theshipyard | ✨ .//. Piper McLean » Percy Jackson: Heroes of Olympus

[ It's strange to think that nothing had changed. They'd made such a big deal about keeping their secrets, he never thought about what it'd be like, to have someone to share it with.

Granted, he still needs to tell Ladybug. He promised himself that he would, but that's a problem he'd have to tackle on his own. Piper had her own to worry about, and he wasn't going to drag her into things needlessly. Not when it was this personal.

With these thoughts lingering in his mind, fresh out of battle with an akuma where he'd been forced to use Cataclysm, he returns to class from an overly long lunch break. He suspects Marinette won't be too far behind him; it usually tends to work out that way, he's noticed.

But instead of thinking about that, he's distracted by the crowd of his classmates surrounding Piper, who all turn their heads at him as soon as he walks through the door. Miss Bustier was nowhere to be seen.

He blinks. ]

Pipes? [ ...... ] Uh, what'd I miss?

[ She'd rather have been out there fighting the damn Akuma. Why did this happen to her? Why her?? What was so fascinating about her love life, anyway?

This is all Adrien's fault. Him and his stupid, sweet, charming, attractive-

"Come ON, Piper, spill! We won't tell a soul!"

"It's someone from our class, isn't it? That's soooo romantic!"

Rose, Alya, no why are you doing this to her?

She's about ready for the floor to open up beneath her and swallow her up, or maybe for that Akuma to show up at the school, or Miss Bustier to show up and save the day??? Instead what she gets to answer her silent prayers is- ]

Adrien!

[ If looks could speak, hers would be saying "I don't know if I want to throttle you or kiss you right now for your timing but HELP ME." It occurs to her only after the fact that he'd just called her Pipes, a fact that does NOT miss the notice of their classmates, the girls giving gasps, as if Adrien had just given them a HUGE revelation.

Piper, for her part, has the decency to realize the misstep, smacking her forehead. ]

Guys, it's not-

[ "Pipes?? So you two have pet names for each other now? Adrien, you sly dog!"

"Yo, that's my boy!" ]

[ opens mouth

closes mouth ]

[ weeeelll that’s just great. you know he did want to get over ladybug, and maybe, just maaaybe he has, or at least has started to (??? feelings what the fuck are those), but this still isn’t exactly what he had in mind. ]

Okay. I am honestly sorry I asked.

[ Et tu, Nino???

He is speaking directly to Piper now, which probably doesn’t help matters, but since she seems to be the only sane one: ]

You think they’ll go back to normal if I walk back out that door and then back in again?

Edited 2018-06-11 05:32 (UTC)

[ Surprisingly? Ignoring them, for the most part, is SUPER EFFECTIVE. It seems to be taking some of the wind out of their sails, anyway, and Piper is sure she isn't imagining Alya looking a little bit relieved when she thinks no one else is watching.

But that doesn't stop her from giving Adrien a look. ]

Not a chance. And you are NOT leaving me alone in here with them, so don't even think about trying it, blondie.

[ Helpfully, Kim decides to pipe up then-

"So does that mean I can ask her out??"

Piper turns in her chair to give him a look, then turns back around to look at Adrien like "YOU SEE WHAT YOU'VE LEFT ME TO DEAL WITH WHILE YOU WERE FIGHTING AKUMAS? NEXT TIME I GET TO TANGO WITH THE SUPER VILLAIN'S HENCHMAN WHILE YOU ANSWER SEVENTEEN MAGAZINE QUESTIONAIRES." ]

Edited 2018-06-11 05:55 (UTC)

[ Adrien snorts at the priceless expression from Piper. He hadn’t been serious about leaving, even just for a second as he suggested, so he just sits down in his usual seat, leaning back as Kim speaks up.

The speed with which Adrien replies surprises even him—though judging from the smirk, it’s less him being protective over Piper and more the boyish need to just be contrary. ]

No.

[ Adrien leaves no room for argument and just turns back to Piper, after taking a good look around the room. ]

Where’s Ms. B, anyway? No wonder they got so rowdy.

[ Alya raises an eyebrow and exchanges the look with Nino, and Piper tries to pretend not to notice. Damn it Adrien we were so close to being completely off the hook.

She also tries to pretend not to notice that A: She actually kind of LIKED him telling Kim no, and b: he actually looks kind of hot when he smirks. She's better than this, damn it.

So she lets out a puff of air, blowing some of her hair back from her face as her chin comes to rest in her hand, her seat (behind Chloe and Sabrina, lucky her) giving her a blessedly NOT suspicious amount of space from Adrien. This effectively hides any possible coloring in her cheeks between her fingers curving over one and her braid blocking the other from view. ]

She said something about getting a head count from Mr. Damocles, making sure all the students were still accounted for after the attack.

[ She suspects "Ladybug" will be rejoining them again any minute, unless something held her up.

Again, she wonders, how has NO ONE ELSE figured this out, yet??? ]

Oh. Gotcha.

[ That makes sense. Sometimes he forgets they actually give that much of a damn about how safe the school is.

Still, it doesn’t take that much longer for Marinette to rejoin them, spouting her usual excuses and greeting him awkwardly. Adrien gives her the usual polite smile, just in time for Ms. Bustier to walk in as well and resume class.

Time passes fairly painlessly, all things considered. Even so, Adrien is jolted awake by the bell when her lecture comes to an end, and sits up straight, like Oops, I definitely wasn’t dozing off.

(He wasn’t, to be fair, but it was pretty darn close.) ]

[ It's probably strange to admit to herself that after all the fuss from the afternoon, returning to a regular class was almost kind of dull, but Ms. Bustier actually manages to make learning fun so Piper doesn't mind it that much. Mostly it's the fact she treats all of her students with the same level of patience and kindness, regardless of who they are. Even Chloe. Piper tries to repay that by at least paying attention.

She feels for Adrien and Marinette in that regard, knowing that the two of them are pulling double duty fighting akumas and then having to still have enough energy to do everything else, it doesn't surprise her to see the two of them struggling to stay completely focused and awake. When the bell sounds it's a blessing, then. Piper watches as most of the students take off, having already gathered up the most of their things. She uses the excuse of not having done so to hang back a bit, though she does get a "knowing" look from some of her classmates on their way out for her trouble. She even hears someone comment- without naming names -"Oh, don't you just think they're SO cute together?" -making her face flame up a bit.

She's still figuring it out, if truth is told. She hasn't even decided yet if it's okay for her to act on her developing feelings for Adrien like that, and not all of it has to do with feeling guilty over Marinette. Honestly as much as she likes the girl, if she hasn't worked up the courage to tell him by now Piper isn't going to be doing her any favors by holding back. There are PLENTY of girls at the school who see him as eligible, and it's just a matter of time before one of them asks him out. Lila may have ruined her chances- from what Piper's heard -and Chloe may be out of the running by default, but there are others from other classes. There are. And he may never start to see Marinette "that way" until he knows she's interested that way. So the way Piper sees it, she's got two choices herself: Pony up and admit she has a thing for him, or join the club with Marinette and regret it later.

So, no, that's not it, not really. It's- ]

So, you feeling refreshed after your cat nap?

[ She grins, thinking herself clever, and after nodding at Nino tries to pretend she doesn't see him looking back at the two in any particular way as he excuses himself. Piper personally isn't sure where he lands on the whole "Adrien and Marinette" thing, being Adrien's best friend, and she's sure it's probably not her business. ]

[ It isn't like Adrien has a whole lot of stuff, so it doesn't take him long to gather all of it. He's not exactly in a rush to get home though, so of course he hangs back too, turning to face Piper and her smug grin.

He was just in time to wave at Nino as he left the room, but the pretty girl still has his attention as he stands. ]

Ha, ha. I was not.

[ Catnapping, that is. ]

Did you stay behind just to tease me?

[ She considers teasing a little more. Maybe accusing him of drooling in his sleep, but instead goes to answer his question with an impish look on her face. ] Maybe. You did miss out on most of it this afternoon. I have to make sure you get your fair share.

[ She shrugs her shoulders with an almost challenging grin, like "So there.", but of course there's no malice behind her jests. ]

You got any practice, or modeling, or any other such obligations this afternoon? Or are you free to hang out?

[ The latter would surprise her, but only in a good way. Nino usually hung back to see if Adrien had plans. That should probably be suspicious, then, that he didn't today, but maybe he has a date with Alya Piper doesn't know about. ]

[ It's definitely a date with Ayla. Nino already talked his ear off about it the night before, and no doubt he'd do it again once it was over. Not that he minded exactly. Of course he's happy for his friends, but he has to admit, it could really wear a guy down sometimes.

The emotion is perfectly captured in his face when he sighs and pulls out his phone, though it's mostly at the thought of checking his schedule—which he does, scrolling casually with this thumb. ]

Uhhh... Oh. [ His voice perks up in pleasant surprise, and he looks up. ] Well, I have a photoshoot at sunset, but it looks like I'm free until then.

...Shocker. [ No, really. ]

[ Adrien has free time? They clearly need to mark the occasion! ]

You feel like hanging out, then?

[ Probably not going to help with the whole bit about the class thinking that she had a thing for Adrien, but she wasn't about to stop hanging out with him in the meantime. ]

[ He's so used to gossip by now, what the class says barely ruffles his fur. He just shrugs.

It doesn't even register as a proper date. ]

Sure. Let me just make a phone call.

[ To his driver. But before that— ]

What'd you have in mind?

[ Alright, then. She packs the last of her things into her book bag, then shoulders it with a nod and a shrug. ]

Nothing, exactly. I just figured we could go exploring, see what we can find to get into.

Oh yeah. [ His thumb hovers over the phone screen. He pauses thoughtfully. ] I forget sometimes that you haven't been around as long as the rest of us.

[ Finally, he makes the phone call. Making some excuse about studying, he more or less tells him that he'll see him for his ride to the photoshoot and to pass the message along to his father that he wouldn't be around until then.

...Then he returns his attention to Piper. Now that he can actually listen to her answer: ]

I never really asked before... do you like it here?

Because I'm such a natural Parisian? [ She smirks softly, teasing at her own expense. Still, she thinks she probably fits in here better than she has anywhere else.

While he's on his phone call she politely quiets down. Afterwards his question does give her pause. ]

I'm starting to think you live for getting me to sound like a sap as often as possible. [ She's aware that she's poured her heart out to this guy on almost every ~~thread written out~~ given opportunity, but it's just some good natured teasing here. She seems relaxed when she does give a real response. ] Yeah, actually. I like it a lot. Everyone's pretty cool, and it just feels more relaxed here. Maybe the good mood has something to do with the local superheroes keeping an eye on things.

[ Adrien smirks himself, perhaps allowing his inner Cat to show. He does enjoy turning her into a sap, but even more than that, he's... pretty proud of his superhero identity.

He leads them out of the classroom with a quiet satisfaction. ]

They are pretty awesome, aren't they...? [ Speaking for Parisians on the whole, though... ] I'm glad we haven't scared you off.

[ Yet ]

What can I say? It'll take more than an eclectic, rag tag bunch of personalities to chase me off? You should've seen the snotty rich kids I had to deal with before this. Trading down to just one? Gladly.

[ She grins, playfully nudging his arm with her elbow as they approach the stairs. She's talking about Chloe, but not trying to start up that conversation she doesn't point that out. ]

[ Yeeeah, she definitely means Chloe.

Of course, when it comes to snooty rich kids, he can't help feeling like he also qualifies... but he knows he isn't snooty. He laughs as they descend the stairs. ]

Well, she definitely acts like she owns the place, but I'll bet that hasn't stopped you from exploring already.

[ Considering where they had their first actual conversation... ]

What other restricted areas were you hoping to get into today?

Eh. It helps put things in perspective.

[ Kinda hard to get seriously bent out of shape over anyone elses' harmless ribbing or pranks when there's Chloe, screwing over the entire school just to get out of making macaroons, or accusing other students of being thieves and getting them suspended.

Yes, yes, Piper IS giving her a chance, scouts' honor, but she HEARS things. ]

Oh... I dunno. I figured you might have some ideas, though. So, what do you say? Where would you go if you were looking for a cool spot with some privacy?

[ She'd seen some of that trouble making streak of his when he was willing to sneak out, before he knew she'd found out about Cat Noir. It would be easy to "blame" the influence on his alter ego but Piper thinks that he's been sneaking around for longer than that. She's curious to see what his idea of a zen zone might be. A rooftop somewhere, a concert hall before show time, the projection room of a cinema? Plenty of possibilities in a city like this. ]

.......Hmmm. I guess I do have an idea or two.

[ A mischievous smile appears on his face as they make their way out of the school. He does think, but it doesn’t look like he has to think too hard. ]

Doesn’t quite beat the Eiffel Tower, but it’s a little easier to get to.

[ He’d rather not transform for this. ]

✨ .//. Piper McLean » Percy Jackson: Heroes of Olympus

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