Most Unexpected
"So - you guys did have sex?", Alya asked in her usual investigative way, eying her best friend most closely, as Marinette nervously wiggled on the blanket she was sitting on.
"Alya - could you please not say that so loudly? People might hear you!"
"So you guys screwed! That is amazing! Congratulations!"
"Urgh… really?"
The investigation already started a few minutes ago - it started in a sweet and innocent way at first, while the two young woman waited for their men to change into their swimming attire. They were already seated - Alya taking one of the few rare sun loungers, that were placed around the basins. Marinette on the other hand sat most patiently on the ground beside her - a big blanket spread out on the grass.
Usually she liked to watch the people here - children playing, people enjoying their time in the water. Yet time had changed them all and the young woman easily made out a few civilians, who every now and then scanned the skies above - fearing one of Lady Titalee's Akumas to come by and latch onto an innocent soul at any time.
…she was one of these people as well… Eyes seeking and darting around every so often. Listening closely to her surroundings and just praying, that nothing would come their way - the last one and it's impact on her still lingered heavily on her mind.
Though right now Alya kept her very distracted with her various questions and the attempt to dig deep into the psyche of the young woman - with an amazing success.
"Baby-Girl - I am still pretty much impressed by you - you are not a virgin anymore and still act all antsy and shy, when somebody even dares to slightly brush the topic of sex and other intimacies…", Alya sighed, hands placed on her belly, scanning Marinette's face once more. "Sex is nothing bad - you know that - right?"
"Y-yeah…"
"And you like sex, don't you?"
Especially with Adrien it was amazing!
The young woman blushed heavily and nodded in an unbinding way.
"And you slept over at his place? And you really want me to believe, that two people - who are by now in a very loving relationship and are deeply attracted towards the other both romantically and sexually - would not get down to embrace each other in a very sinful way?"
"…yeah?"
Wasn't it still amazing, that she had started to open up towards Adrien - could talk relatively open about sex and their desire for the other - while her throat felt incredibly tied, once her best friend tried to casually talk about it as well.
Alya huffed.
"Sex is nothing bad - and I saw him gazing at you! Adrien might be sweet on the outside, but I am pretty sure, that your dearest boyfriend can be a real beast in bed and I am pretty sure, that you don't mind!"
"Alyaaa!", Marinette groaned and fell back on the blanket. Covering her face, as her cheeks reddened and burned even more - not only because she felt that well-known, very exciting tingling in her stomach as she thought about them in such a shameful way, while knowing deep down in her heart and mind, that Alya was a hundred percent right with her assumption about them.
…and so far they had only scratched on the very surface of that part in their relationship, knew, that there was still so much more to discover in the future.
"What do you want to hear, for you to end your investigation?"
The brunette woman smirked.
"Simple - answer my questions: Did you and Adrien have sex?"
Marinette meekly nodded. Wasn't it crystal clear, that her friend would stop to dig, when she got all her desired answers? And maybe giving her those could finally end that torture.
"More than once?"
Another nod.
"Was it everything you have ever imagined it to be?"
Marinette sighed - recalling Adrien's lips on her skin, his touch on forbidden areas, the way he would make her moan and scream and cry in his wonderful way.
…how he gazed at her - his eyes full of desire, lust and admiration. How he would hold her afterward. How he made her smile, when they laid there together, listening to each other's heartbeats and breathing heavily, still sweaty and exhausted, but incredibly happy…
"More than that… It's always perfect…", Marinette whispered blissfully and even dared to lift her hand off her face to look up at her best friend. "…more than I could have ever dreamed about…"
A genuine smile made it on Alya's lips and she reached out to get one of Marinette's hands. Holding it tightly.
"That's wonderful, Marinette! I am really, really happy for you - for both of you! There is nothing more wonderful, than to find somebody, who compliments you so well. And I can see, that you two do that! In more ways than just sex!" She sniffed and Marinette knew, that the pregnancy hormones were trying to get the best out of Alya, again - trying to hide a smile at the thought, that the brunette and Tikki were very much on the same page when it came down to talking about Marinette's happiness and her love for Adrien. "You deserve each other! And you waited for all of this more than ten years!"
"Thank you…", Marinette mumbled and patted Alya's hand in comfort, while she tried to compose herself once more - smiling most cheerfully again, when the two men returned to them - both in a stunning, half-naked glory, that made women (and even a few men) turn towards them, as they walked.
Of course - Marinette had only eyes for her boyfriend, but she couldn't deny the fact, that Alya was a very lucky girl, either.
The pregnant woman even let out a loud wolf-whistle, once both have reached the blanket - Adrien ducked his head shyly, while Nino started to pose - showing of his own muscular body in an almost silly way.
She merely giggled - blushed, when Adrien sat down beside her and pressed a small kiss to her cheek.
Showing affection in public - especially in front of their two friends, who loved to tease - was new and strange, but she would get used to it soon enough.
"Awww - sweet love!", Alya cooed beside them, as Nino sat next to her legs, laying a gentle caring hand on her belly. Grinning, as he heard his fiancés comment.
"Sweet love?", he quipped, his knowing smirk getting wider and wider. "Speak about the scratches on my Dude's back - that is certainly not a result of sweet intimacies!"
Both Adrien and Marinette paled - the young woman leaning back to examine the back of her boyfriend - finding a bunch of red streaks easily - unmistakably marks from her nails. Probably from last night, when their intercourse hadn't been so gentle at all.
"Mhm - definitely a sign for wild sex! Didn't know, that the two of you had that in you!", Alya added, perfectly well seeing those scratches on Adrien's back as well. "Good for you guys!"
"I told you, that they will love to tease us!", Marinette mumbled - the couple next to them for now to distracted by a kick in Alya's belly, that the father-to-be noticed - gently speaking to his two unborn babies for now. "And I am sorry for your back!"
He chuckled and leaned his head against hers in a comforting manner, hand reaching out for hers to lace their fingers together.
"Don't be sorry, for marks, that I'll proudly carry!", he said smugly and in a low voice. "I certainly don't mind, if you mark me, again~ Or… if I mark you for that matter…"
"Adrien!"
"Okay, okay! I'll get my mind out of the gutter - for now!", he smirked, while she rolled her eyes at his silliness - dearly hoping, that he - indeed - wouldn't mind, if she ever scratched his back again. After all - she couldn't have helped herself when she had clawed herself in his flesh in the first place, as the intensity of their joined intimacy had rushed through her whole body - numbing her mind and erasing the darkness of the world for a brief moment. And - truly - thinking about him doing the same on her just felt utterly exciting.
Once more she let her eyes darted around - especially when somebody screamed behind them - but it just came from a bunch of guys, who were playing soccer on the patch of grass behind them.
No Akuma for now…
Circe's luring whisper made it back into her mind - far too easily for such a relaxing moment. The sound of her voice and her sinful promises echoing through her brain - mixing it up with Chat's charming smile.
Not now - she pleaded in her mind - clutching onto Adrien's arm most tightly - kissing him hard, but shortly, before she started to stand abruptly.
"How does swimming sound to you?", she pulled him along and up to his feet - feeling the urge to hunt these demons away with a few new memories, she would make in a few minutes with Adrien. "Didn't we go here to swim in the first place? Mhm? Alya? Nino?"
Alya raised a hand in defense and giggled.
"I am pretty sure, that I shouldn't go for a swim - I am more down to relax in the sun!"
"Me too! Maybe I will take a dive a little later! But go on - have fun, you two!"
"Yeah - have 'fun'!"
Marinette stuck her tongue out - Alya blowing her a cheeky kiss as an answer, waving with a knowing smile, as Adrien started to drag his girlfriend across the grass and towards one of the basins. His hand was never leaving hers and she held onto him most tightly.
She was very aware of the gazes, that were cast into his direction - not only full of admiration his good looks, to praise his well-trained body, or to bask in that billion watt smile, that was very able to compete against the sun - but to acknowledge and notice him as the famous man, that he was.
Adrien's fame was catching up with him once more and it amazed her, that these looks weren't bothering him in any way. They didn't distract him, didn't break that mask, he was hiding behind.
The young woman felt very amazed. Sure - she knew, that deep down in his soul the demons tried to clutch at his heart - trying to break him in front of everybody around. But he wouldn't let them win - his eyes set on the goal of a fairly normal life. Without fame. Without a legacy.
He pulled her closer, his arm easily finding her shoulder - as if he wanted to shield her from these pesky glances, protect her from the whispers.
But once she wrapped her arm around his back, leaning into him as she walked, she knew that this display of affection had yet another - heart-warming reason:
She was his anchor. His rock in this flood of incoming gossips and unwanted attention. Her pure presence made it possible, that his smile could stay, and that his eyes would gleam.
"I am so going to splash you, Babe!", she warned him, challenging him already - immediately loving the effect, her words had on him. After all - she was very ready to fight that demons in his soul - maybe it would help her in the future to fight hers as well. "Prepare to get really…wet!"
His lips left a faked little gasp, as he noticed that dirty little innuendo in her words.
"I did it! I tainted your innocent soul! What have I done?"
"Oh… I know what you did!"
"Marinette~", he hummed, his voice dangerously low and it tickled her spine. "If you don't stop, I will toss you on my shoulder, hide with you and show you, who is the one, to get really wet~"
Her abdomen immediately coiled upon hearing these exciting words - very glad, that their voices were this low. Nobody else could hear them - both their faces perfectly hiding the sinful nature of their conversation.
"Later, okay?", she whispered and their eyes met - both smirking at the agreement, that they have just made.
"…okay…", he purred huskily and nodded - turning his eyes from her towards the basin with wonderful blue water in front of them.
It already screamed for them, promised to cool down their hot skins and would help them relax - even though a strange, unwanted feeling reached across her heart. Something, that wanted her to stop and to get back to their friends.
…to hide…
She tried to shake that feeling away, giggled almost absently, as Adrien left her side to take the few steps - down the stairs and inside the pool - sighing in relief, as the cooling wetness reached up to his calves. Two more steps and his hips were hidden underneath the surface.
"Who ever had this idea to come here was a true genius! The water has the perfect temperature! Come here my Queen - you'll love it!"
He lifted his hand up - smiling brightly towards her.
She hesitated, but nonetheless took the first step. The second-
Gasped, as the water touched the skin of her bare feet.
Icy blue eyes flashed in front of her eyes. King Poseidon's menacing laughter echoed through her ears. Tentacles - wet, slimy tentacles wound around her ankles and feet. Up her calves and thighs. Waist. Around her throat. Pulling and dragging.
Hands - million little, wooden hands pushed a down, underneath the surface. Pressing the air out of her lungs, tearing at her hair and cloths.
Drowning her…
…drowning her…
Marinette reeled back, stumbling backwards with a terrified gasp - bumping into a person behind her, who cursed in annoyance at her. Then another, who didn't care, when she landed on the hard ground.
She moved backwards - afraid, that the water could touch her once more, afraid of tentacles and tiny hands, vile laughter, dragging and pulling and drowning.
Shaking hand cradled her cheeks. Brushing away her raven locks. Embracing her. Whispering her name, small words of comfort.
But she pushed him - her Adrien - away, his legs now cold and wet, the cloth of his swim shorts sticking to her skin so easily.
A pained look crossed his features. Saw the panic - couldn't find a reason for it. Gulped - eyes shooting upward, as he noticed movement behind them.
"Marinette?" Nino was there, too - his hand on her back to steady her was okay. For it wasn't soaked, wasn't wet, hadn't been close to the water. "What happened?"
"I don't know! She stumbled backwards and- Marinette, please, talk to me!"
Her vision cleared again. Slowly.
The sheer endless abyss in front of her feet started to close again - the faces of the two men she dearly trusted coming back from the mist, that has formed around her.
Adrien's face was so full of pain and sorrow - it scarred her soul to see him like that - because he was so endlessly worried about her. Nino - perplexed as well - tried to figure out the things, that happened - his eyes darting between the pool and his two best friend.
… she couldn't bear it…
"I am…I am sorry!", she gasped, scrambling to get back up on her feet. "I…I'll just… give me a moment, okay!"
She was gone, before either of them could have grabbed her, embraced her to get her to stay. Rushing across the grass - past these pesky, watchful eyes, past Alya, who stood there with her hands on her belly and her face so full of worry.
Not stopping, not ready to give in to those tears, that stung so badly in her eyes - not until she found one of the provided changing rooms, that stood around the Bassin de la Villette.
Locking herself inside, leaning against the door beside her, to slide down. Crouching, as she felt hot tears running down her cheeks.
The buzzing sound around her was almost unbearable - thousands of sounds, that were mixed together as one, digging deep into her brain and heart. Louder and louder - erasing easily the sound of her crying.
The young woman banged her head against the door. To make it stop. To feel numb against any bad sensation, that coursed through her veins.
Heart beating and beating and beating.
Breathless - a icy clutch on her throat, that easily strangled every sound.
Shaking uncontrollably, as hot and cold waves dragged on her skin.
Sweating.
"Marinette?" A voice. A very soft, gentle sound amongst the buzzing fog around her. "Marinette…please…let me inside…"
Adrien!
"Can't!", she gasped, unable to move and think one coherent thought to the very end.
"Okay…", his voice was a gentle, caring whisper. So close - he was probably kneeling as well. "That is okay. Just focus. Focus and breath. I am here now. You hear me? I am here, to protect you and to help you through this. But you need to breathe. Slowly…"
"Can't!" The pressure on her chest was too much. Heaving up and down, as she gasped for air. It made the world spin around her in a painful way. It made her shake even more, as the room around her narrowed down.
"Sit up straight. Plant your feet on the floor…", he instructed, still most gently. "My beautiful, gorgeous Queen. You need to do that for me, please. Sit up straight, feet on the floor. Breath in, breath out…"
She was shaking so uncontrollably. Cried uncontrollably. Felt breathless. Adrien's voice was so, so far away, as he tried to guide her through the darkness. Talking to her. Repeating his instructions in such a gentle manner- over and over again.
Sitting up straight.
Feet planted to the ground.
Breath in.
Breath out.
That somehow felt like the hardest thing she had ever done in her life.
And yet she knew, that she had to do it. Had to fight against that disgusting power, that tried to control her with a disgusting force.
She was Ladybug after all - and Ladybug wasn't allowed to get akumatized!
"Sit up straight, my Queen…", he whispered, still without any annoyance in his voice. And she straightened her back, leaning it against the coolness of the door behind her. "…plant your feet to the ground…" She sat her bare soles to the floor. "Breath in, my dear…", she took a deep breath. "Breath out… Good! Do it again!"
She did.
Breathing in, as deeply as she could.
And let that very breath out.
Over, and over and over, again.
Time passed slowly.
But the shaking stopped eventually. Air filled her lungs more easily. Her thoughts made it back into her own mind - understandable once more, reasonable.
Her hands brushed across her cheeks. Twice. To get those pesky tears from her skin and out of her eyes. Straightening her dishelved hair, before she slowly rose to her feet.
Hesitating for a moment more, before she slowly unlocked the door.
Adrien stood up as well - for he had actually knelt there as well. To be closer to her, to make every whisper count.
His eyes scanned her face - his usually bright eyes clouded by fear and sorrow, still, slowly standing.
"Marinette…", he whispered, waiting for her to take a step towards him, standing himself. For she pushed him away, only moments earlier.
She did - flinging her arms around his neck without a second thought - the wetness of his skin wasn't a problem for her anymore. His hands eventually came around her waist, to hold her tightly.
"I am sorry!", she eventually whispered, clinging onto him, as if her life depended on him. Though - after that horrible incident from only moments ago, she could say exactly that! "I wasn't… I couldn't…I didn't know, what happened there - I didn't want to push you away! I won't ever do it again! I promise-"
He gifted her a small, caring kiss. Just to calm her and to promise her, that everything was alright.
"Don't apologize for something like that, Marinette…", he gulped heavily and cradled her cheek in his hand, lovingly gazing down to her. "Do you…do you know what that was?" She shook her head - honestly afraid of the answer, while also knowing, that it was her right to know the truth. "…you had a panic attack…"
"A panic… attack?", Marinette whispered in disbelief, leaning almost limply and tiredly against his chest, while she held onto his side. Staring at some distanced spot on the ground. "I never had a panic attack…"
And she wasn't allowed to be afraid, either! Ladybug was her alter ego - she wasn't allowed to panic! Lady Titalee would love that thought - would mock her and would surely love to send a billion more Akumas, that would make her feel as afraid, as King Poseidon and Marionetta's wooden minions. She had to be strong - shouldn't give in to her fears ever, again?
Gosh… She felt so pathetic…
"Mhm…", he hummed, pressed a small kiss to the top of her head and nuzzle his face in her hair. "…those tend to happen suddenly and without a warning… I used to have them a lot in the past…"
She paled and her head shot up - of course! She remembered these news - showing a very broken Adrien, just after the reveal of Hawk Moth's identity and before he had left to go to live with his aunt and his cousin in London.
…he had suffered from panic attacks as well - and who could blame him, after everything, that has happened?
"Adrien - I… I wasn't-"
"Hush!", he hurriedly said and laid a gentle finger on her lips. "I don't want to bother you with my problems, now! Let me take care of you, first, okay?"
They walked together for some time. Arms around her shoulder, hers around his waist. She listened to his sweet voice. Was carried away by his care, by his uplifting words.
Everything else was absolutely irrelevant. So unimportant. Right now it only mattered to her, that Adrien was there for her.
She wasn't even aware of these nosy glances and looks. Didn't hear those whispers. Couldn't care any less about an Akuma attack for once.
She felt broken… Endlessly broken in the arms ofthe man she loved so dearly, as he desperately tried to let the lightin her heart stay - and to keep those demons out.
With each passing minute it was getting better. Slowly, as the young woman started to become the master of her senses, yet again. Her focus would eventually expand once more.
The world stopped spinning.
"Thank you…", she finally whispered and she stopped walking - he did as well. "I really do thank you, Adrien… For not getting annoyed, for caring. For helping…"
His green eyes scanned her face, as his eyebrows furrowed. Frowning - for both knew, that it might be okay now, but the full impact of her fear was yet to be grasped. Deep down she prayed - prayed for never having to face such a panic attack, again. Not without him. Praying, that Lady Titalee would never sense this particular moment of weakness- would never use her chance, to akumatize her in such a way.
It could be the very end of everything, they have known so far.
"Always…", he whispered - and he meant it. She knew it.
She rose to her tiptoes to catch his lips in a kiss. A deep and meaningful one - not caring, what bystanders would think. Not caring, if somebody took a photo of them. A video. Not even minding, if the media caught wind of their relationship.
Heck - all of Paris was probably very aware of it by now!
He returned the kiss, fingers barely grazing across her hips, leaning into her a little - ending it, before it started to get too demanding.
"Let's get back to Alya and Nino - they are probably waiting for us…", she said, trying to make her voice as steady as possible, without giving in to the shaking. "And I need something to drink - and do you think, that we could get a little ice cream somewhere?"
He chuckled.
"Friends, Water and ice cream? I can do that, my Queen!"
They walked back towards their little spot on the grass. Both Alya and Nino were back to their feet, as they saw the young couple approaching again. Both their lips parting to ask a billion questions, ask about their friend's well-being, about that horrible thing, that just has happened.
But they stayed silent, when they saw Adrien's raised hand. The shaking of his head - both understanding immediately, that they shouldn't speak about it for now - not unless Marinette wanted them to.
But the young woman was very glad, if her panic attack could be ignored for the moment - hoping to forget it anytime soon.
"Anybody in for some ice-cream?", Adrien said lightly, already kneeling to get his purse from his backpack. "It's my treat!"
Both Alya and Nino shared a concerned look - one that Marinette dearly tried to ignore by sitting back down on the blanket, rather watching Adrien move beside them, than everything else.
Not looking back to the cooling waters in the pools in front of them once.
Eventually she searched her own bag for her water bottle, drinking the not so cold water in heavy gulps - thankful, that she could still do that, without zooming out.
Rain was okay as well - she figured, as she recalled her and Adrien's silly chase through the pounding water from above on Wednesday.
The shower was okay as well…
But any possibility to swim - anywhere with the danger to drown has started to become her kryptonite - and she had loved to swim so dearly. Oh Lady Titalee and her shitty dangerous Akumas be damned!
"I'll… I'll help you…Dude…", Nino mumbled after some time, most quietly and into the silence, that had tried to cast a spell between the four friends. "I mean - some ice cream sounds nice - doesn't it?"
"Y-yeah…", Alya murmured.
The two men left - both pressing on more kiss to the cheeks of their women, before they walked away to provide them with the wished treats.
The pregnant woman sighed. Marinette felt her uneasiness, felt her need to be filled in, to get those questions answered.
But Alya couldn't bring herself to utter just one - properly fearing the impact it could have on her best friend.
Instead - and with as much grace as a pregnant woman could muster - she sat down on the blanket beside the black-haired woman. Close, until their legs were touching and embraced her shoulders most tightly from the side. Kissing her temple, then her cheek in a comforting way.
"…the things I do for you…", she mumbled, with a joking edge in her voice, to cheer Marinette back up again. "Now the pregnant mommy whale has stranded on the beach and won't ever be able to get up, again!"
Marinette let out a little chuckle and leaned into the warm touch of her dearest friend.
"I'll help you - don't worry!"
"I hope you will! I am pretty sure, this blanket will get uncomfortable soon enough!" She sighed, as Marinette reached up to lay her hands on Alya's. "…You know, Baby-Girl - you don't have to tell me, what has happened there! But if you want to talk, then I am there to listen. Nino is there, too. Of course - Adrien! The other girls. Luka. Heck - all of our friends! You are not alone, Marinette! You know, that - right?"
"Alya…"
"You. Are. Not. Alone!", the brunette woman phrased once more, most carefully and with such a gentle force, that it took her breath away. "You will never be alone! Don't you ever forget about that, please!"
Marinette exhaled as well. Deeply and with a madly beating heart. Knowing, that her friend's words were technically true - while in reality the Ladybug inside her would always fight alone, before anybody would succumb to the dangers around.
…she would even push Chat Noir away, before he would have to sacrifice himself for her…
"Lady Titalee wants the people to believe, that we are all alone. That not even Ladybug and Chat Noir could help us. She is at her strongest point, when everybody is afraid, scared and terrified. Angry - you heard the mayor! Putting up a curfew for the night won't help! I believe it would only enrage the masses and we all have to face more Akuma victims, than anybody would have anticipated."
Marinette gasped as she heard these words - knowing, that Alya was very right with her assumption! Her muscles tensed and she stiffed in her friend's comforting hug.
"But that won't happen - okay! I am pretty sure, that Ladybug and Chat Noir are already working on it - finding Lady Titalee and to get her to the prison. Or mental institution- or, whatever! They will win - you'll see! As long as people believe in them and don't lose their hope - and I certainly won't ever lose my faith in our favorite hero-duo! I mean - they get up at three in the morning to fight some shitty Akuma!"
Urgh - of course the fight against Circe has already reached the ears and eyes of the public - with Alya being very aware of it.
"But… just don't lose hope, either, Marinette! I know…I know, that your life is far away from being simple and easy! And whatever happened there was… is… But you will fight it! I know, that you can do that! You have never given in to your fear - now you won't do that, either! Just… just reach out for help, whenever you need it - those who love you will gladly grant you that… You know - all your lovely kindness will be paid back one day!"
Alya's words hit her deep in her gut, deep in her heart and soul. For her best friend couldn't know, that she had given a little prep talk to both - Marinette and Ladybug- at the same time. Trying to lift her spirit, trying to make understand, that there is so much to fight for.
…and so many people, that would strengthen her back in the future.
She was not alone.
…perhaps…that was true…
"Thank you…", Marinette whispered and actually meant it, dearly hoping, that Alya's words would indeed give her some strength for the future.
The pregnant woman kept on holding her, until the two men returned. Jokingly said something about "Spreading love, when you two were gone for too long!", when both cast them questioning and slightly worried looks. To lift the mood, to prove, that everything was okay for the moment.
…that everything would be okay in the very end…
Both Nino and Adrien settled on the ground as well - handing each of their lovely women a cone with ice-cream.
Relaxing, just chatting about casual, fun little things, like friends should do. Neither of them dared to bring up the scary incident, again. No one dared to utter even one question - for now ignoring the depths of the water behind them completely.
Eventually they settled down to rest in the sun - Alya made it - with a little help - back on the sun chair, Nino leaning against it, his eyes closed for some time now. Marinette was pretty sure, that he had dozed off - a silly thought, that somehow made her smile.
She herself rested her head on her backpack- trying to occupy her mind with sweet little things to keep out the darkness. One hand holding onto one of Adrien's, the other mindlessly playing with the strands of his silky, golden hair, as he rested his head on her stomach - perhaps sleeping as well.
And there she was able to find a little bit of paradise, again - imagined, how Emma would one day play with Alya's and Nino's twins in the shadows. How they would squeal with joy and pure happiness. Her parents would be there as well - no more worries about money, about her father's condition.
…no more duties.
…no more patrols…
…No Lady Titalee.
She would love that…
"Hey!"
And yet that lovely bubble started to burst too suddenly, breaking and crumbling her wonderful daydream, until ugly ashes of reality started to cling on her once more.
And her paradise was lost, yet again…
"Aren't you that Agreste-guy!"
She felt, how her poor boyfriend immediately tensed up. Eyes opened abruptly and he immediately sat up.
Nino was in his protection mode as well, face stern as he gazed towards the intruders- hand reaching for Alya's knee, as if he wanted to calm her down.
"How can I help you?", Adrien said, calmly, sitting upright, as he watched the four men closely.
Marinette felt her heart speeding up, propping herself on the elbows, ready to jump between them, before anyone dared to make wrong move. To protect. To-
…but right now she wasn't Ladybug. Right now she was just a petite, simple woman, who lacked any form of physical strength, high, or muscles. Right now she could only come a little closer to the blond man and lay a comforting hand on his shoulder - eying the intruders most closely.
"Oh… it's nothing…", the one on the far right said, an intimidating smirk stretched across his lips. "…just wondering, when you will ever dare to attack our wonderful city, again!"
"Down with Hawk Moth's son! Down with the Agrestes", the one on the left chanted.
Nino was on his feet immediately.
"Listen, Dudes - cut your bullshit and get lost! Nobody wants to hear about your crap!"
"And who are you?", a big, muscular man said, stepping up close to the young man in an intimidating way - but Nino didn't even flinch, stood his ground instead. "Agreste's little puppy? Has he lost all of daddy's money - not able to buy himself a proper bodyguard?"
"Isn't he a DJ?", somebody uttered.
"Ohh… Celebrity scum gathering amongst normal people~"
Somebody made a crude comment about the two women as well and the four men howled in a disgusting way.
"Keep them out of this shit!", Adrien stood as well, tall and mighty, hands balled into fists. "All three of them! If there is something you want to say, then say it in my face - and my face only!"
"Worried to make somebody cry, pretty boy?"
Marinette didn't like it - Alya was calling for their two men as well. Ready to take their stuff. Ready to leave.
The muscular man shoved Nino, who didn't move just yet - Adrien growling and raised his arm in protection in front of his best friend.
"Ohhh! Beware! Before Moth-Boy is calling for his butterflies!"
"He is getting really angry!"
"Better run in hide!"
Their mocking words were disgusting. Vile.
She was deeply worried on what they will do with Adrien's mind, if they continue. Looked around in hopes, that somebody would come you to end this.
But people only continued to stare.
Stared and stared and nothing else. Nobody was willing to help. Willing to end this…
"Leave now!", she said bravely, standing between her boyfriend and friend in hurry, as courage filled her veins, adrenalin rushed through her body. She was Ladybug after all - at least deep down in her soul - and she had faced worse villains before. "Nobody wants to hear your stupid words. Why can't you just mind your own business?"
"Awww - is your little Mademoiselle the one to put up a fight against us? Hey, Ma Cherie, don't you want to fuck a real man? I can pay pretty well, too!"
One of them reached out for her - barely brushed her shoulder, and it disgusted her already. But she did dare to take a step back - slapped that hand away instead.
It made them laugh.
Adrien's lips left a low growl - eyes narrowed.
"Don't you dare to touch her!"
"Oh… why? Worried, that I could break your little toy? Will it make you cry? Will you run to daddy and complain, until he buys a new one?"
"Can't do that…", the one on the left hummed. "Papa Hawk Moth is left to rot in prison! Where he belongs!"
"Fucking Agreste!"
The muscular man shoved Nino once more - who shoved him back in annoyance.
Another reached out for Marinette, to grasp her hand in a painful way.
"Yeah…fuck you, Agreste!"
The one in front of Adrien raised his hand most unexpectedly. A fist, coming down so easily.
The blond man had barely time to move - he was able to pry that hand from his girlfriend's skin, but couldn't defend that incoming punch entirely.
And it hit him in the face.
A/N:And there it is - second chapter of this week! And somehow I was looking forward to upload this. For it shows, how much Marinette has started to struggle under Lady Titalee's reign of terror and that the attacks still cling to her mind, even after the fights are won. And then of course Adrien is struggling with his own shadows as well. And for the punch- thankfully he dodged it partially thanks to his cat- like reflexes. But more about that in the next chapter ?
Have a wonderful week!
Next chapter: A word or two about reasoning