LadyBugOut AU (Snippets)

Rock n' Roll With It

Then, just as Jagged was about to stand up, the door opened, both Marinette and Jagged turning in a panic before they saw Penny standing there. She was hunched over, a hand on the doorframe for support as she panted, desperately trying to catch her breath.

Clutching the doorframe tighter, she straightened up, inhaling and fixing her messy hair to its normal, stylishly messy style. She then stepped forward, closing the door behind her and turning to Marinette.

“We heard about how you’re helping Ladybug with her new blog. Congratulations,” she said. Glancing over at Jagged with an exasperated expression, she continued, “Jagged wanted to go see you in person and ‘save you’ from the paparazzi.”

Marinette’s lips quirked up at that, somewhat amused by the explanation. Both she and Penny clearly knew that Jagged showing up and making a presence like he did wouldn’t technically help, though Marinette did appreciate the save he did manage.

“I wasn’t gonna let those journalist hacks get her,” he told Penny, looking all too proud of himself. Glancing down at Marinette, he boasted, “I know Ladybug, y'know? She’s saved me before.”

He said it like it was an accomplishment. She giggled, even though she’d tried to stifle it. Jagged and Penny were always fun to be around, even if Jagged could be—well—Jagged.

“Is that all you came for?” she then asked, partly feeling like she should thank them for thinking of her. Shooting Jagged a knowing look, she added, “My parents can adjust for all sorts of allergies.”

“Sounds great to me!” He pounded his fist into his palm with a wide grin. “I could go for a rockin’ roll!”

Penny rolled her eyes at him and shook her head, but she was smiling. Turning back to Marinette, she placed her hands on Marinette’s shoulders and assured, “Anyway, just know that if you ever have any issues publicly, you have my number.” She tossed a glance at Jagged, making sure he didn’t see it. “I know how to deal with things like this.”

Marinette, needless to say, was surprised by the support, even blushing a little at the attention she was being given. Still, she nodded her head, giving Penny a grateful smile. “Thank you. I’ll call if I have any questions.”

Before Penny could respond, a voice cut in from the bakery. “Marinette? What’s going on?”

Marinette looked over, Jagged stepping aside as the three of them stared at Tom and Sabine, looking between Jagged and Penny with a mix of confusion and… was that a hint of jealousy?

“Oh!” Marinette stepped away from Penny, waving as if the gesture said everything. “There were some reporters out by my school, so they came by to take care of it for me!”

Their reactions were minimal, Sabine giving a concerned nod and confirming, “Yes, we heard about how you’ve been helping Ladybug.”

“Our customers wouldn’t stop talking about it,” Tom added, brows furrowed, though he didn’t look angry exactly. “It was the first time we’d heard about it.”

Marinette shifted awkwardly in place. She honestly hadn’t even thought about telling them, having had other - more important - things on her mind.

“Marinette,” Sabine called steadily, “we’d like to talk to you after—”

One of the customers, still out in the bakery, suddenly exclaimed with a gasp, “Jagged Stone?!”

Jagged turned to look at them, flashing them a grin. Apparently completely unable to read the room, it was only once Penny walked up and shot him a look that Jagged got the message, the two walking out to the bakery to keep the customers entertained.