Adrien towards his bodyguard who was standing on guard before his car, waiting there all day as per his father's orders.
"What with the Gorilla today dude?" Nino asked as he stood beside his best friend, taking notice of his best friend's sheepish smile.
"My dad asked him to keep a closer watch on me ever since he's going out of town soon." He explained as they stood there together.
"That's a bummer, but think you can sneak away from him long enough for us to hang out at the amusement park next week?" Nino asked.
Adrien thought for a moment, thinking that it was possible, but then overheard Alix talking to Marin near the staircase behind them. "Maybe, I'll catch up haveta talk to Marin about the homework." He said walking back into the school.
Nino stared at him suspiciously, "You're seriously not upset about him being upset with you for some mysterious reason that neither he or you will disclose?"
"Course not." Adrien said holding out his arms in a matter-of-fact like manner, knowing exactly how to push his best friend's buttons. "It was my fault after all."
"Oh my goodness what happened with you two?!" Nino demanded but Adrien laughed as he turned his back to his friend.
As Adrien walked towards his two classmates he noticed Marin handing Alix a notebook and she looked up at him gratefully.
"Thanks, you're really saving my life here." Alix said placing the notebook in her bag.
"No problem, I'm happy to help you out." Marin brushed off with a sincere smile. "You know you can ask me about anything you don't understand."
"Hey guys." Adrien greeted and almost immediately Marin tried to escape, but Alix grabbed his arm preventing him from doing so.
"Hello Adrien." Alix said with a mischievous smile, locking her arm with Marin's. "What brings you to our little conversation?"
"I just needed to talk to Marin about something, am I interrupting you two?" Adrien said.
"Not at all, I wouldn't want to get in-between you two talking. Hey Marin, why don't you talk to Adrien right now over there." She said pointing to a nearby bench, no longer trying to hide her glee as Marin looked down at her in defeat.
"Sure...no problem," Marin said as he knew that they weren't going to allow him to escape so easily.
"Cool cool." Alix smiled, giving Adrien a thumbs up as she walked towards the front of the school with a victorious smile plastered on her face.
As soon as Alix's back was turned Marin's eyes darted towards Adrien. "You don't always have to make a show of trying to talk to me when our peers are around you know." He said lowering his voice in a slightly annoyed tone. Knowing how much amusement Adrien drew from his chagrin.
"I don't have to, but I like to." Adrien said with a smile. "But I do need to talk you about something."
Marin's annoyance immediately dropped, "It's nothing serious right?"
"No no, nothing like that." Adrien said as the sat down on the bench together. "It's just that my dad is out for the week-"
"Because of Fashion week in Tokyo."
Adrien chuckled to himself in amusement."Of course, you know that, but yeah, he's away and it's just my Bodyguard and me in the house right now."
"So...?" Marin prompted not seeing where this was going.
"So..." Adrien scratched the back of his head. "I was thinking that maybe we could catch a movie or something. You know, go on a date."
Marin's face immediately ran red as he averted his gaze. "You can't just drop a bomb like that at school!" He mumbled as he planted his face in his hands.
Adrien shrugged his shoulders as he rested his arms behind his head. "I don't see a problem with it, I'm just asking a not-friend if they'd like to go see a movie with their not-boyfriend."
Marin sighed heavily as he lifted his head, crossing his arms and looking straight out onto the blacktop. "I'm still working with Kitty section for an upcoming contest."
"Really?" Adrien asked in surprise as he noticed Marin's hands were covered in paint. "Hasn't it already been a week now?"
"It's hard, but I think that we're going to make something really great." Marin said sincerely. "All we just have to do is push until the deadline."
Adrien's eyes softened as he glanced at his boyfriend. "That's gotta be tough with you giving all your time to them on top of the school stuff. Are you sure you're not working too hard? Are you getting enough sleep?"
Marin chuckled dryly, "I'm getting sleep." He said but didn't specifically didn't specify a time. "I may not be available to chat over the next week that much, just a heads up."
"Well let me know if you need any help, I don't like it when you're exhausted."
"I was born exhausted." Marin scoffed. "Having a normal sleep schedule is for the weak."
"You realize that's not good for your health." Adrien said, dumbfounded at how laid back Marin sounded. "Like, that's the exact opposite of what you should be doing."
"Hey, you knew exactly how I was when you agreed to...the thing." Marin said sheepishly, causing Adrien to once again be swept away by how cute his boyfriend was.
"As I recall-" Adrien was about to point out, but Marin spoke over him almost immediately.
"IF THAT IS ALL I WILL BE TAKING MY LEAVE NOW, THANK YOU VERY MUCH." Marin said stiffly, about to leave, but stopped as Adrien placed his hand over his.
The two were frozen for a moment as Marin sighed, releasing the tension from his body as he squeezed Adrien's hand for a moment. It had been a while since they had a chance to sit together alone. Despite always being in proximity of each other a school all day, there was always a wall between them that they never seemed to overcome. It was hard at times to always rely on technology in order to properly be alone, but secretly, Adrien knew it was worth it. But their connection broke as Marin overheard someone coming, he quickly retracted his hand, holding it close to his chest as they heard someone call out.
"Mar!"
Both of them spotted Luka called out, standing near Juleka and Rose; the latter was staring at them suspiciously like she was trying to figure something out.
Adrien's heart raced with worry as he spotted the guitarist, recalling that he too was a member of Kitty Section. Also, and little more importantly, he was almost certain that Luka was in love with his boyfriend, but it was no big deal.
"So that movie?" Adrien asked, feeling something bubble in his chest that he'd rather not address but felt a source of urgency in the question.
"After the deadline next week." Marin promised, nodding his head as he stood up. But before he left he looked through his bag, pulling out a notebook and handing it to Adrien much to his surprise.
"Just in case you need an excuse to return it." Marin said shyly, averting his gaze as Adrien hid his growing smile behind his boyfriend's notebook, hoping that no one would be able to see how happy he was.
But then as he lifted his head, hearing a sound right next to him, he saw Alix sitting beside him with a cheeky expression, lounging on the bench right next to him.
"So, you're dating our little Marin, do I have that right?"
"...crap." Adrien grimaced, hiding his face as Alix laughed heartily, placing her hand on his shoulder for comfort.
"Hope we didn't pull you away from anything." Luka said walking with his bike as he and Marin walked down the street. Rose and Julka had ridden ahead of them per Rose's prompting, confusing Marin as she seemed a little too eager to leave.
He'd have to ask her about it later.
"No, of course not." Marin said. "Adrien was just asking for some notes he missed in class so I was helping him out." Marin said, hoping that Luka didn't notice the intimacy. He liked Adrien a lot, and appreciated how patient he was when it came to keeping their relationship a secret. Well, mostly a secret.
"So how did the confession go?"
Marin almost tripped over his own feet but was luckily save my Luka who quickly wrapped her arm around his waist to steady him. "Ha-I uh, kinda hoped you forgot about that whole mess." Marin said looking flustered as he fidgeted with his blazer.
Luka chuckled to himself as he retracted his arm. "Kind of hard to forget something like that since you used me to rehearse."
"Well, I figured you wouldn't really care about something silly like that." Marin said, wanting to bleach the embarrassing memory from his mind.
"We're friends, why would you think that?" Luka asked.
"...Because I hoped that you'd choose to forget my juvenileness." Marin said hiding his face in his hands.
"So how did it go?"
"It uh...went." Marin offered, wishing he was wearing a hoodie so he could cover his entire face.
"It went..." Luka prompted with a playful grin.
"It went." Marin said firmly. "So, how's the editing for the video going?"
"Great, so you actually went through with it?" Luka prompted.
"What is with the sudden eagerness in how I spend my time?"
"What is with you evading the question?" Luka asked calmly.
Marin sighed heavily as he noticed they were approaching the Couffaine houseboat, seeing that the band was waiting on deck. Marin stopped walking and Luka turned back as he noticed his friend wasn't beside him anymore. "Okay, promise you won't tell anyone."
"Promise." Luka said as Marin walked up to him. Luka lowered his head slightly as Marin whispered into his ear, never wanting what he had to say to reach anyone that passed them by in the street. As Marin stepped back with an embarrassed expression Luka forced himself to smile.
"That's great, congratulations." He said, feeling a sting as Marin smile at him in relief.
"So how did it go? Did you tell him?" Rose asked sitting down next to Luka eagerly with her eyes lit up in excitement.
He smiled at his younger sister's best friend, ruffling her hair affectionately. "Nah, it wasn't the right time."
"Boo," She pouted, crossing her arms. "How long are you going to push this off? You two would be totally perfect for each other!"
Luka shrugged his shoulders as he tuned his guitar, sneaking a glance at Marin who was helping Ivan with his costume. " I just missed my chance, that's all." He said, then ignored Rose as she pelted him with weak punches of annoyance.
About a week later at the Couffaine houseboat, Marin was sitting on the sofa constantly refreshing his phone while the band finished their set. He was deep in a trance as his eyes were narrowed and he was wearing his sound-canceling headphones to drain out the higher volume. But it proved to work too well as Marin didn't even hear Luka walking up to him. The old boy took his phone from him, looking down at him in concern as Marin pushed his headphones back.
"Sorry." Marin said reflexively.
"You gotta chill out." Luka said sitting down next to him.
"I'm just so anxious about this, what if they didn't like the video, what if the costumes were too gaudy, or what if the editing was too sporadic?"
"Or what if they didn't like the song?" Rose offered but Marin shook his head.
"No way, with Luka's melody and your lyrics? Has to be in the finer details." Marin said confidently as he tried to grab his phone back from Luka who was holding it above his head.
"They must've received a ton of videos. They probably haven't made their pick yet." Ivan pointed out while Julka added something that was hard to hear.
"We've been practicing all day, I say we take the rest of the day off and check back on the contest tomorrow." Rose offered and everyone nodded in agreement.
"I uh, can't today." Marin said still trying to get his phone back, but looking at Rose while doing so. "I have plans."
"Plans eh?" Rose said in an accusatory tone as she eyed him suspiciously.
"Rose." Luka said firmly, glancing at Rose as the two seemed to have an argument with just their eyes.
"Yes...plans." Marin said in a not suspicious tone as he successfully snatched his phone back from Luka who was distracted for a second. "HAH." He stuck his tongue out victoriously, refreshing the page one more time but frowned in disappointment. "Nothing." He sighed heavily before noticing a new text on his phone that made his heart race a little. "I should head out now if that's alright." He said suddenly as he put his phone into his bag.
"Nah, there's nothing more but we'll text you if something comes up." Luka said as he stood up, "You want me to walk you out?"
"No, it's alright," Marin said shouldering his bag over his head. "I'll see you!" He said hastily as he walked up the stairs and towards the main deck. Just as he walked onto the main streets Tikki popped her head out of his bag and looked up at him.
"That was a little odd don't you think?" Tikki inquired as Marin looked down at her.
"What was?"
"Don't you think your friends have been acting a little strange since you told Luka about you and Adrien?" She asked.
"What? No. Luka? No." Marin said stumbling over his words. "He's one of my buds."
"I don't know." Tikki said. "Even I could feel it."
"Feel what?" Marin asked sincerely.
"There was some definite tension." Tikki said trying to a little more obvious about what she was implying.
"Everyone's just worried about the video getting noticed, I am too Sugar cube." Marin reasoned. "But we need to get our minds of that contest for a while, win or lose."
Tikki stared up at her partner, wondering for a moment if he was in state of denial, or if he was really that oblivious. But she sighed, conceding to let the chips fall as they may. "So are you going on that date with Adrien now?"
Red dusted Marin's cheeks as he rubbed the back of his neck, "...maybe."
Adrien noticed the childproof locks were already set up as his bodyguard was driving him back from his last photoshoot of the day. As evening hit, he knew that he had to strike if he wanted to even have a chance of catching the movie. His phone then beeped as he looked down to see a text from Marin, confirming that he would be there. He side glanced his bodyguard in the front who kept his eyes on the road.
Timing was everything in these kinds of situations. He had to choose the most opportune moment, both to escape and to give his bodyguard the most interference once he gave chase. He saw his chance as the car slowed down, coming to a stop near a subway station, the obvious choice; But then he eyed the nearby bus station which had a bunch of people, another way of escape; Finally, he saw a narrow alleyway.
Casually, Adrien rolled the window of the car down, and simply jumped out of it hitting the street as he was luckily small enough to escape with little resistance. He glanced back to his Bodyguard who at this point, looked exhausted but still determined as he glared at his ward.
Adrien clapped his hands together apologetically, hoping that his father paid his bodyguard extremely well to deal with someone like him. "I promise I'll leave my phone on please don't tell my father, 'kay thanks bye!" Adrien said as he sprinted towards the alleyway and to the next bus stop down the street.
It was moments like these when he missed Plagg the most. Of course he constantly missed his Kwami, but it was in moments of rebellion like this that he wished his Kwami could see, maybe even be proud of him.
Adrien arrived at the movie theatre just in time for the movie to begin, panting as he ran towards the front of the theatre.
"Hey...Marin..." Adrien gasped resting his hands on his knees. "So, what movie are we seeing?"
"Kick Warrior." Marin said holding up the tickets. "I uh, I'm not good at choosing movies." He admitted sheepishly.
"I'm up for anything, maybe it'll be one of those so bad it's good kinda flicks," Adrien said optimistically as they walked inside. "Should I grab some popped corn since you got the tickets?" He asked as they walked into the theatre together.
"You don't need to do that-" Marin tried to say but Adrien cut him off before he could finish.
"Don't worry about it, you just find our seats." Adrien insisted as Marin just nodded, walking towards the theatre. Adrien smiled at him before walking towards the snack stand. "Excuse me?" He called out, seeing that there was no one there. But then froze as the Guardian of the Miraculous was appeared before him behind the concession stand at a movie theatre of all places.
"Greeting, how may I assist you today?" Master Fu said nonchalantly.
Adrien stared at him, dumbfounded.
"We have freshly popped popcorn along with a variety of toppings." Master Fu said gesturing behind him. "or if you'd like something else that's one our vast menu of concessions."
"I...uh-" Adrien fumbled with his words, not knowing how to react at all.
"Hey, found the seats." Marin said walking up behind him, effectively startling him as he flinched at his touch. Marin stared at him for a second, looking between him and the Guardian. "Everything alright?" Marin asked, noticing his frazzled nature.
"Y-yeah, just..."
"Your popcorn and drinks sir." Master Fu said passing along a tub and two drinks like he had ordered them himself. However, Adrien just stood there like a deer in the headlights until Marin grabbed the snacks for them, and tugged him along hand-in-hand as they entered the theatre.
"Did that guy say something to you?" Marin inquired.
"Who him? No...no," Adrien said grasping Marin's hand tighter. "I'm just, I guess I'm just tired or something." He sighed. "Let's just watch the movie." He requested. They sat down in an empty theatre.
A number of thoughts raced through Adrien's mind. Did he actually see the Guardian out there?; Was he really out there right now selling popcorn?; Could he actually go up and talk to him?; Could he ask to see...
Adrien shook his head to erase those thoughts. He had pushed past them, he didn't need to think about him anymore, he made his choice. He may not have liked it, but it was the right thing to do. That being said, Adrien felt tears beginning to well up in his eyes as he grasped Marin's hand tighter and was extremely grateful that they were in a dark theatre.
"Hey, remember the last time we went to see a movie together?" Marin suddenly asked as he returned Adrien's gesture.
"Yeah," Adrien chuckled, "Didn't even make it past the first few minutes before something went wrong."
"Right before your bodyguard turned into a giant Gorilla and kidnapped you. It was a fun day though, all things considered."
"I'm glad I went with you." Adrien said honestly. "Being with you makes everything better."
"This is what I mean when I say you're sappy." Marin grimaced but didn't pull his hand away.
"I can't help it." Adrien laughed. "I like being with you, I can't not express that kind of happiness. After all, we barely get to do this kinda stuff together." He pointed out, but then remembered. "Oh yeah, I'm pretty sure that Alix knows about us."
"What? How?"
"She told me." Adrien said sheepishly.
"Just as well, there's something that I-" A beep interrupted them as Marin felt his phone vibrate. His brow's furrowed as he saw the link that Ivan had sent him, his eyes then widened in shock as he held the phone up to his ear to hear it better. "What the-"
"Is something wrong?" Adrien asked.
"Yeah, I gotta go." Marin said abruptly as he stood up.
"Already? Is it that important?" Adrien asked and Marin immediately felt like he had just kicked a puppy, not that he knew what that felt like, but it had to be close to what he was feeling right now.
"I'm sorry, it's super important. I'll try to be back before the intermission." Marin said, handing off the popcorn over to him with uncertainty. He hesitated for a moment before turned back towards Adrien, placing his hand over his. "I promise I'll make it up to you if I'm late." He said hesitantly before quickly kissing his cheek and then running out of the theatre, leaving him alone just as the movie began.
Marin ran out of the back exit, putting on his headphones as he glared at the sight of XY playing a crude version of Luka's melody and wearing what looked to be a trash version of his costume design.
"What the heck even is this?" He asked to himself as he tried to process the recording that was sent to him. He re-checked the website, noticing that there was a live recording and saw a new Akumatized villain appearing on camera. One that seemingly stole XY's voice, and was chasing after Jagged Stone's record producer. If he hurried there was a chance that they would still be inside the building. Also, he really wanted to watch a movie with his not-friend.
"Tikki, spots on!"
Ladybug was running across the rooftops, trying to ignore a growing headache as he then noticed his friends standing before the tv station. Using his yo-yo he landed nearby, much to their surprise.
"Ladybug!" Rose exclaimed as they turned towards them.
"What's going on?" Ladybug asked noticing that Luka wasn't with them and suddenly got a sinking feeling.
"Our friend went up there to talk to XY because he stole our song and costume design," Ivan explained. "But then an Akuma appeared and now we can't get in touch with him."
Ladybug narrowed his eyes as he looked up towards the roof of the building. He closed his eyes, focusing as he could sense a faint presence of an Akuma still within. He hummed to himself for a moment before turning back to his friends.
"You guys stay outside where it's safe, I'll handle this." He ordered then used his yo-yo to scale the building skillfully. As he got closer he could sense the Akuma more and more until he finally reached to top. As he was airborne he scanned the scene to see Jagged Stone's music producer seemingly being hunted down by a newly Akumatized villain. Using his yo-yo he bound the villain and placed himself between Bob Ross and the new villain.
"It took you long enough!" The producer snapped. But Ladybug ignored him, keeping his eye on the villain who dashed toward Ladybug as his torso was still bound, kicking him as Ladybug jumped back to evade however was slammed back onto an advertisement as the new villain landed a kick square in his stomach."What kind of hero are you?! Aren't you suppose to be magic or something?!" The Produced chided but then backed away as the villain turned his attention back towards him.
"You can't get away from me, Bob Roth. I will make you tell the truth, live on TV." The villain said, though his voice sounded extremely similar to that of XY.
"Don't touch me! I'm warning you! I'm well-connected. One call to Mr. Bourgeois, and he'll bring the police for me. The whole army if he has to!" Roth threatened but looked at the villain fearfully.
Ladybug tackled the villain to the ground despite his head starting to throb painfully. "Get lost!" He snapped at the producer who for a moment looked like he was about to argue but the villain shrugged he made his way towards a window cleaner lift to escape. Ladybug pinned the Silencer's arms behind him, hoping that this Akumatized villain wouldn't have heightened strength.
" I can't let you do this Silencer." Ladybug said as he realized the Akuma was in Silencer's helmet, but quickly realized he had no solid way of breaking it. He wished Chat Noir was with him right now.
"He's the one who silenced my friends when he stole our video. I'm just returning the favor." Silencer said as he pushed back against' Ladybug's, knocking him back and then pinning him against the roof with his hand above his head.
Ladybug's eyes widened as he got a better view of Silencer behind his helmet. "Luka?" He asked reflexively as he was stunned that his normally calm friend would be susceptible to an Akuma. For a moment he wondered what could've caused him to become akumatized before he remembered that one of his best friends was a villain trying to take his Miraculous. He tried to escape but was pinned by the villain's strength. "What happened to you?"
Silencer narrowed his eyes at him as he tightened his grip on his wrists. "You weren't here when we needed someone to help us, how could I not accept Hawkmoth's help?"
There were a number of reasons not to accept help from a villain like that, but there was no time list every single one. "Lucky Cha-" He tried to say, but Silencer covered his mouth, freeing one hand as Ladybug felt his breath being taken away. Before him, he saw what looked to be a small bright red jellyfish covered in black spots. But before he realized what was happening Silencer absorbed it into his helmet.
"You shouldn't have stood in my way, Ladybug." Silencer said, but now he was speaking in Ladybug's own voice. It felt bizarre to hear. "Without your Lucky Charm you're helples-" Silencer said in Ladybug's voice but flinched as Ladybug used his free hand to punch his helmet.
It backfired quickly as Ladybug winced in pain at the impact, but he jumped back, gaining some distance as he swiftly kicked Silencer's helmet to the ground, cracking the glass and releasing the Akuma. He didn't need any words to capture it, holding it in his yo-yo as he saw Luka transform back to normal, releasing the voices that were stolen. Ladybug grabbed his own and put it back into his mouth, returning his voice back.
"Like I need a Lucky Charm." He said to himself and then knelt by Luka's side who looked around in confusion as to why he was on the roof of the television station.
"Ladybug? Where am I?" He asked earnestly as Ladybug helped him to his feet, clutching his friend's hand for a moment before he released it.
"You were akumatized by Hawkmoth." Ladybug explained as he released the Akuma now newly purified. "Do you remember what happened?"
Luka averted his gaze shamefully as he hung his head. "I...my friend and I are in a band. We all entered a contest and that guy stole our work to make his son look good. When I confronted them about it they called us punks and threw me out of the studio."
Ladybug nodded, quelling the growing fury in his belly. He checked the time on his yo-yo, flipping it into phone mode. Internally he grimaced at the sight of how much time he'd spent on this and wouldn't be able to make it back until after the movie ended. It was going to kill him, standing up Adrien like this. But he was a hero first.
Ladybug placed his hand on Luka's shoulder, "Don't worry I'll take care of this personally."
Luka's eyes widened in surprise at the hero, "Are you sure?"
"Did you expect me to leave you hanging?" Ladybug asked as Luka smiled at him sheepishly, then followed the hero back into the building.
Adrien sat outside the theatre in the lobby area on a bench throwing popcorn into his mouth. After Marin left he didn't feel like watching the rest of the movie but he didn't want to go home either. All he could really do was wait around until his bodyguard hunted him down. That was until he saw a familiar old man walking up to him with his hand folded behind his back.
"Mind if I sit down?" Master Fu asked.
Adrien stared at him disbelief for a moment, still trying to process that the Guardian of the Miraculous was standing before him in a movie theatre of all places. "Yeah, sure." Adrien nodded respectfully as the old man sat down next to him, his feet barely touching the floor due to his height.
"It's been a while hasn't it, Adrien Agreste." Master Fu asked.
"Yeah," Adrien nodded. "It's a little weird to see you again. I didn't think I'd ever get to meet you again."
"Normally that would be the case, however, I do not wish that. You know I chose you for a reason" Master Fu said as Adrien looked at him in surprise.
"Yeah, Ladybug and Plagg kinda explained that." Adrien said.
"Then you know that every Ladybug needs a partner. One who would be able to balance out their more...stubborn attributes."
Adrien wasn't really a fan of where this conversation was turning. "So? He can choose whoever he wants. Anyone would be lucky to have him as a partner, I know I was."
Master Fu smiled inwardly as he glanced at the younger man. "Ladybug doesn't want a new partner. In fact, he's gone out of his way to prove that he can perform his and your duties alone for the most part."
"Huh? Wait, why would he do that? I thought he had the Kwami's to help him." Adrien questioned. But saw that Master Fu's eyes looked glossy, filled with emotion that seemed to weigh on on mind.
"Adrien. Would you hear this old man out?" Master Fu asked, but Adrien already an idea of what was coming.
Adrien's expression softened as he turned his head away. "You're going to ask me to use the Miraculous of Destruction again, aren't you?"
Master Fu nodded simply as he held an all too familiar box towards Adrien, a small black one with red markings engraved on top. The box that changed his entire life for the better Adrien hesitated for a moment. He'd be lying if he hadn't thought about it. About being Chat Noir again, about regaining that taste of true freedom once again. Part of Adrien would have said yes, one hundred times yes. He missed Plagg so much, much more than he'd ever thought possible. He missed fighting alongside Ladybug, he missing standing alongside the first person who saw him for him, who showed him genuine kindness and never made him feel ashamed for how much he yearned for it. But even so...
Adrien shook his head, clutching his jeans as he hung his head, "I'm sorry, but I can't." He said honestly.
Master Fu nodded thoughtfully as he stroked his beard. "You're quite mindful of such things. But tell me, would you be alright if you never saw them again?"
Adrien chuckled to himself, " Of course not. No one would be just alright if they could never see their friends again. Plagg and Ladybug mean everything to me but that doesn't change what I did. All intentions aside I placed everyone in danger when I revealed my identity not just myself. What kind of hero of justice would I be if I couldn't uphold my own morals?"
Master Fu nodded thoughtfully, respecting his answer. "Then I hope you will at least do this old man one small kindness." Master Fu said as he stood up, facing Adrien with an unreadable expression. "Should the time come when Ladybug asks for your aid, would you at least stand by his side?"
"...That's a little ominous Master, nothing's going to happen to Ladybug. He's the strongest person in Paris."
Master Fu nodded as a more somber expression was written on his face. "To an extent he is. But even the strongest tree can fall when struck down. Even with all of the Kwami's at his disposal, I suspect he has been pushing himself beyond even his own capabilities. He has the skill and discipline to go on alone for a long time but eventually the strain is going to catch up to him. Enough so that even I fear for his safety."
Adrien furrowed his brow now heavy with worry for his former partner. "Why don't you stop him then? You're his master aren't you? I'm sure he'd listen to you." Adrien asked, but was met with hearty laughter from the old man.
"It is kind of you to assume that. It's true that Ladybug has great respect for me as his teacher and is extremely compassionate towards others, but that hasn't stopped him from also yelling at me when I've strayed from my own health."
Adrien stared at the Guardian for a moment, unable to properly picture his partner yelling at what appeared to be a feeble old man far from his prime. "That seems a little hypocritical."
Master Fu nodded in amusement. "It's how he is and I am certain that if I pushed him then he would willingly give up his Miraculous. However, I were to do that, to take away his Miraculous, I would be placing the city in even more danger that is already is in and I'm too old to keep running from my own mistakes."
"So what? Are you asking me to try and convince Ladybug to find a new Chat Noir?" Adrien asked.
"No, I suspect that Plagg would be more averse to the idea more so than Ladybug." Master Fu said as he stroked his beard with a curious expression. "All I will say is that should the time come, would you be able to offer your aid if Ladybug himself asked?"
Adrien averted his gaze for a moment, wondering what could come about in hypothetical situations being placed before him. But before he could answer Master Fu seemingly had already gotten the answer that he was looking for, as evident with a bittersweet smile ridden on his face.
"I respect your decision Adrien Agreste. I hope the next time we meet it won't be nearly as dreary." Master Fu said bowing his head respectfully, a gesture which Adrien mirrored as he was left alone again to mull over his own thoughts.
Marin had a good feeling in his chest as he landed on his feet, transforming back, behind the movie theatre. He had left Kitty Section on good terms and was just about to walk back into the theatre, hoping that he hadn't missed all of the movie when he spotted Adrien standing out in front of the building. He hadn't noticed him yet as Adrien was looking out onto the streets.
A new feeling of panic washed over him, wondering if Adrien was mad. Marin was fairly certain that his not-friend wasn't the type to get mad over something like this, but it was a strange day, and perhaps this would be the day that he'd get to see a new side of him.
Hesitantly, Marin walked up to Adrien, tapping him from behind as Adrien turned towards him with a small smile on his face. "Hey, how did the thing go?" He asked.
Marin took a deep breath. "It's a long story, but basically it's got theft, celebrities, betrayal, drama, and ends with Ladybug saving the day." He said, noticing that Adrien slightly flinched when he said Ladybug but if he had any negative emotion regarding the hero they were immediately hidden as he chuckled in amusement.
"Sounds like you went through a lot." Adrien said
"Uh, yeah about that." Marin said as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I was on my way to the television station when Juleka called me up about everything just when it finished. So I cut our date down for no reason. I'm really sorry." Marin apologized, folding his hands together and handing his head shamefully.
"You said date." Adrien giggled in amusement much to Marin's chagrin.
"Is that what you're most focused on!?" Marin snapped feeling the guilt well up in his chest. "I ditch you over nothing and you're not even annoyed?"
Adrien shrugged his shoulders as he shoved his hands in his pockets. "Well I mean sure if it was anyone else I would be kind of annoyed. But I like to think I know you pretty well. So I know that you probably feel worse about ditching me and running across town than I do about sitting in a nice air-conditioned movie theatre eating freshly made buttered popcorn." Adrien explained, as a matter of fact, like but then broke into a smile looking at his boyfriend's dumbfounded expression.
Marin sighed heavily then placed hips. "So, what do you want to head back in there?" He asked but then received a swift answer as a familiar black car pulled up and Adrien's bodyguard stepped out with his usual frown.
"Hm. His times are getting better." Adrien said nonchalantly as he checked a timer on his phone.
" I guess this is good bye then? See you at school tomorrow?" Marin asked holding out his hand respectfully, believing that Adrien would shake it. He already knew what it meant when Adrien's bodyguard showed up, feeling a little sad to part with Adrien when they spent so little time together.
But Adrien shrugged his shoulders. "Could be. Do you want to end the day like this?"
"Huh? No, not really." Marin said sincerely as Adrien's bodyguard walked up to then. The next thing Marin knew Adrien suddenly grasped his hand out of his blue and looked up to his bodyguard with a calm expression on his ace.
"I finished all my school and homework can I please see another showing of a movie with my boyfriend?"
"WHA-" Marin gasped taken aback by Adrien's bluntness, unable to speak as all he could only do was hide his reddening face behind his free hand and be embarrassed. He only peaked out as he felt his head being patted, peaking out to see Adrien's bodyguard doing the same to Adrien and then returning to the car.
"He's cool with it." Adrien said simply like he didn't just out them in front of his bodyguard casually still grasping Marin's hand.
"..."
Adrien tilted his head at him curiously, "This is the part where you yell at me for embarrassing you."
"Well I should," Marin said trying to hold his tone not wanting Adrien to be right. "Did he know beforehand? Did you tell him?"
"No, I told him right now," Adrien said and immediately Marin whined in embarrassment, hiding his face again in his hand. "Who else am I gonna tell? Nathalie? My Dad?" Adrien said like his bodyguard was the obvious option. "I think he approves, he's always liked you ya know."
As much as Marin wanted to ask how he could tell his head was still felt fuzzy.
"...Do you still want to see the movie?" Adrien asked, and received an answer as Marin only nodded, allowing himself to be guided by him as they walked back into the theatre.
Notes:
-When you forget to save ya' work and it gets taken away so you have to start all over. ;;
- Kick Warrior was the movie from Ikari Gozen, I almost wrote it as Kich Warrior because I couldn't read the font.
-Luka is the character that seizes the moment, respects the boundaries of other people, and disrespects the law. But at the same time is timid when it comes to closing distance, and is content to admire from afar.
-Rose is in the know about Luka's feelings and is essentially his Alya
-Silencer's voice comes through his helmet because that's where the stolen voices become trapped in.
-Master Fu is aware of Marin's dwindling health and while he wants to keep his student safe he doesn't exactly have a lot of options.
-This episode and a few other episodes are going to be given more context later on so the story has more re-readability.
- Look at all that foreshadowing, I wonder where it's going to lead up to.
-Gorilla is a better dad than Gabe and you can't change my mind.
-Horray, Adrien and Marin get to go on a normal date.