A/N: This takes place immediately after the last chapter, "There You Are…" which was based on a prompt. This, however, is a continuation.
There You Are… (part 2)
Mr. Bug, a.k.a. Adrien Agreste (supermodel and "sunshine boy" of Ms. Bustier's homeroom class), had just lept out of the window to face the current Akuma while a de-transformed Ladybug, a.k.a. one Marinette Dupain-Cheng (the clumsy and kind class president), was passed out on the floor. After which, Alix made an observation about the two teenage superheroes which later became known as the "love square".
"Okay, that is IT," seethed the Ladyblogger. "We are definitely getting these two idiots together."
The entire class, including Ms. Bustier, nodded in approval.
"Good. It's getting really annoying hearing my holder gush about his 'Lady' and ignore his crush on Pigtails. Anyone have any cheese?"
The class stared at the floating cat-god. "Oh my gosh, you're so cute!" Rose exclaimed.
Plagg floated over and, giving the best kitten eyes he could, said "Name's Plagg. Cheese?"
"I do," said Alix. "Cheddar okay?"
Plagg madea semi-disgusted face. "It'll do in a pinch, though I prefer a more refined cheese like camembert."
"Wait, does Adrien carry camembert with him all the time?" Nino asked.
"Of course! I never know when I'll get hungry … uh, when we'll be needed," Plagg confirmed as he snatched the cheddar from Alix, swallowing it whole.
"Dude! No wonder he smells like old cheese all the time. I was going to say something about it. Especially since he showers so often."
"Hey, Plagg. What exactly are you?" Nathaniel asked.
"I'm a Kwami - specifically the Kwami of destruction. I power Chat Noir's ring."
"Oooh. Cool. So… Ladybug has a Kwami, too?"
"All Miraculous are powered by Kwamis. Tikki powers Ladybug's earrings."
"Plagg? I have some cheese over here," said Rose as she held out a slice of Swiss. Plagg floated over and settled on her hand as he took the cheese, and Rose reached out to scratch behind his ears. "Do you mind?"
"Mmmnope," the dark Kwami said as he began to purr. All the girls (including Alix) started to gush at how cute he was and gathered around Rose to lavish attention on the floating black god.
"Mmmm?" said a new voice as she started to regain consciousness. "Owww."
"Marinette, are you okay?" Alya asked as she came closer to her best friend.
".. 'm alright. I think." She struggled to sit up.
"Take it easy, Mari. I've got you," Alya said as she helped her best friend to sit up.
"Wha' 'appened? Why 'm I on the floor?"
"You crashed through the window, Ms. Dupain-Cheng," the teacher advised. "Don't you remember?"
"The window?" The girl in question looked at the window, her eyes going wide. Then she looked down at herself.
"Oh my gosh!" She jumped up, stumbling into the desk and starting to panic. "I've gotta run to the bathroom!"
"Marinette, we know." Alya informed her best friend. "You de-transformed in front of us… Ladybug."
"Oh, no. This is a disaster! Nobody is supposed to know our identities, not even each other!" The superheroine looked around the room in panic, and relaxed slightly seeing a few missing faces. She remembered that both Lila and Chloe were absent from class today. She also noticed a missing face. "This doesn't go beyond those of us in this room. You can't tell anybody or Hawkmoth may target you. I'd hate to see you targeted. And where is Adrien?"
Max gestured outside. "Adrien already gave us a warning, Marinette."
"Yeah," Ivan continued. "Then he switched his ring for your earrings."
"What?" Marinette quickly felt her ears in a panic. "My earrings!"
"Don't worry, Pigtails. Ad-[bubbles] - I hate that! - Anyway, Mr. Bug is fighting the Akuma. Got any more cheese?" Several hands shot up, and Plagg took his time checking out every available source of cheese.
Marinette looked at the ring on her finger. "Adrien? This is his ring?"
"Uh, huh," said Ivan.
"He gave us all a serious look. It scared me, actually," Mylene commented.
"Yeah, right before he warned us not to say anything to anyone, switched the ring for your earrings, and transformed," Nathaniel continued.
"Adrien's ring. But this is Chat Noir's ring, I recognize it from when we fought Reflekdoll. But if this is Adrien's ring then that means…"
Alya was grinning from ear to ear as she poked her best friend in the chest. "It means you don't need to be nervous around Adrien any more."
"What?!"
"Think about it," Alix continued. "We all know you have a huuuuge crush on Adrien."
"Yeah, but he said that he's in love with someone else," Marinette said dejectedly.
"Yeah, but my best bud is Chat Noir!" Nino practically shouted in excitement.
"And all of Paris knows Chat Noir is in love with Ladybug," continued Rose.
"And Ladybug, my dear bestie, is you."
"But.. but.. … ohmigod. Have I really been rejecting Adrien for Adrien?"
"Looks that way," chimed Max.
"So, what are you waiting for, Marinette? Go get your boy!"
Just then the class heard another crash from outside as Mr. Bug slammed into the window before taking off again.
Several voices expressed their concern. "Ouch!" "Looks painful" "I hope he's okay."
"Well," Marinette said, straightening up and putting on her 'brave' face "…looks like he needs my help. Are you ready, Plagg?"
"Ready as ever, Pigtails."
"Plagg, Claws Out!" One transformation later, Lady Noire stood in front of the class.
"And I can really trust you guys not to say anything?"
Getting affirmative nods from everyone in the class (including Ms. Bustier), Lady Noire looked around.
"You know, I think we're going to need a little help with this one," she commented. "I wonder…" Opening up the baton's storage area, Lady Noire reached in and pulled out a necklace. "Yes!"
Looking once more at the class she said, "I have your word that you won't say anything about what you've seen or are going to see?" Once more getting nods in the affirmative, Lady Noire held out the fox necklace.
"Alya, I need Rena Rouge once more."
"Sweet!"
Reaching in again, she pulled the turtle bracelet. "Nino? We'll want Carapace's Shellter."
"No problem, dude."
"Pegasus?" She handed the glasses to Max.
"I'm 100% willing to assist."
"King Monkey?" Kim held out his hand for the monkey headband.
"Awesome."
"I could really use Viperion, too. Juleka, is Luka at home?"
A mumble and a nod in the affirmative was her answer.
"Pegasus, would you make a portal to the Couffaine's houseboat for us? Leave it open long enough for us to get back, then feed your kwami and join us for the fight. Okay?"
"100% clear, Ladybug."
As soon as everything was set, the heroes set out to find the Akuma. And if Mr. Bug and Lady Noire flirted with each other more than ever, they would say you were imagining things.
(On a side note: Once the Akuma was defeated and the heroes went their separate ways, Marinette allowed herself time for a proper freak out before calling Adrien and asking him out.)
