"Bye bye, little butterfly."
Sure, she loved things like fresh croissants first thing in the morning or achieving a new high score in her favorite video game, but nothing was as satisfying as watching that pure butterfly be free. Her sight lingered on the retreating insect until that all too familiar 'blip, blip, blip' sounded warningly in her ear. Turning to her partner she saluted him cheekily, "Looks like he's not the only one who's gotta fly. Until next time."
"I look forward to it, m'lady."
With that, the two protector's of Paris made their exits and once again, all was well. The now calm streets of the city were safe, peaceful - as they should be. Marinette reflected as she walked back to her home above the Patisserie her parents owned. In the grand scheme of things, it hadn't been so long ago since Tikki had come into her life, since she had become Ladybug. Even so, it still felt like a lifetime ago since she had just been a normal girl. She had just started her final year of lycée, after all, which meant she had been saving the city on a regular basis for a few years. She was so proud of that. But how nice it would be to be just Marinette for a day. She laughed lightly to herself at the thought. Just Marinette. How strange it would be to go back. Less stressful, yes - but better? Probably not. Though she had once had her doubts as to how well she would perform as a superhero, Marinette had to admit she impressed even herself. Becoming Ladybug had given her a boost of confidence and had brought out qualities in herself that she had never even thought to consider before. Sure, she was not exactly perfect, but she was proud of the person, and superhero, she had become.
Through the door, up the stairs. Marinette lifted her purse strap off of her shoulder and up over her head, undoing the clasp in one swift, practiced movement. The exhausted Tikki took her repreave on the desk, munching contentedly on a cookie to replenish herself. It was routine by now, it was normal. Marinette sought out her pajamas, slipping into them she turned to look up at her bed considering it for a moment. Though she was physically tired her mind was anything but. She made her way out to the balcony instead, rubbing at her arms slightly as she came out into the cool night air.
Though this life had become normal, it didn't mean that it wasn't concerning. People were being akumatized with increasing frequency in recent weeks, the onslaught manageable but worrying. Mix that in with the fact that they were no closer to identifying Hawkmoth and it was a combination that could prove deadly. Marinette thanked all of their lucky stars that, with everything, civilian injuries had been few and far between. How long could that last though? Especially if Hawkmoth continued this aggressive streak? She shuddered at the thought. Glancing back towards her room, she frowned slightly. Though she would never give up being Ladybug for anything, she did wish that, sometimes, she could really just be a normal girl. Someone who wasn't tired all of the time, someone who wasn't late to everything because she was off saving the city yet again. So her friends didn't worry about her, so she could stop lying to her parents. As much as Marinette had come to care for Tikki, what she wouldn't give for just one day without some kind of life and death lecture. As much as it pained her to say it, Marinette missed the days of Chloe being her biggest problem.
Lost in thought, Marinette let her head fall back to stare up at the sky, the city of light was too bright, she couldn't make out many stars even though the dark expanse above her was cloudless. She laughed lightly in spite of herself once again, reaching up to undo her pigtails as she turned on her heel back towards her room. Marinette stopped at her desk, gently smiling at the now snoozing Tikki. "Goodnight Tikki."
Covering her gently with a piece of fabric from a designing project she had started months ago, but had never quite found the time to complete, her blue eyes sought out the row of frames sat out in grand display. Marinette couldn't help but smile back at the faces of those she loved most: Her parents, Alya and Nino, the girls from school, and Adrien. How close they had all become. The years had made it easier, had eased her awkwardness. Perhaps it was simply age as well. Marinette reached for a picture of them both but stopped short. Even if her feelings ran just as deep, how could she maintain any sort of relationship with her duties as Ladybug? She recoiled, her hand balling into a fist as she turned away. No, even if she cared for Adrien and even if there was any sort of chance he might care for her, it had to be this way. Adrien would be safer, he would be happier. Shaking the thought from her head and suppressing the tears that threatened from the corners of her eyes, she climbed the ladder up to her loft and laid down. Though her mind still wandered about those sad thoughts, her bed was warm and inviting. It wasn't long before she had drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep.
X X X X X X
Hey Guys! I hope you enjoyed my little prologue! This is my first time uploading to a fanfiction site so I'm kind of excited (and a bit rusty at writing ). I've got a good sized story planned, twists and turns, a reveal or two, and plenty of angsty and sometimes mushy romance. Please enjoy!