Chapter Text
Marinette
It has been about a month since Glaciator was defeated, and two weeks since Troublemaker. I had feared that Cat Noir had seen me without my mask, but he's been the same around Ladybug, and he never comes to see Marinette, so I can only hope (and pray) that he truly doesn't know who I am.
The thing is, I've been acting a little different around him myself, but I would never admit that out loud. It’s not like I’ve begun to love him, but I have begun to respond more to his flirts. Seeing as Adrien seems to be interested in someone else, I've respected that and I've begun to back off him, trying to move away from love itself. My stutter has slowly begun to get better, and I haven't gained one around my partner. Yet. Okay, so here's the facts, because this is confusing me too. #1 Cat Noir and I have grown close, and the boy seems as intent as ever to flirt with Ladybug, but those seem to be lacking the adoration they used to hold. #2 I have just allowed myself to be content without loving anybody, but I have been teasing Cat with flirts of my own. #3 The final thing is that the cat-themed hero has been hanging around my bakery more and more often. His flirts now seem directed towards my civilian form, so I just roll my eyes whenever he tries, but internally, I'm beaming.
Adrien
Ever since Glaciator came and went, I've been hanging out with Marinette much more. Not only in my civilian form but as Cat Noir as well.
My friend used to stutter whenever I talked to her, but whatever reason she had must've slipped her mind because now she talks to me with ease and I often get to see her sassy, assertive, confident side. I've come to be best friends with Marinette, partially because of Alya and Nino dating and leaving us two alone, partially because I've just grown to the girl, and we're spending more and more time together. In fact, I've grown so close to Marinette that I believe I have begun to fall for her. Of course, I can't tell anyone this, because I know Nino would just be Nino and do that creepy eyebrow thing that seems to be suggesting the worst of things. Then there's the fact that Alya and Marinette have been talking about how Mari has gotten over her first crush - whoever that could be - and is now trying to live life without love for the moment.
I've considered telling Nino several times about my growing feelings for the bluenette, but since he agrees with Marinette about staying single for the moment, I can't very well do that, so I've resorted to keeping this between Plagg and me.
Nino
I can tell when something's up with my bro, and something is definitely wrong. He's been a lot quieter lately, and whenever Marinette's love life is brought up in a conversation, for whatever reason Alya has, he stiffens beyond comfort. In the present, it is lunch on a Monday morning. "Dude, you okay? You've seemed kinda out of it for a month or so now. Wanna talk about it?"
Adrien
I shake my head a little too vigorously, Marinette and Alya suddenly paying close attention to our conversation. "Yeah, Adrien. What's going on? It's almost like you and Marinette have swapped minds or something." Alya says, letting the reporter in her loose. Ever since I realized I have a crush on the class representative, I've been stuttering around her, even if I'm not talking directly to her. "U-um... I've just come to terms with something, and it's rocked my world, that's all." The girls give each other a suspicious glance, which makes me increasingly nervous.
"You sure, Adrien? You know you can talk to us about anything." I shake my head, refusing to embarrass myself further. "Thanks, Marinette, but I-I think I'll be okay."
After school, I try to shake my friends, off, but Nino has other plans. "Dude, I know for a fact that you don't have anything right now, so we're all gonna head over to Marinette's and you're gonna stay there until you explain exactly what's been happening to you lately." I sigh. Knowing my friends, they would probably tie me to a chair in order to get what they want. I take that back. Only Alya would actually go through with that, being a reporter, but Marinette and Nino would stand by and watch or help her. "Yeah, o-okay."
Nino and Alya each take one of my arms, Marinette leading the way to her bakery. We reach the tall-ish building not five minutes later, and we are greeted with the aromas of a bakery. Cookies, cupcakes, croissants, eclairs, and so many other good smells erupt in my nose like a volcano, and we aren't even inside yet. "Guys, you know how I have that model diet?"
I ask quietly to the two people grabbing my arms, practically holding me back from running into the bakery.
My friends nod as we slow the walk to the door. "I might have to break it just this once, to enjoy some of the Dupain-Cheng's food." My best friend and his girlfriend laugh as we walk in to see Tom and Savine chatting idly with a customer, Marinette halfway up the stairs. "Coming guys?"
The three of us glance at each other before following our friend. When we reach the living room, we collapse on the couch, all ready to talk. All except me.
Alya
Agreste is hiding something, and I know I'm on the verge of finding out just what that secret is - no matter how big or small. I've already tried to get him to loosen up, but since Adrien only seems to be comfortable around Nino... "Boys! Marinette and I are going to go get some pillows and snacks. We'll be back in a minute, so don't start without us, okay?" I grab Marinette's hand and pull her to the staircase leading to her room. "Alya!" She hisses. "We don't need those things, so what are you getting at? You know the boys will definitely start talking without us now!"
I snicker quietly, so the boys don't overhear and get suspicious. "That's the plan girl!" I text Nino, telling him to go ahead with the interrogation while Marinette grabs the things we'll need.
From Nino: But won't Adrien get suspicious?
From You: Nah. Just tell him it'll be better this way cause then you can help him with a cover story for the REAL reason he's been acting so strange. Then you can tell me later so I can inform Mari. Got it?
He sends an affirmative thumbs up, and I go into the kitchen to get food.
Adrien
"Bro, while the girls are gone, you can tell me what's really on your mind, so then we can come up with a fake story to lead them astray." This is a new side to Nino that I never really expected to see. Sure, maybe from Alya, being a reporter and all, but never Nino. Marinette is the only one who has yet to surprise me, but I think that'll be coming to a close very soon. Nino apparently still has a few tricks up his sleeve. Betraying his girlfriend, and Marinette?
"Okay, Nino. This must be BIG if you want to betray the girls like this." He shrugs like it's something he does daily. "Anything for you, dude." I smile, taking a deep breath. "Okay, so you know how Marinette has sworn off the whole lover thing for a while?"