Gamer

Marinette tapped her pen against her desk in her room. Before her was a notebook filled only with details she gathered about Hawkmoth from her experience as Ladybug and Alya's Ladyblog. There wasn't much information but the more she discovers, the closer they get to finding the villain and his miraculous. She sighed. They had it narrowed down to an adult man. So nearly half of Paris! She was getting nowhere. Marinette let slip another sigh. She should get to the school library. She couldn't study in her room without getting distracted by Hawkmoth or her fashion sketches or...Adrian hanging on her wall. It was only one poster with three or four magazine cut-outs to take notes on. She grabbed her bag and took the short walk to school, mind still on Hawkmoth. What did he want with her miraculouses? She didn't notice that the courtyard was empty. She climbed the stairs to the library where, oddly enough, a lot of noise emerged. Cautiously, she pushed the door open and peeked through.

Everyone was gathered around a TV, cheering loudly in the normally quiet place. Marinette walked further into the library and closer to the crowd. "What's going on?" she asked the group. Rose, the sweet blonde girl with short hair answered, "Try-outs for the Paris Ultimate Mecha Strike III Tournament! This school sends the two students with the highest scores!" She looked to the screen then down at the two playing. Adrian and Max. She knew Max would be trying out but Adrian? He high-fived Max and said, "You were great. We should play together more often." She looked at the screen. Adrian won? She never knew he played videogames. "Looks like we have our competitors," Mr Damocles announced. Everyone cheered for the two. As the crowd began to disperse, Marinette asked, "Hey, can I get a turn?" Mr Damocles nodded and Adrian handed her his controller. She gave him a brief, goofy smile then let determination wash over her. "The rules are elementary, You battle each other's robots with your own and-" Max began to explain but she cut him off, "Every time you win, you loot its items and gain XP, which upgrades your mech. I'm not a noob, thank you very much." She glanced at Max as he smiled to himself then pushed his glasses up his nose. "Ah, sounds like you have a sufficient amount of knowledge. Let's see if it's enough to beat me," he challenged. The two began to play, each leaning closer to the TV as they got more and more intensely into it. "And now, a quarter super plus heavy kick, and Flying Hyper Storm! Triple head combo, Marinette style! Booyah!" Marinette yelled, her arms throwing out to the side and hitting Max. "Oh, sorry," she said, calming down a bit. She won. Max looked at the screen, heart-broken, then turned to Marinette. Mr Damocles stepped in and unplugged the TV. "So, Marinette Dupain-Cheng and Adrien Agreste you will represent us at the Paris Ultimate Mecha Strike III Tournament. Good luck to both of you," he told the two. "You hit me which caused me to lose," he protested. Marinette tilted her head in confusion. "I won before I hit you. I was celebrating," she explained, "Besides, I don't want to compete. I just wanted to play." Mr Damocles shook his head. "Nonsense. You two are competing, Max, you never made the cut," he told everyone. All three tried to protest further but Mr Damocles walked away without reversing his decision. "Max, I'm really sorry. I thought the try-outs were over," Marinette said. Adrian placed his hand on the boy's shoulder and said, "There is always next time. We can still play together." Max stormed off, not saying another word to either of them. Marinette looked down. "I really wasn't trying to try-out," she assured Adrian. "I believe you," he told her. She sat down at one of the desks and crossed her legs. Marinette pulled out her books but immediately placed her head on the desk. Adrian walked over to her and patted her back. "Don't worry. He'll cool off soon. All we can do now is our best," he told her. She kept her head down, now hiding her cheeks and listening to her beating heart. "Um...Do you wanna meet up to practise later?" he asked her. She lifted her head and stared at her books. "Sure. I don't have any more classes today so just come get me when you're ready," she told him with her sweetest voice. She was sorry for Max who seemed to take his defeat pretty poorly but Adrian was coming to her house! To play a game with her! Her favourite game! Adrian! "See ya later, then."

Adrian helped Marinette pack her bag and the two made their way to the bakery. He was hit with the wonderful smell of home-made sweets and bread. The bakery was filled with colour and warmth and life. "Who is this?" Marinette's dad asked them. "I'm Adrian. Marinette and I are finalists in the Paris Ultimate Mecha Strike III Tournament," he told them politely. Their looked to each other then smiled knowingly. "No way. Well, you did learn from the best Tom style! Booyah!" her dad excitedly said, punching his fists in the air with Marinette copying him. "You never told us about this Tournament," her mum said. Marinette nervously scratched her cheek. It was cute but why was she nervous? He couldn't remember the last time his father took an interest in him. "We were just pairing out today," Adrian explained, realising Marinette wasn't going to. Her mum raised her eyebrows and smirked at her daughter. Her finger darted between the two as she said, "You two are a pair, huh? I'm not surprised. Marinette talks a lot about you, you know?" He looked to Marinette who stiffened. She suddenly grabbed his hand and whined, "Mum! Come on, Adrian." He waved shyly to her parents as Marinette dragged him upstairs. She started to set up the game, allowing Adrian to look around her room. His hand ran along her sketches and notes. She was a fashion designer in the making. Maybe better than his father. He blushed when he saw the poster and pictures of him. Marinette squealed behind him and pulled down her sketches. "Don't hide them. They are cool. Would you let me try some of the shirts?" he asked. She shook her head. "Uh...I don't...I don't have any of this made yet," she nervously said. "That's too bad. You're really good," he complimented. The game's music interrupted them. Marinette dragged a chair to the computer for Adrian and sat down. Awkwardly, she patted her hand on the seat next to her. He sat and reached for the controller. His hand wrapped around Marinette's as she went to grab the same one. "Oh, sorry!" she as their hands brushed against each other. He pulled his hand to him and said, "You first." She nodded nervously and picked a controller. He took the remaining one and silently the two began to play. What should he say? This was awkward. She kept looking at him. Was that because he wasn't saying anything or because he was playing poorly. He didn't think he was that bad. Granted, she was much better but he was oka-and he lost. "Ha! Booyah! In your face!" she shouted, slamming the controller on the desk and pointing in his face. She let out a gasp as her face dropped. "I-I'm-" she began but Adrian started laughing. He didn't expect the shy awkward Marinette to suddenly gloat about winning. "You can get very into this. I never expected you to be the type to gloat," he said, still laughing. "I normally play with my dad, that's why," she explained. They started up another game. "He seemed nice. So does you're mum," Adrian said, hoping to segway into asking what she meant. "Yeah, they are. Sometimes, though, they can be..." she trailed off and paused the game, turning in her seat. He looked behind him too and saw her dad sneaking back down the stairs. "Nosey," she finished. He turned back but she didn't play the game. Reflected on the screen was her parents pushing open the trap door and closing it again after being spotted. "At least they take an interest," he let slip. She pressed play and another round started. "I heard your father was cold but surely he drops in to ask how you are," she said. He lost again. He didn't reply, not really sure how to. The mood had just lightened only for him to darken it again and make it awkward. "Oh. Well, how are you?" she asked. He...he didn't expect that. He smiled despite loosing pathetically quickly. "I'm fine."

Marinette won yet another round of their game. This was the most fun she had with Adrian without messing up her words or tripping. It was so natural. "Wow, you won again! You're amazing, Marinette. I guess you wouldn't even need me. I'm so lame compared to you..." he said. Lame? Adrian? Never! He was handsome and sweet and sure, he was friends with Chloe but no one is perfect! He was close though. "Um, no no no, I... No, you're so good. I mean, I'm the one who's not good. I mean... I'm lucky, that's all," she tried. Why can't she just speak freely? She was doing so well when playing. She just needed to channel her inner Ladybug. She smirked and teased, "Actually, you know what? I've got a secret." His green eyes widened with joy. "This is why I win," she said, pulling out a home-made beaded phone charm, "My lucky charm." His smile remained but his eyebrow raised. "Are you messing with me?" he asked. She shook her head. "Take it. I'm sure it'll work for you," she said, handing him the charm. His expression became a little gentler. "Cookie break!" Marinette fell out her seat in surprise as her dad snuck up the stairs and through the trap door. She picked herself up and smiled sheepishly at him. Well, she didn't fall on him at least. She took the plate and offered it to Adrian. He put the controller down and grabbed a cookie. "How about we sit outside for a bit," she suggested, pointing to her balcony. "Can we take the cookies? They're really good," he said. Marinette offered him another one before leading the way to the balcony.

Adrian smiled as he took another cookie. Marinette giggled and said, "If I knew you liked them so much, I'd have brought some in for you." His cheeks burned red. "I don't eat many sweets. My father tries to keep me on some strict diet but I sneak a few treats at lunch when my bodyguard isn't around," he explained. Marinette frowned. He said something weird again, didn't he? "Well, I'll be sure to pack extra treats for you! I always bring some for myself and Alya anyways," she told him. He had never known someone so kind. His phone rang, interrupting the two. Adrian pulled it out of his pocket and declined the call. "My father," he told the curious girl. "Shouldn't you have answered?" He put his phone down and ignored its buzzing. "I'm missing Chinese lessons to be here. He won't be happy but, hey, I get to see him when I get home at least," he explained. "He is really strict, huh," she said sympathetically. He nodded. It was easy to talk to Marinette but he didn't like burdening her with his problems. She wasn't even complaining about herself, either. They just talked about him. That was until she said, "I'd hate to be watched constantly. I'm always dropping things and being late and making a mess...Trying to be perfect for your father must suck." He placed his hand on hers and chuckled as he remembered the time she was late to class and covered in flour because she tripped up on her way out. "You can be pretty clumsy. Uh, sorry," he said. He had to be more careful with what he said. He wouldn't like to accidentally insult her. "Whaa, no! Don't be. I am clumsy pretty. Um, pretty clumsy. And very bad at speaking, apparently..." Her hand danced nervously on her lap. "Bad at speaking or not, you always know what to say. Shall we see if this charm of yours is lucky enough to let me beat you?" He stood up, letting Marinette pick herself up whilst he collected the plate. Before he knew it, he was surrounded by darkness in a cold, metal hand.

Marinette looked at the hand Adrian held. It was so warm and soft. She was too busy staring at it she hadn't noticed the giant robot walk towards them, allowing it to pluck the two right up. "Adrian?" she asked as she slotted her hands between the tiny gaps in the fingers. She tried to pry the metal machine open but to no avail. "I'm here, Marinette. You okay?" Crud. If he wasn't there, she could have transformed into Ladybug. Wait, no. If she did, she would have revealed herself. "I can't get this open," she told him. Giving up, she stumbled in the dark until she found Adrian. "Are you doing okay?" she asked, crouching next to him. "Yeah. What is this?" he asked. Marinette took her phone out and shone the light around them. She watched as Adrian tapped the black metal. Suddenly, it began to move. Marinette grabbed onto the wall and held Adrain as beneath them, the metal structure opened up, revealing they had been carried by a giant robot to the stadium. It shook until Marinette couldn't hold on any longer and the two dropped onto the grass. "Well, well. Marinette, let's see who's victorious this time," the robot said. Marinette gasped. "That sounds like Max!" she squealed. Why did she play the game? What was she thinking? She just wanted to show her skills to Adrian. "Look out," Adrian yelled, pulling Marinette back. A red orb appeared before them. Marinette looked up at the giant robot. "Not up to the challenge?" Max asked. He wants a...rematch? Hesitantly, she reached out for the orb. "Marinette, what are you-" Adrian asked, cut off when a red robot formed around them. "He still thinks I cheated," she said, "I think that got him vilified." She looked around the cockpit of the robot. "So he wants a rematch?" he asked. Marinette nodded. "At least now we can test the charm," she said. He showed her the charm and wrapped it around his wrist. "You shoot, I man it?" he suggested. Marinette took a seat and with the same determination, she pushed the controls. The guns moved side to side. Adrian took his seat and asked, "Are you ready?" Marinette smirked and said, "Let's do this."

Adrian dodged another of Max's attacks. Marinette shot at him but he countered with missiles. Adrian went into an attack but Max dodged. It was no use. They were evenly matched. "He somehow knows what we are gonna do!" Adrian told his partner. Marinette jumped out her seat and placed her face next to his, their cheeks touching. "He has played with us in these roles already," she said, studying his attacks. They were hit and thrown into the stadiums' seats. "Swap with me," she told him. Adrian found himself blushing. She was like Ladybug when she got into the zone. He climbed out his seat and grabbed the shooting controls. Suddenly, the robot pushed forward, causing Adrian to fall forward out his seat. He caught himself. "Booster, left arm," she ordered. He did as she said. He didn't think it was the right move. The fist was caught by Max. "Cat Saber," she ordered. "Marinette, I think we should do misiles then shield," he suggested. Max hit them with his 'Gamer drill'. "Just do something," she said. He wanted to do his move. He thought it was the best one but something inside told him to listen to her. Something deep inside him told him his ideas were stupid and all he was good for was listening to other people. He pulled the robot's tail off and let Marinette take control of it. Marinette thrust it into Max's robot as he shot lasers at their cockpit. Both robots collapsed. He shouldn't have wasted time suggesting anything.

Marinette picked herself up. She pushed the controller but the robot didn't respond. Broken. Looking around, she found the hatch and opened it. The girl rubbed her bruised arm before walking through the rubble and finding her crush. "Adrian? I got you. Here," she said when she found him lying down. Marinette knelt and took his hand. she didn't move until he was ready to be helped up. "You aren't hurt, are you?" she asked. Together, they made their way to the hatch. "No. Perfectly fine. Well, scratches and bruises," he said. She was used to bruises considering how often she fell. Marinette let him go so he could jump down. She cautiously climbed down. Predictably, her foot slipped and Marinette fell into Adrian's arms as he reached to help her down. Nervously, Marinette giggled. "Sorry..." she croaked out. Both turned when they heard Max stumble towards them. Adrian, despite being battered, held his arm out protectively in front of Marinette. He was like a hero - like she and Cat Noir. Only, he didn't need powers. Max held his hand out and said, "I accept this defeat. Congratulations Marinette. Adrian." This defeat? He really thought she cheated. It wasn't just an excuse for his defeat. She pushed Adrian's arm down and walked over to Max. Her hand gripped his. "If you wanted a rematch, you could have just asked. I wasn't trying to enter the contest," she explained. Suddenly, a purple butterfly outline appeared around his eyes. Marinette ignored Adrian's pleas to let Max go. He needed to know she forgave him. He needed to know that, no matter what Hawkmoth said, she was there for him. They were still friends. "If Ladybug and Cat Noir were going to turn up, they would have been here by now. I am 99.63 per cent sure," he said. There was a silence then Max responded, "I am done, Hawkmoth. They are not coming." Marinette couldn't worry about her identity or Cat Noir at that moment. Max let out a scream of agony and collapsed, Marinette catching him. She held him and whispered gently into his ear, "I forgive you. You don't need to be angry. You can fight him. I'll be here with you every step." Max weakly said to Hawkmoth, "Yes, Hawkmoth. I am useless to you." The boy returned to normal and the butterfly flew out his glasses. She would need to let this one slide. It couldn't do any harm. As soon as she could, she would transform into Ladybug and reverse the damage. "You're safe," Marinette assured him, slowly letting him go. Filled with shame, Max looked down. Behind her, she heard Adrian walking over to them. "I'm sorry," Max said to them both. Adrian helped him up and said, "You were vilified. Not your fault. We're sorry for making you angry." Why was Adrian apologising? Marinette shrugged it off. "Yeah! In fact, I'm going to insist Mr Damocles puts you on the team and takes me off!" she declared, getting swept up in the moment. She wasn't that interested in the contest anyway. She looked at Adrian's green eyes. She wouldn't get to play with him anymore, though. Making Max happy was more important to her than spending time with Adrian. There will be other opportunities...hopefully.

Adrian stood in the office behind Max and Marinette. He was there mainly for support, not that Marinette really needed any. He took out his phone whilst she listed all the reasons she shouldn't be the one to compete. Ten missed calls from his father. He slipped out of the room and, in the corridors, called him back. "Adrian, where are you? Nathalie and your bodyguard have been out looking for you," he scolded. Adrian lowered his head in shame. His father didn't sound worried - just angry. "I was at a friend's. Then...we were caught up in the villain attack..." He could hear his father's quiet rage at his rebelliousness. "Where are you now? I am sending your bodyguard to get you," he said. "I'm fine, Father," he said but his father repeated, "Where are you?" Marinette came out with her hands raised victoriously. She slowly lowered them when she saw Adrian's defeated expression. "At school, Father," he said. His father didn't say anything else. He hung up. Marinette was silent. He wanted to spend more time with her - she was a cool girl - but his father's strict control would not allow it. There was something they could do together. "Here's my number," he told her, taking out a piece of paper and pen, "So we can play together or, you know, talk whenever you want. I can be a shoulder for you if you need, or, you know..." He didn't know what he was trying to say. Marinette accepted the paper, a huge grin smothering her face. That was the Marinette he knew. That was the Marinette he was friends with. That was