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A Step at a Time	By : Cat_Eyes Category: +M through R > Miraculous LadyBug Views: 4022 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Miraculous Ladybug. Miraculous Ladybug is the intellectual property of Thomas Astruc and released by Zag studios. No profit was made writing this story.

Chapter List
- 14
- 15
- 16
The following morning, Adrien exited the car with Caline. They still garnered a lot of attention, but there was less judgement compared to the last couple of days. He still hadn't told most of his classmates anything substantial as it wasn't any of their business, but if someone were to come and ask him directly, he would tell them the truth of Gabriel's and Madame Bustier's relationship.
A bright laugh drew his attention to the school doors. Marinette was standing to the left of the entrance with Alya, Mylene, Rose, and Juleka. Adrien gaped for a moment before remembering he had a plan to act on - Operation Get to Know Marinette was a go.
Adrien made to go up the stairs, but his toe caught on the riser of the first step. Adrien tipped forward, arms windmilling wildly, before he fell forward, bashing his knees painfully and scraping his hands on the concrete. His bag spilled his books across the ground in what Adrien thought was an unreasonable distance. He blushed when he noticed everyone staring, even Marinette.
'Dude, you ok?' called Nino from behind him.
Adrien sighed and began gathering his belongings, accepting the books Nino had retrieved for him. 'Yeah, nothing broken,' he replied.
'That was a pretty spectacular wipe-out. You need anything patched up?' Nino asked as Adrien faced forward and headed for his locker.
'Nah, the only thing hurt was my pride,' Adrien reassured him with a self-deprecating grin.
'Ok, Man. If you're sure,' Nino said as he reached his own locker.
Adrien then spent the next fifteen minutes before class talking to Kim, Max, and Alix about Gabriel's and Caline's connection and assuring them he wouldn't become the "New Chloe". He would have preferred to talk to Marinette, but couldn't think of a way to politely excuse himself from the conversation.
During class, he divided his concentration between Caline and Marinette. As much as he tried to focus on the lecture, Marinette's subtle shifting in her seat caught his attention and kept it. By the time the lunch bell rang, Adrien was certain he'd only caught half the lesson. He would have to ask Nino for his notes later.
'Hey, guys,' Alya's voice intruded on his thoughts. 'Want to have lunch with us?' she asked, indicating Marinette and herself.
'I'm always happy to eat lunch with my favourite girl,' Nino answered as he rested his elbows on her desk.
Alya grinned at him, then turned to Adrien. 'What about you, Sunshine?'
Marinette also smiled at him as she awaited his answer.
'Guh bub,' Adrien slammed his mouth shut, face burning.
They all stared at him in puzzlement. Adrien nodded and picked up his bag, gesturing for them to do likewise. Alya, Marinette, and Nino gathered their wits and their things before leaving the building.
Once outside, Alya threw Adrien a smirk before attaching herself to Nino's arm and leading him away, leaving Adrien to walk with Marinette.
'So,' she began, swinging her arms. 'Alya and Nino appear to be going strong.'
Glad for the safe topic, but afraid of spouting more gibberish, Adrien responded with a succinct 'yup.'
'I'm glad they found one another,' Marinette continued. 'They've been good for each other.'
'Really good,' Adrien agreed with a shaky grin.
'Nino calms down Alya's more boisterous personality traits, while Alya seems to help Nino come out of his shell.'
'Complimentary,' Adrien put in.
'Exactly,' Marinette said enthusiastically, her swinging hand brushing against his.
'Hng fwah,' squeaked Adrien.
He wanted to kick himself. Adrien looked hopelessly at her while she gazed at him in confusion. Heaving a sigh, he tilted his head toward Nino and Alya who had moved a considerable distance ahead of them.
'You're right, we'd better catch up,' she agreed.
Silently, Adrien thanked her for moving past his stammering without comment. Unfortunately, the rest of his lunch break followed a similar pattern, as he squeaked or spoke nonsense whenever Marinette so much as smiled at him. He quickly grew frustrated with himself. This was not how Operation Get to Know Marinette was supposed to go.
Adrien thought back on his day mournfully. He had no opportunity to speak with Marinette alone all day, and when he did talk to her, he either tripped, stammered unintelligibly, or squeaked at an embarrassingly high pitch before clamming up completely. He didn't know why he was reacting like this, but he was certain she was put off by it. She was just too polite to say anything.
'So you had a bad day. There'll be others,' Plagg consoled him. 'Oh, don't forget you have patrol with Ladybug tonight.'
Adrien groaned, letting his head fall back against the couch.
'Remember, you have to tell her you discovered her identity,' Plagg continued.
Adrien groaned louder and threw his arm over his eyes.
Plagg floated above Adrien's face before allowing himself to drop, bellyflopping across Adrien's nose.
'Ugh, you stink,' Adrien complained as he peeled Plagg off of him.
'I do not,' Plagg retorted indignantly. 'I smell like my love,' he added in a dreamy tone.
'Still gross,' Adrien said as he sat upright and glared at Plagg.
'Pfft. You're just jealous you can't bunt against your love.'
As Plagg settled on the headrest, Adrien asked, 'bunt?'
'When cats rub their faces, heads, or bodies on things to scent mark them. It's called bunting.'
'Huh.'
'You're a hopeless excuse for a cat.'
Adrien arched an eyebrow. 'In case you haven't noticed, I'm a human.'
'Maybe on the outside. Inside, you're cat.'
'Adrien? It's time for your piano lesson,' Nathalie called through the door.
Giving Plagg an odd look, Adrien gathered his sheet music. Despite his strange day, he still had things to do. He'd think about Plagg's cryptic comment later.
- 14
- 15
- 16
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A Step at a Time