The Aftermath
Marinette tried to shake it off. This feeling of threat. Of worry and sorrow.
… constant, lingering fear within her…
She shouldn't feel that way. Should stay focused. Look ahead and plan…
Chat Noir hadn't been there to fight along with her. Maybe he had been at the other side of the city. Maybe he didn't hear of the accident, until it was announced in the news.
… or perhaps he couldn't find a save place to hide. To transform. To be by her side.
She shouldn't be mad at him. Wasn't. For this hadn't been his fault and he would explain it, once they met on top of the Eiffel Tower, again. Maybe tonight… would he be there? Would he make it then?
She should be patrolling at least. Around midnight, for an hour, or two, just to make sure, that everybody could sleep and dream peacefully – tomorrow was Sunday, so no special plans for her.
… maybe she could sleep until nine for once. Eat proper breakfast. And then work on some new designs – wouldn't that be nice? Maybe it could keep her distracted for the day.
… or at least until another Akuma would strike, again.
She let out a deep sigh, but gasped in the next moment, when she felt a warm and caring hand on her knee – looking over to the driver's seat she saw Adrien smiling gently at her, watching her for some time now, as it seemed.
… she didn't even notice, that he had stopped the car.
"Is everything all right?", he asked, his soft voice washing over her like a magic spell, that tried to sooth her soul.
… but this time it didn't seem to work…
She merely smiled. Tiredly. Patted his knee and tried to dodge his gaze all together, by turning in her seat to look behind her. To look at Emma, who was leaning against the window, snoring softly, while she still clutched the Platypus plushie tightly to her chest with her small arms.
Sleeping and smiling peacefully.
Yes… it had been really an exciting day and Marinette felt the same. Emma had been particularly antsy for the day. Talking about the attack, about Ladybug and the scary King Poseidon. Everything else forgotten – even the amazing animals all around…
… even the delicious and sweet food, that Adrien tried to offer her to calm her down, when they had sat down on a bench, right next to a huge cage with a wide variety of birds.
But talking was more important for the girl. To understand the happenings. To… understand everything, asking questions and it been Adrien, who tried to answer them the best he could.
"She must be really tired…", Marinette said, avoiding Adrien's words with that completely. "Hope, that Lila doesn't mind, that she had fallen asleep already…"
Lila…
The young woman once more shuddered, when she remembered Lady Titalee's words, voiced by King Poseidon's lips. Nightmare fueling. Creepy, indeed.
She wasn't still entirely over the thought, that Lila had been able to somehow get her hand on the Butterfly Miraculous. That she was indeed Lady Titalee.
… but putting her loved daughter into direct danger wasn't something she would do.
Right?
Her eyes fell on Adrien once more and the young man merely blinked, unsure of what to think about his friend's strange behavior. But he stayed quiet. Not saying a word – probably noticing, that Marinette's mind was circling and rotating within her brain, until it hurt.
… for – after all – Hawk Moth used to put Adrien in danger as well… Multiple times…
But would Lila do that was well?
Marinette groaned and held her head, leaning back against her seat and closed her eyes in purest desperation. Hoping, that she somehow would find a conclusion to this whole dilemma, that made sense…
"You know, that I would give a Million Euro for your thoughts, Marinette…", Adrien said calmly beside her and she could hear a tiny smile in his words.
And then he leaned in, to plant a tiny kiss on her temple.
She lowered her hands from her eyes, completely stunned and focused once more on him.
"… but I am also okay, if you don't want to talk with me about this particular topic, that inhabits your mind. But if you want to talk then you know, that I'll be there to listen, right?"
He was offering to listen. To all her sorrows, to all her pain.
… but she couldn't let him inside her mind.
She just… couldn't…
The embrace earlier was already enough – it had made him question her absence surely even more. But he wouldn't comment on it. He was just too much of a gentleman for that.
"Maybe another day, okay?", she carefully said, hoping, that she wouldn't offend him, by declining this offer. "It's just… really… really complicated".
And of course he didn't mind her answer. Not one bit. She could tell by his smile and by his nod.
"Okay! So-" Now he was the one to change the topic, again, now turning around to Emma instead. "Shall I help you with her? You know – bringing her to Lila's apartment? Or are you able to carry her on her own? Or should we wake her up? Are we allowed to wake her up? What are we going to do?"
They were almost in the same parking lot as earlier, the building with Lila's flat not far away from them. But with Emma sleeping it meant, that she needed to carry the girl in her arms.
And waking up? No… it wasn't far too early and maybe the girl could go straight to bed. Lila surely wouldn't mind.
But carrying her… Sure – as Ladybug this would normally be absolutely no problem.
… but now and with her current exhaustion on the other hand…
Also… earlier she believed it to be the better solution. To keep Adrien out of the picture, for Lila not to mind it at all. But Emma would eventually talk about this very exciting day with her mother. Would speak about Adrien and maybe about the few hugs they shared. About them…
So… there was no point in keeping it a secret…
… and their friendship shouldn't be a secret at all.
Above all it was up to Adrien, who he wanted to see – not Lila's. Right?
Eventually they had to live with their decisions. With Emma as their daughter and one day – perhaps – with their selected partners and friends and all.
And Lila would find out anyway…
"Will you help me?", she therefore mumbled meekly and nodded and both got outside the car, walking around it to meet by Emma's door, again. Carefully opening it, making sure not to startle Emma in any way.
But the girl continued to sleep, thankfully.
Marinette was the one to open the clasp of the seat bell, letting it slide away without disturbing the girl's sleep and Adrien was the one – with some guidance from his friend – to pick her up in his arms, smiling down to her, as he watched her peaceful face.
"She is cute, isn't she?", Adrien asked, while Marinette closed to car door again, making her smile as well upon hearing that. "Seeing her up so close I can say, that she almost looks like my mom, when she was younger. I… have seen pictures of her when she used to be a little girl and… yeah… she looked just like Emma".
There was something powerful in his words and it gripped Marinette's heart tightly.
He was thankful. She could tell. Thankful, that his daughter looked like his own mother – like a person he used to love so dearly.
… and still does…
And he was right – for Adrien as well looked more like his mother, than his father and with that the young girl as well. A soothing thought, to both of them…
"You have pretty strong genes, I have to say…", Marinette said calmly, brushing a strand of hair out of Emma's face, before it could have tickled her. "Pretty cute genes…"
"Oh… what was that?", he teased and Marinette immediately blushed upon noticing her own, tiny mistake, turning in a hurry to walk ahead.
"Now come – Lila is probably already waiting for us!"
She heard him chuckle, before he followed and fast steps, soon catching up with her, walking casually by her side. And she let him, not daring to look at him for the moment.
Thankfully they reached the building soon, ringing and were let inside. Climbing the stairs – Marinette walking first and Adrien with Emma on his arms close behind.
Lila was leaning already against her doorframe. As usual. A menacing look on her features upon seeing Marinette alone – turning into a dumbfounded expression, when she noticed, that the other woman wasn't alone.
"Adrien?", came it from her lips in disbelieve, her eyes moving back and forth between him and Marinette. Paling. "Why are you here as well?"
"Oh… 'we meet'…", Adrien said, shrugging as best as he could, while he remained true to the story they have told Emma before. Carefully laying his daughter in her mother's arms, as he kept on talking. "… and we went to the Zoo together. I actually believe, that she started to like me! She showed me fish and-"
"The Zoo?!", Lila shrieked, making Emma stir, but patted her back hurriedly to let her sleep a little longer. "Wasn't there an Akuma attack? You took her there?!"
Her eyes landed on Marinette now and she started to get furious.
"You put my Baby into danger!"
It was an intense reaction. And it would have been even more intense, if it wasn't for the sleeping girl on her arms.
… and it startled the young black haired woman. For Lila seemed to be actually shocked about this piece of information. Deeply concerned about her daughter's well-being.
Did this mean… perhaps… that Lady Titalee wasn't Lila at all?
Though… she was very able to lie. Would she be able to fake her emotions as well?
"We were there before the attack. We didn't know, that something like that would happen and Emma was pretty save the whole time. Ladybug made sure, that she wasn't harmed…", Adrien explained calmly. Truthfully, looking Lila straight into the eyes. "It wasn't Marinette's fault, if you want to say that in any way. I swear…"
"That's true…", Emma whispered, cuddling a little closer to her mother's warmth. "And she brought me the platypus plushie. In… in the shop… because in the Zoo, there weren't real ones…And after that I wasn't scared anymore…"
It melted Marinette's heart, how these two people tried to defend her, while she could only stay quiet. Nodding, eventually.
Lila didn't seemed to be convinced entirely. For now. Mumbling something caring to her daughter and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, before she looked back up again.
"Next time you take better care of her! I don't want my daughter close to any attacks anymore. Understood?"
"Next time…", Marinette mumbled, actually wondering, if Lila would ever ask to watch over Emma, again, especially now, that Adrien was in the picture.
"Oh… and Adrien… would you help me to get Emma into her bed? She starts to get really heavy and we still need to talk about visitation rights and custody and all. Are you free for now?"
Her voice was sweet as honey once more and it was no surprise to Marinette, that Lila was very able to get her way with that. Though… she knew, that it wasn't working for Adrien – not like she wanted.
Yet on the other hand she knew exactly, how she could lure Adrien into her sweet little trap… or at least a little closer.
For this bait laid in her arms, sleeping once more most blissfully.
He wanted to be her father. A good one – unlike his very own. He wanted to be there for her, wanted to see her grow up. And Lila would surely give him a hard time, if he didn't do, as she pleased.
Marinette knew, that these thoughts were crossing Adrien's mind as well, judging from the painful look on his features, when he looked over his shoulder and back to her, silently asking for an advice.
… one she couldn't give him…
Not as long as Lila was there…
So the young woman smiled warmly at him and gave him a tiny nod – knowing that these kind of talks were important and needed to be done. They could write later – maybe he would even call her to fill her in.
"I'll need to get going – I believe, that I can still catch the train, if I hurry! So… well… good-night then!"
She hurried away and down the stairs to make this decision last. Any more hesitation would make this whole ordeal too difficult. For them to say goodbye to each other and Lila would have been able to ask any more stupid questions. About them. Making wrong assumptions in the end…
Though… there was no way, that she could have been in time for the train. And… why the hurry? She would be alone at home anyway…
And then there she was… almost two hours later, alone in her flat. Exhausted and tired and shaking.
Marinette leaned against the door behind her, listening to the silence for a moment. Letting the happenings of the day sink in.
Deeper… and deeper and it hit the bottom of her soul. Hitting her once more, grasping her heart. Sobbing, now, that she was able to let go of her emotions. Of her fear, that still ran deep.
Hugging herself she slide down the door, crouching on the floor. Breathing in, letting a shaking breath out.
The feeling of cold, slimy tentacles returned. Around her ankles, around her chest, on her throat. She felt, as if she was choking. And this voice repeated itself in her head. Over and over and over again…
Lady Titalee had mocked her. Threatened her.
… knew her… she was aware of the danger she put other people – aware, that the heroine would fight, until she ran out of breath and until all her bones were broken.
Until she would di-
"Marinette? Marinette! You should eat something! And how about you go to bed early? I shall talk with the other Kwamis and we will sing you to sleep! They'd love to do that!"
Tikki was there. Sure. She was always there, trying to cheer her up, trying to give her advices. Being her friend. Her protector as the suit she wore.
And yet it was not the same – not like with Chat Noir…
… oh… where had he been during the whole fight?
"Marinette…", Tikki mumbled, less cheerful this time and laid herself on top of her Chosen's head. Hugging her in that way. "… oh Marinette…"
Another sob left her lips, before she looked back up again. Almost abruptly. Brushing all her tears away. Biting her lip, trying to focus on something… positive.
For her pain and sadness could draw a Akuma close. And she didn't want to get akumatized – who would save Paris then? Who would protect them?
No – she was a hero and shouldn't give in to her emotions!
Standing up from her crouching position on the floor, Marinette reached up and took her Kwami in both hands, kissing her tiny head in a caring matter.
"Sorry Tikki – I didn't want to scare you. My emotions are back under my own control now… No need to worry – I won't get akumatized…"
Huge, blue eyes looked up at the human, invisible eyebrows rising.
"I am not scared about you being akumatized, Marinette…", Tikki whispered. "I am just worried about you. All of you. Because you do not allow yourself to give in to your love… You try not to be happy…"
She shrugged.
"But I am happy! I really am!"
… it didn't sound entirely convincing to herself and she knew, that she couldn't even change Tikki's mind. Not like that, at least…
"So… how about we watch some TV and I look inside my fridge and figure out, what to cook and then – maybe – I'll go to bed early. Like you said. Mhm?"
The small goddess frowned and levitated herself back up in the air, making way for Marinette to walk past her.
She walked into the living room, sitting on the sofa with a light sigh. Massaging her tense neck, before she finally opened her sandals to slip out of them.
… shivering, as she remembered the cold water…
Tikki seemed to notice and surely she wanted to say something about that – but Marinette had already grabbed the remote control and turned the TV on, before any words could have left Tikki's tiny lips.
She barely even took notice of all the things, that flickered across the screen. Some old movies, some shows and eventually she landed on the news.
… of course…
They currently showed the incident in the Zoo. Footage from her fight and some interviews with the poor, akumatized victims and other civilians around. Speculations about Lady Titalee, some self entitled expert giving his opinion about the whole ordeal. The reporter asked the mayor about his thoughts and about the current situation in Paris…
Marinette barely took notice of it all. Just let the noise and the colors wash over her. She had been there after all… she was there and knew exactly, what has happened. Though she fell right of her trance like state, when the mayor started to talk, again:
"… if Ladybug and Chat Noir aren't able to watch over the city, we'll need to figure out other ways. I would suggest curfews at midnight. For everybody. More police, perhaps military. But we can't just lean back and wait for them to save everyone of us. These Akuma's are not as harmless as the last time! And it will only be a matter of time before somebody will fall victim to these attacks. And I don't think, that Ladybug is able to let somebody come back from the dead with her silly, little yo-yo? And where was Chat Noi-"
Tikki was the one to press the button on the remote control, again. Shutting the TV off, when she couldn't.
"Tikki-"
"No Marinette! Don't wrap your thoughts about the things he said! Nobody shall come to harm this time! I believe in you – in both of you for that matter! Just… just-"Tikki took a deep breath of air, looking around for a solution frantically, before she drew closer again, smiling widely. "You want to meet with Chat, don't you? Tonight at the Eiffel Tower? I'll fly over to him and talk with Plagg and let him know of your plans. Give me 5 minutes. Ten! I'll be right back!"
She tried to distract her Chosen, true. But… would it actually be helping?
"Who says, that I would want to talk with Chat Noir?"
"Oh don't be silly – I know you! And you two are partners – friends as well! His opinion does matter to you. And I believe he is able to explain himself to you. And then… and then you can – perhaps look for Lady Titalee!"
Marinette let out a tiny ' tz' and rolled her eyes.
"Find Lady Titalee… sure… You know, that she won't go down easily. Not like that. Not how she announced herself to me… It might sound easy now – but we both know, that it won't be easy…"
And by now Marinette didn't even know, if she could trust her intuition. If Lady Titalee actually was Lila behind her mask..
And what would Chat say about her thoughts. About her investigation? Her information was gathered, when she was Marinette – not Ladybug. Letting any information slide might reveal to much about herself.
… she just didn't want that…
"It's never easy. That is true! But I kindly remind you, that you are Ladybug for a reason! You were chosen – by Master Fu and by fate. So… just don't go to hard on yourself. Okay?" Tikki soared around her. Distractingly. Smiling. "Do you want to meet Chat Noir tonight, or not? I would highly suggest that – if he isn't already around the corner to meet his lovely Marinette!"
The young woman blushed upon hearing that – a blush that turned even darker, when she remembered their past meeting. And their intimate conversation. Well… for him – for her it almost was like sinful torture!
So – perhaps – she had scared him away with her prudish way of thinking…
… for now…
Yet – on the other hand, Tikki was right. They should talk – as Ladybug and Chat Noir, of course. About everything that happened. That occupied her mind. About Lady Titalee and Lila and everything in between…
"Fine…", she therefore huffed, pouting. "You have five minutes. Just tell Plagg, that Ladybug would love to meet at midnight and then you will come back here, okay?"
Maybe he didn't even had the time for a meeting at midnight… Perhaps he was working. Or he had a date with a girl he liked…
Though… that was supposed to be her.
Wait – no – she wouldn't be envious! Not because of another woman in Chat's life and-
Why was she even thinking that way?
"Okay!" Tikki exclaimed with delight and a tiny nod – before she flew of and outside, straight to the wall to find the black Kwami and his Chosen. And then-
Marinette couldn't even form a coherent thought about just anything, for Tikki suddenly rushed back through the material of the wall and back inside. Giggling, before she hid on top of a shelf.
And the young woman blinked. Standing and put her hands on her hips. With raised eyebrows she tried to make the tiny goddess out, but when she couldn't see her, she asked:
"Okay – what happened? Did you find him already? Is Chat indeed close and about to come here to see me?"
This thought made her stomach flutter.
Another tiny bell-like giggle, before the red entity answered:
"Perhaps he is. Anyway – there is some surprise for you just around the corner!"
Around the corner? She did see him, didn't she?
Marinette hurried over to the window, pushing the curtain to the side, looking outside and hoped to find her leather wearing partner, when – indeed – one other sound surprised her and made her jump.
Her doorbell rang.
"Tikki… who have you seen? Who is here? You know!"
"Just answer the door and you'll find out~"
The young woman walked over to the front door. Hesitant. Confused as well. Laying her hands on her stomach to calm her down again. Though her beating heart tried to spring out of her rip cage…
Another ring and she reached up and pressed a button on the intercom, speaking shyly and waited for the answer.
"Marinette! Hey – I did hope, you were still up and… I don't know – I wanted to check on you to make sure, that everything was alright! Back there in the Zoo you were so sad and we didn't have the chance to talk about it!"
Adrien!
She immediately recognized his voice. Gasped and couldn't help the smile, that spread on her features upon hearing his words.
"So may… may I come up?"
She didn't answer back, just pressed another button to let him inside. Opened the door and waited, until he had made it up the stairs.
… yes… indeed… she couldn't help herself. Immediately leaned in to kiss his cheek, when he did the same, while she kept on smiling.
There was just something about it – seeing him here, once more on this particular and almost crazy day, just to make sure, that she arrived safely.
She mustered him and saw some paper bags in his hand, which he held up, grinning himself.
"I hope, that you hadn't any dinner. So – yeah – I wanted to repay you for all your incredible kindness and make sure, that you get into bed with a filled stomach. Ordered all of it, while I still was at Lila's and when she wouldn't stop talking about the future and all. So… may I come inside?"
Her eyes widened, when she noticed, that he was indeed still standing in front of her door. And he was waiting most patiently, being a gentleman through and through.
Nodding she made a step to the side.
"Of course – come in!"
He did, stepping outside his shoes, leaving them by the door.
And as if he had been inside her flat before Adrien navigated himself across the corridor and towards the kitchen and she followed, once she had closed the door behind her, again.
Irritated by that, but she tried to think not too much about it.
"… I would have loved to find a decent place with you for dinner. You know – with plates and fork and knife. No fast food. But since you made me stay at Lila's place, I couldn't do that. What happened there anyway? You were gone so fast! I couldn't even say goodbye!"
He had started to unpack the things from the pack. She could immediately tell by the logos on the packages, that he had been to different restaurants to gather everything. And… that he hadn't spared any costs.
There was high-end sushi, there were noodles, a salad and there were fries. There was something with Scandinavian writing on it and some kind of soup. Some tacos as well. And a whole box of Macarons from her parents, too.
Gosh… where hadn't he been?
"Do you think it's enough for the two of us?"
"Enough?"
"Well – I am pretty starving!"
"I should really teach you how to cook – healthy food. It's not good for your health!"
He smirked, one eyebrow lifting. Indeed – it was a sexy look, and it would have made her swoon, if she had been a little younger.
… especially when he took one of the fries, put them between her lips and his other hand raised the hem of his shirt – just below his well-defined chest, showing his chiseled abs to her.
"I work out hard enough for these – so I pretty much can handle a little fast food from time to time".
She gulped and tried to not gawk for too long at that little bit, he had exposed from his body for her, while she tried to ignore the urge to just move forward, lay her hands on his stomach to feel his skin and the hardness of his muscles, that was hiding underneath.
Instead she turned around in a haste, facing the food, again, hoping to hide her crimson cheeks with that.
"Working out? What for?", she said hurriedly, while she hoped, that he wouldn't notice the way she was effected by his sign. "It's not like you do cover shots anymore! And I don't believe that you would do something crazy like running on rooftops at night".
Something Chat Noir would do, wouldn't he?
"Oh – but being fit and to have good stamina is always helpful! I mean – it always helps in certain situations, doesn't it?" She blinked, but he merely laughed, as if he had told the most absurd joke imaginable. Coming closer to her, standing next to her by the counter. "Forget about that, okay? It's just… you know… helpful these days, if I can easily run away from Akuma's…"
"But you didn't run away. You stayed and fought!"
Bravely. Protecting Emma and Ladybug without being scared by anything, that King Poseidon said or did.
… he had been the true hero today…
"Emma told you…?"
For a mere seconds her eyes widened – reminding herself, that she hadn't been there. Marinette. She had witnessed his acts of bravery as Ladybug, instead.
"I… I heard people talking. You… have impressed them… And I am glad, that you did. If Ladybug hadn't come-"
"But Ladybug does always arrive just on time. And she did this time as well. Thankfully…"
She nodded – knowing it was true. It was her job after all! But she couldn't tell her that…
"Still I was pretty scared…", she mumbled bashfully, which wasn't a lie, either. "And I couldn't find you and everything went just so fast and… I don't know… I was just relieved, when I finally did..."
Hugging him and never wanting to let go… as if he had been her anchor in that very moment. And… perhaps… he had been exactly that.
"And I was glad to have you back… You had me and Emma pretty scared as well, when we couldn't find you the whole time…"
She watched his hands twitch for a moment or two and she herself had to fight the urge to reach out to touch his hand in comfort.
Forcing a smile on her lips instead.
"Maybe you should teach me how to fight, then". He shrugged and she bit her lips, for she knew, that he wasn't there to impress anybody. He had just stepped in to protect his daughter… and Ladybug as well… "The training has worked out for you. And fencing perhaps as well? I… I on the other hand…"
… almost died…
It was a bitter feeling. One, that would return many times now, she knew that. And… she had to fight it eventually… for she shouldn't be afraid…
"I am glad you could make it out! Unharmed! If something would have happened to you… Marinette…"
The way he said her name. It made her spine tingle and her heart beat faster. She wanted to hear it again and again and again…
Adrien's hand came in contact with her upper arm at first. Grabbing it with a cautious, soft grip and she almost melted under his touch. His fingers wandered from there, down to her elbow to her for arm, stopping by her wrist. Not daring to touch her hand this time…
She would have loved to. Feel his hands on hers. Lacing their fingers together.
But neither of them dared to make a move…
She had her reasons… and he…
…he only liked her as a good friend. So why should he act romantically?
Before this thought hit her hard in the stomach she grabbed for one of the golden potato sticks as well and shoved it inside her mouth. Almost a clumsy move to distract him – but it seemed to work.
"Better get some plates, before everything starts to get cold! Did you intend to divide the food, or am I allowed to have all the fries for myself?"
He gasped.
"All for yourself? Those are my precious fries!"
She narrowed her eyes. He did as well.
The distraction has worked perfectly well.
…but she was faster – taking the package with the fries with her, dashing past him and down the corridor. To the living room.
"You'll never get me, Agreste!"
"Oh, are you sure, Dupain-Cheng? Just wait and see!"
And for the first time in days, weeks and perhaps months there was laughter inside her apartment. Actual laughter of joy and happiness.
And it wasn't only he, who laughed – but Marinette as well, while they continued their silly chase for the fries.
The duties and her fear – for now they were forgotten…
A/N: I know, that Miraculous Ladybug is a kid's show, but I sometimes wonder, if Marinette does ever fear death. She is a teenager and there are certainly a few times, where she could have died - when other circumstances were given. Wanted to include that fear here, for it is certainly given.
And in the end... Some Chat Noir shining through Adrien's facade once more. And he being the only one, who can make her forget all her fears and duties for some time.
Next chapter: The story behind that one condom in his purse...