Miraculous One Shot Compilation

She's Here

A/n - This idea tripped over my brain as I continued to read the one-shot collection by NotSoEvilMastermind. It's pretty similar to one of hers, but it has a fundamental difference that I believe justifies it being written. So - does that mean I'm a fanfiction-fanfiction writer?

Disclaimer: I've only watched the first three episodes of season two. I can't stand love triangles, so I choose to stay willfully ignorant of what's going on until Adrien and Marinette are back to being interested in each other, in whatever form. Because of this, any of my one-shots have the potential of contradicting something that happens in season two. *covers eyes* Will you tell me when it's safe to look?

"Now that we've read all the way through our book," Miss Bustier informed her class, "it is time for us to write an essay reflecting on what we've read." The class groaned, but on went the teacher. "This assignment will be a little different than the last two writing responses you turned in. For one thing, you will be graded only on completion of the assignment, not on its contents. For another, you won't be required to put your name on the paper. I'll just check your name off the list when I see that you hand one in. That way if you have any sensitive information relating to the topic you can go ahead and share it anonymously. Now, here's the topic." Miss Bustier turned around and wrote bullet points on the board as she continued talking. "The protagonist of our novel spent most of his character arc complaining about his younger brother - yet in the end, he risked his life running out onto the battlefield to bring his brother home. I want you to write about someone or something that causes you grief, yet is dear enough to you that you wouldn't want to lose it. I want between fifty and three hundred words, due when the bell rings at the start of next class. Class is dismissed."

--

"Someone or something that's a regular pain, but that I never want to give up, huh?" Marinette chuckled, leaning back in her flower printed swivel chair. "For some reason I can only think of that dumb cat."

"Then write about him!" Tikki suggested.

"Huh? Do you really think it's a good idea for me to turn in a paper on Chat Noir?"

"If he's who you're inspired to write about, then yes! Just don't mention him by name. You'll be turning the paper in anonymously, so it doesn't really matter, and your teacher doesn't know Chat Noir on a personal level, so she'll be none the wiser."

"Hmm, all right." Marinette took out a paper and pencil. "This assignment might be easier than I originally thought."

--

"It looks like everyone turned in a paper. Excellent! I'm proud of you, class. Now, let's see what you have to say." To Marinette's horror, Miss Bustier started reading the first paper in the stack. It was pretty similar to the novel they'd read - the author's sibling was the chosen topic. In the next paper, school was the subject of reluctant affection. Still another told about the author's love for singing; that he (or she) wished he (or she) didn't have, because he (or she) didn't deem him (or her) self a very skillful singer. The fourth paper in the stack was the one Marinette had been dreading.

"I have a certain friend that annoys me to pieces, but he's never lied to me. He tells the most awful puns and refuses to quit flirting with me until I'm at my wits' end, and yet, there are times when I depend on him completely. On multiple occasions, I've gotten myself far closer to an akuma than I intended, and it always ends the same way - he risks his life to save mine. At times I wish he would leave me alone, or at least keep his mouth closed for five minutes - but in my heart I know that, if given the opportunity, I would do the same for him that he does for me. I know that I need him, and part of me wants him to need me too. We're partners - that's just the way it's meant to be."

--

Adrien was having a somewhat difficult time focusing on the first several papers. Siblings? He couldn't relate. Maybe if he had a sibling he would be less lonesome. School was almost completely a positive experience for him, considering it got him out with other people. Like many of the fine arts, he'd had brief vocal training and considered himself decent. Eh, he could take it or leave it. The fourth paper, however, caught his attention.

Wasn't that exactly what Ladybug had told Copycat about him? Word for word almost! Puns? Check. Flirting? Check. Risking his life for her? Check. She would do the same for him? Maybe? He'd never considered that before. She risked her life for civilians, so... probably? Was it all a coincidence, or was Ladybug in his class? ... writing about him?

If it was she, that didn't leave too many options - there were only eight girls in the class. It obviously wasn't Alya; she consistently filmed Ladybug and tried to uncover her identity. Alya's investigations had proved beyond a doubt that it wasn't Chloe. That left six people. He and Ladybug had fought those two and a few other girls in their akumatized state. Alix had been Timebreaker, Mylene had been Horrificator, Rose had been Princess Fragrance, Juleka had been Reflekta, Sabrina had been Vanisher. That left one person. One. Marinette had been... never akumatized. That was it. If Ladybug were in his class, she could only be Marinette. Shy, sweet Marinette hardly seemed capable of fighting an akuma - but then again, it wouldn't be the first time the girl had surprised him with her capabilities. Did she look like she could defeat Chloe in the election for class representative? Not really, but she had, and she filled the position quite well. Did she look like she could knock him for a loop in a violent video game? Absolutely not! Yet she had... Adrien had learned never to be surprised by how many ways Marinette could surprise him, and just maybe, this was her largest surprise yet.