Work Text:
Marinette was going to kill him.
Most people probably wouldn’t be thinking that if they suddenly spotted one of the city’s resident superheroes (and especially not if said superhero also happened to be your best friend/crush) but Marinette was not in a particularly good mood.
Just minutes before, she’d said goodbye to Adrien at school, telling him she was headed off to deliver a cake for her parents. She’d run to the bakery to pick up the order, then had run into him outside the school doors.
He’d offered to go with her, since it was a bit out of the way, but she’d brushed off his offer. She was Ladybug, for God’s sake--she could handle a simple cake delivery.
The distance of the order required her to take public transit, which she wasn’t crazy about, but it was better than walking. Her pride was the only thing that kept her from transforming to make the trip. What if someone saw Ladybug with the order?
And so, she’d resigned herself to sitting inside the bus, squeezing past people on their phones to snag an empty seat by the window. She’d put her earbuds in and cranked up her favorite Jagged Stone album, content to let the world fly by with the cake safely in her lap.
Until she’d spotted Spiderman perched on top of the bus through a side view mirror.
He didn’t.
But yes, he did.
This left Marinette stewing for the rest of the ride. Spiderman had the audacity to hang his legs over the side, kicking them back and forth as he enjoyed himself.
It was sweet, in its own way, but this wasn’t the first time he’d used his powers to keep an eye out for her. It made her all the more paranoid he’d discover her secret identity, even if he had good intentions.
The moment the bus paused at her stop, Marinette was out the door, clutching her cake tight to her chest. She watched him stand, stretch, and then swing upwards to follow her down the alley. Fine, he wasn’t going to tell her he was there? They’d play his way.
Marinette pretended to not notice. She probably wouldn’t have, except for her increased awareness of her surroundings. Being Ladybug did help heighten a few everyday abilities, and in that moment she’d never been more grateful for them.
She pulled up the address on her phone, ignoring the looming superhero as she ducked and dodged through streets to find her destination. As annoyed as she was, she was careful not to jostle the cake. No need to take her anger out on an innocent cake.
Reaching the apartment door, she knocked and was greeted with a pleasant-looking woman. She made a sound of glee when she noticed the box, and Marinette was all smiles as she handed off the order. The woman thanked her for delivering it, then handed her a tip.
Marinette thanked her profusely, smiling, then waved as she turned to leave. Her eyes flicked upwards quickly, and she caught a glimpse of a red suit. So he was still there.
An idea formed.
She wasn’t ready to go home just yet.
Pulling her phone out with a smile, she scrolled through her contacts. Alya was babysitting, but perhaps someone else would be free? More importantly, be free to join her in walking around for hours as punishment?
Her thumb stopped on Luka. She and Luka had been hanging out a bit more lately, and he was a nice guy. Maybe he’d be free?
A very small part of her begged for mercy on Adrien. He was just concerned. It’s going a little too far. Just call him out and go home.
As she was mulling over her decision, her phone rang. She yelped and nearly dropped her phone, stumbling to catch it. Adrien’s contact photo was lighting up her screen. Marinette saw red for a second, then took a deep breath and answered it.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Mari!” His voice was bright and chipper, but Marinette knew him well enough to recognize a hint of mischievousness in his tone. “What’re you up to? Deliver that cake?”
“Why yes, Adrien, I did deliver the cake!” Marinette said through gritted teeth, forcing an upbeat tone. “It went fine, like I said it would. What are you up to?”
“Oh, just hanging around!”
Marinette’s eye twitched. “Are y--”
She turned and found herself face-to-face with Spiderman.
A scream echoed around the alley.
~
Adrien found himself regretting his decision just a little bit.
In his defense, he hadn’t expected her to scream. Marinette usually took these things in stride. But he saw from the moment she recognized him that he was a dead man.
Sheepishly, he moved lower, not quite willing to drop down yet. “Um...sorry?”
Marinette had a hand over her chest, glaring daggers at him. “You gave me a heart attack! What do you think you’re doing?!”
“I told you I was hanging out.” He smirked, grateful she couldn’t see it.
Marinette folded her arms. “Right. After you finished following me to my delivery.”
He chuckled sheepishly. “You saw me?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact. I was going to call Luka to hang out and make you follow me longer than intended as punishment.”
Now it was Adrien’s turn to frown. “Luka? Why him?”
She raised an eyebrow at his tone, but shrugged. “Alya’s busy and we’ve become friends. That doesn’t matter. Are you going to explain why you felt it necessary to follow me?”
“I was just a little worried. This area isn’t the safest, so…”
Marinette sighed loudly, pinching the bridge of her nose. “You know I’m not a child, right, Spiderman?”
His hero name. He was in hot water. “I-I know, but…”
“I understand you were just concerned,” she interrupted. “But I wish you’d have a little more faith in me.” Her tone softened. “I would’ve called you if anything happened.”
Adrien felt his shoulders slump. “I know. I’m sorry, Mari. I guess the suit makes me feel like I always have to watch out for everyone. But I shouldn’t have followed you like that...I’m really sorry.”
Marinette’s tension faded from her face and she finally gave him a soft smile, sending his heart racing. “It’s okay. Sorry I got snippy. I just don’t like being followed around.” She poked his chest. “Even by superheroes.”
He grinned. “Really? And here one of Paris’s superheroes is giving you special treatment. I thought you’d be honored.”
Marinette rolled her eyes. “Are you going to get down? You’ve been hanging upside down for ages.”
“Maybe I don’t want to come down just yet,” he teased. Suddenly, a flashback of Ladybug’s voice flitted through his memory: If you hang upside down like that, girls will want to kiss you. It’s a thing.
He swallowed.
“...going. Hello? Adrien, are you even listening to me?” Marinette was peering at him, close to his face. He yelped, jarred from his thoughts, and fell on the ground. He blushed profusely, more grateful now than ever for the mask. Marinette was laughing.
She offered him a hand. “C’mon, hero. I really hate taking the bus, so do you think you could help this civilian out and take her home?”
“Of course. Anything for the civilians.” Adrien made a show of bowing, leaving his best friend giggling. His chest warmed at the sound. She’s so cute.
He pulled her close, ignoring Plagg’s amused voice in his ear. My, my, seems you’re misusing your hero abilities just a bit.
“Quiet, Plagg,” he muttered, then spoke up. “Ready?”
Marinette grinned. “Don’t worry. I’m not scared of heights.”
As he lifted them off the ground and towards the rooftops, he made a mental note to suggest to Marinette that if Alya was ever busy, she was more than welcome to call him instead of Luka.
Or, if he wasn’t available, her friendly neighborhood Spiderman.