Adrienette and Ladynoir

Based off on a Miraculous Ladybug Comic

Word count: ~4000 words

Twelve year old Marinette pulled her parents' arms and trudged ahead with heavy steps, almost dragging her parents down the street. If she had her way then she would have made them break down into a sprint with her but they weren't even walking at a normal pace— they were moving as if they were on a stroll.

But now isn't the time for a stroll.

"We— can't— b-be l-late," she breathed, tired from having to pull them. She had been urging them to move quicker ever since they left the bakery, but her parents were too lazy to do that and preferred enjoying the weather rather than reaching their destination quickly.

"Marinette, we are not late, slow down please," her mother said, smiling at her daughter's enthusiasm.

"Don't worry Marinette! We are never late," her father's voice boomed with a heartfelt chuckle.

They were right. The Dupain-Chengs were never late. Be it completing an order at the bakery or catching the train to visit Grandma, they were always on time. But Marinette didn't inherit her parents' punctuality. She was always late for almost everything— be it reaching school or submitting her homework. Being late had become a bad habit of hers.

But she couldn't let her habit come in the way this time.

"I-I k-know Mama, P-Papa," the girl mumbled and let go of her parents' arms. She took a few deep breaths, bending down and supporting herself on her knees. "B-but he is going today, and I-I can't be late!" She exclaimed and looked at her parents, her eyes filled with worry and sadness.

"Aww dear," her mother cooed at her innocence, "why don't you run ahead and meet him while we follow at our own pace?"

The girl's eyes lit up and she jumped with an excited squeal. "Really?"

"Yes but before crossing the streets—"

"Look in both directions and jog across it, I know! Love you, Mama, Papa," the girl squealed and ran ahead.

Her parents never allowed her to go anywhere alone. But this time they did and this made Marinette feel proud. After so many arguments with her parents, she was finally being acknowledged as a big girl who could go ahead alone. That had to count for some achievement.

She jogged across the street and in a matter of a few minutes she reached Le Grand Paris— Mayor Bourgeois' hotel, and smiled excitedly. She ran inside as soon as the doors slid open and looked around.

"Adrien!" She shouted, breathing heavily from the marathon she had just completed. She put a hand on her stomach, trying to relax and ease the sting she was feeling in her stomach.

"Marinette? Marinette!" She heard the voice of a twelve-year-old echo in the grand reception.

She looked up and smiled as she saw the boy run down the stairs, almost stumbling at the last few steps. She giggled and sighed.

She sure was going to miss him a lot.

He stopped in front of her, his blonde hair a tousled mess. His emerald eyes shone with childish excitement and happiness. "You are here!" He exclaimed, giving her a toothy grin.

"Of course I am, dummy," Marinette said and sighed, "today is your last day afterall."

"Yeah," he nodded and smiled sadly.

Gabriel and Emilie Agreste were the best known names in the fashion world. To expand their business reach, they had to make frequent trips around the world to attend conventions and spread their fashion line. But this time they were moving permanently to New York since they finally got the opportunity to set up a stronghold there.

While in Paris, Adrien was homeschooled because his parents were hardly around. They didn't want him to get into unwanted trouble so they didn't let him go to school. They reasoned that Adrien was their inspiration and also the heir to their business. He was their only model for the children's line of clothes, hence he had to do frequent photoshoots along with learning the piano and fencing. His parents also wanted him to take up Chinese in a few years. So he couldn't fit six hours of school into his schedule.

Adrien accepted everything his mother and father told him because he knew that they were trying their best to keep him busy while they worked. He saw them working endlessly into the night, doing their best and giving it their all. And he wanted to do the same. He wanted to be good at everything his parents wanted and make them feel proud.

So he never complained. But it still didn't feel the gaping hole he had in his heart— the need of a friend. Nathalie was there but she wasn't always fun.

One day, his mother took him to The Tom & Sabine Boulangerie Patisserie, promising him that they had the best croissants in all of Paris. And it was there that Adrien met Marinette. They instantly became friends and after that things changed for him.

His parents happily let Marinette visit Adrien when he was free from his schedule. They played video games, basketball, watched movies and had karaoke sessions. Adrien showed Marinette his piano and played for her. She always brought him his favourite croissants. They had a lot of fun.

He teared up and sniffled a bit at the thought of not being able to see her daily.

"Boys don't cry, dummy," the bluenette mocked him, getting teary herself.

"Yes I know, but I am going to miss you so much!" Adrien muttered and wiped his eyes with his sleeves, sniffling more.

"I know, silly, but you said this is temporary, right?" Marinette said reassuringly.

The boy nodded, "mom and father said that we will come back as soon as they are done with their work there."

She smiled. "So you will be back before we know it!"

This made Adrien smile and he nodded with certainty.

"Marinette!"

Marinette turned around and waved enthusiastically. "Mama, Papa!"

Her happiness at seeing her parents finally make it was nothing compared to Adrien's delight at seeing the bakers.

"Mr. and Mrs. Dupain-Cheng!" He shouted gleefully, running to them and wrapping his small arms around Sabine. He giggled as the older woman hugged him back.

"Call us Tom and Sabine, Adrien."

He nodded, hugging her tightly. Sabine was like his second mother. She was kind, caring and extra sweet to him since she always gave him an extra croissant. She also let him help her and Marinette in the bakery whenever he visited them.

Adrien felt a big, heavy hand ruffling his already tousled hair. He looked at the large man and grinned. Marinette's father, Tom, may have a bulky, gigantic exterior but his heart was as soft and sweet as cotton candies. Adrien felt slightly guilty— only slightly— that he loved Tom more— just a tiny bit more— than his own father. Unlike the cold and stern personality of Gabriel, Tom was a jolly father who always cracked puns. Adrien had picked up some puns from him and always looked for the right opportunity to use them.

"Adrien," a voice echoed throughout the hotel making the boy break the hug and look at the speaker. His smile faltered a bit and he looked down.

Gabriel and Emilie Agreste came out of the elevator, their attire screaming it out loud that they were celebrities under the spotlight in the fashion world. Emilie smiled sweetly at Marinette and her family while Gabriel just nodded at them, holding an ever-present frown.

The twelve year old bluenette looked at them, her eyes filled with admiration for the couple. Her dream was to become a fashion designer and she idolised Adrien's parents.

Emilie patted her head and smiled, "as sweet as ever."

Marinette blushed and looked down shyly, making the blonde woman laugh. Adrien moved to his parents and stood with them, looking at the Dupain-Cheng family sadly.

This is it.

It was time to say goodbye. Marinette glanced at the blonde boy and looked away. She didn't want to say goodbye. She felt herself getting emotional and teary while her parents talked to his parents, wishing them best of luck. Adrien looked at Marinette, wondering why she wouldn't look at him. His face twisted into one of concern and sadness. The thought of leaving her and Paris for his parents was painful. He wasn't sure if he would make new friends or not, but he was sure that no one would be as good a friend as Marinette.

He pouted, his brows scrunching up into a frown when he didn't catch her eye.

Marinette.

"Alright before we leave, let's take a quick picture," Sabine suggested, getting an enthusiastic 'yes' from Emilie.

Gabriel asked the receptionist to take a photo of them. Adrien and Marinette stood next to each other. The blonde shot a quick glance towards the bluenette who faked a smile at the camera. He looked in front and mustered up a small smile.

"That's the worst photo smile I have ever seen," he mocked the bluenette quietly.

She broke into a smirk, never looking at him, "at least it looks better than yours."

Adrien smirked and looked at her once the receptionist was done taking a few photos. Marinette looked at him, making a competitive smug face.

"Let's see who is the best at it."

"Sure, but don't cry when you lose!"

Marinette and Adrien ran up to the receptionist and asked him to take a photo of them. They posed together, the biggest grins plastered on their face. Their smiles reached their eyes and they burst into giggles, complaining that their cheeks were hurting.

"Show us!" They exclaimed and looked at the photos.

Marinette started laughing, making Adrien pout.

"You are so short Adrien! I always knew I was tall but this tall— I didn't know that! You look so silly."

Adrien flushed a red from embarrassment and also from rising anger to the way she was humiliating him.

"I-I am definitely going to be tall when I grow up— just like my father!"

"Or maybe you will always remain short like your mother," the girl mocked him playfully. "But that is also okay, I mean your mother is beautiful—"

"I am not going to remain short!" He exclaimed, tearing up a bit from being taunted by her.

"Really? You want to bet?" The girl teased him.

"Yes."

He looked at her, a childish but determined smile forming on his face.

"So if I grow taller than you, like this, you'll marry me, right?" He said while raising his arm as much as he could above her, giving her the height he was going to reach.

Marinette laughed at his childish banter and folded her arms across her chest, confident that that day was never going to come. 

"How about we see if the time actually comes, shortie?"

Adrien looked out of the window of his limo, smiling softly. He recognised all the places from his childhood. It had been seven years since he left Paris and nothing had changed. It all looked the same— the streets, the trees, the Eiffel Tower, the people and the weather.

Nothing had changed but for him. He was now nineteen years old, his blonde hair combed neatly although a few stubborn strands still held their positions. His height touched a perfect 6'2" and along with his strong and lean built— he was the perfect teen model. His emerald eyes were electrifying and held a calm but serious aura.

But at nights, the calm and serious aura shifted into that of a playful and flirtatious playboy. He was Chat Noir, the superhero of Paris.

Even after living in New York, he regularly came to Paris, attending fashion conventions and modelling for his father. It was during one of those visits, he was fourteen, that he helped an old man up after he tripped over his cane. The man had thanked him and given him a small packet as a gift, thanking him for his help. Adrien had taken it back to New York with him and on opening it, he met Plagg and a note from the man.

Adrien Agreste. You may live in New York but your heart belongs to Paris. Paris needs a superhero who will unveil the darkness that spreads on the city. The ring is a Miraculous and Plagg is the kwami associated with the power of destruction. The Miraculous will tell you when Paris needs you. And all you have to do is follow your Miraculous.

And that is what he did. Paris needed saving more often than he predicted. Whenever there was trouble, the ring sent an electric shock making the teen flinch in response. It was almost daily and sometimes at the oddest hour when he received a buzz from the ring. He had tried to talk it out with Plagg but the camembert-loving kwami only shrugged.

Secretly, Plagg was enjoying the way his owner was informed.

And so Chat Noir always appeared in Paris at the right time. Kaalki, the horse kwami, helped him make it in time by opening a portal for him. In one such battle, he met Ladybug. She was clumsy but for a fourteen year old girl, she was clever and intelligent.

If Adrien didn't have a crush on Marinette, he'd surely have fallen for the superheroine.

After his mother's sudden illness and, consequently death, his father had decided that it was best for them if they shifted back to their home city. And Adrien had agreed instantly.

And now he was headed for his home.

But that wasn't what his excitement was about. He was excited to finally see Marinette again. Seven years had passed since he had last seen her. They had lost contact when Adrien moved to New York and they were never able to regain it. But now since he was back, permanently, he would make sure to rekindle their friendship.

Maybe more than just friendship.

He smiled to himself. He stuffed his hand inside his jean pocket and drew out a photograph. It was of him and Marinette. The photo revealed two twelve year olds smiling widely at the camera, with the girl's arm hanging over his shoulder.

He still remembered the bet they had placed. It seemed like a childish babble but now he didn't think it was that childish. It was a good conversation starter.

Marinette had been his first crush and over all these years he had realised that he never truly got over his crush on her. He still liked her. And he was determined to tell her that.

"Hey, do you think we could stop by at the Dupain-Cheng bakery? It is still there, right?" Adrien asked Gorilla, his driver. He never knew what to call him— uncle? Sir? Gorilla? But to not sound rude he always talked to him in his most polite way.

To his delight, Gorilla grunted a small yes and steered the limo towards a new direction. Adrien grinned, looking out curiously.

I am coming, Marinette.

The limo stopped right in front of the familiar doors of the bakery. Adrien stepped out, smiling giddily at the nostalgia. It was the same as it always had been.

"They never changed anything," he muttered to himself. "I will be right back," he told his driver and went into the bakery. The door opened with a chime, informing the owners of his arrival.

"Welcome to—," the large, burly man stopped midway, his smile fading out into a look of surprise.

"Tom, who is i—," the shorter woman also lost her words, looking at the blonde model.

"Mr. and Mrs. Dupain-Cheng!" Adrien shouted childishly and jogged up to the couple. He laughed at their amused expressions.

"Adrien?" Sabine choked out and smiled brightly, tearing up a bit.

"Ma'am, are you crying?" Adrien asked worriedly, smiling softly at her.

"Call me Sabine and yes I am! You came after such a long time, and look how much you have grown!" She giggled, wiping her tears.

Adrien chuckled and engulfed the lady into a hug.

"I missed you both so much!"

"We missed you too, boy. After all, you are our favourite child, after Marinette of course!" Tom laughed and shook Adrien's hand.

Adrien's attention perked up at the bluenette's name.

"Marinette," he mumbled.

"Oh yes, she is in her room. She will love the surprise," Sabine said, separating from the hug.

"Can I—"

"Of course sweetie. Go and surprise her!"

Adrien nodded, promising to have some tea and gossips later, and left the bakery, going up to the apartment. He slowly opened the door and took in a deep breath, looking around. Everything seemed to look smaller now that he was taller. He looked at the shelf and saw some new photo frames with the family photos. He spotted a metallic black frame, holding a relatively new photo. It was Marinette, blowing the candles on her eighteenth birthday cake.

Right, she hasn't turned nineteen yet.

He smiled at the photo and blushed a bit. She looked beautiful. Her hair had grown out and she was supporting a high ponytail, with a red ribbon. Her then chubby face has taken a well defined shape and her eyes still radiated the same bubbly and happy nature.

Adrien wondered what she was doing. He climbed the stairs up to the trapdoor leading to her bedroom and raised his hand to knock. He took a few breaths, trying to suppress the rising blush and nervousness.

Will she recognise me?

He mustered up all his courage and knocked softly. No response.

Maybe she is doing something.

He opened the trap door slightly and peeked in. His breath hitched when he saw her. She wasn't alone.

A boy?

Marinette was laughing wholeheartedly with a boy who seemed a bit older than her. Her cheeks were flushed red and she clutched her stomach as she rolled on the floor. The boy chuckled and said something again.

"Stop it, Luka!"

Luka.

Her voice rang in his ears and snapped him out of his trance. Adrien clenched his fist and closed the trap door silently.

Of course she has a boyfriend.

He descended the ladder and made his way to the door. Before leaving he looked at her photo once. He gritted his teeth and placed the frame upside down. He left the place, leaving a confused Tom and Sabine calling after him.

He silently entered the limo and asked to be taken home. He scoffed and smirked at his expectations of her waiting for him and feeling the same way as he did.

It had been seven years, she would have forgotten him anyways.

But it still hurt.

"Chat Noir?"

She looked at the figure sitting on the railing. He turned around as soon as he heard her voice and smiled, "long time no see, Ladybug." He swung his legs over and stood up.

She couldn't believe her eyes.

He wasn't joking when he said that one day he would permanently move to Paris.

"Chat!" She exclaimed and ran to him, enveloping him in a hug. She wrapped her arms around his neck and nuzzled her face into his shoulder. "You are back," she mumbled and giggled, a blush making its way to her cheeks and nose.

"Of course I am. I told you New York was temporary." He smiled and looked down at her, rubbing her head.

Ladybug had a crush on the black hero ever since she first saw him when she was fourteen. He was amazing and moved as if he knew what to do and was experienced at it while she was trying her best to swing her yoyo. But to her surprise, it had been his first fight as well. She was not only impressed but also flattered at his flirtatious comments and the puns he made. She knew that she was falling for him but the fact that he wasn't living in Paris and had to make trips across the world for a single fight was disheartening.

The only time she got to see him was during the akuma attacks and even after that he had to leave instantly. She never got the chance to talk to him casually but she wished that one day that would become possible.

She backed off and nodded, "it's awesome to have you back." She extended her fist towards him and he laughed before fist bumping her.

"It sure is, partner."

Ladybug grinned but it soon faded when she saw him looking away, a sad smile playing on his lips.

"What's wrong?"

He looked at her and sighed, shaking his head. "Nothing."

"There is something and I am sure of it. Tell me, kitty," she whispered, placing her hand on his shoulder reassuringly.

"I-I came back today and I wanted to surprise a friend, in my civilian self," he started with a shaky breath and sighed, "she didn't know I was coming. When I went to her place, I-I saw her— with a b-boy." He clenched his fist again, preventing the tears that threatened to spill.

Her expression dulled and felt herself choke a bit. "You— l-like her?"

"I— love her, Ladybug." He confessed, looking at her with an undefined expression.

Ladybug pulled her hand away from his shoulder and looked down. "O-oh."

That was painful.

He gave her a sad smile and nodded. "Yeah."

He let out a little chuckle and shook his head, making her look at him. She rubbed her nose, doing her best to not cry or run away.

Why did I even think he would like me?

"Can I tell you a little story? About— me and her?"

She nodded, not really wanting to hear it.

"We were twelve— when I had to leave Paris. And on the last day we took a photo. I was— shorter than her then," he chuckled at the memory.

Ladybug's eyes widened at the familiarity of the story and she looked at him curiously.

Those green eyes, blonde hair—

No way.

"—and s-she made fun of you, calling y-you 'shortie'," she mumbled, smiling at the memory that played like a cassette.

He looked at her, recognition flickered on his face, "we made a bet—"

"—t-that I would have to marry you, i-if you grew taller."

Ladybug stifled a laugh and looked at him, swinging slowly.

Of course it's you!

He couldn't believe it. The midnight blue hair, bluebell eyes, her smile, her laugh— everything had been in front of him this whole time. He wanted to spend everyday with Marinette and— he had, although he never imagined that he would be fighting villains with her.

"M-Marinette?"

"Adrien."

They looked at each other, not sure what to do. Chat Noir stepped towards her, making her stagger a bit back. He smirked and pulled her towards him by the waist and looked down at her face that was burning the colour of her suit.

He raised his hand above her, matching his height and said, "do you see me now?"

She blushed furiously and groaned softly before looking away, making him laugh. He placed his forehead on hers and closed his eyes, smiling a lovestruck smile. She looked at him wide-eyed and burnt a beet red when realisation hit her.

I have to marry him?! Chat Noir?!

She felt her legs go numb at the thought.

My childhood best friend is my crush! And— he likes me!

"I know I am handsome, but you can stop staring," he teased, making her scoff.

"Why don't you stop being handsome?" She retorted and smirked.

He looked at her, a smug smile playing on his lips. She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. But she didn't expect him to take that as an opportunity to slip his hands to her cheeks and pull her closer to him.

"Because I don't want you to look at others," he whispered and brushed his lips softly against hers.

A/N: Hello everyone! How are you all doing?

Most of you must have read the comic strip that I have attached at the top, I mean— it is one of the most popular ones! So I decided to write a story around it but with some twists:

•The story starts with Adrien and Marinette placing the bet and ends at Chat Noir and Ladybug revealing their identities.

•Adrien has a crush on Marinette and Ladybug has one on Chat Noir— reverse shipping!

And I also manipulated the original story by sending Adrien to New York and introducing Kaalki as his second kwami— improvise!

In case you are confused, let me know in the comments and we will discuss.

I hope you enjoyed reading this. If you did, please consider voting and sharing the story with more miraculers because I am in a desperate need for readers.

(• ▽ •;)

So that's that and I take my leave for now~ Happy Mother's Day!

Stay safe and happy reading~ ♡

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Date published: 9th May 2021