Marinette froze.
"Wh-Wh-What?" she stuttered.
"Ladybug," he said again. "She must have asked you, she's the only one I've talked to about it."
"YES!" She said much too loudly. "Yes," she said again, quieter. "She asked me if I could help her because she knows we're, like, friends and stuff?"
"It's okay Marinette. I was just surprised. Erm... how much did she tell you?" he asked hesitantly.
"That you were looking into your mom's disappearance." she answered cautiously, knowing what he was really asking, but wanting to assure him that Ladybug had not revealed that he was Chat Noir to her. Except of course, she did, because Marinette was Ladybug. She sighed inwardly. I need to simplify my life, she noted to herself sardonically.
"So you and Ladybug are friends then?"
"Yeah, you could definitely say that," she snorted. Recovering, she hastily added, "We met when Nathanael was akumatised and everything, and sort of just stayed in touch."
"Well, thanks." Adrien lifted his hand and hesitantly touched her arm in an action of camaraderie. "I don't easily open up about this stuff, so I guess Ladybug is pushing me along, making sure my friends get the chance to support me. I really appreciate you helping with this," he finished earnestly.
"We're really happy to help, Adrien," she returned in kind.
They stared at each other for a long moment, before Marinette cleared her throat lightly, realizing this was probably the longest conversation she'd ever been able to manage with the blonde boy.
"So… how do you know Ladybug? I mean, she's pretty eager to help you so you must be close." She was selfishly interested in what he would say about her alter ego.
"I'd say so," he murmured, almost to himself. Then, after a moment of deliberating over his words carefully, said, "We met during an akuma attack, and she was the first person I told about what was happening with my mom."
She allowed herself a small smirk. It wasn't a lie, Marinette thought. They had met during an akuma attack-the first ever akuma attack-although she knew Adrien assumed she'd think of the Simon Says attack that was targeted at his father.
"Okay," she nodded thoughtfully, waiting for him to go on. When he didn't she just smiled and said, "Okay then, well I guess we should get back to the others."
Feeling bold she impulsively grabbed his hand and gently tugged him behind her back towards the table.
"Alright team," she announced, still holding Adrien's hand. "Let's find Mrs. Agreste"
Alya and Nino noted the linked duo, but wisely said nothing, although a 10 euro bill was discreetly pushed across the table in Alya's direction.