The luck of being unlucky

2

Marinette had suspected correctly as soon as they had sat down at the cafe. Alya and Nino were ditching, making excuses about the last math test. Alya smiled encouragingly to Marinette, winked, then left, dragging Nino with her.

"I'm sorry about Alya" she said not meeting Adriens eyes. "She's kinda scattered brained" Marinette tried to make excuses.

"No, I know exactly what she's doing" Adrien grin looked like he was holding a laugh back. Marinette felt her face get hot as see blushed hard.

"Y-you d-do?" Marinette stuttered, trying to regain control of herself.

"Yea i think it's sweet Alya likes Nino" he smiled

"W-what? N-no, i-" Marinette was confused and thrown off by this assumption. I guess it made reasonable sense, when the four of them were together, Alya would usually slip off with Nino to force Adrien and Marinette to be alone together but it could be seen as Alya making moves she supposed. Marinette shrugged with a smile smile, not sure what else to do. They sat in an uncomfortable since before Adrien asked her if she wanted anything, she replied with tea and a slice of cheesecake. He smiled and walked over to order. Marinette let out a breath she'd been holding in and took the chance to regain control of herself. He returned a few minutes later and she thanked him.
"H-how'd you do on that physics test? I remember you saying you were w-worried yesterday" Marinette tried for conversation.

"Surprisingly good, actually" Adrien lit up with pride. He smile made her stomach drop in the best way.

"I'm not surprised" Marinette giggled "you're really smart" she met his eyes and she felt herself tense up. Oh my god, Marinette why did you just say that, he's gonna think youre- her panicked thoughts came to a stop when he smiled and Marinette understood the thanking look in his eyes. They feel into a comfortable silence while they ate, Marinette was doing her best not to turn into a blubbering glob of blushing jelly, and decided starting another conversation was out of her league currently. She was checking on the ladyblog when Adrien shifted in his seat, catching her attention. He pulled out a history book and a notebook, Adrien took a drink of his hot chocolate, and read through his notes occasionally checking the book. He was so cute when he was focusing, Marinette mused.

"Do you need any help?" Marinette startled both of them by speaking and immediately started internally screaming at herself, he gave her that smile again and told her he'd be grateful. Marinette knew he probably understood the subject a lot better than her, but he accepted and they went over notes together, he even helped her tie up a few loose ends in her own notes. After what seemed like a few minutes Adriens phone went off, he checked it before letting out queit cruse. Marinette was torn between shock that this pure ray of sunshine had used such language, amusement because even though he had said them they where quite like he was a child trying not to let someone hear, and concern about what the message was.

"Nino just texted me" oh? "Lunch was over an hour ago" OH. Marinette check her phone it was 2:15, lunch had end over an hour and half ago. She quickly gathered her things, she looked at Adrien in confusion when he didn't do the same. He smiled at her like he'd read her thoughts.
"I miss a lot of school anyways, one afternoon will be fine. Besides we don't have any important things to do today and I need make sure the notes I have are good." It was true, he did miss a lot of school more than she did in fact even with the fact she was Ladybug. She nodded.

"I can take notes for you if any teachers say anything important" she offered, she could see the smile in his eyes without needing to see his smile but she stared at his lips anyway, wishing she could kiss them one day, oh god she loved his smile. He thanked her before she left, and the events of their study date left her with a fuzzy feeling the rest of the day. She smiled to herself, feeling herself blush, was that considered a date?

....

Her joy was short lived, only last about three hours after she got out of school, before she had to shelf her feelings to deal with an akuma. It turned out to be what looked like a middle aged man, he was dressed in an obnoxious black and white jester outfit and called himself The Gambler. Marinette had been walking with Alya, fangirling and thanking her for leaving them alone together yet she also made her swear never to do it again, she barely could function this time without making a fool of herself, let alone another time when the akuma bursted out of a nearby casino. It was most likely caused by the akuma making a risky bet and luck wasn't on his side. He took the die in his hand and threw it in the street, rolling something Marinette couldn't see from where she stood. The Gambler let out a mechanical laugh before motioning with his hand and purple smoke flew from his fingers wrapping around a citizen and dissipating as soon as it had appeared, the man flew to his knees and beg to empty his pockets, throwing his possessions on the ground in front of him before placing his palms on the ground in a bow. The Gambler shuffled threw his things, taking all his money and his watch. Marinette had been so caught up in watching the scene unfold to notice her best friend had run into the fray to stream to her ladyblog. Alya was so focused she didn't even notice that the akuma had his sights set on her.

"Alya!" She screamed, running towards her friend, the villian shoot a blast of smoke, Marinettes timing was perfect as she tackled her friend, the smoke missed and hit a building behind them. Marinette crouched in front of her friend ready to shield her if he did it again, she'd rather protect Alya right now than leave her to transform into Ladybug, even if it was selfish. Luckily Chat Noir arrived just in time distracting the villain, who screamed something at the cat. Marinette got Alya up and herded her to safety before making an excuse to escape and transform.

_______________

"Come on Gambler, haven't you heard about when the black chat crosses your path?" Adrien gave an amused smirk as he easily dodged multiple shots, this was actually pretty fun. Ladybug showed up too soon, cutting his fun short, but he was still happy. He didn't need the gamblers luck, seeing his beautiful lady in action made him happy enough. As soon as she was in hearing range he informed her he'd already located the akumatized item, a playing card in his breast pocket.
"Whats the plan, my lady?" He asked landing next to her again after dodging another blast, she was gorgeous in the almost twilight lighting, but then again she always was. A heavy force rammed into his side and he let out a shocked meow noise as the air was knocked out of his lung. he let out an annoyed growl as he pull himself up but then he stopped, why didn't he have an overwhelming desire to give The Gambler his miraculous?