To Love Thy Enemy

Stood up

Marinette was so preoccupied with cancelling her current plans in favour of new ones, that she forgot all about the little detail of the play rehearsals start today.

When she was walking into class, late once again, the room was bustling with background set up and camera prep and adding the finishing touches to make-up.

Mind racing with every possible excuse or escape possible, she allowed Juleka to fix her make-up, allowed Rose to push her behind a curtain with a bundle of clothes, and let Alya show the the script for the umpteenth time.

All too soon, she was pushed into the makeshift stage, resigning herself to her part in their reiteration of the famous play.

Until Adrien walked onto the stage.

Adrien knew what she would say when she saw him in this costume. Every little flaw or laughing point she could find would be mocked and honestly? He didn't blame her.

When Chloe had asked him to sign up for the role of 'beast', he hadn't realised up until the last moment that he would need to wear a costume.

A costume that looked hilariously gorilla-ish.

As he'd expected, the second he walked out in the full-body fur suit, Marinette burst into hysterical laughter, bending over at the waist and gasping for air.

Adrien frowned, taking his place at centre stage and waiting for her fit to calm down.

It took longer than anticipated.

A good five minutes later, Marinette was still wheezing, occasionally muttering things like, "This is worse than that advert," or "Radiant, carefree, hairy, Adrien...the gorilla," between breaths.

As if that wasn't mortifying enough, the whole class had gradually stopped what they were doing to see what all the fuss was about, several of them joining Marinette by emitting good-natured giggles.

Finally, Alya walked back into the room, Adrien's saving grace, shouting at everyone to stop gawking and start the scene.

Okay, maybe not entirely his saving grace.

It was Alya's idea to cast Marinette as Belle after all.

The goal for the day was to get two scenes done. The first scene where Adrien is cursed into the beast, and the second where Marinette prances around the town, oblivious to the scornful whispers.

Adrien had just finished his part and was thankfully out of that ridiculous costume, relaxing at his desk to watch Marinette perform her part.

It was only fair since she got to judge his.

It was worth it though, since even though they weren't doing the musical version, the townsfolk (played by various 8th grade students) still had to point and laugh at her while she made her way to the bookstore.

It also helped that Marinette was flustered enough to have to retake the scene several times before she got it right.

When filming finally ended for the day, Miss Bustier announced that filming would take place every Wednesday until the end of term, before she dismissed the class.

-

Marinettes face was hot with embarrassment as she changed back into her normal clothes, wishing she'd managed to talk to Miss Bustier before today so she didn't have to endure any more of this.

She was the last in the room, everyone else having gone home

"Oh Marinette, it wasn't that bad," Tikki said, her high-pitched laughter betraying her words.

"Tikki you don't understand, it's not this scene it's the other scenes," Marinette complained, "It's a romance, Belle is supposed to fall in love with the beast, Adrien. I'm not that good an actor,"

Tikki laughed again, "I doubt you'll be able to get through anything without laughing at that outfit of his,"

Sniggering, Marinette pushed open the door only to see Adrien and Chloe whispering intensely at the end of the corridor.

"Huh, I wonder what they're arguing about?" Marinette whispered, Tikki
looking just as confused as she was, "Hide tikki,"

Marinette tried to leave, making her way over to the stairs, but Adriens and Chloe's voices were rising.

"Chloe I can't I already have plans for tonight," Adrien reasoned, "I already told you that,"

"But Adrikinsssss" Chloe whined petulantly, "we never get to hang out anymore," both her hands were clutching one of his, his other hand cupped over her shoulder.

"I know Chlo but I'm busy tonight, how about we go tomorrow?"

Marinette snorted, she'd heard more of their lovers spat than she'd intended to, before she remembered that she'd forgotten to do something.

Her eyes widened almost comically and she resisted the urge to smack her forehead.

In all the excitement of the day, she'd completely forgotten to tell Alya she couldn't make it. And she was due at the bridge...NOW!!!

"Eep" Marinette squealed, rushing the rest of the way down the stairs, hoping the whole way there that Adrien's mysterious 'plans' didn't involve having ice cream with Alya and Nino. And Marinette.

"Hey!" Marinette puffed, "I'm here! Sorry, I'm late."

Alya shook her head, amused at Marinette rather than annoyed.

"It's all good girl, Adriens not coming so you can rest easy!"

Despite her words, both she and Nino looked mildly disappointed, which Marinette, knowing why, ignored.

She dragged her friends by the hands towards the ice cream cart, muttering under her breath about meddling friends and arch-enemies and third-wheeling.

-

Chat Noir sighed, relighting yet another candle that had blown out.

He was beginning to think that Ladybug wasn't coming after all.

She had told him that she might not make it, but still, he'd hoped.

Big mistake.

Letting out another sigh, Chat Noir stared at the candle he'd just relit, before blowing it out, going around the area and blowing out the rest of them.

Maybe he should've taken up Chloe's offer. He knew that she liked him, but he'd never given her a chance because of Ladybug. But if Ladybug didn't reciprocate his feelings...maybe he should give Chloe a try.

Even, he thought, going to get ice cream with Nino, Alya, and Marinette would have been better than this, than being stood up, even though he knew it wasn't her fault.

He struggled to blink back tears as he stared at the last candle. The flickering smudge of orange fire almost taunted him in its liveliness. He exhaled, the flame resisting before it smothered, as lifeless and cold as the rest of them.

He figured that there was no point in staying on the rooftop wallowing so he lifted the comforting weight of his stick, securing it on the ground and launching himself into the air.

His house was in sight when he heard a familiar voice call out his name.

Turning, he saw Marinette, standing on the rooftop of the bakery that he had come to realise was her home, waving at him to come over.

Though he was tempted to ignore her, he tried to remember to put aside his civilian issues while he was Chat Noir, reluctantly going back toward the softly lit balcony.

~♡~

I have so many more episodes rewrite ideas (puppeteer 2 anyone?) So leave your predictions in the comments and I'll see you next time!

Bug out :)