Here's day 2 of our AU Yeah August series. This one was also written by Emery. @auyeahaugust
Enjoy!
2. Convention by @emerywrites
Ships: Marc/Nathaniel
Author's note: For this AU the characters are aged up to about 19, and Marc and Nathaniel did not attend school together.
It was loud, hectic, and crowded. More people than Marc had ever expected had shown up for the first ever Ladybug and Chat Noir convention. He suspected that it had to do with all of the rumors that the super heroes themselves were going to make an appearance.
He admired Ladybug and Chat Noir as much as any Parisian, but they werenāt the reason he scraped together enough money for a ticket and forced himself out of his comfort zone to attend the convention. It was a certain artist who posted his fan art of Parisās heroes on a blog. As soon as Marc had seen that Nathaniel was going to be selling his artwork at the convention, he knew he had to be there. He desperately wanted to meet the artist who had inspired him so much in the past year. But now as he stood nearby watching people walking by and admiring the art at the booths, doubts swirled within him, clouding his mind.
Was it creepy that he was attending specifically to meet Nathaniel? Would his favorite artist think him a stalker? Marc wanted to run. His eyes darted to the nearest exit and he took a step in that direction. A laugh turned his attention back to Nathanielās booth. The red-head was laughing at something a girl visiting his booth had said. His stomach fluttered at the sound. Marc shifted his weight from one foot to the other. He just had to work up the courage. Nathaniel didnāt have to know he was there only to meet him.
The minutes ticked by as Marc tried to make himself go over. Just as he took a step, a rather boisterous group of teens ran up to Nathanielās booth. Marc let out a shaky sigh. And, as if the artist could here it over his fans and the rest of the convention, Nathaniel looked up and his gaze shifted to Marc.
Marc bolted. He didnāt know why, maybe he was afraid Nathaniel would be able to tell just from looking at him what his motivations for coming to the convention were, or maybe he was just afraid of nothingā¦ like he always was.
He got outside and felt himself deflate. His shoulders hunched as he wrapped his arms around himself. Other convention goers strolled past in their Ladybug and Chat Noir cosplay and holding their merch that they had purchased, completely unaware of the fool heād just made of himself.
Marc pulled out his cell phone and called his friend. She drove for a rideshare app and he hoped that she would spare a few minutes to come pick him up to save him from any further humiliation.
āWhatās up, Marc?ā Alix greeted when she answered.
āHey, could you, maybe come get me. This whole meeting Nathaniel thing isnāt working out. Iām just embarrassing myself here. Iāll pay you if you want. I justā¦ I need to leave.ā
āWhat? Why? What happened? Was he a jerk to you or something?ā She sounded as if she was about to come out there just to beat up Nathaniel.
āNo!ā That would be quite the headline: āSmall, Angry Rideshare Driver Murders Up And Coming Artistā. āPlease, he would just think I was pathetic if he met me. Iād rather not put myself through that.ā
Alix sighed. āLook, man, you are a cool guy. He would be so lucky meet you. Iām sure you guys would hit it off if you just gave him a chanceā¦ gave yourself a chance. Nath is a great guy. I think heād really like you.ā
Marc frowned in confusion. āYou talk like you know him.ā
āWe went to school together. We lost touch after we graduated. I text him sometimes pretending to be the ghost of the goldfish he killed when he was seven.ā
āYou know him!ā Marc shouted into the phone, attracting the attention of those around him. He blushed and turned away, speaking lower. āWhy didnāt you tell me before?ā
āBecause I wanted you to do this on your own. Go talk to him. If he turns out to be a jerk now, call me back and Iāll come get you. Deal?ā
Marc didnāt see what other choice he had. āFine.ā
After hanging up with Alix, Marc procrastinated going back to Nathanielās booth. He walked around, bought a hand-made Chat Noir plush, watched the costume contest, checked out some other booths, saw some cosplayers putting on a show, and even sat on a bench to contemplate his life choices for a while.
Finally, he made his way back to Nathanielās boothā¦ just in time to see him packing up. His work must have been pretty popular. There were a few other artists who were throwing Nathaniel dirty looks as he put away the one print he still had left.
Marc wanted to kick himself. He had wasted the opportunity he had to meet someone so special. He buried his face in his hands. Now, he had to call Alix and admit that he had screwed up.
āExcuse me.ā
Marc lifted his head to seeā¦ Nathaniel.
His heart leapt into his throat and he would have run if his feet hadnāt felt like they were glued to the floor. How was Nathaniel there, standing in front of him, talking to him?
āY-yes?ā
āI saw you earlier. You were watching my booth for a while.ā
Marc blushed and nodded.
Nathaniel let the silence stretch for a moment as if he was waiting for Marc to say more. When he didnāt, Nathaniel continued. āIf you want a print, I still have one left.ā He pulled out an art piece from his portfolio case and handed it to him. āFree of charge.ā
It was a drawing in a night setting of Ladybug sitting on the ledge of a roof, looking contemplative. It was beautiful. He wondered what Ladybug would think if she had gotten to see it. To him, it was a masterpiece.
Nathaniel rocked back on his heels and chewed his bottom lip. āDo you like it?ā
Marcās eyes flicked up to the artist then back down to the drawing. He wouldnāt be able to speak if his eyes were on Nathaniel. āI love it. The way you did her eyes is amazing. I can see the reflection of the stars sparkling.ā
He let his gaze drift back up to see Nathaniel looking away and only just turning back to him. āYouāre very talented,ā Marc managed to breathe out.
āDo you want to get dinner?ā Nathaniel blurted. āTogether, I mean. Or drinks? Or coffee would be great to.ā He rubbed the back of his neck nervously as he waited for an answer.
Marcās mouth went dry. How was it possible, that Nathaniel was asking him out? He gripped the Chat Noir plush in his hand and tried to keep his voice steady. āIād like that. Any of thoseā¦ Any of those would be nice.ā The look of surprise on Nathanielās face threw him. Marc couldnāt imagine why he would be expected to reject someone like Nathaniel.
āThereās a cafĆ© across the street. Would you want to go there?ā Nathaniel shrugged, as if he was pretending that he didnāt care as much as he actually did. āIf you donāt, thatās fine. We could-ā
Marc made a split-second decision, refusing to allow himself to second guess it. He shoved the Chat Noir plush in his pocket and grabbed Nathanielās hand. āLetās go.ā
Earlierā¦
āOne second,ā Nathaniel said to the convention goers admiring his artwork. He took a few steps away and answered his ringing cell phone. He glanced at the caller ID and sighed as he answered. āHi, Alix.ā
āOkay, Nath, I sent him back in. All you have to do is turn on the charm and not screw it up.ā
āObviously he doesnāt want to talk to me.ā He glanced back at those standing at his booth. They didnāt seem too bothered that he was on the phone. āAre you sure that he likes more than just my art?ā
āOf course Iām sure, stupid,ā she said flatly. Then she continued more patiently. āIām not the kind to play matchmaker, Nath. You know that. So, canāt you just trust that if Iām making this much effort that I must seriously think you guys would be good for each other?ā
He shook his head to himself. She was right. Alix normally didnāt care about his love life. This Marc guy had to be something special if she was practically begging him to give him a chance. āFine. Iāll try.ā
āGreat! And donāt sound so put out. You said yourself when I sent you his picture that you think heās hot.ā
Nathaniel gave a huff of air that was a suppressed laugh. āOkay, okay. I have to get back to selling my art. I have to pay for food somehow.ā
āYou still live with your parents.ā
āBye.ā
