"I...I'm in love with you!"
"I'm sorry, Marinette...I'm in love with someone else..."
"Oh...I...I see..."
"I'm really sorry...Can we still be friends?"
Marinette gazed out across Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower, her blue eyes dulled from sadness. The cool breeze of the night blew across her skin, causing goosebumps to appear. However, she made no move to escape the chill. After all, it was only expressing how her heart felt.
"Sorry, I...I have to go..."
"Marinette, Wait!"
"Why did I do that?" She whispered into the night, her voice being carried away into the air. Silence surrounded her, causing her mind to fill with the events of that afternoon. "Why...why...I'm so stupid."
She had run straight home and upstairs to her room afterwards. Marinette was in so much shock, the tears didn't immediately spill. She needed to get away. She needed to clear her mind. As Ladybug, she went to the only place she felt she could truly be alone and after de-transforming, told her Kwami to leave.
Her tears still hadn't fallen. She knew if she expressed too much sadness, Hawkmoth would try to akumatize her.
But it was so hard to hold in her emotions.
How can I be happy and cheerful all the time? Why was I picked to do this job?
Slowly, she brought her knees up to her chest and hugged them tightly. She felt like she couldn't breathe as her eyesight began to blur.
Hold it...just hold it
Wrinkles on her forehead began to appear and her lip started to quiver. She took a deep breathe, in and out, in and out.
Puppies, Babies, Candy, Mom, Dad, Adr-NO! Tikki, Laughing, Cake...
Across Paris, a giant circular window opened, letting the lights of Paris flood the darkened room filled with beautiful butterflies. The sound of a cane and footsteps echoed in the small space as Paris' most evil villain, Hawkmoth strolled to the center of the room, a smirk upon his face.
"I can feel it," he held out his hand, watching as a butterfly volunteered to do his bidding. "Their trying hard to fight it." He covered the insect, infusing it with a dark, evil, essence. "But everyone succumbs eventually."
Marinette wiped her eyes, trying her best to keep her emotions locked away. However, the more she tried to forget, the more she remembered.
He didnt even give her feelings a chance. He rejected her so quickly. Did he really not feel anything towards her? Was she destined to be alone?
Flutter Flutter
Slowly, she looked up in front of her and spotted an akuma, hovering inches away from her face.
Inches away from her miraculous.
Go away! Go away! Go away!
She slowly moved back, making distance between herself and Akuma while also thinking of things that made her happy.
Grandma, Designing, Chocolate
The Akuma followed her.
Alya, Dancing, Hugs
Behind her, the elevator of the tower let off a soft 'ding'. She turned, watching as the doors slowly opened to reveal and black hair, teal tipped boy. His gaze was lowered, one hand in his pocket, the other holding the strap across his body.
Music...
"Luka..." she whispered. The boy looked up and gave Marinette a soft smile before it disappeared when he spotted the Akuma now sitting on her shoulder, just centimetres away from her earring.
"Marinette," he said before taking a step forward. Her breathing was shallow as he finally stood in front of her and without hesitation, gently swiped his hand at the Akuma. Startled, it lifted away from her shoulder but stayed in close proximity of the girl.
"S...sorry I'll stop being sad. It'll go away, soon." She whispered, her gaze plastered to the ground.
"You dont have to stop being sad." Luka replied. Marinette looked up at him, taking in his soft gaze and calming smile. "It's never good to keep your emotions inside."
"But...the Akuma..."
Luka watched the Akuma, still fluttering next to her. Without saying anything, he grabbed her hand and gently pulled her to the edge of the tower. They both stared out across Paris, the lights twinkling below like fallen stars. She let go of his hand as she became mesmerized with the sight.
Softly, the strum of a guitar filled the air. She didnt need to ask what song he was playing. Marinette already knew what it was.
It was how she felt.
The sadness and heartache. The pain and embarrassment. The stress and sorrow.
Yet...there was something else there too.
Admiration and serenity. A bit of relief and hope. Some happiness...
"Let it all out," she heard him say. She glanced at the Akuma again but a hand on her cheek stopped her from looking. "I promise it won't touch you."
Once again, he starting strumming, stepping a bit behind her to give her privacy. Her gaze went back out to the city and slowly, she let her memories flood her mind.
The first sob escaped.
Then the second.
A long wail carried across the wind as Marinette finally let her emotions take over. She couldnt even hear herself cry as the sound of Luka's music reached her ears, causing that mixture of feelings to confuse the Akuma.
Her heart felt like it was being chipped away and put together again at the same time. Luka watched she crouched, her hands pressed to her eyes as she bellowed. However, he also kept his eye on the Akuma, which was still flying around but slowly backing away.
Slowly, minute after minute, her sobbing began to die down and so did his playing. He changed the tone, settling for a soft, euphoric type of sound. The Akuma was now long gone and Marinette was sitting cross legged, eyes to her lap as she sniffed and wiped her cheeks. Her hiccups slowed to breathing and her puffy eyes had finally dried.
Luka sat down next to her, still playing her soft song. She cleared her throat before speaking.
"Thank you, Luka..." he almost didn't hear her with how softly she had spoken. She once again brought her legs to her chest and lowered head, eyes closing in tranquility. He said nothing and only smiled, continuing to play the sweet melody that was now called:
Relief.
