Here it is, the fifty-ninth full chapter of Miraculous Quirks released early because I am ahead in my draft again. This is a simple, short, cute chapter before the provisional to prepare for it and do something I haven't done in a while in this fic so enjoy and hopefully I'll get to write a few more like this in the future when they fit within the story as it's good to have a light chapter like this from time to time especially with what is to come when I reach what will be in seasons 6 and 7 of the anime. That is all the administrative stuff I have for now and as there are no review questions to answer or guest reviews to respond to I will end this note here. Do keep the reviews coming as I enjoy hearing from y'all. Now, though, it is time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the 59th full chapter of Miraculous Quirks.
Disclaimer: I do not own either of these great works of fiction.
Chapter 59: A Needed Date
"Well, m'lady, what do you think?" Adrien said in French grinning at Marinette as she joined him where he'd proposed they hang out. "It's not ideal but it's the best I could think of that worked for a quiet moment before the exam."
"It's perfect kitty." Marinette said smiling back sticking to French as it was just them and they'd likely discuss a few things that they'd not want overheard by those not in the know about their past, thankfully one of the two in the class who was fluent in French that wasn't them was in the know and the other was busy admiring himself in his mirrors, so they were safe there. "And I came prepared for this so it will be like old times, well kinda as we weren't together then and the others were with us."
"We will restart that, and I won't miss them again." Adrien said. "Don't worry bugaboo."
"I won't kitty, I can't wait for it." Marinette replied as they reached each other.
It was the evening before the upcoming provisional hero license exam that they were about to take and most of the class was doing what they liked to do the night before an exam. Some were sleeping early to be well rested for it, some going over last-minute training or studying they needed to do for it, some doing their favorite things like watching an anime they liked or playing a video game. For Adrien and Marinette, it was a quiet date night together.
Of course, finding the right kind of date night was hard what with living on campus now, being unable to really leave it at the moment, and not sharing a room. On top of all that they didn't trust Mr. Aizawa not to have some way to see if they in particular were trying to sneak into the other's room. Until they could confirm that they could do that, they'd decided to have their night somewhere else, somewhere where they could be alone together though they planned on doing nothing more than cuddling as both wanted to get an early night for the exam. They just wanted to spend the evening together first.
As such they'd decided to use the roof of the dorm building itself. They couldn't use the main wings as they were slanted but the back between them at least was flat, so they'd met there for this. Getting to it also hadn't been too hard for them, not after all the urban experience they had protecting Paris and their enhanced constitutions. They'd just leapt up from a top floor balcony onto the roof and made their way to the back were they could also straddle the boys and girls sides thus not violating any potential rules other than, well, being on the roof.
For Adrien it had been easy to get here unnoticed as he had a top floor room but for Marinette it had required asking one of the top floor girls to use her balcony. Thankfully Momo was on the top floor and after everything they girls had been through together Marinette knew that she could trust the girl to be sensible and let her use it.
That and a bribe of some macarons to pair with her tea that she'd made to relax helped. She'd made them for Momo in addition to some high fat cookies that Marinette had especially made her and insisted she take them as emergency food in the exam tomorrow. As such, Momo had allowed Marinette to squeeze through the small gap in Momo's room to get to her balcony and use it to go and meet up Adrien, after a brief and slightly embarrassing chat about her plans.
She'd prepared a full picnic for them complete with all her best pastries, especially a few passion fruit macarons just for Adrien, a rug, some small pillows, and all that. Adrien had provided the drinks, just some of the local sodas that they'd grown to like since getting to Japan, and they were able to set up a quiet night on the roof with only the sounds of Midoriya training down in the courtyard to distract them. Seriously, that kid was relentless with it, but it was a new style, so it made sense that he was constantly training to perfect it.
"I can smell them; they smell as good as always." Adrien said as he and Marinette exchanged a chaste kiss before she set up the blanket and they sat down on it. "So, no troubles getting here?"
"Momo was a bit confused when I showed up with all this stuff, as well as the macarons in the flavor she'd asked me to make to pair with her tea, asking to use her balcony." Marinette said as they sat down, and she began to get the pastries out while Adrien handed her a bottle of soda as bottles were best for this. "As well as some special cookies I made just for her to use tomorrow as an emergency source of lipids should she need it. However, when I explained that the rest was for our date night on the flat back roof and that was why I needed to use her balcony she relented."
"She didn't question it?" Adrien asked surprised.
"Well, a bit but as she knows all that we've been through and how we've not had a night like this what with all the training so she understood better than Tsu would have." Marinette said. "She did offer to make some, um, protection for us should it get to that point, but I told her of the contraception spell Mage put on me."
"How'd she react to that." Adrien said surprised that Momo had been bold enough to offer that. "She's a bit on the traditional side from what I've gathered."
"That she is, I think she's actually abstinent before marriage, but she understands that we've been together long enough, and love each other deeply, so we are likely at that stage." Marinette said as girl code from the slumber party prevented her from telling Adrien that Momo already knew how far they'd gone. "And she's not one to push her personal beliefs on others, she was just looking out for me. Course that make her go scarlet and stutter while Kaalki just laughed."
"Sounds about right." Adrien said as Marinette fed him one of her special macarons just for him, they were as always fantastic and perfect though she did have to wipe some of the special jam filling away with her thumb. "Still can't believe all that happened when we moved in. I wasn't expecting any of them to deduce either of our pasts, but Yaoyorozu managed it."
"Yeah I wasn't expecting her to have that connection or for Mage to have overlooked Kagami the way he did though in hindsight the factors were such that it's understandable." Marinette admitted. "But, well, we know how thorough Momo can be and when she started digging she didn't stop until she hit the truth. At that point there was no way we could deny it anymore, so I confirmed it all. I know I should have told you but, well, I didn't have time to do so as she was calling me out and I couldn't lie to her anymore."
"Don't worry." Adrien said as he fed her one of her own favorite macarons that she'd made for their little date. "You know I trust you bugaboo and if you thought that it was right then so do I. Plus Mage messaged to say that Momo had found out and that you'd basically been forced to confirm it but that he was meeting with Nezu to get ready to sort it out and that I should expect to learn what has happened in the morning but that it would all be ok."
"I guess there was a plan if this happened." Marinette said. "We didn't think it would happen, but it did, and it all was sorted, and we owe Mage and Nezu for their help with this, they were amazing. Between the kwamis and the Principal, Momo was convinced and is keeping the secret though I think Kaalki isn't there to keep an eye on her, she just wants her own, extremely fancy, space and Momo has accidentally provided that for her."
"I'm still surprised by that, but I guess it's ok." Adrien said. "The kwamis with me just do their own thing most of the time though I'm sure that Plagg is up to something that he shouldn't be up to."
"What's he doing?" Marinette asked worried at that. "Though that doesn't sound unusual for him."
"I'm not sure yet." Adrien admitted. "I know he goes out a fair bit, that has always been the case for him and a few of the others like Trixx, Sass, and Xuppa, but I think Plagg's been trying to go to Aoyama's room since we moved in."
"Aoyama?" Marinette asked confused and a little worried. "Why."
"Because he has cheese that surpasses the stash that I have." Adrien said causing Marinette to blink. "We don't talk much, Aoyama is a bit of a loner for some reason, but we do talk about cheese as it is his favorite food I think. He can certainly smell the camembert that I have and appreciates its quality, even asking for some to try it which I gave him, and he's given me some of the cheeses he has imported, all the finest French ones. They go to Plagg as his love for cheese is unreal and I'm sure he wants to examine Aoyama's room for them, though he is banned from it, but that's not the only problem with Plagg's plans if he's trying this."
"The other is Aoyama's room." Marinette said realizing. "Between the sparkles and mirrors, there's no way for Plagg to hide in it if he tries to fly in there and Aoyama is either there or comes back."
"Correct, good defense even if Aoyama doesn't realize it but so far I think Plagg is respecting the ban." Adrien said. "I also think he's been to Mineta's room."
"Really? That place?" Marinette asked. "You sure?"
"Pretty sure seeing as he said that he accidently went into a room that he described as a temple to Hedone that even the ancient Greeks couldn't create or dream of." Adrien said causing Marinette to just blink at him. "Greek goddess of pleasure, had to look that one up because I didn't know either. Plagg also commented that the room was an homage to the nude female form. Let's just say that there's only one person who'd qualify for a room like that."
"Yeah no question there." Marinette admitted. "I think that room is unsalvageable. Fire alone won't cleanse it; they'll need to remove it from the building and turn it to dust."
"Probably." Adrien said. "I think it was accident though when Plagg was coming back as he said it was after he'd met up with someone called Odd-Eye that he's getting to know."
"Odd-Eye?" Marinette asked. "Who's that."
"Absolutely no clue." Adrien admitted. "Nothing that Plagg could be connected to that I could find out as there are no records of deities like that and Plagg won't say anything about it, so I asked Mage what he knew of this character."
"Well, he'd know." Marinette said. "Right?"
"He said we was pretty sure that he knew who Plagg was referencing and that he too knew this Odd-Eye person." Adrien said surprising Marinette. "But that Odd-Eye is, well, I believe he called the person an utter wackadoodle with many screws that were missing rather than lose but at the same time that I shouldn't worry. Mage has had dealings with Odd-Eye in the past and that it was all good because Odd-Eye's personality means that he'd see Plagg as something to be expected and wouldn't even know what Plagg really is. Odd-Eye is also on the side of the heroes, and that Plagg is actually helping Mage out by knowing him."
"I guess so long as it is safe." Marinette said still a little worried, but she trusted Adrien, so she let it slide. "These days it is easier for the kwamis to be themselves we just can't show them to the others just yet, other than Momo of course."
"He seems to be, and Mage believes that soon I'll meet this Odd-Eye too, something about the person having a personality similar to Tokoyami's and thus my own Quirk and hero style would catch his eye pretty quickly." Adrien said. "It's something I'm just going to have to wait for though as I wouldn't be contacted until I had my provisional license, and it was approved by the HPSC."
"True and we know that Plagg will be fine." Marinette said. "What about the other kwamis with you? That little stunt they pulled was annoying of them for sure."
"It was and it was clearly planned." Adrien said with a sigh. "Because now they have to be out whenever someone is around, all pretending to be plushies of course, so they get to watch the fun we have and kinda be part of it when one of the guys asks about them. I told them off, but they didn't listen so now I just play it off as an odd like of mine, even had Mage get Technus to make a website about them as a line of plushies with their real names and rough approximations of their appearances to make it more believable."
"That's actually pretty clever." Marinette said realizing what was being done and impressed at it even if the damned kwamis had forced Mage's hand with their little stunt. "Spinning it to help us and with Momo finding out more protections were needed."
"That's what I assumed but then it evolved." Adrien said really getting Marinette's attention with that. "The idea turned into a suggestion from Technus that the Agreste family actually make them in France and sell them as they'd sell well, and it would help my cover if they were a sporadic limited-edition line, but he needed my approval before he could reach out to those controlling the family business for me which I gave. Only the male kwamis though, the female ones need to give their permission to be used."
"Clever and if they are a limited thing to France it would help a lot, as well as explaining why you have so many if it was made by your dad." Marinette said thinking. "I'll check the site out myself and ask the kwamis with me, and Kaalki when I next see her, what they want to do about it. It will certainly help though, and I am sure they'd say yes as well."
"It will and the kwamis with me love it, they've already started a pool to see who will sell the most plushies when the line drops in a few months." Adrien said. "Now the guys don't even bat an eye at them when they come around to chill after training."
"Right your room is basically a man cave like Kirishima's though focused more on video games and chilling than his." Marinette said. "I've not been able to come by what with the training, but I will after the exam and I'll bring the girls as well, we'll show the guys how we game. How is that going for you?"
"Great most of the guys in the class swing by from time to time." Adrien said. "Kirishima, Midoriya, Ojiro, Tokoyami, Sato, Sero, and Kaminari are the main ones who come by to chill, play games as I have that All Might one so Midoriya is often around for it, and play a bit of foosball or check out a western show I have to help with their English but almost all the guys have been around. Even Bakugo has come by a few times Kirishima told him I had a fighting game that hasn't been released in Japan yet and special controllers to handle things like my strength or his explosions. That got him but he only comes by with Kirishima and leaves when anyone else showed up. You know how he is."
"Yeah Kirishima is the only one who's managed to forge a friendship with him." Marinette said. "Though he at least respects us for some reason and is willing to at least tolerate you even if it is because you have that game."
"It's out skill and the fact that we can actually test him that have allowed us to register to him." Adrien said. "From what I've gathered, mainly based off our match in the Sports Festival, Bakugo wants to be the best and he'll beat anyone in his way, but he wants to beat people at their best, to show that he's better than them and has been pushed hard to achieve his victory hence his reaction to what Todoroki did in the final. I did that in our match which is why he uses my name, same with Todoroki when he's not pissed at him, so he tolerates me. With you it's because he knows that you're a true challenge to him that he needs to prove he can defeat on the way to the top."
"I figured it was that." Marinette said. "We never had a true interaction, but he used my name the first time he ever acknowledged me directly after the Sports Festival, he called me pigtails I think the one time he spoke to me before then, and has since used my name likely because he saw what I did to Todoroki in the Sports Festival. He's only every really shouted at me once or twice though."
"He's not that talkative, even when he's around with Kirishima to play games or a bit of foosball against Kirishima." Adrien said. "Though Kirishima did say that he was, in his own way of course, impressed by the Lucky Charm that you used in Kamino Ward. Whatever it was stopped even Bakugo's explosions, so he really knows you're a worthy challenge now."
"I keep saying that that wasn't my intention." Marinette said defensively. "I just wanted to protect my friends; I didn't mean to create something strong enough to contain those four. Hell, I don't even know what was in that ball thing when they described it to me but that is par for the course at times."
"I know but you are amazing m'lady." Adrien said causing her to inadvertently blush the way she always did when Adrien praised her and take a sip of her drink to not look at him though he of course found her blushing adorably cute. "And you always do your best work when you're not thinking on it, it's just how you operate. You have an idea, and you apply your Lucky Charm to that idea without noticing that there are potential additional consequences or factors to come from it."
"True but I do need to get better at different avenues of thought." Marinette said. "Which is why Mr. Ectoplasm's advice was so helpful in finally figuring out how to perfect my ultimate move. I had to ask Mage for permission to access a few bits of lost media for the image I wanted because what is currently available just didn't have what I was really looking for and I found what I needed. Yesterday I finally got it all put together."
"Still not going to tell me what it is?" Adrien asked.
"No, I want to surprise even you kitty." Marinette said with a grin at him. "I know it will tickle even your whiskers though. A girl has to have some surprises for her man after all."
"Then I can't wait to see it in action." Adrien said unable to come up with a counter cat pun unfortunately. "It's going to be amazing; I know it."
"I hope so." Marinette said. "It took a lot of work and research to picture what I really wanted to do, but I should be able to pull it off once though I'm going to save it for the right situation of course as it will drain me more than usual and isn't practical most of the time. It's different from what I usual do, much more complex, and it seems I need more stamina for it so that training that will have to intensify after the exam."
"I'm with you on that front." Adrien said. "I need more myself if I am going to pull off what I have in mind. Even with what Hatsume made me I'm just not strong enough yet to use Cataclysm that way."
"So, you have a move planned then." Marinette said. "And here I thought you were just improving what you'd already improved for when you needed it."
"That is true, and I've gotten that up to the right level that I need it to be at and if there is a rescue exercise then trust me, I will use it in conjunction with one of the features of my new support item." Adrien said. "I've already gone through some simulations, though given how much would be destroyed I can't really practice it here other than with a replica by Cementoss, but we know it works. The drawback is that my stamina isn't high enough to pull it off without my new item boosting my time."
"It is certainly impressive." Marinette said recalling what Hatsume had made Adrien, it was beyond even what he'd asked for, and how it worked was next level it seemed. "It's a great idea for you as well, it will really help with a couple of things."
"And because my costume is black it was easy to fit into the theme." Adrien said. "And none of it touches my costume so I don't have to worry about accidentally destroying it with my move as I use my costume as the limit for it though of course if I touch it with Cataclysm it will be destroyed. It was the last touch I needed for it, but my other idea just isn't there yet even with the item."
"And that idea is?" Marinette said batting her eyes at him to hopefully get an answer.
"A surprise." Adrien said with the smile she knew she couldn't resist; damn it he had the edge on the cuteness between them as she was still unable to match his, but she needed to work on it with Mina sometime to get better with her feminine charms towards her boyfriend. "If you have a surprise for me then I'll keep this one for you."
"I guess that that is fair." Marinette said with a slight pout. "Can you at least give me some idea as to what it might be?"
"All I will say is that it came to me when Mage pointed out what our limitations are." Adrien said still smiling at her. "And I've seen a little proof that I can do it, but also ended Cataclysm right away and I almost fainted from how much energy it required, that's how much it takes out of me. I need the item, a lot more stamina, and a bit of refinement with something before it will work. I've contacted Mage and Technus about it and both are going to work on it when they have the time so it should be ready by the time the semester starts I think. Then I can really work on it, but I need intensive stamina training to be able to pull it off."
"We both do." Marinette said. "So, we should get on that right after this exam is over. I think we might be able to pull at least Midoriya into it, the stronger he is the more of his Quirk he can use after all."
"I think so which is good as that will help him as well and he needs to get stronger." Adrien said with a nod. "But all in good time as we do have something more important to deal with."
"Yes we need to focus on tomorrow." Marinette said seriously. "We all need to pass that exam, so we have to get our heads in the game for it. We don't really know what it will be other than that it will test several things about being a hero."
"And we are facing people who's Quirks we don't know." Adrien said. "But they know ours, so we are at a disadvantage from the start, especially if there is any combat that goes on which I expect there to be."
"They do?" Marinette asked confused. "How would they…oh right, the Sports Festival."
"It is a global event that everyone watches." Adrien said. "And we all shined in it, our class especially seeing as over half made it to the final stage, so the other examinees just need to look at the footage and they'd know what we can do and thus be ready for us. You went further than me so they'll at least know what you can do but, well, Cataclysm isn't exactly a subtle Quirk."
"Why do I feel like there is a deeper meaning to this." Marinette said as she thought on what Adrien was saying about how the other examinees would know of U.A.'s Quirks. "Like the Sports Festival is a much watch sporting event but from all we've learned at and about U.A. and its Principal that can't be its only purpose. There has to be more to the Festival than just fun and to get exposure for hero agencies."
"If I had to guess it's actually to help prepare us for what is to come, and the exam is just the next stage of that preparation." Adrien said causing Marinette to look at him. "Think about it, when we are pros the villains will know our powers and capabilities as soon as we make a name for ourselves while we might not know theirs depending on the situation so why not get us to test it early by exposing our Quirks, skills, fighting styles, and weaknesses in the Sports Festival. The other reasons for the Festival are all valid reasons to hold it so we'd not question it, but then when the licensing exam comes we get to experience what we would in the field earlier so that when we are in the field we know that it will come and can be ready for it then."
"That's actually really clever, it's basically planning a few stages ahead than anyone else." Marinette said thinking on it. "And totally what U.A. and Mr. Aizawa would do, and he'd likely not tell us of what will happen because of it to add to the experience. It's just another reason why this is the best school in the country then, they think of everything."
"Helps when the Principal has that Quirk of his." Adrien said. "He can be really ready for anything and plan long in advance for what he predicts will come. Just look at his idea for the bakery he suggested. It serves many purposes that none of us could have thought of."
"That it does and now that I've had time to think on it I'm actually excited to have a branch here, a taste from home for when I don't feel like baking, and it helps protect the school and area which is a huge bonus." Marinette said. "It should be good when it is all sorted though we won't be able to go to it that much."
"How is the prep for it going?" Adrien asked.
"Not sure." Marinette admitted. "Too focused on all this though Mage did say that he'd at least sorted out the staff other than the manager as he met with who he needed to in Paris the other day. He says he'll explain more about how he chose them, or at least where they are drawn from within the Guardian's organization, after the exam as that's when he'll have the time to do so, and he still needs to find the manager."
"So, he's being vague again." Adrien said.
"It's more I think he wants us to focus on this exam first as that is what is about to happen." Marinette said. "That is what we need to pass, and we both know it. We have to pass to get that provisional, we all do. This will help a lot because with them we'll be one step closer to what we once were before the incident."
"Very true." Adrien said. "And we are ready, as are the other guys that I've spoken with."
"Same with the girls, I've made sure to keep an eye on them these last 10 days to ensure that they're ready." Marinette said. "Ochaco was distracted briefly but we sorted it out and now she's really focused on passing it and getting that provisional hero license."
"I noticed, she's even more driven than usual." Adrien said. "Almost like Midoriya. I know she's his best friend and almost certainly crushing on him, but her effort and drive is almost at his level now it seems."
"Well, I helped her sort her head out as I would with any of my girls if they needed it." Marinette said keeping it vague as even to Adrien she wouldn't tell Ochaco's secret to though even Adrien knew that she liked Midoriya just not how deep those feelings really ran. "She had some confusion thanks to a few things that have happened recently, but I was there for her and got her back on track. Now she knows what is going on with her and has sorted it out so that she can prioritize what is ahead of her."
"And you won't divulge what that is." Adrien said.
"Not mine to divulge and she's trusting me with it so I can't tell anyone." Marinette said simply. "But in time I'll have to let you know as I have some plans for what to do when Ochaco is ready but as with the rest of us we have to focus on the exam and becoming heroes first."
"True that we do." Adrien said as he lay back on the blanket. "So, let's just enjoy this moment and relax bugaboo. This is what we need to get ready for the exam tomorrow."
"And we haven't had this since the move in." Marinette said laying back to cuddle up to Adrien and rest her head on his chest the way she liked. "There's just been too much going on for moments like these."
"Well, there has been a big change what with the move in and all that." Adrien said pulling Marinette close to him. "And the training we have been doing has been a priority but soon it will be over, we'll have our licenses and can find more moments like this."
"Yes we can, I've missed it too much and that body pillow just doesn't substitute for the real thing like it used to do." Marinette said surprising Adrien. "Nothing can really beat this."
"Should I ask about the fact that you've used a body pillow of me before." Adrien said.
"No now just be quiet and hold me my love." Marinette said as she closed her eyes. "That's all that matters right now.
"I love you too Marinette." Adrien said as he did just that.
They knew that they couldn't stay like this for long, that soon they'd have to return to their rooms and get an early night for the exam tomorrow, but this moment was just for them. They needed this to remember that they had each other and their mutual love. They were here together in the future and making the most of it and soon they'd be one step closer to their normal that they were striving for.
Soon they'd have a chance to earn that provisional hero licenses, and both fully intended to get it because they were Ladybug and Cat Noir, and nothing could stop them. Tomorrow was the provisional hero exam and all the surprises it had for them but tonight was theirs as they cuddled there enjoying their moment before the next challenge that was cresting over the horizon.
Ah a nice, short, bridge chapter before the upcoming licensing exam and the fun that that will contain. Of course, I had to be a bit vague in places to preserve the surprises that I have in store for y'all during the coming arc. Just a few things to clarify here as they come from the School Brief books or the Team Up Missions manga. The first is that Momo's stance on sex before marriage comes from my own interpretation of her reaction to the love talk in the slumber party chapter in the second School Brief book as she is flustered by the talk of love before marriage and Shiozaki agrees so in my mind that is a good sign that she holds an abstinence position. The other thing that comes from the School Briefs, this time the 3rd one, is Mineta's room as that is the only place where there is a description of it. It's during an interesting chapter that is from Koda's rabbit's perspective during Midoriya and Bakugo's house arrest where he gets out of Koda's room and hops around the dorm while the boys try to catch him. During his escapade he tries to hide from Bakugo in an open room that isn't on the right floor but smells of paper, so he goes there, and it is Mineta's. Bakugo describes the room as something that should be burned to the ground with Mineta in it while Yuwai (the rabbit) says that it is filled with posters of naked female humans and magazines whose covers feature similar humans clothed in little to nothing at all and while Yuwai understands healthy sex drives he realizes that Bakugo's revulsion shows that the content of the room he's in crosses the line into lust and unnatural obsession. This is the only description I think that has ever been given of Mineta's room, so I used it. Lastly, One-Eye is a character in one of the team up missions in the second manga in that spinoff series and he's an amusing character who I'm considering doing a chapter on during the 3rd semester when those missions seem to take place as a rare chapter based off that manga because it would be amusing, and he'd definitely request Adrien but more on that when the time comes. Anyway, that is all I have to clarify in this long note on this nice chapter so I will leave it here for y'all. If you like it or have any questions please let me know in reviews or PMs, I will try to answer them as best I could and post any questions asked between uploads at the start of the next chapter and do follow and favorite this, so you are alerted to future uploads. Do keep the reviews coming as I like hearing from y'all as you enjoy my work, it motivates me to keep producing the best work I can for y'all to enjoy. Until next time.
Stringdog
