A/N: Hey guys! Thank you for giving this story so much love even though I take forever to update it. More life stuff has been happening, so I haven't really had time to update. Thanks for sticking with this mess anyway. Y'all are great. Anyway, please enjoy Marinette freaking out, sassy Alya being an amazing wing-woman, and Adrien crushin' big time.
"Marinette? Helloooo?" Tikki waved, fluttering in front of her cheek as Marinette stared in shock at the place where Adrien just stood moments ago, kissing her senseless.
"Am… am I dreaming?" She breathed, hardly believing that the past few minutes actually existed in time and weren't just a fever dream of her own fabrication .
"No, silly!" Tikki giggled, bopping her on the nose to try and bring her back to reality. "Adrien really kissed you! And you kissed him back!"
Marinette felt her face flush with a vibrant heat and covered her face in her hands to try and steady her breathing. Slowly she melted into her chair, letting out a quiet, high-pitched sound like a kettle boiling for several moments.
She dared to peek out of her hands and saw that Tikki was sitting on her knee, waiting patiently for her to come back from her freak-out.
"Deep breaths, Marinette," she instructed, giving her the tiniest of supportive pat-pats. "It'll sink in."
It took several more minutes of squealing and freaking out before she could breathe normally again.
"Okay," Marinette muttered, "I'm okay. I'm okay. I'm- I'm not okay! Tikki! What does this mean for us? He said I make him feel-" she drew a deep breath and whisper-screamed her next word. "ALIVE!"
Tikki sighed fondly and floated up to gently boop her holder on the nose. "Oh, young love," she reminisced, shaking her head. "Don't worry, Marinette. All you have to do is give it a little bit of time, then reach out and see how he's feeling. Things will fall into place, I just know it! You and Adrien have been dancing around each other for so long that you've gotten dizzy. You just need to clear your mind and think rationally. Don't forget, you're Ladybug! You can do this!" She finished her pep talk with a little cheer.
Marinette relaxed a little tiny bit and gave her a smile. "Thanks, Tikki. You're right. I need to clear my mind." She looked over at the pile of fabric sitting in the corner, waiting to be coaxed into the shape of a dress. "I think I know just the thing."
Alya was restless. She had maybe gone up to the roof a little early, since it seemed like the family had gone to bed for the night. She had now lost track of how many times she had paced the width of the apartment up here, excitedly waiting for Chat Noir to arrive.
Boy, did she have a surprise for him.
It probably wasn't what Adrien was expecting when he mentioned that he wanted some advice, but Alya was known to occasionally be a little… extra. So what if she had gone to the max to give her best friend a shot with her dreamy schoolgirl crush? No one could blame her for the effort.
And really, was a 20 page long powerpoint presentation on Marinette's value as a romantic partner even enough? She could probably list a million reasons why Adrien should date her already, but if he didn't take the hint by then, there would be no hope for his particular stupidity.
Finally, she spotted him, gleaming black in the moonlight, vaulting across rooftops towards her building.
"Over here!" she mouthed, waving her arms like a landing signal.
Chat Noir landed in front of her a little less gracefully than normal and almost stumbled into her.
"Whoops! Sorry, Alya!" he righted himself just in time with a embarrassed smile.
Alya gave him a raised eyebrow. "Feeling off your game, Agreste?"
Chat looked around nervously. "Only a little. And keep your voice down!"
Alya rolled her eyes and poked his shoulder. "Relax, alley cat. There's no one around. Here, come have a seat."
She led him over to a table set with two chairs. The only things on it were her laptop and a pitcher of lemonade with two glasses.
Chat Noir sat and immediately poured himself a glass. Alya took her seat and leaned in, resting her chin over her folded hands.
"So tell me, what kind of problem does a super hero have that only the Ladyblogger can solve?" she questioned with an inquisitive grin.
Adrien laughed nervously and ran one hand through his hair.
"Okay, so, since I sent that text message a couple of things have changed…"
"I've got time," she shrugged. "What's the scoop?"
"Well, firstly…."
"Oh wait!" She interrupted. "Before you start, can you de-transform? I'd really like to see Plagg again. Besides, he might be helpful."
"Oh! Okay, I guess… Plagg, claws in."
Alya watched with keen fascination as a flurry of green lights swirled over Chat Noir, leaving Adrien Agreste in his place, and a little black cat god which had flown out of his ring.
"Wow," Alya breathed. "Incredible. Plagg, nice to see you again."
Plagg yawned somewhat lazily and nodded her way. "Always nice to be appreciated," he drawled, giving Adrien a pointed look.
"Oh, hush, you spoiled cat," Adrien replied, rolling his eyes and pulling a chunk of what looked to be cheese out of his shirt pocket.
"Mmmm, camembert," he mumbled, stuffing his mouth full of said cheese.
Alya raised an eyebrow. "Camembert?"
Adrien shrugged. "Don't ask me, it's what he likes to eat to recharge. Personally I could do without the smell." He wrinkled his nose a bit, glancing at the hungry kwami who was already licking his paws clean of crumbs.
"You just don't understand how to appreciate its delectable scent," Plagg sniffed. He turned his attention to Alya. "I'm glad to see he took my advice, for once. I told him he needed outside help. He's useless. And he almost revealed himself today," he added.
"Oh, really…" Alya said, leaning forward. "Do tell."
"Well you see," Adrien started, turning red and looking away as he fiddled with his collar. "What happened was-"
"AND," Plagg interrupted dramatically, "He kissed Marinette!"
"HE DID WHAT NOW?" Alya said, completely normally and not at all a little too loudly. "Adrien! When were you going to tell me this?!"
"Um… now?" He offered sheepishly. "I mean it happened today, so…"
"And Marinette didn't tell me!" She gasped, pulling out her phone to type a strongly worded text message to her bff. "That little-"
"No, no, wait!" Adrien begged, grabbing her phone before she could finish and setting it down on the table. "It all happened so fast. Just hear me out. There's more I have to tell you."
Alya sighed, relenting for now. "Okay, sunshine. Lay it on me. Give me all the juicy details." She waggled her eyebrows at him suggestively.
Adrien turned a very flattering shade of rosé.
"Okay, um… let me just- start from the beginning."
And so it was that Alya was told the whole thing. The whole story of Ladybug and Marinette. And everything as it had happened from Adrien's perspective.
"Wait, wait, Marinette kissed Chat Noir?!" Alya exclaimed at one point, interrupting him. "AND SHE DIDN'T TELL ME? Oh boy, I am going to have a talk with that girl about keeping secrets!"
"Well, she can't know that you know she kissed Chat Noir," Plagg pointed out. "Otherwise Adrien's identity is toast."
"I mean… would that really be such a bad thing though?" Adrien asked. "I'm just saying…"
"Shush, you can question the implications of that later," Alya interrupted. "Get back to the story."
"Okay, so…"
The story continued. By the time he was finished, Alya was seeing this golden child in a whole new light. Dude was a player. And she didn't know what to make of it.
"Okay, okay," She said finally. "I need a minute to process this. I was not expecting this story when I prepared for this conversation."
"What do you mean… prepared?" Adrien asked cautiously.
"Oh! Oh I'm so glad you asked," she grinned, opening her laptop and pulling up a very special document. "Please, enjoy."
Adrien read the title and blushed a furious shade of red once again.
"51 reasons why Marinette would make the perfect girlfriend," he read aloud. "Um, Alya, what is-"
"Hush! Just read, Agreste!" she shushed him once again, pouring herself another glass of lemonade as Plagg cackled at Adrien's embarrassment.
Alya sipped her drink demurely, watching with utter delight as Adrien's face gave her plenty of amusing reactions to satisfy her.
Yes, pretty boy. Read up. Read up so you can get your head out of your ass and finally ask my girl out on a real date! She thought with a smile.
Adrien read in complete silence. He was afraid if he dared to open his mouth, nothing would come out but embarrassing squeaks. He was starting to sweat and his heart was fluttering like a little bird trapped in a cage.
6: Marinette is loyal af. She would go to the ends of the earth for you, dummy.
She is loyal. Adrien mused to himself. He thought back on all the times that Marinette had been a true friend to him. And hell, even when they weren't talking to each other, Adrien was certain that if he was in trouble, Marinette would have been there for him.
He read on.
10: Marinette is an absolute 10, my guy. Have you seen her face? That body? Girl's got it going on!
Adrien gulped and quickly took a sip of cold lemonade to try and cool the heat of his sudden rise in temperature.
It was true. Marinette was…. outstandingly beautiful. Even as beautiful as Ladybug. And the way she had kissed him… twice. She was way more attractive than was fair.
Vaguely Adrien wondered if it was possible to die from overheating while thinking about the girl that you love.
The girl I love….
Adrien closed his eyes for a moment and willed himself to think once and for all about who that was.
And suddenly the answer was painfully clear.
Opening his eyes, he found Alya staring at him intently, with hardly concealed excitement.
"Well?" She prompted him.
Adrien felt relief, and he smiled back at her.
"I don't need to read the rest of this list. I already know Marinette is wonderful. And I know what I need to do. Thanks, Alya!"
He finished the rest of his lemonade with a gulp and stood up.
"Time to go, Plagg."
Plagg was steadily ignoring him, sitting on Alya's knee and purring quietly as she scratched behind his tiny ears.
"I think he fell asleep," Alya replied.
"Nah, he's just stubborn and pretending not to hear me," Adrien said, rolling his eyes. "Plagg, claws out!"
"Wait, nooooo!" Plagg whined as he was sucked into the miraculous once more.
"Breathtaking," Alya breathed, watching as the green swirling lights settled and Chat Noir appeared once more. "I wish I had a miraculous!"
"I'll take it up with Ladybug," Chat laughed. "Thanks for the help, and the lemonade."
"Anytime!" She quipped back with a grin. "Just remember what I've taught you!" She called out, as Adrien jumped over the edge of the roof and began vaulting towards home.
Yes, he certainly had had an awakening. And there was only one thing to do about it.
Soon enough, it was Monday morning once again, and once again, Marinette was running late. She flew around her room in a panic, throwing on clothes and gathering her things before opening her trap door and sprinting down the stairs.
"Marinette?" Sabine called after her, halting her in her tracks as she was about to head out. "Just a moment, please."
"But Maman, I'm going to be late!" Marinette whined, spinning around to face her mother.
"You'll be fine dear, this will only take a minute," Her mother replied with a smile.
Marinette walked over to where she stood at the kitchen bar and shifted from foot to foot anxiously.
"Yes, Maman?"
Sabine pulled out a little pink box, wrapped with a bow.
"Your father and I are so proud of the young woman you are growing up to be. And we are so delighted that you've been spending more time with Adrien; he really is a fine young man," She hummed with a smile.
"Mamannnnn," Marinette groaned with embarrassment, "What is that?"
"A gift from us to show you that we trust you, and we want you to be happy, and also safe if you're going to be kissing boys in your bedroom," she gave her daughter a knowing smirk.
Marinette's face flushed dramatically as she snatched the box from her mother's hands and turned around to race to school.
"Okaythanksloveyoubye!" She called over her shoulder as she made her way downstairs. She opened her purse and popped the little pink box in there with Tikki for now. She could think about it later. She really didn't want to be late again, or everyone, including Adrien, would be staring at her as she took her seat.
She just barely made it in time, running into the classroom and sliding in next to Alya just as the bell rang.
Adrien turned around to smile at her.
"Good morning, Marinette!"
"Eep!" Marinette squeaked. "I mean, good morning!"
Adrien then WINKED at her and turned around to face the front.
Marinette suddenly felt a sharp jab in the ribs from Alya's elbow as Miss Bustier began preparing to take roll call.
"Ow!" Marinette whispered. "What was that for?"
"What do you mean?" Alya whispered back. "What was that for?" She demanded glancing towards Adrien with a grin.
Marinette blushed. "I'll tell you later," she mumbled, as Miss Bustier began.
"Adrien Agreste?"
"Present!"
"Chloé Bourgeois?"
"Of course I'm here," Chloé huffed, checking her manicure.
"Ivan Bruel?"
"Here!"
"Alya Césaire?"
"Present, Miss Bustier,"Alya replied evenly.
"Marinette Dupain-Cheng?"
"Yes! Hi! I mean, present!" Marinette chirped, jerking her eyes away from Adrien's perfect hair.
Giggles went through the classroom.
"Glad you could make it on time today, Marinette," Miss Bustier replied with amusement.
Adrien turned and gave her another award-winning smile, and Marinette felt herself melting into the seat.
"Me too," she sighed to herself dreamily.
Class crawled by at an agonizing pace. Marinette felt her phone buzz a few times from Alya, and once or twice she attempted to pass her a note as well, since her texts went unanswered. But Marinette didn't dare to put it down in words just yet, as if afraid that doing so would break the spell or the dream she was in. Only in her dreams had Adrien ever kissed her.
And so as soon as the bell rang for the next class, she found herself being dragged by the arm to the hallway unceremoniously by Alya, who cornered her and gave her a pointed look.
"Okay, we have five minutes. Spill!"
Marinette took a deep breath.
"Okay, Okay. I'm still not sure this wasn't a crazy fever dream, but Adrien came over yesterday to practice dancing with me for the soirée. He told me I had pretty eyes and I panicked and started saying all this stuff to him and then-" she paused.
"And then what?!" Alya demanded, taking her by the shoulders and giving her a good shake. "What, woman?!"
"AndthenIdaredhimtodosomethingandhekissedme!" Marinette blurted out.
"Oh my god," Alya gasped. "Oh my god it finally happened. The thing you've been dreaming of. The big smooch. The holy pucker-up. The divine tongue-tangle."
"Alya!" Marinette whined, taking her hands off her shoulders. "Keep your voice down! What if I imagined the whole thing?"
"Oh you didn't," Alya giggled. "No, that totally happened. I already cornered Adrien for details before class."
"You what?!" Marinette squeaked. It seemed to be the only way she could communicate this morning.
"Oh, yeah," Alya grinned. "Golden boy has it in for you big time, girl. Congratulations! I'm so proud of you!"
"Really?" Marinette asked excitedly. "He said he likes me?"
Alya rolled her eyes dramatically.
"Girl. My sweet innocent summer child. He already kissed you. Of course he likes you! Now come on, we're going to be late. We'll meet up with the boys for lunch and you two lovebirds can talk allllll about it. Now let's go!"
And with that she was dragged off to the next class.
"Nino, I need your advice." Adrien started.
"Yeah, bro, of course! What's up?" Nino asked, slinging his arm over his friend's shoulders as they headed to their next class.
"Okay, so… I like Marinette."
"No!" Nino gasped, fake-dramatically. "I never could have guessed!"
"Shut up," Adrien laughed, embarrassed. "I want to ask her to the dance, properly this time. But I need help wording it. Do you have any suggestions from lyrics? I'm sure you know more love songs than I do."
"Oh, my dude," Nino sighed, wiping a fake tear from his eye. "I thought you'd never ask. I've got you."
Adrien grinned. "Okay. Let's do this. Text me your ideas; I want to ask her at lunch."
"No problemo, bro. Trust me."
Adrien felt like his classes were at least twice as long as they usually were. And every time he saw Marinette his heart threatened to burst from his ribcage. He had a plan in place, and he really hoped that it worked out. Already, anxious doubts were creeping into his mind. Was it too much? Was it not enough?
I'm sure Marinette will enjoy your little declaration, lover boy. And as long as you aren't declaring your identity, what do I care?
Hey, I've told you before to stay out of my thoughts, Plagg! I don't think this is how this power is supposed to be used.
Jeez, sensitive much?
Adrien sighed, and glanced at the clock. Just a few more minutes, and he'd find out for himself if Marinette liked it.
But unfortunately for him, Hawkmoth had other plans today.
"Attention, students, came Mr. Damocles's voice over the loudspeaker. There has been an akuma alert. This is not a drill. Please seek shelter in the designated areas."
Aww, bummer. I was hoping to see your display. I'm sure it was going to be embarrassing and entertaining.
Not now, Plagg. We have work to do.
"Students, if you could all file nicely along please-"
But Adrien was already making his way out the door, joining the crowd filling the hallway as he searched for a quick place to hide and transform. The designated akuma hiding place was the locker rooms on the bottom floor, so he needed to slip away before the crowd carried him downstairs and there was no chance. Checking to see that no one was looking at him, he slipped into an empty classroom and hid behind the teacher's desk.
"Plagg, claws out!"
A second later, Chat Noir emerged and crept out the door to vault onto the rooftop and try to get a good idea of where the trouble was.
But the classroom hadn't been empty.
Marinette didn't see who had entered the room, because she was hiding for the same reason, to transform. She had just crouched down behind a bookshelf when she heard the door swing open and she froze, motioning to Tikki to hide once more. Then she heard a boy speaking.
"Plagg, claws out!"
Marinette quickly covered her mouth to stifle her gasp. Chat Noir went to Francoise-Dupont as well?!
She heard Chat leave the room, closing the door after himself.
"Tikki, that was close. We almost saw Chat Noir transform! I can't believe he goes to my school!"
Tikki looked like she was going to say something, but then shook her head.
"We can wonder about it later, Marinette. We have an akuma to stop!"
"You're right," Marinette conceded. "Tikki, spots on!"
It didn't take her long to catch up to Chat, finding him a few rooftops away from the school.
"Why, my lady, you have paws-itively purrfect timing," Chat grinned, throwing her a wink.
Ladybug rolled her eyes but her heart wasn't in it. Despite that, she wanted to resolve this quickly so she could get back to school and see Adrien at lunch.
"Very funny, Chat. And how many times have you used that pun now? Come on, we have business. Where's the akuma?"
Chat Noir pointed, and Ladybug followed his finger to a news broadcast being displayed on a large screen.
"Don't be bemused; it's just the news! I'm Nadia Chamak, reporting live from the scene of a new akuma attack, where it appears that someone is a little tired of liars. It's unclear what happened here, but everyone who gets in the akuma's way is being forced to reveal their biggest secrets on camera! We'll cut to the footage now."
The screen flashed for a moment before shaky footage of a young blonde woman appeared, who tried to run away before being hit by a ray of blue waves, which seemed to emanate from the villain's microphone. It seemed like the akuma was the one holding the camera.
"Secrets, secrets are no fun, unless you share with everyone!" the akuma sang. "I am Truth-Seeker, and you will tell us your biggest secret!"
The woman blinked and stared into the camera. "I cheated on my boyfriend when he traveled to America for a business trip. OH!" She covered her mouth. "I can't believe I said that! Henrie, I'm so sorry, my love!"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Liars must be punished for hiding the truth! Say goodbye to Henrie!" Truth-Seeker cackled as the woman was absorbed into the video camera.
Suddenly the camera was turned around and Truth-Seeker showed his face with a grin. "Ladybug and Chat Noir are the biggest liars of all! Come out, come out, and reveal your secret identities to all of us!"
The screen cut back to Nadia.
"Well, there you have it, Parisians. Let's hope Ladybug and Chat Noir come to our aid before everyone airs their dirty laundry- on air. I'm Nadia Chamak, thank you for tuning in."
Ladybug gritted her teeth and turned to Chat.
"Right, I don't like liars either but I'd never do something this extreme. We need to be really careful. If we get his with that truth ray we might reveal our identities to all of Paris!"
Chat nodded. "You're absolutely right, My Lady. We need to figure out how to get close to Truth-Seeker without being too obvious. Hawkmoth is clearly stepping his game up. This is a dangerous akuma. Got any ideas?"
"A few," Ladybug replied with a smile. "Follow me!"
A/N: Sorry this one is a little shorter than usual, but next time we have a lot to look forward to! A good old fashioned akuma battle, Adrien's declaration, and more! Until next time then (which hopefully is not months from now but you know me.) A tout a l'heure!