@(Un)LuckyLady 🐞 [6]

Don't take yourself off the market too soon.

Dear Buginettes,

What can I say? I'm finally getting somewhere and have a date coming up which I believe might be the guy for me; however, should I stop dating because of this or should I make sure I keep myself open to other opportunities?

The answer is quite simple really... keep going for it! No 'official' status is a go ahead to kiss more frogs, after all, the physical side of a relationship is just as important as the connection. If the kiss ain't good, why would you want that? You need those butterflies flying in your stomach and your heart skipping a beat. A kiss is just that... a kiss! You don't need to think any deeper. You're just trying before you buy.

Until you're someone's girlfriend or boyfriend, don't be afraid to window shop and continue to set up dates.

Ladybug 🐞

@(Un)LuckyLady🐞

Guy's interested: 2 (-2)

Guy's numbers: 4

Dates Planned: 2

Dates Completed: 2 (+ a half)

Hits: 46,175

Posted 20 seconds ago

•••••

The constant sound of her phone receiving message after message woke Marinette up. Instead of remaining in her dream of kissing Adrien and the feel of his warm masculine body pressed up against hers was broken by the signal of hundreds and seemingly thousands of people she didn't know commenting on the Ladyblog.

Burying her head deeper into the pillow, she tried to remember when she'd put her phone on loud, after all, everyone knew Marinette rarely had the volume on her phone, especially overnight... nothing was worth an interruption to her well practised sleeping schedule.

Stretching a hand out of the warm cosy duvet, she tapped around on her nightstand attempting to silence the damn thing. Maybe she should have slept with a hammer under her bed — like her father had suggested.

Coming up empty handed, she quickly pulled her arm back under the duvet intending to ignore the tones and get back to her dream; and what a dream it was. She was massaging Adrien as he lay flat against his bed. Flirtatious words floating between them become foreplay for a deep, blood boiling kiss. It seemed so real. The feelings, the smells, the hardness of muscles from hours in the gym. A smile graced her lips as a giggle escaped, a giggle which turned into a gasp as she realised it wasn't actually a dream.

Shooting up to a sitting position, Marinette almost dived off her bed in the search for her phone. It wasn't a dream that she'd kissed Adrien last night, it had actually happened. Finally, after five years, Marinette Dupain-Cheng had locked lips with Adrien Agreste — both commiting to the action out of choice, and from the tenderness of her lips whole heartedly.

Marinette swung her legs out of the bed, placing them against the carpet and pushing herself to standing; the chiming of her phone continuing to bleep – message, after message, after message. It seemed to be in the hallway.

"Alya? Is my phone broken?" Marinette shouted, rubbing her eyes with a quick stroke over her lips, her bruised lips. A giggle escaped again. Adrien had done that. Safe, little buttercup Adrien Agreste — if only everyone could have seen him last night.

Marinette spotted her friend holding said object and looking rather dishevelled, almost as though she hadn't slept last night. Moving forward, Marinette continued into the lounge area and seated herself on the sofa; her eyes fluctuated between her friend and her phone. She knew they had questionable boundaries sometimes, but having her phone? That was something that had never happened before.

"Al? Can I have my phone please? I need to check something."

As Marinette reached out to take it from her roommate, Alya swiftly held it out of reach, an apologetically frown sent her way. Had she broken it?

"Please, just..." Alya stopped mid sentence, her eyes dropping down to look at the floor. "I'm really sorry, Marinette."

Handing the phone over to Marinette, the raven haired hero began to scroll down the notifications. Notifications which didn't seem to be stopping.

"Alya? What did you do?" she asked, her voice shaking as she read some of the replies. She hadn't posted anything for at least two days, why was it suddenly so popular?

Alya threaded her fingers together in her lap, keeping her head hanging low. "You had a message last night asking you out on a date."

"Yeah, from Adrien."

Alya sucked her bottom lip under top teeth, moving it around as she looked as though she was sucking a lemon. A clear sign she'd done something Marinette would not be happy with.

"From Adrien," she tried again. "Right?"

"Eventually, yes. But not at first."

Alya wouldn't meet her eyes, instead all that continued in their silent apartment was the sound of notification after notification.

Marinette set her phone to silent before throwing it against the pillows. "Alya, you better tell me what the hell is going on. What did you do?"

She could feel the anger boiling up inside her, an anger she'd never felt towards Alya before, but right now she was almost hitting boiling point.

Her friend remained looking down on the ground, not even bothering to meet Marinette's eyeline. Agitation kicked in and Marinette noticed Alya's laptop open and on the coffee table in front of them.

Reaching forwards, she took the item and placed it on her lap, loading the screen and inputting Alya's passcode. The device opened up on the Ladyblog. The Ladyblog where Marinette read an article she most certainly did not write. As she began to read down the latest blog post she grew more and more sick to the stomach. How could her friend post something like this? How could Alya have gone behind her back?

"Why?" Marinette demanded. "Why did you do this without asking me, Alya? This doesn't even sound like me! 'A kiss is just that... a kiss! You don't need to think any deeper. You're just trying before you buy.' Why would you post this? You've only ever kissed one guy in your entire life!"

Marinette's jaw tightened as she began to scroll through comment after comment, the entire population of Paris excited about the fact Ladybug finally had dates.

"Frederick messaged you last night, and I'm certain he's Chat Noir, Marinette... and you agreed —"

Freezing mid scroll, Marinette turned her attention to her friend. Her chest heaving and nose flaring.

"I don't give a shit about what we agreed! You don't do this, Alya! Did you ever stop to consider what I thought about him? I spend almost every day with Chat Noir, and I'm telling you now it's not him. Are you really that caught up in your fame and numbers?"

"It's just —"

"Plus, I kissed Adrien last night," Marinette interrupted. We're pretty much dating now. If he reads this he's going to think I'm going to do the same. He knows I'm 'following' this blog."

"You're dating Adrien? Oh my goodness, Marinette, that's amazing news –"

"Don't!" She cut her friend off and thrust the laptop into her lap. "Write a retraction right now! I'm not asking Frederick out on a date."

"That's the thing... you left your phone out and..." Alya trailed off and Marinette closed her eyes.

Taking a deep breath she slowly counted backwards. This could not be happening. She was finally with Adrien and now it's all screwed up again — and for once it wasn't her fault.

"Marinette, I'm so, so sorry." She could hear the emotion in Alya's voice, but really she couldn't care less right now.

"Sorry! I can't believe you've done this! Why can't you learn to leave things alone? What am I meant to say to Adrien now? I kissed him last night Alya, and it wasn't just a little experimental kiss, I really kissed him and I really liked it! I've waited years for this, I think he has too and now you've messed it all up."

She glared at Alya, watching as her friend's face paled.

"I'll just text Frederick back and tell him it was a mistake," Alya said with shaky words.

She went to grab Marinette's phone only for the hero to pull it back and out of the way.

"You don't get it do you? Regardless of whether I actually go out on this date or not, Frederick thinks I wanted to go out with him and he goes to the same gym as Adrien. It's not like this is some sort of secret I can keep and pray he never finds out. There are too many variables in this. Adrien will find out. I am so angry at you right now. I just can't believe you!" She stood up, towering over her friend still sitting on the sofa — for once Marinette felt more supervillain than hero.

Alya threaded her fingers together and looked down. "I'm sorry, I really am." Her voice was husky and sounded thick with emotion. She wished she could hold a grudge, but it wasn't in her nature. Instead she collapsed beside her friend.

Rubbing her eyebrows, Marinette sighed. "I'll do it," she announced. "Not because I want to, but because I made a promise; but as soon as I get there I'm telling him the truth. And from now on, stay out of my business."

Standing from the sofa, Marinette marched her way back into her bedroom and slammed the door shut, clutching the phone to her chest.

All of a sudden it began to alert her to more notifications, notifications she most likely didn't want to read. Preparing to launch her phone onto the bed, the latest message with the sender's name lit up the phone screen.

Adrien.

Sliding the screen up, the message appeared and her heart crumbled.

Adrien: How can you possibly be so wonderful? I can't wait to see you again x P.S. check your list.

Smiling through the feeling that she was betraying him, Marinette opened the list Adrien had created for her.

5. Go on a date with a guy you could fall in love with.

•••••

Marinette wrapped her jacket, and Adrien's scarf, around her tightly; even though March was creeping closer and closer there was still a slight chill in the air.

She shouldn't be here. Every second feeling like a knife buried deep into Adrien's back. Once again he'd been right, she couldn't stand to let anyone down.

Alya.

Frederick.

Her readers.

The way she bowed to people's perspectives, not wanting to let anyone down, and ending up in a situation which she didn't want to be in with a person she didn't want to be with. Her weakness had led her to this moment and all the work she'd done with Adrien appeared to be for nothing.

Burying her nose into Adrien's scarf, she breathed in, attempting to find a hint of his cologne to comfort her — and there it was.

Adrien.

Her Adrien.

Finding the courage she pushed open the door and looked around for Frederick. It was simple, she was going to walk up to him and tell him the truth. Her friend had messaged him not knowing that she was now with Adrien. She would agree to one or maybe two drinks — as friends — then message Adrien and see if she could meet up with him, filling him in on what had happened too. No harm, no foul. Plus, it wasn't like Adrien would turn up here; she'd made sure it was far from his university, gym and apartment.

It would be fine.

She needed to believe it would be fine.

Finally locating Frederick sitting on a stool at the bar, Marinette pulled her shoulders back and advanced forwards towards him; the lines she was about to deliver to him playing through her mind.

'I'm sorry, Frederick. My friend thought you were Chat Noir and she knows I have a thing for the hero.'

Simple. She could do this. She could give someone the answer they weren't expecting and not worry about the aftermath, because at the end of the day what would he do? Nothing. It wouldn't matter if he hated her. It didn't matter if he was sad. All that mattered was that she was true to herself and Adrien.

"Wow, Marinette."

Before she'd realised she was even moving, she stopped in front of Frederick and plastered on her most warm of smiles, instantly changing it when she realised this could be seen as deceitful.

Frederick stood and made his way towards her, his hands aiming for her waist and coming a little too close for her liking. He dipped down, his mouth obviously aiming for hers.

With a swift tilt of the head and movement of her body, Marinette managed to squeeze him closer into a bone crushing hug, capturing his head over her shoulder and away from any type of kiss being initiated.

Excellent. Kiss diverted.

"You look amazing." Frederick placed a hand against the small of her back causing Marinette to create quite the elaborate dance routine of spinning out from his grasp and away from his touch.

She saw his eyebrows frowning as she attempted to smile and move onto a bar seat.

"So," Marinette began, "I just wanted to apologise for dragging you out tonight. It was actually my friend that messaged you, not me." This was it, she was doing it, standing up for herself and putting things right. "My friend thought she saw a spark between us and messaged you off my phone —"

"There's definitely a spark. I mean look at us; two attractive single people, what could be more perfect? I'm sure you know how to keep your man happy."

She was too stunned to move. What had he just implied? In that moment, two things were made clear: first he was definitely not her Kitty and secondly who the hell did this guy think he was?

"You know, I didn't think you'd agree this easy. You looked like a girl who was a little more of a challenge, though, I also know you've been out with Gaston and Paul so I thought I'd throw my shot in too. It must just be Agreste you're holding off, and who can blame you." He barked out a laugh and Marinette wasn't entirely sure what to do. Though, preference would be a super punch to the face.

That was it! He'd pushed too far now.

"I came here to apologise." She steadied her nerves and searched inside her for her inner hero. Alya was right Ladybug was only Ladybug because she was also Marinette. "I wanted to apologise for you wasting my time. I need to go."

Standing up, Marinette made to move away. Frederick's attention focused over her shoulder and outside the window; a clear chance to exit. She went to turn. Heart set on getting out of the restaurant and calling Adrien. She needed to see him, then she needed to give Alya an earful. She wondered if Adrien would mind her staying with him tonight, she really didn't want to be around her friend.

Frederick reached out, grabbing her arm before she could leave. In the matter of seconds, he had slid it down to grab her hand, taking the other and holding them in between them.

"I'm sorry, Marinette. I didn't mean that."

"Please, let me go," she almost begged, her mind and body uncomfortable with the unwanted restraint.

His grip tightened, pulling her into his body as he moved his head to lean against hers, and then he kissed her.

It took a couple of seconds to register what the hell was happening and move her hands. Fighting out of his grip, Marinette pushed him away. She glared at him, noticing the smirk on his face as he looked towards the door.

"What the —" Marinette turned her head to where he was looking. No! No it couldn't be! Why would he be here?

She looked back at a smug Frederick and put all the pieces together. He'd set this up! Quickly, her head whipped back to the doorway. Adrien was gone! Not a single strand of golden hair in sight.

"You!" Marinette exclaimed, turning back to Frederick. "You set this up! What the hell did Adrien ever do to you?"

"He caught your attention, didn't he! He got you."

"I'm not a goddamn prize, you asshole!" she grabbed her bag from where she'd left it on the counter and prepared to leave; only to find herself restrained once again.

"Look," he hissed, grabbing hold of her arm again and pulling her close. She stumbled forward and into his chest, her confidence suddenly shooting sky high and Ladybug taking over. It was time to make a change for the better.

"No," she hissed back. "You look, you arrogant prick! You have no idea what I'm capable of so I suggest you back off." She spoke through clenched teeth, the sudden change of his body language confirming to her that the threat had been received.

Placing her hands on his chest, she pushed him backwards causing him to stumble slightly and land on the floor — his arm taking a collection of drinks from the bar with him.

Pointing down to him on the floor, Marinette spoke over the array of laughter aimed at a shell shocked Frederick.

"You dare to touch me again and you will regret it."

Without a second look, Marinette was out of the door and into the streets looking left and right as she searched for any hint of blond hair in the crowds.

Bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet, she attempted to look over the heads of the passers by, only to have no luck.

Moving forward, she ran into the closest alleyway and realised Tikki from her bag. Both searching the surroundings to check they were clear.

"Oh, Marinette!" The small kwami widened her eyes to look at her holder, the look of worry evident in her glassy orbs.

"How do I keep making such a mess of things? Adrien was right, I need to start thinking about what I want and what will make me happy — not other people. I need to find him. Tikki. Spots on."

In a flash of pink light, Ladybug stood in Marinette's spot, set on finding where Adrien had disappeared to and falling on her knees to grovel.

•••••

Ladybug had been looking for almost an hour. There were no signs of Adrien Agreste, just the beeping on her phone indicating her partner's whereabouts.

Chat Noir had been bouncing from rooftop to rooftop; every now and then stopping to pace steadily for a few minutes before bounding off again. Though not unusual for the cat hero to grace the skies, there was one thing which kept peeking her interest. He always came back to the rooftop opposite her apartment. Her new apartment — not the bakery.

She found a rooftop not too far away and watched as Chat Noir peered over towards the window which led to her bedroom. He seemed to stand there for some time before turning away and vaulting to another rooftop. Returning once more to perch on the rooftop — like a cat stalking a mouse.

Chat Noir hadn't visited her civilian form in months, and he'd never visited her here so could it be possible that maybe he was waiting for Alya? Everything inside her was screaming the truth; a truth she didn't want to accept.

All of a sudden, Chat Noir began to tap his foot impatiently. He looked left and right; up and down the road as if waiting for someone to come home. The truth once again fighting to be heard.

After a while, curiosity became too much. Swinging on her yo-yo, Ladybug made the short distance to meet her partner.

"You know, I didn't ever take you as a peeping Tom cat," amusement laced her voice as she looked at the back of her partner's head.

He turned around sharply, his face like thunder, as his lips drew back in a snarl. He leaped down from where he'd been sitting and gave one quick glance back at her window, before prowling forwards towards her.

"This is your fault!" he snapped, the bite in his voice not to be ignored.

"Me?" Ladybug questioned. "What did I do?"

For the first time since she was 14, and saw him coated in white under an akumas influence, she was scared. The sharpness of his eyes glaring at her as though he didn't know her anymore. He checked the window again, turning back to her with his teeth bared.

"You and your stupid blog!"

He looked to the window again, clear agitation in his stance.

"W-why do you keep looking over there?" she stuttered out. Her teeth began to chatter. Her body craving warmth.

Her heart rate accelerated as he paced forwards, each inch making her tremble more. Without thinking she grabbed her yo-yo and began to spin it in front of her.

"Kitty, you're scaring me."

The moment of understanding struck him hard, taking him down onto his knees, his hands placed firmly onto the ground. He was bent over on all fours and his breathing was erratic.

"You've destroyed me." His voice was a mere whisper in the wind. The fear of his hopelessness and anger was accelerated by a cold, heartless laugh. "Not only did you break my heart when I was in love with you — turning me down time and time again; but when I finally moved on and found a real true love, once again you managed to ruin that." He shook his head and laughed again, lifting his chin to look at her. His eyes were glistening and misty. "I'm starting to think we have the wrong kwamis, M'Lady because you destroy everything you touch."

Her lips pressed together so hard they were white, even knowing his words were spoken out of hurt they still struck her hard. His own mouth twisted and lips curled in preparation to speak again.

"Why did I think this would be any different? As soon as I heard she was following your blog, I should have known something like this would happen. That you wouldn't allow me a mere millimetre of happiness. Is it because your dates are going so badly that you had to find a way to ruin mine?"

Ladybug looked over him, still settled on his knees staring back at her. She felt like dropping to her own; the energy being zapped out of her as she tried to retain her strength.

"I-I didn't know you were following —"

"Bullshit!" he cried, springing back up onto his feet and pointing one finger at her. "Bull... shit! We discussed it last time we met, when I told you I was still hanging out hope for you. Well, you know what? That hope has gone! I am madly in love with her!" He flung his arm backwards, a gasp leaving her lips as she covered her mouth. So it was true!

"Are you — is she —"

"I kissed her last night, Ladybug. We kissed in a way I've only ever seen in movies. She told me she liked me, and then..." he laughed with malice, "and then you, Miss Goody-Two shoes, write about how if it's not official to keep... dating." He spat the words out like a bad taste from his mouth. "Do you not realise there's girls out there who do exactly as you say? Girls, who are afraid to let people down if they don't follow through? You were meant to make yourself seem normal, approachable, not manipulate those weaker than you."

"I swear, just let me —"

"I can't talk to you right now," he interrupted. Shaking his head, he turned and gave one last look to her window, obviously he was looking for her because she was the one who had, once again, broken his heart.

Without another word he grabbed his baton, and extended himself out into the night sky, sending him in the direction of Adrien Agreste's apartment because that's who he was — Adrien Agreste, and Marinette Dupain-Cheng had seriously messed up.