Then There Was You

Chapter 13

It was a beautiful warm summer day, and with no school anymore, Marinette thought it would be nice to surprise Adrien with a picnic in the park. Alya immediately jumped on board as co-conspirator to pack the picnic baskets and surprise the boys. Since Adrien's father was going to be in London for a few days, Nathalie basically wiped Adrien's schedule, meaning he could spend all his time with Marinette and his friends.

Marinette had managed to get herself up early so that she could bake a special batch of macarons, making sure there were plenty of Adrien's favourite passionfruit ones. Settled on the blanket under a tree, the two couples enjoyed their treats while they talked about what the future might hold for them. Nino had lined up some DJ gigs and was starting to get a bit of a name for himself. Marientte was waiting on a response for some internship applications and Adrien, well he hadn't quite decided yet, that would depend on his father.

Adrien sat with his back up against the tree, one knee bent up and with Marinette leaning back against his chest. Adrien loved this, holding Marinette in his arms, the warm sun on his back and his best friends around him. It was perfect. He noticed she was wearing the new summer dress she had been making, her hair tied up into a messy bun on her head and her face glowed with happiness. She looked so beautiful to him.

Alya excitedly told them she had been offered an internship at TVi after her impressive stint on their work placements. Her connection to Ladybug also didn't go unnoticed, as the Ladyblog was practically the only place Ladybug and Chat Noir granted interviews. "I'm up for a student achievement award too for one of my photos." She grinned. The others looked at her as she scrolled through her phone before holding up her prized picture of the heated kiss between Ladybug and Chat Noir. Marinette groaned and rolled her eyes.

"Really, they nominated that for a prize?" Alya laughed.

"Hey, I got the exclusive pics and an interview." She protested. After the picture went viral, Ladybug and Chat granted the Ladyblogger an interview to confirm their relationship, while asking for privacy. Chat of course couldn't stop grinning like a love sick kitten the entire time and the hashtag #lovelikechat started trending on social media. Even now he almost was giving himself away with the smug look on his face over that photo. There was an unexpected bonus though in that the focus on the 'new' development between Ladybug and Chat had taken the focus off Adrien and Marinette in the media. Thank goodness for small blessings.

"Besides, I always said there was something between those two, and it turned out I was right." Alya gloated. "Plus getting my second favourite picture of them was just a bonus."

"Second favourite?" Adrien queried. "What's your favourite picture then?" He assumed it must have been something of her and Nino.

"Ah." Alya replied mysteriously. "It was actually the first time I tried out that long range camera lense one afternoon here at school and I stumbled across something rather juicy." She once again scrolled through her phone before turning it around. Marinette practically choked on her drink. It was almost a mirror image of the Ladybug and Chat Noir picture, only it was Adrien holding up Marinette against the lockers at school. It was after Adrien's fencing lesson, he hadn't even changed yet, and they *thought* no one else was around for their impromptu makeout. Marinette was completely dying but Adrien's face broke into a wide grin.

"A-Alya, how...how could you?" Marinette finally spluttered out as Adrien began to laugh behind her. Of course that damn Cat would find it funny.

"Can I have a copy of that?" He asked Alya, Marinette slapping him on the arm, her face growing progressively more red. In the distance, they heard arguing and laughter before seeing Alix, Kim, Max and Ivan come into view, kicking a soccer ball and heading their way.