Sometimes wounds hit you too deep to be expressed through words. Some wounds cut deep into our subconscious and leaves scars that take a long time to heal. Sometimes those scars are too much for our mind to consciously bare.
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Chapter Six: Acute Stress Reaction
The next morning, Adrien woke up to the blaring of his alarm. Rolling over, he looked out the massive set of windows inside of his room, and pushed himself to his feet. He hadn't slept well the night before, but that didn't matter. The stipulations on his attending school were very specific about the schedule he was going to need to keep. So, he quickly got ready for the day and headed down the stairs. Plagg woke up just long enough to fly into Adrien's jacket before going back to sleep.
The moment he walked out of his room, Nathalie was in her typical spot on the upper step, watching with one eye on her wristwatch. Adrien nodded to her, before turning and heading down the stairs. His life was set on a routine, and he actually found himself grateful for that this morning. He was able to move along almost robotically from one event to the next, able to push off the horrors of the day before simply by focusing on his routine.
He was actually able to fool himself into thinking that the world hadn't really changed as much as he thought it had. His house was like a fortress that nothing could touch, but the moment he walked out the door, he could tell that the rest of Paris wasn't as untouchable. As he rode through the streets, he watched out the window.
People seemed to be in even more of a hurry than normal. There was a lot of glancing around, or glancing behind their backs. It was, as if, for the first time, the people of Paris were beginning to comprehend what it meant to be haunted by a super villain. Ladybug and Cat Noir had made the city feel safe, despite Hawkmoth's incessant attacks.
They had convinced the people that they could go about their lives without having to worry, that Hawkmoth wouldn't really be a danger. Sure, he had created many akuma, and there had been quite a lot of fear each time, but as soon as Ladybug cleared up the mess, everything would go back to normal. It was almost as if Hawkmoth were a simple commercial break from their daily lives, and as soon as it was over, there was no need to continue thinking about it.
Things were different now. Somebody had died. Sure, millions of lives had been saved over and over again, and only one person had died, but that one person was all it took. That one person was enough to wake the people of Paris up to the realization that their lives truly were in danger, and that they couldn't count on Ladybug and Cat Noir to protect them. Sure, only one person had died.
But did that really mean only one person would ever die? And if… only one more of the millions living in the city were to die… would it be them? Would it be a family member? A friend? A loved one? The threat of one person's life being in danger was all it took. The people of Paris had become afraid. For the first time, the people of Paris were beginning to truly fear Hawkmoth.
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The sanctuary that was school no longer existed. This became clear the moment that Adrien stepped out of the car. There was no Nino waiting to greet him. There was no Chloe throwing herself on him and attempting to kiss him. The schoolyard was quiet, the few kids who were outside shuffled along without saying a word. It felt like entering a cemetery during a funeral, and for good reason. Roger Raincomprix's daughter was a student here.
Sabrina Raincomprix wasn't the most popular girl in school, being both Chloe's partner in crime and idolizer. Her father, on the other hand, was a very popular man. He was friendly and personable, loved to laugh and smile, and treated all the children with the same level of respect he'd give to an adult. He was a firm believer in mankind's goodness, and in the laws that governed society.
As such, Roger had climbed his way relatively high up the police ranks, and had become the go-to police officer whenever Cat Noir or Ladybug had needed to speak with one. Adrien had often thought that the world would be a better place if more people were like Sabrina's father. The world needed more of that kind of person, not less.
Walking quietly into his classroom, he found that Sabrina wasn't there. That wasn't a surprise. The other abscences were a little more unexpected. Marinette wasn't there, and after the embarrassing display from yesterday, he found it somewhat bizarre that she wasn't here… again. The other person who was absent today was Chloe. He smiled slightly at that, but not for the same reason that anybody else would have.
Adrien had known Chloe as far back as he could remember, and before he'd started attending school a year ago, she was the only friend he'd ever had. Most people looked at her as this unredeemable being whose very existence was a plight on the world. But not Adrien. He always insisted that there was more to Chloe than that. And right now, he was smiling because he was certain where Chloe was. At the Raincomprix house, with Sabrina.
Marinette, on the other hand. He glanced at Alya and Nino, who were back in their normal positions now. He walked over to them and sat down in his seat next to Nino. "So," he asked glancing between them. "Where's Marinette?"
"I don't know," Alya replied, clearly just as confused as Aidren himself felt. "I haven't heard from her since yesterday." She sighed, and Nino reached up behind him and set his hand on hers. Aidren merely stared at the door and puzzled. He puzzled through first hour, and through second hour. By third hour, he had stopped puzzling and started to get worried.
As soon as third hour had, and the class was dismissed for lunch, Aidren turned to Alya. "I don't know what's up with Marinette, but I think that you should probably call her."
"I'm way ahead of you," Alya replied, as she pulled out her phone and scrolled down the list of names. She then hit the dial button and allowed the phone to ring. On the fifth ring, just when the group of friends was about to give up, the phone was answered.
"Oh… um… Hello, Mrs. Dupain-Cheng," Alya spoke into the phone. "I was wondering… um… I mean… Is Marinette ok?" Alya stood silent for several of minutes, periodically nodding and putting in the occasional 'mhm' and 'ok' so that Marinette's mom would know she was still there. Although Adrien and Nino couldn't hear what was being said from the other end of the phone, Alya's face spoke volumes. It wasn't good news.
"Thank you, Mrs. Dupain-Cheng. We'll come over right after school if that's ok. Thank you. Ok. Bye." She hung up the phone. "Apparently, Marinette's parents got permission from Principal Damocles to stay home for the next couple of days." Alya looked deeply concerned. "Apparently something happened to her yesterday during the akuma attack, and she hasn't been herself since. Right now, she's dealing with shock, and her parents thought it best she not be at school."
Alya shook her head. "I was with her. We were standing in the classroom where all of our classmates were petrified. She told me to go record for my blog… and I listened!" She sat down against the wall, legs crossed Indian style. "I left her here, during an akuma attack, and this ends up happening." She shook her head. "I put my blog before my best friend. How could I have done that?"
"You had no reason to believe this would be any different than all the other akuma attacks," Adrien replied. "Nobody really talked, or even thinks, about most of those just a couple of hours after they are resolved. Ladybug and Cat Noir have always taken them down no problem." Except this time, Adrien frowned, when I had to take the issue on by myself. And now Marinette was suffering. What was the point of being a superhero if all you did was fail the people you cared about?
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The rest of school droned on at a pace that felt far slower than school already felt. The moment it ended, Adrien, Nino, and Alya grabbed their bags and headed out the door. The Gorilla was waiting their with the limousine and the three piled into it immediately. Adrien had explained everything to his father, who had given permission to head to Marinette house, and to use the limo.
Arriving at Marinette's house, they knocked on the door. Marinette's mother opened it, and the three friends came inside. Mr. Dupain-Cheng was sitting on the couch in the living room, anxiously staring up the ladder that led to Marinette's room. "She's up there, sitting on her couch, staring out the window. She hasn't really moved all day."
Aidren was the first one to move, stepping onto the ladder and climbing up to Marinette's room. He knocked on the ceiling twice, before calling, "Marinette? It's me, Adrien. Would you mind letting me in?" There was no response. Nino and Alya exchanged glances. If Marinette was ignoring Adrien, that in itself spoke volumes about her current state. Adrien knocked again. "Marinette?"
Adrien paused for a moment, his shoulders drooping. "Alright. If you don't want me to come up, I'll give you to the count of three to lock the door or tell me so. If you don't say anything, I'll take that as permission. One. Two. Three." No response. Glancing down at Nino and Alya, who were motioning for him to go up, Adrien pushed open the trap door over his head and stepped up into Marinette's room.
Marinette sat exactly where her parents had said she was, on her little couch staring out the window. Adrien walked over and sat down next to her. "Marinette?" he asked again, this time setting his hand on her shoulder. Marinette didn't really say anything, but she did turn her head away from the window to look at Adrien. He instantly became certain he had found something that would haunt his nightmares for years to come.
Never had he seen a look so... empty. It was as if all emotion had been drained from the girl's face. Her eyes were glazed over, as if she were half asleep, only half present in the room. Her mind had gone into hibernation mode and she was just functioning on autopilot. "Adrien," she whispered quietly. "What are you doing here?"
"We're here because we were concerned about you," Adrien replied. He motioned to Alya and Nino. "We thought some company might be appreciated."
"Hm," Marinette replied, turning her head back towards the window. "The world looks so peaceful from up here," she said as she stared out at the world. She didn't say anything else, and the three friends simply sat in silence. Nobody knew what to say or do, but none of them were willing to leave things as they were.
More than once, Adrien began to speak, but decided against it. Bringing up the event right now was probably not the right thing to do, even if he was sincerely telling her he wish he'd been there for her. All of his life, he'd felt powerless. But the last couple of days had made a point of teaching him just how powerless he was. He couldn't do his job as a superhero, couldn't protect his partner from their enemy's plans, and couldn't even figure out what to say to a grieving friend. In all things that mattered, he was powerless.
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"I must admit," Gabriel Agreste said thoughtfully, as he stood in his office, looking at the picture of his wife, but speaking to Nathalie. He stood firm and stiff, his face set in a stern expression. "I don't entirely approve of my own methods." Nathalie gave a confused look. "Although an incompetent who would never have been able to be useful if the situation had called for it, Adrien would still demand I admit that Roger Raincomprix was a good man. Killing him in cold blood like that doesn't sit well with me."
"But necessary evils are sometimes required for the greater good, right Mr. Agreste?"
"Greater good, yes," Gabriel replied, his nod firm and resolute. "But there is no way Adèle would have approved of this." He turned his head to look at the pictures of Adrien. "And I don't really approve of it either." He stepped away from the picture and stepped over to the wall adorned with photos of Adrien.
"I never wanted my son to get mixed up in this mess. And I hate what I am having to do to him. I should feel quite pleased with myself at the degree to which I have broken Ladybug. But the fact that my friend considers the girl such a great friend makes the situation that much more delicate. This is going to be one of those victories I do not enjoy at all."
"Then let's end it, and move on," Nathalie said, stepping up beside him. "Cat Noir has lost all belief in himself, and Ladybug is currently in shock. Plus, Paris is absolutely terrified of Hawkmoth at the moment. The timing couldn't be more perfect. You've set the scene so meticulously. Why not end it today?"
Gabriel glanced at the portion of the floor that he used when descending to his chamber. Sabrina would probably be the easiest one to possess. She was probably hurting more than anybody else right now, and he could quite sell her on the blame for her father's death being Ladybug. From there, it would be easy enough to get his hands on the Miraculous. Yes. This would work…
His thinking was interrupted by a phone call. Gabriel quickly grabbed the phone and checked the number. Then he promptly rolled his eyes. "Yes, Gabriel Agreste here. What did you screw up this time, you imbecile?"
After a moment on the phone, Gabriel hung up and turned to Nathalie. "We'll have to postpone the endgame a couple of days. Don't worry. Cat Noir and Ladybug won't be climbing out of this hole any time soon." Then he turned and strode out the door. "When I get back, Nathalie, this game of cat and mouse will finally be over."
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Marinette opened her eyes as the sun came streaming through her window. Three days had passed since the events of the Petrifier. Three days, she'd wavered in and out of consciousness as sleep eluded her. Adrien, Nino, and Alya had been there every day, doing their best to make her feel loved.
And in that time, there hadn't been another akuma attack. Hawkmoth hadn't come bursting into her room to take away her Miraculous. Paris hadn't made up their minds whether or not they still liked Ladybug and Cat Noir. The feeling of fear and gloom in the outside air hadn't lightened at all, but nothing had happened. Life, that thing that should have already ended, audaciously continued on.
She stood to her feet and stretched. How long had it been since she'd eaten? She didn't really remember. She couldn't remember much from the last couple of days. They were mostly just a blur. But the funeral for Roger Raincomprix was today, and as undeserving as she was to attend, Ladybug needed to be there. The people of Paris deserved to know how the courageous police officer had died.
Her mind immediately shoved the thought away, unwilling to relive that moment again. "Tikki?" she asked, and the red Kwami immediately left her bed and flew over to Marinette.
"Marinette!" Tikki hugged Marinette's cheek tightly. "You're up, and moving around, and… and… and…" She paused. "Are you ok?"
"No," Marinette replied, quietly. "But I'm functional now. I can't just sit in my room for the rest of my life, can I?" She glanced back at the chair/couch. "As much as I may like to. I don't really look forward to facing the world right now."
"Don't worry," Tikki replied, in a gentle, soothing voice. "You don't have to do it all right away, and you won't ever have to do it alone."
Marinette walked over to her makeup table and slowly began to get ready for the day. Her hands were slightly shaky, and the world felt somewhat off kilter. The world around her still didn't feel… real. It was like she was wondering through a dream, as if at any moment she could wake up, and find that this last week had been nothing but a bad dream.
Her mind still felt numb, as exemplified by her lackluster reaction to the realization that her pictures of Adrien were still coating her walls. Adrien had been there the last several days. There was no way he couldn't have seen them. It was a sluggish thought process, lacking any sense of alarm or worry. It was just a fact.
After readying herself for the day, Marinette opened trapdoor on the floor and slowly made her way down to the living room. Still not quite steady, Marinette made her way to the couch in the living room, where she promptly plopped down. That was where she was sitting when her parents came in from the bakery to eat something for lunch. "Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad." Marinette said as they entered the room. She raised her hand in greeting.
Mr. and Mrs. Dupain-Cheng promptly forgot about their lunch and ran over to their daughter. They quickly embraced her, and told her to take things at her own pace. There was no need to rush. They also advised her to try to avoid anything that might cause her to become overwhelmed with the memories that had caused the shock in the first place. She didn't respond that it was impossible for her to do that. Roger Raincomprix's funeral was tomorrow, and she needed to be there as Ladybug. She needed to be.
The next few hours, the Dupain Cheng family hung out together and had a relatively low key day. They ate popcorn, watched a comedy, told jokes, and played a board game. Adrien, Nino, and Alya arrived shortly after the game was over. A third time, Marinette found herself heartily embraced and asked if she was ok. A third time she assured she was, and a third time she was told not to worry about taking things too fast.
Adrien, Nino, Alya, and Marinette headed up to Marinette's room, where they hung out until the wee hours of the morning, laughing, and telling stories, and just being in each others' company. As Nino, Alya, and Adrien were heading home at the end of the night, Marinette set her hand on Adrien's shoulder. "I wanted to thank you guys for coming to see me the last couple of days. I don't remember much, but I remember that you guys were there for me. Thank you."
The three turned back around and Adrien said, "We always will be, Marinette. It doesn't matter what happens to you or what kind of trouble you end up in, we'll always be there for you." He smiled at her the smile that had always warmed her heart, and even in the muggy, out of it state she was in, the smile made her heart jump in her chest. "Goodnight, Marinette." And then he closed the door.
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Yeah. This was another angst chapter, but I kind of feel like Adrien/Marinette moments come out best in screwed up situations.
Also, just fair warning, Marinette won't be fully getting over her PSD for quite a while. Hawkmoth really did a number on her.
Well, hope you enjoyed. If you have any thoughts, questions, or just want to say you enjoyed my story, I would very much appreciate your reviews. Funeral chapter coming up next. Peace Off.
~ Xanatos
