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“Marinette, this has gone on long enough. You’ve been struggling for months over Adrien.”
“It’s starting to affect you and your work.”
“What we’re trying to say is… maybe it’s time to take a break?”
Marinette looked over her group of friends.
Alya and the rest of the girls from her class all decided to come over and talk to her about a supposed situation.
“Take a break?! As in… GET OVER ADRIEN?! Don’t you think I’ve tried?! And… I’m not sure If I can? I mean… I don’t know… I-I—-“
“Woah… woah! We didn’t mean to get over Adrien. What we meant was take an actual break.” Alix said.
“I don’t get it. What do you mean?”
“Like, you know. Why not try a week to not think of him?” Juleka said.
“An Adrien cleanse maybe? Since well… your progress with him hasn’t gone anywhere.” Rose said.
“It’s just for a week! We’ve noticed you have so much on your plate lately and whenever Adrien comes up, you kinda a fumble all over.” Alya said.
“So why not try keeping him off your mind for a week? As in no overthinking. No over planning. No assuming every little thing is connected to Adrien! Or even over analyzing every movement of Adrien.” Mylene said.
“An Adrien-break?” Marinette asked.
All of them began to nod their heads back at her.
“I see… but how will I do that?” She asked.
The idea didn’t sound so bad. It wasn’t like she was getting over Adrien. She did need to concentrate on her work which was piling up like crazy. But it was easier said than done. How could she possibly ever get Adrien off her mind?
Alya then went to her wall and started carefully removing the Adrien posters.
“Let’s start with these first.”
The girls began helping and removing all other “unnecessary photos” of Adrien from the walls. The ones remaining were the group shots which featured him.
“Finally… let’s begin. We’re going to help you right here right now. We shall drill it into your system! Do not think about Adrien.” Alix said.
“Wait, it’s not that simple. How about… think of Adrien as someone else? Or something else? Like a chicken!” Rose said.
Marinette began visualizing Adrien as a chicken.
“A chicken… a chicken…” Marinette racked her brain. She closed her eyes and what came up was…
“Oh no! He’s hooooottt!!!” She screamed.
Alya sighed with her fingers rubbing her temples.
“We’ve got a looooong way to go.”
****
In a large room not too far away from Marinette’s loft, Adrien and the boys from the class all gathered around for a guy’s day. All of them were lounging around, playing video games, rock climbing, playing foosball and just relaxing as they bonded.
Adrien however had something to confess to the guys. Something important which caused everyone to gather around him.
“What’s up, Adrien?” Kim asked.
“Guys… I might have overheard something surprising to me last week.”
“Surprising? What?” Max asked.
“I overheard that Marinette… might actually like me.” Adrien did his best to make sure to not blush but it was in vain. His heart sped up just at the mention of her name. Marinette.
Adrien waited for the shocked replies of his friends, only to hear amused sounds of confirmation.
“Uhh dude. We all know.” Kim said.
Adrien sputtered out.
“What?! You all knew?!”
Nino placed a hand on his shoulder in a comforting manner.
“Everyone knew.”
“B-but… wait… so it’s true then? H-how long have you guys known?!”
All the guys looked at each other for a moment before answering back together.
“Months.”
Adrien felt like all the life was drained out of his system. It was a complete shock.
“But I thought—“
“No, dude. She’s been crazy for you for a long time.” Kim said.
“R-really?”
“Yes, Mylene’s told me about how much Marinette truly cares for you.” Ivan said.
The warm feelings returned to his system. All this time, there was this wonderful girl by his side. This wonderful girl he admired so much, had feelings for him.
She was always there. Right beside him. He was so blind from his feelings for Ladybug, that he was missing out on someone truly amazing.
He had to tell her.
“I’m going to ask her out.” Adrien said.
The guys all cheered.
“Finally! We’ve been waiting for you to do that! No longer ‘just a friend.’” Kim teased.
“Hey… you can’t blame it all on Adrien. Marinette hasn’t been very clear about her feelings too but now that it’s all out, go for it buddy! You two would be great together!” Nino said.
“You really think so?”
“Absolutely. You and Marinette would be a very compatible couple. I’ve done the work. Your rating is above 95% according to Markov.” Max announced.
“We all agree.” Ivan said.
The nods and support gave Adrien a boost of confidence he hadn’t felt in a while. His heart was beating wild with excitement.
“Marinette…”
***
About 3 hours later, back in Marinette’s room, the girls felt like they’ve finally accomplished their goal.
“I think we’ve done it.” Alya said.
“Okay, let’s test her. Marinette. What is Adrien to you?” Rose asked.
The girls all looked at Marinette who was sitting on her chaise. They waited for her answer.
“Adrien is just… a friend.” There was still a bit of hesitation.
“What was that?” Alix asked. “Say it again! More conviction!
“He’s just a friend!”
“One more time!” Juleka said.
“Adrien’s just a friend!” Marinette stood up from her seat with her hand raised up.
“There we go! You’ve done it!” Mylene said.
The girls began congratulating her. Alya then pulled Alix aside and started whispering about their success.
“So… that hypnosis thing you researched. It seemed like it worked?” Alya asked.
“I think so. So when Marinette’s ready. We’ll just say the release word, and she’ll back to normal in no time!”
“What’s the word again? In case we need to turn her Adrien-Brain back on.” Alya asked.
Alix went closer and whispered the word so that only Alya would hear.
“Buttercup.”
****
Several Days Later
Adrien was so excited a few days ago as he planned on how he was going to sweep Marinette off her feet. He had prepared so much before hand on what he’d say. How he’d start slow. Talk to her. Catch up a little. Then finally bring up his now realized feelings.
He needed to make it up to her for not realizing her feelings sooner.
At least… that’s what all the guys said he should do. How he was so oblivious for so long. He did explain that he did ask Marinette about her feelings on a few occasions. His friends then just felt for him and nodded their heads.
“Yeah… not all your fault buddy. Marinette’s… had some of her unlucky moments as well. But now’s the time to finally make things happen!” Nino exclaimed to him that day in his room.
So that whole weekend, he prepared… and prepared… and so came Monday morning.
There he was. Ready to talk to Marinette! Only for her… to completely ignore him.
Nino’s eyes went wide as Marinette just shrugged his usual greeting with a smile and a nod.
No stuttering. No crazy tripping. Nothing!
Adrien was a bit surprised but he honestly didn’t think much of it except that he kinda missed that cute way she did stumble sometimes.
He could’ve sworn he heard Alya whispering to her a job well done.
His first attempt was a failure. But it was just the morning. He didn’t think it was the end. He was sure he’d have more chances!
But things continued to remain the same. Every time he tried getting closer to Marinette. Every time he tried to have a private conversation. Every time he tried interacting with her… she somehow always calmly, pleasantly, and properly ended the conversation before it got anywhere.
It was if she had zero interest with him.
After 2 days of failure, he came up with a possible outcome.
“Is Marinette… over me?”
He began to panic a little in his room. Even Plagg was shocked by this turn of events.
“That’s crazy. I’m sure there’s something going on with pigtails.” Plagg said. Apparently the little kwami always knew she had feelings for him. It was no wonder he always teased him about her. But now…
“See what happens tomorrow. Don’t overthink it!” Plagg tried to reassure him.
Adrien took in a breath for a moment as he lay down on his bed. How could he not worry? This was all his stupid fault for not acting sooner.
The possibility of missing out on someone who could’ve been actually perfect for him, haunted him.
“Black cats are really unlucky… Just when I thought things would turn our great, here I am… another chance ruined with a wonderful girl.”
“Don’t give up, Adrien! Try asking her out for that dance this weekend!” Plagg suggested.
“I’ll do my best, Plagg.” Adrien closed his eyes that night. He hoped tomorrow would be different.
****
The next day was more of the same during classes. Marinette seemed utterly uninterested with talking to him. It was starting to really break his heart. What could’ve changed so quickly from last week?
Did he do something wrong to make her not like him anymore?!
But he wasn’t going to give up now. He had to try at least one more time. Here he was by the school steps after class. Marinette was working on something on her sketchpad. Now was his shot.
“Busy again, today, huh?” Adrien tried his best to call her attention. Marinette finally turned and looked at him with a lovely smile.
“Oh, definitely. I have all these designs I have to submit by next week. Trying to finish them early. They’ve been piling up honestly.”
“I’m sure you’ll do great, Marinette. Your works are always amazing. Even my father thinks so.”
“Oh. Thanks, Adrien.” Marinette was about to turn back to her work, as if she was just about done with conversation. Did she really not like talking to him anymore? He tried getting her back on topic.
“By the way! Do you maybe have free time this weekend?” He asked.
She seemed curious.
“What for?”
“Oh you know… the school dance. Everyone’s going. Great time to unwind. Maybe you’d like to go?”
He really hoped she wanted to go. Things began looking up as she smiled, seemingly looking interested with the event.
“That’s a great idea! I think I might have some time! I think I deserve a break at the end of the week! Great suggestion, Adrien!”
“Yes!” Adrien felt this was his chance. All he had to do was ask her out for it.
“You’re welcome! So.. I was thinking—“
Adrien couldn’t finish though as Marinette had an idea of her own.
“Maybe I’ll go with Luka?”
It was if he heard the sound of glass shattering in his head. Or maybe it was his already wounded heart breaking into a million pieces with her suggestion.
“L-luka?”
The boy Marinette dated prior. Was he in the picture again?! He was the first person she thought of for the dance. That laid another heavy blow to Adrien’s already fragile heart.
“We haven’t hung out in a while. No, wait. He’s busy this week. Just remembered. Hmmm….”
Adrien sighed in relief. This was his chance! Luka’s out of the picture. He needed to ask her out quick.
“You know… if he’s not free… Maybe you’d like to go with—“
“Alya? That’d be fun! A girls night! No, wait. She’s probably already going with Nino.”
“I wasn’t talking about Alya… I was.—“
“Who then? I’m sure no one else wants to go with me. There’s no one else I want to ask either.”
And with those words, Adrien felt like he was finished.
“No one?… Really?” His voice started to weaken from the painful realization that Marinette didn’t even consider wanting to go with him.
“Nope.” She said a matter of factly.
“Oh… Oh… I see… that’s fine. You can always go by yourself. Enjoy.”
Adrien was starting to feel sick. He wanted to go back to his room and lock himself in. He wanted to wallow himself in this fresh heartbreak. Marinette truly seemed like she’s moved on from him. He was too late.
“Thanks, Adrien.”
“Yeah… It’s a shame I can’t make it to the party. I uhh… have a lot of photoshoots planned that day too.” He lied to her.
“That’s too bad. I hope you get to enjoy your weekend after though.”
“Yeah. I’ll try. See ya, Marinette.” Adrien waved goodbye at her as the blue haired girl waved him away.
When she was out of sight, Adrien quickened his pace and jogged towards his home. He was already halfway back when Nino caught his arm.
“Woah! Slow down, bro! What’s your hurry? So?! How’d it go? Did you finally ask Marinette out yet?” Nino excitedly questioned.
Adrien didn’t want to tell him but he decided to get it over with and tell him the sad truth.
“Nino… I’m too late.”
****
A Few Minutes Later.
Alya and a few of the girls of the class were relaxing at the Couffaine Boathouse. They were enjoying their afternoon and feeling pretty proud of themselves for their successful intervention with Marinette. Luka though was not exactly pleased with their help.
“So… you somehow ‘hypnotized’ Marinette to not think about Adrien for a week? I don’t think you should have done that.”
“Oh come on, Luka. It’ll be fine. I’m surprised you’re not happy about this opportunity?” Juleka teased her brother.
Luka just chuckled and shook his head.
“You know I already gave up on Marinette. I can see how perfect Adrien and Marinette are for each other. I still do have feelings for her… and that’s why I feel it’s not right what you did to her. You have to let things come together naturally.”
“Come on, Luka. Marinette’s been going crazy these last few weeks. Having a break where she can work on her extra designs and school projects would do wonders for her.” Alya tried reasoning with him.
“I’m just saying… some times these things can bite you in the back.”
“Look… we have a release word in case we need to snap Marinette back to normal earlier than needed!” Rose said.
“It’ll be fine. Trust—“
Before Alya could finish, she suddenly gets a phone call.
“Oh, it’s Nino. Just a moment.” Alya pushes the answer button and places the phone to her ear.
“Hey, Nino. What’s —“
“AAAALLLLYAAA!”
Everyone in the boat heard the loud shout coming from her phone. Alya winced a little from the sound and had to lean the phone away from her ear.
“Why are you shouting?!” She answered back loudly.
“What’s happening with Marinette?!” He asked.
“With Marinette? Why? Nothing’s wrong with Marinette.”
“Oh yes there is! Adrien’s telling me what’s happened with him so far. Has Marinette gotten over Adrien?”
Alya chuckled. “No, no. She’s not over Adrien. Let’s just say we helped her forget about Adrien for a week.”
“We?! Who’s we?! Whatever it is you did, it’s making Adrien miserable. Adrien’s been trying to ask her out all week and Marinette’s been completely disregarding him!”
And that’s when all hell let loose when all the girls on the boathouse screamed when they heard Nino say that. Alya was the one to scream the loudest.
“WHAT?!?!?! Adrien’s been trying to ask Marinette out?!”
“Yes!!! He’s in love with her!!!”
The girls began to scramble as they all ran off the boat in search for Marinette. Their phones began dialing her number immediately. Luka was left by himself on the deck of the boat, chuckling to himself.
“Told you it would bite you in the back.”
****
Marinette was having a great week. She’s been able to organize so much of her work she’s been piling up. Almost all of her designs to submit have been finished and she’s even making progress with some grimoire work as a guardian of the miraculous. She was feeling pretty proud of herself… all because of Alya and the other girls’ help last weekend.
Strangest thing was she couldn’t remember what exactly they did.
“Better thank them later.”
She was about to head home when her phone began to ring. Marinette saw it was Alya calling.
Perfect timing she thought.
“Hey Alya. Was just thinking of you and—“
“BUTTERCUUUUPP!!!!”
Marinette’s ear were ringing with Alya’s shout through the phone.
“What was that for?!”
“I said BUTTERCUP!”
Marinette finally registered what word Alya said.
“Buttercup?”
Suddenly, Marinette’s head felt heavy. It was if a light switch was turned on in her brain.
And then… it all came pouring in. Everything that was locked away all week. Everything about…
“Adrien.” She whispered. All her feelings and memories of the boy suddenly filling her system.
“YES! Adrien! Marinette, where are you?” Alya asked.
“I’m… I’m at the park. Why?” Marinette was feeling a little dazed from remembering everything. Now she recalled. Her friends helped her forget about Adrien for a week. But why did they suddenly make her recall sooner?
“Stay right there!”
Soon enough, a group of her friends arrived and nearly tackled her as they ran up to her.
“Marinette! This is an emergency!” Rose said.
“What is? And why did you make me remember my feelings for Adrien? Everything was going great this week!”
“That’s the thing! Marinette… since you were ignoring him this entire week. You didn’t notice at all.” Juleka said.
“Notice what?”
All of them answered together something that shocked her completely.
“Adrien’s in love with you!”
“W-what? Come on. This is a joke, right?”
“No joke! Nino told me everything! He’s been trying to ask you out to the dance! But you kept ignoring him and he thought you were over him!”
A sudden realization hit her. Their conversation a while ago. Everything was starting to connect. Adrien was trying to talk to her all week.
“Oh… my god.”
And so… Marinette ran.
“Go for it, girl!” Alya shouted from the distance.
***
Adrien was in bed, wallowing by himself as he thought about Marinette, the girl that got away.
He wished he knew sooner. He wished things were different.
“You were right, Plagg. Love and relationships. They’re stupid. It’s not as if anything romantic’s ever going to happen with me. I guess I’m destined to be alone.”
Adrien turned over on his bed as he looked out his window.
Sometimes he wished a romantic moment would change everything. But he now knew the truth. Great romantic gestures are just silly in real life. There wasn’t going to be a moment where things would suddenly change. He and Marinette are just going to remain friends at best. That’s what he accepted. That’s what he was going to believe in from now on.
That was… until he heard a knock on his window.
He looked at his large windows and nearly fell off his bed as he saw the most unexpected thing. A cute mouse superhero. The one with hair buns he’d recognize anywhere. It was Multimouse.
“Multi-! A-ah I mean! Mari- Ah!.. Wait…” Adrien shut himself up before he could say any further. He’s not supposed to know who she is. But the question in his head remained.
“What is Marinette doing here?! Why is she Multimouse?”
“E-excuse me!” Multimouse said. “May I come in?” She asked from outside his window pane.
Adrien couldn’t have moved any faster to open that window.
“What’s going on? W-who are you— Oooof!”
Adrien was suddenly tackled to the ground as Multimouse immediately jumped into his arms. They rolled a bit with Multimouse landing on top of him.
“Adrien… I love you.”
Adrien couldn’t believe his ears.
“W-what?! Who? What’s happening?”
Adrien was taken further by surprise as Multimouse uttered a detransformation phrase. She revealed herself to him.
Marinette in her regular cute outfit was there for him to see.
“Marinette? What are you-?”
“I said I love you, Adrien!”
This was beginning to get overwhelming. He and Marinette got themselves up but Marinette held onto his hands, as she looked intently at him.
“You love me?”
She nodded quicker.
“Yes… I do. I had to figure out how to tell you the truth right away. And that’s why I decided to jump in and tell you. I’m sorry for ignoring you this week. It wasn’t your fault! I didn’t realize what you were trying to tell me! I didn’t realize what you were asking of me! YES! I want to go to the dance! Yes! I want to be beside you! Yes! I love you too!!!”
This was an overload of information for Adrien’s fragile state. Just a few minutes ago, he was spiraling from sadness. But now? His heart was bursting with joy and love.
Marinette was in his bedroom.
Marinette was confessing her love for him.
Marinette was gazing at him with her gorgeous blue eyes… It felt like she saw him for who he truly was. Inside and out.
“This… this must be a dream. Right? Haha. I must have fallen asleep. I’m going to wake up any moment now and—“
Marinette didn’t let him finish as she kissed him.
Finally.
Adrien finally got back to his senses… and kissed her back.
She tasted like strawberries. Most likely due to her lip balm. Oh how he dreamed of kissing her passionately like this.
“Marinette.” He whispered.
This wasn’t a dream… but a dream come true. Adrien pulled her in closer, his arms wrapped around her waist. Her arms were already around his neck. Every moment of kissing her was intoxicating.
Adrien continued to capture her sweet lips with his own. Their mutual hunger for each other evident with every second they continued to kiss.
It was pure bliss.
A minute later, Marinette leaned back, looking pretty satisfied with what she did. Adrien felt just as good too.
“This is no dream.” Marinette giggled. She had the cutest blush he’s ever seen. She was immaculate.
“I have SO MUCH to ask you.” Adrien was still in a bit of a daze due to the girl in his arms.
Marinette looked a bit embarrassed but she nodded back.
“Y-yeah. Don’t worry. I’ll tell you everything. Let’s just say there were some hypnotic suggestions involved.”
That caught Adrien’s attention but there was a big question involving a mouse miraculous he needed to ask about.
“That’s interesting. I’m ready to listen. First off with my questions, … what was that entrance? You have a miraculous?”
“I uhh… I asked Ladybug if I could borrow a miraculous so I could jump in and talk to you. She just so happened to pass by and well I’ve used this one before one time and well—“
Adrien just laughed before she could finish her story.
“Okay… That makes sense I guess. I better thank Ladybug next time I see her if it led to this.” Adrien was on such a high that he felt that if Marinette was going to lay bare everything, he might as well do so too.
“Since we are on the topic of superhero identities…” Adrien showed his ring to her.
Marinette stared at it in disbelief.
“Wait… you couldn’t be—“
“Hello, princess.”
Mairnette screamed.
And if Adrien thought there wouldn’t be any more bombshell revelations that afternoon, he was shocked once more when Tikki showed up and everything clicked.
It took a bit, but Marinette finally stopped her panicking. What soon followed… was more kissing and long awaited confirmations of their love for one another.
From what he thought was a horrible day… turned to be one of the best of his life.
****
Epilogue
It was the school dance and there were a group of friends that were having a very important conversation.
“So… what have we learned?” Nino asked.
Alya groaned.
“No more hypnotizing people.”
“And what else?”
“To let things come naturally.”
Half of the group nodded, realizing that everything almost ended in disaster but now as they watched Marinette and Adrien slow dance in the middle of the dance floor, they knew everything was going to turn out just fine.