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"We need a plan. A new one," Alya said, her eyes bright with renewed optimism as she looked at the newest additions to the resistance. Marinette fidgeted on the spot. It still felt strange to be in the spotlight, to be part of the good guys. This wasn't their first meeting but she needed more time to get used to it.
"One that isn't too dangerous," Gabriel added.
"With all due respect, Betterfly, all we did until now was be careful and lie low. We need to be bolder."
"Alya, you like courting danger. Even universe hopping didn't scare you. But now we really need to take precautions."
"So us pretending to still work for the Supreme is off the table?"
Marinette saw that look.
"You two need to be more careful than all of us."
"The Supreme knows who you are," Adrien pointed out cheekily, making Marinette stifle a smile. "And yet you're taking all kinds of risks."
"Not so much anymore," Gabriel sighed.
Alya and Nino knew that Claw Noir had somehow turned out to be Betterfly's son, but they still didn't know who either of them were. Marinette looked at Adrien and had to admit that she understood why Gabriel was more careful now. He wanted to protect his son. Which was sweet. Except that he didn't like this being pointed out in public. Catching her eye, he winked at her.
"We would get a lot more work done if you two weren't busy looking at each other with heart eyes," Nino said dryly.
Marinette felt her cheeks warm up and saw the telltale blush on Adrien's face as well. They had been caught.
"I don't know what you mean," he tried to play it cool.
"Come on, you're both like lovesick puppies ever since you got back from the other universe," Nino laughed.
Adrien shot her a look that was easy to read - I'm not sure if I still want this one as a friend. She had to bite back a laugh.
"Who are you calling a puppy?" He almost snarled at Nino, making him pull back in shock.
"Easy, kitty," she put a comforting hand on his forearm. This didn't help beat off the couple behaviour allegations in the least, but she knew his temper well enough. Even though he had mellowed, he could be touchy. "It's just an expression."
"We're not blind, though," Alya said pointedly. "You do have something going on."
"Not you too, Alya," Marinette groaned.
"Don't tease my future daughter-in-law," Gabriel grinned. "She's not afraid to bite, you know. For a Ladybug."
For a second, Marinette was too stunned to speak.
"Dad!" Adrien cried out. "Stop embarrassing me."
"It's not a lie." The only adult in the room sure liked acting like a big child.
"We're only 15." Adrien couldn't keep up the tough act while he whined to his father. But it was good to see them like this.
"But so-o in love. It's cute," Gabriel sighed happily. Yes, just a big child.
"See? We were right!" Alya jumped up and did a gleeful dance.
"Shh. This has nothing to do with our team and what we are doing to stop the Supreme," Marinette said, trying to sound stern.
"I'm just happy for you," her hopefully soon-to-be-friend smiled.
"Thanks."
"I still think we won't get a lot of work done while you're in the honeymoon phase," Nino threw in.
"Nino," Adrien warned him. But he was clearly failing at keeping his grin at bay. So his hopefully soon-to-be friend was back to his bold self. Before he could say something else to provoke her boyfriend though, Marinette intervened.
"You wouldn't be so hell-bent on teasing us if you knew what I read in the other Ladybug's diary," she smirked. "About you two," she motioned between him and Alya.
"What?" She asked, eyes narrowed.
"Apparently, Alya and Nino in that universe are a couple," she smiled sweetly.
While they were busy gasping in disbelief, Adrien shot her a look. She kind of wished she had told him before so he could join in on this, but it wasn't something she had thought much of until now.
"No way," he said out loud. "You're telling me that these two are just as guilty as us of thinking about other things."
"No! We're just friends," Alya insisted.
"Yeah, this was how we started off as well," Marinette giggled. "Although we were more like frenemies first. Whatever."
"Alya is too professional to let something like this happen," Nino said, an unmistakable hint of regret in his voice. Bingo.
"If being in a relationship with one of your teammates is against the rules, we'd be the first ones to be thrown out. So it's ok, right?" Adrien turned to his father, a challenging look in his eyes. That was clearly payback for the earlier teasing.
"It's not ideal, I agree, since it can be distracting," Gabriel said, trying to be diplomatic. "But sometimes it can't be helped."
Nino's phone rang and he walked away to talk while Gabriel turned to the computer to check something and just like that their meeting came to an end. With no practical result, again. Maybe there was some truth in their discontent.
"Are you sure that you would mind going on a date with Nino?" Marinette scooted closer to Alya. "He clearly wants it."
"He's such a dork. But... " She looked in the direction Nino had disappeared in with a sigh.
"Look, I get it. We all have a goal in mind and want it achieved. But we're just teenagers. And our world is bleak as it is. Don't miss a chance to make it a bit brighter with someone else by your side."
They both turned around in surprise to look at Adrien.
"Very wise, oh scary Claw Noir," Alya smiled.
"He has his moments," Marinette looked fondly at him.
"This is why she can't resist me," Adrien demonstratively threw an arm around her shoulders, pulling her to him. She squeaked in protest, but eventually relaxed into him.
"You are cute together," Nino said as he came back and took in the scene.
"You can be cute as well," Marinette threw back, not subtle at all.
"We'll see about that," Alya mock groaned. But it was obvious that they had pushed her in the right direction.
Marinette had never expected to be in the role of the match-maker but it was surprisingly fun.
"Good job, bug," Adrien said in her ear.
Yes, their meeting hadn't been entirely fruitless after all.