"We need to talk"
"Yeah we do, Marinette." Adrien sighed slightly, "Before I saw that episode, I would have asked if you were disappointed it was me, but going by what we just saw, I'm going to venture a guess, and say no." Adrien said, his mouth twisted into a Cat-like smirk. Marinette blushed, but she visibly wrested herself under control and looked Adrien in the eye.
Why did he never notice they were so blue?
"No, Adrien, I'm happy it's you, ecstatic actually, I couldn't have asked for a better partner than you, Kitten." Adrien's smile was blinding at his Lady's praise, but he couldn't find it in him to care if he looked like an idiot, this was Marinette, Ladybug, she'd seen him acting far goofier than this, so he simply let his smile grow to dopey proportions. Marinette sighed happily at the expression.
"I was actually afraid that you'd be disappointed that I was Ladybug." Marinette's smile was self-deprecating, and Adrien didn't want to see it on his Lady's face. He threw caution to the wind and did something he hadn't done since he'd thought she'd been eaten by Animan.
He hugged her.
"Of course not, My Lady! You're Marinette! Smart, brave, funny, beautiful, talented Marinette! If anyone could be Ladybug, I'd never choose anyone other than you." His words were heartfelt, and Marinette couldn't stop the blush from forming on her cheeks at his confession. She had never heard Cat, as that's undoubtedly who she was speaking too, sound so sincere and heartfelt when it came to flirting or complimenting her, and she couldn't help it.
At that moment, Marinette finally fell the rest of the way for Cat Noir, just as Adrien did for Marinette.
"So, what are we now, Adrien?" Marinette asked softly, slowly, and regretfully pulling away from his warm embrace, she felt slightly cold without his arms around her, and she couldn't help but miss his body wrapped around hers.
"What do you mean?" Adrien asked confusedly, "I mean, we're partners, friends, best friends even, Marinette, you've been my best friend since the day we beat Stoneheart. I'd love to get to know the girl under the mask." Marinette's smile was blinding in its intensity, but he couldn't find it in himself to look away.
"I want to get to know the boy under the mask better as well, mon Chaton." Adrien felt a rush of heat to his cheeks at her words, and had to wrangle himself back into control, Marinette seemed to notice, as she smirked lightly at him, her expression alone giving away her secret identity.
"Well then, shall we, Kitty?" She gestured towards the door, Adrien smirked.
"Of course My Lady." He offered his arm, and surprisingly, his Lady took it with the grace of a princess. His smirk turned into a smile as they walked out the door to theatre, taking the time to sit on their beanbags as if they were thrones.
Alya's snort broke the spell.
"You two are such dorks, you know that, right?" The two pouted at her, which she ignored with another snort. "Oh please, my siblings can't even phase me anymore, your attempt is pathetic in comparison." She smirked mischievously at them, "So, is LadyNoir canon now?"
Her response was two stuttering replies from two teenagers that looked far more like tomatoes than human beings.
"A-Alya! W-What! Wha-Wh-Why!?" Adrien and Marinette both stuttered at the same time as the other.
This only increased their embarrassment.
It didn't help that the rest of the class that could hear them was laughing along as well.
After a few seconds of letting the class get themselves in sorts, Marinette finally picked up the remote and announced the next episode.
"The Bubbler."
Nino groaned, "Isn't that one me?" Adrien nodded guiltily.
"Nino, I just want to apologize in advance for what I did, rather than saving you immediately, okay?" Nino looked confused but nodded in acceptance anyways.
"Sure, apology accepted bro." They grinned at each other, and if Alya and Marinette hadn't been between them, they would have fist bumped as well. Marinette cleared her throat pointedly, and after a sheepish glance at the girl, she finally hit play.
Scene: Marinette's room, Marinette is sleeping and then is woken up by her cell phone.
Marinette: (wakes up) Huh? Happy birthday- ow! (She jumps down the stairs and hits something.) Happy birthday! (She gets on her computer and pulls up pictures of Adrien.) Ah! Happy birthday, Adrien. (Makes kissing noises towards the screen.)
All of the confidence Marinette had built up evaporated as the class, and Adrien, were shown her room, desktop of Adrien Agreste included.
She hid her head in her hands and groaned silently, willfully ignoring the class' laughter, and instead trying in vain to hide from Adrien.
"Aww, Bugaboo, I didn't know you liked me that much." Marinette looked up, and even through her blush, she still found the strength to give him an unimpressed stare.
"That was before I knew you were a stray, kitten." The effect was ruined by Marinette's loving smile, but it did set ladybugs aflutter in Adrien's stomach.
Scene: Adrien's bathroom. Adrien is brushing his teeth.
Plagg: Happy birthday, Adrien! (Brings a piece of Camembert cheese wrapped with a red bow.)
Tikki smiled at the scene, "You should be happy, Adrien. Plagg never offers his cheese to someone unless he really likes them!" Adrien snorted, but smiled at his kwami all the same.
"Is that true, Plagg?" He asked, amused. Plagg nodded, seemingly unaware of the joking tone in his Holder's voice.
"Of course." He said simply, causing Adrien's eyebrows to raise at the lack of teasing. He shrugged, and simply pet his kwami between the ears.
Adrien: (disgusted) Ugh, Plagg! Get that filthy piece of Camembert out of my face! (Plugs his nose)
Plagg: Huh? (Eats the cheese) Mmm.
Tikki facepalmed this time. "Plagg...couldn't you have at least taken the bow off of it?" Plagg chuckled sheepishly.
"Oops?" He said, more of a question than an actual apology, "I got carried away."
Scene: Dupain-Cheng House. Marinette is walking down the stairs with a gift in her hands while her mom is in the kitchen drinking something.
Sabine: Marinette, don't forget to clean your room after school today.
Marinette: Mom! It's Friday, and I'm already doing something with Alya.
Sabine: Fine, I'll go ahead and clean it, but don't blame me if I come across any of your private stuff, like your e-mails, your diary-
"Well, that's one way to make someone clean their room." Alya said, eyebrows raised. Marinette nodded.
"Especially since she might find out my secret identity if she did it." Alya looked at her, mouth agape.
"Girl, you're telling me you have written proof that you're Ladybug in your room?" A red blur flew out of Marinette's purse at this comment.
"Yes she does, it's in her diary, and who knows where else?" Tikki answered for her. Alya looked horrorstruck.
"Why!?" The kwami simply shrugged.
"I don't know why Marinette does half the things she does." She answered, Marinette pouted at her kwami.
"Traitor."
Marinette: (makes a nervous face) Okay! I'll do it, I'll do it. (She goes up to her, gives her a kiss, and starts to leave.)
Sabine: Have a nice day, sweetie!
Marinette: (as she closes the door) Happy birthday- I mean, have a nice day!
A round of snickers went around the room again. Marinette blushed slightly.
Adrien smiled at her and placed a hand over her own, patting it comfortingly.
Sabine: (surprised face) Hm? (shrugs) Hm. (drinks)
Scene: Agreste Mansion. Adrien is eating alone on a big dining table. He looks sad.
Nathalie: (walks in) Your schedule, Adrien. (hands Adrien a tablet)
Adrien: (takes it) Thanks, Nathalie. (Nathalie starts to leave) Hey, um, my father get back to you about my birthday party? (his face lights up)
Nathalie: Well, um- He... doesn't think would be a good idea.
Adrien: (he turns sad again and speaks softly) 'Course not.
Nathalie: Happy birthday, Adrien. (she leaves)
The lighthearted mood that had been permeating the air dissolved along with the scene, Adrien looked down, not wanting to see people's pity, let alone His Lady's.
Marinette pulled her hand from under Adrien's and after a moment's hesitation, gave him a light hug, squeezing him slightly, before letting go with a small squeak, and an apologetic smile.
She needn't have bothered with the apology though, as Adrien's blinding smile could now light up an entire solar system.
Scene: Outside of school. Adrien and Nino are talking. Meanwhile, Alya and Marinette are hiding nearby out of sight. Chloé and Sabrina are in the school but near enough to see what's happening.
Nino: (as he blows bubbles) Dude, seriously? Has your dad always been such a downer? You'd think he'd remember what it was like to be young and wanna party a little.
Adrien: No, I'm pretty sure he was a downer back then too. Well, at least I tried.
Nino: (wraps one arm around Adrien) It's your b-day, dude! Insist!
"We all know well that turned out." Adrien said, getting a grimace from his friend.
"Yeah, we'll just have to throw you a birthday party at the school next year." Nino replied. Alya's face split into a grin at the proposition.
"We could have Marinette and her parents make you a cake, and we could all have a small party during Lunch! It's perfect!" She exclaimed, Rose squealed.
"Oooh! Juleka and I can make the decorations!" Juleka nodded in agreement with her friend.
"I can provide the tunes!" Nino added.
"And I'll have Mom help make a few snacks other than cake." Alya smiled.
Adrien's smile could have lit up an entire galaxy as he nodded excitedly.
Alya: [encouraging Marinette] You can do it, you can do it!
Marinette: I can do it, I can do it!
Nino: You know what, I'm gonna have a little convo with your pops.
Adrien: Don't waste your time. He's not gonna change his mind.
Marinette: (pops up to look at Adrien while he's not looking) I can't do it, I can't do it!
Alya: (facepalms) Uh, no you don't, girl, you've been stalling all morning. Now's the time. (she pushes Marinette over to where Adrien is)
Marinette: Ah! (Stops right in front of Adrien) Um, he- Hey! (seems nervous as she holds her gift behind her back)
Adrien: (surprised) Hey.
Chloé: (as she looks at what's happening outside) Wait! Am I seeing what I think I'm seeing? Don't tell me it's Adrien's birthday!
Sabrina: (checks her tablet, is surprised and makes excusing noises while smiling)
Chloé: (facepalms) Ugh, do I have to do everything myself? Seriously, what are you good for? (storms towards Adrien)
"You couldn't have remembered his birthday yourself?" Alix asked irritatedly.
Chloe scoffed, "Of course not! That's what Sabrina is for!" Marinette frowned at her.
"He's your childhood friend, Chloe," 'and only true one' she almost added, but refrained at the last second, ",You could have made the effort." Chloe simply looked away, her ponytail smacking Sabrina in the face.
Marinette: (nervously) I, uh, I wanted to, umm, gift you a make-– I mean, gift you a give I made- I mean...
Chloé: (yawns while Marinette is talking and then shoves her away) Out of the way. (acts sweet) Happy birthday, Adrien! (Throws herself to him and gives him a kiss on the cheek) Mwah!
Adrien: (surprised) Yeah, thanks Chlo.
Marinette: (on the ground, to herself) Dummy.
"You meant Chloe, right girl?" Alya asked, Marinette nodded, getting a satisfied look from her best friend.
"Good."
Chloe 'hmmph'd' at the exchange between the two.
Marinette might have been Ladybug, who she still (reluctantly! She might add!) idolized, but Chloe Bourgeois was not a dummy, thank you very much!
(Alya facepalms again.)
Chloé: [to Adrien] Did you get the gift I sent you?
Adrien: Uh, no.
"Because you didn't send one." Adrien muttered to himself, so low that only Marinette heard it.
She patted him on the shoulder consolingly.
Chloé: (annoyed) What? Oh, those delivery guys. I bet it was too heavy so they had to go back and get another guy to help. Those slackers. (wraps her arms around Adrien's shoulders again) I'll make sure they get it to you by tonight. (gives him another kiss on the cheek) Mwah! (leaves, humming a happy tune to herself)
Nino: (chuckles and playfully punches Adrien's arm)
Alya gave her a boyfriend a look. "Did you want Chloe and Adrien together?" She asked in a threatening tone.
Nino shook his head rapidly. "No, no! It's just well… Chloe is attractive," Chloe stuck her nose in the air, a muttered 'obviously' barely making it to their ears. ", Outwardly at least an-"
"Hey!"
-and well," Nino continued, as though he hadn't been interrupted, ",I didn't even know Marinette liked Adrien at that point, and I mean, Chloe was throwing herself at him!" Alya still gave him a stink eye, and looked away. "Sorry Adrien, I didn't know back then." Adrien shrugged.
"It's alright Nino."
Nino let out a sigh of relief, and smiled at his best bud "Thanks bro."
Adrien returned the smile as Marinette pressed play.
Alya: [to Marinette, still hidden] Get back there! Don't be a pushover, literally!
Marinette: (sounding defeated) Mmm. (Alya looks frustrated.)
Sabrina: [to Chloé] What did you get him?
Chloé: (mad) I didn't, you did. (pointing at her and sounding really angry) And it better be amazing, and it better not be late!
Sabrina: (cowardly) Mhm. (nods)
"Why are you still friends with her?" Half the class asked in exasperation, Sabrina squeaked and shrugged fearfully under all the attention. Marinette smiled sadly up at her.
Chloé: (furiously) Ugh! (leaves)
(Sabrina taps on her tablet quickly while looking scared and following Chloé.)
Alya: C'mon, you can do it.
Marinette: (looking determined) Hm!
Adrien: (a limousine pulls up) (to Nino) Gotta go. Photoshoot. (He gets into the limo and leaves.)
Marinette: (to herself, next to Alya) Why can't I just mean what I say?
Alya: Uh, say what you mean?
Marinette: Exactly.
Nino: (to himself) Looks like I've got some business to take care of with Adrien's old man.
Nino and Adrien groaned, knowing what was to come.
Scene: Outside Agreste Mansion. Marinette and Alya stand at the gate, and Marinette tries to get the mailbox open.
Marinette: This mailbox won't budge!
Alya: Ring the doorbell. (points to the doorbell)
Marinette: Are you kidding? What if Adrien answers the-
(Alya presses rings the doorbell, and Marinette panics and screams. A hidden compartment on the wall opens and a camera appears.)
Voice: Yes?
Marinette: Um, hi. I'm in Adrien's class and I, uh- (she shows her the gift) Heh, did I already say that? Umm, (looks more nervous) Heh. (smiles awkwardly)
Voice: Put it in the box. (mailbox opens)
Marinette: Uh. (puts the gift in the mailbox) Thank you! (The camera retreats and wall compartment closes. Marinette is excited.) Oh! I hope he likes it!
Alya: You signed the note, right? (Marinette makes a surprised face.) Ah, girl, girl, girl.
Marinette: (groans)
Adrien frowned thoughtfully at the screen, he knew he didn't get a present from Marinette, the only gift he got was the..scarf...from his father…
Now that he looked at it, that present did look a lot like the wrapping paper Nathalie used on his own present...
He felt his insides coil at the thought.
Scene: Agreste Mansion. Nathalie enters her office with Marinette's gift in her hands and puts it on her desk while sitting down.
Gabriel: [from intercom] Who was that, Nathalie?
Nathalie: A friend of Adrien's. She was delivering a gift for his birthday.
Gabriel: Did you remember to buy him a present from me?
Nathalie: (surprised) Uh- uh, but you didn't ask me to.
Gabriel: (angrily) Of course I did!
"I doubt it…" Adrien muttered depressingly.
Nathalie: Yes, Mr. Agreste. I- I'll take care of it.
Gabriel: Good. (disconnects)
Nathalie: (covers her mouth, in fear) Uh. (She looks despaired, then her face lights up and she takes Marinette's gift.) Ah. (The doorbell rings and she composes herself) Yes?
Adrien turned to Marinette, who was making a show of looking like she was riveted by what was happening on the, now paused, screen. "Please tell me she didn't Marinette. Please tell me she didn't."
Marinette turned away from him and pointed at the screen. "Just watch, Kitten."
Nino: (from the camera outside) Uh, hi.
Scene: Inside Agreste Mansion. Nino and Nathalie are standing in the foyer, waiting.
Nathalie: He'll be here in a minute.
Gabriel: (as he enters) Adrien's not home yet.
Nino: Uh, I was coming to see you, du- sir.
"Good save, bro!" Kim called from beside Alix. Nino chuckled sheepishly and rubbed the back of his neck.
Gabriel: Me?
Nino: Yeah, that's right. Look, I know you don't want Adrien to have a party, but it's his birthday, dude- I mean, sir- it's all he wants.
Gabriel: No. (raises his palm) That's final.
Nino: That's messed up. (Adrien enters without anyone noticing.) He never screws up in class, he always does whatever you tell him. Photoshoots, fencing, Chinese, piano-
Adrien: Nino? You're here.
Nino: [to Adrien] Anything for my best bud. (to Mr. Agreste) Show some awesomeness, du- I mean, sir, please. (Mr. Agreste looks at him angrily)
Adrien: Forget it, Nino, really, it's fine.
Gabriel: Listen, young man. I decide what's best for my son. In fact, I've just decided that you're a bad influence and you're not welcome in my house ever again. Leave now!
Adrien: Father, he was just trying to do something cool for me. (Mr. Agreste leaves and Nathalie steps in front of the kids)
Nathalie: (steps in front of them as Gabriel leaves) Goodbye. (Nino starts to leave, but Adrien catches him outside of the doors.)
Adrien: Nino, wait! I'm sorry, my father, he's pretty stubborn. It's just best to stay out of his way. (Nino looks angry)
Nino: It's not fair, Adrien. Harsh, uncool. (Nino crosses his arms and leaves, leaving Adrien looking sad.)
Adrien: Thanks anyway, Nino.
Nino grimaced at the screen, and offered an apologetic glance for his harsh parting words. Adrien shrugged, he knew how it was, dealing with his father wasn't exactly a pleasant experience.
If he was being honest, he was surprised his father hadn't caused as many akumas as Chloe by now.
Scene: Park. Nino is sitting in a bench looking angry. He starts blowing bubbles with his bubble wand.
Kid: But, Daddy, please! (a father takes his son by the hand)
Kid's Father: No, it's not playtime, you've got your chores to do. (Kid complains)
Nino: (angrily) Ugh. Adults ruin everything, all the time.
Nino winced again, glad there weren't any adults here for him to apologize too.
Scene: Hawk Moth's lair. His window screen opens.
Hawk Moth: Desperate to help his friend, but feeling powerless. How frustrating. It won't be long before frustration turns to anger! (He takes a butterfly into his hand and black particles start to flow into it. It turns into an akuma.) Fly away, my little akuma, and evilize him. (Akuma flies out into Paris)
Marinette and Adrien were once again intently studying the screen, looking for an identifying features that could tell them who Hawk Moth was, or where his lair could be.
"It's a shame his window thing is closed almost all the time, we could just look for the dark room filled with glowing butterflies." Adrien quipped, Marinette rolled her eyes.
Scene: Park. Nino is blowing bubbles.
(The akuma flies in and is absorbed into Nino's bubble wand. Nino looks up with an angry face and a glowing pink butterfly symbol.)
Hawk Moth: (speaks from his lair, he too has the same pink symbol in front of his face) Hawk Moth is my name and Bubbler is now yours. I will help you with these horrid adults and all you have to do in return is help me get something from Ladybug and Cat Noir.
Nino: Yes, Hawk Moth. (Nino stands up and purple-black smoke starts is released from the bubble wand and covers his body.)
(Cut to a rooftop, where the Bubbler flies in and crouches)
Nino let out a squawk of outrage as someone else in the room coughed to cover up their snigger. "What the heck, Hawk Moth?! If you're gonna turn me into a bad guy, at least make me look cool! I look like a bath toy for two year olds, man!" He crossed his arms in front of him. "When you two find this guy, I want to have words with him."
Marinette and Adrien nodded, not looking at him, so he didn't see their desperate attempts to hide their laughter.
Bubbler: No more adults means total freedom! This is SOOO sweet! Off the hook! (He takes out his bubble sword and flies over Paris, leaving a trail of purple bubbles behind him.)
(The bubbles start capturing adults, then turning green and flying away while citizens scream.)
Woman: Help!
Man: Look out!
Children: (crying)
Hawk Moth: (from his lair) Perfect.
Once again, Nino winced. "I'm sorry guys, I- I didn't know what I was doing." Alya laid a hand on his shoulder and offered him a smile.
"It's okay Nino, we don't blame the person who was akumatized, it's not their fault, it's Hawk Moth's, right Marinette?" Marinette nodded resolutely, leaving him no room to argue on the matter.
Scene: Dupain-Cheng House. Marinette is eating lunch.
Marinette: (to herself) Adrien must have gotten his gift by now. (Her mom opens the window.)
Sabine: What's that you said?
Marinette: (looks surprised) Um, I can't wait to get back to school this afternoon, hehe.
Alya punched her shoulder, "Good save, girl." Marinette smiled sheepishly.
(Her mother chuckles and then a purple bubble flies in through the window and captures her from behind. Marinette looks scared. Sabine starts screaming.)
Marinette: Mom! MOM! (sees her father also in a bubble) Dad? Dad!
Tikki: Your parents! Hawk Moth must've released another akuma.
Marinette: I've got to find his newest villain ASAP.
[Transformation Sequence]
Marinette: Tikki, spots on! (Marinette transforms into Ladybug.)
Adrien watched, enraptured at the transformation sequence his Lady went through, it was just as beautiful as her.
(Cut to The Bubbler on a rooftop.)
Bubbler: And now, party time!
(Kids cry.)
(Ladybug runs out of the bakery. Purple bubbles appear in the sky, broadcasting a message from the Bubbler.)
Bubbler: Today is your lucky day, little dudes. The adults have taken the day off, so make the most of it. No chores, no homework, no more nagging, just fun, fun, fun, fun. This is the Bubbler's gift to you.
Ladybug: [to the kids] Don't worry, your parents will come back. I'll see to it. (to the teenager) You take care of them in the meantime. (runs off)
Kids and Teen: (cheering) Yay! Go, Ladybug!
Adrien smiled, and let one of his hands cover Marinette's, revelling in the feeling, and the fact she didn't pull away. This was why he fell in love with her.
Scene: Agreste Mansion. Adrien eats lunch alone in the mansion's dining room.
(Adrien finishes his meal and gets up.)
Adrien: (sarcastic) Wow. That was a birthday lunch break to remember. Yay! (He walks into the foyer and stops.) Nathalie? Father? (He shrugs sadly, then walks outside to a crowd of his classmates cheering.)
The class, except for Chloe, winced in sympathy, feeling even worse for their friend. This only hardened their resolve to throw him a party at school next time, where his father couldn't stop him.
Teenagers: Yay! Woo! Happy birthday!
Bubbler: (standing on top of a bubble) Hey, hey, hey, birthday boy. Guess what? Daddy's gone. While the cat's away, the mice will play. (Adrien looks at the Bubbler with a strange expression until he realizes who he is.)
Adrien: Nino?!
Alix sighed again, "You recognize him, but not Marinette?" Adrien shrugged sheepishly.
"I spent more time with Nino than I did with either Marinette, or Ladybug," he looked down at his partner, "Though I hope that will change, my Lady." Marinette reflexively rolled her eyes at the pet name, but nodded anyways.
"Of course it will, Adrien."
Bubbler: The Bubbler's brought all yo homies together for one single-sole purpose, to ce-le-brate!
Teenagers: YEAH! (The Bubbler jumps down from the bubble into a DJ booth)
Bubbler: Let's get this party started! (Everyone cheers. The Bubbler plays party music, and people start to dance. Adrien looks surprised and runs back into his house.)
Bubbler: Come on, everybody, I brought you here to party! (Pan over the teens dancing, but looking sad.) So dance or you'll join the adults up in the sky! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! (Fireworks are shot.)
Nino's eyes widened, "Man, I was a jerk." Alya rolled her eyes.
"Most akumas are, Nino."
Hawk Moth: (from his lair) It won't be long before Ladybug and Cat Noir show up to meet their doom! Mwahahahahahahaha!
Scene: Adrien's room. Adrien looks at his ring. Plagg climbs up to his shoulder.
Plagg: What's your problem? Relax! You're getting the party you've always wanted.
Tikki gaped at the screen and dived into Adrien's shirt, coming back out dragging Plagg by one of his ears. "PLAGG! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!" She yelled at him, her light red form becoming darker and darker.
"I- I was thinking that my holder could use a party! He'd never had one before, Tikki!" He held his hands up in surrender, "Besides, I knew your holder would show up soon enough, and Adrien would help her!" Tikki still looked cross, but relented, if only to stop making a scene in the theater. Plagg sighed irritably and hid in his holder's hair.
"Goody two shoes." He mumbled under his breath as he got comfortable in Adrien's tresses.
Adrien: But Nino's been akumatized! I've gotta help him!
Plagg: You may never get this chance again! C'mon, let's have a little fun while your father's away! Then we'll save Nino, trap his akuma, and all will be good. (Adrien turns and looks sad.)
Adrien: Okay, you're right. This might be the first day in my life that I actually get to do what I want for once.
"ADRIEN!" This time, it was Marinette screaming, Adrien cowered slightly at the voice, his Lady never shouted at him before, sure, she'd chastise him, or tell him he did something wrong, but she never screamed at him before. "WHAT ON EARTH WERE YOU THINKING?!" He flinched again, which Marinette must have noticed, as her face softened, and she looked somewhat sheepish.
Adrien sighed slightly, "Yeah, I messed up, I'll admit it, it wasn't my finest hour, and I'm sorry." He raised his voice enough to be heard by the whole class. "I apologize for my actions, and for not trying to save you immediately." His expression exuded sincerity, and the class nodded, accepting it. Marinette smiled at him, rubbing his hair absentmindedly.
"Good Kitty." She sat back down and hit play.
Scene: Rooftops. Ladybug is running towards the fireworks.
Ladybug: [to herself] It's you and me, Bubbler. (Cut to the Agreste Mansion. Everyone is dancing and Adrien is enjoying himself.)
Adrien: Yeah! (walks over to a sad-looking Rose) Hey, nice party, I guess, since it's my first one. (Rose smiles and gives him two thumbs up, then keeps dancing and looking sad. Adrien turns around and sees everyone dancing but with a grim expression.)
Adrien flinched slightly at their expressions. How had he not noticed? He turned around to apologize again, but Rose simply gave him a thumbs up.
"It's okay Adrien, I would have done the same in your position." Adrien smiled softly at her, glad he had friends who put up with his cluelessness.
(Cut to Chloé motioning Sabrina to do something near the DJ booth.)
Sabrina: (frightened) I'm requesting a slow dance.
Bubbler: It's a bit early for that, isn't it?
Chloé: Ugh. (She shoves Sabrina down and puts on an innocent face.) It's for Adrien. His first slow dance. Mm? (makes a sweet face)
Bubbler: OH! You know it, girl. (He changes the music to a slow dance. People pair up and keep dancing and looking sad. Chloé walks up to Adrien.)
Adrien gave a dramatic gasp. "Nino! I thought you were my friend!" Nino laughed at him.
"Sorry my man, but Nino wasn't in the driver's seat."
Adrien: Is it me, or does everyone seem a bit weird?
Chloé: Forget about them, let's go dance! C'mon! (Cut to the balcony. Ladybug watches the Bubbler going to change a record and at Chloé and Adrien dancing. Chloé tries to kiss him, but Adrien looks uncomfortable. Ladybug looks aghast.)
Ladybug: There is no way this is happening. LUCKY CHARM! (The Lucky Charm superpower gives her a record.) A record?
Adrien smiled widely at the gesture. "My Lady, were you jealous?" He teased lightly. Marinette staunchly looked away.
"No, I was just...worried." Adrien's smile grew.
"So you do care about me then, huh Bugaboo." She puffed her cheeks out for a second before exhaling.
"Of course I care, Chaton." He gave her hand a squeeze. She blushed slightly, but smiled at him.
(Ladybug looks out and her thinking vision shows her the empty record spot in the DJ mixer, the volume modifier and a ledge on the building across the street. Ladybug chuckles, then throws the record. It hits the ledge, bounces over to the DJ booth, hits the volume all the way up, lands on the empty spot and begins to play dance music again. Everyone breaks their pairs and keeps dancing. Adrien moves away from Chloé. The Bubbler realizes that the music changed.)
Bubbler: Dude! Who just hijacked my mix?
Ladybug: Yours truly. (Ladybug's alarm sounds.) Better bug out quick before I change back to normal. (She jumps out of the balcony to the outside of Agreste Mansion.) Spots off. (She changes back to normal. Tikki comes out of the earrings and lands on her hands.)
Tikki: Marinette!
Marinette: It was an emergency.
Tikki: Yeah, if by emergency you mean jealousy. You know what happens once you use your Lucky Charm. You only have minutes before-–
Adrien fist pumped. "Yes! I knew you were jealous!" He smirked at Marinette. "And you made it seem like you weren't." Marinette huffed haughtily, paying attention to the screen over him.
Marinette: I turn back, I know. But I figured, the Bubbler, he's not going anywhere, we have time to get you some food to get your energy back up. Then, we'll get right back out there, I promise. (She puts Tikki in her purse, enters the party and starts looking around. She heads to the food table, grabs some cookies, and puts them in her purse for Tikki.) I've got to find a place where I can transform, fast.
"Unfortunately," Tikki said from her spot on Marinette's shoulder, "Both of you were consumed by your own selfish desires that day." Her tone made Marinette look down sadly as she remembered just when she finally transformed.
"I'm sorry you guys, I didn't transform again until I saw Ivan floating away, when I should have just fought the Bubbler head on to begin with, rather than use my power for my own desires." She avoided the 'j' word. She hadn't been jealous. Nope.
Especially not of her partner.
No matter how strong, caring, funny, or cute he was.
Alya: Where have you been, girl? I was so scared something had happened to you.
Marinette: Me too! (they hug)
Alya: I'm sure Ladybug and Cat Noir will show up in a minute to save us all. They never failed us. Meanwhile, come with me, I've got something for you.
Alya shook her head. "If I only knew." Marinette and Adrien looked sheepish.
Marinette: Uh, there's something I've got to do first.
Alya: It's about Adrien.
"Girl, you get far too easily distracted." Tikki nodded in agreement with Alya.
"You really should have gotten your priorities in order, Marinette." Marinette nodded guiltily, Tikki's voice softened from its chastising tone. "But, you can't change the past, and you apologized already, so there isn't any more that can be done about it." She snuggled into Marinette's neck, causing the girl to giggle at the kwami's affection.
Marinette: Okay.
Tikki: (urgent) Marinette, the Bubbler.
Marinette: Okay, okay, in a sec. (she runs after Alya. Cut to Nathalie Sancoeur's office. Alya and Marinette sneak in. They see Marinette's gift on Nathalie's desk.
Alya: Look! Now you can sign your gift. (Marinette gasps)
Marinette: Ah, yes!
(Cut back outside. Ivan is not dancing, and the Bubbler confronts him.)
Bubbler: Hey, you. Why aren't you having fun?
Ivan: None of your business.
Bubbler: Then I'm going to make it my business. (He chuckles and takes out his bubble sword.)
(Cut back to Nathalie's office. Marinette is signing a post-it.)
Marinette: "Love, Marinette". There. (She sticks it to the present and gives the present a kiss.)
"Ooh, a kiss My Lady? I accept it with purrleasure." Marinette rolled her eyes and smacked the back of his head lightly.
"Non."
Tikki: Right, we're good. Spots on, Marinette.
Marinette: I can't do it now, Alya's here.
Alya: What'd you say?
Marinette: Go ahead! I'll meet you in the yard. (Alya leaves and Marinette lets out a sigh of relief. Behind her, Ivan can be seen in a green bubble through the window) NO! You were right, Tikki, I never should've waited this long.
Alya groaned, annoyed at her own obliviousness. "How did I not hear that?" She mumbled, petulant expression on her face.
(Cut back to outside. Adrien is on top of the DJ booth and has a mike)
Adrien: Hey, Paris, how you doing?
(He raises the mike in excitement, but the people don't respond. The Bubbler, behind Adrien, threatens everyone with his bubble sword, and they cheer. Adrien jumps out and Ladybug can be seen on the roof.)
Adrien: Ladybug?
(Ladybug throws her yo-yo. It hits the power strip and unplugs everything. Ladybug retracts her yo-yo.)
Ladybug: Sorry, Bubbler, but the party is over.
Bubbler: Why you gotta be like that?
Ladybug: You made all the adults disappear, that's why! And now you're imprisoning anyone who isn't having fun. (Adrien runs into his house.)
Bubbler: You are not going to bust on my party! (He takes out his bubble sword and casts two bubbles at her, which she deflects. The crowd scatters. Cut to Adrien in his room.)
Adrien: I think I've been a complete idiot.
"Oh don't worry, you were." Marinette said, earning a nod from Nino, Adrien chuckled sheepishly.
"Sorry, Nino."
[Transformation Sequence]
Adrien: Plagg, claws out! (Adrien turns into Cat Noir)
(Cut to Ladybug and The Bubbler fighting. Ladybug throws her yo-yo at one of his bubbles, but it just bounces back toward her. Cat Noir enters and hits the yo-yo with his staff, and the yo-yo goes up in the air)
Cat Noir: Looks like I made it just in time.
Ladybug: I had it under control, (the yoyo falls on Cat Noir's head), but thanks.
The class snickered again.
"Is this going to be a common occurrence?" Alix asked. Marinette looked thoughtful for a moment.
"I honestly don't remember, possibly?" Adrien rubbed his head in sympathy with his onscreen self.
"Oh, it will be. I was seriously worried about my Lady ruining my perfect face." He joked, Marinette steeled herself before replying.
"Do you want to me kiss them better, Kitty?" Adrien let out a gasp of pleasure at that.
"Really?" He sounded like an eager child. Marinette looked comically thoughtful for a moment before shrugging.
"I'll think about it."
Adrien looked like he might die.
Hawk Moth: [from his lair; to The Bubbler] Get the Miraculouses. I want those powers, NOW!
(The Bubbler throws a stream of small red bubbles to Ladybug and Cat Noir, and they fight them. The Bubbler snaps his fingers, and the bubbles turn green and start circling around them, some sticking to them, until they are both captured in one big bubble. Ladybug struggles against the bubble as the Bubbler laughs.)
The class watched in awe at the fighting onscreen, and Chloe had to bite back a shriek of fear when they were captured in the bubble.
Bubbler: Give me your Miraculouses before you run out of air.
Nino paled, "You mean...people could suffocate in those things?!" His mind flashed to the thousands of adults his akumatized self had sent floating away. He looked ill at the very thought.
Alya wrapped him in a hug, speaking in a soothing voice. "Relax Nino, everything turned out okay. Ladybug and Cat Noir saved the day, remember?" She made comforting noises until Nino finally relaxed enough to not feel like he was going to lose his lunch all over the floor.
Marinette looked over at her friend, concern clearly showing on her face. "You okay Nino?" Nino nodded dazedly. Marinette looked at him for a moment longer before hitting play again.
Ladybug: Dream on, Bubbler.
Bubbler: Total party poopers, just like adults.
Ladybug: Kids need adults.
Bubbler: False! Kids need freedom, fun, let loose and live it up. Adults are controlling and bossy.
Ladybug: But adults keep children safe and protected. They care for their kids, they love them!
Cat Noir: [to himself] Most adults do anyhow. [to Bubbler] You must bring the adults back!
Marinette flipped her hand over and entwined her fingers with Adrien's giving it a comforting squeeze.
She then realized her and Adrien Agreste had been holding hands for almost eighteen minutes.
She didn't even try to fight the smile that grew on her face at the thought.
Bubbler: Nope, never. Know what, since you care so much about these adults, why don't you go float with them for a while? (He runs at them and kicks the bubble high up into the sky. Ladybug and Cat Noir scream, and the teenagers gasp.)
Hawk Moth: [from his lair; to The Bubbler] What do you think you're doing Bubbler? You're supposed to seize their Miraculouses!
"Ooooh, someone's getting angry." Kim taunted, his mouth twisted into a smirk.
Scene: Green bubble up in the sky. Ladybug and Cat Noir are trying to burst the bubble.
Ladybug: Use your Cataclysm!
Cat Noir: Couldn't you have said that five hundred feet ago?
Max pushed his glasses up his nose, nodding at the scene. "Why didn't you think of it yourself, Adrien?" Adrien shrugged.
"Ladybug comes up with the ideas most of the time, I didn't know if she had a plan or not just yet. I didn't want to jeopardize it before it even began." His response earned a smile from Marinette.
Ladybug: We can't stay stuck in this bubble together forever. (Cat Noir smirks, Ladybug facepalms)
Alya smirked at the screen. "And that's how many times you turned down Adrien?" Marinette pouted.
Cat Noir: CATACLYSM! (He touches the bubble and it bursts. They start falling)
Ladybug: Should we see if you land on your feet this time?
"Timing girl, timing." Alya muttered, Marinette stuck her tongue out at her.
Cat Noir: No, thanks!
Ladybug: Your stick, there! (She points to the Eiffel Tower)
Cat Noir: Got it! (He throws his staff so hard it gets stuck in the Eiffel Tower. Ladybug takes his hand.)
Ladybug: Hang on! (She throws her yo-yo. It catches around the Cat Noir's staff, and they swing and land safely.)
The class let out varied noises of awe, while Max looked hopelessly confused.
"H- How did that even work? Your staff shouldn't have even been able to stick into the Eiffel Tower like that, let alone you two should have died from the pressure and forces of that swing followed by that landing." He looked at a loss, and annoyed at the scene before him.
"Dude, it's magic, let it go." Kim said to him. Max nodded tightly, but everyone could tell he wasn't done with this yet.
Adrien's quip at how the "Laws of Physics are mere guidelines to us" just left him even more frazzled.
Cat Noir: Good thing cats aren't afraid of heights.
Ladybug: We've got to get to his bubble sword, that's got to be where the akuma is. (Cat Noir's ring alert sounds.)
Cat Noir: Better hurry.
Scene: Agreste Mansion front. The Bubbler tries to get the party going again.
Bubbler: Where is everybody? Get out here and party!
Ladybug: Sorry to burst your bubble.
The class, sans Chloe, because Ladybug, groaned at the joke.
"Come on Mari, not you too!" Nino whined.
"My jokes are far better than Cat's, Nino." Marinette defended. "Even if they are puns."
Nino's look clearly showed just how much he disagreed with that.
Alya: [from the crowd] Ladybug! (All the teens start to cheer her on.)
Marinette once again sat up straighter at the cheering, smiling at the scene.
Ladybug: No one wants to party with you anymore, Bubbler.
Bubbler: What's wrong with all you guys!? Why you gotta be such haters!? (He grunts, takes out his bubble sword and captures all the teens in bubbles.)
Ladybug and Cat Noir: NOOO!
Bubbler: Outer space is the next stop for your precious peeps, and they're never coming back!
The class flinched as a whole, the memories of their short trips in the bubbles were not pleasant.
(The Bubbler jumps from roof to roof and Ladybug and Cat Noir pursue him. The Bubbler flies to the Eiffel Tower. Ladybug and Cat Noir start climbing it while he throws explosive bubbles at them. Cat Noir's ring alert sounds again. His icon shows that he is very close to switching back.)
Cat Noir: I'm gonna switch back soon, hurry.
Ladybug: LUCKY CHARM! (The lucky charm superpower gives her a big wrench)
Cat Noir: Your... plumbing skill is gonna help us out? (Ladybug shrugs, and The Bubbler throws more explosive bubbles at Cat Noir. He dodges them, ending up atop a beam.)
Cat Noir: Could use a little work! Is that all you got? (Ladybug begins thinking and her thinking vision shows her a vent, a vent pipe, the screw connecting them, and the wrench)
Ladybug: Got it! (She runs towards the pipe while Cat Noir is still dodging bubbles. She loosens the screw and the pipe comes off. It goes up to where Cat Noir is standing.) Cat Noir, cover me! (Cat Noir takes the pipe)
Cat Noir: Go on! (The Bubbler throws more bubbles at him, but the air flowing from the pipe deflects them. The Bubbler raises his bubble sword once again, but Ladybug throws her yo-yo and snatches the sword, bringing it to her. She breaks the sword in half with her knees. The akuma flies out of the sword.)
Ladybug: Get out of there, you nasty bug. No more evil-doing for you, little akuma. (She opens her yo-yo and it glows pink.) Time to de-evilize! (She swings it around, captures the akuma and closes it.) Gotcha! (She opens the yo-yo again and the akuma is purified.) Bye-bye, little butterfly. MIRACULOUS LADYBUG! (She throws the wrench up in the sky, and the Miraculous cleansing light returns every adult to safety. The Bubbler falls on his knees, the black smoke covers him and he turns back to Nino.)
The class once again reflexively cheered at the scene, enjoying the fight scenes between their superheroes and Hawk Moth's supervillains.
Nino: Who? Dude.(Ladybug and Cat Noir bump their fists)
Ladybug and Cat Noir: Pound it!
Seeing as their hands they would use for a fist bump were occupied, the two settled for a mutual triumphant squeeze.
Which also resulted in a mutual blush.
(Cut to Hawk Moth in his lair)
Hawk Moth: You can't run forever Ladybug, and when I catch you, I will crush you! I will DESTROY YOU BOTH! (His window screen closes)
Adrien growled at the scene, protective urges flying to the forefront. "Over my dead body, Hawk Moth." Marinette squeezed his hand to get his attention. He sat down, but his hackles were still raised at the sight of their enemy.
Scene: Nathalie Sancoeur's Office.
Gabriel: [on the intercom] Nathalie? Did my son like his gift?
Nathalie: Actually, I was going to check right away sir.
Gabriel: Good. (He disconnects)
Nathalie: (She despairs, looks around, and takes Marinette's gift. She sighs, and crumples and throws Marinette's post-it note in the garbage. She goes to the dining room where Adrien is eating.) A birthday present, from your father.
Adrien looked mortified at the screen, looking back between it and Marinette.
"Why didn't you tell me Marinette?" Marinette gave him a fragile smile.
"Just keep watching, Kitten." He reluctantly did so.
Adrien: Thank you. I mean, please say thank you to my father for me. (Nathalie nods. Adrien looks happily at the gift.)
Scene: Outside school.
Chloé: (Screaming at Sabrina) What do you mean not for a week?
Sabrina: (scared) There were no adults yesterday to deliver it.
Chloé: So what? Ridiculous, utterly ridiculous! (She storms inside, followed by Sabrina.)
Alya: [to Marinette] Ha ha! Serves Chloé right.
Adrien: Hey girls! (He gets out of the limousine, wearing a scarf)
Marinette: [to Alya] Hey, that's my scarf! He's wearing my scarf.
Adrien: [to Nino] Hey, dude.
Alya: Yo, nice scarf, Adrien. Off the chain.
Adrien: Yeah, can you believe my dad got this for me? (Marinette looks surprised) He's so awesome. He's been giving me the same lame pen for three years in a row.
Adrien squeezed Marinette's hand. "Thank you, Marinette, the scarf is amazing." Marinette smiled up at him, her cheeks pink, but she held his gaze all the same.
"It was no problem, Adrien."
Nino: Wow, I guess anyone can change. Adults can be cool when you least expect it.
"Except my father." Adrien murmured to himself.
Adrien: Speaking of adults, I know my father said you were a bad influence, but-
Nino: We're good, Adrien, don't sweat it. We're buds. Always and forever.
Alya: [to Marinette] You gotta tell him you were the one who knitted the scarf.
Marinette: But he seems so happy about his dad. I don't want to spoil it for him.
Alya: Aw, Marinette. (They hug.) You're amazing, girl. You know that, right? And some day Adrien will figure it out too. Promise. (the bell rings and everyone walks in.)
Adrien smiled at the screen, and then down at Marinette, "I already have Alya, I already have."
Marinette felt like her head would explode from all the heat rising to her cheeks.
THE END.
Marinette shook herself, and without releasing Adrien's hand, stretched her limbs a little before picking up the remote, and looking at the next episode.
"Up next is…"
A/N: Hello again, everybody! I hope you enjoyed this chapter, as much as I enjoyed writing it! I love all the reviews I got, and I look forward to those that I'll get from this chapter as well!