Miraculous Ladybug, "The Tell-Tale Kiss" ch. 18, rated M

[paynesgrey]

  Fandom: Miraculous Ladybug & Chat Noir
Title: The Tell-Tale Kiss
Chapter Title: Eighteen - Bait & Switch
Pairing/Characters: Marinette (Ladybug), Adrien (Chat Noir), Tikki, Plagg, Marinette/Adrien, Gabriel, Nathalie
Word Count: 3,430
Genre: Humor/Romance
Rating: M
Spoilers: Up to Season 2 (for now)

Notes: This is a new multi-chapter fic though it won't be too long. I've written a few chapters and have the rest outlined. For now, this first chapter is written for my "major" prompt for the Summer Mini Challenge. Characters are aged up about a few years, around 16 years old. Canon divergent from Season 2/3.

Notes for this Chapter: Adrien has a plan of his own on how to deal with his father and fans.

Other Links: FFnet | AO3

Summary: Adrien has had enough. If Ladybug won't accept him as Chat Noir, well, then maybe she'll say yes to Paris's top male model? When she gives her answer, he doesn't expect what comes next.

AN: One chapter left after this! Thanks so much for reading.

Chapter Eighteen - Bait & Switch

Adrien tossed and turned that night, and as predicted, he couldn’t sleep. Marinette’s request to break up and date in secret weighed over his thoughts and heart like a wrecking ball, and he tried to come up with a plan to avoid it.

There was one thing he could do, and the decision would no doubt upset Marinette. He wanted to follow her plan, but he had his feelings too, and he still felt in his heart she was wrong. The fate of Paris and the safety of its civilians shouldn’t rely on their dating. Her knee-jerk reaction to his father’s feelings on the matter was misguided. She just didn’t know how to deal with him.

Maybe he would cave to his father’s oppressive rules in the past, but this was one thing he would not give up. He wouldn’t sacrifice his happiness with Marinette and dating in secret just felt slimy. He hated liars, and he refused to become one for any reason. If they had an issue or trouble, he believed that Chat Noir and Ladybug could solve it. They were a team, and he knew they could weather anything.

With only about a few hours of sleep, he awoke from his bed with a twist to their plan, and he was giddy and excited to implement it.

However, he went through with the first part of their plan, and when his father was within earshot at breakfast, he called Marinette. As expected, they went through the motions, and he tried to sound convincing when he spoke to her.

“Good morning, Marinette. I’m sorry about yesterday,” he said with obvious pain in his voice. “I think we need to talk.”

“Yes, we do,” Marinette said on the other line. He didn’t know if his father could hear her in his phone from the other side of the table, but he met his father’s eyes and then turned his back to him before he took a seat for breakfast.

He continued, and he could feel his father’s stare boring into his back. “I think we need to rethink…um, our dating. You and your family were harassed yesterday by my fans, and I feel terrible about being the reason. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“Adrien, what are you saying?” Marinette said.

“Let’s just… stay good friends,” he said, and even though he was acting, he felt the sharp pain in his chest when he said it. He felt like a moron, and he wondered if he could even convince his father with such tripe. 

“Adrien, no! Don’t worry about me and my family; we can take care of ourselves, and I’m sure it’ll all settle down after a while,” she protested.

If this were real, he was sure he’d relented to stay with her. 

“I’m sorry, but I can’t do this to you. I’ve realized that this isn’t a good time in my life to have a relationship with someone,” he said.

“Adrien, please…” she said.

“I’m sorry, Marinette, but I have to go. We’ll talk more about it at school today, okay?” Adrien said. 

“Oh, Adrien,” and she started to sob. He felt his own eyes water at the sound of her cries. He felt like crap, and he hated every second of this call. He hoped that Marinette appreciated what he was doing for her because it felt like his heart was going through the wringer.

The call ended, and Adrien turned slowly with a guilty look on his face. He felt ashamed for this whole ruse, but he needed his father to think he felt terrible for hurting Marinette.

Oddly enough, when he met his father’s eyes, he looked relaxed – like he truly had scored a victory. For a moment, he looked concerned, and Adrien wondered if his father’s feelings were genuine.

“Sorry, you had to hear that, father,” Adrien apologized while taking his seat. A maid served him breakfast and poured him a glass of orange juice. He looked downward at his food and sighed. He wasn’t hungry now, and he grimaced as he knew the food in front of him would probably go to waste. 

“Adrien, I am sorry to hear things did not work out with you and Ms. Dupain-Cheng,” his father said, and though his tone was softer, Adrien felt like it was forced. He could give his father credit for effort, he guessed. 

“Yeah,” Adrien said listlessly. “Thank you, father.”

Silence wedged between them like a cement wall, and Adrien refused to say anything else about it. He didn’t want his father to think that he was easily getting over this, and he didn’t want to suspect he had some other plan in the making.

“Nathalie is ready to brief you on your schedule for the day before you leave for school,” his father said, quickly changing the subject. Adrien thought that was typical of his father’s behavior. He had no care for other people’s feelings. He would do his job and go through his day as per normal. Adrien could feel rage simmer inside him from that reality, but he kept his cool. Instead, he made a different move.

“Um, given the recent events, I think it’s wise if we hold a press conference about, um…my break-up with Marinette,” Adrien said, and his father’s silence was his indication to continue. “I don’t want my fans to harass her or her family’s business anymore. I think it’s best to put this to rest.”

“I couldn’t agree more, my son,” his father said, pleased that Adrien would come up with such a plan. “I’ll have Nathalie schedule one before you go to school, and we can hold it outside the house. I’m sure the media would be more than happy to hear what you have to say on such short notice.”

Adrien’s eyes widened. He didn’t think his father would suggest a conference so early. He couldn’t believe his luck! This was going according to his plan. Adrien nodded lightly, trying to hold back his mirth. 

“Alright, then I’ll finish getting ready and find Nathalie. If you’ll excuse me, Father,” Adrien said, getting up from his seat. 

His father nodded, and Adrien turned to leave but instead met his father’s gaze. “Thank you so much for your help, Father. I really appreciate it. I knew you’d be the perfect person to help me handle this situation.”

Okay, so maybe he was buttering him up too much, but his father seemed even more pleased. His voice turned gentle, and Adrien was rewarded with one of his father’s rare smiles.

“Of course, Adrien. I am glad you are relying on me,” his father said. Adrien smiled and then headed out the door.

“That was a 5-star performance back there,” Plagg said as he ducked out of Adrien’s pocket. 

“The show isn’t over yet,” Adrien said, and he smiled to himself, channeling Chat Noir as he went along with the rest of his plan.

--

In less than an hour, a podium and microphones were set up at the front of their property, and reporters and media outlets were already circulating around like flies, waiting for whatever news Adrien Agreste had to share with Paris.

Adrien peered outside the front window at the crowds of media personnel, and he spotted reporter Nadja Chamak. His nerves were in bundles, but he was determined to set everything right. Marinette may not agree with him, but he hadn’t exactly agreed with her.

He knew they could work out the details later, but he needed to tell the world just how he felt about her. If he was willing to do all this, perhaps even Marinette would understand how much he hated her plan and wouldn’t be a part of it. He couldn’t break up with her for any reason. He loved her, he loved Ladybug, and he had to make sure that the world knew that he’d make this work at all costs.

He followed Nathalie outside and saw the familiar flash of cameras toward them as she introduced him. He barely heard what she had said, his hearing sounding like white noise as he rehearsed the lines in his head.

When Nathalie stepped out of his way, he approached the podium and watched as reporters clamored to get his attention. He started to speak, “Hello, everyone, if you would please hold your questions until I’m finished.”

He inhaled a heavy breath and continued. “I’m here to address a situation from yesterday and to provide clarity to all the people of Paris. I was dating a lovely woman named Marinette, and I am sad to say that we decided to pause our relationship. 

“Yesterday, many of my fans harassed her and her family, and they threatened the privacy and safety of her family’s home and business.” Other than the sound of cameras and some murmurs from the crowd, people were mostly quiet. 

He continued, “I’ve never been more ashamed of how people behaved yesterday, to risk the safety and comfort of the people I love. If you are a part of these fans that did this, you should be ashamed of yourself. No one deserves to be harassed and threatened so that their normal lives are uprooted.”

Gasps and hushed whispers breezed through the crowd of reporters. 

“Sadly, Marinette and I are split as of now, but I’m telling all of you, this is only temporary. I love her, and I refuse to give up because of bullies.” He turned his attention to his father to his left, and Gabriel did not look pleased. His lip curled up in annoyance, and Adrien could only guess what was going on in his head. He was sure he’d get punished later, but his father wasn’t going to do anything now in front of all these media.

“I will declare this right now. If I cannot be with Marinette, I will be with no one. I will not date anyone, and I will not indulge in fans or the public who wants to harm her or her family. I can’t do it,” he said, and he looked into the camera that was behind Nadja. “I won’t give up on you, Marinette. It’s you, or nobody. To me, you are worth every risk.”

The crowd swooned, and chatter became louder. Adrien looked around, and he nodded to everyone. “Well, I suppose I have time for a couple of questions, but I really must be getting to school.”

Reporters spilled out questions to him like a fire of bullets. Adrien answered a couple of questions and stopped with the most important one.

“Are you in love with Marinette?” someone asked. Everyone looked over to see who had asked such a personal question. Adrien smiled when he met Nadja’s eyes. She held out her microphone, and they stared at each other as if they understood what such an answer would mean in front of the whole world.

“Yes, with all of my heart and soul, and I cannot wait to see the future we will have together,” he said simply. Gasps and “awws” erupted from the crowd, and Adrien stepped back into the house as Nathalie took over and ended the interview, excusing everyone from the property.

Adrien let out a solemn sigh as he waited behind the front door. His father walked toward him, and he was almost too frightened to see the expression on his face. Instead, Adrien chose bravery and met the scowl that showed his father’s disappointment.

“Adrien, I am not pleased with how that conference went out there. I wish you had briefed me on what you had specifically wanted to say,” Gabriel said, ice coating his words.

“Yes, father,” Adrien said morosely.

“Go to school, and when you return for your first appointment, we will discuss the spectacle that you caused this morning,” Gabriel said as he glowered at his son.

Adrien knew he was in trouble, but he no longer cared. He’d won, and his father was feeling the sting of loss. Sure, Adrien had tricked him, and he wondered if his father knew that he could be just as cunning and calculating.

Like father, like son, Adrien thought antagonistically, and he’d never more felt proud of himself for finally fighting for something.

Marinette was definitely worth fighting for.

--

The moment he arrived at school, Marinette found him and pulled him into a discreet area. She furrowed her brow and did not seem please with his performance this morning. 

She looked around the area to make sure they were alone, and then she laid into him. 

“What were you thinking? That wasn’t the plan that we agreed on!” Marinette raged at him. She began pacing around him, muttering to herself. “We’re going to have to try this again, and this time it’ll look real and…”

He stopped her and gently took her arm. “No, Marinette. I won’t do it.” She turned toward him and met his serious gaze. “I don’t like to lie to people. It’s bad enough I must keep my superhero identity secret and lie to my friends. I don’t want to lie about this; you’re too important to me.”

“But Hawkmoth and… the people of Paris,” she started saying, and he shook his head with determination.

“Whatever problems arise between us, we’ll get through it together,” he said. “You need to have more faith in us.” Marinette’s anger seemed to drain away from her face when he said that. “I believe in us, and I know we’ll be careful. If anything, our love should give us strength against Hawkmoth, not endanger us or anyone else.”

“Of course, I get that, but…what about your fans? What if they find out our identities because they are stalking us?” Marinette asked.

“I’ve been able to outsmart them since before I acquired the Miraculous,” he said, giving her a confident grin. “I can handle them. In the meantime, I can share some stealth secrets with you if you’re that worried.”

Marinette crossed her arms and huffed. “Fine, I trust you on this, Adrien. But that doesn’t change the fact that we need to be more cautious.”

He stepped toward her and smiled softly. He reached out his hand to stroke her cheek lovingly. “I know that believe me, but I refuse to lose you because of what could happen. Have more faith in our abilities and I believe we will succeed.”

Marinette leaned into his touch, and she released a soft sigh and closed her eyes with relief. “Alright, you win, kitty. We’re not breaking up, ever.”

Adrien grinned widely, and he pulled her close, drawing in her lips for a deep, dizzying kiss. Marinette moaned against his mouth, melting against him. When she pulled apart from him, he could see that she had one more thing on her mind. 

“I just want to say that I’m beyond touched that you’d fight for me like this,” she began, “and I’m almost ashamed I had proposed we date in secret in the first place.”

“No worries, m’lady. I am here to point out the error of your ways,” Adrien said cheekily, nuzzling his face into her neck.

“I do think we should continue acting professionally with our alter egos,” she said, and he watched her as she continued. “I still believe that if we complicate things while we’re still fighting Hawkmoth, we put so many people at risk. Not to mention the whole city of Paris.”

“That’s fair,” he said nodding. “We can keep the status quo.”

“Oh, you mean you flirt with me, and I sidestep your advances?” she asked with a giggle.

“That is not a laughing matter, bugaboo,” he said and forced a frown. “It really hurts being rejected; you know.”

“Oh, I know,” she said, cupping his face in her hands and kissing his nose.

Adrien relaxed in her arms as they embraced again, and when they fell into a lazy kiss, they stayed together until the first bell rang, prompting them to hurry to class.

When they made their way to their seats, Marinette and Adrien reluctantly pulled apart, already missing the warmth of their hands folded together. They could hear whispers around them, but it was Alix that caught their attention.

“Hey, Adrien, I heard you broke up with Marinette,” she said, but they saw that she was grinning as if she knew their secret. “How terrible.” She rolled her eyes. “I had such hope for you two.” Then she winked at them.

“Yeah,” Alya chimed in by Marinette’s side. She crossed her arms and gave them a large grin. “Such sad news. You were so perfect for each other.”

Nino burst out laughing next to Adrien, and soon the classroom was abuzz with mirthful chatter. Marinette met Adrien’s gaze and they both giggled at each other. Marinette was relieved that her friends and classmates understood them. Even if they could date in secret, she doubted they’d ever believed them if they broke up in public.

Marinette was glad Adrien had changed their plans and went his own way. She was glad that he fought to stay with her and not lie to his friends.

Apart from glares from Chloe and Lila, everyone seemed to go about their days as normal and treat Adrien and Marinette as the press conference had never happened. Many called it a publicity stunt to chastise Adrien’s fans so they would back off the Dupain-Chengs. 

Adrien and Marinette still received attention from the media, and some of his sweeter fans came up to them and congratulated them. When Marinette was alone, she was no longer followed or harassed, and as the day went on, it seemed as though Adrien’s fans had taken his statements to heart.

Adrien invited Marinette into his limo for a ride home, and as they snuggled together on the back seat stealing heated kisses, they delighted in the circumstances of remaining together.

Adrien knew he’d have to deal with his father when he went home, but for now, he enjoyed his time with Marinette, another indication that his fighting was more than worth it. He wouldn’t cave to whatever rules his father would demand of him. He was prepared to stand his ground.

After dropping Marinette off at her parent’s bakery, he was reluctant to let her out of the limo. He held her like a lifeline, and he craved the day he wouldn’t have to leave her side, that they would go home together and make a living out of their love. Truthfully, her love was the kind of love he’d always dreamed about, and now that he had it, he never wanted to let go.

Eventually, Marinette had to go home, and Adrien looked out the back of the limo window until he couldn’t see her anymore. She waited at the side of the street as he drove off, waving and blowing kisses. Within seconds of her absence, he immediately missed her touch and warmth. He knew when he arrived home, he would be met with that weighted chill under his father’s penetrating gaze.

His bodyguard opened the door and Nathalie was waiting for him at the front of his home. She ushered him inside and his father was already waiting for him, gazing out the window. He turned toward his son, and Adrien could already read his expression.

Gabriel Agreste did not look pleased. He looked irritated as if the outcome of the day did not go to his liking. If Adrien could describe it, he looked like a man who had lost, but also someone who wouldn’t give up. Adrien wasn’t stupid; he knew that was just the kind of man his father was.

If his father fought him for being with Marinette, Adrien would gladly take up the challenge. He was prepared for the long haul, and he promised himself, for Marinette’s sake, that he would never waver. He wasn’t going to quit on them – not after he’d finally won Ladybug’s heart and had fallen in love with the girl underneath the mask.

No, his father couldn’t deter him. He couldn’t erase his feelings and no rule existed under Gabriel Agreste that could change his mind. Adrien would fight, and he’d win. 

Adrien stared at his father, studying Gabriel’s annoyed expression, and wondered if his father knew that too. He could read it on his face; he suspected that this time, finally, his son did not let him get his way.

.