Adrien casually strolled back into the movie theater lobby and glanced around for his friends. He spied them by the arcade games. Max and Nino were battling it out at the air hockey table while Alya and Marinette stood off to the side. Alya was rubbing Marinette's back and whispering in her ear. However, Marinette didn't even seem to notice. She was looking around, her eyes full of worry just like Ladybug had been just moments earlier.
At first he thought this was odd, but then he shrugged it off. Marinette had every right to be upset. There had been an akuma attack right as they had arrived at the movies. He had quickly split off from the group so he could transform and help Ladybug. The others would have gone for cover. Being Cat Noir, didn't know how frightening it would be to hide and wait out an attack.
Alya was the first to spot him as he walked up to the group. "There he is!" she hollowed to the others.
"Hey man! We were worried about you." Nino added, looking up from the game.
"Yeah, sorry. There was...uh...a girl that needed help finding someone." Adrien explained. It was close enough to the truth that he didn't feel like he was lying. Max took advantage of the distraction and fired the winning shot right past Nino.
"Not cool man! That's cheating!" Adrien turned his attention to the girls as the guys took off into a heated argument.
"See, Marinette. I told you he would be fine." Alya told her friend. Marinette nodded in agreement. She tapped her fingers together awkwardly. Adrien had been friends with her long enough now to recognize the habit and know that she didn't know what to say.
"Were you worried about me, Marinette?" he asked, hoping to break through her shyness.
"No...Yes...I mean...attack akuma...akuma attack...uh..."
He smiled. Classic Marinette. He reached out and put a hand on her shoulder, cutting off her babbling. She looked up and met his gaze.
"Thanks for worrying. I'm glad to have a friend that is so concerned for my well being. But everything is fine now. You can relax."
"Yeah cause Ladybug and Cat Noir came to save today," Alya added. "Did you see that crazy maneuver Ladybug did with her yo-yo? I think I got a few good pics of it." She pulled out her phone and started scrolling through images.
"Put the phone away Alya." Nino called, his fight about the air hockey game over. "The movie is going to be starting soon." The group started heading in but Marinette hanged back a bit. Aldrin took a step closer to her and leaned in.
"You know...even if I had been hurt, Ladybug has that 'miraculous' thing that fixes everything." Adrien said softly, wanting to calm her nerves. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
"You're right. Her power is purrrty powerful." Her eyes flashed open as if she just realized she had said that out loud. "Pretty." She corrected. "Haha pretty powerful that ladybud...bug...ladybug."
"Hey are you guys coming?" Alya called. Marietta took off towards he friend but Adrien could only watch her go in utter shock. Not only had Marinette made a cat pun, but she had basically quoted what he had said to Ladybug moments earlier.
