escaped to the library for study hall. There was no way she could study, so she hid deep in the stacks and pulled out her phone to start sifting through texts and emails.
Her most recent text was from Adrien. Her heart leapt into her mouth.
Adrien: Hey are you doing ok? this has all been really crazy
Marinette: yeah.. I don't even know what to say
Because I'm in love with you and I think you're my superhero sidekick and I'm also in love with him…you..and I just had my dreams come true on every level and I'm not sure if you know that I know or if you know I'm a superhero too…God, Marinette, what is this life you lead?!
Marinette's phone pinged again.
Adrien: great news about the photo shoot though right! the cover of Catwalk Teen is huge! :)
Marinette: yeahh.. i can't rly believe it tbh
Adrien: haha u deserve it :) so funny about Mr. D and the lockers tho .
Marinette: ha ha yeah. i def did all this work so the school could have new lockers :P
Adrien: lol! im rly looking forward to the shoot tomorrow tho
He looked at his phone, and an image of her before the fashion show stood out in his mind.
Adrien: you should wear that black dress. the one you made, haha ;)
Marinette's stomach swooped. The bell rang for final period.
Marinette: that's the bell c u tomorrow
Adrien looked at the last text. Did I go too far? Am I bothering her? Am I reading way too far into this? Adrien sighed and headed to class.
…
After an eternity, school ended. Marinette had never been more ready to leave, but with Alya at softball practice, she had no bodyguard to help her through the paparazzi. They were hovering outside the school entrance like buzzards.
Marinette made a noise of disgust. No way was she going out there alone. She wanted to leave school and this endless day behind in a rush. She ran up to the rooftop greenhouse which was wonderfully deserted.
"Sometimes, Tikki, having an alter ego isn't so bad. Spots on!"
Ladybug shot out her yo-yo and leapt from the roof, relishing the rush of the dive and swing, breathing deeply as the wind whipped her face and pigtails.
Below, Adrien was sneaking out through the back locker rooms to meet his car. A blur of red caught his eye, and he inhaled sharply, aching to be with her. Adrien went to his room to do homework, Chat Noir sprang from the window to greet Paris.
His heart soared with anticipation and the thrilling possibility that they might kiss again. did she love him, as he loved her? He had felt such a certainty, such a rightness in her arms, had felt her respond fully… he almost slipped off a rooftop in distraction. The lurch brought back all the uncertainties again, but he was closing in on her, chasing that gorgeous red shape whipping over rooftops.
Ladybug was oblivious to everything but the thrill of flying, wholly escaping the world of worries she felt on the ground. She made an ambitious grab with her yo-yo, and plunged down low, almost brushing the cobblestones. Up, up, up, she swung, then released at the height of her arc, somersaulting once, twice, then opened like a whip, back arched, heels over head, to finally land, arms outstretched, atop a tall chimney stack.
"A purrfect 10, milady." Chat Noir's voice was eager with admiration.
Ladybug turned and looked down at him, cheeks flushed. Had I never noticed Chat Noir, or had I tried not to because of Adrien? Ladybug took in his blonde hair, the long lines of him lounging on the roof below her, that smart mouth slightly parted.
"Why Chat Noir, how kind of you to show up."
She leapt lightly down the chimneys, playing a balance game, arms outstretched. He shivered at the sight of her long legs tip toing along.
Ladybug looked down at him. He stood, slowly, watching her eyes watch his body. She crouched down on the chimney nearest to him, face just above his. He grinned up at her, but she caught a flicker of worry in his face.
"You said you weren't mad at me…" His cat ears drooped.
"You were particularly comforting the other night," she said with a twinkle in her eyes.
"Shall I comfort you again, My Lady?" his head tilted up to hers, grinning that lopsided grin. She felt bold, she felt tired of being unsure, tired of upset, tired of drama, glad to be so openly desired and admired.
Ladybug took Chat Noir's chin in her hand and kissed the grin right off his face. She kissed him hard, then just as quickly let go, sitting back on her heels to enjoy the shock on his face. He blinked, then smiled wide.
"I'm sure I can comfort you better than that, Princess, if you'll let me." His heart hammered with excitement. He started towards her, but she dropped down to her feet and put a hand on his chest.
"Sorry, chaton, but I was just out for a little exercise. I need my beauty sleep tonight." She paused. "And so do you."
His heart flopped. Is she…suggesting? He couldn't come out and say it. "Why, My Lady, are you suggesting I'm less than beautiful?" He played along, sticking his face close to hers again.
She laughed. "I said no such thing, my pretty kitty," she cooed, lips tantalizingly close to his. "I just have a big day tomorrow. It is quite possible that all my dreams will come true."
And with that, she indulged in one more backflip off the roof, swinging away, heart full of anticipation once more.
Chat Noir watched her go. "Mine too, My Lady, mine too."