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“They see me catwalkin'... they hatin’.”
It took a few weeks to understand why these words resonated in Marinette's head after they defeated Gamer 2.0. When she did, a lightbulb sparked!
Catwalking was something models did. Could Chat be a model?
Objectively, Chat was a good looking guy. Beautiful golden hair, gorgeous green eyes, and that build? He had to be attractive! Not only that, but he carried himself with a grace and swagger that could only come with professional practice.
Chat Noir had to be a model!
And who else was a model?
Adrien Agreste, aka the love of her life!
That put them in the same field of work and, since Paris was a - if not the - place to be for fashion, maybe they had worked together at some point?! Marinette couldn’t remember any shoots featuring another blond, but that didn’t mean they hadn’t met! And even if Chat didn’t know him personally, he knew how models thought, felt, and what they wanted so he could provide a behind the scenes look at how she could win the guy of her dreams!
So Marinette came up with a plan…
“Hey Chat!”
Chat turned at the sound of his name and smiled when he saw his lady swinging over to him. “Hey, Milady. You rang?”
“Yes! I need a favor!”
His ears perked. “A favor?”
“Yes. I ugh…” Her cheeks reddened. “I have a friend who’s a model and I… I want to get to know him better! But he’s pretty shy and I don’t know how to talk to him- I mean get him to talk to me and since you’re a model-”
“How do you know I’m a model?”
“I just do. I mean, look at you.” Her hand motioned at his face and body and he smirked. He knew he was good looking- it was the one thing people constantly assured him of, but knowing that his lady thought so too? It was definitely a mood booster.
“You’ve been looking at me, Bugaboo?” He flirted and her face reddened even more.
“Yes! N-No! I mean!”
She was so incredibly cute when she was flustered and it was rare to see, but he decided to take pity on her. “You’re right, Bug. I model a bit. So what were you thinking?”
“I was thinking that since you’re a model, you could help me understand him better.”
Oh. Chat thought, deflating just a little. This wasn’t about him. She just wanted to get closer to her friend. He was a little sad but also touched that she would come to him for advice. That meant she had to trust him a lot if she thought he could help!
Deciding right there to help her however he could, he stood up straight. “Well, Bug, you’ve come to the right Chat. From now on, I’ll be your professor in all things model to help you. Are you ready, Student Bug?”
Ladybug stopped herself from rolling her eyes as she sat crossed legged on the ground in front of him. “As I’ll ever be, Chat.”
“Call me Professor Chat.”
She actually did roll her eyes. “Professor Chat.”
“So first things first: models are just like everyone else. If this guy is your friend, he’s just a normal guy who just happens to spend a lot of time in front of a camera or walking down a runway. He would probably appreciate being treated normally more than anything.”
“Normally?”
“Yeah. Regular talks about his day, asking his favorite color, talking about things non-famous people talk about. Talking with star-struck fans or people who only want to talk about fashion all the time can be such a downer or super boring.”
Ladybug nodded. “So… just treat him like an everyday person. I can… try that. I mean, it’s hard not to get lost in those amazing green eyes- I mean! It’s hard to forget that he’s famous, but I’ll definitely try it.” She tapped her chin. “What else?”
“Once you get used to talking, compliment him on something other than his looks.”
Ladybug frowned. “Models don’t like being told they’re cute?”
“Not exactly. I’m sure he’d appreciate compliments from you, but, if he’s like me, he’d probably prefer something more… substantial and meaningful. He hears how beautiful and handsome he is on the daily, but how often is he complimented on how good he is at math? Or how good his other hobbies are?”
Ladybug’s eyes widened. “Oh.”
“Exactly. Compliments like that show that you really want to know him as a person, not him as a model. It’ll do wonders for him being so shy around you.”
Nodding, Ladybug bit her lip. “What else? There’s more right?”
“Oh, sure! Let me think.” Tapping his chin, he searched his brain. What else would he want from someone wanting to be his friend? How else would he want to be treated? “Well-”
He was interrupted as an alarm sounded on her yo-yo. Sighing, she checked it. “Akuma.”
Extending his baton, he smiled. “No worries. We’ll end lesson one here and schedule number two for another time. Let’s go see what Hawk Moth has for us now.”
When Adrien got home that night, he instantly detransformed and threw himself on his bed, burying his head in his pillow. “Ugh.”
Plagg flew up next to his head and perched on his shoulder. “What’s wrong, Kid?”
“She’s asking for my help to woo her crush.” Adrien muttered.
“Oh? She said it was her friend.”
“She did but I don’t think that was true. She just didn’t want to hurt my feelings.” Sighing, he flipped onto his back and hugged the pillow to his chest. “I knew she was in love with someone else but I never thought I’d be the one helping her get him.”
“I’m sorry, Adrien.”
Shaking his head, he shrugged. “It’s okay. We’re friends and I want her to be happy. If he makes her happy then I need to help her as much as possible with this.” Pausing, his brows furrowed. “She says he’s a model. I wonder if I know him?”
Plagg shrugged. “Doubt it. Paris has a lot of people and a lot of models so it’s nearly impossible for you to know the random guy Ladybug is into.”
“You’re right.” He groaned. “Now I need to think of more tips to give her next time.”
Plagg hovered over his shoulder as he pulled himself from his bed and over to his desk. Grabbing a pencil and notepad, Adrien put himself in his love’s crush’s shoes and made a complete list of what he would want from a cute girl trying to be his friend.
Yawning, Adrien entered class the next morning and greeted an equally tired Nino.
“How you doing, my dude?”
“I’m okay: just tired.”
Nino frowned. “Your old man working you to the bone?”
Adrien wanted to tell him the truth but knew it was a bad time to drop the I’m-Chat-Noir bomb. “Yeah. It feels like I’m always at a photoshoot or some kind of function all day every day.”
“You need a break.” Adrien could only nod along.
A few minutes later the bell rung and, just as Ms. Bustier walked into the room, Marinette raced past her and plopped down into her seat. Ms. Bustier gave her a look that was full of stern affection before addressing the class.
Glancing behind him, Adrien had to smile at the flush on her cheeks as she took out her materials for class. Before he could turn back around, their eyes met. Hers went a bit wide before determination filled them. Curious, he watched as she pulled out a little pink notepad and started to furiously write something down. A moment later, she tapped his shoulder.
“Pssst. Adrien!” Turning, he saw a shy smile on her face. “Um…I… Well, um. Here!” He opened his hand so that she could drop the folded piece of paper there. As soon as it landed, she turned her attention to the front, pointedly ignoring him.
Confusion mixing with his curiosity, he turned back to the front and unraveled the note.
You did really well on our chemistry test yesterday! You’re really smart.
He blinked once and then twice before reading the note again. A slow smile crept on his face at the praise written there. Sure, his father and Nathalie complimented his good grades often, but it was always cold and clinical. Expected. But the way Marinette complimented him felt so different… It felt warm and happy.
Turning back to her, he smiled and whispered. “Thank you!”
Her face reddened as she nodded an acknowledgement.
Turning to Nino, he grinned. “Look what Marinette gave me!”
Nino leaned in, read the note, and scratched his head. “That’s really… sweet?”
Question unnoticed, Adrien nodded and grinned. “Right? Marinette’s such a good friend!”
Alya cornered Marinette after class almost immediately. “What was that about, girl?”
Blushing, Marinette shrugged. “I’m trying… a different approach now.”
“By complimenting his chemistry skills?”
“By being his friend! Also, chemistry is very important for a couple… a couple of friends!”
Alya snickered. “Surrrrre. Well, I hope this new approach helps you. It seems to have worked. Look at him.”
Marinette turned towards where Alya pointed and saw Adrien sitting next to Nino in the courtyard still smiling down at her little note.
Grinning to herself, she knew she needed more lessons from Professor Chat if this was the result.
“Lesson number two: make connections. Show him that you want to know more about him by talking about things he likes.”
Ladybug tapped her pen against her notepad that seemed to be filling up quickly. “But not fashion?”
Chat shrugged. “If he really likes it: not all models like fashion.”
“Hmm. I’m not sure if he actually does.”
“It’s a good question of any to ask or start with. You could also talk about other things you already know about him. It’s all about the things you learned about him during the regular conversations.”
“Okay.” She scribbled something down. “And after that?”
Checking his own list, he popped a hip and tilted his head. “I guess you could make a move.”
“A move?”
“Ask him for his help with something? See if he wants to study. Something low stress that you can do together.”
“Okay. I’ll give it a try.”
“Here. Practice talking with me.”
Turning to face him completely, she checked her notes. “Okay Chat. I know you like jokes. So tell me: what can you never have for breakfast?”
Searching his brain, he thought for a long moment and came up blank. “I don’t know. What?”
“Lunch and dinner.”
A surprised laugh burst from his chest as understanding washed over him. “That was so good! Where’d you learn that joke?”
She shrugged. “I learned it while I was trying to figure out where and how my favorite kitten came up with his horrible puns.”
“Ouch! You wound me!” They laughed together before a serious thought came to his head. “But do you really dislike all my jokes? I love them but, if you don’t, I’d be purrfectly fine ditching them.”
Ladybug shook her head and flicked his bell. “Of course I don’t actually hate them, Kitty. They’re part of what makes you you. And I like you.”
Looking into her big blue eyes, Chat realized she was being completely honest. His blush lit up his whole face and they sat there in comfortable silence as they watched the sun set over Paris.
The next day, Adrien found himself wandering the halls during lunch. Nino had snuck away with Alya and class wasn’t starting for another ten minutes. He’d just made his way past Ms. Bustier’s room when he spotted Marinette, arms full of papers so high they were nearly above her head, and she looked like she was about to fall. Rushing forward, he steadied the stack.
“Woah.”
“Oh! Adrien! Thigh! I mean- Hi! And thanks.”
“It’s no problem. Do you need any help?”
There was a slight pause and he became worried before she answered. “Oh yes, please!”
Grabbing most of the stack, he opened the door for her before following her into the empty classroom. She directed him to sit it down on top of the desk and then they just stood there… alone… staring at each other.
Adrien found himself at a loss. He’d never truly been alone with Marinette outside of practice for the Mega-Strike tournament where they had the game to talk about. Now, he wasn’t so sure what to do. Did he walk away? Did he stop and talk to her for a bit? They'd gotten more friendly lately so he felt it was definitely an option, but... What did he say to her? He knew she liked helping people and she liked fashion…
Wait.
Maybe he could take Chat’s- his own advice.
“So Marinette, you like fashion right?”
“Huh?” Her eyes widened like a deer in the headlights.
“You like fashion?”
“Oh yeah! I fashion love- I love fashion!” She nodded.
“That’s really awesome. I remember that hat you made for my father's competition! It was so good. What else do you like to design?”
More in her element, she seemed to answer easily. “I do a little bit of everything! Dresses, pants, hats, shirts, drawings, and other things!”
Adrien’s eyes widened. “I didn’t know you drew! Is it mainly just like for your projects?”
“Yes, but I can also draw people and other things.”
“Can I see?”
She blushed. “S-Sure.” Pulling out a small journal, she flipped to a seemingly random page. On it was a profile of her dad, laughing wildly at something.
It was honestly amazing!
“Wow.” He breathed. “The details!” Looking up, he smiled at her. “You’re really talented, Marinette.”
She squeaked. “Thanks! I… I gotta go! Thanks for your help!” Tossing the journal back into her little purse, she waved and rushed out of the room.
As he stood there by himself, he couldn’t help but smile. That was the longest, most coherent conversation they’d ever had.
Maybe the tips he’d given to Ladybug worked for non-models too!
“Any progress?” Chat asked as they sat high above the city on the beams of the Eiffel Tower. They’d just finished fighting a fairly easy akuma and had decided to chill together.
Ladybug kicked her feet as they dangled. “I… think so? We’ve talked more in the last two weeks than ever. I was even able to talk to him alone for a while!”
“That’s great! So I guess our lessons are really helping?”
Smiling, she nodded. “They really are. Thank you, Chat.”
“Anything for you, Milady. You know that.”
Hearing his sincerity, she leaned into him and rested her head on his shoulder. “I know.”
Over the course of the next few weeks, Marinette took all of Professor Chat’s advice.
They had a lot of casual conversations about nothing or about everything: she learned that Adrien had a nearly identical cousin that lived in London, he preferred the color orange, and that he wasn’t sure what he wanted to be when he grew up.
She invested in learning about his interests: he really did enjoy fencing, he wanted to learn even more instruments, and he could speak four languages.
Volunteered her time: they hung out with Alya and Nino as much as his father would let him, she took him (and his bodyguard) to see a movie when she learned he'd yet to see one fully in a theater, and they studied together.
As Ladybug, she also learned a lot about Chat.
Casual conversations revealed that he was an only child, he was nervous about making but not keeping friends, and that he couldn’t wait to finish modeling and never do it again.
Investing in his interests meant she let him talk her into pun battles where they’d try to out pun each other (she was ashamed to admit that she was pretty good and won half the time), they went to the Le Grand Paris to drink milk and talk about their lives, and took turns using his baton to soar across Paris.
Outside of akumas, she asked him to take her to some of his favorite places so he took her for a walk along the Seine, a little corner on top of tall building that made the world stretch and glitter around the tower at night, and to his favorite food place that he wasn't allowed to eat at in his civilian form because of his strict diet.
All in all, she was really enjoying learning about her partner and her crush. However, she had to remember that, as Chat opened up more and more to her, she couldn't let it sway her affection. They were partners and listening to the stupid quickening thump of her heart whenever he was around would only lead to trouble. Nevermind that she was already in love with Adrien so there was no way she could be falling for her silly kitty.
At least, that's what she told herself.
The lessons continued and it all came to a huge revelation with Chat’s seventh lesson.
“Gifts.”
“Gifts?”
“Yeah. Give him something that he wouldn’t normally get. Models get a lot of free merchandise that’s always work oriented and, if his family is anything like mine, he doesn’t get a lot of heartfelt gifts. So giving him something meaningful will really leave a big impression. It doesn’t have to be big or expensive, just something to show that you listen when he talks.”
“Why would that mean a lot?”
“Because models are viewed as pretty faces and that’s all: meant to be seen and not heard. So knowing that someone- that you hear him will mean so much.”
Biting her lip, she nodded before her face lit up and she smacked her palm. “I got it! He told me about this treat he hasn’t had since he was little and I actually saw them in a store recently!”
Chat smiled. “That sounds perfect! I’m sure he’ll love it."
The next day, Adrien sat at the lunch table with his usual group and sighed when he looked at the lunch that had been prepared for him by Nathalie.
Salad.
God, he disliked these salads so much.
Resigned, he picked up his fork when Marinette cleared her throat.
“Um, Adrien.” Looking up, he noted the blush on her cheeks as she reached into her bag. “I happened to be at the store yesterday when I saw these! I remembered that you mentioned them once or twice and I just had to buy them so that we- as in all of us, all four of us- could share them! Here!” She jumbled out before pressing something into his hand before doing the same to Nino and Alya. Looking down, his breath hitched.
Bon Bons.
Seeing the tiny treat made him smile. He used to love them as a kid. His mom would always sneak them into the house- his father wasn’t too big a fan of sweets- and they would share a pack as they walked through the gardens or as she taught him piano. After she disappeared, he hadn’t been able to eat them any more.
Warmth filled his chest as he looked up at Marinette. He’d only mentioned the memory once and it was almost like a throwaway comment amongst all of the talking they’d done in the last few weeks. The fact that she remembered and gave him such a gift? It just meant so much...
Wait.
Gift?
The word reverberated through his head as he tried to understand why his heart was now beating incredibly fast and his mouth was suddenly dry. It wasn’t until Marinette looked up at him with her large blue eyes and smiled that he realized why.
Ladybug had been asking Chat for advice on how to get closer to her model friend. He’d told her to buy him a meaningful gift. The next day Marinette had bought him a gift so meaningful it had brought tears to his eyes. It can’t have been a coincidence and that meant one thing…
Marinette was Ladybug.
Ladybug was Marinette.
That was the only explanation and, god, it all made so much sense now!
“Adrien?”
His name on her lips made his heart jump to his, but he shook it off as he blinked. “Yes?”
“Are you okay?”
“Me? Yeah, I’m fine, totally fine.” All three of his friends shot him a worried look before turning back to their conversation.
As their conversation continued, he forced himself to calm down. Before jumping to any conclusions - a logical conclusion that was so wild it had to be true - he needed proof. He needed something that was undeniable. He couldn’t just haphazardly tell the girl of his dreams - the girl that had been trying to get his attention as long as he’d been trying to get hers! - that he knew her secret. She would just deny it. He had to be certain and when he was, well...
Then he would ask her out, they’d date for a couple of years, get married, have two-no, three children, get a hamster, and live happily ever after.
But first he needed to get his proof.
Watching as Marinette glanced at him shyly from under her lashes, Adrien grinned as he came up with a plan...
“Are you ready for your final lesson, Milady?”
Marinette- Ladybug frowned. “Final? Why is it our final lesson?”
“Because, after this one, I think I’ve given you everything you need.”
“Oh. Okay. What is it, Professor Chat?”
Chat bit back a smirk as he set his plan in motion. “Tell him your best joke.”
Skeptically, Ladybug gave him a look. “A joke? Really?”
“Yep! The best way to solidify a friendship or relationship is with a good ole joke: your best joke even.”
Ladybug bit her lip. “Are you sure?”
“Pawsitive.”
She nodded. “You haven’t steered me wrong yet so I’ll do it. Any suggestions or recommendations, King of Puns?”
He snorted at the title. “It has to be yours, Bugaboo. Here: practice on me. Tell me your best joke or pun.”
Sighing, she stood. “Okay. Just… don’t make fun of me.”
When she said it, he couldn't make fun of her: he was too busy laughing on the floor and hoping that his plan would work.
The next day just so happened to be Adrien’s birthday.
As soon as he walked into the school, he was surrounded by friends and well wishers giving him gifts, patting him on the back, and wishing him many more years. However, he barely heard any of them.
He was so nervous.
Today he would learn if the love of his life was actually the amazing girl who sat behind him in class everyday. He was going to learn if he’d been so blind as not to realize both it and that Marinette had the hugest crush on him.
Gifts stacking up next to him, his knee jumped as he waited.
Nino noticed. “You okay, dude?”
“Yeah. I’m just… Um, hoping Marinette gets here on time?”
Nino nodded. “Yeah. Me too. Alya says she has a gift for you.”
Hopefully the right gift. He thought.
Less than a second later, Marinette walked into the room calmly, shoulders back and face determined. She marched straight up to him and gave him a smile. “Good morning.”
“Good morning, Marinette.”
“Happy Birthday!”
“Thank you.”
There was a short silence before she took a deep breath. “I have a gift for you.”
“Okay.”
Plopping down a gift wrapped box, she waited patiently as he opened it. The rest of the class looked on as he pulled out a small orange journal. Inside was an amazing drawing of him.
His breath caught. “T-Thanks. I love it.”
She shrugged. “I-I was gonna make you a belt made of watches, but it seemed like a waist of time.”
Time stopped as he looked up at her in amazement.
There it was. There was his undeniable proof. The exact words from the pun she had practiced on him yesterday.
Marinette was Ladybug. She was his lady, his partner, his Bugaboo: the one he had called their everyday Ladybug.
Ladybug was Marinette. She was the kind, thoughtful, funny, talented, amazing girl that had given him a second chance when she'd had no reason to.
She was perfect.
With this confirmation, he could no longer restrain his joy or heart. Putting the journal to the side, he stood and faced the bluenette who looked ready to bolt right back out of the classroom. Before she or anyone else could react, he cupped her face and pressed his lips against hers, kissing her lightly and then again deeply. She stiffened before one of her hands wrapped around his wrist and she kissed him back. His heart burst as it was filled with warmth and happiness that she was actually kissing him back.
The oo’s and ah’s and squeals swirled around them as Adrien lost himself in the kiss until air was necessary. When it was, he pulled back and smiled at her flushed face. "Marinette."
“A-Adrien?”
Before he could answer, Nino smacked him on the back. “My man! Did you really just lay one on her in the middle of class? What were you thinking?”
Adrien beamed at her. “That I wanted to kiss the most amazing girl I’ve ever met.”
This statement sent the room into chaos again as Marinette nearly melted in his arms.
“Order order!” Ms. Bustier shouted, a small smile stretching her lips as she watched the two.
“B-But what? How? I mean-?”
Chuckling, he hugged her tightly. He was so freaking lucky. What did he do to deserve two amazing girls in one?
Leaning in, he whispered against her ear. “This was the best gift ever, Milady.”
Pulling away quickly, her eyes widened and she mouthed one word. “Chat?” He nodded and grinned. Burying her head into his chest, he heard her murmur. “How did I manage to fall in love with my silly kitty and my prince at the same time?”
A laugh suspiciously close to a purr rumbled in his chest. “It seems you have a thing for models.”