So guys, just thought I would give you an update in the competition, I am still in the lead. Thank you to all the follows and favourites guys, it really means a lot to me. I was so amazed how many views and everything I got after chapter 2! Anyway, I'll let you read chapter 3!
Identity Isn't Everything
Chapter 3
I looked up at the ceiling, thinking about Plagg's words. I knew I would have to tell her at some point, it's just that… she was just so perfect. I know how cheesy that sounds but it's true, there's no denying it. She probably has someone else that she loves out of costume. Someone just as smart, brave, beautiful… I rolled over on my bed and picked the poem I had found on the internet out from under the mattress. When I found it, I just felt like I could relate to it.
I don't know where I stand with you…
What does she think of me? Am I more that a co-worker?
And I don't know what I mean to you…
Does she love me? Or do I just seem like a jokester? Does she know that I am so much more?
All I know is every time I think of you…
I definitely think of her a lot. About how her eyes and lips tilt when I make a joke that sounds stupid even to me. About how my skin feels like it's on fire every time she reaches out and touches me. I definitely do not think much about how much I love how her eyes light up when she sees me. Okay, I lied. I especially love it when she does that.
All I want to do is be with you…
"ADRIEN!" I jolted out of my train of thought and groaned as I stood up. Shaking myself out of my trance, I put the poem back under the mattress. I was already grounded, what else would he have to say?
"Coming, Father!" I quickly exited my room and made my way to my father's office, where I knocked and entered after I was told to do so.
"Adrien, take a seat." I did as he asked, I sat down in the chair opposite his desk, looking down at my hands.
"What is it Father?" I asked as I searched his face for clues, wondering why he'd deign to call me in.
"It has come to my attention that you are missing photo shoots far too often, and I'm afraid to do this but as a result, you will now only go to school one day each week."
"What! But Father!" I stood up, my brain in shock.
"No buts! You will be taught everything you need to know here; you will not miss much in terms of education, and you will still be able to see your friends on Mondays. That school is doing nothing good for you." Seething with anger and disbelief, I knew there was no point in arguing, so I simply nodded my head and walked stiffly out of his study, trying to not slam the door behind me. I stomped off to my room. Why did he have to be so unfair? It hadn't even been a year since I had started school and already he was practically banning me from it already.
"Oh come on Adrien, it can't be that bad. Any boy your age would love to not have to go to school." Plagg tried to console me the only way he knew how.
"I'm just any boy though am I Plagg?" I snapped at him. Sighing, I apologised as I looked out the window. I was just about to get out my phone and text Nino about it, but I knew he wouldn't understand. He would just go on and on about how unfair it was, not doing anything to help me. And the last time he had tried to help he just got himself turned into the Bubbler.
"What are you doing!" Plagg shouted at me as I stood up and smiled. He knew me too well if he already knew my plan, "Adrien, you can't!"
"Oh but I can. Plagg! Claws out!" The black kwami groaned but did as he was told. I relished in the feeling of being free as I felt the Plagg's magic spread across my skin. I knew there was one person I could talk to without being judged on this, and that person was Ladybug.
Ô-Ô
"It looks great Marinette!" Alya said, looking at the dress designs I had drawn.
"Do you think I could make it in time?" I said, talking about the competition that the teacher was holding for our art class.
"Yeah, mine won't look nearly as good as this!"
"Thanks Alya, but I'm sure yours will be great."
"Uhuh, sure," my best friend grinned.
We kept chatting for a while, before Alya had to leave.
"Bye Marinette!" She hugged me quickly before walking down the steps from my room and into the bakery.
"See you at school!" I called after her. I ran back up the stairs and started writing down a list of materials I would need to make the dress, I needed to start as soon as possible. I was running around the room, checking every box and cupboard that could have spare fabric.
"Marinette!" Tikki called, flying out from the spot on the desk were she was sitting. I jumped as she flew in front of my face.
"Oh! Tikki you scared me!"
"Sorry Marinette, but it was the only way I could get your attention!"
"Huh?" I asked, as I hadn't seen or heard Tikki at all since I got home.
"Chat's been trying to call you for over an hour!" Shocked at why he would be calling, my mind quickly settled that he was in trouble.
I nodded. "Quick, Tikki! Spot's on!" I smiled as the mask ran over my eyes and the red magic spread across my body. My smile faded as I remembered why I had transformed in the first place. I climbed out onto the roof and swung out of sight from the bakery. I whipped out my yo-yo screen thing.
"Chat! Are you okay!" I said, a little louder than necessary.
"Whoa M'Lady! Calm down, I just wanted to talk." He said the last part a little shamefully, dropping his gaze to the ground.
"Oh," I blinked in surprise. "Okay, do you want me to come to you then?" I asked, checking the time as I did. It was only 10 pm.
"Yeah… or we could meet at, that place?" I knew what he meant by that place straight away. A few months ago, Chat and I were on patrol in bad weather. After about 10 minutes, he slipped on a wet roof and knocked himself unconscious. I ended up carrying him, in the rain mind you, until I found a place where he could lie down. Eventually, he came to, luckily before he transformed, and now it is the place we hang out if we a place to talk, away from the reporters.
"Yeah, that would be great. I'll meet you there." I closed my yo-yo and started swinging north. I saw a glow coming from the window and I didn't hesitate to swing in, straight through the door.
"M'Lady," He grunted, not with any of his usual flair.
"Hey, what's wrong?" I walked over and sat next to him.
Ô-Ô
I looked at Ladybug's small face and my heart fluttered, seeing her eyes filled with genuine care. "It's just my Father, when I'm not Chat Noir… He barely ever lets me leave the house. He basically now only lets me leave the house once a week." I was a little reluctant, sharing my personal life with her, at first anyway.
"That's horrible!" she gasped, leaning back against the wall, "I don't know what I would do if I was trapped at home all the time."
"I'll probably just spend more time as Chat Noir, one person to talk to is better than none right?" I quirked a grin that was a little sardonic. Immediately, she put a hand on his arm and squeezed it reassuringly. "Especially if it's you M'Lady," I murmured softly as I felt my smile soften at her and she smiled back, a small laugh bubbling from behind her lips. I barely ever saw her laugh like that, but then again, we barely just talk like this. Suddenly, her laugh stopped and her face flushed as she looked to the ground. "Everything alright, M'Lady?" I said, lifting her chin to look into her eyes.
"Yeah… I just remembered a conversation I had with my kwami." Her voice was soft and hesitant as I saw the doubt in her eyes.
"Oh, what about?" I swore I saw her cheeks blush more as she looked down again. This was not like the Ladybug I knew. Not that I'm against it, though. It's nice to see her like this; it makes her seem more human and less like the unobtainable Lady.
"You," she said, more than a little sheepishly.
"So M'Lady does think of me out of costume," I teased. The knowledge of it is oddly buoyant; I'm elated that she even thought of me at all, what more enough to make her blush so.
"Yeah…" She shifted from one foot to another uncertainly. "My kwami keeps telling me that I need to stop putting myself down." I was shocked! Ladybug always seemed to confident, and here she was, acting as if she didn't deserve anything. But she was wrong.
"Ladybug, you need to know that you, and whoever you are behind that mask, are the same person. Ladybug is just you, the same you, just more free. You might act as if you are different people, but as Ladybug, you are just more free to be who you really are. But that doesn't mean you are different." After my short speech, I looked at Ladybug more closely and saw with some shock that there were tears in her eyes, almost ready to fall. Had I upset her?
"Chat…" I looked at her beautiful eyes as she struggled to think of words to say. "Thank you." That's when she leaned into me, and I wrapped my arms reassuringly around her back. It wasn't romantic in any way, and I knew better than to comment on it. Ladybug was clearly stressed, and she needed someone to be there for her. Just like I knew she was there for me.
"Anything for you, Bugaboo." A small giggle escaped her and her face lit up again.
"That rhymed."
"Indeed it did." By then we were both laughing, and I could tell that my words had really cheered her up. Seeing Ladybug this… well upset, just made it seem just so much more real. Like she was someone that I actually had a chance of being with, made it seem like she was actually in my league. Our laughter was interrupted when I noticed my ring beeping. Even if we don't use our powers, we still can't last forever in these forms. With out another word said, we waved our goodbyes and both went our separate ways.
Just so you know, I am going on holiday with a couple of friends so I won't be able to upload until late Sunday or Monday. I will try and get another up tomorrow before I leave, but I might not be able to. Anyways, when ever the next chapter is, see you then :)
