**You guys get extra chapters to tide you over while I craft later chapters. You're welcome...try not to read them all in one day... ;)**
(Not my characters.)
Marinette was finally home from school, after waiting in anticipation all day to see Adrien. Something still felt off, and she knew as soon as she saw him, she would feel reassured that he was truly fine. She sat and waited at one of her bakery's tables for her boyfriend to make his appearance.
LBCN
Chloe made her way into the courtyard, yet again. She carefully went back through the window of Adrien's bathroom, not the front door. She knew she needed to be quick about this to help her friends get through this with every piece back in place. That included the missing girls. She quickly noted that Volpina was gone, and nowhere to be seen. It didn't surprise her, or delay her, as she used her ability to sense emotions to find the fear and sadness she felt earlier. It didn't take her long at all, because the room full of girls was three doors down from Adrien's room in the joint hallway. She wondered where the "villains" of the house were, but that instantly took a back seat when she opened the door to find the girls. They were tied up and terrified, looking at her like she was the first contact they'd had in days. Wow, these people are horrible.
"No time to spare girls, I'm here to rescue you. See that window? We're going up and out."
LBCN
"I really want a cone of chocolate and blueberry, Nino. Let's head inside, I can smell the waffle batter already!"
Alya and Nino were walking hand-in-hand down the street to the ice-cream shop when Master Fu made his way towards them in the opposite direction. He was on a mission for a certain fox heroine. All three headed inside, and Nino sat down, handing Alya 10 Euros for their sugary treats.
"Excuse me, miss? Can I trouble you for some change? I can't read these Euros. Not sure if I have enough"
"Sure! Of course, let's see how much you need."
Instead of answering her, he quickly put a box in her hand.
"You never cease to impress me, young lady. So devoted to Ladybug, so ready to help those in need, how about we finally establish that you join her? But quickly! Your timing is of paramount importance! You cannot delay! You must regain your Miraculous, Rena Rouge. Hand your fellow over there back his money, and tell him you are needed elsewhere and that you apologize. The integrity of the Miraculous wielders you are already aware of is in trouble! There is a storm brewing in town, and you need to ensure the lives of everyone involved are safe. Everyone must make it out of this, alive. Go, now!"
"Okay!"
She quickly sprinted over to Nino.
"What did that old man want?"
Alya gave him his money back and kissed him on the cheek.
"I gotta be somewhere, babe, I totally forgot. I love you, see you at my house later tonight!"
"O…kay, see ya," Nino said, utterly confused.
LBCN
"Hey, Marinette!"
"Oh thank goodness, there you are, Adrien. I'm so glad to see you. School was so dull, you seriously have no idea. I have the tea ready for us to drink, and some croissants to nibble on. Come sit!"
"Well, thank you, M'Lady."
He sat across from her, grabbing a croissant and a mouthful of tea. Something was still weird to her, she couldn't place her finger on it. But he was off. Maybe because he didn't give her a greeting kiss or hug? She didn't want to overthink anything, she just smiled and took a couple sips of her chamomile. It tasted funny, but she ignored it.
"Did you hear? The girls were rescued and released by a superhero named Queen Bee. Pretty interesting, right? Looks like we have another hero to join our group."
"Mhm. Thing's will definitely be interesting."
Adrien accidentally spilled his tea all across his shirt.
"Oh, man, that sucks. Do you mind getting me a towel, love?"
"Absolutely! Be right back!"
Marinette ran into the kitchen to fetch him a dry towel, and maybe a clean shirt in the laundry room. Her father wouldn't mind. As Marinette went searching through a laundry pile, she heard the door to the bakery open and shut. That's peculiar, did Adrien step out?
She walked back into the bakery, only to be shocked by what she witnessed, and it shook her to her very core.
There stood Adrien and Lila, embracing, lips locked.
Marinette could feel every piece of her heart breaking as she watched them kiss.
Time slowed to a crawl as she felt her body hit the floor, watching with blurry eyes as Adrien stepped closer to hold Lila tightly.
She gave the nastiest smile Marinette had ever seen.
As Marinette closed her eyes, a haze coming over her, the last thing she saw as her head fell to the tiled floor was Lila's smile turning into a snake-like, toothy grin.
"He's mine," was the last words she heard before she lost consciousness.