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Chat Noir Spotted Mending Broken Heart With Adrien Agreste's Pyjama Girl
After a painful rejection from Ladybug after being voted “Couple of the Year”, Chat Noir is on the rebound with none other than teen fashion model Adrien Agreste's rumored girlfriend.
Earlier last year our sources deduced that the "Pyjama Girl" Adrien was spotted running around Paris with and rumored to be dating was Marinette Dupain-Cheng, daughter of Paris' own renowned bakers at Dupain-Cheng Bakery. The model went to social media to clear up the confusion stating that Dupain-Cheng was “just a really good friend.” And that there was no romantic affiliation.
However, just weeks after the “Pyjama Girl” rumors we were given a sneak peek into the baker girl’s bedroom during an episode of Fill My Shoes with Jagged Stone. The footage broadcasted numerous pictures of Adrien plastered around her room with hearts surrounding him. This, of course, stoked the rumors that they were romantically involved to which Agreste and Dupain-Cheng both posted that there really was nothing going on between them but a close friendship and that the pictures were actually for reference for the baker girl’s own fashion designs.
[GIF Image: Marcia Brady “Sure, Jan.”]
In the months that followed it looked as if Adrien and Marinette were telling the truth as the model was seen multiple times with a different girl, a fencing prodigy, Tsurugi Kagami. The two had even confirmed their relationship status on social media following an outing to Andre’s Sweetheart Ice Cream Cart. Nevertheless, the relationship fizzled out quickly and fans pondered if it may have been due to Agreste’s latent feelings for Dupain-Cheng. Though both Agreste and Tsurugi were silent about the break up they still remain good friends.
During all of this Chat Noir’s chase for the heart of Paris’ spotted heroine, Ladybug, never wavered. It has been no secret that everyone’s favorite cat boy has pined after his bug-themed lady and partner. Rumors about their relationship have been debated ever since the heroes made their debut following the terror acts of Hawkmoth. One moment they look the ideal couple and others they struggle to keep from fighting.
As the bard would have put it, “The course of true love never did run smooth;”
Ladynoir fans were ecstatic when the heroes took the title of “Couple of the Year.” The ship was quickly sunk when Ladybug was spotted throwing her partner into a trash can over the news. Later, Chat Noir was filmed destroying billboards broadcasting the heroes title in a fit of heartbroken rage.
[Video: Chat Noir Cataclysms Ladynoir (ow my ladynoir heart)]
Yikes.
Our poor kitty disappeared after, most likely to go home and lick his wounds. How stunning it was when he was photographed not an hour later touring Paris with Marinette Dupain-Cheng. The two were seen getting cozy and comfortable on a bus, attending a movie together, and cuddling under an umbrella. One observer, who wished to remain anonymous, was said to have even gleaned hearing a romantic confession while passing by the Dupain-Cheng Bakery that night.
So far all sides of the love square have been silent concerning this latest development.
Is there love in the air? Is it just a rebound? Only the future will tell if this cat will get the cream puff or if this relationship is better for the day old bread shelf.
“Cat will get the cream puff…” Marinette read over the article at least five times and while all of it was ludicrous it was that last line that made her eye twitch.
“Girl,” Alya poked Marinette’s shoulder, “You okay?”
Marinette exed out of the article and scrolled through the others that had popped up seemingly overnight.
Superhero Heartbreak Leads to Civilian/Hero Romance
Chat Noir DONE with Ladybug? Couple of the Year Now the Break-up of the Year
BAKER GIRL STEALS CHAT NOIR FROM LADYBUG?!?!
Heat of Battle Meets Heat in the Kitchen: Chat Noir Dating Mystery Baker Girl?
All of them are the same article copy pasted in a different font.
She spent one afternoon catching a movie and talking to Chat Noir as Marinette and suddenly the entire country thought they were together. This was a waking nightmare.
This was not her first media circus as either Marinette or Ladybug but this one was the most irritating. She was used to people speculating about her and Chat Noir’s relationship as Ladybug and though it went to places she didn’t like, namely the “Couple of the Year” article, she didn’t let it bother her too badly. When the articles of her relationship to Adrien as Marinette came out she had fun poring over them. The thought that she could really be Adrien’s girlfriend was wonderful and filled her gut with happy little butterflies. But this?
The Intimate Details of Chat Noir’s Date with Adrien Agreste’s Ex
What was she supposed to do about this? She was in no way shape or form even interested in Chat Noir that way. Not as Ladybug or Marinette. What would Adrien think of all these articles? How was she supposed to confess now? That speech she made last night, the one she practiced with Chat Noir, it felt kind of tainted now. What if Adrien read these articles and thought that she was repurposing a confession she gave to Chat Noir?
“Alya,” Marinette took a deep breath and looked over at her best friend, “What am I supposed to do now? I had planned on telling Adrien how I felt today after the fencing tournament but if he’s seen these articles then I am screwed! There’s no doubt that he’s heard about them at least. It was bad enough when everyone thought that Ladybug and Chat Noir were in love but how do I deal with everyone thinking me, Marinette, is in love with him?”
“Girl, I know that you’re upset and that your heart belongs to Adrien and all that but is Chat Noir really that bad of an option?”
“You cannot be serious. Have you not read these articles? Even if I were to entertain that idea how am I supposed to deal with that? Dating my partner as a civilian with the knowledge that I brutally rejected him as a hero? The guilt would eat me alive!”
“Point,” Alya leaned back on the settee.
Marinette turned back to the computer with a sigh. How was she going to fix this?
---
Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!
Adrien banged his head against his desk. The screens of his computer each projected a different article tying Chat Noir to Marinette. Why was this happening? All he wanted to do was help his friend and now he had backed her into a corner.
Adrien’s day yesterday had been...interesting, to say the least. The article, the fight with Ladybug, his heartache, the uncomfortable talk with his father, the time he spent with Marinette, it had been a lot. He was glad to help her find a way to confess to her crush. Her “Buttercup.” But everyone had taken it out of context.
No doubt Marinette was as mortified by the articles as he was. What if “Buttercup” saw these and ended up rejecting Marinette? She had worked so hard to gather her courage and find the right words. Now, because some people couldn’t mind their own business, her heart was most likely in jeopardy.
What was he gonna do?
“Kid,” Plagg said, “Adrien, if you insist on hitting your head against something at least let it be something soft.”
“I tried to help fix something and I ended up making it worse.” Adrien muttered, lifting his head up to look at the headlines again. “Marinette is gonna be at the fencing tournament this afternoon, how am I supposed to face her knowing I screwed up her love life?”
“Oh geez, kid,” Plagg floated down in front of Adrien’s face, “You need to stop beating yourself up about this. If Marinette and her “Butterscotch” are meant to be then it won’t matter what these articles say.”
“It was “Buttercup,” Plagg. But that’s not the worst of it.”
“What’s worse?”
“I...I got this feeling when she was practicing her confession last night. I’m not entirely sure what it was but when she started talking I stopped breathing for a second. It was like everything around me had blurred but Marinette was in sharp focus. I don’t know why it happened or what exactly it was but I’m having a hard time forgetting it.” Adrien buried his face in his hands. Thinking back to it made his face warm.
“Oh really,” Plagg inched closer, a sly smile on his face. “Did your heart do a little doki doki like in your picture books?”
“My life is not a manga, Plagg.”
“And yet you reference them for romantic advice enough.”
“I don’t need this,” Adrien stood up, “I am overthinking this. This is not the first time Marinette and I have been tied together in ways we aren’t actually are. Granted, those times I was Adrien and I could easily go to my Instagram and let everyone know the rumors were false. Getting the word out as Chat Noir is a little tougher though.”
Then an idea hit him. Maybe there was a way. The ultimate source for information on anything and everything hero related. “Plagg, transform me!” Adrien leapt out the window.
---
“Did you know that his staff came with an umbrella mode?” Alya asked Marinette as she scrolled through the pictures someone had taken of them.
“Not a clue.”
Marinette was still stewing over the whole Chat Noir and Adrien thing despite Alya’s efforts to distract her. Maybe it would be best to talk to Chat Noir about this first before trying to talk to Adrien. She was a lot more comfortable talking to Chat anyway. Should she do it as Marinette or Ladybug though? She didn’t know how she would contact him as Marinette and if he wasn’t transformed she wouldn’t have any luck as Ladybug either. Not that this conversation would be easier under the guise of Ladybug. There would just be more hoops to jump through.
There was a tapping on the trapdoor above her bed that took both of the girl’s attention. There was no way. Alya was practically bouncing in her seat as Marinette climbed on top of her bed to open the door.
“Chat Noir?” Marinette knew in her gut it would be him but she was still surprised to see him on her roof. “What are you doing here?”
“I needed to talk to you but I was also looking for Alya.” Chat popped his head in, “I checked your house but you weren’t home so I was hoping Marinette may know where you were.”
“You found me. What do you need me for?” Alya asked, standing at attention.
Marinette climbed down and ushered Chat Noir to come inside before anyone saw him skulking on her roof.
“First off,” Chat turned to Marinette, “I’m sorry about all the articles that came out about us. I know that’s counterproductive to the confession you’re trying to make to the guy you love. Has anything happened concerning that yet or what?”
“No, not yet,” Marinette sighed, “I’m still trying to figure out what to do. The articles may have been a hindrance but it’s not just my connection to you that’s made this more complicated.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Chat said. “That’s why I came here. I was hoping that since I don’t have any social media I could come to the Ladyblog to clear up all this confusion concerning Marinette and I.”
“Oh, yeah, totally,” Alya said, “If that’s what you two really want.”
“Why wouldn’t it be what we wanted?” Marinette said, defensively.
“I don’t know,” Alya shrugged with fake innocence, “You two look cute together. You obviously enjoy each other’s company…”
“Do not start this again,” Marinette groaned.
“What?” Alya grinned wider, teasing, “Don’t like the idea of the cat getting the cream puff?”
“I will kill you, Alya.”
“You’re just grumpy because everyone keeps referring to you as Adrien’s ex-girlfriend in the articles.”
“Oh, do you not like him or something?” Chat Noir asked, his ears dropped slightly.
“Much the opposite actually,” Alya said, “Girl is head over heels for her “Buttercup.”
“Alya!” Marinette screeched, clamping a hand over her mouth, “I went to great pains to keep that a secret! Why would you just blurt that out to him?”
“You…” Chat stared dumbly at the pair of girls, “The guy you love, the one you practiced that confession for, was for Adrien?”
Marinette dropped onto the settee, her hands covering her face in mortification. “Yes.”
---
Marinette was in love with Adrien. Marinette was in love with him.
Buttercup. The confession. It was all meant for him.
Suddenly a lot of her behaviour made more sense. Even the confession took on a new light. She didn’t know it and neither did he but she had already confessed her feelings to him. And Adrien...he had...he…
Doki doki
He placed a hand over his heart. Was this really happening?
“Girl, get it together. So Chat Noir knows you’re in love with Adrien. Everyone in class already knows that you’re crazy about him. It’s not that big a secret.”
Everyone in their class knew about Marinette’s feelings for him? Even Nino? Why didn't he ever say anything! How come no one told him? Was he really that blind that he never noticed what was apparently painfully obvious to everyone else?
Doki doki
Okay that needs to stop. He was not the love interest in a shoujo manga! He was a Parisian cat boy that fought crime and was in love with his partner. Why did that sound like the plot of a magical girl anime?
Alya moved over to the computer chair and sat down with her phone in hand. “Once you calm down do you want to discuss what you’re going to tell the Ladyblog? We don’t want to muddle the message that you two are just friends.”
Just friends. They had never really been just friends, had they? Not when Marinette’s been pining after him all this time.
“Right,” Marinette sat up, her face a hot pink. “We’ll keep it short and simple. We are not romantically involved. We went out together as friends to see a movie and nothing we did was inherently romantic. That should put a stop to the rumors.”
She scooted over, making room on the settee. “Sit here, let’s get this over with.”
Adrien sat down next to her. Suddenly being in such close proximity to her was stifling. It was happening again, the world around him blurring while Marinette stayed in focus. What was happening?
He watched Marinette as she spoke, her words passed over him in a hum of incoherency.
“The person you’re in love with is lucky.”
That’s what he said last night. He meant it. He always thought Marinette was great and knew that whoever ended up with her would be getting a wonderful partner. The only thing he had to worry about was if that person would be good enough for her. Knowing her she would only pick someone who was perfect for her.
“The one that will fall in love with you will be lucky too.”
She said that. She said it and she didn’t even know that the person she was talking about was him. Neither of them knew. The real meaning behind those words came back to him.
I’m lucky to have your love.
I’m lucky to have fallen in love with you.
Marinette was staring at him with wide, shocked eyes. Why was she looking at him like that? Adrien realized a moment too late that he had been talking out loud a moment ago.
“I’m uh…” Alya stood up, “I’m gonna give you two some space.”
She threw Marinette the biggest most obvious wink and hustled down the stairs muttering excitedly to herself.
“Uh…” Adrien said, his palms sweating, “I zoned out there for a minute. What did I say?”
“I was um…” Marinette shook her head, “I was in the middle of telling Alya’s camera that there was nothing going on between us and when I passed the conversation to you, you said that you were lucky to have fallen in love with me.”
“Did I say anything before that?”
“No.”
“Okay,” he drummed his fingers against his knees. “I’m sorry. I was thinking about something else and I didn’t realize I started thinking out loud.”
“Okay,”
The two lapped back into silence.
“I think…” Adrien began, grasping for the right words. “I think what I was trying to say was that I would consider myself lucky to have fallen in love with you. If the articles were true, you know?”
“Under different circumstances, who knows?” Marinette shrugged, “I think I would consider myself lucky if I fell in love with you too.”
There was this great need to reach out and touch her. Cross this wall between them.
“Marinette…” a flyaway hair near her cheek was practically begging for him to smooth it back into place.
Beep! Beep!
The two jumped and startled away from one another. Marinette’s phone rang with an alert and she dashed to check it. Every step between them felt like a distance he would never get back.
“I gotta get going,” Marinette mumbled, “I have plans. We can uh--we can do this later.”
What did “this” mean? The interview with the Ladyblog or the unspoken chasm of words and feelings that had been left out to dry?
Adrien checked the time. His tournament would be starting soon. He nodded to Marinette and leapt back out into the city. His heart hammering hard in his chest. Well this got a million times more complicated.