Racing up the stairs to the relative safety of the rooftop, Marinette gasped wearily. She gripped the railing with her free hand, as she struggled to gather her bearings. Now was supposed to be the time she could brace herself for the added challenge in the battle ahead.
She wouldn't have been nearly as breathless if her heart hadn't already been racing full tilt for the past 5 minutes straight.
In retrospect, they had been incredibly lucky that it was something that had never happened before.
As awful as Hawkmoth was — and no doubt, he absolutely was — in over a year of fighting off Akuma, she had never been called away in the middle of a test.
Before one? Sure.
After one? Unfortunately.
But never, ever in the middle.
It was simply her rotten luck that the first time fell during a test that mattered so much.
Marinette smiled ruefully. Thankfully, it wasn't the only thing that mattered.
Only ten minutes ago, Marinette had groaned, her fingers cramping slightly as she put the finishing touches on the long essay question.
Sitting back in her seat, she stretched. At least she was nearly done with this awful test. Just one more passthrough to answer the few that hadn't been quick to answer the first time around and then she would finally be able to rest.
Of course, that was the exact moment when Alya's phone alerted, vibrating at her leg.
The noise drew Marinette's attention. Alya was looking down at her lap, panic clear in her expression.
Clearly, she wasn't the only one who had gotten the alert. A somber looking Miss Bustier spoke up. "Everyone stay calm. The battle is a fair distance away. Please finish up your tests and I'll see if any more guidance comes from Principle Damocles."
Flinching, Marinette reached blindly into her purse and sent out an SOS message to Chat. Hopefully, he could control the damage if he could get there first.
She didn't expect her charm to be beeping as well when she went to squeeze it in her hand.
Blinking, she looked forward, noticing Adrien's hand drop from his pocket. That really was odd. It wasn't like him to be distracted during a test, even if an Akuma was out.
Frantic, she bit her lip, scrambling to put an attempt for the last few answers down on the page. Some answers were better than failing it completely.
She turned her test paper over and set her pencil down, a sign for Miss Bustier to circle around and pick her paper up.
"Miss Bustier," Marinette's smile was strained as she looked up at the teacher. "May I be excused to go to the bathroom?"
Miss Bustier frowned slightly, glancing back over at the clock. "Can it wait another 5 minutes? Then, I'll release the whole class. We just want to make sure everyone has finished these tests."
Marinette wriggled in her seat anxiously, feeling her pulse start to race. Every minute wasted was another that Hawkmoth's Akuma gathered a foothold. On instinct, she dipped her hand into her purse and sent another message to Chat Noir.
Adrien leaned back in his chair, now also done with his test.
There was something in there making noise. Something definitely noticeable in the still quiet of the room. But it wasn't Alya's phone.
Not this time.
Her eyes darted around the room as much as she would dare. Even if her test was in, she didn't want to bother anyone else.
Her foot tapped on the ground, as she checked the clock one more time.
Everyone else appeared to be focused on their exams.
Everyone, that is, but Adrien.
His hand dipped back into his pocket. There was no way he was still carrying her lucky charm. But maybe, with the way his hand kept hovering over it.
Maybe his Father was demanding really high grades again for him to be able to do anything after school.
Marinette sat back, pressing her purse to stomach, holding fast to Tikki. She had to be ready to move and fast once class was dismissed.
She gave Tikki one final squeeze hoping a little of her luck would rub off.
Her brows furrowed, startled out of her quiet reverie. There was that soft buzzing again.
She shut her eyes, trying to focus on figuring it out. It was almost more of a hum. Whatever it was, it definitely wasn't a phone.
Marinette's eyes blinked open, still staring straight at Adrien.
Well, at least part of him.
Her jaw dropped.
Did…
Did Adrien's pocket just...move?
Her face went pale, as the red and black spots practically danced before her face.
She took into account his hair color. His slightly slumped posture. How tired he had been, all of a sudden despite no clear change in his schedule...
With a sick, sinking feeling settling deep into her stomach, she stared down at her pink and white purse in growing horror. She had only hugged Tikki, hadn't she?
Setting her jaw, Marinette steeled herself. She had to know for sure. Inhaling sharply, she squeezed the tiny cat charm in her purse once again.
Without fail, his hand slipped back to his pocket. His leg bounced anxiously, as if ready to dart free at the first opportunity.
As if he finally feared she had connected some dots, Adrien turned around, blinking.
It was the exact wrong thing for him to do.
Her breathing grew ragged, the sound of her heartbeat thrashing in her ears.
He put his hand over hers, as if it was the easiest thing in the world for him. "Are you okay?"
She blinked up at him, dazed. Feeling dizzy as she memorized just how very green his eyes truly were.
"Miss Bustier." Adrien raised his hand, called softly. "I'm done with my test and Marinette looks really pale. Are you sure I can't help her get to the nurse?"
Miss Bustier frowned. "You do look pale, Marinette. And I do have both your tests."
"Very well."
Watching carefully to make sure she had all of her bearings, Adrien led her out by the hand.
It was only after they passed the nurse's office and rushed up the flight of stairs towards the library that she dared to finally speak. "I can't believe it." She murmured, shaking her head. "Although, you did tell me you were close enough to help."
His hand fell onto her shoulder. "Think you're okay enough to fight?"
Hilarity struck when she peered down at his fingers. "Paris needs me."
"I know," he murmured, licking his suddenly dry lips as he leaned in ever-so-slightly.
Marinette inhaled deeply. It was more than enough for her to notice.
"But I need to know you're okay first." His words were little more than a whisper. Gently, he squeezed her shoulders, searching her eyes. "Paris can survive without you for a while, but I'm not sure I would be so lucky."
The sheer, unmasked look of affection in his eyes would be the end of her, even if she was lucky enough to survive the battle.
She tugged him into a fierce hug, hiding her face in his chest to hide the furious blush on her face.
Her whole world had toppled upside down, and — impossibly — had come up right.
