A Step at a Time

Adrien's life settled into a pattern after that. He went to school every day, as usual, but lunch every Tuesday and Wednesday was spent with Joseph Durand. His modelling and extra curricular activities were shuffled to accommodate the addition, but Nathalie assured him there were no significant changes.

School life had calmed as well. Chloe was trying to be a better person, even if she was only doing it to please Adrien, but he saw her efforts and appreciated it, despite the occasional slip-up.

Lila had been sullen and moody since Adrien had spoken to her. She sat and glowered at anyone who approached her, even Adrien when he tried to apologise for losing his temper. However, she had not said anything nasty to anyone, so Adrien counted that as a partial win.

Adrien was bothered by his lack of success with Marinette, though. Whenever he came close to her, her eyes widened and her face went red before she fled somewhere he couldn't follow, typically home or the girls' bathroom. It was as frustrating as it was depressing.

Chat Noir and Ladybug also had a schedule. Since akuma attacks had been so few, they decided to run patrols every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday evenings with a promise to alert their partner as soon as possible if they couldn't make it. While Chat Noir missed seeing Ladybug in battle, he was always eager to meet her for patrol. He loved their camaraderie, the easy banter, and the occasional light flirtation when Ladybug felt coquettish.

He watched her now, seated atop a nondescript rooftop together overlooking their city. Chat Noir likened her to a guardian angel and wondered if altruistic love was a thing. Surely that would sum up Ladybug and her devotion to Paris, to France. She loved her city, its people, the culture and the history.

Chat Noir wondered if he were being too sentimental, too idealistic, before realising it didn't matter. His thoughts were his own.

'You're staring,' Ladybug's voice broke him out of his musings.

Chat Noir focussed to see her looking back at him from the corner of her eye, a small smile tugging at hr lips.

'Apologies, Milady,' he said as he swept into a bow, an awkward contortion in a seated figure. 'I was just thinking, that's all.'

'About what?' she asked as she turned to face him properly.

'Nothing much,' he shrugged.

Ladybug hummed a sceptical note before turning back to the view.

'Well, what were you thinking about, then?' Chat Noir asked.

'I was just wondering how many macaroons I could fit in my mouth without crushing them,' she replied.

Monday morning came around again. Adrien felt like time had sped up over the last few weeks; soon they would have exams to worry about, high schools to consider, and a future to plan for. He sighed. This was not what he signed up for when he first started attending public school.

Adrien glanced around the school courtyard as he entered, hoping to find Nino. He saw Alya and Marinette talking animatedly in the far corner. At least, Alya was lively. Marinette was holding her arms close to her chest, and her head down as she shook it vehemently.

'Adrikins,' Chloe squealed as she threw herself at him, 'guess what I've been doing.'

'Uh, shopping?' he replied as he peeled her arms from around his neck.

'No. Well, yes, that too. But guess what else,' she begged as she watched him eagerly.

With a shrug, he said, 'I don't know. What have you been doing?'

Unable to contain herself any longer, she shrieked, 'I've been helping people. Aren't you proud of me? Of course you are,' she grinned.

Laughing, Adrien asked, 'what have you been doing?'

'I've been giving people fashion advice. Take Mireille for example. That top she always wears is so shapeless and frumpy. I told her all about dressing for her body type and the advantages of a properly tailored outfit. She was thankful.'

Adrien regarded Chloe for a long moment. She was unlikely to have been tactful, but she was trying. Chloe could be harsh, but she was also often misunderstood. Adrien patted Chloe on the shoulder.

'That's a good start, and I am proud of you. Just remember to be diplomatic.'

'I was,' she protested, crossing her arms. 'Oh, there's Sabrina. I'll see you later, Adri-chou,' she kissed his cheek and sauntered off.

As he watched her go, Adrien thought it was great she was finally making an effort. As for tactfulness, she would get there eventually.