Chapter Text
Friday Morning
Tikki awoke to the sound of Marinette humming to herself. She floated up from her pillow, and saw her chosen prancing around the room, freshly showered and dressed, gathering books and papers and placing them in her backpack. Tikki glanced at the clock.
7:30am! Marinette is never up this early! It usually takes 5 alarms to wake her! Something must be up.
Tikki started following the girl around the room.
“Good morning Marinette! Is something special happening today? You seem very happy!”
“Oh, good morning sleepyhead! Nope, nothing special is happening! I woke up really early this morning, my skin is really clear today, my hair looks great, and I just feel like today is going to be a great day. I feel good, I look good, and I’m ready to take on the world! I don’t even think Chloe Bourgeois could bring me down today!” She beamed at her kwami, giggling.
“Maybe today will be a lucky day for you!” Tikki chirped. She nodded in agreement.
Marinette gathered the rest of her things, and headed downstairs. Tikki flew into her purse. Marinette greeted her mother and as she sat down for breakfast, she snuck some cookies to her kwami. She got to have a nice relaxing breakfast for once, and left for school, waving goodbye to her parents.
Alya flagged her down as soon as she got there, and the two girls chatted on the front steps while they waited for school to begin. Alya had the latest news regarding the Ladyblog. Marinette payed attention, because for once, the news didn’t involve her- it was about Chat Noir being spotted on patrol. The previous night had not been her night to patrol, so she wondered if Chat had run into any problems.
Apparently there wasn’t any trouble, he just got spotted and signed some autographs for some kids before sunset. Marinette was a little relieved to know her kitty didn’t have any issues without her. Not that he needed her help, but just that he wasn’t in danger while she did her homework and slept. She may turn down his flirting, but she does care about him a lot.
It wasn’t long before a long silver limo pulled up in front of the school, and Nino came busting through the doors behind them to come and greet the passenger.
“Marinette!” Alya whispered, “Adrien’s here, we should go say hi before Chloe shows up!”
Marinette froze, eyes glued to the spot where Adrien was climbing out of the car. I do want to go and say hi to him, but I’ll probably just stutter and say something stupid. Maybe I can let Alya do the talking? She’s good at that. But what if he asks how I’m doing? I won’t be able to answer without looking like a fool! Maybe I’ll avoid him this morning, I’m having such a great morning, I don’t need to spoil it with feeling like an idiot. But if I do that, he won’t see how cute I look today, he won’t think to ask me on a date, and we won’t get married and have 3 beautiful babies! Nghhhhh…. Okay! I’ll do it! I won’t be a fool or do anything stupid! I’m going to say hello like a normal person would! I won’t let my good day be ruined by my inability to talk to his gorgeous face! I can do it!
She stood up tall and proud, sucked in a deep breath and walked straight to Adrien, Alya following behind, smiling. The boys saw them coming, and turned, smiling.
Oh gosh his smile is so nice. Keep calm girl. Smile, say good morning, ask him how he’s doing. Maybe joke about the homework from last night. Keep it casual, don’t fumble this! You are Ladybug, you defend Paris from villains weekly, you kick ass and take names! You are a hero and you can say hello to your classmate without stuttering!
“Good morning Marinette, Alya!” Adrien beamed, his model smile making Marinettes heart skip.
“G-goo-good m-mo–” Great, I can’t even get through a simple greeting. She stopped herself, closed her eyes, took a deep, steady breath, and opened her eyes.
“Good morning, Adrien, how are you?” She managed. Oh my gosh, I did it! A full sentence, no stuttering, to his face! She felt a nudge from inside her purse, Tikki was showing her support.
Happily surprised, Adrien smiled, this time more genuinely. “I’m doing fine, thanks for asking! I am a little tired, I stayed up late finishing my homework. Hopefully I won’t fall asleep in class!” He laughed.
She giggled a little, she was more than guilty of her share of in-class naps. Being a superhero can be exhausting. “If I see you snoozing in front of me, maybe I’ll nudge your chair with my foot to wake you up!” She teased.
He laughed. “I’d appreciate the help. Nino has banned me from coffee and energy drinks, so I’m going to have to get by with the little sleep I did get.”
Marinette’s brow raised at that, but before she could ask, Nino cut in. “Trust me Mari, I’ve seen this kid on caffeine, and it is not a pretty sight. I’m saving our entire class with this ban.”
“Oh come on Nino, I wasn’t that bad!”
“Dude, never again. Not while I have to be your designated babysitter at least.”
“So what you’re telling me Nino, is Adrien is super sensitive to coffee, and I should totally not slip him an espresso and record the whole thing for future blackmail purposes?” Alya asked, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
“Alya, stop right there. Please. You will probably scar a lot of people, permanently. Don’t do it girl, I’m begging you.” His plea did little to quench the curiosity and excitement building in her eyes.
At that moment, the bell rang, and as they headed to class, Nino instructed Adrien not to accept drinks he didn’t see made first hand. Alya cackled. Marinette probably should have considered reigning in Alya and her antics, but was a little preoccupied with the swelling pride she felt. She had had a full conversation with her crush, without stuttering or making a fool of herself terribly, and was surging with confidence.
As they settled in their seats, Alya saw the glimmer of confidence, and decided to fan the flames. “I’m so proud of you girl, you did it, you held a conversation with him! You didn’t stumble either! Is today the day you finally ask him out?”
Marinette thought about it. Could she ask him out? What kind of date would she like? Maybe go to the movies with him? Yeah, that sounds like a good idea! She can get used to his presence while the movies on, and it would provide some conversation topics too! A movie date with Adrien! She already had one successful conversation, she could do another! She wouldn’t let nervousness stop her this time!
“Yes, Alya. I think today is the day!” She beamed at her best friend.
The teacher walked into the classroom, and conversations died down. Class began, and Marinette glanced occasionally at the seat in front of her, watching for any sign of him falling asleep.
Madame Bustier assigned group projects that day, and Marinette was presented with the opportunity to see more of Adrien. The two were paired together, causing some glaring from the next row over. Apparently a certain blonde girl was not happy with this scenario.
The assignment was to pick something that was “Iconically French”, learn the history of it, and present it to the class. It could be architecture, art, or monuments, or anything so long as it was reminiscent of their country. The students were left to begin discussing their plans and meeting times to do the work, and Marinette planned to take full advantage of it.
“Hey, Adrien, do you have plans at lunch? We could work in the library today, i-if you aren’t busy, that is.” She cursed herself for the small stutter, but plowed on, “My mom packed me with more food than I could possibly eat in a day, and I’d be happy to share.”
Due to his life as a model, his diet was strictly controlled. His indulgences in food were far and few between. His extreme workouts as Chat Noir often left him hungry, so he never turned down food that was presented to him. He fondly remembers the assortments of foods the Dupain-Cheng’s had offered when he and Marinette had prepared for the gaming tournament. So he was hard pressed to turn down the offer.
“That sounds like a fantastic idea, we can get a head start on the work. I don’t want to deprive you of your lunch though. I can call Natalie and let her know, and she can bring me something.”
Marinette giggled. “Oh no, you wouldn’t be depriving me! My mom expects Alya and Nino to steal from my lunch at this point. So she always packs me tons of extras.” At that, Nino shrugged and mumbled to himself. Adrien thinks he heard the word “tasty” in there somewhere. Alya whistled innocently and looked away, before breaking out into a grin.
“Okay, it’s settled then. Lunch at the library! I’ll just have to call the Gorilla and let him know I’m not coming home for lunch.”
The rest of morning classes passed in a blur before they were let go for lunch. Adrien managed to stay awake, now with the promise of baked goods on his horizon. With the bell releasing them, Adrien and Marinette meandered to the library, Alya grabbing Nino and saying her mom had prepared them lunch, and would see them after. Adrien shrugged and waved, and noted that Marinette blushed for some reason, and was back to being a little nervous around him again. Just when he thought that had finally passed, too.
They settled into the library, and as Marinette pulled out her food, they began debating ideas. They scratched the Eiffel tower and Notre Dame cathedral off the list. “Too obvious” they cited, agreeing that most of the class would try to pick those. The considered the Arc de Triomphe, but decided it fell in the same category as the first two.
As Adrien picked up a croissant and raised it to his lips, he suddenly stood straight up- almost knocking over a chair in the process- and shouted. “That’s it! Marinette! Food! There are so many iconic food items, and we can even make food to share with the class!” He blushed as several shushes came from various corners of the library, but the excitement didn’t leave his eyes.
Slightly startled, she thought about it and agreed. “It’s a great idea Adrien! We should pick some baked goods, I bet my dad knows a whole bunch of the history already, and he can definitely help us make some too. The class will love it! We could do baguettes, croissants, macarons, éclairs, crème brulée…there is a lot we can choose from.” Excitedly, the two sat and ate and discussed their options. They compared schedules and found a time where he could come over to her house to work on the project, and another day to make the food for class, when the bakery wouldn’t be busy. Lunch break ticked away, and her heart gained momentum and her blush grew deeper in anticipation, knowing what she planned on doing.
She was determined, however, and would ask him on a date even if she had a heart attack at the same time.
In her nervousness and Adrien’s mild concern for her growing blush, and their discussing the project, both managed to miss the massive number of texts and calls coming into their phones.
Finally, lunch was nearing an end. Marinette sucked in a breath, summoned her courage, and put a hand on her purse for support from Tikki.
“Adrien, I-I was wondering, you know, after this project is done, would y-you like to celebrate? Like you know, go to a–”
Suddenly, her sentence was interrupted by screams in the hallways.
Both jumped. They looked at the door, then at each other, and quickly scrambled to look at their phones. They both had updates sent to their phone from the Ladyblog. They saw simultaneously the texts and calls from Nino and Alya.
Akuma! Headed towards the school! Get out! Hide! No sign of LB or CN yet! We got trapped by him!
Before either could say anything to one another, the doors of the library burst open, and angry cackling was heard. Everyone in the library scattered for the other exits, running. Marinette and Adrien, acting on instinct, grabbed each others hands and pulled towards the doors. Unfortunately for them, they pulled towards different doors, and ended up falling backwards into each other. Sitting on the floor, momentarily stunned, the akuma made his presence known.
His outfit resembles a cross between a clown and a carpenter, billowy sleeves in bright colours, an apron and tool belt, rosy cheeks and painted lips, and wild hair, covered with a train conductors striped hat.
“Ungrateful children! I make toys and doll houses for the brats, they don’t say thank you, they break them in days, and then demand them fixed! They ask for the impossible, they ask for flying cars, for dolls that walk on their own! They have no grasp of the artistry that goes into each toy, the effort, the detail! The hours upon hours spent toiling to make each and every doll house unique and functional, and beautiful! They just complain when their dolls don’t fit! Brats! Every one of them! No more! I am the Toy Master, and I will not tolerate my work being unappreciated any longer!”
The pair sense an attack coming and scramble for cover, but they’re too slow. The Toy Master pulls out a paintbrush from the tool belt, and waves it around like a magic wand. A detailed and elegant doll house begins to materialize around the pair, trapping them inside.
The two are left cramped inside a slightly-smaller-than-life-size house. Adrien is forced to crouch just a little, the ceiling too low for him to stand properly.
“Marinette, are you okay?” He asks,
“Yeah, a little stunned, but not hurt. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. There’s gotta be a way out of here, try the doors and windows!”
The two dash for anything resembling an opening, but find it all solid and unbreakable, despite their best efforts. Well, he certainly is a talented builder. Adrien thinks to himself. He gives up on a window, and turns to see Marinette throwing powerful, repetitive kicks at a door.
“Hey, hey Mari, it’s okay, it doesn’t seem like its going to budge. Hopefully Ladybug is hot on his tail, and will get us out of here soon.”
Marinette cringed internally. “Or maybe Chat Noir will come along. Cataclysm would probably do the trick.”
It was Adrien’s turn to cringe. He worried that if the Toy Master was going after young people and kids, he may have already gotten Ladybug. He needed to get out of here and find her.
He had everything he needed to break them out, but it would mean Marinette knowing his secret. He tried the door himself, giving the door as hard a kick as he could manage, making his companion jump. It didn’t budge though. Could he count on Ladybug to fight the akuma without getting trapped on her own? She would have a harder time breaking out than he would. If she got stuck in a doll house with someone else, she would be even more reluctant to reveal herself in order to get out. He trusted Marinette though, he had seen her in action, she was brave and cool in a crisis. She also wasn’t a gossip like Alya or manipulative like Chloe. He made his decision.
Guess there’s no helping it. Ladybug’s going to skin me alive for this.
He took a deep breath and turned to her. “Marinette, I need you to keep a secret. You can’t tell anyone, because it could put a lot of people in danger, including you. Can you promise you won’t tell, no matter what?”
Marinette’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Well, I mean, I’m pretty good at keeping secrets, but what on earth are you going on about? This isn’t the time for secret telling, it’s time to find a way out of here!”
“Just promise.”
“O-okay? I promise I won’t tell a soul.”
He breathed in.
“Plagg, claws out!”
Marinette shielded her eyes from the flash of green light. Realization slowly dawned on her as to what was happening. No. No way. Not possible. But despite her denials, it was true. When the flash faded, she saw Chat Noir, standing where Adrien had been seconds ago.
“Cataclysm!” he called, and while Marinette was still trying to catch up with his revelation, he broke through the walls of the doll house, releasing them from their prison. He turned to grab Marinette and found her staring into space. He grabbed her shoulder, but she didn’t respond.
“Marinette” he said, exasperated, “I don’t have time to sit here and guide you through this. Paris needs me. Snap out of it. I need you to get yourself to safety so I don’t have to worry about you. My Lady is probably waiting for me. We can talk about this later, but I need you to get out of here. Understood?”
Hearing him say “My Lady” snapped her out of it. Right. I have a job to do. We can deal with this later. For now I need to go transform. Deal with this akuma and sort this mess out after.
She looked at him, and nodded. “Ad—Chat Noir, be safe, and go get that akuma. I’m going to find a place to hide. I’ll keep my eyes on the Ladyblog and only come out once Alya reports it’s over. I’ve got questions for you, but they can wait.” She felt bad for lying through her teeth, but they both had places to be and she needed him to trust she would be safe. “Come by the bakery tonight and we can talk then. Okay?”
“Sounds like a plan. Go!”
He took off out one exit. She peeked out another exit, and ran out of the library when the coast looked clear. There were several dollhouses around the school, muffled yells coming from most. She worried about her classmates, but realized that purifying the akuma would be the fastest way to break them all out. She exited the school and dove into a narrow alleyway. She found a nook, and watching that Chat Noir wasn’t hopping overhead at that moment, opened her purse.
Tikki flew out with a determined look on her face.
“Tikki, Spots on!” She cried, and the familiar pink light gave her the confidence and assurity that she could put off the Adrien/Chat ordeal until later. Suited up, she swung up to the roof, and watched for signs of the akuma.