Summary:
She feels empty, she knows something is missing, but while a part of her wants to fix it, another part of her resists.
Chapter: Mind Of Steel P.2
It's the afternoon when she wakes up. She had a dreamless sleep, for the first time in what seems like a long time. She gets a decent amount of sleep in and actually feels well rested when she awakens. She doesn't feel any sense of urgency or pressure, she feels...nothing for the first time in such a long time. She merely sits up in her bed and looks blankly at the wall across from her. She has nothing pressing to do, or at least, pressing enough for her to truly...care, her parents urged her to spend the rest of the week out of school and to stay home to 'rest up', she didn't object to her worried parents wishes. But that didn't mean she would do nothing within their home either.
The kwami appeared in front of her, Tikki's concerned expression, was more than enough to tell her that she had something to do, someone to visit.
Marinette sighs and rubs her eyes, she turns her body and gets out of her bed, her loose hair was slightly messy. "I'm going to brush my teeth, I'll get dressed after.", she says expressionless to her kwami.
Tikki silently nods. She settles over the pillow and sits, waiting.
The ravenette grabs a towel, two hair ties and her toothbrush before proceeding to go downstairs.
As soon as her master disappears, Tikki's eyes water up, she pouts slightly, she sighs softly to herself.
For Tikki, a sense of longing and uneasiness settled in the moment Marinette acquired those dull grey eyes. Something about how her master now looked and acted, seemed foreign, alien even. The ravenette was expressionless, cold and distant. Marinette was not acting how she normally did. To Tikki, it felt like her master was a complete stranger. Despite their connection remaining, there was no sense of familiarity between them, it was as though someone else had replaced her master.
Marinette brushes her teeth, she keeps her gaze down, she merely looks at the running water while she brushes her teeth with the white minty paste, she doesn't rush, she takes her time. She's aware of everything that's transpired, everything that she's done, but her mind does little to dwell on the events, as quickly as it flashes in her thoughts, it's gone. She remembers almost everything that had happened before being akumatized and the raw emotions she felt in those moments, she just can't seem to remember the things she felt while trapped under Hawk Moth's control.
"Marinette?", Comes a familiar voice, her mother, Marinette acknowledges.
Marinette hums, her mouth full of the minty foam as she pulls the toothbrush from her mouth and stills in front of the sink.
"Are you going somewhere?", The woman asks from the other side of the door.
The teen sighs, she puts her toothbrush under the running water, she watches as the toothpaste is removed from the bristles of the toothbrush. She then reaches for a small plastic cup and puts it under the running water, she puts her toothbrush aside and once the little cup is filled with water she brings it up to her lips, once the water fills her mouth, she swirls it about in her mouth, she does this for a few seconds before she spits the water out into the sink, she tastes the mint upon her tastebuds, she steps back as she grabs the towel she brought with her and dries her mouth, her other hand reaching forwards to shut the running tap off all while bringing her gaze up to the mirror before her.
She meets the gaze of her reflection, unfazed somehow, unsurprised and unbothered by the fact that her reflection was different than it was yesterday morning.
"Marinette? Sweetie?", her mother's voice cuts through the silence.
She drapes the towel over her shoulder, "Yes, I'm going out, I need some air.", she merely says, her tone bland, her gaze still fixated on the eyes that looked back at her through the mirror.
"O-Okay, sweetie.", The woman's voice seems to shake slightly. Her tone filled with concern.
Marinette remains put, still, for a moment she allows herself to take in her image before lifting her hands only to dip them into her loose hair for a moment, she stares at herself silently, her eyes flicker to the hair ties around her wrist. She releases one last sigh before once again meeting her reflection's gaze, her hands fall to her sides, she merely grabs her toothbrush and turns to the door in one swift motion. Reaching out, she grabs the door knob and turns it, opening the door, she exits the bathroom.
"Marinette?", A deep voice speaks softly.
Marinette halts in her steps towards her room's stairs, she partially turns around, looking over her shoulder, she sees her father looking at her worriedly, hesitantly. "Yes?"
"Um.", He begins, he clears his throat, he looks exhausted. "Are you going to eat breakfast?", he manages to say. "Your mother and I made your favorite.", a small hopeful smile forces itself upon his lips.
She isn't hungry, but decides to eat something anyways, "Sure, I'll be back down in a bit.", she replies with a shrug.
The man nods and turns to walk down the hallway leading to the kitchen, he seemed happy with her response.
Marinette turns back to the stairs leading up to her room and makes her way to them.
Fu is at a crossroads. Marinette had finally hit rock bottom, there was no doubt about that. But he knew that from this point forward, more miraculouses needed to remain in circulation. He would not strip Marinette, despite Wayzz once again beginning to advise he does so. He had faith and he would continue to hold onto that faith until Tikki spoke up. Marinette had managed to redeem herself, everything was fixed and while he has yet to see any of the teens or their kwamis and understand how Marinette came back from being akumatized, he still believed Marinette capable enough. He knows though, the depth of her hurt and he knows that moving forward he would have to do better, to give her more guidance or support. Until the battle against Hawk Moth reaches its end, he would give Marinette more people to rely on.
The Fox, The Monkey, The Dragon and The Black Cat, will be at Marinette's side now, surely, everything will get better and Marinette's hurt would be able to mend. Surely.
"Master.", Plagg's voice pulls the man from his thoughts.
Fu hums, he and Wazz both look up from the makeshift table in front of him. "Plagg-", he begins, but just as he does, more voices come.
"Master.", another voice chimes in, then two more.
Four kwamis suddenly flew in through the closed window.
Fu raises an eyebrow, "Hello, all of you.", he greets them, his gaze flickers to Wayzz, whom merely shrugs. "What brings you all here?", he asks.
"Everything.", Trixx cuts in abruptly. "Your Ladybug nearly killed-"
"Trixx!", Longg floats in front of his fellow kwami, "It was not on purpose.", he says, knowing that Marinette was not herself. Kagami while fatally wounded, recovered due to the miraculous ladybugs, she was not angry, she did not blame Marinette at all, Kagami urged the other holders and kwamis not to push blame upon her. He would stand by that and try to keep peace.
Xuppu groans, "She nearly did us all in. She's a huge risk.", he says.
Fu sighs. He knew to expect this, to expect the other kwamis to grow uncertain and unsure.
"She's dangerous.", Trixx growls insistently.
Plagg groans in annoyance, this whole thing had spiraled downward the moment Marinette was without a decent Black Cat and while a part of him agreed that Marinette was turning into a potential problem herself, he still believed she was capable. Marinette had Chloé and Kagami now, she was getting better, things could still be salvaged, Marinette could still be salvaged. "Marinette has been through a lot, she was alone for a while and had to deal with a lot on her plate, she's only human, she makes mistakes too.", Plagg speaks in Marinette's defense. "Let's not forget, she's still just a kid. They're all kids.", he says.
The kwamis all fall silent, taking in what Plagg was saying.
Fu merely looks on.
"Marinette has avoided being akumatized many times, she's fought against her most basic human reactions for so long. Holding this whole thing against her is unfair, she made a mistake, she managed to bounce back.", Plagg huffed, he understood the doubt, the uncertainty, he did, he too felt those things at one point. But he came to understand that Marinette was a child when she was first dealt all these issues and while she grew from every experience, she was still, a child. Marinette was still growing and still learning. It wasn't her fault. "My first master betrayed her, he hurt her in a way I know still hurts her, then everyone else she knew just...abandoned her, she had to deal with Hawk Moth alone for a bit, she bottled everything up, she carried the weight of it all. Alone."
The kwamis angry expressions began to dissolve. Sympathy settled in.
Trixx sighs out and floats to the table, he settles down and sits silently.
Longg merely releases a sigh of relief. Relived that the kwamis were no longer irritated.
Xuppu wore a downcast expression, he acknowledges everything Plagg has said.
"I understand the concern and worry. I do.", Fu finally speaks. "But there is no need for it, I've put you all in circulation to assist Marinette, to help ease the pressure on her shoulders. Chloé and Kagami are close to Marinette, they care for her greatly and I am certain, they will continue to support her however they can.", the man is certain, he just knows. From how Chloé and Kagami took initiative and tried to take control of the situation, Fu could see how sincere they truly were. While it appeared Marinette was dealt the worst possible cards in her life so far, things have a reason for happening. Sometimes to create, one must destroy. Marinette's circumstances may very well be on their way to changing for the better. "I believe we have found the best team yet. I suggest you all grow familiar with your holders, tighten your bonds, trying times are always around the corner, getting through them together is important.", he looks between Trixx, Longg and Xuppu.
Wayzz sighs softly, glad the others have calmed down. He had his doubts, but he would continue to see how things rolled out. Uneasiness still weighing heavy in his stomach.
Plagg nodded his head. "My new master and I have formed a bond, she's integrating well into the balance.", he mentions.
Fu nods his head. "I had my doubt about her, but Chloé has more than proved herself worthy of another chance. I'm glad that she's changed for the better."
Plagg nods his head enthusiastically.
A forlorn expression settles over Trixx's face, he's still upset, his new holder was bratty, not exactly the definition of brave. It was a bit of a let down. But he knew he hardly had a say.
Xuppu on the other hand, liked his holder, although a bit hesitant, he had his reasons, Kim made a mistake and was trying to rectify it. Xuppu could understand that. He hoped that Marinette would too once the dust settled.
Longg had no complaints, Kagami was definitely someone he wanted to be paired with, she was loyal, kindhearted and genuine. His holder was definitely a good pick.
They were at five holders now. Surely, Hawk Moth's fall was inevitable and just over the horizon.
Chloé and Kagami had a very deep talk, a heart to heart after a decent amount of sleep. Kagami and Chloé had slept together, they stayed in Chloé's room, it was awkward at first, waking up and seeing each other first thing, but after a few moments, they just sort of pushed the awkwardness aside and talked...about everything.
Chloé cried slightly, having thought that Kagami was gone, she voices it, her voice shakes slightly in the dim darkness of her room, she tells her about how she felt in that moment when she saw her go down in a puddle of her own blood. It was unnerving and unlike anything she's ever felt.
Kagami listened, she understood, she remembered being afraid, she remembered thinking about everything she's done so far in her life, how unfulfilled she felt going down and how upset she felt that, that was how her life would just end...on that note. She didn't blame Marinette for it, for being put through that odd experience, the whole 'seeing your life flash by'. She knew that as much as this event impacted her, it must have impacted Marinette as well. If she remembered.
The sun's rays shine through the closed curtains, illuminating the slightly dark room. Both teens laid on their backs, facing the ceiling as they continued to talk.
Kagami knew her mother must be going out of her mind, looking for her, calling her. But something clicked yesterday, Kagami, like Marinette, was not living for herself. Kagami was tethered to her mother's words, everything she did, was for her mother, she never did something...for herself. It's unnerving to her, just now actually realizing it, just now having it put into perspective. It felt liberating to be there, here, beside Chloé. Doing nothing but talking and taking a day out from school. Life was too short.
Chloé notices the thoughtful expression on Kagami's face when she turns to her, she seemed like a different person for a moment. She sees those brown eyes shining with unshed tears. "What's wrong?", Chloé asks. Staring at the side of Kagami's face.
"Everything…", Kagami breathes, she turns to Chloé with watery eyes. "My whole life...I always thought I was happy. But...I'm not, I don't think I ever have been. I mean...I've felt proud of my achievements and accomplishments but...I think I only felt that because my mother felt that.", Kagami explains. She thinks for a moment, remembering all those times she looked up to see her mother's reactions to the things she's done, whenever she saw her mother smile, she smiled, simple. She's never done something where she's been the first one to smile, where it was her own reaction that truly mattered.
She's taken aback, surprised even. Kagami always seemed to have it good, but then again, so did Marinette. Chloé feels a familiar feeling coming over her, a need to comfort someone. She shifts in the bed, turning onto her side, she faces the Tsurugi and reaches down, she takes her hand into her own. "You're not alone there.", Chloé sighs softly. "At least your mother notices you. Mine...could care less about me, I've slowly come to realize that.", it hurts, to actually admit it outloud, but there was no use in avoiding the reality of it, the only thing that nagged her sometimes was why? Her father loved her, he did everything for her, but sometimes...seeing how her peer's parents both loved and supported them, got to her. She wondered for a while, tried different ways of gaining her mother's affection...but nothing came of it.
Kagami shifts, turning to face the Bourgeois fully, "I guess we all have our issues huh…", she says softly. She gives the hand that slipped into hers a soft squeeze.
Chloé nods. "We have each other though, none of us have to be alone…", she says sincerely, her eyes searching Kagami's own.
Kagami nods. "We do."
Chloé smiles weakly. Then a thought pops up among her thoughts. "We should get up, and see if we can find Marinette…she hasn't called or replied to any of my texts."
The Tsurugi nods, "Marinette must be beating herself up right now.", her eyes widened for a moment as realization dawns upon her.
Chloé nods. "Knowing her, she definitely took everything in, the fact that she was akumatized must be eating at her.", she begins to shift, sitting up, letting go of Kagami's hand.
Kagami sits up as well. There was a lot on her mind, but Chloé helped her vent some of it, she felt relieved and a sense of clarity, "Definitely. She's going to need us.", she turns to Chloé.
Chloé nods. "Yeah.", her expression becomes serious suddenly. She shifts and slips out of the bed, she's barely a step or two closer to her closet when Kagami speaks up again.
"You really care about her, huh.", Kagami says softly.
Chloé freezes in place for a moment, warmth immediately washing over her face, she feels her cheeks begin to burn.
Kagami smiles from behind the heiress, she had her doubts, she worried about Marinette being backstabbed by Chloé, but as it turns out, she had nothing to really worry about, Marinette was in good hands, had been for a while. Chloé was actually a kind person. Maybe all of this happening was a good thing, she got to see Chloé in a different light, this would be good in the long run, all of this. "Back then, was that a confession?", she asks cautiously.
Chloé feels her heart speed up, she swallows thickly and brings her hands up to her stomach, she begins to fiddle with her fingers.
"I won't say anything...if Marinette doesn't remember it…", She assures her. Kagami would certainly push them together if Marinette was interested...not now of course, but after...when they've dealt with the emotional aspect of the impact the latest akumatization had on them.
Chloé hesitantly turns around, her lips pressed into a slight frown, she grew a bit pale.
Kagami smiled softly at the scared look Chloé was giving her. "It's okay, if you meant what you said...in that way.", her expression is soft, she wants to let Chloé know that she can be a friend.
Chloé sucks in a breath and releases it, "I...I did mean it that way. I-I…", for the first time in a very long time, Chloé finds it hard to speak, she stops fiddling with her fingers, she drops her hands to her sides, "I love her. I'm in love with her.", she says slowly, averting her gaze.
Kagami smiles more widely, "I see.", she answers softly, she's happy, happy to hear that, because in all honesty, she's pretty sure Marinette feels the same way, or at least, some form of deeper affection for Chloé. Throughout the entire time she and Marinette grew closer as friends, Marinette never stopped talking about Chloé. It was hard not to see the genuine affection glow in Marinette's expression whenever she spoke about the latest thing Chloé and her had done together, even if it'd been the most simplest thing. Marinette truly enjoyed the time she spent with the blonde.
Kagami certainly looked forward to where everything would go. She had gained an odd sense of clarity from everything, Chloé was as genuine as Marinette made her out to be, Aurore and a boy were now on their team, surely, together they would persevere, triumph over whatever trying times came next.
Tikki had slipped off in search of Fu as soon as they left the home, Marinette merely walked about, hands in her pocket, waiting for Tikki to return to her to lead her to wherever Fu now stayed. She was aware of the way Tikki kept her distance from her, the way Tikki looked at her as if she were a stranger. Marinette couldn't exactly blame the kwami, for she too was a bit at a loss, she felt off, she was conscious about it, she knew she was not okay, knew that something was missing from her, but she just couldn't put a finger on it.
All she knew at the moment was that she felt an odd sense of nothing, a sense of no purpose, no urgency, no worry. The mess of things she felt yesterday were starting to become a blur, a distant memory despite how recently things had taken place. It's uncomfortable yet comfortable, she's aware of what's lacking, but cannot bring herself to dwell on it for too long.
She's not interested in it.
She sucks in a deep breath and exhales, taking in the fresh air of the outside, she leaves her thoughts, her mind calming and going quiet as her attention is drawn to the view before her. Clear dull sky, birds flying about, chirping lively. Despite feeling as though she was looking through a filtered lense, Marinette feels something akin to ease despite the blow of the cool air that pushes past her. Step by step, left foot, right foot, she makes it to a bench at a park, she plops down and sits back, leaning her back against the cool metal. She looks around, seeing small toddlers waddling about, their parents holding their hands, guiding them. It's interesting to Marinette. She sits up straight and leans forwards a bit, she looks on, observing a specific trio of figures, a mother, father and a little girl. She sees the father kneeling beside the wobbly toddler, egging her on to take more steps forwards while the mother holds the child's hand. Marinette watches closely.
The child, stumbles and nearly falls forwards. Marinette sighs, the parents try to egg their child on further, but the child merely breaks out into a fit of crying.
Crying.
Why was the child crying? Marinette raises an eyebrow, the thought enters her mind as she finds herself leaning back against the cool metal of the bench, she ponders for a moment, thinking, what reason did that child have for crying? She did not fall and did not seem competent enough to understand something like failure. Marinette brings a hand up to her head and rubs her temple, closing her eyes. The cries of the child becoming distant, a few moments of silence come in, but only for a moment, before Marinette stops rubbing her temple, she feels something suddenly settle onto her knee. She opens her eyes and finds a Whinchat sitting on her knee, staring at her.
Marinette removes her hand from her head, she raises both eyebrows now, she locks eyes with the small creature, a silence building between them as the bird only tilts it's head side to side every few moments. She stares at it for what seems like forever, before she finally lifts a hand and slowly reaches out with her index finger, inch by inch, the tip of her index finger draws closer and closer to the bird until finally, the tip of her finger makes contact with the top of the bird's small head, she taps it, gently. Unsure of what else to do. The bird suddenly sits completely, its eyes shut as if enjoying the soft tapping on its head.
Fascinating.
Is the new thing Marinette thinks. Awe suddenly comes over her, she feels something else, something warm coming over her as she begins to use more than the tip of her finger to touch the small creature, she eventually lays her whole hand over the bird, she pets it, until she's interrupted.
"Marinette?", Comes a familiar voice.
Marinette hums softly and stops petting the bird, the bird is seemingly startled and flies away quickly. The Dupain-Cheng sighs heavily and lifts her gaze,turning to the person whom said her name, immediately, her eyes meet deep Sapphire ones, and just as immediate, her breath seems to leave her as her lips part slightly, she suddenly cannot manage any words.
"Marinette.", Sapphire eyes widened, the blonde quickly closes the space between herself and the sitting teen while the girl beside her remained still in place. "Oh god, what happened to you?", the heiress says as she gets beside the Dupain-Cheng and wraps her arms around her, pulling her into her arms.
Marinette stiffens in place, tensing heavily but only for a moment. She doesn't reciprocate but she does relax. "Chloé...Kagami.", she merely breathes out. Her eyes now meeting Kagami's surprised gaze.
Chloé pulled away but only to grab Marinette's face. She inspects the Dupain-Cheng's face, paying extra attention to her eyes, "What happened? I thought...I thought everything would go back to normal?", she breathes out,searching those grey eyes.
Marinette rose an eyebrow, she merely shrugged, she kept the blonde's gaze.
Kagami looked on, wondering what was going on, taking in Marinette's appearance. She looked like a different person, felt like a different person even, her mannerisms were off, she was not her recognizable self.
"It's nothing, don't worry about it.", Marinette says calmly.
A sympathetic expression takes over the heiress's face, "It's not nothing, Marinette.", Chloé says sincerely. She feels an odd feeling brewing in her chest, "Where's Tikki?", she asks.
Marinette silently shrugs.
Kagami's eyebrows furrow, Marinette's calm cool demeanor was becoming unsettling. She knew typically Marinette would be concerned with Tikki's whereabouts, but clearly...something else was amiss.
Chloé is just as taken aback by Marinette's demeanor as Kagami, surely Marinette would worry for her Kwami. "Marinette-", she begins but is cut off by the kwami they were asking about.
"Girls.", Tikki's voice pulls Chloé's and Kagami's attention off Marinette, both turn to see the Kwami approaching them.
"Tikki.", Chloé breathes in relief.
Tikki feels immediate comfort in the blonde's presence, if anyone could help Marinette through this new issue, surely Chloé could, the heiress was already integrating well into the balance, the heiress was almost if not, was, her masters other half. "Chloé.", she says happily, gratefulness written all over her face as she drew close to the blonde and landed onto an open hand Chloé held out for her.
Marinette sighed softly, merely looking on.
Tikki sat in Chloé's palm and turned to Kagami and smiled warmly at her. "The master would like to see you two.", she says softly.
Kagami draws closer, "What about Marinette?", she asks. "What happened to her?"
Tikki seems a bit startled by the question, a little unprepared, but answers. Her gaze flicks to Marinette's empty one. "The Guardian would like to see her too, he wants you two there. With her.", Tikki merely says, avoiding the question.
Chloé looks to Kagami, both share a concerned look.
Things were just never simple.
Wang Fu seems to be out of answers on this one.
He didn't expect this to have happened. He knew that there were consequences for a strained bond, but this, whatever this was, Tikki insisted was different. Something else was at play. They've spoken about this already, Tikki suggesting something that came as a surprise to him. He agreed to Tikki's wish, but still felt the need to assess the situation.
"How do you feel?", Fu asks cautiously, he observes Marinette closely.
Wayzz silently sat beside Tikki and Plagg.
Chloé and Kagami both sit silently on either side of Marinette.
Grey eyes blink for a moment, lips part, "Nothing.", she says, she knows there's a better way to word herself, but she decides that she isn't interested.
Fu raises an eyebrow. "Nothing?", he repeats.
Marinette merely nods her head, lips pressed together.
The man sighs softly and shifts slightly, he rests his hands on his knees, he looks between the trio, but keeps his eyes mostly between Chloé and Marinette, for the temporary change that Tikki and him decided upon, would affect them most.
Tikki and Plagg both look at each with saddened gazes before speaking up themselves.
"The balance has not strained anymore than it was, in fact...it's mending.", Tikki starts, she avoids meeting Marinette's gaze.
"But just because it's mending doesn't mean that everything is okay...we...Tikki and Master Fu have come up with temporary solution to what may be happening with Marinette.", Plagg continues, he then turns to Fu.
Fu nods at Plagg and brings his gaze back to Marinette. "You were akumatized while bonded to Tikki and while you've purified the akuma, some sort of after affect lingers and I believe for now, the best thing to do to avoid a...potential corruption of the earrings of creation, you will no longer act as Ladybug, Marinette.", the man observes the teen, searching for any emotional response. But nothing.
"I understand.", is Marinette's response. She wears a stoic expression.
Kagami and Chloé both stiffen, their eyes widened, both already parting their lips to object, but neither gets the chance to.
Fu raises a hand to keep the girls from speaking, "This is a temporary measure. While you will no longer hold Tikki, you will be given Plagg.", Fu continues, "Chloé will be given Tikki and will be taking the role of Ladybug."
Chloé gasps, she wears an expression of disbelief. "What? Why? I-I can't just be Ladybug I-"
"It has to be you, Chloé. Marinette and you are both two halves of a whole now, you and Plagg have bonded well and me and Marinette still share ours, there wouldn't be any repercussions if you both switched.", Tikki explained.
Plaggs sighed deeply. "Marinette has had to go through a major shift in the balance once, my old master fractured it and it was affecting Marinette, she may not be able to endure another sudden shift, you are already apart of the balance, taking you out of it so suddenly when you just got in...would potential do harm...a lot of harm.", The Kawmi wears a serious expression as he explains more. He knows Chloé's bound to buckle, she'd do it, surely.
Marinette sighed softly, for the first time since being here, a thoughtful expression settled in. Fu rose an eyebrow, wondering what was going through Marinette's mind.
Chloé sucks in breath, she's willing, of course she is, but she didn't want to cross Marinette, she turned to Marinette and gave the side of her face a glance, she then returns her gaze to Plagg and Tikki, she sees their pleading expression and gives in, nodding. "I'll do it, of course I'll do it. But how will this fix...whatever's happening to Marinette?"
Fu brings both his hands to the table and sighs once again, "It's speculation, but myself and Tikki believe that it's in Marinette's best interest as well as for the balance's own, that the both of you swap miraculous because we believe this may be as simple as some sort of side affect to a long term miraculous wielder being akumatized.", he speaks again. Tikki had brought the suggestion up, she explained to him why she believed this was for the best and it made sense. Marinette was a very emotional person and suddenly she was lacking emotional depth, as if she was stripped of it, Hawkmoth had caught her while she was at her worst emotionally, the akumatization may have triggered something they have yet to understand.
Only time will tell how this new arrangement will do.
It's just about the end of the school day when Marinette and Chloé both get to the top of Marinette's home, both having already switched their miraculouses.
"Claws In.", Marinette says, she sighs softly when her transformation disappears. She stands before the new temporary Ladybug. "So I guess this is how it's gonna be for a while.", she says, finally saying more than four words.
Plagg silently floats to a potted plant and sits beside it.
Chloé smiles lightly, feeling a little happy to hear Marinette speak an entire sentence. "Just for now.", she says as she puts a hand over her arm, hugging it to her side, she feels her heart speed up slightly, she feels a mix of emotions wash in, she was finally alone with Marinette.
Marinette shrugs, she blinks and breaks her gaze off of Chloé's own, she crosses her arms and turns her gaze to the plants that lined one side of the balcony, she stares at them blankly.
Chloé's smile falters, she sees how distant Marinette's expression is. She doesn't recognize her and it hurts. "So...um, I know this may not be the time but...I was wondering, do you remember anything?", she asks, swallowing thickly.
Marinette raises an eyebrow and turns to Chloé, "Not really, just...the things that happened before…", her voice trails off slightly, her eyes looking to the floor. "Why?", she flicks her eyes back up to meet the heiress's own, she sees a strange downcast look filling those Sapphire eyes.
The blonde tenses, she lifts both arms and hugs them over her chest, "Oh, um, nothing, I was just curious.", her gaze falls to the floor. A part of her is relieved while the other part is hurt. She knows people tend to forget the things they do while under Hawkmoth's control, but a little part of her was hoping that maybe, just maybe, Marinette would remember her confession. It's selfish, she knows, but she couldn't help herself.
"Are you okay?", Marinette asks suddenly.
Chloé lifts her gaze after sucking in a shaky breath, she sees Marinette staring at her, a hint of something recognizable in her eyes and it gives her a little comfort, she feels her cheeks flush slightly, "I'm fine, just worried about you.", she replies softly. Not expecting to hear what comes from Marinette next.
"I'm fine, Chloé, don't let what's happening to me distract you, you're Ladybug now, I come second, the mission comes first.", Marinette says in a suddenly oh so cold tone. "I don't matter when we're out there as Noir and Ladybug, taking down and purifying akumas is your main focus.", the teen shifts to let her arms hang by her sides, she stands up straight.
Chloé's eyes widen, she feels hurt, an ache stinging in her chest, "Marinette-"
"My purpose now is to protect you, to ensure that you get your opening to purify any akumas that will come our way. Don't be blinded by emotion.", Marinette sighs when she says the last bit, she closes her eyes for a moment as she lifts a hand, she runs it through her loose hair, she opens her eyes and sees clear hurt written all over Chloé's face.
Her words are harsh, they hurt, each word was like a jab to her heart. She grimaces, "I can't not care about you.", she says softly. "I love you.", she suddenly finds the words just slipping out.
A moment of silence washes in between them, a cold breeze pushes past them. They stand there, staring at each other for what feels like forever.
Slowly, Marinette's eyes widen, but only for a moment. Her lips part, opening and closing, much like a fish out of water. Her cold stoic expression melts away. She knows that Chloé's words has two different meanings, but she somehow already knew exactly how Chloé meant it, the look in her eyes gave her away. Marinette feels something brewing in her chest, it's uncomfortable, she doesn't like it, it's the first time today that she's felt something.
Chloé blushes, she feels her heart aching in her chest and she hugs herself a little tighter. She suddenly felt so cold and so alone.
"We can't, Chloé.", Marinette finally speaks. "Just like Chat Noir...I can't love you back.", her voice suddenly has...a different tone to it, it was no longer that cold distant voice that Chloé couldn't recognize. This time, it sounded like Marinette. "We're friends and now we're partners, but that's all we can ever be."
Chloé feels tears pricking at the corners of her eyes, she feels a lot of emotions washing in, all mixed up into a jumbled mess, she keeps her gaze down, too scared to meet Marinette's eyes for fear of breaking down.
"I'm sorry that I can't love you back.", Marinette speaks again. She attempts to step forward but as she does, Chloé steps back, she lifts her gaze, tears dancing in her eyes, she lifts a hand and dismissively waves it off. Marinette feels that uncomfortable feeling grow and weigh a little heavier in her stomach, she winces.
"It's fine, I'll get over it, don't worry about it.", she says weakly, trying so hard to remain composed. "I'll uh, see you whenever I guess. Um, bye.", her voice crack as she says 'bye', with that, she's quick to the her leave, throwing the yoyo out and jumping off the balcony, she disappears within seconds.
Marinette remains standing in place, the feeling continues to bubble and brew in her chest. She reaches up to her chest and clutches the front of her shirt tightly, her grip growing shaky. She narrows her eyes slightly as she feels a familiar sensation in her eyes.
"You didn't have to be a jerk.", Plagg says softly.
Marinette slowly turns to the kwami, she sees his sad gaze, he blinks slowly at her, a small frown on his face. "I wasn't...being a jerk. I just...I didn't want her to think that there was a potential-"
"Why not?", Plagg asks, cutting in, "I...I know I'm not good with human things, but I'm not dumb or blind, I know you care about her too.", He says. "Or at least...did.", he had seen the two interacting, it was different compared to how Adrien and Marinette interacted. He knew Chloé had feelings for Marinette, it was obvious, but what was becoming more obvious was the fact that Marinette also reciprocated Chloé's affections. They bonded and grew closer. Marinette, like Tikki had explained before, was a human with so much love to give.
The teen releases the front of her now wrinkled shirt, her arms hanging by her sides, she stands there in silence for a moment, thinking until she comes to some form of a conclusion. "I'm supposed to take Hawkmoth down, I'm supposed to retrieve the lost miraculouses, I can't afford to fail. I'm in too deep, as long as I hold a miraculous, I have one goal and that is to take Hawkmoth down for good, so that Paris and everyone living here can be safe again. My emotions have done nothing but jeopardize the safety of everyone I was trying to protect, even if some of them hurt me. So long as I don't become attached to something...everyone will be okay."
Plagg is merely awestruck, Marinette was obviously punishing herself for becoming akumatized. Could Marinette have unconsciously done whatever it was that was happening to her, to herself? Plagg couldn't help but think. The girl was clearly denying herself anymore emotional attachments.
Their conversation ends there, Plagg doesn't find his words quick enough, Marinette turns and leaves, opening the trap door to her room and slips in.
Chloé's landing is less than graceful once she gets to her place, she stumbles forwards and falls to her knees, breaking down. "I'm so stupid.", she growls out in frustration, tears running down her cheeks, she's on a hand and her knees, her other hand is over her chest, balled up. "I should've kept my mouth shut.", she sobs brokenly.
She remains by the pool, unable to find it in herself to stand up just yet. "Spots off.", she whimpers softly. Her transformation immediately disappears and Tikki appears.
"Chloé! What happened?", Tikki gets to Chloé's side, wanting to comfort her.
"I...I told her I loved her.", Chloé screwed her eyes shut. "God, I'm no better than that asshole, Chat Noir. I should've just stood shut, I-"
"Chloé, Chloé, relax, it's okay, you can't help who you fall for.", Tikki said, tears gathering in her own eyes. "My master, how did she react?", Tikki couldn't help but ask.
"She said she couldn't love me.", Chloé finally opened her eyes, she lifted her head to look at the kwami, her lips quivering.
Tikki frowned sympathetically, "I'm so sorry, Chloé.", is all she can say.
Chloé sucks in a whimper and shifts to sit onto her knees, "I'm such a screw up, it's like I'm just naturally inclined to screwing everything up."
Tikki sighs softly, she draws closer to the teen, "No you're not. You're only human, you feel things, you're supposed to.", she says sincerely. "Don't beat yourself up over having feelings for someone."
Chloé swallowed a sob, she nods her head, her lips pressed into a tight line, tears continuing to run down her cheeks. It hurt, it hurt so much, but she knew that what Marinette said, went. She would respect Marinette words. She had to pull herself together and work through this.
Tikki observes the teen, she's hurt too, she knows that Marinette isn't herself and she feels that things may have gone differently if circumstances were different, if Marinette was herself. Maybe once Marinette is better, things would change.
Maybe.
Sorry about any typos ect.
Replies to Review:
hustephanie1027: No, Marinette doesn't know...yet. XD