Miraculous Mermaids (discontinued, but check the last chapter for extra info!)

13

Adrien POV: 

Special pills? Human form? Even in the water? What is Marinette Dupain-Cheng hiding from me?

We walk to the bakery kitchen and see Tom waiting for his daughter with open arms. Marinette runs into them. "Bye, Papa!"

"Now be careful. We can't let anyone accidentally..."

"Yes, I know, I know. Maman already gave me my lecture."

"I assume she gave you your gift as well?"

"Yes! Where did you find them? They're amazing!" Huh? How on Earth are pills for "anxiety" an amazing gift?

"Some things are best left kept secret. And," Tom continues, "I have a gift for you as well." He reaches into his pocket and pulls out...goggles?

Despite the simple...gift, Marinette's face lights up like a Christmas tree. "Oh! Wow! I completely forgot that I need these now that I have Maman's gift! Thanks so much, Papa!" 

"You're welcome. Remember that I love you and--"

"Be careful. Yes, sir."

Tom then turns to me and hands me a warm bag. "Make sure she gets some rest and food on the bus, ok son?"

I grin. "Of course. Ready, Mari?"

Tom raises an eyebrow and Marinette turns pink. "Ye-yeah. Let's go. Bye!"

We walk out the door and head toward the school. "So, Mari, Why are Tom and Sabine so intent on you being careful?"

She smirked. "Tom and Sabine?"

I flush. "Ah...They--they told me that...um, I could c-call them that."

She laughs. "Nah, it's fine. That just means that they really like you. You should definitely come over more often."

"I would love to!" 

"By the way, what did Papa give you?"

"Oh, this?" I hold up the bag that Tom gave me. "I'm not sure. Let's check." I open the bag and see that it's full of croissants, macarons, and other treats from the bakery.

"Of course," she giggles. "Only Papa would give us treats for the whole class."

I smile and reach for a croissant. "You still haven't answered my question."

"Question?" Marinette asks and grabs two cookies.

"Why your parents are so hellbent on you being careful?"

"Well...don't all parents want their child to be safe? It's only natural, isn't it?"

"True. So, what about the pills Sabine gave you?"

"Uh...um...I thought you didn't hear anything!"

"You're right. That doesn't mean I can't use my eyes though."

"Right. They're for anxiety."

I would believe her if I hadn't overheard her conversation. "What about the goggles? Aren't they like the first thing that you pack along with your swimwear?"

"Well..."

"ADRIKINS!" Our conversation is interrupted by Chloe who tackles me in a hug. "I was wondering when you would come! Oh my gosh! Is that a new jacket? It's so high-quality! Who made it? It was your father, wasn't it? It has to be! It's so well made!" she runs her hands up an down the sleeves and it takes all of my willpower to not shudder under her touch.

Marinette clears her throat. "Thanks, Chloe." 

Chloe scoffs. "Ha, ha, very funny Dupain-Cheng. We all know that you're not talented enough to make something like this."

She points out the signature on my jacket. "This says otherwise."

Chloe turns red and storms off toward Sabrina "Wow, Mari, good job on handling Chloe like that." I give her a smile and she blushes.

Out the corner of my eye, I see Alya and Nino running towards us. "Hey!" Alya yells and gives Marinette a hug.

"What's up, dudes?" Nino asks and gives me a fist bump.

"Alright!" Mlle. Bustier announces, "Time to load the bus!" As we load the bus, Marinette hands the bag of treats to Mlle. Bustier. "Oh, tell your father thank you for me when we get back ok?"

"Yes, Mlle." Marinette heads toward the back of the bus and takes the window seat.

"Hey, Mari?" I ask.

"Yeah?"

"Can I sit here?"

She deadpans. "Really, Adrien? You really think you have to ask to sit next to one of your friends? I literally made you a scarf. You don't have to ask to sit next to me."

"A...scarf?" I question as I slide into the seat next to her.

All color drains from her face and her eyes go wide. "D-did I say--Did I say a-a, um, scarf? Oh, I meant a jac-jacket. Silly me. I'm so tired. Oops."

"Let's play 20 questions!" We turn towards Alya and Marinette nods. She managed to get out of that conversation. Temporarily, of course.

I turn my attention back to Marinette. This isn't over  I mouth. She looks away.

"So," she says, "Who wants to go first?"

Oops. I made this whole chapter in Adrien's POV. Sorrynotsorry.

-mj