Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ms Bustier’s Class GC has been created

Marinette has added Nino , Ivan , Kim , Max , Alix , Rose , Juleka , Sabrina , Nathaniel , Mylène , Alya , Chloé to Ms Bustier’s Class GC

Marinette: hey everyone! Ms Bustier asked me to make a group chat for the class so we can discuss hw and stuff like that ;)

Marinette: obviously it doesn’t have to just be homework! but try and keep everything respectful please

Nino: thanks nette im prolly gonna need this

Kim: bro pls you need to stop saying ‘prolly’. all it reminds me of is the ‘prolly not’ guy and i just cant

Alix: LMAO I FORGOT ABOUT THAT 

Max: i wish i could forget

Alya: does kim quote it that often?

Max: no im just cursed

Mylène: max has an eidetic memory so he never forgets things and kim likes to show him every cursed video he finds so max has resigned to call his memory a curse

Ivan: to be fair, even without the same memory thing, i still remember some the cursed videos kim’s shown me so i cant blame max for calling it a curse.

Marinette: update to the rules: kim you cant send your cursed tiktoks here.

Kim: wowwwwwww this is racism.

Marinette: im also a poc. checkmate loser

Alix: hah. idiot.

Chloé: can you losers shut up. you’re making my phone go crazy

Marinette: sorry chloé i know you’re not used to getting any notifications. this must be an entirely new experience for you. we should’ve taken that into consideration.

Myléne: LMAO that was foul

Chloé: ugh shut UP dupain cheng

Chloé: sabrina, add adrien to this stupid thing. he probably won’t to miss out on another ‘normal thing’ like this even if its pathetic. 

Sabrina: only marinette can add people chloé.

Marinette: yeah ChLoÉ. give me this guy’s number sab. ill add him. 

Chloé: ugh no. adrikins has had enough of random stalkers getting his number. make sabrina a mod.

Marinette: you do realise that even if sabrina adds this ‘adrikins’, id still get his number right?

Chloé: whatever smartass. give her the number sabrina. im fed up of this stupid thing.

Marinette has added Adrien to Ms Bustier’s Class GC

Marinette: uh hi Adrien (is that your name? chloé’s given you like twenty so i dont really know). Apparently you’re going to be in our class? Welcome!

Adrien: hi! thank you so much for adding me aha. and yes adrien is my name lol

Nino: no problem dude. when are u joining us.

Adrien: tomorrow if im fast enough

Ivan: fast enough?

Adrien: im sneaking out to go to school

Alix: oh… that’s kinda sad man

Adrien: i know 😔but there’s like nothing i can do ive been homeschooled for TOO LONG

Juleka: real

Kim: GO CHASE THAT FREEDOM KING!!!

Adrien: tyty

Chloé: why you engage in this behaviour ill never know

Marinette: oh hush chloé let people have fun

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ms Bustier’s Class GC

Alya: WE HAVE SUPERHEROES???????

Alix: more pressing question: ivan are you okay?

Kim: ivan i am truly so sorry. I know you said it was fine but truly i feel horrible. i didn’t mean for it to go that far.

Ivan: i know u didnt mean it like that kim. i think i was just too stressed and whatever that guy said, must’ve gotten to me

Marinette: guy? do you remember what happened?

Ivan: not really. i remember feeling annoyed and then all of a sudden my anger flared up? and then this man was talking to me, saying i deserved my revenge or something. it was really manipulative but as he spoke, it was sort of calming? like my issues and i were being heard. I don’t remember anything much after that.

Max: thats lowkey weird asf. do you know how he even reached you? if it was through technology or something maybe i could hack it

Ivan: no i have no idea

Alix: a shame. once max found the guy we could kill him.

Nino: no ur banned from murder for a month remember?

Adrien: hol up. banned from murder? this has happened before?

Rose: it was a very close call.

Marinette: not that close. Alix beat up a guy and was only barely restrained from dealing a fatal blow

Alix: he had it coming

Alya: what’d he do

Chloé: probably nothing

Marinette: shut up chloé

Marinette: he was being like reallllyyy racist to a bunch of us.

Sabrina: wait he was actually doing something

Kim: well yeah duh

Mylène: kim what’d we say about being nice

Mylène: but yea sab. he kinda did have it coming. he said i looked too white to be a black person. like okay i am a mixed queen and thats what that means but go off ig

Marinette: OMG SAME but apparently i was too white to be chinese

Alix: dont remind me. im still pissed i didnt get to deal the final blow

Adrien: man i wish i got to see his takedown

Adrien: i mean we should never resort to violence in order to resolve our issues and must always be the bigger person blah blah blah

Alya: damn the media training goes crazy

Marinette: media training? why tf would adrien have media training

Alix: ...

Rose: ...

Ivan: ...

Kim: ...

Juleka: ...

Nathaniel: ...

Nino: ...

Chloé: uh cos he’s a model? that’s why? 

Chloé: seriously dupain-cheng i thought you were into fashion

Marinette: yeah fashion as in the clothes. idgaf about the models (sorry adrien im sure you’re cool and you’ll make it big one day)

Sabrina: but mari i thought you really liked gabriel agreste’s designs?

Marinette: so?

Alix: i cant believe im more educated on pop culture than you are

Marinette: WHATS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN

Adrien: this is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. no one tell her

Marinette: NOOOOO TELL ME PLEASE I BEG

Nino: you heard the man nette

Marinette: open the door nino. you haev questions to answer

Alya: WHY ARE YOU OUTSIDE HIS HOUSE

Kim: childhood besties.

Alya: thats less scary

Rose: marinette has everyone’s timetables so she knows where we all are at any given time

Alya: THATS TERRIFYING

Mylène: she’s really organised. she makes pretty timetables so we all gave ours to her. she also helps organise hangouts. hell she even has chloé’s timetable

Chloé: only because i need free child labour from her obviously

Sabrina: no chloé likes going to the hangouts

Chloé: omfg stop exposing me sabrina fucking hell

Adrien: omg ill give her mine its so confusing i have no idea whats going on

Nino: i have been KIDNAPPED BY MARINETTE SOMEONE SAVE ME

Ivan: give her like a colour scheme and she’ll make it so aesthetic.

Juleka: mine is just different shades of purple and black it looks sick

Rose: mine is literally just the lesbian flag

Alya: thats so real. i wish i knew my sexuality </3

Max: mine has mini markovs as reminders AND its digital (markov is my pet robot btw)

Adrien: so i could do literally ANYTHING?

Chloé: omfg you’re just gonna make it anime themed

Kim: YOU’RE A WEEB?

Adrien: LEAVE ME ALONE

Marinette: heh you’re all losers. but yes you can do anything adrien and alya. now give me your timetables >:)

Alya: im scared

Alix: ALSO adrien and alya passed the test. ur allowed to live

Adrien: TEST? WHAT DID I DO

Kim: the homophobia test idiots

Mylène: KIM

Kim: IK IM SORRY

Nino: OMG GUYS I LIVED

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Chapter Text

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ms Bustier’s Class GC

Adrien: i am running away from home

Nino: thats not alarming at all

Adrien: last time i ran away i got caught by natalie (father’s assistant) and got sent back to the prison :(

Marinette: lets pray u at least get bail this time

Adrien: wow u have no faith in me 

Marinette: i also have no idea who you are SINCE NO ONE WILL TELL ME

Marinette: also your time table is very very concerning pls get that checked

Kim: but its funnier this way

Marinette: i hope u all end up alone and sad forever more

Alix: @ Mylène

Mylène: why do i have to teach you all to be nice. rose is nicer than i am

Rose: ur a better teacher than me. i get annoyed too fast

Kim: im more scared of rose when she gets annoyed

Alya: but rose is so sweet

Juleka: and scary

Alix: it was nice knowing you jules

Juleka: OH FUCK

Juleka: @ Rose YOU’RE SCARY BUT ITS AMAZING AND I LOVE YOU.

Max: Jules, i dont want to alarm you but i think rose is on her way to the boat

Marinette: ITS OK IM OMW AS DAMAGE CONTROL

Alix: like i said: nice knowing you jules

Adrien: but marinette’s on her way?

Kim: oh adrien you sweet, naive fool

Kim: marinette dupain cheng has never once in her life been on time

Marinette: IM ONLY TWENTY MINUTES AWAY

Max: case in point: she lives like 5 minutes away 

Max: and guys we have school. mari dont go to juleka’s youll be even MORE late than usual

Juleka: gee thanks max you’re uninvited from my funeral

Max: WOW

Alya: you guys are crazy i love it

Chloé: crazy annoying sure

Marinette: stfu chloé

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ms Bustier’s Class GC

Alya: ive decided im starting a blog.

Rose: ooooooo

Alya: those new superheroes are way too cool to miss! introducing: The LadyBlog! your own hub for everything related to the ladybug and black cat themed heroes we saw yesterday that saved Ivan!

Alix: send me the link i wanna see

Alya: here u go: ladyblog.com

Kim: WOW U MADE THAT SO FAST????

Alya: haha yea ive always wanted to be a reporter

Nino: dude thats so cooolllll. your website is epic!

Alya: awww thanks guys

Marinette: omg??? this is so good alya what????

Mylène: okayyyyy im obsessed

Alya: you guys are too sweet!

Alya: WAIT.

Rose: what happened? are you okay?

Alya: OMG NO WAY

Alya: IT HAS VIEWS?? LIKE ITS BLOWING UP

Max: woahhh i just got markov to check it and you’re right! it’s blowing up like crazy! good job alya!

Alya: this is insane

Marinette: damn im surprised so many people are into these new heroes. you guys aren’t worried or anything?

Alix: why would we be? these heroes seem to know what they’re doing, even if they’re new. im sure they’ll do a good job

Marinette: yea but like what if they don’t

Adrien: i kinda agree with marinette. they seem to be newbies. what if they can’t handle it?

Alya: no you guys had to see them. i saw them IN PERSON. they were sooooo cool. sure they weren’t like Majestia level obviously but they got the job done!

Chloé: oh please. the last thing we need in paris is a bunch of wannabe heroes ruining everything

Mylène: oh yes because we should just let the villain run rampage and destroy paris. excellent idea as always chloé

Chloé: ugh shut up haprèle.

Alya: ANYWAY. these heroes are epic you two! They’re so resilient and undefeatable. i mean, i believe in them.

Nino: same dudes. theres no WAY they won’t win. they look cool as hell. 

Ivan: literally. i don’t know what i would have done without them.

Chloé: oh please. once a monster, always a monster. nothing those wannabe’s do will change that.

Alix: don’t listen to her ivan. she’s just mad she’s not the centre of attention for once.

Kim: i think it’s too late.

Marinette: ill go after him. you guys stay in the courtyard and chat or whatever. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ms Bustier’s Class GC

Adrien: OMG

Adrien: I MADE IT??? 

Adrien: oh i just read the previous texts and im like soo sorry for ruining the vibe

Nino: nah you’re chill dude. happy you made it!

Adrien: chlo…

Chloé: what? it’s true

Adrien: no its not. it wasn’t ivan’s fault.

Chloé: whatever. doesn’t change what he did when he was possessed or whatever

Alya: i dont think he could control it

Adrien: yeah who knows what really happened. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Trying not to literally burst with excitement, Adrien slipped into the school, sighing with relief as he noticed his bodyguard and Natalie drive past without seeing him. Natalie might cover for him, but it was better to not run the risk of her sending him back, right?

“Adrikins! You came!” Adrien instantly cringed at the loud but familiar voice as a blonde catapaulted into him. 

“Hey Chloé.” He mumbled, hugging her back, albeit a bit awkwardly. He’d seen her texts on the group chat she’d had him added to and she hadn’t exactly been the nicest. Growing up with Chloé, Adrien knew she was a bit abrasive at times and did dramatic things for attention - specifically at the lack of it from her mother and father - but this? She was mean to their classmates for no reason! And Adrien didn’t know what to say to that. 

He didn’t exactly have a perfect view of his childhood best friend, but he’d thought she was better than that. After all, she knew what it was like to be constantly put down. Why would she do it to others?

“I’m so glad you could come!” Adrien winced at her volume, looking around the courtyard as other people began to notice them. Right. He’d forgotten that, once he came to school, even if he were there to learn, other people wouldn’t seem to think so. At least, that’s what the forming crowd and rising whispers seemed to indicate. Towards the back of the courtyard, there was another group and Adrien’s eyes lit up as he recognised them from the different class photos he’d seen Chloé in.  

“Can you introduce me to the others in our class?” He asked, temporarily forgetting his anger at Chloé. Chloé huffed but one glance at the excitement in Adrien’s eyes had her relenting.

“Fine.” She muttered, then raised her voice. “Everyone! Stand aside! No crowding Adrikins!”

Once more, Adrien cringed at the nickname. But it got people to stand away so at least it was good for something. If there was one thing he hated most, it was signing autographs.

Chloé led him over to the group, who were looking at him with amused looks.

“Adrien right?” A tall, blond guy asked. Adrien grinned and waved.

“Nice to meet you guys!” Then he paused. “You are my classmates, right?” 

That finally got them to laugh (and for Chloé to roll her eyes, though Adrien did note a hint of a smile). 

“Yeah. I’m Kim.” The blond introduced before making his way around the group introducing everyone. 

“Marinette’s still with Ivan.” Nino explained, looking towards a door.

“We can give you a tour of the school before the bell?” Adrien smiled sheepishly.

“I’d love that. Thank you.” Meeting the mysterious Marinette would have to wait. He couldn’t believe he was lucky enough to be in a class where someone didn’t know who he was!

“Are you coming Chloé?” He asked, turning to look at his childhood best friend. He pretended not to notice how the others stiffened at his comment, no doubt awaiting Chloé’s response. Chloé rolled her eyes, undoubtedly about to decline before she saw the look on his face.

She still rolled her eyes but grumbled an “okay, fine. Let’s go then.” under her breath and Adrien considered that a win. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“I could, write her a song?” Ivan wondered aloud. Marinette silently cheered.

“That’s a great idea! Who wouldn’t want a love song written especially for them? Go for it, Ivan and uh… stay positive!” Even though she’d stumbled a bit throughout it, Ivan still smiled.

“Thanks Marinette.” He gently rested his hand on top of hers and Marinette smiled.

“No problem. What are friends for?” She even managed to startle a laugh out of him.

“Let’s go back to the others.” She suggested. Ivan sighed dramatically.

“Kim’s been apologising non-stop. This was my one break from him.” Marinette snorted.

“At least you didn’t get the dramatic texts from Kim all of yesterday.” She muttered before turning back to Ivan and resting her hand on his bicep.

“He really does feel horrible. He was crying to Nino and I yesterday about everything. He completely blames himself.”

“But it’s not his fault.” Ivan sighed. Marinette nodded.

“I think you need to tell him that.” She said gently. Ivan nodded, a determined look appearing on his face.

“I will.” He pushed himself up, helping Marinette stand too.

“And thanks Marinette. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.” He said sincerely. She grinned.

“Let’s be glad we don’t have to find out.” She winked and both of them snickered as they left the locker room.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“Now that was a tour.” Adrien muttered as the class filtered into their classroom, each of his classmates snickering at his words. How they’d managed to cover the entire school in the span of ten minutes was insane. He was certain he was going to be sick. 

Everyone made their way to their seats, all of which seemed to be predetermined. Adrien sort of stood there, not knowing where to go. Thankfully, Nino noticed and decided to put him out of his misery.

“You can sit with me dude.” Adrien smiled graciously and walked over to where Nino was, putting his bag down on the desk. He was about to sit down when he noticed Chloé crouched down beside the row beside them. 

“Chloé? What are you doing?” Chloé scoffed.

“The brats that sat here yesterday need a little lesson on attitude adjustment. Don’t worry your pretty little head about it Adrikins.” Adrien frowned as he watched Chloé take out her gum and place it on the seat. Unable to sit and simply allow this to happen, Adrien stood up.

“Seriously Chloé?” He walked over as she walked off to her own seat, crouching beside the seat and attempting to get the gum off, cringing as it touched his hand. Of course, he’d chosen just the wrong moment. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ms Bustier’s Class GC

Max: guys ivan’s been turned into a monster thingy again

Kim: IT WASN’T MY FAULT THIS TIME I SWEAR

Alya: SOMEONE HELP MYLÈNE

Sabrina: and chloé

Marinette: fine her too

Marinette: ALYA WAIT YOUR BAG

Alya: NO TIME GIRL IM CATCHING THESE SUPERHEROES

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Chapter Text

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ms Bustier's Class GC

Alya: it’s official! the new heroes: Ladybug and Chat Noir are actually on the job! they’re gonna save mylène, ivan and chloé! they just saved me!

Sabrina: alya you should really get out of there. you could get hurt!

Alya: yea yea im planning to stay as hidden as possible guys dw!

Nino: should someone go with her?

Nathaniel: good idea nino! you go

Nino: why is it always me

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ms Bustier's Class GC

Nino: we all just saw Ladybug do that right. 

Nino: like it wasn’t just me?

Ivan: i saw it up close and personal (the butterfly thing at least idk what else you’re talking about)

Alya: oh my gosh her rant against the villain guy (he’s called HawkMoth!) was EPIC

Sabrina: HER MAGIC HEALED MY DAD’S ARM

Chloé: ugh maybe she’s not utterly useless after all

Kim: didn’t she save you chloé?

Chloé: shut up kim

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Direct Message ( @ Alya)

Marinette: oh my god you’ll never believe what just happened

Alya: SPILL

Marinette: lets just say adrien isnt as much of a douche as i thought

Marinette: he might have… apologised? in a really really sweet way.

Marinette: and i might be a tad in love?

Alya: EDOIBEQHJGKJEHTGQHIK3;OIHU

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ms Bustier's Class GC

Marinette: AND HERE’S A BELATED FUCK YOU TO ALL OF YOU FOR NOT TELLING ME ADRIEN WAS THE SON OF MY FAVOURITE DESIGNER

Marinette: YOU FAKE HOES

Adrien: wait my dad’s ur fav designer?

Marinette: after you implied he keeps u as a prisoner in your own house, not anymore. #ethicalpurchasesonly

Mylène: no fr. you sure you’re okay adrien?

Alix: Y’ALL MADE UP?

Adrien: haha yea she forgave me :)

Marinette: girls i need yall to come over rn. emergency

Nino: exclusion :(

Marinette: bitch ur one of the honorary gorls get ur ass over here. (the gorls and honorary gorls know who they are)

Nino: YAY

Chloé: ugh lame

Alix: you’re always invited chloé ;)

Chloé: shut up kubdel

Sabrina: can i go chloé

Chloé: only if you bring me back pastries. 

Marinette: sabrina i have two HUGE bags ready SO GET OVA HERE

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Direct Message ( @ Alya)

Marinette: yes the meetup is so i can get help w my crush. dont judge me

Alya: man im so glad im in ur guys’s class. its so fun

Marinette: me too girl. me too

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Chapter Text

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ms Bustier’s Class GC

Alya: man i wish we knew who ladybug was

Kim: where’s this coming from

Alya: idk i just want to know who she is and its making me sad rn :(

Marinette: why do you wanna know who she is so badly

Alya: uh cos she’s a baddie? and if she’d my age i wanna shoot my shot fr

Alix: REAL

Adrien: ladybug is really pretty

Nino: but bro chat noir? theyre both so fine idc

Marinette: wow thats interesting information i didnt need to know about

Nino: if i get to hear you yap about fabrics and designs all day you get to hear me yap about how id totally date ladybug or chat noir if i had the chance

Adrien: crazy

Mylène: no he’s right theyre cool as hell

Ivan: yea in another world id have a fat crush on them

Alya: damn not this one?

Ivan: unfortunately/fortunately no i literally cannot just crush on people like that i fear

Max: lowkey same but im still figuring it out

Alix: real same it takes a second

Marinette: i cant believe you’re all simping for the new heroes omfg

Alya: girl you aren’t? omfg they’re so fine idc

Marinette: ahaha no. ladybug’s cool but surprisingly im not in love with her. i can see the chat noir appeal tho

Mylène: damn i can’t believe resident disaster bi doesnt have a crush on ladybug this is crazy

Adrien: omg twins

Chloé: oh fuck i forgot you’re a disaster

Nino: omg ur one of us LETS GO

Adrien: don’t tell anyone father might kill me ;P

Juleka: oh! 

Sabrina: adrien check ur dms

Chloé: sab you can’t just copy and paste the same threatening message to our parents every time we trauma dump

Sabrina: no one can stop me

Marinette: and you’re so iconic for that

Sabrina: thanks mari

Chloé: back tf away dupain-cheng

Marinette: or what? you’re gonna “make my life hell”? please be so fr

Chloé: no one wants to hear your lameass opinion anyway

Chloé: and please, its easy for me to do whatever i want. you know that

Marinette: doesn’t mean we’ll let you

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Direct Message (@Chloé)

Adrien: chlo…

Chloé: what? 

Adrien: what happened to you

Chloé: what are you talking about

Adrien: really? what happened to the little girl who used to abuse her power so she could get me out of the house and improve my life, rather than abuse it to make others’ lives worse?

Adrien: what happened to her chlo?

Chloé: people change adrien. life sucks

Adrien: yea but that doesn’t mean you get to take it out on others

Chloé: you don’t know what its been like for me. im not like you

Chloé: i can’t just be nice and have everyone like me

Adrien: have your classmates ever hurt you?

Chloé: they hate me. especially marinette she despises me.

Adrien: and why is that?

Chloé: listen adrien i just dont want to talk about it okay

Chloé: before collège it was just not easy and it sorta made me who i am now. and collège just made it worse so

Adrien: you’re the same at the lycée? 

Adrien: chlo you said it yourself

Adrien: people change

Chloé: yeah idk adrien. 

Adrien: you don’t have to be like her to impress her chlo. hell, you don’t need to impress her either

Chloé: you don’t get it

Chloé: she doesn’t even visit anymore

Adrien: you and i both know that it’s not your fault. it’s hers. 

Chloé: just like how it’s not your fault that your father’s barely present in your life

Chloé: its fine adrien. ill figure it out.

Adrien: just remember you’re not alone. you have both me and sab

Chloé: thanks. ill try and remember that

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Direct Message (@Alya)

Marinette: UGH SHE’S SO ANNOYING

Alya: yea i can tell

Marinette: its weird cos she can be nice to sabrina (sorta) but such a bITCH to the rest of us for no reason

Alya: tbh it seems like she’s struggling or smth. idk tho

Alya: majestia always says you “never know what people are going thru” and shit so i want to give her the benefit of the doubt

Alya: but clearly she’s hurt you so idc about that rn

Marinette: thanks alya

Marinette: that truly means a lot to me 

Alya: ofc!

Alya: do you think she has something to hide? maybe that’s why she’s being such a bitch

Marinette: please the only thing chloé hides is the fact that if it weren’t for sab and her father’s influence, she’d probably be failing school

Alya: hmm idk im going to investigate

Marinette: be careful girl. chloé’s not gonna be nice about it if she catches you

Alya: she wont!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Direct Message (@Marinette)

Alya: IN MY DEFENCE IT WAS A MISTAKE

Marinette: WHAT DID YOU DO

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Direct Message (@Chloé)

Adrien: CHLO

Chloé: SHE WAS SNOOPING IN MY LOCKER

Adrien: AND???

Adrien: okay maybe not her brightest moment BUT STILL

Chloé: I PANICKED AND REVERTED BACK 

Adrien: NOT AN EXCUSE

Chloé: BITCH IM TRYING

Adrien: TRY HARDER

Chloé: FINE ill talk to damocles

Adrien: good :)))

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Direct Message (@Adrien)

Chloé: don’t get mad at me

Adrien: what now

Chloé: she may have gotten akumatised

Adrien: CHLOÉ

Chloé: I DIDNT MEAN FOR IT TO BE THAT BAD

Adrien: sigh

Chloé: listen i promise ill try harder next time. its just really hard

Adrien: i know chlo but thats not an excuse

Adrien: i know you can be better

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ms Bustier’s Class GC

Marinette: Alya’s been akumatised

Adrien: i was just going to text the same thing!

Marinette: haha twinning!!

Alix: guys…

Marinette: RIGHT.

Marinette: everyone stay clear and be safe!

Adrien: im sure the heroes have got this!

Marinette: haha yea. lets hope so

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ms Bustier’s Class GC

Alya: ive been saved

Nino: oh thank god

Kim: akumatisations are SCARY

Ivan: tell me about it

Rose: are you okay Alya?

Alya: i don’t remember what happened

Alya: but damocles apologised? said he wouldn’t suspend me anymore idk why

Marinette: probably thought the parents would complain since the akumatisation

Alya: yea maybe

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Chapter Text

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ms Bustier’s Class GC

Nino: PROBLEM IN DIRE NEED OF ATTENTION: Adrien has never had a bday party

Ivan: WHAT we’re changing this NOW

Kim: adrien give us a list of your top ten fav things to do

Adrien: uh i like going out without being recognised and chased away by scary fans who scream about wanting my babies :)

Juleka: there is way too many things wrong with that sentence

Adrien: :(

Chloé: one of these days i’m getting you to therapy

Marinette: damn. chloé does have a heart. and i thought you only stopped being a bitch because you got bored

Chloé: no i just only care about adrien. i still have no heart i promise

Marinette: why am i not surprised

Adrien: wow this is awkward

Alix: no you just gotta ignore them. one day they’ll work it out on the remix and we’ll be cool. till then… you just gotta vibe. 

Adrien: coolio

Kim: whomst the fuck still says coolio

Kim: oh wait homeschooled mbmb

Max: this is why we think before we speak

Mylène: yea good luck getting kim to think like ever

Kim: i think! i think

Marinette: ive known you for almost sixteen years now and you’ve never once showed sign of a brain

Nino: she’s not wrong

Kim: deep sigh

Marinette: anyway if its a birthday you want, ya gurl is a planner PRO

Chloé: ugh no adrien deserves the best

Alix: marinette is quite literally the best

Marinette: omg stahhppp u luv me :)

Rose: i can help with decorations!!

Nino: i’ll do music!

Ivan: uh not to be the party pooper guys but don’t we have to ask adrien’s father for permission first? 

Nino: well i have a plan

Marinette: we’re not kidnapping him nino

Nino: i have no plan

Adrien: yea if yall kidnapped me he would actually hate you forever and ever

Alya: yea that totally wasn’t the plan!!!! 

Alix: nino ur the sacrifice

Nino: oh no

Alix: go ask adrien’s dad for permission

Nathaniel: does no one else have a bad feeling about this?

Kim: nah what’s the worst that can happen?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ms Bustier’s Class GC

Nino: @ Kim YOU CURSED ME YOU ASS

Kim: HOW WAS I MEANT TO KNOW YOU’D BE AKUMATISED

Nino: IDK BUT YOU SHOULD HAVE

Adrien: at least i had like ten seconds of a birthday party

Alya: lets just say, tomorrow at lunch will be interesting thanks to our resident party planner hwehwehwe

Alix: you might want to come prepared to… uh eat a lot

Rose: no promises!!!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Direct Message ( @ Alya)

Marinette: IM THROWING HIM A PARTY????

Alya: HELL YEAH YOU ARE

Marinette: you’re one hell of a wingwoman, you know that, right?

Chapter Text

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ms Bustier’s Class GC

Marinette: GET READY TO BE FED TODAY 

Kim: YES YES YES ITS FINALLY HEREEEEE WOOO

Nino: AAAAA PARTAYYYYY

Alya: what am i missing

Mylène: parent day! if mari’s parents are coming that means FREE FOOD WOOO

Nathaniel: ive prayed for times like these

Marinette: you know you guys are allowed to come over any time right

Nathaniel: im scared so no

Ivan: what’s he going to be teaching us this time nette?

Marinette: hwehwehwe you’ll seeeee

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Parents Day was one of the most looked-forward to days throughout the lycée. Almost everyone’s parents in the school were quite notable or had inspiring professions. Whatever they came to talk about would surely be interesting. 

Adrien had been quite excited for it. Sure, his father had already told him he couldn’t make it, and it quite literally felt like his heart was being crushed, but he’d gotten familiar with the feeling. It didn’t make it hurt less, but now he’d grown to expect the earth-shattering ache inside his chest. 

Besides, now he had people to (somewhat) distract him! Nino had made him a playlist for moments exactly like this that he’d blasted on his airpods on the way to school. So with his ‘When Father Lets Me Down’ playlist bumping in his ears, Adrien walked into school. 

Max had programmed Markov to be Adrien’s personal buddy for the day, and Markov would crack a pun in almost every sentence. Adrien didn’t know how to thank Max for it yet but he would definitely find a way. 

“Adrien! Dude, there you are!” Kim waved him over. He and Markov went over and let Kim point out each of the parents, explaining what each of their jobs were. 

“Marinette’s dad always has the best display.” Kim admitted. “Whatever snack he teaches us to make today will be super cool. And! We always get a free sample afterwards.”

Adrien’s eyes shone in delight as he glanced across the classroom, taking in his friends’ parents. Each of them offered him a smile as they made eye contact. Honestly it was rather unbelievable. 

Not just standing in the classroom, but being able to call his entire class his friends. Just a few weeks ago, he’d been in his room, grumbling to himself about how lonely he was. And a week after that he’d been calling Chloé, as she abused her father’s power to get him a spot in the school. Then again, with how powerful his own parents were, Adrien pretty much had a spot reserved in their elite school. 

“Oh hey Adrien!” Marinette squeaked, walking into the classroom, right behind him and Kim.

“Hey Marinette! Kim was just telling me how your dad’s presentation is always the highlight.” Marinette positively beamed.

“Did he really?” A large man came from behind Marinette, a hand resting on her shoulder. Adrien blinked, his eyes going to the man’s muscular arms and a flicker of worry and fear coursing through his body at his size. God, this guy must surely be strong enough to even throw him across Paris. 

And then the man let out a laugh, his entire face creasing into a smile and the worry fled as quickly as it had sunk in. How could he be afraid of such a man? A man who radiated nothing but pure joy with every breath?

Adrien let his own face relax into a smile.

“Nice to meet you son. I’m Tom Dupain, Marinette’s father. You are?” Adrien glanced at Kim and Marinette for a second before glancing back at Marinette’s father. 

“Nice to meet you too. I’m Adrien.” He waved. Tom squinted at him for a second.

“You look rather familiar. Are you one of our bakery’s regulars?” Adrien sighed and shook his head.

“I wasn’t allowed out much until recently.” He confessed. At Tom’s look of alarm he quickly explained his father’s overprotectiveness but the concern didn’t seem to disappear.

“Adrien’s father is that designer, dad. You know, the one I really liked?” Tom frowned for a minute before his eyes lit up in rcognition.

“Oh! Was he the guy whose designs you threw out recently?” Marinette’s entire face started to go red as she laughed awkwardly.

“What? I didn’t– oh okay fine.” She grumbled, leading her dad away and regretfully waving at Adrien, who simply chuckled at the display. 

Yeah. Today would be great.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“My bracelet! It’s missing!” Chloé yelled in horror, shooting to her feet. Marinette scowled, crossing her arms. 

“Who would want it? None of us certainly would.” Chloé scowled at Marinette, clearly ready to accuse her but her eyes caught Adrien’s and she huffed. 

“I demand a search! Everyone! Turn out your bags!” Everyone rolled their eyes.

“Chloé, we were all sitting at our desks. How could we have stolen it? It probably fell deeper into your bag.” Alya reasoned. Chloé frowned, clearly thinking it over. 

“How about, we all turn out our bags. Just in case? It could have easily fallen out.” Mayor Bourgeois suggested, immediately making the class frown and Adrien to inwardly curse. Just as he’d gotten her to make some progress, of course her father would find a way to undo it. 

“Roger! Order everyone to turn out their bags!” The Mayor ordered, turning to Sabrina’s father. Roger stammered, his eyes going wide as he looked over the class.

“André,” he laughed nervously, “I can’t search their bags! Not without a warrant at least.”

André rolled his eyes.

“Well then, what good are you? You’re fired.” Everyone gasped, including Chloé, whose eyes went wide. She shot a glance at Sabrina, whose eyes had filled with tears.

“Wait, Daddy I don’t think–” André shook his head, not willing to hear his daughter out. ( Then again , thought Adrien bitterly, when did he? )

Roger stood up bravely, blinking furiously. 

“Alright then.” And he took his leave, leaving behind a shocked class and a sobbing Sabrina. Adrien watched as the class, clearly furious, turned to yell at Chloé. Only, they each seemed to freeze as they noticed just how startled she was at the turn of events. 

“Daddy, that wasn’t fair.” Chloé whispered, her voice unbearably loud in the silent classroom. The other parents turned to look at André critically. The Mayor simply shrugged, clearly oblivious to it all. 

“Life isn’t fair, sweetheart. Roger just wasn’t able to do his job.” Chloé scowled at this.

“He did do his job. You got mad at him for it.” She accused. Her classmates looked at her wide-eyes, clearly never having seen one of the rare moments in which Chloé had stood up to her father. Adrien silently shuffled closer, sitting beside Sabrina and pulling her into a hug while he offered Chloé his hand for support. He ignored the curious looks his new friends were sending him in favour of supporting his oldest and first friend.

“But sweetheart,” André laughed, “I did this for you.”

“I wasn’t thinking clearly,” Chloé shook her head, “I was just worried about my bracelet.”

The Mayor raised an eyebrow, his eyes sweeping over the classroom.

“We’ll talk about this when we get home.” Fuck, that wasn’t good. Judging by Chloé’s wince, she knew it wasn’t either. Adrien was just about to stand up and say something on Chloé’s behalf when, to his surprise, someone else stood up instead.

“Chloé’s right.” Adrien’s head snapped back, turning to look at Marinette, who’d stood on shaky legs. She valiantly ignored the stares and looked André in the eye.

“We may not be the closest with Chloé but none of us would have stolen her bracelet. Understandably, she was worried about losing it and panicked. It doesn’t mean you can simply fire Roger for following the law.” Marinette crossed her arms. If she hated defending Chloé, she didn’t show it. And wow, it was certainly very admirable of her. Chloé’s eyes had gone wide at Marinette’s words but she’d turned back to her father, mimicking Marinette’s position.

André, clearly realising he was outnumbered, sighed. 

“Alright fine. I understand. I was just looking out for you, Chloé dear.” Chloé sighed, pretending to melt back into the loving daughter role she’d been molded into. 

“I understand daddy.” André exclaimed that he would be reversing the ‘firing’ the second he next saw Roger. Though of course, the damage had been done.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Direct Message (@Chloé)

Adrien: hey. how was it

Chloé: well after the stress of the akuma? 

Chloé: he just blamed me for ruining his rep and starting drama that caused an akuma

Chloé: oh and ofc expressed his disappointment in me once again

Adrien: ah so the usual

Chloé: lmao yea

Chloé: sab’s doing better tho. we started binging that show she likes on my big screen. i’m currently getting her snacks.

Adrien: you know you can get snacks too

Chloé: i know

Chloé: its just 

Chloé: yk how i get after a lecture

Adrien: u want me to come over? i can sneak out

Chloé: haha no you’ll get in trouble

Adrien: yea it’ll probably fuel more dating rumours

Chloé: ugh its no worse than school

Adrien: yk you can stop pretending to be in love with me right

Chloé: but its so fun! you hate it

Adrien: you do too!

Chloé: nuh uh i hate the weirdos who react to it

Adrien: sigh why did we have to have influential parents that put us in the spotlight

Chloé: i ask myself the same thing every day

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ms Bustier’s Class GC

Mylène: hey sab, you okay?

Sabrina: yea i think so

Sabrina: we’re binging gilmore girls again. well i am, chloé getting me snacks so she doesn’t have to

Adrien: she’s always hated long shows idk why

Chloé: because you always force me to watch them! they’re so boooorrringgg

Alya: lowk i agree but only ones that are SUPER long like seven hundred seasons

Ivan: no one tell her about supernatural

Alya: supernatural what

Nino: its a show that’s got like a million seasons

Kim: and a lot of pain (from what i hear)

Sabrina: if it has angst im in i LOVE angst

Chloé: you’re watching it alone. i HATE angst

Marinette: angst adds a little punch yk

Adrien: yea i love angst but then again i just need to wake up in the morning for that so

Sabrina: check dms

Adrien: you can’t keep threatening me with therapy. father will never pay for it

Max: so what im hearing is that one of us needs to become your free therapist

Juleka: my brother’s alr my free therapist im sure he’d be chill being urs

Alix: wait you have a brother

Mylène: you have a brother?

Kim: wait jules since when

Ivan: is he older?

Rose: how did you guys not know?

Max: this is literally the only time she’s ever mentioned having a brother

Juleka: mustve slipped my mind

Nathaniel: whats his name

Rose: luka! he’s really nice :)

Nino: you should introduce us!

Kim: yeah!

Juleka: fine. come to the houseboat on saturday. 

Marinette: YAY

Marinette: wait i can’t come i have to help in the bakery :(

Sabrina: dont worry emo and excessively rich kids i’ll guide you

Adrien: and i have a photoshoot

Chloé: cant im not allowed

Chloé: i mean i dont want to go

Alya: not allowed?

Sabrina: douchebag andre grounded her

Sabrina ’s message has been deleted

Chloé: just dont wanna come

Alix: damn ok

Alya: so everyone but chloé, adrien and marinette?

Kim: basically! wow new sibling reveal!!

Juleka: oh my god

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Chapter Text

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ms Bustier’s Class GC

Kim: we’re going to the zoo today guys

Alix: who’s we. i have stuff to do

Kim: guys pleaseeeee 

Kim: there’s a new panther 

Max: wait rlly im coming

Kim: YESSSS

Adrien: ive never been to the zoo can i come

Kim: HELL YEA

Nino: ill make sure kim doesn’t kill u

Kim: hey :(

Marinette: ill make sure you both don’t kill each other instead

Adrien: yisssss this is gonna be fun!!

Alya: i’ve been meaning to sightsee since i moved so yea ill come

Marinette: OMG I HAVEN’T TAKEN YOU ON A TOUR YET????

Alya: no babes </3

Nino: marinette’s fake heard it here first lads

Marinette: die lahiffe

Marinette: you (alya) and adrien will get the grand tour

Nathaniel: is anyone a good photographer

Alya: sorta?

Nathaniel: can u take pics of the panther i wanna draw it 

Alix: you know you could just go

Nathaniel: fuck no i have beef with the zoo

Nino: ??? why???

Nathaniel: it knows what it did

Mylène: i’m sure it does honey 

Ivan: not again nath

Nathaniel: IM NOT CRAZY GUYS 

Juleka: funny. thats exactly what a crazy person would say

Nathaniel: it was a dark day for me </3

Marinette: anyway! when are we going to the zoo?

Nino: where tf did kim go

Kim: LET’S A GO

Max: insert the deepest sigh known to mankind

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Kim frowned at the map, squinting at it. Then promptly turned it around. Max huffed, rolling his eyes. He snatched it out of Kim’s grasp, turning it properly before handing it back to the other boy. Kim positively lit up.

“Thanks Max!” He grinned, examining the map thoroughly for the panther exhibit.

“It’s right near the reptiles.” Max told him. “Bottom left.”

Kim hummed, following the directions to find it.

“Let’s go! The others will probably meet us there.” Max sighed but followed nonetheless. 

While the duo were making their way towards the panther exhibit, on the other side of the park, a certain quartet were quite lost.

“I’m certain it’s this way.” Marinette declared, walking past the gorilla habitat. Nino winced as he followed her, trying to keep up. Alya frowned at the map, letting Marinette drag her along by the wrist. Adrien simply gaped at the exhibits, his eyes shining with a sweet child-like wonder. 

“Isn’t this the way to the giraffes?” Marinette grimaced. 

“We’ll get there eventually!” She decided. Nino slapped his hand to his forehead.

“We could call Max,” he offered, “he’d remember the way.”

“Or,” suggested Adrien, rather timidly, “we could just wander around?”

Taking one glance at the blond, all of them immediately decided it was worth it.

“Yes.” Nino looped one arm with Adrien and Alya nudged Marinette closer so she had one of hers looped with Adrien. Marinette promptly went red, biting his lip to stifle the squeal that very nearly erupted from her mouth (and gods, wouldn’t that have been delightful) and pretended like it didn’t bother her.

Alya snickered and looped her arm with Marinette’s other hand and the four of them continued marching forward in an awkward little line. 

They probably should have followed Alya’s idea. Maybe then they would’ve gotten their in time to stop Kim from suggesting he’d outrun a panther to a zoo keeper. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ms Bustier’s Class GC

Max: LÉ CHIÊN KIM I WILL KILL YOU

Kim: IM SORRY IM SO SORRY

Mylène: what’d this dumbass do now

Max: get the dam zoo keeper akumatised

Marinette: KIM WHEN I CATCH YOU

Kim: FUCK WHY’D YOU HAVE TO LET MARI KNOW

Adrien: im assuming people dont normally challenge animals to races at zoos

Nino: no normally they’re not that FUCKING STUPID

Kim: IM SORRY

Kim: YOU KNOW HOW I GET

Ivan: we really need to talk abt how you impress people because it is NOT working for you pal

Kim: yeah :(

Max: who tf would he be trying to impress. the zoo keeper? cos that went AMAZING

Max: just hide properly kim. until ladybug and chat noir can fix everything

Kim: sorry max

Max: just be safe

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Marinette didn’t really want to ditch her friends, specifically when they’d been having so much fun together. She’d even managed a proper conversation with Adrien (she’d only stammered like five or ten times) and now she had to go be Ladybug because of her idiot best friends.

Adrien had said something about needing the bathroom before she’d gotten the chance to check her phone and see Kim’s texts and she figured he’d hide there. She ushered Nino and Alya to run in one direction while she ran in the other.

“Makes it less easier to catch all of us.” She winked, taking the chance to go and transform. 

And then, of course, she neatly trapped the duo in the gorilla exhibit. What? She couldn’t risk their safety. Besides, they hadn’t had much time to talk just them. Maybe Marinette just wanted her new best friend to get along with her oldest one, that’s all.

“Hey m’lady.” There was her favourite little problem.

See, she currently had the loveliest (worst) problem one could have. She’d fallen hard and fast for Adrien and even if she struggled to talk to him in person, their banter on text was unmatched. Plus, he was just so fun to talk to. She could easily see herself happy with him. 

The problem arose with Chat Noir. 

Nothing wrong with him, of course. But what was a girl meant to do when a (admittedly very attractive) guy was consistently flirting with her? He called her his lady for goodness sake. How could she not swoon? But she couldn’t be into them both . Right? 

She’d find a way to ask Alix. Alix always had the answers. Or Max. Probably both. 

“Hey. Ready to beat a panther?” She grinned wickedly, adrenaline coursing through her veins as Chat Noir matched her enthusiasm.

“Yeah!”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“Never do that again.” She hadn’t hugged Adrien before. But here, in Chat Noir’s arms, everything felt right. So impossibly right – she didn’t know it was possible to feel like this.

They seemed to fit neatly together. A pod of peas, a pair of socks, puzzle pieces. She’d ask Tikki first. Alix and Max could come after, just in case Tikki said no. 

“Well…” Marinette looked blankly at her kwami as she munched on her macaron.

“You and Chat Noir can’t exactly be fully honest with each other.” Tikki sighed. “You can only really be heroes together. At least for now.”

Marinette frowned.

“So we can’t reveal our identities?” Tikki shook her head.

“Only when the time is right.” Well, wasn’t that great?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Direct Message (@Marinette)

Alya: ok so i have news??

Marinette: oh?

Alya: nino and i might have gotten talking?

Marinette: that’s great alya!

Marinette: im super glad you two are friends!

Alya: aha yea about that

Marinette: speak of the devil, nino’s texting me

Alya: teehee??

Marinette: YOU’RE GOING ON A DATE???

Alya: surprise?

Marinette: WHAT

Alya: pls dont be mad

Marinette: I CANT BELIEVE THAT DUMBASS ASKED U OUT DURING AN AKUMA

Alya: oh phew ur mad at him not me

Marinette: oh yea sorry i was just gobsmacked 

Alya: no valid i would be too

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Chaos Trio

Marinette: u better not mess this up Lahiffe

Nino: MA’AM YES MA’AM

Kim: what’d he do

Marinette: don’t think ur lecture isn’t coming too

Marinette: but he’s going on a date with alya

Kim: OMG CONGRATS????

Nino: thank uuu

Nino: now about your pathetic lil crush on max that u won’t confront

Kim: I THOUGHT WE AGREED WE WOULDN’T BRING THAT UP???

Marinette: not until u challenged a literal panther to a race to impress him kim wtf were you thinking

Kim: i wasn’t!

Kim: ok maybe i just wanted to impress him a lil but STILL

Marinette: YOUR LITERALLY HIS BEST FRIEND OFC YOU IMPRESS HIM

Marinette: IF EITHER OF U CORRECT MY ‘YOUR’ TO ‘YOU’RE’ IM KILLING YOU

Nino: wasn’t plannin on it!

Kim: yea but what if he thinks i’m lame

Nino: if he thought ur lame he wouldn’t have listened to ur stupid challenge and NOT slapped you

Kim: he was so mad at me tho

Marinette: yea cos you could have DIED dumbass

Marinette: he wasn’t mad he was WORRIED

Kim: ohhhhh

Marinette: idiot

Kim: either way im gonna get over him. i know he doesn’t feel the same

Nino: u don’t know that!

Kim: our friendship means more to me. i’d rather preserve that than risk it on a relationship

Marinette: since when did u have braincells

Nino: or a heart 

Kim: hey!

Kim: ill have u know i have a heart sometimes

Marinette: only sometimes?

Kim: only sometimes

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Chapter Text

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ms Bustier’s Class GC

Juleka: this is a bad idea guys

Alix: it’ll go right this year jules trust

Rose: yea!! they’re be nothing to worry about this year :))

Marinette: dw jules we’ll make sure it goes well this year

Alya: wait whats happening

Juleka: i have a curse

Adrien: curses are real?

Nino: its more like every photo has managed to go wrong so far for jules. and today is class photos.

Max: im really sorry for last year jules

Juleka: i dont blame u max i promise

Juleka: guys its just a reoccuring theme

Chloé: maybe thats for the best

Adrien: chloé

Chloé: i mean she seems shy so

Chloé: what?! i’m just saying she doesn’t like the attention anyway

Juleka: that’s true!

Chloé: SEE

Mylène: it’s more so the principle of the thing. i mean we all like having photos we can look back on.

Sabrina: that’s true! i mean even chloé and i have somehaLJFHQIHBRF

Chloé: no we don’t 

Adrien: i have a stash of chloé blackmail photos

Chloé: i have an even bigger stash of adrien blackmail photos u really wana go there

Adrien: yea i have like no shame

Nino: well that’s one way to win

Adrien: i have stalker fans they have like EVERY photo of me that ever existed

Marinette: pls there’s no way

Adrien attached 18+ photos

Marinette: LMAOOOOOOO

Marinette: stop u looked adorable

Chloé: he was an angelic child. 

Adrien: im not angelic no more?

Chloé: fuck no

Nino: BRO THIS IS ADORABLE WTH

Kim: dont u mean creepy asf how do people even have these

Adrien: eh idk. maybe my parents sent them out for publicity.

Chloé: they wouldn’t

Adrien: who knows

Sabrina: dms

Chloé: hah someone’s in trouble 

Alya: bro your fans are crazy. you were in the corner of one of my clips and people went iNSANE

Adrien: i hope they don’t figure out we’re friends

Adrien: they wont stop harassing u

Marinette: bakery rights will be removed effective immediately dw (for them not us)

Mylène: wow so we dont have to jump to torture immediately!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Direct Message (@Adrien)

Sabrina: adrien…

Adrien: im allowed to be mad at them sab

Sabrina: i know that

Sabrina: i just don’t think you’re doing it in a healthy way at all. u can’t just 

Sabrina: u can’t blame them for everything. u deserve better than that.

Adrien: yea yea it’s not fair on them ik

Adrien: but it wasn’t fair to me either

Sabrina: by just pushing the blame onto them, it means u can’t work through your own issues and struggles. ur just avoiding the problems.

Sabrina: i know. thats why its so hard

Adrien: like i know my maman didn’t CHOOSE to leave but

Adrien: it’s easier this way

Sabrina: easier to blame her?

Adrien: i feel like a terrible person

Adrien: i chose to stay home

Adrien: but i was a kid!

Sabrina: you wanted to be close to your mother

Sabrina: your mother who was OBVIOUSLY sick

Sabrina: that’s so understandable

Adrien: but i feel guilty

Adrien: because i kinda hate myself for it

Sabrina: if u had the choice now, what would you do?

Adrien: stay with maman

Sabrina: you can’t blame yourself for it

Adrien: but they were grown ups. they knew

Adrien: they should have pushed me to go to school anyway

Adrien: they didn’t send me off because it was easier

Sabrina: would you have gone

Adrien: well no

Sabrina: don’t get me wrong, I blame your father. 

Sabrina: we all know he used it as a convenient excuse to not send u to school

Adrien: look i know it’s not her fault. i know that

Adrien: but its just

Adrien: why didn’t she ever try and stop father?

Sabrina: i wish i could tell u

Sabrina: but she did love you. loads

Sabrina: and she wouldn’t blame u for your anger either

Adrien: can i catch a ride w you and chlo this morning

Sabrina: i’m already outside. chlo’s coming separately

Adrien: thanks sab <3

Sabrina: always 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

According to the (frankly weird) tales he’d heard from his class, Juleka had some sort of curse? Truly, Adrien hadn’t believed it until he’d been shown some of the disastrous photos of the past. How Juleka had been so unlucky was so weird; it simply had to be a curse. Hey, he had a magical jewel that turned him into a superhero with the power of destruction, he couldn’t really find such things that weird anymore. 

When he arrived, the group was discussing it animatedly. 

“We’ll all sit pretty still and it’ll be perfect.” The only one who hadn’t arrived was Chloé, and Sabrina had already gave him a warning. Apparently, André had been going off at her this morning. Something to do with their image, she had suggested. 

Adrien figured she must’ve gotten a lecture about standing out. Whatever it was, Adrien figured it would not help Juleka with her photo curse. He wasn’t wrong.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Direct Message (@Juleka) 

Marinette: hey girllll 

Marinette: its going to be ok i promise

Juleka: mari i rlly appreciate your help

Juleka: but i don’t think it’ll work. they’ve already taken the photo anyway

Marinette: i can find a way to fix it!

Juleka: its ok marinette. thank you for trying

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ms Bustier’s Class GC

Marinette: okay gang! its time to get our SHIT together

Marinette: we’re GETTING a photo with jules in it or DYING trying

Kim: hah that rhymed

Nino: MA’AM YES MA’AM

Marinette: KIM NOT THE TIME

Alix: i’ll find a location!

Adrien: i can talk to the photographer? i mean he does some of my shoots so

Rose: i’ll get jules!

Alya: i’ll organise our seats! 

Ivan: yes pls do

Marinette: yes!! thank u guys!

Mylène: teamwork makes the dream work!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Direct Message (@Sabrina)

Marinette: hey sab

Marinette: are you and chloé going to be there for the photo?

Sabrina: im sorry marinette. for how everything went down today

Marinette: i’ll admit i’m still a bit pissed at her. but honestly im fed up. she’s been doing this for too long. 

Marinette: you’re more than welcome to join us sab. chloé’s part of our class, so i won’t not invite her. 

Marinette: but this is for juleka. not for her to get attention. 

Marinette: i won’t let her ruin this for jules. 

Sabrina: i know. i’ll talk to her. 

Sabrina: i’ll be there. i can’t promise she will be, but if she is, she won’t act… like that 

Marinette: ok thank you

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“I don’t know, Als. Maybe?” Marinette sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose in frustration. Alya chuckled at her friend. 

“Oh look! It’s Chloé and Sabrina.” Marinette’s head turned in that direction immediately, ready to end any potential fight. But to her surprise, Chloé looked rather subdued. 

“Are we all ready for the photo?” Adrien asked suddenly, drawing everyone’s attention from Chloé. Marinette furrowed her eyebrows, unconsciously scanning him and their surroundings.

Whenever something odd happened with Chloé, Adrien was always right there to comfort her, call her out or – she supposed – protect her. Listen, Marinette knew they’d been friends for ages. After doing a quick bit of research (c’mon, how was she NOT supposed to research the supermodel in her class?), she’d learnt that the two of them had been shipped together by superfans since they were basically babies. Their parents being close certainly hadn’t helped. 

So that definitely meant they were close. But Chloé was such a bully. And Adrien was so nice! She just couldn’t fathom how they were so close. 

“Yeah! Let’s get everything set up.” Alya’s voice pulled Marinette out of her thoughts and she shook them away, going to help get everyone in position. The photographer, Vincent, was a lot less irritated this time. Probably because Marinette had given him a bunch of free pastries and a coupon to her parents’ bakery, but still!

The group sat around the bench, getting comfortable.

“Everyone smile!” They all smiled as Vincent snapped a few quick photos.

“Excellent,” He began, moving to a new position, “now, a few–”

Just as he spoke, a German Shephard dog tore through the park, stopping in front of the group, his tail wagging madly.

“Oh!” Sabrina gasped, as it stood on it’s hind legs, pushing it’s head towards her for pats. “Aren’t you the cutest thing!”

She nearly shrieked as it licked her face, startling each of the class members into laughter. None of them noticed as Vincent snapped a few more photos, even as the dog ran back to it’s owner: a police officer.

As the class packed up to go home, Sabrina explained why the dog had raced to her.

“When I was little, Dad would take me to the police station loads and let me play with the dogs. He travelled for police work a lot so I’d stay with the training dogs everywhere and they all basically grew to love me. That was Bonbon. I met her at Lilas, I think?” Sabrina explained, all of them sitting around at the park and eating from a basket of goodies Marinette had raced over from the bakery. 

“That’s so cool!” Mylène gushed. “So they all know you?” 

Sabrina laughed, nodding. 

“Yeah. They’re all little sweethearts.”

Adrien leant back on his elbow, letting his eyes gaze over his newfound friends. He’d never been on a picnic before, let alone been allowed to casually munch on pastries. Pastries were delicious . And hanging out with friends like this was just as lovely as he’d hoped. His eyes locked with Chloé, who’d deigned to stay with the group, pretending to be distracted by her phone. 

He offered her a small smile and she rolled her eyes. But leant over to take a pastry anyway. And that, was quite some progress.

Adrien went back to scanning the crowd, his eyes meeting Marinette. Her eyes were piercing, as if they looked through him and into his very soul, yet there was a softness and a warmth to her that he couldn’t quite understand. Marinette’s eyes briefly left his to look at Chloé before they flitted back to meet his. Adrien couldn’t help but furrow his eyebrows at the gesture. 

Marinette was an observer. She seemed to just know things. But for Chloé’s sake, Adrien hoped she wouldn’t figure out everything that was going on in her life. Not while she wasn’t ready to share. 

Marinette finally looked away, tuning back into the conversation between their peers and Adrien let out a soft sigh of relief. He did like her. She was a good friend to have. A great friend even – she’d organised him a party and a timetable. All while they’d barely known each other!

And with the soft way her friends talked about her, it seemed like she’d just do that for anyone. Which, Adrien decided, was quite an admirable quality to have.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~