Operation ninja stealth underway!" Nino said into his phone, glancing around the corner of the school after last bell.
"Why did I let you name our stakeout again?" Alya groaned into her phone just outside the locker room.
"Because that name is awesome babe!" Nino smirked, "and it is way cooler than the code names you girls have been coming up with over the years trying to get these two together!"
"That is confidential information Nino! If Marinette knew you knew..." Alya hissed back.
"I am a locked box! There are even secrets you haven't gotten out of me yet!" Nino bragged.
"Oh really?" Alya smiled. "I doubt that!"
"Hey! I can be a pretty mysterious guy!" Nino protested hearing the disbelief in her voice.
"Of course hun, of course you can," Alya pandered with a coo. And then Alya straightened suddenly and hushed Nino, whispering, "shhh, shh, I think they're coming!" Alya ducked behind the door just in time to miss Adrien swing it open for Marinette.
They were giggling about something together, and Alya noticed with glee the way Adrien brushed his shoulder up against Marinette's playfully.
"Oh he is so into her!" Alya mumbled.
"He's doing what now?" asked Nino on the other end.
"There is totally, without a doubt something there. Now it is just a matter of finding out if either your clueless baby chick or my cuckoo-for-Adrien-BFF have figured it out yet too!" Alya stared after them. "Time for part two of our plan! Divide and conquer!"
"How is it again that you plan on getting them together by splitting them up?" Nino puzzled.
"If we bring it up in front of both of them when they are together and they haven't got together yet they gonna get all awkward and embarrassed," Alya explained. "You know how they get!"
"Oh yeah, that'd be bad," Nino replied, "Then one of them would be all like (in a high pitched voice) "we're just friends! Really...really...good friends that hug and giggle and talk about each other ever moment of the day!"
"Was that bit supposed to be Marinette or Adrien?" Alya asked.
"Does it matter?" Nino laughed back. "They're both hopeless!"
"That is why they need us for backup!" Alya dashed across the courtyard, taking efforts not to be seen. "Those two are made for each other, and we're gonna make this happen for them, even if they happen to be the two most lovable, clueless, stubborn dorks in the world! Okay Nino! They're coming your way!"
Meanwhile a not so oblivious Adrien leaned over to whisper in Marinette's ear, "I've got a tail!"
"Adrieennn," Marinette whispered back, "I thought we discussed no 'Kitty' talk while we're "off-duty!"
"Not that kind of tail," Adrien stifled a laugh, and leaned in again in a hushed voice, "We're being followed!"
"Marinette brushed her hair back inconspicuously, with a glance back, just in time to see Alya duck behind a pillar.
"Remind me to schedule Rena Rouge some more practice in the stealth department," Marinette whispered back.
"Haha, now whose talking shop out of costume," Adrien teased. Then in an an amused voice added, "It seems to me your best friend's reporter instincts are finally kicking in and she is growing suspicious of all the extra attention you've been giving me!"
"You really have no idea how much I used to stalk you," Marinette responded with a deadpan expression. Then she gave him a poke in the chest, "If anything she is suspicious of your vamped up flirty behaviour!"
"I'm just being my typical charming self," Adrien turned on his Chat-like grin, and scooped up her hand to lay a kiss on the back of it.
Marinette shot Adrien a "seriously?!"-look with a raised eyebrow, and a hand on her hip.
"Common'" Adrien leaned up next to her. "How can I be around you and not shout to all the world that you make me the happiest guy in the world!"
"Aww Adrien," Marinette smiled. "I feel like that too...but..." (Marinette noticed Alya poke out from behind the wall again). "...I'm still not sure what is the smartest way to let everyone know...or explain...you know...how we got together finally!"
"Hmm..." paused Adrien, with a glance back to Alya, and then he smiled mischievously.
"Woah woah..." Marinette whispered tensely. "That's the face you get when you're planning something...something very un-Adrien!
"For your information all my plans are very "Adrien," Adrien smirked.
"You know what I mean," she smiled coyly, "what is this plan of yours, which I'm sure is going to get us into trouble?"
"Trouble!" Adrien balked. "Trust me!"
"You know I do...so...what am I getting myself into?"Marinette leaned in.
"My guess is that we are about to be interrogated and set-up," Adrien reasoned.
"Knowing Alya...that is probable," Marinette nodded in confirmation. "So how do we stop it?"
"We don't," Adrien responded plainly.
"We don't?" Marinette asked.
"Adrien shook his head. "Why not let them think they were the ones that got us to together!"
"That's brilliant!" Marinette lit up.
"See! Not just a pretty face," Adrien beamed.
The two conspired together as their two well intentioning, unsuspecting friends converged on them.
"Hey Marinette! Adrien!" Nino popped up in front of them in an overly cheerful voice. "Any plans tonight?"
"Oh, hi Nino...no, no plans," Marinette smiled sweetly.
"I actually seem to be free for once," Adrien shrugged.
Alya swooped in from behind them, "That is great! We've got a surprise for you!"
"For both of us?" Adrien asked innocently.
"No hints! Just come and we'll help you get ready for tonight!" Alya grabbed Marinette by the arm and dragged her off toward the bakery.
"But I..." Marinette looked wistfully over her shoulder back at Adrien, who was being pushed in the other direction by Nino.
"We'll see them later...first we've got work to do!" Alya insisted.
Marinette was surprised to find Rose and Julica waiting for them at the doors to the bakery with their arms full of bags. A squeal of excitement from the girls was the only greeting she got before being hurried upstairs to her own bedroom.
"Mind telling me what is going on here?" Marinette asked.
"Actually, that's what we were wondering!" Alya smiled cryptically.
The other two girls leaned forward expectantly, waiting for Marinette's answer.
"Common' girl your killing me here!" Alya splayed out her arms beside herself when Marinette just stared back at them blankly. "Adrien finally seems to have opened his eyes to see what a babe you are!" she exclaimed exasperatedly.
"Alya!" Marinette brushed off the comment with a blush and a wave of her hand. "You know Adrien and I..."
"If you say "just friends!" squeaked Rose angrily, "I'll...I'll just burst!"
"Yeah...seems like som'thin' more," Julica mumbled under her breath.
"After all my failed attempts you girls still believe in me?" Marinette said, truly touched.
"Of course!" Alya hugged her shoulder, "and this time we will not rest till you get the guy!"
"What did you have in mind?" Marinette asked.
Rose squealed, and dug into the bags they had piled by the mirror. Marinette was scooped up by her computer chair, and the girls went to work styling her hair, applying makeup, and fussing over a choice of lipstick.
Next Julica and Rose started tossing various articles of clothing over their shoulders on to the chaise. With muttering and shaking heads they couldn't seem to find quite what they were looking for. That is until a vivid red dress with shimmery red freckle embellishments emerged, and Alya held it up in victory.
"This is it!" Alya announced.
"Marinette would look so cute in that, but are you sure...there was this other one I was thinking..." Rose dug around in the bag.
"I happen to have it on good authority that Adrien happens to be pretty enamoured with a certain superhero!" Alya winked holding the red dress triumphantly up to Marinette.
"What about that one?" Marinette's eyes flickered over Alya's shoulder to where Julica had just pulled out a short black dress with neon green piping along the hem from the back of Marinette's closet. A gold bell clipped onto the central zipper, and a wire headband with perky cat ears was tied to the neck of the hanger.
"No not that super hero!" Alya groaned exasperatedly. "It's Ladybug Nino said Adrien was into! Not Chat Noir! That was the Halloween costume you refused to wear with me last year! You're not wearing that tonight "
"I think I should just try it on," Marinette said and unclipped the headband and slipped it onto her head with the delicate ears poking just over the folds of her glossy raven hair.
"Fine! But try this one on first!" Alya insisted tossing the red dress to her.
Marinette dutifully modelled the red spotted tea length dress. The sweetheart neckline, and flared pleats in the skirt were certainly cute on her...But after Marinette stepped out in the shapely black Chat Noir-inspired dress, even Alya couldn't deny that it was the one that would bring Adrien to his knees.
"Whoah," Julica summed up in one breath what they were all thinking.
Marinette turned on the toe of her black heels, that highlight a glimpse of lime green on their soles. She looked over her shoulder into the mirror, satisfied with the way the bands of black fabric wove around the curve of her body. A leather belt latched neatly around her hips. She had worked on it for months inspired by that particular black cat in her life, but she had never really been bold enough to wear it herself. There was something about it that made her feel a little extra daring though...maybe a slight similarity to the thrill she got on the rare chance she had gotten to take on the roll of Kitty Noir.
"I think you're gonna get a kiss from that boy tonight after all, cuz when he sees you in that he's gonna need CPR!" Alya teased, and high fived Julica. Rose just stood with her hands clasped in front of her, sighing at the romance of it all.
At that same moment Adrien and Nino were hanging out in his room in the Le Grand Paris Hotel. They both had their feet up on the coffee table and were busy playing Mega Strike III.
"Soo, aren't you gonna tell me what we're doing tonight?" Adrien asked as he beat Nino for the third time.
"Best out of five!" Nino challenged, and then added, "You're just supposed to dress up and then we're meeting the girls for a totally rad party."
"Cool," Adrien replied, and beat Nino soundly for the fourth time.
Finally Adrien did pick out pair of charcoal pants with a light grey button up shirt, with a stark white shirt underneath. As a model dressing up didn't normally give him a thrill, but the thought of finally being set up on a real date with Marinette sure did. He felt the most difficult thing was playing it cool in front of their friends, so they didn't suspect anything.
Nino and Alya were not about to leave things up to chance. Marinette and Adrien had been dancing around each other for years. This time things would be different.
So when are you going to tell me where we are going?" Marinette asked, adjusting her lime green purse, where Tiki was laying low.
"Somewhere you'll have stars in your eyes for more than just Adrien," giggled Rose.
They arrived at the domed building of the Historical Paris Observatory.
As they stepped out of the taxi Marinette looked up in awe at the impressive building. "How did you...?" she asked.
"Max's Mom has some connections here with her space training courses. I guess she was able to pull a few strings!" Alya smiled proudly.
Max met the girls at the door, along with Alex and Kim.
"Hey Marinette! Lookn' hot!" Kim smiled, giving her a cheesy thumbs up.
Alya rolled her eyes, and turned to Max, "all set?" She asked.
"Welcome ladies to the Observatoire de Paris!" Max greeted, "everything has been assembled for the evening as requested! I'd say there is a 86% chance of success for tonights itinerary!"
"Chance for what?" Marinette asked suspiciously scanning the faces of her friends.
"For you to get with Adrien of course!" blurted out Kim.
Alex smacked Kim on the back of the head. "We're supposed to be covert about the plan!" she hissed.
"I really appreciate your support," Marinette raised her hands, "but what exactly are you planing?"
"You'll see! Oh it will be so romantic!" Rose hummed, leaning up on her toes excitedly.
"I don't know if..." Marinette started, having second thoughts about going along with whatever their friends had concocted to throw her and Adrien together.
"Hey Max, hun," Max's mom called from inside. "I've just got some work to do in the laboratory, but here are a set of keys. I should be able to help lock up once you kids are finished!" She gave a friendly wave to the other teens, and the popped back inside.
It was then that Adrien's chauffeur arrived in a sleek black car. Out stepped Nino and Adrien into the lamplight that illuminated the path in the crystal clear evening.
"Make that 86.59% chance of success," Max corrected as Adrien approached.
Alex whistled. "Man, Mari, your man is looking fine tonight!"
"Scheyeah! I'm into chicks and all, but Adrien Agreste is Adrien Agreste!" Kim elbowed Marinette.
Marinette's face flushed, but couldn't get out a word. Adrien looked incredible! Adrien's defined shoulders were framed into a perfectly cut jacket, and his hair was straight out of one of the GA magazine shampoo ads. A easy going smile graced his chiseled features, and his captivating green eyes held hers as he approached.
"Here we are!" Nino announced, also looking quite put together for the night. "Let's head on in and I can get my speakers hooked up," he passed some equipment to Max, Kim, and Alex. Then he leaned in and gave Alya a quick kiss, "you're looking beautiful! Tu as de très beaux yeux!"
"You have quite the handsome eyes yourself," Alya tugged playfully at his hat.
Adrien leaned over and whispered into Marinette's ear, "Who took the stars out of the sky and put them in your eyes?" making her shiver, even though she still was wrapped up in one of Julica's long black jackets.
Marinette's face heated up all over again.
Adrien offered her his arm, and Alya beamed at Nino behind them as they entered in through the main doors of the observatory.
Stepping into the main hall they were greeted by a panicked Milan running up, out of breath. "We've got a situation with the...well Ivan needs to know where you want the wire-stuff and where to plug the what's-it!" she gushed to Nino, after giving a quick wave to Marinette and Adrien.
"Just hang on a sec!" Nino grabbed the equipment out of Max's arms, and nodded back to Adrien and Marinette. "Max, why don't you take Adrien and Marinette for a tour, while I sort this stuff out with Ivan?"
"Excellent suggestion!" Max straightened, motioning for them to head down the Corridor.
"You don't need any help?" Marinette asked back at the rest of their friends who hurried in the opposite direction.
"No, no, you both have fun!" Alya called back. "We'll see you soon!"
"This is the foremost astronomical observatory of France, and one of the largest astronomical centres in the world!" Max took his role as tour guide to heart, and gestured to various photographs and significant plaques as they walked through the dark echoing hallways. "Founded in 1667 by the King, and leading Scientists of the time, this location is credited for many significant discoveries!" Max continued enthusiastically.
Max gestured to a viewing gallery with a telescope, and Marinette stepped up to gaze out at the night sky.
"Wow! What is that star?" Marinette squinted into the lens.
"I'm pretty sure that is part of the the Pegasus constellation," Adrien said after a moment leaning over her shoulder and glancing out at the magnified stars above.
"Let me see," Max said, moving to the lens. "Adrien is correct. It is indeed the constellation Pegasus...my personal favourite," Max smiled to himself.
"The really bright star Marinette has pointed out just 90 degrees North is Homam, the "Lucky Star"...or it's Chinese name, Léi Diàn yī, means "the First Star of Thunder and Lightning.
Adrien shared a glance with Marinette.
"The last lightning storm I faced was pretty intense, but I did end up pretty lucky," Adrien murmured loud enough for Marinette to hear, and draw in towards him.
From down the hall they heard strains of music filling the the empty space. "Sounds like they're ready for us," Max commented.
They entered a aged room with high ceilings and a arched ceiling with a massive brass telescope on display dominating the centre of the room. Nino already had music pulsing, and a few of their friends had not lost any time getting the party started.
Marinette slipped off her jacket, and dropped it over a chair. Adrien's heart skipped a beat when he was confronted with the woman on his arm. It was no surprise that his lady could take his breath away...He had always known she was beautiful...but in that little black dress she was stylish in iconic elegant simplicity. It was the little details though, a direct reference to his Chat Noir persona, that really had his heart racing.
Adrien realized after a moment that Marinette had caught him staring.
"Like it?" Marinette asked, with a half turn on her smooth heels.
"Mari!" Adrien managed to breath. "You are captivating!" Then he couldn't resist leaning and lipping his hand to her lower back, whispering, "any purrticular inspiration for your dress tonight?"
"For some reason I couldn't get a certain handsome black cat off my mind," Marinette whispered back with her light breath making Adrien feel quite lightheaded.
Alya, Julica, and Rose watched from the other side of the circular room feeling quite sure that their Marinette makeover was crippling Adrien's defences by the second.
"Snacks?" Milan offered a tray of food in front of them as gracious hostess.
"Maybe a gougeres cheese puff...or...owe..or three," Adrien yelped midway through his reply (of course Marinette was the only one stifling a giggle, knowing that a cheese-loving Plagg had probably bitten Adrien in an attempt to secure as many of those fresh cheese puffs as possible).
Adrien glared down at the front of his shirt while Marinette gratefully took some snacks, and didn't forget some sweet treats to stash in her purse for Tiki as well.
"Can I get you anything to drink?" Adrien asked dutifully to Marinette.
"Maybe just some orange juice," she smiled, and Adrien nodded, making his way over to a small table with crates of ice cooling various bottles.
As soon as Adrien was out of earshot, Nino edged over to Marinette. "Soooo...uh.. Marinette," Nino tried to act casual. "I happen to know that Adrien has been talking about you quite a bit lately. Seems like things are going pretty well between you two," he hinted.
"Yeah...um...it's been pretty amazing getting to spend more time together. Thanks by the way for all of you putting together this whole party! It is amazing!" Marinette smiled sweetly.
"Know what is amazing...dancing ...maybe there is like a certain song or something I could play to get you and Adrien on the dance floor," Nino pursued his mission.
"Well...we...I do like that one song you play at my Birthday every year...you know the one that they played in New York on the rooftop party that time..." Marinette started to comment...
...but she was interrupted by Nino perking up and rushing over to his DJ equipment, calling back "you got it! I know just the one!"
At the same moment Alya had cornered Adrien at the refreshment table, and nodded over her shoulder to Marinette. "Marinette is looking pretty hot tonight huh?!" Alya smiled in anticipation.
"So hot," Adrien repeated, getting a dopey look on his face.
"You must know by now that she is incredible," Alya said directly, not wasting any time.
"Well, yes of course!" Adrien snapped out of his day dream gaze to meet Alya's eyes.
"So what are you waiting for Agreste! Get over there and tell that girl what you should have told her ages ago!" Alya nudged him in Marinette's direction.
"Uh...okay," Adrien sidestepped Alya toward Marinette.
"And Adrien," Alya snagged his sleeve. "Don't ever break her heart!"
"Alya," Adrien stood to his full height, and leaned in intensely. "Her broken heart would devastate me beyond repair. She means everything to me."
"That's good to hear," Alya let a giddy smile creep across her face. "Well, go on!" her voice leapt with excitement for her best friend.
Just at that moment the song Marinette had requested cascaded through the speakers, and the group of friends held their breath as Adrien walked straight over to Marinette. Perching their drinks on a ledge, he took her hand in his and without a word led her onto the floor to dance.
Marinette beamed up at him, as he took her left hand posed in his right, and placed his left hand at her shoulder blade. Like a dream they were soon gliding across the room, pausing mere moments for a spin. As the dance slowed to a end, Adrien expertly dipped Marinette, keeping his eyes locked in passion to hers.
"Adrien," Marinette said in a clear voice. "We started out a just friends, then we became very good friends, but I always knew I wanted there to be more between us..."
The friends in the room took a collected breath in.
"I think it's time to move things to the next level," Marinette continued with a sweet smile. "Would you be my best friend?"
"Are you kidding me!" screeched Alya, amongst the gasps and sighs from the others.
"Don't worry Alya, you're still my BFF too!" Marinette called back, enjoying teasing her bestie.
Adrien grinned back mischievously. "Absolutely Marinette," Adrien replied sincerely, "...and as your best friend, I feel I must confess that I am totally, utterly in love with you."
"Well," Marinette replied back, her eyes lighting up, "that's purrfect, because I am totally, and utterly in love with you too!"
Adrien then slid his hand along the gentle curve of her face, drew her to him. Her head tilted, and in a surge of unrestrained joy, she closed the gap between them and captured his mouth with hers. Closing their eyes, the room disappeared. The cheers, loud whoops, and sighs of relief of their friends blurred. They were once again silhouetted in moonlight, floating through the air, holding on to each other exuding pure happiness.
They slowly opened their eyes to find themselves in each other's arms. "I guess this means we're finally, officially a couple!" Adrien said emotion welling up within him.
"Finally," Marinette giggled, landing her head against Adrien's chest, and holding him tighter.
Behind the celebrating conspiracies, two smug figures stood at the back a the room. "What did I tell you!" Alya grinned in satisfaction.
"Quite the final nudge my love," Nino beamed and offered his fist.
Alya winked at him and meet his fist with hers.
"Pound it!" the couple said together.
ooooo
Thank you readers! I love hearing from you and have been so thrilled to have people adding this story to their list likes or follows! Your encouragement inspires me so much! A special shout out to KoalaWho, Sapyrrha, -24, Guests, and others who have been so totally amazing!
After this fun fluff, the duo is going back to Canada to finish what they started...but there are some surprises along the way and the threat of the new Butterfly weilder will continue to loom over them...dun dun dunnn...