Chapter Text
After spending two hours writing down notes for this week (Marinette needs more help on the science department), he opted to examine the facility's layout.
This universe is too unorthodox, letting a stranger roam inside school grounds.
He took note of the cameras and the equipment. Identical. He then spoke with the school guard and learned about the staff. Not identical. Principal Damocles is apparently a terrible wannabe hero. Most of the staff aren't spies from the government despite seeing Ladybug and Cat Noir casually meeting up at its rooftop or at the courtyard more than ten times in a year. Teachers are also oblivious just like the students. Thankfully, there are fewer students in the school. Less people Lila can manipulate to hurt Marinette. Less people stalking Marinette around.
His world's Marinette has the resources to expose the liar, but chooses not to.
"She'll surely change. Just like Chloé."
But look what Chloé did - accepting Hawkmoth's proposal and exposing all of the people he chose as supposedly-permanent miraculous holders.
'This Marinette is surely different.' He sighed, sitting on a bench and waiting for Marinette to come out. It's nearing Lunch time and based on Tikki's words, this world's Marinette and Adrien aren't close. That means she hasn't tried the couple-discount shops his world's Marinette (He'll call her Mari. She won't mind if he calls her that.) dragged him around during break! Not like he plans on courting a fellow guardian, but Marinette really really needs to eat. Overtime plus overuse of the miraculous will lead to the kwami taking the necessary energy not just from the food offered, but also from its host. That also means Hawkmoth isn't a fat man because the pigeon-loving douche farts out butterflies two to three times a day.
*Ding!
"..." Adrien stared back at his phone, watching another cat video Mari sent him. He doesn't know how she does it, but Mari always keeps his thoughts away from Bunnyx' prediction of an akumatized Ladybug bad thoughts. Even if this isn't his partner, he extremely abhors the idea of fighting against her. He clicked his tongue, suddenly having another resurfaced and persistent thought. 'What if Mari is Lady Noire?'
'But if that were true then the Adrien of this world is Chat Noir.' He sighed. He's been sighing lately. It's unbecoming of him, but no one is here to tell him off. No brand, no authority and no familiar face to tell him off. He's a foreigner, a Guardian from another universe sent to teach (and learn as well) the recipes, tidbits and rituals taught to them by Master Fu. Who knows? Maybe the free time will give him enough time to locate Hawkmoth of this universe-?! Adrien sat straight, another thought coming to him. 'What if Hawkmoth's identity is the same as my world?'
'Maybe I should have brought m'lady along...' Adrien covered his mouth with one hand, staring at his phone. The Bunnyx of this world can be persuaded if he pulled the right cards and the time differences are so peculiar that no one would notice the two Parisian heroes of his universe to be missing in the first place. It could be a vacation of sorts... Not really since they could learn Hawkmoth's identity, but a vacation from their civilian lives. It'll also be easier to get closer to his partner without all of the other variables in his way. With a new plan in mind, Adrien smirked. 'I'll just tell her it's a working vacation. M'lady won't see it coming.'
"Adrien.. You're making that face again." Tikki pinched his cheek and Adrien waved his hands to keep the kwami away from his cheek. The kwami slapped his fingers, placing both nubs (Tikki has small hands with no fingers) on her hip? waist? somewhere of her torso. "You're just as mischievous as Plagg."
"Am not." Adrien grinned, raising his jacket. "Come on. The bell is going to ring and I don't want anyone seeing you."
"Promise me you won't abuse your powers." Tikki crossed her nubs.
"Come on, Tikki. Those times were necessary." Adrien reasoned. (1) Alya was getting too close to Lady Noire, hindering the female's decision process; (2) He needs an akuma therapy so he has to visit Marinette; (3) Luka and Marinette going on a date which Alya orchestrated. Marinette told his civilian identity about it in worry and finally; (4) using the hero attire to meet with Lady Noire for a prank against Chloé. Adrien ended, "and no one got hurt in the end."
"Uh-huh." Tikki nodded, clearly not believing him. However, she finally relented and hid back in the blousen jacket.
*Rinnnnnngggg
"Let's take her out." Adrien told himself, eager to get out and try new things. He always wanted to spoil his friends. A guilty pleasure he once told Lady Noire. She found him silly, but understood his logic. She too likes seeing her friends happy. He got off the bench, heading to meet with Marinette. Unlike his Marinette, this bluenette has more attentive parents and constant attendance. 'The other me must be lucky to always have her by his side.'
Despite both Marinette's having issues in the emotion department, the inspiring fashion designer always thought about others.
'Alya's lucky to be her best friend.' Adrien grimaced, seeing Marinette following Alya. The reporter's chatting to Lila and ignoring Marinette. Ever since Lila arrived, the section always forms a clump with some pairs leaving the cluster. Nathaniel and Marc heads to the Art room while Sabrina and Chloé usually goes to the hotel. This Marinette strives to be a part of the group unlike Mari. Mari who the other Alya rarely leaves to her own devices. He will admit to feeling guilty at the thought of spending time with this Marinette all to himself. Marinette's an amazing person and anyone who says otherwise have no taste. Adrien raised his hand, calling out to the one visibly standing out of the group. "Marinette!"
"?!" Marinette turned, her bluebell eyes sparkling and he might have fallen off with the genuine expression. He isn't sure what happened, but Marinette is relieved to see him.
"You didn't tell me..." Alya's words got softer as the brunette whispered close to his colleague. Adrien furrowed his eyebrows when Marinette blushed and playfully push Alya away.
"It's not like that, Al. Whatever. See you later." Marinette bid, running down to meet him. He placed his hands in his pockets, ignoring the stares pointing his way.
"You.." When Marinette reached his area, she half-whispered and half-gasped in awe. Her smile is infectious. "You're still here?"
"Where else will I go? (He smiled.) Shall we?" He offered, holding his hand out. She placed her hand on his, wrist smaller than what he's familiar with. This Marinette must be famished.
"Why not the bakery?" Marinette negotiated, walking out with him.
"You sure about that?" He ignored this other world's residents, raising an eyebrow at the female.
"Right." Marinette huffed, realizing her blunder. "My parents."
"Let me bring you to a cafe you showed me. They make the strangest arraignment of cookies, from sweet to savory." He hinted, leading her in one hand. People are watching them and neither minded, focused on the task at hand. Adrien added, "And a certain ladybug likes it too. It'll be my treat. An advance thank you gift for letting me stay."
"You don't have to do that, you know?" Marinette scolded and he chuckled.
"But I want to." He confessed, recalling the times his Marinette sneaked him out of his photo shoots for a snack or two or those moments his Marinette would agree to his plans without question. 'If this Adrien won't take you out to eat then I will.'