Chapter Text
"I can't believe my dad." Adrien Agreste joined his friends at their usual studying spot in the library, slamming his books onto the table as his dramatic entrance of choice. Without looking up from their respective chores, they greeted him.
"Fashion show in the middle of finals again?" Nino said.
"Press conference?" Alya asked.
"You couldn't tell him about the Physics thing again," Marinette said, actually looking up at him.
He sighed and collapsed onto a chair. "Yes! It's like he knows what I'm going to say. I was about to ask him. This close! And he interrupted me, saying there's this fashion show in the middle of July and that I have to be in it."
"That sucks bro." Nino patted his back "But honestly. Physics? You're living the life already."
"That's my point, Nino. I don't want to walk into my dad's shoes."
"And you think the best way to claim your independence is to emancipate yourself from the fashion industry… by going into Physics."
"I'm good at them," he insisted. "Even with the rest of the classes, and modeling, and my extracurriculars, and… my other responsibilities, I still manage to be top of the class. Now imagine if I didn't have to do any of that."
"You'd be a good-looking genius, and I'm pretty sure that's like, a federal crime or something."
Adrien groaned.
"Just tell him, Adrien." Marinette smiled at him. "Sometimes you can't just look for a good moment to say things because there is no right moment. Think of it as a band-aid. The sooner you tear it off--."
She sneaked a glance at Alya, who had this "Didn't you bite your tongue there?" face. Marinette glared.
"--The sooner you can get over it."
He sighed again. "If it only were that easy." He sprawled over the table and lazily looked up to Marinette, whom, to the day, still had a hard time keeping her composure when he fixed his entire attention on her. "He loved your internship application, by the way."
"What?" She choked.
"My dad. He told me yesterday. I didn't know you wanted to be an intern at the label, I could've talked to him for you."
She glowed bright red. "Eheh. Well… no offense, Adrien. I kinda wanted to do this on my own, you know?"
"Yeah, I know what you mean." He sat up and pouted in a way that really reminded Marinette of another dramatic blonde. "It's just… look at you guys. You got your life together already. Alya's like, a solid news brand in YouTube, it's a matter of time before Nino goes to freakin' Tomorrowland or Coachella, and you…. I'm pretty sure you're the daughter my father always wanted. Meanwhile, our last year of lycée is around the corner and all I got going for me is stupid modelling."
That's not entirely true, he thought. But honestly, he didn't even want to imagine. Over the years he had learned quite a few things about Ladybug without her actually revealing who she was. And one of the things he learned that frightened him senseless was that she was his age, and therefore, about to enter her last year of lycée. And therefore, about to study university. And therefore, she might move to another city and leave Paris-- him, unprotected. Besides, he was pretty sure that as much as he enjoyed it, being Chat Noir was not an official job. Things were changing too fast for Adrien.
Nino patted Adrien's back. "Always count on Agreste to bring down the mood."
"But he's got a point," Marinette said more conflicted than she would have wanted to seem. "It's our last year together and--." She looked at Adrien.
And I still haven't told you how I feel. And I still have that umbrella you gave me. And I still can't believe I wasted four years because I'm too much of a coward to come clean.
"And things are going to change," she said. She refrained from wincing. The idea of losing Adrien, of him meeting new people, new girls, falling for one of them, made her so sad she could probably cry on the spot.
Nino and Alya looked at the deflattened pair and them to each other. They were right, and they had not considered it yet. There it was, in their eyes, just the slightest glint of fear, melancholy. But Alya knew better.
"Alright, alright," she said, breaking the dense silence. "Stop it you two, before Hawkmoth akumatizes you both. I'm pretty sure Ladybug and Chat Noir have better things to do than to deal with a pair of downers like you. Besides, look on the bright side! There's still the whole year ahead, plus we have summer coming up in a few days!"
They weren't too convinced, but before she could persuade them a little more, a loud boom burst in the air, shaking the school building and making cars' alarms go off. The four rushed to the window to see what was going on.
An akuma, as per usual.
"Ew, what is he, a rat?" Alya said, producing her phone.
"A huge rat," Nino said, starting to film as well. Nino, as it turned out, not only proved to be an excelent boyfriend to her but also a great assistant camera-man.
"I have a feeling Chat Noir is going to get a kick out of this one," Adrien commented. He turned to the side, waiting for Marinette's addition but she was nowhere to be found.
"What the-- anyone saw Marinette leave?"
Before they could answer, the loudspeakers in the halls boomed with the principal's voice announcing they were under evacuation protocol.
"That girl, though," Adrien said to no one in particular, as he picked up his things and prepared to lose Alya and Nino in the crowd. Marinette was always the first to leave the scene when there was an akuma around.
"You coming, Adri-- the hell. And now where is he?" Nino said, picking up Alya's and his backpack.
"You know them," Alya said as they rushed to the street. "Pair of scaredy cats. Turn right, I parked the car around the corner."
Nino and Alya sped through the street heading for Notre Dame.
"Make sure to get close," Alya instructed Nino, as they caught up with the giant, akumatized rat.
Nino veered just in time to evade the rat's paw. He cursed loudly.
"Great, now I'm going to have to edit that out," Alya said.
"Well, pardon my French but that thing was about to squash us!"
Alya turned to him with a disgusted expression. She narrowed her eyes at him. "Was that a fucking pun, Nino Lahiffe?"
Nino grinned at her. "I'd make an awesome Chat Noir, wouldn't you say?"
"Ugh-- watch out!"
If it weren't for the fact the real Chat Noir deflected a column of debris falling in their general direction, they would have been dead.
Nino and Alya cheered for him.
Chat rolled his eyes. Those two. "Get to safety!" he scolded them from the heights of a building.
"Hey, I was thinking," Alya commented casually, as if they were discussing the news over breakfast instead of being in the fast-and-furious hunt down of an akuma. "Adrien and Mari are right. Things are changing so fast and…"
Nino took a sharp turn. "You really need to bring up that now?"
"I'm just saying." She held tight to her seat, hoping to keep her shot as steady as she could. "We could use a vacation, y'know? The four of us. Some bonding time."
"I'm listening."
"I was thinking somewhere far."
"Ugh, no. Not the Baltic."
"I was thinking along the lines of another continent."
Nino glanced at her mischievously. "Oh."
"More like, Orlando."
Nino couldn't help but squeal. "You mean Orlando as in Disney? As in HARRY POTTER? As in THAT ORLANDO, FLORIDA?"
"Yeah. Keep your eyes on the road. HOLY- DID YOU SEE THAT FLIP SHE DID?" She screamed, furiously zooming the camera to catch glimpse of Ladybug.
"Er… Kinda hard when you're keeping your eyes on the road."
Alya simply glared at him. "Well, I actually looked up some flights and tickets to the parks and such, and you know. It's expensive but not that expensive. Could easily pass as a premature graduation gift if you pitch it right."
"Oh my god, yes! Let’s do it!" He veered in a U turn once again, so Alya could get a shot of Ladybug cleansing the akuma. "God, this is why I love you."
"What was that again?" Alya said, amused. This time she turned the camera to him.
"Oh, you heard it, woman. Don't pull a Dupain-Agreste on me."
---
"America?" the pair asked in unison.
"You say it like it's a bad thing." Alya crossed her arms.
"Guys. GUYS." Nino intervened. "Adrien, my man, I don't think you get this. So let me break it down for you. HARRY POTTER. Guys, you have no idea how much of a fan I am! Please! I can't die a happy man until I go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!" He kneeled next to Adrien's seat. "Adrieeeennnnn."
Adrien and Marinette looked at each other, only to look away instantly in the face of mutual understanding. Maybe even telepathic communication. For some reason, Marinette knew Adrien also thought this was a bad idea. He must have had his reasons, but the idea of leaving Chat Noir to fend off by himself for two weeks did not appeal to her one bit.
"Think about it, guys," Alya said. "When's the last time we did something together? When have we ever gone on a trip? A transatlantic one. You can't say it wouldn't be the best summer of your life."
Alya was right. The only one who had ever been to the other side of the pond was Adrien, but he never really associated it with good things. Going to America usually meant long, boring days at the New York Fashion Week. But this, this sounded interesting. The first real vacations he'd have in years! Alone, with his friends --with Marinette!
The hype quickly died in his head as he visited the hypothetic scenario where he asked his father for permission.
"No can do guys," he said, deflating in his chair. He could see Nino's disappointment wash over his entire being. "There's no way in hell my dad will let me go. Not at least without my bodyguard, and trust me. He knows how to be a stick in the mud."
"A-and, what if something happens while we're gone?" Marinette said. "I mean, Alya, what if there's an akuma and you're not there to film it?"
"I think the ladyfans will have to deal. Plus, it's just two weeks! And come on, guys. Weren't you two moping around yesterday about lycée ending? If you're not going to act upon it, I will not let you cry about it later."
Adrien and Marinette exchanged worried glances. "I'll have to check," Marinette insisted.
"Me too," Adrien seconded.
And by check, Marinette meant with Chat Noir. She knew her parents would not really resist. They had come to trust her decisions and in general, treated her more like an adult than any of her parents' friends did with them. The money would be a bit tight, but she had a few savings from the Etsy fashion shop she had kept for the last few years. So theirs was a manageable situation.
Chat, on the other hand… She wouldn't hear the end of it. Like the one time she took a sewing course in Rennes. She went away for a week. A week in which nothing happened, not even non-akuma crime. But Chat was so. bent. on her not going.
"But… but Ladybug! What if there's an akuma and I'm here all alone and-- you know I can't cleanse them!"
She sighed. "Chaton, don't make me feel guiltier than I already am. I know. Besides, you won't be alone, you dramatic cat. You and Volpina can manage a week without me." She lifted his chin. "…unless of course, you already know that and the only reason you're throwing this tantrum is because you'll miss me."
Chat's frown dissolved into his trademark cocky grin. "I bet you'll miss me more, m'lady."
She rolled her eyes.
"Seriously though," he added. "What if--"
"If something happens I'll come back as soon as possible. Don't worry, kitty." She pecked his head.
This time it'd be hard to keep that promise, Marinette reasoned. Kind of difficult to cross an entire ocean at a moment's notice. She hated lying to Chat, but Alya was right. This might be the only time they could do a trip like this. Besides, Adrien would be there! If his father let the leash loose that, is. But still, it would be a great memory and it would be her first time across the ocean. If Chat knew where exactly she was going it'd be hard to keep him content.
"Evening, my lady," Chat Noir whispered softly behind her, prying a scream off her.
"You stupid cat!"
He chuckled.
"You know I hate it when you sneak up on me."
“Sorry to disgruntle you, my lady.” He perched next to her on the edge of the building where she had been patrolling. His cat ears twitched as he evaded her eyes. “Anything to report so far?”
“Not really. Volpina is coming in today, though.”
“Okay.” Silence. A very long silence where only the early summer breeze spoke.
"So…" He scratched the back of his head.
"Spit it out."
"Well… um…"
"The mouse got your tongue there, kitty?"
"Um… I need to talk to you."
Ladybug dropped the banter, and if she had to be honest, her she felt a pit in her stomach. Serious wasn't the first word she'd think of when she described her friend and yet, here he was very, very serious indeed.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, it's just… I might be out of town for a couple weeks."
She sighed. "You scared me, I thought you-- wait, what? You're leaving?"
"It's just two weeks, my lady."
"But… no. You can't leave."
He smirked. "Don't worry, I'll be thinking about you too."
"No! I mean, you can't leave because I'm also leaving!"
He cocked his head to the side much like a kitten would do, then he looked down to Paris. "Oh… Well. You know, I think I can stay. It's not even like, a definitive thing. So it's okay."
Ugh, this was just her luck. She sighed. She really wanted to go on that trip. The prospect of it excited her just as much as being Ladybug did.
"No Chat, you go this time. Last time I took leave, remember? It's your turn."
"No, Lady, it's fine. You can go. Besides, we can always ask Volpina if--."
"Ask me what alley cat?" Volpina emerged from the shadows, successfully startling Chat. If she knew any better, she'd say he even hissed at her.
"What the-- how long had you been there?" he asked. "You practically made me--." He met Ladybug's knowing smirk.
"Annoying, isn't it?"
"When she does it, yeah. When I do it it's cute. I'm a cat. People love cats."
"I'm more of a dog person, actually," Ladybug said.
“I can’t believe you actually said that.”
"See? She loves me more," Volpina teased Chat.
"Oh, shuddup, flufftail." He crossed his arms and looked away.
Volpina grinned. "So what were you two lovebugs discussing that couldn't have possibly waited for my arrival? Thanks for the inclusion, by the way."
"Sorry Volpina." Ladybug said, scratching the back of her head. "It's just… well, we have a predicament, Chat and I. We both have to leave town for a couple of weeks and we were trying to decide who should stay."
She frowned. Ladybug kept on blabbering, explaining that it wasn't that they didn't trust her with Paris it's just that well, she can only neutralize the akumas for so long and it's just gonna be her and… The frown carved deeper and deeper on her masked expression.
"So you're eloping and you don't wanna tell me. Okay, I see how it is. No Volpina maid of honor then."
"What?" she screeched.
Chat Noir choked.
"We're not eloping!"
"How did you know?!"
Ladybug glared at Chat, who could only grin brightly at her. "Hey, I can dream. Can't I?"
"Hey, hey, leave the cat alone," Volpina said, laughing. "I'm just teasin'. Look, go on your lovey-dovey vacation. It'll be alright. I can handle a few akumas, I'll keep them neutralized until you two come back. Besides, Hawkmoth has been awfully quiet lately. If you don't count that giant rat from the other day."
"Which is why I'm worried he might be up to something," said Ladybug. "And we're not going on a vacation together."
"Well, it seems awfully convinient, don't you think?" Volpina said. She shrugged at Ladybug's pensive silence. "Either way. Don't you worry, Aunt Volpina will take care of silly baby Paris until mom and dad are back."
Ladybug blushed bright red. She generally liked Volpina. Generally.
Chat swinged an arm around Ladybug. "Heard that, bugaboo? Aunt Volpina will take care of our baby."
"Chat, honey?" she said in the sweetest voice she could conjure.
"Yes, m'dear?"
"You have exactly three seconds to let go of me before I kick your butt."
Volpina chuckled. "Alright, your marital problems can wait. Let's get this patrol done. I need to finish rehearsing for my flute recital."
"No details about private life!" Ladybug exclaimed as they took to the roofs of Paris. "It's for security!"
"I don't really care if you know who I am, buggy."
"Thank you!" Chat exclaimed. "Finally someone agrees!"
"See?" Volpina said.
"Don't encourage him, Volpina!"