#he was like really trying to argue how ''''''flirty'''''' she was being like. okay weirdo.

[spyres]

every time i get recommended a ************** video despite clicking on the not interested in his channel option i die a little inside

[lyrazehedgieboiii]

Sonic catches Amy reading / writing sonadow fan fiction?

LMAO YES, THANK YOU FOR REQUESTING THIS ONE, I WANTED TO DO THIS SOOOOO BAD. ALSO SORRY THIS WAS LATE.

Sonic was over at Amy’s house, enjoying some cookies and tea, because goddamnit, her double chocolate-chip cookies were to die for.

  “Thanks for inviting me over, Ames. These cookies are sooo good!” Sonic moaned in delight. Amy giggled.

   “You’re welcome, Sonic. I made some for Tails, but the poor little guy was up all night working on an invention, so I put some cookies on the counter for him, and wrote a note, so he knows I made them.” Amy said, as she put the tray down on the coffee table. “Anyways, I’m going to change, you can turn on the T.V. Okay?” Sonic nodded. She went to her room, and Sonic watched as her sway her hips. He got a little excited, but controlled it. He turned his head back and turned on the T.V. Please be Comedy Chimp, please be Comedy Chimp-

And it’s a drama. Wait no. It’s a play. It’s Hamilton. Wait, wasn’t it supposed to be on Disney Plus on July 3rd? Oh welp, might as well watch this. Sonic remembered the time he and the gang found Amy’s script, and they acted to it. He looked in the drawer that it was originally in, only to find a book labeled ‘Sonadow.’ Curious to what it was, he opened it, and skimmed to a random chapter. It said ‘Pregnancy Test.’ He started reading until he realized that Shadow and himself were the protagonists of the story. Shadow was the pregnant one. This book was in Amy’s house. In. Her. Drawer.

   “Okay I’m back-” Amy stopped in her tracks when she saw Sonic holding the book. She immediately thought of excuses and stories to why she had that book. She wrote it, but was glad that she hadn’t written her name down in the book, otherwise it would get very weird between them. “That’s n-not mine...” Sonic appeared quite flustered.

    “Then who does it belong to?” Sonic asked, his eyes twitching in what seemed to be anger.

    “...Would you believe me if I said it belonged to Lyra?” Amy replied, hoping Sonic would actually fall for that.

   “Makes sense, I guess. I mean, I thought she shipped...well...us?” Sonic blushed deeper while saying.

   “S-she has many ships, so don’t expect her to have just one...” She knew that Lyra had OCD’s when even thinking about Sonadow, but it was the only reasonable excuse she had, she didn’t want it to become awkward between them.

  “O-Oh...y-you haven’t read this, have you?” He asked her.

  “I saw the title and understood immediately...” She said cautiously. She knew Sonic very well, but at a time like this, she was very confused as to what his reaction would be.

  “That girl is going to publicly humiliate me one day.” Sonic nervously chuckled. Amy repeated his actions, not sure of what to do now.

  “I-I’ll give it back to her later, why don’t you just eat the cookies and pretend you never saw that?” Amy said in a rushed expression. Sonic noticed and decided not to think too much of it.

  “...Okay...” He hesitated before saying.

- TIME SKIP!!!! -

Amy was sitting in her room, doing something on her laptop that had her complete focus, Sonic observed. He made some sounds on purpose to see how Amy would react, but she didn’t even seem to notice.

   “What is she doing? She’s never this distracted.” Sonic thought out loud, only to hear Amy giggle while typing something in. She looked like she was about to swoon. She started cracking up, and put the laptop on the edge of the bed, which was on the other side, and she got on her back and tried to take deep breaths. Sonic snuck in through her windows, which have no glass and are covered by tapestries. He started reading whatever she was typing and saw Shadow’s name.

  “Ah~ I just love Sonadow~ It has a better chance of being canon than SonAmy will ever have.” She said, completely unaware of the second person in her room. Sonic got up and cleared his throat. Amy’s eyes immediately widened, her eyesight never leaving the ceiling. “IS SOMETHING LYRA WOULD SAY HEHEHEHEH...” Amy nervously continued saying, before taking the computer.

   “Then how come you were writing it?” Sonic asked in a disapproving tone.

    “Uh...Lyra was asking me to edit it, so I was helping?” Sonic still looked unconvinced. he yanked the laptop out of her hands.

   “Why the fuck do you think that SonAmy has a less chance of being canon compared to Sonadow?” He questioned, waving the laptop in the air.

   “Well, you would never like me, and you’re always arguing with Shadow and you just seem like you enjoy his company more than when you’re with me.” Amy replied sadly, her ears drooping.

  “Ames, I enjoy your company! I just tease him that he’s slow, that’s all. No romantic feelings for him. Just rivalry and friendship!” Sonic exclaimed. Amy giggled.

 “But wouldn’t you like to be more with him?” Amy asked, scooting closer.

  “Eww, no. He’s too emo. I prefer girls.” Sonic said, dropping the laptop on the bed, and putting his hands behind his head.

   “Yeah, I know. I see how you always flirt with them...” Amy responded with a melancholy tone. Sonic noticed this and got an idea.

   “Welp, I gotta go...run, and stuff like that.” And with that, Sonic zips off to who-knows-where. Amy quickly grabs her laptop and clicks the publish button.

- MEANWHILE WITH SONIKKU -

Sonic went to Lyra’s house to get something, and he went back to his hut in less than two seconds.

  “Okay, Sonamy. What are lemons...” Sonic zoned out, wondering what on Mobius citrus had to do with Sonic and Amy. Sonic wasn’t a huge fan of having anything with lemons in it, and he knew that Amy doesn’t really make sour or bitter foods. He clicked on what said Sonamy boom lemons, and saw that there were a lot of chapters. He went to the first one, and started reading. “Oh. OH. OHHHHH MY CHAOS, HOLY SHIT! THAT’S A LEMON?! AND WHY THE FUCK IS MY DICK ONLY FOUR INCHES IN THIS STORY?! IT’S MORE THAN THAT-” Sonic stopped himself when he realized that he was upset over his member size and not the fact that Amy was taking control of him in this story.

   “I need something...AH! Here! This is perfect.” Sonic smirked at his idea, and then ran to Amy’s house to bring his idea to action.

  “Sonic?” Amy answered the door, and her face was showing shock. Sonic walked towards her, until she was leaning against the back of her couch.

  “My beautiful Ames, my gorgeous Rose, how would you like to go on a date with me?

   “I-I-I-I...what?” Amy asked flustered at the sudden and definitely unexpected question.

   “Did I stutter? If anything, you were the one stuttering. I know, I’d be stuttering too, if I were to ask me out on a date~” Sonic repeated himself, adding a witty comment in that.

  “Are you Sonic?” Amy cautiously questioned, hoping this wasn’t another prank by Morpho.

  “I am, Amy. Sonic the Hedgehog, Fastest Thing Alive.” Sonic proudly stated. Amy giggled.

  “So you are. Why are you asking me out on a date? Is this to prove that you’re not into Shadow?”

  “No. I’m asking you out because I want to, and you better say ‘yes’ or I’m just going to nag you until you do.”

  “Okay, okay. Yes. I’ll go on a date with you, but what’s up with your sudden flirtiness? You never act like this, let alone with me.” Amy inquired. That made Sonic smirk.

   “Why not? I have to be your dream hedgehog, otherwise you’d ship Silver with Shadow.” Sonic responded. Amy shook. Sonic got worried by her weird uncharacteristic actions. “Amy! Why are you shaking? Are you okay?” He saw that her eyes were glossed with tears. “Amy! Are you crying?” He honestly didn’t know what to do, hug her? That’s what Amy does whenever someone’s crying. He wrapped his arms around her, genuine worry crawling over his features. Amy flinched as soon as his hands touched her, and she backed away after taking in everything.

-----------STOP HERE------------------- There are two endings for this story. Right under this is the humorous one, and below that is the one for hopeless romantics.

      “Okay Sonic, game’s over. What do you want?” Amy asked after attempting to ignore the weird twitch and tingles in her body.

     “Whatever do you mean, Amelia?” Sonic responded in a dreamy tone. Amy rolled her eyes and put her hands on her hips.

    “Do you even like me? You only flirt with every other girl, apparently not me...unless you’re trying to get or prove something...” Amy hesitatingly tells him, puzzled as to why he was acting charming to her. Sonic’s cheeks and ears turned a deep shade of red.

   “...Maybe, but I only flirt for a reason-”

   “Don’t give me that shitty excuse, Sonic the Hedgehog. You’re a terrible liar, and I don’t want to hear it.” Amy sassed out, which wasn’t surprising to Sonic, because ever since they all moved to Hedgehog Village, her attitude changed, as so her habits.

   “But it’s not...I actually like you! And if I have to chase you for the rest of my life to prove it, so be it! I’ll run everywhere just to look for you! I want you~!” Sonic whispered in her ear, after giving it a nip and kiss.

   “Please don’t. I don’t want our reputations tarnished because you decide to run after me like some kind of weirdo. Honestly, I should’ve written that you were the pregnant one,” (anyone noticed the fanfiction reference? :D) Amy stated bluntly. Sonic took two steps towards her. He leaned his face in her’s.

  “Say that again, Pinky.” Sonic warned as her arms went around his neck. He heard a ‘POOF,’ and sweatdropped.

   “What did you call me, Blue Boy?” She queried. Sonic started to sweat and blushed once again at the sudden closeness. His confidence then returned out of nowhere.

   “I called you, Pinky. What’s the matter? Don’t like it?”  Sonic smugly replied. Amy glared at him.

   “It’s not that, it’s just that I’m getting turned on by the second~.” Amy lustfully said, biting her bottom lip. Sonic widened her eyes.

  “W-WHAT?!” Sonic shrieked out, not knowing whether to pounce or to run away.

   “Why are you acting all jumpy? You literally just bit my ear in a seducing tone!” Amy yelled out at him, her sexy act forgotten. Sonic looked heavily disturbed at Amy’s choice of words.

   “Seducing?!” Sonic squeaked. Amy was trying her best not to swoon at how adorable she found that squeak to be.

    “Yes! Don’t you want me?!” Amy hollered, her own cheeks burning up.

    “Okay, fine! Yes! Now can we get to the part where we say how we feel and kiss?” Sonic uttered out.

     “I love you!” Amy exclaimed. You shouldn’t be shocked by her boldness, as she’s been like that all her life.

    “I-I l-lo-love you too!” He responded. There was practically steam coming out of their ears by the amount of blushing that was happening.

    “Let’s kiss!” Before Sonic could respond, Amy pounced on him and tackled his lips. They both felt fireworks soar through their body, shivering at the new sensation that they gave each other.

   “Give me a strip show, baby~” Sonic inaudibly murmured in her ear.

   “Only if you use protection.”

   “What’s the fun in that?!”

HOPELESS ROMANTIC ending----------

   “I-I’m sorry.” She breathed out in a troubled voice. She slammed the door shut, and ran to her room sobbing. Sonic was confused. What did he do wrong? He knocked on the door, before remembering that this was Amy Rose. She never opened the door when she was upset, she just wants to be alone.

  ‘Well, not today!’ Sonic thought, as he broke down Amy’s door. He was going to have hell to pay, but it would be worth it. He went to her bedroom door and heard her crying. He did the same thing that he had did with Amy’s front door, and saw her face-first on the bed. He tip-toed towards her, and crawled on top of her. She looked so fragile in this state, that he just wanted to hug her sadness away.

  “Ames, if you’re ready to talk, why are you crying?” Sonic gently raised her chin up and asked.

  “Haven’t you wondered why I even like Sonadow fanfiction?” Amy asked her love interest. Sonic thought for a moment, and realized that not even he knew why she liked it. It was probably the most random thing she’d be into, and the ship itself was very random.

  “Never really thought about it during the thirty minutes in which everything happened. It actually makes me think about it now.” Sonic told her. She wrapped her arms around his torso, which caused Sonic to stiffen. After a few moments, he began to rock her side-to-side to calm her down.

  “I thought you’d never love me, so I tried to keep my mind out of reality...” She said, sniffling in between. “At first, I started reading fanfiction. I saw SonAmy fanfiction, and it broke my heart seeing it. I read Sonadow, and it still hurt, but I just couldn’t get enough of it, next thing I know, I’m writing a popular story on Fanfiction platforms and the compliments and comments I get makes me feel happy. Even though it injures my heart too much...” Amy sobbed. Sonic lowered his eyelids.

  “Amy, if it’s giving you a heart-ache, then why do you still do any of that?” Sonic queried. Amy gave an emotionless chuckle.

  “People say that I make them happy writing the fanfiction. They smile, and I’m happy that I make them happy. Even if it pains me to do it.” Amy smiled. (Lmao don’t worry, it doesn’t happen to me) Sonic couldn’t tell whether it was because she was happy genuinely, or her clouded, closed mind was telling her that she was happy. She clearly wouldn’t be happy if it gives her pain.

  “Then stop it. It hurts you, so you should stop. You’re basically telling yourself to feel the pain.” Sonic told her while stroking her quills gently. He kissed her forehead and continued. “Start connecting with your friends and soon-to-be-boyfriend, please.” Sonic said, trying to keep a straight face as he felt her jolt up.

  “When you say soon-to-be-boyfriend, do you mean, you?” Amy asked, trying her hardest not to wag her tail in excitement.

   “Who else? Plus, don’t hide your tail, I wanna see it~.” Sonic lustfully whispers in her ear. She took her hands off her of her tail, letting it sway in happiness. Sonic, being a perverted, hormonal 19 year old, got an idea.

...

...

...

  “SONIC! WHAT THE FUCK-” Amy squealed as Sonic actually had the nerve to pull her tail.

   “I wanna see more~”

   “You wanna see more?” She mused. She raised up her dress a little more...

    “YOU’RE GONNA HAVE TO MARRY ME IF YOU WANT TO TOUCH ME!” Amy exclaimed, taking Sonic off guard.

   “I JUST BECAME YOUR BOYFRIEND! ONE STEP AT A TIME, AMES!” Sonic yelled back.

   “SO?! IF YOU WANT THIS BODY, THEN YOU’LL HAVE TO VOW TO IT!” Amy continued. Sonic made a face.

   “WELL I LOVE YOU, MY BEAUTIFUL ROSE!” Sonic unexpected shouted.

   “ISN’T SCREAM THERAPY WONDERFUL?! IT MAKES YOU REVEAL YOUR THOUGHTS MUCH EASIER THAN JUST SAYING THEM! ALSO, I LOVE YOU TOO, YOU LITTLE SHIT!” Amy screamed.

   “WILL YOU BE MY GIRLFRIEND?!”

   “ONLY IF YOU BE MY BOYFRIEND!”

    “GOOD!”

    “FANTASTIC!”

And they all lived happily ever after, (Eggman is in his lair fangirling with me) THE END.

[chocoluckchipz]

A Bride for the Prince - 2

A03  ~  < Previous  ~  Next >

“And that’s everything I have for today, Your Highness,” Nino said, finishing his daily report. 

“Thank you, Nino.” Adrien nodded. “By the way, you may remove your mask if we are in my private quarters. No one’s going to see us here.”

Groaning with relief, Nino removed the mask and massaged the skin under it. "Thank goodness. This thing is an atrocity, so uncomfortable to wear for long periods.”

“Sorry.” Adrien half-smiled apologetically. “After this whole mess is over, I’ll make sure you all are rewarded for your troubles.”

“You’d better,” Nino puffed. “Because I don’t remember ‘wearing an extremely uncomfortable mask all day long just so my prince can spy on his brides’ in the description of my job.”

“Well, how else am I supposed to trick my ‘brides’ into behaving as themselves around me if they know who I am?” Adrien retorted. “Some of them have seen my face, Nino. I had to cover it. And since I’m wearing a mask, it only made sense to have all of you wear one so I won't stand out.”

“You could’ve, you know, spied on them from a window instead of pretending to be a guard,” Nino offered. “‘Cause let me tell you, you are making it super easy to spread those stupid rumours about you. Some people are actually starting to believe them.”

“Is that so?” Adrien chuckled and leaned back on a window wall, looking outside where his potential brides were taking their evening walks. "I don't really care about that now. I have only a month to choose, so I need to be down there, hidden in plain sight as a guard observing them up close. There is only so much I can see from a window, but none of them would care to look their best in front of a mere guard, won’t you agree?”

“While I do understand that,” Nino added, walking closer and taking a look outside himself. “I still think that rumours are a bit extra.” 

“Oh. You think so?”

“You know, letting them think that after a freak accident that had never happened you suddenly had become a weirdo with crazy ideas and an ugly face—”

“And unpredictable behaviour,” Adrien pointed out.

“Of course,” Nino lamented. “How could I forget the unpredictable behaviour, Your Highness? I beg for your forgiveness. This will never happen again.”

Adrien laughed, looking at his loyal guard and best friend. “That was your girlfriend’s idea. How could you forget? Or better yet, what will she say when she finds out?”

“So not the point,” Nino grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest. 

“Don’t worry. I won’t tell her,” Adrien chuckled, returning his eyes to the garden. “I need you alive.”

“I’m forever indebted to you, Your Highness,” Nino mockingly bowed. “But seriously,” he added, placing his hand on the prince’s shoulder. “Are you sure this is going to work, Adrien? Do you think it’s worth all the trouble? You might be doing more damage than good.”

“What else could I do?” Adrien responded quietly, his jaw tightening as he gritted out through his teeth after a momentary pause. “I hate that stupid tradition. Absolutely abhor it. But, since I wasn’t able to get out of it, is it so bad that I’m trying to at least find a bride whom I might actually like?”

“That’s not bad at all,” Nino replied with a sigh. “But don’t you think that not all of the ladies will drop their ‘nice’ acts once they hear that the prince has become eccentric with crazy ideas, ugly face and unpredictable behaviour? Have you’ve forgotten that some of them care for nothing but your money and a title?”

“Okay, true. But most of them are bound to lose interest,” Adrien argued back. “And I’ll have a better chance to see who they truly are if they aren’t super invested in wooing me.”

“Have you forgot to consider that the nice ones might also lose interest in you with such a reputation? Suppose you will like someone. How can they like you back if all they know about you are the rumours the servants spreading? I know you are playing the whole oddity role, but at least reconsider staying away completely and go out there as yourself once in a while.”

They remained silent for a few moments, the prince looking out of the window, his guard standing by. 

“I’ll think about that,” Adrien said quietly. “There will be a few balls I’m required to attend as a Prince. I convinced Father to make those masquerades, so I can still wear a mask. I guess I can talk to the ones I like there, and then we’ll see what happens.”

Nino shook his head and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I don't envy you, Adrien. I hope you know that.”

“Then tell me, Nino," Adrien asked after a while. "Tell me honestly: knowing my situation, do you think there was something better I could've done?"

Nino didn’t answer. He sighed heavily and leaned against the wall.

“Not everyone’s lucky enough to marry the person they love,” Adrien added. “Not everyone’s lucky enough to even meet someone they can fall in love with. I’m trying to do my best here, and I know it’s not a foolproof plan and has a ton of holes, but for now, catching the general gist undercover as Chat Noir is the best option I could think of."

“Speaking of Chat Noir," Nino stirred. “I noticed him being rather flirty with a certainty lady that splattered all over the floor yesterday. Even giving her a private tour of the castle. So attentive. Don’t you want to tell me anything?”

Adrien’s face brightened. “You mean Marinette?”

“Marinette?” Nino wiggled his eyebrows. “I see we’re on a first-name basis already? Rather fast, don’t you think? Should we tell the other ladies to go home already?”

Adrien laughed. “If you couldn’t tell it for yourself, Marinette isn’t a lady, Nino.”

Nino frowned. “I thought your father sent out invitations only to the noble families?”

“Yeah, he did,” Adrien mocked. “Just as the tradition commands. But I know for certain that Marinette doesn’t come from a noble family.”

“I don’t understand. Then why is she here? And as a lady?”

“I have no idea either.” An amused smile claimed Adrien’s lips as he glanced out of the window, “But since I’m rather intrigued, I’ll make sure to find out.”

“I suppose you know her then? To know she isn’t nobility?”

“Even if I didn’t know her, her behaviour would’ve given her away instantly. Not only did she talk on equal terms with a humble servant such as myself, but she allowed me to argue and flirt with her and accompany her on a tour of the castle—on my arm, no less. Rather scandalous for a true lady, wouldn’t you say so?” Pausing for a moment, Adrien frowned. “Though, I suppose we should probably warn her to work on her etiquette; wouldn’t want an old friend to get in trouble. But, Nino, this stays between us until further notice.”

“Of course.” Nino nodded and settled on an opposite corner of the window Adrien was sitting on before shooting him a smirk, “But, now this is interesting. I know all of your commoner friends and non-lady Marinette isn’t on my list. Do tell.”

Adrien shrugged. “There isn’t much to tell. You know how Mother and I would always spend our summers in DuPont before she passed away?"

“Your summer castle?”

“Yes. Well, since Father wasn't around, Mother allowed me to socialize with all the children at the castle despite their social status as long as they weren’t aware of who I was.”

“She did hold more liberal values than your father,” Nino sighed. “Her passing was a great loss not only for your family but to the country in general.”

“She was amazing.” Adrien half-smiled. “It was thanks to her and the liberties she that allowed me in DuPont that I first started to realize that maybe the way of life as I knew it wasn't exactly how everyone else did. Marinette was actually a huge part in that. Her father was our baker, and out of all the kids there, she was the most fun to play with. So, we kind of ditched everyone else and just ran wild by ourselves. She taught me a lot of things I'd never known before.”

“A childhood friend,” Nino smiled. “I see. But you haven’t been to that castle since you were... what? Fourteen? How did you recognize her?” Nino scratched his forehead. “I mean it’s been ages; she probably looks nothing like she did before.”

"Sky-blue eyes," Adrien said quietly, looking into the garden. "That's a rare shade in our country, but if you pair those with freckles and slightly bluish-black hair, it’s even harder to find. Cute smile and adorable button for a nose. Clumsy but charming. How could I forget? She hasn’t changed that much. She just matured and blossomed.”

“That’s a lot of details to remember.” Nino raised an eyebrow. “Do I smell first love kind of deal?”

“Noooo,” Adrien nervously chuckled. “She was just a friend. The first real friend I’ve had.”

“If you say so,” Nino chuckled. “But it sounds to me—”

“Sounds like you need to check your hearing,” Adrien interceded, standing up. “Also, if you don’t mind, I’d like to get started on my beauty sleep; I have a busy day tomorrow, and it's supposed to do wonders for my facial ugliness.”

Nino chuckled, following the prince’s example and standing up from the window sill. “No escapades into the city today?”

“I think we should hold off on that,” Adrien said with a frown. “With all of those ‘brides’ in the castle, security is upped, and I don’t want to risk Father finding out I regularly sneak out into the city." 

“Don’t you think his cold heart won’t melt once you explain that you do it to get to know your subjects and their issues better? You know, something any good ruler would approve of?”

Adrien scoffed. “I doubt my father would listen past ‘sneak out’ part. Add in ‘speaking with the commoners’ part, and I’ll be stripped of whatever privileges I still have. You know for yourself how hard it was to convince him to let me do the whole ‘masked guards and Chat Noir’ thing. I don’t want to risk it.”

“Convince?” Nino scoffed. “If you mean threatening to never marry or not to consummate any marriage he would force on you and therefore leave the country without an heir to his precious Agreste line is convincing, then yeah, you’ve convinced him alright.”

Adrien didn’t answer, his eyes locked on the ground, fists clenched by his sides. 

“Sorry,” Nino apologized. bowing his head down. “I’ve crossed the line. It just... the way he treats you as an asset rather than a human being just makes me so mad—”

“Nino—”

“It isn’t fair, Adrien? Alright? Nothing about your life is fair, and how in the world you are still trying to see the good in him and be the best you can, I cannot comprehend. Now, I must apologize again and leave you to rest. Have a good night, Your Highness.”

Bowing down, Nino turned around and marched out of the room.

“Good night, Nino,” Adrien whispered after him. “Thank you."

Chat Noir rounded the corner, trying to get as far away from the sparring court as he could. Damned be his curiosity! He should’ve listened to Nino and stayed as far away from the area as he could. 

“I’ve been told that Lady Riposte has been awaiting you at the sparring court since the sunrise," Nino added after his morning report. "The guards said she was rather… intense." 

The corner of Adrien’s lips curled in a little smile. “That’s a rather strange meeting place for a Lady who is looking to interest me in herself romantically. But then, she is from a famous fencer line, isn’t she? Maybe that’s her idea of courting.”

“The guards said she has beat each of them easily and is eager to spare with the Prince to prove her superiority,” Nino said monotonously. “If you are interested in a wife to kick your ass literally, be my guest.”

Adrien wasn’t interested in that precisely, but he was curious to see the famous Lady Riposte. At first glance, he wasn’t disappointed; the girl was pretty. Slim figure, dark hair, rosy lips, golden eyes, and a blush on her cheeks. 

Then she looked at him. 

The intensity in her eyes, the slightest raise of her eyebrow, the tension in her lips, and Adrien felt like he was not nor would he ever be worthy of Lady Riposte. Not because she was great, though. More because she seemed to consider a mere guard Chat Noir unworthy of even speaking to her, making sure he understood that from her glance alone. Not even under his Father’s glare had Adrien ever felt so small and uncomfortable.

Quickly, he crossed a centre courtyard and stood on guard at the corner; it was the perfect spot to observe a few of the other ladies roaming around. Lady Volpina sat nearby surrounded by a few others, their mouths agape as she was weaving them a tale. He had to admit she was pretty and her voice sounded honey-sweet, but Nino had warned him about her in particular.

“Lady Volpina seems to be quite famous,” his friend had said. “But may I request permission to check her out? Her story seems to be unusually—hm, how do I say it?—incredible? I’ve heard her claim to be skilled in all possible arts there are, speak six languages, travel around the world trice, have more gold than you, and to be a personal friend of all four of the neighbouring princesses. We all know that two of those haven’t been on the best terms in ages. ‘Would murder at first sight’ bad terms, to be precise. It would be highly unlikely for them to share a close friend."

Adrien had nodded. “Check her story, but discreetly.”

“Of course. If anything comes up, I’ll let you know.”

Seeing Lady Volpina revelling in the awe she held the other ladies in, he wondered if Nino should even bother with that now. 

His sight shifted to where Lady Bourgeois was strolling along the path, loudly complaining about the sun, her poor maid barely able to keep up with an umbrella. Chat made a face and turned to look another way. He didn’t need Nino to tell him about her since Lady Bourgeois was the only one of the young ladies repeatedly visiting his castle with her father. Over the years, he had gotten to know her character very well. The thought of marrying her made his stomach twist.

His sight fell on the corner of the garden, particularly on a couple of ladies standing there. They were partly hidden behind a group of trees, and since there was no one else at the court Chat Noir deemed worthy of observing, he slowly headed their way.

He was only a few meters away when a little servant girl jumped from around a corner and ran towards the ladies with tears in her eyes. Chat stilled and hid behind a tree, close enough to see what was going on but far enough to remain undetected by the group.

“Ella, I’m sorry, but I cannot do this right now,” one of the ladies said. 

The voice belonged to Alya: one of the maids at the castle, Nino’s girlfriend of the past six months, and someone who Adrien considered to be his friend as well, someone with whom he could talk without titles and similar nonsense.

“But Alya,” the little girl, Alya’s sister, cried. “Nora will murder me if she sees I ripped her favourite shirt.”

“She won’t, Ella. She is your sister.”

“She’s big and scary, and a royal knight!” Ella cried out. “She will slay me with her huge sword because she’ll still have Etta and you for sisters. She doesn't need me.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Alya scoffed. “First of all, you should’ve never taken her shirt to play with in the first place, and second, you can’t bother me right now. Can’t you see I'm working?”

“Excuse me, but can I look at it?” 

Chat’s breath hitched as he watched Marinette squat down to Ella’s height, asking to see the ruined garment. A moment later, Marinette produced a needle and thread from who knows where and started to stitch. 

“You carry around a needle and thread?” Alya deadpanned.

Marinette nervously chuckled. “This kind of dress isn’t exactly what I’m used to wearing on a daily basis. I might have ripped it a few times already, and I’d like to be prepared for when it happens again because, let’s be honest, I’m not exactly the most graceful of the ladies.” 

Chat Noir chuckled under his breath and left his hiding spot, hoping to interfere in the situation before anyone would notice. 

“Good morning, my Lady,” Chat Noir greeted with a grin. Alya’s eyes snapped to him before darting back to Marinette, who instantly straightened up, hiding the shirt behind her back. A light blush covered her cheeks just as Ella yelped and dashed away. “You look lovely and well-rested this morning. I hope you’re enjoying your stay so far.”

“I... yes, thank you, Chat Noir,” Marinette replied with a smile that was a little too wide, her blush spreading to her ears. “I did rest well, and I am enjoying everything. Immensely. Thank you for asking. I hope you also slept well?”

“I certainly did,” he purred before taking Marinette’s hand and pressing a kiss on her knuckles. Marinette blushed but didn’t pull her hand away.

Adrien inwardly groaned. Clearly, whoever sent Marinette here failed to teach her proper etiquette between servants and nobility; otherwise, she most certainly would not have allowed him to kiss her hand. She was lucky they were hidden away behind the trees with Alya as their only witness.

“I couldn’t help but notice,” he reached around her waist to grab the shirt Marinette still held in her hand. Pulling it to the front, Chat held it between them so he could look at the stitches. “Were you patching this up? Because I thought ladies aren’t supposed to hold a needle in their hands unless it’s one of those intricate embroidery pieces. Or was I misinformed?”

Closing her eyes, Alya hid her face behind her hand. Marinette bit into her lip and blushed crimson.

“Er... I… uh...” she stuttered, snatching her hand away and hiding both of them behind her back. “I do... that... embroider. I... I was- I was just... showing off my stitches? Since… there are many- many different stitches. In embroidery."

While he successfully suppressed his laughter, Adrien failed to contain a chuckle. This right here was why he loved to play with Marinette as a kid: amongst many other excellent qualities, she was always adorably awkward, something Adrien found extremely amusing.  

“May I suggest,” he said, handling the shirt over Alya, “that you abstain from showing any more of your stitches for now, because while your maid and I fully understand your passion for this art form, I’m afraid most of the other people in the castle won't."

“Alright.” Marinette nodded, her smile overly bright, cheeks ladybug red with embarrassment. "I'll remember that. Thank you for the warning, I'll keep my passion under wraps, but now I, uh... I have to go," she nervously chuckled. "I have stuff to do... in my room... so I must depart. Excuse me.”

Not waiting for his reply, Marinette dashed away, Chat’s chuckle following her steps. 

“Excuse me, but what the hell was that?” Alya immediately stepped up and glared at the masked prince.

“Nothing.” He grinned like a cat. 

Alya raised a skeptical eyebrow. “Really? I’m not blind, you know.”

Adrien’s grin faded as he turned to Alya. “Well then, tell me what you think of your lady?”

“What about her?” Alya frowned, crossing her arms over her chest. 

“I don’t know?” Adrien wondered with a teasing smile. “Does she seem a bit strange to you, maybe? Or perhaps behaves a little unladylike sometimes?”

Alya looked questioningly at Chat. 

His grin widened. 

“Okay.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “What’s going on? Who is she?”

“Lady Bug? I thought you were informed—”

“Don’t even try that with me, Your Highness.” Alya shook her finger at him. “I’m not going away until you tell me who’s this ‘lady’ of yours.”   

“Alya...” Adrien started to regret he’d ever said anything to her in the first place. Alya was great, but when she wanted something, one had no choice but to give it to her. Or suffer the consequences and then still give it to her after.

“Well, if you aren't going to tell me, I can always ask around,” she threatened, putting her hands on her hips and shooting him a challenging smile.

Adrien pouted, refusing to speak.

“You started it, Noir,” Alya shrugged. “Now I’m curious and you know when I’m curious, I have ways—”

“Okay, fine,” Adrien relented. “But this stays between us… and Nino.”

“So Nino knows and he didn't tell me?” Alya quirked an eyebrow.

“Geez, Alya. He just found out. Let the man live.”

A few moments and an intense staring match later, Alya gave in. “Fine. I will. I do love him after all. But only if you tell me who this ‘Lady Bug’ is and what’s your deal with her?”

"She’s an old friend from way back at DuPont,” Adrien gave in. “A commoner old friend, and before you ask, no, I don’t know how or why she’s here.”

“A commoner pretending to be a lady?” Alya raised an eyebrow. “She’s bold.”

“More like reckless since she’s failing at it miserably.”

“Oh, that is painfully evident,” Alya scoffed. “You aren't much better, though, Chat Noir. Keep your paws off; you aren't helping.”

“Hey, don’t act so innocent. You allowed me to do that. As her maid, you should’ve been watching out for her better.”

“Exactly.” Alya pointed out. “I’m a maid, not an etiquette protocol watchdog. My job is to help her, not educate, but if you insist, Your Highness, I can always slap your paws off next time.”

“Then why don’t we agree on that?” Adrien proposed. “Do me a favour: help her to blend in and behave like a lady. For now, at least, until I’ll figure out what’s going on here.”

Alya remained silent for a few moments, then crossed her arms over her chest. “Why should I?” 

“Because she is an old friend of mine and I’m begging you on my knees… Metaphorically,” he added when Alya glared his way. “Please? For our friendship’s sake? Or do I need to get on my knees literally?”

Alya quirked an eyebrow. “You’ll go that far?” 

“I might since I’m just as curious as you are,” Adrien admitted. “I want to know what’s going on, and I can't do that if someone will discover our ‘lady’ isn't a lady at all. You like a good story, don't you? And I bet there is an amazing story behind this whole thing, so, please, Alya, help us both?”

“You’re insufferable, Adrien,” Alya sighed eventually. “You going to owe me for this. Got it?”

“I figured. From experience.” Chat nodded.

“All right.” She pursed her lips. “I’ll see what I can do. Does she know who Chat Noir is and that you know who she really is?”

He half-cringed. “No to both, and I’d like for that to stay that way.”

Alya raised an eyebrow. “All right, but I want to be kept in the loop. All the details, as soon as you know. Deal?”

“It almost sounds like you are giving me a choice,” Adrien deadpanned.

“In your dreams, Noir,” Alya snickered. “Now, if you excuse me, I’ll be off to supervise our lady so she doesn’t land herself in a dungeon while I’m away. See you around, Chat Noir.”

Alya dashed away, and Adrien heaved a sigh. He swore dealing with Alya was a task and a half and could take years off one’s life. However, there was no one else whom he trusted more to watch over Marinette to ensure she wouldn't be discovered. For now, that was all he could do, apart from hoping that Marinette’s tale would be worth all the risk she was putting herself under. 

His father wasn’t the most merciful of men around.

[their-destinys-writer]

Caged - Chapter 13

Rated: Teen

Chapter: 13/?

Word Count: 9,445

Ao3 / FFnet / Wattpad

A/N: Happy 3 years of Miraculous Ladybug! And happy 2 years of Caged! I know this one took a while, but it was for a very good reason: ART, by the super awesome @corgi-likes-chat (Ao3), of one of the most awaited scenes of the fic. If you don’t follow corgi yet, do it now. Support her craft, commission her (for beautiful pieces like this one) and/or buy her a ko-fi.

Important: DO NOT REPOST. The art has been posted with permission.

Caged Chapter 13 - Change in Perspective

This wasn’t supposed to happen.

And yet, there they were, lips pressed together, and neither moving away. Marinette would argue that she didn’t dare to make sudden movements, and that that was why she didn’t pull away. But even she knew that was a lie. The truth of the matter was that she didn’t want to pull away. She didn’t want to stop what she was doing.

She didn’t want to stop a kiss with Chat Noir.

So instead, she squeezed the gloved hand she was holding, and moved her lips in a slow rhythm. A rhythm Chat Noir immediately followed. It was soft and tender, with an emotion Marinette couldn’t make out at the moment. But it felt important. Too important to simply dismiss.

Until, after what felt like days, their lips broke apart.

As her daze started to clear up, the reality of what happened started to sink in. What she did. Her previously lidded eyes now grew wide, focused on Chat Noir’s equally surprised ones.

It only took one second for both of them to jerk away from each other in shock. Their hands released from one another and took hold of the railing instead, all the while they stared away towards the lights of Paris.

“Did…did we just—”

“Yeap,” Marinette interrupted, not wanting to hear the end of that sentence.

“Sh-should…should we…”

“Nope,” Marinette intervened again, but Chat Noir had already trailed away before she spoke.

They stood there, frozen, unsure of what to do next. She chanced a glance towards him, just in time to see him do the same. The moment their gazes connected, their cheeks turned red and their eyes averted once more.

Should they talk about it? I’m not sure if I’m ready for that.

Should they kiss again? Definitely. Marinette gulped at how quickly that response came into her mind.

Should they ignore it and pretend it never happened?

…

I can’t, she thought to herself, the memory of the kiss already seared into her brain.

“Ahem.” Marinette jumped at the reminder that said boy was still standing next to her. “Maybe I-I should just, um…you know…go?”

Her gaze finally snapped towards him, just in time to see him starting to climb the railing.

“No!” she blurted out, grabbing his wrist.

Chat Noir looked back at her, eyes the size of saucers. Yet Marinette didn’t let go. She wanted to at least say something. Anything. But couldn’t find the right words.

“I-I…” she tried. “I mean…you, me…we…this…”

Oh, this is a disaster, she thought miserably. She took a deep breath, and Chat Noir turned to her fully. He opened and closed his mouth several times, unsure.

“We don’t have to talk about it now,” he said at last, eyes softening. When Marinette’s hold loosened, he slipped his hand into hers. “Honestly, I’m not ready to talk about it.”

“Right,” Marinette breathed. “It’s…complicated.”

“Yeah,” he whispered.

It then occurred to her that what was probably going through his mind was the same thing that was going through hers. Not only had they both said to like different people, but they had just done exactly what they had been denying for weeks to the press.

There were in so much trouble.

“We have to talk about it, though,” Marinette whispered. “And soon.”

“I know,” Chat Noir agreed. “But I need to figure out some things first.”

“Me too.”

They sighed in unison. They stood quiet for a minute, processing the situation. Oh, did Marinette want to try to figure out what this was. But it was too sudden, and there was too much at stake.

“I should go,” Chat Noir repeated, yet didn’t make much of an effort to move. Instead, he tucked a stray hair behind Marinette’s ear.

“Y-yeah.” She could feel the strong temptation to lean into those soft lips again. But she had to fight it. She had to be, at least, a little responsible.

She cleared her throat. “Good night, Chat Noir.”

The boy smiled. “Good night, Marinette.”

He brought her hand to his lips and gave it a soft kiss that made Marinette shiver. Looking hesitant, he backed into the railing. Instead of giving his usual two-fingered salute, he gave her a sheepish wave. Marinette returned it with a lopsided grin and watched as Chat Noir tried to climb the railing while keeping eye contact with her. Causing him to slip.

“Chat!” Marinette extended a hand.

“I’m okay!” Chat Noir assured, holding tightly to the metal, letting out a nervous giggle. “G-good night, beautiful.”

Marinette’s heart skipped a beat and her cheeks took on a rosy color once again. That was the third time he called her that. Yet it had never affected her like it was doing now, where her stomach wanted to fly away from her being in a swarm of ladybugs. A feeling that sent electricity through every one of her nerves, giving her goosebumps.

He thinks I’m beautiful.

“Good night, handsome,” she let slip in her daze.

It wasn’t until he started to look more flushed than before, that Marinette registered the words that escaped her mouth. Immediately, she clapped her hands to her lips, surprised at her own words.

“I-I mean…” she tried to retract. “Normal goodbye. Like, f-friendly good night. Not handsome. N-not that you aren’t handsome. You’re gorgeous. B-but I-I didn’t mean to say that, like that—I mean, I meant it friendly like, not like ‘good night, hot stuff,’ you know?”

Kill me, she whined internally. All the while Chat Noir simply stared at her, turning darker by the second. In an attempt to make herself look casual, she tried leaning against the railing. Unfortunately, her hand only grabbed air, making her stumble. Ultimately, she managed to grab the railing and make the most casual pose she could muster. Yet continued smiling like an idiot.

Chat Noir blinked several times, until a nervous giggle escaped him.

“Y-yeah,” he snorted. “Friendly.” He paused, his eyes shifting from her to the ground. With a deep breath and squaring his shoulders, he said: “We’ll talk about this next time I see you. Promise.”

Again, that pesky jolt in her stomach. The thing that reminded Marinette this was not a one-time thing. She knew it in her gut: this was about to get ten times more complicated.

Not trusting herself to speak, she merely nodded. Chat Noir did the same, holding tightly to his position on the railing. It was an unspoken truth that passed between them: if they said another word, they would fall into impulse again. So, instead, they remained quiet, even after Chat turned away and disappeared into the rooftops of Paris.

Marinette continued staring to the direction in which he left. Slowly, she turned to the trapdoor leading to her room, absentmindedly grabbing the blanket on the patio chair as she entered it. She took quiet steps down from the loft, the cloth forgotten halfway to her chaise. Still in her stupor, she softly sat on the cushioned seat.

Finally, she took a large gulp of breath.

“TIKKI!” she screamed.

“What?! What is it?!” Tikki said, as she zipped down from the loft, expression of panicked confusion.

“I-I… I-I… I kissed Chat Noir!” Marinette finally let out, hands at the sides of her face.

----

“Oh, come on,” Plagg said, trying to get a look at Adrien’s face, which was pressed against the floor of his bedroom. “It’s not that bad.”

But all that came out of Adrien were muffled whines. Plagg sighed.

“I can’t understand you,” he deadpanned. “I can’t help you if I can’t understand you.”

Adrien let out an annoyed breath, but turned his head enough to speak clearly.

“Plagg, I kissed her. I. Kissed. HER!” he whined. “This is a disaster!”

----

“Why?” Tikki asked, genuinely confused.

“Why?!” Marinette sputtered, arms flailing. “Why do you think?! We’ve just proven every paparazzi and reporter in Paris that they were right. That there is something between us more than friendship. And what’s worse, I don’t even know how to feel about all this!”

With that last statement, Marinette fell back into the chaise. Tikki gave her charge a concerned look before floating up to her chest and resting there.

“How do you feel about all this?” the kwami asked.

Marinette looked at the little goddess for a moment. Did she really had to answer that question? Yeah, her brain supplied.

“Well,” she sighed, “for starters, you were right. I do have feelings for Chat Noir. I’m not sure when it happened, but somewhere along the way, he grew on me. I used to think he was just flirty and couldn’t take things seriously, even if his life depended on it. Literally. But now,” she let out a wistful breath. “I know now he’s so much kinder than I ever gave him credit for. He’s sweet, brave, funny, cool, and a hell of a dancer,” she added, reminiscing on the night they danced to Jagged Stone’s Rocking Tonight With You.

“He’s been there for me more than anyone in my life, besides my parents,” she continued. “Even when that whole thing with the press blew up, he still remained by my side, whether it was fighting off reporters or akumas. And whether I was civilian or superhero. He’s loyal, and caring, and just…” another breath escaped her lips. “He’s amazing.”

“Then what’s the problem?” Tikki asked.

Marinette pursed her lips. “Well…”

----

“I still have feelings for Ladybug,” Adrien responded, now lying flat on the floor. “I never decided on what I wanted to do, or who I would pursue. And then I went and kissed Marinette. Just like that! I didn’t even ask her if she wanted to kiss. She’s probably not even over me… civilian me… And I went and kissed her! Like some creepy weirdo!”

Adrien slapped his hands over his face, letting out another whine of misery.

“I shouldn’t have done that,” he drawled. “I probably just confused her and made her question my feelings for people, since now, in her eyes, I can’t stay loyal to one love.”

“What would make you think she doesn’t have feelings for Chat Noir?” Plagg inquired, folding his tiny legs and placing a paw on his chin.

“Why would she?” Adrien snapped, sitting up and revealing his face again. “Not only am I competing against myself, I haven’t given her much reason to prefer Chat Noir over Adrien. In her eyes, Chat Noir has feelings for Ladybug, while Adrien is a free agent. It would make more sense for her to choose civilian me and not superhero me. Especially when superhero me went and kissed her!”

“Ugh, I get it, you kissed her,” Plagg groaned, dragging his paws over his face. “Let me ask you something, though: what makes you think she can’t have feelings for superhero you? I mean, I can’t always remember what happens when you’re transformed, but I don’t remember her pushing you away or anything. Did she?”

“Well— no,” Adrien said suddenly. “But I don’t think—”

“Did you push yourself to her?”

“Not really,” the boy answered honestly. “Actually, she was pretty—”

But he cut himself short, reminiscing on the event. How he had leaned forward, and, if his memory served him right, she…

Adrien gasped.

----

“It was mutual!” Marinette screeched, pulling on her pigtails and sitting up once again. “He leaned in when I did! He… he wanted to kiss me…”

“See?” Tikki encouraged. “He’s not a lost cause. On the contrary, he likes you whether you wear a mask or not!”

“Uuugh,” Marinette groaned, resting her face on her hands. “That’s just even more confusing. He likes me and…me. If I want to pursue him, I’d have to choose with which side of the mask to do it. And I don’t even know if I want to!”

“Then what do you want?” Tikki asked pointedly.

----

Adrien stared at the little god that gave him his powers.

“I. don’t. KNOW!” he said, flailing his arms. “I don’t even know what I’m feeling for two amazing girls!”

“I’m not asking you what you feel,” Plagg urged, already running out of patience. “I’m asking what you want. What do you want for yourself?”

“I want to be happy!”

“And you think you can be happier with Marinette?”

“Yes!” Adrien responded without thinking.

Plagg smirked. It took several seconds for the boy to realize what he said, but when he did, his body slumped forward. He gaped, eyes big as dinner plates.

“I…I wanna be with Marinette, over Ladybug,” he said, slowly.

“Took you long enough,” the kwami sighed, floating as if he were in an invisible hammock.

----

“How is this possible?!” Marinette screeched.

“It happens,” Tikki assured her. “You must have found something in Chat that made him more worth your time.”

“Bu-but—”

Suddenly, Marinette jumped from her chaise and ran to her desk, where her last remaining picture of Adrien stood in a frame. The girl sat on the swivel chair for several seconds, staring at the picture. She then groaned and smacked her head against the hard surface.

“I am not worthy,” she whined dramatically. “My heart has betrayed you. I should just go live in a cave, with the dozens of cats Chat Noir will bring me, because I fell to his spell, and why are you laughing Tikki?!”

“Sorry,” the small goddess giggled. “You can be very dramatic sometimes.”

“With good reason!” Marinette argued.

“Marinette,” the kwami said soothingly, taking a seat in front of her charge’s face. “You can’t betray someone you were never with in the first place. Your free to follow your heart’s desires, if you wish. You don’t have to keep yourself closed off to prove devotion. And besides, what’s the point of denying yourself happiness for someone you’re not even sure you want to be with anymore?”

Marinette blinked. “You’re way too wise for my liking sometimes.”

Tikki arched one of her non-existent brows. The girl sighed.

----

“I guess you have a point,” Adrien conceded, now sitting crossed legged. “Honestly, I… I really, really, really want to be with her. But…”

“But what?” Plagg drawled, still in the hammock like position.

“It wouldn’t feel right to blow her off as one of my identities, while conquering her with the other.”

The kwami’s forehead crinkled. “I don’t get it.”

“I mean,” Adrien clarified, “I can’t sweep her off her feet as Chat Noir, while barely acknowledging her at school, or reveal a crush as Adrien, while staying away from her as Chat Noir. Either way, I’d feel like I’m taking advantage of her.”

“But you still get the girl,” Plagg reasoned. “I feel like I’m missing something.”

“I fell for her while going through this media mess as Chat Noir. That’s something that I don’t want to erase if we were in a relationship. But it would be inevitable if I go after her as Adrien.”

“Then conquer her as Chat Noir.”

“I can’t date her as a superhero. It wouldn’t be fair to her. We wouldn’t even be able to go out on dates in public. We wouldn’t last a month. And of course, it’s not safe. If anybody gets wind that we are dating, the press will have a field day.”

----

“I just don’t see any way we can make this work, without at least one of us revealing our identities,” Marinette lamented, her chin now resting on her folded arms. “And that’s the biggest problem. We’re not supposed to know who we are. Ugh, this is all my fault. I knew making friends with him in my civilian identity was a bad idea. But did I listen to reason? Nooo, I just had to go and do it anyway. So much for responsible.”

She let out a heavy sigh.

“What was I thinking. How could I think for even one shining moment that this could work? It can never work. Not like this. Even if I were to try as Ladybug, I’m not even sure if he feels the same way, judging by today. He hasn’t even called me My Lady. Not to my face, at least. He’s barely even flirting with superhero me, but was totally flirting with civilian me. But I can’t…” she frowned, “We can’t happen. I can’t love him.”

“Wait, love?” Tikki inquired, leaning forward and eyes wide.

Marinette gave a weak smile. “Yeah. Love.”

“You just found out about your feelings,” the kwami insisted. “You can’t tell me that, all of a sudden, you’re in love with Chat Noir?!”

“That’s the thing!” the girl said, sitting straight. “It’s not sudden. I’ve always known I love him as a friend, I just hadn’t realized I’ve fallen for him romantically. If I’m being honest with myself, Chat has given me more reason to love him than anyone else.” She took the framed picture of Adrien. “I love Adrien…But I think I love Chat even more. And you were right, Tikki. My love for Chat doesn’t mean I didn’t love Adrien. Otherwise I still wouldn’t hold a place in my heart for him. I still have feelings for him, but…”

Marinette’s shoulders slumped. With a hint of hesitance, she placed the picture face down.

“Adrien is great,” she whispered. “But I want Chat Noir now… But I can’t have him.”

There was silence. It was an odd feeling. Even though Marinette hadn’t been with either boy, she suddenly felt very lonely. As if she had broken up a long-term relationship. Being a superhero sure had its downsides.

“Maybe,” Tikki started, “you can tell Chat Noir your identity.”

----

Adrien’s head whipped towards Plagg.

“That I can what?!”

“Ya heard me,” the kwami shrugged.

“But you told me I can’t.”

----

“I know,” Tikki agreed. “Keeping identities secret is usually the safer route, especially when Chat Noir gets affected by akumas so often. But I’ve lived long enough to see where this is going.”

“What do you mean?” Marinette frowned.

----

“Welp,” Plagg started, stroking one of his whiskers, “when other miraculous holders keep secrets from their loved one, it tends to take a toll in the relationship. Most of them end up breaking for that reason.”

“That’s not very encouraging,” Adrien muttered, now laying on his stomach on the couch, his arm hanging off the edge.

----

“While it is true that it’s easier to fight against Hawkmoth when neither of you know who the person under the mask is, it may not be as easy when your relationship becomes strained by emotional complications. Besides,” Tikki smiled, “while I appreciate Master Fu’s caution, and admire him for it, I believe we shouldn’t underestimate you two. You have proven to be one of the best paired Ladybug and Chat Noir we’ve seen in centuries. And I believe in you, Marinette.”

The girl gaped. Was she hearing this right?

“Are you saying what I think you’re saying?” Marinette breathed.

The kwami nodded. “You’re ready.”

----

“You can tell her,” Plagg said, almost dismissively. All after convincing Adrien she was trustworthy and that they were being too cautious anyway. “Trust me, it’s no big deal. I’m sure Ladybug would understand. Or don’t tell her, whatever floats your boat.”

“No, I-I,” the corner of Adrien’s lip twitched. “I want to tell Marinette… Are you sure, though?”

----

“Positive,” Tikki assured. “I wouldn’t suggest it otherwise.”

Marinette’s lips quickly curled into the biggest grin she had had all month. With a happy squeal, she grabbed Tikki and nuzzled her with her cheek.

“Thankyouthankyouthankyou, oooooohhhhhthankyousomuchTikki!” she cheered. This was possibly the greatest news she had heard in a long time.

“Wow, you really do love him,” the kwami giggled.

The girl stopped her movements, suddenly pulling her little friend away. Yet, despite her embarrassed grin, a light pink blush dusted her freckled face.

“I-I…I do. I love him.” Her cheeks turned darker, but her smile grew wider. “I love Chat Noir.” She let out a chuckle. “I love Chat Noir!”

----

“I really think I can love Marinette,” Adrien said, letting out a wistful sigh, now looking at the high ceiling. “Honestly, I think we can be great together. Maybe even better than whatever I could’ve had with Ladybug. Especially if I don’t have to hide any secrets.” He snorted. “I’m sure Marinette will be thrilled when she finds out who I am.”

“That’s something I’d love to see,” Plagg cackled, bringing a piece of Camembert to the coffee table.

Adrien couldn’t help but chuckle at the thought. “Honestly, I kinda wanna see it myself. Knowing her, she’ll probably flip out. Maybe even call me a few names. Or she’ll be too embarrassed to talk. I can just imagine her.”

“Ha! And I thought I was the mischievous one.”

“I’m not making fun of her,” Adrien scowled at the kwami. “It’s more like…adorable.”

“Agh, blergh,” Plagg feigned a gag, before munching on the piece of cheese. “Dis is wha’ I wa’ af’aid o’.” He swallowed. “You’re gonna be even more annoying now, aren’t you?”

“Plagg!”

----

Tikki giggled as Marinette turned impossibly redder.

“It’s not gonna be like that,” the girl assured, suddenly closing her hand in a fist and giving a determined smile. “Not this time. I don’t have to worry about whether Chat Noir notices me or not. I know he does already. So, I can just go ahead and confess.”

“Just like that?” the kwami said, sounding almost giddy.

“Just like that,” Marinette nodded. “I want to.”

“So when are you going to do it?”

Marinette tapped a finger to her lips in thought. “Tuesday,” she responded. “He always comes on Tuesdays, so I’ll tell him then. I’ll confess and tell him I’m Ladybug.” As she said that, a shiver went down her spine. “Wow, I’m gonna tell Chat Noir my identity. I never thought I’d see the day. I’m actually—”

----

“—Excited,” Adrien breathed, sitting up from the couch. “I finally get to tell someone I’m Chat Noir. Someone who cares for me, whether I wear the suit or not.”

“When are you planning on doing it?” Plagg questioned, popping the last piece of cheese in his mouth.

“Monday,” the boy responded without missing a beat. “At lunch, I’ll invite her to eat, and I’ll tell her everything.”

----

“I’ll confess everything,” Marinette and Adrien said in unison in their respective rooms, unbeknownst to each other.

Saying Marinette was nervous sounded like a serious understatement. If it were not for the fact that she was sitting, her legs would have given away by now. But she had to tell her. There was no way she could keep it a secret. At least, the feelings part. In case anything with the press came up again, which Marinette expected to happen soon.

That’s why she was sitting on a bench with Alya, overlooking the Seine, half-listening to a story about forum discourse in the Ladyblog.

“But yeah, now that I’ve updated the commenting policy in the blog, there should be less incidents like the one with Chloé,” she said. “So now that I’m done sharing my woes and triumphs, tell me the real reason you wanted to hang out.”

“Of course,” Marinette chuckled. “And here I thought I’d be able to say the phrase ‘I need your advice’.”

“You are talking to your resident Marinette expert,” Alya mockingly bragged, a hand on her chest. “I know when my girl seeks the wisdom of yours truly.”

Marinette barked out a laugh, helping her release some of the jitters that had built up since the previous day.

“Alya, I’m in so much trouble,” Marinette lamented. “I need your advice, not only as my friend, but as my public relations agent.”

“Oh no, what happened now?” Alya groaned. “Did you save Ladybug this time? Or do people think you have a crush on her?”

“No!” Marinette let out with a laugh. “It’s… it’s not public.”

“Thank goodness,” Alya let out a breath of relief. “So what happened?”

“U-um… weeell,” Marinette bit her nails. “I-I guess I should start off by saying that, um… you and maman were right.”

“About?”

Marinette cringed. “About…uh…um…”

Alya sighed, resting her chin on her hand. Like she was preparing herself for the next words to take an eternity to come out. The action alone made Marinette jittery once again. She squeezed her eyes shut, and blurted out: “Chat Noir and I kissed last night!”

There was a pause. When it felt like minutes had passed, Marinette dared to open one of her eyes, only to find Alya gaping at her. She opened her other eye and was about to elaborate, when…

“You WHAT?!” the redhead finally screeched.

Marinette couldn’t help but whimper, recoiling into herself.

“I know!” she flailed her arms. “I’m surprised myself!”

“Wait, stop, timeout,” Alya made the gesture of the last word. The girls sat still for a moment, until the redhead brought her feet up on the bench and sat on her knees. “How? Like, when did this happen? I was with you for half of the day yesterday. How did I miss that? And didn’t Chat say he wouldn’t be with you, like, ever?”

“He lied!” Marinette responded giddily. “He said he only said that to shut Annabelle up. And after you left, I went out.”

With almost no filter, Marinette proceeded to tell her best friend everything that happened with Félix and Chat Noir. She also admitted the real reason she started hanging out with Félix, only to be countered with an ‘I knew it!’ from Alya. Finally, she got to the part of what happened on her balcony, letting out wistful sighs and staring into space in a daze.

“I just can’t believe I didn’t see it before,” Marinette grinned. “It took me like half a second to realize the moment I fell for Adrien, and yet it took me weeks to see it with Chat.”

“That’s because you,” Alya poked her friend’s nose, “weren’t hung up on another guy when you fell for Adrien.”

“Yeah,” the girl in pigtails sighed. “But now I know, and I don’t know how I can act like a normal person in front of him. Worse, in front of other people, like reporters!”

“Easy there, M,” Alya comforted. “I’m sure we can figure that out eventually. But you know this means you two can’t appear together for an interview in a while, right?”

“I figured,” Marinette frowned. “Knowing me, there’s no way I can act like nothing’s going on. Not for a while, at least.”

“Exactly,” the young reporter agreed. “I think you guys need to talk this out before going to another interview. Now, as your friend, I need to ask: what do you plan on doing?”

“Um…” Marinette scratched the back of her head. “Well, I—”

“Marinette!” someone called from the stairs leading down to where they were.

The two girls turned to see Lila running their way, waving her hand high in the air.

“Why are you friends with that girl?” Alya whispered through gritted teeth.

“Be nice,” Marinette scolded, then turning to the newcomer. “Hey, Lila! Didn’t expect to see you around.”

“Thought I needed some fresh air,” the girl with the chestnut brown hair sighed. “But I’m so happy to have bumped into you! I was looking for a good store where I can go buy fabrics, but since I don’t have a way to contact you, I was looking through the Internet. But so far, the options it gives me are not that great.”

“Then you’re lucky you found the right person,” Marinette chirped. She was about to get off her seat, but Alya held her down.

“Do we really have to?” she whined.

“People can change, Alya,” the designer stated. “Don’t you think we all deserve a chance to show the best of ourselves?”

While Alya hesitated, she ended up letting go and following the other two.

“Just because I was turned into a villain that looked like a superhero, doesn’t mean the real superhero is not out there,” Lila argued.

“Even if a superhero Volpina were to show up, you really think she could be taken seriously?” Alya retorted. “The people have already seen Volpina as a bad guy twice. It would be hard to clean that image.”

“But not impossible,” Lila pointed out. “Yes, it would be hard, but the real Volpina is somewhere out there. Somewhere exists the fox miraculous, and whoever has it is a true superhero.”

Marinette groaned for the thirteenth time as her old friend debated with her new friend. On the bright side, the argument seemed to be amicable. On the downside, they wouldn’t let go. They had been at it since the fabrics store, all the way to the Trocadéro. She had just opened her mouth to contribute, but a new call interrupted her.

“Yo! Alya! Marinette!”

The girls turned in the direction of the call, to see Nino and Adrien walking their way. Marinette’s heart hitched at the sight of the boy she proclaimed to love before the previous night. She didn’t think to see him so soon after somewhat getting over him. Yet, she felt…light.

“Hey, guys!” Alya said next to her. “Daddy Agreste let his prisoner outta the cage?”

“Apparently Sundays are the old man’s exception, right Adrien?” Nino elbowed his best friend.

“Huh?” Adrien uttered. It wasn’t until that moment that Marinette realized he had been staring at her since they got there, making a shiver go up her spine. “Uh, right, yeah. Sundays are free.”

“Awesome!” Alya cheered. “We were thinking about getting lunch now. Wanna join?”

“Uuuh…”

“Sure,” Nino interrupted the blond. “Where you headed?”

“There’s this nice café near Marinette’s that they say is amazing,” Alya gushed.

“Yeah. I heard their espresso has quite the punch,” Marinette giggled, thinking of the mess she and Chat Noir made the previous day in that very same café.

To her surprise, she heard Adrien snort at the joke, despite the loud noises of crowds around them. Yet he almost immediately covered his mouth and started… Blushing? Had she ever seen him blush? Not that she could remember. Did she have the guts to tease him about it? It wasn’t like she was very conscious about his opinion anymore.

Oh.

That’s how I’ve been talking to him, she realized.

While six weeks ago she would have been horrified at the thought of getting over Adrien, present her couldn’t help but grin. The idea that she could potentially be happy with the boy who was also her partner, the one person she trusted with her own life, literally, sent ladybugs fluttering in her stomach.

Amusingly enough, that made her much more comfortable around Adrien. She felt more herself, and even came up with ideas to lightly torture him. She had just opened her mouth to do just that, when Lila spoke up.

“I still think we should go to Geneviève’s,” she recommended. “They’re new, fresh and have some of the nicest art I’ve seen in a café.”

“Oh, I’ve been there.” Nino snapped his fingers. “They have some of Nathaniel’s art up on their walls. It’s all local, small-time artists.”

“You didn’t tell me they have Nat’s art,” Alya scolded the chestnut-haired girl.

“Didn’t know,” Lila shrugged.

“’Kay, change of plans,” the redhead shouted dramatically and pointed to the opposite direction. “Onwards to Geneviève’s!”

Marinette giggled at her friend’s antics and laughed harder when Nino and Lila told her she was going the wrong way. The group walked for several minutes until they reached a small café with a colorful sign on the entrance. Like a fancy graffiti.

Inside, there were several booths along the walls and various tables in the middle. From the looks of it, the theme was quite appealing to many, with most of the seats taken and waiters with colorful uniforms rushing around the floor. The walls were filled with artwork of all sizes and styles. Next to the booth closest to the window, there was a particularly colorful drawing of Ladybug, which Marinette immediately recognized.

“This is it,” she squealed, siting in the booth. “This is where we’re sitting, right next to Nat’s work.”

Her antics were quickly met with a giggle from Adrien, while the others took the seat across from her. This left the blond sitting next to her. For the next few minutes, the group was engrossed in conversation, mostly about school and their classmates. On her part, Marinette couldn’t help but notice someone was unusually quiet.

“Something on your mind?” she asked.

Adrien raised his gaze, almost startled. “Uh, a lot, honestly.”

“Wanna talk about it?”

He let out a shuddered breath. “I’m still deciding if I should talk about it or not.”

“Is it bad?” she asked with a frown.

“No! No, not at all. Just confusing.”

“Oh, okay.” Marinette went quiet for a moment, until deciding to change the subject. “So, was it just me, or did you actually laugh at my joke earlier?”

“What?”

“The one of the espresso?” she cleared up. She then proceeded to lean closer and smirk. “I never knew you could turn so red.”

“I blushed?!” Adrien practically shrieked, a hand flying to his cheek. Marinette laughed.

“Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me. No one will know how much of a dork you actually are.”

“Thanks, I guess?” he said, with a lopsided grin.

She turned back to the other three, in hopes of joining the conversation, but Adrien spoke again.

“So, how’re you doing?” he asked, scratching the back of his head.

“Pretty good, actually,” Marinette shrugged. “You should’ve seen how these two made peace.”

She then proceeded to animatedly recount the journey from the Seine to the fabrics store with Alya and Lila, how they had turned from reluctant company to sworn frenemies in less than two hours. As the story progressed, the others joined, the two in question adding their sides to it. And somehow, they landed on the Volpina debate once again.

To which Adrien sided with Lila, for once.

“But it’s true!” he insisted. “I saw the hero in a book once. She’s real.”

“Exactly!” Lila landed her fist on the table in triumph. “That’s actually how I knew about her. I saw the book too, and that’s how I became Volpina. My akuma was a version of something I aspired for.”

“Like Nathaniel,” Marinette added. “Evillustrator was actually his version of Super Nat, that got twisted into an akuma by Hawkmoth.”

“I don’t remember wanting to be Lady Wifi,” Alya pouted, as she handed the bill to the waitress, with all their money pooled together.

“I still weep at the thought of my Bubbler outfit,” Nino added.

“Every akuma is different,” Adrien said. “Some turn you into something you yearn to be, others give you powers that can help you in your goal and others are a twisted version of something that you are. It all depends on what you’re feeling in the moment of corruption.”

“And others can turn into real-life people, like Copycat,” Marinette added, starting to slide out of the booth with the others. “If someone could turn into someone else, or a girl version of that someone, like Chatte Noire, it’s not such a stretch to think Lila turned into a real-life hero as her akuma.”

“See!” Lila chirped. “She gets it.”

“Of course she gets it,” Adrien breathed wistfully. When four heads turned to him, he sputtered: “B-Because she’s smart! And totally on our side, right Mari?”

“It’s not about being on anyone’s side,” she cleared up, stepping out of the café and keeping the door open for the rest to file out. “It’s just a theory that I support about the real Volpina. But, that doesn’t mean Alya is in the wrong when it comes to how the real one could possibly be perceived now.”

“And that’s my point!” the redhead screeched. “Even if she is real, we’d still have a hard time trusting her.”

“Yeah but that still doesn’t negate the fact that—”

But Adrien didn’t get to finish his sentence, as he bumped into someone when they reached the corner of the sidewalk.

“Oh, sorr…” He trailed off, as he got a good look at who he accidentally stumbled to. “Félix”

Marinette grew stiff. Last time she saw him, she dropped him to the ground after yelling at him for sort-of pretending to be Chat Noir. He was the guy that turned out not to be who she kissed the previous night.

“Hello, Adrien,” Félix nodded, before turning to her. “Marinette.”

The girl in pigtails partly wanted to crawl into a hole, remembering how, at one point, she genuinely thought he was Chat Noir. For how obvious it was that she clearly made a mistake, that Chat Noir wouldn’t be able to keep his jokes at bay, no matter how careful he had to be with his image.

But the other part was fully conscious about the fact that, although Félix didn’t outright lie, his intentions were exactly what had happened. Lonely or not, it didn’t change the fact that he had hoped she confused him for Chat.

So, in true stubborn fashion, Marinette pouted, crossed her arms, and turned her head away from him.

“I’m not talking to you,” she said.

“I’m sorry about what I did,” he apologized quietly, almost making Marinette turn back to look at him. “I shouldn’t have done that. It was wrong.”

Marinette let out an exasperated breath. She was about to turn around, when Adrien placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Hear him out,” he whispered. The girl frowned, yet did as suggested anyway, with a scowl directed at Félix.

“What did you do?” Lila inquired, while Alya took a step closer to Marinette, like a bodyguard.

Félix glanced at the Italian for a second. “What I did was dumb, uncalled for and insensitive. I Should’ve never let you think I was someone else.”

“Wait, whatta you mean—” Nino started, but was cut off by a loud gasp from Lila.

“You didn’t.”

“He did,” Alya confirmed, now taking a step in front of Marinette.

“Wait, who… Oh no,” The bespectacled boy now took a step closer to the girl in question. “I knew you were up to no good.”

Marinette was suddenly very aware of how everyone else banded around her, ready to gang up on Félix. What was more, she noticed the boy take a step back, his thumb nervously stroking the book he was holding. The same book that was infected the previous day.

The thought that he could be akumatized again struck her, and she realized being stubborn, with her friends surrounding her, was probably not the wisest decision in that moment.

“Um, guys, it’s fine,” she said, trying to lower the steam. “I’m fine, really.”

“It didn’t sound fine when you told me the story earlier,” Alya retorted.

“Hey, guys, c’mon,” Adrien intervened. “He’s trying to apologize. I think he deserves at least a little benefit of the doubt.”

“Since when are you on his side?” Lila asked suspiciously. “Heck, you were the one who was jea—”

“LET’S not jump into conclusions,” Adrien cut in, before she could finish. “And I think you’re the last one who should call someone out for lying.”

Lila gaped. “Oh, that’s low, Agreste.”

“Stop, please!” Marinette interrupted. She let out a sigh before stepping aside from Alya and turning to look at them all. “Thank you all for coming to my defense, really. But I’m gonna have to kinda side with Adrien on this one. Of course,” she continued hastily when she saw everyone getting ready to protest, “this doesn’t necessarily mean I condone Félix’s actions. On the contrary, I’m still mad about what he did, but… Lila, weren’t you happy that I forgave you for lying to Annabelle?”

The Italian’s gaze lowered to the pavement, as she shuffled her feet.

“If someone is willing to apologize, and they recognize what they did wrong, I think they deserve a second chance.” Marinette looked directly at Félix now. “Do you promise to never do something like that again?”

A calm smile crossed the boy’s lips. “I think I rather make real friends, the right way. Plus, unless I wanna get beat up by Chat Noir, I think I should do as he and Ladybug asked.”

“Beat up by Chat Noir?” Marinette parroted.

“I-I don’t think he would,” Adrien added sheepishly.

“I hope not,” Félix chuckled. “He was pretty miffed about the whole thing.”

“Yeah…” Marinette agreed, rubbing her arm.

“So, you forgive me?”

The girl stood straighter. “Under one condition: Next time you see Chat, you have to apologize to him.”

“You know, he also—”

“I already scolded him about it. But you know he had good reason to be upset.”

“Yeah, he was very explicit about it in the end.”

Marinette frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Well, he—” but he stopped abruptly, looking at the rest of the group. He cleared his throat. “Now that I think about it, I don’t think it’s my place.”

What did Chat say?! The girl’s curiosity had just increased tenfold. Whatever he said, it sounded like it had been defining enough for Félix to actually feel cautious about her partner. Did it have to do with her? Did he threaten him? That sounded unlike him.

Wait.

What if Félix was lying again? Creating doubt?

But what if not? What if it was something important?

“I’m sure it’s no big deal,” Adrien suddenly interrupted her thoughts.

“It wasn’t,” Félix immediately agreed, giving Marinette the funny feeling he was latching into the first excuse he heard. “Anyway, I’m glad I got to tell you that. I see you’re busy, so I’ll go my way now.”

With another curt not, he turned on his heels and started walking away. Marinette stared after him, her fingers fiddling with each other for a few seconds.

“Wait!” she shouted, running over to Félix, careful not to bump into other people. “Waitwaitwaitwaitwait!”

She skidded, almost tripping, when she reached him. The boy arched an eyebrow, yet continued walking.

“Tell me,” Marinette begged after him. “If you tell me, I’ll be able to tell if you really meant what you said.”

“I really don’t think it’s my place,” Félix insisted.

“If you tell me, I’ll be more forgiving.”

“Are you blackmailing me now?”

“It’s not blackmail if I don’t have information about you,” she reasoned. “Think of it as material to earn your forgiveness.”

“You really want to know, don’t you?”

“Very, very much,” Marinette whined.

Félix sighed. “I don’t think Chat would be very happy if I tell you what he said.”

“Was it bad?”

“Depends on your definition of bad. I don’t think it was, for you.”

“For me?”

Félix stopped, Marinette quickly following. The boy seemed to hesitate for a moment, yet ultimately decided to speak.

“He told me he lied in the show. About what you were worried about, remember?”

“Oh. He told you about that?”

Félix’s head tilted. “You already know?”

“He told me last night,” she confirmed, with a nod. “But I don’t see how that means he would beat you up.”

“Well,” he averted his gaze, hesitant to say the next part, “he admitted to me that he was jealous when I asked him what his problem was.”

Marinette’s eyes widened. That was… bold of Chat Noir to do. Risky. Kinda dumb.

“I think he said it out of impulse, or adrenaline after the battle,” Félix shrugged. “But it did explain why he was so upset about the whole thing.”

“Oh my gosh,” Marinette couldn’t help saying, smacking a hand to her face. “That dork is gonna get himself in serious trouble if he can’t learn to control himself.”

“Hey,” the blond placed a hand on her shoulder. “Look on the bright side: he likes you. Isn’t that what you were worried about?”

The girl’s heart almost escaped through her mouth with that statement. Her breath became uneven, betraying the nervousness she was trying to hide.

“I-I-I’m not—That’s not… I-I don’t know what—”

“Don’t worry.” He smiled. “Your secret’s safe with me. I do mean it when I say I want real friends.”

Marinette let out a shuddered breath. While she was glad Félix was being nice about the whole thing, it worried her that he noticed it so quickly. If he figured it out by the conversation they had yesterday, and Alya had already noticed her feelings weeks before she realized them herself, how long did she have until the media officially caught on?

Or…was it possible someone had already caught on?

She needed to talk to Chat, as soon as possible. If only she could contact him before Tuesday, somehow.

“Everything okay?”

Marinette jumped at Adrien’s sudden arrival.

“Yes!” she yelped. “I think…”

“It is,” Félix nodded.

“That’s good,” Adrien sighed, as the rest of the group joined them.

“Does that mean we have to be nice to him now?” Lila piped up.

“I don’t know if I have the energy to add another questionable member to our group,” Alya said, rubbing her temple.

“Alyaaa…”

“He’s not so bad,” Adrien shrugged. Marinette’s gaze snapped towards him.

“Look,” Nino started, “we’re all going the same way, might as well get to know him better anyway. See if he deserves the second chance.”

“Well then, buckle up, Mr. Chess Champion,” Alya stepped up and poked Félix’s arm, “because you’re about to be interrogated by the most protective best friend and most insane blogger in Paris.”

Félix rolled his eyes and started walking. Yet, that didn’t deter the blogger from following him, making all kinds of questions that were not being answered. Meanwhile, Nino glanced towards Marinette and Adrien, and quickly turned to Lila.

“So, you this way too?” he asked lamely.

“Duh,” Lila uttered, jutting out her jaw.

“How did you find out of Geneviève’s, anyway?” he pushed for conversation, starting to walk in the direction Alya and Félix had.

The question worked, as Lila happily started telling him a story about how she went there with her father. Marinette arched a brow, having a nagging feeling Nino pulled her his way on purpose. Why, though? Well, whatever the case, she and Adrien were now by themselves on the back.

“Unless we wanna fall behind…” she said, gesturing to the sidewalk ahead.

Adrien blinked, seeming lost. “I-I, um, with you?”

Marinette let out an offended gasp.

“Not that it’s bad!” Adrien quickly amended. But the girl huffed and started walking away. The boy quickly matched her pace. “It’s actually nice, I get to talk to you. We don’t talk often, not like this.”

“Like this?” she stopped, puzzled.

“Outside of class, I mean,” he cleared up.

Marinette scrunched her nose and continued walking.

“I just mean that I can get to know you better,” Adrien continued. “I feel we don’t talk much, nor hang out enough.”

“You remember we’re not supposed to be seen together, right?”

“I don’t care what Father says,” he shrugged. “I rather risk getting grounded than not talk to you again.”

She turned to stare at him. “That’s sweet!” she expressed with a grin. “But I wouldn’t want to get you in trouble.”

“Chi-uh, buh, psh, no trouble at all,” Adrien sputtered, scratching the back of his head. “I-I mean, I don’t care about trouble. I laugh in the face of trouble!”

“Pfft,” Marinette snorted, shoulders shaking from the laughter she was attempting to smother. “I’m sure you do.”

From the corner of her eye, she noticed Adrien give her a toothy grin she had never seen. One that fully reached his eyes. She had seen him laugh before, but never simply grin like a dork as he was doing at that moment. Marinette looked ahead at the others.

Nino and Lila had joined Alya in their quest of crowding Félix, and possibly make him uncomfortable, from the looks of it. Yet, despite their silly antics, the new addition to the group didn’t seem bothered. In fact, he almost seemed to be enjoying their company.

Like a person having real friends for the first time in his life.

Marinette sighed contentedly.

“What is it?” Adrien asked next to her.

She hummed, with a slight shake of her head. “I’m happy.”

“Really?”

“Mhmm,” Marinette smiled. “Just yesterday I was scolding Félix. And last week Lila didn’t even wanna talk to me. Yet here they are today. Odd little group we have, don’t we?”

“You have a knack for making the oddest friends,” Adrien commented with a shrug. “You can hit someone on the head with a watering can, and still make friends with them.”

Marinette snorted. “Yeah… Wait, how do you know I hit Chat on the head?”

Adrien visibly stiffened. “Uhh—Wild guess,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck and letting out a nervous giggle.

“Has Chat been talking to you?” The girl narrowed her eyes.

“No!” Adrien responded quickly. “No. Not at all. I was just guessing. It was a watering can, right? I mean, that’s what I remember you saying to Nadja.”

“Yeah,” Marinette smiled. “He took it really well, though. He even praised me for my strength, the dork.”

“You seem very fond of that memory,” the blond commented.

“It’s what brought us together. After that he started talking to me more, and visiting several times a week.” She gave a nostalgic chuckle. “In fact, that event is so memorable, that two weeks ago, Chat gifted me a spray bottle because—”

But she stopped her story abruptly. Why was she telling Adrien all this? Since when had she felt so comfortable with him to tell those kinds of secrets?

“I’m listening” Adrien said.

“Um… You know what? That’s between us.”

“Oh, you have secrets between yourselves,” the blond teased.

“No! Yes…” Marinette involuntarily started blushing, her mind quickly jumping to the previous night. “Hopefully for not much longer,” she muttered.

“Not much longer?” Adrien said, sounding breathless.

“I-It’s a long story,” the designer added, her cheeks turning even darker.

“Did something happen?” he pushed.

“Weeell…” She scratched the back of her head.

“Did he say or do something bad?”

“No, not at all,” Marinette shook her head. “Chat Noir is not that kind of person. He’s actually very sweet. I just need to talk to him, that’s all.”

“May I ask what about?”

Marinette turned to look directly at Adrien, who seemed almost eager to hear her answer.

“Why?” she couldn’t help but ask.

“What?”

“Why do you want to know?”

The boy cleared his throat and placed his hands in his pockets.

“Just trying to make conversation.” He looked ahead for a moment, but then stared at her again from the corner of his eye.

Marinette frowned. “Are you okay?”

“Me? Grate! I mean, great!” he sputtered. “No need to worry about this caaaaaa—sual! Casual dude, just strolling with his friends. Heh, heh.” He scratched the back of his head, for what seemed like the hundredth time already. “I’m fine. Good. Great. Awesome. Pur—Perfect! Perfect.”

“Hey,” she placed a hand on his arm, making him let out an ungodly yelp. “Take it easy. What’s up with you? Why are you so jumpy?”

“Uuuhhh.”

“You can talk to me,” she tried reassuring him, giving one of her trademark smiles. “We’re friends, right?”

Adrien turned his head to look at her fully, his lips parting. Marinette could almost swear she could see a million thoughts run behind his eyes. The stare was so intense, she hadn’t realized they stopped walking.

Well, she may have decided to give up on him romantically, but that didn’t stop her from appreciating his friendship.

“I-I…” he stuttered.

Marinette tilted her head, hoping to assure him she was listening. Adrien visibly gulped. A light warmth softly covered the hand she had placed on his arm: his palm, she figured, as she hadn’t looked. He let out a shuddered breath, yet his gaze became determined.

“Marinette,” he breathed, stepping in front of her. “There’s something I have to tell you.”

“Oh?”

“And I need you to believe me when I say it.”

“Okay?”

He took a deep breath. “Marinette,” he bit his lip, attempting to hold a grin, “Marinette, I’m—”

“Hey, you two!” Alya called from behind him. Adrien slumped and shut his eyes. “You joining us or what?”

“In a minute!” Marinette called, and turned back to the boy before her. “You were saying?”

“Um…” he averted his gaze. “I-I… I don’t wanna say it rushed.”

“Oh, it’s long?” Marinette questioned. Adrien nodded. “Okay. How about tomorrow? Lunchtime, so we don’t have to worry if one of us—me—gets to class late. How’s that?”

Adrien blinked. “You’re the best,” he grinned.

Marinette merely giggled before directing them back to the group.

Adrien could feel his heart trying to break out of his ribcage. He had been so close.

So. Close.

It took an impulsive thought to make him start saying the words he wanted so badly. Now, all courage seemed to have ran off into the wind, jumping like a black cat in an alley after a loud noise. He almost felt dizzy from the rush of adrenaline.

He quietly kept a hand over his chest, trying to calm the nerves that were currently wrecking him. Would he still feel like this the next day? Could he really stand this feeling for almost twenty-four hours?

I’m gonna die, he whined miserably in his head. We could’ve been great. I’ll miss you in the afterlife. Bye, I will lov—Woah, too far.

“Dude, you okay?” Adrien startled when Nino whispered to his ear. The boy in the cap raised his hands in surrender. “Whoa, chill. Didn’t mean to freak you out.”

The blond clutched his shirt, becoming jittery now. Nino noticed, what was stopping everyone else to see it too? What if Marinette asked? What if he wouldn’t be able to hold himself from doing something stupid? Like confessing?

But confess what? That he liked her of that he was Chat Noir? Either one was equally nerve-wrecking. And telling her that he liked her before revealing his identity would probably just confuse her. Or he would doom himself to be with her as Adrien, without ever sharing that special bond they had developed in the last few weeks. Forever trapped in a lie, where she would probably leave him in the end anyway, for running off to save Paris in the middle of dates without explanations. Then he would lose her, and she would never know—

A sharp elbow hit his arm.

“Man, they’re leaving,” Nino scolded, gesturing towards the rest of the group.

One quick scan to his surroundings confirmed that everyone else was about to head their own way, with Lila and Félix heading east, while Marinette and Alya were heading west. And he and Nino had to continue north.

“ByeMarinette!” Adrien blurted out. When he realized his mistake, he sputtered more. “And Alya, and Lila, and Félix. I’ll see ya guys.”

He raised finger guns, hoping he was not coming off as dumb as he felt. Alya and Félix gave him perplexed looks, while Lila and Marinette did their best to hide the laughter trying to bloom out of them. What was more, from the corner of his eye, he could see Nino shake his head.

“Bye, Adrien,” Lila said, as she turned to leave.

“It was nice seeing you again,” Félix bid farewell, with a curt nod, before going in the same direction as the Italian.

“Please make sure he doesn’t walk into a lamppost or something,” Alya sighed, in mock defeat.

“Yes, dudette,” Nino obliged, giving a two-fingered salute.

“Well, see you around, Adrien,” Marinette said with a cute wave and that shinning beam of hers. That smile that he had grown to love so much, that sent ladybugs fluttering from his stomach, through his body. Even as she turned and walked away, the feeling wouldn’t leave, forever etched beneath his skin.

Beside him, Nino snorted out a laugh, but Adrien barely paid mind.

“So, we still got a good hour before your old man starts bugging us, so are you up for some ice cream?”

“Uuh…” Adrien uttered, his eyes still trained on the back of Marinette’s head.

“Dude, I swear you’re gonna love this place,” Nino promised, searching his phone for the address. “I haven’t been there myself, but my dad brought me some last Tuesday, and—”

“I like Marinette,” Adrien confessed.

[fascinationfics]

13 Going on 30 AU  Bruce x Reader

Hey guys. Sorry that I haven’t been active for the past 3 weeks. I promise to keep posting more! ♥ But here it is, the 13 Going on 30 AU with Bruce Banner. Feedback is much appreciated ^^

Word Count:  2,789 (Phew that’s a lot for a little beginner like me)

 Disclaimer: I do NOT own 13 Going On 30! BUT I did adjust some things so they wouldn’t be as similar to the movie. Also yes, I know in the movie, young Jenna is 13 in the 80′s, so for this fanfic, the young reader and Bruce are in the year 2000 and were born in 1987.

I/N = Incorrect name (for this instance, they are pronouncing your name wrong)

Y/D/N = your dads name

Y/F/C = Your favorite color

“Move it, nerd.” Some kid shoved you.

As you took your seat in front of the blue screen in the gym, the photographer took your ticket from you.

“Keep your back straight.” You did has he told. “Put your book on your lap and look at the camera, okay? Nice smile.”

‘Freakin weirdo, telling me my smile is nice.’’ you thought, as you mentally rolled your eyes at him.

“Swing around this way a little bit, I/N.” He incorrectly said your name.

“It’s Y/N.” You annoyedly corrected him.

“Look over here, I/N.” How rude, it’s like he didn’t even hear you.

“It’s Y/N.” you half yelled at him.

___

“Oh, no.” You said to yourself, this can’t be happening, he took your photo while you were corrected him, so you had your lips outward while you were saying your name to correct him again. As you were walking out of school your best friend Bruce came from behind you with a camera above your head.

“Say cheese.” Bruce said next to you whilst taking the photo of the both of you.

“Bruce, please. No more pictures.” You stated as you walked with him.

“It’s your 13th birthday, We gotta document it.” Bruce smiled at you as you looked down at your photo in disappointment. As soon as he saw your disappointed face, he grew worried and asked what was wrong.

“It’s just my photo. I look horrible, now i’ll never be apart of the Six Chicks.” you sighed in disappointment, now hiding your photo from everyone.

“You’re better than those fake things, Y/N.” Bruce looked at you while you looked ahead.

“I know, but I wanna be the best. That’s why- quiet Bruce, they’re coming this way.” You hit his chest in a playful manner as to not hurt him. “Hey Dee-Dee.” You smiled up at her and the rest of the Six Chicks behind her.

“Hey, Y/N.” She looked you up and down.”Hi, Greenie. How’s everything down in the forest?” As Dee-Dee laughed, so did you. Bruce looked disgusted as he looked at you, laughing along with her joke.

“So how’d yours come out, N/N?” Dee-Dee pointed at your photos.

“Not so good. How about yours Dee-Dee?” You asked, trying to avoid showing her your pictures.

“Yeah, mines aren’t so hot either.” She stated as she showed you her pictures right in front of her face.

“Gosh, you’re so photogenic, Dee-Dee.” Just like the rest of the Six Chicks, you awed at her picture.

Getting annoyed at how fake you were being Bruce said, “I’ll meet you out front.”

“Do whatever you want, it’s not like she needs a play-by-play.” Dee-Dee bullied Bruce.

“Freakazoid.” Insulted Bruce, as he walked away from you both.

“See you.” You said as he walked outside.

“Y/N, can I talk to you for a tiny sec?” As she pulled you away from the group to talk to you in private. “I told Harry Osborn, me and the Six Chicks were going to the party, and he said he wanted to come with.” Dee-Dee whispered for only you to hear.

“Really?” You asked in disbelieve. Harry Osborn, a freshman in high school wanted to come your party!? The hottest guy alive?!

“Yeah, it’s too bad we can’t make it, we really wanted to.” She stated in a loud voice now. “Didn’t we girls?” Dee-Dee asked the group behind her.

“Yea, totally.” They all agreed to Dee-Dee.

“Miss. Pepper, is up our ass with this group project, and Harry is helping us out with the project, so he can’t come either.” Dee-Dee sadly said sarcastically. You didn’t hear the sarcasm since you were so brainwashed by how much you wanted to be like her.

Since you wanted Harry to come to your party sooooo much, you offered that you could do their project for them.

“Amaz-balls, see you soon.” She blew you a kiss a a gift for doing her project.

____

As you were nearing your home with Bruce, he asked you a question.

“Why did you invite those clones?” He was talking about the Six Chicks.

“Because they’re my friends.” You stated as it should be obvious to him.

“Six Chicks are not your friends, okay?” Bruce retaliated.

“Well almost, and someday i’ll be a Six Chick.” You smiled up at him, knowing you’ll be one soon.

“There’s six of them. That’s the point. There can’t be a seventh Six Chick.It’s just mathematically impossible.” Bruce argued back, making sure you know how to count.

“You’re cooler than they are. They’re unoriginal.” Bruce stopped in front of both of your houses. That was such an advantage, having your best friend live right next door to you.

“I don’t want to be original. I wanna be cool.” You looked at him with a smile.

“Want some Razzles?” Bruce asked, pulling out a bag of Razzles from his front pocket.

“Razzles are for kids.” You smiled at him knowing where this is going.

“Exactly.” Bruce put out his hand to put one Razzle in his hand and extending the bag towards you to put one in your hand. You both popped them in your mouth as you walked to your separate homes.

“Arrivederci.” Bruce said his usual goodbye.

“Au revoir.” You said in your worst French. As you walked towards your house, without you knowing, Bruce picked his camera up from around his neck and took a photo of you.

____

While you were putting on your makeup, your favorite band came on t.v., you got up and walked towards your t.v., to see Justin Timberlake’s face, as you got on your knees to kiss the screen, your parents came in with your dad holding the camera, and you looking at them in disbelief getting up from your position.

“Happy birthday, sweetie!” They said in unison.

“Tell us your life as a teenager.”  your dad asked as they got closer. “What are you doing?” She asked pointing at your chest. “Are you wearing a bra?” She got closer to you.

“Go away!” You pushed her away as you sat on your bed angrily.

“Oh honey, what’s wrong?” She asked concerned. “Y/D/N. Self image.” She told your dad, pretty much telling him to get out the room. As he walked out, your mom dug up the tissues you used on your chest , and threw them away in the nearby bin.

“Y/N, it’s going to be alight.” Your mom tried reassuring you.

“It’s not, mom. Look at me!” You cried to her, pointing at your face and chest. “This is not okay, it’s fatal!” You yelled at her, hinting that being flat chested is not okay at your age.

“It’s not fatal, honey. It’s realistic.” She assured you by hugging you.

“I hate my life.” you got up from your position on the bed, walking towards the magazines you have on your white vanity. Looking at them in awe, how could these women look so pretty and get paid for it?

Your mom looked from behind you looking at your awed face, wishing you didn’t compare yourself to the magazine models. She really has to stop buying you those magazines. “You don’t look like the girls on the Shield magazine, but you’re beautiful in your own way.” She brushed your hands with her fingers, looking at you as you still looked at the magazines in front of you.

“I don’t want to be beautiful in my own way, I wanna look like those people.” You pointed out the girls on the magazine and the cut-out models around your mirror that you taped up.

“Oh those aren't people, honey. Those are models.” She stated the obvious.

“‘Thirty, flirty and thriving. Why the 30’s are the best years of your life.’” You read from the latest magazine that arrived earlier today. “I wanna be thirty.” You sadly sighed. Just being 30 is all you wished you were right now.

“Oh you will be. But right now, you're my beautiful thirteen year old daughter.” Your mom said as you looked up to her and hugged her. The minute she walked out your room, is the minute you started stuffing your chest with tissue to have the effect of boobs.

____

While you were dancing to the Macarena by yourself in the basement, Bruce came down and surprised you.

“ Happy birthday, Y/N.” Bruce said while holding a big brown box.

“Oh my gosh, Bruce.” You went to help Bruce with the box as he set it down on the nearest table.

“This is just part one of your present. I’ve got something else to give you later.” Bruce smiled down at you while you waited patiently for him to finish so you could open up your present.

“What is it?” You were excited, wanting to know what it is as you and Bruce kneeled down on the ground to open your present.

“You know how you always wanted a Barbie Dream House?” He asked you as you bobbed your head up and down fast. “Well, I decided to make you your own Y/N dream house.” He said as he unwrapped the bow for you to open the box.

As all four sides fell open, you looked at the Y/F/C house of your dreams. You wanted to cry, but you put so much effort on your makeup that you held back the tears.

“Did you make this yourself? Oh Brucy.” You couldn’t stop looking at your very own house.

“Yea. See that’s you in your bubble bath, reading your favorite magazine. And that’s your bedroom with a massive stereo with every CD ever made, the good ones of course.” As he pointed towards your bedroom in the small house. “And there’s that bum, Justin Timberlake loafing on the couch. And there goes me, to make sure the creep keeps his hands to himself.” He pointed towards the living room where Justin is sitting on the couch drinking a Coke, while Bruce's figuren pointed at Justin with a scowl.

“Oh, I almost forgot. Wishing dust.” He pointed out as he withdrew a bag of wishing dust from his back pocket, and ripped open the bag to pour the wishing dust over the roof of your dream house. “It says, ‘This wishing dust knows what's in your heart of hearts. It'll make all your dreams come true.’” Bruce read off the package.

♪Ding Dong♪

“Oh, they're here.” You told yourself, as you got up.

“What do we do?” Asked Bruce as he also stood up. You looked around the wondering where you could put your dream house.

“Oh, my gosh. Bruce, I’m just going to put this away okay? It’s to have more room to dance.” As you looked at the closet, you grabbed the house and put it up on the top shelf of the closet so it won't be out in the open for Dee-Dee or Harry to see.

“Put some music on.” You instructed Bruce as you ran up the stairs.

____

As you were running towards the door, you saw your dad about to open the door.

“Dad, you promised to stay upstairs. Go!” You pushed him away towards the stairs. You fixed yourself a little as to look presentable for the Six Chicks and Harry.

Once you opened the door, you saw Dee-Dee and the rest of the group. “The party is down stairs.” You stated.

“Amaze-balls.” Dee-Dee said her catchphrase, as she took off her jacket and handed it to you, as the rest of the Six Chicks followed suit and gave their jackets to you to carry. Once the last girl came through the door, you saw a red car pull up in front of your house. Wondering who it was, you saw Harry get out the car, oh, so did his other friends.

_____

As you walked back down the basement towards the party, you hear Bruce's favorite CD mix, and you also see him dancing. Not minding his music, you didn’t say anything.

“What is this?” Dee-Dee asked in disgust.

“I’m not sure, it’s Bruce’s.” You answered. You obviously knew it was his, but you didn’t want to seem like a freak in front of Harry.

“Sorry Greenie, majority rules.” Dee-Dee tilted her head at him as she popped out Bruce’s CD and put on a more mainstream CD you had on the side.

“You’re all hopeless people.” Bruce said in disbelief, Never leaving his eyes off you.

“Nerd.”

“Robot.” He insulted Dee-Dee, not letting himself go. “I’m gonna go next door to get my Casio.” Bruce said standing in front of you.

“Do whatever you want Bruce, I don’t need a play-by-play.” You repeated what Dee-Dee said earlier today at school. Bruce just took that and looked around the room before disappearing going up stairs to get his stuff.

Once Bruce left, Dee-Dee smirked at you.

“Hey, I have an idea, girls.” Dee-Dee said while looking around the room until she looked at you. “Let’s play seven minutes in heaven. You can go first, because you’re the birthday girl.” She smiled at you.

“How does that one go again?” You asked her, as she unwrapped her scarf from around her neck to wrap it around your eyes.

“Well you just go in the closet, and some lucky guy will go in there, and do whatever he want with you for seven whole minutes. And guess who want’s to go first?” She teased you.

“Who?”

“Harry Osborn.” Your heart thumped when you heard his name.

“Before I forget, where is our project proposal?” She asked, scanning around the room for the papers as she pushed you towards the closet door

“On the table.”

“Thanks.”

“Remember, no peeking. Keep that blindfold on. And just so you know, Harry loves going for second base.” Okay now you were really excited. Dee-Dee sat you on the ground in the closet. As you sat down waiting for Harry, Dee-Dee had other plans for you.

Outside the closet Dee-Dee was telling everyone that she could get her brother to buy them beer. While everyone was getting things to take for their own personal party, Bruce came downstairs with his Casio.

“What’s going on” He asked Dee-Dee, as he saw everyone take something from your party.

“Ummm, Y/N is waiting for you in the closet.” She pointed towards the closet while holding the project papers and drink.

Bruce walked towards the door while putting his Casio somewhere and ignoring the noise that Dee-Dee and her group were making as they exited the house.  As he opened the door, he saw you sitting down on the ground.

“I thought you weren’t gonna come.” You smiled up at him, not knowing where Harry was. “Where are you?” You reached out for his hands for him to take so you could get up. Once you were on your feet you smiled once again at him, waiting for him to kiss you or something. “Oh Harry.” You half moaned when finally he kissed you. He had such soft amazing lips, they matched perfectly with your own.

As you pulled away from him, you pulled off Dee-Dee’s scarf to reveal Bruce, with the door fully open to see behind him that everyone left. You pushed Bruce out the way to see the full damage HE did.

“Where’s Harry?” You questioned Bruce.

“He’s gone. Everyone left.” Bruce explained.

“What did you do?!” You were fuming mad by now.

“Nothing!” Bruce yelled back, defending himself.

“Yes you did!”

“I just left to get my Casio!” He tried pleading with you, proving he didn’t do anything wrong to ruin your birthday.

“Get out! No!” He tried grabbing your arm so he could try talking to you.

“Wait Y/N, let me talk to you!” He just wanted to explain himself.

“I hate you! I hate me! I hate everyone!” You cried as you ran back towards the closet, slamming it, and sat down the shelf behind you, below your dream house.

“Y/N, let me just sing you this song, it’ll make you feel better, okay?” Bruce said as he picked up his Casio and started playing it. You were ignoring him though, not wanting to  see him ever again.

As you were hitting your head on the shelf behind you repeating, “Thirty and flirty and thriving. Thirty and flirty and thriving.” While repeating those words, you felt dust fall on your head, but you paid no mind as you ignored Bruce’s singing and repeating what you were just saying.

____

You woke up covered in a satin blanket not seeing anything.

To be continued...