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Trials and Tropes	By : Cat_Eyes Category: +M through R > Miraculous LadyBug Views: 6594 -:- 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
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Alya had spent the first hour of the bus ride out talking to the other girls and letting them in on her plan, making sure they were agreeable to sharing rooms. Naturally, Juleka and Rose would share a room, as would Chloe and Sabrina. Alix and Mylene were also happy to share. It wasn't until after Caline Bustier had distributed their key cards, subtly tilting her hand to make sure the right people got the right keys, that Alya realised her mistake.
She was standing just beyond the entrance nook in her twin-share, staring across the beds at Lila, who stared back with a look of disdain.
I should've roomed with Alix, Alya thought. Aside from Rose, Mylene was the only person who could put up with Lila's surly attitude.
After a tense moment, they both turned away. Lila claimed the bed furthest from the door, while Alya rummaged through her bags, collecting her school gear. She checked her phone, but all she had was a single worded text from Caline.
Success.
Alya smothered a smile. It had surprised her when Caline first approached her with the idea of a perfect set up. A class excursion, under the pretext of "Cultural Enlightenment," to help get Marinette and Adrien together. Furthermore, it was through Caline's machinations that Adrien and Marinette were sharing a room with only one bed.
When Caline had made the bookings for the hotel, she had reserved six twin-share accommodations, two singles, and one double. She had even billed it to the school. All she had to do then was make sure certain students picked certain key cards, and the plan was underway. It was a level of underhandedness that Alya aspired to, a thing of beauty. Alya had thought of herself as the top tier shipper, but Caline outstripped her by a huge margin, earning the title of God tier shipper.
Alya spent the remaining time texting with Nino, getting updates on the status of her plan.
Caline called the students for their first activity, Alya strolling from her room with a smug smirk as she waited for the fireworks to begin.
She didn't have to wait long.
Marinette sprinted down the hall and skidded to a stop before she could plough into Alya. Her face was red, from the roots of her hair, right down to her collarbones. She grabbed Alya by the shoulders.
'You will not believe what is happening right now,' she whisper screamed.
Alya feigned a look of ignorance. 'What's going on?'
After a moment of false starts and incoherent babbling, Marinette finally said, 'I'm sharing a room with Adrien.'
'What? No way,' Alya exclaimed.
As Marinette launched into a panicked account of what happened, Alya suppressed a smirk and gave herself a mental high five. She guided Marinette into the first elevator when she hadn't noticed its arrival, so she could catch her breath. She hadn't noticed Adrien's arrival, but it wouldn't do to over-expose them to each other this soon.
She sent Nino a text, then turned back to Marinette, pumping her fists and blathering encouragements.
'You can do this. This is the opportunity of a lifetime, Girl. You got this.'
Marinette didn't calm down.
When Adrien caught up with the group in the lobby, Alya couldn't help but look at him and see how he was faring. He looked strained, and his shoulders were tense. Her smile may have creeped him out, only adding to his stress, but she couldn't help herself. Her ship was finally going to sail.
Caline led their group outside and explained their first assignment, sending them on their way with a cheery wave. Alya led Marinette away in the opposite direction to Nino and Adrien, patting her on the back when she wilted like a hothouse flower.
'Alya, I'm going to die,' Marinette moaned, quietly, as she grabbed Alya's shirt.
'You'll be fine,' Alya replied, prising Marinette's fingers from her blouse.
'You don't understand. There's only one bed,' Marinette exclaimed, as she threw her head back.
'So, make the most of it,' Alya advised with a sly wink.
Marinette blushed. 'What kind of advice is that? I need help. Help me, Alya.'
'I am helping.'
'No, you're not.'
'Sure, I am.'
Marinette pouted. 'Your idea of helping leaves a lot to be desired.'
Alya wrapped an arm around Marinette's shoulders. 'Just pretend he's Chat Noir.'
'What?' Marinette shrieked. She shrank into herself when people turned to stare.
'You're fine when you deal with him, right?' Alya responded. 'Just pretend he's in a mask and skin-tight body suit, and you'll be fine.'
Marinette's face remained a deep crimson as she stared at the ground.
Alya snickered. 'Ok, don't then. Whatever you do, don't think of Adrien in that tight, black cat suit. Absolutely don't think of him kissing your hand and flirting up a storm, because that's all Chat Noir. That's not Adrien at all. Nope.'
Alya's teasing only became more lurid the more Marinette stammered and blushed. Alya could almost see the steam coming from her ears, and laughed wickedly at Marinette's expense.
After that, their project was a complete failure. They only managed to find three historic sites, and their notes were scattered and incomplete. Marinette worried her grades would suffer, but Alya wasn't concerned. The real project had been a success, so far.
Over dinner, Alya sat with Alix, Mylene, Rose, and Juleka. Marinette was with them, but didn't contribute much to the conversation, preoccupied as she was, glancing at Adrien and blushing every time he smiled. Alya smiled indulgently, giving the other girls a subtle wink. They smothered their grins and returned to their meals, before heading up to their rooms before the boys.
In the corridor, Marinette pulled Alya aside.
'I can't do this,' she whispered, eyes darting between Alya and her room door.
'Yes, you can, Girl,' Alya replied, as she placed her hands on Marinette's shoulders. 'This is the opportunity you've been waiting for. Go,' Alya spun Marinette around and pushed her toward her room. Reluctantly, Marinette entered, shooting Alya one last panicked look before Alya pulled the door shut on her.
Feeling immensely pleased with herself, Alya left for her own room. Lila was already in bed, playing games on her phone. Her eyes flittered toward Alya as she entered, but went instantly back to her phone.
So, that's how it's gonna be. Fine, Alya thought.
She gathered her toiletries and went into the bathroom. There was water everywhere, all the towels were wet, and hair clogged the drain. All the complementary soaps and shampoos were missing, too.
'What the heck,' she shrieked. Sticking her head out of the bathroom, Alya glared accusingly at Lila. 'What did you do in here?'
'I had a shower,' Lila sneered. 'Duh.'
'So, you decided the whole room needed a rinse as well?'
'Don't be ridiculous.'
'Why are all the towels wet?'
Lila rolled her eyes. 'Because I used them.'
'All four of them?' Alya demanded in disbelief.
'Yes. One for me, one for my hair, one for the floor, and one to wipe down the mirror.'
Alya gaped at her. 'There's a bath mat for the floor, and a hand towel you could've used for the mirror,' she growled.
Lila shrugged. 'Oops.'
Alya scowled at her before slamming the door shut. After her shower, she dried off as best she could with the unused hand towel, vowing revenge the entire time.
She came out and found Nino and Marinette had texted her. She held both conversations simultaneously, Marinette sending short, desperate messages, and Nino keeping her informed of Adrien's actions and thought processes.
She eventually bade both of them a goodnight and shut off her phone. Lila had already set hers aside and was pretending to be asleep. Alya curled her nose at her, then switched off her lamp and went to sleep.

Alya waited for Marinette by the elevators, tapping her foot impatiently. When she arrived, her pigtails were uneven and she was scowling fiercely.
Forgetting her own grievances, Alya asked, 'what happened?'
Marinette looked away, her expression becoming unreadable. 'Nothing,' she mumbled.
The elevator door dinged and opened. They filed inside with Rose, Juleka, Max, Kim, Alix, and Caline. Marinette huddled in the corner, her face dusted light pink. Alya exchanged a brief glance with Caline, then turned to Marinette.
'Come on, Girl. You can talk to me,' she urged, quietly.
Marinette sighed. 'I think I pushed Adrien out of bed this morning,' she muttered in a pained tone.
Alix coughed into her fist and Kim rubbed a hand across his mouth. Caline shot them a stern glare, but Marinette didn't seem to notice.
Alya draped a comforting arm over her shoulders and led her into the lobby when the doors opened. 'It'll be ok,' she told her, soothingly. 'He won't hold it against you.'
'I made a pillow wall and everything,' Marinette moaned, pitifully.
Alya raised an eyebrow, but refrained from commenting. Caline addressed the class then, informing them they were all going to the theatre and lead them away to see a production of Carmen.
'I should've told him I'm a rough sleeper,' Marinette continued.
'At least he knows now,' Alya offered with a small shrug.
Marinette looked at her with wide, doleful eyes. When she looked like she was about to cry, Alya backtracked.
'What I mean is, he'll be better prepared tonight. He's a nice guy, so it's not like he'll hold it against you.'
Marinette sniffled and nodded.
'Did anything else happen?'
Marinette's blush returned and she frowned. 'No, that's pretty much it. He woke me up after I'd sprawled across the bed, saying he'd taken the pillows away.'
'That's not too bad,' Alya said.
Marinette nodded as they walked into the first theatre of the day. Alya had no interest in plays, and schoolwork was not a priority, so she fiddled with her phone and let her mind wander. They had an uneventful lunch at a popular café before going to another theatre to watch The Phantom of the Opera. Alya thought the show was tired and overdone, but she couldn't help but smile at the unlikely duet of Mylene and Sabrina, singing show tunes together as they walked back to the hotel.
'Hey, can I write my essay in your room?' Alya asked as she scowled at Lila's back.
'Yeah, of course,' Marinette agreed, a little too quickly.
Alya raised her eyebrows, but followed Marinette into her room silently. They settled into the armchairs in front of the TV, turning it on for background noise.
'I don't know if I can do this,' confessed Marinette.
'Shake your hand out, and write whatever crap comes to mind,' Alya suggested.
'I don't mean the essay. What do I do about Adrien?'
'Oh. Well, if you did push him out of bed, then the logical thing to do would be to apologise.'
Marinette looked up at her. 'Could it really be as simple as that?'
'Of course,' replied Alya, as she waved her hand airily. 'He'll forgive you.'
'Yeah, but how do I make sure it doesn't happen again?'
'Well, you could reinforce your pillow wall,' Alya suggested, thoughtfully.
'Yes, that's a great idea,' Marinette cheered. She fetched spare blankets from the closet and heaped them on the end of the bed. She rolled them up lengthways with a smile. 'I'll put these beside the pillow wall as an extra buffer. Great idea, Alya.'
Alya laughed. 'I have my moments. Now, let's finish this essay before it gets too late.'
Marinette happily sat down and continued writing, her tongue sticking out as she concentrated. Alya suppressed a chuckle and turned to her own work, returning to her own room when she was done.
Nino texted her. How's everything going with your girl?
They compared notes after Marinette's lies were exposed, Alya silently fuming. It would be difficult keeping tabs on her and Adrien, and keeping her plan in motion, if Marinette became secretive. She supposed she shouldn't be surprised. Marinette didn't like looking like a fool any more than any other teenager, and had fallen for Adrien's lie so completely she hadn't even thought to question him.
Alya wished Nino goodnight and scowled at the bathroom door. Lila had been in there since before Alya came back from Marinette's room, and was undoubtedly making another mess. When Lila finally exited the bathroom, accompanied by a billow of steam, Alya reluctantly gathered her toiletries and went to shower.
It was worse than she had feared. All the towels were wet, and hair clogged the drain and stuck to every surface. There were unidentifiable spots and smudges on the mirror, and a frightful smell wafted from the toilet. Alya gagged and backed out, shut the door and left the room altogether. Deciding not to let her pride suffer any more than it already had, she knocked on Rose's and Juleka's door. She cleaned up in their bathroom, after a brief explanation and profuse thanks. She returned to her own room, silently promising to pay Lila back.

Alya woke early on Sunday morning, so she hadn't been rudely awakened by Marinette's scream. Alya paused, carefully watching Lila as she snorted and rolled over, still asleep. Grinning, Alya quietly zipped Lila's suitcase shut before preparing for the day. Lila was still snoring after Alya had finished getting ready, so she marched over to the windows and threw the hideous curtains open. Lila groaned in protest as light poured in, glaring at Alya from the shelter of her blankets. Alya merely smiled and walked out to wait for Marinette.
Marinette was barely holding herself together when she joined Alya by the elevators. Her face was so red it was nearly purple, and she was trembling minutely.
'Is everything ok?' Alya asked in alarm as she placed a hand on Marinette's shoulder.
Marinette regarded her with wide, unblinking eyes. 'Am I dead?' she asked, faintly.
Alya looked back at her in surprise. 'No, why would you be?'
Marinette shrugged and looked at the floor, her shoulders twitching spasmodically. Alya shared a confused and worried look with Caline before they all headed off to the art gallery.
Alya's concern increased when Marinette didn't show any interest in the art gallery. She had drifted away from the main group to stand on the fringes, and not paying attention to the guide. Most of their classmates weren't interested in the doings of art galleries, but Marinette appreciated art and was keen to learn about storage and preservation techniques. Alya looped her arm through Marinette's and gently led her through the tour, occasionally exchanging significant looks with Caline.
It wasn't until lunch when Marinette was able to calm down enough to give an explanation. She sat under a tree in a park, nursing a strawberry crepe with Alya seated before her with a half eaten burrito.
'It was an unmitigated disaster,' Marinette whispered, with a horrified expression.
Alya reached out and took Marinette's hand. 'I'm sure it's not that bad. Tell me what happened,' she urged.
Marinette took a deep breath. 'It's almost the exact opposite of yesterday,' she began. 'I was asleep on my side of the bed, facing away from Adrien, in a tight ball.'
'Ok,' Alya nodded.
Marinette's face turned ashen. 'But my head was on his shoulder, and he had curled up around me while we slept. His hand was on my belly,' she exclaimed, her face turning from grey to red with impressive speed.
Alya blinked, taking a moment to give herself time to process this information. 'So, you're saying he was spooning you?'
'Spoon,' Nino cackled from the other side of the park.
Marinette refused to look at her, but her ears were a vivid pink.
Alya released a heavy sigh, and squeezed Marinette's hand. 'It's really not as bad as you think. It's actually, kind of, sweet.'
Marinette looked up at her, hopefully. 'You think so?'
'Yeah,' Alya confirmed, waving a hand. 'It's similar to how Friday night went down, don't you think?'
Marinette cocked her head. 'I don't see the connection.'
'You told me that after you and Adrien agreed to share the bed, he got first pick of sides. Then, he tossed and turned all over one side for ages before asking you to switch. After that, he calmed down almost immediately.'
'What's your point?'
'The first side of the bed was closest to the windows, yes?'
Marinette nodded.
'But the second side was closest to the door.'
Marinette nodded again, less certainly.
Alya smiled. 'Guys want to sleep closer to the door because it's a subconscious instinct to protect their loved ones. They put themselves between you and the most likely point of entry for a threat, to keep you safe.'
Marinette's eyes widened as comprehension sank in. 'That's why he couldn't get comfortable on the side furthest from the door.'
'Exactly,' Alya confirmed with a nod.
'But how does that compare to this morning?'
'Well, I figure guys like to be the big spoon because they feel like they're protecting you.'
'Source?' Marinette asked, sceptically.
'I'm a bona fide woman,' Alya replied.
Marinette hummed, unconvinced.
'Hey, I don't make the rules,' Alya defended herself, holding her hands up.
'You just make stuff up,' Marinette muttered.
Alya gave her a mock-severe stare. 'You can do your own research into the subject, if you want. You'll see I'm right.'
'Ok, Professor Césaire,' Marinette acquiesced.
'That's right,' Alya returned, feigning superiority.
They laughed and trotted obediently back to Caline when she called, Alya giving her a sly wink when they reached her.
After dinner that night, the girls returned to their rooms without prompting from Caline. Alya went straight to her room, giving Marinette an encouraging two thumbs up as she went.
I'm not going to bother with a pillow wall tonight, Marinette texted.
Ooh, how bold, Alya teased.
Marinette's response was a confused jumble of letters and half sentences, followed by silence.
Alya snorted and responded to a text from Nino. It was a matter of pride that he never find out someone else had orchestrated this whole set up. So, when he asked how she did it, she avoided answering directly.
Realising the room was too quiet, Alya looked around to see Lila hadn't come back yet. Grinning devilishly, Alya gathered her things and ran into the bathroom. It was the best shower she'd ever had - the water pressure was perfect, the temperature was ideal, and she had all the dry towels she could possibly need. Alya luxuriated in the sensations, using as much shampoo, conditioner, and soap as humanly possible. After she had scrubbed every inch of herself, she placed the bath mat and a towel on the floor. She wrapped another towel around her body, and yet another around her hair. She took her time brushing her teeth, wiping the foam from her mouth and stray splashes of water with the last towel. Feeling particularly vindictive, she placed the hand towel over the toilet seat, letting Lila draw her own conclusions.
She exited the bathroom and crawled into bed, feeling refreshed and relaxed. Lila was waiting with poorly concealed impatience, foot tapping and sneering openly at her as she entered the bathroom. Alya ignored her and spent the next few minutes on her phone, chuckling at Lila's muffled curses. Alya slept well that night.

Monday morning, Alya was woken by two squeals. One was Adrien, apparently waking up in another compromising position. The other was Lila, but her yell was more a cry of disgust. Alya smothered her laughter with her blanket as Lila continued to groan and curse.
Alya got up, dressed and ready in record time, while Lila pulled out the contents of her suitcase, one by one. All of her clothes, books and other necessities were soaked and slimy. Alya determinedly looked away when Lila pulled out an empty bottle of hotel shampoo, the lid still popped open. Over the last twenty-four hours, the contents had leaked throughout the bag, rendering everything inside unusable.
'Time to rise and shine, students. We have to be out the door in thirty minutes.'
Lila grunted in annoyance, and went to clean her teeth and brush her hair. She came back, tucked her toiletries inside her suitcase and zipped it shut, her face scrunched up in disgust. She then picked up her suitcase and walked out, still in her pyjamas.
Alya took a deep breath to steady herself, tears of suppressed laughter blurring her vision. She wiped her eyes and left to go rouse Marinette.
Marinette was sitting up in bed, but she was still mostly asleep. Alya smiled and shook her head, before fetching Marinette's day clothes and bundling her into the bathroom. Hopefully, the sound of the shower running was Marinette washing up, and not just staring at the water as it ran down the drain.
Gently, Alya scooped Tikki from a pillow and tucked her into Marinette's purse along with a chocolate chip biscuit. Tikki slept almost as soundly as Marinette and slumbered through her transition of sleeping places. Alya could only smile at the perfect match they made.
When Marinette emerged, clean, dressed, and still half asleep, Alya folded the rest of her things into her suitcase for her, and then dragged the partially catatonic Marinette downstairs.
Alya didn't notice anything amiss until she saw Nino standing at the back of the bus and fussing over an unresponsive Adrien. Caline shot her a significant look as she passed, fuelling Alya's concern.
She pushed Marinette into the window seat across from Adrien and turned to Nino. 'What happened, what do we do now?'
Nino shrugged. 'I don't know. He hasn't spoken at all.'
'Sit down and buckle up, everyone. It's time to go home,' Caline called from the front.
Alya and Nino slid into the seat in front of Adrien, equally apprehensive.
The first hour was tense. Nino described everything he had seen, but had no knowledge of the events prior to Adrien freezing up. Adrien hadn't spoken since then, either, and Marinette was still asleep against the window.
Marinette finally roused an hour and a half into their journey home, blinking myopically and yawning as she stretched her arms. Her movement drew Alya's and Nino's attention, so they swivelled in their seats to watch her. She had also gotten Adrien's attention. Yanked from his stupor, Adrien turned to Marinette with wide eyes. He stared for a moment, face pale and sweating, before pointing at her and screaming.
'You're Ladybug?' he screeched.
Everyone turned and stared, while Marinette froze.
'No, I'm not,' she denied, weakly, sweat gathering on her brow.
Tikki flew up from her purse, looking thoroughly offended. 'Yes, you are,' she cried, indignantly.
Marinette's eyes darted around as the sweat began to run. Clenching her fists, she rose and moved to sit beside Adrien, her eyes fixed on him as he shrank in his seat. Tikki settled back into Marinette's purse, grumbling about how insensitive weilders cold be.
Marinette and Adrien spoke, but Alya couldn't hear what they were saying over the roar of the bus. She hoped they found an amicable resolution.
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