#maximumjinx

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Adrien's jaw dropped. Eyes still shut, he pointed an accusing finger towards Marinette's shoulder.

"How dare you!"

"You literally did this same thing to me."

"You're supposed to be a role model to idiots like me!"

"Just open your eyes!"

"I won't!" Adrien's voice rose two octaves. "I'm not ready!"

"You've been wanting to know my identity for years," Marinette shot back, arms crossed in a huff.

"I was a child back then!" Adrien began to pace, nearly tripping at the end of the rug, "I was a sheltered, naive child that doesn't know what he wants!"

"You're actually acting like a child now-"

Like a slow motion collision, it all came crashing down around the two heroes. 

"Why is there so much yelling?! These walls aren't soundproof you kn-" Adrien heard the door swing open and his heart plummeted to his feet.

It finally happened, Chloe's selfish lack of boundaries has finally destroyed Adrien's life. Why doesn't she ever think to knock?

A distressing pause filled the silence, then chaos ensued.

"Dupain-Cheng?!"

"Chloe!"

"WHAT?" Adrien cried, eyes flying open. Before him was Marinette distraught and angry, staring at Chloe who (as usual) was confused and annoyed.

"Who let you into my room?"

"I-"

"Where the hell is Ladybug?"

"Chloe-"

"What the fu-"

Marinette bounded to the spoiled blonde in a wave of fury, slamming her small hands onto Chloe's face as a way to shut her up. This could be the day Ladybug actually commits murder.

"You're Ladybug." Adrien whispered. His brain was finally beginning to catch up to events before him. Chloe's eyes grew comically wide, cheeks still flattened under Marinette's death grip.

"Yeah," Marinette groaned, "and this is a disaster."

She let Chloe go and tried to take deep breaths. Adrien felt a wave of relief flood his chest, and he watched his Lady make that adorable concentrated pout he knew so well.

Of course Marinette was Ladybug, the best two people he knew were one and the same.

"I am so glad it's you." He breathed, an elated smile spreading on his features. Marinette looked up at him in her panic, met his eyes, and gave a soft smile.

"I'm not."

Right. Chloe.

"Okay Adrien, how do we make Chloe forget the last ten minutes?" Marinette glared at Chloe, who was still frazzled and pink around the edges of her face.

"You don't." She sneered, "Although of course this makes perfect sense."

"What do you mean?" Adrien stared between the love of his life and his childhood friend. Chloe smirked viciously.

"Well the fact that you were in love with Ladybug the whole time Marinette was in love with-"

"Nope!" Marinette yelped. She held her arms above her head in a large X. "If you had any respect for me as a hero you will not say a word more."

Chloe pursed her lips, a mischievous glint in her eye.

"Fine." She winked, "But I wonder which secret is more precious to you."

"Chloe don't." Adrien couldn't handle any more mind-shattering revelations today, especially knowing who Ladybug/Marinette was in love with the whole time he pined for her. It would hurt too much.

God, it was probably Luka. (Somewhere in a massage parlor, Plagg slapped his tiny, godly forehead.)

"This is definitely going to make things tricker." a small, sweet voice rang in the silence. Ladybug's kwami poked behind Marinette's shoulder, eyes narrowed at Chloe.

"Can we trust her?"

"No." Marinette scoffed.

"Maybe?"

"No." Marinette shook her head disapprovingly. Chloe's lips thinned. Her eyes lingered at the small red blob that looked vaguely familiar. Chloe let go of her displeased expression and sighed.

She uncrossed her arms and looked between the two.

"Don't forget, for one shining moment, I was a hero too." She walked over to her night dresser, pulling out a small container. She brought it over to Tikki, who watched her with curiosity.

"It's honey caramels," Chloe explained, one arm tucked protectively around her waist, "Pollen loved them."

Adrien in that moment saw a bit of himself in Chloe. A person who missed their kwami as much as he missed Plagg.

Tikki graciously took the caramels and began to recharge. She hummed approvingly. Marinette watched her kwami feed happily, the air of defiance had left her and all that remained was a mutual understanding.

"Thank you Chloe," She said quietly. 

“If you mention I did something nice I’ll deny it.”

“Noted.” Marinette watched Chloe with a guarded expression. This was her bully, and now the keeper of her greatest secret. "I really need to be able to trust you with this."

"You can, at least when it's regarding him." Chloe mused, walking over to her childhood friend and ruffling his styled hair. "Just don't hurt him."

"I won't."

"Otherwise you'd deal with me and daddy."

"I got it Chloe." Marinette assured at the same time that Adrien said "Thanks."

"I'm ready when you are Marinette." Tikki smiled, handing the container back to Chloe who accepted it with a small nod.

"Would you like a ride back?" Marinette shifted her feet, "I think we still have a lot to talk about."

"Yeah." Adrien beamed, "I would love that."

He could've sworn her cheeks were dusted pink, but her transformation hid any trace. She wrapped an arm around his waist and took off out of the window, Chloe yelling a threatening goodbye behind them.

Skip days were a lot more intense than Adrien had ever imagined.

__

In the end, they couldn't talk long as Ladybug had dropped Adrien behind his gate that were flooded with paparazzi. Natalie and his father (in digital form) stood waiting for them.

"I understand you are dating my son." Gabriel Agreste's face was as passive as ever. Though he anger rang clear in his words. "I suggest you do not take to having him skip his classes anymore."

"Of course sir."

"Adrien, get inside." Adrien kept his head down as he walked past the tablet, shoulders hunched over.

"Have a good night Ladybug." An attempt at a normal smile was made, Gabriel’s eyes still shone with malice, "I hope to see more of you."

Ladybug offered a polite nod and swung away quickly. She was surprised Natalie didn’t try to come at her with a butterfly net. 

The moment she detransformed on her balcony her phone pinged with a new message. 

Adrien A: At least now I can text you!

She smiled, sending a quick reply before her mother called her down to dinner. 

MDC: Just don’t overdo it with the memes. 

_

Adrien 100% abused this new power at the palm of his hand. Marinette woke up to 26 cat memes, all that have been sent throughout the night at alarming times. Does this boy ever sleep?

She quickly got dressed, faking a sniffle for her mother, after her “cold” the day before.

“I’m glad to see you’re feeling better dear,” She cooed, handing her daughter a slice of cinnamon toast. 

Marinette grinned, kissed her mother goodbye, and raced down to the bakery.

She ran into a familiar body, who had just been ordering cookies at the counter. 

“Oof! I’m so sorry, I-” She stopped dead in her tracks, “Alya?”

Her ex best friend smiled sheepishly, a box of treats in her hands. 

“Hey! I don’t know if you were getting my..texts..” She cleared her throat, “I thought we could walk to school together today!”

Marinette watched the reporter in disbelief. So this was how she was going to do it? Completely pretend that none of the last two months happened?

Thankfully Marinette didn’t have to answer because a designer blonde had walked through the front entrance. 

Unfortunately it wasn’t the blonde she was hoping to see. 

“Marinette, the car is outside and I don’t have all morning.”

Both girls turned to Chloe in shocked, who was picking at her nails with disinterest. She gave a bored look, “What?”

“Chloe-” Marinette didn’t know where to begin, “I am less than two blocks away from the school.”

Chloe wrinkled her nose, “Only the poor, walk.”

“What is she doing here?” Alya gaped, her face was scrunched in hurt. Did her best friend really prefer her live long bully over her? 

Marinette was silently cursing Tikki, who clearly had no influence on her luck at this moment. It was like she was in a bad otome game, and both choices were crud. Walk with Alya, in awkward ex best friend silence? Or Drive with Chloe, in irritating blabber and insults?

Was there an "end game” button?

Secret Option Unlocked! 

“Come on Princess, we’re going to be late!” Adrien, with a lazy smile, ripped black jeans and oversized crew neck sauntered in. His sunglasses pulled his unstyled hair back, and to Marinette’s conflicting post-pubescent horror, Adrien wore eyeliner. 

The many silver rings glittered a hand as he pointed a finger gun at his partner, completed ignoring the gaping faces of the other two.

He winked, and Marinette’s face grew hot.

“You comin’?”

A Boy From Cuba ~ A Langst Song

Lyrics by @maximumjinx and @pinkgirlisepic Sung by @pinkgirlisepic (myself)

Thank you to @maximumjinx for letting me sing their beautiful song!

Here are the lyrics:

I know what you dont want me to know I get it I do and truth be told You dont really care for my jokes do ya? I try and I try to lighten the mood But somehow yet I end up the fool Useless, Im just a boy from Cuba

A boy from Cuba x4

Everybodys got a thing, From brains to strength to strategizing, But all that Ive got to me is humor. I train real hard and work to the bone, Im not smart or fast, And I still miss my home In the end Im just a boy from Cuba

A boy from Cuba x4

Everytime you tell me to go I dont think that you truly know How much your words hurt, do ya? I try and I try to fight my way, Prove myself against high stakes But even so Im just a boy from Cuba

1, 2 3 4 5 6 7

Absolute chaos ensued. 

Adrien put on a smile, easy and giddy, but turned to Ladybug with eyes that said What the fuck?. 

She could tell she had made a mistake. 

One loud mouthed blonde managed to push her way through the crowd and wrap  an arm around Adrien. 

“If this crowd doesn't clear out in two minutes I’m calling city police.” Chloe seethed, her blonde hair up in signature ponytail and wearing a loose sundress. She turned to Ladybug, hard eyes set on the heroine. 

“I’ve got him from here, you can go.” Adrien felt like a baton had been passed, and while Ladybug looked as if she wanted to say more, she nodded and swung away.

“Chloe-” he tried, but was cut off by the honk of a loud horn. Chloe’s car had pulled up beside them, blocked by reporters.

“50 seconds.” She yelled again, phone high in the air like a weapon. It was probably the scariest weapon she had. 

The mob grumbled and began to disperse. 

“You’re just causing all sorts of trouble these days, aren't you Adrikins?” Chloe sighed, and quickly ushered him into the car. Well, it was a shove really. Chloe has never been gentle, even as kids. 

“Where are we-”

“I have to say, I’m just glad it’s not Dupain-Cheng.” She interrupted loudly, glancing at him from the corner of her eye as the car began to move. “Don’t lead that pitiful girl on though, it’s uncouth.”

Adrien blinked. Lead Marinette on?

“I- I wouldn’t. She doesn’t like me like that!” He coughed, feeling like he had been caught with his hand in a cookie jar. 

Chloe turned to her childhood friend and stared.

“We’re just friends.” Adrien finished lamely. She snorted and shook her head.

“Thank you for the help back there. We were really caught off guard.” He added, after a moment of silence. Chloe picked at her nail polish. 

Adrien remembered Chloe used to do it more as a kid, picking off the color of her nails and being chastised for it by Audrey. Even now she never seemed to kick the habit. Freshly painted nails every morning, and clean ones by bed. It was the reason Adrien himself was a skilled manicurist. 

“You can drop me off at home.” 

“Hah.” Chloe said flatly, “What, so Natalie or your dad could interrogate you? You and Ladybug have been headline news since this morning. Thanks for leaving me alone in class by the way.”

Adrien felt his heart rate quicken. So much for stealth, he doubt he could sneak around the house looking for miraculous when he had just been seen with the person trying to take his father down. 

“I have no idea why she would say we were dating.” Adrien groaned, head in his hands. Was it his ultimate dream? Obviously. Was it the worst timing and pretext? Yes.

“Arent you? You’ve been in love with her for like- a year.”

“What!?” Adrien blubbered, turning to Chloe with ears and cheeks red.

“You forget I’m one of the few people that has been on your computer hon.” She rolled her eyes, taking out her phone.

“You told me you were googling stuff for homework!”

“Normal teenage boys hide much worse than 389 photos of Ladybug in an unmarked folder.”

Adrien blew a breath. He couldn’t bring up the extensive back up drive with more content and fanfiction.

“Daddy?” Chloe brought up her pitch to a dull whine, phone tucked between shoulder and ear as she continued to pick at her nails. “Adrien is staying over tonight. No daddy, he’s not sleeping in my room. Just go to your meeting.”

“Well we aren’t dating.” Adrien huffed as she hung up.

Chloe shot him a look. The way that Ladybug looked at Adrien...

Well, she supposed she could hold onto one more secret.

“Whatever you say.”

—

“I’m an idiot, I am so stupid, why did I say that?!” Marinette paced around her balcony while Tikki watched, comically large cookie in tiny all powerful paw.

“I’m sure you can fix it Marinette.”

“I can’t! The press are vicious they’ll think we’re secretly dating if I deny it now!”

"Then why say it?"

"Freudian slip of the tongue?! I don't KNOW!" Marinette fell to her knees with her head in her hands.

"I never much liked Freud... he had a weird fixation on his mom." Tikki pondered while munching.

Marinette felt her phone blow up with alerts from the ladyblog. She still followed it to keep track of akuma attacks, but she knew that this couldn't be an akuma now.

It was the mountain of gossip she had placed herself under.

This wasn't like the negative emotions she was used to blocking. The emotion that was building in her chest was anxiety, panic and a smidge of embarrassment. The tips of her ears burned.

"Adrien is going to kill me. And then his father is going to lock him up forever."

"Hawkmoth wouldn't touch Adrien, not when he thinks it will lead to Ladybug's miraculous." Tikki assured. She floated in front of her holder, carefully prying Marinette's hands from her face. "You can use this to your advantage."

Marinette looked at her tiny friend helplessly.

"How? Adrien is going to be watched like a hawk now. He probably won't be able to train or transform."

"Maybe, but he's been defiant of his dad for a while now. He was probably close to being sent to boarding school. Now Hawkmoth is forced to keep him in school and close by, where he can watch." Tikki gave a hardened glare to her chosen. "Think it through Marinette, what are your options?"

It wasn't like she could suddenly see the objects around her light up to make this situation better. Marinette screwed her eyes shut and forced herself to think.

Okay, so Hawkmoth thinks Ladybug and Adrien are dating. Ladybug was now the distraction, the illusion that will keep Hawkmoth's attention away from their plan. He may think they've slipped up, but it will make it so that he's not paying attention to her biggest asset.

She could make this work, but she needs to be able to talk to Adrien without the mask and the attention.

"I have to tell Adrien my identity Tikki, we're going to need "nobody" Marinette to start pulling some weight." She gave an uneasy smile. "Spots on!"

__

Chloe was almost done with Adrien's hair. Her favorite past time, what better way to use a model than like a giant Ken Doll? She smiled giddly as her hands slicked his blonde locks on the side of his head back, leaving the top of his head lightly curled at the edge of his brows.

"I wish you would let me cut your hair like you used to." She purred, absolutely delighted with the casual greaser look she has managed to perfect.

"My father banned you for a year last time you did that."

"Yeah," Chloe shrugged, "but it was worth it. Did you know Sabrina used to have hair down to her back? I thought she would look better with a bob."

"God, Chlo."

"What?" She huffed, "Sometimes I'm wrong. Very rarely. I'll admit it."

Adrien shook his head. He was trying to calm down and Chloe was doing a great job distracting him, but he wished he could talk to Ladybug and figure out what the game plan was.

Almost like magic (kwami magic specifically), a knock was heard outside the door.

"Jean-Pierre, that better be the blue crop top for Adrien or you're fired!" Chloe hollered, running to her bedroom door with excitement. The door swung open to show Ladybug, sheepishly (and terribly) disguised in a cape and motor cycle helmet.

"You were able to get in unnoticed like that?" Adrien gaped as she pulled the helmet off, the door shutting behind her.

"Not quite unnoticed, but no one recognized me!" She huffed, clearly just having used to the stairs to come up.

"I find that hard to believe." Chloe scoffed, pinching the cape in her fingers.

Ladybug shooed her hand away, pulling off the last of her disguise. She turned back to Adrien, a small blush on her cheeks.

"Your hair looks nice."

Adrien beamed, "Tha-"

"Thank you! Finally some taste around here." Chloe smirked.

"Chlo, would you give us a minute?"

She wrinkled her nose, "Just don't do anything gross. This is still my room and the maids just washed the sheets."

"Chloe!" Two voices yelled.

"What? I'm dead serious." Chloe huffed, stepping outside and slamming the door behind her. An awkward silence filled the room.

"That was my best and only friend for most of my childhood."

"I'm surprised you didn't turn out worse."

"Hey!"

"I only speak the truth." Ladybug shrugged, collapsing onto the couch. "Speaking of... I messed up earlier.

"Oh?" Adrien sat beside her. "What gave you that impression?"

The top read article right now included facemorphs of their potential children. There was poll ranking baby names.

"There is a bright side!" She ignored his sarcasm and began to explain the benefits to having Hawkmoth focused on Adrien and Ladybug's fake relationship.

"We can continue to plan our attack while he's focused on you and I, as our alter egos!"

"Problem," Adrien interrupted, "I don't know your civilian identity."

"Solution!" She gave a weak smile, "You actually do."

"I do?!" The blonde jumped up, eyes wide. He put both hands up.

"Wait, wait, you just said it would be very bad to reveal yourself at this point."

"Master Fu gave his blessing."

"But I'll die." He looked at Ladybug seriously, "when I find out who you are my heart will stop beating and I'll die."

"Aren't you being dramatic?"

"How did you react to finding out my identity again?"

Ladybug couldn't meet Adrien's gaze, "Not well?"

"Not well!" Adrien agreed, "And I'm in love with you, so I'll freak out much more!"

A deep blush flooded her cheeks, "Adrien!"

"It's true Bug!" His cheeks were also scarlet, "I like you. You're identity will kill me."

"You can't possibly like me that much!"

"I do! I super duper do! The only way I could possibly like you more is if you were-" Adrien sealed his lips, eyes wild.

"Who?"

"I can't say it."

Ladybug furrowed her brow. "Adrien, who is it?"

"We just started getting close, I can't say it!" He stomped his feet like a child. He tried looking away.

"Chat-!"

"It's Marinette!" He slapped his hand over his mouth, neck and ears fully red. He shut his eyes. "Oh god, I like Marinette, okay?"

He heard Ladybug let out a wheeze, and the sound of her dropping back on the couch. She stared endlessly across the room.

Adrien couldn't open his eyes, "Say something LB."

"Say what?"

"Anything." There was a beat of silence.

1, 2 3

“What are you doing for lunch?”

Marinette only stared at her blonde desk mate. She must have heard him wrong.

“Eating?” Was the only response she could think of. Fantastic.

Adrien giggled, which was off-putting since Marinette was pretty sure she’s never seen either Adrien or Chat giggle. Adrien usually politely smiles. Chat chuckles. This was new.

“I meant-” He smiled so easily, “can we eat together?”

Marinette wanted to say yes, but she had already promised Fu she would go in for another training session.

However, she was pretty far ahead if her suit and weapons had anything to say about it.

“If you’re free, don’t you want to eat with Nino?”

“Oh, I’m absolutely not free.” Adrien grinned even wider. Marinette was afraid Fu may have broke him. “And he’s not my biggest fan right now.”

“Wait-” she raised an eyebrow, “you’re not free?”

“I have a piano lesson. But I’m tired and feel like breaking my diet with sugar.”

Marinette stifled a laugh.

“Sure, I can help with that.”

“Perfect.”

When lunch rolled around, Marinette was sure they weren’t going to slip past the rest of the class unnoticed.

“Sunshine, I love you boy but you definitely owe me an apology.” Alya stood tall with Lila and Nino behind her, blocking the door. Adrien only groaned. Marinette stood on edge.

“Alya I will, but not until my friend gets an apology first.” Adrien narrowed his eyes and slung an arm around Marinette’s shoulders. She was stiff as a board.

Nino only looked confused, “Are we not all friends?”

Adrien gave him a sad smile and turned to Marinette. Oh, she was supposed to answer this one.

“We are,” she said gently, “but if I’m honest you guys haven’t been very good ones lately.”

Marinette could feel venomous words begins to pile in her mouth. Everything she wanted to say and scream to her classmates and Alya. She clenched her fist and felt her chest grow cold.

“What are you talking about?” Alya defended. “You’re my b-best friend.” She said ‘best’ weakly, glancing at Lila who remained silent. Marinette knew she wasn’t Alya’s best friend, they haven’t been that for a while.

“Marinette, why are trying to tell Adrien that we’re bad friends?” Lila’s lower lip trembled, a perfected move that sent the class into a jumble of overlapping whispers.

“Dude, you turned my bro against me?” Nino looked like he was a puppy that had just been kicked.

“That’s not cool!”

“Aren’t you always preaching unity?”

“Marinette, you’re supposed to accept everyone!”

Marinette barked out a sharp laugh. The class fell into silence. She glanced around the room at people she hadn’t spoken to in months. Turned against an everyday Ladybug in moments with just one line from Rossi.

“I do accept everyone. Except those that have hurt me and my friends.” She looked directly at Lila, who still wore glistening tears. “And right now the only person to have stood up for me, defended me, hell- even spoken to me- is Adrien.”

Alya looked like she wanted to refute that, but months of radio silence between the two girls reminded her that Marinette had a point.

Adrien took his arm off Marinette’s shoulder and instead offered her his elbow.

“Not to end this incredibly uncomfortable conversation short,” he glanced at the class, “but I’m starving.”

She tentatively put her arm around his and the two walked out. Alya moved aside, lips tightly pressed together. Lila sent Marinette a seething glare.

Marinette however, felt a bit better. She felt a small amount of weight relieved from the pit of her stomach. She still has more to say, but Marinette was beginning to feel less numb.

It was still a lot. It felt as if her heart were buzzing awake with pins and needles, after keeping her emotions in check all this time. She glanced at Adrien as they walked to her house.

She wasn’t beginning to get feelings again, right?

Chapter 2

- didn’t expect this to get any attention, but appreciate it nonetheless!-

“Ladybug, remember to breathe.” Adrien spoke, slightly panicked. The heroine’s air of mystery and professionalism in her new suit was lost with her wheezing, bent over with hands on her knees.

“Oh my god I’m an idiot. Of course you’re Chat, same blonde hair, same eyes, nobody showers that much! How could I have never seen it?” Ladybug spoke rapidly, freaking out not because Chat was Adrien, someone she didn’t really know how to feel about, but how blind she was to it all.

“Are you upset?” Adrien looked downwards, not meeting her eyes.

1, 2

Adrien woke up the next morning before daylight, which wasn’t unusual for him. It felt a little lonely without Plagg snuggled next to him (because despite his outward nature the kwami did, in fact, like to cuddle). He had said his good-byes to the black cat after Ladybug swung him to his window, and knew it wouldn’t be for long. 

Adrien quietly got dressed, favoring a plain black t-shirt and dark green joggers instead of the usual designer clothing Nathalie would lay out for him. This felt far more comfortable. He wrote a quick note to Nathalie that he would be going to school early for study group, then had Gorilla drop him off at the front steps. The sun just began to rise above the city skyline, and as soon as the coast was clear Adrien began his walk to the address only 3 blocks away. 

It...was a massage parlor. Had Ladybug given him the right address? Before he could knock, a small black mass flew through the door and into Adrien’s neck, the door opening moments after. 

“Kid, I know it’s necessary but Shelly here doesn’t like to snuggle and I miss that big, fluffy bed of yours.” Plagg whined, already nestling comfortably into Adrien’s hair. 

The Guardian smiled kindly from the doorway, a small green kwami looking unamused at Plagg’s antics. 

“My name is not Shelly, and you stink of Camembert.” He spoke, small paw over his nose in disgust. 

“Now boys, I won’t tolerate bickering.” The Guardian turned, motioning Adrien to come inside. “It’s nice to see you again Chat Noir. Ladybug filled me in when she dropped the black cat miraculous here last night.”

Adrien quietly wandered in, taking in the surroundings. 

“Yeah, uh- yes.” Plagg gently nudged his cheek. “I want to be a better Chat Noir, one that can stand by Ladybug’s side with pride.”

“You’ve been having trouble lately?” 

“I...got in my own way. I had a lot of feelings that I couldn’t work out, and I put it on Ladybug to deal with them. I see now it wasn’t fair to do that. I don’t want to be a hinderance to her.” She’s probably the only one to really care about me. 

Adrien didn’t know what else to say.

“Training is not easy. You will become tired, and sore. More so than you currently are.”

“I still want to do it. I need to.” Adrien was determined, he had managed to skip and get out of extra activities before, and if he’s quite honest, he feels no more motivation to please his father. 

“Good.” Master Fu nodded, and brought him to a small room in the back of the parlor. Mats lined the floor, there were staffs, sand bags, and other gym equipment neatly organized on the back wall. 

“It is not the training rooms of the temple, but it will do.” Fu walked up to Adrien, hand clasped tightly around something. 

“I usually do not tolerate when a holder reveals their identity. It becomes too dangerous.” Adrien held his breath. “You made the choice knowing it could end with the miraculous being taken from you. Yet you are here, making the effort to be worthy of it once again.” 

Fu smiled, a glint in his eye. “I knew I picked a good Chat Noir.”

Adrien let out his air in relief. Then stood straighter. 

“Please Master, give me everything you’ve got. I have caused Ladybug too much trouble to get off this easily.” He patted Plagg’s head. “I’ve got catching up to do.”

~~

For a 186 year old man, the Guardian was incredibly spritely. Adrien winced, his thighs aching with each step he took up the school steps. The foyer was clear of students, most already in classes as the bell was going to ring any moment. Adrien took his time up the stairs, thoroughly exhausted before the day really began. He entered his classroom just as the bell rang. 

The class gave him a confused look. He looked tired, he was in sweats, his hair was messy from Plagg nuzzling in it all morning, and most of all, he completely ignored Lila and her friends in the front row to climb to the last row in the back. He sat next to Marinette, who looked at him with wide eyes, and gave her a small smile while Bustier began class. 

He would’ve relished in the reactions more if he didn’t immediately pass out during the first lecture. 

He was gently poked awake an hour later. 

He opened one eye, Marinette watching him with furrowed brows and a finger still to his cheek. 

“It’s only been five minutes into break and everyone keeps staring.”

“Including you, I see.” Adrien grinned, and lifted his head off the desk, stretching. Marinette cheeks flushed for a moment, the hem of his shirt rising just enough to see a sliver of abdomen. 

(She may not have the same feelings for Adrien, but she was still human damn it.)

“Why are you sitting back here?” She asked, when he settled.

“Well-”

“Adrien, why are you sitting up there?” Nino called, already making his way up as Bustier left for their small break.

Alya and Lila weren’t far behind. Alya gave Marinette a small smile, but stayed close by Rossi’s side. 

“Adrien, I thought you were going to help me with my notes, you know how bad my wrist is!” Lila pouted, rubbing her arm tentatively. The rest of the class watched on, curious to the blonde’s unusual actions.

Adrien only shrugged. He felt sudden relief in not feeling the need to please his father, and in turn not having to please any that he didn’t care for. 

“Marinette is my friend, and I wanted her to keep me company. Lila has her hearing issue,” he narrowed his eyes at the girl, but continued on, “so I came to the back. Worked in a nap too, felt nice.”

The class began to murmur.

“That’s not like you dude, you never slack off in school.” Nino looked even more confused. Lila gasped dramatically.

“Is Marinette a bad influence on you Adrien? Just because she's late to class and with schoolwork doesn’t mean you should follow suit!” 

Marinette’s stare suddenly dulled, and her lips sealed tightly. Adrien however, wasn’t going to let that slide. Not anymore.

“Marinette is the second best student in this class, right behind Max. She always has been.” Adrien crossed his arms in front of his chest. “She’s selfless, hardworking, and kind. I would appreciate it if you didn’t accuse her of anything otherwise.” 

Lila looked as if she had been slapped. 

Marinette was trying to not smile. 

“I don’t think Lila was trying to accuse Marinette, Adrien.” Alya was quick to defend her. 

“I’m just protecting my friends.” He shrugged.

“Am I not your friend, Adrien?” Lila cried, knowing he couldn’t refuse her if he wanted to stay on his father’s good side. Pity for her. 

“Nope.” He popped. The class stilled.

“But you guys do shoots together. You hang out all the time.” Alix piped up. 

“Yeah, but personally? I’m not her friend, and I don’t want to pretend I am anymore.”

“That isn’t nice Adrien, I thought you were better than that.” Alya snapped. Lila was so shocked she didn’t have time to conjure tears. 

Marinette remained silent, looking at the exchange without reaction. Adrien felt fire in the pit of his belly. 

“I thought you were better than that too Alya.” He snapped. “I will always be there for my friends. But I won’t extend that kindness to those that hurt them.”

It looked like there may have been more to say, but Ms. Bustier entered and called the class to settle for Algebra. 

The trio made their way back to their seats, unsure of what just happened. 

“No more high road?” Adrien turned back to the girl next to him, a small smirk on her features. One she’s been holding back. 

“Hey I took etiquette classes, however I handle Lila I will do it with class.” 

“Oh, I’m sure.” She mused.

“I should have done this sooner. I’m sorry.” Adrien thought back to his talk with Ladybug. “I can’t make it up to you in a day. But I’ll try to everyday until I deserve your friendship.”

She looked back at the teacher, a few notes in her notebook. 

“I’ll try not to make it too hard for you.” Marinette glanced back, “but I appreciate the company.”

Adrien felt a flush of relief. He must be more tired and out of shape than he thought, his heart was beating unusually fast.

--TAGLIST--

This is a bona fide true story, my parents talk about it alot, and it’s always freaked me out.

My parents are from South America and both grew up very spiritual with a few real encounters with spirits that I could transcribe at a later time, but this story involves me. When my mother was pregnant she wasn’t prepared to have me. Her friends and family gifted gently used items to her to help out, since she couldn’t afford anything brand new. One thing she loved though, was this crib her friend’s sister gave her. It was practically new, beautiful and untouched and my mother always wondered why it was gifted, since the woman who gave it to her still hand a young baby. Nevertheless, never look a gift horse in the mouth.

I was born, tiny with a full head of hair and light tan skin. I slept in my mothers arms the first few months, since it was easier to feed me that way and she hadn’t had a chance to put me in the crib. All that time. I wouldn’t even nap in it. Of course this got to my mom, why waste such a perfect gift? When I was 5 months old or so, she tried. I refused to go down, screaming and crying like any baby would. My mom was afraid she had spoiled me and now I couldn’t sleep unless I was in her bed. At the same time, my dad was working early shifts at a bakery/coffee shop. He woke up 3:30-4 am to drive down and get the shop open. They had just put the crib in their room, trying to get me to sleep with them while avoiding staying in their bed. My father tells me he remembers waking up as usual, glancing over to the crib to check on me. He saw a figure in the dark, the outline of a baby, at least ten months, bald and standing in the crib. It was staring right at my father. Of course half awake he questioned, did my daughter learn to stand so quick? Has she always been that big? Then he realized I was right beside him, sleeping soundly on my mother’s chest. He panicked, looked again and the baby in the crib was gone. Perhaps he was just too tired. He shook off the encounter and got ready for his day.

Almost two weeks later my mother was getting more frustrated as I refused to sleep in the crib. She finally got me to cry myself out, sleeping uncomfortably. In the middle of the night she must have scared herself, she tells me, because after becoming accustomed to having me on her chest all night it was a shock to not feel my presence. My mother awoke that night before my dad, checking for me in the bed and realizing I was in my crib. She looked across the room, and smiled seeing me there asleep pushed to a corner. Then her heart stopped when she saw I wasn’t alone. Standing, hands gripping the bar was the same baby, in the opposite corner. Pale skin, bald, staring straight at my mother. She quickly shook my father awake, and they both got up to take me out of the crib. The next day she asks the gifter if she had experienced anything strange with the crib.

“I never felt settled around it,” she told my mother, “i would sometimes wake up in the night and think I saw a different baby there that wasn’t my son.”

Turns out this one crib had been passed along and regifted more times than one could count, all hastily given away again as realization dawned. My mother quickly bought another crib, disregarding her finances. Although she did make a bit of money on Craiglist a few days before:

1, 2 3 4

One hour earlier

Alya watched Marinette and Adrien walk out through the double doors, probably to Marinette’s house to have lunch. She felt as if there was a small rock sitting at the pit of her stomach. When was the last time she had a sleepover with Marinette? Or even stopped by the shop to say hi?

“Babe?” Nino placed a hand on his girlfriend’s shoulder, “You alright?”

“Adrien was so...harsh. She’s my best friend I would never-” Alya wanted to finish, but something began to crawl into her heart. A realization. A seedling of guilt. She had not spoken to her supposed best friend in over two months. 

“Alya? Are we not going to lunch?” Lila pouted her lips, green eyes shining. Alya had been eating lunch with Lila everyday- but hadn’t Marinette been right beside her the entire time? Were they not all friends?

Alya quickly grabbed her phone, scrolling past quite a few other text threads until she got to Marinette. That’s impossible, they text all the time. 

It’s okay, just don’t forget to come over Saturday! Marinette had sent, a little over three months ago. 

Alya? You’re an hour late..you okay? Alya didn’t show up. Why didn’t she show up? Alya could feel Nino peering over her shoulder. There wasn’t a notification bubble, so she must have seen these messages but-

Two unread messages. 

Haven’t talked in a while..want to hang out?

How come she never saw these messages? Alya tried racking her brain. Lila needed her help on homework, or maybe she wanted to go to the mall before her big trip? She was baby-sitting? Alya’s breathing started becoming shallow and quick. She felt the little seed grow. The guilt crawled up her neck and was filling her lungs. 

I..miss you. Sent two months ago. Marinette had sent that over two months ago, and Alya never saw it. She didn’t see her best friend, didn’t answer her calls or texts, she can’t remember the last time she gushed over boys with her. 

“I wouldn’t- I didn’t mean to-” Alya felt a lump in her throat, and her eyes began to burn. Had she really left Marinette behind? 

Somewhere in the dark, a window opened.