ML Fic: Soulmate Survey Part 10
I want to give fair warning. I don’t know jack s*** about fashion. I spent hours consulting Instagram and asking @knightsweeties for her input on how to describe Marinette’s outfit. If my description sucks, @knightsweeties was wonderful enough to draw art of it so you can have a look at some good art to forget about my lame description. (Seriously, check out her art. it is amazing.)
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The tension between Lila and Marinette grew as class resumed. Lila was practically glaring a hole into the back of the designer’s head. Marinette would occasionally look back, a split second showing a scowl before her natural look would pop back. No one else seemed to be aware of the situation.
The two of them knew that the other had something. The exchange student had been mentally kicking herself for not thinking ahead. She should have known Marinette would have been recording her. But up until this point Marinette was never a threat to her, its only when that stupid app showed up did things go the other way. Now Marinette can make things difficult for her, but Lila knows that if she sends out the list, Marinette will send out the recording. If Marinette sent out the recording, Lila posts the list.
Lila has one chance to bring everything back to normal, get to Marinette’s phone, delete the recording and then post the list. If she can post the list when the recording was gone, she can claim it was some crazed hacker that got in, and Marinette wouldn’t have proof. She had till Marinette got home to do it. Lila’s thoughts were put on hold when the teacher spoke up.
“Alright class, I have an important matter to attend to, so I will be allowing the rest of our time for free period.” Miss Bustier announced with a soft smile on her face. The teacher was a bit excited, she had a date tonight, and she wanted to make sure she had everything settled so she wouldn’t have to worry about anything for it. “You are free to move around the school as long as you don’t cause a ruckus. I trust all of you will use this period productively.”
The class cheered as their homeroom teacher stepped out to go to the teachers lounge.
Lila was planning to snag Marinette’s bag real quick, until she noticed alya and a group of most of her female classmates swarm around Marinette, pulling her out of the classroom.
Lila wanted to find a way to sneak Marinette’s phone, but with that entourage that just snagged her away with her stuff. It would not be possible. But the question was, what were those girls up to?
Lila noticed Adrien getting up from his desk, saying something about having to message someone and heading out.
Lila decided the Dj would likely know. Thankfully she was able to ease his suspicions of her earlier.
“Hey Nino? All by yourself?” Lila asked, trying to sound sympathetic.
“Its no big deal. Adrien needs to talk with his pop’s assistant about something and Alya is helping Marinette get ready for her date with Adrien.”
“Im sorry, I think I blanked out for a second. What did you say?” Lila questioned, using her will power to not sound angry.
“No Worries, happens to me all the time.” Nino casually remarked. “Adrien invited Marinette to go with him to his Tv interview on ‘Scoops and Scandals’. That gossip show for celebrities. Adrien may not have said it, but I totally think its a date, and Alya is going to be sure Marinette looks rocking for it. I am surprised you didn’t know. Oh right, you were sick yesterday. So good news is you don’t need to worry about Marinette and Adrien, I think they will be just fine.”
“Wow, thats… Thats so great! I just knew they were perfect for eachother.”
Lila may have been smiling on the outside but she was mentally screaming on the inside.
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“Yes I remember to keep it professional.” Adrien responded as he stood in the hallway. He had been listening to Nathalie talk at him about the do’s and Don’ts of the interview for most of his free period.
Nathalie had messaged him to call her before his bodyguard arrived to pick him up.
“Your father wanted you to be aware that this interview reflects not just you, but the Gabriel brand. He wants to be sure you remember to not get swayed by anything they ask you. Answer with poise and calm.” Nathalie stated.
“Tell my father that I understand his expectations and I will be sure to make sure it goes well.”
Or he can call me and tell me this himself.
“Also, your father mentioned that he believes your choice of guest was wise.” Nathalie mentioned. “Miss Dupain-Cheng is a talented designer and would understand the importance of Appearances.”
Adrien was happy at the praise his father gave Marinette, it was what she deserved.
“Thank you Nathalie.” Adrien said as he hung up just as the dismissal bell rang.
“So much for free period.” Adrien sighed. He was a bit sad about missing some bro time with Nino, but school was done and he was going to meet Marinette to go to the interview. He hasn’t been able to talk with her at all today, with classes and activities, things were to hectic.
Adrien made his way outside of the school where his bodyguard was waiting in front of the black limo.
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“Girl you look incredible.” The ladyblogger exclaimed.
“You looks so pretty.” Myléne chimed in.
“Like a real princess.” Rosé sang with glee.
“Adrien will probably have a heart attack. Go for the kill.” Alix complimented.
Juleka gave a reassuring thumbs up.
“Thank you…” Marinette was blushing from all the praise. Marinette felt her nerves catch up with her. She was going to meet Adrien, She was going to with Adrien to his interview.
“Can you girls give us a moment?” Alya asked politely.
The girls nodded, wishing Marinette luck. as they left the two.
The ladyblogger places her hands on her best friend’s shoulders.
“You can do this Mari, I believe in you. This is your chance to win his heart, and you got to get out of your own head and go for it.” Alya advised.
Marinette nodded. She was feeling pumped.
“Okay! I can do it! I will win him over. I can do this.” Marinette was hyped up.
Marinette was about to rush out but stops herself. She remembered something rather crucial.
“Alya, can I send you something for safe keeping real quick?”Marinette questioned.
The glasses wearing teen looked bit surprised by the tone shift.
Marinette smiled. Sending her a text.
“Don’t send this around yet. Just keep it safe. It would put me at ease knowing you have it.” Marinette informed.
“No prob girl, Now go get your man.”
“Right!” Marinette charged out of the bathroom, determined to knock Adrien Agreste’s socks off.
Alya smiled like a proud sister from another mister. As she stood in the bathroom, her curiosity took a hold of her.
“I wonder what was so important…”
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Adrien was looking around as students were leaving the building, he was wondering where Marinette was. He would need to leave soon, and the bodyguard was getting in patient.
Was she having second thoughts about this? Did something come up? Did Luka show up and serenade her with his cool hair and beautiful musical prowess resulting in Marinette completely falling in love with the musician. Which resulted in them off to elope while I am standing here wondering?
Adrien realized his mind was taking that thought process way too far off the track. He would just call her. He look down to look through his contact list.
“H-Hey Adrien.” A soft voice called to him.
The model looked up to see Marinette. That was not what she was wearing earlier. His eyes go wide as he processed her look.
Oh sweet ladybug… Marinette looks incredible.
Marinette had her hair down, it was brushed and hung to just short of her shoulders. In her hair she had a small golden bell tied to a green ribbon in her hair. She was wearing a sweet pink lipstick that made her lips look so much more kissable to the blond then before, (which Adrien would admit were pretty kissable before, he was definitely not against it when the class was filming that movie).
She was wearing a black leather jacket. It was clearly inspired by Chat noir. Adrien would say that the Jacket looked reminiscent the top part of his costume in terms of looks and design, save for the green paw print that was placed on the back of the jacket and his little golden bell. There was even a nod to the cat’s baton, which the zipper looked like a tiny version of it.
This theme extended to her dress which was a light green and had a black belt sash around the waist looking identical to the one Chat noir had. Her dress also was decorated with little black paw prints and her signature stitching at the hem of the dress. Lastly even her choice of footwear was nod to the cat themed hero of Paris, the black boots with chat noir green laces that were less for combat and more for fashion, though seemed practical to wear regardless of circumstance. She even had a chat noir themed bag, the front looking like an adorable black cat. The amount of detail in every part of the outfit was incredible.
Her outfit was based off of him, her outfit was inspired by him. She was beautiful. Adrien felt his face heat up, his pulse racing. He could swear he had never seen anyone look this incredible in his life.
She looks Purrfect Adrien thought as his inner chat noir took hold.
Marinette approached the speechless boy.
“This isn’t too much is it? When I told Alya the other day that I was going to the interview, she told the girls and things got a bit nuts. If its….” Marinette
“You’re beautiful.” Adrien interrupted, his face registering what he said after they left his lips.
“Im..” Marinette’s face was Ladybug red.
“You look great! I am glad you took their advice. My dad mentioned that having you as my guest was a smart move. He really sees your potential as a designer which makes sense because you are incredible at that to. The outfit is amazing.” Adrien sped through his words faster then he expected. He was nervous, he was really, Really nervous. He was not prepared for Marinette to be this dazzling.
Marinette felt her chest pounding against her ribs. This blond was going to kill her, and she hasn’t even gotten into the car.
“You look really great to. You look good in white.” Marinette managed to say coherently. She noticed he was wearing her scarf, the scarf she made for his birthday that he didn’t know she made. It increased the speed of her already fast heartbeat. “The scarf works well the outfit.”
The two were frozen as they looked at each other. Smiling through their blushing faces. Thankfully the hulking bodyguard was there to cough and get their attention. He motions that they need to leave.
Adrien was able to snap back to reality. He opened the car door.
“After you.” Adrien politely offered.
“Thank you.” Marinette spoke as she. went into the rather spacious vehicle. Carefully sitting on the leather interior.
Adrien moved in and sat next to her. Closing the door.
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“Fuck my life.” Lila cursed to herself. She was planning on finding a way to get to Marinette’s phone and deleting the evidence, but she had no chance to even get close, and just when she thought she could, Marinette has a date with Adrien!
Lila grumbled as she walked home, wondering what to do next. As soon as Marinette was back home she would likely store the recording in her computer, and make copies. Thats what she would do if she was Marinette. Perhaps she could break into the studio and find a way to get to her phone while she was distracted? But where would she get a distraction big enough to do that?”
Lila bumped into a long black haired girl who was turning the corner. Making Lila drop her phone, almost breaking it.
“Watch it.” Lila snapped.
“Sorry! I didn’t see you.” The girl apologized. “I was just off to this viewing party for the Adrien agreste interview and I didn’t see you! Please don’t be mad.” The girl squeaked.
Lila was ready to really let the small girl have it for almost breaking her phone, but the her apology caught her attention.
“Adrien Agreste viewing party?” Lila inquired, a smile replacing her scowl.
“Yeah, the Adriknight’s are hosting an event, you can come if you are a fan of Adrien.”
“A fan? I am his best friend.” Lila boasted. The liar smiled as she watched the girls eyes light up. Lila smiled as she showed Adrien agreste’s phone number. Which she managed to get from a naive friendly Adrien early on.
“You are! Oh man, Vi- I mean Adrienne will be stoked to hear about Adrien’s best friend coming to her party.”
Lila followed the excited fangirl as they headed to the viewing party. Lila had a new plan. She knew she would get that recording, she just needed a little help from a certain butterfly enthusiast to do it.
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Come on Adrien, she is right there. Just say something. Say anything!
“So… you like cats?” Adrien asked, mentally slapping himself for the genuine stupidity of his statement.
Thankfully, Marinette giggled.
“You could say that.” Marinette responded.
“I bet Chat noir would love to see you in that.” Adrien stated, he knew for a fact he wanted to transform right now and compliment her about using his hero identity as a basis for the outfit.
“I am glad you think so. I also had one in mind for Rena rogue and Carapace later down the line. But the Chat noir idea was something I felt really stuck out.” Marinette answered. “He doesn’t really get as much merchandise or attention as Ladybug even though he is out there risking his life too.”
Adrien felt his heart seize at her statement. He remembered how she had confessed to him as chat noir. Back then, it was already a painful choice, but if he had to face that choice now, he felt like he wouldn’t be able to turn her down.
“I like the idea, your attention to detail is always… A-meow-zing to see.” Adrien punned as he tried to move his mind past his thoughts.
Marinette chuckled a bit at his pun,
“What about you?” Marinette inquired. “What hero of Paris inspires you?”
“Chat noir can be pretty cool. But I would say Ladybug is my favorite superhero.” Adrien confessed. “She always has the right idea at the right time, always there to save the day, and she always does.”
Marinette’s eyes went wide as he continued talking about Ladybug.
“She is stunning, it feels like she could fight all of Paris by herself. I can only imagine the stress and pressure she must be under, and she still pulls through with this confidence that makes you feel like everything will be okay. I would love to be with her… helping her save the city.” Adrien recovered. He realized he was about to spill his feelings about Ladybug to Marinette, would she be mad about that? Adrien remembered how chloé would be furious anytime Adrien mentioned something positive about other girls, but Marinette wouldn’t be like that would she? Of course not, Marinette would never be like that.
“I am sure Ladybug would think you would be a great hero. You are definitely kind and brave, you always try to help other people. You always see the good in others, and you fence which would be useful in fighting bad guys.” Marinette listed.“ You would be someone I would be happy knowing is protecting Paris.”
Marinette was worried that she might have came on a bit strong. She couldn’t help but be frazzled after he praised her ladybug self so much. It was incredible how he saw her, it was like he understood, though he doesn’t seem to grasp that she has good people helping her out. She would be lost without Tikki, Chat noir, Fu and the other miraculous wielders she chose to help out from time to time. She also couldn’t help but feel if she knew it was her, would his opinion of her change? But she did know one thing for certain.
Next chance I get, Adrien is going to get a miraculous. Marinette mentally notes to herself.
Adrien felt his heart skip a beat. She thought he would make a good hero. He already was one, but if he was Ladybug and he had to pick who would get a miraculous, he would pick Marinette, not just because he has one already, but because Marinette would be an amazing hero. Adrien made a mental note to recommend Marinette for the next time Ladybug needed a new hero.
“If I would make a great hero, you would probably be the best hero since Ladybug.” Adrien praised, causing the designer to blush. “You are always pushing yourself to help others, you go out of your way to understand people, you are kind and always ready to spring into action, you are amazingly creative, you are already like an everyday Ladybug. If you got super powers, you would be even more incredible.”
“I bet we would make a great team.” Marinette spoke. She realized she said those words out loud. She felt embarrassed. She could only imagine the two of them on a team fighting crime together. It sounded like a dream.
“I bet we would be miraculous.” Adrien smiled. “Watch out Hawkmoth, Super Marinette and Adrien are the next heroes of Paris.”
The two teens chuckled for a bit just as the car stopped. They had arrived at the Tv studio.
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Lila felt her entire being cringe.
A viewing party that girl called it, there was maybe 4 people here not including herself. There were cupcakes, balloons, decorations, and banners with Adrien’s face on them. Also a small bag full of small Adrien buttons that was filled to the brim sat on the table near the door. It was so gaudy and with only four people here it felt gross to her.
Lila wanted nothing more then to turn around, walk away and never think about this ever again.
“Welcome!” An overly enthusiastic red head exclaimed. “I am so happy to see a fresh face come to one of our viewing parties. I am Adrienne.”
“Lila. It is so nice to meet you.” Lila fought the strain to get those words out. “I am surprised by everything. It looks so… Adrien.”
“Thank you! I worked for days to get those cupcakes to look perfect! I heard from Maggie that you are friends with Adrien.”
“Thats right.” Lila replied.
The brunette reminded herself of why she was even there in the first place.
“We tell each other everything. We are practically D…” Lila stopped herself when she saw the red head’s face contort into rage. “Definite pals for life that are completely platonic and no way romantic.”
Adrienne’s face went back to normal. Lila realized that lying about dating Adrien was not the smartest move in a room with a rabid fangirl.
“That is so great! Would you set up a meeting with him sometime. It would be amazing if the Adriknights could get a visit from the Adrien Agreste.”
“I will see what I can do, he is very busy.” Lila fibbed. “So when is everyone else getting here.”
“Well Shelly is out sick with the flu, poor girl. So we are all here.” Adrienne answered. “ Oh! I should check on the cake.” She left the room, Lila felt a chill run down her spine.
The girl that brought her here moved beside her.
“Yea… Adrienne is kind of intense. Back when she was only co-president, our fan club had about 30 members, but once Wayhem left, there was no one to help keep her from getting too crazy about Adrien, so that drove away most of our members. Please don’t hate her, she is a really nice person, just… very obsessive. Anything regarding Adrien is what she is about, honestly the day he gets a girlfriend I worry for her. She would probably go off the deep end.”
“Oh… I understand. Well I would hope she calms down about it.” Lila takes a mental note of that. She had a plan.
It was worth coming after all.
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“You will be needed on set in 5 minutes Mr. Agreste. Can I get you and your guest anything?”
“We are good, thank you.” Adrien answered as the set director left to attend to last minute details.
Marinette and Adrien were relaxing in the green room. As soon as they arrived, Adrien was ushered around to different areas. His hair combed, his face given a good amount of make up to help reduce shine when the camera’s were on him. People telling the boy multiple different things that Marinette could hardly follow but Adrien handled each one with grace and poise. Marinette was dazzled by everything.
“Sorry its been non-stop. Just some standard procedure for one of these interviews.” Adrien answered.
“It does seem overwhelming. I don’t understand how you can keep up with everything. Its incredible.” Marinette exclaimed.
“I just sort of got use to it. Very few people are good at their first interview. Once you make it into the fashion industry, I am sure you will have to do a bunch of interviews.” Adrien explained.
“Yeah, I know how good your designs are, not many people can make the stuff you can. You have amazing designs, from hats, shirts, jackets, dresses, rock albums, costumes, scarfs…” He answered. His tone softening when he touched the blue scarf around his neck.
Marinette felt surprise spring on her face.
Adrien stood up and walked over to her. He touched her hand and looked into her eyes. Marinette could feel the blood rush to her face.
“Thank you, For the best gift my father ever gave me.” Adrien sincerely thanked.
“Mr.Agreste. You are needed on set.” The set manager interrupted. Not even remotely paying attention to the mood in the room.
“Thats my cue. I will see you after. Wish me luck.” Adrien winked.
Marinette felt her courage boiling, she was going to move. She had been working hard to show him how she felt, she was going to prove he can do it.
Before he moved, Marinette placed a soft kiss on his cheek. Causing the blond to look surprised.
“For …. For luck.” Marinette stuttered as Adrien swears her smile just beamed right through his chest.
Adrien returned her smile.
“Thanks, I got more then enough luck now.” He responded sweetly before leaving the green room.
Adrien touched his cheek as he headed to the set. He hoped his cheeks would calm down as he made it to the stage.
Marinette fell back on the couch. She would head out to watch the interview, but she needed a minute to come back down to earth.
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Part 10 is finished I am living for all of this spectacular feedback and you guys keep me inspired to keep writing this. Also the fan art for this has been spectacular. I would love to see other takes on Marinette’s outfit or even just some of the scenes.
Finally the stage is set and things are picking up.
Please Keep up that amazing feedback. I love seeing those notes and comments, It really feeds my impulsive need to write.
Below are all the people who are tagged. If you have not been tagged, and want to be tagged, or requested to be tagged and want to be from now on. For future notice, Please only message on the fic, so it is easier to know who wants to be tagged: I still think I missed some people and for that I am sorry: