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Marinette Dupain-Cheng was never a bookworm. During her childhood, her parents always tried to make her pick up one book and she constantly refused, always going back to her incredible doodles and drawings. But when she turned fourteen and became the Guardian of the Miracle Box, she realised reading was some kind of brilliant escape. In the beginning, it seemed stupid, reading words in a dead tree. Well, she continued and found herself not being able to stop doing it, day after day, finding another book to make her escape reality continuously.
Marinette sat in her room, feeling the tingle of the tears streaming down her face as she finished the last chapters. Crooked Kingdom, was the book who wonderfully made her enter another reality while reading words in paper. As she finished it, she closed it, and brought it closer to her chest, warmly hugging it. She asked herself, how could this thing make her feel so much and nothing at the same time.
"Marinette, what's wrong?" - Tikki asked, taking a small bite of the pink macaroon she held.
"This book, is so.. perfect."
"Oh Marinette." - Tikki said, getting closer to her and kissing her cheek, trying to ease some of her pain.
Recently, the blue haired girl, had discovered an immense affection for reading words in paper, she had realized how fulfilling it felt to read, and daydream about those nonexistent characters and worlds. Even Alya had been appalled when she told her that it was her favorite thing to do. Now, everywhere they went with Marinette, you wouldn't see her without a book, she always carried a different one.
...
In a Friday morning, Marinette arrived at school, carrying her backpack and within her arms, a book. She reached the entrance, blankly aware that she was late and stepped into the classroom, knocking on the door first.
"I'm sorry I'm late." - she apologised, taking a breath and holding her newest book. "Can I come in?"
"Yes Marinette, take a seat please." - responded Miss Bustier.
She walked to her seat, next to Alya who looked at her and whispered, "You stayed awake at night finishing that book didn't you? You kinda look like shit."
"I hadn't noticed Alya, thanks." - she answered with a roll of eyes and sarcasm. "And yes, I sacrificed my sleep schedule to read the last pages of that amazing book and it was more than worth."
...
Being Chat Noir had been a blessing to Adrien Agreste. When he was wearing the black leather suit, sprinting around Paris with the wind kissing his face, was when he felt the most free and that he could do anything he wished. To jumping to rooftops, to defeating akumatized villains, to being with his lady, that all seemed truly to being taken out of a fantasy novel, and he adored it.
He had a million of responsibilities beneath the mask, and sometimes he wished he could escape reality through another way besides when he transformed with the help of his magical kwami. That's when he instantaneously found books. Everything that was fiction captivated him, he could read during boring photo shoots while they rearranged his makeup, or when his father made him go to his room for a long afternoon and his bodyguard watched every movement of his.
He never read near his friends. He wanted to enjoy every bit of moments he possibly had with them, they were part of his happiness and he had more time to escape reality than to be with them. Actually, he had more time do to anything, than to hang out with his friends. It seemed like his schedule was getting tighter and fulfilled with activities he couldn't even spell the tiredness that rested on him after them.
Surely he had noticed that the blue haired classmate of his, shared the same love for reading as him. He had only recently discovered his passion for the words in paper, and still hadn't gotten the chance to approach her and have a nice conversation about it. He had never been close to Marinette, between their friend group, she was the one he spoke least to. It sort of left a void he never thought he would have, she was a fantastic girl and brilliantly talented and she constantly avoided his gaze and left in the middle of conversations.
...
"Marinette, guess what?" - asked Alya, putting her phone away. They stood, laying in Marinette's bedroom, sitting on her light pink carpet.
"What?" - questioned Marinette with a hint of curiosity, tilting her head.
"Nino just told me something very interesting... Apparently, the blond likes to read too."
"Adrien?"
"Yes Adrien. Who would it be? Chat Noir?" - Alya asked in a playful tone with a laugh. Marinette opened her mouth to argue and responded with a nervous chuckle too.
"I wasn't aware that he was a reader."
"Me neither, until Nino told me he's got an enormous new bookshelf. He's into fantasy too. This is your chance girl! You can bond with him now that he likes books too!" - Alya said excitedly, shaking Marinette's shoulders wearing a broad smile.
"Oh yeah, I can do that." - she tried a grin.
"I thought you would be so much more excited than that."
"I guess I just moved on."
"You what?!" - she asked appalled, with her jaw on the floor.
"I did Alya. I don't know what happened but that obsession is gone. I don't have that need to stalk him anymore, I don't even think I liked him. I saw him as this perfect unattainable god, I didn't like him. I loved the idea of him. And now, I'm very glad that I got over it. I'm much healthier."
"Oh." - Alya hummed. She took her friend's hand and smiled at her, "I'm sorry I didn't see that you were going that far. I'm so relived that now you're better, and that you're happier. That's all I've ever wanted for you."
"Me too." - Marinette smiled back. "I can still be his friend you know? I'm just not going to be the same mess."
"Nino's face will be priceless when he sees you and him having a normal convo."
They both giggled at the comment.
"So, what book are you reading now?"
"I'm actually finishing this one," she said picking it up from her desk and showing it to her friend, "It's called Girl in pieces, it's actually pretty good and I've cried a bit."
"That's such a long book."
Marinette furrowed her brows, biting back a laugh. "No it's not, there's only 416 pages."
"And that's not a lot?"
She shook her head.
“At least you’re lucky that you like to read, it’s an advantage for that assignment we have to do until Wednesday. Talking about that, have you chosen your book?”
Marinette pressed her lips together. “I haven’t. I forgot about it. Thank you very much for reminding me Alya.”
…
When the night arrived, the two superheroes of Paris were already above the rooftops, scanning every building, every house, for a possible threat. They had finished their patrol, and sat on their favourite spot of Paris, contemplating the lights of every illuminated place in the city.
“How has been your week Bug?” - he asked. She sucked in a breath, remembering the details of her days, trying not to mention anything that might lead to her identity.
“I read 4 books already.”
“Four in a week? You’re crazy.” - Ladybug shot him a look and he laughed, “In a good way M’lady,” he then, considered their choice of words and lifted an eyebrow, “…wait, you read too?”
Ladybug giggled, frowning. “Yes, that’s what I just said.”
“That’s so cool I’ve gotten into reading too.”
She narrowed her eyebrows. “Really? What are you reading now?”
“I’m rereading my favourite trilogy, the Renegades trilogy. You should definitely read it, it’s so addicting.”
Plenty of surprise swam through her. She would have never imagined that her partner would ever pick up a book or like one. She liked that actually. That someone shared the same interest in somethings who lived very dearly, and that someone being her partner, only made things better.
“I’m going to finish Girl in pieces and I’ll take a look at it. I can’t promise I’ll read it.”
“Okay, okay.” - he grinned like the lovesick fool he was. “Girl in pieces? Isn’t that book a little, heavy?”
“Yeah, the topic in general is a bit hard to deal with and very debatable. But it’s kind of complex and interesting in some ways.”
He nodded comprehending. He absolutely loved how she described books. He wished that she searched for the trilogy he recommend, then, she would understand why he would ever suggest it to her. It was like an alternate universe, or a parallel reality of what they were experiencing. Two teenagers wielding such powers, and also possessing secret identities and a deep love for each other. He only hoped the love part would be the same in reality too.
“One cannot be brave who has no fear.”
“Uh, what?” - asked Ladybug, completely confused.
“It’s my favourite quote from the trilogy.”
She smiled again. “I promise I will look into it. Good night Chaton.” - she said, not looking back when she fades away into the opposite direction of where they had stood seconds ago.
…
When Marinette detransformed and sunk into her bed, Tikki stood beside her. The thought of imagining Chat read was unimaginable a few days ago, but now, she could definitely see it. The fact that he read, strangely made him more attractive. She shook her head. Nope. She was the guardian, there were many other concerns beyond Chat’s handsomeness.
She then remembered the name of the trilogy he had suggested to her. She walked toward her computer and started searching for it. The books were mostly illustrated with buildings in the covers and that captivated her attention. She read a resumed synopsis and found it weirdly relatable. Secret identities, huh. Now she knew why Chat loved those books so much.
When she woke up the next morning, she was relieved to find that it was a Saturday. She began her day by taking a coffee mug to her bedroom, closing the trap door, and opening the hidden space where the Miracle box was. The kwamies were already flying around her bedroom as she held the box, analysing every curve, every space in which a Miraculous was stored. She spent the entire morning studying it, learning a few useless things about it, trying to deepen her study and knowledge into it, and somehow, trying to know something that would make her and her partner more powerful.
Then, she did her homework. It took her far long than usual because her thoughts kept bothering her, and the normal noises the kwamies produced didn’t help either. In a midst of a confusing glance at her wall, she bought the trilogy Chat recommended. Why not? The description had offered a potential world that could make her feel less lonely. Surely, she had her black cat, yet, they were limits, very specified limits to where they could extend their conversations to. Secret identities, of course.
In the end of the afternoon, she prepared a cup of tea, and started the first book. Renegades.
…
On Monday she was already on the last book. Could this book series get anymore better? She asked herself, trying to shake away the anxiety she was feeling as she passed her fingers through the first pages of the last book. Chat was right. Chat was right to reread this trilogy because it was truly amazing and she couldn’t put it down. The characters were similar to the people surrounding her in reality, so many things they did and thought she could identify herself, she felt understood.
A day passed and in the afternoon, on Tuesday, she was leading her hand to her face, cleaning her tears. “Oh god, no. This can’t be over like this… I can’t. I can’t do this.”
“Are you okay Marinette?”
She drew a breath. “Am I okay?? Am I okay? Marissa Meyer just left me with a hell of a cliff hanger and she’s expecting me to live the rest of my life not knowing if they are sisters.”
“They who?”
“Nova and Magpie.” - she sobbed again.
“Oh. It’s going to be okay Marinette.”
And then, shock struck her. Reading the book was the main goal, but the other one, even more important was preparing a presentation where she would talk about the book. “Shit.” - she cursed loudly, her eyes widening.
“What happened?”
“The presentation is tomorrow.” - she said. “I’m not ready Tikki… what if I cry during the presentation? While I’m explaining it? I can’t cry in front of the whole class!”
“Calm down, you won’t cry. You told me you just have to talk a bit about the book, not give unnecessary details.”
“Oh right, right. I have to work on that.”
Marinette made herself another tea. She researched even more about the books she nearly devoured in days, and wrote a little version of a synopsis of the book. She knew what kind of questions the teacher would ask, such as what her favourite character was, her favourite moment or quote. For that, she was ready.
…
“What’s the name of your book Marinette?”
“I’ve chosen a trilogy of books, if that’s okay.”
“Surely, continue please.” - Miss Bustier responded with a smile, observing her.
“I chose the Renegades trilogy,” - she said, taking all three books of her backpack, showing them to her classmates, including to a certain blond who was now with his jaw on the floor, and his cheeks completely flushed. Adrien raised his hand.
“Yes Adrien? Any questions?” - asked the teacher.
“I chose the same books Marinette chose.” - he said.
“Oh, then I guess if you or Marinette would prefer, you can do the presentation conjunctively, that would save time to the others.”
Marinette smiled, “It’s fine by me.”
“Me too.” - Adrien smiled back at her, and he could have sworn he could have melted in his place. This boy was in love.
“Marinette, what made you choose this book?”
“I didn’t choose them, a friend of mine recommended it to me.”
Adrien nearly choked in his automatic breath. Just a coincident, right? Even thought he saw a glimmer of Ladybug every time he glared at her face didn’t mean she was actually the bug heroine.
“And you Adrien?”
He cleared his throat. “I find the characters very relatable and complex.”
The teacher kept asking them basic questions just to feel convinced that they had read every single page of them. Finally, she made a final question, “What was your favourite quote?“
Adrien as the gentleman he was, let Marinette answer. “One cannot be brave who has no fear.”
Adrien looked at her. Coincidence. That was a quote that appeared lots of times throughout the book, perhaps it was everyone’s favourite. He answered the same thing, and they got back to their places, smiling proudly at each other.
After class, Adrien had gone after the pigtail girl and she turned around when saw him calling by her name.
“Hey.”
“Hey, your presentation was so good.”
“Oh thanks, yours was too. I love the way you formulate your words.”
She chuckled. “Thanks. I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
“See you tomorrow Marinette.” Or tonight. He saw her go. If his guess was right, if this incredible selfless girl wasn’t ladybug… he couldn’t imagine any other person worth of being her.
…
“Good night Bugaboo. Before we start patrolling, can I say something? It’s kind of important.”
“Yes. Oh, and, I’m sorry for interrupting but, I’ve read the books you recommended, they were wonderful!”
“Oh you did?”
She nodded her head. “I’m sorry, what did you have to say?”
“Once cannot be brave who has no fear Marinette.”
She furrowed her eyebrows in shock. “What?”
“You want me to say it again?“
“Oh no, I understood perfectly the first time. What did you call me?”
“By your name of course.”
“Oh shoot.” - she lead her hands to her head. “Hum, how? How did you find out? I was sloppy wasn’t it? Oh, why don’t I look to every direction when I detransform? Oh no no.”
He laughed. “No, calm down M’lady. I just figured out your identity because of a certain presentation. If you hadn’t chosen those books maybe my oblivious blonde brain would have never figured it out.”
She opened her mouth. “Adrien?”
“The one and only.” - he smiled at her.
She took a few steps forward, skiing the poor distance between them, and caught him in a tight hug, and whispered only loud enough for him to hear it. “I’m glad it’s you.”
“I’m glad it’s you too. I would’ve never want it to be anyone else.”