The blaring sound of the alarm clock jolted Marinette awake, her body protesting the sudden wake-up call. She groaned, burying her face in the pillow for just a few more seconds, wishing she could return to the peace of her dreams. But the reality of the new day—one full of responsibilities—was impossible to ignore.
Sighing, she finally swung her legs off the bed and rubbed her tired eyes. The events of the night before were still fresh in her mind, though she didn't want to dwell on them. Chat Noir's teasing, his strange words, and the way her heart had raced—it was all a mess of confusion. But that was something she'd deal with later. For now, she had to focus on the things that mattered : her job and, of course, lunch with Adrien.
"Morning, Tikki," Marinette mumbled, dragging herself to the bathroom.
Tikki, who had been peacefully floating next to her bed, greeted her cheerfully. "Good morning, Marinette! How did you sleep?"
"Honestly? Not well at all," Marinette replied with a yawn. "Between saving Paris last night and my mind running in circles about… everything else, I barely slept."
Tikki floated alongside her as she went through her morning routine. "I'm sorry you couldn't get enough rest. But you did well last night, Marinette. You always do."
Marinette nodded absently as she brushed her teeth, staring at her reflection in the mirror. "I guess… but I'm still thinking about it. About him ."
Tikki's antennae twitched in curiosity. "Chat Noir? You're still thinking about him?"
"I can't stop," Marinette admitted quietly, "He's… different. And what happened last night— he made it personal. It's like he's testing me, seeing how far he can push me. It's so strange.. he could've taken my miraculous.. why didn't he..?"
Tikki hummed thoughtfully. "You need to focus, Marinette. He is your enemy. Don't let his words or actions confuse you.. even though they might seem to confuse you.."
Marinette exhaled, trying to push the lingering thoughts of Chat Noir to the back of her mind. She didn't have time for distractions today. She had a job to do. She quickly finished her morning routine and joined Tikki at the kitchen table, where she prepared a quick breakfast.
"So, about lunch with Adrien," Tikki said with a teasing tone, "Are you looking forward to it?"
Marinette's cheeks flushed as she grabbed a piece of toast. "Yeah, I guess… I mean, it's just lunch, right?" She tried to sound casual, but the fluttering feeling in her chest told her otherwise. Adrien was kind, charming, and, well, cute . She couldn't help the excitement building inside her. "It's just… he's so easy to talk to. And he invited me first, so it's not like I'm doing anything wrong, right?"
Tikki gave her a knowing smile. "I'm sure it's fine. Just don't forget about the bigger picture. You're Ladybug, Marinette. Don't lose sight of your responsibility, even if Adrien is… well, Adrien."
Marinette nodded, a little too aware of how distracted she'd been with the thought of him. "Yeah, yeah. I know. It's just… lunch. And then, I'll head back to work. Focus on the clothes. The collection. I have a meeting later with the team, too."
She quickly finished her breakfast, trying to push all her emotions back down. Focus on the job , she reminded herself. Adrien was her friend—nothing more. Even if that fluttering feeling in her stomach said otherwise.
With one final glance in the mirror, Marinette grabbed her bag and slipped on her jacket. "Alright, Tikki. Let's get going. Big day ahead."
Tikki flew beside her, offering a reassuring smile. "You've got this, Marinette. I believe in you."
"Thanks, Tikki," Marinette said with a determined nod, her heart setting aside the distractions for now. She'd figure out her feelings later. But for today? Today was about work , friends , and fashion .
—
The day had passed quickly, with the excitement of her first few days at Gabriel Agreste's fashion house settling into a productive rhythm. Marinette was surrounded by fabrics, patterns, and busy designers, all working toward the final collection that was quickly taking shape. The energy in the studio was intense yet collaborative, and she felt a sense of pride as her vision for the spring line came to life.
A few of the senior designers had gathered around her work table, reviewing her sketches, making minor adjustments, and discussing the pieces that would make up the collection. Everything was moving smoothly, and Marinette was just getting into her groove when she heard her name called from the other side of the room.
"Marinette, we need you to take the measurements for the models. Can you get the final details on Adrien?" one of the designers called over, gesturing to where Adrien stood near a fitting station.
Marinette's heart skipped a beat as she turned to find Adrien, already looking back at her with his usual easygoing smile. Her stomach did a little flip, and she couldn't quite tell if it was from the excitement of working with him or something else. Probably both.
She straightened her posture, determined to keep it professional. "Sure, I'll be right there," she called back, walking over to him.
Adrien was already standing tall, his usual confident demeanor on full display. He was wearing a fitted shirt and casual pants, looking effortlessly chic even without the professional styling. Marinette approached him, clipboard in hand, trying to focus on the task at hand.
Marinette walked over to where Adrien stood, clipboard in hand, feeling the familiar flutter of nerves in her stomach. It was nothing new—she was used to working with models, and she'd measured her fair share of people by now. But somehow, with Adrien, it felt… different. Maybe it was his casual charm or the way his green eyes always seemed to hold her attention, but today, it felt like there was an added layer to their interaction.
"Alright, Adrien," Marinette said, trying to sound focused as she approached him. "Let's get these measurements done."
Adrien flashed her a smile, looking a little more relaxed than usual, as if he enjoyed the small moment of quiet before everything picked up again. "Of course. Lead the way."
Marinette tried to ignore the little thrum of nerves in her chest as she pulled out the measuring tape. As she adjusted the fabric around his shoulders, their eyes met for a brief second, and she could feel the warmth of his gaze linger just a little too long. She tried to focus on her task, taking note of the measurements as she worked, but Adrien's presence seemed to make everything feel sharper, more vivid.
"I have to say, your collection is amazing," Adrien remarked, his voice light but sincere. "You've got a real knack for this."
"Thanks," Marinette replied quickly, trying to ignore the way her heart picked up pace. "It's all about making the designs work for the person wearing them. You'll look great in whatever we put together."
He raised an eyebrow as she finished with his shoulders, their proximity close enough that she could feel the faintest shift in his posture. "Oh, I'm sure you'll make me look even better than I already do," he said with a playful smirk, the corner of his mouth tilting up just slightly.
Marinette couldn't help but laugh softly, but she kept her gaze down, marking the measurements on her clipboard. "Don't get too full of yourself, Adrien. There's still a lot of work to be done."
As she moved to take his waist measurement, their faces were closer now, and the air between them felt thick with an unspoken tension. Adrien stood still, but there was a certain ease to the way he met her gaze, holding it for just a moment longer than necessary. "I'm just stating the obvious," he teased, his tone light but with a hint of something else. "Though I do appreciate the close attention."
Marinette's heart skipped a beat. She tried to keep her expression neutral, focusing entirely on the task in front of her, but the sudden closeness of their bodies was making it hard to concentrate. She could feel the warmth of his presence and the faint scent of his cologne, and for a moment, she almost forgot where she was.
"Just stay still," she muttered, her voice a little quieter than she intended as she finished the measurement. She took a small step back, trying to regain her composure.
Adrien gave her a knowing smile, clearly enjoying the effect his presence had on her. "Of course, M'lady," he said, using the nickname that made her heart beat a little faster, but his tone was light, almost teasing. "I wouldn't want to make things harder for you."
Marinette flushed at the way he said it, feeling like she was walking a thin line between work and something… more. Focus , she reminded herself. This is just a fitting.
She jotted down the last of the measurements, her fingers slightly shaky as she finished the task. When she finally stepped back, Adrien gave her one last, easy smile.
"All done," he said, looking at her with a quiet intensity that made her wonder if he was thinking the same thing. "You really know your stuff, Marinette."
"Thanks," she said, trying to keep things professional but unable to stop the small smile that tugged at her lips. "I'm just doing my job."
"Well," Adrien replied, his eyes glinting mischievously, "You're making it look effortless."
Marinette felt her cheeks heat up, but she quickly shook her head, trying to regain her composure. "Alright, no more flattery," she said with a playful roll of her eyes. "We've got work to do."
Adrien's grin softened, and he gave her a small nod. "I'll leave you to it, then. Looking forward to seeing how everything turns out, Marinette."
As he walked away, Marinette let out a quiet breath, feeling a mix of relief and disappointment. The day was going smoothly, but there was still that lingering feeling whenever Adrien was near—something unspoken that made her heart race faster than it should. But for now, she had a job to do, and she would focus on that.
—
Marinette quickly looked up from her desk, heart momentarily skipping a beat as Adrien leaned casually against the doorway, a playful smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. The way he stood there, all confident and effortlessly charming, felt like something straight out of a magazine cover—impossibly good-looking, like he was always posing for a camera.
"Don't keep me waiting, M'lady," he teased, his eyes twinkling with that familiar mischievous glint. "You've got me all excited for lunch."
Her breath caught slightly at the nickname. M'lady. It was soft, familiar, and yet somehow made her heart race more than it should. Trying to push the warm rush of embarrassment down, Marinette forced herself to stand up and grab her bag from the desk, hiding her blush.
"Right, right," she stammered, smoothing down her blouse a bit. "Just finishing up some last-minute things."
Adrien's grin widened, clearly not missing how flustered she was. He pushed off the doorway with an exaggerated stretch, his movement fluid and effortless. "You sure you're not just trying to keep me all to yourself?" he asked, his voice a little more teasing now.
Marinette rolled her eyes, trying to keep her composure, but she couldn't help the light laugh that escaped her lips. "As if," she replied, though the effect was lost as she quickly grabbed her coat and bag. She wasn't sure why his presence always had this effect on her—why her heart raced whenever he was around. It was confusing, and honestly, a little unnerving.
As they walked out of the office together, the normal rhythm of their teasing banter filled the air. But deep down, Marinette couldn't help but wonder if maybe, just maybe, there was something more to their friendship than she had been willing to admit before.
Adrien called for his bodyguard and they were guided towards a more secluded area where only employees could get in. Obviously as the models here- especially Adrien , frequented this place.
The car ride felt longer than it really was, and as they drove through the bustling streets of Paris, Marinette's mind wandered in ways she hadn't expected. It wasn't about work, or her designs—no, now it was only about Adrien. She couldn't help it; the way he sat there, so effortlessly handsome and composed, his eyes gazing out of the window with a quiet intensity, made her pulse quicken. Focus , Marinette, she told herself. This is just lunch.
But somehow, it didn't feel like just lunch. Adrien's presence had a way of making everything else fade into the background.
After a few moments of silence, Marinette glanced over at him. The way his eyes were still unfocused, almost distant, made her want to snap him out of his thoughts. A mischievous idea popped into her mind, and before she could think twice, she spoke.
"You know," she said casually, a playful edge to her voice, "for someone who's always surrounded by people, you seem pretty deep in thought right now."
Adrien's eyes shifted from the window to her, clearly caught off guard. His brows raised in surprise, but that expression quickly morphed into something more intrigued. His lips curved into a small, knowing smile, his usual playful confidence taking over.
"Oh? And what's going on in that pretty head of yours, then?" he teased, his voice low, almost challenging. He leaned in slightly, his gaze intense. "Or are you just making fun of me?"
The way he leaned in made Marinette's heart race, but she was quick to match his teasing energy, pretending to be unaffected.
"I'm just wondering what you're really thinking about," she replied, trying to keep her tone light. "The model life, your photoshoots? Or is there something else on your mind?"
The air between them crackled with a playful tension, and Marinette couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement bubble inside her. It was as if, for a moment, the world outside the car didn't matter. It was just her and Adrien, exchanging teasing remarks like they always had—but there was something more now. Something thrilling, something that made her want to see how far this could go.
Adrien leaned in just a little closer, his smile widening, and his eyes glinting with that mischievous spark she was beginning to recognize all too well. "Oh, you know," he said in a voice that was almost a purr, "maybe I'm just thinking about how much fun I'm having with you today."
The words sent a shiver through her, and she couldn't stop the blush that crept up her neck. This was dangerous , but at the same time, it was exactly what she needed. A little distraction from everything else—just a little fun.
They were brought to a high-end restaurant, the kind only the rich and famous frequented. Marinette felt a little out of place, though she'd been to fancy restaurants before—most notably that one time with Chloe. But today, it felt different. With Adrien by her side, the setting was suddenly intimidating in a way it hadn't been before. He clearly belonged here, and she… well, she was just trying to figure out the right fork.
"I've never actually eaten at a place like this before," Marinette admitted, her voice a little quieter than usual. She scanned the menu, trying not to look too flustered as she fumbled through the unfamiliar dishes.
Adrien glanced over at her, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. "I figured. Don't worry though. The food here is amazing. I've been here a few times, so I can help you out."
That helped ease some of her nervousness, and she smiled, grateful for the offer. "Thanks," she said, trying to sound casual, even though her heart was doing somersaults. Adrien had always been confident, but the way he carried himself in this environment… It made him look even more effortlessly charming than usual.
When the waiter arrived, Adrien immediately took charge, ordering with a smile, his voice smooth and easy. Marinette was impressed by how comfortable he was here, like he had done this a million times before. She, on the other hand, was still trying to figure out what each dish actually was.
"I'll just have what you're having," she said, hoping she wouldn't sound too awkward.
Adrien raised an eyebrow, a playful grin spreading across his face. "Are you sure? It's kind of a… fancy choice ."
Marinette bit her lip, trying to cover her anxiety with humor. "Hey, I'm here to try new things, right?"
He smiled, clearly amused by her playful attitude. "Fair enough. We'll have the same then."
As the waiter left, Marinette shifted a bit in her seat, still feeling like she was in the midst of an elaborate dream. Adrien had chosen a place like this for lunch . She hadn't expected something so grand on only her second day at Gabriel Agreste's fashion house.
"How's your second day going?" Adrien asked, leaning forward slightly, his eyes genuinely curious. "I know the first few days at a new job can be a lot."
Marinette smiled sheepishly. "It's… well, it's a lot. In a good way, though. Everyone at the fashion house is amazing, and the work is challenging. But, yeah… a little overwhelming."
Adrien nodded thoughtfully, as if considering her words. "I totally get that. You've got a lot of people depending on you, right?"
"Yeah," Marinette replied, her voice softening as she looked down at her hands. "Sometimes I feel like I have to keep up with all these amazing designers. But I'm doing my best."
She didn't want to focus too much on the stress. Adrien, though, seemed to understand. He gave her a reassuring smile. "You'll figure it out. You have a good eye for design, Marinette. I can tell."
Her heart skipped a beat at the compliment, and she quickly looked away, focusing on her water glass as she fumbled for a response. "Thanks, Adrien. That… means a lot."
Their conversation shifted to lighter topics—random talk about Paris, their favorite places to hang out, and, of course, Adrien's modeling career. Marinette listened with genuine interest, though she couldn't deny that every time he smiled or looked her way, her thoughts seemed to scatter. She was still trying to adjust to the fact that she was having lunch with Adrien Agreste, one of the most famous faces in Paris, but even more than that, he was a good guy .
The food arrived just as she was trying to compose herself. The dishes were as fancy as she had expected—elegant, colorful plates of food that looked almost too beautiful to eat. Adrien dove in without hesitation, while Marinette poked at her dish, not sure where to start.
"Everything okay?" Adrien asked, noticing her hesitation. "You can always ask for something different if you want."
Marinette smiled awkwardly. "No, no. I'm just… not sure how to eat it. I'm used to, well, simpler meals." She gestured to the delicate, almost artful dish in front of her.
Adrien chuckled softly, his eyes crinkling with amusement. "Don't worry, I'll show you." He picked up his fork and demonstrated, moving with the precision of someone who'd been to places like this far too many times. "It's all about tasting the food, not just shoveling it in."
Marinette watched him, trying not to stare too much, but a small smile tugged at her lips. Adrien was so easygoing, so completely at ease in this world that seemed so foreign to her. But even more than that, she realized, he was kind . He didn't make her feel dumb for being new to all of this.
"Thanks," she said quietly, following his example and finally taking a bite. It was delicious. "Okay, you were right. This is amazing."
Adrien's grin widened, clearly pleased that she was enjoying herself. "Told you. And next time, we'll go to one of my favorite casual places. I'll make you something you can actually pronounce."
Marinette laughed, her nerves beginning to fade the longer they spent together. "I think I'll take you up on that. Something… less intimidating."
They continued to chat, sharing stories and jokes about their respective days, the conversation flowing easily. Marinette had almost forgotten she was sitting in one of the most expensive restaurants in Paris. It felt like she was just hanging out with a friend—someone who didn't care about her being a little out of place.
As lunch came to an end, Adrien paid for the meal without hesitation, giving her a charming smile when she started to protest. "Don't worry about it. It's on me," he said with a playful wink.
She still felt a little guilty, but the warmth in his smile put her at ease. "Thanks, Adrien. I owe you one."
"No need," he replied with a casual shrug, standing up and helping her out of her chair. "I enjoyed spending the time with you. Let's do it again sometime."
As they walked out of the restaurant, Marinette felt lighter. Maybe it was the food, or maybe it was the company, but everything felt a little easier with Adrien around. Just lunch , she reminded herself. This is just lunch . But even so, she couldn't help but wonder where their friendship would take them next.
—
After lunch, Adrien and Marinette stepped out of the restaurant, the heavy glass doors closing behind them as they made their way to the waiting car. His bodyguard, a tall man dressed in a sharp suit, opened the door for them, and they climbed into the sleek black car, the plush leather seats feeling oddly comforting after the whirlwind of their lunch.
As the car pulled away from the curb, Marinette settled into her seat, letting out a quiet sigh. Her mind wandered back to the events of the previous night, specifically the chaos surrounding the explosion at the warehouse. She remembered how, as Ladybug, she had barely managed to keep the debris from falling on innocent people. That moment—when she had watched the explosion from the rooftop, the flames swallowing everything in its wake—was still fresh in her memory. It had felt like an eternity before she was able to stop the destruction.
The car was eerily quiet now, a sharp contrast to the bustling streets outside. The low hum of the engine was the only sound, and Marinette found herself staring out of the window, lost in her thoughts. She could feel the tension in the air, like something unspoken was hanging between them.
Her gaze shifted to the car's TV screen, which had come to life with the news broadcast, something that hadn't been on when they first got in. A reporter was discussing the latest events from just a few days ago—news of Chat Noir's destructive rampage at the warehouse. The footage of the explosion was chilling, flames lighting up the night sky, and Marinette's stomach twisted. She was there—Ladybug, watching the damage but the news never spotted her. She couldn't help but wonder if Adrien had seen the news, and if he had, how he felt about it. She glanced over at him, trying to gauge his reaction.
Adrien was staring intently at the screen, his face no longer the carefree, confident mask it had been during their lunch. His shoulders had sagged slightly, his expression clouded with something she couldn't quite place. The playful glint in his eyes was gone, replaced by an unsettling quiet.
The stillness in the car stretched out, and Marinette couldn't take the silence any longer.
"That was… devastating," she said carefully, her voice breaking the stillness. "The damage, the chaos… it was really bad for Paris."
Adrien didn't answer right away. The weight of her words seemed to hang in the air between them, and for a moment, it felt like the whole world had come to a stop. The silence stretched on, with only the sound of the car's tires humming against the road.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Adrien spoke, his voice low and almost hesitant. "What do you think of Chat Noir?" he asked, his eyes never leaving the screen. "The villain."
Marinette's breath caught in her throat. For a moment, she didn't know how to respond. She had never spoken about Chat Noir in front of Adrien before—not in this context, not with him . She was careful, her mind racing to find the right words. She knew this conversation was heavy. And she didn't want to ruin the mood of their fun.
"I don't know what to think," Marinette said slowly, her voice thoughtful. "The things he's done… they've hurt people, caused so much damage. There's no denying that. But… there's still so much we don't know about him. He's been working underground, hiding for years. And now, after all this time, he's finally revealed himself."
She paused, considering how best to phrase the next part, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her sleeve. "I just… have this gut feeling that there's more to him than just being a villain. Maybe… he's misunderstood. I mean, at the end of the day, Chat Noir is human, right?"
Adrien's eyes flicked to her, his face still unreadable. He was silent for a moment, the weight of her words settling between them. Marinette didn't know what to make of his expression. Was he listening? Did he agree? Was he disagreeing?
She added, almost as an afterthought, "I know it's hard to see that, especially with the things he's done, but I think there might be more to his story. More that we don't understand yet."
Adrien's gaze softened, but there was still something guarded in his eyes. He nodded slowly, almost imperceptibly, as if processing her words. "Yeah," he said quietly, his voice tinged with an emotion she couldn't quite place. "I guess you're right. There's more to him than just the destruction. But… it's hard to see past all the damage he's caused."
Marinette nodded in understanding. She didn't have an answer for the destruction, for the people who had been hurt, but she couldn't shake the feeling that there was something deeper inside Chat Noir—a reason behind his actions that no one had yet figured out.
The car ride continued in a comfortable, albeit somewhat tense, silence. Marinette tried to push the weight of the conversation from her mind, but it lingered in the air like a heavy fog. She had no idea where this conversation might lead, or how it might change things between her and Adrien. The truth was, Chat Noir—whether he was a misunderstood or a just a villain—was a puzzle that neither of them could quite solve.