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Soul Marks	By : Cat_Eyes Category: +M through R > Miraculous LadyBug Views: 2395 -:- 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
- 5
- 6
- 7
Adrien had spent the last week and a half befriending Marinette and easing her into the idea of spending time with him. He figured, if he was going to reveal himself, she ought to get used to being around him.
These days, she didn't blush and stammer as much as she used to, but whether this was because his plan was successful or because she was getting over him, he didn't know. He hoped she still felt enough for him that she could love him again.
Adrien worried about the reveal, hoping she wouldn't think him deceitful or cowardly. He had com to admire Marinette greatly, and the thought of her rejecting him hurt more than he wanted to admit.
Marinette was a lot like Ladybug. It wasn't fair to compare them, but they did share a lot of the same qualities. In an ideal world, Marinette would be Ladybug, but the chances of that was miniscule.
He was ashamed to admit it, even to himself, but Adrien still loved Ladybug. She was still the first crush he had ever had, and was still someone he looked up to. But, he had to move on and let his crush remain as nothing but a fond memory.
The days dragged by, the monotony only broken by the changes in location. Home, school, work, and patrol. School wasn't so bad, he could be with Nino and Marinette there. Patrol, too, was fine, as he got to spend time with his other best friend. Ladybug may not be meant for him, but she was still good company, and getting to roam the city unfettered was also a bonus.
There was also the occasional akuma, but he and Ladybug had been working well together lately, so they were defeated quickly and without fanfare.
'Would you listen for a moment?' Alya huffed.
'I've been listening for the last forty-five minutes,' groused Nino.
'Then put your headphones down and look like it,' Alya went on.
Adrien looked across the table at them. They were in the library and supposed to be working on an assignment, but Adrien had gotten lost in his thoughts some time ago.
'Guys, keep it down. You'll get us kicked out,' Marinette murmured, hiding from accusatory stares behind a book.
Nino and Alya muttered apologies, but it was clear they had had enough of each other for today.
'Alya, come help me put some of these back,' Marinette said as she gathered a pile of books they were no longer using. Alya sighed and followed, leaving Adrien and Nino sitting across from each other.
Adrien raised an eyebrow when Nino avoided looking him in the eye.
'What's going on with you two?' Adrien asked.
Nino pushed his glasses up and rubbed his eyes. 'I think it's called Reality. No one ever mentions that bit after you've found your soulmate.'
'All relationships take work, Bro,' Adrien consoled him.
'Says the guy who hasn't found his mate yet.'
Adrien stilled.
Nino gasped and clapped his hands over his mouth. 'Dude, I'm so sorry. That was really insensitive, and I'm a complete dick. I'm so sorry.'
Adrien shook his head. 'No sweat, Man. You're right, though, I'm not in a relationship yet. But, just between you, me, and the dust motes, I have found my soulmate.'
Nino's eyes bulged. 'No way. Who, what, how, when, and for the love of God, why aren't you with them?'
Adrien rubbed the back of his neck. 'Well, I know who she is, but she doesn't know it's me yet.'
Nino blinked at him and leaned toward him. 'I don't understand. How can you know, but not her? I'm guessing you haven't touched marks yet.'
Adrien blushed furiously. 'Her mark is obviously me. I saw it once,' he explained when Nino raised a sceptical brow.
'Then, when I thought about my mark,' Adrien continued, 'I nearly slapped myself, it was so obvious.'
'Can I see?' asked Nino, eagerly.
Adrien cast a quick look around to make sure no one was watching. He then moved into Alya's seat and gripped the neck of his shirt. 'Before I show you, you have to promise not to scream or say anything about it to anyone. Not even Alya. Understood?'
'Yeah, Man, I promise,' Nino nodded.
Adrien pulled the collar of his shirt down just enough to expose the pink needle and thread.
Nino leaned in for a closer look. 'Dude,' he eventually said.
Adrien fixed his shirt and darted back to his own seat. Nino stared at him, eyes wide and lit with excitement.
'Go on,' Adrien said in a resigned tone.
'Your soulmate is Marinette? The girl who's been crushing on you since the first week you came. Why haven't you told her? Although, I can see why touching marks could be a bit of a problem,' he snickered.
Adrien took a steadying breath. 'I just wanted her to get to know me first.' It wasn't a complete lie.
Nino nodded in understanding. 'Right, didn't want her blinded by your looks, fame, and fortune, huh? I get it, Man. It must be so hard being you,' he teased.
Adrien leaned over and punched him on the arm. 'Shut up, I made the right choice.'
'Not saying you didn't,' Nino said as he rubbed his arm, mock glaring at Adrien. 'But you do plan on telling her soon, right?'
'Of course. It's kind of nerve-racking, though. Most soulmates find each other at the same time. No one tells you how to deal with it when one of you finds out before the other.'
'Dude, no one tells you how to deal when you find out together. There's no handbook for this; each pairing is different. I mean, look at Alya and me. We aren't exactly the picture of a happy couple right now.'
Adrien gave Nino a sympathetic pat on the arm. 'Whatever the issue is, you'll both work it out.'
Nino cocked his brow. 'How come you're so sure?'
'Because your marks are on your hands,' Adrien said, smiling happily. 'Steadfastness and solidarity. You two are going to have each other's backs no matter what.'
Nino smiled at him gratefully. 'Thanks, Man.'
They bumped fists just as Marinette and Alya re-joined them. Nino got up and hugged Alya tight, surprising her. She relaxed quickly as Nino murmured in her ear, whispering back as she returned the hug. They then sat down next to each other once more, working on their assignment like nothing had been amiss.
Marinette looked bemused, but was relieved when Alya shot her a reassuring smile.
Nino kept giving Adrien pointed looks for the rest of the day. Adrien replied with expressions of exasperation and eye rolls.

'You're doing well, Kid,' Plagg praised him later that afternoon.
'You really think so?' Adrien was worried he was taking too long to prepare himself for the reveal. It felt like the longer he left it, the worse the fallout would be.
Plagg patted his forehead, drumming little pap pap pap sounds against his skin. 'This isn't a race, nor is it something that should be rushed. You gave yourself until Saturday, so take this time to calm down and focus on the positives.'
Adrien nodded. 'You're right. She's my soulmate, she'll understand. It'll be good for us in the long run.'
'I was thinking about free cheese bread, but suit yourself.'
- 5
- 6
- 7
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Soul Marks