Le Phénix
“Happy sixteenth birthday, Adrien!” Peter’s yells of delight awoke Adrien far earlier than he would’ve liked. Even still, he couldn’t bring himself to be mad at the excited boy who was standing at the foot of his bed.
“I thought you weren’t getting back until later,” Adrien mumbled, rubbing his eyes.
“Yeah, well, I hitched a ride with Spiderman,” Peter said, attempting to sound casual and failing miserably.
“No way!” Adrien mustered as much enthusiasm as possible. He was still wearing the blanket/hoodie that Marinette had given him that night. It was like being wrapped up in a hug. And that hug was making him very sleepy.
“I mean, it was just your usual day as a Stark intern. Anyways! It’s your birthday and I got you something!” Peter produced a hastily-wrapped package from behind his back. “I looked literally everywhere for it, so you better love it.”
Adrien accepted the gift, carefully opening it, surprised when multiple smaller packages fell out. But the main thing was a red hoodie with large, black polka dots. “A Ladybug hoodie?”
“And pyjamas,” Peter said proudly as Adrien lifted the hoodie out, revealing the pyjamas in all their glory. The pants matched the hoodie in the same fire truck-red hue with black polka dots, accompanied by a black t-shirt. “I designed them myself, got some dude to print them onto the clothes at like one am last night. He was not thrilled but it’s kind of hard to say no to Spiderman’s friend.”
Adrien lifted up the black t-shirt, unfolding it to see the design. It read ‘Bad Bitch’ in rhinestones, with ladybugs printed around it.
“Well Mr. Model, do you love it or do you love it?” Peter grinned at him. “That was literally the only black t-shirt I could find at like one in the morning so you better love it.”
“If I wasn’t so choked up over the sentiment of it all, I’d have kicked you,” Adrien said mildly as he reached for one of the smaller packages. He opened it, stared at it, then up at Peter, then back at the gift. It was a concert ticket.
“Okay, so, the concert isn’t for like, a month, but I gave one to Nino, Alya, Marinette, and myself, so on that night, we are sneaking out of this house and going to what I’m assuming is going to be your first ever concert. The rest of the gifts are assuming we manage to go.”
Adrien unwrapped fluorescent makeup, light up arm bands and shoelaces. All just the sort of thing you’d see in your average stock photo of teens at a concert. It was perfect.
“Peter, I don’t know what to say.”
“A thank you usually does the trick.”
“It doesn’t seem sufficient.”
Peter simply rolled his eyes at him. “I’ve gotten special permission from your bodyguard to let us walk to school today, too. So get dressed, we’re going to the bakery for breakfast.”
“How on earth did you manage that?”
“Oh, uh, I kind of beat him at an arm wrestle.”
Adrien’s jaw dropped. “You…beat him?”
“I can be stronger than I look,” Peter said cryptically.
Ten minutes later they were on their way to the bakery, Adrien dressed in his brand new hoodie. It felt weird putting it on, given that Ladybug had just straight up rejected him that night, but he wasn’t about to tell Peter that.
“Good morning, Mr. and Ms. Dupain-Cheng!” Adrien waved to Marinette’s parents as they entered.
“Heyyyyyyy!” Peter practically floated into the bakery. “I should warn you,” he turned to Adrien. “I didn’t sleep last night at all. I’m running on coffee and energy drinks.”
“Good to know,” Adrien said as they picked out their breakfast.
“Mama! Have you seen my white blouse? It’s Adrien’s birthday today and I want to look perfect.” Marinette entered the bakery, looking at her phone.
“Oh my gosh, hey Marinette,” Peter said enthusiastically. She looked up and immediately froze, face turning bright red.
“Cute pyjamas,” Adrien added. He’d seem them last night as Chat Noir, but he definitely hadn’t been in the mood for complimenting outfits. He watched as her eyes landed on his hoodie, taking it all in before sliding back up to his face. He gave her a slightly awkward smile.
“Adrien!” She squeaked before turning and running straight back the way she’d come.
“Did I say something wrong?” Adrien glanced at Peter, then at Marinette’s parents.
“On the contrary,” Ms. Dupain-Cheng said. Whatever that meant.
“Well, can you tell her we’ll see her at school?” Adrien asked.
“Of course,” her dad replied. “Happy birthday, the food’s on the house.”
“Oh, thank you!” Adrien beamed at them before heading out. Marinette’s parents were possibly the nicest people ever. He’d met them a few times as both Adrien and Chat Noir, and they’d been so sweet every time. Sometimes he wished they could replace his less-than-snuggly father, but then he would remind himself that his dad still loved him. In his own way.
“Any special plans for today?” Peter asked, devouring his cinnamon bun. “Since it’s your birthday, you get to pick one hundred percent of the day’s activities. If you say we’re skipping class, we’re skipping class. If you say we’re committing arson, then hell, I guess we’re committing arson.”
Adrien stared at him. “Is that what Americans do on their birthdays?”
“No, I usually just cry,” Peter said with a shrug. “It seems customary. I never consciously decide to be sad, it just winds up happening one way or another.”
“Well, let’s see. I’ll go to school, we’ll go home. Most likely my dad won’t even come out to wish me a happy birthday. Usually Nathalie will remember and at least give me a sympathetic look. Then I usually just sit in my room. That’s how my past fifteen birthdays have gone, minus the one where Nino got akumatized.”
It was Peter’s turn to stare at him. “That’s literally so depressing. We’re not doing any of that pity party stuff. I say we get Nino after school and head to the arcade and just generally mess around. We’ll go out to some restaurant and tell them it’s your birthday to get free food. Sound good?”
“Yeah, that sounds great actually,” Adrien said. “But I feel like I’m already pushing it with my dad.”
“He can’t get mad at you on your birthday! That’s like, the number one rule of birthdays!”
“Adrichou!” Adrien physically cringed at the sound of Chloe’s squeal as she threw herself into his arms. “Happy happy happy birthday!” She pressed kisses all over his face, making him cringe harder.
“Chloe, it doesn’t appear as though Adrien is appreciating that,” Peter said stiffly beside him.
To Adrien’s utter surprise, she let him go, swinging her ponytail in indifference. “Either way, happy birthday. I really hope it’s a good one.”
“Thanks, Chlo.” Most people didn’t understand why Adrien still tolerated Chloe. And in some ways, he didn’t. But she’d been his only friend growing up, his cousin Felix excluded, and had been the only person he could talk to when his mother had died. She had always been bratty, sure, but he couldn’t really pick and choose friends back then.
“Let’s get to class,” Adrien said to Peter. He didn’t see Nino anywhere, but that wasn’t surprising. He was usually talking to Alya at this time in the morning.
“I think someone wants to talk to you,” Peter pointed to the bottom of the steps where Marinette was standing, holding something behind her back with one hand and hitting herself in the head with the other.
“Uh…she seems kind of busy?”
“Just go talk to her, okay? I’ll meet you in class!” Peter quickly danced through the door, leaving Adrien at the top of the steps.
“Marinette?” He walked down the steps, their meeting from the previous night still fresh in his mind. Of course, he couldn’t say anything about it, given that it was Chat Noir who had visited her, but still.
“Oh!” She jumped slightly. “Birthday! Happy Adrien! I mean Adrien Birthday Happy! I mean here!” She thrust a neatly wrapped parcel into his arms.
“You didn’t have to get me anything,” Adrien said, despite the fact he’d known full well she was making something.
“I made it, actually.”
“Can I open it now?” He picked at the tape sealing the pink wrapping paper, awaiting her response.
“Uh, yeah! If you want to.” She looked at him nervously, biting her bottom lip.
“Okay,” he smiled at her, carefully sliding the bow off the package. “Already very stylish,” he commented, sliding the black bow over his head, making a nice little headband. Marinette simply stared at him with wide, unblinking eyes.
Careful not to actually rip the wrapping, Adrien slid out the cushy present. It was an oversized jean jacket, light washed, with an intricate design painted on the back. It was the palace from Tangled, with all the floating lanterns, and it was literally one of the most beautiful pieces of art Adrien had ever laid his eyes on.
“Peter said you liked that movie,” Marinette said quietly.
“Yeah, it’s one of my favourites.” Adrien ripped his eyes away from the painting with some difficulty. He and Peter had only watched that movie a few days ago and she’d made it that fast? “You painted this?”
“I mean, it took a bit, but yeah, I did. I tried.”
“Mari, it’s beautiful, thank you so much, I have no idea how to properly thank you for this,” he breathed, slipping the jacket overtop his hoodie. “There, now I’m wearing both my gifts from both my best friends.” He grinned at her, doing his best to express all his gratitude through his eyes alone.
“Best friends?” Marinette squeaked.
“Yeah, you and Peter? I thought that was kind of obvious? I mean, you gave me my lucky charm.” He pulled her beaded charm out of his pant pocket, holding it up for her to see. She’d given it to him when they’d played video games together, and he’d never left it behind since. He didn’t know if it really was lucky or not, but whenever he was stressed he’d hold onto it and it would calm him down, remind him that people out there cared about him.
She was still staring at him, so Adrien stared back until it got beyond awkward. “Are you doing anything tonight by any chance?” He braved, just wanting her to say something, anything. “Peter was planning some sort of arcade run for my birthday, and I’d love it if you were there too.”
“Yes! I mean no! I mean no, I’m not doing anything, yes I will be there!”
“Okay, cool, we’ll get together after school. Feel free to bring Alya, too!” Adrien headed back up the steps, holding the door for her. “You coming?”
“No, I just need one moment!” Marinette said, playing with her ponytails.
Adrien could’ve sworn he heard a high-pitched squeal as the door closed behind him, but he could’ve been hearing things.
It seemed like everyone knew it was his birthday; the well-wishes kept rolling in. Alya even went so far as to put a post dedicated to him up on the Ladyblog wishing him a happy birthday. Naturally, she’d posted the ugliest photo of him she could find, although Peter assured him it wasn’t nearly as bad as he thought.
A small group gathered after school to head to the arcade. It seemed it had gone beyond just Peter, Nino, and Adrien as soon as Alya had gotten involved.
“Who’s ready?” Kim yelled, pumping his fist in the air. Adrien was ready to cheer when his phone bleeped, a message from Nathalie displaying itself at the top of his screen.
“I can’t go,” he said sadly, shoulders dropping. “My cousin Felix is coming over for dinner. He’s already at my house, so I have to go greet him. Sorry guys.”
“What? But it’s your birthday!” Nino complained. “That’s not fair!”
“It’s fine, it’ll be nice seeing Felix again,” Adrien lied. Truth was, Felix had changed after his dad’s death. They’d gotten along great as kids, but the last time Adrien had seen him, Felix had been downright mean. Not the type of person he wanted to spend his birthday with.
“I’m coming with you,” Peter said. “Maybe next time my dudes.”
Adrien’s bodyguard was already waiting for him with the car. He slid in with a sigh, resting his head in his hands.
“Why do I get the vibe that you don’t want to see Felix?” Peter asked. “Is he like, super mean?”
“Sort of,” Adrien said. “At least he was last time. Maybe he’ll be alright this time around.”
He didn’t have enough time to mentally prepare himself before they were pulling up back home and heading in the front door. Felix was standing there, dressed in his usual suit, hair slicked back. The expression on his face insinuated it was not going to be a pleasant visit.
“Cousin,” Felix said curtly, shaking Adrien’s hand.
“Felix,” Adrien said with more warmth than he thought Felix really warranted. “Your visit was such a surprise.”
“You’re British,” Peter said in English. Felix turned to look at him, sizing him up.
“And you’re American, aren’t you? Tragic.” Felix made no move to shake Peter’s hand.
“Okay, Artemis Fowl wannabe, someone butter your toast wrong this morning? I’m just kidding, I’m not mean. I’m Peter.” Peter strode forwards, gripping Felix in a hug. The disgruntled expression on Felix’s face made Adrien laugh. “You two look almost identical! That’s so weird!”
“So I’ve been told. Adrien, why is this lapdog of a human being at your house?”
“Hmm, Peter? Oh, he lives here now,” Adrien said.
“Felix! What do you like to do?” Peter seemed determined to make Felix slap him. “Do you like Star Wars? Cuz I love Star Wars. You look like a Star Wars fan, and I bet your favourite character is Obi-Wan! Did I get it right?”
Here it comes, Adrien thought. Peter is about to get slapped.
“Actually, my favourite character is Anakin,” Felix replied stiffly.
“Anakin! He’s so whiny!” Peter rolled his eyes. “I bet you just like him cuz he’s a good pilot and whatever. But he’s so anti-rules! I’d have pegged you as someone who would want the character to live by the Jedi code!”
It was official, Peter had completely lost Adrien. He really had no idea what they were talking about, but Peter was talking and Felix was replying; now arguing about their chosen characters, and it was truly a sight to behold.
“Peter works for Tony Stark,” Adrien jumped in during a lull in the Star Wars talk. “He’s met the Avengers.”
Felix’s eyes actually widened, the first real expression Adrien had seen on his face thus far, looking at Peter with a newfound respect. “Really? How did you even apply for that?”
“I didn’t,” Peter said simply. “Tony Stark showed up at my apartment and asked me to intern for him.”
“Does he let you take home any cool tech?”
“I didn’t bring much of it with me, but if we go up to my room I can show you our computer database.” Peter led Felix up the stairs, shooting Adrien a questioning look.
“I’ll be up in a minute,” Adrien said. The door to his father’s study had just opened. Peter nodded in reply, quickly disappearing into his room. Adrien couldn’t blame him. Gabriel Agreste was not really the sunshiney sort.
“Adrien,” his father’s chilly voice seemed to cause the room’s temperature to drop by ten degrees.
“Yes, Father?” Adrien faced his dad, looking up into his stone grey eyes. At nearly seven feet tall, Gabriel Agreste was an intimidating figure to behold.
“Where is Felix?” Adrien had to stop his disappointment from showing on his face. It wasn’t like he expected a present from his dad; he’d received his first present from him the year before. At this point, all he wanted was at least an acknowledgement that it was his birthday.
“Peter is showing him something to do with Star Wars or Iron Man,” Adrien didn’t plan on telling him that Peter worked for Tony Stark. He wasn’t sure how well his dad would take that information and he didn’t want to put Peter in a potentially awkward situation.
“Very well. I have some work to finish up.” And that was the end of conversation. Adrien could feel it. It was like his dad had reached out and closed a door between them, blocking Adrien from sight and mind.
Mood significantly deflated, Adrien joined Peter and Felix in Peter’s room. Felix was scrolling through the computer with wide eyes, Peter hanging over his shoulder and providing commentary.
“Now this is just the description and programming for one of Iron Man’s boots in Mark 85. This one was stored inside the arc reactor in his chest, it was really impressive tech, actually. He designs all this himself, I’ve just got access to some of it.” He glanced up, spotting Adrien in the doorway. “That was a speedy talk.”
“Ah, well, you know,” Adrien said. “There wasn’t much said.”
“Did he at least wish you a happy birthday?” Peter looked like he already knew the answer, and Adrien could tell his disappointment was showing on his face.
“It’s whatever. I actually saw him, though. That’s unusual. Last year he didn’t even leave his room.”
“Adrien…,” Peter gripped him in a hug.
“It’s fine, I promise,” Adrien gave him a quick pat on the back.
“Uncle Gabe never really was one for emotions,” Felix spun in Peter’s chair. “Then again, neither am I. But I’ll still wish you a happy birthday.”
“Thanks, Felix. If I’d known you were coming over, I’d have invited Chloe too.” Adrien bit back a grin at Felix’s scowl. Felix and Chloe had always argued as children, but Adrien also had a sneaking suspicion they’d always had a soft spot for each other.
“I can’t believe you still speak to that Bourgeois girl. She’s so clingy.” Felix rolled his eyes.
“And here I was under the impression the two of you were still in contact.” Adrien quirked an eyebrow.
“I wondered what sort of guy Chloe would fall for. Why am I not surprised that he shares the same face as Adrien?” Peter tapped his chin, a mischievous glint in his eye.
“I don’t have anything with Chloe,” Felix’s voice dropped an octave. “Let’s drop it.”
It was at that moment that Nathalie chose to interrupt them for dinner. Of course birthdays were no occasion to abandon the diet, so there was no cake. Felix and Peter continued to discuss their similar interests, making sure to include Adrien in the conversation, even if Adrien had no opinion over which was better: Clone Wars or The Mandalorian. He simply agreed with the points both parties made, avoiding taking an particular stance.
By the time Felix’s departure came, Peter and Felix had swapped contact information. Adrien was just generally surprised at the unlikely friendship.
“Until next time, Adrien. And you, you weren’t bad for an American.” Felix shook both their hands stiffly.
“You weren’t bad for a Brit,” Peter returned the banter. “We gotta have a movie marathon next time I’m in London.”
“Sure,” Felix gave them both a genuine smile before heading down to the car that was waiting to take him to the train station. All Adrien could think about was going back to his room and transforming and heading out into the night. It was Thursday. There was no patrols to do, meaning there would be no Ladybug out and about to run into and make awkward conversation with. Just him, a lonely cat in the night.
He would’ve ran off if it hadn’t been for Peter. His big brown eyes were filled with sympathy as they headed back upstairs to Adrien’s room. “Do you want to talk? I can tell it’s bothering you.”
Adrien sighed, looking out the window. “I’m used to it.”
“That doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt.” Peter had a point.
“I just thought we were making progress. I mean, last year he got me an actual present.” He walked over to his dresser, pulling out the baby-blue scarf his father had given him the year before. “And I thought that was a sign that better things were on the way. I guess not.”
“He got you a scarf made by Marinette?” Peter asked, squinting at the scarf.
“What?”
“It has her signature, right there,” Peter pointed at one of the ends of the scarf. Sure enough, in thread the same colour as the scarf, Marinette had stitched her name. Such a tiny detail, so easily overlooked, yet it brought so many things into focus all at once.
“He stole Marinette’s gift to me,” he said. It was the only logical explanation. Marinette would have said something if his dad had bought it off of her. He hadn’t gotten a present from her, but he’d seen her that morning at school with a wrapped gift. Why hadn’t he put two and two together? How had he been so stupid as to think his father actually cared?
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know,” Peter whispered.
“This isn’t your fault, it’s his,” Adrien actually felt angry. Usually he buried negative emotions like that, but now it was bubbling up to the surface. “I’m sorry, do you mind if I just…?”
“Yeah, I’ll leave you be,” Peter said. “Goodnight Adrien.” He looked very sorry as he left the room.
“I knew it!” Plagg waited no time before zipping out from under Adrien’s jacket. “I knew there was no way your dad got you that scarf; he’s not really an expert on accessories. I mean have you seen that tie he wears? And those glasses! They do nothing for his face shape!”
“Plagg, I really don’t need this right now. Just transform me, please.” Plagg, for once, complied without another word. And so Chat Noir set off into the night, preparing to throw himself a little pity party atop the Eiffel Tower. He landed nimbly on the highest level, settling down to look at the stars. It was a quiet night, not too cold, not too warm.
Just as he was preparing to let out a little sorrowful melody, a light flickered to life near his foot. Then another a few inches away. Within a matter of seconds, the small area he’d selected was alight with warm lights, a figure emerging from the shadows.
“Happy birthday Chat Noir,” Spiderman said. He was carrying a cake, with birthday candles. It was the first time Adrien had ever had a birthday cake on his birthday. He could have cried. “Sorry I couldn’t be there for patrol yesterday.”
“It’s fine,” Adrien breathed, watching as Spidey set the cake in front of him. “Is this a real cake?”
“I mean, I hope so. I paid for it with real money at a real bakery. I took the liberty of decorating it myself, though,” Spiderman said, prompting Adrien to look down at the top of the cake. It was written in clumsy letters with icing from the sort of tubes you get at the grocery store.
“Bon anniversery Chat Noir,” it read, with what seemed to be his best attempt at a cat underneath it. It was terrible and Adrien loved it.
“What are you waiting for? Make a wish!”
“A wish?”
“Yeah, while you blow out the candles. Don’t say it out loud, tho. Then it won’t come true.”
What did he wish for? Lots of things crowded Adrien’s mind before he finally settled on one. I really hope everything works out, Adrien thought before blowing out the candles. It was harder than he’d thought, and a two stayed alight even after he’d given it his best blow.
“Wow, two girlfriends? What a player,” Spidey laughed as a gust of wind blew in, blowing one of them out. “Never mind, just one.”
“I wish,” Adrien rolled his eyes at him, puffing the final candle out. “I really messed things up with Ladybug yesterday.”
“Tell me about it while we eat,” Spidey said.
“And how are we going to do that? I don’t see plates, or a knife, and you can’t eat with your mask!”
“Good point. Karen, remove mouth masking.” Spiderman’s mask dissolved around his mouth, revealing Adrien’s first glance at his skin. He was pale, with smallish lips. Good to know. “As for cutting the cake, I’ve heard dental floss can cut stuff, so webbing should be the same.” He gathered some of his webbing in his hands, pulling it taunt before using it to cut the cake in half. “We’ll just eat with our hands like cavemen.”
“Okay.” Adrien laughed. As nice as it was, he couldn’t help but wish that Ladybug was there with them. It felt wrong to be Chat Noir, sitting up on the Eiffel Tower without her.
“So what happened with Ladybug?” Spidey was really going at the cake, shovelling fistfuls into his mouth. Adrien ate with less gusto, simply popping bites into his mouth one at a time. It was delicious, even more so because it was his birthday cake.
“The usual thing. Her telling me she wanted to go to a dance at her school with some guy, naturally I told her I hoped it went well, we collectively brought up the fact that I’m in love with her, she told me I had to stop chasing after her and to go after someone else.”
“That’s rough. Dude, I’m so sorry.” Spidey’s eyes shrunk slightly. His suit’s expressions were still slightly unnerving to Adrien, but he’d seen the sympathy one often enough to recognize it.
“I had it coming, you know? Sometimes I think I’m winning her over, bit by bit, but in the end this other guy just keeps cropping up and I don’t know what he has that I don’t, but he must be some hell of a guy.”
“Can I be honest?” Spiderman licked frosting off his suit’s gloves. “You gotta stop comparing yourself to the other dude. You don’t even know who he is. Most likely Ladybug is focusing on a civilian relationship because that’s what it is. A civilian relationship. Dating as a superhero is hard. I’ve seen enough of the Avengers struggle because of it. And when you’re both superheroes? Double hard. She doesn’t know who you are, man. And while you may think you know the girl behind the mask, you really don’t. You don’t know who she is when she goes home at night and she knows that.”
“I’ve offered to tell her my identity! She just doesn’t want to know me.” Adrien pouted.
“It’s definitely not that. Telling someone your identity is risky business, it requires a lot of trust. I’m not saying she doesn’t trust you, it’s just she doesn’t know if she can trust you out of the suit too. And I don’t think there’s really anything you can do about that. One day she’ll decide she’s ready for you to know, or it’ll get found out on accident. Everyone who knows who I am found out on accident. While I wouldn’t recommend it, it is kind of a relief once someone knows who you are. Anyways, once she finds out it’s you, she’ll be fine. After the initial shock. But don’t worry. It’ll work out in the end.” Spiderman grinned as though he hadn’t just contradicted himself about two times and avoided making any actual points.
“Uh, okay.”
“But I’ve got the perfect solution to strengthening our bond on the ground,” Spiderman said, pulling a bag from the shadows that Adrien hadn’t even noticed. “I got us all phones. Actually, I made them. In London. Anyways, that’s not the point. I’ll give one to you, one to Ladybug, and I’ll keep one. It’ll be a work phone, technically, that way we can all contact each other at any point in time. There’s literally no way it could go wrong at all.” He said the last sentence sarcastically, but didn’t elaborate as he handed Adrien the sleek phone.
“So this has the other two phone contacts in it?”
“Yep. I’ll take Ladybug hers tonight. I’d recommend getting an identical case but keeping different passcodes between your phones. That helps prevent people from getting suspicious that you’ve got two phones, but it prevents you from getting them confused.”
“How are you getting Ladybug hers?”
“I know where she lives. Now take the rest of the cake and get home, Chat. You’ve got school tomorrow.”
“Just in case you weren’t aware, I think it’s totally unfair that you know both our identities and we don’t know yours.”
“Duh,” Spiderman grinned. “That’s like the whole point. Karen, mask on.” His mask closed back up over his mouth as he grabbed his bag, slinging it over his back and leaping off into the night. “Happy birthday!” He called as he disappeared.
“How on earth am I supposed to get this home?” Adrien looked down at the thoroughly destroyed chocolate cake. Maybe if he detransformed and just let Plagg eat it all...?
Marinette was sitting at home, pretending to read a fashion magazine but really just drooling over Adrien when there was a knock on her skylight.
Chat Noir again? She didn’t know how much more he could guilt trip her. There was no way he knew that Marinette was Ladybug, but the fact that he’d come straight to her after she’d rejected him as Ladybug the night before still didn’t sit right with her. She’d been so sure when she’d told him he needed to find someone else, someone who could love him back. But when she’d seen the sorry-looking kitty sitting on her lounge all wrapped up in one of her blanket hoodies, she’d felt her heart pang so hard it was almost painful. She’d done that to him. She’d broken his heart.
But they couldn’t be together, not really. Even if Adrien wasn’t in the picture, they’d never be able to be a happy couple as superheroes. She just couldn’t date a boy whose name she didn’t even know.
“Come in!” Oh she really didn’t want to deal with this tonight. Mentally preparing herself and plastering the biggest grin across her face that she could manage, Marinette climbed down from her loft bed to see why Chat had chosen to disturb her this night.
Only it wasn’t Chat. It was Spiderman who lowered himself into her room with a web. “Hey Ladybug.”
“You know my identity.” Marinette breathed, frozen in place. It hadn’t even occurred to her to try and deny it. Spiderman definitely knew. “How’d you do that? And don’t say it’s from an iris scanner, since Chat figures you were lying about that. I thought it was just an accident that you knew his identity, but both of ours?”
“Marinette, you look the exact same in costume as out of it. I’m surprised more people don’t know. But I’ve come with something important. I just talked to Chat.”
“How’s he doing?” Marinette asked quietly, against her better judgement. Spiderman’s eye shape softened as he placed his black bag on the ground.
“He’s okay. We talked about it. I understand why you did what you did, but it was tough for him to hear.”
“I needed to say it though. He’s in love with who I am as Ladybug, you know we’re not the same.”
“You may not be the same right now, but I have no doubt that one day you will be.” Spiderman said cryptically, kneeling to open the bag. “I came to give you this, not really to hear drama. I mean, I’d love to hear all about it, but I didn’t sleep last night and it’s late and I’d really like to get back home and to bed. Here you go.”
He handed her a phone. Marinette stared at him. “Uh, thank you?”
“It’s not just a gift, it’s for you to use to contact me and Chat Noir. We’ve both got phones, and this way we can keep in touch even when we’re not in costume. I know I don’t really have to tell you this, but don’t make it obvious that you’ve got two phones. Same case, different password sort of deal. This way we can have a little group chat and even private messages, since I think there’s some stuff you and Chat need to work out before we get back to fighting together.”
“Thanks, Spidey,” she said, and she meant it. She did want to get to know Chat, but they didn’t really have much time to do it when they were fighting akumas or doing patrol.
“I’d be lying if I said this was simply for convenience,” Spidey said, readying his webshooters. “I don’t want you and Chat to lose the partnership you’ve got going, and I can tell that not knowing anything about him is bugging you a bit. Use this as a jumping off point.”
“Jumping off point? Yeah, I can do that.”
“I know you can. See you later, Mari.” And with that he was gone, back off into the night, shutting the skylight behind him.
Marinette returned to her bed, starting up the phone. Spiderman had already loaded the other two phone’s contacts, distinguished by two simple emojis. For himself, he’d done a simple spider emoji. For Chat Noir, he’d put a heart-eyed cat. Marinette resisted the urge to roll her eyes as she crafted a new message.
[ Hey are we good? ]
Precisely sixty seconds passed before Chat’s response appeared on the screen.
[ why wouldn’t we be good ]
Marinette barely refrained from grinding her teeth together as she typed a response, not bothering to wait a dignified amount of time before responding.
[ I’m not stupid Chat, I can tell you’re upset ]
[ I never should have said anything and I’m sorry ]
[ Keep the personal life personal, you know ]
[ you don’t have to apologize Ladybug ] Marinette frowned at his lack of ‘My Lady’. Seeing him address her as Ladybug seemed so formal, so out of place.
[ What can I do to make it better? ]
[ confess your undying love for me ]
[ that was a joke ]
[ I was kidding ]
[ don’t do that unless it’s for real ]
[ Spiderman said this was a way for us to get closer ] Marinette did her best to gently coax him back on track, remind him why she was there.
[ I think he’s worried that us being on the outs will affect how we fight ]
[ seems like just another way you’ll stay on my mind ]
[ Well, by extension it seems like I’m going to be thinking about you more often too ]
[ just as I’d hoped ;) ] Chat’s winking face emoticon filled her with relief. Maybe he was flirting his emotions away, but it was a bit of his normal self at least.
[ But for real are we good ]
[ I’m not mad at you if that’s what you’re wondering ]
[ I could never feel anything less than love towards you ]
[ I’m just dealing with some other stuff too ] That was the text that overwhelmed Marinette with guilt. Of course Chat had things going on in his personal life. He’d only ever shared bits and pieces, but she could tell his home life wasn’t necessarily a good one. He really hadn’t needed her added rejection on top of it. Being Ladybug was a welcome distraction to Marinette any day, a chance to get away from normal life’s woes, and she knew Chat felt the same way. He really didn’t need all the added drama.
[ Sorry minou sometimes I forget you’re not Chat Noir all the time ]
[ Let me know if you ever need to talk ]
[ Now go to sleep I know for a fact you have school tomorrow ]
[ your wish is my command ]
Marinette sighed, reading his last message over. Maybe, just maybe if Adrien Agreste hadn’t existed she would’ve fallen for Chat instead. But then again, that was a very small maybe. Her flirtatious counterpart seemed to be a magnet for trouble and Marinette liked to avoid that sort of thing. Adrien was sweet, kind, and divinely perfect. No mortal being could possibly compare to him.
And yet, when she went to sleep that night, it was not Adrien she dreamt of, but her masked partner.
She was late to school again. It was extra embarrassing every time she was late, as her house was not even a five minute walk away. Yet somehow she missed her morning alarm with an alarming regularity. Their teacher was writing the day’s lesson plan on the board as she snuck in, tip-toeing to her seat. But naturally, one glance at Adrien and a polite smile from him and she was tripping forwards, arms windmilling. She cringed, bracing for impact, but it didn’t come.
Peter, the American exchange student, had thrust out a hand, causing Marinette to fall onto his arm, instead of the floor. Dang, he’s strong, Marinette thought, whispering her quiet thanks as she steadied herself once more and took her seat. He simply gave her a friendly smile, turning back to his work. Marinette hadn’t really spoken with him much, but he’d bought her tickets for a concert so she could attend with Adrien, so really she should have been worshipping the ground he walked on by this point. He seemed like a nice boy, though she’d seen his wild streak on that one particular outing, where he and Adrien had…
NO. Thoughts. Bad. Stop. Marinette stopped her mind before it could go there, but it was too late. She was blushing at the mere thought of Adrien’s…special dance moves.
“You okay, girl?” Alya nudged her with a knowing glance.
Marinette managed a shaky laugh. “What? Yeah, I’m fine.”
“We’ll be splitting into randomly selected groups,” Mme. Bustier announced, lifting her tablet. “First group: Alya, Nino, Alix. Group two: Marinette, Peter, Adrien. Group three…” Marinette couldn’t even hear the rest of her sentence as she turned to Alya, eyes wide.
“I’m in a group with Adrien!”
“I know, the rest of us can hear her too.”
“This is perfect! I finally have the perfect opportunity to ask him to the fall dance!” The fall dance had been the only thing on Marinette’s mind since it had been announced. This time she was really going to work up the nerve to ask Adrien to go with her. Nothing could go wrong.
I mean, he could reject you and refuse to speak to you ever again, her brain nagged as she followed Peter and Adrien out of the classroom, looking for the perfect spot to conduct their research.
“Shut up!” She yelled, clamping her hands over her ears. Both Peter and Adrien turned to her in surprise.
“Okayyyyyy I guess we won’t be studying in the courtyard. Point taken,” Peter said. “What about outside? The fresh air always gets my mind…what’s the word? Thinking? That’s not it but we’ll go with that.”
“Haha sorry, I didn’t mean you shut up, I just meant, I was just…outside sounds great!” Marinette hastily moved in front of him, leading the way out, not missing the questioning expression the two boys exchanged.
“Okay,” Adrien settled into the grass outside, breathing in the crisp air. Marinette noticed with no small amount of pride that he was wearing her jacket again, a simple black tee underneath. “This is nice.”
“What are we supposed to be doing in these groups?” Marinette asked. She’d been late, then distracted, and had completely missed what the objective.
“No idea,” Peter said, tapping his stylus against his chin. “I was too busy hacking her randomization app and rigging the groups to translate what she was saying.”
“Peter you rigged the groups?” Adrien looked at him, then burst out laughing. “You’re a genius, you know that?”
“I’m not just a pretty face,” Peter said sarcastically, tapping something into his tablet which was suddenly looking a lot less innocent than Marinette had previously pegged it to be. “What can I say? Your schooling is a lot easier than I’m used to, I have to do something to keep me interested.”
“What we’re supposed to be doing is a project on someone we all admire,” Adrien said. “We all have to agree on the person, so let’s get brainstorming.”
“Let’s make a list of people we all admire, then. That seems like a good place to start.” Peter drew up a list on his tablet, dividing it into three columns, writing the first letter of each of their names at the top. “Marinette, you’re the first person in our MAP group, who do you admire?”
Okay, time to turn on the charm, Mari. Chat Noir flirts with you all the time, you just have to flirt with Adrien. It’s simple. Just channel Chat.
“I admire Adrien!” She shouted, far louder than she’d intended. Adrien blinked but Peter looked unfazed.
“Cool, me too. Reasons why?”
“Uh, he’s really nice, and selfless too, he’s always doing things to make others happy and-”
“Ah yes, that’s the ‘human doormat’ part of me,” Adrien laughed. “I’m a bit of a pushover, aren’t I?”
“That’s an understatement,” Peter muttered, writing ‘human doormat’ underneath Adrien’s name in Marinette’s column. “Anything else?”
“What would you write?” Marinette’s moment had sort of been ruined. Why was it as soon as she was talking about Adrien in front of Adrien that her mind forgot every single good thing he’d ever done? Whenever she was talking with Alya, she could go on for hours. And sometimes she did. But now the best she could come up with was ‘nice’?
“Adrien is caring, he’s smart, he’s funny, but I don’t admire him for any of those reasons,” Peter said.
“You don’t?” Marinette said in unison with Adrien.
“No, I admire Adrien because I can talk to him about anything. He’s trustworthy, he’s loyal, and he puts aside his own happiness to put others first. He would never make anyone do something they don’t want to do, and he’d stand up for anyone who was being pushed around by someone else. And I think he’s one of the most under-appreciated people of the century. Anyways, that’s not all going to fit on here, so I’ll just write ‘flawed’.”
“Flawed?” Adrien didn’t seem to compute.
“Yeah man, you’re humble, and a lot of people would probably label you as perfect, but I know you’re more than that. You care too much, you put others first at the expense of your own mental health. You are a pushover, you’re right about that, but all your flaws are somehow what makes you such a great person to be around.”
Marinette was just staring at Peter slack-jawed. Those were some of the nicest sentiments she’d ever heard, and they weren’t even about her. And Adrien didn’t seem to know how to react either.
“Anyways, anyone else you admire, Marinette?” Peter asked innocuously.
“There’s lots, none of who I can think of right now, because how on earth did you…?”
“Putting words to feelings helps prevent you from being controlled by them,” Peter said simply. “I’d never hide how I feel about someone, nor how I feel in general. At least, not to myself. Like I could never be jealous of Adrien, because I know what makes him such a good person and I also know why he and I are different. See?”
Was that how he’d been able to resist the akuma? Something about Peter just seemed more mature than the rest of her classmates, and Marinette could see exactly why he and Adrien got along so well. They had the perfect balance of similarities and differences.
“Okay, Adrien, who do you admire?” Marinette was prepared to hear Adrien bring up his dad or someone equally as powerful and intimidating in response to Peter’s question, but to her surprise, he simply grinned at Peter.
“You know who.”
“I do indeed know who,” Peter said, folding his arms across his chest. “Which is why I’m going to need some explanation.”
Who are they talking about? Neither of their faces were giving away anything, Peter’s face impassive and blank and Adrien’s grin hadn’t budged an inch.
“Anyone can see why I admire her,” Adrien said.
“Do better; I just sung your praises. It’s your turn.”
So it was a her? Marinette could feel her heart shrivel up and die in her chest. She tried telling herself that it wasn’t necessarily a romantic interest of Adrien’s, but the gleam in his eye suggested otherwise.
“Fine.” Adrien relented. “I admire her because she’s fearless. She’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met, and she’s always willing to help others. And not just because it’s her job or responsibility. She just genuinely cares and that’s not something you see every day. I’d trust her with my life, I’d trust her with anything.”
“Dang, Ladybug is one lucky chick, huh Marinette?” Peter said, laughing at the dreamy expression on Adrien’s face.
“L-Ladybug?” Marinette stammered, blushing again.
“That’s all he ever talks about, isn’t it? And if anyone cares, I would’ve said Tony Stark for the person I admire most.”
“Tony Stark?” He’d lost her.
“I get it, he’s had a few rocky patches, but his heart is in the right place. I mean, he took an impoverished kid who was literally dumpster diving for spare computer parts, gave him all the tech he could imagine, introduced him to all the right people, gave him a platform, and wound up saving that kid’s life. And I would know, that kid was me. And I’ll always admire him for taking a chance on me, giving me hope.”
“That’s really sweet, Peter,” Marinette whispered, gently patting his arm. “Why don’t we use Tony for our project? I’m sure Mme. Bustier would love to hear your personal experience.”
“I think Tony Stark is pretty cool too,” Adrien supplied. “Let’s do it.” And for the next hour they brainstormed, piecing together the bits of the project they would need to complete.
“Adrien and I can always work on it at home,” Peter said, reminding Marinette that he actually lived at the Agreste mansion with Adrien. That gave her an idea.
At the end of the day, she handed Peter an envelope. “Can you give this to Adrien later?”
“Yeah, sure,” he accepted it, sliding it into his pocket. “Although, I’m not really sure I’m the person you should be giving this to. I lose stuff a lot. I mean a lot a lot. Last year, I lost like twenty backpacks total.”
“Just, uh, do your best?” Marinette suggested, turning away before he could see how flustered she was.
“I’ll give it to him as soon as possible. I think he has a photo shoot today, though? So it might be a bit. I just know I’m not going back to the mansion, so I’ll be hanging out at some coffee shop or something until he’s done.”
“I’d invite you to come over, but I actually have something really important to do,” Marinette said. “Thank you so much!” She ran past him before he could understand, headed off to do something she’d been putting off. Talking to Master Fu. Specifically about Peter’s unusual ability to resist akuma attacks.
“I had a feeling I’d be seeing you sometime soon,” Master Fu welcomed her. His kwami, Wayzz, was floating in the air behind him and Marinette opened her purse so Tikki could fly out and join her friend.
“There’s a kid in my class who can resist akumas,” Marinette blurted out, wasting no time.
“Peter Parker?”
“How did you know?”
Master Fu smiled at her. “I’ve been watching Peter for quite some time now. There’s something special about him, surely you’ve seen it too. Although this is news, it’s not necessarily surprising.”
“It’s not?” Marinette felt foolish for coming to him. Maybe it wasn’t a big deal? “I mean, I’ve never been akumatized.”
“But the Papillon has never tried. From what I assume, an akuma physically touched Peter and he fought it off, no?” Master Fu said down on his mat, gesturing for Marinette to join him.
“It was really weird. The akuma entered him, and then we could hear him talking to the Papillon but I couldn’t understand him, because it was in English, and then the akuma flew out and it just…dissolved.”
“He didn’t just free the evil, he completely destroyed it,” Master Fu said thoughtfully, stroking his chin. “Can I have you test a theory for me?”
“Of course,” she agreed readily.
“If I’m wrong, it could have disastrous results. But we’ll be careful.” His words did nothing to assure her. He stood up suddenly, pressing a button on the wall. All the lights turned off and black casing slid down from the roof, covering up the windows and doors in the room, throwing them into pitch black. “You’ll need to stand.”
Marinette followed his instructions, getting off the mat and allowing him to slide it back, revealing a trapdoor. “What’s this?”
“Something I never should have had,” Master Fu said, pulling a key from a chain around his neck and fitting it into the lock on the trapdoor. “This is your last chance to back out, for you can’t unlearn what I’m about to tell you.”
“I’m in,” Marinette said, as if there was any doubt. No matter how dangerous it could be, anything to do with the miraculous and she was on board.
“Then follow me.” He lifted the door with no small amount of difficulty. A set worn stone steps lead down below the building, darkness swallowing the bottom. Leading the way, Master Fu gripped onto the wall as the stone staircase lead down down down, further beneath the city than Marinette had ever been. She noticed with an anxious twang that their kwamis had not followed them.
“What’s down here?” She whispered, feeling the need to be quiet under their blanket of secrecy.
“Power beyond anything you could ever imagine,” Master Fu said, suddenly stopping. “Before I show you what lies down here, I need you to understand that it is not meant for me or you. In a perfect life, I never would have found it, never would have been tempted, but I was weak. I hope you are at least stronger than I.”
“Not for me, got it,” Marinette repeated, glad when Master Fu began moving again. Being down there was starting to creep her out, and the way he was acting wasn’t helping. The air had grown damp and cold by the time they reached the last step, landing on a stone floor in a stone room. It was empty except for a pedestal made, predictably, of stone.
And on the pedestal was a single miraculous box.
Master Fu walked up to it, mumbling some sort of spell before reaching out and taking the box into his hands. “Put it straight into your purse and don’t open it until the time comes.”
Marinette did as he said, then took a deep breath. “Can you please tell me what’s going on?”
“This is the phoenix miraculous,” Master Fu explained, eyes darting left and right like he expected someone to jump out from the shadows and snatch him up at any moment. His demeanour did nothing to calm Marinette’s nerves.
“The phoenix miraculous? I didn’t know we even had one of those. Why isn’t it in the Miracle Box?”
“It must be kept separate from the other kwamis. I don’t entirely know where to start with this explanation, so I guess I’ll start from the beginning. Phoenix were magical, immortal birds possessing many powers, as I’m sure you are well aware. Given their powers by the sun god. This phoenix miraculous is no different. In fact, it was the first of the kwamis to be given a corporeal body. In that way I suppose you could consider it the oldest.
“While all the kwamis are divine beings, with Tikki and Plagg being the two most powerful, the phoenix miraculous works a bit differently than that. When it was given a body, its power was unrestrained and ultimately too powerful for any human to wield. Those who tried, died. And so a gem was inset in its forehead to siphon the power so that humanity could use it. If it were without that gem once again, the phoenix would almost undoubtedly be considered the most powerful. In fact, it was this miraculous’s power that broke the peacock miraculous.”
“The peacock miraculous is broken?” Marinette hadn’t heard that yet.
“Yes, but that is beside the point. One of the first rules of being a guardian is that you should never go looking for the phoenix miraculous, let alone attempt to wield it. Only ten people per generation are born with the ability to wield this miraculous, and everyone else who tries it dies. To use the phoenix’s power, one must be of both extreme physical and moral strength.”
“Moral strength? Why?” Marinette had kind of assumed that all superheroes had to have some sort of moral strength. After all, they did have to want to save people, right?
“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. There has never been a wielder of the phoenix miraculous who hasn’t turned bad. They all think they can rule the world, and that’s when the power consumes them. And most of them don’t even master the phoenix song.”
“The phoenix song?”
“It’s the equivalent of your lucky charm or Chat Noir’s cataclysm. The phoenix song, however, offers a selection of abilities to those who can master it. When one cannot use it, all it offers is super strength, rapid healing, and fire immunity. But once the phoenix song is sung, the user chooses from any of a phoenix’s traditional powers. Incineration, invulnerability, teleportation, shape-shifting, pyro-spysiology, or healing tears to name a few. Once the song is sung, their transformation is limited just as yours is, and they can only choose one power to possess per transformation.”
“That sounds like a lot of power,” Marinette mumbled, feeling almost woozy. The amount of power the miraculous, now sitting harmlessly in her purse, possessed was unfathomable. “What am I to do with it?”
“Peter Parker must be the one to wield it. Without it, I don’t know if you’ll be able to stop the Papillon.”
“But if you’re wrong, and he can’t handle it, he’ll die,” she whispered, the gravity suddenly crashing down around her. “And I can’t let Peter die. I’m sorry, I can’t do this.” She reached for her purse.
“Marinette, you promised.”
“That was before I knew the risks of what I was being asked to do!” She didn’t mean to shout, and instantly felt ashamed, clapping a hand over her mouth. A silence hung in the air, and she knew she had to be the one to break it. “And even if it does work, you said he would turn bad.”
“I never said he would turn bad, I just said everyone else has turned bad. Peter is different. Peter can fight off an akuma, and he knows the risks that superheroes take. I was hoping to hold off fighting the Papillon until you and Chat Noir were adults with fully developed powers, but we simply do not have the luxury of time! We need the phoenix miraculous, and he is the only one I’ve ever met who could be a match. So when the time comes, and you’ll know when, your lucky charm will point to it, you must find Peter Parker and give him the powers of the phoenix and trust that he will do the right thing. You will explain to him the risks, and as a test of trust, have him return the miraculous at the end of the mission. Then you will return it to me and then I will devise a more permanent solution. Because it’s not meant to be kept here, it’s not meant to be in the hands of a guardian. I locked it down here because it whispers to you in the day and night, trying to convince you to put it on, to taste that power for yourself.”
“You have so much faith that Peter will accept,” Marinette said, her heart beating in her chest. The thought of Peter, sweet Peter, dying or becoming corrupt was threatening to make her sick.
“I know Peter, both who he is and who he pretends to be, and I know that he can do it. He may be the only one I can trust to make the right decision during the final battle.”
“The final battle?”
“It may be coming sooner than I wanted, but we cannot hold it off forever. I know that I cannot trust myself to do what must be done, but Peter can, and he can live with the consequences. So now I trust you, Marinette Dupain-Cheng, to keep the phoenix miraculous safe before it can be with its rightful owner.”
“I can’t say I understand, Master, but I do know I won’t let you down.” And she wouldn’t. She hadn’t so far and she didn’t intend on this being the first time. If Master Fu had this much faith in Peter, then she had no choice but to trust him too.
“I know you won’t. Now run along and enjoy your weekend.”
“My weekend?” Oh right. It was Friday. And now Marinette had to wait all weekend to get a reply from Adrien. That was if Peter even managed to get him her note asking him to go to the dance with her. Because if she knew Adrien, he would never reply to her invitation with something as impersonal as a phone call or a text; no, he would wait until he saw her at school and then he’d give his answer to her face. And the thought terrified her. Plus, it didn’t help that she was starting to feel a little bit more than just pity towards Chat Noir. But she’d never admit that to herself.
Her mind only had space to be occupied by two things right now; Adrien and the tiny little red and black box that sat in the bottom of her purse with the power to not only kill whoever used it but also to probably destroy the world.
And with that knowledge, Marinette wasn’t sure if she was going to be able to ‘enjoy’ her weekend. Not when Master Fu had essentially placed Peter Parker’s life in her hands