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Redemption	By : Cat_Eyes Category: +M through R > Miraculous LadyBug Views: 2815 -:- 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
- 27
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- 29
'Have you told him yet?' demanded Alya, the following morning.
Marinette cringed. 'Not as such.'
Exasperated, Alya held her arms out. 'Why not? It's already Friday.'
'I was going to tell him yesterday morning, but then you and Nino barged in and ruined the moment.'
Alya had the decency to look ashamed. 'I'm sorry, I didn't know. What about since then?'
Marinette let out a frustrated groan. 'Every time I try to begin the conversation, something happens. My parents interrupt us, he gets distracted by something shiny, the list goes on.'
Alya put a hand over her mouth to cover a surprised snort of laughter. 'Ok, well, be that as it may, you still have to find a way to talk to him.'
'I know, stop nagging,' grumbled Marinette.
Alya let out a breath and smiled. 'It's been pretty tough on you, hasn't it?'
'It's so stressful, having this hanging over my head,' she exclaimed. 'Everything feels so one-sided, and I'm balancing on a precipice. The weight of this secret is just about to tip me over. I'm going to go insane if I don't come clean soon.'
Alya placed her hands on Marinette's shoulders. 'Calm down and breathe. You're going to tell him, and maybe telling him tonight or tomorrow is for the best. That'll give him the weekend to adjust peacefully at home.'
Marinette rubbed her forehead. 'Maybe you're right. Telling him just before school would not have been a good idea.'
The bell rang. Alya slung an arm over Marinette's shoulders as they went inside.
'What are you going to do for lunch? Nino and I were thinking of inviting the class to eat with us in the park, again.'
'That sounds nice,' Marinette answered, with a smile.

Marinette, Adrien, Alya, and Nino collected their lunch from the bakery before joining the rest of their classmates in the park. They sat in a loose circle and talked as they ate, swapping snacks, jostling each other, and laughing. After a while, they split into two groups, the boys in one, and the girls in the other.
'Excuse me,' Marinette uttered, as she got to her feet, 'bathroom.'
Alya nodded her understanding, then returned to the conversation.
Since there was no public restroom, Marinette had to jog home. As she was returning, however, an older boy she didn't recognise stepped into her path.
'Hey,' he said, tossing is head back, and flipping his hair out of his eyes.
Marinette nodded, politely. 'Hello.'
She moved to walk around him, but he blocked her again.
'My name's Edgar. What's yours, Beautiful?'
Marinette backed up a cautious step. 'My friends are waiting for me, so if you'll excuse me,' she trailed off, attempting to walk around his other side.
Edgar gave her an easy smile. He was a head taller than her, with muddy brown hair and eyes, and boasted a generic taste in clothing, wearing a plain grey t shirt and dark jeans.
'They're not going anywhere,' he remarked, casually. 'What's the rush?'
Marinette jerked her thumb over her shoulder. 'The school bell will ring soon, actually.'
Edgar slid a familiar arm over her shoulders. Marinette's spine stiffened, and her mind blanked.
'A pretty little thing like you shouldn't have to worry about school. Come on, just tell me your name. If you like, I could take you to a movie. Sound good?'
She held her hands up with a panicked wave. 'No thanks.'
Then she took a step forward, but he moved with the motion, keeping his arm around her.
'You smell really nice,' he commented, leaning in much too close.
Marinette felt the blood drain from her face, leaving her cold and scared. Alarmed, she shoved him away with both hands.
Edgar looked surprised for a moment as he stumbled back, then he frowned.
Just as she was about to turn and flee, Marinette felt another arm wrap around her. She looked up to see Adrien smiling at Edgar, but his grin was all sharpness and no warmth.
'Is there something you want?' he asked, his arm tightening around her.
Edgar scowled at them. 'If you had a boyfriend, you should've just said.'
'Would you have listened?' Adrien retorted, his fingers clenching.
Edgar curled his lip and tsked in frustration. Then, he turned and stormed off.
Adrien scowled after him, unconsciously pulling Marinette closer to his side.
Marinette blinked up at him, her arms curled protectively against her chest. 'Adrien?'
He shook his head as he came back to himself, then looked down at her with a soothing smile. 'You ok?'
She nodded. 'I'm fine.'
Adrien nodded, satisfied, then led her back to their friends. They had all stopped to stare at the confrontation, and watched them both with wide eyes. Then, they all began muttering darkly about gross, older boys hitting on younger girls.
'The bell's about to ring,' Adrien reminded them. 'Let's get back to class.'

'Girl, you should have seen it,' Alya hissed excitedly, after the final bell rang.
They were in the girls' bathroom, freshening up before heading home.
'After you left, the boys re-joined our conversation. Nino was telling Adrien how popular you are,' she paused to wink and nudge Marinette in the ribs with her elbow. 'Then, he just so happened to mention that he and Nathaniel had crushes on you in the past. Naturally, everyone confirmed the statement. You should have seen the look on that poor boy's face. He didn't know what to do with himself.'
As Alya dissolved into giggles, Marinette regarded her with a raised eyebrow.
'How is this funny?'
Alya sobered immediately. 'Don't you get it? He was jealous. Then, seeing that guy try to be smooth with you in the park,' she blew a raspberry between her lips as she exhaled. 'He was determined not to let some skeevy interloper steal you away.'
Marinette pushed her hair behind her ear. 'So, you think that means Adrien really likes me?'
'Of course he likes you,' Chloe interrupted, as she emerged from a cubicle. She approached the sinks and washed her hands, turning her head from side to side as she inspected her reflection. 'He's liked you for a while. He's just better at hiding it than you are.'
'How are you so sure?' Alya challenged.
Chloe turned to regard her coolly. 'I've known Adrien since we were toddlers, and like you, I have eyes. I've seen how he is with her.'
'So, what should I do?' Marinette asked, cutting Alya off.
'You tell him that you like him, too. Duh,' she replied, with a roll of her eyes.
Marinette winced. 'Right,' she agreed, through a forced smile.
Chloe flung her hair over her shoulder as she regarded Marinette.
'Look, I know we haven't had the best relationship, and we'll never be best buddies, but I feel like I can be straight with you. Adrien's a hopeless romantic, at heart, and it makes him naïve. His creep of a dad was about as distant as a person can be, while still controlling every aspect of his life. Quite a feat, I must admit. Because of that, Adrien's like an attention starved puppy. He will bend over backwards to please people for the slightest show of affection. I know you're not the type of person to take advantage of that, but I'm still going to say it. If you hurt him, I will ruin you. If you break his heart, use him, or treat him badly, I will make your life a living hell. He's been through enough already, without you adding to it.'
Marinette straightened her posture as she looked Chloe steadily in the eyes.
'I promise I will always be there for him, do what I can for him. I would never take advantage of, or use him in any way. I care for him as much as you do.'
The heat in Chloe's eyes dimmed. 'Good. For the record, I think you'll be good for him. You, and your whole goody-two-shoes family.'
Marinette bit her cheek to keep from laughing. 'Thanks, we try.'
'Now,' Chloe continued brusquely, 'how do you think I should wear my hair for my date with Kim?'

As she stepped outside, Marinette waved goodbye to her friends, and caught up with Adrien. She fell into step beside him as they walked home.
His hand brushed hers, then she felt his fingers tentatively interlace with her own. Warmth filled her cheeks as she looked up at him. He was looking back at her, with a soft smile, and a blush of his own.
'Are you ok?' he asked. 'That guy at the park didn't scare you, did he?'
'No, I'm fine. It was just unexpected, that's all,' she replied, with a small stutter.
His grip on her hand tightened. 'That's a relief.'
Marinette took a deep breath as they reached the crossing. 'Listen, can we talk later? After Maman and Papa have gone to bed. It's important.'
The lights changed and they crossed the road, with Adrien casting her worried, sidelong glances.
'That sounds ominous. Should I be concerned?'
'I really don't know,' she admitted.
Adrien brought their hands up to place a light kiss on her knuckles. 'Whatever it is, I'm sure we can work it out.'
Marinette smiled back with a confidence she didn't feel.
They entered the bakery, waving to Tom and Sabine as they walked by. Still hand in hand, they went upstairs to study, play video games, and then help with dinner.
During those few hours, Marinette was sure her stomach had tied itself in knots.
- 27
- 28
- 29
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Redemption