Full Summary: Post-season 3 (Season 4 wasn't out yet before I wrote this).
In their final years of high school, Marinette and Adrien are still saving the day. Paris knows they've grown up, there's eyes on them and Hawk Moth still hasn't been defeated. Adrien's modelling career is becoming more serious. Marinette's designs have potential. Both of them are struggling with their time, identity, friends, feelings (and hormones!). The pressure on them is immense and they can't even confide in one another since they still don't know each other's identities.
Not to mention... Chat Noir has stopped calling Ladybug M'lady...
But there's a lot that can change as the apex is reached. After all, all beginnings have an end.
Artwork isn't mine and neither are the characters.
Hello! My first Miraculous fanfiction… I'm excited. I binged the show around Uni and I just ahhhhhhh. This fic focuses mainly on Adrienette/Ladynoir and is set after season 3 but before the specials. Season 4 wasn't out yet when I wrote this.
They are turning eighteen in this fanfiction, Hawk Moth still hasn't been defeated, nobody's identities have been discovered… yet… and each chapter has a song that reminded me of/inspired the chapter. Go and have a listen if you want to.
I'm an author currently seeking representation from a literary agent, if you're interested to know more about my debut novel or follow my journey check out my TikTok and Instagram at abbeyc . lawrey 😅 (but without spaces between) (lmao shameless self-promotion).
I've had a few comments about Kagami's behaviour so I hope this clears it up: I want to reiterate that this is after SEASON 3 and season 4 doesn't exist in this fanfiction, it wasn't out when I begun writing this. Kagami is meant to be passive-aggressive. Her and Marinette are friends and she never 'dated' Adrien prior to these events.
I've put a lot of thought into this fanfiction, particularly with Hawk Moth's akumatised victims. Happy reading and let me know what you think!
Chapter 1 – Maybe That's Why
Supercuts – Jeremy Zucker
Marinette
"This is ridiculous! Utterly ridiculous!" Chloe Bourgeois stamps her foot, hands clenched into fists at her side.
I roll my eyes. "What's ridiculous is that I'm in the same class as her, again."
Alya chuckles behind her hand. "Yes, but you're also in the same class as Adrien again." She sings, waggling her eyebrows.
My face grows hot, I press my hands to my cheeks in an attempt to hide it.
"Not to mention you're with me again too. What would you do without me?" She punches my shoulder lightly.
"I'd probably be sitting by myself at the back and be a massive stuttering mess."
"I'm always here for you, girl."
She hugs me from the side, it's difficult to pry my eyes back open as I pull away. Another long and strenuous night battling an akumatised victim as Ladybug, with Chat Noir.
I smile, being a superhero is fun, especially doing it with one of my best friends. Chat Noir means so much to be, he has a special place in my heart. I don't know what I'd do without him, if he wasn't here, if he disappeared.
I shake my head. But he is here, so let's not think about what isn't.
"This is going to be the year, Marinette."
"Huh?"
"You're going to tell, you-know-who, how you feel about him." Alya points at me, winking.
"Stop," I groan, "it looks like you're blinking with one eye."
She laughs. "Where is everybody? Even you're here before most of the others, I want to see who else is in our class this year. I'm so glad Madame Bustier is our teacher again."
"So am I. Wait! How do you know if Adrien is in our class if you don't know who else is?" I hiss.
"I have a feeling." She winks again.
I glare at her. "Now you've gotten my hopes up and we don't even know for sure."
"I'm kidding, well, kind of. I did have a feeling, but then I scanned the class roll for three names, yours, Nino's and that special somebody."
"Would you stop calling him… things." I cringe.
She chuckles. "We should come up with a secret code name for him, so if we say it around him, he won't know who or what we're talking about."
That's going to make for a very awkward conversation if anybody overhears us.
"You know how clumsy I am, I'd probably mess that up too."
Chloe is still arguing with Madame Bustier. "I should be in the elitest class, not with these lowlifes." Poor Madame Bustier is leaning over the back of her desk, Chloe right at her feet.
"She does realise 'elitest' is not a word right," Alya whispers, I snicker.
"I'm sorry, Chloe, but that's not how the schooling system works," Madame Bustier explains. "I thought you'd be happy in a class with all your friends."
"They're not my friends!"
"I-I am," Sabrina gives a small smile.
"Don't make me call Daddy." Chloe gets out her phone threateningly, ignoring Sabrina.
Adrien and Nino walk through the door, talking as they usually do.
"Hey, Dudette." Nino swaggers up to Alya and kisses her on the cheek, making her blush.
Adrien's face brightens. "Well, it's great to see familiar faces." He smiles and my heart melts.
"Adrikins!"
And then freezes over.
Chloe nearly tackles him, and he leans away from her puckered mouth.
Adrien smiles awkwardly but nicely, pushing her away gently. "Good to see you too, Chloe."
"Isn't it." She flickers her hair. "I've changed my mind, Madame Bustier. I'm happy in this class." She wraps her hand around Adrien's bicep.
Alya puts a hand on my arm. "Relax."
"I'm trying," I grind out even as he pries her hand off his arm. It's not from a place of possessiveness, not even jealousy, but purely the fact that Adrien is so obviously uncomfortable and Chloe, despite everything she claims about caring for him, chooses to ignore it. She is possessive.
"I'll stay, even if Lila is in this class again." Chloe hmphs.
"Lila!?" I gasp, dread filling me from head to toe. "Oh no."
Chloe hears. "For once, Dupain-Cheng, you and I agree."
I bury my head in a cocoon of my arms. I'm so sick of Lila, so sick of her lies. She got me expelled (even if it lasted barely a day) and now she's in my class again. I wish there was a way to get rid of her.
No, I shake my head. Focus on something else, she isn't here yet, maybe she won't be back for another few weeks, 'travelling' as she says. "I've had so many opportunities to tell him how I feel, Alya," I whisper to her, giving a pointed look to Adrien. "I've failed to tell him every time. I wrote him a letter but gave him the wrong one, I tried to ask him to come ice-skating just him and I, tried to ask him to the movies. This whole thing is a disaster."
Alya squeezes my shoulder. "You have to remember you're still standing, girl. Remember that there have been times where you have succeeded, maybe not in the ways you've wanted to, but things have worked out in some ways. He's shown he really cares about you, he's always shown concern, gotten you those constipation pills—"
I groan, face blooming red as I remember the situation.
"—even if they weren't meant for you. You told me he came to check on you at the ice rink when you were hurt. He invited you to one of his photoshoots, modelled a hat you made for him. You guys have grown close over the years. He cares, trust me."
"I know he does. But does he care in the way I care for him."
Alya shrugs. "We can't know for sure, girl. But we know that he does in some way, that to me is a good start."
I nod.
"Well if it doesn't work out, it's not the end of the world."
I hum. And Luka is so far out of the picture I wish he wouldn't exist.
I admitted to myself a long time ago that if Adrien wasn't in the picture Chat Noir and I would have had a chance. But now that Adrien and I have grown closer... I don't know. I've noticed the chemistry that is or was between Chat and I more and more. It's how I feel around Adrien, like the air is electrified.
I know he has feelings for me. I don't love Chat like that, I do love him, but he's my partner and I wouldn't want any relationship or challenges or issues complicating what we already have to do on a regular basis.
Not to mention, he's stopped calling me those pet names he's always been so fond of.
I have enough to think and worry about in my life without any more feelings, boys and any more people complicating that.
Marc enters silently, his shoulders stiff, although he relaxes as Nathaniel rushes up to greet him with a smile on his face.
"Hi everybody." Lila waves as she enters the classroom. "Hi, Adrien." She winks and slides into the seat next to him.
He shuffles awkwardly to the right. "Uh, hi."
"Sorry, dude, but that's my seat." Nino points to where Lila is sitting, still standing near Alya, having silently observed our conversation (he knows everything).
"Nino. It's a new year, we've had the same seating arrangement for the past two years, it's time for some change."
"Ulgh." I gag.
Alya pats me calmly on the back as a new but not-so-new face walks in.
Kagami.
"Hey, Kagami!" Adrien greets with a wave and a smile.
She returns it and smiles up at me too.
"Ooo, a new girl. Hi! I'm Lila."
"I know," Kagami replies without looking at her, she brushes her off and walks up to take a seat behind me.
Lila is stunned, her hand still pressed to her chest.
"You know Lila?" I turn in my seat to ask Kagami.
She gives a curt nod of her head. "I got akumatised because of her, and I know she's after Adrien for the wrong reasons."
"Hmph." I nod. "She's also a liar and schemer, I've been trying to figure out what she's been plotting for the past year. And the worst part is the whole class thinks she's a good honest, person. She could have the entire world wrapped around her finger. I don't know how she does it, but I don't like it."
"You and me both. At least Adrien isn't fooled by her, I'm glad to see him a bit disgusted."
"So am I. Chloe doesn't like her either, although for the reason that she likes Adrien too. She can still be fooled by Lila, it's happened before."
"At least there's more than one of us, strength in numbers."
"You stood up to Chloe, if there's anyone who can stand up to Lila, it's you."
"And you too, I've heard."
I shake my head. "Yes, but I never get her off my back completely, she retaliates so fiercely. I don't know how everyone can believe her. She deceived everyone, turned people on me, even got me expelled. It's the same with Chloe, although she's not as bad."
Kagami's eyes narrow but she doesn't say anything more. Alya, from the corner of my eye, looks away guiltily.
"Alright class, welcome back to a new year! You're all growing up so fast, turning into wonderful young adults. I can't believe most of you are eighteen this year. Time surely does fly," Madame Bustier begins. "I know I just said you're all young adults, but a teacher can never be too careful. I've worked out a seating chart that you'll be sitting in, at least for the first few months whilst we settle in, then maybe things can become more flexible."
There are a few groans around the classroom, but mostly we all enjoy each other's company.
"If your position is really an issue come and talk to me. If I notice you being too distracted, I will move you. As I said, you'll gain more leniency as time goes on. First off on the left, Sabrina and Chloe—I mean Chloe and Sabrina, you'll be sitting together in the first row."
Glad to know she knows better than to separate those two.
"Again," Chloe groans.
Madame Bustier ignores her. "Lila and Kagami you'll be behind them. Mylene and Ivan behind them and then Kim and Alix after that. Starting on the right now, Marc and Nathaniel, you'll be sitting in the first row, Adrien and Max you'll sit behind them in the second row, Alya and Nino behind them in the third and Rose and Juleka in the fourth."
Everybody moves to their seats.
"Uh…" I slowly raise my hand, standing awkwardly in the middle aisle. "Madame, you didn't call my name."
"Marinette," Madame Bustier looks shocked at her sheet. "I'm sorry I thought I placed you somewhere. You can sit behind Kim and Alix."
I feel my eye twitch. In the back row? I see Lila smirk and ball my hands into fists. Stay calm, Marinette. I sigh and trudge up the back, Alya watching me do so with an apologetic look on her face.
Tikki
Marinette spins around in her desk chair, legs drawn up to her chest, staring helplessly at the ceiling. She's been going around and around in circles for a while now, she must be getting dizzy.
The other kwamis watch, their heads lolling and circling in motion with each rotation of the chair.
I heard everything in her class today, school keeps getting busier, already she is buried in homework and has been notified of multiple upcoming assignments. When I stop to think about it, I am overwhelmed with how much admiration I have for Marinette. Between having a crush, being a daughter, a friend, a student, and a superhero, she somehow manages to stay on her feet, despite being one of the clumsiest people I've ever met in my immortal life.
She stops suddenly, eyes still spinning. She shakes her head, before burying it in her hands.
"It's never going to happen, Tikki!" She groans, throwing her head back again. She nearly slides off the seat. "Between Chloe, Lila and Kagami, it's never going to happen! All three of them like Adrien."
"So do you, Marinette."
"Yes, but how can I compare to them? Chloe and Adrien have been friends since they were kids, plus she's the mayor's daughter—"
"That doesn't faze him, his father's one of the greatest fashion designers, you know Adrien only likes her as a friend."
"—then Lila can somehow create a spindle of lies out of nowhere, and somehow they're all coherent! Plus, she's up to something fishing, I'm sure of it, who am I kidding, she's always up to something—"
"Adrien knows she's a liar, he's told her multiple times to stop."
"—and Kagami! She's the daughter of a powerful Japanese family and a master in fencing, and she fences with him most afternoons!"
I sigh. Trixx floats down and pats Marinette's shoulder.
"How am I ever going to spend time with him? How can I compete with that?" Marinette looks over at me, defeated. "You know he likes Kagami to some degree. They've been on multiple dates before, hell I even went with him on one—as a friend. She told me they nearly kissed—multiple times after that 'date', and I'm happy for them, but I can't help being jealous. I can't help but feel she purposely told me, knowing I that have feelings for him."
"They nearly kissed, but they didn't. He pulled away remember. Besides that was years ago—"
"All the more time they've had to get to know each other well."
"You still have a chance," I talk over her. The other kwamis agree.
"What do I have over them, they're all so much better than me. What do I have that they don't? I'm Ladybug but that can't—shouldn't—doesn't come into the equation. I have no chance."
Oh, Marinette. If only I could tell you the truth. If only you knew the truth. "Don't lose faith. Never say never. You have so much hope, Marinette. You're friends, good friends at that too, you still spend time together—"
"Not as much as we used to, he's busier now that he's older, going to photoshoots and walking runways whenever he can."
"Stop interrupting me!"
She strokes my cheek apologetically and lets me continue.
"If you care about him as much as you do, then hold onto that, hold onto him," I beg. It pains me to see her loosing hope.
She shakes her head softly, looking back to the ceiling. "Maybe that's why I should let him go… because I care for him."
I know finishing the first chapter on a bit of a sad note… hate me all you want. I have plans… *laughs mysteriously and menacingly*