[ So the day could have gone better. It certainly could have been worse and Marinette was thankful it wasn't. But still, there was no helping the lackluster ending to her day when she drew the short straw when it came to assigned partners for this project. Literally too-- everyone in class had to pick straws and match them together to see who they would be working with. And of course of course she would wind up with Chloe of all people as her partner.
For now though, she could squash those troubles aside. No sooner had she arrived home and greeted her parents, hastily saying she had loads of work to do so she'd come down late for dinner, she was racing up the stairs to her room.
Mere moments later, Marinette was no more and instead she was Ladybug, practically flying off her balcony and taking to the rooftops of Paris. Breathing in the crisp air and catching sight of the early signs of dusk coming, there was no helping the warm smile. The heroine landed on one of the rooftop in this shopping plaza, pausing to take in the view, all while talking to aloud to herself. ]
Nothing like an evening patrol to ease the nerves!
[Adrien had been assigned Ivan, which he honestly didn't mind. Anyone would have been acceptable to him, someone he could spend time with without his father's disproving glower over his shoulder. He couldn't ban someone from doing schoolwork with him, right?
...Right.
It's a bridge he'll cross in the morning. Assuming his father shows up for breakfast at all. For now, he can put all of that disappointment, all that frustration down and leave it behind for the night. Leave Adrien behind for the night.
Of course, Chat sought out Ladybug. Bother because they were partners and because he wanted to. Her company made everything else worthwhile. Gave him a little spotty ray of sunshine in an otherwise bleak time. ]
What could you possibly be nervous about, Bugaboo?
[He lands beside her in a crouch, flashing a grin. ]
[ She refrained from rolling her eyes at his little name for her, an amused smile on her lips as her hands moved to rest on her hips when she looked to her partner. ]
I think a certain someone still hasn't fully woken up from their cat nap. [ Leaning forward to get to a closer eye level with him, she let out a small laugh and reached out to flick one of the black cat ears upon his head. ]
You're still dreaming if you think you can do that, silly cat.
[ It was silly banter and she welcomed it. Being able to focus on being Ladybug was the perfect distraction. ]
[ This time she did roll her eyes, but she let it go in favor of his other comment. Ladybug stood up straight again and gave a nod in agreement, gaze returning to the city. Days where no one became a victim of an akuma always gave her hope. ]
It is.
[ There's a momentary pause before she speaks up in a softer tone. ]
The people here deserve to live in peace like this.
[ It was, though maybe just a little . But despite the fact she was shaking a finger at him as if to scold, there was still a faint grin tugging at her lips.
There is no such thing a dull moment when it comes to him. ]
Now, now-- just because there isn't an akuma running rampant in the streets right now doesn’t mean it's play time.
[Marinette had, at first, been horrified that Nino knew about her crush on Adrien. Alya spilling everything to him was forgotten almost the second she knew her best friend hadn't been able to keep the secret, but that didn't mean Marinette knew how to handle the added stress of yet someone else that wanted to help her get Adrien's attention.
They didn't seem satisfied with her contentment in just watching him afar, and now that Alya had an accomplice they didn't seem capable of leaving it alone.
Which is why they're here, together, all four of them, at the zoo where the whole thing started. Alya had sworn up and down it wouldn't become a double date, but it had taken them all of ten minutes to suggest splitting up and now Marinette is alone with Adrien and she'd like to tell him that the monkey they're looking at is cute, but all that's come out is the typical Marinette babble and at this point she's just hoping for another stampede.
She should say something. Anything is better than just standing next to him trying not to make eye contact and she's gotten better since he'd helped her with her uncle. She can hear Tikki's voice in the back of her head cheering her on, and that helps her courage more than anything else.]
[Adrien remains largely oblivious to their friends' sneaky subterfuge. He just assumes the couple want some time alone together, after all, the zoo is where they got together. Memories, and all that. Besides, he still has Marinette, whom he absolutely enjoys spending time with.
He's even got used to her occasional babbling. It's just part of being her, he guesses. It's endearing, really. He smiles when she speaks, turning to look at her. ]
They do, they work really well together. I'm glad that they're happy, they deserve it.
[This would be much easier if Adrien would look at her less, because now Marinette is staring up at him and she's forgotten entirely what she was going to say.
How are his eyes so green? How can one boy be so perfect? Why can't Chat Noir be more like Adrien?
Why is she thinking of Chat Noir at a time like this? Blinking, Marinette shakes her head to clear it and tries to find something appropriate to say.]
[At the mention of Ladybug, Adrien's demeanour changes somewhat. The pleasant mask he is so used to wearing all the time shifts. A touch of surprise comes through, before he smiles again - it's different this time. It's not just a polite smile, it's real and genuine soft...with something else lingering beneath it all.]
Really? I didn't know she had matching making in her repertoire.
[Just another of her talents. She really can do anything. ]
[Of course, Marinette doesn't catch that look. She can't look at Adrien for too long, she's learning quickly, without turning into a complete mess. It's like looking at the sun but instead of seeing spots, the filter between her mouth and her brain explodes into the most embarrassing word salad in the world.
If she avoids looking at him too much, though, things seem to work out better.]
I don't, um, think it's something she does often. And they probably did most of the work, she just got them stuck alone together.
[He remembers that day well, it's etched into his brain as the time he almost lost her. He feels his stomach twist, as the image of Animan chomping down on her rises up, unbidden. In that split second, his world had crumbled. It was fine, of course, Ladybug can get out of anything, but it was closer than he was comfortable with that time.
He doesn't show it, the mask of politeness is back. Smile. Be perfect.
But he doesn't have to try that hard with Marinette. She's his friend, an actual, real friend. He can let the façade down a little with her. He doesn't have to be perfect with her. As such, he chuckles a little, leaning on the barrier keeping the public away from the cage. ]
You know, Nino came to the zoo wanting to ask you out on a date. He was just too nervous to say anything to you. I had to hide in the bushes feeding him lines and everything.
[Nino will probably murder him for that but whatever bro, you got a girlfriend now.]
[There's probably a normal reaction to this information, something a normal girl would say or do to laugh off how strange and awkward that must have been for him.
But Marinette is Marinette.]
What?!
[Her shout is loud enough to send the flock of pigeons that had been hopefully milling around them for food flying off in a panic and even the monkeys shoot her a glare. Once she realizes her voice was just... gosh, that was way too loud, oh god people are staring at her, she laughs a little nervously and quiets herself down.
Adrien was there? He was thinking up ways to tell her he liked her so that Nino could do it? Her little fangirl heart might explode.]
U-u-uh, I mean, that's, well-
[Yes, this is very Marinette, I'm sorry for your life Adrien.]
That's just funny because Alya was telling me what to say too!
[But she's not thinking about that very closely because why would Alya be telling her what to say when they were all supposed to meet there? Oops.]
[The pigeons raise into the air and their death feathers float on through the air like allergy snipers. A moment of brief panic crosses Adrien's face, before his body gives up and lets loose with a sneezing fit.
It's okay. He'll be back in a second. Or he'll die. Either or.]
[Luckily he doesn't die, and as the feathers are blown away, his sinuses let up on trying to murder him. He takes a rather snotty inhale (he is beauty, he is grace) and exhales. ]
Excuse me.
[Manners are still important. He'll just breeze past this, breezily. ]
Really? What was Alya coaching you for? Did you already figure out our ruse? And I thouht I was being sneaky about it.
[Well that sneezing fit strikes her as immediately familiar, but try as she might Marinette can't put her finger on it. Someone else sneezes like that when they're around birds... someone who makes her feel a little annoyed and happy at the same time, but who?
And then he distracts her by asking a question she has no idea how to answer, so any comparisons to cats is immediately forgotten.]
What? Oh, well, you see, it was, uh- [Think Marinette you should be better at coming up with lies by now!!] A school project!
[They go to the same school. They're in the same class.]
I mean, it was going to be, but then Alya decided she wanted to use the earpiece to get more information for her blog!
He kind of stares at her for a moment while her story takes a weird turn, then...turns a bit weirder. He's some to expect some off-cut strangeness when it comes to Marinette. He finds it a little odd she's this way towards him, but not Chat. Perhaps he does something to set her off? He's not sure.
He stares a moment longer, trying to make sense of...all that, eventually settling for something that might work? Maybe?? ]
I guess she got tipped off that Ladybug was in the zoo? Wanted to do a little undercover work? With...you and Nino.
[Yeah that sounds super sketchy but he is stupidly trusting so he'll buy it. Lucky save, Marinette. ]
[It had been eight months. Eight months since Chat Noir and Ladybug had dropped their masks for each other and learned who they truly were. Eight months since that surprise, and the awkward babbling of feelings that followed. Eight months since they decided to give "them" a try.
It had been going well, at least Adrien hoped it had been going well. He'd never really had a girlfriend before to compare. He was happy though, stupidly happy, really. It was nice, to actually have a person's face to smile goofily at when he thinks about Ladybug, because she sat right behind him in class.
Sure. it meant he got screeched at a lot more because he really should be looking towards the front of the class, but it was well worth it. He's still glad when the bell rings, dismissing them for the day. As much as he loves school, there's something else he loves more these days.
After an encouraging farewell shoulder bump from Nino, he hangs around outside the class, waiting for Marinette to step out, and avoiding the death glare that came from Chloé as she passed by. He perks considerably when he sees her, giving her a tiny wave. ]
[Marinette certainly got the same screeching from the teacher in class as she spent a lot of time staring at the back of Adrien's head. Or into his eyes when he looked back at her. Alya had to keep pulling her out of daydreams to make her get her work done.
The thing was; Marinette simply couldn't believe she was dating Adrien Agreste. And even after eight months, it still hadn't quite sunk in that Adrien was also Cat Noir. Thankfully it hadn't changed their team dynamic so fighting akumatized victims was just as business as it used to be...apart from Ladybug no longer minding how Cat Noir continuously flirted with her. The puns still earned him a slap upside the ears sometimes but the flirting was much nicer now they knew each other.
Marinette brought herself out of her thoughts just in time for the bell to ring. Alya said she'd catch up later and ran after Nino, while Marinette herself saw Adrien waiting for her. The best thing of all was seeing Chloe's face. It satisfied her that her greatest rival wasn't happy, even if that wasn't exactly her nature. Chloe just brought out that side in her.
Adrien, on the other hand, brought out the best in her. And the moment she saw him again, all thoughts of Chloe left her mind. She waved back, moving in close and kissing his cheek.]
Hey.
[It wasn't much, but at least she'd stopped babbling at him like she had done at the start of their relationship. Except in those moments where she felt self conscious and remembered she wasn't good enough for him and one day he'd realise it and leave her. She forced herself to snap out of that train of thought and focus on enjoying the present day with her boyfriend.]
[The kiss on his cheek brings some colour to them, as his smile turns a touch more goofy. It's only there for a moment, before the perfect Agreste polite smile is back. It's easier to be himself around here while they're in private, but in public...it's still hard to drop the persona his father expects of him.
All the same, he still offers his arm to her as they head down the walkway towards the exit. ]
So. We're finally free M- [he nearly calls her "My Lady" and bites it back at the last second ] Marinette. What do you want to do with it?
[She gladly takes his arm and leads him out of the school, then towards the park.]
Well, unless something distracts us...[Meaning an Akuma]...we could do so many things. Enjoy the sunshine for one. Or the sights of Paris.
[There had even been times when they'd transformed for no reason other than to do so and be together in that capacity as well. Marinette was very glad their works as heroes of Paris hadn't been compromised by their revealing of identities and the relationship that had followed.]
Marinette had reached a proud moment in her interactions with Adrien: she could form coherent words in his presence without the aid of Alya. Tikki and Alya insisted she was now ready for the next step: forming entire sentences. Marinette wasn't so sure but they kept encouraging her until she finally struck up the nerve.
She found an opening, sidled up toward him, took a breath, and started: "H-hi... Adrien." Good start. Now for a conversation topic! "It's... a nice day, huh? No crazy supervillains, heheheh." Ugh, no. Don't talk about work, Marinette. Even if he didn't know it was work for her.
Adrien had always thought Marinette's abject nervousness around him was a by-product of their first meeting. Something he, personally, had to work on. Earn her trust, and suchlike. So when she speaks, he turns to shine his megawatt smile down upon her.
"Hey, Marinette," he gives a little wave. "And...nope, no supervillains today. It's nice to enjoy the quiet for a change."
Though honestly, supervillains give him an excuse to go outside, be himself, and all the good stuff, so a tiny part of him selfishly kind of wishes one would turn up.
She managed to not faint on the spot when he turned on that smile. Her own smile was probably a little too wide, but she was nervous. She wasn't used to talking to Adrien this long without Alya by her side helping her along.
"Enjoying the quiet," she agreed. "Yeah, that... that's really nice. I like doing that at the park. I mean, it's not really that quiet, but it feels peaceful, and I always get good ideas for designs because people... go to the park."
Marinette was forming sentences, but the worst kind: babbling. And Adrien probably didn't really want to hear about fashion design, either. Marinette mentally fumbled around.
"Do you... like the park?" Maybe she could still save this.
"People watching," he nods. "I can see how that would work out for you. Giving some real design sparks, huh?"
He chuckles softly, the babbling, concerned as he is that's it's kind of his fault, is rather endearing.
"I do! It's a nice place to go when I want some quiet and alone time," he pauses, glances off into the distance where the shape of Gorilla was lurking. "...As alone as I get, anyway."
She really felt like she was getting a handle on this talking-to-Adrien thing, but then she too glanced in the distance. "Ahhh. You know, I just... remembered that I need to go... watch people over there." She pointed off to somewhere in the distance. "Yep. Over there. That's where the ideas are! I should... go do that."
She never-- NEVER-- thought she would have to talk her way out of time alone with Adrien.
It comes out a little quicker and desperate than he intended. He doesn't like being alone, and Gorilla tends to put strangers off from going near him. At least the man tolerates Adrien's friends speaking to him.
He clears his throat, blushing a little for the sudden outburst. Come on, be cooler than that.
"Sorry. I - um, if you need to go, that's fine. I'd love some company though. If you have time."
Adrien was hard to read. Either that or Marinette was getting in her own way by assuming the worst. It was probably the second one. Because now she heard him clearly saying he wanted company-- her company. A squeal escaped and she quickly clamped her mouth shut.
"S-sorry, I... I twisted my heel the wrong way!" Whew, nice save. And she was clumsy enough to make that believable. "I better sit down." It would keep her from trembling too much. "I could... show you my design sketches?"
"Oh, no, I-- I'm okay." She let out a nervous little laugh. "I'll just sit down and it'll be better." She wanted to assure him that she did this sort of thing all the time, but maybe that would just make him worry more. Even if it did thrill her a little that he would worry.
He relaxes a little, offering a small smile. So long as she was okay. He's not completely convinced, but he's not about to push her, either. Marinette's too skittish for that.
"If you're sure," he leans over a little, to look at the book. "So, you were talking about designs?"
She smiled, keeping her squeal on the inside this time. Adrien was right next to her-- very close. Marinette was so thrilled she almost forgot what they were doing.
"Oh! Yeah! The designs! Uhh...." Marinette opened her sketchbook praying there was actually something there. Luckily, she'd been musing over a few things that she could point to.
"Well, you know how Ladybug and Chat Noir are really popular now, right? I thought I could design some stuff around them, you know? Red and black spot themes or black and green." Not that she was focusing on Chat's intense green eyes a LOT or anything.
At the mention of Chat, Adrien's' smile becomes somewhat fixed. He always worries that one of his friends will work out the secret one day. That they'll manage to work it out...somehow.
"Oh," he relaxes a little. "That sounds...pretty neat! I mean, the people of Paris do love them, they'd love something like that."
He notices the focus, he does, and a please smile crosses his lips.
"Well..." She considered for a minute. "He is a pretty good partner to Ladybug. I mean, when they show the two of them on TV, it looks like he's helpful." Yeah, that didn't sound like she knew from experience. "And I guess his puns are a little funny," she admitted, "when he's not trying too hard."
Adrien might be grinning a little too much here. He looks very pleased, almost as if he's been praised himself. Crazy, right?
"You think so? I think they're pretty pawsome, too."
He shouldn't really do that in public, but he's feeling daring. This would be a good reason to worry why your friends will figure it out, Adrien. This right here.
"Those are really nice designs, Marinette. I can tell you'll go far, one day."
If Chat had said that, she probably would've just rolled her eyes. But it was so unexpected from Adrien that Marinette couldn't help laughing. "Did you just make a cat pun? Not purrfect, but meowby you have some talent." Oh, no, why was she doing it, too?
"Ahahah, sorry, I guess it's contagious." She cleared her throat and focused back on her sketchbook.
"Oh, well, I don't know when I'd see him," she said with a nervous little smile. "He and Ladybug are always so busy saving Paris." And she for sure wasn't going to make cat puns while she was Ladybug. No need to encourage him. "They probably like these days off better than us," she went on thoughtfully.
It was nice just sitting and talking with Adrien without some akumatized person forcing her away. Though Marinette worried she was jinxing it by giving it focus.
"You never know when he might be passing by your rooftop."
He is so going to pass by her rooftop that night. He is gonna do it.
"I'm sure they do. It has to be hard work, right? Dealing with all those akuma victims all the time? I know I'd love a day off from something like that."
Not that he ever gets one, not really. It won't be long before he's whisked off to another photoshoot.
"I guess that's true," she agreed. Though it was rare for her to run into Chat as herself. Just like it was rare for her to run into Adrien while she was Ladybug. That was good, though, since it meant none of their loved ones were victims of akumas.
There was always a relief to that, at least. He sits back at her question, seeming to genuinely mull it over.
"I... what do people are age usually do on a day off?"
He's getting better- at being a normal teenager, but sometimes, he's honestly flummoxed by it all. At yet, honestly, it's what he wants, needs, desperately.
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idk what will actually happen just figured nerd heroes hanging out for now
For now though, she could squash those troubles aside. No sooner had she arrived home and greeted her parents, hastily saying she had loads of work to do so she'd come down late for dinner, she was racing up the stairs to her room.
Mere moments later, Marinette was no more and instead she was Ladybug, practically flying off her balcony and taking to the rooftops of Paris. Breathing in the crisp air and catching sight of the early signs of dusk coming, there was no helping the warm smile. The heroine landed on one of the rooftop in this shopping plaza, pausing to take in the view, all while talking to aloud to herself. ]
Nothing like an evening patrol to ease the nerves!
hells yes let's do this thing
...Right.
It's a bridge he'll cross in the morning. Assuming his father shows up for breakfast at all. For now, he can put all of that disappointment, all that frustration down and leave it behind for the night. Leave Adrien behind for the night.
Of course, Chat sought out Ladybug. Bother because they were partners and because he wanted to. Her company made everything else worthwhile. Gave him a little spotty ray of sunshine in an otherwise bleak time. ]
What could you possibly be nervous about, Bugaboo?
[He lands beside her in a crouch, flashing a grin. ]
Scared I might sweep you off your feet?
sorry my tagging rate is so spotty
I think a certain someone still hasn't fully woken up from their cat nap. [ Leaning forward to get to a closer eye level with him, she let out a small laugh and reached out to flick one of the black cat ears upon his head. ]
You're still dreaming if you think you can do that, silly cat.
[ It was silly banter and she welcomed it. Being able to focus on being Ladybug was the perfect distraction. ]
it's always feline
You won't know until I try. I might surprise you.
[He stands, looking out over the rooftops. ]
Quiet tonight.
[It makes a welcome change. He lives for the hero deal, but sometimes, it's nice to have a break. ]
i was afraid it might bug you
It is.
[ There's a momentary pause before she speaks up in a softer tone. ]
The people here deserve to live in peace like this.
nah it's the cat's meow
So what shall we do, while the people of Paris wander around all in peace and suchlike.
[He offers what he hopes is a flirty smile but probably just comes off as pathetically desperate. ]
How about a moonlit walk around Montmartre?
.... i ran out of bug puns already I AM A FAILURE
There is no such thing a dull moment when it comes to him. ]
Now, now-- just because there isn't an akuma running rampant in the streets right now doesn’t mean it's play time.
I'm disapurrnted in you
Did I say anything about play time? Not me. Just offering up a suggestion for a purrfect evening.
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They didn't seem satisfied with her contentment in just watching him afar, and now that Alya had an accomplice they didn't seem capable of leaving it alone.
Which is why they're here, together, all four of them, at the zoo where the whole thing started. Alya had sworn up and down it wouldn't become a double date, but it had taken them all of ten minutes to suggest splitting up and now Marinette is alone with Adrien and she'd like to tell him that the monkey they're looking at is cute, but all that's come out is the typical Marinette babble and at this point she's just hoping for another stampede.
She should say something. Anything is better than just standing next to him trying not to make eye contact and she's gotten better since he'd helped her with her uncle. She can hear Tikki's voice in the back of her head cheering her on, and that helps her courage more than anything else.]
Nino and Alya seem happy, don't they?
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He's even got used to her occasional babbling. It's just part of being her, he guesses. It's endearing, really. He smiles when she speaks, turning to look at her. ]
They do, they work really well together. I'm glad that they're happy, they deserve it.
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How are his eyes so green? How can one boy be so perfect? Why can't Chat Noir be more like Adrien?
Why is she thinking of Chat Noir at a time like this? Blinking, Marinette shakes her head to clear it and tries to find something appropriate to say.]
A-Alya says they have Ladybug to thank.
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Really? I didn't know she had matching making in her repertoire.
[Just another of her talents. She really can do anything. ]
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If she avoids looking at him too much, though, things seem to work out better.]
I don't, um, think it's something she does often. And they probably did most of the work, she just got them stuck alone together.
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He doesn't show it, the mask of politeness is back. Smile. Be perfect.
But he doesn't have to try that hard with Marinette. She's his friend, an actual, real friend. He can let the façade down a little with her. He doesn't have to be perfect with her. As such, he chuckles a little, leaning on the barrier keeping the public away from the cage. ]
You know, Nino came to the zoo wanting to ask you out on a date. He was just too nervous to say anything to you. I had to hide in the bushes feeding him lines and everything.
[Nino will probably murder him for that but whatever bro, you got a girlfriend now.]
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But Marinette is Marinette.]
What?!
[Her shout is loud enough to send the flock of pigeons that had been hopefully milling around them for food flying off in a panic and even the monkeys shoot her a glare. Once she realizes her voice was just... gosh, that was way too loud, oh god people are staring at her, she laughs a little nervously and quiets herself down.
Adrien was there? He was thinking up ways to tell her he liked her so that Nino could do it? Her little fangirl heart might explode.]
U-u-uh, I mean, that's, well-
[Yes, this is very Marinette, I'm sorry for your life Adrien.]
That's just funny because Alya was telling me what to say too!
[But she's not thinking about that very closely because why would Alya be telling her what to say when they were all supposed to meet there? Oops.]
1/2
It's okay. He'll be back in a second. Or he'll die. Either or.]
2/2
Excuse me.
[Manners are still important. He'll just breeze past this, breezily. ]
Really? What was Alya coaching you for? Did you already figure out our ruse? And I thouht I was being sneaky about it.
laughs forever
And then he distracts her by asking a question she has no idea how to answer, so any comparisons to cats is immediately forgotten.]
What? Oh, well, you see, it was, uh- [Think Marinette you should be better at coming up with lies by now!!] A school project!
[They go to the same school. They're in the same class.]
I mean, it was going to be, but then Alya decided she wanted to use the earpiece to get more information for her blog!
[Okay that's better. Saved. Phew.]
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He kind of stares at her for a moment while her story takes a weird turn, then...turns a bit weirder. He's some to expect some off-cut strangeness when it comes to Marinette. He finds it a little odd she's this way towards him, but not Chat. Perhaps he does something to set her off? He's not sure.
He stares a moment longer, trying to make sense of...all that, eventually settling for something that might work? Maybe?? ]
I guess she got tipped off that Ladybug was in the zoo? Wanted to do a little undercover work? With...you and Nino.
[Yeah that sounds super sketchy but he is stupidly trusting so he'll buy it. Lucky save, Marinette. ]
For Mouse
[It had been eight months. Eight months since Chat Noir and Ladybug had dropped their masks for each other and learned who they truly were. Eight months since that surprise, and the awkward babbling of feelings that followed. Eight months since they decided to give "them" a try.
It had been going well, at least Adrien hoped it had been going well. He'd never really had a girlfriend before to compare. He was happy though, stupidly happy, really. It was nice, to actually have a person's face to smile goofily at when he thinks about Ladybug, because she sat right behind him in class.
Sure. it meant he got screeched at a lot more because he really should be looking towards the front of the class, but it was well worth it. He's still glad when the bell rings, dismissing them for the day. As much as he loves school, there's something else he loves more these days.
After an encouraging farewell shoulder bump from Nino, he hangs around outside the class, waiting for Marinette to step out, and avoiding the death glare that came from Chloé as she passed by. He perks considerably when he sees her, giving her a tiny wave. ]
Hey.
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The thing was; Marinette simply couldn't believe she was dating Adrien Agreste. And even after eight months, it still hadn't quite sunk in that Adrien was also Cat Noir. Thankfully it hadn't changed their team dynamic so fighting akumatized victims was just as business as it used to be...apart from Ladybug no longer minding how Cat Noir continuously flirted with her. The puns still earned him a slap upside the ears sometimes but the flirting was much nicer now they knew each other.
Marinette brought herself out of her thoughts just in time for the bell to ring. Alya said she'd catch up later and ran after Nino, while Marinette herself saw Adrien waiting for her. The best thing of all was seeing Chloe's face. It satisfied her that her greatest rival wasn't happy, even if that wasn't exactly her nature. Chloe just brought out that side in her.
Adrien, on the other hand, brought out the best in her. And the moment she saw him again, all thoughts of Chloe left her mind. She waved back, moving in close and kissing his cheek.]
Hey.
[It wasn't much, but at least she'd stopped babbling at him like she had done at the start of their relationship. Except in those moments where she felt self conscious and remembered she wasn't good enough for him and one day he'd realise it and leave her. She forced herself to snap out of that train of thought and focus on enjoying the present day with her boyfriend.]
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All the same, he still offers his arm to her as they head down the walkway towards the exit. ]
So. We're finally free M- [he nearly calls her "My Lady" and bites it back at the last second ] Marinette. What do you want to do with it?
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Well, unless something distracts us...[Meaning an Akuma]...we could do so many things. Enjoy the sunshine for one. Or the sights of Paris.
[There had even been times when they'd transformed for no reason other than to do so and be together in that capacity as well. Marinette was very glad their works as heroes of Paris hadn't been compromised by their revealing of identities and the relationship that had followed.]
You know I don't mind as long as I'm with you.
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Likewise. We can always wander the city, see what gets our attention?
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She found an opening, sidled up toward him, took a breath, and started: "H-hi... Adrien." Good start. Now for a conversation topic! "It's... a nice day, huh? No crazy supervillains, heheheh." Ugh, no. Don't talk about work, Marinette. Even if he didn't know it was work for her.
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"Hey, Marinette," he gives a little wave. "And...nope, no supervillains today. It's nice to enjoy the quiet for a change."
Though honestly, supervillains give him an excuse to go outside, be himself, and all the good stuff, so a tiny part of him selfishly kind of wishes one would turn up.
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"Enjoying the quiet," she agreed. "Yeah, that... that's really nice. I like doing that at the park. I mean, it's not really that quiet, but it feels peaceful, and I always get good ideas for designs because people... go to the park."
Marinette was forming sentences, but the worst kind: babbling. And Adrien probably didn't really want to hear about fashion design, either. Marinette mentally fumbled around.
"Do you... like the park?" Maybe she could still save this.
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He chuckles softly, the babbling, concerned as he is that's it's kind of his fault, is rather endearing.
"I do! It's a nice place to go when I want some quiet and alone time," he pauses, glances off into the distance where the shape of Gorilla was lurking. "...As alone as I get, anyway."
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She never-- NEVER-- thought she would have to talk her way out of time alone with Adrien.
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It comes out a little quicker and desperate than he intended. He doesn't like being alone, and Gorilla tends to put strangers off from going near him. At least the man tolerates Adrien's friends speaking to him.
He clears his throat, blushing a little for the sudden outburst. Come on, be cooler than that.
"Sorry. I - um, if you need to go, that's fine. I'd love some company though. If you have time."
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"S-sorry, I... I twisted my heel the wrong way!" Whew, nice save. And she was clumsy enough to make that believable. "I better sit down." It would keep her from trembling too much. "I could... show you my design sketches?"
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"Are you okay? I can get you some ice or a doctor if you need one?"
He'll focus on the designs soon, he promises, but his friends well being will always be Priority A,
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"If you're sure," he leans over a little, to look at the book. "So, you were talking about designs?"
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"Oh! Yeah! The designs! Uhh...." Marinette opened her sketchbook praying there was actually something there. Luckily, she'd been musing over a few things that she could point to.
"Well, you know how Ladybug and Chat Noir are really popular now, right? I thought I could design some stuff around them, you know? Red and black spot themes or black and green." Not that she was focusing on Chat's intense green eyes a LOT or anything.
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"Oh," he relaxes a little. "That sounds...pretty neat! I mean, the people of Paris do love them, they'd love something like that."
He notices the focus, he does, and a please smile crosses his lips.
"So you really do think Chat is cool, huh?"
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"You think so? I think they're pretty pawsome, too."
He shouldn't really do that in public, but he's feeling daring. This would be a good reason to worry why your friends will figure it out, Adrien. This right here.
"Those are really nice designs, Marinette. I can tell you'll go far, one day."
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"Ahahah, sorry, I guess it's contagious." She cleared her throat and focused back on her sketchbook.
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"Those were really good," he says. "You should tell him some when you next see him. I'm sure he'd like them."
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It was nice just sitting and talking with Adrien without some akumatized person forcing her away. Though Marinette worried she was jinxing it by giving it focus.
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He is so going to pass by her rooftop that night. He is gonna do it.
"I'm sure they do. It has to be hard work, right? Dealing with all those akuma victims all the time? I know I'd love a day off from something like that."
Not that he ever gets one, not really. It won't be long before he's whisked off to another photoshoot.
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"What would you do... on a day off?"
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"I... what do people are age usually do on a day off?"
He's getting better- at being a normal teenager, but sometimes, he's honestly flummoxed by it all. At yet, honestly, it's what he wants, needs, desperately.