Chapter Text
September 3
Chat Noir sat on a ledge a ways away from where he and Ladybug were supposed to meet for patrol. She had already arrived, which was a little unusual for his lady. She often showed up just a few minutes late, explaining how she had gotten wrapped up in this or that with her friends or family. It never bothered him; it always made him happy to hear about the love she was always surrounded with at home. Maybe it also made him a little jealous, but there wasn’t anything she could do about that.
“There you are!” she said, turning around as he jumped onto the roof, “I was beginning to think you wouldn’t show.”
“I’m not even late,” he laughed, “This is just the first time you’ve ever been early.”
She rolled her eyes at him, “I was bored! My parents wanted to watch a marine documentary tonight so I ‘went to bed’ with a migraine so I could make it here. After missing the last two patrols I figured you’d be getting lonely, kitty cat.”
Ladybug had been on vacation for the last week. Marinette had been on vacation for the last week too, that’s why she’d missed the first week of class. It had really sucked to not get to see Marinette or Ladybug for a whole week.
“I was thinking we’d start in the 5th arrondissement tonight and patrol through the 9th?” asked Ladybug.
“Last one there is as stinky as Plagg’s cheese!” Chat yelled as he took off towards the 5th arrondissement. Ladybug laughed and followed suit.
September 4
“Marinette! Maaarinette!” whispered Tikki as Marinette rushed down the sidewalk to school.
“What’s going on, Tikki? I can’t be late on my first day at school!” asked Marinette.
“Didn’t you forget something?”
Marinette patted her jeans. She had her keys and phone, her books were all in her backpack, what else could she have for- oh. OH NO. It’s Adrien’s birthday, and she’d forgotten his present. And it’s his 18th birthday, not even a minor birthday. How could she forget his 18th birthday? She turned and sprinted back to the bakery, taking the stairs to her room two at a time.
“Tikki, where did I put it?” Marinette searched frantically around her room.
“Right here, Marinette!” Tikki floated right over where Marinette had left his present, on her desk. Marinette grabbed the present and took off again, desperately hoping she wouldn’t be late for school again.
She was late. Luckily Ms. Bustier was facing the board and hadn’t taken attendance yet, so Marinette silently slid into her seat, sweaty and out of breath.
Alya leaned over to whisper, “First day you’re actually here and you’re seriously cutting it close. What happened?”
Marinette just shook her head. No point in explaining about the forgotten present, especially in case Adrien overheard. She didn’t want him to think she’d forgotten about him. While she’d gotten much better at talking to Adrien and now considered him one of her closer friends (if only because they always ended up 3rd and 4th wheeling Alya and Nino), she was still anxious around him sometimes.
They had decided that they would be giving their presents to Adrien at lunch, and so as soon as he sat down, three presents were piled in front of him. Adrien had never been more glad that Nathalie had started letting him stay for lunch. Nino had made him a mixtape, which he decided to listen to that afternoon while warming up for fencing. Alya gave him some personalized ladybug merch, “because we all know you’re her biggest fan”, which Marinette blushed at for some reason. He didn't hesitate before putting it on. But it was Marinette’s present that took the cake. Marinette had made him a scrapbook with pictures of the four of them throughout the years, and a pair of socks with little ladybugs all over them. He loved them.
“Thank you, Marinette” he said, blushing when he looked up and saw her watching him. She smiled and seemed to mumble something like “you’re welcome”. Adrien smiled and immediately changed his socks, showing them off to anyone who would listen for the rest of the day.