Adrien had leaped and skipped across the buildings of Paris before succumbing to foot. His shivering body forced his blue scarf around his neck before Plagg slipped into the fabric for warmth.
"We should've packed some Camembert before you decided to throw yourself out the window," Plagg said.
"I would have rather grabbed a sweater." He shivered again.
They continued their walk down random streets, all the while Adrien never stopping his rant.
"I honestly can't believe him! It's like he isn't my father anymore, but someone completely different," he yelled. "He's been so different ever since my mom..." he sighed. "It's not as if it wasn't hard for me too."
"Adrien, look," Plagg began. "Just because your dad is awful, does not mean he doesn't love you even in the slightest. You are his son like I am your Kwami. He could never hate his son, like you would never let your Kwami starve. Right?" He finished, with a hopeful smile. Adrien rolled his eyes.
"Sometimes, I wonder if I really am his son anymore." Plagg sighed on both their behalves.
While tugging for more warmth, Plagg caught a quick glimpse of bouncing pigtails and a barely visible pink blemish stuffing her face with cookies. Plagg tried to refrain from letting out a loud groan, and instead, hid deeper into the scarf.
Marinette was stacking trays upon trays, and blanketing anything from Croissants to Quiches with long, thin sheets. Tikki was sitting on her own small plate of cookies and feasting away.
"Tikki, listen to me. On our last mission we had to detransform in front of each other! I'm glad Chat Noir trusts me enough to keep his eyes closed and play along, but one day that won't be enough!" Marinette lectured as she cleaned the counter. "Each mission is getting harder and harder, and this one may have been our last if I didn't have the fake ones by a random stroke of luck," she sighed. "What are we going to do?"
Tikki was an attentive listener, even while chewing her 6th cookie, but Marinette has been ranting for longer than usual so her responses were pointless. "Marinette-"
"Wait," she interrupted. "Didn't Master Fu say something about new powers?" Tikki sighed. He did.
"Marinette, wait," she tried, but failed.
"Dark Owl was obviously a wake up call. We have to go see Master Fu tomorrow about all of this and Chat Noir needs to start coming too."
Tikki was about to say something when she was interrupted by a strange view. She caught sight of Plagg's familiar eyes peering from across the street until they popped back out of the picture. She rolled her own ones as if reading his mind. Nevertheless, what's a better way to relax than Adrien himself?
"Marinette-"
"But what if something terrible happens like an earthquake and all I can do is ask an actual ladybug where it's coming from? You see where I'm coming from, right Tikki?" Tikki flew from her cookies until she was eye level with Marinette.
"Marinette, what are you talking about!?" She exclaimed. "Calm down and take a deep breath." Marinette did as she was told and let out 15 seconds worth of air.
"Good," Tikki said. "Now, look over there." She pointed out the window, and Marinettes towel dropped.
"Is that-"
"Yep."
"But... why?"
"Go ask him yourself," Tikki suggested as she began to shove Marinette towards the door.
"No, I can't! Or, at least, I shouldn't. He looks busy!" Not even Marinette looked convinced by her own excuse.
TIkki shook her head in disbelief. "Adrien is outside, probably really cold and really lonely. Nobody just takes a peaceful walk this far from their home and without a sweater. He looks like he could use a friend."
Marinette sighed. She's probably right, she thought. "Alright, alright."
She looked through the trays and boxes, while Tikki searched for an easy place to hide and escape. Before long, mouth-watering desserts were heating up and Tikki was tucked away with a perfect view of the outside world.
Plagg had tried to cheer Adrien up after his first poor attempt, but nothing was succeeding. Eventually, he started walking again.
"Adrien, wait!" Called Marinette from a short distance. He stopped and quickly shoved Plagg into his pocket before peering into the darkness.
"Marinette?" He asked.
She lightly jogged towards him and confirmed her identity.
"What are you doing here?" He politely asked. Marinette chuckled.
"I-I live right there," she tried, pointing at the bakery. Adrien nodded, suddenly remembering.
"Oh, right," he replied. "I guess I lost my sense of direction along with the time." Marinette laughed but it was a hesitant laugh. She couldn't help but notice his different demeanor and wavering eyes. She even felt a slight tinge of guilt for being nervous around him at a time like this.
Adrien was getting ready to say goodbye when Marinette stopped him.
"Since you're already here, why don't you come inside for some warmth and maybe a short snack?" She recited. She did it. Marinette Dupein-Chang did it. She spoke a full sentence that actually made sense in front of Adrien. Is that wedding bells ringing, or her head? No, she thought. It was neither. Now focus on what's important right now.
Adrien, on the other hand, was hesitant. "Thanks, but-" Plagg bit his leg, obviously reminding him of his empty stomach. Once again, Adrien wondered why his Kwami had to think with his stomach.
"Actually, I would like that," he said. Marinette led the way to the bakery, hiding her ridiculously large smile while Adrien kept his eyes fixated to the ground.