LadyBugOut AU (Snippets)

Summary:
Nino decides to move to a different seat.

Chapter Text
The day after his separation from Alya, Lila, and Adrien was substantially awkward for Nino. He'd become more and more aware of the atmosphere change once he entered the classroom, but now he knew he'd be apart from the group that'd been isolated from the rest of the class with the rest of the class knowing about it. In fact, he'd purposefully come in later than usual just to avoid any conflict. He'd probably have to explain himself and talk about his fight with Adrien and he just--

Nino stopped as he stood in the doorway, surprised. The atmosphere was different than usual. Students had clearly noticed him walking in, but while a few of them looked at him awkwardly, it definitely wasn't like before.

What had happened? What had changed? He hadn't told anyone yet.

Then, Nino remembered.

"N-nino, the crowd--"

That's right. There had been people standing around him and Adrien during their fight. Maybe that argument had been spread around school? Or...

Nino glanced up at Marinette, who looked back at him. She smiled pleasantly, then waved.

He grinned back, albeit awkwardly, and waved in return. He couldn't help wondering if she'd honestly smoothed over the class's opinion of him, but he wasn't just going to ask, especially not in front of everyone.

As Nino took another step towards his usual seat, he quickly noticed Adrien, who locked eyes with him.

Nino tore his gaze away. Yeah, no, he wasn't going to sit there.

He scanned the rest of the classroom, searching for any remaining seats. Behind Alya and Lila, Mylene was sitting quietly by herself, though she occasionally looked over at Ivan since he sat across from her.

Nino breathed up, already readying to explain himself as he walked up to Mylene's seat. She clearly noticed him as he approached, but the slightest eye contact had her forcing her gaze away from him.

Nino cleared his throat as he reached the row in question, not to get her attention, but rather in hopes of clearing any awkwardness. He rubbed the back of his head, then tipped his hat, muttering a quick, "Hey, uh..."

Mylene placed her hands in her lap, hunching over slightly, but finally met his gaze.

Nino pointed to the seat next to her. He'd never try to sit between her and Ivan, but he knew he couldn't possibly sit next to Adrien right now. Plus, Mylene avoided most types of drama, so it was easily his best choice.

"Is it cool if I sit there?" he managed.

Mylene stared at him for a moment longer, then glanced over at Ivan and Marinette. Ivan gave her a nod while Marinette gave him a thumb's up. Nino felt grateful, though if Mylene genuinely didn't want to sit with him...

"It's fine if y'don't. I just--"

Mylene turned slightly towards him, gesturing quickly to the seat next to her. She immediately turned her attention to her backpack, starting to get her supplies ready for class, but Nino noticed a faint smile on her face.

He let out a relieved sigh, then slipped into the seat next to hers. When he stared gratefully in Ivan’s direction, Marinette gave him a now-double thumb’s up.

He smiled.