Theory one: Adrien is Chat Noir.
Evidence: have you looked at them? They're both pun-loving nerds obsessed with mythology and Shakespeare. They're both sport fencers. From Chat's style, I'm assuming that, at least. Both are blond with green eyes, though I guess the eyes aren't reliable since Chat's have obviously been changed what with the green sclera. Both are hopeless romantics. Taken from being in the same room as Adrien for more than two minutes and watching Chat with Ladybug, and with Marinette last Friday. Not to mention Chat goes to our school.
If Adrien isn't Chat Noir, then he's just very strong competition for Marinette's affections. Win or lose, Marinette has tall, blond, and handsome waiting for her.
Alix sat back and sighed, scratching out one of the ideas she had written in her notebook.
There's only two options here. Either Adrien is Chat Noir, or he isn't. Either way, if I want to get Chat and Mari together, then it'll help us if Chat knows it's Adrien he's competing with. So step one complete. Now what?
Well, theory two: Chat Noir wants to date Marinette.
Evidence: circumstantial at best, I have to admit. We can't be certain cat body language even applies and if it does, Nino was right when he said that Chat being scared, or nervous, or whatever, doesn't mean he wants to date Marinette. It's a little bit of a non sequitur, and I am not in the business of bad arguments.
Even if I told Nino that, but that was mostly just to get him involved. And now he is. Poor boy.
I guess I could just ask him. I wasn't exactly subtle when I told him to ask about Mari's crush. Hm, yeah, I'll probably just ask.
There's also that if Adrien is Chat, then that look everyone's talking about would be explained. He fell in love during his last balcony visit.
Alix frowned at her paper, tapping her chin with her pencil.
Theory three: Marinette holds some romantic interest in Chat Noir.
Evidence: her whole "maybe after we know each other better" thing. If you're really not interested, you just say it. Especially in that kind of situation. It's possible she was trying to let him down lightly, but I don't think that's really Mari's style. She tends to take a firm hand. You can be nice about it without leaving it so ambiguous.
I know asking her won't do any good. Maybe if Chat makes a move… no. Too dangerous. If Chat is Adrien he wouldn't make a move anyway, even if I told him to. Not without her permission, and if he asks she'll undoubtedly say no. And if she seriously doesn't want it then that could ruin it for him and that's the opposite of a good result.
Alix stared at her notes for a few minutes in silence.
And then there's theory four.
Alix ran a hand down her face, scratching at the written out theory with her pen, but not quite scratching it out Irrelevant. I hope. That would add a whole other layer of bs to this already shenanigan riddled endeavor.
Okay, so… I'm about eighty percent certain of theory one, sixty-five percent certain of theory two, but that's more gut reaction and not evidence based so I'll lower it to fifty, and forty percent certain of theory three. About forty-five percent on theory four.
Let's act based under the assumption that all theories are false until proven true. That means I should probably test theory two. That's by far the easiest to figure out.
Alix grabbed her phone and looked over her conversation with Chat Noir. She remembered that she was in a bit of a hurry when she first texted him, since she wanted to get things rolling. Which I did.
A – Hey, sorry about taking your number. I swear Mari has no idea I took it.
It took a few minutes for him to respond.
CN – :/
A – Don't give me that face. It was for your own good.
CN – I don't really get why tho.
A – Well it worked, didn't it?
CN – still.
A – I won't give out your number, don't worry. And I'm not as oblivious as Marinette, no one's getting it off me.
CN – .-.
A – Ugh, whatever. That's what I get for trying to be nice.
CN – this is kind of supposed to be a secret number so sorry if I'm not thrilled :P
A – Who cares, I have business.
CN – important business?
A – Yes.
CN – how important are we talking about here?
A – Like as important as Bourgeois likes to think she is.
CN – that's pretty important.
A – Okay yeah, I lied. But I think you'll think it's pretty important.
CN – well consider me curious.
A – So tell me something Mr. Noir.
CN – (omg)
A – What are your intentions with Marinette?
CN – my intentions?
A – Do you or do you not want to enter a romantic relationship with our girl Mari?
CN – the answer to that question
CN – is a resounding
CN – *redacted*
A – Come on cat-boy, don't be troublesome. Just answer the question.
CN – I'm sorry I'm trying.
CN – *redacted*
CN – it's almost like someone is stopping my texts.
CN – *redacted*
CN – what a catastrophe. looks like we'll never know.
CN – someone obviously wants that information hidden. maybe we shouldn't be talking about this. you never know when someone's watching.
A – You're terrible.
CN – So I've heard.
A – As you're avoiding the question, I'm going to assume the answer is the most embarrassing one.
A – Which is that you like her.
A – Which btw isn't embarrassing at all.
A – Thank you for your time. ;)
CN – hang on, I never said that! don't assume things!
A – So you don't want to date her?
CN – I am and always will be interested in my lady, for the record.
A – So Ladybug.
CN – Yes.
CN – my feelings for Marinette can be amounted to one word.
CN – and that word is
CN – *redacted*
A – I swear to god, Chat.
CN – ok fine, sorry. Marinette is my soulmate, of course I'm interested in her.
CN – a little.
CN – she compares not to my lady.
A – You're so dumb, how are you a hero?
CN – I think it has something to do with magical destruction powers ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
A – I will destroy your face, you dumb cat.
CN – so aggressive. is this any way to treat a hero?
A – You know Mari brought me that day because she knows I can and will punch you in the face.
CN – you can but you won't.
A – Want to bet?
CN – so why did you want to know if I like Marinette?
A – Change the subject, sure.
A – I asked because I'm getting you two together.
CN – wait, wHAT?
CN – ALIX I SWEAR IF YOU RUIN THINGS FOR ME
A – Cannot compare to Ladybug, huh?
A – Don't worry Kitty, I'm the best wingwoman you'll ever see.
CN – I DO NOT BELIEVE ONE WORD OF THAT
A – Then I'll just have to prove it.
CN – WAIT YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW THE WHOLE SITUATION
A – Oh really? Care to enlighten me, then?
CN – um.
CN – *redacted*
A – Right then, I'll get to the drawing board. Try not to hurt yourself in the meanwhile.
CN – Alix pls.
I'll have to watch Adrien closely tomorrow. If his behavior is different, in the right way at least, then that could bump up my belief in theory one to ninety-five percent. At that point I can start acting under the assumption that it's true. Theory two has been confirmed, so that just leaves figuring out theory three. I told Nino, it takes two. I need to establish where Marinette stands on this, and then, if possible, try to steer her in the direction that will lead to them getting together.
CN – Alix no.
Of course, there's always theory four to consider, but I think even if it is true, it won't matter much for what I'm concerned about. It could affect the lasting relationship but if I can convince Mari to date him in the first place then my job is done. Not my secret anyway.
So how do I go about confirming theory three? Maybe Alya could give me some information, but that's heading into dangerous waters. I could just talk to Marinette. Unfortunately, I can't make Nath do it, since he can't know we're dealing with Chat Noir. Eh, it shouldn't be a problem. I'm friends with Marinette. Mostly. I need to figure out the right things to ask though so she doesn't know I'm digging. She knows that I know Chat is her soulmate so she'll read deeper into any questions from me. She also probably would never suspect that I'm working to set her up with him, so that works in my favor.
CN – Did you leave?
Alix got up and stretched, putting down her notebook and pen before starting to prepare for bed. Mari's pretty oblivious, but that doesn't mean I don't have to be careful. Of course I could just be upfront about it, but this will be more fun if I'm working around it this way. So things will have to be somewhat organic. If I go and start interviewing her, she'll catch on quick, regardless of how carefully I ask.
Alix continued pondering her course of action, and an hour later as she turned out her light, she looked at the last of the texts from Chat Noir.
CN – Alix come back.
CN – I'm gonna cry.
CN – fine you got me. I'm not crying.
CN – …you could have at least said good night. rude.
CN – good night, btw.
Alix smirked, checking the time stamp on his last text. Just a minute ago, good.
A – Good night, Chat 3
CN – don't you "3" me, you stole my number.
A – ;P
CN – 3
Alix snorted as she put her phone away. Sure, I can't heart you but you can heart me. You're not the number thief though, so I guess I'll forgive you. Dumb cat.
Adrien acted different around Marinette. And it started from the moment he walked into the classroom.
Alix was paying attention.
He strut in with Nino by his side, immediately looking straight to Marinette's seat, where the poor girl was already sitting, and winked, letting out a chipper, "Good morning, Marinette!"
Strike one, kitty cat. Marinette went red, of course, and stuttered out a half-coherent greeting of her own. That doesn't help though, I already know she likes Adrien.
Alix opened her notebook, writing in Adrien's behavior in the section she had prepared the night before labelled "Phase 1: Observation". He was nervous and awkward around her before. If he did greet her by name in the morning, he was always much more tense and always held his shoulders up. He just greeted Marinette not only enthusiastically, but without looking the least bit nervous. Shoulders down, chin up, body relaxed. Current theory: someone told him something that changed his view of Marinette, or his idea of how she viewed him. Because she told him she liked him except he was Chat.
God, and they're worried about Alya having too much fun with this.
Alix spent all of school until lunch looking over and watching Adrien. Honestly, the hardest part about the entire thing was keeping Mylène from seeing what she was writing. And that wasn't difficult at all.
It's nearly lunchtime and Adrien has looked back at Marinette in the middle of class a total of twelve times. As a control, Mylène looked over at Ivan all of three times. Of course she's already dating him, so she's not exactly the best control group. Still, I wish I could say how many times Adrien looked back before Marinette told Chat that she liked Adrien. I'm pretty sure it wasn't anywhere near twelve but I wasn't exactly paying attention and that's not just something I can remember.
When the bell rang, Alix looked up from her notes to watch Adrien's next move.
Which was to ask Marinette and Alya to have lunch with him and Nino.
Strike two. Alya and Nino sometimes ask for group lunch but you, sir, have not once ever been the one. I know that for a fact. I heard Mari complaining about it to Alya a while ago.
Oh, maybe I can… Alix took out her phone as quick as she could but stopped herself before sending the text. But he wouldn't react, the phone's probably in his bag, not in his pocket. If it's Adrien then it wouldn't be his main phone. Huh. I wonder if I could catch him answering it later. Would he even answer it if he's out with Marinette? Then he knows it's me texting him.
If I want to do that then I have to catch him later, when he isn't with Mari. And when he doesn't know I'm in the same room as him. Stick to the prepared plans.
I have two chances, Alix reminded herself as she stood, beginning on her route to Nathanaël's desk before heading out the door. Now, before they leave, and after they come back from lunch. Because I'm not going to follow them. Though there's probably some really good info to get while they're eating together. Oh well. There's after school too, of course. That's when I'm going after Marinette.
For now, let's confirm that Adrien is Chat Noir. So… let's start the experiments.
Alix grinned at Nathanaël. "Okay Nath, I need you to help me out with something."
"Please, no. I already feel weird helping you snoop through her phone."
Alix rolled her eyes. "I already told you, I wasn't snooping. It was important."
Nathanaël sighed. "Of course not. What is it?"
"Tell me something." Alix smiled, taking a folder out of her bag. With a flourish, she pulled a charcoal drawing she had made last night (of a cat. It felt appropriate.) out of the folder. A very, very messy charcoal drawing. "Is this good?"
Nathanaël eyed the drawing, clearly looking at it with the critical eye of an artist. "Uh, yeah? That one leg is a little short for that perspective. You could-"
Good, it's noticeable then. Alix laughed, cutting him off, and hurried away to catch Marinette before she left. "Thanks. Just play along or hang back for a sec, okay?"
Nathanaël bit his lip and stayed quiet, frowning a little. Sorry bud. I really wish I could tell you what's going down.
Anyway. Hypothesis: if Marinette gets charcoal on her, then Adrien will as well.
"Marinette! Hey, glad I caught you." Alix ran up to the group of four, careful with her drawing.
"Hey Alix!" Marinette said. "What's up?"
"Oh not much. I want to ask you a favor though, it should only take a second." When Marinette gave affirmation, Alix continued. "I think I need a second opinion. You see, I've been trying to get better at drawing." She took the paper and folder and held them out to Marinette. "Nathanaël's my best friend. He helps, of course, but I just want an unbiased opinion. Anything standing out that I need to work on?" She took out a pencil and handed it to Marinette. "If you could just write a little note in the corner there so I don't forget, that'd be perfect."
"Oh, okay." Marinette smiled. Alix watched her hand closely, but she spared enough time to see Nino's nervous glance from Marinette's hand to Adrien's. Not a guarantee, and it might be hard to catch on Adrien, but it's a good chance. "Well you're doing good so far. The proportion in the left hind leg is a little off." I am a genius. When Marinette touched the pencil to paper, Alix smiled when she noticed the edge of Marinette's pinky touch the paper as well.
It was only for a second, but when Marinette lifted her hand again, Alix got a look at the smudged edge of Marinette's little finger. Success. Now to see if my hypothesis yields true.
Throughout the rest of Marinette's short lecture, Alix payed attention (because she really was trying to learn how to draw. Nathanaël was fair, but another perspective was appreciated, even if it was just a quick sketch for the purposes of hoodwinking her.), but she was always aware of where Adrien was, waiting for him to inadvertently give her a view of the edge of his pinky.
Luckily for her, he gave her just that view when she took the drawing back from Marinette, thanking her, and waved goodbye to the group. Adrien was standing slightly off to the side, so when he raised his hand, Alix had a perfect view of the side of his hand. Freaking called it. Adrien never got close enough to get it on him, and it's in the same place as it is on Marinette. They're soulmates. And since I have confirmation already that Marinette's soulmate is Chat Noir…
I caught you, buster. Theory one, confirmed. That leaves theory three. Is Marinette interested in Chat?
How much that really matters is up for debate, I think, since she's very much interested in Adrien, and he's very much interested in her. Hmm, I wonder if my plans are really the best course of action now. I best go back to my notes.
The four walked away, and Nathanaël walked up behind her. "Are you satisfied?"
"Oh, very."
He sighed. "You're up to something."
"Of course I am."
I need to have a chat with Adrien. I should figure out why he hasn't told her who he is yet before trying to pull anything. If he legitimately wants her to fall for Chat, not counting her crush on Adrien, then whether she's interested in Chat or not is very relevant, and that's where I should put my focus. If he's just nervous then I should focus instead on getting that reveal to be a thing.
Or maybe I should talk to Alya. She knows, no doubt. Being so close to Mari, she gets access to the conversations, and if it was that obvious to me, there's no way she'd miss it. I can always dig for hints that she knows just in case, anyway. But if getting Mari with Chat or Adrien is the same thing, then we're on the same side, so it only makes sense that we'd team up.
Speaking of, I haven't noticed Alya being very pushy. No more than normal at least. Is she planning something, or is she legitimately backing off? Maybe she has a reason. Hmm…
Alix had lunch with Nathanaël, but she thought about her next course of action the entire time. Nathanaël was, obviously, bemused, and ate quietly while Alix alternated between scribbling in her notebook and taking bites of her food.
Okay, so here's an option. Marinette acts very different around Adrien and Chat Noir. Because of her crush, obviously, but perhaps that's inciting some trepidation in them, them being Alya and Adrien, since they don't know what introducing Adrien as Chat will do to his relationship with Mari. It's a fair concern; we don't know the extent to Marinette's relationship with Chat. If that's the problem, then I'll have to defer to Alya there since she knows Mari better than I do.
That means… I'll have to think about theory four. Hmm. If theory four is true, then I'm confident that it would turn out well.
Theory four: Marinette is Ladybug.
Evidence: Marinette has repeatedly and consistently shown inclinations towards leadership and bravery, especially in instances of akuma attacks. She always takes control and when she doesn't it's when she vanishes mysteriously, often at the same time or immediately following or preceding Adrien's mysterious disappearance. Dark hair in pigtails, blue eyes. Similar build.
If she's Ladybug, then her comfort with her partner, Chat, would certainly overpower any awkwardness about Adrien. I might have to meddle a little, but they'd work through it both because they're very used to each other and also because the city kind of rides on it. They're nothing if not duty driven. Thus, the reveal should be encouraged, at least on Adrien's side, to facilitate their relationship.
If she isn't Ladybug, then there's no telling what kind of awkward relationship she has with Chat. The reveal could double her inability to perform even basic motor functions, and ruin any chances for a speedy relationship. Thus, the reveal should be discouraged and prevented at all costs until she gets over herself.
Okay, I've convinced myself. Checking her relationship with Chat is still a good idea. I can do that through him though. He's easier to deal with. Less shenanigans. Since he's Adrien, whether she's interested isn't quite so relevant anymore as what her current relationship with Chat is.
Alix took out her phone, sending Chat a message.
A – So tell me how it's going with your soulmate. I hope it's not as painful now. I'm not there to make you talk, after all.
Then again, this is the guy who thought she hated him because she was blushing and stuttering.
CN – my princess and I get along just swimmingly, thank you very much.
A – I'm being serious here, how do you stand? It'll help me figure out how to approach her to get her to fall for you.
CN – here's an idea: DON'T.
A – If you don't tell me I'll assume you two are right on the cusp of making out on her balcony every night, and I'll just straight up tell her you want to get "friskies"
CN – goddamn it Alix why do you do this
CN – IS THAT A FREAKING CAT FOOD PUN
A – It's for your own good 3
CN – no, you cannot "3" me. you lost all "3" privileges.
A – You can't take away my "3" privileges.
CN – I can and I did. I was going to give them to you after last night but you just got them revoked again.
A – What a shame. Tell me about Mari.
CN – can't this wait?
A – No. I need to adjust all my plans for this. That takes time.
CN – but Alixxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
A – I can text Mari right now, you know.
CN – /3 :c
CN – I think she's still getting used to me. if we're talking then it goes pretty well but we still have a bunch of awkward pauses and I'm never really sure when it's okay to bring up a new subject and stuff. or what subjects are cool to talk about. I'm still figuring it out. so is she, I think.
I see. Then whether I push the reveal or not is determined by whether Marinette is Ladybug. If they're just new with each other, like Chat's saying, then knowing that the other one is their partner, or at least Mari knowing, would resolve that issue. They'd know how to act around the other. And I already hypothesized that the stuttering around Adrien would be quelled from that as well. If she's not Ladybug, then they really need to be comfortable before she finds out he's Chat.
CN – hang on, why are you trying to get us together anyway?
A – Because you're my friend, obviously 3
CN – I told you, no hearts.
CN – and yet you keep using them anyway.
CN – and you call yourself my friend.
A – 333333333
CN – seriously though you stole my number for this purpose obviously you had this in mind before we even started talking.
A – I'm helping because I'm bored and also because I was already dragged into this train wreck so I may as well try to save what few survivors remain.
A – Satisfied?
CN – no.
A – Well that's your answer, so too bad.
CN – it's not a train wreck! it's a perfectly okay situation.
A – Says the guy hopelessly in love with the girl who told him she wanted to be just friends :P
CN – wow, rude. and who said hopelessly in love I did not say that.
A – I figured it out.
CN – great well have fun with that, I'm just going to sit here and pretend you aren't plotting my demise byeeeeeeeee.
A – Bye-bye, Friskies 3
CN – WHY.
Alix smirked and put her phone away, finishing her lunch. All we know for sure about Ladybug's identity is that she's in my grade, and goes to my school. At least, according to Alya on the day Jalil got akumatized. The textbook she had is pretty solid evidence, so I'll accept that, though technically speaking it wasn't necessarily Ladybug's book just because she dropped it. It did vanish mysteriously though, after Marinette took Alya to the museum. Well, after Pharaoh, so Ladybug could have gotten a hold of it. Or Marinette. Or they're the same person so both. Either way, Marinette is definitely included in the sample of girls who could possibly be Ladybug.
Oh, and remember Horrificator? Adrien and Marinette were the only ones who went missing without goo nearby, and were the only ones supposedly kept in such out of the way places that we didn't see them right away. I didn't say anything because I didn't care, but that was pretty obvious.
Oh my god, thinking back with the idea of her being Ladybug, I'm like ninety percent sure. She's not clever. The question is whether to confront her or not. Even if I wanted to it might be a little difficult getting her alone. Alya clearly doesn't know this already, and I doubt anyone else does.
But honestly, I kind of want to, if for no other reason than just to see her face.
Besides, can I really con her into confirming her identity for me? It's not like I have easy access to anything definite with Ladybug. I could get Chat because I knew for a fact that he's Marinette's soulmate. I don't have anything like that that I can exploit for Ladybug. So the only way to actually confirm it one hundred percent is to bother her until she snaps.
Is ninety percent certainty enough for action? I suppose if things went wrong I could help smooth things over. It's be one heck of a mess though. Still, pretty good odds, I think.
So am I confronting Marinette or convincing Adrien to reveal himself? Tough question. I suppose confronting Mari would be the safest option. It might be a little fun, too, but then, I've always liked a gamble.
No, I shouldn't gamble on my friend's love lives. Okay, we're talking to Marinette after school.
Alix considered her options, and sent Marinette a quick text.
A – Hey, are you busy after school?
M – Nope, why?
A – I have some questions. Can we talk alone then?
M – Sure. Did you want to come over? No one will bother us at home.
A – Yeah that's probably best. See you then.
For the first time in anything pertaining to Marinette, Alix was nervous. There are so many ways this could go wrong. Still a safer gamble than getting Chat to tell her who he is, though, so this is the route we're taking. Alix looked around curiously as she entered the Realm of Pink. Ugh, seriously with the color scheme though? I literally have pink hair and even I think this is way too excessive.
"You had something you wanted to ask?" Marinette asked politely, looking at Alix with wide eyes.
"Uh, yeah. Well, sort of. Something I wanted to tell you, really."
"Oh?"
"Yep." Alix shifted her weight back and forth, examining Marinette closer and only becoming more certain that she matched Ladybug's description perfectly. "I know you're Ladybug."
Marinette's expression immediately shifted to pure shock. Her jaw dropped, most muscles on her face totally slackened. And then her eyes went wide, and she vehemently shook her head. "What? M-me, Ladybug? Pfft, you're got to be joking."
Alix, holding back a snicker, just kept her expression neutral. "Nope."
Marinette furrowed her brow and pressed her lips into a thin line. "You're serious… come on, of course I'm not Ladybug! How could I, even?"
Alix sighed. Yeah, that was pretty funny. Unfortunately, this is kind of a serious deal. "Girl, don't think I don't notice you sneaking off at every sign of an akuma attack. No one manages to get lost quite as quickly as you." And Adrien. "And let's be real, you're not exactly a whole different person. You act a little different, sure, but you're so Ladybug it hurts sometimes."
"Alix, I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Of course you don't, that's why Ladybug managed to get into the school during the Horrificator incident despite it being blocked and our class having stayed after school."
"I'm sure Ladybug just-"
"And pretending to be taken? That was clever except there wasn't any goo around where you were supposedly snatched from, and you only showed up again a few minutes after everyone else did when Ladybug saved the say."
"Alix, I am not Ladybug."
"Don't worry, I'm not going to tell anyone, I just thought you should know that I figured it out. Also I wanted to ask what your deal with Chat is. Why are you so awkward with him? He's your partner. I mean, he doesn't know that, but you do."
"Because I'm not Ladybug, Alix! Chat is just a friend and that was like the third time I've ever even talked to him."
Alix rolled her eyes. What's the point of big guns if you don't use them? This is horribly manipulative but I never pretended to be a good person. "Come on, girl. You brought me with you last Friday assuming I'd figure out who Chat is. You trust me with his identity but not yours? That seems kind of terrible of you."
Marinette just stared at her. Alix wasn't quite sure if her expression was shocked or offended or both, but after a few more moments, Marinette sighed. She fiddled with one of her earrings nervously. "Okay," she said. "Okay, fine, you're right. You can't tell anyone!"
"If you thought I was going to tell anyone; you wouldn't have brought me last Friday." Alix grinned at her. "I'm obviously not going to spill." Theory four, confirmed. Huh, I didn't think theory three would be the irrelevant one. Speaking of, though… "So tell me what's up with you and Chat."
Marinette threw her hands in the air, groaning. "Ugh, I just… I can't believe he's my soulmate!"
"Alya called it like the moment you two met."
"Yes, but I never thought she'd be right!"
Alix tilted her head a little. "So you're being weird because he's your soulmate? Why does that matter?"
"Because, have you met Chat? If he catches wind that I'm Ladybug, he will be insufferable. Plus, he's… actually being really nice?"
Alix snickered. "So you like him."
"I do not!"
"He's wooing you."
"He's trying."
"He's succeeding. Oh man, this is great." That makes my job so much easier. I basically just have to tell Chat, "hey Friskies, why don't you go over and reveal yourself?" He'll have some dumb excuse, definitely, but I can argue that cat into the dirt. "Girl you know he's interested, just date him!"
"I can't date a superhero!"
"Then ask him who he is. It's not that complicated."
"No, I'm not going to pressure him into revealing himself."
Alix rolled her eyes. As I thought, it's going to have to be Chat. Alright then. Well, this is a quick fix. She let the topic drop, and just hung out with Marinette for a while before leaving for her own house. On the way, she texted Chat Noir.
A – Friskies, I'm moving this performance into the final act. This is final phase operation shit.
A – Do exactly as I say and you'll be dating Marinette within the week.
And you'll have a nice surprise too, when she tells you she's Ladybug. Whether she does that when you reveal yourself or not isn't really important, luckily.
CN – Alix no, this sounds like a terrible idea.
A – Just shut up and do what I say.
A – It's quite simple really.
A – You need to tell Marinette that you're Adrien.
Chat Noir took a long time to respond. Haha, oh yeah, I never told him that I figured it out. Oops.
CN – why would I do that?
A – Because you are. Dude I saw you and Mari with your soulmate marks, this isn't a discussion.
CN – ok but
CN – assuming I am this Adrien you speak of
CN – which I'm not saying I am
CN – why would I want to tell Mari?
A – Because she likes you, numbnuts.
CN – I mean yes.
CN – I know that now.
CN – but she's still super awkward with me.
CN – both mes really but in like different ways?
A – That won't be a problem after you tell her who you are.
CN – you're very confident about that.
A – Yes.
CN – how confident are we talking about here?
A – Like as confident as Bourgeois is on an average day.
CN – that's pretty confident.
A – Great, I'm glad we could go through that entire exchange again.
A – Basically, Chat, how much do you trust me?
CN – like as much as I trust Bourgeois to do literally anything out of the kindness of her heart.
A – Ha ha :P
CN – 3
CN – seriously though, why?
A – Because I need you to just trust me on this. Telling Mari who you are is basically a one-way ticket to getting "Friskies"
CN – NO, ALIX, NO
A – Sorry, couldn't resist.
A – But it's seriously nigh guaranteed to get you together.
A – Maybe not like, right away, but trust me this is the first major step from here.
A – I have everything planned.
CN – you and your plans.
A – Have I failed yet?
CN – well considering you've somehow gotten Mari's crush out in the open and figured out my identity from
CN – I don't think I even want to know what from
CN – I'd say probably no.
A – I tricked Mari into getting charcoal on her and then looked for it on you, nbd.
CN – what? that's what that was for?
A – Not important. Are you going to tell her?
CN – idk still seems like a terrible idea to me.
A – You've got to trust your wingwoman, mate. If we don't have trust, then what kind of wingwoman am I?
CN – maybe one that decided to be the wingwoman despite my protests?
A – Lol, fair enough.
A – Still.
CN – alright fine.
CN – only because your plans are always really complicated and I know you wouldn't intentionally screw me over.
CN – you wouldn't intentionally screw me over, would you?
A – Not in matters of soulmate shenanigans.
A – My plans aren't even that complicated. My reasoning can be sometimes, but not my plans.
CN – yeah sure. I'm so glad that's cleared up.
A – You won't regret it. 3
CN – I better not :3 333333333