This chapter is an original chapter slightly based off of Adventures of Rufus sitting and Animan. Slightly.
Marinette stood at her locker, pretending to search for something, occasionally sneaking looks at Adrien as he put away his fencing equipment in exchange for the books he would need for his next classes. Adrien shut his locker and proceeded to walk out of the locker room when Marinette "conveniently" shut her locker as Adrien was about to pass.
"H-Hi Adrien, w-want to walk to class?" The words died on Marinette's tongue as Adrien continued to walk ahead and out of the locker hall. Marinette was about to start banging her head on her locker when Alya burst in.
"Marinette! Was that Adrien just now?"
"Yes," Marinette grumbled.
"Did you finally tell him?"
"I haven't been able to tell him, let alone talk to him. Adrien is fine with talking to everyone, but me. He keeps acting like I don't exist."
"Ouch." Marinette turned to resume banging her head against the locker, when Alya spun her around to face her.
"Oh no you don't, first I need to tell you something amazing that just happened."
"Alright, go."
"Nino asked me out!"
"WHAT?!" Marinette yelled, causing several other passing students to turn to look. Alya grabbed Marinette's hand and pulled her out of the lockers and behind the stairs.
"Spill," Marinette urged.
"Ok, so you know how you said you were going to wait in the locker room for Adrien after lunch. Well Nino and I went upstairs to class and he asked me to hang out this weekend."
"Just you two?"
Alya nodded.
"Alone?"
Alya nodded again, more excitedly.
"With no mention of a movie project or music he wants you to listen to?"
Alya nodded again, adding a little bounce and a squeal.
"I know right? I thought we blew things with the whole 'Horrificator' debacle, but he asked me to go on a date with him Saturday."
"I'm so happy for you!" Marinette jumped with Alya. "I'd better check to make sure I don't have any missions for Saturday to make sure you have Nino all day."
"You're the best girl!" Alya gave her friend a squeeze, then proceeded to head up the stairs.
"So this makes like three dates now, right?"
"The back to school dance doesn't really count," started Alya.
"Does so count. It counts as my only date with Adrien thus far."
"Ok, fine, for you and Adrien's sake. And anything involving 'Horrificator' was done over Skype, no in person meet ups other than lunches at school."
"Well, here's to a happy second date," Marinette held up an imaginary glass, which Alya clinked with her own as they approached the classroom. The girls proceeded to their desks right behind Nino and Adrien, who clammed up as soon as the teacher entered after Marinette.
Alya proceeded to spend the rest of the time giving the back of Nino's head a lovesick smile while absent mindedly taking notes. Marinette, however, was still left to puzzle the mystery around Adrien "Ignore Marinette" Agreste.
Marinette sat in her room, avoiding her homework she should complete to have a free weekend, but instead was scanning through the pages of Teen Model for new pictures of Adrien. After learning her lesson when Adrien came over, she had now a box dedicated to the photos she kept under her bed. The box was now out beside her with the old pictures of Adrien as well as a couple more recent pictures.
Why was Marinette still cutting out pictures of Adrien "Ignore Marinette" Agreste? For research. The most recent magazine had pictures from photoshoots following the game tournament, and that is when Adrien began to ignore Marinette. If there was something wrong with Adrien, the pictures could probably tell. Unless Marinette was overthinking things.
Marinette groaned in frustration, flopping the magazine on her desk. He still looked as perfect as ever. Stupid Photoshop.
She opened her computer and turned on Skype, which Nino was as noted to be online. Remembering her promise to Alya, and hoping for a distraction, she hit call.
After a couple rings, Nino answered but was nowhere on screen to be seen.
"Nino?"
The video feed jumped with a loud bump, a string of unintelligible curse words following. Nino poked his head out from under the table.
"Don't scare a guy like that, LB."
"But you accepted the call."
"I didn't accept any call." Both teens paused to look at each other, weirded by the turn of events.
"Weird, I was just checking to see if we have any missions this weekend."
"Let me look," Nino pulled up his chair and opened a page on his computer.
"Nothing major, Ms. Chamack did send a request to babysit Manon this Sunday."
"I told her to text me those."
"You know her, she likes the convenience of the Ladyblog and the request system."
Marinette nodded in agreement as Nino went back under the desk.
"What are you working on?" The camera jostled again. Nino climbed out from under the desk, holding a backpack with wings protruding from the side.
"Jetpack. Thought it may be helpful for you and Chat next time you have to stop Hawkmoth flying away with robotic assembly lines. Although it won't be finished for a while." A piece of the wing fell off.
"Probably not until Christmas."
Marinette chuckled, "Thank you for the consideration." Nino was about to go back down before he stopped and looked at the camera.
"Anything else?"
"Nothing I can think of."
Nino nodded and proceeded back down under his desk.
"Good luck on your date with Alya tomorrow." Marinette was about to log off when the camera jostled again.
"WHAT?!" Nino sat up in a panic. "A date?"
"With Alya. She told me you asked her out."
"I asked her out?"
"You should know. You were there?" Nino slumped in his desk chair, attempting to think. His eyes went wide.
"I asked her to hang out this Saturday."
"As in a date?"
"NO! Maybe. I didn't think… after 'Horrificator'," Nino fumbled at a loss for words.
"If it make you feel any better, she thought the same."
"But now it's a date!"
"Did you not want it to be a date?"
"Yes! I mean, I would want it to be a date, I just didn't think she really cared anymore. Plus I don't know how to do dates?"
"Well, what were you going to do?"
"I don't know, have lunch then a movie or something."
"Ok, switch lunch for dessert and maybe add going to the zoo."
"The zoo?"
"Her dad works there so it would look good for you. Plus I hear they have a new panther exhibit."
"Someone has a thing for black cats."
Marinette stuck out her tongue at the boy on her screen.
"I kid. Partially. But thanks for the advice. Maybe you should be my wingman."
"Winggirl. And I am not third wheeling yours and Alya's date." Nino sighed in defeat, while Marinette had a smooth, calculating grin on hers. "But I can keep in close proximity to prevent any potential slip ups."
"Thanks LB!"
Marinette paused, thinking her next words carefully.
"Do you think Adrien would want to help, be your wingman while I help cover thing on Alya's end."
"I don't know Marinette, Adrien's been… busy, lately."
Marinette plopped her head down on the desk.
"Does he hate me?" Marinette mumbled.
"What?"
Marinette lifted her head so her chin rested on the desk.
"Does Adrien hate me?"
"No, no, where'd you get that?" Nino almost seemed appalled by the idea.
"He's been avoiding me since the tournament."
"Have you tried talking to him?"
"Plenty, and he acts like I'm not there." Marinette turned her head back down to facing the desk, not noticing Nino as he shifted in his seat to fully face the computer.
"Maybe he just feels bad."
Marinette turned her head to the side.
"Why would he feel bad?"
"Maybe he feels like it's his fault you got stuck in the game. He gave you his place in the tournament."
"And I gave my spot to Max," Marinette finally sat up. "Nobody is at fault, and I don't blame him. I get he had a photoshoot and couldn't stay, but I wish he would just talk to me about this rather than shutting me out."
"I'll let him know you said that. After my date with Alya." Marinette giggled.
"So you think you can handle winging your date, or you want to plan it?"
"I think maybe movies, ice cream, then zoo, like you said."
"Sounds like a plan. Text me the time once you figured that out with Alya."
"Will do LB. Thanks for the chat."
"Was that a pun?"
"Unintentional."
"Chat's rubbing off on you."
"Is that a bad thing?"
"Maybe."
"See ya LB." Nino ended the called, a second click ending at the same time.
"That's not normal." She clicked to call back, but Nino didn't answer this time, his caller id going offline.
"I'll have to talk to Nino about that." She was about to resume her magazine cutting when her phone began to ring. She rolled over to where it sat charging to find it was Chat Noir.
"Hey Chat."
"Hey Bugaboo. Any missions this weekend?"
"Other than a babysitting job I can handle on Sunday, rien."
"Alright, just checking. Have a good weekend."
"Hey Chat-" Marinette splurted a little too quickly.
"Yes My Lady?"
"What are you doing tomorrow?"
Marinette sat in a chair in the theater lobby, waiting for Chat Noir while waiting for Alya and Nino to show. Rather than her normal attire, Marinette wore a baggy sweatshirt with a cap that covered most of her hair. Well worn blue jeans and her old sneakers replaced her primarily pink pants and shoes.
"Marinette?" A figure popped around her, Chat Noir sitting in the seat opposite of her, also dressed in a baggy sweatshirt with a picture of grumpy cat on the front, old jeans, and outdated Gabriel sneakers. He still wore the mask under the hoodie.
"Here," Marinette handed Chat an old sorts cap, which he placed over his messy blond hair.
"Better?"
"Much."
"You know when you asked me on a date, this wasn't what I had in mind," Chat relaxed in his chair while looking at the door.
"It's not a date Chat. We're wingmaning Nino and Alya's date."
"I will count this as a secretive double date until proven otherwise."
"You didn't pay for my ticket."
Chat slouched on his seat in defeat.
"Looks like they're here." Chat nodded to the doors where they could see Alya and Nino at the ticket window. Nino pulled out the money for both their tickets.
"Perfect, we'll wait till they go in the theater and follow after."
Nino and Alya left the ticket window and headed inside. Marinette's eyes followed them as Nino conversed with Alya, by passing the snacks for the theater.
"Bugaboo?"
"Hmm."
"That woman over by drinks, she seem fishy to you?"
Marinette turned to glance at the woman in question. She had angel blonde hair and glasses, dressed in all black.
"What makes you say that?"
"She's been looking at Nino and Alya since they came in."
Marinette gave the woman another look as the woman proceeded into the theater Nino and Alya went inside.
"Come on." Marinette and Chat got up from their seats and proceeded into the theater. Nino and Alya were seated ¾ into the theater, probably for best sound quality as Nino would put it. The blonde woman sat behind Nino.
Marinette scrutinized the woman's face as they made their way to their seat, Marinette selecting seats behind the woman.
Marinette heard the sounds of plastic being rustled, turning to see Chat take out a plastic bag filled with a candy mix.
"Snacks?" he asked while offering her the bag.
"Maybe later." Marinette continued to study the person in front of her.
She knew one person with hair like that. But that person she thought was in an American prison. After this movie she would need to make a phone call to confirm.
The movie started, Marinette thankful Nino and Alya had chosen an action movie over a horror that was paying in the theater next door. She looked down to see Nino and Alya on the edge of their seats, Alya casually holding Nino's hand as they gripped the shared armrest.
Chat sat memorized by the film, absentmindedly reaching into the bag of snacks. Marinette reached into the bag and pulled out some of the snacks, her hand touching Chat's as it came out, Marinette accidentally dropping the snacks back in the bag.
"Sorry," he mumbled.
"Don't be," Marinette smiled which he returned.
They continued to alternate taking turns grabbing snacks, while Marinette watched the woman out of the corner of her eye.
The woman sat on the edge of her seat, watching instead Nino more so than the movie.
Everyone in the theater jumped as the explosion on screen rang in the theater, Nino falling back into his seat. In a flash, the woman grabbed Nino in a choke hold, attempting to force him to pass out.
Marinette was quick to react, grabbing the woman from behind, and banging her head against the seat. The woman released her hold on Nino, who dropped back into his seat, coughing. The woman turned to face her attacker, Marinette delivering a punch to the face, breaking the woman's glasses.
"Ladybug," the woman growled before making a retreat into the back door of theater.
"Who was that," Chat whispered as Marinette sat back down, shaking the punch off her hand.
"Anti-bug."
Chat turned to look where the world's classiest thief had disappeared. Next to Hawkmoth, there was nothing deadlier for Ladybug than Anti-bug.
"What does she want with Nino?"
"I don't know, but we'll get to the bottom of this."
Marinette turned back to Nino, who was taking a sip of Alya's water bottle while Alya looked on in concern.
"Their next stop is the ice cream shop, so we should try to get there a little bit before them, unless we should stay and make sure Anti-bug doesn't try to kidnap Nino while they are walking over," Marinette sat in theater while people exited.
"We could split up. You go ahead, I trail or vice versa," offered Chat.
"Sounds like a plan, you go ahead and I'll trail. You remember what she looks like?" Marinette and Chat stood to leave the theater.
"Blond, ponytail, black outfit, probably either broken glasses or no glasses." Marinette nodded in confirmation as Chat left the theater and Marinette went back to the table they had sat at earlier. Her phone started ringing which she saw was Nino.
"What's up?"
"What in the- what just happened."
"Anti-bug."
"You serious? How? Why?"
"I don't know," Marinette sat in thought, trying to come up why Anti-bug would be after Nino.
"You don't think, is because of the jetpacks, do you?"
"How would she know? Chat doesn't even know, and you only know because I told you last night."
"Last night? Remember how your said you didn't pick up the Skype call?"
"Right."
"After you hung up, I heard a second click."
There was dead air as they thought the situation over.
"You don't think she…"
"I wouldn't put it past her. But don't worry. Chat should be at the ice cream shop, and I'll tail you guys."
"Thanks LB."
"Where are you anyway?"
"Toilet."
"Well better come out soon, Alya just came out of the girl's." Nino quickly hung up, leaving Marinette to scan the area.
Anti-bug was nowhere in site.
Marinette slumped in relief as she sat opposite of Chat Noir outside the ice cream shop.
"Any problems," Chat nudged his ice cream bowl towards her along with a spoon. Marinette took an unladylike bite before answering.
"Nothing, you?"
"Same, do you think she knows their schedule?"
"Nino and I think she may have been on Nino's Skype when I called him yesterday. So she knows, just not which ice cream shop. There's one closer to the zoo, so she may have gone there."
"Ok, did you figure out what she is after," Chat took a bite of ice cream.
Marinette nodded, but took a bite instead of answering.
"A secret?"
"You'll find out by Christmas if he finishes by then."
Chat nodded, "I can live with that. So, now are we on a date?"
"I thought I debunked that."
"At the theater. But I bought us ice cream."
Marinette paused the bite she was about to take and put back the spoon.
"Aww bugaboo, you wound me."
"It's not a date Chat. We're just keeping an eye on Nino and Alya."
Marinette turned her attention back to where Alya and Nino sat eating ice cream. Nino offered Alya a taste of his, and she did the same, accidentally splotching the ice cream on his glasses. Alya apologized profusely while Nino chuckled and proceed to wipe his glasses.
"I don't think they need any help with this date, don't you," commented Chat, as he took another bite of the ice cream.
"I know, but Nino asked, plus I didn't really want to be alone this weekend."
"Aww my lady, I'm sure you have plenty of friends."
"Not really, Alya and Nino are my best friends, plus Adrien has been ignoring me."
Chat began to choke on his ice cream.
Marinette pulled a water out of her bag and handed it to her partner.
"Sorry, went down the wrong pipe. You were saying?"
"This guy, at school…Adrien. He was originally my partner for the Super Mecha-Strike 4 Beta Tournament. I gave my spot to another friend who was originally supposed to play, but Adrien gave me his spot. Now he's ignoring me, and I don't know why," Marinette slumped in her chair.
"Maybe he feels guilty for giving you his spot. If he didn't, you wouldn't have been trapped in the game."
"That's what Nino said. But it isn't Adrien's fault. It's nobody's fault, except the programming, which they are fixing. You gave your spot to another person, and do they blame you?"
"No…"
"And I don't blame Adrien. I just wish he would realize that so things can go back to normal. And just when I thought I was getting better at talking to him too."
"Maybe things will be better Monday." Chat nudged the remaining ice cream towards her. Marinette offered a shy smile and took the ice cream.
"Hopefully, Nino said he'd talk to Adrien and tell him what I said."
"Sounds like a good idea. But until then, I hope our date is providing plenty of distraction for you," Chat Noir leaned forward with a smirk. Marinette took the scope of ice cream she was about to eat and shoved it in Chat's mouth. The poor cat boy turned bright red as Marinette took his previously used spoon to finish off the ice cream.
"I think Nino and Alya are about to head out," Marinette could see from her viewing point that Nino took the used cups to the trashcan while Alya packed her purse to go.
"Ready Chaton?" Marinette flicked the edge of the spoon Chat still had in his mouth, Chat's face turning into an undiscovered shade of red.
Marinette and Chat crouched in the bushes, watching as Alya and Nino stopped at the panther cage where Mr. Cesaire was taking care of the zoo's newest addition.
"Who's that?" Asked Chat as Nino and Alya began talking to the zoo keeper.
"Alya's dad, figured it would make a good impression for Nino to bring Alya here."
"Smooth. So I should have taken you to your dad's bakery then after the ice cream?"
"And the flirty cat is back."
"I'll have you know I only flirt with you my lady."
Marinette rolled her eyes as she returned her attention back to Nino and Alya. It seemed like their conversation was going well as Mr. Cesaire was smiling.
Which was soon gone as something hit the ground and smoke emerged, covering the trio.
"Anti-bug," Marinette growled, rushing out of the bushes only to find Alya and Mr. Cesaire remained, with Nino nowhere in site.
"Finally decided to make your presence known?" Alya asked with a smirk.
"Eh-heheh, hey Alya, what a coincidence, we're both here, at the zoo."
"I know you've been wingmanning Nino all day, you and cat boy," Alya turned to look over where Chat was still crouching. He peaked up and offered a small wave.
"When did you figure it out?" asked Marinette.
"Nino told me before we went in the theater. Poor thing was so nervous."
"My lady, not to interrupt, but we have a crazy lady that abducted Nino who probably wants to get back to his date as much as me," called Chat as he got up from the bush.
"Alright, we'll get Nino back so you two can finish your date."
"You mean so you can finish your date with Chat."
"It's not a date," Marinette ran towards Chat, who followed her towards the exit of the zoo.
"Where do you think they went?" asked Chat.
"Good thing Nino has a watch too then," Marinette tapped her watch, revealing three dots on the screen, one further ahead than the others.
"She's still in the zoo, we can cut her off," Marinette grabbed onto Chat's hand and flung her yoyo out towards one of the enclosures. They both flew on top of the building and proceed to run in a straight line opposed to Anti-bug who was following the path.
"You know I figured she would have a bigger lead on us."
"Her blond shows at times like these. When things don't go according to plan, she flounders."
Chat scowled, "Don't diss the blonds bugaboo."
"I wasn't dissing you, just her. You are a true hero amongst your kind," Marinette amended. Chat's pride must have been riding high off that statement, because he didn't notice the edge of the building and took a tumble into the bushes below, while Marinette landed with a flip.
Anti-bug came around the corner, with a tied up Nino in tow.
"Good thing you asked us to be your wingmen Nino," Marinette got into a battle stance, as did the Anti-bug, still holding onto Nino.
"We'll see how long his good fortune lasts," snarled Anti-bug.
"Please don't hit me LB," whined Nino. Marinette rolled her eyes as she charged at Anti-Bug.
"Chat, could use some help," Marinette called out.
Chat poked his head out of the bushes he landed in, distracting Anti-bug for Marinette to take Nino and toss him over to Chat. Both boys fell back into the bushes with an umph, while Marinette continued to battle Anti-bug.
"You know it's not nice to listen to people's conversations," chided Marinette.
"So you figured that part out?"
"It was totally obvious."
"Not enough apparently as you spilled a lot more of your private life than if you knew."
Marinette growled as she continued to fight the skilled thief. The last time Marinette and Anti-Bug fought was when Alya ousted her identity online, something Marinette knew the villain took pride in.
The sounds of police sirens could be heard approaching the zoo, Marinette assuming Alya or her father called the police. Anti-bug knocked Marinette against the wall.
"Better watch your back bug," Anti-bug snarled as she made a hasty retreat as Nino and Chat appeared out of the bushes, Nino untied.
"My lady, are you ok?" Chat hurried to Marinette's side and helped her up, just as Alya and Mr. Cesaire came racing towards the front and police began to enter into the zoo.
Alya threw her arms around Nino and pulled him into a tight hug.
"Where's Anti-bug?" asked Nino as he looked over at Marinette and Chat.
"Looks like Anti-bug had to bug out," Chat gave a lopsided smile to his lady, Marinette rolling her eyes.
"So, how'd the rest of your date go? After the police left?" Marinette asked Alya the following Monday. After the police took an official statement from Nino, Marinette had insisted with the police that Marinette and Chat could provide more details at the station, giving Alya and Nino the alone time they needed after their interruption. The following day Marinette was babysitting Manon all day, so she finally got a chance to talk to Alya that Monday morning before school.
"It was good. We toured the zoo a bit more, then papa invited Nino over for dinner. He looked he could really use a wingman during dinner when papa began interrogating him."
"Poor Nino."
"But papa and maman both approve, so…"
"Hey babe," Nino came around behind Alya giving her temple a kiss.
"No way! Nino! Congrats!" Marinette pulled Alya into a hug.
"What's going on," Adrien asked, approaching the group.
"I asked Alya to be my girlfriend," Nino took Alya away from Marinette.
"Nice bro," Adrien gave Nino a high five.
"We better get going to class, see you later bro," Nino winked at Adrien then proceed out of the locker room, hand in hand with Alya.
Marinette wasn't sure what to do. Adrien stood there, looking like he wanted to say something.
"H-hey Adrien," Marinette offered weakly.
"Hey. How was your weekend?"
"It was good, yours?"
"Good."
Marinette stood there, unsure what to do. Adrien scratched the back of his neck, his eyes looking down at the floor.
"I guess I'll see you in class," Marinette was about to step around when Adrien stepped in front of her path.
"Wait. I just wanted to say, I'm sorry. About the tournament. It was my fault you got stuck in the game," Adrien started but Marinette cut him off.
"It wasn't your fault. You were just doing what you thought was best for the school. I don't blame you for anything. But if it will make you feel better, I forgive you." A smile Marinette knew no photoshop could make in the magazines replaced the frown on Adrien's face.
"Thanks Marinette. Can I walk you to class?"
"Sure." Marinette fell into step beside Adrien as they headed towards the classroom, wondering why she was not internally freaking out right now.
AN: Why is Chat flirting with Marinette when his counterpart, Adrien feels guilty. Same reason Chat flirts with Ladybug in the show, he feels free with the mask. Chat is an innocent part in the Mecha Strike tournament, so things carry on as normal, but he thinks she may not like Adrien so much for putting her in that situation. Plus since Marinette doesn't know he is the same person, Chat can be a bit more open with her.
And regarding the movies, those are planned to be included, just haven't figure out chapter placement yet.