2. Needing Each Other

A/N: So I'm writing this series in the order I get inspiration, rather than in order of prompts like the other OTP challenge.

The plot doesn't totally fit the prompt, but it was based on an RP I did with my girlfriend and it's the closest prompt to the story. I thought about doing the "one of them is sick" prompt but Adrien's allergy to feathers gives me way too many ideas for that and I don't want to waste it.

Marinette sat in her usual seat in class, resting her head on her palm as her attention was focused on something very unrelated to classwork. Her baby blues were glued to the golden hair of the teen model sitting in front of her, chatting about this and that with his best friend. The blue-ette let out a soft hum of approval before a loud voice snapped her out of her daydream.

"Marinette!" Mrs. Bustier yelled. "I'm sorry, but I've given you your last warning. If you cannot pay attention, you need to leave the classroom."

Chuckles erupted through the room, primarily from Chloe and Sabrina. Flustered and embarrassed, Marinette picked up her bag and shuffled out of the room, settling down in the hallway.

What had been going on with her, lately? She sighed to herself, sliding down to sit on the floor. She brought her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. Tears bubbled in her baby blues and her lower lip protruded in a pout.

Marinette had never gotten in trouble in class; ever. She never got yelled at. In addition, her baking had been lagging lately. She had burned several batches of cookies, which was extra disappointing as she had been baking them for class – primarily Adrien. She was also constantly sleeping in and running late for school.

She was too lost in her self pity to notice a black-and-purple butterfly fluttering around, absorbing into her earring. Her eyes snapped open as her vision was tinted purple and her mind was connected to a very familiar voice.

"Hello, Antibug," Hawk Moth murmured darkly. "You spend so much time being nice and doing things for others, and what do you get in return? You get kicked out of class."

Marinette knew better than to fall for his tricks. She angrily wiped at her tears. "What do you want, Hawk Moth?"

The villain chuckled. "I want you to do my bidding. As Antibug, you will fight Ladybug and Cat Noir and steal their miraculouses."

Marinette knew that she couldn't fight Ladybug, seeing as she was Ladybug, but she kept that to herself. "I would never work for you!"

"Yes, you will," Hawk Moth replied before his voice disappeared.

Adrien looked around for Marinette as class came to an end. His heart hurt to see her get in trouble and watch her dejectedly saunter out into the hallway, and he had to make sure she was alright.

He didn't get to look for very long. Just a few moments into his search, slender arms wound around his neck, blocking his view.

"Adri-kins," came Chloe's annoying voice. "Just forget about her. You don't need her when you have me." Without permission, she leaned in for a kiss.

That was the push Marinette needed. Her regular attire was transformed into a skin-tight bodysuit, complete with an eye mask and gloves. Her suit was black with bright red spots – a reversed ladybug. She chuckled darkly, a sound that no one would have ever expected her capable of making.

She grabbed Chloe by the hair and threw her into the closest wall, glaring daggers at the blonde.

Adrien gasped at the sudden movement. He stared at the clearly akuma-tized girl, who looked an awful lot like…

"Marinette!" he realized. "What are you doing?" He ignored Chloe moaning and groaning on the floor and stretched his arms out to grasp Marinette's shoulders.

But she wasn't Marinette – she was Antibug. Antibug smirked at the blond boy, swinging her yoyo in her hand. "Catch ya later." With that, she took off.

"Marinette!" With a groan, Adrien ran to the nearest bathroom. "Plagg, claws out!"

Cat Noir emerged and ran out to the hallway. He weaved through the crowd of frantic students, determined to destroy the akuma that dared harm his precious Marinette. Wait, his Marinette? No, she wasn't his… But that didn't mean he wouldn't protect her.

Antibug had a fist in Chloe's hair as she dragged her kicking body through the streets. Her sights settled on the tallest skyscraper in Paris and she grinned. She tossed her yoyo up, the plastic piece acting as a grappling hook and wrapping around the chimney. With momentum, she swung herself up, running up the wall and holding Chloe over the edge.

Cat Noir's emerald eyes scanned the streets. He let out a groan when he caught sight of Antibug and Chloe at the top of the building. His claws allowed him to climb the side easily, and he stood a few feet from Antibug. "Marinette, I know you're in there. Let her go- no, not over the edge! What's going on with you?"

"Why not?" Antibug cried. "Why does she deserve your kindness? What has Coleslaw (1) over here ever done for you? I've been kind my entire life, and it hasn't gotten me anywhere besides being stepped on like a bug!"

He leapt forward, pulling Chloe from her grasp. He set her not-so-gently on the roof, his attention entirely on Marinette. "Everyone deserves kindness," he told her. "It's not about Chloe. She's not important to me. Your safety is. Why are you doing this? Why did you let Hawk Moth get to you?"

Angry tears formed in her eyes and she looked away without a response.

Cat Noir placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "You're not Antibug, not deep down. You can fight this. You're the girl who loves to bake pastries and play video games; not hurt people and push them off of buildings."

Chloe rose to her feet. She ran towards the pair, trying to pull Cat Noir away from Antibug. Antibug growled, extending her yoyo to wrap around the blonde's waist. She sent her to the ground, ensuring that she stayed alive and out of the way.

When she looked up, she saw the hurt and desperation in Cat Noir's eyes. Something inside her snapped and she broke down, pulling into a hug. "I'm so sorry, Noir!"

"It's okay, bug," he murmured, wrapping his arms around her. Something sparked in his mind and he nearly called her Bugaboo. Why did she remind him so much of Ladybug?

When she broke the hug, she realized that the akuma had worn off. Instead of the clothes she had worn before, she appeared as Ladybug. She chewed her lip as she looked up at him. "You're always there when I need you, kitty."

His eyes widened with realization. Marinette had become Antibug and Antibug had become Ladybug… "Marinette…" He gently brushed her bangs from her eyes.

A blush stained her cheeks. "Hey, kitty." Her earrings timed out and she reverted back into Marinette.

His heart warmed before his ring beeped, signaling that he had timed out as well. His uniform disappeared and he was once again Adrien. "Surprise," he chuckled.

Her eyes widened. "A-Adrien?"

"Are you okay with that?" he asked nervously. All that time he had flirted with her… It made his heart flutter to know who she really was.

She gently pecked his cheek. "Turns out I maybe like you a little bit," she admitted, looking down at her feet.

Gentle hands cupped her cheek. He leaned down while tilting her head up to accommodate the height difference and kissed her softly. She kissed him back shyly, wrapping her arms around his neck.

His arms circled her waist before he pulled back. "We forgot something."

"Hmm?" she hummed dreamily.

He plucked her earring from her ear and handed it to her. "Setting the akuma free."

She giggled and threw it into the air. "No more evil doing for you, little akuma." Once it de-evilized, she bid it goodbye and put her earring back in.

Adrien kissed her again. "How about we get off the roof?"

She grinned and held onto him. "Hold on." She used her yoyo to land them gently on the ground.

Once they landed, he took her in his arms. He didn't care who saw as he pressed his lips to hers. Chloe screamed at the sight while Nino and Alya stood by, cheering them on.

Marinette melted against the blond's lips. Her hands rested on his chest as she pulled back for air. "Thank you, Adrien. You really saved me today."

"How about we go on a proper date this weekend? Dinner and a movie?"

Marinette nodded. "I'd love that."

"Friday?" he asked, taking her hand in his and lacing their fingers. The blue-ette nodded in agreement as they headed down the street, feeling safe and closer than ever.

(1) Inside joke.