@(Un)LuckyLady 🐞 [4]

Don't judge a book by its cover.

Dear Buginettes,

How's your dating journey going so far?

It's been a couple of days since I last posted and I thought it was time for an update.

The first date I had didn't exactly work out quite the way I planned - my date ran away before we'd even ordered our drinks - but low and behold when one door closes another window opens ... and this one threw itself wide open.

Can you remember back to your first real crush? The one that made you daydream and believe that your life could be a fairytale? That one day you would open the door and the love of your life would be down on one knee, flowers surrounding him on a candle lit doorstep as he fumbled his way through the most romantic love declaration of your life?

Close your eyes and remember how that romance felt. Remember how that one person made you reevaluate your entire life plan just so they were a major part of it alongside you, holding your hand and guiding you along the way.

Can you picture it?

Great! Hold onto it.

That love still exists out there, you just need to find the person whose soul matches your own. Don't be shallow and don't take the outside as the be all and end all to your love. The heart is the only part of the body worth judging... the heart which is yours.

My first date on this journey was unexpected but it was only the first date. One date with one person; one whose heart was not made for mine; as mine was not for his. It's no one's fault... It's just life. The crazy old game of love.

A game where you play to win.

I have agreed to my second date tonight. A date, once again, with someone who's not my usual type. But tonight I made a promise to put my heart and soul on the line because at the end of the day it's the only way I'll win.

Open eyes, and open heart... Here goes official date number 2.

Ladybug 🐞

@(Un)LuckyLady🐞

Guys interested: 2 (-1)

Guys numbers: 3

Dates Planned: 1

Dates Completed: 1 (+ a half)

Hits: 20,005

Posted 20 seconds ago

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Turning to check herself out, Marinette twisted and turned in front of the mirror. It was approaching late February and the weather surrounding Paris was still bitter and cold - almost matching the way she felt.

After Luka and Fei's not too surprising engagement, Marinette had found out that once again she'd played the wonderful matchmaker when Zoé and Kagami finally revealed they were more than 'just good friends'.

Thank you, Marinette Dupain-Cheng.

Adding to that, the messages had started to flood in with thanks to Ladybug's amazing blog of gobbledygook. It was amazing that, in the space of only one week, others out there had already found someone and she couldn't help but feel jealous of each of those people. They'd managed to put themselves out there and were already reaping in the rewards of their hard work, whereas she was still living off a disastrous first date and an almost/kind of date with her long time crush.

She was a mess, an absolute mess; lying on the blog to make it sound like the failure of the date was a lot more 'destiny' instead of her feeling like crap about her lack of date-ability once more. You really could post whatever you wanted on the internet.

"You look beautiful, Marinette." Tikki hovered beside her holder as Marinette gave herself another check over in the mirror. Her dress was beautiful; a deep mauve red with puffy sleeves cuffed at her wrists, and a long maxi skirt complete with slit up one leg. It was one of her most prized dresses, one she had worked hours on for herself. She wasn't entirely sure when or where she was going to wear it - at the time - but she was sure it was going to be a showstopper.

"Do you not think it's too much?" She took a long gold chain from her jewellery box and added it to the dress. The neck loop was tight, leaving a long gold chain hanging down the bare 'V' at the front of her dress, disappearing into the waistband.

Many thoughts played in her head about what she was about to bring herself face-to-face with. Of course, the guys from the boxercise class were going to be there including Pringles Paul and Gaston, but she was also going to see her possible partner, aka Frederick and, maybe even, Adrien. How did something so simple suddenly become so confusing?

She was meant to have turned up at a gym, taken a couple of classes, found a guy and dated for a little while to comment about on the blog; posting tips and tricks for surviving first arguments and meeting the parents. She wasn't meant to bump into Adrien again or find someone who could possibly be her partner, in addition to struggling to hold a guy's attention.

"Certainly not," Tikki said, her little fins holding her hips. "Though I am wondering who you're making all the effort for?" Tikki giggled, spiralling around her as she grabbed Marinette's hair and placed it into a rather technical chignon.

"Don't start. This is an absolute disaster."

"Why is it?"

Marinette made her way over to her clutch bag and grabbed it along with her shawl.

"It just is! I don't know what I'm doing, and the more I think about it the deeper the mess I'm getting into. I just-" The doorbell rang, halting Marinette's breakdown and instead, having her turn her attention to her kwami for moral support.

"You're going to be okay, Marinette." Tikki smiled, warmly. "I promise."

Opening her bag to allow her little friend in, Marinette took a deep breath. It was going to be okay. She was going to be okay. She had to be.

Gaston led Marinette into the ballroom at a local hotel, one hand positioned on her lower back, after a rather calm journey to the venue. They'd spoken a lot in the taxi ride over and it seemed they had quite a few similar interests, ones Marinette would have never had guessed. He'd been the gentleman Paul wasn't; opening the door for her and allowing her in first. In all, she was feeling a lot calmer and a lot more positive about the evening's events.

"Canapé?" A waiter stopped in front of them offering the tray out to both Marinette and Gaston.

Marinette looked over the small appetisers attempting to judge what exactly they were.

"Fantastic," Gaston announced, taking two from the tray and handing one over to Marinette. "These look wonderful, don't you think Marinette?"

She looked down at the canapé, still none the wiser to what it actually was; part of her dreading he'd actually just handed her shellfish. It had been a long time since she'd eaten the cursed creatures, the last time resulting in quite an inflammation of hives and a trip to the emergency room. That was six years ago though.

"Is there something wrong with the food?" Gaston's voice brought her back to the present, and out of her shellfish filled nightmares.

"Oh - um - I think..." she looked at his face only to find the look of someone unimpressed by her actions. Once again she had disappointed her date. What was wrong with her?

"I was just waiting to hear your thoughts on it," she lied.

Marinette smiled up towards her date, a smile which barely scraped the definition as she lifted the canapé towards her mouth.

"It's wonderful," Gaston said, his enthusiasm would have the chef believing he'd never eaten before in his life. "Best one I've ever tasted. If you don't hurry up and eat it, I may just have to snatch it from your fingers."

His hand reached out to Marinette's and cupped it, grasping hard and bringing it towards his mouth.

Was he actually going to put her fingers in his mouth? The extra couple of inches he'd just manoeuvred her hand was a crystal clear indication that it was, indeed, aiming for his mouth.

Not wanting her hand to make contact with Gaston's mouth, Marinette whipped it out of his grasp and shoved the whole canapé into her own; manners forgotten.

"Hummmm-" She closed her eyes and bit down on the rubbery texture. Lobster, maybe?

Trying not to look like she was going to throw up, she swallowed the canapé, opened her mouth and showed her tongue to Gaston. Did she suddenly think she was on 'I'm a Celebrity Get Me Outta Here' and eating a boar's penis? Seriously, what was wrong with her?

Gaston screwed his mouth up, a sure sign he thought she was disgusting, demented or, understandably, both.

"That was..."

She couldn't finish the words. Instead, she grabbed a wine glass from a nearby tray and swallowed the liquid down in two rather unlady-like gulps; running the back of her hand over her lips to swipe the dampness before checking for any lipstick marks - only to be pleasantly surprised when her hand remained gloss free.

"So," Gaston coughed; the poor guy looked completely out of his depth and to be honest, she wasn't surprised. She was a mess of a woman. A mess of a woman who'd just clocked a man walking through the door and locked her eyes onto him like a homing missile.

He was wearing a superior fitted black suit, his blond hair perfectly positioned on his head and a smile to light up the entire room. Yet there was something with Frederick Aberg that just didn't sit right with her. She couldn't quite place it, but the way he walked and moved just put her on edge.

"Want do you say?"

Marinette looked up towards Gaston, her mouth opening and closing as she thought of a response... if only she knew what the question was. Her slight lapse in concentration had once again made her look like a fool. Gaston continued to look at her, his eyes calling for an answer.

Oh Merde!

There was a very simple choice here. She could go with a simple yes, or a possible soul destroying no. She looked up into his eyes, judging what to say by the expressions he was giving her.

"Well..." she began with slight hesitation. "Is it something you really want to do?" She had no idea what she was saying; but, maybe asking him a question to answer a question could be a good idea. She held her breath, waiting for his response.

He looked over her head at the dance floor. "Well, we are at a party, dancing seems like the natural thing to do."

Exhaling and praising all great things that this was all he wanted to do, Marinette nodded in agreement. "Lead the way."

Gaston took her into the middle of the dance floor, both bobbing and swaying to the music as it blasted from the speakers at an unnatural level. Marinette couldn't say she was fond of the tune being played at the moment, Nino always being her top choice for a DJ - there really was no one better.

They continued to dance, song after song, until she suddenly felt unnervingly warm. She looked up towards Gaston, whose face showed anything but interest in her, only for his eyes to widen and mouth to fall open. He leaned forward towards her ear, his breath hitting her and the smell causing her stomach to turn. Fish and alcohol was not the best mix.

"What's wrong with your face?"

She stopped moving and lifted her hand to her cheek, stroking it over and realising it was itching like crazy.

Oh no!

"I'll be right back."

Turning on her heel, Marinette fled from the dance floor and headed straight towards the restrooms, knowing exactly what she was going to see when she got there.

Slamming the door open, she headed in the direction of the mirrors keeping her eyes firmly fixated on the floor. The last thing she needed was people like the plastics seeing her in such a state. Relief radiated from her when she found herself alone in the confines of the ladies room.

Finally reaching the countertop, she took a deep breath and looked up only to have her suspicions confirmed - her face looked like something from 'Night of the Living Dead'. Hives of all shapes and sizes covered her face and heated it to a degree that she was begging to itch.

Not so delicately, she placed her clutch bag in front of her and began to dig through it. Blister pads, tampons, lip gloss, Tikki, macarons, mascara and a stick of gum - no antihistamines in sight.

Placing both hands on the surface, she leaned forwards and took a couple of deep breaths. This was unbelievable, it had been years since she last had a reaction this extreme and she wasn't prepared for another one to be happening anytime soon. She shouldn't have eaten it! Stupid mistake!

Tikki looked up towards her holder with a sorrowful expression, one that showed exactly how deep Marinette had gotten herself into this mess. Tikki might feel sorry for her, but nowhere near as much as she did herself at this moment.

Finding a hand towel, she placed it under the cold running water and began to remove her makeup and any extra irritations which might be on her face, along with her perfect winged eyeliner and lip gloss. There was no way she was going back out to Gaston now. She pulled out her phone and found his number.

Gaston: Had a medical emergency, sorry to bail. I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening xox

She closed her phone down; the intense itching kicking up a notch. She needed to get home and find her tablets. Taking the hand towel, she wet it with more cold water, before moving it over her face and neck; the temperature cooling her down and soothing the continuous need to scratch.

"Oh goodness, have you seen Adrien tonight?"

Because the world obviously didn't hate her enough, the door opened and the plastics made their way into the opposite mirror. In synchronisation more perfect than herself and Chat Noir in battle, the girls placed down their bags, pulled out their lip gloss and began to apply. Slowly, Marinette backed up into a toilet cubicle and shut the door quietly, she could not be seen by these girls tonight - not in this state.

"Yes!" One plastic stated, the words flowing from her lips like a full on fangirl. Dear Lord!

"He's the most beautiful man I've ever seen," another said, her voice taking on an airy dreamy quality. Marinette couldn't help but roll her eyes; she looked down at Tikki who displayed the same unimpressed expression as they continued to hide away.

"I don't know what he sees in her."

"I agree, Cassandra, you're so much better looking."

"Did you see what she was wearing tonight?" A giggle left one of the girls mouths as she spoke and Marinette couldn't help but think they were talking about her.

"Mutton dressed as lamb. Seriously, the girl has no style. I heard she makes her own clothing." A cackle sounded around the restrooms, as all the girls laughed. "She's obviously using Adrien for his father's connections."

Marinette looked down at her dress, her eyes welling with tears as the girls spoke unkind words about her. Did she really look that bad? She'd been so proud of this dress and design, maybe going home would be the best option for her.

Biting her lower lip to control her emotions, Marinette closed her eyes and tried to calm herself, at least enough to walk out with a fake smile and her head held high. She could do this! She was Ladybug for goodness sake!

Finally, the plastics began to pack up and leave the restroom allowing Marinette to make her break for it. Passing through the ballroom once more, she saw Gaston dancing with a blonde haired woman, their bodies pressed close as they bumped and grind on the middle of the dance floor.

Good, she thought, glad that her date would at least get the night he deserved.

Taking a glass of wine from a passing waiter, she headed for the balcony, needing just a little longer to cool down before she headed home and to Alya's ridiculing. Maybe she'd just transform and run the rooftops for a little while, maybe Chat Noir would be around for another pep talk? He was so good at those, he always made her feel better. A quick glance at the bar revealed Frederick standing laughing with some of the other boxercise guys and her stomach twisted.

Her hand came to her earring, the intention fully there for her to call on her super suit and escape to the skies. Out on the balcony it gave her easy access to just transform and go, that was until a voice sounded behind her.

"I've been looking for you all evening."

Drowning her glass, she looked down at the patio floor unable to lift her head and meet the eyes of Adrien Agreste.

"Don't come any closer!" she warned, she could not be dealing with Adrien and all his Adrieness right now. She wanted to be left alone to wallow in her own self pity, hopefully with a black clad superhero giving her some sort of super effective hugs.

"Marinette, what's wrong?" He sounded panicked and now she just felt even more crap for making Adrien worry.

She sighed, lifting her head and turning slowly to face him, ripping off the bandaid in the motion. He screamed and covered his eyes causing her to scream and cover her face, only to peek through her fingers when she heard the melodic sound of his laughter sailing through the night sky. Marinette watched him move forward, stretching up and placing a hand over her own.

"You ate the canapés, didn't you?" He was smiling at her in the most kind and generous way she'd ever known, the tears welling in her eyes even more. "Did you forget that you're allergic to shellfish?" he asked, humour fully coating his words as an eyebrow attempted to escape into his hairline.

"I look hideous," she mumbled, only to have Adrien pull her hands from her face and her body in towards his, engulfing her in a hug; settling her resolve and stopping her from breaking into a full abundance of tears.

"If that's a new name for stunningly beautiful, then yes you do."

She couldn't help but snort, a short burst of laughter leaving her mouth. "No need to try and make me feel better. I know I look terrible."

He pulled back, his hands grasping her upper arms as he spoke softly. "Why on earth would you think that? You're the most beautiful woman in the room today, and to be honest, you are the most beautiful woman in the room most days."

Her breath caught in her throat as she looked up at him. Was he being serious? She knew Adrien was a nice guy, and he was known for throwing around a compliment or two; but, this felt more. It felt personal and heartfelt... and true?

"I d-d-don't know..."

"Believe me when I say sometimes I can't look at anyone else. Your brightness and beauty is overpowering." Adrien stretched up and brushed an escaped stray hair behind her ear, his eyes focusing on what he was doing; her heart beating wildly against her chest.

All of a sudden she couldn't help but wonder if she'd collapsed in the toilet stall. Her body was probably slumped against the door as the plastics judged her for being in the cubicle for far too long. There was just no way this was real.

"I look like I've got the plague," she said softly, moving her hands up and placing them on his chest. The feel of his body under her hands, a reminder that he was actually there. Even the chill from the cool February evening wasn't enough to extinguish the sudden heat she felt (and it wasn't just the allergic reaction).

"You're gorgeous, Marinette - even with the hives."

Laughing again, Marinette moved away from Adrien and smacked him on the arm.

"Would you be opposed to me taking you home? I'm just about done here..." he looked back into the ballroom before stalling, "unless..." His eyes sparkled with mischief, Marinette being pulled in by his playful attitude, regardless of the current itching spreading, now, down her neck.

"Unless?" she questioned, crossing her arms over her chest and raising an eyebrow.

"Unless, you - ma chérie - would do me the honours of joining me in this dance?"

Rolling her eyes, she smiled at her companion. "That's very dramatic, Adrien."

"Sometimes I can be a very dramatic guy." He shrugged, holding out a hand and waiting for her to make the next move.

Placing her hand in his, she allowed him to pull her into his body. The two moulded together in perfection as he began to lead her in a slow and steady sway, much like they'd done many times before.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, resting her head against his chest and listened to the tranquil and calming beat of his heart. The music in the background fell away as she closed her eyes and absorbed herself in Adrien. His steady breathing, the smell of his cologne mixed with an essence of himself, the feel of his warmth as his arms wrapped around her tightly. It was wonderful. Everything was wonderful.

It felt natural. Two people fitting together like two peas in a pod; their bodies integrating as one. She'd always known there was something with Adrien, but in this moment it amazed her how much chemistry was actually there.

Marinette felt Adrien nuzzle the top of her head; a longing sigh being exhaled as her eyes remained closed and allowed her other senses to take over. A sense which was telling her to look up towards him.

"You really do look stunning tonight." His words were barely more than a whisper as they danced through the night's breeze and connected with her ears.

Turning her head, Marinette raised her chin, the glistening orbs of Adrien's piercing green eyes glared back and called her towards him. She wanted to kiss him. To finally have a taste of Adrien Agreste and the opportunity to be one with him. His head bent down, moving closer and closer, her eyes fluttering to a close and she took the leap to push up into her toes and meet him halfway.

"Marinette?"

Her eyes opened and turned to the doorway where Frederick stood, his own green eyes reflecting the sparkling lights from those wrapped around the balcony. The moment was lost as dropped to her heels and looked to welcome the newcomer.

"Oh, Frederick, hi."

She felt Adrien's warm protective arms unravel from around her, the cool breeze hitting her back and bringing her out of her fairytale and back into reality - her face once again attacking her with a violent need to scratch.

"I'm sorry I won't get a chance to speak to you but I really need to go home and sort this out." She indicated her face and moved away from both the blonds. "I'll see you next week," she said, facing Frederick, before changing her attention to Adrien and softening her eyes. "Thank you."

With that she turned away from them both and made her way of the venue and on towards home wondering if it was fate that Frederick had stopped her from kissing Adrien, or just a case of bad luck?

Arriving home that evening, medicated and almost back to normal, she began to prepare for bed only to notice a notification on her phone.

New note added.

Opening the app to where Adrien's list was she noticed a new one had been added to the bottom.

Always check what's in food before eating it - or get me to test it for you first.