Chapter Text
It was no secret to anyone that knew Marinette that she was obsessed with Adrien. But very few knew she spent her time reading ‘Xreader’ fanfics of him. He was quite famous in France and even outside of their country so there was a good amount. However, it wasn't nearly enough if you read them on a daily basis.
It was one of those late nights where her superhero-wired brain couldn't sleep, ready to go on patrol or to save the city if necessary. Giving a frustrated sigh and opening her eyes she takes her phone. For a moment she considered going back and pretending to be asleep once more to see if it worked, but it had already been an hour already, she doubted another one would change anything.
Opening her account on AO3 she first checks to see if any of her favorite unfinished fics had been updated. They hadn't. So she moves to the search bar. Far too familiar with what to search, her fingers moved more by muscle memory than anything. She re-reads a few completed ones she liked, and a few that had just been posted.
She felt silly giggling like a little kid as she imagined Adrien holding her hand as written in the fanfic. Still, she continues, hoping not to wake up Tikki, who would definitively roll her eyes, knowing exactly what she was doing. At the climax where they were about to kiss, she sat up in her bed, and the emotions she felt were building up too much to stay lying down.
From the corner of her eyes, she watched Tikki’s head move slightly, she heard her give a small groan and go back to sleep, knowing that if she woke up she would have to hear Marinette talk about her crush for hours.
Marinette was happy to find two fics she could bookmark for later, given how good they were, but the happiness didn't last long as she was once again without anything to read. She could go to bed or she could search for more, she searches for more. Since there were none left on the site she preferred she moved to Wattpad. It had been a while since she went there but maybe, as the writers grew older, the fanfiction was better.
The first few she read weren't that good, but she was in too deep to give up now. Given the algorithm, she received a few recommendations, including one that read ‘Chat NoirXReader’. Marinette snickered, she wondered if the public knew how much of a dork he was. Giving in to her curiosity, and reminding herself to later search if there were any fics like that about LadyBug, she starts reading.
Her first feeling is one of annoyance as the first chapter isn't even a real chapter, it’s just explaining the world of the fic as if you couldn't do that in the writing itself. She rolled her eyes but was determined to keep going. One thing she was not was being good at giving up. Her walls filled with pictured of Adrien showed that very clearly. Letting out an annoyed groan as an ad plays before the real first chapter she finally starts.
The Reader was generic, but that made sense, it was meant for people to project onto her so she can't have that much of a personality on her own. There was quite some time spent describing her clothes. Clothes that, to a designer like Marinette, were an affront to fashion. But she refrains from focusing on it too much.
The main character is saved by Chat from an akumatized person, a real one he and Ladybug had to face. She mentally checks to see if the story would make sense given what happened. It didn't. As Chat places y/n on the ground he mentions how beautiful she is and how he wishes he could see her again.
Something resembling jealousy started to grow inside Marinette. She tells herself that it’s only because she isn't used to hearing her partner talk about anyone but her that way, she is simply surprised, nothing else. Yet she remembers all the compliments that he gives her and a fond smile creeps up on her face.
There were at least three times she could see a pun being made, one that Chat definitely would. But in this universe, he was very serious, dark, and mysterious. ‘If only they knew how he never stops talking’ she laughs to herself.
Credit where credit is due, LadyBug had to admit that this author was committed. There were over 100 chapters and as she got ready for school a notification showed another one was posted. She kept the app open so that whenever she had some free time she could keep reading it and laugh a bit.
However ‘free time’ was a rare occurrence in her life. Between classes, drama amongst her friends and Chloé, and taking care of an Akuma she barely got a chance to look at her phone, let alone read anything.
As she was about to tell Chat Noir they did a good job she felt her phone vibrate, it was another notification from the same fic, out of instinct she takes her phone out, and it said a new chapter had been posted. ‘Twice in a day? Wow’ she thought but before she could put her phone away, her partner took an interest in what she found so captivating and why her eyes had widened in a surprised look.
“Paw-don me but what could be more interesting than me, my lady?” He stepped closer and glanced at her phone as she rolled her eyes, but smiled nonetheless “Chat Noir X Reader…”
Marinette immediately closes her phone, panicking. As she usually did when Adrien was around, she stumbled on her words. Incomprehensible syllables filled the air as she wondered how could she possibly explain why she was reading that.
“I know I'm purr-fect but I didn't think you wanted me that badly” He smiles as she blushes, still unable to say a single word “You know if you want me I'm already yours, right? I wanna spend all my nine lives with you, my lady”
Chat leans in closer, his heart pounding against his ribs, wondering if this would be their first kiss. Could she really love him as he loved her? Suddenly their miraculous warn them they don't have a lot of time before transforming. LadyBug excuses herself and runs away as fast as she can while her partner is left alone on that rooftop with nothing but love and hope.
"Oh my god, oh my god, OH MY GOD" Now in the comfort of her room she lets her panic take over her "Tikki stop laughing it's not funny"
"It's a bit funny, come on you can explain this! Just tell him you were curious" She places her hands on LadyBug's arm trying to calm her down.
"And how exactly do I tell him I found this?" She falls back on her bed, hiding her face in her hands, trying to hide from the world.
"Hum, good question"
"Oh I can never show my face again, I can't be LadyBug ever, ever, again"
"Don't you think you are overreacting?"
"NO, I am underreacting" She stood up "I'm going to run away, to another country, any country"
"Marinette..."
"The furthest away from here" She took her suitcase and stood there for a moment before letting out a defeated sigh "I'm not running away, am I?"
"No, you are not" She gave a kind smile "it's all going to be okay, I promise" But all LadyBug could do is groan out of embarrassment.
A few streets away Adrien also fell on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
"You saw that, right Plagg?" He didn't think he could smile as wide as he was "She was reading fanfic about being with me"
"Technically it was about Chat Noir" He took another bit of his cheese, seemingly more entertained by it than the conversation.
"Why do you have to crush my dreams like that?" He tried to look upset but he couldn't, nothing could make him feel bad at that moment, not when his lady, possibly, liked him back "I need to do something, a gesture to show her I like her"
"Isn't that what you have been doing? Don't you flirt with her on a daily basis?"
"Yes, but-"
"Don't you also get rejected? On a daily basis?" Plagg interrupted him.
"What do you have against love?" He raised his arms in the air emphasizing the question.
"Nothing, I just don't want you to get your hopes up only to be rejected" He finally looked up to Adrien who softened his expression.
"I'm glad you care about me, but I have to go after her. I love her. So even if it's a small chance, even if I might get my heart broken, I have to try. Because if it works, then it will be more than worth it"
Plagg could tell that he was serious, there was nothing he could say to change his mind, so he agreed to help find a romantic gesture Adrien could do.