Returning home couldn't have been any sooner. Marinette could feel every part of her body ache in protest as she pulled her skylight shut. 'Mr. Ramier needs to get a grip long enough for us all to rest. I don't think any of us can keep running on empty.' She turned off the light in her room and slowly dragged the covers over herself.
'You might need to consider changing clothes first, Marinette,' Tikki interjected. 'Sleeping in your clothes again can't be comfortable. But, I'd understand if you can't find the strength.' She sleepy gazed in the direction of the perky kwami. Yes, Tikki was right. She usually was. Though it was hard for her body to move now that it had stopped.
'I'll try to remember that for the next time. For now, I'm done. Goodnight, Tikki.' Marinette barely managed to stifle a yawn before allowing her head to fall forward into her pillow in defeat.
'Goodnight, Marinette.'
•••••••••••
All became quiet in the loft. Sleep should have been easy with such constant over-working. But, that was just it. Marinette couldn't possibly sleep. With such frequent attacks and the game being upped every day, it was a wonder if Hawkmoth was even human. He clearly never slept due to the frequency and persistence in making at least one akumatized victim every day. The stress was keeping her awake. On top of the stress of the present, the future stress was piling on already. Bunnix had stated that she was from the future, and that they were still fighting Hawkmoth. Every time Ladybug goes out on patrol or to save the city, it is always with the intent to take down Hawkmoth in that moment.
But, it never happens. He remains a mystery and with a growing army. Her mind was running a mile a minute. So much weighed down on her, no matter whether Paris was safe or not. It was her job to protect it no matter what.
Marinette sighed and rolled onto her back, placing her arm across her eyes and breathing deeply. How could she ever sleep well again knowing that their safety was always at risk? "Does chat worry as much as I do?", she thought to herself. Ladybug could always rely on Chat Noir, and even now she relied on the thought of him being just as jaded to bring her some comfort. To remind her that she isn't worrying alone. She instantly flinched against her own thoughts. How could she hope for his suffering to be like hers? He clearly had enough to deal with in his real life. His expression seemed to be growing more stern more often. His resolve growing stronger, but in hopes that a woman he knows nothing about will one day return his affections.
'And then there's that as well,' she broke the silence with her statement. 'He is just so determined.' Tikki didn't stir, though Marinette wondered if she was listening anyway. Even if all the evil in the world just disappeared tomorrow, she would still need to address the fact that Chat would never stop pursuing "his" lady. Maybe giving in wouldn't be so bad? Adrien clearly was not ready to deepen their relationship. He might never be. And so her unrequited love may just remain that way.
Unless she moves onto a new one.
Marinette nearly slapped herself upon the thought. No way could she invest her heart into a person she knew nothing about. Their love would just be a temporary fix until "real" people would show up and separate them. Either that or their hearts getting the better of them and break off the relationship before they hurt each other anymore. They didn't know each other. That was the biggest issue. How could they work when they didn't even talk on a civilian-name-basis. Well, they sort of did. Though, Chat pouring his heart to Marinette in times of defeat didn't really count.
Overwhelmed, Marinette sobbed quietly. Even the strong need to be human and cry. The world was on her shoulders, and the thought of it dropping terrified her. She had to find all the solutions so that everyone she knew would have a peaceful life.
Her lip trembling, she wiped away as many tears as she could. Tomorrow was a new day. She needed to be rested and ready to go. Mr. Ramier may need her again, and she didn't like to let others down.