True Love is like Teamwork
Disclaimer: I do not own Miraculous Ladybug etc. Also, many of the ideas in this fic have been inspired by some great authors around here, couldn't name all of them. Nothing is mine. Basically, this small fic is just a writing exercise of gratitude for those who invented Ladybug and for all those who've written fanfiction about it. Everyone, keep spreading the love! :)
It was a rainy day and Marinette gazed dreamily out the window of the bakery. Mrs. Cheng was finishing cleaning the counter. Tom was away for deliveries. There weren't many chances for customers, not on that rainy weather.
Tracing the drops of rain with her fingers, Marinette sighed deeply.
- Maman, what is true love?
- I was wondering when you'd ask that, dear. Just a minute, I'll have some tea ready and be with you in a moment.
- Some hot chocolate would be better?
- Oh, dear, this is a tea conversation. Let's keep the sweet chocolate for our sweethearts, what do you say?
- If this weren't a pun, I'd actually blush, mama. She sighed. Some winter tea for me, maman.
- Hibiscus and cinnamon make the heart warm, dear. I'll go for some white tea, Sabine added to herself.
Marinette resumed window gazing. It had been a year and a half since she became Ladybug. There were few times like these, when there was nothing urgent to solve: no school assignments, no akumas destroying the city (apparently Hawkmoth wasn't a fan of rain either), just some time for herself. Her spare time meant, of course, thinking of Adrien. After all this time, her thoughts began to take a different turn: were her feelings for him true love? Wasn't love supposed to be shared, responded to? She couldn't even form full sentences around the guy! Would she ever be able to make her feelings known? Were those even feelings or rather an obsession? An obsession similar to how you stalk idols, or similar to those excessive fandoms? She did have an entire wall plastered with his photos, after all. Was that love, truly? Or just infatuation, fandom, obsession?
- Right, Sabine said, gently placing the cup of tea in front of her. So what was the question again, dear?
- Ad… Love… True love, mama. Marinette went scarlet. What's true love like? How do you know it's true and not just… you know… infatuation?
Sabine smiled.
- Well, she said, at first you don't know. You can't know, since it's the first time. There are butterflies, then smiles, stolen looks, daydreaming. Also, there may be some flirting involved, too.
Marinette felt her heart beating faster. She had faced some heavy flirting from Chat, after all.
Sabine went on.
- One moment you feel enthusiastic, like the world is yours – the next one you're all insecure - it's all being a teen and falling in love, and crushes and all.
- So… is it? What is, then? I'm still not getting it.
- I'm still not done, Sabine smiled. Is your father the first man I've fallen in love with?
- I think you might have mentioned some boyfriends before.
Sabine laughed.
- Oh, dear, there weren't that many, really. Mostly unrequited crushes, she smiled knowingly.
Marinette went pale.
- So, then, unrequited means…?
- Well, then, is it love if it isn't shared?
Marinette blinked and stared wide-eyed at her mom.
- So you're saying one-sided isn't loving.
- Am I? I'm just saying it's not true love; Sabine winked and got up for some more tea.
- Arghh, mom! Marinette groaned.
- Alright, then, serious talk. You're the only one who can tell if it's true love or not, Marinette.
- What…?
- Even love that is shared is not always `true`, like the one in fairy tales, I mean. Some people love more, others love less – even inside a couple, honey. There's… there's balance in love too, you know?
- Like what, mama?
- Like… like teamwork. I think true love is like teamwork.
- Wha… what?
Marinette still couldn't wrap her head around this, since 'team' - in her book – was strictly, essentially, connected to Chat Noir.
- Teamwork, dear, in every way. Team as in you complete each other, team as in two halves of a whole, good cooperation, good conversation. Never feeling bored, trusting each other completely…
- Even with your own life…, mumbled to herself Marinette.
- Team as in you work together to keep your relationship going. Teamwork as in you're willing to make things work, make love work. And God knows you need teamwork to grow those green-eyed babies, Sabine added teasingly.
Marinette spilled her tea cup all over the table.
- Huh? Wh… what?! Mother!
- It was worth the joke for all the shades of red in your face, darling, Sabine laughed good-naturedly. Basically, what I'm saying is that true love is love that is real, palpable, down to earth. Therefore, true. Clear enough?
- …I think I'm getting the picture.
- Good, honey. Now let's go bring something to wipe this mess.
'Maybe this will finally get her to act', Sabine thought. 'I do hope to have those green eyed babies one day', she giggled to herself.
Marinette went back to her room rather gloomy.
- Oh, Tikki, what am I going to do?
- You know, Marinette, I think you mother had some really good advice for you.
- You think?
- Mothers are the best, Marinette. And yours is really wise, too.
- Well, I wish wisdom was genetic.
- Oh, Marinette! Tikki giggled. Don't be so hard on yourself! I know you're going to make a good decision, I trust you!
Marinette mumbled something and looked sadly at the wall plastered with photos of Adrien.
-Well, Agreste, you might be falling out of my grace, she sighed.
Next morning, there were no more photos of Adrien on her wall.