She never imagined it to be like this. Her day was hell, work non-stop. School, 3-hour shift, babysitting, more school. Both of her themes were finished she only had to do street style, she finished her 5-page essay on her worse subject and she was still humming. Marinette was worn out, tired and was surviving on 9 and a half cups of coffee, chugging the other half as she walked to the shops.
She needed to buy more coffee and a few other things. She tried remembering her mental list of groceries as she walked the aisles looking for dish soap. 'Gotcha! Pretty sure that's it.' She smiled and thanked the clerk at the counter as she walked back onto the busy streets. About to turn the corner she remembered something. 'Shampoo and conditioner!' She scolded herself as she cursed under her breath walking back to the store. 'I don't need it at the moment.' Marinette gave into her lazy side and walked back home.
"Sup?" Alya asked as she saw Marinette put the bags down on the kitchen counter.
"I am done for." She started unpacking and putting things away.
"Hey, look at the bright side. You look like you've been productive."
"I think you're mixing up exhausted with productive" Marinette leaned on the counter and tilted her head back closing her eyes.
"Coffee?" Alya said as she looked at her book in front of her.
"My stomach feels like acid I don't need it to explode." Alya chuckled.
"You know what! I'm going for a run." Marinette slammed her palms on the counter.
"Sweat out your stress!" Marinette heard as she shut her door.
"So, when are you actually going to become a resident of the house?" Nino asked sprawled out on the couch as Adrien stacked up the empty boxes.
"After my last show."
"You're going to be a star babydoll." Nino said in his best New Yorker accent.
"Ha, ha, ha." Adrien laughed sarcastically and smiled as he felt the vibration of Plagg snickering.
The show wasn't the only thing stopping him from moving in. Being a hero, hiding a superhero persona was stopping him. Trying to sneak out in the middle of the night or getting back into the loft dressed up as a black cat, was going to be hard. He thought about telling Nino, a lot. More than he'd like to admit. He didn't bring it up with Plagg at least not yet.
"Don't make me start singing." Nino snapped Adrien out of his thoughts.
"I want to die peacefully not with my ears bleeding." Nino threw a cushion at him and he laughed.
"Hey, Nino?"
"Mhmm?"
"What if I told you I was someone else?"
"I'd ask you to take me to space with you." Nino replied without skipping a bit. "Are you actually an alien? Because that would explain a lo-" Adrien threw the cushion back at Nino making him fall off the couch.
"I'm not an alien. I'm human and I'm Adrien Agreste but what if I told you I was also someone else?"
"As long as it doesn't hurt anybody, it wouldn't really matter to me. You're still Adrien, my bro, my dude." Nino sat up and looked at Adrien over the couch.
"My best friend." And Nino smiled. Tears stung Adrien's eyes hearing his friends' words.
"Adrien?" Nino sprung off the couch and rushed to Adrien grabbing his shoulders. "Hey, what's up?" Adrien sniffled and shook his head.
"You mean the same thing to me." Nino smiled reassured that his friend was alright. Then, Adrien was engulfed by arms and squashed into a chest. Adrien wrapped his arms around Nino's shoulder blades and made a little-wet patch into Nino's shirt.
"I know, I know." Nino patted his head but retracted.
"W-what?"
"Your hair... what the hell is it, angel wings? You do something, what you do, who did you sell your soul to?"
"What are you talking about?" Adrien's face only expressed confusion and even more when Nino threaded his fingers through Adrien's blonde locks.
"Dude, it's so fluffy!" Nino shrieked ruffling his hand in Adrien's hair.
"Okay, seriously what..." Nino paused and squinted at Adrien who had a look of delight on his face.
"W-what?"
"Are you... purring?" Nino took his hand out of Adrien's hair and smiled devilishly.
"What!? Pft. N-no, I'm not. There's something wrong with you." Adrien crossed his arms and walked off stubbornly.
"Aww, did I hurt the wittle kitty's feewings?" Nino mocked.
"Shut up!"
Adrien walked out of the loft. Going downstairs it was just an empty floor. A few chairs and couches here and there may be a table or two but besides that, it was a clear floor. 'Gotta ask about that.' Adrien made a mental note.
He walked out of the building, his hands in his pockets. Standing outside he closed his eyes feeling the breeze sweep his hair out of his face. Hearing heavy breathing and feet stomping on the ground he opened his eyes just in time to see Marinette pass him in a red muscle shirt, black shorts, earbuds in and her hair tied up into a ponytail. She turned the corner and a slight prick of pain stabbed through his chest. A needle through his heart, hopefully sewing it back together with a thread. He stared at the corner she turned no longer hearing her feet on the ground or her breathing.
Adrien followed her and turned the corner only to see she wasn't there anymore. He looked side to side to see her running in the park only seeing parts of her as she passed through the trees with the shadows casting on her face. He jogged over, crossing the street and keeping his eyes on her making sure not to lose her. Walking into the park he maneuvered around the trees trying to catch up with Marinette in his sweatpants and sweatshirt thankful he slipped on his sneakers.
He slowed down as he saw her stop in front of a marble block that held a statue he couldn't see from the distance with tree branches covering his view. Walking close behind her, he could see that the statue was of a person. Marinette walked around it her hands on her hips, head back and chest heaving as she walked to the water fountain in the clearing of the park. Adrien stood in front of the statue with Marinette gone he could be out in the open, well with his hoodie over his head as he tried to stay clear of fans and paparazzi. He was amazed by the beautiful carving of the stone that formed Ladybug in her new suit. He couldn't see much of her face but the kneeling position she was in meaned something more than stone and rock. She would serve Paris and protect it probably over herself. She would make sure Paris would be safe and she would keep fighting, protecting the city she loved dearly even with her last breath. It scared him of how true his thoughts were. Ladybug would choose the city over herself.
"Adrien?" He turned around to see Marinette with her earphones hanging out of her shirt and little pieces of hair sticking out.
"H-hey Marinette." He scratched his scalp thinking about what to say. 'Crap.' He cursed as he avoided eye contact with her finding the brown dirt beneath his feet more fascinating than the girl he adored.
"What are you doing out here?" Marinette said not moving and just standing in front of him.
"Well, I finished unpacking and I was bored so I thought I would come to the park. It's just across the street and I found the statue." He gestured to the stone piece in front of them. For a second he saw an expression that resembled surprise but it quickly vanished as she slowly walked over and stood beside him facing the statue.
"So you haven't seen the statue?" He turned to stand with her looking at the statue mesmerized by it.
"Well, now I have." He sighed and stared at the stone carving. Curved in the right places no edges making the body look as though it could come to life. Marinette started humming and the tune fit the situation perfectly, Adrien thought.
"Fly away, become a new, we will be okay. Because we have you." Marinette said softly. Adrien looked at her with his eyebrows furrowed. Confused he looked back at the statue and looked down at the plaque. He realized she read the metal sheet screwed into the block of marble.
He looked over the bronze metal and read it himself.
"What does it mean?"
"That Ladybug can trust us as much as we trust her." Marinette replied without missing a beat. Adrien nodded.
Would Paris trust Chat Noir again? How long would it take for Paris to be comfortable with Chat Noir like that? But what made Ladybug use that quote? Was it her choice or did all of Paris decide? So many questions popped into Adrien's mind. None which were answered as he stood with Marinette in front of the statue.
"Why those words?"
"I don't know." Marinette couldn't remember. She thought about it, why did they choose those words? Something about turning evil to good and how it will be okay. "Maybe because Ladybug still fought hard and did what ever she could to make things right but she doesn't care about her reputation or how she looks or, or what people think of her... I think she just wants us to be safe and live. To enjoy life."
"Do you think she's scared?" Adrien asked suddenly. Hands stuffed in his pockets and head straight, looking at the staue again.
Marinette thought about it. Was Ladybug scared? Ladybug was scared and that drove her to protect the people of Paris. She was scared to lose the people she loved or to see her home destroyed. She didn't want to see people beg for their lives or to see them mourn over a loved one's death. 'Not again.' That fear made her do things to protect and do everything she could to keep people safe. She wasn't brave, she was scared. But she couldn't handle talking about it when she felt her chest tighten, a sour taste in her throat and the knot tightening in her stomach.
"I'll see you later." Marinette stabbed her earphones into her ears not caring about the pain. She blasted her music and left Adrien as she ran off. 'Is Ladybug scared?' Adrien asked himself as he looked back at the stone version of the lady who swore to protect everyone.
Marinette ran, it was all she could do. Even though it made the taste in her mouth worse and her chest hurt, she kept running. She wanted to run away from everything, her problems, her promises, her priorities, her issues, from everything and everyone. The music blasted through her earphones and as the song ended she slowed down to a jog. Running in the park on a clear path with no one else around she slowed to stop. It was the tune that she was humming for weeks. She looked around and found nobody near. She tugged on the white cord but still heard the music. Soft guitar strings played like a harmony only getting louder each minute. Such a melody somehow so aggressive.
"Are you scared?~" Someone sang.
She knew that voice. 'From the other night!' She remembered the voice as the one she heard when she patrolled. Guitar strings kept playing and Marinette didn't do anything she just listened. It was an enhancing melody, like a siren drawing you into the water. She stuck her earphones back into her ears and picked a different song but it still played that alluring melody. She ran, focusing her attention on her phone as she tried to play a different song. Running to the nearest house she recognised the music kept playing. She ran through the doors slamming it shut. Her back hit the door and she slid down, her hands covering her ears. Loud footsteps echoed into earshot and someone's voice but it didn't register in her head of who it belonged to.
"-nette! Mari- Du-ch-ng!" The voice was muffled but the music became louder. Nino grabbed her shoulders causing her to look at him. He saw her face was red and tears streamed down her cheeks. Pulling out his phone he dialled Alya's number, putting it on speaker and explaining everything. He then called Adrien and did the same.
"What? What do you mean? What happened?" The music started to fade and Marinette's tears seemed to fall less.
"I don't know she came in and then I saw her crying. Just get here!" Nino ordered.
"Okay, I'll be there soon."
'Chat?' And with that thought, the music stopped.
"Marinette?" Alya asked. Looking around she realised she was moved to the couch with her friends surrounding her. All looked worried and confused.
"A-alya?" Marinette croaked. Alya wrapped her arms around Marinette.
"What happened?" Alya whispered into Marinette's ear. She shook her head.
"Okay but you have to tell me. Or at least someone." The two boys in the room stayed quiet as Marinette squeezed Alya, her face with dried tears buried in Alya's chest. After a while, they moved upstairs and decided to watch a movie. Marinette didn't talk to anyone and no one tried to make conversation. A few minutes into the movie Adrien spoke up.
"Marinette?" He leaned over seating in between her and Nino, Alya by Nino's side her head on his shoulder.
"Chat?" When she spoke her voice came out scratchy. Adrien's eyes widened. If it was possible when she turned to face Adrien she looked even more tired.
"Oh. Yeah?" She asked.
"Are you okay?" Marinette's face was blank and suddenly a smile cracked on her face, a huge grin.
"Yeah." She said in a chirpy whisper.
They watched the movie in silence something weighing having in the air after Adrien and Marinette's encounter. After two movies Alya and Marinette decided to go home. They said bye to the two young men and left the loft heading downstairs. Alya took the last step on the staircase looking up to make sure no one followed. Marinette waited at the door.
"You coming?" She asked. Alya walked towards the door but stopped.
"I don't know what's wrong." She turned her head to look at Marinette. "I don't care if you want to tell me. I care if you're okay." And she walked towards the car, unlocking it and seating in the driver seat.
-.-.-
Marinette tossed and turned in her bed. She didn't tell Tikki anything only that she hung out with Nino and Adrien. But Tikki didn't believe it, she heard when Alya got the call. Still, Tikki didn't press on the matter. Marinette kicked the covers a while ago and now she stared at the ceiling her body flat on the bed. Tap, tap! She turned her head and saw a black figure standing out of her bedroom on the other side of the glass doors. She smiled and jumped out of bed. As soon as the door opened she jumped and wrapped her arms around Chat. Surprised, his mouth fell open and his arms stiff in the air. Marinette let her feet hit the ground, hands still on his shoulders.
"I am never going to get used to seeing you in this suit." They both laughed. As it slowly died down Chat looked at Marinette's face. Scrunched up from laughter her eyes wrinkled and a sound of joy coming from her mouth, she stopped and she lifted her head to stare at Chat who was staring down at her. He slowly reached behind her ear and tucked a strand of her midnight locks causing a rose blush to warm her cheeks.
"Why are you up?"
"Can't sleep." She walked in and he followed. Chat sat on the bed as Marinette closed the doors and curtains.
"Why?" He asked once she took a seat next to him she shrugged. Chat thought about it. He wanted to see how she was since it seemed like she wanted to see him.
"Tell me about your day." He leaned back against the wall and Marinette followed.
She told him everything. From the moment she woke up to her run. She paused and suddenly there was a weight on Chat's shoulders. Her eyes looked sad. A glossy wall covering her bluebell eyes. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and she continued. 'Music?' He asked himself.
"What type of music?"
"Just guitars."
She continued about her day, telling him that the music didn't stop and it made her cry. He rubbed her shoulder as she nuzzled her face into his neck. Then she told him how her friends helped and how lucky she was to have them.
"Even Adrien?" He asked. Wondering if she was happy she had Adrien, his civilian form, in her life.
"Even Adrien. We may have been through a lot but to have him back in my life and just being there, supporting me. I'm glad he's here." She finished with a small smile. They sat in silence, Marinette's head on his shoulder and his hand rubbing up and down her arm tracing small circles.
"How do you know Adrien?" She asked her words slurred and lazy. Chat slightly panicked within.
"You've talked about him before. When he first came back, you were kinda upset." Chat guessed.
"Mmm, I was but not anymore."
Chat smiled as he felt Marinette's body going limp next to his. He slowly retracted his arm and then picked her up, scooping her tiny body and holding her close to his chest. Holding her like a child in one arm and peeling off the covers with the other Marinette rubbed her nose close to his neck making him shiver. His face heated and he gently laid her body and pulled the blanket over her tiny frame.
"Good Night, purrincess." He kissed her forehead and left the room, making sure the doors were closed.
Chat watched the city. Marinette wasn't the only one that couldn't sleep. Now he had the full story of the music she heard and he got a bad feeling. He looked out on a building with his leg hanging off the edge his other folded making an armrest. He looked out into the dark night.
"I can't see anything." He mentally growled. Even with his night vision there was nothing in sight. Suddenly his vision turned green and silhouettes of the dark sharpened, he could even see from a far, across the buildings of Paris.
"You're welcome." Plagg's voice rung through his mind. He smiled remembering that Plagg was there.
Chat jumped from where he sat. He figured that now he could see he should take a proper look. He searched from above buildings and when he couldn't see anything he casually walked the streets. It wasn't until he passed a building with large glass display windows did something catch his eye. He took a step back and looked into the window.
"Plagg can you make my sight normal again?" Chat asked. Looking at the window again in his normal vision he could see what was different. The glass didn't show his reflection rather someone else. He moved forward and the person in the glass followed. He waved his hands, cocked his head, even did a backflip. The reflection in the glass wasn't his.
"Aren't you just a confused little kitty?" And then he emerged from the glass. As he took a step out of the reflection Chat Noir moved back. When he looked at the boy something seemed off. He recognised this person.
"Scotty?" He asked.
"Bingo." And then Scotty vanished into multiple music notes scattering into the air. Chat watched as the music notes (Scotty) flew into the air. He took his baton out and extended it, his feet left the ground as he held onto the top of it. He followed the music notes running on top of buildings and almost lost his balance as he tried to catch up. Soon the music notes formed a shape of a body and it materialised into Scotty.
"Trying to catch me?" He mocked. Chat didn't answer as he was focused on not losing Scotty.
"Haha..." His laugh faded into the air and as Chat glanced to look at him he was gone. Chat abruptly stopped.
"Aahhhh!" He shouted into the night, head to the sky and arms stretched wide ready to fall to his knees.
-.-.-
Adrien couldn't help but overthink with Nino's blabbering about some assignment he got a bad grade for because 'he didn't finish it' but Nino protests that he indeed did finish it and he even worked on it more then he was supposed to. Adrien's face was screwed tight into an expression that made you run for the hills cause you had no idea if he was going to snap and break your legs or scream. It would change every so often maybe to something that looks like he was about to cry and then into something like he discovered a new species. Either way, Nino watched him taking quick glances at his sudden change of expression and then continued on with his rant. Adrien didn't realise he was pulling such expressions until Marinette pointed it out in Drama class.
"What?" He asked.
"You look like your trying to burn a hole through the paper with your eyes," Marinette said softly still cautious of the type of relationship they had and if she was crossing any lines.
"Just thinking." He looked back down at the script and was interrupted by Ms Etourdissant.
"It better be about the play Adrien because that much focus should be on something important."
'Trust me it's important.' Adrien mentally fired back. Of course, he didn't say it out loud he would probably get his ass kicked or ears nagged off.
"Focus! Go through it again." She demanded. Everyone groaned but nonetheless complied.
With a lot of confusion, the drama class got through the first few scenes and altogether an act. The university was one of the top universities in the city. Though classes were similar to a high school schedule. You have your core classes, plus your majors and if you want electives which are just more work, you have those. But elective classes are limited, if you want an elective class you have to have a top grade in your major and depending on your major you're only opened to a certain variety of electives. A very confusing system all high school graduates found but once they had their classes and had a normal week of the university they got the hang of it.
"Hey, how're your designs coming along?" Adrien asked Marinette though he already knew how she was going. He stayed up with her as Chat Noir talking about random things and Marinette shooting constant threats everytime he touched something.
"Great actually. All finished, well semi-finished. One more piece to sketch out and create." She smiled up at the young blonde male.
"That's good, can't wait to see how the Chat Noir design comes out." At the mention of the heroine, Marinette smiled wider and something sparked in her eyes that resembled excitement.
"Turned out really well, I got first-hand inspiration." She mumbled the last part but Adrien heard it. He smirked at the comment.
"I'll see ya later, Mari." Adrien waved and walked off to his own class as Marinette entered her design class.
Marinette took her seat and had a little chat with Rose who had lovely designs. They were truly magnificent. Colour-dyed skirts, with space design ties and so much more. Marinette was intrigued to see out it would turn out and how Rose would pull it off. She looked down at her base design for street style and suddenly felt a wave of insecurities. She could change the theme. She hasn't submitted her report yet and she hasn't started her design, she could just change the theme. She was scared that she couldn't fully construct clothes following the style of the theme. But she was going to anyway. It was set in stone that she was doing street style as her third theme, she wasn't going to change it.
She rubbed at her sketchbook with an eraser constantly, even tore the page once. Only having the male draft of her street style Ms Mandalave made an announcement. Everyone packed up and so did Marinette albeit reluctantly and stared at the waiting teacher.
"Two weeks time rather you finished your designs or not I want all projects in the room on their mannequins. I must see that you have at least created one design, you can still work on them in class but by then there should be no more drafts in the making."
Marinette panicked, her face may have looked neutral but no one could stop the storm behind that mask. 'Okay, tomorrow I should have the drafts planned out, by the end of the week hand in my report. Start the theme by the weekend and finish the outfits in class.' Marinette planned it out in her head, plotting out the dates, making sure she had enough time and also considering her other assignments. The class was dismissed and Marinette left class feeling the slightest bit more stressed.
Alya and Nino went out on a date. Marinette was really happy, it's been a while since they went out. It left her and Adrien to hang out but last minute he had some work to do with the last show he had, he informed Marinette over the phone. She could hear the questions people would ask him 'where does this go?' and 'where's the list of the designers?'. A phone call that was supposed to take 10 minutes, most likely, took half hour. Marinette would laugh every time he would apologize and understood that he was busy. If she was being honest she was actually nervous to hang out with him. Well more like on edge, she didn't want to seem like she still had a few issues but she did. She didn't really know if she was okay with being around him now, not really minding his presence but she was aware and cautious of her actions and words.
She decided that she would use her free time to finish her design. So, she sat at her desk staring at the crappy sketch of her first draft design, Tikki staring at her as she chewed on a cookie, crumbs falling on to the desk. She threw her head back and groaned loudly.
"Tikki spots on." She said suddenly.
"Wait, what n-!" Tikki spoke too late, she got sucked into the miraculous.
Marinette was on the balcony rail but before she jumped she heard a faint knock. She landed back on solid concrete and walked back into her room.
"Tikki spots off." She whispered. Tikki popped out but dropped to the ground, before she could it the floor Marinette caught her.
"Tikki!?" Marinette heard the sound of knocking get louder. Tikki slowly lifted her head and tried to smile.
"I'm fine, just tired." She shooed Marinette off. Marinette nodded and gently placed Tikki in her little bed.
Marinette unchained the lock and opened the door to see a distressed Angela.
"I'm so sorry, your parents told me you lived here when I went to see you at the bakery," Angela said quickly. Marinette looked startled.
"Come in. What happened?" Angela walked in and took a seat on the couch.
"He's missing. He's been missing for awhile, I went to the police, they put out a missing person's report. I don't know what to do, he's gone." Marinette listened carefully. She rubbed Angela's back soothingly as she looked like she was on the verge of tears.
"Scotty?" Marinette hesitated. Angela nodded and a tear slipped but she quickly wiped it away.
"I know you don't know us th-"
"When did he go missing?" Marinette interrupted not caring that Angela just showed up at her door.
"A few days after he got out of the hospital."
"Within the week?"
"I think so, I'm pretty sure it was a Wednesday. It was on the fourth."
"That's almost three weeks ago," Marinette stated in disbelief.
Disbelief that she didn't know in that amount of time, disbelief that she didn't check up on them sooner, disbelief that she didn't know when Scotty was released from the hospital. How could she not know? She should've known. He knew she was Ladybug, she thought she would've remembered that? 'How could I forget about that?' She asked herself. 'How could I forget them?'
"Me, Alya, Adrien and Nino will help you look for him. We'll keep our eyes open and help you any way we can." Angela couldn't help but cry. She missed her son and was worried about the unknown. She wrapped her arms around Marinette, softly weeping into her shoulder making a wet patch.
The two talked and Angela cried. Marinette asked questions and tried cheering Angela up with little jokes. Angela would let out a chuckle, an exhausted one and that hurt Marinette a bit knowing that she couldn't exactly lift Angela's spirits. Angela left after a while and said farewell with a small smile and thanked Marinette who promised to help any way she could. As soon as she closed the door she leapt to her phone and called Adrien.
"Scotty's missing." She informed.
"I know." He said quickly.
"What? How?" There was a pause from the other line.
"I saw a poster on the notice board in the store."
"Just now?" Adrien paused.
"Yeah." Marinette furrowed her brows.
"That's weird."
"Yeah, I don't know how I jut found out." Adrien lied.
"Okay, does Alya and Nino know?" Marinette nodded even though Adrien couldn't see her and put her hands on her hips.
"I told Nino and I think he told Alya," Adrien concluded. Marinette heard a door shut, most likely a car door.
"Are you on the road?" She asked.
"Yeah, I'll be at yours in a few." And then an engine purred to life.
"Okay, stay off your phone and keep your eyes on the road, Agreste. I'll see you soon." Marinette hung up and Adrien was left smiling at his phone in his car.
-.-.-
"Okay, I put a digital copy of the poster on my blog and all social media," Alya said still looking at her phone screen.
"The station has been informed and will be talking about the report along with the others," Nino informed the group hanging up the phone.
"Wait so you work at a radio station?" Adrien asked looking up from the papers in his hands. Nino sheepishly smiled.
"Yeah, it's pretty cool. You should check it out sometime." Nino offered. Adrien slowly nodded and looked back down at the old papers.
He and Marinette were looking over old newspapers and reports or any other news publications put out there. Nino and Alya were in charge of the digital world and all online news. The tv served as background noise as it was on the local news channel. They analyzed all sorts of things trying to find Scotty and any other person that went missing.
"What are we actually looking for?" Alya said which sounded like she was giving up.
"Anything." Adrien and Marinette said at the same time. They didn't seem fazed by it and just kept working. Marinette grabbed a highlighter and highlighted an article for about the hundredth time.
"I think I found something. Maybe." She moved the papers on the coffee table and placed three different articles in front of everyone. They all gathered around.
"What is it?" Nino asked.
"Read."
"Wait." Adrien's eyebrows furrowed and he looked closely like it was going to help him solve something.
"These are all the same dates." He pointed out. Nino and Alya looked at where Adrien's fingers were.
"That's a song." Nino murmured next to Adrien.
"What?" Marinette snapped her head to Nino.
"It's an old melody that is usally used for basic notes. It a number, it could be played on any instrument really." Nino grabbed Alya's laptop and fiddled with something. He patted the space next to him and moved more into the middle so everyone could see the laptop screen. Adrien stood up and stood behind the couch and the girls sat next to Nino. Different instruments played the same tune. Keyboards, drums, bass and then an acoustic guitar.
"Oh my god," Marinette whispered. Her chest rose up and down heavily causing Nino to pause the music.
"What?" Alya asked.
"I-it's uh. It's the song I heard the other day." Marinette whispered.
"Soooo... These dates are a song that only Marinette can hear and is related to the recent disappearances of people." Nino summed up. "And this is normal for us." The look on Nino's face wasn't of enjoyment or of horror. It looked nostalgiac in a way but strong and determined.
This is what the citizens of Paris were familiar with, to always be prepared for the worst.
"An akuma," Alya stated now seating next to Marinette, an arm running up down Marinette's back trying to soothe and calm her down.
Adrien knew most of this and already assumed it was an akuma. He wasn't the only one but Marinette was shocked and paralyzed, stress and fear taking control of her body causing a panic attack. Adrien knew the akuma was Scotty, he didn't want to be right, he had to do his research to make sure there was another answer but there was none. Scotty was the akuma and he was most likely causing these disappearances but it didn't make sense to Adrien. He heard about Scotty's disappearance a weeks after other people started to vanish. He needed Ladybug.
"We have to tell Angela," Marinette announced.
"And the police," Adrien added.
Marinette called Angela and she agreed to see them tomorrow at the bakery since it was already dark outside. The two spoke on speaker the others listening from afar. Once the call ended Marinette let out a heavy sigh and after a long time she got the bottle of vodka out of the top cabinet, unscrewed the lid and took a sip straight from the bottle. The liquid burned her tongue and left a bitter taste in her mouth as she felt it flow down her throat.
"Stress drinking is bad for you y'know." Marinette choked when she heard Adrien's voice. She covered her mouth and coughed multiple times as she tried to swallow the vodka. Adrien was by her side and gently patting her back.
"Sorry." He apologised with a guilty smile.
"No, no it's alright." She waved him off. "Just a lot happening."
"Yeah, a lot is happening." Adrien folded his arms and leaned on the counter next to Marinette as she put the bottle back. She stepped back and jumped on the opposite counter looking down at her feet as she kicked them idly in the air.
"So the song?" Adrien asked quietly.
"Yeah, that song... Which I don't get. I've been humming it for weeks, people are disappearing and somehow random dates form music notes now!" Adrien snorted and quickly covered his mouth trying to suppress his laughter. Marinette glared at him but soon lost her composure as well. They both held their stomachs, laughing at the weirdness of their lives.
"Hah, ahh, oh-okay. It's getting pretty late I should probably head home." Adrien wiped a tear threatening to fall from the laughter.
"Your last show is soon right? Gonna have a roommate soon." Marinette smirked. Adrien smiled.
"Yeah. I'll see ya later, Mari." Marinette nodded and Adrien said goodbye to Nino and Alya walking out the door.
Marinette smiled to herself happy with her relationship with Adrien and how comfortable she was now being around him. She wasn't the only one happy with how their relationship was. Adrien though content couldn't help but feel like it could be so much more. Maybe Marinette forgot what that felt like to want more but Adrien thrived on that for more than a year. Now, back in Paris, he could have what he wanted, it was right in front of him... She was right in front of him. But he didn't do anything and it kinda killed him. It kinda hurt, to smile and laugh and enjoy her company knowing that he loved her more than anything but he had to love her a different way. And it kinda killed him.
"It hurts, huh?" Someone said from behind him. Adrien quickly turned around to be met with Scotty.
"To know you want something and can't have it. To admire something from afar. To desire the impossible." Scotty now stood in front of Adrien as he looked down at Scotty.
"Scotty..." Adrien breathed.
"No, you don't get to call me that scaredy-cat." Scotty shoved Adrien. "I can tell you what you could do though." A sly smile stretched across Scotty's lips and placed his hand just over Adrien's heart. Adrien was frozen solid, paralyzed and couldn't move. Scotty could see the inner turmoil in Adrien's eyes and smirked. Black and magenta smoke surrounded Scotty's hand and music slowly faded into the air. Adrien grew more irritated and confused as the smoke grew and the music got louder.
"Why don't you act on that desire, hm?" Adrien could feel it. The separation between his mind and his heart. It was like he didn't even have a brain. But all he could do was think. 'Think, think, think. Think!' Temptation ruled over his body and his mind became blank. But he was driven he just didn't know what for.
"Oh. Marinette is a lovely girl." And something in Adrien snapped. 'Marinette?'
"But y'know some of the loveliest things..." Scooty stood closer towards Adrien's ear and whispered. "...hide the darkest secrets." Adrien grabbed Scotty's wrist and the music stopped. Scotty's eyes widened as he watched Adrien's eyes become green, feline-like. His hand grew black claws and a flash of green covered him in leather. A growl escaped his lips and stepped forward looking at Scotty with something similar to hatred.
"Ooohhhh. Look at you, whiskers out and all." Scotty chuckled. He stepped back, even though the fear didn't show on his face Chat Noir could sense that he was scared.
"Guess your love triumphs your desire." The smile on Scotty's face fell as he felt his back hit something. He slightly turned his head to see Ladybug staring at Chat.
"Let him go." Ladybug said. Chat's hold only seemed to tighten and Ladybug's eyes grew hard.
"Let him go!" She barked.