~*Marinette*~

 For the sixth time that day, I glance behind me at Lila, concerned. Ever since the Volpina incident yesterday, everyone hated her. She's sat at the back of the classroom, fuming, and I think I saw tears once or twice. It makes my heart hurt, especially because I was the one who exposed her, rather rudely at that.

"Girl, why do you keep looking at her? She lied, she deserves this." Alya frowns at me, studying my face. I let out a sigh.

"I just feel bad for her, you know? She just wanted to fit in, to be liked, to be loved. She just used... less than good methods to get there." Shaking my head, I turn my attention back to Ms. Bustier.

"Lila, can you tell us the answer?" she singles out the girl. I instantly feel dread settling itself in my stomach when Chloe laughs.

"Why ask her? She'll just lie," her high-pitched voice says mockingly, and her laugh cuts through again. It's been like this for the whole day, and now I feel only anger for Chloe.

"Okay, just stop." My voice is strong as I stand up and walk towards Lila, who looks down with tears in her brown eyes. "Yes, Lila lied. Yes, she made mistakes, like we all have. No, she's not perfect. Stop making her feel worse about the whole situation. Seriously, am I the only one who's noticed how sad she is? She was only trying to fit in, only trying to be liked. Why can't any of you drop it?" Glaring at the whole class for a second, even those emerald eyes I love staring at me in shock, I place a hand on Lila's shoulder and smile warmly at her. Her mouth drops, and she hesitantly smiles back. I take her hand, pulling her up and lead her to the door, all the while everyone stares incredulously at me. "Ms Bustier, I'm taking Lila to the bathroom to get cleaned up." Ms. Bustier nods and I gently pull the girl out of the classroom.

She's staring at me too. Why is everyone staring at me? I'm being decent. "W-why...?" Her voice cracks, and her tone is desperate. Desperate for answers.

I sigh again and turn to her, gripping her shoulders for a second. "Anyone with an ounce of sympathy feels bad for you, and I for one hate seeing you alone. Sorry about all their behaviour, they're just... all acting a bit like Chloe, okay? I promise I'll stay with you until they go back to normal." Giving her a comforting smile, I watch her face light up and she gives me a genuine smile.

"Thank you Marinette! Thank you, thank you, thank you! You're the kindest person I've ever met!" She throws her arms around me and I laugh, hugging her back. 

"C'mon, let's get you cleaned up." 

~*Adrien*~

I excused myself to the bathroom a minute after the two girls left. Did Lila really just want to be liked? And where did that anger, that righteousness in Marinette's voice come from, that righteousness that sounded so much like my Lady? Ugh. This is too much to take in today. 

"Anyone with an ounce of sympathy feels bad for you, and I for one hate seeing you alone. Sorry about all their behaviour, they're just... all acting a bit like Chloe, okay? I promise I'll stay with you until they go back to normal." Hearing Marinette's reassuring tone, I quickly duck behind a pillar. Sure, it's shady, but I really don't want to face either of them right now, and I don't want to be caught listening in on their conversation.

"Thank you Marinette! Thank you, thank you, thank you! You're the kindest person I've ever met!" Lila's voice rings with happiness and I hear a bubbly laugh that no doubt comes from Marinette. Peaking around the pillar, I see the two girls hugging. Marinette pulls back with a smile.

"C'mon, let's get you cleaned up." The two walk together to the girl's bathroom, Lila talking excitedly and Marinette listening with that same smile plastered on her face.

"Y'know, that Marinette girl isn't half bad. Probably more realistic than Ladybug, too," Plagg says from inside my shirt. I scowl and shake my head.

"Shut up, Plagg." Although, Marinette is the only girl here as beautiful as Ladybug... Nope, staying away from the topic.

I shove my hands into the pockets of my jeans and stroll around for a second before heading back to the classroom. After all, what was I going to do when I all I needed was some air?

~*Marinette*~

At lunch, I explained everything to Alya, Lila beside me. She looked sceptical, but eventually accepted Lila, who burst into excitement. I giggled and looped one arm through hers, the other through Alya's and dragged them both to the bakery, all three of us laughing our heads off. I introduced Lila to my parents, and they showered her with affection, as much as they showed all my friends. Lila stood shocked, and I smiled at her. Not long after she returned it.

Back in class, I moved my chair over so I could shove another chair next to me and Alya. I wouldn't be directly behind Adrien, but at least she wasn't lonely anymore. 

After school, I waved goodbye to Lila and Alya before starting to walk home when a hand stopped me. Turning slightly, I followed the arm up to that face of Adrien, who was confused.

"Why'd you do that for Lila, Marinette?" He asked. Immediately, my blood began to boil with anger and my crush on him was forgotten when I snapped.

"Why didn't anyone else?" His face contorted with shock, and I sighed, rubbing my temples. "I'll be honest with you, Adrien. Lila was lonely, and I wanted to get rid of it. I wanted to do that with you, but you seem happy with Nino. I already see far too much loneliness in Cha... my best friend, and he tries so hard to hide it, it breaks my heart." I stared at the sky for a second before focusing on Adrien's eyes again. "I'm sorry for snapping, but I don't regret what I said. Whether it's you or Lila or even Chat Noir when he visits sometimes, loneliness is something I hate to see in the eyes of anyone." Shaking off his hand, I stare into his eyes of mixed emotions intensely before turning to leave. "You're not alone, Adrien. I fought for Lila, I will fight for you if you need me to." 

Dashing away to my home without a second glance, I run up to my room and lean against the wall. I just did that. I just did that. Marinette, you are a complete fool sometimes. He probably thinks you're a total weirdo now! But I can't stop the whisper that finds its way out my throat.

"I will fight for you, Adrien Agreste. And I swear, I will win." 

[Time skip brought to you by Timebreaker, or the Doctor if you prefer.]

That morning at school, I spotted Alya and Lila by the stairs, waiting for me. About to run up to them, I feel a hand grab my arm. Following the arm, I see those emerald eyes I love so much. Deja vu, anyone?

"Hey Adrien. What's up?" I say, smiling brightly. Don't know when I got over my stutter, but by the looks of it, my full un-broken sentence shocks him too.

"I want to be friends with Lila to apologise, but she has a crush on me, and I have no idea what to do. Help?" He lifts a corner of his mouth, his voice desperate. I giggle lightly, and drag him over to where Alya and Lila seem to be squealing in that fan-girl way.

"Lila, you've met Adrien, right?" I smile as the brunette nods. 

Getting nudged by Alya, I turn to listen to her whispering in my ear, "She's in on Operation Adrienette, she won't steal your man." 

I shriek and push her away, getting the attention of the boy and girl beside me.

"Alya! That is not a real thing!" I yell. She laughs.

"It is now, sucker!" she teases and pokes my nose. I scoff and swat her hand away.

"No croissants for you, little missy!" 

~*Adrien*~

I watch in amusement as my princess scolds her laughing best friend. She's really cute, a fact that I've known since we met, and now I've seen her confidence, I find myself thinking back to Plagg's words yesterday. That Marinette girl isn't half bad. Probably more realistic than Ladybug.

"Might want to catch her before someone else does, specifically love-struck red head over there," Lila whispers in my ear and I jolt, looking at Nathanael, who was staring at my princess. My brow furrows unconsciously and I frown, before noticing Lila laughing. "My princess? Is this knight overprotective of the princess?" She punches my shoulder lightly as I blush, before slinging an arm around Marinette and dragging her inside.

"Idiot. You whispered 'my princess' right next to her." Plagg pokes me and my face flushes brighter with a scowl.

"So what if I like her? Like you said, she's more realistic than Ladybug," I scold the kwami quietly, walking towards the classroom.

"Because then you're going to end up together and I'll have to endure through both of your love-sick smiles and affection!"

Wait.

"Both of our?"

"Whoops. Tikki told me not to mention that to you."

"Tikki?"

"Marinet- I mean Ladybug's kwami - I mean - damn it, this is the third time this century!" 

At that moment, all I could think was Thank you Lila.

[2018] yikes. i mean, i love plagg, but yikes. can past me write realistic feelings pls n thank??