Mounting Pressure
Chapter 3-
It Takes Two
A/N
Another Akuma fight, but this will probably be the last one for a while as we shift focus to more romantic plots and subplots. Feel free to comment or review my work so far. The next chapter is already written; it just needs some light editorial work. Expect it within the next five days or earlier.
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Sunlight broke through the curtain like a knife straight into Luka's eyes. He moved his head off his pillow and groaned softly, trying to control the headache he knew would be plaguing his every action for the next few hours. He sat up and looked around, taking in the hotel's posh decor. Several people were scattered about in various states of comfort all over the room, and he couldn't help the bemused smile as he scanned the quiet group (besides Rose. Somehow, the petite girl had a severe snore).
He silently got out of bed and went to the little fridge his Band liked to keep on them. His eyes moved over the booze inside with a slight frown, only smiling again when he found the cold coffee he desperately needed. Luka made a beeline for the nearby balcony, grabbing his guitar on the way.
He wasn't surprised to find his sister already up and on her computer in his favorite spot. It was nearly lunchtime, and his sister wasn't much for partying. Instead of saying anything, he plopped down in the seat next to her, chugged half the bottle of cold coffee, and then set it down. Neither of the siblings said a word or even acknowledged each other besides a slight nod. Being a Couffaine kid, for all of the Rocker lifestyle and loud music that entails, meant quiet mornings.
Juleka handed her brother a black band T-shirt without a look or word. Luka looked down in surprise that he didn't already have one and stuffed himself in the offered clothes. At least he was still wearing his black skin-tight pants from their show the previous night. After Luka picked up his guitar to play idly, he noticed his sister rubbing the Bracelet she wore in worry. It made him glance at his own.
"What's up?" Luka asked softly.
His sister glanced at him and bit her lip. She turned the laptop screen towards him, and Luka did his best to focus through the slight hangover. It was a news article for Paris about Ladybug and Chat Noir. Marinette? He thought worryingly and brought the computer into his lap quickly. Juleka rolled her eyes and how quickly his attention had been grabbed.
The article was about Paris's most recent Akuma attack. More than a few people had to go through the mandated Akumatization Therapy class this time. Well over two hundred. That was one of the worse counts Paris had ever seen. Apparently, it was a particularly traumatizing fight. Despite it not even lasting over two hours.
"But what about…" he muttered under his breath.
"Scroll down for them," Juleka said so softly he nearly didn't hear her. He glanced at her before scrolling down.
A picture of Ladybug walking out of the bar where the Akuma had been defeated made him freeze. She looked way past tense. He played a seven-second video of a reporter running up to her and asking her questions.
"Ladybug! How did you manage to stop the Akuma this time? Has there been any progress on finding Monarch? Is there anything you'd like to say to all of those who got caught in the fire?" the reporter shot out rapid fire.
Ladybug's eyes began to water, and she silently zips away, leaving the reporter alone. The video stopped just as Chat Noir ran out of the building and looked around.
"Things don't look good in Paris, Luka. maybe…" Juleka said hesitantly.
Luka's hand gripped the neck of his guitar firmly. A twin pair of streaks shot out of the sibling's clothes, one green, the other hot pink.
"Master, it seems things aren't going well for the guardian. Perhaps-" Sass began
"We should head back already and kick some butt!" Roaar finished with a little punch in the air.
Juleka smiled and collected her Kwami out of the air to calm her. Roaar had the habit of being quite loud, and she didn't want to wake the rest of Luka's band or jagged stone. Luka leaned back and picked a tune absentmindedly with a frown. Low notes plucked away in a sinister vibe.
"We're only in Germany for another week. We can't just drop the tour." Luke murmured. The tune became a little frantic, despite his face remaining passive.
When his father invited his band to open for them on his newest tour, it was a dream come true. After the XY incident, his music became an underground hit. Six months later, he had more gigs lined up than he ever thought possible. Just last night, his band's merchandise table had sold out within minutes, only slightly behind Jagged stones'. Luka Couffaine was becoming a household name in certain parts of the world. Was he willing to drop all that on a dime and return to help fight? Absolutely, in a heartbeat. But what about his bandmates? Fans? The last venue lined up? His plucked tune turned jagged, sharp, and frantic. Irritation started showing on his face before Juleka rested a hand on his arm, and he stopped.
"It's alright. I'm sure it's not as bad as it seems. But… maybe I should go back. And you can follow once the tour is done?" she said softly.
Luka sighed and set his guitar down to lean against his lawn chair. He searched his sister's eyes with his own. He could never get used to just how confident his sister had become in the last year. Juleka still had her quiet demeanor and deliberate way of doing things. It was a rarity for her voice to rise about a whisper. But her music couldn't be more different. The frantic discord of her anxiety was replaced with a steady beat. Her smile reminded him of running water in a stream instead of the torrential rush that could come and go so quickly. She had fully accepted Rose into her heart, and they were so happy together. A duet that refuses to fade for anyone or anything. He couldn't be more proud of his sister if he tried.
"Besides, I know someone in Paris you're dying to see again. Maybe I can set something up for you," His sister said with a sly smile.
Luka gave her a flat look. Proud though he may be, Luka disliked how she could read him so easily. He hadn't mentioned Marinette's name in weeks. But anytime her name came up, he would miss a beat in his music. I love you sis, but please stay out of my love life.
"We're just friends now, Juleka. She isn't interested in me like that anymore." He said with a sigh and leaned back.
Juleka's smile turned wide, and she pushed her hair behind an ear. She leaned forward and placed a hand on his knee.
"I talked to her a few days ago, you know. You were just about all we talked about. She was worried about you." she said teasingly. Luka groaned.
"That's just how she is! Marinette always worries about everyone but herself. That doesn't mean anything…"
Her grip tightened for a second before letting go. Her face turned stern.
"This isn't healthy, Luka. You can't keep torturing yourself like this. I... I'm sorry ok? I swear I didn't mean to, but… I may have… gone through your lyrics notebook." juleka said, looking away with a blush.
Luka sits up in his seat with wide eyes, and his face pales slightly. His eyes dart into the hotel room near the guitar case that had a hidden compartment.
"What!? But how did you-"
"You left it out after drinking last week. That night the magazine writer asked if you had anyone in your life? You went all quiet After a few drinks and then disappeared to write in it. You forgot to put it up when you came back. Everyone passed out but Rose and me. We got curious 'cause the lyrics were beautiful and one thing lead to another…" Juleka said, unable to meet her brother's eyes.
Luka leaned forward and buried his face in his hands, blushing heavily. That notebook wasn't just for lyrics. It had poetry in it. Pseudo journal entries. Pages filled with his heart and soul. And more than a few of those were written about a dark-haired and blue-eyed girl with the melody of an angel in her heart. What was that germen phrase he learned at the bar two nights ago? Was Zum Teufel?
"Juleka…" he growled.
"I said I was sorry! Look, you can't keep doing this. I've seen you turn down every single person who's shown interest in you for nearly a year now. I know Marinette meant a lot to you. But both of you decided that being friends was enough. You either need to tell her what she means to you or move on." Juleka warned softly.
Luka growled and looked out over the city, refusing to answer. Does she think I haven't tried? That I want to be stuck on her like this? Everyone thought I jumped at the chance to go on tour just for my music… that was only half the reason. I needed distance. Lotta good that's done me.
"Ok, I'm sorry for pushing about it. Either way, I think me and Rose should head back. I know she's tired of staying in hotels and wants to go home. We already have someone lined up to replace her, and it's just for the last show. The personal tutor dad got us so we could come is pretty strict too. And once your tour with dad is done, you can follow us back. We could be on a flight back to Paris by tonight." Juleka said in a rush.
Luka hated the idea of his sister fighting without him. He still felt a little shell-shocked about learning she was a superhero too. It hadn't been hard to put two and two together. His sisters change in confidence, how they both had to disappear for a fight. How worried Purple Tigress had been for Luka during a battle, despite Luka never meeting her before. Once he found out, the two of them sat down for a long talk before he introduced Sass. Both of the Kwami's had been pretty miffed about him just coming right out and telling his sister all of that. Luka refused to try and keep up the charade when they could help each other so much more as a team. Family shouldn't keep secrets. He'd seen firsthand how painful it can be for people to have to lie to the ones they love, like Marinette and Adrien…
Juleka rolled her eyes when she saw how he hesitated.
"Come on, brother; I won't be fighting alone, you know. I'll have Ladybug and Chat by my side the whole time. Who knows? Maybe more of the team will show up, and you'll be there too soon enough," she said
Luka trusted Ladybug, trusted Marinette, with his life… but Adrien?
"I don't have a problem with Ladybug. It's Chat Noir I worry about…" Luka murmured.
"What? Why would you worry about him? I mean, yeah he's a flirt. But he's also a pretty good hero," Juleka asked with a raised eyebrow in surprise.
Luka got up and leaned on the railing. He didn't hate Adrien. Far from it, he considered the guy a close friend. That didn't help the feeling of annoyance with the man. The guy was blind as a bat when it came to the people around him. He swore by his love for Ladybug but never gave Marinette the time of day. It pissed him off how flippant he was. How easily the model could use his charisma so naturally… How he pulled those around him into his orbit, like the nickname of sunshine he had from their friend group.
Luka wanted Marinette and Adrien to be happy. Even if that meant Luka had to move on. There was something else that bothered him. The last few times Luka met Adrien, things had felt different. Luka was awkward. He had been hyper-aware of the guy's habits. He knew his own eyes had lingered a bit longer than what constituted friendship and- no. not him. Luka sighed explosively. Why did I get caught up in their weird love square? Love pentagon? Hexagon? Hell, probably up to Octagon by now, knowing those two. Luka banged his head on the railing lightly. Music was so much simpler than this.
"Nevermind. Yeah, alright. I'm fine with it. I'll talk with our manager first thing and get you two tickets. Just… promise me something? Be careful? Just because we're heroes doesn't mean we don't make mistakes. Even Ladybug and the cat." Luka said with only a slight tinge of worry.
"Don't worry so much. And you too, Sass. Take care of my brother while I'm gone… Don't let him dwell on the past too much, alright? Come on, Roaar," Juleka said and opened up her purse for her Kwami to enter. The little pink tiger hugged Sass and waved at Luka before flashing down in a streak of light.
Luka listened to the sliding door to the hotel room open behind him as he watched the sunrise.
"Young master? Are you alright?" Sass called out with a flick of his snake tongue.
Luka quirked his mouth and rubbed his Kawmi under the chin, as most of the Kawmi's seemed to like.
"I'll be ok little buddy… I'll be ok…" he sighed out.
Just one extra week. What could possibly go wrong in a week?
An alert went off on his phone. It was the Akuma Alert app, and Luka quickly slid his finger to activate it. There was only one piece of information so far, telling citizens to stay away from a local high school. The alerts were set up to display three main points of information. The area most affected, if any superheroes have yet been sighted to fight them, and a danger rating. This time the danger rating was somewhere between yellow and red. He could remember that Mr. Pigeon was often a green, Stormy Weather was a low yellow, and the recent fire victim was as far into red as it went.
Stay safe, you two…
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"Marinette, follow me," Adrien barked out and grabbed her arm.
He led them to the small bathroom the little sandwich shop had, stopping only to open the door for her.
"Hide in here; I'll find somewhere else. Please be careful, and no heroics." Adrien said with a stern look.
Marinette opened her mouth to retort, but Adrien was already leaving out of a side door. She watched him go with trepidation before scoffing. She was happy his first priority had been her, but Marinette wasn't the type to just sit and listen. Especially as a superhero. She made sure the bathroom was empty before opening her side purse.
She called out her transformation phrase and crawled out a small window into an alleyway. Ladybug ran down the street at a full sprint, only stopping to help a man holding his throat in panic.
"Sir! Are you alright?"
He looked up and gapped at her, opening and closing his mouth several times. Ladybug got him out of the street and noticed a woman stumbling around. When she called out to her, the women looked around wildly and tried to grab at her, missing by a foot.
"I can't see! Oh god, I'm blind!" She cried in a panic.
Ladybug felt her own panic rise before shoving it down. She took the woman by the hand and led her to the same alleyway as the man before, now understanding he had been rendered mute. She gripped her shoulders and told her everything was going to be alright, that Ladybug would fix everything. She swallowed hard and used her yo-yo to zip away where she heard the sounds of fighting. Chat had arrived first once again.
"Where are you Hiding, Chloe? Let's see how rude you are when I strike you blind, death, and dumb!" an Akuma villain shouted.
It was an impressively tall woman with shiny silver hair. Her face was angular and slightly elongated. The most impressive part about her was her legs. They were encased in a metal frame with gears and moving parts, effectively giving her cyborg legs. Ladybug arrived just in time to see Chat jump over the victim's head.
"Hey! Over here! Wouldn't you rather play with a cat? I'm feline frisky," Chat called out loudly. He glanced over at his partner when he said it and grimaced. His puns were second nature at this point. He resolved to tone them down as much as possible, not wanting to piss off Ladybug again… if she wanted professional, that's what she'll get from him. Marinette felt a stab of guilt at the look but focused on the fight first.
Deal with him later, do your job.
The Akumatized victim was fast. Impossibly fast. She used the small window of distraction to her advantage when the two heroes looked at each other. In a blur, she rushed forward and kicked a leg into Chat's chest, and he flew to smash into a parked car, crumpling the driver's side door. He tried to get up but only managed to stumble a bit before going down.
"So sorry, kitty. But I'll be taking those pretty green eyes for now. The Disabler only plays rough." the woman said with a grin.
Ladybug whipped her yo-yo out to wrap around Disabler's legs and pulled the wire taunt. The victim looked over at her and smirked.
"Sorry Ladybug, but you'll have to do better than that!" the woman taunted.
Disabler jumped, and Ladybug was dragged along with her. Marinette let the line slack and pulled her yo-yo back, landing on the car Chat had been thrown into. She gracefully backflipped off the car when Disabler slammed down into the vehicle's roof. The next several minutes were spent with the two of them in a fierce battle. Ladybug did everything she could to dodge and weave her way from the powerful legs of the Akuma victim.
Chat needed those few minutes to control his panic. All he could see was darkness. If it wasn't for a small voice in his head, he might have given up right then.
"Kit, calm down and close your eyes. You have other senses to rely on." Plagg's voice calls out in his head. He felt a wave of energy leave him at the words. Talking to him like that had drawbacks.
Adrien had only heard his kwami speak to him like that a handful of times. Usually, only when things were truly dire. He takes a deep breath. Then another. Chat Noir stands up and squares his shoulders; baton pole held out in front of him. He could feel the brush of air as the two combatants fought around him. He could tell Ladybug was doing her best to protect him as she would come close to deflect a blow before it struck him.
Adrien closed his eyes like Plagg said and used his ears. Every strike rang out around him with a clear note. Needing more than that, he listened for the scuff of shoes on the ground. The breathing of the two women as they fought. Through the chaos of battle, he slowly saw a pattern. He was intimately aware of how his partner fought and followed along with her in his mind's eye. All he had to do was fill in the blanks of their dance.
Chat Noir lashed out with his pole at the last second and tripped Disabler, sending her to crash into a brick wall. He felt a hand on his shoulder and nearly struck again before he heard who it belonged to. His lady was breathing heavily from having to fight by herself.
"Thanks, Chat, you saved me there. How bad are you off?"
Chat lowered his head and didn't bother turning towards his partner.
"Blind. Completely. I'm… I'm so sorry, LB. I won't be much use this time. You really should have gotten anyone but me as a partner…" Chat said with slumped shoulders.
Once again, He'd be the dead weight to their partnership. A failure.
Useless… Burden…
Ladybug placed both hands on his shoulders and gave him a light shake. She looked at him with teary eyes he couldn't see before pulling him into a tight hug.
"No! I… I should never have said that, Chaton. You're-" Ladybug tried to say.
Disabler rushed the pair again, this time catching Ladybug in the small of her back. It sent the superhero pair flying. Being unable to see, all Chat could do was hold on to Ladybug for dear life as he tumbled about like a ragdoll. After he felt them land, he heard ladybug groan. He flayed his hands around in panic until he felt her hand find his.
Ladybug tried to pull herself up but fell over on top of her partner instead. She looked down with wide eyes. Her legs weren't working.
"Not Gonna be so easy to dodge me now, Ladybug. Hurry up and give me your miraculous, or I'll end your precious cat right here and now," Disabler growled in a dangerous tone.
Chat felt the panic spike again before Ladybug placed a hand on his chest. Her calm tone kept him from freaking out any further, and she pulled him close for an embrace.
"Chaton, Use your cataclysm on the ground when I say, then pick me up. You'll have to carry me. We're not out of this fight yet." ladybug whispered into his ear.
Chat felt the hand with his ring guided to a spot on the ground and nodded. He snaked his other hand around her waist and waited.
I trust you, my lady. Always will.
"Disabler! I don't need my legs to keep Chat safe or kick your ass!" ladybug called out.
Chat heard a laugh, and footsteps approached from behind him.
"Big talk from someone so useless! How does it feel, Ladybug? To feel helpless to those around you? To know no matter how hard you try, You'll never be like them! I will show everyone what it's like to get pity looks and sneers. But first, I'll be taking your miraculous,"
"We're only useless if we give up, Disabler. And ladybug and Chat Noir never give up!"
Chat heard a growl from the woman close behind him before a loud noise, like she had stomped the ground. He'd heard it before in the fight. She was about to charge again. An uneasy few seconds went by before Ladybug squeezed his shoulder.
"NOW!" Ladybug called out.
"Cataclysm!"
The ground beneath them crumbled away, and the two of them went with it. Chat clung to Ladybug tightly and felt his back hit the concrete. Both heroes could hear how Disabler had rushed right past the spot they were in before falling. From the sounds of it, she crashed into another wall. After Chat grunted, he got to his feet and held his partner up. It was awkward until he was able to shift her around to carry her bridal style.
"Straight ahead, Chat! I'll hit the floor to guide you." Ladybug said quickly and took his baton off his back.
Chat took an uncertain step ahead and heard the clear note of metal striking the floor. Grinning, he made his way forward through the darkness.
"Left here!"
Chat stopped, waited for her to hit the floor again, and turned towards the noise. It was a slow process at first, but once they focused on working together, Chat was able to pick up the pace. Before the first few turns, he could hear Disabler try to follow, but their headstart must have been just enough. Eventually, the only sounds Chat could hear were the steady drip of water, His partner's breathing, and her occasional directions until his Ring gave off its first beep.
"Let's stop here, Chaton. Reach out for the wall on your left and set me down." Ladybug guided softly.
He could feel her cling to him firmly until the last moment when he let go. Chat fumbled his way to sit next to his lady with a sigh. They both sat in silence for a few minutes, neither willing to speak yet. His ring beeped for the third time. Adrien couldn't care less. His willpower was hanging by a thread. Maybe… I should give up on being Chat Noir. If she really wanted a better partner then… But his thoughts were interrupted by Ladybug's words.
"You did good, Chaton. Thank you. I can't move, so please turn to face the other way. Back to back…" Ladybug finally said and squeezed his hand. He turned his head toward her voice, but before he could say anything his ring beeped the final warning.
"Chat! Quick!"
Chat turned his whole body to the right and faced away from her just as he felt his powers and suit slip away. Plagg materialized and rested on his knee.
Wow kits, you two sure know the best places to take a cat nap. The sewers? Again?" Plagg huffed out.
Adrien felt his lady's hand groping behind him, and he took it without comment. It had been easy for Ladybug to say they never gave up and put on the infallible hero act. Even if it couldn't be further from the truth. She was scared. Her partner was rightfully distant from her, blind, and she couldn't use her legs. She'd either need every ounce of Ladybug luck to get out of this one… or Chat.
"Breast pocket." Adrien sighed.
Plagg said, "yeah, yeah…" before flying close and diving into Adrien's shirt for some cheese. The two teenagers listened to the Kwami munch without saying anything.
Burden… powerless… discarded…
Chat let go of his lady's hand and wrapped his arms around his knees. Would she still be mad at him? Blame him for the mess they were in? He was the first one to get hit, so it wouldn't be entirely unfair if she did. He couldn't bear for them to fight again so soon. To be told by her that he wasn't needed.
Ladybug tried to say something but the moment Adrien heard it; he spoke up even louder. It sounded like she had started with "I'm-" Before he interrupted. he was too scared to hear it.
"Do you have a plan yet? Let's call out your lucky charm." Adrien said evenly. He tilted his head as he heard a sigh behind him, then felt her body shift on his back.
"Ok… lucky charm." Ladybug said less than enthusiastically.
Adrien felt something nudge his neck.
"Kid, I'm ready. Go ahead and transform again. Don't give up hope yet, kit. You're more important than you know." Plagg said softly for him to hear.
Adrien reached up and patted his Kwami on the head before calling, "Claws out!"
He leaned back a bit to bump his partner's back.
"What did you get this time, my lady?" Chat asked in a low voice.
"Oil."
Chat blinked a few times.
"Oil?"
"...Yeah, a bottle of motor oil."
Chat sighed again and hung his head. He was so tired. Why couldn't the powers of creation ever be straightforward?
"Let's go, Chaton. I only have five minutes now. You'll have to carry me. It's pretty dark, but I see a utility hole near us." Ladybug said.
Chat used the wall to get up, then bent down for her to reach up and latch on to him again. He felt her arm wrap around his neck, and she again hit the floor to guide him. She felt agitated in his arms. Tense. He wasn't surprised after what she had said last night.
I have to make it up to him. But the Akuma has to come first. No time for heart-felt discussions now… Marinette thought. She wasn't putting it off. Nope. She wasn't racked with guilt over her childish outburst that hurt her greatest friend and ally… What would she even say?
After walking over to the utility hole and quickly climbing up, Chat felt fresh air cool his face. After being underground, it was an incredible relief. The smell down there always messed with his senses pretty severely.
"Stop here, Chaton; I have a plan. When she charges, I don't think she can change direction. We'll use the oil to slip her up, then you cataclysm the metal parts of her legs."
"Got it"
Ladybug looked up into his face and sighed. He was barely speaking with her now, and Marinette knew she deserved it. She really messed up yesterday. Right when this fight is done, I'll apologize. She thought.
After spilling the oil, she directed Chat a few steps away and wrapped her yo-yo around his wrist.
"Ready?"
"Ready."
Ladybug took a deep breath.
"DISABLER! READY FOR ROUND TWO!?" She screamed at the top of her lungs. It was loud enough to make Chat wince.
Silence greeted them for several seconds until Chat heard a loud crash in the distance.
"Here she comes…" Chat murmured.
Ladybug glanced at him and nodded before remembering he couldn't see her, so she scanned the area and waited. Sure enough, a cloud of dust was approaching them from down the street. She had to be moving over a hundred miles an hour, easy. Had she gotten even faster? It was at that moment Ladybug realized their enemy wasn't just taking away from others; She was absorbing. Chat held his hand away from his lady, muttered the activation phrase for his power again, and waited. Whatever was about to happen was out of his hands. All he could do was trust his partner.
A loud whooshing noise sped toward them, and Chat did his best to relax. Ladybug flailed something, his baton if he had to guess. A yelp called out before something hit the ground and skidded near his feet. His hand was yanked downwards by the yo-yo, and he felt something crumble under his touch. The yo-yo released him, and he heard the sound of the victim turning back to normal. Chat Noir let the breath he didn't know he was holding out. It all happened quickly, but without seeing for himself, it had been nerve-racking.
Chat held his lady all through the cleansing process. After a few seconds, he saw a flash of pink over his eyes and was blinded by sunlight once again. He squinted and slowly set Ladybug down, and she gingerly set a foot out and tested her weight before letting go. She grinned up at him before remembering the harsh words she had said to him. She opened her mouth to say something important before the newly released victim spoke up,
"L-Ladybug? Chat Noir!? What happened?" the girl asked, confused. She was sitting on the ground next to her chair. Chat wasted no time and kneeled next to her, happy to put off the talk he feared ladybug wanted… Like asking for his miraculous.
After talking with the girl they learned her name was Elise, and she was one year behind them at the same school. Marinette sighed when she heard it had been Chloe to upset her enough to be Akumitized, knowing it was her fault this had happened. She should have known better than to antagonize her. Another mistake…
When she looked over at her partner, he seemed just as upset about that news as she was. After Chat glanced at her, he looked away and spoke up.
"I'll take you back to school Elise, don't worry. Do I have permission to pick you up?"
The girl looked at him with wide eyes before nodding once with a blush. Chat strapped the folded-up wheelchair on his back, then scooped the girl up in one motion and told her to hold on tight. He was about to jump away when he felt something tug his tail.
"W-wait, Chaton! Umm… Thank you for trusting me today." She said in a rush.
Chat gave her a half-smile and then glanced at her earrings which started to beep.
"Always LB. Gotta go!" Chat said and jumped away before she could say anything else. Elise yelped loudly and clung to Chat in fear, but after a few seconds, she started laughing in glee. She felt like she was flying! Even after another harrowing fight, Chat couldn't help but smile. At least for today, he was albe to save someone and bring them happiness… that was always enough.
Ladybug held out a hand after him but didn't call out. She watched him go until the second beep gave her a start, and she dashed to find a nearby place to transform. She took a moment with her hand held over her chest and breathed. If it weren't for Chat, she would have never been able to win against this last Akuma. Hell, any Akuma. Even after all her harsh words, he still trusted her. Believed in her. She asked him to trust her plan, literally blindly, and he didn't hesitate for a second. Marinette did her best not to cry and succeeded only because Tikki had flown over and nuzzled her cheek.
"See? I told you he wouldn't abandon you because of what you said. It takes a lot more than that to break up the Ladybug and Cat miraculous… But I still think you should go to him. You know he's hurting, Marinette. He barely talked today. You promised you would apologize, so why didn't you before he left?" Tikki asked curiously.
Marinette averted her eyes and mumbled something.
"What was that, Marinette?"
"I said; I didn't know how to say it! I will! I will definitely go and talk to him… I just never said when I'd talk to him…" Marinette blurted out.
Tikki sighs and rubs her temples. I was so sure Marinette was more mature than this. Teenagers… It always goes downhill after sixteen for a few years, I swear.
"Fine, but you will go to him, yes?" Tikki asks firmly, glaring at her partner.
Marinette nods dumbly. She jumps a bit when her phone goes off, and Tikki zips back into her spot in the purse. It was a text.
Alya: Girl, you alright? Nino and I got caught up and hit by the Akuma before we could help. Please tell me you're ok.
Mari: Chat and I took care of it. I'm fine.
Marinette began walking back to school at a leisurely pace. Most of the school day was over, and they usually got a half day after an Akuma attack. At least after ones that directly affected the school. She had a feeling being stuck by a sudden disability would be traumatizing enough to warrant the time off. It took Alya several minutes before she finally responded. Marinette was surprised at the short reply, expecting a wall of text asking about the Akuma for the Lady-blog.
Alya: Really? I know things have been hard for you lately. I gave you space because that's what you asked for, but…
Marinette grimaced and went to reply, but her phone started ringing. It was Adrien. She only slightly fumbled her phone to answer.
"Adrien! hey-"
"Oh, thank god. Where are you?"
Marinette blinked before her eyes went wide. Right, the lunch thing. Adrien had stashed her in the bathroom.
"Ohh! I'm alright. I... decided to run away a bit farther once I heard Ladybug and Chat fighting the Akuma?" She said hesitantly.
She heard the boy sigh and could imagine him rubbing the bride of his nose. He did that a lot when exasperated.
"Ok, sorry. I was just worried about you. I went back to find you and you weren't there and the counter girl hadn't seen you leave and- oh, hold on…" Adrien said before stopping.
Marinette waits a few seconds before he hears him sigh again. This time with a lot more frustration.
"I have to go. Apparently, the school sent out a mass message to all the parents. Classes were canceled for the rest of the day, and Maurice is on his way. I'll see you Monday, ok?" Adrien said in a tired voice.
Marinette stopped walking and focused on the call.
"See you Monday. Adrien? Thanks for lunch. I'm sorry I wasn't able to help you with your co-worker. Maybe we can text tonight and work something out, ok?" Marinette said hopefully.
Whatever problem Adrien was having, she still wanted to help if she could… Damn, I never asked if the model was female or not. Not that it matters! Just might… help her come up with a plan, yeah… she thought.
The line went silent long enough for Marinette to worry. Right before she was going to say his name, he finally responded.
"Ok, Mari. I'll text you once I get settled at home. I have a few hours before my kendo training. Oh! Should I tell my driver to come pick you up? We can give you a ride home." Adrien said with care.
"N-no! That's ok, I can walk from here. Not too far from my house at all. Bye, Adrien!" Marinette rushed out.
She was still extremely close to where the final flight with the Akuma had been. She didn't think Adrien would believe any new excuse after catching her in a white lie about the last one.
"Bye, Marinette. Stay safe…" Adrien said and hung up. Marinette muttered, "you too..." after the line went dead.
Marinette kept sending text messages to Alya the whole way back to the bakery. Her best friend swore that they needed a "girls' night in" to help cheer her up, and no amount of denial could dissuade her. Marinette smiled at her phone, thankful to have a friend like Alya. Then groaned when she realized sixty percent of their time tonight would be spent talking about the newest Akuma victim. Thirty percent would be a long conversation about her lunch date today and what every single moment of it meant. The last ten percent will probably be about her current fashion assignment for school.
Marinette met up with Alya right before she got home, and they hugged quickly. Sabine took a moment to check the two of them over after hearing about the Akuma from the alert system and school-wide notification. After assuring her mother they were fine, the two girls made their way up to Marinette's loft.
They spent the night watching movies and discussing gossip. To Marinette's surprise, Alya went out of her way not to mention anything related to superheroes or Akumas. Something she was extremely grateful for. Adrien kept his promise to text her, but he never brought up the subject of his model friend. At some point, Adrien did a video call and talked with Marinette and Alya for over an hour before Nathalie tracked him down and made him work on the newest language he was being forced to learn.
Tomorrow was Saturday, and for Marinette, that meant working for her parents in the bakery. While Adrien's first half of his day would be spent going over business models, spreadsheets, and everything else with Nathalie to prepare him to join his father and run the Agreste brand. Adrien was already itching to go out as Chat before being even halfway through the work. It took him less than five minutes to jump clear of his window when Nathalie finally released him. His choice to patrol early as Chat Noir would change the course of not only his life but all of Paris. A chance encounter that would send him down a new path, right into Marinette's.
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And that's another chapter done! Wahoo! I sincerely hope you guys liked it.
The next chapter is easily my favorite for all I've written of this story so far, save some of the outline work for later chapters.
Thanks so much for reading this far, and I would greatly appreciate any comments, concerns, or reviews you may have. I actually really like to answer any reviews I get at the end of my chapters and will do so with this story if this picks up any momentum,