Chapter Text
Marinette doodled in her notebook, zoning out from the lesson in front of her. She didn’t care for science that much anyway, it was arguably her least favorite subject. What was the point of paying attention if she didn't need to? She was going to University to study fashion, not chemistry or geology or- anything ending in a -y.
Next to her was her best friend, Alya. Ever since the new girl arrived the year prior, Marinette really started to break out of her shell! Alya and Nino were some of the best things to happen to her in a long while. Years of torment from Chloé had a way of breaking your spirit until you didn't fight back. Alya taught Marinette that she was capable of standing up for herself, that it wasn't right of Chloé to bully her. Nino... well, Nino was a source of positivity in their group. Sure, he was a little awkward at times from being outnumbered by the girls, but he handled it really well.
Marinette was just glad that Adrien Agreste kid wasn't in their class. Chloé bragged about their relationship so much she felt like she already knew him. She didn’t want to know how they spent the weekend in Venice or how he bought Chloe expensive bracelets. From what she heard, he was another spoiled rich kid who had an attitude issue.
As Alya nudged her and glanced down at her paper with a questioning look, Marinette was surprised to see her doodles had gone past the usual vest or blouse. Instead, a mini Ladybug and Chat Noir sat on her paper. She smiled a little to herself, shrugging to Alya. She wasn’t quite ready to let her little secret slip, and she promised that Chat would know first.
Seeing her partner was one of the best parts of her day. Running around on the rooftops was such an indescribable feeling, but Chat was able to just sense her feelings. It was like they were soulmates or something. Except, she didn’t really see him romantically. Sure, he was cute, and damn if he wasn’t ripped, but their bond was more like that of siblings. She thought he might’ve had a crush on her in the past, but if he did he moved past it quickly and never brought it up.
As class was dismissed, Marinette took to talking with Alya as they walked out of the room to head home. Marinette lived just across the street, so Alya tagged along with her often to just hang out for a few hours. As she did, her shoulder was knocked into by a head full of blonde hair.
“Hey! Watch where you’re going,” Alya reprimanded the person, helping Marinette steady herself.
“Sorry, we don’t speak to losers like you two,” As Marinette straightened up, she recognized who exactly bumped into her: Chloe. Right next to her stood Adrien, a look of apprehensiveness on his face.
“Why don’t you go bother someone else, your perfume is stinking up the place,” Marinette shot back, shooting her a glare. All she wanted to do was go home!
“Don’t talk to Chloe like that!” Adrien stepped forward.
“Or what? You’re gonna call daddy?” Marinette crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow.
Adrien glared at her, balling his fists in frustration. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Alya looked between the two, pulling Marinette back an inch. “Just apologize for knocking Marinette over and leave us alone. We don’t want thing 1 and thing 2 on our backs tomorrow.”
“Pfft, as if I’ll apologize to her! That’s ridiculous, utterly ridiculous! Come on Adrikins, we have a hair appointment to get to.” Chloe grabbed Adrien’s wrist, dragging him away. Adrien looked back at Marinette, a disgusted look on his face.
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“Ugh they just frustrate me so much Alya! They think they’re better because they have money and- I don’t know, they’re blonde? No, maybe just the rich thing.” Marinette threw her book bag onto the floor, collapsing onto her chaise.
Alya giggled, placing her bag next to Marinette’s. “Don’t worry about it, girl. People like them end up spending all their inheritance and becoming nobodys,” She said, “Besides, it’s not like they matter. Once I become a famous journalist and you’re the hottest fashion designer in Paris, Chloe and Adrien will be begging us to be their friends.”
Marinette smiled a little at that. Her original dream was to first intern at Gabriel, but if his son acted like THAT, she wanted nothing to do with the brand itself. “Seriously, though, who raised them like that?”
Alya shrugged, sitting on Marinette’s lap. “Maybe some nannies or seriously underpaid employees? I can’t imagine the Mayor actually raising that little rat, he probably just paid for a tutu and called it a day.”
They both laughed, thinking about Chloe actually wearing a tutu.
“Ok, enough about Barbie and Ken. How’s you and that Luke kid?” Alya questioned.
Marinette blushed, pushing Alya off of her lap and onto the seat next to her. “He’s uh, it’s good! A little different than what I expected though…”
Alya raised an eyebrow. “Different?”
“Yeah! You know, I thought he would be more talkative once we went out on an actual date.”
“Wait, what happened? You said it went well!”
Marinette buried her face in her hands and mumbled something that Alya couldn’t hear.
“Hun, you’re gonna have to speak up if you want me to hear you.”
“He brought his guitar to the restaurant,” Marinette confessed.
Alya stared at her in shock. “He WHAT?”
“Yeah! I know he has that guitar all the time but I thought dinner would be different!”
Alya burst out laughing, hugging Marinette tightly. “Nette, what am I going to do with you?”
Marinette smiled at her childhood nickname. Nino had taught Alya the name he gave Marinette in kindergarten, and it just kind of stuck.
“You could always give me away for three cows or something. Do people still do that?”
Alya hummed, considering. “Probably not,” she said, “But I could probably set you up with someone! OOO wait, what if Nino and I took you on a double date!”
Marinette tilted her head. “Who would be my date?”
“Uh, we could figure that part out. Doesn’t Nathaniel like you?”
Marinette shuddered, remembering the Evillustrator. “Not anymore. Besides, he’s with Marc.”
“Oh, right. What about… Kim?”
“No.”
“Nino?” Alya smirked.
Marinette grabbed the pillow from the chaise, hitting Alya square in the face. “I heard he has a girlfriend.”
“He does? Damn, I wanted to date him.” Alya said.
“Mhmm, I heard she’s super hot and smart. I think you’ve met her, actually!”
“Wow, what’s her name?” Alya batted her eyelashes, staring up at Marinette.
“I can’t remember, maybe Ariana? Abby? Aurore? Something with an A.” Marinette waved her hand dismissively.
“I-” Alya was interrupted by her phone buzzing. She frowned, picking it up to check her texts. “Shit, I’ve gotta get home. Mom’s mad my room’s a mess. I’ll see you at school tomorrow,” Alya leaned down to kiss Marinette’s cheek.
“Text me when you’re home! Love you.” Marinette smiled as her friend disappeared down the trapdoor.
Tikki flew out of Marinette’s bag, coming to sit on the desk. “You should do your homework, Marinette.”
“Oh, right! I have chemistry.” She dug around in her school bag for her notebook, pulling it out to start.
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By the time Marinette had finished her homework, the sun was just starting to set. She sighed, pushing herself away from her desk.
“I think I’m gonna go water my plants, Tikki. There are cookies in your jar if you want.” She smiled, climbing up her skylight onto her balcony.
The balcony was one of her favorite parts about her room. In a city as crowded and dense as Paris, only she had access to her balcony. It was her private space to do whatever with. Also, it was really convenient when she had to sneak in and out of the house.
She strolled over to one of her plants, picking up one of the many water bottles she kept outside for this reason. Marinette hummed as she watered her plants one by one, eventually coming to one she had set on the floor.
Not wanting to bend down to water the large plant, she picked it up and leaned it against the railing. As she started to pour the water onto the plant, her hand slipped and-
“Shit!” She said as the pot fell down to the street below. A distinct yelp of pain could be heard and Marinette grimaced, preparing to ask the person if they were ok.
As she leaned over the railing, she came face to face with a pair of green eyes.
“You should watch where you throw those things.” Chat said, glaring at her while rubbing his head.
“Oh- I’m sorry, it slipped out of my hands! I didn’t mean to hit you,” She rushed to apologize as he stepped onto her balcony, taking a look around.
“Right. What are you even doing?”
Marinette tilted her head. “Uh, gardening.”
He screwed up his face, still holding his head. “Who would willingly do that? Isn’t it dirty?”
Taken aback, Marinette could only stare at him incredulously. “It’s actually quite relaxing. What’s your problem? I already apologized for the plant.”
“Maybe I don’t appreciate being hurt by a-” He looked around the balcony once more. “Witch. Is that what you are? Why else would you have all these weird plants?”
“Excuse you, that’s rude.”
“Excuse ME? I’m the one who might have a fractured skull!”
“You’re a superhero, you’ll be perfectly fine.” Marinette rolled her eyes. She was used to his dramatics, but most of the time he had a playful tone. This sounded… vicious. “I really am sorry, though. I could go see if I have anything that could help?”
Chat narrowed his eyes at her. “Fine, but don’t think I trust you.”
“Yeah yeah, just stay there.”
Marinette went down to her bathroom, picking up some rubbing alcohol and a bandaid. “Who the hell calls someone a witch because they like gardening?” She asked herself.
“Me, if you haven’t noticed.”
Marinette jumped into the air, scattering the supplies everywhere. “I didn’t say you could come inside.”
Chat looked around her bathroom, scrunching his nose in disgust. “Was I supposed to stand up there like an idiot? Just hurry up and fix this, I wanna go home.”
“I thought you were the hero of Paris, aren’t you supposed to not be rude to civilians?”
“The hero of Paris doesn’t like getting a concussion.’
“Oh my god you barely have a cut, just shut up.” She picked up the rubbing alcohol and poured it onto a paper towel, not giving Chat a warning before pressing the soaked towel against his forehead.
He jumped back, hissing at her. “Hey, that stings!”
“Shut up, you’re being a baby.” She laughed good naturedly, going back to cleaning up the wound once again. Satisfied, she placed the bandaid on his forehead. Coincidentally, it was Ladybug themed. “You’re all done!”
“Whatever. Stay safe, don’t get akumatized, blah blah blah. Have a good night.” He started to head out of the bathroom before Marinette caught his arm.
“Most people say thank you, you know.” Why did he hate her civilian self so much?
He scowled at her, looking her up and down. “You didn’t do anything, I wouldn’t have even been here if you didn’t drop that plant on my head.”
Marinette felt herself getting frustrated, and an angry Marinette was NOT a good Marinette. “Out. Get out of my house.”
“I’m- what?” Chat said, dumbfounded.
“I said get out of my house. If you’re going to be a prick about something that was an accident, you aren’t welcome here.”
Chat looked like he wanted to say something, but only nodded. He went out of the bathroom and disappeared out the trapdoor without a word.
Tikki flew back over to Marinette, who sat down on the edge of her bathtub. “Tikki, what the hell just happened?”