"Brighter Than the Moon" One-Shot

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Hi my fabulous kittens! It's PrettyQueen325 with another one-shot for Mahala's #halasfourthofjuly challenge!

This is the first challenge that I have entered so far on this app so I'm quite excited. Don't forget to stay #Miraculous and enjoy "Brighter Than the Moon" and Bug Out! :beetle: :cat: :beetle: :cat:

-PrettyQueen325

Edit:My 2nd feature! OMG! Tysm! How in the world did it happen?!

***

Marinette rummaged through her pink, handmade purse by her side for her airplane ticket. While trying not to squash Tikki, Marinette panically shuffled through the random objects in her bag for the ticket. Cookies, phone, candy wrappers. None of those were the ticket.

The ticket collector was looking very impatient and gave her a mean scowl. "Excuse me ma'am, but if you don't have your ticket, I'm going to have to ask you to get out of line."

"Mari..." Alya was right behind her; ticket in hand. "What's the hold up? Everyone's waiting." She pointed back to the rest of their 10th grade class. Alix, Ivan, and Max were the only ones who went in the plane.

"I can't find my ticket." Marinette whispered. She paused searching for a second to take a sneak peak at Adrien who was chatting with Nino near the middle. But when she looked back even further, her worst enemy, Chloe, came into view. Her blonde ponytail and designer clothing highlighting her existence. Chloe noticed Marinette staring at her so she stared back with a malicious grin.

Marinette rolled her eyes, and kept searching. No later than that, she felt a tiny, folded piece of paper tucked in the corner of her purse. Marinette pulled on it, and wham! Like magic, there was the ticket.

"Um...sir...I have it..." Marinette grinned awkwardly. The ticket collector sneered, checked the ticket, and stamped down on it hard before shoving it impolitely back into Marinette's arms. "Thank you." Marinette made out before rushing toward the airplane in case of anything else going wrong during their trip. She just had an extreme case of bad luck.

Luckily, without any stumble or slip, Marinette was able to find her first class seat with everyone else who was on the plane. She plopped on the seat next to the window. The pairs were made randomly so she prayed that she wouldn't get Chloe. Anyone, but Chloe. She can't bear another monster of bad luck creep up her life again.

The gods must have heard her prayer because the voice she heard wasn't Chloe's.

"Hey Marinette!" Wait a second. It couldn't be... The only person who usually says that to her would have to be- No sooner when she whirled her head around like a hurricane, Marinette's own bluebell orbs met with brilliant irises of leaf green. Yes, she was face to face with Adrien Agreste.

"Um...hi..." Marinette waved slightly and plastered a shiny smile on her face. The butterflies in her stomach were flittering and fluttering up and down like a rollercoaster.

The second he sat down, Marinette's internal organs started wheezing and she felt like helium was sucked into her lungs like she was floating over clouds. She tried her best to keep a straight face and immediately opened her purse just a crack to talk to Tikki.

Marinette glanced at Adrien for a second to see what he was doing. He had taken out his phone and was twiddling his thumbs on some app or game. She sighed; looks like Adrien wouldn't notice.

"Tikki, I don't think I can do this." She said the moment Tikki's red humanoid head popped up; revealing her own ocean eyes.

Tikki beamed. "A superhero can say that she can save Paris, but she says that she can't sit next to her crush?" Tikki teased.

"Yes!" Marinette whispered yelled.

"Just be yourself." Tikki squeaked before hiding back in Marinette's purse to escape suspicion.

"Easy for you to say." Marinette muttered.

"What was that?" Adrien asked quizzically.

"Gah...Nothing!" Marinette exaggerated. Relief flooded her brain cells when Adrien just shrugged and went back to swiping on his screen. "Whew." She sighed. Being a superhero is harder than it looks. Most definitely.

After the airplane successfully and smoothly ascended into the air, Nino asked a question that had everyone on their toes. "Yo Adrien!" He called. Nino and Alya spoke through the cracks of their seat.

"Nino!,"Adrien smiled. "I didn't realize you guys were behind us."

"Well we didn't realize you guys were in front of us." Alya responded. Marinette owed Alya. Things were getting pretty awkward with Adrien. However, Alya and Nino always did find a way to lighten the tense mood.

"So dude, you know how your old man is always such a party pooper sometimes?" Nino joked. The four friends shared a warm chuckle.

"That sounds like him." Adrien chagrined; embarrassed from his father's repeated strictness. There were so many times that his father wouldn't let him have fun, or just given Adrien some love. No birthday party, a pen for his present for three years, the time when he wouldn't allow Adrien to go to school; the list dragged on and on.

"Alya and I were wondering," Nino trailed on. "How did you get him to let you go to America?"

"He didn't," Adrien said; his three friends gasped in horror.

"So did you...sneak away?" Alya persisted in trying to solve their jumbling puzzle with a missing piece.

"Um...sorta..." Adrien ran his fingers through his sunshine, brushed back hair anxiously from the direction where this conversation was headed.

The silence was deafening. The sudden paranoia of awkwardness returned. Nino and Alya exchanged whispers and quiet murmurs that Marinette couldn't make out.

Just when Marinette was about to say something. Anything to stop the nervous looks on their faces, Alya and Nino started cheering and crying fits of laughter and joy.

"Adrien! Oh my god! You naughty cinnamon roll!" Alya guffawed boisterously; earning a few glares from their classmates to shush.

"Dude! Dude! Dude! I had no idea you were such a bad boy!" Nino hyperventilated from his uncontrollable happiness spreading from ear to ear.

Marinette heard muffling noises coming from Adrien's mouth. He had his hand covering his mouth to staunch the sweet as candy laughter that escaped his throat. Because of the smiles glistening from his perfect, handsome, and dreamy face, Marinette finally let the giggles flow out of her mouth like music notes.

"Wait," Alya stopped laughing. "Then how did you get a signature for the permission slip?" Alya racked her brain; what in the world did their so called "perfect" angel do?

"Just thank Nathalie," Adrien said casually. "After my unsuccessful conversation with my father who's trying to protect me again, my temper tantrum in my room, Nathalie just came in and handed me the trip form." Adrien replayed their heartwarming meeting in his mind. The moment still planted strongly in the depths of his memory.

Adrien heard a soft knock on his door. It couldn't be his father. He never knocks. It couldn't be Gorilla. He never talks to him. So it had to be the only other person who spends their time here.

"Come in." Adrien said; vacantly staring at the ceiling.

She came in swiftly like a humming bird's wings. Her steps made petite clicking noises from her shoes against Adrien's hard floor. Without a word, she hands Adrien a piece of paper.

He recognized the paper as the vacation slip to America. "Nathalie? Did you convince my father to let me go?" Gleefully, he flipped through the pages to find the signature sheet. However it wasn't his father's writing that filled the blank space. Instead, it was Nathalie's handwriting; connected in perfect, elegant script with blue pen. "What are you-"

"Your mother would have wanted you to go," The assistant gave Adrien a small smile. "So as your technical guardian, I can legally allow you to go on the trip."

Dewdrops of salty liquid dribbled down Adrien's rosy cheeks. Without warning, he grabbed Nathalie into a fierce embrace; sobbing whole-heartedly. "T-Thank you...Thank you so much..." Their hug got even warmer when Nathalie placed her own hands behind Adrien's back.

Nathalie wiped the tears from his shiny eyes. "Now promise me. Have fun," She whispered. "And don't tell your father." She placed a finger on her lips to let him know to keep it their little secret. With a tuck of a loose strand of her raven hair behind her ear, she left; as monotone as she was before.

"And yeah, that's basically what happened." Adrien concluded; ignorant of his friends' jaw dropping faces.

"That was the most rad thing I've heard of all day bro!" Nino ruffled Adrien's brushed-back hair, making it all shaggy.

"Totes!" Alya agreed.

Marinette couldn't help but be in awe of Adrien's strength. The boy has been through more craziness than she could ever imagine. He had lost his mother, basically his father, had Chloe as a friend his whole life(who would want Chloe as a friend?", but he still had the power to overcome the negativity of his life and smile to the world; tricking the darkness inside his heart. This was no surprise to her; this was just another reason why she loved him. Another thing to add to her growing checklist.

After the airplane's rough landing and the class's leave of the airport, Marinette was exhausted. They had been sitting in the airplane for at least eight hours and landed in a place called Washington D.C. Marinette had heard Miss Bustier saying that this where they will be staying for a few days and the fireworks show near the White House.

America was as beautiful as Paris itself with its country and culture flair and its unique people and places. The sunny weather was scorching in the early afternoon and no clouds shadowed the everlasting clear, blue sky. Marinette could feel the light breeze flowing through her pigtails and the slight shivers she felt tickled her face.

"Girl!" An excited voice interrupted the tranquil feeling from the other half of the outside world.

"Alya!" Marinette squeaked. Alya's loud voice ringing through the quiet atmosphere.

"This. Is. So. Exciting. Are you excited? Cause I am! Girl, I'm gonna blog my whole trip here to my fan base. That should get me some more followers huh?" She gently jabbed Marinette's arm.

"Most definitely." Marinette beamed.

"By the way, Nino and I are going together to the fireworks show tonight! Are you gonna ask Adrien?" Alya smirked.

"What?! Alya, there's no way I can do that! I can barely talk to him without stuttering like a dorkasaurus!" Marinette whined.

Alya chuckled. "Well girl, here's your first chance." She pointed in front of them and without a doubt the boy's were headed their way.

"Ah!" Marinette whispered screamed. "There's no way I can-"

"Hey girls." Adrien waved. Marinette noticed the sky blue scarf wrapped around his neck.

"Sup." Nino greeted.

Alya went right to the point. "Adrien. There was something that Mari here wanted to ask you."

"Sure, what is it?" Adrien's glimmering orbs seemed to bore into Marinette's soul. Stars, why did he look like a living God?

Marinette took a deep breath;steadying some of her butterfly nerves. "I-I...uh...wanted to...um...ask if you wanted...to-"

"ADRIKINS!" A shriek from Chloe was all it took to grab everyone's attention. She prattled on over, shoved Marinette aside, and grasped Adrien's arm tightly;ensuring that she was symbolizing that Adrien was hers and hers alone.

This was everyone's reaction:Marinette scowled, Adrien groaned, Nino just shook his head, Alya face-palmed herself, and Chloe smiled deliriously.

"Adrikins..." Chloe said naughtily. "Miss Bustier said that we were going to a luxurious restaurant for lunch. Sit with moi Kay?" With that, she strutted off; not waiting for an answer and dragged Adrien away. Adrien turned back;shooting an apologetic look to his friends before dreadfully going with Chloe.

That does it. This little event just made Marinette snap. Determination took over her mind and judgment. She was going to ask Adrien out for the show even if it is the last thing she does. She asked Aly and Nino for help and they immediately agreed. Operation G.A.W.M(Get Adrien With Marinette) is officially a go.

At lunch, at the luxurious restaurant called McDonalds; Marinette tried asking him there only to be cut off by Chloe shoving a chicken nugget into Adrien's mouth and forcing him to chew.

At the White House tour;Marinette tried again asking him there only to be put in a "three's a crowd" situation when Chloe dragged him to look at a picture of the United States's first president, George Washington.

At dinner; a hour before the fireworks display, Marinette tried to ask Adrien again. To no avail, and with no shock;Chloe interrupted for the billionth time, chatting and chortling like a hyena at her pleasure and Adrien's company.

"I give up!" Marinette moaned as she threw herself into a nestle of grassy weeds. People have gathered in front of the White House and fought over places to rest and watch the show. It was to start in fifteen minutes.

That was it. She gave in. Marinette was fed up with dealing with Chloe's pesky and annoying cut offs whenever she tried to have a conversation with Adrien. She was done.

She had chosen a spot underneath one of the cherry blossom trees a few meters away from the rest of her class. Marinette noticed Alya and Nino cuddling next to each other;pointing out to each other the magnificent stars that aligned the blacken background.

It was a blissful, peaceful night much to Marinette's enjoyment due to her stressful vacation day. It wouldn't be too bad spending the night alone right? Pfft, who was she fooling? Marinette felt...lonely. She wanted to share her first day in America with someone. Anyone. She just needed to vent so badly, but her two closest friends were over there having fun...without her. And the boy she wanted to be with was over-

"Hey." A voice called to her;snapping her out of her miserable mood. Marinette lifted her head and saw her crush standing there;giving her a sad smile. "Mind if I sit down?" He gestured next to her.

Marinette nodded; scooting over to make room. She was in no mood to acknowledge the butterflies fluttering back in her stomach. She wrapped her arms around her face; hiding her dreary weariness. Marinette was however secretly glad for his company though. It made her loneliness gradually ease.

"I was looking all over for you." Marinette turned to his handsome face. Him? Looking for her? Hilarious.

"What for?" Marinette murmured softly.

"Well it seemed as though you wanted to ask me something." Adrien chuckled.

"It was nothing." Marinette tried to convince herself.

"Anyone could tell you're lying princess." Princess? That sounded vaguely familiar for some reason. Did someone else also say that to her? No, couldn't be.

"I just...,"Marinette paused for a second;scanning behind him, noticing Chloe far away telling off a poor American man what a klutz he was for spilling his fries on her. The sight made her have to stifle a giggle. Marinette faced Adrien again; desperately trying to ignore his tousled locks flying in the wind. She wanted to run her fingers through them so badly, but she contained herself. Come on Mari, it's now or never.

"I wanted to ask if you wanted to watch the fireworks show with me!"She rapidly said; yearning to get the thought out before she messed up. She squeezed her eyes shut; feeling her flush and probably scarlet face. The heat rising to her cheeks.

"Well since you asked so nicely, how could I refuse?" Marinette widened her indigo irises. Did he just say yes?! She felt her mouth forming into a brilliant smile. Adrien smiled back. "After all, we're friends right?" Oh, with that, her heart started plummeting. But, this means progress! They just exited the awkward zone and entered the friend zone.

"Yeah, friends." Marinette blushed.

The speakers static and grabbed the crowd's impatient attention. "Ladies and gentlemen. We proudly present to you our Fourth of July fireworks show! Happy Fourth of July!"

Groups of people cheered as the first firework blew up. And then the second. And third. The sizzling and crackling as the firework was blown into the starry heavens was the adrenaline and excitement. And the booming was the exhilaration and happiness of the world's people. Marinette couldn't help, but wonder what everyone back in Paris was doing at this time. Cause here, they were celebrating America's day of independence.

The fireworks display was the most amazing thing Marinette had ever seen. Varieties of designs and colorful sparkles fading into the night sky. It was giving her inspiration for what clothes she could design back home. Oh, she wished she had her sketchpad with her.

Seconds later, a burst of gale swooped past the crowd and blew the cherry blossoms through the wistful air. It was as if the world was in slow motion. Watching the pink petals delicately flutter to the ground like butterfly wings.

Adrien watched Marinette grab hold of his hand as they twirled like ballerinas in the trillions of blowing Japanese rose colored petals. They smelled sweet and reassuring. Like they were saying the world was in perfect harmony. Adrien stared at Marinette's face which was brighter than the moon as they continued to fly on air like birds without a care in the world.

"Happy Fourth of July Marinette."

"Happy Fourth of July Adrien."

"Boom. Boom. Boom. Even brighter than the moon. Moon. Moon...Cause baby you're a firework!"-Katy Perry(Firework)

***

So much fluffy Adrienette. Hope you enjoyed my entry for Mahala's challenge and MEOUT! :cat: :cat: :cat: :cat: :cat:

-PrettyQueen325 :sparkling_heart:

Hope you all have a great Fourth of July and if you don't celebrate it, have a great day!